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 –
Last week I shared how I was feeling 10 days into Whole30, so today I’m sharing what’s changed 17 days in! My overall attitude at this time is… bleh. I’ve settled into the eating plan and when I’m home it’s no big deal… but I’m not necessarily excited about meal times.
Confession: I had a few glasses of wine at the People’s Choice Awards. And guess what happened next? I threw up. Twice. What the what? And it was a Malbec from Argentina and two glasses of Meiomi Pinot Noir – that’s the good stuff! A few glasses of wine used to be a Thursday night (I mean, it’s basically the weekend), and now it made me sick to my stomach? I don’t regret it, but I am glad it’s taken that wine craving away. The book says if you cheat to start over, but I’m not because… I’m not. However, I felt I needed to be truthful with you guys!
PROS:
Eating so many vegetables has challenged me to branch out and try new veggie that I wouldn’t reach for beforehand.
I’m getting sick of chicken and red meat, so I’m challenging myself to cook more seafood and it’s a nice change.
CONS:
In the 30 days we are doing Whole30, so far I’ve had an overnight stay in LA for work, two separate work dinners in LA and guests in town for 8 of the 30 days… which has made eating a challenge. If I had to pick 30 days where I wasn’t traveling, having visitors or attending food-centered work meetings… I would never be able to do Whole30 because so is life! So I’ve worried that when trying to do my best eating out that I’ve cheated – who knows what oils they’re cooking with, etc.
The clear skin has left me unfortunately, I’ve got some blemishes on my chin and I’m usually ok in that area… not a huge deal but I just wanted to share because last week my skin was really clear! Of course this could be due to other factors as well.
I strongly dislike how much I think about food. I’m constantly cooking, washing dishes, reading labels, looking up new recipes, making grocery lists, meal prepping, chopping vegetables, thinking about what I can eat… I don’t like food to take up this much of my thoughts. I like to just eat when I’m hungry and call it a day!
FAVES:
I know Whole30 discourages smoothies, but I needed something in the morning that wasn’t eggs or fruit… and this smoothie is so delish and really cures a sweet tooth!
Christian has been eating raisins to satisfy his sweet tooth – which works for him but makes me laugh because I’ve never really seen him snack on handfuls of raisins?
Have you done Whole30? What helped you survive the halfway slump? Thanks so much for reading and I hope you’re having a great weekend! XO –
– putting the tree up, but welcoming the open space –
– fresh touches for a visit from my in-laws –
– snuggled up for a lazy morning working from bed in my new Royal Scout throw (15% off through 1/22 with code royalcarriebradshawlied)-
Happy Friday! I took a break from Friday’s Five during the holidays because I had so many other fun things I wanted to share with you guys – but I’m hoping to bring them back! I love reading recaps of other people’s weeks, and I’ve always thought it was fun to share.
The faux fur throw is a new addition as of late, and let me tell you – this beauty puts other faux furs to shame! It has this amazing, heavy weight and the bottom side is the coziest plaid. When looking for fur throws, I think the key to the most luxe look is to find one that has slightly longer hairs, and this one has hairs over an inch long, giving it that ultra chic, high-end look. If you’re in the market – you won’t be disappointed in this beauty! I think she’s found a permanent home on our bed. If you’re interested in taking the plunge, for one week you can get 15% off with code royalcarriebradshawlied!
Tomorrow I’ll be posting my second round of Whole30 reviews… I think I’m in a slump so it might not be as upbeat as last week’s, but I promise it will be honest!
My in-law’s are coming to visit for their second time since we’ve lived in California, and it’s been really fun watching Christian plan their visit for such a long time. My parents have been able to come visit more times than I can even count, but for C’s schedule is so much more difficult, so it’s really a treat when his family can spend time with him.
I hope you guys have an amazing weekend and as always, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to visit CBL! XO –
It’s no secret that the best beauty weapon is great skin. I have my mom to thank for my olive complexion, but she also instilled skincare advice to me when I was young and has always been good to her own skin. I have used a gentle face cleanser like Purpose Soap and Oil of Olay moisturizer since I was in high school!
Crest White-Strips are a no-brainer these days, and my Venus razor always stays in my travel toiletries bag. All of these items you can snag at your local Walgreens without breaking the bank. Who said great skin had to be expensive?
Do you have any skincare secrets that are budget-friendly? I’ve been on the hunt for the the best drugstore blemish cream and have yet to find the perfect one! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
I know you’re thinking, “check yourself, I literally just put up my Christmas tree (or was that just me?)” BUT you guys – Valentine’s Day is around the corner and you know I like to get started early!
Like always, I rounded up a men’s gift guide with things Christian already owns and loves (like anything Kiehl’s, this watch, these Sperry’s and bluetooth headphones) or things that I wish he’d embrace (like this adorable tee and this musk that I actually wear sometimes).
I’ll be continuing to share my gift guide picks for your friends, yourself (#treatyoself… or forward to your guy) and your sweet tooth! Thanks so much for reading – and if you’ve ever gotten a V-day gift to remember, I’d love to hear! My favorite would be the engagement ring I got three days after Valentine’s Day a few years ago. XO –
