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Family

Foodie Friday: Pesto

by Shalice Noel July 8, 2016

written by Shalice Noel

Foodie Friday

Making Dinner Look Complicated, the Easy Way

Dinner time in our house is all about making sure those little mouths are fed. We don’t usually spend a lot of time on presentation because there’s not much time to spend. But there’s a simple way to dress up dinner when you want to feel like a master chef on a weeknight: Pesto. A few tablespoons can turn baked chicken into Italian Chicken – top it with some tomato slices and you’ve got a gourmet meal on your hands, with about 5 minutes of prep.

That said, I like to make my own pesto to keep on hand for just such a culinary occasion.

Homemade Basil Pesto

What You’ll Need:

4 C Fresh Basil Leaves (about 3 bunches)

1/2 C Grapeseed Oil + a drizzle or two

1/3 C Pine Nuts

2 Garlic Cloves

1 t Salt

How You’ll Do It:

1 – Toast the pine nuts. To do this, put the nuts in a dry skillet (no oil here) and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently for about 3-5 minutes or until golden. Take them out of the pan and let them cool on a plate for a minute.

2- Put everything in a blender and blend until paste forms. You’ll want a spatula to push the basil down every so often.

3 – Store your pesto in a jar and drizzle a layer of oil on top. This keeps it from oxidizing and will help maintain that fresh green color. It’ll keep for about a week in the fridge or up to six months in the freezer

July 8, 2016

Family Los Angeles Style

What we wore: Melrose Place

by Shalice Noel June 30, 2016

written by Shalice Noel

I could think of worse things to do than a stroll down Melrose place, green tea matcha in hand, wearing my fave crops, and my four kiddos by my side. It was not a common Melrose Place scene but I think that’s why I liked it. There were barely any other kids in sight and the surroundings were just gorgeous. The highlight was for sure my ‘kate’ walking casually by the Equipment store and realizing a large ‘kate’ sign was in the window. This may or may not have made bigger sister mad. I’ll let you guess on that one. It afforded some pretty good conversation about how cool and special she felt, and more than a couple good snaps. I told her later it was for Kate Moss and she seemed confused. Haha. Also a highlight was little brother trying to make bunny ears with his small chubby fingers. Ahhhh

such a charmer!Are they all yours? Yes, they’re all mine . . .

Her look is everything

Chasing them is a full workout. No joke.

Lil bro’s first attempt at bunny ears

This picture sums up their relationship

He loves this Munchkin cup! And everything blue of course.

All in all a very fun afternoon hanging around Melrose, Alfred’s Tea with some of LA’s best: Janna Carney, Felicia Lasala and Molly Paddon. These types of outtings are best short and sweet. And if you’re curious if we were tired afterwards, you guessed right. Most of my days do not go as planned despite my best laid plans and are far from picture perfect, i.e. some tears and my three year-old only faced the camera if you shouted “lollipop!” However all this real life is what makes life exciting. It was a wise woman who said the days are long, but the years are short. And I know I’ll miss these exhausting and full, lollipop filled, energetic days full of innocence, wonder, naughtiness and love. Just give me all the coffee. Until the next adventure . . .

Felicia Lasala Photography

MUA Molly Paddon

denim culottes ELAINE KIM THESE and SIMILAR/also flattering CULOTTES crop top STORETS / sandals SIMILAR

bandana FREE PEOPLE

kids girls dresses TUCKER + TATE (stars) TUCKER + TATE (solid)

boys shirts Batman v Superman / Way RAD

June 30, 2016

Family

How to Spin Art

by Shalice Noel May 25, 2016

written by Shalice Noel

1. The directions on the Spin Art box are actually pretty good. So follow the directions and secure the square paper into the machine, turn it on and squeeze drops of paint while its spinning. You can adjust where and how much, but the rule of thumb is too much paint is usually too much paint.

2. Take it out. Let the squares dry.

3. Admire it and be impressed. Bravo!

They loved this so much! I told them to choose 2 colors and up to three squirts of paint. We took turns (for the most part) and they loved the result.

4. If you want to make your spin art square into art for your living room like I did above, just take it to your nearest printer. I took it to a Fedex Kinkos and requested it blown up to 21.5″ x 27.5″. He had to change the color from reddish pink to orange, which still looked great, and then I purchased a frame from Michaels – for reference, my frame is 25.5″ X 31.5″ . It wasn’t super expensive but I’m in the stage of life where everything eventually gets chipped or beaten up, so I’m okay with a cheap frame should a baseball fly through the house. You should have seen their faces when they first saw their spin art framed on the mantel. Reid and I believe art should be kid-friendly, accessible, and something that they are a part of in the home – and not just for art museums. p.s. If you try this at home, let me know what you did and how you did it!

May 25, 2016

Family Style

5 Kid Friendly LA

by Shalice Noel May 9, 2016

written by Shalice Noel

Here I didn’t know @arcreid was behind the lens. I kinda love the real life un-posed glimpses.

LACMA Greenery, great art, sculpture and if your kids aren’t into 18th century Nöel Hallé oil on canvas, square sculptures that are the perfect backdrop for Christmas pictures. Gorgeous. Located: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles,

WINSOME Awesome food in a very laid-back, kid-friendly environment. The friendly receptionist handed each of my four kids a pipe cleaner (in their favorite color) and then took us to the outdoor seating. I enjoyed my duck egg toast amidst lovely olive bushes and indigo pillows, and nobody cared about my chattering kiddos. Between the fact that my kids cleaned their plates, the brilliant and hard-working pipe cleaners, and the ambiance, Winsome is a score in my book. Don’t pass this one up. Located: 1115 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles.

DINOSAUR COFFEE The indoor/outdoor seating was convenient, and the staff was friendly despite our 6 year old touching the sea salt brownies (which turned into a great reason to add it to our purchases). Also noted, great white space for that still life instagram in case you’re into that sort of thing. The almond milk latte was nutty and rich, and when we left, we could see the HOLLYWOOD sign on the horizon. So LA. Located: 4334 W Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles.

LACY PARK 30 acres of park that is bike, kid and dog friendly. We can’t get enough of this park. It’s free during the week, and its $4 for non- residents on the weekends. It’s our kids’ favorite so far. Located: 1485 W. Virginia Rd, San Marino.

MANHATTAN BEACH This is our favorite beach! Don’t forget the aquarium at the end of the pier with sea creatures and a touch pool. When you’ve had your beach fill, there’s plenty of restaurants, ice cream shops (coffee ice cream at Manhattan Beach Creamery!) and coffee hangs to walk to afterwards. Located: 400-500 The Strand, Manhattan Beach.

Cali locals, what are some of your favorites? I’m all ears . . .

May 9, 2016

Family Style

Some thoughts on Motherhood

by Shalice Noel May 8, 2016

written by Shalice Noel

Motherhood can be likened to bringing home macaroons from your breakfast meeting in your kids favorite colors- sounds perfect right? Until they run out of the house at first sight of the car in the driveway. And apparently, when one grabs your knees and the other dips the box, they eventually fall on the porch. Now you know. Sometimes your best intentions are met with the reality of life with kids.

While I learned my lesson after that day, I haven’t stopped bringing them little gifts. You learn, you grow, you change. No two seasons of life are the same, is that bad? No, it just demands for flexibility and letting go of always being in control. When I accept the spilled milk, the tattling, the interruption, the macaroons on the porch and compare them in light of the rewards of motherhood – a higher calling Gods entrusted to me and a humbling for my growth, it changes my attitude. I start to be thankful for those four lives God gave me. It’s not glamorous or easy. Its a daily choice I make everyday. After all, attitude is like a good photo editing filter. It can take a somewhat mundane scene from drab to crisp and beautiful. Happy Mother’s Day to mothers, daughters, and mothers to be. What are some of your favorite memories of your mom? I’d love to hear.

there’s no was to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one – jill churchill

dress ZARA SIMILAR / sandals REBECCA MINKOFF

May 8, 2016

Family Los Angeles Moving Travel

{family} #LAbound

by Shalice Noel January 5, 2016

written by Shalice Noel

Stopped in VAIL, CO for lunch – obviously freezing.

You start playing with your son’s toys after too many hours in the car….

While I’d like to say that all 2500+ miles went smoothly from Chicago to Los Angeles, nobody would believe me. However if smooth is measured by candid hilarity, countless pictures, untold memories and a whole lotta thinking time, then, yes, it was smooth and you can actually believe me. We packed our grey SUV to the max (read ZERO LEG ROOM), so the rest stops were part necessity and part celebration. I’ve never made the drive to CA before, so seeing the sun set in Monument Valley and the San Juan River with floating chunks of ice were something to behold. I also didn’t think I’d see the day when we would have been within feet of hitting a cow in a free range pasture in south Utah, but yup, saw that too. And my five year-old’s reaction? “Ugh, cows these days.” Definitely blame the cows.

Below is my top 5 travel tips before leaving on that 2500 mile trip:

1. All those snacks are worth the lack of leg room; some areas had zero stops for 70 miles.

2. Buy drawing pads from Cracker Barrel. The kids loved them!

3. Pack your all black #OOTD, read leather jacket and busted knee jeans. An all-black outfit is easy to mix with different accessories and covers all milk and mustard stains. My trusty uniform was this: JEANS / MOCK TURTLENECK / LEATHER JACKET with BROOKS SNEAKS

4. Non-fiction DVD’s for the kids, Kids get schooled and I don’t feel guilty.

5. Save room for exploring. I regretted getting upset that we were going the long way at times, totally forgetting that the JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION.

January 5, 2016

Chicago Family JOFFREY BALLET Momstyle Uncategorized

{family} JOFFREY

by Shalice Noel December 17, 2015

written by Shalice Noel

Spiderman!

. . . at the offices, not the theatre, but still smiling!

It is always amazing how the most wonderful plan can go awry with kids. It seems so lovely when you are planning it in your head. There are Christmas carols in the background and everybody is smiling and a light snow is softly floating around us as we walk to The Nutcracker at the Joffrey. Right. So what really happened on the day of the show was that we somehow went to the Joffrey office–walking in Hurricane Katrina wind, no snow in sight–instead of the theater, making us late, which in turn had us waiting around in the upstairs holding area. Everybody really loved that part. So far, so bad. And then we were seated, behind the orchestra pit! And then … it was magic. I really can’t say it any other way. My girls were entranced; my boys were enthralled; the hubs and I were thrilled. It was everything you would expect from The Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet Company. The music, the jumping, the beautiful, beautiful ballerinas … and to top it all off, the Radison Blu hosted a family event for Friends of the Joffrey right after the performance. The kids are still talking about the face painting, ballet slippers, and Rudolph crafts! It was a night for the books. Many many thanks to the Joffrey Ballet for the wonderful night!

my coat MODCLOTH / jeans AEO / boots ROCKPORT

December 17, 2015

Chicago Fall Fashion Family Uncategorized

{family} Monica + Andy

by Shalice Noel November 20, 2015

written by Shalice Noel

My boys wearing the Hemingway sweater

The Coming Home Cuddle Box has all the essentials! It comes in organic cotton in colors blue, grey, pink and purple.

And sometimes you only get two smiles . . .

I’m a sucker for beautifully crafted knits and real wooden buttons, so when I saw these Hemingway sweaters online at Monica + Andy, it was love at first sight. No synthetic fibers, just 100% soft organic cotton that my girls loved. Not to mention, the cozy sweaters fit perfectly over my daughter’s school uniforms. The latter of which weathered a large splash of toothpaste. Oops, but gotta love machine washable! Conveniently, they offer same day gift delivery, their slogan, “We Deliver When You Deliver.” So, for the friend who just gave birth in the hospital, you can send a coming home cuddle box. It lasts longer than flowers, and let’s face it, it’s cuter.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway of both a Hemingway Sweater and Coming Home Cuddlebox to one lucky winner HERE.

November 20, 2015

Family

Our Dates

by Shalice Noel August 21, 2014

written by Shalice Noel

1//

He got a date with a dog.

Maybe one with mom next year

I’m that mom who let her 3yo throw a bag of marshmallows into the cart, acting like its a basketball. I’m sure he’d agree it was the highlight of his date. Sorry to the guy in aisle 10 who just missed the marshmallow bag. oooooops.

Everything is more fun with him.

MIL in person! Grainy and poorly lit but gosh, I thank God for this woman.

2 //

She found all the little things to her hearts content.

Love my little artist

I like the party section more than they do …

3 //

Come on mom, let’s gooooo! // “Necklace” was her sister’s creation

Look mom!

Always dancing

When I went to take the picture, she got out of the way. I told her, get in the pic! Dirty feet a bonus.

It was a time of undivided attention, saying yes to sugary drinks, hot chocolate, overpriced Madeleines, and their small toy of choice. She chose my little pony pens and a hello kitty notebook, both of which rested nicely under her arm as we shopped. As much as I share their excitement with new toys and paraphernalia, at the end of the day they don’t care for Legos, hello kitty or my little pony, they want me. This is made obvious by the fact that said toys are currently lost in one of the 10 piles in the playroom. Erg. All was made worth it when we walked through the door and she bragged like she went to Disney world, even the spilt hot chocolate and ruined skirt.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My flats Steve Madden // Her Sandals Similar // Her Skirt Similar

August 21, 2014

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