Sneak Peek: Thanksgiving Week

We had the BEST holiday week, and we were so blessed to be able to spend Thanksgiving with John's wonderful parents! Right before they came, I was able to decorate (with the help of my Mom) and really got in the Christmas spirit!  Highlights of the week (via my Instagram):

-Festive decorations
-Stocking up on new soaps (obsessed with BBW!)
-Hiking along the beautiful canal
-Exploring downtown Princeton
-Hosting my first Thanksgiving dinner!
-The BEST cinnamon rolls ever
-Eating at our fave Pizza place

Crochet Infinity Scarf Giveaway!

Happy Wednesday!  I'm flying out today for a fun girl's week/weekend in Atlanta with my college BFFs!  I'm so excited!  I'm ready for manis/pedis, snuggles with their babies, Christmas shopping, yummy brunches, a fancy dinner, and a day at the 

Georgia Aquarium!  

With all that excitement, I realized that I can't leave you out!  

SO, I'm teaming up with Tiff from That Girl Crochet's Etsy Shop, for a FABULOUS GIVEAWAY while I'm gone!!

One lucky reader will win this Crochet Infinity Scarf.....

...in their choice of color!!  I absolutely LOVE this scarf!!

(valued at $28!)

Enter below for your chance to win!  Good luck!

XOXO

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S. Have a fabulous week/weekend - will post soon after my girl's getaway!

Giving Thanks

Today I'm thankful for...

slow-dancing with my husband in the kitchen

 the most gracious and loving family 

  

our beautiful new home, and starting this new chapter

 traveling the world 

a love for cooking and baking 

giving back 

God's grace and provision

inner beauty 

memories of loved ones 

inspiration to grow and change everyday 

a successful surgery

fresh flowers

 childhood friendships that last forever

new friends 

 holding hands 

my husband's drive and passion 

seeing beauty everywhere

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

 In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.

1 Thess. 5:18

Trader Joe's Faves

I swear I could probably spend an entire day in Trader Joe's.  I love searching the aisles, finding new treats, and then bringing them home to enjoy with hubs.  Lately, I have found some real winners and I thought I would share!  These have been staples in our house, and I find myself wanting to make a daily weekly trip to TJ's specifically for these items.

Quinoa and Black Bean Tortilla Chips
These are my new favorite chip - crunchy, crispy, so flavorful, and packed with healthy ingredients!

Reduced Guilt Pita Chips

I think I could eat this entire bag in one sitting, they are so delicious!  Salty and bite-sized, and they go perfectly with the dip below.

Spinach and Kale Yogurt Dip

This tastes sinfully bad, just like your favorite spinach dip, but it's made with greek yogurt and healthy greens!  So delish.

Frozen Brown Rice

This is the easiest side ever - and we have it at least once a week with the chicken below, or Salmon.  Just microwave a pouch for 3 mins - and it is good, y'all!

Mandarin Orange Chicken

These are supposedly the most popular freezer item at TJ's. And there's a reason. Just add rice to this quick and yummy dinner!

Spicy Chai Tea Latte

The easiest little drink to make - just add water and then milk!  I like it over ice the best...just be sure to stir stir stir it up!!  :)  

Gone Bananas - Chocolate Covered Bananas

The perfect little sweet treat for after dinner...or any time :)

(all via google images)

What are your Trader Joe's must-haves??

Weekend Wanderings

After a long week, I finally felt up to getting out of the house and exploring a quaint little area nearby.  New Hope, PA and Lawrenceville, NJ are two adorable little towns right across the Delaware River from each other.  

this little guy was in our front yard on the way out for the day!  :)

John, my mom, and I spent all day Saturday wandering around, getting yummy holiday drinks, and even walking across the bridge!

my love :)

After a wonderful day - we decided to check out Bobby Flay's new restaurant in Princeton, Bobby's Burger Palace, for dinner!  It was delicious!  We all loved our burgers - I can't wait to go back!

*don't mind my chubby and swollen face!*

How was your weekend??

XOXO

Happiness

happiness is not something that happens to you,

it is something that you choose. 

happy Sunday, my loves!

hope you've had a wonderful weekend.  been a hard week, but choosing to be happy today.  i hope you do, too.

XOXO

Sweets, Snow, and Surgery

Well - it has been quite an eventful week!  I had scheduled my posts this week early, because I actually ended up having to have sinus surgery (boo), and I've been down and out since Tuesday morning.

.....But before all of that, I was treated to some of life's sweetest little blessings.

First up...

Chocolate Chip Pancakes for breakfast :)

AND, we had our first snow day!!  All bundled up...

My mom and I got to have a fun girl's day out - full of Christmas shopping, lunch at Chick-Fil-A, and putting together two Operation Christmas Child boxes - it was so much fun!  It always warms my heart to give back, I just wish I could see the faces of these children when they open these boxes :)

Tuesday was surgery day.  I've been having terrible sinus infections for the past year, and it finally got to the point that surgery was the only option.  I was nervous, anxious, and scared.

Even though I have worked in hospitals and ER's for years, I hate being the patient, and I DESPISE needles.  Here I am right before being wheeled back for the almost 3 hour procedure.

Well - it was a success - and I am finally feeling much better.  I am still having to sleep sitting straight up, and I am a swollen and sore mess.  BUT - I am so thankful.  For my mom for being the best caretaker.  For my husband who prayed every minute for me and filled the fridge with all my favorite drinks and snacks. 

Today, I even had the appetite for a breakfast treat - a lemon glazed muffin ;)

Thanks for all the wonderful and thoughtful instagram messages, tweets and emails.  

My heart is so full of love, and I feel so blessed....

and hopefully feeling healthy and happy very soon!

P.S.

Don't forget to enter my Desiring Joy Giveaway for a chance to win a beautiful scarf!!

XOXO

Looks For Less

I've had my eyes on this cute little striped, peplum number from J.Crew for awhile now, but I couldn't quite justify the almost $60 price tag....

So when I came across this look-alike top from Tobi, I was so excited to see that it is on sale for just $30, 1/2 of the J.Crew price!  

But definitely check out Tobi, if you haven't already - really cute clothing, and they add items everyday!

For 50% off your first item, click here.

A few more look-alike items I've found -- see if you can tell which is more, and which is less :)

J.Crew Zigzag dress ($140) & Sparkle in Time dress ($47)

Anna Sui Lace Dress ($450) & Delores Shift Dress ($44)

Navajo Dawn Cardigan ($48) & RD Style Cardigan ($74)

Penny for your Dots Sweater ($60) & Dex Sweater ($89)

Do you like to hunt down looks for less - or would your rather just splurge on the "real deal"?

And have I made you a fan of Tobi yet??  ;)  I'm now swooning over that polka-dot sweater....

XOXO