It's already been a crazy spring. I have a newborn baby, a new born book, and a book/media tour underway. This girl needs a drink! Luckily, Seersucker Gin graciously sent me a bottle of their liquor and I happily got to work to create a perfect springtime cocktail that is light and fresh and perfect for the warmer days ahead. 

The best way to take advantage of the beautiful, warm days ahead is with a picturesque  picnic eaten in a lovely al fresco setting. There’s something about eating outdoors, and on a blanket, that makes food taste slightly more delicious.

As summer slides into fall, I find myself savoring the flavors of the sunny season. I am truly enjoying the last of the peaches, squash and corn until they come again next June. Late summer tomatoes, fresh herbs and citrus fill the final hot weeks. As the days get shorter, I am craving quick and easy meals that are not only light and fresh but feel special and celebratory as we say goodbye to summer.

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, I wanted to make something green. I'm usually an all-neautral-kind-of-gal but lately I've been craving bright colors and warmer Spring days.

A good Caesar Salad is one of my favorite things. What makes a Caesar Salad "good?" FRESH Caesar dressing. You can make this restaurant favorite at home in a flash ... and you'll never buy a bottle of Caesar dressing again!

This Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a long time family favorite. I decided to take it up a notch by adding fresh blueberries from the Farmers' Market and a Lemon Honey Glaze.

Summer's freshest lemons and blueberries make for fabulously delicious homemade muffins. Just out of the oven, these puppies are the perfect breakfast treat.

Continuing on my health kick (post holiday cleanse) I'm trying to incorporate more vegetables into my daily diet. It seems so easy to get my daily allotment of fruit (berries in oatmeal for breakfast, apple for a snack) but vegetables seem more difficult to work in.

I couldn’t be more excited to team up with Crate&Barrel to create a sponsored Halloween table that’s not only cute and totally spooky but super simple to transition into the Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s my favorite images and inspo from our Halloween shoot as well as a recipe for the BEST EVER Salted Carmel Dipped Apples. Check back to see how I use the same Crate&Barrel items to create a super chic Thanksgiving tablescape.

Now back away from that box of same-old pops. These surprising DIY popsicles prove that it’s easy—and cool—to be different.

Homemade gifts are the best gifts. And, when your holiday gift list includes not only family and friends, but also co-workers, neighbors, teachers, and even the mailman, homemade treats make heartfelt economical gifts that everyone appreciates.

Every year I love making our neighbors homemade baked goods and delivering them to celebrate the week of Christmas. In years past, I've made them sugar cookies, pound cakes, and even sourdough bread. It's just a little token to say thanks for being our neighbor and Merry Christmas! All of our neighbors happen to be elderly so I think receiving a homemade treat can be extra special ... they deserve something extra special!

My dad's birthday was today and his very favorite dessert is chocolate chip cookies. So, when I was put to the task to make him a birthday cake, I thought ... why not make a chocolate chip cookie cake? No, not one of those that you pick up at the mall ... I'm talking the essence of a chocolate chip cookie baked into a birthday cake. Behold, a creation of epic dessert proportions.

Lately I have been snacking on pretzels dipped in Nutella. Sweet and salty. A dangerous combination. One afternoon while scraping the bottle of the Nutella jar with the very last pretzel (don't you dare judge me), I had a thought ... a brilliant thought. Why not make Nutella brownies with a pretzel crust? I didn't know just how brilliant this idea was until I made them. And ate them. All.

Strawberry Shortcake is the quintessential summer dessert. It's light and fresh and perfect this time of year when fresh local strawberries are available at the Farmers' Market.

With Valentine's Day this weekend I wanted to make something special for my love but needed it to be doable during nap time. Now that our little one has arrived—days are filled with feedings, diapers and lots of rocking. Yes, our lives have changed forever (and we are over the moon) but my passion for cooking and creating has not, so somehow I found the time to make these Oreo and Red Velvet Truffles for Jacobs as a little Valentine's treat.

Years ago we honeymooned in Hawaii. We snorkeled with the sea turtles, sailed with the whales, took surfing lessons and drove the road to Hana. Thinking back on our trip, although we experienced some of the most incredible attractions The Aloha State has to offer, nothing takes me back to that vacation as fast as fresh pineapple and warm banana bread.

This Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a long time family favorite. I decided to take it up a notch by adding fresh blueberries from the Farmers' Market and a Lemon Honey Glaze.

Next Saturday is The Peach Truck's (a local Nashville favorite) last shipment of peaches. All summer we have enjoyed fresh gorgeous peaches from The Peach Truck's stands all around town. Now as school starts back, saying goodbye to the peaches is just another reminder that summer is quickly coming to a close.

Layers of homemade chocolate pudding, fresh whipped cream and crushed Oreos in your own individual mason jar. Yep. You can have two.

Lots of summer birthdays lately and of course I always volunteer to make the birthday cake! My best friend Elizabeth's 30th is tomorrow but we celebrated with a surprise party over the weekend. Her favorite dessert is brownies and ice cream so I decided to make her fav into the shape of a birthday cake—a brownie and ice cream layer cake.

My mom is a total chocoholic. Her favorite cake is chocolate with chocolate buttercream. She snacks on Hersey bars. I think she might be addicted.

These Lemon Whoopie Pies with Lavender Frosting are my kryptonite. I. love. them. I think part of it has something to do with my latest obsession with lemon.

What's not to like about S'Mores? Chocolate and warm marshmallow smushed between two graham crackers, usually eaten around a bonfire with good friends. "How do you like your marshmallow?" is the question that always ensues. "Lightly toasted? Charred? On fire?"

These Frozen Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Bites are the JAM! If you know me at all, you know I have a serious sweet tooth. When I say serious I mean I CRAVE dessert after breakfast, something sweet as a mid morning snack, dessert after lunch, sweets at 2:00 and then of course dessert after dinner ... and then again late at night. I know ... I told you. Addiction.

These White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches with Caramel and Toasted Coconut are over. the. top. amazing. The name is as long as they are good.

These chocolate eclairs are one of our family's absolute favorite desserts. My mom taught me how to make them (like a lot of the recipes on this blog) and I have to tell you, they take a little practice to make sure they come out perfect. The key? The more you make them, the more you get the hang of the correct consistency of the 3 different batters (dough for the choux pastry, the custard filling and the chocolate icing).

This pie is NEXT LEVEL. Now, I have to be honest with you. It is a little time consuming to make (with the baking of the crust, and the cooling of the layers) but you won’t regret making it. It’s for sure a show-stopper.

An Old Fashioned is my drink of choice—warm spicy bourbon mixed with a little sugary sweetness. If my favorite cocktail married a chocolate chip cookie, this would be their love child.

These blondies are chewy, sweet, salty, and chocked full of chocolate. Brown butter and brown sugar add depth of flavor while bits of toffee and a layer of Nutella bring sweet familiarity. They are beyond my favorite bar cookie and it’s impossible not to find them sinfully delicious.

I had the pleasure of going on Talk of the Town last Friday to bake my Soft-Baked Sugar Cookies. The holidays can be nuts, so I set out to make a sugar cookie recipe that is super simple and totally kid-friendly. These are not only fun to eat but a joy to make!

The stockings are not quite hung by the chimney with care ... but I'm working on it! Christmas decorating started today and to get us in the mood, I turned on Elf, lit a fraiser fur candle, and whipped up a batch of these Chewy Molasses Cookies. 

I love living in the South but one thing I've always wanted to participate in is the Northern tradition of apple picking. Yes, we have great summer peaches and blackberries here in the South but there is something about the crisp fall air and the idea of picking apples with your family that makes me, well, a little jealous. 

A couple of months ago, I went to the opening of Sprinkles in Nashville. I was thrilled to get a swag bag with yes, cupcakes. I was even more excited though about the cookies included. I had no idea Sprinkles even had cookies! Oh, do they have cookies. The most amazing cookies.

Lately I have been snacking on pretzels dipped in Nutella. Sweet and salty. A dangerous combination. One afternoon while scraping the bottle of the Nutella jar with the very last pretzel (don't you dare judge me), I had a thought ... a brilliant thought. Why not make Nutella brownies with a pretzel crust? I didn't know just how brilliant this idea was until I made them. And ate them. All.

It's a Snickerdoodle time of year. As the weather gets cooler and we move into full-fledged fall, these sugary cinnamon cookies are just what your taste buds ordered.

I'm not kidding. These Oatmeal Raisin Pecan Cookies are the chewiest most delicious creation. They are almost like the texture of toffee cookies but chocked full of oats, fruit and nuts.

This cake has become one of my family's favorite Easter traditions. I think it's just because it's my favorite, I make dessert every year, and thus have forced it upon everyone else. Isn't that how all family traditions begin?

These are not only the cutest Easter bunny cupcakes, but they are also the best coconut cupcakes ever. And I really mean it.

Yep. This is how I roll on Fridays. Warm Banana Cake topped with vanilla ice cream, warm caramel, almond toffee and toasted pecans. BOOM. You're welcome.

Lots of summer birthdays lately and of course I always volunteer to make the birthday cake! My best friend Elizabeth's 30th is tomorrow but we celebrated with a surprise party over the weekend. Her favorite dessert is brownies and ice cream so I decided to make her fav into the shape of a birthday cake—a brownie and ice cream layer cake.

This past weekend we celebrated one of my closest girlfriend's 30th birthday. She invited us all over for dinner (because that's what we do when we get old ... we throw ourselves dinner parties) and I convinced her to let me bake her birthday cake. She requested a Strawberry Shortcake but not with shortcake (shortbread) but with cake cake ... So, a Strawberry Shortcake Cake? I was happy to invent something new—always up for  a good challenge.

I always make a cake for my family's Easter celebration (one year it was in the shape of a bunny ... sometimes I get carried away). With the holiday quickly approaching, I can't decide which spring favorite to bake, so I thought I'd make several options in the weeks leading up to Easter to help decide. First, the Carrot Cake.

Upon doing my research for my "12 Days of Christmas" blog feature, I quickly found out that a colly bird from the line "4 colly birds" is just a common black bird. Who wants a common black bird for Christmas!? Good thing my true love gives me five golden rings in the next line …

We recently celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday and since I always volunteer to bake everyone's birthday cake—I made her favorite: Caramel Cake. Well, actually a Butter Yellow Cake with Caramel Buttercream.

I can not get enough of The Peach Truck's peaches! They have a tent sent up across the street from our house and you can bet that E and I are there every single week grabbing a bag.

Thank you to everyone that came out to my Pie Party Workshop at Tin Cottage last night! I had such a blast meeting all of you, signing books, talking party tips and sharing pie with you. With over 10 of my favorite pies on display, everyone seemed to have a different favorite ... pecan, pumpkin, blackberry, blueberry hand pies, chocolate pudding jar pies and these Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies—my new seasonal fave!

Sweet, salty, chocolatey, nutty goodness—These Mini Salted Caramel Pecan Fudge Pies are not messing around. They are pure goodness. Every bite.

I have very fond childhood memories of picking blackberries with my grandfather along the road that led to our family lake house.

Today is the first day that it FEELS like spring. It's warm out, the sun is shinning and it makes me excited about upcoming days at the pool. I don't think I've ever been so ready to say goodbye to winter!

I'm not biased when it comes to pie. I've never met a pie I didn't like. That's why when I decided to throw a PIE PARTY with my good friends at StyleBlueprint.com, I wanted it to be all kinds of rustic chic. And, boy was it! Just think—a farm table in the middle of the woods covered in all different kinds of pies, wine and cider, and rustic winter decor surrounded by your favorite friends. Are you are starting to picture the wonderfulness a Pie Party can bring? Stroll over to StyleBlueprint.com today and check out all the beautiful photos and how-to's.

I have been dying to make homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies. I have been doing a lot of research to find the perfect recipe. I did not want them to be two crispy oatmeal cookies with a marshmallow filling—which there are thousands of recipes out there for. I wanted a recipe that had the texture and taste of the original Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies. Chewy, soft and perfectly sweet.

I've loved having The Peach Truck set up shop just down the street from my house once a week throughout the summer. Sadly, last weekend was their last for the year (a sign that summer is nearing a close).  Since then, I have been working on recipes to use up all the peaches I bought—not wanting to waste even one.

These blondies are chewy, sweet, salty, and chocked full of chocolate. Brown butter and brown sugar add depth of flavor while bits of toffee and a layer of Nutella bring sweet familiarity. They are beyond my favorite bar cookie and it’s impossible not to find them sinfully delicious.

I”ve been holding out on you … I’ve been making this banana bread twice a month for the last year and am just now sharing the recipe with you! I feel bad because it is SO GOOD!

It is the perfect banana bread—just the right texture (a mix of gooey and cakey), easy to make, and healthy (so you don’t feel so bad when you eat half the loaf right out of the oven).

I had a huge bowl of green apples left over from a photoshoot. Mmmm ... what to make with them? What. to. make..... apple crumb cake with cinnamon and oats atop a moist sour cream cake with a hint of almond extract. Yep. That's it. Start peeling apples.

I made a huge batch of homemade granola for the bridesmaid's brunch we recently hosted (check it out here) and had a couple of jars left over. I have been finding all kinds of ways to use it including these incredible Banana Crunch Muffins.

Christmas morning breakfast should be special, but it should also be super simple to throw together. No one wants to be trapped in the kitchen cooking while everyone else is opening presents! I'm always sure to make something ahead of time that can just be thrown in the oven so I can join in the real fun with the rest of the family.

During my pie book endeavor, I became an expert in pie crusts. I recently tried my hand at biscuits. Where in the past I got flat rocks, this time they were fluffy, flakey and totally fabulous. I blame all that pie dough practice. It taught me how not to overwork the dough and to work quickly with cold ingredients.

Last week I brought you the most unhealthy, most delicious Sourdough Bread Brown Sugar Pecan Sticky Buns EVER. While they ARE irresistible, they ARE NOT the best practical option for a healthy start to your day. Breakfast doesn't have to be boring though. These Whole Wheat Flax Seed Pumpkin Waffles with Apples and Cinnamon are not only a good-for-you breakfast that you won't feel guilty about, but also full of seasonal flavors.

I'm so sorry. These photos might hurt your eyes—especially if you're on a diet. I apologies but these puppies are worth every calorie. Every. Single. Sticky. Calorie.

Years ago we honeymooned in Hawaii. We snorkeled with the sea turtles, sailed with the whales, took surfing lessons and drove the road to Hana. Thinking back on our trip, although we experienced some of the most incredible attractions The Aloha State has to offer, nothing takes me back to that vacation as fast as fresh pineapple and warm banana bread.

Summer's freshest lemons and blueberries make for fabulously delicious homemade muffins. Just out of the oven, these puppies are the perfect breakfast treat.

Over the past 5 weeks I have been cooking, styling and photographing over 100 pies for a cookbook that will be coming out in October (explains why the blog has been a little neglected lately). Yesterday we wrapped our final day of shooting and to celebrate I made the team breakfast.

I have a very serious sweet tooth ... As you can tell by my blog, I really try to eat a healthy diet, except when it comes to dessert. I have no will power. I love sweets and never deny myself (everything in moderation). But when you crave something sweet after every meal (even breakfast) you have to find something other than chocolate chip cookies to satisfy.

Sunday I woke up with a craving for waffles ... or maybe French Toast. Mmmm ... decisions, decisions? But wait, why do I have to decide? A girl can have it all, right?

We recently spent a weekend in Boston and it seems like all we did was eat (much like every vacation we go on!)—days filled with oysters, lobster rolls, clam chowders and hot dogs at baseball games. Needless to say, when we got home I was ready to get back into our regular routine of healthy (and simple) eating. I love fine dinning at restaurants but honestly would rather eat a home cooked meal.

It's already been a crazy spring. I have a newborn baby, a new born book, and a book/media tour underway. This girl needs a drink! Luckily, Seersucker Gin graciously sent me a bottle of their liquor and I happily got to work to create a perfect springtime cocktail that is light and fresh and perfect for the warmer days ahead. 

I started making homemade Cherry Limeade last 4th of July for our annual Independence Day party. Now it has become a special summer treat that I find myself making quite often. No need to trek to Sonic, this homemade recipe is fresh and totally amazing!

Weekend afternoons and evenings spent poolside with family and friends are a treat that only summer can afford and nothing screams summertime-fun more than lemonade. This sweet and tart childhood favorite turned boozy adult cocktail will be your new favorite warm-weather refresher.

With the Kentucky Derby this weekend and more important for Nashvillians, The Iroquois Steeplechase on May 10, it's time to break out the silver and pewter cups for the ultimate race-day specialty—Mint Juleps.

My Ultimate (Skinny) Margarita has long been my go-to summer cocktail. It's light and fresh and I haven't met anyone that doesn't like it. This Pomegranate Mint Spiked Lemonade just may rival it. It's my new summer favorite and will be THE cocktail on all my backyard barbecue menus this summer.

Chocolate, peanut butter, banana and coconut ... a combination made in milkshake heaven! This cold, creamy treat is so decadent and delicious, you'll forget it's actually good for you.

My favorite cocktail is a good Margarita. Emphasis on the good. To me, a good margarita doesn't include sweet-and-sour mix. I love me some cheap greasy Mexican but most of those restaurants serve pitchers of premixed Margaritas that are bright green in color and chalked full of sugar—yuck!

Happy New Year! I'm so excited about the thought of what 2014 will bring. After taking a week off from the blog for the holidays, I'm excited to be back to bring you fresh and fun ideas to help you enjoy this new year.

A good Caesar Salad is one of my favorite things. What makes a Caesar Salad "good?" FRESH Caesar dressing. You can make this restaurant favorite at home in a flash ... and you'll never buy a bottle of Caesar dressing again!

This Peach Caprese Salad is summer's quintessential dish. It highlights summer's best bounty: Southern vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh Georgia peaches and basil from that herb pot on the patio that has grown exponentially in the last month.

Lunch is always a difficult meal for me to get inspired about. Midday, I want something light yet filling, fresh and satisfying that will last me through the afternoon. Salads are always a good go-to lunch option but most are uninteresting and ultimately unhealthy, which completely defeats the purpose of eating a salad in the first place. This salad is not one of those—it is flavorful, healthy and a lunch you'll be excited to dive into!

The weather is starting to get warmer (thank goodness) which always makes me crave Mexican flavors—think margaritas and guacamole outside on the patio with friends.

Sean Brock of Husk Nashville recently came out with a brand new cookbook, Heritage. It's my favorite Christmas gift to give this year and before I wrapped it up, I decided to try a couple of the recipes (is that allowed? Does that make it a re-gift? Hope not!).

This Peach Caprese Salad is summer's quintessential dish. It highlights summer's best bounty: Southern vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh Georgia peaches and basil from that herb pot on the patio that has grown exponentially in the last month.

This recipe has been a long time favorite ... something so simple and yet so incredibly delicious. Ham and rolls. The ultimate comfort food.

Yesterday I brought you How to Make the Perfect Hard Boiled Egg. Today, we're using those hard-boiled eggs to make a Southern favorite—Deviled Eggs.

I have posted my turkey burger recipe here before (it's one of my absolute faves). I thought that I would revamp them into sliders for this weekend's Super Bowl.

I tend to think of Guacamole as a summer-time appetizer but it also makes for a great football season staple. The grocery stores are chock-full of avocados right now—and have plenty that are ripe and ready to eat.

Continuing on my health kick (post holiday cleanse) I'm trying to incorporate more vegetables into my daily diet. It seems so easy to get my daily allotment of fruit (berries in oatmeal for breakfast, apple for a snack) but vegetables seem more difficult to work in.

Jacobs loves zucchini so I am always looking for new ways to cook it. This is such a fun recipe to serve with burgers (try my turkey burgers here) or as an appetizer. I also think that it would be a great healthy alternative at a football party! Here's the recipe!

Fall is practically upon us and it has me craving comfort food! This Tortellini Soup has all the feels of fall but is a little lighter since we are still in that pre-autumn heat.

It is super simple and comes together quickly, making dinner less than 30 minutes away.

Homemade pizza night is one of our favorite family dinner nights. E loves to help press out the dough and laughs so loud when I throw it in the air, yelling "peazzA."

One evening we came home from a date night and the babysitter had ordered Chinese food and said, "you're daughter ate all my fried rice!" Me, always looking for new and fresh weeknight dinner ideas, had an AH-HA moment. Why not make a healthier chicken fried rice at home?

Weeknight dinner inspiration can be a challenge. My family wants to eat dinner every. single. night. It's exhausting! Trying to come up with something simple to make, healthy, and delicious is a tall order. I've really been working to bring you just that—easy weeknight meals that everyone will love, staring with these Barbecue Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.

We're all looking for easy and healthy weeknight family meals. This Yogurt Crusted Chicken is crispy, tender, versatile, and simple to make.

Plunging fall/winter temperatures make me want to stay inside and bundle up with a warm homemade supper by the fire. It's comfort food season and soups, strews and pot pies are top of mind. Comfort food can be, well, heavy, and it can be easy to pack on those extra winter pounds if you're not careful.

Now that the kids are back in school and the onset of fall is just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about easy and satisfying meals that cater to the entire family. This Summer Zucchini Lasagna straddles both seasons by highlighting the fresh in-season flavors of summer while encompassing a warm and comforting lasagna for those cool early-fall evenings.

The other night I was totally craving shrimp and grits. This summertime Southern staple has been on my mind ever since the weather started getting warmer. Bowls of creamy cheesy grits with fresh plump shrimp topped with sautéed mushrooms and bacon—Yes, please.

Life can't be ALL green smoothies and turkey buyers. Sometime (just sometimes) you have to throw caution to the wind and give in to those evil voices. Bacon Cheeseburger with Caramelized Onions? Hello, lover.

There is something unmatched about the first few weeks, or days really, of summer. The light hangs around longer, the intense heat hasn’t quite settled over Tennessee, and it feels like every evening is an opportunity to sit and linger around the dinner table a little longer.

I couldn’t be more excited to team up with Crate&Barrel to create a sponsored Halloween table that’s not only cute and totally spooky but super simple to transition into the Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s my favorite images and inspo from our Halloween shoot as well as a recipe for the BEST EVER Salted Carmel Dipped Apples. Check back to see how I use the same Crate&Barrel items to create a super chic Thanksgiving tablescape.

All my favorite things have collided—a feminine autumn tailgate with delicious food and sparkling wine set at a picturesque farm in Franklin featuring a vintage aqua truck and dreamy puppy dog. PLUS a give-a-away for my followers? Wow—this one's something special! 

The best way to take advantage of the beautiful, warm days ahead is with a picturesque  picnic eaten in a lovely al fresco setting. There’s something about eating outdoors, and on a blanket, that makes food taste slightly more delicious.

Among my favorite things about being a kid were the campfires my family built on cool summer evenings. I remember how we would search the yard for the perfect sticks that we would later use to toast fluffy marshmallows. Once their snow-white skins turned golden brown and their insides gooey, we'd sandwich them together with chocolate bars between graham crackers and devour the fire-kissed confections always asking for “s’more.”

Last weekend I helped my mom and sister host a bridesmaids' brunch for our beautiful cousin, Julianna. I was so excited that they had decided on a brunch because I LOVE breakfast/brunch food and think it is so much easier to design a menu around brunch favorites.

I recently styled a photoshoot for the fall/winter issue of Nashville Lifestyles At Home (on newsstands now). They asked me to show how to throw a dinner party at home. I thought an at-home wine tasting would be a fun fall party that might be intimidating at first, but something that is really simple to plan and the perfect treat for friends and family moving into the holidays.

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me "8 maids a milking." What goes better with milk than chocolate?!

The holidays are all about getting together with the ones you love. I love entertaining and having people over but sometimes a big dinner party is overwhelming for not only you but your guests too (who might have several different parties to attend in one weekend). That's why I love having a small intimate cocktail hour where friends can just stop in and then head to their next affair.

As a little girl my grandmother (whom we affectionately call "Honey Mama") would host tea parties in her kitchen for me and my cousins. She had a small tea table and chairs that were just our size that she would set with her fine china and silver tea set. She'd bring a vase full of flowers in from her Williamsburg garden and make tea sandwiches, cheese and crackers and always had an assortment of gourmet cookies (I vividly remember Mint Milanos).