Living with Food Allergies

Well, folks, that day has come where I finally discovered a food allergy. I know this is weird, but I since last year, I wanted to be Celiac so that I had to go gluten-free instead of having a choice. Now, if you're Celiac, don't tell me I don't want it. I realize that I shouldn't want it. I'm just weird like that. Anyway, this summer I would get red bumps and welts that would itch and my throat would itch like crazy. I don't have anaphylaxis, so my throat never closed up and I just thought it'd go away after a while... Newsflash: it did not. Fast forward to the beginning of August and I finally decided to go to my allergist and have a scratch test done. Turns out I'm allergic to beef & mushrooms. The first thing I texted my best friends, Emily & Caroline was "How unAmerican am I that I can no longer have hamburgers?!" It was slightly traumatizing.

The next week, I went and saw mom-b who's son has EE and she knows all about food allergies. She's done the research, so I mooched off of her and found out all sorts of things you can find beef. I won't list them all, but here are a few that I ate during "vegetarian phases" that I had no clue contained beef:

1. red dye #40 & yellow #5 - I know they aren't good for you anyway (esp. for people with ADHD, like me), but had no idea there was beef in it!

2. "natural flavors" - now, I try to avoid artificial flavors, but always thought natural flavors were ok. natural flavors are often from an animal source. Typically it is not labeled if it is veggie or animal, much less which animal, so I'm steering clear of it!

3. Glycerin - Animal fat. it's in all my soaps...maybe that's why I'm getting welts? 

As soon as I found out I was allergic to beef & mushrooms, I whisked off to Maine & Canada. Traveling is especially hard with a beef allergy you aren't used to yet...

As strenuous as looking at every ingredient is, I know I'll be healthier in the long run.

And now I don't eat this cute guy:

Missing In Action

Where oh where have I been these past few months?!? I am such an inconsistent blogger...

One would think that with all this "free time" during summer, I'd be writing up a storm posting lots of pics. However, it seems that my free summer time quickly went way to summer classes, creating a catalog for Over Under Clothing, visiting my brother & sister-in-law in Memphis, visiting one of my high school best friends in Auburn, making quick stops over in Tallahassee, and most recently, going to Maine for a wedding.

Here's an update on my life if anyone is still out there...

1. My failed gluten-free diet that I swore I would be able to do this summer, still didn't happen.
2. I found out I'm allergic to mushrooms & beef. Let me tell you, beef is in SO many things that you wouldn't think of! I'll leave that for another time, though.
3. I got hired by Over Under. I run their twitter page (check it out here: @over_under_co) and have been doing some fun graphics things with Adobe.
Which brings me to...
4. I am changing my major from Early Childhood Education to Graphic Design. Eek! I'm a junior changing my major (what am i doing?!). Although I cannot draw on paper to save my life, I love manipulating images on the computer. I pray that this is the right step for me and that I will ultimately be happy with my decision.


The wedding in Maine was FABULOUS! Tish, if you're reading this- please adopt me and let me come live in Maine with y'all and get married up there. Boothbay Harbor is such a beautiful place...

FSU

Last weekend I went to Tallanasty (Tallahassee) to visit some friends that are there for summer. This is a photo of me & one of my childhood friends at my sister-in-law's favorite bar there- Ken's. I have to say, the Strip is definitely an experience. If you ever find yourself in Tally, you must take one night to explore the wonders of The Strip.
Xo
SGL

Smoothie Experiment

I love to make smoothies...especially in the summer heat of Florida! I experiment with different combinations of fruits, sorbets, etc. This afternoon produced quite a delicious outcome. I knew I was in the mood for a smoothie (so what's new?), so I just gathered random things from my kitchen and created this lovely one-serving smoothie.

Ingredients:
1/2 banana, cut into 2-inch chunks
2 spoonfuls yogurt
1 serving of stonyfield's fruit on the bottom blueberry yogurt
1/4-1/3c frozen raspberries
3 handfuls frozen blueberries
1 scoop of Talenti's roman raspberry Sorbetto

Combine in blender... I just press the smoothie button & presto!

What a great lunch!

What are some of y'alls favourite smoothies?? I love to try new ones, please share!

ADHD

Why oh why am I such an inconsistent blogger? I was doing well there for a while whilst in school...maybe it's me avoiding the workload...

A couple of posts ago I talked about how my blog would have more of a direct focus (being food). And that would be lovely, except with fosters, charging VBS at my church, an online class, & Over Under - I've got so much going on, that I'm not sure I'll be in the kitchen as much as I'd like... Literally the last thing I baked were those blueberry banana muffins...

So I'm saying screw focus...this blog is going attention deficit. (my posts can be about whatever is on my mind that day). Yay.


With that out of the way, let me start by introducing new foster Mae!

She & Dutch are such dorks together. They both "have" to go potty in bushes or shrubs (they seek them out even if it's highly inconvenient). I put food in Dutch's bowl & food in Mae's and they will only eat out of the other's bowl (not their own). Mae & Dutch are not thunderstorms biggest fans (thanks, rain, for coming tonight). They are funny. Dutch is so easy going, he gets along with all the dogs so I never worry about him.

I gave each dog a Best Bully Sticks stick this afternoon (outside, those stink!) & Dutch chewed through his like a champ & then he proceeded to take Mae's stick that she was still working on...proof: boys are jerks (sorry for a bit on venting there).

Mae is having surgery tomorrow! Keep her in your prayers!!

Mae

Sweet foster Mae❤

Back to Baking

As I have stated many a time {maybe to you, but probably more my stomach} - I want NEED to be in the kitchen more.

We had these awful looking black bananas {which are perfect for baking}

I whipped up some Whole Wheat Blueberry Banana Bread Muffins. Mmmm.

I used to hate bananas. Actually, I'm still really picky about them. I don't like eating bananas from the peel, they have to be sliced with a sharp knife - I swear they don't taste good any other way.

The only other way I'll eat bananas is if they're in baked goods! Banana chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, blueberry banana muffins... yum!

Whole Wheat Blueberry Banana Bread Muffins

{from How Sweet It Is}

· 2 cups whole wheat flour

· 1/3 cup sugar

· 1 egg

· 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

· 1/2 teaspoon salt

· 1 teaspoon baking soda

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· 4 ripe bananas, mashed

· 1/2 cup blueberries

Preheat over to 350° F. Grease muffin tin.

Mix sugar, applesauce, & egg until creamy & light yellow. Add bananas & vanilla. Add flour, baking soda, & salt. Stir until completely smooth. Fold in blueberries. Spoon the batter into muffin tins. Top with coarse sugar.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Well folks, in case you aren't aware {attention Brother!} Mother's Day is THIS Sunday. I've collected a handful of gift ideas for the hospitable, southern mom.

1. Equestrian Style: Home Design, Couture, and Collections from the Eclectic to the Elegant

2. KEP Designs Precious Earrings Medium Sand Dollar

3. Stephanie Johnson bags

4. Jennifer Carroll Designs Pink + Green Blooms Card Set

5. Nothing is better than fresh hydrangeas! :)

6. Design Darling Corrin Bracelet

7. Chinoiserie Navy folded notes by Boatman Geller

8. Dogeared Gold Dipped Necklace with Large White Pearl

Don't forget to send your mum something on Sunday!

Mother's Day

Can't wait to celebrate Mother's Day with my mum and Dutch! :) Thanks, Olive, for these awesome reasons why Dutch is better than a real child... for now!

NEWSFLASH - I Survived Finals!

Hello? Is anybody still out there?

I know I've been MIA lately... I wish I had a better excuse than school... We all know I'd much rather write, shop, eat, bake, pretty much do anything other than study, but I had to bunker down and study for exams last week.

Since then, I have been soaking in some much needed relaxation. I've been enjoying my sweet time sleeping, online shopping, and spending time with Dutch and our temporary foster dog, Jake. What a sweetheart. He came from Nassau county, I believe as a stray. Jake just wants to be petted and loved on. He is SUCH a cutie.

My plan for the blog this summer is to be less random and have a more direct focus - FOOD. While I love to bake and cook, this school year I haven't been able to do as much as I would like. I'm hoping that this summer I can take over the kitchen like I used to do in high school and just bake all the time. So while I hope to post more recipes and such, I will also post random shopping things (and dog posts, too) and probably random life events as I have been doing.

Now, this certainly isn't much of a blog post, I just wanted to make sure that the World Wide Web knew I was still alive & haven't forgotten my blog {yet}.

OOLW (outfit of last week)

My intention was to post this last week during finals because I really liked my outfit, but clearly time got away from me & I didn't post. Well friends, you can love last week's outfit just as much this week.

Colorblocking is the not-so-new trend whose train I just boarded. This top is my first colorblocking piece. I went to lunch wearing this outfit and the cashier at Panera said, "I love your top...Nice colorblocking." Needless to say I felt very on-trend. 

{blouse: karlie, jeans: true religion, bag: similar, shoes: similar, watch: swell caroline, snail bangle: j.crew, pearl bracelet: from childhood}

Fun Summer Outfits

Fun Summer Outfits by sglewis featuring Chloé flats

I just ordered both these tops from Topshop for summer! I can't wait to have fun making more outfits with them!

Statement Necklaces

Statement necklaces are great! They've come and gone through the years, but now they're back and better than ever {at least in my opinion}. I love the selections below and am coveting them! I just ordered some cheap-o "J.Crew" necklace off of ebay...not sure how it's going to look, but it is the new J.Crew bubble necklace that's all over Instagram. Well, supposedly that's what it is... it's coming from China, so we shall see... Anyway, I think statement necklaces are great! My mum has always been a chunky necklace person - she pulls it off well. What are your favorite necklaces this season??

Statement Necklaces by sglewis featuring J.Crew necklaces

Wednesday Words

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(via Pinterest)

The Liebster Award

I was delightfully surprised when I logged onto blogger this AM!

My new blog friend, Lauren, has passed on the Liebster Blog Award to me. Thanks, Lauren! "Liebster" means darling or beloved. It also means we've got a "new fancy word to throw around!" (That's what Ashley said just a few days ago).

The Liebster Blog Award criteria:

The Liebster Award is for up-and-coming bloggers (200 followers or less) that you think deserve recognition for their fabulous blogging abilities.

How the process works...

Each nominee should:

● Choose blogs to give the Liebster Award to.
● Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
● Post the award on your blog.
● List the bloggers you gave the award to with links to their sites.
● Leave a comment on their blogs to let them know they's received the award.
● Share five random facts about yourself.

Who I am passing the Liebster Award on to...

Liz at According to L

Ashlie at Golden & Lovely

Jess at Livin' on Sweet Tea

Ashley at Loving Life and Lilly

dWa at Prep In Your Step

FIVE RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME:

1. I'm left handed. Rumor has it we have a shorter life expectancy than right-handed folks.

2. I love dogs. Surprising, no?  ;)

3. I have Patellar Tracking Disorder. 

4. Today is my birthday...I was born on Good Friday, nbd.

5. Online shopping is my kryptonite. 

currently

Afternoon, y'all! Just for fun, and in an effort to make more blog friends, I'm participating in:

current book(s):

current playlist:

Chicago - Sufjan Stevens

If Your Love Is Real - David Gray

The Seine River Waltz / Anna William's Reel / The Newfoundland Reel - The Duhks

Boom (feat. T-Pain) - Snoop Dogg

Beautiful - G. Love featuring Tristan Prettyman

current color:

essie's mint candy apple

current food:

current favorite show(s):

current needs:

motivation to study for final exams... pretty sure you can't buy that

current triumphs:

I blew dry my hair all on my own. This is a big deal, people. My hair is long & thick & takes forever to dry.

current banes of my existence:

school. if I could snap my fingers and have a diploma in my hand, I would. 

current celebrity crush:

I know I'm late boarding the Alexa Chung train, but I just realized how much I love her style.

via

current #1 blessing:

Life. Family. Dutch. Health.

current indulgence:

Anything by Talenti... it's over $4 per pint, but soo worth it.

current outfit:

Yoga pants & a LSE tee... it's lazy Sunday, don't judge.

current excitement:

Interning at Over Under Clothing this summer! So.Pumped.

current mood:

tired.

current favorite quote or verse:

truth.

Jesus Culture

current wish list item(s):

Design Darling's Monkey Candlestick

Tory Burch leopard flats

wish list: To Be This Chic

current favorite product(s):

iPhone 4s Case

Woohoo! My Pretty Smitten iPhone case came today! How beautiful is it?? Elizabeth is so stinkin' creative...

Over Under {again}

I know I just posted about Over Under, but I thought I would add my favorite items!

and, of course, I love the logo:

Over Under Clothing Giveaway

My friend, Bryan, launched Over Under Clothing in December 2011. We're working very hard to get the word out and tell everybody about Over Under! What makes Over Under different from other "preppy" brands is the fact that every item is made in the USA. The cotton for t-shirts, for example, comes from Georgia and Mississippi. The leather comes from Ohio. It is very important to Bryan to support the American economy - especially in the tough times that we {as a country} are facing. What's even more special about Over Under is that 5% of each purchase goes to benefit Lab Rescue shelters and Ducks Unlimited North America. Every Jacksonville purchase goes to LRROF - District 4 {Northeast Florida}. And, if you've been following me from the beginning, you know LRROF is very important to me. As the company grows, Bryan wants to be able to give to Lab Rescues in the area where the purchaser lives. 

Dutch wears his Over Under collar with pride!

This month's photo contest is called, "Water Dog Photo Contest." Want a chance to win free Made in USA apparel and accessories? Send a photo of your 'water dog' to info@overunderclothing.com Contest ends April 29th. Check out the Facebook page to see other entries!

Dutch's Water Dog Photos:

fill in the blank friday

I was reading Livin' On Sweet Tea today and discovered a brilliant thing called 'fill in the blank friday'.

This show is hilarious!

I love Arrested Development, so when I saw Will Arnett was doing a show with Maya Rudolph created by Lorne Michaels, I knew it would be fabulous. It's apparently just like real life {according to my parents}, haha! It's hysterical...so I'm re-watching some episodes today.

Since I'm sick and just sitting on my tush watching old Up All Night episodes, let's give this a whirl!

1. Today is a good day because I got my pillow in the mail {see previous post} & since I'm sick, I can eat ice cream & it doesn't count...right?

2. The best thing I did all week was see my sweet friend, C, get married {does Saturday count as this week?} If not, the best thing would be GEMS. On Wednesday nights at RCC, my friend, Audra, & I lead a group of girls {K-2nd grade}. They are crazy - and sometimes you need a glass of wine after being in charge of some sassy gals, BUT I so enjoy hanging out with them & watching them learn & grow. They're funny & they just love us... What? I like attention, ok?

3. The current weather is partly sunny & it makes me feel annoyed. I'm sitting in the sun porch so that I can get some sunlight, but it's cloudy & therefore annoying.

4. The best thing about spring is my birthday in T-4 days. Does that make me narcissistic?

5. A fashion trend that I'm dying to try out for spring is bold prints.

6. A person who made me smile this week was AK, a 1st grader in my GEMS group. She said, "Woah. You're not married yet?!" Ha! At the ripe age of 20, I'm not too worried yet, AK! ;)

7. The most delicious thing I ate all week was a Chocolate Duet cookie from Panera. 

I'm linking up over at the little things we do.

Friday The Thirteenth

Do you believe in superstitions? I used to Google "superstitions" to find out all the things I was supposed to believe... and stood by those beliefs for a full 60 seconds before I completely forgot about them. Turns out, ADHD isn't such a bad thing after all ;)

This Friday the 13th, I find myself sick {congestion, cough, scratchy throat - fun stuff} & cozy on the couch with my blanket &, of course, Dutch. Due to swollen glands and one persistent cough/sore throat, the only food I seem to be consuming is Häagen-Dazs® ice cream, preferably chocolate.

I'm totally going to gain 50lbs this weekend...

I got some great mail today! Today, my Decorative Dress-shaped Pillow from wamozart12 that I won on Miss Southern Prep's giveaway arrived! Check it out:

Grab yours now!

Look at that amazing ric-rac on the pocket!

I decided to get crafty with the Camera+ and Frametastic apps

Catherine's shop is so lovely and I cannot wait to put this pillow in my room at the beach house!

Want a chance to win something from Miss Southern Prep? She's got a great giveaway going on now from an Etsy shop that I love: My Pink and Green Garden. I'm entering and so should you! :) 

These are a few of my favourite things from My Pink and Green Garden's shop:

pillows galore and memo boards

What's your favourite piece from My Pink and Green Garden?