Embracing the Unconventional

Photo credit

Another book I had hoped to get through but ended up skimming is Kim Barnouin's new book Skinny B*tch: Home, Beauty, & Style. In this book she highlights the gross gunk we encounter everyday that goes without our noticing. She gave some super helpful {and applicable} advice on minimizing the effect of toxins in our environment, cosmetics, and even the clothes we wear!


I had heard most of it from my mom here and there already, and honestly don't have the time or dinero to follow much of the advice given where I am now, but something to keep in mind when we are future apartment shopping, eventually start looking for a house of our own, and/or start talking babies {someday}.

It was overwhelming to read about all of the chemicals we encounter in our everyday lives, and if I were to obsess about it, would be able to worry all of the fun out of anything and everything, but it is definitely something to keep in mind when considering home goods purchses {and will definitely be vacuuming more often!}

All of this brings me to the picture above, with the beautiful, natural, lived in kitchen... and then I have to wake myself up and get back to reality. Life is wonderful right now, and I don't want to let myself wish our penny pinching, lovey-dovey low key weekends, or my reckless late night cramming sessions away for an instant!

We are making memories right where the Lord has us, and I wouldn't trade that for any amount of organic cotton sheets or butcher block counter tops :)

It's Spring Break! {and I'm Loving It!}

We were able to take a long weekend to St Augustine to visit my grandparents and see my sister and cousin while down there, such a good time all around! :)

We were SO thankful that DJ's sister was willing to add Peyton to her crew for the few days we were out of town {even if he is the most needy dog on the planet now, we can tell he was very loved on}.

{as you can see, we are making great headway on the laundry!}

Yesterday, I got caught up on errands galore, which made me feel super accomplished and on top of things, yet completely miss when I used to get paid to run other people's errands :P

And on top of those errands, I made it home in time to make my first meal/recipe using Quinoa!

I was pretty proud of myself because I am pretty good about trying new veggies and such, but those bulk bins at Earthfare always intimidated me. I usually go, get my flax seed, and wonder what all the rest of it is used for.

Anyways, I had this preconceived idea that buying dry grains or beans would make the whole cooking process much more time demanding, but with Quinoa, that was not the case.

I got home around 5 and by 7 had this delicious chili on our table!

I am back to eating vegan after I read The Kind Diet while in St Augustine, and am hoping to stick to my guns with it this time, no more back and forth wishy-washy-ness anymore!

Topped my bowl off with a dollup of vegan sour cream and we had a nice relaxing low key night at home :)

Yummy Ending to a Rainy Day

Such a wonderful weekend!

It started with learning to play Spades with our Sunday School class Friday night, and spending Saturday in Charleston on our friends "baby-moon" {thanks to beautiful weather!}.

Today was wonderfully restful and gave me the perfect opportunity to try a new recipe for dinner :)

Cilantro Lime Shrimp!

Recipe is from here and it was delicious!

We served it over brown rice and with a mixed greens salad, it was SUPER spicy and completely hit the spot!

Nice and casual cozy enjoying a cold rainy night!

This weekend served as a much needed break from classes, hope it was enough to hold me over until Spring Break :)

Hope you have a great week!

A Pinterest-y Idea

Oh Pinterest, if only I could make things as cute as I see them!

Here is the link to this sweet creation.

And here is mine

Definitely not as cute but it was my first attempt at celophane, so I'm pretty proud.

Planned on sticking the spoons in the bowl, but didn't want to open them, so went with second best :P

I have missed many a wedding shower living outside of Atlanta, but living in Columbia and actively involved in a newly-wed Sunday School class definitely has its perks.

Baby showers are coming up!

We are definitely not looking to go down the baby road right now, but I am loving getting to be a part of new friends adventures and blessings :)

Italian Popcorn!

I know there are a million different ways to fancy up popcorn, but here is one way I tried last night and LOVED! Added some parmesan on top and it was SO good! :)

Happy Thursday!

Happy Valentine's Day :)

Photo Credit

I hope everyone has a very special Valentine's Day,

focused on the people most important to you rather than the things that accompany this pretty pink and heart covered day :)

Sushi Wednesday!

I have had seaweed wraps in the pantry just waiting to be used for way too long!

I had never made sushi on my own before, and honestly, it was a lot of work for lunch for one person, but in the end it was delicious!

I filled the rolls with brown rice, avocado slices, slivered cucumber, and matchstick carrots... mmmm!

Followed directions from this blog

I put too much rice on the first roll, but by the second all of the kinks were worked out!

Not trying to go pro or anything, but I'm pretty proud of it :)