Weekly Favorites

This week was filled with some down time before my last semester of Nursing School starts back Monday. I was able do a good bit of snuggling with my sweet baby boys while also doing some baking. I will be sharing the recipe for the Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies with Icing one day next week. Trust me you want to try them out for yourself. 

Lastly, I have been trying out different lip colors by the company LipSense and I finally found some that I was interested in. I will be talking about these products next week because if you love lipstick but not that you have to keep reapplying then this brand is perfect for you! Happy weekend! 

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Laurel, Mississippi

A little over a year ago I watched the Pilot episode of the new HGTV show called Home Town. Home Town on HGTV is based in the small southern town of Laurel, Mississippi where Ben and Erin Napier live. Ben and Erin Napier love their small town and plan to help it grow and thrive with restoring older homes and even the downtown area. I have been following them via Instagram since the pilot episode aired a year ago. After seeing all the wonderful pictures they have been posting of their quaint downtown I knew I had to go see it for myself. 

Last week I woke up one morning and decided I was going to take a spontaneous two hour road trip down to Laurel from Jackson, Mississippi. I am so very glad that I went because I absolutely loved it! I plan to visit a few more times this year. I would suggest visiting this small homegrown downtown to everyone.

Ben and Erin Napier have recently opened their own store in downtown Laurel called Laurel Mercantile Co. They opened the store in December 2016. I fell head over heels in love with their store and all the lovely old southern goods they sell. I bought a mug, shirt, and some old pieces of serving dinnerware. 

Even if you cannot visit check out their website here, where you can shop what is in the store along with handmade pieces of hardwood furniture that Ben Napier makes in his woodshop entitled Scotsman Co. They have a little bit of everything for everyone in this store, from wooden toys, leather goods, candles, dinnerware, apparel, and Erin's Casserole Tote that she designed. The Casserole Tote would make the best Hostess gift especially for that hostess that seems to already have everything under the sun!

In case you are wondering about Season One of Home Town on HGTV. They have been filming this past year so that Season 1 will air this year! I cannot wait to watch all the different projects that take on in this adorable small town in my home state. If you love Chip and Joanna Gaines show "Fixer Upper" on HGTV then you will quickly fall in love with the Napier's. I have to admit I had the pleasure of talking with Ben Napier himself and some of this crew while I was visiting and he is just a small town, sweet, southern gentleman who was very eager to talk with people coming into the store and listen to any stories they had to tell him. 

Be sure to follow them on Instagram and check out their website (linked above). I honestly fell in love with this small town and all the quaint tree lined streets with classical southern homes ranging from small to large. I could brag about the Napier's and the town of Laurel all day long, but just go see it for yourself and I am sure you will fall in love too!

Lots of Love,  Natalie

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

During the Holidays I always use a lot of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls but this Christmas I had some left over and decided to make Mini Cinnamon Rolls with them. I was not sure how these would turn out but I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. These would be the perfect addition to any brunch or just the perfect Saturday morning surprise! 

Mini Cinnamon Rolls:

Ingredients:

Cinnamon Rolls:

1 package of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

2 tablespoons of butter, melted

1/4 cup granulated sugar 

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Icing: 

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla 

1 tablespoon milk 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Unroll crescent rolls and coat both sides of the dough with melted butter. 

3. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.

4. Cover one side of the rolls with the sugar mix and roll each into a spiral, with the sugar coated side inside. 

5. Place rolls in a small muffin tin. 

6. Cook 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes. 

7. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. 

8. Drizzle icing evenly over warm rolls to allow it to melt.

Lots of Love,  Natalie