Friday Favorites!

Oh man it has been a hot minute since I put together a Friday Favorites post. I'm writing this from my hotel room in Lafayette Louisiana before I have to dash off to a business meeting. I'm really excited about a few items and things going on so I knew I had to crank out a favorites post. As always linking up with some great girls today!

 

ONE:  Let it Snow

 

I spent last weekend in Park City, Utah and it was amazing! I didn't want to come back home and I was secretly hoping our flight would be canceled. Spoiler, it wasn't. However, it was a great weekend spent in the beautiful snow capped mountains and I promise to recap the trip on Monday. So, come back for a full post!

     

TWO: Lindi Skin Products

Have you guys tried any of the Lindi Skin products yet? I recently received the face serum and eye hydrator and have been pleased with both of them. I have super oily skin and it can sometimes be a little sensitive but I've had no negative reactions to the face serum or eye hydrator. I use the serum everyone morning after getting out of the shower and I feel like it starts restoring my skin right away. It is citrus scented so I love the fresh scent in the morning helping me to wake up. It also comes in lavender that I think I will order when mine runs out. Since it is a non-oily product I love that it doesn't contribute to my overly oil skin but I still have refrained from using it after my night showers. Yes, I take two showers on most days and I know some of you will be the first to tell me how bad that is for my skin and hair but I just have to! I workout in the evenings so I can't stand not to shower. Anyways, I try to avoid any extra products on my face at night to try and control the oil buildup. So I don't use the eye hydrator at night either but with my constant bags under my eyes I'm thinking I will try it in the next couple nights since it seems to help with the puffiness. I do love the hydrator in the mornings after applying the serum.

 

Lindi Face Serum // Lindi Eye Hydrator
Like I said, I've been very pleased with both products and highly recommend them. Lindi Skin products are all made with ingredients that have effective preservatives by design, in order to prevent bacterial growth which keeps your immune system on point which we all need during the cold weather months!

 

If you are interested in trying Lindi Skin products you can get 25% off today using the code BLOG25 when you check out on Lindiskin.com.

   

These products were sent to me by Lindi Skin in exchange for my honest feedback, all opinions are my own. 

 

THREE: 200 Calorie Mini Tortilla Pepperoni Pizza

 

 

I am finishing out my fourth week of strictly counting calories and oh my word, I want pizza more than life at this point. It is very odd because I am not normally a HUGE pizza gal but I have been forever craving it this past month. After Sarah posted these 200 calorie pizzas on her snapchat last week I couldn't get the recipe fast enough from her! I made them the very next night and they were a pleaser! It wasn't comparable to the real deal but it definitely satisfied my craving...for three days. Super easy, tasty and a whopping 200 calories these are a must try!  

 

200 Calorie Mini Tortilla Pepperoni Pizza

 

Ingredients

1 Low Carb Whole Wheat Tortilla

2 ounces fat free mozzarella shredded cheese

3 tbs marinara sauce

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1 pinch of crushed red pepper

8 slices turkey pepperoni

1 spray of canola oil spray

 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Assemble your pizza by spreading the marinara on top of the tortilla.

3. Add the mozzarella cheese, then pepperoni.

4. Top with oregano and crushed red pepper.

5. Spray very quickly with canola oil spray (a half second spray).

6. Bake for 5-7 minutes, until bubbly and browned.

7. Let sit for 2-3 minutes before eating.

 

Enjoy! And if you are doing points for Weight Watchers these are 6 points.

 

FOUR:  Yes Please

 

 

After reading from several bloggers how good the audio version of Yes Please by Amy Poehler is I had to try it. I have never 'listened' to a book before but these ladies were right, Amy is hilarious! I knew with these past couple trips coming up I'd have sometime to listen while on the big steel bird. It took me a little getting used to and she's a little crude but I was definitely laughing throughout the whole thing. Recommend the audio version for sure!

 

FIVE: TKO 4 Way Resistance Band

 



Like I mentioned I've been counting calories but I have also stepped up my workouts as well. Instead of just maintaining and being in the gym twice a week or so I am now there four or five times a week and really trying to shred weight. However, I will admit it is so much harder to stay on track while traveling. So, I was super pumped to get this TKO 4 way resistance band that was super easy for me to pack for this weekend's business trip. It gave me the extra motivation I needed when I unpacked my suitcase this evening and I ended up in the hotel's fitness center to try it out. I love it! It is so easy to use and has adjustable tension for varied resistance which is great. I really love how convenient it was to just grab and pair it with my normal cardio routine in the small hotel gym. The adjustable resistance gave my abs and core a great workout along with my arms.  

 

Excuse the terrible pictures, I was alone besides the little girls at the window in the pool area trying to talk to me and make me laugh. They were super cute but not much help with taking great pictures. But you can really see how easy the TKO band is to use here.

 

 TKO 4 Way Resistance Band

 

This band will for now on be packed with me on every business trip. Great, easy and convenient workout! Also it is less than $13 and on Amazon Prime!

 

This product was sent to me by TKO in exchange for my honest feedback, all opinions are my own. 

 

I hope y'all are having a wonderful Friday and have a great weekend! Sadly I will be working most of my mine but on Sunday evening when I get home my brother and sister in law are having their gender reveal party at my in-law's house so I will find out if I'm getting another niece or nephew! Team pink!

 

 

Beauty Review: Shinny Nails with Emjoi Micro-Nail

Over the holiday break I treated myself to a much needed manicure and pedicure. My nails looked atrocious from all the Christmas hustle and bustle. So my legging wearing, Starbucks sipping self got a little pampering. I will say that I don't normally splurge and get a manicure since I'm weird about wearing colors on my fingernails and I definitely don't splurge on shellac often since it is very rough on my nails. However, like I said it was a pampering day so I got a pretty dark red shellac manicure and enjoyed every minute of it.

Fast forward a week and a half later...the polish was then chipping and left my nails looking like I just got back from war. Ok maybe that is a little extreme but definitely leaving me with 'why did I pay thirty dollars for this again?!' thoughts.

With a business dinner coming up I needed a fix and quick! I didn't have time to leisurely head to the spa because I've sadly traded in my leggings for slacks again. I decided to give my new Emjoi Micro-Nail a try! This little handheld size battery operated nail polisher worked some magic, let me tell you!

  

Emjoi Micro-Nail

I just quickly filed down my nails and then first used the buffing spin attachment over each nail and already I could tell a huge difference. All the chipping and damaged layers were buffed out. I rinsed my hands and changed the attachment for the polishing spinner. 

After a few more seconds my nails were so shinny, I honestly couldn't believe how well this worked. I was somewhat skeptical being a battery operated handheld device but all doubts were quickly gone when I saw the shine it left on my nails. I was so thankful to have great healthy looking nails for my dinner meeting.

Since I did need my shine to last for the dinner I did apply a top-coat to mine but honestly I didn't have to, I just wanted mine to last longer. I highly recommend the Micro-Nail especially for quick fixes yourself. I founded it cheapest at Kohl's for under thirty-five dollars however QVC also carries it but they are currently sold out it looks like. 

Since we are on the topic Emily from The Sweetest Thing just talked about getting her nails dipped in an acrylic formula called SNS. It looks like there is only one spa here in Tulsa that does them but I wanted to see if any of you have had your nails done with it. If so how was it? Does it leave your nails damaged? Let me know ladies!

This product was sent to me by Emoji in exchange for my honest feedback, all opinions are my own. 

   

5 Reasons to Workout During the Holidays

 Admittedly I was not on track like I should have been around Thanksgiving and then I had a dream...one that I had gained 140 lbs over the holidays. Needless to say my booty has been back in the gym almost everyday since then! With the Christmas holiday quickly approaching, schedules filling up and the temperatures dropping workouts can be the first to go for me. But, I'm encouraging myself and you to stick with (or start) exercising through this bustling season for these reasons:

1. Reduce Your Stress For some of us, the holidays can be a stressful time of year and working out definitely helps to alleviate the stress and tensions. Even if I don't feel like going to the gym, by the time I am finished, I feel so much better! I have never regretted a workout but I have regretted not working out. Working out helps clear my mind and improve my mood a ton! I know one helpful tip for myself is to never miss a Monday at the gym. Mondays set the tone for my week.

2. Working Out Helps You Eat Healthier This is true for me, but I wonder is it true for you too? When I'm working out consistently, I tend to eat a lot better. I recognize that I worked hard at the gym and I don't want to blow it by eating terrible. If I'm not working out I tend to eat badly which leads me to indulging in way too may desserts, snacks and drinks. And I mean drinks of all kinds from hot chocolate, wine to cocktails especially at all the Christmas parties and happy hours. 

3. Finish Strong For me, I've worked really fairly hard at getting in shape and I want to maintain what I've accomplished. I have a long ways to go but I don't want to have to start from the beginning. If you've done the same, don't spoil it by quitting now!

4. Be Ahead of the Game for the New Year When the New Year comes and everyone is resolving to "get in shape" you'll already be ahead of the game! I look forward to this feeling every year!

5. No Guilt for Small Indulgences I try to watch what I eat most of the time, but I admit to having a small addiction this time of year to hot chocolate especially and other yummy holiday snacks! I don't think a total withdraw is a good thing (or fun at all) and knowing I workout helps remind me that it's alright to indulge during the holiday without feeling guilty. Just not so much to were I gain 140 lbs! Ah!! 

Putting this all in a post helps motivate me to continue my efforts at getting and staying fit...as well as the dang Victoria Secret Fashion Show! Those beautiful Angels get me every year, instant motivation! I hope post this is motivating to others as well. What are some helpful tips you have for staying active and healthy through the holiday?

 

15 Bible Verses For When You Don't Understand God's Plan

 

You don't have to know the plan to trust God's purpose. If only I could put this on repeat every 86,400 seconds a day in my mind...then I might fully grasp it.

"God I don’t always understand You, but I want to always trust You. Will You increase my faith and trust in You? Jesus, thank You for sharing in my pain on the cross. Amen."

15 Bible Verses For When You Don't Understand God's Plan

"Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You have little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:31

"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." Psalm 147:5

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21 

For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the LORD, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:18

"But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, oh you of little faith!" Luke 12:28

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." Deuteronomy 7:9

"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death." Psalm 48:14

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable." Isaiah 40:28

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" Psalm 111:10 

Do you have a Bible verse you could share that helps you understand God’s plan when you can’t? Would love it if you’d leave it in the comments for me. 

   

Pumpkin Pecan Baked Brie

While in Trader Joes a couple months ago in Alabama I picked up a jar of their pumpkin butter and knew I needed to make something festive and delicious with it. I decided on making Pumpkin Pecan Baked Brie as an appetizer for Thanksgiving and it did not disappoint!

 It was simple and low maintenance appetizer but with a big flavor! It took all of five minutes to put together and twenty-five minutes to bake. Make sure you add this one to your Christmas menu or for any holiday party!

Pumpkin Pecan Baked Brie

Ingredients

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

2 Tbs pumpkin butter (I highly recommend Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter)

1/4 Tsp ground cinnamon

1 (8 ounce) wheel brie cheese, rind trimmed

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1 large egg, beaten

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.

Place puff pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread pumpkin butter evenly over the top, leaving 1-inch border, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Set the cheese in the center of the sheet and top with pecans and cranberries.

Fold the puff pastry over the sides of the cheese, pleating the edges to fit snugly around the cheese. Pinch the dough together in the center to seal and brush evenly with the egg.

Place into oven and bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes

Serve warm with crackers.

Recipe Also Found Here

This is the easiest baked brie ever! I will also say that I picked up my brie from Aldi and it was wonderful and a lot cheaper than other local grocery stores. I personally loved this dish and I think my family enjoyed it very much as well. Since I am a pumpkin lover at heart I could eat this year-round easily! I will say it was not so great leftover so make sure you eat it all! Enjoy!

 
     

Christmas Outfit: Featuring Kushyfoot

This weekend my mother-in-law invited me and my sister-in-laws to join her at their church's Women's Gala on Sunday evening. I was excited to accept the offer to get to wear a fun dress and have a great time with family. I picked up this gold and cream cocktail dress from Target during their Black Friday sale for only seventeen dollars! You can still get it half off with their bogo half off sale on clothes and accessories. It was pretty chilly last night so I wore a pair of the new Kushyfoot shaping tights, which were awesome because they have a massaging sole on them and this classic black Express blazer.

 Downtown Jenks is always such a beautiful area of town but I really adore it during Christmas time. The streets are lined with wreaths, each storefront window is lit up with beautiful lights and with fresh tree trimmings and Christmas lights draped over bustling Main Street. My sister-in-law Randi and I picked up Starbucks and enjoyed the festive scenery before heading to the Gala. 

By the end of the night was really thankful for the massaging soles on my Kushyfoot tights. I also loved that the tights aren't as thick as leggings but also aren't as thin as pantyhose so I wasn't afraid all night that they might snag. 

We had a wonderful time at the Gala. We enjoyed a great dinner, festive Christmas entertainment, wonderful company and lots of laughs. I'm thankful for each of these ladies!

 

My little sister also kindly informed me that this cocktail dress makes me look pregnant, thanks sis! So, I also received a pair of the Kushyfoot Fleece-lined tights that I will be pairing with a more slimming outfit, a long knit sweater and booties. I truly love these Kushyfoot products, I promise you wont regret checking them out!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

These products were sent to me by Kushyfoot in exchange for my honest feedback, all opinions are my own. 

 

Pecan Pie Cheesecake, A MUST Bake Holiday Dessert!

Y'all, I baked a pecan pie cheesecake for Thanksgiving last week and dare to say it might be the best thing I have ever baked! It is at least in the running for the number one spot, hands down!

Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts and I have to tell you, this pecan pie cheesecake is one of the best I've ever tasted. {Pat on the back} It's like a cheesecake and pecan pie in on dessert. How could anything be better?! Well besides adding pumpkin of course! This cake has a vanilla wafers crust, pecan pie filling, creamy cheesecake layer and buttery, caramel pecan topping. It's not insanely sweet like regular pie because the cheesecake layer perfectly cuts down the sweetness of pecan filling, and still you will get a rich amazing treat!

 Image via Lilluna...because I failed to take a picture of mine cut.

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Ingredients

For the Crust:
13/4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup unsalted butter-melted

For the Pecan Filling:
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup dark corn syrup
1/3 cup unsalted butter-melted
2 large eggs-lightly beaten
11/2 cups pecans-chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cheesecake Filling:
24 ounces cream cheese-softened
11/4 cups light brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping:
31/2 tablespoons unsalted butter-melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon 
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup toasted pecans-chopped 

Instructions

To make the Crust:
1. Line the bottom of 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and brown sugar, stir in melted butter, then press the mixture evenly into bottom and halfway up the side of 9 inch springform pan. Set in the fridge to firm the crust while making the filling.

To make the Pecan Filling:
1. In a medium saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, eggs, pecans and vanilla and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer stirring constantly until thickened, 5-7 minutes. Pour into prepared crust and set aside.

To make the Cheesecake Filling:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat the cream cheese until creamy, then add brown sugar and flour and beat until fluffy.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until combined after each addition. Do not over beat it! Stir in heavy cream and vanilla, then pour cheesecake mixture over pecan filling.
4. Place springform pan on a cookie sheet, put it in the oven and reduce heat to 325 F. Bake the caek for 60-70 minutes (until toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean). Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in with oven door closed for one hour.
5. Run a knife around the edges of cheesecake but do not take it out of the pan until completely cooled. (I let mine cool overnight in the fridge).

To make the Topping:
1. In a small saucepan combine butter and brown sugar. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until very bubbly, then stir in cinnamon, heavy whipping cream and chopped pecans. Cool to room temperature.
2. Release the sides of springform pan and spoon the topping over cooled cheesecake.
3. Store the cake in the fridge.

Recipe also found here

I'll be completely honest and say it was a lot of work most because the number of steps but it was worth it. When I got done I said I am never making this again. THEN I took it to lunch at my sister's and everyone loved it! I took one bite and said it wasn't that hard to make...a few more bites, I am definitely making this again! Every last crumb was eaten, huge hit! If you have a cheesecake lovers in your family, I highly recommend trying this pecan pie cheesecake, it's now one of my for sure fall favorites. I will for sure be making this again!