1 – FETA & TOMATO DIP
Happy Saturday! First Saturday 6 of 2025. Let’s do this. :) I made this family favorite dip a few times over Christmas break and thought I’d share the recipe again if any of you want to try it. It is SO GOOD and SO EASY to make.
All you need is Olive Oil, Feta Cheese, Roma Tomatoes, Green Onions, this Greek Seasoning and a fresh Baguette. My sister has been making this every December for over 10 years but found it on-line so it’s not technically “our” recipe but we love it so we say it is. :) We always make it over the 4th of July too. The pop of red makes it fun for holiday get togethers.
Pour some olive oil onto a platter. Chop your tomatoes and dice the green onions and put them over the olive oil. Add some crumbled Feta and then sprinkle the Greek Seasoning on top. Stir it up and serve with slices of fresh bread. YUM.
2 – NEW YEAR FAVS
I’m sad about the the kids all heading back to school, but I’m also excited about getting back into my daily routine. Time to plan ALL the things! Nothing makes me happier than a good planner. Or 2.
Or 3 or 4. Ha. I can’t resist a good planner and I love all of these so much I’m using them all! The large desk calendar for big picture trips/events, the 2025 planner for blog/work, the to-do notebook for day to-dos and the notebook for brain dumps when I just want a big list to check off. I’m sure I’ll rotate these around but they keep me motivated! Day to day events are on my phone but I like my lists for daily to-dos. I also always pick up new pens and new scissors to kick off the year. It’s the little things in life. :)
One more New Year favorite.. I couldn’t wait to read this! I’m a huge Mel Robbins fan (have listened to her podcast since she started it) and this book does not disappoint. I listened to it all on audible in Maui and am going to re-read the hard copy now. I’m making Kenny and the girls read it too! Bottom line is focusing on what you can control and letting go of things you can’t. Did any of you read it over the break? 10/10!
3 – KENNY’S FAVORITES
Kenny got an air fryer for Christmas and he is a little TOO excited about it. He is air frying everything and driving us all crazy. Ha. I love that he loves it! But he is making lots of Salmon lately and the smell is killing me. (I don’t like fish and struggle with the smell of it!) The kids have been laughing at his enthusiasm over his meal and my enthusiasm that quickly follows while I scrub out the air fryer, open every window in the kitchen, light 3 candles and then pop pop corn to cover the smell. It’s a fun nightly routine we are in at the moment!
The North Face Backpack/my beloved Amazon backpack
I also gave him this backpack for Christmas this year.. perfect for travel! I would definitely recommend the air fryer and the backpack!
Just not the Salmon.
4 – ERIN’S FAVORITES
A few things Santa brought me and the girls that I love! New sets of my favorite make-up brushes.
Lip gloss that gives a slight plump! Buxom has been a favorite for years. I bought this set for me and the girls from Nordstrom and it sold out quickly but I found it on Amazon too! Lots of color options here. I like the clear the best to put over my lip stick.
These socks are so good! I just ordered more. Thin, lightweight, super cozy and a great fit. I like this set.. perfect neutrals! I’ve been wearing them every day with my sneakers.
5 – WARM & COZY
Speaking of wearing every day. My January wardrobe is all about comfort. Jeans and a hoodie/sweatshirt of some sort!
This sweatshirt is co cute and casual. I love the v neck and how it fits. It runs large so I bought one size down from my regular size (wearing xxs). So cute and comes in other colors too!
Santa brought Ad this cute Lulu Scuba jacket and now I want one too! If she was still living here all the time I would be sneaking it out of her closet. So cute. She is so easy to shop for because we have the same taste and wear a lot of the same things. Fun to share with my girls at this stage! I just buy Ad things I want/love. El has totally different taste in clothes and I don’t dare risk it with her so she gets gift cards. Ha. :)
6 – TARGET RED & PINK
Target has so many cute things out for Valentine’s Day! It’s making me feel better about taking my Christmas down this weekend. Boo.. I hate taking it all down! But these cute heart dishes will be fun to use in the kitchen.
Enjoy your weekend!
p.s. Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out about the fires. So kind of you to think of us. We are two hours away from it all and so far our air quality hasn’t been an issue. We are beyond devastated for everyone affected and have been glued to the news watching updates. To lose your home and community like that is just unimaginable. We have had to evacuate for fires in the past several times and have close friends in LA so this is really hitting home and I find myself in tears on and off all day. Like many of you we are doing what we can to help at this stage (there are so many amazing people jumping in and ways to donate!) and we are sending love and prayers to anyone affected. Thank you again for thinking of us! It means so much to me.
Pro tip on Kenny’s air fryer, ask him to use it outside or in the garage when making his fish.👊🏻
Ha ha.. why didn’t I think of that!?
Happy New Year! Thank you for all of the inspiration, suggestions and shares. I always look forward to your emails. You have a beautiful family and I wish you much joy in 2025!
Oh you made my day Denise! Thank you so much. Wishing you and your family the best in 2025! xo
Erin, HomeGoods has disposable paper liners for air fryers in two different sizes that will really help with the messy cleanup and smell! They are much like coffee filters but are tan-colored. You probably already have these but thought I would suggest in case you don’t!
Love your shopping ideas as always!!
I’ve never heard of those Jane! Definitely looking into that.. thank you for the tip! Anything that will help with the smell.. ha! ;) Happy 2025 to you and your beautiful family! xo
Erin, so thankful to hear that you all are safe. I’ve cried many years for those who have lost so much. It is heart breaking. Keeping all in my thoughts & prayers.
Patty
Same Patty.. it’s devastating! Thank you so much. xo
Ugh lingering cooked fish smells are the worst! Febreeze air mist heavy duty works great at getting rid of it (along with taking out the fish trash and doing the salmon dishes!).
Right!? Scrub the dishes, the counter, the air fryer, take out the trash.. there can’t be a drop left anywhere! Ha! It’s a process. I just heard about liners for the air dryer so that might help too? Ordering Febreeze immediately! Thank you so much Emily! Happy it’s not just me. ;)
Hey, I didn’t know you were a Pisces! We’re practically twins, hahaha! Tell Kenny he’s got great looking calves. I have the scuba sweatshirt from Lululemon in black and I love it too, but I find it’s a bit boxy. I still wear it because…Lulu. I also bought it at the Outlet so I didn’t have to pay the normal price which is even better. I do love shopping at the Outlet for hoodies and sweatshirt. I not only got the Lululemon but also a Nike sweatshirt that is so soft and in a beige or tan color that I just love. I’m an air fryer fan myself and I can’t live without it. Sorry you have to suffer the fish smell though. Kenny can switch it up sometime and air fry chicken and fries instead.
Definitely buying some chicken soon.. ha. Love that you were able to find the scuba sweatshirt at the outlet! Major score. Thanks Debbie!
Hey beautiful lady! I was laughing about the salmon, cuz I’m the only one who likes it! I, too, have to light a candle every time I make it! My daughter won’t even come out to the kitchen lol. I’m a Pisces too! March 15 and I’m turning 60! Yikes! Enjoy your Sunday. ❤️
Ahhh! Shari.. 60! You need to celebrate BIG! Sending an early happy birthday from one Pisces to another! :) We are currently working on the salmon situation.. thinking I need to send him to the garage or the back yard to make it. Ha! We’re struggling..