Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Chicken & Bacon Cheesy Pasta Bake


For this week's recipe I wanted to provide you with something that had a small ingredient list, was a quick week night meal, and easy! I found this recipe through Facebook actually. Occasionally, I will be scrolling along and come across a delicious recipe that someone shared or liked and I take a picture of with my phone so that I can save it for later (and then often, not even make it!)
This recipe stuck out to me and after a fairly busy weekend and working a busy, extra shift at work on Sunday... this was perfect to whip together for dinner.



Ingredients:

  • 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • package of bacon
  • 2 cans of cream of chicken soup
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 box (16 oz) spiral pasta
  • garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste

How to:
  • Cook & crumble bacon.
  • While bacon is cooking, cut chicken in to bite-size chunks.
  • Set bacon aside.
  • Prepare pasta according to package directions.
  • Drain/dump bacon grease from pan, cook chicken in pan. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray.
  • Drain pasta, return to pot. Add chicken, cream of chicken cans, 1 cup of shredded cheese and some of the crumbled bacon. Stir to mix well.
  • Pour in to prepared baking dish. Top with remaining crumbled bacon and then remaining shredded cheese. 
  • Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and top is beginning to brown.





The Link ups:

Full Time Mama




Sunday, October 26, 2014

Fall Style: Poncho Picks under $50

Poncho Style


            


After purchasing a poncho from an IG shop (featured here on the blog last week), I have been swooning over them!
I loved how easy it was to throw an outfit together using that piece and 
how cozy and warm it felt!
It was somewhat bulky but yet I felt stylish and decided they are the 
perfect addition to anyone's closet for Fall and Winter!
.
Best part is... you can find lots of great options for super affordable prices!!

I have put together 6 of my favorites that I found all while staying under a $50 budget.
And all from some of my favorite stores I love to shop at!!
It is a close call between the zip front and the stripes as my favorites! 
I just have never met a striped top I didn't like! :)

What is one of your favorite looks for Fall??

Have a great week!
Be sure to check out the blog later this week for another one of my Fall favorites: 
ankle booties!

xoxo



Monday, October 20, 2014

Poncho Style + Stella & Dot Trunk Show Info





Poncho: @confettibetty IG shop || Top: TJ Maxx || Pants: Old Navy || 
Scarf: VeryJane || Booties: ShopCrave Boutique

I received this poncho top in the mail today from an IG shop (@confettibetty) and I LOVE it!! I instantly wanted to style it! I am not sure what I love more about this outfit: the comfy poncho, the zara-inspired scarf or the sparkly, cute little booties!! It is the perfect Fall outfit!!!
The booties are sold out but you can sign up on their website (ShopCraveNow) to be notified when they re-stock them.
Also, hope you don't mind the photo bombing dogs! They really wanted to be in it! :) 

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Stella & Dot Trunk Show!!!

I am teaming up with friend Hilary (Stella & Dot Stylist) and hosting an online trunk show!! 
The main reason is for October and breast cancer!! There are these super cute bracelets Stella & Dot are selling to support breast cancer research!! 
I would love for you to check out the bracelets and the whole new Fall lineup of jewels on their page.
Click on the link below to take you to my trunk show and the bracelets can be found under bracelets  once you click accept the invite and "shop the show".
Thanks so much in advance!! You guys rock!!
Here are the 2 bracelets for breast cancer awareness and research


Any questions, feel free to ask!!

xoxo

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Cargo Vest Dream






Vest: Old Navy || Striped top: H&M || Necklace: Loft || Jeans: Old Navy || Boots: Charlotte Russe


I have been swooning over how so many of my fellow Instagram friends have been styling this super cute cargo vest from Old Navy and was excited to try it out myself!
It is the perfect add on to just about any outfit!
Paired with this gorgeous statement necklace from the Loft, I was in a Cargo Vest Dream!!


**Old Navy has since sold out of this vest online but,
 they do have cute long sleeve versions in camp and khaki.
I did find a cute option for the vest, here ,at TJ Maxx!!
Check out Loft's other cute necklace options here.


xoxo


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Caramel Apple Chex Mix



Happy Fall Ya'll!!!
I found this recipe a few weeks back through the Tuesday recipe link up on a fellow blog, A BaJillian Recipes and have made it a couple times now. I am excited to share it with you today and a few small changes I have made. It is the perfect Fall snack in all its gooey, apple, caramel glory!
Prepare to meet your newest addiction!




Caramel Apple Chex Mix

Gather your ingredients:
-1 box of Apple Cinnamon Chex Cereal (10 cups)
-Approx. 2-3 cups of Rice Chex Cereal
-1 cup of slices almonds (1 small bag)
-1 cup of roasted peanuts
-1-2 handfuls of health toffee crushed candies
-6 tablespoons of butter
-3/4 cup of brown sugar
-1/3 cup of applesauce (any kind, maybe even homemade)
-1/4 cup light corn syrup
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/3 teaspoon baking soda
-3 oz white chocolate (I used the white chocolate candy quick, it comes in a tray you can easily pop in the microwave for melting)
-1-2 cups of pretzels
-sprinkles (optional)
-3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
-3 oz. caramel bits
-sea salt to taste


Step 1: Line a baking sheet with wax paper (I didn't have any and used tin foil and it worked just as well!) In a large microwave safe bowl, combine cereal, almonds, nuts, and health candies. Set aside.

Step 2: In a medium saucepan melt butter (6 tbsp), brown sugar (3/4 cup), applesauce (1/3 cup), corn syrup (1/4 cup), and sea salt (to taste) together on the stove. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Allow to boil for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla (1 tsp) and baking soda (1/4 tsp).

Step 3: Pour caramel mixture over cereal/nuts mix and stir until everything is coated. Microwave for 5 minutes, stirring after each minute. Spread mix on to lined baking sheet and allow to cool completely (approx. 30-40 mins).



Step 4: Line a second baking sheet with wax paper or tin foil. Melt white chocolate in microwave until smooth. Dip pretzels in to chocolate (and then sprinkles if desired), then place on lined sheet. Refrigerate pretzels until chocolate has set.

Step 5: Once Chex Mix has cooled completely, break in to pieces. In a small microwave safe bowl melt the chocolate chips and oil until smooth. Then, drizzle over the mix.

Step 6: Melt caramel bits in microwave until smooth, add in sea salt and drizzle over mix. Place pan in freezer or refrigerator until chocolate and caramel have set.



Step 7: Remove pan from freezer or refrigerator (may have to break it up again) and mix together with white chocolate covered pretzels, store in an tightly sealed container or zip-loc bag.




The Link ups:

Full Time Mama


Recipe:

Caramel Apple Chex Mix

Ingredients:
-1 box of Apple Cinnamon Chex Cereal (10 cups)
-Approx. 2-3 cups of Rice Chex Cereal
-1 cup of slices almonds (1 small bag)
-1 cup of roasted peanuts
-1-2 handfuls of health toffee crushed candies
-6 tablespoons of butter
-3/4 cup of brown sugar
-1/3 cup of applesauce (any kind, maybe even homemade)
-1/4 cup light corn syrup
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/3 teaspoon baking soda
-3 oz white chocolate (I used the white chocolate candy quick, it comes in a tray you can easily pop in the microwave for melting)
-1-2 cups of pretzels
-sprinkles (optional)
-3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
-3 oz. caramel bits
-sea salt to taste


Step 1: 
Line a baking sheet with wax paper (I didn't have any and used tin foil and it worked just as well!) In a large microwave safe bowl, combine cereal, almonds, nuts, and health candies. Set aside.

Step 2: 
In a medium saucepan melt butter (6 tbsp), brown sugar (3/4 cup), applesauce (1/3 cup), corn syrup (1/4 cup), and sea salt (to taste) together on the stove. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Allow to boil for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla (1 tsp) and baking soda (1/4 tsp).

Step 3: 
Pour caramel mixture over cereal/nuts mix and stir until everything is coated. Microwave for 5 minutes, stirring after each minute. Spread mix on to lined baking sheet and allow to cool completely (approx. 30-40 mins).

Step 4: 
Line a second baking sheet with wax paper or tin foil. Melt white chocolate in microwave until smooth. Dip pretzels in to chocolate (and then sprinkles if desired), then place on lined sheet. Refrigerate pretzels until chocolate has set.

Step 5: 
Once Chex Mix has cooled completely, break in to pieces. In a small microwave safe bowl melt the chocolate chips and oil until smooth. Then, drizzle over the mix.

Step 6: 
Melt caramel bits in microwave until smooth, add in sea salt and drizzle over mix. Place pan in freezer or refrigerator until chocolate and caramel have set.

Step 7: 
Remove pan from freezer or refrigerator (may have to break it up again) and mix together with white chocolate covered pretzels, store in an tightly sealed container or zip-loc bag.