month recap + greek yogurt hummus

well, it seems that september has come to an end. where did it go? as one of the busiest months i have had for a while, i think i just blinked and it was over. its been a month full of hard work with school and some fun. i am trying to enjoy every moment i have with my friends as a senior and still working on loosening up some. i still love living in my apartment! i had the best time hosting a wine and cheese party a few weeks ago and can't wait for my florida-weekend visitors on friday!

after a week that was equal to finals last week (3 tests, 36 hours), i packed a bag and set my sights on murfreesboro. a weekend at home was just what i needed. putting everything about knoxville away for the weekend, i had a really good time at home with my family (and even the zoo animals). the old soul that i am just wanted a simple weekend and that is what i got... pancakes for breakfast saturday, a farmer's market trip, a [heartbreaking] football game from the couch and a pot of taco soup were perfect. i got to see both grandmothers, cousin and family friends! though i always hate going back to knoxville, i will see my mama on thursday and then everyone else on friday so leaving wasn't so bad this time!

i have been wanting to share this recipe for quite some time but am just now getting around to it. oil free and super low fat, this hummus recipe comes together in a flash and is perfect for healthy game day snacking! dip with veggie chips, pretzels, or homemade pita chips!

greek yogurt hummus

2 cloves minced garlic

1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained

1/3 cup non-fat, plain greek yogurt

1/2 tbsp water

1 tsp lemon juice

1. put all ingredients in food processor or blender. pulse to get started and then blend/process until smooth. 
2. best served chilled. 

(slightly modified from Cook The Story)

have a happy monday, y'all! 

xoxo,

clp

buttermilk bread + variations

i have made it through one of my hardest weeks so far of the semester! yesterday i consumed probably unhealthy amounts of caffeine (in coffee and green tea form) but i made it through the day. and i'm not even going to lie - last night i was in bed by 9. granted, this week workouts are coming dark and early at 5:30 to make sure i get it in, but for my age, 9:00 PM is an early bedtime.

anyway, i wanted to share with you a recipe that is simple and quick: buttermilk bread! instead of studying this weekend, i chose to make 3 different variations of this bread and could not be more pleased with how it turned out. below is the basic buttermilk quick bread recipe. listed below are sweet and savory variations to try out! the recipe makes 1 loaf of bread in a standard 9x5 loaf pan - but feel free to divide into mini-loaf pans to try out different variations (just be sure to adjust cooking time!).

buttermilk quick bread

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon Splenda

1.5 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

1 large egg

1/4 cup (2 oz) unsalted butter 

*ingredients for variations, if desired (below)

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees. spray loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. 
2. mix together first six ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. in a separate bowl, melt the butter and mix with buttermilk and egg. 
3. pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and mix until a wet batter is formed. be careful not to over-mix. 
4. add in mix-ins for flavor variations if desired. 
5. even pour the batter into the loaf pan. bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
6. allow to cool before serving. baked loaves can also be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen. 

variations:

• cranberry and walnut: add 1/2 cup craisins, 1/2 chopped walnuts, 1 tsp vanilla
• pesto and cheese: add 2-3 tbsp pesto of choice and 1/2 cup shredded parmesan 
• jalepeno and cilantro: add 1 small can diced jalepenos/green chiles (depending on heat preference), fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup cheddar cheese 
• your choice of herbs and spices 
• your choice of nuts, dried fruit, etc. 

(slightly adapted from the kitchen)

there are so many different ways to serve and make this bread. i made the pesto variation and made cheese toasts with it to have beside tomato soup! i also crumbled some one night to use as crumbled croutons atop an italian skillet bake recipe. i plan to have my cranberry and walnut loaf toasted with cream cheese and fruit and then my basic loaf with no variations will be perfect for chili! 

this weekend i am headed home to the Murf for some time away from knoxville. after a busy and stressful past few weeks, i am ready for some hometown-time. we already have plans to try out the pfunky griddle for breakfast saturday and drop by the last farmer's market on the square before plopping on the couch with stella to watch the UT at Georgia game. white chicken lasagna with butternut squash, taco soup, and jalepeno cornbread are all on the menu for the weekend ahead! its looking like its going to be a good one!

xoxo,

clp

monday must-haves

fall is in the air and and in the stores. neutrals, deep fall colors and cozy sweaters are filling racks, plaids and mixed textures are on every mannequin. i was originally planning on just doing an october style guide favorites from j. crew, but after some online shopping (i should be studying), i discovered some other finds i wanted to share with you on my monday must-haves list!

target french blue over the knee boots, navy

j. crew cropped jacket and plaza skirt in stripe tweed

madewell varick trousers

madewell sash shorts

j. crew dutch floral pant

madewell denim crop tank

j. crew oversize stripe turtleneck

j. crew structured necklace tee

vera bradley satchel in cobalt

aerie skinny jogger

i may be a bit MIA on here this coming week as it is the hardest week of the semester thus far... 3 tests and 3 group projects have me stressed to the max! still, i know it will all be worth it when i am home in murfreesboro for a weekend away friday! heres to a good week! 

xoxo,

clp

p.s. nashville shoppers: madewell opened last week at the mall of green hills! go visit j. crew's sister store as soon as you can!

september shopping list

after a busy day of class, workouts, homework, cooking for today and tomorrow (its a super busy day) and coffee-ing with a friend (whom i am obsessed with - so glad we made the time to hang!), i am mentally and physically exhausted! a little retail therapy should help with that though right? i mean, i can do it from my couch and it doesn't require too much brain power at all! so, with fall weather beginning to make its appearance, here is my september shopping list, complete with fall trends you will want to be wearing as soon as you can!

LEONA jess jacket

LEONA semi circle skirt

LEONA not so basic blouse

kate spade autumn leopard fit and flare dress

vince camuto tie neck peplum blouse

j. crew collection draped silk popover

j. crew merino wool pocket tunic

j. crew classic silk blouse

i think that is all my brain can muster for now! as always, the shopping list grows more and more, even as i post these! stay tuned!

xoxo,

clp

pumpkin granola for fall

homemade granola is one of my go-to's for breakfast, yogurt toppings or dessert toppings. i have posted recipes for both good, ole, simple granola and for peanut butter granola previously, but today i am putting a fall twist on my classic granola recipe: pumpkin! many people don't think they like pumpkin, but they just haven't given it the chance! it is a most delicious fall flavor, and has nutritional benefits to boot! this morning for breakfast, i had some of this pumpkin granola with kefir, a banana and blueberries (of course, i sprinkled some more pumpkin spice and cinnamon on top). it was so good, perfect for this cool, fall morning! also, it kept me quite full through my barre3 workout and chores around my house!

pumpkin granola

2 cups oats

2 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp splenda brown sugar blend

1 t vanilla 

2 tbsp coconut oil, melted (or vegetable oil)

1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice seasoning

1/2 tbsp cinnamon 

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

1. preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. mix together all dry ingredients then mix in wet ingredients. toss to coat everything evenly. 
3. spread the granola on a cookie sheet (make sure you have sprayed it with non-stick pray!)
4. bake for 30-40 minutes, turning every 10 minutes or so, until granola is crisp. 
5. allow to cool and store in an airtight container. 

(slightly adapted from joyful healthy eats)

nuts and dried craisins would also be excellent additions to this recipe! enjoy it over yogurt, with kefir or atop a warm apple for dessert! 

last night, i hosted a lovely (if i do say so myself) wine and cheese party for my pledge class! we all really enjoy our time together when we actually get together and last night was just perfect. entitles "bring your own bottle," everyone brought their poison of choice and i supplied the munchies! the menu included a bacon cheddar cheese, asiago with rosemary and olive oil cheese, brie as well as white cheddar cheese, an olive tapenade, spicy mustard, turkey summer sausage, apples, grapes, carrots, celery, crackers, baguette slices, trader joe's no-guilt kale and spinach artichoke dip and some brownie bites to top everything off! i really enjoyed everyone coming over to my apartment and getting to host! i'm thinking there may be fondue night, beer and pizza night, margs and mexican night in pledge class '11's future! 

tonight the vols are squaring off against oklahoma and i have a crockpot full of chili ready and cornbread ready to go in the oven just before kickoff! go big orange (stella is ready for the game too)!

xoxo,

clp 

nyfw - favorite looks

i already posted some of my favorite looks from the kate spade and j. crew spring shows, but i couldn't limit myself to just those two, even if they are two of my favorite lines. between classes (and yes, i did watch one live stream DURING class - oops) and battling this late summer cold that has brought me down, i have found myself poring over the photos from new york fashion week. spring, you are going to be fabulous, and wallet, you are warned.

so what was on the spring runways in new york? crops tops are here to stay another season, this time paired with light, airy, high-waist midi-skirts and fabulous high-waisted pants. gingham was out and about, staying sweet but with a modern edge with cutouts for spring. the slouchy trend was all over the runway, with light spring layers ready to blow in the spring breeze. skirts were all the rage, with designers making them long, short and every length in-between. matching separates took the stage in structured and loose silhouettes.

lela rose

lela rose 

diane von furstenburg

diane von furstenburg

diane von furstenburg

michael kors

michael kors

michael kors

michael kors

oscar de la renta

oscar de la renta

zac posen

jenny packham

jenny packham

(all images via fabsugar) 

spring is going to be coming up roses. 

xoxo,

clp

nyfw - j. crew spring 15

jenna lyons and her team at j. crew can do no wrong. for their presentation at new york fashion week, they, like many other designers, whisked away to a warm, faraway place. "come sail with us?" you ask, j.crew? why, of course, especially in your ocean inspired colors and clothing fit to blow in the sea breeze. and don't forget the classic j.crew light layers, a sequin shirt and crisp blazers to allow for whatever spring may throw at you.

(all images via fabsugar)

my bags are packed and ready to go.

xoxo,
clp

double restaurant review & book review

this past weekend, i ate well. home game weekends are always hard on the waistline (but not on the tastebuds) because the family comes in and we spare nothing when it comes to food! keep reading to see what i thought of two local knoxville restaurants as well as a book i recently finished!

• bistro by the tracks: since saturday was a special occasion (phillip's birthday), i made us reservations at a nicer restaurant following the game. like other aubrey's family restaurants, it did not disappoint. while pricier than most, the food was worth every cent. from their summer menu, i ordered the yellow peach tomato gazpacho and the wedge salad. both were delicious and a perfect light meal after a day in the heat with the bread served as well. the best thing, however, was what both my mom and grandmother ordered: the grilled pork chop, which came on a bed of greens and grits and with a gouda crust and whiskey peach sauce. i would highly recommend bistro by the tracks to anyone looking for fine dining in knoxville. the menu changes seasonally and the food is made with local ingredients! 
• gourmet's market & cosmos cafe: gourmet's is the perfect local breakfast and lunch spot. on sunday, we awoke early and headed to gourmet's for breakfast after hearing how good it was! the reviews are on point: even my simple oatmeal was out of this world! the coffee is hot, the eggs are fried and the grits are good. stop by there for lunch too, as their lunch menu looks deliciously good too! 
• the husband's secret by liane moriarty: a novel about three different women put in three different, but all difficult situations, moriarty keeps the pages turning. the characters and back stories of each are thoughtfully developed and the writing is exceptional. a page turner that is hard to review without giving too much away, i would recommend this book to anyone looking for a little bit of mystery, heartbreak and an ending that weaves everything together. the only thing i didn't like about the book was that it ended! 

so that's two restaurants off my "knoxville eats" list and one book off my reading list! happy monday y'all - the longest day of the week is over!

xoxo,

clp

nyfw - kate spade spring 15 collection

a busy weekend it was but fun nonetheless! it was family weekend here in knoxville as well as phillip's birthday yesterday! celebrating the vols win and 25 years of phillip with my family was the best way to spend the weekend!

new york fashion week started last week and of all the collections i have browsed through, kate spade spring 2015 collection is by far my favorite! as usual, kate spade whisked us away somewhere exotic and this coming spring, kate spade will be dressing us for a lovely garden party! the collection is gorgeous, complete with everything "spring" you can think of: wicker, eyelet, florals, brights and stripes! some of my favorites are below, and see all of the collection here!

(all images via kate spade fashion week: behind the curtain)

can i just get one of everything in my size! please and thank you! 

xoxo,

clp

single-serving tortilla quiche recipe

who doesn't love breakfast for dinner?! i could eat breakfast every meal of the day and sometimes i actually do! this recipe turned out delicious! i wanted something healthy and light and this was just the ticket. next time, i plan to top it with some sliced avocado. you could even add in crumbled bacon, black beans, or chorizo if desired. 

single serving tortilla quiche

1/2 sweet potato, shredded

1 jalepeno, chopped

handful kale

1/4 onion, chopped

1 large egg

3 tbsp egg whites

3 tbsp non-fat plan greek yogurt

cilantro, pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, cumin, etc., to taste

1 large low-carb whole-wheat tortilla (i used la tortilla factory)

shredded cheese of choice, for topping

salsa, for topping

1. preheat oven to 400 degrees. spray medium-sized casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and press into dish, lining the dish. set aside. 
2. using a non-stick skillet, sauté seasoned as desired sweet potato, jalepeno, kale and onion until soft. when cooked, spread mixture evenly onto the tortilla "bowl". 
3. in a small mixing bowl, mix together egg, egg white, and greek yogurt. pour evenly over vegetable mixture. top with cheese.
4. bake for 15-20 minutes, until egg is set, cheese is melted, and edges of tortilla "crust" are crisp.
5. allow to set for ~5 minutes, then serve, topped with salsa!

(slighted adapted from immaeatthat) 

xoxo,
clp

target: on target for fall

target may be my achilles' heel. i have been too many times to admit since i have been in knoxville and each time, i come out with something i didn't go in for. still, i needed it all right?! this fall, target has yet the fashion bullseye (see what i did there?), especially with trendy items at great prices that may not be in your closet forever. and they have great basics and layering pieces for transitioning seasons. i also love their workout brand and i always make a trip through that section as well! so what have i added to my ever-expanding closet (i know i have a problem) from target? see the pictures below and then head to your closest target to see what is in store!

sam & libby ashland studded sandal

knit jumpsuit

split hem tee

high waist flare jean

before you go, make sure you have the target cartwheel app if you don't already! to date, i have saved over $100 using the app! its so easy to use and so worth it! happy shopping!

xoxo,
clp