summer, slow down please

summer... can we go slow-mo?! i am amazed that it is the last week of june! i guess working and being in a routine really makes the days fly by, especially when you love what you're doing and where you are in life! i am already sad that i only have a month left at LEONA and living here in nashville. hopefully i'll be be back, at least in nashville, come next may!

tonight for supper i tried out a new ingredient: wheat berries! i finally found them in the bulk bins at whole foods after searching multiple stores for them! similar to quinoa, they are high in protein (6 grams per 1/4 cup dry) and high in fiber. they are a great addition to salads,  alternative to rice or pasta and even good in soups with their nutty, chewy taste and texture! i went savory with my first try of wheat berries tonight! 

wheat berries with asparagus, squash and chicken

1 c dry wheat berries

1 lb asparagus, washed and trimmed

2 yellow squash, sliced and diced

bunch of kale, washed and cut 

4 chicken breasts, cooked 

italian seasonings, pepper, garlic powder, to taste 

parmesan cheese, for serving

1. cook wheat berries according to package directions (i did mine the night before because they take longer than most other things to cook). 
2. meanwhile, season asparagus and squash with seasonings. sauté over medium heat until tender. add in kale and cook until wilted.
3. stir wheat berries in with veggies and kale. serve with chicken and parmesan cheese.

lastly, today's post wouldn't be complete without my OOTD! it was a bit chilly at work so i threw on this green marc blazer to complete the outfit!

j. crew jeweled shell, LEONA scribble squares skirt, j. crew mid-heel sandals, kate spade bangles

xoxo,
clp

p.s. if you aren't on Facebook, i have been featured in a few outfits in the past week or so! check them out by clicking the links below and shop the outfits online or in-store (flash sale ends tomorrow)!

city cami + disco dot rouge pant

the david dress

new look

the claire with red hair has a new look! i hadn't been happy with my previous layouts that came with Blogger and contemplated switching platforms, but in the end, i found some amazing Blogger themes from 17th Avenue Designs. i like the simple, modern, chic and classic of the "genevieve" template and am very happy with the results!

one of my goals is to build my blog following and in trying to do so, i have made the claire with red hair its very own Facebook page! please like the claire with red hair on Facebook and share with your friends! i will post updates and links on that page as well as my personal Facebook! y'all don't know how much i appreciate you reading my ramblings and i hope to rant and rave, like and lust more and more! also, click the links on the right to access my instagram, twitter and pinterest so you can connect with me on there as well!

xoxo,
clp

p.s. don't forget about LEONA's flash sale happening now through tuesday! shop online with the code EXTRA35 or in store on 12 South!

statement wednesday OOTD

who doesn't love a good pair of statement earrings?! statement earrings are so on trend and these are great because they aren't too heavy! they also match practically anything, another reason why i love them so much! today, they jazzed up a simple linen dress and tied the outfit together!

theory linen dress, j. crew belt, andre assous espadrille

j. crew earrings, "life is lovely" original artwork by lauren leonard at LEONA

xoxo,

clp

LEONA FLASH SALE & OOTD

don't walk, run to LEONA! new arrivals are 35% off! AND sale items are an additional 35% off the sale price too! don't miss out on this sale! today through the first of july! we have tons of new arrivals arriving daily!

need a good outfit for the fourth?! or one that can also be professional yet fun?! check me out in our cocktails and concert outfit post! i would wear this on the fourth to watch fireworks at a rooftop bar or even to the office the following monday!

cocktails & concert outfit for the fourth

today's outfit has been one of my favorites so far! i love the graphic tee trend and this one was just perfect for my shoe print skirt! the shirt says "masterpiece", which shoes are in my opinion! 

j. crew "masterpiece" graphic linen tee, j. crew collection shoe print silk skirt, j. crew black mid heel sandal, kate spade hoops and bangles

xoxo,

clp

crockpot for one recipe & OOTD

tonight's dinner was one i kind of dreamt up in my head and wasn't sure if it was going to turn out or not! luckily, it was ah-mazing! i ate every bit! it can easily be doubled or made for more than one person! it is a great way to use up leftover cornbread muffins as well!

crockpot roasted & stuffed poblano pepper for one

1 poblano pepper, sliced in half lengthwise, stem and seeds removed

1 cornbread muffin

1/3 cup black beans

1/4 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen

1/3 cup salsa, plus more for topping

cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, lime juice, to taste

shredded mexican cheese, for topping

1. spray interior of crockpot with non-stick spray. lay pepper halves (interior of pepper side up) in bottom of crockpot. 
2. in a small mixing bowl, combine together all other ingredients except cheese. stir until cornbread muffin has crumbled and everything is mixed well. 
3. stuff pepper halves with mixture. 
4. drizzle more salsa (i added a bit of water to mine for this part to help keep everything moist) over stuffed peppers. sprinkle with cheese.
5. cook on low for 6-8 hours. serve over bed of greens. 

today's outfit contained two of my favorites: jewels and gingham (and LEONA and j. crew for that matter)! i have been dying to wear these fabulous shorts since i got them! 

j. crew collection jeweled top, LEONA robyn shorts, j. crew mid heel sandals

xoxo,

clp

sunday's lust list & reviews

just another sunday in the south... the title of a song from miranda lambert's newest cd (if you don't have it, go get it - you won't be sorry). i love my sundays in the south: leisurely breakfasts, morning runs and relaxing afternoons spent in the sun usually make up my sunday. its the best way to detox and get ready for the week ahead.

yesterday was just peachy too! as i already mentioned, i got a great workout at the new barre3 studio in the gulch, then my mama and daddy came to visit me for the afternoon! we did a little shopping as usual and hit up the nashville farmer's market for some local veggies! afterwards, we got drinks (club soda with lemon for me) at the pub nashville (great place to watch the world cup!) and then had an amazing dinner at saint anejo! i ended the night by watching some college world series baseball and finishing up a fabulous movie: scatter my ashes at bergdorf's!

• saint anejo: i love mexican food and this has been on my bucket list since it opened. it is a mexican cantina that specializes in non-traditional mexican dishes with latin influences. such a treat! i had the mushroom tacos with chipotle BBQ and they were so good! since i can make regular tacos at home, i prefer to order something i wouldn't normally make and these were a great choice! we also ordered the house made guacamole which did not disappoint (and i have high guacamole standards) and the house salsas were great as well! another bonus is that you can order raw veggie chips as a healthy alternative to regular chips! we all really enjoyed our meal and the open-air atmosphere! definitely a place to dine again downtown! 
• scatter my ashes at bergdorf's: if you love fashion and new york, this is a must-see for you! a documentary about the iconic manhattan store, it features interviews with those who work at bergdorf's to designers whose dreams have come true by having their collections sold at bergdorf's. not a boring documentary at all, it gives audiences a chance to peek into the inner workings of the most luxurious store on fifth avenue. i loved every minute of the movie and am now dying to go back to new york! if all goes as planned, maybe one day i will be able to be a bergdorf client! 

i have been shopping quite a bit lately, both online and in store. a few things have certainly caught my eye like always. designers are beginning to release their pre-fall collections and i am lusting over a few things! read on for my sunday lust list featuring both current and pre-fall collection pieces (mostly accessories this time, more clothing next)! 

LEONA short gold tube necklace

kate spade gramercy grand watch

louis vuitton love letters stackable rings

tory burch tammy tunic

tory burch adeline stackable rings

rebecca minkoff mini affair convertible cross body bag

quite the expensive lust list i know, but thats why its a lust list! i am really into accessories lately and stackable, statement rings are my favorite right now! one of the sets posted above may just have to be my next investment piece! today i am going to enjoy my sunday by signing off of here, going for a run and then an afternoon coffee with a friend from school at bongo java! have a wonderful sunday everyone! 

xoxo,

clp

p.s. check me out in yesterday's sale item of the day at LEONA: alexa dress

life lately: june update

with it being the official first day of summer (and national wear your lilly pulitzer day), it seems to be a good day to post an update on my life lately! it has been just over a month since my last "life lately" post so it is due time for another! the one word that still describes my life right now: happy. i really think i am happier than i have ever been! it is going to be so hard to leave nashville in 2 months and go back to school in knoxville. i am loving every minute of my internship at LEONA and loving every minute spent crossing things off my summer bucket list. i have made new friends and am trying to step outside of my comfort zones. i am maintaining a healthy weight and still enjoying cooking healthy, nutritious foods. all in all, i may be dog-tired by the end of some days, but life lately is pretty sweet. here's a quick review of what i've been up to in the past few days (a new restaurant, some shopping, and a pedicure treat!)

• epice nashville: i tried epice on wednesday with a family friend and it did not disappoint! i love trying new cuisines and lebanese was one that i had not had to the chance to dive into. i drive by the neighborhood lebanese bistro twice a day and it is always crowded at supper time and now i know why! the clean, stark interior lends itself to a delicious menu, one of which i can't pronounce many of the items but they all sound delicious. i ordered the hummos beyrouti (ground sirloin with pine nuts over housemade creamy hummus with pita chips and a peasant salad) and ate almost every bite (had to save some room for dessert). i would certainly recommend epice, as well as go back time and time again! 
• LEONA: work lately has been great! we are starting to get fall in and getting ready to ship out the first part of it to stores and it is unbelievable! LEONA girls are in for a treat with this collection! i have also been featured on the LEONA : nashville Facebook page in some lovely outfits! i think at this point in my internship i have tried on the entire store for some sort of photo! no complaints though! click the links below to see my "shorts story" and two possible outfits for the fourth! 

a short story

july fourth outfit idea 1

july fourth outfit idea 2

• yesterday i had a total "me" day! spin class, a trip to whole foods, coffee from eighth and roast, a pedicure and some friday shopping were all part of my friday! i'm not sure how, but my days off from my unpaid internship always involve spending my nonexistent paycheck. i think a shopaholics anonymous intervention is needed... nonetheless, i have gotten some great finds and new additions to my closet this past week, pieces that are classic, on trend, seasonless and timeless! 

j. crew "masterpiece" linen tee: to dress down a high-heel shoe printed silk skirt

ivanka trump loire flat: a seasonless shoe perfect for skirts, pants and dresses

tory burch kerrington crossbody shopper: a great printed summer purse 

tennessee home t-shirt: for off days

andre assous anouka espadrille: a midheel wedge that will carry me through summer and into fall

as you can see i have been a bit shopping-happy lately! all the things i have gotten lately are perfect for building my wardrobe! today, mom and dad are coming up to nashville to visit me (luckily they come or i might get a little bit lonely)! i always love seeing them and today we are going to the nashville farmer's market, visiting a few places we have wanted to go but have never actually gone, and dining at saint anejo for supper! i went to barre 3 this morning in the gulch for a good workout so now i am ready to do some fun summer stuff with them! have a happy first official day of summer y'all!

xoxo,

clp

scribble stripe OOTD

LEONA hannah top, j. crew drapey drawstring pant, j. crew mid heel sandal, kate spade bangles

xoxo,

clp

on the menu + OOTD

i have such a good looking meal plan this week that i just had to share it! i am altering some of the recipes a little bit to make them healthier or to use what i have in my pantry and fridge!

• monday: crispy gnocchi with basil, zucchini and yellow squash (from iowa girl eats), side artichoke salad (instead of corn in the original recipe, subbed yellow squash we got at the farmer's market saturday - delicious!), coconut rice krispie treats (just dump some shredded coconut in with the regular rice krispie treat ingredients!)
• tuesday: crockpot salsa chicken tacos with black beans and guacamole with veggie chips (sliced jicama and bell peppers) - this time around, i added some black beans to the crockpot as well and cut back on the chicken! 
• wednesday: dinner out with a friend at epice nashville - it is a lebanese restaurant on 12th that i drive past twice a day and have really been wanting to try! the menu items that are really looking good to me right now are the mujadara, fatayer, and the hummos!
• thursday: slow cooked peach pork from dashing dish over brown rice with stir fried veggies (right now i am thinking about trying out soy and chile-glazed brussel sprouts) - instead of doing chicken in the main dish, i am going to cut up a pork chop for another kind of lean protein! also, i am going to use frozen peaches with the skins on
• friday: stuffed chicken breast from tag'z (you haven't lived until you've eaten one of these) with baked zucchini and squash, salad 

my mouth is watering just thinking about the tasty meals ahead of me! on the hand, today's OOTD was full-on LEONA again! my collection of LEONA is growing and growing and i love it (i may or may not have bought at least one thing a week since i started - oops)! i did buy a top today that is just perfect for UT football games! even though the designer went to alabama, this top just screams go big orange! for all you UT fans, snatch this top up (picture and linked below) so you will be ready when kickoff rolls around! 

clara tunic in tangerine

LEONA top, LEONA sylvia shorts, j. crew mid-heel sandals, kate spade bangles

that's all for today, folks! mondays wear me out (5:45 AM spin always gets to me once the better half of the day is gone) so i am signing off to go fix my lunch for tomorrow and lay out my clothes (makes for such an easier morning)! 

xoxo,

clp

weekend at home

i know, two posts in one day but i wanted to share what a perfect weekend at home i had! i got everything crossed off my list that i wanted to do, including spend some time by the pool! i love going home to see my mama and daddy and brother (and even the cat and dog)! i may be old-fashioned and an old soul at heart, but my weekends spent at home in the comfort of my family are the ones i love most! read on to see why this weekend was just fabulous!

• movie review: maleficent: what an excellent movie! the critics may have said it wasn't that great, but i, my mom, grandmother and even brother all thought it was great. not only are the special effects and cinematography amazing, angelina jolie plays her role amazingly well. i wasn't totally sure what the movie was really about but it exceeded my expectations!
• book review: where'd you go bernadette by maria semple: this book has been on my to-read list for quite some time and it did not disappoint! i actually read it in less than a week so that shows how good it was! the book was a great, light-hearted and funny read that follows a mother and daughter through different forms of correspondence as they narrate the absurd world they live in.
• i also got to do a little bit of DIY this weekend! i have always loved this antique telephone table that was my great-grandmother's, and this weekend i decided i wanted to clean it up and put some new (lilly pulitzer) fabric on it! i think it really looks good!

i can hardly believe that the month of june is halfway over! the fact that it has flown by so fast makes me sad! however, i do still have much of the summer to look forward to! this week is going to be a normal one, spending my days at LEONA which i enjoy so much. i am going to dinner one night with a family friend and i believe i may even get to see my parents again this coming weekend if they come visit me in nashville! have a wonderful week everyone and soak up some sun! 

xoxo,

clp

happy father's day

where do i even begin? my daddy is incredible. i can't even fathom where i would be, or who i would be for that matter, without him. he is my number one partner in crime, my main man, my teacher and guide, my rock and everything to me. he is selfless, kind, honest and strong. i have said before that my mom is my best friend and my dad and i are exactly alike... this couldn't be more true and i couldn't be more happier that it is. we may fight and disagree sometimes, may have had some not-so-fun times, but the good times far outnumber the bad. from daddy-daughter dates that range from shopping to baseball games, my days spent with my daddy are my favorite. so, happy father's day to the best dad. i'm the luckiest girl in the world to have you as my daddy and i'll always be your little freckle-faced redhead girl, no matter my age.

i love you to the moon and back, daddy.

xoxo,

clp 

risotto recipe

this recipe has been made twice now at the parsley house and it has been a hit both times! i changed it up a bit from the original recipe just to vary our veggies and protein sources a bit! its an easy and non-creamy, healthier take on risotto!

tomato sausage risotto

24 oz (1 large can) crushed tomatoes

basil and black pepper, to taste

1 package italian turkey or chicken sausage

1 cup arborio rice

1/2 cup white wine 

2 cups frozen kale (or fresh)

parmesan cheese, to serve 

1. pour tomatoes into a saucepan. add 1 can of water to saucepan. stir in basil and pepper. cook on medium-high heat and allow to boil. once boiling, reduce heat to low and cover. 
2. in the meantime, spray a large deep skillet with non-stick spray and set eye to medium heat. remove sausage from casings and add to skillet, breaking apart and cooking until no longer pink.
3. add the arborio rice to skillet and allow to cook for a minute. pour in white wine and allow rice to soak up the wine. 
4. once wine is absorbed, add two cups of tomato mixture to skillet with rice and sausage. stir and allow rice to absorb it. continue to add the liquid one cup at a time, waiting each time until all the liquid has been absorbed. repeat until no more liquid is being absorbed. 
5. add in the kale and allow it to wilt. allow rice to simmer until creamy and kale is cooked to desired tenderness. 
6. serve topped with parmesan! 

(partially adapted from wine and glue)

xoxo,

clp

head to toe LEONA OOTD

well the LEONA office was head to toe LEONA today! both myself and michelle myers (outfit pictured below), who is in charge of LEONA wholesale, were head to toe LEONA! as lauren captioned the instagram, its clear we work in fashion, not the corporate world!

LEONA city cami, LEONA sussie short, LEONA ID bracelet

LEONA black top, LEONA sylvia pant in sea foam park avenue, j. crew black heels, kate spade gold hoops and bangles

the sample sale at LEONA starts tomorrow! come shop on 12 south this weekend for some luxurious clothes at amazing prices!

xoxo,

clp

first food truck, book review, OOTD

a day of reviews! i recently finished a book and am already halfway through another and i tried out my first food truck ever tonight for supper! if all the nashville food trucks are anything like the one i went to tonight, i will be trying them all! today's OOTD was one i had thought up in my head and then when i put it on, was amazed at how well the pieces went together! i completed it with a lovely necklace from LEONA!

• book review: under the tuscan sun by frances mayes: pack me a suitcase and get me to italy! written much like a journal, mayes takes the reader on a journey as she discovers a new life in italy. i loved reading along as she bought and restored an italian villa. her descriptions of italy make me long to travel there! a must read for anyone with a wandering mind! next up: watch the move, then to tuscany! 
• food truck review: crankee's pizza: de-lish. crankee's has been parked on the corner near my house for the past couple wednesdays and i finally gave in to my craving and stopped for supper tonight! i ordered the margherita and it was ready within minutes! i'm not totally sure how they do it but there is a full pizza oven in the truck! the wood-fired crust was just right and the serving size was perfect! i would definitely recommend pulling over for some crankee's if you ever see the truck! one thing crossed off my bucket list for the summer! 

j. crew top, skirt and sandals, LEONA necklace (below) 

LEONA tube necklace, available at LEONA nashville

the sample sale at LEONA is getting closer and closer! come shop on 12 south this weekend for some luxurious clothes at amazing prices!

xoxo,
clp

on-trend: drapey and wide-leg pants and shorts, OOTD

unless you have been living under a rock, then you have noticed that drapey, wide-leg, pajama style pants and shorts have taken the fashion world by storm. it was on the runways, has been seen on celebrities and in magazines and now its in my closet! i'm not complaining either because my clothes just got a whole lot more comfortable. usually a silk or similar fabric, pajama-trend dressing is everywhere you look. from matching sets to separates, the pajama-trend is adaptable for lifestyles and body types. however, the pajamat-rend is not about looking like you rolled out of bed. pieces are still tailored to perfection and made to look put-together and chic. the trend is about the ease of the silhouette, the idea of pajamas.

my personal favorite take on the trend is drapey pants - i own at least three pairs now! but they are so versatile and easy to throw on that one was not enough! below are my favorite drapey, wide-leg pants and shorts, along with today's OOTD, featuring drapey pants that are right on trend!

LEONA sylvia pant

LEONA slyvia short

j. crew drapey drawstring pant

tory burch domino pant

j. crew linen tee, j. crew drawstring pant in cove floral, j. crew mid heel sandal

xoxo,

clp

p.s. LEONA's sample sale is this weekend! check out the event, LEONA's bi-annual SAMPLE SALE, on Facebook for all the details! 

LEONA SAMPLE SALE THIS WEEKEND

the best sale of the summer is back! LEONA's bi-annual sample sale is THIS WEEKEND at the LEONA Nashville store! stop by friday, saturday or sunday to get the best deals on our designer clothes! if you aren't in town, don't worry! you can still join in on the fun by calling the store (615.383.1293) or emailing us (info@leonany.com) with the names of the items you are interested in and we can assist you with the prices, availability and shipping! don't miss out on this great event! 

*Whats a designer sample sale? Samples are garment prototypes produced in very limited quantity and sizes for market trade shows. At the end of the pre-season they are rapidly sold at discounted prices to the public.

*Samples are usually a size 4 or Small but can run larger or smaller depending on the style.

xoxo,

clp

meatless monday recipe, OOTD

well this monday was 2/3 meatless... so i would say it was a mostly meatless monday! tonight for supper i made an amazing crockpot meal! however, i forgot to turn it on when i left the house this morning but luckily i have the best roomies (especially after i locked my self out of the house this morning at 5:30 AM without car keys in the rain and had to wake all of them up) and they switched it on for me so it was ready when i got home from work! y'all probably know i love mexican so i am always looking for healthy mexican options. one of my favorites veggie combinations for mexican is sweet potatoes and black beans! tonight's recipe includes both, along with some salsa verde to change things up a bit!

crockpot layered enchiladas

1 jar salsa verde

1 sweet potato, cubed

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

cumin, cilantro, onion powder, garlic powder and cayenne pepper, to taste

3-4 small corn tortillas

shredded mexican cheese

1. begin by spraying crockpot with non-stick spray. for this recipe, i used a small, 3 quart crockpot.
2. cover bottom of crockpot with salsa verde (probably about 1/4 cup). then place tortilla flat on top. 
3. evenly spread some black beans, sweet potatoes, and spices over tortilla. cover with another tortilla. repeat layering process until all ingredients are used.
4. pour remaining salsa verde over top tortilla. sprinkle with mexican cheese.
5. cook on low for 4-6 hours, until cheese has melted and sides of the top tortilla begin to crisp up.

today's outfit was completely LEONA! i even styled it from the pages of our line sheets! i love the grace shorts in party plaid because they are seasonless and the fabric is exquisite! 

LEONA top and shorts, tory burch flats

also check out how to wear LEONA's essential rope chain necklace, featured today on LEONA : nashville's facebook! i am going to have to add this little number to my jewelry box before summer is over! 

Rope Chain Necklace, 3 ways

xoxo,

clp

friday fun, saturday smiles OOTD

happy sunday y'all! how has your weekend been? my weekend has been absolutely wonderful. i can't even put it in words! 

friday was friday-funday. it started with a great hour long spin ride at the Y then a trip to the grocery. a stroll up and down 12 south was nice and then a lap around target (an expensive lap) were both enjoyable as well. i did some shopping in downtown franklin (expensive as well) until i met my mama and daddy for dinner at gray's on main! we had the cornbread skillet with bacon butter as an appetizer and it was yummy in all of our tummies! i ordered one of the best cobb salads i have ever had. while it wasn't necessarily a healthy salad, it was still to-die-for with its toppings of avocado, a deviled egg and watermelon relish! mom ordered the nashville hot chicken which i will say was quite hot but tasty and daddy got the shrimp and grits which looked fab as well! the presentation of everything was great but i will say the service was a little lacking! however, it is certainly a place i would recommend (make reservations though) and one that i want to go back and try out the lunch and sunday brunch menus! after gray's, we splurged and treated ourselves to iveycake with coffee! a cheat day was long over due!  

yesterday i worked the LEONA + Brittany Fuson Pop-Up party! i love brittany's illustrations and she and lauren leonard of LEONA have both inspired me to start drawing again! i bought two of brittany's prints, "berry bouquet" and "cover girls" (both below) to adorn the walls in my apartment! there were so many prints that it was hard to choose which ones i wanted but these two had red-heads in them so they were a must! one day i hope to have her do a custom illustration! she is not only extremely talented but so sweet as well and i loved getting to meet her and talk with her during the party! check out her products online at www.brittanyfuson.com! 

"berry bouquet"

"covergirls"

(images property of brittany fuson, courtesy of [ brittany fuson ] on Pinterest)

i think the pop-up party was a hit for both LEONA and Brittany Fuson! i really enjoy working the store and everything about my internship. i couldn't be happier where i am right now and with what i am doing. the people who surround me are amazing, talented and passionate about what they do. this summer is truly a learning experience - i am less than one month in but have learned so much and know i have so much more to learn. i feel like i have found my niche and know that i am headed in the right direction. 

yesterday's outfit was of course LEONA. my LEONA collection is growing more and more each week which i love but my wallet does not (even my phone case is now LEONA)! it is well worth the price though - everything about each piece is top-notch and luxurious. nothing leaves the store unless it is perfect! my dress yesterday was from a few seasons ago but still current, which is another great thing about LEONA. the designs are timeless and can be worn season after season! i paired the tippy dress with some black stripy j. crew midi heels and was ready to work! 

LEONA dress, j. crew sandals, kate spade bangles, tory burch logo earrings 

i'm not sure what is in store for this lovely sunday! i am going to go on a quick run soon before it heats up then i'm not sure what i will do with my day off! i may treat myself to a single-girl movie or i may soak up some sun! i hope you all spend your sunday doing what you love with the ones you love! 

xoxo,

clp

summer pasta recipe

can the sun please come out of hiding soon?! i am tired of this dreary weather! after being woken up last night by the crazy thunder and lightning, i am hopping for some sunny skies in the next few days! tonight for supper i made a new recipe! i was in the mood for something summery and this creamy pasta recipe was just the ticket! avocados are substituted for cream in this recipe, filling us with healthy fats as well as other nutritional benefits! serve this up with a side salad and you have a yummy, healthy summer meal, ready in just minutes!

creamy avocado pasta

1 cup (or two servings) dry whole wheat penne

2 chicken tenderloins, cooked in grill-pan/skillet

sliced roasted red bell pepper

1 avocado

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 cloves garlic

1 tbsp olive oil

fresh basil, optional

pepper, to taste 

parmesan cheese, for serving

1. cook pasta according to package directions 
2. while the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. combine the avocado, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, basil and pepper in a food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy.
3. when pasta is done, drain. split between two bowls. half the sauce between each bowl and top pasta with chicken, roasted red bell peppers and cheese! 
4. serve immediately! 

(slightly adapted from oh she glows)

i am happy that it is the weekend for me! i do have to work on saturday (come see me!) but i am still looking forward to some downtime nonetheless. my roomies and i are wanting to go see the fault in our stars so i hope we are able to do that! tomorrow i am hanging out in lovely downtown franklin with my mama and daddy so i am excited to see them! however, right now this red head is tired and is going to spend her evening reading and getting everything all caught up! this week has been a bit busier than normal so i am happy for some breathing time! 

xoxo,

clp

double dose OOTD

today is a special treat! a double dose of OOTDs! i wasn't able to post yesterday's outfit until today so i am posting it along with today's outfit! last night i was a night owl for once and went to craig wiseman and friends stars for second harvest fundraiser concert with two of my roomies! it was fun getting out downtown and seeing some great artists like florida-georgia line and the minds behind all the hit songs! 

kate spade sleeveless buttondown, j. crew gingham jeans, lands end sandals, kate spade bangles

tory burch tunic, AG denim jeggings, j. crew sandals

i also modeled some lovely new arm candy from LEONA on Facebook this week and chose some of my picks for what to wear to CMA fest as well! check out the links below for some lovely LEONA finds! 

Favorite LEONA outfits for CMA Fest 

LEONA wrap bracelet, ID bracelet 

and don't forget about the LEONA + Brittany Fuson Pop-up Shop this Saturday! Come sip and shop with me! finish the week strong y'all!

xoxo,
clp

monday glasses OOTD

LEONA scribble squares peplum, j. crew black pixie pants, kate spade leopard flats, kate spade bow bracelet, kate spade glasses 

xoxo,

clp

happy june & LEONA fall preview

happy june 1st y'all! i have been meaning to post all weekend but am just now getting around to it! i can't believe may is over and we are now starting the month of june! time really does fly by!

so i seriously have the best brother in the world. he came to nashville on his day off friday and trimmed our bushes (that were really a jungle) in the heat! all out of the goodness of his heart! i did cook him something for supper i thought he would enjoy, BBQ chicken cornbread pie (courtesy of she wears many hats) with watermelon and treated him to las paletas, the amazing popsicle place a few steps from my back door (dangerous), for dessert! i got the hot chocolate with chili and what an interesting flavor! it was super yummy though! phillip got the strawberry banana pineapple flavor which was good too! i really appreciate everything he does for me! he certainly gets the award for the best big brother in the world and i don't know what i would do without him!

yesterday i went home for the day to hang out with my mama! she had surgery last week so has been at home all week and i thought she may want a fresh face! she is recovering quite well and we are already having trouble getting her to sit still (wonder where i get it from?!). i spent the day with her and cooked them some pasta with bolognese sauce courtesy of skinnytaste and we finished the meal off with some delicious homemade peppermint ice cream! i may be boring but just spending the day at home with my parents and cooking for them is one of my favorite things to do!

i mentioned a few days ago about LEONA's upcoming fall collection and how fabulous it is. lauren leonard, the designer, has pinned a few items as a preview on pinterest that i happen to have seen the samples of and they are amazing. i love the leopard print, hand-drawn by lauren herself, and all the deep, jewel-toned colors! there are also some other great prints that will be revealed later that i love as well! i hope to see them hanging in my closet this fall! every piece transitions well from fall to winter and all can be worn to suit a variety of needs and styles! LEONA is also debuting a new label this fall and it is so chic, just like the brand! below are just some of my very favorites from the fall collection! the pre-fall items should be in store in july so come shop with me before i head back to knoxville!

the friday frock in custom tan safari print

paige pocket tee with easy silk short

essential blouse and easy pant

the perfect ponte dress

very v blouse in color-blocked black and garnet 

tuesday tier dress in garnet

(all images courtesy of LEONA FALL 2 0 1 4 on pinterest)

also, this coming saturday, LEONA is hosting a Brittany Fuson Pop-Up Shop! come join the LEONA ladies and Brittany Fuson for a pop-up party complete with prize giveaways and gifts with purchase! 

hope to see y'all there!

xoxo,

clp