SJP Collection for Nordstrom

where did the month of february go? i know it is a shorter month, but it completely flew by. i feel like just yesterday we were betting on if the groundhog would see his shadow or not! nonetheless, it has been a busy, cold month and i am happy to see warmer days in the future!

this past week has been one of my busiest of the semester and it was exhausting. wednesday was the worst day and i may have hated the world that day (so i'm sorry if i came into contact with you) but the week improved greatly after test two of two was over yesterday. a good workout, healthy food and long phone calls with my mama did the trick and i am feeling much less stressed (coffee and a major to-do list helped out too). i am going to be quite busy from now until wednesday with school, alpha chi, and baseball games but if i can make through the week, i get to see my parents on friday! where oh where will we dine this time they are in town?!

today has been spent doing things i enjoy. i woke up and had a delicious, simple breakfast of granola, kefir, banana and sliced berries. i then went to Barre3 and it was quite the workout! i was quaking and shaking! after barre3, i went to target, where spring was in the air! i picked up a few easter goodies (i know its early but i just couldn't resist) and some spring decorations. after a trip to the grocery i dived into this recipe: King Cake Cupcakes in honor of Mardi Gras being next week. i had no idea how much of a process making king cake was! i am hoping they turn out good (i wouldn't know yet - still waiting on them to rise).

for dinner tonight is a simple but favorite recipe. i go by Eating Well's recipe for southwestern sauté with salsa grits but i always end up modifying it to whatever i feel like! its really good and i do always top mine off with a fried egg for some extra protein! tonight, i am adding some sliced avocado on top for some healthy fats and fiber!

one thing that was on my radar for today was Sarah Jessica Parker's collection for Nordstrom. the shoes are absolutely beautiful, but a little bit out of my college-girl budget. still, who wouldn't want a shoe inspired and named for carrie bradshaw?! look at the collection online and check out my favorites below! there are so many gorgeous shoes that it was hard to pick favorites, but there is definitely a shoe for every occasion!

"bobbie"

"lady"

"carrie"

"fawn"

(all images credit Nordstrom)

well, this post has gotten lengthy but thanks for sticking with me until the end! though it is one of UT's biggest social weekends, Boxing Weekend, i am staying in tonight! tomorrow i am working the baseball game at 2 (so if you are in knoxville, come out and see our vols who are undefeated as of right now!). i also have a big project due next week that i need to get a better understanding on so that is on my list as well as starting to study for my two exams next week. i think my teachers banded together to see how miserable they could make my life but in 15 days i will be on a boat in the bahamas! happy friday y'all and enjoy your weekend! 

xoxo,

clp 

mashed cauliflower recipe

short post today but i wanted to share this recipe with y'all before i forgot! its a great, lower carb alternative to mashed potatoes and really tastes good! pair with with any dish you would regularly put mashed potatoes with and you have got some added veggies! 

mashed cauliflower

1 package steam-in bag cauliflower florets

2 tbsp skim milk

2 wedges laughing cow garlic and herb cheese

pepper, garlic powder, to taste

1. steam cauliflower according to package directions. 
2. when done, place all ingredients in food processor or blend and process until desired consistency is reached.
3. serve immediately. 

(serves 2)

my brain is going in a million directions with everything that is going on so i may be MIA for a few days. however, i do have some things i want to share so i will try my hardest to make time to blog! all my teachers have banded together to make everything due in the next few weeks before spring break, so my planner looks like a pepto-bismal pink pen exploded on it... cross your fingers that i will come out alive! 

xoxo,

clp

j. crew march style guide favorites

lucky me, i got to see the newest style guide before j.crew even posted it on their pinterest thanks to my amazing personal stylist at green hills, katie. nothing better than some light reading à la j. crew! the march style guide is a work of art as usual and i am lusting over mostly everything! the collection is available tomorrow but i did get to try some things on last weekend while i was at the store and i was in love! here are some of my favorite looks from the collection! 

lattice medallion top, Campbell capri pant in lattice meallion, canvas and leather satchel bag and the Collection Ava summer stripe pumps

Perfect shirt in crosshatch linen, the Cubist print minaudiére clutch and the Valentina patent D'Orsay pumps

embroidered dolman tunic

peacoat and the keeper chambray shirt in dark rinse

Collection jeweled boyfriend tee, Collection wrap pencil skirt in photo lace, stripe market tote and the Collection Cleo cross-stich loafers

linen These Are the Days tee and the sunburst in stripe skirt.

(all images via j. crew's pinterest)

warmer weather get here soon! these clothes have me longing for higher temperatures and sunny days! spring fashion is looking good to me and i will post some other favorites from various designers soon! 

xoxo,

clp

pineapple BBQ pulled pork recipe

do i have to go back to knoxville/the real world today? i just love my weekends at home and wish they would never end! i am so lucky to have such amazing parents and a wonderful place to come home to! last night for supper we put a twist on the usual mexican and had pineapple BBQ pulled pork tacos! they were so good and we could not stop raving about the taste! the recipe is quite simple! daddy and i threw it all in the crock-pot before we left the house and by the time we got home, the house smelled delicious! try this recipe out over nachos, in a quesadilla, as tacos or in a salad!

pineapple BBQ pulled pork

3-4 lb pork buttroast, trimmed of fat and cut into large pieces

garlic powder

cumin

20 oz can pineapple chunks/tidbits

1/2 cup BBQ sauce

1 cup chopped onion (frozen works great)

1. place the trimmed buttroast in the bottom of a large crock pot. season generously with garlic powder and cumin. add pineapple chunks (and juice), BBQ sauce and onion to crock pot and stir to mix. 
2. cook on low for 7-9 hours, or until pork can be shredded easily. remove pork from crock pot, shred, then return to crock pot and stir to mix well.
3. serve with additional BBQ sauce if desired. 

(recipe slightly adapted from Iowa Girl Eats)

the recipe makes quite a bit, but it freezes well and is very versatile so leftovers can be fun! just make sure that your pineapple (i used libby's canned skinny fruit) and BBQ sauce are as low in sugar as possible and you will have yourself a protein-filled, healthy mexican recipe which is hard to find! 

it is so strange that the olympics are over tonight! unfortunately, i wasn't as into the olympics this year as i usually am. i still enjoyed watching the figure skating but just wish i had time to enjoy it more! i am heading back to knoxville this afternoon with a busy three weeks until spring break ahead of me. between tests and projects as well as alpha chi activities, working baseball games as a diamond girl and just usual life, these next few weeks are going to be packed to the brim! however, there is a light and it is the sunny skies of the bahamas on the cruise with my mama! have a great week everyone!

xoxo,

clp