Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Monday, October 4, 2010

'Cookin in My Little Kitchen!

Day 21: A Recipe

Chicken Enchiladas
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings


Ingredients

  • 3  cups  chopped cooked chicken
  • 2  cups  (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese with peppers
  • 1/2  cup  sour cream
  • 1  (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
  • 1/3  cup  chopped fresh cilantro
  • 8  (8-inch) flour tortillas
  • Vegetable cooking spray
  • 1  (8-ounce) container sour cream
  • 1  (8-ounce) bottle green taco sauce
  • Toppings: diced tomato, chopped avocado, chopped green onions, sliced ripe olives, chopped cilantro

Preparation

Stir together first 5 ingredients. Spoon chicken mixture evenly over each tortilla, and roll up. Arrange in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Coat tortillas with vegetable cooking spray.
Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
Stir together sour cream and taco sauce. Spoon over hot enchiladas, and sprinkle with toppings.
Southern Living, FEBRUARY 2000

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Slacker...

Ok so I have reallly really been slacking :( I left off on Day 17 like 9 days ago...eek! I am going to pick back up today with topics 18-20 and then will hopefully catch up and finish by the end of next week. I haven't even really been super busy, just exhausted and enjoying this fall weather!

Day 18: My FUTURE Wedding

Just like the decorating of the dream house I could probably spend hours on this topic and could go from either a really really casual setting to uber chic and ritzy. I did this really fast so I am sure I forgot some of my best ideas but enjoy!


What do you think??

Day 19: A Talent of Mine

A talent of mine would have to be my creativity. I love to be creative and have a lot of fun shopping around picking out things - even if it is for something really far in the future!

Day 20: A Hobby of Mine
 
I love interior design and mostly everything ballard designs! I just could spend hours in Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I really want to get into making wreaths..cute ones for each of the holidays.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Day 17...Piece of Art

It's not really art but when I was in high school someone introduced me to cigar labels and it has now become something I really enjoy looking at and purchasing at times. Tampa is a big cigar city and I feel like it is a way of keeping Tampa in my life even if I am 7 hours away. Here are some I have my eye on right now...



This weekend we are headed to Tallahassee for the game. I am SO excited! I cannot wait to get back to Tallahasee and see football in person! Go Noles!!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

My Dream House...Continued...

I have so many rooms left to decorate!!

Dining Room

Living/Family Room

Fabric:


I would definitely use the fabric in place of the stripes or as my pattern - and in the second one i would have to have a much more neutral colors.

Master Bedroom:


Day 16

Song That Makes You Cry

Butterfly Kisses - makes me think of me and my dad and happy/sad at the same time.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Days 14 & 15

Day 14: A Non-Fictional Book

My favorite non-fictional book would have to be Marley & Me. I loved the book and the movie equally and cry on command each and every time I see it.



Day 15: My Dream House

I love decorating, designing, everything home-centered. When I get my southern living magazine every month I probably spend a good 10-15 minutes looking at the home plans pages. I could seriously do this every day. I love it. I love picturing my dream house and everything that would go into it - as realisic and unrealistic as I want it to be. Did you know they have a whole magazine dedicated to house plans?!?!

Here's a little glimpse into my dream...

The Weatherton
"An attractive, homey shingle exterior softens the look of this grand home. Inside, French doors open to the dining room from the front porch, giving you the option of serving after-dinner drinks outside. The nearby island kitchen is the perfect working space for creating fabulous meals. The spacious breakfast room includes a stylish bow window. Behind small double doors, an alcove joins the kitchen to a handy utility room and a half-bath. Both the family room and the formal living room include handsome fireplaces to warm any occasion. Nicely secluded on the main floor, the master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and an exceptional private bath. A bonus space on the upper floor would work well as a playroom, complementing the three sizable secondary bedrooms. "

And what would go into it (Room by Room of course..)

Entry Way
(I am obsessed - this has actually been the background on my computer for a month..)


Mud-Room
I have to have a mud room. End of story. It will also be this organized.



Laundry Room
Must Have List:
  • Drying Rack
  • Side by Side
  • Granite Countertops
  • Wrapping Paper Station


Kitchen

or

I am having way too much fun with this post! I will have to finish off my dreams tomorrow with the bedrooms and bathrooms of my dream house!!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Days 12 & 13

Day 12: Something You Are OCD About..
I am OCD about a few things but the number one thing I am OCD about is keeping my planner up to date. I love my Lilly agenda book. I like having the monthly views and the daily views --- It comes with stickers which I am not such a bag fan of but I love looking in my purse and seeing the bright colors!

 Day 13: Ficitional Book

We have definitely already covered this topic but I love Nanny Diaries, Something Borrowed/Something Blue, Devil Wears Prada, Chasing Harry Winston, Everyone worth Knowing, etc..etc...

I just found out that the author of Devil Wears Prada and the last two I mentioned came out with a new book, "Last Night at Chateau Marmont"



I will definitely be picking up a copy soon. But while we are on the topic of books, guess what I purchased yesterday!?!?


I will let you know what I think of it as soon as I have had a chance to dive in...


Friday, September 17, 2010

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you...

Or just a few really old photos...
A high school dance - sophomore year, circa 1999?? Sorry for the bad quality but I had to use my phone to take these!!

Another HS Dance...



Senior Year of HS I think..


Me and Rosemary Debutante Ball

Erin - I know you read so I just had to post this one...we (well mostly you) look so different!!!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

A Happy 26th!

Monday was my 26th birthday..not a fun number that ends in a 0 or 5 but still a birthday none-the-less! I am so thankful for my family and friends who made this birthday special! Whether you texted, called, facebooked, or met me for dinner you all made my day!!!


My friend at work surprised me with a cute bag filled with all sorts of my favorite goodies!!!

                                                    
When I left work to go get my emissions and tag renewed Brian had filled my car with balloons!!!!!!!! I was soo soo surprised and had no idea he was going to do that!

                                   
The group at dinner....

                                       

Caught in the act of blowing out the candles...

                          
Yummy Yummy Cake from Piece of Cake ... it was the white chocolate one and is soo sooo good!!!!

Day 9: A Photo I Took

My Favorite Picture of My Favorite Dog!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Day 8: Sad Photo

I really do not like this topic as who likes to think of things that make them sad?!?


But the ASPCA commercials get me every time. I hate to see an animal suffer and the eyes on this puppy make me hurt inside. I wish I could give more money to this organization but they really do pull at my heartstrings with each and every commercial.

Monday, September 13, 2010

I forgot one....



I forgot someone who has been there for me through almost everything ... not sure how I forgot but she definitely deserves her own post :)

 
Thankful for you Tiff - each and every day! (Even if we don't talk every day!)

Day 7: A Photo that Makes Me HAPPY!

Can I have more than one!?!?


My Beautiful Parents 



<3


Great Friends & The Rare Opportunity To Get Everyone Together!
(Erin & Kyle's Wedding Weekend)



Great Friends Who Make Me Smile Even if They Are 900000 Miles Away :)




Lifelong Friends

Seminole Football!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Week/Weekend in Review and Catch-Up Post

It has been an awesome week/weekend with great friends and people I love having in my life! Last week started off by having dinner with a friend I hadn't seen in ages - I love those friends where you can just pick up where you left off, no matter how long it has been since you saw each other. We went to Rosebud for dinner and had some yummy food (sorry no pictures but it was still a really fun night!) 


Wednesday night my friend Amanda and I went to Canvas & Cocktails. For those of you who haven't been or haven't heard of it you basically choose a painting you like from their calendar and sign up for that day.


Our inspiration










 You bring your own drinks/snacks (we had cheese, pita chips, spinach dip, and plenty of wine!)



Ready to Paint..

                                     


You then have an instructor who walks you through the painting step by step

                                       


Until you can proudly display your finished product
(excuse my outfit but i decided I wanted to be casual in case there were any paint casualties). I love how my painting turned out and it was so fun I can't wait to do it again soon! 


Friday night Brian and I had a nice little date night at South City Kitchen - Midtown. We took advantage of Mid-town Restaurant week and got 3 courses for $25 - it was actually a pretty good deal. I am usually skeptical of the Restaurant weeks because the menus are so limited and they usually cheap-o-rize the dishes but it was so yummy. 


Saturday I had a JLA community service project in the morning and then Aly and I went to Souper Jenny for lunch. OMG. My NEW favorite Restaurant. It was heaven. There was a long long line but for $12 you get 2 items from the menu (soup, sandwich, or salad), a drink, a cookie, and a roll. It was divine. I got the chicken chipotle sandwich with jalapeno bread, goat cheese, peach jam and chipotle grilled chicken. For my second item I got fruit (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pineapples) with greek yogurt and honey. It was absolutely amazing. So yummy. Then I finished it off with a peanut butter/chocolate chip cookie. I will definitely going back. Probably this week. 



After lunch we headed to mellow mushroom to watch the Noles get destroyed...it was a really tragic day of college football and I think I was successful in picking 0 teams this week. A few of us at before the slaughtering:




Ok sorry for the long post - I am finishing up my weekend by watching the VMA's. Hope you all had a great weekend. 


xoxo, 
Lauren