Pumpkin Spice and Chill // DIY PSL

Fri-yaaayyy! So happy to see you again! What do you like to do on Friday nights? Since I am a momma of 3, my Friday night usually consist of pizza night and a little Netflix and chill. I wouldn't want it any other way. If you have the same kind of Friday night as me, instead of Netflix and chilling, maybe you could try Pumpkin Spice and chilling. Huh, huh?! 😉 I'm sure you are like, "what are you talking about?!" Well, if you are a basic girl like myself and love PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) from Starbucks, I have found a great recipe to try at home!

So for today's "Friday Favorites" I decided to share this amazing PSL recipe that my mom sent me and had to try! I was honestly shocked at how much I loved it...maybe even more (dare I say) than Starbucks! 🙊 It is sooo much cheaper , you don't have to fight the crowd or wait in the car line for 20 minutes, and you can have all year round. So without further ado, let's get right to!

Ingredients: (note this is for one PSL)

1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice

2 teaspoon of pumpkin

2 tablespoon of sugar

2 tablespoon of vanilla

2 cups milk

2 shots of espresso

1/2 teaspoon of pepper

Directions:

First, turn your stovetop to medium heat and add a medium-sized pot to the burner. Once the pot heats up, take your 1/2 tsp of pumpkin spice and lightly toast it in the pan for a few seconds, while you stir continuously so it doesn't burn. Once the pumpkin spice is toasted, add in the 2 tsp of pumpkin and continue to cook for three minutes. The pumpkin should darken as it cooks; once it darkens, add in the 2 tbsp of sugar and mix well with a whisk. Now add in your 2 tbsp of vanilla and of 1/2 tsp pepper. You are almost there! Now add in the 2 cups of milk very slowly, while mixing very well. Once you have blended well, add in the 2 shots of espresso. Pour in your favorite coffee mug, add whipped cream, a sprinkle of pumpkin spice, and Voila! You have just made a PSL right from your kitchen! How easy was that!?

If you want to make more to last through the day, I would just recommend doubling the ingredient list. I only made one serving but I know doubling the list would work. I know this was a little different  from my usual"Friday Favorites" but this was my favorite item of the week so I had to share! If you would like to see more recipes in the future just let me know! :) Have a great weekend!

XOXO,

Jen Miracle

Wear it Wednesday // Sweater Weather

Hello friends!! So excited to see Wednesday is here because that just means we are closer to the weekend. Can you tell I love the weekends?! Ha! I don't know about you but I am still curious as to why Mother Nature is so mad! Like it is still really warm here in Iowa, which is unusual. We have had a few cool fall-like days but the past two have been hot! For those of you that are already experiencing those cooler days, you will be happy about today's post! Today for "Wear it Wednesday" I am talking all things "sweater weather"...sweaters! Duh! 😉

I don't know about you but ever since I became an adult, I have LOVED wearing sweaters. It's like wearing a blanket all day, unlike when I was a kid and my mom dressed me in those itchy turtleneck sweaters! Yuck! Hehe. Since trends change every year, sweaters seem to stay the same with a little but of a twist. Today I am bringing you the hottest, not literally, sweater trend for this season! I promise they won't be those itchy, ugly turtlenecks! 😉

My FAVORITE sweater trend is of course the oversized sweaters. Who doesn't like a sweater that feels like you are wrapped in a blanket, wearing pjs, and that you can basically pair with anything. This oversized sweater is perfect for those cool, fall days and can be a great layering piece in the winter. You could pair this with leggings, jeans, over a dress, skirt, etc. So many options for this sweater that is under $20!

Nothing like a good wine! No, I'm not talking about what I drink when my kids are driving me up the wall 😉 I'm talking about the number 1 fall color, AKA burgundy. This color is so beautiful and I think that it looks fantastic on everyone. If you don't have a wine colored item in your closet yet, let it be this gorgeous sweater from H&M. The color is not only stunning, it is chunky and has these amazing braid details at the top. Best part is that it is under $30! Such a steal for this sweater!

Ruffles are not just for your baby girl. Adult women can rock them too! Ruffles are all the rage this year and of course we are seeing them on sweaters. I love how designers are incorporating them into the sleeves, front, and back of the sweater. I am bringing you one that is a little different and is on major sale right now so I would run to snag this one! It is a fine knit pullover sweater with ruffle details at the shoulders, which I have yet to see until now. It comes in 3 beautiful colors that are sure to get you in the fall spirit.

I know I have talked about this trend before and even dedicated an entire blog post about it, but did you really think that would be the end? Hehe. VELVET! Instead of velvet I am bringing you a chenille sweater which basically is and looks the same as velvet. Not only is this sweater a hot trend, is also comes in one of hottest colors for fall...mustard. I love the detailing on this one and I think you need asap! You won't be disappointed with this choice. Oh and it's under $23! You're welcome!

Last sweater trend I am going to talk about is of course the beloved cardigan. I seriously have too many but I am always buying more. Who am I kidding?! You can never have too many cardis!Cardigans should be in every single person's closet...man or woman! You can dress them up or down and the best is you can wear leggings with them and not worry about your behind showing! Hehe. Since there are so many cardigan options out there I figured I would bring you my favorite type...the fine knit cardigan. Now this cardigan is super lightweight so it won't keep you warm like a chunky cardigan but you can wear this one year round. If you are wanting to wear during the colder months, you can easily layer with a sweater. I have bought mine from H&M for years and they hold up so well considering the low price. I chose this camo one to share with you because camo is so in right now! This cardigan is flying off the shelf as it should because it's super cute and under $13! Again, I would run to snag because it won't be in stock long!

Well there ya have it folks! My favorite sweater trends this season and I hope they become yours too. I hope you all have a great hump day and I will see you back here for "Friday Favorites!"

XOXO,

Jen Miracle

Motivation Monday // Healthier Me, Healthier You

Before starting this blog post, I just want to say that I have been praying non-stop for the atrocity that happened in Las Vegas on Sunday night. I did not feel right posting yesterday like nothing happened so I put my phone down and hugged my babies tighter than I ever have. I have been terrified to send them to school, I have even followed the bus to school the past two days just to make sure they made it safely. It literally makes me sick to my stomach to know my children are being raised in a world of hate. I have no words other than this has to stop and begins with our children. If you there is one thing you do right in this world, raise your children to love not hate. These are learned behaviors that CAN be stopped!

Now on to positive vibes and to get this day started. For my usual "Monday Makeover" I always talk about beauty but I thought I would try something different..."Motivation Monday!" Not everyone is into beauty like I am and that is totally okay! I want to have a wide variety of readers so I thought I would mix it up. For today's "Motivation Monday" I am going to talk about my struggle with my weight and how I am making a healthier change for a healthier me!

I have never been overweight, but my weight has been up and down since high school. I don't think there has been one time in my life where I have been happy with my body. Even when I was at scary low of 94 pounds, which is underweight for my height. Ever since having kids, which I have had 3 within the past 9 years, I have tried to look better after every child. I'm not sure why it's just something I thrived for. I remember after having my second child, I worked my ass off, literally, to look my best yet. This resulted in me looking frail and family/friends commenting how I was way too skinny and looked sick. At the time, I thought they were just crazy because I didn't see what they saw. Now looking back at pictures, I see what they were talking about. Did I have an eating disorder? No, but I think I had a problem with working out too much, which resulted in losing weight like crazy.

Now after having my third child, I am not happy with where I am but I am going to get there. I have been eating like crap and not exercising at all. I remember as soon as I had my first two children, I had a strict diet and exercised everyday as soon as I was released to do so. I lost the pounds SO fast, but not so much with this kiddo. Even though I did lose all the baby weight, this summer I got super lazy and starting eating like it was my last meal (did you see my instastory this past weekend of eating Mickey D's lol)  I haven't committed to my exercise routine, but that is all about to change. I am tired of not being happy with the way I look and feeling so groggy, so I am making a change. No, I am not going to get back to 94 pounds because I don't want to look like that, I just want to be happy in my own skin and actually feel energized.

I started my favorite workout routine, Zumba, and I forgot how much I love doing this! I am just sticking to a 45-60 minute classes, not two hours, like I used to. For all you ladies and gents out there that are tired of not feeling your best, let's make a change today! Even if that means just walking for 30 minutes a day! That will make a huge difference. Throw that junk away that's in your pantry and fill it with colorful food such as fruits and veggies. WE CAN DO THIS! You are not alone. I believe every woman is beautiful especially when she is comfortable in her own skin. This post is not about making everyone look like a runway model but to just be a healthier you!  Even though bloggers like myself look like we are so comfortable in our own skin and don't have a worry in the world, that is far from the truth. Everyone struggles and like the next "Joe" walking down the street. Let's do this together! I would love to hear from you and what you want change to a new and healthier you! I need all the motivation I can get!

I have linked a few athleisure wear outfits that can always motivate us, right?!

XOXO,

Jen Miracle