Friday Favorites

TGIF!

So I'm still struggling with post-Chicago fatigue and going to work was not helping. I'm officially done with trips until my Disney trip in November so of course I'm filling my work days with research for possible vacations in the future. I made a pact with myself that I would always have some type of trip planned to have something to look forward to, but my desire to vacation instead of work has been getting a little out of hand--- anyone else relate? Either way I'm pumped it's finally the weekend. It's going to be beautiful weather so I'm looking forward to some sun time.

Here is what I'm loving this week:

Bachelor in Paradise

Is anyone else obsessed with this terribly trashy television show? I figured I needed to add a little summer smut to my television watching this summer and this show did not disappoint. It basically takes a group of former contestants from The Bachelor and Bachelorette, drops them off in Mexico and let them try and "find love." Definitely a great mindless guilty pleasure on Monday nights.

Manchester Outlets Sidewalk Sale

Today after work I'm going to take a trip to Vermont (about a 1 hour drive) to the Manchester Outlets because this weekend they are having a huge sidewalk sale. I'm looking forward to hitting up Kate Spade and J Crew Factory to scoop up some end of the season sales. 

Recreating Dinners

 I still can't get over how delicious this pasta dish was that I inhaled at Fornello's in Chicago. I'm one of those people who try things are restaurants and instantly want to try and make the recipe at home. So I'm going to attempt to recreate it sometime next week for dinner. If my recreation goes well I will definitely share it with you all, so stay tuned.

What are you loving this week?

xoxo

Black & White

Truth be told I'm a girl who gravitates towards bright colors and patterns but every once in awhile I feel the need to wear plain black and white. There is something effortlessly chic about the color combo. Plus, black and white can we worn year round depending on how you style it. 

As with most of my inspirations, they start with Pinterest: 

I fell in love with this eyelet top from C Wonder a couple weeks ago so I decided to style an entire black and white ensemble with this top as the focal point. This look also really made me want to invest in a pair of ripped white jeans, so many great ways to dress them up and down. I could totally see myself wearing this outfit to get late night drinks with friends in the summer. Especially when the summer nights start to get a little cooler.

Are you a color girl or someone who prefers neutrals?

Eyelet Flutter Top // Top Shop White Skinnies // Sandals // Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody

Wraparound Bracelet // Gold Plated Bangle

Chicago Recap

Hi Friends!

Sorry for the delays in posts this week but I needed a couple days to recover from Chicago and catch up on the 8000 emails I had. Not going to lie, I debated missing my flight home on Sunday so I could spend more time in Chicago because I had soooo much fun. I've already decided that next time I visit I will be staying much longer than a long weekend because I just did not have enough time with everyone. 

Here is a quick recap:

• We arrived in Chicago on Thursday night and my cousin Josh was waiting for us when we got off the subway to take us to dinner. We went to this delicious Mexican restaurant called Uncle Julios and I ate my body weight in enchiladas and margaritas (needless to say it was a great kick off to our weekend).

• Friday morning we took my cousins dog, Luna, to the dog beach. I had never been to a dog beach/park before, mainly because I'm 99% sure Misa would get kicked out of one for bad behavior. When we arrived I was in doggie heaven, mainly because this park combined two of my favorite things: the beach and puppies. It was so fun to watch Luna run around and swim in the water, I could have spent all day there. Side note: they have doggie lifeguards there, best job ever--- If I ever moved to Chicago I would have to be a lifeguard for dogs.

• After the dog park we decided to do a little shopping in Lincoln Park. My cousin Dave, who flew in with me, tends to dress like a hillbilly so it was fun to give him a make-over and get him some new pieces that doesn't make him look like he belongs at a farm. After shopping we ate at this amazing burger place called Kuma's. My first dog was named Kuma, so this place was near and dear to my heart. The menu consisted of different mac and cheeses, and plenty of burgers. After that huge meal I was full for the rest of the night.

• After lunch, we headed to my cousins volleyball game. He plays in a summer league on the beach so we were able to cheer him on followed by drinks by the water.

• After volleyball we went out on the town. We bar hopped to plenty of places all around Chicago including a bar that allowed us to play arcade games for free. It was quite a long night and I did not get much sleep (a theme for the weekend) but I had so much fun going out with everyone. The best part was that we were able to meet up with plenty of people I went to Costa Rica with so it was a mini reunion!

• Saturday morning was a little slow moving after our late nights. We ended up getting breakfast at a place called Waffles followed by the beach. I was so exhausted that I ended up taking a nap on the beach only to be interrupted by this group of 50 people doing a "Glee-like" performance on the beach. It was like a flash mob combined with a theater performance, they were dressed in 60's garb and were singing and dancing along--- quite the experience.

• Post-beach it was time to rehydrate and get some food. We ate at this delicious Italian restaurant, my favorite meal of the trip. I can honestly say that Chicago has some fabulous restaurants, I don't think I've ever had a bad meal there when I visited.

• After dinner we went to Wrigley-Fest and watched this great cover band sing followed by even more bar hopping till late in the morning. Hence the reason why I was not eager to get on a plane Sunday morning. I also realized that I barely took any photos on this trip, I was too busy having so much fun.

Where is your favorite place to visit?

xoxo

New Recipe: Enchilada Casserole

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

Sometimes I cook things that don't always look the most appetizing in photos but is actually quite delicious in real life---- the perfect example is the photo above! I was trying to attempt to take photos at different angles and even when I served it on a plate is still would not photograph well but I promise you if you're a fan of Mexican food you will love this because this meal was very tasty and even easier to make.

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground beef
• 1 large package of wheat tortillas
• 1 can chopped black olives
• 1/2 jalapeños (optional)
• 1 10oz can of cream of chicken soup
• 1 10 oz can of cream of mushroom soup
• 1 10 oz can of enchilada sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 lb shredded pepper jack cheese (I buy a block of cheese at the store and grate it at home-- it adds better flavor).
• 1 can diced green chilies
• Salsa and guacamole for dipping (optional)

Directions:

• Cook the ground beef and onion on a stovetop until beef is well done.
• While beef is cooking grate the cheese and set aside. 
• Cut wheat tortillas into strips (see photo) and set aside.
• In a bowl, mix together the 2 soups, enchilada sauce, olives, jalapeños, and chilies.
• Add ground beef mixture to bowl and stir so everything is evenly mixed.
• In a casserole dish, alternate layering tortillas, ground beef mixture and cheese (similar to making a lasagne) until all the ingredients are gone.
• Bake in the oven for 1 hour.
• Garnish with salsa and guacamole.
• Enjoy!

xoxo

Sunday Thoughts

Happy Sunday Friends!

I'm flying home from Chicago tonight!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend so far. I'll be recapping my trip this week!

What did you do this weekend?

xoxo

Weekly Outfit Recap

I have a short week of outfits to display for you since I only worked 4 days this week. On the plus side I have finally started to remember to take close ups of my accessories for each week. Hopefully I can start to do this more often.
 Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend so far! 

Top J Crew Factory (old) // Skirt J Crew // Bracelet C Wonder (old)

Top Loft (old) // Skirt Ann Taylor

UGH no matter how often I lint roll my skirts, Misa hair always makes an appearance!

Bracelets Talbots & Nordstrom (old) // Glasses Ring Kate Spade // Skull Ring Cape May

Dress Francesca's (similar)

Bow Bracelet Kate Spade // Glasses Ring Kate Spade // Boys Make Passes Bangle Kate Spade

What did you wear this week?

xoxo

Friday Four: Chicago Edition

Happy Friday Friends!

Since I'm currently in Chicago until Sunday night I thought that my Friday Favorites should have a Chi-town theme to it. Chicago is definitely on the short list of my favorite places to visit and I always try and get here at least once a year.

Here is what I'm loving:

Cousins!

I'll be staying with my cousin Josh while I'm there. I haven't seen Josh since Costa Rica so I'm really looking forward to hanging out. Plus I'll also get to see plenty of the other friends I made while in Costa Rica so it will be nice to have a mini reunion. Joining me on my journey is my younger cousin Dave who (finally) turned 21 in July, I know he is looking forward to going out with us to the Chicago bars.

Ann Sathers Restaurant

Whenever I visit Chicago, I'm always craving Ann Sathers food. We went there for breakfast the fist time I ever visited and they served me a GIANT cinnamon bun (see above--- that was after I ate half of it) with my breakfast... so basically in addition to the omelet I ordered I received a cinnamon bun that filled me up even before I had the chance to eat the omelet. They also have fabulous fruit mimosas which I've been thinking about for weeks.

Lake Michigan

I'm hoping to head to the beach at some point this weekend to soak up some rays and possible play some beach volleyball. I'm always so jealous of the fact that my cousin has such amazing access to great beaches.

Michigan Ave

The shopping in Chicago is always incredible, I finally get access to a Nordstrom (ughhh I wish the 518 would get a Nordstrom... my closet would be so much better). I'm not sure if I'll get to shop this time around since I will be with my two male cousins, but I'm going to try!

Chicago friends--- any recommendations for me this weekend?