8 Dinners I'm Teaching my College Student to Make
30-Minute Meals, Fall Refresh and a Trip to some local wineries!
I have just survived my first week of back to school in France!
One thing we’re getting used to is the long days (8:30am-5:00pm!). But they do get an hour and a half for lunch! So there’s that. And you should see the cafeteria menu! It reads like one of the local restaurant menus, ha!
Interested in what’s on this menu and a deep dive into our Back-to-School experience in France? You can upgrade to the paid version of my newsletter for monthly updates on the ups and downs of assimilating into a new culture! And this month I’m diving into La Rentree, or what back to school looks like in France!
Back-To School Dinners
Because I’m “officially” off the hook for school lunches now (sweet!!) I’m concentrating on dinners. It has also been a great way to give cooking lessons to my eldest daughter, who is getting ready to head off to college in Italy (without dorms or a food hall!).So she will be thrown into her first apartment and forced to cook for herself (Love it!).
These are the quickest and easiest dinners I’m teaching her to make right now in under 30 minutes or less, and I think you will love them, too!
The Winners Are:
#2: Quick + Easy Salmon and Rice Bowls
#4: Sausage Pasta with Broccolini
#6: Veggie Quesadillas with Chunky Guacamole
#7: Cod Fish Tacos
Back-to-School Refresh
Back-to-school always feels like another chance for a “reset,” similar to how I feel in January. It’s an easy excuse to add a few new items to my wardrobe (and this year, they have to be multi-functional since my new French closet is so small!). See the video below for my picks from Sezane!
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Sezane Items Featured:
A Fresh New Set of Make-Up
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A few weeks ago, Merit reached out to me to ask if I would like to try some of their make-up (I had already been a big fan, thanks to my daughters) who forced me to ditch my powdered blushes and try Merit’s cream blushes instead.
I’m officially on #TeamCreamBlush now as it creates a much softer, more natural look! Especially important as we age! So I’ve been using their gorgeous cream blush as well as their amazing Perfecting Complexion Stick which creates such flawless coverage and hides all my dark sun spots from my summer beach days!
The thing that I really love about their products is how they just glide on and look so natural looking. It’s makeup for those who don’t want to look like they’re wearing much make-up :)
The Products and What I love about them:
The Prep Set I love this little set for when you are rushing out the door and only have time for the bare minimum for “drop off”. I first start with the serum that hydrates and gives you a nice healthy glow, and then follow up with the moisturizer. It feels like a combination between a moisturizer and BB Cream, it preps your face for the concealer. The Minimalist complexion stick is really my favorite because it feels like a combination of a concealer and a foundation stick. The set also comes with the Brush No 1, which is great for blending the concealer and getting a nice smooth finish.
The Flush Balm cream blushes have just the right amount of color that’s easily blendable. I love the Beverly Hills for day (and the brighter Rouge for an evening out)
On the eyes, I’m wearing the Solo Shadow, which you can just dap on with your fingertips for a quick pop of color, it’s soft and creamy and comes in lots of pretty colors , add a few swipes of their luxurious Clean Lash mascara, and you’ll be ready to go!
Shade Stick: Lip Oils
My daughters have been obsessed with these Shade Stick Lip Oils for a while, and now I see what they mean! They are a great combination of creamy lipstick and gloss when you feel like having both, ha!
I’ve never been able to wear “red lipstick” which left me feeling a little left out in France where French women look so great in it! But their Cara Cara lip oil is a great glossy red that looks more natural than a bright red lipstick and has me excited about finding a “red lipstick” that actually works for me.
I also love the Marrakech for a peachy pink and the Beet Pink for a more nude/natural flesh pink.
LIFE UPDATE:
Today I’m heading to Florence, Italy to help my daughter move into her new apartment and get settled! I have a fun winery tour I shot last week here in France, I’m in the midst of editing that and that will post next week! Until then! xxoo
I love the ensemble you put together, especially the leopard flats. Classic and tres chic!
I have been a bit stuck in a rut with weeknight dinners lately, this list will come in very handy. And that blush looks lovely on you!