Dreams don't work...

Once upon a time I used to do this whole pinteresting Tuesday thing... and while I haven't done it in quite some time, I thought I'd share a few things that I'm absolutely loving lately... things that I'm dreaming about {what? It's not normal to dream about clothes? Hi, I'm Jackie... I do that. A lot.}

I love this outfit. I love the casualness that the graphic tee lends to the full skirt and heels.

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How refreshing does this watermelon juice look? I'm definitely going to be trying this soon... I was going to this morning, but couldn't find the energy. Maybe tomorrow...

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Display ideas for Nora & Jac have been on my brain lately... Next week I'll be setting up my first little booth at a new local artisians shop in Lancaster. {The Blank Slate} I was so, so thrilled when the owner, Katie, contacted me about bringing my goods in there. Mom and I have been brainstorming cute, inexpensive DIY's  for the display. I think it'll turn out pretty cute... p.s. if you're in Lancaster - be sure to stop in after the 3rd to do some shopping! ;)

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I love this. It's simple... and so very true.

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How delicious and healthy do these sound? I think they'll be on the menu soon...Mexican anything always, always sounds yummy.

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What have you been loving lately??

Happy Thursday, sweet cheeks!

Eleven words.

Day 11: Sell yourself in 10 words or less. 

Hmmm... another tricky one. She's really making us think with this challenge! And... it's a Saturday and I'm blogging! Who am I?!

I make crazy good mac & cheese.

And sew pretty things.

So that was actually eleven words. Oops. 

How'd I do??? Want me to come cook or sew for you? :)

Enjoy your Saturday!

Lemon Spinach Pasta Salad. {She cooks}

Pasta Salad. One of my favorite foods in the world... but I rarely make it anymore. However, for Easter dinner, Mom whipped up an orzo pasta salad and it was delicious! And orzo is delicious, why have I never had it before??? I can't wait to get a bag and make some. Sometimes my cooking nerdiness really needs to take a chill pill. ;)

Anyways, this orzo salad had awakened my pasta salad craving and I decided I'd make some of my own. I used to just mix a balsamic dressing with some Italian dressing. But, I didn't have either of those. Nor did I have an balsamic vinegar... so, I just threw something together and it turned out so good.

Lemon Spinach Pasta Salad.

What you need:
Box {or bag} of pasta of your choice
bag of frozen peas {I only used half}
1 cucumber
{any other veggies you may want}

Dressing:
Juice of 1 lemon
large handful of spinach
1 tbsp honey
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
1 minced clove of garlic
salt
pepper
chili powder

The best part of this pasta salad was how easy it was to make... cook your pasta according to the directions on the package. Chop the cucumber into bite size pieces. I used a bag of steam fresh peas so I popped that into the microwave while the pasta was cooking, then poured them into a strainer when they were finished and ran cold water on them to chill them a bit. Rinse the pasta with cold water then combine the veggies and pasta in a bowl.

For the dressing, I put all the ingredients into a blender and let it go until the spinach was blended well with the liquids. Season it to your taste... then pour the dressing over the pasta and veggies - give it a good stir, season more if needed. Serve immediately for a room temp salad or pop in fridge. Mine made about 4-6 servings since I used gluten free pasta and it tends to have less pasta in the boxes than regular. {Why is that?}

This is perfect for an easy, healthy, veggie packed lunch.

What's your favorite pasta salad recipe???

Have a fab Thursday, kids!

{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.

She Cooks {Chicken Stuffing Casserole}

So I'm watching the Grammy's right now and I feel so old. I don't know who 75% of these artists are. I can remember watching it back in the day and my parents walking through the room and they would comment about how they don't know who this person or that person is. And I thought... how do you not?!

Now, I'm feeling that. Is this what getting old feels like? *sigh*

Little things...DIY. Kittens. Fries.

This week it really has been the little things...

Making cute little note cards to send out with my cowl orders. I like the personal touch of the washi tape and you guys... that stamp color turned out to be just the right shade of almost Tiffany blue. C'mon, it doesn't get better.

I love when cats cover up their faces while they're sleeping... it's so precious. I think he was doing it more so because I was painting my nails and it smelled and he was too lazy to move. But it's still so cute. 

Sometimes a girl {especially while pmsing} needs a burger and fries. And perfecting homemade french fries kinda made my day. They were delicious and absolutely hit the spot. 

I was really happy with how this custom cowl turned out. I love the color combination of the mustard yellow and charcoal. It makes me excited to dive into my bag of yarn this weekend and make some more striped things. {If you're interested in a custom cowl - visit my shop!}

I'm linking up with Lindsay for It's the Little Things Friday...

Happy Friday, y'all! I don't have too much going on this weekend - and I'm pretty excited about that. I think I'm just going to take a deep breath and enjoy that. 

Random Wednesday. {I thought it was Thursday...}

I'm linking up with Shanna {btw, if you aren't reading her blog - shame on you. Sadly, I just discovered it but it's quickly turning into one of my favorites. She's so sweet and so real.} for Random Wednesday... and here I was thinking it was Thursday. Nope. Still Wednesday. How is it that some weeks seem to last for months whereas some seem to fly by in the blink of an eye? 

My lessons in food this week... cream cheese is not a good substitute for ricotta cheese in lasagna. Especially if you don't like cream cheese. {why I thought that was a good idea is beyond me} Ground chicken is weird. I really love blueberries - they taste like fruit snacks, kinda. And bean sprouts - in my salad. Pretty dang yummy... they look kinda weird, but I think I like them. Oh... and balsamic vinegar DOES go bad. Even before it's exp date. And when it does... it solidifies. And it's gross.

Sometimes I struggle with not letting the small things get to me. I know I can't be alone on this one - but it's been really plaguing me lately. It's like I'm constantly telling myself to take a deep breath and just let it go. And sometimes, no matter how many times I tell myself that or how many times someone else does. I just can't... I always want to make things right, sometimes giving my pride a swift kick in the bum as a result. And at almost 30 I'm still trying to figure out where my energy is worth putting and where it isn't... I would have thought by now that wouldn't be a question. *sigh*

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I'm so ready for spring or just for there to be no snow on the ground that I can barely stand it. I just want to wear cute shoes again... I'm getting tired of my practical snow shoes. Oh, the woes of a shoe obsessed girl.

Let's discuss The Bachelor for a minute, shall we? Why is he keeping Tierra? How can he not see the crazy oozing out of her pores???? I usually have a couple favorites by this point in the show. I like Des. Other than that... no one has really stood out. Dad {yes, my Dad - he's watched the show since season one. ;)} and I were having a serious discussion about Sean's terrible decisions the other night. Just file it under another thing I don't understand these days.... He's so cute, but so dumb.

What are your thoughts on letting go, spring, The Bachelor?!

Happy hump day... although I'm still thinking it's Thursday and someone's pulling a mean trick over me.

Currently.

Loving... Getting back to blogging. I've missed it - but it just wasn't going where I wanted. I'm also loving the love I've gotten with my cowls. I love the sweet tweets saying they love it or that they've worn it everyday. It seriously makes my day. Who knew that this little thing I knitted for myself would be such a hit with everyone else. I couldn't be more thankful and humbled by it. Oh, and morning cuddles with my kitten... okay, he's almost 4 but still...

Watching... All the winter premiere's of my favorite shows! Biggest loser was on Sunday night - which totally motivated me to get back to the gym even more. I was tweeting back and forth with Nikki about eating right and exercising. I watched The Bachelor on Monday night... did y'all see the Fifty Shades of Grey girl?! WHAT was she thinking?! #peoplebecrazy. AND tonight... NASHVILLE comes back... I'm obsessed. It's hands down my favorite show on right now. It made the absence of One Tree Hill not so hard to take this year. #imissyoubdavis

Wishing... That all the New Years Resolution people would get out of the gym. Selfish? Maybe... but c'mon... Saturday mornings used to be a very empty and peaceful time at the gym, now... it's jam packed. I get it, and more power to those of you... but I just want a treadmill. That's all.

Eating... Healthy. After all the junk from the holidays. And the booze... it's time for a detox! I made veggie pizza on Monday {I make a mean pizza!} and it absolutely hit the spot... I know pizza isn't the healthiest, but far be it for me to deny myself one of my favorite foods... I'll just add tons of veggies! Last night I took a stab at stuffed peppers filled with ground turkey, zucchini, and couscous. They were delicious!!!! And tonight is pork tacos... It's nice to get back in the kitchen and cooking. It's one of my happy places.

Reading... Nothing. I have a stack of books to read and even more on my Kindle app on my phone. But between knitting, Full House being on all night, and the holidays... I haven't even cracked open one of those books. Maybe soon... maybe.

Looking forward to... Going home this weekend to see my new niece. Guys, she's the most adorable thing... EVER! And I usually don't think newborns are cute... that's saying a lot. I also may be biased - but whatever. ;) One of our old friends is coming down to meet her too... it'll be a nice weekend. I'm also looking forward to Nashville/Atlanta next weekend/week with Amy. We are going to ATL for Imaging USA {a photography conference} but we thought we'd stop in Nashville on the way down Friday night... and y'all - my inner country girl and country music lovin' heart is BEYOND excited!

I was inspired to do this "Currently" post by Illy at Much Love, Illy - she's one of my favorites!!! What are you doing currently?! Leave a comment or link to your post!

I finally got my shop up and running - I'm working on getting better photos of the cowls - but for now, these will do. Go check it out! And I'm offering 15% off until January 16th. Enter code WELCOME at checkout!

ANDDDD I launched my FB page... make sure to go "like" it! {I'm still working on the html code for my social media buttons... grrrrrr!}

Happy Thursday, lovelies!