Archives for July 2013

Blackberry Lime Sorbet

Jul302013

I have a confession to make….I pretty much hate doing anything artsy with my kids. Yep, play-doh, painting, markers – I could live a happy life without any of it. Every time I get brave and bust out the arts and crafts, we end up with spilled paint, crayons in the mouth (repeatedly), stickers stuck to the floor, and a very stressed out momma. My type-A tendencies just can’t handle it. Thankfully, what the kids miss in the arts department, we more than make up for with our culinary adventures. For some reason making a mess in the kitchen is so much easier to handle. Like the kitchen is meant for messes (not to mention, everything is at least somewhat wipeable).

There are still days when I really don’t want to deal with spilled flour and sticky floors though, and on those days, we make sorbet. Sorbet is the perfect thing to make with your littles because there is little mess involved, and a lot of cool gadgets. Just make the simple syrup during nap time, so that way all you’re doing is a little blending (do your kids love to push the buttons as much as mine?), straining, waiting (admittedly, the hardest part, but I consider this a teachable moment about patience), and the most fun – watching the ice cream maker turn our bright purple liquid into a frosty treat. It’s like magic in their kiddo eyes. So go ahead and try making this super refreshing, and very pretty sorbet with your kids. If I, in all my neat-freakness can handle it, then I’m sure you can too.

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· Filed Under: Recipes, Sweets · Tagged With: blackberry, cooking with kids, dessert, lime, sorbet

Mommy Happy Hour

Jul262013

Friday, you could not have come sooner! My husband was away on business most of the week, and let me tell you, being a single parent is no joke. I am utterly spent. It’s amazing how having an extra pair of hands at the end of the day can make life so much easier. I definitely needed a little pep talk around dinner and bath time, and quickly reached for a cocktail once everyone was tucked away for the night. My hats off to all you amazing women who do this on a regular basis. I will happily give you a virtual cheers for this Mommy Happy Hour.

I have some awesome stuff to share with you, and don’t forget to enter to win $100 to Sephora in my blogiversary giveaway!

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· Filed Under: Mommy, Mommy Happy Hour · Tagged With: books, love, make-up, mommy, NYC, Restaurants, what to read, where to eat

Brandon 3 Year Summary

Jul252013

Brandon 3 Year Summary 2

It’s official, we have a 3 year old. Is it shocking that him turning 3 makes me feel older than the fact that I’m turning 30 in a few months? Three is most decidedly not a baby. Brandon talks in full sentences, voices his own opinions (loudly), drinks from a big cup without spilling, has friends of his own choosing, picks out his clothes, and can actually remember (and retell) what he did on a given day. It’s not like he’s off to college next week or anything, but I do feel like we’ve made a pretty big jump.

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· Filed Under: Mommy, Our Family, Toddler Summaries · Tagged With: 3 year old, preschooler, schedule, toddler

Lemon Blueberry Streusel Muffins

Jul232013

I sort of can’t believe this is my first sweet breakfast recipe that I’ve shared here. See, I love muffins and pastries, but since we have incredible bakeries (Magnolia, Boulud, Bouchon) a stone’s throw away, I generally just pick something up on my way out. NYC is a dangerous place to live like that. I can’t walk a block without passing multiple temptations, and given that I have about zero self control in that department, I almost always give in. But alas, the smell of freshly baked muffins lofting out of the oven is enough to have me shunning all my favorite treats. If only a candle could accomplish what a little baked good can.

When I saw piles of gorgeous blueberries (on sale at Whole Foods!), I just knew that muffins had to happen. And there is no better muffin than one with a serious crumb topping. It’s rather essential in my book. The streusel needs to hold together but not be overly crunchy. Just enough to add some texture and a little more sweetness. I also love the brightness the lemon gives these as well. It’s subtle, but takes an ordinary muffin to the next level. Make a batch and freeze any leftovers, making for quick and yummy weekday grabs. These are by far the tastiest muffins that have ever come out of my kitchen, and I know you and your family will love them.

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· Filed Under: Breakfast, Recipes · Tagged With: blueberry, breakfast, lemon, muffin, streusel, sweets

{Blogiversary!} $100 Sephora Gift Card Giveaway Ended

Jul212013

I am SO excited to be celebrating my blog’s very first blogiversary! Admittedly, it’s a little belated, but better late than never. I feel so blessed to have spent the last year making new friends and sharing with all of you. I wanted to pass along the love that so many of you have shown me, and who doesn’t love adding a little pretty to their lives, not to mention doing a little shopping (for free!). Walking out of Sephora with a bag full of new, girly, fun make-up always puts a smile on my face and I hope it will one of yours as well.

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· Filed Under: Giveaway, Looking Good, Mommy · Tagged With: blogiversary, giveaway

Mommy Happy Hour

Jul192013

Don’t mind me, I’m just over here perched up on top of our AC unit with a big glass of sweet tea trying desperately not to turn into a puddle. I feel as if I spent this whole week either sweating or showering to remedy the sweating. NYC Marathon training also officially kicked off this week, so long runs on the surface of the sun were interesting to say the least. No true complaints, since I would take this any day over winter, but yep, the indoors have been looking mighty fine the past few days. Luckily, Brandon is still in summer camp for a few hours each morning, so we don’t have to brave the playground so much. The kid comes home so happily tired that I have to physically wake him up after a 2 hour nap, since he would gladly sleep the afternoon away. Summer camp – best decision ever!

So grab a cold drink (a tipsy one is always encouraged) and let’s do this:

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· Filed Under: Looking Good, Mommy, Mommy Happy Hour · Tagged With: authors, books, mommy, mommy happy hour, NYC, Restaurants, what to read, what to wear, where to eat

Hot Mama Maternity Workout Wear

Jul182013

I am SO excited about today’s post! My beautiful friend Raven is visiting from her incredible blog, Cheers to New Beginnings!, to talk to us about what she is loving in the world of maternity workout clothes. I love living vicariously through this girl and the amazing adventures her and her husband have been on while living abroad. I can’t wait to hear all about her newest adventure – motherhood! Thanks so much, Raven, for visiting and giving all those pregnant mamas out there some amazing options! — Ashley

Let me begin by thanking the lovely and talented author of The Mommy Games for asking me to write this guest post. I’m honored and delighted. I write a blog myself, though quite different from The Mommy Games. My husband, Jon, and I are currently American expats living in Brussels, Belgium, and I started my blog in 2010 to document our lives and experiences as expats. Though mostly travel related, of late, the blog has been dotted with a few momma-to-be posts as Jon and I eagerly anticipate the arrival of our first bundle of joy in a few short weeks (August 2nd). Pregnancy definitely has its challenges, and one that tends to present itself most every day is clothing. Looking presentable, and shall I even say cute – while avoiding looking frumpy and whale-like – on a “reasonable” budget can be mentally daunting.

As a former college athlete and regular at the local gym, I have done my best to maintain some level of fitness throughout my pregnancy through a variety of activities. The hardest question at times, though, was what to wear! As the running tights and spinning shorts became uncomfortably tight and the tank tops a bit too short, I turned to the following items, which have been a mainstay in my wardrobe of late:

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· Filed Under: Looking Good, Mommy Know How, Mommy Must Haves, Running · Tagged With: clothes, guest post, maternity, what to wear, workout wear

Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs

Jul162013

Remember how I told you a few weeks ago {here} that I was on a quest to find summer appropriate slow cooker meals? Well, this here is a doozy. Barbecue ribs are like summer on a plate, and these are some of the best I’ve ever had. Since they are cooked low and slow in the crock pot, they are fall of the bone tender, with the added bonus of a crispy, sauce lacquered top since they are finished in the oven. Lick-your-fingers delicious. There is hardly any hands on time with getting them started, and then just a little basting & simmering once they are in the oven. Combined with fresh cut watermelon and buttered corn, this made for a quintessential summertime meal. And it didn’t last long. Both my kiddos and husband devoured these ribs, and had sauce covered faces to show for it. Definitely put these on your list to make!

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