Love

I know I haven't blogged in quite some time... 

While looking through the gossip magazine websites I came across a picture of Kate Middleton from the BOA Olympic Concert Event in London and just about died over her Jenny Packham dress. Well, the whole outfit. The dress, the shoes, the hair. I know I've already shared my love for her fashion style in previous posts but this is the icing on the cake! What do you think?

pictures via here here here

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

I was feeling inspired last week to bake and after searching on Pinterest I found this recipe for Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Bread. It literally combines all of my favorites so I figured it must be good! It turned out delicious and I wanted to share it with all of you!

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 egg

2 very ripe bananas

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray bread pan with nonstick cooking spray

2. In a large bowl, whisk all dry ingredients together: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, granulated sugar and brown sugar

3. Pour in the remaining ingredients, except the chocolate chips. Mix until just combined and then add the chocolate chips

4. Pour into bread pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean

*sidenote, I actually made this twice so that I could have two loaves of bread, the recipe only filled one of my bread pans

Wanderlust

Wanderlust

[won-der-luhst]

noun

a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about

Y'all, I am having serious wanderlust right now. Maybe it's because it is 79 degrees and sunny outside or maybe it's just because this time last year I was boarding a plane heading for a week in the British Virgin Islands. We really didn't have a Winter this year and I may be jinxing myself but I am SO ready for Spring and Summer. I can't wait to wear sundresses and sandals and shorts and tank tops. I especially can't wait to have a little color on my skin because this pale situation is a tad out of control. At this very moment I am seriously wishing I was on an island laying on the beach with a drink, a book, and good company. And if I were in such a place, here are a few items I would have with me:

Roxy Beach Blanket

L'Space bikini

JCrew summer straw hat

Is anyone else suffering from Wanderlust at the moment?

WILW

It's hump day (and free cookie day at Subway)! Some things that I am loving today are:

- I don't have class for two weeks because it is finally Spring Break! Woo!

- A friend from home is coming into town this weekend for the UNC vs Duke game and I am excited to meet up with him and catch up on our lives

- The weather here in NC was super nice yesterday and Thursdays high is supposed to be 80 degrees! Bring on Summer!

What are you loving this wonderful Wednesday?

Balsamic Garlic Chicken

This recipe was featured in Southern Living's July 2010 issue and is delicious. It's relatively easy to make and still has a lot of flavor without a ton of ingredients.

Ingredients:

4 (6 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of pepper

2 tablespoons of butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup of chicken broth

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons of honey

Directions:

1. Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper

2. Melt butter with oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; Add chicken and cook 6-7 minutes on each side or until done; Remove chicken and keep warm

3. Add chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and honey to skillet and cook for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring to loosen particles from the bottom of the skillet. Serve chicken with sauce on top.

* An easy side to pair with this is orzo, which is pictured below mixed with fresh pesto

image via

Spring

All of these clothes and colors make me really excited for Spring! What do you think about the Spring Lookbook at JCrew?

all images via

50 Books in 2012... Update

I've already shared that my goal for the year is to read 50 books that I've never read before, so I figured I would do an update on which books I have read so far!

1. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

2. Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins

3. Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins

4. The Associate, John Grisham

5. Heaven Is For Real, Todd Burpo

6. Silver Girl, Elin Hilderbrand

7. Nantucket Nights, Elin Hilderbrand

8. Something Borrowed, Emily Giffin

9. Something Blue, Emily Giffin

10. Heart of the Matter, Emily Giffin

I'm currently in the middle of reading one book and have a stack of 3 books I found that I bought but never read! I think this is a pretty good start so far!