Weekend Wear: Cutesy Sneakers and Jeans

January 29, 2015







{Denim ~ Old Navy {distressed by me!} / White Long Sleeve Tee ~ Uniqlo {these tees are so perfect, I need one in every single color!} / Blush Pink Jacket ~ Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's / Sneakers ~ Shoe Dazzle "Sheffy" / White Clutch ~ Forever 21}
 
I rarely rock sneakers but when I do, they have to be cute and these are the most adorable sneakers ever!  They are really comfy {obviously} and I love that they can also be dressed up a bit.  I can see these with some skinny black trousers, a white button up and blazer.  That may just be my casual Friday outfit for work tomorrow. :)
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥
 
 
 

Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Salad with Dried Cherries and Almonds

January 28, 2015

 
Now I thought my first recipe for rotisserie chicken salad was good.  But this recipe here? This recipe is the BOMB!! I mean off-the-charts amazingly flavorful.  You will be craving this every day for about a week straight after you make it, so please be warned. LOL! I think because the rotisserie chicken is so flavorful by itself – and this particular one was seasoned and roasted to perfection – this chicken salad has no choice but to be absolutely delicious. This can be whipped up in a pinch.  During the week for a quick and easy dinner or on the weekend for a fancy lunch (or brunch!) with friends.  This recipe will be in my rotation forever!
 
Ingredients
 
1 Store Bought Rotisserie Chicken, meat pulled from the bone
1/4 Cup Sliced Almonds
1/4 Cup Dried Cherries
1/4 Cup Chopped Green Onions
1 Cup Mayo
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
1 Teaspoon Celery Seed
1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
1 Pinch Each of Salt and Cracked Black Pepper
Toasted Bread of Your Choice
 
 
 

{Start by pulling your chicken meat from the bone and adding it to a large bowl.}


{To the chicken, add your chopped green onion, dried cherries and sliced almonds.)

{In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise, mustard, brown sugar, salt, pepper, celery seed and red wine vinegar thoroughly to combine.}


{Add your mayonnaise mixture to the chicken and dried cherry mixture.  Depending on the size of your chicken and the amount of meat you have pulled, add in a bit more mayonnaise if needed.  Make sure it's nice and creamy.}


{I served our rotisserie chicken salad on fresh toasted whole wheat bread from the bakery with a smear of mayonnaise for added moisture.  I then added some crispy lettuce for texture.}

{I put a good amount of the creamy and flavorful chicken salad on top of the lettuce and topped it with the warm toasted bread. DIVINE.} 




{This makes the perfect lunch or dinner.  The salad can also be served  as a main dish component with vegetables – it would make the perfect meal.  I ate the leftovers for lunch the next day on top of greens with a drizzle of vinaigrette and it was superb!  If this sounds like something you would enjoy, I hope you'll give this one a try!}
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥
 
 

Heart Cardigan + Gold Booties

January 26, 2015




{Navy Pants ~ INC via Macy's / Navy and Ivory Heart Cardigan Sweater ~ Asos {similar here in black and white} / T- Shirt ~ Uniqlo / Gold Booties ~ Michael Antonio via Hautelook {here in silver} / Faux Fur Scarf ~ Zara / Handbag ~ Aldo}
 
Happy Monday - I hope you had a fantastic weekend! This outfit worn last week to work was completely random and maybe a bit inappropriate to be worn in an office but I like to break those kinds of rules.  LOL!  These shoes are a little too fancy for work and I probably won't wear them to the office again but I just adore them.  My obsession with metallic shoes is still going strong.  What can I say, I just love for my feet to sparkle. :)
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥
 
 

Cheesy Chicken Taco Salad – A Flavor Explosion!

January 23, 2015


I have made quite a few variations of taco salad {including this one I posted on the blog here!} but this recipe is the most flavorful of them all.  I mean eating this taco salad is like a total flavor explosion in your mouth.  It's spicy and savory - crunchy and slightly sweet from the corn. I could pretty much eat the entire thing after making it. As I have said many times before, when I crave good food, I could usually go for some sort of Mexican dish, whether it be tacos or nachos so when I am not sure what to make for dinner, this taco salad is usually the firs thing that comes to mind.  I made this one twice last week and it was a hit both times. 

This makes four very generous portions. 

Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Package Ground Chicken
1/2 Cup Chopped Red Pepper
1/2 Cup Chopped Onion
1 Packet Hot Taco Seasoning
1/4 Cup Sharp Cheddar
1 Can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
2 Cups Frozen Corn, thawed
2 Tablespoons Fire Roasted Salsa
1/4 Cup Chipotle Ranch Salad Dressing
8 Cups Lettuce
Crushed Tortilla Chips




{Start by sauteing the ground chicken, chopped onion and chopped red pepper in the olive oil over medium heat.  Once brown, add in the taco seasoning and mix well to combine.}

 

{Top the seasoned ground chicken with the shredded cheddar cheese, remove from heat and cover it while the cheese melts.}





{To a large bowl, add the lettuce, chipotle ranch dressing and the salsa.}

(Add in the corn and black beans, followed by fresh black pepper to taste.}

{Mix this well to coat every piece of lettuce with the salad dressing and salsa mixture and evenly distribute the corn and black beans.}

{Plate your salad – start with the dressed greens, add the cheesy seasoned ground chicken top with a bit more cheddar cheese {for an added kick} and the crushed tortillas and  ENJOY!}

This is super easy and perfect for this upcoming "Taco Tuesday".  I hope you give it a try and love it! 

xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥



Floral Trousers + Leopard Pumps

January 19, 2015





 


{Drapey Floral Ankle Trousers ~ Loft / Black Tee ~ Old Navy / Black Blazer ~ Thrifted / Jumbo Faux Fur Scarf ~ Zara / Leopard Pumps ~ BCBG Paris}
 
Happy Monday!   I rocked this fun outfit on Saturday night; my husband and I went out to dinner with my parents. I love when I have an opportunity to pattern mix and I thought the floral print on these pants went really well with leopard pumps.  But anything looks good with leopard pumps, really.  I have been loving these shoes lately.  The heel height is perfect – I have worn these all day in the office and did not experience any pain.  And the leopard print isn't to crazy, it's subtle enough to be worn as a neutral.  Win/win! :)
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥

Vintage Vibes

January 8, 2015




{Cigarette Pants ~ INC via Macy's / Burgundy Long Sleeve Tee ~ Target / Burgundy  Boyfriend Cardigan ~ Old Navy / Necklace ~ Forever 21 / Leopard Pumps ~ BCBG Paris / Blush Handbag ~ Aldo / Ivory Coat ~ Thrifted / Jumbo Faux Fur Scarf ~ Zara}
 
Happy new year everyone!!  I hope your 2015 is off to an amazing start.  Mine has been fantastic so far. I have a feeling this year will be one of the best.
 
Last night's outfit shoot was probably the quickest photo shoot in the history of my blog. LOL! It was freeeeeezing outside. And it still is. UGH! We literally jumped out for 5 minutes and my husband snapped maybe 6 pics. This jumbo faux fur scarf was the best $100 bucks I spent in long time! It is super duper warm and feels like a cozy blanket laying over me and I absolutely love it.  I hope my peeps living in colder climates are keeping warm.  I sure hope this winter won't be too snowy + cold and that it flies by. My fingers {and toes} are crossed... and cold! :)
 
xoxo, thanks reading! ♥