{Shrimp Fried Rice}

Mine came out picture-perfect

Once in a while I find this recipe that's easy and delicious. Well, this is it! This is easy to make and with all the right ingredients, it will taste better then take-out. Trust me!

I love Shrimp Fried Rice and with my constant craving for salt, I can satisfy hunger 

with some very nutritious stuff. 

I followed the recipe to a T and did not change anything!

(Well, except I like cilantro and parsley so I added some of that in)

**Recipe and all pictures below are courtesy of natashaskitchen.com**

Ingredients for Shrimp Fried Rice: Link

1 lb (26-30 count) uncooked shrimp, shelled and deveined

1 tsp cornstarch

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

3 tbsp canola or other cooking oil

4 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped

5 cups left-over, cold rice (Make sure to rinse the rice before cooking so it’s not sticky – sticky fried rice doesnt’ work)1 and 1/2 cups (12 oz)  frozen carrots and peas, defrosted according to package instructions and well-drained

2 1/2 to 3 tbsp soy sauce

1 1/2 tsp sesame oil

How to Make the BEST shrimp fried rice:

1. In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Let marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes.

2. Heat a large skillet on high heat. When a bead of water sizzles and evaporates, swirl in 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.

3. Add shrimp to the hot skillet and spread them out in a single layer. Cook about 1 minute each side, or until cooked through and no longer opaque. Remove to a bowl.

4. Over medium heat, add eggs to the same skillet. Break up the eggs with a spatula and cook until no longer runny. Remove to a bowl.

5. Wipe down the skillet with a paper towel and return to high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and onions and cook green onion until fragrant (if using regular onion, cook until soft).

6. Add rice and mix well. Spread rice evenly over the pan and cook 1 to 2 minutes, stir and saute another 1 to 2 minutes. Rice should sizzle.

7. Drizzle 2 tbsp soy sauce over rice and stir well.

8. Add sesame oil and vegetables and mix well.

9. Add cooked shrimp and cooked eggs to the pan and mix well. Continue to cook until the rice is hot and sizzles, stirring frequently. Add another tablespoon of soy sauce to taste, if desired.

On Repeat

dress,belt:Old Navy, shoes: Steve Madden, bag: Old, 

You know you like a song when it's on repeat in your car and you memorized all the words. Well, that's me and this dress. I really fell in love with it when I bought it and adding a little different accessories, changing up the hair - makes for a whole new outfit.

I know, that in the world of blogging we are used to seeing new and fresh things, and always being amazed at how much clothes some of the bloggers have. Well, if you like a dress, why not wear it more then once? Or twice? Therefore, you may see this dress again. And then again.
Ain't nothing wrong with that.

P.S. Check out the first time I wore this dress. Which one is your favorite?

Staycation

shorts: J.Crew, top: Old Navy, jacket: Loft, shoes:???, bag: Target

Picturesque scenes around our town 

Almost in Italy...

at the antique show - perfect for my future backyard...

Love the antique signs

Early 1900s silver wear

This enormous tree is more then one hundred years old
The man you can barely make out is my hubby

Well I'm back and must say that it has been fun. Honestly, you don't know how much fun you can have in your own town or the ones near you, until you try. This year we weren't able to go on a 'real' vacation, so we decided to explore local towns, restaurants and parks. 

We do complain a lot about not being able to do much in our city, and it not a big metropolitan area with some sort of shows going on every Friday. To be honest, we just don't know what we are missing. 

First of all, upstate New York is one of the most scenic places on the East coast. Secondly, we have some gorgeous little historic towns with a real feel of America. 

Friday our plans were ruined by the rain, but we made up for it with lots of delicious food, little village shops, museum visit, pastry sampling, stand up comedy, and later more food. We has lunch at little village cafe with some awesome menu. Three of my most favorite foods - avocado, lobster and bacon - combined into one magnificent BLT. Ohhhhh thank goodness for delicious food!
Saturday we spent a day at an Antique Show and had a blast. While looking at some of the old things and just admiring the art work, we would ask for the price. After hearing how crazy expensive it is, we just kept the straight face and casually stroll away. Later we discussed how ridiculously expensive them things are with a fresh squeezed lemonade and fried dough. Yum!
Sunday after church we finished our little staycation with a dinner at a steakhouse.
I had a shrimp scampi. Go figure.
P.S. This extravaganza was paused for an hour every day so the hot mama could take a nap. Cannot deny a pregnant lady her nap.

Here & Now {Guest Post}

Hi there. I'm taking a little impromptu vacation with my hubby so while I'm gone, I have one of my favorite down-to-earth bloggers filling in for me. Without further ado, here is Jessica.

Hello Happy Medley readers! I am Jessica from Here&Now where I blog about my daily outfits, adventures in building a stylish wardrobe (aka shopping), and of course my fur baby, Doug the Pug. I am so excited to be joining you guys over here!

It is that time of year... I am over my Summer clothes, and drooling about the new Fall collections popping up on shelves everywhere... what's a girl to do!?

Shop smart for transition pieces... items that can still be worn in hot weather (who wants to wait to wear new purchases!?), but will get plenty of love come cooler months as well... when shopping for end of Summer/Fall clothes, think about items that layer, have classic color palettes, and are easily mixable into what you already have in your closet....

just that easy huh!?

Well here are some of my tips, and outfits for your inspirational pleasure 

(oh and almost all of these items are at amazing price points... who wants to only get 1 or 2 items off of their Fall wish list... let's stock up!)

{Fall Florals: skinny floral jeans}

{Now}

floppy hat + tank (tied at waist) + cross-body bag + funky bangles + lace up wedges

{Later}

open sweater + tough cuff + fringe purse + low booties

Yes, florals were big for Spring/Summer and (if you can believe it) are continuing will full force into Fall. Pick up a pair of skinny floral jeans in more muted colors and enjoy remixing them with easy basics and full of personality accessories

{Hot Dots: Polka dot dress}

{Now}

jean vest + gold bangles + green shopper bag + gold sandals

{Later}

colorful scarf + neutral clutch + basic booties

Polka dots... get ready to see them everywhere. Polka dot pieces from Old Navy to J.Crew are already selling out quickly... so go ahead and jump on the trend, it's here for another season. Polka dots can be playful with a jean vest and girlie flats. Or toughen them up with chic booties. Go a step more and pair your dots with a on trend green army jacket or be super brave and try them with camo!

{Pop of Peplum top}

{Now}

classic sunnies + monogram necklace + neutral bag + jean shorts {splurge // save } + leopard sandals 

{Later}

crystal necklace + men's style watch + funky clutch + faux leather skirt + leopard heels

Oh have you heard of this little piece, it's called a peplum... and it is hot hot hot! Peplums popped up on tops, skirts, and dresses in late Spring and are continuing their trendy up-swing into Fall. My favorite way to wear a peplum top now is with laid-back jorts and cool-girl details. Come fall I can't wait to pair peplum tops with a fuller skirt and spicy accents (à la the ever fashionable Blair of Atlantic-Pacific).

I might be a little biased, but I think all of these items are closet workhorses... and hopefully I can purchase a few smart transitional pieces of my own (got my eye on that polka dot dress!)

What pieces are you eyeing?

Come visit me over on Here&Now anytime!

xx

Jessica

Confession

dress:Calvin Klein, shoes:Guess, belt:Old Navy

So I have a confession to make - I lost my camera. 

Yes, I know, it is the single most important piece of equipment for a fashion blogger, well, besides the computer itself. I cannot find it and that's just not cool. I have been switching purses a lot and putting the camera from one into another every time. 

This time, it's not in any of my bags or in the car, or anywhere else.

Therefore this outfit is from last year taken by my hubby with his phone camera. I love the outfit and I LOVE this black dress, which by the way, I wore today with different accessories. But you will never know because, you guessed it right, I could not find the camera.  

So if you see it, let me know OK? Thanks