LATELY

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This summer has been different than the past because of the arrival of our sweet lion. In the first few weeks we didn't get out much...partly because I was a freaked out first time mom and also because Luca was dealing with his reflux (aka mad baby in pain = lots of crying.) But thanks to encouragement from friends, JESUS, a slight change in diet and meds, we have been able to get out quite a bit!

Because I'm crazy extroverted, I feel the need to get out every day! I don't like to be out too long though because Luca sleeps best in his crib and naps are very important. BUT I don't wanna be a psycho who never leaves the house because my boy needs three two hour naps everyday. So usually I try to keep his outings no longer than 4-5 hours. 

He is proving to be such a champ though! We took him to Rock the Shores to see daddy play and man, that was such an amazing experience...but mainly because they treated us so well. I just wanna give the hugest shout out to the RTS hospitality team. The whole food situation was AMAZING...if you saw our snapchat you witnessed that we never wanted to leave, ha. Unlimited donuts, and a billion other foods. It makes me cry just thinking about it. Luca basically ate and slept in the stroller the entire time, leaving lots of time for me to eat, ha. Towers & Trees had a great tent backstage where I got to feed him in a non-windy, non-sunny location. It was the best. If only we could get that vip treatment everywhere we go..lols.

I also love to take him in the stroller! He usually naps like a little champ (except for when he's hungry) but in those times, I am so thankful for my Milk Snob cover. It keeps the wind off of him and also serves as my nursing cover. And don't worry, I make sure there is a big hole for him to get air out of and I limit his time in it!

My brother in law scored us fireworks tickets for Butchart Gardens. I wore Luca in my Solly wrap and he napped for a long time. During the fireworks he was a little freaked but we had his baby head phones on, which he hates but protect his hearing! But once he calmed down it was so beautiful to see his little face mesmerized by the fireworks.

Here are some more photos from our summer aka Luca weeks 1-8. Cannot believe he'll be TWO MONTHS old this Thursday!!!

Oh, I love that little face so much :)

Happy Monday!

XO,
laura

HELLO WEEKEND

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Hello weekend! The photo above is us at the beach last Monday...the Lion did amazing! And it's mainly because of this tent...he slept in it, I nursed him in it and it protected him from uv rays..win win!

The weekend is here and our family is in town. It is the best. Oh my goodness seeing the cousins meet was sooo sweet. Seb (7 months old) was soooo excited. It was darling! Luca on the other hand was a bit apprehensive but I'm sure by the end of the visit he'll be more accustomed :) Our little lion is 8 weeks tomorrow..It's pure insanity how quick time flies!!!

This past week, I found this swimsuit for super cheap! It fits great, looks cute and I'm comfortable in it...HALLELUJAH! We're going to a wedding on Sunday! Yay, I love weddings!! But man finding a dress was SO HARD. I searched and searched for dresses at Forever 21 & H&M (well searched as much as I could in the one hour I could escape little man.) All I could find was 90's garbage that didn't fit my postpartum body at all. I didn't want to buy an expensive dress that I could only wear for a short season so I ended up buying some spanx, which saves the day because an old dress of mine looks great now!

I'm trying to soak up as much summer as I can because super soon it will be over! But that means my favourite season, FALL will be here!!! (Trying not to think about pumpkin spice lattes for at least till the end of August, haha) Are you feeling that too?

So what do you think about the whole new instasnap? To be honest, I'm a bit sad as I LOVE SNAPCHAT and I follow way too many people on instagram to watch their stories. I think I'm going to post about once a day on instasnap but spend most of the time filming behind the scenes footage for snapchat! I'm all about the underdog, ha. I really hope it doesn't turn into a whole vine saga, because that died as soon as insta allowed videos to be shared!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

XO,
laura

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MOROCCAN QUINOA SALAD

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It's been awhile since I've posted a healthy recipe post..haha...kinda hard when all I want to eat is ice cream these days... Well guys, I've been holding out on you. I realized the other day, that I haven't shared my go to quinoa salad with you. I seriously make this recipe all the time. It's quick, healthy and delicious! I brought it to a family dinner and my nine year old nephew asked for seconds!! You know it must taste real good when that happens. 

This is super flavourful salad and I make a batch of it every three weeks or so. When it's just James and I, I use the amounts below but when I have international students, I double as it can get gobbled up quite quickly!

MOROCCAN QUINOA SALAD

erves 6
(adapted from Looneyspoons cookbook) 
 

Ingredients-

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
  • 1/2 cup each finely chopped red bell pepper, grated carrots, and cucumber
  • 1/3 cup chopped green onions
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh mint leaves
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions-

  1. Combine quinoa, broth, spices, salt and honey in a rice cooker and cook until done. If you don't have a rice cooker, bring to a boil in a pot then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.
  2. Transfer cooked quinoa to a bowl and let cool. (I usually do all the chopping when the quinoa is cooling.)
  3. Once cool add in remaining ingredients and mix well.
  4. Enjoy!

So there you have it...a quick, healthy and delicious quinoa salad to bring to your next bbq!

XOXO,
laura

HELLO AUGUST

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Hello August!! It's a holiday Monday around these parts and daddy is off!! We're hopefully going to hit up a beach or park as the weather is so delightful.

Looks like Luca is just as excited about this month as I am. August is my favourite month because it holds our wedding anniversary and my birthday. And this year it's a big one...THIRTY (insert wide eyed emoji and also horn with confetti emoji) So many thoughts on saying goodbye to my 20's and hello to my 30's are running through my head. Look out for many blog posts on this transition later this month!

This month we're also going on a little holiday! As I've mentioned before, James' sister, hubby and cute little boy (yay cousins!) are arriving from Texas in a couple days and the whole famjam is going to Parksville.  Parksville is a gorgeous little beach town about two hours north of Victoria. I'm so pumped for some beach time, visiting the boys at the campsite (the girls and babies are staying indoors, haha), minigolf and ice cream from Coombs!

Well happy August. Hope you have an amazing one and if you want to download that calendar above beside that cute baby, click here!

XO,
laura

 

HELLO WEEKEND

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Happy Friday everyone! It's a long weekend round these parts...but when you're on mat leave and your husband is self employed, that really doesn't mean anything, haha...But I am excited for the weekend! On Saturday night, we're heading to Buchart Gardens to watch the fireworks...yipee! They always do an amazing job and it reminds me of Disneyland...without the rides, or churros...someone please send me to disney asap.

Our weather is still HOT which means I'm perma sweaty because there is a perma sweaty baby glued to me most of the day...let's just say, I'm a wee bit excited for fall!

Speaking of fall, have you checked out Nordstrom's anniversary sale? They have a ton of fall stuff on sale until August 8th! I have my eye on this white tee as I'm on the hunt for a few basics. 

My good friend Amy launched her site, Honestly Amy. She's an incredible writer and will make you giggle and cry in the same post. Do yourself a favour and check it out!

Our little lion has officially moved to his crib at night! It was hard but man, we all sleep better at night and my goodness, he slept 8 hours in a row the first night!!! I felt like a whole new woman. Oh sleep, I love you.

Well hope you have an amazing weekend!

XO,
laura
 

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