EATLIVEWEARWANTLIFEREAD

11/30/2016

WEEK IN SIX PICS...

{A basket of my mom's cute ornaments that will go on her tree... She actually found those at the Dollar Tree!}

Hi there! How was your Thanksgiving?? I hope it went well. It's been quiet in these parts - again. I know. My Thanksgiving went really well until I caught some sort of stomach bug near the end. I'm still not feeling that great and am spending as much time as I can resting (i.e. it's 7PM right now and I'm already in bed for the night!) Anyway, I thought I would share some photos I took over the break. I'll be back here as soon as I feel better! Fingers crossed that will be soon... Have a great rest of the week!


{The chopped vegetables I used to make a version of this braised turkey. It was SO SO SO good and super easy to make. I basically followed the recipe for the dark meat except for adding the flour and the cognac. Trust me - it was amazing without those things. }


{Cheese for the macaroni and cheese. I planned to make this mac & cheese. But once I got home, my mom was raving about John Legend's (the singer) mac & cheese. She said she had made it recently and that it was really good. So I made it (such an easy recipe) and everyone loved it! }

{My new favorite pair of glasses, and a few cozy cable knit sweaters I wore during the break. That top sweater is easily one of my favorites this season. It's still on sale! }

{An outtake during a photo shoot with my brother. I was wearing an all-black outfit, so naturally a lint brush was necessary. :) That clutch is a staple that I will quite possibly have forever. }


{ And the vanilla pound cake that I make every year for Thanksgiving... Everyone scarfed it up, which made me happier than I would have been if I was able to eat a slice myself.... :) }
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11/24/2016

HAPPY THANKSGIVING + LINKS!!

Friendsgiving Table | Sacramento Street


Happy Thanksgiving!!! Have you eaten yet?? If you are reading this in the morning, I am currently in the kitchen at my parent's house cooking up the sides with my mom while a random cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie is on in the background. That's how we roll... :)

Anyway, in case you need a little downtime from family, I have lots of good links for you below to peruse. There are lots of good sales, home tours, food, and other random stuff that I hope you enjoy!! Also, see some of my sale picks at the end of the post! Have a great rest of the week and I'll see you back here next week!


Good Sales
Everything here is 50% off... This top & these boots - wanted.
Everything here is 50% off, too! I just got these pjs. LOVE...
Almost everything here is 40% off! That never happens...
Their sweaters have been on point this year! I already snatched this one (in new off white) @50% off.
My favorite sale to stock up on these pjs, good gifts, and cute tops...
One of my favorite places to shop small and shop for gifts!
This coat... Yes.


Good Spaces
This condo tour blew me away - especially the "cloffice..."
This home tour is pretty special, too...
Homes in Charleston, SC are amazing, especially this one...
So much pretty in this issue...


Good Things
10 things I'm still thankful for...
How to keep going... Loved this.
The beauty of self-care. So good to know...
Proof that you can be stylish at any age...
I love a good wedding video and naturally her video doesn't dissapoint...
She created a new website for her gift guide this year, so you know it's good...


Good Food & Drinks
In case you are in need of a good salad after today...
And in case you have lots of leftever turkey...
The best wines that are under $30...
This banana bread has GOT to be good...
Love this spin on peanut butter cups...


use the arrows to scroll and see more!





Image via Sacramento Street
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11/16/2016

OUR THANKSGIVING DAY MENU...

So after I finished my last post, I thought it would be fun to share our actual Thanksgiving Day menu. Many of you have asked me what I'm eating this year and the answer is a LOT of good stuff! My thyroid antibody level is still slightly high (I am SO close to normal though!), so I am sticking to the Autoimmune Protocol Diet (AIP) and this routine for a bit longer. As much as I hated it in the beginning, I am actually starting to like it. Most importantly, I feel about 98% better than I did this time last year. And when it comes to food, there are actually a lot of foods that I can have - I just have to figure out ways to get creative and incorporate lots of flavor without adding flour, butter, eggs, cheese, refined sugar, and a few other things that are in practically EVERYTHING - especially Thanksgiving food. That has been the tricky part, but I've learned a lot over the past 8 months and I will be incorporating what I've learned into our Thanksgiving Day meal. 

Below is a list of what we are having! Gosh my mouth is watering... I would never want my family to be deprived of things like mac & cheese, dressing, and pound cake because of my issues, so my mom and I are still cooking those things for them. The things I will be eating are denoted with a (*), which means they are mostly AIP or can be easily adapted into an AIP recipe. Also, all of the ingredients in the AIP recipes will be organic. I have included links to the most of the recipes in case you are interested!

Main Course



Soups + Sides

Country Collard Greens (my mom's recipe) *
Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes w/ Baked Pink Lady Apples *

Desserts

Southwest Georgia Pound Cake w/ Vanilla Ice Cream
Nada Moo Chocolate Coconut Ice Cream topped w/ Cinnamon Baked Apples *


What are you having???



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11/14/2016

13 AMAZING DESSERTS FOR THANKSGIVING...

Pumpkin Cupcakes | Savor Home

It's almost Thanksgiving!!! I admit that I was a little down about it due to my current dietary restrictions, but I'm good now! My mom and I have planned an amazing menu - one that doesn't make me feel left out, so I'm excited! I'll be sharing our menu with you later this week! I know some of you are in the midst of planning your menu, so I thought I might be of help and share a few desserts with you that would be perfection!!! These are a few of the most popular, easiest, and delicious recipes I've posted here. I hope they help you out! :)

No-Bake Cheesecake | Savor Home

Spiced Pumpkin Bundt Cake | Savor Home

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Skillet Cookie | Savor Home

Strawberry Brownie Cake | Savor Home

Strawberry Brownie Cake | Savor Home

Chocolate Cake | Savor Home

Southwest Georgia Pound Cake | Savor Home


Here are a few additional desserts that might be worth trying...




Streusel Cake (a good dessert for breakfast! :)

All images by me 
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11/08/2016

HOME TOUR: A MODERN 18TH CENTURY FARMHOUSE...

Modern Farmhouse via Rue Daily | Savor Home
It's Election Day! So how about a home tour?? Pretty interiors calm my nerves, so maybe this will calm your nerves, too if you are in need of some nerve-calming. I ran across this home yesterday and I think I viewed the slideshow of it three times. I love it! The home was built in the 18th century and was recently renovated to accommodate the homeowner's modern standards. I think they did an amazing job at getting a modern look all while maintaining the home's original character. It's modern, but things like the mix of bright and warm colors, the lighting, the rugs (I need every single rug here), even that sink in the bathroom, all compliment the style of an old, yet updated farmhouse in a beautiful way. I'd give anything to relax in a home like this - especially on a day like today! :)

Modern Farmhouse via Rue Daily | Savor Home
Modern Farmhouse via Rue Daily | Savor Home

Modern Farmhouse via Rue Daily | Savor Home
Modern Farmhouse via Rue Daily | Savor Home
Modern Farmhouse via Rue Daily | Savor Home
Modern Farmhouse via Rue Daily | Savor Home
Images by Jared Kuzia for Rue Daily, Design by Kristen Crestin Design

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11/04/2016

AN AUTUMN TABLE + LINKS...


Happy Friday! How was the week? My week was busy - but a self-induced kind of busy. A few weeks ago, I ran across a 2016 to-do list that I made back in January and I had not crossed one single thing off! And these were things that kinda really need to get done - not just random things. So I've been working on those things this week. Even though it's been busy, it feels so darn good to check things off! This weekend will be a continuation of that plus some much needed downtime. And don't forget - Sunday is one of the best days of the year because you can sleep in an extra hour... :) #rollback

Good Things
I just added this coat to my trench coat collection. It's on sale!
How perfect would these be for the holidays??
Her favorite things is live! Loving this, these for Christmas morning, & this...

Good Spaces
The prettiest, smallest bathroom...
Halloween is over, but I loved her front porch... 
The most perfect pantry...
55 impressive home offices...

Good To Know
Just good business sense...
This free personality test was SPOT ON for me...
How to release stress that's stuck... Love this.

Good Food & Drinks
I pre-ordered this cookbook in 2.5 seconds flat...
A fun thing to make with one of my favorite vegetables...
In case you need help with your Thanksgiving menu. So neat.
And I'm thinking of making these for my family for Thanksgiving...
And these as gifts for the holidays...


Image via Camille Styles
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11/03/2016

MY FAVORITE $10 NATURAL PERFUME OIL...

So I'm still in the process of parting with toxic beauty products - specifically the products that I use every day. I'm so close to being done! I've switched out my soap, most of my facial products, and my body moisturizer (mainly coconut oil mixed with an all-natural lotion). I even found a good natural nail polish... Next up: perfume.

Perfume is something that I wear every day. I honestly don't feel complete without putting it on before walking out the door. It's something about smelling extra fresh that makes me feel like I'm ready for the day. A few months ago, I was watching Kristen Bell's interview with Giuliana Rancic during the Emmy Awards. Giuliana kept talking about how good she smelled. Kristen said she was wearing Amber oil that she picked up from Whole Foods for $10! So naturally I picked it up on my next trip and grabbed the last bottle they had. They said they had been selling out since that interview... Crazy. 

I have to say... I LOVE it. It's a woodsy, yet fresh and sweet scent all in one, which makes it a great scent for fall. I just roll a little on my wrist and on my chest and I can still smell it at the end of the day. Since it's an oil, it mixes with the pheromones and heat of your body and creates a slightly different scent than the one right out of the bottle - but it still smells amazing. If you aren't close to a Whole Foods, then you can find it here on Amazon. 

Image by me
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10/31/2016

HOME TOUR: LAUREN CONRAD'S PERFECT PAD IN PACIFIC PALISADES...

Lauren Conrad L.A. Home | via Domaine Home
The Hills. I wholeheartedly admit that I miss that crazy fake, but good reality show. Did you watch it?? Lauren Conrad was easily my favorite person on the show. I loved her sense of fashion and loved seeing how she decorated her apartments and her homes. Now she is all grown up, is running her own fashion empire, has a great blog, and lives in this beautiful Spanish-style, boho-chic California home. Her homes on the show always looked very put-together, yet comfortable and livable. That is how I would describe her current home. It's bright and filled with a mix of warm woods, light fabrics, and personal details that make it so inviting and unfussy. If I had one wish, it would be to transport that kitchen and bath into my own home. I love the stove (La Cornue of course!), the open shelving, and how the subway tile doesn't look perfectly perfect. She did a great job of keeping the character of the house during renovations... And that bathroom... well my morning showers and nightly baths would be extra enjoyable... I just love it all. 

Lauren Conrad L.A. Home | via Domaine Home
Lauren Conrad L.A. Home | via Domaine Home
Lauren Conrad L.A. Home | via Domaine Home
Lauren Conrad L.A. Home | via Domaine Home
Lauren Conrad L.A. Home | via Domaine Home
Lauren Conrad L.A. Home | via Domaine Home
Lauren Conrad L.A. Home | via Domaine Home

Images by Justin Coit for Domaine Home

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10/26/2016

A BIG FALL READING LIST...

2016 Fall Reading List | Savor Home

Gosh it seems like yesterday when I posted my summer reading list - and now here I am posting a list for fall. Time is moving way too fast!! Anyway, did any of you read anything from the summer list?? I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago that this book was my favorite. So good...  This book was a close second. For the fall list, I'm highlighting four books and two cookbooks. AND I'm also including a list of 16 additional recommendations at the end of the post for your perusal!! So many of you have told me that you enjoy these posts, so I wanted to hook you up!! :) Enjoy!

1. The Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines: Peeps - I got this book when it was released last Tuesday and finished it two days later - full-time job and week-long migraine included. If you think you know this couple just by watching marathons of their HGTV show, Fixer Upper, think again. This inspirational, super-sweet, hard-working couple has been THROUGH IT. The story starts when they met ends where they are now. What happens in between is proof that life and love can be hard - yet so rewarding, polar opposite personalities can thrive off one another, that hard work pays off, and that God is very real. Their journey (romantic and all!) filled me with so much inspiration - the kind that makes you feel like anything is possible. If you need a little lift in the midst of all of this mayhem going on in the world, then read this book - regardless of if you watch their show or not. I promise you won't be disappointed.

2. The Things We Wish Were True by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen: I admit that I don't really care for books where each chapter is about a different character. All that back and forth can be a bit much for me. But I like this one!! It involves a cast of characters in an all-American picturesque neighborhood in North Carolina. But things aren't as perfect as they seem. In the beginning, each character seems to have their own separate lives, but as the book goes on, they all intertwine - in good ways and in not so good ways. And it all starts with an accident at the neighborhood pool. Childhood secrets among the characters are dispelled and unforgiveness looms. Things and people aren't always what they seem and this book seems to be proving that...

3. The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware: I love to curl up with a good mystery and this one looks good to me! Journalist Lo Blacklock has been invited on a small luxury cruise liner for work. The scenery is amazing, the food is good, and the cabins are lovely. Things are going well up until she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard. Despite what she saw, all of the passengers are "accounted for" and the cruise moves on as if nothing happened. She makes several attempts to report the story, but to no avail. Hmm...

4. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: The craziness in today's world makes me appreciate feel-good stories (real and fiction) now more than ever. Ove is an old, pist off man who is unhappy with everything and everyone for seemingly no reason. One day, he gets a new set of neighbors - a chatty couple with two young daughters. The couple sets him off by accidentally running over his mailbox with their U-Haul. But it seems like that's just what needed to happen in order for the couple to make a profound difference in Ove's life - and attitude.

5. The Seasoned Life by Ayesha Curry: My diet is so crazy right now that I have honestly shied away from buying cookbooks - which has been SO HARD to do. But a friend of mine recently invited me to Ayesha's book signing (which included a copy of her book), and I am so glad I went (see the pic of the two of us here)! She was super sweet in person and beautiful! I have to say that her cookbook is really, really good. The recipes are easy to make, family friendly, and healthy - yet they look incredibly delicious and flavorful. Lucky for me, they are really easy to adapt to my diet!! The first season of her show, Ayesha's Homemade, on Food Network debuted last Saturday, so you know her food has to be legit!

6. Celebrations by Danielle Walker: I totally admit that I've been kinda leery about Thanksgiving and Christmas due to my diet limitations. Eating however much of whatever I want is off the table this year... Ugh. But I think there is hope now because of this cookbook! I flipped through this book at a local bookstore last weekend and I came home and ordered it immediately! It has so many tasty-looking Paleo and adaptable AIP-friendly recipes that would be perfect for any type of celebration - especially Thanksgiving and Christmas - and any type of diet - good or not so good. The recipes are healthy, but they don't have the dry, tasteless, healthy look about them. I love that.

Additional Recommendations:

Novels

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Who We Were Before by Leah Mercer

When I'm Gone by Emily Bleeker

Five Stages of Falling In Love by Rachel Higginson

What She Knew by Gilly McMillan 

All The Breaking Waves by Kerry Lonsdale

Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

52 Lists for Happiness by Moorea Seal (not a novel, but you know I love a good list!)

Cookbooks

Cooking for Jeffrey by Ina Garten (obviously!)

Skinnytaste Fast and Slow by Gina Homolka

Small Victories by Julia Turshen

French Country Cooking by Mimi Thorisson

Damn Delicious by Chungah Rhee (love her blog!)

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10/24/2016

I'M WEARING MY FAVORITE FALL TRENCH COAT...

Coat: Club Monaco (all of their trench coats are on sale!)| Dress: ASOS (old), similar herehere, and here | Sandals: J.Crew (old), similar here and here | Clutch: Kate Spade (on sale!) | Bar Necklace: Argento Vivo | Ring: Tiffany & Co. (vintage Atlas collection) | Sunglasses: Le Specs | Watch: Michael Kors

Happy Monday! I planned to tell you about my fall reading list today, but a when there is a good sale, plans must change! The sale involves my first love when it comes to clothing - and that is trench coats. Some people collect china. I collect trench coats. I started collecting them in college and I haven't stopped. They are so classic and can be dressed up or down. The accentuate your figure when they are all nice and belted up, which can make you look like a million bucks - even though you might have only spent 5 minutes getting dressed...

This draped soft trench is one of my absolute favorites. It's super soft and lightweight- yet keeps you just warm enough on a cool day. The dress I'm wearing is a a simple $20 t-shirt dress - yet the coat makes it look like it's something way fancier than that. That is the beauty of a trench coat! 

Shop some of my favorite lightweight trench coats below - and check back on Wednesday for the big fall reading list! 



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10/21/2016

A LOVELY LIVING ROOM + LINKS...

Hi there! How was your week?? I had every intention of showing up here a few days this week, but life happened... I don't get migraines often anymore (thank GOD!), but when I do, they like to show up uninvited, shoot the breeze, and sleep over for a few days. That was my most of my week. Ugh. Thankfully that is all over with now and I've got links for you! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Good Things
Love the color (and price!) of this...
 Adding these fun things to my workout wardrobe...
Everything in my dream home shop is on sale... Le sigh.
These made my migraines MUCH more tolerable this week... Good stuff.


Good Spaces 
7000 sq. ft of pure beauty...
The organization in this beautiful kitchen is so good...
And this cute couple's new kitchen is also insane...
This AirBnb is booked well into next year - and it's here in Atlanta!
I might just give up my walk-in closet for something like this...


Good To Know
In case fall cleaning is on your to-do list...
And in case fall travel is on your list... Fascinating.
For those of you who put lemon in your water at restaurants...
I'm definitely looking forward to this...
Clever costumes...


Good Food & Drinks
A pretty creative way to make chocolate mousse...
I made this for dinner this week! So easy and so good!
This almost looks too pretty to eat... Almost.
A quick and pretty dinner in 1 hr...
Fall cupcakes... One of your favorite posts to date. 


Image by Tessa Neudstat for Amber Interiors
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10/13/2016

I'M WEARING WIDE LEGS AND A LITTLE SUEDE...

Wide Leg Pants, Suede Block Heeled Sandals, Black Tote | Savor Home
Wide Leg Pants, Suede Block Heeled Sandals, Black Tote | Savor Home
Wide Leg Pants, Suede Block Heeled Sandals, Black Tote | Savor Home
Wide Leg Pants, Suede Block Heeled Sandals, Black Tote | Savor Home
Top: Banana Republic | Pants: J.Crew (old), similar here and here | Sandals: Banana Republic | Bag: Zac Posen (I like this bag and this bag, too) | Necklace: Banana Republic (old) | Bracelet: Kate Spade | Sunglasses: Le Specs | Lips: Nars "Fire Down Below


So I'm sitting here on my lunch break writing this post- wearing those wide-leg pants. I wore them last week, too. And the week before. They are just the most comfortable things ever and I am so glad they have made a little comeback! In case you haven't noticed, I love to wear black, so I paired these here with a simple black knit top and added a little pop of color with those suede block heels for a complete wear-to-work look. 

A quick word about those sandals...

They are so comfortable!! My feet are quite thankful that block heels have made a comeback, too. Note that I had to go a 1/2 size down from my regular size for the perfect fit in these. 

Oh and the bag!! That bag is everything. It's my everyday bag and it fits my whole life (which is a lot) with a little room to spare. I've had it for a while, have carried it everywhere, and it has held it's shape and still looks new. Now that's a good bag... 



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10/11/2016

EIGHT THINGS ON MY FALL TO-DO LIST...

I make to-do lists on a weekly, and sometimes on a daily basis. Grocery lists, blog idea lists, random wish lists, weekend to-do lists... They just keep me sane. But I've never made a fun to-do list for a particular season. I thought I would change that and do a quick, fun to-do list for this fall- my favorite season of all time. Some of these things are already planned and some are not. Either way, I'm excited to have a little plan of action... 

  • Visit San Francisco for the first time - My dad, brother, and I are headed to San Francisco soon and I could not be more excited!! A trip to San Fran has been on my vision board for about five years and it's finally happening... BTW, make yourself a vision board peeps. I swear they work!
  • Eat tomatoes - I LOVE tomatoes, but learned in March that my body is slightly sensitive to them. I  eat soup constantly during the fall and winter - and soups just aren't the same without tomatoes! I hope to be able to add them back into my diet pending good results from my next blood test! Fingers crossed!
  • Bake! I haven't had sugar (with the exception of fruit) or baked anything since March. Lord help me! I'm honestly pretty used to it by now, but I'd love to have a warm, sweet treat or two this season. There are actually tons of baked sweets out there that fall within my diet, so trying a few recipes out is on my list. I'd love to start with this apple tart and these brownies... 
  • Adopt a family for Christmas - This year our family has decided to adopt a young family for Christmas as opposed to having a big celebration of our own. The selection process and planning will start this month! I miss being excited about Santa, but am so looking forward to actually being Santa for a special family in need. Shopping will be so much more fun this year!
  • Visit the new African-American museum in Washington, D.C. - This just opened and I'm so excited! I hope to take a little weekend trip up there to visit it before the end of the year!
  • Read, read, and read some more - There is nothing like curling up on the couch in the fall with a blanket and a good book. I'm honestly still working through my summer reading list. The only reason I haven't gotten through it is because I keep getting sidetracked with other books! I'm currently reading this book and it's a good one! My favorite book of the summer was this probably this one. My fall reading list will be here on the blog next week, so check back!
  • Attend my college football game - I'm not much of a sports person, but when it comes to my college football team, I'm always ALL IN! I watch every single game. I graduated from the University of Alabama, so seeing the #1 team in the nation play in person is always a treat. I actually have tickets to a game in November, so I am super excited!
  • Spend one whole day lounging in bed - That may sound boring, but just writing that gave me a little peace... My weekends and days off lately have been packed with errands, cleaning, workouts, events, appointments, and cooking, so having one day with zero responsibility would be heaven! I'd spend it in my favorite pjs under the warm covers in bed - a bed that is equipped with a stack of fresh magazines, Netflix, a loaded DVR, my Kindle, and piping hot tea on the nightstand. I'd only take breaks for meals, the bathroom, and a bath. Heaven!
What are you up to this fall???

Image by Julia Gartland for Camille Styles

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