Uplifting Wednesday

It is one of those weeks at work where the day is go go go. 

I felt like I could use a little mid week pick me up!

How about you?

Source: frenchbydesign.blogspot.ca via Shelley on Pinterest

Happy Hump Day Everyone!

Recap

Happy Tuesday Folks! 

Minnesota was hit with some pretty hot weather this weekend!  And I loved it!  

There is nothing like spending a weekend relaxing in beautiful weather!

Friday night I headed down to Stillwater right on the St. Croix River for a little boating, grilling and wine!

Have any of you ever tried Turkey Brats?  

Since I am not a pork fan I thought this would be a great option for me! 

I found some Spinach and Garlic ones at Target!  

Delicious!

Saturday I spent the afternoon basking in the sun, enjoying the company of some wonderful people! 

Nothing says summer like sitting on a deck, and grilling!  

Sunday I picked up this dress from Banana Republic!

I am in love!  I was originally just going to make returns at Banana before heading down to Rochester for a wedding, but one look at the Trina Turk Dress and I knew I had to have it! 

Has anyone else seen the Trina Turk collection for Banana? 

She designed some great pieces for them!

The dress was perfect for an outdoor wedding, nice, light and so summery! 

The wedding was held at the lovely and historic Old Stone Barn in Rochester. 

A beautiful wedding location, just down the road from the old Mayowood Masion (you remember the Mayo brothers right?  and the Foundation House?)

We had a fun evening chatting and laughing!

I even got to see this little lady!

She has the cutest baby bump! 

Needless to say after such a fun filled weekend I am a bit exhausted!  

But I am ready for a good week!

Oh and one more thing before I leave

Check out the new Pin recipes I am trying this week!

Chickpea Patties with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, from Wonderful Joy Ahead

Source: wonderfuljoyahead.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

I am hoping these are delicious.  To me the recipe sounds almost like Flaffel!  

I am also looking for a good recipe for Swordfish.  I want to serve the fish along with these Brussel Sprouts, yum!

Stay tuned for the results!  Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone!  

The Return of the Friday 5!

Happy Friday Folks! 

Who is ready for the weekend?  I know I am! 

I felt I was long over due for a Friday 5 post!  So here is my Friday 5, followed by a recap of this weeks pin recipes!  

1- I am extremely excited that Saturday the weather is supposed to be beautiful!

91 degrees and sunny (not a cloud in the sky)!  Time to bust out the swim suits and work on that tan of mine!  

2-I am also really excited that in just 7 days a Lunds (local Minneapolis grocery store)  will be opening up right across the street from my apartment!  

(source)

I plan on taking full advantage of this!  

3-  I need to buy one of these! 

I am obsessed with Spa Water, current flavor obsessions are pineapple and strawberry!  The cafeteria at my office does 3 different Spa waters each day!  The naturally flavored waters are a good change from plain old water!   Target sells them online for about $20 check it out! 

4- I am still lusting over these! 

(Kate Spade)

5- Currently Loving This Song!
Train Drive By

Now lets get on with that recipe review!

I thought both recipes were excellent!  But lets start with Ready Set Eats Southwestern Soup!

I made mine super spicy, and was happy with the result!  Top with some avocado and a little greek yogurt and you have a quick and healthy meal!  I also served warm whole grain tortillas on the side! 

This recipe got a thumbs up!

And moving right along to the Grilled Chicken Tzatziki Wrap from Style at Home!

This got two major thumbs up!  For our first time grilling, I think the chicken turned out excellent!  I loved the cucumber relish!  I thought the crisp cucumber added a fresh taste to these wraps.  I also made a simple Tzatziki with a little greek yogurt to dollop on top!  I am for sure making these again!

Well there you have it a recipe recap and a Friday 5!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!  

Motivation

Have you ever pushed yourself to the max, I mean pushed your body so hard you literally wanted to fall over?  That was me last night!  I decided to tac on a little stair running to the end of my evening run last night, and lets just say they kicked my butt!

All 155 of them 3x!

It was a killer, the stairs left my legs feeling like jello, and I had sweat dripping everywhere!

But it was worth it! 

I later came across this quote on Pinterest and could not agree more! 

Source: standuptofight.tumblr.com via Jan on Pinterest

I could not agree more!  

So tell me how do you push yourself to the max in a workout?

Any new workouts your trying now that the weather is nice?

A Dwindling Pin Board

Happy Tuesday Everyone! 

How is the week starting for you?

Yesterday was a crazy day at work, my 8 hour work day felt like it was only 2 hours long! 

There was so much to do!

These past few weeks I have been attempting to update the recipe page and pinterest challenge page!  It is coming together slowly but surely, and something I have been meaning to do (for a very long time)!   I am hoping I will get it done soon, I am holding myself accountable since I added it to my June goals list!  

I have a few recipes to share with you today, lets take a look at the recipes I made almost two weeks ago!

Peas and Thank You's Lentil Enchiladas, and a Cranberry Chicken Salad from Plum Pie! 

The Lentil Enchilada's were amazing!  

They were easy to make, and made great leftovers for lunch!  They got a thumbs up from my test tasters! I think next time I am going to use a hotter enchilada sauce!  

And the Cranberry Chicken salad was pretty darn good as well.  I love Apples and Cranberries in my chicken salad. 

Source: plumpiecooks.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Although I have to say I was not to crazy about the apple cider vinegar!  I will leave that out next time! 

Now, it wouldn't be a pin challenge unless I introduced you to a few more recipes!  My pin board is slowly getting smaller and smaller!  I need to start tackling some of the desserts, guess I need to throw a party!   I felt that two recipes would be enough this week, since I will be gone most of the weekend again! 

Grilled Chicken Tzaziki Wraps From Style at Home!

Source: styleathome.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

These look delicious, and I am a sucker for greek food! 

And A southwestern Soup from Ready Set Eat.

Source: readyseteat.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Bring on the spice!

I hope these two recipes are winners because they look and sound delicious! 

June Goals

Another Monday is here and we are at the start of a new month! 

I am still wrapping my mind around the fact that it is already June!  Summer and warm weather are officially here!  I feel like just yesterday we were ringing in 2012, where has the time gone?

As I was thinking about the New Year I was suddenly reminded of those new years resolutions I made months ago.  

For those of you that are new read about my new years resolutions here and here. 

As I looked back at everything I wanted to accomplish this year, I decided that I wanted to have some short term month to month goals!  I decided to compile a small list! 

1-Take a Ballet Class! 

I live about 5 blocks from my old Ballet School, and something inside me is telling me to go back and dance!  I am nervous for this, because I have not taken a ballet class in years.  

2- Start training this month for a 10k.  

This past weekend while home I did a wonderful 5 mile run through the woods! 

It is my longest run to date since I healed up from my stress fracture!  I will be running my first 5k in about a month and a half, but I am ready to get back into the long runs! 

3- In June I want to start budgeting. 

I have to be honest I am not good with this, but this month I want to begin saving more!  I also want to be responsible and know where my money is going!

4-I want to join a bible study this month.  

My company offers many bible studies during lunch, and since I am officially done with training I think now is a great time to join one! 

5-I want to get the blogs recipe page/pin challenge page cleaned up and back online! 

These are just some of the short term goals I hope to accomplish this month!  

Do you guys set up monthly goals?

New Orleans Recap... Just A Few Days Late!

Well I am back from my long weekend adventure in New Orleans! I know I am really behind in getting this post up!  I feel like my week has been getting away from me, work has been super busy!

But lets get to the fun stuff and talk about the wonderful weekend in New Orleans!
New Orleans was a good time, the city is very interesting!  I had a fabulous time catching up with good friends, and celebrating the marriage of two wonderful people!  !

Congrats Matt and Mandie!

The weekend was spent wandering the streets of New Orleans, experiencing all that the city has to offer!

From food, to the night life I felt like we saw it all!  I think there is nothing better then walking the streets of a city.  You get to really experience the city if you walk everywhere!

Most of Saturday was spent just wandering around, seeing the sites! 

We visited the Historic Cafe Du Monde for Coffee and Beingnets, right next to the lovely Jackson Square. 

And the beautiful St Louis Cathedral. 

Saturday we also enjoyed some authentic New Orleans cuisine at Mother's!

The food was wonderful, I love me some red beans and rice!
Saturday evening was spent dining at Mr. B's Bistro

 where we stuffed ourselves with fabulous desserts and laughed the night away.  Later on we experienced all the Bourbon Street has to offer!

I cannot even imagine how crazy Bourbon Street is during Mardi Gras!
Sunday was low key, a wonderful authentic brunch and Brennan's complete with Banana's Foster (which was originally created and Brennan's in the 1950's) and mimosas!

Right after brunch we headed back to get pretty for the wedding!

The wedding was beautiful, and elegant!
It was wonderful to be able to celebrate the marriage of my sorority sister!
She was one of the most beautiful brides!

We all ended up dancing the night away!
And check out their awesome grooms cake!

A Butler Bulldog!
There had to have been at least 50 Butler Alums there!
All of us Butler Alums gathered for a picture with the grooms cake, and guess what it is going to be in the Butler Magazine!

Our night ended with a New Orleans Tradition called a Second Line!
A second line is where the Bride and Groom lead everyone at the wedding through the streets of New Orleans!

There is a band playing, and everyone at the wedding waves white hankies!

It was the neatest experience!  The cops blocked off Bourbon street for everyone to walk down, and people stopped to take pictures!

I have to say this was my favorite part of the weekend!

I have to say I was sad to see the weekend come to an end, because it is always hard to leave good friends! But all in all we had a blast, and made more wonderful memories!