Insta Replay

Happy Hump Day to all.  Its the middle of the morning and I'm ready for a nap already.  We're having some way strange weather here in SoCal right now.  Rained yesterday, but with tropical humidity.  Woke up this morning to 90% humidity and we don't have AC.  I know much of the country deals with high humidity much more than we do here (which is why so many people move out here.) So when we get it we REALLY notice. And it basically means to me not to both with the blow dryer in the morning, cuz that I one battle I will not win.  Air dry and natural frizz it is today.

If you missed it, here's a look back on the past couple weeks when the air moisture level was more normal. 

This week started off with a lovely day.  I started the week with some fun color.
 

Too ripe bananas equaled mini-chocolate chip banana muffins this week.  No nuts this time.

Tried to "work appropriate" this casual jersey dress with a vest. I think it worked.

Grabbed this shirt on a whim on my way out of H&M. Really loving its colors.  Feels like spring to me.
 

I thought this top was too boxy when I first got it, but I really like it tucked in to slim bottoms, like this pencil skirt (that I've had for ages. A great buy.)
 

Just appreciating the lovely blooms in our landscaping at work.

This dress has pockets. Any dress that has pockets makes me happy.
 

Close-up of the House of Harlow bangle I was wearing from my Rocksbox that week.
 

You may have noticed I'm wearing the same shoes in every picture: I jammed my toe over the weekend, and my foot was/is so sore and swollen I can only wear these sandals.
 

Working on some creative endeavors, a sneak peek here.  Stay tuned.
 

Didn't know what to wear this day, just threw things on. I think it turned out ok.  Shouldn't have worn those shoes though - was limping all day (see above image caption.)

Exploring nature with my little buddy on a sunny afternoon. Teaching Mom to see the little things again.
 

Trying to look pulled together while still weekend comfy. These shorts are nice and breezy.
 

Trader Joes has been all over Instagram lately because they've had their shipments of fresh peonies.  This is my 3rd bunch. They smell so great.
 

Love these cobalt pants. They are the lightest fabric, so soft and cool. Got them at Mango years ago, on a whim.  Sometimes I make good whim purchases.
 

Documenting the random June raindrops. We need the rain, but this is really so weird.
 

Thought it was going to be a cooler day than it turned out to be. Ended up being too many layers, but the dress is cool and comfy.
 

Chicken + Spinach + Feta = Easy Yum

I had great success with a dish last night that was too simple and tasty not to share.  It was quick, healthy and full of flavor with minimal ingredients.  My kind of recipe.  If you like feta and chicken, you will like this and have to try.

Total time (had I not been repeatedly interrupted by a toddler) about 30 min
Makes 4 servings

Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients:
3/4 cup crumbled feta
1/2 cup thawed frozen chopped spinach, squeezed dry (I had to cook mine as it was frozen, so that added a little time, versus if you had it pre-defrosted. But I think it being warm made step 2 below better.)
3 tablespoons cream cheese
1/4 cup chopped scallions (I didn't have scallions, so I used finely chopped white onion, about 2 Tbsp. Worked well.)
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
salt and pepper to taste (or whatever you like to season chicken breasts with)
4 6-oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. In a bowl, mix the first 5 ingredients.
3. Cut a lengthwise pocket into each breast; season each pocket and stuff with spinach mixture.
4. In oven-proof skillet, heat EVOO over medium-high heat and cook chicken until golden, about 4 minutes per side.
5. Transfer to oven and bake 5-7 minutes.
6. Enjoy!

We ate with a side of sautéed green beans with bacon, but I think it lends itself well to a variety of veggies and/or sides.  What's your favorite side dish?

MIA and Friday Favorites

I've been MIA for a week. Sorry (did anyone notice?)  I don't have any real excuse other than general life and writer's block.  (I stayed active on Instagram, do you follow there?) But I'm back to today, and I have ideas coming up. So, back to our regularly scheduled program....

As I mentioned, been active on Instagram, and have found some fun little boutiques/shops from around the country that I never knew existed, but have some very cute stuff.  Thought others might enjoy knowing about them as well.
 

Jess Lea Boutique

A little on-line only shop that has bright colors and cute styles, and seems to be a blogger favorite.  And she offers FREE SHIPPING on all orders. It's currently stocked with some cute summer styles.  I'm particularly loving these pieces:
 

You can follow Jess Lea Boutique on Instagram too here, for new arrivals and styling ideas.
 

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Entourage Clothing

Another one that offers FREE SHIPPING, and nothing is over $42. Can't beat that.  They have some cute patriot pieces up right now for the upcoming 4th of July holiday, and a lot of cute sundresses, tops and rompers.  Pretty big inventory selection too. 
 

You can follow Entourage on Instagram here.
 

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Perle Market

Another one with FREE SHIPPING, and most things are under $50. Doesn't have a huge selection, but there are cute, affordable pieces and accessories, even some for your mini-me.
 

Follow their Instagram for updates and styling ideas.
 

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Morning Lavender

Feminine and pretty pieces.  Free Shipping over $75, but hey, you can get a couple pieces for that much.  They just launched a Bridal Shower Collection (tis the season) so you will undoubtedly find a lovely dress for a shower or wedding you have to attend.

Morning Lavender can be followed on Instagram here.
 

Friday Favorites - Forever 21

Forever 21 has really stepped up their game lately.  I've been visiting them more in the past several years since they added the Love21 line, which was aimed at a -- how shall I say it? -- post-highschool/post-college aged shopper.  The sizing of those items is more real, less tiny (so why can't everything be sized real? I digress....)  They recently renamed the Love21 shop to Contemporary, and in addition the chic-ness of their offerings seems to have gone up.  Honestly, I think I could completely replace my entire closet with their items right now.  While the quality isn't the same, I can imagine finding some of these styles in Anthropologie or BCGG, don't you think?

Here are few of my favorites for the summertime:

Chiffon Trapeze Dress, $29.90

Comes in white or this gorgeous aqua.  I think would make a darling beach cover-up in addition to the cute weekend dress it already is. Sides look a little low, so probably a cute lace bralette underneath and you're set.
 

Cutout Cami Maxi Dress, $22.90

It looks like more of a midi length dress, but that's fine by me. Love the fun color, and especially the pockets. Any dress with pockets is a score.
 

Pleated Floral-Embroidery Top, $22.90

I've been really into whites lately, and this one is so cute and light.  The embroidery adds some pretty details, and could be dressed up or down.
 

Watercolor Floral Surplice Jumpsuit, $24.90

Ok, I cheated and this one is not from the Contemporary line, but it's so pretty I had to include.  Obviously great for the weekends, but can't you see it with a black blazer and heels for work?
 

Crochet Pleated Sheath Dress, $34.90

I keep coming back to this one when I browse the site. It's the color and fabric and the style: pretty and feminine, not to loud but bright, with a little vintage feel.  It needs a pretty necklace.
 

Abstract Ikat Print Dress, $24.90
I'm a fan of ikat print, and this dress looks like an easy one to throw on and go.

Cutout Halter Maxi Dress, $29.90

In addition to loving the color on this one, I love that it can be for a formal event or the weekend.  Sandals and a sunhat and you're on vacation, heels and some jewels and you're attending a wedding. This would even be a pretty bridesmaid dress (and they'd love you for the price.)
 

Floral Embroidered Strapless Dress, $34.90

Again another non-Contemporary find, but it's just too cute. I love the white and the ruffles and the embroidery.  I see myself wearing it with a wide-brimmed sunhat while sipping a mojito at a tropical resort.

Any you'd like to add to your own closet?

And while you're thinking about that and what you have, won't you make a quick stop at yesterday's post to see how you can easily help your own community by taking a selfie?
 

Thankful Thursday - It Takes a Community to Share the Love...

Disclaimer: Sponsored post. Click here.

While we made a conscious decision to start our family, nothing fully prepares you for the reality of when your baby is born.  You'd think 9+ months of growing a human inside you would do something to help you prepare for the change your world is about to take, but really it doesn't.  Every security you had in life now feels uncertain when you have a new, helpless human being you are completely responsible for.  Life is full of unknowns, and factors we have no control over. And when its only you, or you and another adult partner, if bad things happen, it sucks, but you'll deal.  Once there is a baby in the picture, your decisions and their consequences no longer are just about you.

#ultrahug

We are very lucky that we have family (relatively) close, and good friends that would help us out if something dire or tragic ever happened.  But not everyone has that support system.  And then life happens and families find themselves in circumstances they never dreamed of, and parents are faced with the horrible nightmare of not being able to put a roof over their child's head.  Fortunately there are programs out there that try to help.

#ultrahug

Huggies, the diaper brand, has launched a "Spread the Love" campaign, using social media and the ever-favorite selfie to encourage people to nominate a community program that could benefit from a $2,000 donation from them.  Just upload a selfie of you and your little one to Instagram or Twitter, tag it with #UltraHug, and nominate your project of choice.  It can be a fundraiser for a specific event or effort, a non-profit, a school, a community park, playground or rec center, etc.

#ultrahug

I'm nominating Family Promise of Orange County.  This is a program that is designed to help those families that life has seriously challenged, to get back on their feet. They believe that no child should have to sleep in a car or under a bridge (I couldn't agree more), and that every family deserves a chance to be whole and have a roof over their head. Sometimes it takes a community to provide for a child; Family Promise is the community doing just that.  I can't think of a better way to spread the love than helping families in need.  If my family found itself in hopeless circumstances, I would be eternally grateful for a program like this one.

#ultrahug

I know there are so many worthy projects and causes out there that could benefit from a little extra cash - take a minute to capture a moment with your little one, and nominate a worthy cause. Don't forget the tag: #UltraHug.