Sunset + Floral Dress

   Hi loves!  Last week I was on vacation and had an amazing time.  It reminded me how beautiful my home state is.  We drove less than an hour to the CT shoreline and stayed in a beautiful cottage right on the beach in Old, Lyme. The est part was it was easy to pack up Gavin since it was a short right and we even got to take Zoey on her first family vacation.  Zoey absolutely loved the beach and come to find out he loves long walks at sunset!
    Overall, my style on vacation was comfy and barefoot!   It's very rare that one can pull off a dress with no shoes but this loose and airy floral dress was just the perfect dress to transition from a sunset walk to a dinner date.  Don't you love when something that is so comfy is also so adorable?  I was a little hesitant about this dress before I got in the mail because it was under $20 but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and overall really impressed. 
Shop this look: Ethnic Style Long Sleeve Floral Dress by Sammy Dress

What is left on your summer bucket list?

Ever After,

Jamie

Sundays are Brunch Days

 

  Every time I visit  New York City, there are so many restaurants promoting brunch specials with the most amazing mimosas, mouth-watering cocktails, and flavorful brunch entrees.  I was so happy to discover that Connecticut is starting to pick up the brunch trend because brunch is my favorite meal.  I mean who doesn't love breakfast food married with cocktails?!

   My girls over at Champs et Frites and Style Context set up a blogger brunch at the amazing 50 West in Plainville, CT and we were so impressed by the unique and tasty brunch menu they had to offer.  I mean pork belly tacos with eggs and banana-walnut pancakes had us foaming at the mouth. 
   Not to mention, Diane and I got the off-the-shoulder chambray memo. My favorite drink was the 50w Signature Cocktail which was mixed with St. Germain Elderflower liquor, sparling wine, and blood orange juice. I definitely want to make more time in my schedule for Sunday brunches.  How do you brunch?

 

Ever After,

Jamie

Motivational Monday: Cooking Clean

Because I am gluten-free due to my thyroid issues, a lot of people assume that I load up on all of those "gluten-free" marketed products like rice and corn-based processed foods.  The truth is, I try to avoid any of those foods because you are replacing one processed food with another. Sure, I keep a stock of Udi's rolls in my freezer if I am craving a sandwich, but I try to find clean, naturally gluten-free ingredients to cook with. 

I figured I'd share my absolute favorite "clean" ingredients that are also gluten-free.   Since I am hypothyroid and losing weight is a huge struggle, these foods help me maintain a healthy weight while not feeling deprived.

Here is a typical weekly grocery list:

• kale
• Romaine lettuce
• tomatoes
• zucchini (I love making Zoodles/Zuchhini noodles)
• black Beans
• quinoa
• wild caught salmon (NOT farm-raised)
• lean ground turkery
• eggs
• avocado
• almond milk
• almonds/walnuts
• chia seeds
• coconut oil (unrefined)
• organic ketchup 
• coconut palm sugar
• apples 
• Greek yogurt (unsweetened) 
• sweet potatoes

Favorite clean dinners:
California Cobb Salad
Chicken Sausage, Kale + White Beans
Sunday Night "pasta" Zoodles

Favorite clean desserts/snacks
Greek Yogurt "Cookie Dough"
4-ingredient Granola Bar
Starbucks Inspired Strawberry Frappuccino

Ever After,

Jamie