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    peach, pistachio and crispy sage pizza

    i have been getting way into making pizza the past couple months, but like all my cooking, i’ve struggled with creativity and thinking outside the standard toppings (i usually do pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, onions etc) but when i saw a pizza from this place mykes pizza in arizona on instagram stories, i was INSPIREEEED.

    i still haven’t made my own dough which a lot of you tell me is very easy, i’ll try it soon– i usually mix it up between dough from trader joes, the italian deli near our house, or these flatbread doughs that are insanely easy and i love a crispy flatbread crust. you can do this recipe with whatever dough you want, but i used the flatbread one.

    the first night i made it i couldn’t believe that i’d hyped it up so much in my head and it lived up to it. it was super delicious and so easy, and seems fancy enough to serve as a fun appetizer for entertaining too. the next time i made it, i decided to go a lot heavier handed with all the ingredients and i can’t recommend that enough! the bites that have all three toppings are the best bites, and you bought all the ingredients so you might as well cover that pizza!! 

    peach, pistachio and crispy sage pizza

    this peach, pistachio and crispy sage pizza is a nice flavor alternative if you want to switch it up from your traditional pizza toppings
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients  

    • pizza dough
    • olive oil
    • minced garlic
    • grated mozzarella
    • one ripe peach*
    • shelled pistachios
    • fresh sage leaves

    Instructions 

    1. preheat your oven and pizza stone. brush olive oil into your dough and spoon on a tablespoon of minced garlic to spread around. i also like to create a crust by poking around the circumference with a fork.
    2. top with mozzarella.
    3. pan fry your sage leaves for 10-30 seconds. they don't need to get dark or crispy yet, but you'll see them change in the pan. they'll crisp even more in the oven so don't overdo it!
    4. top pizza with the sage leaves, halves pistachios, and thin slices of peach. cook until crust is crispy and it looks like pizza!

    Notes

    *when peaches aren’t in season, sub butternut squash or figs

    tag me if you make it! would love to see!

  • my pregnancy essentials

    my pregnancy has been way more chill than my first, and i was lucky the first time around too. my pregnancy with arlo i had heartburn every single day, but i took pepcid AC which helped a ton, this time i haven’t had anything like that really (actually until this week!)

    i had some strong smell aversions in the beginning, but that’s really the worst physical symptom i’ve had 6 months in! i’ve been extremely lucky, so this list of essentials might be very different than others.

    i’m not planning on another baby after this so i haven’t wanted to invest too much money into things that are specifically maternity, instead trying to find things that will work for these next few months as well as postpartum and beyond. (i spent a bunch of money on things i never wore again last time and it was a mistake) Read More

  • amazon prime day sales to shop

    it’s prime day (today and tomorrow)– so i thought i would round up a bunch of my favorites that are on sale as well as some items i’m coveting! hurry, some of the deals are going super quickly!!

    and you can shop my entire amazon storefront here, which i’m constantly updating, and made a prime day list on there tooRead More

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    arlos mario themed 5th birthday

    to be honest when arlo got so into mario and requested a mario theme this year, i was not super into it. we all know primary colors are not really my forte lol. but the more i pinterested, the more i realized it was my most exciting challenge so far.Read More

  • cucumber and yogurt crostinis

    it’s basically tzakaki on bread, but these are sooo good. my FIL has been making them every summer for years and i always look forward to it, so i realized i could start doing it myself! 

    it’s a super simple recipe, perfect for chill summer dinners or entertaining –but i promise it will impress all of them! my stepdad was over the other day and shocked how good they are.

    cucumber and yogurt crostinis

    basically tzakaki on bread! perfect for chill summer dinners or entertaining but still impressive and tasty
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients  

    • baguette
    • olive oil
    • 1-2 large cucumbers or a handful of english cucumbers
    • full fat greek yogurt
    • coarse sea salt
    • fresh dill

    Instructions 

    1. finely dice up cucumbers and let sit in a bowl till you’re ready to serve.
    2. slice a baguette and brush olive oil top before grilling, toasting, pan frying or baking the bread. totally up to you how you want to crisp up your toasties, i’ve been using my balmuda.
    3. once your bread is golden brown and you’re ready to serve, mix the cucumbers with greek yogurt. start with about 2-3 heaping tb and add as you like it. you want it to be creamy but not dripping with yogurt.
    4. sprinkle your sea salt and some sprigs of fresh dill on top and serve!

  • my fave things this month | may

    POPPY ANKLET $68

    i love wearing an anklet and i upgraded mine to this cute shiny one, i love that it comes in small sizes too!

    GLASS TUMBLER WITH SILICONE SLEEVE $15

    got this tumbler for my iced teas and i’m so happy with it. the color is beautiful and it fits in my cup holder and i love that the straw is chewy hahah. 

    BEIGE SEAMLESS PONYTAIL HOLDERS $6

    its the little things, very excited about these ponytail holders i got that look so much cuter on my wrist than the typical black ones. i personally don’t care about them matching my hair and would way rather them match my aesthetic lol.

    COMETEER COFFEE PODS $48

    these frozen recyclable coffee pods are so amazing, you can use to make iced or hot drinks and they work with tons of different roasters. use code PERFECT for $30 off!!

    LINEN TANK DRESS $16 (!!)

    this dress looks so much more expensive than it is (normally $20), super easy to throw on all summer long and good for daytime or nighttime (and a growing bump!)

    NONSTICK GRILL MATS $16

    after a few times of getting my food super stuck to the grates while grilling, i got these mats and i love them. i still get grill marks with them and they just make it so much easier to cook foods that would stick (fish, chicken skin, veggies). i’m sure grill aficionados would never use them, but luckily i’m not one of those lol. 

    OSEA ATMOSPHERE PROTECTION CREAM $48

    ever since i’ve started using this moisturizer my skin is like 60% softer. i love it so much! 

    LEATHER TISSUE BOX COVER $11

    after ordering a few different versions and colored leather tissue box covers, i finally found the one i love most — the camel color is perfect and it makes your tissues look so good. fyi the first couple tissues in the box will require two hands to remove haha. 

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    father’s day gift guide 2022

    father’s day is right around the corner and i tried my best to find gifts that aren’t all the cliche dad stuff (but hey there are still plenty of those gifts on here too)

    Read More

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    our playroom — the *new* plan

    our playroom has been a crazy mess of toys, my second giant dollhouse i haven’t started working on, and so many craft supplies– and since gid got a remote job last year, we barely use the other side because he works out there. Read More

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    pasta alla vodka

    this post is in partnership with fermat commerce

    it’s been a long time coming — i’ve been making this pasta for like two years now but never shared it here on the blog! it’s not my original recipe, but i’ve been making my own version of it basically weekly now so i feel very attached to it. “orange pasta” has become an important tradition for our family 🙂 

    i got some beautiful new cookware from great jones which inspired me to finally post the recipe, the Dutchess– a 6.75-quart enamel cast iron dutch oven that looks sooo beautiful on my stovetop and i’m gonna use it all the time. 

    i’m trying out this new commerce tool built by Fermat Commerce that allows you to buy products directly from the brand while staying here on my blog and would love it if you purchase with me here! let me know what you think of it!

    ok so you can shop the great jones products below, without ever leaving my blog! just click on the product to shop and lmk how it works for you! and you’ll get free shipping if you spend $100!

    pasta alla vodka

    this pasta alla vodka — aka “orange pasta” as we call it — has become an important tradition for our family and one of my go-to weeknight dinners!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients  

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ½ shallot finely chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves finely grated
    • ½ cup tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons vodka
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, we don’t use any!)
    • kosher salt + freshly ground pepper
    • 1 lb short pasta
    • 2 tb butter
    • ½ cup finely grated parmesan (plus more for serving)
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil

    Instructions 

    1. heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. add shallot and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling heavily salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
    2. add tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until the paste is brick red and starts to caramelize, about 5 minutes.
    3. add vodka and cook, stirring constantly, until liquid is mostly evaporated, about 2 minutes.
    4. add cream (and red pepper flakes if you want) and stir until well blended. season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
    5. drain your pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid (or you can scoop your pasta directly into your sauce like i do). add pasta to skillet with sauce along with butter and about ½ cup pasta cooking liquid. cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly and adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed, until butter has melted and a thick, glossy sauce has formed, about 2 minutes. season with salt and pepper and add the parmesan, tossing to coat.
    6. divide pasta among bowls, then top with basil and more parmesan.

    ADAPTED FROM JON & VINNYS

    i love my dutchess so much — not only is it perfect for making the vodka pasta, i’m gonna use it to make chicken all the time and it looks so good right on my table.

  • martha’s vineyard travel guide

    this post was updated in 2023!

    i love this island so much!! when i was a kid, my mom would take us for the summers and it has always been a magical place to me. in fact last year i was driving to my moms rental house and i started crying because i love it so much more than LA and sort of wish i lived there haha.

    there is something so special about this island, even if it’s become crazier and fancier and way more crowded over the years, there is just this happy energy i don’t know if i’ve ever experienced elsewhere.

    towns:

    in terms of where to stay, we’ve always stayed around the oak bluffs or vineyard haven area until our last stay trying out chilmark, but i love so many parts of the island. 

    oak bluffs

    so cute and charming, can be pretty touristy especially peak summer but i still love it.

    edgartown

    tons of shopping and is adorable, slightly more formal feeling than OB. fancier shops/restaurants/people. 

    vineyard haven

    my favorite of the towns probably, some of my favorite shops are here and it has this amazing chill energy even when crowded. 

    chilmark

    better for quiet stays if that’s what you’re into, you’re definitely more secluded and about 30 minutes from the other side of the island. but it’s so peaceful! we spent a lot of time frequenting the same nearby beach (menemsha) and the same food place (chilmark general store)

    west tisbury

    also up island, this town feels more residential than the others. we stayed here when i was a kid and i liked the location – there are also some good food spots nearby i’ll list below!

    beaches:

    menemsha

    our favorite for watching the sunset, because of the fish markets nextdoor. i like to order oysters from larsens and i like the lobster rolls and clam chowder next door at menemsha fish market.

    we pop over and get our dinner to eat on the beach and it’s so much better than trying to sit at a restaurant with kids. just make sure you get there in time to park/order/get your food/get a good spot on the sand!! byob!

    lucy vincent

    the beach for chilmark residents– huge beautiful rock cliffs!

    katama

    a barrier beach thats public for all. big waves here!

    lamberts cove

    our favorite beach, but only open to west tisbury residents so you can’t go without a pass during the summer.

    aquinnah

    it’s a little hike to get down to the beach, but it’s worth it! stunning beach, and you can see the aquinnah lighthouse while you’re there.

    places to eat:

    in oak bluffs:

    nomans

    this is our favorite place (we go like 3 times a week) because it is soooo easy with the kids/a big group. first come first serve, giant area (they got rid of the grass sadly) to run around with games, you can order for yourself, a bar, pretty good food and live music! 

    jimmy seas

    a cute little italian restaurant where most of the dishes are served in a pan. my family loves this place. the food is fine. haha

    sweet life cafe

    open for brunch and dinner in a cute garden setting.

    tigerhawk sandwiches

    super good and it’s nice to have take out spots if you don’t want to sit down forever somewhere. we took sandwiches with us to eat on chappy one time!

    backdoor donuts

    open till midnight and super fun to grab a hot donut after dinner in the parking lot. so many good ones, but i love their chocolate glazed and and their apple fritters! (it’s now open during the day as well but less novel)

    artcliff diner (closed, hopefully not forever)

    the best breakfast! i always love their specials.

    lookout tavern

    a little crowded for my liking, but they are famous for their lobster roll and their location on the water! the lobster roll is pretty good, it’s huge.

    in west tisbury:

    7a foods

    incredible sandwiches, and another nice spot to grab food to take to the beach. i love the “liz lemon” a lot.

    state road

    one of my favorite sit down restaurants on the island, farm to table and larry david loves it too haha.

    scottish bakehouse

    good breakfast sandwiches and chill picnic tables outside.

    morning glory farm

    grab some food for your rental house here and you’ll be happy you did! we got a vegetable quiche and enjoyed it for days for breakfast.

    in vineyard haven:

    waterside market

    the cutest little cafe and i love their food so much. one of my favorite lobster rolls too, but honestly everything is good.

    fish mv

    right next door to waterside, a cute little patio and the food is good! i loved the sushi burrito but it should be bigger.

    the black dog tavern

    so there are a bunch of black dogs around the island, but my favorite is the tavern. the location is so cute and there are two black dog stores next door in the alley. we love this location because arlo loves to run around the beach behind the restaurant afterwards and its so quintessential vineyard.

    the pie chicks

    the pies are SO GOOD! i love the strawberry rhubarb and the key lime. i recommend getting some small sized pies so you can try different ones.

    in chilmark:

    chilmark tavern

    the cutest little neighborhood restaurant, the food is very good and chilmark is a dry town, but they have mixers in case you byob and want a cocktail (i brought wine for myself). not inexpensive, but a nice night out.

    in edgartown:

    rosewater market + shop

    i needn’t mention anything besides they have a tap for water… and a tap for SPARKLING WATER here!!!! my dream!!! fine i’ll keep going, the food and place is also lovely as well.

    atlantic fish + chop house

    very fancy place to sit on the dock and have a beautiful (albeit expensive !!) meal.

    * there are lots of good other places to eat in edgartown as well but i won’t add to this list until i stay there someday and really explore more.

    things to do:

    chilmark general store

    a fun spot to people watch and grab a quick slice of pizza. maybe JUST MAYBE you’ll spot larry. don’t tell me if you do i’ll be too jealous.

    the grey barn

    such a beautiful farm to walk around and see animals, as well as shop in the cute well curated little shop for cheeses and breads. 

    chilmark flea market

    tons of handmade items by local artisans, runs wednesdays and saturdays, june 25 – september 10.

    flying horses

    an MV staple — the oldest carousel in america!! last year it was closed but i’m hopeful arlo will get to go this year.

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    dinner on menemsha

    yes i already named this but it’s my favorite past time! there’s also a texaco gas station/shop where we always grab ice cream bars for dessert.

    ryan family amusement

    this is where the boys spent a LOT of time (which was perfect for me because i got to go shopping while they went to the arcade)

    rent a boat

    if you can, this is our favorite!! we picked up bread and cheese from the grey barn and had the best sunset boat ride with the family. 

    the jaws bridge

    jumping off this bridge is like a rite of passage for island kids.

    see the lighthouses

    last year the lighthouses were closed, but when they’re open it is sooo fun to go inside. i’m partial to the east chop lighthouse because our old house was down the street. but the island is filled with lighthouses!

    go to chappy for the day

    take a the little tiny 3 car ferry for 30 seconds over to chappaquiddick (no for real), you can go to the beach there and the mytoi japanese gardens are beautiful! bring some food from the mainland to have a picnic.

    island alpaca company

    a very cute activity with kids (but i’ve been without arlo too lol)

    shops:

    i can’t name every shop, there are COUNTLESS CUTE shops. all you need to do is plan to stroll around each town for one day at least and you’ll discover them all. but here are some!

    in vineyard haven:

    conrado — down a little alley way, it’s so cute in here!
    the green room — loved it since i was a kid
    rainy day — a good shop for knick knacks
    trust — cute little boho boutique
    bryn walker — i’ve spent too much money here!
    bunch of grapes — very good bookstore with fun kids section upstairs
    lenox & harvey — tiny little shop thats curated so beautifully!

    in oak bluffs:

    there are definitely more souvenir shops here, but i’m a sucker for those too
    island outfitters — cute beachy apparel
    slip 77 — clothing store with lots of branded stuff

    in edgartown:

    slate — stunningly curated clothing here!
    salte — a very cute home shop with lots of beautiful gifts
    boneyard surf co — cute shop that used to have a street fighter arcade game, arlos pissed they got rid of it
    portobello road — a fun bookstore you could spend hours browsing in
    country day — toys + lots of adorable kids clothes

    up island:

    alley’s general store — lots of gifts, so many cute toys.

    hope this helped if you’re heading to the vineyard!!