kapachino

Category: things i love

  • obsessed with refrigerator oatmeal.

    I feel kind of like an impostor posting something about food because everyone should know by now that I am not a foodie or a cook by any means. BUT maybe that gives me cred in a weird sort of way? Like, if this works for ME then it could easily work for you? Regardless, here goes.

    I used to be obsessed with cereal. I’d eat it for breakfast, dinner, snack, anytime I could get it. Then something happened when I got pregnant and I don’t like the feeling of that much milk on my stomach anymore. And I realized that cereal is basically just sugar; even the healthy kinds are not that healthy.

    In the hospital when I gave birth to Meredith I ordered the oatmeal. It was thick and chewy and delicious. Ever since then, almost every single day, I have had oatmeal for breakfast. Not the instant kind, either. I couldn’t get enough!

    Then I saw a link to this post. Refrigerator oatmeal! I tried it once and it was kind of watery; I made adjustments, tried it again, and my life was changed. So I wanted to share with y’all my version of this because I live for it. I actually look forward to it every night before I go to bed. Every Sunday I make a batch for the week ahead and then on my way out the door I grab one.

    refrigerator oatmeal ingredients

    The ingredients I use are:

    >1/2 cup rolled oats (not quick or steel cut)
    >almost 1/2 cup of milk (I use skim, you can use whatever)
    >1 teaspoon chia seeds (you can buy them in a bag, as above, or get them from the bulk bin, which is what I normally do)
    >2 teaspoons maple syrup (I’ve only tried it with the real stuff)
    >2 big spoonfuls/globs of Greek yogurt (full fat or 0%, it tastes good both ways)
    >blueberries

    You don’t have to be super precise with the measurements, as you can see. You can also substitute or adjust for your choice of sweetener or yogurt. I have also made this without the chia seeds and it is still really good, but I like having them in there because they turn into this gel-like texture that I enjoy and they add extra nutrition.

    making refrigerator oatmeal

    So basically I just add all the ingredients together (except the blueberries, in the order that I listed them) into a half-pint mason jar and mix them together with a spoon.

    making refrigerator oatmeal

    Once they’re mixed I add in enough blueberries at the top to fill the jar, then gently mix them in. I screw the top on (these are so much easier than the ones that come with the jar) and put it all in the fridge overnight. Then in the morning I have to hold myself back from eating several jars at once. :)

    blueberry maple refrigerator oatmeal

  • my mother’s day wish list

    So this really isn’t a gift guide or anything, unless you are looking to get me a gift. Then by all means! But my husband asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day and other than time with my family (and some time to myself, let’s be real) I was thinking that even though I keep a running wish list, there are types of things that I never seem to buy for myself but that I always want. So this is what I mentioned to him:

    mothers day wish list

    House plants – specifically, ones that can stand neglect like succulents. I am actually fairly attentive to my plants but since I’m just learning about them I need hardy ones. I have six small indoor plants at the moment and want way more.

    Art Prints – Most of the walls in our house are bare. I recently pulled out some old art I had and tried to start a gallery wall but I realized none of it is my style anymore. I need lots more art to display that I actually love. The print pictured is one of my current favorites.

    Monthly subscription box – Recently I have become kind of obsessed with these. So far I haven’t actually gotten any in the mail (although I will, and I will report back!) but I have been researching them all like whoa. I got to choose one for my gift, and after much deliberating I went with OliveBox which is all things pretty paper. A close second was UmbaBox which features different handmade items. I had also previously subscribed to PopSugar’s Must Have box which I’m super excited about (that’s my referral link there), and I’m considering something like Birchbox for my mom and mother-in-law.

    Earrings – I am constantly losing one earring. Currently I have no complete pairs that are suitable for everyday wear. I like simple studs best and these are some that I’m loving.

    Spa gift card – I love basically every treatment at the spa. I wish I could go every week, but instead I go maaaybe a few times a year. A gift card here is always appreciated.

    So I’m curious, what kinds of things do you always love receiving as gifts but never think to buy for yourself or even ask for? What are you doing for your mother-figure for Mother’s Day, or how do you celebrate?

  • spring loves

    spring loves

     

    Spring is my favorite season, I’ve decided. The weather, the idea of a fresh start, nature blooming, the lengthening days, all the outdoor activities happening…it’s fantastic. I only wish it would last longer here before the oppressive heat sets in. Anyway, here are some things I’m loving lately.

    Joy the Baker podcast – I’m late to this, because it’s been running for a couple of years now. But when I listen I feel like I’m just chatting with two awesome friends. It’s perfect on my commute. Anyone know of any other podcasts that are similar?

    Old Navy vintage tees – I have these in four colors, but I need to get them all. They are cheap, soft, comfortable, cute, and so far have held up really well. I wear one almost every weekend.

    Saltwater sandals for toddlers – I am ordering these for Meredith. As much as I love the classic pair, she has to have closed-toed for daycare so these are a cute alternative.

    HGTV magazine – my favorite home magazine right now.

    White nail polish – So light and bright, and Mineral Fusion is a natural brand.

    IKEA artificial plants – In spring I crave greenery, but I haven’t had much luck keeping plants alive. Even my philodendron is dying, and I am faithful to water it every two weeks and keep it in indirect light. I think the IKEA fake plants are pretty realistic looking and quite beautiful. I want to stock up on them and spread them around the house.

    What are you loving lately?

  • Winter Loves

    // Moleskine smart notebook paired with Evernote. This is a note-taking, list-writing match made in heaven. I use Evernote for a ton of different things, but sometimes a physical list does the job better for me. So I bought a Moleskine smart notebook which is already super high quality, but this one has special paper (or something?) so that if you take a photo of the page an upload to Evernote your text will be searchable. I used fabric tabs to separate my notebook into four sections and I keep it with me at all times.

    // DUKTIG Mini-kitchen by IKEA. This is one thing Meredith is getting for Christmas. I have seen it in real life and it’s very cute. I love that it is neutral and simple in style so it will go with anything, but I can also dress it up if I want to.

    // Young House Love by Sherry & John Petersik. We met the popular bloggers on their tour and I have had a lot of fun paging through their book. Can’t wait to tackle some more house projects.

    // American Crafts Christmas roller date stamp. I am becoming obsessed with these date stamps and this one is perfect for so many things during the holidays.

    // Gap cozy classic stripe scarf. I can’t find a link to the black and white one online, but I want it. I may have to go find it.

  • August Loves

    // Jewel’s Lullaby album. We listen to it every night and sometimes in the car. It’s so pretty and soothing and perfect.

    // Dark chocolate m&m’s. I have a serious problem with these. I buy them by the pound and go through at least a bag a week. Hey, I’m just being honest here.

    // HGTV magazine. I’m overrun with unread magazines right now, but this one is released quarterly and it’s always the first to get read. I’ve gotten so many ideas from it.

    // Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. You have no idea how happy I am to have found a natural mascara that really works.

    // Kindle Touch. I’m not new to the e-reader party, but my husband has been letting me use his Kindle lately and it’s soooo much better than the old Sony Reader I had been using.

    // Old Navy baby clothes, like this shirt we got as a gift. We also have a lot of hand-me-downs from a friend, and my favorites have almost all been from here. They are so cute, and cheap too!