Fall Uniform

top: TJMaxx (similar)
blazer: H&M (splurge, save )
cords: LOFT similar
flats: Ellen Tracy (similar, similar)

My fall uniform consists of these cords. I mean, I wear them every day, except when I'm on my knees scrubbing the floor after breakfast (read: smashed scrambled eggs. yuck!) I love corduroy pants because they are the most comfortable pants in the history of the world. They make you look put together without compromising style and you can dress them up or down. This is my version of dressed down, because you know, flats. Hope you are having a great and thank you so much for reading! 

5 Things That Make Our Marriage Great

Sometimes life over takes us. We get so busy with everyday things and responsibilities that we forget to take the time to look at our lives and just be thankful. My husband and I are far from perfect and we have our share of problems but I need to remind myself once in a while why I chose this man. Here are a few of the many things that make us so perfect for each other.

1. We put God first. In our lives, in our ministry, in our parenting, in our relationship with each other. I know that my husband can never make me happy 100% of the time. He is a human being and as such he will make mistakes. No matter how much I try, my marriage will never satisfy me spiritually so making Lord God my priority and source of joy, makes things a lot more stable.

2. We are committed. In our 6+ years of marriage, we have experienced some very high peeks of happiness and low points of disappointments, but we've gone through it all together. Knowing that no matter what happens, we are together definitely brings peace into my heart. It's one thing knowing it in my head, and totally another, going through it. Sharing life's greatest and worst moments together brings us closer to each other every day.

3.  We are best friends. If there is one thing that I love about us, is that we've always been best friends. I know that I can talk to my husband about anything, get honest advice and encouragement. We don't have secrets and we share our lives with each other. There isn't an area in our lives that we haven't covered at one point and if something is on my heart, I know that I can go talk to him. It's the best part of our relationship and I wouldn't have it any other way.

4. We have the same views on life. We share the same views on a lot of things in life - from parenting to taste in food, some of that comes from cultural similarities. Other parts are from living together and rubbing off on each other. In the end we really do understand each other very well and don't have to argue about religion or politics, or even which restaurant to go to because we agree on the same things. It makes life a lot easier knowing your partner understands you completely and although we do have disagreements, major things are covered.

5. We aim to please each other. *Cough* As a married couple we enjoy each other very much. The intimacy and closeness is important to both of us and we are certainly on the same page. I know a few couples who have very different views on intimacy and it definitely brings conflicts into the marriage. We strive for mutual satisfaction, in all areas of our lives but having a partner who 'gets you' makes intimacy that much more special.

Thank you so much for stopping by! 

Color Blocked Fall

dress: Eddie Bawer  Thrifted (similar)
blouse: Loft (similar)
shoes: Liz Claiborne (similar)
bag: similar, splurge, steal

Well, another week has gone by and I'm reminded, yet again, that time is a precious commodity. I'm loving fall this year, and that's an understatement. Warm sun-filled days and crisp cool nights; the smell of apples and cinnamon in my house as I whip up some fall-themed muffins. It's simply breathtakingly beautiful! I'm also gravitating towards cooler colors and lots of color blocking this fall, as well as sleeveless dresses with blouses (remember this look?). This is a second look this fall and I can't get away from it. I hope you are enjoying this time of the year and having a good time of your life. 

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy your weekend!

Trendy

skirt: Thrifted (similar, similar)
blouse: Forever21 (similar, similar)
shoes: Liz Claiborne (similar)
bag: similar

Well, oh well, looky here. Someone has fallen to the peer pressure and bought into the trend, and it's very obvious who that someone is. The very first time I saw a leather skirt on one of the bloggers I honestly thought it was a little too much, too tacky and not for me. Fast forward year later, and I'm the one wearing it but when it comes to items like that, it's all about balance. I could not (well, I guess you could) wear it with anything like sequins or print but rather with an understated top and nude heels. Is it church worthy? I don't think so because it has too much of a sexy factor and shines like crazy. (And no one wants to see my rear in grease-like accent haha).

Do you buy trends as soon as they come out, or does it take a few years for you to warm up to the idea? Do share ladies. Thank you for stopping by.

Beef and Brussels Sprouts Risotto {Recipe}

I've always been a fan of risotto but found that it was quite labor intensive after looking at a few recipes. Then one day I decided to buy the rice and just make it. It was delicious but my husband wasn't a fan of mushrooms (first time I made a mushroom risotto). The next time, I tried to find a flavorful recipe with out mushrooms and stumbled upon this one. The only vegetables that I had in the fridge were Brussels sprouts, so I decided to throw them in. It turned out excellent and I could not wait to share this fall-inspired recipe with you.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1lb of beef (steak of your choice)

2 cups Brussels sprouts

1/2 white onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup arborio rice

3/4 cup white wine

~ 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock

salt and pepper

1/4 cup grated Parmaggiano Reggiano cheese

Method:

In a large skillet add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat to medium.  Meanwhile trim Brussels sprouts. Cut small sprouts in half, and bigger ones slice in thirds so they are at most 3/4 cm thick. 

Add to skillet with a big pinch of salt and give it a shake. Allow the Brussels to caramelize on one side before flipping, check every 3 minutes. Once nicely browned, flip and do the same to the other side. Remove to a plate. 

Wash and pat dry the beef, then cut into small pieces. Raise the heat to medium and add more oil and butter to the pan. Add chopped onion and garlic and saute them for about 10 minutes. Raise the heat to high and add beef chunks. Sear the beef until lightly browned and turn the heat down to medium.

Wash the rice and add it to the beef, season with salt and pepper. Fry rice with beef for about 10 minutes stirring constantly, then add wine. Do NOT stop stirring. This recipe has only one thing that's hard - you have to keep stirring. Keep adding the stock one cup at a time and do not stop stirring until all the stock is gone and rice is cooked. 

Depending on how you like your rice, it will take about 35 minutes of stirring. The rice should be cooked by then but f it's not, just add another half of cup of water and stir for a little longer. 

Mix in the Brussels sprouts and the cheese, stir. Let the risotto stand for about 30 minutes before you serve it.