This Is 30 Gift Guide

My outlook on turning 30 is simple and good. 30 is the same as being 20, but maybe even better, right!? And after all, if it is just as good as my 20s, then I think I will be in pretty good shape.

I lived a full life in my 20s and had a wonderful time. Yet, there are a few things I did or dealt with then, that I am glad I no longer have to conquer or do in life, ever again. Nothing terrible, just things that I am happy to have accomplished, signed and sealed. College, for example, it was a blast, but at the end of the day I don't want to study for midterms or worry about getting my first "real" job, ever again. Zach and I were married at 25. It was the most beautiful day of my entire life and I wouldn't change a thing. That being said, I am so happy I am married and don't ever have to worry about finding the man of my dreams, ever again. I am blessed we nailed the forever thing down in our 20s.

Then, there are the things that I am glad will stay the same from my 20s to 30s. At 21, I was legal to drink champagne, mojitos, and all my favorite libations. The same will happen in my 30s, as I am glad there is not a law to revoke drinking at 31. I traveled around the world in my 20s and I for sure hope that fortune continues. I plan on it. I worked really hard at my career over the last decade, and I plan on doing the same for the next ten years, no matter what I end up doing each day. 

So, 30 for me is about continuing to live and love life and build dreams. I want to grow a bigger family with my husband, explore new places, and find a forever home that I can put as much wallpaper and hang as many plants from the ceiling as I desire. With all those additions to the things that continue from my 20s, I am projecting my 30s to be the best years yet. Cheers to 30! Here is my birthday gift guide for anyone that is turning 30, 20, or older! All are based on the thoughtful presents my loved ones gifted me this year. xo RCN

 

Kale Soup

My Inlaws gave me a recipe book for my birthday called Eat Beautiful. It is written by Wendy Rowe, a world renowned beauty expert, well known as the Artistic Director for Burberry makeup. I love everything about this book. Not only is it informative and have beautifully styled images that make your mouth water, but the chapters are very organized, by season. Each season lays out a glossary of the foods and ingredients used within the season's recipes and specifies the health benefits for your skin, inside and out. It is a clever and simple way of understanding what is good for you and how it is good for, whilst providing great tasty recipes using the foods that are best.

I picked five recipes from this book and bought all the ingredients to make five new recipes this week. I thought I would share with you the Kale soup which we tried out last night. I found it to be absolutely delicious. I have to admit, Zach was not a fan, but he is also not really a veggie fan in general. I did forget the leeks in this recipe, (whoops!) because I forgot them on my grocery list. The soup tasted just fine without them and the apartment still smelled deliciously green. I also added in some additional kale leaves (handful more than recipe notes below), as I tend to like a soup that is a little thicker. Recipe below and link to purchase book HERE, from Anthropologie. Enjoy! xo RCN

Ingredients, serves 2-3 people:

1 Large Fennel bulb, roughly chopped

1 Leek, roughly chopped

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp raw coconut oil

1 Onion, chopped

2 Garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tbsp vegetable bouillon powder or 1 vegetable stock cube

10 Kale leaves, large stems removed, roughly chopped

Handful of spinach

Sea salt and black pepper

1 tsp ground nutmeg to serve

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Chop fennel and leeks and place onto foil lined baking sheet. Evenly drizzle olive oil onto fennel and leeks, mix all together and spread flat on tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes. While baking, chop onion and garlic. Then melt coconut oil in large saucepan on low heat. Add onions and garlic and cover pan with lid. Let sweat for five minutes or until onions are translucent and softened. Pour 5 cups of water into pan, add vegetable bullion, roasted fennel, leeks, and half of the chopped up kale leaves. Season with salt and pepper and stir. Bring to a boil and let bubble for 20 minutes. Add the remaining kale and spinach. Simmer on low/medium heat for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for a little while. Purée until smooth in a blender or using an immersion blender. Reheat before serving and sprinkle nutmeg on top. 

 

Stocking Stuffers

Chances are, you will not be handing out a list for what you would love in your stocking. However, this stocking stuffer list also acts as ideas for Secret Santa gifts. Or, these "all $30 and under (mostly)", are perfect add on presents. I may or may not be sending this link to Zach, though. The boy's stocking list will be posted tomorrow.

What is your favorite stocking stuffer? xo RCN

 

J.Crew bandanna neck wrap, $12.50

Neckerchiefs are everywhere, and quite frankly they are adorable. It is a trend all girls should be trying this winter and up coming Spring. I love the bandanna style ones offered at J.Crew.

Zodiac matches, box of 60 matches (select zodiac sign of choice), Anthropologie, $11

Everyone has a sign, so pick out your girl's Zodiac and gift a cute set of matches. If you need something to go with it, well candles, of course.

Novelty socks, Living Royal, $8

Socks are a no brainer. Living Royal has a numerous amount of options for every type of personality, whether it be whimsical, political, colorful, anything!

Primitives by Kathy, set of 2 state dishtowels, Nordstrom, $30

The state hand towels from Primitves by Kathy are great. Visually appealing and also sentimental. You don't ever want to forget where you came from.

Mast Brothers, 2.5oz olive oil chocolate bar, $8

Mast Brothers has delicious chocolate. I originally became a customer because of the beautiful packaging. Last year, I put an anchor wrapped bar in Zach's stocking. This year, I will be buying based on flavor. This Olive Oil bar sounds very interesting.

NFL shop, Eagles or any NFL team beanie, this one $16.79

Most people are sports fans or at least have a team they are loyal to based on geography. Tis' the season for cold weather, so how about a cute NFL or NHL beanie?

Ban-do 2016-2017 17 month agenda, ranging from $10-$16

Soon to be 2017, everyone needs an agenda. Ban-do has adorable options. The books are cute on the inside and out. This one is by far, my fav.

Palm tree ornament, Pottery Barn, $8.50

Every year as a child my parents gave my sisters and I an ornament that represented something big or important to us in our lives over the year leading up to Christmas. Zach and I continued this tradition with one another when we began dating in High School. This year, we moved to Miami so I will probably use that as the ornament theme for 2016. I love that our Xmas tree has so many unique ornaments from every year of our lives. This is an excellent, every year, stocking idea.

World Market tropical fruit ceramic measuring spoons, $6.99

World Market has excellent little kitchen gadgets. I have a set of octopus ceramic measuring spoons from there. Don't let the shape fool you. They work just as well as regular old measuring spoons and these are way more interesting to look at.

Chakra stone set for "Balance" includes a Chrysoprase, Green Aventurine, Agate, and Moss Agate, from bestcrystals.com, $6.95

My friend, David, recently gifted me an Amethyst stone as a hostess gift. Not only was the gift extremely well thought out, my birthstone is an amethyst, but the meaning behind it was special. The stone represents good vibes and having a positive and balanced state in my home. I recommend something similar for friends, like these Chakra balance stones.

Herbivore Sea Mist hair spritzer, Urban Outfitters, $10

When I blow dry my hair and don't feel like doing much else to it, I always spritz Sea Mist in my hair. I feel beachy, natural, and smell amazing.

Holly Exley Illustration, set of four post cards, $3.75 + shipping

Holly Exley is one of my favorite insta found illustrators. She may be based out of London, but her Etsy shop ships anywhere. How insanely cute are these four pack of printed post cards? Stripes, cacti, gem stones, cocktails, I love it all.

2 piece salt & pepper shaker set, CB2, $14.95

I have this set of salt and pepper shakers. One, because I love alligators - I know, strange. Also, I love gold and interesting pieces for the apartment. Whether, your a gator fan or not, there are many unique salt and pepper shakers out there right now that would be fitting to a lot of different types of people. Just google.

Urban Decay brow box, $30

Currently, my beauty obsession is all about the brows. Sometimes pencils can actually do more damage than not, so I am really into the wax and powder color option. This box has it all and fits perfectly in small bags as well.

Lilly Pulitzer drink hugger set, 2 included, $12

Stockings can't fit too much, so some of the items need to be flexible and fitting. My sister Brittany and I just split a two pack of Lilly koozies recently, and I love them. Colorful patterns are perfect for the beach or your own living room.

Christian Louboutin "Rouge Louboutin" nail polish, Nordstrom, $50

Okay, this is the splurge stocking stuffer. Just like my obsession with designer lipstick, Louboutin nail polish is divine. It works phenomenally and the bottle is absolutely gorgeous. If you love fashion, make sure to read about where the inspiration for the bottle came from. You will then want this polish 2x as much.