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January 8, 2016

I love lists Friday!

Weekly web inspiration - I love lists Friday on shutterbean.com!

Welcome to I Love lists Friday!  Let’s surf the net together!

  1. Food styling tricks from advertising experts.
  2. Cat has secret family!
  3. 21 Benefits of Having a Cat
  4. Make Your Partner Feel Important So Your Relationship has a Chance
  5. This soup looks incredible.
  6. I’ve been craving hot chocolate lately. Here’s how to make the best hot chocolate!
  7. Realistic Mom Goals for 2016. 
  8. Dude. These cookies. WANT. All of them. Now.
  9. Netflix Hacks for 2016
  10. These boots caught my eye same with this top
  11. I love seeing how others use the Bullet Journal System!
  12. Holiday Decoration Organization! We’re so close to be done with putting ours away.
  13. If you’re into Making a Murderer, you might like these other documentaries. 
  14. Also if you’re watching the show, this is a good read. I didn’t even think about what it feels like from her perspective. Wow.
  15. Currently working on pairing down my wardrobe. This post was inspiring.
  16. These muffins with these lattes. Please/thank you.
  17. I love Conan. This bit made me laugh so hard.
  18. My latest Pinterest search followed by this query.
  19. It’s amazing what an  iPhone can do.
  20. Most expensive homes in every state! Whoa.
  21. It’s fascinating to see what Tom Brady + Gisele eat.
  22. How to clean a dutch oven!
  23. 52 Ways to Awaken Your Playful Spirit. 

Thanks for the inspiration, Marvin Gaye

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January 6, 2016

Habit Forming

Habit Forming for 2016 on Shutterbean.com

My friend and I were talking about habits yesterday and what we would like to add to our daily routine this year. It’s a fun conversation to have because you can see how everyone differs. For example, my friend is in the habit of emptying  the dishwasher first thing when she wakes up, while I’m in the habit of waiting until I have too many dishes piled up on the counter before I empty mine. On the flipside,  I MUST MUST MUST make my bed first thing when I wake up but she’s not in the habit of doing so. These habits make us all unique. I find them kind of fascinating.

We are going to be having our kitchen cabinets painted this month, which means it will be out of commission for at least a week and I can’t waaaaaaaaaait to take everything out and put it back in again. Is that weird?  I’m in this headspace of editing the crap out of my life right now because all of the stuff I have is OWNING ME. I just want simplicity. I want better habits. I want a better foundation & routine.

This first week of the new year, I’m looking into my everyday habits and trying to figure out what I want to add and what I want to keep. I am also trying to be super realistic about this because life gets in the way and some habits never stick and some die hard.

Let’s talk about some of my habits and how I plan to change them…..

CONTINUE READING

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January 4, 2016

Highlights of 2015:

Highlights of 2015 on Shutterbean.com

It’s the first Monday of the new year. It’s also my Mom’s birthday. Happy birthday, Mom! I owe you some profiteroles  Instead of getting stressed about all we want to do and accomplish today/this week/this month/this year, let’s give ourselves a moment to look back at 2015. Go easy on yourself today. If you’re feeling a little anxious, go through some pictures of last year and find the moments that defined the year. The good/the bad…. all of it.

Here’s how my 2015 went:

Cooper lost 6 teeth this year. He has big kid teeth now. It’s crazy.

We experienced a lot of good sunsets- this one stood out the most.

Meal prep! If you look at #shutterbeanmealprep tag on Instagram, you can see all of the weeks I meal prepped. I kinda fell off the wagon during the last few months of the year because of work but I’m hoping to create more space and time to do it in 2016 as it only benefits my family and saves me time throughout the week. You can read more about meal prep here.

I volunteered a lot at Cooper’s school this year. Highlight- bingo night.

This year I wanted to dedicate more time to making art. I got Cooper involved. It’s something I am going to continue doing in 2016. I’d like to spend at least one night a week working on art together.

I wrote a post about my favorite coloring books and shared some of my favorite books for drawing in 2015.

I spent a chunk of time analyzing/figuring out how to organize my purse system. I wrote a whole post about it. The only thing that’s changed is that I have gotten rid of the folders and created a binder/ calendar system to keep my life in check. Once I have my system nailed down, I’ll share it with you. I’m still experimenting.

I had a nice visit with Maj! She came for a weekend and we went to the beach.

We stopped podcasting this year because of our work schedules. I’m not sure if we’re going to start up again. I miss it a lot, but I am not sure how I ever made time for it in years past! We’ll see what 2016 will bring.

I went up to Portland- wrote a post about dining up there and got to hang out with two of my best friends from college time.

Traveled with my mom to Los Angeles for my sister-in-law’s bridal shower!

CONTINUE READING

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January 2, 2016

My Everyday Life: Week 53

Here’s what My Everyday Life: Week 53 looked like:

My top 9 Instagram photos for 2015:

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

We stayed up late to watch the fireworks. Well, three of us did!

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

Cleared out my mantle today. This is what’s left.

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

We repotted this Japanese Maple in the summer and it’s so happy….still!

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

Errands in the rain.

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

Trip to the East Bay with Lisa & Casey.

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

Styled at a consignment shop.

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

GIVE/ CHEER/ REJOICE

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

We came home with two sconces from CB2. I’m so lucky my husband’s so handy.

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

I should make this for my blog.

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

Shooting images for One Potato.

My Everyday Life: Week 1 from Shutterbean.com

CONTINUE READING

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January 1, 2016

I love lists Friday!

I love lists Friday // shutterbean

Welcome to I Love Lists Friday!  We’re currently hibernating at my house this week. It’s been really nice to relax and play board games. My brother bought Cooper the Star Wars Boxed Set  and we’ve been working our way through it as a family so we can take Cooper to see the new movie. I’m sad to take down our Christmas decorations this weekend, but I’m super excited about having a clean slate for 2016.  I’m going to spend some time figuring out my intentions for the New Year. I just realized I didn’t do it last year.  How was that possible? Where does the time go? Seriously.

Anyways, HAPPY NEW YEAR and let’s see what the internet is up to this week.

  1. Takeout Food Styling
  2. Best Cat Moments of 2015
  3. He’s so my type.
  4. 26 Tiny Things to do for YOURSELF this year
  5. This is too real.
  6. Really Thought Provoking Stuff
  7. Nursing Your Holiday Spending
  8. 10 Mistakes We Make While Grocery Shopping
  9. Find the Panda!
  10. The Worst Internet Hoaxes of 2015.
  11. A good reminder
  12. The New Old House
  13. Omg. These DADS. 
  14. Awesome photos from 2015 + these too!
  15. Good things happened this year.
  16. Deep Thoughts.
  17. My goal in 2016 is to go to New Orleans.
  18. 2016 is the year of high top converse & disco balls…. according to me.
  19. I’m curious to see what they eat!
  20. What it’s like to give up alcohol for New Years
  21. Oprah sends the internet on an emotional roller coaster.
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December 28, 2015

Most Popular Posts of 2015

Most Popular Posts of 2015 on Shutterbean.com!

It’s that time of year when we get all introspective and think about what we’ve accomplished in the last 365 days. We think about being healthier….. while grabbing another cookie. We resolve to get our acts together to drink more water and wear more eye cream in the new year….while grabbing ANOTHER cookie. It’s also the time when we go back into my google analytics and see what were the most popular posts of the year. Here’s what I found!

Pizza Rolls

You love them. I love them. Should we make more in 2016?

Wait!

I made Broccoli Cheddar Rolls. OMG. How did I forget that???!!!!

Sambal Chicken Skewers

So easy. So seductive…and it’s just grilled chicken on a stick.

Thai Beef with Basil

This was the dish that was a serious game changer for my family.

It’s the recipe I made most over the year. We ALL love it.

Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Who knew this would be so popular?!

I loved this cake….especially when I found a slice of it in my freezer. That was a good day.

Hash Brown Waffles 

Life changing. Also, why am I not eating these everyday?

Cream of Spinach Soup

Oh yes! This one was good. I’m going to make it in January when I’m craving green food.

Apricot Glazed Chicken

Last year when I asked you what you wanted to see here, a lot of you said you liked my easy weeknight meals. I tried to put more effort into that (I noticed I didn’t bake much in 2015!). This Apricot Glazed Chicken was the Lemon Chicken of 2015!

Spicy Coconut Noodles

Casey was a huge fan of these noodles. Note to self: add these back into our rotation.

Strawberry Roll-Ups

First attempt at making fruit roll-ups was a success! I want to make a mango version next.

Sausage & Mushroom Pizza Bowls

I shared one of my favorite meals when I was in college- pizza bowls!

Don’t think of Pizza the Hutt when you’re looking at this picture.

Baked Chicken Parmesan 

Weeknights were made easier with this recipe. Now if only I could get Cooper to eat melted cheese (that’s not on a pizza!).

Shortbread Strawberry Crumble 

I figured out how to make a really SIMPLE/amazing crumble with pre-made shortbread cookies.

We ate this a few times this summer and looking at this picture makes me so excited for strawberry season…SIGH.

Greek Lamb Sliders 

First time making lamb sliders! I need to make these again. I made them when Casey was working from home and we ate the entire batch for lunch…

The Green Machine Sandwich

Sandwich artistry! I recreated a sandwich I had at a bookstore and made it even better.

Do you guys like sandwiches? Do you want more?

Roasted Carrots with Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

One of my favorites! One of Casey’s favorites too.

Gluten Free Fudgy Brownies 

I did some experimenting with gluten free baking and loved how these brownies turned out.

Looking up the ingredients now to see if I can make a batch…….

Chicken Piccata 

This one was gooooooood. I want to turn it into a sandwich! Maybe I’ll do that.

Slow Cooker Pork 

I showed you how I make pulled pork and how I use it!

I hope to bring more of that to 2016. More meal prep stuff.

How to Make Kombucha at Home 

Biggest accomplishment in my kitchen was making my own kombucha this year. I’m still going strong! I still make a batch weekly. It’s been super rewarding.

Grapefruit Thyme Cocktail

I really loved the photos from this shoot. I definitely feel like my photography has improved. I thankfully worked myself out of a few creative ruts this year. Whew.

Cobb Salad Sandwich

Salad + carbs = deliciousness

Out to Eat: Portland, Oregon

I ate my way through Oregon with a few of my good friend from college and shared the experience. That was fun….and I barely scratched the surface of what Portland has to offer. Maybe I’ll go back in 2016? Maybe I’ll go up to Vancouver to celebrate my 10 year anniversary and write a guide?!!!

Purse Organizing System

I shared my purse organizing system with you! I’ve switched out two of my bags, and I’ve turned to a binder system since then…maybe I should share that??

If You’re Going to San Francisco Guide

I wrote about my favorite places to eat in San Francisco this year.  I FINALLY DID IT. I would like to update it in 2016 and add more stuff to my list!

There you have it! I thought it was pretty neat to see what posts were the most popular.

Thank you for all of your support! It’s so wonderful to look through the #shutterbean hashtag on Instagram and see how many of you are making the recipes you find here. It blows my mind that we can share in that together.

Thanks also for taking the time to leave a comment. I really love to hear from you. If you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see in 2016, let me know in the comments.

While we’re looking back you can find the:

MOST POPULAR POSTS OF 2014

MOST POPULAR POSTS of 2013

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December 26, 2015

My Everyday Life: Week 52

Here’s what My Everyday Life: Week 52 looked like-

Christmas day in Union Square.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Lovebirds in the afternoon light.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Puddle hopping to get a drink.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Quick stop at the Palace.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Dim Sum at Yank Sing.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Bourbon at the Four Seasons.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

I see primary colors and an A.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

My favorite number.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Stamps galore.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Cooper has big boy teeth now. It’s crazy!

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Pretty wreath.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Christmas Eve dinner at my house! My brother and his wife came to visit!1

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

My potato game was strong.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

DINNER was good. So was all the wine!

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Right after we opened presents on Christmas morning….

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Hike with my brother on Christmas morning.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Mud pile!

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Right before company arrived.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

My Christmas dinner table.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

My friend Lisa brought my a bunch of succulents and bay leaves for my table.

My mom provided the Christmas crackers.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Hey.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Table at night in B & W

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Last night on the job, Petey!

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Afternoon light on my table.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Everything sparkled.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Before I added all of the plates + crackers.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Trip to Home Depot.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Our tree this year! I carried the gold/silver theme into our tree.

 

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Guest bedroom ready for company.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

On a walk with Caley. It rained. We walked to get coffee. I liked it.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Breakfast…and list making…more like list FORGETTING. I left this list at home.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

After it rains, I always go outside and survey my succulents.

myeverydaylifeweek52 009

I’m always blown away by the water drops on the leaves.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

This one is my favorite.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

And on this plant, the stripes in the drops caught my eye.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Ladybug on my carpet. I watched it walk across that thick pile and it reminded me of the movie the English Patient.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Take out Indian food & new faucet installation thanks to my brother-in-law.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Dinner in the city with my parents.

myeverydaylifeweek52 049

We draw when we wait for our food.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

LET ME IN. I promise I won’t pee on the floor again.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Pre jump.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

I made the most amazing (gluten free!) blondies. I’ll have to share the recipe sometime.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Casey and I took ourselves out to dinner for our yearly Christmas Party.

It’s a date night/work party for the self-employed (us).

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

We went to the Buckeye Roadhouse.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Steak dinner + Uber chats with “Uncle Greg” & Jesus.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

Taking pictures of all the JOYs in Target.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

We texted them all to Joy at the end of our trip. It’s always great fun.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

We hibernated this weekend…and it’s been wonderful.

My Everyday Life: Week 52  on Shutterbean.com

That’s the last week of 2015!!!  We’ll see what 2016 has in store!

have a great weekend!

 

Week 52 in 2014

Week 52 in 2013

Week 52 in 2012

Week 52 in 2011