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just keep climbing

hApPy

closet clean out | what should i be wearing?

After working for twelve years in the same profession, I was more than happy to start cleaning out my closet. But now what? I have no idea how to dress myself! I lived in my jcrew khaki shorts and a tee shirt all summer, but with cold weather coming what's a girl (ok a thirty something) to do? 

I remembered reading some posts gp (gwyneth paltrow) did a few years ago on her blog, Goop. gp titled the posts my uniform, spring, and spring fashion (there are more fashion posts, but the posts get progressively more fancy pants as the years go on). I could maybe afford one leg of the leggings and the rest of the wardrobe was out of the question.  BUT the outfit ideas were great and I still think the outfits are great! (maybe I am really out of touch, just like gp when she said working mothers had it easier than her, but I regress).

I need some of the same sort of clothing in my life but... ON a MAJOR budget! 

Outfit #1

{image is from Goop}

Outfit #2

{image is from Goop}

Outfit #3 and #4

{image is from Goop}

Outfit #5

{image is from Goop}

Now to find these on a budget more realistic for me. Stay tuned! 

magazine round up

a few of my favorite magazines:

O (the oprah magazine) | always full of great information 

Midwest Living | because when in Rome

Eating Well | delicious recipes to help inspire cleaner, healthier eating (because I always need that!)

Real Simple | love all of the tips, tricks, and ideas... Always looking to simplify

Mother Earth Living | think Martha Stewart (minus the jail time) meets eco friendly

I read my magazines which are usually hand me downs from my mom. I tear out recipes and ideas occasionally. When I am finished with the magazine and if it doesn't look like teen wolf got a hold of it, I bring it to my neighborhood library for the magazine exchange so someone else can enjoy it and hopefully recycle it or pass it along. 

What are your favorite magazines?

Hello | Goodbye

Creamy Baked Ziti

I like to cook. Before Pinterest (love Pinterest!), I had a composition notebook. I would tear recipes from magazines and tape the tear-outs in the notebook.

I have pinned tons of recipes, some better than others... but this one from mostly homemade mom for Creamy Baked Ziti is pretty darn easy to make and was a real hit with Q.

The original recipe from Mostly Homemade Mom and to the right the changes I made.

Creamy Baked Ziti

1 box ziti pasta     (i used penne pasta, because i had it in the pantry)
2 jars spaghetti sauce     (i used 1, i would definitely use 2 the next time)
1-1 1/2 lbs of ground beef     (you could sub ground turkey or Italian sausage or a 50/50 mix)
1 small onion diced
1 cup sour cream     (i might try cottage cheese or Greek yogurt next time)
1/4 pound sliced provolone cheese     (i used prepackaged shredded cheese)
1/4 pound sliced mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tablespoon of oregano


Cook pasta until al dente. Meanwhile, brown ground beef and diced onion in a large skillet, drain. Add two jars spaghetti sauce, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray. Spread half of ziti on bottom of dish. Layer with alternating slices of mozzarella and provolone cheese. Ladle half of meat sauce over cheese. Place dollops of the sour cream over the meat sauce (use all of the sour cream, not half as this will be the only layer of sour cream). Repeat layers as listed ending with the meat sauce. Sprinkle top with grated parmesan cheese and oregano. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

I  tweaked the recipe just a bit one way was adding pasta sauce to the bottom of the pan before layering the ingredients.
P.S. This bakeware from Celebrating Home is pretty great.

What is your favorite or best recipe from Pinterest?