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

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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!

Currently... {Volume 3}

This is why I can't finish the book... he thinks it's his pillow. 

Reading // Y'all, I'm still reading Beautiful Creatures. I can't seem to find the desire to read, no matter how good the book is. Ever find yourself having that problem?

Writing // This. Obviously. But I have plans afterwards to write my dear friend Jackie {yup, another one} a letter. It's LONG overdue AND I found pretty paper that I've been looking for forever! And I'm going to write some birthday cards and send them out to my Aunt and Uncle.

Listening // Step Up. I can't watch this movie enough. Seriously one of my favorites.

Thinking // How amazing this weather is. How fantastic that it is JUST NOW getting dark. {It's 7:53}. How I really, really, really need to stop making excuses and get to the gym tomorrow. {I think I'm always thinking about that}. How I need to order supplies for spring stuff for Nora & Jac.

Eating lunch on the patio at Panera. In March. Four days after a huge snow storm. AWESOME!

Smelling // Bacon. It's breakfast for dinner... yum in my tum.

Wishing // That I could have seen Harper this weekend. {And the whole fam for that matter}. That my beer wasn't almost empty. That my nails would paint themselves.

Hoping // This gorgeous weather sticks around. {But it's Ohio, so I'm sure we are in for snow a few more times...} That I'm in a better mood tomorrow... been in one of those anti-social, I really have nothing to say to anyone sort of moods today. Which was a damn shame, cause it sure was a beautiful day.

Wearing // Leggings and a comfy off the shoulder tee. I feel very 80s dancer-esque in this emsemb. Channeling my inner Baby.

Loving // My $10 booties I scored yesterday. Don't worry... if you follow me on instagram {jacmaries} - I'm sure you'll see them soon! I'm dying to wear them. In the words of Rachel Zoe - they're Maj! And the hair gloss I just used on my hair. It feels soooo soft and looks really shiny. It's the little things, kids.

Wanting // a tan. I know, I know... tanning is terrible for you. So, who's got some good recommendations on sunless tanners that aren't going to break the bank and stain my clothes? And, another beer.

Feeling // blah. I don't know what's with me today. It's like I woke up on the wrong side of the bed... which is weird since my bed is against a wall and technically there's only one side... But I promise, tomorrow... I'll be better. I promise.

Clicking // Erin's blog {Living in Yellow} because that girl can always bring ya outta your funk. I heart her. And if you don't read her blog {who doesn't?} you absolutely should.

Okay sweet pea's... I'm off to have some dinner!

Hope y'all had an amazing weekend and have an even more amazing week!!!!!

Linking up with Lauren for The Sunday Currently.

A few pretties on this cold, snowy day...

You know when you're too grumpy or pms-y to write anything nice, inspiring, or creative?

That's me today...

So I'll leave you with what I've been pinning lately... because that's my happy place... where I find inspiration to be creative.

Do you follow me on Pinterest? You should! {jacmaries}

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Isn't this color combo just amazing?

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I think next week I'll change it up from smoothies to these Strawberry Shortcake Muffins for breakfast!

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Leopard and purple. I'm in love with this combination. Now I won't be trying it with winter  clothes... but spring?! Yes, please.

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I need this.

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I've become obsessed with quinoa lately. And this recipe sounds delish. It'll be on the menu next week!

So my post has made me a little happier just looking at the pretties... I'm linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday.


Happy hump day, snowcats! {I don't know... I've got snow on the brain...}

This is what we woke up to this morning in Ohio. It can go away now. Words can't express how over the snow I am right now.

I believe...

{Source}

that "I'm sorry..." and "Thank you..." are two very underused phrases.
that ice cream cures all.
in screwing up. I think the biggest "aha" moments in life come from the biggest mistakes.
that I'll never meet a leopard print I don't love.
in always being polite. In "yes, please" and "no, thank you."
in smiling even when you don't feel like it.
that peace can be found behind a sewing machine or in the kitchen cooking.
that cats are the strangest characters.
in love.
in having a vice. Or two. Or three... {nail polish, cookies, whiskey...}
in the power of family and best friends. In those two becoming one in the same.
that fashion fades and style is eternal.
in laughter. Uncontrollable, loud, laughter.
that shoes can make or break your outfit.
that the beach is good for the soul.

What do you believe?

Happy Tuesday, sweetpeas! {They're calling for some massive snow around these parts today... lets all cross our fingers that it melts fast and spring comes soon!}

Deacon and Kip Moore. *Swoon*

Dear nail polish collection // I had no idea how large you actually were. I don't know whether to be proud of ashamed that I have 163 precious bottles... I'm going to go with proud. And I'm even more proud that there were very few duplicates. Very well rounded collection. Now - who wants to have a manicure party?! {points to self}

Speaking of self, let's chat with you a moment, shall we? // Get some good sleep, please. This tossing and turning thing is for the birds. {If birds slept in beds, that is.} It's making for a very grumpy girl during the day, and trust me - no one wants that.

Dear Motivation // show yourself. I went to the gym once this week, did an ab workout, and yoga - I'd really like to get to the gym a bit more often than once.

Dear Nashville {the show} // you were fantastic this week. Hands down my favorite show right now. The scene with Deacon AND Kip Moore... *swoon* I feel like such a boy crazy high schooler when I watch this show - remember when we used to go CRAZY over N*Sync or Joshua Jackson - yea, that's how I feel. How old am I again??

Dear Friday // it sure feels like it took forever for you to get here. But I'm looking forward to seeing some of the family this weekend. And sleeping in on Sunday. However, the laundry that I have to do - not really looking forward to that.

Dear you // Here are a few of my favorite things this week...

This blog and the writer behind it. {I've mentioned her before} but she seriously motivates me. And we all need that. However - on her Facebook page she is constantly posting great workouts, recipes, and inspiration. I highly recommend checking it out.

This shop I want every stinkin' headband in her shop. They're all so cute and could be worn turban style or the traditional way. I need them all.

This lunch idea salad's in mason jars... that I can make on Sunday and they last through the week?! Yes. Please. This was one of those things that I've pinned before but until I read Katie's blog post about it I wasn't sold on it. So next week's lunch... salad's in Mason jars for this girl.

This blog it's a baby blog {as is mine} and she writes from the heart. Who doesn't love that? She's funny, sweet, and I even teared up while reading one of her posts. Do me a favor and go say hi :)

I hope you all have the best Friday!

I'm linking up with Ashley for Friday Letters.