Thursday Things

Some random things from this past week ...

Shopping:

Can I ask what is up with the style of clothing as of late?  I need some new clothes but I completely hate the styles that seem to be all over every store.  Lacey everything and shirts that are short in the front and long in the back ... I'm just finding everything to be so tacky.  Where are there some normal clothes?!  Also, Florida really shouldn't have so many boots out already - where are the pretty sandals?!

I finally found a few items at Marshall's.  Where have I been?!  I can't believe what I've been missing - I haven't been in a Marshall's in years.  I could have stayed in the store another hour.  My mind was going crazy on Christmas gift ideas, home projects and decor - I just kept finding more and more interesting things to look at.  And I can't believe how much stuff I got for so little money.  I went there in search of a cheap phone case as I watched a youtube video suggesting to purchase phone accessories there.  Not only did I get a phone case, but I finally found a few tops and also purchased a few new cutting boards to replace some gnarly old ones.  All of that totaled $55.  Score!

 
I've been stalking Sephora's website for all of their holiday goodies and sets.  They will have a 20% off everything sale in November and there are many things I am interested in.  My must have is definitely this blush set from Tarte:




Retails for $35 (20% off = $28!)

 I am obsessed with blushes and this is just a STEAL.  I've been wanting to try one of Tarte's Amazonian Clay blushes for some time and this is the perfect way to try them in my opinion.  These little guys are half the size of the regular full-sized ones that retail for $25.  That's pretty much like getting a full-sized amount of product for free ... but with variety!

I have still been watching the Naked pallet but can't bring myself to purchase it ($50 retail) when I have so many other eyeshadow products ;(

Eating:

We've been eating good this week!  It started at my mom's house where I wanted to make a "southern" meal for them/us.  I made Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes, and mom contributed some collard greens with chorizo & bacon.  MMMM, everything was fabulous.

I had made some Rolo Pretzel Treats for my physical therapist a few weeks ago and had half a bag of pretzels left.  I'm not a pretzel fan, so I decided I'd need to make a batch of treats to keep.  They are so easy, contain two ingredients and are completely assembly.  Here's how easy it is - I'll tack it on at the end of this paragraph:  place a bunch of pretzels squares on a baking sheet.  Unwrap all of the Rolos and place one on top of each pretzel.  Put baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for 1-2 minutes.  Remove from oven and gently press another pretzel on top of the softened Rolo.  Refrigerate to set and store. 

I really need to get better (I guess getting better would indicate that I start) about taking photos of these things.  I just took this photo with a few that are left so there's at least a visual to go with those directions:

Terrible, terrible photo, I know.

After having smoked chicken at a friend's house last weekend, I was excited to boil down those carcasses for chicken noodle soup.  I've been craving it for some time and while it was different than traditional chicken noodle soup because of all the smokiness, it was really delicious.

I also made my signature Shepherd's pie (recipe coming soon) and Crockpot Chicken for Tacos which were delicious as nachos.  Hubb's had 'em on flour tortillas.  I still want to try some in a taco salad.

Life:

Our NINTH Annual Pumpkin Carve Off is coming up this weekend and I can't wait.  We've done this every year since Lance and I started dating.  We are all unsure of what kinds of carvings we want to do, but just hanging out together and doing them will be so much fun anyway.  We always get so competitive.  We'll vote for our favorite pumpkin - Dad or Lance usually win, but my bestie won the first year and she's determined for the girls to get another win under our belts!  We'll eat stew and chili and I'll bake up some fun peanut butter filled treat for one of our friends who joins us as his birthday has always just passed when we carve.

Have a great weekend!

A Good Week

This has been such a good week and we're only half way through.  I was perusing blog-land and thought to myself that I haven't blogged in quite a while.  When I logged on to Blogger, I realized I had created so many draft posts, but had only posted three of them ... in the spring. 

It was refreshing to look through all of those drafts that I never posted.  To see how I may even feel differently about some of them now.  I'm feeling encouraged and inspired right now to do things that are good for me ... that feel good for my soul.  So, I'm going to start using this as a place to document life and things that make me happy.  And actually post the things I write up, instead of letting them hide as drafts.

So, back to this good week.  I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I am feeling some odd kind of zeal in my home life.  So much of the time I feel so focused on the every day hustle and the things we're working towards, that I lose sight of the big picture.  There are so many exciting things on the horizon for the Hubb's & I and where most times I am super impatient, I have taken a step back and am relishing in this piece of life.  Before we know it, things will be different.  No, I'm not pregnant. 

I just feel so refreshed and renewed in the things I want to pour myself into.  Home projects, meals, health, financial planning ... we're just at a good place right now, working towards where we want to be.

There is also so much to be thankful for, no matter what is going on in one's life.  It's not always easy to remember this.  Currently, it's very easy to remember as there are reminders present:

Hubb's is working diligently in his studies (he's less than two months away from his Finance degree!) and actually enjoying most of them.  He feels rewarded solely in the quality he's putting into that work.  I am so excited planning his party ... I've been waiting years to throw it!

We're working on healthier habits after long, tough work days.  We often times find ourselves enjoying drinks on our patio and eating dinner late at night.  Instead, we've been going to the gym after arriving home from work and moving on to showers, cooking, dinner and other things that need attention like studying, cleaning, reading, projects, etc.  We're feeling so much more productive.

We had our second wedding anniversary last week on October 10th.  We're both so incredibly blessed to have the marriage we have.  I smile and know that I will be in love with this man forever.  We've been together eight years and I swear I fall more in love with him with each passing one.




Our Wedding Day - 10/10/10


I graduated from Physical Therapy last week as part of my recovery plan from L5/S1 Microdiscectomy surgery I had on July 31.  It was a tough road, and I was so thankful to my loved ones and friends for bringing dinners, visiting, helping with laundry and the list goes on and on.  Even more, I am so extremely thankful to be feeling well and able to do most things.  You don't realize how much feeling normal and in working order is a blessing until you aren't able to do things. 


I have lots of things I want to share and am eager to get back into the therapy of writing out thoughts, ideas, plans, likes and all kinds of other fun things.  The internet is really becoming a ridiculously awesome place to find inspiration for everything and an outlet for creative minds to spread their talent. 

Beauty Bit: Everyday Products

I love makeup and cosmetic products.  While I used to be more basic when it came to my daily makeup routine, I've grown in to enjoying putting together a polished makeup look.  As much as I love trying new products, I've been pretty set in the main products I use for years now. 

Of course I have those items I enjoy on certain occasions or just for random times ... and I feel like I could never have enough blush options but these items I'm sharing today are tried and true - constants for me.  Years of use - and many, many repurchases.

Face:

Clinque Dramatically Different Moisturizing GEL



Clinique Bronzer in SUNKISSED



Benefit HOOLA Bronzer


Eyes:
I didn't know eyeshadow before I knew MAC.  They really are the best.  Some find them too pricey but honestly, they last forever!  I use Carbon (not pictured as it's just a matte black) on my bottom lash line in place of eyeliner.  It doesn't smudge or budge.

MAC BRULE eyeshadow

MAC's Brule is my ultimate favorite eyeshadow.  It's great for all over the lid but I use it religiously as my brow highlight.

Anastasia Brow Powder in BRUNETTE

Another pricey item that will last forever.  I got sold on this product via Sephora sample. 

Maybelline Great Lash CLEAR Mascara

I always use this on my lashes before mascara.  For me, it helps get my lashes looking the way I'd like them to before the darkness goes on.  I hate dry lashes too.  Bonus - this doubles as brown gel!

Lips:



Nivea Kiss of Smooth Lip Balm


I only wanted to mention products I use every day, so I skipped including various beauty items that have been a constant for me, but are not every day. 

Chicken Fajita Tostadas

After visiting Cozumel Mexico last week, we've been craving more of the authentic tastes we enjoyed while visiting.  The chicken was inspired by a delicious, tasty lunch we had on the beach.  Dang, these were really good.  We used corn tortillas but this recipe doesn't have to be a tostada - it can be changed up to suit what you like best, whether that's flour tortillas, salad, etc. 

Chicken Fajitas & Refried Black Beans Tostadas:
3 chicken breasts, sliced into long, thin strips
2 bell peppers (I used one red & one yellow), sliced into thin strips
1 red onion, sliced into thin strips
2 green chilis, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 15 oz can of black beans
8-10 oz water or stock
Adobo, Cumin, Paprika, Chili powder, Cayenne
1 package small corn tortillas, fried or baked
Toppings of your choice (cheese, hot sauce, cilantro, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, etc.)

Start out by chopping up your vegetables.  Take a pinch of the onion and mince it.  Heat a small amount of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the onion.  Cook for 2 minutes and add a pinch of both the minced garlic and green chili and cook for an additional minute, stirring.  Add the black beans and season well with adobo, pepper and a light sprinkle of the cumin, chili powder, paprika & pinch of cayenne.  Add a little less than half a can of water or stock and turn the heat to low and simmer.  Once the beans have cooked down some (about 10 minutes) mash with a potato masher or fork (I like to leave some texture in mine).  Set aside.

Heat a decent amount of olive oil a different skillet over medium heat and add chicken strips - season with S&P.  Let chicken brown for a few minutes and sprinkle (to your taste) equal amounts of cumin, paprika, chili powder and just a touch of cayenne.  Continue to cook until chicken is just done.  Remove from skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet the chicken was cooked in, heat some olive oil over medium heat.  Add peppers and onions and season well with S&P.  I like using a lid on the skillet in between stirring because the steam helps cook the peppers and onions.  Once they have lost their crispness and are getting tender, add the remaining green chili and garlic and cook for another minute or two.  Add a few splashes of water or stock to get off any goodness that's stuck to the pan and to give the fajitas a little bit of wetness.  Reduce heat to warm, add the chicken back to the skillet, stir and cover until ready to serve.

To serve, first spread the black beans on the cooked tostada and put the chicken mixture on top.  I put a few drops of hot sauce, a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro.  Hubby did the same thing but had cheese on his. 

*Serves 4

Figured I'd try it

Why, when I think of myself writing a blog, it feels awkward?  I mean, who am I talking to?  No one now, maybe no one ever ... maybe tons of people down the road?  Does it matter?  I guess not.  I've read enough blogs to know that most write just to write ... or photograph ... or share things they enjoy - an outlet, a therapy.

I very much enjoy reading food blogs and getting ideas from them and often times think I would enjoy working on one.   I also read a few other kind of blogs about life and inspiration which I really enjoy as well.  I don't have to narrow myself down to one specific thing I want this little space in blog-land to be about, so I won't.  Just random ... just me.

I think women connect so much through the internet and online communities and help each other ... whether it's parenting, crafting, food blogs, cosmetics, reading, gardening, medical issues, sports, travel - there's no end, and for some reason we unite together and share our ideas and inspire each other.  Hello, Pinterest!

I want to share things that I am thinking about, doing or just in general enjoy.  Maybe it won't be for a group of people ... or maybe it will, but for now, I am doing it for me.  For something else I can add to the list of things I enjoy spending my time doing.