Crochet Comfy

 

free people crochet top (cute option)  //  loft pant leggings // sweet home alabama necklace // fergie rider boots 

There's nothing better than a comfy outfit on a cold day. Try pairing an oversized sweater with a great pair of boots and you're ready to go! I've had this Free People crochet top for a couple years now, and I just can't get enough of it.

Quick Steak Pita Pockets

Some nights you get home from work late, you need to get to the gym and you still haven't spent that precious time on bloglovin, so you need a quick dinner! Dinner in a "pocket" is my go-to. Paired with vegetable and starch, you can make it look like you've been slaving in the kitchen all night.

Ingredients:
Pita Pockets
Cherry tomatoes halved
Lettuce
Feta cheese crumbled
Steak tips (the kind labeled "for stir fry" or "for fajitas")
2 teaspoons olive oil
Favorite steak seasoning ( I used oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice)

Directions:
Place pita bread in oven at warm setting. In a non-stick skillet heat olive oil at medium high heat. Cook seasoned steak for 3 minutes on each side or to desired temperature. Remove pita from oven; each in half. Stuff each pocket with steak, lettuce, tomato and feta. That's it...no really!

Yellow Dots!

polka dot dress (pair this one with a yellow cardigan) // filagree earrings (love these) // jewel stone bangle (cute option)

I have to admit, I have an obsession with polka dots. When I saw this polka dotted sweater dress in the window of a local boutique, I ran right in. The sparkled buttons on the sleeves definitely sealed the deal for me.

Spicy Shrimp Soup

I'm not a huge fan of shrimp, but when I found this recipe I thought I'd give it a shot for my slightly-asian boyfriend. It makes a great appetizer for an asian meal, or even a good addition to that grocery store sushi you might bring home every once and a while.

Serves 4:
Ingredients:
4 cups of chicken broth
2 cups of water
1/2 cup of instant white rice
1 pound peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
salt to taste
jalepeno
bean sprouts
cilantro
soy sauce
sriracha

Directions:
Combine broth and water; bring to boil. Add rice and cook 5 minutes. Set aside. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, garlic, crushed red peppers and salt. Cook shrimp about 4 minutes on each side or until desired color. Add shrimp to soup mixture.

Split soup evenly among 4 bowls and let your guests "make their own" soup. They'll be able to have it as spicy or mild as they like with the jalepeno, bean sprouts, cilantro, soy sauce and sriracha.

Garnet & Rhinestones

garnet paige denim // rhinestone statement necklace (cute option) // elephant ring (similar) // nine west flats

There's nothing I love more than a bright pair of pants to add a little pop of color to your wardrobe. For months I've been stalking the aisles of TJ Maxx trying to find the perfect pair. I was a little apprehensive at first (a girl with curves needs to be careful with this type of thing), but I finally found them. At  $45, these garnet Paige jeans are a steal--that's less than a quarter of the original price! They also just happen to be  bright enough for the holidays, yet dark enough that even a girl with curves can pull them off.

Retro Print

urban outfitters headband (similar) // steve madden suede classic pumps // tiffany silver pendant // sunner for anthropologie dress (similar with adorable print)

Retro prints are one of my favorite trends. I like to think of it as "Granny Chic." This Sunner dress for Anthropologie is what I wore on my first day as Health magazine's intern.

Happy Friday, y'all!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Red Potatoes

I know, I know...brussels sprouts? The vegetable we all come out of the womb hating. My mother's Greek kitchen however never produced this delicacy, so I never had an opinion. A few months ago my boyfriend's mom brilliantly roasted these tiny little cabbages, and after some hesitation, I took my first bite and fell in love! To cut cooking time, I decided to try throwing them in with my roasted potatoes. Now, it's my favorite side, and I've served it with everything from salmon to beef. You have to give them a chance! You won't be disappointed.

Ingredients:
20 small red new potatoes
24 brussels sprouts
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons garlic pepper
salt to taste
1/2 cup water

How to:
Wash brussels sprouts and cut ends off. Wash potatoes and cut each in half. Combine in a medium baking dish. Mix vegetables with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic pepper and salt. Add water into the side of the backing dish so that it doesn't wash off seasoning. Bake in oven at 450º for 40-45 minutes or until potatoes can be easily pierced with fork.