memphis

We went to Memphis last weekend to celebrate my BABY sister's 21st birthday.  I can't believe she's 21.  I felt so old the whole time.  We had dinner at Flight on Friday night.  It was incredible.  I'm still dreaming about my meal and wine.  It's a tapas restaurant and everything comes out in small portions.  Even the wine! Love!

  

chase's 21st birthday 

my outfit:

sunglasses, necklace, purse, jeans, top from zara (in store)

how cute is chase's 21st birthday poster?

   I got my white shorts at tar-jay (target).  Love them.  I also have them in black.  They're so comfortable (seriously my favorite pair of shorts).  Go get a pair.

top: (j.crew)-on sale now! 

shoes: calvin klein (old)

shorts: target

belt: j. crew (old)

necklace: natasha (nordstrom)(in store) 

Can't wait to go back!  Graceland on the next trip...(it's on my bucket list). 

off the couch

I'm on week 4 of couch to 5k and I decided it was time to get a new pair of running shoes.  I've had my nike shox since 2007, so I needed an upgrade.  My friend, and blogger, over at Here Comes Baby Girl just ran her 2nd marathon and recommended that I get a pair of asics, brooks, or mizunos. I decided to go with the asics, and I LOVE them. 

asics gel excel 33

I don't love running and I am not fast (at all), but it's getting better.  I even recruited Clay!  He started this week.  I've been tracking my runs with the endomondo app.

{pinterest inspiration}

 
Loving this song on my playlist...

goat cheese grapes

I'm always looking for fun (bite-sized) appetizers, and this is one of my favorites.  I found this recipe online a few months ago and made it for a party.  It was a hit, and I think it's perfect for this hot summer weather.

goat cheese grapes

1 package of red grapes (seedless)

1 pound of goat cheese

handful of walnuts or roasted pistachios(chopped)

wash and dry your grapes.  mold goat cheese around each grape.  chop your walnuts and roll your grapes in the walnuts.  chill in the fridge.

-you may also use pistachios.  roast pistachios in a pan for around 5 minutes, let cool, and chop. 

how easy??  they're so good.

celebrate

We had a lot to celebrate over the weekend.  We had Taylor's 25th Birthday, a friend's wedding, and father's day!  I'm so sad it's over. 

sisters
I got to wear my new necklace.  Love it.

tay and grady

happy 25th!

sister pic at the reception

clay, me, and krystal

 I can't forget about this guy!  Happy Father's Day! 

one-piece wonder

I have been loving the one-piece swim suit trend, and I feel like there are a lot of options this season.  My Mom is always trying to find the "perfect" one piece every summer, and I think she finally found it.  L*Space has great one-piece suits, and this one was our favorite.

L*Space One Love Sweet Thing

Even Kourtney Kardashian loves it!

Kourtney Kardashian in L*Space

Loving these too...

j. crew off-the-shoulder

ella moss

diNeila
yes, that's chrissy teigen (blog crush)...



h & m

once

I talked about my trip to nyc here and mentioned the new broadway production of Once.  Last night it won 'Best Musical' at the Tony Awards!  It's a must see.  Here's a preview of the show on David Letterman...

Favorite Song from the show!

During intermission, the stage turns into a bar.  They only let around 30 people up on stage to get a drink, so I would make sure you get a seat in the orchestra (and walk fast).  We loved getting on stage and looking around the set.  Someone told us about this before the show or we wouldn't have known.  

The show is going on tour in 2013.  I'm hoping it will come to The Fox!  This show is an adaptation of the 2007 movie.  I haven't seen the movie yet, but I've heard great things.  It's on my summer movie list.  Congratulations to Once on your 8 Tony Awards.  They were well-deserved!

trina for banana

I'm a huge fan of Trina Turk and I was more than excited that she was collaborating with Banana Republic. Her clothes are so fun and they always fit perfect.  



I thought the collection was only available in certain stores, but the collection is online too!  My cart is full...

pisces strapless dress



orange cocktail ring

pisces strapless patio dress

gold floral brooch necklace

Everything is selling out, so shop fast!

couch to 5k

I'm definitely not a runner.  I would rather get on the elliptical, lift weights, walk, do yoga, or ride a bike (pretty much anything, but run).  I want to wake up and just go for a run.  I don't really think that will ever happen, but I want to run a 5k.  It's on my bucket list, and now is the time to do it.  I found this picture on pinterest, and it inspired me to start running. 

...

I'm a former couch to 5k drop out. Clay and I tried this program two years ago, and we dropped out by week 3. I'm hoping that this time, I will actually be able to go for a 30 minute jog by the end. Easier said than done for me.

I'm only on week 1...we'll see if I can make it to 10.  Y'all need to hold me accountable!

These running pics always make me laugh...

...

...

mom mom's brownies

This brownie recipe is my grandma's.  These are homemade deliciousness.  If I tell Clay I'm making brownies, he always asks if it's the good kind.  Well, I'm sharing the "good" brownie recipe aka "not box" brownies. 

We were invited to a crawfish party over the weekend, and I was asked to bring brownies.  I knew these would be a hit (and they were).  I came home with an empty pan!  

pardon the fine china...

 

mom mom's homemade brownies

1 cup of regular flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup of sugar

3/4 tsp. of salt

2 whole eggs (beaten)

2/3 cup of oil (canola oil)

2-squares of semi-sweet chocolate(melt in the microwave with a little water to help it.)

1-tsp. vanilla

Icing:

powdered sugar (16 oz)

hershey's cocoa (around 3-4 tbsp) taste and adjust

tablespoon of butter

whipping cream just enough to make it spreadable (don’t whip the cream)

1/2 cup of nuts (chopped pecans) 

Add however much of the cocoa you want...depending on how dark you want it.  I don’t make it dark, it will taste bitter.

-pre heat oven to 350 degrees F.

-combine brownie ingredients in mixer

-put in square brownie pan that has been slightly oiled

-bake at 350 and check in 20 minutes

-combine icing ingredients in mixer

-let brownies completely cool before you ice them

This picture seems a little overwhelming!  The first time I made this, I felt like I called Mom Mom a million times asking questions about the ingredients.  A picture like this would have helped.  This recipe is super easy and yum. 

**I doubled this recipe for the party and put it in a 9x13 cake pan.  If you are doubling the recipe the baking time will be around 30 minutes.