Thought for the Week: Stop and Smell the Roses

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This weekend we slowed waaay down...a little unintentionally.  On Saturday, we joined friends for brunch that stretched through the lunch hour and into early afternoon.  After brunch, we stretched out on the couch to watch the French Open and Andy Murray's marathon match.  Church on Sunday was followed by curling up with our books and reading...again for hours.  All this from the girl who feels like a day is wasted if she hasn't "accomplished" something.  

It's funny how things work though.  Every time I would rally for an outside chore the rain would start to spit.  Inside chores were put on hold by a variety of circumstances as well.  This normally would have left me feeling anxious and frustrated... oh so frustrated.  Not this weekend though.  Instead, as I sat there with my book on Sunday, I looked over at Josh and told him how thankful I was to just be resting and relaxing.  It.was.wonderful.  

And you know what?  It's still wonderful today.  As I sit here with my laundry piled high, my closets unorganized, and the grass unmowed, I'm still thankful for a weekend of resting.  Life is short and there will always be another chore to be done, more laundry to be folded, or a pile of dishes to be washed.  There will always be another task to organize or a meal to prepare, but this moment and this day are fleeting.  Taking a moment to stop, relax, and enjoy can be difficult, but it is vital.  

As I head back into the daily routine this week, my goal is to slow down a little and enjoy the moments (OK, maybe days) as they come.  I'll prepare and plan and "achieve" when and where I can, but I'll also give myself permission not to.  

Instead, I just might stop and smell the roses.

xo,

Happy Friday

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Friday!  I'm not sure if the short week made time fly or not, but I know I'll never complain about the arrival of the weekend.  We don't have too much on our agenda this weekend, and I'm excited.  We'll celebrate with my niece at her graduation, grab dinner with some new friends, brunch with others, and try to find a way to wind down from what's been an exceptionally stressful and taxing week in the world of hero manufacturing.  

What's your plan for the weekend?  Here are some ideas from my favorite bloggers just in case you need a little inspiration...

Grab a few of Morgan's #ThriftyThursday picks.

Whip up one of these courtesy of Natalie.

Check out Ashley's perfectly curated loves.  Makes me feel like SUMMER!

Read this challenging and poignant post from Carmel.  Especially if you have young girls.

Start planning your best instagram shots now for this fun challenge with Allie.

Check out the gorgeous photography on Natalie's blog.  Try not to drool over the Memorial Day low country boil.

Check out Annie's amazing #MidWeekMuse outfit here.  AND, link up with us next week!

xo,

Favorite Things: Gotcha Covered

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Just in case you still haven't found that perfect swimsuit.

Or maybe you have found "the one," but you still want to be a little covered up...

Happy Shopping.

xo,

Mid Week Muse: Feelin Hot, Hot...

top // pants // necklace // earrings // sunglasses // sandals

Happy Mid Week Muse!  This week's muse really is all about feelin' HOT, HOT, HOT!  We've hit 95 multiple days in a row here, and we haven't quite settled into our daily afternoon thunderstorms to cool things down.  Basically it is HOT.  Despite the soaring temps, I am completely devoted to my white jeans, and I'll be wearing them loyally all summer long.  In fact, they are the base of about 90% of my outfits for the summer months, so they are actually the perfect muse.

This week, I've paired them with a hot pink top that looks an awful lot like this Tibi top for a fraction of the price.  (Hence the "look for less" alert.)  I'm also in love with tassel jewelry, and I'm on the hunt for a cute tassel necklace like the one pictured here that's a little more reasonably priced.  (Jacksonville locals, Sassyfrass carries some super cute options with a stone and tassel if you're interested.)  Finish the look with a pair of sophisticated flat sandals, stud earrings, and trusty sunglasses.  

What's on heavy rotation in your closet this summer?  Link up below with your "muse" or leave a comment and let me know!

How it works:

Grab the button below and link back to both of our blogs:

Ann Elliott and Pampers & Pearls

Link up starts on Wednesday at 6am EST

*It would also be super nice of you to visit the blog that entered the link up before you and leave a comment.  We're into creating a community here!*

Promotion:

Please help us promote our new link-up!

Use #MidWeekMuse and be sure to tag us on IG:

 @anniebryan and @pamperspearls

Share your post on Facebook and give us a shout out:

@annelliottblog and @pampersandpearls

Follow us on BlogLovin:

Ann Elliott and Pampers & Pearls

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Also linking up with:

Because Shanna Said So

Get Your Pretty On

The Pleated Poppy
Style Elixir
Walking in Memphis in High Heels
The Fashion Canvas

xo,

Recipe: Pineapple and Pork Tacos

Happy Tuesday!  But doesn't it sort of feel like a Monday?  The great news is that by tomorrow we will be half-way to the weekend.  On days like these, I think my greatest gift to you is an easy but delicious dinner like these pork and pineapple tacos.   I actually used some leftover pork tenderloin to make this meal, so it was even easier and faster than the recipe below.  Now, I know the skeptics among you think this one looks like it has lots of ingredients, and it does.  BUT, they are mostly spices, so it really doesn't take long at all.  Whatever you do, don't skimp on the avocado crema - it is delicious, and would go well with plenty of other things too - sandwiches, burgers, chips, etc.  Give this one a try - it is really, REALLY good.  Promise.

Pineapple and Pork Tacos with Avocado Crema
Recipe from The Flat Belly Diet Cookbook

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 12 oz. pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into bite size cubes (I used leftover pieces of pork tenderloin from the night before.)
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/4 fresh pineapple, cored and cubed
• 2 Tbs. fresh cilantro, chopped
• 12 corn tortillas, warmed or toasted 
• 1 avocado, mashed
• 2 Tbs. sour cream
• 2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
• 1/8 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. To prepare pork and pineapple: In a cup, mix sugar, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, pepper, and salt.  Mix half of the spices with the pork, then toss with olive oil.  (I did this with my already cooked pork tenderloin pieces.)  Mix the remaining spices with the pineapple.  Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes while preparing avocado crema.
2. To prepare avocado crema: Whisk avocado with sour cream, lime juice, and salt in a small bowl.  (Cover the mixture with plastic wrap quickly to prevent browning!)
3. Coat a large, nonstick pan with olive oil spray.  Warm over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes.  Add the pork and cook, turning once or twice, for 8 minutes or until browned and cooked through.  (I just warmed mine for about 5 minutes since it was already cooked.)  Transfer to a clean plate and cover loosely to keep warm.  (I skipped this step and kept the pork in the pan with the pineapple since my pork was already cooked through.)
4. Add the pineapple to the pan and cook, turning once or twice for 3-4 minutes or until golden. Remove from heat and add cilantro.
5. While pineapple cooks, prepare corn tortillas according to the package directions.
6. To assemble: place 3 tortillas on a plate.  Spread the avocado crema onto tortillas.  Top with pineapple and pork mixture.  

Enjoy!

xo,

xo,

Weekend

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Happy Friday, Loves.  And not just any Friday...it's a three day weekend Friday!  

We're sticking around this weekend, but we plan to have some fun.  We can't wait to visit with friends from out of town, spend time with some of our favorites from in town, and say bon voyage and good luck to some great friends moving away from town.  

Wishing you a weekend to relax a little, swim a little, lounge a little, and enjoy LOTS of time with those you love.  

And just in case you are stuck inside this weekend, here are a few favorites from the week:

Shop Nordstom's Half Yearly Sale HERE

Shop JCrew's Extra 25% off Sale with code "PACKME" HERE

A great TED Talk on leadership and marketing HERE

(I know it's not really in the genre of this blog, but I loved it, and I think it's a great message)

A new recipe to try HERE

A beautiful, bright space full of favorite things HERE

xo,

Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale

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Nordstom is having their half-yearly sale for women and children.  I love stocking up during these sales, whether it's a new pair of white jeans, the perfect wedge, or a fun piece of jewelry.  To save you the time of scrolling through hundreds of pages of sale items, here are my top eight sale picks. I'm especially loving the tassels on the Tory Burch bracelet, I'm thinking a new pair of pointy toe flats might be the perfect thing for my summer work wardrobe...

Happy Shopping!

xo,