Weekend

Are you going anywhere fun this weekend?

I saw some other bloggy bloggers going camping and I am thinking that sounds pretty darn perfect. Just gotta run it by the husb. Of course, we'd probably freeze our little heiny's off like we did when we went up to Lava Hot Springs last year. Hmmm....what to do.


P.S. Don't forget to enter the Giveaway. It's totally awesome my friends!

Fall Trends: #10 Plaid

I must confess I've only had one plaid shirt in recent years but my sister Natalie rocks its socks off. This is one trend I have yet to warm up to. What about you? Love or hate?

Modcloth
Urban Outfitters
Nordstrom
Banana Republic
American Apparel

White Chicken Chili

This is the easiest recipe ever because you don't have to cut, chop, or saute anything. The first time I had this I knew I'd found my favorite soup recipe. It's really a kick of flavor when you taste it and everyone that's tried it has raved about it.

I make this all the time and first found out about it when my neighbor randomly invited me over for dinner because she'd made too much. Three days later I went back for the recipe because I couldn't stop thinking about it.

Every time I make it I have adapted it a little bit so you can really change it up and mix in your favorite things and it's still just as great.

Original Recipe: White Chicken Chili

32 oz of chicken broth
3 cans of Northern Beans, undrained
5 cups of chicken {I use canned chicken because it's quick}
8 oz of pepper jack cheese
16 oz of salsa
1 tsp of chili powder
salt and pepper to taste

That's it. It's so easy to make. You literally just dump everything together into a pot and let it heat up.

I make it so much that I will often substitute two cans of tomato soup with one can of chicken broth as seen in the picture to change it up. I also like to do a can of kidney beans or a can of black beans with white Northern beans depending on what I've got in the house. I've substituted mozzarella cheese for the pepper jack but the pepper jack really gives it a kick. Also, hot salsa can be added to make a really spicy soup. I've never really added the chili powder because I don't want to search the spice cabinet for it and in this mix above I added a can of corn. Also husband really enjoys it when the chicken pieces are really big and easy to find.

We usually eat it with crushed chips on the bottom and a dollop of sour cream on top!

Fall Trends: #9 Trenches

I super bad want one of these. They kind of remind me of a detective like Sherlock Holmes or a reporter in a movie but I keep seeing them everywhere and think they are so gorgeous. Plus there are some really great ones in red and navy.

Banana Republic
Asos
Madewell
J Crew
Zara

Fall Trends: #8 Pleated Trousers

I have mixed feelings about these. They look very sleek and professional but I always feel they make me look a little wider than necessary. Maybe I just need a better fitting pair. What do you think? Would you wear these?

American Eagle
Nordstrom
Zara
Piperlime
Madewell

P.S. Have you seen the new Dynamic view that blogger has? It's a little crazy but I like it. The only thing is there's no space for sidebars. No sponsors, linking, following, buttons, nothing. It takes away the personalized effect. Have you seen it? What do you think?

Pumpkin Waffles

Over the weekend I made pumpkin waffles and let me tell you I have never tasted something so divine.

Husband gave them a 9...a 9! He admitted he's not the biggest fan of pumpkin and I had to convince him to just try them and he basically inhaled two whole waffles in seconds.

You've gotta try them with this cinnamon syrup. It makes the perfect combination and no matter what side of the bed you wake up on, with a tall glass of cold milk, these will ensure the most perfect morning.

Ingredients

  1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

    3 teaspoons baking powder

    1/2 teaspoon baking soda

    1 teaspoon cinnamon

    1 teaspoon nutmeg

    1 teaspoon ground ginger

    1 pinch salt

    2 eggs

    1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

    1 cup canned pumpkin puree

    1 2/3 cups milk

    4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

Directions:

Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in large bowl.

In a second bowl, add eggs, sugar, pumpkin, milk, and butter; beat well.

Gently fold in the flour mixture.

Cook according to your waffle iron directions.

I do these in my belgian waffle iron and it uses about 1 cup batter and takes 4-5 minutes to bake.

They come out a nice deep, golden brown.

Cinnamon Syrup:

1 cup sugar

½ cup karo syrup

¼ cup water

1 tsp of cinnamon

¼ cup evaporated milk

Add sugar, karo syrup, water, and cinnamon in a pan and bring to a boil. While stirring constantly, heat for another 2 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes then add evaporated milk to keep from curdling. 

I can't wait to make these again! They were soooooo good!

Food.com

 

Fall Trends: #7 Black Dresses

This has always been a staple. I think I've got a few different ones but it's always a good time to update the look. Yes? How often do you wear a little black dress?

Banana Republic
Zara
J Crew
EmersonMade
Modcloth
Asos

Currently Craving

Plaid blankets.
Nothing says Fall more than plaid and cuddly warm blankets. Plus it's such an easy way to switch your decor from Summer to Fall. Just switch out all your throws and blankets for plaid patterns and voila!

Weekend in Photos

I love Saturday mornings. They are my favorite because I spend all morning running errands. I know that's probably hard to believe but I love having a list of things to do and needing to be out and about to do them.

I made my most favorite soup {recipe soon!} and when I was eating it Sunday I yelled out "Hot!" to which AJ replied, "Pocket."

I also tried my hand at spiced pumpkin waffles with cinnamon syrup which were to die for {recipe later}.

I finally got a tempur-pedic pillow so I don't have to keep stealing the husbands. We also went on many walks to enjoy the cool Fall air.

Saturday night we got together with some friends to enjoy a football game and feast over pulled pork sandwiches. Which were super fab. Thanks R & C! I made this awesome Halloween mix and everyone enjoyed it by the handfuls or just picked out their favorites bits.


How was your weekend?

Halloween Mix Recipe:

4 cups of caramel popcorn
4 cups of Honey Nut Chex
2 cups of mini marshmallows
2 cups of candy corn
2 cups of reese's pieces
2 cups of candied peanuts
1 cup of Charleston Chews

I made this recipe completely gluten free so my friend R could enjoy it with us but anything can be substituted into this mix. I've seen it with chocolate covered pretzels, m&m's, and chocolate golden grahams. So just make it with your favorite treats! No glazing required :)

Fall Trends: #6 Blazers

I really love these. I have a normal length blazer that is just black but I'd love to get one that is navy blue, with elbow patches and gold buttons. They are so heavenly and so chic for the office. Which is an activity I participate in every day. Do you have one? Love/hate?


Nordstrom
Saks 5th Avenue
Asos
J Crew
Forever 21

Fall Trends: #5 Slim Legging Jeans

I love these because they are perfect for boots and I love me some boots. Thus, these are a must for my little closet. Get some for yourself! You know you want em.

Gap
Banana Republic
Asos
Forever 21
Urban Outfitters

Fall Trends: #4 Gingham

I want me one of these. I decided that collared shirts are not my favorite but I love how these are cute and casual but can be dressy enough for work. These were actually really hard to find. Do you have one? Was it easy to find?


 j.crew
American Apparel
Forever 21
Hollister
Lands End

Autumn

It's officially Autumn.

Hard to believe summer is already over. It feels like it had just started. Today when I took a stroll outside it was surprisingly cold. The sun was shining, the sky was a clear blue but I felt like the air conditioner was turned on full blast.

I guess it's time to pull out the chunky sweaters and go pumpkin shopping. I hope to enjoy whats left of the warmer weather while I can.

Fall Trends: #3 Pleated Skirts

I love these. I did a post about them earlier, Pretty Pleats. Course, I still need to get me one. Luckily for you I've found a few places that have some really great ones.

Nordstrom
Asos
Banana Republic
EmersonMade
Modcloth

Fall Trends: #2 Colored Jeans

My sister has every color of jeans out there. Green, mustard, cobalt, purple. It's amazing because she wears them all the time and proudly too! I am a little scared to boldly exhibit this trend but I'm working up my courage. What do you think? Do you have colored jeans?

Fall Trends: #1 Sheer Silk Blouses

I love following the trends. Usually its hard to keep track of them all so I'm going to feature a new fall trend for the next 10 days. First up: Sheer Silk Blouses.

 

How sheer do you like them? Would you wear them?

Urban Outfitters
Zara
Madewell
Banana Republic
Forever 21

Short Do

Some days I just want to cut my hair really short especially lately after my little catastrophe. I wonder what it'd be like to have short hair. I've heard it's amazing when you're getting ready because it's so easy to do. In fact, rarely do you even have to do anything with it because it's so short.

Honestly though, I think I would really miss my hair or the occasional up do. Possibly when I get older I'll finally have the gall to do it. What do you think?

Pink Mint

I am loving these colors right now.

Scarves

Good morning all you lovely bloggers. Did you see the sweet little award I got? Check me out over on Gentri's blog.

I had a little comment about scarves from an earlier post and wanted to follow up.
With the weather getting more chilly it's the perfect time to start throwing on the scarves. Question was though how to wear one. They come in so many sizes there are really a bunch of different ways to wear them. My favorite is the bunched up look where it's been wrapped several times then to keep it on I usually tie the ends together.

I found this picture on pinterest and thought maybe it would help.

Hope this helps. I'm a little confused by the pictures so no worries if you are too :)

Blogger of the Week

This week I was chosen to be Blogger of the Week by Gentri from Gentri Lee. I'm very grateful for the opportunity and wish to thank Gentri for choosing me. I did a little guest post on her awesome blog so run on over and check it out!

Fall Trend: Artsy Scarves

Do you like to wear scarves?
My collection has grown some since my trip to England.
You see them everywhere over there.
So I naturally was drawn to buying one at almost every store I visited.

More

Be You

What makes me unique:

~ my right ear is lower than the left
~ there's a scar that covers a portion of my right hand from my brother going over it with the vacuum
~ I can shake my eye balls
~ there are two freckles and a mole on my lower back that form a triangle
~ my mom gave me three sterling silver rings when i was 14 and I've worn them every day since
~ I can't choose a favorite color
~ I dread washing my face; I don't like the feeling of being splashed with water
~ the best dare I've ever thought of was having someone put their hand in the toilet water
~ my favorite feature is my hair; its the only thing I have any control over
~ when I was little my favorite outfit was wearing a frilly sunday slip; until I realized it was transparent
~ I still drive the same car I bought when I was 17
~ my favorite food is bread and butter
~ I'm not fond of my name; I don't feel like a Melissa & wanted to change it to Sarah when I was 7
~ If my pants are too tight I feel claustrophobic
~ I have always wanted to be a natural brunette
~ I love the stomach dropping feeling of a roller coaster; I would bottle that if I could
~ I would pay someone to play the piano at my house all day
~ I love to drink milk
~ my favorite scent is a campfire
~ my favorite number is 10

What's makes you unique?

Natural Disaster

I recently got my hair dyed.
Story of my life. I used to dye it myself until after one too many botched jobs I consented to get it done by a professional. However, on one of my most recent adventures, the hairdresser  let me walk out with my hair the color of gold straw. It sounds fine but next to my skin it looked fluorescent. She knew it too because she went and got another stylist to help her fix it. She put toner in it but given the bright color I walked out with I am curious to know how bright it was before.

So I ventured forth a few days later to someone I believed was an even more experienced colorist. She works at a reputable salon and the receptionist said she was the best. She seemed confident in what she was doing but when my hair was finally washed and dried I was shocked at the result.
I looked like a skunk. Seriously.

My hair was so dark that it made the blonde in it look almost white and blended in places to an almost gray color. I couldn't believe it.  When she asked if I liked it I was speechless. I feel guilty telling stylists when I don't like a coloring job or hair cut they do. It's really too bad because I usually just leave, cry my eyes out, and then never go back. I've been to so many stylists it's outrageous.

So in response I gently asked why it was so stripey. It was supposed to be the "ombre" style which is when it's all one color on top. She said she thought that's how I wanted it but it just looked like she gave me really bad highlights. Thinking back I wonder if she knew it wasn't what she meant to do because she told me it'd be when it grew out.

Grew out? I was sitting there thinking I don't want to pay to color my hair so it's perfect after it grows out. She knew I was unhappy though so she immediately said we should schedule another appointment to get it exactly how I want it.

I am puzzled by the notion that, when it happens, stylists can work on your hair for two hours, charge you an exorbitant amount then rave about how it's the best job they've ever done and you're sitting there looking in the mirror thinking, how am I going to show my face outside of this building. People have to see me like this? How can I live with the shame that is this mop on my head? Maybe I'm too picky or precise. Whatever the case may be. I am almost to the point where I might just have to give up and let my natural color grow completely in and let it be. I can't deal with the stress that is my hair.

So we'll see if she can wave some kind of a magic wand tomorrow and fix the damage that has been done. It's just exhausting.
Wish me luck.

Update: I went back Saturday morning and she took the gold flecks out, like I said, neutralized the white streaks, like I asked, and voila! My hair was the color of dirty mop water. I went home, let out a good grouping of tears, then trudged to the grocery store, bought a box of light brown and dyed it myself. Goodbye $120, goodbye C, goodbye L&A salon that I will not venture too again. Til next time ladies.....seriously, I have an appointment elsewhere October 18th. The saga continues....