Weekend Wrap-up

How did the weekend treat you? For me it was okay... one baby was sick, and the other just wanted to go, go, go. Which makes for a little bit of chaos.
Ollie had to get his 15 month checkup on Thursday which included 3 shots. By Friday night and Saturday he was miserable, running a fever and wanting to be held 24/7. I love the cuddles but it does get tiresome.

 Oliver wasn't too excited to be at the doctor's office but he took his shots like a boss.

Saturday night several of our neighbor hosted a chili cook-off so that morning I threw my ingredients into my crockpot and headed off with the boys to a birthday party. When we got back home I got us all lunch and did a massive amount of laundry. I sort of forgot about the chili and doctoring on it. I am a chili purist and wasn't loving how my turned out but at least it was edible. 

There ended up being SEVENTEEN pots of chili! The competition was tough and it's no surprise... I didn't win.  If they end up doing this again next year I'm going to prepare and practice so that I can give the other cooks a run for their money. Anyway... Pierce got oysters, Emmett had s'mores and it was so fun to hang out with all our neighborhood friends. We ended up calling it an early night though because Oliver wasn't feeling well and Pierce and I got tired of holding him. He is 30 pounds of sweet cuddly love. 

Sunday we had another winner from Clean Simple Eats... Salmon and Greens Spaghetti. I've only made zoodles once before when I sautéed them and they turned out pretty good. For this recipe you mix the raw zucchini noodles with cooked whole wheat spaghetti and pesto sauce. Let me tell, you cannot tell that the zucchini is mixed in. I made this for me and Pierce but the next time I make spaghetti for the boys I am going to add zucchini and I guarantee they will never know. Delicious!

Me on the weekend 😋

Two Ways to Wear Gingham

 sweater // gingham button-up // jeans // booties (similar)

sunglasses // bracelet // hat // bag (similar)

jacket (similar) // button-up // flats // jeans

Gingham has become one of my favorite go to patterns this season. It's so cute layered with a cozy sweater or on its own with jeans. It casual but eye-catching. The shirt I'm wearing is under $20 so scoop it up before they're all gone!
It was so nice to get out and wander around downtown Charleston. My hometown is so scenic and every time I visit the historic district I find a new favorite spot and quaint little details that make me love it even more. I had a relaxing weekend and I now it's time to start the new week refreshed and ready for whatever life has to throw at me.

Shopping in the Lighting Department

Happy Friday everyone! The weekend is finally here and I couldn't be more excited. Actually my weekend started this morning because I took the day off in order to get some much needed projects done around the house that I can't get done when the littles are home.
I started the day with grocery shopping and getting supplies so Pierce and I could finally finishing painted our hall stairway. I'm embarrassed to say that we started painting the stairway months ago but didn't have a ladder to finish so this is how it has looked... I know... awful!!!

I don't have a picture of the after but I will soon just let me tell you that we finally got it painted and now I need to add some things to the walls. I know what's going up but that's a surprise, so you'll have to check back in with me. 

In order to finish the painting we had to make a quick run to Lowe's. Since I can't go into any store and buy the one thing I need and leave, of course I had to wander around. In the lighting department I found this beauty and it was on clearance for under $80!!!! They only had the floor model in the store but I was able to order it online and get free shipping. The smaller five light version is also on clearance at a great price of under $55. If you need a cute chandelier at an awesome price, scoop one of these up before they're all gone.

Williamsburg Candle Chandelier

This is going to look fabulous in our dining room with some small vintage style Edison bulbs. The dining room, like most rooms in my house, is a work in progress, but this awesome chandler will help it get that much closer to being complete.

I also want to get a flush mount light fixture for upstairs and a pendant or hanging fixture for my entryway. I didn't see any I wanted to buy when we were out today but here are a few I like when I was looking online.

Sea Gull Autumn Bronze Semi-Flush Mount

Quoizel Soho Flush Mount

Emery Recycled Glass Chandlier

Quoizel Tribeca Semi-Flush Mount

World Imports Jaxson Bronze Semi-Flush Mount

Marina Round Pendant

Here's to the freak'n weekend! Now go have some fun!

Steals & Deals

Just wanted to let ya'll in on one of my favorite sales that is going on right now! Dillard's has an additional 30% off clearance going on for cardholders today and everyone else tomorrow through Saturday. I worked at Dillard's for a year in college and another year after, and I always looked forward to this sale and I still do. Online they have some great deals, but if you have an opportunity to get into the store, you can find some really incredible prices. Here are just a few I found online. You should definitely check this sale out.

saddle bag // dress // booties // throw

Weekend in Review

What's up ladies!?! Hope this week is treating you wonderfully. With all the holidays we've had over the past months, going back to a 5 day workweek is torturous and feels SO long. Who's with me?
Anyway, since I'm already ready for the weekend to be here I thought I share a little of what I did this past weekend. As my Charleston gals are aware, this weekend sucked weather-wise. Rain, rain, humidity, and more rain... ugh.

At least I had an excuse to wear my favorite galoshes, these are so comfy, easy to slip on, and have a nice fuzzy lining. The exact ones I have aren't available anymore but their new style is even cuter with a yellow sole. Check them out here.

Even though the rain was set in on Saturday, I was bound and determined to get out of the house and get in some much needed retail therapy. Oliver and I hit up the outlets and scored these awesome heels that I've been drooling over for weeks. Check them out now because they're 50% off and another 20% off if you spend over $100! I also got the shirt because I need another striped shirt. 😏

shirt // heels

Back at the house, we had Emmett's 100 day school project to work on. He decided to make a monster with 100 eyes. I drew the shape and he did all the painting and glueing. I love his creative spirit and his desire to draw and create. I have always loved to draw and it's so nice to see my child take pleasure in things that I love. I definitely want to nurture his creative spirit because I have a feeling he is going to be very talented.

Signing his masterpiece 

Check out that work of art! 

As you can see in the picture above, Emmett's hair was super shaggy, so on Sunday I pulled out the clippers and gave both he and Pierce some fresh new do's. Oliver's hair is getting long too but I can't bring myself to cut my baby's hair. I'm going to hold out until Pierce really gets onto me to get it done. 

Fresh, new do!

On Sunday we tried to sleep in, which apparently does not happen if you have a 4 year old. Again, it rained most of the day so we played, watched a movie, and got one of the boys to nap... if only they both would but my baby is so afraid he will miss something that he refuses to nap at home. It's so frustrating! Any tips? Please help!

All in all, we got in lots of in-house family time and cleaned out a few things I've been meaning to get rid of. The weekends with the boys are great but I have to be "on" all the time and it feels like they never stop with questions or wanting me to get something or see something. I hate to say it, but I almost look forward to going back to work just so I can have some quiet time. I say that, but now it's Tuesday and I'm already ready for this crazy, chaotic weekend with my loves to be here.  

Clean Eating for Life

Last year I was three months postpartum and, like most women after having a baby, I was not happy with my body. I knew I wanted to get serious, so I started doing the 12 week Bikini Body Guide. It was a great workout program but I knew that if I really wanted to be serious about changing by body I had to also change my eating. I had always tried to be aware of what I was eating but I didn't understand the mechanics behind what I ate. I'd watch calories but not much else so my diet consisted of a lot of carbs (Special K bars, baked chips, cereal, etc.) which is NOT healthy. I'd have limited calories but I never got good results. I had no muscle tone and never really lost weight.

Buffalo Chicken on Sweet Corn Tostado- so good!

I had to figure why. That's when I discovered macros through a friend and the Clean Simple Eats recipe guide. If you want to gain muscle, which burns fat, you have feed your body the right fuel. You need protein to build muscle and new cells, carbohydrates to give you energy and protect your muscles, and fat to store energy to allow your body proper growth, development, and function. These are the building blocks that make up a macrobiotic diet. You should take in a healthy balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats for every meal. This proper balance helps your body to function at peak performance. With the Clean Simple Eats meal plan they give you the recipes for every meal with all the macros already calculated. Simply put, it is awesome. I know that by following their guide I am getting a balanced, healthy meal that is satisfying and delicious. There are meal plans for every season with recipes featuring fruits and veggies in season for that time of year. The meal plans are 40-day guide with recipes for every meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) along with snack recipes. The macronutrients are balanced at carbohydrates 40%, and a 30/30 split for fats and protein. The work is all done. Drink lots of water, no soda, and no alcohol. Plus you get one cheat meal per week.

Turkey Penne Marinara- the kids love this one

When I started last year my goal was to build muscle and lose 10 pounds within 40 days. I ended up losing 13 pounds, along with building muscle. I wish I knew how much fat I lost especially since I know I put on muscle and still lost 13 pounds. Like I said before, I worked out but the meal plan, I believe, is what took my weigh loss to the next level. Everyone took notice and commented on the change which is always so rewarding. But all good things must come to an end... and I was weak and let myself fall back into some bad habits in the fall. I gain 5 pounds back and lost some muscle tone because I stopped going to gym as religiously as I had been😞

Aloha Chicken Kebobs

That being said, 2 weeks ago I started back with the new winter meal plan, so for the next 40 days I'm cooking these mouthwatering meals and hitting the gym.

Rotisserie Chicken Tacos- tacos are always a hit

If you feel like you've hit a plateau in your weight loss, I encourage you to give these meal plans a try along with weekly exercise. Also, every season when a new meal plan comes out they have a discount and you can get the plan for only $35! You also get entered into the CSE 40-day Challenge where you take your before and after pics, and the top 3 people change the most win cash prizes. The meal plans also include Crossfit style workout suggestions. Plus there is a Facebook page where you can ask questions, get encouragement, and share your thoughts throughout the challenge. I started last year with the spring plan and have bought every plan since and have yet to be disappointed.

Sweet Potato Pie- my husband and 1 year old loved this one

I plan on sharing my results when the 40 days are up. I want to maintain this clean eating plan and turn this way of eating and working out, into a lifestyle. As you can tell, I am passionate able these delicious meals and just had to share it with you. Give it a try, commit yourself to the plan, put in the work, and, I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Breakfast Smoothie

• 1 cup cashew milk
• 1 cup frozen fruit (I used mixed berries for this one)
• 8 to 10 ice cubes
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 tsp stevia in the raw

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Reading Nook Inspiration

We moved into our house about a year and a half ago. Since then I've slowly been trying to move from the mismatched hand me down house we have and make it into a cohesive home with grown up, coordinating furniture. The process is slow because furniture and redo's are expensive! I have been picking up items I like and getting rid of items that just don't go. It's hard to part with sentimental items, and I'm not getting rid of everything, but some of this crap has to go.
The next area on my to-do list is this little hall area at the top of our stairs. It's about 8 feet long and 5 feet wide with a window at the end. Right now it's a wasted space which has become a catchall filled with kid's junk, decor, and Christmas decorations which need to go up in the attic. I'm ready to clear out the crap and turn the space into a cute reading nook. I'm imaging the space with a cozy chair or settee covered in cute pillows draped in a fuzzy blanket. Across from the seating area will be a bookcase to hold the tons of books we current'y have stored in the guest room dresser. Not only will it be a relaxing spot but it will also be a designated place for books and games (hopefully hidden).
I don't have my space yet but I found some inspirational spots that I thought I'd share. Although they don't all look like my space, there are elements in each that I like and would like to draw on when creating my space. I hope to have this project completed by spring, and don't worry, I'll definitely post pics when it's done.

Love the chair, blanket, side table, and plant - from Liz Marie Blog- I love her style

This is about the same size space I'm working with. I like the bookcase. This reading book is found here. 

A tall bookcase might work well too. This little nook can be found here. 

I like this settee. This one looks so comfy. I found this picture on Pinterest. 

I wish I had the ability to make these awesome built-in bookshelves. The tutorial can be found here. Maybe I'll REALLY get motivated and attempt to make something similar to these.

I like the simplicity of this space. The simple shelves and globe light fixture. Find it here. 

Pinterest is great for finding so much inspiration but it's hard to narrow down a vision when there is so much to see. Now that I have these beautiful rooms and know the elements I like from each, I have a much better vision of what I want for my space. Stay tuned!