Pins of the Week

Love the colors here, especially the green jeans with those floral flats

Source: jacoberly.polyvore.com via Kathy on Pinterest

I  love an unexpected color combo, lavender and tangerine here...

Source: materialgirlsblog.com via Kathy on Pinterest

DIY  puffy paint for kids...in squeeze bottle. I haven't tried this yet but it seems really easy...and cheap!

Source: getyourmesson.blogspot.com via Kathy on Pinterest

this was a popular one....pretty nail polish for a shower favor....genius I tell you!

Source: amazon.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Word...

Source: matchbookmag.tumblr.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Carys' Favorite Marinade

Can't believe we are almost half way through July already. Carys has been doing swim lessons at the YMCA and getting so tan. She's such a little blondie! I picked up this cute heart dress at H&M for 7 bucks, can't beat that.

I wanted to share one of our favorite chicken marinades for the BBQ.

 Do it overnight or all day will cut it also.

1/3 c. soy sauce

1/3 c. worcestershire sauce

2 T brown sugar
2 T. olive oil

2 T lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 t. ground ginger

1/2 t. pepper

Then, grill 'em up!

And in a completely unrelated, but still entertaining note....I was trying to get the girls together  for a picture the other day. Charlie was not having it.. Oh, they make me laugh!

Treasure Hunting

Most of the jewelry I own is from Forever 21 and H&M and under 10 bucks a piece. While I love it, something tells me I won't be passing down any of it to my daughters if you know what I mean. I kind of have random taste in the jewelry I wear, definitely not a "bling" girl. So sometimes it can be hard to find stuff that suits me. Giuliana Rancic is one of my girl crushes and she was tweeting about Lauren Lynne jewelry the other day. I love her style. And while they cost more than most of the jewelry I own, it still shouldn't put you in debt.

Brown cuff with gold disks, $125

Gold plated bangles, $100

Real gemstone rings, $125 each 

(I am liking the green one best...or the black...)

Another line I appreciate is House of Harlow 1960....

Pyramid station necklace, $75

Station Leather Necklace, $75

(i absolutely love that this necklace has leather inlaid with the gold, instead of stone!)

Apartment Therapy

I'm really excited that Carys' birthday party was featured on the amazing Apartment Therapy in their family section today, click here! This was my first attempt to really get my little blog out into the "blogosphere", so I think it is pretty cool. I could only choose 5 pictures to submit, which was a little tough to choose. My husband said, "it was the signs that put it over the top wasn't it". 

Yes, those were some pretty cool signs (that he made).

Thanks Apartment Therapy!

Summer Eats

I realize in California you can barbecue almost year round, but there is something about Summer that gets us out there grilling at least once or twice a week. The best part is that all I have to do is prep the meat, and then the husband does the rest of the work. It's like a break in disguise, I love it! Plus they get to feel manly too, everybody wins! Here are a few things we love lately....

Grilled Teriyaki and Pineapple Sandwiches 
Got this easy (why didn't I think of this) recipe from the Living Light blog. And bear in mind you simply must use swiss cheese with this sandwich. You're welcome to try another but we are convinced this is the best cheese to use and the flavors go together perfectly. The other secret is to grill the pineapple. You could use canned, but we have been slicing it fresh. It tastes better and the pineapple is fun to cut up. I would like to get a corer though, so I don't have to use a knife to cut the little holes in my slices!

Basically you marinade the chicken breasts (we cut them in half) for at least 30 minutes in teriyaki sauce. Then stick 'em on the grill, and when they are almost done, put on the pineapple for a couple minutes each side. At the last minute, melt the swiss onto the chicken. Don't forget to toast your buns, naturally of course, who doesn't? These are amazing, you don't even need any other condiments because the pineapple is so juicy and the teriyaki flavor is already there. Oh, and add some sliced red onion too if you please.

Johnsonville Beef Brats
Okay, these things, and I don't use this word lightly, are the BOMB! They have a great flavor, and so easy and quick to grill up. I caramelized some onions, basically by cooking them in my dutch oven for about an hour on low heat in some olive oil and butter, a little kosher salt and sugar, then near the end added a little balsamic vinegar. So the brats and onions, along with dijon mustard and wheat buns, I tried to eat just one, but alas, I could not. So good!

Steak w/Egg & Goat Cheese


I've posted about this before, but it can always be said again. Any steak can be made better by topping it with a fried egg and some crumbled goat cheese. As a matter a fact, I think this is what we're having tonight!

(photo and recipe from Look Who's Cookin Now)

Feel free to share your quick and easy grilling ideas in the comments!

Sweet Blog of Mine...

Welcome to my new and improved blog, with a new name and design! I figure why not name it after my two fabulous daughters, Carys & Charlie because well, they are just so darn cute (a little biased over here). I've decided to give it a shot and get out there into the blog world....maybe even connect with some new people! The only other thing changing is that I'll be updating a lot more often, because if you want to connect with more people, the rumor is you have to...gasp....put yourself out there more often. hmm, weird! Besides, the worst that can happen is that I will have something creative to have for myself and my family, right?
I'll still be writing about my family, fun things we do, my adventures in trying to become a better cook, trying to make my home more beautiful, and just things I find that inspire me.
(Oh and I also did a separate 'About Me' page)

Anyway, here are some recent favorite images....

Source: 6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com via Kathy on Pinterest

I adore this bathroom hutch with a wallpaper background. We have a big cabinet in our front bathroom...maybe I could take off the doors on top and try some of this action??

Source: everythinglovely.tumblr.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Get outta here with your fabulous self, Kate!

Source: styleessentials.tumblr.com via Kathy on Pinterest

I love this style for a future home-school room.

Source: greyandscout.com via Kathy on Pinterest

I don't really own any big jewelry like this (yet)...but I love the idea of neutral colors with sparkles like this.

Loco Moco!

I made this last night and my husband sat down before eating it and said, "umm why is this the first time you have made this?" Loco Moco is a traditional hawaiian dish that is basically a hamburger patty and fried eggs on top of rice, aaand covered in gravy. How could it not be good?? Well I guess if you mess up the gravy it wouldn't be. No pressure. You could always use packet gravy instead of making your own, its OK, I won't judge you. Except in my heart I might, but not to your face, I promise.

I got this new pan from TJ Maxx for 20 bucks, it is my new best friend!

After I whisked this gravy for a while it was finally done. I made the mistake of not fully whisking it in the bowl with the flour before adding it.

You're welcome.

I found this recipe on Big Island Grinds, here. Except I made a few changes. I used pre-made seasoned patties from the Stater Bros. meat counter, and instead of a can of broth, I made my own with a beef bouillon cube dissolved in water. (this is a great way to save money and avoid buying cans of broth every time a recipe calls for it!). I did use white rice because I had some and couldn't resist, but I bet it would still be delish with brown rice, and then you can feel a tad less guilty.
For an extra little slice of heaven, I say add a little soy sauce to your rice, but that's just me :)
Needless to say, this meal is delicious comfort food and a guaranteed man-pleaser!

You can click on the Big Islands recipe above but I typed out the recipe as I made it, after the jump.