Lately

Beautiful bounty from my back yard. 

Eggs from the girls, squashes of all sorts, cucumbers, jalapenos,and fresh basil. I can't wait till my tomatoes are ready!

Well worth all the hard work!

Many evenings we have been spending cuddling on the couch watching Netflix movies.

Tonight we have Oz The Great and Powerful to view.

Love these family times!

The imagination of a seven year old.

 Better known as landmines for us adults to tip toe through.

But I don't mind one bit!

My life lately..

Blessings, Nicole

What I Wore....Tribal and Mint.

Tribal top Esprit (new with tags) Goodwill, mint skinnies Ross, sandals Goodwill, gold watch Fossil Ebay, sunnies some online discount store I can't remember.

Love me some tribal and mint! 

Tribal print still seems to be a big summer trend and I adore it.

Such a cute and simple "mommy outfit." 

What is your favorite summer trend right now?

P.S Does this resemble a maternity top?

Have a great weekend!

Blessings, Nicole

Linking up here: Watch Out For The Woestmans
Plane Pretty
My Greatest Hits

Grace

I posted a while ago about having some tough stuff going on in my life. When I say tough stuff I mean huge hurdles left and right.When it comes to myself I am an open book. Sharing my issues is actually a release for me. I just need to get it out!

But I respect the privacy of others so I will not elaborate on any specifics with regard to this situation. But I wanted to tell you all of God's grace and love that has been shown to me through it all.

Have you all had a time in your life you simply couldn't find a reason to get out of bed? Well, that was exactly how hopeless I felt. I was feeling bitter and angry. It was not a good place to be and surely not a good example of a Godly mother or wife. But with much prayer and some tears shed. My heavenly father was there and granted me grace. Not just grace for me but grace to give to others. And slowly but surely my sadness, anger, and resentment faded away into grace and love.

The definition of grace:

In Christian theology, grace has been defined as "the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it",^[1] "the condescension or benevolence shown by God toward the human race".^[2] It is understood by Christians to be a spontaneous gift from God to man - "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved"^[3] - that takes the form of divine favor, love and clemency.

What an amazing gift from Jesus!

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled

Grace is a gift we don't deserve but a gift given by a Father who loves his children. I pray everyday the Lord will show me His grace that I may have a heart spilling over with it. 

Thank you all for reading this and letting me share my heart. 

I pray that you may be touched and blessed by it.

Blessings, Nicole

What I Wore...fedora and flats.

Target top, fedora Charlotte Russe, shorts Aeropostal, flats Cynthia Vincent.

Thrifted head to toe baby, ha!

All purchased from my trusty GW outlet store.

Would you believe me if I told you the whole ensemble was $6? Yup, it was!

The flats alone retail for around $95! Aren't they just fab?!

I just adore this top, from the lovely mint color to the little cutouts on the back and sleeves!

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings, Nicole

Healthy Almond Joy Shake THM~S

Ya'll loved my Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake (<---- link) as much as I did, so I created another treat I love but THM style! Oh, Almond Joy! Coconut, chocolate and almonds....need I say more?

Don't let a fear of cottage cheese scare you! It creates a creamy base without the tang of greek yogurt, trust me you won't even know it's in there.

If you know me, you know I don't measure anything! I just don't. So, all my measurements are approximate, please make it your own and tweak, tweak, tweak!! 

1/2 c. lowfat cottage cheese

1-1 1/2 c. Almond Breeze Coconut and Almond Milk Blend or sub 1/2 coconut milk 1/2 almond milk

a heaping scoop of vanilla whey protein powder (please read the serving for your brand of protein)

a chunk of skinny chocolate for THM'ers or sub 1/4 c. sugar free chocolate chips 

Truvia or stevia to taste (I used a tablespoon of Truvia because I like sweet things)

a splash of vanilla

almond extract would be a yummy addition here!

two large handfuls of ice

Blend cottage cheese and milk till smooth and creamy.

Add all ingredients but chocolate and blend till smooth.

Add chunk of chocolate and blend till it turns into tiny chips.

Enjoy your Almond Joy!

This makes a large shake or two smaller shakes.

If you are wondering what THM is, Please read my review here: Trim Healthy Mama Book Review.

I appreciate any and all comments. In fact I love them and they make my day!

 So please let me know if you like it, or how you tweaked it!

Blessings, Nicole

linking up here~Stacy Makes Cents

Lately

 Ash got cozy in a puzzle box.

 Speaking of puzzles...Caleb has completed many this summer.

I'm reading this after watching the movie. 

Most people read a book then watch the movie, I tend to do the opposite.

I love both movie and book!

We purchased this pool at Kmart (for only $60!) and the Boys are loving it!

Perfect way to cool down in the summer heat!

That's our life lately.

Blessings, Nicole

What I Wore...One maxi two ways.

 I found this Gap maxi at The Salvation Army the other day for $7! Score! 

I just love the colors!

Here I styled two ways. 

Denim top GW, necklace groopdealz.com.

 For the first look: a denim top, green bubble necklace and wedges. 

My pink nails matched perfectly!

Belt Anthro, earrings thrifted, watch gifted.

The second look: big earrings, belt and sandals.

What look do you like best?

Blessings, Nicole

Linking up here: Watch out for the Woestmans
The Pleated Poppy

What I Wore...coral and navy.

Top Anthropologie (last year), shorts Old Navy via Goodwill better known around here as The Gee-Dub. sandals Gee-Dub. Watch gifted. Necklace made by me here: Crystal Drop Necklace. 

 Coral is the perfect complement to navy, or vice versa. 

Love the back of this top!!

Blessings, Nicole

Linking up here: The Pleated Poppy
Suburbs Mama

My Life Lately

I styled my hair in a messy low bun. 

I got my roots done and I feel like a new woman (choir singing).

 Oh, what I would give to be a real blond!

I had a store credit at Ross and I spotted these beauties! $17!

The ONLY ones in my size by the way! Meant to be, as I say.

This guy is getting so big. He is becoming a young man right before my eyes. 

He is so incredibly smart, witty, sensitive, and stubborn all at the same time. 

Love him!

My hubby brought  home these yummies, from my favorite bakery.

Love him too!

That's my life..

Blessings, Nicole

Salmon With Thai Basil Coconut Sauce~THM S meal

This is so good you will want to lick the pan! 

I love Thai food and this recipe totally satisfied my cravings.

Nutritious and delish!

Two salmon fillets

1 Tbls. coconut oil

1/2 can coconut milk

1 zucchini

1/2 jalapeno seeded and sliced

a palm full of fresh Thai basil torn, regular basil can be subbed

a little Siracha hot sauce (to taste) red pepper flakes can be subbed

Salt and pepper

1 tsp Truvia, (I like my sauce sweet) sweeten to taste.

Brown salmon in coconut oil till 3/4 cooked and set aside

Saute zucchini and jalapeno till tender. Add coconut milk and all remaining ingredients. Reduce sauce till thickened, about 10 minutes on medium heat. Add salmon and cook another 5 minutes or till cooked to your preference.

Serve with 1/4 cups brown rice for a THM S meal.

This serves two large portions.

I hope you love it as much as I did!

Blessings, Nicole

Linking up here: Stacy Makes Cents

If you want to know more about this THM business check out the website here: Trim Healthy Mama

What I Wore...cutoffs and chucks.

Sweatshirt Charlotte Russe Goodwill, cutoffs Gap GW again, chucks TJ Maxx.

My roots are crazy! 

So happy to get my hair done tomorrow! Being a blond is waaay too much work. Seriously...

My DIY polka dot chucks. Tut here: Polka Dot Chucks

My lovely Betsey Johnson watch b-day gift from the hubby.

Have a great weekend!

Blessings, Nicole

Links~My Greatest Hits
The Pleated Poppy

Our favorite summer supper, "bacon pasta"~THM friendly!

This is a staple in our home lately. 

I literally threw some our favorite ingredients in with some pasta one night and wha lah our favorite pasta supper was born. It is wonderful for hot summer days because it quick and you don't need to turn on the oven.

My family has named it "bacon pasta." 

I think it deserves a fancy title (because its soooo yummy) but we aren't fancy people. 

So, "bacon pasta" it is.

This recipe made with Dreamfields pasta is THM friendly! An S meal due to the fat of the bacon. Even I have a hard time believing this is on plan, because it is amazing! 

I cooked my bacon (about 6 pieces cut in small strips) till it was crispy. Then drained the fat leaving about a tablespoon in the pan. Then I sauteed a zucchini squash, a large handful of cherry tomatoes (halved), and three cloves of garlic. We like it garlicky! No vampires at my house, ha!

Saute till soft.

Cook a box of noodles while you saute.

Just before you drain, reserve a 1/4 cup of salty pasta water and set to the side.

 Because you remembered to salt the water right? Good!

The pasta water will make a creamy sauce mixed with the cheese and pasta. 

Thanks Rachel Ray for teaching me this!

If you haven't tried this pasta please give it a go! It is unlike any low carb pasta I have ever tried. My family actually prefers this over regular pasta! And that says allot!!

I found it at Safeway.

 Add your pasta to the veggies along with a cup of parm, chopped fresh basil and the pasta water. 

Stir and serve!

This feeds our family of four with leftovers.

I hope you all love it just as much as we do!

Blessings, Nicole

Linking up here~Five Days Five Ways
Stacy Makes Cents

If you want to know more about this THM business look here: Trim Healthy Mama

And you can read my personal review located in my popular post list.

My Camping Beauty Essentials

I don't know about you all but I need my beauty products even while I'm camping. 

I know, I'm such a "girly girl" as my boys would say.

Here is what is in my camping make up bag.

Waterproof Maybelline Falsies  (my fav mascara). Perfect for playing in the water!

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream. Perfect one step foundation and moisturizer with SPF 25.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock in SPF 70. Because when you are camping you need lots of extra protection due to more sun exposure.

e.l.f Essential All Over Color stick. This adds the perfect little pop of color on your cheeks, lips and even eyes. Plus its only $1!

 Olay Daily Facials

I love these things especially for camping. They cleanse, tone and hydrate. You just need a splash of water.

Those are my camping beauty essentials.

What beauty items do you all use camping? Or am I the only one who is a "girly girl"?

Blessings, Nicole

Linking up here~Five Days Five Ways

Lately

Dad and Deek made a special drink from Deacon's Dr. Suess cookbook.

We really have nicest kitty cats that don't mind being toys. 

Deacon wanted to get a picture of Ash smiling.

          This is what happens when your ten year old brother does your makeup and mom loans you her hair.

Frightening.

That's lately...

Blessings, Nicole

What I Wore....country girl.

Dress Anthropologie, boots Goodwill.

 Wearing these boots makes me feel like a proud country girl. I'm a country girl born and raised. 

A country girl that loves Anthropologie and a good gel mani that is.

Target earrings.

Blessings, Nicole

Linking up here:The Pleated Poppy
Suburbs Mama

Happy 4th!

We celebrated the fourth last night with sparklers, fire works, friends and family.

I hope you all have a great fourth of July too!

Blessings, Nicole

What I Wore...4th of July outfit

Dress target, denim top GW, shoes 6pm.com, watch Betsey Johnson and Lisa Leonard necklace gifted from the hubby.

I'm not into covering my entire body in stars and stripes but holiday dressing can be fun. 

So I came up with this little ensemble. It has the 4th of July spirit without looking like I'm wearing an American flag.

Notice anything new? I got some hair extensions! I had a pair of dark ones when my hair was chocolate brown and I really loved how much fullness and length they gave me. For some reason my hair has been falling out in hand fulls.....EEkkkk! Sally's had a sale on these babies and I snatched them right up.  

What ya think? Do they look legit? 

Have a great 4th of July everyone!

God bless America! 

Blessings, Nicole

Linking up here~The Pleated Poppy

Lately

Our yummy dinner last night. Tri tip, grilled veggies and quinoa.

 I cooked the quinoa in chicken broth instead of water then when it was done I added butter and grated parm. It was soooo good. Even the Hubby was a fan! 

We are watching this for our Tuesday night bible study and it is really good! 

It's the second time for me and I highly recommend it!

New mani. 

I asked for leopard and I got zebra. There was a slight language barrier. 

But I loved it anyway so I kept it.

It is scorching here in northern CA. 

Triple digits! EEEEkkkk...So we have been spending a lot of time at the pool!

That'a my life lately.

Have a blessed week everyone!

 Nicole

What I Wore....on a HOT summer day.

Dress thrifted Target, sandals thrifted, necklace Lisa Leonard from my hubby, earrings Stella and Dot.

 With temps reaching the triple digits here I am living in little summer dresses. 

And my hair oh my poor hair, so frizzy in this heat.

This entire outfit maybe cost me $4 thanks to the Goodwill Outlet!

Got me some bright pink summer toes! And look at these fab sandals I scored! Very Anthro right?

How is the weather in your neck of the woods? 

How do you all beat the frizz in the heat?

Blessings, Nicole

Linking up here~Kiwi Womens Style
The Pleated Poppy