Things I Love Thursday // 3.3.22

Spring-Like Weather

Which means front porch-sitting, one of my favorite pastimes. Our neighborhood is lively with cyclists, students, and all of the dogs out walking with their people. Nothing better than cool sips, background music, conversation (or a book), and warm sunshine from the best vantage point. We've had two of these patio sets for a few years now and while the cushions have had to be replaced, they have held up so well and I just love the way they look. Cheers!

(Indoor/Outdoor Rug)

MLS Soccer in our City

This weekend is the Charlotte FC home opener and the stadium is sold out. The weather should be fantastic and the Joneses are pumped. It's time to start learning the chants (Banks, Beer, and Soccer is already my favorite). I'm all in.

They haven't said dogs are allowed in the stadium yet
but we're all hoping the announcement is coming soon! 

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

I rated The Flatshare 5/5 stars because it was delightful on all fronts. It's maybe not the best book I've ever read (I actually listened to it and the accents were brilliant --highly recommend) but it's certainly one of the books I've most enjoyed. The characters were fun, layered, and likable. There was tension and story. I cared about what happened and was humored and entertained the whole way through. Check it out.

Hoisin Ginger Noodles (Milk Street Magazine Jan-Feb, 2022)

I've made this recipe so many times that I know it by heart and make it by feel. It keeps in the fridge for several days and it's easy for the girls to pack for school lunches. I've added browned ground chicken and shredded rotisserie chicken on different occasions --but it's delicious without meat as well. (I liked the ground chicken better and when I add a protein, I just increase the sauce by a bit.) Boil a package of linguine noodles according to directions. While cooking, make the sauce in a large bowl by mixing: 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1/4 cup chili-garlic sauce or sriracha (this adds a LOT of heat --reduce the quantity, if needed), 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon grated ginger (or a giant squeeze from the bottle). Drain and rinse the noodles and add to the bowl, tossing with the sauce and 3 green onions --thinly sliced. Garnish with 1/4 cup salted, roasted, peanuts. Enjoy!

{image via Milk Street}

Playing Dress-Up with my Friends

My girlfriends have a hilarious Instagram account where they dress up like the characters of some of their favorite television programs. Seriously good fun. Occasionally, they invite a guest to appear in one of their posts and last weekend it was ME! If you've not watched The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window yet --look away! But if you have, please enjoy my Buell! LOL

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Things I Love Thursday // 2.24.22

I hope February has been treating you well! Here's a little recap of some recent loves.

My New Haircut

When I tell you this is the best haircut of my life, it is not hyperbole. Granted, the "before" picture is pretty awful. It was wash day and I'd been wearing it up --so don't ask me what was happening with the whole front section... but look at that "AFTER"! There is literally nothing different about my makeup in the after pic --I just legitimately look that much better. LOL! The magician who did this is Dhiran Mistry. New(ish) to Charlotte and taking appointments at Charles Proper & Co when he's not traveling back to NYC monthly to continue servicing his clients there. I'm so very sorry if you live someplace else. Call me to plan your next visit and we will work around Dhiran's schedule. ;) 

Super Bowl LVI with the Best of Friends

Over the top much? Always with this crowd! The football was amazing (though, not the outcome I'd been hoping for), the halftime show was insane, the boutique hotel was perfection, the restaurants and destinations were incredible (the WINE!)... but the laughs, late night visits in the courtyard, and CARaoke sessions with these fantastic people were the ultimate. So appreciative of the generosity and once-in-a-lifetime experiences --and absolutely grateful for the friendships.

A Well-Stocked Mini Bar

Cheers to indulgences. Did I mention the boutique hotel in Los Angeles? Well, Hollywood to be exact. The Prospect Hollywood was on-point with every single detail. If you're planning a trip anywhere near there, I can't say enough about the property, finishes, and management. They spoiled us rotten.

Visiting my Dad

Look at this handsome lunch date! Oregon is not nearly as close to North Carolina as I would like it to be. We get back as a family at least once a year but it's really not enough. I made a quick trip to visit my dad at the end of January. It's been hard on everyone since my stepmom died and I needed to spend some time and check in on Papa Clyde (as the girls call him). We walked and talked (in frigid wind), had a delicious dinner at my sister's new house with more of the family, got him his Covid booster, Wordled together, and enjoyed our favorite pastime: eating sushi! I miss him very much. We text every single morning to brag or whine about our Wordle score and lament in the fact that we can't spend more time together. Until June, Dad! I love you.

Gingery Cabbage Rolls with Pork and Rice

Wow. These are a new favorite of ours. Four out of four Joneses approve! This 5-star recipe from NYTimes Cooking is easier than you'd think. I was a little intimidated at first about handling the cabbage but the process is simple and fairly fail-safe. Even though there's a little rice inside, I've come to serve them over white rice because it's great for soaking up the velvety sauce and drizzle of sesame oil that you add to the top. Even without the rice, these are surprisingly filling and taste even better the next day. Note: assembling the rolls is simple and quick --but then they bake for 45 minutes (so plan for that, unlike me, unless you want to eat LATE).  Let me know if you try them!

The Ordinary: Peeling Solution

Don't let the color turn you off --or the name... this stuff is amazing. Technically a chemical peel, this solution is a wash-off mask that gets rid of dead skin cells and debris. When used correctly (not too often and not left on your skin longer than recommended), the result is absolutely and immediately noticeable. It leaves my face feeling fresh and bright but I never use it more than twice a week. So effective is this treatment, that used incorrectly, you might end up looking raw and red-faced (even after you rinse it off). The best part? It's like $8 at Target, Sephora, and Ulta and a little bit goes a long way. If you'd like to read more about it from the company, click here. (I find the website a little sciencey and dry.) I loved this article in Glamour which quickly convinced me to try it myself.

The Produce Box

I've done these before and they've been both great and also overwhelming (What does one do with all of these turnips?) but it was time to try it again. Piper had an assignment at school recently in which she calculated our family's carbon footprint. Turns out, the Joneses behave as though we have 8.5 Earths --instead of just the one. Greg's electric car arrived last week so I'm happy to check sometime big off the list. Additionally, we're making a few small changes around here to both have (a small but) immediate impact and also keep our minds on environmental issues. Two big changes (besides the car): we are going meatless on Mondays and ordering a majority of our produce (and meat) from local sources. So far, we've had 3 deliveries from The Produce Box. The best things about this service are the email reminders and ease with which I can build a box based on personal meal planning, or make simple swaps from the boxes readily offered. Everything so far has been tasty and beautiful. You wouldn't believe the strawberries we got yesterday --incredibly sweet and juicy! If you're in NC, I encourage you to look into this service --unless you're already an avid shopper of the farmers' markets. If you're elsewhere, these services are pretty easy to find!

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

I never read Eat, Pray, Love and I don't think I ever will. I'm not sure how Elizabeth Gilbert's 2019 novel, City of Girls got on my radar --but I'm so glad it did. The tag reads, "a delicious novel of glamour, sex, and adventure, about a young woman discovering that you don't have to be a good girl to be a good person." I loved listening to (on Audible) the story of 19 year old Vivian Morris in 1940s NYC --recalled by her at the age of eighty-nine. Five stars! Have you read this one?  

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Things I Loved Over the Holidays // late-December to early-January

Halfway through January?! It's been a minute since my last post. Our holidays were relaxing, quiet, indulgent, and Covid-free. Who could ask for more? The following is a shit-ton of sweetness that I had planned to share several times and never got around to... until now.

Cake in a cup

Take a peek at this sweet surprise! Piper joined a club at school this year that is a part of a larger, national organization "Cookies for Kids' Cancer" which hosts bake sales in support of  pediatric cancer research centers. She scoped out Pinterest and came across this sweet idea to make a mini-cake trifle in a plastic cup. They turned out very cute and were so simple (though, a little time consuming). With the re-rise of positive Covid numbers this season, keep this idea in your back pocket for occasions when individual servings would be appreciated. They're incredibly versatile with different flavors, toppings, and even baked goods (consider brownies, crumbled cookie chunks, or pre-bought angle food).

The Nutcracker

What a JOY it was to see the Nutcracker this year! I haven't taken the girls to see this show since 2013 when Geneva famously said upon leaving the theatre (in her 7 year old voice), "Ugh. Please tell me we don't have to do THAT again. I can't believe they tried telling a story without using any words!" Ha! Well, with maturity comes a new appreciation. We all absolutely loved the show. It was especially amazing to watch Piper's sweet friend, Mary, in the role of Clara.

Dinner Parties and Gathering with Friends

'Twas the season for dressing up and indulging! After months of low-key to no gatherings, it seemed like everyone was ready to get after it this holiday (pre-Omicron, that is). I certainly was and I did! Thanks to the gracious and lovely hostesses who put on the most delightful soirées --giving me a reason to get out of my jammies.

Can we always just tie our napkins like my friend, Loren?

Lifter Gloss

These have been favorites for a long time --ever since my friend, Gretchen, introduced me. These "holiday" colors were a go-to this season and are honestly super sheer and versatile for any time of year. Here I have three wrapped to gift in a "White Elephant Favorite" exchange I had with girlfriends. Affordable and luxurious. Who doesn't love that?

Telling Her Stories

This girl has always been great at providing a debrief of her day. Here she was on the verge of tweendom and in the second shot, on the verge of 15. She sometimes still confides in me --but for the sensitive stuff, she has her dog. :) In all seriousness, if you're looking to find ways to start conversations with your tweens and teens (or improve conversations with really, anyone) look no further than Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen by my friend, Michelle Icard. It's developmentally appropriate for kids to start pulling away during middle school on their journey toward becoming fully functioning adults --and it might seem like it's easier to just stop trying to talk to them altogether, but they really DO still want you to engage. Figuring out a "new language" and approach for continued and better conversations is what Michelle specializes in teaching parents everywhere.

Anniversary with Michelle

Speaking of my friend, Michelle Icard, in December of 2020 she came to me with a crazy idea: to help her out with her social media platforms. I was like, "I don't do that." And she was all, "Right... but I think you should." It's been such a fun job and my boss is so cool! We share as many laughs as we do strategies and plans and she never (outwardly) expresses frustration when I miss every single typo. Cheers to her continued success --because, as I've already mentioned, parents everywhere gain so much wisdom and insight from her work.

"working"

Holiday Concert

What a pleasure it is to listen to the Myers Park High School Bands perform! My freshman French Horn player is in the Symphonic band and my sophomore flutist plays in the Wind Ensemble. Their band teacher also directs a super impressive Jazz band that is really something else! For those of you listening to your little ones squeak out "notes" on their new instruments of choice, do grit your teeth through the early stages because the quality grows with the kiddos and before long, they will knock your socks off!

The One by John Marrs & Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Wintrop

Here are two quick reads that I found totally enjoyable and entertaining through the holiday break. In The One, John Marrs presents a story in the not-so-distant future where DNA technology allows a simple cotton swab of the cheek to match you with your scientifically accurate romantic match. Sounds too good to be true --but it's not --until it's true but no longer good. I didn't want to put it down. Very Sincerely Yours was a sugary-sweet romance that read like candy and was just what I wanted for the moment. I enjoy a variety of stories and this one fit the bill for light and fun just right!

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Things I Love Thursday // 10.21.21

QueenBrie

Meggie Sullivan owns and operates this cleverly-named service here in Charlotte. I've blogged about her before (a gift certificate would make a lovely gift) and had the pleasure of serving one of her gorgeous and delicious spreads this last week when some friends (and generous volunteers) joined me to help wrap gifts for The Children's Theatre's annual gift-giving experience for children, Winter Wonderland (formerly known as Santa's Bag). Meggie and I had a brief exchange of ideas and she executed to perfection on this brunch-themed board. Not only was everything delightful to look at --the quiche was the best I've ever tasted and the details were amazing! Even if you're not in the Charlotte area, give her a follow on Instagram and enjoy her creations for eye-candy and inspiration!

Gillian Stevens Art

Gillian Stevens is the designer and artisan behind Dewdrop Designs, a female owned, local-to-Charlotte, enterprise that offers original canvas art, leather accessories and jewelry, and wonderfully textured pieces made of wood, clay, beads, and glazed ceramics. I fell in love with The Last Drop. This leather knot wristlet is made from reclaimed leather and is a perfect little day or evening bag. I had a hard time choosing --but came away with the creme-colored bag.

{image via}

Walking Ben Letting Ben Just Walk

Confession time. Ben has been through some rigorous training. Knowing he was going to be a huge dog, it was important to us that he have nice manners. For a 9 month puppy, he's doing pretty well. Even though we were told in advance, we were unprepared for how much work it would be on a daily basis to reinforce and support all of the formal training he had (when we sent him to "boarding school" at 5 months). For sure, he is still sleeping in his crate --though, that was certainly the biggest battle. He is excellent when asked to stay on "place" and his recall is strong (as long as he's not distracted by something he finds interesting LOL). Having said all that, I must confess that we have stopped insisting he be held to a very high (or any real) standard on walks. Honestly, it just wasn't all that relaxing or enjoyable to have to constantly work through his multiple walks a day. Now we give him the lead to sniff, explore, (PULL), and frolic. He's still required to move aside and stay in a "sit" when other people and dogs pass us on the sidewalk --but otherwise, he just puppies around. It's so nice to be able to listen to an audio book, sip a coffee, or enjoy a conversation with whoever is walking with us --now that correcting him is not a full-time job. 

Home Bartenders

There's little I love more than a delicious cocktail that has been made with friendship and care. My friend, Anne, is famous for this. She loves mixology and has an impressive array of ingredients (and ideas) for serving her guests amazing sips. Don't get me wrong, I love a simple glass of wine or an ice-cold beer (from time to time) --but there's something extra special about the thoughtfulness that often goes into mixing a featured cocktail for an in-home evening of celebration or socializing. Enter my friend Amy. Amy hosted our neighborhood "Foodie Night" group (formed during quarantine 2020 to share recipes, inspiration, and support --and still going strong) for appetizers and drinks last week. To toast this first indoor gathering of five, she mixed fresh-squeezed juices and secret* ingredients to create perfectly refreshing margaritas and palomas. Can't you almost taste the citrus just by looking at this picture?! Cheers to that! (*Maybe the ingredients weren't necessarily a secret --but I wasn't paying enough attention to share what they were.)

Chilly Fall Evenings

We are currently experiencing "I Left My Jacket at School" weather here in Charlotte. Mornings begin in the low to mid 40ºs and as the day continues, temps rise to the high 70ºs/low 80ºs. However, for a brief evening last week, it stayed chilly enough to talk ourselves into a festive little fire pit. We ate dinner "camping style" in our laps and then enjoyed some toasted marshmallows afterward. It is such a little thing that brings us all so much happiness. I look forward to many more fire pit evenings this season!

Jane Harper

I just finished my second audio book by Jane Harper. Have you read anything from this author? Her stories are set in Australia and she writes murder/mystery. The first of her books I read was, The Lost Man --about the death of a seemingly successful and happy man in the remote Australian Outback. He is survived by two brothers, and his wife and kids. Family secrets, unexplained circumstances, and suspicion give rise to a slow-burning and suspenseful story that I didn't want to put down. The novel I just finished, The Dry, unravels the mystery surrounding the brutal murder/suicide of a family man in a small Outback town facing great hardship and draught. His childhood friend, Aaron Falk (now a federal agent), reluctantly returns to attend the funeral and gets caught up in an unofficial investigation. Again, a fairly gripping plot that kept me guessing until the end. I found both books incredibly entertaining and very well done! Listening to Steven Shanahan perform The Dry with an Aussie accent just adds another enjoyable layer to the experience. The character, Aaron Falk, from The Dry is featured in what's sure to be my next book by Jane Harper, Force of Nature. Eventually, I'll get around to reading her latest novel, The Survivors.

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Things I Love Thursday // 10.14.21

Celebrating Lulu

My mother-in-law, Linda (who we call "Lulu"), moved to Charlotte from California in March. We are so lucky to have her near after all these years on separate coasts. Her new place is less than a mile from our house and visits are often. She comes to soccer and volleyball games to watch the girls, takes care of them when we are out of town, invites us over for brunch, happy hour, and dinner... it's just really lovely to be able to take her out to celebrate her birthday. Cheers to another fabulous trip around the sun!

Pocketed Long Skirts

I just bought two new skirts from Amazon. They are light-weight, elastic banded, and a great length. I love the (faux) tie at the waist and the large pocket details. I've already worn them a few times and they are easy to pair with a t-shirt, a french-tucked button down, or a light sweater. I bought one in black and one in sunflower yellow. (They definitely needed to be steamed when they arrived.) You will also need to wear a slip with them, as the fabric is a thin blend with a light linen texture. I have no idea how well they will wash but I have no intentions of putting them through the dryer! I though the slight difference in hem (from front to back) might be a little weird --but it's not at all. My rear end manages to make a nice shelf that balances everything out. LOL The thing that's weird is the name of the company! What the heck??

Travel Steamer

To get my skirts looking great in just a few minutes, I busted out my new travel steamer. This little iSteam is awesome! We own a big Jiffy J-2000 (worth every penny) that we've had for a decade; however, our current house has no laundry room and the washer and dryer are two floors away from the bedrooms. Our big steamer is supposed to live in the guest bedroom closet but every time I pull it out to use it, it ends up living in my master bathroom (right in front of the door) or on the second-floor landing outside all of our bedrooms for literally MONTHS (possibly 8-9 in a row). So I decided that, because we could use a travel steamer anyway, this smaller one could serve double duty: travel and small jobs. In other good news, it fits nicely on the shelf in our under-sized master closet! I can't believe I waited 8+ years to buy one this size. (p.s. I don't know why there are towels in this ad. Please don't be a person who steams your bath towels. If you have that much free time, pick up a good book.) 

{image via}

Clog Sandals

To go with my new steamed skirts, I bought some cute clog sandals. I have a difficult time with the traditional mule style, as my arches are too high. I saw this peep-toed pair of Swedish-made Mia "Greta" Mules last weekend when I was out shopping with Staci and fell in love. Unfortunately, the boutique did not have my size --which was probably for the best because I didn't really need another pair of heeled, neutral, peep-toed sandals. But THEN... Ben chewed one of my favorite shoes that very night! I took it as a sign from the universe and set about trying to find the boutique shoe online (at the time, I didn't know what brand they were). It wasn't too hard to find the exact pair --but it was really tricky to locate my size in the color I wanted --sold out everywhere. And then I checked Amazon. Yahoo! While poking around there, I saw THESE Sandgrens in a soft gray "stone" color. #willpower

sandals, shirt, pants, sunnies

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

There is something so intimate and enjoyable about listening to an author read their memoir --unless it's Matthew McConaughey reading Greenlights, which I just could not get into. (But perhaps that's a story I'll save for the day I start cataloguing Things I Hate Monday.) Anyhoo... this wonderful book, Crying in H Mart, was published in April of this year and has received a fair share of attention. Zauner, singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Japanese Breakfast, is a Korean-American who grew up in rural Oregon. She writes of grief, family, food, and identity with unflinching honesty that is somehow both brutal and tender. I loved it!

{image via}

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Things I Love Thursday // 5.27.21

A Jolt of West Coast Love

My girlfriend, Jillian, scored an incredible deal on a flight out to Charlotte from San Diego last week and I couldn't have been happier to see her and to have some time together to catch up! Jillian and I met in grad school way back in the day. When we first moved to Charlotte, she was the only person I knew and she did an amazing job welcoming my family and showing me all the best spots! A couple short years later, Jillian took new job teaching at the University of San Diego and off she went (who could blame her?). It was fun switch roles a bit this week and take her to a couple of Charlotte's new destinations. The city has exploded in the few years she's been away! Cheers to our next visit, I already miss you! (And she heard about the flight deal through an app called Hopper.)

Yard Updates/Refresh

This yard project is so overdue. The easement beside our lot is missing a sidewalk. The city just never put one in. Over the years, the grassy area has been encroached upon by neighboring fescue seed (that's competing with our zoysia) and it's basically an eyesore. Additionally, the ivy (NOT planted by me) is out of control and taking over everything all around the yard. You all know I love my houseplants; however, yard work/pruning/weeding is not my jam. Unfortunately, the landscaping around this house has suffered from our own neglect and mismanagement. We are finally addressing a few of the more problematic areas and I'm very excited to share the progress with you. Here's just a small sneak peak of what's coming: 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

OMGoodness. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a book I've had on my "to-read" list for YEARS and I finally got around to picking it up. Geneva had it checked out from the library and recommended I not put it off any longer. I read it in a day --at the expense of everything else I was supposed to accomplish. Some books are like that. This was one of them. My friend, Tracie, says the movie is one of her all-time favorites. It's directed by the author of the book so I have high hopes. Have you read the book? Seen the movie? Both??

Knock Off Birkenstocks

The first time I saw the yellow suede pair of Arizona Birks on my friend, Laura, I wanted a pair of my own. However, the holidays were coming and I was making a real effort not to buy myself anything so I waited. Of course, they sold out and have never become available again (unless you want them lined in shearing  --which I do not). Anyhoo... flash forward to last week when I was INFLUENCED on Instagram into checking out the Amazon knock-offs. They're really kinda great! However, I will say, like actual Birkenstocks, these also take a little time to break in. The bonus is they have a nice cushion under the heel --which the real ones lack. They come in tons of colors and are true to size. 

Cauliflower [Florets] with Chipotle-Cashew Sauce

The recipe, from Milk Street Magazine (November/December 2019), actually calls for cauliflower steaks --but I'm super lazy and subbed prepared cauliflower florets from the bag instead. Wow. This dish was packed with flavor and I loved every bite! Whether you use 2 pounds of steaks or florets, you'll toss in olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper and roast until fork-tender in a 450º oven 20-30 minutes (flip halfway if you're doing steaks). Here's the magic: To make the sauce, stir together 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 finely grated medium garlic clove, 3/4 cup chopped roasted cashews, 1-2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce (mined), 2 tablespoons adobo sauce, 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup neutral oil (I used olive oil), and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Spoon over the warm cauliflower. Prepare to be wowed. 

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Things I Love Thursday // 3.18.21

BEN

If you're following along on Instagram and/or Facebook, you've already heard the big news: we got a puppy! May I introduce you to, Ben Stewart Jones. Ben is an 8 1/2 week old Bernedoodle. His mom is a Bernese Mountain dog and his dad is a standard poodle. Ben is the biggest of 9 litter mates and weighs 18 pounds, 4 ounces as of Tuesday (but I assure you, he's grown since then). He is expected to top out between 70-80 pounds. He loves his sisters, treats, sleeping, meeting new people, and riding in the car. He is not so in love with his crate but we are getting there.

Richard Parker

If you've been around for any amount of time, you've already "met" our 20+ pound Ragdoll cat, Richard Parker. He's about 9 and half years old and adjusting well so far to his rambunctious brother. Thank you to everyone who's reached out and specifically asked about how RP is doing in light of the big change to his domain. He's doing well. Because Ben has been confined to the kitchen/kitchenette area, we've been able to manage their introduction carefully. We kept them strictly apart for the first 24 hours. Then, when Ben was outside, we let RP explore all of Ben's things and his scent. After another 8 hours of separation, we have given Richard Parker the option of entering the kitchen space at will (our baby gates have cat doors in them). While RP can come check out Ben, Ben cannot get too close to RP if the cat doesn't want him to. So far, there have been one or two curious barks and the closest encounter was within a few inches (Ben was crashed out at the time). 

Sleep

Have I mentioned Ben's feelings about his crate? Nighttimes around here are not so peaceful anymore. It's been a long time since I was so sleep deprived. Each night gets a little better than the one before so I feel as though we are making good progress. In the meantime, I'll look back on this pic of Greg and I from the morning we picked Ben up (in Ohio) --it was taken after my last solid night's sleep. May it continue to give me hope that the dark circles under my eyes will not always look so dramatic!

 

Bog Boots

Potty training a puppy in wet, cold weather is a bummer. We had such a lovely spring tease last week. This week has brought rain and cold to Charlotte. In fact, as I type this post, we are expecting a huge storm and possible tornado-winds. Did you know that puppies have to go outside to potty about every 20-30 minutes during waking hours? Tromping through the saturated lawn and muddy puddles is, in fact, quite fun for a puppy. The outdoor conditions have made me newly grateful for these little rain boots I picked up some time ago. FYI: some reviewers have complained about them rubbing uncomfortably on the ankles but I have not had the same experience. They are true to size and come in black, orchid, and sage (very cute with my millennial skinny jeans). 

Chili

Wet cold weather calls for chili. This is the perfect no-bean chili recipe that provides a depth of flavor with little simmering. Despite the lack of beans, it's still very filling. Of course, if you enjoy beans, just add some to the pot. I always serve chili with cornbread (from a box) and a green salad. Topping my serving with a generous dollop of sour cream and some shredded cheddar is a must. If you think it sounds strange to add sour cream to your chili --trust me, that's only because you haven't tried it yet.

The Girl with the Louding Voice on Audible

Highly recommended by my friend, Tracie, listening to The Girl with the Louding Voice on Audible has been such an incredibly rich experience. The novel, beautifully written by Abi Daré and exquisitely pread for Audible by Adjoa Andoh, is "the unforgettable, inspiring story of a teenage girl growing up in a rural Nigerian village who longs to get an education so that she can find her 'louding voice' and speak up for herself... [it is] a simultaneously heartbreaking and triumphant tale about the power of fighting for your dreams." Admittedly, it took a bit of time to get used to the unusual sentence structure. This authentic rendering --paired with Andoh's performance lends a deep cultural and emotional layer to the story that cannot be overstated. While I have no doubt that this novel is wonderful in print, I hope you'll follow this link and listen to the Audible sample to hear what I'm trying to describe.

Clairol Root Touch-Up

I blog about this product every few months and I will continue to do so. It's inexpensive, easy to use, and the results, while not professional-level, are very good. Even if you've never colored your own hair, this application process is super approachable. It's no longer full coverage for my multiplying grays --but it is certainly a terrific "quick fix" between salon visits or more saturating over-the-counter undertakings.

 

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