rainy days are for reading

have you looked at the weather forecast for this week? hopefully the old saying "april showers bring may flowers" is true, and after this week, it looks like may will be quite flower-ful. with all this rain coming, all i want to do is curl up on the couch with my kindle and dive into another world. its the perfect escape without leaving the comfort of your dry home! i wanted to share with y'all the past several books i have read (i know, its been a while since i posted a book review)! from beach reads to thrillers to thought provoking novels, i have been turning the pages! these are all great for getting your summer reading list together!

suspense / sleep tight (++) / the girl on the train (++)

chick lit / prada and prejudice (+)  / to all the boys i've loved before (+)

historical fiction / whistling past the graveyard (+) / all the light we cannot see (+++)

i'm starting to get my summer reading list together and it just keeps growing! luckily, i have quite a long plane ride to hawaii in my future so i will be needing some good books to keep me occupied! 

xoxo,

clp

spaghetti squash pizza crust + book review

pizza: the ultimate cheat meal. i'm not the biggest pizza person, but when i want it, i want it. i have had a hankering for pizza the past few weeks, but i still wanted to try to maintain some sliver of health to my meal. i love making pizza on flat-out wraps, but i have had a spaghetti squash on my hands that has been waiting to be cooked so i opted to try a new, low-carb alternative: spaghetti squash pizza crust! i have tried cauliflower pizza crust, but it was a pinterest fail. this recipe was a success though! now if you like deep dish or crispy crust and crust is half the reason you love a slice of pizza, this isn't for you. however, the sauce and veggie toppings are my favorite part of pizza so this was perfect! tonight i just stuck with marinara sauce and turkey pepperoni with a sprinkling of parmesan and it silenced my craving!

spaghetti squash pizza crust  

1 cup cooked spaghetti squash

1/4 cup part-skim or fat free ricotta cheese

3 tbsp whole wheat flour 

pepper, garlic powder, to taste

1. preheat oven to 400.
2. combine all ingredients in bowl and stir until nicely mixed. 
3. pour mixed "dough" onto a parchment paper (this is important!) lined cookie sheet (or pizza pan) and shape into a circle. make it as thin or thick as desired.
4. cooke for 20-30 minutes, until edges are crisp.
5. remove pizza from oven, top with your favorite toppings and put back in oven to bake. 
6. pizza is finished when cheese has melted to your liking!

serves one

(slightly adapted from skinny girl standard) 

i also wanted to recommend a book i just finished, the good girl by mary kubica. what a suspenseful, page-turning novel. if you liked gone girl, then put this one on your reading list. you won't be able to put down the story of a one night stand turned into kidnapping with a love story and unbelievable twist at the end. the novel is a roller coaster of emotions and a puzzle from the very beginning. if you are in the mood for a thrilling, gets your heart beating mystery, read this ASAP! 

xoxo,

clp 

good reads

i am lucky that i was given the "enjoy reading" trait in my family. i, like my brother, mom, grandmother and many other family members can't put down a good book. because i now have a kindle, and have for about a year, i find that i read more than i did before. i love the portability and slim design of the kindle, it fits easily in my purse and on the treadmill reading ledge. i also get some daily reads delivered to my inbox. right now, i just get two which is more than enough along with the other emails i receive (i'm on about every store's mailing list). keep reading for my most recent book review, my favorite online publication, and my two daily reads that come straight to my inbox!

• three wishes by liane moriarty: i picked this novel out after i read moriarty's other novels (the husband's secret and big little lies). like her other books, this one did not disappoint. the book follows three triplets who when together, share laughter, thrills and chaos and apart each have their own trials and tribulations. from fork throwing to affairs, the reader follows the three sisters as they grow older and up and the life of a forever-together trio. the novel opens with a prologue that is explained in later chapters and keeps the pages turning. i quite enjoyed the books with its clever plot turns and believe that you will too!  
• the skimm: the skimm is a daily email newsletter that gives you everything you need to start your day and be able to carry on an intelligent conversation about current events. i skim through it while sipping my morning coffee or walking to class and i feel relatively well informed 
• she reads truth: she reads truth is one of the newest things coming to my inbox, and one that i look forward to. it is a daily devotional for women to read together and to grow in christ. right now, the 'plan" is the advent, which i especially enjoy. it is an easy way for me to read the scripture and bring christ more into my life wherever i am since i can just pull it up on my phone each day! 
• matchbook magazine: matchbook is an online magazine i have been reading for a couple of years now and it is one of my faves! with the slogan "a field guide to a charmed life", it celebrates the "classics - shaken and stirred". from interviews to gift guides to fashion to decor and everything in-between, the magazine never ceases to inspire me to live the life i adore!  

i have been at home for the majority of this week since my first exam isn't until monday. tomorrow i am heading back to knoxville to study and finish up my second to last semester! i can't believe how fast it went by, but am looking forward to being home for the holidays! 

xoxo,

clp

healthier no-bake cookies + big little lies

can i get a "go vols"?! last nights game was just too much! i wish i could have been there, but with the weather, i was happy to watch the vols beat the gamecocks from the warmth of my apartment, complete with some chili and cornbread!

today i tried out a new dessert recipe (lord help me and my sweet tooth...)! no-bake cookies (or doodoo balls as i have been known to call them) are my absolute favorite cookies, but unfortunately what they do to my waistline is not my favorite. i have come across many recipes for "healthified no-bakes" and today i decided to test one out! they are still cooling on my counter, so i can't say how they taste, but they sure do look delicious!

healthier no-bake cookies

1 ripe banana, mashed

1 cup Splenda

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk

1/2 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)

1 tsp vanilla 

3 cups old fashioned oats

1. place all ingredients except vanilla and oats in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring & being sure to not let the milk burn. 
2. allow the mixture to melt together and to boil for 1 minute. remove from heat and let cool for 1 minute. 
3. stir in vanilla and oats until well-combined with mixture. 
4. drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool to room temperature. 

(slightly adapted from eating bird food) 

a week or two ago i finished liane moriarty's newest novel, big little lies. engaging from page one, the novel follows the politics of a coastal beach town preschool's parents. the book has both light and dark moments, leaving the reader shocked with each page turn. following three women at crossroads in their lives, big little lies is a clever take on ex-husbands, second wives, children and scandal, all centered around a schoolyard. add this to your library as soon as you can! 

xoxo,

clp 

"me before you" review

last week i finished the book "me before you". and this week has been so exhausting, i am just now getting around to telling you all about it. me before you by jojo moyes is the story of two individuals who couldn't be more different brought together. lou and will learn things about themselves and each other, in a heartbreaking, hilarious, never predictable novel. you will laugh, you will cry, and you won't be able to put the book down. moyes writes a complex love story with characters that capture your heart and stay there. it is a book you may want to read with tissues and in the end will leave you wondering what really is the "right" thing to do.

i'm sorry for the short and to the point post, but other academic (i guess those come first) things have me busy. this past week was filled with homecoming hours, homework and group meetings. luckily, come wednesday the minute my test is over, i will be headed home. a quick break will be nice. hopefully i will have some time this week to post some but if not, everyone have a fabulous weekend and cross your fingers for a "W" today! go vols!

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

boca loca + the vacationers + fro-yo

better late than never is the saying right? last week i ate supper at boca loca in hillsboro village with a friend and just realized i never posted my rants and/or raves about it! i also finished a book this past weekend that i wanted to tell y'all about!

• boca loca cantina and taco factory: located in hillsboro village next to cabana, boca loca is where i met one of my friends for supper last week. completely open air and with high-top tables, the restaurant has a cantina-like feel. on the menu were various kinds of authentic tacos as well as salads, house favorites and so many tequila choices that they span the entire length of the menu. we both ordered the zucchini salad and i added shredded pork to mine. the salad was delicious and a great change from the usual mexican salad. my favorite thing at boca loca was definitely their salsa! it has a slightly smoky taste to it and i used it as a dressing on my salad! my friend also ordered a margarita from the happy hour menu which she said was excellent! 
• the vacationers by emma straub: i finally picked up this book after seeing it on multiple summer reading list and bestseller lists. taking place in mallorca, spain, the novel is about the secrets, joys and jealousies that come to surface over a family's two-week vacation. it shows how we build ourselves up and tear others down, as well as the unbreakable bond that is family. the book has both its funny and sad moments, is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. i recommend you pick it up to round off your summer reading list. 

unfortunately, it seems i have caught a case of the summer cold. this is rare for me, as i don't get sick often, but i am really feeling subpar! with a congested head and a scratchy throat, the only thing that sounds good to me is some frozen yogurt! and, since we have a small frozen yogurt maker and enough blueberries for an army, i decided to make some blueberry fro-yo! with a waffle cone bowl and topped with more berries, i can't think of a better way to cure my summer cold!

blueberry frozen yogurt

3 cups plain fat-free greek yogurt

1/4 cup Splenda

2 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup milk

2 cups frozen blueberries, thawed slightly

1. in a mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients except blueberries.
2. pour mixture into ice cream maker. add in blueberries.
3. turn on ice cream maker and allow to churn until mixture is frozen.
4. scoop into freezer-safe container and freeze until ready to serve. 

cool off with this healthy, summer treat! and don't forget to top with your favorite toppings! 

xoxo,

clp

review: product, book, restaurant

busy day, whirlwind week! i am going to rattle off a quick post reviewing some of my new finds including a book, two products and a restaurant!

• frank coffee scrub: who doesn't love the smell of coffee?! if i could have a forever-brewing pot of coffee going just for the smell, life might just be perfect. anyway, with frank coffee scrub, you can smell like coffee, all while deep-cleaning your skin. my roommates turned me on to this stuff and i am so glad they did. frank targets dry skin, stretch marks, cellulite and other skin conditions like scars and psoriasis. i noticed just after one use that my skin was already softer and smoother (not to mention smelling great). i really do recommend ordering this product - i ordered the original to start off with but may have to try the other varieties soon! as frank says, "get naked, get dirty, get rough, get clean." 
• bumble and bumble surf spray: i have stick straight natural hair. little volume, very fine. in high school, my friend and i tried just about every wave-producing product in the store on my hair to give it a little something, but nothing ever worked. this past weekend i picked up a trial size bottle of bumble and bumble's surf spray since i had read so many great reviews on it. so far, i have been pleased with the results! my hair actually had some volume and body to it, as well as added texture! i still need to work with it some to really see if its worth the price but so far, so good! (*another product i may try in the future is Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray - another roommate recommendation!)
• the blonde theory by kristen harmel: i read this after being recommended it by one of my best friends. a great summer, light read that follows the classic girl can't find guys, tries all the wrong ones and then finally learns something about herself and finds the right one formula. predictable but funny, harmel brings new light to the common "blondes have more fun' stereotype. read this one if you aren't looking to stretch your thinking and don't mind listening to a whiny, yet successful main character.
• martin's bbq: BBQ in the south: a staple. while i have had my fair share of barbecue in this state, from east tennessee all the way to west, i find that nashville has the best. while edley's is still my absolute favorite, martin's is a close runner up. located on belmont boulevard, martin's is famous for their redneck taco, which of course i had to order. it did not let me down: the cornbread pancake, topped with bbq pulled pork and coleslaw (more vinegar-based than mayo, so a thumbs-up in my book) and then finished off with martin's signature dixie sauce (try all the sauces if you have a chance to go) was delicious and i ate every bite! those i dined with ordered the brisket which quickly disappeared off their plate as well! i definitely would go back to martin's anytime and encourage you go soon! 

thats all for now! happy tuesday to everyone, and a happy 21st birthday to my best friend today as well! 

xoxo,

clp

weekend recap + on the menu

i'm not sure what could have made this holiday weekend any better. the fourth of july went off with a bang (both literally and figuratively)! it was a perfect day spent with friends and family, celebrating my aunt and america! i of course overindulged in snacks and desserts, but you just can't resist homemade ice cream!

yesterday we went to the farmer's market on the square and stocked up on some homegrown veggies and fruits! the rest of the day was spent just relaxing after our busy friday (the calm after the storm) and then i cooked a delicious (if i do say so myself) all-american supper! i made some minute steak, mashed cauliflower, baked squash casserole and biscuits! we sliced some local tomatoes and cucumber to round out the meal! i also finished my book this weekend, reviewed below!

• book review: the one and only by emily giffin: i have loved emily giffin's other novels and they are all great, light reads so when this one came out in june i added it to my reading list! the novel follows a texas journalist in love with her hometown university's football program. through the wins and losses in both the main character's personal and sports world, emily giffin writes a page turner that is sure to hook you. definitely a great by the pool and ocean read for the summer! 

this coming week is going to be much more routine, which i am happy to say! nothing too major is going on, just the normal nashville life! the menu this week is looking delicious, especially since there is a trip to the pharmacy and loveless (for breakfast on saturday) in my future! 

• sunday - grilled eggplant caprese with white bean puree and salad: instead of using mozzarella cheese, i'm going to use all-skim ricotta cheese to change things up! 
• monday - leftover slawsa baked beans from the fourth with cornbread and fruit: nothing beats beans and cornbread! some sliced summer fruits will be served on the side! 
• tuesday - crockpot salsa chicken tacos with guacamole: this time i am making these using ousley ouch's peach habanero salsa! i bought it at the farmer's market and have been dying to try it! they make it with the peach truck's fresh peaches which are my favorite! i will also be slicing some fresh peaches to add to the crockpot as well! 
• wednesday - the pharmacy: i am so excited to eat here! a nashville institution apparently, i will be meeting some friends from school there for burgers! 
• thursday - spinach-herb pesto ricotta-spinach tortellini with chicken and salad: i always love pasta night! it is just an easy go-to for me that doesn't take much time or energy. i especially love barilla's ricotta and spinach tortellini because it is shelf-stable and a smaller size! 
• friday - better for you hamburger helper with a fruit salad: not sure why, but the hamburger helper craving has hit me again! i reduce the amounts of the recipe to make it single serving and it always hits the spot! 

looks like a yummy week to me! click the links above to see the recipes! on a side note, be sure to follow leona : nashville on instagram! yesterday my sale picks were featured! 

peppy peplum + frank shorts

i hope your fourth of july weekend went off with a bang as well! come see me in nashville this week and have a lovely sunday! 

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

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

senior status & a recipe

officially a senior in college! yesterday i bubbled in my last scantron of the semester and motored on home for summer! yesterday was like a marathon but i came out on top and all unpacked! for cinco de mayo we fixed upside-down salsa cornbread, homemade refried beans and homemade guacamole! it was the perfect welcome home supper (the angel food cake and fresh picked strawberries from valley home farm weren't too bad either)!

today was busy as well! i don't know why i always try to do everything the first few days when i get home but i always do! i hit up the MAC for a good workout and then it was on to running some errands, cleaning up the house and doing a bit of cooking! i also had to pack a load of things to take to my nashville apartment tomorrow. life has been a bit of a blur since i got home to be honest!

i did find time this afternoon to sit outside and paint my nails in OPI's "kiss me i'm brazilian" pink and finish allegiant by veronica roth. it was different than the first two in the divergent series in that it is told from two perspectives but it is just as gripping as the first two! this is a series that i am so glad i took the time to read! it is a great summer trilogy!

this post is short and sweet but i wanted to share that i was home from knoxville for the summer! tonight's supper is in honor of summer: BBQ pulled pork, corn, baked beans and watermelon! the BBQ pulled pork recipe is one of the easiest i have ever made and the house has smelled wonderful all day!

crockpot BBQ pulled pork tenderloin

1 trimmed 2 lb pork tenderloin

1/2 to 1 cup chopped onion

1 cup BBQ sauce (we like Sweet Baby Ray's)

garlic powder, to taste

1. cover bottom of crockpot with 1/2 cup BBQ sauce and onion.
2. place pork tenderloin in crockpot and cover with remaining BBQ sauce and season with garlic powder if desired. 
3. cook on low for 4-6 hours, until cooked through and tender.
4. shred tenderloin with two forks (i just did this in the crockpot) and stir to coat. 
5. serve on whole wheat buns with your favorite BBQ sides! 

(recipe courtesy of youbeauty.com)

xoxo,

clp

restaurant, book and movie review

well it was a fun night in the 865 last night... the weather service alert going off on my phone at 1:15 AM for a tornado warning was terrifying enough, not to mention the thunder, howling winds and lightning! usually storms don't bother me much but without my daddy to keep me safe, i did end up sitting in my bathroom for about 30 minutes and monitoring the storm on my computer - thank goodness for live streaming! thankfully, it ended up passing through without any damage! yesterday, i went on the ultimate girl date with kaitlin: target, movie, dinner and ice cream! it was really a good break from campus and the apartment though and got my mind off the exams that i am starting to study for today. i thought for my post today i would share with you my opinions on my recent reads, eats, and views!

• divergent by veronica roth: i started the book after i saw the movie which i hate doing but it was so worth it! i didn't think i would like the movie, much less the book but i was unable to put it down! it may be more of a young adult book, but the fast-paced plot, action and budding romance had me hooked! 
• insurgent by veronica roth: this is the second of the three books in the divergent series and just like the first one, i was hooked! the characters grow and mature in this sequel and the plot thickens in unexpected ways. the last part of the book was especially interesting and i have already downloaded the third book, allegiant, to my kindle! 
• the other woman: hilarious. this was on my must-see list for the summer and i am so glad i saw it yesterday. my friend and i laughed the entire movie and though it was funny, it was not stupid-funny. it was a great girl-empowerment movie with a comedic side! not to mention the clothes were fantastic! i would definitely recommend this to anyone, boy or girl! 
• cru bistro and wine bar: after the movie we were famished so we decided to try out cru! i had been to the one downtown for brunch but their dinner menu is completely different. they have a little bit of everything but not in the applebee's/TGI friday's way. cru's menu ranges from soups and salads to sushi and pizza, with an extensive wine list. the menu has a gourmet southern flair to it and something that everyone can eat. i ordered the tomato arugula salad which comes with sliced tomato, feta, cornbread croutons (OMG - must try to make!) and a peach-basil vinaigrette. i topped mine with some grilled chicken since it was my entree and it was delicious! i would certainly eat there again without hesitation! 

today is moving day part one! my mom and dad are the world's best because they are taking the time to drive up here and get a load of my stuff to move back home! i will move everything else when i come home after exams! they were also going to come see me as a diamond girl at the baseball game tonight but unfortunately the weather canceled the game. still, they are making the trip and taking me out to dinner so i can't thank them enough! my first exam is on thursday so the hard core studying begins as soon as i finish writing this! i hope everyone stayed safe last night with the weather and continues to be safe today as there is still a possibility for more storms! 

xoxo,

clp 

more reading & a recipe

i was quite the reader over spring break! having a kindle makes it so easy to read anywhere because it can fit into any bag and hold countless numbers of books! it also helped that i was on a ship with no outside world contact so i had no other choice! i finished the two books below and am starting john grisham's newest novel, sycamore row. mama read it while on the cruise and could hardly put it down!

• the silent wife by a.s.a. harrison: i read this book on the premise that it was similar to gone girl. i found that it was really interesting and often took surprising turns. harrison writes the novel from two points of view: her and him. the novel follows a couple at a bad place in their not-official marriage and the events that lead to the ultimate ending. the ending caught me off guard and the novel is expertly plotted. it caught my attention from page one! 

• girls in white dresses by jennifer close: i have picked this book up at the store multiple times and finally ordered it on my kindle before spring break! it has been a new york times bestseller since its debut and is a great, easy beach read. it tells the story of three different women, starting in their mid-20's, dealing with love and heartbreak, getting older, family pressures and career changes. with funny backstories and real-life situations, it is a book that is easy to relate to and makes for a great read. 

my book count for the year is now up to six which i think is decent since i also have to read for school! still, it is no where close to how many my mom has read! i am so glad i got at least some of her love for reading in me!

tonight for supper i made a semi-original recipe! it was inspired by whole food's recipe for lentil, butternut squash and collards pie but i modified it quite some bit so i could use ingredients i already had on hand!

black eyed pea, kale and butternut squash pie

3/4 cup black eyed peas

1 9-inch frozen whole wheat pie crust

1 cup cooked and mashed butternut squash (i used frozen) 

3/4 cup frozen kale

1/2 cup skim milk

1/4 cup goat cheese

1/2 cup egg substitute (not egg whites)

pepper and salt, to taste

pepper or tomato relish, chow-chow and hot sauce, for serving 

1. preheat oven to 400. 
2. in pie crust, layer squash, kale and black eyed peas. sprinkle with cheese.
3. combine eggs, milk and salt/pepper in a bowl and whisk until thoroughly mixed. pour egg mixture over pea mixture in pie crust. 
4. bake for 40 minutes or until middle is set. allow to cool before cutting into wedges. serve with pepper or tomato relish, chow-chow and/or hot sauce! 

i think swapping out black eyed peas instead of the lentils adds a nice southern touch! this would also be a great brunch recipe (easter and mother's day are approaching fast!). this week has beyond exhausted me. getting back into the groove after spring break was much harder than i thought! spring break was such a tease but thankfully there isn't much left of this semester. i am missing my mama and daddy, brother and pets very much and can't wait to see them next. i only had one class today so the weekend came early which i am very thankful for! this weekend is consisting of homework and studying (i have so much due next week), barre3, some UT basketball and some relaxation (even though i had a whole week of it last week). hopefully everything will go as planned!

xoxo,

clp

book reviews & leprechaun treats

one of my new years resolutions was to read more. i think i have done well so far since i also have academic reading i have to do for my classes. i have recently finished two books which were both superb! i definitely would recommend them both!

• The Great Santini by Pat Conroy: Pat Conroy is one of my favorite authors and though his books can be a bit dark, they are always great works of fiction. this one follows a marine family through the trials and tribulations of growing up with a marine father in south carolina. i really enjoyed reading it and want to read the new follow-up novel, The Death of Santini, next.
• Zelda: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler: i love any novel set in the roaring 20's so this one has been on my reading list for quite some time. though it is fiction, the characters and much of the story is based on the actual lives of the famous Fitzgerald family. it provides great insight into the troubled saga that was the life of f. scott fitzgerald and his wife, zelda. 

i always like to make festive meals and fun treats for holidays. since i won't be home on st. patrick's day this year, i decided to go ahead and make a fun dessert tonight in honor of the upcoming holiday! these are super simple and all i really did was take skinnytaste's low fat rice krispy treat recipe and changed a few ingredients!

st. patrick's day lucky charms treats

2 tbsp light butter spread

4 cups or 10 oz marshmallows

6 cups lucky charms cereal

1. spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside. 
2. heat a large saucepan over medium heat. melt butter and be sure to coat the bottom of the pan (spraying it with cooking spray wouldn't hurt either).
3. once butter is melted, add in marshmallows and stir until completely melted. remove from heat.
4. stir in lucky charms until completely coated. do this fast before the marshmallows cool! press into casserole dish and allow to cool before cutting (but they are super good if warm and gooey!)

tomorrow mom and i are off on our spring break adventure! we fly out of nashville tomorrow and will board the boat on sunday! i can't believe it is finally here! i am packed and ready to go and counting down until takeoff tomorrow. i promise to share our trip stories when i return home next weekend! here's to safe and happy travels! 

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

last saturday of break & a recipe

well the time has come. tomorrow i am heading back to foxy-knoxy. the weather is driving me back a day earlier than planned but i am putting my big girl panties on and dealing with it. while speed packing everything up today, i seriously hated my decision to bring the majority of my clothes home. unpacking is going to be a blast tomorrow that's for sure!

i haven't posted lately because of my mom and my newest addiction: Scandal. we are two seasons late jumping on the Scandal train but we are well on our way to getting caught up. we even gave up a trip to nashville just so we could stay home and watch it... can you say addicted much?! there are so many plot twists that each episode leaves us wanting to watch another! but really, if you haven't watched it before, seasons 1 and 2 are on netflix and i highly recommend it! and as a bonus, kerry washington's clothes are perfect and the dream working-girl wardrobe!

i have also been working on one of my new year's resolutions: to read more! i got a kindle for christmas and i absolutely love it! i really do think i am reading more because of my kindle! last week, i finished The Fault in Our Stars and while it was an excellently written story, i did not love it as much as it seems the rest of country does. still, it was a good read! i just started Beautiful Ruins the other night and am not very far into so it is a little slow right now!

tonight we are celebrating my dad's upcoming birthday a few days early since i will be back at school on his actual birthday. we are being quite gourmet in my opinion and are having lobster and steak, quinoa and kale stuffed portobello mushrooms and roasted brussel sprouts. my mama has made me a brussel sprouts lover over break and i am not complaining! our favorite way to cook them is shared below!

roasted brussel sprouts with goat cheese and cranberries

1 bag brussel sprouts, fresh or frozen

1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen

balsamic vinegar

garlic powder

pepper

goat cheese 

1. preheat oven to 350. spray a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. combine brussel sprouts and cranberries in casserole dish. pour desired amount of balsamic vinegar over (but don't drown them!). sprinkle garlic powder and pepper over brussel sprouts and cranberries to taste. stir to coat evenly. 
3. roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes. to serve, sprinkle with goat cheese. 

these are delicious and healthy! tonight i am not including the cranberries but other than that i am fixing them as listed above. we are making a light apple pie for dessert since it isn't dad's actual birthday! 

i have had the best absolute christmas break i could hope for. though i didn't do everything that was on my winter break bucket list, i don't think this break could have been more perfect. classes start wednesday and it is so strange that i will be starting the second semester of my junior year. i am excited to start classes that dive further into my major and can't wait to see all my friends! we also have a new roomie at my apartment whom i can't wait to start living with! with that being said, i have gone too long without watching Scandal so netflix is calling my name! 

xoxo,

clp