A Snow Breakup Letter

Dear Snow,

I think our time has come to an end. We had a nice run, but to be honest, I'm over you. I just hate to be this blunt, but you are no use to me anymore. In college, I used to pray for your white magical flakes to get me out of class and the treacherous hikes around campus. I wouldn't have to drive, I wouldn't have to go anywhere, I could just stay in my bed and snooze and binge-watch Netflix all day. But now...now, I'm a nurse, and I have to be at work whether you make an appearance or not. I have to wake up at 5 am regardless if the ground is covered and there isn't a footprint in sight. I have to scrape my windshield and leave my house earlier and drive 25 miles-an-hour to get to the hospital on time. Heck, sometimes you even make me stay overnight at the hospital because I don't want to drive on your slick, icy roads. 

You are beautiful when you first appear. But then, your true colors come out. You make the sidewalks slick and my car a dirty, ugly mess and threaten to chip my paint away. You wreak havoc on my weather mats. You make parallel parking a complete nightmare because I slip and slide everywhere.

So, I just wanted to give you my honest opinion because you deserve it. Actually, you don't really deserve it, because you make my life a whole lot worse now. I can't (and won't) do my snow dance because I don't want you to make an appearance anymore. I'm ready for spring and warm weather. I am ready for you to melt away.

Don't take it personally. Actually, I don't even care if you do. 

Goodbye for now (and hopefully always),

Taylor

Pineapple Chicken Salad Recipe

I'm from Alabama, so chicken salad is a staple in my household. It's the ultimate comfort food and can be made in a variety of ways! Alabama (and other Southern states) has this delicious chicken salad chain called Chicken Salad Chick and I make up every excuse in the book to stop by when I'm at home visiting. The Luau Lydia is my favorite: macadamia nuts and pineapple...yum. I decided to try to make my own version of this recipe at home. It's not quite as delicious as the restaurant version, but it satisfies my craving up here in Kentucky!

Pineapple Chicken Salad

{4 boneless, skinless chicken breast tenderloins}
{1 can crushed pineapple, drained}
{8 oz cream cheese, softened}
{1 cup Miracle Whip, or mayonnaise if you prefer}
{1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce}
{1/2 cup Macadamia nuts or pecans}
{Garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste}

Note: I prefer not to have celery or onions in my chicken salad, but by all means, add them!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Salt, pepper, and garlic chicken breasts and bake for 20-25 minutes.
2. Cut chicken breasts in half and add to standing mixer to shred. I shred chicken on the 1st setting of my Kitchen Aid mixer and just add everything in as it shreds.
3. Add cream cheese, Miracle Whip, nuts of your choice, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to taste (all while still mixing).
4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.
5. Serve on croissants, bread, crackers, whatever you like!

Five on Friday!

We made it, friends! I am so excited for the weekend! I am a Valentine's Day enthusiast. Who doesn't love a day with an excuse to wear an obnoxious amount of pink and eat candy all day? Chris and I keep it low key on Valentine's Day and usually just grab dinner to-go and swap boxes of candy. Still, its a sweet reminder of how much we love each other. I'll stop being sappy now and get to the goods!

ONE - I have a massage today! Woohoo! I'm one of those people that have a membership and gets one every month...and let me tell you, it is money well spent. Having a job that is mostly standing all day makes for a very sore back and a massage at the end of the week makes me feel ten times better.

TWO -

I am obsessed with Lush bath bombs. Seriously, if you've never tried one, RUN to your nearest Lush store. These things are the bomb (pun intended). They smell delicious and there is no need for lotion after because they leave your skin feeling so soft! My favorites are the Avobath, Butterball, Sex Bomb, and Dragon's Egg.

THREE - 

I mean, come on. I'm curious. Don't judge.

FOUR - I am loving Lilly Pulitzer's spring collection! I have this dress in many different prints - it's such an effortless way to look chic and put together! I'm also loving this pair of shorts, this popover (seriously so comfortable!), and who could forget the Elsa's?! I need this one to appear in my closet, pronto. 

FIVE - 

The countdown is on! When Chris and I go to California next month I am dragging him to Disneyland. We went last year over the Christmas holiday and it was magical. We didn't make it to DCA though so I'm hoping to hop over to that park as well! I love Disney World, but there is something so magical about walking around the original Disney park that Walt himself did too. To prepare I'm doing my park ride research, packing my Mickey Ears, and watching lots of Saving Mr. Banks! 

Have a lovely Valentine's Day weekend, friends!

How to Have an Awesome Sick Day

If such a thing exists? This morning I woke up feeling like I'd just been hit by a train. It was not pretty. So I swiftly threw my hair up into a knot and left the apartment without a bra to buy the entire cold& flu pharmacy aisle (not really, I'm just dramatic). Here are my sick day essentials that guarantee you'll have the best sick day ever.

1. Get cozy. Curl up on the couch with a warm fuzzy blanket, put that hair up, and take those contacts out. I've perfected this look today. It isn't pretty but at least no one has to see me today besides the poor people in Kroger.

2. Netflix. Need I say more? My favorite sick day shows to binge watching are Gilmore Girls and Friends.

3. Brew yourself a giant cup of tea. I love Teavana's Youthberry and Wild Orange Blossom blend.

4. Make yourself some chicken noodle soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. Don't feel like getting up? Have your favorite take-out restaurant on speed dial.

5. Get yourself some good meds and don't forget your trashy magazines! Don't even try to justify it. Just do it. Get up to date on all your Kardashian gossip. No one is judging you and it will make you feel better.

6. Nap! Obviously.

Bonus: Bribe your pup with treats to get them to cuddle with you. Or does this only work for my dog?

Five On Friday!

I'm linking up with Carolina Charm, Hello! Happiness, A. Liz Adventures, and The Good Life Blog for Five on Friday! I'm going to celebrate this Friday, even though I have to work this weekend. Boo. It's been a rough past couple days at work so I'm thankful for the day to be lazy, drink endless amounts of coffee, and take a long hot bath (or two).

ONE - Over the past weekend, my dog decided her toys didn't satisfy her anymore and thought, "Hey! A pair of glasses! Yum." Yes, my dog jumped up and grabbed my Kate Spade glasses off my dresser and proceeded to eat half of them. So now my glasses are missing the ear piece and sit crooked on my face. Oh well, I guess it's just an excuse to go shopping... I'm loving this pair!

TWO - I am obsessed with Evelyn Henson's prints! I found this cute little DIY on her website and I'm going to attempt to recreate it.

via

THREE -  I am obsessed with the Aveda Dry Remedy line. I'm a blonde and my hair has seen better days this winter. I love to use this shampoo every couple days, followed by this mask. Expensive, but so worth it. On days I don't wash my hair, I use this oil on the ends of my hair to revive it and it works like a charm! Plus, the entire line smells like lavender. 

FOUR - I'm loving Southwest's plane ticket prices right now. I am traveling to California in March and every other airline is charging over $1000 to fly round-trip! Uh, no. Southwest is offering round-trip to Cali for less than $500. The ticket is only transferable (not refundable), but my excuse is that if for some reason I can't make it to Cali, I can also transfer the ticket to go to Disney World... :)

FIVE - Last but not least, I leave you with this quote I found on Pinterest. This couldn't apply better to me after the days at work I've had. I mean, it was a crying-in-the-bathroom-stall kind of day yesterday. So today I'm going to brush my shoulders off, wake up with a positive attitude, and enjoy my new day!

Have a great weekend, friends! 

{Linking up with Five on Friday}.