I’ve been so excited to share this post with you guys because I think sharing home content might be my absolute favorite (happy dance)! Years ago my mom purchased nearly 18 matching chairs from a huge inventory sale and kept six for herself and give six to both my sister and myself (you can see them in this post). We recovered them and I liked them, but I don’t love them (sorry mom!), which I think a lot of people feel about hand-me-downs.
I only brought two to California, and clearly I didn’t think we’d make any friends because we’re always dragging in our patio chairs whenever we have guests. I had an idea of what I wanted, and when I stumbled across these super comfortable linen slipcoveredchairs from World Market, it was a match made in heaven.
I love the tie-backs, giving them a little something extra than your basic slipcovered chair. They are so comfortable that I find myself working from the kitchen table much more often!
Do you have your own dining chair saga story? I am a lover of chairs and lamps (as in I love lamp), so I know that sometimes the hunt is harder than you thought it would be! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
CAN IT BE TRUE? Can the 30 days that felt like 100 finally be complete?
Truthfully, I didn’t find this eating plan that difficult at home, eating out is a totally different story.
Am I glad we did this? Yes. Do I think that I feel so much better without eating ____? Not really. Have I learned more about my body and food from this experience? Absolutely. I hope to continue cooking this way (Christian, with the cravings of a pre-teen, has to have chocolate or he’s going to FLIP – he literally talks about dessert every day), but we like to eat out on weekends and in those scenarios I’d like to #livemylife and have a french fry. I mean… YOLO.
We are heading to Hawaii for a week where we’re going to try to keep up with the reintroduction phase – I told you guys that I don’t have 45 days straight of my life that don’t have travel or events, so we just have to do our best and make it work! This being said, my next Whole30 update will not be next Saturday, but the following.
PROS:
I’m still able to concentrate better than normal, which is really awesome.
I’m so much more aware of labels. I read labels on the back of everything! I hope I will continue to do this.
I lost six lbs., but honestly I feel like I lost so much more than that because I’ve lost so much bloat. Between you and me, I thought I might lose more than that considering I was eliminating almost every kind of food that brings me joy, but c’est la vie!
Christian lost 9 – 10 lbs. And he’s already 6’3″ and skinny… so that’s pretty rude of him.
CONS:
My stomach growls have never been so loud. I feel like all I’m doing is meal/snack prep, yet I’m hungry every 2-3 hours so if I am running errands the cashier can hear my rumbling stomach. It’s a little embarrassing!
Because of having to prepared for every possible food scenario – this eating plan really rules out any kind of spontaneity. I’m a pretty organized “planner,” but even for me this was hard.
I recognize a lot of people can’t eat like this because it’s definitely more expensive. I spend $30-$40 more per week at the grocery.
FAVES:
Tried a cauliflower crust and it was pretty good! I mean, I definitely still prefer real pizza crust and cheese, but it hit the spot. I topped it with tomato sauce, arugula, tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, garlic and salami.
Thanks to y’alls suggestions I tried adding both canned coconut milk and ghee to my coffee. I don’t have an immersion blender, but I poured fresh, hot coffee and the ingredients into my Vitamix, and it definitely tasted creamier and rich! I’ve held off trying ghee in my coffee because I think long-term I would still prefer dairy in my coffee over butter, but while on Whole30 it’s definitely a good option if you’re struggling with black coffee. Thank you for the tip!
That’s all for now! Thank you guys so much for your feedback, encouragement and suggestions. Seriously – I have really appreciated all of your insight and guidance and hope you’ve found these honest reviews helpful! Thanks so much for reading and have a great weekend – XO –
– a new pair of Tecovas cowboy boots from that are so comfortable that I’ve been living in them –
– the vinyl from my in-laws that I listen to every night while I cook (“Army of One” is my fave) –
– packing for a Hawaiian adventure –
– cooking with lemons from our lemon tree –
– an exciting giveaway that’s happening over on Instagram! official contest rules here –
Hey weekend! January weekends have not disappointed so far, and they’ve been jam-packed with fun adventures and visits from family and friends… and this weekend is no different! My girlfriend Amy is coming in town to play, and we’ve been friends for years. We connected several years ago after realizing we basically had everything in common and the rest is history! Once she heads back to the South, C and I will start our vacation… and you’ll be seeing more of that soon (insert happy dance).
BUT, the most important thing to share today is a really exciting giveaway that supports the philanthropy that is near and dear to my heart, The Her Initiative (a part of Healing Waters International, more about this organization here and here). This week, I’m working with 1040taxes.com to offer two CBL followers to win one of two $500 gift cards! Here’s the catch – we are trying to bring awareness that1040taxesis a safe and simple way to file your taxes online while also giving back to an amazing cause. They are going to give $2 to Healing Waters for every tax return filed through their site. File your taxes AND make a difference by choosing 1040.com with promo code: CLEANWATER (and get 10% off both your federal and state tax return!).
I know this isn’t my normal kind of giveaway, but I feel passionate about helping Her, and hey – you have the chance to win $500 so I mean, you have nothing to lose by entering AND you can learn more about filing your taxes yourself, #boom.
What are you guys up to this weekend? Gimme the scoop. Thanks so much for reading! XO –
One of my favorite colors to combine with gray is a soft pink, and this Cluse watch has been living on my wrist for the past few weeks. I love how feminine the pink + gold combo is, and it’s classic, clean design makes it a perfect combination of feminine and modern. Plus it’s so lightweight – which is so comfortable! Bonus – the straps are also interchangeable, so you can change the color depending on the season and your mood.
In oversized sweater-land (one of my favorite things to wear), gray has become my new black over the past two years, and I think it’s because it’s easier to wear than white but less harsh than black, especially in Southern California where it’s a sunny 60-70 degrees year round! This ShopBellaC boyfriend sweater is so comfortable, and the side slits give it a little sass – I’m obsessed!
watch c/o Cluse (free worldwide shipping!) | denim c/o | sweater & scarf c/o ShopBellaC | heels | bag | sunnies | lipstick c/o | cable bracelet 1, 2, 3, 4 | gold bangle c/o, similar style here and love this one
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 (ok so it’s a pillow.. but I mean, it’s real cute) | 9 | 10 | 11
Since I’m still on Whole30 and can’t have sugar I thought… why not torture myself and do a Valentine’s Day candy roundup? That makes sense.
What’s a Hallmark holiday without candy? My favorite part of Valentine’s Day is probably binge-eating the very specific double decker box of assorted chocolates I request every year. I’m not kidding – there are two qualifications – that it is assorted (obviously) and that there are two layers of chocolates. I don’t even want jewelry or anything fancy, I want the candy.
I can’t describe the happiness I have when I start cramming these delicious treats into my mouth and inevitably start getting a little sad to see them go so quickly… only to remember there’s a WHOLE SECOND LAYER waiting to be devoured. The joy!
Christian made the mistake of getting me a single layered box of non-assorted chocolates several years ago and to his dismay I punched my finger in all of them like a twelve year-old to confirm that they all had to the same filling (who even eats those plain soft ones? Let’s be serious). I think I scarred him for life, so now he’s aware of the passion I have for the double decker sweets on February 14th. We laugh every time I think about it – but I mean, every guy who’s ever had a girlfriend should realize that you don’t mess with a girl and chocolate. Just let it happen.
That’s enough of my rambling for one day! If you have a Valentine’s food memory, please share it. Seriously – you’ll make my day! Thanks so much for reading, and you can check ouit my gift guide for him and her if you’re in the shoppin’ mood. XO –
I’ve shared this before, but as I’ve gotten older I find myself wearing more solids and neutrals over everything else. I look for versatility in everything I purchase, and I try to curate my closet with pieces that I know will take me through the seasons with their ability to be worn multiple ways. This includes only adopting trends that work for my body and when in doubt – keeping it neutral. I call it the Jennifer Aniston wardrobe! She always looks great, right?
Having a closet of versatile staples includes a great looking and comfortable pair of nude wedges that you can wear all day. These Aerosoles wedges are so ridiculously comfy, and the heel height is just right, letting me know I can wear them 9 to 5.
I have more energy and feel better this week, while C says he’s still tired and sad. Christian has worked until midnight in surgeries several times this week, so I can’t really speak for him – having this many eating restrictions when you work as much as he does and have very little time to eat or drink anything can certainly be a drag. All of his coworkers are telling him that he looks “thin” and his “eyes are sunken in,” and I’m like, BUT WHAT ABOUT ME? Just kidding. But I’m not.
Another confession (I mean… these are weekly, whoops) – while my in-laws were visiting they wanted to visit a vineyard, and Christian and I hated to not take them on a quick and easy trip to Temecula. SO he and I shared two wine tastings at different vineyards (may have equaled a little less than a glass total). I cheated, again, with liquids… again. This time I felt no side effects whatsoever, but I still wanted to be totally honest.
PROS:
I think never feeling bloated is really an even more amazing feeling than I thought it would be. I feel like my body operates at its peak when eating this way. While I’ve only lost 5 lbs. (you’re not supposed to weigh yourself but I did, sue me), I could really tell a difference when I tried on clothes at Nordstrom on Friday. I was wearing a whole size smaller than I usually do (I think it’s because grains are usually 75% of my diet). Not eating grains and dairy has me completely unswollen, which I find interesting.
I have been amazed that I don’t have intense cheese cravings. I thought I would really miss it, and it turns out I can totally live without it (except for worth-it splurges, like pizza or mac ‘n cheese).
I’ve noticed that I don’t get as distracted as I usually do. I have more focus, which is interesting (and helpful!).
I’m not a pork person but I’ve started incorporating bacon into dishes and I mean… when you can’t eat 29473957 things, bacon tastes like little strips of gold.
CONS:
I mean… is it annoying for me to keep talking about the dish washing? I hate washing dishes… I spend a large chunk of my day in front of the kitchen sink,.. I know, I know, cry me a river (Christian likes to sing this song to me when I whine).
Eating out continues to be a challenge/not fun, and I’m in social/work situations where dining out cannot be avoided. As a previous eater of all the things, I don’t like being the person who sits there and doesn’t touch her food because I can’t eat ____.
The only dairy item I really have missed is organic half & half in my coffee. Christian doesn’t usually use any sweetener so he’s ok in this area. After all of this, if the only dairy I consume is coffee creamer – I don’t know which is better for me – soy creamer, organic or coconut creamer? Canned coconut milk isn’t cutting it anymore!
In the absence of not being able to eat soy, grains, dairy, legumes, sugar, alcohol or anything processed (oy!), I find myself eating more meat than I usually do. I’m trying to eat more veggies and less meat but it’s hard with all of these limitations.
FAVES:
This salad (minus the cheese) + bacon + sautéed shrimp = heaven. I ate two servings and had to unbutton the top button on my jeans if that’s any indication.
We both love bruschetta, so I’ve been topping marinated lemon pepper chicken strips with tomatoes, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. Delish!
Thank you guys SO much for all of your tips, support and recipes along the way! It’s been really fun to share these weekly updates with you guys and I’m really looking forward to the reintroduction process and sharing my final thoughts. Hope you’re having an amazing weekend! XO –
Christian and I have had so much fun traveling all over the state of California exploring all of the fast-paced cities and charming pockets in this ridiculously beautiful state, but believe it or not, we have not had a “staycation” together, where we stay at a local hotel for the weekend and play tourist in our own city. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for so long, but when C has a weekend off we usually head out of town instead of looking down the road at all of the beautiful hotels right here in Orange County!
I’ve had friends come in town and we’ve gotten a beach-front hotel before, but C wasn’t able to experience it (I mean, #girlcode) and let me tell you – I’m about to be scoping out all the resorts and hotels in OC! We were invited to spend the weekend at the Pacific Edge Hotel, and the short drive, easy planned weekend far exceeded any expectations we had. The hotel sits on the sand with ocean-front rooms that will make your jaw drop.
Usually when we travel (like our upcoming trip to Kauai), we spend so much time researching the area – from extracurricular activities to restaurants, beaches, hikes and so on. With a staycation, you don’t have to worry about any of that – you know the area, and instead you get to see your town as an outsider. Honestly – it’s so much fun!
We had a little seagull visit us most days on the balcony, and sleeping to the sound of waves crashing is what dreams are made of. The hotel embodies the California vibe blending surf and beach cottage, and Christian brought his board to surf in the mornings by walking only a few feet to the ocean. I mean… the whole weekend has me thinking all I need in life is a little condo on the beach. Dreamy!
Honestly, I could have stayed a week, I can’t say enough about it! It was the most peaceful weekend, and we had an amazing meal at Driftwood Kitchen (that had plenty of Whole30 friendly items, hallelujah!). I’ve eaten at The Deck (also connected to the hotel), and some of the prettiest sunsets I’ve ever seen have been from that patio restaurant.
If you’re interested in staying a night or two in Orange County, I really encourage you to check out Pacific Edge Hotel. The beach-front room is worth the splurge because staying this close to the water is such a unique and memorable experience!
AND from now until 3/15 (excluding 2/12-2/14) an oceanfront room is $345 and village view $285 with promo code ELNINO. Escape from El Nino at a SoCal boutique hotel – I mean… if it were up to me I would stay there the whole month! There’s beachfront dining at both Driftwood Kitchen + The Deck (on the property) or since Pacific Edge Hotel is just one block from Downtown Laguna Beach, you can take a stroll to lots of adorable shops and restaurants. We also ate at Broadway and it was fab – great atmosphere.
So just to share, the El Nino package includes complimentary daily valet parking, TV + DVD player, charcuterie and cheese platter, “Laguna Local” umbrella + neighborhood “Sleepy Hollow” trucker hat, bottle of wine upon arrival, complimentary hot chocolate upon arrival.
And if any of you stays there… can I come with? It’s not weird, it’s natural. Just let it happen. Thank you guys so much for reading and please tell me about your staycation adventures in your city! Another Whole30 weekly update will be on the blog tomorrow – XO –
PS – the winner from Monday’s post is announced in the original post here! Thank you so much to everyone who entered!
Without a doubt, I wear denim at least 5x a week. I’ve always been a jeans lover, but since I’ve moved to California it’s become an even deeper love affair with the causal vibe of everyday, and I think we all agree that a great pair of jeans is a must-have closet staple.
I don’t discriminate against color or cut, but I think a great fitting pair of white jeans can go a long way, and this pair from Guess fits like a glove. Macy’s has a great selection of jeans in almost every style – classic or trendy – they’ve got you covered.
Do you have a classic pair of denim that always does the job? I’d love to hear what you love (check out Monday’s post and giveaway for the most amazing beauty steal suggestions from Walgreens in the comments section!). Thanks so much for reading! XO –
Last week I shared some of my picks for him (based on what I know my husband likes), and this week we’re back to the girls! I think these are some great picks to forward to your guys OR for your girlfriend, sister or mom. My mom always had the sweetest Valentine’s gifts for me when I was in high school, and I hope that I have a daughter I can do the same for.
I have this scarf in two colors and absolutely love them – they’re thick, soft and extra long. This mug comes in several different words and is the cutest and these lipstick shades look like a trio of my rotating shade picks. Of course I’m a sucker for all Diptyque candles and I bet this one smells like a dream!
Do you have any special Valentine’s Day memories? My favorite from childhood would probably be when I was in the sixth grade and my mom told me that after school she would take me to get my ears pierced! C and I almost always go to a steakhouse, and it’s something he definitely always looks forward to. Thanks so much for reading – XO –
It’s no secret that I love winter whites, so when I got this white skirt (only $33!), I knew it would be the perfect date night piece for our staycation in Laguna. I paired it with neutrals, but I think it would look just as cute with a black turtleneck and over-the-knee boots. It brings just the right amount of volume and makes a statement on its own, so I like keeping the rest of the look simple while the skirt steals the show.
And this coat (which is on major sale) – I wish I had this beauty when I was in New York, but I definitely plan to bring it back when I head back to the city in a few weeks. I’m a sucker for a tie-waist coat and have some fur cuffs that are begging to go for a spin!
Do y’all have any of these neoprene “scuba” skirts or dresses? I love how lightweight they are while still keeping their form so well – genius! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
I’m the girl who has been wearing the same kinds of eyeshadows since jr. high, and rose-tinted hues have always been some of my faves! When I went to the People’s Choice Awards a few weeks ago, I loved seeing women with natural, glowing makeup on the red carpet, reminding me that you don’t have to wear a lot of makeup to look and feel great.
Covergirl has the most beautiful rosey-hued eyeshadow palette, some seriously volumizing mascara and a pinky-mauve lipstick that gives me the soft, feminine look I’m going for. Even better, you can snag all of these affordable items at your local Walgreens. OR you can enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post and win a swag box of your own!
I used two of the darker brown shades and blended them into my crease, adding a lighter pink on the inner corner and blending toward the middle. I used the darkest shade to smudge into both my top and bottom lash line, and pulled it all together by curling my lashes and adding two coats of mascara. Add a few quick strokes of lipstick and you’ve got a rosey eye and lip that keeps the focus on you!
By leaving a comment and sharing your favorite beauty item that can be found at Walgreens, you’re entering to win:
$75 Walgreens gift card | CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Pallet | CoverGirl Plumpify Mascara | CoverGirl Outlast Longwear Lipstick | Secret Clinical Stress Response | Venus Razor Swirl | Olay Body Wash Ultra Moisture | Pantene Hairspray | Pantene Total Damage Care 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner
Update 1/22: Our winner is Miss #92, Ashlee! Thank you SO much to all of you who entered!
Do you have any drugstore makeup favorites? Or are you like me – still wearing the same hues from high school? #Nojudgement. Thanks so much for reading! XO –
