Thanksgiving Pants

This year, my husband and I will be hosting family at our home for Thanksgiving.  Everyone is helping out by each bringing a few dishes so not all of the cooking will be happening right in our kitchen.  However, we are still cooking about five dishes, cleaning the house, and decorating a little too much. So, I want to feel casual, but still look like a hostess who took more than two minutes to get dressed. Enjoy feeling festive this holiday and dressing with a little extra effort for Thursday, with a side of comfortable.  And remember, it's ok to wear your pair of pants that give a little extra for those second and third helpings (no one can see the elastic waste band).  Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Xo,
Laura

Outfit Details:

Sweater: Vince (similar style) | Pants: Estelle and Finn (similar style by Old Navy) | Shoes: Sam Edelman

Thankful Thinking

It is very important and humbling to give thanks all year long, not just on Thanksgiving day.  Some days when all you can think about is what you want or what you do not have, an easy way to guarantee a thought change is being thankful for what you already have in your life.  I wanted to share my list of five things I am thankful for right in this very moment.  I have been taking a few minutes every day to list off three to five things I can smile about, laugh about, and that fill my heart with joy.  It quickly changes my mood, puts be back on track and puts my life in perspective.  I think you will all quickly find how much easier it is to be grateful for who and what has already blessed our lives and be thankful for another day to strive for more blessings and joys in life.  

1.  Family~A few weeks ago my family shared a very special moment; we all became neighbors!  It was a few seconds frozen in time where everyone was simply happy to love one another and grateful for actually being excited to only live a few minutes apart from one another.

2. Animals~Those who know me already have learned my love for animals.  And for those who don't, I am grateful every day for having enough love in my heart to share with all of our animals.  I feel so lucky to be loved unconditionally by so many four legged angels.  

3.  Chocolate~No other words needed, just thankful.

4.  Nature~For letting me stay active, for allowing me to take deep breaths to fill my lungs with strength and peace, and to enjoy all the simple elements that hold so much beauty.

5.  Grapes~Because they make wine.

I would love to hear what all of you are thankful for right this moment.  Please share and encourage those around you to take the time and give thanks.  

Xo,
Laura

Thanksgiving Cranberry Cocktail

I am happy to admit I am a big fan of all things SkinnyGirl.  I have been a big fan of Bethenny's work ethic, business skills, and amazing products for years.  Out of them all though, my favorite products are her SkinnyGirl Cocktails.  Since Thanksgiving is less than a week away and with my husband and I hosting our first dinner, I wanted to have something a little festive.  And when I say a little festive, I mean I  go overboard trying to make every single detail as holiday themed as possible down to having frozen cranberry ice cubs and pumpkins holding my seating cards.  However, I enjoy decorating and don't mind if anyone else notices or enjoys the little touches I put on my entertaining decor.  The idea is as long as I'm happy doing these crazy projects, it's all ok (that's at least what I like to tell myself).  

So, to the cocktail.  It is made up of SkinnyGirl White Cranberry Cosmo, cranberry juice, and frozen cranberries.  It's so easy to make, but looks great and tastes even better.  A shaker is not necessary and sometimes I add a splash of club soda for a little fizz to the drink.  So pour yourself a glass, kick of your heels while cooking dinner, and take a few sips.  It will definitely be a happy and festive Thanksgiving.  Cheers!

Xo,
Laura

Ingredients:

~1 bottle SkinnyGirl White Cranberry Cosmo
~1 bottle of Cranberry Juice
~1 package of frozen cranberries

• Add a handful of frozen cranberries to the glass, and I also added a few ice cubes
• Pour 1 part SkinnyGirl 
• Then pour 2 parts cranberry juice to fill the glass

Soup for You

It's officially too chilly out for cold salads and sandwiches at lunch every day, so I am now on a soup kick. For me soups are a great way to get a few servings of vegetables in one meal, feel satisfied and warm my chilled bones.  This vegetable orzo soup is really easy to make and most of the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen.  It takes about five minutes to prep the vegetables and 20 minutes to cook.  Add some freshly baked rolls with butter on the side (and when I say freshly baked, I mean Pillsbury rolls) and enjoy! 

Xo,
Laura

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 to 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can stewed tomatoes
6 cups vegetable broth
8 oz. orzo 
4 cups spinach
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste

• Heat olive oil in a stock pot at medium heat (I had frozen some fresh herbs from my garden this summer in ice cube trays with olive oil so I used those for my soup).
• Add celery, carrots, and garlic to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes
• Add tomatoes, vegetable broth, orzo, and spices to the pot and stir together
• Cover pot and allow to cook over medium-low heat for fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally 
• Add the spinach to the pot and stir. The spinach only needs 2 minutes to cook and will turn a bright green color
• Remove pot from the heat and spoon into soup bowls
• Add salt and pepper to taste and eat while nice and warm

May your coffee be Strong and Your Monday be Short

"May your coffee be strong and your Monday be short"

I woke up this morning seeing this quote a few times and decided to accept it as my Monday mantra.  It's going to be a busy work week and a fun, festive time to get ready for Thanksgiving next Thursday.  So I'm sticking to my late Fall uniform of jeans, a warm, comfortable sweater, and boots.  It is a common trend of mine, and I don't plan on changing it.  Enjoy your cup of coffee (cups for me) and fill your day with hard work and some fun!

Xo,
Laura

Outfit Details: 

Sweater: Kensie | Jeans: J Brand | Shirt: Caslon | Boots: Sam Edelman | Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Falling Back

These past few weeks I have taken a little more time to reflect on my past, look to the future and give my present a chance to breath.  I have found I am guilty of making myself feel guilty.  I have a feeling we all do this to ourselves.  I know a few people close to me have admitted to doing the same more than is necessary. 

Feeling guilty for not eating enough vegetables and too many pieces of cheese, for skipping a work out to watch another episode of Scandal or for snuggling with a really cute Beagle before getting back to all the emails.  Whatever you're "guilty" choices and pleasures may be, why do we feel to make them guilty? 

We still find the time to cook a homemade dinner (re-heated take-out totally counts), take the dogs for a walk, and complete multiple tasks at work all within a day.  So why choose to focus on the guilt part and ignore all the productive and wonderful things happening through out our days and in our lives? 

I have been trying to focus my thoughts on the good and being grateful for all parts of life.  Even if you are having a bad day and can't see how it could get better, take a few moments and think of three things you are grateful for right then instead of piling on guilt for things you didn't do or don't have.  It sounds a little silly, but try it.  You might just find those three little blessings are all it takes to move forward with positivity and a smile.  

Enjoy the weekend.

Xo,
Laura

Sweater Weather

With all of the leaves almost fallen to the ground and the nights getting almost below freezing, my sweater wearing is in full effect.  I seem to always be cold and always needing another layer to add to my outfit.  Finding cozy sweaters makes me happy and keeps me cozy.  I definitely need to wear a layer under my sweaters though so I love this sweater because it allows me to have two layers plus it's very long and fits loosely.  I added my new favorite scarf from Target to indulge myself in my ever continuing fall obsession, including plaid.  For me it feels good to bundle up, keep toasty under all my layers, and enjoy the season.  Before we know it Thanksgiving will be here! 

Xo,

Laura

Outfit Details:

Sweater: Rachel Zoe (similar style) | Pants: 7 For All Mankind (similar style) | Boots: Ariat | 
Scarf: Target | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban