Weekend Update

It is MONDAY and I am not even sure where the weekend went because it was jam packed with SO MANY THINGS.

After work on Friday, I went to my parent's house in Northeast Arkansas. It's not a terrible drive from Little Rock, so it goes by pretty quickly. I still get my hair highlighted by the same woman since I moved back from Atlanta 8 years ago. My parent's cooked dinner Friday night and then my mom and I went shopping at the local Dollar General.

Saturday morning I sat in a chair for almost three hours getting highlights, no photos because that's not that interesting. By Saturday afternoon I was back in Little Rock because we were doing a Facebook live event at 3 pm with bees.

This is right after we did a 20-minute Facebook live about bees.

Here's a fun fact: If you have a swarm of bees at your house that just means that they are looking for a new home. If you do not want your home to be their next home, call your local county cooperative and they will come retrieve the hive for you and take them to someone who has a home for them.

The only reason I am not freaking out about holding these bees is: 

1. The protective jacket and hood. 

2. They have been given sugar water so they are HAPPY. 

Saturday night I had free tickets to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers and it was SUCH a good show! I always liked their song, but honestly didn't consider myself a huge fan, but after this show, I appreciate them so much more. We also had AMAZING free seats!

Now. If you remember back a few weeks ago where I got a $1,200 estimate to clean up my backyard I got another quote a week later for $125. So, obviously, I went with that one. The guys came on Sunday and you can see the difference.

Here are a few before photos...









AND THE AFTER: 







There is still a bit of work to do to make it pretty, but we are slowly getting there! 

How was your weekend?

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Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (3-ingredients!)

It's spring which means summer is around the corner, which means I am eating a lot of salads to get my summer body ready. (aka, so my thighs don't rub together all summer long) 

One of my favorite foods is a salad. It's may sound sad, but it's mostly because of this quick, 3-ingredient balsamic vinaigrette dressing that I make ALL the time. I've tried fancier recipes, but this is my favorite go-to because it's always the most consistent. 

Here are my cast of characters... I love using the Alessi balsamic because there is no caramel coloring. Go check out your ingredients balsamic vinegar and if it has the caramel coloring, toss it! 

The golden rule for a balsamic vinaigrette is a 2-1 ratio. 1/2 cup of olive oil to 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar. Because I like things a little tangy, sometimes I might add more than just 1/4 cup of vinegar. 

 

I also love using mason jars for dressings. Not because of it being a Southern thing, but mostly because it's so easy to make dressings in and then toss in the fridge, or re-shake again later. 

Then I add about a tablespoon of whole grain garlic mustard that I pick up from Kroger. It's a much easier step than adding dijon, garlic, etc in different steps. 

The last step is to add some black pepper. I do not add salt to this vinaigrette because to me it doesn't need it, and I also like to salt my greens before I add any sort of dressing to them. Just a shake or two or three of black pepper is all it needs. 

Add the lid and give it a really good shake, and then you have a balsamic vinaigrette! 

Then add the balsamic vinaigrette to any pretty salad and ta-dah!

Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe (3-ingredients!)

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon whole grain garlic mustard
• Black pepper to taste

Combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar,  whole grain garlic mustard, and black pepper together in a mason jar with a lid. Place lid on the jar and shake until combined. Enjoy on a salad! 

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Arkansas Derby Day 2017

Happy Monday! After such a weird week last week, it was so nice to have a great weekend! Friday afternoon I called another landscape guy who gave me a quote of $125! VERY different from last week's quote! Friday night was an easy night with takeout and just hanging out and watching TV. 

Saturday was the big Arkansas Derby Day! You guys know how much I love a good derby day... 

Rich and I rode to Hot Springs with our friends Susie and Buckley. Of course, girls sat in the back while the guys sat in the front and discussed really important things. *Eye roll* 

While we were on our way to Hot Springs, Susie and I were taking selfies to our friend Maggie who is in France right now. Major jealousy. 

Unlike last year where the weather was COLD, this year had perfect weather for the derby! 

As soon as we got to Oaklawn Racing we headed to the infield. It's fun to watch the horses run, there are so many people dressed up in all sorts of outfits, and it is just a great environment. 

Because it was a beautiful spring day, we clearly wore our best spring colors and flowers. 

My dress is by Bar III. 

Seriously, it was such a beautiful day to watch the ponies run! 

After a few hours outside, it was time to head inside where we could sit down and watch the Derby race.

Now, for a different view of the ponies! Every year that I watch the Derby race inside I always win! 

This year was no different! The two top horses were no point to bet on because there was nothing to win from them since the odds were so high. 

I bet on horse 11 because I felt confident that there could be an upset. I was *partly* right because 11 came in second place and I had bet on him across the board! My $6 bet turned into $20 so I made $14. That's enough for a Chipotle salad with guacamole! 

After the Derby race, we left and headed back to Little Rock. I was ready to get back and head to dinner because everything in Hot Springs was going to be packed. 

On Easter Sunday I met my parents for lunch. Sunday afternoon Rich and I headed to Home Depot (cue his excitement!!) to pick up some necessities for the house. I also bought some flowers to plant in front of the yard and some basil and lavender for the patio. I'm basically a master gardener now.

Everything will get there in time! 

What did YOU do this weekend???

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The Dark Side of Adulthood & Home Ownership

It's been a TERRIBLE week. 

How so? I got a virus that took my DOWN. 

Sunday morning we woke up, and Rich thought he had food poisoning. I did my best to take care of him, but I didn't understand why his entire body hurt and why he had the chills for just food poisoning. Also, we had eaten *almost* the same thing the night before so I just assumed my stomach was made of steel. Or just so use to eating so many M&M's and Dr. Pepper that clearly it could handle anything.

By Sunday night he was able to eat a few french fries and by Monday morning he was able to get up and go to work, sluggish, but he was able to go. 

I woke up Monday morning and just felt a bit ... off. Not terrible, not great, but not good enough to go to work. This is when I began to question, was it food poisoning he had? By Monday afternoon I felt fine. 

Then it happened. Tuesday morning I learned that it wasn't food poisoning. He had a virus and he had given it to me. 

Tuesday was not the best day. You can imagine what a virus does to your body. However, this might be a very low point but not the worst part of the week. Or why there is a dark side to home ownership. 

Wednesday was better, but still not the best because, well, I still wasn't hungry and the worst part is that after ALL OF THAT ON TUESDAY ...

I. DID. NOT. LOSE. ONE. POUND. 

Do you know how infuriating that is? The only positive part about Tuesday was that maybe I could drop a few lbs to get that summer body started. Nope. 

Fine. On Wednesday I rested and tried to eat some cold chicken strips and Gatorade. Again, not the worst part of the week. 

Thursday morning I woke up and feeling OK, but I knew I had to get it together because I had an important task to do at work at 8 a.m. Throughout the day I actually start to feel better. I even ate half of a sandwich!  

Still haven't lost ONE pound though. 

Thursday afternoon I left work around 4 p.m. to come home. This home that if you've paid any attention to has been exciting, dramatic, and emotional since the beginning. 

Why did I come home at 4 p.m.? Well, I had a meeting with a yard guy to get a quote on what it would cost to clean up the jungle that has suddenly appeared outside. This jungle was not around last year when we looked at the house, or when we bought the house or any photos of the house. This jungle of the backyard has just appeared. 

We walk around and discuss the things that need to be removed, or cleaned up. Then he asks me, "What number did you have in mind?" 

Honestly, I was thinking $500-$700? All I had asked for was cleanup. No mulch. No new plants. No flowers. Just a pure cleanup and removal. 

He typed on his phone a bit to add a few numbers. 

Quote: $1,200. 

*GULP* 

Suddenly, the virus didn't seem like such a bad moment than thinking about spending $1,200 ON WEEDS. 

So, clearly, I told him I needed to talk to the man of the house because I didn't know what to say. 

So there we have it. A virus and a quote for $1,200 to pull up some weeds. 

How was your week? 

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Before&After: Painted Dining Room

HOLY COW.

It's been TOO long, friends! Where have I been? Well... I've been SO busy at work, I've been SO busy volunteering, I traveled to D.C. and then I took off some time to work around the house.

Aka. Paint the ugly rooms.

So if you've been keeping up on this emotional house journey then you know that there were a lot of ugly painted rooms.

Whoever said cream was the new gray was seriously disturbed.

I'm still working on decorating, buying other furniture, and painting bookshelves, but here are just a few before & afters. You know what is expensive? Furniture. You know what is expensive? Paint. You know what else is expensive? Hiring other people to paint so I am doing it room by room myself (with the help of my sweet boyfriend who is in law school so he doesn't have a lot of time).

Here's the before:
(Notice the dark paint colors on the wall that I did not end up choosing)

And here is the AFTER: 

I painted these areas in Sherwin Williams Repose Gray. It's the same color as the living room but I had it lightened 50%! It made a huge difference in the room and really ties the two together. I'm still working on the rest of the dining area before I show a 'full' reveal. 

I also painted ALL of the trim in the living room and in the dining room/kitchen area. My right arm feels so strong now! 

Thoughts? Do you like the Repose Gray that's 50% lighter? 

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