and relax...

We made it! We all made it to Friday. Ya! Hopefully tonight you can take a long hot bath and soak the weeks worries away! Add a little Epson salt and bam your relaxation goes to the next level! Hopefully!  I don't know what it is, but just taking a quiet moment to myself really helps me end my work week on a fabulous note! Hello weekend... Lets have fun! 

What do you do to end your work week? 

just be you

 

What really is the joy of being? 

The joy of being refers to the experience of simply existing and being alive! It is the feeling of being present in the moment, fully aware of one's surroundings, and appreciative of the beauty of life. The simplest things, such as feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, hearing the sound of birds chirping, or enjoying a delicious meal with loved ones truly is the joy of being... In my eyes at least!

Bottom line... Just be you! I know we hear that all the time, but really,  be yourself and enjoy anything and every thing you can! Pick that house that you love, wear that outfit you feel good in, cook that meal that feeds your heart and soul and definitely design your home for you and not others!

Monday {menu}

{recipe from... here}

h o m e m a d e  

o a t m e a l  c h o c o l a t e  c h i p 

c o o k i e  c e r e a l 

Ingredients

• ▢ 
  1 cup melted coconut oil
• ▢ 
  1/4 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 
  1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar
• ▢ 
  2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• ▢ 
  2 large eggs
• ▢ 
  1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• ▢ 
  1 cup all-purpose flour 
• ▢ 
  2 cups old fashioned oats
• ▢ 
  1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 
  1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 
  1 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

  2. In a mixing bowl, beat together the coconut oil, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs until combined. Add the whole wheat flour, flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Fold in the chocolate chips.

  3. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Working on a piece of parchment paper, flatten each piece of dough into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Using a knife, cut the dough into tiny squares, about 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch. These do not need to be exact, some can be smaller, some can be larger. See above photos. Roll the squares into balls, placing each on the prepared baking sheet. If the dough feels dry, rub your hands with coconut oil before rolling. 

  4. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Enjoy…with milk, atop ice cream, or simply by the handful.

Notes

To Make Gluten Free: Use an equal amount of your favorite gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour.
                                      

ready set go!

 

Have you ever started something... And not finish it? Well, I am so guilty of that. I've gotten so revved up on certain things and then some how it fizzles. Hello I'm human. I make mistakes... The good, the bad, the ugly... Life does happen.  Not making any excuses, because who wants to hear another boring lame excuse... I'm just calling myself out and going to make myself accountable! What I'm realizing right now is... If you don't complete those project you'll never know where your project could have gone. Business success, pride in your home or even in your body... And just the good old feeling of I completed task number 9,458 off your list. haha Finishing something can be scary and exhilarating all at once. As I was walking Molly the other day I stumbled upon, The Rachel Hollis podcast {episode #385} Stop Procrastinating! How to Finish the F!*$&ing Project. I zoned in and started listening... Oh it was good! For me at least! I needed that extra push to get my act together. So I bet you all are wondering what have I been procrastinating on... My Website {with shopping cart}! I have been talking and wanting a new website with a shopping cart available for you all to shop my goods for a while now. It's almost done.... I just need to finish the little details and edit some of the text. I'm more than half way done. I know some of you are thinking what the heck, just get it done! I know... I hear you loud and clear I'm doing it!!!!! Stay tuned.

What have you struggled to complete?

got a pen...

 

Monday {menu}

{recipe from... here}

Teddy Graham Funfetti Stuffed Cookie Butter Cookie

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cup cake flour
• 1 ½ cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup crushed teddy grahams
• 90-110 teddy grahams for topping
• ½ cup sprinkles
• 1 cup cookie butter

INSTRUCTIONS

 

• First, prepare the cookie butter filling. Take a spoonful of cookie butter and drop it onto the parchment paper for a total of 18 dollops. Place them in the freezer while you prepare for cookie dough.
• In a mixing bowl using a handheld or standing mixer with paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix until well combined. Add vanilla extract and beat for another 30 seconds. 
• In another bowl, mix together flours, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Sift the dry ingredients into the butter-egg mixture (step 3). Mix until just combined. Then stir in crushed teddy grahams. 
• Place the dough in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes so it is easier to form into ball shape.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or grease with cooking spray.

Assembly

• By Hand: Take about 2.5oz or 1/4 cup dough and roll it into a ball. Use your palm to flatten the dough. Place the frozen cookie butter dollop onto the center of the dough. Take the edges and seal the dough, make sure cookie butter is completely covered. Place 5-6 teddy graham crackers on top of the dough, then roll it in rainbow sprinkles.

  Using Ice Cream Scoop: Scoop out the cookie dough, Use your finger to press into the center of the dough in order to create a dent. Stuff the frozen cookie butter into the dent. Then scoop more cookie dough to put on top until is is completely sealed. Place 5-6 teddy graham crackers on top of the dough, then roll it in rainbow sprinkles.
• Repeat until you have a total of 18 cookies. Place cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 in apart. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until edges start to become golden brown.
• Allow cookies to cool for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!

NOTES

* Cookies can be stored in an air tight container for up to 3 days.

* To reheat, bake at 350F for 5-10 minutes.

                                                                

happy sunday...

 

luck of the Irish

May the dreams you hold dearest, be those which come true. And the kindness you spread, keep returning you you. 

Happy St. Patricks Day! 

finding the cuteness

 

Finding the cuteness... Is that a thing? Well, I think so! lol  If not I'm creating it.  Just love all the little details in each picture. Fresh wild flowers, decorative gold leaf frame with a double brass sconce and sweet gathered shades! Everything just mixes perfectly together! Sometimes its the little details that bring pure joy... A cuteness! 

h a p p y i n t e r n a t i o n a l w o m a n' s d a y

 

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMAN'S DAY!

Calling all ladies! Go do your thing... And kick some butt doing it!!!! I have to say, I have the greatest business partner, design assistant, incredible buyer ever, unbelievable mom and best friend a girl could ask for! Going into business has been the greatest adventure the two of us have ever done together. I love being a female entrepreneur and I love doing it with my mom! Yes!

But...

I do have to say this, I know I might ruffle a few feathers in doing so... I have never in my entire life had the feeling I couldn't do something as a woman. I was raised to do what I liked, when I liked. My father and mother never said to me, because your a woman you need to work hard and push harder. They said, do your best and shine bright!  FYI they said that to my brother too! Life is an adventure no matter what gender you are. Just go for what you want and have fun! I never had the mind set, "Oh I'm a woman and I can't do something." I do believe in todays society we need to encourage all genders to do what they want and stop signaling out a certain gender. We are creating a problem doing that. Just go do it, boy or girl! Plus, if you don't work hard as a woman or man you of course won't get the job or your business wont grow. The ones that kick butt are the ones that win in the long run, woman or man! 

monday {menu}

{recipe from... here}

FOR THE MARINADE

• 1 lb sirloin steak
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon coarse salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

FOR THE MUSTARD SAUCE

• 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
• 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
• ¼ teaspoon horseradish

FOR THE GREMOLATA

• 2 tablespoons basil leaves, minced
• 2 tablespoons parsley, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

FOR THE SANDWICHES

• 1 french baguette, cut in half and sliced lengthwise
• 1 ½ - 2 cups, baby arugula, depending on preference
• 1 heirloom tomato, sliced
• ¼-½ cup crumbled blue cheese, depending on preference
• Drizzle of olive oil
•