friday fun

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

xoxo,
clp

just another tuesday and a recipe

today was absolutely perfect! of course, it began with my morning MAC trip which consisted of 45 minutes of cardio (stairclimber, elliptical and treadmill) and ab work.

after workouts, i then met my grandmother and cousins at Goodness Gracious Cafe, which may just be the best restaurant in murfreesboro! they serve breakfast, brunch and lunch and the mushroom burger i can't seem to stray from is to die for. i didn't see one thing come out of the kitchen that didn't look delicious. i always love having lunch with my mawsie (my grandmother on my mom's side) and my cousins.

OOTD

louis vuitton bandeau worn as headscarf, tory burch logo earrings, j. crew dress, tory burch sandals

mawsie, erin and i also went to target for a quick trip but ended up being there for over 2 hours. we had so much fun picking out clothes for my younger cousins and for ourselves! i had to practice some self-constraint but ended up getting some workout wear! everything target has, from clothes to home decor, is adorable and i know i'll be back at target soon enough! 

i came home to a surprise again today (i love my surprises). my grandmother on my dad's side had dropped off the tomato relish and pepper relish she makes (with my dad's help on the pepper relish)! her relish compares to none and i am so lucky she shared it with us!  

colorful tomato and pepper relish from grandmommy

and last but not least, a recipe for y'all! we had these last night served over cornbread made in the waffle iron (so good!) with a side of Central Texas Slaw and watermelon! i first had these beans at one of my best friend's birthday suppers and had to ask for the recipe! it comes from a friend that we consider part of the family, talented-portrait artist, Mary Miller Veazie. it is a true southern summer dish that can be served as an entree or a side and is perfect for a potluck or bbq! so without further ado, i bring you Mrs. Veazie's Cowboy Baked Beans!

Cowboy Baked Beans

1 lb extra lean ground beef

1/2 lb reduced-sodium bacon

1/2 C chopped onion

53 oz can of baked beans

15 oz can of lima beans

15 oz can black eyed peas

1/3 C ketchup

1/2 C brown sugar*

2 TBS vinegar

1 TBS dry mustard

Pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Brown ground beef & sauté onions. 
3. Cook bacon until crispy and crumble.
4. Dump all ingredients together in large, deep casserole dish and stir together. 
5. Bake covered for at least 45 minutes or until hot throughout.  

*I used 1/4 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend

xoxo,

clp