2014: my year in pictures
{January: celebrating my 25th birthday with dear friends}
{February: Trips to Tulsa to see Aziz Ansari + San Francisco for work}
{March: an unforgettable weekend getaway in Hot Springs}
{April: Derby Party at Crystal Bridges}
{May: bought our first house!!!}
{June: vacationed in Gulf Shores + celebrated this beautiful couple’s marriage! #aldermansinalabama}
{July: took advantage of summer + floated the river}
{August: celebrated our new house by throwing the best housewarming party ever}
{September: ran our first 5k together}
{October: Halloween-ed it up as Lego sailor then Tom Cruise}
{November: second annual weekend getaway with our community group}
{December: celebrated birthdays + holidays with my favorite people}
xo xo
This is Christmas …
I shared a few weeks ago about the uniqueness of this Christmas and how challenging it is for me. I’ve been trying so hard to look all around for the love and joy and Christmas in the little things.
I go from feelings of sadness to happiness to contentment to anxiety nearly every day. I’ve been feeling like the month has been leading up to one big day that will surely be full of tears and discomfort. Then I realized Christmas isn’t about a day, it’s about a season, and I’ve had a damn good one thus far. As one of my favorite seasonal movies reminded me this weekend, Love Actually is All Around Us.
This is Christmas …
driving around with husband looking at Christmas lights, stopping for 20 minutes at one house enamored with a timed light show
volunteering at sharing + caring, putting together christmas gifts for families in need
spending time over dinner or margaritas with family, new and old
coming home surprised to find the christmas trees up without asking
enjoying a hot cocoa bar, talks about cat books + nerf gun wars at our CG christmas party
snuggled on the couch forcing husband to watch sleepless in seattle, and happy to see him enjoy it
listening to endless amounts of christmas music while cooking dinner
shopping for the perfect gift for my perfect friends and family
caroling on the square with my team from work + crying of laughter at how bad we are
shopping for the basic needs of others (socks, protein) + recognizing how much I have and how grateful I am
watching the first snowfall of the year like a little girl
being humbled by a sermon through the eyes of the wisemen
receiving christmas cards of my beautiful friends and their families from all across the country
xo xo
life lately
{enjoying this // a cabin getaway with our community group}
{drinking this // golden beer on our date night in downtown bentonville}
{thankful for this // a wonderful thanksgiving with two families}
{playing with this // on a surprisingly warm day in december}
{loving this // an afternoon with my coworkers to give back to local families}
xo xo
Book Reviews: Secrets, Sadness + Self-Help
The Husband’s Secret: I’ve been on the wait list at the library for this book for months. I was SO excited when I finally got it and then I read it … and it was a letdown. I was a big fan of her book Big Little Lies, which I’ve reviewed previously. This one was similar in that it had some twists and was easy to read; however, the plot just didn’t immediately interest me like the other book. I guess I like gossipy PTA Mom dramas better than deep-seeded family secrets dramas.
Grade: B+
Belzhar: And speaking of letdowns … again, this is another book I’ve been waiting for and have read from this author previously. Her book The Interestings made my 2013 list of favorite books last year. (Seriously, go read it.) This one was fairly interesting, but too YA for me and I hated the ending. The plot is good enough, but then once you get into it, it looses its luster. I also didn’t feel a strong enough attachment to the characters to really care what happened.
Grade: B-
Allegiant: And speaking of endings I disliked … I’ve been putting off reading this book for a while now. I read the first two books in the Divergent series and LOVED them, but had heard this one was not a good ending to the series. I honestly wish I just hadn’t read it. The author tried too hard to complicate things when it could have ended simpler and happier. It brought me out of the fantasy world from the first two books and into reality for this one – in a series you should either be all in or all out. I literally had tears streaming down my face at the end of the book and not in a good way.
Grade: C
Boundaries: We’re reading this book with our community group and it has been terrific. Even if “self-help” and “Christian” books usually turn you off, this has some great principles and discussion topics. I really think this book is best read with a group, but would be great as a personal read as well. There’s so much great information about boundaries at work, boundaries in marriage, boundaries with self and more. Our group could easily focus on one chapter a month vs. our two chapters a week. It gave me a new perspective and has forced action out of the book, exactly what the author would want.
Grade: A
Seasons of Life, Seasons of Love
I’ve literally been wanting to write this post for weeks and just haven’t brought myself to do it. I’ve been nervous. I’ve been nervous about being honest and transparent. I’m not sure why, since I’ve done it multiple times before on this blog – “real talk” – as I like to say, but for some reason I was nervous for this one. Blogging is therapy for me, and I think I’ve just been afraid to let it out. As I’ve heard from some of you, you can relate to my ramblings and appreciate hearing the raw emotion and honesty, so here goes.
The holidays are hard. I mean, they’re always hard – busy at work, busy at home, shopping, decorating, Christmas party-ing, baking – it often just seems never-ending and can be very overwhelming. But this year, it’s even harder, so much harder, because it’s my first holidays without my dad.
First I do want to acknowledge how thankful I am. I’m thankful that I have such great memories of last year’s Thanksgiving and Christmas with my dad. We were living in my parents house at the time, so we got a lot of extra time with him and my mom. One night in particular stands out – the four of us were sitting on the couch the night after Thanksgiving watching Garth Brooks Live from Las Vegas. It was extra special because I’d gotten to meet Garth a month earlier and adored him. We can rarely find something we all want to watch on TV and this was just one of those special moments. We all sat there for 2 hours watching, singing, laughing.
I’m thankful for my mom and for my husband, who have been my rocks this year. I am beyond thankful to have them both in my life and probably don’t tell them enough how much they mean to me.
And I’m so thankful for all the rest of you who have played a huge part in my life this year – my family and friends near and far sharing words of encouragement through texts or over lunches, my beloved community group, my incredible work family, my best friend who is always there to just listen, and of course my puppy who will cuddle away the tears, whether I ask for it or not.
But it’s still hard. It’s so much harder than you could ever imagine. There have been so many times this year I’ve just wanted my dad to be here for the little things (like telling him about eating the best seafood in gulf shores) or the big things (like buying my first car and our first home). He’s missing out on so much, and I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that he will miss out on so much more.
I’m struggling. I’m struggling to move on, especially during a time that has such a big focus on family. I’m struggling to see the bright side and all the many things I have right here, instead of focusing on the one I don’t have.
I’m fragile and I’m broken and I can’t do it alone. I have to admit that to myself, my family and friends, and most importantly to God.
This week, I was reminded of a song that I love – Seasons of Love from Rent. I hear the lyrics and think, How do I want to measure this year? In tears? In strife? Or in love?
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand moments, oh dear
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, a year in the life?How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in loveSeasons of love
Seasons of loveFive hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life of a woman or a man?In truths that she learned
Or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned or the way that she diedIt’s time now, to sing out
Though the story never ends
Let’s celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friendsRemember the love
(Oh, you got to, you got to remember the love)
Remember the love
(You know that love is a gift from up above)
Remember the love
(Share love, give love, spread love)
Measure in love
(Measure, measure your life in love)Seasons of love
Seasons of love
(Measure your life, measure your life in love)
xo xo
10 {Ridiculous and Basic} Things I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving
’tis the season to be thankful – currently written on my chalkboard in my kitchen. Thanksgiving week is all about giving thanks for all the wonderful things in our lives.
Earlier this year, I did a Lenten 40 Day Challenge where I tried to blog about something I was thankful for every day. Unfortunately I did a poor job of keeping it up past day 20, but it still gave me a good perspective of the abundance in my life.
However, this post is not about all the amazing things I’m thankful for, though I do have so many – amazing family and friends, a new home, great job, abundant food and water, a lovable puppy and so much more.
Instead this post is focusing on the little things that bring me happiness. Yes, some of them are ridiculous and all of them make me a basic white girl, but don’t judge me, you know you have things that make you feel the same way.
10 {Ridiculous and Basic} Things I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving
1. Seat warmers – this hit me last week when we had a few days that didn’t get above 20 degrees. I mean seriously, what a terrific invention.
2. Starbucks – this is definitely not new news, but I’m obsessed with Starbucks. I’ve started limiting myself to 2X/week, but every time I take my first sip I tell myself 2X/week is just not enough. #crack
3. Instagram – where else can I see photos of beautiful babies, dog and cat best friends, gorgeous vacations, shoes to die for, food porn and the little everyday things that make up my friends lives all across the country.
4. Nails – having my nails perfected and polished every two weeks just pulls me together. It’s also the only time I can’t look at my phone and sometimes that’s nice.
5. Books – this has been the year of books for me. I’ve been speed reading through my book list and loving it.
5a. My new Warby Parker reading glasses
5b. The Bentonville Public Library
6. Christmas Decorations – for some reason I was filled with the Christmas spirit early this year. I’ve been slowly, but surely putting up decorations the past few weeks, and I’m anxiously awaiting our trees in the mail.
7. Texting – I can’t even imagine a world without texting. Similarly to Instagram, it’s such an amazing way to keep up with so many people in so many places among all of our busy schedules.
8. Netlix/Hulu/Amazon Prime – watching whatever show you want, whenever you want it is amazing. I’m too spoiled to ever go back to simple cable television.
9. Taylor Swift – I wrote an entire post about how much I love her, so there’s that.
10. Yoga pants – I literally put mine on mere seconds after walking in the door after work.
Honorable Mentions: UGGs, Red Wine, iPhone 6, Pretty Little Liars
xo xo
Weekend Picturebook: Cabin Getaway
It’s amazing what one weekend away (even less than an hour from your home) can do for your soul. This was one of the most relaxing weekends I’ve ever had, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
This weekend a year ago we had our first cabin getaway with our community group and had so much fun. You can see last year’s blog post with photos here. We decided to make it an annual tradition and fortunately followed through with our plans a year later.
There were significant differences this year versus last year.
Last year: It was freezing outside – snowing and icing on our drive in.
This year: It was 60 degrees and raining the WHOLE time.Last year: Despite the cold, we got out and explored, hiked, caved.
This year: We literally didn’t get out of our pajamas all day. Literally.Last year: We played Scrabble and watched Gremlins.
This year: We did a puzzle and watched Catch Me If You Can AND Top Gun AND Caught on Camera AND the Razorbacks. (We were stuck inside all day, remember?!)Last year: We were positive there was a ghost in the cabin.
This year: We were positive someone was pranking us hiding boxers in the cabin.Last year: We spent an evening desperately praying for our Campbells that they would get pregnant as they so wished.
This year: We spent a weekend joyously discussing baby plans, celebrating their pregnancy!
That’s what makes an annual get together so fun – it changes every year (we deeply missed our Hotarys who couldn’t make it this year!), but no matter what, when you’re with the right people it’s always a time to remember.
I pray we will continue this annual tradition for so many years to come. Until then, I’ll enjoy the memories we’ve made thus far!
{sugar ridge resort outside of eureka springs – we loved our cabin!}
{rain, rain don’t go away || what a perfect cabin relaxation day}
{extreme puzzling, for like, 5 hours}
{grilled cheese bar for lunch – oh my GOSH delicious}
{husband in his element}
{saturday night photo shoot followed by cards against humanity and telephone pictionary}
{the rain finally cleared for early morning eagle watching}
{what a great weekend!}
xo xo
Hot Yoga, thank you.
Dear Hot Yoga,
Thank you. You were not what I was anticipating tonight, and that’s a good thing.
I had some doubts after my first time with you. It was hot, oh so hot, sweaty, crowded, difficult. Then I left you and it was even hotter outside. I swore I’d never come back to you again. I just couldn’t possibly understand why someone would want to drown in their own sweat, while standing so close to someone else that they could also feel droplets of their sweat on them too. You disgusted me.
But then I decided to give you another chance. Your followers really are your best asset, as they can be very persuasive with their stories about how much they love you.
Guess what – this time you were different. First of all, it was cold outside, very cold. And the room wasn’t crowded, and it was peaceful, and you didn’t make me do as much cardio as before. I thought, okay, I can do this.
Then we got going and I felt like I might die. I thought, Oh, now I remember why I don’t do yoga.
But through the pain and inner complaining, I realized something. This was the first time this week I hadn’t been focused on work or my personal problems. I was legitimately only focusing on my breathing, the poses and the present moment. For that alone, I thank you.
First you feel like dying, then you feel reborn. And that’s exactly how I felt by the end of it. Reborn into a new day with new strength and new peace.
As we lay there at the end just breathing and letting go of our body (my favorite part, if you were wondering), your instructor said, “Take a second to memorize this moment. You can come here whenever you want.” Ah. (deep sigh)
Somehow you won me over tonight. So again, thank you.
xo xo, your new yogi
life lately
{eating this // food truck tacos}
{partying like this // as Tom Cruise a la Risky Business + Top Gun}
{walking in this // Sunday afternoon corn maze and pumpkin patch}
{loving this // time with both of our grandmothers}
{feeling like this // battling sickness}
xo xo
Pumpkin Butter Cake {recipe}
There is so much butter and powdered sugar in this recipe it’s scandalous.
Seriously, scandal in the Alderman household!
But who doesn’t need a little scandal now and then, especially if it’s as harmless (and delicious!) as this Pumpkin Butter Cake? As I was searching for a sweet treat to serve to our community group this week, this recipe via Pinterest made me salivate. It’s simple and has two of my favorite things in the title.
Even though I’ve already started decorating for Christmas (so early, I know!) and it’s already winter weather outside, I thought I’d retain a little bit of Fall with this perfect seasonal recipe.
P U M P K I N B U T T E R C A K E
Ingredients
For the crust:
1 box yellow cake mix
1/2c melted butter
1 egg, slightly beaten
For the filling:
15oz can pumpkin
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2c melted butter
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
16oz (1lb box) powdered sugar
Directions
Mix crust ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray and press crust into the bottom evenly. Beat pumpkin, cream cheese, melted butter, and eggs until creamy. Add vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually add powdered sugar, beat well. Spread filling over crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes (center will still be slightly jiggly).
Serve with whipped cream and sprinkles or vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy! xo xo
You might also enjoy: Bourbon Apple Cake, Pumpkin Bread
13 Reasons Taylor Swift’s New Album 1989 is Everything
1989 has officially been out for two weeks now, and there hasn’t been a day I haven’t listened to it. You could say I’m obsessed, which is nothing new, but this has just fueled the fire.
Mom and I have been to two Taylor Swift concerts, Fearless in LA in 2010 and Red in Nashville in 2013. When Taylor releases her tour dates, Mom and I each pick 3 cities we want to go to and if 1 of our picks matches that’s where we go. So, as you can tell, I’m anxiously awaiting her tour date release, but until then … here are 13 reasons why 1989 is everything.
1. The title of the album is not only Taylor’s birth year, but also my birth year. We’re obviously meant to be besties.
2. There’s not a single song on the album I dislike or skip when playing the album through. Unheard of.
3. She is now officially a pop artist, and a country artist, and an anything she wants to be artist. She’s Taylor Swift.
4. My favorite song changes every other day. Currently “Blank Space.”
5. “Wildest Dreams” is reminiscent of Lana Del Ray in an ethereal way. It’s just so lovely and makes me want to swoon.
6. Not all of the songs are about boys (which Husband likes to tease doesn’t exist) namely “Welcome to New York”, which is about her love of the big apple. Can I go to NYC now and sing this through the streets, please?
7. She has retained her lyrical style even though her musical style has changed completely.
8. “Shake It Off” will forever be a great dance song (past, present and future – see second video below!)
9. I’ve never liked Harry Styles or Katy Perry and this just gives me even more grounds to dislike them.
10. “Welcome to New York” is the perfect opener and “Clean” is the perfect ending to the album. It just all fits.
11. The “move the furniture so we could dance” line from “Out of the Woods” reminds me of “we’re dancing around the kitchen in the refrigerator light” section of Red’s “All Too Well” – one of my favorite songs from that album.
12. At least once a day, I sing “You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye, and I got that red lip classic thing that you like” and pretend that I always wear red lip stick and my husband looks like James Dean.
13. That each of her albums continue to make me love her more and more and more. Hats off, Tay.
And now, a video for your viewing pleasure – the newly released “Blank Space” music video. ❤
xo xo, your favorite swiftie
Stars Hollow Staycation: Why I Chose to Take a Vacation Day to Watch Gilmore Girls
W H O
Me, two girlfriends + a brief appearance by my Lorelai
W H A T
Take a day off work and spend the entire day watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix.
Episode Guide:
Season 1, Ep. 1 – Pilot [Lorelai and Rory, we can already tell we love you.]
Season 1, Ep. 7 – Kiss and Tell [Ooh, Rory gets her first kiss! In Doosey’s! And runs away!]
Season 2, Ep. 5 – Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy [Enter Jess. Commence lifelong swooning.]
Season 2, Ep. 9 – Run Away, Little Boy [Paris as Romeo = gold. Also, second best guest appearance Chad Michael Murray]
Season 3, Ep. 9 – A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving [Just skip the rolls! Also, first best guest appearance Adam Brody]
Season 4, Ep. 2 – The Lorelais’ First Day at Yale [First night of college = around the world eating party, oh how Gilmore]
Season 4, Ep. 22 – Raincoats and Recipes [The most bittersweet episode ever – Luke & Lorelai (yay!), Rory & Dean (nay!)]
Season 5, Ep. 3 – Written in the Stars [Luke & Lorelai dating is the talk of the town; literally, it’s an agenda item at town hall]
Season 5, Ep. 13 – Wedding Bell Blues [“I just wanted to know what it feels like.” Go Rory!]
Season 6, Ep. 13 – Friday Night’s Alright for Fighting [Logan saves the day at the newspaper and is beyond charming.]
Season 7, Ep. 22 – Bon Voyage [Best surprise party ever. Best Luke moment ever. Best ending ever.]
W H E R E
A very comfortable gray couch in the Alderman living room
W H E N
Friday, Oct. 24
8am – 6:30pm
W H Y
Ask me my all-time favorite book and I can’t tell you. Ask me my all-time favorite movie and I can’t tell you. Ask me my all-time favorite TV show and I CAN tell you – Gilmore Girls. I could literally write an essay about why I love it so much, and some day I probably will, but for now, just a few words: Witty. Relationships. Hilarious. Coffee. Luke & Lorelai. Mother/Daughter. Milo Ventimiglia. Fast. Memorable. Community. Pop Culture. Life. Heartwarming.
O T H E R I M P O R T A N T D E T A I L S [i.e. F O O D]
We watched, we ate, we laughed, we ate, we cried, we ate. The Gilmore girls wouldn’t have had it any other way.
xo xo
life lately
{celebrating this // a beautiful marriage of one of my oldest friends}
{drinking this // a beer with a view}
{enjoying this // evening at Crystal Bridges Light Night Out Party}
{puppy sitting this // the cutest thing you’ve ever seen}
{selfie-ing this // my new darker ‘do for fall}
{gorging on this // homemade apple pie + champagne with a wonderful friend home from germany}
xo xo
Book Reviews: Happiness, Lies + Bergdorf Goodman
The Magicians – If Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia had a gritty teenage son, this would be it. The similarities gave the touch of familiarity, but sometimes seemed to rely too heavily on these classics. That being said, I love both HP and Narnia so thus, I should enjoy this book and I did. That being said – The Magicians is the first in a trilogy and after finishing it I had no intention in reading the next. Take from that what you will.
Grade: B
The Happiness Project – This book made me happy. As the author goes on a quest to find personal happiness, she shares her ideas and inspirations per month to attain her goal. I wasn’t enthralled in the book like I was with the similar Carry On, Warrior possibly due to writing style or just not feeling as connected to the content. But I was intrigued by it. There were several things I will take from the book to do personally to increase my happiness, namely continue my blog and sing in the mornings.
Grade: B+
Big Little Lies – The parents in Gossip Girl would read this. The parents of elementary students wishing they were in Gossip Girl would read this. Basically if you like gossip and drama you would read this. It felt like a YA novel a few times with it’s ease of reading; however, there were several plot twists that made me audibly shocked, not typical of a YA novel. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and flew through it in a few days. Next on my list is another from the same author, The Husband’s Secret.
Grade: A
I’ll Drink to That – This autobiography is phenomenal. I’ve only read a few autobiographies in my life (one being Benjamin Franklin’s that I surprisingly really enjoyed), but this one outshines them all. Her life is so fascinating and unique from mine that I often felt like I was reading fiction. I was so thirsty for more Betty Halbreich after finishing the book I immediately googled her, to find interviews, photos and then happily stumbled upon the fact that Lena Dunham is creating an HBO series about her. My grade for this book is an A+, I’ll drink to that.
Grade: A+
xo xo
Bourbon Apple Cake {recipe}
Fact about me: I’m obsessed with magazines. I used to subscribe to 10+, but I’ve been simplifying lately and have gotten down to a way more convenient 8.
One magazine I will never stop subscribing to is Real Simple. Funny thing is, if you’d asked me in college if I read Real Simple, I would have looked at you like you were crazy because it’s an “adult magazine.” Who wants to learn more about organizing, cleaning, 5 chicken recipes for the week or issues like what to wear to a winter day wedding? That’s so boring and old. Hand me a People, please.
Well, guess what, priorities change and now it’s my absolute favorite magazine. It’s one of the few magazines I read cover to cover (another is GQ – a terrific magazine) and savor every little article, thought or recipe.
Last summer, I tried a recipe from the cover of the July issue – Linguine with Summer Vegetables + Goat Cheese and it turned out amaaazing. It’s one of my post re-pinned posts from my blog. Today, I tried the Bourbon Apple Cake from the September issue and oh.my.gosh.
All I can say is, thank you adulthood for turning me on to this magazine.
B O U R B O N A P P L E C A K E
Ingredients
“I have finished.”
“In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.‘ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.”
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder
This morning, I pushed myself. I pushed myself to get out of bed. I pushed myself to put on my running shoes. I pushed myself to have a positive attitude about the 2 miles ahead of me. I pushed myself to cross the finish line.
And it felt remarkable.
I wouldn’t consider myself athletic or a runner, but I did it. I challenged myself in a way I haven’t in a long time.
I wasn’t prepared for the run. Husband and I were running consistently for a few months, but stopped the past few weeks. Then I remembered we’d already signed up for the ALS Run in Downtown Bentonville. I literally had dreams all night that I was the last person crossing the finish line and it was humiliating.
Good news – I wasn’t the last, not even close, but even if I had been, it would have been okay. As I was running this morning, I just kept telling myself I can do it. I can push myself harder than I think I can. I let my body take over instead of my mind telling me I couldn’t do it anymore, and I realized how amazing it felt just to be running, regardless of where I was in the pack.
As I’m basking in my satisfaction of doing something I was so fearful of, I have a few thank you’s –
Thank you to my husband for constantly pushing me on our morning runs and giving me the positive reinforcement I need.
Thank you to my mother for encouraging our running and signing up with us, and most importantly staying by my side during the run this morning as we pushed along together.
And finally, thank you to Queen Bey for getting me across the finish line with her flawless songs.
xo xo
Splurge vs. Steal {Makeup Edition}
Take a look inside my makeup bag and here’s what you’ll find: a mix of drugstore and department store finds. I’m not one to spend a bunch of money on something just because of the brand or label. Some things are definitely worth splurging (jeans, handbags, classic heels) and others are definitely worth stealing (statement necklaces ((shameless plug, Walmart has some amazing ones for $10 right now!)), trendy items, seasonal home decor). I’ve realized lately that I have a consistent makeup routine that I’m happy with and I know what I need to splurge and save on, so here are a few tips …
S P L U R G E
Foundation/Powder – This is a must. This is the most critical part of your makeup routine. It’s your base for your art. It’s not something people will notice if done right, but it IS something people will notice if not done right. I’ve been using BareMinerals for years now and absolutely love it. I have my base shade, but then can add in some loose bronzer to the powder during the Summer.
Eyeliner – This is actually something I didn’t realize until recently. I’d always gone with cheaper eyeliner, Revlon or Maybelline, etc. but always complained about the smudging or wearing off too easily by the end of the day. It just didn’t stay put as long as I thought it should. Then my eyes were opened by my mom with Clinique quickliner – I’m now a huge fan. It’s easy to use, stays on ALL day and doesn’t smudge or drip when I’m sweating.
Eyeshadow – Again, very similar story as above. I didn’t realize this until I started receiving samples of eyeshadows in Birchbox earlier this year. I no longer have creases in my eyelids by the end of the day and feel like I have to reapply multiple times.
S A V E
Blush – I’m actually a convert on this one. I used to buy Cargo blush for $30 because I loved the different shades and subtle shimmer mixed into one, and then I found Revlon’s Rose Glow for a third of the price. Technically called a highlighting pallet, the colors are beautiful and remind me exactly of Cargo.
Mascara – I can’t even tell you how many countless brands of mascara I’ve tried and always go back to this L’Oreal one. I’ve heard from multiple people that their go-to mascara is from Walmart, so I think it’s safe to say it is not worth it to pay more for mascara. Two quick tips for getting the most out of your mascara – 1. Always curl your eyelashes first. 2. Start with the wand as far to the bottom of the lash as you can go and shimmy your way up. Do 2-3 coats immediately before it dries.
Eyelash Curler/Makeup Tools – You can spend a heck of a lot of money on something that you use for 5 seconds/day and all do the exact same thing. Save your money, buy the $5 curler and then splurge on the $20 eyeliner.
xo xo
enjoying the stillness of saturday mornings
The past few weekends have been fairly quiet for us. Believe it or not, that’s been hard on me.
Friday afternoon hits and if I don’t have specific plans to do something or go somewhere that night, I feel like it’s not really the weekend. It’s just another weeknight.
Saturday morning hits and I wake up and want to go to the farmer’s market and get breakfast and coffee, then go shopping etc. etc. etc.
Saturday evening hits and repeat.
What’s wrong with this picture?
I’m such a busybody. I like having plans and I like making plans. This is not new news, but the hard part is, husband is the opposite.
I’ve previously written a post about being spontaneous instead of planning my life away. This is not that post. This is a post about being okay with the stillness, the simpleness, the quiet times in life.
The past few Saturdays we’ve had plans in the evenings, but nothing during the day. I wake up and think about what I can do all day, worrying it won’t be productive if I don’t really do something. But then I stop myself. Why do we feel like we have to be busy to have a good weekend? Do we have to go in to work Monday and list off all the things we did to prove it?
I’m learning to enjoy the quiet, especially while we don’t have kids. The past few Saturday mornings have been beautiful. I sit, and sip coffee, and read, and work on my blog. There is beauty in the stillness. I don’t have to be constantly going somewhere or doing something to enjoy my day, because when I sit and do these things, I realize how gratifying they actually are. Yes, I may have some FOMO (fear of missing out) every now and then, but that’s okay. I’m doing things for me, to re-energize me.
Happy Saturday morning, friends. I hope you stop the busyness and do something just for you today.
xo xo
fall recipes: pumpkin bread + chili
This weekend weather has been wonderful. Friday evening was grey, drizzly and cold (seriously, COLD). Saturday was nice and chilly. Today is sunny, blue skies and perfect. Unfortunately husband woke up very sick this morning and my allergies have taken hold of my head, but I’m trying to enjoy the beautiful weather as best as I can.
With this weather, two of my favorite foods are now officially in season – pumpkin bread and chili. Of course you can eat both year-round, but it’s just not nearly the same as filling the house with the aroma of pumpkin bread in the oven or eating a big bowl of hot chili when it’s cool and crisp outside.
I’ve been dying to make some pumpkin bread and chili lately and decided today was the day. Sundays are the best baking days.
You can find my famous chili recipe here. I’ll be putting ours in the crockpot soon so it will be just right for tonight.
Below is a pumpkin bread recipe I found on Pinterest from Love Grows Wild. It’s exactly as she promises – moist, sweet and bakes up beautifully.
P U M P K I N B R E A D
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan with cooking spray and line bottom of pan with wax paper. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add the brown sugar and beat for 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then beat in the pumpkin puree. In a small bowl, stir the vanilla into the almond milk. Mix the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture in 3 additions on low speed, alternating with the almond milk mixture.
- Spread the batter into an even layer in the prepared pan. Bake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the loaf cool in the plan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack.
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Pumpkin Cheesecake, PB&J Bars
life lately
{crafting this // my necklace wall}
{enjoying this // a wonderful evening in downtown bentonville with friends}
{eating this // chocolate peanut butter ball at a great board game night with old friends}
{drinking this // first PSL of the season!}
{celebrating this // little john’s 5th birthday with #mustacheselfies}
xo xo
My New Legal Vocabulary, Thanks To “The Good Wife”
My latest show binge has been The Good Wife. It’s been on my list for a while for three reasons:
(1) I love shows with a strong, female lead
(2) Julianna Margulies has won or been nominated for the Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama 4 times in the last 5 years
(3) Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchry) from Gilmore Girls is a main character ❤
I’m currently on Season 3 of 5 and I feel like I could pass the bar exam purely due to my binge-watching. Here are a few new words in my vocabulary …
Recuse: to reject or challenge (a judge or juror) as disqualified to act, especially because of interest or bias.
Voir Dire: a preliminary examination of a witness or a juror by a judge or counsel.
Jury Nullification: a jury returns a verdict that is the opposite of what the jury believes or the verdict it was instructed to return by the court.
Held in Contempt: When a court decides that an action constitutes contempt of court, it can issue a court order that in the context of a court trial or hearing declares a person or organization to have disobeyed or been disrespectful of the court’s authority.
Continuance: a postponement or adjournment
Sustained vs Overruled:
Sustained: When an objection is sustained, the judge has determined that is a valid objection. That means the question was improper under the rules of evidence. The witness may not answer the question.
Overruled: When an objection is overruled, the judge has determined the objection is invalid. The question may stand. The witness must then answer the question.
Punitive Damages: damages exceeding simple compensation and awarded to punish the defendant.
ASA: Assistant State’s Attorney is hired or appointed to the position by the elected state’s attorney and derives the power to act on behalf of the state in criminal prosecutions through the state’s attorney. The duties of an ASA include those of the state’s attorney—representing the state (prosecution) in criminal proceedings.
The trick is weaving my new vocabulary into everyday conversation in my non-legal workplace. Think anyone would object if I tried to ask someone leading a meeting to recuse himself?
xo xo
You might also enjoy: 11 Reasons Pretty Little Liars Is My New Obsession, I Think I Could Survive in Prison – and Other Things I’ve Learned from Orange Is The New Black
All Things FALL – Recipes, Fashion + Decor
Oh Fall, how we all seem to adore everything about you. Below are a few of my favorite things I’m most looking forward to this season.
R E C I P E S
{I vow to make at least two of these by November}
{Goat Cheese Toasts}
{Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Cinnamon Bread}
{Tomato Basil Chicken Stew}
{Apple Crisp Pizza}
F A S H I O N
{I vow to own at least two (preferably all four) of these pieces by November}
{army vest}
{leather leggings}
{beige sweater/poncho}
{floral pants or sweater}
H O M E D E C O R
{I vow to own or make at least two of these by November}
{updated chalkboard}
{party idea: pumpkin wine holder}
{fall flowers}
{monogrammed fall wreath}
xo xo
“Before You Heal, You Have to Mourn”
I’ve previously written about grief, and I’ve previously written about my newfound love of NPR. Here, the two collide.
It’s been about 8 months since my dad has passed away. This week there was something in the air. I was overly emotional about everything. I thought I might explode with tears and emotion at any second. My grief came barreling back in to my life, shocking me so much it nearly knocked me off my feet.
But then Friday, a few things happened. Sometimes you hear or see or read things that just grab you, speak to your soul – one of which lately has been Carry On, Warrior that I’ve blogged about multiple times, but Friday it was a segment on NPR.
The segment was called, “A Poet on Losing His Son: ‘Before You Heal, You Have to Mourn.'” You can listen to the full 7-minute segment here (or read the transcript). Below I share some of my favorite parts of the interview, words I can relate to so well.
I don’t like the whole language of healing, which seems to me so false. As soon as something happens to us in America, everyone begins talking about healing. But before you heal, you have to mourn. And I found that poetry doesn’t shield you from grief, but it does give you an expression of that grief. And trying to express it, trying to articulate it, seemed like something I could do. And it gave me something to do with my grief.
There is no right way to grieve, and you have to let people grieve in the way that they can. One of the things that happens to everyone who is grief-stricken, who has lost someone, is there comes a time when everyone else just wants you to get over it, but of course you don’t get over it. You get stronger; you try and live on; you endure; you change; but you don’t get over it. You carry it with you.
Excerpt from Gabriel – Edward Hirsch’s book
I did not know the work of mourning
Is like carrying a bag of cement
Up a mountain at nightThe mountaintop is not in sight
Because there is no mountaintop
Poor Sisyphus griefI did not know I would struggle
Through a ragged underbrush
Without an upward pathBecause there is no path
There is only a blunt rock
With a river to fall intoAnd Time with its medieval chambers
Time with its jagged edges
And blunt instrumentsI did not know the work of mourning
Is a labor in the dark
We carry inside ourselves
I’ve never been big into poetry, but I thought this was so beautiful and raw and emotional. You might think this would make me feel more grief-stricken, but it’s more so comforting. It’s always encouraging to hear others who seem to understand exactly what you’re feeling and can put it into words better than you can. I’m not alone in my emotion.
Friday continued with a few other encouraging things – a perfectly-timed devotional, an eye-opening talk with a friend and some absolutely wonderful news at the end of the day that made me cry tears of joy. After a painful week, God knew exactly what I needed to continue the healing process. He is so good and so faithful and so loving.
So, happy weekend friends. I still feel very reflective this rainy, Saturday morning, but I also feel just a little stronger.
Carry on, warrior
xo xo
Fall TV: The 4 Season Premieres I’m Most Excited About
Okay, we know I’m a TV junkie and we know Fall TV is starting back soon, thus, we must know I’m ridiculously excited. Last season we started pairing down our shows and only the best made the cut. We removed four from our lineup: Glee, New Girl, How I Met Your Mother (series finale), Modern Family and added one: The Blacklist.
Here’s what I’m most looking forward to this season …
T H E M I N D Y P R O J E C T
I am so in love with this couple and this show. I re-watched the first two seasons this Summer in preparation and laughted ’til I cried. Every episode just makes me so happy. Mostly for Mindy and Danny, but also Peter and Morgan.
#MindyandDanny4Ever
N A S H V I L L E
I got behind on this show last season, then watched the last 5 episodes in a day and was reminded why I love it so much – the music, the drama, the scandals, the love triangles. Seriously, after the last episode I listened to Gunnar’s “It Ain’t Yours To Throw Away” at least twice a day.
T H E W A L K I N G D E A D
I don’t know how they do it, but this show just keeps getting more and more intense. The season ended with the gang (minus a few, including baby judith) locked up in a train car about to get eaten by cannibals. How will they get out and will they go to DC?! At least we know bad-ass Rick is finally back.
G O T H A M
Okay, okay, I’ll admit it – the only reason I’m so excited for this show is Ryan Atwood, Ben McKenzie. But it doesn’t hurt that Husband is the biggest Batman fan ever and is also super excited for this. It has some pretty high expectations so I hope it can live up to them. Either way, there will be eye candy.
{Also on our watchlist: Scandal, Revenge, The Blacklist, Big Bang Theory
The show I’m currently side-watching from S1: The Good Wife}
What show are you looking forward to this season?
xo xo
m.davis xoxo 
