Happy Typography

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There's nothing better than inspirational and happy quotes to get you through a Monday.  Happy Monday friends!

xoxo

She's My TV Hero

I absolutely love Ellen!  I don't watch the show just because I am not a big TV watcher but after YouTube-ing clips of Ellen on her shows or videos she's made, I'm totally going to be tuning in from now on!  She's absolutely hysterical and is such a happy person!  These will honestly make you crack up so hard!  Little light humor before jumping into the week!  Enjoy :)

It doesn't get much better then Ellen being in Ben's hotseat and answering the girls questions that are being thrown at her!

I haven't read this book but have heard good things about it and after seeing this video I can't even imagine what it's really like!

Ellen trying to be Lady Gaga!  Pretty good huh?

Simply Anxious

Getting back to the root of blogging with uninterrupted, narcissistic rambling.

I've been feeling really anxious lately.  I have multiple reasons to feel this way and I know what they all are but it is still very unsettling and distracting. 

In nine days, I'm getting a puppy.  A LIVING BREATHING ANIMAL that I'm supposed to take care of and who is depending on me.  I've never had any pet in my life.  My roommate in my freshman year of college had three fish that lived with us.  She went home for a weekend and I stayed in the dorms and when she got back 48 hours later, she had two fish.  I didn't even give it a proper burial.  I just tossed it in the garbage can and took the trash out.  I didn't mean to.  I was just so afraid that she would be mad that I wasn't thinking.  But now I'm nervous.  Really nervous.  The roommate (can I call him husband yet?  I don't know how I feel about that word) can hardly stand himself he is so excited and I just sit there like Yup, I'm going to screw this up.  My parents and his parents are stoked too and when people ask if I'm excited I put on the plastic smile and nod but in my head I'm thinking Not really.......

I have projects galore that I want to get done around the house before the summer is here (and mostly before the puppy gets here).  It doesn't feel like I have enough time to do everything on my list and when I'm done with work at night, I'm so exhausted that I don't have the ambition to get them done (or even start them). 

The roommate is taking two grad school classes and is now in the last two weeks of them.  Meaning he has been pulling many all-nighters and we haven't actually "hung out" in days...weeks.  It's okay because I know he's busy with work and school but it's hard to do everything alone and know that he is stressed out and there's nothing you can do about it.

I've been wanting to get my blog off its feet.  I finally started taking the initiative to comment on a ton of people's blog posts, expand on the blogs I read, link up with other blogs, and I'm in the process of sponsoring two different blogs and revamping my whole site.  I know this is my "fun place" but I really am trying to get more readers and it's a slow and tedious process.  It's frustrating because you follow all the tips people give you and you expect magic to happen overnight.  I know the only thing I can give this little blog is time to let those readers find it but I don't want to give it time.  I'm like a little kid...I WANT IT NOW!  Okay, I'm done.

These are all things that come and go though.  The one that has me the most anxious lately is my career.  I'm in a job right now that, though very grateful for, I have come to a dead end and there's nowhere for me to move within it seems.  I've been with the company for a little over three years and in the position for two years and I've gotten into a comfortable spot.  I know the job well enough where I can do it in my sleep but I don't feel challenged anymore.  At all.  I really have no idea what I want to do though anymore.  How long can I keep saying "What do I want to be when I grow up?".  I know that God has a plan for me.  There's a reason that previous jobs that I have applied for within haven't worked out but when is He going to throw me a sign about where I'm supposed to be?  I've been job hunting online but I can't leave where I'm at until the beginning of June (long story) so I don't want to apply and interview for a job, fall in love with it, and tell them I can't start until June 6.  The odds of them "waiting" for me are slim to none.  I've been doing a lot of praying and I know that I will be where I need to be when I need to be there.  I've put my faith 100% in God that He will lead me to that path when He feels I'm ready.  In the meantime, I'll keep looking and start applying.

Link Up Wednesday!

Happy hump day everyone!  I've never done this before but finally figured out how to link up for Oh, how Pinteresting!  Link up with The Vintage Apple to join in on the fun!

Let's get pinning!

Source: thebeardly.com via Alisha on Pinterest

Source:  lamaisondannag.blogspot.com/ via Meggie on Pinterest

Source: mycoffeely.com via Marta on Pinterest

Source:  Uploaded by user via Caroline on Pinterest

Source:  shelterinteriordesign.blogspot.com/ via Ashlina on Pinterest

Source:  www.anthropologie.com via Maggie on Pinterest

Source: decor8blog.com/ via Danielle on Pinterest

Source:  www.onbluepoolroad.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Source:  www.fullmeasureofhappiness.com/ via Kersti on Pinterest

Source:  findingyourownhappiness.tumblr.com/ via Casey on Pinterest

Source:  neeshuh.tumblr.com/ via Jessica on Pinterest

Source:  justbesplendid.tumblr.com/ via Meagan on Pinterest

And one more important thing.  Follow me on Pinterest lovelies! 

Have a wonderful rest of your night!

Tasty Tuesday Skillet Chicken Parmesan

So I should probably start using an actual camera with these food posts considering this one is reallllly not good quality.  Oh well, Mr. Droid works for now.  All I have to say about this meal is delish deslish delish.  And that I'm getting pretty darn good at this whole cooking biz (I hope I didn't just jinx myself).

Ingredients
6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 1/2 cups Traditional Pasta Sauce

6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
1. Stir four tablespoons Parmesan cheese into pasta sauce.

2. Spray medium skillet with vegetable cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat 1 minute. Add chicken and cook 10 minutes or until browned. Drain.

3. Pour pasta sauce over chicken; turn chicken to coat both sides with sauce. Cover and cook over medium heat 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

4. To with mozzarella cheese and remaining

Parmesan cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

I made this with easy Steamers mixed vegetable that you can just pop in the microwave for 5 minutes and noodles win butter and garlic. It's a basic meal but it sure does taste good!

Anything good on your end for this week?

In My Closet

It's all the rage this spring and if you haven't got a chambray shirt yet, trust me you want one.  It's such an easy shirt to throw on anything to dress it down or make your outfit more relaxed.  I just found this gem at Old Navy for a low low price.  Why spend $72 on one at J. Crew when you can find this one for $19.95 and equally cute?

all images via Stylish board on Pinterest

Currently Trying...

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 to take the winter out of my yard and freshen it back up.  This may be an all day project...

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to go for a run today (even if I walk the majority of it).  I need to get into shape and people are work are constantly talking about how they "went for a run and it felt great last night".  I hate them but apparently they're rubbing off on me. 

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to finish all of my thank you cards from the wedding and get them in the mail by tonight.  I should have listened to mom when she said do them right away instead of waiting almost two months.  Boooooo.

Feel Good Friday: Earth Day Edition

Sunday is Earth day!  Make sure you do some extra recycling and tree hugging this weekend!  Happy Friday loves!

And don't forget to re-use the recyclables that you would normally not think twice before tossing!

Old wine bottles

This used to be a slinky!  How cute :)

Weekend

Wishing you a safe and fabulous weekend! xoxo

Strolling

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Earlier this week, my friend who lives gloriously close to me suggested we start walking in the mornings before work instead of at night. I have to be at work at 6:45am every morning and out of the house by 6:20 which means I have to be in the shower at 5:45 at the latest. I just kind of smiled and nodded at this idea, hoping she would forget about it or it would just fall through. Wishful thinking.

Last night I get a text from her saying she'll be at my house at 5am. Bright and freaking early. At 4:43 this morning I get a text from her, 4:50 my alarm goes off and 4:55 she's at my front door. Lord help me.

I live across the street from a park with these awesome trails and have always loved walking in there but never realized there was no street lights (because it's a park...duhhhhh) until it's 5am and pitch black and you want to walk in it. Not the smartest idea ever. None the less we took the long way to the park on the city streets and by that time it was light enough where we could see our feet at least.

Yes, we came out alive. And honestly, as much as I was dreading this walk, I felt so refreshed the rest of the day. It relaxed me and I was able to take in the fresh air before it was polluted with dirt and noise of people running around on their busy Thursdays.

I normally don't share super personal things (except about the wedding which really is a whole different Erin talking when it comes to that topic) but I wanted to share this with you all. Hopefully it will encourage someone out there to take a stroll before work or just to at least appreciate the calmness of the world before the sun rises. Because really, Earth is God's most beautiful creation and it should be treated that way.

Kitchens on the Brain

One of the things I've been really intrigued with lately is kitchens.  We already re-did ours and it's finally complete (thanks to a wedding gift that gave it the final touch) but I've been gathering together images and filing them away for a rainy day when I put together my dream home! 

I already have big plans for what this home is going to look like but let's focus on the kitchen for now.  Here's a few kitchen spaces that are seriously dreamy.

Cove & Grey

This kitchen is gorgeous.  It's so airy and has so much counter space!  I think my favorite thing about the kitchen though is the shelf above the oven for cookbooks.  Cookbooks get forgotten about if they're not out in the open so what better place to have a shelf for them but in the kitchen!  Plus it adds the pops of colors we all love!

Design Sponge

Don't look at the minuscule sink but look at that back splash.  The reclaimed wood would be perfect for a rustic kitchen area!

Pure Style Home

I am in love with the huge laundry sinks in the kitchen.  You'll never be short of space when washing the dishes.  I'm also a huge fan of brick walls and will definitely have one sometime in my life.  Even if it's just made out of wallpaper!  The two stoves in the second picture is the best idea I've ever seen.  You can never have enough cooking room and the cookware on top in the bins is rustic looking and better yet, accessible!

Everything LEB

Chairs with character for the island area?  YES please!

pink wallpaper

Not very big but I'm really liking how the dark and light colors intermix along with the stainless steel hardware!  Kind of reminds me of our kitchen except this one looks airier (is that a word?).  Again, I love the sink in the second picture.  The farmers sink is so unique looking in kitchens these days.  And the wy the plates are stored in the open area?  I'm a fan for sure.

I have a ton more pictures and could keep going on but I'll stop here for now!  Do you like the features in any of these kitchens?  Which are your favorite?

Smile, It's Wednesday!

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Tasty Tuesday Beef Taco Bake

Another pretty easy recipe to make after a long day at work.  It doesn't take much to prep and it tastes pretty delicious when all is said and done!

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup
1 cup Chunky Salsa
1/2 cup milk
6 (8-inch) flour tortillas or  8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1.  Cook beeg in medium skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned, stirring to seperate meat.  Pour off fat.
2.  Add soup, salsa, milk, tortillas and half the cheese.  Spoon into 2-quart shallow baking dish.  Cover.
3.  Bake at 400 degrees F. for 30 minutes.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Mine usually turns out not as firm as a regular baked dish would be so we enjoy this dish with tortilla chips to dip with but you can definitely eat it by itself!

Do you have any go to dinners that you reach for when it's been a long day at work?  I'd love to hear what they are!

Wouldn't It Be Nice...

if we could just stay in bed all day when it's dreary outside?

Not going to happen for me today.  Oh well.  Happy Tuesday!

Stay tuned for another Tasty Tuesday post coming tonight!!

Feel Good Friday

I've had to keep telling myself that I can keep pushing through this week.  It hasn't really felt like a long week but there certainly have been a few struggles and for the Feel Good Friday post this week, I wanted to embrace positivity and confidence.  I hope you all have a terrific weekend!