Spring Break, Please Don't Go!

Tomorrow I say farewell to Spring break and hello work week. Disappointing, I know! Today has been a mixed day for me. I am so tired because I went out last night, worked children's church, and shopped for my mother-in-law. Yet, I've been with my family all day and had lunch with my mother. There is some sad news for everyone today. I didnt get to do anything for my "Julia" project. I thought had chicken ready to make smothered chicken, but no. So, now I have to double time it next week. I don't want to fail my mission of cooking everything on My "Julia" Project board.  I have a month to accomplish it. I can do it!

My Outfit

I love Sundays for so many reasons. One is that I can dress up nice, usually without fear of getting it ruined. I can only dress up so much for work and very little to stay at home. I got to wear another Gwynnie Bee dress today. I must say I adore the colors!

 The dress is by Lands' end. It was very cute and it works wonderfully for Spring. I LOVE purple, so it was right up my alley. I got the purse when I was in Paris, so I can't say I know where you could get it in the United States. The shoes came from some random shoe store, I cant even remember now. I believe is was something like a Super Shoe. I used to adore high heels, but I rarely break them out now. My feet kill me! I've shown the earrings before, I got them at a craft fair.

I'm starting to break out my Spring clothing (the shoes are an example). I'm so excited to dig through the boxes to see what old clothes will be like new again.

Crazy Wonderings

So, I've been thinking about how I'm trying to get to know myself. I have learned one major thing; I have a shopping problem. I can't help it. I love to shop. I am the poster girl for retail therapy. It is always the first thing I want to do when I'm struggling, bored, etc. Can this be a real mental condition?! Can I get therapy for it?! Thank goodness I have a mild portion of self control or who knows where I would be. I'd probably own everything on my Want it! board. What do you do to handle your shopping urges?

Contest Reminder!

 Remember the contest ends April 13th at 8pm. See here to find out how to win a box of my favorite things!
 

Blueberry Lemon Burst Bundt Cake

This Blueberry Lemon Burst Bundt Cake is by far the most lovely cake I have ever made. I just adore the look of a bundt cake. Bundt cakes scream "I'm fancy," even if they are easy to make! This recipe is simple enough but cooking and cooling time are required. (It is not a fast cake) I started making this after dinner last night and it was nearly one in the morning before I removed it from the pan to photograph it. I then refrigerated it until morning. I cut  for a picture after church. It cuts well and hold up. It would make a great dish to bring to a party.

I wont lie, I have yet to taste the cake. I promise this evening when I write I will let you know how wonderful it surely is!

My Outfit

Now this was not what I wore all day, but I went out with the girls last night and I wanted to show of my Gwynnie Bee dress!

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Ok, so proud of the blazer! Its real leather and I got it for like three bucks second hand! I am on the hunt down for some awesome blazers. Since its Spring, I can still wear this leather one, especially in the evening. The dress is from Gwynnie Bee, its Kiyonna. The purse is Vera Bradley. This is not her usual style, so I love it even more! The dress would have looked 100% better with Spanx, but I just wasn't up to putting them on last night. Still couldn't find my only wig, so still rocking the fuzz.

Egg-Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Yummy! Breakfast was delightful! I made a basic breakfast egg-stuffed potato, but you could do all kinds of varieties! Everyone enjoyed them and they can be made to order.

You can enjoy this "Idaho Sunrise" with sour cream like a traditional baked potato or you can put some fruit by the side to sweeten up your breakfast!

I had hoped to make something else today as well, but I didn't have all the ingredients needed. I will be shopping tomorrow so I can impress you with a cake tomorrow! Sunday should also bring two awesome dishes! I will also be sharing my list of ideas for next week with you in the next few days. Have any of you tried my suggestions so far? Have you enjoyed them as much as my family? I have to say its been a challenge to cook so much and keep up with photographing and cleaning up after myself. Two kids, a husband, and in-laws makes it a fun adventure!

My Outfit

Sadly, I'm disappointed with my photographs today. I wish my mother (who took them), had told me I was all shuffled up. Hopefully you will get the basic idea and not look to much at my flaws today!

Awesome new bag I got for my boys!

Colorful!

Like I said, rough photographs. I brought my boys bowling today, so I was trying to stick with casual and fun, while still looking girly. Until my husband retrieves my only wig I have so far, I want to keep my wardrobe ultra feminine. The awesome bag it from Books-A-Million. My two year old loves it so much he thinks its his! The shrug is from Torrid.com. I try to keep my wardrobe young by purchasing some fun pieces from there. The yellow camisole has ruffle neckline and its an Old Navy find. The denim skirt is Lane Bryant and the shoes are so old I cant even begin to tell you where they are from. I do love that they are orange though! My earrings were a gift, but I can say that you can find similar sparkley looks at Claires, Icing, and several other "teen" stores in the mall. You can also find good earrings like this at places that sell costume jewelry for formal events.

A better look at Princess Amanda's earrings

Contest Reminder!

 Remember the contest ends April 13th at 8pm. See here to find out how to win a box of my favorite things! You know, if there is no entries, I will be forced to retry the contest at another time. Come on people, FREE STUFF!

Cajun Chicken Pasta

 I have to admit that I made this light recipe for Cajun chicken pasta, un-skinny. I made a large number of substitutions to cater to the group I was feeding and in order to buy what was on sale. I used mini yellow and orange peppers, rather than large green ones. I used canned diced tomatoes (strained), and jarred mushrooms(strained). I used 2% and full fat cream cheese because I don't like low fat. I also created my own Cajun seasoning using paprika, onion power, garlic powder, salt, and oregano. Truthfully, I have no idea if thats Cajun, it just smelled and looked right. I needed to take away the spice. Lastly, I forgot chicken broth, so I just added extra water. That is one substitution I would NOT recommend. I think it needed it. Otherwise, it was very good and colorful. It is a dish I'd love to play with and try again.

Cooking this meal was a SEVERAL step process. I would recommend cutting all the vegetables and chicken the day before to make it easier.

My Outfit

Outside

Inside

The earrings are my turquoise dangles I got in a small little shop in Port Jefferson, NY. I'm pretty sure they are homemade. I adore them. The top is Target. I love sheer flowy clothing. Somewhere deep down it makes me feel like a princess of a fairy. I paired these with my basic LB jeans and Payless black flats. I need to break out of the rut with these flats. I have a collection, I should wear something new!

A better look at my earrings

Portraits of Me

I have never felt bolder or more powerful than I did when I decided to cut my hair off. I told myself that there is so much more to me than others can see. So, I decided to show off my new due.

I got looks all day! I still have to go get my wig out of storage. Until then, let them stare!

Contest Reminder!

 Remember the contest ends April 13th at 8pm. See here to find out how to win a box of my favorite things!

WE WANT YOU TO ENTER!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

I mentioned a few days ago that I was having some issues with unexplained hair loss. I went to the doctor today and he said it was hormonal and would last about six months. Considering this, I decided to cut my hair. I want my hair to have a chance to all grow out the same when it does come in. So, I didn't just cut it short, I cut it all off. It was a hard thing to do, but I try to take it in stride. At least I will get to give all kinds of styles and hair colors a try since I will be moving to wigs. Although this was a difficult choice, my family was great. They were supportive and understanding.

My Outfit

Earlier today this is what I looked like. I went to lunch with two of my good friends. I had a blast! Thank you Gwynnie Bee for the skirt. The sweater is Old Navy. My scarf and purse were vintage/retro.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Before

First cut

my curls

This would have been a cute cut actually, if I wasn't losing my hair anyway.

 The Process

I wasn't really pleased with my husband's comments....

After

 Contest Reminder!

 Remember the contest ends April 13th at 8pm. See here to find out how to win a box of my favorite things!

Raspberry Fudge Brownies

Welcome to day 2 of My "Julia" Project! 

Today I made Raspberry Fudge Brownies. OMG! That is really all I can say. They may be the best brownies I have ever eaten. I failed at making them look pretty, but was successful when it comes to taste. This was my first attempt at making brownies from scratch. I was amazed how easy the brownie part was, but I was surprised how much work the rest was. These brownies are not a quick dessert. They are a process and require cooling between each step. The recipe could easily be adapted to almost any fruit flavor. If you can buy a jelly or jam in the flavor, you can make it. My cooking time took about ten minutes longer than the recipe. So be aware and get to know how your oven works.

They were not easy to cut. Perhaps I didn't wait for them to cool long enough. My suggestion is to allow several hours, but I only waited about an hour and a half.

Reading Suggestion
Since I have been thinking a lot about the idea of the Proverbs 31 woman, I thought I would recommend a book. Last year I read a great book about a woman who tried her hardest to become the woman described in Proverbs 31. Along the way she does some crazy, silly, and amazing things. Check out her adventure in The Proverbs 31 Lady and Other Impossible Dreams. I am sure you will laugh and sympathize.

Contest Reminder!

 Remember the contest ends April 13th at 8pm. See here to find out how to win a box of my favorite things!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescents

Welcome to My "Julia" Project! 

Today I made Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescents with homemade spicy honey mustard sauce. I adapted the recipe above, removing the honey mustard and making two different versions- kid friendly and mommy friendly. I will give you the instructions to adapt it too. We used the honey mustard for dipping purposes only, rather than put it on pre-baking. This whole meal was actually quick and easy to make. I had no complaints from anyone. In fact, I had raves from my in-laws!

Mommy Version

Kid Version

Kid Version Adaptations

In order to make a kid friendly version of chicken cordon bleu, I removed the sauce and made it with chicken nuggets. They are smaller and easier to handle for little fingers and its made with a child all time favorite!

Homemade Spicy Honey Mustard

This is super easy to whip up yourself, it just sounds fancy. You take one teaspoon of honey for two tablespoons of spicy brown mustard. Mix well and that is it!

Contest Reminder!

 Remember the contest ends April 13th at 8pm. See here to find out how to win a box of my favorite things!

Verse of day

Proverbs 31:10 A wife of Noble Character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.