Double Whammy Wendesday: Round 2

DWW is back with another edition of WIWW and OHPW.

Are you lost yet?

Now that I've successfully confused you,

I'll distract you with a few outfits!

Shirt: Belk
Pants: NY&Co.
Belt: Anthro

Orange Long Sleeve: Target

Skirt: F21

Boots: DSW
(please disregard my hair...it is a hot mess...getting it trimmed tomorrow)
I was sorta channeling this 'fit.

Now on to my pins:

This one is just too perfect for me

H&M Chevron Towels. Yes, please.

This is just really exciting. I love Bethenny and I love SkinnyGirl.

Thinking of making these this weekend: Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars


Linking up here:

Recipe: Taco Pie

A few weeks ago I choose to add 'taco pie' to our meal plan.

We love anything in taco form at our house so I figured this one would be a winner.

And a winner it was!

*Although next time I make it, I will probably add a few things

It was very simple to put together=winner in my book.

It may not have been the healthiest thing we ate all week but it wasn't too terrible.

Taco Pie

adapted from Food Network

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 8 corn tortillas, halved (I only needed about 6)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 3/4 pound ground pork (I used ground beef)
• Kosher salt
• 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 2 4.25-ounce cans chopped green chiles
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella 

Next time I think I will add a packet of taco seasoning to the meat.  I added a dash of Tastefully Simple Fiesta Party Mix to the mixture but it wasn't enough.  The ingredients were all there but the Mister and I agreed it needed to be a little more 'taco-y'.

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tortillas and cook, flipping a few times, until golden, about 3 minutes. Remove with tongs and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

3. Add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. 4. Add the garlic and cayenne and cook 30 seconds.
5. Add the pork (beef, chicken) and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned, about 4 minutes.
6. Stir in the tomatoes, chiles and corn. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Season with salt. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro.

7. Arrange half of the tortillas in the bottom of a 9-to-10-inch pie plate. Top with half of the meat mixture, then half of the cheese. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, meat and cheese. 8. Cover loosely with foil and bake until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes.

 There you have it!
Let me know if this one turns up in your meal plan!

Meal Plan: Week of February 26th and Beyond

Happy Sunday!
How was everyone's weekend?

Ours was very good- my mama came up for the weekend and we had a great time!

Floyd really loooves when Grandma comes to visit.

Here is our meal plan for the week and also for the next 3 weeks

Last week's plan got a little out of whack so we have a few repeats this week

Sunday: Chicken and Broccoli Bowls

Monday: Chicken and Broccoli Bowls + Baked Potatoes

Tuesday: Buffalo Chicken in the crock pot

Wednesday: Buffalo Chicken Pizza with Bleu Cheese

Thursday: Pancakes for dinner

Friday: Jambalaya

Saturday: Leftovers

Week 2: March 4th-10th

Sunday: Breakfast for dinner

Monday: Tuscan Chicken Cakes (I'll share this recipe soon)

Tuesday: Roasted Potatoes, Chicken Sausage and Peppers

Wednesday: Italian Chicken Chili

 Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Citrus Chicken + Rice

 Saturday: Leftovers

Week 3: March 11th-17th

Sunday: Lemonade Chicken + Rice (crock pot)

Monday: Lemonade Chicken + Baked Potatoes

 Tuesday: Thai Chicken Saute

Wednesday: Thai Chicken Saute + Noodles

Thursday: Creamy Pork Chops + Roasted Veggies

Friday: Friends in town :)

Saturday: Dinner out!

Week 4 March 18th-24th

Sunday: Chicken with Chipotle Peach Glaze 

 Monday: Leftover Chicken + Baked Potatoes

Tuesday: Honey Butter Pork Tenderloin + Roasted Asparagus

  Wednesday: Pork Tenderloin + Baked Potatoes

Thursday: Pesto Chicken Salad Sammies + Oven Fries

 Friday: Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

Saturday: 2 Year Anniversary Date Night!!

And there we go- a month of meal plans!

Have you been planning?

What are you eating this week?

Cheers to Art!

A few weeks ago Bethany asked me if I wanted to join her and some friends at  
Cheers to Art in Maderia.

Painting + Girls Night Out + Wine = Duh

Our painting for the night was the Cincinnati Skyline at Night.

Perfect!

That evening we headed to Cheers to Art  and quickly got set up with our easels, paint, brushes and of course, wine.

The staff at Cheers to Art was fantastic-so,so helpful and fun!

Our instructor for the evening, Jill, was amazing!

She did an excellent job explaining the process to us and making it so simple to follow along.

The whole experience was not nearly as intimidating as it seemed like it might be at first.

We first started with mixing 2 blue colors together to achieve the background color.

We then used black to paint in the river and buildings.
Jill instructed us which buildings to paint first and how many
brush strokes wide each building should be.
(This was turning out to be wayyy easier than my art classes in college and I loved it!)

We then added highlights to the buildings and reflections in the river.
I decided to keep mine slightly on the abstract side instead of being really precise.
(At least that's what I told myself)

Ta da!

(And no your eyes are not fooling you, Bethany and I showed in just about the exact same outfit.)

I really enjoyed this little outing and definitely want to go back again!
I would definitely recommend Cheers to Art to anyone in the Cincinnati area!

Double Whammy Wednesday

Say that one 3 times fast.

 It's Wednesday friends which means it's time for Wednesday fun and today I've got a double dose for you!

WIWW

and 

Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday

things are getting crazy in here!

First off...WIWW

One outfit for ya that I rocked in Chicago

Blazer, Jeans and Wedges: Target

Striped Shirt: H&M

Watch: NY&Co.

and now on to:

Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday: Dessert Edition

My mama is coming to visit this weekend and I have been trying to figure out what treat to whip up.

Pinterest to the rescue!

 Pretzel Crusted Peanut Butter Cup Blondie Pie

via Cookies and Cups (p.s. have you seen this website?! gobs of deliciousness)

 Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Deep Dish Cookie Pies

Butterfinger Blondies

Andes Mint Cupackes

Alright, what should I choose?

Or do you have a recipe I should try??

Have a great Wednesday peeps!

Linking up here:

Birthday Surprise: CHICAGO (part 2)

And I'm back with the rest of the details from our trip to Chicago
This post is picture heavy, get ready.

(read part one here)

The Chicago Auto Show was going on while we were in town and Mister realllly wanted to go.

And in true birthday tradition, I told him we could do whatever he wanted.

(truth be told I kinda wanted to go too so it worked out well)

We got up and ventured out into the big city.

We successfully navigated the bus and train systems and did not get lost once

(thankyouverymuch)

 The auto show was really a lot of fun.

We have been car shopping so it was nice to be able to see all the cars in one place and not be hassled by any salesmen.

 I also broke in my Toms.

After the show we met up with our friends Bobby and Laura and stuffed ourselves with some famous Ginos East Pizza.

so. good.

And what's the best thing to do after stuffing yourself silly?

Why go shopping of course!

I nearly screamed when I realized we were a stones throw from Zara.

Laura and I marched right over there and picked up some gems.

For dinner we headed to Wildfire

and it was de-lish.

We were too busy eating to take any pictures of the food but just trust me.

 I wouldn't lie to you about yummy food.

After dinner we headed to the Hancock building to grab a drink and take in the view.

95 floors up isn't too shabby of a way to end an evening.

Sunday was rounded out with a little

Sprinkles

Urban Outfitters

and 

brunch at Mercadito.

We had a fabulous time and can't wait to be back
(see ya in June, Chicago).

Mister told me a million times he had a great birthday weekend and I loved getting to spoil him for once!

He does a pretty good job spoiling me :)

P.S. thanks to all of you Chicago blog girls that helped me out with food and fun activity suggestions!

Birthday Surprise: CHICAGO (part 1)

This surprise weekend for Mister's birthday has been in the works for a looong time 

BUT 

I couldn't say a word to you guys!!

I so glad I can finally tell you all about it!

And proud of myself for not ruining the secret! 

The Mister and I headed up to Chicago (minus the snow this time) on Friday

and we got right to exploring the city.

Our hotel (The Knickerbocker) was right off of Michigan Avenue i.e. all the best shopping.

I loved all of the fabrics in our room and the shower was phenomenal!

Friday night we had reservations at Rosebud.

We had read that Rosebud was known for their steaks and for having the best burger in the city.

We both went for the burgers and they did not disappoint.

So,so good.

We also ordered parmesan and truffle tater tots.

You guys, those TOTS.

Out of this world.

I've never had such a delicious tot in my life.

 

sorry the grainy pictures the lighting was strange in there

After dinner we ventured to Old Town for a drink and on to Second City.

 Second City was entertaining but not as funny as I was expecting.

We also went to the 11 o'clock show which was midnight our time = past our bedtime.

I'll be back tomorrow with more photos and details from our trip!

Meal Plan: Week of February 19th

Happy Sunday, friends!
The Mister and I just got back from a wonderful weekend celebrating his birthday in...

CHICAGO!

We had a fabulous time and I can't wait to share a million some pictures with you!

On to our meal plan:

Sunday: Sprinkles cupcakes. No joke, we both just ate one for dinner.
Don't tell our moms.

 Monday: Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf (from freezer)

Tuesday: Meatloaf leftovers

Wednesday: Chicken and Broccoli Bowls

Thursday: Chicken Sausages and

Friday: Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken (on sammies) + oven fries

Saturday: Buffalo Chicken Pizza

 

What are you having this week??

Happy Birthday Mister!

Today is finally the day...
Mister turns 

Can't wait until you see what's in store!

Isn't he cute? ;)

 Love you hubs :)
You are so, so very special to me and I am proud to call you my husband.

I am so happy to be spending your birthday with you

here is to your 30th!

Happy birthday, Mister :)