stacie lang

My Complicated Relationship with The Gap

Clothes0

When I was a kid I loved The Gap. No one made a better overall, or a better graphic tee that said “Gap” across the chest. 😉 In 7th grade, my love for Gap ended abruptly when the most popular girl in my social studies class leaned over to the token 6-foot-tall boy in junior high and said “Her backpack is from Gap. The place that makes clothes FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.” They both laughed and ate their Funyuns and right then, I decided to never wear Gap again. 

But then almost 20 years went by, and I remembered that they actually have the best basics, really great sweats + sweatshirts (and honestly, I would know), and if you can dedicate 30 minutes of swimming through a sea of neon graphic tees online, you’ll discover some gems. So today, in spite of that cool girl from my 3rd hour social studies class, I’ve done a little round-up, and the search is on me! See below for my current favorites from Gap, and be sure to use one of their promo codes. Because as far as I can tell, you can essentially get an extra 40% off most days of the year. 😉 

The go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe

Food, How To0

       
 
The chocolate chip cookie recipe I grew up on and made at least twice a week since I was a little girl (because yes, I’m kind of Monica Geller). And if for whatever reason I wasn’t in the baking mood that day, my Mom or one of my 3 sisters took the reins, ha! You can imagine this recipe makes me pretty nostalgic (Crisco and all), and I could go on and on about these, but, you came here for the recipe so, enjoy. And eat an extra spoonful of cookie dough for me.
2/3rd Cup Softened Butter
2/3rd Cup Shortening
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 and 3/4th Cup Flour
1 and 1/2 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
*Sea Salt for Sprinkling
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine softened butter, shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar in a stand mixer.
3. Add eggs until mixed, then vanilla. 
4. Combine sifted dry ingredients (salt, baking soda, and flour) and add to the bowl.
5. Stir in chocolate chips. (I like to store my chocolate chips in the freezer, instead of chilling any dough.)
6. Bake cookies until just golden brown, about 8-9 minutes. I always lean towards undercooking my cookies and letting them firm up on the pan for 5 minutes. (That way they keep longer and taste just as good the next day!) While cooling, I sprinkle some coarse sea salt on top for extra flavor, and then let cool completely on a cooling rack. Enjoy!

Labor Day Weekend

Family, Home Videos, Travel0


Yesterday we decided to head north for some adventure and we had… a bit of a rocky start. Twenty minutes in, one of our kayaks nearly flew off the roof of our car on the freeway, which left us with no other choice but to cram 3 kayaks IN the van with us. 😂 In theory the drive was pretty short so any potential discomfort would have been tolerable, but then we hit holiday traffic and road work, and our 3 hour drive there turned into a 5+ hour one. 😅 We were losing the day light from our day trip, and I began to get frustrated and curse Arizona and Labor Day for ruining our plans. Eventually we got there though, and it was so fun and peaceful and beautiful. We were able to make some priceless memories with our girls and, I don’t know, I think there’s a life lesson there. One that I’ll likely forget again next time things aren’t going smoothly, but, hopefully not.🤞🏻

My Skater Girls

Home Videos0

 

A fun shoot + video with the girls for Goldcoast Skateboards (because it’s OFFICIALLY BELOW 100 DEGREES AND WE CAN GO OUTSIDE!).  We’ve been having some fun creating content for other brands during quarantine these last few months. Between having the extra time and knowing just how tough it is to coordinate proper photoshoots and campaigns as a brand myself, I’m really grateful to have a creative outlet during this unique time. (Bonus point because it has nothing to do with housework or homeschool!) 

Life lately

Journal0

An accurate look inside my life these days. A grocery haul that didn’t make it to the fridge, a half finished email drafted on a dying laptop, the aftermath of homeschool taking over every flat surface, and sprinkled Legos and doll hair throughout it all. (Which officially means that Barbie has now received more haircuts than me this year.) If you’re feeling like you’re drowning in messes and kids and schoolwork and work-work, solidarity my friend! We’ve got this though. I mean, I think we do…

August in a pandemic

Journal0

The month of August: Lots of baking to stay calm, sold a good amount of our furniture on a whim, started homeschool, decided we should become snowbirds since we don’t have school keeping us home anyway, spent every waking second on Zillow, made an offer on a house in the mountains, didn’t get it, made 5 more offers on different houses, one got accepted(!), flew in to see it, didn’t feel right, walked on it, came home, and now I’m back to stress baking. How was your month?

Your virtual bouquet of newly sharpened pencils

Guide0

 Whether your little one is back at school, homeschooling, or a combination of distant and in-person learning, I wanted to share a round up of our family favorite educational products, toys, and fun ‘must-haves’ to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. (More info on each product, here!) Hoping your families have a wonderful start to school, however that may look. We’ve got this. <3

An escape to the mountains

Family, Travel0
A couple weeks back we met Geoffs family in Show Low, AZ where we relearned an important life lesson: a body of cold water and fresh air really does make life better. We were able to put our kayaks to use, spend some time outside (a luxury in Arizona!) and simultaneously get frustrated/grateful for the terrible cell service. Already planning the next weekend getaway.

Groundhog Day

Family, Journal0



Recently I heard someone compare their life as a parent to Groundhog Day, and I laughed and could relate pretty well. Each day I wipe down the same countertop spills after every meal, fold the same tiny clothes into 4 different piles on the floor, drive the same carpool route, buy the same groceries, brush out the same tangles, etc. But sometimes! Sometimes I look over at a moment like this 👆🏻 and I’m smacked in the face with the realization that these days (though hard/monotonous/long/chaotic) are the best days. (cliche, I know!) Seeing the light pour through our dirty windows just enough to highlight Lola’s messy crown braid, her rosy blush-covered cheeks, and her sweet grin as she caught me sneaking a picture of her in dress-up and a candy necklace? Oh man. IF ONLY I could freeze time and ‘Groundhog Day’ life with these little girls right now. They may coat all my belongings in spit up, nail polish, and/or Nutella most days, but boy are they magic. ✨


Selling Suunday

Uncategorized0

A few months back we received an offer from someone to purchase Shop Suunday (!!), which was super flattering and only that. I hadn’t really planned to sell my 2nd “business baby“, but with the arrival of our 4th ✨ real baby + a new year approaching, the timing of it all just made sense. (And if I’ve learned anything these last couple years as my kids only get older and busier, it’s that things do NOT slow down as they grow!)⠀

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I’m sure there will be days when I regret selling, but for the time being, I’m feeling really good about the bittersweet decision to slow down and simplify… and more than anything, I’m so excited to watch Suunday continue to grow! Anyway, thanks so much for always supporting me in my ever-changing 😅 and big dreams, friends. You guys make really great cheerleaders.