I'm Back:)

Sorry for the long absence:) Got caught up in summer...got a job transfer and promotion..and my sister got pregnant! Needless to say, Ive been busy- and I still am. But Im determined to contribute to this blog at least on a monthly basis. I'll try and leave recipes, styling tips, and DIYs...Happy reading!

Trend of the month: Maxi Mayhem

So this summer I've decided to live in maxi dresses. They wear perfectly from business day, to romantic night and everything in between. You can wear a maxi to a graduation, a lunch with your mother in law, or a kid's birthday party and be appropriately dressed in each scenario. I am all about the deal, and you can't beat this one!
Another great thing about maxi dresses is that you can accessorize the hell outta them! I absolutely LOVE pairing a maxi with a denim top, like a jean jacket or vest. You can also wear them with a colorful cropped, open cardigan, or a leather jacket. You can pair statement jewelry peices with your maxi too, like a chunky necklace (which I cannot do sadly due to allergies) or colorful bracelets.
Depending on your height, the shoes you pair with your maxi will vary. I'm 5'5 so I can either wear a gladiator flat sandal or a 6inch wedge. You will have to make your shoe selection based on height, preference, and appropriateness of venue. Either route you take, I would opt for a shoe that is opposite of your dress. For example, if you are wearing a bright solid or print dress, I would wear a plainer sandal/wedge (black/white/nude) and vice versa, if I have a plain black or white maxi, Im going for a pop of color in my footwear, like neon or floral. I also make sure that no matter what I wear on my feet,  a must-have accessory is a good pedicure!!
This summer is all about pops of colors and flattering styles, a maxi with a bright shoe/purse, is perfection!

Stay cute ladies:)
PS. Cant figure out how to rotate my pics!! But you get the idea...





Black Maxi with a jean vest



Recipe of the Week: Low Fat Chicken Enchildas

One word; YUM! Ok so I love chicken as a protein in meals, and there is nothing I love more than an easy dinner that the whole family gobbles up. So these chicken enchiladas are perfection. Homemade, all fresh veggies AND drum roll please....... Low Fat!
I only use 2 (heaping) Tbl of low fat sour cream and 2 cups lowfat mixed blend cheese (equal parts mozz and cheddar). This meal is fast, simple, and delicious. You will be able to throw it together on a weekend night or after spending 2hrs in traffic on a Friday evening -_-. Either way it's a crowd pleaser (both my picky nephew and step son request it regularly and call it "tortillas")

Ingredients:
10-20 flour tortillas (may substitute for whole wheat)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 whole red bell pepper chopped
1 whole green bell pepper chopped
1 small yellow onion diced
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp cayenne powder
1 Tbl cumin
1 Tbl garlic powder
1Tbl onion powder
1/2 cup low fat sour cream
1 heaping Tbl fresh parsley chopped
1 small can tomato sauce (about 1/2 cup or so depending on how many you're making)
1/2 cup chicken stock

Items:
Baking dish (I use a retangular shaped, glass casserole dish, see pic^)
Cooking spray

Preparation:
First get a large, deep skillet and drizzle about 2 Tbl EVOO
Add chopped onion and cook until translucent (or soft)
At this point, if your pan is getting dry, add some chicken stock and deglace (de-glaze) the pan
Place chicken breast in pan with onions and season with all seasonings, and half of your parsely- cook through entirely
Add chopped red and green peppers, cook for 2 mins (cut chicken into bite size peices while in pan)
Add 1/ cup tomato sauce and 1/2 cup sour cream (adjust seasonings to taste)
Cook for 2 mins (until sauce thickens and tastes delicious)
Turn off burner
Spray your baking dish with cooking spray
Get tortillas ready and microwave each one for 10 seconds before using (a smidge time consuming, but definitely worth it as it makes the tortillas pliable so they don't crack!)
Take your first heated tortilla and place spoonful of chicken mixtured right down the center (reserve 1/2 cup of just sauce with no chicken in it)
Starting from the outside end, roll tortilla around until it looks like a soft shell taco
Make sure taco seam is on the bottom of pan and nothing is coming out of the ends
Repeat this until your dish is full (about 10 enchiladas)
When done cover entire dish in low fat cheese
Take reserved sauce and spoon it in a straight line across the middle of the enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining parsely
Cook for 15 mins on 350

Try to remember, although it looks like A LOT of instructions, I purposely made mine very detailed so as to make sure everyone who tries it, has a successful outcome. If something isn't explained well, please let me know I am completely open to suggestions. Oh, and to all you single ladies out there- if you make this for your man on the first date, don't be surprised if he puts a ring on it! ;)

Welcome!

Hey Divas!
My name is Tara and I am super new to blogging (but not to writing). I am finishing up my bachellor's with a double major in English and Africana Studies, working full-time, and adjusting to married life! Pretty much a typical woman, doing everything for our families, saving the world from catastrophe and having dinner done by 7pm every night. I wanted to create this blog because I found myself falling in love with D.I.Y's and crafts, cooking up a storm, and helping plan a few weddings in my down time lol. I've learned soo many awesome tips, tricks, and recipes that I figured why not share them with all of the amazing women around the blog-o-sphere?? So here it is ladies, look here to find a recipe of the week (complete with step by steps and pics), useful and easy D.I.Y's, wedding planning tips, and advice on how to survive your first year of marriage. Thanks for visiting! Please comment and come back frequently!


Xo,
Tara