an oh joy for target summer...

Just a reminder that the Oh Joy for Target summer collection will be in stores for just a couple more weeks. And, from now until Saturday, July 5th only, there's a special 25% discount on all Oh Joy for Target pieces. Simply enter OHJOY at checkout to purchase online or redeem through the Target Cartwheel app in stores.

Here are a few ways we've been using the summer collection around here... 

-Carrying around things for the beach, park, or really, anything at all in the insulated tote.

-Storing beads, confetti, and other craft supplies in the condiment bottles.

-Using the goblets to hold mini floral arrangements.

I always love seeing how you guys are using your Oh Joy for Target goodies on Instagram. Keep sharing how you use yours at #ohjoyfortarget!

{Instagram's via @atsuyosworld, @tori__hendrix, @alyssarosencheck, and @amanda_smith. Other photos by Casey Brodley for Oh Joy}

mango chia seed pudding recipe...

Lately, I've been in a breakfast rut—especially on during the week. I find myself making Ruby's breakfast and heading to the office quickly without feeding myself. I've been searching for something healthy, yet filling, and Casey (our office manager) suggested one of her favorites—chia seed pudding. So we came up this mango version which is tasty, filling, really refreshing for summer (and actually really good for you). Have you guys tried chia seed pudding before? Today, we're sharing our version of the recipe with you. It's super easy to make and full of protein, calcium, fiber, and antioxidants...

Mango Chia Seed Pudding
(serves 2)

You'll need:

-1/2 cup coconut milk

-1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

-1/3 cup chia seeds

-1 ripe mango, skinned and sliced

-optional toppings: fresh mango cubes, coconut flakes/toasted coconut, fresh pomegranate seeds, and almond slices

Here's how:

Blend the mango, coconut milk, and vanilla almond milk together until smooth. Stir in chia seeds, cover, and place in refrigerator. Let set for at least 1-2 hours. Then serve with toppings of choice (we like shredded coconut, almond slivers, pomegranate seeds, and mango cubes). Enjoy!

P.S. If you don't like coconut milk, you can use a full cup of almond milk instead.

{Photos by Casey Brodley for Oh Joy}

DIY treat wrappers for a summer treasure hunt...

Inspired by Easter egg hunts and how much kids love finding special treats and treasures in their own backyard, I wanted to create a summer treasure hunt for Ruby and her besties that could be made and enjoyed any time of year.

We custom-designed these wrappers (download the templates below) that can be printed on glassine paper through a regular laser printer. With some fun graphics, they instantly become the perfect wrapper for treats and small toys to hide for the hunt!

The kids had so much fun looking for treasure and then opening them up to discover little treats and other fun toys. Here's how to make these DIY Treat Wrappers...

You'll need:

-glassine paper

-letter-sized card stock

-masking tape

-laser printer

-Oh Joy custom templates (download here or create your own artwork)

-scissors

-treats and small, age-appropriate toys

-optional: baskets to collect treats

Here's how:

1. Cut sheets of glassine paper and use masking tape to secure them to letter-sized card stock. This will allow you to be able to feed the glassine through a laser printer. Follow your printer's directions so you know which way to feed it through to print on the correct side.

2. Print our templates (or your own artwork) onto the glassine. Let dry at least one hour to make sure the ink is dry to the touch before removing the masking tape and glassine from each sheet.

3. Wrap small toys or treats (we used bite-sized pieces of Quaker Chewy granola bars) in the paper and twist the ends like candy.

4. Hide in your backyard or a local park and send the kids on fun summer treasure hunt!

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Quaker Chewy. Quaker Chewy helps give kids the energy they need to play and is helping Fuel Backyard Fun all summer long. All content, ideas, and words are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to create new and special content like this for Oh Joy. 

{Produced by the Oh Joy team: creative direction by Joy Cho, photography by Casey Brodley, design by Angie Stalker, styling and production by Julia Wester.}

an on-the-go giveaway with able made...(now closed)

Able Made partners with creative innovators and designers to support causes that are closest to their hearts through beautifully designed products. Today, we've partnered with Able Made to give away this Able Made x WHIT clutch and Able Made x S'well water bottle ($161 retail value) to one lucky reader.

To enter, simply visit Able Made's website, and then leave a comment here telling me what kind of charity or cause is closest to your heart. Entries must be posted by Monday, June 30th at 8 a.m. PST, and one winner will be chosen at random*. 

Also, Oh Joy and Able Made are offering a special 20% off discount for all Oh Joy readers on orders of $100 or more in the shop. Simply enter "GIVEJOY" at checkout. Valid through Monday, July 7th at 11:59 PST.

UPDATE: Congrats to Samantha L. from Renton, WA for being our winner this time!

*Sorry, limited to U.S. readers only. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes. $161 USD total value. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close, and announced at the bottom of this post soon after.

dressing the bump / 20 weeks + it's a...

We're at 20 weeks, and I'm excited to share the third episode of my Dressing the Bump series! This week, I'm talking about skirts and dresses—both maternity and non-maternity—and how fun they can be to wear during pregnancy. Also, at the end of this episode, I'll be revealing the gender of our second baby (Ruby was very excited to share the news)!

Feel free to leave any questions or requests for future episodes in the comments below.

*Please keep in mind that all bellies are shaped and sized differently and grow at different rates. I hope you'll find these videos helpful at some stage of your pregnancy. 

P.S. 16 weeks!

You can see all sources for the pieces worn in the video below... 

love these...

I always say my favorite pieces for my home are those I collected when I stumbled upon them by accident and wasn't looking for them. These wool blankets with giant pom-poms by Muima are one of those pieces that you never really need, but they feel so special and full of character that I'd need to find a way to use one...

{Photos by Muima}

pregnancy cravings...

I'm so glad to finally have my appetite back (that first trimester nausea knocks me out, and I don't want to eat anything for the first four months!). Similarly to my pregnancy with Ruby, I have been craving the most random things. Right now (usually at 9pm at night), I want:

-shaved ice

-boba milk tea

-spicy cheetos

-mint chocolate chip ice cream

-french fries (specifically steak fries)

-a frosty

-a slurpee

-vinegar

-hot sauce

...pretty healthy stuff, hunh? It's like a teenager took over my body. I always find it funny to see what hormones do to your taste buds. Why can't I crave carrots or an avocado? What have you guys craved if/when you've been pregnant? Have you ever sent your partner out to get you something really crazy?

All I have to say is...the baby made me do it.

{Photos by Bonnie Tsang for Oh Joy from our past food adventures at Sprinkles Ice Cream and Half & Half.}

smoked s'mores in a jar...

After our Parent's Night Out dinner a couple weeks ago, I needed to know how to make the Smoked S'mores dessert that ended our evening and Room Forty was kind enough to share the recipe with us. If you want to make a truly special dessert, here's how to do it...

a ring {giveaway} with liz jensen...(now closed)

I'm a big fan of small, beautiful rings, and this arrowhead ring by Elizoebeth Jensen has become a favorite. Whether you pick your own birth stone or one representing a loved one, it's a ring that can be worn every day and always feel special. Today, we've partnered with Elizoebeth to give away one of these pretty arrow rings to one reader (a $445 value).

To enter, simply visit Elizoebeth Jensen's website, and then leave a comment here telling me your favorite colorway of the Arrowhead ring. The winner will get to choose your stone choice, gold band of choice, and size. (I love the emerald and diamond with rose gold band). Entries must be posted by this Friday, June 20th, at 8 a.m. PST, and one winner will be chosen at random*. For an extra chance to win, sign-up for her mailing list right here.

Also, Elizoebeth Jensen is offering a special 20% off discount for all Oh Joy readers on any item in the shop. Simply enter "OhJoy20" at checkout. Valid through Friday, June 27th at 11:59 PST.

UPDATE: Congrats to Andrea A. from Gaithersburg, MD for being our winner this time!

*Sorry, limited to U.S. readers only. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes. $445 USD total value. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close, and announced at the bottom of this post soon after.

{Top photo by Casey Brodley for Oh Joy}

um, this is amazing...

...just watch this and you'll thank me later...

{Video by Girls with Glasses}