I'M READING...

So this year, I made a goal to read more. The funny things is that I make that goal every year, and every year I fail miserably at it. But this year, I am sticking to it!!! I have more time at home in the evenings now and I've made the decision to sort of pull back from blogging a bit at night so that I can really focus more on reading. Reading gets my mind off of myself and all of the 1000 things I need to do. Plus I sleep like a baby every time I nix the TV and/or Internet surfing in exchange for an hour of reading before bed. And you know how much I love good sleep...

So the book I'm reading now is by Gayle Forman, an author who might be familiar to you if you are an avid reader. But she's new to me and I'm quite smitten by her writing. I'm reading "If I Stay," which is about a lovely girl named Mia. Mia endures a horrible car accident with her family - one of those cute, laid-back, happy, and really supportive families that everyone wishes they had. Mia barely survives the accident and ends up in a coma. She spends just one day outside of herself deciding if she will stay or if she will go. She spends that one day explaining her life in a such a way that certainly could make one hope that she makes the decision to stay in spite of the many reasons one would want to go. The plot itself is not a new concept, but the book is written in a way that makes it incredibly interesting and different. I'm midway through and am dying to see how it goes. The book was also made into a movie that was released last year (which I will see after I finish the book). AND there is a sequel called, "Where She Went," so my next book is already lined up!

Have you read the book or seen the movie?? If so, what did you think??

LATELY...

{Valentine's Day tulips... }

Hi there! I hope you had a great weekend! Over the last few days I took a much needed long nap, had really great home-cooked V-day dinner with great girlfriends, ate the BEST brunch here before going to see the beautiful dancing of Alvin Ailey, and ran lots of normal errands and errands in anticipation of this "wintry mix" we are supposed to be getting here in Atlanta. Those words freak people out around here, so we will see how these next few days play out! 

Anyway, here are a few pics of some happenings around here lately via Instagram. Flowers have been involved (of course), the master bedroom is SO close to being done (yay!) and I've already moved on to my updating my home office. Things are looking up on the home front! Have a great Monday! 

{I've got new lamps!! The master makeover is coming along! Almost done! }

{A new 40mm lens that takes the most amazing photos...}

{A newly decorated little corner of my home office - where I'm at right now as I write this post! }

All photos via Instagram (@savorhome)

PINK + CHOCOLATE + LINKS...

Happy almost weekend! I'm ready for it - as always! This week has been a week of work, mixed with appointments, late weeknight dinners (went here for the first time and LOVED it!), and weekday errands, so I am quite spent and am welcoming the weekend with open arms. What are your V-day plans? I'm going to see Alvin Ailey and am doing a fun dinner with a few girlfriends where I'll probably be serving up some of these- so it's gonna be good! Have a great weekend and enjoy the links!

If you are a serious foodie (like me), share this with your significant other... I agree with everything- especially #7.

A kitchen makeover that makes me want to pack my bags for a trip to the country...

And this makes me want to buy a few gallons of high gloss paint. Insanely pretty...

A decadent photo shoot... Looks so good...

This is too cute to only use around Valentine's Day...

Lasagna just for two... Love this idea!

A really long list of positivity...

Image via

INTERIORS: STUDIO MCGEE

It's no secret that I love crisp, clean, and bright design, so I was naturally drawn to Shea McGee's Instragram account when I found it a while back. My love for her Instagram photos drew me to her website where I found her blog - a place where she shares her beautiful work, design processes, and really great design tips. I also love Shea's story of how she entered the design business. It's inspirational and proof that pursuing your passion and hard work pays off! She started her business in the spare bedroom of her home and now she is running her extremely successful design firm in that studio you see there above. How beautiful is that?? That lighting!! Her work is so pretty and I just had to share some of it here with you. Be sure to check out her site to see more!

Images via Studio McGee

COCKTAIL: A CLASSIC COSMOPOLITAN

I hope you had a good weekend! It's a Monday and the Monday before Valentine's Day, so I thought I would start the week off with a little cocktail... :) I was perusing Facebook last week when I saw this Cosmo recipe that Ina Garten posted on her page. I've loved Cosmopolitans since the Sex & The City days (who hasn't??) and I always like to try different variations of them. This classic version is made with lemon juice (instead of lime juice) and Cointreau obviously, which is an orange-flavored liqueur that is sweet and so very good. I keep a bottle of it on my bar cart and I sometimes just take the top off of it for a quick sniff. That might be strange, but that's how good it smells to me...

This Cosmo is sweet, sour, and the right amount of strong all in one. The Cointreau and cranberry juice marry to create the perfect amount of sweetness. The hint of orange in the background is so good! Fresh lemon juice adds just the right amount of sour, and the vodka makes it good and stiff! I used 7 oz of vodka (for 4 cocktails), but I suggest you experiment with the amount you add so that it's right for you, your girlfriends, or your significant other in the event you serve this up for Valentine's Day!

Here is what you need and what to do (makes 4 cocktails):

4 oz fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
4 ounces Cointreau liqueur
7 ounces Cranberry juice cocktail
7 ounces good vodka (I used Grey Goose)

Add all of the ingredients to a small pitcher and stir. Store in the fridge until ready to serve. Once you are ready to serve, add the mixture and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake the cocktail for 30 seconds and strain into a frosted martini glass. Serve cold!

Enjoy!

Images by me

A TABLE FOR TWO + LINKS...

Hi there! Happy Friday! This week has been busy, which means it flew by, which is always good! So - side topic - I just finished watching yesterday's episode of Scandal and my nerves are quite shot! I've loved the show since the beginning, but I can't help to feel a little different about how this season is starting off. I'm not so sure I like it! I sort of wish we could go back to how is was in the beginning when two people were falling in love and Olivia and her peeps were "helping" people. I want to feel like I don't need blood pressure medicine every time I watch it. Anyone else feel the same way? Anyway, I'm off to enjoy a weekend of relaxation, errands, good food - ya know - the usual. Have a good weekend!

Chicken Parmesan Soup - made in the slow cooker. It just has to be good!

Every woman should know how to be efficient... Loved this.

It's so much fun to learn more about this lovely couple...

My kind of bedroom... The girl is so talented I tell ya!

Currently on my desktop. Perfect for love day...

This is going to be one lucky baby. Pretty...

What a lovely feed...

Photo by Fantastic Frank via Dustjacket Attic

THE BEST OF THE BAKED EGG...

Baked Chilaquiles w/ Black Beans & Kale

Eggs. I absolutely love them. I could and do often eat them for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. I like them scrambled, boiled, fried, and poached. I like them with or without cheese and simply seasoned with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sometimes I sprinkle them with whatever type of fresh herb I have in the fridge. Like I said- I love them. But until recently, I've never really baked them. I don't know why, but I now know I've been missing out! Baked eggs often create a one pot meal (gotta love a one pot meal!) that is comforting, creamy, and fitting for any meal. I recently made this baked egg dish (the one you see directly below) for dinner one night and fell in love! It was easy to make, looked amazing, and tasted even better!  I'm now on the hunt for more recipes and here are a few I found... Are you a baked egg lover??

Farm Eggs with Braised Greens & Tomatoes

Sweet Potato & Onion Hash with Baked Eggs

Mushroom-Spinach Baked Eggs

Baked Eggs with Spinach & Cream

A MONDAY MANTRA...

"LIFE IS LIKE PHOTOGRAPHY. USE THE NEGATIVES TO DEVELOP." -UNKNOWN

Hi there! I hope you had a good weekend. My weekend was great. I spent it in good company, had a wonderful dinner here, and ended it by making these AMAZING tacos for my Super Bowl dinner. So very good...

I thought I would do a little something different today and start the week off with a little mantra for your Monday. Monday's have a "negative" connotation to them, so I found that quote above to be fitting for the day  - and just in general. So if today doesn't turn out to be everything you want it to be, or if things just aren't going your way at the moment, know that the negative moments will pass and that they can serve as your pedestal for a positive future... Gosh I can certainly attest to that! Can you? #mondaymantra

Image by me (this week's flowers)