More Thoughts From A Foodie

A very BIG thank you to everyone who posted on my original post (here) giving me tips and suggestions. I have cut way back on my baking and trying to be more selective about the sweets I choose. I am already feeling more normal- as normal as I can get, anyway...

So my next question is... Can you give me suggestions for simple dinners that I can get on the table in about 45 minutes start to finish? My little Mr. Handsome plays football, and by the time I pick up my daughter from volleyball and get home, I only have an hour to fix dinner, eat and get my son ready for practice. This is only 2-3 nights a week, so a few ideas would be so much appreciated!

I did find this soup recipe, and I am going to give it a try.

Sunday's OOTD below. Looking at the pictures, it is rather uninspired, but it felt good when I was wearing it! Haha!

Sweater: Thrifted (similar, and here) 

Blouse: Anthro Twisted Ascot Tee (beautiful substitution)

Skirt: Anthro Peppering Skirt (similar, ruched here)

Shoes: Anthro Within The Lines Heels (similar, and colorful!)

Thoughts From a Foodie

I love food. A LOT. I love to eat it and I love to bake make it. Unfortunately, I love all types of food, both healthy and unhealthy, which means sometimes I don't exercise my self-control. Since I love to bake, and baking usually involves sugar, I have been off the charts in my sugar intake.
I also love/hate to run and I bike as well, so I do burn off a lot of calories, but not enough to justify this mass sugar intake. I am training for another 1/2 Marathon, but I don't feel well when I eat a ton of sugar, so I need to make some changes.
There are a few things that I put into place for myself, to help keep my eating in check, like no eating after dinner, no fast food more than once a week, no sugar in my coffee (I drink coffee by the gallon)...
So here's where I hope you can help. What tips do you have in the diet and exercise department? What has or has not worked for you? I would love some dialog in the comments section so maybe we can help each other out.

Sweater: Anthro Banded Ripples Tee (similar, beautiful cashmere, cowl neck version)
Jeans: Anthro Pilcro Stet Slim (here, bootcut, rolled)
Belt: Thrifted Calf Hair Belt (similar, bargain!, i want this)
Shoes: Seychelles Flamingo Flat (cute print, look how cute!)
Bracelet: J Crew Tortoise Cuff (cheaper, embellished, wider)

Proof that Pinterest Works

It makes me laugh to see all the pins on Pinterest about people pinning, but never doing. I, however, have been able to really do a lot of the ideas I have seen. (Especially the FOOD!)
Here are some of the things I have done:

Via: Pinterest
Apple Cupcake

My version:
I used the Cream Cheese Frosting option,
instead of the Buttercream.
(My people LOVED these!)

Autumn Salad
Pinterest Version
My version:
Bacon, Feta, Cucumber, Candied Pecan's, Craisins, Field Greens, Celery, Pear.
Dressing: Apple Cider Vinegar (Unfiltered, Organic), Pure Maple Syrup, Olive Oil, Pepper

Apple Spice Cake
Via Pinterest

Covered Footstool
Via Pinterest

My Version:
A $3 UGLY footstool, thrifted

I stripped the old cover off with a flat-head screwdriver, and pliers.
I removed the legs (they twisted off). And I kept the original padding.
Then I covered the old frame & padding with fabric I already had.
(Also thrifted.) Then I stapled the new fabric on, with a staple gun.
I folded the corners like an envelope,
and added the old board back on the bottom fabric to hold everything tight.

Then I put the legs back on and, Viola! New stool!

Do you use Pinterest? What have you made?

A Sick OOTD

I have somehow managed to catch a summer cold, starting Sunday, and progressively getting worse to today, which is officially a pajama day.  But I did get dressed yesterday and do some work at Jay's office and run errands.
I wore a pair of pants I added to an online order at Anthropologie that had dropped to $19.95. They had been on my wishlist since before we went to California, so I figured I would give them a try. I sized up a size, and they are still snug. So I need to up the running distances again, lol.  I got the top in Memphis on the drive out to move here.  We stopped in Greensboro, NC to shop, and again in Memphis to shop. I am so glad we did, since we hit the perfect week for a huge 2nd cut sale at Anthro.
If you have been a reader for a while, you know I coveted these shoes for quite some time. I finally jumped at a 40% off sale.  I love them, and even got a compliment from a very stylish lady at the grocery store. :)

Pants: Pilcro Zip-Pocket Crops
Shirt: Pilcro Folded Wings Tee
Shoes: Nine West Janetta Flat (in Pony)
Jewelry: All from Dillards

This is what we had for dinner last night. I found the recipe in Cooking Light magazine. I felt so bad by the time we got home from the pool that I really did not want to cook dinner (SO tempted to tell Jay to bring home pizza), but forced myself to make what I had planned. I am so glad I did. It turned out amazing!  We had rice pilaf, steamed veggies and a delicious salad of Baby Italian Greens with cucumber, celery, pomegranate craisins, feta, sunflower seeds and my home-made balsamic dressing. It was all delicious.  Here is the recipe:
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pork-tenderloin-medallions-balsamic-reduction-50400000113741/

A tip about the pork- don't over cook. You only want to cook for the exact 2 minutes per side, in small batches, remove to a plate, until all are done, then toss it all back in the hot pan with the peaches and the glaze.  Cover and turn off the burner and it will finish the cooking and warm everything thru.

Don't worry, Amy. The House Tour posts are going to continue. :)

Rain, Rain, Go Away! (And don't come back until I am tired of watering my flowers!)

Oh. My. Goodness. I feel like I live in the Pacific Northwest! It has been non-stop rain here, and it is chilly to boot.  So tired of the rain.  In fact, I put on a dress in the morning when I got dressed yesterday to go to my torture waxing appt. (It was time again.), but got so drippy wet, I came home and took it off.
My BFF Freda and I got tickets from her husband for Valentines Day to see Celtic Woman, so we went last night.  It was a beautiful show. Freda and I are both music oriented, and we both sang/sing and took voice lessons as teenagers, so we are big fans of vocal performance, and technically correct singing.  The harmonies were gorgeous, and the live music was beautiful.  It was a great night. I know the freedom to have time with Freda is coming quickly to an end.  We polished off our night at Village Inn for pie. (There is no social ill that a good piece of pie can't cure.)
Here is what I ended up changing into for the concert:

Shirt: Ralph Lauren, thrifted
Sweater: J Crew Corwin
Jeans: F21
Boots: DSW Ciao Bella Thabata
Belt: Volcom, thrifted
Necklace: F21 Bird
Earrings: Dillards Pearl Hoops

Rain Hair, YUCK!

Guess what?! You get a two-fer today. I am also throwing in today's OOTD. Just consider it a freebie, since inflation has left us all with empty pockets.  (Have you BEEN to the gas station lately?!)

Shirt: Gap
Skirt: H&M, thrifted
Bracelet: Gold Links, thrifted
Earrings: Anthro, Pearl Chandelier
Shoes: Nine West, Nuncio

Cheezin' Big-Time. J was trying to get in my pic.

Waxing update, boys leave the room..........
This was my second leg waxing, and third deepline bikini. I am still getting used to not shaving, but Adriana, my professional says that after the next appt, I will be totally surprised.  It did not hurt as bad yesterday as the last time either.
Oh, yeah! And that pie from last night? Completely free, once we got to the register. Free Slice Wednesday. Who knew?  Hey, Village Inn! Freda and I will be back next Wednesday- with friends.