Mother's Day + Giveaway!

We started Mother's Day off with a clean house (thank you, Hubby!) and a morning at church. My in-laws drove down and met us at a restaurant for lunch (where they gave all the mommies a rose!), then we all came back to the house. Husband took S for a bike/trailer ride to the river, FIL took a nap, and MIL and I went to the fabric store. I think that place is my new Heaven and I might like it more than Target. GASP!

I kind of love this picture. I have no idea what face I'm making or why. It looks like I'm about to sneeze or my husband said something totally inappropriate. I'm guessing it's the second one. And no, it's not something S would understand. He's really good about that.

 shirt and pants: Motherhood, cardigan: Filene's Basement, shoes: Guess, bracelet: c/o Poshlocket

I had a very nice Mother's Day weekend and I hope you did, too! I only wish I could have been with my mom! She's my favorite. I'll get to see her in a few weeks for Memorial Day, though, and we'll be hard at work with a deep spring cleaning! 

GIVEAWAY TIME

My friend Crystal is thoughtfully hosting the very first Bitty Bug Designs giveaway, starting today and ending Monday, May 21! I'm giving away an $18 credit to the shop, which includes custom orders, so be sure to check out her post today and enter!!!

Here are some example items you can use a winning credit toward:

Tangerine

First, I want to to send out a big "Hi!" to my newest readers! Thanks for stopping by and deciding to stick around. It's a little crazy up in here! But it's all real and I'm so glad to have you! If you'd like to connect more, always feel free to find me on twitter or email me!

My family and I started being regular church-goers just a few weeks ago and I cannot say enough great things about our church! There's *so* much music, which you all know is my favorite. And it's cool, casual, and very oriented toward our generation. Our preacher teaches the Bible in terms that I can relate to my every day life and... well, like I said, I can't say enough good things! Little S. is loving Sunday school, too. She adores playing with kids her age and when we pick her up, she tells me all the things she learned. When I took her to the bathroom after Sunday school last weekend, she said, "Mommy, "God's not scary. He's fun. God's happy to see me and God's waiting for me to go potty." I.LOVE.THAT.KID.

I've had this cardigan hanging around for a while. I dyed it back in April and have only worn it once since the incident. I was trying to take it from white to mustard, but as you can see, it turned more tangerine. And I finally found something perfect to wear with it! Can you believe I overlooked this dress? I've only worn it a zillion times (ahem, it goes with all of my awesome tights).

dress: Filene's Basement

cardigan: Motherhood (self-dyed)

belt: Old Navy

wedges: Target

I should really wear my hair wavy/curly more often. It might just be a better look for me. Maybe we'll have a side-by-side photo post and you guys can vote. What do you think? I'm always leaning toward straight looking better, but now that I stare at these two photos, I think it's looking like it could use some body. And I have that naturally. WHY do I fight the nature?

Have any of you ever altered a piece of clothing and then been at a loss for how to style it?

p.s. - I put up a teaser for my new guest bath and promised a post for last weekend. That totally didn't happen. Can I make it up to you this Saturday? 

Exposure and the Chicken

 Have you ever called your dinner a "package?"

I giggled when I read the title of the recipe, because, well...

I'm a dirty sailor.

"Aromatic Chicken Packages"

(hahahaha)
- as adapted from The Glycemic Index Cookbook-

Ingredients:

- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

- 1 tsp. EVOO

- 1 zucchini, trimmed

- 1 carrot

- 1 celery stalk, trimmed

- 1 small red bell pepper, seeded

2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half

- 10 cardomom pods, broken (I didn't use these)

- 4 tbsp white wine

- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro (I used oregano)

- scant 1 cup brown basmati rice

- few saffron strands (omg. $7.99 for HALF an ounce)

- pepper

- (I added garlic)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375. Cut 4 squares of parchment paper (this wasn't in the "ingredient" list, so I didn't buy any- you'll see I used foil and it worked great), 8 inches in size. Lightly rinse the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Heat a nonstick skillet, add the oil, then brown the chicken on all sides (how many sides does a chicken breast have?). Set aside.

2. Cut all the vegetables into thin strips. In the center of each square of baking parchment (or foil), place one quarter of the vegetable strips with a chicken breast on top. Pour over 1 tbsp of the wine and season with a little pepper (and garlic). Add chopped cilantro (ahem, oregano). Fold over to encase the vegetables and chicken. Place the parcels in a large baking pan and cook in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked. I found that 20 minutes was perfect with the foil. The chicken was juicy, tender, and cooked all the way through. Remove the packages from the oven and place each one on a seving plate, letting each person appreciate the aroma as they open their own package. Seriously? They're not asking for me to laugh, here? Insert, "That's what she said."

3. Meanwhile, rinse the rice, then place in a pan with the remaining cardamom pods (er... water?) and the saffron strands (I also added saffron to the packages). Cover with water and boil. Cover, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Drain and place in a warmed serving bowl, then serve with the chicken.

Dinner: 335 calories

This plate is a 7x7 inch square.

So, my mornings have just gotten a lot more hectic. I used to only have to get myself motivated and ready to go to work. But now I have to get Little S. ready to go, too. Actually, that's a lie. I had to get her up and ready to go to daycare. But now, for some reason (ahem, she's exhausted from playing so hard all.day.long), she's a pain to wake up. So I'm quite frankly VERY lucky to be able to snap a photo of myself. This morning, I set my camera on the Brita that was still sitting on our dining table from last night. The first snap used flash for some reason and the second didn't. So the first photo is blown out and the second is fuzzed and dark. I should at least make an effort to go back outside. The grill is feeling left behind as the tripod stand-in. I didn't even grab my shoes before taking these photos, but that doesn't really matter, since I don't wear shoes at work much, anyway.

top: Filene's Basement

shorts: Old Navy

hah... that's it.

boring.

I've been thinking about setting out my outfits during the weekend and having husband take outfit photos for me ahead of time and posting them the days I actually wear them. 

Would anyone be offended? Would you have even known if I didn't tell you just now?

Oops.

Off to make chickpea burgers for dinner! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week and is looking forward to linking up with this Friday's Project Self!

Stay tuned to see We Love Colors Wednesday return, tomorrow!!!

FBFF: It Takes Time

 Good morning, Sunshines!
Today's FBFF post is about finding a balance between blogging and... well, the rest of life. This is something we all struggle with, because blogging, for most of us, is our passion and our creative outlet. Katy posed some questions that I honestly think about, daily. I was glad to answer and also wonder what everyone else will say! I have a feeling most of us are in the same boat. 
 For more information about FBFF and to see this week's participants and their answers, check out Katy's blog, Modly Chic. 

I also want to shout from the rooftops, a big, resounding "THANK YOU," to my friends at The Clothes Hound, for featuring me as one of their "Real Women, Real Fashion... bloggers" today!
What an honor! 

  yellow tank: Filene's Basement (don't know the brand)

green cardigan: Old Navy

black slacks: Old Navy

herringbone peep-toe heels: Predictions, via Whitney

belt: J.Crew, via Whitney

drop earrings: House of Harlow, giveaway prize from Walk of Fashion!

{one}

When it comes to prioritizing your life, in what place does blogging fall? 

  Blogging probably comes higher on the list of my priorities than it should, honestly. I spend a lot of time and energy thinking about posts, doing photos, editing, posting, and trying my very best to stay in contact with my readers, as well as with the writers of blogs that I follow. Being a mom, a wife, working full time, and blogging are my top four most important things. The first two are in order. The second two might not be... That's up for you to decide.

{two}

We all wish we had more free time to dedicate to blogging and all it entails. What are your tricks for taking advantage of the time you do have to be as productive as possible? 

 Well, my husband works nights, so after I put my daughter to bed and while he's at work, I choose my outfits and organize my closet in such a way that I can grab an entire outfit in the morning. My husband takes my photos on the way to work and if he's not off that morning, I take them before I leave the house. I (usually) post to my blog first thing in the morning, when I get to work. Shh (and for all of you who work with me- it's not like you didn't know! ;) ) ... Staying in touch with everyone is the most difficult and time consuming part of blogging, but it's also the most rewarding. And that, my friends, is why everyone needs a smart phone. My iPhone keeps me in touch via facebook, twitter, and email, at all times!

{three}

Have you discovered any short-cuts that makes blogging easier or more time efficient? 

Is there really a valid short-cut to doing something and doing it well?

{four}

Do you have an editorial calendar or something similar that helps you plan ahead? 

I don't, but it's something I've been considering. I've been coming up with a lot of on-a-whim post ideas, but I lose them before writing them down, because I usually come up with things while I'm working. If I could jot everything down on a notepad and make a calendar, I think my blog would be a lot more organized. That being said, I also really like the feel of my blog and how my writing is conversational and about what's going on, literally, right now.... or last night... or this morning. You know what I mean? I think that's what's relatable about me, so I don't want to compromise that with a bunch of tutorials or editorial pieces that aren't necessarily my style. Does that even make any sense?

I do have some how-to pieces that I'm working on, though! And don't worry- they're very me! 

{five}

If time wasn’t an issue what you would be doing on your blog/for your blog that you aren’t doing now?

Absolutely! I would be networking a heck of a lot more! I would make the time to really (and I mean REALLY) learn Photoshop. I would scout out more photo locations, learn better tripod techniques, study poses, do my makeup and hair more often (but hey, that also wouldn't really be "me," would it?). I would probably live on Twitter (or do I, already?). I would try to do more question/answers on the blog, which is something I'm trying to put together right now. So, in short, yes. Yes, I would do a lot more!

In other, very exciting, news... 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEST FRIEND!
I love you!
27's not so bad, as far as I can tell... :)  

All I See Are Changes

A little bit different, today. Yes? 
This morning, I had to go to the dentist, UH-GAIN, for this stupid tooth. I swear... and NOW, they're blaming me, because "It seems as though you're a clencher or grinder." Really? Did it really just take 6 months to figure that out? Okay, anyway... hopefully *crossing fingers* we've found a remedy. If not, there are other roads to take before extraction, but I'm praying that won't have to be the case at all. I think I'm going to get a night guard so I don't grind, if that is, in fact, the problem at hand.

My husband came with me to the dentist, because I was afraid I'd get the same, "Nothing's wrong with you. Why are you here, again?" run around. I didn't. Good thing, too. Husband is tough. And by tough, I mean he'd kill 'em with a giant smile and big, sparkly blue eyes. He brought me to work, after the appointment, and we spotted the library on the way. He decided it would be a pretty photo location, and I obliged, obviously. He's the artful eye in the family! I couldn't be happier with how these turned out. I felt very JoAnn, while posing for these photos. She's the queen of locations and definitely takes the cake on stair cases!

 

floral dress: Filene's Basement (Boston)

plum cardigan: Eddie Bauer Outlet

scout green tights: c/o We Love Colors

black booties: Payless

skinny black belt: New York & Company

 

My hair style is inspired by Kelley of The Eclectic Owl!

Holy pickles, people! If you don't read her blog, get over there, now. Kelley is SO stinkin' cute, I can hardly stand it. And her "I'm lazy and don't want to blowdry my hair all the way" hair is flipping amazing. I tried. Probably didn't do it much justice, but I tried.

Thanks for being my personal version of perfect, Kelley!

 I really hate to leave, but The Bossman is playing Nickel Creek, and it's getting me in the mood to work really hard and make sure my kiddos graduate! I want to genuinely thank all of you amazing people who continue to inspire me. I've made changes, taken chances, and tried new things BECAUSE OF YOU.

In attempt to catch up, I'll do three things, today.

Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people-
When I'm stressed out and frustrated, I don't want to cry. I don't want to be alone. I don't want to eat ice cream. I don't want to take a walk. I want to EXCESSIVELY CLEAN.

Day 22: A website-
Any website? Or my favorite website? Google Reader is my most visited, Gmail is my second most visited, Facebook ranks high up there, too. Hrm... OH, a favorite. Yes.
http://jackieransonphotography.blogspot.com

Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered-
I want to be remembered as a loving, compassionate, giving wife, daughter, mother and friend.