Five on Friday

Whew! The week is almost over. I swear 4 day weeks seem longer than regular ones. I'm just happy the weather has warmed up. I am craving some time in the sun this weekend. Oh, wait, it's currently pouring.

Five things this Friday.

This is how Pancho does car rides. Right in the middle. Not distracting at all. Slobber drips the whole way. :)

 

One of my friends sent this to me and I thought it was sweet. Thanks! :)

This is how my front porch turned out. I really like it!

 

 

Bought this top and skirt from Target this week.

 

 

Made a new set of napkins.

 

OK, maybe six things. I can't resist.

 

This little cutie is walking!

Asian Slaw

 

 

My mom made this last summer and it was a family hit! I made it this weekend for our 500 party and it went over well again. We've been eating it for dinner the last few nights, it's that good!  
 
Asian Slaw
 
Recipe
1 head of Napa cabbage
1 bag of broccoli slaw
4 green onions (optional)

Finely slice cabbage and onion, toss all together, cover and refrigerate.        

2 pkg of Ramen noodles (discard seasoning)
¾ cup sliced almonds
¼ cup sunflower seeds
¾ stick butter

Melt butter in skillet, break up noodles into small pieces, add to butter.  Add almonds and seeds and sauté until golden brown.  Drain and place in tight container.  Do not refrigerate. 

Dressing:

1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar (or ½ cup splenda)
½ tsp. salt
2 Tbs. soy sauce
½ cup vinegar

Combine and refrigerate.  Shake well before serving.  Don’t combine these until ready to serve.

This makes a lot.  I only put the dressing and nuts/noodles on the amount that I am going to serve that meal.  I save all and combine just the amount we will use at that next setting.

 Enjoy!!

Memorial weekend

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! We had some people over for an Indy 500 race party on Sunday.  Unfortunately, I didn't take that many pictures except of the food. I have a few recipes I'll be  posting this week! Happy Monday Tuesday!

Indy 500 Essentials

The Indy 500 is a huge racing event held annually in Indianapolis. It's considered The Greatest Spectacle in Racing and a sporting event you should attend at least once in your life. It's held on Memorial weekend every year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway just west of downtown Indianapolis. It's regarded as the world's largest sporting event in terms of capacity seating 257,000 people in the stands and potential for 400,000 in the infield.

I've been to track numerous times for 500 related events. In college I worked catering in the suites. In my previous job I hosted clients as my company sponsored a racing team. But the most fun I've had was as an attendee in the infield. The infield is a party like no other! It's best described as a huge tailgate. Anything goes. It's an all day party!

The last few years we have chosen to have BBQ's at home instead of attending and that's what we are doing this year as well. But if you plan to attend here is what you will need.

Typically race day is super hot and unless you are have seating in a suite, you will want to wear as little of clothes as possible. Flat shoes are a must because that place is huge and you will be walking all over. Things get crazy, so I suggest a swim suit because you never know you might spill beer on yourself or find a slip n slide somewhere. (both happened to me) Since it's Memorial weekend it's a good time to show your pride for 'Merica, hence the flag shorts. Don't forget your sunscreen! Hope you have a blast!

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!

Memories!

 2010

 Slip N Slide 2010

2008 infield

2010 yard of bricks with my Dad on carb day.

Single Strap Sandals

I've been seeing a lot of single strap sandals lately and I love the trend! Here are some of my favorite colors and prints! Bonus they are all under $80!

 

Sole Society color block shoes / Jessica Simpson / Jessica Simpson shoes / Shoe Republic high heels / Zara shoes / Zara shoes

Here are some neutral options as well.

 

 

Steve Madden ankle wrap shoes / Steve Madden ankle wrap shoes / Calvin Klein cocktail shoes / Ankle wrap heels / Zara leather heels / Zara leather heels

Bright Pencil Skirts

When the weather gets hot, I hate wearing pants to work. I much prefer dresses and skirts. I have quite a few in different colors to keep me all summer long! Here's a rounds up of last week.

1. Leopard top- Forever 21
Black cardigan- TJ Maxx
Blue skirt- J.Crew Factory

2. Polka Dot top- TJ Maxx
Orange skirt- Forever 21 (very old)

3. Floral top- TJ Maxx
Pink skirt- Target

4. Polka dot top- TJ Maxx
Purple skirt- J. Crew Factory

5. Purple top- TJ Maxx
Floral skirt- self made.

I promise I will start taking pictures with better color! I even have a nice camera. I swear these look good on my iphone screen and then terrible quality on the computer.

Over the Weekend

We had a busy weekend! On Saturday we went to the track (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) to watch the drivers qualify for the Indy 500 race next weekend. I love being at the track! It's a such a great tradition and so much fun!

On Sunday, we did a little bit of everything, yard work, house work, took 2 bike rides and grilled out! We made spicy guacamole burgers and southwestern style salad!

 Finally finished spray painting (5 cans of paint later) this cart.

 

I hope you had a great weekend too! It's Monday and I'm already looking forward to next weekend. Whew, thankfully it will be a holiday weekend! Have a great week!

 

Forever 21

If you know me, you know I love Forever 21! Sometimes I feel a little embarrassed that I still love that place and I'm 29. Also because about a year ago the manager said "we haven't seen you in awhile". Seriously this happened. With all the people that shop there, they recognize me and noticed I hadn't been there in a few weeks. Shit!

Ever since then, I have frequented that store less often, but I do still love it! I know it takes a special shopper to handle the racks and racks of clothes all unorganized and shoved together with cheap looking stuff. But I always manage to find the quality pieces. I particularly like the Love 21 line, which tends to fit better and have better quality (even wear to work) pieces.

 

I checked out the website today and found some really cute pieces. Above. I prefer to shop in store, so I can see the quality, so I might try to hit it up soon

 

Floral Pencil Skirt

Hey! Guess what? I finally finished something. I finished this skirt last night. I know I say this all the time, but whenever I think a project will be really easy, it ends up being difficult. I have made plenty of dresses, but not that many skirts. This was the first time I made a kick pleat and put in a regular zipper. I have always sewn invisible zippers. I had to find instructions online because the pattern didn't explain the zipper steps well enough.

I think it turned out pretty well! It's a little bit big on me and once something is made I'm terrible at alterations. Believe me, I tried.  I used  New Look 6003 pattern. In the future I would like to line the skirt and add pockets.

 

This is how I'm wearing it today.

Projects

I'm in the middle of SO many projects right now. Like everyone else I just don't have enough time! I have to be honest I have struggled with my new job. I love the job and I know it's a great opportunity, but I am definitely missing my outside sales hours and freedom. I just don't have the time I used to and rely heavily on the weekends now to get everything done.

I have so many projects I am dying to share with you all, but can't seem to finish them.

This is what I'm working on...

Black and White clutch purse with neon lining.

Floral pencil skirt.

strappy dress patterns I just bought.

Spray painting this cart neon. I've already used 4 cans.

 

How great are these linen and neon napkins from Anthro? I'm thinking about making some!

 

 

Friday

Happy Friday everyone! I had so many things on my to-do list this week and anticipated blogging about them all, but didn't finish a damn thing! Hopefully I'll get a lot done this weekend and have lots to show you next week!

Tonight is the Bigger Picture Show, an event the Indy Film fest hosts every year. Dan has been asked the last several years to be apart of this show designing movie posters. It's a really fun event and I'm looking forward to going tonight. Of course, I'm a super proud wife! Check out this video. Dan's movie poster, Moon, is a favorite this year!

Indy Film Fest "50 Degrees of Greg Kinnear"



Have a great weekend!! Cya next week!

Summer Sandals

Have you seen the new Sam and Libby line for Target shoes? They have some cute summer styles!

 Some other cute sandals I'm eyeing!

 

 

Steve Madden / Sam Edelman / Sol Sana leather shoes / Ecote strappy sandals / Report glitter shoes / Kelsi Dagger wedge heels / Steve Madden leather shoes / Deena & Ozzy leather shoes

Mini Key Lime Pies

One of my friends has made this recipe a few times for parties and it is absolutely delicious! It's a combination of recipes she tweaked to perfect. I asked her for the recipe to take to a derby party this past weekend and it went over really well! (Thanks Alaina!) This is one of those recipes that while making it I told myself I would never make it again because it was somewhat tedious, yet it turns out so delicious I know I will put the time in again. Read my note below before hitting the grocery store.

Mini Key Lime Pies
makes 22-24 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted.
3 cups sweetened condensed milk
1 cup sour cream
1 cup freshly squeezed key lime juice (takes about 1 bag of key limes and 5 regular limes)
3 tablespoons grated key lime zest (also used regular limes)
2 fresh key limes thinly sliced
1 can of whipped cream topping

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Double line your cupcake pan. Mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and butter in a small bowl. Once mixed, press a spoonful into the bottom of the cupcake liner. Bake for 5-8 minutes until darkened. Let cool.

In another bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice and zest until smooth. Pour the filling on top of cooled graham cracker crusts. Fill to the top.

Bake key limes for 8-10 minutes until it does not jiggle. Cool in refrigerator for at least an hour. Top with whipped cream before serving.

Enjoy!

**Notes** Squeezing key limes is ridiculously time consuming and does not produce that much juice, which is why I used regular limes as well. Same goes for zesting.  Wait until right before serving to add whipped topping. Mine deflated on the car ride to the party.

Last week

What I Wore. 

These are not in day order, so don't be confused if you saw me last week. I didn't actually wear #5 out of the house, but just tried it on because it's new! I'm always hesitant to post outfit pictures especially since I don't have the time to do real photo shoots. Every time I post outfits I have positive feedback.  I'm not a huge fan of the "selfie" but I feel like everyone else is doing it, so why not jump on board!

1. Polka dot chambray-TJ Maxx

    Skirt- Target

    Boyfriend Cardigan- Forever 21

2. Dress- Forever 21

3. Trench- Forever 21

    Polka dot pants- JCPenney

4. Blazer- Forever 21

    Lace top- J.Crew Factory

    Necklace- H&M

    Pants- TJ Maxx

5. Top- Forever 21

    Shorts- ASOS

6. Cardigan- TJ Maxx

    Necklace J.Crew Factory

    Skirt J.Crew Factory

As you can tell, I recently hit up Forever 21 and J.Crew Factory! :) I'm also going through a polka dot phase. 

Bulldog tee- Jcrew factory