Fitness: Maui Hiking!

To escape the gray of Portland winter my mother and I took a short vacation to the western coast of Maui and stayed at the Napili Surf Beach Resort. It was amazing to hike around, snorkel, and experience the beauty of a completely different part of the world. It was spectacular how many different plants and animals call Maui their home. Although it was warm on our trip it was unfortunately not as sunny as we had hoped. There were flash flood warnings and rainstorms the last couple days of our vacation. We did not let the less than perfect weather keep us inside though!

 

:: It was so warm I got to show off the new sportsbra I got at Lululemon! So comfy and cute! ::

 

 

:: My mother and me! ::

 

:: The not so spectacular weather ::



:: Neat plants ::

 

:: The sunny day hike ::

 



What is your favorite sunny vacation spot?

Maddie

Craft: Boot Cuffs

Although big socks with leggings and boots is an adorable look, sometimes shoving a thick sock into a boot can be cumbersome. The alternative: the boot cuff! Ellie had a professional development today,  a work day spent in meetings, so she was doubly productive knitting these cute cuffs and learning.

Ellie got this  Sol Maldonado. pattern from Ravelry. The cuffs were fairly easy to knit, with a basic front cable pattern and different combinations of knit and purl. Maddie got to model them!

Ellie & Maddie

Outfit: Friday Night in PDX

After a long week of work and a quick recovery from a nasty cold, I am certainly ready for a cocktail and some yummy food with friends! Regardless of my excitement for the night ahead I always seem to run into the same problem when picking an outfit. How can I look cute, fashionable, and also comfortable outside? Living in Portland, you quickly find out that a dress is only as cute as it is appropriate for the outing. Although I would love to wear a mini skirt and heels... my legs haven't seen the light of sun since september and honestly, I would prefer not to blind anyone.

My answer is: layer. Skip the skirt and find some festive pants. A long-sleeve blouse with some fun jewelry and a cute jacket is both playful and warm. 

Jeans: Anthropologie (Similar)

Jacket: Levi's

Blouse: Forever 21

Boots: Nordstroms (Similar)

Purse: Vintage Coach

Food: Lamb Stew

While most families fight over the last decadent cupcake or buttery roll, our family has a tendency to fight over vegtables. To make everyone happy and to curb our cravings we make big stews with a high veggie ratio. One of our favorites: Lamb stew!

Ingredients: 

• 1 sweet onion
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 lamb kebabs preferably seasoned with rosemary and garlic. 
• 4 yellow potatoes
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes 
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 4 carrots chopped
• 4 stocks of celery chopped with tops for flavor
• any other additional vegetables, we added broccoli, zucchini,  and squash 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp rosemary 
• 1 10 oz box of couscous 

Directions:

• Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat until heated.  Add chopped onions and garlic, cook for about 3 minutes until they starts to brown. Add lamb and saute until it browns. 
• Add carrots and celery cook for about 5 minutes until they have softened. Then add any additional vegetables and potatoes. 
• Stir in crushed tomatoes and 4 cups broth. Bring to a simmer, covered for 30 minutes. 
• Add spices to taste and serve over couscous.

Ellie & Maddie