Emerald City



One random trip to Target I stumbled upon this lovely and unique nail polish by Revlon. As September approached I realized this would be a great start to Fall and now I'm just obsessed with the color!

Emerald City Nail Polish by Revlon

 

Adrianna Buckle Pumps by J Crew

Feathered earings from Forever 21

Sweater dress by J Crew

Cookie Heaven

Here they are from top left to right:

1. Double fudge oreo crunch

2. Chocolate chip red velvet (with pumpkin cream cheese filling!)

3. Shortbread cookies with frosting and berries

4. Cinnamon bun cookies
5. Nutella thumbprint

6. Monster cookies

7. Kahlua and espresso chocolate chip

8. Pillow Cookies

The best cookie book:

Friday Inpiration

Happy Friday! Here's the perfect recipe for caramel popcorn for a MOVIE NIGHT:


1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 quarts popped popcorn

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Place popcorn in a very large bowl.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla.
3. Place in two large shallow baking dishes and bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. Remove from oven and pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat.

Let cool completely before breaking into pieces!

Wednesday's Wisdom

" Give me to believe that thou canst do for me more than I ask or think, and that, though I backslide, thy love will never let me go, but will draw me back to thee with everlasting cords; that thou dost provide grace in the wilderness"

The Valley of Vision

{Backsliding}

Hard CORE

Having a strong core is, I would say, the foundation behind each good workout. Pilates and yoga definitely focus on core exercises by practicing poses that target your abdominal. This can help prevent many "sports" injuries and even everyday activities like lifting something heavy. Here are some basic poses that stretch and strengthen your core.   



Dolphin Pose

Full Boat Pose



Plank Pose





Sweet tooth + Love of baking=

This weekend was definitely relaxing...one way I relax is by baking! I had to make more than one dessert while I was at it. Here were the results...

Peach Crisp. Just took it out of the oven all bubbly and warm and ready for vanilla ice cream. The perfect match! Recipe?...my own :)

Chewy chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Here's the recipe (I added the white choc chips!) I just took a bite, they are still hot!

Friday Inspiration

A couple of beautifully designed and functional kitchen...A dream come true! Both are very different yet trendy.

Wednesday's Wisdom

The Valley of Vision is a collection of puritan prayers. This is a must read! Its so encouraging and beautiful how the Puritans protrayed their love, affection, and dependance on the Lord. Here is a quote for today:

"...the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells, the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

thy life in my death,

thy joy in my sorrow,

thy grace in my sin,

thy riches in my poverty,

thy glory in my valley."

{The Valley of Vision}

Quick Dinner Menu

I love planning ahead, especially when visitors come. I like to be ready to properly host my guests. But sometimes there is little to NO time at all and you need something quick and easy and impressive! Ok here's a few last minute recipes that are delicous:

Main course

Chicken Spaghetti
 Recipe

Buttered Rosemary Rolls
 Recipe

Chicken Caesar Salad


Dessert
Brookies (Brownie/Cookies)
 Recipe is seriously easy! Eat it warm and ooey gooey with ice cold milk or topped with ice cream. Top with chocolate ganache.

Send them away feeling happy and loved!

Friday Inspiration

             A pretty "end of the Summer" dress

An Amazing Breakfast

So these dishes may not be as "good" for you as your everyday breakfast of oatmeal, cereal, whole grain toast...BUT once in a while we all need to splurge and I think breakfast is a great meal for that. And if you can't eat this all by your self, have a breakfast party morning or night! Who doesn't love good company and good food? Here's the menu:

French toast stuffed with cream cheese and fruit sprinkled with cinnamon and grilled :)

Goat cheese quiche with hashbrown crust! Here's the recipe thank you Martha!!!!

Iced coffee



My favorite muffin ever...blueberry!



Ok thats enough food for now :) Enjoy

Friday Inspiration

Accessories for your home that will transform the look in minutes!

A colorful toss pillow with lots of texture. Go for a gutsy green!

           

(Pier 1 Imports)

Starburst Mirror...when you just can't find the right painting for your wall.

(Crate and Barrel)

Black crystal cube lamp. Its chic and sophisticated.

   

        
(Pier 1 Imports)

Ice Cream Heaven

July was National ice cream month but since it was kinda busy for me I am now paying a tribute to the most delicous dessert ever! This is my ice cream heaven...




Here are the flavors:
(starting with top left to right)
1. Blueberry muffin
2. Brownie batter
3. Mint chocolate chip
4. Blackberry
5. Strawberry cheesecake
6. Banana bread

Don't forget to pick this up for a good Summer ice cream guide: