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Join Me For A New Year Challenge + A Massive $775 Giveaway!

31 small changes in 31 days and a $775 giveaway to help you get started!
Filed Under > Everyday

A few weeks ago I caught myself off guard by the date. Actually, it wasn’t so much the date, but more by the fact of what the date meant. It meant that 2018 was almost over and 2019 was almost here.  I thought to myself, how could 2018 be over? There was so much change I wanted 2018 to bring. But in all the areas of my life I wanted to see “change” in 2018, I instead saw a massive backslide.

Which led me to thinking a lot about change, and how to go about making change actually happen.  And not just happen, but more importantly, stick. 

You see, I always have grand plans.  And maybe my plans are just too grand.  And maybe, just maybe I always seem to want to change parts of me that will never really change.  And maybe, just maybe, I’m now sounding like a Dr. Seuss book.

Dr. Seuss aside, I believe I’m on to something. Sometimes the best way to make something big happen is slowly, simply, one foot in front of the other, each and every day. And hence, the first annual 31 in 31 has been born.  

So what is 31 in 31?  Well, it’s 31 small changes in 31 days to renew, refocus and recharge your life.  The changes, or rather challenges, will focus on mental health, physical health, non-toxic living, and getting your sh** together. Each day you’ll be presented with a challenge of sorts, and yes there will be a big ol’ grand prize at the end.  Because we need accountability, and we all need prizes, and if there’s one thing I’ll always it’s competitive.

I’ve spread out and set up the challenges via a customizable calendar you’ll get emailed to you on the 30th when signing up, but the calendar is customizable so you can change what you do on what day based on your schedules.  Some days will only take 5 minutes, and some a bit more time. Some examples of the “challenges” will be things like: schedule all of your 2019 doctor’s appointments and don’t cancel (because you know we all wait till December to see every single doctor we go to), drink more water, to deleting 60 minutes of television from your DVR.  

The challenge won’t cost you a dime.  Yes, there will always be suggestions of products or calls to action. But spending money is not mandatory. The entire “challenge” will be via email and social media because let’s be honest that’s where we all live.  Emails will be going out the morning of the 31st with your calendar and everything you need to participate.  Then each day you’ll get an additional email with each day’s challenge.

If you want to truly participate I’m asking you to share your day’s challenge and if you’re accomplishing it on social media taking me and using the hashtag #31in31. I did mention a prize, basically, the more you share the more points you get.  We’ll also be sharing fun graphics, and questions that will be easily shareable throughout the challenge making it easy for you to earn points.  And the prize is BIG, so you’ll want to share.  Don’t worry all of this will be explained via emails!

So with small steps in mind, I say no there will be no major fasts, no purging of my entire life in one week, no 10 days to a new me.  There will just be simple ways to bring about change and make time for what has always made me (and likely you) the happiest.

And one more thing, there’s nothing magical about January 1st.  So if you’ve found you’re reading this on January 25ht, sign up, print it out, and just begin. Small steps lead to big leaps, and consistency is key so let’s do this friends!  Oh, and keep reading for a MAJOR ($775 value) giveaway to kick the challenge off right! Truly, MKR 

P.S. if you’re reading this on Bloglovin’ or anything else you’ll need to click in to the post to enter the giveaway. 

 
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A Few Days on the Road in Baton Rouge & Lafayette

Eating our way through Louisiana with Atlanta Food & Wine
Filed Under > Everyday

We recently set out on a feast-filled road trip throughout Louisiana (twist our arms, right?!) in partnership with Atlanta Food & Wine Festival and Louisiana Travel.  During our three day excursion we spent time in New Orleans, Lafyette, and Baton Rouge and I’m sure you saw via Snapchat (username WAITINGONMARTHA) and Instagram that we just had a terrible, terrible time.  Ha! Our goal during these three days; eat our way through the cities making sure to stop in to all of the familiar faces of Food & Wine Festivals of the past and maybe stumble on a few new fresh faces and places of our own.

First stop Baton Rouge, home of the LSU Tigers and Louisiana’s largest seafood market, Tony’s Seafood.  We had heard from some locals and not-so locals that this was the place to stop if you wanted no-fuss, no-muss, just great seafood.  The minute we walked through the front door, we knew that there was a reason Tony’s has been around for so long.   Tony and his team knew what they were doing.  We arrived around lunch, so there were at least 15+ team members ready to help you pick out a plate, from what seemed like a never-ending menu.  Honestly, I just stared at it all for awhile before being completely “basic” and going with fried catfish and shrimp.  The rest of Team WOM was a little more adventurous, diving into crab fingers and gumbo, all with sides of hush puppies, cole slaw, french fries and plenty of tarter and hot sauce of course.  It was the perfect low-key lunch to nosh on after our short drive.  Just know that before you go, there are no tables, so either grab it as takeout, or be prepared to eat it in your car.

After filling ourself to the brim, we were thankful our hotel was waiting and ready with open arms.  If you are going to Baton Rouge, I highly suggest staying at the beautiful Watermark Hotel.  The epitome of modern glamour, the Watermark was a bank back in the day that has very recently been restored.  But so much of the stunning old pieces remain, with every corner begged to be ‘grammed.  The elevator, the vault, the mail box…it’s gorgeous!

Having checked into our hotel, we had a chance to reset before dinner at City Pork Brasserie & Bar, Executive Chef Ryan Andre’s award-winning full-scale restaurant has an elevated take on Louisiana cuisine, with a refreshingly approachable vibe.  We were all blown away by Chef Ryan’s Pork Debris Spring Rolls (BLOWN AWAY, MUST GET) as a starter, which included an asian slaw and peanut sauce that was out-of-this-world.  That was followed up by a restaurant week prix fix menu that included a spicy shrimp salad, waygu steak and frites, an Asian inspired porkbelly, and one of the best banana desserts I’ve ever had, that was, of course, Chef Ryan’s mother’s recipe.   All of our meals put us into a comfortable food coma, but it was the drinks that also were something to write home about.  Kat joked about the dangers of the City Pork Tea, which went down a little too easy; think Cathead honeysuckle vodka, simple syrup, lemon and sweet tea.  It tasted just like the sweet tea you dream about.  We closed the place down, laughing and chatting with Chef Ryan and team (even taking pictures in the kitchen with the whole crew).  The culture at this place was inspiring; a bell would occasionally ring as diners bought the kitchen a 6-pack of beer many times throughout the night (it’s listed on the menu), and we, of course, followed suit. 

The next day, we had Lafayette in our sights, and set off to see its charming streets and yummy hotspots for Day 3. Only a quick hour drive from Baton Rouge, Lafayette was a great addition to our Louisiana itinerary.  If you ask anyone for recs on the place, you’ll hear The French Press more often than not.  This French-Quarter style brunch spot was right up our alley; cool vibe and absolutely incredible food by Chef Justin Girouard.  We were in heaven with its Sweet Baby Breesus and Cajun Benedict.  Seriously….YUM.

Lafayette certainly charmed us with its easy walkable streets and cheery restaurant awnings.  It’s actually known as ‘America’s Happiest City’ thanks to a recent Harvard study, and we could see why Lafayette residents were so happy; they were living in a place that’s rich in history and local culture, has great food, and good tunes.  We all kept saying how we wish we had more time in this great town.  

For our final culinary stop, we popped into Pamplona, a gorgeous tapas bar that immediately transported us to Spain with its vintage bullfighting posters, Mediterranean tile entryway, and its dark, dramatic decor.  While Lafayette is known as being the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun & Creole Country, we heard great things about this little tapas bar and we were thrilled to get a taste of old-world Spain here in the South. Pamplona‘s team was incredibly gracious, welcoming us in for a late lunch, inviting us to try Chef Kris Allen’s favorite dishes. I know what you’re thinking by now, how are they still eating?!  I’d say the table’s favorite was definitely the Arugula & Manchego Salad which was irresistibly fresh and flavorful.  But of course, I won’t pretend that we didn’t devour the Garlic Shrimp, Andalucian Lamb Sliders, Ceviche, Catalan Spinach, Morcilla-Quail Eggs and more because that’s what you do when you go eat tapas! 

The road trip was definitely a whirlwind, but one that we were so fortunate to enjoy.  A big thank you to Atlanta Food & Wine Festival and Louisiana Travel for showing us the way around Louisiana to find such culinary delights and memorable moments with these talented chefs.  Hearing their stories and visiting them in their restaurants and seeing them in action was such a treat…let’s just say that we have a lot of faces (read: new friends) to look for at this year’s Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. Check out the gallery below to find more captures from our great time in Baton Rouge and Lafayette.  Stay tuned for our recap of our day in New Orleans!  Truly, MKR

P.S. Next time we go?  We’re definitely making time for Avery Island to explore and visit where one of my favorite sauces, Tabasco is made.  The island is one big, huge salt dome (one of five in LA, sitting juuuust above sea level), and is about 140 miles west of NOLA.  I’d say it would make an easy day-time trip if you’re a hot-sauce lover like I am.  What else would you add to the list?! xo

Photography, Haley Sheffield for Waiting on Martha | This post is in collaboration with Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Louisiana Travel and Lexus.  All opinions are 100% our own. 

5 Valentine's To Try

Filed Under > Entertaining

I had grand plans for my glue gun and Valentine’s Day this year, grand plans I tell you.  Then I learned I had 3 weeks to pack up our entire house and move down to Atlanta and my grand plans fell apart.  But just because my glue gun is temporarily in storage doesn’t mean I should deny all of you crafty people a little Valentine’s Day inspired DIY’s.  So take a look and get your craft on this weekend with these 5 marvelous projects.  xoxo

Valentine’s Day In A Box from You Are My Fav (tutorial here).  Perfectly customizable for your valentine and doesn’t reek of all that Valentine’s Day red roses and babies breath cheesiness.

Cupcake Liner Wreath from Tatertots and Jello (tutorial here).  This is an oldie, but a goodie I recently stumbled upon thanks to everyone’s favorite addiction, Pinterest.  Why I love this adorably whimsical wreath so much is because you could do it for any occasion…Halloween, Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, you get the drift.

DIY Mirrored Caked Stands from Tradewind Tiaras (tutorial here).  Like above I’ve been holding on to this DIY for awhile because it’s perfect for practically every occasion…though red velvet Valentine’s whoopie pies would give some amazing coloring contrast to the mirrored top!

Valentine’s Day Surprise Crackers from Not Martha (tutorial here).  Who knew crackers were so easy to make, and again not just limited to Valentine’s Day, (if you’re not sensing a theme here you haven’t been paying attention)!  And though candy is great if you really want to make Valentine’s memorable fill it with something that has a little sparkle, diamonds perhaps?

Valentine’s Friendship Bracelets by Dandee (tutorial here).  I don’t have children, but I loved this idea so I had to share.  And quite frankly friendship bracelets aren’t just for the tots, I personally have quite a few and always appreciate more.  Just one suggestion on this one moms, I would throw in some candy to go along with the bracelet so your kid isn’t like the house during Halloween that gives out peanuts or toothpaste…nobody wants peanuts and toothpaste!

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