Thursday, April 28, 2016

Taking The Plunge

 
I'm so excited to share my first of three looks from my newest partnership with Tobi! If you haven't heard of Tobi yet, you're totally missing out - it's an online women's fashion boutique with the cutest clothes at an affordable price, and the quality is excellent! Plus new customers get 50% off their first purchase! Yes, you read that right - 50% off!!! Shop my summer favorites: crop topsmaxi dresses, rompers!

Plunging necklines are one of those trends that walk the line of sexy and slutty. Being small busted, I love to channel my inner Kate Hudson and rock a deep v (with plenty of double-sided tape!) To dress down this flirty ruffled romper, I paired it with my suede fringe sandals and yellow bucket bag, that I finally managed to scoop up from Zara after it went out of stock back to back!
 
{outfit details}
Printed Tie-Front Romper - Tobi c/o || Yellow Bucket Bag - Zara || Suede Fringe Sandals - T.J. Maxx (similar sandals here) || Honey Wayfarers - Ray-Ban (more wayfarers here) || Lipstick - Maybelline "coral burst" || Nail Polish - Essie "fear or desire"







 
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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese's Pieces & Chocolate Chips



I LOVE peanut butter! I could seriously just eat it out of the jar with a spoon, so naturally I love peanut butter cookies. When I came across this recipe on pinterest, I almost started drooling - peanut butter cookies loaded with chocolate chips & Reese's pieces (my second favorite candy behind Reese's peanut butter cups!) They turned out so delicious...thick and soft with creamy peanut butter, melty chocolate and crunchy Reese's pieces. I doubled the original recipe, which made about 5 dozen, plenty for my family & my co-workers. See the single batch recipe below.

ingredients
 1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 butter (1 stick), softened
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup Reese's pieces
1 cup chocolate chips

directions
{1}
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a stand mixer, combine brown sugar, butter and peanut butter. Beat on medium-high speed until creamy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until light & fluffy.
{2}
Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl. Add flour, baking soda, salt and mix on low speed until just incorporated.
{3}
Add Reese's piece & chocolate chips. Blend until mixed throughout.
{4}
Using a cookie scoop (I used a 1-inch),  place cookie dough on a baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Softly flatten the dough with the palm of your hand.
{5}
Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes, then remove from baking sheet and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before storing - or in my case, before I eat them all :)

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Elephants


 
Warm weather has arrived in Florida, which means little dresses are the first thing I reach for  when temps go over 80! Newchic sent me a few items to share on my blog, but unfortunately a lot of the pieces were very poor quality. This elephant printed dress however totally worked! The silhouette is simple, the cotton is lightweight, and the built-in mixed prints make it fool-proof. I added a wood bangle (worn pushed up on my forearm), a fringe bucket bag & a messy side braid for a bohemian vibe.
 
{outfit details}
Navy Elephant Printed Dress - Newchic c/o || Cognac Peep-Toe Booties - Steve Madden (cute booties here) || Cream Leather Fringe Bucket Bag - Joie (more bucket bags here) || Brown Leather Belt - Express (similar) || Wood Bangle - Dillard's || Tortoise Sunglasses - Warby Parker (great sunnies here) || Lipstick - MAC "ravishing" || Nail Polish - Essie "big spender"






 
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Monday, April 18, 2016

Cauliflower Fried "Rice"



 I started following a paleo diet about a month ago - not necessarily to lose weight, but simply to live a healthier lifestyle. I love the results: I feeling great, have more energy, and slimming down a few pounds is always a nice bonus. But rest assured, not all of my recipes shared here on the blog will turn healthy/paleo - I will continue cooking delicious pastas & baking sinful desserts to share! I still enjoy my cheat meal once a week (and fully indulge with no regrets!) but my weeknight dinners are filled with veggies & protein. I stumbled across this cauliflower fried "rice" recipe which is ideal for Meatless Mondays. It's so easy to make and tastes even better than Chinese takeout. 

Ingredients
1 head of cauliflower (about 2 1/2 cups chopped in a food processor)
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 onion, chopped
1 cup frozen peas
6 large carrots, chopped
2-3 tablespoons soy sauce (vary depending on taste)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons scallions, chopped

Directions
{1}
Rinse & chop the cauliflower into florets and put in a food processor. Pulse until the cauliflower is tiny and resembles rice.
{2}
Preheat a large skillet on medium heat. Drizzle sesame oil and add onion, peas & carrots, and fry until tender.
{3}
Slide veggies around to the sides of the pan and pour eggs in the center. Using a spatula, scramble the eggs. Once cooked, combine with the onion, peas and carrots.
{4}
Add the cauliflower to the veggie and egg mixture. Add scallions. Pour soy sauce on top and stir fry until heated through and cauliflower is tender. Serve warm & enjoy!





Friday, April 15, 2016

MC-gram

Little Instagram roundup from the last month. Follow along for more behind-the-scenes & sneak peeks of upcoming outfits! 

Instagram @meghanconard
Snapchat @meghanconard

{throwback to these yellow bow heels - worn in this outfit post}

{weekends were made for enjoying a gin martini in the jacuzzi}

{celebrating my college roomie & sorority sister Erika at her bridal shower}

{cheat meal heaven = sushi at my favorite restaurant}

{this owl mug makes me happy every morning}

{FSU garnet & gold game with Greg}

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Frilly & Flirty


My sister generously gave me a Free People gift card for Christmas, which of course I promptly spent by the end of the day. I fell in love with this white lace off-the-shoulder top but it's been taunting me hanging in my closet since December, begging to be worn. Now that it's spring, it's the perfect time to bring out this frilly & flirty little number.
 
{outfit details}
Off-The-Shoulder Top - Free People (more off-the-shoulder tops here) || Printed Silk Shorts - Joie (similar shorts here) || Heels - Herve Leger (last seen) || Bag - Dooney & Bourke (similar) || Blue Mirrored Aviators - Ray-Ban (more mirrored sunnies here) || Watch - Michael Kors (white hot watches here) || Nail Polish - Essie "big spender" || Lipstick - Maybelline "coral burst"










 
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Monday, April 11, 2016

Carrot Cake Smoothie

I love protein shakes for breakfast (see my other versions here & here). This carrot cake smoothie is slightly sweet but still super healthy, with a full serving of both veggies & fruit.

Ingredients
1 cup baby carrots
1 banana
1/2 cup vanilla almond milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
8-12 ice cubes

Directions
In a blender, combine banana, baby carrots and almond milk and grate until carrots are no longer chunky. Add protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and ice. Blend until your desired consistency is achieved. I prefer my smoothie thick more like a milkshake so I use a lot of ice. Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top & enjoy!

Friday, April 8, 2016

Frolic

 
I can never get enough of the 70's trends, so the second I saw this bell-sleeve beauty, I knew it had to be mine. I love the peace sign straps on the back which add a unique and interesting detail. I paired the top with denim cut-offs, my studded olive booties, and DIY choker for a casual bohemian look.

This shoot was one of our most fun to date. I mean, twirling in a field of wildflowers is pretty amazing. I don't brag on Greg as often as he deserves but I'm so lucky to have such a supportive man in my life. Anytime I ask him to take outfit photos, his response is always "anything I can do to help." When you find someone who says your dreams are his dreams, you know you found a keeper.

This week was a stressful one and I'm so glad it's finally Friday! Greg and I will be attending to the Florida State spring football game on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to tailgating in garnet & gold and watching my Noles. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
 
{outfit details}
Bell-Sleeve Top - Patrons of Peace (more bell-sleeves here) || Denim Cut-Offs - Zara (similar options) || Olive Studded Booties - Gianni Bini (last worn here) || Choker Necklace - DIY (cute chokers here) || Aviators - Ray-Ban || Nail Polish - Essie "big spender" || Lipstick - Maybelline "coral burst"




 





 
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