Gettin' By

A recipe of mine that doesn't suck.

I'm not exactly known for my phenomenal cooking skills (a no-sugar carrot cake with faux cream cheese frosting I made for Hayden's first birthday comes to mind) but I do have a few tried-and-true recipes that I've perfected over the years. I recently posted a pic of one of my faves on Instagram and got several requested for the recipe.  It's simple, with easy-to-find ingredients, doesn't require any fancy appliances or equipment and you can totally drink a margarita while you put it together.  Which pretty much means it's my ideal recipe.

 

Black Bean & Corn Salad

2 - 15oz. cans black beans, drained & rinsed
2 lb. bag of frozen corn (you can also use fresh corn)
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 jalepeno, diced (or two, if you like it spicy)
3/4 c. chopped cilantro
juice from 2 limes
1/4 c. plain greek yogurt (or sour cream)
1/2 c. red salsa (I like Blue Moose salsa)
1 T cumin
1 T chili powder
salt & pepper to taste

Mix everything together in a big bowl. Cover tightly with saran wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Ideally, make this the night before you want to eat it. It gets better with a bit a of time to "marinate" in the frig! (During which time, you should totally drink margaritas.)

Serve over lettuce and/or corn chips and top with crumbled queso fresco. If you want to bump up the protein content, you can also add in edmame (I threw some in the last batch I made and it was tasty), garbanzo beans, or avocados. It's also a nice salad to serve with grilled chicken or steaks. And a margarita, natch.

Enjoy!

P.S.  I'd be remiss if I didn't direct you to my favorite margarita recipe right here, now wouldn't I?!?  Cheers!

 

Five on Friday.

Today's list features some items that are helping me cope with the end of Spring Break! (sniff!)

1.  Kona Brewing Company's Koko Brown Ale ($15.99/12-pack).  There's nothing quite like the taste (and smell!) of coconut to remind you of the islands. The Kona Brewery says "the delicious heart of this island treasure has a nutty, toffee flavor and aroma that sends you straight to the beaches of Paradise."  And while I can't really say my dirty house and piles of laundry equal paradise, this beer helps me overlook them for the time being.

2.  Sunless Strip Self-Tanner ($26.00).  With my Bahamas Beach tan fading daily, I'm supplementing my glow with this natural self-tanner.  It doesn't have that characteristic self-tanner stench and won't leave you looking like an extra from Jersey Shore (bonus!)

3.  Cinquain Sweetie Heel ($97.99) Shoe shopping is a sure funk-buster for me, and with a wedding to attend next month, I'm looking for a new pair of heels to make me smile.  And these fun loving striped mary janes from Poetic License are doing just that!

4.  Unforgettably Fashionable Ring ($9.99). Another way to get rid of the post-vacation blues? Add a cheap but fun little bauble to your hand!  I love this sweet bow ring in a lovely aqua hue that just so happens to look fabulous against sun-kissed skin.

5.  Gazela Vinho Verde ($11.00).  The worst thing about returning home from a beach vacation? The fact that you can no longer parade around in your bikini and drink fruity tropical drinks for breakfast. (Hmph.)  To ease the pain, I'm keeping some of this fresh, fruity, and slightly effervescent white wine around for happy hour.  And drinking it with a paper umbrella in the glass makes it taste even better.

Hope your Friday (and weekend!) are fabulous, my lovelies!

 

Five on Friday.

This edition of Five on Friday is brought to you by the color RED!

1.  Crown Vintage Kimberly Pump ($79.95).  I just purchased these adorable red mary janes for my upcoming trip to CHA at the end of the month. While I know I'll be on my feet all day and require comfy shoes, I can't totally give up my heels. These are the best of both worlds!

 

2.  Athleta Long Sleeve Twist Top ($69.99). This athletic top was one of my Christmas gifts and the crimson color is a nice, bright addition to my mostly-black running wardrobe.  Not only do I love it for winter running (the wicking fabric is fab and the extra-long torso stays tucked in and keeps my muffin top warm!) but I've also paired it with jeans for a casual weekend look (that I wear, of course, while eating muffins.)

3.  Jane Iredale PureGloss in Cherry Sparkle ($20).  As much as I'd love to be one of those girls that can pull off a perfectly red pout, I've never found a red lipstick that looks decent on me.  I've tried (believe me) but I always end up looking a little girl that found her mama's lipstick and decided to play dress-up...it's messy, uneven, and always ends up on my teeth. But this lip gloss is a bit more forgiving. It's a deeper shade of red without being too opaque and it stays for a remarkably long time. Even if you're eating muffins.

4.  Big House Wines Big House Red ($14.98).  You didn't think I'd forget to include red wine, did you? And since New Year's resolutions are in full force and we're only drinking on the weekends around here, I need a way to keep my wine fresh for longer. This Big House Red box wine fits the bill perfectly, keeping my libations fresh for up to 6 weeks in the vacuum-sealed packaging.  It's a nice blend of flavors from dark berries to cherries to vanilla and it pairs nicely with just about anything.  Yes, even muffins.

5. Glad to Adhere it Tape Set ($8.99) I can think of lots of crafty purposes for these cute masking tapes in red & white!  They'd be fabulous for wrapping up valentine goodies, as a decorative border on scrapbook pages, or a cute way to seal the envelopes on cards.  They'd also come in handy if you need to tape your mouth shut to prevent yourself from eating anymore muffins. Ahem.

Enjoy your Friday now! {And don't forgive the birthday giveaway below is still open!} 

 

Sneaks & Treats

Well hello there, Tuesday! Even though I'm operating on what feels like about 15 minutes of sleep, I'm going to make the best of you. For reasons unknown to me, I seem to be suffering from Newborn Syndrome and can't sleep for more than 3 consecutive hours at a time - boo!  Thank goodness for large, steaming mugs of coffee and crisp morning air that wake me up.  And an internet full of interesting facts about Ambien. Hmmmm....

Also making my hazy brain perk up this morning? The thought of spending some quality time with the JBS Mercantile kit for October.  I've whipped out two pages thus far and have many more percolating in my head.  Here's some sneaks!

 

I'm also banking on some good ol' sugary treats to get me through today. Thanks to my recent obsession with Pinterest, I've bookmarked tons of fall baking projects, two of which we whipped up this weekend.  Say hello to these Brown Butter Pumpkin Spice Krispie Treats:

There's just a hint of Pumpkin Pie Spice mixed into the melted marshmellows, and the brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that's much more sophisticated than your ordinary krispie treat.  Holy yummy.

Also quickly disappearing into our tummies are my friend Margie's Pumpkin Chip muffins. I had heard rumblings on Twitter that these famous fall treats were gifts from heaven, and now I can attest to that fact.  They are amazingly moist, sweet, and utterly divine.  Not to mention they make a lovely accompaniment to the aforementioned mug-o-coffee (which will undoubtedly be my main fashion accessory today.)

So to sum up - Sleeplessness. Scrapping. Sugar. And there you have it.  Let's get this Tuesday rolling!

 

 

Thankful Thursday

Just a few things I'm feeling grateful for today...

...the crisp morning air that feels definitively like fall.

...the fact that this guy is home (and snoozing at my feet) after an overnight visit to the vet with a fever and tummyache.

...the reaction to my first online class (at Ella Publishing!) has been positive.

...both kiddos seem happily settled into a school routine and are doing well.

...my October Jenni Bowlin Mercantile kit arrived yesterday and looks absolutely delightful.

...an hour of down-time on the couch with Mike last night (and the hilarious return of Modern Family!)

...the discovery of a decent box wine that doesn't give me a headache the next day.

...a job that provides me flexibility in my schedule and an outlet for creativity.

...cozy cardigans and scarves (and the cool weather to wear them!)

...pumpkin spice lattes.

 

 

What are you thankful for today?

Give-It-Away Thursday: Tag - You're It!

Back in college, we used to affectionately refer to the week leading up to finals as Hell Week.  In those seven days, you made up for a semester's worth of slacking by catching up on required reading, writing papers and studying for exams.  It was also an occasion to throw all conventional personal hygiene out the window (no daily shower necessary - just reapply deodorant!) and spending all week in the same flannel pajama pants was perfectly acceptable.  You maintained your energy by consuming Taco Cabana bean & cheese tacos and giant mugs of Big Red at regular intervals and listening to the mix tapes of motivating songs you made the week prior (yes, I'm THAT old.)

This week has proven to be my own modern-day Hell Week and while there is no mix tape to provide a soundtrack, nor any TCs in my neighborhood, I've coped in similar ways.  Here's a few things I've learned:

• If you're dragging in the afternoon, Vanilla Coke Zero will not only give you energy, it will also make you wildly creative and crafty.


• If one Vanilla Coke Zero can do that, think of what 5 can do!
  


• Vanilla Coke Zero consumption will be largely responsible for the blooper reel while filming my Ella Boot Camp videos as Design Drill Instructor. (Um, have you signed up yet?!)


• When you're wide awake at three in the morning due to excessive Vanilla Coke Zero consumption, the infomercial on The Shark steam vacuum is oddly entertaining. And you might come to the realization that you cannot, indeed, function for one more day without this piece of amazing technology in your possession.You should, however, refrain from waking your husband to share in your excitement of this modern marvel because, um, he hasn't consumed five Vanilla Coke Zeros and is content to sleep soundly.


• It is quite possible that after this week, I will need a Vanilla Coke Zero intervention.

And now onto today's giveaway!  After the late-night (early morning?) excitement brought on by The Shark, I was compelled to clean out a few bins in my scrap cabinet.  The one with tags and journal spots is completely overflowing, so I selected an assortment to give away.  It includes more than 125 tags from Elle's Studio, 7Gypsies, Fancy Pants, Studio Calico and more:

 

If you are interested in receiving this lot, just post a comment below telling me what you've learned this week (and please check out the fine print below!)**

Now, where's my Coke Zero?!?!

**Please be sure to leave a contact email in your comment if you are not signed in to Typepad.  Comments will remain open until Saturday, August 27 at 12:00 noon(MST) at which time the winnner will be randomly drawn from the comments.  The winner will be posted at the bottom of this post and contacted via email (if possible). Internationals are welcome to enter, but you'll have to pay postage. And that concludes the fine print. :)

 

•  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •

UPDATED WITH WINNER: Thanks to everyone for your comments  - I've enjoyed reading about everyone's life lesons!  Today's randomly selected winner is Shannon:

 

Five on Friday.

After a few weeks hiatus, my Five On Friday feature is back! Here's what making me happy this week:

1.  Canvassing Backpack in Uptown. ($31.99) The end of summer is drawing near (not that I'm counting down the days until my kids go back to school or anything, but THERE'S 20 DAYS LEFT - can I get a HELL YEAH!!! ) Ahem. So that's got me thinking about back-to-school shopping and how, while we're shopping for pencils and paper and whatnot, I may have to snap up this cute little orange number for myself.  After all, a mama needs a stylish way to carry all her PTA minutes and classroom volunteer notes.  Or bottles of wine. Tomato, tomahto.

 

2.  Shinerbock Ruby Redbird ($11.99/12-pack).  You don't go to college in Texas without throwing back a few Shiners (amongst other decidedly Texan Lone Star traditions we won't get into here.)  And while I have a special place in my heart for the original brew (Hello! My dog is named Shinerbock!) this new summer seasonal is my go-to Happy Hour beer. The light ale with hints of grapefruit and ginger make it crisp, cool and just a little bit girly.  And to be honest, I would have bought it just for the color combination on the label. Lucky for me, it tastes good too.

 

3.  To Grandmother's House We Toe Heel ($97.99)  I can't think of a better addition to my fall wardrobe these adorable floral versions of the classic Mary Jane. They'd be perfect for date night at the drive-in movies with dark skinny jeans or equally sweet with a June Cleaver-type shirt dress + frilly apron while making Thanksgiving dinner.  Because that's what I do when I have a free moment...fantasize about my wardrobe as a 1950s housewife with a husband named Ward.

 

4. JBS Mercantile Medallion Stamp (Kit Exclusive). I am in love with this gorgeous new stamp from Jenni Bowlin.  So much so that I've used it on every single one of my kit projects this month (which I'll be sharing next week!) If you want to get your hands on one (and of course you do!), you need to mark the calendar for August 1st, because they are only available in the August Papercrafting Kit at jbsmercantile.com.  And yes, you can use it on a scrapbook page documenting your love for Shinerbock beer.  Or maybe that's just me.

 

5.  Stained Glass Bauble Ring ($14.99). I have a huge weakness for big, colorful, fun rings like this one. It's like a little corsage for your finger. (And it adds a just a touch of chic, stylish panache when you're flipping the bird to the a**hole driver in front of you who hasn't yet grasped the concept of turn signals.) With all these fabulous jewel tones, it will go with just about any fall outfit.  Not to mention that the red, aqua, and deep yellow tones happen to coordinate perfectly with the ShInerbock Ruby label. One-track mind, anyone?!

Here's to a weekend full of beer, baubles and birds (the feathered kind, you silly people...tweet, tweet!)

 

 

 

Five on Friday.

I've got a few more summer items to share with you today!

1.  Goddess Garden Natural Sunscreen ($16.99).  I've been on the hunt for a chemical-free sunscreen all summer, and finding one that works AND comes in an easy spray bottle (for applying to antsy kids) has been difficult.  I stumbled onto this brand while perusing the cosmetic section at Whole Foods and have been pleasantly surprised with its performance.  It's easy to apply and absorbs really well, unlike most titanuim dioxide formulas.  And it's made locally, right here in Boulder.

 

 

 2.  Summer Like It Hot Top ($47.99).  I've had a slight case of yellow fever this summer, coveting any piece of clothing or accessory that comes in this delightfully happy color.  And this top is not doing anything to help my recovery.  Flowy yellow fabric and daisy adornments?? Yes, please!

 

 

 

  3.  Baker's Dozen Juicy Pinot Grigio ($9.99)  I love a good white wine for summer, and this one is fitting the bill nicely.  It's a bit sweeter and fruitier than I normally like, but I couldn't resist the yellow gingham label. (It's always appropriate to match your wine labels to your outfit, in case you didn't know.) And it goes great with this Watermelon Feta Salad.  Or s'mores.

 

 

 

  4.  Take Out Menu Binder ($21.99). When you're caught up in the lazy days of summer, it's easy to forget to make a grocery list. Or go grocery shopping. Or cook a meal for your family. (Or maybe that just happens to me, drinking too much of the wine that perfectly coordinates with my shirt.) But that's OK - just grab this adorably cute binder and phone in a fabulous meal. No, it doesn't come in yellow, but the orange is equally divine!

 

 

 

  5.  Holding Pattern Wallet ($37.99) Maybe it's because it reminds me of my favorite Jenni Bowlin paper, but this sewing-themed wallet needs to come live in my purse.  And help me buy all my favorite Five on Friday items. Wheeeeee!

 

 

I've got a post over at the Lily Bee blog today, so come say hi if you get a chance! Hope your Friday is fabulous!

Five On Friday.

Some recent purchases I am loving:

1. Saucony Go Girl Run Skort ($22.40). I wasn't sure I would like the wider waist band on this running skirt, but I loved the bold pattern and the sale price made me purchase it.  After testing it on some runs, I love the waistband - it stays securely put on my hips and makes for a comfy fit.  The interior bloomers also have a gripper band around the hem, which means they don't ride up and chafe (big bonus!)

 

2.  Mineral Fusion Luster Bronzer ($24.99). I THINK summer is just around the corner (but with all the endless rain here lately, it's hard to tell) which means I need a good bronzer for my face. I know I can't undo all the sun damage I did with baby oil and tanning beds as a teen, but bronzing (instead of baking!) is a good start. My friend Katrina turned me onto this line, made in locally in Denver. It's chemical, paraben, fragrance and talc-free (which means it's GOOD for your skin!) but it also makes you LOOK good, too! The two shades are easily blended for a more natural, sunkissed look that I'm loving.

 3.  So Delicious Coconut Milk ($2.99)  At Jillian's recommendation, I'm adding this milk to my diet. Apparently it's chock full of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) that the body uses as energy, rather than storing as fat. But I care more about the taste, which is surprisingly good! I steam it for my morning cappuccino and it's definitely less "grassy-tasting" than soy milk. It also is yummy over a bowl of Cap'n Crunch. (Or so my kids tell me. I certainly wouldn't eat that sugary crap. That sugary, crunchy, delightfully delicious crap. That I would never, ever eat. Except maybe in a midnight  pantry raid where no one could see me, and therefore, the calories don't count.)

 

4.  Jambu Grey Espy Wedge Sandal ($69.99). This is my second pair of Jambu sandals - the first were so comfy and loved, I had to buy a second!  I love the grey, as it's just a bit different from the traditional black and/or brown.  The normal price for this pair is $119, but I snagged mine at Zulily.com at a deep, deep discount. (And my PSA for the day - if you don't get Zulily's emails, you should totally sign up!)

 

5.  Cropping Up Cardigan ($24.99). I love short cropped cardis, but most of mine have short sleeves.  This little number looks fab with a ruffley tank underneath and it's perfect for this transitional (uh, chilly!) weather we're having. And I'll just admit it - I have a weakness for polka dots.

 

 

 

 

 

And that wraps it up for this Friday. If you're interested, I've also got scrappy-related posts up over at the KI Memories blog and the Lily Bee blog, so come visit me!

 

 

Five on Friday.

It's the simple things making me smile today!

1. The roses from Riely's recital.  These pretty pink blooms smell fabulous and look perfectly at home in a pewter pitcher that belonged to my Oma.  There's something about spring that makes me want fresh flowers in every room in the house!

 

2. A new necklace from Target.  I've kinda made it a habit to cruise through Target's jewelry clearance section every time I go, and occasionally I find something I just love.  This necklace was a whopping $3.98.  I love chunky circle design with two script E's back to back (my given name is Elisabeth) and if it turns my neck green, I'll just say the E is for ewwwwww.

3. Diet Cherry Coke. With lots of ice and a bendy straw, this is my afternoon pick-me-up. (Shhhh...don't tell Jillian!) It's the adult version of the Roy Rogers. Because everyone knows how ADULT bendy straws are.

 

4. Days warm enough for sidewalk chalk.  And the sweet drawings and sentiments that result.

 

5.  Sunflower seedlings. The kids got these kits for Easter and the plants are getting taller every day. We tried them last year, but planted them outside too early and froze the little buggers.  Hoping this year's crop will be more successful.

 

And for those that asked, I'm doing Jillian's Ripped in 30 workout.  I'm on Day 3 and there's not a muscle in my body that isn't sore. The only thing keeping me going is the thought of donning a bikini for Memorial Day weekend...because right now, that's waaaay more scary than anything Jillian can dish out!

Happy Friday!