Pre-change Jitters

Any change is scary right...? I am a marine girlfriend and we have found out that my boyfriend will be leaving for his 7 months of deployment in the Mediterranean in early March. So now the game for me is preparing for this time apart. I have a few fun things up my sleeve for Austin and plan on filling you all in a little bit at a time. I will be keeping you all updated on each care package I pack for him and some of the things I will be doing at home while he is gone. Even though I can absolutely wait and put the brakes on the deployment date, I can't wait to fill you guys in on some of the crafty things I have floating around in my head. 

For any of you ladies that have been through this before I would LOVE if you would leave some suggestions for girlfriend survival! 

xoxo 

Monday Madness

Mondays are dreadful and I never feel like getting dolled up in their honor.

Here is what I consider a quick and easy outfit for the Monday blues.

what i'm wearing

classic chambray button down-old navy

infinity scarf-old navy

black yoga leggings-target

outlaw riding boots-zooshoo.com

on my nails: white on by sally hansen and disco by color club

Pesto Ranch Chicken (for the crock pot)

I just don't think it is normal to be 21 and get as excited as I do when putting together a crock pot meal... yet, I do every time. Today I thought I would share my favorite (and easiest) crock pot meal in my repertoire, and of course a few pictures to go along with it. 

**Here is what you need to go out and grab**
-6 to 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
-6 oz. jar of pesto 
-Original Ranch seasoning packet (P.S. this is near the salad dressings, not the seasonings)
-Box of chicken broth (1/2 cup, but I use enough to cover the chicken)

Here is the part where I amaze you. All you do now is throw it all into the crock pot... 
Set that puppy on low for 4 hours or high for 6 and PRESTO (or should I say pesto, haha)

 --yeah, I know it may look kind of gross in the crock pot, but this stuff is heavenly!--

--now grab a few sides that you like, I made kraft mac and cheese and a broccoli steamer bag--

*make sure to pour yourself a glass of wine and soak in the feeling of not having to do anything for this outstanding meal*

October Favorites

1. It always seems like as soon as the calendar says fall, boom my lips are chapped. I have been loving the new moisturizing line of chapstick from Chapstick brand. I literally take it everywhere.

2. As you may have read in one of my previous blogs I think the first minute out of the shower is the most important for your skin. I have been so addicted to using Vaseline Repairing Lotion that my bottle is almost empty. (sad day!)

3. It's fall, so of course everyone needs a go-to candle fragrance! I have been loving the Mainstay's Pumpkin Spice candle from Walmart. It's cheap, but smells so yummy.

4. I am almost positive that by now all of you have tried the Sharpie pens, but if you haven't, please do. I have been cruising through my latest pack of these babies!

5. So I have always found it a tiny bit unfair that I was blessed with man calves... yes, I only made them worse with so many years of ballet. I have the hardest time finding riding boots that fit my tree trunks, but I came across zooshoo and found my wide calf boots for a steal (and free shipping!) I wear them all the time & it actually makes me a bit sad to take them off at the end of the day.

6. My old navy vest has become a fall favorite VERY quickly. I got it as a budget version of the  J.Crew herringbone vest and have fallen in love with how cozy it is!

7. Since I am a serious nail polish lover I thought I would fill you in on my fall favorite: Essie's Mink Muff. 

8. Not everyone has the time to run to Starbucks in the morning to grab their daily pumpkin spice latte, and if that sounds like you I have found a wonderful home remedy to this horrible problem. International Delight: Pumpkin Pie Spice

9. Even though post-it notes are a favorite of every month for me I seemed to use them even more than normal in October. I guess I was a bit more forgetful than usual. Thought I would pay them a little respect. 

10. Yes, I admit I wear my yoga cut offs year round, but October was the perfect month for them this year. Some days were quite chilly and I would pair them with my riding boots to fake long leggings, but some days were warm and I would throw on some tennies to run errands!

--What were some of your October favorites?--

The Sunshine Award

First off, I just want to give a huge shout out and thank you for my nomination for the Sunshine Award to Jessi! Go check out her own nomination at the link. Thanks Jessi!

{The rules}

Post a pic of the award in your post
Post 11 random facts about yourself
Answer the 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you
Nominate 11 bloggers
Write 11 questions for them to answer
Let them know they're nominated! 

**11 Facts About Me**
1. I love to dance. I danced from age 2 and up!
2. I have a passion for singing and music, I also play guitar. 
3. monograms-- yeah, obsessed. 
4. I really enjoy cooking and baking!
5. Obsessed with excellent smelling candles. 
6. I really love wine... 
7. I want a teacup pig as a pet when I get older.
8. I MUST have coffee in the morning.
9. I want to travel the world... but who doesn't.
10. I love my house, and I don't even care that I act like a housewife at age 21. 
11. My dream is to own a farmhouse that I modernize. 

**Answers to Jessi's Questions**
1. Top reason for blogging? Well I started off blogging freshman year in college because it seemed interesting and I thought it would give my friends from home a way to keep up with my adventures. I stopped for a while, but I am now a marine girlfriend (hoorah) so it is always nice to have something to do when he is away. 
2. Red or White Wine? Am I allowed to love both! It is just such a tough decision. My favorites are moscato and sweet red. 
3. Football Fan? Team! So here is a fun fact about me: I love football, but I am a trader. I love the Ravens and the Redskins due to location/family tie reasons. 
4. Man Crush? Celebrity: currently ooo'ing and ahhh'ing over Charlie Hunnam from Sons of Anarchy. Non-celebrity: I'm gonna have to go with my marine (super cheesy, I know)
5. Woman Crush? Jennifer Aniston (of course.)
6. What would your dream vacation consist of? I want to escape to somewhere tropical and sip on umbrella drinks and lounge in the sun all day long!
7. Do you have any fur babies? Does it count if I am obessed with my fur-niece? Her name is Gracie Lee, three words... lab/mastiff mix!
8. If someone was to describe you in one word it would be? loud (oops)
9. What is your favorite holiday? I'm absolutely 100% a Christmas kid. I love everything about the holiday! (come snuggle with me and my hot chocolate while we open gifts!)
10. What is your favorite book? (I'm looking to start a new one) I'm a huge fan of the Sarah Dessen books (I know they are for teenagers, but they are quick and fun reads... "bubble gum for the brain" as my mom would say)
11. Best advice for a young girl? Never settle. Plain and simple, keep pushing yourself, strive for the best, and never think that unhappiness is your end. If everything is not alright in the end, it is not the end.

**My Nominations**
Rachel--makeshift munch 
Frannie-- the blonde prep
Hunter-- prep on a budget
Caroline-- citrus and style
Sarah-- classy girls wear pearls
Mackenzie-- design darling
Gracey--stripes and peonies
Mallory--just get inspired
letters, lilly, and lattes
Jane--see jane.
Kristinasimple but real

**Questions from me to you**
1. Why you started blogging?
2. Favorite fall activity?
3. Favorite nail polish?
4. Favorite meal to make?
5. Favorite clothing staple in your closet?
6. If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
7. Favorite inspirational quote?
8. Your order at Starbucks?
9. Weekend activity of choice?
10. Favorite item of make up?
11. Guilty pleasure?   

currently coveting

I love fall fashion and I am currently coveting some warm and cozies! I am also thinking about re-doing my room soon so the home decor are some things I would love to see scattered in my room.

elbow patch sweaters

flannel shirts in any color

nude color vest (puffer or patagonia)

leather chair

fun colored vases

fun colored knickknacks

--Comment and let me know what you are currently coveting--

A Warm Fall Treat

Hey y'all! For everyone who doesn't know, I love baking. I especially love baking in fall and winter, so it was the perfect time to whip up something yummy. Normally when I say "whip" it actually does mean from scratch, but this college girl just didn't have the time to seriously "whip" today. For those of you who have visited the old country store side of a Cracker Barrel you know they have really cute treats for the fall season. My grandmother had sent me a super easy two-step "Apple Crisp", she even included an adorable apple shaped baking dish with the needed ingredients. Thought I would share some pictures!

1. Put a jar of Cracker Barrel's Fried Apples into a buttered baking dish. 

2. Mix the dry ingredients from the Kari Lee's Apple Crisp bag with one stick of cold butter. 

 3. Sprinkle the dry mix with butter over top of the apples in an even layer. 

 4. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. 

Enjoy!!