lesleymurphy

Four Days on Italy’s Amalfi Coast

October 5, 2023 by lesleymurphy 4 Comments

The Amalfi Coast is a 30-mile stretch of coastline along Italy’s southern edge. Think sheer cliffs, a rocky shoreline, small beaches and pastel-colored fishing villages. The coastal road between the port city of Salerno and clifftop Sorrento winds past grand villas, terraced vineyards and cliffside lemon groves.

Am I selling it yet? It’s a pretty easy place to sell 🙂

Four-Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary

We started our honeymoon in the Amalfi Coast and had four blissful days here. Only a few months later, we brought LimitLes participants back for some fun in the sun!

Where to Stay

During both of my visits to the coast, I stayed in Amalfi. I think it’s a great central area that allows you to see the best parts without feeling like you’re in transfer the whole time.

woman looking over balcony to the sea in the amalfi coast

man and woman eating inside a restaurant with views of the amalfi coast

Santa Caterina Hotel: I wrote all about our dreamy honeymoon stay here! Disclaimer: reading may lead to booking an ocean view room ASAP.

Miramalfi Hotel: Down the street from Santa Caterina is this absolute gem of a hotel and where we stayed during LimitLes Italy. It was everything our group needed and so much more, plus just a few steps closer to the town of Amalfi.

Things to Do

The options are limitless on the Amalfi coast, but to maximize your time, I’d suggest breaking up your itinerary by town. Spend one day getting rid of jet lag and exploring Amalfi. Spend the next day taking in the glamour, shops and bars of Positano. Take in the heights of Ravello. Do a boat day to Capri. Before I break it down by location, I have to first highlight the two things you cannot miss if you find yourself in an Italian daydream!

Things You Can’t Miss

Positano Home Cooking with Peter: If you do ONE thing on the Amalfi coast, do this. I’ve been twice and that will never suffice. It’s really more of a cooking experience as Peter and his sous chef do the hard parts while you sip lots and lots of incredible wine, taste very thoughtfully sourced local ingredients, learn so much, and leave with top-notch Italian memories.
Path of the God’s Hike: Truth be told, I still have yet to hike this path with unreal views of the coast due to 2 unlucky weather days, but I’ll be back for it!

Amalfi

Trattoria Da Gemma: Loved by many, this was our finale dinner for LimitLes Italy! If you can, reserve a seat outside for the best views and vibes.
Terrazza Duomo Hotel & Restaurant rooftop: Climb the stairs across from the cathedral to the top of this hotel and cozy up for unbelievable views. We really stumbled into this place by spotting it from the ground and taking The Stairway Les Traveled. I can’t speak to the crowd, because we stopped in for a 3:30 snack & sip, and we had the place to ourselves with one of the most incredible views!
Amalfi Cathedral
Amalfi Coast tour via Fiat 500: Trust me, do it!
Wander through all the little shops in the piazza!

Positano

Da Ferdinando restaurant & beach club: Just around the corner from where the ferry drops you off. The food is delicious, the little walk is beautiful, and you’ll probably avoid the crowds of people who settled for a more well-known spot.
Franco’s Bar: White Lotus, Amalfi coast edition. Go for drinks, stay for the view, with no reservations.
Chez Black restaurant: It’s iconic for a reason!

Capri

Bangi Internazionale Beach Club for lunch, drinks & day beds.
Blue/White/Green Grotto: Depending on time of year, tide, and lines, this can take a bit to move through!
Faraglioni Rock: The iconic kissing rock. Everyone does it, and you must too!
Marina Grande and Anacapri: If timing allows, take the funicular to the infamous Anacapri.

As you prepare, be ready to fall head over heels in love with this enchanting slice of Italy. There is so much to do whether you’re strolling through the quaint streets of Amalfi, indulging in a Positano sunset, or exploring the wonders of Capri. The Amalfi Coast weaves a tapestry of memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. After all, like a fine limoncello or a moonlit cliffside dinner, the Amalfi Coast is meant to be savored slowly and treasured forever.

9 Hosting Tips from Mama Murphy

September 22, 2023 by lesleymurphy 1 Comment

My mom grew up in Helena, Arkansas, where southern hospitality is more than just a baked good, a warm smile or a friendly hug. It’s a way of life. My mama got it from her mama and so on and so forth. Even though I’ve lived all over the world, this certain southern charm resides in my bones as well… it just needed some greasing up again when I moved back to Arkansas. I’ll never forget our first few weeks here when our neighbors brought over casseroles, breads and port wines.

“Do you know these people already?!” my Aussie husband asked.

“No, that’s just what you do here. You’ll learn.” I replied. And learn, he did! After all, it doesn’t get much more southern than growing up in the southern hemisphere 😉

Thankfully, I’ve picked up a few tips from my mom along the way, especially this month as we hosted friends at our homes. Here’s a few to put in your back pocket as we head into the best season of the year!

9 Hosting Tips from Mama Murphy

Bring your casserole dish to the caterer ahead of time so the food can be served neatly in your own dish.

We’re starting off strong since this is one of my FAVORITE tips to share. We hosted a few friends in Little Rock earlier this month, and my mom had dinner for everyone at her house on Friday night. She had a few dishes catered that evening, and someone asked how she was able to transfer the scalloped potatoes into her casserole dish so perfectly from the caterer’s aluminum pan. Turns out she dropped off her Le Creuset with the caterer beforehand so they could make it inside, thus being able to be served in a neat manner.

Add fresh flowers in all guest rooms.

This is an oldie but a goodie 🙂 I’ve watched my mom do this for years and listened to guests rave about the gesture. Fresh flowers create a warm, welcoming and cheerful space for those out-of-towners.

Linen spray on pillows so when guests turn down the covers, it smells heavenly.

Talk about a hit to the senses. This one packs a punch for anyone who is about to turn down the covers in your guest bed. Benefits to linen sprays include relieving stress, improving your mood and helping you fall asleep faster.

Place a carafe of water and glass at their bedside.

It’s something so simple but so appreciated! I always have a glass of water by my bed every single night. Don’t make your guests stumble to the kitchen at 1am. Instead, quench their thirst with a water carafe and glass set mere inches away.

Invest in hotel-worthy linens, pillows and toiletries.

They don’t have to break the bank, but comfort is key especially when you’re sleeping somewhere other than your own room. It can be tough to get used to others pillows, mattress and sheets…so help make their trip worthwhile. Guests always rave about our Avocado mattress, Brooklinen sheets and towels, and Boll & Branch or The Pillow Bar pillows. I’d highly suggest just about anything from these brands!

Ask about any dietary restrictions and favorite foods/drinks in advance.

It would be a shame to spend money, time and energy cooking a certain dish for a group of people and then come to find out… they’re allergic, vegetarian, vegan etc. Send a simple text ahead of time asking about any restrictions and while you’re at it, favorite foods, snacks and drinks to make them feel right at home.

Have baked goods on the counter for easy access to snacks for something homey.

If you know what I’m about to suggest, you know me well. I highly suggest my banana bread recipe ahead of any guest’s arrival. Make it as-is, turn it vegan, whatever. It’s something that can always be out on the counter for them to grab, curbing any hunger pains or simply putting them in a good mood because what baked good doesn’t!?

Show guests where the thermostat is if applicable.

The first thing I do when I walk into a hotel room is notice the temperature and look for the thermostat. I like to sleep on the cooler side. Knowing this, I always point out the thermostat to our guests when they come over so they can make themselves comfortable.

Be present!

Get off your phone and enjoy being with your company! It’s not every day that they come over so soak up the good times. Remember that other people can feed off our energy so relax, smile and go in for the hug.

Be the Hostess

with the Mostest

Feature image by Bryan Clifton for UAMS

72 Hours: What to Do in Rome

July 5, 2023 by lesleymurphy 6 Comments

72 Hours: What to Do in Rome

Getting There

Rome has two international airports, the favorite being Fiumicino (FCO) which is the biggest, best served and most connected airport in Rome. We flew direct on United in their premium Polaris class complete with lay-flat seats, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, skincare from Sunday Riley, high-end dining options and exclusive Polaris lounge access. United is the only U.S. airline to offer direct flights to Europe from its hub in SFO with non-stop flights to seven popular European cities this summer. With flights to Rome, Milan, Venice and Naples, United continues to fly to more cities in Italy from the U.S. than any other airline in the world.

What to do in Rome

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but a traveler can accomplish a lot here in 72 hours. A visit here can be daunting for first time visitors. After all, Rome is Italy’s most populated region and third most populated city in the EU. It’s 2,775 years old – basically older than old. With that being said, the historic center is relatively small, very walkable and most of the time feels like a set of villages combined into one expansive capital, so you’ll soak in plenty of small-town charm everywhere you go. Lace up your most comfy walking shoes (my favorites here) and get to stepping. See for yourself in the below itinerary just how much we ate, drank, did and created in a short time. Rome is a mixture of ruins, inspiring art, romance, and street style – and not any of these should be missed.

Day 1

Fly into FCO in the AM. Taxi to your Airbnb for an (hopefully) early check-in. We stayed here in the center of Campo dei Fiori, an amazing base for Rome, and loved it for our short stay. Whatever you do, remember Travel 101: Don’t fall asleep!

11:30am:

Roscioli for a small slice of pizza + maritozzi pastries to hold you over

12pm:

Meander around the Campo dei Fiori market for take-home gifts, souvenirs, dried pasta, and clothes! I bought a scarf, a linen summer jumpsuit and a travel adapter because in true Lesley fashion, I forgot one.

1pm:

Walk to the popular Bohemian neighborhood of Trastevere for Dar Poeta’s pizza. I couldn’t wait to get my hands (and mouth) on a Margherita. Two pizzas and a large water later, our bill was 20 euro. Score.

2pm:

Walk around the neighborhood and take in its charm. Drink all the espresso for the much needed caffeine. Truth be told, we walked into a church, sat down, and fell asleep on each other’s shoulders. Not our finest moment, but it was a great place for shade and solitude.

5:30pm:

Begin your walk to the Colosseum for some “ooohs” and “ahhhs”, wishing that walls could talk the whole time. Walk around it, and then make your way to the path across the street that leads to higher ground for an even better view. Watch the sunset here.

7:30pm:

Head to Osteria La Fortunata for dinner. Don’t let the line fool you – it goes quickly, although it certainly helps to get here before 8pm. Order the famous Roman cacio e pepe or carbonara. Our total bill for these two dishes plus a large water? 40 euro.

Day 2

10am:

Wake-up! We never sleep in this late (we’re parents). But jet lag coupled with pregnancy made me do it, and no regrets. I also woke up with pink eye this day and immediately texted our Airbnb host who pointed me towards an AMAZING concierge medical service that offers house calls and online consultations. I got an appointment within 30 minutes of logging onto their website. And a doctor set me up with a prescription which I had in-hand within an hour of texting our host. I highly recommend MedinAction for any medical needs while in Rome.

11:30am:

Head to Barnum Cafe for the best coffee and brekkie/brunch around (42 euro total). I’m serious – it was so good, we tried to eat here twice, but the line was too long the following day. Remember that no matter how it starts, you can be the own architect of your day.

1:45pm:

Head to the Tiburtina train station (~30 minute drive from Campo dei Fiori) to embark on the best pasta cooking class of your life! We booked Handmade Pasta for Grandma on Airbnb *last-minute* with no regrets. I’m talking SO last-minute that I had to privately message the host to see if we could still book it because the 3:30pm start time was no longer available on the app. She said if we could make it to the train station in time, come on! We had to RUN to the train platform and arrived as it was pulling up! The cost is $104 per person, and I would highly recommend it as it made for a dinner to remember. There’s something so undeniably special about being invited inside a Roman grandma’s home to make pasta with her and a few other amazing participants!

Day 3

7am:

Get your walking shoes on – today’s a big one! Visit the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin in. Getting here early ensures that it’s not a complete zoo 🙂

7:30am:

Forno brekkie with pistachio croissants. This is a little cafe right next to the fountain where the croissants are widely known!

9am:

Colosseum and Roman Forum tour. Walk in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors as you travel back to the era of ancient Rome – a can’t miss. If you don’t have anything set up, try booking on GetYourGuide app or Airbnb Experiences.

12:30pm:

Emma for lunch. This was my favorite pizza of the whole trip! We paid 45 euro for two pizzas and two coffees.

2pm:

Visit the Pantheon and if you’re up for it, I’d suggest doing a guided or an audio tour inside. My mom said it was one of her favorite things when they visited in April, and I’m sad we didn’t carve out some time for it during our 3 days here.

3:30pm:

Visit the Spanish Steps, a famous landmark in Rome where it’s fun to people watch, shop and hang out in Piazza di Spagna. There are 138 steps in total and in April/May every year, they’re covered in stunning pink azaleas which we got to see! Even though it was raining at this particular point in the day, the steps looks vastly different than when I saw them 20 years prior. Younger Lesley was also very different as well…as this is where my best friend and I embarked on our very first European pub crawl in a different lifetime!

4pm:

Take a break from all the walking and tours with nearby Antico Caffè Greco for coffee and cannolis. It’s the oldest bar in Rome and second oldest in Italy.

5pm:

Walk to the Vatican Museums for a 5:30 tour. We did ours through Airbnb Experiences and absolutely LOVED our guide.

7:30pm:

Take a cab from the Vatican because you just walked about 23,000 steps (that’s what my Health app told me after this day!) and either dine at Roma Sparita, Da Enzo al 29 (be prepared for a line), OR walk 10 minutes to Terraza les Etoiles Roma (a stunning rooftop restaurant overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica that we didn’t get a chance to try). At Roma Sparita, Alex ordered the steak and fries while I got the spaghetti la carbonara and arugula/parm salad. It all went down too quickly and so easily after a massive day seeing Roma!

Day 4

9:30am:

Grab breakfast at Ginger – Acai bowl, smoothies, pancakes. Enough said!

AM Departure – This isn’t goodbye, just see you later!

For next time

Giolitti’s Gelato

Coromandel (breakfast)

Aroma Restaurant

Tonnarello Restaurant

The Court (rooftop bar)

Capuchin Crypt

Borghese Gallery

Over to you! I know I missed a lot of hidden gems and Roman treasures. Please leave them below for other travelers to research!

13 Things to Know Before Undergoing a Double Mastectomy

July 1, 2023 by lesleymurphy 87 Comments

Hey breastie! So you’re about to undergo a mastectomy? First things first, I’m here to remind you that you’re not alone. There have been many before you and until we find a cure there will be warriors after us, but medicine is miraculous and community is everything. So, here are 13 things to know before undergoing a double mastectomy.

13 Things to Know Before Undergoing a Double Mastectomy

1. Before surgery day, invest in oversized button-down shirts and button-down PJs.

Why button-downs? You won’t be able to raise your arms after surgery, so being able to slip into a shirt is key. While cozy button-down PJs will make you as comfortable as possible in the days post-surgery, button-downs will be functional, too. Bonus points for silk PJs as many people have said they help you slip out of bed easier. My first outing after surgery was 7 days later, and I wore a giant button-down to cover the apron carrying my drains.

Functional

button downs

2. Getting in and out of bed is a challenge for the first week after surgery.

You will find it very difficult to lift your upper body in order to get out of bed, and you may even find that it’s necessary for someone to help lift you up the first few times. Don’t get discouraged – it’ll get easier, but you and your abs will become great friends throughout this process. You may even want to carve out some time weeks before surgery to join me on LimitLes Movement for some 8 minute abs!

Lounge

Necessities

3. If the hospital doesn’t give you a waist apron post-surgery, buy one.

Waist apron

I know some people like to pin their drains onto their shirt or even buy the robes with drain belts, but I went old school and got the apron. I only ever took it off to shower.

Shop it!

4. Everyone experiences pain differently, and pain pills have a different effect on everyone.

They made me nauseous after about 5 days, so I then switched to alternating Tylenol and Advil. Valium helped to relax my muscles. While we’re on the subject of pills: If you have allergies and your surgery is around springtime like mine, get some Zyrtec or allergy relief because sneezing HURTS. Make sure you can mix with other pills before using.

5. Your appetite will most likely be affected from ingesting the pain pills.

And it’s so important to keep up with protein and vitamin C consumption for a better healing process. My mom made protein smoothies with protein powder and fruits when eggs just didn’t sound appetizing. They were so yummy alongside lots of water and vitamin C supplements such as my beloved Sambucus gummies.

6. Hygiene is hard.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it. This is when you need a true friend who will lather you up in soap and wash your oily hair (Living proof dry shampoo AND Simple Facial Wipes for easy cleaning have been lifesavers throughout this whole process). I didn’t shower every day (or even every other day oops) the first week because I was in pain, I couldn’t lift my arms, and it just wasn’t necessary in my eyes.

If you have a removable shower head and ledge/stool/seat inside, this makes showering easier since you can set both drains on either side of you. Baths aren’t permitted throughout this process since doctors don’t want you sitting in water that could potentially carry bacteria and cause infection. I dreamt about the day I could take my beloved baths again! One more thing – an electric toothbrush is so much easier than a normal toothbrush after surgery!

7. Bolster Pillows

One of the most functional gifts I’ve received are two little pink bolster pillows to go under my arms. Because you can only sleep on your back propped up on pillows, you’ll need something to support your arms at night. Many thanks to my friend Catherine Lowe for hooking a girl up.

8. Invest in a heating pad if you don’t already have one around the house.

I’m a stomach and side sleeper, so sleeping on my back every night has been very hard to get used to. A heating pad relieves my back muscles from their stagnant position, but remember to never place anything hot (or cold!) on your chest.

9. Some people choose to go to the great lengths of renting a recliner after breast surgery.

I’m sure it helps in getting a good night’s sleep, but I found that even micro-turning my hips at night and elevating my knees helps to relieve some back tension. This pillow with straps looks like it could be helpful for daytime comfort and night time too.

Lunya sleep mask

Speaking of sleep, this washable silk sleep mask is DECADENT.

Shop it!

10. I was told to wear a compression bra a little over a week out from surgery.

This helps with support and to cut down on fluid output (and helps get those pesky drains out sooner!). Some surgeons recommend a sports bra or a non-underwire bra with a hook and eye front closure, rather than a pullover style or back closure. Check out the best double mastectomy bras to wear after surgery.

Pocketed front-closure bra

If you’re feeling frumpy from all the messy hair, PJ wearing days, buy yourself (gift-givers listen up!) this Ana Ono beauty. This bra isn’t compression, but I was able to wear it a few months out from surgery and adore the buttery softness!

Shop it!

11. Redecorate

Remember to “redecorate” in the days leading up to surgery, whether that be moving coffee mugs or cooking supplies to a lower shelf. You won’t be able to raise your arms, so be weary of where everything is in your house.

12. Unscrew prescription bottles and vitamin supplements before surgery, and put them in a safe place.

It blew my mind that I couldn’t even open a simple pill bottle a few days after surgery, but it’s important to remember that restrictive movements like this are short-term as it’s easy to get frustrated. Be sure to place the open bottles on a safe counter space and learn from my mistake. I left an Advil bottle open on my bedside table one night and then next day, my parent’s tiny poodle ingested about 20 of them. I stayed with her all day as she continued to throw up the reddish-pink liquid. It wasn’t until I walked into my room that evening to see the overturned empty Advil bottle…and then it hit me. I’m not entirely sure how the six pound dog lived to see another day, but I’m so glad she did!

13. My final advice would be to throw any and all alarms out the window.

Your body needs time to heal, so take advantage of sleeping in, Netflix and chill, and find peace in the stillness. Zzzzzzzzz.

If you have any tips of your own, please leave them in the comments below! Note: This post was published in April 2017 and updated in September 2023.

6 Years Later: Life After A Double Mastectomy

April 11, 2023 by lesleymurphy 1 Comment

Double Mastectomy update

As the years go by, I think about that fact less and less. It’s not that I want to forget about my double mastectomy surgery at all. That season of my life was honestly one of the most moving, transformative seasons I’ve ever known. I just think the further away you get from an experience, the more you forget about the pain, your corpse-like chest, and the every day tasks that all of a sudden seemed impossible like opening doors and trying to beat a child-proof pill top. In the last six years, I’ve been able to process everything and ultimately heal – both physically and emotionally. Many women grieve the loss of a body part when going through this experience, especially if they were really fond of their breasts. For me, I was never fully invested in my old boobs to be honest. Those little suckers could barely fill out my Victoria Secret 34B padded bra. I was never a boob girl. I’ve got a booty that commanded control way back when my mom had to buy me elastic waistband jeans as a kid. My B(maybe even sometimes A)-cup never stood a chance.

In the last six years, I’ve been witness to an outpouring of love, support and thanks for sharing my story. I always said if it helped one person, I’d done my job. There was no way to understand how many lives my preventative double mastectomy would touch, and so if you read nothing else today, please read this: Talk to others. Share your story. Open up to people. It will lead you down a path that you never thought imaginable full of camaraderie, support, love and empowerment.

Life post-surgery

I met Alex a year after my surgery, and now we’re finally married with a busy toddler! While life certainly looks different than it did in 2017, I don’t think of myself any differently post-surgery except for the fact that I’m healthier for it, of course. I don’t look at myself in the mirror differently. I don’t sleep differently. And I don’t eat differently. I don’t workout differently. Life post-surgery looks very similar to life pre-surgery because I didn’t let a double mastectomy change me for the worse. It absolutely changed me for the better. I think my story could’ve been a lot different, but I’m grateful I came away without complications, infections and most importantly, breast cancer. No longer did I have those potentially cancerous cells hanging around my boobs that could be a ticking time bomb any day of the week.

As that April bloomed on, my chest began to heal. So much growth comes from pain, no matter if that pain manifests its way in the physical or emotional form.

You’re gonna be happy, said Life, but first I’ll make you strong.

Oh how I love this quote! Suffering, of any kind, connects us all. It unifies humanity in a way that always gives us some kind of common ground. Every experience has the ability to shape us into powerful people if we allow it and most importantly, if we FEEL it. If we never process a change that’s trying to take place within us, we risk not being able to shift old habits and patterns. What we resist persists. If we allow that growth and transformation to take place, beautiful things can blossom.

I’m often asked if I have any regrets since surgery.

The answer is always a resounding “no.” How could I regret living a healthier life and giving my daughter the best chance at spending the most time with her mom? When I exercise or stand in a weird position, sometimes my boobs ripple, but then I remember that I have a 1% chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in my life, and that’s pretty freaking cool. I wouldn’t change a thing from my timeline to my doctors to my reconstruction to my outlook. I think the two most important things to be aware of in this situation are support systems and a healthy body image/self love/acceptance.

Nobody can walk through this alone, and with the help of amazing family, friends and social media strangers, I was able to recover quickly. I’ve also grown up with a healthy outlook on body image. My parents raised three daughters, and I never once remember a scale ever being in the house. Obsessing over numbers only drives insanity. The positive attitude I hold towards my own physical being helped me look in the mirror after the fact and continue to like what I saw. Cool scars. Battle wounds. Badges of honor. And lest we forget: babies will thrive on formula just as much as they’ll thrive on breast milk. Nobody gets a medal for either one.

Now that I’m a mother to a little girl, the BRCA gene has new meaning.

I do wonder if I’ve passed it down to her. But it doesn’t consume me because I know that whatever happens, we’ll have the knowledge and tools to move forward however she decides. I think back to March of 2014 when my own mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I got the call one night when I was living abroad in Argentina. It was my dad on the phone who said it first. “Your mom has breast cancer,” was what I heard and immediate fear and tears were what I felt. You never want to hear “mom” and “cancer” in the same sentence. Just three weeks later, she had her double mastectomy on March 31^st, 2014.

My sisters and I were able to get tested because we found out that she was positive for the BRCA gene. To me, my mom saved my life. Knowledge is power, and having that information is life saving. She has always shown me how to go through life with grace, making sure it was always chock full of fun and laughter. It’s no surprise, then, that she’d be my role model as I went through this journey six years ago. I want to be that same rock for my daughter one day.

Going public with my preventative double mastectomy has taught me that being open and vulnerable not only aids in the healing process, but it can also save lives. I don’t mean for that to sound all Grey’s Anatomy dramatic, but I have never known the sheer power of social media and blogging until this experience. To this day, I continue to have multiple digital conversations each week regarding the BRCA gene, surgery, and beyond because being an advocate for women’s health and early prevention is something that’s so important to me. I have found some of the most amazing humans from this experience including LimitLes Travel participants and other breasties who have joined us on The Road Les Traveled.

Having a great support group is imperative in healing.

And I know that sharing my story has helped other women with a similar story cope with the emotional and physical pain. To thrive. To rise. And to survive. Cancer or no cancer. I believe that when we’re open, authentic, and portray the truest version of ourselves, our confidence has an opportunity to shine brighter than ever before. It’s approachable and creates a domino effect, giving other women who walk a similar path the strength they need to finish the drill. At the end of the day, we know that whatever we went through had a purpose. Bloom on, wild ones.

Happy birthday, foobs 🙂

M&M Cookies for Spring

April 7, 2023 by lesleymurphy 3 Comments

I’ve eaten more of these delicious circular gems in my life than any other baked necessity thanks to my mother’s skill while growing up. Martha Murphy is famous in Arkansas (amongst my friends) for her chocolate chip cookies, and I’ve been craving them now more than ever. They’re simple enough for a kitchen novice to make and everyone in the family to love. I put a little spring twist to them if ya can’t tell 🙂

I’ve just about overdosed on my banana nut bread recipe and must move on. Breaking up with a baked good is never easy, but like any relationship, the next love immediately makes you forget about the last. The best part? This love doesn’t ask for anything more than exactly how it comes. No added butter, no toaster oven, nothing. An invitation to be completely yourself is what we all need right now. This week, we’re all cookies.

M&M Cookies for Spring

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups of M&Ms (make it festive according to the occasion)

Instructions

Sift the flour, baking soda, baking power and salt, set aside.
Whisk the eggs and vanilla, set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream the butter and sugars together in a mixer or by hand.
Add in the egg mixture.
Incorporate the flour mixture.
Fold in 1/2 of the bag of M&Ms.
Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
Roll the ball of dough (slightly larger than 1 tbsp) around in the leftover M&M’s and place the cookies on a baking sheet. The cookies will greatly expand so only place 9 cookies on a sheet.
Lick the bowl.
Bake for 14 minutes for crisp cookies or 12 minutes for softer cookies.
Remove from oven and let them cook for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Skip links

lesleymurphy

Four-Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary

Where to Stay

Things to Do

Things You Can’t Miss

Amalfi

Positano

Capri

9 Hosting Tips from Mama Murphy

Bring your casserole dish to the caterer ahead of time so the food can be served neatly in your own dish.

Add fresh flowers in all guest rooms.

Linen spray on pillows so when guests turn down the covers, it smells heavenly.

Place a carafe of water and glass at their bedside.

Invest in hotel-worthy linens, pillows and toiletries.

Ask about any dietary restrictions and favorite foods/drinks in advance.

Have baked goods on the counter for easy access to snacks for something homey.

Show guests where the thermostat is if applicable.

Be present!

Feature image by Bryan Clifton for UAMS

72 Hours: What to Do in Rome

Getting There

What to do in Rome

Day 1

11:30am:

12pm:

1pm:

2pm:

5:30pm:

7:30pm:

Day 2

10am:

11:30am:

1:45pm:

Day 3

7am:

7:30am:

9am:

12:30pm:

2pm:

3:30pm:

4pm:

5pm:

7:30pm:

Day 4

9:30am:

For next time

13 Things to Know Before Undergoing a Double Mastectomy

1. Before surgery day, invest in oversized button-down shirts and button-down PJs.

2. Getting in and out of bed is a challenge for the first week after surgery.

3. If the hospital doesn’t give you a waist apron post-surgery, buy one.

4. Everyone experiences pain differently, and pain pills have a different effect on everyone.

5. Your appetite will most likely be affected from ingesting the pain pills.

6. Hygiene is hard.

7. Bolster Pillows

8. Invest in a heating pad if you don’t already have one around the house.

9. Some people choose to go to the great lengths of renting a recliner after breast surgery.

10. I was told to wear a compression bra a little over a week out from surgery.

11. Redecorate

12. Unscrew prescription bottles and vitamin supplements before surgery, and put them in a safe place.

13. My final advice would be to throw any and all alarms out the window.

Further reading:

Double Mastectomy update

Life post-surgery

I’m often asked if I have any regrets since surgery.

Now that I’m a mother to a little girl, the BRCA gene has new meaning.

Having a great support group is imperative in healing.

Further reading:

M&M Cookies for Spring

Ingredients

Instructions

Crop Image