Thanksgiving...Dallas Trip... A few Outfit Ideas... And yummy recipes!

Well thanksgiving weekend has come to an end and I see so many posts of everyone being so thankful for everything they have, but some forget to be thankful for having Thanksgiving Day and the weekend off from work. Being in healthcare is very rewarding but often people forget that hospitals don't close down for the holidays, they are running in full speed. In our household we often have to work holidays that most people have off. I have to work one winter holiday every year so I choose Thanksgiving to have Christmas off. I am very thankful for everything that God has given me in this life and I am even more thankful that I get to give of myself to people in the hospital during the holidays and hope to make their stay more pleasant.

Well lets go back to being thankful, God truly rewarded me again this year with many amazing blessings. I have one strong hardworking man I come home to that steals my heart away every time I look at him. I have a job that I enjoy, even during the most stressful of times. I have a family that is always there for me and would give me the shirt off their backs without even asking. I have a faith in Christ that leads my pathway through this crazy thing called life. But most of all I am thankful for truly being happy. Yes there are ups and downs in life, and things don't always go the way planned, but I try to not make a big deal out it, I try not to complain but try to make the best out of the situation that I possibly can.

I did have to work Thanksgiving weekend but had Sunday through Wednesday leading up to it off. Like I talked about in my previous blog, we were in Dallas for the 4 days. My other half was attending an EMS conference while I just got in some relaxation. I am happy to say I didn't stay in my PJs the entire time, but I seriously could have lived in them for four days if I wanted to. In the evenings we would go out for dinner with the rest of the crew attending the conference, so that meant getting dressed! We did get to explore a little bit of the city before heading out Wednesday though.

We stayed in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Downtown Dallas, and yes it is a nice hotel to stay in.  Right next to the hotel is the Dealey Plaza and Grassy Knoll which is where the assassination of president John F. Kennedy took place on November 22, 1963, so we just happened to be there for the 52rd anniversary of the shooting. If you don't know much about that day please take time to read up on it. I could talk about it here but it would make for a very long blog. I have very much enjoyed the "Killing" books written by Bill O'Reilly, and "Killing Kennedy" is a good one if you have not yet read it. It gives a lot of good information especially for history buffs! Below are a few pictures I snapped while walking around the area.

Ohhh yeah I also can't forget that we made a pit stop at one of my favorite places to go while in the Dallas area, well technically Corsicana, the Collin Street Bakery! I absolutely love this place! The cherry ice box cookies are to die for!! If you ever have a chance to make a stop there, please do so. They have lots of delicious goodies, it will be hard for you to just choose one! They also have a catalog and can order online if you can't make it out to one of their bakeries.

Well i started this blog to give great travel ideas, recipes and DIY projects but also add some fashion in there as well. Most days I don't get the opportunity to wear regular clothes, I feel like scrubs have become my everyday attire! I decided to take some photos of the outfits I have worn lately and posted the links to where you can find some of the same things. A few of my friends have asked me so many times, where did you get that or I like how you pair this with that, so for those that need it I wanted to share these ideas with them!

I snapped these two photos pre-cooldness, so you may not want to try to wear these outfits anytime soon, but I mean it is Texas, we could be wearing shorts for Christmas, you never know! 

I have an absolute love for these shorts from J.Crew, they are the most comfortable shorts I have ever owned. All you have to do is just slip them on, no buttons or zipper! I may have a slight addiction, I own many pairs in all colors and patterns. You can pair them with any type of shirt or sandals and make sure you have pretty accessories to go along with it!

Shorts: J.Crew-  Boardwalk Pull On (Exact ones here! And they are on sale!)

Shirt: Target Structured by Merona

Sandals: Mine are from GAP, but you can find these type of sandals pretty much anywhere!

Earrings: Kendra Scott- Danielle Rose Gold in Brown Pearl

Necklace: Kendra Scott- Rayne Necklace in Brown Pearl

Watch: Fossil -Original Boyfriend ( Not my exact watch but close, mine has a brown face)

 Here is just a casual outfit I wore one morning to Top Golf. It was very relaxing but also cute at the same time. I really like the Ralph Lauren Oxford Shirts! They are so soft! If you don't have one yet, I highly recommend trying one out, especially if you can get one on sale.

Shirt: Ralph Lauren- Knit Oxford Shirt ( I would never pay this much for a shirt, I got it on sale so look for those good sales then get one!) 

Shorts: J.Crew- 3" Chino Short in Navy

Shoes: Sperry Boat Shoes

Earrings:  Kendra Scott- Danielle Rose Gold in Brown Pearl

Watch: Fossil -Original Boyfriend ( Not my exact watch but close, mine has a brown face)

Now here are the outfits I wore while in Dallas. Some days were colder than others. I still paired a jacket with each outfit if needed. I love vest and wear them often! They can make a simple long sleeve shirt or sweater look 10x better!

Shirt: Target- Womens Long Sleeve Crew Neck

Vest: Bass Pro Shop (This was actually a gift to me from my sister, I couldn't find it any longer on the site but Vests are so in you can find a cute one just about anywhere!)

Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters (They no longer have them)

Boots: Just my old wornout boots that I have had forever. They are my favorite pair. I love the ruggedness of them and will never polish them! 

Scarf: I get just about all my scarves from Sam Moon, ladies if you have never been to Sam Moon then you need to plan a trip to one soon, talk about Accessory Heaven! 

Earrings:  Kendra Scott- Danielle Rose Gold in Brown Pearl ( I have been wearing these a lot it seems!)

Bracelet: Swarovski ( They have lots of different colors so check them out! All of them are so shiny!)

Watch: Fossil -Original Boyfriend ( Not my exact watch but close, mine has a brown face)

Another Dallas outfit. I love pairing sweaters, scarves, leggings and boots together, its usually my go-to outfits!

Sweater: Target- Merona Stripped Pullover Sweater

Leggings: The Loft- Seamed Ponte Pants in Black

Boots: These are from DSW, I have had them awhile, but trust me you can find a pair of riding boots anywhere that sells shoes!

Scarf: Sam Moon

Earrings: Kendra Scott- Alexandra Earrings in Green

Here is just a nice casual outfit I wore on one of the not so cold days in Dallas. 

Shirt: American Eagle Outfitters- Long Sleeve Flannel. ( I didn't see the exact same one but they have tons of different ones online and at the store)

Jeans: American Eagle Outfitter- Straight Jean

Boots: My old rugged boots!

Scarf: Sam Moon

Earrings: Kendra Scott- Sky Earrings in Purple (They no longer carry this pair but they do have lots of other great colors! Or try out the color bar to get a similar color!)

Watch: Fossil -Original Boyfriend ( Not my exact watch but close, mine has a brown face)

Dinner on the town. I wanted to be dressed comfortable and casual but with a little dressiness to it!

Dress: GAP- Prone Fit and Flare Dress. (This one is not the exact one, the one I have on is a 3/4 sleeve while this dress in short sleeve)

Scarf: Sam Moon

Boots: DSW 

Socks: Tall Brown Socks that I got at Target years ago.

Earrings:  Kendra Scott- Danielle Rose Gold in Brown Pearl

For the car ride home I wanted to be as comfortable as possible so I threw on my most comfortable clothes I brought.

Sweater: Academy- Columbia Harborside Fleece Pullover

Pants: Academy- BCG Compression Pants

Shoes: Academy- Brooks Ravenna 6

All along with my favorite watch and earrings!

This blog is all over the place. It's jam packed with different things, so why not include a recipe for a dinner that I tried recently and a vegetable side.

This was a good one ya'll!! After I made it Zach and I devoured it and it made me feel like a chef when he said over and over how good it was!

One Skillet Tuscan Chicken

What you will need:

1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cubed

8 oz mushrooms, sliced ( the recipe called for it but I didn't add them)

1/2 yellow onion, diced (again recipe called for it but I absolutely hate onions so I didn't add it)

2-3 Garlic Cloves, Minced

2 Medium Tomatoes, Diced

1 (15oz) can Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 Cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1/3 cup black olives (I had kalamata so thats what I used)

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

1 Tsp Oregano

1 tsp Thyme

2 Tbsp Fresh Basil, Chopped

Salt and Pepper

Olive Oil

3/4 Can Artichoke Hearts (Recipe didn't call for it but I added it)

1. First start off by cutting the chicken breasts into cubes or pieces.

2. In a large skillet, over medium heat, add the chicken pieces and cook for a few minutes on both sides until its cooked all the way through. Once its done cooking transfer to a plate or container to use later. 

3. Add 1Tbsp of olive oil to the skillet and saute the mushrooms (if you add them, remember I didn't use them) for a few minutes until they are tender and juices have evaporated. Then set these to the side as well.

4. Add another 1 Tbsp olive oil to the skillet add the diced onion (again remember I didn't add this). Saute the onions for a few minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic to the onions and saute together. Add salt and pepper to taste. (I didn't add my garlic here since I didn't use onion)

5. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to the skillet and toss the diced tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, Cannellini Beans, black olives and I added artichokes. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle in the oregano, thyme, and drizzle the balsamic vinegar and honey. I now added the garlic.  Stir for a few minutes. ( Here you can add the mushrooms if you choose to)

6. Now add the cooked, chopped chicken to the skillet. Stir and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Add more salt and pepper if needed. 

7. Serve hot, and garnished with fresh basil. I served mine over brown rice! 

Like I said this meal is so good! And what is even better, its super easy and quick, ohhh yeah and healthy!!

I also tried out this easy and tasty Green Bean recipe to go with it! These green beans were so yummy! Just sitting here typing the recipe makes my mouth water and can't wait to make them again!

Sautéed Green Beans with Lemon and Blue Cheese

What you will need:

1 Tbsp Butter

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

8 ounces Green Beans, Trimmed

1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tbsp Sriracha or other Hot Sauce

Fresh Lemon Juice

2 ounces Crumbled Blue Cheese

1. First step is washing green beans and trimming the ends off.

2. In a large skillet, over medium heat, heat the butter and olive oil. 

3. Once hot and melted, add the green beans.

4. When the beans are just beginning to color, stir them around and add the Worcestershire, Sriracha and lemon juice (Add as much or little lemon as you like, I like lemon so I add a lot)  Cook until the beans are a crisp-tender.

5. Once done transfer to a plate and crumble the blue cheese over them and enjoy!

Again guys, so good and so simple and easy!! This vegetable went so good with the above dish!! I will definitely makes this combo again real soon!

Well dinner is done but whats for dessert?? Well I decided to make adult Root Beer Floats!! Yes you heard me right! I was at HEB one day and they were giving out samples of this "Not Your Fathers Root Beer", and I happened to think it was pretty good. HEB went again and got me with their free samples!! I love samples, but just about every time I end up buying something they give me, I can't help it! I will tell you it wasn't cheap for a six pack compared to other six pack drinks, maybe like 15 dollars if  I remember correctly. They also have the singles so maybe try buying one while creating your own six pack and see if you like it! Well no float is complete without Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla, it's literally the best, I missed it so much while it was gone, how did we ever survive without it!! Well we just put the ice cream, with a little chocolate syrup on top in our Yeti cups (talk about staying cold, its the best cup out there!!), then added the Root Beer and it was amazing!!! I added a spoon and a straw and to make things even better we took them out to the backyard with us and jumped in our hot tub! Talk about a good relaxing night!!

Before I end this blog I do want to say that most of the photos from the recipe part were done by my amazing Boyfriend. He has become somewhat of an aspiring photographer, or at least he thinks he is! My Dad won a camera at work not too long ago and didn't want it, so I told him I would take it and try to learn how to use a fancy camera. Well I haven't really used it much, Zach on the other hand loves using it! Wish everyone could see how he was trying to get the best angles and good lighting! He's such a trip! But I think the pictures turned out great!!