we feed our tv an apple a day...

A fabulous Christmas present Justin and I got was the Apple TV from his brother, Brandon.  With Apple TV we can rent movies and shows directly from our phones.  It connects to our TV through the HDMI cable and connects to our computer through our wireless.  (Dudes, I know you are with me...chicas, are you still there?) Our I-phones have an app that acts as a remote.  (As you see below, it comes with a remote as well).  The latest thing Justin added was the Netflix rentals.  We are able to rent the movies right to our set.  Other very cool features include access to the iTunes Store and media streaming from our iPhoto and iTunes libraries.  The best part is that is small and very discret, so you put it in any room.

{photo credit: amazon.com}

Happy Watching!

distinctively different.

Distinctively different.  These are the words that inspire me today.  Justin and I are joining Brentwood Baptist Church and attended a membership class last night.  The focus was living distinctively different, so others will see Christ in you and know you are different.  Of course when God wants to grab our attention, he puts little reminders all around us.  Therefore the Daily Verse went right along with this...

God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" - Exodus 3:14

Imagine having the kind of confidence God showed in this passage; when asked who He was, He simply said, "I am." Be confident in who you are - the "I AM" lives in you.  Today think of the things you enjoy and characteristics that make you uniquely you.  Live each day with intention - creating the life YOU love. Do people know you are different?   Here are some books I enjoy that will help inspire you to live distinctively and with style and grace.  What Would Jackie Do? : An Inspired Guide to Distinctive Living by Shelly Branch and Sue Callaway The next best thing to having Jackie O as a personal advisor, What Would Jackie Do? reveals the practical wisdom behind an icon and gives all readers a piece of the Jackie mystique, be it of the heart, the mind, or the home. Also try What Would Audrey Do? : Timeless Lessons for Living with Grace and Style by Pamela Keogh  In an era fraught with selfishness, artifice, and sensational headlines, the reality and tranquility of Audrey is precisely what the world needs now. {photo credits: www.amazon.com} Go be distinctively different!

oh diana.

This cold weather makes me want go home right after work, change into some comfy lounge wear, and relax.  I created a Diana Krall Pandora playlist and love it.  It immediately calms my mind.  I put Diana on and start cooking, enjoy a glass of wine, and can even read with this fabulous background music.  It is even great to play when you have dinner guests.  Her soothing sound takes me away from all the thoughts going through my head.

{photo credit: www.smh.com.au}


Relax!

grace.

I got the new February issue of House Beautiful and am loving this kitchen!  My favorite features are the butcher board counter tops, deep sink, and open shelves.  They chose a color similar to the morning dew we recently painted our kitchen in.  The dark fixtures create balance - they provide a solid foundation to give the room overall grace.

{photo credit: house beautiful, february 2011 issue}

two z's for the weekend.

Zico.  I found this tonight while shopping at Trader Joe's.  I realized I tried it once before at Whole Foods, but after researching more about it, this is a drink, I will drink more often.  It has 5 essential electrolytes, including more potassium (569 mg) than entire banana.  Also no added sugar and no fat. It is all natural - which I love!  For years it has been a source of nutrition, beauty, wellness and hydration.  Zico just makes you feel good.  I suggest trying it after your next work out.  It is the natural energy boost to rehydrate and recover your body. Ahhh...

{photo credit : www.zico.com}


Zolo's.  One of my new favorite restaurants.  Truly Italian with homemade marina sauces, wonderful European wines, and delicious desserts.  Justin and I went last night with Blake and Jenny.  We started off with the bruschetta.  It was amazing with fresh tomatoes, garlic, scallions, fresh basil, and olive oil - topped with baked parmesan. Jenny got the lasagna with layers of beef, Italian sausage, ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella cheese.  Blake got the Trio so he could try a little of everything.  Spinach & cheese ravioli, sausage, meatball and penne pasta in marinara - baked with provolone cheese. Yumm...
Justin got the eggplant paramsean - you can never go wrong with this dish.  I got the spaghetti with clam sauce.  I wasn't sure about this when I ordered it, but the baby clams prepared in a delicious white wine butter sauce was amazing! It was a treat to enjoy a wonderful dinner with special friends.  I always love going to downtown Franklin.

You can find Zolo's at 119 5th ave N. Franklin TN, 37064 and call 615.599.2901 to make reservations.  

{photo credit: www.zolosonline.com}


Cheers! 

warrrrrr eagle. hey!

I just had to make my post today about Auburn!

What a game last night.  The Tigers had my heart beating fast until the last second of the game.  Thank goodness our kicker, Wes Byrum, put it through the uprights for Auburn to beat Oregon in the NATIONAL Championship game!  This is only our second National title EVER!  

My favorite play of the game had to be when Michael Dyer  started running again.  There was no whistle, so he started running, running past he tackler and landed close to the 20 yard line.   A true "once-in-a-lifetime" run, the kind that wins championships.

Dyer's stop-and-go maneuver set up a short field goal on the last play that sent No. 1 Tigers over the No. 2 Ducks 22-19 in the BCS title game.

Loved hearing him say..."All I knew was the whistle wasn't blowing and my coach was saying 'Go!"' Dyer said. Click to read the full story.

War Eagle! 


{photo credit: foxnews.com}

chalk up some painting fun.

The cold weather made Justin and I very productive this weekend.  We decided to paint the kitchen, since we would be in doors staying warm.  Both of us agreed doing one wall with chalkboard paint.  We will use this wall for to do lists, grocery lists, bible verses, etc.  The other color we chose was morning dew.  It blends perfect with the gray chalkboard paint and the tile on the backsplash.

Justin and I both painted.  We would swap up who did the trim and who did the roller brush.  Fun times and definately made some memories. It felt so good to do this ourselves.

Before :

After :

One room down, a few more to go...next we hope to paint our bedroom.

Happy Painting!