Winter Walking

I thought today I would share some photos with you! I took these earlier this year...er wait, late last year. :P It was the first “real” snow I believe {before they closed up this beautiful park for the season} and I bugged Brian until he agreed to go out in it with me and Theo!

Enjoy! :)

xoxo, kassie

Style Log: Friends, Family & Green Dreams

{Skirt/Thrifted, Merona :: Sweater/Thrifted, Aeropostale :: Boots/Merona via Target :: Necklace/Modcloth :: Glasses/Warby Parker}

 

 

 

 

 

My grandparent's had their 55th wedding anniversary this past weekend, so we headed home for some friend and family time.  We haven't been back since Christmas {which, yes I know wasn't that long ago, but still...}, so it was really great to see everyone. 

As I get older, I've noticed my circle of friends has become smaller, but closer.  The people that really care about our friendship have put work into it, as have I.  While, some others have sort of slipped through the cracks.  I guess the ones that have slipped...well it's kind of sad, but at the same time that's just life.  Besides, it's really nice to know that the friendships I do have are incredibly solid and valued by both sides.  It's really comforting to know that there are people in your life that continue to love you through all the changes life brings.  I guess I'm just trying to say I feel pretty blessed lately. :)

Hope you all had a great weekend!

xo, Kassie

Friday Favorites: Mustard

I love mustard!  The color, of course, just like everyone else right now.  It's such a great color, and if you're a red head like me you are EXTRA stoked, because it looks amazing on us!

Okay, let's be real, it looks amazing on everyone.

Anyway, here's some mustard love via pinterest. :)

Source: snapfish.com via Tiffany on Pinterest

Source: swedishhasbeens.com via Olga on Pinterest

Source: myyellowsandbox.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: modcloth.com via Angela on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: shopruche.com via Jenna on Pinterest

Source: shootitdead.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: modcloth.com via Joyce on Pinterest

Source: jcrew.com via Paige on Pinterest

Recipe: Cheeseburger Soup {healthy version!}

Cheeseburger Soup

You Need:

1/2 cup Carrots, chopped

1/2 cup Celery, chopped

1 cup of long grain rice, cooked

1/2 lb cooked beef

1/2 lb of Velveeta, cubed

1 can of Chicken Broth, low sodium

1 1/2 cup of skim milk

You Do:

1.  First brown your beef.  I browned up a whole lb (cuz I had it!) and saved half for tacos!

2.  Chop up your veggies, cube the cheese and get your rice cooking.

3.  Add the veggies and chicken broth into a sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Lower heat and simmer (uncovered) until veggies are tender.

4.  Next add beef, rice and milk.  Cook for about 15-20 minutes, do not allow mixture to boil. Stir occasionally

5.  Add cheese cubes and cook on low/medium until melted, stirring occasionally.

This recipe makes about 4 servings, each around 240 calories!  I like to freeze a couple cups in those little one serving tupperware things, then you have a super easy lunch!  (sort of like the potato soup, lol)

(FYI, I got this recipe out of a Taste of Home Diet Cookbook and just adapted it a bit.)

Enjoy!

xoxo, kassie

Style Log: Gleefully Spring

 {Slacks/Thrifted :: Shirt/Vanity, gifted :: Cardi/Kohl's :: Shoes/Merona via Target}

 Sorry for the lack of posts lately!  I meant to write yesterday {since I had it off!}, but I ended up busy doing all sorts of random things.  It was actually pretty productive.  I think I may have spring fever, because I'm drawn to yellow and other bright colors lately!

Man, I'm having a major writers brain fart.  Probably doesn't help that I'm watching Glee.  Anyone else love that show?  I could ramble on about all the reasons that show is so great, but I won't bore you.

Oh crap.  Did I just give away that I write my blog posts the night before??  

Oops. :/

 

Recipe: Turkey Cucumber Rollups

I really need to be better about sharing my cooking and crafting adventures. Sometimes I just forget to take pictures, or I remember the pictures, but never get around to posting them! This is a super easy recipe that I found from Rachel Ray. <--so yea, this her genius, not mine. It’s so simple, but so yummy. AND HEALTHY.

You Need:

Tortillas {I get the La Tortilla High Fiber kind}

Cream Cheese, low fat {or get the neufatel cheese like me!}

Cucumber

Sliced Turkey

You Do:

1. Chop up your cucumber. How small is up to you. I chopped up half a large cucumber and it made 5 tortillas.

2. Mix the chopped cucumber and cream cheese together. I used about 4 oz of the cheese, but the amounts on the recipe are obviously forgiving. Just use as much or as little cucumber and/or cheese to get the consistency and taste to your liking.

3. Spread cucumber cheese mixture onto a tortilla, use about a spoonful or 2.

4. Layer the turkey on top of it all and then roll it up!

Super easy and super yummy! My favorite kind of recipe.

P.s. These are super quick to make and easy for lunch! In fact, I made, took photos and ate these, all over my lunch break! :D

I have to be honest...I generally kind of suck at doing nails.  Mainly, because I'm super impatient and never wait for them to dry properly and then they get all smudged up. I'm also have the horrible habit of biting and picking at my nails.  TMI?  Well at least it's the appropriate day to personal...maybe?

Anyway, here's a little tutorial on my nails for this day of love!

Supplies: 

Clear base/top coat, pink &/or red polish, white nail art pen, file, clippers, buffer.

First do all your nail grooming.  I generally don't clip mine, because they're so short!  So I just file them and then smooth, buff and shine the tops.  Then I apply a nice base coat.  When using dark colors, like red, it's important to use a base coat!  Otherwise, it might stain your nails!

I painted mine nails pink and red alternating.  Then I did the opposite on the other hand.  So, my left thumb started with red, but my right thumb started with pink.  I saw a tip once that said paint your strong hand first {I'm right handed, so to pain my right hand first} and I find that it really does help!!

Now let your nails dry.  For a long time, make sure they are completely dry.  COMPLETELY!  Don't doubt me on this, because I didn't wait long enough and it caused denting and gooping problems!

Okay, now decorate your nails with your white nail pen.  Be sure your based coat is dry!!  Did I already say that? Joking, I know I did.  Seriously though, I think next time I may let them dry over night.

Once you get your heart designs on, let the white paint dry completely as well.  Then top it all off with a liberal top coat.  Voila!  Pretty Valentine's nails!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Overwhelmed

Artwork: Annie Preece Website/Facebook

I have to be honest, I’m feeling overwhelmed lately. For lots of reasons, but it’s mostly because I’m trying to make some pretty significant changes in my personal life {which I will elaborate on more when/if they happen}. I also have tons of other things I want to do - some projects, focus on photography, play my guitar more, KEEP MY HOUSE CLEAN, and keep this blog. Put that on top of the whole boyfriend-living-an-hour-away and I’m just out time. I’m not getting to do all the things I want and it’s obvious to me now that I need to cut some things back {or out} and make some priorities.

To start, I’m going to cut back my blog posts. I generally post 5 times a week, but it’s just too much for me to keep up with. I think I’m probably going to cut back to 3 times a week, which also means I probably won’t do the Recipe and Friday Favorites posts every week, but I’ll still do them. I think doing this will help me feel less overwhelmed and provide you with better quality posts. Plus, I will actually be able to get some of my DIY projects done, so that I can share them with you! If you just have to have you daily fix of Ginger {lol}, then be sure to follow my twitter. I will be posting more of my daily tidbits there. Also, I think I need to trim down my daily blog reading, seriously! There are just soooo many amazing blogs out there...and my list just keeps getting longer and longer. Sigh.

Like I said above, I really want to focus on my photography. I have all these books and never any time to read them. I want to learn the ins and outs of the equipment and all the technical jargon, because I believe that will help me become a better photography. And, of course, I want to practice it more. Blogging less will allow me to do that and focus on taking better photos for the blog {hopefully!}.

One of the most important things on my plate right now is getting my damn house clean! Excuse my language, haha! That’s just how frustrating it is too me. I do little spot pick ups...or just throw it all in my spare room. WHICH, is supposed to be my craft room as well. SIGH. This weekend I did make a lot of progress on my spare room, but it still needs more work as does the rest of my home.

I could always use an extra pair of hands, any takers?! :)

xo, kassie

Style Log: All Finished!! {10 & 2 Challenge}

Misfit #10: The Crazy Patterned Shirt Dress

This piece is fun, but a bit crazy and hard to style.  Again, it's too short!  What is with all these things being too short, it's not like I'm tall or anything.  Oh...and did I mention, this is the LAST item in my challenge! :)

{Button up/Kohl's(old) :: Shirt Dress/Kmart :: Pants/LC via Kohl's :: Shoes/Target}

 

 

Initial Thoughts

 I felt iffy about it.  I was worried that it was too loud {read: scared my co-workers would judge me}.  I finally ran out of time and just had to get to work, so I went!

After Thoughts

As the day went on I felt more confident and my attitude changed.  Looking at the photos I do like this outfit.  It was a bit loud...or out of the box for me, but I'm glad I wore it.  Honestly, this sort of look really feels like me.  I think I need to step out of my comfort zone more often.

Final Verdict

Keeping it!!

Have a great weekend!!

xoxo, Kassie

P.S.  Sorry, no Friday Favorites today!

Style Log: Hey Mama, Welcome to the Sixties! {10 & 2 Challenge}

Misfit #9: The Purple Shirt Dress 

I’ve had this gal in my closet for years. I received her as a gift one year wore it a couple times, then it disappeared into the dark reaches of my small closet. The main reason I never wear it is a)the fit and b)I don’t know how to style the darn thing. 

{Turtleneck/thrifted :: Tunic/Kohl’s gifted :: Pants/Thrifted :: Shoes/Mossimo via Target} 

Everything I’m wearing is gifted or thrifted, woot! 

Initial Thoughts 

Does anyone else love the musical Hairspray? ‘Coz I do! I especially love the remake with John Travolta, sure it’s corny at times, but it’s fantastic and overall has a great message. Anyway, I looked in the mirror this morning and thought SIXTIES. Maybe you won’t see it, but I do. So then I attempted to style my hair appropriately. I feel like a retro housewife, haha. 

After Thoughts 

I really like this outfit. I absolutely love purple and yellow {er mustard?} together. The reason I haven’t worn this purple gal much in the past is because it’s hard for me to style. I honestly didn’t think it would look good with higher collared shirts, but I love it with this turtle neck! Plus, this shade of purple is just so pretty! 

Final Verdict

I’m definitely keeping this. I might get fashion block with it occasionally, but it’s an interesting and unique piece that deserves to be in my closet!