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halloween + an 80’s movie update

I love Halloween. Really I just love dressing up for anything specific – give me a theme and I’m there. Or as my favorite fictional mother says,

“I’ll do just about anything if I can buy an outfit!” – Lorelai Gilmore

This year, we decided to dress up as characters from our favorite TV show of the year – Stranger Things. It’s about a 12-year-old boy who goes missing and his friends are determined to find him. Also a lot of weird sh*t starts happening in the town. It’s creepy, but not too creepy, and it’s set in the 80s – giving major homage to Stand by Me, E.T., The Goonies and many more.

Go watch it on Netflix now. Seriously, I promise you it’s worth it. And after you see our costumes, you’ll be even more intrigued.

img_0407{husband as dustin}

img_0405{me as eleven, looking creepy AF || my own mother didn’t recognize me in that blonde wig…}

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img_0436{I will forever cherish this polaroid of us || also, we won best couple costume}

img_0412{convinced some friends to be “the wall” and joyce byers}

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img_0430{and two random, but amazing polaroids from the night, for good measure}

Since we’re talking 80’s, I thought this would be a good time for an update on my 80’s Watchlist. I’ve been making headway on the girly movies:

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (1985) – LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this movie. I want to be SJP and dance all day.

Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) – How adorable is a young Patrick Dempsey?! I also adored this movie. Can’t believe I hadn’t seen it until now.

Heathers (1988) – Okay, I know this is a cult classic, but someone should have warned me how dark it is!! Didn’t love it, but enjoyed seeing Winona Ryder and Christian Slater in their hay day.

Love Potion No. 9 (1993) – This movie was so cheesy and adorable and right up my alley. Sandra Bullock and Tate Donovan are so dreamy.

Teen Witch (1989) – Watched this one in honor of Halloween and again, LOVED. Please watch this scene. It’s hilarious, and awesome, and so 80s. TOP THAT.

xo xo

life lately

screen-shot-2016-10-23-at-5-51-55-pm{relaxing with this || adorable cuddly poodle}

img_0325{cheering for this || our work kickball team that all our friends are on, and we just sit in the stands and cheer … and drink wine}

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img_0365{eating this || my witches hats + brooms and jordan’s disgusting looking, but delicious tasting buffalo chicken dip at our team halloween party}

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{enjoying this || fun night at a haunted house}

img_0362{drinking this || delicious cappuccino at a new coffee shop down the road}

xo xo

Book Reviews: a Play, a Thriller + a RomCom

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I’ve been in a reading rut lately.

It seems like forever ago when I read the three books in this review because I’ve been failing miserably to find my next book. I started and stopped four books that I just couldn’t get in to, and then just gave up and fell back into my latest TV binge, Suits.

Then, the book gods blessed me with three new books in one week, and I’ve been devouring them. So, I decided to do my book review with only three books instead of my typical four, so I can start fresh with my new books.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – J.K. Rowling: I was so nervous about this one! I was afraid it would totally ruin one of my all-time favorite series, but I loved it! It takes a bit to get into the flow since you are literally reading a play. But once you do, and you immerse yourself again into the fantastical world of HP you will fall in love with the series all over again.
Grade: A

Pretty Girls – Karin Slaughter: This one falls under a typical, go-to genre for me – mystery thriller with a female lead, a la Gone Girl, Girl on the Train, The Good Girl, etc. While I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it. There were some very dark themes in the book that I wasn’t prepared for (torture, rape) and were written about in more detail than I would prefer. If you like darker thrillers, you would probably really enjoy this.
Grade: B

The Hating Game – Sally Thorne: This one was given to me by a friend out of the blue so I knew absolutely nothing about it, and sometimes those are the best. I often build up books in my head so much that they don’t live up to the expectation. Well, I loved this book! It was such an easy, fun read that follows two work enemies who end up anything but enemies. It’s a very cute, playful love story with a sexy edge.
Grade: A+

xo xo
You can see all my book reviews here.
 

Picturebook: Fall Party!

I think we can all agree – Fall is the BEST season of all. If you don’t agree, you can just stop reading now.

(Just kidding. Kind of.)

For the first time, I decided to host a party celebrating all the best things of the season – red wine, pumpkin-flavored everything, scarves, boots, and the perfect weather.

And boy, did we have it all!!

See a few pictures below. Unfortunately I didn’t get quite enough for my liking … but I do have a couple of hilarious videos/snaps to show if you ask next time you see me.

img_0145{party outfit goal: basic white girl – fall edition}

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img_0130{drink table, including my signature drink: apple cider mimosas (delish!)}

img_0123{This was SUCH an easy appetizer/dessert – wrap butter-soaked apples, apple pie spice + brown sugar mixture, and pecans in crescent rolls. Cook for 8-10 minutes.}

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img_0029{These were our contributions – apple pie bites (recipe above), baked brie with fig, pumpkin cheesecake bars + pumpkin salsa from fresh market (which was seriously a hit!) This doesn’t show all the amaaaazing food our friends brought. Thanks, friends!}

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img_0038{Love these beautiful friends! Unfortunately didn’t get any other pics with the 20+ people who were there, but I love them too!}

img_0142{late night games: drenga + fingers}

img_0141{final pic of the night with husband <3}

[not pictured: shenanigans on our back patio, including boys + cigars, a hilarious 30 minutes trying to open a champagne bottle with a knife then a shoe, and stories that made us laugh ‘ till we cried.]

xo xo

Pumpkin Fettuccine {recipe}

Y’all know I love pumpkin. Over the years I’ve shared recipes for Pumpkin Butter Cake, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and my favorite – Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies.

Well, here’s a new one for ya – Pumpkin Fettuccine. To be honest, I can’t even remember where I found the recipe, but it looked easy, delicious and a unique way to use pumpkin!

I was skeptical to tell Husband what I was making. I thought he would turn up his nose and look at me like I was crazy. But he surprised me and was open to it.

Guys, let me be the first to tell you … it.was.amazing. Seriously. Amazing. It was so so easy and had just a subtle pumpkin flavor.

Even if you aren’t a pumpkin lover like me, but are a fettuccine alfredo lover, then take a risk and add some pumpkin. It is fall, y’all.

P U M P K I N   F E T T U C C I N E 

img_0197{you cook. I’ll drink. or in this case, I’ll do both.}

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img_0227{best served with sister schubert’s rolls!}

Ingredients:
1 box of fettuccine
2 tablespoons butter
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin)
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions.
2. Heat the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic; saute until soft and fragrant. Add the pumpkin and heavy whipping cream. Simmer until slightly thickened. Add the cheese and stir to combine.
3. Toss the pasta in the sauce. Top with additional parmesan and season to taste with S&P.

xo xo

life lately [special edition]

It’s been almost a month since my last blog post. I’ve been busy, but not too busy. I’ve been enjoying life and husband and family and friends, and for some reason haven’t felt like blogging.

And that’s why I love this. I have no requirement or burden to blog every week. I blog for me, and if I need time to rejuvenate and not pick up a computer after work, so be it.

I love all my readers, and hopefully they’ve missed my posts at least a little. And while it was nice to step away a bit and enjoy the fall season moving in, I’m excited to be back with several posts on the tip of my fingers.

But first, let me catch you up a little on my life lately …

screen-shot-2016-10-12-at-6-05-23-pm{loving this || wednesday over water at crystal bridges, presidential style!}

screen-shot-2016-10-12-at-6-06-06-pm{drinking this || first PSL of the season!}

screen-shot-2016-10-12-at-6-05-38-pm{dining in this || blindfolds… for dining in the dark at river grille – we ate alpaca! eek!}

img_0169{eating this || italian sausage tortellini soup – the best fall recipe!}

screen-shot-2016-10-12-at-6-05-58-pm{overly excited about this || fixing our walls after our puppy ate them. you can just call us chip and joanna}

screen-shot-2016-10-12-at-6-06-24-pm{buying this || amazing sunflowers + arkansas black apples at the farmers market}

screen-shot-2016-10-12-at-6-06-33-pm{enjoying this || tailgating + a birthday night out in fayetteville}

SUITS -- Season: 2 -- Pictured: (l-r) Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross, Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter -- Photo by: Robert Ascroft/USA Network

     {bingeing this || SUITS! love me some mike + harvey}

Other eventful happenings …
– a hand infection from my rose bushes that caused 2 dr. visits, 1 allergic reaction, 5 medications + countless sleepless nights
– a new KING bed! pictures and blog post to come
– FALL PARTY! celebrating the best season of all with apple cider mimosas, lots of brie + champagne soaked clothes. of course I have photos and of course I will do a post about it soon.

xo xo

 

life lately

screen-shot-2016-09-17-at-5-06-11-pm{savoring this || dinner al fresco with the family}

L A B O R  D A Y  W E E K E N D

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screen-shot-2016-09-17-at-5-09-21-pmF R I D A Y
{loving this || light night party at crystal bridges}

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screen-shot-2016-09-17-at-5-07-17-pmS A T U R D A Y
{cheering at this || the first razorback game of the season}

screen-shot-2016-09-17-at-5-05-54-pm{listening to this || collective soul + goo goo dolls}

screen-shot-2016-09-17-at-5-05-34-pm{dressing up like this || for a 30th birthday party}

14379963_3397774296140_8496053782534612195_o{rocking out to this || rock of ages at arkansas public theatre}

xo xo

Fall Wish List

This weekend, I realized another reason why Fall is my favorite season. No.more.yard.work.

 

No, I don’t have to mow and edge every week like husband does (and I know, that is awfuuuul), but I do work in our garden. We were fortunate we already had a nice flower bed when we moved in, with 6+ massive and gorgeous rose bushes. “How lucky we are!” I thought. HA! Who knew rose bushes were so difficult to control?! And don’t even get me started on pulling weeds and mulching, which I did this weekend … again.

 

Nevertheless, FALL. I’ve already shared my excitement for new Fall TV shows, but below are a few other things that get me giddy about the best season of all and are currently on my Fall Wish List.

 

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B O O T S
These Sam Edelman boots are exactly what I need this season.

 

screen-shot-2016-09-14-at-5-58-43-pmP L A I D  B L A N K E T
Check! Found this one at Home Goods and used it on the front porch last weekend.

 

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F A L L  D E C O R
Looking for new fun ways to decorate this Fall, and love this idea!

 

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 C R O C K P O T  R E C I P E
I love a good, hearty crockpot recipe and this one is next on the list – Potato and Corn Chowder.

 

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P A T A G O N I A
Husband and I live in these in the Fall, and we decided we’d buy a new one this year on the first day of the season. Picked mine out!

 

196a4ca4313f5864d3b92a986be2f15cB L A N K E T  S C A R F
I already have one of these, but definitely need another one. These colors are gorgeous.

 

0becab4c7a8ed67bc7d2986ff0550b9bF A L L  S C E N T E D  C A N D L E
Check! My pumpkin pie woodwick candle is burning constantly, and it’s amazing.

 

4092776110b5fa6450c49e2481dbbd67O X B L O O D  P U R S E
Like this one. Except a little more affordable than Celine. Maybe someday.

 

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A L L  T H I N G S  P U M P K I N
Pumpkin spice macarons will happen soon thanks to my amazing friend M.

 

I’m even hosting a Fall-themed party for the first time this year. I’ve already been Pinterest-ing in anticipation and can’t wait to share the details in a few weeks!

 

Xo xo

9 Easy Recipes You’ll Want to Make For Dinner Again and Again

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Meal planning and cooking every single week is the worst.

I used to dread dinner every night because I hadn’t planned ahead and didn’t know what we were going to eat until about 30 minutes before, which usually equated to eating out or eating unhealthy meals.

Then, I got my act together. I started forcing myself to meal plan for the week ahead on Sunday afternoons. I plan, place my order on Walmart Grocery, then pick up! I don’t even have to get out of my car (which is even better for those often lazy Sundays).

I shared some other meal planning tips here, but in this post I want to share some super simple and delicious recipes to add to your weekly meal repertoire. Who doesn’t love easy, mostly healthy, delicious recipes? And there is absolutely nothing wrong with re-using the same recipes again and again and again. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

E A S Y  R E C I P E S 

White Chicken Chili – Thanks to my coworker for sharing this one! We tried it this weekend and it was so delicious and easy. I think the surprise ingredient that took it to the next level was the Cream of Chicken Soup. We topped with jalapenos and shredded cheese.

On a similar note, there’s always my classic chili or a good taco soup. These are perfect for Fall and serve a group of people for an easy meal together.

Southwestern Stuffed Peppers – This is great with black beans and rice, but can also be paleo if you cut those two ingredients and cheese out of the recipe. As you’ll see in the recipe, I used to cut the peppers in half long ways, but now I just cut the top off and stuff it all in. We eat it with lots of delicious salsa and avocado.

Crockpot Chicken Verde – We do this one a LOT because it’s so simple and versatile. Are you ready for the recipe? Put chicken in a crockpot and top with salsa verde. We prefer World Table Roasted Salsa Verde from Walmart. And that’s it! That’s all you do! Put it on low over lunch and it will be ready by dinner. This is great over rice, with veggies or in tacos.

Make-Your-Own Quinoa Bowl – Lately I’ve been on a quinoa kick. Cook your quinoa on the stove or in the rice cooker, then add whatever you want. I literally pull all options out of the refrigerator and Husband and I fix how we like. He tends to go towards mexican-style – beans, chicken, salsa, cheese. I tend towards mediterranean – banana peppers, kalmata olives, tomatoes, arugula and a delicious greek tzaziki dip I found at Walmart. What’s great is this is also perfect to pile into a mason jar and take to work for lunch.

One-Pan Balsamic Chicken – This one is super healthy and pretty much paleo – chicken, asparagus and tomatoes. You could mix the sauce up a little bit if you prefer more sweet or more spicy, but overall very easy (one-pan!) and delicious. We make this every other week.

Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes – This one is our new favorite! I found it in Southern Living, and every time I make it Husband comments how good it is. Again, one-pan! Sometimes we use potatoes, sometimes we just stick to squash and zucchini.

Pepperoni Rolls – Okay this one is totally unhealthy and we do not make it often, but it is so so good. This would be a great alternative to ordering pizza one night or is perfect as a heavier appetizer for a party. We put jalapenos in ours and serve with warm marinara as dipping sauce.

What is your easy go-to recipe?
xo xo

Fall TV: 5 New Shows To Watch

September is here! My favorite month of the year for several reasons …

It marks the official start of Fall and the return of: PSL (and all things pumpkin for that matter), early mornings and late evenings on the porch with Husband, tailgating and calling the Hogs with family and friends, scarves and boots and more scarves and boots, and of course, Fall TV.

Every year I get so excited for my TV shows to come back on and to see what new shows might be added to my regular watch list. Our Summer list has included: The Affair, Stranger Things, Veep and The Wine Show. All amazing shows I would highly recommend, but there’s just something about the return of Fall TV that makes me giddy. (I know, I’m a TV dork.)

Here’s a look at what shows I’m excited to watch this this Fall.

T O P  5  N E W  S H O W S

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This Is Us – NBC, Tuesday, Sep. 20

Synopsis: The ensemble dramedy follows a group of people who share the same birthday and whose lives intersect in various ways.
Why I’ll Watch: The preview made me cry, it reminds me of Parenthood, and JESS (Milo Ventimiglia) is back on TV. This one is at the top of my list.

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Designated Survivor – ABC, Wednesday, Sep. 21

Synopsis: Keifer Sutherland stars as Tom Kirkman, a lower cabinet member who becomes president after an attack on Washington kills everyone ahead of him in the line of succession.
Why I’ll Watch: Drama, suspense and politics –all the ingredients for a great show.

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The Good Place – NBC, Monday, Sept. 19

Synopsis: When Eleanor realizes that she’s not a very good person, she gets a chance to start anew with the help of Michael (Ted Danson) in the afterlife.
Why I’ll Watch: This has the potential to be really funny. Also Kristen Bell is amazing.

MAKING HISTORY: L-R: Adam Pally and Leighton Meester in MAKING HISTORY premiering midseason on FOX. ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Qantrell Colbert/FOX

Making History – FOX, Midseason

Synopsis: Pally, Meester and Lester play three friends who travel through time while trying to get through their everyday lives in the present.
Why I’ll Watch: Adam Pally is hilarious (Mindy Project, Happy Endings) and Leighton Meester is one of my all-time favorites.

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Riverdale – CW, Midseason

Synopsis: Based on the Archie Comics characters, the series finds Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and Josie trying to navigate life in their small town, which is not as wholesome as it seems.
Why I’ll Watch: Growing up I was obsessed with Archie, Betty & Veronica, so I’ll give this one a shot purely for nostalgia. Also, it has a creepy Pretty Little Liars feel.

 

C U R R E N T  W A T C H L I S T

Blindspot – NBC, Wednesday, Sept. 14

The Big Bang Theory – CBS, Monday, Sept. 19

How To Get Away With Murder* – ABC, Thursday, Sept. 22

Quantico* – ABC, Sunday, Sept. 25

Younger – TVLand, Wednesday, Sept. 28

The Mindy Project – Hulu, Oct. 4

Jane the Virgin – CW, Monday, Oct. 17

The Walking Dead – AMC, Sunday, Oct. 23

iZombie – Midseason

Scandal* – ABC, Midseason

The Affair – Showtime, Midseason

Nashville – CMT, Midseason

The Royals – E!, Midseason

*Currently on the chopping block. I didn’t LOVE the last seasons, so will give them a couple of episodes to see if I will continue watching.

Are you as excited as I am for Fall TV?! What’s on your watch list?

xo xo

You might also enjoy – Fall TV Guides: 20152014, 2013