My Favorite Trend: Mint and Navy

I don't know if y'all have noticed, but this is my third post in the "My Favorite Trend" series! I did one about a year ago on ikat, then one on polka dots, and then today's on my current favorite trend: mint and navy.

In all honesty, I don't own anything in this color combination but I would love to get my hands on any of these!

(let's be honest... I need this.)

(also, do y'all know how hard it is to find mint/navy that isn't chevron?)

Who else is loving this combination?

What other color schemes are you loving this spring?

That Time I Shared Some Awesome Blogs

Posting on a Sunday? ME? I know, I'm surprised too. I kind of fell off the wagon of the Blog Every Day in May. What can I say? Sometimes life gets in the way. (although it should encourage me to actually plan ahead and write my posts in advance, but that's neither here nor there...)

Like I mentioned a few weeks ago, I take every opportunity that I can to give some blog love. (Check the linked post for more awesome blogs!) The thing I love most about our community is getting to know each other, so I love to share some of my favorites when I get the chance. Here goes...

K&R Blog: You know how sometimes in you blog reader you tend to skim over posts and move on to the next? Me too. But not with this one. I've read and commented on (almost) every. single. one. Kirsten is one of the most talented people that I follow, both in graphic design and photography. Seriously, her photography BLOWS MY MIND. She and her hubby Ryan just graduated from college and are moving to San Francisco. I can't wait to read about their adventures there.

Life with the Hawleys: Luckily Darby and I have a "real life" relationship as well as an online one: she lives in Houston and is a fellow Delta Zeta! She's so crafty and has a beautiful home. I love her posts on organization, DIY, and especially her story of when she and her family (hubby + 2 pups) traveled across the country on a trip last summer. She's such a sweet person and I'm so happy to know her.

Bella: Elisabeth and I have been friends for what seems like forever, but in reality is only a little less than a year. She and I developed a friendship over countless emails back and forth, but I also love to read her blog. You never know what you'll get that day: a delicious recipe (her mac and cheese is pretty amazing), a fashion post (with gorgeous photos courtesy of Kirsten from K&R above), or a reflective piece about religion or marriage. Her blog is much different than a lot of the others that I read and it's really thought provoking.

Put a Bow on It: I found Kaitlyn's blog after she left a comment on mine one day and I fell in love. This girl is hilarious! She has some great stories and had an absolutely beautiful wedding. Her adventures are pretty awesome and the best part? She just moved to Houston! I met this girl on Friday night at the Dave Matthews Band concert and I can't wait to hang with her again today at the Houston Blogger Meetup.

What blogs do you love to read? Share them in the comments!

That Time I Said Goodbye To The Office

Tonight is going to be one of the saddest days in television. For me, anyways.

In case you're not "in the know," the series finale of The Office is tonight. I've been watching The Office regularly since about 2008. I own every season on DVD. I've cried more times watching that show than any other movie/tv show combined. (I may have cried more watching Pam and Jim's wedding than I did at my own. Sue me. ["No, don't sue me."])

I just wanted to share with you all some of my favorite parts of the show. If you've never watched it before... just do it. Don't ask questions. Just do it.

Here are just a few lessons I've learned over the years from The Office:

• If a baby were president, there would be no taxes, there would be no war.
• If you order the most expensive thing on the menu, you'll have to put out
• Chili's is the new golf course. It's where business happens.
• HARDCORE PARKOUR.
• Everyone loves ice cream cakes
• Women are like wolves. If you want a wolf, you have to trap it. Snare it. Then to keep it happy, you have to tame it. Feed it, care for it. Lovingly. The way an animal deserves to be loved.
• When the son of the deposed King of Nigeria e-mails you directly asking for help, you help.
• We're all homos. Homo sapiens.
• The worst part about prison is the dementors.
• If you don't watch Battlestar Galactica then you're an idiot. (Duh.)
• That catchy TV jingle goes… "Break me off a piece of that Fancy Feast!"
• Engaged isn't married.

And most of all: That's what she said.




Funny story? "Forever" by Chris Brown was the first song played at our wedding reception.  Why? Because it was Pam and Jim's "wedding song."  

See that? Same dress. Also, Emily Giffin (yes, the author) told my husband that he had a "John Krasinski thing going on. Awesome? Yes.

So tonight, I'll be sitting on the couch with Jim Nick and saying goodbye to Dwight, Jim, Pam, Andy, Oscar, Kevin, Angela, Phyllis, Stanley, Creed, Meredith, Erin, Plop, Clark, Nelly, and all of those who have come and gone, especially Michael Scott. Thanks for eight awesome years!

Do you have a tv show that you absolutely love?
 

That Time I Stole a Designer Dress

A few weeks ago, Nick surprised me with some big news! He was nominated for a pretty huge award at work and was invited to the Nursing Gala for his hospital system. Pretty fancy, huh? Even though I was so proud of him, I was (not so) secretly stressing out about what to wear.

Thankfully I remembered New for the Night, a local business that allowed you to rent dresses for a night. It was exactly what I needed!

First of all, the store itself was easy to find (it's on Westheimer in the Upper Kirby area) and super organized inside. Everyone in the store was so nice and helpful! In fact, the dress that I ended up getting, I didn't like it on the hanger. But I tried it on anyway and lo and behold: it looked great!

I tried on probably 7 dresses, including these Rebecca Minkoff and Jay Godfrey dresses. I ended up going with this David Meister dress.

(Isn't my hubby an awesome photographer? NOT.)


Quite obviously I did not steal this dress, but at only $70 for the rental of an almost $600 dress? It sure felt like theft!

But y'all, the best part? You don't have to live in Houston to take advantage of their awesome inventory. They will ship to you!


Have you ever borrowed a dress from a company before?
What is the last fancy event that you went to?

*I received no monetary compensation for this post. I was able to borrow the dress for free in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed on my own.*

That Time I Missed Home

Today's Blog Every Day in May prompt is a little too appropriate for Mother's Day.

See, I live about a thousand miles away from my mom (my entire family for that matter.) Since I moved our to Texas back in Jan. 2012, I've only been able to visit four times. It's been so difficult to be away from my family, but also a challenge to be self-sufficient. I lived about an hour and a half away from home during college, so I learned how to fend for myself mostly. But it's days like today that are the hardest. Those little holidays that you'd want to spend with your family but aren't able to are like a small pinch in the butt, reminding you that you can't see them whenever you'd like.

So for today, Mommy, I just want to remind you how much I love and miss you. I try not to mention it too much because it makes me so sad, but I really do wish that I was there with you all. I wish I could cook you dinner on Mother's Day, bring you flowers, and sit around laughing.

For those of you that are able to enjoy time with the moms in your life today, give them an extra hug for me, okay?

What do you miss?
Link up with us!

That Time I Shared My Favorite Moment

Today's prompt for the Blog Every Day in May Challenge is to blog about a moment in your day. I was a bit stumped on what to write about, but then... it happened. My favorite moment in the day happened just as I was thinking about what it might be.

Usually sometime around 11 p.m., the lamp goes off. Nick crawls into bed with me to my left, Susie hops up and snuggles around my feet, and Anabelle goes and lays in the corner on her bed. We all drift off to sleep, usually with Friends quietly on tv in the background.

But just as much as I love falling asleep with my three favorite people (er... creatures?) in the world, I love Saturday mornings just as much. Here's why:

Seeing my three favorites snuggled up like that? One of the greatest feelings in the world. Sleeping people (and animals... and babies) are definitely some of the most peaceful moments. (No I'm not a creep like Edward Cullen watching people sleep.)

Our house can sometimes get a little crazy, with animals chasing each other, hubby playing video games in the background, and me watching tv or cooking. But I love to savor those little moments of quiet, with only the birds chirping good morning, or the background noise of Ross and Rachel's arguments lulling us to sleep.

What's your favorite moment in your day?
Link up with us!

That Time Betsy Helped Me Cook

Sometimes, my pantry can be a bit of a black hole. I have random cans and boxes that have been sitting there for ages and have no real purpose. Most of the time I have a meal plan for the week, but sometimes I forget one critical ingredient or just don't feel like eating something I've planned.

One night in particular I just couldn't figure out what to make out of all of the ingredients that were staring at me. I decided to enlist the help of my good friend Betsy. She threw out a couple of different options (including one that I turned down because we didn't have pesto... turns out we did. DOH!) and I eventually went with this one.

Hubby. went. BANANAS. He absolutely loved it! I'm not going to promise it's the most healthy recipe in the world, but hey, I never said I was a health and fitness blogger, right?

Chicken a la Betsy

4 chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds mushrooms, thickly sliced (I used canned mushrooms, but... don't do that)
3 cups chopped onions
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh basil (or dried)
1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano (or dried)
6 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup chicken stock
5 cups canned crushed tomatoes with added puree

1 pound pasta
1 1/2 cups grated cheese (about 4 1/2 ounces)

Make a slit down 1 side of each chicken breast to form a pocket. Season. Stuff each pocket with mozzarella and a sprinkling of basil and oregano. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Put on a baking sheet and cook for 20-25 minutes at 375* or until cooked through.

Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high and sauté mushrooms and onions until tender and brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in 1 cup chopped basil, oregano, and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add stock; cook until almost absorbed, about 4 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes; cover and simmer over medium heat until thickened, about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain well; return to pot. Pour sauce over pasta; toss to coat. Add 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 cup basil; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta to serving dish. Serve, topping with chicken.

Have you ever played the "what's in my pantry game" when cooking?
What's your favorite meal to make?