Recently Read

The Rachel Incident - Caroline O'Donoghue 
Loved this book! The main character's voice is so engulfing, and the metaphors hit like a gut punch. I'm an advocate of women's reproductive rights being universal healthcare and this story was a beautiful reminder.

The Last Letter - Rebecca Yarros

I was hooked on this one from the very start. Such a well-written novel about trust, atonement, and what it means to be family. I fell for the characters so hard, which made the ending break my heart into a million pieces.

Open Book (audiobook) - Jessica Simpson
As someone that watched "Newlyweds" as a teenager and adored Jessica Simpson for not only her amazingly talented voice, as well as her style and story, I enjoyed this audiobook. A peek behind the scenes from The Mickey Mouse Club to relationships and motherhood, it was especially entertaining with Jessica voicing it. 

The Social Climber - Amanda Pellegrino 
A story of friendship and revenge with chapters chronicling multiple ages and phases. Very entertaining and was not expecting the ending.

The Last Flight - Julie Clark
Suspenseful and thrilling tale of two women switching identities at the airport to escape their own lives.

The Woman In Me (audiobook) - Britney Spears
Michelle Williams should receive an award for narrating this book. I grew up with Britney Spears - "Baby One More Time" was my first CD, and my dance team did a recital performance to "Toxic." It was so sad to hear everything she has been through publicly and behind the scenes.

The Soulmate - Sally Hepworth

Page-turner about secrets and sacrifice. Love the dual narrators' perspectives with a timeline moving from past to present. 

The Summer I Turned Pretty / 3 Book Series - Jenny Han

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Super light-hearted + feel good about coming of age, first love and family.

Banana Pudding

Banana pudding is one of those nostalgic desserts that, when done right, totally hits the spot. For Easter yesterday, I used this recipe to make a delicious spring treat that my family loved! Light, not too sweet, so yummy & pretty! For such a simple recipe, the presentation in a trifle bowl really adds that wow factor!

ingredients

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 ½ cups ice cold water
1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups heavy cream
4 cups sliced barely ripe bananas
1 (12 oz.) box Nilla Wafers (I used a GF version)

directions

{1}
In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined - about 1 minute. Add the pudding mix and beat well - about 2 minutes. 

Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight. It is very important to allow the proper amount of time for the pudding mixture to set. It will be watery if you don't let it set long enough.

{2}
In a large bowl or stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until no streaks of pudding remain.

{3}
Dessert can either be made in individual portions or in a large glass bowl with 4-5 quart capacity (a 9x13 baking dish also works).

To assemble dessert, arrange 1/3 of the Nilla wafers covering the bottom, overlapping if necessary. Next, layer 1/3 of the bananas, and 1/3 of the pudding mixture. Repeat twice more, garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer. 

Cover tightly and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours - or up to 8 hours, no longer (because bananas will start to brown). Serve chilled and enjoy!

Outfits of the Month

What I wore in March. 

date night outfit

{mixed print bodysuit - vici // jeans - abercrombie // black heel sandals - target // fringe bag - tory burch}

striped sweater scarf

{black sweater tank - roxy // striped sweater scarf - bliss & belle // jeans - abercrombie // leopard sandals - loeffler randall // red bucket bag - tory burch}

mixed brights

{pink striped button down - loft // white jeans - express // sandals - target // mutli-color embroidered bag - tory burch}

soccer mom

{white ribbed tank - amazon // olive green button down - american eagle // denim shorts - target // black dodgers hat - anthropologie // sneakers - new balance // belt bag - gucci}

striped flares

{henley bodysuit - express // striped flare jeans - amazon // block sandals - target // bag - chloe}

neutral knit

{knit tank - vici // white jeans - levi's // sandals - target // bag - chloe}

sunshine yellow

{smocked top - target // jeans - abercrombie // woven sandals - dolce vita // straw bag - coach}

weekend errands

{striped tank - vici // leggings - amazon // sneakers - dolce vita // belt bag - gucci}

Cocoa Beach mural festival

{striped romper - o'neill // straw hat - brixton // lace-up sandals - t.j. maxx // belt bag - gucci}

bold maxi dress

{printed dress - dvf for target // straw bag - coach // aviator sunglasses - ray-ban}

Easter Bunny Cookies

Cookies are my love language and baking holiday versions are extra special. For Easter, I made my classic chocolate chip cookies with a festive spin by adding pastel m&m's in the shape of a bunny. They turned out so cute! Love the little crunch the candy shell added to an already delicious treat.

ingredients

1 cup (2 stick butter), softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 3.4 oz package of vanilla pudding mix
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 package of pastel m&m's

directions

{1}
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate m&m's by color. Cut some of each color in half to make the ears.

{2}
In a stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add eggs, one a time. Add in vanilla.

{3}
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the stand mixture. Stop halfway through to scrape down the bowl and ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

{4}
Add in the dry vanilla pudding mix. Sprinkle in the mini chocolate chips and fold in with a spatula.

{5}
Scoop dough with a 1-inch cookie scoop and place on a non-stick baking sheet at least one inch apart. Bake for 9-10 minutes until the edge are golden brown and the center is slightly undercooked.

{6}
As soon as you take the baking sheet out of the oven, you need to act fast to add the m&m bunnies before the cookies cool down too much and they won't stick. 

On each cookie, lightly press 2 whole m&m's side by side in the middle. Then gently place two halves of the same color, (chocolate side down) above the whole m&m to form the ears. Repeat for all the cookies. 

{7}
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in a air-tight container and enjoy at room temp or freeze for up to a month.

Save vs. Splurge

Everyone has different priorities when it comes to what they spend money on. I definitely have items that I look for deals on, and other areas that I lean into quality and therefore spend a bit more. Below I'm sharing a few categories that I save vs. splurge.

{SAVE}

mascara

I've tried so many expensive mascaras (Diorshow, ilia, etc.) but keep coming back to my drugstore fave: L'Oreal voluminous butterfly in blackest black.

shoes

Ok, hear me out: shoes get the most wear of any item of clothing and I'm not one to get shoes re-soled by a cobbler. I'm all about the Target dupes - the best sandals and heels at that sweet spot $20 - $30 price point. By the time they are worn out, I'm ready for a new trend anyway.

work lunch

I meal prep 4-5 lunches for the work week, every single week for Greg and I. Not only is it more cost-effective, but so much healthier than going out to a restaurant or getting something delivered multiple days a week.

{SPLURGE}

skincare/face makeup

Not all of my face makeup and skincare products are pricey, but a select few I invest in since they actually provide results. For example, the Summer Fridays cc me serum is my holy grail for fading dark spots and teenage acne scars on my face. I'm also a cult follower of the IT cosmetics cc cream with SPF 50 - I wear it every single day.

designer bags

My personal favorite splurge: designer purses! They hold their value more than any other item of clothing or accessory. A bag makes or breaks an outfit - even if I'm running to the store after yoga, I look more put together with a statement bag.

quality groceries

I cook dinner at home at least 5-6 nights a week. Health is a priority for me, and cooking for my family is one of my love languages. I aim for quality ingredients - organic chicken with no hormones, fresh and in-season produce, etc. Not everything I buy is organic though. For instance, bananas & avocados have a peel so the pesticides don't actually reach the part of the food you consume. 

Outfits of the Month

What I wore in February.

neutrals for a girls day with my mom

{bow tank - target // jeans - abercrombie // woven sandals - target // fringe bag - tory burch}

 

color block blouse

{button down top - vici // jeans - vici // suede mules - lucky brand // bag - louis vuitton}

boho dress + knee high boots

shirt dress - vici // braided fringe belt - anthropologie // boots - vici // suede hobo bag - rebecca minkoff}

weekend errands

{oatmeal v-neck - everlane // loose black jeans - abercrombie // leopard sandals - loeffler randall // crochet stripe bag - tory burch}

Valentine's Day

{leather jacket - bod & christensen // blondie tee - forever 21 // jeans - abercrombie // snake boots - lulu's x matisse // fringe bag - milly}

casual basics

{black sweater - old navy // olive pants - bcbgeneration // sambas sneakers - adidas // crossbody bag - vintage coach}

striped sweater

{collared sweater - lulu's // jeans - abercrombie // leopard sneakers - vans // red bag - tory burch}

split hem jeans

{off-the-shoulder sweater - gifted // split hem jeans - gap (similar) // floral boots - altar'd state (last worn here) // olive suede bag - rebecca minkoff}

elevated comfort

{denim jacket - madewell // white tee - alternative apparel // ribbed flare leggings - old navy // sneakers - adidas // bag - ysl // sunglasses - celine}

crochet skirt

{brown linen button down - gap // crochet skirt - house of harlow // boots - altar'd state // red bag - tory burch}

farmer's market fit

striped sweater tank - vici // ripped jeans - abercrombie // sandals - target // pink bag - balenciaga}

ready for spring

{printed blouse - vici // flare jeans - hollister // woven sandals - dolce vita // quilted bag - rebecca minkoff}

Red Velvet Cookies

I love a festive treat and these red velvet cookies are perfect for Valentine's Day! They are chewy, not too sweet and are topped with creamy white chocolate chips.

ingredients

1 1/2 cups + 2 tablespoon flour (I use GF)
2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon vanilla
1-1 1/12 teaspoons red food coloring
1 cup white chocolate chips (I prefer Ghiradelli), divided 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup

directions

{1}

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

{2}

In an electric mixer, cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy.

{3}

To the electric mixer, add the egg yolks, vanilla and food coloring.

{4}

Add in the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

{5}

Fold in the 3/4 cup white chocolate chips with a wooden spoon or spatula.

{6}

Using a 1-inch cookie scooper, place dough balls on non-stick baking sheets 1 inch apart.

{7}

Bake for 9-11 minutes, and remove from oven. Using the 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips, gently add a couple to the top of each cookie. Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. 

{8}

Enjoy warm! Store the remaining cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze to keep them fresh for a month!