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Conversations about books I reveled in, learned from, cried over. Fiction and non-fiction.

Imo the only thing better than matching outfits is #powerclashing.

“What must it be like to let all of that go? To move through the world as if the only one to please is myself? To release the expectations of others I’ve internalized so deeply I can’t tell the difference between my desires and theirs?” On the blog: words on the constant pressure to do and be more, on getting back that inherent sense of “enoughness” we’re born with but seem to lose along the way. Link in bio.

I don’t really believe in meal prep. But I do believe in a carby, comforting, deeply savory pot of white beans. Whenever I make these on a Sunday, I know we’ll have something good and nourishing to eat all week.

We eat these beans with chicken and fish. We throw them in pasta and salads. And we eat them on their own with greens and a poached egg.

If the five million other “pot of beans” recipes you’ve probably seen in the past two years haven’t convinced you and/or dried beans intimidate you, let this be ✨The One✨ Yes, the cook time is looong, but the set up is quick and simple (six ingredients minus water and seasoning) and the result is 💥🎉💯 Link in bio!

#f52grams #bonappetit #beans #whitebeans #bombesquad #onmytable #makeitdelicious #lifeandthyme

“Clips of explosions, of a humanitarian crisis, shoved between marriage proposals and outfits of the day. As if they all deserve equal consideration.” A stream of consciousness on my blog today. An attempt to process something that’s not at all processable, or that shouldn’t be anyway. It isn’t enough, nothing is. I’m both at a loss for words and also finding words to be a momentary salve. It doesn’t make a ton of sense. But what does right now, ya know?

Lived in this house almost five months, and it doesn’t quite feel like home yet. Somehow these sunny jars on my counter are helping. Nothing says, “I’m sticking around,” more than preserving something. These lemons are a quiet act of confidence, a declaration that I plan to be here months from now, cooking in this kitchen, seeing things through.
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#f52grams #bonappetit #preservedlemons #bombesquad #onmytable #lifeandthyme #foodblogfeed

First stop back from vacation must be @studiocityfm
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#selfeet #sunflowers #farmersmarketfinds #ihavethisthingwithfloors

About to take family photos again. Reminiscing about our last session that captured a very different baby, one who was on the brink of both walking and talking. And having MANY feelings about how, in this next round, she’s going to look so much less like a baby, so much more like a kid. 😭

Some out-of-season lilacs for your feed this morning. For no other reason than I meant to post this when I snapped it, at the end of April. But then: life, motherhood. You get around to things when you can: something I’m learning, and trying to be okay with.
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#lilacs #motherhoodunplugged #livecolorfully #farmersmarket

Snapped this photo in early April when fennel and snap peas were both at @studiocityfm, but still wanted to share bc this is everything I want in a bright/crunchy/springy salad. Link in bio for snap pea and fennel salad w lemon-mint dressing!
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#f52grams #bonappetit #spring #saladsofinstagram #farmersmarketfinds #bombesquad #onmytable #makeitdelicious #lifeandthyme #foodblogfeed #snappeas #fennel #mint #lemon

I don’t mean this in a “so a lot of you guys have been asking...” type of way. But I do get asked for book recommendations. I read often and genuinely enjoy discussing books and have always wished those conversations could go beyond, “have you read...”, “what did you think about...,” etc. All this is to say: I wrote a book review. I thought it could eventually be a space to share more about what I’ve loved reading and maybe even start a conversation around it. Anyway, there’s a link in my bio if you’re interested in Joan Didion’s new one and my thoughts on it.
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#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #readersofinstagram #currentlyreading #bookish #joandidion

Radicchio, Cara Cara oranges, citrus-pickled fennel, burrata, mint, and balsamic reduction: winter to spring captured in one luscious dream salad. Link in bio for the recipe.
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#f52grams #bonappetit #citrusseason #saladsofinstagram #farmersmarketfinds #bombesquad #onmytable #makeitdelicious #lifeandthyme #foodblogfeed

I called this dish, “Friday Night Ragu with Mushrooms” but idk I’m posting it on a Saturday afternoon? Anyway, the point is it’s everything you need at the end of a long week. It’s rich and complex from deeply browned meat and mushrooms, sweet from caramelized onions and tomatoes, and has that ultra-glossy, marries-perfectly-with-pasta finish. This is a quicker version of a true masterpiece by @josh.seth that takes all afternoon to make but is WORTH IT if you do have the time. My recipe comes together in about 90 minutes and is also extremely worth it if you do find yourself with a bit of extra time and a craving for something decadent and even a little bit celebratory. Even if all you’re celebrating is making it to the weekend, which tbh is an especially big accomplishment these days. Link in bio for the full recipe.
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#f52grams #bonappetit #pasta #ragu #bombesquad #onmytable #makeitdelicious #lifeandthyme

I told Adam we need to get family photos done AT LEAST twice a year. Something no one tells you about parenthood: you’re always cheering on their growth, anticipating the person they’re becoming, while simultaneously mourning the loss of who they are right now. And you’re forever wishing you had some kind of second brain to store the memories, all the nuances of this sweet little human that shift and evolve in the bat of an eye. Or one of those daily baby journals, but like a self-recording one because WHO has the discipline to keep up with that (really who)?? But really, the only thing to do is soak it in as much as humanly possible, even through the exhaustion, a constantly messy house, and occasional temper tantrums (mostly mine tbh). Just soak it in. 📸 @jennaelliottphoto

Romance right now: finishing a load of laundry the other person started, foot massages, being in the same room but not talking, and not caring about not talking. Thoughts on a new definition for romance on my blog. Link in bio.
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#bombesquad #f52grams #bonappetit #healthyish #eatwellfeelwell #eatwelllivewell #citrus #foodphotography #bloodorange #farmersmarketfinds #valentines

LA bringing summer Friday vibes in February 🌴

It’s been the kind of day in which I made one side of the bed (the side that appears in video calls) and did like 600 loads of laundry but somehow there is still laundry (??) and got a paper cut on my finger from opening a bill. Because of course it was a bill. But it’s also been the kind of day in which my toddler grabbed the aforementioned finger with both of her tiny hands and gave it a kiss as delicate as angel wings and said MAMA ALL BETTER. And like, it kind of was.
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PS This is an old photo, but I would love to give credit if anyone knows who did this mural?

My tiny, curly valentine who is getting bigger by the second and foils all my attempts at keeping a bow in her hair. 💛
📸 @jennaelliottphoto

My one and only health endeavor for January: eat more complex starches (fewer simple starches). That’s it. That’s the goal. And so: lentils! Healthy and wholesome, but also starchy and satisfying. In this lentil salad, sweet caramelized onions balance out the earthiness of the lentils, while white wine vinegar, olives, feta, and lots and lots (but never too much!) of parsley add brightness and brine. It’s perfect on its own or added to greens or orzo for lunch, or alongside fish or chicken for dinner. Link in bio for the recipe.
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#f52grams #bonappetit #healthyish #eatwellfeelwell #eatwelllivewell #lentilsalad #foodphotography #bombesquad

Mood = hopeful

My one and only resolution for this year: stop overthinking it. And in service of that goal, I hit publish on the first thing I’ve written in months. It’s about burnout, especially in the kitchen but in other areas too. Because isn’t that everyone’s story right now? But it’s also about a solve for it! Maybe! Link in bio, per usual. Also: Cara Cara oranges 🙌🏻
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#f52grams #foodblogfeed #farmersmarketfinds #bombsquad #eatwellbewell #thekitchn #eatwelllivewell #realingredients #foodphotography

Dress for the weekend you want to have! In this aspirational scenario, we are in the Hamptons and somehow also in a Nancy Meyers movie irl, with no social distancing and lots of smart, witty female characters and 24/7 good hair.

Back in February, I realized that four months of motherhood, of sleepless nights, and of adjusting to the newness of it all were starting to wear on me. I cope by flexing my creative muscles, so I quietly started blogging again. I didn’t really tell anyone, mostly because I was still figuring it out: what to say, how to say it, etc. And I wasn’t sure if I could stay consistent given the time constraints of new parenthood. Then Coronavirus happened, and just like so many of you mamas to young kids, the semblance of a schedule I had before this all but disappeared. But I’ve still managed to hold onto the things that feed me. Blogging is apparently one of them because I’m finding the time, stealing moments out of thin air to write about hunger, love, motherhood, and other things, too. I’m still figuring it out, but I’m starting to feel confident that maybe this little endeavor is here to stay, and maybe it would be nice to share. So here we are. If you’d like to see what I’ve been up to, there’s a link in my bio. And if you made it to the end of this caption, I celebrate and appreciate your patience. *Ends novel*

Basically my entire highlight reel of 2019: Olivia Rose, born 10/15 at 5pm. I’ve been quiet here on this platform because my recovery has taken a few unexpected, difficult turns. But there has been so much joy too, simultaneously. That was my biggest lesson this year: joy and challenge often come together. I’m grateful to have celebrated the the former while overcoming the latter and to be looking toward a new decade with as much hope as I’ve ever had. Happy New Year / happy New Decade.

Waiting for a baby is unlike any other kind of waiting, it turns out. Unknowable, no matter how much other people try to prepare you. Cooking is the only thing that seems to make sense, keeping my mind and hands productive. I’m discovering things, too, while cooking for the sake of cooking. For example: thinly sliced raw beets 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻.
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#farmersmarket #unionsquaregreenmarket #fall #beets #pink #livecolorfully #thatsdarling #darlingweekend

Seeing the last of the heirlooms, stone fruit, and basil replaced by the orange-red explosion of squash and apples and the deep green of kale and chard at the market this morning. Had our last tomato salad of the season a few days ago. Fall, we’re ready for you. #decorativegourdseason #psl #sweaterweather
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#farmersmarket #unionsquaregreenmarket #basil #livecolorfully #thatsdarling #darlingweekend

Walked by the water, conversation with @sarahseestheworld, long dinner at @cafemogadornyc with 💯 👌🏻company. Williamsburg always delivers.
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#williamsburg #brooklyn #walltraveled #livecolorfully #thatsdarling #darlingweekend

On my blog today (yes, I wrote something! believe it!): words on transitions / thoughts on pregnancy.
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#nyc #nycphotography #nycskyline #livecolorfully #thatsdarling #darlingweekend

Giving you pensive maternity moment & East Coast prep. Captured by v. talented @cleanplatepictures.
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#22weekspregnant #motherhood #maternityshoot #nycmaternity #livecolorfully #thatsdarling #darlingweekend #walltraveled #dumbobrooklyn #stripestyle

One more. Obligatory Guggenheim shot.
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#hilmaafklint #museumday #guggenheimmuseum #artistsoninstagram #livecolorfully #thatsdarling #darlingweekend

Editing photos from the first weekend of spring on this first weekend of fall.
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#hilmaafklint #museumday #guggenheimmuseum #artistsoninstagram #livecolorfully #thatsdarling #darlingweekend

There should be a new color named for these rust-hued Roman buildings in the morning light.
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#rome #wanderlust #livecolorfully #colortherapy #thatsdarling #darlingweekend #travelphotography

When you thought you’d found your favorite gelato, but then you actually find your favorite gelato and it’s a whirlwind affair that brings you back to the same stand twice in two hours. Sorrento lemon juice makes the brightest, cleanest lemon flavor I’ve ever had. I’m too enamored not to share, even with my crazy chipped thumbnail. But when is real love ever perfect, right? #thisisus #foreverandever
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#italy #capri #gelato #livecolorfully #darling #darlingweekend #wanderlust #travelphotography

Twenty-eight week bump brought to you by: gelato 🍦
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#getsumbbmoon #amalficoast #sorrentoitaly #28weeks #thatsdarling #darlingweekend #livecolorfully #travelphotography

Positano was fine, I guess. Nothing much to look at, but there were some moderately-okay views. #saidnooneever #lies #spoiledbrats
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#positanoitaly #amalficoast #fromwhereistand #viewsfordays #wanderlust #travelphotography #livecolorfully #thatsdarling #darlingweekend #getsumbbmoon

Italian summer vibes like 🌿🌸
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#bougainvillea #positanoitaly #travelphotography #wanderlust #livecolorfully #thatsdarling #darlingweekend

Bringing you easy, breezy, private-yacht vibes on this muggy Saturday in NYC.
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#positanoitaly #travel #travelphotography #wanderlust #livecolorfully #darlingweekend #thatsdarling

Naples: a good place to leave your heart. We’ll be back. .
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#naplesitaly #travel #wanderlust #travelphotography #wallcrawl #streetart #colortherapy #livecolorfully

This view + lemon gelato. Amalfi Coast mic drop.
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#italy #capri #wanderlust #getsumbbmoon

Two weeks ago in Sorrento. Calling this “peak vacation mode.”
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#italy #sorrento #almalficoast #wanderlust #getsumbbmoon

I wrote a highlight reel type of post to look back at 2018, then deleted it. The important things that happened are harder to talk about, but they say more about who I am right now than anything else. So I posted a non-highlight reel instead. Link in bio.

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