Tuesday, March 19, 2019

If you’re like many, you struggle with getting week night dinners on the table at dinnertime due to activities that run until past when you would need to start making dinner! 

Spring sports have started along with whatever other activities you or your kids have going on.

I have 2-3 nights a week where I don’t get home until 6:30.  That isn’t that bad, but we like to eat around that time.  

I try to make dinner more complicated than it needs to be.  I’m working on this!  

So, my tips probably aren’t going to break the internet, but here goes:

-Make dinners simpler – think lunch for dinner – sandwiches and salads

-Make all of your meat on Sunday. I did this last weekend.  I made my spaghetti meat and my taco meat at the same time and also grilled my chicken for a Greek salad.  

Here is my sample menu for the week:  

Monday – leftovers from the weekend – We have an abundance of Chinese take out!  We also cleaned out other random single portions of leftovers.  Leftovers can be fun.  I have heard some families draw numbers and the number one gets first dibs on their choice of leftovers.  Wouldn’t this be kind of fun?  

Tuesday – Taco Tuesday with already cooked taco meat.  Our family an always eat Mexican!  It’s nice to know Tuesdays are done for me!

Wednesday – spaghetti – We have pasta at least once a week.  

Thursday – Entree Greek Salad with grilled chicken, cucumbers, feta, tomatoes, and lettuce.  I’m trying to get my family on board with more entree salads.  

Other ideas:  

sandwich bar – a couple of types of meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, condiments and chips or veggies for a side

potato bar – already bake the potatoes on the weekend or all day in crockpot wrapped in foil.  You can top with chili, cheese, sour cream, chicken, bbq – anything!

burrito bowls with protein prepped on weekend

ready made bbq on top of Texas Toast, baked beans from a can

fajitas with ready made meat and flour tortillas

quesadillas with ready made meat.  You can cook these the night before and the reheat in the microwave just fine

soup and grilled cheese

already cooked ham, ready made mashed potatoes, canned green beans, rolls

Sometimes you need a little help from the store!  It’s still healthier than fast food!

How do you get dinner on the table?  Any go to meal ideas or suggestions for me?  

Hope you got at least one new idea!

Amy 

Friday, March 15, 2019

Hello Friday!  It’s time for some favorites from this week!  How was your week?  I know some of you are on spring break and some of you are anxiously awaiting spring break!  Ours isn’t until the first week of April.

I have two favorites in this photo – the sunshine and mild weather and breaking out my MIA Sofia clogs!  

My library came through this week – this is a sweet book about life in the south including stories from Reese’s life and recipes and some cute photos!  The title refers to the strength of southern women.  

Essie’s Mojito Madness has been on my fingers this week for St. Patrick’s Day.  I bought this a few years ago and it’s a fun color!  

I went in Old Navy last weekend and snapped a picture of my favorite shorts.  I love their linen drawstring shorts and have them in black, tan, and white.  I would like to add a fun color this year.  The pink would work with my black or white tops and the olive green would work with several things I have, too.  

Almost a month ago, I bought this cute blouse from Old Navy for about $15 on sale.  I finally got to wear it with a yellow cardigan.  It’s perfection for spring.  

It’s time, people.  This is a great way to get rid of the pasty white legs and get some moisturizer at the same time.  You simply turn the shower off and before drying, apply this.  There is no wait time.  You towel off and voila!  There’s no weird smell, either.  Have you started self tanning yet?  I did a post last spring on my thoughts and will do another one soon.  I start self tanning in the spring and continue through fall usually.

What were your favorites this week?  Did you try any new products?  Did you explore any spring fashions?  

Have a wonderful weekend!  Spring is in the air!

Amy 

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Do you have a Versona?  I know I have talked about it before, but I’m starting a new series called “Shop with Me”.  They also have a website if you don’t have access to a store.  

My Versona is at my favorite mall.  It is an outdoor mall and I can be there in about 6 minutes.  It makes it very easy to just drop in to one or two stores.  The traffic isn’t bad and it’s just easy for me.  

What first brought me in was the jewelry.  All of it is organized by color which makes it very easy to find if you are looking to match an outfit.  I thought the jewelry above was so colorful on a recent visit. The prices won’t break the bank with most being under $20 and I’ve found the quality to be pretty good.  

In the last year, I have looked more closely at their clothing and now have several favorites from there.  They carry many brands that our local boutiques have but at better prices. They also have a decent sale rack. I’m very cautious with sale racks because I find that I buy something just because it’s cheap and not because I truly need or love it. Most of the items are $29 or $25 that I have purchased. I also think you won’t see everyone and their sister wearing these pieces.

Here are some of my favorites:

Hope you get a chance to check Versona or Versona.com out!

Amy

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

There has been a lot of fanfare about this hair tool on the blogs I read. It’s a dryer and volumizer. I have been wanting to wear my hair straight sometimes so I decided to order it. I found it really easy to use. I was asked if I had just been to the salon! What do you think?  Do you own one?  Do you like my hair straight or curled better?  

Let me know if you decide to get one!  

Amy 

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Last Sunday I got to attend a woodworking/decor workshop at a place called Board and Brush in Louisville.  Your town may have one, too.  I think it’s the newest incarnation of the painting and wine places that became really popular several years ago.  

My good friend B invited me and it was a really fun way to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon.  They offer evenings, as well.  

They have a bar!  We thought these were coasters, but they are drink covers that say “Sand your board, not your drink”.  We figured that out a bit late!  

You have to pick your project ahead of time so they can cut your wood and cut out your stencil.  Here are our final products!  Mine is a monogram sign or board – charcuterie?  B’s is a table runner.  

We had to start with a hammer to distress our wood.  They provided earplugs, thankfully!  It was a good way to get some aggressions out.  

Then, we got to pick our stain.  After sanding our distressed wood, we stained it with two coats.  

Finally, we had to paint our stencils.  

Mine is not perfect and I’m one of the least “crafty” people out there, but it was so much fun!  

Have you ever done this?  I’m thinking this could be a great birthday, Mother’s Day, or other gift to give.  

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

I ordered a tripod!  But, until the weather changes, I may take a break from outfit photos and just do flat lays.  Winter is back!  Darn groundhog!  

This outfit was from last Friday.  I was comfortable, but it’s nothing to write home about.  May I tell you that everything except the shoes and earrings are consignment finds?  

And, this is from Thursday, but you already saw it in my SteinMart post here.  

On the few sunny days, I’ve been wearing my Knockaround sunglasses.  I love sunglasses and always wear them, even when it’s overcast.  My eyes are very sensitive.  I don’t want to spend a ton, but I want fairly decent quality sunglasses.  I’m very happy with these.  

I like to decorate for St. Patrick’s Day and celebrate it if I can.  Here is my new yard sign.  I also have some indoor decor on the mantel and hall table.  

Here is my tiered tray.  I could make this look better, but this is what it is for now.  

I think it’s fun to pick up some seasonal supplies.  Extra points if you can pick these up on clearance and save until the next year!  

For dinner last year, I did Skittles and Rolos and green mashed potatoes, pretzel rolls with green butter (just put a bit of food color in my butter), sausage, onions, and brussels sprouts.  

I also like to wear some green during the month of March – outfit ideas coming soon!  

Thanks for reading! 

Amy

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

O.k., I should have posted this last week, but for those of you who are often winging dinner like me – maybe this will help!  

I like to have themed dinners and celebrate the small holidays.  I have never been to actual Mardi Gras, but my husband loves Cajun food (RIP our favorite Joe’s OK Bayou that went out of business)  and it can be easy for a quick week night meal.  

Zatarain’s and Tony Cachere’s make these rice mixes and you can add chicken or sausage to them.  We also use Cajun spice on everything.  We love it on our green vegetables, especially.  

So, Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday and our Tuesdays are really busy.  In fact, this Tuesday, one son won’t be home until 8:30. I will probably pack his dinner.  

I’m doing jambalaya and turkey sausage, rolls, and a green vegetable.  

For dessert, I’m faking a king cake with cinnamon rolls and dying the icing yellow, green, and purple.  There will be no baby inside.  

What do you think?  Would your family eat this meal?  

Amy