Baked Lemon Honey Donuts: the recipe

Ya know, us southerners really have a lot going for us. Hashtag proud. 

Near the top of that list is being the birthplace of sweet sweet Krispy Kreme donuts. When the city glows with red indications of hot & fresh rings of love ready for consumption my heart skips a beat {and my car pulls in to the drive-thru...} My love for donuts grew on me early and was quite possibly the #1 reason I attended Sunday School. 

My oh-so-trendy mother encouraged me to try making my own version using a donut pan. What? No deep fryer? Sad face. 

Hot fatty oil aside, I acquiesced. 

Duh.

{Baked Lemon Honey Donuts recipe after the jump}

wear it everywhere: the ankle bootie

If you've seen me in the past couple of weeks, I've probably been wearing the same brown fringe ankle booties every single time {well maybe I was wearing my black pair ;) }.  To say I am obsessed with them is a massive understatement. I've decided they are more comfortable than heels and more attractive than flats {sorry Tor}. 

So here is some 'fashion-spiration' that will keep my booties wearing strong well into spring: 

 Personally I think the ankle boots make these looks feel a bit more pulled together even though they are casual, comfy and weekend-ready. 

Right now my booties go hand-in-hand with a pair of skinnies. The looks can be as casual or pulled-together as you would like.  

I love a pair of ankle boots with a dress- it is just too cute! This look will be on rotation the second it gets warm. {please happen soon!}

hail to the ankle bootie!

{I wear the Kinley boot in tan and black from Target}

love between 2 slices

Are we Instagram friends? {we should be! @amandamacyhall} 

 If we are, you have noticed that Josh and I recently acquired a love for paninis.

As a former sandwich-loather this has been a big step for my brain and my belly. Not sure when or really even why...but I have been stiff-arming deli meat smushed between sliced bread for some time. Turns out, that habit really puts a hindrance on husband-made-meals. What is it about guys and their love for a sammy?! 

Recently, we were strolling through Macy's in search of a wedding gift for any number of our friends and we spotted a lovely little pan & press panini maker. Josh was into it and I was very into the thought of being served dinner :) 

Since then a week doesn't go by that a delicious combination of meats, veggies and spreads smushed between sliced bread hits the dinner table {or bed or couch...you know}. 

Combinations we love:

Fig Jam Spread + Bacon + Cream Cheese

Fried Egg + Prosciutto + Fruit Jelly

White Cheddar + Jalapenos + Bacon 

Avocado + Prosciutto +  Goat Cheese

Provolone + Spinach + Bacon + Roasted Red Peppers

{all with deliciously healthy Ezekiel bread}

Yes, you probably noticed that so far the only 'sandwich meat' I have tried is prosciutto or bacon...

What panini recipes do YOU love? Try me, I am feeling adventurous! :)

hello spring, let's play!

It's the FIRST DAY OF SPRING! Hallelujah! 

The bright shining sun and manageable temperatures make it a perfect time to enjoy an outdoor workout. 

|ONE| It's finally here, an easy way to hold your phone and house key while you run. The {FlipBelt} wears comfortably around your waist and looks pretty cute too! 

|TWO| Am I the last girl to have a {Lululemon No Limits Tank}? I think so, it looks crazy comfortable and chic- on the top of my wish list!

|THREE| I love my {Nike Free} shoes for non-cardio workouts. They support in all the right places, are extremely light and I love the fun colors! 

|FOUR| Since you're already there...check out these hot {Target C9 Compression Capris}. I love the print and the fit + fabric is perfect for any type of workout. 

let's go play outside!

the coffee bar

A great little spot has been created in our kitchen for coffee brewing, tea making and wine pouring. Who doesn't love multi-function?

I wanted the coffee bar to be functional but also decorative. We went with a metal theme that compliments the industrial look of our living room {that is just a couple feet away} and also looks good on the light-medium gray walls. 

{drinks after the jump}

creamy pesto pasta recipe

Let's make something quick, easy and tasty tonight. 

{see how after the jump}

fur ottoman + pillow / DIY how to

Out of 2 IKEA faux sheepskins come 4 new fuzzy home accents!

{all for less than $40}

I like how these pieces offer up a bit of sass and glamour, they are both {faux} luxurious and fun! 

{ottoman: sally wheat interiors  |  pillow: west elm}

See the How To for both projects after the jump! 

hallmade: our etsy shop

 

Lately I have been very inspired to update some of my Etsy frames. It was one of those tasks that I thought about every night as I drove from work but sadly never got around to actually doing it. Well on Saturday I spread my supplies out and got to it! Yay! 

Since moving to our new house, Josh and I have diligently spent time each morning in our breakfast spot reading a devotional and the Bible. It has proved to be such a fulfilling routine for us, I personally crave that time each morning and feel that it helps to lead my thoughts throughout the day. 

Quiet/Devotional Time...You should consider it! 

All of that inspiration finally led to new designs in our Etsy shop:

{see the designs after the jump!}

wanted

|ONE| A springy iphone case to welcome to change in weather {tory burch}

|TWO| A new and necessary top for a cute and easy weekend uniform {old navy}

|THREE| A blingy addition to the bracelet stack, plus it's under $35 and jcrew {jcrew}

|FOUR| A stylish pair to shade the oh-so-welcomed sun's rays {kate spade}

|FIVE| A tote perfect for work, shopping and plenty of spring picnics in between {cwonder}

|SIX| A pair of these beauties seamlessly steps into any outfit {target}

who's ready to go shopping?

mighty manly meat pizza

 Remember that time you went to the grocery to get stuff to make pizza and came home with  everything but? Oh that wasn't you? It was me? Yeah...it was. 

Improvise to satisfy. 
{recipe after the jump}

patio plannin'

One day soon it will get warm...even though we saw snow on Saturday, I am hopeful! You can do it Atlanta, get warm! Let me see your sun! Please! 

When it does, we want to be patio ready. I've never furnished or decorated an outdoor space before so my mind is all sorts of over-inspired. 

So I need your help! 

The 3 themes in the running are...

Vibrant, happy and fun. This theme is full of energy and life and begs to live under the summer sun. It has a boho feel and gorgeous pops of hot pink and orange. 

Soft, airy and soothing. This patio theme features layers of sunbleached whites and tans and is picture perfect for relaxing with a glass {or two} of crisp white wine.

Clean, stylish and chic. I have an affinity for graphic hits of black and white that I just cannot shake. This theme bodes well for glossy blacks, strong lines, bright whites and modern prints. 

Let's have a sit on the patio!

But....let's buy some chairs first...

Whats your fave?

*photo references available upon request, most can be found on my pinterest 'patio livin' board here

a new life

We updated our wingback chairs! 

{without the cost or pain of an upholstery job!}

Soon after we were married we were gifted a set of white wingback chairs in great condition. For a while, I added 'Amanda-like' pillows to them to make them more 'us', but I knew that they still weren't fully there yet...

So we gave them a makeover! 

 These images stuck in my mind every step of the way:

|ONE| apartment therapy. The moment I saw this image, I needed that throw and fur. Look how easily they change the mood of that leather sofa. 

|TWO| atlanta homes & lifestyles. A solid contrasting color strip of upholstery trim gives these chairs a style update and new personality. 

|THREE| little green notebook. Digging through the LGN blog I came across this project, I knew parts of it would be perfect to re-create! That Jenny, she is good! 

|FOUR| hgtv blog. Another image perpetuating my desire for white fur and black stripes. Had to have it. 

|FIVE| vanguard furniture. The unfinished legs on this chair give it such a casual cool vibe. Plus the one strip of trim is a-maze.

|SIX| restoration hardware. Seriously, if its from RH, I love it! Unfinished/bleached wood and bold nail head trim, always a win. 

See the process...

friday, saturday, sunday

 The weekend is here!

and I promise to enjoy the little things :)

hey, you should too!

{dining room wall art: homemade chalkboard + my handwriting}

20 minutes + 2 dollars

{diy} dropcloth covered cork  board

a project just about anyone can do! 

If you have 20 minutes, some scrap materials and your cork board from your childhood room then you have everything you need for a super-easy makeover project.