Local Favorites: Restaurants

A couple of weeks ago, Eric and I started Eating for Life, a diet that considers portion size, eating six times per day and balancing the nutrients contained in each meal.  I am doing it for weight loss and Eric is doing it for different reasons: namely, it's what I am cooking.  He doesn't need to lose weight and I happen to like him as-is.  He is a supportive husband who fills up on the leftovers.

Things were going swimmingly until we arrived in Nashville Wednesday night. Our four-day food detour started with Thanksgiving and ended with Chuy's two days in a row.  I kid you not.  Saturday night in Nashville and last night in Birmingham.  The food is that good, people.

We first ate at Chuy's in it's hometown of Austin, TX while visiting my cousin and her husband.  We fell in love.  The chips and salsa alone did us in.  We are salsa snobs, remember? They have now moved to the southeast and I am deeming them local.

Eric (almost) always gets the Chuy-changa.  My favorites range from stuffed peppers to flautas to crunchy or soft tacos.  The tortillas are hand-made. The queso and 7 signature sauces are to die for.

Today I'll head to the grocery store to prepare for this week's meals.  All the while I'll be dreaming of Chuy's.

Have you done Eating for Life?   Any tips or favorite recipes?

Gift Guide 2: Your sister with a killer voice who can bust a dance move like no other and bakes cookies on a whim

A hidden tote for a last minute grocery run, $22

Fingerless gloves so she can play her guitar outside with friends, $32

A pretty apron to inspire more baking, $32

A Holga 35 mm camera for taking old school pictures, $48

A Grace Potter & The Nocturnals CD, because this girl wails and looks good while doing it, $10

A slouchy beanie to go with her long wavy hair, $20

Slang flash cards to crack her up and because you know she will use them, $13

Redo's Around The Web

This past Saturday I went garage sale-ing with a few friends.

It was tough waking up at 5:45 after spending the night before at a needtobreathe concert. Garage sale-ing was followed up by a Thanksgiving style lunch at my grandparents, after which a nap was absolutely necessary.
A busy, fun weekend.

I didn't find anything breathtaking, but I'm inspired by the re-do's below to get out again soon.

{Design Sponge, The Little Red House, Going Home to Roost}

Have a wonderful day! 

Love for Etsy

The pastel prints below are by Lola's Room Photography. I neeeed one.

Just kidding.  But I do think they are oh so pretty.

Happy Friday!

Stacked Firewood is Cozy

I spent a considerable amount of my weekend hot-gluing coffee filters (and my fingers, for that matter) in an attempt to make this wreath.  My husband complained that he wasn't well fed or attended to during this project. Whoops!

I'm hoping to make the most of my time tonight by creating this garland and collecting a few more books to make this tree. Then, it's up with the decorations. 

What would make my winter wonderland complete but a fireplace full of stacked wood.  So Cozy.

(images here)

Usually I am against pre-Thanksgiving tree lighting, but this year I am ready to usher in the cold and holiday cheer.  It seems like I am not the only one.  

When are you hanging your stockings?  

And what Christmas DIY projects are you working on?

Gift Guide 1: Your book-loving sister who mixes patterns and coaxed her cat into chilling in a swaddled blanket

An invisible book shelf for clean lines and an easy reading selection, $12

Striped socks to pair with her colorful flats and skinny legs, $8

A hungry feline friend to hold her iPod, $18

A spicy citrus foam bath to relax while she reads, $13

Cool blue retro frames to help her see how pretty she is, $29

Inspirations, excerpts and narratives on classic literature to round out her knowledge, $16

A floral tapestry suitcase, to channel Nancy Drew in her travels, $18 (image here)

I'm excited to start this new series, inspired by A Cup of Jo.  Hope you Enjoy! 

Love for Etsy

Today's Etsy post is inspired by warm colors and a welcoming Thanksgiving table for family and friends.  Enjoy!

{Burlap Table Runner by Shawnee 23, Mercury Centerpiece by Flores Del Sol, 

Table Cards by I Shoot Nouns, Silverware Garland by Daisy Chestnut, 

Serving Platter by The White Home and Wool Acorns by Green Baboon Designs}

How will you decorate your table?

Gift Guide for Living Simply

Next week I'll start a gift guide (a la A Cup of Jo) for the upcoming Christmas season .

In the meantime, check out this gifting motto from Remodeling This Life. When buying for friends, family or loved ones, consider items that fit the following:

Isn't that wonderful?

In a recent effort to live simply, I've put a great deal of thought into a recipients personality when giving birthday presents.  By focusing on finding something special, I often end up spending less!

Have a simple day!

Old Fashioned

There's something about black and whites and men with pipes.

See more on this new blog.

Fabric Flags

This weekend marked the 2 year anniversary of our church.  We celebrated with a fall festival including fire pits, a chili cook-off and delicious desserts.  

That morning, our pastor began a two-part sermon from the book of Esther on seizing your destiny.  Listen here.  If you're local to Birmingham, come visit. You're sure to meet new, cool people and walk away challenged to grow closer to our great God.

{photo by David Jacks}

A few months back, my mom, sisters and I made the fabric flags above for my sister's graduation party.  I will not lie.  We looked like an assembly line factory abusing all kinds of labor laws.  They turned out cute-as-pie and I was so excited to see them used again!

The guitarist and friend above, Carlos, played one of my favorite songs ever: Bron-yr-Aur (not to be confused with Bron-y-Aur Stomp, which also happens to be amazing).

Have a lovely day!

Love for Etsy

Doilies are the perfect winter accessory.  Shaped like a snowflake, the dainty items below adorn the floor, paper, wall, clutch, stationary, earrings and a pillow.  Enjoy! 

Which one is your favorite?

Uber Sweetness

I am in love with this new blog.  Discovered via A Cup of Jo.

A Fake Foyer

Apartment living is wonderful.  Our place suits our life and style and we love it. Unfortunately, lack of space often leads to lack of organization.  With the help of my mom, and year-round spring cleaning, we've done a pretty good job of assigning items their place and keeping them there. 

The problem is that we are missing a foyer.  No place to put our keys or mail when we walk through the door, which drives me crazy.  

The bird hook and magazine rack below may be a step in the right direction.

Do you have a fake foyer?  Tell me, how did you create it?

I adore

this living room, via Design Sponge

this free 2011 printable calendar, via Finding My Aloha

this junior librarian party, via on hand + modern

All I need is blue paint, card stock and a cute kid.  

Inspiration to reality is a work in progress.  

What do you adore?

Lasting Joy

Listen to a kid-friendly, yet challenging message. 

Read a book about growing up, maturing and maintaining joy.