SJP Collection for Nordstrom

where did the month of february go? i know it is a shorter month, but it completely flew by. i feel like just yesterday we were betting on if the groundhog would see his shadow or not! nonetheless, it has been a busy, cold month and i am happy to see warmer days in the future!

this past week has been one of my busiest of the semester and it was exhausting. wednesday was the worst day and i may have hated the world that day (so i'm sorry if i came into contact with you) but the week improved greatly after test two of two was over yesterday. a good workout, healthy food and long phone calls with my mama did the trick and i am feeling much less stressed (coffee and a major to-do list helped out too). i am going to be quite busy from now until wednesday with school, alpha chi, and baseball games but if i can make through the week, i get to see my parents on friday! where oh where will we dine this time they are in town?!

today has been spent doing things i enjoy. i woke up and had a delicious, simple breakfast of granola, kefir, banana and sliced berries. i then went to Barre3 and it was quite the workout! i was quaking and shaking! after barre3, i went to target, where spring was in the air! i picked up a few easter goodies (i know its early but i just couldn't resist) and some spring decorations. after a trip to the grocery i dived into this recipe: King Cake Cupcakes in honor of Mardi Gras being next week. i had no idea how much of a process making king cake was! i am hoping they turn out good (i wouldn't know yet - still waiting on them to rise).

for dinner tonight is a simple but favorite recipe. i go by Eating Well's recipe for southwestern sauté with salsa grits but i always end up modifying it to whatever i feel like! its really good and i do always top mine off with a fried egg for some extra protein! tonight, i am adding some sliced avocado on top for some healthy fats and fiber!

one thing that was on my radar for today was Sarah Jessica Parker's collection for Nordstrom. the shoes are absolutely beautiful, but a little bit out of my college-girl budget. still, who wouldn't want a shoe inspired and named for carrie bradshaw?! look at the collection online and check out my favorites below! there are so many gorgeous shoes that it was hard to pick favorites, but there is definitely a shoe for every occasion!

"bobbie"

"lady"

"carrie"

"fawn"

(all images credit Nordstrom)

well, this post has gotten lengthy but thanks for sticking with me until the end! though it is one of UT's biggest social weekends, Boxing Weekend, i am staying in tonight! tomorrow i am working the baseball game at 2 (so if you are in knoxville, come out and see our vols who are undefeated as of right now!). i also have a big project due next week that i need to get a better understanding on so that is on my list as well as starting to study for my two exams next week. i think my teachers banded together to see how miserable they could make my life but in 15 days i will be on a boat in the bahamas! happy friday y'all and enjoy your weekend! 

xoxo,

clp 

mashed cauliflower recipe

short post today but i wanted to share this recipe with y'all before i forgot! its a great, lower carb alternative to mashed potatoes and really tastes good! pair with with any dish you would regularly put mashed potatoes with and you have got some added veggies! 

mashed cauliflower

1 package steam-in bag cauliflower florets

2 tbsp skim milk

2 wedges laughing cow garlic and herb cheese

pepper, garlic powder, to taste

1. steam cauliflower according to package directions. 
2. when done, place all ingredients in food processor or blend and process until desired consistency is reached.
3. serve immediately. 

(serves 2)

my brain is going in a million directions with everything that is going on so i may be MIA for a few days. however, i do have some things i want to share so i will try my hardest to make time to blog! all my teachers have banded together to make everything due in the next few weeks before spring break, so my planner looks like a pepto-bismal pink pen exploded on it... cross your fingers that i will come out alive! 

xoxo,

clp

j. crew march style guide favorites

lucky me, i got to see the newest style guide before j.crew even posted it on their pinterest thanks to my amazing personal stylist at green hills, katie. nothing better than some light reading à la j. crew! the march style guide is a work of art as usual and i am lusting over mostly everything! the collection is available tomorrow but i did get to try some things on last weekend while i was at the store and i was in love! here are some of my favorite looks from the collection! 

lattice medallion top, Campbell capri pant in lattice meallion, canvas and leather satchel bag and the Collection Ava summer stripe pumps

Perfect shirt in crosshatch linen, the Cubist print minaudiére clutch and the Valentina patent D'Orsay pumps

embroidered dolman tunic

peacoat and the keeper chambray shirt in dark rinse

Collection jeweled boyfriend tee, Collection wrap pencil skirt in photo lace, stripe market tote and the Collection Cleo cross-stich loafers

linen These Are the Days tee and the sunburst in stripe skirt.

(all images via j. crew's pinterest)

warmer weather get here soon! these clothes have me longing for higher temperatures and sunny days! spring fashion is looking good to me and i will post some other favorites from various designers soon! 

xoxo,

clp

pineapple BBQ pulled pork recipe

do i have to go back to knoxville/the real world today? i just love my weekends at home and wish they would never end! i am so lucky to have such amazing parents and a wonderful place to come home to! last night for supper we put a twist on the usual mexican and had pineapple BBQ pulled pork tacos! they were so good and we could not stop raving about the taste! the recipe is quite simple! daddy and i threw it all in the crock-pot before we left the house and by the time we got home, the house smelled delicious! try this recipe out over nachos, in a quesadilla, as tacos or in a salad!

pineapple BBQ pulled pork

3-4 lb pork buttroast, trimmed of fat and cut into large pieces

garlic powder

cumin

20 oz can pineapple chunks/tidbits

1/2 cup BBQ sauce

1 cup chopped onion (frozen works great)

1. place the trimmed buttroast in the bottom of a large crock pot. season generously with garlic powder and cumin. add pineapple chunks (and juice), BBQ sauce and onion to crock pot and stir to mix. 
2. cook on low for 7-9 hours, or until pork can be shredded easily. remove pork from crock pot, shred, then return to crock pot and stir to mix well.
3. serve with additional BBQ sauce if desired. 

(recipe slightly adapted from Iowa Girl Eats)

the recipe makes quite a bit, but it freezes well and is very versatile so leftovers can be fun! just make sure that your pineapple (i used libby's canned skinny fruit) and BBQ sauce are as low in sugar as possible and you will have yourself a protein-filled, healthy mexican recipe which is hard to find! 

it is so strange that the olympics are over tonight! unfortunately, i wasn't as into the olympics this year as i usually am. i still enjoyed watching the figure skating but just wish i had time to enjoy it more! i am heading back to knoxville this afternoon with a busy three weeks until spring break ahead of me. between tests and projects as well as alpha chi activities, working baseball games as a diamond girl and just usual life, these next few weeks are going to be packed to the brim! however, there is a light and it is the sunny skies of the bahamas on the cruise with my mama! have a great week everyone!

xoxo,

clp

friday fun

well mom and i just had the most perfect friday! i came home for a much-needed break from knoxville yesterday and i am so glad i did. there is nothing a weekend at home can't fix! it was also nice to come home to what seemed like a brand-new kitchen! while i have been at school, mom and dad got marble backsplash installed in our kitchen, which we have wanted to do since we moved in! i absolutely love how the herringbone pattern turned out and think it makes our kitchen look fabulous!

today mama and i adventured to nashville! i truly had a major cheat day. i even took a day off from working out, which i know my body needs. though it still freaks me out to not workout at all, i know that my body has to rest every once and a while. i know some of my readers will be happy to hear that i am at a much healthier weight than i was a year ago and i am happy about it! my clothes fit better and i just look better overall!

this morning we started nice and early and made our way to the loveless cafe! nothing beats loveless biscuits and peach preserves, so of course my meal contained both. it is definitely a nashville institution that everyone needs to visit and worth the calorie splurge!

no trip to nashville would be complete without a trip to iveycake to bring home some cupcakes for dessert tonight. she has added some new flavors that look to-die-for, but i couldn't resist my usual "i do" flavor. mom got the lemon blueberry and we picked out the salted caramel for daddy! i have had many good cupcakes in my day, but none as good as iveycake!

we couldn't not go to green hills while in nashville, and a stop in j. crew was inevitable. the green hills j. crew just feels like home to me! katie, my personal stylist (which as i have said before, everyone should take advantage of) picked out some fabulous outfits for me and we had the best visit! she always knows what i will like and has the best taste! (notice how similar our outfits are... not planned at all!) 

i am also all ready for my sorority's carnation ball at the end of april! i have my dress, clutch, got my shoes today and have a hair appointment booked! now for the hard part: finding a date who will put up with me and my ways for a night!

tomorrow, i am breakfasting with both grandmothers, my dad and uncle at one of our favorites, goodness gracious. we are so sad to see it leave downtown murfreesboro but will definitely have to go when it reopens at the readyville mill. dad and i are going to have a daddy-daughter day until mom gets off work (someone has to see those sick kids on the weekend!) and then i am planning on relaxing at home! i am missing my brother since he is redneck-ing it this weekend at the daytona race. luckily i know i will get to see him soon! it is just three weeks until i am back home for spring break!

my friday was fabulous and fun and i hope yours was too! not every day can be cheat day like today was so i am glad mine consisted of the loveless and iveycake! hope your friday was as good as mine and don't forget to give yourself a cheat day every once in a while too!

xoxo,
clp

healthy fruit desserts for one

as i have said before, i have quite the sweet tooth. put a dessert in front of me and i will 9 times out of 10 eat it. most of the time when i make dessert, i try to make it as healthy as possible. still, there are some recipes that just can't be made healthier (aka no bake cookies - we tried and failed). lately though i have taken quite the liking to fruity desserts. the ones i have made so far are single serving and made quickly in the microwave! perfect for conquering that sweet tooth craving without ruining your diet!

warmed pear

1 pear, sliced

honey

cinnamon

1 tbsp dark chocolate chips

1. place sliced pear in a microwave safe, shallow bowl. drizzle honey and sprinkle cinnamon to taste. add chocolate chips on the side to dip pear in or sprinkle over top as well. 
2. microwave until soft, about 30-45 seconds.

warmed banana

1 banana, cut lengthwise in half

1 tbsp Better N Peanut Butter

1 tbsp dark chocolate chips

cinnamon

1. place banana in microwave safe, shallow bowl. spread peanut butter evenly over banana. sprinkle chocolate chips and cinnamon on top.
2. microwave until banana has softened and peanut butter and chocolate chips are melted, about one minute.

warmed apple

1 apple, sliced

cinnamon 

honey 

peanut butter

butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, etc.

walnuts, granola

1. place sliced apple in a microwave safe, shallow bowl. top with selected toppings from above (any combination is delicious).
2. microwave until apple has softened and toppings of choice have melted. 

these are all especially good topped with a spoonful of whipped cream, greek yogurt or ice cream! they really do satisfy that sweets craving and are healthy too! indulge guilt-free! 

xoxo,

clp

class and meeting OOTD

the world may have ended because i actually dressed nice today for class. meeting is formal tonight so instead of bringing a change of clothes to the house, i decided to go ahead and make myself up for class! my classmates won't know what hit them!

tory burch cashmere tunic, j. crew velvet dot pants, tory burch navy suede caroline flat, 

j. crew necklace, louis vuitton bandeau scarf (worn wrapped as bracelet)  

i apologize for the selfie-iphone picture. one of my goals is to really improve on my OOTD photos for the blog. it just proves to be a challenge when there is no one else home to take your picture! 

today was the first day in ages i haven't left the house in gloves and a scarf! i know it is too good to be true, but i love this burst of spring-like weather! i am hoping that it doesn't get quite as cold as it has been the past few weeks and that we see no more snow! 

this week isn't too terrible in terms of tests - just the normal homework assignments to be done. i am looking forward to the end of the week because i am going home for the weekend to see my mama and daddy! i am in much need of a break from knoxville and am missing my parents and home. so, here's to hoping this week goes by without any hiccups and that everyone has a good week! 

xoxo,

clp 

gumbo-laya recipe

it seems like mardi gras came a couple weeks early with tonight's recipe! i was in the mood for some cajun cuisine so i just couldn't wait for fat tuesday! this recipe quickly became a favorite in our house. it is hearty and filling but much less complicated than actual gumbo and it healthy too! it is a gumbo-jambalaya combination (hence the name) and tonight i am having it with grits. it also is good served over brown rice (or other rice of choice) or on its own with a side of cornbread or biscuits! the recipe below makes quite a large pot, serving 6-8, but the leftovers freeze well! 

gumbo-laya 

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound spicy andouille (or smoked) chicken/turkey sausage, sliced 

2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 

frozen cajun/mirepox vegetable mix (diced onions, celery, peppers) 

2 bay leaves

1 tbsp Creole sesoning

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tablespoon, heaping, tomato paste

½ pound okra, sliced 

1 (28 oz) can organic diced tomatoes with juice

2 cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

to serve: grits, brown rice, biscuits or cornbread 

1. heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and add the olive oil; once the oil is hot, add the sliced sausage in, and allow it to caramelize and brown for a few minutes; once well browned, remove the sausage from the pot, and set aside
2. add the chicken pieces into the pot along with a sprinkle or two of salt and pepper, and allow them to brown in the oil/sausage drippings for about 2-3 minutes; remove the chicken pieces from the pot, and set aside with sausage
3. add in the diced celery, onion and bell pepper, and caramelize it for about 2-3 minutes in the oil, then add in the bay leaves, the Creole seasoning, the cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. stir to combine
4. add in the garlic and stir, and once it becomes aromatic, add in remaining ingredients, including sausage and chicken, and stir to combine
5. allow the stew to simmer gently on low/medium-low, uncovered, for 20 minutes
6. serve with hot sauce over brown rice or grits or with cornbread or biscuits

(adapted from The Cozy Apron) 

i love this recipe and i made it for my roommates and they liked it quite well too! the true test will come when my grandfather, a new orleans native, tries it out! hopefully it will live up to his standards! enjoy this now before mardi gras or file it away and serve with a side of king cake in a few weeks! laissez les bon temps rouler!

xoxo,
clp

happy late valentine's day & OOTD

happy late valentine's day everyone! for the twenty-first year in a row, i spent the holiday single. yes, i did have a minor breakdown on the phone with my mom claiming that i was never going to find someone and that no boys liked me, but after that, my perspective changed. i realized that i really don't need a male counterpart to keep me happy. i am happy being the claire with red hair, party of one. right now, i can be my own person and i don't have to take into account someone else when planning to do something. i am free to do what i want. i don't depend on someone else for my happiness and i don't have someone depending on me for theirs. yes, one day i do want to have a fairy tale relationship but for right now, i'm okay just being single. i know i will eventually find someone who will appreciate me for me: for my OCD-ness, my anxiety about the smallest things, my love of cooking, baseball, exercising and fashion, my love for my family and friends. prince charming hasn't come around yet, but i know he's out there somewhere, just waiting with a horse and carriage.

i celebrated valentine's day GAL-entine's style and i wouldn't have had it any other way. who needs boys when you have a mom who sends valentine's gifts in the form of kate spade necklaces and julia's bakery cookies and grandmothers who send cards with checks? a nice knoxville-print lilly pulitzer murfree scarf to my self was also a better valentine than any boy could be (by the way, the new palm village is amazing). i also made two of my alpha chi sisters a big pot of chili and a skillet of cornbread to warm up with since it has been so cold and then we three went to see endless love along with every other couple in knoxville! the movie was okay, very not-real-life, but i wouldn't change my valentine's day plans if i could. i am lucky to have the love in my life that i have, whether it be family, sister or one-day boyfriend love, and that is all i need right now.

tonight brought another celebration. one of my best friends turned the big twenty-one thursday and we are celebrating it tonight. she too is a red head and she definitely puts the fire in fireball. tonight i wanted to wear something that i know i won't wear come march and warmer weather. this poncho/cape/i'm not sure what to call it was perfect. i got it about two years ago and still love it today. it is very much on trend (especially if you look at the street style from NYFW!) and wish i had worn it more often this winter!

j. crew top, j. crew navy pixie pants, ivanka trump booties,
j. crew jeweled earrings, michael kors watch 

xoxo,
clp

snow days & lilly

well, the world may have come to an end as we know it. UT actually cancelled all classes today. that never happens. thank goodness they did though! we have a good 5 inches of snow on the ground, with snow still flurrying about! i don't totally mind it today since i really don't have anything that i really have to do (with the exception of working out - which i will do at my apartment complex's clubhouse). still, i am ready for some more normal temperatures and weather here in tennessee!

on my to-do list tomorrow is one main thing: visit the new lilly pulitzer signature store opening in knoxville! i am so excited to have an all lilly store here in knoxville! and as a bonus, they are going to have an exclusive knoxville print murfree scarf! it even has neyland on it! needless to say, i will be at palm village at ten o'clock sharp tomorrow! (and by the way, lilly added some new arrivals to the online site!)

it is also new york fashion week! so many things going on! i always love looking at the runway shows and seeing what is on the horizon for the coming season. though they are showing for fall 2014  (which could still be worn right now), i am looking forward to this years upcoming trends! i have looked at kate spade, j. crew and tory burch's fall presentations so far and am in love! i feel like fall is very asian-influenced and designers are definitely into texture and deep jewel tones. activewear is also appearing more and more in collections! 

even though today is a snow day, i still need to be proactive and stay on top of my assignments! many of my professors assigned online work to do because of the snow so i am off to work on that some! later i am hoping to read my vogue magazine and enjoy the snow from inside my warm apartment! as i said last night, stay safe and warm everyone! 

xoxo,

clp 

spirooli product review

long time no blog i know! but i guess i have been a bit busy with being in college! dad came up this past weekend and i really had a good time with him. we went to the basketball game, shopping and ate dinner at one of our favorites, aubrey's, and had brunch on sunday at cru bistro. it was a delicious breakfasty-brunch that i will definitely eat again. the smoked gouda grits were to die for! other than that, i have been studying and schooling and alpha chi-ing.

tonight for supper i tried something new: vegetable noodles! i have seen so many vegetable noodle recipes on the internet and have wanted to try them because they are a great low-carb alternative to regular pasta noodles! tonight i broke out my new spirooli spiral slicer to make zucchini noodles! it was so fun using my newest contraption! after i spiralized the zucchini, i ended up slightly warming it with my pasta sauce to soften them up a bit. for my sauce tonight, i simply browned a sliced italian chicken sausage link, dumped in some sliced stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce with some classic italian spices and let it simmer while i worked on the zucchini and made a salad. it was really a delicious and filling italian dinner free of carbs from pasta! with the spirooli, you can spiralize vegetables ranging from squash to potatoes, slice veggies like cucumbers or even shred cabbage! my dad made have made fun of me for buying it but i have a feeling he is going to get some good use out of it too when i bring it home for the summer. i think it is an essential tool for a healthy kitchen, and a time saver too!

i am crossing my fingers for a possible snow day tomorrow... which would give me a four day weekend! all but one of my classes are cancelled so i am constantly checking my email hoping it is either from my professor or UT! i don't like the snow at all (born and bred a southerner, i just don't know what to do with it) so i would rather have no snow or ice but if it is going to happen, i don't want to have to be out in it! i hope everyone stays safe and warm over the next few days!

xoxo,
clp

p.s. for dessert i made dashing dish's red velvet cupcake for one and it was delicious! perfect portion controlled treat without any tempting leftovers!

kate spade spring 14 favorites

oh, kate spade has done it again. last fall, they took us to new york and this spring they are taking us to paris! this collection is dreamy, just like the city that inspires it. the colors are bright and fun, and all the pieces have the classic-with-a-touch-of-whimsy that kate spade is known for.

gable colorblock fit & flare dress

roanne stripe top

sedgewick place tweed fairlee

dorothy coat

charming multi-strand necklace

haley top

paris and the single girl book clutch

well i think i may have gotten a little carried away with picking favorites! there are still many more pieces of the collection that i am in love with! maybe i can get my hands on some of these! 

my main man, my daddy, is coming to knoxville this weekend for winter family day! we are going to lunch in neyland's skybox and the basketball game! i really am excited to see him and hang around knoxville with him. it will be especially nice after all the tests that i have had this week! 

hopefully i will try out some new recipes or share some old favorites with y'all soon. i have been a bit busy and have been sticking to tried and true favorites that i have already shared. my brain is a tad bit overworked this week so the focus has just been to eat healthy and stay on track. 

the olympics start today so that is what my tv will be on for the next two weeks! i always love the winter olympics, with figure skating being my favorite. shaun white also never ceases to amaze me on the snowboard as well! i am quite looking forward to watching the opening ceremonies tonight. go USA!

xoxo,

clp 

scribble squares OOTD

i was all squared away for meeting tonight. literally. tonight's OOTD features the custom LEONA print known as "scribble squares" and i love it! the colors transition well from season to season and both pieces work great together or apart!

LEONA peplum top and skirt, j.crew black shirt and tights, steve madden heels

i got many compliments on my outfit from my sisters tonight at meeting! it was so fun being able to say that i would be interning for LEONA when they asked what brand it was and where i got it! 

xoxo,

clp 

in review: thai, pie, books and movies

well it seems like i have a few things share with y'all! in the past week, i have seen a couple of movies, finished a book and am halfway through another and tried out two (new-to-me) places in knoxville!

• movie: American Hustle: honestly, i walked out of the theater completely unaffected by the movie. for one thing, it was terribly long and i have a hard time sitting still. but regardless of the time, i felt like it left something to be desired. don't get me wrong, the all-star cast was great. because of the buzz surrounding it, i felt like i was supposed to rave about it afterwards. however, it was a movie that i was glad when the credits rolled on the screen. 
• movie: Last Vegas: better than American Hustle that's for sure. while it was funny at times, it was a bit predictable but a good renter nonetheless. i think that the older crowd might find it funnier than my generation but it still had some good laughs here and there. 
• book: Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter: not sure why it was on so many bestseller lists. the plot jumped around from different characters and time periods which could occasionally be confusing. while everything connected at the end, there was still something missing from the book as a whole. 
• restaurant: Taste of Thai: hands down the best thai food i have had in knoxville. i ordered the pad thai with veggies and it was beyond good. the portions are huge and i brought more than half of it home. erin and ellie both got drunken noodles with chicken and it looked quite tasty as well. i will definitely be returning there to get my thai food fix in knoxville! 
• bakery: Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop: i have been dying to try this little pie shop and couldn't resist the temptation after supper tonight. i got granny's apple pie, erin got classic pecan and ellie got chocolate meringue. my mini-pie was one of the best things i have tasted in a long time and was sad to see it gone. the mini-pies are the perfect individual portions, but they also have whole pies available to buy, as well as thumbprint cookies, homemade buttermilk biscuits and ice cream! it is going to be a dangerous place for me, and worth every calorie!  

its Super Bowl sunday (and groundhog day but that's getting a little overshadowed this year)! what team am i cheering for? peyton. the team of peyton manning. we tennesseans loved him in '98 and we love him just as much, if not more, today. i will be watching the Super Bowl (aka the commercials) at my apartment tonight while partially studying (4 tests in 7 days). i made a big pot of taco soup and a batch of jalepeno cornbread that my cousin erin and best friend ellie are going to munch on during the game! 

the groundhog saw his shadow this morning, which means six more weeks of winter. my fingers are crossed in hopes that he is wrong and that spring is right around the corner. the spring collections that are appearing in stores have me dreaming of warmer weather! i have a busy week ahead and i am sure you do too so i will keep this short and sweet. happy groundhog day and Super Bowl sunday! go broncos!

xoxo,
clp