See ya later mad town

Last time we were at the great Dane we were celebrating my sisters engagement and the time before that we were having our rehearsal dinner. It’s been a wonderful journey this year and I’m so thankful for our family here and the memories we’ve made. Till next time Madison!

NOLA streets

It’s been a week since I’ve written! I’ve had computer issues and now I’m visiting family and trying to pack in seeing everyone in a week is tough! I sure am super grateful to be here and soaking it up. I thought I could share some pictures from our visit to new Orleans today those streets were so charming an brimming with character. Have a lovely Thursday!

Sunsets on the ocean

Sunsets in Florida were so pretty to see. Nothing in the way, just ocean.  I only saw a couple since we were so busy, but here are my favorite shots from vacation.  I can’t get over the clouds!  I think I’ll do a whole post on clouds;) 

Instagram: Healthy(er) choices

The weekend is coming and I know for me, my clean eating diet may slip up some; all those Costco samples, eating out, chips (lots) and salsa at our fave Mexican place, movie theater popcorn, cocktails, ect.  The hubs and I have been really focusing on eating clean this year (for many reasons) and i like to document many of the choices we make on Instagram (follow me at #Jesshm28).  Click on the pictures to get to a post I’ve already done with the recipe (if no link is there then it means I’m working on the post still!). Also, there’s a couple great links for more information on some of these awesome foods! Happy healthy weekend!

1//Sprouted whole grain toast with avocado. Fabulous breakfast with healthy proteins and fats. Have raspberries on the side for extra antioxidant benefits.

2//Fish cakes with sautéed mushrooms (recipe com in ya’ll). Super delicious and healthy!

2//Tabbouleh salad (recipe coming soon!). One of my all time favorites.  Soaked/sprouted grains are more loaded with nutritional value then regular “whole grains”.

3//Spinach, tomato, feta omelet  (on my recipe to-do list). Protein-packed, vitamin loaded awesome way to start the day and not get hungry before 12 pm!

4//Mixed baby green salad with peppers, onion, and lemon infused olive oil dressing (recipe on its way). Light summer dinner that’s fast and easy, can’t beat that!

5//Sake Bloody Mary with veggie garnishes. I love bloody’s and veggie garnishes. Load this one up for a cocktail snack!

6//Anything Dip made with almonds, evoo and more. Great on toast, crackers and as a veggie dip.

7//Green smoothie made with whole foods. Great way to get your greens in the a.m. Green foods are super nutrient dense and loaded with awesome health benefits. Try getting them at every meal!

8//Health remedy “fire cider”.  Fermented foods are great sources of probiotics, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. I made this remedy in winter months to stave off colds/flu and it worked!

9//Cheese fondu served with fruit, whole grain bread, and veggies.  This is a treat (aka high fat)  so use healthy dippers like raw veggies and fruits.

10//Jalepeno-watermelon martini (alcohol can have benefits, hello-decreased stress- if used moderately, 1-2 glasses per day for a healthy person)

She sells sea shells

I love the beach and St. Petersberg is the ultimate beach for me. It’s quiet and goes on for miles.  I loved walking barefoot down the sandy shore and collecting shells (Check out the project I did with shells here!) I imagine myself doing this everyday someday.  I was able to let go of all my anxieties and blockages here and just be. It was the most peaceful and grounded I’ve felt in a while.  These are a few of my favorite images that remind me of that feeling.

DIY Sea shell decor

So I just spent a week at the beach in Florida and several mornings I went out early to collect shells.  I even used my tote that I painted to keep them in and it worked perfectly!

I love the varied shapes and sizes of the shells and found that I even like the imperfect ones; isn’t that just life.  I spray painted the shells gold and silver and used a jar from our wedding to hold them in the bathroom.

I love it! It reminds me of our time there and how much I want to go back!

NOLA doors + windows

We stopped in New Orleans (NOLA as the locals say) for two nights on our drive to Florida last week and stayed in the French Quarter.  We loved it!  I had my doubts about it but it was a completely charming area full of locals who can’t say enough great things about living there.  We were directed by Peaches record store employee who ambled in a few minutes late (long night he said!) to the very best breakfast joint down a few blocks called the Camellia Grill.  Best veggie omelet I’ve ever had.  It’s fun too because you sit on u-shaped tables with everyone else and the waiter serves everyone at the “U” while the cooks are cooking right in front of us.  The waiter congratulated my hubs for cleaning his plate then yelled to the staff “the dishwasher can go home, he’s cleaned his plate!”; it was very entertaining to say the least.

I fell in love with the pretty painted houses and doors and took quite a pictures I realized!  I could walk around there for hours!  Here’s my favorites. 

Getting settled & a thrifted shirt

Oh my gosh, we’re back! We had the best vacation ever! I really mean Ever!  The beach in St. Pete is completely gorgeous; I couldn’t get enough. I could never get enough, unless of course we moved there;) (hint hint hubby).  I have lots of pictures to sort through and I can’t wait to post them.  We stopped in New Orleans for 2 nights on our drive and I loved it. What a wild place.  We spent 6 amazing days with family, the Rutherford side, and had the best time together.  We stayed in a charming condo directly on the beach and had balcony and bedroom views of the beach.  We lived and breathed beach every day and I realized that that’s where we love to be the most.  There is nothing more peaceful, inspiring and grounding than walking along barefoot on the sand and being near the endless water.

Well I have lots of cleaning, laundry and organizing to do today.  Hope you all had a great week and didn’t miss me too much, haha!  Here’s a few pics of my thrifted shirt (and my hair is getting so long I can’t believe it!)  See you soon, Jess Sleeveless shirt: thrifted