It's a Date

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! School was a little stressful, but other than that I had a great day. One of my wishes even came true: I got a Nook Tablet from Aaron! I love it so far, and I’m anxious to take the time to really figure out everything it can do.

Blouse: Old Navy; jeans: Gap; earrings: Bauble Bar; belt: Old Navy; shoes: Target

This is what I wore Wednesday night, for dinner at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, El Patron in Kansas City. They have some amazing tacos, my current favorite being their El Pastor taco. I think that might be my next attempt for taco night at home. I’ll keep you posted.

Since I wore this for a birthday date, it’s fitting that I’m linking up with Long Distance Loving’s Friday's Fancies again today. Jeans, my favorite new leopard top, and heels were the perfect combination for a Mexican food date. Although considering the amount I ate, skinny jeans may not have been the wisest choice. Live and learn.

Skinny Denim
Sandals

                              

I’m always looking for new date night ideas. What do you like to do on a date?

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Birthday Wishlist Wednesday

Today is my birthday! This year will be the very last of my twenties, and hopefully that decade will go out with a bang. 

Cardigan: Gap Outlet; blouse: Liberty of London for Target; skirt: The Limited; earrings: Kohl's; belt: Loft; wedges: Steve Madden via Marshall's

My twenties have been filled with many changes: I went to Paris, graduated college, got married, got my master’s degree, started teaching, got a dog, started a blog, bought a house, and decided to leave teaching, all in nine years. For my last year as a twenty-something, I hope to add ‘find a fulfilling career that I love’ to the list.

Since it’s my birthday and I have some birthday money already burning a hole in my pocket, I’m going to share some of my birthday wishes with you.

A Kindle. As a “real” book lover, I’ve been holding out on this one for some time. But the convenience factor (and yes, the “cool gadget” factor) is starting to make me a convert.

A polka dotted pencil skirt. This one from J. Crew is a little out of my price range, but it serves as my inspiration.

Bright shorts. I’ve already discussed this. 

Finally, one of my favorite bloggers recently opened up an online jewelry shop, Oh Poppy, filled with beautiful earrings and necklaces. I’d love this gorgeous Sparkle Necklace—it’s the type that I can imagine wearing with everything. 

Of course, this list is incomplete. Thanks to Pinterest, sample sale emails, and fashion blogs, my wishlist never seems to end.

What’s at the top of your wishlist right now?  

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Dinner Tonight: Pretzel Coated Chicken Piccata

I’ve been on quite a chicken-cooking marathon lately. I promise it’s not the only thing we eat at my house, but it does tend to photograph better than a hamburger, which is what we eat just as often.

My last adventure in poultry was a Pretzel Coated Chicken Piccata, a recipe I found in the food section of The Kansas City Star. This type of thin, breaded chicken is something I make fairly often, and I love trying different variations on the breading. I’m almost afraid to make this assertion when there are so many yummy varieties out there, but I think the pretzel coating is my favorite yet.

If you’d like a printable recipe, just go here.

What type of food do you eat the most often at your house? 

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A Great Start

Well I thought for sure I’d retired my boots for the season, but the chilly weather yesterday forced me to wear them, or freeze. It’s just as well; I don’t want to be responsible for blinding the congregation at my church with my pale legs. (I try to throw in at least one or two pale leg jokes at the beginning of the warm weather season, I apologize.)

Dress: Target; earrings: Target; belt: Old Navy (emphasis on old); boots: Mia via DSW

Although this is going to be a busy week, it can’t be all bad: my birthday is on Wednesday! I kicked off my celebrations early with dinner at my dad and step-mom’s yesterday. I left full of yummy food (including a delicious pie that my little sister made herself!) and ready to do a little birthday shopping. 

Outfit Inspiration: this photo of Sara Rue

How was your weekend? 

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Today I’m linking up to Two Birds for Inspiration Monday. 

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Picnic Ready

Do Fridays make anyone else want to do a little dance of joy? Good, I’m glad it’s not just me. This Friday, I’m joining up with Long Distance Loving for her Friday’s Fancies link up. The theme of the week is “picnic primped”. 

Shirt: Old Navy; dress: Loft; earrings: Le Mode Accessories via Selective Potential Giveaway; sandals: Target

Although I haven’t had a chance to go on an actual picnic this week, this is what I’d love to wear to one on a sunny spring day. This dress is one of the most comfortable things I own, so it was my starting point. I added the plaid blouse because to me, nothing says “picnic” like checks and plaids.

All I need is a basket filled with bread, cheese, wine, and cookies (hey, it’s my picnic—I’ll have what I want!) and I’ll be ready to go.

Day Dresses
Sandals

Have you had a picnic yet this year, or are you going to soon? 

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Wishlist Wednesday: Red Shorts Switch Up

Spring and fall are my favorite seasons, sartorially speaking, because I love all the style possibilities the weather allows. It’s cool enough for layers, yet not so cold that all anyone ever sees is my winter coat. I love being able to roll up my jeans without my ankles freezing, and it’s nice to be able to wear long sleeves without breaking a sweat.

Blouse: J. Crew Factory; cords: gifted Gap; necklace: Bauble Bar; shoes: Merona, Target

Yet I know that soon enough it’s going to be summer, and wearing corduroy pants, even if they’re rolled up, will be less than desirable. I was thinking about that as I put this outfit together today, and how I’m going to have to find a summer-appropriate replacement for this pair of much-loved red cords.

Outfit Inspiration: this look from Pink Peonies

I’m guessing that brightly hued shorts will be summer’s answer to the colored jeans of the cooler seasons. And while I go back and forth about how I feel about shorts, after a few hot days in jeans, I always break down and buy a few pairs each summer. I think a red or coral pair will be in order this year.

Here's the summer version of my outfit today: 

Button Front Tops
Sandals

Will you be trading in your colored denim for some colored shorts this summer? 

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Dinner Tonight: Chicken Breast with Lemon and Thyme

I know I recently raved about the deliciousness of a bone-in chicken breast, but the dinner I made last week served as a reminder not to ignore its boneless skinless counterpart.

This Lemon Thyme Chicken, from Annie’s Eats, was perfectly juicy and flavorful. The chicken is lightly coated in flour and sautéed in olive oil, and topped with a pan sauce of white wine, thyme, lemon juice, and garlic. Pan sauces made with white wine and lemon juice never fail to make me very happy.

I accompanied this dish with the Garlic Rice Pilaf, also from Annie’s Eats. I admit I didn’t have quite as much success with this recipe. For me the rice came out slightly overcooked, so if I made it again I would definitely need to adjust the cooking time. One thing I wouldn’t change, however, is the not-too-strong not-too-subtle garlic flavor.

What’s on your dinner table tonight?  

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Destination Procrastination

I don’t know about you, but I always save (okay, procrastinate) the least desirable things on my weekend to-do list for Sunday. Yet this weekend, I topped myself. Sunday is over, but I’m still procrastinating house cleaning and paper grading. I figure the house will get cleaned before we have anyone over, and the papers will get graded sometime before May 23^rd (the last day of school). 

Vest: Old Navy; top: Loft; jeans: Old Navy; flats: Gap City Flats

However, I wasn’t entirely lazy this weekend. I did get a lot of planning done and supplies purchased for my best friend Abby’s baby shower. It’s polka dot themed, so I’m having fun looking for all things girly and dotted. I also made a batch of delicious cookies, which I’ll post about later this week. 

Outfit Inspiration: 8 Pieces, 15 Outfits on Putting Me Together (I love her blog, you should check it out!) 

But that's not all: I helped some friends mourn the loss of the Royals season home opener, and helped another friend celebrate the big 3-0. So you can’t say that I wasn’t productive. 

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What about you, was your weekend as “productive” as mine? 

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