Leave it to Tik Tok to literally curate my entire grocery list. And you think I’m joking, but I am fully serious. I am loving the Tik Tok recipes because two things they all have in common: they’re quick and easy.
I found this recipe from this gal, and thankfully she also has a website with the recipe so you don’t have to watch the video 47x to get the ingredients. I can’t even tell you how delicious, fresh and flavorful this was. So incredibly easy to make the chickpea salad and eat throughout the week on avocado toast for lunch. I can’t wait to try more of her recipes!
Don’t skip on the shallot either! I really think that is a game-changer for the trip to flavor town. You heard me. I also took the lazier route of just brushing olive oil on the baguette and toasting it in the toaster oven, and it was fantastic.
Again, you can find the recipe here. Make it and tell me what you think! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
– rearranging furniture for the 64647 time and loving these Paula Rallis Home pieces here –
– excitement for our first Easter egg hunt –
– clipping flowers from the yard – I love spring –
– still rearranging, just… all the time –
– saving this planter and moss from a previous plant for a new mini orchid, orchid potting tips here –
Easter weekend is here! Our first Georgia Easter was not very memorable with covid restrictions, so this year we are planning on attend an outdoor church service and I made some lunch reservations. It feels like a big “holiday” outing considering we haven’t really had one in so long. It’s been something to look forward to for sure.
Spring has really poked its head in our yard, and I’m really loving it. Snowball bushes and azaleas are blooming, the grass is slowly turning bright green and every plant is more vibrant in color. I’ve spent more and more time picking weeds, water plants and clipping day after day. Except this year, I have a miniature helper by my side in his baby crocs. And it’s always a little bit more fun with a helper!
And while we’re talking about my little helper… we’ve also been experiencing our first stomach bug this week. I was hopeful I wouldn’t catch it from him, but I definitely did and it has been bleak. When Christian arrived home on Thursday, I cried both tears of relief and guilt. When your baby is sick and you are also sick, you can’t care for them like you want to. I still feel new to this mom gig, and seeing Hudson so pitiful breaks my heart. I’m hopeful that we will both feel a little bit more like ourselves by tomorrow.
With that being said, I’m behind on basically everything, so hopefully I’ll be able to play catch up soon. Thank you so much for reading and I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend with someone they love. Happy Easter to you and yours!
All about the accessories today and they are SOME KINDA CUTE.
I stumbled upon these travel bags and if there is anything more accurate than “my bling bling” or “baby stuff,” I haven’t seen it. Adorable.
I bought these clips recently and they are so great for the price and hold all of my hair. I’ve ordered this croissant ring for my index finger and am waiting for it to arrive. I also saw this handbag strap that is a dupe and cannot believe it’s under $20. A steal! I just got this canvas tote in and it’s so pretty – will be so great for the beach, a travel bag or diaper bag with an insert like this.
This visor/sun hat is definitely a splurge but also very cool and unique. I’ve never seen anything like it. I also love the simplicity of a logo-free baseball cap like this one.
You can tell my preferred shoe style: sleek, chic and simple. I have athletic legs and find that usually a simple strappy heel or sandal is more flattering on my legs. I have these $50 strappy sandals in two colors and love a lace-up sandal like this pair with midi dresses and skirts. And while I don’t typically go for a logo sandal, I think those are so cute.
Lastly, sometimes I upload collages that are clickable, so when you click directly on the item it takes you right there. Other times they’re like this post and not clickable, rather you have to find the associated number. Do you guys have a preference? The clickable collages do take more time, but if they are far more enjoyable for you, I’m happy to do them. I just thought it was worth asking!
I bounce between this mascara and this one. I also really love all of Tarte’s mascaras like this one and this one. Truthfully, I don’t wear the same beauty products daily. I’m always trying different things and rotating products, as it’s a part of my job.
I’ve also stopped curling my eyelashes this past year… maybe that has helped less fall out?
I love lipsticks. And I probably have at least 60… maybe more. They are my weakness! So I honestly mix and match different liners, lipsticks and glosses constantly. I shared my favorite liners and lipsticks in this post.
I am having the hardest time finding good side tables for the sofa for a smaller space. Any recommendations?
I have shot the photos but I haven’t written the copy yet! I was so fortunate to work with so many brands when decorating other areas of our house, but it also kept me on a tight turnaround to complete and “reveal.”
Our bathroom wasn’t a brand or work project, rather a labor of love. So I promised myself I would take my time and not feel rushed!
I love wearing black, but I have two dogs. How do you keep the dog hair off?
You would be surprised by how often I get asked about my nemesis, dog hair. Particularly labrador hair, which is a special form of torture. I don’t have a magic solution. I vacuum daily, have a roomba, encourage Bailey to enjoy the covered patio when the weather is nice and lint roll everything. I have even used tweezers to pluck her hair that is woven into an upholstered chair simply by her presence. Needless to say, Bailey is soon-to-be 14 and her legacy will be that she is our first and only labrador. It is a lot of maintenance!
What was the thermal you were wearing the other day?
This one – it comes with a matching short! I sized up one size for a looser loungewear fit, but I think it runs pretty true to size.
What is your Dairy Queen secret again? I forgot what to order!
If you order a blizzard, you can “make it a double.” Which means they’ll double the toppings for a small additional charge! I live and die by Snickers.
Do you use a facial steamer before masking?
I have this facial steamer and love it. I use it when I feel congested. I use it when I want some extra TLC. I’ll put on a sheet mask and use it, I’ve even used it on Hudson when he’s been sick. I don’t necessarily do it before masking, but I don’t see why not?
Do you keep your designer shoe boxes?
I do keep some boxes if they’re particularly beautiful, but not most.
What other baby names did y’all consider besides Hudson?
I’m still holding them close to the chest because there are two names we will likely use if we have another little boy (it was the other name we almost named Hudson). But some names that I loved and were eliminated are: Hampton, Reese, Sawyer, Roman, Beau and Everett.
Tips for traveling with a baby? I’m worried that my son will go nuts if he’s not in his room/crib.
I don’t want to sound like a Debbie Downer, but traveling with a baby is not a vacation, it’s a relocation. There is a big difference, and the sooner you accept this the more realistic your expectations will be.
Hudson has his challenges, but thankfully sleep hasn’t been one of them. He sleeps pretty well most places, but we have this travel crib, this blackout cover and this small sound machine. As long as these elements are with us, we are usually good to go.
That being said, every child is unique. You don’t know if you don’t try, so give it a shot and you might be surprised!
What hair products do you put in Hudson’s hair?
I just use my own products. Texturizing spray, sea salt or wave spray and/or a non aerosol liquid hairspray.
Did you paint your stair banister yourself? If so, any tips or tricks?
I did not paint it myself – we hired painters who handled it!
Would you consider your current home your forever home? If not, why?
Probably not. This is the first and only home we have ever purchased, so I feel like that is pretty rare to stay in your first home forever? But if we were to stay here for a long time I would be fine with it! One of the reasons I rooted for this house over others is because it has plenty of space for a growing family. After moving so frequently, I didn’t want to be forced to move because of outgrowing the space. So we could easily stay here with a larger family.
What do you use to hang your hats on the wall?
Nails. Literally… they’re just hanging on nails.
Would Christian ever do a Q&A on Botox, Dysport and all the things?
I try to keep Christian’s business separate from mine for our own sanity, but if you’re nearby and would be interested in discussing Botox or any facial plastics concerns, you can find him here!
Tips for someone who hates their job and cries everyday because of it?
Girl. We gotta get a new gig. Start sharpening up that resume and think of your next move. I’ve had one particular job, a six-month stint, that made me feel so bleak. I started putting feelers out there and never once regretted leaving. The next position I took was with an amazing team, and I loved it.
That being said, it’s always a good reminder that every job has it’s pros and cons. I absolutely love my job, but there are a few elements of it that can make me miserable if I don’t recognize when boundaries are being crossed. And one benefit of living through a treacherous job is that you will always be grateful for the jobs that you enjoy. It makes you more appreciative!
So there is no “perfect” job or career, but the pros should outweigh the cons. We spend a LOT of our lives working, so it should ultimately make you better, not less happy.
Easter dress picks?
I recently blogged about this dress I think is so sweet, and I think something like this could work too. I also love something like this top with a midi skirt or this dress. Chic!
What are your top three beauty/face products you can’t live without?
GREAT and tough question! I’ve got to separate skincare and makeup because combining the two is too hard. For skincare:
All things blue. Different shades and patterns, yet they still pull together for a cohesive look. A great tip for pattern play is to stick with one focal hue so you can mix stripes and florals but still look intentional and cohesive.
I shared this little Kate Spade bag recently on Instagram here, but it reminds me of something I would have longed for in my Grammy’s closet. The fabric, the pattern, the shape – it’s adorable.
These jeans are one of my favorite 2021 closet additions. And these heels might be in the top five. Why? They are sleek, classic, and solid making them extremely to mix and match. I’ve already worn them more often than other pieces I’ve purchased, which leads me to further realize that the majority of my closet is becoming solids.
I am, in fact, becoming my mother. It’s fine, it’s fine!
I don’t cover a lot of kids clothing/fashion because I do try to keep this blog centered around adult fashion, but “help! boy mom and we need clothes” emails and messages keep coming, so it felt like it was time to share an update post about Hudson’s wardrobe lately.
My biggest tip for dressing babies and toddlers is: keep it sweet and simple. The ruffles, logos, bright colors, phrases, busy patterns… it’s a lot on a small body! I try to keep Hudson’s clothing to solids and stripes (with the occasional large scale print like this), and the result is a sweet but small capsule wardrobe that easily mixes and matches for fool-proof mornings. I also mostly commit to soft colors like whites, creams, camel, soft blues and greens, etc. I don’t think he has any black in his closet and only a few navy pieces.
My second biggest tip is fit. Nothing makes me more sad than a baby in baggy clothes. I prefer to have less clothes that fit well rather than tons of clothes that don’t fit properly. I keep the clothes that currently fit Hudson in his dresser and clothing that he hasn’t grown into yet is in his closet, categorized by size (12M, 18M, 2T, etc). If it’s too baggy, it goes in the closet until it will fit properly.
To shop, click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage –
1 | 2 | 3 | 4– 62% off | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 – 50% off | 9 – 50% off | 10
H&M | This is probably my #1 go to for Hudson’s clothes. They are soft, they are a realistic price point, and honestly their selection is pretty amazing. A two piece linen short set for $30, a chunky knit cardigan for for $25, $10 camel joggers. How can you beat that?
Baby Zara | They do not have a user-friendly site, but so many cute kids pieces. Definitely for the “cool kid!”
Old Navy + Gap | I will get the occasional clothes and outerwear from here and oftentimes pajamas. I also have this knit onesie in grey and navy (both on sale!) and it’s adorable. I also have these solid sneakers in every size. Literally, I bought every size because non-logo sneakers are harder to find than you’d think!
Etsy | I do buy the occasional thing for him from Etsy, like these diaper covers in nearly every color and his Easter basket.
Cadets | We love all shorts from Cadets! They are a great length and have a super cute assortment of colors. You can also personalize them if you want, and I find the cut really flattering on little legs.
Osh Kosh | I got this toggle coat for Hudson that he wore allllll fall and winter and it is A+ adorable and fantastic quality. It’s no longer on their sit but this one is really similar. A lot of kids outerwear needs to be dry cleaned (which I find ridiculous), and this one can be thrown in the wash easy peasy. I also have this vest for next fall.
Grace & James | One of my all-time knit sets is from Grace & James, so much so that I have it in 3 sizes/colors. I also just got this personalized sweater and these spring overalls just in time for Easter. And how adorable is this swimsuit? Really beautiful, special pieces you’ll want to hand down for years and years.
If you have favorite baby clothes sources, I would love to hear. Thank you so much for reading and you can find more baby/family posts and resources in the “family” category of this site. XO –
We spent the majority of last week at the beach with Christian’s family, and it was Hudson’s second-ever visit to the beach! The first time he wasn’t quite sitting up yet, so needless to say, it was a little less fun for him.
I was excited to see him happy to play in the sand and timid around the ocean, so that felt like a win/relief! For the most part, when we visit Gulf Shores we are also getting family time. So we don’t go many places outside of the beach and house. This trip we did try a few restaurants and I shared them below.
I wanted to share a few things about our short trip last week! We went to Christian’s family’s beach home in Gulf Shores, Alabama. They have owned the house for almost 10 years, and while they all live closer to it and visit more often, we have only been able to go a handful of times.
So with that being said, I don’t know very much about the area and usually when we visit, we cook at home and mostly stay at the house or the beach. This trip however I was able to also see my girlfriend Jenn of Haute off the Rack, and we went to a few restaurants in Orange Beach.
Fisher’s (Upstairs) | We had a double date here and it was such a great atmosphere. My meal was good (not amazing or anything), but I feel the ambiance made up for it. The dockside below is a more casual daytime restaurant.
Buzzcatz | A cute an easy place to grab breakfast or a pastry to go. We were only here briefly but it was good!
The Gulf | A really great open air daytime place that is very Covid-friendly, all spaced out across the sand with cabanas and the perfect view of the water. I would definitely come here again. And it’s definitely family-friendly!
Outside of that, we also got pizza takeout the last night from Janino’s and it was pretty good. I had some sweet gals reach out and share that Playa in Orange Beach was a great atmosphere for Mexican food.
Happy Friday! We are finishing our time at the beach, and while it’s a little colder than we had hoped for, it’s been refreshing nonetheless. We are still learning how to be parents in the “real world,” because we’ve mostly only been parents from within the walls of our house because #2020. As chaotic as it sometimes feels, watching this small yet enthusiastic baby discover the world is pretty special.
I brought this swimsuit coverup with me along with this adorable green midi dress, and they are really great for easy pieces that make a statement without a big price day. Purchase approved!
We hung the black & white gallery wall, and when I say “we” I mean Christian. I have to say, it’s even more wonderful than I had anticipated. I’ve renamed it my “gratitude wall,” because looking at all of these photos, moments, travels, our healthy families… my cup just feels so full with gratitude. I didn’t realize it would feel as sentimental as it does, so if you have the space to hang a wall of photos, I would recommend it! We have a mix of DSLR and iPhone photos, but when they’re all black & white it still looks like a cohesive story.
That’s all she wrote. I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend and enjoys some sunshine outdoors! I am so excited about spring weather and time outside in the yard. I’m a secret gardener wannabe, so you know I’m ready. Thank you so much for reading! XO –
I am always looking for fresh, healthy and easy-to-prep recipes for the week. When Christian, Hudson and I are together at 5PM, it always feels like 6PM rolls around so fast! So anything that can be marinating ahead of time is amazing because it allows us to just pull it out, toss or throw on the grill and dinner is served.
We made this Greek salad recipe with this Greek chicken marinade and truly, it was better than takeout. Blew my skirt up. Christian and I both thought it was one of the most flavorful meals we have had in a long time.
Next time I would serve it with some warm pita bread and hummus for a seriously delicious Greek spread. I’m bookmarking this as a great recipe combination when hosting guests as well!
Bon appétit! Thanks so much for reading and you can find more easy recipes in the “food” category of this site. XO –
This week’s wish list is themed around classic pieces that I consider closet staples. That usually means solid colors (maybe a stripe thrown in), cotton, linen, clean lines and lots versatility. If you look at this collage cohesively, you’ll see that almost everything goes with everything. That’s the major perk of focusing on elevated basics.
I have this midi dress in a few colors and it is so cute on its own or layered with a cardigan. I bought this linen blazer and shorts last year and can’t wait to pull them out again this year. This cozy set looks like a major win and this cashmere cardigan has a matching jogger that I have and love.
I can’t have enough tees and this one and this one are so chic with a pair of jeans and fancy flats. I have these sandals in a cognac and have loved them for years. Love the suede version. I just got these ballet flats and these, and they are just as comfortable as they are beautiful. And I recently pulled out these eggshell wide leg jeans and remembered why they are so fab.
Do you have any solid closet staples that you swear by? Because you know I want to know about it. Thank you so much for reading! XO –
I love a midi dress, and I am always very into the coming of spring, the return of exposing a little flesh and less static-inducing layering.
When I saw this white lace tiered midi dress, I thought it would be the sweetest dress for a bride or a great Easter weekend dress. Bonus points that it’s comfortable with the ruffles allowing as many french fries as one desires.
I paired it with neutral accessories and a pop of color in this bag, but you could also add colorful sandals, bracelets, earrings, etc. for a more vibrant look. I’m linking more white lace options at the bottom of this post!
similar sweater here (on sale) and here (on sale and under $30!) | similar cardigan here and here | leather pants – old, similar style here and here, look for less here and I just bought these | similar loafers | similar sunglasses, also have and love these | bag
This past weekend we went to Highlands, North Carolina for the first time to spend some time away and celebrate Christian’s birthday weekend. So many of the friends we’ve made in Georgia love traveling here as a weekend getaway as it’s only two hours from where we live. It was time to check it out for ourselves!
We haven’t traveled out of state since fall of 2019, outside of visiting family. Not only because of covid and trying to limit hotel stays, but also because if I’m going to invest in travel, I don’t want to be restricted. Restaurants are at half capacity and nearly all require reservations, masks are required both indoors and outdoors and you’re paying the same price whether there are restrictions or not. That combined with having a busy and often unpredictable toddler… it has just been significantly easier to stay home and save for when we can vacation without as many restrictions.
I also didn’t realize that so much in Highlands is “closed for winter.” For some stores and restaurants that means mid-March and for others it means April and onwards. We were there in early March and the weather in the morning was in the 30’s (and windy which made it feel colder!), so it makes sense that a lot of the outdoor activities were on temporary hold. That is something to consider when/if planning your trip!
Where We Stayed
Lofts on Main | Christian did some research before booking a little loft right on Main Street, and he really couldn’t have chosen a more perfect setup. If we are able to visit without a little one, I would love to stay at Old Edwards. But if you have a family, the Lofts have small kitchens, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, balconies and is right in between Wolfgang’s restaurant and Bardo. It’s also a stone’s throw from Mountain Fresh Grocery. Extremely convenient!
Where We Ate
Four65 | We got takeout here and the pizzas are to die for. So delicious and would eat there again!
Mountain Fresh Grocery | So many recommend this stop as an easy, quick and family friendly spot. It’s a higher end grocery in town (artisan cheeses, wine shop, coffee bar, it has a very “California” feel) that also has small and casual order-at-the-counter style restaurants. A pizza shop, lunch/breakfast counter, coffee/espresso bar, takeaway items, etc.
We popped in to get some snacks for the weekend and one day I hopped in here to get a chicken tender meal for Hudson and I to share for lunch. They were probably the best chicken tenders I’ve had in a long time. I even saved one for Christian to have when he got back from his fishing trip and he agreed!
Madison’s | I wanted to have at least one really nice meal to celebrate Christian’s birthday weekend, and I called ahead of time to make a lunch reservation here. I also wanted to see the inside of Old Edwards and didn’t really feel comfortable snooping otherwise as so much is limited due to covid restrictions.
The restaurant is gorgeous, they were incredibly welcoming and kind to Hudson, the food was beautiful and outstanding and it was the perfect spot to end the trip. Currently they are only allowing guests to dine for lunch and breakfast and dinner is limited to hotel guests only. I hope to visit again!
The Ugly Dog Pub | We popped in here for a quick dinner and it was easy pub food. They are one of the few places that don’t require reservations, we felt like Hudson could appropriately sit with us and it was easy. I wouldn’t call it our most memorable meal but a great spot for a quick meal in a pinch! I didn’t want to make a ton of reservations as I didn’t know what Hudson’s behavior would be based on naps, etc., so I appreciated the easy come-and-go.
Also if you bring a framed photo of your dog, it might get hung it on the wall!
Other | Additional restaurants that were recommended that we would like to hit next time: Wolfgang’s, Blue Bike Cafe for breakfast, Kilwins for sweet treats, Wild Thyme (temporarily closed for winter), Paoletti’s (also temporarily closed), the Bridge at Mill Creek, the Wine Garden at Old Edward’s (closed for winter)
Downtown Playground | The Methodist Church has a sweet little gated playground we visited twice to blow off some energy for Hudson as he was mostly strapped to the stroller. It’s easy to walk to and right at the end of Main Street.
Spa | Everyone rave about the Spa at Old Edwards. If we visit after covid life, I would love to try!
Hikes | Sunset Rock, Dry Falls, Glen Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Whiteside Mountain
Ice Rink | There is an ice skating rink downtown that is open for winter until early March that would be really fun with older kids.
We intended to go on a short hike, but with Christian taking a half day to fish, the colder-than-anticipated weather and nap schedules, we didn’t make it this time. But it’s on the list next time! I also would have loved to check out Cashiers but we ran out of time. I hear summer is a poppin’ time in Highlands, and I hope one day we will make it back up during the warmer months.
If you have any favorite spots I didn’t list here, I would love to hear about them in the comments! Thank you so much to everyone who offered their tips and recommendations. I hope we will get to visit to try some more places soon!
