Bastille Day it like a French Gal!

History of the croissant!

Bonjour! It's Bastille Day, and I have no idea why I've always liked and celebrated this holiday. I'm a good ol' 'Merican girl in the Dirty South for crying out loud! However, I just love it and usually hit up my favorite French bakery in town for a fruit boat and tea. I thought it'd be fun today to get some inspiration from these French-inspired lovelies! Why not, oui? Oui!!


First, fashion! I always imagine one of the many reasons the French stereotypically look at Americans the way they do while Americans basically worship French women is somewhere in the French psyche, they imagine the Americans as a clingy lover. One who idolizes and changes in the relationship, when all French people seem to grasp that being a true representation of oneself is key. They certainly don't have articles in French that extol the secrets of the American je ne sais quoi!
Philosophizing aside, it's f-f-f-fashion!

Un: How to create a 5-piece French wardrobe and (theoretically) CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Ha! Love it.

Deux: 12 Secrets to dressing like a French woman!

Trois: How to live like a French Girl!

Food!

Quatre: Poulet Saute Chasseur (Hunter's Chicken). Looks so delicious!

Cinq: Galette de Pomme de Terre (Potato Galette). I love a galette!

Six: 44 Classic French recipes with wine pairing suggestions!

Beauty!

Sept: Twelve French ways to style your hair. SO chic!

Huit: French drugstore products that really work...I'm personally addicted to Rose Witch Hazel.

Neuf: What French women NEVER do to their hair. Fascinating!


Design!

Dix: Seven secrets to French decorating. Love it!

Onze: "French Women" secrets for a healthy home. 

Douze: Eight Feminine French rooms. 

Youngins!

Trieze: What French children are taught about food that American children are not.

Quatorze: This little French bebe, telling quite the tall tale about Winnie the Pooh. My heart, it is so cute!

Au revoir, mes amis!

200!!

Spring sunrise at the lake by my house.

Hey friends! Today is my 200th post on P&PPS! That's so bananas, because it feels like just yesterday I was writing the first, then the 100th! I'm so grateful to y'all out there who read this and have been hanging out with me on my pursuit of balance, peace and positivity! A big kiss on the forehead to all y'all!

Things have been pretty hectic on my end with a wedding, Easter, work stuff and moving into a new house. However, I'm here to post an update on the "Paleo" experiment (and apologize for no Friday post last week, after I teased it and everything! Mea culpa mea culpa!). I promise to have one whiz-bang doozy of a Friday Happies this week to make it up to ya.

To the update!

I thought last week was going to be more challenging than it was, I really did. The first three days were the easiest. The challenges came in trying to eat out or grabbing something quick from a store when my blood sugar plummeted while moving. I did okay, but it sure seems like EVERYTHING has added sugar in it these days. Geesh.

I made Pineapple Pulled Pork in the crock pot earlier in the week and it really was a lifesaver. The hubs ate it on bread and I devoured it as is for my lunches at work. I also made this Enchilada Stew which satiated both our appetites and was completely on track to boot! Daily smoothies and non-dairy, crustless mini quiches kept me going in the early parts of the day as did having an avocado or banana with honey for snacks in that weird between time before dinner. Carrots (being my favorite snack) and a Paleo'd version of these Pumpkin "Cookies" were my go-to for sweet treats, which surprisingly really did the trick!

The 4th was my cousin's wedding and I stayed true all day until the dinner reception in which there was nary a Paleo option to be found. It wasn't one of the days I had planned on loosening the reigns, but it was okay. Flexibility and a positive outlook are super important in a life change such as this. I had a champagne toast, a couple beers and a Southern-style dinner topped off with one bite of each wedding cake. All in all, not too bad (and zero guilt).

The 5th was Easter and was my total fun day. I stayed on point until I got to my Mom's (which was my plan), and the meal they had planned was like 80% on my track anyway (handy for me!), so other than deviled eggs, wine and dessert, that day was nailed and thoroughly enjoyed.

Then the 6th day came. I had no trouble with sugar or cold beer cravings until this day. I guess because the sugar was still in my system, my body went into HEROIN mode. The wigged out cells in my body kept telling my brain that I wanted- nay, NEEDED sugar when I really didn't. I found myself craving the weirdest, sugariest stuff that I haven't had in years! I didn't give in (though the cravings were intense, needless to say) because inside I knew it wasn't real. However, that really made me pay attention to the shock my body goes through whenever I eat/imbibe processed foods/sugars.

Yesterday was the 7th day and other than having had to fast for a blood test, my cravings were pretty much silent again. I did make the mistake of going to the grocery store hungry and without meaning too, my eyes grew wide at the sight of fried chicken; but I'm Southern. My eyes always do that because I was brought up right.

All of this is to say friends (and drum roll please)...I lost five and a half pounds in the first week, a half inch off my thighs and bum!!! Now, I'm no dummy. I've also been walking 20 minutes every morning and taking a 30-day yoga challenge every evening. But it's all added up to a pretty stupendous-feeling success!

I'm geared up for week number two! Care to join me?! I'd love to know!

I truly hope you have a wonderful day! Also, a HAPPY 54th BIRTHDAY to my B! I love you!

Friday Happies!

Southern Belle vintage Valentine!

Good Friday, kiddos (and a Good Luck Friday the 13th too)! I cannot believe how fast the weeks are flying by these days! Geesh! I hope you have a nice relaxing weekend planned, I'll be working for part of it and celebrating ValenGras (Valentine's + Mardi Gras) for the other part! Woohoo! So, without further ado, here's this week's list of sweets, funnies, pretties, happies, interestings, and what-nots to get your weekend off to a great start!

*The hubs and I enjoyed this speed dating prank...and how awfully cheesy these guys were on a supposed blind date. Ouch.

*Photographs of sweet pits with flower crowns to help people see the sweetness there beneath the bad reputation (it's the people who hurt them, not the pups themselves, y'all!). I think Mr. Fantastic is thinking "Yeah, that's right- I own this look!".


*I go nowhere on Valentine's Day on principal (traffic, crowds *shudder*). However, this would be a beautiful number to wear for a romantic dinner for two any old day of the week.

*Dear Potatoes...Will you be my Valentine? I love you so!

*While we're at it...Valentine's Day is apparently totally different for "Millenials". Technically I am a part of the "Millenial" generation (though I definitely have some thoughts on that), but I have to say...it's totally true!

*Y'all know I loved Anne of Green Gables in 2015! Check out my girl Lizzy Bennet in 2015...totally nailed it!

Mardi Gras beads in the trees!

*Oooweeoo! A DIY Mardi Gras statement necklace (that doesn't have to be so tacky or "I think I have too many beads" suffocatey").

*Sniff! Oh my goodness! This commercial is so sweet and so heartbreaking! I couldn't even remember what it was for! Whoopsie!

*I'm in big-time need for stationery and thank you cards these days. I really liked these. Call me old-fashioned but I am a bit turned off by cards that say "Thanks". Is it too much trouble to say "Thank You"? It's like saying "Yeah" to the Queen or something. I guess it's better than no thank you note at all thought, huh? I've totally been guilty of that before!

*What a cool little birdhouse! This would make a good gift for my Mama. We both have a thing for acorns.

*I thought this was kind of cool. Three woman of various ethnic backgrounds get transformed to look like a royal ancestor.

*Who knew John Reilly could sing like that?! The hubs and I have been listening to this over and over for a few days now!

*Y'all know I'm a candle whore. Every candle on Terrain needs to be at my house right now.

*Well, if this didn't come along right when I needed it. Geez Louise!

*I don't have the best track record for baking...but I wanna make these. Should I even try? I miss New Orleans right now (because that means I can eat them but don't have to attempt to make them)!

Have a great weekend, y'all! I hope it's an awesome one and super relaxing and lovely!
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pssst...And here's one for only those with a slightly foul sense of humor. You have been warned (I no likey to upsetty).

Okay, so obviously I'm a movie trailer nerd. But, I love a romantic comedy that's not a romantic comedy, and Amy Schumer and Bill Hader are both my jams, respectively. Enter "Trainwreck". Super not safe for work because of language and hilarious raunch. It looks so funny!!

Pass the wassail...

Happy "traditional, 100% red-blooded, two-fisted, All-American" Christmas to those who celebrate it! And to those of you who don't, I hope you are having a beautiful, wonderful 100% red-blooded, All-American (or wherever you may be from) fantastic day too, whatever you may be doing!

A Christmas Story.

Don't you just love A Christmas Story? So sweet and darkly funny all at once. Pure magic.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Everywhere you go!

I hope y'all got all your last minute running around done today! It's still a stormy mess around our neck of the woods and the lake by my house has washed out a road. It's kind of cool and exciting like when a hurricane would come around when I was a kid.

The hubs and I have done our little gift exchange (and it was lovely, thank you!); now we're heading over to my mom & step-dad's with beer cheese, sweet onion & cranberry compote and poinsettia gelees (champagne & cranberry jello shots, but fancy)!

Happy Christmas Eve, y'all! And don't forget to track Santa! Last I heard he was seen over Majorca! Neat!

Be safe out there!

Friday Happies!

Fleecy Flock Ribbon (see below!!)

Hey y'all! Can you believe it's only 5 full days until Christmas? That's nuts. It seems like this season has been slow (helloooo retail!) and very fast at the same time. This weekend I'm working like a damn hound, but it's okay. It's almost done and soon it will be New Year's! What a whirlwind of a year!!

Anyway! You know what Fridays around here mean! Here are some funs, happies, heart-warmies & pretties to help usher you into your weekend (and hopefully put a smile on your face too).

*It met with mixed reviews, but this year's tree in Reading, Pennsylvania was pardoned even though some city council members and residents thought "it was too ugly". Not only has it been saved and is on display in the middle of town, but they embraced it's Charlie Brown Christmas Tree-ness and placed a blue blanket around the base (think Linus' security blankie) and a single red ornament. Everyone in the town has been invited to help jazz it up (just like at the end of the Charlie Brown Christmas Special) on Christmas Day and they've even started an essay contest so people can submit writings on the real meaning of this season. Now talk about getting it right, y'all! Way to go guys!

*Fleecy Flock Ribbon Sheep?!?!?! I didn't realize it until now, but now that I know it exists; I must procure it for loved ones!

*A possibly transformative New Year's Resolution (more on those next week).

*These parents got together to give their kids' crossing guard a new vehicle when his was repossessed due to mounting hospital bills for his sick wife. What a lovely gesture!

*As you know, I dream of having a smidgen of "grown-up" in my bohemian, quirky & inner-child friendly apartment. I really liked this makeover for a newlywed couple feeling the same way. Though the realist in me wonders just how much that makeover actually cost.

*This would be so perfect for the hubs' bedside table (and one for me too...*ahem*).

*Check out this Japanese man's totally zen gift-wrapping style. I cannot even figure out what shape the wrapping paper started out in but woah!! I'm impressed! While you're at it, check out this Japanese man's incredible ironing skills (I'm baffled by most garments myself- though cloth napkins I've got down), and this Japanese man's shoe-shining skills. As my husband says, "there is something so soothing and gratifying about watching someone do something with their hands, and do it so masterfully." Japan has definitely gotten some things figured out!

*Minus the bows, I would totally wear these and pretend I was Phryne Fisher.

*In that same vein, these bad boys would work too (but in a champagne colour like she wears)!

*Nine year old girl writes a kind letter to her teacher. "It's just your life."

*We love Ray Blount Jr. at our house, and his hilarious commentaries on Southern life always make my day better. His take on Christmas songs is a winner for me. Love it!

*This is (literally) one of my favourite holiday songs (other than all things Vinve Guiraldi & Nat King Cole). I don't know what that says about me. I also love that the video for it is from an entirely different song. Hilarious.

*Never underestimate the power of egg whites. From pancakes, cookies, soups & cocktails, this surprising ingredient is Best in Show for many a recipe. Check some out here!

*Contrary to my love of the 20's, I know I'm a nerd and thiiiiiiis close to being a macaroni necklace-wearing earth-muffin...but I still totally want this (and have for years now)!

*Remember that delightful chunky knit throw from Tuesday's post? Here's a way to make one yourself!!

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!

Thoughts on staying in...

I am feeling so snuggly (i.e. lazy and not wanting to wear real clothes) lately. All I want to do is cosy up on the couch and watch Phryne Fisher Mysteries (I'm completely addicted) and shirk all grown-up responsibilities.

Now this may not seem connected, but believe me it is. I love a throw. Maybe because I'm the child of an interior designer and one of my first toys was a paint fan. But, I have at least four throws out in my house at any given point and I'm on the prowl for a couple more "grown up" ones for my one-day fully decorated (whatever that means) house and eventual decline into couch-bound murder mystery aficionado.

Here are some that I'm totally obsessed with at the moment:

Crazy fuzzy faux fur throw from Restoration Hardware. I'd have to keep this one away from the pups or they'll never cuddle with me again.

This super chunky throw would be right at home at the foot of my bed. Doesn't that look so wonderful to snuggle up with?!

Remember this one from last week? I want to nuzzle up with it and nap.

As winter is about to roll around, I get that "light a fire and stay home" kind of instinct. Maybe it's an ancient thing that still resides inside of me; but, I no longer associate this time of year with being out with people. Sixteen years of customer service during the holidays will do that I guess. Instead I want to have quality time with a handful of people, and not in the party sense. I used to love a holiday party and would go to a half dozen every year! Nowadays, I'd rather meet you for breakfast and chat for a little while. Actual quality time with no hors d'oeuvres toothpicks to try to find a place to throw away, no spanx ripping my stomach in half and no worrying about having to dodge conversations with people who don't fulfill you in order to scratch five minutes with your buddy in the corner while y'all pretend to be checking out their stereo system while he/she fills you in on the craziness going on in their lives. I can do that at New Year's! Right now I want a backyard fire in the fire pit, warm mugs of things to drink, comfort food, jammies, and movie marathons with the hubs- especially if we can be snuggling up cosy with one of these wonderful winter throws so my feet don't get cold.

Have a wonderful day, y'all!

Friday Happies!

Well, the weeks are going by so fast now. What have you got planned for this weekend? I will be finishing up all things holiday before working like a dog during the week of Christmas. Fun. Anyway! Here's this week's list of funs, pretties, & happies to move you steadfastly into a lovely weekend! I hope you enjoy!!

*Guidelines for book lovers (the hubs and I have seriously half of one room devoted to our growing collection- it fights with the growing minimalist in me).

*In case you missed my post on 9 Kisses. I just love the whole idea!

*Y'all I love a magnifying glass. And small binoculars. Always have. Yet I own neither. One of these on a mantle (when I someday have a mantle) would be awesome! I like the tall one best. Or the eye. I can't make up my mind!

*This made me laugh out loud. A new mom recorded her kid screwing with her while she "tried to sleep". Apparently nap time just isn't an option for anyone present. It's so funny!

*Don't read this if you don't want to sniffle a little with happy-cry-sniffles.

*I absolutely adore this faux fawn throw. Say that three times fast. I want it in my snuggly cozy house I don't have yet; on my nice, clean, reupholstered sofa I don't have yet, in front of a roaring fireplace I don't have yet. Sigh. But it will be mine, oh yes! It will be mine!

*Did y'all see the time capsule from post-Revolutionary Massachusetts uncovered this week? Paul Revere and Samual Adams both had a hand in its creation. Cool! I love historical and anthropological stuffs!!

*I don't know if you noticed this awesome water bottle from my post the other day, but it's so damn pretty I had to post it again!

*I've had this song stuck in my head for days now. It's your turn. Yes, that's the actor with the one wooden eye from Pirates of the Caribbean. I kinda have a weird crush on him.

*I love a "Just Because"!

*This was interesting. Seven food trends to watch in 2015. Would you try maple or cactus water? I just might!

*How refreshing! Holiday decorating ideas that don't make me want to barf.

*Sausage balls recipe from Garden & Gun. Dang! Those sound good!

*I love this charming post from my mom's blog, Firefly Evenings. Even the name of the blog is cute!

*I'm a February baby, so I love hearts. This would be cute framed in a small powder room or on a nursery wall.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Thoughts on waste...

Cornucopia

I don't know about y'all, but I seriously had a few moments over the past week where I was a little stunned at the amount of food I had to throw out because of surplus and it going bad. I can't stand the idea of wasting food. It makes me mad, not only because I've been in a "can't afford to waste it" place before and never want to go there again. I feel, quite honestly, that there should be no reason, without planning and vigilance, that one could not save a tremendous amount of money on not wasting food.

I spring for the organic, free-range products. It's important to me and after sacrificing that value out of sheer necessity in years past, I celebrate that privilege whenever I can. Some people place value on quantity, some on brands, some on gourmet items etc. Whatever is right for you and your family is what is right for you and yours. I'm already spending the dough though, so there is no reason why I should throw anything away without consuming it. There is no reason that its happening other than laziness and disorganization! Humbling admission, y'all.

Do you have any tricks to preventing food waste? It just hurt my heart and my conscience knowing that I was not only wasting money and food, but I was wasting it while there are people in my own town that would have loved that food (or the equivalent in money- SERIOUSLY!), you know? Ugh.

Anyway, I found a few resources I wanted to share with you guys. I already do some of the things on this list, like plan meals and have even done the pantry surprise aka "use it up" nights every now and then. I still feel like I could do better. Could you? I feel that with a little diligence a lot could be spared. Check out these links and see for yourself!

*6 habits to prevent food waste.

*How to store leafy greens (so they don't turn into that icky green slimy cess pool by the end of the week *shudder*).

*12 ways to prevent food waste at home.

*How to maximize your freezer's potential and prevent freezer burn/food waste.

*34 ways to waste less food (did you know breaking apart your bananas increases their life exponentially? I sure didn't!)


Have a truly wonderful  (and non-wasteful) day! P.S. I'm a total nerd.

Here we go!

Rabbit Rabbit wishes you good luck for the whole month if you say it on the first day! Bunny in a hat.

Rabbit Rabbit! It's the first day of the month. Can you believe the year is almost over? It seems like it flew by- like January was three weeks ago or something. Anyway, I like to treat the first of each month like a little New Year. I make little goals for myself and my hopes for the end of December/end of 2014 is to be more organized. We've been doing great on the house, but we could still be doing better (especially since we're looking for a new, smaller place). So here is my list for the month:

*Donate two more boxes of "stuff" by the end of the month. We've steadily been taking at least a box a month all year. I'm thrilled with how much unnecessary stuff we've gotten out of the house. I can breathe better.

*Stick to the meal plan. It's there for a reason. I usually stick to it pretty well half of the month and the other half I'm derailed and ordering pizza I don't even like because I don't feel like cooking. It's the meal plan + a few fun nights = staying in the 2015 debt reduction plan!

*Finish my jewelry holders from this post. We're at 80%, and I can't wait to get them hung and to arrange then rearrange my jewelry ten times!

*Get all my holiday shopping done before the 15th, that includes shipping off the stuff that needs to be shipped off.

*Stay on top of my recycling. We don't have a service here at my apartment so we save it up and walk it over to the industrial recycling bin- in theory. We get kinda lazy about it. I'd like to remedy that so my kitchen can look pretty and doesn't look like the room where legends die.

Have you started thinking about your new year? Is getting organized on your list? I think it's always been on mine, but this year we made some major impact and I'm crazy motivated to keep that up. I'd love to hear what's on your mind today, friends!

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Thoughts on manners...

Thank you.

I'm no Emily Post. I have many a cringe-worthy "manners moment" tucked away in the shame file. I more than once have written dozens of thank you notes, stamped and addressed them and...never mailed them. I'm not proud of it, and the point is we all have one or two of those gaps in our etiquette that we work to remedy (some of us do anyway).

All I'm saying is this: just because we are harried this holiday season doesn't mean we should neglect our manners. Say please and thank you (and excuse me!). Open a door for someone, don't tailgate- even if you're running late (that's your issue not theirs). Call someone back in a timely manner if only to say "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your cocktail party, thank you so much for inviting me!" yadda yadda yadda. It is but the work of a moment and really does make a difference in people's lives and perspectives (and how they view you- that's a biggie).

I hope y'all all have such a nice holiday weekend! And y'all...don't forget to walk those damn thank you notes to the mailbox! Learn from my missteps so you don't look like a total booger!!!

Be blessed!