Date Night Bump Fashion

I am just loving the maternity selections this year. Shout out to Old Navy for making such a versatile and flattering dress this season!

I love this outfit for a date night with the hubby. It's dressy, comfortable, so cute, and can be dressed up or down.

(Excuse that white spot on my mirror)

Dress: Old Navy Maternity

Shoes: Steve Madden Elusion Leopard Pointed Toe Flat

Necklace: Target

Bracelet: Forever 21

Make up:

Lorac Pro Palette

Benefit Push Up Liner

MAC Myth lipstick with Laura Mercier gloss

Ardell Wispie Lashes

Hair: Curled around a one inch barrel 

Pregnancy Fashion

We've all been there. Feeling like a huge, lumpy mess. Ready to throw out your entire wardrobe because nothing fits right anymore, ready to down a whole carton of ice cream in tears. 

Ah, the joys of pregnancy. 

Italian Pork Chops

Another new summer favorite! Delicious sauce on juicy pork chops cooked on the grill. 

You'll Need:

4 pork chops

3 c warm water

1/4 c salt

1/4 c brown sugar

1/4 c capers

3 cloves of garlic

3/4 c chopped basil

3/4 c chopped parsley

3/4 c baby arugula 

3/4 c olive oil

Stir 3 c warm water, salt, and brown sugar in large bowl. 

Add pork chops and let soak for ten minutes.

In processor, pulse capers and garlic until finely chopped. Add chopped basil, chopped parsley, baby arugula, and olive oil. Pulse until smooth. 

Remove pork after ten minutes. Pat dry, brush with olive oil. Grill on direct heat for 6 minutes, turning once. Then move off direct heat and cook for 8 minutes, turning once. 

Spread sauce on pork chop and serve with lemon. 

Make Up of the Day

Feeling fabulous today so I went dramatic with the eyeliner :)

Deets:

Eyes:

Shadows: Lorac Pro Palette: Taupe in the crease, Garnet to blend, Light Pink on the lid, White on the browbone

MAC Unwind along bottom lash line

Liner: Benefit Push Up Liner on top

MAC Costa Riche on bottom blended out with Taupe

Ardell Lashes "Wispies"

Face:

Benefit 15 hr Primer

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NW15

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC15 for undereye, highlight

Benefit Hello Flawless in Me Vain, Champagne to set

Benefit Hoola Bronzer to contour

Urban Decay blush and gold highlighter on cheeks

MAC Pro Albatross Powder to highlight 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz on brows

NYX Tokyo soft matte lip cream

One Pot Chicken

                     This meal is just pure heaven. Full of delicious veggies, but simple and easy! It also features skin on chicken quarters, which as I explained in the last post, can be healthier than using boneless skinless chicken breasts. 

You'll Need:

4 chicken leg quarters, patted dry

coarse salt and ground pepper

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 bunch Swiss chard (stems cut 1/2 inch, leaves cut 2 inch)

1 small onion, diced small

2 medium carrots, diced medium

1 1/2 cups jasmine rice

2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large heavy pot with a tight fitting lid over medium high. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook until browned on both sides. About 12 minutes, turning midway. Then transfer to plate. 

Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, chard stems, onion, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until stems and onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Add chard leaves and rice, cook one minute. Add broth and bring to a rapid simmer. Reduce to a simmer and season with salt and pepper. Arrange chicken, skin side up, on top of rice mixture and cook, covered, until chicken is cooked through and liquid is absorbed. Roughly 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for five minutes. 

                                                                             

Chicken with Provencal Vegetables

I was leery about using chicken with the skin on. I usually stick with boneless skinless chicken breasts for healthy options. This time, I used the skin-on. I had spoken with a nutritionist and she informed me that cooking with the skin on eliminates the need for adding artificial fats to cook with. The fats in the chicken cook out through roasting and it remains a healthy meal.  

YUMMMM

You'll Need:

1 lg zucchini

2 small tomatoes

1 lg onion

1/4 cup olive oil, divided

coarse salt

1 lb small red potatoes

3 bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves 

(ribs removed)

Preheat oven to 425. 

Slice all vegetables about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Toss zucchini, tomatoes, and onion with 2 tbspns olive oil. Season with salt and spread over one half of a rimmed baking sheet. Toss potatoes with remaining olive oil and season with salt, spread over second half of pan. Roast until potatoes begin to brown, about 20 minutes. 

Remove from oven and flip vegetables. Add chicken to the center of the pan, brush skin with pan juices, and season. Roast until chicken is cooked through and skin in golden brown. About 20 minutes more. Let chicken set for 10 minutes. Slice and serve!

                                                                                                                                                    

Eyelash Extensions

My experience with eyelash extensions...

I really wish I had some before photos for you all to see, but I completely forgot to snap a pic. Suffice it to say, my eyelashes are wimpy. I blame it on the Swede blood.

I got eyelash extensions applied about a month ago. The entire process took about 2.5 hours! The beautician has to attach a false lash to each of your individual lashes, one at a time. Although the final product can be breathtaking, there are some things everyone needs to know before making the plunge.

Some things I learned:
1. Do not talk during the process. When you talk, your face moves, as do your eyes, and it makes it very difficult for the applicator. Bring headphones and listen to music.

2. The adhesive STINGS if you get the fumes in your eyes. Do not open your eyes at all during the process, it'll make your eyes water for a good ten minutes.

3. Do not pick a lash extension that your natural lash cannot support. I went for the more dramatic lash and I now know that my wimpy lashes couldn't hold them correctly. They fell off much quicker than usual and did not lay correctly. If you have naturally thick lashes, this won't be a problem for you.

4. You can wear all kinds of eye make up with false lashes. No specialty make up required.

5. You cannot rub or wipe your make up off at the end of the day. You have to use Qtips and go around the lashes as to not disturb the adhesive. Kind of a pain in the butt.

6. It looks pretty odd when the lashes shed from one area fast. You will end up with a big gap in your lashes.

7. Do not wear make up to your appointment. Zero make up anywhere on your face. The person applying the lashes will be all over your face with their hands and it will rub all of your make up off. And also very messy.

Would I get them again? Perhaps, I'm on the fence. I would definitely choose a more natural lash and decide from there at the very least. I would recommend them to someone with thicker lashes. Although that somewhat defeats the purpose of getting lash extensions in the first place.

You never know until you try!

Philly Cheese Steak Rolls

You'll Need:

2 packs of Crescent Rolls 

(or make your own - I used a recipe from bakingbites.com)

1 lb thin cut Sirloin

1 sauteed onion

2 green peppers thinly sliced

1 package provolone cheese slices

1. Slice onion and saute in butter. 

2. Slice sirloin into small strips, then saute in olive oil for about five minutes. 

3. Preheat oven to 400

4. Roll out crescent roll dough, fill each with half a slice of cheese, a few onions, a few peppers, and some sirloin. Then roll. 

5. Bake for 15 minutes. 

I pair these easy and delicious rolls with Bobby Flay's provolone sauce, a recipe I found online. 

Provolone Sauce:

1 tbsp unsalted butter

1 tbsp flour 

2 cups heated whole milk

1 cup grated provolone

1/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

1 tsp kosher salt

1/4 freshly ground pepper

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. 

2. Whisk in flour and cook for one minute. 

3. Slowly whisk in warm milk, cook for 5 minutes, whisking constantly until thickened. 

4. Remove mixture from heat and which is provolone and parmesan until combined. 

5. Season with salt and pepper. 

Special Announcement

                      

        Pregnant with baby number six! 

       Photo by Lisa Kunkel Photography

               lisakunkel.zenfolio.com

We are so thrilled to announce that baby number six is on the way! Stay tuned for bump wardrobe, meal plans, and how to live a healthy pregnancy lifestyle.