life lately
[celebrating this || 7 years of marriage with my favorite guy <3]
[enjoying this || a cool dip in my new pool]
[watching this || ocean’s 8 with my girl tribe!]
[loving this || wonderful deck-warming party with drinks, lawn games + the cutest cookies]
[eating this || a gorgeous and delicious meal at Preacher’s Son]
[stuffing ourselves at this || BITE NWA, two nights in a row, and it was oh so worth it]
xo xo
Book Reviews: She Lives, She Loves, She Lies
Counterfeit Gods – Timothy Keller: This was definitely one of the best studies we’ve done with our Community Group in the last few years. It was convicting, challenging and created great dialogue among the group. One of the things Keller succeeds at doing in this book is weaving in Biblical stories and perspectives to tie in to modern day idols.
Grade: B+
Women in Sunlight – Frances Mayes: From the author of Under the Tuscan Sun, this book did everything I wanted it to and more. The story follows four older women whose children want to put them in a retirement home, but instead become quick friends and decide to move to Tuscany. I laughed, I cried and I was transported back to Italy with every single page. The writing is terrific, changing with the character’s perspectives, and the story will give you passion to do something radical.
Grade: A+
The Perfect Mother – Aimee Molloy: This book was a classic female-led thriller, which is my favorite mindless reading. Yet the ending was truly shocking. Though I’m not sure I loved that – it seemed maybe a little too out there, if that makes sense. That being said, it was an easy, enjoyable read AND Kerry Washington is starring in the movie, so obviously a win.
Grade: A-
Still Lives – Maria Hummel: Set in a modern museum in LA focused on the mystery of a famous artist gone missing, I was intrigued by the set-up. While it had all the makings of a good book, something about it fell flat for me. The behind the scenes of a museum and their artist relationships surrounding the plot was the most fascinating piece, but the ending was rushed and too complex.
Grade: B+
xo xo
You can read all my book reviews here.
Weekend Picturebook: Chicago
T H U R S D A Y
[First stop: Eataly then shopping!]
[The most AMAZING dinner at Girl and The Goat – oysters, goat empanadas + fall off the bone pork shank. Seriously a meal I’ll never forget.]
[We would highly recommend the architectural boat tour – even though we were freezing our booties off! Good thing there was plenty of coffee + baileys.]
[Cliché touristy things: pictures in front of the Bean, chicago dog + Art Institute]
[Cindy’s Rooftop was perfection – and boy do we have a story to share. Ha!]
[HAMILTON! finally! 100% lived up to (or possibly beyond) the hype]
S A T U R D A Y 
[SNL exhibit at the Broadcast Museum was too cool – we could have easily spent all day in there!]
[Walk along the beach + a drink at The Drake – not exactly beach volleyball weather to us Southerners!]
[PIZZA, obviously]
[almost time for TAYLOR ….. !!!]
but first, a little history …
[T.Swift in LA, 2010]
[T.Swift in Nashville, 2013 – 2ND ROW. Don’t even ask how we got those seats.]
[T.Swift in Chicago, 2018!]
and yes, we’re wearing matching touristy sweatshirts because, again, it was freezing
[I swear I’m still on a high from this show. 2 hours of pure adrenaline, singing at the top of my lungs, dancing to my heart’s content. Best part was when she came to the second stage right next to us!!!]
[and then it started pouring, but we were okay with it because, Taylor, duh]
[and then we had to walk 3 miles home, in the pouring rain, couldn’t get an uber, and I was so over it… BUT THE CONCERT WAS AMAZING]
S U N D A Y
[Ended the weekend on a perfect note – brunch at The Hampton Social. Pictured: Frosé, lobster bisque + crab and avocado – all delish!]
What a perfect mother-daughter weekend. I couldn’t have asked for anything more!
xo xo
Do it for you.
I made a commitment to myself.
I made a commitment to myself to ride the Peloton 10 days in a row.
Here’s why I decided to do it, and how I stuck with it.
I’ve already blogged my praise of the book, Girl Wash Your Face. But there’s one chapter that has really stuck with me the last month – “I’ll Start Tomorrow.”
Can we take a moment and be real with ourselves … how many times have we said that?! I’ll start tomorrow!! I seriously can’t even count.
As Rachel Hollis says in her book, “We talk about the things we’d like to do, be, try and accomplish, but once we get to the moment of actually doing it, we fold faster than a card table after bunco night.”
I try so hard to keep my word and my commitments to other people, but I easily cancel on myself without even a second thought. I’ll skip my workout when I told myself I was going to do it after work. I’ll eat another piece of cake when I said I wouldn’t. I’ll listen to music on my way to work when I told myself I was going to use that time to pray.
I know I have the self-discipline, but I’m choosing not to use it. Why? I decided to try harder to stop breaking promises to myself.
So I started with something small. We have a constant supply of peanut butter M&Ms downstairs in our office, and it’s a huge issue. (Did I mention they are PEANUT BUTTER M&Ms?!) Grab a handful here and a handful there. No harm in that right? Uggggh. Well, I told myself I wouldn’t grab any handfuls all week, and guess what – I did it!
Okay, next commitment – ride 10 days in a row on the Peloton, culminating in a mother-daughter trip to Chicago to see Taylor Swift.
Y’all – I’m 9 days in, and I’m so proud of myself! I would be lying if I said it wasn’t hard, because there were several days I was so close to quitting. Like that day over Memorial Day weekend when we’d been out in the sun all day and I was drained and it was 5pm and I still hadn’t ridden. I almost broke down. I almost canceled on myself, but I didn’t.
The other thing I’ve been teaching myself through this is – this commitment is for me. No one else. You might be reading this thinking, “10 days? That’s nothing.” And maybe for you, it’s not, but for me it is a challenge. Husband rode 30 days in a row and has already done a 60 min ride. I’ve done 9 days in a row and just did my first 45 min. But guess what, that’s okay! And not only is it okay, but I should be happy for his accomplishments and he should be happy for mine even though they’re completely different.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Theodore Roosevelt
My current favorite quote, and one we should all remind ourselves of daily.
So, I’ve got 1 more ride before my early flight to Chicago tomorrow, and I’m not canceling on myself now.
And then, it’s time for a mimosa.
xo xo
life lately
[celebrating this || our beautiful mommas for mother’s day <3]
[decorating this || our “spring themed” cake at our team cake decorating competition!]
[laughing at this || a weird + funny “sub-par” night, that actually wasn’t sub-par at all]
[enjoying this || a fun evening with co-workers at the DICED cooking competition]
[waking up early for this || the most beautiful, perfect #RoyalWedding!!]
[LOVING THIS || our new deck + updated landscaping is finally complete!]
xo xo
Fayetteville Foamfest: A History
If there’s one thing I seem to enjoy more the older I get, it’s traditions. Annual events. Something to look forward to same time, every year.
The best example of this is Fayetteville Foamfest – a beer festival. (When I first heard about it, I thought it was a literal FOAM fest, because I did go to one of those in PCB ….) We first attended in 2013 and have gone every year since. We hype it up. We talk about it all year. “The most wonderful time of the year,” they say. We regale previous year stories. We get more people excited to attend. And it is always so.much.freakin.fun.
As our 6th year in a row attending, I wanted to compile pictures from all of the years. If you love beer, and you feel left out after this post, we’d love for you to join us next year!!
Also, shoutout to Josh for being the only one who has been to all 6 years outside of myself and Husband. It wouldn’t be the same without ya, Josh!
[2013: the year we almost froze to death (yes, in MAY) + didn’t yet know how to get our money’s worth of beer]
[2014: the year Josh broke up with the Egyptian’s girlfriend]
[2015: the year we left Stephen in Fayetteville –
if you’ve been around our group at all, you’ve undoubtedly heard this story … multiple times … and from multiple perspectives ((I’ll tell you the true version!!))]
[2016: the year of the hats + the invention of “power hour”]
[2017: the year we danced our hearts out + ate all the pizza ((except Alex))]
[2018: the year we made it to Dickson + dipped, a lot]
Whatever happens, we’ll always have Foamfest.
xo xo
Sheet Pan Shrimp + Veggies with Rice {recipe}
Y’all know I love a good, easy recipe that’s at least semi-healthy. This one checks all the boxes. I saved it from Southern Living last year, and finally tested it out a few weeks ago. It was so delicious I made it again the next week.
Let me also add, I ate the leftovers for lunch the next day with some creamy jalapeño dip we had left over from Chuy’s …. Oh my gosh, LIFE CHANGING! I mean that dip is life changing in and of itself, but drizzled on top of this recipe. Wow. Obviously not as healthy as the original, but c’est la vie.
Safe to say, this one is going in the rotation. Hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think!
S H E E T P A N S H R I M P + V E G G I E S
Ingredients
6 tbsp. olive oil
3 tbsp. minced garlic
3/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
3 ½ tsp. fresh thyme leaves, divided
1 lb. raw medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pt. grape tomatoes
2 medium zucchinis, cut diagonally into ½-inch slices
2 medium yellow squash, cut diagonally into ½-inch slices
1 lemon, cut into quarters
2 pouches microwaveable basmati rice
S&P to taste
Directions
- Preheat broiler to high.
- Stir together olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper and 3 tsp. of thyme in a small bowl.
- Place shrimp, tomatoes and zucchini/squash mixture in three separate bowls. Toss each with one-third of oil mixture.
- Heat a rimmed baking sheet in the oven 2 minutes. Add zucchini, squash and lemons (flesh side up) to hot baking sheet, and bake until squash begins to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and bake until tomatoes begin to burst, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in shrimp; bake until shrimp are cooked through and zucchini/squash is tender and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Squeeze juice from roasted lemons over veggies. Stir to combine.
- Cook rice according to package directions. Divide rice, shrimp and veggies evenly. Top with remaining thyme.
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Minestrone Soup (GF, Crockpot), Pork Chops with Black Bean Succotash
30 Before 30: Q1 Progress Update
As I’ve shared previously, I’m working towards completing a list of 30 things before I turn 30. I’m already 3 months into the challenge, so thought it was time to share an update. Unfortunately I’ve only checked off 3 things so far … but have made progress on several others!
I’ll plan to do this every quarter so I can hold myself accountable!!
Start a new adventure.I’ve worked for Walmart for 6.5 years, as my first job out of college. I’ve officially accepted a position at Clorox, and couldn’t be more excited/anxious/thrilled to start this new adventure.- Make a complex meal 100% from scratch.
Hike Pinnacle Mountain + eat a Hubcap burger at Cotham’s.Unfortunately, I didn’t get to eat at Cotham’s since the original location burned down last year. However, I did hike Pinnacle – and it was a doozy! The challenge was worth it, as the views were stunning, and we’re already planning another hike up in the Fall.
- Successfully do a one-armed push-up.
- See a critically acclaimed show.
- Volunteer 30 hours. (4 hours complete!)
- Buy all my friends a round, randomly.
- Play video games with husband for a night, complete with pizza + beer.
- Intentionally choose to stay by myself one night in a hotel. Obviously I’ve stayed by myself before, but for work or when husband was away – not intentionally.
- Learn a song on the guitar.
- Be in a play.
- Learn to play blackjack.
- Make a signature cocktail.
- Make a YouTube video that gets over 1k views.
- Start my book. This is one husband has been pushing me to do for years.
Win at least 1 trivia night.This one was totally out of the blue, but glad it happened the way it did. We won the poolside Hollywood Trivia on our family vacation in Mexico. Go Team Guacamole!- Write 30 handwritten letters. (14 complete!)
- Take a dance class.
- Go to a movie solo.
- Run 30 miles. This one I’ve actually decided to update. We got a Peloton, so I’m now focused on riding instead of running. New goal: Ride 300 miles. (70 complete!)
- Dye my hair pink. Again, something I’ve always wanted to do. It could just be a few strands, and it could wash out after a day. Either way, I think 29 is the best time to do it.
- Do 5 things that truly scare me. (1 complete – Ride a snowmobile) I really was truly terrified to do this, but so glad I did it!
- Give an amount of money that is significant to me and is significant to someone in need, but do it in such a way no one would ever know it was me who gave it and expect nothing in return.
- Travel to a state I’ve never been to.
- Take a personal day, for no reason at all.
- Challenge myself with a new hobby.
- See someone in concert I’ve been dying to see.
- Find an artist whose perspective of the world I appreciate and buy a piece of his or her work.
- Take a spontaneous trip.
- Plan a huge 30th birthday bash.
BONUS: Read 30 books. (8 complete!)
Next quarterly update: Aug. 1 – I better start checking things off the list!
xo xo
life lately
[eating this || amazing pancake flight (+ gin hibiscus mimosa) at prelude]
[enjoying this || a relaxing afternoon with a new book + farmers market flowers]
[celebrating this || kicking off our patio/landscaping projects!]
[loving this || a fun evening taste testing + learning about napa and sonoma wines!]
[traveling for this || weekend trip to hike, drink beer + eat delicious food]
xo xo
Book Reviews: The Adventurous Woman, The Paralyzed Woman + The Confident Woman
I decided to add another item to my 30 Before 30 list. It’s honestly one I’m surprised I didn’t think about before: Read 30 books. Maybe I’ll call it a bonus in case I don’t complete one of my other tasks. I’m now 8/30 books in, and 3 months into the challenge. Time to keep reading!
Still Me – Jojo Moyes: I was super skeptical about this book, and here’s why – I LOVED Me Before You (A+), but then tried the sequel and hated it. This is technically the 3rd book in the series, but could easily stand on it’s own. It’s about a girl who moves to NYC from England to be a “family assistant.” It includes all great things NYC, a long-distance love triangle, and more than anything is about a girl who finds out who she really is.
Grade: A-
The Woman in the Window – AJ Finn: It seems like there are currently a lot of books out there very similar to this one (The Woman in Cabin 10, The Girl on the Train). Yet, this one felt refreshingly unique. The story was interesting and the main character kept me guessing – and I was shocked in the end. It has a very Hitchcock Rear Window vibe, and I loved it.
Grade: A-
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman: This book. Oh my goodness, this book. As a friend said, “YOU ARE IN FOR A DELIGHTFUL TREAT.” It’s so charming, yet so unexpected. You fall in love with the main character by the end, despite thinking you’re not sure how you can possibly relate to her at the beginning. It’s an uplifting, feel-good book, but with serious substance.
Grade: A+
Girl, Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis: Y’all know I love a good self-help book (Carry On, Warrior, Lean In) and this one was no exception. What I loved about this one though, is how structured and specific it was. Each chapter is about a lie we tell ourselves. For example, “I’m defined by my weight” or “I can’t get past this”. Rachel does a fantastic job of breaking down the lie, giving a personal anecdote and sharing 3 specific ideas on how to combat these lies in our lives. Highly, highly recommend. You should also follow her on Instagram. She’s awesome.
Grade: A+
xo xo
You can read all my book reviews here.
life lately
[enjoying this || quality girls time for galentine’s day + NWAFW]
[eating this || monte ne chicken – aka unlimited home-cooked deliciousness in middle of nowhere arkansas, and enjoying some really great laughs with literally everyone]
[loving this || my new job + a trip to the Burt’s Bees HQ in Durham AND some seriously amazing food]
[savoring this || a fun day date at the adult movie theater with husband <3]
[traveling for this || a wonderful LR weekend to see family, including my beautiful 97-year-old Mimi!]
xo xo
Aldermans Go Global: Mexico Family Vacation
[champagne toast – WE’RE FINALLY HEREEE!]
[first night mexican fiesta]
A D A Y I N T H E L I F E ….
[step 1: coffee on the balcony]
[step 2: drinks by the pool/in the pool (yes, this was still before noon)]
[step 3: hammock relaxation time]
R E P E A T .
[fun afternoon on the beach + a beautiful butterfly release ceremony husband and I were a part of]
[catamaran ride to isla mujeres – so much fun!]
[loving the coconut water … and this adorable mother/daughter pic!]
[hibachi, sushi + silent dance party!! tori and I were the only ones willing to make a fool of ourselves dancing to our own beat – I would highly recommend this if you ever get the chance!]
[S P A D A Y … ahhhhh]
[family pictures on the beach, kardashian style]
[final night dinner – don’t make us leave!]
[so thankful for marrying into such an amazing family
definitely a family vacation to remember!]
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Aldermans Go Global: St. Lucia
Book Reviews: Crazy Asians, Crazy Ladies + Crazy Mobsters
Manhattan Beach – Jennifer Egan: What a unique book this was. And I say that meaning – I’m not quite sure what I thought of it, but on some level I enjoyed it. The setting is one of my favorites (New York) and the female lead is a badass woman who’s determined to be the first woman diver during WWII, but overall the story drifted and was a little hard to understand where it was headed.
Grade: B
The Breakdown – B.A. Paris: This had all the makings of a typical book I’d love, yet didn’t fully deliver. The beginning was enthralling, keeping me on pins and needles and the end was a satisfying twist, but the middle got too repetitive and I feel like I could have skipped probably 100 pages and been fine. Overall, good story that will make you think you’re going crazy from those tiny things you forget every day ….
Grade: B
Crazy Rich Asians – Kevin Kwan: LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this book! I couldn’t put it down! It was hilarious. I dove deep into a world of which I knew nothing about, and didn’t want to come up for air. Luckily there are two more books by this author AND they’re turning this one into a movie this year. All you need to know is it’s about exactly what you think it is: Crazy Rich Asians.
Grade: A+
The Woman in Cabin 10 – Ruth Ware: This book was actually a huge disappointment. So many people told me how much they adored this book, and I just couldn’t get into it. It was a fast read, but the character development wasn’t great, the writing was so-so and the “thrilling” plot was fairly predictable.
Grade: B-
xo xo
You can read all my book reviews here.
life lately [off work edition]
I’ve never had time off work longer than 2-3 days just hanging out at home. Until now. This past week I was off before starting my new job, and I have loved it so much more than I thought I would! I thought I’d be wishing I was somewhere else or too bored or too anxious with to-do lists, but not the case. Of course the week went by too fast, but it was a perfect blend of relaxation, play and a little work.
Enjoy my week in pictures … 
[goodbye happy hour with some of my favorite WM coworkers at The Hive]
[arguably my favorite part of the week was coffee in bed + morning TV shows]
[yummy lunch + coffee dates with wonderful people]
[a day of serious junk room/closet/bathroom cleaning and organizing – UGH, it was the worst. thanks to mom for the help though … and of course, I feel SO much better now that it’s done.]
[spent one entire day of pure relaxation – finishing a book, bingeing TV (starting with the beloved HSM) + a massage]
[celebrated national margarita day with margs + games at the new dave and busters – this photo seriously cracks me up]
[friday in fayetteville for a hair appointment then maxine’s + hugo’s with the family – couldn’t have ended the week more perfectly!]
xo xo
Minestrone Soup – Gluten Free, Crock Pot {recipe}
Not only do I have a new recipe to share today, I also have a new cookbook that will change your life. Okay, that might be a little melodramatic, but for real, it’s amazing.
Against All Grain by Danielle Walker
It’s not just another paleo cookbook. A dear friend recommended it to me, touting 8 full weeks of meal plans (all gluten-free, dairy-free) complete with recipes + shopping lists, and it efficiently utilizes all the ingredients for several of the meals throughout the week, so minimal food waste. It’s all very simple, but very appealing. At the time I learned about the cookbook, we were 6 weeks out from our Mexico vaca, so I ordered the book to use as a guide to help us eat healthier before the trip.
We’re now 3 weeks in and loving it. Most of the recipes are pretty easy, and all have been delicious. We’ve been mixing and matching the meals a bit depending on our schedules for the week and our likes/dislikes, but if you wanted an exact meal plan for every day of the week with an exact list to take to the grocery store, this book is for you.
Every meal we’ve made has been delicious, but this Minestrone Soup has been one of our favorites. It was so good on a cold, rainy day this week and we’ve been eating on it for a few days now! You could kick up the cayenne pepper a bit for a little more kick, but this has such good flavor as is.
M I N E S T R O N E S O U P
Ingredients
2lb ground beef, turkey or chicken (we used beef this time, but will try turkey or chicken next!)
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
3 cups shredded carrots
32oz chicken stock
15oz tomato sauce
10oz diced tomatoes with green chilies
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon parsley
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 lb yellow squash, halved lengthwise and sliced into half-moons
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
S&P to taste
Directions
- Brown the meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until cooked through. use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat to a slow cooker insert, leaving the fat in the pan.
- Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrots to the pan and sauce over medium heat for 8 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly tender. Drain and add the vegetables to the slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ingredients, except the squash and basil. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Add the squash and basil during the last 30 minutes if cooking on high or 1 hour if cooking on low.
- Adjust the seasoning if necessary, and serve with a garnish of fresh basil.
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Crustless Quiche + Homemade Salad Dressing, Pork Chops with Black Bean Succotash
30 Before 30
As I head into the last year of my 20s, I decided to create a list of things to do before I turn 30 in January. Thanks to literally everyone for helping me come up with this list. I think it’s realistic to accomplish in a year, yet will be challenging. I’ll provide a few updates throughout the year as I check things off. Starting with #1 …
[husband’s 30th]
-
Start a new adventure.I’ve worked for Walmart for 6.5 years, as my first job out of college. I’ve officially accepted a position at Clorox, and couldn’t be more excited/anxious/thrilled to start this new adventure.- Make a complex meal 100% from scratch.
- Hike Pinnacle Mountain + eat a Hubcap burger at Cotham’s. This one stems back to my Arkansas Bucket List from a few years ago, and is one thing I really wanted to do that I never got to check off my list. This is the year!
- Successfully do a one-armed push-up.
- See a critically acclaimed show.
- Volunteer 30 hours.
- Buy all my friends a round, randomly.
- Play video games with husband for a night, complete with pizza + beer.
- Intentionally choose to stay by myself one night in a hotel. Obviously I’ve stayed by myself before, but for work or when husband was away – not intentionally.
- Learn a song on the guitar.
- Be in a play.
- Learn to play blackjack.
- Make a signature cocktail.
- Make a YouTube video that gets over 1k views.
- Start my book. This is one husband has been pushing me to do for years.
- Win at least 1 trivia night.
- Write 30 handwritten letters.
- Take a dance class.
- Go to a movie solo.
- Run 30 miles. I’m not a runner. So, no judgment please on “only 30?!”
- Dye my hair pink. Again, something I’ve always wanted to do. It could just be a few strands, and it could wash out after a day. Either way, I think 29 is the best time to do it.
- Do 5 things that truly scare me.
- Give an amount of money that is significant to me and is significant to someone in need, but do it in such a way no one would ever know it was me who gave it and expect nothing in return.
- Travel to state I’ve never been to.
- Take a personal day, for no reason at all.
- Challenge myself with a new hobby.
- See someone in concert I’ve been dying to see.
- Find an artist whose perspective of the world I appreciate and buy a piece of his or her work.
- Take a spontaneous trip.
- Plan a huge 30th birthday bash.
xo xo
To follow along on my journey, make sure and follow my blog via WordPress or email:
life lately
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y T O M E 
{celebrating this || birthday, birthday, birthday! huge shoutout to my amazing family, friends + coworkers}
{eating this || two amazing meals in fayetteville – nomad’s + khana indian grill}
{relaxing like this || ahhhhh}
{enjoying this || a fun, freezing day drinking beer with friends}
xo xo
Book Reviews: The Best Ones + The Ones to Beat
Towards the end of last year, I took a little hiatus on my blog. I was getting overwhelmed with work + the holidays and was putting way too much pressure on myself to blog consistently, so I stopped. No harm, no foul. The great thing about this blog is I’m doing this for me so when it starts to be too much, there’s no reason why I can’t take a little break.
That being said, one my favorite things on my blog (and that friends tell me they love!) are my book reviews. I read quite a few books the last few months that I didn’t want to forget, so I added them to a list and here they are. A few of them made my top 5 books of the year list, and a few were duds, so we’ll quickly review these and get back on track for the new year.
GREAT books…
Lilac Girls – Martha Kelly Hall: (#1 book of the year) I have two typical genres of favorite books – thrillers with female leads + WWII historical fiction. This is the latter, following three very different women throughout the war and how their experiences shaped them for years to come. It’s unique in it’s perspectives (one a concentration camp doctor and one a prisoner) and is written in such beautiful detail, that you will be transported in time and come back remembering how very thankful you are.
Grade: A+
Sourdough – Robin Sloan: (#3 book of the year) This book is great and hilarious and I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s such an easy read about a young woman developer who turns baker through a funny happenstance. I learned a lot about sourdough starters (of which I knew nothing), and genuinely enjoyed this quirky book all the way through.
Grade: A+
Little Fires Everywhere – Celeste Ng: (#4 book of the year) This book is very different than my typical reads, and I’m so glad I tried something new. Little Fires Everywhere is a slow burn. Literally. You see the ins and outs of two family dynamics and how they become intertwined. While there were several surprises throughout, the book mostly just leaves you contemplative.
Grade: A
The Wife Between Us – Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen: Thriller with female lead – obviously knew I’d love it, and I did. There were several page-turning twists, that keeps you questioning everything. As the front cover of the book says, assume nothing.
Grade: A
Books not as great …
Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen: I really liked this book, though think I would have enjoyed it more had I not seen the movie and knew what was coming. That being said, it’s a terrific story and gave me all the circus and animal and love story feels as it did via film.
Grade: B+
The Late Show – Michael Connelly: I honestly can’t remember now how I came across this book, but it’s a departure for me, as I don’t typically read established authors/series (such as a Michael Connelly, John Grisham, etc.). While this book wasn’t earth-shattering, it was a solid, easy-read, Detective novel.
Grade: B
Of Mess and Moxie – Jen Hatmaker: Sadly, this book disappointed me. I adore Jen Hatmaker, but this book was too hit or miss with no cohesive binding throughout. One chapter would be hilarious (as Jen is), then one would seem completely random and I couldn’t relate. 7 is still her best book I’ve read to date.
Grade: B-
The Unspeakable – Meghan Daum: This book was okay. It was a collection of personal essays/short stories that were billed as funny and deep and vulnerable. Some of the stories were a little funny or a little relatable, but mostly I was not impressed.
Grade: C
I’ve already read 2 terrific books this year and look forward to many more. What’s on your reading list for the year?
xo xo
[You can read all my book reviews here.]
Weekend Picturebook: Lake Tahoe
The BEST weekend with LITERALLY everyone.
T H U R S D A Y 
[first stop: truckee! the cutest little town ever.
lunch: bar of america with the best jalapeño poppers on the planet, wine: pour house wine shop]
[first night in the hot tub – complete with snow angels…]
F R I D A Y
[my birthday!]
[could we have asked for better views to wake up to?! all the heart eyes.]
[snowmobiling with these two was so fun! it was seriously a winter wonderland]
[and here’s the rest of our crew skiing/snowboarding at squaw valley!]
[post-snowmobiling bloody mary]
[birthday dinner at bridgetender tavern + a robust discussion on my 30 before 30 (another blog post to come soon)]
S A T U R D A Y 
[shopping in truckee – yes, I came home with both of these purchases (and more!!)]
[met the crew for lunch at Squaw – ate some of the best pizza + tried on literally a million hats]
[final night – dancing + drinks on the patio!]
[sunset in the hot tub …
and not thinking about how rough it will be to come home!]
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: NYC
Crustless Quiche + Homemade Salad Dressing {recipe}
I’ve been trying very hard not to write the cliche post about New Year’s Resolutions and eating healthier, yada yada yada. So I won’t. Instead, I’ll just give you two really great recipes that COULD help with such a resolution IF you had one.
I’ve shared previously about how meal planning can change your life, and I truly stand by that statement today. When I meal plan for the week, everything just seems so much easier and healthier and less stressful. Yes, it is definitely harder on the front-end and does take time, but it is worth it. Trust me.
One of my key tips is using Walmart Grocery Pickup – you place your order online, you drive to the store and they load it into your car for you. In this ridiculous weather we’ve been having, I don’t know how it gets much better than that. You know you want to try it, so take the first step – use this link to sign up for your first order and get $10 off. You’re welcome.
After engorging ourselves in December, we’ve gone back to the everyday mason jar salads for lunch, and are really a hit. I’ve even started making my own salad dressing. It is divine and so much better than that store-made stuff. I’ve made a few varieties, but this one has been our favorite.
A P P L E C I D E R V I N E G A R D R E S S I N G
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1/2c olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced garlic
sea salt + freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Add all ingredients to a mason jar and shake to combine! It’s as simple as that.
The next easy, life-changing recipe I want to share is crustless quiche. I first learned about it from my Mom early last year, and it is now a staple in our house. If we’re being good, we make some every Sunday for the week ahead.
To be honest, I’ve never been much of a breakfast person, but since I’ve started eating this in the morning I’ve noticed I’m not starving at lunch (which makes eating a salad easier) and I have more energy. The best thing about this recipe is you can change it up with whatever you want or have left over in your fridge. Here’s how we’ve been doing it lately –
A L D E R M A N S ‘ F A V O R I T E C R U S T L E S S Q U I C H E 
1 lb hot sausage
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3/4c sliced cherry tomatoes
3/4c spinach
8 eggs
splash of milk
sea salt + freshly ground black pepper, to taste
directions:
- Turn oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook the sausage, adding garlic when its almost/basically done.
- Whisk eggs with milk and S&P.
- Spray pan – we use 9.5″ circular glass pan.
- Spread sausage, spinach + tomatoes, then cover with egg mixture.
- Bake for approx. 30 minutes, until set.
I then pre-cut slices of quiche, cover with foil and pop in the refrigerator. In the mornings, we take a piece, microwave it for about 35 seconds and top with some salsa verde. Yum!
xo xo
You might also enjoy: 9 easy recipes you’ll want to make for dinner again and again
2017: my year in pictures
J A N U A R Y
birthday celebrations in Vegas
F E B R U A R Y
the best tour guides + the best pizza in Chicago
M A R C H
feeling fancy at NWA fashion week + the first of many trips to minneapolis
A P R I L
the month of amazing concerts – radiohead + blink 182
M A Y
always one of my favorite months of the year – mother’s day + weddings + anniversaries + beer festivals
J U N E
BEST VACATION EVER #HotarmansItalianCahoots, Part 1 + Part 2
J U L Y
someone turned 30 (not me) + fun family reunion in portland
A U G U S T
a mother-daughter trip to pioneer woman’s ranch + my favorite puppy turned 5
S E P T E M B E R
labor day weekend NYC fun + polo in the ozarks
O C T O B E R
a work trip to virginia with some pretty sweet views + won halloween (again)
N O V E M B E R
the best girls weekend in LA
D E C E M B E R
celebrating the season’s best with my favorite people
xo xo
[a catalog – my year in pictures] 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
2017: My Top 5 TV Shows + Books
T V S H O W S
While I’ve done this annual post 6 years running now, this year was by far the hardest to narrow down to my top 5 favorite shows. TV is KING, and I hardly have enough time to watch everything on my list. I’m sure you will all disagree with my picks … I’m okay with that, and would love to hear your thoughts. I’m even faltering at the last minute on my top 5 as I post this, but here we go.
5. This Is Us – NBC: I’m sure some of you will think I’m such a sucker, but this show has me wrapped around its little finger. I cry every single episode – to which Husband asks me why I watch, and I have no answer. I cry and laugh and am inspired and cry some more. Everyone can find something to relate to in the show, and it only keeps getting better. Lord help us all when we finally find out how Jack dies.
4. Master of None – Netflix: Another show that will make you laugh and cry and laugh some more. It starts out in the Italian countryside with all the pasta and wine, so maybe I was partially bias watching before our Italian adventure, but this show is just incredible. Aziz has created something so unique and heartwarming that it’s truly hard to put in to words. Just watch.
3. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – Amazon: This show was hyped so much as “a new favorite for Gilmore Girls fans” that I was seriously skeptical. Well, look where it is on the list. It cannot be hyped enough! Set in 1950s NYC, it’s about a witty, newly single woman trying to make it as a comedian. The writing is outstanding and you will fall in love with Midge Maisel, played by Rachel Brosnahan, and want to watch it again and again. A new favorite it is.
2. Outlander – Starz: Why do I LOVE this show so much?! I honestly can’t believe it myself (since I often claim how much I hate period pieces), and can’t even remember why I started watching it, but I quickly became obsessed with the time-traveling love story. If you only watch it for Jamie Fraser, that’s enough for me, but whether you like it or not you’ll get sucked into the series.
1. Game of Thrones – HBO: Trust me, I’m as shocked as anyone that this is my number 1 … a show that has never been on my list before! We tried it when it first started, and I didn’t think I liked it. Then we re-started it and binged 4 seasons last year leading up to the latest, and holy cow, I couldn’t believe how hooked I was. This show has everything you could ever want in a show – and ended with a sultry/scandalous love story that left me breathless for the final season.
Honorable Mentions: Stranger Things, The Handmaid’s Tale, Younger (still one of my favorite comedies!), The Good Place (give this show a chance – I promise you won’t regret it)
B O O K S
5. Option B – Sheryl Sandberg: I’ve already written an entire blog post about this book, so I’ll keep this short. This book rips you apart, then helps put you back together again. I want everyone to read it – especially if you’re grieving or if you’re close to someone who is.
4. Little Fires Everywhere – Celeste Ng: This book and the next are very different than my typical reads, and I’m so glad I tried something new. Little Fires Everywhere is a slow burn. Literally. You see the ins and outs of two family dynamics and how they become intertwined. While there were several surprises throughout, the book mostly just leaves you contemplative.
3. Sourdough – Robin Sloan: This book is great and hilarious and I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s such an easy read about a young woman developer who turns baker through a funny happenstance. I learned a lot about sourdough starters (of which I knew nothing), and genuinely enjoyed this quirky book all the way through.
2. The Girls – Emma Cline: This book has been on my list for forever, finally became available at the library, and oh my gosh I devoured it! Set in 1960s California, the book follows a teenage girl who gets caught up in a cult that ends very very badly. I was fascinated not only with the cult, but also the transformation of the main character. If you’re interested in cults at all or just want a unique read that will pull you in, this is for you.
1. Lilac Girls – Martha Hall Kelly: I have two typical genres of favorite books – thrillers with female leads + WWII historical fiction. This is the latter, following three very different women throughout the war and how their experiences shaped them for years to come. It’s unique in it’s perspectives (one a concentration camp doctor and one a prisoner) and is written in such beautiful detail, that you will be transported in time and come back remembering how very thankful you are.
[You can read all my book reviews here.]
Previously, I have also shared my top movies of the year. However, I’ve stopped watching as many movies and focused on TV shows. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention two top movies – Dunkirk and Wonder Woman. Both amazing in very different ways.
What were your top TV Shows, Books + Movies of the year? I’d love to know!
xo xo
Christmas + NYE Picturebook
[the start of Christmas break means Mom’s birthday – fun celebration at Midici!]
[Christmas Eve with this wonderful family + a new baking favorite: salted caramel cookies]
[Christmas morning love]
[celebrating Christmas evening with another wonderful family]
B I G C E D A R
[a few days of rest and relaxation at this amazing place]
N Y E
[the best Hotarman-masquerade house party ever]
[Cheers to 2018!]
xo xo
Weekend Picturebook: NYC
F R I D A Y
[late flight in – so, amazing pizza at our hotel restaurant (you can read more about here), and drinks at our rooftop bar with these views || also, how cute is this little hotel room?]
S A T U R D A Y 
[up and at ’em, ready for shopping! husband’s only request in new york was to go to the nintendo store … just like a kid in a candy store]
[more shopping and central park views]
((not pictured: a glass of pinot by the lake and delicious shake shack lunch after a loooong day of walking))
[ready to brave the weather for our sunset sailboat ride]
[despite the drizzle (then eventual downpour), we had an incredible time on the Hudson in our sailboat. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone!]
[post-dinner jazz session in an underground cafe in greenwich village – perfect end to the evening]
S U N D A Y
[sadly, we woke to more rain so it put a damper on some of our plans, but instead led us to eat an incredible brunch in west village]
[bucket list: walk the brooklyn bridge – check! so much fun!]
[explored dumbo, brooklyn heights + another awesome rooftop bar || next time we’re staying in brooklyn!]
M O N D A Y
[late morning risers – I could not get over this comfy bed and these views || did I mention they also had automated blackout shades?!]
[took a 4-mile stroll for none other than our favorite cookies, then enjoyed them with coffee in central park]
[final hours in the city spent at The Met – who knew this rooftop garden was up here?!]
Until we meet again, NYC.
xo xo
You might also enjoy: Weekend Picturebook: Portland
m.davis xoxo 