Monday Missive: March 1
How exciting is it that we’ve made it to March! By the end of February, we’re so over winter and all I want is to be outside for walks or to dine alfresco or to see friends. I’m also so excited for cheery spring clothes and make-up and food. This week, even though it isn’t actually nice out, we’re leaning in to dreaming about warmer weather and sunny days and everything that goes along with those.
What We’re Reading and Watching
I was feeling low at the beginning of the weekend, but as soon as I started watching Ginny & Georgia on Netflix, my mood was totally reset. The story of a sassy, close in age mother-daughter duo who moves to a cute town in New England seems familiar at first. But Georgia’s dangerous past and loose relationship with the law and men, Ginny’s struggle with very modern teen issues, and the presence of Scott Porter (FNL and Heart of Dixie) plus Jennifer Robertson (Schitt’s Creek), makes this fresh and fun and one of the best shows I’ve watched in a long time.
I’ve been making my way through the new books that I featured in this post, and was so excited to dive into The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins. The author has written a few YA series that I like (Royals and Rebel Belles), so I was intrigued by her very adult thriller loosely based on Jane Eyre. When I started reading it, I realized it was set in the small suburb of Birmingham, Alabama that one of my closest friends grew up in and lives in now! It was really fun and well-written, although the twist was a tiny bit predictable if you regularly read this kind of book. - D
What We’re Buying
I just order the Jones Road Miracle Balm in Dusty Rose. Jones Road is Bobbi Brown’s new beauty company featuring pared down list of products that are meant to be easy, multi purpose and clean. The balm is one of their hero products that moisturizing and can create a light sheen and color on the cheeks, lips, eyes and anywhere else that you want to pat it on. I’m always on the hunt for beauty products that makes me look healthy and glowing without looking make upy, so I’m very excited to try this. - E
I was so tempted by everything in the new arrivals for Oliphant this spring-especially this dress and this one. They look so light and pretty and happy. -E
Caralyn Mirand is one of my favorite size-inclusive bloggers, and she posted this adorable round up of easy daytime spring dresses! I can imagine so many of these with a jean jacket or cute trench over them, or wearing them with booties as seasons transition. I looked at one of the Amazon dresses she purchased and actually found that it comes in a much cuter navy and white print, which I ordered this week. - D
What We’re Making
I’m such a huge fan of Half Baked Harvest recipes, but my number one complaint is that they always take so much longer than their supposed to. If it takes Teighan thirty minutes to make something, I know it will take me at least an hour. But this weekend, I tried the Sheet Pan Sticky Gojuchang Chicken Meatballs and broccoli and I actually got it done in about a half an hour. I was so proud! I made the sauce at the same time as I made the meatballs because they have so many of the same ingredients and it was quick and easy and so delicious. I’m counting the days until I can talk everyone into eating it again -E
As part of my health kick, I’m avoiding white sugar right now, and it has not been easy. When I got desperate for a treat at the end of the week, I made these cookies and they were really good. I mixed sugar free chocolate chips right into the batter and I baked some and then froze some little balls of dough, which I eat right of the freezer (shh-don’t tell the kids!) and are so yummy.
As you know, our family has been working our way through the Ina Garten Modern Comfort Food Cookbook and over the weekend our mom and I made the Crispy Chicken with Lemon Orzo - it was amazing and I think I might make it on my next date night at home to make an impression. - D