Itsy-bitsy Back Patio

I've lived in our Dorchester townhouse for 4 years and I can't believe it has taken me this long to make use of our back patio.  It is super small but it is such a game changer in the warmer months.

This past Mother's day all I wanted was to fix up the teeny space. One Ikea trip, one amazon purchase, and one trip to Home Depot; we were set. I've detailed the items with source links at the end. When we set this up in the beginning of May, we were coming out of a very chilly, gray "spring" so I added lots of color to the space; hence the variety of selections in flowers. I'm looking forward to changing the style of the flower boxes in the different seasons.

Every morning I have the same routine.  Paul gets Roswelle up (mostly because she literally wakes up calling out for "da-da") and while they say their good mornings, I go downstairs to flip on the coffee, open the blinds/windows, and open our kitchen door to our little back patio. We have a screen door that keeps any pests out but lets the cool morning air in and opens up our kitchen for a breezy, feel good start to our day. I will grab my cup of coffee and spend some time outside clipping any dead leaves and checking on the soil. Roswelle loves the task of watering the plants. Even if it is only a few minutes, it can be a really meditative way start the day.

To really appreciate the update, I feel that before pictures are in order.

And now onto the details...

Lucky for me, my mom, who has a wonderful green thumb, was in town to help.  I was clueless!

{line any baskets with some strong plastic to help with water absorption. We cut up a large trash bag and it has worked well}

{make sure to poke the lining with skewers or a knife to allow healthy draining}

{start with one layer of soil before adding your plants}

{look outsdie the box and up to hanging baskets! repurposing the flowers to boxes is a great option}

{break up the rooted soil before re-planting}

{thank goodness for IKEA when decorating city spaces}

1. Amazon Flower Boxes  (comes with coconut liner)

2. Ikea outdoor rug
3. Ikea Table and Chair set 
4. Potting Soil
5. Miracle Grow Quick Start
6. All flowers were from Home Depot

Salad of Summer'16

Over the past few years I have blogged about some of my favorite "go-to" salads which can be seen here, here and here.  Although this one really isn't that different, it is THE salad of summer 2016 in our house. We ate this every day for lunch while we were in Destin. (...Paul added bacon and even a fried egg every now and then...)

The two ingredients that give this salad a refreshing twist is the seed blend and shrimp!  I started adding the Trader Joe's seed blend in Roswelle's greek yogurt and one day poured some into my salad - adding a healthy texture.  Secondly, shrimp.  I always forget about frozen shrimp! It doesn't take long to thaw under cold water and cooks in minutes. I buy local whenever possible - read the details on the labels y'all. 

Finally - the secret weapon to any good salad is how well the ingredients are mixed.  I usually add the avocado, goat cheese, seeds, dressing, pepper, etc right into the salad container.  I close and shake shake shake shake shake shake, which results in a perfect bite every time.

This was a long post about a very simple salad. :) Detailed ingredients are below. Hope you give it a try! 

{I can never get enough fresh lemon juice in my recipes}

{I think I could drink white vinegar straight from the bottle - love it}

{my favorite seed blend that has become a staple on our grocery list}

//recipe//

arugula or a 50/50 kale and arugula blend

avocado (2)

lemon juice (2)

goat cheese (1/4 cup)

seeds

olive oil (to taste)

white vinegar (to taste)

ground pepper
shrimp! (optional)

**when I buy arugula in a bag, I shake everything together in a large tupperware container with a sturdy lid.

A Night in Seaside

We were shoveling snow 2 weeks ago in Boston but now my little family is finally enjoy some hot (an important factor) sun and sand in Destin, FL.  This is our second year taking a break from the New England "spring" and I believe it will be a necessary tradition to warm up my southern bones (you can see last year's trip here)!! I do love Boston though, and I'll be happy to be back come May. ;)

We went to Seaside for dinner and let Roswelle run around as much as she pleased in the little village.  It was a perfect night of easy sunlight, no waiting in lines, and lots of really good food!!

{I don't know why or how we can get her to keep her sunglasses on, but she does, and it's amazing.}

{that belly}

{I want this in my master bath one day}

{the best part of Seaside is the pavilion full of toddlers!}

Roswelle turns TWO!

This past Saturday we had a small tea party for miss Roswelle Gray as she turned TWO on March 21st.  The sun was shining bright although it was a chilly day with a high of 41.  It actually snowed on her birthday the following Monday - there is a good chance that will happen every year up here in Boston!

Roswelle and her cousin Maddie have their dad's old play table and chairs which are the perfect size for a toddler tea. I pulled both tables together covered them with drawing paper, sprinkled them with stickers, crayons, and personal sippy cups - the table was set.

Below are a lot of detail shots...I'm already looking forward to reading this post with Roswelle in years to come. We love you SO much RoRo!

{this was sooooo much fun to make...it took a lot of flowers but I'm still enjoying it! ...the fact that my mom is a florist is a treasure}

{party trick:anything that isn't necessary or helpful for the party, i remove from the space.  My bedroom was covered with household items during the party but I didn't have to think about special items being broken or getting in the way}

{The picture above was a quick shot I snapped that will now be a keepsake photo.}

{Sandy (or GiGi) made delicious egg+bacon biscuits and 4 egg frittatas}

{probably discussing what flavor the cake will be}

{still wondering about that cake...}

A tidy set!! we were both equally excited about this gift! :P

Meet Titan Pace Radney

Paul and I met Danelle and Gordon 5 years ago in a neighborhood bible group.  A lot has changed since then, they moved to D.C. and we both now have babies of our own! I was so happy to meet little Titan last weekend while they were visiting Boston, and even happier to take pictures for them. Roswelle's room gets wonderful light during the day so we cleared out a few toys and captured a few special moments. He did exceptionally well, being an alert 9wk old!

Petit Vour - Responsible Beauty

A few years ago, I began a change from within by eating less processed, pesticide-covered products and more wholesome, organic foods. It was only a matter of time before I began making changes with what I put on the outside of my body as well. When I'm snuggling extra close to Roswelle or my brand-new nephew Teddy, I love knowing my skin is safe for their sensitive and unharmed skin to touch.

Knowing this, my sister-in-law Jenny gave me a 3-month subscription to the Petit Vour box for Christmas. The idea is much like the well known Birch Box, however the box includes non-toxic, vegan, and ethically made beauty products. The company's self-proclaimed mission is to bring two worlds together: luxury and progressive values. 

Once a month I receive a bright pink box on my doorstep full of 4-5 beauty items ranging from deodorant to eye-liner. I've loved being exposed to new products that care about the same things I do! Below is a detail review of the January box and I'll be posting about February and March's box soon! 

KANI BOTANICALS Petal Polish Rose Face Mask:

This innovative formula is enriched with revitalizing brown sugar and antioxidant-rich rose, which work together to gently dissove dead skin cells and reveal perfectly-nourished skin.

My Review: A Face-mask is my favorite indulgence at the moment and this one did not disappoint! Silky smooth with just enough exfoliant.  I use my masks at night and rarely rinse off but instead let the extra residue soak in through the night leaving me fresh-faced in the morning! 

MAI COUTURE Blush Papier

Boost your complexion by adding color to cheeks whenever, wherever. The sublte shimmer you see will give your skin a healhty, natural glow.

My Review: I'm saving these color sheets for the upcoming summer weddings as they will fit perfectly into a small sized clutch and will give me an extra boost of color between the ceremony and reception!

BLISSOMA Deodorant Stick

This super-effective natural deodorant comes in a handy stick form and includes moisturizing mango butter and natural oils as well as anti-irritant, sweat absorbing and odor-busting powders. No toxins!

My Review: This has been my favorite new beauty product yet! I stopped using regular antiperspirant deodorant years ago, and in fact stopped using deodorant altogether when I was nursing. My body quickly adjusted and under-arm sweat was not necessarily an issue for me.  However, when planning to be out with friends or in an exercise class, I love throwing on this super safe stick!!

 ZABANA ESSENTIALS Glow Stick
Take your skin to the next level by adding a touch of highlight to your cheeks, collarbone, or wherever you fancy a glow. Moisturizing, fast absorbing, and rejuvenating with just a slight hint of shimmer. 
My Review: I love a good dewy look, and glow sticks can give you just that! I am a little apprehensive to use anything with shimmer on my skin because I feel like it encourages a breakout.  However, I trust the ingredients in this stick, so I will add it for some extra glow on a special night out!

Paleo Coconut Flour Waffles

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to make something extra special, at home in your kitchen! Whether you will be celebrating with your partner, family, roommates, or Netflix...these waffles will not disappoint! They are healthy yet indulgent...a perfect balance.  

I make these quite often for Roswelle.  They keep in the refrigerator throughout the week and I warm them up in the oven when I need an easy snack for her. You can find the recipe ingredients below and see a more in depth tutorial here: http://paleomg.com/banana-vanilla-bean-pancakes-with-mixed-berry-compote/ 

Note: I do not make the blueberry compote, but instead just add fresh blueberries. I also do not use an actual vanilla bean as mentioned in the original recipe. The batter should be thick - add more coconut flour as necessary.  And finally, I spray the waffle maker with coconut oil which works well.

{staple ingredients}

Recipe: 
2 bananas
3 eggs
3 tbls coconut flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp baking soda
sprinkle of cinnamon 
pinch of salt

blend the bananas until pureed, add eggs and blend.  Add remaining ingredients to blender and mix well.  Pour onto waffle maker or pan, add blueberries, patiently wait to cook entirely and you are done! 

{fresh ingredients}

Introducing #teddylash

{this is one of my favorite pictures - everyone is playing their roles very well}

On Sunday, Theodore William Lashway "Teddy" was born! These pictures are from day three, when babies are still pretty silent and snuggly. That day was also the first time Maddie met her little brother Teddy! We are all so excited to have a new boy in the family, although I have a feeling Miss Roswelle and Miss Maddie will still rule the roost for a while! 

{juggling two!}

Acupuncture + Balance

I've been on a quest for balance the last few months and one of my steps has been adding in acupuncture therapy. I'm officially hooked. MY understanding of the benefits of acupuncture is that the body has the power to heal itself, we just need to allow access for healing. It's a very meditative, relaxing, and restorative experience - and I'm all for napping for my health as opposed to medicating! And I promise - the needles don't hurt!!  

Over the weekend I took pictures of my friend and acupuncturist, Abbi, practicing on her friend, Kaitlin.  I hope you find these pictures as relaxing as I did! If you are in the Boston area and looking for a wonderful experience, you can reach Abbi at abigail.j.andrews@gmail.com.  I see her just about every week at the moment at the Equinox downtown (I'm not a member, but that's one of the locations where Abbi practices).  Even Paul said he's going to try it.....

Peaceful Pink

I don't know if it is yoga/acupuncture, eating healthier, or a happier toddler...but my energy is through the roof this week. Hence, here I am blogging! 

Boston's winter is tough.  So far we have dodged the inconvenient feet of snow (not holding my breath) but the cold weather this week has been enough to make my skin hurt and my emotions sour. In order to mentally survive and keep my spirits uplifted, I surround myself with interiors that encourage peace and happiness.  

It doesn't take much...fresh flowers, lots of white, and a touch of Valentine's Day decorations.  Or in the words of my brother Carson...a touch of basic.  

{how basic can I get?? My pink coffee mug makes my morning extra warm}

But this... heart melts on the coldest of days <3 #sappy

Did you miss some of these photos on Instagram? Follow me!! >> @laurenlashway

Christmas in our Home, 2015

This year I was lucky enough to have my mom here with me to decorate for Christmas!! We had so much fun going to HomeGoods and Marshalls to find unique ornaments, garland, and candles. (I promise I'm not sponsored by TJX)

Christmas decorating has a fine line between perfectly placed festive decor and red/green clutter.  I love for every little space or corner to have a little Christmas cheer on it but I also try to step back and edit, asking myself "is that pretty or just messy looking?" 

With a toddler in the house, I decided to leave most of the special ornaments in their boxes and replaced them with felt or wooden ornaments.  I also looked specifically for dark red, dark green and cream decorations. Our stockings were my inspiration which were gifts from Paul's mom Sandy!

Below are more shots from around our main floor of the house!

{a few nativity figurines that Roswelle can play with - the three wise men are not pictured}

{last year with Santa}

{I love plaid, and I'm thinking I will buy more of it when Christmas items go on clearance}

{Nothing is more festive than a table ready for a dinner party}

I really wanted a wooden Christmas tree collar this year for under the tree.  There were a few at HomeGoods but I didn't get to the store in time before they were all scooped up! So this year I purchased some Christmas storage boxes that hide the cords and skirt and will be good for ornament storage.  

Living Room Update: Fall 2015

I did it. I got rid of the big blue buffet that was our TV stand/toy storage for 3+ years.  As my friend said, it was taking more than it was giving. And what it was taking was space. Living in the city, every inch of our home is important and valuable real estate which should be used strategically. I fought placing the TV over the mantel for years, but alas it just makes too much sense not to have it centered in our living room on wall space.  

I love rearranging; so one day when Roswelle was being quite laid back, I decided to get to it.  Below are the details of the change up (and a few before pictures too!).  

I loved my little gallery above the mantel but it also looks quite nice over my coffee bar.

Before:

We've had it set up like this for about a month now, and Paul and I both really love it.  btw...I read that you are supposed to feel your home with only things that mean something to you, and that you really love.  Well....I really love HomeGoods I guess, because my house is furnished with HomeGoods purchases!

{Below, circa 2012 - when I first moved in!}

{Fall 2014}

The cords will be hidden once the TV is actually mounted.  I found this chair on theGoods app and quickly went to the store to purchase. I love how deep it is - I can curl my legs up in it when I have my morning coffee by the window. And it's a great place to read Roswelle books that she selects. It's my new favorite spot.  

This bookcase was my grandmothers. And maybe her mothers before that? It's been with me through high school, my apartment in college, Atlanta, and the Northend...and finally it holds my daughters toys!

{a nice little blend of the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays}

Family Photos: The Humphreys!

A few weeks ago I took pictures of my good friend Tara, her husband Todd, and their sweet son Jett.

Just over a year ago Roswelle and Jett had their first play date and the weekly meet ups began. As a stay at home mom, I was desperate for more adult connection and to meet a mom that was available during the day too. A prayer was answered when I connected with Tara who had a young baby just 1 month older than Roswelle and lived only a few streets over (key during the winter of 2015)!! Whether it's a walk to our neighborhood parks, museum trips, baby-free breakfasts at McKenna's, or simply watching Ellen while the babies play in the living room, I'm so thankful for their friendship!

She asked me to take their pictures in our local park just around the corner. I was so thankful she trusted me to get at least a few decent pictures! I'm wayyyyyy more comfortable taking pictures of still, life-less things around my home, so this was challenging for me to say the least and I have even more respect for my photographer friends! Todd, Tara, and Jett made it easier being such a fun, loving family. <3

Kitchen Cabinets Update

Now that I'm home more with less travel, I've been busy making changes.  I love changing things up in the house, probably because I know I can just change it back if I'm not happy with the result. There is no need to be afraid to repaint, rearrange, re-hang etc...you can always have a professional come fix it.  

Painting our kitchen cabinets was the first home project I did after we were married. I was impulsive and excited. After 3 or so years, I was not happy with the paint color anymore. I had been hinting to Paul that I wanted to repaint them and would only receive a groan in response. One night I went into the basement, found a white we already had (Benjamin Moore Acadia White, which we used in Roswelle's nursery) and got the courage to get started.  

I'm really happy with the way it turned out on the top and I'm currently repainting the lower cabinets. Because the base colors are two different colors, I think I will need 3 coats to get the cabinets to match.  I cleaned the cabinets and just got started, since I'm painting over paint, I didn't feel the need to sand them down to the bone this time.  

See below for the progression of the kitchen and some future projects that are being planned! Thank goodness Paul allows me to be creative and try, try again.

{please excuse the quality of the picture above, I was too lazy to get my wide angle lens, I'll take better pictures once I'm completely done!}

{2012-2015}

{the bachelor kitchen...}

Another before and after of the kitchen with the slight color change to Acadia white. (wall color is BM Tyler Gray)

{after}

{before}

Over the next two weeks we are going to be adding shiplap to the kitchen.  I guess is Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper says it enough, people will start catchin' on, including me!

New Couch + HomeGoods Happy!

Last week on Instagram (@laurenlashway), I promised an update on things around our home.  

First up is the new couch! Last week my mother-in-law generously let me use her Honda Pilot for the week.  My first stop was HomeGoods! I have been looking for a new couch for almost a year now but wasn't ready to spend $1,000+ so I was waiting for the right time and right couch.  When I saw this modern, minimalistic, tan couch I was intrigued, but then when I saw the $400 price tag I was in love!  10 minutes later I was squeezing it in the back of the pilot! 

A great before and after comparison is below.  The new couch fits the space so much better and it is more my style.  

\

IT.WAS.TIME. Ahh! looking at these pictures makes me feel even better about the purchase.

{the clock on the wall was up in the attic and is a great fresh look, I'll post more pictures of that later}

{pillows and lamps are HomeGoods purchases as well...I could be a professional HG shopper I think}

BTW....have you used theGOODS app by HomeGoods?? It's great! You can browse stores by location to see some of the latest furniture and finds for sale.  

My couch! right before I snagged it.

Stay tuned for more pictures of the kitchen cabinets and a new corner wall gallery that is in the works.

Pumpkin Painting + Puff Paint!

A few weeks ago, we let the girls (Roswelle and Madelyn) paint a pumpkin for the first time! A trip to Michaels for aprons, puff paint, and washable finger paint, then to Market basket for the cheapest pumpkins I could find, and the craft was set! I have such fun memories of picking off the puff paint on my Christmas sweatshirts my mom made for us and now puff paint is a go-to when personalizing crafty clothes for Roswelle. Make sure to outline first, let dry completely, and then fill in. Total working time for two aprons was 20 minutes.  

I'm Alive and Well! (Fall 2015)

I'm alive (and well!) y'all!! I basically fell off the web unintentionally 3 weeks ago. After returning home to Boston from my brother's beautiful North Carolina wedding on September 21st, I dialed things wayyyy down. As an introverted home-body, the past few months were quite a challenge. Between Memorial Day weekend and Mid-September, we were home ONE weekend. One. one!!! I don't mean to sound ungrateful for wonderful places to go and being with the people we love. But I really, really love my home, too! 

I have spent the last few weeks going on walks with Roswelle in our neighborhood, having slow mornings in our living room, and re-watching seasons 1-5 of Game of Thrones. You read that right...every night Paul would come up from his garage gym and groan as he heard the GOT theme song kick back up. I didn't prepare a blog post for the next day, nope, I watched the Stark family get murdered one by one (for a second time). Side note: John Snow is not dead! 

I've also been tinkering around the house, putting out Fall decor and warming up our house with colors and textures...because, "Winter is Coming." :P

The French-Café Bistro Chair

Traditional Dining Room by Los Angeles Architects & Building Designers Studio William Hefner

I've been spotting these french bistro chairs on a few sites and in some interior magazines and I really love them! They add and interesting texture and a simple pattern to any space. I have found them a little difficult to find but they are out there!  World Market (Bostonians we are getting a location in Natick soooon!!!), Overstock, and Wayfair all have fairly affordable options, includes pair prices. I've included some of my favorite finds below.

{I first spotted them in Bethenny Frankel's Hampton house - love the pop of color! Although, I could have done without the rest of the skinny girl red in the kitchen - we get it - you have a brand}

Overstock Options (click image for link):

World Market Options (click image for link):

Wayfair Options (click image for link):

If you are like me and your budget has no room for any more chairs (or your space for that matter) you can always buy a $15 etsy print and hang it above your table ;) 

A Trader Joe's run

{snacks for Roswelle} 

In our house, Trader Joe's is a one stop shop for our groceries. The price point for the freshness and quality is jusssst right. I love the old faithfuls they offer but get equally excited when I see a new item they are promoting - especially in the Fall!  They have seasonal vegetables, like Heirloom tomatoes and spaghetti squash. And back when I drank, their beer and wine selection is hands down the best.   Now nothing in life is perfect, and I have read reports that you have to be careful with their packaged items containing GMO's etc...just read before you eat!  

Also, I will always suggest buying meat from your local farmer's market and finding/buying organic everything whenever you can (they don't always have it) - and I have a feeling Trader Joe's would suggest the same! 

Below are some snapshot from a big grocery run last week.  I wasn't planning to make anything special or new, I was in and out of the small shop getting our go-to items and got enough food for 3 home-made dinners. Not pictured is the Trader Joe's Wake-up blend coffee and 70% dark chocolate which I have every day.  

{Roswelle's lunch items}

{my lunch items - cucumber is a great cracker replacement}

{roswelle's dinner}

{our easiest go-to dinner: a baked grill-pack (season with avocado oil + S&P), steamed broccoli, and rice}

{ingredients for a filling salad - see recipe here}

{almost the same ingredients but replace the kale with rice for our fajita bowl - see recipe here}

{one of my favorite fall meals, spaghetti squash and meat sauce}

{our breakfast - trader joe's has great eggs in our area!}

{some random favorites - their popcorn is a fav for hosting and these bars are great for R on the go!}

Wedding Week: Family Edition

Today Roswelle and I are flying back down to GA to get elbow deep in wedding week (Paul and the rest of his family are flying down Wednesday!!).  On Saturday, my brother Trey is marrying his one true love, Anna!! It makes my heart so happy to see our family grow and gain such a beautiful person, inside and out. 

Their wedding shower was two weeks ago, which was a family affair in itself.  Everyone pitched in with food, table cloths, serving pitchers, and of course my mom and I couldn't help but put together some flower arrangements :) I took a few pictures of the sweet day, and looking through them last night made me even more excited to watch them say "I do!" in Murphy, NC.

{their baby, Maple}

{an another sweet baby, Lainey}