I'm loving this Mediterranean Style eatin'...xo

Mozzarella, Tomato and Avocado Salad

       1 container cherry tomatoes, cut in half

       1 carton fresh mozzarella cheese pearls

       1 avocado, peeled and diced

       1/3 cup basil

       1 bag of fresh spinach leaves

       1/4 cup balsamic

       1/4 cup olive oil

       salt and fresh grated pepper

       baguette-optional

Meatless Friday's....

I found another awesome recipe! This time on Budget Bytes. Check out this amazing blog...  http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/  Not just great recipes... but the cost to make the dishes are ridiculous... CHEAP.... Love cheap... This Mediterranean White Bean Salad is so easy to make & totally to die for!

Total Recipe cost: $5.90
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Cost per serving: $0.93
Prep time: 15 min. Cook time: 0 min. Total: 15 min.

INGREDIENTS		COST
2 cans	white beans	$1.84
1 bunch	curly leaf parsley	$0.57
1 pint	grape tomatoes	$1.75
4 cloves	garlic	$0.09
2 Tbsp	olive oil	$0.21
2 Tbsp	lemon juice	$0.10
15 cranks	fresh ground pepper	$0.05
1/4 tsp	salt	$0.05
3 oz.	feta cheese	$1.24
TOTAL		$5.90

STEP 1: Drain and rinse the beans. Rinse the parsley and chop it fairly fine but do not mince (see photo below). Rinse the tomatoes and slice them in half. Mince the garlic. Combine the beans, parsley, tomato and garlic in a bowl.

STEP 2: Add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir to combine and taste and adjust salt pepper content to your liking. Either stir in the crumbled feta or plate up the salad and sprinkle 1/2 oz. on top of each serving.

Love that hood!

Isn't it so much prettier when the designer uses inspirations of different elements. I just Love the mix/match in both of these kitchens. That copper hood is gorgeous and I love the charcoal island! Matchy matchy sometimes gets tacky tacky, and I really think I am going to try to incorporate the stainless steel with the copper with a pop of that charcoal in my kitchen. I'm totally inspired....xo

Mediterranean-style

 This Lent season we have decided to try a Mediterranean-style diet. It's rich in veggies, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and fish. This isn't really a diet though, it's more like a life style change. We get so caught up in the same recipes over and over... meatloaf, burgers, pasta, chicken... repeat! I love salads and I am addicted to Avocado and both of these are a huge part of this meal plan.Check out this website that I found: http://www.oldwayspt.org/about-oldways It has amazing recipes, tips, and it even includes Red Wine! It's a win win... :) xo

 Greek Chicken Salad & Sweet Potatoes roasted in Olive Oil

 

Veggies at your finger tips

 

Cucumber, olives, feta, red bell pepper,& Dill

 

Celebrate the season of Lent...xo

How appropriate that today is called FAT Tuesday the day before Ash Wednesday... what to eliminate chocolate, coffee, bread, alcohol, etc...?? I'm not going to think about what I'm giving up, but be thankful for what I am gaining... It's time I start to appreciate the little things and what truly is important. I'm giving up the sweets & drinks to gain a healthy beginning. It only seems right since Jesus gave himself to us that we take a moment and appreciate the pure joy and make the absolute best of the LIFE he gave us! I personally want to dive into a more healthier lifestyle, not only for me but for my family. My girlfriend turned me on to the Mediterranean diet mainly for my husbands heart and blood pressure, but also it's a great meal plan for the whole fam! I also feel like the days get so busy and the weeks fly by that I am going to make a conscience effort to use my time wisely. I love to be outdoors so I am going to plan more bike rides with the kids, beach trips with the family, and more walks with my sweet boxers. I am MOM first and forever, but with the kids getting older I'm finally going to go after my dream and get my real estate license. Lent is a time to reflect and remember what it is that is important to us and make a conscious effort to make some positive changes. I will continue to go to church and tell God how much I appreciate the gifts in my life and vow to tweak the things that I take for granted... and simply make this season about being thankful not regretful...xo

Chalk Board Decor...

I'm in love with the idea of decorating with chalk boards! They are not only practical for leaving messages and love notes, but add such a cool touch to any decor! Who thought those ugly black boards from grade school could turn out to be so chicy! We have been wanting to have a wine tasting party for so long and this is such a great idea! Gotta do this... Love it xo

Simply Beautiful!

Loving these ivory leather chairs with the sleek walnut arms. Beautiful...! Especially with the zebra rug, looks so chic! I'm going with a pewter/ charcoal grey & walnut brown color scheme for my living room and these chairs would look amazing... Gotta find them!!

Beautiful design color scheme to compliment any decor...

So today I started pinning on Pinterest and can finally give my word files a break. Copy, paste, and repeat all day long! Love that it saves and keeps all your inspirations... So cool! Found this great natural wall tone with this amazing collage. I am sooo copying this for my new living room. I love how the wall color drifts so elegantly to the focal point of the pictures. So calm and just simply Beautiful...xo