Weekend In Five Pics

Hello!! How are ya? I hope you had a good weekend. First, thank you for your comments and e-mails regarding the migraines. So helpful! Overall, my weekend was quite relaxing. Quite frankly, I was a bit lazy. And quite frankly, I needed to be lazy because doing that was the only thing that made my migraine totally subside. I should listen to my body more often. Anyway, I still have a few highlights from the weekend...

Those tulips were 3 bunches for $7 at the grocery store. Amen to that. 

I carried my K.Slademade tote this weekend for the first time and I love it. It is going to look even better as it ages. The trinket around the handle is actually a bracelet from Monika's Bfrend shop. You know I love the simplicity of it...

I received my calling cards last week and I love them, too! They were designed by Ashley of Lemon & Lavender (my blog designer). She currently lives in Africa and is a charm to work with. Oh, and I made my first entry in my Rifle journal. It was a "Thankful For" list. The goal is to make a list a few times a week.

Ok so the sandals. They fit PERFECTLY! Several of you asked if I ordered my normal shoe size and if they were comfortable. The answers are yes and yes! Those are probably the most comfortable heels I have ever owned. And at $49, that is a fabulous thing.

After having several migraines last week, I decided it was necessary to treat my body to some healthy food over the weekend. So I didn't make anything sweet. Blah. Instead I drank lots of water and made that quinoa salad to snack on. It was delicious!! I'll share the recipe with ya tomorrow...

Let me know how you are!

A Pantry + Friday

Happy Friday!! Did you have a good week? I was plagued by 4 migraines this week, hence I didn't get to complete my Friday's Fancies post I planned for today. BUT, I think that butler's pantry is more fabulous than the post I had planned anyway! I pinned that last night and I think it is quite gorgeous. A sink, a pretty one, has now been added to my list of must-haves in my dream pantry... :)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! On my to-do list is dinner with some amazing Atlanta bloggers, whipping up a delicious-looking French dessert, reading and taking a nap or two or three... 

Oh and P.S. Do any of you have migraines? If so, what are your secrets to suppressing them and / or dealing with them? I'd love to hear!

Image via

Lust List #1...

Apron | Dipped Spoons | Bowl | Bag | Sandals | Belt | Cutting Boards | Glasses

I am starting two new series here on the blog- the first of which is the "Lust List." It will feature things that I just want and don't need or want and might purchase or things that I just like or love in general. Did you get all that?? :) I might even have a few bloggers stop by from time to time to share their lust list.

 So this is my first lust list. Do you see anything here you want or like or love? I think my top pick would be the apron. I love the colors! The sandals come in a close second. Super cute...

Oh... Everything, minus the sandals,  is $60 or less. I'll try to apply a budget to my lists, but I can't promise I will abide by it every time!

Oh and another thing... Thank you so much for all of your compliments on the 60 Second Chocolate Cake! Let me know if you tried it!

60 Second Chocolate Cake

 Brace yourself! I've got a gooey, chocolate-y, delicious treat to share with you today. All you need is a few basic ingredients that I'm sure most of you already have in your pantry, a coffee mug, a microwave and about 60 seconds of patience while it cooks...

Here is what you need... Oh and this makes 1 cake.

4 tablespoons of flour
4 tablespoons of sugar
3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons of skim milk- yep skim milk
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl and pour the batter into a normal-sized coffee mug.

Now, here is where it gets tricky... The consistency of the cake should be cakey AND gooey. To get this consistency, it will take anywhere from 50 seconds to 1 minute and 15 seconds. It all depends on your microwave! I made it in two different microwaves over the weekend. It cooked in 50 seconds in my parents microwave. It cooked in 60 seconds in my microwave. My advice is to start with 50 seconds, then check the consistency. If it is too gooey for your taste, then cook it another 10 seconds.

Also, be sure to have your spoon and a side of ice cream and/or whipped cream ready to go as soon as it's done! It continues to cook in the mug after it's done, so it tends to get dry as it sits. No good...

This is so tasty and is perfect if you want a quick, small dessert on a busy weeknight. Let me know if you make it!

Linked up with Tasty Tuesdays!

Images by me

Recipe via

Weekend In Six Pics

Hello!!! I hope you had a great weekend. Well, last Thursday at 7:21PM, I was already in bed feeling extremely exhausted. Tonight (Sunday night), it's 7:37PM and I feel so much better! I needed to relax and the one place I knew I could do that was home sweet home (i.e. my parents lovely home). So I packed up and jetted to Alabama on Friday. To say my time there was fabulous would be an understatement. Here are a few highlights....

Is anyone having a hard time finding the new Domino mag? I went to 4 places in Atlanta and ended up finding it at a Barnes & Noble in Alabama. The mag is full of great ideas, so the hunt was well worth it!

My mom and I had a lunch, movie and shopping date on Friday. She bought me this cute plaid top and I tried the partially untucked thing. I think I like it! Have you tried it? I also ordered these Zara beauties. I am hoping they fit well...

On Saturday morning (after 9 blissful hours of sleep), I got up and made a grocery list for our family dinner on Saturday night. I made pasta with steamed mussels- an Ina Garten recipe. My family ate it all, so I think they liked it... Cooking for them makes me so happy. 

So, I made a chocolate cake on Saturday. In a coffee mug. In the microwave. It cooked in less than 60 seconds. AND it tastes really good! You know I will give you the details tomorrow! Oh and I had that grilled chicken salad earlier last week. It tasted so much better with the cupcake on the side.

Lots of food was involved over the last few days. I know. :)

I hope your weekend was great and that your week is off to a good start!

Silvers, Grays & Whites

How incredibly beautiful are the pops of silver and gray against the white backdrops in those images? I love the lighting on the bookcase. How creative. The swirls of gray in the marble counter in the kitchen happily bring everything together. So pretty. And that bedroom- so clean, so crisp, so relaxing.

Speaking of relaxing, it's Wednesday night (last night), 7:21PM and I'm already in bed watching re-runs of The Cosby Show. "Relax" is the #1 thing on my to-do list right now. Yep, I actually wrote the word down on a list! How sad is that? :) Anyway, I am signing off for the week so that I can do just that. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'll see ya on Monday!

xo,

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Green Goodness Smoothie

So I've got another green treat for you today. Before I tell ya the recipe, I feel the need to tell you that I find the idea of asparagus in a drink a bit unrefreshing. But I do love it as a garnish... :) I mentioned yesterday that I am sort of detoxing this week by drinking lots of water and eating lots of veggies. It is very hard being that I have probably inhaled two tons of chocolate over the last few months! But this green drink gave me the boost I needed...

Remember this big basket of goodies my mom sent to me? Well one of my gifts was a smoothie recipe book. In it was a recipe for a Green Gorilla. I changed some of the ingredients + the name. I think "Green Gorilla" has a strange connotation... Here is what you need and what to do:

1/2 cup of water

1/4 cup or more or less of pineapple juice 

1/2 of an avocado

2 cups of fresh spinach

1 cup of frozen pineapple chunks

1 cup of frozen mango chunks

5-6 strawberries, hulled and halved

5 ice cubes

Put all of the ingredients in a blender. Add the pineapple juice last. Start with just a little. If you need more sweetness in your life, add more. If you have a mack-daddy blender, blending it up should take no time. If you have a cheapy blender (like me), then you might need to help it out a bit. It has a creamy texture and is very tasty! And you can't taste the spinach at all!

Let me know what you think if you try it out!

Linked up with Tasty Tuesdays!

Images by me

Weekend In Five Pics

Hi there! How was you weekend? Mines was just as I thought it would be- good!! I'm still exhausted from work, but I did take the time to see and do and some things I haven't seen or done in the last few months. I had dinner at Nan Thai, the BEST Thai restaurant in Atlanta, with one of my best friends. The food was SO good and we laughed a ton. I forgot how good it feels to laugh really, really hard. Here are some other highlights from the weekend...

I'm a planner, so I styled some outfits for some upcoming trips. The truth is, I love styling outfits, so I probably would have done it even if I didn't have any plans for trips. :) As you can see, the goal is to wear more color.

My child (i.e. cat) Max had started living up under my bed over the last few weeks. I assume that was my punishment for not giving him much attention over the last few months. He sat still long enough for me to take that photo + we took a long nap together on Sunday, so I think our relationship is on the mend.

The pic of the trees and the beautiful blue sky may seem a bit boring, but I have been cooped up in my office for the last few months, so I am extra appreciative of blue skies these days...

After my busy times at work are over, I recharge by body by drinking lots of water and eating lots of fruits and vegetables. So I made a new green drink that I plan to share with you tomorrow. It is sweet and extra tasty... 

A few links... I found Rachel's blog, Elephantine over the weekend. Her blog had me at its name. She is a great writer and her photos are gorgeous. I recently purchased this dainty bracelet. If you are having blogger's block, this post might help... 

Did you do or find anything fun this weekend? Do tell...

Leopard, Polka Dots & Life

Just when I think I might be over leopard, I find images like this and my mind changes completely. I'm loving the polka dot - leopard combo here...

Well how was your week? I am THRILLED that this week is over! These next few days for me are like the days leading up to Christmas day. My deadline is early next week and I am THRILLED! Sorry but "thrilled" in all caps properly captures how happy I am. Many of you have asked me how I have had the time to blog throughout this busy time. The truth is that some of my posts were scheduled ahead of time. The other truth is that I wrote several posts between 11PM and 1AM the night before. Finding something to show you and telling you all about it was my way of relaxing and winding down after work. Reading your comments also gave me something to look forward to throughout the long days. So appreciated... 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I plan to work just a bit, sleep a whole lot, put some cucumber slices over my eyes, watch a few blissful hours of Food Network, dust off my camera and catch up with my friends, family and life outside of work. It's gonna be good... :)

Image via

xo,

A Neutral Nursery

Hi friends... I hope your week has been fabulous. Only one more day until Friday... Well, yesterday was all about gray, but today is all about my absolute favorite neutral tones, creams and whites. I found this nursery on Pinterest a few months ago and I do believe my mouth fell open when I saw it. It is so calm, so serene, and exactly the look and feel I would love for my baby's room. The unique bed and other furnishings are by Savio Firmino. I find them to be quite gorgeous...

I think the dark flooring and the moldings make the room even more beautiful. What do you think? Do you love it?

Just Gray...

I'll be honest in saying that gray is not the first color I think of when it comes to wall colors, especially deep grays. But I do adore these spaces. They show how textures and complimentary colors can lighten the mood of a gray space. The furniture and accessories in these spaces are perfection right? And I truly wish that closet were mine...

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Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookies

So... I'm working tons, which means that I am extra dependent on chocolate which means that I have it once three times a day which means that my eyes are drawn to pretty much any recipe with chocolate. Oh, which means that this is the second week in a row that I have posted a recipe that contains chocolate. I hope that's cool with you.

I found this recipe on one of my favorite food blogs, 101 Cookbooks. I am from the south and skillets are just about as necessary in a southern kitchen as a fork is in any kitchen, so I am loving the skillet here. These cookies are also made with whole wheat flour. That makes me go "hmmm" because I've never made cookies with whole wheat flour before. But these cookies will still grace my skillet! I'll let you know how they turn out...

My Perfect Pretend Saturday

Hi there! I hope you had a great weekend and a great Easter! I don't have anything exciting to report since I'm still fighting to meet my deadline which is THIS WEEK! So excited! Since I don't have too much to report, I thought I would hit ya with another edition of My Perfect Pretend Day. I did a similar post here and it was so fun to put together. So here goes...

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It would be a beautiful Saturday morning and the buzzing sound from the alarm clock is nonexistent. I wake up naturally in my comfy bed fitted with crisp white linens. My view might look something like this...

I roll over only to find that my strikingly handsome husband is gone. But then I listen carefully and hear him fumbling around in our kitchen that looks like this...

I heart that galley kitchen... A few minutes later he comes back with a beautiful breakfast on a tray and the New York Times. I kinda miss the old fashioned newspaper and I'm dreaming of the day when I have time to read one cover to cover. Anyway, the hubs is a sweetheart because this is what he brings...

Simple and thoughtful. Love. As we share the sections of the newspaper, we talk about our plans for the day. He plans to play golf all day (shocker). So I say if he plans to play golf all day, then I might just spend the afternoon at the spa. He just smiles... :) He leaves and I resort to this gorgeous, light-filled space before I head off to the spa....

I have a little meeting with my Google Reader on my iPad, call my mom, meditate and make a to-do list for a dinner that I am hosting for my family the next day.

After my amazingly relaxing time at the spa, I receive a text from the hubs saying he has made dinner reservations at a "dressy" restaurant for 7PM. I love surprises and spontaneity... I run home and spend what seems like a few hours in this closet finding the perfect outfit... 

Such a dream of a closet right? I ultimately decide on this pleated beauty...

Then I would resort to this space to get ready...

LOVE the black tile and the shiny tub...

We are always so busy with work and with life, so I want to be perfect for the occasion. That means I take my time. After and hour, or maybe two, I hear the hubs say," We're going to be late!!" He always says that... I finally walk out and the hubs leads me to the backyard, not the car. I'm confused until I see this...

I'm so shocked I could faint. It's a space by the lake behind our home (remember the view from our bedroom?) It's so beautiful, so peaceful, so thoughtful and so much better than a restaurant. We talk, we eat good food, we chat and we share thoughts. We are thankful.

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Ahhh... So nice right? I'm always grateful for what I really have, but it's fun to dream every once in a while. What would your perfect Saturday be like? Maybe I will start a little series so others can share what their perfect day would be like. What do you think about that?? 

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