31 Days of Fall Favorites :: Day 7 Lazy Afternoons

Griff and I headed to Lubbock this weekend to see our Red Raiders get killed play OU.  We don't need to discuss the game, but it was great to have a weekend to ourselves and see our friends.  Nothing says fall like tailgating and football on a 40 degree day.  I was loving getting to wear my boots, scarf, coat, and gloves, but I would have been just as happy if it were a few degrees warmer.  I talk big, but I'm really a wimp when it comes to cold weather.  I would post pics of our trip, but sadly I forgot to take any.  Fail.

 

We got back this afternoon and just hung out with the girls.  Hubs had some work to catch up on, so us ladies played in the living room. 

 

cold afternoon + fat pants + fuzzy socks + sweet girls = perfect fall day

We got new phones, so Izzy inherited her daddy's old one.  We put a bunch of kid apps on it for her, and this is how she spent a good chunck of her evening.  I think we've created a monster.

And look what Harper finally decided to do!!  She's been so close to crawling for several weeks now.  She's got incredible upper body strength (fairly confident she and I could demolish competition in a wheelbarrow race), but she just couldn't figure out how to get going.  Izzy had a toy car that caught her interest tonight, so she jumped right out of my lap and made her way over to it.  I just love that sweet girl!

31 Days of Fall Favorites :: Day 6 Crockpot Pasta e Fajioli

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I rarely go to the Olive Garden, but when I do, I always order the same thing: pasta e fagioli, salad, and breadsticks. Makes for a tasty little meal. I came across this copy cat recipe on Pinterest, and had to try it. It did not disappoint. I thought it was delicious - almost the same as the real deal.

I happened to have some of these in the freezer, so they played the part of the breadstick. Ahhhmazing.





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Now all that's missing is that delicious salad.  I've seen several copy cat recipes for OG salad dressing, but I've never attempted any.  If you have any tried and true recipes, send 'em my way!



Pasta e Fajoili Recipe: click here for step-by-step instructions with photos.  It's like cooking for dummies, which is right up my alley.  Hope you like it!  And if you don't, "No soup for you!"

31 Days of Fall Favorites :: Day 5 Halloween Spiderweb "Wreath"

It all started with this picture I found on Pinterest.

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I just loved this idea, but I wanted to put my own spin on it (no pun intended...I crack myself up).  I went to Hobby Lobby in search of a frame, but the only one that I found that had the shape I was looking for happened to be red.  It was actually really pretty, but not for this project.  I didn't let the color get in my way.  No sir.  I bought a can of orange spray paint, some black yarn, and I found the perfect little spider dude at Walmart - he actually came in a two pack.  I actually didn't even read the directions for the spider web.  I just winged it.  My usual tactic. 



After I painted the frame, I started hot gluing my yarn to it. 



And just kept gluing.  I looped the yarn around each other in the middle, so it would all stay together.



Then I started tying another piece of yarn to each string to make it look like a spiderweb.  To be honest, it would look better if you did this a few times around, but my patience was wearing thin.



I hot glued my spider in place, using a felt furniture pad on the back side.  How's that for crafty?



And here she is!



I hung it on the mirror, so it was kind of hard to get a good picture, but I think it looks really cute! 

31 Days of Fall Favorites :: Day 4 Little Fashionistas

Both my girls are in need of a few new fall outfits.  I mean, they have some serious stuff coming up: pumpkin patch, holiday parties, family photos, classroom parties, school pictures, etc.  It's just too bad I don't like to shop.  Bahaha.  I can't even type those words with a straight face.  I did a little online window shopping and found some precious little pretties that would be perfect for my sweet girls. 

 

For Izzy - 3.5 years old (going on 14)

 

Old Navy

 

Gap

Gap



Children's Place

Dillard's



Children's Place




For Harper - 7 months old

Gap

Dillard's

Old Navy



Old Navy

Gap

Old Navy

Ohhh, so many cute things!  Harper and I are going to run a few errands today and I'm hoping to peek in at some of our favorite stores to see if we can bring any of these goodies home with us.  And you know I will be looking out for matching/coordinating outfits as well.  What's the fun in having two girls if you can't dress them up in matching clothes, right? ;)  I will also be checking out Etsy very soon for some Halloween/Fall/Christmas themed outfits.  Oh, my poor husband. 

31 Days of Fall Favorites :: Day 3 Nail Polish

Confession:  I currently have the worst cuticles on the planet.  It's true.  I never get manicures.  Okay, maybe once or twice a year, but that is really it.  I'll get a pedicure a little more often than that, but it's definitely not a regular occurrence.  I change too many diapers, wash too many dishes, and have too little patience to paint my own fingernails, but my toenails are almost always painted.  And it's just about time to trade all those bright and fun summer colors in for some darker fall tones. 

These are a few of my favorite shades for fall.



Sephora Already Famous

Sally Hansen Grey Area

OPI Black Cherry Chutney

Essie Carry On

Essie Forever Yummy

Essie Chinchilly






 

And while perusing the cosmetic aisles of Walmart today, I picked up these little gems. 

L'Oreal Tea and Crumpets
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Maybelline Blue Freeze

 

Any other shades for the season I should check out?

31 Days of Fall Favorites :: Day 2 Running Songs

I went running last night, and it was actually kind of enjoyable.  Don't get carried away.  I said kinda.  After Izzy was born, I sort of took up running, and ran two 1/2 marathons before she was one.  My times weren't anything to write home about, but I was just happy to finish.  I don't know where that girl or her motivation went, but all she left behind was a mean craving for candy corn. 

 

It was hard to find the motivation, much less the time, to workout after Harper was born.  I couldn't take her to the gym for the first 6 months, and we only have a single jogging stroller, so it was hard to get a workout in while juggling both girls.  Thankfully, I've been back to the gym for a few months now, mostly doing group classes.  Turbo Kick and Body Pump are my current favorites.  I get a great workout and the time flies. 

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Running, on the other hand, has been more difficult to get back into.  After taking so much time off from running, it's literally like I'm learning to run again...at least as far as strength and endurance goes.  Since Izzy has been back to school, I've been trying to run with Harper in the jogging stroller.  It's getting easier, but I still have a long ways to go before it becomes "fun" and comfortable again.  I guess it's not really supposed to be comfortable, but you know what I mean. 

 

Anyway...(kinda rambled on for awhile there) while I was running last night and enjoying this nice fall weather, I thought it might be fun to do a post on running songs since this is the best time of year (in my opinion) to ease into running if you are a beginner or a "begin-againer" as myself.  I have to listen to music if I'm running by myself.  It's non-negotiable.  The right music can absolutely change your running experience.  In fact, I had to stop and walk a little last night, and as soon as "Call Me Maybe" came on the iPod, I was up and running again.  Say what you want about that song, but my scale is thankful for it. 

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So, here we go.  These are some of my favorite running songs.  No judging, people. ;-) 

1. Get Me Bodied - Beyonce
2. How Far We've Come - Matchbox 20
3. I'll Be Waiting - Adele
4. I Don't Feel Like Dancing - Scissor Sisters
5. My Doorbell - The White Stripes
6. Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen
7. Just Dance - Lady Gaga
8. Good Girl - Carrie Underwood
9. Fortunate Son - Creedance Clearwater Revival
10. Black Betty - Ram Jam
11. Kerosene - Miranda Lambert
12. King of Anything - Sara Bareilles
13. Sparks Fly - Taylor Swift
14. American Girl - Tom Petty
15. What Doesn't Kill You - Kelly Clarkson
16. Runaways - The Killers
17. Springsteen - Eric Church
18. Wild Ones - Flo Rida
19. Lose Control - Missy Elliot
20. Baby - Justin Bieber (I said no judging)

Let me know if you have any favorites I need to add to my playlist!

31 Days of Fall Favorites :: Day 1 Chicken Enchilada Soup



I'm a soup girl.  I'm also a crockpot girl.  Those two combined make me a happy little lady come fall.  I found this recipe on pinterest a few weeks ago and tried it out.  It is a copy cat recipe for Chili's Chicken Enchilada Soup, which I love, and I gotta say, I think this is just as good.  I actually just bought more ingredients for this recipe today at the store so I can make it again this week. 

 

I pretty much followed the recipe as is, except I just used raw, thawed chicken breats and left them in the crockpot the whole time, and then shredded them before serving.  And I must confess that I don't even know what chicken soup base is, so I left that out.  Hey, I didn't claim to actually know what I'm doing here.  If you decide to try this recipe, let me know what you think.

 

 

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Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 medium onions, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 quart chicken stock
1 tablespoon chicken soup base
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
1 (8 oz). can tomato sauce
1 (19 oz.) can enchilada sauce (or two 10 oz. cans)
6 small corn tortillas*, minced
16 oz. Velveeta, cubed
1 cup co-jack cheese, shredded
1 22 oz. bag Tyson roasted and diced chicken, thawed
1 can whole kernel corn**, drained (optional)

Garnishes: pico de gallo, sour cream, shredded cheese, crunchy tortilla strips

 

In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, and saute' the onions until they are tender. Add the minced garlic and cook another minute or two, then scrape the onions and garlic into your crock pot. Add all the other ingredients, except the chicken and corn. Cook over high heat for two hours or low for four. Whisk until smooth (you may wish to use a stick blender). Add the chicken pieces and corn and heat through, maybe another 30 minutes to one hour. Check seasonings, and garnish as you like before serving.