Spring is in the Air

Blouse, Necklace, Denim, Shoes, Bag, Watch

 

Couldn't resist making a collage with these shoes :) Check out the "Shop" page and let me know what you think!

Transition to Spring

 

Top Express/ Dress Target/ Boots Nordstrom/ Clutch YSL

 

This has been my go-to outfit combo lately: summer dress + longish sleeve shirt+ ankle boots.  It is a good way to satiate my desire to wear bright colors, but stay warm. This is my last photo without the new hair cut. I promise to post the new do on Monday! Side note: I read the book Divergent this week and if you are a geeky sci-fi futuristic nerd like I am you should check it out. I hope you have a happy Easter and a great weekend!

Country + Rock n' Roll

 

 

Dress Express (old)/ Shirt Nordstrom Rack/ Bag Marc by Marc Jacobs/ Jewelry Express and F21/Boots Aldo

I know I have some WHITE legs, but I am embracing both them and the warm weather! Have a great back-half of the week ;)

 

XO, Hill

 

P.S. I made a big change to my hair yesterday...stay tuned!

French Fries and Five Things

 

 

My husband and I tend to eat pretty healthy throughout the week and indulge on the weekends. This weekend we made bacon avocado cheeseburgers, french fries, and cookie dough milkshakes! To my lovely sister, I didn't even use ground turkey, although they were whole wheat buns. We attempted to make a somewhat healthier version of french fries, and to our surprise, we loved them. Believe it or not that was my first time ever making a milkshake. Who knew it was so easy?

Quick and Easy Baked French Fries

1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Slice large potato into wedges and spread over baking sheet. I lined it with foil, but I am sure there are better options.
3. Drizzle potatoes with olive oil.
4. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder (about 1 tbs. of each).
5. Bake for about 45 minutes or until crisp.

I don't really have a clever segue into today's five things, other then I will be having lunch with her this afternoon :)

Five things I love about my friend Christina:

1. Christina is extremely thoughtful, caring, selfless, funny...pretty much everything I aspire to be :)
2. She makes me want to be a better person. An example of this is communicating gratitude by writing thank you cards.  I was not a child that grew up having to write cards for every occasion. I never realized how much it matters to let others now how thankful you are for the things that they do by means of a thank you card.  I love receiving them, so I would imagine others do as well.
3. She is someone that I can go to for advice without judgment. Soon you will see a recurring theme among these posts when it comes to judgment. It is great having people in your life that love you the same even when potentially negative truths are revealed. Christina is definitely one of those people for me. I am an open book when it comes to Tina!
4. She has an alter ego: "Tina the Tank." Need I say more?
5.  I would never have gotten through grad school without her. We shared laughter, anxiety, pain, tears, cookie connection and of course success!

Boho

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Pants 7FAM/ Top Joie/ Shoes, jewelry, clutch (old)

 

I purchased this Joie top a couple of years ago on a great sale! Gotta love a deal, especially on something as pretty as this top. Thanks for reading!

 





Leather Legs

 

Leggings and Top Nordstrom/ Shoes Aldo/ Bag UO old/ Necklace Gift

 

It sure is a happy Monday! I have a nice week off from work to relax, work on some projects and catch up with friends and family. Why yes....I am rubbing it in :)

 

XO, Hill

 

P.S. Feel free to follow me on google friend connect or bloglovin ;)

LOVE

 

Blazer and Tee F21/ Denim Nordstrom/ Shoes Steve Madden/ Clutch YSL

 

Spring Break is finally here. I am excited for what next week holds :) Have a fabulous weekend beauties!



Talk nerdy to me...

Shirt Free People/ Trench Express/ Jeans 7FAM/ Shoes Aldo/ Bag UO

The strings hanging down from this top kind of look like suspenders, which I didn't notice until I uploaded the photos. This somewhat nerdy ensemble reminded me of a themed birthday party that Nick and I recently attended, which included dressing up as a high school stereotype. I dressed as a nerd and decided that my actual glasses were nerdy enough, so just added a little tape. When I got there another party goer told me that she bought a pair of nerd glasses for the party too! I just had o laugh, knowing that my actual glasses are rather large.  I also first learned about and participated in a Harlem Shake video. I think I must live under a rock to not have heard about that before a couple weekends ago. 

Side note: I hardly ever straighten my hair, so of course I chose a rainy day to finally do so!

Recipe + 5 Things

Here is a quick one dish chicken meal that Nick and I both enjoyed.

Chicken, Quinoa and Spinach

Ingredients:
3 Chicken Breasts (I used boneless/skinless)
1/2 cup yellow onion
olive oil
1 1/2 cups chicken broth (I used reduced sodium)
3/4 cups uncooked quinoa
about 1/4 to 1/3 cup fresh basil chopped
3-5 cloves garlic (you can use less if you aren't a garlic lover)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 overflowing cup fresh spinach

1. Coat a non-stick skillet with cooking spray or olive oil and sauté onion until translucent. Remove from pen a and set aside for later.
2. Add olive oil to the skillet and cook chicken about 4 minutes one each side. Remove the chicken and set aside for later.
3. Pour chicken broth, quinoa, basil, garlic, and onions into skillet, and stir. Return chicken to pan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and cover. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until quinoa has absorbed the liquid.
4. Stir in spinach until wilted.

I served it with a side of broccoli!

As mentioned before, there were only a few things that I was able to cook when I moved out of the nest. One thing that I did learn from my mom was not to be afraid to try new recipes. I think my sister and I would agree that even if there are more bad than good recipe experiments, it is worth it when you can add something delicious to the monthly mix. Today's "Five things I love" is dedicated to my mama! Aside from all the typical things one might say about their mother....

1. She pushed me to try new hobbies (even if one included the flute!) Because of her I found a sport that I love and met some incredible people along the way.
2. She was not only my personal chauffeur, but my biggest fan. She spent countless hours in the car and away on weekends, so that I could play competitive volleyball. She drove me to clinics, practices, camps, tournaments, etc. Without her dedication and support I would not be the person that I am today.
3. She passed on the shopping addiction. I think maybe this is a love to hate her for that one! Trips out of town were always my favorite, because we would hit up whatever mall was in the vicinity and do some damage!
4. She is continuing to better herself into adulthood. Some people give up once they reach a certain age and don't really attempt to become a better person. I hope that I continue to grow, set goals for myself, and be open to changing my ways
5. She makes the best cookies (and tacos)! Oatmeal, chocolate chip walnut, etc....you name it she makes the perfect chewy yummy cookies!

Shades of Green

Jeans Express/ Jacket Paul & Joe for Target (old)/ Sweater BCBG (hand me down)/ Scarf Old/ Shoes BCBGeneration (old)

 

I am sure you will be tired of seeing these jeans in a month or so, but it seems like everything in my closet goes with them! ;-) I told myself I was going to remember to grab my purse from now on....FAIL!

Blue on Blue on Blue

Jeans Joe's/ Top Nordstrom/ Jacket Express/ Shoes Aldo/ Bag UO

 

One more week until Spring Break!

 

<3 Hill

Minty

 

Shirt DKNY (old)/ Sweater Old/ Shoes Aldo (old)/ Pants Express

 

If you couldn't tell I love mint and hot pink. Have a great weekend!

Rawr

Jeans COH/ Top Nordstrom Rack/ Shoes Steve Madden/ Jacket F21

I love me some leopard print, especially in the shape of a fun wedge. We have had some beautiful weather lately and I have been taking advantage of it with my clothing options. Last night I had a really great dinner with my cousin in-law (if that is a thing). Gotta love family :)

Lace

Jacket Old/ Shirt Nordstrom/ Skirt Banana Republic/ Shoes Old (hand me down from sis)

 

Blogging can be an interesting thing, especially for somebody with my personality. I have been called an "over-achiever" for the majority of my life and played competitive sports as well. I was always good at pushing myself and didn't need another person to be competitive against, because I have always been my own worst enemy. I started the blog as an outlet for myself and to share info with my sister and close friends. As I started to gain a few "stranger" readers it got me pumped. I wanted to try to do the best that I could, but I have not quite been living up to my own standards. It has me questioning myself, when in fact, I need to remember why I started in the first place and the person who is most critical is myself. I have wanted to quit several times, but I have a few fans in my life that push me forward, even with all of my negative self talk. A great friend of mine gave me some advice. She told me to give it a year. So today's 5 things are dedicated to her!

Five things I love about Alicia:
1. She is one of my biggest blog supporters. She has provided me with encouragement, constructive criticism, and ideas! I would have definitely given up if it weren't for her.
2. She gives me great healthy recipes to try, but isn't afraid to eat a lemon bar with me :)
3. She is my personal trainer. If I ever want or need a workout I know who to ask. She also provided me with all the info I needed to successfully run the half-marathon.
4. She is a great listener and always has my back!
5. She is honest. I know I can count on Alicia for an honest opinion. She will tell me if my hair is a mess, my pants are ugly, or if she thinks I am wrong. We can have an honest discussion without getting angry with each other.

Thanks for reading!

Anxious

Shirt Nordstrom/ Jeans Citizens/ Boots Steve Madden/ Sweater Target

 

 

Do you have a "getting ready for the week" routine. I don't know about you, but I like to plan meals, get chores done, etc. to get ready for the work week. When that routine gets interrupted I get very anxious. I was out of town this weekend and didn't return until Sunday evening, so needless to say I was freaking out a little bit all day yesterday. It was not a very good way to start my week, but today is a new day :)

Trench

Trench Express/ Jeans 7FAM/ Sweater Nordstrom/ Shoes DV Dolce Vita via Marshalls

 

I read on another blog the other day that you can't wear the latest trend everyday. Sometimes it is nice to just wear a comfy, casual outfit. Have a great weekend!