Find of the Week: Corkcicle Coffee Cup

I am not going to say that the first day back after a three day weekend was easy, but I will say it was more manageable than expected. That was, in part, due to my find this week - the Corkcicle Tumbler. Sometimes its the simplest things that make life a little more enjoyable!

Ever since my new obsession with my Swell Water Bottle and its ability to keep my ice water cold all day, I have been looking for something that could do the exact opposite for my coffee. Yes, the Yeti Tumblers were always an option, but something about them screamed "man" to me. 

I finally found my match this past weekend at the adorable shops on Kiawah Island. The Corkcicle tumbler is my newest obsession and fulfilled its job of keeping my coffee warm all morning while still accomplishing the typical, cozy "mug" feel. It also failed to leak even a drop - something I first took note of after having to throw out my past Kate Spade & Lilly Pulitzer mugs for consistently dribbling down the side (and most of the time on my clothes - ugh!)

I can't recommend the Corkcicle tumbler enough and at only $24.95 it makes the perfect "love gift" (as my mom would call it.) I got the "Caribbean Green" to add a pop of color to my mornings. 

Which would you choose?

Recent Trader Joe's Finds

Happy (almost) Weekend, everyone! I hope you have something fun planned for the "unofficial start of summer." I am headed off to The Sanctuary Resort on Kiawah Island to celebrate my mom's birthday and cannot be more anxious to get out of my work seat!

Before I head off for the weekend, I wanted to share a couple of recent, favorite Trader Joe's finds. 

Trader Joe's General Tsao Sauce

Throw this baby on some ground chicken and sautee some veggies and you have the easiest weeknight dinner of all time! I used it in my Chicken Lettuce cups featured here. 

Trader Joe's Granola Bars

Hayden introduced me to Trader Joe's Vanilla Almond granola bars and I swear I could live off of them. They are the easiest grab and go snack & satisfy a simple sweet tooth too! Breakfast, Lunch or Snack these are a staple in my pantry. 

Trader Joe's Vegetable Pad Thai

Normally I don't gravitate towards a prepared frozen meal, but I had to try this Pad Thai when I was checking out one Sunday and asked the cashier (who had been working at TJ's for 12 years) what her favorite item in the store was. She told me about this Pad Thai and I have to say I was extremely impressed! Talk about a quick meal - especially with a quick bag of microwavable edamame.

Trader Joe's Cowboy Bark

This bag contains all of my favorite things into one place. Dark Chocolate, Pretzels, Toffee, Sea Salt - could you honestly think of anything more delicious? Let me make this easy for you - no, its absolutely impossible.

Trader Joe's Parmasean Ranch

What could be better than Ranch Dressing? TJ's Parmesean Ranch dressing. One of my good friend's here in Charlotte introduced me to this dressing when we cooked a sweet potato skillet together just two weeks ago. It is the perfect amount of creamy combined with the perfect amount of cheese. Mind. Blown.

4 Things

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Aromatherapy & Skincare in one

Mayobird

The Bluebird Chicken Salad with Broccoli Salad

Hot Tea & A Good Read

nothing beats Bigelow Green Tea with Peach

Jasmine Grill

the most delicious, authentic Medetteranialn food in Charlotte

Weekend Recap: NASCAR

I want to start off by saying...wow, what a weekend! I haven't been this busy in about a month and forgot how fun it was to have plans. 

Friday after work, two of my good friends I have met here in Charlotte & I bared the rain and headed out to PNC Music Area for Kenny Chesney's Spread the Love tour. It was POURING all day Friday but we decided to make the most of it, dress #comfyforkenny, and rock some sick ponchos. In the future, if you ever find yourself outside in a rain storm, I highly recommend a poncho. It was my first experience in one and boy did it keep me (surprisingly) dry.  

Though Kenny didn't play long, he played great songs ranging from his classics to his newer hits. 

After a late night Friday (the uber was an hour and a half, ugh!) it was time to take Saturday morning by a storm. I headed uptown to walk in Charlotte's Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis. The Associate Buyer in my office had a team I was fortunate enough to walk with. It was a great, low key walk event that raised over $226,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research. 

The walk ended and I headed home to get ready for Saturday night's Sprint All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. A NASCAR race has always been on my bucket list so Hayden surprised me with tickets for my birthday back in March. 

Now that the race is over, I can honestly say that it was 100% not what I expended and outperformed by expectations ten fold. It is hard to appreciate the skill & knowledge these races require of both athletes and fans without attending one yourself!

We were fortunate enough to sit next to a sweet couple from New York who were more than happy to educate us on everything form the rules of the race to the history of the drivers. We loved to learn and they loved to teach so it was a great time!

The race consisted of just three rounds, two fifty lap series and a thirteen lap sprint that fans like to refer to as "balls to the wall." Drivers are going faster than they will for the bulk of the season. 

Our seats couldn't have been better. When we arrived yesterday at 1pm, we were worried sitting so close to the track having heard that there was a potential for flying rubber, tar, etc. However, we didn't face any of these issues and were right there (i mean, RIGHT THERE, folks) to both the start and the finish line. 

I was so impressed and excited that all of the fans were so friendly & nice. Everyone was surprisingly under control given the fact that the stadium allows you to bring your own coolers of beer into the stands. We took full advantage of the pre-race setups, tailgating, fan shops, and everything else there was to offer. I couldn't have been more happy to be there with Hayden and after leaving, we both looked at each other in agreeance that there is no doubt we will be back for another race in the future. 

Saturday turned into a late night due to rain delays, so Sunday was a sleepy struggle. I managed to fit a workout in before running some errands & meeting a friend who has just moved to Charlotte for dinner. Four of us met at CO Sushi & Noodle Bar and the food was just as good as it looks! I got the Firecracker roll but have also had the Pad Thai and the Spicy Tuna roll in the past. Each have been mouthwatering so be sure to check it out if you're in the area!

Time to relax, throw on a mask, and prepare for the week again. Thankfully, we have the premier of the Bachelorette to look forward to tomorrow night! 

3 day weekend coming up! Bring it on, Monday! 

Recent Reads

The working world leaves so much time for reading. There is nothing I love more than curling up on the couch with my favorite throw and reading before bedtime or on Sunday afternoons. Something about getting lost in another's world is intriguing. 

I just read my first memoir and I have to say I was thoroughly impressed. Normally you can find me with a great fiction novel - a best seller that I expect to see in theaters someday. After my roommate recommended What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding and I finished, I am more willing to give other personal stories a chance. The book follows the single travel adventures of one of the writers of That 70's Show. She is so honest & hilarious without being over the top that it was actually a relatable story. I highly recommend it for those right out of school and would be a great beach read this summer. 

Before that, I finished The Luckiest Girl Alive. To be honest, it is another twisted novel expected to be in theaters this year and reminded me a lot of Gone Girl. It followed the life & shocking twist of an engaged, somewhat "mean girl." I was in the middle of the book at one point and had to go back a few pages after I physically stopped reading and thought to myself "wait, what?! this is real?!" Cant wait to see what Reese Witherspoon does with the screenplay. 

Last night, I started The Knockoff, a book that is claiming to be "outrageously stylish" & "wickedly hilarious." It was recommended to me by my mom who finished the novel not long ago. I am most interested because it seems to resemble the work environment I am in currently 50+ hours a week. But take that with a grain of salt as I am only 1 chapter in.

If you haven't read Me Before You yet, you have just 15 days to finish. It's a love story 100% guaranteed to make you shed a tear or two. Those tears are worth it as Jojo Moyes perfectly animates her characters making them feel like actual friends rather than a simple book cast. 

And speaking of novels coming to theaters (do you sense a trend here?) I read The Girl On the Train that everyone was talking about this past summer and was slightly underwhelmed. Yes, it was a decent & easy read that didn't take much thinking, but it was honestly a little depressing. I felt for the main character, which arguably makes a decent book in itself, but finished it feeling "meh." Still worth the time in order to know the twists & turns before everyone else who's just on the bandwagon and sitting next to you in the movies.

What have you been reading recently? 

Find of the Week: Lancome Juicy Shakers

I am not a huge lipstick girl. I struggle to find the perfect amount of color/shine without looking too overdone. That is why I was so excited when Lancome launched their new Juicy Shakers, a pigment infused lip oil unlike any other. 

Not only is it absolutely adorable resembling a mini martini shaker (it even clicks when you shake it up to activate the pigments!), but it's also affordable at an appropriate $21.00. Talk about a great friend gift!

The lip oil is immediately noticable once applied. You can tell the difference between my left and right top lip here. Since it is infused with pigment, it provides a stain that stays without clinging. The application is smooth, nourishing, and easy! Absolutely no worries about smudging or smearing at all.

I can disclose that "Piece of Cake" is definitely the best selling at Belk but I am loving my Berry in Love! I think Meli Melon is next on my list once my first is out.

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (old, but similar here)

What's your lip "go to"?

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale

I'm off for a fun day filled with friends, food, and beer at the South End Hops Fest! Before I head out,  I wanted to let everyone know that Rebecca Minkoff is having their Sample Sale and I am seeing prices up to 70% off some cute as can be bags. 

Enjoy!

Micro Avery Tote

Originally $195.00, Now $98.00

Moto Bucket Bag

Originally $345, Now $135

Mini 5 Zip Crossbody

Originally $195, Now $115

Fiesta Skirt

Originally $228, Now $68

The Best Gift I've Ever Given

My dad is just about the sweetest man out there. I was reminded of this when I got home from work late after a long day today and a package was waiting for me at the door. I didn't order anything so it was immediately unexpected. 

Come to find out, he had seen my post a couple weeks back about statement necklaces and took note of the Hyla Dewitt necklace I loved. There wasn't a special occasion. He just knew I had been facing major decisions recently and needed the love. Normally it is my equally sweet mother who surprises me with a goodie here and there, so to receive such a thoughtful, personalized gift from my dad was so special I would be lying if I said it didn't bring a tear to my eye. 

Because he continuously does so much for me and never thinks of himself or his needs/wants, it has always been so hard to think of meaningful, useful gifts. That is, until, I found the perfect idea on Pinterest and executed it my sophomore year of college just in time for his 60th. 

I reached out to about 75 of my father's closest acquaintances. He knows just about everyone in the state of North Carolina so it was surprisingly hard to narrow his friends down to a small number of a mere 75. I asked each of these friends to write a personal, hand written note addressing a story, a character trait, or something of the like that they remember my dad with. Afterwards, I asked each of them to mail it to me. 

I collected a number of responses, even from those I never reached out to. They simply heard the idea and jumped on the bandwagon knowing how much my dad meant to me and how much this would mean to him. 

After I collected all the letters (and, of course, read each and every one) I set them each into their own individual vanilla envelope and labeled them. Some letters were sappy (mine), some were hilarious (his fraternity brothers), some were inspirational (his business partner), and some were a blast from the past (an elementary school teacher). I tried to organize the letters so that there weren't a clump of heavy reading nor a clump of laughter but an even spread of stories, resembling every day life and it's ups and downs. 

He loved it. There are very few times I have seen a tear in my father's eyes but this was one of them. I am so grateful for the idea and even more excited I was able to execute it. Well...I say I was able to execute it, but really it was him and each of the hundreds to thousands of people he has touched that was able to pull this off. I strive to make a portion of the difference on the community, and in the world, that he has someday. 

Before I start to tear up again about how lucky I am to have such role model parents and how much their friendship means to me, I am going to sign off. But I will say, if this has you inspired, DO IT you won't regret it. 

What's the best gift you've ever given?

4 Ingredient Dinner: Asian Lettuce Cups

Trader Joe's has done it again. They have helped me create the easiest, most delicious, healthy weeknight meal. After a weekend of laying around, I couldn't wait to get off work for my favorite workout of the week, Athletic Conditioning at the local Y. The down side? I don't get back until 8pm and find it hard to cook a meticulous meal. 

Instead of takeout, I have been finding easy-to-make meals and this is by far one of the juiciest. And by juiciest, I mean best. 

All you need:

- 1 Head of Romaine Lettuce

- 1 Bag Shredded Carrots

- 1 Package Chicken Breasts or Tenderloins

- 1 Jar Trader Joe's General Tso's Sauce

- I added diced yellow onion, but this is totally optional!

To Make:

1. Warm pan with a splash of oil on the stove. 

2. Add diced onion. 

3. While onion is cooking, dice chicken breasts into small chunks & add to hot pan. 

4. Once chicken is cooked through, add about 1/2 cup General Tso's sauce & let simmer.

5. Add shredded carrots. 

6. Spoon mixture into rinsed lettuce cups. 

7. Serve!

So. Easy. 

If I were to make this again (which, I probably will next week and the week after that) I want to try this with ground chicken instead of tediously chopping up the chicken breasts. Adding water chestnuts next time too! Honestly, just drooling thinking about making it again...

The best part? I didn't feel like I over indulged as per usual. After two lettuce cups I was feeling full without feeling blah. It was light, summery, fresh & healthy. Take that Monday!

I served with edamame & soy sauce (I eat edamame like popcorn and more times than not have the hardest time stopping). It would also be delicious with mini eggrolls or rice. 

Enjoy!

Find of the Week: T3 Hairdryer

I want to start my first blog "series" as I am constantly inspired by the blogs I follow and always look forward to the next installments of their normally weekly series. After soaking in the thought and trying to think of something I wanted to hone in on, the only decision I could make is that I couldn't narrow anything down. And now this is what it turned in to. From now on, "Find of the Week" will feature everything from products, to recipes, to clothes, to local Charlotte spots. I am hoping you will enjoy them as much as I do!

This week, I wanted to feature my new T3 Haidryer. If you're like me, you find yourself constantly putting stress on your locks whether it be a hairdryer, a straightener, a curling iron, or dreadfully tying it up in knots for the bulk of the day. When I heard that T3 creates a drying experience that is healthier for your hair than air drying it immediately jumped to the top of my "to buy" list. 

When I first read about the hairdryer I heard that it emitted the fancy kinds of ions which promised to rapidly dry thick hair, seal the cuticle to lock in moisture, enhance shine and diminish frizz. That's amazing I thought, x'ing out of the website browser knowing that all of that sounded to good to be true. 

I am a personal testament that this is in fact 1000% true. After my first use, I barely had to straighten my normally wavy, out of control, frizzy hair. My locks felt light, healthy, and thankful that I switched from my old Chi Pro which got so hot it sometimes was hard to hold. 

The best part about this buy is that I got it on sale AND with a Gift with Purchase. Currently at Belk, the T3 is on sale for 25% off and with my employee discount and charity day deals, I got it for even less. For Mother's Day, there was also a brush that came as a gift with the purchase that I am loving already. Though I love my Aveda Paddle Brush whole heartedly, ever since this arrived I have found myself sharing time between the two. 

4 Ingredient Dinner: Bacon Blue Cheese Sweet Potatoes

It was another one of those nights. I didn't get home until 8 PM and was faced with a semi-empty fridge. BUT that didn't stop me from trying a recipe I mentioned in my 5 Things I Learned in Women's Health post. 

All you need:

- Sweet Potato

- Green Apple

- Bacon

- Blue Cheese

The dish was simple yet satisfying. It combined a sweetness (potato) with a sourness (apple) with a saltiness (bacon) all mixed together with a pop of flavor (blue cheese). What more could you ask for?

I kept the side simple - mostly because I didn't have anything else but also because the main meal packs so much flavor I didn't want to compete. 

How did I make it? 

Simple. 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and begin to cook bacon per package directions. (I prefer a baking pan lined with foil, a cookie rack resting on top, & bacon laid right on the rack.)

2. Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork and microwave in a microwavable safe dish for 4 minutes per potato. 

3. While bacon & sweet potatoes are cooking, finely chop 1/2 a green apple into small squares. 

4. Remove sweet potatoes from microwave and scoop out in the insides. Combine sweet potato mash with green apple slices and cooked, sliced bacon. 

5. Refill potato skins with mixture & place back in the oven for approximately 15 minutes. 

6. Sprinkle potatoes with blue cheese. 

Enjoy!

5 Minute Room Makeover

I love my room. Something about it seems homey without feeling cluttered. However, because I am just one year out of school, I am constantly keeping my eyes open for additions that would add to the overall decor without keeping everything too matchy matchy. 

 

All inspiration credit for this accent rug addition goes to my roommate. Without seeing the one she displays in her room, I would have never thought of adding a rug on top of carpet. 

However, when I saw this accent rug at TJ Maxx this afternoon I couldn't resist. I even picked it up and put it down after an internal struggle of decisions, just to come back 10 minutes later and decisively call it mine. At only $14.99, I honestly count resist. 

I think it adds so much character to the nook. It displays itself right when you walk through the door and showcases nicely next to my crisp, white comforter & coral and blue bed pillows. The multi texture is definitely in right now, too. 

Want to add an accent rug to your own space? Check these out - I am in love.

Hand Tufted Jay Ikat New Zelad Wool Rug

Safavieh Rag Rug

nyLOOM Hand Tufted Alex Rug

Aztec Accent Rug