Bites of My Life

Last week I played babysitter, fashion blogger, travel blogger, food blogger, dog watcher, house-sitter, on top of my everyday marketer, foodie and friend. I’m not tooting my own horn, just acknowledging the many hats I’ve been wearing lately. And let me be honest, I’m really trying to hone in on how I can take off a few hats.

My motto for the last 3 months of the year is no. YUP. I’m saying no, no, no to anything extra I don’t need to add to my plate. More on all of this at another time, but even though I thought I loved being busy and multi-tasking. I don’t. What do you say more often? Yes or no?

-Halloween vibes for breakfast. Last year, I wasn’t so keen on the pumpkin RXbars. This year they seem more pumpkin-y and more delicious. Anyone else?
-Little reading date with my girl! We sat like this and read about 15 books for an hour. She must of heard about my reading goal for 2018;)
-Got to play fashion blogger for the night at a Lululemon event promoting their extensive outerwear this season. We got personal shopping attention and got to go home with our favorite piece we tried on. This bomber is now my second skin.
-The first Avid Hotel in the entire world - in OKC! Fun morning last week at the grand opening for this new business concept hotel. More to come with Avid in a couple weeks.
-There has been quite a bit of love around my Perfect CCC’s recently. I’m so glad people beside myself are enjoying making them, but you really don’t know how cool it is to see other’s making a recipe you came up with and loving them as much as you. If you happen to make a batch of Perfect CCC’s, post them on instagram and tag me in it to see!
-Eggs and greens in bed for a restful start to Saturday. Photo bomb by my roommate for the week.
-Prettiest wedding for The Lemon’s inside the most epic wedding tent.
-I think we danced for 4 hours straight at #WhenLifeGivesYouLemons.
-Stuffed sweet potatoes on deck for the last week of the Fall Reset. My week is short and busy so for dinners I’m trying to clean out the fridge, but focusing on good and prepared lunches!

Annie

Extra bite: I’ve been listening to the Girls Night podcast by Stephanie May Wilson this past week. Stephanie and a girlfriend cover topics like dating, friendships, well-being and Jesus. I find myself saying YES! and PREACH IT GIRL, so many times while listening. SMayWilson is bringing the truth and I want you to hear it!

Bites of My Life

This post combines the past two weeks into one big bite. I got home from vacation late last Wednesday and quickly had to jump right back in to work and social life as I knew it. A big work event, busy playing catch up, a besties birthday and a personal to-go list that is becoming miles long has me typing as fast as I can to get through this post to continue tackling the others. A full round up of our trip to Aspen is in the works! It was too good of a trip not to devote a post to. Catch a glimpse in the snapshots below and stay tuned for the whole shebang!

-Channeling “back to school” vibes with my new work bag/backpack - that I can’t get enough of!
-Aunts do Aspen! And Elle does Aspen really well. #gimmethosemoccasins
-We were lucky to get to stay in a big house on our trip. We played to our strengths and cooked a few meals at home. After some delicious nights out, we all agreed our dinners at home were the best!
-The reason that brought us to Aspen, Pop’s 60th birthday! His birthday was actually in June, but there are many reasons to celebrate 3 months later!
-The whole fam damily! Not often does the whole crew get to be together, but I sure love when we do!
-I went on a kale salad kick while in Aspen. It seemed that just about every menu had their own rendition, so I took it upon myself to test them out. Like this kale caesar from Ajax Tavern
-I’ll follow up my kale salad note by mentioning that I washed down my healthy salad with fries at pretty much every meal. It’s called vacation! The infamous truffle fries from Ajax Tavern could not go without ordering.
-Just like one of the beautiful trees around me! We had a successful hike through the Maroon Bells.
-Book 12 out of my 12 in a year goal. Went out with a bang with this one. Can’t recommend it enough.
-The best breakfast casserole returns. Might I add, this is always a crowd pleaser. I brought it to a morning tailgate were it was aside donuts and bagels and many people reached for the casserole over the other options.
-Played cowgirl for the day to celebrate our favorite OSU Cowboy’s birthday in Stillwater!
-After a the kale salad craze on vacation, I knew I was inspired to recreate one at home. This kale quinoa goodness is coming your way later this week.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Really, crazy, super #blessed. A weekend full of tons of family and friend time can make you feel that way. My little niece turned one this weekend and the whole fam damily rolled out for the occasion. In addition, an influx of friends from college were in town and it was the icing on the cake getting to see old friends in addition to the fam time. 

Weekend aside, last week had some seriously good eats like my Quinoa Fried Rice on repeat, killer smoothies/smoothie bowls, and insane overnight oats recipe, my favorite chips and salsa/guac in the city, pizza, burger, biscuits and my first taste at an oat milk latte. Verdict: amazing.

I also finished book #7 of the year and I'm officially turning into a book warm. How I turned into a reader you ask? Yes I still watch TV before bed every night, but almost every morning I start my workout with 28 minutes exactly on the elliptical and crush a couple chapters.

I also went to a casting call for The Bachelor.... anyway...!

-A staple in my single-girl meals. Quinoa Fried Rice, archived recipe can be found here.
-Headache healer smoothie: use frozen veggies like cauliflower, spinach and lots of ginger!
-Another book down. On to #8.
-3rd time in one week to the Kitchen at Commonplace.
-An overnight oats recipe that will make you love overnight oats. Recipe here. Made better with this insanely good almond butter by Betsy's Best.
-Will we get the final rose? The Bachelor came to town and we went to the open casting call. Sorry mom and dad!
-Big bad one year old, Elle Frances.
-The whole crew in one place for Elle's pool party!
-Tucker Time Eats: burgers, grilled pineapple with hot honey, grilled cabbage salad with goat cheese raita, cucumbers and hazelnuts from Bon Appetit.

Annie

Bites of My Life

May, my favorite month! May means April is over (a commonly busy/stressful month for me), summer is on the horizon, temperatures finally start acting like the time of year it is, and it's my birthday month!

Two very busy back to back weeks and weekends are over. They were fun and rewarding, but I'm glad to have those two stressful, busy, and tiring weeks behind me. Now I'm just looking forward to enjoying the summer-like temperatures, the relaxed vibe this time of year brings and especially looking forward to a bachelorette party in Austin this weekend for my Staysh girl and then some celebrating of my favorite momma for Mother's Day!

-New "Lite Bite" post! Thai Chicken Lettuce Boats. 
-On an avocado toast KICK! Current version is smashed avocado with Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel seasoning on a piece of Dave's Killer Bread Cinnamon Raisin. The sweetness of the bread totally works and compliments the avocado. 
-All kinds of new dishes coming to The Jones Assembly menu. Somehow getting to taste, photograph and give my feedback on the dishes is included in my job title. Not sure how I got so lucky. On that note, I also just celebrated my 2 year anniversary with the best company around!
-Current protein shake crush: frozen pineapple, frozen cauliflower, ginger, avocado (for creaminess), vanilla protein powder and coconut water.
-5 o'clock at the oasis (name that show) aka mom and dad's backyard.
-Winning combo for weekend mornings. Arbonne detox tea and NEW gold gel eye masks. 
-Can't do wedding dance floors without these two. 
-#FiestaDeFranklin.
-Love getting to be this chick's aunt!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Thank goodness for a really great weekend to pull me out of my Hawaii depression. Last week was hard coming off vacation. However, it was super busy playing catch up, work in general being busy, life in general being busy, it all helped distract me from my post-vacay blues. But nothing like oldest sis coming in town, leading to a great fam filled weekend to turn things around. Truly a great weekend, that's all I can say. 

Now back to the craziness. April man. Always kicks me in the.... 

-Finishing up the workday on my back patio with spring like weather is the best way to end a Monday. 
-PSA letting you know how delicious the lunch (especially the tacos) are at Okay Yeah!
-When Take A Bite and Claire Martin Designs collide.
-Loved celebrating 5 years of Take A Bite giving away some of my favorite things!
-When sis is in town we eat, drink, and then eat and drink. #notmad.
-Ladies who brunch. (p.s. EnCroute has some very notable brunch additions to their menu.
-And the winner for the best wedding invitations goes to...
-AUNT SQUAD.
-Grilled Pizza for Claire's last night in town.

Annie