9.24.2018

Life Lately!

Life Lately has been FUN! 
September has been a busy month, but full of fun.
Here are 10 things we've been up to lately in September!
{ONE}
September means College Football starts back up!
I absolutely love this time of year.
On the day of Colorado's first football game, all 3 kids surprised me in the morning and wore their Buffs shirts to school :)

The weather has been so nice this entire month, so we watched the game outside.
Luke snuggled up in our Colorado blanket.
So far the Buffs are off to a good start 3-0!

{TWO}
We never finish our Summer List in the Summer, so we always try and finish it off in September. Over Labor Day weekend, the kids and Kevin did Backyard camping.
The night of the backyard camp out we set up an outdoor movie on the projector.

We also have S'mores! I hang out with Kevin  & the kids during the movie & S'mores and then I head inside to sleep while they camp out. Love that it's a Daddy/Kid tradition...Camping is not my favorite.
I don't like regular S'mores..so I always use a Ritz cracker, marshmallow and Reeses Peanut Butter Cup.
They are AMAZING. Try it!!!
Earlier this summer I got THESE Marshmallow roasting sticks.
They roast 2 at a time, they are adjustable and they come with a carrying case.
You can get them HERE. I love them.

{THREE}
BBQ's with friends and savoring the warm weather.

I am so thankful for this tribe of people and so thankful our girls have been friends since Kinder!
We hit the friend jackpot with Claire's group of friends. Sweetest girls with very fun parents!


{FOUR}
As you know....I am obsessed with Rothy's and I think in the month of September I've worn them everyday to work except once!
I have 2 pairs of the pointed tow version...the Cloud Gray Birdseye and the Solid Black.
They are made from recycled water bottles!
They come in tons of colors and 4 different styles.
I love the pointed toe version, but they also come in rounded toe, loafer or sneakers.
They just now started carrying kids sizes.

It feels like I am wearing slippers.
And, the insoles are machine washable!
I recommend sizing up 1/2 a size.

Click HERE for $20 off your first pair of Rothy's!

{FIVE}
A highlight of September is that Claire turned 10

We celebrated her with a Unicorn Pool & Slime Making Party!

If you missed the party post, you can see it HERE!
I also included the slime recipe we used.
It is the best slime recipe we have used so far!


{SIX}
Earlier this month I ran the SF Giants 10k for my September race.

I am running a race every month until I turn 40 from May 2018 until May 2019.

It was such a great race...we started in Willie Mays Plaza in front of the stadium and then headed under the Bay Bridge, along the Embarcadero, past the Ferry Building, Pier 39 & Fishermen’s Wharf. Ran back along the water and ended inside the Stadium on the field.

I did the race with 2 of my co-workers.

We had so much fun, so neat to be on the field & check out the Giants dugout. 
Definitely want to do this race again, next time the Half Marathon!

{SEVEN}
Last weekend Kevin and I headed to New Orleans.
It’s been a week since we got back from NOLA & I think we’ve finally recovered. LOL!
I am working on a post about our trip to NOLA and everything we did and where we ate (so much good food in NOLA!) Stay tuned for that!
The reason we went to NOLA was for the Rodan + Fields Convention.
At convention, they announced 3 new products and I got to try them out and buy them!


Radiant Defense Perfecting Liquid

Traditionally makeup/foundation is used to cover up, enhance or alter your appearance. Derma Cosmetics are totally different because they offer instant cosmetic results with long-term dermatologic skin improvements over time.
How is Radiant Defense different from foundation or BB creams?
Derma Cosmetics work to IMPROVE your skin’s health, letting it breathe and not just cover it up.
LOOKS LIKE MAKE UP BUT ACTS LIKE SKINCARE!!!!!

What makes Radiant Defense so special?
-Protects skin from environmental stressors pollution, dirt and moisture loss
-Repairs skins protective moisture barrier
-Defends against harmful UVA & UVB rays with SPF 30
-After just one week notice visible results on bare skin (no product on)
-It's unlike anything you have EVER used before! It won’t clog your pores and is buildable to the coverage you desire
-Who knew there could actually be cosmetics that are GOOD for your skin?

 Available to you October 1st!
Let me know if you’d like me to add you to my VIP list to be the first to get your hands on this amazing new product!
  
Our other 2 new products are Make Up Remover Wipes and Eye Make Up Remover.
My September Rodan + Fields Special for current and new customer is if you place an order between now and September 30th,  you get the wipes or the eye make up remover for FREE!
You will also get 10% off your order, free shipping and new customers get $20 cash back.

We have products for all skin type.
Click HERE to find out what regimen is best for your skin!

If you aren't ready for a regimen...we have other amazing products like Lash Boost, Active Hydration Serum or our Eye Cream.

Email me to get this deal
melissa_larson17@yahoo.com  

{EIGHT}
I just ordered my 2019 Erin Condren Planner!
They are on sale for 25% off until tonight at midnight.
This is the one I ordered:
  I love her planners & have bought them the past several years.

{NINE}
Last week some friends and I went to the movies and saw A Simple Favor

Have you seen it? I really liked it! 

 {TEN}
We had a crazy busy weekend. I hosted a going away party for my principal at our house Friday night (he got a promotion & is now a high school principal) Between the kids we had 5 soccer games this weekend, soccer photos, went to a funeral for one of my good friends from high school’s Dad  & we had my nephews 6th birthday party. Plus we had 2 other parties we couldn’t go to because of scheduling conflicts. Despite the crazy weekend, we make sure we are all set up for the week.

  Sunday night means our kitchen (and house) is clean, lunches for the next day are made, coffee ready to brew, backpacks are sorted, organized & ready for Monday morning. Grocery shopping & meal planning/prep for the week is done. Laundry somewhat under control. Kids are bathed/showered & in bed early on Sunday nights with outfits laid out for the next day. If we aren’t organized on Sunday nights then our week goes to  We are not morning people, so it’s imperative that everything is done the night before. Anyone else like that?!?

So, there you have it....a little about what has been going on with us lately!

9.20.2018

Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls

Once school starts, our lives get busy...very busy.
Back to School also means the start of the soccer season and this year all 3 kids are playing soccer.
3 kids with 2 soccer practices each means 6 soccer practices a week. 
Kevin is coaching Luke's team and I am coaching Claire's team so that just adds to the chaos.
Meal planning is a MUST for me since this time of year is so crazy. 
All 3 kids have soccer practice on Thursdays from 5-6, so it's so important that on those days I have dinner ready to go as soon as we get home. 
Because of this, I use my Instant Pot on most Thursdays.
I dump all the ingredients in & turn it on before we leave for soccer practice and when we get home, dinner is ready! 
Because the weather is still warm for us in August/September, I'm not into my Fall cooking mode of soups & casseroles just yet. A month or so ago, I created this Burrito Bowl recipe and it's a hit! I knew I had to share it with you guys!
Here is what you need:
 - One 2.5 lb bag of frozen chicken tenderloins
-1/2 bag of frozen Bell Peppers/Onions (I love the fire roasted from Trader Joe's)
- 1/2 bag of frozen corn (I love the Trader Joe's roasted corn!)
- 1 can of black beans, drained
- 1 can of diced green chilies
- 1 (12 oz) jar of chunky Salsa)
- 1 packet of Taco Seasoning
- Lime Juice 

Directions:
Dump everything into your Instant Pot:
 Then I add a few squirts of lime juice to the top and give the mixture a big stir:
Then put the lid on your Instant Pot turn the knob to SEALING:
Cook for 12 minutes on manual high pressure:
 After it's done cooking, let it naturally release pressure for 10-15 minutes. Then when you take off the lid, it will look like this:
 I always check a piece of chicken to make sure it's cooked because I'm a freak show about making sure food is cooked. LOL.
 The chicken is cooked & falling apart! 

If you don't have an Instant Pot yet....what are you waiting for?!?!?!
You could make this in your Crock Pot...dump everything in and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

There will be a lot of liquid in the Pot from the chicken & peppers, so get a strainer and strain it in your sink:
 I let it strain for a couple minutes & then I put the mixture into a serving dish.
 Now it's time to make your Burrito Bowls! When we make these, I use either Brown Rice or Quinoa. Use whatever you like. I am obsessed with these from Trader Joe's:
 You can find them in the freezer section and each box has 3 packets (each packet has 3 servings) You heat them up in the microwave for 3 minutes. Easy & quick!
(They also have white rice if you prefer that)
After your rice or quinoa is done, it's time to pretend you are at Chipotle and make your Burrito Bowl!
On the bottom, I add rice & the chicken mixture:
 Then I add guacamole (or you could add fresh avocado), sour cream & fresh salsa:
 I sprinkle on shredded cheese & some fresh cilantro:
 I also like to add shredded lettuce. It makes it taste fresh & I love the crunch of the lettuce.
 You could even add some crushed up tortilla strips. Or, you can make it an actual burrito and serve this in tortillas.
I hope you love this meal as much as we do. 
It's easy, quick & healthy! 
Enjoy!

9.18.2018

Claire's Unicorn Pool Party

Last week we celebrated Claire's 10th Birthday with a Unicorn Slime & Pool Party!
Evite had the cutest Unicorn invite, so I used that because...easy & cute! Done!

Claire loves unicorns, so she decided on this theme earlier this year!

Unicorns are really popular right now, so there were tons of options for decorations, we went with gold & pastels.
 In my kitchen, I had the appetizers & dessert table set up:
 The pastel & gold theme was fun to do.

Pom Poms & Garland leftover from Kate's Painting Party:

The center island had the appetizers on it.
I had Veggies & Hummus:
And, this cute print behind it. It's from HERE.

I had Unicorn Horns...aka Bugles.
And Unicorn Food.....aka Kettle Corn.

View from the other direction:

One of my favorite parts of the party....the Dessert Table!

Behind the table I had a banner & balloons!

 Here is what we had on the dessert table.
Fruit Puffs:
Unicorn Poop (Claire's name for the cupcakes. LOL!)
I got the toppers HERE:
Puffy Clouds:
Unicorn Horns:
I got the toppers here.

Claire loves candy, so we had to add some Mike & Ikes which she wanted to name Unicorn hair :)
Close up of the plates...got them here.
And, the highlight of the Dessert Table...the cake!
My mother in law makes the cakes for my kids parties!
I loved the detials on the top:
Isn't my mother in law so talented?
She made the horn & ears out of fondant.
A very happy Claire in front of her dessert table!
I had the drink & food station set up at the outdoor bar.
Unicorn Fruit Punch & Unicorn Lemonade:
Leftover straws from another party that fit the color scheme :)
The menu was very simple....and what Claire wanted. 
Pizza:
Pepperoni & Cheese.
Watermelon:
That's it! Super easy menu!
 Because her birthday is in early September the weather is still warm, so we always have a pool party. This year Claire also wanted to make slime at her party, so we did that as well.
I had a slime station set up on the grass.
I had all the supplies lined up:
Kate & Claire set up the slime station :)
Glitter glue (here & here), food dye (here & here), plastic containers (here), glitter (here)
Glue (here) and Starch (here)
I found this cute printable HERE.
The girls loved figuring out their Unicorn Name & that's what most of them wrote on the top of their slime container. It was cute.
I am Moonlight Laughter Bell :)

One excited Unicorn!
The girls had so much fun making slime!
There were 18 girls at the party, so we had 4-5 girls make slime at a time.
The slime turned out awesome! Look how gorgeous!
The recipe we used was:
1/2 cup of glue
 1/4 cup of Sta Flo Starch
1/2 cup water
Add any mix ins you want...food coloring, glitter, etc.
The slime turned out PERFECT!!

Each girl made 1 batch of slime and it fit perfectly in the containers I got them.
Some of the girls put unicorn toppers on their slime & wanted me to take a photo of it....of course!!!

The girls also swam...it was a perfect evening for swimming...85 degrees out!
Time for cake!
A very happy Claire.
Can't believe she is TEN!!!!
My mother in law surprised us....look at the inside of the cake:
Beautiful!
For favors the girls got their container of slime that they made and cookies (of course!)

I always do cookies as favors because it's easy & who doesn't love a cute cookie?
I got these cookies HERE.
I got 2 cute printables and put them in frames on the favor table.
Thank you for making my party magical:


Believe in Unicorns {HERE}
We had such a fun time celebrating Claire's 10th birthday.
When the parents came to pick up there kids, a lot of them stayed and we had a little after party since it was a Friday night. I told the girls they could use up all the slime materials...and that kept them busy for another 1.5 hours....look at the slime table at the end of the night:

It was hysterical. They used everything...and our backyard...especially the grass area was a hot mess.
Kevin and I spent over an hour that night cleaning up our backyard and spraying down the patio & our outdoor furniture since there was slime everywhere.
It was hysterical...while we were cleaning it up, we were reminiscing about Claire's Cowgirl Party and all of the hay that was in our backyard & pool for months and months after the party. LOL.

 Slime is the worst, but they had SO much fun making it.
Claire loves slime & I rarely ever let them make it at home because it's such a mess, but I am so glad I let them make it at the party despite the mess.
You only turn double digits once :)
 I will never forget Claire's Unicorn Party...I will always think of the Slime :)

Claire's Parties throughout the years:
9th Birthday - Claire's Hawaiian Luau 
8th Birthday - Claire's Flamingo Pool Party
7th Birthday - Claire's Shabby Chic Tea Party
6th Birthday - Claire's Mermaid Swim Party
5th Birthday - Claire's Tangled Party 
4th Birthday - Claire's Candy Shoppe Party
3rd Birthday - Claire's Cowgirl Party
2nd Birthday - Claire's Ladybug Party
1st Birthday - Claire's Ice Cream Party

To see all the other kid's parties I have thrown, click HERE for my Party Tab!


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