It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas: Holiday Decor

Back in August, Andrew and I moved into a new apartment together. I had some décor left over from previous years but I wanted to spice it up, get some new decor in there and really bring the living space together into the holiday spirit.

Christmas Decor:

We started off at Target. I got these mini christmas trees for $5-$10. Some I got in green and some I got in the white. I linked them below!

Bar cart:

The bar cart piece is actually an IKEA piece we repurposed when we moved. Its probobly my favorite thing I've bought from IKEA, ever. It's from the FJÄLLBO collection. This piece is 39 3/8" x 37 3/8" and it is $99, so super affordable compared to other bar cart pieces like it.

Bar cart:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/fjaellbo-shelf-unit-black-50339292/

I also have the matching TV stand:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/fjaellbo-tv-unit-black-90339290/

Mirror: Fun fact:

A few months back Andrew and I went to an estate sale in Hoboken. Everything was so old and the entire house was so vintage you could literally see through the floor boards down to the floor below. I saw this mirror I wanted, but wasn’t 100% sold, so we left. Afterwards, I told my mom about it and she asked why I didn’t get it and I immediately was like “you know what, yours right!”. So the next morning I dragged Andrew back with me and figured if it was still there it was far... and it was! I’m so glad we ended up buying it, and we had a fun little adventure along the way.

Christmas Decor Links:

Green Mini Trees Link:

3 pack:

https://www.target.com/p/3pk-greenery-tree-in-black-bucket-green-wondershop-8482/-/A-79476012

Single tree:

https://www.target.com/p/small-greenery-christmas-tree-in-black-bucket-decorative-figurine-green-wondershop-8482/-/A-79476009

White Mini Trees Link:

3 pack:

https://www.target.com/p/3pk-flocked-mini-tree-in-galvanized-bucket-silver-wondershop-8482/-/A-79476010#lnk=sametab

Single tree:

https://www.target.com/p/small-flocked-christmas-tree-in-silver-galvanized-bucket-decorative-figurine-green-wondershop-8482/-/A-79476011

Red Berry Tree Link:

https://www.target.com/p/artificial-berry-cone-tree-red-threshold/-/A-81864233?preselect=79643111#lnk=sametab

"Tis' the season to be tipsy" Holiday Napkins:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DPQ5LN9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also funny story, I actually took this vintage newspaper from a speakeasy I visited in New York City. They had them on every table... its definitely just a cool replica paper but I love the vibe of it on our bar cart all the same.

Pasta Bake with Pumpkin Sauce

This PASTA BAKE WITH PUMPKIN SAUCE is hands down my favorite cozy recipe!

Funny Fact:

I used to call it a mac and “cheese” but my boyfriend feels very strongly that this isn’t a “cheese” and that I should just call it what it is... a pumpkin sauce! Either way... it’s my fave.

Base + add ins:

The pasta, sauce and breadcrumb topping is the base - Then every time I make it I switch up the protein and veggie add-ins with whatever I have! This time I had chicken sausage spinach and zucchini!

Other Options:

In the past I’ve also done a buffalo chicken with tomatoes and onions add in!

Gluten free

Dairy free

Fast Metabolism Diet Approved

Phase 3

Sauce:

1 cup arugula @organicgirl

1 cup organic pumpkin puree

1 cup oat milk

1 tbsp coconut flour @bobsredmill

4 tbsp vegan Parm cheese @goveggiefoods

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp Sea salt

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne

8 ounces gluten-free pasta @tolerantfoods

Topping:

4 tbsp gluten free breadcrumbs

1 tbsp olive oil for topping @primalkitchenfoods

1/2 tsp garlic powder for topping

1/2 tsp onion powder for topping

1 chicken sausage sliced

1/2 cup zucchini cubbed

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Boil 8 ounces of pasta for approx 10 minutes.

3. Add oil to a large cast iron skillet.

4. Mix together the cheese sauce until creamy then fold into pasta and arugula. Separately, air fry the chicken sausage slices and zuchinni until fully roasted.

5. In a separate bowl mix the breadcrumbs, oil and garlic powder and onion powder then add to top of pasta.

6. Bake in oven for 20 minutes then distribute into bowls, top with chicken sausage, zucchini and extra arugula, and enjoy!

#macandcheese #veganmacandcheese #dairyfreerecipes #glutenfreepasta

#healthyeats #wholefoods #cleaneats #healthyfoodshare #fuelyourbody #eatrealfood #realfood #nourish #foodisfuel #eatforabs #healthydiet #eatwell #eathealthy #healthyfoodporn #healthyeating #healthydinner #healthymeal #foods4thought #fitfoodie #healthyrecipes #healthyfoodie #eattherainbow #eatyourveggies #hoboken

Sweet Potato Brownies

These SWEET POTATO BROWNIES by @cravingsbycaroline are a perfect dessert with a side of healthiness!

They’re made with two of my favorite things: sweet potatoes and cashew butter

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup cocoa powder

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• Salt

• 1 cup mashed sweet potato

• 1/2 cup cashew butter

• 2 eggs

• Vanilla

• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil

• 1/3 cup maple syrup

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and fully mix together.

3. Spray 8x8 pan with light oil spray and pour thick batter in.

4. Spread evenly.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

6. Remove and let cool before cutting. 7. To make this brownie sammie I added cashew butter and @jojoschocolatebark!

#brownies #healthydesserts #glutenfree #glutenfreedesserts #dairyfree #dairyfreedessert #glutenfreebrownies

#balancedeatingrealfood #rd2be #futurerd #nutrition #feedfeed #eeeeats #food52 #foodisfuel #healthyfood #heathylifestyle #easyrecipes #instayum #healthyeating #fuelyourbody #realfood #foodblogger #intuitiveeating #allfoodsfit #foodfreedom #eatrealfood #goodmoodfood #simplemealideas #eatwellbewell