​When you are cooking from scratch, naturally you’ll have vegetable scraps from prepping and chopping your veggies.

I have been trying to figure out a way to use up all these beautiful vegetables that I was having to throw away. We currently don’t have a yard and our HOA doesn’t allow composting, but then it hit me: vegetable broth! 

Because I don’t prep all of my vegetables at one time for the week, I typically do not have enough scraps at one time to make a batch of broth. We are very frugal with our grocery budget and I couldn’t justify using whole fresh veggies just for stock.
​The solution: use a gallon zip-loc bag and toss my vegetable scraps in throughout the week and store it in the freezer until full.

We also spent some time dancing this morning. You can check out the Spotify playlist here.
​I created ankle bells for them by stitching smalls bells from our local craft store onto some extra scrunchies I had made.  They wore them all morning (even out running our errands!) and called them "fairy bells".

This recipe has been adapted from one of my personal favorites by Dana over at Minimalist Baker! It can be found HERE. It is amazing as is, but I have made a few tweaks that I wanted to share with you.

The first change I have made is that I swap out the walnuts in the crust, for almonds. No reason other than I normally have almonds on-hand. So, when I get a hankering for a sweet treat I can toss it together quickly without having to run out to the store! 

I also don't make the cheesecakes in a muffin tin as suggested, but instead use a regular spring form pan (what you'd use for a baked cheesecake).

Because my spring form pan is large, I double the filling recipe. It still creates a pretty short cheesecake, but I love the look of the whole cake opposed to the individual mini ones.

To flavor this cistrus one I tripled the amount of lemon juice called for in the recipe, and zested two of the lemons for a bit more flavor and some lovely color on the top.
​It takes about 4 hours for this to set up in the freezer, so if you make it around noon it will be set and ready for your after dinner dessert. The perfect finish to a summer meal. 

I highly suggest taking your vegan cheesecake out of the freezer at least 20 minutes before serving and letting it thaw a bit at room temperature. I think it gives a better texture of a true cheesecake, and has less "icy" texture. 

Planning is my number one tip for Traveling with Kids. Having the right tools is, in my opinion, essential to a smooth traveling experience. Below are 5  of my favorite products that we use in our travels. ​

I want to start off this list with an item that has proven in my home to stand the test of time. Even after a few years of minimalism and countless purges, one item I still have in my diaper bag is my JJ Cole diaper changing mat. This isn’t an item I only use for travel, although that was the original reason that I purchased it. I keep this diaper mat in tow every day and have used it with both of my kids for far. 
I love that it folds up compact and has a velcro tab to keep it closed. It also has a wrist strap for easy carrying. It has an interior pocket to hold a few diapers and a small travel size wipe container. 
At the time, this Charcoal Gray version was the only one I could find that wasn’t neon bright colors or a vivid pattern. While I’m sure that there are other brands available now in a more neutral color scheme, mine is still holding strong after 3 years! I highly recommend it.

With traveling often comes extra waste. It is hard to ensure that you have everything you need for a low-waste lifestyle while confined to a carry-on, or one personal item on a flight. You can, however, reduce your use of single-use plastics by remembering to bring along your own water bottles. Empty them out before you get in line for security, and then you can refill them before you get to your gate. Staying hydrated is important every day, but especially while traveling. Airplanes have very low humidity, that along with altitude changes and travelers are more likely to become dehydrated. 

Back in 2015 my husband and I decided to move our family across the country, from Michigan to Nevada. We are enjoying our stay here, but having family in another state means we get to visit as often as we can!  We like to take at least one trip together as a family to see everyone, my parents, grandparents, cousins, etc! who live in my hometown.

Making these yearly, sometimes twice yearly, trips means that we have some experience in traveling with kids. Harper has been on at least 10 flights, and Atwood has 6 under his 2 year old belt. Not to mention that 4 or 5 of those flights I was alone with one (or both kiddos!) You can do this! 

I wanted to share with you a few of the things that we have learned along our journeys to maybe make yours a little easier. Here are my 10 Tips for Traveling with (young) Kids.

The key to any trip is Planning! Plan as much as possible, as early as possible. For me, a key to reducing stress is to have "everything" planned out. Obviously you can't actually plan everything, but having a good grasp on the majority helps make it easier to take curve balls in stride without it ruining your time.

If at all possible, split up your trip. That could mean simply stopping in a park for a snack and a play break. I recommend timing it so that you can get some fresh air around the time right before your child will need a nap. It could also mean stopping for a night in a motel/hotel before continuing on your trip. A bubble bath or a jump in a hotel pool has a way of making a long drive fun.

This goes along with planning, but rushing things; at the airport, loading the car, or even packing, means stress. Give yourself plenty of time to get these tasks done. Leave early for the airport, earlier than you think you need to. Having extra time at the gate to entertain a toddler isn't as bad as standing in line for security while running late.

This one should almost go without saying, but pack lots of snacks. Not just "road trip snacks" like chips and treats. Your kids are going to be thrown out of their normal routine and they need healthy food choices to help keep them centered. Provide the best choices you can and they are accustomed to. Cut up veggies, fresh fruit, homemade muffins. Did you know that you can take all of those things through TSA? You should be able to get them through security without any issues. It does state on the TSA website that baked goods may require "extra screening" but I have never had an issue. Do make sure "liquids and gels" such as hummus or peanut butter are still 3.4 oz or less.
Any questions? Check out What Can I Bring? and search for your item there.

We try to limit screen time as much as possible in our home, but one thing we don't limit is Audio books. A fantastic resource is the app, Hoopla Digital. You can sign up using your library card from your local library and download up to 8 titles per month. They don't have everything available, but there are still a lot to choose from, and it's FREE. My children are both big fans of the Paddington Bear books.

Of course you little ones will need something to use to listen to all of these free audio books. I highly recommend these headphones. They're inexpensive, sturdy, and have volume control so that they can't get too loud, even if your toddler turns up the volume. They come in other colors for each of your children. Oh, and they can be linked together, so multiple kids can be listening to the same thing. You can click the image to browse on Amazon.

One of the best pieces of advice that I found while searching way back before Harper's first flight, was to do everything in cycles. While on the plane or in a car, don't allow your child to do two actives at the same time. Snacking, screen time, coloring, etc. Allot 10-20 minutes for each activity, then put it away before moving onto the next one. The point is to stretch as much time out of each activity and make it last so that they don't blow through everything within the first hour.
I also recommend waiting to give them their screen time for as long as possible. Save it as a last resort because the end of the flight, when they're over it and you're tired, is when you'll need a back-up.

Have extra time at the gate because you go there early? Good for you! We like to do laps around the terminal. We fill up water bottles, take bathroom breaks, and sometimes buy a special treat at the gift shop. There are endless amounts of airplanes for kids to watch through the windows, as well as all that goes on on the ground before take off. My kids like watching them load the suitcases, look for dogs in the airport, and race to the drinking fountain. Some airports even have small free libraries! 

At the end of the day, remember, they're children. Even the most well seasons travelers will have a bad day. Flights get delayed, canceled, and even missed. Life is unpredictable. Manage your expectations of your children, and do your best to keep them realistic. It will help with step number 10. 

Finally, remember that your kids feed off of our energy and attitude. Even if your child is upset or crying for the flight, it is only one day. At the end of your flight, you'll be able to walk off the airplane and carry on with your life whether or not the journey went smoothly! Everything will be easier if you have a positive attitude and try to laugh it off. Gain experience, gain confidence! 

Now, I am not an "expert" just a mom who wants to share her personal experiences with you. Your travel plans will differ from ours, and that's great. Safe travels! #havekidswilltravel

​Happy Fashion Revolution Week!

Today marks the first day of this campaign which runs until the 29th of April. During this week I will be hopping on my (clearly neglected) blog to share a bit about the things I practice in my business to bring a more eco-conscious future to the fashion industry if even on a small scale, because small changes can make a big difference!

I wanted to share a bit of information about the materials that I use in my business over at Found Path. I think it is so important that consumers know what they are purchasing in order to make informed choices that have a big impact!

When shopping it may have never occurred to you to take a look at the label before making a purchase. But did you know that as of 2014, imports of apparel made from synthetic fiber have surpassed those made from cotton? [1] I urge you to take a look at your own wardrobe, and check the fiber content of some of your favorite pieces! You may be surprised at what you see!

But why does that matter? Every time you wash a garment that is made from synthetic materials i.e. polyester or rayon, micro-plastics are released into the wash water! Those plastics never break down but instead contaminate the food chain harming ocean animals, and even ending up in the food on your plate! [2] 

While creating my business, it was very important to me that I use natural plant-based fibers. But what exactly does that mean? Natural fibers come from either a plant source - cotton, linen, hemp for example, or an animal source - silk or wool. While synthetic fibers are made completely of chemicals such as petroleum. Yuck!

Using fabrics such as linen and cotton is a more eco-friendly choice. Because while these fibers do both have their own carbon footprint from production, they are both biodegradable unlike polyester. Meaning that they eventually break down after being discarded. 

I have plenty more to share on this topic! Please check back later this week to learn more about changes you can make to detox your wardrobe and make more conscious choices!





[1] https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-cotton-apparel/synthetic-fibers-surpass-cotton-to-dominate-u-s-apparel-imports-idUSL1N0SV2E720141105
[2] http://www.ecopartnersinc.com/2016/03/15/five-fast-facts-on-microplastics/

I know I am not alone in saying that fall is my favorite season! I look forward to it all year, especially since moving to the desert. Fall is like a breath of fresh air after the blistering hot summer temperatures. After being holed up in our homes, almost unable to go outdoors unless it's to play in the splash pad (something my kids grow tired of quickly once it becomes their only option), we long for days when the sun goes down early and we can run outside! 

Growing up in the midwest, autumn meant beautiful colors in the trees, crisp air in the morning, and rainy afternoons. As I got older I always looked forward to hot cups of coffee and wearing lots of layers. I am the most homesick when the first day of fall rolls around every year and the pictures start rolling in from friends and family still living in the mitten state. We are fortunate that most years we get to take a trip back home and stay with family near the end of summer.

We decided to embrace our desert landscape and escaped to the mountains to explore in the cooler temperatures. Mt. Charleston is an hour drive from our neighborhood, making it a perfect destination for a day trip. I packed a picnic lunch for us and brought along our crayons and water colors. Sometimes I forget that these things can be taken with us, and it makes for a great engaging activity to color and draw the things as we experience them instead of from memory later. Harper brought along her little notebook and a multi-colored pen and recorded everything that she found along her way, while Atwood and I discussed the different colors of leaves that we found and matched them to our crayons. 

After lunch we checked in on Harper's fairy house that we had built on an earlier trip using only items we found in the woods. We were pleased, and a little surprised, to report that it was still mostly intact! We stopped at an overlook on a road we had never turned down before, and the kids marched along a stone wall while we admired the view. On our way to check out a new area of the mountain, we drove past a meadow where families were picnicking and playing soccer. Among them was a family of wild horses! I had never seen wild horses before and Nick quickly pulled over so that Harper and I could jump out of the car and get as close as we could without disturbing them. 

Overall the day was pure magic. We saw so much wildlife that we just don't get to experience living in a large planned community. Nick and I have already made plans for our next trip up before snowfall. 
I want to share some photos from our day, so prepare for a photo overload! 

Create leaf rubbings like we did by using a clipboard or other hard surface for older children you could then later help them identify the plants that the leaves came from. Is there a nature destination in your area? You could pack a picnic and spend the entire day in your yard looking for bugs, leaves changing color, funny looking sticks, and discussing these things with your child. You don't have to travel far to witness and enjoy the changes of this season.

​xoxo


P.S. Harper and I are wearing matching Long Sleeve Tee Dresses in Sandstone and one of my Hand-dyed linen bandana scarves that can be found HERE. 

It is so easy to become distracted in our daily lives. Checking social media on our phones, texting our friends (and partners), spending hours on Pinterest, we've all done it. A goal of mine for this year has been to be more present for my children.

Being a parent to small humans can be a really stressful job. I really believe it is the most important thing in the world, to raise these little people into functioning adults. I've found, over the past four (almost 5!) years of being a mother, that a routine really helps our days. It helps with arguments, it helps me stay focused, and most importantly, it helps me stay present. 

We have a daily and weekly rhythm in our home. Things that just seem to happen at the same time every day. We wake up, we read, we snack, nap, lunch, play, paint, etc. There is almost an order to the chaos that is life with two young children. Mondays and Tuesdays "dad" is working at his "far away office" instead of upstairs in his home office. Tuesday we have playdates, and every Friday is family movie night! But occasionally, we need a little help. I get busy with work, sewing, or *gasp* my Instagram feed. I need a little push sometimes. 
​
So, I created a printable that I keep on the side of my fridge. It has a rough layout for our average weekday schedule. I laminated ours so that I can write in extras and then wipe clean to avoid the extra waste, but you don't have to! 

After having a second child, I find it is sometimes a struggle to give my first born the attention and time she was accustomed to. I have included some "Mommy/Harper time" in our daily schedule during my son's nap. Since she enjoys baking, we often spend the first part of nap time making muffins, bread or other baked goods. Things that we can enjoy throughout the week. On this day, we got together and made a delicious vegan apple crisp! She loved mixing in the apples with the cinnamon and fresh ginger, and sneaking bites of the crumble topping. 
​
I found the recipe via Minimalist Baker, which you can find HERE. Because we are not gluten free I simply used regular all purpose flour in the topping. I also did not have any almond meal on hand, and found that I had great results with the flax meal in my pantry taking it's place. 

Your daily rhythm will look different, and that's ok! Sit down with a piece of paper and think about the events of your day, going backwards from bedtime. Or, better yet, write things down as they happen for a few days to see if there are any patterns. Once you have a rough idea of what your days look like, think of a few things that you'd like to incorporate everyday. Maybe it is a walk in the morning, a weekly playdate, or an event in your community. Find a way to fit that in! It isn't about being so busy that you need a schedule. It's about making time for the things that are important for you, so that you don't have to rush through them.
​
Below are two versions of a blank schedule, you can print your own and fill it in. Hopefully it can act as a tool to help you stay present in your life. 
xoxo

Download your own blank Weekday Schedule HERE

Hi! This is going to be a place where you can get a more intimate look behind my clothing brand; the creative process that I go through to create these items.  As well as a peek into my daily life as a mother of two children. I will share my current inspirations, favorite recipes, children’s activities, and our daily life.


Let me introduce myself, I'm Sam. My husband and I both lived in a small city in Northern Michigan, where we met, but we moved to the Metro Detroit area in 2012 before our first child was born. Long story short, we moved to Nevada in 2015 and are currently residing in Henderson, a beautiful city just outside of Las Vegas, and because the valley is so flat, we can actually see the strip and all of the beautiful mountains from our own home. Our second child was born in spring of 2016, completing our family. After two kids, a cross-country move, apartment hopping, and building a home I am finally starting to feel like I have a handle on my life again (ha!) So, I have decided to dive head-first into my first love, creating. 

I want to take a second to thank you for joining me along on this journey, and for taking the time to read this. I appreciate all of your support as I learn to incorporate this business into my daily life, and hopefully, into yours as well. 


xoxo
Sam

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