Easy French Toast Casserole with Praline Topping

Easy French Toast Casserole with Praline Topping


This past weekend, I had a small gathering of the finest ladies I know.. and my heart was SO full.  Just having these ladies in my home, eating food I prepared for them, with pots of coffee on made my heart FULL.  I wasn't stressed, I wasn't stricken with anxiety that people were coming over (my husband was wondering why..), I was just full of joy.  At any rate, the #1 thing that people enjoyed was my EASY french toast casserole with praline topping.   

Seriously, if I can make it.. anyone can!  What is really great about this casserole, is that you prepare it the night before, to let all the egg mixture soak into the bread.  The next morning, then whip up the praline topping, smear it over top, and pop it in the oven!  EASY PEASY!

I use 1 bowl and 1 whisk for ALL of this!  

Ingredients for French Toast:

1 loaf of French or Italian Bread
8 large eggs (I used Egglands Best)
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus a dash more if you like)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash of salt
Praline topping (recipe follows)
Maple syrup for over top

Ingredients for Praline Topping: 

2 sticks of butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Combine eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into bowl and whisk until blended.  Then take slices of bread and break apart into 4 parts and dunk them into the mixture and layer/arrange on a buttered 9x13 baking/casserole dish.  Continue to rip the bread, dunk, and place until your loaf is finished.  If there is any remaining mixture in bowl, pour on top of bread in casserole.  Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.

2. The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the praline topping.  **I soften the butter in the microwave a little bit for easy spreading.  Also, I make sure that my pecans are finely chopped (sometimes you can buy them this way.  If not, I just placed them in a ziplock bag and used my measuring cup to smash them up a little).  Whisk all of the ingredients together.

4. Spread the praline topping over the casserole and bake for 50 minutes or until top is puffed and golden (and center is cooked).

5.  Serve with maple syrup and ENJOY

Seriously this is REALLY easy.  I don't so much cook, so if I can get a dozen women to rave about it.. I think it is good!

xoxo-Ashley

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Under $50 Fall Outfits from Jane


Under $50 Fall Outfits from Jane


This post contains commissioned links.  Meaning I will earn a small commission if you click a link and make a purchase.  You can read more about it here. 

Ahhh.. The air is (hopefully) getting cool and crisp.  Pumpkin Spice Lattes ARE BACK, and it is getting into my favorite season of the year... FALL!   There is nothing more that I love more than a crisp fall morning, pumpkin coffee, and fall fashion (give me ALL the layers).  Thankfully, Jane has you covered with unique, inexpensive, fall fashion!  I am going to show you a couple of under $50 fall outfits that you can get on Jane! 

If you have never purchased off of Jane before, it is an online boutique marketplace that has amazing deals (for amazing prices) that last only 3 days (or until they sell out)!  So if you like something from there, you should grab it quick, because it can go fast.  What is GREAT about this, is that there is, literally, new inventory EVERY day!  I have well over 100 Jane purchases in the past 2 years and couldn't be happier!  Because of this, some of the pictures may not have the actual item listed.  However, I will link you to what they currently have available for your shopping pleasure!

Under $50 Fall Transition Outfit 

If you need a fall transition outfit, then here is a little inspo for ya!  I grabbed this maxi dress off Jane a couple years ago.  It is glorious and the quality is amazing.  Also, I got this floral kimono on a super sale at the beginning of the summer.  While these are not listed right now, they were both under $50, including shipping. 

So what does Jane have for you right now?! Here ya go! 


You can grab this gorgeous floral tassel  kimono for only $12 + Free shipping! Also, this maxi dress ships for less than $26!  GRAND TOTAL for this fall transition outfit  ONLY $38!!!

(Personalized) Fall Accessories Under $50


Do you know that you can get personalized items on Jane?!  Like super cute, one-of-a-kind, only Jane has, personalized items!  My fun Coffee and Hugs personalized coffee cup was an awesome purchase earlier this year.  Here is a a better look at it.  This cup was less than $20, including shipping, and makes me smile every time I see it!


I also recently purchased that plaid kimono/wrap for fall.  It is currently not in stock right now.  I'm hope that it is restocked soon.  The kimono is so cozy and the colors are beautiful.

Here is something fun that Jane has for you right now!


How ADORABLE is this personalized fall mug?!  Better yet, it ships for LESS THAN $19!! Holy cow! 

Another under $50 fall accessory are these amazing plaid scarves!   They're usually ship under $12 and they are the perfect addition to ANY fall outfit!  As pictured, I have them in MANY colors! 



I also wanted to let you know that Jane has SO many CUTE fall shoes!  Wedges, sneakers, flats, boots, sneaker wedges, sandals.. you name it, they have it!  (I always look at the sizing guides, and look at the reviews to see how shoes fit, and they have been spot on for me!)

You can check out all of the fun accessories (way under $50) here. 

Under $50 Fall Outfits

Okay, so more of the bread-and-butter.. Complete under $50 fall outfits! 

This complete outfit will ship for only $44!!  Can you even believe it?!  This  leopard tunic is from one of my favorite boutiques.. They ship fast, clothing is super trendy, and quality is GREAT!  Paired with these comfy leggings (that ship for only $10), and my favorite plaid infinity scarves (that ship for $12!). 

Also, some of you may be looking at me strange for my pairing of leopard and buffalo plaid.  However, it TOTALLY works!  I love pattern mixing, and I love patterning mixing for fall! (I do it all the time.  As evidenced by my scarf picture.. go ahead and take a quick look above).  Give me all the leopard, stripes, and plaid!!!  You CAN do it!  Pattern mix your heart out, ladies (and gentlemen). 

Here is another under $50 fall outfit for ya...


This 3/4 sleeve dress would be perfect as is, or layering!  Best part, it ships for only $19!! Also, how cute are these pointy-toe, leopard loafers?!  They just SCREAM FALL!! The loafers ship for only $30; making this entire fall outfit only $49!!

I hope that you have found some fall outfit inspiration with my under $50 fall outfits from Jane.  Please let me know in the comments how you liked everything!

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo-Ashley


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Tired Mama Who Is Trying To Get Healthy--Tropical Fruit Smoothie

5 Minute Tired Mama Who Is Trying To Get Healthy Tropical Fruit Smoothie

 This post may contain health information and affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure here. 

 I don't know about you.. but these summers are making me ONE. TIRED. MAMA!  Whew!  And then eating?!  Wow, that has been horrible.  I mean, we've been having a blast.  But I definitely need to get back on track.  Before, I would just have cup of coffee and a banana and then call that a breakfast.  But that wasn't working.  So a smoothie it is!


So here is my 5-minute tropical smoothie for the tired mama who is trying to get healthy!  You can also swap out any of this if you have any allergies to things.  Don't like OJ?  Try apple juice, or take it out completely.  Don't want to use yogurt?  Use some almond milk instead.  You can also try and try in some chia seeds too!

I have been using this Ninja Blender/Chopping System to make my smoothies.  This is a blender, chopper, and food processor all in one!  Well, you get three different bowls and blades, and then the topper is the blender.  It has been absolutely FABULOUS.  I HIGHLY recommend this!

So all I do is throw in some frozen fruit (tropical blend), OJ, water, ice, and a small container of yogurt and BLEND!  That it ALL!

If you're a tired mama like me, you can do this!!

I hope this has been giving you some inspiration for healthier eating!  Let me know if you have tried it!

xoxo-Ashley



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