A Crisp Life, Dallas, TX (2026)

04/05/2020

CRISPknowledge. Easy-to-peel Hardboiled Eggs.

File this in your “hmmm good to know” box. I just discovered how to make hard boiled eggs that are perfect and EASY TO PEEL. I can’t be the only one that curses and cries and rips off half the egg white every time they peel hard boiled eggs, right? I was determined to make deviled eggs with our Sunday supper of homemade fried chicken (could I BE any more southern right now?) so I decided to research how to cook them so they peel better. In the past I’ve tried using old eggs and I can attest it doesn’t work. I found on website this method and it worked! I used eggs I purchased today and each egg peeled perfectly. This has not happened to me. Ever.

Boil water, add eggs gently one at a time to the boiling water. Boil for 13 minutes and transfer to a bowl full of water and ice for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes the eggs are cool. Tap on the counter all around the egg, cracking the egg all over. I peeled from the bottom (making sure to get the thin membrane with the shell) and each egg peeled easily and perfectly! Don’t worry about it, you’re so welcome.

03/23/2020

CRISPbooze. I haven’t posted in a looong while because I just wasn’t feeling inspired. Having a lot of “family time” at home has stretched my creativity. I’ve been making a nightly cocktail from scratch. I went to make a cucumber gimlet (hence the out on my counter, please ignore the crock pot of unoriginal chicken tacos) to discover what I thought were cucumbers in my crisper were actually zucchini 😂 I remembered talking to a friend recently about a cocktail I used to ❤️ at the now closed Victor Tango called (I think) The Pepper Smash. Or maybe that’s what I’m naming it... Anyways, here’s my copycat recipe, it turned out peppery but not spicy and DELISH:

CRISP Copycat Pepper Smash (makes 2 cocktails)
1/2 red pepper or 2 mini red peppers
Juice of 1-2 limes
A little simple syrup or agave or honey
A little water
4 shots of tequila
Tajin for rim of glass (optional)

In a blender combine red pepper, lime juice, simple syrup, and water. Add blended pepper juice to shaker filled with ice and tequila. Shake your anxiety away. Shake shake shake. Strain into cocktail glasses rimmed in tajin. Can be served on the rocks or straight.

Special thanks to for introducing me to spirits

10/14/2019

CRISPsunnies. It’s Fall and CRISP outside so I’m baaaaack. I’m sure most of you know about sunglasses but if you don’t let me just tell you, I’m. Obsessed. They are technically running sunglasses so they’re polarized, super light-weight, and non-slip. They range from $25-$35 and um, did I mention they’re POLARIZED??? I mean, the clouds are so crisp! I even made try them on and look at the sky for a before and after. And then I was screaming in her ear “aren’t the clouds so clear?!” I now have a pair in my car because it’s like I’m wearing prescription sunglasses, the polarized lenses are just so much clearer and than my other sunglasses. I keep a 2nd pair in my house and they’re my work out sunglasses. They come in 3 styles and a gazillion colors. I personally like the OGs (sort of a classic wayfarer shape) and the Runways (slight cat eye with a pop of metal on the side). I found the BFGS style HUGE but they’re unisex. I love large sunglasses but they were too wide for my face. The other 2 styles fit perfectly though. I got a moody floral and a deep plum. I bought mine at Tyler’s on Lovers because I wanted to try them on but you can find them at most running stores and online. Obsessed!

08/29/2019

CRISPwellies. I’m a HUGE fan of my army green rain boots and I got mine a few years ago from . Well they’re baaaack! I’m not sure if these fit exactly like the ones I bought previously but the reason I love my Costco ones are because they fit my foot and leg better than the Hunters I had tried at Nordstrom. I am a shoe size 8 and I had never been able to wear Hunter boots before because the 8s were like clown boots on me (huge and bulky) and the 7s we just a smidge too small. The Costco size 8s fit perfect! Plus I LOVE the green. I was surprised but it goes with so many things from my closet - denim, navy, plaid, mustard yellow, black leggings, I mean everything looks good with that subtle pop of green. If you’ve been in the market run out and try a pair at Costco!

05/22/2019

CRISPcooler. F***y Pack Edition. Some friends just know you so well and nail that little sussy every time. gave me an insulated f***y pack that holds 2 cans of your frosty bevvie of choice. It’s a CRISP holder. And it’s from my favorite store of course. I can’t wait to try it out! ***ycooler

04/13/2019

CRISPgarden. Y’all best be working in your yard because A. Did you know working in the yard and getting that soil all over you is a natural anti-depressant? B. Getting your hands dirty also helps our immune and gut health and C. Putting science aside, doesn’t it just feel good to feather your nest and watch your flowers grow? Our first house in Austin was ALL shade. I had this lush front yard of Japanese aralia and acuba and caladium growing like crazy and I thought I had a green thumb. Then I moved to Dallas with FULL sun yards and I’ve struggled to keep things looking good in the hot August sun. I’m posting this pot because these plants have served me well in the hot sun. The key to a perfect pot is Thriller-Filler-Spiller. Well this has a thriller and spiller and I think it still looks good, I just didn’t have enough room to squeeze another plant in there. My “thriller” is the hot pink Rio diplandenia that I purchased from It was bred to have twice as many blooms as a mandevilla (according to the guy at Home Depot so don’t fact check me). The bright lime green spiller is a sedum I bought last Summer . This is now one of my favorite plants because it takes the hot sun, you don’t have to water it too much in fact water it much less than anything else in your garden, AND it stayed green through the winter! A surprise I didn’t realize was happening. Other cool thing is when a little sprig breaks off you just put it in the dirt and water it and a new plant of sedum grows. Both the Rio and the sedum can take hot sun (min of 4 hours of full sun per day) and are drought tolerant. Now that doesn’t mean you don’t have to water them at all, but just water them a lot less than you would the rest of your yard in the hot months.

04/09/2019

CRISPshoes. I have last year’s version of these “Women’s Violet Woven Backless Mules” from in black and I have to say they are one of my faves. I copied my friend and co-worker (RIP 😢) and bought the same pair as her and then proceeded to wear them several times a week in front of her, thus making everyone think SHE was copying ME. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, duh. I kid, she was cool about it (I think). I saw this updated Spring 2019 pair online and realized I think I have to order the tan as well. They actually stay on my feet (a lot of slip-on mules do not) and they are comfy and never give me blisters. They’re really cute with jeans and crop pants, skinny or wide leg and lots of other things. ❤️❤️❤️

01/31/2019

CRISPmani. I can’t really even begin to explain how many people have stopped me over my matte midnight blue . I found myself eagerly explaining my fancy “lee press on nails” to the gals behind the coffee counter at Central Market and I was like “this madness needs to stop”. Thanks a million to and for telling me all about Impress Nails. I finally went out and bought a set, $5.99 for 30 nails from . Super easy. Clean your nails, take the sticker off and stick them on, trim/file and voila! The most perfect manicure you’ve ever had. And you don’t have to wait for them to dry! I will say at day 3 I had one come loose. I cleaned the nail and stuck a new one on. Day 5 they started snagging my hair when I ran my fingers through it. Day 6 some started to come loose so I popped them off with no damage to my nails! I got countless compliments and would just stare at them at random moments in the day, I love them so much. I’m kind of cheap so I will probably try to get 2 sets out of the 30 nails they give you. They were BOGO free on their site with free shipping. I ordered 4 more sets and it worked out to $4/set or $2/6 day manicure. I actually like to do my own nails and get really antsy in the chair when I get gel nails done so this is perfect for me!

01/13/2019

CRISPmedicine. You’ve all heard me talk about my amazing Renaissance-woman/foodie/artist/gardener/smarty Aunt Jean . Well over the holidays she told me how she whips up a little elixir and keeps it in the fridge during sick season. You peel and chop about an inch chunk of ginger root, slice a lemon (skin and all) and cover with honey. It will stay good in your fridge for several weeks. Whenever someone’s feeling icky you can take a spoonful of it or mix it into tea. I whipped some up a few days ago. I tried a little last night and MY it was divine. I put some in all of our evening tea and you can add a little whiskey for a hot toddy. The ginger helps an upset stomach and all ingredients are great for immune support. So easy and yummmmm

01/11/2019

CRISPart. I recently commissioned a painting from my lovely super talented friend that I met through TreeHouse (RIP 😢). From beginning to end it was so fun planning this painting with Sam and seeing it come to life through photo and Instagram updates. Even Reese walked right in and exclaimed “Mom I LOVE the new painting!” Sam wants to do more painting on the side. Contact her or me for her info - she will ship paintings! ❤️❤️❤️

01/10/2019

CRISPtv. You know what sparks joy in me? ! PLEASE tell me you are all watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo? Marie Kondo is this little joy-sparker (I mean, she’s just the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, really) that not only teaches people how to tidy, aka organize and declutter their lives, but gives some powerful lessons on finding joy in your home. I had heard about her originally when and read her book. I’ll admit I fell asleep reading the first chapter but I LOVE the show and my 9 year old James insists he needs to watch every episode with me. Which is a good thing because in Epsidoe 1 you find out that tidying up is a family affair. Happy tidying in 2019!

01/04/2019

CRISPeats. My friend and I had an impromptu date last night when we stopped by in Lake Highlands to see if it was open. We were told of course they are always open for us! I was immediately so impressed with the cozy interior. Dark green velvet chairs, deep blue walls, and this great moody wallpaper. The menu is amazing - cocktails are genius and delicious and I’m a sucker for a drink served in the old school champagne glass. I mean, they’re just so cute! 😂 The food was delicious (we had a few apps, the white bean tapenade and the Banger Board and both were 💯) I cannot wait to try an entree next time. It is a good mix of prices with a burger and pommes frites at $14 and then nicer options like scallops and filet in the upwards of 20-$35. Their bar is open until midnight, yay perfect spot for a nightcap. I’m so excited for a restaurant like this to come to Lake Highlands! Please go out and try it! @ RM 12:20 Bistro

A Crisp Life

04/05/2020

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10/14/2019

08/29/2019

05/22/2019

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01/31/2019

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