birthday list...

I will be 30 in one week...crazy!  The time sure does fly by... I still feel like I am 16...I figured I would post all my wishes. :)


1) Nike-Free Running Shoes

2) Garmin FR60 Heart Rate Monitor

Timex T5K212 Ironman Triathlon Road Trainer Heart Rate Monitor

3) Bathing suit - Maya Twist Top

4) Tom's (red ones :)

5) Facial

6) Summer Dress

7) Nikon D5000

8) Ani's Raw Foods Essentials

9) Searsucker Shorts

10) Sandals and more sandals

Happy Birthday!

in this room...

Traditional Home also does such a fabulous job with design.  The picture below is taken from a pool house in the Hamptons...oh I wish...maybe one day :) 

I am loving everything about this room.  The colors, the softness, the comfy over stuffed sofas and pillows, and the coral.  I think every room should have some piece of nature in it.  The ocean is always my favorite.  

flip flops and popsicles.

Today was a beautiful day in Nashville.  I got to have lunch with my lovely friend, Heather.  We ate at the new Fish & Co. in 12th South.  The crab cake and green salad (avocados, cucumber, and green goddess dressing) were perfect for a mid day eat.  Then we walked down to Las Paletas.  Today was just hot enough for a delicious, homemade popsicle. I highly recommend the plum, strawberry chocolate chip, and avocado flavors. We got to sit outside and notice all the cute flip flops the gals were wearing.

(Tory B - a fab investment)

Below are some of my favorites:

(J.Crew - Capri - these go with everything and last forever)

(J.Crew - Lepoard print - great for the beach, a sundress, and to wear around the house)


Happy Flopping!

ahhh...

Oh my goodness...it has been a month since my last post!!  Life has been busy lately - weddings, concerts, trips - all good things.  We went to Anniston for Easter and were finally able to pick up the headboard my dad had made for Justin and me for Christmas!  We couldn't wait to get home and put it on the bed.  It makes our room feel complete.  Justin ended up putting on the headboard while Stella and I gave our moral support. :)  She wanted to be right in the middle of it all.

The damask fabric on the headboard fits perfectly with our furniture and makes our bedroom feel complete. It truly is a place we cannot wait to get to each night...ahhh....

And Stella...sleeping on the ride home from Anniston.  Our precious little one.

4 dresses...

While looking through a few magazines this weekend I found three dresses I must have for Spring/Summer.

1) Ella Dress - J.Crew

This little number will look just as good with wedges or flip flops as it will with heals.

I am thinking it is perfect for a beach wedding or a night out on the town.

2) Del Ray Dress - Backcountry 

Loving this soft fabric.  The Del Ray dress can act as a cover up at the pool or beach.

I will also wear to work on a Friday, when I want to be relaxed and comfy. It will look super chic with my red Tom's.

3) Vortex Dress - anthropologie

Classic. Audrey and Jackie O. dress.  

You will have this dress for years to come. Perfect for a evening wedding, a day at the office, or church on Sunday. You won't go wrong with this little investment.

4) Sunny Day Dress - forever 21

The Sunny Day dress is only $15 and comes in two other colors.  

Heck, I just might have to buy all three. 

Again - this is perfect for an afternoon wedding, friend's birthday party, church or work with a cardigan or blazer over it. This dress makes me happy - guess that's how it got it's name.

  

Happy Dressing!

come back spring...

So right when we thought Spring was here, it got cold again.  I always invest in nice workout gear for this reason.  On Saturday mornings, I enjoy going to the gym and then running errands.  If you have cute, comfy gear, you still look presentable when going to Whole Foods and Target after...you never know who you might run into.

These are some great options for this time of year when we don't really know what to wear.

www.lululemon.com - stride jacket

www.lululemon.com - tank

www.athleta.com - lounge tank

www.athleta.com - printed vata pant

www.athleta.com - printed vata short

www.eastbay.com - nike free 3.0 

Happy Weekend!

my favorite time for....candy!

Easter is coming...and that means my favorite time for candy.  My two favorite candies beside Sour Patch Kids are Peeps and Robin Eggs.  There are also the delicious Cadbury Mini Eggs. I have limit myself to so many per day.  You either love or hate Peeps.  I know, I really am like a big kid.  Today - go find your inner kid and enjoy your favorite candy.  Being healthy is a given, but sometimes you have to treat yourself!

Another one to try and new this year - Peepsters - chocolate covered Peeps...wow!

the gold bar.

I discovered these delicious little treats at the Healthways' cafe.  Around 3:00 PM I start getting hungry and need some energy.  The Grab The Gold snack bars are just the thing I need for a pick me up.  They are made with peanut butter, oats, chocolate and crunchy soy nuggets. All organic and natural and taste just like a no-bake cookie! The best part is they have 11 grams of protein.  They are made locally in Franklin, TN so are pretty easy to find at shops around Nashville.  You can also order by clicking here.

Enjoy!

the wedge.

I found these Tom's wedges last summer, but being brand new on the market, they were sold out.  It took me a little bit to try the Tom's flats...they are so comfy and support the wonderful "One for One" mission... for every pair purchased Tom's gives a pair of shoes to a child in need.  I think I will buy a few more colors this spring.  I wanted something a little dressier, but still earthy and casual.  The wedge is the perfect solution. They create length and show off those calf muscles.

Loving and wearing this color...it also comes in black and cranberry.

Comfy and stylish!

{photo credits: www.nordstrom.com and www.joaniebean.blogspot.com}

happy.

Today it actually feels like spring.  I loved coming home from work, getting Stella out of her crate to play, listening to the birds chirp with the back door open.  The dafodils put me in a good mood just by looking at them.

So thankful for all of God's wonderful creations.  Pretty amazing how the flowers know when to bloom, the birds know when to sing, and the sun knows when to rise and set.

Happy Spring! 

stella.

So I have not done a post in over a week because Justin and I got a little bundle of joy...
and patience. Meet Stella!

Justin surprised me with Stella last Sunday.  After much research, we discovered a Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix) was the dog for us.  We have taught her how to sit and stay.  She is smart as a whip and so friendly.  We are working on house training...long nights...but she is getting better and better.  If you can't tell by the pictures, she loves her little sock monkey.

More blogs to come as we create a new routine and learn how to train a puppy.

this is for the G's...the garlic and ginger that is.

Another great find from our trip to San Diego is the Grater Plater.  We found these when visiting the Farmer's Market on Cedros in Solana Beach. This is now our favorite kitchen toy. You can grate cheese, chocolate, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, and nutmeg with this plate.  The best part is it comes with a brush and garlic peeler.  You can use the dish to grate fresh parmasean cheese, put a little olive oil, then dip your bread in it.  Delicious!  Justin and I didn't realize all the ways we could use fresh garlic and ginger - it makes a world of difference to the flavor it adds to any dish.

For only $20, these make great gifts and are very easy to clean and store.  Etsy has another very cool option.

Grate away!

distinctive design.

Notice my new header.  It is compliments of my dear friend Meg.  You can find her work at Worboys Design.  She has over five years experience in design work for various clients.  
I love her style - simple, classy and clean.

{photo credit: worboysdesign.com}

If you are getting married or having a baby shower, email Meg to design your lovely invites.  She is fabulous to work with and has a distinctive eye for style and design.

Thank you Meg for inspring me to start a blog and the wonderful friend you are!

Xo, Em

be true to yourself.

Sunday Justin and I took the train from San Diego up to Orange County to see one of my favorite people - Erin May Shedarowich.  I was dying to see her, her husband Patrick, and meet their little baby boy, Rowan. We loved relaxing at their beautiful home in Newport Beach.  Sunday night Patrick and Erin cooked dinner.  We had a great time sitting around the table talking for hours. Monday before our flight, Erin drove us down the coast to Laguna and then we headed to Fashion Island to eat lunch at True Food.

I can't stop talking about this place.  The food is truly Ah-maz-ing. So fresh and so clean :).  Not only do they pack in the nutrition but they add in the flavor as well.  You leave feeling satisfied, not stuffed. It is just perfect in every way. 

Their entire menu is centered on the principals of Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Food Pyramid. Check it out here.

{photo credits: www.truefoodkitchen.com and www.drweil.com}

Nutritious yet delicious!

avocado tacos.

It's been over a week since my last post.  Justin and I left for Southern California last Thursday and arrived back in Nashville Monday night at 11:50 PM.  Needless to say, yesterday was a long day at work and then we spent the evening unpacking, doing laundry and going to the grocery store.  Being in San Diego and Newport Beach made us want to eat more fresh and clean foods. (thanks Erin and Pat - my next blog will be about True Food).  


On the plane ride back home Justin and I made our weekly menu.  I found this delicious recipe on the iphone app - 5 A Day.  It gives several healthy options and gives you the five fruits and vegetables you need each day.

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado, peeled and seeded
1 medium onion, diced
2 large green peppers, diced
2 large red peppers, diced
1 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1-1/2 cups fresh tomato salsa (see below)
Flour tortillas
Olive oil

Fresh tomato salsa ingredients:
1 cup diced tomatoes
1/3 cup diced onions
1/2 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp cilantro
1/3 tsp jalapeno peppers, chopped
1/2 tsp lime juice

Mix all the the salsa ingredients together and refrigerate in advance.  Top the taco with this yummy salsa.

Directions:
Coat skillet with olive oil.  Lightly saute onion and green and red peppers.  Cut avocado into slices. Warm tortillas in oven and fill with peppers, onions, avocado slices and salsa.  Fold tortillas and serve.

I added garlic to the onion and peppers.  Also they were out of red peppers so I used yellow. This was a nice addition for flavor.  A perfect side to serve with the tacos for fiber and protein are black beans.  Justin and I both agreed this is one of our new favorite "quick and easy" meals.

Enjoy!

mission bell.

Last night Justin played Amos Lee's new Album - Mission Bell.  Loving it!  Amos is special to us  because it was the playlist we listened to when we first met.  He has the folk, soul and jazz all rolled up in one sound.

Among the guests on the new set are Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, and Calexico. Singing with icons, mixing in Latin flavors – these are bold, brash steps for the soul-rock artist singer.

Lee grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA. He enrolled at the University of South Carolina in 1995. He began to play guitar and write songs seriously while he studied English. After graduating with an English degree, Lee moved back to Philadelphia to teach elementary school. He later made the tough decision to stop teaching in order to pursue a career in music. So glad he did!  

Amos will roll down to Nashvegas on April 8th to play at the Ryman.  He'll also hit up Atlanta, Raleigh, Charlotte, Charleston and Knoxville. Then will go further south to Birmingham en route to play at the New Orleans Jazz Fest at the end of April.  


Feel the music!

{copy credits: www.clickitticket.com and www.torrentspath.com}

(photo credits: www.popwreckoning.com and www.musicmp3ru.com} 

our neighborhood theatre.

Last night Justin surprised me with tickets to see Casablanca in black and white at The Belcourt Theatre. What a beautiful love story from the 1940's.  
Ahhh..."Here's lookin' at you kid."

The Belcourt is one of my favorite places in Nashville.  For over 75 years, The Belcourt Theatre has provided a space for premiere entertainment in the heart of Nashville's Hillsboro Village. 

Opening in 1925 as the Hillsboro Theatre, The Belcourt originally operated as a silent movie house, boasting the most modern projection equipment and the largest stage in the city. As the community grew, The Belcourt adapted to the new needs of the neighborhood by providing a regular home for two highly successful performance groups. The Children's Theatre of Nashville, the longest running children's theatre of its kind, and the venerable Grand Ole Opry both shared The Belcourt stage during the 30's.

The Belcourt is now the last of the neighborhood theatres to remain operational, and is recognized as a unique cultural icon and as Nashville’s choice for the best foreign, independent, and classic film, great musical performances, cutting-edge live theatre, and unique programming for kids and their families. 


{photo and copy credits: www.belcourt.org and www.hollywood.com}


Meet me at the Belcourt!

darlin' i love you.

As a tribute to Valentine's Day...this one is for my husband, Justin Daniel Moses.  He now follows my blog and let me know he wasn't listed as "my favorite things".  So for the record, Justin, you are my favorite everything!

Happy Valentine's Day!

{photo credits: www.awwsnapphotography.com}