birthday girl {love}

 

Planning anything for this little lady is beyond easy... So of course you all guessed it,  creating her 11th  birthday soiree was  pretty fun! I actually surprised her with her  BFF's to go horseback riding! She thought she was getting mani/pedi's and hair  blown out with them... Nope! Oh man seeing her light up when I had her read a little note after school... Was beyond priceless! Taylor was smiling ear to ear while jumping up and down in the kitchen. That was so cute to see as a mom... It showed me all my planning paid off. 

Happy 11th Birthday Miss Taylor Michelle... This year is going to be fabulous for you.    You're growing up to be such a beautiful young lady! I love our adventures together and amazing talks about life... You are my inspiration in everything! Never change! I love you so much!  Happy Birthday my love!!! 

it only takes a moment

{all images from rustic rooster pinterest}

Have you ever been on the go so much and then realized you haven't even stopped to smell the roses. Not really even look at what's around you! That has been me lately! But to be honest with you I love it! When I'm the busiest, I'm the happiest. Don't ask why... But with my personality to relax and sit still is slightly hard for me. I'm either always cleaning or organizing something. My brain keeps looking around and wanting to do more. So now what I'm trying my hardest to do is stop and take a moment in my day and truly look and see what's around me. From a flower, to a blue sky to even a butterfly that flutters across the street. To look at a person and admire them from a far... Compliment an individual on their appearance to work ethic.  The littlest thing that you can do and see can change your outlook on your entire day... Even week!  It really is the little things that matter in life... I always say to my kids,  beauty is all around you, if you just look... You will find something or someone pretty! Of course don't get  me wrong,  put me on a white sanded beach... And I can sit and stay for days {quietly}! I'll compliment that beach like crazy {wink}! Hey, I might even fall asleep as well. I'm obsessed with these images above! Everything complements each other so nicely. I would love to have that bedroom with french doors opening up to a garden. So beautiful! Just remember to stop and smell the roses and soak in all the beauty that's around you... It really only takes a moment out of your day! Enjoy!

happy sunday...

spring {1st day}

{photo from rustic rooster pinterest}

..spring has sprung..

I'm so excited to see all the flowers 

blooming and hear all the birds chirping! 

It's time to get outside and enjoy all the beauty that's around you! 

Happy {first} day of spring!  

happy sunday...

be you {try}

 {all images from rustic rooster pinterest}

Finding simplicity in a modern world definitely can be tough... I'm always jumping through hoops trying to stay on the classic train. I love these soft images above mixed in with a beautiful pop of color. So pretty! No joke every time I try to add a trendy look to my design without fail I  look and feel kind of like an idiot. It's just not me. Its just like with my fashion sense, Trendy is just not me. I definitely encourage everyone to think outside their comfort zones and try something new and different in their lives {home and fashion}... Never stop trying! Never! But, reality for me is and believe me i've tried {which is a good thing}, but I know where I end up back too. I'm a classic girl living in my classic bubble {wink}. A dear friend said to me one night over drinks, your just J-Crew and we all love you for that. At first I thought to myself, OMG I can be anything I want to be {i'm not just j-crew}, but after much thought, I started to realize that's such a huge compliment, because every piece of J-Crew clothing that I own is still in style and is beyond classic... All of their past images are still fabulous and timeless. As I look back at a lot of my design as well... It's still simple. So I'm going to stand tall and say, Yes I am J-Crew! So with that said, stand up straight for what you want and wish to be... And love who you are to the fullest! Try so much in life. I'm sure loving where I'm at right now... Life is definitely good! 

     

happy sunday...

no no no... yes please

Have you ever seen a picture of a sweet treat and craved it so bad that you just had to have it! Well, that happened to me yesterday morning. I was on a fun new blog {here} just exploring and then I saw it... The gluten free double chocolate chip black bean brownie. The what... What! Gluten free black bean what? No, That can't be good. It had beans in it and it was gluten free... Absolutely NO NO NO 

Then later in the morning as I was dying on the floor after an hour and fifteen minutes of pure torture from my heated sculpt yoga class... My fabulous yoga instructor said, in a soft quiet tone... Cut out flour, sugar and alcohol just for 10 days. You will see such a difference with your body and with your mind. Something hit me...  You can do this! Yes you can! 10 days really is nothing. So I devised a plan... I will take it day by day and journal hard! 

As I left my class {beyond motivated}... I decided to pick one sweet thing to bake for the last time for a while... Of course the stupid gluten free double chocolate chip black bean brownies came to mind. Uggh ok I'll do it.

That was the BEST decision of my life... Besides having my 2 kids {wink}! I followed the directions to the T. I didn't change or add one thing out of fear {I usually do that} it was going to be bad. The one thing I did do that was not the norm for me at all... Was blend it all in my new Vitamix blender. It was perfect! 

I've attached the recipe for you to be able to make these brownies as well... And yes those are my actual pictures of MY brownies!!! Believe me they are amazing! 

Gluten Free Double Chocolate Black Bean Brownies

 

• Ingredients
• 
  
• 1/4 cup gluten free rolled oats (5 minute oats)
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips, divided

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
2. 2. Place the oats in a food processor and pulse for 1 minute or until finely chopped.
3. 3. Place remaining ingredients except for the chocolate chips in the food processor and pulse until combined, about 1 minute.
4. 4. Pour 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips into the batter and pour into a greased 8 x 8 inch pan and top with the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
5. 5. Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
6. 6. Cool brownies and cut into 2 inch squares.

happy sunday...

dreams

Did you know I have always wanted to design a  nail salon?!?! OK... Don't ask, but I really want to! I dream at night what "my salon" would look like. Wouldn't that be fun... One day people, One day! I pulled a few images together of what my salon would look like... Simple and elegant with a coastal touch! 

l o v e

Let all that you do be done in L O V E... Happy Valentine's Day! 

go green {menu}

{recipe here}

* Avocado Caprice Salad *

ingredients

• 2 cups fresh arugula
• 2-3 campari or cocktail style tomatoes, sliced
• ½ avocado, pitted and sliced
• 3 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
• fresh basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (I prefer the fruitiest, lightest flavored)
• 1½ teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• generous pinch of sugar or dollop of honey
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 
  

instructions

1. Assemble the arugula, tomato, avocado slices and mozzarella in a serving bowl. Top with torn or slivered basil leaves. Whisk the extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl with the balsamic vinegar, sugar or honey and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and pour over the salad. Toss to coat and serve.

pillow party {sale}

So I once again changed my mind on a few things in Taylor's new room. I'm cutting my losses and selling them for a steal of a deal! E-mail me if you're interested in purchasing - alexandra@rusticrooster.com!

1 BRAND NEW Bolster Pillow

{turquoise and white stripe - Robert Allen fabric}

21" L x 9" H

$45.00

 * never been used *

1 BRAND NEW Bolster Pillow

{white denim fabric}

29" L x 11" H

$55.00

 * never been used * 

2  BRAND NEW burnt Orange Pillows

{100% Polyester Fiber fabric}

24" x 24" 

$44.00 - for both

SOLD

 * never been used *