Fall: What is that?

Well it's no secret Florida really doesn't experience a true Fall. The weather is still in the 80's so definitely don't need the cute scarfs or boots and the leaves don't change to those beautiful red and orange colors like the photo above. However, the weather does become slightly more comfortable compared to the blazing hot summer and there are several other things I enjoy around this time of year that remind me it is in fact Fall. 

#1: Epcot's Food & Wine Festival. I can't wait to go next weekend and sample all the food and wine from different countries. 

Image source

#2: Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Fall Scented Candles. I just put in my order over the weekend for some new pumpkin scented candles so my house can smell like Fall.

#3: Pumpkin beer. Since they hit the shelves a few weeks ago, I've been trying a new pumpkin beer every weekend with K. Call me crazy but I even have a whole post about this coming soon.

#4: Pumpkin carving. Or I should really say pumpkin pattern designing and then someone else does the carving. (K made that meme last year as a joke.) And do you see that patch of lawn to the right of him? We had a pumpkin plant start growing out of control there until from him throwing the seeds out until we finally decided to remove it a few months ago.

#5: Potlucks at work and Thanksgiving out of town with family. This was Thanksgiving last year  when Lola had just joined our family and was a tiny puppy.

Okay I'm a little late to the party but I'm joining Pinky and Katie for their Falling for Fall linkup.

Snake Skin Style

I'm a big fan of different prints and one print I clearly don't own enough of is snake skin. I was searching for snake print sandals like the Michael Kors sandals pictured below and found so many other cute pieces clothing and accessories that I'd love to add to my wardrobe. I'm also in love with the Vix Snakeskin bikini but it's too bad colder months are ahead of us. The Snakeskin Pumps
 would also look great with a little black dress for an evening out.

Michael Kors Charm Sandals * Strapless Dress * Dolce & Gabanna Compact Mirror Case

Snake Print Leggings * Michael Kors Snakeskin Wedges * Lumier Snake Charmer Skirt

Snakeskin Pointed-Toe Pump * Michael Kors Faux-Wrap Sheath Dress * Vix Swim Bikini

Snake Skin Multi Cross Bag * Karen Kane Snakeprint Scuba Skirt * Snakeprint Stappy Heels 

Do you like the snakeskin style?

Crockpot Chicken Low Mein

I wrote about making this dish a few months ago but I'm only now getting around to sharing the recipe. Low Mein is one of my favorite dishes to get when we order Chinese takeout so I decided to try my hand at it and it came out amazing! I went to the Oriental market to get a few of the ingredients such as the Low Mein noodles and the baby bok choy. I found the original recipe here from Life Made Sweeter and adapted it to my liking. As the original recipe states, you can use pasta noodles if you can't find Low Mein noodles. I seriously can't wait to make this recipe again.

Ingredients:

2 uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts

14 oz. package steamed Lo Mein noodles

2 cups baby bok choy, chopped

1 cup snow peas

3 carrots, peeled and chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. fresh ginger, minced

4 sprigs of green onion, chopped

Chicken Marinade

2 tsps low sodium soy sauce

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1/2 tsp corn starch

Sauce 

1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth

2 tbsp oyster sauce

2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce 

2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp sesame oil

1 tbsp hoisin sauce

What To Do:

1. Marinate chicken with marinade sauce in the fridge for 30 minutes or more.

2. Spray inside of crockpot with cooking spray and add chicken breasts. Cook on low for 2 hours.

3. Remove chicken from crockpot and cut into small cubes. Place carrots, garlic, snow peas, green onions, ginger and bok choy in slow cooker. Add chopped chicken back to crockpot on tops of the vegetables.

4. Mix together sauce ingredients in a bowl and pour over ingredients in crockpot. 

5. Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

6. Add fresh Low Mein noodles and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high or until noddles are fully cooked.

Enjoy!

Wekiva Weekend

Weekends just go by way too quickly but thankfully I was able to catch up on some sleep and rest so I'm ready to take on a new week. Friday was a relaxing night with some Italian for dinner and we watched Hot Pursuit from Redbox which was medicore but good enough for a quite night at home. Some funny parts but the typical 3-star movie. 

On Saturday morning bright and early we headed to Wekiva Island to meet up with Kate and her hubby for some outdoor fun. We finally had a day with no heavy rain in Florida so took full advantage and even managed to get a slight tan.

After several hours in the sun we headed to Graffiti Junction to grab some dinner and drinks.

The rest of the night was spent relaxing at home with Lola.

Sunday was my day to catch up on stuff around the house (laundry, recipes, cleaning and weekly food prep) along with blogging and my online photography class.

How was your weekend?

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

Happy Friday

Friday is here and I'm thankful this week has come to an end. A fairly relaxing weekend ahead with some plans on Saturday if the weather holds up and I also hope to get a bunch done with my online photography class. I got a couple modules done this week but I'm usually too tired in the evenings to really get into it plus that's when I try to focus on writing my blog posts. It's always a struggle to find balance so I'll probably need to take blog breaks on Wednesdays or Thursdays until I complete the photography course.

I took a girl friend out for lunch on Wednesday for her birthday at a new Thai restaurant in town called Pop Thai which was amazing! It was nice catching up with her over an amazing lunch.

Yesterday afternoon work threw a tailgating party. Everyone wore their team jerseys/shirts and we mingled over some beers, tailgating games, and the typical non-healthy football party food. I didn't manage to take any fun photos.

Since it's (finally) Friday, it's time to join Amanda for some weekly favorites and funnies.

These Slow Cooker Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sliders look perfect for Football Sunday dinner. Planning to make them this weekend.

For those who cook often, wouldn't it be nice to have a live growing spice rack in your kitchen? I would need to pay someone to keep them alive but one can dream.

I saw this T-shirt in New Orleans and was tempted to buy it but then I remembered kids do exist in public and their parents would probably hate me for promoting bad words.

Thank the Man above for spell check! That is all.

 Because it's Fall...Seriously, what next?

The older I get, the more this becomes a reality. At least it's the weekend and bras and responsibilities aren't always required.

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

The Prettiest Statement Necklace

If this statement necklace doesn't make a statement then I don't know what does...

I was so excited when a representative from the Happiness Boutique reached out to me because they have really stylish and fashion-forward clothing and jewelry. The Happiness Boutique is an international online store that sells women's clothing and accessories that are timeless classic with a charming vintage touch. The best part is that their items are very affordable and they offer free shipping which I'm always a fan of!



I picked the Ocean Treasures Statement Necklace because the detailing is absolutely gorgeous and I can't get enough of statement necklaces. As described on the website, it's a mermaid worth necklace full of ocean inspired colors and pearls. I immediately went through my closet to see what would go best with the color combination of the necklace.

I have a "thing" for statement necklaces and I think they are almost a necessity for high neckline tops and dresses so I have quite a few of them in different colors but I honestly think this one is the prettiest of the bunch. 

I like that the necklace goes well with both high and low necklines but I happen to own several high neckline peplum tops which matched perfectly with the necklace.

 
I've already worn it to work and out with friends and seriously can't get enough of it!

I love that the Happiness Boutique has a pretty awesome Customer Rewards Program that allows you to earn points with your purchases which you can redeem for clothing and jewelry.

They also have a Giveaway going on now if you want to enter to win their Art Deco Style statement necklace pictured below.  The winner will be announced this Friday (09.18.2015).

Turkey Fajita Stuffed Peppers

I recently tried this healthier version of stuffed peppers with lean ground turkey and Italian bread crumbs instead of rice and we love how it turned out.

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground turkey
6 green, red or yellow peppers
1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, diced
2 tbsp Worcestershire

1 tsp. Mexican fajita seasoning

10 grape tomatoes, chopped

1 cup Italian bread crumbs

1/2 cup canned corn, drained
1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce
1 tbsp Italian spices
1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

What To Do:
1. Cut the top off the peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Flash boil peppers for 5 minutes.

2. Cook turkey in skillet with onions, garlic, tomatoes, Worcestershire and fajita seasoning on medium heat for 10 minutes. Add bread crumbs and corn and cook for an additional 5 minutes until turkey is fully cooked.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a spoon to fill each pepper with turkey mixture.

4. Mix tomato sauce with Italian seasoning and top the peppers with sauce. Spray baking dish with cooking spray and bake for 15 minutes.
5. Remove from oven, sprinkle each pepper with shredded cheese and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Enjoy!

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Weekend Rest Up

The weekend was perfectly relaxing and I got to catch up on some much needed sleep so I don't have a whole lot to share. We were supposed to go to Ft. Lauderdale to visit some friends but decided against it since we traveled to New Orleans last weekend and really needed some downtime.

On Saturday I finally got started on my digital photography course (online) which I can already tell is going to be intense considering my schedule is already packed full with work and blogging. Later in the day we went downtown to celebrate my girl friend's birthday.

K and I got some Thai food for dinner and the rest of Saturday night was spent watching the UCF game at home and snuggling with the wrinkly girl.

Sunday morning was rainy which was perfect for sleeping in. The rest of the day was spent blogging, food prepping, watching football, and cleaning. I did a couple hours of the photography class and also Skyped with my best friend. We just got the photos from her wedding back in February which I love although I absolutely hated how the makeup artist made me look like a drag queen.

So thankful for the relaxing weekend before more busy weeks ahead. How was your weekend?

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

Friday Smiles

 

I'm not going to lie, this week has been pretty rough getting back into the swing of things after experiencing all that New Orleans has to offer last weekend. I have so much catching up to do it's made me lose my mojo for several things including blogging so I'm taking a little break from the usual posts and leaving you with five smiles for the weekend.

#1: If someone notices you with an open zipper, answer proudly *shaking your head*: professional habit.

#2: A bachelor is a man who believes in life, liberty and the happiness of pursuit.

#3: Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.

#4: Old people always poke me at weddings (in my case, baby showers) saying "you're next". So I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

#5: This is my husband.

Happy weekend and hopefully I'll be back in full swing next week!