What I Wore

What I wore to work. I had to take this photo myself using a mirror (the mirror that we had to return) since Eric wasn't around... he must have been working late. I've mentioned before that I'm not big on red so this is one of the few red items in my closet but I liked it with the gray and the leopard. Winter is pretty much the only time of year I wear the few red items (other than maybe the 4th of July). I've noticed that I've never tending toward red in decorating either... guess I just like other colors better and sometimes red seems like a harsh color. Do you have any colors you tend to steer clear of?

It's a great time of year to grab a pair of boots on sale. I love wearing comfortable flat boots throughout the fall, winter and into spring. I think brown/cognac is the best color to start with and then black is next!

Gray sweater dress: Kohl's, similar, similar
Red cardigan: Loft Outlet, similar, similar
Fleece lined black leggings: Marshalls, very similar, very similar - this is the brand I have my fleece tights in, similar not fleece-lined - I have these too!
Leopard belt: Target, similar
Black boots: Andrew Gellar, similar, similar, similar
Black scarf: shop in London, similar
Clear and gold chandelier earrings: Towne and Reese, almost exact, similar


Linking up to: What I Wore Wednesday, What I Wore to Work, Because Shanna Said So

Recent Thrifty Finds

I try to visit our Habitat ReStore every few months (wish I went more frequently actually) just to see what they have in the way of furniture, etc. and I always look at the books because our store has a great selection of books. The last time I was in there I saw this cookbook which I had on my wish list for awhile after seeing Pioneer Woman praise it. I was honestly surprised to see it in the ReStore and snatched it up in a hurry for less than $5. And not I cannot wait to have friends over for dinner and make something from this book.

During waaaay after Christmas shopping, like basically New Year's shopping with my mom I found this snowflake burlap table runner in HomeGoods on clearance that would be great for Christmas and/or the winter season. I could make something like this fairly easily but not for $4.

I have been wanting a polka dot sweater and I happened upon one on a recent trip to the outlet mall at Banana Republic Outlet. It was marked down to $55 but the whole store was 50% off, score!

I also found an orange long-sleeved top... my current one was starting to look sort of worn out. This isn't as Clemson orange as the photo/computer makes it look but it will work, especially for $12 and then 50% off.. yes that's right a $6 shirt!

I've been painting my nails more frequently now that I figured out how to make them last at least a week without chipping (I'll post about that at some point). I bought some nail polish recently at Marshall's and TJMaxx to expand my collection because they sell OPI and Essie and Sephora brands for $2.99-$4.99 instead of the $8-$9 (but selection is limited so I just make a habit of looking whenever I am there) these are in stores so you can get a nicer quality nail polish for the same cost of a cheaper brand.

Have any of you savvy shoppers found anything super thrifty lately?

What I Wore

What I wore to work. I created another outfit with my new winter black and white skirt that I was very happy with by going monochromatic with the top/scarf combo. I continue to love my target booties too.

Dark magenta sweater: Target, similar, similar, similar $12, similar also $12
Black and white skirt: Loft Outlet, similar, similar - really cheap, similar - polka dot, similar, similar, similar
Tan ankle booties: Target- sold out, very similar Target option, similar, similar
Fleece lined black leggings: Marshalls, very similar, very similar - this is the brand I have my fleece tights in, similar not fleece-lined - I have these too!
Pink scarf: shop in London, similar, similar
Pink earrings: PickYourPlum, similar, similar

Apparently when wearing monochromatic I tend toward these two colors together as you can see from this previous outfit post.

Linking up to: What I Wore Wednesday, What I Wore to Work, Because Shanna Said So

Grilled Pepper and Onion Pasta with Spinach

In honor of Meatless Monday this is a wonderful healthy meatless dish. Of course if you don't want it meatless, you could easily add chicken or steak or fish to it... such a versatile dish! I had written rigatoni pasta on the grocery list and Eric came home with rotini pasta by mistake, obviously very similar. I'm sure it doesn't really matter but next time I'll use rigatoni to see. I upped the spinach to try to have about as much spinach as pasta to even out the carbs :)

Grilled Pepper and Onion Pasta with Spinach
Adapted from Real Simple
Serves 4-5 as a main dish or more if you add chicken or eat it as a side dish

Ingredients:
- 12oz box of rigatoni or rotini pasta (or whatever pasta you like)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ground pepper to taste
- 2 medium red onions, sliced into rings
- 2 large red peppers, chopped into bite size pieces
- 8oz baby spinach leaves (we used a little more than half of a bag that was 15oz)
- 1 cup of fresh grated parmesan
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- garlic powder to taste
- crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Combine red peppers, red onions, olive oil and ground pepper in large bowl and mix. Season pasta water with salt and cook pasta according to directions. You will need to reserve 1-1 1/2 cups of pasta water when it is done.

Meanwhile, heat grill or grill pan on medium heat and pour the bowl of peppers/onions onto the pan. Grill for about 10 minutes or until there are nice grill marks and charred bits. You need to keep an eye on them and turn pretty frequently. This step totally reminded me of the smell fajitas have when they are brought out at a restaurant. Make sure the onions are grilled and softened to your liking (less grilled/crisper onions will be more potent so I like mine well grilled). When vegetables are nice a grilled, pour them onto a cutting board to give some of the bigger onion rings a chop until everything is bite size.

After pasta is done, return it and a cup of the reserved pasta water to the pot. Add the grilled veggies, spinach leaves, 1/3 cup of the parmesan cheese(the rest of the parm is used for topping), garlic powder, ground pepper and crushed red pepper (if desired). Mix well and add more pasta water if needed and adjust seasoning to taste.

Serve with basil and parmesan cheese on top.

ready to be grilled

mixing the components

I think this would also be delicious with grilled chicken or steak. Let me know what you think if you try it!