Gettin' By

Wardrobe Wednesday | All Hail The Egg Nog

Bishop Sleeve Cardigan + Umgee Tunic + Madewell Skinny Jeans + Matisse Booties (similar)

I'm not a frequent Starbucks customer, though I've been known to suck down a few Latte Brevés during times when I need and extra boost (or twelve) of caffeine. But when the calendar signals the arrival of the all-hallowed red cups, I find myself bee-lining for Starbucks on a very regular basis. Add to that the fact that our local dairy (which delivers our milk in glass bottles to a cute metal box on our porch) offers the most amazing egg nog in all the world during December, and you've got a perfect situation for adding on some holiday weight. And while I have no problem emulating the Jolly Old Elf during Christmastime, it does it make more challenging to get dressed!

Enter the flowy tunic. I'm grabbing anything that drapes away from my body these days, and this tunic is one of my favorites. Layered under a cozy sweater, it's festive and comfy and most importantly - it's loose. And it's also equally wearable in warmer weather with cut-off denim and sandals, so it's truly a versatile piece. Not only does it help disguise the fact that I ate Christmas cookies for breakfast, it also assures there's plenty of room in my gut for an afternoon eggnog latte (or eight - who's counting?!)

Happy Holidays!

Five on Friday | Creature Comforts

Something about fall makes me want to hunker down in the house and surround myself with all the feel-good things. And while a big glass of cabernet and a Costco-size bag of candy corn usually do the trick, here's a few more of my fall favorites!

 

 

 

1// Swan Creek Candles Drizzle Melts ($6.25/pack)  I'm a big fan of outlet-plug room fresheners and there's nary an outlet in our house without one. Because when you have no empty outlets, you can't plug in a vacuum or iron...see where I'm going with this?  With these Swan Creek wax warmers + drizzle melts, the whole house smells like something yummy's baking and I don't even have to fire up the oven. The Bourbon Maple Sugar and Warm Cinnamon Buns scents are heavenly and permeate the whole room - and there's no dirty dishes or caloric temptations as a result!

 

2// Retro Floral Gloves ($48)  I can't go into fall without making sure my stash of gloves & mittens is sufficient. There needs to be a pair in my car, desk, purse and jacket pockets so I'm never without toasty fingers. I love these delicately beaded knit gloves from Anthropologie and the dark grey color would likely hide coffee stains or Oreo crumbs quite nicely. 

 

3// Elizabeth Monogram Mug ($7.95)  I collect monogram coffee mugs in the hopes that one day I'll be able to use them to spell out "BRING MOM COFFEE IN BED" to effectively communicate my dreams to my family. These vintage earthenware mugs from Pier One would be a great addition to my quest. I love the antiqued ivory finish and delicate feminine handles - a nice way to punctuate my message, no?

 

4// Cookie Butter Oreos ($2.99)  I'm always game to try new Oreo flavors and up until a week ago, I didn't think they'd ever top Red Velvet. But holy yum the limited edition Cookie Butter did just that. It's a perfect concoction of graham, pound cake and Biscoff cookie flavors that makes it hard to eat just one. Or twelve. (You've been warned).

 

5//  Pom Pom Throw Blanket ($59.99) One night flipping through Instagram, this blanket came up in my feed. And while I rarely purchase things from social media feeds (and by rarely, I mean only when I'm on my second glass of wine), I hit "purchase" on this baby. I was pleasantly surprise when it arrived a few days later  - it's the softest cotton with plush pom pom trim and large enough to wrap up yourself and a kiddo while sharing candy corn and watching SpongeBob reruns. (Well, that's not entirely true. I don't share my candy corn.)

 

Happy FriYAY!

 

Five on Friday | Kitchen Keepers

Since our household has been on a healthy eating kick since 2016 rolled in, I've been spending a lot more time in the kitchen prepping meals, as opposed to my usual meal prep routine, which consists of dialing up Papa Johns. (And believe me, if they had any paleo-friendly stuff on their menu, they'd still be on speed-dial!) These are just a few of the gadgets making my time in the kitchen a bit more enjoyable!

 

 

01// Breville Risotto Plus Rice Maker ($129.95) The name of this little workhorse is deceptive - you can use it for so much more than rice & risotto! Which is good, since neither are apparently allowed on this stupid diet. Oh I miss starch! It has a metal basket insert that's perfect for quickly steaming up veggies like broccoli, carrots, asparagus, green beans or cauliflower - none of which are quite as tasty as rice, but apparently are way healthier. You can also use it as a slow cooker for roasts and chicken (both of which would be fabulous with....RICE!)

 

02// Lemon Squeezer ($7.84)  In lieu of tasty condiments like butter, we've been opting to use lemon juice and this bright die-cast metal juicer is awesome for squeezing out every last drop. In the interest of full disclosure, I bought it for juicing limes...for margaritas. Which are also not on this @$%#*! diet.

 

03// Cuisinart Mini Spatulas ($7.99)  Every kitchen needs some tools that are colorful and cute! I love using these little scrapers on non-stick pans when scrambling eggs or making a stir-fry. And they are perfect for getting the last remainders out of jars and bottles - like peanut butter or hot fudge sauce. At least that's how I dream of using them every night.

 

04//  Ceramic Pot Minder ($3.95) When I'm in the kitchen working on a meal, I'm invariably trying to do about 15 other things as well. In my distracted state (lack of starch will do that to a girl) pans boiling over are a common occurrence - though it does seem to typically happen RIGHT AFTER I've cleaned the damn cooktop. This little gadget placed in the bottom of the pot helps prevent messy boil-overs. I don't know how it works exactly, and in my carb-depleted state, you can't really expect me to focus on little details like that.

 

05// Nespresso Aeroccino  ($125.00)  Yes, I know this is a milk frother. And milk isn't paleo. But without my morning latte, I can't do the whole adulting thing, so I indulge in a bit of dairy in order to function normally. This steamer provides the most amazing foamy, frothy milk in just a few seconds and does so silently - something every non-morning person can appreciate! If only cavemen had had the Nespresso available, they would have found some damn cows to milk.

Happy (and healthy) Friday!

Five on Friday | The Resolution Edition

We're already a week into the new year and it's quite likely that many resolutions have already gone the way of the dinosaurs (and by that, I mean blown away by a giant meteor that burned up the earth - wouldn't that be a viable excuse for skipping Zumba class??) but I thought I'd go ahead and showcase five things that are helping me keep moving and shaking in 2016. Though the shaking thing may just be because I decided to give up wine during the week. #withdrawals, anyone?

 

01//  Asics Gel Noosa Tri 10 ($59.83)   I've run in Asics Gel Nimbus for many years now, but when they debuted a glow-in-the-dark Gel Noosa several years ago, I fell in love with the funky color schemes and non-traditional graphics. Yes, I'm a sucker for bright color combos and graffiti graphics. I got the pair above for Christmas and they happen to be available for a deep discount. They are definitely a lighter-weight running shoe without as much cushioning as the Nimbus or Kayano, but I love them for shorter runs and they never fail to be conversation starters (i.e., an excuse to take a water break!)

 

02//  S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($35.00) The only way I can drink my eight glasses of water each day is if it's COLD and this water bottle definitely keeps it that way. Plus, it comes in a fabulous colors like Tiffany Blue and - bonus! - it actually fits in the car cupholder. Just add your ice and water in the morning and you're good to go. And (not that I would know from personal experience or anything) it also does a great job of keeping vodka tonics and Moscow Mules icy cold as well. 

 

03//  Lululemon &go Everywhere Tank ($58.00)  I'm not snobby about my athletic wear - most of my gym gear is from the Target clearance rack - but this tank is truly worth the cash. It's a super soft, breathable fabric that doesn't cling or chafe and I love the flattering cut of the front and deeper armholes for easy movement. But most notably, it's cut nice and long through the torso, so it doesn't reveal muffin top when I'm doing squat jumps or downward dog (or reaching into the very top kitchen cabinet to find the hidden Twinkies). 

 

04// LaraBar Coconut Cream Pie ($21.59/16 bars)   My daily glass of sauvignon blanc helps curb my sugar cravings, so when it's off the menu, any candy in my vicinity is in danger. Even the grisly remains of the kids' Halloween stash (which conisists of rock-hard Tootsie Rolls, Big Hunks and Bit-o-Honeys) looks appetizing to me. To try and keep the sugar coma at bay, I've been stocking up on LaraBars and the Coconut Cream Pie is definitely a favorite, with Cherry Pie and Cashew Cookie coming in a close second. And psst....this copycat recipe is hella easy and really good! Ok, not as good as candy corn. But you already knew that.

 

05//  Zensah Running Headbands ($14.99)  Nothing ruins a workout faster than annoying stray hairs blowing in your eyes or tickling your face. I've actually quit in the middle of a run and threatened to shave my head ala Britney Spears (luckily there was no umbrella nearby or passing cars would've been at risk) so a good hairband is a must for me. I've tried lots of elastic versions, and these are by far my favorite brand. They aren't constricting, but the velvet lining keeps them in place and the wider width is perfect for keeping flyaway hair at bay. Plus, they come in lots of fun colors and textures. Kind of like my language on a bad hair day.

 

Hope your resolutions are going well and your goals for 2016 are being tackled!

 

Five on Friday | Get In My Mouth

It's no secret to most of you that I am a big fan of food. I've been know to suffer through a 10-mile run, motivated solely by the fact that when I'm done, I can scarf down a cheeseburger guilt-free. In fact, I'll do just about any exercise with the proverbial " food carrot" dangling in front of me. Though it's never an actual carrot...more like carrot cake. With lots of cream cheese frosting, duh.

So when Mike and I started the Whole30 diet plan last week in an effort to get ourselves "spring break ready," I was suddenly faced with a menu devoid of many of my favorite food groups. (Psst...these crazy health people actually think candy corn is not a vegetable! Wha?!) I'm truly trying to stay true to the plan, really I am. It's only 30 days - thirty long, sad, sugar-free days - but here are the five things my taste buds are seriously missing.

 

1//  La Tortilla Factory Green Chile Corn Tortillas.  There's not really any Mexican food that makes the cut on this meal plan, but these delicious soft tortillas are definitely not allowed. Something about corn and flour being elements of unadulterated evil (these Whole30 people are not a lot of fun) but I'm not quite buying it. Wrap these around some good ol' refried beans and cheese and you're as close to heaven as it gets, baby.

2//  Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc. It's not just my favorite wine that's disallowed, it's all alcohol in general. Which means instead of having a glass of wine or a local microbrew before bed, I just go straight to bed and cry into my pillow. This getting healthy thing is so much fun!

3//  OZO Espresso Isabelle Lattes. Giving up alcohol is one thing, but giving up my morning latte? Hold me. You actually can have black coffee on the plan but the steamed 2% milk I normally add is a no go. Whole30 suggests using coconut milk instead of cow's milk, which sounds good in theory, unless you actually have taste buds. I tried it and hereby proclaim to be nasty. There is a reason coconuts don't have udders, i'mjustsaying.

4//  Veritable Chaumes Brie. I love just about any kind of cheese (ok, maybe not the really stinky ones) and can, in fact, make a meal out of cheese and wine alone. Add some crusty bread and I'll don a beret and my best French accent and put on an authentic Moulin Rouge show. But sadly, the three main components of this festive cabaret are expressly forbidden on Whole30. Which really should piss France off.

5// Cadbury Creme Eggs.  I probably should have given a bit more thought to the timing of this whole diet. It happens to fall over the months when my FAVORITE CANDY IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD is in peak season. My solution is merely to stockpile them in my freezer until the end of March and then embark on an incredible, edible egg adventure. SUCK ON THAT, WHOLE30.

 

I'm not sure if this post has been therapeutic or tortuous for me today. But at any rate, feel free to imbibe in any of the above in my honor. I'll just be enjoying my delicious kale and beets as I stare longingly (and try to refrain from licking) my computer screen. Is it March yet?!?

 

Make It Monday | White Chicken Chili

We had a weekend full of festive events, including a Christmas party, girl's afternoon at the Nutcracker and a neighborhood chili cook-off!  I'd been working on a white chili recipe for awhile now, and this is the version I ended up taking to the competition. Though it didn't win (the bison chili that took top accolades was dee-lish), it is pretty darn good for a cold winter's night.

This is a simple recipe that doesn't require a lot of prep, and it can easily be made up the day before and reheated in a slow cooker. In fact, it's even better on day two, after the flavors have a chance to meld together. Using a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store cuts down on prep time without sacrificing flavor. And keep reading - there might be beer involved, too!

I start by sautéing onion, garlic, chile pequin, and jalapeños in canola oil in a large stock pot. The recipe calls for two jalapeños, and I leave the seeds and veins in one for extra heat. Once the onions start to get translucent, I add two cans of diced green chiles (I buy the hot variety) along with cumin, coriander, ancho chile powder, and smoked paprika. Once the spices have toasted a bit, I add six cups of chicken stock and three cans of white beans - two of which I add whole, and one I mash up to add a nice thickness to the chili base.

Once the pot is simmering away, I sneak in a few cups of kale for some bonus nutritional value. Because I chop it pretty finely, it ends up cooking down and is barely noticable by picky eaters who would normally turn their noses up at greens (which includes both my kids and husband). Yes, it's a little devious, but sometimes mamas have to be sneaky!

Then it's time to add in the shredded rotisserie chicken, over which I squeeze the juice of two limes. The citrus adds such a great layer of flavor and a nice contrast to the spice of the chili.

Since I love to eat my chili with corn chips, it can't be too thin or it's not "scoopable!"  So to thicken up the base, I make a slurry of milk and corn flour that I whisk together before adding to the pot. This really adds a nice texture to the chili and makes it the perfect consistency for tortilla and chip accompaniments.

Finally, I have to add my secret ingredient....BEER!  (You didn't think a recipe of mine would be without alcohol, did you?!?)  You can use any old lager you happen to have, but I'm partial to Colorado brews. And since the recipe only calls for about half a can, you'll just have to drink the rest while you finish up!

Click here to download a printable pdf of the complete recipe with ingredients and instructions. I'll be enjoying a bowl tonight (with a beer, natch!) Hope your Monday is marvelous!

 

Five on Friday: Current Crushes

It's been awhile since I've posted a Five on Friday, so in an attempt to get back into the swing of this, I'm sharing five random things that I'm crushing on right now. Enjoy!

1.  Buffalo Plaid baseball cap from Target ($12.99).  Every girl needs a good cap to grab on those not-so-good hair days. Or those I'm too lazy to style this mop days. Or really, for any day that ends in "y"! I snapped up this fun plaid version at Target because it felt like fall and was a natural match with my black moto jacket, but I've worn it with lots of other ensembles, too. (One of which may have been flannel pjs in the school drop-off line...ssssh!)

 

2.  Don Ramón Vino Tinto Barrica ($7.99).  One of my favorite things about cold, snowy weather is knowing I can end the day with a glass of red by the fireplace. I was looking for an alternative to my stand-by pinot, and my wine guy (who knows I'm cheap and go for label art over taste!) recommended this Spanish blend. It's a lighter red, with hints of raspberries and blackberries and just a touch of spice. And the bargain price combined with the unique ribbon & wax seal make it a winner in my book!

 

3.  Pumpkin Scones from Cooking Classy. If you have not yet fallen victim to pumpkin spice fever, you are a stronger soul than I.  After pinning these scones  - amongst hundreds of other pumpkin-infused creations - I tried the recipe, and it met with rave reviews from my kids (and my stomach as well!). They are identical to the Starbucks version and a lovely little morning indulgence with coffee. Pin them. Make them. Trust me.

 

4.  Good Cheer Collection from Elle's Studio. ($1.49 - $15.97).  I've been entertaining the idea of doing a December Daily album this year. Though who are we kidding - mine would more likely be a December-Whenever-I-Feel-Like-Creating album because the whole daily thing is just too.much.pressure. I love this collection from Elle's Studio for its liberal doses of aqua with the traditional holiday colors. And the fun stamps and wood veneers just might inspire me to actually complete this project for once!

 

 

5. Glen Lossie Plaid Lambswool Scarf ($34.11).  I didn't add a whole lot of things to my fall/winter wradrobe, but of the pieces I did, more than half were plaid! One look at my Wardrobe Wednesday posts and you can see my affection for the plaid scarf, and I recently swapped the lighter cotton version for this warmer lambswool. It's a deliciously soft and comfy accessory that I'm reaching for a daily basis. Bring on the snowflakes and icicles - I'm ready! (Or at least my neck is!)

Hope you have a fantabulous Friday, my friends!

Wardrobe Wednesday | Layering Up

Ah, layers! They are the only reason I'm not going out of my flippin' mind with this crazy Colorado spring weather. From 70˚ to 20˚ in a matter of hours? Definitely seems like Mother Nature's got some major mood swings going on. But I'm trying to make the best of it by piling on various layers, (and inevitably peeling them off later!) including my beloved coral blazer form Target. If nothing else, the vibrant color is reminding me of spring.

That and the fact that I spotted Cadbury Creme Eggs at the grocery store yesterday. Holla!

Oh, and if you want to see a few more ways I'm layering under this jacket, check out my Wardrobe Wednesday blog today for two additional looks.

And have a wonderful Wednesday!

____________________________________
Merona blazer (last fall) - similar
Ruehl embellished tee (old)
Old Navy white button down
Gap Always Skinny jeans
Born gold oxfords (similar)
Steve Madden purse (on ebay)
vintage necklace

Five on Friday | The Oreo Edition

No, not all five items on today's list are Oreos. And yet, somehow I've found a way to reference them in every entry. Sometimes my ability to fixate amazes even me. So grab a cold glass of milk and some cookies and enjoy!

1. ASOS Satchel Bag with Scallop Bar ($56.46) I was really looking for a happy yellow bag for spring, but when I spotted this one I may have changed my mind. I love the soft mint (can't you see it paired with navy or coral?!) and the scallop detail makes it ever so girly. And it just so happens that it's sized perfectly to stash a package of Oreos (see below) that you don't want your kids to find.

2.  Wood Veneer shapes from Two Peas in a Bucket ($0.89 to $0.99 each). I've collected a lot of the Two Peas wood veneer cards (and have used several in recent pocket page spreads) but these new shapes really have me swooning! These are three of my favorites, but there's a whole bunch of new shapes in the store. Though no Oreos. Note to self: suggest possible new shapes to boss ASAP.

 

 

3.  Bali Clicks Leather Snap Bracelet ($29.00/bracelet; $7.50/snaps).  A fabulous friend gifted me one of these bracelets for my birthday and I've been snapping it on a lot lately. I have the orange leather one with this, this, and this snap and I always get compliments when I wear it. Plus, this funky statement piece can be changed and updated by swapping out the snaps. Or if you happen to lose one in your bag of Oreos and accidentally eat it.

 

4.  Limited Edition Marshmallow Crispy Oreos ($2.99).  Leave it to Oreo to come out with an irresistable new cookie flavor just about the time my Spring Break Bikini Diet kicks in. But these delicious little sandwiches are straight from heaven and combine two of my very favorite flavors: sugar and more sugar.  And the whole "limited edition" marketing ploy?? Means I might be stock-piling these cookies in my garage freezer. If only those darn kids that live here would quit eating my stash.

 

5.  Our Q & A a Day: A 3-Year Journal ($16.99). It's a simple concept - you and your partner answer a question a day and document your responses in this little paperback. Ranging from serious to quirky to laughable, the daily prompts are a great way to record your own personal time capsule. And you can totally eat Oreos while you're answering. In fact, you totally should. Unless they happen to be MINE.

 

Have a happy Friday, peeps!  (It's Friday, friday, gotta get Oreos FRIDAY!*)

 

*Apologies to Rebecca Black. I've got a bit of a one-track mind, apparently. Let's blame it on the sugar, um kay?!

 

 

Going Gatsby.

One of the little perks of Mike's job is that several times a year, he gets to attend the fundraisers and other philanthropic events sponsored by his company. Well I should say, I consider it a perk. Since I happen to love donning fancy clothes and going anywhere with an open bar and all. He, on the other hand, was not really keen on the whole idea of social-events-outside of work.  Something about having to purchase a tux, learn to tie a bow tie, and being designated driver for a wife that has an affinity for open bars. Hmmm.

Saturday night was one such event, The Beaux Arts Ball. In an extreme twist of good fashion karma, I had picked up a beaded dress the week before at Nordstrom Rack - an Erin Fetherston marked down to the incredibly low $47.99. (I know!)  At the time, I had no idea this event would be 1920s themed, I was just happy to have a scored a comfortable (and cheap!) dress. Which kinda made up for the fact that the headband and 5-inch heels that I added to match the Gatsby theme were um, definitively not comfortable.

The event was impressively lavish and while I would have been perfectly happy positioned at the 15-foot tall sushi table all night, there was actually much more to see. Our table was a beautiful spread of black laquer candelabra overflowing with white hydrangeas, all set on a gold sequin tablecloth with pearls, rose petals, candles, and lots of sparkly goodness.

There was fabulous entertainment in the form of period dancers and a big band, who impressively jumped and jived the night away. They did an amazing rendition of JT's Suit & Tie, all choreographed with 1920s dance moves.

And there was dessert served in a white chocolate swan. Could you really ask for anything more?

 

It was such a fun night but I was happy to get home and kick off those heels and stinkin' itchy headband. I have a whole new respect for flappers who actually wore that stuff every night. And as fancy as Saturday night was, we managed to spend the great majority of Sunday in our pajamas, vegging on the couch quite unglamorously. (And ssssshhhhhh...I'm pretty sure at one point, there was NASCAR on the TV). Because really, one night of glamour and Gatsby is just about all we can handle around here. And then it's time to get back to reality. 

Hope your weekend was wonderful!