September 14, 2018

Friday Favorites

Stephanie Spring Friday Favorites, Lifestyle

Happy Friday! All this rain and talk of coziness lately has me wanting to curl up in a blanket and watch movies all day! Ha! Anyways, here are my favorites from the week. 🙂

One.On Wednesday I talked about my top five ways I love transitioning from summer to fall. One of my favorite things to help with that are boots. Well, I failed to mention these little gems as well! I did order a half size smaller then I normally do so they wouldn’t flop but they are a perfect in between season shoe. Plus..the price! Free People also sells them, here!

Two.

We definitely have a nice kitchen selection but one thing we have been wanting to upgrade is our everyday pan. So we did…and I can confidently say, we aren’t looking back. 😉 This pan is worth every penny!

Three.

I’ve talked about how much I love Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Perfume, which was proven when I bought this. The bottle is HUGE! The price can’t be beat though!

Four.Did you my recipe for Chocolate Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili? You can use your slow cooker and have dinner ready in no time!

Five.In need of a cozy breakfast or dessert this weekend? Check these out, here!

Have the best weekend!

September 12, 2018

Top Five: Fall

Stephanie Spring Lifestyle

This weekend fall definitely made it’s presence known. Am I okay with it? Suuuuure! Do I miss the sun blaring down and drenching my skin with kisses? Of course I do. But then I remember how much we couldn’t really get outside because of a newborn and how stepping outside has felt like a sauna lately. So for now, I’ll breathe in the crisp, cool air and share my top five ways I like to transition from summer to fall.

Flannels: The perfect layering piece.
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Boots: Sometimes sandals just don’t cut it with fall outfits. Plus, my feet get cold.
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Scarves: Another great layering piece and can add so much to an outfit.

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I’ve shared it once (or twenty times) and I’ll share it again. Pumpkin breads and a Pumpkin Spice Latte get me every time.
Candles: Fall candles scream coziness and smell diviiiiiine!

Happy Fall everyone! 🙂

September 7, 2018

Friday Favorites: Pantry Staples

Stephanie Spring Food, Lifestyle

To be honest, I planned on posting this earlier in the week. But when Eric got sick, taking care of both him and Capri became first priority and things got pushed back a little. Good news though..Eric’s feeling better and were settling back into some normalcy! Instead of listing five-ish of my favorites from this week, you are getting a super-sized version of all my favorite pantry items that I don’t think I have ever talked about on here. Several overlap with my shop page but I’m highlighting the things that on any given day, you can open up our pantry and find!

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: To use for anything and everything. From salad dressings into desserts.

Aged Balsamic Vinegar: We use this for salad dressings all the time!

Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar: So many great uses and for this recipe!

Pure Avocado Oil: We use this the least often of all the oils but I love having it on hand for certain dressings or high-heat cooking.

Coconut Oil: The mother of all oils! From baked goods to no-bake desserts and everything in between!

Coconut Manna (a.k.a Coconut Butter): I use this to make turmeric lattes and in the truffles I talked about here!

Organic Golden Flaxseed Meal: Make sure you buy the meal and not ground for the best nutritional value. It’s the best!

Chia Seeds: They can be used in anything from snacks to desserts!

Hemp Hearts: (I like this brand too!) (a.k.a Hempseed): I used this to top smoothies, smoothie bowls, toast, etc.

Vital Proteins Vanilla Collagen: I love adding this flavor to smoothies like my Orange Fluffy Smoothie!

Organic Dried Dates: These are an amazing natural sweetener and I am a big-time fan! (Winter Couscous Salad or these Lemon Bites!

Almond Flour: A favorite substitute for all-purpose flour and it can make most recipes gluten-free!

Recipes using Almond Flour: Pumpkin Bread. Banana Bread. Clean-Eating Blondies. Zucchini Bread. Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins.

Flaked Coconut: I use this in so many things! Here, here, and here are just a few examples!

Vital Proteins Unflavored Collagen Peptides: I use it in every smoothie possible! You can read all the benefits, here!

Cacao Powder: Ahhh! I love this stuff! I have gradually replaced most recipes with cacao powder instead of chocolate. It is a great source of iron, is loaded with antioxidants, and a natural mood booster. Please and thank you!

Recipes using Cacao Powder: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie. Chocolate Banana Mocha Smoothie. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

nutpods: My new favorite creamer! Clean ingredients and creamy! They have a great shelf life before being opened, so i can just have a bunch of hand in the pantry.

Cupcake Paper Baking Cup Liners: I’m more of a muffin girl but either way, there’s always a need. 😉

Chocolate Chips: You might find me snacking on these by themselves at times too.

I also have a million Simply Organic Spices on hand, Bob’s Red Mill Baking Powder and Baking Soda along with Organic Pure Vanilla Extract, local honey, Maple Syrup and so on. Our pantry is almost always stocked but tell me…

…what pantry items am I missing?!

August 31, 2018

Friday Favorites

Stephanie Spring Friday Favorites, Lifestyle

Today’s a little different for my favorites. Gift giving is not high on my love language scale but the idea of paying it forward or random acts of kindness has really been on my heart lately. After having Capri my best friend stopped by with such a meaningful and thoughtful gift. She knows me well and filled it with some of my favorites. It meant so much and I encourage you to think of someone you can do the same for. It doesn’t have to be post-baby, it can be for any occasion or just because. Customize your heart out and have fun with it! Here are some fun ideas to put together.

ONE.

Put everything in one of these bags as part of the gift.

TWO.

Their favorite book or a devotional.

THREE.

A notepad and some fun writing things.

FOUR.

Add a bag of coffee, box of wine, or their favorite snack. A gift card always works too!

FIVE.

Add a hand written note.

Easy.

Done.

Happy Friday! Love you all! 🙂

August 29, 2018

August 2018

Stephanie Spring Lifestyle

It is the end of August. HOW?! Here’s a recap of our July! 🙂

What we’re eating this week:Chocolate Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili. The recipe is coming soon for you! It’s so easy, made in the slow cooker, and is perfect for fall. 🙂MY WEAKNESS. Make it yours too, so I’m not alone. 😉

What I’m reminiscing about:Remember when I studied abroad in Greece and met all these lovely people? 🙂 I’ve been reminiscing about Ashley’s wedding last year and how we were all reunited. I want to do this all over again! And their venue was at a beautiful winery! Ahh!

What I’m loving lately:

The days have been a much slower pace and I am soaking it all up!

I also asked all of you about tanning lotion and recently bought this kind. So far, I love it. It doesn’t turn your skin orange, you only need to use it about once a week, and it doesn’t stain or streak. (It’s also a 1 on the EWG!)

We’ve also had a bouquet of flowers in our home all summer long. I love that. 🙂

What we’ve been up to:Watching this little one grow by the day! On Sunday she was three months old. 🙂

What I’m dreading:

This humidity sticking around. Ugh. I sweat just walking out the door.

What I’m working on:

Cleaning out every closet. I donated so many things to the local thrift store and it’s like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

What I’m excited about:

17 weeks until Christmas. hahahaha We also have a trip coming up! 🙂

What I’m watching/reading:

We’re still watching Parenthood. Shocker, right?! 😉 We watch an episode a night and I honestly love that it’s taking us so long to get through it because I have no idea what I’ll watch when it’s over. haha Suggestions?

Ladies, this book is a must-read. It is so good and shed so much light on loving people and becoming free. Be sure to take a look at this list that I compiled from all of you!

What I’m listening to:Jen Hatmaker’s Parenting series has been so good!