[holiday gift guide: for him]

Just as I promised, I have an affordable [under $50] gift guide for those men in your life. Now, this can be your brother, boyfriend, dad, grandpa, etc.; there's something for everyone. Hopefully this is helpful and for those of you going out, good luck on Black Friday!!!

[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

"there's some people in this world who you can just love and love and love, no matter what."

- john green

[my week in workouts | week three]

So, saying this past week has been a hiatus from my intense workouts is an understatement. Everything was going fine until Wednesday, when we drove 13 hours from Miami to Knoxville. That didn't exactly leave much time to work out. I got some exercise in on Thursday, but Friday we touristed around all day so I didn't get a chance to work out then either. And then when Sunday came around, it was quite the Sunday, so I was just lounging around.

I WILL make this week a more productive one, even though it's Thanksgiving!

Have a good week all!

"life's under no obligation to give us what we expect."

- margaret mitchell

[turkey chili]

Winter is definitely soup and chili season, but also weight gain season. In an effort to enjoy all those delicious foods but not gain the weight, I'm taking on some of my favorite meals and trying a healthy twist on them. I've got a whole 'clean eating' board on Pinterest, to pull ideas from. This one is basically my spin on this Turkey Chili recipe I found. 

The process is actually really simple, only taking a little over an hour to have this dish ready to serve and eat! I made it on a sauce pan, because I don't have a crock pot or slow cooker, but that would probably work too. Here's a step-by-step look at the process. 

My ingredients: I bought the turkey specifically for this, but surprisingly I had the rest in my kitchen! I used 1 can of kidney beans, 2 cans of diced tomatoes (next time I plan to use fresh tomatoes), 1 onion, 6 cloves of garlic, 1 green bell pepper, some oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.

Step 1: Sauté the chopped garlic and onions. 

Step 2: Add meat til it browns, then add the rest of the ingredients and stir. 

Step 3: Stir every 10-15 minutes for an hour and voila! It's ready!

Printable version:

Enjoy!

"the desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. the desire to reach hearts is wise."
- maya angelou

[my week in workouts | week two]

After the first week of documenting my workouts I really started to feel more motivated to exercise. Oddly enough, it was like a positive assignment/homework I wanted to do. So I'm going to keep at it. The amazing thing is how much power we have over our bodies. Ultimately, our bodies are our works of art, we can change them [pretty much] as much as we want to. It's crazy how even after that first week, going into the second week, my body felt so different. On leg day my knees felt stronger (I have knee problems, no surprise there), on tricep day my biceps and triceps already started to look a tiny bit more defined, and it's all a direct result of my actions and choices. Sitting here after week two, I'm feeling so much better and ready to push that much harder!!!

I also thought it'd be beneficial this time around to explain some things, since I abbreviated them:

• Leg press sets: I do the leg press machine, 15 reps with my knees and feet together, 15 in a regular squat, 15 as wide as I can. That's 1 set, which I do as many times as I can.
• Plank circuit: To strengthen my abs and lower back, I do three plank sets. Each set is: 10 seconds regular plank, 10 seconds on one side, 10 seconds the other side. 
• Step workout: I basically did random stuff on the step, working a little cardio into my leg routine.
• #SweatTour2014 is a workout created and taught by Dawn Archer. Her story is incredible, and she has traveled to 47 states so far teaching this class in random parking lots, parks, and gyms. The workouts are different each time and last about an hour. Honestly, I was surprised how much it kicked my butt. 

All in all I'm noticing some awesome changes in my body and am looking forward to week three!!! Get to sweatin' y'all!

"you'll turn out ordinary if you're not careful."

- ann brashares

[holiday gift guide: for her]

I never thought I would become this person, but I'm already starting to listen to Christmas music. I know, how annoying. Thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet!!! That being said, I've been getting ready for gift-giving season. Here is a small group of affordable [under $50] gift ideas for an women you'll be gifting. Don't worry, I'll have one for men soon!

[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

Happy shopping!

"happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give."

- ben carson

[my week in workouts]

Something I've been trying to do recently is document my workouts; it keeps me more accountable and helps me gauge my progress. Obviously I pull inspiration and ideas from all kinds of sources, from Instagram accounts to Pinterest workout ideas. This was my week in workouts from last week, and Sunday was my rest day. Here's to seeing some improvement!

"remember the girl who gave up? nobody else does either."

- anonymous

[CMA review & commentary]

I am huge awards show fan. I love seeing artists from different genres or generations come together to award each other and perform for all of us. Plus, I love seeing what they wear. Last night's 48th Annual CMA Awards were no different. Hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley (this is their seventh go-around), this year's lineup included a wide range of presenter's and performers. Here's a look at my commentary and review from the night. (Kind of a peek into my brain if you will.)

picture from CMA World (not mine).

Opening performance: Kenny Chesney – American kids. (He's always great.) That was followed by Meghan Trainor / Miranda lambert – All About That Bass…awkward but I liked it? (Still not sure how I feel). 

Carrie & Brad had some introductory banter:

• Awkward George Strait song? (George can say he's going to retire a million times, he'll return a million and one.) 
• Awkward quarantine Ebola song? (we all knew that was coming)
• PPTSD: Post Partum Taylor Swift disorder…”New York’s gain is Nashville’s loss, look’s like we’re gonna have to shake it off.” (is it a loss though???)
• Can’t joke about Renee because she might be here, she’s a master of disguise. (not gonna lie, I laughed)

Single of the Year –  Presented by Steven Tyler (he is a badass). Automatic by Miranda lambert. (She didn’t look genuinely happy to have received it at first. Also is it me or do she and Blake never kiss on the mouth in public? Trouble in paradise or they don’t like PDA?)

*PERFORMANCE: Lady Antebellum – Bartender. Hillary's glitter / shimmer leggings were fabulous!

*PERFORMANCE: Florida Georgia Line – Dirt. (I like them and have seen them in concert, but they both sounded like they were sick. Tyler’s voice was super nasal and Brian’s was really weak.)

*PERFORMANCE: Keith Urban – Somewhere in My Car. (Does he age? I don’t think so. That hair has got to go though.)

Song of the Year – Presented by Darius Rucker and Tim Tebow. Kacey Musgraves – Follow Your Arrow. (I LOVE her and am so happy for her...but why was Tim Tebow there? Ew.)

*PERFORMANCE: The Band Perry – Gentle On My Mind. Kimberly Perry’s voice just gets better with time. Plus, only at a country music awards show can a woman sing a song with an acoustic guitar and gorgeous glittering black gown. 

*PERFORMANCE: Kacey Musgraves & Loretta Lynn – You’re Looking at Country. Sweet Loretta Lynn looks precious in her glitter gown. Reminds me of something Dolly would wear. 

New Artist of the Year - presented by Lee Brice & Brantley Gilbert: Brett Eldredge (genuine shock and happy surprise. Precious America.)

*PERFORMANCE: Jason Aldean – Burnin’ It Down. (I like Jason but this performance felt like a dud.)

Carrie & Brad: baby gifts from Brad (baby shower), since he revealed the baby's gender earlier in the show. 

*PERFORMANCE: Little Big Town - Day Drinkin’. Then Ariana Grande came on stage and they sang Bang Bang together. I didn’t want to like Ariana Grande but she sounded amazing live.

*PERFORMANCE: Tim McGraw – Shotgun Rider. He looks a little skinny, but as usual, Tim is fabulous.

Vocal Duo of the Year – presented by Brett Eldredge, Brandy Clark and Kip Moore: Florida Georgia Line (no shocker there, yet they were both still nervous two years in a row.)

*PERFORMANCE: Dierks Bentley – Drunk on a Plane. (Good, not much to say).

Album of the Year – presented by Connie Britton & Martina McBride: Platinum by Miranda Lambert. She said she poured her heart into this one more than her others and seemed genuinely thankful. (I love her.)

*PERFORMANCE: Brad Paisley –Perfect Storm. (Good, same ol' Brad.)

*PERFORMANCE: Blake Shelton & Ashley Monroe – Lonely Tonight. (my only thought: Ashley is Miranda’s friend…why didn’t Miranda sing it? Ashley's dress though...super sexy.)

*PERFORMANCE: Carrie Underwood – Something in the Water. She’s such a commanding performer, there is literally nothing else to say, she has got to have the best female voice in country music. 

Vocal Group of the Year – presented by Lucy Hale and Dan & Shay: Little Big Town. (no surprise there, they're having a moment.)

*PERFORMANCE: Luke Bryan – Roller Coaster. (It was good, but Luke's always good.)

*PERFORMANCE: Miranda Lambert & Little Big Town – Smokin’ and Drinkin’. (I had never heard that song but really like it!)

*PERFORMANCE: George Strait & Eric Church – Cowboys Like Us. (I love Eric Church and love how excited he gets when he performs, and how stoked he was to be up on stage with George Strait.)

Male Vocalist of the Year – presented by Trisha Yearwood: Blake Shelton. Not surprised though, but I love him.

*PERFORMANCE: The Doobie Brothers ft. Hillary Scott, Jennifer Nettles, and Hunter Hayes – Listen to the Music. (Sounded great! I love Jennifer and Hillary's voices mixed in with The Doobie Brothers.)

Female Vocalist of the Year – presented by Lily Aldridge & Sam Hunt: Miranda Lambert. She was very thankful, and, as usual, cried. 

Entertainer of the Year – presented by Garth Brooks: Luke Bryan. (I love how he hugged his wife for a solid minute.)

Now you all know what it's like inside my brain during these things...

Happy Thursday everyone!

"our genre was built on simple, good songs about real life and that's what this was."

- kacey musgraves

[on my radar: utility jackets]

I am loving utility jackets right now. Maybe it's because I can't let go of my utility vest and want the same look to tide me over for cooler weather. Maybe it's because I really like the balance between something girly with something a little more grunge. Whatever it is, I had been searching far and wide for utility jackets when I came across one at Forever 21. And then another. And another. Well, I don't know which I'll choose, but I'm loving them all right now. Here are my top six!

[ONE][TWO][THREE]

[FOUR][FIVE][SIX]

Happy Monday everyone!

"style is knowing who you are, what you wanna say, and not giving a damn."

-orson welles