I know it’s been a bit, a little over a month, since writing a recap post, but I needed to take a break. It feels good to be back, and I’m ready to dive back into the routine of things. I took my first summer break in years, and it felt nice. I always feel more motivated in the fall, and with this weather, fall feels like it’s practically here.

We had family in town for Labor Day weekend, and it was so nice to see my brother and his girlfriend, Abby, finally! It’s been since December. The military had stringent restrictions for them, and after quarantining for over four months, they were given the thumbs up to travel home. We spent this past week outside most of the time and also eating a ton of good food! I can’t wait to share our weekend with you all in this post. My body is so sore from all the activities, so sitting on this couch writing is a convenient spot for me to be right now. Before heading to the airport in the afternoon, I went on a long walk with my neighbor around the neighborhood. The weather was in the 70s and that practically felt like a refrigerator to us after spending our usual mornings walking in 90-degree heat. When the weather is chilly, I get that warm and cuddly fall feeling inside. I’ll for sure be decorating with pumpkins in a few weeks! Before picking up my brother and Abby at the airport, I stopped at Starbucks to pick up an afternoon coffee. And since it was still a bit breezy, I decided to get a pumpkin spice latte. I have a few favorite ways to order pumpkin spice drinks at Starbucks and I’ll have to put those in a post sometime soon so you can try them. My go-to way of ordering a pumpkin spice latte is a tall almond milk pumpkin spice latte with only one pump of pumpkin and an extra shot of espresso. It’s the perfect ratio for someone who likes strong coffee, but still a hint of pumpkin. Every now and then I’ll have them keep the whipped topping. We were all pretty hungry after picking them up at the airport. We stopped at Fine & Fettle for an early dinner. The herbed truffle fries with aioli are pretty unbeatable. After stopping off at Trader Joes and picking up things for the house, we headed to the neighborhood pool to hangout. My parent’s stopped by as well, and we swam late into the evening. We were up bright and early on Thursday morning so we could hike up Crowder’s Mountain before it got too hot outside. We did a 5-mile hike after taking the wrong trail back to the car.

Crowder’s mountain is one of my favorite go-to hikes in Charlotte. It’s been a while since making it out that way, but this was a reminder that I need to hike there more often. After finishing our five-miles, we headed to Eight + Sand for breakfast in Charlotte.

I ordered the Eight + Sand Kale salad with grilled chicken. I also had the oat milk cortado. My brother had their oat milk chai latte and it was probably one of the best chai lattes I’ve ever had. It wasn’t overly sweet like most, and all of the spices tasted fresh as if they freshly ground the cinnamon and cloves themselves. Caitlin met up with us at the pool for the afternoon and we spent our time in the sun reading, drinking wine, and floating. I tried out the Fruit and Flower bubbly and it may officially be one of my favorite canned wines. I don’t know what has gotten into me lately, but there’s nothing better than canned wines by the pool. I may just be a sucker for cute packages. My brother and Abby made the most delicious Caesar salads for dinner on Thursday night. I cannot wait to make these again!

They massaged kale with the vegan Caesar dressing from Trader joes, topped it with homemade air-fried gluten-free croutons (I’ll have to ask about the seasoning they used!), toasted and seasoned cashews, vegan parmesan, and seasoned grilled shrimp on top.

I’ll be making this in my near future!
We spent the evening listneing to music, drinking wine, and playing cornhole outside on the porch. The weather couldn’t have been any more perfect. I was up bright and early so I could fit in some reading time. I knew with my brother visiting, I’d fall behind on book club, but luckily, I fit in my chapters early morning. My brother LOVES disc golfing, something I’ve never done. He mapped out a few courses to play while visiting, and we started at a course in Tega Cay. I’m happy we explored there because the park was right on the water, a few miles from my house, and I can’t wait to bring the dogs there to run.

We spent the morning disc golfing and I wasn’t too bad at it! I like doing things I’m good at, and if I’m horrible at something, I usually check out pretty quickly. That’s probably a quality I should work on lolAfter cleaning off, we all headed to Waxhaw to walk around the shops and grab a coffee at Crossroads coffee. I’ve been going to this place for the past six years, and I love that they’re still going strong. I ordered a small iced chai latte with almond milk and an extra shot of espresso. After exploring Waxhaw, we headed to Spice in Kingsley to have dinner. This has become one of my favorite restaurants! I always order their grilled salmon salad with a side of white rice. After dinner, we headed to go play mini golf! I forgot how fun it is, so we’ll definitely have to go back soon. When we got home, I made pineapple Dolewhip and we hung out in the kitchen chatting past midnight. Even though we went to bed late, we were up bright and early so we could go to play tennis. It felt SO GOOD to be back on the courts. It’s been a while, and the weather was barely over 70, so the perfect time to play. We had so much fun! I can’t wait to play again this weekend. After tennis, I ordered a pumpkin cream cold brew with almond milk and it was DELICIOUS. I forgot to order it without the classic, but the extra sugar was fine by me because I was exhausted and needed all the energy I could get. For breakfast, I had a gluten-free English muffin, avocado, everything but the bagel seasoning, and a protein smoothie. The smoothie has frozen peaches, raspberries, almond milk, raw fusion vanilla plant-based protein powder, and pumpkin seed protein powder. The pumpkin seed protein powder is super high magnesium and iron. It doesn’t taste like pumpkin at all, but still keeps things creamy while added extra nutrients. We headed to Charlotte on Saturday afternoon to stop by some breweries, grab lunch, and dinner. We first stopped in NoDa for Cabo Fish Taco, Heist Brewery, Birdsong Brewing Co for cider, beer, and Kombucha, and the Wooden Robot for our final brewery stop. We picked up pizza at Blaze on the way home and ended our evening on the patio having dinner and dessert. My next-door neighbor brought over a gluten-free Nothing Bundtz Cake, and WOW! It was my first time having one and it was delicious. Dangerously delicious. I was up early with my coffee and snuck in a few chapters of my book. I also picked these gorgeous purple velvet roses from my garden. Right now, all of my rose bushes have hundreds of buds and they will be in full bloom next week! I can’t wait to share those photos. I decided that I’ll be planting more rose bushes where the annuals are right now. They grow the best here with the clay dirt and they are low-maintenance. Some of the roses bushes I planted are already over my head and I’m 5’8!  We spent almost all morning and afternoon out on the Winthrop Lake disc golf course. My arm still feels like it’s going to fall off after all of the frisbee throwing, but I was so proud of my performance. I had a ton of pars and birdies, which is great for only my second time playing. I definitely think this is a sport I’d like to play again! We packed up the dogs and headed to my parent’s house for a fun backyard barbecue on Sunday night! I made my Frose recipe to bring over because it’s super refreshing! It’s just peaches and rose in my ice cream maker. I love making it homemade because there are no added syrups or sugars.
We spent the evening playing backyard games, swimming, and ending the night by the fireplace. I was cuddled under a blanket because of how chilly it was outside! I made my gluten-free fluffy pancakes for breakfast! I added bananas and blueberries to mine. My brother made vegan maple sausage and scrambled eggs for the side! This was a perfect breakfast before hitting the neighborhood trails. I jogged a bit but did 7.48 miles mostly walking and listening to podcasts. When it’s not miserably hot outside, it’s a lot easier to workout! The weekend definitely ended with a bang! We spent some time at the pool, and then T.C. and Abby made the most delicious vegan potato soup! She shared the recipe so I could blog it soon. I had it for dinner last night because it was so good and I’ll also be eating it again today! Our neighbors (the same that put on our 4th of July show) did the Labor Day weekend fireworks and they were stunning!

I dropped them off at the airport in the morning and was sad to see them go, but can’t wait to visit them next! Now, time to clean the house and get it ready for my Fall decorating video

Questions for you!

1. How was your Labor Day weekend?
2. Are you currently reading any of the Book Club picks?
3. Are you getting any Fall weather?

I’m so excited because Kyle and I are heading to Savannah this afternoon! His mom is meeting us there for the weekend, and we cannot wait to explore and show her around. No matter how many times we visit, it never gets old. Before I let the recap blogs build-up over the holidays, I wanted to fit one in! Today, I’m sharing everything we did over the holidays. We had a super chill Christmas, and it was even more special because my brother and his girlfriend came to visit. 
I didn’t want a single gift this Christmas. I made pact with my brother and family that we wouldn’t get each other gifts and we would just play games, eat food, and relax instead. Of course, my mom still had to get me a few things, but I felt less stressed, not worrying about shopping or figuring out where I’d put new things. Since we are going to be selling the house soon, less stuff in my house is ideal. Overal, less gifts = less stress!

I did pick up a few things but made sure to shop local. I found a cute gift boutique store in Rock Hill that had the most adorable and unique things! This was about all the Christmas shopping I had to do.  
My brother’s flight from L.A. got delayed to the next morning, so I decided to take my mom to get her first gel manicure. I’ve been obsessed with these lately, and luckily, that’s the gift my mom got me. I’m not mad about it because it’ll save me a ton of money in the long run. I’m that person that always has chipped nails, and I feel like these gel nails have saved me!

I spent the rest of the evening cleaning the house and catching up on Vlogmas.
On Thursday at 5:30 am, I headed to the airport to pick up my brother and his girlfriend. I felt so bad because they took the red-eye from L.A. and had about two hours of sleep.

We sat in the kitchen and talked a bit, made avocado toast, and then they headed upstairs and fell back to sleep. I took the afternoon to catch up on work editing and wedding planning.
On Thursday night, we headed to Barcelona for dinner! This is one of my favorite spots in Charlotte now, thanks to Caitlin (details on dinner here!) We enjoyed so much food and had the best time. I managed to not take one single photo of my food (RARE.)

The next morning, Kyle helped me shoot some photos for a campaign, I spent the day writing, and then we headed out to my parent’s house around 7 pm. This coffee was the only photo I took that day. It’s hard to balance taking pictures for the blog and filming for Vlogmas. We played cornhole in the backyard, ate hibachi, and played fibbage all night. It was a blast!

PS: I don’t enjoy creamer anymore, but Kyle has been drinking coffee with creamer lately. I tried this one, and it’s DELICIOUS! I thought it was worth noting  
The next morning, T.C. Abby and I headed to Grapevine to grab a coffee and walk the Riverwalk. It’s one of my favorite trails, and I haven’t been out there in a while. We did about three miles and then headed back to my place to get ready for a mall day. 
No one likes to shop when they’re hungry. We stopped at Living Kitchen for lunch before heading to the mall.

I was excited to see their nachos on the menu because they were new and tasted delicious! They had corn tortilla chips, black beans, butternut squash queso, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cashew cream, and jalapeños!
Kyle and I split the fire and brimstone burger (my go-to) on gluten-free bread with a side of broccoli Waldorf and black bean soup.

He ordered the almond-cashew mocha latte, and I had a shot of espresso with kale lemonade. His mocha latte was so good but rich like a dessert. 
Kyle and I spent some time at Arhaus looking at the couches and chairs. We have been couch shopping for the new house, and I think we are going to go with their furniture. They’re hard to find because we have to get to of the same couches, and they have to be 9 ft to fill the space. These would be perfect, and we can choose from so many different colors. 
After the mall, we met up with a few more friends at Fern for dinner! I had to make sure to show off all the vegan spots in Charlotte in hopes that T.C. will want to move here one day  
I ordered the Chimichanga with tofu, sofritas, mixed vegetables, avocado, salsa, and refried beans. It usually comes in a tortilla, but if you have them serve it over tortilla chips, it’s gluten-free. It was delicious! I want to recreate this recipe at home. 
After dinner, we headed to Pins Mechanical for a fun game-night. This spot was unreal! They have this game called porch pong, and the winners get to keep playing until they lose. Abby and I were on the longest winning streak of the night taking out everyone for an hour and a half. It was one of the most fun nights ever! We made a few too many frat boys upset. 
On Sunday, we took it easy, shopped around a few boutiques, and then headed to my parent’s house to relax and have dinner. I cooked up a salad, Daiya vegan pizza, and Annie’s vegan gluten-free mac and cheese. Now, that’s my kind of dinner
We decided to celebrate Christmas on Monday since Abby and T.C. were leaving on Christmas eve. I spent the day finishing up my flower project, which I’m so happy how it turned out! I’ll make sure to get photos of it when it’s up on the wall. And a DIY post is coming soon!
When we got to my parent’s house, they had SO MUCH FOOD prepared. My mom made salad, fruit bowl, bruschetta, pepper jelly dip, chips, salsa, crackers, cheese spread, coconut shrimp, brussels sprouts, potatoes, chicken fingers, crab legs, salmon, and more…We were ROLLING out of the kitchen after eating. 
My parent’s set up the most incredible scavenger hunt for us. I filmed it for Vlogmas if you want to check that out! It was pretty funny.

Such a fun night! I’m truly blessed. 
Kyle and I had coffee and relaxed on Christmas Eve morning. We were tired from the night before!
When we drove by the house to check it out, we saw that there were a lot of workers putting up the frame. We decided to go pick them up some Krispy Kreme donuts as a thank you for working so hard, especially on the holiday. It’s cool to meet the people that are building the home we will be living in one day. 
We spent Christmas Eve playing yard games, drinking coffee, eating all the leftovers, and watching Christmas movies with my parents. 
On Christmas morning, Kyle and I decided to take a 6-mile hike along the river! It was a beautiful day and the perfect way to spend it. 
55-degrees on Christmas morning? Yes, Please! 
It’s happening!!!

By the way, I decided to start an Instagram to document the house. You can follow it here! I’ll be sharing all the updates, design ideas, and more!
Standing on my front porch!!
After our hike and house check-up, I headed to Caitlin’s to drop off her gift. She and her mom made me gluten-free and dairy-free frosted sugar cookies for Christmas. I was so so so so excited. I hadn’t had a cookie all season, and I didn’t feel like baking at all. The cookies were so good that Kyle and I scarfed down three of them (each) in the car! I have them in my freezer now, and it’s a cookie battle with Kyle and me.
Christmas night, my dad made homemade soup, and we watched The Family Stone  
On Thursday morning, Kyle and I headed out to pick up our marriage license! It’s getting real! Also, wedding planning is hard lol  
For lunch, I had avocado toast! I use Udi’s gluten-free bread with avocado, everything but the bagel season, chili flakes, and fried egg.

I know I’m such a Grinch, but I immediately took my Christmas decorations down. I needed to get rid of the clutter and start the 2020 year fresh! I wanted to come home from Savannah and not worry about cleaning.
Kyle and I decided to make bibimbap for dinner. We hadn’t had it in a while, and I was excited to try it out with my air-fried tofu! The dinner ended up being unreal, and I have to recreate this for a blog recipe. My new year’s goal is to get more recipes back on the blog. I’ve been cooking a lot, but not documenting as much. I think I’m just too excited about the new kitchen!

You can expect this recipe in January!! 
I hope you all had a fantastic holiday!

I hope to hop on here to blog before the new year, but if not, I’ll pop in to reply to all your comments. This has been one incredible year, and I’m so lucky to have all of you here with me to experience it. LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Questions for you!

1. Did you have a good holiday?
2. Any goals for the new year?
3. What are you MOST looking forward to in 2020?

After four consecutive days of rain and cold weather last week, all I wanted to do was get outside. I needed to feel the warmth from the sun, breath in the fresh air, and connect with nature as I do every day. When the seasons change, I start to feel less energetic and a bit gloomy. I’ve heard of a lot of people telling me that they could relate to these changes as soon as the darker days and colder weather strikes. The best way to beat these “winter blues” is to acknowledge it, and create a game plan to lift our spirits during the winter.

I try to soak up as much outdoor time as I possibly can during the colder months. Being active outside during the day helps me sleep better at night, it lightens up my mood, and it simply makes me feel better. I don’t let the winter stop me from walking my dogs three miles a day, or hiking my favorite trails on the weekends. I’m so excited to be partnering up with Backcountry today to share some of my favorite products for keeping warm and comfortable while staying active outside this season. The holidays are right around the corner, and I’ll be stocking up on some warm hats, gloves, and sweaters for my family members. Don’t forget to use the code: TARALYNN15 for 15% off your first purchase!
One of our favorite things to do on the weekend is taking the dogs to local trails. Last year, I blogged about the six-month training program we participated in with our dogs. We put in many hours towards helping our dogs (and us) feel comfortable and confident enough to be around other animals and people. Leo was on the shy side and afraid of everything, while Grumples showed leash-aggression towards other dogs. After putting in the work, we can finally enjoy a walk together without having to leave the dogs at home. It broke my heart because I knew they loved walking trails, but they didn’t know how to behave. Nowadays, it finally feels right. These moments together are what I live for the most. They are no doubt my GOATworthy moments. These trail walks are what brightens my day and keep me happy during the colder months. And with warmer coats, hats, and gloves, we can incorporate more of them into our winter routine. 

On Saturday morning, we headed 45-minutes north to one of our favorite hiking spots. It was a pretty cold morning, but I didn’t mind because I was excited to wear my new Backcountry gear. Sometimes the colder mornings put me in a “stay inside and eat pancakes” type of mood, but I always feel so much better once I’ve spent time out in nature. 
We are still experiencing the beautiful changing of the leaves in the Carolinas. Some trees are completely bare, while some are just now starting to change. It’s a shame to miss out on trail hikes this time of year because of how beautiful it is.

Wearing layers is key when it comes to hiking. It always starts out really cold and then get’s warmer as we get deeper into the trail. Kyle and I both wore extremely warm coats from Backcountry. If you are looking for the perfect winter coat to gift this holiday season to your dad, boyfriend, brother, or whomever, you will want to check out this Patagonia Isthmus Jacket for men. To be honest, Kyle is extremely picky with styles and what he will and won’t wear. I surprised him with this pick, and I was shocked at how much he loved it. It was a little warmer this morning, but he still put it on to go to work knowing it wasn’t cold enough for a big thick jacket. He was like a little kid excited to go to school in his new coat. I thought it was the cutest (I’m sure he’ll appreciate me sharing this embarrassing moment with you all.) The men’s Isthmus jacket is made from sturdy wind and water resistant material. This is why I’ve added the coat to my dad’s holiday gift list. He does so much woodwork outside, and this is the perfect coat that’ll hold up without all the wear and tear. I think it’s pretty cool that the insulation is eco-friendly and made with recycled material.
I have had a black Patagonia jacket on my wishlist for so long. I love that it’s lightweight so I can wear thick sweaters underneath. The insulation helps you stay warm during the brutally cold winter days. When you’re hiking, it’s always annoying to walk through unexpected sharp thorns grabby branches that easily rip your coat. The Patagonia Nano Puff jacket has recycled ripstop exterior to prevent those rips and tears! It’s like they’ve thought of everything. There are two external and internal pockets for gloves, dog treats, doggy waste bags, and more. I kept my vlogging camera in one of the pockets while hiking on Saturday. This jacket comes in ten colors! I think this coat looks good with a pair of jeans or leggings. It’s almost unbelievable that a jacket this lightweight can keep you so warm. I’m extremely excited about this one!
Underneath my coat, I had the softest Stoic Popcorn Knit pullover on. The last time I ordered a Stoic top from Backcountry, I fell in love! This time was no different. I know I’ll be spending many cozy nights in this pullover. The fabric is thick and so soft. After reading all of the reviews, I knew I had to have it. I love how proactive customers are when it comes to leaving reviews on the products. It helps when it comes to picking out sizes and colors. I would normally wear a medium, but after reading the reviews I ordered a small, and it fit perfectly. If you’re a lover of good quality comfort, this pullover has your name all over it.
We are constantly outside with the dogs each day, so keeping a stash of gloves and hats in the closet is crucial. My day doesn’t start until the dogs have been walked, and this time of year, that requires putting on warm socks, warm gloves, hats, and a big coat. Winter accessories like this are always a great stocking stuffer. I think my main frustration with gloves in the winter is finding ones that aren’t bulky and actually keep your hands warm. The only gloves that have ever met my requirements are the Smartwool gloves. I’m already a fan of their warm socks, but their gloves are lifesavers in the winter! I think these Smartwool Striped Liner gloves are absolutely adorable, and they are everything you could dream of in a glove. Warm? Check! Soft? Check! Functional? Check! They come in a few different colors, and I have a feeling they’ll be in my stocking this year.  Another great thing about Backcountry is that they can ship out your order over $50 within 2-days for free. This is so convenient when it comes to last-minute plans (especially for last-minute holiday shoppers.)

Kyle used to steal all my winter beanies, so I’m so excited that he has a few of his own now. These are always a great gift idea for men! I picked out the Backcountry Watch Beanie for him, and I was so happy with the quality. It was thick, warm, and durable. I loved all the neutral colors it came in but went with the olive color.

If I don’t wear beanies while being outside in the cold, I get extreme earaches. I’ve been like that since a kid, so I’m always looking for warm beanies. I’ve been trying to find one with a pom on the top and fell in love with this Backcountry Solstice Pom beanie as soon as I saw it. This beanie is so thick and warm. Not an ounce of wind or cool air made its way through the hat, and I’ll always appreciate a beanie that does the job right.

It’s true that Backcountry carries the best outdoor brands and products that are both technical and stylish. I’ve discovered so many new brands that I plan to purchase more from. I love the variety of my favorite items. If you do find something you love on Backcountry, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute at checkout to Backcountry and The Nature Conservancy to help support its mission of protecting the lands and waters on which all life depends. Backcountry has been a partner with The Nature Conservancy since 2008. 
One of my goals for getting myself outside this winter is to attempt picking up running again. I’m a little nervous after my post-half marathon injury, but it’s something I’ve been craving and a great excuse to get myself outside. Of course, I’m going to start small. The first step into picking up where I left off was finding a new pair of running shoes. Backcountry has so many great running shoes to select from, and I was really excited to try out these new Brooks Ricochet Running Shoes this winter. One of the cool things about Leo is that he loves running with me. Whenever I do a mile run around my neighborhood, he comes along with, so he may be my partner in crime as I work up my mileage again. I did a few tests runs with these new running shoes, and I was pretty impressed with how comfortable and light they were. It’s scary switching brands after running with the same shoe for so many years, but I think this a smart move. If you’re in the market for a new pair of running shoes, you may want to check these out. 
When we hike with the dogs, we make sure to always pack their treats, extra water, bowls, a doggy first aid kit, and wipes in a backpack. This Patagonia Arbor 20L Daypack is adorable, and light for trail walks. It comes in six different colors, but I’m all about purple right now! Not only is it great for the trail, but it’s great for traveling. I plan on taking this bag with me as my carryon during our Thanksgiving travels. The material is thick and sturdy with so many useful pockets. The design is made up of recycled polyester that provides durability and weather resistance for rainy days. When we were at Disney World a few weeks ago, we got caught in the rain but were so lucky because all of our things were safe and dry inside the Patagonia backpack. It really does hold up well. The straps are also comfortable, which made me forget I was wearing the bag half of the time. 

Reach out to Backcountry’s gearheads if you don’t know what to pack on your next big adventure. All of Backcountry’s gearheads are experts in their fields, whether it’s mountain climbing, yoga, running, skiing, and so on! The gearheads have tons of knowledge about what gear you’ll need for your next adventure. One of my family members loves to ski, and I’ll be relying on one of the Backcountry gearheads to help me choose some items for them this holiday season.

I’ve talked about these Ruffwear Hi & Light Harness and leashes before, but we are still so in love with them. The harness comes in different sizes, colors, and has a pocket on the top to store things like keys, treats, doggy bags, or an emergency kit. If you’re a dog owner, you’ll be impressed with the dog-selection Backcountry has. We use the long Knot-A-Leash for Leo, and I love that it matches the harness. I like this leash because Leo isn’t a “puller” so it allows him to have some lead and feel like he’s roaming free without being off leash. The quality of the rope is fantastic, and it’s made well and built to last for years. This is the perfect leash when we run together.

I know I’ve mentioned before that I like to hike in leggings. If you’re also a leggings girl, you’ll fall in love with the selection of leggings that Backcountry carries. The leggings I wore out hiking on Saturday were unbelievable. The last two leggings I have received from Backcountry have both blew me away. The leggings I wore are the Beyond Yoga Spacedye High Waisted (YES PLEASE) midi legging. The word “soft” is an understatement for these. When you read the reviews for these leggings, you’ll understand why I’m obsessed! Be right back while I order the rest of the colors because I plan on living in these all winter long.
Just in case you’reinterested in the items featured in this post, I provided a chart to make it easier for you! All of the links are below.
1. Backcountry x Hydro Flask Medallion Water Bottle 32 oz
2. Brooks Ricochet Running Shoes
3. Beyond Yoga Spacedye High Waisted Midi Legging
4. Smartwool Striped Liner Glove
5. Patagonia Arbor 20L Daypack
6. Backcountry Solstice Pom Beanie
7. Patagonia Isthmus Jacket
8. Backcountry Watch Beanie
9. Ruffwear Knot-A-Leash
10. Ruffwear Hi & Light Harness
11. Stoic Popcorn Knit Pullover
12. Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Jacket

Don’t forget to use code TARALYNN15 for 15% off your first Backcountry order!

Questions for you!

1. How do you beat the “winter blues?”
2. What is one item from Backcountry you’d like to add to your wish list this year?

Thank you guys so much for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

This post was sponsored by Backcountry, and ALL opinions are my own. 

As a lifestyle blogger, I spend most of my mornings, afternoons, and nights working behind the computer screen. I think it’s safe to say that most of us spend our lives engaged in technology and the hustle and bustle of the internet. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I love the creative space that the internet provides, and I love being inspired by others while browsing social media. If the internet didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be able to live this dream and connect with people all around the world. The key is having a balance between technology and real life. We shouldn’t allow technology to alter our minds or affect our emotions. Maybe your balance is spending less time browsing the internet and more time diving into a favorite book. For me, I need to get outside and move. Taking walks surrounded by fresh air and beautiful nature helps me stay grounded and more connected with what’s happening in my life. I take that time to reflect on my day, to set goals, and to just take a step back and breathe. Technology is a temporary distraction, but nature is a realistic vision of what life actually is.

Before the sun rises, I lace up my shoes, leash up my dogs, and head out on our first walk of the day. I escape from the computer at noon and take them out for another walk. When I shut my computer down for the night, I take them out on one more walk. These walks drastically change my mood, my work focus, and they also keep my dogs healthy. Even if you’re walking the neighborhood, you’re still getting a dose of nature. Any small amount can make a significant difference. I have dealt with anxiety my entire life, and walking has been the most helpful component in helping me feel better when I’m having just one of those days.

I’m beyond excited to be partnering with one of my favorite brands, Backcountry, for today’s blog post. Not only do they have great accessories and apparel for outdoor adventures, but I always feel inspired to create GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) moments after reading their posts. Just this morning, I started browsing ski trips after looking through their feed. That’s the kind of inspiration I crave. All of the items in today’s blog post are from Backcountry, and I can’t wait to talk about why I chose them. 

Last weekend, my best friend and I headed up to the National Pisgah Forest to hike some of the trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway located northeast of Asheville. Every year, we go on an annual hike at Looking Glass Rock trail in the National Pisgah Forest but have never explored this part of it, so we were very excited about discovering new parts of North Carolina. We are so lucky to live two hours from the gorgeous mountains. I have about twenty more trails on my North Carolina bucket list to tackle.

The mountains were so chilly, which set the fall mood. I love the trails once fall hits because it’s almost too brutally hot to do anything outside in the Carolina summers. Seeing the trees change colors along the Blueridge Parkway is breathtaking. I’m so glad we decided to spend our Sunday experiencing the beauty of it all.

Hiking in the fall can be funny. We quickly go from burning hot to freezing within minutes. Packing extra pieces is essential when the temperature changes throughout the day.  Some of the trails we walked were only a mile long, and some were two miles. We made sure to pack our hats, sweaters, warm socks, and lightweight items as well. We had no idea how we were going to feel at any given moment. Reach out to Backcountry’s gearheads if you don’t know what to pack on your next big adventure. All of Backcountry’s gearheads are experts in their fields, whether it’s mountain climbing, yoga, running, skiing, and so on! The gearheads have tons of knowledge about what gear you’ll need for your next adventure.

Taking a road trip in hiking boots isn’t ideal. I love wearing comfortable shoes on the drive that I can change before starting a trail. On the drive up, I wore the Birkenstock Arizona Soft Foot Bed Suede Sandal. These are some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. They are also functional for when you need something to slide on before heading to the grocery store, or walking the town with a cup of coffee. They come in several colors and fit very true to size. They are a great sandal to invest in because you know they’ll last for many years with how durable they are built.

Speaking of comfort, let’s talk about these leggings. I thought I had already owned the most comfortable and flexible leggings until I put on the Prana Pillar Leggings. I spend about 70% of the colder months in leggings, so I’ll be purchasing a couple more of these. Legging purchases can be complicated because they have to fit in all the right places, have flexibility, and the fabric has to be light, but not seethrough. The fabric breathes well for physical activities, and I love the small hidden pocket for things like keys or dog treats. I’m that girl that always has dog treats in my pockets! 

On the small trails we hiked, we left the backpack in the car and just took a fanny pack with us. If you don’t have a fanny pack, you’re missing out. They are so convenient for holding car keys, phones, a small camera, chapstick, bandaids, or snacks. I’ll even take one with me while walking the dogs in the neighborhood for their waste bags, my phone, and treats. The pack I’m wearing is the Mini Patagonia Lightweight Travel Pack. It’s a perfect size and comes in different colors. It’s water resistant, which is so convenient for keeping your electronics safe. The color options for these fanny packs are so much fun. I chose the dark currant color because I loved the pop of teal.

One of my absolute favorite tops I own now is the Stoic Texture Knit Scoop Pullover. It feels like you’re swimming in silk. This is the type of sweater you can live in and never take off. It’s cozy, lightweight, and it’ll fit any occasion. This pullover is perfect for the hikes that are hot one moment and cold the next. This sweater is appropriate for all four seasons. The sleeves are oversized, which is perfect for comfort. My mom tried it on, and I was afraid she wasn’t going to give it back, so I may have to order her one for Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, I’m getting my boyfriend, brother, and dad a pair of these Smartwool socks. They are super comfortable and cozy! They contain layered wool in high-impact zones for extra cushion, have an arch brace that holds the sock in place to reduce blisters or bunching, no annoying seams at the toes, and made from merino wool to keep the moisture away from the foot. They are incredible for walking the dogs in the freezing temperatures in the winter. You can choose from many colors and sizes.
Wearing hats is an absolute must for me. Too much cold air and wind hitting my ears can leave me with extreme headaches or pain that feels similar to swimmers ear. I can never have enough hats! This Coal Julietta Beanie hat comes in ten different colors! I want all of them. I love the slouchy look, and the lightweight material is very comfortable. The color I ordered is called Mauve.

Pullovers are another one of my favorite items to rock during the colder months, especially while hiking. I loved this Patagonia Los Gatos pullover so much that I had to have it in several colors. It’s SO warm! You can tell how soft it is just by looking at it. Because it’s slim fit, I recommend sizing up! The color I’m wearing is the shadow blue. I also ordered the calcium color. When we sat down to have lunch, we started to get cold because we weren’t moving anymore, so it came in handy. I’ll be hanging these up in my downstairs coat closet for easy access this winter.

When we got down to the bottom of the mountain, we had one more trail to walk before heading to town for coffee.

The Backcountry Super Stretch Twill Pants I’m wearing are unreal. They are called “super stretch” for a reason! I can’t get over how well these are made. I’ve always been a “hike in leggings” type of person, but these pants have entirely changed my mind. They are the type of pants you can wear on a hike, but also style them a bit differently for a day at work. I love the zipper detail at the bottom, and the deep pockets are functional (finally.) My cell phone actually fits in the pockets with room leftover. One thing that I love about purchasing things on Backcountry is that people are active on leaving reviews. Before ordering an item, I can go through the comments and see if I should size up or size down. After reading reviews, I sized up, and they were right! They fit perfect.  The color I’m wearing is midnight, but I’ll be going broke because I’m about to order the olive color too. These pants will fit into any lifestyle.

Another great thing about Backcountry is that they can ship out your order over $50 within 2-days for free. This is so convenient when it comes to last-minute plans.
I thought it would be fun to change things up a bit and step out of my sweater box and buy a flannel top. I’m so glad I did because I fell in love. The fabric is super soft, and I don’t feel restricted when it comes to movement. I’ve always had a hard time finding flannels that fit me because I have broader shoulders. This airy woven shirt is the perfect fall layer. The cloth isn’t thick so that you won’t get overheated out in the sun. I’m so amazed at how much I liked this. Sometimes, trying new things is worth it. It was perfect for walking downtown with a cup of coffee.

It’s true that Backcountry carries the best outdoor brands and products that are both technical and stylish. I’ve discovered so many new brands that I plan to purchase more from. I love the variety of my favorite items. If you do find something you love on Backcountry, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute at checkout to Backcountry and The Nature Conservancy to help support its mission of protecting the lands and waters on which all life depends. Backcountry has been a partner with The Nature Conservancy since 2008. 
Sometimes, finding our escape to nature isn’t hours away. It can be right in our backyard. Once in a while, Leo and I head ten miles up the road to one of our favorite trails to have coffee and explore. I always pack a blanket and camera equipment in my backpack.

There are so many backpacks to choose from on Backcountry. The one I have here is the Fjallraven 20L Backpack. It’s the perfect daypack, and I love the padded pocket for my laptop. It is very spacy and built durable. I love that it has two side pockets for water bottles. I keep my coffee on one side and water on the other.

Leo’s wearing the Ruffwear harness. It’s our absolute favorite! It comes in different sizes, colors, and has a pocket on the top to store things like keys, treats, doggy bags, or an emergency kit. If you’re a dog owner, you’ll be impressed with the dog-selection Backcountry has. The long Knot-A-Leash is also Ruffwear, and I love that it matches the harness. I like this leash because Leo isn’t a “puller” so it allows him to have some lead and feel like he’s roaming free without being off leash. The quality of the rope is fantastic, and it’s made well and built to last for years. 
I had many of you asking for details on some of the products from the last time I partnered up with Backcountry! I thought I’d put together a little link chart to make it easier for you! If you want more details about the products in today’s post, all of the links are available below!

Use code TARALYNN15 for 15%off your first purchase at Backcountry! 

FEATURED ITEMS
1. Backcountry Airy Woven Shirt
2. Yeti Limited Edition Rambler Mug
3. Patagonia Los Gatos 1/4 Zip (Shadow Blue)
4. Fjallraven Raven 20L Backpack
5. Patagonia Los Gatos 1/4 Zip (Calcium)
6. Ruffwear Knot-A-Leash
7. Backcountry Super Stretch Twill Pants
8. Ruffwear Light Harness
9. Danner Jag Hiking Boots
10. Prana Pillar Leggings
11. Coal Julietta Beanie
12. Smartwool Socks
13. Stoic Texture Knit Scoop Pullover
14. Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Suede Sandal
15. Mini Patagonia Lightweight Travel Hip Pack
I want to send three readers a Coal beanie in the color of their choice! Visit Backcountry website, and comment with the Coal beanie color you’d like to win! & don’t forget to use code TARALYNN15 for 15% off your first purchase!

Questions for you!

1. What color beanie would you like to win?
2. What outdoor adventures do you look forward to in the fall?
3. I want you to pick my next GOAT worthy moment! Where shall I go and what shall I do!?

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading today’s post! This post was sponsored by Backcountry, but ALL opinions are my own!

WINNERS: (I’ll be emailing you!)
GABRIELLE (Gcast****e@gmail.com)
HAYDEN S.
ALLIE (allisonb**@rog***.com)

This post is sponsored by Backcountry. Thank you for supporting, Simply Taralynn!

We all connect with nature differently, and what we take from it is all up to us. I spend a lot of time indoors writing, creating content, and as soon as I step outside, my mood changes, my energy increases, and my stress levels start dropping. You don’t have to go backpacking, rock climbing, or water rafting to connect with nature. It can be as simple as walking your dogs, sketching a scenery at the park, or roasting marshmallows by the fire. What makes you get outside is what builds your personal and unique relationship with nature. 
There are so many things that get me outside, and lately, I’ve been conquering new adventures that I’ve been afraid of like swimming at night with the manta rays, snorkeling in shark-infested waters, joining a local tennis club (where I knew absolutely no one), jumping out of airplanes, flyfishing, and even taking a surfing lesson. I’m always looking for new ways to connect with nature, and each time I try something new, I feel like the relationship between nature and I grows stronger.

This past weekend, I escaped to the North Carolina mountains to spend time in nature with the ones I love. Spending the weekend without social media distractions and waking up to the mountain views instead of my T.V. screen was very therapeutic. I’m excited to be partnering with Backcountry today to talk about what gets me outdoors, and I hope you feel inspired to plan your next adventure! I’m also going to be sharing some helpful tips for outdoor photography. 
With every trip, there’s packing. There are two types of packers. #1. The super neat and functional packer and #2. The packer that creates a tornado scene just to fill one bag with everything they don’t need. I’ll let you decide which one I am.

When you’re going away for the weekend, you only need one or two small bags. For this trip, I packed my clothes in a lightweight Patagonia duffel. I had been looking for a duffel bag this size for so long. It’ll fit perfectly on the airplane with me, and won’t be too large to carry around. It fit all of my outfits comfortably and kept me from overpacking. I struggle with packing way more than I need. I kept all of my toiletries in the large side pocket to remain separate from my clothing.

I chose a matching backpack to carry my laptop, camera equipment (chargers, tripod, extra lens, sd cards), and other essential gadgets. The bag has a padded pocket for laptop protection which I liked.

There are countless duffel bags and backpack options to choose from on Backcountry. If you have a trip coming up, make sure to browse their selection.
Once it cools down here in the Carolinas, Kyle and I are going to go on a camping trip with the dogs. You guys know how seriously I take my coffee and snacks. I don’t function well without either of them. Backcountry has a section with non-perishable food, camping kitchen supplies, and everything you can imagine. I especially loved all their coffee and teapot options. The Kuju Pocket PourOver Coffee is great for outdoor camping, but to be completely honest, I’m planning on using these for when the power goes out during the hurricane later this week. Actually, a lot of the kitchen supplies on Backcountry make for smart hurricane preparation.

If you need something last minute, Backcountry offers free 2-day shipping on ALL orders over $50 across the country!

Their backpacking food selection includes all kinds of options! They have trail mix, oatmeal, mac and cheese, biscuits and gravy, couscous, and more! I’m excited to stock up on all of these fun goodies before we take off for our camping trip.
We took the dogs down to the lake for an afternoon of fishing on the dock. I love seeing the dogs in their element. They’ll do anything to be outside, and nothing makes me happier than seeing them run around and get dirty. Dogs only live a short time here on earth, and it’s important to let them get wild in the mud, swim in the lake, and expose them to nature daily. It fuels their souls and makes them the happiest dogs in the world. The dogs and I start every morning at 5:30 am with a mile and a half dog walk around the neighborhood. We also end our nights the same way. 
The Muir Woods Redwood v-neck shirt I’m wearing is perfect a hot day out in the sun. It’s lightweight, and great for layering if you wanted to add a flannel on top. Backcountry has a ton of stylish, yet technical, clothing from different brands to wear for your everyday activities. Whether it’s yoga, hiking, running errands, they’ll have something that fits your lifestyle. Backcountry supplies items from the best brands such as Arc’Teryx, Patagonia, Fjallraven, Black Diamond, and more! I’ve been introduced to some new brands after looking at their website.
For the past two years, we have been big fans of Ruffwear for the dogs. I get asked about these heavy-duty harnesses daily! If your dogs are active and love being out in nature with you, then you’ll enjoy the dog section Backcountry provides. You’ll be able to find Ruffwear dog beds, boots, collars, leashes, portable bowls, doggy medical kits, toys, blankets, and more. The harnesses that Grumples and Leo are wearing come in different sizes, colors, and have a pocket on the top to store things like keys, treats, doggy bags, or an emergency kit. Plus, they look so stinkin’ cute in them! The dogs put these harnesses to the test! They’ve swam with them in the ocean, the lake, and have worn them on some pretty rainy hikes. They hold up perfectly!

Since our dogs wear them several times a day, we wash them at the end of the month by soaking them in the sink with a drop of detergent, rinse them, and let them air dry. They always come out looking brand new. 
I’ve recently been diving into the YouTube world. Most of my adventures are now filmed, and its so much fun! I love watching back all of the special moments and reliving them all over again. I also found it difficult to carry around my camera for vlogging, a camera for photography, and my cell phone. This pocket purse is a lifesaver! The material is heavy duty and holds my vlogging camera, credit card, and cell phone perfectly. I don’t have to juggle everything in my hands or jean pockets anymore. It comes in more than eleven colors, and I wish I could have them all. I went with the plum color. You can also adjust the straps to make it fall where you prefer. I highly recommend this to everyone!

Backcountry has a lot of great apparel for men. All of the men in my life will be receiving gifts from Backcountry this year! I love their casual items that can be worn in their everyday lives. I was showing my mom all of the apparel for men on Backcountry, and she ended up buying my dad a few new t-shirts and shorts to mow the lawn in, build furniture, and even some new trunks for the pool. I believe they call these types of items #outleisure!
If you have a new adventure planned and don’t know where to start when it comes to packing or gear, definitely reach out to the gearheads available. All of Backcountry‘s gearheads are experts in their fields, whether it’s mountain climbing, yoga, running, skiing…and so on! The gearheads have tons of knowledge about what gear you’ll need for your next adventure.
What would a mountain weekend be without roasting marshmallows and making smores? You can find portable fire rings and roasting sticks available in the camp kitchen section. 
Backcountry loves to see their customers experiencing the outdoors and going on the adventures of a lifetime. I try to plan adventures and do things that make me happy, even if it’s small things. You all know how much I love my coffee and my crazy obsession with it. On this trip, my favorite part was waking up before the sun and having coffee on the dock by the lake. That moment was one of my favorites. Of course, driving cross-country and camping in national parks is #1 on my ultimate bucket list, but I’m just enjoying the small things for now! I’d like to know what your GOATworthy moment is? Or maybe something you’d like to do in the future. Wait, what the heck is a GOAT moment? Greatest Of All Time, moment. 
I brought these heavy-duty ceramic Backcountry mugs to the cabin with us for morning coffee. They are only $12.95! Backcountry also has my favorite brand of stainless steel bottles. I use the Hydro Flask to keep coffee hot and water cold! I don’t know what I’d do without mine. 
If there was ever a GOATworthy moment…
This Patagonia pullover has quickly become one of my favorite items I own. I’m heading back home to Iowa next month, and I plan on wearing these every single day. Every piece of Patagonia clothing I own has never let me down. They are made to last! This Patagonia is so cozy and made from soft organic cotton. The classic diamond quilted pattern works as an effective heat-trapping system, which is going to come in handy while walking the dogs this winter. I love that the collar stands up to keep your neck warm. Now, I’ll need to get this in every color, and I’ll be set.

One of my favorite parts about being out in nature is the photography.

You don’t have to be professionally trained, or have the most expensive equipment to enjoy taking photos. I think the fun part is learning, experiencing, and growing your talent each time you take a photo or play around with editing.

Here are ten tips for taking photos when you’re out in nature! 

1. Bring your tripod to stabilize your shots.
2. Always strive for natural lighting.
3. Take about five photos of the same shot.
4. Play around with artistic angles. Don’t be afraid to get down on the ground, or climb up a tree.
5. Play around with artistic filters to give your nature photos a personal touch.
6. Bring lens wipes to remove dirt or fog from changing temps
7. Rent new cameras and lenses to test out before you purchase.
8. Aim for candids; those always turn out the best.
9. Wake up before the sun to set up before the sunrise
10. Read articles or watch tutorials online from the pros!

Anytime I take a good photo out in nature; my whole day is made! If I were to ever camp across the U.S., It would probably take me years because I’d be so busy taking photos of everything I pass.



North Carolina is packed with the most beautiful hiking spots. I’ve always worn my tennis shoes out on hikes and complained about my feet hurting for days, so I think it was a smart choice to finally get hiking boots for Kyle and me. These boots are a gamechanger. 

My boots are the Danner Jag Hiking Boot. They are lightweight and made up of suede and canvas material. They are super comfortable and cushioned which makes it feel like I’m walking on a foam mattress. These are perfect if you’re hiking in a wet area because they contain waterproof lining to keep your feet dry. The waffle rubber outsole grip helps you walk safely across a variety of surfaces.

Last year, I’d come inside with ice-cold feet from walking the dogs, so I’m excited to see how these change up my dog walking game!

For me, these ran true to size. I didn’t order up or down, and they fit comfortably.

Kyle picked out the Vasque Sundowner GTX backpacking boot. He said they were the most comfortable boots he’s ever worn. They are also waterproof, full-grain leather, and have a midfoot stabilizer. The sizing ran true to size for him as well. If you’re looking to get a gift for your significant other, these would be perfect!

I think what makes these boots even better was the purchase of the SmartWool socks. This was one of the brands that I learned about after going through the Backcountry site and reading product reviews. These socks are super comfortable and cozy! They contain layered wool in high-impact zones for extra cushion, have an arch brace that holds the sock in place to reduce blisters or bunching, no annoying seams at the toes, and made from merino wool to keep the moisture away from the foot. 
We had fun testing the boots out last weekend. This hat pulled all the mountain weekend outfits together. It’s a khaki patch baseball hat that says “Made For The Mountains.”   
I can’t wait to come back in October when all the leaves on the trees start to change.

If you do find something you love on Backcountry, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute at checkout to Backcountry and The Nature Conservancy to help support its mission of protecting the lands and waters on which all life depends. Backcountry has been a partner with The Nature Conservancy since 2008. 
And just like that, we were home!

Now, there are two types of unpackers….#1. The unpacker who does it right away and #1 an unpacker that unpacks a year later. I’ll let you decide which one I am

Backcountry is offering 15% off your first purchase with the code TARALYNN15

I hope you find something to take with you on your next GOATworthy adventure! If you have any questions about the items I wore or used in this post, let me know in the comments!

Question for you!

1. What is a GOATmoment you’ve had?
2. What is number one on your outdoor bucket list?
3. What adventure would you like to see me go on?

I have an insanely busy weekend coming up mixed with work projects and plans with friends. I’m crossing my fingers I get everything done. Between working on other posts, I’ve been putting together this annual hiking trip blog along with a fun little video. I couldn’t get through the weekend without sharing the fun with you all.

When Becca (my best friend) and I met, we were both in pretty low places in life. I was ending a crappy relationship while fighting my own battles, she was dealing with her struggles while living in a city where she didn’t know anyone, and it’s almost like God planned for us to meet. We instantly became best friends; she is the sister I never had. We started going on walks together, drinking wine on my apartment’s balcony, visiting antique stores, doing photography, and taking many road trips. We pulled each other out of our slumps and helped build each other up to where we are now. I’m so lucky to have a friend like her.

For the past three years, we have made a trip up to Pisgah Forest to hike Looking Glass Rock trail. She asked me to go with her the first time as a celebration of her going an entire year without smoking. Well, now it’s been three years. And I can’t wait for more to come! I had her write up a blog post the first year we went, so make sure to read here to learn her story.

Blog Post Year One // Blog Post Year Two

While I write this post, our little video is being uploaded to YouTube. I am no video guru, so the quality will be improved in the future (no cell phone videos from now on), and I’ll be using a different video camera specifically for filming. If you don’t care for videos, no worries! I’m here with the usual blog post, something I actually know how to do.

Becca and I met up at 10 am to head out for our hike. I had planned on stopping at Earth Fare for snacks, but they shut the highway down because of an accident, so I had to take the backroads. I decided to just pick up some snacks at Starbucks while we got coffee. They always have some pretty unique and healthy snacks (expensive, but better than nothing.)
I was sad when I left my Pisgah trail mix at home! This would have been so fitting for our hike since we were heading to the Pisgah forest.

With only one bathroom stop, we made it to the trail head! Looking Glass Rock is such a fun hike, and I highly recommend it if you’re in the area. I look forward to it every year. It’s a little over 6.5 miles, but since we venture off and explore random parts of the trail, we hit about seven miles on our trackers.

There are so many hikes in North Carolina that I need to do, so I’m adding them all to my list. Now that Kyle’s workload has died down a bit, he can come with me!
We have taken photos on this rock every year. It’s funny to see all the changes we’ve made. This has been one of the best years because we are both in great places in life. 
I’m so in love with my new Adidas windbreaker jacket. It’s super lightweight, and perfect for spring weather. It gets hot and cold while hiking, so it was the perfect medium. It comes in a ton of different colors! It’s on sale right now, and it comes in four different colors. I bought this backpack a year ago, and they finally put it back on the Fabletics site. It’s now 50% off! I’m honestly obsessed with it, and it’s held up incredibly well. It’s called the Outland Backpack. It has so many hidden pockets and sturdy compartments.
About two and a half miles up, there is a helicopter pad that we stop at each year. It’s tradition to get a photo with our peace sign. It looks like it’s faded but still there! We made it to the top!
Honestly, videos and photos don’t do this moment justice. It’s so breathtaking and tranquil up there. The Falcons are nesting, so you’ll see them flying around. 
We were so hungry when we got to the top. I didn’t get the chance to have breakfast, so I was running off of two vegan cookies and a cup of coffee. Thank goodness we brought snacks, and water! I love taking RXBARs on the trails They have some awesome new flavors coming this summer! P.S. I’m obsessed with my Hydro Flask bottle. My water was still ice cold when I got to the top. They are a bit pricier, but a great investment. I chose the blueberry color so Kyle could borrow it. I typically go for pinks or purples  
Every year, we do the jellybean cleanse. (what is the jellybean cleanse?)
Chocolate Sea Salt & Peanut Butter Chocolate are two of my faves!
Holy moly, those Emmy’s Coconut Vanilla Bean Cookies taste just like Almond Joys without the chocolate! THEY WERE INCREDIBLE! My newest addiction for sure. If you like coconut, you have to try these! Now, I have to try their other flavors. 
Time to make our way back down! 
By mile six, we were ready to go!
We want to come back when the trees are full. It still looked like winter in the mountains. 
I think we ran into maybe two people the entire time! I don’t think you should do this trail alone without some protection. Becca and I always carry pepper spray, first aid kits, whistles, and pocket knives. There are some weirdos in the world, and I watch way too much Dateline to not be prepared.
After our seven miles, we headed to the Looking Glass Waterfall! It’s right by the trailhead. 
The views never get old. 
And then we were off to our traditional ice cream stop, Dolly’s! This place is adorable! 
We decided to skip out on stopping for dinner, and headed back because we were zonked (we’re getting old!) We snacked on all the leftovers on the way home. Goodness, the drive home was so pretty! The sun was setting, and the scenery was breathtaking.
Questions for you!

1. We need a good pair of hiking boots, that aren’t too heavy! Any suggestions?
2. Is there a favorite hike of yours that we should travel to?
3. Tell me something that you’re proud of your best friend for.

After commenting with your answers, head over to my YouTube channel to watch our video!

Enough about my yoga morning. I hope you all had fantastic weekends! Mine was fun. Meighan had a work conference in Asheville and asked me if I wanted to come with her so we could hike and hang out on her off hours. I didn’t have anything going on, so I tagged along with her. Asheville is a playground with everything you could ever want. It’s filled with tons of hiking spots, endless coffee shops, restaurants, music, arts, and so much more! If you’ve never been, you should plan a trip.
Last week was cold and rainy. It felt nothing like Spring, but at least it kept me inside staying busy. I had a lot to get done before heading out for the weekend. I developed several new recipes, which will be posted soon. I have ten lined up for the upcoming weeks. Nothing like new and fresh recipes to kick offspring!

Tuesday breakfast while finishing up last week’s recap post: kale salad with avocado and Green Goddess dressing, a side of pears, and over-easy eggs. 
When I finished blogging, I headed out for a long walk with the dogs. This is something I love to do multiple times a day because it keeps me active and it gives my brain a break. And my dogs LOVE it.

When I got back from the walk, I returned to so many sweet comments! I still have some waiting in my moderation box, but I hate posting until I get the chance to reply, so I promise I’ll get to it. I am so grateful to you guys!

I ended up spending the afternoon commenting and chatting with you all while sipping an afternoon cappuccino with one of my chocolate chip muffins on the side. By the way, those muffins are so good. I’ve had about five of you send pictures of your creations, which I’ll post soon! I love seeing you recreate them in the kitchen! For my cappuccino, I used oat milk (i mentioned it in my last recap!) It’s the best for frothing, and it tastes unbelievable!

Oatly Milk
Nespresso and Milk Frother Machine
Later on in the day, I had a big bowl of my protein and matcha yogurt with pears. My protein yogurt had matcha powder, (Vanilla Orgain protein powder, and unsweetened coconut milk yogurt (SoDelicious.)

For dinner, I had kale with green goddess dressing, avocados, grilled chicken, and an everything bagel. 
It actually snowed on Wednesday morning. I couldn’t believe it. I had to bring all of my outdoor plants inside to hang out with us. Leo kept trying to eat the leaves off of the plants (which is why he was sitting in that chair.)

I had a toasted everything bagel with peanut butter and a cappuccino before heading to the gym for pilates. I love the Wednesday pilates class. I used to go all the time in the summer, so it felt good to go back. Pilates, yoga, light jogs, and walking are my go-to’s right now. 
When I got back, I had a kale salad with avocado and leftover tofu kebabs with eggs for lunch.  
I’ve been trying to eat up all the kale. I bought so much last week that I’m still currently eating it right now. I need to go to the grocery store and get some vegetables to roast. I’m going to turn into kale soon. For dinner, I had ground turkey, rice, and…..kale. My ground turkey was seasoned with soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. 
I spent all day cleaning and cooking (recipes for the blog) on Thursday. I also wanted to put some of Kyle’s favorites in the house since he was going to stay at my place and watch the dogs all weekend.

After cleaning, packing, and cooking, I headed uptown! Meighan and I were leaving early Friday morning, and I wanted to avoid morning traffic. I had slow cooked sesame chicken, rice, broccoli, and ground turkey for dinner. Kyle and I ended up watching some weird movie and falling asleep early.
I was up so early on Friday morning! I showered, had some tea, and worked on the computer a bit. I need a couple of hours to wake up before I can officially start my day.

I packed a big cooler of my favorite Kombucha, ginger tea, and snacks for the hotel room.

We got to Asheville mid-morning! Meighan headed to her conference, and I parked a seat at The Green Sage for lunch, coffee, and to work. I had lunch with Becca at the Green Sage almost two years ago, and it was so good! This time, I ordered the citrus kale salad. It had oranges, chicken, avocado, cabbage, carrots, raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and a citrus vinaigrette. It was so good and very inexpensive for the amount they give you. That is a picture of the half size. I can’t imagine what the full looks like! It hit the spot
Later in the evening, Meighan and I walked around the downtown before dinner. I was so excited when I saw a tea shop! I’ve been all about tea lately. I picked up a blood orange tea that smelled incredible. I can’t wait to try it tomorrow morning. I’ll report back! 
We headed to the Twisted Laurel for dinner. I definitely recommend this spot!
I loved the vibe and all the seating options. The food selection was broad! They had pretty much everything. I especially liked that we didn’t hate to wait for seating.
I ordered the seasonal salad with grilled salmon and a side of grilled vegetables. It was all so good! My seasonal salad had spinach, asparagus, onions, peppers, and prosciutto. The vinaigrette dressing was so fresh and earthy. 
On Saturday morning, we headed out to get coffee before Meighan’s conference. I mean, with the ten + hours of sleep we got on Friday night, we definitely needed it…

I headed back to the hotel to work on some projects and then walked around the Biltmore village.
For lunch, I had protein powder mixed with unsweetened coconut milk yogurt with pineapple slices. This is one of my favorite on-the-go go-to’s when I stop at Whole Foods.
We and I decided to go hiking late-afternoon at Dupont Forest. There are so many waterfalls along the trails, bridges, and gorgeous water views. This is one of the prettiest hikes I’ve ever done.
We stopped for a juice break about an hour in. My juice had celery, apple, cucumber, spinach, romaine, kale, lime, lemon, and parsley. I loved it!

How amazing do those lemon energy balls look? Probably not as amazing as they taste! I can’t WAIT to share this recipe with you. I did a little tease on my insta story on Thursday. Omg…they are so good. 
My happy place! 

We packed a ton of snacks just in case we got lost. I mean, there were so many signs and trails that there was no getting lost, but it’s better to be prepared

We got back around six and got cleaned up for our dinner reservations. 
We were so excited about having dinner at Plant. I’m trying to refrain from typing in all caps because my excitement for this place is on a whole new level. If you are ever around Asheville, add this to your list of “musts.” It doesn’t matter if you’re a vegan or not, this food trumps all. I can’t explain to you how amazing each bite was, you have to experience this for yourself. I want to go back and try everything else on the menu. They keep the menu small, so they can remake the dishes daily. There is no food prep or freezing things at Plant; everything is made right when you order it. It takes a really talented chef to create what we ate. It was pretty much beautiful art. 
We started with the cheese plate, and when you visit, you have to start with this too!

How in the world did they make vegan cheese taste better than the original cheese? This plate had aged cashew, farmer’s involtini, rosemary amber pears, pickled turnips, black garlic arugula, and warm toasted house-made gluten-free bread. The bread tasted like it was drenched in butter, and I have no idea how they did it. Each bite of this plate was magical. We fangirled over it until our next courses came out. 
These kimchi Brussels sprouts were unbelievable. UNBELIEVABLE!

I’d love to try to recreate this recipe at home and hope they taste at least a 1/8 as good. They had sesame-peanut dukka, smoked onion, and scallions. 
For my dinner, I ordered the tofu bibimbap. OH. EM. GEEEEE! It had Korean-style chili tofu, grilled bok choy, togarashi, kimchi, purple cabbage, chilled sesame sushi rice, sesame-scallion sauce, toasted cashews, and pea shoots. I wish I could eat this for every meal for the rest of my life. All of the flavors were unique, fresh, and perfect.
Meighan ordered the seitan chili con queso, and it was also just as unbelievable. I had a bite so I can confirm. It had tamale Gordo, grilled farm romaine, cilantro mojo, and pickled jalapeños and onions. 
Even though we were full, we did not want to skip out on dessert. The food was delicious, so we knew the dessert had to be magical. You can’t go to Plant without treating yourself fully!

We went with the blackout pie. It had a pretzel crust, chocolate peanut butter fudge, berry sauce, and salted macadamia nut ice cream. I have no idea how they did it. This was one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in my life. The vegan dessert tasted better than ANY dessert I’ve ever had! Maybe this is what food is actually supposed to taste like SOOOOOOOOO unbelievable. If it were appropriate to lick the plate, I would have. Now, I’m inspired to make a vegan peanut butter fudge for the blog!

After dinner, we rolled into bed, kept talking about how good dinner was, and eventually fell asleep while watching Mean Girls.
Meighan had to work a few hours on Sunday morning, so I walked to Trade and Lore coffee shop for a cappuccino. I just found out that Charlotte has a Trade and Lore coffee shop now! I’ll have to try it out because the coffee was so good. I haven’t been on my coffee shop/restaurant game lately. 
They had oat milk  
I did a couple of emails but then decided to pack up my backpack and just walked around the quiet Sunday morning town. I needed to get some extra steps in after the food coma I put myself in on Saturday night.
I woke up at 3:45 am and couldn’t fall back asleep, so I was looking real good (sarcasm.)
I walked around exploring for a while. I loved how quiet the city was after a busy St. Patricks day. 
Meighan and I left Asheville around eleven and headed to Hendersonville for coffee and brunch. We stopped at Black Bear Coffee Co in downtown before walking around the square. 
We went to Honey & Salt for brunch!

While we waited for the table, we headed to the cute little gift shop, Dogwood, next door. They had all kinds of cute bowls and mugs. Some of the home items in there reminded me of the Magnolia line by Chip and Joanna Gaines. I wanted everything! I picked up coffee instead. I bought several different local roasts to bring home during my trip. I’ll keep you posted on my favorites in the upcoming recap posts.

Meighan and I both started with their detox juice. It had lemon, ginger, and cayenne! It was really good.
Their menu was awesome. They had all kinds of superfood bowls, smoothies, traditional breakfast options, and trendy ones! The food was also inexpensive. You really get a big bang for your buck in and around Asheville!
I ordered the super green bowl and a side of over-medium eggs. So tasty! 
This was such a successful trip filled with delicious food and exploring! I can’t wait to go back to Asheville in a couple of weeks.
For dinner last night, I had a sautéed sesame kale with my leftover tofu bibimbap! I was so excited to experience these flavors all over again!

Questions or you!

1. What do you always purchase from different places while traveling?
2. Did you do anything for St. Patrick’s day?
3. Does yoga help you relax or make your day more productive?

The dogs were still acting weird after our walk around the block. I starting thinking about what they could want. Then it hit me. Kyle took them on a walk around five while I was up in the office, and I just assumed he fed them afterward. And he probably thought I fed them. I grabbed their bowls, and they immediately jumped up. They scarfed down their food, ran to the couch, and instantly fell asleep. Problem solved. And the midnight walk just means I get to sleep in a little bit longer tomorrow morning instead of walking them at 6 AM.

The problem now is that I’m wide awake. I figured it would be a good time to fit in my recap until I’m tired again. This week didn’t have enough hours, even though we did gain an hour, I could have used like fifty. I wasn’t going to do a recap post because of everything I’m working on, but it wouldn’t be the same without one to start the week! So here it goes!

By the way, I went through 1600 photos for the Jackson County post over the weekend, started writing the dog-training post, working on a new pizza recipe, muffin recipe, fun flavored pancakes, and a couple other fun projects!
There was no structure in my meals this past week. I had a house full of vegetables, different proteins, fruit, and just threw things together all week long. The food was filling, healthy, and easy to cook up. That is ideal for a busy week, or if you have healthy produce that you need to use up. I was eating to live this week because nothing was fancy or decadent.

This is the only photo I took on Monday, other than the picture of my coffee in my last recap post.

IMy lunch plate had a three egg (1 yolk/2 egg whites) omelet with avocado, sweet potatoes, and spicy hummus.
Today marks one year since I made an offer on my home. They accepted it two hours later, and I moved in 25 days after. It was scary, stressful, but totally worth it. I’ve been working on one room at a time along with some other random projects. What I should have done was start with the office first. I’ve always had an image as to what I wanted, but I kept putting it off. Having that space to myself this weekend without the distractions, or the dogs playing around me has been amazing. I spent most of the weekend editing and writing.

My dad came over on Tuesday to help me paint. I honestly hate painting, and he likes it. I love the idea of painting, but after the first wall, I’m so over it. I think I’m like that with most things. I still have so much to do to complete it, but it feels so good to get it done! 
For my Tuesday lunch, I had scrambled eggs(1 yolk/2 egg whites) and sweet potatoes. I also had a scoop of protein powder with cashew milk blended.
I decided to make my dad a delicious lunch. I roasted brussels sprouts and then put together a tasty turkey burger. I used the Udi’s gluten-free bun with a cast-iron-cooked Applegate turkey burger topped with lettuce, mustard, sauteed butternut squash noodles, and avocado.
The brussels sprouts were seasoned with sea salt, black pepper, garlic, olive oil, and onion powder.

My neighborhood was insane on Halloween night. About a hundred of my neighbors decked out their homes from head to toe in Halloween decorations. Some of the decorations were homemade and pretty creepy! Walking around the Halloween decorations at night were terrifying. I think the neighborhoods have some friendly competition going on. I didn’t want the dogs to go insane with the doorbell ringing every ten seconds, so I just put a giant bowl of candy on the porch.

My parents only had three trick-or-treaters, so it was nice being out at their house with the pups. We sat around the fire with the dogs, and I had coffee. I also randomly did my mom’s hair, and it turned out to be pretty cute! Don’t ask me how I did it because I have no idea. This wasn’t a planned masterpiece. The coffee I had was from a really neat smokey mountain coffee roaster in the mountains. It had such a great taste! 
I did one of my “throw-together” meals for dinner. My parents made pizza, and as much as I would have loved to eat it, it had mushrooms and their favorite toppings that I despise on top. I brought over some kale, turkey, and butternut squash noodles to cook up. I added a little seasoning, threw it in a bowl, and done. 
I had coffee early on Wednesday morning. My dad was heading over to help me finish the office and pick out flooring.

I was excited that my Healthy Human came in the mail! These bottles are perfect for hot and cold liquids. They keep the hots HOT and the colds COLD. I’ve been filling it up with coffee and taking it upstairs with me while I work. It saves me a trip downstairs for a fill-up. When I took it hiking this weekend, I filled it up with extra ice because I figured it would melt. Five hours later, the ice hadn’t melted at all!

The Healthy Human comes in so many fun colors and sizes! Check them out here! & you can use code TARAMC10 for 10% off I love this aqua color of my body, but I also love the rustic wood look too! I’ll be ordering that one next! 
Since training my dogs to walk together, I’ve gained about two extra hours a day! I used to walk about seven miles a day just walking the dogs separately around the block. My route is a mile around, so I’d do that three times a day with each dog, and now I only do it once. This has been a huge stress-reliever! 
Even my breakfasts have been quick “throw-together.” Shoving as many vegetables into my breakfast is a great way to stay full longer, nourish my body, and use up all the vegetables in the house. I had my go-to (1 yolk/2 egg whites) omelet on sauteed kale, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and onions.
Because I love the Hot Cinnamon Harney & Son’s tea, I decided to try out their holiday blend! I found it on Amazon. It’s a rich-tasting black tea, but still pretty good. I still like the Hot Cinnamon better. I’ve been enjoying all of your messages about this tea! Apparently, I’m not the only one obsessed with the cinnamon  
My Thursday throw-together dinner consisted of green beans, kale, bell peppers, onion, brussels sprouts, and ground turkey. Instead of buying big packages of ground turkey, I like to crumble up individual turkey burgers. They stay frozen and last much longer! 
We finished up some more work up in the office on Thursday. I also went on a massive power cleaning rampage. I spent three hours doing laundry, vacuuming, mopping, and wiping down every inch of my house. When I get into power cleaning mode, there is no stopping me.

While we were away in Jackson County, Becca got me hooked on these cold-brew High Brew coffee drinks. I like the dairy-free black & bold. This is great for road trips because most gas stations carry it. I just ordered a case on Amazon. Not that I need more coffee around, but it’s a great pick-me-up! 
This throw-together had eggs, brussels sprouts, bell peppers, summer squash, zucchini, kale, and onion. I am a veggie-obsessed person, so these meals never get old for me. If you have trouble with healthy eating and cooking, making random meals like this makes it easier. You don’t have to follow any recipes or worry about time-management. These meals end up taking about fifteen to twenty minutes to cook up, and you don’t feel hungry afterward either.  They are also great for using up all the vegetables in the house. I get a lot of questions about vegetables going bad, but if you eat a ton of them at every meal, you won’t have to worry about it. But if all else fails, just freeze them.
I had a sweet tooth around midnight, so I had mixed fruit with some peanuts on top. Sweet & Salty! 
After walking the dogs, and having coffee on Friday morning, I started making homemade pizzas for a post coming to you guys this Thursday! I had so much fun cooking these, especially with the Italian music blasting in the background.
For lunch, I had a protein shake with frozen banana, hemp seeds, cashew milk, collagen peptides, wheat grass, and spirulina.

Finally! Having a place to work feels fantastic. I wanted something warm, cozy and tranquil. I don’t know how some people work in bright white offices. I get headaches!

Sometime soon, I am going to make rustic shelves that match the desk, add curtains, get a new reading chair, and find artwork to pull it all together. I also need to find a rug and desk lamp! I’ve appreciated all of your ideas and suggestions on Instagram!
The dogs still couldn’t leave me alone, but I didn’t mind. I brought their dog bed into the room and a blanket so they could sleep. I think the separation anxiety is real…

On Friday night, I heated up my crock pot soup that I froze about a month ago. Actually, like two months ago. It was just as good as the first time! It was convenient because I wanted soup, but I didn’t want to prepare any in the crockpot, and it would have taken hours before it was done. This has inspired me to make some chili recipes and vegetable soups to freeze. Soup lasts about 2-3 months in the freezer. The recipe can be found here! I also added one cup of mixed lentils to the soup. 
After coffee on Friday morning, I headed out on a little adventure with Leo. We took the back roads to Crowders Mountain to meet up with some friends to hike. The last time I took Leo to hike Crowders was in January. He was only seven months old!
Leo loved hiking with five girls. He’s such a lady’s man. When we walk, he always goes towards groups of women but avoids men like the plague. The fall views were beautiful on the mountain top! I don’t think I’ve ever hiked Crowders during the peak of fall. I usually go summer or winter.
Leo ended up sleeping on my lap the entire way home. He’s never done that before, so I knew he was zonked. 
While I was out with Leo and the girls, Kyle took Grumples to the Riverwalk for a five-mile walk! I loved receiving these photos and hearing how amazing Grumples was. The last time Grumples went to the Riverwalk was the time I wrote a blog post about this behavior and how I left in tears because of how bad he was. Kyle said he barked a couple of times when other dogs barked first, but other than that he was so well-behaved and seemed so happy! 
I was starving when I go back! We spent a while on top of the mountains, so my banana and egg whites for breakfast was barely holding me over. I should have packed a bar or something, but lesson learned. Leo and I got back around 4 pm! I made a quick salad with a homemade honey mustard dressing (recipe will be in Thursday’s post) topped with sweet peppers, tomatoes, avocado, spring mix, kale, and egg whites. 
After my salad, I made a protein shake to take upstairs with me. Let’s be real, obviously that after that hike and hardly eating breakfast, that salad was not going to hold me over.  It had a frozen banana, ice, hemp seeds, cashew milk, collagen peptides, wheat grass, and spirulina.

I spent the rest of Saturday working until 9 pm, and then headed downstairs to shut off work-mode. I honestly can’t wait for you guys to see the Jackson County post! I spent a lot of time putting it together and editing the gorgeous Fall photos. It’ll be live Friday! 
I had the last of the leftover soup for dinner topped with two eggs. I thought I’d be up to watch movies and relax, but nope! I passed out at ten. I never get through a movie as soon as the lights go out. 
After our long dog walks on Sunday morning, I made light and fluffy pancakes for breakfast. Kyle had chocolate chip banana, and I had blueberry! Blueberry is my favorite flavor. I love when the warm juicy little berries pop in your mouth. You either love them or hate them. I took an Instagram poll yesterday, and people seem to favor the chocolate chip banana ones. I’m so weird when it comes to chocolate in my waffles or pancakes.
Kyle loved the pancakes! I’ll have that recipe up soon It’s actually my mom’s recipe! Lots of eggwhite whipping involved. A couple of hours after breakfast, we headed to the gym to workout.

I ran one mile, did like twenty sit-ups, stretched, and that was it. I lifted dumbells for like one minute, and instantly was like “nope.” I layed on the yoga mat stretcing in a private room for thirty-minutes and it felt really good. 
We stopped at the grocery store on the way home from the gym. I picked up a ton of protein and vegetables for the week. I roasted a ton of vegetables so I could eat them in omelets, salads, and for sides this week. I love roasted veggies so much that they’ll probably only last like two days at the most.

For the roasted vegetables
brussels sprouts, red/green/yellow/orange bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes, yellow squash! You can add any extra veggies you want.
Seasonings
red chili flakes, dill week, olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, minced onion, black pepper, sea salt.
Bake
400 degrees for 45 minutes. Flip halfway through. 
This chicken was SO GOOD and SO EASY! I roasted chicken in the oven with zesty honey mustard from Dietz & Watson (this stuff is INCREDIBLE!!!!) I also added red chili flakes and minced onion. I baked it for 22 minutes at 375. 
I will be making this again soon

Questions for you!

1. Do you have any November goals?
2. Do you ever have “throw-together” weeks?

I just wanted to add a quick note and say my heart goes out to the victims of the NYC terrorist attack and the Texas church shooting. These attacks have been happening way too often, and it just makes me sick. It doesn’t seem real, and my heart is very saddened by the hate in the world.

I hope the weekend treated you well. I’m so saddened by all of the damage and lives lost during Irma. The last time I wrote a recap post, I was talking about Harvey, and now it’s Irma. Hurricane season is really coming in hard this year. Kyle has family down in Venice, where they lost all water and power for hours. I stayed up late watching the storm tracker. It makes me so sad to see all of the devastation. I know I’m all the way in California right now, but I’m keeping my eye on the storm and sending prayers down south.

I also want to take the time to remember those who lost their lives, their family members, and to those who stepped in to help during 9/11. No matter how many years pass, it will always be very sad and never forgotten. 
Last weekend, I sat around talking with my mom about my upcoming trip to California. When I went to look at the time of my flight, it said the 6th and not the 9th, so I had to hurry up and get my work done, stuff packed, and schedule revolved around leaving on Wednesday instead of Saturday.

I spent Tuesday getting a lot done. For breakfast, I had my power green breakfast smoothie.

Kapok Maca
Organic Spirulina
Plant Protein Powder
Collagen Peptides

Green Protein Smoothie: 1 Tbsp Spirulina, 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder, 1 Scoop Collagen, 1 Scoop Maca Powder, 1 small frozen banana & 1 Cup Coconut Milk.

After packing, I put my new entry table in my hallway. My dad refurbished an old piece of furniture for me, and I love it. I had a rustic wood bench there, but this is so much more vintage and cute. 
I stopped at Starbucks on Tuesday afternoon to pick up a pumpkin spice cappuccino with coconut milk. They ended messing up my order and threw a ton of drinks into a tray and giving them to me. It was kind of funny, but it worked. I ended up pouring the black coffee into the cappuccino. I even tried the coconut milk pumpkin spice frappuccino, and it was incredible, like dessert. 
I headed over to a little park to take photos of the new Pumpkin Spice RXBARS (holy moly so good) for the giveaway! I hope you guys enter! Click here for the details.
Kyle and I ordered late night food from Zoe’s Kitchen while watching Bachelor in Paradise. I ordered the Tossed Greek Salad, and he ordered steak kabobs! It felt so weird not having the dogs with us. They are out at my parent’s house while I’m in California. It’s easier for them to have the dogs while I’m gone since my dad is retired. 
I woke up really early on Wednesday morning to hit the gym before heading to the airport. I had my favorite breakfast smoothie and stopped at the Fresh Market for airport snacks. 
I had to change out luggage because I wanted to bring my tennis racket to California. My brother is really good, so I knew he’d be able to give me a challenge, and some tips!  He played tennis in Highschool, went to state, and taught tennis at our Country Club.
I got to the airport an hour before my flight, so I had time to decompress with a coconut milk cappuccino. I added some cinnamon and coconut to the drink as well. The feeling of getting to your gate with extra time is one of the best feelings. I hate the pre-airport anxiety.

Some of you were asking about my shoes on my Instagram story. Here is the link! They are the “blush” color They come in so many colors and they are on sale! They are my most comfortable shoes, and PERFECT for traveling. 
I was a little worried about the weather and travel plans, but the rain and wind stopped just in time. 
On my flight to Dallas, I sat by Jose. I’m pretty sure we are best friends now. We talked the entire three hours, and probably making everyone around us annoyed. I loved his stories and his very good advice. He was on his way to Houston with Fema to help with the hurricane. I had so many movies downloaded on my computer reader to watch, but there is nothing better than interacting with an actual human being.

On my flight to L.A., I watched seven episodes of the show “Younger.” The show was so cute, and I can’t wait to watch more. It made the time fly (literally) by. Also, that was the best flight I’ve ever been on in my entire life. The new American Airline planes are incredible. 
I made it to LAX 8 pm (west coast time), and I was so hungry. My brother and I grabbed dinner at Poke Bar.
I was so excited for this. I want Charlotte to get a Poke Bar so so so bad.
We took our bowls down to the Hermosa Beach pier. The moon was shining down on the water, and it was breathtaking. My bowl had brown rice, spring mix lettuce, spicy tuna, salmon, sesame oil, sweet chili sauce, avocado, sesame seeds, pineapple, jalapeno, seaweed salad, grab a salad, and crunchy garlic.
I woke up early to have coffee and go for a little walk around my brother’s neighborhood. I love the mornings here. It was chilli and I needed my sweatshirt.
For breakfast, I had fried egg over leftover poke! Random, but so tasty! 
My brother and I walked a mile down to the tennis courts to play some matches. 
We ended up playing for two hours. It was so much fun! 
After tennis, we headed out to run some errands and grab some groceries for the house. 
After grocery shopping, we grabbed our beach gear and headed down to Hermosa Beach.
We stayed for a couple of hours. We were sitting by a girl that was deathly afraid of the seagulls, and it was the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time. She was screaming (the horror movie kind of screams) every time one would fly over. At one point she was running around in circles and falling. It was so funny! Her boyfriend was sitting in the chairs cracking up as well, so we weren’t the only ones that found it humorous. 
I poured a glass of my favorite sparkling water and topped it with blueberries before dinner.
We decided on hibachi night. My brother got a new grill for his place, so we had to break it in. I chopped up zucchini, summer squash, carrots, onions, asparagus, bell peppers, tofu, and chicken for our stir fry. 
We seasoned the veggies with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and ginger sesame sauce. 
PERFECTION.
I was up again early (5:15 am) on Friday. My body is clockwork, so it’s still on Carolina time. I had a bowl of cheerios and some coffee! 
My brother and I had plans to visit the Griffith Observatory. Before taking off, I had a bowl of fresh fruit and more coffee! It was like four hours after my first cup. 
We plan on hiking the Hollywood sign this week, but it was pretty cool to see it! 

We walked almost a mile up the trail to the Observatory. 
The Griffith Observatory is a free planetarium with astronomy exhibits! A great spot to visit.
We headed down to the Art District for coffee at Groundwork.
I ordered a cashew milk iced latte with an extra shot of espresso. Very good  
We walked around the Arts District Co-op and I bought a new pair of sunglasses and earrings. 
My brother was thrilled to pose.

Sidenote…did anyone catch his “amazing” dance moves on my Instagram story? lol
My brother and I ate at the Urth Cafe for lunch. We are totally coming back here before I leave! I HAVE to try one of their green tea lattes! We ordered the falafel plate and vegetarian chili. It was so much food, so I’m so happy we split the meal. It came with pickled carrots, pickled shallots, pickled cauliflower, chickpea falafels, hummus, and an incredible side salad. The vegan salad had avocado, peaches, cherry tomatoes, capers, Italian beans, organic black wild rice, balsamic, and almond cheese. Almond cheese tasted like Ricotta! 
We walked a bit more around the Art District and then headed back to my brother’s house. 
I needed some coffee and DT. 
I heated up leftover hibachi for dinner! Only the best. 
Ok. so this is big. TC’S cats HAVE NOT liked me for the past six years. They would hide or bite the crap out of my hand. Now, they’re sitting with me, giving me kisses, and begging for morning treats. I am so happy that we have reached this level. I woke up early on Saturday morning to work a bit before heading to the bar to watch the Hawkeye game with my brother. Jax, the cat, and I cuddled for an hour. 
How funny is this photo?
T.C. found an Iowa bar (Barney’s Beanery) in Redondo Beach! It was FILLED with Iowa fans, and if you wear Iowa gear, you get 40% your entire order during the game. And I had about three of their coffees. It was THAT GOOD.

I had to borrow one of my brother’s Iowa shirts. I tried to make it cute with a skirt, but 40% off was the only thing working.
It’s so weird to watch college football at 9 am in the morning, but that’s the west coast time for ya. We ordered breakfast around ten. 
I had an egg white omelet with spinach, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and a side of strawberries. The food was spectacular! The game was AMAZING!!!! We went into overtime and won. GO HAWKS!!! 
It was a beautiful day.  
After the game, T.C. and I headed to some furniture stores to scope out some new things for his place. It was around 4 pm, and we both hit the wall. We walked the trail back to his house. For dinner, I made a salad! It had romaine lettuce, avocado, cucumber, chicken, sesame seeds, cranberries, Cabrese salami, balsamic, olive oil, and honey. 
I decided to head down to the beach to read a book. I stopped at Starbucks along the way to grab a coconut milk cappuccino. 
I took over 200 photos as the sun set. I am going to do a separate blog post soon with all of them! The beach never gets old.  
This was one of my favorite moments. It was so cold once the sun went down.
I packed up my book, bundled up, and headed back to the house. If I lived here, I’d do this every night. What a calming way to end the day. Our world is so beautiful. 
When I got back, I made a little snack bowl for Netflixing and Chilling. It had kettle popcorn, protein Cheerios, dark chocolate pieces, and cranberries. 
I was up early for the gym yesterday morning! It had been four days since weight lifting, so I was ready to get back to it. 
We didn’t end up going to the gym later in the morning. Around nine, I had fresh fruit and eggs. 
My eggs had leftover hibachi veggies! Strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and clementines! 
This workout was so great! I ended up buying new running shoes, so my run felt like I was running on clouds. I’ll post about my running shoes soon! 
I was drenched after my workout, which means success. 
My brother and I headed all over the place after the gym looking for home decor. We were starving late afternoon, so we stopped at Mendocino Farms. I HIGHLY recommend it if you’re ever in the area. 
I ordered the avocado and quinoa salad. It had butter lettuce & romaine, curly kale, quinoa & millet, house-made superfood krunchies, (SERIOUSLY CRUNCHY) black bean, roasted corn & jicama succotash, red onions, cilantro, Cotija cheese, grape tomatoes, avocado and chipotle vinaigrette. I also had organic free range chicken breast on the side. AMAZING.

My brother ordered the Mama Chen’s Chinese salad with tofu. It had napa cabbage & kale slaw with carrots & bean sprouts, butter lettuce & romaine, scallions, cilantro, toasted slivered almonds, crispy wontons with miso mustard sesame dressing. I had a bite and confirm it was delicious! 
I’d love to come back and try one of their sandwiches next time. 
We spent the next two hours organizing, hanging mirrors, and adding decor to the house. 
More shopping. 
We stopped at Sprouts on the way home to grab snacks and an easy dinner. Oh, and I’m already obsessed with Sprouts. Why can’t we have one in Charlotte!? 
We tried the Daiya supreme pizza, and it was so good. I was excited for my brother to try it, and he loved it too! This is a vegan pizza that doesn’t taste “vegan.”
I had it with a side of jalapeno kale chips, veggies, and hummus! I started a new show last night on Netflix. If you haven’t seen A Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce, you should! It’s so good.

Questions for you!

1. Where is your happy place?
2. Have you had anything pumpkin spice flavored yet?
3. Have you entered the RXBAR giveaway yet??

It has been such a fun week. I’ve managed to get a ton of work done, spend some time hiking, played in a kickball league, and even got around to baking (new recipes soon!)

I had another 5 am wake up call so I could get my hiking post out before I head down to Charleston this morning. Meighan and I are going to spend some time at the beach, shopping, and fitting in our last long run together before our half marathon. I can’t wait!

I hope you guys have a great weekend and I look forward to waking up Saturday morning and commenting back to all of you. It’s my Saturday morning routine.
It’s been two years since my friend, Becca, has quit smoking. She has also lost 100 pounds! Her new healthy lifestyle is inspirational, and I’m very proud of her! Last year, we headed out to Looking Glass Rock to hike and celebrate her health. We decided to do it again this year! You can read our post from last year here! (it may actually be helpful to read that one first.) 

We started our day around 9:00 am and made it to the Pisgah National Forest at 11:00 to start our hike!
 
They had the peace sign still on the pavement from last year. It was faded, but it made us happy to see it!
 
The weather was absolutely perfect.

We made it to the top! The view takes your breath away as soon as you reach the top. You realize how small you are in the world.
 
We brought jelly beans again this time. (why jelly beans?)

Yup, ate a bug.

And ALLLLLLLLL the snacks. We picked up our favorites at CVS before hitting the road. They literally have the best healthy snacks for hiking.
  
Wasabi almonds…<3
 

We headed down after spending 45 minutes at the top.
 
We spent the hour and a half singing musicals and goofing off. It’s the best way to kill time on an empty trail.
 
When we finished the hike, we headed down to the Looking Glass waterfall.
 
We decided to skip out on dinner in Asheville because we wanted to make it back before dark. We were both pretty tired from early morning rises.

We found a cute little ice cream shop by the forest’s entrance. The ice cream shop was so colorful, and we had to stop! I went with a vanilla soft serve (my favorite) and a GIANT glass of ice water.
 
We went through a charming town on the way home and decided to stop for coffee. If you’ve never been to Hendersonville, add it to your list. I told Kyle that I wanted to go up just to spend a weekend. It’s so cute and alive.

We stopped at Black Bear Coffee shop, and this was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.
I ordered a skim cappuccino with one extra shot of espresso.

The baristas were so friendly, and extremely knowledgeable when it came to coffee. It’s a pet peeve of mine when I order a cappuccino and it comes out a latte. The espresso was so rich and smooth! After the first sip, I almost went back to the counter to order more!
 
All of the shops in Hendersonville were filled with restaurants, cute shops, and everything looked so clean and quaint. I will DEFINITELY be visiting again.

I stopped at the grocery store on the way home so I cold make Flatout Wrap pizzas So good!

It’s time for me to head to the closet and start packing for Charleston! Thank you for reading & I hope you enjoyed!

So, we decided to share our fourteen minutes of Snapchat videos! I’m only annoying 50% of the time. Promise

Questions for you!

1. What is your favorite trail to hike?
2. Do you remember the first time you hiked a mountain?
3. Any advice for my last long run?