May 26, 2014

Out & About: Harry & David

When I was young, we always had an influx of gift baskets during the holidays seasons (my dad has always been in sales). I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love EVERY second of it. How could I not?? Besides gift cards, gift baskets are my favorite thing to receive. The thought put into the combination of flavors…the themes…the basket itself and the additional accessories (cutting boards! plastic wine glasses! cheese knives! napkins!) ALL OF IT excites me. If I could tell my childhood self that I’d be touring the factory of Harry & David one day, I’m sure little Tracy would FREAK OUT. You mean, I get to see how the baskets are crafted and shipped? COOL!!

my everyday life, Photography

May 25, 2014

My Everyday Life: Week 21

Here’s what this past week looked like

Peonies are my new favorite.

May 23, 2014

I love lists, Friday!

Famous photos….from a different angle! I love seeing a different perspective.
Photos of waste. Sad/pretty.
This is my kind of pizza.
Oh cool. I’m caftan ready!!
Another round of Celebrities read mean tweets.
I thought this little boy’s reaction was just perfect.
27 Things You Will Never Look at the Same Way Again.
I really want to make cauliflower bread sticks. Don’t they look good??
Why Airplane Food is No Good.
What it’s like to stop drinking alcohol for a year.
I had lunch at Google once. It blew my mind.
Whoa! Jude Law…that’s really a DEEP V.
I’m super excited about this photo series!
Jell-o shots for everyone!!!!
So proud of my maj for launching this baking challenge!
Whoorlita is my style muse.
So….McDonald’s has a secret menu…

There’s a new Joy the Baker Podcast! Check out Episode # 120 BLASTING MY ABS. We talk about our unhealthy obsession…with Instagram fitness accounts.

Hippocratic Cupcake made my Crispy Smashed Potatoes.

Forbidden Rice Blog adapted my Corn Zucchini Pizza

Parsley Sage Sweet added my Whipped Coconut Cream to her Raspberry Egg Cream

recipes

May 22, 2014

Avocado Sushi Bites

Alright. I’ve done plenty of sweet snacks, let’s do something savory! Cooper and I really love the roasted seaweed sheets from Trader Joe’s. I can eat two whole packages in less than 2 minutes. It’s messy and they’re fine on their own, but why don’t we do something else with them instead of jam them into our faces? I sliced avocado and put them on two doubled up sheets of nori, topped each sushi bite with a little bit of sriracha, a few carrot shreds (for color and crunch!) and finished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. It’s makeshift sushi without the rice! It’s my new favorite way of eating avocados. Enjoy this healthy snack!

around the home

May 21, 2014

HS: Organized Makeup Drawer

I can always tell how chaotic my life is when I open up my makeup drawer. Same goes for my purse… my car…and the inside of my fridge. Oof. I was checking out my old High Straightenance on Homefries and couldn’t believe that it’s been almost 2 years since I cleaned out/reorganized my makeup drawer. YIKES. Time to remedy that!

Inspiration, Outfitting

May 20, 2014

Outfitting: All Maxed Out

ONE/TWO/THREE/FOUR/FIVE/SIX

A maxi dress is my secret weapon during the summer months. It’s one article of clothing that covers the whole body…. which means there’s so much less to coordinate! One of my favorite dresses this year has been this black maxi dress from Old Navy. It’s super versatile and I’ve found it to be great for traveling because I can create so many different looks with it! I simply add a statement necklace and wedges to fancy it up or wear a maxi dress with flip flops, a denim button up shirt and a long necklace for my favorite casual look.

Right now, I’m looking to add another maxi to my wardrobe. Perhaps one of these striped numbers? Number 3 is begging for a chunky yellow necklace and number 5 wants a flawy scarf with neon pink splashes. Number 2 looks like a good option to slip into after you’ve been in a bathing suit all day and I’d totally wear #1 with my red salt water sandals for 4th of July!

What I love about this selection is that any one of these dresses could easily transition from a long day at work to poolside living with cocktails and friends. And really, nothing should stop us from making that happen as soon as humanly possible.

*this post contains affiliate links

recipes

May 19, 2014

Cream of Artichoke Soup

I have a super long list of recipes I want to make but every now and then I get super indecisive and can’t make up my mind. When I’m stumped, I simply ask Casey what he’s in the mood for. I always know his reply will be something in the hearty/creamy/meaty/warm spectrum. Last week it was:

“Cream of Artichoke Soup. Yeah. Make that.”

OK. Decision made. That was easy.

I never had Cream of Artichoke Soup until I went to Duarte’s Tavern in Pescadero with Casey and his family. If you haven’t been there, GO. It’s a real treat. When it’s a cold and foggy day, nothing tastes better than their creamy artichoke soup with torn hunks of warm sourdough bread. For Casey, it reminds him of his childhood. It’s because it’s a bowl of comfort. I totally get that.

We had this soup last week for dinner. It’s perfect for a chilly Spring night. A night where you feel a little bit of wind and you’re not quite ready to go sleeveless. A night when you are partially excited for warm weather but content with being inside, enjoying artichoke season.