Lately + Lilly Loving

Hey friends! So sorry for the radio silence over here. Last week we knocked a ton of miscellaneous things off of our to-do list around the house and it was all consuming in between taking care of the kids. We worked on touching up trim paint and wall touch ups, put the finishing touches on our bathroom, put away clutter, hauling out clothes to the consignment shop, finishing out changing all of our doorknobs and hinges, and cleaning up the kids' rooms...to name a few! It feels so good to have all those little things finished up and have the house looking good. Then, we spent the last half of the week and weekend over at the beach which was a nice change of pace. We are headed out tomorrow for a vacay and I really just cannot wait! {Follow me on insta for the trip updates! @katiehchalk} We have been looking forward to this trip most of the year and I can't believe it's already here and that our sweet girl is turning three months old this week! Time flies even faster with the second one that is for sure. 

Real quick- I snagged a few things this morning at the Lilly sale. For some reason, I was kind of over Lilly last year and barely bought anything. I think it was mainly because I wasn't into the prints, but this year I am loving it. Now that I am back to wearing all my normal clothes again {yay!} I treated myself to a couple things and bought FA an outfit for next summer!

Elsa tops used to be on heavy rotation in my closet and I am excited for an updated print! Adore this cha cha print and I think it works with fall colors! 

I love, love, love a popover and mine are really worn out. I bought this print and can't wait to wear it soon. These tops are so comfy and cheery.

On Saturday, we took the kids for a walk and stopped by our local surf shop that carries Lilly. Stephen bought me this top on sale. It is adorable on! For the price, you can't beat this easy, cute style.

I really had a hard time deciding which print for FA but ended up with this Shellabrate print below. I might sneak back on and get her another! {Also, Daddy bought her a fall print in the dress this weekend and she will be wearing it on our vacay this week! Cannot wait to stick her in her first Lilly!}

Shop the sale here! So many good things.

a favorite dinner - chicken/turkey parmesan meatballs

We had this dinner during the first few weeks after Frances Ann was born and have been rotating them into our meal plan ever since! I love a good pasta dish, but now when we have the craving we are reaching for this one. This is one of our very favorite meals and feels so much fancier than your average bowl of pasta! The first time we made it, we used turkey in place of the chicken and couldn't stop talking about how much flavor there was. We have used chicken as well and it is equally as good, so I would encourage you to try both ways {or buy whatever is one sale!} It's safe to say I much prefer the turkey and chicken meatball over ground beef now, plus it's much healthier!

CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS- Laughing Spatula 

INGREDIENTS

Meatballs

1½ pounds ground chicken {I usually use just 1 lb since most packages come this way}

1 egg

1 garlic clove, minced

⅓ cup onion, minced

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

½ cup panko crumbs

2 teaspoons dried basil

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

Sauce

2 tablespoons butter

⅓ cup onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

pinch of chili flakes

⅓ cup cream

salt and pepper and pepper to taste

6 oz fresh mozzarella

Fresh basil for garnish {optional}

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400.

Line a large sheet pan with foil for easy clean up.

In mixing bowl, combine all meatball ingredients together. Careful not to over mix as it make the chicken tough. Shape in 1½ inch balls and place on prepared baking sheet.

Bake for about 12-15 minutes - Don't worry if slightly undercooked they will finish off in the sauce.

While meatballs are cooking:

Melt butter in large oven proof skillet/pot (if you don't have one, use a regular skillet and transfer to baking dish when sauce is done).

Cook onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic, cook for one minute until fragrant and slightly soft.

Add crushed tomatoes, chili flakes, salt and pepper to taste.

Bring to simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in cream.

Add cooked meatballs to sauce. Top with mozzarella.

Bake for about 20 minutes until all bubbly and cheese has melted.

Serve with pasta and a green salad and you are done! While this isn't a 15 minute meal, I find it still doable on a weeknight when I am throwing dinner together and managing the 5:00 hustle. I also set aside around 6-8 meatballs each batch after they have cooked in the oven, and freeze them for an easy dinner another night. Bonus- meatballs make for great toddler meals too! My Mom made us a batch a few weeks ago and had them all set in a foil pan for us to pop in the oven whenever we chose. It made for quick cleanup and a delicious dinner! I use my dutch oven, as seen below- one of my favorite pieces in my kitchen.

This + That and Sale Finds

A few odds and ends for ya, since that is the way my brain is functioning early this morning :) 

I have a yummy recipe coming your way this week - something we have made over and over again this summer. We have found several go-to recipes that I have down pat now, it's nice to take the question out of dinner time and just have those recipes I can easily turn to! So excited to share this one!

I am trying to keep Frances Ann on a schedule through the day {via Moms on Call}...some days this is fairly simple and then other days this sweet little princess wants to march to her own beat! Girlfriend has an appetite that is bigger than her belly! I would love to hear anyones experience with Moms on Call since we did no sort of schedule with Weeks. It eases my mind with two if we have a schedule I can rely on, which is why I am giving it a shot. She has always been a pretty good sleeper through the night, and lately even given us a few nights sleeping in until 6/6:30 which has been amazing. Most nights she is stirring by 4:30...so after that I debate on going back to sleep or getting the day started. Most days, sleep wins. But boy do I look forward to a night full of sleep again! She is a total sweetheart though and we are so blessed by her and Weeks.

what mornings look like around here- in our jammies! {PJ's}

I snapped these yesterday- she turned 2 months this past week!

bow and headband, Little Giraffe blanket via Dee Gee's {you can call for ordering}

Sadly enough, so many of my favorite finds from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale have already sold out, but I am linking them below in case they restock! Seeing outfits on {no matter how crappy the photo!} helps me so much more than what I see on the website. My apologies for these quick photos- no makeup, hair is not ideal, but that is life these days! 

I am literally in workout clothes at least half of the day and then after a shower I either change into clean work out clothes or I actually get dressed. {#reallife} I swear by Zella leggings- they suck you in and look good after years of washing. Can't say enough good things about them. This top is actually from Gap but it's a new favorite. You tie the back in a knot or you can leave it open. It's a fun twist on a fitness top.

crop live in leggings {full length here} // Gap tie back top

I added another plaid shirt to my fall arsenal. I love the tunic length of this one and how it is fairly thin {not too thin} making it lay nicely. Most of the year we don't need heavy flannels anyway, so I will be able to wear this one early fall. I can't say enough good things about my new jeans! I let them air dry but I think I will put them in the dryer the next time I wash them since there is a little bit of room in them. It feels so good to be in normal jeans again, btw. Also, you should keep an eye for sizes being restocked on the flats because they are amazing. Really comfy and so fun.

Paige denim // B.P Plaid Tunic Shirt {other colors available}  // Halogen Tie Up Flats

I really hope they restock this sweater because it is amazing! I linked it below anyway, just in case! It is incredibly soft and feels like a great quality. I love the color. I will live in it! I just left the same jeans and flats on as above to try the sweater on with it. 

Dreamers by Debut Cowl Neck Sweater // Paige Denim // Halogen Tie Up Flats

Don't laugh at my leggings below :) Call this the most random purchase of all time but I really wanted to try these denim leggings. Sounds so tacky! They are definitely a denim feel with a slight stretch to them, and for $25 I was willing to give them a shot. I love the color and will strictly wear them with longer tops and probably boots. If you want to try the colored denim trend this is an inexpensive way to do it! Just don't think they are going to pass for a pair of jeans, think of them as a legging.

Dreamers by Debut Cowl Neck Sweater // Hue Essential Denim Legging

nail color

You can shop the items here too:

Hope you have a great start to your week!