Friday Favorites!!!!

Gotta love a Friday right :) 

Like most Fridays, I am linking up and sharing some of my favorite things!!!! Here are my top four today!

1.  The Jenna Shimmer Bed set from Pottery barn. 

Recently Brandon started making comments over how "Grandma" our old bedding was...even though I thought it was totally fabulous...I used it as an excuse to buy something new ( and lighter for summer) Therefore I found this AMAZING bedspread and am so happy I bought it. Free shipping, and all the pieces were included!!! Shop the Jennna HERE

Here is a Picture of our bedroom sporting the new Jenna Shimmer Bedset. I am in love!!! I think that Calvin loves it too :):P

2. Kenra Hair Products

I am a huge fan of Kenra hair products!!

Because my hair gets so dull and dried out from swimming, and floating the river, and just sun damage in general..I have found a few products that really work!!! These can be found at your nearest Ulta or you can just order them online from right Here :)

This is the Blow dry serum and O.M.G. It works great!!!! My hair is soft and smooth with ZERO frizz from the humidity..it feels like silk and it smells amazing! Order some!

Because I am a Texas girl I live by that " Pile it high to Heaven" rule ...Texas girls, ya feel me?? This will help get you there! 

Finally to keep all that beautiful hair in place, you need to lock it down with this!!!! I love the Kenra finishing spray..it does not gum your hair down or give you helmet hair. It gives a pretty "stay in place" finish and leaves your hair with no flyways!

3.  THESE PEOPLE

These are my parents..and they are on my favorite list today because I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!! They are in the process of buying a home RIGHT next to us ( literally two neighborhoods away) so that they can be next to us, future grand babies, and enjoy fun times with us. They are my rock and mean so much to me!!!! My favorites ever!

4.  Bahama Bucks

People do you have one of these?? If so, please drop everything and go get the " Blue Coconut with Creme'" you will die and then thank me in heaven. It is the most delicious summer treat you will ever have ever!!! Just trust me!!! SO good! :)

Summer Pasta Salad

Summer Pasta Salad

I love making this dish in a big batch and then munching on it all week. It's perfect for coming home and eating a quick lunch in between summer errands or to even pack up in a little container and take to the pool for a pool side snack! It is obviously a cold pasta so that also makes it nice, light, and summery. This easy staple will not disappoint this summer!



Shopping List

Two packages of tortellini ( I used the Buitoni brand stuffed with cheese. The possibilities are endless though with Buitoni brand...you can choose whichever you like.)

1/4 cup Capers

1/2 cup Pepperoccinis Peppers

1/2 a bag of shredded Parmesean Cheese

Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

One Can of Navy Beans

2 cups already cooked chicken

One & 1/2  cup of sliced Grape tomatoes

Large handful of Torn Spinach

Juice of a Lemon


Procedure

Cook your pasta according to the packaged directions...drain and set aside

in a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Add Pasta at the end and a few gluts of Olive oil..squeeze in the Lemon juice and add the salt and pepper to taste. I also added a few torn strips of basil for some extra flavor! Keep in the fridge when not eating.

Didn't I tell you how easy this was???

Peach Caprese Salad

Happy Friday!!!!!!!

I am one happy teacher..blogging at 8:00 AM with a cup of coffee in her hand and not oneeeee place to be :) I love summer. 

Summertime is usually when I unwind from the hectic school year and plan a lot of new recipes!! I plan to take a few cooking classes this summer and try a bunch of new things!

Peaches are one of my favorite fruits, and with their crisp mild taste I thought it would be great ( and not to overwhelming) to use in my caprese salad.

This will be a summer staple in my house this year out on my back patio with a few snacks...yum!

Shopping List:

One Large Greenhouse Tomato off the vine ( beefsteak works too)

one medium size ripe peach

buffalo mozzarella cheese

fresh basil

olive oil

salt

pepper

aged balsamic vinegar

Procedure:

Slice both the tomato and peach length wise until you get nice thin slices

slice the buffalo mozzarella the same way

layer a tomato, peach, mozzerella piece, and a few torn pieces of basil again and again unit you have used the tomato and peach slices up.

drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper, and finally balsamic vinegar and serve chilled

if you would like to make this into a lunch salad simply CUBE the pieces instead of slice and add some diced cooked chicken...this could also pair nicely with some yummy pita bread or in a wrap!!!! Endless suggestions but my favorite is the Caprese! Enjoy!

Summer Recipe Inspiration!!!

SUMMER IS CALLING.....

I have a few recipes up my sleeve and cannot wait to post them!!!! I am getting excited about this

Crustless Zuchinni Pie....

Or this Peach Bread..with an almond vanilla glaze

I think some Strawberry Lemonade would be amazing on a hot day this summer!

And my favorite....

Stuffed Jalepeno Peppers...

Stay tuned....!

Friday Favorites!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing some of my favorite things this Friday!!!!

 

 

1. The zoodle maker...I already made such a big deal during THIS post...so I had to share another recipe. The zoodle maker is such a great alternative to eating carbs or pasta..don't get me wrong I will eat another noodle in my lifetime but while I am trying to be healthy I really am appreciative of this fun little tool used to make any veggie into a pasta!

 

Order this on Amazon or from Sur La Table...its amazing!

 

 

2.  THE NORDSTROM HALF YEARLY SALE!!!!! WHOOHOO

 

I may or may not be obsessed with

 

this

 

It basically is what it says...it smells like the beach and is a very nice light perfume to wear over the summer! You can shop online for it here 

 

 

These Tory Burch T-strap Sandals are on sale for 117..I have gold and black. They are everything..and they feel like you are wearing your bare feet..which I love...because I'm trashy like that! HA! Order them here

 

 

 

These two items are only a very minute part of the sale...check it out at Nordstroms' online and see if you can spot any great summer finds!

 

 

3. Green Island Coconut Coffee is my new obsession for my keurig right now. It tastes like the beach ( can you tell I am ready for Summer?) and is very light.. dark coffee is to acidic for me and this light version is perfect for in the mornings with some yummy yogurt or fruit..or whatever!!!

 

 

 

 

4. SUMMER!!! I Think it speaks for itself don't you??? This summer I plan to lay out at the beach, go to the pool, read a plethora of books ( blog post on those soon), paint my nails, exercise more frequently AND in the mornings, go on coffee dates, paint my front door, work on landscaping the backyard, and redo the guest bedroom...maybe even both:)! Guys I am ready for summer...

 

 

 

 

 

 



 





Shrimp "Zoodle" Pasta...in a Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

So I'm really into this zoodle thing..  I am trying to watch my carbs so these veggie noodle make for a really great substitute. Get. A. Zoodle. Maker. 

So I decided I was feeling Italian and decided to go with a nice light simple shrimp pasta and it turned out really yummy!!!

Shopping list:

two zucchini-already zoodled
two squash-already zoodled
one green bell pepper cut and diced
jar of capers
parm cheese
chicken stock
white wine
1/4 stick of butter
S&P
zest of a lemon and juice of a lemon
three garlic cloves diced and minced
1/2 white or yellow onion chopped and minced

1/2 lb of devieend shrimp

Procedure:

Start by sautéing your onion, garlic, bell pepper and butter until fragrant
deglaze your pan with a little chicken stock and white wine...add in the capers and a little sauce ( I just eyeball the amount.. if you add to much it will be WAYY salty so I just add a few finger fulls of capers and a little juice) generously salt and pepper the mixture and stir for about five minutes. zest your lemon and squeeze a little lemon juice to perk up this sauce :) really yummy!

mean while

Add your zoodles to a pot over medium high heat with a little olive oil, S/P, and 1/4 cup of water. Allow them to cook with the lid on for about 5 minutes..or until soft and pliable. This allows them to feel more like an actual noodle!!!

Add the sauce to the zoodles and coat generously ensuring that the veggies absorb the yummy sauce.

In the same pan that the sauce was made add your shrimp! Salt and pepper them and maybe add a bit more olive oil...coat and cook until pink and curled into a tight little comma shape.

once cooked add some zoodles to your plate, top with shrimp, garnish with fresh parsley, shredded parm, and you are all set for this amazing yummy dinner!!!!

 

 

Also I don't normally do this, but I thought I would share an amazing wine pairing with you.

 

 

This wine is exceptional and tastes SO yummy with the shrimp. It is from Napa Valley and has a nice easy crisp taste...I love Sauvi B with anything fish related..it does not over power the meal and gives you a great compliment to add to the dinner. Groth can be found at HEB or Specs.

 

 

YUM!

 

Grocery List Staples

A little laugh for your Monday :)

Today I am going to talk about Grocery lists...

I know what a boring post right...but wait it will get better I promise.. I may even help you save a little $$$ who knows? 

over the 18 months I have been married my grocery bill has fluctuated from 225 a week, to 175-180, to now in the 125 range. Come on that is pretty amazing.. I learned to budget, which foods to buy, to always make a list and stick to it, to never go to the grocery store starving ( huge mistake friend, HUGE) Now I realize I am not totally experienced..and I have only been married for 18 months...and my mom STILL thinks my grocery bill is horrendous..but hey I am learning, and maybe so are you!!!

So in a nutshell my grocery list staples pretty much looks like this ( give or take the season...during summer I buy a lot more fresh produce and during winter I buy a lot more baked goods ...for baking duh! :))

PRODUCE:

Berries

Lemons

Limes

Oranges

Bananas

Avocado

Zuchinni/Squash

Bagged Salad

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

 

 

Cheese

Shredded Parm, Mozzerella, and Mont. Jack

Buffalo Mozzerella

block of WHITE cheddar

 

Fish/Meat

Always Salmon

Always Chicken Breast

Always some form of either Turkey or Pork

 

Dairy

Eggs

Coffee Creamer

Cream Cheese

Sour Cream

 

Baking Aisle

Cake mix

Frosting

 

 

**Depending on the season I switch out my different baking items..so for October Ill buy canned pumpkin and spice cake and other fall-ish items and for summer I may buy a can of cherry filling and a corresponding cake mix. Sometimes this is where my grocery bill can stack up so I try to be careful and really plan what I am going to be baking during the week.

 

** Depending on the season my proteins always switch out..during the colder months I typically buy more Roasts, Filet Mignon, and heavier proteins and for warmer months we eat a lot of fish, chicken, and lighter meats. So this can tack on a few more $$ extra. One good tip I can offer is to plan your meals...whether you are a gourmet cook, busy mom, or a working girl if you have a plan/list and stick to it your meal times will run a lot smoother and you will see more consistency with your grocery bill!!! I always have a list no matter how many things I need at the store. This keeps me from over buying or throwing stuff in the cart that I really don't need.

 

I also keep a dry erase board on the side of my fridge so that when I am out of something I write it and thus a list is formed...keeps me in check of all the items I need!!!

 

So there you have it nothing crazy just a little random grocery tip for your Tuesday!!!!!