Protein Blueberry Muffins

I got quite a response on Facebook about a recipe for these muffins! As promised:

Recipe adapted from Tone It Up (Makes 10 muffins)
2 1/2 cups vanilla or chocolate protein (I prefer brown rice and I specifically use Perfect Fit)
1 1/2 cups egg whites
3 Tbs walnuts, crushed
2 Tbs ground flaxseed
3/4 cup almond milk, unsweetened
1/2 cup blueberries
1 banana, mashed
1/4 cup applesauce, no sugar added
2 Tbs coconut oil
1 1/2 Tbs cinnamon
3 tsp baking powder
pinch of sea salt

Combine liquid ingredients in large bowl and mix well. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients stirring constantly. Add more almond milk if needed for a smooth thick consistency. Carefully fold blueberries into mixture without mashing. Spray cupcake wrappers lightly with fat-free cooking spray and place in muffin pan (I used the silicon cups and it was super easy!!) Scoop batter into cups. Unlike traditional muffins, these won't rise. So overfill to get the rounded top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or util a toothpick comes out clean!

For 21 Day Fixers: I would say 1 muffin is 1 red, and maybe 1/4 purple?! 1 banana and 1/2 cup blueberries over 10 muffins isn't much :) I usually just say 1 red and roll with it, but you could count for the purple if you are a stickler :)

Enjoy!
xoxo,

Britt

21 Day Fix Grocery List Staples

I can honestly say that I am in love with the 21 day fix meal plan and the whole 21 Day Fix Process! It's easy, its simple, its basically fool proof.  If you stick to the things on the list of approved foods and you keep it basic you can't go wrong.  Plus I really dislike counting calories so the fact that I can tally up my containers and check it off each day is much more my style. I still use my containers at home, but I am getting much better about "eyeballing" when I am out to eat.  I can visualize what a proper portion size should look like on my plate.  

The thing that I really like is that since I was already eating "clean" I really didn't have a total learning curve. My biggest "a-ha" was the portions I was eating of my clean food. I was way overdoing complex carbs and fruit! The containers and the system taught me how much I should be having and now I am much better at planning my meals to fit the plan. 

So what should your grocery list look like?  While I can't tell you to go out and buy EVERYTHING on this list, I can give you an idea of the general things that you are going to be using on a daily basis for the fix.  The quick reference guide below really helps as well.

Proteins

So when you hit up the store stick to lean proteins like

Fish- Salmon, Tilapia, Cod

Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Breast

Turkey Breast

Eggs

Lean Ground Turkey (I typically get 95% lean)

Pork Tenderloin

Flank Steak

Veggie Burgers

Personally I really limit my red meat, processed lunch meats, turkey bacon and ham slices.  These items are on the 21 Day Fix approved list, but I just think there are "better" options.  Turkey bacon, lunch meat, and ham all are higher in sodium and can cause you to retain water.  

Fruits 

Apples

Pears

Berries like Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries

Oranges

Watermelon

Cantaloupe

Kiwi

Bananas

This is one of the areas I was over-doing. Make sure to pay attention to your fruit portions. Please don't take this as me telling you to not eat fruit (not the case at all) but since fruit has a natural sugar content we want to be conscious of how much we consume!

Vegetables

Green Beans

Celery

Asparagus

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Spinach

Peppers

Onions

Tomatos

Squash

cucumbers

Lettuce

Brussels Sprouts

Mushrooms

Fill up on the greens! I sneak spinach into my chocolate Shakeology. You would never know it was there!  I stay away from corn as a vegetable and if I eat it then it goes into the starch category.

Complex Carbohydrates 

Brown Rice

Quinoa

Oatmeal (not instant in the packet)

 Rolled Instant Oats

Sweet Potatoes

Red Skin potatoes

Black Beans

Pinto Beans

Couscous

Ezekiel Bread

Whole Grain Tortillas

Quinoa, sweet potatoes, Ezekiel bread are great sources of whole grains that are very natural and will give you fiber, fullness and nutrients. When I buy waffles I buy the Vans Power grains for the extra nutrient kick. I do limit myself to eating them as a treat though...I really like maple syrup. ha! 

Blue

Unsweetened Coconut

Raw Unsalted Almonds

Raw Unsalted Cashews

Hummus

Goat Cheese

Feta Cheese

Avocado

This is definitely a category that I used to go way over!  I used to eat hummus, almonds and cheese and avocado all in one day and it was totally killing my progress.  I now only have cheese (or really any dairy) on occasion and have found I am much less bloated!

List of other ingredients that I used frequently:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Coconut Oil

All Natural Peanut Butter, only ingredients are peanuts and a little salt.

Almond Butter

Unsweetened Almond Milk for my Shakeology

Chia Seeds

Sea Salt

Pepper

Chili Powder

Onion Salt

Garlic Powder

Garlic

Seltzer Water- Love La Croix if you have a hard time drinking water.

Green Tea

Honey

Greek Yogurt

Cinnamon

Slivered Almonds

What is the 21 Day Fix?  Email me: BrittanyLerbakken@gmail.com

xoxo

Britt

Getting Healthy and Saying YES to New Opportunities

Have you ever had that feeling that you were missing something from life, but couldn't pinpoint it? Like there was a void that couldn't be filled? Like you were meant to do something really great, but were completely at a loss of what that was?

This was me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my life. I have wonderful people who surround me daily, I have a job that is supportive, flexible, and has one heck of a great mission. However, I didn't feel on fire…and I was craving the heat.

The Background:

I've mentioned before that I followed the Tone It Up nutrition plan for the past couple years. I don't follow it to a TEE, but I do keep their ideas and practices in mind as much as possible. I am not sure why I haven't been more public with this (unless you follow my Instagram), because it has opened my eyes to a whole new world and has really presented itself to be a bigger part of my life than I ever thought it would be. I probably didn't share because I was afraid of being "annoying" on Facebook or something. I care too much about what others think sometimes. 

Over the past several weeks I've really been stirring myself up: changing my perspective on life, my sense of identity, my vision and what I am really after and meant to do while here in this life. I'm becoming more self-aware and confident in all aspects of my life-as I am starting to believe myself when I say "I CAN DO THIS. I CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!". I'm realizing that my experiences and motivation can actually have some influence, and I want to share so that I can hopefully help others!

So I am sure you might be thinking " Tone It Up is just another diet plan, why the heck is she so excited?" Here is the thing that sets Tone It Up apart from other "plans": there is a HUGE community of women out there on social media supporting each other through every healthy meal and work-out "check-in". This accountability is why I have had success and why I love it so much. It is hard to post a burger or huge plate of pasta, but it is pretty exciting to post about my colorful salad! Don't worry--I eat burgers and pasta on occasion! The accountability is KEY to long-term success. You can see my journey on Instagram @BrightEyedandBushyKaled

 (All photos from my Instagram)

Since adopting the lifestyle I have maintained a 5 lb weight loss and seen some definition. I have a ways to go...this is me not being SUPER dedicated. What I have realized through posting my journey on Instagram and recently Facebook, is that people find me motivating. Me? Motivating?! Wow, and thank you :)

Where I am now:

About a month ago, right after the wedding, I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a post about an opportunity that I had ignored…a LOT. This time, I felt it in my gut that I really needed to ask questions and find out more about this opportunity. I have only felt that strong gut feeling two other times in my life: once when I called off a wedding and once when I met Dave. What I found was something that combined my passions for health and fitness with a business opportunity. Something that I could mold and make my own and release that entrepreneur that I knew I had in me.  That opportunity was becoming a  Team Beachbody “Coach”.

So what is this “Team Beachbody”? They are the company behind the successful home fitness programs like 21 Day Fix, P90X, T25 and Insanity.  The mission of Beachbody is to promote healthy and more fulfilling lives. Whoa. So you are telling me that with this opportunity I could do what I was already doing by promoting a healthy lifestyle, motivate amazing women, be motivated by amazing women, and possibly make some extra cash on the side?! SIGN ME UP! I felt the FIRE I was craving! I felt like I was meant for this. I am SUPPOSED to do this! I just never knew where to turn!

So what does this mean for you: my family, my friends, and my friends I have yet to meet? It means that my new adventure is not to “sell” you products, but to help you live a healthy and fulfilling life. That can mean losing weight or just gaining confidence. I will be running private, FUN Challenge Groups through Facebook where you will be connected with other like-minded women who are also doing a program looking for accountability and wanting to make a change. I am there every step of the way to keep you motivated and encouraged. Because you CAN feel confident!

I am literally bursting at the seams with excitement. Let’s chat if you are interested in seeing some REAL RESULTS! I would love to chat with you about your goals! brittanylerbakken@gmail.com

Cheers to love and a healthy life!

Xoxo,

Britt

21 Day Fix Review- Week 1

First of all you might be asking, "What is the 21 Day Fix?" You may have heard about it through the grapevine or seen pictures of the bright colored containers floating around Pinterest. Maybe you wondered what the heck people were doing with these things?! Well, I am going to blog my way through this experience and let you know how it is helping and changing my life!

21 Day Fix is a popular program from Beachbody (same team that has P90X, PiYo, T25, etc.) that sets guidelines for simple portion control and daily 30 minute workouts. Seriously. 30 minutes is all you need to get a great workout. Plus, they include modifications to make these workouts adaptable for anyone...even beginners! It is marketed as a simple, fast weight loss system with no calorie counting, no point counting and no carb counting. My kind of program!! I see this system as a lifestyle changer as it really shows you what a healthy portion looks like, and don't worry...the containers are not that small! 

How it works:

You start with their equation to figure out your calorie bracket. This will tell you how many of each container you can eat per day. Then you can refer to the included eating plan to see what foods can be placed in your container...if it fits in the designated container, you can eat it! Along with your new perfectly proportioned eating plan, you do a single 30 minute workout per day. We all have 30 minutes we can carve out somewhere!! They also suggest you drink Shakeology with the program. I very highly recommend this! It is delicious, gives you 70+ superfoods per serving and promotes all around good health. It comes in a variety of  yummy flavors. I use the chocolate to tackle those afternoon sweet cravings ;) 

Click here for the fancy video :)

The Food:

I have completed 1 week on this program, and I already love it! First, you get to eat a lot of food! I am not even kidding. I love that it makes me think about my portions and forces me to put thought into snacking. I admit, I am a notorious snacker who could eat an entire bag of M&Ms or chips without even noticing. Now, I think ahead through my day, and really look at what I put on my plate. I realized I was way over eating on carbs and healthy fats and not nearly enough greens. I also have been traveling while starting this program and have found it pretty easy to eat out. I just eye balled my portions, but you could always take in your cute containers!

Have I eaten perfectly? No. But I have improved. Progress not perfection is what my coach says :)  

The Workouts:

The workouts are sweaty, but do-able. Like I said, there are modifications for all fitness levels so if you need to step back and modify...do it!! It still provides a solid workout. I have to commend Beachbody for putting all body types and fitness levels on the DVD. Whoo! Like I said, I have been traveling and I have managed to keep up with the workouts! I took my weights with me this week and worked out in the privacy of my hotel room. Next week I think I might just right down the moves and time myself in the hotel gym.

Feelings After Week 1:

I will be honest that I have NOT measured or weighed myself. But I do notice that my stomach is feeling a little flatter (maybe that is the reduction in carbs?) and I am definitely getting stronger through these workouts. 

(Be nice to me here. It was day 1 after Total Body Cardio at 6am. Wow! See that sweat?! That is the sign of a great workout. And I am still smiling!)

I can't wait to see what week 2 brings!!

xoxo,

Brittany

Easter Brunch

Easter brunch. A lovely occasion, don't you think? A time to spend with family after church and reflect on the day.

I am hosting Easter brunch this year for my new husband and new mother-in-law. It will be small, but I still love to create a delicious and nourishing meal. I have created a tasty menu that is still overall pretty healthy! You really can have big flavor and low regrets :)

Also, because I know we are all busy right now, I even created a shopping list for you. I hope that takes a load off your busy shoulders. 

The Menu:

Skinny Deviled Eggs from The Girl Inspired

Asparagus and Swiss Frittata from Skinny Taste with mixed greens and Golden Sun dressing from
 Tone It Up

Chocolate Cake Trifle from Tone It Up

Thanks for stopping by! What are you and your family eating this year? Do you have any fun traditions?

xoxo,
Brittany

Turkey and Sweet Potato Bowl

Hi!!

I can't believe I took a month off from this blog. I didn't really mean to. Who knew that DIY wedding projects took SO MUCH TIME?! ;) Well, I am back as a married woman (what?!) and ready to eat healthy again. Let me tell you 1.5 weeks in Austin, TX and 1 week in Jamaica did not do my healthy eating any favors. I indulged in A+ tacos and lots of brunches. That is what vacation is all about.

For my first meal back in my kitchen I made this bowl of goodies. Plus, it was so easy. Check it out!

Gather up:

1 pound of lean ground turkey

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 medium onion

1 medium zucchini, diced

1 medium sweet potato, diced

Feta cheese, crumbled

Step 1: Heat up some olive oil in a large skillet

Step 2: Cook up those onions until translucent and creamy. Throw in the garlic, too.

Step 3: Toss in your turkey and brown it up. 

Step 4: Put zucchini and sweet potatoes in the skillet. Stir it up and then put a lid on it and let it cook until the potatoes are tender. About 10 minutes.

Step 5: Scoop it in a bowl and sprinkle with feta cheese.

Step 6: Fill your tummy with lean, clean yumminess!

Let me know how you like this dish!

xoxo,

Brittany

Happy Valentine's Day

As I have said before, Valentine's Day is about more than being in a relationship. It is about showing all of your loved ones how much they mean to you!

However, today marks 1 month until mine and Dave's wedding. Whoa! So to make today special I am going crazy with hearts and anything red and pink! To top it off, I have tried to keep it as healthy as possible (with a few splurges). Afterall, I have a tight dress and a honeymoon bikini to rock in 1 month!

This morning I surprised D with breakfast in bed. Which means I get to eat in bed too...score! I used this Perfect Fit recipe from the makers of Tone It Up for the cinnamon rolls. I had never made them before but I can say they are delicious. I promise you won't miss the sugar high from a traditional cinnamon roll :) To make the heart shape simple roll each end of your cinnamon roll "strips" toward each other to meet in the middle. I topped ours with a little vanilla greek yogurt and served with a side of homemade chocolate covered strawberries. There were mimosas too off course (do you know me?!).

For lunch we are having Michael Symon's Beet and Goat Cheese Raviolis. Hello, they are PINK! Perfect for Valentine's Day!! I loved that he used wonton wrappers for these so I didn't have to make homemade pasta dough. Don't get me wrong, I am the kind of crazy to make my own, but I just wasn't feeling it. Since I was using more indulgent ingredients I try to make the best of them so I am using locally sourced goat cheese and butter. I will be serving these with extra goat cheese drizzled with local honey and chives and with some baguette slices. Bread is not evil if it is a treat :) This lunch is more of a splurge meal, but it is all in moderation. You can have treats if you are eating well the other 95% of the time! It is all about balance, people!

I hope you are feeling the love today whether you are showing yourself some love or receiving it from someone else. You are loved by me!

xoxo,

Brittany

My Favorite Bronzer

During the winter it is tough to be outside and retain any color in my skin. However, when I am out in the sun I always wear sun protection. You have to people! I don't think any of us want premature aging, sun spots, or even worse, cancer.

So, I do the next best thing...I use bronzer!  Some have some shimmer, but I like to reserve those for summer. However, I found my FAVORITE bronzer, the Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronze in Tantric. No shimmer, matte-finish,  great for all skin tones, and it lasts forever because of its jumbo size.

Get Bronzy, Babe!

xoxo,

Britt

Sweet As Candy Decor

Conversation Hearts just scream Valentine's Day, but they are just not my favorite to eat...so I decorate with them!

I used a hurricane vase that I use year round and change with the seasons. I simply placed a white candle in the middle and poured the hearts around. Voila!  I found this miniature apothecary jar at a thrift store, put some of the extra hearts in there and added it to the top of my piano with some flowers and a gold "L".  It was the perfect addition to the little arrangement.

I used the large hearts, mainly because I thought they would fill the vase better than the small ones. You could really go with either.

Now you can enjoy the iconic candy without having to eat it :)

Hope you had a sweet day!

Xoxo,

Brittany

Gold Dot Entry Way Dish-DIY

I love to put my stamp around the house. If you know me (and later when you see my upcoming wedding) you will see that I love gold! It's bright and makes me smile. So do polka dots, those fun little things.

Here is a quick, fun, and affordable project to add a little gold and polka dots to your life! All you need is some thrift store milk glass and a gold oil-based sharpie.

I found this milk glass dish at a thrift store for a couple bucks. It already had the dots raised, so it was very easy to just color them. However, you can find milk glass with all sorts of patterns, get creative! It is between you and the sharpie.

Simply design your dish and let it dry. You could bake it for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven to "set" the paint. Do this especially if you think your dish will be going through the dishwasher or being handwashed multiple times. Mine is just sitting by my front door, so I have not yet baked it. Maybe future projects :)

Have fun, be creative and enjoy!

xoxo,

Brittany

Daily Skincare Routine

I like to keep my skincare routine pretty simple using products with natural or organic ingredients. I also don't spend a ton of money. I have found products I love that you can purchase at Sephora and good ol' Target :)

I start with using the Fresh Soy Cleanser. It is very gentle and smells like cucumbers. I use it with a Clarisonic at night for extra cleansing.

After I wash my face I spitz my face with the Botanics Rosewater toning spritz. It is super refreshing and removes any traces of dirt and make-up I missed when cleansing.

Finally, I use a few drops of the facial oil at night before bed. It depends on the day where I apply it. If I need extra moisture I put a thin layer all over. Most days I just dab it under my eyes and around my lips where wrinkles are prone.

What are your favorite products?

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

I think that Valentine's Day is about so much more than being in a relationship. It is about showing all the nearest and dearest in your life how much you love them and care about them! Here are some of my favorite gift ideas to give to the special people in my life!

I also wanted to add another idea that I thought was beautiful and personalized! You could put initials, names, dates, etc. I think it would be neat to stack a few with special memories. I am thinking the geographic coordinates of our wedding site and then later adding the date and time of any children's birthdays.

Stell and Dot Signature Engraveable Bar Cuff

I hope your weekend is filled with love!

xoxo,

Brittany

Favorite Friday...Nordstrom

Ahhh, Nordstrom! I love you so. It is safe to say I am obsessed with those gold Same Edelman tennies. Obsessed.

Here are some super fun activewear options. Because, working out isn't always fun (but you never regret it!) so make it a little more fun by wearing something you know you are ROCKIN! It will make you feel even more confident as you crush your stairmill workout...even if you are crying a little inside :)

On another health and fitness note, I am starting the 7 Day Slim Down with Tone It Up tomorrow. I am using this as a kick-start for the last final 5 weeks before the wedding! Eeek! It is clean eating and exercise, no crazy fad dieting :) Which is why I love Tone It Up so much.  If you would like to follow along (or maybe even join me?!) catch me on Instagram (BrightEyedandBushyKaled)  where I will be posting all my food and workouts consistently for the next 7 days. Girl Scout cookies just went on sale, so I need some friends to hold me accountable! You can find other ladies doing the slim down as well by searching #TIULoveYourBody on Instagram.

Let's get healthy together!

xoxo,

Brittany

Valentine's Day with Younique Cosmetics!

I am sure most of you have heard of Younique whether you know it or not. The 3D Fiber Lash mascara is their thing...and let me tell you, it is a good thing!! My friend, Kael, over at LashesbyK.com is letting me tell you all about her mascara plus her other fabulous products!

So whether you are wanting to look hot for your significant other, a night out with the girls, or just to treat yourself at home, here are my favorite Younique products so far (I need to try more!) and how I created this make-up look in under 15 minutes! Pardon my messy braid! After-all, this wasn't a hair tutorial ;) haha!

Here is my before shot. This is ZERO make-up. None. I have blemishes and fine-line wrinkles (seriously, am I in high school or an old woman?) under-eye circles...you get it.  Don't worry, Younique fixes it all!

The products I used:

• Mineral Touch Cream Foundation in Taffeta
• Moodstruck Mineral Pigments in Curious,  Sexy,  Irresistible, and Glamorous
• Moodstruck Precision Pencil Eye Liner in Perfect
• Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash Mascara (LOVE THIS STUFF!)
• Moodstruck Precision Pencil Lip Liner in Pouty
• Lucrative Lip Gloss in Luscious
• I didn't use it this time, but I also love the gloss in Luxe

First, I used the Mineral Touch Cream foundation. That is all! It totally smoothes out any blemishes. One step! Yea! Kael also raves about their BB Cream. It is on my list to try!

Now, let's talk about these GORGEOUS eye pigments!

You can use them dry or wet. Wet makes them a little more intense which is what I did today. I just dipped my brush into my adorable Anthropologie bowl of water (on sale here!) I shook off the excess water and then dipped it into my pigment of choice.


To achieve today's look, cover your whole lid with "Sexy". A sweet, subtle pink with some shimmer. Then I added "Curious" to my brow bone and the inner corners of my eyes. It is a nice shimmer highlighter. Don't be nervous by the word "shimmer". It looks beautiful, not cheesy! Then I took "Irresistible", a nice matte, neutral brown and put it from the middle of my lid to the outer corner creating that "V" shape and a nice shadow. I followed by using the deep plum "Glamorous" to line my eyes.

After applying these colors the key is to blend, blend, blend!!! That is what makes it look beautiful and soft and not hard.

After applying the pigments, use the precision eye liner to line the upper and lower lash line. I like to stay very close to the lash-line and create a soft line rather than drawing a dark line. However, if you are going out for a date night when you know the lights will be low, add a little extra liner...just don't go crazy!

Next is the BEST PART! The mascara! Y'all, I can't imagine wearing anything else. The photo on the left is regular mascara and the photo on the right is with the 3D Fiber Lash. It makes me feel and look like I am wearing falsies without the glue in my eyes and dramatic flashbacks from my dance team days.

The finishing touch: I used the Lip Liner in Pouty all over my lip. I finished it off by coating my lips in the beautiful red tinted gloss in Luscious!  Valentines Day is the perfect time to take red lips out
for a spin.

Ladies, these are all perfect products to treat yourself OR send your significant other this blog post as a hint!




You can also buy this perfect little "Love It Bundle". You get an eye liner in Passionate, Lip Gloss in Lovesick, the Mascara and a cute bag for $50!

Head to LashesbyK.com to get all these fantastic products! You can also follow her on Facebook. Let me know if you would like me to add you to her Facebook group where she holds tons of giveaways and specials! So fun!

Thanks for getting all dolled up with me!

xoxo,

Brittany

Pancakes

Who doesn't love these fluffy discs of love? I followed this recipe basic pancake recipe from Martha Stewart, but I used whole wheat flour and added a touch of almond extract. I LOVE almond and think it adds a nice finish. Serve with butter, organic maple syrup, fruit and any other favorite toppings!

Snow Days and Homemade Marshmallows

It is pretty rare that our school district will close school based on the weather, but when they do our office takes their lead and closes as well. Although I am home today and working I couldn't help indulging in some hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows.  That is what snow days are for, right?!

For a skinny hot chocolate:

             1 1/3 cup almond milk

             2 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder

             1 TBS chocolate protein powder

             2-3 tsp coconut sugar

Heat almond milk in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk cocoa powder and protein and sugar. When warm, pour into your favorite mug!

If you are craving a more decadent hot chocolate, go with this recipe.

hint: I wouldn't judge you if you added a little Rum Chata or Bailey's to your mug as well ;)

Stay warm!

xoxo,

Brittany

Birthday Cake

There have been a lot of friends and family with birthdays this week. To celebrate, I made this classic white cake with this easy buttercream frosting.

The cake is sweet and has the perfect touch of almond.

I filled my cake with some buttercream frosting mixed with toasted almond slivers and added an additional layer of raspberry jam.

So good.

Happy Birthday!

Favorite Friday...LOFT

I love LOFT. They have great pieces that can be worn for work or play at affordable prices! I put together a few outfits I'm dying to put in my closet...I have yet to cave on buying a jumpsuit, but I think the time is coming. Especially paired with a floral scarf and heels to add the right touch of femininity.

Also, can we talk about that coral chambray shirt with those camo pants? Hello, Spring!!

What is your favorite LOFT look?

Favorite Friday...Forever 21

Here are some of my favorite items for us ladies on a budget from Forever 21! Grab some on sale winter items or something for Valentine's Day. I am especially eyeing that black fringe dress for a night out :)

Season of love...No Sew DIY pillows!

I love decorating for the holidays. It's fun and festive and just makes my heart happy. Speaking of hearts...let's talk about these pillows!! I grabbed my bestie, Abby, and we got to work!

Today we will show you how to make this striped heart pillow and this sequin arrow pillow!

Materials for the Striped Heart pillow:
           1 pre-made 18" pillow case for a throw pillow. We found these at Hobby Lobby and chose the               light tan.
           Iron on black rick-rack
           Heat N' Bond fusible adhesive
           1 8.5 x 11 sheet of red felt
           iron
           scissors

Step 1: Lay out your pillow case and iron out the creases. Keep the iron on, you will need it again!

Step 2: Lay out your black rick-rack and plan where you want to put your stripes. Then iron your stripes in place and cut the excess.

Step 3: Fold your red felt in half and draw 1/2 a heart along the folded side. When you cut it out, you will have a full, symmetrical heart!

Step 4: Grab your Heat N' Bond fusible adhesive.  Lay your heart on the adhesive sheets and then cut out the adhesive sheet so you have enough to cover the felt. Identify the "rough" side of the adhesive and place that side on the felt. Iron the adhesive sheet to the felt to adhere. Do more "pressing and holding" of the iron rather than moving it around a bunch.  After cutting the extra adhesive sheet from the heart it will look like this on the backside:

Step 5: Final step! Flip your heart over so the adhesive side is on your pillow case and centered. Iron the heart to the pillowcase. Again, use more pressing and holding.

Hi Abby!!!

After you are finished, insert an 18" pillow into the case and admire your work!

Materials for the Sequin Arrow pillow:

           1 pre-made 18" pillow case for a throw pillow. I chose light tan again.

           1 spool of gold sequins and 1 of red sequins

           No-Sew fabric glue

           Cardboard or plastic for the inside of the pillowcase

           scissors

Step 1: Lay out your pillow case and iron out the creases. Then place the cardboard inside the pillowcase. This will prevent the glue from seeping through and adhering the pillow together :)

Step 2: Plan out your sequin arrows. Get creative!

Step 3: Once you have planned and cut your sequins start applying glue. I put the glue directly on the pillow a little bit at a time. It seemed more manageable for me that way.

Step 4: I doubled up the sequins on the arrow heads to make them stand out more

Step 5: Let the glue and sequins dry flat, step back and admire your work! Insert an 18" pillow form and enjoy :)

We hope you love your new pillows as much as we enjoy ours!! 

xoxo,

Britttany

       

Life via the Camera Roll--plus a recipe!

Ah, life gets a bit busy sometimes, huh? I promise I am not ignoring any lovely readers out there! I am still trying to learn the ropes and get my feet wet. Isn't that what new journeys are about?! Comment and let me know what you guys would like to hear about :)

Here are a few things that sum up my past week!

I decorated for Valentine's Day! I love this lighthearted holiday full of red, pink, and hearts. It isn't 100% finished and I have some crafts up my sleeve to share!

Who doesn't enjoy a glass of wine with your besties? #winenot?

This is one of my little snuggle-muffins, Shorty. He's adorable and not the only time he will make an appearance on Bright Eyed and Bushy Kaled! Doesn't he look so peaceful? :)

We booked our honeymoon and got our passports! We are thrilled to head to Couples Resort: Swept Away in Negril. Dreaming about it already!

Now that we have booked the honeymoon it is SERIOUS tone up/slim down time! Above is a portobello fajita served with some black beans. Delish and fiance approved. Recipe below!

Portobello Fajitas with Mango Salsa

Makes 4 servings

Gather up:

      4 portobello caps

      1 red bell pepper, sliced in long, thin strips

      1/2 onion, sliced in thin strips

      1 TBS coconut oil

      8 large lettuce leaves

      1 avocado, sliced

Marinade:

     1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

     2 Tablespoons olive or grapeseed oil

     1 lemon squeezed

     1 lime squeezed

     pinch of sea salt

Mango Salsa

      1 mango, peeled and diced

      1 tomato, diced

      1/2 onion, finely chopped

      1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

      1 Jalapeno (optional...take out seeds to make it let spicy)

      Cilantro, chopped

     1 tsp cayenne pepper

     1 tsp black pepper

     1 lime squeezed

Step 1: Wash your mushrooms and remove the stems. Place these in a 9 X13 or similar size baking dish

Step 2: Mix all marinade ingredients together in a small bowl and then brush marinade liberally on both sides of the mushrooms. Put extra on the underside of the mushroom cap--that is where they absorb the most flavor! Save any extra marinade for later.  Put the lid on your baking dish or wrap in plastic wrap and allow the mushrooms to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour (I did mine overnight since I prepped these during my Sunday meal prep!)

Step 3: While mushrooms are marinating chop up all salsa ingredients and stir together. Allow these flavors to marry in the fridge as well. 

(TIME SAVING TIP: I used some leftover pico from taco night instead of chopping a tomato, onion, and cilantro! Then added the remaining ingredients) 

Step 4: When you are ready to cook, preheat your oven to 425 degrees.  Next, heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place all 4 mushroom caps on the skillet, cover, and let cook for 5 minutes on each side. After they are finished cooking in the skillet, move the mushrooms back to your baking dish, brush with extra marinade and bake for 5 more minutes.

Step 5: While the mushrooms are baking, sauté your onion and bell pepper in the skillet you just cooked your mushrooms. 

Step 6: Slice mushroom caps and place in a lettuce leaf then top with the mango salsa, avocado, and sautéed onion and bell pepper. Serve with black beans! Enjoy your healthy meal!

XOXO,

Brittany