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Favorite Finds [Saturday Style] 12.1.12 & November FPP Reveal

December 1, 2012 by Allison · 24 Comments

Good morning y’all! I had every intention of posting last night, but at the end of the day it just didn’t happen. Ryan made a crackling fire, we watched a few episodes of Friday Night Lights [we're addicted], and I made sure that none of our remaining Thanksgiving leftovers went to waste

I hope everyone had a fun Friday and has a wonderful weekend! It’s supposed to be bea-uuu-tiful weather in the DC area… This morning Ryan and I are taking our cars to get oil changes and I’m not sure what the afternoon has in store for us. Maybe some Christmas decorating?

P.S. Yesterday was the last day of November aka the day to share this month’s Foodie Penpal goodies… This month I received a box full of Thanksgiving inspired fixings and a recipe for Cranberry Relish, yum!

For the month of December, Foodie Penpals will be participating in a charity to raise money for Hurricane Sandy victims- click here to read more and join.

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Links Above: My Pinterest Boards // Links Below: Picture Source

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Good Food: Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Pistachios

My Style: Coffee = a Hug in a Cup

Sweet Treats: 20 Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes by Six Sisters’ Stuff

Events: Wish Lanterns

Health & Wellness: Done in 60 Seconds Workout by Happy Fit Mama

Words of Wisdom: Value What You Are

Cuties: Chillin’ by the Christmas Tree

For the Home: Cozy Christmas Living Room

Places to Go: Winter White Lights by The Yellow Cape Cod

Flowers: Pink Floral Reflection

Laughing Out Loud: Let’s Get Literal

DIY Projects: Cranberry Mason Jar Candle by Botanical PaperWorks

Education & Learning: Foods That Look Like Body Parts They’re Good For

Wedding Attire: Classic One Shoulder Ballroom Gown

Looking Ahead to Baby: Laugh My Diaper Off

Yesterday… #elf4Health 11/30 Day 5: How many colors can you eat today? Challenge yourself! Just as I thought, I had no problem eating many rainbow throughout the day- I wasn’t keeping track but my best guess is that I ate approximately 4-5 rainbows?!

This weekend… #elf4Health 12/1-2 Day 6 and 7: Clean out your closet! Fill a bag with clothes to donate to Goodwill or send some belongings to Sandy victims. Get the whole family involved! If you have kids, let them pick out a few things they want to give away. Ask your spouse or significant other if they’re will to donate as well! Ryan and I recently cleaned out our closets to donate to the Lupus Foundation, but I’m sure our other closets could use some gleaning…

Question: Have you decorated for Christmas? It’s high on my to-do list! I need to find a big, burly, truck driving man to help transport our Christmas tree…

Question: Would y’all like to see more recipes? I’m not very good at remembering to post recipes but I’d be happy to share more if y’all are interested!

— Allison

Last Chance Survey

November 3, 2012 by Allison · 6 Comments

Whattt, another surveyyy? Yup, you betcha! I did one last Saturday and I’m doing another one this weekend following the lead of these lovely ladies [here, here, and here]… Come on folks, just give me one. last. chance. Pretty please, with sugar on top?!

1. Last food you ate?

A Chocolate Peppermint Stick Luna Bar. Halloween has come and gone and I’m happily embracing all things chocolatey, minty, and merry!

2. Last beverage you drank?

A SF peppermint skim cappuccino from Starbucks. We ran out of Silk Light Vanilla [our milk of choice] yesterday, so I thought it was a good excuse to make a quick trip up to Starbucks this morning… Again, ’tis the season

3. Last workout?

Man oh man, winter is on it’s way! I was hoping to run outside but I pansied out and opted for the gym. 45 minutes on the spin bike and some abs, my body was sufficiently worked out.

4. Last thing you pinned?

I received the monthly Great Harvest Bread Company email yesterday and was impressed by their Thanksgiving week “Handy-Dandy Schedule.” Every Thanksgiving, no matter how prepared we think we are, my momma and I are scrambling around like turkeys with our heads cut off until dinner is on the table! This year I will be referencing this tip sheet…

5. Last text message you sent?

“Break and bake cookies! Should we try?”- to Ryan when I was at Whole Foods and saw that Immaculate Baking Co.‘s Chocolate Peppermint and Gingerbread Spice cookies were on sale.

6. Last blog you visited?

Jessie Loves to Run. Be sure to check her out y’all, she’s a fitness and food loving gal living in Kuwait and has an awesome outlook on life!

7. Last tweet you sent?

8. Last place you visited?

Does meeting my BFF downtown to do some work while she slaves away on grad school applications count as a place? If yes, then I’ll say the Georgetown Library.

Side note: I am not a fan of libraries. I’m a rather talkative person so the super quiet, sterile, and sometimes smelly [from old books] library atmosphere doesn’t strike my fancy. Throughout college I opted to work at Panera or Starbucks [free wifi + good food] over the library.

9. Last time you did ab work?

This afternoon I did Tina’s 6-minute plank workout. Beware, it’ll make your abs burn!

10. Last show you watched?

Modern Family. Ryan and I had a stay-at-home date night last night which included going for a family walk, making a roaring fire, eating tasty turkey burgers with sautéed peppers and onions for dinner, munching on some popcorn, and watching reruns of Modern Family… It was lovely!

11. Last thing you baked?

Pumpkin spice bran eggie cups. These were a hit with both Ryan and I [they reminded us of pumpkin pie] so I’m planning to make another batch tomorrow!

12. What is the last thing you Instagrammed?

Breakfast this morning, cinnamon pears and whole wheat oat pancakes…

toppings: plain Cho sweetened with stevia + slivered almonds + dried pineapple + honey

13. Last item on your to-do list today?

This morning I made a list of weekend to-do’s and many of the to-do’s are now to-done’s or will get done tomorrow… Tonight I’m planning to enjoy a repeat of last night!

XOXO,

Allison

Question: Have you had your first red holiday Starbucks cup? Yup, I had my first on Friday!

Question: How do you contribute to your family’s Thanksgiving meal?

— Allison

Taking Part in Marvelous Monday

October 8, 2012 by Life's a Bowl · 14 Comments

I’ve seen this badge around the blog world for a few months but had no clue where it started…

That is until I clicked on it [duh] and got linked back to Healthy Diva Eats! I started following Katie on Instagram a few weeks ago and I am slightly envious of her cool style, tasty eats, and sweet treats!

[click here to read more about Marvelous in my Monday]

Now only my first Marvelous Monday post…

Columbus Day… I’m thankful to have a 3-day weekend! Saturday and Sunday I spent time with friends exploring DC [yay, pickles] and getting pampered at the nail salon [Pinterest inspired]. Today I plan to finish all the to-do’s that didn’t get done- baking, cooking, cleaning, switching from one white iPhone to another [aka my birthday present has arrived!], and sneaking in a sweat session.

Pancakes… I cannot stop making pancakes for breakfast- they’re fluffy, full of flavor, and keep my tummy satisfied until lunch. What’s not to love?! This morning I tested a new recipe and it turned out pretty tasty! P.S. They’re not burnt, they’re brown because they’re whole wheat and they’re loaded with cinnamon!

Charlie… He has not stopped hiding his bone. His favorite secret spots include: behind the couch pillows, in my gym bag, behind the dresser, under any table, and behind the curtains. He’s so silly- he’ll run off and hide the bone for .2 seconds and then runs back to get it. Separation anxiety is in full-force!

Blog… I am *hoping* to make a few big decisions about the blog this week. I’ve been in debating it for the past few weeks and need to decide. To self-host or not to self-host? That is the BIG question!

Instagram… I know some people think it’s silly but I think it’s awesome- a fun way to edit and share photos with family, friends, and some strangers! I relate it to Pinterest, except it’s a personal pin board full of silly, stylish, tasty, and memorable pictures from your daily happenings P.S. Feel free to follow me: lifesabowl.

…such as when the gym is offering free car washes when you sign-up for a new membership!

…or you try beets for the first time and eat a rainbow for lunch!

…or your hubby surprises you and goes to the gym too- couples who sweat together smell together!

Baking and Cooking… This afternoon I’m planning to spend a few hours in the kitchen. On the menu: pumpkin pie peanut butter cups and pumpkin quiche! I’m a bit of a pumpkin fanatic [especially in the fall] if you couldn’t tell.

Operation Beautiful… This month I am participating in Lindsay’s October Photo A Day Challenge. One of the challenges last week was to leave an Operation Beautiful note- I left my note in the frozen foods aisle at Whole Foods! Thinking that a random person would find my note was initially a bit overwhelming, “What if they think it’s silly?” Those thoughts were quickly overpowered when I thought about finding a note myself… We all have those kind of days when we could use a little pick-me-up!

***Feeling inspired, I have decided that every Monday I will write 5 motivational notes and post them at work, out at lunch, at the gym, wherever I am!***

[click here to read more about Operation Beautiful]

XOXO,

Allison

Question: If you blog, any tips for making the switch to self-hosting?!

Question: Will you join me in my Operation Beautiful challenge? Don’t feel obligated to do it on Monday if another day of the week works better for you… Feel free to post a note today, sometime this week, or next Monday and link back!

— Life's a Bowl