Awesome Chili!

Before we get started...I want to tell you a little about the title of this post...(very original, right?)..the truth is, it I titled the post with a real description of this recipe...you might not actually read it...SOOOOO.. I didn't.

The real title should be Pumpkin Turkey Chili (that is Paleo and Whole 30 friendly AND awesome).

So Adam and I started the Whole 30 last Monday...it's Wednesday now and we've officially retired. Whole 30 is great, but not for us, at least not right now. That's another story for another post. However, while embarking on our short-lived Whole 30 experience, we discovered some really good, pretty easy recipes. A friend of ours from college sent me to The Spunky Coconut specifically for this recipe. I tweaked it a little to make it more our style...

Here you go...

Pumpkin Turkey Chili

2 yellow onions, chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 bell pepper

1 jalapeño, seeds removed from one half

2 Tbsps. minced garlic (I use the kind from the jar)

1 pound of ground turkey

2 (15 oz) cans fire-roasted tomatoes

1 (15oz) can of pumpkin puree

1 cup vegetable broth

4 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon of cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

-In a large stock pot, saute the onions, pepper, jalapeño, and garlic in coconut oil until the onions begin to become translucent.

-Add the ground turkey and break it up with a spatula as it cooks. There may be some excess moisture from the vegetables, if so, drain them before adding the turkey.

-Once the turkey has been browned, add the rest of the ingredients, stir and bring to a simmer.

-Simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes.

-Serve with a salad, or if you're not Paleo or Whole 30, a cheese quesadilla or some cornbread! 

This is a great recipe for tailgating and enjoying this great fall weather! I'm already planning to make a big pot for Halloween night to share with our neighbors!

What are some of your favorite fall recipes? What are some of your favorite Paleo or Whole 30 recipes?

Happy Fall, y'all! It's almost Friday!! 

Home Updates

Y'all...this is happening...

We are having our master bedroom and bathroom painted this week!!! And Chandler's bathroom and our playroom/sun room...I am one happy lady! Our house is chaos right now, but I'm so excited for fresh coats of paint! There is nothing like a new paint color to brighten up a room and really get my inner designer heart pumping! 

We're painting in all Benjamin Moore colors. Our bedroom will be Linen White and I'm hoping to throw in some pale blue/green accents in the way of drapes, bedskirt, pillows. I'm also saving my pennies to commission a work for our bedroom from one of my FAVORITE artists, who also happens to be a dear dear sweet friend, Mrs. Angela Zokan! Check out some of her work here.

Our bathroom will be Hollingsworth Green which is the perfect pale green. 

Chandler's bathroom is going to be Potpourri Green..such a fun lime to go with this adorable shower curtain from Target...

And lastly, the sunroom/playroom is going to be Old Glory (Blue). Old Glory is a great deep blue and I'm really excited about adding some color to our downstairs. We painted every room downstairs, except the half bath and the sunroom, Edgecombe Grey (Benjamin Moore...do you sense a trend?) It's a beautiful color, but is very neutral, so I'm loving the idea of warming everything up by painting the sunroom blue! 

I also couldn't pass up this runner that was SUCH a steal on RugsUSA yesterday! It's going to really bring a little life to our second floor hallway! I'm excited to make another decorating stride at our house...only about a million other things to go!!!

What are some of the house projects on your list? What is your favorite decorating project you've completed recently? Do you work with a designer or on your own? What are some projects on your list (drapes, painting, wallpaper)???

I just love to hear about everyone's progress! Happy Monday!

Five on Friday!

It has been forever since I've linked up with April and Christina for Five on Friday, but I am so happy to be back at it today! Here are five very random things...

ONE

We started the Whole 30 this week! It's been great so far...I'd be lying to you if I didn't tell you that there have definitely been times where I could kill for a Starbucks soy latte and a heaping spoonful of Nutella...but otherwise it's been okay! I even baked a cheesecake with out caving...so I'm pretty proud of my will power!

TWO

Y'all...I have a new friend...she makes insane jewelry. My friend Taylor of Layla Charlie Designs makes amazing necklaces! The one pictured below is the first one I purchased...and ya'll, the second one is even more amazing. I'll post a picture of it soon! In the meantime...follow her on instagram @laylacharliedesigns

THREE

This little nugget...OMG we are having so much fun these days! She is talking to us...mainly using a single word, but sometimes stringing a couple together. She is even starting to sing! I love this time! She's also starting to get serious about her accessories...she wants to have a necklace, shoes, and a purse most of the time! Bonus points if anything has a cat or a "weow" on it. Precious angel! Love spending my days with this little bug!

FOUR

Speaking of the little bug, how cute is this UGA shirt? Old Navy has the cutest selection of college team shirts for adults and kids! You should definitely check it out! The t-shirts are soooo soft!

FIVE

I'm obsessed with my new jeans from J. Crew! Y'all know I love the Lookout High-Rise Jean and it comes in grey this season and is sooo cute! I had to add them to my collection! AND they are an additional 30% off today with code YESPLEASE.

What items have you added to your fall wardrobe so far? Happy Fri-YAY! Everyone stay safe during this crazy hurricane weather!

Thai Mussels

So back in July, I promised you an amazing recipe for Thai Mussels...I am finally going to deliver on that promise.

I was watching The Kitchen...which is really a pretty cool show. I like that all of the hosts participate by contributing their own takes on recipes. On this particular episode they were exchanging recipes for a Stove Free Summer and Jeff Mauro did a recipe for Slow Cooker Thai Coconut Mussels.

I thought his recipe sounded great, but that the slow-cooker component was just not something that really made sense for us. Mussels cook very quickly, so they actually make an awesome easy weeknight supper. So I did a little tweaking and here is my version...

Thai Coconut Mussles

Ingredients

2 cups chicken stock

2 tablespoons fish sauce, plus more if you really like fish sauce

1 tablespoon of minced garlic (I used the kind from the jar)

1 jalapeno, chopped

1 tablespoon of pureed lemongrass (I used the kind from the tube)

1 yellow onion, thinly sliced

2 pounds fresh mussels, cleaned, scrubbed and debeareded (I highly recommend Whole Foods mussels, they are already cleaned and debearded and the cost is about the same as other stores)

1 can of coconut milk

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Zest and juice of one lime

Directions

Saute the garlic, jalapeno, lemongrass and onion until the onion is transparent. Add the chicken stock, fish sauce and coconut milk and bring to a boil. Add the mussels and cover. Cook, occasionally stirring, until the mussels are open, add the juice of one lime and the lime zest and stir. Serve in a large bowl and top with cilantro.

I served ours with roasted potatoes and they were the perfect side! This was a great, easy meal!

What are some of your go-to easy meals?

On another note, Adam and I just started the Whole 30 this week and I've already got some good recipes to share!! Have you do the Whole 30? What are your go-to recipes?

Stitch Fix

It's been awhile...

Let's be honest, I'm showering every day...but sometimes it's not until after bedtime...so naturally, I've been choosing the shower over blogging. I feel certain that you all will understand!

But, I'm trying (desperately) to get back o the blogging wagon.

I'm super behind when it comes to everything in the world  things like Stitch Fix! I've been hearing all about it for forever and I've been dying to try it and I finally signed up! My first "Fix" is arriving on October 2 and I am pumped! I'm hoping that maybe I'll gain a few pieces out of this that just step up my mom wardrobe just a little bit. I mean not that yoga pants aren't awesome...

Have you used Stitch Fix? How did it go? Have you kept up? Have you found some pieces that you love?

If you're like me, and still have yet to try it, use my referral link to give it a shot! We'll try it together! 

Happy Hump Day!

Five on Friday!

It has been forever since I've linked up with April and Christina for Five on Friday, but I am so happy to be back at it today! Here are five very random things...

ONE

I wrote this post this week for the Columbia City Moms Blog and I have received so many sweet and encouraging comments! Being a mom is such a blessing, but it doesn't come without its challenges! I think it's so important for everyone to know that there is such a huge mom support group out there! I have really felt the love from so many people since "bearing my soul" in that post! Thank you guys!

TWO

We took Chandler to "school" (aka a drop-in mother's morning out) this week for the first time. It was ugly...she cried, I cried...and then we went back two days later and did it again!! (It was just as ugly the second go round). I totally set myself up for this by waiting until we are at the height of the separation anxiety phase. BUT...good news, both days she went she settled down a few minutes after I left and played happily, for about an hour! Baby steps, folks!

Anyone have any tips or tricks for how to get over this hump?

Our mommy, paci, stuffed animal loving babe...

THREE

I tried a new recipe last night and we are "putting it in the rotation", as Adam says! Stay tuned, I'll be sharing it this week...mussels and fries!

FOUR

Chandler is OBSESSED with two things right now...1. her tutu (see photo below) 2. carrying a "purse" on her shoulder...So adorable, right??? WELLLL...it is adorable until you realize that she doesn't want to carry an actual purse. We've bought her an adorable purse...but her "purse" of choice is my hot pink sports bra that she dug out of the dirty clothes basket...an here you have my motivation for getting the laundry done...quickly...

FIVE

This picture gets me...EVERY time. Our sweet girl looks like a little girl and I love it and hate it all at the same time! She loves to open the shutters every day and stand by the winds and wave to the cars that go by (or the birds, or the trees...she's pretty darn friendly...)

And that's a wrap on my Five on Friday....what are you guys up to this weekend? We have a free weekend and are looking for some fun things to do!

Happy Fri-YAY!

BEAUTYCOUNTER

Hiii!!!!!!

I'm back!! Sort of...at least for this post! It's been a CRAZYYYYY month and a half. We have finally moved and are getting settled in after some major plumbing repairs, sheet rock patching and painting! But, more on that to come...

In the midst of this craziness, my friend Katherine, introduced me to Beautycounter products. She gave me this perfect little sampler set...

Beautycounter's mission is to get safer products into the hands of everyone.

I love the idea of switching to safer beauty products. In fact, I didn't really realize how harsh some of my products were until little Chandler grabbed my makeup sponge one day and rubbed it all over her face...y'all...tiny red rash on her face for half a day...that is NOT good! It really made me think hard about the types of things I'm putting on my skin, and hers.

SO, when Katherine told me she could give me a sample kit, I jumped at the opportunity to give it a try! I've been using these products in place of my regular beauty routine, and I'm a fan...I'm a real BIG fan. 

I loved everything that I sampled. Of what I sampled, this is the list of products I absolutely want to add to my regimen:

Routine Clean Cream Cleanser

I like the texture of this cleanser. It is creamy, but very light and leaves your face feeling clean. Some cream cleansers almost feel like they leave a film on your face, but this one definitely does not do that. It cleans and leaves your face feeling squeaky!

Any Time Eye Cream

I actually feel like this product makes my eyes instantly feel more awake and brighter. It's a light moisturizer and I've been using it after I wash my face in the morning and after I wash my face at night. It has a great cooling effect, this is probably my favorite product I've tried so far!

Purifying Charcoal Mask

So I actually tried the Charcoal Cleansing Bar and it was AMAZING. Really helped my skin feel clean and helped to clear some breakouts I had before using it. It's a great face wash and I am SUPER excited to try the Purifying Mask!

My little sampling of products has really gotten me excited about trying more Beautycounter products. I'm looking forward to slowly integrating the makeup into my regimen and I can't wait to try the sunscreen! We have had a hard time finding a sunscreen that is gentle enough for Chandler's sweet baby skin and I've heard the Beautycounter sunscreen has RAVE reviews!!

Here are a few products I'm itching to try...

Have you tried any Beautycounter products? What are your favorites?

Want to try out some of these products? Shop with my friend, and Beautycounter consultant, Katherine, here.

What I'm Reading

I go through phases of reading and phases of not reading, depending on what else is going on in life. Since Chandler was born, I've been in more of a not reading phases, unless of course it was a book about sleep training, or some other baby rearing topic!

BUT...I finally dragged myself out of that rut and I've been reading up a storm lately. Here are a few of the books I've read and loved recently and a few I've read and loved in the past that you should check out!

I read both Me Before You and After You after seeing the trailer for the upcoming movie version of Me Before You. It did not disappoint. It will make you laugh and cry. It's a wonderful story with some twists, turns, and disappointments, that will leave you feeling fulfilled and a little proud.

Me Before You

by Jojo Moyes

After You

by Jojo Moyes

I have been on a Kate Morton kick. I LOVE her books. They all have beautiful settings and great stories that always have a good mystery threaded in. Kate Morton makes me see the settings of her books in my mind and makes me feel like I know the characters. I highly recommend all of these:

The Forgotten Garden

by Kate Morton

The Lake House

by Kate Morton

The House at Riverton

by Kate Morton

If you can read while crying profusely, then The Nightingale is a great book for you! It's a sad, terrible, and absolutely beautiful story about sisters during WWII. I literally finished it in four days and if not for the small person who consumes most of my time, I'd have finished it in two days.

The Nightingale

by Kristin Hannah

The House at Tyneford reminds me of a cross between Downton Abbey and a Kate Morton book. It's a beautiful story with rich descriptions, definitely a must-read!

The House at Tyneford

by Natasha Solomon

So, now that summer is upon us, and beach reading season is here...What have you been reading lately? What is your favorite book? What should I add to my summer reading list?

Chandler's Closet: Spring Favorites at Gap Kids

Gap Kids Spring collection is killing it! There are so many cute things, and the offer so many great sales! Today they are offering 25% off your entire purchase with code HOPTOIT! SOOO I thought it would be appropriate to share a few of our favorites that we've purchased for Chandler's spring wardrobe...

Let's start with dresses... I'm so thrilled that Chandler has started walking because now she can actually handle wearing a dress and Gap Kids has SOOOO many cute dresses this season! Here are a few we've added to Chandler's wardrobe...

While I love that Chandler can wear dresses again, I am also LOVING bubbles this summer because this is probably her last summer in bubbles. I adore sweet bubbles! Here are a few Miss Channy will be wearing this summer!

I've been on the hunt for a good coat for Chandler to wear in the rain and all of the raincoats I find are so bulky and heavy, but Gap Kids has a great windbreaker that is water resistant and comes in so many cute colors! Chandler got this windbreaker in the "white bird" print, but I love this yellow print as well!

I could go on and on about how cute all of these clothes are! We have an ongoing wish list for Gap Kids this spring...

So obviously we are big fans of Gap Kids for Chandler's clothes, but we are always looking for cute clothes at affordable prices, what are some of your favorite brands for your little ones?

Exciting Announcement

Hi!!! Thanks to all of you for your kind words regarding our move! We're in the midst of inspections and negotiations and we a praying every day for things to work out! Meanwhile...I have an exciting announcement!

Earlier this year, I secretly applied to be a contributing writer for the Columbia SC City Moms Blog. I didn't tell anyone because I was afraid I might not be chosen! BUT...I was! I am so happy to announce that I will be writing for the Columbia City Moms Blog! I am so excited about this opportunity to connect with more readers on a subject that is so near and dear to my heart!

My first post is up today so head on over and check it out!

Thank you all for reading and following us on this crazy journey! There is so much more to come!

Life Lately: Big Updates

Hi! I'm just popping in really quickly to give you an update on our life lately! Things have been CRAZY, hence my spotty (at best) posting...

Around Christmas, Adam and I decided that in 2016, we needed to look into moving into a house that would give us a little more space. We absolutely LOVE our house and have lived here since we were married...with Adam living here alone for the year that we were engaged. So A LOT has happened in this house!

Well, a little less than five weeks ago, Adam and I decided to go ahead and start interviewing realtors to put our house on the market this spring. We found a realtor that we LOVE LOVE LOVE, met with her four weeks ago and put our house on the market two weeks ago!!!! We were kind of thinking we would wait until March or April, but our realtor said, "why wait?" and so we took the plunge!

Fast forward to last week...we received an offer on our house...and then went under contract...made an offer on a house we love...and then went under contract and here we are!?!?!?!?!

We are working on paperwork, looking forward to inspections, and slowly starting the packing process.

We are excited and sad and alllll of the emotions about all of this. This has been our home for almost seven years and we have poured a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this place! We still have a lot to get through before we close and we are saying lots of prayers that all of our inspections go well and things move as smoothly now as they have been!

Amidst all of this chaos, Chandler has decided that it's time to walk! She started off by working on standing on her own on about Tuesday, on Friday she took her first wobbly steps, and by Sunday afternoon she was speed walking around our kitchen! We are so proud...and maybe a little petrified about how we are going to get everything done with a walker! But overall this is just a really exciting time for us! 

Proud little angel! Now...to get through inspections and get our house packed up! I'll pop in as often as I can during this crazy time! Wish us luck! 

Any tips for packing and moving with a toddler on the move?

Toddler Books

We love to read at our house! Admittedly, Chandler really loves to take the books off the shelf or chew on the books just as much as she enjoys reading, but hey...at least she's playing with books, right? (Or at least that's what I keep telling myself...)

In the past several weeks, we have really noticed Chandler beginning to understand us and understand the stories that we read to her. She has gotten quite the little opinion as well. She won't hesitate to let you know when she doesn't want to read a certain book...her favorite method of showing you is to slam the book shut on your hand repeatedly until you get the message. Toddlers can be such a delight, can't they?

Some of her favorite books right now are:

The Going to Bed Book
by Sandra Boynton

Belly Button Book
by Sandra Boynton

The Napping House
by Audrey Wood and Don Wood

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

Giraffes Can't Dance
by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees

I Love You Through and Through 
by Bernadette Rosetti-Shustak

What are some of your favorite toddler books? We welcome a little change up around here, because I mean we've only read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom like a million times this week!?!?!

Mom Jeans

Yep...Mom Jeans...

Let's not get it confused with these...

I have discovered the perfect "mom jeans". In the last year or so, J. Crew introduced their High-Rise Skinny Jeans and y'all...I. AM. HOOKED.

I currently own four pairs and I'm seriously contemplating buying more...let's bear in mind that I LIVE in jeans these days and I also live with a toddler...hence the reason why I need so many.

Side note: why is it that your toddler wants to give you a hug when she is covered in spaghetti...but not when she is clean?

If you're looking for some good high-rise skinny jeans, these are the ones! They come just below my belly button and really hold everything in. And truly, they don't look like mom jeans. They are trendy and let's say mom-friendly...'cause no one wants to see your crack when you're on your hands and knees picking up toys!

I just got the black and the sanford wash for Christmas and they are awesome! I HIGHLY recommend them...and great news...the sanford wash jeans are on sale!!!! 

Check it out!

What are your favorite "mom jeans"?

Bittersweet Birthday

This week is truly bittersweet. Our baby is turning one. I want, more than anything, to watch her grow up to be a beautiful, kind, smart, funny, outgoing, faithful young woman...but I also miss our baby. I miss the sweet baby snuggles. I miss holding her in my arms while she sleeps. I miss our one-on-one time when I was nursing her.

These past few weeks she has flown through the milestones. She breezed through the transition from army crawl to real crawling, going from sitting to crawling and crawling to sitting. She is pulling up on whatever stable object she can get her hands on, and she is cruising around the house with her walker. I miss my baby.

But though I miss my baby, I am in love with this toddler. I love her smiles and her giggles. I love the way she sticks out her little booty when she pushes her walker. I love that as soon as her walker starts playing a new song she has to stop and dance to the music. I love that when she really likes a song she "sings" along. Our sweet girl can clap her hands to the beat and has that cute bouncy baby move down pat. 

She is eleven months and four weeks old...our baby is a toddler. We are so proud of her. Proud of her progress, proud of her big smile and her happy attitude. We love our sweet girl and while we miss our baby, we are so thrilled to watch this little angel continue to grow up. Friday is a bittersweet birthday. Our baby girl will be one, and we will have officially survived the first year. Cheers to many many more birthdays! We love you sweet Chandler!