Friday Favorites

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This week I’ve spent A TON of time at home thanks to MLK day and snow days. I’ve had a lot of time to research baby things and some of my favorites this week reflect just that. It mainly stemmed from my parents being so sweet and bringing the crib and dresser to our house this past weekend for the nursery. We planned on starting to set things up a few weeks ago but snow got in the way. I’ve been browsing my heart out ever since then and after setting up the crib and dresser, Eric and I both looked at each other realizing how real everything is becoming! 🙂

One.

I spent almost all of Saturday rearranging, binging and purging a lot of things that somehow in a few short years we’ve accumulated, to make room for baby things. It all happened at the perfect time though because I was listening to Jen Hatmaker’s podcast featuring Emily Ley and I was completely inspired for a simpler life going into this season. (Or at least an attempt)… 😉

Two.

…and Emily Ley’s book: A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living. 🙂

Three.Similar (here and here).

I’ll be doing a (or a few) nursery posts in the next few months but I thought I’d share some similar cribs and dressers as to the one we have. 🙂 It’s a 3-in-1 convertible crib, which I’m really excited about!

 

Four. 

You’re either going to laugh or say a big, “Amen” to this favorite. It’s just necessary, ladies. This Cocoa Butter works wonders.

Five.

Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap – Baby Unscented// Clear 1 Gallon Jar// Pure Baking Soda

I finally ran out of the laundry detergent we have and I’m so excited to try this homemade kind! A friend recommended it to me because she loves it! I already had most of the things on hand. Dr. Bronner’s is amazing for so many things. I use it often to clean my make-up brushes. I’ll let you know how I like it! 🙂

Have a relaxing weekend friends! xo

 

 

Game Day Chili

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Several of you asked for more chili recipes and I hear you because our household wants it too! The snow keeps coming in random spurts and when our TV is on, 50% of the time it is turned to football. (I’m guessing we aren’t the only ones?!) With that combo, the need for chili is high. 😉 This recipe is ideal for a few people or can be doubled for a crowd.

Also with this time of year, comes crazy sicknesses, especially for all the teachers out there! I need to be eating foods that boost my immune system and are healthy to keep all the germs at bay. I created this chili with that in mind. Did you know that one chopped red bell pepper contains almost three times more vitamin C than an orange? It’s also a great source of vitamin A, which promotes eye health. (Why not, right?!) I could go on about the hidden immune boosters in this chili but take my word for it and add it to your menu for the week! 😉 

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground hamburger
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 orange bell, pepper seeded and chopped
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
  • 1 white onion, chopped
  • 3 tsp garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 15 oz. can black beans
  • 28 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 2  cups vegetable broth 
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Toppings: (optional)

  • Stonyfield Organic Plain Greek Yogurt
  • cilantro
  • shredded cheese
  • tortilla chips

What to do:

On medium to medium high heat, cook ground hamburger until lightly brown. Remove any excess grease. Add bell peppers, jalapeno, and white onion. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, paprika, and salt. Stir and cook one to two minutes. Add black beans, tomatoes, broth, water, and balsamic vinegar. Stir and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce to a simmer and keep slightly covered. Cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 45 minutes, blend two ladles and add back to chili. Stir and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Serve with desired toppings!

 

Friday Favorites

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Between early dismissals and delays for weather, plus a lot of testing at school, this week has definitely kept me on the edge of my seat! But man oh man, do I love a Friday and I have some favorites to share of course. 🙂

One. Two. Three. Four.On Sunday we had our family over for the gender reveal of Baby Spring. (Favorite #1) 🙂 It was so, so fun! Eric and I already knew what the gender was but wanted to get everyone together at once to tell them.

We had a, “make your own pasta bowl” menu with bow tie pasta, chicken, sausage, pesto sauce, and tomato and basil sauce. (This pasta bowl is a favorite! Favorite #2) A girl from our church made these adorable cake pops that looked and tasted ah-mazing! Seriously, I could go on about them. They were individually wrapped with a bow and had pink cake on the inside. I squealed a little after we picked them up. 🙂 (Favorite #3) We are so excited to meet our little girl! (Favorite #4).  All of you completely blew me away with your comments on Instagram. Thank you for being so sweet and excited for us! 🙂

Five.I have been browsing a lot of baby shops lately (surprise) and have already found a few that I absolutely love! Over black Friday I ordered this teether because I thought it was so cute and I have become a huge fan of Little Peaches Shop. Plus, how cute is that name?!

Six.I snacked all week on my Trail Mix Bark!

Seven.

We had this lamp on our registry when we got married and I just ordered another one, here. I have no idea why on earth it took me SO long but I love, love it! Plus, it’s on sale. 🙂

Happy weekend everyone!

Resolutions

To be honest, the thought of a resolution seems a little daunting each year. With an entire year ahead, I don’t want to necessarily be pinned down to one specific thing. However, I do love a good goal. A well, thought-out goal, perhaps from month-to-month is something I’m always down for. I listed some tips and tricks that help me maintain my goals and I’m hoping they help you too!

  1. Write it down. 

Wether it’s a planner, on a post-it note, or some fun paper, write your goals down! Not only will you remember them better, you can place it somewhere that you can see your goal often which will increase your chances of fulfilling it!

                                                             

2. Plan. 

One of the best pieces of advice I can give is that reaching goals takes planning. I talked about my love for Wunderlist here and it’s still going strong. I still write A LOT of things down because it helps me remember them and I like to actually check things off when I complete them. But for my groceries lists and random things Eric and I like to combine lists on, it’s great!

3. Time management

If you’re really serious about sticking to your goals, you need to make sure you create time to achieve them. Take a look at your calendar and make sure your time allows you to work on them.

4. Priorities

Reevaluate each month (or week) what you spent your time on. If it doesn’t line up with your priorities, something needs to change.

There you have it! What are some of your best tips for sticking to goals? 

 

It’s a…

I thought I had so many feelings thought out. Then I went to write it down and every possible string of words escaped me. We are just so unbelievably thankful for this baby that is growing and healthy. It’s a girl!

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