Vacation Packing List (and Picks)
2.27.2019

Casual travel outfit // Calpak luggage

As you may have seen on Instagram, I'm currently on a getaway to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree with Jo for her bachelorette trip! I thought I would share some of the things I've packed for my trip, as well as some other cute finds for an upcoming vacation! 

The Basics



Effortless Chic


Accessories



Swim



Travel Essentials



AND... One of my very favorite places to shop, Shopbop, is running one of their big annual sales today! I've rounded up some of my favorite Shopbop picks for you below!




Are you traveling anywhere fun this winter/spring??

Cleansing Veggie + Protein Bowl
1.28.2019

Cleansing Veggie + Protein Bowl with cruciferous veggies, leafy greens and clean protein // #ketorecipe #cleaneating
I've been experimenting with this recipe for the past few weeks, and am so excited to share it with you! It's packed with five different nutritious veggies, and features some lean & clean protein and healthy fat as well.

After going off of birth control recently, I'm making every effort to balance my hormones and repair my liver and gut (since hormonal birth control can take a serious toll on both). One thing I'm doing is eating lots of cruciferous veggies and fiber. This recipe has lots of both! It has a double dose of cruciferous veggies in the cauliflower rice and kale. The onion and garlic are great for gut health. Seriously, there are so many good-for-you things packed into one meal!

I'm not a chef or food blogger, so none of this has exact measurements or anything, but it I can make it, it's easy 😉 This makes 3 solo meals for me, and I sauteed a new batch of kale + tomatoes each time.

Ingredients:
1lb organic ground chicken
1 diced white onion
1 diced bell pepper
1 bag frozen cauliflower rice
3-4 minced garlic cloves
avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
Himalayan pink salt
black pepper
garlic powder
onion powder
6 cups fresh chopped kale
halved cherry tomatoes
crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese

How to make it:
In one pan I start by prepping my ground chicken. I drizzle some oil in the pan and add the ground chicken, diced onion and diced bell pepper. As this is cooking I season the mixture with the salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. 

I then start my cauliflower rice in another pan along with the minced garlic. I season this with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder then cover with a lid to steam it for a few minutes. 

When the cauliflower rice is done, I push it over to the side of the pan, drizzle a bit of oil in the open space, and add 2 cups of kale + a handful of cherry tomatoes. I sautee these for a couple of minutes, and season with a bit of salt & pepper.

Bowl assembly:
I add 1/3 of the cauliflower rice to the bottom of my bowl, then 1/3 of the ground chicken mixture.  I then top with my kale, tomatoes, and a sprinkling of cheese. 

And Voilà!

That's it. I simple sautee 2 more cups of kale + a few tomatoes each time I reheat my leftover cauliflower rice + ground chicken mixture. Easy, healthy, delicious.

Please let me know if you try this!! Send me a snap on Instagram or tag me in your story - I would love to know how you like it!

What I'm Working on this Year
1.17.2019


satin wrap dress with snakeskin boots

Rather than starting off the new year with a bang and tons of motivation, I’ve found myself caught in the winter [and Instagram] doldrums. I’ve slowed down on posting a bit to give myself some time to reset + work on my mojo, which is proving to be very healthy!

However, I have been quietly setting goals for the year as they come to me during day-to-day life, and I thought I would share a few with you.

I don’t get super cheesy with my goals/resolutions, but I like to reflect on things I’ve been slacking on, where I need to improve and what I need to get done (both big and small). I’m keeping my list short and sweet for this year’s post...

silky shift dress in burnt orange

Blog redesign and re-launch!! (so excited for what’s coming in the next couple of months)

Get my hormones and skin in check (through testing and a holistic treatment plan)

Read more books (this + this are at the top of my list)

Better organize my home (in all facets) and purge lots of items

Tackle the next round of home renovations (baseboard trim, small renovation to guest bathroom)

Reduce my sugar intake

Increase my savings and retirement contributions

Continue to make travel a priority

Blog more wellness and lifestyle content

Improve my [very limited] graphic design skill set

Eat more veggies - always a goal of mine!

Focus more on self development than what other people may think of me

wrap front silky dress with snake print boots
rust orange shift dress

I hope your 2019 is off to a fantastic start and that you're already meeting some of your goals! ♥

Dress (c/o Lulu's)  |  Boots

All of My Favorite Things from 2018
1.03.2019

All of my favorite things of 2018
Happy 2019! Just want to quickly say how much I appreciate you being here! 

I thought I would do a round-up of lots of my favorite things I discovered and purchased in 2018! I meant to do this sometime during that Christmas to New Years time warp, but I ended up taking time off from my laptop, which was glorious! 

I'm inevitably forgetting to include something amazing, but here are some of my favorite things from last year... 

MAKEUP

I have three of these, but my favorite color is "George"! It's a great everyday mauve-y nude. I love these because they're clean beauty, and they're not as drying as most liquid lipsticks.

I was always skeptical about setting sprays, but this spray made me a believer! Not only does it make my makeup last longer, but it makes it look better! It gives everything a smooth, glowy finish. It's amazing!

I love love love this palette! The colors are gorgeous and can all be mixed and combined with one another. I also find it to be super blendable and long-lasting.

This is another clean beauty product that I love! It sets makeup beautifully, and creates a really nice glow. I have the "brightening translucent" shade.

SKINCARE

With skincare you rarely see immediate results, but every single time I use this I wake up with smoother, more glowing skin. This is a holy grail for me for sure!

This is hands-down my favorite cleanser I've ever used, and it's affordable + non-toxic! It's perfect for sensitive skin, and great at removing makeup. Bonus: you can pick it up at Target.

This is so nourishing for your skin! And it helps to regenerate your skin, so if you have any scarring or hyperpigmentation, rosehip is a great oil for that! It's also noncomedogenic, so it won't clog your pores or cause acne.

I love this mask so much that I wrote an entire blog post about it! I use it as a mask and then a spot treatment every night and it really helps my blemishes to clear up more quickly.

This is pricey for a lip balm, but lasts forever and works SO well. I get super dry lips, especially in the colder months, and this is the best product I've found so far!

HAIR

Pantene Pro-V Charcoal Shampoo + Conditioner
I wrote a blog post featuring this duo over the summer, and they're still in my weekly rotation. I truly love them so much and nothing else makes my hair feel cleaner! You also can't beat the price point and pump-tops as well.

Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Leave-in Conditioner
I've been gradually trying products in Kristin Ess' product line (anyone else obsessed with her??), and have found a lot that I love, but this one is probably my favorite so far! I have very fine hair that gets really tangled, but this + my wet brush are a dream team after showering. I love that it really is weightless and doesn't leave my hair greasy at all.

Love Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo
I just started using this a few weeks ago, but it's quickly taken over as my favorite dry shampoo so far! It soaks up oil at my roots, adds volume, and doesn't give me the nasty product buildup that so many aerosol dry shampoos do. I also love that it's organic and cruelty free! 
  

OTHER BEAUTY/HYGIENE

I don't know why I waited so long to try these, because they really, really work! Not only do they look like you got a gel mani, but they last so much longer that your normal at-home nail polish! I've found that if I re-apply the top coat every couple of days that it lasts even longer.

Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish
This was easily my favorite body product of 2018! While it is pricey, I feel it's 100% worth it because it makes your skin so much smoother and it's a clean beauty product! I've always had nasty bumps on the backs of my arms, and this is the first product that's ever helped. The packaging is also beautiful, so it makes for a lovely gift!

Schmidt's Natural Deodorant
One of my best changes in 2018 was switching to natural and aluminum deodorant! It was definitely an adjustment period, but now I'll never go back to conventional deodorant. I've tried a few brands, and so far my clear favorite is Schmidt's deodorants. I'm currently using the charcoal & magnesium one and it lasts alllll day for me (and through sweaty spin classes).

CLOTHING

Madewell Curvy High-Rise Skinny Jeans


I've said it before and I'll say it again... These are my favorite pair of jeans I've ever owned! They fit like a glove (no alterations needed in the waist 🙌) and they're super, super slimming. Madewell jeans are 100% worth the investment in my opinion!

Belen Cropped Turtleneck
This top hasn't made an appearance on the blog or my Instagram yet, but I just got it and am so obsessed! It's the perfect fit, super comfy and soft, and I can't wait to get it in white as well. This is a staple I foresee myself wearing countless times and styling countless ways.

Outdoor Voices Hudson Shorts
Hands-down the best workout shorts I've ever owned! They fit well, they're flattering, and they're high-waisted! I got the pink this summer in Austin, and will definitely be adding the black to my workout wardrobe this year. I love my other Outdoor Voices pieces as well!

My Teddy Jackets + Coats!
My very favorite teddy coat is now sold out so I can't link it for you girls, but I love my growing collection! They're warm but chic at the same time and I feel so much cuter in them than in traditional coats.

ACCESSORIES

ZeroUV Sunglasses


This year I discovered the affordable sunglasses brand ZeroUV and I don't think I bought anything else all year! This pair is definitely my most-worn pair of sunglasses to-date!

XO Hanalei Coin Necklace
This was my favorite necklace of the year, and the quality held up beautifully! It's the perfect delicate necklace to wear everyday and to layer with other necklaces.

Lack of Color Hat
I can't even tell you how long I've wanted a Lack of Color hat, and I finally got one this year! Their hats are fantastic quality and are so stinkin cute! I wear mine all the time and always get compliments on it. 

ARANjewels Earrings
I discovered the ARANjewels Etsy shop through a blog reader, and ordered a couple of pairs of stud earrings to layer in my piercings, and they're amazing! I rarely take them out to shower, but they haven't tarnished at all and still look brand new months later. I definitely plan to order more jewelry from this shop this year!

WELLNESS

Thrive Market


Thrive Market has been a game-changer for me this year! Living in a smaller town in the Midwest I don't have easy access to a lot of healthy food brands, wellness products, and clean beauty. Through Thrive I've gotten to try so many amazing products, and they're shipped quickly to my doorstep! Some of my very favorite products that I order over and over again are Flackers, Primal Kitchen everything (especially their salad dressings), this collagen powder, and lots of amazing herbal teas.  I get lots of clean beauty and home products through there too. You can try it for free and get 25% off your order here! I can't recommend it enough.

Ritual Vitamins
I looked into these for months before finally biting the bullet, but I'm loving them so far! I love that my two capsules per day have a fresh, minty taste and focus on the main deficiencies most women have (no extra BS!). They aren't unpleasant to take like most vitamins are. Try them for $5 off here!

Vitruvi Essential Oils
I've tried several brands of essential oils, and so far Vitruvi oils have been my favorite! Their quality is excellent and I love their packaging (so chic). I have one of their diffusers on my wish list!


HOME

Article Sven Sofa


I've had my eye on this sofa for a few years now, and we finally purchased it this fall! It's beautiful, comfortable, high-quality, and was shipped to us very quickly. I'm so impressed!

Crate & Barrel Wine Glasses
I treated myself to a set of these red wine glasses this year, and have zero regrets. I think they're gorgeous!

THINGS I WANT TO TRY IN THE NEW YEAR



   

2018 Holiday Gift Guide + Nordstrom Giveaway
12.12.2018

2018 Christmas Gift Guide | Love, Lenore
I'm a little late to the game with my gift guides, but hopefully some of you have procrastinated and will still find this helpful! 😉 I decided to put my ideas all in one post this year, so that it can be your one-stop holiday shop! 

GIFTS FOR HER
These are some general ideas for the gal pals in your life, whether it be friends, your sister or your mom/mom-in-law - there's a little something for everyone here! A few of my favorites are these wine glasses (I have and love), an Instant Pot for gals who like to cook, these cute fuzzy slippers, and this soft thermal. You can also never go wrong with a spa or mani/pedi gift certificate either!



GIFTS FOR THE BEAUTY QUEEN
I LOVE giving beauty gifts, and there are always great deals and cute sets this time of year! I've found that it's sometimes hard to pull the trigger on a fancy face mask or face oil for yourself, so I like to pamper others with these types of gifts. 




GIFTS FOR THE HEALTHY GIRL
As a wellness-obsessed person myself, I couldn't leave out some healthy girl gift ideas! You definitely can't go wrong gifting some cute Outdoor Voices pieces, and I would love this pretty NutriBullet for daily smoothies.



GIFTS FOR THE GIRL ON THE GO
My parents got me a suitcase set last year, and it was an amazing gift! I want to travel more in the future and I know a lot of us feel the same, so I thought a travel gift guide for her would be put to good us!



STOCKING STUFFERS FOR HER
And....stocking stuffers! Always some of my favorite gifts to pick up. I love these scrunchies, this lip balm, and this portable charger.



GIFTS FOR HIM
Guys can be so hard to shop for, am I right?? Trey's favorite gifts are usually experiences (sporting events, concert tix, etc.), but I like to mix in some other gifts as well.




STOCKING STUFFERS FOR HIM
And I couldn't leave out stocking stuffer ideas for your guy!



ON MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST
I thought I would share a few things on my own Christmas wish list! I think Trey and I may gift ourselves a record player, but we're not sure yet!



$1,000 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway
And last but not least... To make your holiday shopping a little bit easier, I've teamed up with a group of bloggers to give you a chance to win a $1,000 Nordstrom Gift Card!

To enter: complete the steps in the rafflecopter below. The more steps you complete,
the more entries you receive, and the better your chance at winning! This giveaway runs until Monday, December 17th at 12am PST. 
Winner will be announced here. Good Luck! 
*this giveaway is in no way sponsored by Nordstrom.
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