Leopard and a dose of Spring.

Red scarf: mall kiosk // Black sweater: Target // Leopard skinnies: Walmart // Black heels: Target {These also looked cute with a pair of flats... but I kinda loved the heels.

First things first, I give MAJOR props to you amazing fashion bloggers... because it's not easy. Putting the outfit together, styling the clothes, wearing the clothes... so easy. Could do it in my sleep. But the not feeling awkward while the camera is in your face... not cool. {Notice there aren't any face shots... I just looked silly. And needed makeup}.

Oh yea, you know how I got those polka dot skinnies at Walmart... I got these leopard ones then too. I love these pants. They don't fit exactly like a skinny in the calf/ankle area... more like a boyfriend jean. But I liked them a lot once they were cuffed. And they're so comfy. See kids, fashionable items can be found in the most unexpected places. 

Speaking of fashionable... I'm dying for spring. DYING. So, I made these pretties today...

They will be launched officially next week... but if you are interested in one. Leave me your email in the comments;)

Happy probably snowy, Tuesday!

Linking up with Lauren, Alisa, Shanna, and Lindsey!

A weekend mishmash...

It doesn't feel like a Monday... which is going to definitely throw off my entire week! We decided to take today off of work since we worked this weekend. {but I'm still returning emails and sewing props...I guess that's what happens when you enjoy your job} So while everyone was up and out this morning complaining about the snow... I was actually in bed, not minding the snow since I didn't have to be out in it.

But really, mother nature, what's with this snow storm??? It's almost April for heaven's sake!

So anyways, onto my not so thrilling weekend...

Before I went into work on Saturday, we stopped at the thrift store to pick up a few things to make a couple props out of... but I also scored a super cute J.Crew dress and an Old Navy blazer... I spent $4 on both... can't complain about that!

The straps on the dress need tacked up a bit... but it's the perfect easy spring/summer dress. 

Let's backtrack a little though to Friday {I'm all over the place this morning...}... I got home and it was a very good mail day... I received fabric that I had ordered a week before... SOOOO excited to work with it after lunch today! And my eshakti dress came... and it fit perfectly! {There will be another whole post devoted to this little pretty :)}.

And I treated myself to a delicious iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks while I did laundry. I'm in love with those... sooooo good!

Such an exciting weekend, huh? 

So yesterday we ran to the new Whole Foods to pick up a few things for dinner for the week... that store was really nice. If you're in Columbus, you definitely should check it out. I'm always so impressed by the quality of food there and the fact that it's no more expensive than Giant Eagle or Kroger. And because it was a gross day out we ventured to the movies to see Spring Breakers? Have you seen it? Don't. It was awful. Time I'll never get back. While the acting was really good... kudos to James Franco for playing his role so very well and to Ashley Benson, Vanessa Hudgens, and Selena Gomez... they were the only saving grace in this film. They played troubled college students really well. But aside from that... awful. I left the theater thinking... "Did I seriously just watch that?" I have no words... just that it's honestly not worth the money you'll spend at the theater. There isn't even comedic relief in the movie that could potentially save it... 

*sigh*

Now, I'm off to have lunch then spend the afternoon with my dear friend, my sewing machine. 

How was your weekend?!

Linking up with Sami and Leeann today! 

Happy Monday, kittens!

Chicken Tortilla Soup {She cooks}

I have aquired this strange habit of pinteresting myself to sleep... some people read, some people count sheep, some people watch TV... me? I pinterest. 

Then I dream of these wonderful concoctions. And usually wake up with ideas of what I'm cooking for dinner. Inspiration strikes me funny sometimes. 

I've been wanting to make Tortilla Soup for awhile but the roommate doesn't like beans, and I tend to overload my soup with beans. {But seriously, who doesn't like beans?!} Then she had decided try to live a gluten free lifestyle {which I think is great - and inadvertently I have too} however, when I used to make this soup the base was a cheddar cheese soup base. Not gluten free friendly. 

Then... inspiration struck. And I decided to give this baby a go with a new recipe I had brewing in my head... it's healthy, bean free {reluctantly}, and gluten free! #winning <-- that's not still a thing, huh? 

What you need:

1/2 sweet onion, finely diced

1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 small can of diced green chilies

2 cups low sodium chicken broth

2-3 large chicken breasts {I used thighs and it turned out pretty yummy as well}

1 jar of any salsa of your choice

1 can rotel tomatoes

taco seasoning {store bought or homemade}

1 small container {6 oz.} plain greek yogurt

1 bag of frozen corn

Garnish:

Sour cream

Cheddar cheese

Tortilla chips

Or whatever your little heart desires

What you do:

The best part about this soup... it's a one pot wonder, and the longer it cooks on the stove the better. I started this soup as soon as I got home from work one evening and just let it simmer on the stove for probably over an hour until it was dinner time. Or... you can eat it right away. That's my favorite kind of meal. 

Anyways... you probably want to know how to make this, huh? 

In a large pot heat the olive oil on medium, add the diced onion, red pepper, can of chilies, and garlic and let saute for a few minutes. I probably let them go for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. While the veggies are sauteing - dice your chicken up in a bite size pieces. How much chicken you use it totally up to you! 

Pour the chicken broth into the pot and give it a good stir to loosen up anything stuck on the bottom. Add the chicken and up the heat a bit to medium-high. While this is cooking, get out your blender... pour the jar of salsa, can of tomatoes {and their liquid}, greek yogurt, and taco seasoning in the blender and let that puree until nice and smooth. This makes the base for the soup... and it's a darn good base if I do say so myself... pour that into the pot, dump the bag of frozen corn in there as well. Cover, turn the heat to low and let it go for about 20 minutes. Stirring occasionally. 

And that's it. Serve this bowl of healthy, yumminess up and you will have dinner and leftovers {at least for me} for a couple of days! 

**I would flavor check before you serve it to make sure it isn't too spicy. If it is... put a heaping spoonful of sour cream in the pot and stir.**

Serves 6 {ish}.

Happy Friday, buttercups!

Do you have anything exciting planned for the weekend? I gotta do some laundry and work... who wants to come do my laundry?!?!?! ;)

The Bloglovin' Collective

<a href="http://www.peacoatsandplaid.blogspot.com/search/label/bloglovin%20collective" target="”_blank”"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/bre916/bloglovinhop200_zps1f5121c1.jpg"/></a>

Welcome to the brand new, weekly Bloglovin Collective party! This link up is dedicated to helping the transition from Google Reader to one of my favorite ways to read other blogs.

YOUR HOST:
Bre @ Peacoats & Plaid

CO-HOSTS:
Sam @ Reddy or Knot
Rebecca @ Rebecca with an R
Amber @ My Three Bittles
Krystal @ Krystal's Kitsch & Sunny Soirees
Laney @ Night Owl Venting
Shauna @ Momma Candy
Jacqueline @ Nora & Jac

**Co-hosting slots are filled until May 2nd**
Send me an email at peacoatsnplaid(at)gmail(dot)com if you want to get on the list

Polka dots and green. {What I wore}

Jacket: Marshall's {years ago} // Lace shirt: XXI // Polka Dot skinnies: Walmart // Green booties: Charlotte Russe

Notice the little flowers coming up... spring's coming, spring's coming, spring's coming... right?!

I'm legit obsessed with these pants and booties. Like I never want to take either of them off. 

Sunglasses: some random store at Polaris Mall. They were screaming my name. Obviously.

Bracelet: a gift from my Momma... or I borrowed it from her. ;)

I have been searching for a pair of polka dot skinnies for a few months now... and they have been surprisingly hard to come by. Especially when you factor in that I wanted them to actually fit well, not break the bank, and to be denim color. So you can imagine my shock when I randomly come across these babies in Walmart of all places. I was grocery shopping, minding my own business, took a little browse through the clothing {not expecting to find anything} and I find these. On clearance. With zippers at the ankle. And they fit well. Sold. 

It's so awkward being in front of the camera. I haven't been doing photography for very long, but I feel much more comfortable behind the camera. Where I'm control. But... the sun was shining and I'm loving these pants so... I couldn't miss out on the opportunity to snap a few pictures. 

And after seeing these photos I realized a few things -- that I should take my hands outta my pockets, I need to wash my hair {it's really not dirty, but I have a lot of product in it}, and actually do something with it, and I'm still unsure of the lace shirt. I keep trying to wear it... and never really love it. Eh, ya win some ya lose some, right?!

Well, sweet cheeks - I'm off to catch the finale of Pretty Little Liars... I have a whole theory about this show... even though I'm kinda over it now. They are dragging it on too long and adding too many random people and events. I just don't love it anymore... but I still must see how it plays out.

I'm linking up with... Shanna for Random Wednesday // Lindsey for What I wore Wednesday // Lauren for Style Sessions // and Alisa for Diaries of a Bargainista.

Happy Wednesday, sweet checks!

{She cooks comfort food} Four Cheese Mac.

Clearly I have a thing for comfort food. It may seem like that's all I cook... but rest assured, it's just all that's made it to the blog. But seriously, who doesn't love homemade mac & cheese? I think I've met one person in my entire life who doesn't absolutely love a bowl of this deliciousness. 

I think they need to seek therapy. Don't you?

Growing up it would always be such a treat when Mom would make the "real" mac & cheese. When she would bake it in the oven and cheese would get all gooey and crispy at the same time. {my mouth is watering and I'm not even hungry} It was one of my favorite meals then and is still one of my favorite foods. I wish I could eat it every day... 

However, since I shouldn't eat it everyday... I make sure when I do have it. That it's the good stuff. 

Four Cheese Mac. 

What you need:

Box of pasta - whichever shape you like. {I used gluten free pasta}

1 c. cheddar cheese 

1/2 c. mozzarella cheese

1/2 c. Gorgonzola cheese

1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

1 c. 2% milk

2 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour {I used gluten free all purpose flour}

salt, pepper, garlic - to your tastes

dash of paprika

What you do:

Preheat oven to 350. 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare the pasta according to directions of package. 

While the pasta is cooking start working on your cheese sauce. Begin by making a roux. Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, once melted add the flour and whisk until combined and slightly browned {but not burnt}. Slowly whisk the milk into the roux, add seasoning at this time. Stir this frequently until it begins to thicken up - 5-10 minutes. Once it has thickened, remove from burner and whisk in the 2 cups {ish} of cheese. I always season again at this point. Once the cheese has completely melted into the sauce you are ready to combine the pasta and sauce. 

After the pasta has been drained, combine cheese sauce and pasta. You can either do this in the large pot you cooked the pasta in or you can do this in your greased casserole dish. Once combined, top it with a little handful of cheddar cheese and parm. Pop into the oven for about 25-30 minutes. 

Let rest for a couple minutes and then... ENJOY! 

**I have added all types of cheese to this when I make it... however, this is my favorite combination. Also, I think I've mentioned this plenty of times before - but, I really don't measure when I'm cooking so these are all approximations.** 

There you have it, loves... one of my favorite, favorite, favorite foods! 

So word on the street is that Google Reader will be on it's way out soon... here's my little Bloglovin' button if you'd like to follow me there...

Oh, and here's my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram if you please.

Happy Tuesday, dollfaces.

The weekend and 5 things.

This weekend flew by. I don't know if it's because I had so much going on or if every weekend flies by and every Monday we say the same thing "Where'd the weekend go?" -- or maybe it's a combination of both... I'm going to go with that.

Friday evening I went home to have dinner with Hollie, Harper, and the boys. It was nice to just hang out, play a little bullshit and spend time with them. We can sometimes bicker and throw fits like children, but we're so blessed to have each other. And sometimes, I think we forget that... I know I'm guilty of it.

The ladies and I went out on Saturday to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, see Dot, Dot, Dot, and just have a girls day. It's been months since the three of us hung out - and years since it included our favorite band. It was so much fun, there were too many shots and beers involved but - YOLO - just kidding, I didn't really say that. But seriously... live in the moment, right?!

Sunday was very chill - grocery shopped, dishes, read... nothing too thrilling. But that's fine by me! The best part was scoring two pairs of skinnies at Walmart {of all places} for super cheap! And they fit so well!

How was your weekend?? Did you celebrate St. Patty's Day???

AND...

I was tagged by Holly and Lacey to do this 5 random things list...

So without further ago....

1. I really, really, really don't like Halloween. But - my friends do. And who am I to say no to a party?

2. I was once a "grooms-women" in one of my best friends wedding. It was pretty awesome.

3. I've been told I look like Miranda Lambert. I think it's just the blonde hair and heart shaped face.

 

4. I have discovered recently that I'm not really a wine fan. Gimme beer or gimme whiskey.

5. I love sewing children's clothes. I haven't done it in awhile though...

Now I'm tagging Hope, Nikki, Natalie, Heidi, and Jen. And all of you... what's something random about you???

I hope it's not a dreary Monday whereever you are... but seriously, I feel like it's always dreary here... Ohio, get your shiz together, pretty please.

Linking up with Leeann, Carissa, Molly, Brooke, and Sami.

Friday Letters. Round 2.

Dear Spring - I feel you coming. The days are longer, the flowers are beginning to bloom, the sky is brighter. I know you are on your way. {Although, I'm sure mother nature will bring us a bit more snow...}. But regardless, I'm grateful for days like today when even though it's barely above freezing - it's still gorgeous out. Dear St. Patty's Day - I haven't celebrated you in about 3 years, the last time The Dots were performing actually. That one was a good time - let's make that happen again this year, shall we. Beers, music, my sweet friends... what more can one ask for. Dear Harper - I can't wait to see you tonight. I miss those little cheeks of yours, greatly. Dear Target - Those leopard print booties that you have on clearance online are haunting my dreams. I have thought about them for over two weeks now... I think I need them. Dear Weekend - I'm really looking forward to you. I can't wait to spend time with so many of my favorite people. Dear Yoga - you have been really kicking my bum lately and I love every second of it.

I'm linking up with Ashley for Friday Letters

.

Happy Friday, my little leprechauns - hope y'all have a very green St. Patty's Day!

Healthy Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo. {SPD Style}

Anyone else in love with Rachel Zoe? I'm so thrilled that her show is back on. I have been following her style career since I was in college. She's just one of those crazy, high strung women that I'd love to have coffee with and talk fashion. {A girl can dream...} I do like to channel my inner Zoe though sometimes and wear my sunglasses indoors. ;)

So... it's been such a weather tease around these parts... warm and beautiful on Sunday to cold and snowy today. And when it's cold and snowy, who doesn't want comfort food? I don't think there's anything better.

I got the idea to make chicken Alfredo and hopped on over to Pinterest to find a recipe. And then - I stumbled onto a healthy version and knew I had to give it a go. And I'm so, so glad I did. It was delicious!

Adapted from {here}
Lightened Up Fettuccine Alfredo

And this is my take...

I know, my food photography skills are seriously lacking... but... it's better than a picture off my phone, right?!

 What you need:

1 bag of frozen cauliflower

1/2 yellow onion, diced

2 tbsp olive oil

1 minced garlic clove

1 cup low sodium chicken broth

1/2 c. fresh grated Parmesan

1/4 c. skim milk

splash of heavy cream

salt, pepper, garlic, Italian seasonings to taste

1 box of fettuccine or angel hair pasta {I used gluten free pasta}

2 large chicken breast, diced 

1 steam fresh bag of broccoli

What you do:

In a medium saucepan heat the olive oil on medium-low heat. Add the diced onion and garlic clove and saute until translucent and fragrant. Add the bag of frozen cauliflower and let soften a bit on medium heat. Pour the chicken broth into the pan and let it simmer on medium-low for about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. 

Once the cauliflower has soften quite a bit - carefully ladle the mixture into your blender. Puree until very smooth and creamy. I went ahead and added half of my Parmesan cheese at this time and the splash of heavy cream - blend again until smooth. Once it's well blended pour it back into the saucepan... turn to low. Add the rest of the Parmesan cheese, and seasonings to your taste. Slowly stir in the milk and let simmer while your pasta and chicken cook. 

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Heat olive oil in a skillet to medium - add the diced chicken and generously season with salt, pepper, and garlic - cook about 4 minutes on each side. 

At this time I throw the steam fresh bag of broccoli in the microwave and let it do it's thing. Then let it cool for a minute and dice it all up into smaller pieces. Once the pasta is finished {and drained} pour the sauce over top of it and add the broccoli pieces. Mix well. 

Put a heaping spoonful on your plate, top with the diced chicken and a bit of fresh Parmesan and enjoy a guilt-free bowl of comfort food.

Serves 4.

I was very skeptical on how this sauce would turn out but was so pleased with the texture and taste. It was the perfect Alfredo fake-out!

Have you ever attempted to make an indulgent comfort food, healthy?? How'd it turn out?

I'm linking up with the lovely Katie and Steph for Saw it. Pinned it. Did it. Thursday.

Happy Thursday, lovers! 

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Things you may not know...

I love the rain. I love storms even more.

I have never smoked a cigarette. Ever.

There's a song out there in the universe written about me.

{I'm very serious. But you'll NEVER know anything more.}

I didn't drink until my freshman year in college. 

I sleep with my feet outside the covers. 

I've been sewing since I was 10. 

I hate pickles, tuna, and mayonnaise. Because they smell. 

What's something weird and random about you?

Well kids, I'm off to watch The Bachelor Finale - The most dramatic finale in Bachelor history... uh huh, Chris Harrison... whatever you say. ;)

BTW, I'm team #bringdesback. 

Have a good Tuesday, kittens!