Archives for March 2017

Night Skin Care Routine

March 29, 2017 / By Courtney / 3 Comments

A few weeks back, I wrote about my morning skin care routine and I got a lot of interest so I thought I would walk through my night time routine. Again, making my skin a priority was apart of the whole self care focus for 2017 and I am happy to report that I am doing this routine 99% of the time. Yippee! A huge change for me was this: I wash up when the kids are washing up for bedtime, so 8:00ish. Then I go down and watch my shows, clean up the kitchen, blog, whatever. In the past I was waiting until I was ready to sleep (10:00) and totally skipping washing up because I was too tired. This has been the biggest success for my skin this year hands down. Give it a try.

Alright though, the products! Let’s discuss. Here is my line up, and I would so love to hear what works for you.

To begin, I wash my face with the same face wash as the morning: Origins Checks & Balances. I love this stuff, a little goes a long way.

Next I slather on my moisturizer. Again, a million on the market, right? Origins has been very good to my skin so I’m sticking by it: Origins Night-A-Mins. Super cute name, super delicious scent, my skin stays soft and smooth, all for a great price. No complaints, no need to ever change. I’ll be using this when I’m 80.

A newer part of the whole skin care routine, now I apply my Rodan+Fields eye cream. Same one as the morning I’m hopeful this cream is working all night to magically make me look 25 again. Hey, one can hope right?

Then I take a break. Head downstairs to Netflix, blog, pack lunches, whatever the night may hold. I like to give these products some time to sink in and do their thing.

Then, it’s bedtime. Unless I’m out or we are entertaining on the late side (rare), I’m in bed by 10:00PM. I am a huge fan of sleep and without it I am the devil. I also think it benefits my skin to get some zzzz’s. Definitely can’t hurt! So right before laying down I slather on some Josie Maran Argan Oil. Feel so luxurious and special and my skin wakes up baby soft. And of course, C.O. Bigelow’s Night Balm on the lips. I would die without this stuff.

And that’s it! I truly believe that adequate sleep, drinking a lot of water, and using these products consistently have truly made an impact on my skin this year. Feels good to take care of yourself, don’t you think?

Trader Joes Staples

March 27, 2017 / By Courtney / 2 Comments

Who doesn’t love Trader Joes? With almost a cult like following I love hearing what others swear by at this darling store. I am there weekly stocking up on my family favorites so thought I would share them with you and I’d love to hear what you can’t live without. I’ve been known to make a stop soley for those ridiculous mini peanut butter cups – too good! With festive seasonal options and beautiful (and reasonably priced) florals and the friendliest customer service this is a weekly errand I do not mind in one bit. Without futher ado, our Trader Joes staples…

Beckett loves the organic apple carrot fruit crushers. We have been known to even travel with boxes of these. Bonus that he’s consuming carrots!
We have 3-4 packs of these frozen Naan breads in our freezer at all times. Mike and I love the garlic version as well. Perfect to serve cut up with homemade soups. They also make a great after school snack dipped in hummus.
Another freezer staple, some recipe I make weekly calls for rice. Love that this one is brown, organic, and could not be easier to prepare. (Throw it in the microwave).
(Not pictured, because we ate them all) Their mini peanut butter cups are to die for. We were on a dark chocolate kick for awhile, but recently have been purchasing the milk chocolate option. We store ours in the freezer.
Sliced pepperoni. This is a staple after school snack for Logan. Pair with some crackers, sliced up cheese, and fruit and you’ve got your little one a nice mini antipasto.
Their flowers! Swoon. The prices are great and I feel I get a good six to seven days out of them which is perfect for my weekly stop.
Fire roasted corn, another freezer staple. Some recipe I make weekly calls for this. I’m putting it in soups, enchiladas, salsas.
(Not pictured) Mini organic frozen pancakes. B requests these every morning and how easy to prepare during the morning rush to school.
Organic fruit wraps, or leathers as we call them. I grab a variety of these flavors by the handful at the store and always have a few on me just incase someone is ‘starving.’
I am a huge believer in these probiotic smoothies. My boys love them and have one every single morning to start their day. I’m hopeful the probiotics are helping in the health department.
Ever since tasting fresh figs off a tree in California I have had an obsession with figs. Unfortuantely, they can be so tricky to find! This version, of course, isn’t as good as the real deal but oh my goodness it comes close. I keep them in the fridge to soften so it’s an easy snack to grab.
(Not pictured) Our seasonal favorites include their gluten free pumpkin bread, Valentines sprinkled shortbread heart cookies, and their chocolate covered peppermint oreos for Christmas.

Now tell me, what am I missing?
C

Everyday Moms: Meet Brooke

March 24, 2017 / By Courtney / 2 Comments

Do you ever wonder other moms secrets? Like actual real beautiful day to day hard working moms? So often I see a darling one at the park and think wow, she looks so great! I wonder what she is doing so well. With that in mind I thought I’d begin a new series on ALFS – Everyday Moms. These are moms I know, moms that have been recommended to me, moms that inspire and are beautiful inside and out. Let’s peak into their lives just a bit, shall we?

Meet Brooke!

Location: Fox River Grove, IL

Job: Stay at home mom

Kid(s): Lilah (6), Colten (4), Will & Beckett (twins – 8 months old)

You’re in your closet – what do you reach for first? Workout clothes. Most days I actually do go to the gym but I rarely put on anything else to play with my kids or run errands. I wear everything from Target brand to Athleta. My favorite brand is Zella. These high waist leggings provide great coverage in my problem areas!

Hands down the one beauty product you can’t live without. Only one! Eye brow cream. My natural brows are extremely light colored. I use this product daily even when I don’t do full makeup to give my brows some color and shape.

Your daily moisturizer. Are you happy with it? Arbonne Extra Restorative Day Creme. It’s very lightweight while still hydrating and contains SPF 20 which is a must these days.

Your nightly moisturizer. Are you happy with it? Arbonne Night Repair Cream. It’s wonderful! It leaves my face feeling so soft in the morning.

Something in your shopping cart online right now that you want to buy – budget is no limit. I need these white skinny jeans!

How do you feel your beauty routine changed when you became a mom? While I’ve become much more consistent with my daily skin care regimen, I think it’s safe to say I have simplified my hair and makeup routine. I often leave my hair to air dry and put on my makeup in the car on the days that actually happens! Let’s just say there’s not a lot of time for either of these in this season. I love when I have a night out and take the time to get pretty!

Biggest indulgence you allow yourself. I have a cleaning lady who comes twice a month. There is no money better spent than having my whole house clean at the same time. I can barely keep up with the daily tidying so I have no guilt about this.

Tell us about your kid(s). My oldest Lilah is 6. She loves dance classes, barbies and playing with the boys at recess. She’s sassy and headstrong which can get interesting. I have no doubt that she can handle having three brothers as a teenager! Colten is my four year old. He is kind, sweet and so much fun to be around! He loves baseball and anything Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. I am really going to miss our time together when he goes to kindergarten next year. And then we have our eight month old twin boys Will and Beckett. They are just precious! Will is a wild man and has no fear. Beckett can be shy and is more sensitive. He likes to be close to me always which is ok with me. Thankfully, both are really happy babies.

What is your biggest struggle as a mom day to day. For me, I struggle with having quality individual time each day with all my kids. Jumping from two to four kids is no joke, and I have to be very intentional to make this happen daily.

What is your biggest happiness as a mom day to day. I think it’s the small moments we have all together as a family. Game nights, snuggling on the couch for movies or eating dinner together are all things that make me happy and leave me grateful for all that we have been blessed with.

Snap your fingers – you could have a magic fairy help you with one thing around the home every day. What is it? After dinner clean up! It’s the last thing that I want to do after cooking a meal. To be able to walk downstairs after getting the kids to bed and head straight for the couch for my DVR would just be fabulous!

Because you are oh so pretty, tell us about your favorite feature! I guess I would have to say my blue eyes.

Thank you, Brooke, so much for sharing your time and darling family with us. I’m thinking those white jeans are a must for this summer! I’m so glad Colten and (my) Beckett have brought us together. Love seeing your family grow, I can’t get enough of Will and Beckett’s smiles at preschool pick up. You’ve got some really happy kids on your hands, which is a huge testament to you as a mom!

Egg rolls in a bowl

March 22, 2017 / By Courtney / 6 Comments

Egg rolls in a bowl.

Genius, I tell you.

With spring break around the corner I have been trying to watch the waistline a bit more carefully because, you know, swimsuits. That being said as long as I cut down on the carbs all usually is A OK. The problem with that is by 4:00 I am beyond starving and that’s sort of when I take the genius idea of super healthy carb free egg rolls and think ‘you know what sounds better? Let’s fry up some pot stickers and throw them on top of the carb free bowl.’ Yes, let’s do that.

Here’s how I justify it. Because it’s totally justifiable.

Normally, when we do the whole Chinese food thing we order egg rolls and potstickers. (And a variety of other things of course, but those are staples). And I totally inhale both options.

Combining them into one healthier bowl concept minus all the bad stuff they throw in Chinese food, well, can topping it with a few potstickers really actually hurt things?

The answer would be no. Carbs for life, man. Without them I am a literal slug.

EGG ROLLS IN A BOWL
Recipe adapted from Mostly Homemade Mom

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb ground sausage
1 bag dry coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
1 teaspoon ginger
sliced green onion, for topping (optional)
sesame seeds, for topping (optional)
potstickers, for topping (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large, deep skillet, brown sausage. Meanwhile in a small bowl, combine garlic, soy sauce, and ginger; set aside.
Once sausage is cooked through, add dry coleslaw mix to skillet and stir to combine.

Pour soy sauce mixture into the skillet and stir, continuing to cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until cabbage is slightly softened, but still has a bit of a crunch. Serve with sliced green onion and sesame seeds on top. And potstickers, if you’d like.

Happy Spring!

March 20, 2017 / By Courtney / 1 Comment

YIPEE! It’s the day all Midwesterners wait all winter long for…the first official day of spring. And while the forecast doesn’t exactly look spring like all week long, today in Chicago it is in the upper 50’s. Hey, we’ll take it! Longer and eventually warmer days are ahead. I don’t know about you, but I am loving all this light. Such a difference driving the littles around to activities when the sun is still up. And I’m not wanting to change into my pajamas by 5:30PM and go to bed. Always a bonus. So glad you are here, spring!

Ok, let’s celebrate with something oh so spring like. This smashed avocado salad with roasted up chick peas and feta is just that. (Bonus that it’s just crazy beautiful). The flavors are light and refreshing with hints of lime and smokey paprika. This would make a lovely lunch, or, works perfectly for dinner next to the side of some grilled chicken or skirt steak. It is SO GOOD my friends.

I’ll be enjoying it both ways today, because if it’s over 50 degrees you better believe we fire up the grill. Summer – er – spring forever! Soak it in while we can.

ROASTED CHICKPEA, AVOCADO, AND FETA SALAD
Recipe adapted from Fine Cooking

INGREDIENTS:

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained
1 Tbs. olive oil
sprinkle of smoked paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 ripe Hass avocado
juice of one fresh lime juice
2 oz. feta, finely crumbled
2 scallions, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the oven to 400°F.

Spread the chickpeas on a rimmed baking sheet, and pat dry. Toss with the oil, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of smoked paprika, and roast until golden and slightly crunchy, about 30 minutes.

Mash the avocado with the lime juice and salt, then spread on a platter or divide among plates. Top with the chickpeas, feta, and scallions. Season to taste with salt and more lime juice.