Comparison is Exhausting

Comparison is exhausting... 

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"What we allow to linger in our minds will influence our words and actions" 

In these past six years living in Charlotte, one of my most precious groups I anchored myself to was our women's FIG bible study.   Although life became busy and I could not participate each week with the new study, I still bought the book so I could participate on my own time because I felt I could get a little guidance on choosing contentment in an age of awareness. 

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Comparison Trap, a 28-Day devotional for women by Sandra Stanley

As far back as I can remember, there has been some sort of comparison in different areas of life.  Sports, colleges, body image, boyfriends, vacations, careers.... the list could go on and on.   Although I believe that women probably do this more than men, they also are guilty of it too.    Who wants to constantly dwell on the things that you don't have?

Challenge: Working through thoughts that drift in the direction of envy & pride

Blog success. When I see bloggers who get to do this for a living, that voice in my head usually does say "I wish I had a blog and career like her".   NOT what I should be thinking.  After one of the daily devotionals, our challenge was to focus on patience and kindness.

I know their success was not over night and I'm sure they didn't have a genie in a bottle to grant them three wishes either.  It takes hard work and devotion.  My challenge will be to focus on the enjoyment these blogs bring me and to be inspired rather than envious.... sounds easy, right?

Think about something you "wish  you had".  How would you train your brain to go to a happy place in a world where it is so easy to compare?  This book has tips, tricks, challenges, and scripture that will help you.  I think of it as my "guide book". 

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Challenge:  One Day Away (from blogs, apps, etc.)

I really never kept a tally on exactly how many times I pick up my phone to take a peak, even if it is just for a hot second.  Did I have anymore "likes" on my recent photo on Facebook - who did I get another Snap from, well, while I'm here I might as well look at everyone's stories - Instagram: I just need a little mental break... 

I'm very guilty of this.  A lot of times I give the excuse of "this is how I keep up with everyone since our lives have become so busy".  The more I think about it though, aren't you already keeping up with those that hold a spot in your heart and are actively in your life?  We are guilty of being nosy with those people we haven't talked to in  years, exs, coworkers, you know what I'm talking about.

Together let's break some of these bad habits.  Go buy the book (Amazon.com).  I've only gotten through week one, but it is all I can do not to keep on going.  

God's grace will sustain us no matter where he leads us - even when we lack material things. We read all these wise words and quotes but sometimes forget to put what we've read into practice.  

...don't forget to count all the blessings you have in your life... 

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xo 

-W

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2017: So Far.

 ... Resolution ...

 

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Normally, yes, people already have their resolutions in order by January 1st. 

January 1st?  I was re-living the perfect New Year's Eve in Cape Cod while feeling fresh in the Boston airport... trying to figure out what mine was going to be.

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Pure elegance at the Cape

 

A little less wine?  Psh, yeah right...

Dedicate a little more time to the blog? I will try this!

The whole join a gym/work out resolution?  Hmmmm.

Read more books? 

 

(I was really thinking I can't wait to nap on that plane...)

 

... this is starting to become brutal...

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Wheels up!  Less than a week later, I was jetting off to Florida to spend a week with some of our leaders from around the world.  There goes my dedication on trying to figure out a single resolution, it's back to work!

I have a job I love.  Really love. That week in Florida I discovered a whole new side of confidence in myself after a fabulous event with some of our top key players.  Our global leadership team has amazing and inspiring individuals that had me wanting to explore more about international business. 

Ah ha! Here we go....

Resolution #1: Expand my international business etiquette & knowledge (Let's just say I went in for a hug goodbye with the wrong person...)


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 I told myself that my early 30s are going to be the times that I say "Yes, why not!" 

And so far I have & it has already been a  fabulous 2017 and it's not even February yet!  I've crossed paths with strangers who have become friends and been to places I've never been before.   I'm single.  I can live out of a suitcase if I choose to!



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1. I've checked visiting Boston off my bucket list

2. Visited a city I've never been to with some of the craziest of friends (Austin, TX) 
&  

3. have already tried several new restaurants & hot spots (for me at least) in Charlotte



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Sitting in the Austin airport after a long weekend, I was actually feeling much better than I was in Boston.   I kept going over the weekend and the memories and laughs shared with good friends and even strangers who became new friends... so,

 

Resolution #2: Do something different & meet a new person, once a month (at least try, maybe every other month...)

I'm starting to get on a role with these resolutions!

 

My dating and work life could definitely  benefit from this resolution!  It will be fun keeping things new and fresh and discovering new happiness in things.   Next up on the agenda, Workman's Friend.  I've been wanting to try this Plaza Midwood sport for awhile now! 

 

I'll let you know how it goes, stay tuned.

 

So, who said we can only have one resolution dedicated to one aspect of our lives?  No one.  It took a month, but I've figured out.  My resolution (s)?  This year I've decided I'm going to be the woman who decided to go for it, because I'm addicted to that feeling of having my shit together.  Looking forward to a fabulous year together!!

 

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... organize your week, make some goals, & stay focused...

 

xo

-W

 

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College --> Weddings --> Babies

My mother always said, "You will meet some of your best friends in college".

 

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I laughed. 

Eh, once again, she was right.

 
Boyfriends, break-ups, bad grades (& good ones!), new boyfriends, more break-ups, terrible hair styles, birthdays, new cities, being "adults", weddings, and now babies.  We are 12+ years strong. And now these women I'm fortunate enough to call my friends are adding new additions to their families.  
 

Exhibit A: Baby Warren

 

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A couple of weeks ago we were once again together, to celebrate a little nugget that we all already love so much.  Baby showers don't have to be difficult to be delightful.   Our Meredith College professors would be proud of what we pulled together the other weekend for our sweet mother to be Mary Katherine. 

 

Keep the menu simple:

 

Chicken Salad

Pimento Cheese on croissants

Macaroons

Laura's homemade cheese biscuits

Fruit & Dip

Cupcakes

Punch & Champagne

 

... and last but not least...

Cool Ranch Doritos & cheese dip (for the Momma to Be)

 





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Chicken Salad: Company's Coming

...my hometown secret weapon...

 

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"Oh Baby it's a wild world"

 

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Macaroons from Amelie's in Charlotte, NC

 

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This shower could have not been pulled off without the fabulous help & creativity from all.  We make a good team!  

 

And of course, thank you Everharts for, once again, opening your doors!

 

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I've learned that your college friends become kind of family, you eat together, you take naps together, fight, laugh, cry, and do absolutely nothing together until you can't remember how you ever lived your life without them in the first place.  It's funny because you meet these people and no matter how much time has passed, they make you laugh and realize that there is so much more to life. 

 



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... Momma Bird is having a baby bird...

 

I've been so lucky to have met some of my best friends who I love dearly while in college.  Momma dearest was right.  Again.
 

...Twinkle twinkle little star, we can't wait to see how cute you are...

 

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We decided not to do the typical baby shower games.  Instead, we wanted to give both Mary Katherine and Baby Warren a keepsake (... and you too Tommy, aka Dad!).  Super simple & a tad more meaningful than candy bars in a diaper. 



 

How wonderful life will be once you are in this world.  Your aunt squad can't wait to meet you!! You are already loved by so many.
 

... Dream BIG little one...

 

xo -

Aunt W

Cooking Classy on a Weeknight

Two things every woman should be in everything she does: 

classy & confident 

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... that includes weeknight dinners...

It doesn't have to take all night!  Wednesday's meal, from start to finish, 15-20 minutes.  The trick?  Buy everything already prepared.  I'm quite possibly the world's slowest food cutter so to save time I normally just skip that step (on weeknights its worth the extra penny or two!) 

Some nights you just want something healthy, light & easy.  I found a recipe for Crab Cakes over Mango-Avocado Arugula Salad and decided to put my spin on it (because they had one too many steps for a weeknight).  Items on the grocery list:

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Salad (I used the herb blend)

2 crab cakes (already prepped!)

1/2 avocado

Mango Slices (already cut)

1 lime

Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Remoulade (in the jar) 

-Next Steps - 

Open containers, rinse the salad, cut avocado & lime, toss salad in dressing & lime juice. Start plating the meal while the crab cakes cook.

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... olive oil, medium heat, 5 mins each side...

Get your favorite dish, layer the salad, mango & avocado slices.  Once the crab cakes smell delish (approx 10 mins.), place on the salad & top it off with a dash of remoulade.  

Since I was eating solo, I decided to put on a good movie (13 Hours, I recommend!) and enjoy my classy summer meal! 

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" Learn how to cook, try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless,

 & above all, have fun." 

Julia Child 

If I cook, I feel the dish needs to be plated nicely, no matter who is coming to dinner. Having a pretty appearance helps the taste on your palate.  So relax, pour a glass of wine (my choice: Foodies Riesling), kick up your feet and enjoy your weeknight classy dinner! 

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"Don't be eye candy, be soul food" 

xo 

-W

Snapchat: eswm21 / Facebook: porch & palette

Party Like It's 1776, an Annual Tradition

... happy birthday America...

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4th of July.  SC Style.

First things first, what am I going to wear...  Amazon.  Yes, I said it.  I searched "red romper" on Amazon and to my surprise, I found what is now one of my favorite articles of clothing I own.

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Amazon: $15

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Jane Stone Necklace: $18

Throw on a necklace and some neutral wedges and you're good to go!  I was in a pinch this year so I Amazon Primed (best.thing.ever.) and had a sweet delivery in two days.

 - Traditions - 

One knows a good tradition when it has been happening for over 35 years and you still want to go, even as an adult.  As a kid, we didn't have a choice.  What started as a Hollingshed 4th of July gathering (before I was even around) has now grown and moved to the shores of Lake Murray still using old traditions and mixing in some new! 

BIG thanks to Meg & Kenley!

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Tradition #1 - Smoking the Pig

Every year we smoke a pig.  And it is an all day thing!  There is no better smell (food wise) than smoked pork.  It just screams "welcome to the party" as soon as the smell hits your nose.  To keep the men entertained during this, they partake in tradition #2.

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Tradition #2: Ring of Fire

(thanks Steve for the pic!)

The original worm: Words we hear every year.  For over 35 years, this worm has made it from bottle to bottle and makes an appearance once a year during the Ring of Fire.   Do they even have worms in tequila bottles these days?  Not my cup of tea, but it's tradition.  This started with only a few and now the "ring" has many! 

New Tradition (or maybe one just for me):"Who can be better dressed than precious Leighton".  I was pretty excited about my 4th of July red romper until this cutie-pa-tootie made her appearance! She was hands down probably the best dressed (& happiest!)  

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only the cutest little firecracker around! 

What is the 4th of the July without watermelon?  One of my dearest friends and her husband grow watermelons (& many other things!) on their farm in Summerton, SC.  As a retainer for helping her decorate her guest house, I got free watermelon.  Lucky me! So I shared the wealth this past weekend.

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Cypress Creek Farms 

Summerton, SC

Talk about refreshing & delicious.  These slices were heavenly!  In the SC area?  Look in your local Wal-Mart or Costco for these.  New Yorkers, you're in luck too, some have made their way up North!  Another Southern staple are boiled peanuts.  I can never get these right! But it is a snack that is present at every 4th of July.   YUM! 

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Night #2 - Keep it Simple

There is no better way to relax after a day full of celebrating than hamburgers & easy appetizers.  My suggestions?  Apps: Cheese, crackers, pretzels, & dipping sauce. Burgers: pimento cheese, blue cheese,  & american.  Or plain. But that's no fun!  

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smoked gouda - World Market

Keep things easy.  Use any type of leftover cheese to throw on top of your patty.  We had pimento cheese that was used earlier in the weekend that we topped ours off with.

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To keep things festive, we had our drinks in holiday appropriate cups (you can find them at Swoozies).  For any production, I recommend taking a look at Swoozies for all things festive.  It is one of my first go-to when I have anything coming up.  Even if it is just sitting on the porch with friends! 

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The older I get, the more I cherish these times with the friends and family that I love.  I'm beyond blessed with the people that God has put into my life. Although the next generation has taken the reigns with the annual 4th of July shindig, the laughter, love, and fun have stayed and more memories have been added to the book. One of the best things in life is family, and the memories that are made every time we are all together.  I found my tribe & I love them! 

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"I sustain myself with the love of family." - Maya Angelou

The whole weekend was phenominal (minus the flat tire & two new tires, womp womp)!   Happy belated 4th & I hope everyone's weekend was a great as mine! 

xo

-W

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Best Seat in the House

... a good chair is hard to find...

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Craigslist: $15 for both

For some, a leather recliner or rocking chair is the perfect seat in the house.  For me, I have a few favorites & they aren't recliners, or leather.

So, I might have a slight addiction to random chairs.  But I just can't help myself when I see beauty in someone else's trash.  From Craigslist, to Goodwill, to family hand-me-downs, there is a seat in almost every room in my house that I love to sit & just enjoy the moments.

Craigslist



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Rattan chairs have always drawn my eye towards them.  Just something about their look collaborates with almost any style.  Their charm just screams, come sit & stay awhile.  These I found on Craigslist with every intention on painting a bright bold color, SO glad I kept them in their original form.



Goodwill, Good Find.

These next three chairs were Goodwill finds.  The most I paid for one?

$10... & don't ask why did I thought that was expensive...

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I've been spoiled with my luck at Goodwill finding chairs with good bones, good structure, & fabulous condition.  This one in particular has been in a bathroom, the foyer, the guest bedroom, and has finally found a home in the hallway.  It is quaint and the perfect fit (& not in the way!)

LOVING the soft, feminine feel.

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Goodwill: $5

Hot spot on the porch. 

My next find has also had several different spots in the house: front porch, bar, office... and then I realized I needed more seating on the screen porch. Done.  Home sweet home for this wooden fold up chair.  It's only downfall?  There weren't two. Maybe next time! 

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Goodwill: $10 (most expensive!)

"Bones"

Alright.  It is a problem when you start naming your chairs. We will deal with my addiction later!

"Bones" was $5.  There isn't much that you can buy for five bucks that gives you this much joy.  The original nails and bindings that are holding this chair together are one of a kind.  Yes, there are scratches, but the vintage feel makes it that much more of an interesting piece in my collection! 

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Goodwill: $5

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Keeping it in the Family

This one is special, so it resides in my bedroom.  It use to reside in the bedroom I stay in at my grandmother's in South Carolina.  After a long day, there is something calming about just sitting & having a glass of wine in this rocking chair. It's special. 

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Family piece: priceless

I say, just because a chair is standing alone, it doesn't mean "don't buy me".   Each room in a house deserves a place to rest your behind. You never know when you might just need to sit. Keep your eyes open, it will amaze you the places you will find these beauties!

My favorite?

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For me, the best seat in the house is swinging on the front porch, with the  pups.  But this one is the runner up!

Duh.  It is on the porch... 

...oh the stories that these chairs could tell...

xo

-W

Delicate & Delicious

... & I'm sold...

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When someone says, "let's cook quail eggs", you say "yes!"

These tiny little eggs are so delicate  & delicious.  My first stab at cooking quail eggs: I must say, I'm pretty proud of the outcome!

Less than a handful of ingredients and you are on your way to a yummy surprise no matter the palette you are serving. 

My top pick: Quail Egg Stuffed Mushrooms

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... I use liquid smoke in almost everything I cook...

You should too!

Ingredients:

mushrooms caps

quail eggs

shredded cheese (I used Italian 4 cheese blend, already shredded)

salt, pepper

sprinkles of parsley

 olive oil

*liquid smoke

& this is how it is done:

Rinse mushrooms & remove stems, keeping mushroom caps

Some say "put the caps on the baking tray previously slightly greased with olive oil" I say, in a bowl, mix mushroom caps, olive oil, liquid smoke, S&P

Add cheese and parsley in cap, crack a quail egg into each, sprinkle with S&P

Place  into the preheated 180C oven and bake until cheese and eggs look cooked (I'd say, 20ish minutes)

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SIDE NOTE: I also found that these little boogers are tough to crack.  After the 2nd or 3rd (failed) attempt, I  had to improvise. 

TIP: crack quail egg with the tip of a knife and let ooze out

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After it is all said and done, go relax & enjoy!  Everyone needs to take a hot minute each day to enjoy the little things & a delicious snack!  Find your favorite spot to enjoy these simple delights! 

... ahh it is nice to be back...

XO

-W