Slow Cooker Sunday: Beef Stroganoff

In 2015 (at least during the cooler months), I am bringing back slow cooker Sunday!  And today's edition is one I've been wanting to try for a long time.  It's beef stronganoff.  HERE is the recipe.   See you on the flip side (5 hours from now)!  What's YOUR favorite slow cooker recipe?

Fall Favorites

It's fall (Read: just starting to feel like it here at the beach) so I am getting in the fall spirit!   Here are a few of my favorite fall things:

1) Pumpkin Pecan Waffle Candle - A friend gave this to me.  It smells so WONDERFUL.  Plus, I just love candles.  They are so calming at the end of the day!  This candle can be found at Bath & Bodyworks HERE!

2) Spooky - Did you know a baby pumpkin is called a "spooky?"  A spooky just makes fall a little sweeter!

3) 1969 Jeans - Most ladies HATE buying jeans.  If you need any jeans this season, I recommend Gap's 1969 Always Skinny brand!  They are FABULOUS!!!  

4) Black leather jacket - Oh, I love my black leather jacket.  I haven't worn it yet this season but can not wait.  I got it years ago in Italy!  Here's a great leather jacket that I found at Ann Taylor this season!

5) Palmer's body lotion - As fall (and winter) come around, my skin gets a bit dryer.  This lotion is to DIE FOR!  Go, buy it now!  

6) Too Faced - This is a great face bronzer.  It is made with chocolate.  Can you say yummy and functional?

Happy fall to you and yours!  

Hello

Digging this song - it's one of those that makes you want to jump up and down while you sing!  Try it. I won't tell anyone! :)  Happy Wednesday.

5 Star Book Recommendations

I love to read.  I love to bond with the characters in a book and get lost in their world.  It sucks when you are reading a bad book.  Yes, there I said it and can't take it back.  BUT a good or great book - the kind that you savor and don't want to end.  Well, that is a thing to be shared always and forever.  Below is a list of some of my favorite five-star books:

1) The Art of Hearing Heartbeats - This book had me from the first page literally.  It was a different kind of love story and reminded me a bit of "Eat, Pray, Love."

2) Rules of Civility - A dear friend in NYC gave me this book for Christmas.  She said it was her favorite book EVER.  I understand why.  It has lovely characters with NYC as the backdrop.  What's not to love?

3) The Book Thief - This book is amazing and such a different perspective on Nazi Germany.
4) The Bone Season - The best description for this book is Harry Potter meets Hunger Games.  It's magical and futuristic.  I LOVED this book.  It's part of  a series!

5) The Great Gatspy - I reread this book before I went to the see the movie a few years ago.  I forgot how great a book it is!  It's definitely worth reading every few years!
6) The Lost Art of Mixing - This book was a lovely tale of how different people's lives are intertwined in a small community.

7) The Help - I mean what's not to love about this book, right?
8) Terrorists At The Bus Stop - It's a great mystery thriller with Charleston as the backdrop.  I can't wait for his next book...but I am a bit bias as it's my dad's first book.
9) Night Circus - I love when a dear friend recommends either a great book or music.  This is such a sweet novel thus making the 5 star book recommendation list!
10) The Light Between Oceans - This is one of those sweet books that pulls you in from the first page.  And because I do not know how to lie, it made me donkey cry happy tears in the end!

11) The Mime Order - This is a much awaited sequel to The Bone Season.  It did not disappoint.  Can't wait for the third book.

12) A Well-Tempered Heart - This too is an amazing sequel to The Art of Hearing Heartbeats with such a sweet ending!

13) Wreckage by Emily Bleeker - I absolutely LOVED this book from the first page.  I gave it to a friend to read and she's carrying it in the car in case she can read it at a stop light...it's THAT good!  This book makes my top 3 favorite books in 2015 list!

14) The Storied Life Of A.J. Fikry - Oh boy!  I can't say enough about this book.  It's a gem start to finish

15) Black Irish

16) We Never Asked for Wings

17) Our Souls At Night - Oh this book tells an unconventional story and get your attention from the first chapter!

18) Overseas - This book is one of my three favorites in 2015.  I didn't want it to end.

19) The Secret - A friend recommended this book years ago to me.  For some reason, I never read it.   I was looking for a book to download on a recent road trip and decided on this one.  Sidebar: First time I ever downloaded a book for road trip - can you say AMAZING? I've been practicing this notion of "manifesting the life you want" for years....but this book took it to a new level for me. And can you say perfect timing as the new year is on horizon?  This book also makes my top 3 favorite books in 2015!

20) Love Does - A dear friend gave me this book for Christmas!  It's a gem of a book.  Great way to approach life too!

21) Same Kind of Different As Me - Pure <3 for this one!

22) Along the Infinite Sea - This is the third book I had read by 

Beatriz Williams.  Her book Overseas was one of my favorite reads in 2015.  This book is a gem from the first page!  

23) When I'm Gone - Oh this book is a winner!  For those just catching up, 'Wreckage" by Emily Bleeker was one of my favorite books that I read in 2015 (and I read quite a bit).  This gem just came out.  The storyline and character build are AMAZING!  I found myself happy crying in the last few pages.

24) Just Fall - You wanna know a secret? Well not so secret in 2 seconds!  I LOVE book stores.  There is something very different and amazing about lolly gagging around a good old fashion book store.  I found THIS gem in B&N.  It was amazing start to finish!

I will keep adding to this list so check back.  What are some of YOUR favorite books EVER?

Roasted New Potatoes

I am trying THIS new recipe on Allrecipes.com for roasted new potatoes.  In addition to what's on their recipe, I added capers and parmesan cheese.  Here is the after picture:

Can you say YUMMY?

No Drought

Happy Tuesday!  I'm on a little stay-cation this week (which often means a bit more blogging then normal). Anyway, I've been outdoors as much as possible in the last few weeks - SUPing, biking, walking and running.  Next up: Beach yoga and SUP yoga.  Am beyond thrilled to try both of these! {Read: Like a five year old at Christmas kind of excited!}

As a result of working out outside and on the water so much lately, I've noticed that my skin and hair are a bit dry.  Enter stage right --> No Drought Dry Shampoo!  This product is simply fabulous!  My hair feels clean afterwards and smells better with the grapefruit and lime scent.

Artist of the Week: Brendan James Simplify Album

I am blessed in many ways...but I thank the heavens above daily for my amazing family and friends. Today, one of my college roommates posted on my Facebook wall saying that I should check out Brendan James' new album called Simplify which can be found HERE.  She went on to say that his music was inspired by James Taylor and Carlie Simon.  Sounds good, right?  And if that wasn't enough of a glowing review, another dear friend posted: "I agree w/ J.  He is fabulous."  So what did I do?  Download the album immediately!  It's been on repeat (because that's what I do) all day!  And I have to say, the album is amazing!  I highly recommend it.  The video Simplify on his website is also just magical.  His music is just soulful.   I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Thank you J & P for recommending his new album!!  I am a lucky girl to have friends like you!!

Happy Monday y'all!!

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Update: Brendan James is touring this fall.  He does house shows and wants to do one in Wilmington, NC.  You can read his interview HERE!

Do you like music?  Do you want to be a part of a magical evening with cool folks and soulful music? If so, reply below.