So I decided to share some of the questions I’ve received over the past few months. I’ve been meaning to do this for awhile but I always forget!
Where did you meet Matthew? Matthew and I met through a mutual friend Alice. Alice worked with Matthew and his brother and told me she thought we’d totally hit it off. So one night we all got together in a big group. I knew he was coming and was excited. It was funny though because he was so nervous and asked me the silliest questions like, “So what’s your major?” He also secretly touched my hair when we went to get water. I totally felt it and he didn’t think I knew. So it was funny to tell him later “You weirdo you totally touched my hair!” But he was such a gentleman and asked me out to coffee that night and gave me a kiss on the cheek goodbye. Such a romantic!
Where have you lived?I grew up in LA and then I went to college in Seattle for two years. I transferred to Berkeley in the Bay Area and just moved back to LA upon graduation last May. I miss San Francisco so much though. It’s probably my favorite city! Why did you transfer colleges?
I transferred because while I loved Seattle I wasn’t really happy in the English Department. I also really wanted to be closer to my family. It was definitely the right decision for me and while I was nervous about it at first {leaving behind a place, a school, and people I was so comfortable with} I don’t regret it at all. After all, it led me to Matthew!
Who is your favorite style icon?
ah this is so hard! There are so many women whose style I adore. I really like Rachel Bilson, Sienna Miller, and Olivia Palermo though. I think all three of them have great style. I think I’m just really drawn to laid back, classic, yet still refined looks with girly touches and European influences. I try to always wear what makes me feel confident and comfortable. What’s your favorite movie? Oh my goodness SO many! I love the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice (and the recent Emma). I also love a bunch of romantic comedies like My Best Friend’s Wedding, Sweet Home Alabama, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Notebook. Some of my most recent favorites are Bride Wars (because it’s exactly like me and my bff Lizzie when we were little), Valentine’s Day, and I love P.S. I Love You, even though it’s kind of sad. And Star Wars! I’m kind of nerd when it comes to Star Wars haha
If you have any other questions for me you can ask me here or leave them in the comments!
And now my questions for you! Where have you lived and where would you like to live? What are you most looking forward to at this exact moment?
This girl really is my favorite! Some of you know the story..besties since we were 7 years old. Had tea parties, played with our American Girl dolls, even went to the fashion show. Have you ever seen Bride Wars? That was us when we were little. We planned our weddings many years ago and we know we’re both getting married in the same church, same season, same colors.. but not same day {and probably not same year although that would be fun!}
After Pauline’s birthday party on Friday I drove down to San Diego with Elizabeth {affectionately referred to as Lizzie by me..although now everyone calls her that}. We saw Valentine’s Day and absolutely loved it! She saw it with her boyfriend the other week and wanted to see it with me because 1) she knew I’d appreciate a cute romantic comedy and 2) it was filmed right where we grew up! It was so crazy to see all these places we drive by all the time. Remember the Hand Car Wash they drove by? And the Bob’s Big Boy? How about Bistro Garden {where Jennifer Garner surprised McCheater} and the Indian restaurant at the end? Yeah all within 5 miles of my house! The movie reminded me of Love Actually except with better endings! Afterwards we had a ridiculously filling sushi lunch/dinner that consisted of four specialty rolls and one hand roll. We can be pigs sometimes!
picture from Pauline’s party
I love this girl. I really do! I hope she gets into grad school in LA so she can move back to me!
p.s. I {“Miss SoNotTechy”} made a button yesterday. Send me yours..or I’ll hunt you down! xox
Happy Sunday friends! The sun came out this afternoon and it’s been such a beautiful change after a few gray days. It was really special to wake up to a snowy white Valentine’s Day though! This is our third winter in Idaho and I have to admit I’m still adjusting to the gray, and cold, winters. We’re all very much looking forward to spring around here! This is an especially fun week because it’s Corinna’s birthday week and my parents and brother are coming into town to celebrate. I can hardly believe our girl will be 4 years old!
WHAT WE ATE
my plan is to share the meals I made the previous week, with links if possible, as some inspiration for your own menu planning.
MONDAY- Burger Salad- This was delicious and to be honest, we didn’t even miss the bun (that much). We made burger patties and put them over a bowl of shredded lettuce with cheese, red onion, pickles and a drizzle of ketchup/bbq sauce. I added some sauteed mushrooms and onions to my bowl too!
TUESDAY- Valentine’s Day heart-shaped pizzas- We were really impressed with this easy cauliflower rice pizza crust recipe! We topped it with tomato sauce and cheese, sprinkling basil on top after it cooked.
WEDNESDAY- Spicy Chipotle Honey Salmon Bowls– yum! This was absolutely delicious and Matthew even said I need to make it weekly (that’s when you know you have a keeper of a recipe!) There were a few steps but it was so worth it!
THURSDAY- Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs- I made the “Epic Baked Meatballs” from this cookbook and they were so so good! Spaghetti squash noodles are surprisingly easy to make and they’ve been another healthy substitute during our 75-day health challenge.
FRIDAY- Cripsy Oven Pulled Pork with Coleslaw from this this cookbook – We had family over for dinner so this was a great recipe to feed a crowd, and didn’t require a lot of last-minute assembling. We’ll for sure be making this again because everyone loved it!
SATURDAY- Mahi Mahi with leftover chimichurri and roasted cauliflower – an easy fridge/freezer night. That chimichurri sauce is so good and it’s been great to have on hand in the fridge for easy meals like this one.
SUNDAY – Roast Chicken– always trying new recipes around here to find a good go-to! I’ve been loving roasting chicken on Sundays for dinner and then making broth with the bones for the week. We can get 2 good meals out of the chicken too!
For Valentine’s Day, I made a special little brunch with heart-shaped waffles, and for an afternoon treat, we had the best peanut butter cookies! Even better, they had no refined sugar. You have to try them!
These cookies have seven ingredients, are paleo, dairy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, but absolutely delcious!
Servings: 24cookies
Ingredients
1 cupcreamy peanut butter
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsppure vanilla extract
1 1/2cupssuper-fine almond flour
1/4cup arrowroot flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2tsp kosher salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Add the almond flour, arrowroot flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir until combined and no dry spots.
Scroop the dough out into balls, about 2 teaspoons each. Evenly space the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared pans. Using a fork, flatten the cookies slightly. Turn the fork 90 degrees and press down just slightly again to make a crisscross pattern. If necessary, wet fork with warm water between each crisscross to prevent sticking.
Bake until lightly golden brown on the edges but still soft in the center, about 8 minutes.
Allow to cool on the sheet pan for 5 minutes and then move to a wire rack.
Also, made an old favorite breakfast this week: a soft-boiled egg on avocado toast with spinach. So delicious and satisfying!
WHAT I WORE
More babywearing with Baby Beatrice! This carrier is so soft and easy to use. I think I’d recommend it over a fabric wrap at this stage too!
SALES TO NOTE
Shopbop– Get an extra 25% off 1000s of sale styles for a limited time. Use code EXTRA25.
MATCHESFASHION -Share up to 50% off selected items during the Winter Essentials Sale! Valid 2/21-2/27
Wayfair– Shop major home deals all week on mattresses, living room seating, outdoor seating & more at up to 70% with fast shipping! Ends 2/22
Bloomingdales -Take an extra 30% off a large selection of clearance items for a total savings of 50-65%. Ends 2/20
Anine Bing– 15% off for new customers with code LG15FEB Ends 3/8
ON MY MIND
I’ve been obsessing over homeschool options for fall and I’m currently looking into The CMEC. My friend Larissa has used this program with one of her daughters for the past few years and her YouTube channel is a wealth of knowledge about it. I’m very much drawn toward Charlotte Mason’s educational style and it seems like The CMEC is the closest it comes to how Mason taught. If you want to learn more about Charlotte Mason, I’d highly recommend her book Home Education. I read this book also last summer and loved it! I’m also looking into language programs so if you have any recommendations let me know. I know it’s only February, but I’m feeling the need to start planning earlier this year.
We got some new bamboo sheets from Cozy Earth (in oat) and they are beyond comfortable! I’ll have to do another post about them soon but if you’re looking, I would definitely say check them out! It feels like slipping into a luxurious hotel bed every night (which is just what this mama needs!) They’re currently 20% off too!
Welcome to M Loves M! My name is Mara and I created this lifestyle site in 2009 as a place to share my love of fashion, beauty, food and entertaining. I moved from Southern California to Idaho and love adventuring with my husband Matthew, our two children, and our dog Ginger. We're also pregnant with baby #3, due this autumn! I strive to create a site that’s relatable to women, while also being inspirational. I’m so glad you stopped by!
