Monday, March 4, 2024

Save vs. Splurge


Everyone has different priorities when it comes to what they spend money on. I definitely have items that I look for deals on, and other areas that I lean into quality and therefore spend a bit more. Below I'm sharing a few categories that I save vs. splurge.

{SAVE}

mascara
I've tried so many expensive mascaras (Diorshow, ilia, etc.) but keep coming back to my drugstore fave: L'Oreal voluminous butterfly in blackest black.

shoes
Ok, hear me out: shoes get the most wear of any item of clothing and I'm not one to get shoes re-soled by a cobbler. I'm all about the Target dupes - the best sandals and heels at that sweet spot $20 - $30 price point. By the time they are worn out, I'm ready for a new trend anyway.

work lunch
I meal prep 4-5 lunches for the work week, every single week for Greg and I. Not only is it more cost-effective, but so much healthier than going out to a restaurant or getting something delivered multiple days a week.


{SPLURGE}

skincare/face makeup
Not all of my face makeup and skincare products are pricey, but a select few I invest in since they actually provide results. For example, the Summer Fridays cc me serum is my holy grail for fading dark spots and teenage acne scars on my face. I'm also a cult follower of the IT cosmetics cc cream with SPF 50 - I wear it every single day.

designer bags
My personal favorite splurge: designer purses! They hold their value more than any other item of clothing or accessory. A bag makes or breaks an outfit - even if I'm running to the store after yoga, I look more put together with a statement bag.

quality groceries
I cook dinner at home at least 5-6 nights a week. Health is a priority for me, and cooking for my family is one of my love languages. I aim for quality ingredients - organic chicken with no hormones, fresh and in-season produce, etc. Not everything I buy is organic though. For instance, bananas & avocados have a peel so the pesticides don't actually reach the part of the food you consume. 

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Outfits of the Month

What I wore in February.

neutrals for a girls day with my mom
{bow tank - target // jeans - abercrombie // woven sandals - target // fringe bag - tory burch}


 
color block blouse
{button down top - vici // jeans - vici // suede mules - lucky brand // bag - louis vuitton}



boho dress + knee high boots
shirt dress - vici // braided fringe belt - anthropologie // boots - vici // suede hobo bag - rebecca minkoff}



weekend errands
{oatmeal v-neck - everlane // loose black jeans - abercrombie // leopard sandals - loeffler randall // crochet stripe bag - tory burch}



Valentine's Day
{leather jacket - bod & christensen // blondie tee - forever 21 // jeans - abercrombie // snake boots - lulu's x matisse // fringe bag - milly}



casual basics
{black sweater - old navy // olive pants - bcbgeneration // sambas sneakers - adidas // crossbody bag - vintage coach}



striped sweater
{collared sweater - lulu's // jeans - abercrombie // leopard sneakers - vans // red bag - tory burch}



split hem jeans
{off-the-shoulder sweater - gifted // split hem jeans - gap (similar) // floral boots - altar'd state (last worn here) // olive suede bag - rebecca minkoff}



elevated comfort
{denim jacket - madewell // white tee - alternative apparel // ribbed flare leggings - old navy // sneakers - adidas // bag - ysl // sunglasses - celine}



crochet skirt
{brown linen button down - gap // crochet skirt - house of harlow // boots - altar'd state // red bag - tory burch}



farmer's market fit
striped sweater tank - vici // ripped jeans - abercrombie // sandals - target // pink bag - balenciaga}



ready for spring
{printed blouse - vici // flare jeans - hollister // woven sandals - dolce vita // quilted bag - rebecca minkoff}

Monday, February 12, 2024

Red Velvet Cookies

I love a festive treat and these red velvet cookies are perfect for Valentine's Day! They are chewy, not too sweet and are topped with creamy white chocolate chips.

ingredients

1 1/2 cups + 2 tablespoon flour (I use GF)
2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon vanilla
1-1 1/12 teaspoons red food coloring
1 cup white chocolate chips (I prefer Ghiradelli), divided 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup

directions
{1}
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
{2}
In an electric mixer, cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy.
{3}
To the electric mixer, add the egg yolks, vanilla and food coloring.
{4}
Add in the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
{5}
Fold in the 3/4 cup white chocolate chips with a wooden spoon or spatula.
{6}
Using a 1-inch cookie scooper, place dough balls on non-stick baking sheets 1 inch apart.
{7}
Bake for 9-11 minutes, and remove from oven. Using the 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips, gently add a couple to the top of each cookie. Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. 
{8}
Enjoy warm! Store the remaining cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze to keep them fresh for a month!

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

My Fave MWH Classes

I have been a member of Melissa Wood Health since February 2020, and it remains my favorite workout. I have exercised at home at least 5 days a week. I still feel and see results, and I'm consistently sore from targeting different muscles each day. I have mentioned MWH on my blog before, but today is my 4 year anniversary on the platform! 

The MWH app has changed a lot in the last year, with more creators and niche workouts (prenatal, postpartum, dance, etc). I don't follow the recommended weekly schedule, but I try to do Melissa's new workout each week. I aim for 30-ish minutes, whether that is one class or multiple combined. I wake up at 5am before work, roll out of bed, throw on a cute workout set and open my MWH app on my phone.

A typical week for me looks like the following:

Monday - inner/outer thighs

Tuesday - abs + arms

Wednesday - yoga/stretch

Thursday - booty + planks

Friday - full body yoga/pilates

I plan out my weekly workouts in the notes app on my phone, but also listen to my body and if I'm not feeling up to what I planned, I will pivot to what feels best. Yoga is always a good option - I actually love Kim's 30 min yoga sequences!

I also walk outside for 30 minutes every day on my lunch break at work, so I get a total of an hour of low-impact movement Monday through Friday. On the weekends, I don't plan workouts but rather live life with my family and friends - if that includes a bike ride with Jack, it's a bonus!

In addition to Melissa's amazing flows, her voice is so calming, supportive and inspiring. She has great reminders on proper form, prioritizing yourself and your practice, and her infamous saying, "some minutes are better than no minutes." 

For me, exercise is more mental than physical, and finding a type of exercise I enjoy and look forward to is such a blessing. Especially being able to do it at home (or anywhere!) with an affordable platform. I've used her app while traveling, whether for work or vacation, because I know I will feel better if I start my day with movement.

Below are some of the MWH classes I have saved in my favorites, and love to come back to again & again!












Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Outfits of the Month

What I wore in January.

all black with different textures ~ 
knit, suede, denim, leather
{sweater tank - abercrombie // jeans - abercrombie // bag - ysl, sandals - target}



plaid shacket
{shacket - nordstrom // grey sweater - gifted // jeans - target // boots - dolce vita // bag - louis vuitton}




boho blouse
{floral top - vici (also worn here) // jeans - gap // bow mules - j.crew (worn here too) // bag - chloe}



houndstooth cardigan
{cardigan - shein // sweater tank - roxy // faux leather pants - abercrombie // suede booties - target // bag - ysl}



classic with a twist
{black button down - h&m // belt - commense // ripped jeans - abercrombie // star studded boots - vici // leopard bucket bag - michael kors}



50 shades of beige
{sweater tank - abercrombie // bone colored jeans - abercrombie // sandals - target // bag - louis vuitton}



utility dress + floral boots
{dress - abercrombie // belt - commense // boots - altar'd state (also worn here) // bag - balenciaga}



birthday dinner
{white bodysuit - vici // brown and white paisley skirt - vici // block heel sandals - target // brown suede bag - rebecca minkoff}

Monday, January 15, 2024

Deconstructed Sushi Bowls


Weeknight dinners in our home go through rotations, but rice bowls remain a constant. Since I need to eat gluten free (I'm very intolerant - gut issues, skin issues, etc.), rice is the best base to build upon since it is naturally GF. I like to add a protein and veggie to make a complete and satisfying meal. Some of our favorite combos are: fajita seasoned ground chicken with green peppers, grilled teriyaki chicken with mushrooms, and shrimp with avocado.

The most recent version I made was a deconstructed sushi bowl with seared ahi tuna, jasmine rice, avocado and drizzled with sriracha mayo. So easy and delicious!

Deconstructed Sushi Bowls
serves two

ingredients
1/2 cup jasmine rice
1 cup vegetable broth
1/2 pound sushi grade tuna
3 tablespoons GF soy sauce
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 avocado
sriracha mayo, to taste

directions
{1}
Cook rice according to package instructions. Sub broth for water to add a depth of flavor.
{2}
In a shallow bowl, add soy sauce. In a separate bowl, combine the sesame seeds, salt, pepper and italian seasoning.
{3}
Pat the ahi tuna dry with a paper towel.
{4}
Dip ahi tuna in the soy sauce (this will help the sesame seeds adhere).
{5}
Generously sprinkle all sides of the ahi tuna with the sesame mix, pressing it down into the flesh.
{6}
The key to getting a nice golden sear on all sides without the tuna cooking all the through is a VERY hot pan. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very very hot. The pan is hot enough when a flick of water sizzles loudly.
{7}
Using tongs, carefully lay the tuna in the pan. Sear for 45-60 seconds - check underneath by lifting one corner to see if it is golden. When deeply golden, carefully flip. If not golden, turn the heat up. Sear the other side for 60-90 seconds. Sea each long edge using tongs to hold it upright.
{8}
Place seared tuna on a cutting board, and thinly slice. Cut avocado into chunks.
{9}
Divide the prepared rice between two bowls. Top with the seared tuna and avocado chunks, drizzle with sriracha mayo and serve!

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Recently Read

I ended 2023 by finishing my 43rd book of the year! Below I'm sharing some of the novels I've enjoyed over the last few months. Always open to recs - please share your faves!

First Comes Love - Emily Giffin
As someone with an estranged sibling, the relationship of the sisters who narrate this novel resonated with me. Filled with conflict, grief, forgiveness and understanding, it's a great story about family.

The Paper Palace - Miranda Cowley Heller
Raw, honest, deep and hauntingly beautiful. Heller is an excellent writer and storyteller with detailed descriptions that invoke all of the reader's senses. This story jumps back and forth from past to present, I was so engulfed that I didn't want it to end.

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes
A thought-provoking novel about a quadriplegic and his new caregiver's journey to help him find happiness in life again.  

Meant To Be - Emily Giffin
This book was pure brain-candy - easy romantic read about overcoming your past to create a new future.

Meet Me at the Lake - Carley Fortune
Loved every word of every page! Delightful from beginning to end. An unexpected coming-of-age & love story spanning 10 years, with a second-chance romance and Dirty Dancing vibes.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Heather Morris
Heartbreaking and haunting story of hope, courage and love based on interviews with a Holocaust survivor. It was especially hard to read with the current state of events, and the evil and hate that continues to happen around the world.

The Love That Split The World - Emily Henry
Complex and time-bending story about self-discovery, with romance & suspense mixed in.