We Say Goodbye to Jefferson…

These past few weeks have been crazy busy for Nathan and I. We have been consumed once again with the daunting tasks of packing and moving. We said our sad goodbyes to Jefferson, TX, which has been our home for the past seven months.

I cannot express how much I was dreading leaving Jefferson. I knew the moment we moved that in a few short months we would be leaving, but I could not help getting attached. This town was unbelievably adorable and had the perfect “small-Southern town” feel. I personally prefer the country and a small town any day over a city (unless the city is Boston, because in that case I am biased). I cannot imagine not falling in love with this historical, Texan town! We loved our time spent in Jefferson with their local restaurants, farmer’s markets, bed & breakfasts, and beautiful, historical buildings.

 

And now for a brief tour. I took way to many pictures as a way to remember not just the town, but the memories we made here.

We’ll start with my FAVORITE building in Jefferson- The General Store! This General Store carries unique candies (almost anything you could think of that is not super popular. I once went in looking for M&Ms, but they told me they only carry the items you would not find in your typical grocery store). They also, of course, carry ice cream and milk shakes!

 

 

 

Next, let’s tackle some of the restaurants. There wasn’t one that we tried that we did not like. Our favorite was the Knightlight Theater. Oh my that food was delicious! We kicked ourselves in the butt for not trying it sooner. Lamanche’s came in a close second for me, mostly because I LOVE Italian food!

 

The Corkyard has a fun outdoor bar area and it seemed they were always hosting live music!

Memories & More is a piano bar with the perfect atmosphere. There is an actual piano player and the food was amazing!

 

Auntie Skinner’s was “the” bar to go to if you were looking for a wild night!

I adored taking pictures of this town- there is a surprisingly amount to see considering the size! It always blew our minds that this tiny town had something going on every weekend.

Here are some shots of the courtyard behind the Jefferson Hotel. Apparently it’s haunted and we recommend going on one of Jefferson’s famous Ghost Tours for some stories!

And if The General Store doesn’t quite have what you’re looking for to satisfy your sweet tooth, then I suggest a visit to the local fudge store!

 

 

Writing this post is making me miss Jefferson all over again! Thank you Jefferson for all the unforgettable times! If you ever find yourself in deep east Texas, you must stop at this hidden gem and former B&B capital of the USA!

 

 

 

A Healthier Chocolate Glazed Donut

Hey all! I have been completely MIA lately, but this post will make it up. I promise.

Right now I have discovered a “healthier” chocolate glazed donut recipe! I just made them as a surprise for my husband who loves chocolate glazed donuts. To start out, I do not believe in diets or completely cutting out sweets- one just needs to indulge in moderation. Therefore, I take it as a personal (and almost fun challenge) to recreate our favorite unhealthy treats and make them guilt free!

My first project: chocolate glazed donuts. These donuts use minimal sugar and some of the ingredients can be substituted for even healthier options, for those of you who are super ambitious.

I enjoyed mine with milk! Perfection!

I don’t have a wire rack, so I just placed my newly glazed donuts on a plate

I found these donuts to be super delicious (although I personally think they taste better/more chocolately when you sprinkle them with chocolate chips). They are “airy” and moist, and they’ll pair perfectly with some milk or coffee!

Now to business.

What you’ll need for the donut batter:

1 Cup Flour (For even healthier, use wheat)

1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (I used Hershey’s)

1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar

1 Egg

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/4 Cup Sour Cream (For even healthier, use Greek Yogurt)

1/4 Cup Milk

2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil (melted)

Nestle Milk Chocolate Morsels for sprinkling! (Optional)

For the Glaze:

3/4 Cup Powdered Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

2 Tbsp. Milk

To Prepare the Batter:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease your donut pan. I personally used PAM Coconut Oil.

2. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Stir well and set aside.

3. In a separate, smaller mixing bowl, combine the melted coconut butter, egg, milk, vanilla extract, and sour cream. Mix well and combine to flour mixture. Stir just to mix. The batter will be VERY thick/sticky/ hard to control.

4. Put the mixture in a Ziplock Bag and cut a slit to pipe the batter into the prepared pan. Fill about 2/3.

5. Sprinkle as many chocolate chips as you want over the donuts before you bake.

6. Place into the oven and bake for 7-10 minutes, or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.

To Prepare the Glaze:

1. Mix all ingredients. Feel free to add more sugar or milk, depending on what consistency you prefer.

2. Wait until the donuts are completely cooled and dip them into the glaze.

Viola! Enjoy!

Make-Up Bag: Mist Sray

Hey all! I hope you all have been having a wonderful day. I decided my first “Rave” would be about something I think every woman needs in her make-up bag: setting spray! I stumbled upon probably the best one I have used yet, and (dun dun dun) it’s only THREE dollars. Yes, you read that correct- three whole freakin’ dollars!

Elf Mist and Set

For those of you who are unfamiliar with setting spray, let me fill you in. This will revolutionize your make-up, I promise you. What setting spray ultimately does is make your make-up stay on all day long. It basically “seals” your whole make-up look, including the eyes. I discovered setting spray when I was researching “how to have your make-up last your whole wedding” and viola! I’m bummed I didn’t learn about it sooner.

I personally spray my face 4 times, in the form of an X formation, and then like a cross. That way it is sure to cover all of your face (don’t forget to close your eyes!). I have extremely oily skin (I always carry Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets) and my make-up tends to wear off after an hour or so. I have tried so many setting sprays, including Urban Decay’s All Nighter, and I seriously think Elf’s Mist and Set works significantly better- it is also about a third of the cost. If I pair a primer, 24hr foundation, and this spray my makeup stays put the majority of my work day. However, I still need to do some minor touch-ups due to my oily skin 😦 . This is great for those unbearably humid, hot days where your make-up just seems to melt off.

Where I live, I can find this Elf Mist and Set in Walmart or Target, I’m not sure where else they sell their products. I hope you all decide to give it a try and let me know how it goes 🙂