Fall Time Fashion

As most of you aware, we are now living in the mid-west...which means seasons, YAY! But, it also means colder weather much sooner and actually getting to wear true winter gear. I have been told by many people that come Jan/Feb you don't even bother looking that cute, because you are so bundled up. So, if that is the case, I am really going to take advantage of the Fall fashion.

I am also on a pretty serious budget, BUT I did just finally score a J.O.B. So, here are some things on my shopping list;)

Neutral colors...yes please!


Cardigan from Victoria's Secret
Loving silk blouses right now and especially loving them because we don't live in Texas and now I won't sweat like crazy in it! So, this one is a little pricey...but here's to hopin' for sales. It is from Saks.

And, as it begins to get colder...who am I kidding, it is already cold...I will be using me new warmer items below.
I don't own ANY hats...so I will be getting this, along with a little wrap around faux fur - later post:)

I found these in People Style Watch Mag and they are from JC Penney (low cost)!

I wear flats pretty much every day, and I LOVE Tory Burch flats! They are so easy, practical and comfortable. Lately, I have been really wanting a driving loafer to wear, rather than just the Reva flat and I think these are the ticket:)



Hunter Boots: I will definitely be purchasing these this week! I have heard that they are a necessity for Chicago weather, especially with some sock inserts.


You will be finding these items in my closet 28 floors up.

Tiff

Domesticated Diva

Over the past two weeks I would like to call myself one "Domesticated Diva." Hence the apron I was given at one of my bridal showers.



I have cleaned the house more times than I would like to count and have cooked many new recipes...some that I would recommend and others that I would not. Since I have been interviewing and job searching, I have needed something to occupy my time, so why not get myself familiar with being a house wife;). I also made some recipes I could freeze, because (well I have not decided yet) I may just stay a whole week with my folks next week in Houston- Why NOT? - and then Matt will be able to have some meals if he does not feel like cooking. I have to go to Dallas two weekends back to back, so I figured that if I have nothing else going on, I might just stay in Texas, rather than going back to Chicago.

Below are the recipes I made. Enjoy!

Pioneer Woman - Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken Spaghetti

Prep Time: 30 Minutes | Cook Time: 45 Minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 8

Print Recipe 3"x5" Cards 4"x6" Cards Full Page

Ingredients

• 2 cups Cooked Chicken
• 3 cups Dry Spaghetti, Broken Into Two Inch Pieces
• 2 cans Cream Of Mushroom Soup
• 2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1/4 cup Finely Diced Green Pepper
• 1/4 cup Finely Diced Onion
• 1 jar (4 Ounce) Diced Pimentos, Drained
• 2 cups Reserved Chicken Broth From Pot
• 1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
• 1/8 teaspoon (to 1/4 Teaspoon) Cayenne Pepper
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 1 cup Additional Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions

Cook 1 cut up fryer and pick out the meat to make two cups. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup sharp cheddar.

Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Cover and freeze up to six months, cover and refrigerate up to two days, or bake immediately: 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil).

Grilled Chicken Taco Pizzas - this was one of my favs!!!

Total Time: 1 hr 25 min

Prep 1 hr 5 min

Cook 20 min

Ingredients

For the Taco Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Pizzas:

• 1/4 cup canola oil, plus more for brushing
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1 16-ounce tube pizza dough
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 avocado
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon diced red onion
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup fresh salsa
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Make the taco seasoning: Mix all of the ingredients with 1 tablespoon each salt and black pepper in a bowl.

Prepare the pizza: Mix 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning and the canola oil in a shallow bowl. Pound the chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap to 1/4 inch thick. Add the chicken to the bowl, turning to coat, and marinate 30 minutes.

Preheat a grill to medium high. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Let cool, then cut into bite-size pieces.

Divide the dough into 3 pieces. Roll out each on a floured surface into an 8-inch round. Brush with canola oil, sprinkle with taco seasoning and grill until crisp, 3 to 5 minutes per side; remove from the grill.

Mix the cheeses in a bowl, then sprinkle on the crusts and top with the chicken. Return the pizzas to the grill, and cook until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the avocado, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, red onion, and salt and pepper to taste. Top the pizzas with the avocado mixture, salsa, sour cream and cilantro.

Lastly, Paula Deen's Taco Soup - this is a pretty popular one, so you can google it;)

You all should try these recipes. I have a few more that I would like to make, but I am going to take a break and go on a date with my hubby tonight!

XOXO,

Tiff

Self Pity No More

Have you ever felt like God just seriously slapped you upside the head...metaphorically of course, but don't doubt him...I am sure he could do it physically if he wanted to! Well, that is exactly what happened to me the other day. We moved here a month ago and I am sure as most of you know, I was quite reluctant to go. Of course, I knew I had to go because I love and support my husband, but to me it just seemed like poor timing. I just finished my masters and we were settling into a house...(living the good life). Well, we moved here and thing after thing happened and I continued to feel more and more like it was not the 'right move.' Currently, I do not have a job (bored out of my mind...my ADD self CANNOT handle it), I really do not have anything other to do than shop...which I can't do (you know...the no money thing), and in general I have just been feeling sorry for myself.

Well, the other morning I woke up to this email from the Daily Bible Verse:

"Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” – James 4:13-15 (NIV)

Can you say...WOW! Yeah, my thoughts exactly! Since reading this, I have just had to constantly remind myself that it is NOT my will. We are here for a reason and while it may not seem 'right' to me right now, it is RIGHT! So with that, unempolyed or not; bored or not, I am going to live in the Lord's will. I am not saying that I miraculously feel better, I am only human, but I do LOVE how we are "put in our place" from time to time and it makes us (me) realize what is really important!

XOXO,
Tiff

28 Floors Up

I know that some of you (friends/family) have been curious about our place, so I have uploaded some pictures so you can see how we live 28 floors up.
So, here is the tour. This image is when you walk into our place.
Next, turn to the right and it will lead you to our study nook.

As you can see we are still not completely done...hence no chair, rug, diplomas on the ground, etc... Now, turn down the hall and it leads you to the guest room and guest bath.


After, exiting the guest room you go into our living room and the kitchen. (Yeah, so I am not sure why it is all of a sudden underlining everything...but go with it!



Last, is our bedroom. At first, I was a little shaky about living so high up, but honestly, it is not that bad if you look out and not down. Now, all we need are more visitors:)

XOXO,
Tiff

First Day

Today, Matt started his first day of school at University of Chicago (pics soon:)! I am so proud of him...but I must say I am pretty bored. I tease that I am a a stay at home wife, rather than a stay at home mom. It is not that I want to be a stay at home wife, unfortunately I just don't have a job. Actually, I have been job searching since we moved up here, but I have not had ANY luck. Well, I have an interview for one temp position next week, but other than that...nothing too promising!

On another note, while we had nothing to do for the past month we breezed through all five seasons of Friday Night Lights...can you say AMAZING!! If you have not seen this show...go get ALL of the seasons now! So, in honor of that show and our time here, we have made "Texas Forever" our theme at the Slataper household. We are really liking Chicago, but no matter what, our hearts will always belong to Texas.

Also, on Pinterest the other day I found this adorable necklace from Nordstrom. ***Feel free to gift me this at anytime***JK!


XOXO,

Tiff

Settling In

Well, we have officially been in Chicago for one month! I cannot believe it has already been one month! We have finally gotten settled in...I will post pictures in the next post, after I have cleaned our place (for those of you who know me, know that my place is almost ALWAYS clean and organized, but right now it is not so tidy...eek!). In the month that we have been here, Matt's parents came to visit and my mom came in town too. It is always great to have people come and visit and to see a familiar face; however, we have been making some new friends as well through Booth Business School (where Matt will be attending) and through Junior League of Chicago, which just started for me.

When Matt's parents were here we took the Wendella river and boat architecture tour. For any of you who plan on visiting Chicago this is a MUST do! It was so neat to see the city from the water. While we were on the boat we also got to watch the water and air show (another Chicago must see, but it is only one time a year). It is AMAZING!!

Below is the Trump Tower - the second tallest building in the city behind the Sears Tower. The Sears Tower is somewhere else we want to go, but we have not done it yet.


View of the city from the lake. When we were on the boat, we saw our building. We are the building in the middle 28 Floors Up.
After taking the tour, we were walking through the city and I discovered the Marilyn Monroe statue. This is the tackiest thing I think I have ever seen....I mean, SERIOUSLY????!!!! That is all I have to say about this monstrosity.


While his folks were here we also went to a Cubs game. Wrigley Field is the most precious field I have ever seen. It is so quaint and small. They also have seats that sit on top of bars/restaurants where you can watch the game. Those seats are not physically in the stadium but they have a view into the stadium so they can watch the game. It was SO neat! You can see them in the distance in the picture below.

Other than sight seeing we have been getting settled in and had the chance to hit some alumni bars for the opening weekend of college football!!! I was so excited; it is only the best weekend behind Christmas;) We watched LSU beat Oregon, which was just amazing, and we had the privilege of cheering on our alma mater, the SMU ponies, as they got creamed by the Ags. NBD...
We are really loving the city (well at least for now... we may think differently in January;) and spending time with new friends.

XOXO,

Tiff