Weekend with the In-laws!

What a fun, relaxing weekend in Franklin visiting the in-laws. We ate really well, slept-in, explored the area, got a pedi with j's mom, hit up the casinos Friday night for some {really good} eats and games, got in a nice run on the greenway, and even made it to the farmers market for a bit! Always relaxing and visiting with the hubs fam. Love them!

We spent a lot of time just chillin on the deck and playing with the pups and Miss kitty.

We also came home with loads of produce, sourwood honey, and local jams. Love the local goods and great friends who always spoil us when we come visit.

My middle bro also turned 31 on Saturday. Love you, Roberto!! I'm so glad you had a nice low-key weekend with the fam. Dad sent me a fun pic, so I thought I'd share... 

Unfortunately, he is an Alabama fan. But his wife loves me and made me some Auburn happies... One from each kiddo, so I could have my lil pumpkins with me to cheer on the Tigers!

She's so talented! 

Today was back to the grind... It's busy folks. Looking forward to decorating for fall this week and the wine festival on Saturday. 

Happy Monday!

Xo, trace 

These Boots are Made for Walkin

Fall has arrived and I am in desperate need of some new casual brown boots!  I love my Madden's - but they are looking quite shabby after 3 seasons and lots of wear. So... help me pick! Which ones are your favorite?

Franco Sarto

Tahini

Franco Sarto

Christie

Sam Edelman

Loren

Enzo Angiolini

Shobi

....and of course, I had to include a pair of Frye's. I just don't know if I can stomach the price. Are they worth it? I know many of your are die-heart Frye fans. So, tell me - are they really that great? Maybe I should take the plunge and buy some??

Frye

Melissa Tail

All boots via Piperlime.

We are heading to Jesse's parents this afternoon - for a weekend in the Mountains of Western North Carolina. I am excited to see the in-law's and spend a lil time dis-connected. {ok, maybe i'll have to get on for my five on Friday, but still - away} Looking forward to a fun weekend!

Help me pick a boot!

xo, trace

Dottie Do!

Happy Hump Day folks! I started my morning with the first pumpkin spice K-cup of the year... so this girl is HAPPY!! Today is also a very special friends 29th Birthday - and I couldn't go without giving her a shout-out on the blog.

Dottie, HAPPY 29th my friend! Cheers to a great year ahead... I know we have so many more special memories ahead of us, but looking over the past 11 has been pretty fun for me today... and reminds me of how much I cherrish our friendship!

Mardi Gras... Engagements... Halloweens...and Mangos.

B'ette parties.... SupperClub.... Limo rides.. and Wedding showers.

Taking such good care of the grandparents... and always keeping an eye on my hubs. ;)

So many weddings and random road trips.... with Bourbon and even a few horses.

We love all the road trips with you guys and look forward  to so many more fun memories ahead. I love you Dottie and don't know what I would do without you! I hope you have a wonderful day today  and a very happy last year of your twenties. 

xo, trace

Get your glow on!

I started this post at 7am on Monday.... and I'm just not finishing, on Tuesday. If that gives you any indication of my Monday... it was hectic.

We had a fun weekend in Lex! Friday night the girls got together for happy hour after work... For some wine, cheese and gabbing. Erica spoiled us with yummy treats from the Lynchburg market... slice and bake cheese wafers {originally from Mobile, Ala}, delicious caramels, almonds and an awesome baked brie with preserves. So fun to catch up with a few of the Lex ladies, we've all been so busy we have been missing W&W.

Saturday morning Jesse and I hit up the Rockbridge Farmers market at the horse center and came home with our arms full! We picked up a delicious log of fresh goat cheese, homemade bread, brown eggs, apples, some neat peppers {orchid pepper??}, October beans, and a lot of fresh basil to dry-out for the year, since ours didn't do so hot this year. 

After the market we did a lil of this...

Goodbye for now, Lilly! See you in April!

...And I crafted the day way in front of the TV, getting my full of college football, while the rain came down outside. 

... A sneak peak of one of my crafties!

Saturday night was the 5K glow run, benefitting hospice. It was our first night race, and we loved it! Keep in mind it had been pouring rain all day... so running through the golf course made for a challenging night... But we all made it out with no broken ankles.

Ava and her first race. She did really well!!

Saturday we stayed the night with the Hastings {after a lil too much late night fun} and grabbed breakfast at Lexington Restaurant. Sunday was cleaning, working and lots of yard work at our rental...not too much excitement at the Lyons' den.  

Hope everyone else had a lovely kick-start to fall!! 

xo, trace

5 on Friday

TGIF!! Who's looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend at home?? This girl!  Just wanted to join in the 5 on Friday and share a few of my favorite things from this week.

{one} Graphic Crew Neck Sweater
I am loving these - they have a fox and an owl too... I just can't decide which one I need to add to my closet for this fall. I'm hoping a scottie dog comes back around for winter this year. I missed it last year.

via Old Navy - $32.94

{two} Kale Chips

I am still in shock that I have not brought myself to make these until JUST this week. They are so delicious! We made a small batch before dinner one night and gobbled them up in minutes. LOVE!

via allrecipies.com.

{three} The Editable Fall Bucket List
I found this on Darci's blog this morning, from her friend Jenny. Isn't this ADORABLE editable fall bucket list the cutest thing ever?  I am going to get to work on ours this weekend so we can start marking things off the list.

download here.

{four} Green Giant Veggie Chips
I had lunch with a friend today and she served a yummy chicken salad with these delicious guys and hummus. A-mazing. They were so tasty, I thought I was munching on Doritos.

via.

{five} Decorating for Fall
Fall ha finally arrived in the valley and I am ready to decorate! I am working on a few new ideas... and already thinking ahead to Turkey Day. How about this great centerpiece from Southern Living.

online tutorial. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

xo, trace

Game Day: The Auburn Baby

Since my last two Thursday posts revolved around Auburn game-day, I thought I would continue the trend for Thursdays throughout football season. Today, I got inspired by all my Auburn gals who are having babies... and thinking about how I could spoil them with Auburn gear. I did a little browsing and thought I would share some of my favorite items!  {I sure hope we have some baby girls - there is just too much cute stuff to choose from for lil Auburn babes}

via.

via.

via Gapkids - Sold Out

via.

via.

via. 

via.

Happy baby gift shopping! Girls, do you have any favorites??  War Eagle! 

xo, trace 

My Lilly Planner

Happy Hump Day!! We have had such a beautiful week - it's hard to believe it's already Wednesday.  I could use this weather every week - so motivating to get outside, exercise, drink apple cider, cook yummy meals and soak up the beauty of the day! Ok, enough about the weather... on to my hot topic of today - my Lilly Planner.

I went with the first one, however - sailing was tempting!

Every school year, I take the plunge into scouting out a new planner. Last year, I discovered the fun prints that Lilly had to offer.... and caved. This year, I upped the annie and went for the jumbo planner. Y'all. This thing is AWEsome!! I'm already in love!

Highlight #1 - Stickers. 

Highlight #2 - Laminated Tabs. 

NEW! The Horoscope Page. 

Highlight #3 - Calendar View!

Hope you find a fun planner that fits your personality... my co-worker says, "Well, Tracy that is you all bundled up into a calendar." haha Love it!  What's your favorite perks in your planner? Do you have a favorite brand/style? 

Happy Planning!

xo, trace

Tasty Tuesday: Strawberrry-Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Golly, it sure does feel amazing out, doesn't it?  This is the time of the year, when I just love living where we do... sure, I miss the beach and warm sunny days. However, nothing beats open windows, cold morning jogs {it was a crisp 47 here at 6am} hot coffee, and fall treats. Just fills me up with giddiness!  I spent last night crafting away on more door decs - I must say, the painting is a lengthy process, but I' so happy with the results. I can't wait to share!  

I also got motivated to make these delicious muffins that I pinned forever ago. They are super healthy {150 calories} and packed with a lot of protein {for a muffin anyway} and they turned out delicious. 

Thanks Ambitious Kitchen, for this amazing recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 heaping cup mashed bananas (about 2 to 3 large very ripe bananas)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1/3 cup nonfat plain greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (I used skim milk and a lil extra vanilla)
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup diced strawberries
• 12 thin slices of strawberries (about 3-4 strawberries) for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray or line the insides of the muffin tins with paper liners and spray with cooking spray so the muffins do not stick to the liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the oat-flour mixture and toss with your diced strawberries. Set aside for later.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine mashed banana, olive oil, honey and vanilla. Add in egg and the egg white and beat until combined. Next add in greek yogurt and almond milk and and beat on low until smooth in consistency, about 1 minute. Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture and combine until moist — It’s important to not over mix! Next gently fold in the diced strawberries and chocolate chips into the batter with a wooden spoon to evenly distribute.
4. Spoon the batter evenly into muffin cups. Place a thin strawberry slice on each muffin if desired.
5. Bake for 18-23 minutes or until a tester inserted into middle of the muffin comes out clean. The length of time will vary based on your oven. Once a tester inserted into the muffin comes out clean, cool for 10 minutes in muffin tins on wire rack, then remove from pan gently and cool completely on wire rack. Muffins are perfect served a bit warm and spread with nut butter.
6. The muffins can be frozen. Once completely cool, simply individually wrap in plastic wrap and place in freezer. To reheat simply heat in microwave. Muffins should be stored in refrigerator or frozen after two days.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 muffin Calories: 150 Fat: 4.1g Carbohydrates: 24.9g Sugar: 8.3g Fiber: 3.1gProtein: 4.5g

Hope you enjoy!! 

xo, trace 

The Perfect kind of Weekend

I'm going to have to agree with Daffodil's today - it was the perfect kind of weekend...

Maybe it was the chill in the air,

or our first game day at home,

or an Auburn win!

Or good food, great friends and a low-key nights... 

it was really just the perfect kind of weekend! 

Friday after work we had drinks on the back porch of Mulberry... and watched a beautiful sunset turn the sky 50 perfect shades of Autumn!  We had dinner out, at Southern Inn with a few great friends... and met-up with a few more friends for drinks after. 

We slept in Saturday morning and enjoyed a big Saturday brunch, while watching Game Day! 

We ventured out around noon to meet some friends tailgating for the VMI game - and we stayed for the first quarter of the game... it was super cool to watch the cadets march into the stadium. 

I'm loving getting to see other stadiums and enjoy new game day traditions. Two down and we're only 3 weeks in!

Saturday night, I made crock-pot pulled pork, that turned out pretty tasty {for as simple as it was}. 

We enjoyed a fun game day at Moore Street and a great Auburn game-ending drive to top off the night! 

Sunday, we got up early for a nice run before mass - the cool crisp air felt great!! Mass was packed - which I love - school is defiantly back in session, and I just love seeing the families and kids meddling around after church. We have a very small Catholic community here in Lex, but build so solid! 

Sunday we did meal planning, grocery shopping- and J fixed some odds and ends around the house while I got started on my crafties!  Here's a sneak peak.. 

Sunday night we attended the 20th Anniversary of the Rockbridge Area Health Clinic {formally the free clinic} that provides free and low-cost healthcare to those in need. The Jaycees support the RAHC through our Thanksgiving Day run and we cook meals for the doctors that donate their time to the clinic.  It's great to have such a thriving place right here in Rockbridge County to help those in need - and we love being a part of it!

Sunday Supper was simple grilled chicken and spicy couscous... With a delicious tomato/mozzarella/basil salad on the side. I forgot to snag a pic, but it was scrumptious. 

Looking forward to another week ahead at home, with lots of crafting to be done! 

Happy Fall Y'all! 

Picked up this guys at the DG on Friday {you would think I was a Chi Omega if you didn't know better}, love these cute lil guys! 

xo, trace 

Happy 30th Mols!

I wanted to do a special Saturday post today to wish a VERY Happy 30th Birthday to this girl...

The one and only, Ms Molly Vice!  

I don't know that there are words that could explain the pure sweetness that flows from this girl, each and every day. She is so full of love, gives the worlds' best hugs, makes you feel like you are the only thing important at that very moment and will always bring a smile to my face just by hearing her voice!  She always knows when you need a hug, or a glass of wine.... or a night on the town {with one two many Maker's}. She will never let you down when Wagon Wheel comes on the radio... and she'll always be ready to "buy that sofa" from any jukebox in town. haha

Let's just say, there are many people that come and go from your life... and I can certainly at test to that - but I know that Molly will forever by a part of my life!  I can remember the exact day Molly and I met - and I remember thinking that very day - I would love to be friends with that girl.  She's the girl you need around to make a business deal go down {or get a lease signed}, she's the one you want holding up your dress on your wedding day.... and singing right next to you on stage {any night of the week}, she makes the world's best roomie and the best burger on a biscuit you'll ever try!

She's sweet as pie and a Kentucky girl through and through.... Molly Vice, I don't know where I would be today with you!  Today I am sending you so much love and so many hugs... you will forever hold a special place in my heart and I will always be grateful for your friendship! Cheers to 30 and so many more great memories ahead!

Love you Girlfriend!!

xo, trace

5 on Friday

Happy Friday Friends!! I dunno about you guys - but this busy week flew by for us. I can't believe it's already the weekend... but I am SO looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. Thought I would share some of the things I'm lovin' this week! 

{one} Dannon Blends Greek Yogurt 

We are big fans of greek yogurt and like trying new brands... most of which we love. But, I'm going to be honest and put it out there - Chobani is not my fav. I know, I know...  believe me, anytime I ever open my mouth to share how I really feel - I get the 3rd degree... and I almost feel embarrassed. But, it's true. I actually can't stomach it and the only time it's in the fridge is if the hubs does the grocery shopping. But this - Dannon Blends - my new fav!  My favorite has been the Banana Cream... and I love the Key Lime Pie for a snack.


{two} Mango Nails

Sometimes, I'm more inclined to pick up $1.97 shade of new nail color on a whim, rather than pay $10 for a bottle I only use once. This week I picked up this fun shade, without even looking at the name - only to get home and realize It's Mighty Mango!  ...and I love it! I'm not willing the let the summer colors slip away just yet.


{three} Adobe Captivate

One of my 30b30 goals was to take a class -preferably in design. Well, I am going to say I crossed that one off the list this week. I took a one-night crash course in Adobe Captivate this week... and have spent all my free hours glued to this program. It's actually really fun!


{four} The Chirp

Who doesn't love fun items to add to your bar? I picked up this lil guy at the store to go with a bottle of vino for a friend.... and loved it so much, I finally bought me one. I picked up a couple more to keep for gifts too - the perfect compliment to a good bottle of vino!


{five}  It's Friday the 13th! 

What a great day! It's not only Friday... but its' the 13th! Now, I'm a 13 girl - so any day of the month that also happens to be the 13th is a good one - but also Friday's. I wasn't born on a Friday, but I did turn 13 on Friday the 13th and... will turn 30 on Friday the 13th... in 3 months. eeekkk!!! Thanks for the pic Liz - good to know others like the 13th just as much as me!!

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!!  I'll be working... but here in Lex. So, YAY! 

xo,trace