Fave Find

Of allll my thrifted finds of 2012, there is one that takes the cake.

It is The Crowned Jewel of my thrifting adventures.  I've even featured it here on the ole blog.

But I'm not telling you what it is.  You'll have to hit up Jamie at Owl Really to find out.

Jamie is doing a fun series titled..........

 

And I'm thrilled that she asked me to share.

You'll probably fall in love with her (like I did)!  She's a vintage loving, booth keeping darling.  And I truly count her as a friend.

So head her way!  But before you hop over, what do you think my fave find is?

Take a guess........

What I Wore (date night)

Last Saturday, the mister and I painted the town red.  Just the two of us.

We had a date night extravaganza planned.  It started with a couple's massage (where I found a masseuse I would go back to).  Then we headed to dinner (our fave sushi spot).  And finally, we wrapped it up at the movies (Skyfall).

For the festivities, I wanted to keep it casual.  And a particular pin had me inspired to remix some items I already had.......

source

I had green jeans, brown boots, and a black top in my closet.  And while I didn't have a green scarf, I did have one I thought might work..........

And look at that.  A third pair of brown boots.

I clearly do not need more brown boots.

Or any color boots for that matter.

Shopping ban extended.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde,  

Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled up Pretty, and

Cilantro Lime Chicken Bake

In my efforts to be thrifty lately, I've been planning ahead in the kitchen.  Pantry checking, Pinterest stalking, and list making.  

Last week I was craving one of my own recipes which would require limes and cilantro.  Then I discovered I had recently pinned a casserole that called for both of those ingredients.

I like trying to maximize on similar ingredients, so there is no waste.  I hate having to throw out unused produce.  So limes and cilantro went on the list.

When it was time to make the casserole, I realized it called for three different recipes.  BUT with some shortcuts and my own adaptations, it didn't take as long as I thought.  And it was outstanding........

Cilantro Lime Chicken Bake

(adapted from original source)

1 lb. of boneless, skinless chicken breast

3 limes

a bundle of cilantro (about 2 cups chopped)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 teas. salt

1/4 teas. pepper

2 teas. sugar

1 cup instant white rice

1 15 oz. can chicken broth

1 tbsp butter
8 oz. sour cream
package of shredded pepperjack cheese
tortilla chips
jar of salsa verde
ranch dressing (optional)

To prepare the chicken, place it in the crock pot along with the juice and zest of two limes.  Chop 1/2 cup of cilantro and add to the crock pot along with the salt, pepper, sugar, and minced garlic.  Divide the chicken broth, setting aside 3/4 cup for the rice.  Add the remaining broth to the crock pot.  Set the crock pot to low, and cook for 6-ish hours.  Shred the chicken when cooked.

Prepare the rice right before you are ready to assemble the casserole.  Add 3/4 cup of chicken broth and a tbsp of butter to a saucepan, and bring it to a boil.  Add the cup of rice, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, and juice from one lime.  Cover and remove from heat.  Let it stand for about five minutes, then stir.  (I found this rice recipe to be quicker than the original version.)

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 9 x 9 baking dish.  Layer all of the rice on bottom.  Add the shredded chicken next.  Spread 8 oz. of sour cream over the chicken, then pour the salsa verde over the sour cream.  Sprinkle pepperjack cheese over the top.  Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve with a side of tortilla chips and top with ranch dressing.  Yields about four large servings.

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Whew.

That was a mouthful.

But I swear it is worth it.

Linking up with:

Mrs. Happy Homemaker, This Gal Cooks, Whimsy Wednesdays, Foodie Friday, The Chicken Chick,

Addicted to Recipes, Tutus and Tea Parties, Six Sisters' Stuff,  BEAUtiful Mess annnndddd

This Week (Instagram Style)

I survived a grading frenzy........

I survived thanks to my favorite hot tea and leopard Snuggie.

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I ordered my very last pumpkin spice latte (til next fall)......

I had a little moment of silence after they told me they used up the syrup for my order.

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I may have broken my shopping ban for ONE Etsy purchase.......

I could not let this tea towel get away from me.  It's my favorite Pyrex pattern. 

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Missouri weather.  One minute it is 60 out, and I'm spray painting.  Next thing you know, we have inside recess for days on end..........

If you can't beat em, join em.

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And lastly, I put the ole fireplace on Instagram for some opinions........

To paint or not?

The brick, that is.  White or ivory.

I received some passionate NO votes.

What sayeth you?

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Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with......High Five for Friday and Insta-Friday.

What I Wore (pattern mixing)

I am sticking to my January shopping ban like a pro.

We have even cooked dinner at home every single night (except Saturday) for two weeks.

Where did this willpower come from?!?!  What is happening to me?

Anyway.

In keeping with my thrifty resolution, I've rediscovered some forgotten items in the depths of my closet.

Vintage Express, for example.......

This sweater and scarf both came from Express y.e.a.r.s. ago.  (Thus being deemed vintage.)

I wore them together in the name of pattern mixing.  Secretly wondering all day if Shanna would approve.......

Express was so before its time.  I mean, striped sweaters and red animal print scarves?

All those years ago.  How did they know?

Or are these items past their prime?

And in my thrifty state, I'm becoming delusional?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde,  

Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled up Pretty, and

Scenes (from the weekend)

The good........

I got to giggle with my girlfriends (and our boys) Saturday night.  Dinner at our favorite Italian spot and a new downtown venue afterward. 


The bad.........

There was a heatwave on Saturday and Sunday.........temps in the 60's.  Which was actually good.  Except it made us want to clean the garage.  So the mister could park INSIDE for the first time in almost three years.  I guess that's good too.  It's just bad that it took that long.


The ugly........

I'm trying out a new recipe tonight.  I did not read ahead prior to purchasing the ingredients.  It requires you to make three. different. recipes.  Then you combine them in a casserole for the final product.  I am a one-step-recipe kinda girl.  This had better be good.


The worst thing of all.........

I have a stack of papers to grade by tomorrow.  Four sets actually.

I am dying inside.

Linking up with.....

Holiday VoxBox

Awhile back I heard about a neat site: Influenster.  Through this site you might get the chance to earn free stuff to use and review!

So I signed up!

Next thing you know, I'm getting a Holiday VoxBox filled with all these free goodies to try out........

EEEEEEKKK!

Excitement!

Now for the breakdown.....

One of my favorite items was the Goody brush.  The first time I used it, I seriously could tell a difference with how quickly my hair dried.  It is now the only brush I use.  It does require some maintenance (in the way of cleaning those fibers) but I'm impressed. 

My other fave was the NYC liquid lipshine.  I received the nude color.  I have worn it every single day since I got it.  I will buy more when I run out.  

Next, the mister got the peach almond oatmeal.  He eats oatmeal daily, so I thought he might like this treat.  He loved it and told me it was something he'd buy in the future.

The Montagne Jeunesse face masque was a fun item.  I'm not sure if I noticed a huge difference in my skin after using it, but it was fun to try a new masque.

An item that I tried, but didn't like at all was the Eboost.  It was the pink lemonade flavor.  After a few sips, I poured it down the drain. 

Another fun item was the Kiss Nail Dress.  These are pretty easy to apply.  This is a fun way to "paint" your nails in a hurry.  They say they last up to ten days, but they started getting dogeared within a few days.  But I'm pretty hard on my nails.  And I tend to pick at things. 

Lastly, there was also a coupon for $25 off a Sole Society purchase!  The prices are reasonable, and they have lots of cute shoes to choose from!  I am currently on a self-imposed shopping ban, so I'm trying to refrain from going back to the site.  You can benefit though!  Use INFLUENSTER25 to get your discount til January 31st.

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So there you have it.  My VoxBox review.  I am crossing my fingers for another round of freebies to try out!

What I Wore (to a meeting)

So yesterday required me to be at a curriculum meeting instead of the classroom.

That meant two things........

I probably should not test the colorful skinny jeans boundaries as I would be at the district central office.

And the room we were meeting in is usually set to Arctic type temperatures.

Basically, I needed to be warm and blend in.

Khaki skinnies and layers to the rescue..........

But this outfit also was good for two other reasons.....

I am working on a no-new-clothes-buying-in-January resolution.  (Baby steps, people.)  Soooo I shopped my own closet and re-found that sweater, which I had forgotten, but love. 

Annnd it proves to you that I have other boots.

Some of you maybe were getting worried that I only had one pair..........

I do occasionally wear something other than my favorite boots ever.

So, while not too exciting, this outfit packed a whole lotta punch.

It was my warm resolution keeper.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde,  

Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled up Pretty, and

Cheesy Rotel Chicken (in the crockpot)

Food day at work is my favorite.

You get to sample all kinds of fun treats.  And almost every time, I hound someone for a recipe.

That's how I discovered this next dish.  A coworker brought in a spicy, cheesy crockpot dinner for food day a few years ago.

So last week, when Christmas break was coming to an end, and I was trying to stock the kitchen with ingredients for super easy recipes to make during the first week back to work, this one came to mind.

We'll call it Cheesy Rotel Chicken........

Cheesy Rotel Chicken

(via Melinda Call)

1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can Original Rotel
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken
1/2 lb. Velveeta (cubed)
16 oz. pasta

Place the chicken in a crockpot for 4 hours (or so) on high.  After chicken is fully cooked, shred or cube it and place it back in the crockpot.  Add both soups, the Rotel, and cubes of Velveeta to the crockpot.  Set the crockpot on low and stir occasionally for about two hours.  Before serving, cook the pasta of your choice.  Add the pasta to the crockpot, mix well, then serve!

Variation on the pasta.....it doesn't have to be added to the crockpot.  I had half a box of the bowtie and half a box of spaghetti noodles.  I wanted to use them both up, so one night I plated the bowtie and ladled the chicken mixture over the top.  And did the same thing with the spaghetti for leftovers.

*   *   *   *

Easy?  YES!

Tasty?  VERY, with a little kick!

Leftovers?  SO GOOD!

Clean up?  Minimal!!!

Now go dust off your crockpot!

Or is it crock-pot?

Crock pot?

I don't know.

Linking up with:

Mrs. Happy Homemaker, This Gal Cooks, Whimsy Wednesdays,
  33 Shades of Green, The Winthrop Chronicles, Foodie Friday, The Chicken Chick,

Addicted to Recipes, Tutus and Tea Parties, Six Sisters' Stuff, annnndddd

Lately (Instagram Style)

In the last week (or so):

I re-staged my counters to accommodate the KitchenAid........

That baby can shred chicken in seconds!

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Sir Chester wore a bandana.......

He was not a fan.

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I surprised Whit with a birthday message on Instagram.......

With the help of a particular student.

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The mister surprised me with a coffee date........

That is an Oreo Latte, my friends.  It was i.n.s.a.n.e.

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And finally.

I began one of my favorite winter rituals..........

Monday nights with The Bachelor and a fire.  Wearing sweats and ugly socks.

From the hours of 7 to 9 CST, you know where to find me every Monday evening for the next two months.

Viewing quality television.

I am not ashamed.

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Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with......High Five for Friday and Insta-Friday.

What I Wore (back to reality)

A few weeks ago, I posted about a scarf that I purchased online for a pin I wanted to duplicate.....

 

scarf  //  pin

The scarf arrived over Christmas break.  

I may have already confessed that I barely got out of my pajamas while I was off.  So while I loved the scarf, it really had nowhere to go.  

But then the break ended.  

Cue the first day back to reality.  

I felt like it might take some leopard print (and Starbucks) to get me through.......

But survive, I did.  In my Pinterest inspired outfit.

The gift of some cute and very tasty cupcakes may have helped the situation too.......

Because cupcakes make everything better.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde,  

Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled up Pretty, and

Giveaway (at Peacoats and Plaid)

You would not believe the monstrous giveaway going on over at Peacoats and Plaid!  There are THREE prize packages each totaling over $400!  EEEEEEEK!

You can enter all three giveaways, but make sure you look at prize package #2 because that's the one I contributed to!!!

 Good luck!!!!!!!!

Thrifting Frenzy

Christmas break thrifting was g.o.o.d.

I found two suitcases..........

They both match my special room.

I think I'll keep them.

Shocking, right?

I already had the larger mate of the light green Samsonite.  So I was very excited to add the travel case to my collection.

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I don't collect this pattern of Pyrex, but my parents had these plates when I was little......

You know I'm a sentimental fool.

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I've kind of started to like afghans.

However, this one is not my style at all.

But when I looked it up on ebay, the prices were shocking.......

So that makes me want to keep it.

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And lastly, a silly vintage dress.........

Vintage dresses and skirts are overflowing at home.

I do not need to purchase a single article of clothing for the entire month of January.

We'll see how long that lasts.

Resolutions and shopping bans are really a joke around here.

But I am going to try to drink more water.

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Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl, Sir Thrift-a-lot, A Living Space,

    The Cottage Market, Magpie Monday, Thrifty Thursday, annnnnddd

What I Wore (on New Year's Eve)

Have you ever been so lazy that you didn't get out of your pajamas for days on end?

Which also might mean you didn't leave your house for days on end.

Well...

That maybe happened last week.

My mom said I looked well-rested.

Anyway.

New Year's Eve would require putting on something other than pajamas as we were heading to the annual party at Whit's house.

We don't do sequins or heels.

We DO do Just Dance, however, so I would need to be able to bust a move.  And I thought that green skinnies, boots, and a sweater would allow for some dance dominance...........

Let's take a moment to talk scarves.

Did you know you can turn any scarf into an infinity scarf?!?!  This sort of blew my mind.  I never even considered it until Whit taught me to knot the ends and loop it around the neck.

So that's exactly how I tied this scarf.........

But after a few rounds of dance domination, the scarf had to come off.  And sometimes, when you really mean business, the boots have to go too......

If this blurry pic isn't enough proof that we are exceptional dancers, it's possible that a recap of the night complete with video footage exists.  

Now......

Back to a few more days of being a hermit in pajamas.

Happy New Year!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde,  

Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled up Pretty, and