Golf, Anyone?

DSC_0096 DSC_0099 DSC_0117 So here’s the thing. I don’t play golf and I probably never will. Now when I say “I don’t play and I never will” this does not mean that A) I haven’t played golf or B) that I will never shank a ball on a golf course again. Because… why not?!?

This is the final Palm Springs outfit post, and spoiler alert: These photos were NOT taken in Palm Springs. They were taken at a golf course in our beautiful mountains in anticipation of my vacation!!! When I say that I don’t play golf, I mean that I don’t play golf well. I play golf like I bowl, very poorly, with the worst score possible, with the worst form possible, with the most uncaring airs.

So when we sat at the concierge’s desk and asked about playing golf at LaQuinta, you can bet that I was basically laughing internally the entire time! Don’t get me wrong. I’m down for any adventure. Even a golf adventure, and Mel had really wanted to play. But the more the concierge spoke about the merits of the course, the famous people who had played there, and the fact that they only had 18 hole courses. (9 holes, anyone?) We about-faced from our desire to play golf.

Now hear this, I am sure that MANY of you play golf. Many of you lovely readers probably play it well. I am glad. I am glad that you love the sport, and I am glad that you relish the experience. If you ever want to take an over-dressed caddy along with you on your round, give me a shout out :)!

Golf anyone?

XX, Megan DSC_0119 DSC_0122

Shirt: Gap, Short: J.Crew (old, similar), Shoes: Sperry (or here), Clutch: J.Crew Factory, Necklace: J.Crew (old, similar)

Homemade Thin Mints

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You know, because we consumed no less than three cakes and 48 or so cupcakes this weekend. AND because I’ve already admittedly been on a salad posting kick over here. AND because I have been dying to do this recipe since I saw it on Emily’s blog, One Lovely Life.

AND because we are trying to remain as UNPLUGGED as possible this summer (which admittedly can be hard and I am NOT saying my kids haven’t watched television, and we’re only two days into Summer break. Ha!) so I enlisted the help of my helpers. I made these Homemade Thin Mint Cookies yesterday. I’m really sorry I did glad I did because they are AWESOME!

One of the awesome aspects of this cookie (besides the fact that they REALLY DO TASTE like Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies) is the fact that they are gluten free, and you can make them gluten free and dairy free by using dairy free chocolate chips when you dip them.

So if you’re in need of a sweet treat this Wednesday. Or if you’re in need of a pick-me-up this weekend. Or if you’ve really overloaded your palate with Birthday Cake and are ready for a different form of deliciousness try these! However, as my wonderful friend who I taste-tested the first run of these Thin Mint Delights stated, “Oh, these cookies are dangerous!”

She is right. Watch out, friends! These are so GOOD they’re sure to help you over the hump. Happy Wednesday!

XX, Megan

The recipe is as follows:

1 cup blanched almond flour

½ cup arrowroot powder (I used tapioca starch)

¼ cup unsweetened baking cocoa

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

1 egg

3 Tbsp pure maple syrup

3 Tbsp coconut oil, melted

½ tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp peppermint extract

Chocolate Dip:

1 Cup chocolate chips

1/2 Tbsp coconut oil

My awesome baking helpers are going to show us HOW IT’S DONE!

Mix together the dry ingredients– almond flour, tapioca starch, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add 1 egg, the maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, and peppermint. Mix thoroughly.

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Make the dough into 1 inch balls, and place 12-15 on a baking sheet prepared with parchment paper. After you have placed your dough balls, pat them with your palm until they are about 1/4 inch thick. They will not rise much during baking. Alternatively, you can press your dough down with a spatula.

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Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. At this point you can begin to melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small sauce pan.

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Let the cookies cool completely before dipping each one in your melted chocolate. I made sure to have some wax paper under my cooling racks after I dipped my cookies in chocolate. You can do the top of the cookies only, dip the entire cookie front and back in the chocolate, or dip the top and refrigerate and then pull them out of the fridge to dip the bottom of the cookie in chocolate. Whatever you decide, return them to the cooling rack once they are dipped. Refrigerate or freeze your cookies until the chocolate is set up.

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ENJOY!!!!! Like this sweet little cookie monster!

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Tie Dye

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Last Palm Springs outfits posting this week. The sun has finally come out in the mountains and we were so ready for it!

This past weekend we hosted some fun Birthday activities for our youngest son’s B-day. A BBQ on Sunday and bowling with friends on Monday kept us going!

We have the awesome opportunity to hang out with some amazing little friends of ours this summer, and together we have also been given the chance to go to a friend’s ranch for horse back riding lessons.

We had our first lesson yesterday and honestly, it was incredible. I cannot tell you the excitement and joy on my boys’ faces just to be near such beautiful creatures. So Monday morning was spent at Circle O Ranch, and the entire afternoon was given over to slip and sliding and enjoying the summer sun. It already feels as though we’ve had a full week and it’s only Tuesday!!

This outfit (as previously noted, a Palm Springs pic) was really just cool and comfy for another pool day. The scarf is a new favorite and on sale now over at Anthropologie, here. I’ve been in this really blue mood lately. Not my emotions, just the color palate I’ve been drawn to. This week is already on a roll! I hope you’re able to roll with it!

XX, Megan

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Shirt: J.Crew, Shorts: LOFT, Sandals: J.Crew (similar), Scarf: Anthropologie (on sale!), Bag: Old Navy, Bracelets: Vintage and Banana Republic, Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper, Rings: Vintage

Gone Fishing

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Okay, so I am not literally fishing today. But I will be posting a book review tonight and an outfit tomorrow!

For now, we have a full schedule of summer goodness today, so I am postponing this post for the day!

I hope you have a FABULOUS Monday!

Check back here tonight or tomorrow for Refined + Rugged updates.

XX, Megan

Lime Green Sweaters and Tile Stairwells

DSC_0146 DSC_0143 DSC_0150 Another snap of pink. perfect for Saturday! I hope you are all having an absolutely relaxing weekend. We are putting the finishing touches on our deck, and prepping for a family Birthday dinner. The sun is finally out, and it really does feel like summer here!!!

Another outfit brought to you by beautiful Melanie. The contrast of these two brights– the pink of the bag, and the green of her sweater– were just right for Palm Springs attire. A sweater in Palm Springs? You may ask. But the weather was really quite temperate when we arrived. Only in the high 70s, so you really could get away with wearing a light sweater.

Every detail of the La Quinta was gorgeous. Just look at the tile on this stairway! The white-washed walls, blue doors, and gorgeous red tiled roofs of each group of casas was a treat for the eyes.

Hope your Saturday is as refreshing as a Palm Springs vacation!!

XX, Megan DSC_0135 DSC_0139

Sweater: J.Crew (on sale!), Shorts: Gap, Bag: Kate Spade, Sandals: Madden Girl, Sunglasses: Prada, Watch: Michael Kors