case of cabin fever

safe to say i have a case of cabin fever! i have left my apartment twice in the past 5 days... and yesterday's outing was short-lived, as i almost took a tumbled on the sheet of ice that was once the sidewalk and almost had a panic attack trying to drive home because of the road conditions. clearly, i'm a southerner at heart and its just best for me to stay put!

i don't want to sound like i am complaining about being cooped up though. i have been much better off than most. one friend of mine is going on 56+ hours without heat. not much of the fun snow day you imagine when something like that happens. i have actually been pretty productive too. barre3 online and the workout room downstairs have been lifesavers for me! it has been a bit of a whirlwind for me since about last wednesday. between the job fair, interviews, mom and dad being in town (thank goodness for that much needed reprieve) and the chaos of snowpocalypse, having a few days to get everything sorted and organized has been nice. i have also done some online shopping dreaming of spring days and warmer temperatures. needless to say, cabin fever isn't nice on my wallet or my waistline (i certainly put the "fat" in fat tuesday... and i made zucchini-banana bread muffins yesterday)!

today i am *carefully* (that's for you mom) headed home-home after my exam for a much needed break from knoxville. i need my stella and sapphire, my mom and dad and even my big brother! if the weather plays nice, i plan to have a little nashville jaunt with my daddy tomorrow for a job visit and some shopping! maybe a new spring shopping guide will come soon!

i walked outside this morning to get my early AM workout on and was blasted with 2 degree weather. that being said, i hope all my readers are staying safe and warm during this winter weather! bundle up in your cutest ski-cabin-lodge apparel, cozy up next to a fire and brew yourself something warm! i am  looking forward to the warmth of my fireplace at home as well as being surrounded with the warmth of my family! take the extra time you have this week to be with the ones you love and warm your heart!

xoxo,
clp

p.s. the first wave of pitchers and catchers report today and 22 days until spring break!

spring splurge vs. steal

long time no post! it has been a busy several+ days for me and i think my mind has had a million thoughts a minute. today's post is all about fashion on a budget! i love when i can find a good steal that looks almost like the designer splurge. some trends are such a quick fad that really investing in it isn't worth it, so its always great to look for similar styles that save you a little but still give you that same look!

floral pumps / manolo blahnik ($695) vs. kristin cavallari ($129.95)

structured bag / céline ($3100) vs. target ($39.99)

crop top + midi skirt set / milly top ($295) + skirt ($375) vs. vince camuto top ($99) + skirt ($129)

jelly bow sandals / valentino ($295) vs. dizzy ($29.99)

xoxo,

clp

get DRESSed up

i'm getting spring fever, so to tide me through these six more weeks of winter (according to my. groundhog) i am dreaming of warmer days spent in cool little dresses. my latest roundup all come from nordstrom, in right here, right now silhouettes. 

shift: jacquard shift / suede front shift

trapeze: spring poppy v-neck maxi

popover: polka dot popover / tippy satin popover / reversible jacquard shell & skirt

midi: plunge neck geranium silk faille dress

drop waist: stripe jersey dropwaist / floral print dropwaist 

xoxo,
clp

skinny cobb salad for one

healthy, full of protein, balanced and filling: words that describe this skinny cobb salad. get your dose of monounsaturated fats (avocado), protein (grilled chicken, bacon, hard boiled egg), vegetables (cucumber, tomato, onion), and good-for-you carbs (quinoa) without sacrificing the traditional cobb salad taste (bacon, blue cheese). make for lunch or as a light dinner. order up! 

skinny cobb salad for one

mixed greens (i used spinach & romaine)

4-5 grape tomatoes, halved 

4-5 slices cucumber

chopped onion

1/2 avocado, cubed

1 hard-boiled egg, sliced

1 chicken tenderloin

1 slice bacon 

1/4 c quinoa, uncooked

1 tbsp coarse-ground dijon mustard 
2 tbsp bolthouse farms chunky blue cheese yogurt dressing

1. cook quinoa according to package directions. allow to cool.
2. meanwhile, season chicken with black pepper, garlic powder and lemon pepper. cook in grill pan until done. cook bacon simultaneously until crisp.
3. combine all ingredients except dressing in large, shallow bowl. crumble bacon and cut chicken into slices. refrigerate until ready to serve
4. serve topped with blue cheese crumbles greek yogurt dressing. 

xoxo,

clp