Macaroni and Tuna Salad

April 28, 2014

Macaroni and tuna salad.  The weekend barbecue staple.  The fun Sunday dinner side dish.  Perfectly creamy with tons of flavor.  Inexpensive to make. Completely satisfying and can be eaten as a meal entirely on its own.  I can go on and on, obviously.  I love macaroni and tuna salad.  I remember loving as a kid; my mom makes the BEST macaroni and tuna salad and this is my version of the one she makes.  I added carrots and swapped green pepper for red pepper for additional sweetness.  This is a very forgiving recipe and it comes out great every single time.  I have always eyeballed the measurements but tried my best to gage and note the exact amounts I was using to create this post.  Here's how I did it.

Ingredients

1/2 Medium Red Onion, Finely Diced
1/4 Medium Red Bell Pepper, Finely Diced
2 Medium Carrots, Shredded
3 Cans Solid White Tuna, in Water
1 Box Elbow Macaroni Noodles, Cooked and Rinsed
6 Boiled Eggs
1 & 1/4 Cup Mayonnaise
2 Teaspoons Dijon Mustard
1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Heaping Tablespoons Sweet Pickle Relish
1 Tablespoon Dried Oregano
1 Teaspoon Celery Seed
1 Teaspoon Lawry's Seasoning Salt
2 Tablespoons Sugar
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Paprika, for Garnish
 
{While your noodles and eggs are boiling, begin by shredding your carrots and dicing your pepper and onion. Set aside.}






{After hard boiling your eggs, I use this method, peel them, shred four of them and reserve the remaining two to garnish the bowl.}

{In a really large bowl, add your mayonnaise, mustard, relish, apple cider vinegar, seasoning salt, oregano, celery seed and sugar.}

{Mix this really well to combine all ingredients.}

{To your dressing mixture, add the shredded carrots and chopped pepper and onion.}


{Drain your tuna really well and add it to the bowl.}


{Add in your drained/rinsed noodles to the bowl.  This is a lot of pasta and you want this dish to be flavorful so season with a bit of salt and pepper.}

{Mix this really well and taste for additional seasoning.}

{Here is where I decided that the two cans of tuna wasn't enough so I added in another can.  I also added in about two tablespoons of mayonnaise and some black pepper.  See how the texture is for you.  If you think it needs something, add it in!}

{Mix well, taste and taste to be sure it isn't missing anything.}


{Add your macaroni and tuna salad to a big pretty bowl.}

{Slice the two remaining boiled eggs and arrange on top before sprinkling on paprika for prettiness. :)}






We had the salad with barbecued ribs and hamburgers for a casual Sunday dinner, along with sautéed green beans. Simple and delicious!  Are you a fan of macaroni and tuna salad?

xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥



Beauty Ramblings: Spring Favorites!


I thought it was time I ramble a bit on the subject of my current beauty favorites for spring, so stay tuned, if you'd like! 

Is it me or is getting ready for work in the morning more fun when the sun is shining, the flowers are beginning to bloom and the birds are chirping?  Swiping on a bright lip seems like the natural thing to do lately and I wanted to share what bright lippies I am loving, as well as the absolute perfect nude lip.

Here are my spring beauty favorites:


{Coconut Oil.  I just recently discovered the many different uses for coconut oil and had to run out and get some from Trader Joe's.  I use it after a hot shower to moisturize my entire body, including my face, and I can feel my skin getting softer.  I have big plans on the beach this summer, including our 10th anniversary Cancun vacation, and I want to have soft and glowy skin while strutting in my bathing suit.  This coconut oil will definitely get me there!}


{Every spring, I like to try a new fragrance so I jumped at the opportunity to review these new ones from Desigual. I love perfumes that are not only light and fresh, but instantly brightens my mood after spritzing them on. These two new fragrances from Desigual smell so insanely good. "Love" is most certainly my favorite, it's more musky and romantic. It has sandalwood notes – and I realized that all of my favorite scents usually do. "Fun" is just that. A really FUN, bright, punchy fragrance that just makes sense to use now that it's warming up.  I have also mixed the two together, creating this wonderful medley of fruit and florals!} 



{This NYX matte lipstick is SO good.  The formula is nice and smooth and it's really pigmented, which makes it last a really long time.  Bright pink lips are probably my favorite to wear and this one is just the shade I love to rock. This one is called "Sweet Pink". Wearing it in the pic below.}





{ Ok, speaking of pink, I think deep pinky / deep plum tones also look good on me. This Sephora Luster Matte is a new item and let me tell you. I want every single color. The formula is thicker than a gloss and looks like a lipstick but it is so light and feels so good on the lips. It isn't drying like some mattes are and the color is insanely pigmented. This tube will probably last me a really long time. This one is called "Mulberry Luster". Wearing it in the pic below. }



{Let's talk nude lips, shall we? I am all about pretty, simple nude lips. Barely there, but with the perfect amount of pink to show up and show out. This lipstick + lipgloss combination from Sephora will change the game for you if you are a fan of nude lips. And each on their own is equally as fantastic. These will be in my lippie rotation for ever and ever! The lipstick is called "Ingenuous" and the lipgloss is "Perfect Nude, number 20} 

Here is the lipstick on it's own:
 

And with the gloss on top:


Perfection, I tell you. :)

What are some of your favorite spring beauty products? 

Xoxo, thanks got reading! 

Fun Flats

April 24, 2014




{Herringbone Ponte Knit Trousers ~ NY&Co / Black Tee ~ H&M / Ivory Blazer ~ Thrifted {last seen here} / Gold Heart Cutout Flats ~ JustFab / Gold Bib Chain Necklace ~ Gift {Joan Rivers via QVC, LOVE her jewelry!!}}

These adorable flats make me smile when I look down every time I wear them.  I love how my nail polish peeks out the heart cutouts.  They certainly added a bit of fun to this simple office look.  This blazer is also a favorite, I will never forget how excited I was when I saw this hanging on the men's rack at the thrift store. The gold buttons caught my eye and when I tried this baby on, I had the biggest cheesiest smile on my face. Lol! Thrift store scores make me SO happy.  Speaking of, I have to go thrifting soon, it's been waaaaay too long.

xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥ Hope you are having a great week!




BBQ Roasted Shrimp

April 23, 2014

Roasted shrimp. My goodness gracious! I am so happy to have discovered this way of cooking shrimp. Since I am not the biggest fan of cooked shrimp, unless they are FRIED (of course! Lol), I was pretty much smiling from ear to ear when I bit into one of these perfectly cooked and flavorful shrimp last night for dinner. I remember watching Ina Garten (LOVE her!) roast shrimp on her cooking show and mentally storing it for future reference.  After thawing these shrimp and trying to figure out how to cook them last night, it was the perfect time to try this technique out.  They are super easy and the seasoning possibilities on these are pretty endless. I will never boil or steam a shrimp again!

Ingredients {2 Servings}
1 Dozen Deveined Shrimp
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons McCormick Grill Mates Barbecue Seasoning {or your favorite seasoning!}

First things first, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

 
{Start with deveined frozen-then-thawed or fresh shrimp and remove the shells {I like to leave the tails on}.}
 
{Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.  They need to be really dry so that the oil coats them well.}

{Add the shrimp to a large bowl then add the olive oil.}

{Let's pause for a moment and discuss this seasoning.  It is the BOMB.  Sweet, savory with just the perfect amount of smoky flavor.  We put this seasoning on EVERYTHING.  My favorite is to sprinkle it on hot, buttered popcorn.  Talk about a good snack! It's cravable and SO amazing.  We have also sprinkled it on piping hot straight-out-the-oil fries and oh my goodness.  Insane!  I have also sprinkled it on salmon steaks, right before grilling. SO GOOD.  This will take your BBQ chicken to the next level.  As you can see, I highly, HIGHLY recommend it! :)}



{Generously season your shrimp and coat with the oil.}

{Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 8 minutes.  Be sure to set the timer!  The last thing you want is overcooked, rubbery shrimp.}

{Your roasted shrimp will have a deep and rich flavor from the HOT oven and will be perfectly seasoned.}

{Serve them up and enjoy.  We had them with sautéed kale, which is an absolute weeknight side-dish staple.  Recipe post on that coming soon!}

Have you ever roasted shrimp?

xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥

Vintage Pastel Blazer

April 10, 2014










{Vintage Kasper Pastel Blue Blazer ~ Thrifted / Black Ponte Pants ~ INC via Macy's / White Tee ~ H&M / Blue Sparkle Flats ~ Random Cheapy Store (lol!)

Nothing says spring like a pretty pastel blazer. :) And this one gets a lot of attention; I was told I looked "perfectly springy and pretty" yesterday. Lol! I'll take that.

I hope you are having a great week.

xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥







Navy + Gray + Metallic Flats

April 9, 2014









  
{Navy Drapey Cropped Printed Pants ~ Old Navy / Gray Tank ~ H&M / Gray Open Cardi ~ H&M / Metallic Cutout Flats ~ Shoedazzle}

These pants from Old Navy are really really amazing.  The fit, the fabrication, I love them! The other prints and colors are most certainly calling my name. Lol!  They are absolutely perfect to pop on with a pair of flats.  I have to say; am most comfortable in an outfit like this, especially in the office.  Easy and effortless dressing, need I say more?

xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥