Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Quick Work Week Meal Ideas

During the week I am out of the house 10 hours each day due to work. After I get home and let my dogs out, get them fed, and do a few quick chores- all I want to do is eat and relax! Here are 2 quick and easy meal ideas for all of you who are in the same boat I'm in :)

1. Taco salad. All you need is romaine lettuce, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, can of pinto beans, and taco seasoning. First I threw my pinto beans in a pot over medium heat and seasoned with taco seasoning. While that was cooking I spread the romaine on my plate and topped it with a dollop of sour cream, 2 large spoonfuls of salsa, and a handful of shredded cheese. When my beans were nice and soft I added some of them to my plate! Mmmm soo good



2. Salmon with dill sauce and peach salad. For the salmon you will need olive oil, salt, pepper, plain yogurt, lemon juice, and dried dill. For the salad you will need 1 large peach, 1/2 red onion, mixed greens, feta cheese, garlic croutons, and balsalmic dressing. For the salad I think it's pretty obvious- just combine all ingredients. For the salmon I put it on a baking pan and sprinkled with olive oil, salt, and pepper and cooked for about 20 minutes at 375. I used about a cup of plain yogurt, the juice from 1 lemon, and dried dill to taste for the dill sauce. When the salmon was done I poured the sauce on top! 


Both of these dishes were delicious and will definitely be go-to meals in the future. Note: my husband loved the peach salad which is so unlike him so that just goes to show how good it was!

Oh and while I'm at it, let me share this apple cider sangria recipe that I made with the salmon. All you need is 6 cups of apple cider, 2 apples chopped, 1 bottle of pinot grigio, and 1 cup of caramel vodka. I cut the recipe in half because it was just for me and my husband but I would definitely use the whole recipe for more than just 2 people. Here's what half of the recipe looks like:



Want to remember these recipes for the future? Pin it to Pinterest!

XoXo

Monday, September 29, 2014

Weekend Recap

Good morning! Is it just me or does it seem like Monday came way too soon? Like what? Another work week? Ugh. I had a great weekend spent with friends and my husband. Most weekends my husband is working and I only get to see him for a few hours Sunday mornings BUT this weekend he only had to work Sunday evening so I treasured everything we got to do.

Friday night we went to a friends house to celebrate their birthday around a bonfire. Oh and a special little someone (our niece, Emma) was in attendance so we soaked up all of our time with her!




Saturday was spent being lazy around the house. Then we headed downtown for dinner at Thames Street Oyster House where we tried escargot for the very first time. I have to admit I was actually scared to take a bite but let me just tell you it was absolutely delicious!!! We also enjoyed calamari, the lobster wedge salad, and a crab cake. We were so full I'm surprised we were even able to walk out of the restaurant. We stopped over at Max's Taphouse to visit Jon's sister. We were only able to stay for 1 beer before we had to call it a night- our stomach's just couldn't handle it (that food at Thames Street really did us in!).

Top from Venus (spend $100 or more to get free shipping plus use code XWEB14A7005 for 10% off your entire purchase (offer ends 10/2/2014))






Sunday morning we headed back downtown with one of my best friends to tailgate at the Raven's game. We didn't have tickets so right before the game started we headed over to a local bar. Plug Ugly's is where we went and we had sangria (if you go there, you HAVE to try their sangria!) and crab dip.



That pretty much sums up my weekend. I'm joining these link ups Join The Gossip and B Loved Boston

XoXo 

Thursday, September 25, 2014

MissionCute September 2014

My MissionCute box is here! This is a monthly subscription box and it's just $29! The best part about it? Each month, MissionCute gives 50% of net proceeds to a non profit organization. What was this months charity you may ask? Bright Blessings!



The Mission: To celebrate, inspire, and support homeless children, while offering fun and meaningful volunteer opportunities for both adults and youth. The goal of Bright Blessings is to bring joy, recognition and support to children and families during difficult and sad times in their lives.   Our two core programs, Bless-A-Birthday and Bless-A-Baby,  raise spirits and boost confidence for homeless children ages tots to teens, and offer help and hope for babies beginning life amidst the struggles of homelessness.  Each program incorporates education and enrichment, literacy support, as well as care and comfort supplies, all part of Bright Blessings' commitment to supporting the comprehensive needs of every child we serve. Every year Bright Blessings makes a positive impact in the lives of thousands of needy youth and families across our greater Charlotte community.  As a volunteer-led organization, individuals and groups dedicate time and resources all year long to ensure that Bright Blessings’ services reach thousands of local homeless children.In addition to local expansion, Bright Blessings began developing a national network in 2009, with pilot affiliate chapters now organizing and under way in multiple cities across the nation.  For more information, please visit our National Network page. Please learn more about Bright Blessings through their website and Facebook!

Now on to the box! I absolutely love opening this every month... it's a total surprise and I feel like I'm opening a gift the way it is beautifully packaged. Here's what this month's contained:

I currently have the Do What You Love Print hanging by my computer at work- I'm considering using the Heart Stickers in my wedding thank yous- And I can't wait to use the Drawsting Bag for beach trips or while out on walks around the lake!

Haven't joined MissionCute yet? Well what are you waiting for!

XoXo

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Recipe, Spinach Enchiladas Verde

These were pretty darn tasty if I do say so myself! Quick and easy for a week night dinner.


What you'll need:
1. Sour cream
2. 1 can green salsa
3. Spinach
4. Shredded monterey jack cheese
5. 1 package of tortilla shells


What to do:
1. Preheat oven to 375
2. In a bowl combine 1 cup of sour cream and green salsa and spread enough to cover the bottom of your baking dish



3. On each tortilla, spread some of the sour cream and salsa mix, spinach, and shredded cheese. Roll up and poke with a toothpick to hold




4. Use the rest of your sour cream and green salsa mix to cover all of the enchiladas
5. Top with cheese and bake for 20 minutes





Want to remember this for the future? Pin it to Pinterest!

XoXo

Monday, September 22, 2014

Weekend Recap

Today's post is going to be short and sweet because I have not been feeling well these last few days. 

Friday, Jon and I attended his cousins wedding. It was absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed being able to take part in their special day.

The beautiful bride and her dad


Jon's grandmother being escorted




Saturday morning I woke up and felt like I got hit by a bus... throat swollen, couldn't breathe out of my nose, and nauseous.  Because of that I had to miss going with my best friend to pick out her bridesmaid dresses and see her try on her dress. I was so disappointed! I felt like I let her down but I just knew there was no way I could make it.

So I wasted my entire Saturday by laying around the house... I hoped that if I rested up I would feel better on Sunday. So Sunday came around and Jon and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings to get some lunch and watch part of the game before he had to work. Well unfortunately we were only there for about 20 minutes before I started feeling really bad again. I went to the car while Jon got our food boxed up. I felt so bad!

Now it's Monday morning and I still don't feel quite like myself. I hope I can make it through the work day.

XoXo

Friday, September 19, 2014

Friday Five

1. Pottery Barn's Warehouse Clearance event is going on now in stores AND online! Plus if you shop online, you will get free shipping on the clearance items! Can't beat it. I got a few wine bottle toppers for just 5 and 8 dollars, and some wine bags for just 7 dollars- these items will be used for gifts... I always use sales as time to stock up!




2. Currently loving my new Calvin Klein flats for this fall. So simple and comfortable! You can find them here.




3. Looking forward to attending Jon's cousins beautiful wedding tonight!

4. Giuliana Rancic is coming out with a new wine company that will hit Walmart stores in November. How cute are these? So different! And perfect for gifts too. Xo, G Wine


5. Can't wait to share my enchilada recipe with you all on Tuesday! Stay tuned.





XoXo

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Baltimore's Adoptable Dogs, September 2014

Jupiter adoptable through Baltimore Bully Crew

Located in Baltimore, MD. This is Jupiter. He is a year and a half old. He gets along with most other dogs. He is rather low energy. Jupiter is crate trained and housetrained. He knows basic commands and LOVES to show them off. Contact us to adopt Jupiter. 
baltimorebullycrew@gmail.com www.facebook.com/baltimorebullycrew www.baltimorebullycrew.com http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MD393.html




Tulip (Pippa) adoptable through BARCS

Hi there! My name is Pippa! I'm 1 year old, and I'm a tiny little nugget - I only weigh about 30 pounds, and my little head has the most expressive ears! I've been so scared since coming to the shelter, not knowing what is going on. But I'm learning new things in my foster home - how to walk on a leash, that hands mean petting, and we're working on meeting new people and my commands. Everyone that we meet just gushes over how cute I am! I am housebroken, and don't mind my crate. I really love my bones filled with frozen peanut butter! I spend most of the day hanging out in the office with my foster dad, and I am a really good supervisor ;) I'm very low energy, but I do enjoy playing with other dogs! I had a great time in Playgroup with the other doggies! I would really do best in a home with another dog who can be my guardian angel/guiding light to show me that things aren't as scary as they seem! I would prefer not to share my home with small kids. I'm up to date on my shots, and I've been spayed already! If you would like to show me that you can be loving and patient, I'd love to meet you! Contact my foster mama - teripoz@gmail.com




Ginger adoptable through Bella's Bully Buddies

Ahoy! I'm Ginger. I started out in a shelter, the weather was kind of rough, so I ended up here at my foster’s isle and I found out life’s not that tough! I've been stuck here for a few weeks now and It’s been some adventure living here!  I’ve had to become quite clever with ideas on how to pass the time.  Although I landed here with great company (my foster family, a dog, a cat, the professor and Maryanne) I have to say, thank GOODness this place is full of tennis balls! Just the thought of it makes me wiggle from my nose to the tip of my tail!   When I'm done collecting a tennis ball (or 2 or 3), and I see the sunset of the horizon from across the plush carpet, I still have lots of time to daydream about being rescued to a forever home.  I imagine how we’d take walks and hikes and have delicious meals and maybe throw in some belly rubs and naps aaaaand.... tennis balls!! It's safe to say that I’ve been stranded on my foster’s island for way too long! So just click  below and you'll hear a tail, a tail of a faithful pup...in need of your rescue!
TO ADOPT ME – FILL OUT AN APPLICATION TODAY!!  http://bellasbullybuddies.org/bbb-webapp/adoptionApplication/index
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BELLA’S AT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.BELLASBULLYBUDDIES.ORGFOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK:HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BELLASBULLYBUDDIESDON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR EVENTS AND COME OUT TO SAY HELLO!!




Want to remember these adoptable dogs? Pin it to Pinterest!

XoXo

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Wedding Wednesday, My Rehearsal

Traditionally the wedding rehearsal is the day before the wedding. That wasn't the case for me. My wedding was on a Sunday and my venue had a wedding on Saturday (so Saturday was out of the question). The Saturday wedding already booked Friday for their rehearsal so we had to have our rehearsal on Thursday. I actually like how it ended up because this was our schedule of events:

Thursday 6:00pm Rehearsal
Thursday 7:30pm Rehearsal Dinner
Friday 7:00pm Bachelorette Party (Jon had his bachelor party a few weeks prior)
Saturday 12:00pm Nail Appointment
Sunday 4:00pm The Wedding!!!

I absolutely loved my venue, The Vandiver Inn, and would recommend them to any bride. Unlike most wedding venues, the affordable price I paid included all of the following:

Ceremony space (pavilion), set up, tear down, and chivari chairs
Open beer and wine
4 appetizers
1 salad
2 entrees
2 sides
Wedding cake
Rehearsal time and space (and coordination)
Cocktail hour and reception space (mansion and pavilion), tables, chivari chairs, choice of linens, bar ware, silverware, set up, and tear down
Service and gratuity
AND AN EVENT MANAGER!

.... yes, I basically got my own wedding planner who we met with multiple times. My point in telling you all of this is, I was beyond grateful to have the owner of the venue, my event manager, AND our Pastor there to run the rehearsal. It went smoothly and I truly believe it was because each of those 3 were there. Here are some pictures of the rehearsal!

The Vandiver put out a beautiful sign for our wedding party as they arrived.






And now a run through from the beginning. First Jon's brother escorts his mother.



Then my brother escorts my mother.


The mothers light the unity candles.


The boys watch as the girls walk down the aisle.


The entire wedding party watches as my dad and I walk down the aisle.



My dad practices giving me away.


Jon and I sit as Pastor Dave preaches.



Back up to practice our vows.


Us in front of the mansion.


The grounds are absolutely beautiful!


The guys about to head to dinner.


My dress was from Hope's

XoXo
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