Almost Red-y

Just one photo today. It was all I could grab before heading out to work!

I've loved colored jeans for quite a while, and now have red and green jeans in addition to the usual blue. But I haven't quite found my comfort level with them. So far, all I've been able to pair with colored pants are neutral hues.

 

scarf: Limited

sweatshirt: Target

jeans: Target

boots: Steve Madden

Snow Problem

Somehow I accidentally ordered 20 pizzas online the other night. I had meant to order 5 for last night, but instead the order re-submitted itself 3 additional times, and for RIGHT THEN. That was an embarrassing phone call to Papa John's. I'm just glad it was caught in time. 

 

sweater: Gap

skirt: Anthropologie

tights: Gap (old, I've somehow had these since High School!)

boots: Steve Madden

It started snowing while I was shooting these photos. Just a light little dusting, but it was  comfortingly there. I was worried we'd miss winter entirely this year. I'm ready, though, armed with the most comfortable skirt in the world.

Still Sleepy

I feel asleep last night around 1 a.m. on our bed as I was folding laundry. When I woke up this morning I was still holding a sock. 

We have one of our 3 times yearly staff trainings this weekend. And I'm already tired going into it. Hopefully I can get some rest soon!

 

scarf: Target

shirt: J. Crew

pants: Target

boots: Steve Madden

Recipe: Healthier Chicken Parmesan

I love Chicken Parmesan, but I don't love the calories, nor the typical chicken patty that you'd get at a restaurant. This was my attempt to make a "better-for-you" Chicken Parmesan. It turned out really well, with a golden crust and a flavorful, tender chicken. 

This was a dish I winged making, using several different recipes' ideas in order to bring this together. It will definitely be made again! I did use pre-made sauce from Newman's Own to cut corners, but I'd love to make this some time with a scratch tomato sauce.

Using Panko for the breading made it light, while still yielding a good crunchy exterior. (Panko also doesn't absorb as much oil as a typical breadcrumb.) We also used a finely grated Parmesan, instead of mozzarella, over the top of the chicken when baking, and served it with a whole wheat pasta.

So, while it's not a "healthy" meal, per se, it is still healthier. Good enough, right?

Chicken Parmesan

4 chicken boneless chicken breasts

1 egg white

1-1 1/2 cups milk

2 cups Panko breadcrumbs

salt & pepper

1 T dried basil

1 t garlic powder

3 T ground Parmesan

Olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

2. In a bowl, mix the egg and milk and whisk to combine well.

3. In a separate bowl, mix the dry Panko, basil, garlic powder, ground Parmesan and a few turns each of the salt and pepper.

4. Heat a 12 inch skillet to Medium-High and spray with an olive oil sprayer. (Or you can just pour in 1 T olive oil.)

This is my olive oil sprayer...you can find them for about $9 and it's my new favorite thing!

5. One at a time, coat the chicken breasts throughly, first in the egg/milk mixture, then in the Panko mixture. 

6. Place the chicken breasts in the heated skillet and cook on each side for about 2 minutes, or until golden brown. 

7. In a small baking dish, or pie dish, place the chicken breasts. Pour red sauce over the chicken, then cover and place in the oven. 

8. Cook, covered for about 25, or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees internally, using a thermometer to check the temp. 

It's not quite done yet!

9. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and place chicken back in oven until cheese is just melted. (It should take less than 2 minutes.) Serve with spaghetti and red sauce, and, if you're really wicked, bread.

Simple

Somehow, I've gotten it into my head that a sweater/shirt combo is menswear. But I felt incredibly feminine in this outfit. It might have been that I felt a bit '40s-ish, with the silk blouse, wide jeans and red lipstick: A bit--a very small bit!--like a modern Katharine Hepburn.

 

sweater: Anthropologie (on super sale!)

blouse: Thifted

jeans: Gap

heeled booties: Seychelles

I was really enjoying the unseasonably warm weather, but today it was 22 degrees again! Is it bad that I'm already excited about Spring coming soon? BRRRR!!!!

Twilight

"Twilight" used to be one of my favorite words. Then a certain book series came along and RUINED EVERYTHING. 

 

sweater: Target

t-shirt: Target

skirt: J. Crew

tights: Gap

boots: Steve Madden

She begged to be picked up, but wasn't planning on that!

We went to Memphis last night and saw one of my very favorite bands, The Civil Wars, perform. It made for a rather late night, and photos just didn't happen until this evening. 

I really like this color combo. I've been seeing so many pastels for Spring, the likes of which I haven't seen since Elementary School Easter Sunday. The outfit was an attempt to "winter-ize" the colors.

And just for fun, here's my favorite cover the band performed last night: 

Joan-sing

I felt very "Joan Holloway" in this outfit, but without the gross husband and the old man on the side. If only I had remembered to wear my pen necklace.

bow blouse: Gap

skirt: thrifted

tights: Target

oxfords: Seychelles, via eBay

out of focus photo: running late for work

We also added to our little family this weekend by adopting a rescue Cairn terrier that we named "Halle". 

She's a spunky wee thing and we're so glad to have her. While I took these photos, she defended our yard from an advancing tree's attack. The tree must have won, because she ran behind me and hid.

Trees, man, they'll get ya.