Create : Master Bedroom Inspiration

My Master bedroom has a rather odd shape - its longer than it is wide and one of the longest walls is taken up by windows. Almost two years ago (TWO YEARS?!) I put up ombre shutters to serve as a focal point in my bedroom and also cover up a window. (see it peeking through?)

             

I have since added new night stands. Nothing else has really changed - except maybe my photography skills. These pictures are terrible!



Seeing as I change my mind regarding my decor on the daily, I have decided to revamp my bedroom. So far I have purchased a new all white duvet cover (Target) and moved one of my night stands (on the left) into my closet - more on that later this week.

It is my hope to take down the shutters and move the curtains from the wall of windows (on the right in the picture above) behind my bed and replace my window coverings with shutters. Those two projects might take a while, so while I wait I have decided to start brainstorming what exactly I want this space to look like.

If you follow my on instagram you know I purchased this rug from IKEA over the Christmas break that has now found a home in my bedroom.

Lets talk inspiration. First up - Change the SALMON color in the above color pallet to the "Nautical Orange" below and add in AQUA.

I have also decided to use two different but coordinating night stands - not necessarily the ones above those serve as inspiration. I did however, purchase the gold polka dot Euro Shams from Pottery Barn Kids. Cannot wait to get those in! My thought is to also add a throw to the foot of my bed to really bring a pop of color. I want to keep the darker colors contained to things easy to wash, mainly because Maggie thinks my bed is her personal lounge spot. Shams and duvets will stay light while throws and wall decor can bring in a pop of color.

The walls are currently Dovetail by Sherwin Williams and will stay that color - as will the X benches at the end of my bed - hint bringing in the orange. 

Now tell me , what do you think? Gold, Black/White, Aqua, and Peacock. Gotta love a good room make over!

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Local : Marshall's Brewery

There is something very organic about supporting local businesses. Maybe I feel extra nostalgic because I personally know how hard it is to start up a business - and that's on a small scale. Either way spending a few hours on Saturday afternoon touring a local brewery was a lot of fun and, honestly, really interesting.

Not only did the tour include four tastings but we also got a behind the scenes look at all the brewing equipment and the process that goes into these great craft beers. 

I'll tell you this, we enjoyed it so much that we even volunteered to come and help serve beer during tastings. 

If you live in Tulsa or are ever here on a weekend the tours are taking place, make time and go. I promise you will enjoy the relaxing environment to learn all about some of (my favorite) craft beers and having a few drinks while you're at it.

I swear these came from OZ 

Bottling line from Germany

Marshall's newest beer aged in Whiskey barrels - Blue Dolphin

Have you ever toured a brewery? I might make a list of all craft brewery's local to Oklahoma and have fun scratching them off my list!

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Life : Make clean eating (paleo) work for you

If I am being completely honest then I should let you know upfront - Clean Eating/Paleo is hard to do. Every time I think about it I remind myself that "if this were easy then everyone would be doing it". 

The difference between Clean Eating (ie lack of sugar and processed foods) and Paleo is that Paleo is simply a stricter form of eating clean. 

Running through somewhere to grab lunch while you are out is much much harder and eating out in general is more complicated than a 16 year olds relationship status. 

So, if eating out is almost - not quite - out of the question then how do you manage on a busy week?

Prep.

This past Sunday I prepped almost all my meals for the entire week. In total I probably spent 3 hours from start to dishwasher door closing to get all my food prepped. 

In a matter of a few hours after church I was able to put together

- 5 spaghetti squash dinners (from one large squash) with meat sauce

- Taco meat for salads/taco night (lettuce shells)

- 10 hard boiled eggs (salads and snacks)

- Crock-pot Chicken Tortilla(less) soup

- Diced broccoli and squash for roasted veggies

Its butternut squash - though I wish it was cheese ;)

 Outside of prepping your food you have to make sure you have snacks that are easy to eat, tasty, and portable. We are all busy and are 90% of the time somewhere between point A and B. 

Now that vending machines, snack closets, and drive through's wont suffice you have to be able to pull a snack out of your bag that wont make a mess (see salad) and is tasty (come back to me chips)

My top snacks for work and the road would include

- Honeycrip Apples (the Paleo eaters candy bar)

- KIND bars (though they arent 100% Paleo)

- Trail mix (I get mine from the Sprouts bulk section)

- Cuties

-Fruit of all kind really...

- Almonds (though not my favorite)

- LARA bars (apple pie!)

Last tip- one that has been hammered home a million times - drink more water.

Seriously, though. 

Water has been my key hunger kicker. I was telling a friend yesterday that since I returned to my paleo ways I can now tell the difference between my hunger. I know very well what is boredom induced hunger and what is true - give me food now - hungry.

When boredom hunger hits I always try to get a huge glass of water down before having a snack. Typically, my hangry attitude subsides. If not, I chow down on a snack (most likely fruit - hello more water)

Every night I refill this (see below) water jug (101 oz) and take it with me throughout the day. Around 8pm whatever is left gets chugged. On average, I only have about a glass left when I get home, which I drink with dinner, but I make sure to drink it all.

The best part of taking it with me is I know exactly how much water I have gotten down throughout the day. 

All in all, eating healthy/clean/whole foods isn't easy, but the changes you will feel and see will be totally worth it!

Since you have made it this far here are my favorite recipe sites!

http://lexiscleankitchen.com/

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/

http://cookeatpaleo.com/

http://paleomg.com/

 Happy eating friends...!

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Capture : Boswell Family

This was such a cold day in Tulsa - but you would never know by looking at these picture. These guys were such champs and good looking to boot! 

Tori (Mom) is on her last round of chemo and beat cancers butt - to celebrate, her kiddos got together to have family pictures done. I am so honored to get to capture these moments for them!

Enjoy!!

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