Hot Diggity Dog!

Food Bars.

Fun & Functional

* * * 

Two words: Hot.Dog. Yum! 

Charlotte's Carolina Panthers  are in the playoffs and hopefully Super Bowl bound!  

To celebrate, my company is doing a "Potluck Tailgateish" lunch tomorrow.  My suggestion was a food bar, come on, who doesn't like food and a bar?  Super simple and it has football written all over it!

Cooking for a crowd can get expensive and overwhelming.  Don't let it!  With this recipe, all you do is throw your dogs in the crockpot (I suggest standing end to end to fit more) & cook on high for 4 hours.  Then consume.

* * * 

Now for the fun part.  

Toppings.

* * * 

Get creative!   There are endless options on what you can put on a hot dog.  Don't let this stress you out.  Here are my suggestions and some that you don't want to leave off your shopping list:

• chili
• onions
• slaw
• jalepenos
• cheese
• sauerkraut
• relish
• hot sauce
• pickles
• bacon
• tomato
• & of course mustard, ketchup, mayo

Again, these are just suggestions.  Don't feel like you need to go over the top and get them all.    Happy shopping my friends! And don't forget the buns.... 

Need some direction on how to dress your dog?

* * * 

...I'm feeling very American... 

Go Panthers!

xo

-W

Like porch & palette on Facebook to stay in tune with new post! 

Oh Hey, Wednesday.

The back half.

* * *

The wine of the week: Decoy Wines

"The everyday wine for the well-informed"

Let's be honest, Wednesdays can sometimes be a drag, especially if you've had a Monday & Tuesday like mine!

How I'm really feeling right now? See below.

* * *

... woke up this morning thinking it was Friday.... hey, at least its all downhill from here.

So, you put all your energy into Monday and Tuesday, then when Wednesday rolls around some of us start to get a tad lazy.  You're in luck ladies.  I came across a post for 7 easy hair hacks that still have you looking cute & are under five minutes! ... maybe 6.  Thank you Byrdie!

Here are a couple of my favorites:

Upside-Down Half Bun

* * *

This spin off is doable in traffic and still has you looking chic.  Just loop the tail of your pony into a bun and you're done. 

Second in line would be the Voluminous low pony:

* * *

"To give yours a little something extra, pull the pony tight, and then lift a few pieces right above the hair tie.  This adds a bit of a lift, ensuring you won't look like you just rolled out of bed."   My kind of look on a Wednesday!

Today my friends, here is my advice:

* * * 



My Wednesday oh la la: this dainty little area.  I'm on a black & what kick lately with a splash of gold (& a hint of green)!



* * *

Still needing a little bit more procrastination time?  Check out these blogs!

MISSETAYLA ... a blogger from home & sweetest doll!

My Domaine - Lifestyle

.... whew, Wednesday...

xo

-W

Surviving Monday & Actually Enjoying It!

Monday, my new best friend.

* * * 

Who took it upon themselves to give Mondays such a bad rep?  Did you have a bad weekend? Monday is your fresh start.  Loving your job? Monday is the heart of a new work week.  Looking forward to next weekend?  Monday is one day closer... 

I, personally, am going to start looking at Monday as my friend.  Why start the week off being miserable?  That's never fun. Nor does anything positive come from it.  Here is my new & improved Monday routine:

* * * 

Wake up early, find your pump up song & dance away

Exercise.  Doesn't have to be anything fancy, I prefer jumping jacks!

Breakfast, the most important meal. (well, after coffee!)

Get wherever you happen to go early

Smile.  Be happy. You survived the weekend & didn't go to jail! 

Organize the work, tackle the tough challenges first & remember you can say no

Visualize success. Even the small weekly tasks

... and remember that there is always Tuesday...

* * * 

Not only am I just going to survive this day, I'm going to actually enjoy it!

* * * 

"Happy girls are the prettiest" - Audrey Hepburn

Here's the trick:

After getting all the "work" stuff organized, make sure you have something in your Monday that you'll look forward too. Maybe it is making your favorite breakfast or even a lunch date to break up the work day. This Monday, I'm looking forward to a Clemson Tiger win!!

Another trick: wear something new.  Even if that "something new" is an article of clothing that you haven't worn in awhile.  It keeps things fresh & you'll be rocking the confidence and excitement to show it off.

My item of the day? These Kendra Scott, Clemson orange, Danielle Earrings.

* * * 

You can find these gems here! 

Bottom line: treat yourself here and there throughout the day and you will find yourself giving Monday a little more love & less hate.

* * * 

 So close your email & open a bar tab. Or go home and watch the Bachelor ...

Congrats, you survived Monday! 

xo 

-W

Like porch & palette on Facebook! 

I think I've Finally Found My Hallelujah

2015, was a doozy! 


* * *

Lessons learned my friend.  Good & bad.   Happy & sad.  Made decisions, some questionable, but all in all it was a good chapter!
 

2016 being my last year in my twenties (until September) I'm going to make it a good one.  &  do it for myself and not let anyone or anything hold me back.  I don't know what it is about turning 30, but for some reason it makes you stop and evaluate everything.  Which could be a good thing!

One of my resolutions was waking up 1 hour earlier to start my day.  So far, so good.  I have one week under my belt!

 

* * *

So what do I do with that extra hour?

porch & palette

 

I've also made a resolution to pay a little bit more attention to the blog this year.   Blogging is my hallelujah (watch the video below...you'll get it.) and I'm my happiest when I am, so why not start my day on a good note!

* * *

...oh hey, Andy Grammer...

 

There are great happenings on porch & palette coming your way!

 

 

* * *

I thank God for protecting me from what I thought I wanted & blessing me with what I didn't know I needed.  I like when good, unexpected things happen!  2016, you've started out on a good note!

Take me as I am, or watch me as I go...

* * *

... easy like Sunday morning...
xo
-W

Scoring a 10 on First Impressions

... what to wear to make a fab first impression... 

according to men.

* * * 

I always say,  "it's what's on the inside that counts", & I hold true to my word, but any sort of relationship, whether professional or what not, starts with a first impression.

Make it good!

Being single & a communication major, gender studies are intriguing to me.   

Michelle Scanga, fellow blogger from WhoWhatWear , recently posted an article, "5 Items That Make Women Scientifically More Attractive", that outlined the top 5 staples females should have in their closet.  According to men, from scientific studies....

Heels

* * * 

Check.  

Probably my top staple in my wardrobe.  Those that know me, know I love my heels.  Apparently women wearing heels are more approachable.  For me, I feel like I can conquer the world with my heels on!  Gotta, rock 'em!

Red Clothing

* * * 

Check.  

Red use to be one of my favorite colors to wear (behind black!), so I can check number 2 off the list.  The color red enhances a male's attraction.  Whether it be a dress, shoes, scarf, pants, even red lipstick, make sure there is something red in your outfit! My favorite?  Red pants.

Black Dresses

* * * 

Check.

Every female needs that one "go-to" little black dress.  In the article, Michelle quotes Elizabeth Hawes (one of the most brilliant American fashion designers): "Five out of five men are said to look twice at any girl in a black dress".  What girl doesn't want to turn heads of a potential catch! 

Sleeveless Tops

* * * 

Found on rikshaw design 

Check.

Interesting fact: men prefer a woman's arms over her legs (according to a study from the University of New South Whales).  That's a new one for me.  But I'm also not a man.  This look can be worn year around, which is a plus!  

... I mean, it is 70 degrees in the middle of December... 

Bodycon Dresses

* * * 

No check.

Studies show that men prefer hourglass shaped women.  They apparently also like a woman to show it off with this style dress.  One rule, keep it classy ladies.  You know your body style, so I'll let you be the judge of that!

I will admit, this is not in my closet.   Breathing room is key for me.  But hey, if you got it, flaunt it sister! 

* * *

Tonight I will be going to my first Charlotte Checkers hockey game ( Go Checkers!) & will probably incorporate a few things on the list.  Not heels though, not the right attire for an arena. Scratch that, maybe just the red article of clothing!

Wish me luck! 

xo 

-W

porch & palette on Facebook

simple & sophisticated

... wrapping...

* * * 

Free Printables: Here

My idea of wrapping consist of a pretty bag, tissue paper, and maybe a bow, if you're lucky.  

This year I want to spice things up.  Get creative and spruce up my wrapping. #nobagsforme

* * * 

There seems to be a theme.  Each picture that catches my eye has a touch of nature.  I guess I can say, "this year I'm keeping it natural"!  A good place to start when looking for items to add to your wrapping is your yard.   It is amazing what you can do with nature's simple pleasures.

Feathers. 

* * * 

Beauty to my eyeballs (& probs not in your backyard...).  There is something sophisticated about the combination of gold and feathers.  Any art store has many selections of different types of feathers to choose from that you can add to your wrapping no matter the color scheme.  Kinda sexy! 

Have extra ornaments laying around? 

* * *

Wrap with them!  Just the smallest touch of shine can add wonders to your gift.  How simple right?  And all while de-cluttering your unused Christmas decorations.  You can use all sorts of festive items that you have hanging around.  Just one less thing you have to pack back up!

* * * 

If your tree needs trimming, sweep those suckers up and use them.  It will add a nice Christmas feel to the gift for sure.  Take whatever ribbon, string, burlap, you name it & there you have it, a completed gift.

My advice?  Keep it simple & don't spend too much on the wrapping, you don't want it to be nicer than the gift!  And it will probably be thrown away anyway.  Look at your gift wrapping is a clean canvas!  Your friends & family will be blown away!

* * * 

...Mondays don't always have to be terrible...

Happy Wrapping! 

xo

-W

porch & palette on Facebook

A Monthly Gift Of:________

... my Wednesday coffee... 

* * * 

Don't know what to get that person who never gives hints on what they want for Christmas?

I gotcha covered.

How about give them a gift that keeps giving for a year?  There are all sorts of monthly subscriptions for your bae, your sibling, your sibling's bae, your parents, that dog lover in your life, your besties,  or that random person you have to get something for... you name it.

Who wouldn't want wonderful surprises each month for a year?!  It is like Christmas once a month for 12 months.  Common sense folks.

- For my ladies -

Birchbox. 

* * * 

The monthly beauty box that delivers high-end beauty, grooming, & lifestyle samples once a month, customized just for her! (they also have the men's subscriptions too!).  It is always nice to get beautified! 

MissionCute

The cute monthly box that gives back.

* * * 

"Do Good + Happy Mail = Our Mission"

LOVING this one.  Super cute.  Sends a monthly box of cute items for your home, wardrobe, and then, wait for it, they donate 50% of monthly net proceed to a new charity each month. Double whammy!

Many of these subscriptions have different duration options to cater to you!

- For the Men - 

Dollar Shave Club

" No commitment, No fees, No BS"

* * * 

"No shave November" is over guys (although I do like a nice groomed scruff/beard) so here ya go, a monthly razor delivery service with a side of shaving cream and wipes.  Options are, $1, $6, or $9 a month.  Not bad! 

Another option: sticking to the shaving theme: Wet Shave Club - $30 a month! 

If you need more ideas for the gift that give each month for the foodie, fitness, child,wino, artist, whoever it is, Subscription Addiction can help you out! Snatch 'em now, coupons available!

Endless options. 

- Magazines - 

This is one that I love and is never really taken advantage of as a gift.  Here a few of my favorites that I look forward to each month. 

* * * 

Garden & Gun

* * * 

Real Simple

* * * 

Food & Wine

* * *

Veranda

* * * 

Our State

Again, endless options for whatever tickles someone's fancy.  I'm not on the heath/fitness bandwagon or really into the men's magazine but there is something out there for everyone! 

- Beverage of the Month - 

Whether wine, beer, or even bourbon is your forte, why not get selective samples delivered to your door monthly?  Always nice to have your cocktail waiting on your door step after a long day at the office!

Beer of the Month

* * * 

This one is for the fellow craft beer lover in your life.  Starting at $30 a month, twelve, 12-oz microbrewed beers from two lightly distributed U.S. Microbreweries will be boxed and waiting along with other nifty information, food pairings, etc.  

MistoBox

Never run out of coffee again.

* * * 

MistoBox was featured on Shark Tank and in Food & Wine.  So it is legit for those "must have coffee before functioning" individuals.  Four different coffees, two steps: open delivery & brew.  Hassle free! 

Wine Down Box

"Kick back & wine down"

* * * 

Now we're talking my language.  From winery to home, this monthly box includes a bottle of wine paired with different meats & cheeses.  This is an ideal way to start off your monthly date night (I'm free, just let me know when!), girls' night, or just a quiet night in.

* * *

Christmas at mi casa

I've been  SO consumed with decorating casa de Morris that I've put shopping on the back burner.  However, my Christmas shopping list just got cut dramatically & I didn't even have to leave to couch or my glass of wine! AND there is no wrapping involved, ahhhh.

I would love to hear of any other fun boxes/monthly subscription you think are worthwhile!

... 23 days til Santa... 

xo

-W

Like porch & palette on Facebook