Sink or Swim

August 22, 2013

As you may know, we are launching our website for The Brand Market tomorrow, and its hitting me like a ton of bricks how crazy the past few years have been. Sometimes you are just in swim or sink mode. I have been swimming hard for a few years now, and there are moments you want to just let go and sink, but something tells you to keep going. So you hang on to your motivations and passions and keep swimming. Maybe a fast freestyle lap or maybe just a dog paddle pace, but you keep going with your eyes focused on the light at the end of the water…

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Campfire Pita Pizza Pockets

August 21, 2013

I love having my sisters take over my blog. Thank you Maria for sharing this easy way to feed large crowds!…

So our family just got back from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and there was lots of good food to be had. Needless to say, every meal was made for 20.

My stellar sister Angela who spent her entire summer camping in the mountains of North Carolina shared these Pita Pizza Pockets that were a huge hit with the our big crowd.

Bonfire Pizza Pockets

Here’s what you Need:
Pita Bread Sliced in Halves
Tomato Paste
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Butter

Toppings:
You can use whatever suits your fancy but we used the following
Sauteed green peppers and onions
Pepperoni

How To:
Spoon tomato paste into a pita pocket and fill with mozzarella and whichever toppings you want. Spread each outer side with butter and place in an black iron skillet or pan over the fire, or just your own backyard grill!

Let pita’s toast and char on each side until cheese is melted.

They were hot and buttery and full of pizza goodness and there were none leftover!

Psst! Winner of the Dress Corilynn Giveaway announced in the Rafflecopter Widget here.

Local Notes: Provisions for Roswell

August 19, 2013

Remember that French cafe I showed you a few weeks ago? Well this is the shop around the corner I promised I would show you. It is owned and managed by the same couple. How cool is it that a husband and wife get to own shops around the corner from each other? What I appreciate about them is that they are knowledgeable about their product. In the cafe, every french cheese can be named and every coffee flavor can be described. It’s the same in this quaint shop for the home. Every piece has a story. Whether it is handmade by the owner herself or re-purposed from a local market, every item is unique. I was completely smitten. They kindly let me take these photos to share with you.

So if you are in the area, be sure to stop in:
Provisions for Home
945 Alpharetta St
Roswell, Georgia 30075

Have a great week friends!

*Dress: c/o Sheinside // Boots: (similar) // Tote: Fabric and Handle // Cross Necklace: c/o Ily Couture // Watch: c/o Tailor and Stylist

One Truth: The time Gabe saved my life..

August 15, 2013

When I was in the hospital after having one of my children (we will keep this part disclosed so no one gets in trouble), I was in pain…. you know….normal stuff after birthing a baby. When a nurse came in to give me some ibuprofen, I noticed she looked tired. She was new on call so it was the first time I had seen her. She was reading the amount to give me as prescribed by the pharmacy, filled a small cup and handed it over. It was full of the small white pills (probably 8 tablets or so). I turned to her and said, “Are you sure I am supposed to take this many??” To which she replied, “That is what it says here.” Mind you in my normal state I would probably would have detected way sooner that this was not cool, but being in my foggy post-partum state, I just thought it was odd. I was about to throw em down my throat with some water so I could get on with feeding my baby, when Gabe stepped in. “Wait a minute, how many milligrams is she supposed to be receiving? I don’t think this is right. She should only be receiving one to two.” The nurse checked and a looked over the milligrams once more. A look of embarassment and a hurried attempt to act composed and nonchalant she replied, “Oh you are right. I am sorry about that.” To which she explained how the way the pharmacy had typed it out was wrong and misleading. I think to save face she took back the extras and hurried out so as not to make a big deal out of the ordeal.

I sat there stupified in my bleary state as it hit me that my husband just saved my life…..or at least saved me from a traumatic stomach pumping experience. We looked at each other a little in shock as to what almost happened. I was just a little grateful he was paying attention in that moment. With nurses coming in and out every half hour (only exaggerating slightly) for 24 hours it was a small miracle that he caught it.

Moral of the story: ALWAYS have someone to look out for you in the hospital. Medical staff are humans too, and it doesn’t hurt to have someone who has your back when you aren’t coherent;)

So that’s the one truth of the week friends. Your turn!

*Outfit details: Linen Top: J. Crew // Denim: ON // Sandals: Shoemint c/o // Bag: H&M (similar)

Chobani Frozen Pops

August 14, 2013

Chobani so kindly sent me a case of their best greek yogurt to play around with which was fun for all of us considering we eat it daily. (Its Veronica’s favorite breakfast option.) Its still as hot as heck here in Atlanta so I thought it would be super cool (pun intended) to turn these into frozen treats on the go to get us through these hot afternoons.

Its really simple I promise!

Ingredients:
Chobani Greek Yogurt – Plain or Vanilla
Frozen Berries
Frozen Bananas
Agave Nectar (optional)
Ice Pop Mold
Blender or Yonanas Machine (what I used)

Directions:
Take out your berries from the freezer and let them thaw for a few minutes till they perspire.

For Yonana Machine: Run berries through the machine and mix with half cup of vanilla yogurt (if you use plain it will be tart so add agave.) Pour half of mixture in the molds and stick in freezer.
Rinse and repeat with frozen bananas (pull straight out of the freezer). Layer in molds as second layer and put back in freezer.

Rinse and repeat with berry medley, add the tops of the molds and freeze for 2 hours.

Blender: Add berries, yogurt, and agave at once. Pour half the mix in molds.
Rinse blender and add bananas and chobani yogurt. Fill the molds 2/3 of the way.
Add the rest of the berry mixture and the tops of the molds and freeze for two hours.

Pretty simple! And you have a good amount as a result! If you try these out be sure to let me know how it goes!

Giveaway: Dress Corilynn

August 13, 2013

Are you dying?!

I got to experience one of these pieces from the feminine and stylish line first hand last week (as seen here) and the quality is impressive, but even better, you feel a little like a Marilyn or Grace Kelly when you put them on. Just enough retro with the right element of modern to add that extra pep in your step.

I met Cori back in NYC. She is a stunning mother of 4, who runs and designs these skirts herself. She immediately was my hero. We are so excited to give away one of these beauties today! Have fun and may the best gal win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S. Announced the winner of the Anewall.com giveaway here. (Name displayed on rafflecopter!)

DIY Contributor for Style Me Pretty Living

August 8, 2013

I am honored to be a new DIY contributor for Style Me Pretty Living! I will be sharing some fun ideas over there once a month. If you would like to check out the easy DIY here. And while you are there, go ahead and browse their spectacular site!

x, Anna