a good deal

I found two steals at Old Navy today. Their in-store clearance items are an EXTRA 30% off.

Scoop Neck Crepe Blouse $5

Penny Loafers $8

The penny loafers are really more of a citron color in person. They also had brown and navy!

These two would look really cute paired with this:

Just sayin'....

birthday.

Sweet Auburn Studio turns ONE tomorrow!

Enjoy free shipping for the rest of the week with code FREESHIP (domestic only).

Here are a few things that are new for spring...

Happy shopping!!

not one recipe

Hi everyone.

No recipes from me this week!

We will be eating: leftover chili from the freezer one night (ok, probably two nights), breakfast one night, and some sort of Valentine's dinner...

I know that is only 4 nights...and that there are more nights than that in a week.

Brent's parent's are coming in town and staying Thursday through Sunday! So, I didn't want to plan to cook and then let food go to waste...I hate that.

I did go grocery shopping today.

LUNCHABLES ARE $10/10. I REPEAT LUNCHABLES ARE $10/10.

I'm sorry, I love lunchables. And they are easy....and good...

I mean, it's bologna and oreos--doesn't get much better than that combo right there!

Also, my favorite veggie dip is currently B1G1 (at Publix of course).

This is also my favorite flavor...YUM.

Still on week 6 of C25K. I'm finding that running longer than 10 minutes without stopping is hard.

Or is it that running longer than 10 minutes with out stopping while watching Hannah Montana is hard???

Think on that.

around here

Sorry for the absence...I've been busy at work, at cooking, and at working out.

Brent had to work this weekend--which I'm used to, but was still kind of a bummer. So, I went for a beach walk by myself.

Inlet Beach

As you can see, the beach was pretty deserted. Except for this guy...

He was the size of a basketball. Probably the largest jelly fish I've ever seen. And yes, I did poke him with a stick (naturally).

Soon after I discovered the largest jellyfish ever, the fog began rolling in. This is a really weird phenomenon at any time of day, but especially at 2:00 in the afternoon on the beach. I couldn't see more than 20 feet ahead or behind me, so I called it a day.

Moving on...

I'm sure you would like some recipes. Well, I have one to give you. It's quiche. And it's delicious.

Country Quiche to be exact. 

To lighten the recipe, I used 2 eggs and 2 egg whites, instead of 4 eggs. I also used reduced fat cheese. And, I cheated and used already cooked bacon. I sauteed my onion in 1 tsp olive oil instead of bacon grease.

Servings: 8; 7 points/serving

I also burned/dried out made BBQ in the crock pot this week. It wasn't so good...

I am about to go run "Week 5 Day 3" of C25K...wish me luck.

The last few times I have gone down to run there has been a 10-ish yro girl in there with her mom. She likes to get on the treadmill next to me and attempt to race me/run with me. It's pretty obnoxious.

And we're also usually watching Phineas and Ferb or Hannah Montana at the time.

Jealous?

confession

I didn't make any of the recipes I posted last week.

Brent worked two nights...the other nights we ate "cheap" meals out.

I weighed last Monday and the scale was up 6 (SIX!!!!) pounds...I know it's water (or most of it), but it was still pretty discouraging.

SO. This week's dinners are going to be a bit of a "weightloss bootcamp". Meaning I'm not going to be "cooking" anything worthy of blogging about (aka english muffin pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and lean cuisines).

My apologies for no recipes--skim back through the last three weeks or peruse Pinterest for some ideas.

I switched from the running plan I was following to the Couch25K app--which I've had forever, but never completed.

That way I don't have to keep up in my brain (that is just-trying-to-keep-my-lungs-going-so-I-don't-pass-out) how many running intervals I have done. It counts for you and *dings* when it's time to run or walk.

Pretty fabulous.

Brent and I have been looking at houses/lots, trying to figure out what we can afford (and can't) and how much more $$$ we need to save for a down payment. We would really like to build, as I am REALLY picky about home interiors--shocking, right?

We would also like to be on some form of water--bay, canal, inlet, estuary....

We'll see!

Here are a few plans we like....think tin roofs, water views, and scrubby Florida oaks and wild magnolias...

Azalea via www.southernliving.com

William's Bluff via www.southernliving.com

Obviously home plans/square footage would be determined by the lot we find....stay tuned!

week numero tres

So...it's Sunday night at 8:03.

I have no idea what we will be eating this week.

Hold one moment while I scour Pinterest and calculate points...

Ok, I'm back.

We have a little pork leftover from our Brown Sugar & Balsamic Glazed Pork--so we'll probably be having sandwiches Monday night.

As for the others...

Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin (3 points/serving; 6 servings)

Photo courtesy of http://dandydishes.blogspot.com/

I've had spaghetti squash once. I remember it being really good. This should be interesting! 

Pair with veggies...or meat if you HAVE to!

We'll either have broccoli (cooked in the oven) or a salad....or maybe we'll just eat the whole thing!

Easy Garlic Chicken (8 points/serving; 4 servings)

I allowed for a 4 oz. chicken breast/serving in the points calculation.

We'll be having green beans and maybe some rice....

Thanks for the comments--if ya'll have any great recipes to share (Robyn--the cookies with avocado?!) you can either leave them below in the comment section, or email me (leighanndharris@gmail.com).

On to week THREE of this exercise plan.

Did I mention that over two weeks of being "good" and exercising (5 out of 7 days), I have yet to loose a WHOLE pound?!

Maybe this week...

Good luck!

on to week two

Well, this past week I managed to exercise 5 out of 7 days...which is quite an accomplishment in it's self. Brent even joined me two nights--which is a lot considering his crazy schedule.

My "weeks" officially end on Mondays, but I thought I'd get a head start on planning for next week.

Here's what we'll be eating this coming week:

Brown Sugar & Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin (6 points/serving; 6 servings)

Photo courtesy of http://www.candcmarriagefactory.com/

I've made this before--it's delicious. We will make sandwiches from the left overs a couple of times and maybe even make a "fancy" quesadilla.

No need to alter the recipe any...pair with veggies of your choice!

La Scala's Chopped Salad--Made Skinny (7 points/serving; 4 main course servings)

Photo courtesy of http://www.skinnykitchen.com/

I've never made this...but it looks really good (and EASY). I don't like garbanzo beans or olives....so I won't be putting those in mine!

I'll also probably half this recipe as there is no such thing as a good leftover salad....

Pineapple Chicken Salad Pitas (8 points/serving for chicken salad only or 10 points with pita; 4 servings)

Photo courtesy of http://www.cookinglight.com/

I will be subbing pecans for almonds...which is how I calculated the points. I hope this is as good as I imagine it to be. 

Today I'll be starting "Week 2" of the Beginner's Running Plan. 

Good luck this week!

resolutions and all that...

One of the many (I was told I was not allowed to make anymore as of 9:00pm last night) resolutions I made for this new year is to (once again) count my weight watchers points AND track them...AND exercise.

I know you are all shocked, as not many people make resolutions to lose weight and eat healthier, but I'm ok being the only one.

So, I've decided to plan meals on Sundays...go to the store...and list them here for you to see.

AND...and with Weight Watchers points values!

I know, you're thinking it's your lucky day...well, it is.You are welcome.

I won't have things listed by days--just a few recipes that I'll be making during the week.

Without further adieu, here are the items I will be making this week.

Tonight I made Cream Cheese Spaghetti with Oven Roasted Broccoli.

A few notes on these...

(photo courtesy of http://www.salad-in-a-jar.com/)

Cream Cheese Spaghetti: (8 points/serving; makes 10 servings)

-Makes 10 servings (you could easily half this or freeze half)...I made the whole thing. Oops!

-Each serving is 8 WW points plus....when you do the following: 

     -use 8 oz. whole grain spaghetti (I used Barilla)

     -1 C shredded Parmesan (that's the amount I used to calculate points)

     -use 93% lean ground beef

(photo courtesy of http://www.amateurgourmet.com/)

Oven Roasted Broccoli: (3 points/serving; makes 4 servings)

-I tweaked this recipe A LOT...

-I use a bag of broccoli florets (chop up the HUGE pieces)

-I use a MAX of 2 TBS of olive oil

-I toss it with coarsely chopped fresh garlic (you could probably use the jar stuff), salt, fresh ground pepper, and Italian seasoning (I'm not fancy enough for fresh squeezed lemon).

-Bake @ 425

-Check at around 20 min...it will burn!

-Sprinkle with grated parmesan

-One bag of broccoli florets serves about four adults--if this is the case, each serving is 3 WW points plus.

Next up is...

(photo courtesy of http://erinrach.blogspot.com/2011/09/crockpot-baked-potato-soup.html)

Crock-pot Potato Soup: (7 points/serving; serves 6)

-Ok, it didn't really say how many it serves, so I guessed...if you eat more, or less, adjust the points accordingly!

-The only thing I tweaked is that I'm going to use 1/3 less fat cream cheese.

-Also, I didn't count points for all the deliciousness that you will be adding on top--bacon, cheese, sour cream, and green onion...so don't forget to count those!

We will be eating leftovers a few nights and probably something really exciting like sandwiches the other nights...

Happy New Year!

be merry.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." 

Luke 19:10

Praise God that He would demonstrate His love for us by sending us His only Son!

He came to seek us out, to find us and save and redeem us--by no merit of our own!

What a tremendous, undeserved gift.

In the words of my niece, Harper, earlier this week, "Jesus is for celebrating!" 

We are to celebrate Him everyday, not only on one day, after we open presents, in between parties, and if we have time...

I think we are probably all guilty of this, and I was reminded by a three year old that Jesus is indeed for celebrating--all day, everyday.

We have an incredible reason to be merry--this season and every season.

Merry Christmas!

gobble.

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

 ¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

goodies.

Lots of new goodies in the shop today!

AND...did I mention FREE SHIPPING?!?!

Use code "FREESHIP" at check out.

(I love free stuff)

Also, have you had your family Christmas photo taken yet?

...Or ordered your photo Christmas cards?

No?!?

Well, you better hurry up and visit my sister at Fresh Grace Photography and get the ball rolling...slackers.

And, just because everyone needs to laugh at some weirdness on Sunday afternoon (try not to wake everyone up from their afternoon nap)...go here and then here.

Happy Sunday!

listy.

1. My sister, BIL, and the little people were in town this weekend. We had a lot of fun, even though Auburn lost and Uncle Brent had to work!

2. Harper's imaginary friend "Chica" is no more. According to Harper, "She's gone. She got loose." Little did we know that Harper had been holding her imaginary friend captive all this time?!

3. There is a new Greek restaurant in Panama City.

4. I may or may not have eaten there 3 times in the last 7 days.

5. I painted my toenails AND my fingernails today. I don't usually 'do' painted fingernails. I'm not sure what happened, but they are painted.

6. My parents went to Auburn today...which means I was taunted with iphone pictures.

7. I didn't do any chores this weekend. No clean clothes. No vaccuuming. No grocery store.

8. I did go to the liquor store. And then I made sangria. And it was SO GOOD.

9. My new camera is here. Still in the box. Help?! Sister?!

10. I managed to gain 10 lbs. since May. I'm not sure how this happened. Ok, that is not the truth. (See #3 and #4)

11. Starting tomorrow, 6pm-7pm (most nights) is excercise time.

12. We (Urban Grace) were chosen for a REALLY fun and exciting project earlier this month...not sure if it can be announced just yet! Stay tuned.

13. Brent just asked what I was doing--I told him I was addressing my "people". All 18 of you.

The End!

big girl purchase.

With the guidance of my photographer sister and some first anniversay money, I made this purchase today.



Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR



And this...



Canon 50 mm 1.8 Lens



This means that my sister will no longer have to take and edit my photos for my etsy shop AND that I can have new things posted more often!

It also means that she will no longer get paid in jewelry and that she will have to start purchasing it like everyone else....kidding!

Or am I?

new shoes

A few months ago, I was employee of the month. The competition was really fierce, but I was victorious (aka had the most "billable" hours). And, seeing as how Allison had won the month before, I didn't feel so bad. So, with the EOTM title comes a prize of your choosing. I chose shoes. Toms. Bottle Green Cord Toms. They are unbelievably comfortable and very fallish! Unfortunately for all of you, I think they are already sold out!

Then, a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon these Minnetonka Mocs at the local TJ Maxx. I remembered that Allison had just bought them in grey the week before. Mine were $29.99 and worth every penny. 

tub licker: a photo series

photo shoot

Erika took photos of me this morning (assisted by Allison) in order to add my profile to the website.

We walked around Seaside for about an hour "borrowing" people's vacant porches and outdoor furniture.

I even changed clothes behind the chapel.

Scandalous.

These were our top choices:

Click here to see which one made the cut!

this week

I worked...

I drove home...

My business cards came in...

This morning we went here...

And took a little Publix sub picnic with us for lunch. The water was perfectly clear and NO seaweed. I could have stayed all day....but some college football (FSU) was calling someone's name...



HAPPY WEEKEND!