Crock Pot Kielbasa & Veggie Hash

Recently I've been trying to use my crock pot more - I mean, it's just too easy not to utilize on a weekly basis! This Kielbasa & Veggie Hash was created out of a need to use some fresh vegetables and turned out to be a great hearty and flavorful meal. I simply chopped up the ingredients, thew it all into the crock pot, and set it for 3 hours on high heat. Hello delicious, healthy, and easy dinner!

ingredients

1 package kielbasa (I use the chicken, pork & beef flavor)

4 potatoes (sweet potatoes would be great too!)

4 carrots

3 zucchinis

3 summer squashes

1 green pepper

1 onion

3 cloves of garlic

2 tablespoons olive oil

seasonings: garlic powder, basil, salt & pepper

recipe

Wash all vegetables. Chop all ingredients (except garlic) into similar size chunks. Chop garlic finely. Place everything in the crock pot, add olive oil & seasonings, and mix well. Cover the crock pot and turn on high heat for 3 hours. Enjoy!

Red Hot

If I could wear only one outfit for the rest of my life it would definitely be a jeans, tee & heels combo. This edgier version in all black mixes a band tee, ripped skinnies & a touch of leopard. I got this Red Hot Chili Peppers t-shirt in the men's section of Target so it's a little oversized. To make it look a bit more feminine and form-fitting, I rolled the sleeves a couple times and tied the excess fabric into a knot. This is one of my favorite ways to re-style tees & tanks (evidence here, here, here and here) I love the laid-back vibe it adds to any outfit. 

{outfit details}

Red Hot Chili Peppers Tee - Target || Black Ripped Skinnies - Zara (similar / last worn here) || Aviators - Ray Ban - || Leopard Clutch - Clare V. (also seen here) || Black Sandals - Zara 

Chicken Asparagus & Goat Cheese Pasta

I recently bought a spiralizer and have been enjoying zoodles (zucchini noodles) substituted for pasta butttt for a cheat meal, this chicken asparagus penne with homemade goat cheese sauce is totally worth it! I adapted this recipe from the original, adding a few of my favorite ingredients: sundried tomatoes, onion & basil. It's so flavorful and luckily makes a ton for leftovers!

ingredients

1 box (16 oz) pasta (I used penne)

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

6 cloves of garlic, peeled & minced

1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into bite size pieces

16 oz fresh baby bella mushrooms, sliced

1 8 oz package sundried tomatos, julienne cut

1 onion, chopped

i tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

8 oz goat cheese

1/3 cup milk

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided

salt & pepper to taste

recipe

{1}

Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Once pasta is ready, scoop out 1 cup of pasta water and reserve to use later. Drain pasta and set aside.

{2}

In a cast iron skillet, saute the onion over high heat for about 5 minutes. Add asparagus, mushrooms and sundried tomatoes. Stir occasionally for additional 5 minutes. Add garlic and heat for 2 minutes. 

{3}

We grilled the chicken breasts but you could also cook it in a pan on the stove. Cook thoroughly then slice into strips.

{4}

In a bowl, combine goat cheese, milk, 1/4 cup of parmesan and 1/2 cup of the reserved hot pasta water. Whisk until combined. If the sauce is too thick, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the hot pasta water. 

{5}

Ina large serving bowl, mix together the pasta, chicken, veggies and sauce. Top with fresh basil & the remaining parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Chambray & Chevron

 Chambray is one of my favorite fabrics so it's no surprise that I immediately gravitated toward this chambray dress while taking a lap in T.J. Maxx. I've had some major scores there lately (like this & this) so I've been checking back often. This Cloth & Stone dress was one of my best finds to date! It was a little expensive for T.J. Maxx ($50) but worth every penny since I can wear it to work and on the weekend! I love the details: subtle fading, pockets & a dolphin hem. It's a bit long for me since I'm 5'2, but my go-to styling trick is to add a belt at my waist and make the top a little blousier while simultaneously creating a shorter hemline (I wear it longer at the office!) You guys know I love a boho touch so this colorful chevron headband was a must. 

{outfit details}

Chambray Dress - Cloth and Stone via T.J. Maxx (cute chambray dresses here) || Chevron Headband - World Market || Brown Leather Belt - Target (great belts here)|| Yellow Bucket Bag - Zara (more bucket bags here / last worn here) || Lace-Up Sandals - Target (summer sandals on sale here)



Fave Drug Store Beauty Buys Vol. 4

{1}
Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
I love that this scrub is gentle enough for every day use, unlike other exfoliators I've tried that are so gritty it almost hurts to wash my face. I keep this one in the shower for a deep clean after my workout.

{2}
Nailtiques Formula 2
I mentioned Nailtiques recently in this post, but it's worth bragging on again. This stuff has completely saved my nails! They are naturally thin and it doesn't help that I have the horrible habit of bit my nails {monkey covering eyes emoji} but now they are longer, thicker and stronger. I also use it over polish as a clear top coat, then re-apply nightly to stretch my manicure 10+ days.

{3}
CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balm in "Coral Twist"
Whenever I'm not wearing lipstick, I still like a little color on my lips. This one goes on pretty sheer and I love that just one swipe looks natural or I can layer it for a bolder shade.

{4}
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer
I'm at that in-between age where I have to worry about zits & wrinkles. I recently added this moisturizer to my nightly skin care routine - I wanted to try something with retinol for the fine lines on my forehead. I'm not even half-way through the bottle but I'm liking the results so far. Just be sure to slather on sunscreen and moisturizer any time you use retinol products!

Weekend Warrior

My current go-to weekend look includes a romper, sandals & messy bun combo. I love this little black romper - so easy to just throw on and go! I paired it with neutral accessories in the form of gladiator sandals and a vintage crossbody - perfect for a day filled with shopping, errands and the inevitable coffee stop.

{outfit details}

Romper - Target (love these rompers) || Sunglasses - Warby Parker || Bag - Coach (cute crossbody bags here) || Sandals - T.J. Maxx (more gladiators here) || Lipstick - Maybelline "coral burst"



LWD

 Nothing feels more quintessentially summer than a little white dress. I had been in the market for an LWD and was sold as soon as I saw this one on sale at Zara. I love the details: off-the-shoulder, tie straps & embroidery. Perfect for anything from brunch to the beach.

{outfit details}

Dress - Zara (cute LWDs here) || Sunnies - Seafolly c/o (more mirrored sunnies here) || Belt - Target (great belts here) || Tote - Cotton On (loves these too) || Sandals - Target (similar sandals here / last worn here)