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Home | The Dining Room

I have been trying to figure out what to do with our dining room for a LONG time now. I can easily decorate a room from SCRATCH but when you need to add things to create a space, then I’m clueless. We bought this table right after we got married and then bought the chairs and bench a couple years later to host Thanksgiving. It was an impulse buy, and while I like them, they just aren’t my style. Farmhouse, pottery barn-ish, yes, but modern or boho or vintage or scandinavian, not so much. So, I’ve been contemplating selling and starting over OR trying to work with it.

I’m really inspired by modern boho.. I love blush, black, white, fur, lots of texture and layers, but I also love clean looking, well styled spaces. Below is the dining room with an added rug and fur throw. Then the second photo, I added black velvet curtains. The third one I added a black mirror (still can’t decide how I feel about it though). And the last photo is another idea of where I could take this.

I think the chalkboard would be fun to put photos on with washi tape or to write quotes for holidays or gatherings. It could be too much though? Also, still considering table scape… minimal? Planters? Black or white vases? I’ll let you know how it turns out! It could be completely different next week haha!

I linked the exact decor and here is some other similar items:

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BEAUTY | The Jumpsuit

Y’all! Anthropologie is having a sale on sale.. an extra 30% off this yellow jumpsuit! Making it only $41! I love to at least have one jumpsuit to throw on, dress up, dress down, or layer. There are so many options for one piece. It’s a must in your closet. Also, these boots… I live in them.

Jumpsuit & Shirt: Antropologie | Shoes: Sam Edelman

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BEAUTY | Black, Camel, & Mules

Shirt: Free People| Jeans: AE | Necklace: Target | Mules: Dottie Couture Boutique
Shirt: Free People| Jeans: AE | Necklace: Target | Mules: Dottie Couture Boutique
  1. Mules

Love that this style looks perfect with a pair of skinny black jeans, super easy to throw on, and they are the perfect accessory for an all neutral outfit. I just bought these from Dottie Couture (also just found some similar at Vici Collection $32 + coupon code FASHION20 ) –but these are fun styles for under $100. Just click to shop any of the styles!

2. Black and Camel

Obsessed with black and camel colors these days. I can’t wait to change out my simple black and gold cross body purse for this camel colored one. Pair it with black shirt + black denim and camel mules = perfect. My shirt is linked below.. Keep in mind Free People always runs big and my AE denim runs true to size.

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Pistachio Salad | Recipes

I have 10,000 recipes for salads. I eat them as meals and not as sides. I love getting a mix of veggies, fruits, proteins, grains, etc all in one meal. Then, I make the toppings as a meal for my kiddos who don’t eat “salads.” They’ll eat chicken, fruit, rice, farro, etc and occasionally the “crunchy lettuce” (romaine stems).

I love making dressings and shopping at the Olive Oil store. There is a difference! I’ve tried expensive grocery store brands and they just aren’t the same. I love the full bodied tuscan and herbs de provence oils and mixing them with various balsamic vinegars. I’ll post more on my favorite combos later.

This salad is a crowd pleaser. And it is super simple!

Ingredients:

  • bag of arugula
  • 1/2c chopped roasted pistachios
  • farro (they also sell microwavable kind at target)
  • vegetable broth (optional)
  • 1-2 lemons
  • goat cheese
  • bit of honey
  • herbs de provence olive oil

Cook the the farro with 1/2 water and 1/2 vegetable broth according to package.

Layer arugula, chopped pistachios, and cooled farro. Zest the lemon on top of the salad. Add the goat cheese ( I just scrape the log of cheese with a fork). For the dressing, I add the juice of one lemon, about 4oz of olive oil, a tad bit of honey, and sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to a mason jar and whisk. All of this is to taste. Add more or less of what you like. Then pour over and toss.

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Inspiration | How to Want Less

With a world heavily focused on social media, it can leave you wanting MORE. Like, all the time. Like, even when you get that something, it doesn’t satisfy. I’ve been challenged in two ways recently.

  1. Tell your finances what to do instead of them telling YOU what to do. No matter what your income, you still won’t have enough. It is a bottomless pit and a way to suck margin right out of your life if you don’t create a budget. I’ve realized that I’ll find SOMETHING to buy at target, online shopping, or at the grocery store that I didn’t set out to get.. but because I had a little extra sitting in my account, I bought it. And at the end of the month, I was still finding myself strapped, because I didn’t budget. Even WITH more work, even WITH a raise, even WITH extra income.. you will never have enough until you learn to budget and live within your means. Also, tithe comes first. God can do more with my money than I can.
  2. “If you feel like you never HAVE enough, it’s because you don’t believe you ARE enough.” Pastor Steven said this a few weeks ago and it resonated with me so much. But I couldn’t help wonder how I would even go about believing I am enough. This sermon by Perry Noble really was a great follow-up to that question. Hope you have time to watch it, but if not, here are the main points:
    • In Christ, I am COMPLETELY FORGIVEN. Romans 8:1 There is NO condemnation for those who belong to Christ.
    • In Christ, I am VALUABLE. I was fearfully and wonderfully made. I was created on purpose. I was custom designed by God. The value is determined by the price someone is willing to pay.. the son of God died for me.
    • In Christ, I am UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED. God accepts us in our mess. He loves us because we are His children made in his image- not because of our PERFORMANCE but because of our POSITION. Every person that is in the Bible needed God’s forgiveness.

I am going to put these on sticky notes on my mirror as my affirmation for the day.

Here’s the full sermon: Getting Past Your Past.

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Roasted Veggies | Recipes

I make veggies a million different ways. I tried this version linked below, and I loved the softness of the veggies.. not mushy, but not crunchy either. I substituted coconut oil for olive oil the second time around and liked the sweetness it added better. This method will be my go to and would make an amazing side dish for Thanksgiving. (maybe even add some dried cranberries?). The linked recipe adds a maple balsamic reduction.. I could take it or leave it. No matter what, they are SO SO good!

Ingredients:

  • Veggies (I used cubed butternut squash, cubed sweet potatoes, tri-color carrots, and red onion)
  • 3 heaping spoonfuls of coconut oil 
  • pecans
  • herbs de province
  • salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350.

Melt coconut oil then add veggies, herbs, and salt and pepper and mix well.

Spread them evenly on a pan (i used tin foil sprayed with pam for easier clean up).

Cook 45 mins, stirring occasionally.

Add pecans and stir on the pan. Cook for 5-8 more minutes.

 

Alternative recipe: https://foodnessgracious.com/maple-balsamic-roasted-vegetables/

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Fashion Crush | May Edition

It is getting warmer out and all I can think about is what do I want to sweat in today? These outfits and accessories are perfect for throwing on last minute and still feeling somewhat put together. I bought that denim overall dress and it is definitely going to be worn so often! Through on a crop top for a cute outfit or a tank to work in the yard. This bomber is perfect for chilly restaurants and stores when everyone kicks on the AC extra high…layers are key. What are your summer essentials!?

blog_FashionCrush

  1. Cupshe Bathing Suit – $26.50
  2. Easy Tank Dress- Madewell– $65
  3. Festival Sunnies – Madewell– $55
  4. Fringe Earrings- Vici Dolls Collection $22
  5. Sidestreet Bomber Jacket- Roolee $54
  6. Bralet- Free People $20
  7. Denim Overall Dress – Forever 21 $22.90
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5 Tips to Healthier Eating

  1. Instagram– Follow people that inspire healthy eating… I follow a bunch but here are a few faves: @minimalistbaker , @thebigmansworld , @LindsayKingdon , @edgarraw and @inspiralized
  2. Pinterest- I am constantly referring to my FOOD pinterest board for meal ideas, planning, and grocery lists.
  3. Restaurants– I love scouting out new places and re-creating things i’ve ordered off their menu at home. Most places have their menus posted online. They don’t have ratios or recipes, but ingredients are so helpful to try new pairings and omit things I don’t really like. Some places I’m searching right now are: The Hive, Flower Child, and Sweet Greens that I visit in Santa Monica. And Lunas, here in charlotte.
  4. The Right Cookbooks- I don’t always go by cookbooks– i mean, who has time? But when I do, I love 100 Days Real Food and Clean Eating with a Dirty Mind for sweets (and making that maple sugar I posted on Instagram). Barnes and Noble has a plethora to thumb through (right next to the legos- score!). I love simple ingredients and eating clean.
  5. Weekly Grocery List – I recently started a weekly grocery list (still a work in progress) that allows me to make multiple meals, while also restocking my most used items. I know that every week, I need these things.. and then i’ll make another trip I’ll send my husband to get items to make a more defined meal or things that last longer and have just run out (like balsamic vinegar, olive oil, etc). I cannot shop for the whole week in 1 trip. My produce either goes bad or uneaten depending on what our tastebuds are craving. With this list, you can print it off or put it in your Reminders Section on your phone and share it with your husband 😉 to keep on hand and mark things as purchased.

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RECIPES | QUINOA SOUP

When Gray is out of town, and all the kids want to be in the kitchen, I try to give them things that they can help with. I just finished a juice cleanse and wanted something healthy and quick. I went to pinterest to find some detox soups and found some ideas.

The girls chopped the veggies with these kid-friendly knives from amazon and Lennox gnawed on some raw carrots. Even if I don’t end up using their creations, I like that they can stay busy and also learn about ingredients.

This recipe is super simple and quick.

Time: about 20-25mins  | Serves 2-3… just double the portions to serve more

Boil 3 cups of water and add 1 cup tri-color quinoa (you can probably substitute rice or another grain if you want). I added some rosemary, thyme, and basil, plus cracked black pepper.

While that is boiling for 15 mins, chop carrots, yellow onion, and garlic. Sautee them over olive oil for about 6 mins. I like to be an olive oil snob and use Herbs de province that I got from Olive This by Trader Joes. It makes SUCH a difference in taste and i use it for everything from veggie roasting to salad dressings.

When the veggies are done, add them to the quinoa. When the 15 mins is up, add a parmesan rind and the zest and juice of 1 lemon. I also had some shredded chicken left over that I through in as well. Simmer for 5-10 mins or until ready to eat.

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smoothie bowls & wheat grass

Processed with VSCO with a6 presetI found this on pinterest (see below) and it helped me get the right consistency for my smoothie bowls. I make mine in a Ninja Pro  and it takes more pulses than a vitamix probably would but still blends everything really well for the price!

My 2 favorite smoothie bowls are:  (Frozen Strawberries + Frozen blueberries or wild berries + justins pb + 1/2 c spinach + 1/2 c apple juice and added 1/4 tsp dried wheat grass powder + toppings)

2) frozen strawberries + frozen banana + almond butter + vanilla almond milk topped with Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola, apples, strawberries, bananas, chia seeds.

Wheat grass shots are nothing new, but I just found this wheat grass powder at (Harris Teeter) that makes adding it in a smoothie much less complicated. It didn’t affect the taste at all either!

Wheat grass has lots of health benefits and only 2 oz is equivalent to eating 4lbs of veggies! I’m not sure if you get the exact same benefits from the freeze fried powder as fresh, but i’m willing to try it!

 

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http://produceforkids.com/blog/build-your-own-smoothie-bowl

 

**Purely Elizabeth Granola can be found at most grocery stores, target, and amazon. Dried Wheat Grass was at Harris Teeter.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AUnc7rkmUG6A78sNt3zTqCez8CdwtUWWECRZSMx1BakdPEgBEuNaTUw/