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Friday, June 28, 2013

The Best Grilled Sandwich And Where To Get It!

Oh.my.gracious. Hubby and I just made and ate the most delicious grilled steak sandwich. I am serious, this thing was life changing, and that is not just the pregnancy talking.

In typical fashion I did not measure as I was making it and I scarfed it down before taking any pictures, but let's face it, my pictures would be lame anyway.

So, since I don't have a lot to share with you I just took a second and typed up the recipe on my T-Shirt and Pearls Facebook Page. Oh, I'm sorry, did you want the recipe?! Then hop on over to my FB page, like it, and check out the recipe. ;)

While I have you on a scavenger hunt, make sure you are following me via email or Bloglovin' since Google Reader will soon be gone.

Happy grilling, friends!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

A New Look

I have had the itch for awhile to change the look of my blog. Today I finally took the plunge and spent my afternoon playing with templates, buttons, and HTML. It was a long process, since I really have no clue what I am doing, but I am happy (for now) with the result. There are definitely still things I need to update and changes I want to make, but after hours of staring at my computer screen I am ready to walk away....and go get some ice cream (major score on finding some unused Cold Stone gift cards in my wallet)!

I have to give a shout out to Leelou Blogs for the super cute background and header and Carrie Loves for the awesome glittery social media buttons!

So what do you think of the new look? Check back soon for more updates and changes!

Under {Major} Construction

Well I have decided to give my blog a makeover, and due to my total lack of skills it is a complete hot mess at the moment. Please disregard anything you see on here until further notice. :)

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Ole

Okay ya'll I am seriously obsessed with this recipe for homemade flour tortillas. I have made them 3 times now and they are so delicious and easy. So far hubby and I have enjoyed them with black bean and cheese quesadillas and chicken tacos.

Here is a copy of the recipe from Dancing Branflakes, with a few of my comments added in:

Mix together:
3 cups flour (I use regular all purpose, but I think whole wheat would be good and a healthier alternative)
1/2 cup oil (I use olive oil because I think its healthier and adds a good flavor--its a good fat, right?)
1/2 tbsp salt

Add in 1 cup warm water. Knead until the dough forms a ball that is shiny and no longer sticks to your hands (I just do this in the bowl...keep it simple!). Cover with a towel and let rest for a half an hour.

After a half an hour flour your surface, pinch off a small ball of your dough, and roll out into the best circle you can make, as thin as you can--I am just starting to get the hang of this part. 

Heat a pan over medium heat, do not add oil or any kind of cooking spray, and let your tortilla puff. Once it starts to puff flip to the other side. Let it puff again and flip. Do this until both sides are a nice toasty color. 

Depending on how big I roll out my tortillas this recipe usually makes about 6, more if you make them smaller.

I am getting pretty good at watching the one puffing in the pan over my shoulder as I roll out the next so I can keep the process moving quickly.

Voila...that's it! Homemade tortillas that are totally delicious, easy to make, and free from all of those chemicals and processed junk that come in the store bought kind.

Sure they have a little extra fat from the oil, but I challenge you to read the ingredients list on those fat free tortillas you have been buying at the store. Can you read the ingredients on the list? Probably not! For me healthy eating is more about clean eating than always eating low fat or low calories. I'd rather have a little extra fat and calories than chemicals in body.

So take a little time, whip a batch of these babies up, and you'll be in love! Ole!

P.S. The few pictures I have of my tortillas are terrible (I seriously need to work on my camera skills), so hop on over to Dancing Branflakes and check hers out...they are lovely!

P.P.S If you choose to use olive oil like me, your tortillas won't turn out as white as the ones in the pictures, so don't worry....you did it right!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Making a Statement

One of my favorite fashion accessories is a good statement necklace. I love the look of jeans and a basic t-shirt with a big gob o'necklace.

Statement necklaces are the perfect way to transform basic wardrobe pieces into a new look without spending a lot. Plus, they are a great way to add personality and style to your outfit.

All of the necklaces below are from my new obsession, BaubleBar. How am I just now discovering this?! BaubleBar is the most amazing website of fashion jewelry at seriously reasonable prices. Eek! I am in love!

Shop It
Shop It
Shop It
Shop It
Shop It
Shop It

Ohmygosh. Can't stop! Find your own faves by visiting BaubleBar online.

Are you a statement necklace kind of girl, or do you keep things more simple? I am off to continue building my dream jewelry collection, and to clean the drool off of my laptop...

*This post was not solicited. All opinions are my own.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Zucchini Bundt Bread

I had the grand idea this weekend that I wanted to bake something. In order to keep things on the healthier side I got inspired by this recipe for Honey Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread. Of course when I realized today that I really needed to use up the zucchini I bought I was in no mood for baking, but I powered through and am really happy with the result.

I definitely wouldn't call this a healthy bread since it uses two sticks of butter, but it's slightly healthier than other recipes. You could clean it up even more by substituting some or all of the butter with applesauce or greek yogurt.

Honey Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
1 cup honey
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl beat eggs, honey, butter, and vanilla together. Stir dry ingredients together in a separate bowl and then beat into wet ingredients. Use a spoon and mix in zucchini and raisins.

Grease a bundt pan and pour in batter. Bake for 50-60 minutes until top is firm and golden brown.


I love using a bundt pan for this bread because it turns out so pretty. It also cuts up into the perfect slices. However, to be honest, the reason I chose a bundt pan is because I did not have the 2 loaf pans or cupcake liners that the original recipe called for. After a little research online I discovered that 1 bundt pan holds the equivalent of 2 loaf pans. Voila...Zucchini Bundt Bread!

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Summer Design Inspiration

If you read my last post, Dream House Tour, you know I have been in a decorating/design mood recently. Maybe I am going though virtual nesting? You know, still sitting with my feet propped up but happy to spend time redecorating and organizing my home via Pinterest. Am I on to something here? Could I trademark that phrase?

Annnnnyway, I was excited when I was recently contacted by Shutterfly to see if I was interested in sharing their Summer Decorating Inspiration Board here on the blog. They used the colors green and white with pops of orange to create a bright summery feel. I love the combo of colors and am excited to share it with you.

So, what do you think? I am loving that grellow shade of green and the pop of orange on the poppy plates. If done poorly green and orange can definitely leave you with a 70's gone wrong kind of feel, but in the right shades, and with a balance of white, it feels fresh, bright, and modern.

After looking at the Shutterfly Summer Decorating Inspiration Board I got inspired and decided to find my own green and orange design ideas. Here are some of my favorites, via my favorite, Pinterest:









Monday, June 10, 2013

Dream House Tour

I want to start this post by saying that I love my sweet little house. I can't imagine being anywhere else right now, but it is fun to daydream...

My dream house would have some land and be a little rural, but also be within 10-15 minutes of important things like more than one grocery store, Target, a good variety of restaurants, a salon, etc... Does that even exist?


A view of the mountains wouldn't hurt either.


A sunroom would be a must.


I would have a big and cozy kitchen with lots of storage and a fireplace.


In this heart of the home I would can lots of yummies...


...Fresh from my garden out back.


And speaking of the outdoors, we would need fantastic outdoor living spaces in the back and the front of the house.



Oh Pinterest is so fun. I could keep going and going! Check out all of my other design ideas on my Pinterest boards.