Super Easy Panang Curry Soup (inspired by True Foods)

I am not generally someone that goes to a restaurant and is IN LOVE with the food so much that I want to go home and make it!  It kind of caught me off guard when I went to True Foods in San Diego last year....and I fell deeply in love with their Panang Curry!  I do LOVE curry, but I am generally not a fan of milk based soups. (chicken noodle soup fan for life!)

I found myself searching online for the recipe and I have made it several times this past year! I totally forgot about it over the summer, but this cold snap of weather we have been having, has had me on the hot soup kick for days!  I found this recipe, and I am sure that this is how a true chef would make the soup for her family! It sounds amazing!!!!

I am a bit lazier than the average "chef", and I will not make a recipe if it has a lot of ingredients.  There really is no other rhyme of reason....other than I am lazy and I hate buying something for ONE recipe only.  I made up this version of my favorite soup, and it is EASY, and it warms you from the inside out! (total bonus is that it is Gluten and Dairy Free....and can be made peanut free)

-Half of a packet of Thai Curry Paste (I use this because it has all of the spices. It is SPICY, so add what you feel comfortable with)

-Two cans of Lite Coconut Milk 

-Spoonful of creamy peanut butter (optional)

-Two Breasts of Chicken

-Shrimp (I add 4 to each bowl)

-1 cup of cooked carrots (optional)

-1 cup of cooked Broccoli (optional)

-Cooked Rice or Quinoa

*serves 4-6

Saute cubed chicken and shrimp (or use leftovers).  Bring two cans of Coconut milk to a boil (constantly stirring) and add Curry Paste  to taste.  (this is when I add a spoonful of peanut butter to cut some of the spice, but that is totally optional) Once the curry and peanut butter have incorporated,  Add the chicken, shrimp, cooked broccoli, and cooked carrots to the pot just before serving. Serve soup over rice or quinoa AND ENJOY! 

I am totally picky and I do not like cooked carrots OR broccoli, so I do not add those at all. You can honestly add any veggies that you want, or meat, and it will still taste amazing because of the curry, peanut butter and coconut milk.  I ALWAYS have those three ingredients in my pantry because you can make just about anything taste good by adding them.  

ENJOY!!!!!!

Girlfriend Gift Guide At Anthro Sale

Tea Towels / Notebook / Cheers Opener / Luggage Tag / Clutch / Notebook / Pie Plate / Pie Server

I am a total gift giver! I will FIND a reason to send someone a gift because, selfishly, it makes ME feel good!  There is just something about thinking of someone and feeling as though I know them well enough to get them something THEY would want! (and the majority of the time....I would want as well!) 

I have tried to make it a habit to plan ahead for birthdays or events.  This past year I took advantage of each one of the Anthropologie sales and stocked up on gifts for upcoming birthdays, weddings, showers, or rainy days!  Here are a few of the gifts that I have found in the current sale that would be PERFECT for any girlfriend's special day, or just to put a smile on their face! 

Tea Towels: I love giving tea towels with wedding shower gifts. I think it adds a little something extra and a pop of color to gifts! This set is basally my favorite, and I want a matching set for myself! 

Notebook: I like to add notebooks to teacher gifts, gifts for Mother's Day, or to a girlfriend in need of a journal or two.

Cheers Opener: This is SUPER cute to hang on a bottle of wine or wine glass for a hostess gift! 

Luggage Tag: Fun idea for bridal shower! You can add their NEW married name on a pretty label inside of the tag.

Clutch: THE MOST AMAZING CLUTCH EVER! I wish that I would actually go somewhere fancy enough to use this! This is something that you buy as a gift for your favorite party/fancy girl!

Notebook: I purchased this notebook for a girlfriend for Christmas and I was honestly REALLY impressed with the quality! It is a leather zip around and I just think that every girl needs a pretty journal.

Pie Plate: I am NOT a chef, and I generally sign up to bring a gift card when someone is in need of dinner. BUT I do make a pretty mean turkey pie and I am going to purchase this set for a special friend that is in need of a nice warm family dinner. It is nice to be able to let them keep the pretty pie plate! (and server!) 

Now, I am a big time gift giver...but I am also REALLY great at buying gifts for myself. :) I happened to purchase this "gift" for myself this morning! I have NEVER been one to love leather clothing, but this vegan leather just looked so yummy, and the reviews were GREAT! When a piece is described as "soft as butter"....I NEED IT!

Don't forget to use coupon code "xtra40" to get additional 40% off of all sales item! WHOOP!!!

Disney Cruise With My Crew

This past weekend we packed up and took our kids on a Disney Cruise! The truth is, I became terrified of going on a cruise the second I became a mom! I have no idea why I have this fear, because I have been on cruises before and really loved it! I must have seen a movie or something that switched my opinion of loving them and flipped it right on around into a full force FEAR! The kind of fear that includes nightmares, awful thoughts, and a full on desire to avoid them at all cost.

WELL... this all changed when Chad called me a few months before Christmas with the idea to give our kids a weekend on the Disney Cruise instead of gifts this year! I LOVED the idea....I just HATED that it involved a HUGE cruise ship that has absolutely NO business being able to float at all!  I sucked it up, made the plans, and put on a happy face for my kids! I just didn't want to pass my own random fear onto them! (Pirates, huge waves, feeling sick the ENTIRE time, being stuck on a ship with a crazy person and we are all stuck.....YOU NAME IT....I THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN!)

Christmas morning was the BEST!  My mom and I stayed up entirely too late on Christmas Eve and made a scavenger  hunt around the house! I added a little clue/gift with each clue (goggles, swim suit, binoculars, sunscreen, sunglasses, and flip flops) and we hid them all around!  I don't think it mattered what the surprise was....my kids LOVE a good scavenger hunt! 

It was a full on race to find the next clue!

THE CRUISE PACKET!!!!!! SUCH JOY ON THEIR FACES!!!! 

The ship was BEAUTIFUL! (We were on the DREAM) It still blows my mind that this baby even floats, and I had to remove the thought from my mind IMMEDIATELY.  Our kids were in such Awe of every single detail!

I was not sure how I would feel about letting the kids just walk around on they ship, or go to the kid's club.  I wanted to spend every single minute just enjoying it all with them. BUT the truth is, they went on the water slide a million times while Chad and I just sat back and relaxed.  They also checked out the kids club a few times and lOVED it, and Chad and I were able to go sit at an adults only bar and get a massage! Pretty sure that quality time WHILE the kids were having a blast is priceless!

We are more of a sports/active family than a character family.  We really had no desire to meet or take pics with the Disney characters, and spent our time playing golf, basketball, water slides, went to every show, and saw every movie available. I was honestly nervous that it was just going to be 100% Disney and that we would feel like we didn't really belong.....BUT it was nothing like that! 

AquaDuck that goes OVER the water and is super fun! We went down this numerous times and loved it! 

My kid's had ice cream AT LEAST 5 times a day and I am pretty sure they have never been so excited about it! 

I have to tell you that the food was my favorite part of the cruise.  I am allergic to Dairy AND Gluten and I brought several boxes of meal bars onto the ship in fear that I wouldn't be able to eat anything.  (I had ordered a Gluten/Dairy Free meal at Universal a few weeks ago and THEY LIED....totally had gluten in it and I was sick for days!) Our server was AMAZING!!!!! I told him whatever I wanted to eat.....and it was prepared in a different kitchen and was AMAZING. I know within 5 minutes if I have eaten something with Gluten in it, so I can guarantee you that it was 100% legit! 

Pirate night was fun! Some people went ALL out with costumes, but we just had fun adding some pirate accessories to our outfits. (bought at the party section of Target) 

Fake mustaches will forever make me laugh! 

I am so thankful that Chad goes along with whatever the kids are excited about! ha!

We stayed on the Boat in the Bahamas because our trip was quick and the ship had SO much to offer. The weather was beautiful the day we were in Nassau and the pool and water slide were EXACTLY what we wanted to do! 

The next day we were in Castaway Cay and the weather took a turn! Immediately after this picture, it started to rain...hard! We headed back to the boat for a bit and once the rain stopped we headed back out to the island and enjoyed this BEAUTIFUL island.

It was COLD but how could we not take a swim to the water slide island?! (and by "we", I mean Chad and the kids and NOT me.)

I just thought these were too cute! We didn't do any Character events, so this was our chance at getting a pic with them. ;) 

We upgraded our room to one with a patio....JUST IN CASE PIRATES TOOK OVER THE BOAT AND WE NEEDED TO JUMP! (hey, it is a real concern) I don't think we will need the patio next time because we were never really in our room....but I was happy to have it this time.  **photo shoot directed by Kacey

Our last dinner was too cute! Kacey secretly went up and told them that Chad's birthday is next week, and they came out singing and dancing.  He is not the type of guy that likes to be in the spotlight, but it was perfect.  The look on her face just makes me so proud!

Our cruise experience was THE BEST! I felt safe, wore my Sea Bands the entire time we were moving and felt fine, the kids had a blast, Chad and I had a blast, zero pirates took over our ship, and memories were made that will last a lifetime! To me....that is as successful as you can get! 

Gift Guide For Your Very BEST Girlfriends

Shopping for my girlfriends ranks super high up on my list of things that I LOVE TO DO!!!!! It feels like you are shopping for yourself, but with your friend's favorite colors/style in mind! I find that when I am shopping for my girlfriends, I tend to use the "one for me.....one for you" approach, because who doesn't want to match their best friend?! 

I know that I am totally jumping the gun in the Christmas shopping dept, but sometimes finding time to celebrate with the girls is super hard with all of the family events, holiday parties, and work "stuff" that seems to pop up every single weekend.  Planning a girl's holiday dinner is usually easier the earlier you do it!

So.....here is my list of the goodies that I am planning on getting for some of my girlfriends. And in all honesty, it is basically my very own Christmas Wish List. 

Carry On Cocktail Kit / Scarf / Blanket / Mittens / Necklace / Sweatshirt / Candle / Journal

I have a few friends that travel often, and this is the PERFECT gift!  It is a tiny little kit for you to make your very own Moscow Mule on the plane! And it is so little....and who doesn't love all things miniature! This would also be fun to sneak into a concert, sports game, or movie....just saying!

I am a sucker for buffalo check, and I have a love of scarfs! I live in Florida so we rarely need them...BUT I do have a lot of friends that live up North and are able to wear one as part of their outfit from November-March.  I LOVE this one, and basically any scarf that comes in plaid and doesn't itch!

I have given this necklace to everyone! I LOVE it! I wear mine daily, and never ever take it off! I think it is the perfect gift for anyone and everyone! (not to mention she is my friend, and I love everything she makes)

I LOVE mittens!!!!! I NEED them! I always have cold hands, and I love to scrunch my hands up inside of them! These mittens are on my "MUST HAVE" list, and I think I want to share my love for them with everyone! 

I have entirely too many blankets, and the truth is, I don't care! I will continue to buy them, use them, and I have a love for each and every one of them! I buy blankets for different reasons....1- Outside blanket for sports 2-I AM FREEZING blankets 3-Blankets that fit over my entire family to watch a movie 4-It is honestly not cold, but I want to snuggle so I need a thin blanket 5- Blankets that look amazing on the back of a couch but aren't cozy so I would just prefer to look at them 6- Blanket that is MINE and ONLY MINE and I will not share with anyone! At ALL!  It's a problem really, BUT this particular blanket FEELS amazing, LOOKS amazing, and is just the right size...SO I NEED IT! 

I have loved this candle for years, and they only put it out November-January! I stock up every year, and I have yet to get sick of it! It smells less like a pumpkin cake....and more like the creamiest pumpkin cookie/ice cream/cheesecake EVER! Just trust me!

I love giving these journals/planners to friends and family each year! I feel like they are the perfect size, and always in the best designs! 

LAST BUT NOT LEAST......OUR NEW SWEATSHIRT! This is really for you, your friends, your boyfriend, husband, and basically everyone that you enjoy going out (or staying in) and having a good time with! It makes me giggle, and it is for presale now! 

So go grab some girlfriends, plan a night out, a night in, or just plan a moment to talk on the phone this season!!!!!! 

Christmas Collection 2015

 We announced our Christmas Collection this past weekend and I am SO SUPER EXCITED about each and every one of them! We have some NEW designs and some of our FAVORITES came back to be celebrated this year!  I continue to say that I want to discontinue holiday shirts after each season, but the truth us......our Christmas shirts have become a tradition for so many families! I couldn't take them out of the shop!!!  I LOVE seeing side by side pictures of families in their same Santa shirt for the past three years, and receiving orders each winter as their Little's go up a size.  IT MAKES ME SO BEYOND HAPPY AND HONORED that something as little as our shirt can hold such a fun tradition for so many of you!!!!!!

We have also added back our FAVORITE (yes, they are ALL my favorites) Reindeer Games designs! Jessica Garvin's chalkboard lettering is just amazing, and I think that this design is PERFECT for the entire winter....not just Christmas! I mean, I may have continued to wear mine the entire year, regardless of the season!

This year our NEW shirt is THE MERRIEST!  Who doesn't want to be THE Merriest one out there during the Merriest of months!?! I DO! We have also paired our signature heart on the sleeve, which is just a fun touch! This design is available for infants, youth, and every Merry lady out there! 

We have decided to do a little FREE gift with the purchase of any two holiday items! (if you have already purchased two items, don't worry....you will receive the bag too! :)  There is no coupon needed for the bag, it will just be added to every single order that includes two or more items!  IN ADDITION we have our preorder coupon available using the code "themerriest" for 15% off your holiday items! Preordering is HUGE in our shop because it is the only way to guarantee your size/style.  Once we close preorders, it is on a first come/first serve basis until they are all sold out! ***Preorder deals and guarantee is closed on Sunday November 8th at Midnight.***

I posted this pic on Instagram this morning (@kcsnead) and received a lot of questions about the pants.  I honestly AM OBSESSED with sweatpants and pajama pants and I take a lot of pride in finding the softest pjs every single year! (is that sad?!)  I used to purchase full on festive pj's for my kids and give as a gift the day after Thanksgiving....but we just go with pants now.  My mother in law did buy the CUTEST pajamas for the tween in my house and I am going to have to "borrow" them often!  You can NEVER have too many winter pj pants!!!!!! EVER!  

MEN'S PANTS / WOMAN'S PANTS / TWEEN GIRL PANTS / BOY PANTS / ALL SHIRTS

I can not even wait to see the pics of everyone in their Holiday gear!!!! Don't forget to tag us on instagram at @kcsnead and #saseadecorC

SURPRISE Party!

This past weekend was a GREAT one!  I have been secretly planning a surprise party for Kacey for a few weeks....and it was GREAT!!!!!  Her birthday is really in July, but she wanted to wait until the pool was ready, so that she could have a pool party sleepover!  

I decided that she had waited long enough...so I might as well surprise her with the party!  I had asked her questions for weeks as to what she wanted to do when we FINALLY had a free weekend for her party.  She originally wanted a "Beach Party" theme with all bright colors.....so I went and purchased all of the odds and ends to pull off her vision.  NOT EVEN TWO DAYS LATER.....she came home from school and said that she thinks it would be super fun to have a Halloween pool party because this is the only time she will ever get to celebrate her birthday in October....DONE!  I don't even think I waited a full hour before I packed up all the goodies I had purchased and exchanged them all of Halloween theme!!!!! 

Surprising an 11 year old is NOT easy!  She asked DAILY, "mom...when can we sit down and plan out my party?!?!" and I just wanted to scream, "DON'T ASK AGAIN....I AM PLANNING SOMETHING!"  I also had to invite all of her friends by getting in touch with their moms and telling them to please NOT tell the girls about the party until the day of. (GIRLS CAN NOT KEEP SURPRISES!!!!! :)  

IT TOTALLY WORKED!!!!!!!!! I took away her iPad the morning of the party, knowing that her friends were all finding out about it, dropped her off at her friend's house to entertain her while I set up the house! Chad and Collin were at baseball, so I just turned up my music and went crazy lady style all over the house! 

I have had these cute little vinyl faces for years, and I just add them to random places each year.  They crack me up!!!!! 

I didn't go overboard decorating because I really didn't have much time with her out of the house, but I put up orange lights, added light up balloons to the pool, and made some fun and festive foods!  I wanted to make caramel apples, popcorn balls, and all of the foods that you would typically think of.....BUT Kacey has braces and that would just be awful if she couldn't enjoy any of the goodies at her own party! Instead I made chocolate covered pretzel rods with sprinkles, cut up apples with carmel dipping sauce, a make your own sub station (HER FAVORITE FOOD EVER!), bags and bags of chips, cookies, and instead of a cake.....I made little parfaits with brownies, pudding, oreos, and cool whip!  I felt like it was the perfect amount of food because they were able to sneak downstairs all night and snack, and I wasn't left with leftovers! SUCCESS!!!

I had her friends show up at 4;30 and we hid in the backyard with every camera and video camera ready! I sent a message to her friend's mom and said to come on over.......and ask Kacey to show you the pool in the yard!!! They walked out and we had her favorite song playing (ironically it's FAVORITE SONG by O.A.R), and we SCREAMED SURPRISE!!!!!! It was EVERYTHING I wanted for her! She was honestly shocked and surprised....and PRICELESS!

She ran right over to me and gave me the biggest hug ever and in that moment my whole world was made! 

This was the first party I have ever done where I didn't have ANY crafts or activities planned! It kind of made me sad, but I just wanted Kacey to be able to do what she wanted with her friends!  They swam, did handstand contests (a fave around here), ate, giggled, told jokes, and just had a great time spending time together! SUCH A JOY to watch your daughter have such an awesome bond with a group of girls that she has known for years!  It makes my mom heart so happy!!!!! 

It is safe to say that Kacey had a BLAST with her friends, and Chad and I just sat back and let them be kids and enjoy all of the silly things that kids do!  Just sitting back and listening to them is absolutely HILARIOUS!  

If you have thought about surprising your kids for a bday party.....DO IT!!!!!!!! The amount of hugs, Thank You talks, and smiles that have come from this make me want to do it every year!!!!

Roxy was also totally part of the party!  She stood up there the entire time and barked at the balloons.....jumped in the pool.....swam to the stairs...and repeat! It cracks me up every single time! I swear this pool has made her act like a puppy again and I couldn't love it more!!!!

My Favorite Room In My Home

My backyard has basically been a mud/dirt/dead grass pit since the end of July, and I have been dreaming of the day that we could jump into the pool and actually enjoy it! WELL THAT TIME HAS COME! (although the outside pool area is not 100% and contractors are still randomly in my yard) 

I have to say.....I was excited and nervous about having a pool.....and it turns out I am still excited and nervous!  I just want it to be a fun, safe, relaxing place for us and our kids and our friends.  I also want it to be pretty...and this stresses me out!  

Decorating inside of my home comes easy to me because I just purchase things that I LOVE and then make them work within my space.  I feel like decorating a patio is a lot harder because you have to find something you love.....that your dogs won't destroy.....and that can handle the Florida sun.....and rain.....and will not need to be replaced every year.  It has been difficult for me to commit to anything!  

Tile (in Lake Blue) / Sectional / Pillows / Fan

 This is the vibe that my patio has....I guess I would consider it beachy, boho, and blue.  I love all things blue because it is easy to add pops of black for halloween, red and green for Christmas, and yellow for summer. I think blue is the easiest color to transition the entire year.  

I picked these tiles out and was beyond excited about them! I LOVE THEM!!!!!! They set the tone for the backyard and make a statement without having to add anything else.  THEY MAKE ME HAPPY!  We went with gray multi pavers because our home is a grayish blue and it was a good match.   The ONLY regret I have with the decisions we have made, is our coping tiles (the tiles on the edge of the pool)! They are a cream, and I have to say that I don't LOVE them!  They would be perfect if I didn't have kids, dogs, and any grass or dirt in my yard....BUT I have all of the above and it shows little paw prints at all times.  Bummer! 

I purchased the pillows from the store and they were on clearance for $5-$10 each.  They only had one out of the showroom and when I asked them if they had more in the back, they literally brought out bags full of outdoor clearance pillows! Worth a shot to check out in your store if you are in the market for outdoor pillows! I feel a little less nervous about them getting ruined when I buy them dirt cheap! 

I have been dragging my feet on purchasing a couch/sectional for the patio because I just can't commit.  (this is an issue for me with furniture!) I LOVE this one, and it is a great price, and would fit perfectly.....I just can't pull the trigger! I can, however, pull the trigger on this hammock! ESPECIALLY since I received my birthday coupon code just the other day! (it was a sign!)

Last but not least...the fan! I LOVE it! Fans are basically the only way you can spend your days on a patio in Florida!  We have a covered patio, and has nice shade after 1pm, but a fan is ALWAYS needed! (even if it is just to push the mosquitos around!) I also love the wood planks on the ceiling in the pic, and can not WAIT to do that on our ceiling!  I feel like it just makes the outdoors sort of feel like an indoor living space...which is EXACTLY what I want! 

Basically....the pool is ready....we swim in it daily and LOVE every single second of it!  I have become a master judge of handstands, flips, dives, and counting how long my kids can hold their breath!  I have watched our 14 year old Jack Russell freak out when her brother is underwater and jump in to save him, while our other (huge) dog is terrified of swimming stays within two feet of the water at all times!  

We still have so much work to do....planting palms, bushes, and grass....BUT there is an end in sight and at least after a long day of planting, we can jump in the nice cool pool to relax!  

I hope to share more pics once it is "finished". (because the truth is....it will always be a work in progress!)