copycat

My BFF, Lauren, sent me this picture yesterday to show me her sweet polka dot pants. JCPenney's $18! Yes! Unfortunately, they are out of my size everywhere. Believe me I searched and searched. Fingers crossed they will restock.

Chambray shirt-Jcrew, Cardigan- Forever 21, Pants-JCPenney.

 

So I promptly copied her layered chambray, cardi, ankle pant look for today.

 

Chambray shirt- Forever 21, Cardigan- Forever 21, Pants- H&M

 

Excuse my mess. Thankfully you can't see the toothbrush in my mouth.

working girl

I started a new job last week. I'm thrilled to be back in the events industry! I stepped out for about 4 years and worked in a sales job, that wasn't very exciting. My previous position in sales was an excellent learning opportunity that gave me a maturity when it comes to speaking with people in a selling capacity. It also gave me a lot of free time being in outside sales not strapped to a desk and office. I'll now be back in an office with less time to blog, sew, shop, etc. but I've got a better career path and I couldn't be happier.

I'll do my best to keep up with the blog! Once again, thank you to all those that follow me! It means so much to hear that you are making my recipes and enjoy keeping up with me!

These were on my desk the first day. Good start!

Twenty Nine

I turned twenty nine Tuesday. I'm not mad about it, but I really never imagined myself at this age. It's funny because I associate my mom with being 29. As a kid, I think she told people year after year that she was 29 and I probably didn't really know any different. So I guess now we're the same age!

I'm not thrilled about getting older, I took the year off my birthday on facebook when I turned 25 and vowed to turn 25 for a few more years. I like the 20's and I'm not ready to leave them behind.

I like to think I look the exact same as I did when I was in high school with the same long brown hair give or take a few pounds. But, admittedly I have started to think about wrinkles and my health a little more. Ugh...

A friend asked me what I wanted to do or accomplish before turning 30. I hadn't really thought much about that,  but I think I'll live it up in my last year in my 20's and maybe just maybe I'll settle down after 30 and start a family. Maybe.

Celebrating my birthday with friends at a new restaurant in Indy. Bakersfield. Amazing guac and tacos. Not to mention the fab cocktails! Check it out on Mass ave. 

Not one, but three cupcakes from Dan! 

Comparison

"Facebook and Google have given us handy-dandy ways to check in on – and yeah, sometimes even obsess over – everyone from ex-boyfriends to frenemies to that girl who beat you out for that job you really wanted. But – and this is a big “but” – it’s important to remember that 99% of the time what you’re seeing is anextremely sanitized version of reality that has been presented for public consumption. And that’s not slighting anyone, not at all; it’s just the nature of social media: most people put up photos or status updates that speak to the things that they’re proud of or excited about. And so when you decide to check out what’s going on with someone who used to be in your life and isn’t anymore it’s very easy to slide into a pit of wondering what could have been…if only because man, what they’re up to looks so great."


I took this from Jordan Reid of Ramshackle Glam. This was in reference to something else, but it resonates with me as I feel sometimes social media contributes to such unnecessary feelings of jealousy and envy. It's important to remember, that as Jordan says everyone presents themselves in the highest of light to the public. Do you think I post pictures of myself where my arm is squished against my side all chubby like? Or tell the world how mad I am at Dan for not taking the trash out? Of course not, because I want to appear skinnier that I am (duh) and always happy just like everyone else.


So next time you get those feelings, talk yourself down and remember everyone has their own struggles and problems they just don't publicize them.


"Comparison is the thief of joy" - Theodore Roosevelt

Short Rib Noodle Soup

My friend Vickie posted a picture of this soup on facebook and I asked her for the recipe.  I added a few things and we LOVED it!

This makes 2 meals.

The first meal is Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs in Cabernet Sauce from the Eat Live Run blog.  This recipe is soooo good! It is a lot of work and definitely a weekend meal as it takes some prep and several hours in the crock pot. The work is worth it though!

The second meal is Short Rib Noodle Soup

Short Rib Noodle Soup (serves 2-4)
Ingredients:
1 jalapeno thinly sliced
3 green onions chopped
2 packages of Ramen noodles (throw away the seasoning)
2 cans of beef stock
1/2 cup of water
couple handfuls of spinach
leftover Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs in Cabernet Sauce (removed from bone, shredded and reheated)


Directions:
In a large soup pot, saute jalapenos and green onions for a few minutes.  Prepare Ramen noodles using beef stock and water. Once prepared stir in a few handfuls of spinach. Serve soup in bowls and add shredded beef short ribs.

Enjoy!

Chewy M&M Cookie Bars

I've made these cookies bars so many times I had to check my blog archives to see if I had posted the recipe before. These are soooo good! It's become my favorite recipe to make for crowds. Just grab a bag of M&M's and you should have everything else in your pantry! I first made these around Thanksgiving and used the fall colored M&M's. That's what's nice about M&M recipes you always have a go-to for holidays! I searched all over for a bag of green M&M's for St. Patty's day, but they don't make them. I ended up having to buy the expensive ones from the party store.

Chewy M&M Cookie Bars
Orignal recipe from Fantastic Family Favorites
Ingredients: 
2 1/8 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 sticks of butter melted and then cooled slightly (be sure to do this)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 white sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsps vanilla
1 (12oz) bag of M&M's divided

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9x13" pan with foil letting the excess hang over the edges, so you can grab the edges and pull the bars from the pan once they have baked. Spray the foil lined pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Melt butter in a medium bowl. In another bowl mix flour, salt, and baking soda. Whisk sugars in butter bowl. Add eggs, vanilla and mix well. Fold in dry ingredients. Do not over mix. Fold in 1 cup of M&M's. Save the rest for later.

Smooth the batter into the pan. Sprinkle remaining M&M's on top and slightly press in with spatula.

Bake for 24-28. (Mine took 35 minutes) The top should be golden brown on top.

Remove the bars from the pan by pulling the foil, cut and serve.

Enjoy! 

JCP

Over the last few years I've noticed JCPenney ads looking brighter and more appealing. I know they have had some financial ups and downs in the past year, but recently their merchandise has caught my eye. I have a friend who swears JCP is the "new Target" in terms of price and type of clothing. Over the weekend I received a mini catalog and I found at least 5 items I wanted to buy.

I went to check it out to see the quality of clothing and was quite impressed! I tried on a slew of fun spring items. Great pricing! It's definitely in line with the same price and quality of Target, but with more departments.

I came home with this jacket and am still considering these shoes.

Some other cute items I like! 

Isn't this dress adorable!?! It's Pearl Georgina Chapman of Marchesa. 

Check out the whole line. Here. 

Way to go JCP! Keep it up! 

Flatforms

So, how do you feel about flatforms? I've been seeing these in magazines and on runway models, but not on real people yet. Is this the trend for summer? Is this kind of like wedge sneakers that only select people can pull off so you hope it goes out of style soon?

I don't know how I feel about them. They remind me of the 90's. 

Remember these? You know you had em! 

Weekend Musings

We grounded ourselves this weekend from going out to stay home and work on some home projects. I'm pleased with what we got done and we had some great home cooked meals in lieu of going out to eat.

 

Crab legs! (my favorite) Short rib noodle soup. (recipe coming soon)

We ordered some new furniture for our living room and plan to take the current furniture to the basement.  Prior to this weekend our basement was full of boxes and junk we needed to unpack or throw away. We have some fun ideas for our basement!

Photo from Urban Home Indy

pallet board ceiling

photo from Houzz

or sprayed black ceiling and painted cement floors. 

We watched SNL at it's regular time and it was HILARIOUS! Did you see JT? He did such a great job as the host and musical guest.

picture from Celebuzz

I started AND finished Mindy Kaling's book. Read this book. She's the best and now I'm obsessed with her.

We finished the weekend with a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Pancho caught some rays before the IU game! Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

Dots

And speaking of dots... Here are my recent dotted purchases.

White shirt and periwinkle shirt from Forever 21.

Pink dress from Pitaya

Navy cardigan and coral top from TJ Maxx

Blue pants from Target

Black and White

Sometimes fashion trends and forecasts are funny. For instance polka dots are supposedly back in style this spring. I didn't realize the dots went out of style! Seems like a classic to me. Also bold black and white is in style this spring, which again I didn't realize it was ever out of style. I have always loved black and white and am happy to be on trend this season!

Alice + Olivia / J.Crew j crew / Zara dress / Kate Spade print dress / Lanvin dress / Dorothy Perkins ponte knit dress / Zara dress / kate spade | Shop

Over the past few weeks I have been thinking of different dresses to make for this trend and am excited about putting these together.

Mile High

We took a trip to Colorado last week to visit my Grandma in Denver and then ski in Breckenridge. We had the most amazing time! I appointed Dan the "activities coordinator" for the trip and he gathered recommendations from several people. It seems like everyone has been to Denver and agrees on how great it is! We pretty much ate and drank our way through the city and met some really nice people along the way. We stopped at a few micro breweries and tried all the local beer. Denver has so many great things to do, see, and eat. We couldn't try it all and wished we had stayed longer.

Breakfast at Snooze. My favorite meal of the trip. We shared a peanut butter cup pancake. I'm still dreaming about it! 

Renegade Brewing Company

Started each morning with a Bloody Mary. This one was bacon infused. Awesome. Dan had chicken and waffles at Steuben's.

Noodles at Uncle at new Asian Fusion Restaurant. 

 Denver Beer Co. 

My grandma's 92nd birthday was the reason for the visit. She's just as witty as ever and requested a beer be snuck into the nursing home for her. I don't know if I have ever mentioned it on this blog, but my grandma had 16 kids!!! (my mom was #12). I asked my grandma how many grand kids and great grandkids she had and she said "too many to count". :-) She couldn't have been more thrilled to meet her newest great grand baby Rye (my niece).

 After a great weekend in Denver, we headed up to Breckenridge. There was a blizzard in Denver the day we left to drive through the mountains in our compact rental car. Dan was a pro at driving in the snow and slick roads, but it was still pretty scary. Prior to booking this trip Dan was not certain he would attempt any type of snow sport due to past experiences. On the day I went to get my skis, Dan decided to snow board. Yay!! The sun shone bright and the mountains were beautiful! I zoomed down the mountain loving every minute and Dan tumbled like a true champ. We both had a great time!

Breckenridge is a little quaint town. There are tons of shops and restaurants that line the main street. We didn't have as much luck on the food scene there, but not for lack of trying different restaurants. Our favorite was Park and Main.

We had such a wonderful time in Colorado. Thanks to everyone who gave us recommendations for places to go! I even heard Dan say he would like to snowboarding again!

Floral Friday

We returned from a trip to Colorado this week and I was really hoping we would come home to nicer weather. Unfortunately, we did not. But that hasn't stopped me from wanting to break out the spring clothes. In particular floral. My eyes are set on a floral clutch purse and pants. JCrew has an amazing spring line of florals that I would gladly take every item! I have also really liked the stuff at the Loft and some Target pieces too. I would just take some fresh flowers at this point too! Happy Friday!

Topshop rose print dress / J.Crew a line mini skirt / Floral print pants / LOFT multi colored shoes / Patent handbag /