Looks I'm Loving: Spring

I am so glad the weather is starting to warm up, and I cannot wait to get a tan and break out my spring and summer clothes. :) Here are some looks I've been loving lately: 

[Dress Up Boutique]

[Red Dress Boutique]

[Shoshanna]

[J. Crew]

[Target]

[Tory Burch]

[Old Navy]

[Ann Taylor Loft]

[J. Crew Factory]

[Target]

[Target]

[Banana Republic]

[Stella and Dot]

[Kate Spade]

Happy shopping!

Balsamic Pork Tenderloin and Gorgonzola Grits

I have a new favorite go-to meal thanks to my awesome hubby!  He found two great recipes online two weeks ago, and we've made this dish twice since then. ;)  The pork comes out so tender and flavorful and the grits are out-of-this world. 

Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

[original recipe]

Ingredients:

1 2-3 pound boneless pork tenderloin

1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, chopped

Directions:

1. Place pork tenderloin into the insert of your slow cooker (we used Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners, which significantly reduce the clean up time!). 
2. Mix together all remaining ingredients. 
3. Pour over pork and cook for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. 
4. Once pork tenderloin has cooked, remove from slow cooker with tongs into a serving dish. Break apart lightly with two forks and then ladle some extra gravy over it.

Gorgonzola Grits

[original recipe]

Ingredients:

• 2 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
• 1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (we only used about 2 and 1/2 ounces)
• 1/3 cup fat-free sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Bring the broth to a boil in a medium saucepan.

2. Gradually add grits, stirring constantly.

3. Reduce heat to low and simmer (covered) for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, sour cream, nutmeg, and pepper.

I added steamed asparagus to the side, but of course any veggie would work.  

Enjoy! 

Ten on Tuesday

[one]

My sweet grandpa has been in the hospital the last few days, and we would really appreciate any extra prayers you'd be willing to send up for him.  I love you so much, Papa! 

[two]

We hosted a fiesta-themed Stock the Bar shower for our friends Bo and Christey two weekends ago.   The weather was perfect, and we had so much fun.  More pictures coming soon! 

[three]

We went Atlanta this past weekend to see Amy and go to Trace and Kate's Stock the Bar shower.  It was great to see some of our college friends and stay out late like we used to. ;) 

[four]

While we were in Atlanta, we drove up to Cumming to meet sweet Mary Elizabeth.  She's less than two weeks old and so, so precious! 

[five]

We celebrated Molly's second birthday last week by singing to her and giving her a couple of bones.  I just that little party animal. ;)

[six]

I was so happy spring had finally arrived that I busted out my new favorite nail color on Friday night.  It's OPI Cajun Shrimp, and I'm obsessed.  

[seven]

A few weekends ago Gaines and I shot a clip for the annual Boss Hog commercial.  We'll probably end up being in it for a fraction of a second, but we had fun shooting.  If you live around here, don't forget to save the date for May 9th and 10th! 

[eight]

Speaking of May, I just found out I get to go to New Orleans that month for the National Science Teachers Association conference.  Nerdy teaching sessions, fun city, no students, and a free trip?  Yes, please.

[nine]

My February Birchbox came a few weeks ago, and I've loved trying the new products, especially the Harney and Sons tea.  

[ten]

We are flying up to D.C. this weekend to celebrate the marriage of one of my high school bffs Jen to her awesome (and tall!) fiance Chris, and I am literally counting down the minutes.  I cannot wait to watch them become Mr. and Mrs. alongside my other best friends. 

Happy Tuesday!

Waterlogue App and Guest Room Update

I heard of an app called Waterlogue from a friend, which turns your favorite picture into a "water color."  I don't usually pay for apps, but it was only $2.99 and I think it was worth it.  I uploaded a few pictures I had on my phone and thought they looked really neat. The only pictures that didn't seem to work very well were ones of people.

The wall space above the dresser in our guest room was in need of an update, so I uploaded pictures of our two favorite places (the coast and the river!) and instantly turned them into "water colors."  I saved them to my camera roll, printed them out as 8x10s at CVS, and put them in white frames I had found at Michaels on sale.  

I couldn't find a recent "before" picture of the space, but hopefully you get the idea:

And here's the "after" shot:

We had moved the TV to the office a while ago, and I just used a lamp and accessories we already had to decorate the top of the dresser.  I absolutely love how the Waterlogue pictures turned out! 

Happy Friday. :) 

Valona and Fernandina Beach

Lately Gaines has been working on restoring an old boat that had been at his family's coast house in Valona, and he found a great deal on a motor on Craigslist.  His coast house is about ninety miles north of Jacksonville, where the motor was, so we used that as an excuse to spend the weekend in Valona the first weekend in March.  We got up Saturday morning, grabbed our breakfast essentials (Starbucks and Chick-fil-a, obviously!), and then headed to Jacksonville.  On our way back we decided to make a pit stop at Amelia Island for lunch.  The weather was just perfect, so we enjoyed lunch outside on the patio at Sandy Bottoms and then walked around on the beach before heading back.

After a cold winter, the nice weather and amazing views were just what we needed. :) 

Happy Birthday, Bugs!

Six weeks after "Piggy" was born two years ago a friend put her picture on Facebook.  My heart started beating really fast, and I just knew she was meant to be ours.  We went to meet her that night, fell in love, and went back the next day to bring her home.  She is seriously the most lovable, friendly, smart pup in the world, and I can't imagine life without her!

So in honor of her birthday, I wanted to do another post about "Molly's Favorite Things." :)

She absolutely loves playing with her toys... 

...buuuut sometimes she loves ripping out all of their stuffing more. 

                                             

She loves taking naps on the couch...

...and watching Animal Planet... 

...but she especially cuddling up with us (even though sometimes I have to force her to do this). ;)

She loves to act pitiful when we pack...

...but loves when she gets to come on roadtrips even more...

...especially if the trip involves water.

She loved playing in the snow for the first time...

  

...but is so happy the weather is nicer now so she can play fetch outside more. 

We love you, girl!!