In The Kitchen: Adding New Purpose To Your Cooking Routine

I have always known that I have an affection for healthy food, a fascination for the origin of where organic produce is grown and harvested, and a love for experimenting with new recipes and flavors, but I have come to notice that time and lack of energy from a full schedule eliminated space to explore and grow in these passions. Cooking became more of a chore, gardening was a no-go since we weren't at home long enough to sustain it, and sometimes just picking up dinner from the Erewhon food bar was way easier than thinking about what to whip up. Not to mention, the task of cutting veggies and doing dishes just seemed daunting and anything but enjoyable.It's like a new world has opened up during this quarantine time. Cooking has become what I look forward to every day, our garden is thriving, the local farm we discovered is my happy place to buy organic and biodynamic produce + support a small business, and dishes seem like a breeze. I have been cooking almost every night with the windows open and the Florida Georgia Line radio playing, and Jase sometimes is creating the most beautiful cocktails next to me with freshly squeezed watermelon and orange. I am more intentional about using the produce we have because not many other options like we had before are available, and I have such a strong desire to feed our bodies with nutrition to keep our immune systems strong!I started a Master Class and Alice Waters is inspiring me to plan meals based on the ingredients I get from the farm, and it has brought about this whole new light and intention to cooking and meals! This time is truly bringing new purpose to what used to be a mundane activity. Now I cook out of necessity for health, conserving the produce we have, and it has allowed so much space for creativity. Who knew that I would develop a new excitement for making homemade salsas from the pretty tomatoes or roasted carrots from the cookbook I never had a chance to look through? There are truly so many silver linings in this time of unknowns, sadness, loss, and confusion. Embracing them makes every day a little brighter!How has this time added to your cooking routine?I'm excited to share with you over the next few weeks a few of the things I'm doing in my kitchen right now as a part of my In The Kitchen series – things like how to maximize your produce, what to grab when shopping, growing your own greens, and more.Follow along with me here, or at my Instagram where I often post a meal I'm cooking or kitchen must-have I'm loving. xShop My Look Here: Top, skirt, sunnies

Trunk Club: Shopping Made Easy

Who else seems to get slightly overwhelmed by the idea of shopping? And, yes, all of you fashion lovers and shopping gurus, I am talking to you too! A planned retail excursion is fun every once in a while, but the carrying of bags and potential purchases, the dressing room lines, the parking struggle, and the absence of a friend who can say 'yay' or 'nay' to your choices can just be purely stressful. Not to mention, don't clothes seem to look different on you in your own closet than they do in a store mirror? On another note, can we all agree how returns are dreadful and time consuming?Problem solved. Meet Trunk Club, a styling hub that carries high-end clothing from approximately 70 brands. It is not a subscription service. It is based on the timing of your clothing needs. Let me fill you in on how it works: First, you have a fun and casual conversation with your dedicated personal stylist discussing the clothes you are drawn to, what you feel is missing in your closet, and key pieces you are hunting for. This phone chat made me so excited from the start! The goal: every piece in your closet should look great on you. Having a professional do the tough work is relieving + they make the process enjoyable and interesting!Next step: a trunk shows up at your front door with an array of outfits inside. Yes, shoes included! Option two: You can meet your stylist at the Clubhouse for a fitting in person. This is what I did, and I brought my bestie with me, which made it extra fun! What I loved about my time with my stylist, Audrey, is that I could tell she understood my style - her goal was not to push trends on me but rather to find the perfect pieces for my needs, including basics and statement worthy numbers. It was so fun to discuss what I could really use while trying everything on + I felt so accomplished after the fitting session! Not to mention, Audrey got a better sense of my style even more after our first meeting. I love the fact that I could work with her for a lifetime!Our main focus was to give my wardrobe a Spring refresh. I wanted a good pair of platform espadrilles, a go-to party dress, some cropped flare pants, and some basic investments, such as a neutral blazer, tan pumps that go with everything, and a solid leather jacket. We found them all. Excitement. On. Another. Level.