Friday, December 29, 2017

Tuscan Ham and White Bean Soup

I don't know about you, but our fridge is still full of yummy holiday leftovers!  We had enough ham to feed a small army, so I decided to whip up a few batches of soup for us to enjoy!  It turned out that I needed to drop off dinner for a friend, and had plenty to do so....this batch makes quite a lot!  I didn't follow a specific recipe, but just created it out of things we currently had in our fridge and pantry.  It turned out great, even the kids thought it was delicious (although the spinach was picked out of their portions.)  Give it a try - and let me know if you do!  




TUSCAN HAM AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

Ingredients:

3-4 cups of ham (cut into small chunks)
8 oz (¾  bag) of frozen onion/carrot/celery mix
1 tbsp minced garlic
32 oz vegetable broth
32 oz chicken broth
1 cup water
1 can great northern beans, drained
1 can white kernel corn, drained
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
2 cups chopped spinach
Salt and pepper to taste




Directions:

In large pot, saute onion/carrots/celery for 4-5 minutes.  Add garlic and saute 2 more minutes.  
Add in ham, broths, water, beans, corn, and herbs.  
Bring to simmer, top with lid, and cook for 30-45 minutes.  
Before serving, add spinach in and cook for 5 more minutes.  Serve and enjoy!

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Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Gift Guide - Baby's First Christmas

Baby's First Christmas
Gift Guides are my favorite :)
And I know that there are only 5 days until Christmas!  But I made several Gift Guides back in November, and then, well, just never posted them!  But just in case there are last minute shoppers out there, here's the one of the several gift guides I created for the holidays!  OR, bookmark these for upcoming birthdays!  Anniversaries! Mother's Day!  Get a jump start on your Christmas presents for next year! You get the picture...you need gifts all year long!  And the best part of a late gift guide - almost everything is already on sale!  ;)


Baby's First Christmas

1 - Personalized Wooden Toy Airplane (Safe and natural, and just begging for imagination!)
2 - Their first phone! (love the wood design and the simplicity of this one)
3 - Cuddle and Kind doll (hand-knit and adorable, comes from a company with an amazing cause)
4 - Personalized/Monogrammed outfit (tons of designs to choose from!)
5 - Taxi Rattle (Is this not the cutest rattle ever! Perfect for a "big city" baby ;))
6 - The Nutcracker Board Book (a favorite of ours this season!)
7 - Monogram nursery print - (so sweet and special, love this simple wreath design)
8 - Silver Initial Ornament (would you look at this price!)
9 - Sheepskin Cloud Rug - (baby soft, and I love the cloud shape!)
10 - Knit Baby Blanket (comes in black and white too!)


What is under the tree for your little one this year?

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Friday, August 4, 2017

My LipSense Story


Grab some popcorn (it's kinda long!) but here's my LipSense Story! Why I joined, and what the past 3 months have been like for me! I've received many questions about this experience- so I thought I should share here! It's been quite a ride ;)
Thanks to everyone who had been a part of this journey! 





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Monday, July 3, 2017

Let's Shop - (Stars) and Stripes

Happy Fourth of July {week}!  Hope y'all are having great holiday weekend so far!  
We have enjoyed outdoor concerts, cookouts with friends, family visiting from out of town, and gearing up for our first neighborhood parade!  

All these festivities have got me really in the mood to wear (and shop) for all things red, white and blue.  And having this massive blue & white striped trend in full-force isn't really hurting either ;)  Here are some of my favorite summer stars & stripes (well, maybe just stripes) fashion picks that will surely get you in the fireworks and watermelon kind-of mood!  

Hope you have a safe and FUN day celebrating this great country, the freedoms we have been given, and the leaders who have paved the way for us.  

Now, let's shop!  ;)


Primary Image of Striped Cold Shoulder Flutter Top




Primary Image of Striped Ruffle One Shoulder Sweater




Petite dreamy cotton pant in stripe




Cropped bikini top in classic stripe





CHARMING CHARLIE - Ball Drop Earrings


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OLD NAVY - T-Strap Sandals 




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OLD NAVY - Fringe Clutch 



Main Image - Vince Camuto Ruffle One-Shoulder Blouse (Regular & Petite)

NORDSTROM - Ruffle Shoulder Top



Main Image - Pleione Ruffle Hem Poplin Top

NORDSTROM - Ruffle Hem Top 








I've been loving and wearing the stripes too!!

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, stripes and closeup

(Top - T.J Maxx, Earrings - Charming Charlie
LipSense - Blu Red; Strawberry Shortcake)

Want to win some LipSense??
My sweet friend ANNA (her blog is awesome!) and I are teaming up to give away a 

Here's your chance to try it out, or add to your collection!!
Visit her blog for how to enter!!



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Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Our Favorite Snack

I don't know about y'all, but snacking is kind of a big deal around our house.  And most of the time it is getting myself or my kids in trouble.  Either it's too close to dinner (for my kids), or it's an entire box of Cheezits or chips/salsa for myself.  Snacking can be tricky, and especially healthy snacking!  So are you ready for our family's favorite healthy snack??

No Bake Energy Balls.
We have been making and loving these bite-sized snacks for years, but someone recently asked me for the recipe again, and I had to post it here!  Why not share the love!

They are so easy to make, (a great and simple recipe for kids to help with as well!),  incredibly yummy, and healthy too!  I love grabbing a few for breakfast, pre/post workout, popping a few in the kids' lunch bags, or throwing a bag of them in our cooler for the beach or pool!

(see recipe below!)


No-Bake Energy Balls

1 cup dry oats
1/2 cup peanut (or almond) butter
1/2 cup coconut flakes (optional)
1/4 cup flax seed
1 tbsp chia seeds)
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (or raisins)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

MIX all ingredients.  CHILL for 45 minutes.
ROLL into balls.  ENJOY!
(refrigerate leftover balls)

*As you can see, there are many modifications you can make - feel free to make them according to what your family likes!*



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Thursday, June 8, 2017

Friday Favorites - Cookies, Clothing, and a Backyard Toy

Happy Summer!!
I honestly thought that once Summer rolled around, we would have these lazy, no schedule, no-place-to-be days, with hours of free time, and hair-braiding, and making fresh salsa, and home-made Popsicles.  But somehow the start of Summer has been so busy already, jam-packed to the brim filled with activities, and places to be, and Chick-fil-A dinners to eat on the way home from the pool. 
  
Now, a lot of that has to do with the fact that I am teaching Vacation Bible School this week, and we have 19 energetic and lively 4-year-olds in our class!  I am EXHAUSTED by 4pm every day, and I need to give a major shout-out to teachers right now!  This is HARD!  I don't have a second to pee, or sit down, or check my email, or even look in the mirror to notice that a piece of spinach may or may not have been stuck in my teeth for the last 5 hours.  (Darn that green smoothie I had for breakfast!) You teachers ROCK.  VBS has really been a joy though; my heart and hands are so full every day, and it's been a privilege to love on these sweet boys and girls, while teaching them about the Bible, and the love of Jesus.  

{Here's Andrew on his first day of VBS!}


So long story short, I'm pooped.  Thus the long blog hiatus....again.
BUT I have recently had so many things become favorites of mine over the past couple of weeks, and I just had to get back to the ole blog to share them with y'all!


First up. 
It would only be natural to start with the thing that I am currently enjoying at this VERY moment as I type these very words.  

Private Selection Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookies
(that's a mouthful, no pun intended)


You may have seen me mention these cookies on a recent Instastory of mine (emilysadlow). 
These cookies are the perfect combination of sweet and salty, and if you like sea salt, you will love these!  Heck if you like cookies, you will love these! I find them at Kroger in the refrigerated section!  Go treat yourself - you will come back here and thank me later ;)


Greek Turkey Burgers 





Forgive my dreadful iPhone pictures of these burgers - they were almost devoured before I even got a quick shot of them!  John was graciously (ahem) given a grill for an early Father's Day gift, and we have been trying out all kinds of new recipes, especially on-the-grill-specials.  I kinda came up with these burgers as I went along, but the end result was so delicious, I just had to share!
When we lived in Princeton, NJ, we loooooved (were mildly obsessed) with the local grocery store up there, Wegmans.  If any of y'all have a Wegmans, you know the obsession is real.  Anyway, they have these yummy Greek Turkey burgers that they sell, that we probably had on a weekly basis.  This is my recreation of those burgs.  

Greek Turkey Burgers

1 lb ground turkey
1 1/2 cups of fresh chopped baby spinach 
2 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro 
1/3 cup of chopped white onion
1/2 tbsp minced garlic 
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 
1/3 c crumbled feta cheese 
salt and pepper to taste

Put them together and what have you got? (name that movie!)
Yummy, delicious burgers!  
*Grill or pan fry and serve on buns or over mixed greens!*



Asos Gingham Off Shoulder Dress 



I first saw this adorable dress on Ashlyn Carter (YouTube Mrs. Carter), and I just thought it was the perfect summer dress!  I ordered it right away, and I absolutely love it!  It has so many cute details, with the ric rac on the sleeves, and the bow in the back.  A summer staple for sure - perfect for a festival, concert, BBQ, lunch date or girl's night! 


BaubleBar Mini Pinata Tassel Earrings



These earrings are my new favorite!  I wear them every chance I can!  They are not too big or heavy, and I love that they come in tons of different colors!  I also have them in black.  They add just the right amount of pizzazz to any simple outfit, and I personally love pairing them with off the shoulder tops like the one above!  (Which I found at T.J. Maxx!)




Step2 Outdoor Water/Sand Table





My sweet parents got this great water table for the kids this summer, and it has been such a hit so far!  It has a side to fill up with water, with bridges and boats, and then a separate side for sand, with shovels and sifters.  A cover is included to go on top when it's not being used.  Also, I love the umbrella feature, which can open and close depending on if you want to keep the area shaded or not.  I think this will get a ton of use this summer, and the price is pretty great too!  
I believe you can find it on Amazon or at Walmart.com


And last but not least....

My latest and greatest LOVE, 
LipSense!  

Y'all probably know I've been loving LipSense since about January now, and sharing the love with y'all as a distributor since March!  It's seriously been the best 2 months!
Lately, I have been really building up my own collection of testers to try out, to show all of you!  ;)
  So my most recent favorite shades are below:


{AUSSIE ROSE - a cool-toned, medium pink shade with shimmer}



{ROSEBERRY - a cool-toned dark pink matte shade}



{CARAMEL APPLE - a cool-toned medium pink frost shade, perfect for summer}


And below is the entire collection of the 36 colors!
 I do have a LOT in stock, and orders rolling in every week, so let me know if you want any below!  Or if you have any questions about LipSense at all - shoot me an email
xoxobyemily@gmail.com




ANY FAVORITES OF MINE YOU WANT TO TRY OUT?
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY LOVING?



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Thursday, May 11, 2017

Easter Weekend Recap!

It's a month after Easter, and I'm just getting around to popping up my post from the weekend, but here goes!  Easter weekend is one of my favorites all year, so I had to document some of the fun we had - check out the pics below from scenes of two egg hunts, a church picnic, and a family-and-candy-filled Easter Sunday!  


CHURCH EASTER EGG HUNT!
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EGG HUNT AND POTLUCK!
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{wearing Apple Cider LipSense...one of my faves!}




JUST A LITTLE PHOTO SHOOT IN MY OLD EASTER DRESS!
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SCHOOL EASTER EGG HUNT! 
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{thank you Mimi for the matching monogrammed shirts!}







EASTER MORNING 
BASKETS - FAMILY EGG HUNT - LUNCH!  
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{making our annual Resurrection rolls!}


Even though it was a over month ago, I hope you all had a joy and hope-filled Easter with your loved ones!  Celebrating the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior! 

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