Monday Momentum . . .

I love starting off the week wearing a dress or a fun skirt and heels.  Choosing to make Monday as successful as possible gives the week a sense of control, a sense of direction because we aren’t yet weighted down by all that is to come in the days ahead.

This particular Monday morning after reading Kimberly Wilson’s two books over the past week Hip Tranquil Chic (which includes illustrations of yoga poses you can do at home) and Tranquilista, I began my day with a few sun salutations and I must say, I’m ready for the day as it allowed me to determine what I wanted to focus on and accomplish.

By putting our best foot forward and giving our best in any situation that presents itself we are, as Oprah reminds us, " . . . causing people to notice and taking ourselves to the next level."

I hope your Monday went well. Good or bad, feel free to share or vent.  I always have an ear to listen.

Image: Musings In Femininity

Bring on Monday!

I don't know about you, but for me I have a much better Monday if I at least start the week with a spruced up house, a full drawer of clean socks for my workouts, an empty laundry basket, and food in the refrigerator. So my job today was to attain this goal because none of these lovely tasks had been completed yet (wouldn't it be nice to have a cleaning person?) Now unfortunately, I must confess that my dream list doesn't happen without fail every week, but when it does, it truly does seem to help in starting the week out on the right foot. My reward for finishing these tasks was to whip up a batch of chocolate chip bars, something I haven't made for quite awhile I realized. (Spoiler alert! This story does have a happy ending.)


(Picture courtesy of Oliveaux blog and House Beautiful magazine)
Envision my great room looking just as clean as the room above.
With that kind of motivation, on top of simply being able to relax in my house knowing the chores were done, I took my to-do list to task. It didn't have a chance!

The chocolate chip bars recipe is, for the most part, a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe, but with a secret ingredient that is never placed in writing except for now, cinnamon. A comfort food favorite, I have to make sure I don't make them regularly or my waistline would be in trouble, but every once in awhile I figure why not?

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars


























Ingredients:

*1 c. butter
*1 cup sugar
*1/2 c. brown sugar
*1 tsp vanilla
*2 medium eggs
*2 cups & 2 Tbs flour
*1 tsp baking soda
*1/2 tsp salt
*6 oz milk chocolate chips
*1/2 cup walnuts (if desired)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease a 9x12 inch baking pan.
3. Cream butter and sugars
4. Add liquids (vanilla and eggs)
5. Slowly add flour, baking soda, salt and secret ingredient. Combine.
6. Add chips and nuts
7. Put into pan
8. Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for 30 minutes.
9. Enjoy!
(For cookies, bake for 12 minutes)