S'mores Cookies

There's nothing quite like eating a messy s'more sitting next to a fire pit, except maybe a s'more cookie fresh out of the oven. 

I found these on Pinterest and finally had a reason to make them: small group. 

My first batch, I made the cookies too large, so there was way too much graham cracker cookie to be eaten. 

My second batch for Mallory and Hollins was a success. 

The marshmallows were golden brown and the chocolate kiss was perfectly melting with each bite.

Recipe: from Six Sisters' Stuff

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
10 marshmallows cut in half
20 hershey kisses

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  In a large bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside. In another bowl, beat the butter and sugars together until creamy and smooth.  Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined.  Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.  Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto a baking sheet, 1-2" apart.  Bake for 6-8 minutes or until edges are just getting golden brown.  Remove from oven and gently press a half marshmallow, sticky side down, onto each cookie.  Let cool completely.  Once all cookies are cooled down, preheat broiler.  Place cookies back on baking sheets and broil for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on them so they don't burn.  Once marshmallows are golden brown, remove from the broiler and place a chocolate kiss on top of each cookie.

Linking up with Jessica, Ashley, and Cheslea

high five for friday

Here are a few of my favorites from this week...

1. I've only worked one shift so far this week, so Wednesday I took Emily's Pure Barre class and then had coffee with her afterwards. 

Thursday, I met my new friend, Danielle for coffee and a biscuit at Jubala for the second time this week. 

It was so refreshing being encouraged by chats with both of these girls. 

2. We got our photos back from Heidi Joy Photography. I can't wait to order my Christmas cards. I promised myself I would be ahead of the game this year, and I'm on track to meet that goal. 

3. My mom was in town this week for a doctor's appointment and spent two nights. We chatted, went out to lunch, and watched girly tv shows together. 

4. We're going to look at three houses today. It's always fun to check out different neighborhoods and see what we like and don't like. 

5. By some miracle, I ordered and received a J.Crew herringbone vest that I've been swooning over. I'm so excited to check out IG and bloggers to see how they've been styling the vest. 

Linking up with Lauren and Lindsey

Meal Planning

We've already started planning our 2014 trips and vacations.

Two wedding dates are set for the spring, a mountain/cabin trip is in the works with my besties, and a few others that will hopefully take shape soon. 

As we start planning these trips, we're also trying to save for our first house. 

In order to do all of these things. I have started trying to cut back in other areas of our life. 

I'm trying to improve our grocery budget. 

That's where meal planning comes in....

The past few weeks, I've been trying my hardest to create meal plans and stick to them. We've used EMeals and love it but also want to start re-using recipes from EMeals and our moms' instead of constantly trying new plans every week. As I write this, we're trying two new ones this week. 

Here is what this upcoming weekend/week (my work week starts on Saturday) will hold: 

1. Veggie Lasagna, loosely based on Jenna's recipe. 

2. Tacos. We have most of the ingredients on hand already. 

3. Wine-braised short ribs with roasted beet and goat cheese quinoa 

4. Mustard-roasted pork tenderloin with red potatoes and a side salad 

We're also hosting our small group next week and decided to do heavy appetizers: turkey meatballs, veggies and hummus, and sweet potato coins. 

 

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What are ways that you are cutting your budget, so you can splurge in other areas? 

We're obsessed with traveling, especially before babies, so I'd love any tips or tricks to save money to do so. 

a Raleigh weekend

It's already Wednesday, so I'm more than fashionably late to the weekend update posts, but I can't pass up sharing the great weekend that we had with family and friends. 

Last Thursday, my mom and sister came to town and while they were here we went shopping to finish a gallery wall project I've been working on. 

Friday afternoon, my bestie Mallory and her husband, Hollins came to town. 

Our first stop on Friday night was at Yard House for drinks before dinner at Cowfish. 

Ending the night with champagne toasts at Vivace. #champagneJeff

Saturday morning, Mallory and I headed to a Pure Barre class at the Raleigh studio while the guy went golfing. After wiping the sweat off, we headed to Jubala, my favorite coffee spot in North Raleigh, for waffles, coffee, and time together.

We both loved the almond lattes, banana waffles, and cheddar, bacon biscuits.

Everything was so delicious. I'd go back any day.

My friend, Carolyn recommended going to the Furbish Studio for their sale.

Everything was absolutely adorable. I loved all the pieces and wished I could have brought more items home.

I bought two glittery pumpkins.

But wished I could have bought the coral dresser for my navy/coral guest bedroom.

Thankfully, Mallory is incredibly more creative than I am and came up with an idea for my guest bedroom.

Tutorial and guest room reveal coming soon!

Saturday was so much fun because I got to hang out with one of my best friends, shop, chat, eat, watch Auburn football, and craft.

Aida wasn't too sure about sharing everything over the weekend with puppy Sadie.

I made s'more cookies for the second time.

The first time I made them was for small group and the cookies turned out way too big. The second time was the charm. The chocolate melted perfectly like a real s'more.

Sunday morning we cooked breakfast, the girls: me, Mallory, Aida, and Sadie went on a walk and took the dogs to Woof Gang Bakery which they loved. 

The Chef, Aida, and I then had family photos done by Heidi in Durham before we all met for an early supper at Gravy. 

I love spending time with Mallory and Hollins. It's such a blessing when friends feel like family. I'm so thankful for meeting her at Samford and being friends for the past eight years.

And we definitely missed you this weekend, Amy and Justin.

We're already planning a trip our next trip to see each other in January, and I can't wait.

Linking up with Shami, LeeAnn, and Sarah

Fall Booties

I'm loving booties this fall. I always love pulling out my boots in the fall and winter to warm up my freezing toes. I love that they dress up an outfit but are still comfortable to wear all day long.

Three of my favorite looks are these...

1. Trolley boots. These might be the perfect fall boots for me this season. I love that they have a classic, sophisticated look but could easily be dressed down for a more casual look.

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2. Ramiro boot. I have been dying for a pair of glitter heeled boots since I first saw these appear on fashion blogs and pinterest last winter. They would be so fun to pair with jeans for a night out or even a simple coffee date.

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3. Phillip boot. I stumbled upon these at Nordstrom and love the rustic, woodsy feel and look of these Frye boots. And there is nothing rustic, woodsy, or outdoorsy about me, but I still love them. I wouldn't mind any pair of Frye boots while we're talking about them.

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These are a few of my picks for this season. What boots are you loving? 

Chicken Parmesan and Sprouts

You are going to be shocked by this, but I actually made this chicken parmesan and Brussels sprouts. 

Aren't you impressed? 

I used Jenna's chicken parmesan recipe, and it is definitely a keeper. I would make this again any night. The only change I would make is to maybe cook the chicken in the oven longer so that I don't have to stand over the stove for as long. 

She suggested serving it over noodles, but I opted for a healthier side of Brussels sprouts. 

I saw the Brussels sprouts recipe in a recent Real Simple magazine. It's super easy, fast, and makes a great side.

1 1/2 lbs Brussels sprouts
1 red jalapeno pepper, halved and sliced (I omitted this)
3 Tbs canola oil
1 Tbs fresh grated ginger
1 Tbs honey
salt and pepper

Heat oven to 400 F. Toss the sprouts, jalapeno, ginger, oil, salt, and pepper and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, tossing once until golden and tender. 15-20 minutes. Drizzle with honey and toss to coat.

Linking up with Jessica, Ashley, and Cheslea

the work weekend

As much as I love the nursing schedule of three days/nights per week. The dreaded weekend shifts always seem to put a damper on things.

This past weekend was my weekend to work. 

Thankfully, I had a great assignment for the three nights. It makes such a huge difference when you get the same kid back night after night. Consistency is usually a nice thing.

I did end up getting Sunday night off.

We had a lazy relaxing afternoon and evening. I dragged myself out of bed and over to Pure Barre to get my butt (legs, arms, and abs) kicked.

And then we enjoyed a big bowl of this warm beef and butternut squash stew curled up on the couch with a lit pumpkin candle, catching up on our tv shows.

Honestly, I have never been much of a fall lover until this year.

I don't know if it's that I always feel like summer is so short (and it's my favorite!) and this year it has been warm until October or if it's because of the impending winter season. Or if it's the football craze. I'm not sure which but this year I've been embracing fall.

I'm looking forward to slightly cooler weather and trying to not think about winter. I love the famous pumpkin spice lattes, I love the pumpkin patch setup near our apartment, I love the crockpot recipes I've found on my favorite foodie blogs, and I love that my favorite B&B wall scent is back so our home smells amazing. And football, I'm learning to like...

Hope you've had a happy Monday!

Linking up with Shami, LeeAnn, and Sarah