Menu Monday!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend! I was hacking up a lung (sorry… TMI?) and just trying to feel better.  But mommies don’t get sick days. Anyway, that was pretty much our weekend, summed up 🙂

If this is your first time visiting for Menu Monday, then welcome!  This is where I share my weekly dinner menu, along with recipes.  We are a vegetarian family, so if you are also meatless, or looking for ideas for a Meatless Monday, then you’re at the right place! For more information on how I menu plan, look at this.

Monday:
Tacos

Tuesday:
Black Bean & Butternut Squash Enchiladas
(From this blog) – never got around to making them this week

Wednesday:
Mexican Pizza
(From Field of Greens, pg. 180)
I’m actually documenting the process this week so I can share it with you!

Thursday:
Tagliarini with Roasted Tomatoes, Zucchini & Basil
(From Field of Greens, pg. 137)
New to us recipe!

Friday:
Burgers with Pimento Cheese, Red Onion, Roasted Garlic
Austrian Potato Salad (Originally from Cook’s Illustrated, similar recipe here, and Mayo free!)
Apple Pie

Saturday:
Leftovers

Sunday:
Toasted Sourdough with Roasted Peppers, Fontina & Rocket
(From Field of Greens, pg. 302)

*Grocery store this week: Trader Joe’s

Need ideas for dinner?  Follow my Pinterest board – it’s where I save all of my dinner ideas!

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Hey Hey! It’s Friday!

Oh man, these weeks just fly by.  Am I right???

Here’s what I was up to this week:

1. Elizabeth and I were house bound most of this week because my car was missing….. um….. a bolt thingy on one of my wheels.  I got new tires put on the car, and I guess the tire guys missed a bolt.  I’ll admit – it was nice not being able to go somewhere.

2. Elizabeth is going through something.  I don’t know what…. her morning naps are no more than an hour now.  She eats 3 square meals a day, plus a snack, when last week she barely had a meal a day… is there something I should know about in the 8.5 month phase?

3. I’m pretty chuffed – I’ve been trying to work on posts a week ahead of time, and I’m slowly making my way to that goal! I’m about half a week ahead.  I’m doing this for two reasons.  1) If I have one of those days, and things explode, I can at least breathe a sigh of relief because tomorrow’s post is done.  And, 2) I’ll be up in Michigan for 2 weeks for my sister’s wedding (yay!!) and want to have most of my posts done in advance.  Fingers crossed!

4. Speaking of feeling organized, I got a new planner (well… will be a planner!) in the mail on Wednesday. I did a little show-and-tell on Instagram.  Haha!  I know, I just got a planner, right?? Well, that one just wasn’t cutting it. With this new one, I’ll be doing an old fashioned Moleskine Hack (which I’ve done before!), and plan on showing you how I take this lined notebook to a customized, just for me, planner!

5. Another week of the 30 Days 30 Outfits Challenge is done!  This has been such fun, but it is starting to get challenging!  Be prepared for these last few weeks to see some creative pairings 🙂  Catch up on Day 7-12, or Day 1-6 if you’re just now hearing about it.

Bonus: it’s not something I’ve done (yet) but ran across this tutorial and it looks really easy and fun!!

Let me know what you’ve been up to in the comments below!  Have a great weekend!

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Linking up with:

 

30 Outfits 30 Days Challenge | Day 7 – 12 Recap

View the other 30 Outfits 30 Days Challenge Posts | Introduction | Week 1 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5

It’s hard to believe another 6 days are done for the 30 Outfits in 30 Days Challenge!  If you’re not sure what’s up, you can read more here.  But, long story short: I chose 30 items from my closet, and challenged myself to make 30 unique outfits for the next 30 days!

Eagle-eyed readers may notice that I’m wearing different pink sandals. I found similar sandals at Target to replace my worn out pair.  It was just embarrassing taking pictures of sad looking sandals.  Just saying.

It’s probably cheating… but oh well.

Anywho, here are my thoughts from this week’s outfits.

Most Worn Item | My black hair tie.  If it’s not in my hair, it’s on my wrist 🙂  Seriously, though, it’s definitely my floral necklace (similar) from Forever 21.  I love it.  And those new pink sandals.

Favorite Outfit | I LOVED how Outfit 3 came together.  I wore it out to Sunday brunch with friends.  Shorts, loose tunic and navy blazer.  Easy, but really cute.  I’m so grateful Tif from Bright on a Budget suggested pairing the blue shirt with the shorts last week!  Thank you, Tif!!  (Side Note: if you haven’t visited Bright on a Budget, hop over there! She is a lover of clothes, like me, and knows how to work a budget to look fabulous!)

Least Favorite Outfit | Day 4 – It’s not a bad outfit, just boring! But, to be fair, I was scrubbing toilets that day… #housewife problems

This Week’s Surprise |  I’m not really a fan of that lace shirt… and (confession) I never really have been.  I need to use that more often just to be sure.

Hardest Thing About This Week | Still taking pictures… and stepping out of my comfort zone putting outfits together.  I know as I get to the end of this challenge, I’ll be forced to think outside the box.

Below are each day’s outfits (BEWARE: amateur photos coming), along with links for each item OR a similar item.

Outfits: From L to R

1. Sweater (Similar); T Shirt; Jeans; Shoes (Elizabeth’s outfit is from Janie & Jack)
2. Lace Top (Similar); Skirt; Wedges; Necklace (Similar)
3. Blazer; Top (Similar); Shorts; Necklace (Similar); Wedges
4. Chambray Top; Jeans; Sandals
5. Sweater (Similar); Shirt; Skirt (Similar); Sandals
6. Polo Shirt (Similar); Jeans; Necklace (Similar); Shoes

Stay tuned next Thursday for another 6 day recap!

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The Weekender Bag

1. Riviera Weekend Bag by Monsoon | 2. Anchor Weekender by Sloane Ranger | 3. Girl Meets Voyage Weekender Bag at Modcloth | 4. Southwest Bound Weekend Bag by Forever 21 | 5. Getaway-Green Ikat by Stella & Dot | 6. The Weekender Bag by Kate Spade Saturday

 

I’ve been looking for a great Weekender bag to take as my carry on/diaper bag for our 2 week trip to Michigan.  I will have more items to haul on to the plane for both baby and me, and my Skip Hop Studio and my Skip Hop Duo French Stripe diaper bags just won’t cut it.

I am picky about bags, and have big criteria when I’m looking for a Weekender:

1. Zippered closure – I want my bag to be able to zip completely closed.  I don’t want it to tip over in the airport security line or on the plane and have my contents spill all over the place.
2. Structured – While the duffel bag style types may be nice, I prefer a bag that’s structured.  I think it looks better when you have it over your shoulder.  Plus, if you need the Weekender bag for something besides going out of town, it doesn’t look like you’re shlepping your suitcase around.
3. Fun print – while normally I would prefer a more neutral print for a handbag, it’s different for a Weekender.  You’re heading out on vacation! Your Weekender should be fun!  Now, if I was paying $600 for a Weekender bag, I might stick to something neutral (tan leather, for example), but when you aren’t paying too much, make it a fun print!

Once I snag a Weekender and get it packed as my carryon, I’ll be sure to show off what I’ve got!

What’s your favorite Weekender Bag? Do you have one?

Summer Nautical | Style & Home

2nd Day skinny leg jeans / Seychelles wedding party shoes / C Wonder twist bow ring / Sperry Top Sider anchor charm bracelet / Quote wall art / Nautical home decor / Signature Housewares stoneware mug / Puji nautical home decor / Scotch & Soda striped boat neck tee

 

I’ve mentioned before about my dislike of summer.  The hot weather, the clothes…. bleh.  BUT thankfully, summer does bring one of my favorite things – stripes and nautical-themed accessories!  This is what I’m craving right now!

I have been wanting to get a pair of pink jeans or trousers for quite a while now! I just know it would pair perfectly with the hundreds of stripes I own (it’s a sickness, really).  I’d love to add that striped shirt to the collection!

Thankfully, I can also find nautical items everywhere!  The jewelry is especially calling my name.  I’m not a huge ring wearer (besides my wedding rings), but aren’t those knot rings so sweet?

What’s your favorite summer trend?