Five Favorite Family Recipes

"The family that eats together, stays together!"  One of the things Kyle and I swore we would do when we had children was eat together as a family.  So many people don't do that anymore because our lives are so hectic and we're always on the go.  But, we've vowed to make a conscious effort to eat together as a family as much as possible and we've done pretty well with it.

When cooking meals, I want to make sure I make meals that everyone will enjoy.  And when you have a picky 5 year old, sometimes that can be difficult.  Especially when she searches thru a soup to see if you included onions.  Sheesh!  Here are five recipes that our entire family enjoys and I hope you will too!

First up is the infamous PASTA FAGIOLI.  Like all of these recipes, I found them on Pinterest and have linked the source for each one.  My girls LOVE this hardy soup and my Italian hubby enjoys it as well.  I tweak it just a tad and use ground turkey instead of ground beef, I omit the celery (because I'm not a fan and I know that's just one more "thing" that Bailey will have to pick out too) and I do about 1/2 - 3/4 of the spices it calls for.  Be sure to top it with grated Parmesan cheese and you can even serve it with a salad.

These QUICHE CUPS are for me and Kyle.  We needed something quick and easy in the mornings, but something that was nutritious and not loaded with carbs.  I tweak these depending on what fresh veggies I have in the fridge.  I've made them with broccoli and mushrooms, spinach and mushrooms, spinach and sausage.  Definitely make them to your liking and add whatever you've got on hand.  I do not recommend using frozen veggies as it didn't taste as fresh.  We put these in the fridge and grab and go as needed during the week.

As you probably know, my favorite saying is "love you more than tacos" and I use that hashtag quite often because, well, I love tacos.  Honestly, I could eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!  I love that this TACO PIZZA is a nice alternative to tacos and my girls are obsessed with it!!  I tweak this recipe just a tad and use ground turkey instead of ground beef, and I cut this recipe in half but cook the entire pound of ground turkey but only use half for the pizza.  The other half of the meat I save for taco salads for me during the week.  Again, I can't rave enough about this quick, easy, meal that the whole family is sure to enjoy!

Another family favorite is this LEMON CHICKEN PASTA from Lil Luna.  Talk about simple, easy, and delish!  My girls request this tasty dish all the time and of course it makes my pasta-loving hubby happy as well.

Now to wow the crowd, you definitely need to try out this delicious HONEY HAM GLAZE recipe from thedisneydiner.com.  I make this about 4-5 times a year and everyone raves over it.  Y'all, this is super easy and oh, so yummy!  It's an Easter Sunday must and definitely a Sunday evening favorite.  I made it this Sunday and we have tons leftover that the girls can take for school lunches.  Winning!

Hope you'll try a few of these recipes and your family enjoys them as much as we do!  Let me know your family favorites too.  We're always up for trying new recipes.

Target Roundup

Target is one of my most favorite places to shop!  It's a one-stop shop!  I mean, who doesn't LOVE Target?!  They have everything from clothes to accessories, household items to toiletries, and everything in between.  I've recently bought a few things that I absolutely adore so I thought I'd do a quick roundup of my current favorite things and my current wish list items.

Sunday, I wore a couple of my recent sale rack finds...this fun, cute top and my new favorite cat-eye sunglasses.  The shirt is from the Who What Wear line and I think this line is incredibly chic and you can mix and match their tops, skirts, and pants.  I love the cat-eye sunglasses that are on trend these days.  I always check out the 50% and 70% off racks because you never know what you're going to find there.  This shirt was just over $8 and my sunglasses were $7.  Score!

I haven't purchased this CROSSBODY BAG yet, but it's on my wish list.  It's perfect for traveling and would be perfect for my summer trip to New York City.  What an adorable accessory that can be dressed up or worn casually. 

Kyle and I gave the girls these adorable MACHU PICCH BIKINIS for Valentine's Day and they love them!  They're super cute and trendy.  Don't forget, right now all of their swimwear is buy one, get one 50% off.  Now is the perfect time to stock up on cute swimsuits with that great deal!

Espadrilles are all the rage for summer this year and I think these EMERY ESPADRILLE SANDALS are affordable and functional.  They can be worn with a dress, shorts, or even jeans and would be a great shoe to transition from winter to spring.

I love a good dry shampoo and this NOT YOUR MOTHERS DRY SHAMPOO is great and right now it's on sale for under $4!  I love not having to wash my hair every day and this dry shampoo helps revamp my hair with just a quick few sprays.  And I love that it's unscented!

We're surprising the girls with a Disney Cruise for Spring Break.  I love that Target has Disney shirts, accessories, and even the infamous MICKEY WAFFLE MAKER!  This is in my cart as we'll be surprising them in a couple of weeks and what a perfect treat for their surprise!

This PAISLEY PINK THRESHOLD RUG has made the perfect addition to our kitchen and I absolutely love it.  We have a lot of grey and blue in our home and I wanted to add another pop of color without going too crazy, but yet bringing everything together.  Right now it's on sale and you get an extra discount if you use your Target Red Card. 

If you don't have a red card yet, you must sign up for one ASAP.  You automatically save 5% with each purchase AND if you purchase anything online you automatically get free shipping.  It's a no brainer.  Happy shopping, friends, and I hope you all have a great week!

Be My Galentine!

Last week was super busy as one of my besties and I threw a fun and fabulous Galentine's Day party for some of our favorite gals.  We both love throwing a party and it was super fun to celebrate a day of love with our friends.  Below are a few details from the party.

Flowers, feathers, and fun beverages...oh my!

Super cute Galentine's Day napkins from Target!

Chocolate covered strawberries and a fun cocktail.  

We knew we wanted a fun signature cocktail and ended up finding this one at the last minute.  Who wouldn't love a bubbly rose' with cotton candy on top?!

Each friend left the party with a fun nail polish as a party favor.

Fun Valentine's Day decor!

Luminaries led our guests down the back stairs to the entrance of the party.

Of course there was a photo booth.  Strike a pose!

The host!

Fun gals celebrating a fun holiday!

I definitely encourage you to take part in this holiday next year if you didn't this year.  What a great excuse to get together with some of your favorite gal pals and celebrate Galentine's Day, February 13.

2018 Summer Swimsuit Guide

I ran into a friend who complimented my blogging venture and said she had a topic idea...swimsuits that fit the average woman/mom without breaking the bank.  What a great idea, I thought!  Holy moly tho, it's not an easy task.  However, I was excited to take on the challenge and see if I could find a few options that would work for most friends.

When wearing swimwear, you want to feel confident.  And you don't want to "pull and tug" all afternoon when you're at the pool or on the beach.  Whether you're in your 20's, 30's, 40's, a mom, and no matter your body-type, I think I just might have found at least one bathing suit that you might love this season.

This Black One-Piece is darling!  The cutout detail in the front is super cute and the back has dainty details that jazz it up a bit from a regular LBS (little black swimsuit).  Online, it says the fit runs small and to order one size up.  While I don't think it has full support in the bust area, the back looks like it would be full coverage which is definitely something I'm looking for.  This suit is less than $60 which is awesome!

This One Shoulder Scalloped Swimsuit is too cute and priced at only $19.98 with free returns, I definitely think it's worth a shot to try it on.  And, it comes in red.  Trying to decide which one I want to try.  It looks super cute and "mom friendly" for pool days with your kiddos but also fun and flirty if you're going on a fun vacation.

I'm SO obsessed with this Rose Crochet Suit from Everything But Water.  It also comes in "midnight" which looks like a navy color.  I love this one because it looks like it has great coverage but yet, it's trendy and fun!  The price is $123 which isn't too expensive, especially if it's good quality and durable.

This super cute Grey Bikini got awesome reviews on romwe.com.  Some people are nervous about ordering from romwe.com but my advice would be to read the reviews, see if there are photos of "real women" wearing the item, and typically order a size up.

Check out this cute Crochet Trim One-Piece from Target.  It also comes in a black and white stripe version which is super cute as well.  You guys, Target is a great place to find super cute and flattering swimsuits at a fraction of the cost of other retailers.  And right now, they're running a BOGO 50% off women's swimsuits.  Be sure to read reviews and size up if needed.  This one received 4 out of 5 stars which I think is pretty great!

And lastly, another boutique that sells swimwear is Hazel and Olive.  I just ordered a two piece from this website and it is so stinking cute! I'll let you know how I like it when it arrives.

With all of this warm weather we've been having lately, it makes me SO ready for summer!  Because summer = sunshine, warm weather, cocktails (finally!!) and DRIVING!!!  I hate to rush through life but I'm ready for this phase of life (no driving and no wine) to be done.  Fingers crossed the weeks continue to fly by.  Have a great week, friends!

Amazon Prime Fabulous Finds

Since my seizure/brain surgery, I've been unable to drive for 3 months (and won't be able to drive for 3 more months - South Carolina law).  However, that hasn't stopped me from finding the most awesome things on Amazon and having them shipped directly to my doorstep within 2-3 days.  Here are a few of my favorite finds from Amazon Prime.

I got these BOOTS for Kyle for Christmas and they were such a great find.  He typically wears dressier shoes when we're "out on the town", but it's nice for him to have a more casual boot/shoe as well.  And for $35, they are a steal!

This JEWELRY/MAKEUP CASE is so stinking cute!  Lucite and acrylic home items are all the rage right now.  I love that you can see all of your fab earrings or bracelets at once instead of opening each, individual drawer.  I can't speak highly enough of this awesome organizer and I might be ordering another one soon!

Who doesn't love The Greatest Showman?!  If you or your children are anything like my girls and me, we LOVE the soundtrack.  Even though this is already in my possession, I thought it would be a great Valentine's Day gift for the girls.  THE GREATEST SHOWMAN CD on Amazon is less than $12!  Score!! 

I asked for these COMPRESSIONZ LEGGINGS for Christmas and ended up getting two pair.  I'm SO glad I did though because now that I'm a stay at home mom, I want to look stylish without having to put forth much effort.  These leggings suck you in, in all the right places!  Can I get an amen?!  I've worn them with Hunter boots on a rainy day, with stylish slip-on tennis shoes, and with tall boots.  They super versatile and less than $30!

Y'all - this GUCCI DUPE BELT gives me all the heart eyes!  I've seen so many bloggers with the real Gucci belt so I searched on Amazon for a dupe and found it.  FOR $14.99!  Yes, please!  I got this right after Christmas and have worn it so much.  It's so versatile and super fab!

Those are my favorite Amazon Prime finds for now but stay tuned as I'm always purchasing items on this awesome website.  Happy Weekend, Friends!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Ok ladies, it's time to share this post with your hubs!  I've rounded up the top 5 must haves for Valentine's Day and honestly, these are on my list as well.

#5 - Sole Society Crossbody  I love a crossbody purse!  They're great for concerts, all-day shopping, or any time you don't feel like lugging around a huge purse.  I love this Sole Society crossbody purse and it comes in two colors.  What's even better - it's on sale for less than $25!

#4 - Versace Bright Crystal Perfume  I received a sample of this perfume when I made a purchase at Sephora and I LOVED this scent so much!  This is a fresh scent that isn't too overwhelming.  I'm not a huge perfume fan so for me to use the entire sample body speaks volumes.  

#3 -  Faded Crown Beaded Clutch - while they don't have a website, you can definitely find them on Instagram and Facebook.  I know, I know - you're thinking "two handbags on your wish list?!"  Yes please!  Recently I was at an event and saw a beautiful friend carrying this clutch and I was in awe.  How stunning!  She mentioned she got it from my favorite local store, Faded Crown.  This is DEFINITELY on my wish list for this year's Valentine's Day.  And if I don't get it for Valentine's Day it'll be on my wish list for every holiday until I do get it!  Absolutely beautiful and SO unique!

#2 - Tiny Tags Bar Necklace  This sweet necklace is absolutely precious and the perfect way to show off your children's names (and keep them close to your heart!) in a stylish way.  It's been on my list for a while.  Hint, hint, Kyle!!

#1 - Anything from Beautycounter, duh!  Last night I tried the balancing and charcoal facial mask and I woke up this morning with clearer skin.  My husband asked if I did a before and after pic!  HA!  

I typically have some redness on my face but this morning it was clearer.  I can't wait to use it again and it can be used 2-3 times per week.

I can't speak highly enough of their products.  I love the rosewater mist too and it feels super refreshing after a shower before I put on makeup.  Another favorite is the rejuvenating night cream.  I love going to bed each night with a clean face and knowing the products I used are safe and free of harmful chemicals.  I could go on and on about their products so honestly anything from BC would be awesome to have!

I hope your Valentine's Day is extra special and filled with lots of love!

Be Safe, Be Beautiful

Eek!  I'm squealing with excitement because now I'm officially a Beautycounter consultant.  As most of you know, I will turn the big 4-0 this year!  I've also recently had brain surgery to remove a cavernous malformation that bled.  In addition, I've had allergic reactions to makeups and lotions on my face.  With all of that being said, I knew it was time to take my life and skincare into my own hands.  After using (and LOVING!!) their products for about 6 months, I decided to become a consultant with Beautycounter and I could not be more thrilled!  Beautycounter's mission is to get safer products into the hands of everyone.  They rigorously screen every product for safety which is awesome and makes me feel like I can Be Safe and Be Beautiful!

I'm eager to try more products and recently purchased the items above.  But the products I love so far are the rejuvenating face cleanser, the rejuvenating toner pads, and the rejuvenating night cream.

I hope you'll join me on this journey and in sharing their mission to get safer products into the hands of everyone.  If you're interested in reviewing any products or purchasing, please use this link that will direct you to my website.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to try a product before purchasing. 

LOVE Is In The Air!

Galentine's Day and Valentine's Day is quickly approaching so I've searched for the perfect looks to spice up your fun evening out.  Whether it be a night with the girls or with your man, the following outfits and accessories are sure to have all eyes on you.

This dress is feminine, elegant, and gorgeous!  Pair it with a strappy, nude heel and a beaded clutch and you're ready for a sophisticated dinner with your man.

I love a jumpsuit!  And this sassy red number from Express is definitely one of my favorites (minus the belt).  This outfit was also featured on the Today Show as a fun, flirty option for Galentine's Day.  Your girlfriends will definitely be ooo-ing and ahh-ing over this super cute jumpsuit!

If you're wanting a more causal look, this top is so unique, flirty, and fun!  And the price of $14.99, yes please!  I would pair it with flare jeans or if you want to dress it up a bit you could wear red flare pants.

And last but certainly not least, these darling earrings from my favorite, fun store in Rock Hill would be the perfect accessory to complete your outfit.  Everything in the store is on point!  They offer so many items that every girl would love to have...candles, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, clutches, scarves, and even little knick knacks.  Be sure to send your man to Faded Crown in Rock Hill to stock up your Valentine's Day goodies.  If you're not local, you can find them on Instagram.  Search for "fadedcrown" and be sure to follow them.

May your Galentine's Day and/or Valentine's Day be extra sweet and full of love!

Weekend Recap

Whew, another busy weekend for the DiEduardos, but oh, how thankful and blessed we are! 

Friday, Kyle and I were invited to an oyster roast at a friends house and we had the best evening chatting with friends and eating yummy oysters.  No pics from the evening, but it sure was a fun time!

Saturday, the girls joined the Winthrop Spirit Squad and became Junior Spirit Squad members for the day. 

When I told them that I had cheered on the same basketball court they were so excited to follow in mommy's footsteps.  

They were part of the halftime performance and had the best time!  They danced to a Descendants song, and well, if you don't know about Descendants, you need to google it and watch the movie.  It's super cute and Disney related and the girls LOVE it!

After the WU basketball game, we rushed home to give the girls baths, paint nails, and fancy-up their hair to get them ready for the Father Daughter Dance.  Boy, were they excited!  And so was their daddy!  I made cute little barrettes for their hair since they wanted up-dos.

Kyle greeted them when they came down the stairs with flowers and their hearts went pitter patter.  It truly is the sweetest thing to see how much the man I love loves his sweet daughters.

They danced the night away with their friends and as tradition would have it, they went out for ice cream afterwards.  A fun night for friends and fathers!  

Sunday was filled with Super Bowl fun and we made some yummy apps to take to a friends house to watch Justin Timberlake, I mean, the game!  Post soon to come about my favorite appetizers so stay tuned.