Pinterest Obsessions

Browsing Pinterest can be extremely intimidating, I mean lets be real it's constantly changing with any and all things you can fall in love with. I have to take mental breaks from Pinterest sometimes..real talk. It is like OK my eyes are crossing lets take a break. I was browsing through my all things girly tab and there it was: Neutral tops, witty tees, & patterned flats....OH MY :) I know by looking through my closet that I have a problem and they say the first step in rehabilitation is admitting you have a problem so here it goes: I love a neutral/earth toned sweater, cardigan, and/or jacket. I love any type of patterned flat or loafer and I can't get enough witty tshirts that talk about coffee, chocolate & needing more sleep. 

So there it is....you all know I have some serious issues. Does anyone else feel me?? If I have any type of follower out there that is in the same boat as me then feel free to reach out. Maybe we can grab some coffee or make a trip to the mall?! ;)

It's Cookie Sunday, yall!!!

I have dubbed this day and every Sunday hereafter to be COOKIE SUNDAY! Why you ask? Well because I'm the boss of this blog thing and I do what I want! 
Sundays are by definition a day of rest but Sundays are also good for many other glorious things: brunch, naps, binge-watching your favorite TV shoes, cuddles, more naps and for me an entire day where I have the freedom to try new recipes. After the whole wheat donut got so many rave reviews I thought whole wheat huh?! Let's see how far I can take this whole wheat trend. I thought of the best way to be able to enhance the flavor of whole wheat flour in a recipe and I immediately thought COOKIES. Ok...maybe I lied. I always think cookies first but this time I was on to something!!! Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt. I added the sea salt part because I live for a sweet & salty treat and it just sounded so perfect in these cookies. 

I have tried many and I mean mannnnyyyyy recipes for chocolate chip cookies. I have been known to eat a spoonful...or 334934 of the dough and I really think you can taste if the cookies are going to be good or not before you even bake them. Let me tell you this dough was GREAT! But something magical happened in that oven, y'all. The whole wheat flour gave these cookies the most incredible nutty flavor + semi-sweet chocolate + sea salt = LIFE!!! 

Ok enough rambling...First thing is first. Gather your ingredients, preheat an oven to 350 degrees & line a baking sheet with parchment paper. For these cookies you will need:
[Dry]
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
[Wet]
2 sticks unsalted butter cut into pieces (COLD)
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla 
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.

You could also substitute milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips or GO CRAZY and add a little of each. If that's not your style stick with dark chocolate and throw in some flax seed so you can really feel good about eating theses. All of the above will be just as delicious.

First step is to sift together the dry ingredients. If you don't have a sifter just use a wisk, it all works the same!

Once you have the dry ingredients mixed set aside and add both sticks of COLD butter (important that it is cold) and both dark and regular sugars to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. For this recipe the cold butter will allow the cookies to hold their shape. Mix these ingredients on low speed for AT LEAST 2 minutes. Creaming the butter + sugars together really well  for cookie dough is one of the if not the most important step in the baking process. 

Next add the eggs one at a time and the vanilla. Try not to break the drop the egg into the mixer while trying to be all culinary and crack the egg with the mixer going. Lets just say I had to check and recheck that I got out all the shells (EPIC FAIL). I would say to be safe turn off the mixer crack the egg then turn it back on and mix in between...but that's just me :)

The dough is looking goooooood. Spoon worthy even!! But we are almost there people, I can barely stand my excitement!!!

Throw in those lovely chocolate chips and then run the mixer for maybe 30 seconds to get them well incorporated. If you don't like to use the mixer for this part (because I know you people are particular about your cookies, too) then just mix these with a spoon by hand.

This is it..the motherload! Look at that perfectly scooped ball of cookie dough that is just waiting for my mouth, I mean to be baked. Or did I?!!! 

I used a 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop for these cookies and it was the perfect size. From here you can do 1 of 2 things. Sprinkle these babies with a liberal amount (if that's how you roll) of sea salt and put in the oven to bake. Or you can throw the sheet pan in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to set the dough to store...pictures below!!

That technique though?!! HAHA I crack myself up! But look how yummy!! 

IF you decide to freeze the dough don't add the sea salt until after you bake them. They wont absorb the salt if you put them on top of the frozen dough and into the oven. But adding them after they bake will have the same effect, heaven!!

I always write what and when and how on the bag just in case you forget or are too lazy to find the recipe card! 

And that's all folks! 

Enjoy today and heck every Sunday because after all it is cookie Sunday!

XO.

Elizabeth

Small Business Saturday - The Charming Willow

Who doesn't love a hand-written thank you note? This is definitely my favorite aspect of shopping "small". I love to hear the story and meet the people behind small businesses. For the first Small Business Saturday feature on the Blog I want to introduce you to The Charming Willow - an accessories boutique. Shopping at the Charming Willow is a convenient way to purchase affordable jewelry and fashion accessories. Whether you are searching for a gorgeous statement necklace, a demure pair of stud earrings, an eye-catching cable cuff, or a fashion-forward infinity scarf, the Charming Willow provides various and unique styles at a very affordable price. At The Charming Willow, the primary goal is to provide the customers with an experience and product that boosts their self-confidence and helps them define their personal style. "We never overprice, and we provide a customer service experience that makes every purchase feel like a special gift."

Let me tell you about my friend Candice. I have known the creator, brains & beauty behind this boutique for 15 years! Growing up she had an eye for all things beautiful and fashion forward and has been creating and styling outfits for our large group of girlfriends since we were 11 years old. When I tell you she is the smartest person I know, I do not exaggerate! This girl definitely got me through some classes during my high school and college career (cough cough anatomy). She could have gone on to do anything!! Lawyer, doctor, astronaut...you name it!!! She was accepted to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and considered moving from her hometown in Va to LA or New York. After some serious soul searching she decided home is where her heart is and where she wanted to see herself and her business flourish.  Following your heart is something that takes a lot of guts to do. Especially when this means starting from the bottom and building your brand from the ground up. I am so inspired by her drive to be successful, her eye for fashion and her heart of gold.       

From her website I picked a few of my favorite things to link below. If you are looking for a unique piece of jewelry at an incredible affordable price check out her website at:

www.thecharmingwillow.com

Patterned Knit Infinity Scarf - This scarf is to die for! I love the mustard & navy combo with the pattern that can be worn casual or dressy. 

Mara Earrings - I live for anything turquoise and these earrings are everything!!! $7.99...STOP IT! Get over to the website and purchase NOW!

Tribal Print Leggings  - Leggings with a print are acceptable to wear as pants right?? The tribal print really gives these leggings something extra. If you are looking for some more warmth because were in a Polar Vortex and all check out the fleece lined leggings that are on the site. Let me know where you can find leggings this cute for less than $12??...Ill wait......

Cleopatra Cuff - This cuff is the perfect arm candy. It is chic vintage style with an abstract shape that can really step up your outfit of the day.

Luxor Long Necklace - Turquoise again...be still my heart! Gold/Silver/Torquoise? Sign me up!! I love this pendant necklace.

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Candice also put together Gift Guides that provide you with everything you could want for that special someone at the most affordable price. 

XO.

Elizabeth

Date Night In - BYO Pizza & Chocolate Angel Food Cake

What could be better than not having to fool with hair|make & outfit planning for date night? Not much in my opinion!! For my little family date night normally consists of me searching the internet for the next best restaurant adventure. I love food and I usually try to order items on the menu that I have never tried or heard of before. My dad jokes that I have been this way since I was a child and he always ordered the safe item (chicken tenders) so when my food came and I didn't like it we could trade. He tried to pass that torch to my husband when we got married but for some reason when we go out I am stuck with my food choices good or bad. After being on the road for 12 days Jarell was under the impression that I had made dinner reservations at a swanky restaurant downtown to celebrate my birthday. Little did he know I had a surprise up my sleeve, we were staying in! One thing he loves to do is to interrupt me while I'm trying to cook and in his opinion "help" which means adding random spices from the pantry and trying to "flip" the food in the pan like they do on Chopped.  I don't know if anyone else shares my OCD in the kitchen but when I'm working I need to be left alone. I have a system and that system does not include being interrupted by a husband whose sole purpose in life is to annoy the shit out of me...in the most loving way possible.
For the two of us uninterrupted time together doesn't happen often. One of my resolutions this year is to try and make even the littlest time we share memorable. Date night in is one of the ways to do this and what better way to have fun AND work together in the kitchen than pizza night??
I was so excited to surprise him with a BYO (build your own) pizza bar when he arrived home last night that I could hardly stand it. I went out yesterday morning to grab all the things we could possibly want on our pizza to include: prosciutto, pepperoni, peppers, steak, herbs, onions, bacon, and cheeses galore! I grabbed a container of pizza sauce from Whole Foods just to make the process a little quicker but you could totally make you own. 
He was so relieved that we were going to be staying in and doing something fun rather than getting dressed up and going out (toot toot for meeee). I let him take the lead with the pizza dough and he really got into the process. Not to mention he is pretty dag-on handsome and I just about melt over a man working in the kitchen. Can I get an AMEN?
We used a pizza dough recipe from one of my favorite food bloggers, Jenny over at Picky Palate. Her recipes are really user friendly and just delicious!!! Jarell started making her Honey Whole Wheat Pizza Dough which is so delicious! Crust that is soft and fluffy with a hint of sweetness. My favorite part of this recipe is that the dough does not have to rise before you can make pizza. You whip it up in your mixer and then its good to go! Kneading the dough was hands down his favorite part and there is something so satisfying about putting in the work and seeing how it comes together when preparing a meal.  He started assembling his pizza that included: steak, bacon, pepperoni, green peppers and two different types of cheeses. Disclaimer: There are no cheese restrictions in this house!! His turned out so great and he was loving the process. So much so that he wouldn't let me make my own pizza dough. He had to do it and he was immediately "a better dough maker than I was". I choose to use a Burrata cheese (YUM!), prosciutto, pepperoni, basil and red pepper flake. Another one of our favorite things is hard cider and any Crispin brand is delicious. I had so much free time during this whole process last night that I indulged in this pear cider and let him do his thaaang.
Whole wheat pizza dough makes you feel good about eating and we finished the meal with a Chocolate angel food cake with strawberries and whip cream! (say what?!!)  Talk about guilt-free!! 
Date night in was a total success and I wouldn't have wanted to spend my 25th birthday any other way. Looking forward to many more at home date nights with my handsome fella. 

Chocolate Angel Food Cake:
3/4 cup sifted cake flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
12 large egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extractPreheat the oven to 375 degrees F & Grease a 9- inch angel food cake or bundt pan

For the cake: Sift the cake flour with the cocoa and 3/4 cup of the sugar into a large bowl.

Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy. Sprinkle the cream of tartar over the egg whites and continue to beat until they hold a soft peak. Add the vanilla extract and gradually beat in the remaining 3/4 cup sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using a spatula, gradually fold in the flour mixture, sprinkling in about 1/4 cup at a time. Pour the batter into an ungreased 9-inch angel food cake pan and bake until the cake springs back when pressed with your finger, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 1 hour, then loosen the cake from the sides and center of the pan with a knife before unmolding.Serve with macerated strawberries and whipped topping 

Xo.
Elizabeth  

Go Girl...It's MY Birthday!!

Aren't birthdays the best possible day? I am a naturally happy almost annoyingly happy person but I take birthday happiness to another level....and Elvis Presley and I are birthday twins soooooo

ECards are one of the funniest things on the internet and I got some great ones today. The one pictured above is so true :) I think as long as you are done celebrating Christmas then birthday presents are an absolute must. My poor little brother was born on New Years Eve so if there was ever a question I would happily volunteer his day to be joined with Christmas but January is off limits. That's what little brothers are for right?!
In addition to the gifts, cards, texts, calls, posts, & mentions I am also surrounded by the freedom to indulge this weekend. Cheat meal...once a week? This rule does no't apply on your birthday. I say you can have as many cheat meals as I want during your birthday week and Mexican is my weakness! My birthday weekend began last night with a date with one of my girlfriends. Let me tell you about this restaurant called Ted's...more formally known as Ted's Cafe Escondido. This restaurant is on another level, for real!! They whip up fresh corn tortillas all day errday and they will rock your world! Not only do they give you chips + salsa + cheese dip upon arrival but they also serve fresh warm corn tortillas that they recommend you slather in butter (sooo decadent) and devour. A normal person with self-control could choose between the tortillas and chips. Not this girl, have to admit self-control is not usually on my resume. Then the entree portion of the meal comes and it is bangin' and then comes desert. STOP IT! Desert???!!! Who even has room for desert at a Mexican restaurant? Well at Ted' you pace yourself throughout dinner and then if that doesnt work you can stand up and move around to make room with no judgement from the rest of the people enjoying their own dinner. Then the Sopapillas come out and your world is rocked, again. This warm puffy tortilla is placed in front of you that is sprinkled in cinnamon|sugar and honey! This was the most perfect ending to my Mexican birthday bliss. And yes...they did put a sombrero on my head and sing Happy Birthday to me and it was amazing.
Today, my actual birthday has been equally as amazing as last nights' dinner. Free Starbucks is always a win, but when they write Happy Birthday on the cup and sing to you at the window we instantly become best friends! It was the greatest moment. On to Whole Foods I went. I don't know about you all but my budget (aka my husband) recommend that a trip to Whole Foods is an extra special, only happens every once in a while, type of trip. This trip means that I have a recipe that requires only the freshest of ingredients, a job that my Super Target just cannot fulfill. I was already excited to make the trip this morning but then free Starbucks put me over the edge! I walked around Whole Foods as I normally do in awe of the variety and freshness of all the ingredients there. Whole Foods to me is like Nordstrom to a fashion enthusiast. I live for Whole Foods. I was talking to the worker behind the counter of the meat & poultry section and he asked how my day was. Naturally 10 minutes into the conversation he was inquiring about my birthday plans. The trip ended with the items I had intended to purchase + the ones that yelled at me while I was walking around the store as well as free bacon from my new friend at the meat + poultry counter. I just cant with this day, it has been the best!!!
I returned home from my morning outing to the most beautiful edible arrangement from my parents + little brother. Bless them for leaving out the chocolate covered anything because inevitably my birthday weekend will come to an end and I will need to eat nothing but fruit for the rest of my life to make up for these 4 days of indulgence.
Did I already mention I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY?!!!

Until tomorrow..
Xo
Elizabeth

When In Oklahoma...do as the Okies do.

As I was browsing through the pictures on my camera roll and thinking about these last couple months in Oklahoma City, I thought I would put together a collage for the blog and tell the story of our move half-way across the country.
Then I sat down and thought....it might take me 2393483 hours to write our detailed journey ain't nobody got time for that so how do I make it short, sweet and worthwhile??
Lets start from the beginning and see how it goes.. My hubby and I were at dinner one night and he got a little smirk on his face. This smirk is basically his way of saying "dont freak out". He went on to say "so...I got a call about a job opening today". For those of you who know anything about coaching in college athletics especially basketball this happens frequently. Someone knows someone or something about a position that could possibly be coming open. My husband knows me very well and he knows that even the slightest chance he could have an interview somewhere and I start apt hunting which in turn we feel like is a jinx when nothing comes of the position. However, I knew this time he must have been serious. The first question I always ask is where at?? He said "Ummm..Oklahoma City." I immediately googled how far away it was from Bristol, VA where all my family lives and siri told me 14 hours. I then checked how far away from our current home Richmond, 20 hours. My reaction, "cooooooooool??" I tend to think that Drake was channeling my emotions when he wrote 0 to 100 because that tends to be the way my emotions fluctuate. I tried so hard to hold back my reactions but I am guilty of showing everything I ever feel right on my face.
He tried to assure me that it was just the beginning stages and nothing could come of it but he just wanted me to be aware of the possibility.
I don't know about you but in this moment i tried to be SO happy for my husband. He is the hardest worker and so passionate about coaching basketball and a job with the NBA just doesn't come around every day. I wanted to be nothing but happy for him but I was selfishly so sad. Sad to be leaving the family and friends we had grown to love in Richmond, sad to leave the familiar and dive into the unfamiliar of a new state, new city, new home, new job, new friends, new everything. Sad to be so far away from my family back home. I hate this part of myself because I feel as his wife I should be able to look past all of my doubts and insecurities and be happy for him and us and this opportunity. I trust his judgement and the decisions he makes for our family and this is something that I am definitely working on. Long story short in the next 2 weeks he flew to Oklahoma City & another college for interviews and we had the choice between the two. Oklahoma City was it and the Christian's were headed West.

It is 3 months later and here I am officially calling myself an Okie..(because I was told that's what you do here). The Midwest, especially Oklahoma City is beautiful. It is extremely flat and you can see for miles. I have a whole new appreciation for the infinite mountains that I grew up surrounded by that don't exist here. Sunsets are one of my favorite things and especially stunning here! I love exploring the city and by exploring I mean eating my way through Bricktown, drinking lunchboxes at Edna's, casually running into and getting caught (so embarrassing) trying to take pictures of local celebrities and real housewives, and learning about the history of this city. We are so thankful to have been given the opportunity to be a part of such an incredible organization such as the OKC Thunder and look forward to many more Midwestern memories to be made.

XO.
Elizabeth

Donut Envy

Dare I say a healthy chocolate donut recipe??? Like I said in my [about me] I tend to live on the edge. ;) Where were we? oh yes donuts....the most important meal of the day (or is that breakfast?)  But really, these donuts blew my mind!! I am a bit of a skeptic of sweets with no butter & limited sugar that claim to be moist. I'm no dummy but let me tell you I ate my words...literally!!! These donuts are moist and chocolately and delicious and absolutely sinful. Ok Ok, I know what your thinking, NEW YEAR = NEW ME blah blah why are you tempting me with chocolate donuts. But wait!! these ingredients: whole wheat flour, Greek yogurt should change your mind. If you are like me you love sweet treats but not those that are dense and over rich. I have searched and searched for the perfect donut recipe that is not all cake but not all yeast and it just so happened to contain ingredients I don't mind to consume. I would recommend these delicious chocolate pieces of love to your spouse, significant other, best friend, roommate, neighbor, or just step outside and yell hot donuts and I'm sure someone will come with a hungry belly and huge smile :) xo 

Love From the Oven - Chocolate Donuts