Well...the time has come to unveil my new site! This blog site will still exist but it won't be updated. You can now read all about faith.food.fitness.fashion.family at:
There are still some kinks to work out, but it's getting close!
Xo!
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Tasty Tuesday: Lime Cilantro Chicken
I love a good Crockpot recipe. There's nothing better than coming in the door and dinner being done. I grabbed this recipe from http://crockpotladies.com/crockpot-cilantro-lime-chicken/ right before I had my gallbladder surgery. I didn't make it then, but found it when trying to decide what I was going to make for dinner. Let's just say, it's delish!
Ingredients:
2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 limes, zested and juiced
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish/serving
1 (1 lb.) bag frozen corn
1/2 red onion, diced
1 can of black beans
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix ingredients into the Crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8.
Serve with tortilla chips or rolled into tortillas! A dollop of sour cream and guacamole will do the trick!
Read more at http://crockpotladies.com/crockpot-cilantro-lime-chicken/#Ttpcr5XArKfYf6jl.99
Read more at http://crockpotladies.com/crockpot-cilantro-lime-chicken/#Ttpcr5XArKfYf6jl.99
Xo,
Monday, June 9, 2014
Monday Memories
It's been a good week and less busy than the past few! I apparently took very few pictures this week too!
Friday was National Donut Day so this cutie, my brother and I headed to get our free Krispy Kreme!
Friday we made Green Egg pizzas with friends...so yummy! Like this cutting board?! It will be featured on the blog soon too!
I went for a short and very hot run to finish off my weekend...running in heat kills me and slows me down! Oh well!
Lindsay's Necklaces sent me this awesome necklace and I couldn't wait to wear it!
See, I barely took any pics this week! I'll try and do better this week!
Xo,
Friday, June 6, 2014
Friday Faves: Whirly Wraps
By now, if you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I really like jewelry. I also like handmade items and anything local. Well, these Whirly Wrap bracelets fit all of those categories. They are made in my hometown- Athens, GA and are made custom--every one of them is different. In fact, you can send your wrist size and she will accommodate how small/big your wrist is!
I especially like these wrap bracelets because they aren't like other wrap bracelets. I was sent a cork bracelet (left) and a silk bracelet (right). Also included were the amazing hair ties that are on the bottom that I wore the entire week at the beach (these are AMAZING and work really well with my super thin hair).
I especially like these wrap bracelets because they aren't like other wrap bracelets. I was sent a cork bracelet (left) and a silk bracelet (right). Also included were the amazing hair ties that are on the bottom that I wore the entire week at the beach (these are AMAZING and work really well with my super thin hair).
Because there's no way in the world I can explain how cool cork bracelets are, I am quoting the Etsy site on this one: "What is so special about a Portuguese cork wrap bracelet? Cork is a renewable, sustainable resource that is eco-friendly and a vegan product. Used in the US for wine stoppers and flooring, it is also the perfect lightweight, supple material for summer wrist wear. Plus it comes in gorgeous colors."
The silk bracelets are equally as cool and here's what the site says about the silk, "These hand-dyed, 100% Asian silk ribbons have been steamed to retain their rich colors and have with neatly sewn edges. Soft and feathery~ there is nothing like wrapping silk around your wrist. Feel free to (cool) iron your ribbon if your want to freshen or smooth it back out. If the wrap has too much slack, simply put a half-knot close to the magnet(s) and fit to size."
They have these awesome magnets that screw in (but you can still put on/take off one handed) that help your bracelet stay on!
As you can see in the pictures above, included are complete instructions on how to put these bracelets on and take them off...how to adjust their size, etc. You can also wear the silk one as a necklace!
Here are just a few ways I've worn these amazing bracelets...but they are totally a staple now! A simple and easy way to add a pop of color and talk about compliments!
Whirly Wraps are also available in leather...like this one:
So let me tell you a little more...
"What is a Whirly Wrap? When we moved to sunny Georgia a few years ago, my farmers market selling season for wooly goods was about 6 weeks! I missed the soothing repetitive motions of knitting. Enter fate. My daughter chose to be married in Antigua, Guatemala and the vibrant colors, diverse textures and stunning geometry of the local market textiles knocked the breath out of me. When I returned home I grabbed all my DMC thread, some silver discs and up-cycled sari silk from my stash and Whirly Wraps were born. I have found the rhythmic nature of wrapping thread is as meditative as knitting.
At first I was a clumsy Whirler. It took me nearly an hour to wrap a 1" washer smoothly and the ubiquitous knots almost got the better of me. They have taught me patience and are now my friends. A local gift shop began selling my sari silk Whirlies and suggested I make leather wraps for the boyfriends of these new Whirly Girls. I opened my Etsy shop and scheduled a season of festivals and farmers markets. My on-going challenge is to bring the thrill of buying in-person to the online experience."
So where can you find these amazing bracelets?
Whirly Wraps Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaryMercedes
or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mmWhirlyWraps
Seriously, you'll love these light-weight, comfortable and brightly colored bracelets that make a beautiful statement!
Xo,
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Thoughtfulness Thursday: Organizations PM and AM
I love this graphic on The Muse: https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-6-smartest-things-you-can-do-every-night-and-every-morning about the six smartest things you can do every night and every morning.
I'm a firm believer in being organized so that things function properly and efficiently. After you have a kid (or kids) things need to be even more organized for you to stay sane. On the days that I'm working, I have to stay super organized so that I can get to work on time (and in one piece).
PM
1. Lists. I am a BIG believer in lists...my lists have list (that say things like, "Refer to list A..."). If you make a list before bed, then you're less likely to wake up in the middle of the night thinking about what you need to do tomorrow. I just make lists all day long.
2. Clothes. I've been laying out my clothes the night before for probably 20 years...maybe longer than that. I like to know exactly what I'm going to wear the next day (including accessories and shoes). I also lay out all of my make-up and hair products on my counter so they are ready to go.
3. Forgiveness. I like that this is included on the list because you should always pray for your forgiveness and doing it before bed helps you to rest.
AM
1. Doing something for yourself. This is one thing my husband and I have always talked about. Running is something I do for myself. Junior League is something I do for myself. Spending time with my girlfriends is something I do for myself. I think so many moms get caught up in mom guilt of being away from their kids. Yes, I hate being away from E, but I would go insane if I were home all day, everyday without doing anything for myself...in fact, that's why I started running :)
2. Routine. I'm the queen of routine...that's one reason vacations exhaust me. I love routine...I thrive in routine and I live for routine. I want everything to fall into place and it doesn't always do that (especially with kids). I always try to have a routine (and keep E on a routine) but sometimes we are off by a little. I notice that if E takes a late nap that it throws our whole day off and he and I are pretty miserable.
3. Big v. small. You can either start with something BIG to start your day or something small. I like to start with small things (e-mails, social media, news)...mindless things that I can kind of push through. Around 9:00 I start thinking about the bigger things and then by the evening my brain is fried and it's back to the small things.
Hope this was as helpful to you as it was to me...I always think that the more organized you are, the healthier you are!
Xo,
I'm a firm believer in being organized so that things function properly and efficiently. After you have a kid (or kids) things need to be even more organized for you to stay sane. On the days that I'm working, I have to stay super organized so that I can get to work on time (and in one piece).
PM
1. Lists. I am a BIG believer in lists...my lists have list (that say things like, "Refer to list A..."). If you make a list before bed, then you're less likely to wake up in the middle of the night thinking about what you need to do tomorrow. I just make lists all day long.
2. Clothes. I've been laying out my clothes the night before for probably 20 years...maybe longer than that. I like to know exactly what I'm going to wear the next day (including accessories and shoes). I also lay out all of my make-up and hair products on my counter so they are ready to go.
3. Forgiveness. I like that this is included on the list because you should always pray for your forgiveness and doing it before bed helps you to rest.
AM
1. Doing something for yourself. This is one thing my husband and I have always talked about. Running is something I do for myself. Junior League is something I do for myself. Spending time with my girlfriends is something I do for myself. I think so many moms get caught up in mom guilt of being away from their kids. Yes, I hate being away from E, but I would go insane if I were home all day, everyday without doing anything for myself...in fact, that's why I started running :)
2. Routine. I'm the queen of routine...that's one reason vacations exhaust me. I love routine...I thrive in routine and I live for routine. I want everything to fall into place and it doesn't always do that (especially with kids). I always try to have a routine (and keep E on a routine) but sometimes we are off by a little. I notice that if E takes a late nap that it throws our whole day off and he and I are pretty miserable.
3. Big v. small. You can either start with something BIG to start your day or something small. I like to start with small things (e-mails, social media, news)...mindless things that I can kind of push through. Around 9:00 I start thinking about the bigger things and then by the evening my brain is fried and it's back to the small things.
Hope this was as helpful to you as it was to me...I always think that the more organized you are, the healthier you are!
Xo,
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Workout Wednesday: Running Reflection
Almost a year ago...on June 3, 2013 I decided to start training for a 15K. If you've read any of my posts on running, you know that I had never run before this date. I actually hated running, made fun of it and said I had no interest in it. Our Junior League hosted a 15K in September and I knew that if I wasn't going to "suck" then I needed to train. My first run wasn't even 2 miles and it was SLOW. Running anything under 10 minutes was an accomplishment for me...and that didn't happen very often.
By the time I ran the 15K (and after I had sprained my ankle and spent 6 weeks in a boot) I was running under 9 minute miles and averaged less than 9 minutes on my 15K. I made the decision after I ran the 15K that if I could run that far, then surely I could run 13.1 miles in two weeks...so I ran a half marathon two weeks later. I ran faster on that run then the 15K and I guess I got the running bug. I took the next couple of months off from training (but still running 3-4 times a week). Running really helped me to feel better, gave me time to myself and helped build up muscle (and lose the last few baby lbs I needed to shed).
It's now a year later and I'm still running. I ran another half in April (which you've probably read about). I will start training for a half in October soon...but right now I am just doing a few runs (short runs at that) a week.
Some days it is hard to motivate yourself to run, but I know that if I just get out there and do it, I will feel better when I get back (no, I don't necessarily feel better when I'm doing it). I don't love running. In fact, most days I hate running, but I love what it does for me mentally, physically, emotionally and even spiritually (you can definitely spend time with God on your runs).
I am proud of what I have accomplished in a year. I'm not sure that I'll run forever, but I do know that it's a great way to stay in shape :)
Xo,
By the time I ran the 15K (and after I had sprained my ankle and spent 6 weeks in a boot) I was running under 9 minute miles and averaged less than 9 minutes on my 15K. I made the decision after I ran the 15K that if I could run that far, then surely I could run 13.1 miles in two weeks...so I ran a half marathon two weeks later. I ran faster on that run then the 15K and I guess I got the running bug. I took the next couple of months off from training (but still running 3-4 times a week). Running really helped me to feel better, gave me time to myself and helped build up muscle (and lose the last few baby lbs I needed to shed).
It's now a year later and I'm still running. I ran another half in April (which you've probably read about). I will start training for a half in October soon...but right now I am just doing a few runs (short runs at that) a week.
Some days it is hard to motivate yourself to run, but I know that if I just get out there and do it, I will feel better when I get back (no, I don't necessarily feel better when I'm doing it). I don't love running. In fact, most days I hate running, but I love what it does for me mentally, physically, emotionally and even spiritually (you can definitely spend time with God on your runs).
I am proud of what I have accomplished in a year. I'm not sure that I'll run forever, but I do know that it's a great way to stay in shape :)
Xo,
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Tasty Tuesday: Cookie Dough Cheesecake
I totally make this recipe as often as I can because I really, really enjoy it. It also makes a ton which is perfect to bring over to a friend's house for dessert or for a tailgate. And it's really, really simple...which just makes it even better!
This recipe is originally from a friend...I think she got it off of Pinterest, but it really is one of my all time favorite desserts.
This recipe is originally from a friend...I think she got it off of Pinterest, but it really is one of my all time favorite desserts.
Use a greased, glass 9 x 13 pan and flatten the dough into the bottom of the pan so that they are mushed together (no holes).
Mix together the softened cream cheese, eggs, sugar and vanilla and pour the mixture over the cookie dough.
Ingredients:
2 logs of cookie dough or 3 packs of break and bake cookie dough (I actually get a big tub of cookie dough and just use as much as I need)
3 (8 oz) blocks of cream cheese (you can also use fat free)
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Use a greased, glass 9 x 13 pan and flatten the dough into the bottom of the pan so that they are mushed together (no holes).
Mix together the softened cream cheese, eggs, sugar and vanilla and pour the mixture over the cookie dough.
Flatten more pieces of cookie dough and place on top (it doesn't have to be without holes).
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes and then chill overnight (or at least for several hours) before serving.
Cut it into squares and voila! Gosh, this makes me hungry just typing it!
Xo,
Monday, June 2, 2014
Monday Memories
It was back to work this week after a wonderful beach trip...it was a long 4 day week!
I wore one of my fav Lilly dresses this week (and it's bulldog colors).
I ran for the first time in 9 days...needless to say, I should have run on vacation.
I had a hectic Friday, but got to babysit the cutie on the right.
The first in front of us at Chick Fil A paid for our meal...what a nice surprise!
We had my favorite meal of the day after church on Sunday...brunch!
Hope you had a great week and maybe I'll take a few more pics this week ;)
Xo,
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