Bites of My Life

After being home in OKC for 5 days I was craving to get back on schedule and in the swing of things in Dallas. Last week consisted of catching up on shows (Big Little Lies, The Bachelorette, The Hills: New Beginnings (anyone else?) and Southern Charm), dinner with a good friend, happy hour, workouts at one of my favorite spots (including their pop-up at Hotel Zaza), a pool day and back to back weekend nights out with friends. TBH I’m exhausted, but here’s to another week and the last week of July (wahhhhhhh)!

-Back on eggs around here, but only if they are pasture raised. My friend Libby wrote this post a while ago where she goes over which eggs are best.
-Remade my 2 ingredient shakshuka and shot it to put into a recipe post! Stay tuned for the details this week!
-Obsessing over this healthy and easy week night meal. Posted the recipe for this Verde Chicken + Black Bean Cauliflower Rice Bowl!
-New RX Bar alert! Chocolate Banana Walnut is like banana bread in protein bar form. I found it at my local Sprouts and need to go back to stock up.
-Steered away from food for Thursday’s post and it got an overwhelming response! Are y’all telling me something??
-Happy Hour with two friends from two different walks of life at a neighborhood spot I’d been dying to try. The $6 HH cocktail special will bring me back soon.
-A slow start to Friday morning with a DIY matcha (I’m loving this kind right now), 1/2 avo, rainier cherries and the new issue of Bon App.
-Dinner Friday with old friends at a Dallas hole-in-the-wall pizza spot. Louie’s has been featured on Diner’s Drive-Ins and Dives (yes I searched for and watched the episode before we went to dinner) and known for their thin cracker crust pizza and martinis!
-A neon spotted at a new bar on Greenville that was too perfect not to get a picture of.

Annie

2 Easy Hair Tricks I Learned From My Stylist

Keep reading for how to get instant volume and wave.

I have always had straight (pretty flat) blonde hair. I’m terrible and only get my hair cut about once a year. And I’ve mentioned it here before, but outside of one other time getting it professionally done, my sister has always highlighted my hair…from a box.

My color was starting to get drab and muted and the box wasn’t cutting it anymore. Right after I moved to Dallas I was on a walk with a friend who lives down here and her color honestly just looked really good. I got her hair stylist’s number and immediately booked an appointment. Three days later I was sitting in her kitchen on a Sunday night (pretty sweet deal) getting my hair balayaged. I went with the balayage instead of highlights because it is more of a subtle ombré. It grows out with your hair so you only have to color about 1-2 times a year. Music to my annual haircut ears!

Not only did I love my color, but I walked away with two tips from my new stylist that are too easy and good not to share.

I use Shimmer Lights purple shampoo 1-2 times a week to keep my blonde hair it’s brightest shade.

1. Use a purple shampoo

   Blonde colored treated hair can often take on a gold/yellow hue after time. To keep your blonde color a bright and more silver/white hue, incorporate a purple shampoo into your routine. I use Shimmer Lights purple shampoo, per my stylists recommendation. Use it once a week or as needed. My stylist also suggested using it on a Friday or Saturday night before an event or going out. It gives you hair and your confidence an instant boost!

2. Wear your hair in a bun with bobby pins after blowdrying

   For instant volume and wave, twist your hair into a high bun after you blow dry it. Using just three bobby pins, I twist my bone straight hair up into a bun loosely secured. Then let it sit while you finish getting ready. When you let the pins down, your hair will have a subtle wave and some extra volume without a crease. I also do this while I sleep. I used to use a silk scrunchy, but the bobby pins leave my hair up out of my face without creasing it.

Do you have any quick tips you swear by?

Annie

Verde Chicken + Black Bean Cauliflower Rice Bowl

Healthy 👏easy 👏weeknight 👏meal! This dish has burrito bowl vibes, but cuts the cals with cauliflower rice. I add cumin, lime juice and fresh cilantro to the “rice” to amp it up a bit and the whole thing comes together great.

I keep it green with salsa verde, lots of cilantro, lime and avocado. I’m on a black bean kick, so those were a must and add an extra protein boost next to the chicken. Considering I bought the salsa instead of making my own and used a rotisserie chicken, this dish is e a s y.

Verde Chicken + Black Bean Cauliflower Rice Bowl
yields 4 servings

Ingredients:
3 cups frozen riced cauliflower
2 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 avocado
salsa verde
salt and pepper

Directions:
In a non-stick pan over medium low heat, sauté your cauliflower rice for about 3-4 minutes. You do not need any oil in the pan. Stir in the cumin, freshly squeezed lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Divide the “rice” evenly amongst 4 bowls. Top each bowl with chicken, black beans and salsa verde. Add avocado slices, the rest of the chopped cilantro and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Coming off an extended weekend back in Oklahoma City full of work, lots of family time, lots of food and two, 2nd birthdays. I headed north on I-35 last Wednesday. I was greeted by my two favorite little nieces and my long lost New York sis. The main reason bringing me home was for my monthly visit back to headquarters for work and to help with our Jones Assembly 2nd anniversary party needs. It worked out perfectly with Claire’s visit home, Elle’s 2nd birthday, a wedding shower, a new restaurant opening, and a great summer weekend. I didn’t get back to Dallas until Monday around lunch and I’m still trying to get back in the swing of things.

-I met Molly and Paige through the same outlet but at separate times. They have both been in Dallas much longer than I, but now that we are all in the same city together a meet up was necessary. And by meetup I mean getting our butt’s in shape at Paige’s cycle class. If you are in Dallas and haven’t made it to Class Studios yet you are missing out.
-My favorite clean-out-the-fridge meal. Working on putting this into a recipe post, so look forward to that!
-Two people I miss the most in the same photo! Loved loved having Claire home and getting to see Elle Belle!
-Sister blow-outs because why not?
-New amazing OKC restaurant alert! Run don’t walk to Frida. Was so glad we got a reservation in during their first week open.
-Oh I just really love time when we are all together! Not pictured John our photographer, and dad out chauffeur parking the car ;)
-The real reason I was home was to help finalizing planning and set up for our 2nd Anniversary party at The Jones Assembly. It’s crazy how two years can seem like 10- ha! Labor.of.love.
-Original crew all together for the weekend and it was a great one!
-When in OKC, brandy ice’s are a must. We stopped by my #3 spot (Michael’s Grill) Saturday night. You can see my brandy ice run down here.
-Staying at mom and dad’s now is legit like being at a hotel. My bathroom had a robe, slippers, cotton squares and lotion all waiting for my arrival!
-Two years old and cuter than ever!
-Not my funfetti cake recipe, but sis nailed it with this three-layer for Elle’s birthday!

Annie

Bites of My Life

Monday of last week feels like ages ago and the 4th seems like at least a month ago. Does anyone else feel like that was the longest holiday weekend ever? Not that that is a bad thing by any means. After a few classes at a new workout studio (that I loved) and doubled up happy hours, I packed and got on a flight for the 4th in D.C. My oldest friend Anna and her bf Wade (also my very good friend), are officially permanent residents in the District. Anna and I lived together there 5 summers ago. We had such a great time exploring new places, visiting some of my old faves, eating all the things and running in to other D.C. friends. You can see everywhere we went saved in my “DC” highlight on instagram stories.

-I’ve been trying all the Dallas workouts. Pilates, spin, surf (yes) and now a workout inspired from skiing. TBH I’ve been a little underwhelmed with all the classes I’ve tried. Something is just off with each one. I tried Powder Heart last week and then went three days straight. It’s basically a HIIT workout, but with a twist, which keeps my attention. I’m signed up for class this morning and I can’t wait.
-When new friends text you to come over for piña coladas, you know they are good friends!
-Friend happy hour part 2 in true Dallas fashion with ranch waters and chips and guac!
-Patriotic in-flight outfit because when traveling on the 4th, what else are you supposed to wear?
-After arriving in The District, it was already mid-afternoon. We did late afternoon drinks and an early dinner at Lucky Buns before watching fireworks from Anna and Wade’s roof. Wade and I went halfsies on the Bun Mi burger and the El Jefe. Insanely good. This was just one of the great spots we went to in their Adam’s Morgan neighborhood.
-This picture is technically from our afternoon in Alexandria, but the patriotic colored row homes were too cute not to share.
-At home bagels and lox. 1. to avoid spending money on every meal. 2. because yum.
-Dolcezza gelato is a DC staple and when it felt like 100 degrees, ice cream was necessary. I went half coffee and cookies, half blueberry lavender (yum)!
-Woke up Saturday to walk of Friday’s pasta off and I and intentionally went in the direction of the cutest book store I used to love to go to. I went more for the brunch, but still.
-Le Diplomate is a favorite by so many. Since we had all been here a few times before, we decided to go off the grid, and go big and order the seafood platter. Worth every penny and stare we got.
-Had such a great long weekend in D.C, but was glad to get back early Sunday morning to have the day to get organized and to have one last indulgence before the weekend was over. Crossed Oishii sushi off my Dallas eats list! You have to get the cesar roll if you go.

Annie

p.s. I snuck in two recipe posts last week! Don’t miss my Mayo-Less Salmon Salad and Quick Pickled Red Onions.