August Edit: Cherishing Summer Memories & Embracing New Beginnings

Welcome to Kelly’s Monthly Edit!

Join me every month as I round up the little joys and significant moments that sparked inspiration in my life. From must-make recipes that have become family staples to Mom-approved grocery finds that simplify my busy schedule, and cherished favorite products across kitchenware, skincare, fashion, and beyond – this is your exclusive peek into life at Just a Taste. Consider this your behind-the-scenes bite, where there’s no gatekeeping, just a shared passion for good taste and authentic living. My goal is to inspire you to find beauty and efficiency in your everyday, just as I strive to do in mine.

It’s truly hard to believe that another vibrant summer with my incredible crew has officially come to a close and is now firmly in the books! We embraced every moment, savoring summer to its fullest this year by spending a majority of our time exploring the hidden gems and beloved landmarks of our beautiful hometown, San Diego. Our adventures took us from the mysterious depths of The Cave Store, where we marveled at natural wonders, to the exhilarating rides and imaginative worlds of Legoland. Of course, countless sun-soaked days were spent at the beach, building sandcastles and splashing in the waves. And what would summer be without indulging in our city’s diverse culinary scene? We explored countless local restaurants, each offering a unique flavor of San Diego.

One particular family favorite that stands out is Dodo Bird Doughnuts. This charming spot serves up the most unbelievably delicious fried dough, each bite a perfect blend of sweetness and texture, paired with some of our town’s absolute best coffee. The rich aroma and robust flavor of their coffee make it an instant hit for both parents and kids. What makes this spot even more special is its convenient connection to my favorite date night spot, Paradisaea. This block truly offers something for every mealtime, ensuring you can’t go wrong whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast treat or enjoying a leisurely evening out.

A Chicago Weekend to Remember: A Much-Needed Escape

In a rare and much-needed escape, my husband and I took a trip to Chicago, sans the kids. This spontaneous getaway was perfectly timed, combining work commitments for both of us with a joyous family wedding. The absence of our daily routine was a true blessing, allowing me to fully indulge in simple luxuries. I slept in every morning until a glorious 10 a.m., savoring peaceful moments with doughnuts in bed. We spent our days walking through one of my all-time favorite cities, soaking in its vibrant energy and architectural marvels, and truly enjoying quality time with our extended family. It was a refreshing break from the constant demands of home life, offering a chance to recharge and reconnect. Best of all, it gave me the wonderful opportunity to get dressed up without the usual necessity of carrying baby wipes in my bag!

For the wedding, I opted for one of my absolutely favorite A.L.C. dresses, known for its elegant design and comfortable fit. I paired it with stunning Veronica Beard gold heels, which added a touch of sophistication. However, the real highlight of my ensemble, and a true discovery, was a gorgeous gold clutch from Amazon. This accessory, surprisingly affordable, truly gives Bottega Veneta a serious run for its money with its luxurious look and feel. It’s hands down the best $52 I’ve spent in a long time, proving that style doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag.

Once my husband and I successfully wrapped up our work commitments, we embarked on a mini culinary tour of Chicago. Our first stop was my absolute favorite Chicago spot for cocktails, Z Bar. The ambiance is sophisticated, the drink menu is innovative, and it’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the city’s vibrant energy. Following our delightful drinks, we met up with my parents for the most epic dinner experience at Maple & Ash. I truly cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough; it offers the ultimate pairing of exquisite food, creative drinks, and unparalleled customer service that makes every visit memorable. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly their Smoked Seafood Tower, a lavish display of fresh, perfectly prepared seafood. But what truly sets it apart is the ingenious “pasta back” – a decadent addition where hot, perfectly cooked pasta is generously poured into a rich bath of butter and fresh herbs right at your table. This combination is simply unbeatable and a culinary experience you won’t soon forget.

All in all, The Windy City delivered big, as it always does, offering an incredible blend of family time, professional engagements, and unforgettable dining. This trip also brought back a flood of amazing memories from the four formative years I spent just up the road at Northwestern, adding a layer of nostalgia and fondness to every corner we visited. It was a perfect blend of past and present, a testament to Chicago’s enduring charm.

The Summer of Bowls: My Secret to Easy, Impressive Family Meals

I’m often asked by friends and followers what my signature dish or cuisine specialty is, and it’s a question I answer without hesitation, though perhaps not in the way some expect: my specialty lies in crafting easy, yet impressively presented meals. My culinary philosophy revolves around creating dishes that look like they took hours of meticulous effort to prepare, when in reality, they were whipped up in a mere 20 minutes. This approach is essential for any busy parent who loves good food but lacks endless time.

In my household, bowls – essentially artful assortments of prepared ingredients – tend to be one of the most frequently served meals. They are a brilliant and versatile way to make the absolute most of whatever delicious ingredients you happen to have stashed away in your fridge or pantry. It’s a fantastic method for minimizing food waste while maximizing flavor and variety. My signature bowls consistently include a few key components that I swear by:

• A foundational base of Creamy Coconut Rice. This is a non-negotiable for me, and I make it at least three times a week. Its rich, subtle sweetness and fluffy texture provide the perfect canvas for all the other flavors.
• A protein of choice, typically either tender steak, succulent chicken, or, on rarer occasions, perfectly seared salmon. Whichever I choose, it’s always generously bathed in my favorite Teriyaki Sauce, which adds an irresistible savory and slightly sweet glaze.
• A vibrant roasted vegetable. My undisputed vote goes to Chinese Garlic Green Beans. They come out perfectly crisp-tender with a fragrant garlic punch that complements the other elements beautifully.
• A surprising yet utterly delicious addition: chickpeas tossed generously in my homemade Peanut Sauce. Trust me on this one – the combination of creamy, nutty sauce with the hearty chickpeas adds an incredible layer of flavor and texture.
• And finally, always a generous portion of freshly sliced avocado for that creamy, healthy fat element that brings everything together.

This “bowl” concept never, ever fails me. It’s consistently loaded with vibrant flavors, incredibly quick to whip up even on the busiest weeknights, and perhaps most importantly, when you’re feeding four kids who all have their own distinct palates and preferences, it provides the ultimate flexibility. It allows me to dish out various parts of the meal based on who wants to eat what, effectively minimizing mealtime battles. Not into the green beans tonight? Great! We’ll simply skip ’em for your plate. Can’t do chickpeas? No problem, they won’t even touch your plate! Won’t eat anything without a bucket of Ranch Dressing by their side? Get your straw ready, because that’s an option too! My life is made infinitely easier with my go-to bamboo trays with dividers, which allow each child to have their own customized, deconstructed meal, making everyone happy and meal prep a breeze.

Back to School… Times Four: A New Chapter and Bittersweet Moments

I always knew this day would eventually come, the day when all four of my children would be in school full-time – meaning one simple drop-off at 8 a.m. and one single pick-up at 3 p.m. It feels like a lifetime ago, yet also just yesterday, that I was navigating the chaos of multiple schedules and younger children at home. Keeping Mia home with me for her first three years was the greatest blessing, a precious gift of time that I will forever cherish. Those one-on-one moments with my greatest gal pal in the world (aside from my incredible mom, Noni, of course) were invaluable and etched into my heart. But, as all parents know, children grow, and Mia was so, so ready to start school. Like… beyond ready, practically leaping out of her skin with anticipation.

It had reached the point where I genuinely started to worry that perhaps I was holding her back, subconsciously, for my own selfish reasons. The transition is monumental: going from a full decade (yes, ten whole years!) of always, without fail, having at least one child at home at all times, to suddenly finding no one being home during the day. It’s an adjustment that brings with it a profound silence, a quiet that is both welcome and, at times, deeply poignant.

I am incredibly thankful for our wonderful school and our truly incredible teachers, who have made this significant transition so much easier and smoother for all of us, not just for Mia. It fills my heart to see that Mia and her brothers are all thriving wonderfully in their first few weeks, embracing their new routines and learning environments with enthusiasm. And to quote Mia’s teacher, which brought a tear to my eye, “It’s like this girl has been going to school all along!” She has truly blossomed.

While I am so incredibly happy and proud for her and her burgeoning independence, I can’t deny the bittersweet sadness for me. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this is the best decision we can make for her development and happiness. However, as the fourth and final of four kids to reach this milestone, it makes the emotional weight of it that much harder to bear. This momentous occasion has made me acutely aware that there will be a lot of “The last first time to…” moments coming up in the years ahead. I am trying so, so hard to stay fully present in each moment, to consciously soak them all in and cherish every fleeting second. It’s definitely easier said than done, but it’s a conscious effort I am committed to making.

The Dean Machine Turned 5! Celebrating a Mighty Milestone

It’s official: Hurricane Dean, our very own whirlwind of energy and joy, has officially reached Category 5! The spunkiest, most action-packed member of our quad squad celebrated five amazing, action-packed years this August. For his highly anticipated birthday festivities, he had a very specific request: a “very chocolatey cake” adorned with “so many monster trucks.” As any loving parent knows, when it comes to birthdays, the birthday child’s wishes are paramount, and I was determined to deliver on his monster truck dream.

There will undoubtedly be much more to come in a dedicated post about the making of my first-ever number cake. While I absolutely love how it turned out and the joy it brought Dean, I can tell you it was quite a process to get here! For the cake itself, I relied on my tried-and-true Best Chocolate Cake recipe – it’s consistently moist, rich, and a crowd-pleaser. To achieve that “very chocolatey” request, I paired it with the Internet’s favorite, incredibly simple 5-Minute Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. The decorations were just as fun to create: a few crushed up Tate’s Chocolate Cookies cleverly served as edible “dirt” for the monster trucks, and with Amazon’s finest monster truck gear strategically placed, we were officially in business! It was a labor of love, and seeing Dean’s face light up made every moment worth it. Happy birthday to our sweet Deanie Beanie!

Dean’s birthday triumphantly wrapped up our annual marathon of celebrating three kids’ birthdays in an intense 8-week span. It’s always an exhilarating whirlwind of fun, party planning, and memory-making, often accompanied by a fair bit of parental exhaustion. Despite the busy schedule, I so genuinely look forward to these significant birthday milestones and the incredible joy and cherished memories they unfailingly bring to our family year after year. Each birthday is a testament to growth, laughter, and the beautiful chaos of family life.

Looking Ahead… Exciting New Adventures for Just a Taste

While I strive to be as present as possible in my personal life, soaking in every precious moment with my growing children and cherishing family experiences, I can’t help but feel an electric buzz of excitement for all that’s yet to come here on Just a Taste. We have been diligently working behind the scenes, and I am thrilled to announce an amazing lineup of fresh, innovative recipes and comprehensive entertaining guides heading your way very soon. Our upcoming content is packed with so many fresh holiday ideas, perfectly tailored for Halloween spooky treats, heartwarming Thanksgiving feasts, festive Christmas gatherings, and exciting celebrations beyond. Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight dinners, elaborate holiday menus, or simply inspiration for delicious living, Just a Taste will be your go-to resource.

Until then, as the seasons begin to shift and autumn sports kick into high gear, you can most certainly find me enthusiastically cooking up a storm with my favorite football party recipes! Get ready for game-day snacks, crowd-pleasing mains, and easy-to-share dishes perfect for cheering on your favorite team. Stay tuned for all the deliciousness to come!