Talbot's Friend and Family Event

It’s that time of year when the trees are displaying the beautiful colors of fall and when Talbots Official start their Friends and Family Event where you will enjoy and receive 30% off your ENTIRE purchase. ❤️

Now is the time to stock up on classic, elegant pieces that are simple, charming and easy to style. Talbots timeless style always feels modern, classic and completely you.  Check out this Duster that matches perfectly the Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater.  ❤️ 

Visit Talbots or one of their many stores today and check out all their new fall arrivals including my sleeveless turtleneck sweater that comes in 6 colors and my beautiful Haircalf Leather Shoulder Crossbody Bag that is absolutely dreamy. ❤️

Find beautiful, classic items for yourself and others such as this Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater.  Now is the time to start thinking of gifts you need to purchase for the upcoming holiday season. ❤️

 Take advantage of Talbots Friend and Family Event and stock up all your style needs. You will receive 30% off your entire purchase. ❤️

Two Of My Favorite Fall Desserts

I love fall!  It's my favorite season of the year!  I love the colors, smells and all the fun fall desserts!  There is something so inviting and warm about filling your house with the smell of cinnamon, apples or pumpkin. 

 Two of my favorite desserts are Apple Crisp and Pumpkin Bars.  Both of these desserts go way back in our family!  I watched my grandmother and mother make these yummy desserts.  I have been married for 31 years and they have been fall staples in our home each year so I am excited to share these recipes with you.  

Emily's Apple Crisp

Ingredients Filling

1 bag of Granny Smith Apples

3 T orange juice

1/2 cup flour

2 T flour

Ingredients - Topping

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cinnamon

4 T butter softened

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Set out 4T of butter so it can start to soften - set aside. Peel, and thinly slice 8 large Granny Smith apples. Then drizzle about 3 T of orange juice over the apples. In a small bowl mix 1/2 cup sugar and 2 T flour. Pour into apples and stir until apples are covered. Put apple mixture into a pie plate. I love to use a Pampered Chef Deep Dish Pie Plate.

Then for the topping, in a small bowl mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 tsp ginger and 1/2 tsp cinnamon - mix together. Then add in the 4T butter. Use a pastry blender to cut in the butter and dry ingredients until crumbly. Top the apple mixture with this topping. Cover edges of apple crisp with aluminum foil or pie edge cover Bake 30 minutes Then remove cover and bake another 30 minutes. Let it cool and then enjoy! 

Pumpkin Bars

Ingredients

4 eggs

2 c. sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 c. flour

1 cup oil

1 cup pumpkin

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

Pour in a greased 10 x 14 cookie sheet (with sides)Bake at 350 degrees for 20 -25 minutes

Frosting

3 oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese6 T butter melted3 c. powder sugar1 tsp vanilla1 tsp milk. Pour and spread on warm cake.  These bars are scrumptious and will become a family fall favorite each autumn season.

Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs

2 c. sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 c. flour

1 cup oil

1 cup pumpkin

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

Pour in a greased 10 x 14 cookie sheet (with sides)Bake at 350 degrees for 20 -25 minutes

FROSTING3 oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese6 T butter melted3 c. powder sugar1 tsp vanilla1 tsp milk. Pour and spread on warm cake

I love to use this Organic Pumpkin.  I love this brand from and it can be found on Vitacost

What are some of your favorite fall desserts?  Please share them in the comments!  

How A Prayer Journal Becomes A Faith Builder

How many times have you prayed for something for yourself or for someone else and then you see your prayers answered? 💗 When that happens it is so exciting and it actually makes prayer exciting. 💗Most people think prayer is boring but when you really stop to think about it, you are having a conversation with God who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Creator of the universe and the Creator of you and me. 🙌🏼💗When you really stop to think about that, it takes prayer to a whole other level. I mean think about it . .. you have God’s ear. He knows . .He hears and then He moves. 💗 It might not always be in our timing or in our way but He is always faithful to answer. 💗

This is why I love to keep a prayer journal. I write down and date the things I am praying for and then once they are answered I go back and date that answered prayer request. 💗Do you know how exciting and what a faith builder it is to go back and read those prayer requests that have been answered? 🙌🏼💗 It really helps to grow your faith and give you an even stronger faith to stand on when praying for your unanswered prayer requests. 💗 

So take a few minutes each morning and have a conversation with God. Let Him know what’s on your heart and write it down in a journal or notebook. 💗 Stand strong in your faith and don’t be discouraged if the answer doesn’t happen right away. Let your faith grow in the waiting. Then at His perfect moment . .He will answer . . go back and write down the date. 💗 Your prayer journal will turn into a faith builder and will give you the strength and faith you need to pray for something or someone else. 💗 

Have a blessed day,

Emily

The Perfect Fall Meal

This past Sunday I hosted dinner for my family to celebrate my sister Michelle's birthday.  I know I might be crazy but I decided to try THREE new recipes that . . .yes . .THREE.  That can be nerve wracking because you just don't know how they will turn out but since it was family I decided to risk it.  I have great news to report!  All three recipes turned out FANTASTIC so I thought I would share them here.

I have cooked many roasts in my lifetime and many of them in my slow cooker but I wanted to try something different so I found this recipe online for the 

Best Slowcooker Roast Ever!

Ingredients
1 (3 to 4 pound rump roast)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
salt and pepper 
2 (10 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup
1 packet of Lipton’s Beefy Onion soup mix 
about 1½ cups of beef stock

In a big pot over medium-high heat, add in a big drizzle of oil and brown up both sides of your roast.  Sprinkle a good amount of both salt and pepper on each side as you brown about 4 minutes per side.   Once both sides are browned, add the roast to your slow cooker and then add in your cream of mushroom soups, one packet of onion soup mix and your beef stock.  Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-6 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours.  I was home all day so I actually cooked it on HIGH for 4 hours and then on LOW for another 4 hours.  Once the roast is done take the roast out and put on a platter.  Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.  Now, one thing that this recipe produced is the BEST GRAVY.  You can see some of it in the picture above around the beef.  I was able to retrieve a large bowl and it was the perfect accompaniment to the roast.

The next recipe now wins the award for the BEST potato dish I have ever made or tasted.  It's super easy and it will be your new favorite side dish especially at Thanksgiving.   You all trust me . . .you are going to LOVE THIS and it will be on repeat!! I promise!  It's called:

Mashed Potato Casserole.

Shopping List
3 pkgs 4 0z or 1 1/2 pkgs of the 8 Oz Instant mashed potatoes - I used Idahoan Buttery Instant 
1 (1 oz) pkg dry ranch dressing mix
1 (16 oz) container of sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 pkg of bacon, cooked to crisp and crumbled

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 9×13 baking dish.  Set aside.

Prepare bacon and mashed potatoes as instructed on packages. Crumble bacon and set aside. Mix mashed potatoes, ranch dressing mix, sour cream, 2 cups of cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon together in a mixing bowl.  Spoon into prepared pan.   Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. That's it!  So simple but OH SO GOOD!

Finally is a great vegetable side dish that can be easily tweaked.  This recipe is super simple and if you don't like Blue Cheese you can substitute Parmesan cheese or anything cheese you like.  Also, if you don't like almonds you can add walnuts or pecans or just eliminate the nuts totally.

 I really don't know what else to call it except:

Green Beans with Blue Cheese

Ingredients

1 1/2  pounds of fresh green beans

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/4 extra virgin olive oil

2 T lemon juice

1 small package of blue cheese

salt and pepper  

In a large pot boil the green beans for about 4 minutes. Drain and return back to pot.  Add in the rest of the ingredients and then stir.  If you aren't sure if your family or guests like blue cheese you can just toss in a half of package or put to the side.  I ended up throwing in the entire small package and it was fine.  That's it . . .so easy!

I hope try and enjoy these recipes as much as we did.  What are you favorite recipes or meals to make during the fall season?

Trust The Lord Completely

In our day to day living it’s not unusual for us to have disappointments in our life.  Those disappointments  can cause us to only depend upon ourselves but that’s really something we need to unlearn as we begin to put our total trust in God completely and stop relying just on ourselves.  But sometimes trusting Him completely like that can be tough. How do we start trusting God completely?  Each day we must consciously lay aside our own plans and expectations and surrender our lives to Him. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make."

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When I am going through a tough time or a disappointment I pray, “Lord, Your ways are higher than mine.” When I speak or pray that it shows I am leaving my troubles, burdens, trials and even dreams in His loving hands. As I  hand Him the keys of my life ,  I must stand confidently knowing that He’s able to lead and guide me perfectly. 

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Even in the midst of turmoil, God sticks with us and uses those challenges to shape us into incredible individuals. When we understand that, our way of thinking completely changes. No longer do we see our setbacks as failures or disappointments but we see them as moments when God is working, molding and shaping us.  This is exactly why we can trust in the Lord with all our hearts. He cares for us each and every day. He gives us what we need to thrive and live each new day. Even in the midst of trials and disappoints He pours blessing after blessing upon us.

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Trusting God takes a whole-hearted commitment each day but remember . . .we’re never alone in it.  Matthew 28:20 says, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” That my friend is something that we can totally take comfort in and makes each thing we go through so much easier. 💗💗 

Provision Scents

I’ve been slowly making the change to good, pure, wholesome ingredients when it comes to skincare and fragrances so I was so excited when Provision Scents reached out to me to share with you three of their items.  Provision Scents has been talked about in Oprah’s magazine and her website as well as the Today Show and many others places.  This isn’t drugstore skincare and fragrance but their products are made with the highest quality, pure items.  

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First we have their Dream Extract Linen Spray.  I spray this on our bed linens, pillows and throws but you can mist anywhere or any time.   A little goes a long way and it’s the most beautiful smell that is perfect whether you are drifting off to sleep or sitting on your sofa reading a great book.   From your bedding and clothes to your car and office—use throughout your day to create a beautiful  atmosphere. Renewable and sustainable, eco-certified clary sage has a refreshingly sensual scent.  The ingredients are eco-certified clary sage, Italian bergamot, clean amber, musk.   

Dream Extract Linen Spray

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Next is the Connection Lip Rescue - This will soften lips with a luxurious blend of avocado oil, rose wax and shea butter. It will also double as a perfume because of the rose wax Apply to lips, cuticles and across your décolleté for silky skin and you will immediately smell the aroma of the orange flower.  The ingredients are   shea butter, vitamin E, grape seed, sunflower seed, beeswax and rose wax help protect and soften.Organic Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, Grapeseed Oil, and Rose Wax, Grape Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Safflowe) Seed Oil, Beeswax*, Orange, Flower Wax, Rosa Centifolia Flower Wax or Rosa Damascena Flower Wax, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Tocopherol  *certified organic.  

Connection Lip Rescue

Finally is the Align Face Oil  - This cleansing facial oil will quench your skin and quiet your mind.   Your skin will drink up the antioxidant-rich amla oil as smell the  sensual sandalwood. For luminous , hydrated skin, massage 2-3 pumps onto face day and night, extending to neck, décolleté, and hands for extra nourishment. Towel off excess with a warm washcloth or simply leave on for added moisture.  This is made with Vitamin C-rich Amla oil promotes bright, glowing skin.  It’s great for all skin types and even though it’s an oil it will not clog pores and it beautifully  renews you skin overnight.  You will see a  difference in the brightness and  moisture of your skin with it will leave your skin clean and hydrated.

Align Face Oil

Eau de Parfum Discovery Trio set

This set includes three of the most lux, high end natural, beautiful smelling ingredients which create the most luxurious fragrances.  You will receive .1 fl. ounce of each of these scents - Maitri, Resonance and Las Flores.  Here are just ‘some’ of the high quality ingredients that are in this set: orange flower absolute, clean amber, poplar bud, organic eco-certified madagascan, ginger, mandarin musk, Spanish labdanum, vanilla absolute and much more. For a whole list of ingredients visit www.provisionscents.com and put in the search bar EDP Discovery Trio.  The set is only $18 and a little goes a very long way since it’s a highly concentrated Eau de Parfum.  This set makes a great gift and also a wonderful set to take while traveling or even to keep in your handbag. Try this set out today and I can promise you won’t regret it. 

To see the entire line of Provision Scents vision their website at www.provisionscents.com. 

Fall Skillet Dinner

Fall is in the air . . .well around part of our nation . . I think fall has forgot to stop in the southern part of the US but that's ok.  We still have our homes decorated and fall candle scents burning.   We also have yummy fall meals and desserts cooking and baking our kitchens.  Earlier this week I made this Fall Skillet Dinner recipe.  It was a huge hit and we all had seconds.  It's super easy and you only have to use 1 pan to make this meal.  Give it a try and let me know how you like it!  Also, share with me what's cooking in your kitchen this season.  

Fall Skillet Dinner

Ingredients
1 pound of ground beef
Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
salt and pepper
1½ tablespoons cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 (8 oz) can of tomato sauce
1 (10 oz) can of Rotel tomatoes (or diced tomatoes if you can’t find Rotel)
2 cups of cooked and ready to eat rice (I used brown rice)
1½ cups of frozen or fresh corn
1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese

Brown up the ground beef in a little EVOO in a large skillet.   Once it's  browned and crumbly, add in a big pinch of both salt and pepper followed by your cumin and garlic powder.  Then, stir in your Worcestershire sauce followed by your chopped bell peppers, onion, tomato sauce and Rotel.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir everything together.  Cover and allow to simmer about 10-15 minutes or until veggies soften.  Stir in your cooked rice and corn and simmer for a few more minutes.   Finally,  sprinkle your cheese across the top and give it just a minute to begin to melt. 

Choose To Be Happy

I have lived approximately 19,020 days on this earth. If I live to 85 I have about 12,005 days left of my life. Only I can decide how I am going to live those next 12,005 days. Am I going to choose to be sad or happy…..at peace or in chaos……weak or strong……positive attitude or negative attitude.. As humans we have the power to decide how we are going to choose to live out each day.  

We live in a crazy, chaotic world. All you have to do is turn on the news to see just that. When I wake up each morning I have to decide what my mindset and attitude is going to be. Before my feet hit my floor each morning I think of 5 things I am grateful or thankful for. This way I am starting my day off on a positive note. I have to choose to not let the little things get to me. I have to choose to be happy and not sad . .. calm and not stressed . . .at peace and not anxious. Even when things start to bother you or if someone says something rude it’s all how we handle the situation and how we choose to spend the day we have been given.

 It’s not always easy but if we make a conscious effort we can live our days happy. Even when those around you might not be happy or they might just bug the heck out of you. It’s about finding the good in the bad...the happy in the sad. The positive in the negative.  

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Even the Bible suggests we estimate how much time we have left on this earth so that we can truly think about how we are living each day. When you think about time and how fast it goes it really does shed light on how ridiculous it is to stay angry and unhappy. I am sure you have heard the phrase . .. “every day is a gift.” and you know what? It truly is . . every single day we have been given is a gift from God. 

How are you going to choose to spend the rest of your days on this earth. Don’t let the little things get to you. Use the wisdom God gave you & make an intensional decision to CHOOSE HAPPY. Only you can choose & build the daily habit of being happy. I leave you with this quote, "To build the habit of happiness, we must have inner joy & peace of mind in our lives. 💗

A New Fall Style Season 2018

Fall is finally here and I’m so excited.  My home looks and smells like fall but the temps still say summer. Sigh ......I just returned home from California where the weather was around 90 during the day but the 50’s at night so at least their evenings and early mornings felt like fall for sure. I’m throwing it back today in honor of the new fall season with a cozy, fall look that is mostly all still current. They changed up the plaid a little this year but it’s super close. How are you spending the first day of fall? 🍁🧡🍁🧡. Fid ff

There are so many great fall style fashion items out there this year.  Here are some hot fall trends:  Camo, Plaid, Leopard and of course Plaid is always here each fall season.

Booties and Boots are also back again but also cute leopard flats and slip on shoes.  The slip on's now come in cute camo and leopard prints!

The VEST is back again this year with a vengeance.  So many fun vests are out there from a puffer vest to a utility vest to a warm and cozy sweater vest.

Happy October and Happy Fall!

Not Your Typical Jumpsuit

I was gifted this adorable black and white jumpsuit this past week. As soon as I tried it on I fell in love.  🖤 You can wear it with a white tee or a black or white bandeau for a totally different look. Add in a denim jacket or cardigan and it moves right into fall with you. 🖤 I also love that when you need to use the restroom you don't feel totally naked. . . most jumpsuits don't allow you to wear a tee or cami.  If you haven't purchased a jumpsuit yet this might just change your mind about them.   Also, I’m wearing a size small for size reference. 🖤 You will find direct links under bottom photo.  

Love One Another

We live in a world where there is a lot of hate but we also live in a world that is filled with those who love one another. 💗 When Jesus lived on this earth He loved all kinds of people. He loved tax collectors, poor people, thieves, prostitutes, children and those who followed Him.  💗 He even loved those who were dangerous and difficult to get along with.  💗And guess what? His love is the same today as it was 2000 years ago.  

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Did you know that the New Testament contains 54 “one another” Scripture verses that teach us how to love.  💗 God calls us to love others, just as He loves us. How do we show love? We do this by forgiving, accepting and honoring others. 💗 When we are full of God’s love it gives us the ability to love others.  💗Let’s look at 3 of the 54 “one another” Scripture verses. 💗💗💗
Forgive one another - The ultimate example of forgiveness was displayed when Jesus hung on the Cross and cried out for those who were crucifying Him: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” We should forgive others even when they don't deserve it or ask for it. That demonstrates a love that keeps no record of wrongs.
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Accept one another To truly love someone, you must avoid trying to change the person for your own desires or purposes. Accepting love is patient and kind, even when we don't see eye to eye.  This however doesn't mean that we are to neglect the holy standard of what the Bible says in living a life of holiness.
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Honor one another Honor means to esteem someone as highly valuable. When we put others above ourselves, we are imitating the character Christ.
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Loving others isn't always easy, but we can by loving like Jesus loves which means forgiving, accepting and honoring others even those we don’t agree with or even those who we find difficult to be around. Our ability to love others comes from God. 1 John 4:7 says, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” Remember, it’s so easy to love others when we are full of God’s love. Have a wonderful Sunday.💗💗