the sweet olives

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

My Spring Sweet List

There is something about spring that always motivates me to start anew. Last weekend I revamped my closet and it felt so good. This time around it was a bit more complicated since I am six months post pregnancy and my body is a completely different shape. Motherhood has definitely altered my style. It's not like I'm wearing sweatpants everyday, but I like the cute and casual look more now than the 3 inch heels. I wore heels last weekend to a wedding and thought I was going to have to limp out of the reception. I still love my beautiful shoes and fancy clothes, but I have found that you can still look chic yet casual by adding the perfect accessories. Plus, size doesn't matter when it comes to accessories.

Layla Grayce Rosanna Ikat Coral & Grey Handbag ($40)

Rosanna Ikat Coral & Grey Handbag RI79491

http://www.laylagrayce.com/Products/Rosanna-Ikat-Coral-and-Grey-Handbag__RI79491.aspx

J. Crew Ribbon Stripe Clutch ($98)
Invitation clutch in ribbon stripe

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Women/PRD~72555/72555.jsp

Tory Burch Mini Logo Shoulder Bag ($325)
Tory Burch 'Mini Logo' Shoulder Bag

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/tory-burch-mini-logo-shoulder-bag/3264530?origin=category&resultback=6462

DV by Dolce Vita "Archer" ($69)

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=35978&vid=1&pid=911022&scid=911022042

J. Crew Bangles ($25-$118)
Wrist party brought to you by J.Crew

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/jewelry/bracelets.jsp

Kenneth Cole New York Gold Cuff ($38)

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=77995&vid=1&pid=822070&scid=822070002

Kendra Scott "Darby" Earrings ($75)

http://www.laylagrayce.com/Products/Kendra-Scott-Darby-Earrings-in-Palm-with-Mother-of-Pearl__KSE3213G.aspx

Friendship Bracelet ($12)

http://www.wanelo.com/women/Bright+Blue+and+Green+Friendship+Bracelet+by+bumbleberries2012-450508.html

TOMS Ballet Flat ($70-$80)
Toms Introduces Cute Ballet Flats For Spring '12

Toms Introduces Cute Ballet Flats For Spring '12

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/toms-natalia-ballet-flat/3284318?origin=PredictiveSearch&resultback=3069

J. Crew Bubble Necklace ($150)

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/jewelry/necklaces/PRDOVR~92687/92687.jsp

R.J. Graziano Pave-Link Chain Bracelet ($65)

http://www.lastcall.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod5420218&eItemId=prod5420218&cmCat=search&searchType=SEARCH&parentId=&icid=&rte=%252Fsearch.jhtml%253FNtt%253DR.J.%252BGraziano%2526_requestid%253D5208%2526N%253D4294967268

LC Lauren Conrad Art Deco Headband ($16.80)
LC Lauren Conrad Silver Tone Simulated Crystal Art Deco Headband

LC Lauren Conrad Silver Tone Simulated Crystal Art Deco Headband

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/landingpages/lclaurenconrad/accessories/PRD~1008948/LC+Lauren+Conrad+Silver+Tone+Simulated+Crystal+Art+Deco+Headband.jsp

Sir Alistair Rai Ikat Wrap ($85)

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79606&vid=1&pid=236504&scid=236504002

Kate Spade Rugby iPhone 4 Case

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79621&vid=1&pid=249348&scid=249348002

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Easy Way Out

There are two words that I can't get enough of....cheap and easy! We aren't talking character traits here people, we are talking recipes. I am always trying to come up with meals that taste like you have spent all day in the kitchen, but take less than 30 minutes to prepare. That's right...30 minutes or less! My son naps for only 30 minutes at a time, so I have to be creative when it comes to dinner. I believe that dinner shouldn't be difficult and we deserve an easy way out every once in a while. Enjoy!

Beef and Blue Pizza

1 prepared Boboli pizza crust
1/2 package of thin sliced roast beef lunch meat
1/4 C diced red onion
2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbs minced roasted garlic
1/4 C blue cheese crumbles
1/2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 C sliced mushrooms (canned or fresh)
1/4 C chopped red bell pepper (if desired)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush prepared pizza crust with 1 Tbs of olive oil and then spread the 1Tbs minced roasted garlic on crust. Dice your red onion and shred roast beef with your hands. Heat the remaining of the olive oil in a pan on medium heat and add your red onion. Cook the red onion until tender and then add on top of pizza. Add shredded mozzarella on top of pizza. Return pan to stove and add your shredded roast beef. Cook on medium heat for 2 minutes to heat thoroughly. Add roast beef on top of pizza. Then top with blue cheese crumbles and mushrooms. Bake directly on oven rack for 8-10 minutes. Makes 8 slices.

This is a great dinner recipe, but can also be a great appetizer for a party when cut into bite-size pieces.

Salsa Chicken
Salsa Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe

1 large jar of salsa (the cheap stuff works well)
3-4 boneless skinless frozen chicken breasts

In your handy dandy crock pot place frozen chicken breast and top with the entire jar of salsa. Cook on low-medium heat for 6-8 hours. Once you notice chicken is cooked thoroughly, shred chicken with a fork and cook on low another 30 minutes.

This chicken dish is flavorful, juicy and low-fat. Serve it on tortillas, salads and sandwiches. The leftover chicken can be used in many ways too. It's the dish that keeps on giving

French Dip Sandwiches
French Dip Sandwiches Recipe

1 beef rump roast/pot roast
1 package of french onion dip seasoning
1 C water
sliced swiss or provolone cheese (if desired)

Brown your roast in a pan on medium heat and then place in your crock pot. Sprinkle the french onion seasoning over the roast. Add 1 cup of water. Cook on low-medium heat for 6-8 hours. Place meat on a toasted french bread hoagie and top with cheese if you wish. If there is not enough au jus in the crock pot, add some beef broth and stir. Use the au jus for dipping and enjoy!

Easy Chicken n' Dumplings
Quick Chicken and Dumplings

2 C chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken condensed soup
1 can cream of celery condensed soup
2 C shredded chicken or 2 large cans of canned chicken
1 can sliced carrots (drained)
1 can southern style biscuits
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic salt
parsley (optional)

In a saucepan, combine chicken broth, cream of chicken and cream of celery. Whisk together. Add chicken ( I prefer shredded chicken to the canned chicken), carrots, salt, pepper and garlic salt. Cook on medium heat and stir occasionally until bubbly. Turn down to a simmer. Take biscuits and tear or cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. Drop raw biscuits into the mixture and continue to simmer for 8-10 minutes. Cover and continue to simmer for another 8-10 minutes. Watch for the dumplings to rise to the top. Sprinkle parsley on top, if desired. Makes 4 servings.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Spring...How I Love Thee

Oh, spring...it puts a smile on my face. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The earth laughs in flowers." I couldn't agree more, Mr. Emerson! I have always enjoyed the beautiful spring weather in the South, even if it's short-lived due to the hot summers. Nature's colorful blooms are refreshing and are always the first sign that it's time to get my hands dirty. Gardening is something that I've been doing since I was a little girl with my mother. As I've gotten older, I have found it to be more therapeutic and one of my favorite creative outlets. When you finally see your garden come together, it feels like you have painted your own masterpiece with Mother Nature's paint brush.

There are a few rules of thumb that I have learned over the years.

* Don't plant any new plants until after Easter. This is a rule my mother taught me and it never fails.

* Know your planting zone. Better Home and Gardens always has great information according to your zone.

* Plant as many perennials as possible to save money. Those that have done well in my garden include: "Madison" Star Jasmine, Carolina Jasmine, Chrysanthemum "Mums", Blue Salvia, Hydrangea, Azalea, Peony, Sweet Olive or Tea Olive and Canna Lillies.

"Madison" Star Jasmine

Carolina Jasmine

Chrysanthemum "Mums"

Blue Salvia

Hydrangea

Azalea

Peony

Sweet Olive or Tea Olive Tree

Canna Lillies

* Know your soil type. This is very important when you are planting plants like Hydrangea, Azalea and Peony. They are very particular plants, and knowing if the soil is acidic or alkaline will help them thrive.

* Choose the color palette that appeals to you. I prefer choosing colors that compliment one another. Some people enjoy a multi-colored garden, but that feels a bit too busy for me. In certain areas, I also like to plant all the same color and species of plant for a bold punch.

* Understand your plants' water requirements. This will help you conserve water (very important) and create healthy plants. It is a common mistake to over-water your plants. For example, plants like hydrangea really like a well-drained soil. Also, it is better to give your plants a heavy soaking once or twice a week rather than to lightly watering every day.

When amongst flowers or walking through a stunning garden, a sense of peace comes over me. Below are some of my favorite places that have provided such peace and inspiration for my own garden.

Charleston, South Carolina

Paradise Island, Bahamas

San Francisco, California

Dallas, Texas

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer God's Heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on Earth.

- Dorothy Frances Gurney

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Lady Likes Her Football

Many people have told me over the years that I am a prissy girl until it comes to football, and then I become one of the "dudes." My father raised me to not only like football, but to understand the game. I think many Southern women were raised the same way. Although I enjoy college football much more than professional, I still appreciate the Super Bowl and all the food that goes with it. So, I am sharing my favorite game day recipes. They are not the healthiest, but they are best served with beer and football.

Kickoff Mary

http://blog.teroforma.com/superbowl-cocktail/

Game Day Frito Pies

1 lb Ground Beef or Turkey

1 can Rotel

1 can Ranch Style Beans

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 lb Velvetta

Cook meat in skillet until brown. Drain and set aside. In a crockpot on medium/high heat combine cheese, Rotel (drained), beans and soup. Allow the mixture to melt and stir occasionally. Once melted turn crockpot to the warm setting and stir in the cooked meat. Serve over Fritos and enjoy! This is great over tortilla chips too.

Ham and Swiss Sliders