Life Lately

Oh hey, have you missed me?

I haven't been posting much lately due to a few things but mostly because my laptop stopped working.   I'm back on my old MacBook clunker for now but thank goodness for her!  Here's what else I've been doing/loving/making.

__LOVING__

I've been totally obsessed with my new Aura frame that I got for Christmas!  My old digital frame stopped working a few years ago and this one is such an upgrade. We can all upload photos to it wirelessly and I've been having fun adding old photos that we haven't seen in years.

Aura Digital Frame

This long striped cardigan was another gift that I requested for Christmas.

Long cardigan

Here I am "rockin' it" a work. #bathroomselfie 

I've been using these pasta bowls on repeat.  I haven't been able to replace my Ikea bowls and these are slightly smaller but I really like the smaller size!

8.5" pasta bowls

We upgraded our utensil storage to this lovely gal.  

Utensil Caddy

I have flameless candles all over the house but this set was a little different with the smokey grey glass holders.  They have 2 different timer settings and a remote. 

Flameless Candles

I got this Telfar belt for Christmas in black.  I'm wearing it in the photo above too!

Telfar logo belt

My kitties need to get brushed frequently so I wanted a second brush to always have one handy. They seem to like this one too.

Pet Brush

Nessa really loves to be brushed!

__TRYING__

I tried KFC's Beyond Chicken Nuggets. The breading was good and the "chicken" is a really good dupe.  They were pretty greasy but I guess that's to be expected.  8/10 but probably wouldn't go out of my way to get again.

__DOING__

This paint by sticker book is a perfect thing to do when I'm watching tv.  It's a no-mess kind of creative and strangely addictive activity.   It was a lifesaver recently. (IYKYK!)   I have music icons and kitties.  

Paint By Sticker: Music Icons

Guess who?

This looks like my Willow.

I've been meal/food prepping a lot.

I saw this hack to put cilantro stems in a jar of water in your fridge to keep it fresh longer. It really works! It lasts a few weeks.

I've been on a fruit salad kick lately. This one had raspberries, grapefruit, apples, mandarin oranges and defrosted frozen mango.

__ORGANIZING__

This might not look like much but it's a major improvement in my closet organization.  I'm working with what I've got.  I've been purging and editing my wardrobe and I have a system for keeping everything in its place.

Decluttering For The Season

I got these tiny ceramic toothbrush holders at Muji in Boston.   So far I'm loving the clean, minimal look with the matching tray and cup.   This DIY is still going strong.

__COOKING__

Some of the meals I've been making...

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Vegan White Lasagna Soup (With a Twist)

Creamy Butternut Squash Mac & Cheez

Creamy Tuscan Rigatoni

I've been on a freezer and pantry clean out frenzy lately.

 __DECORATING__

I put up a little Valentine's decor to enjoy.

Well this has gotten quite long! If you're still here, thank you for sticking to end.  I hope you have a great weekend. We are preparing for a winter storm that is coming tonight into tomorrow.  Have you gotten snow yet?

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Most Popular Posts of 2021

 I always like looking back on my blog from the past year, here are my most popular posts.

{NEW Costco Finds}

My Costco posts get a lot of views. Who doesn't love a good Costco haul?

Staycation Week

Our summer staycation week had us all over town -and the beach.

 {Recipe Vegan Pasta With Lentils}

I love when my recipes are well received. This was the favorite!

{Easiest Ever Dollar Tree/IKEA Hack} 

This easy (and stylish) hack is still holding strong and looking nice in the bathroom.

 {Trader Joe's Finds}

My TJ's hauls are always popular too!

{Photography:Sweetest Maternity Shoot} 

Aww this was such a sweet shoot!

Travel One Nighters in Virginia & Boston 

We got to take a few trips this past year and you enjoyed coming along with us.

 {The Abode Deck Overhaul}

This was a much needed makeover to our deck.  I can't wait to get back out there again!

So what was your favorite post from last year?

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{Recipe} Coconut Butterballs & Ruby Sparklers

 This is a recipe we made every Christmas and I don't think I've had them anywhere else.  You mix up one batch of dough and can make endless combinations.

See how beat up (well loved) the recipe is!  I was able to easily vegan-ize it by swapping out the butter and using vegan chocolate chips.  I only made a half recipe here but the full recipe is below.

Ingredients:

2 cups sifted all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter - I used vegan 

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

candied cherries (in the baking section)

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2- 1 cup chocolate chips

decorating sugar and sprinkles

To make:

• Sift flour and salt into a bowl
• Cream butter with sugar until fluffy

• Add sifted flour mixture a third at a time, mixing well into a stiff dough. 
• Divide dough in half (optional)

• Press  half of dough, a teaspoon at a time around a cherry 

• Shape into a small ball

• Roll in coconut

• With other half of dough, wrap a small amount of dough around some chocolate chips and roll in sprinkles or decorating sugar.

• I used some vegan white chocolate chips too
• Mix and match fillings and toppings to your heart's delight-they are all yummy!

• Place on cookie sheet and bake at 325ºF for 25 minutes, or until firm
• Remove carefully from cookie sheet to cooling rack and allow to fully cool before storing in an air tight container.  They will keep for 2-3 weeks.

What's your favorite holiday cookie?

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January Daily Goodie Box

Disclaimer: I was given a Daily Goodie Box to review, all opinions are mine.

My January Daily Goodie Box just arrived. It's always fun to take a look inside and see all of the goodies!! Daily Goodie Box-It's more than just free samples!

The Good Bean - Crunchy Chickpeas
https://thegoodbean.com/project/crunchy-chickpeas/
I love a crunchy snack and these chickpeas fit the bill with 4 grams of protein per serving.

Whisps - Parmesan Cheese Crisps
https://whisps.com/products/parmesan-cheese-crisps
Speaking of crunchy snacks, here's another one. Cheese lovers can get their "parm" on with new single serving, 100 calorie packs.

Foods Alive - Nutritional Yeast
https://foodsalive.com/products/nutritional-yeast-vegan-non-gmo?variant=5933720436775
This is one of the only "nooches" that isn't fortified with synthetic b-vitamins. I use nutritional yeast in a lot of recipes to add that cheesy taste without dairy.
Zolli Candy - Zolli PB Cups
https://shop.zollipops.com/products/zolli-pb-cups

Sugar free peanut butter cups that don't stick your teeth!

 NFco - Natural Mouthwash

https://wellbeingisland.com/collections/nfco/products/nfco-natural-mouthwash-alcohol-fluoride-free-354ml
Made with Australian River Mint, this is so refreshing.  It's alcohol and flouride free as well.

FeelGood SuperFoods - Immune Support Shot
https://feelgoodsuperfoods.com/collections/best-selling-products/products/immune-support-shot-fruit-punch-12-pack

Sometimes you just want a quick shot of fruits and veggies for your immune system. This makes it convenient and tasty with its fruit punch flavor.

South of France - Shea Butter Bar Soap
https://southoffrancebodycare.com/product/shea-butter-full-size-bar/
These soaps are so pretty and look great on your sink. Shea butter sounds so moisturizing and pampering for the body.

Neuro - Energy and Focus Gum
https://getneuro.com/products/energy-caffeine-gum

I think this vegan gum would be great right before a big test or assignment.

What's your favorite from this box?

To get your own Daily Goodie Box, you can sign up here. No credit card is ever required and shipping is free.

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December & Holiday Wrap Up 2021

Last month flew by so I'm wrapping it all up with a (holiday) bow to remember it all!

Philly Christmas Markets • Mr. Click's outdoor holiday gig in NJ with-> • S'more's Bar •  and Cute goats

Cute holiday shop at the gig • Our Disney tree • Quick centerpiece • Potato latkes

Kitty stockings • Dining room decor • Amazing cookie tray by College Girl

College Girl singing with band at VA gig • Visit to Havre de Grace, Maryland

Surprise trip to NYC • Ready for the show • Taking the train from NJ • At the theatre again (after almost 2 years!)

David Byrne's American Utopia • City Girl & Grand kitty traveling home with us on the train • Ikea gingerbread house • Enjoying the tree lights and coffee

Practicing some fancy bows • Gift wrap bows • sleepy Willow • pretty Nessa

Making cookies • Homemade Chex Mix • Christmas Eve celebration • Playing Tapple game

Prosecco & cranberry juice •  Christmas morning • More Christmas morning

New kitty ornaments • Beautiful sunrises • Christmas morning breakfast with the grandparents • Kitchen coffee corner

Christmas dinner Chinese take out • more decor • ready for our day after Christmas family brunch

Family photo • Playing Cut throat Christmas • cozy fires

Back to Philly for the light show • Dinner in Philly with the girls • Breakfast date in Philly • view from the Art Museum on New Year's Eve

Art Museum exterior • very empty museum to ourselves

Jasper Johns exhibit • whoops! repeat photo • got our first photo with Rocky statue!

Please follow me!

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