Italian Chicken and Squash

Alrighty! A few weeks ago, I made something that called for zucchini and yellow squash. I of course had a ton left over and I HATE to waste food, so I decided to get creative! The whole family loved it so much, that I made it again last night with a few changes.

First, I get about 5 chicken tenderloins. Chicken breasts can be used has well, it is really just preference. I season them with salt and pepper, minced onion and garlic, basil, and oregano and let it sit in the refrigerator a few hours.

Next step is to slice up eggplant, zucchini, and yellow squash and layer it out in a medium sized casserole dish, coat with evoo, and season with salt and pepper.



Next step is the brown both sides of the chicken over medium high heat with a good drizzle of evoo. Once browned, lay the chicken over the layers of squash, zucchini, and eggplant. Then pour about half of a jar of any red sauce over the top, then sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese, and last some provolone slices.



Cover the dish with foil and cook at 350 for about 25 mins. Remove foil, then cook an additional 5-10 mins, until cheese is melted and bubbling. For the Hubs and my 3 boys, I serve it over multi grain spaghetti noodles, but I prefer it just like this, with it's saucy cheesy goodness!

I of course have zucchini and eggplant left, so don't be too surprised if you see a recipe including those soon!

Daisy Clover's 7th Bday Bash!

For those of you who know me well, you will know that I LOVE a bargain! I will sometimes even buy something JUST because it is on sale!

On Saturday, the AMAZING Natalie Woods, owner of Daisy Clover Boutique threw an amazing birthday bash to celebrate the boutiques 7th bday! She had cup cakes, wine, mani's and pedi's, and discount to boot! You could shop around, and at the check out you get to pop a balloon that has a discount in it.

As always when I am out shopping, I went straight to the sale rack to see what I could find. I found this adorable Hannah Jo Gotha black beaded top that was retailed at $205.oo. After a few mark downs, it was listed at $42.00! I then got to pop a balloon that gave me an additional 10% off! I had a gift card with some money left on it from previously working with Natalie, so when all was said, I paid $17.58 for this adorable top!!!

I am really looking forward to finding an event to wear this to!!!

Energy Boosting Stuffed Peppers

I want to start out be giving everyone a heads up about me and recipes...I never follow them, lol! I find them to be a good base or idea for a meal, but I just do my own thing when I cook. I rarely measure as well, but I can defiantly give you an idea of what the measurements should be if you ask!

I found this idea from the Kitchen Diva on Dr. Oz and thought it looked fantastic! Ingredients as follows:

3 bell peppers (red, orange, yellow)
1/2 lb ground turkey
dried minced onion and garlic (I use the Mc Cormick Grill Mates)
ground black pepper
seasoned salt
fresh spinach, stems removed
salsa
brown rice (about 1/2 cup)
EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
shredded cheese

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375

wash and half the peppers length wise, leaving the steams. Place in a medium sized oven safe dish, coat with evoo, cover with foil and bake for 20-25 mins.

while the peppers are cooking, coat a large skillet with evoo and brown the turkey. While browning, season w/ the garlic, onion, pepper, and seasoned salt to taste. Remove and drain the turkey and return it to the skillet, and then add the spinach. When it has cooked down, add the salsa (I probably used about a cup). Remove from heat and stir in the brown rice.

after removing the peppers from the oven, fill each with the ground turkey mixture, then top w/ the shredded cheese. I used cheddar, but anything that grabs your taste buds will work. I always tend to go heavy on cheese, because let's face it, cheese makes all things better! Cover with foil and put back in the oven another 20-25 mins.

when you remove them from the oven, let them rest about 5 mins and then enjoy! They were so good and filling! Even my meat and potatoes Hubs enjoyed them!

Style Icons

I thought for my first blog it would be a good idea for me to discouse my style icons. This way, my readers can get an idea of who inspire my favorite looks and trends.

My first and for most style icon, who has been for as long as I can remember is Sarah Jessica Parker. Even back in the 80's when I saw her "dancing in heaven" in Girls Just Want to Have Fun, I knew I wanted to be her. I have enjoyed watching her style change and evolve over the years, whether up for a red carpet, or running her kids around NYC in her dressed down outfits. She isn't afraid to take risks, and it pays off.

My next icon is not just style, but also beauty...Jennifer Lopez! Her flawless beauty takes my breath away! I loved when she came in with all her curves and helped to change the stereotypical look of Hollywood. One of her signature looks is long loose waves, glossy lips, and the one sleeved dress, and I LOVE IT!

My final style icon is Nancy Botwin; Mary Louise Parker's character on Weeds. I love her hippie chic breezy outfits and natural waves. On any typical day, you will find me rocking a flowy sundress, beachy waves,and even an iced latte, just like Nancy.

New Changes!

I am so pleased to announce some new changes to my blog, life, and work! I am no longer working as Fashion Editor for Zoom, so I have decided to take my articles to blog for freelance writing! I will be blogging about any work I do (wedding makeup, fashion makeup, personal shopping, wardrobe assessments...), shopping I do, events I go to, and also food! See, I feel that fashion is also about health, so I will be posting about healthy food I make and eat!





I'm sure there will be a few fun blog posts that slip in here or there about my family and activities as well...





I am really looking forward to this new direction I am heading and can't wait to share the journey with you all!