Food Journal - Volume I

I've had several requests for this post, so I finally decided to document {with pictures!} every single morsel that touched my lips in a 24 hour time frame.  Here we go....


Breakfast - 8:30am

4 egg whites with Cholula hot sauce + half an avocado.

Snack #1 - 11:00am

1/4 cup of hummus with a handful of carrot sticks.

Snack #2 - 1:20pm

I was out grocery shopping and was starving so I scooped up one of these new Think Thin Lean bars.  They're only 150 calories {compared to the regular ones which have over 200}, with a good protein to carb ratio....and yes, I ate it while in line to check out.  I have no shame ;)

Lunch - 2:30pm

Small container of Italian White Bean Soup {also from Whole Foods} with an unsweetened iced tea. I always try to look for the soups that have no added dairy - the ingredients in this are white beans, carrots, celery, tomatoes, onions, herbs and water. 

Dinner - 8:20pm

I typically don't eat dinner this late, but Adam worked late on this particular night and I always try to wait for him.  This is half a baked chicken breast, coated in a homemade gluten free matzo meal {a Jewish unleavened cracker}, served with sauteed asparagus & carrots.  I also had 1 glass of sauvignon blanc while I was cooking dinner :)

A Few Quick Notes:

•  I always, always have try to have healthy snacks on hand like hummus, sliced veggies, hard boiled eggs, and Think Thin bars.  Also, most of the time I have a Think Thin bar in my purse for just in case purposes :)  

•  I'm not a big breakfast person, so breakfast for me is always usually either egg whites {which I have to coat in hot sauce in order to eat} or an Isagenix protein shake.

•  I LOVE food and could never be one of those people who don't eat carbs or dessert.  When I was watching my carb intake in March before our trip, I was miserable!  For me, it's all about balance.  If I'm out to dinner and I really want dessert, I'll try to forgo the bread basket and share a dessert with my husband.  Most of the time, I choose wine over everything else so I'll skip the bread & dessert and have a couple glasses of vino.  I also have those days where I eat the damn bread, dessert, and wine!  You just need to listen to your body, try to make healthy choices 90% of the time but also allow yourself those indulgences.  Balance is key.

Leave any questions and feedback in the comment section & also let me know how you liked this.  Want to see more of it?

One Year Anniversary Photos In Positano

Hi friends!  Welcome back from the long weekend, hope it was a good one for you.  I firmly believe that we all need three day weekends once in a while; they're good for the soul! :)

Remember back in this post I briefly discussed our anniversary photo session with KT Merry?  Well today those photos are being featured on Grey Likes Weddings.  Hop on over there to see the full feature!  {click here to be directed}

In the meantime, here are a few of my favorites.

Photography by KT Merry

Patriotic Summer Berry Cake

With the upcoming holiday weekend, I thought I'd share with you this super easy cake that I've been making for years.  It's the perfect cake for Summer when fresh berries are in abundance, and it really is a big hit when you bring it to a Memorial Day Weekend get together {or 4th of July!}, and the berries are arranged to resemble the American flag!  

You most certainly don't have to make the flag on this cake; you can make alternating rows with berries of your choice {I've made it before with blackberries}.  The nice thing about this cake is that however you arrange your fruit, it always looks pretty.  With fresh berries, you really can't go wrong.

Bring on Summer!   

Ingredients

1 package of white cake mix {I used an organic boxed kind found @ Whole Foods and healthied it up by swapping in egg whites & applesauce but how you prepare it is entirely up to you!}
Any ingredients that you need on cakebox
1 package {4 serving size} any flavor red jello
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
8 oz container of whipped topping; thawed {I used Truwhip from Whole Foods that is organic and much healthier}
1 pint strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
Non stick cooking spray
Flour



Directions

Spray a 13x9 pan with cooking spray & dust lightly w/ flour.  

Prepare cake mix, and bake according to package directions.  Cool for 15 minutes.

With a large fork, poke holes in the cake about every 1/2 inch.  

Pour gelatin mix into a small bowl and add the cup of boiling water.  Mix until dissolved and then add in the cold water.  Transfer gelatin to a measuring cup {for ease of use}, and pour gelatin all over the cake.  This will run down into the holes making sliced cake have red stripes.

Chill for 3-4 hours or until jello has firmed.

Frost the cake with whipped topping, and arrange the berries however you'd like.  If you wish to make the flag design, it's easiest to start with the blueberries in the upper left corner and then move on to the red stripes alternating with rows of raspberries & strawberries.

Chill again until serving. 

How cute are the red, white & blue striped napkins that I used in the above picture?  I found them at Pottery Barn and they are perfect for the Summer holidays!  You can view them here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great day! xx

The Best Maxi Dresses For Summer

I LOVE maxi dresses!  They are seriously one of my favorite staple pieces for Spring & Summer.  They are always so easy to throw on, but make you feel so feminine and classy.  Here's a few of my favorite maxi dresses {in various price points} for the upcoming Summer season thus far.

Shop These Dresses

Floral (from left) - Light blue stunner from BB Dakota {here} // Blue & white floral maxi {under $25 here} //  Dainty floral & lace maxi {found here} //  Stripes - Love the white & black stripes of {this dress} //  Gap makes the comfiest maxi dresses like this blue one {on major sale here} //  Obsessed with this casual number from Soft Joie {available here} //  Boho - The back of this Indah dress is TDF {here} //  Casual perfection from Element {found here} //  Stunning colors would make this dress perfect for a special occasion {here} //  Black - Gathered side detailing makes this beauty not so basic {under $40 here} //  Knotted maxi dress from F21 {only $18 here} //  Love the back of {this dress}.

I lalalove that blue & white floral from F21.  Would look so cute with a denim jacket or distressed denim vest!  Also wanting the floral & lace beauty from Lulus {looks so similar to For Love & Lemons}.  Which one is your favie?

New Blog Design

Introducing the new Typical Domestic Babe!  It was time that she got a makeover :)  Take a few moments, and look around.  Tell me what you think - I would love feedback!

A new feature that I'm really excited about is the 'Shop' tab that you see at the top of this page.  I've actually had quite a few requests for this and I'm stoked to get started!  Starting soon, you'll be able to shop my closet and purchase gently used pieces of shoes, handbags, and clothing on the cheap.  A portion of each sale will always be donated to my favorite charities.

Happy Monday! xx

Kale & Quinoa Salad With A Lemon, Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Yayyy for Friday!  This has felt like the longest week in history, and I'm looking forward to a couple of nice, relaxing days at home with my husband this weekend.  :)

This salad is one that I found on Pinterest a while back, and tweaked the ingredients to suit our taste preference.  Adam & I love it so much that we make it about once a week, and since it keeps so well in the fridge, we'll snack on it all week long.

This is the perfect salad on it's own for a light lunch, or as a side dish to chicken or fish.  It's also a nice, healthy alternative to bring to a Summer BBQ or get together.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Ingredients

3 bunches of Dino Kale; washed, dried well, and trimmed into bite sized pieces
1 1/2 cup cooked & cooled quinoa
3 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. sugar substitute
3 tbsp red onion, finely chopped
3 tbsp rough chopped pecans
3 tbsp dried cranberries
1 avocado, diced
Fresh ground salt & pepper

Directions

Prepare quinoa according to manufacturers directions.  Set aside & allow to cool.

Place chopped kale in a large bowl. Add lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and massage into the kale to really coat every piece.

Add in sugar substitute, and a heavy pinch of salt & pepper.  Toss to combine and allow to sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.

Next add in the cooled quinoa, red onion, pecans & cranberries and lightly toss.  

Finish by plating the salad, and topping with desired amount of diced avocado.

*This salad can be easily stored in the refrigerator for a few days*

original recipe can be found here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you all have a beautiful weekend! xx

Weekend Style

Casual, relaxed weekend style is my absolute fave and these are just a few things that I came across while browsing the web yesterday.  This post is for my babes on a budget as every single piece featured is under $70 with the majority of them falling under the $50 range.

Shop These Items:

Outfit #1:  Steve Madden Sunglasses {here} //  Tres Cool Tee {Only $12.95!! Here} //  Distressed Skinny Jeans {available here} //  Slip On Sneakers {On trend for summer! Here} //  Outfit #2:  Straw Fedora {found here} //  Distressed Denim Vest {Under $20! here} //  Striped Maxi Dress {available here} //  Sam Edelman Gladiator Sandals {here}

Which outfit would you choose?


* Congrats to Rachel for winning the Franks Coffee Scrub giveaway!  Thanks for everyone who entered :) *

Vacation Diary Part 3 \ Ravello & Rome, Italy

There is just something about little European villages.  The charming cobblestone streets leading up to the bustling center square, surrounded by coffee shops and tiny family run restaurants.  The colors, the smells, the food, the people, the architecture of these tiny, picturesque villages are exactly what inspires me to travel.  

Ravello is what you'd expect when you envision one of these small villages.  Where as Positano & Capri are on the water, Ravello sits perched atop a mountain and gazes down on the small villages below it with the Bay of Salerno in the distance.  Ravello is achingly beautiful, and some say it is one of Italy's most breathtaking small towns.  Surrounded by lemon groves & vineyards, this lovely little town was the perfect ending for our journey on the Amalfi Coast. 

I love the characteristic features found on old doors.

I saw more lemon trees {with HUGE lemons} in this region of Italy than I've ever seen in my life! 

The charming town of Amalfi, as seen from above on our drive up to Ravello.

I can literally see my face getting rounder and rounder in the last few days we were in Italy....

.....Probably because we ate like this every day lol!

 We visited the stunning Greek ruins of Pasteum {600 BC}.  Highly, highly suggest this site as most tourists don't stop here and we had this spot mainly to ourselves.

 Pasteum contains some of the most well-preserved ancient Greek temples in the world.

 We visited a buffalo mozzarella farm and learned the process on how the cheese is made.

And did some sampling of all the amazing cheeses fresh from the farm with a carafe of white wine on the side ;)

Seriously lemons everywhere!  This guy uses lemon trees as his car port.

My daily gelato.

The area surrounding Ravello is breathtaking.

Our guide brought us to this little hole in the wall trattoria; we probably would have never tried it otherwise.  The food was so delicious we ended up eating here twice.  They serve their own homemade wine in a big pitcher....totally my style :)

The view from our hotel in Ravello.

 While in Ravello, we took a cooking class w/ Mama Agata.  She doesn't speak a word of English but cooks the most delicious food {never once using a recipe}.  

 We made eggplant parmesan, amongst other things.

Wearing my favorite Velvet by Lily Aldridge jacket {here}

We celebrated our actual anniversary while in Ravello and I surprised Adam by having our baker {who created our wedding cake in Tuscany} re-create an exact mini version and ship it to us in Ravello.  Thanks Melanie!

 Heading to Rome wearing: Velvet by Lily Aldridge jacket {linked above} / Soft Joie sweater {here} / Citizen of Humanity jeans {here}

  I just love Rome.  Even though we've been here many times, I always feel like I'm viewing it with fresh eyes.

 View of the Spanish Steps from our hotel.

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit {and a wish!} to the Trevi Fountain.  Legend has it that if you make a wish + throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome.

Where we stayed:

Ravello - Palazzo Avino

Rome - Portrait Suites Roma {We've stayed here many times, expensive but highly recommend}

I truly did not want to leave!  I was begging {pathetically pleading, actually} Adam to extend our trip but, alas, it was back to the states & reality for us.  Until next time, Italy ♡