Slice of Life Saturday’s ~ Obsession Central

You guys, I’m addicted to the style and fashion boards on Pinterest; specifically, fall fashion, big, over-sized sweaters, and blazers. I purchased two really chic, really inexpensive blazers this week. Two in one week–I’m out of control! It’s just that they go with everything. I particularly like wearing my blazers with a button-up shirt and vibrant scarf, but you can dress them up, too. I like versatility–more outfits for the price of one.

How cute is that blazer? I found it at my local discount store. It was originally $195. I paid $37.90. Say what? Now, that’s a deal. If only it would cool  down so I can wear it.

I’m also a wee bit obsessed with scarves. Not only do they keep your neck warm, but they make a very lovely (and inexpensive) accessory. I wear a scarf with just about everything during the cooler months. My evil mother and equally evil grandmother convinced me to buy two over the weekend while we were out shopping at Marshall’s, my grandmother’s favorite store.

Mom-mom: “Oooh, Jennie, that color looks so good on you.”

In the cart it went.

Mom: “Try this nice copper scarf.”

Me: “Ah, I dunno about copper. I’m all pastey. I’m not sure I’ll look good in copper.”

On it went anyway.

Mom-mom: “Oh no, you look good in copper, Jennie,” as I’m oohing and ahhing in the mirror.

In went the second scarf.

Mom: “Here, try on this emerald green one,” as she’s handing me the third scarf.

Me: “No more scarves! Unless the two of you are buying, I can’t try on anymore scarves,” I said fighting the urge to wrap myself in that beautiful piece of green cloth.

See, evil!

All the employees know my grandmother by name. As we were perusing the store, the employees greeted my grandmother by name and suggested items that she frequently purchased while giving her the scoop on the items they just marked down and placed on the clearance shelf. When all the employees know your name and life story, you know you’ve been spending too much time at the Marshall’s.

I recently became obsessed with Oikos toasted coconut vanilla Greek yogurt. I found it on sale last week and decided to give it a try. I now have a stock of it in my fridge. It’s so creamy and tastes like perfectly toasted coconut. I never want to run out.

This won’t come as a surprise, but I’ve been pumping out pumpkin desserts like it’s nobody’s business. I’ve been making so many pumpkin desserts that I’ve had to resort to giving my pumpkin baked goods away. I’m even offering complete strangers muffins. I get weird, you’re-creepy looks. It’s not poison, people. It’s delicious pumpkin goodness. Hello!

I found a new nail polish that I LOVE. Creative Nail Designs (CND) recently introduced their new line of weekly polish they named Vinylux. It’s not shellac, which means it doesn’t require a special base coat, top coat, and black light. It’s really easy to apply, and it goes on smooth and dries fast. All you’ll need is a bottle of Vinylux color and Vinylux top coat and you’ll have yourself a manicure that lasts up to 7 full days without chipping.

I spent all day Saturday in my grandmother’s kitchen taking requests. There was a fight over soup. My grandparents wanted ground beef soup. My parents just had ground beef soup and wanted chicken and dumplings. My grandparents just had chicken noodle soup and wanted ground beef soup. I’m standing in the middle of their bickering, waiting for the go ahead to start cooking. The outcome? I ended up making ground beef soup for my grandparents and homemade pizza and Greek salad for my parents. Everyone was happy, and Jennie had to work twice as hard in the kitchen. Oh, and I made homemade bread, a cheese platter, and apple dumplings, and that doesn’t include the granola and banana bread I made the night before I travelled to my granparents. I was pooped by the end of the day. Everyone was fat and happy. Life was good. We had more food than we could consume.

I was gifted a very pretty hand-spun casserole dish for my hard work. I think my grandmother took pity in me and bought me something for my efforts. Winning!

I just received an email from Lindsay of Purr Design informing me that I’m off the design wait list and my start date for my blog design is in early November. I can’t tell you how excited I am. Okay, I’m really, very excited. I have heard nothing but good things about Lindsay.

The count down officially begins for my Eat-My-Way-Through Charleston, South Carolina vacation. Seriously, I’m going to devour everything. It’s going to be a foodie vacation dream come true. You can follow my food adventures via instagram. T-minus 7 days!

Look what I made:

Apple Dumplings from Brown Eyed Baker: I made this recipe per my grandmother’s request. She had a fierce craving for apple dumplings, and this recipe did not disappoint. The pie crust was flaky and buttery, the apples were sweet and tender, and the sauce was gooey and tasted like buttery caramel perfection. This recipe is sinfully delicious.

Ba Ba Ba Banana Bread from i talk to food: I was looking for a healthy, butter-free banana bread recipe to make for my grandparents. I came across this recipe on Pinterest and knew I had to try it. While this bread is healthy and butter free, you wouldn’t know it by tasting it. It’s just as delicious and moist as loaf of banana bread with all the bells and whistles. Aubrey’s banana bread is my new favorite, go-to recipe.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew from Movita Beaucoup: Y’all, this thick, beefy mixture is stewlicious. Seriously, it’s absolutely delicious. Best. Stew. Ever! It only takes a few minutes of prep and the slow cooker does the rest of the work.

Stovetop Honey Mustard Chicken from Bake Your Day: During the work week, I need a meal that comes together quickly. This stovetop honey mustard chicken is what I like to call “Meals in a Hot Minute.” This dish came together in no time, but it tasted as if you simmered it for hours. This is now a new regular on our menu.

Quick and Easy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta from The Pioneer Woman: I love that I whipped this pasta together in 20 minutes. It’s creamy, flavorful, and filling.

The BEST Meatloaf Recipe from A Spicy Perspective: I ate one mini meatloaf and Squirrel ate the rest. That’s a lot of meat! This is a great recipe.

I’ve been a pinning fool:

Double Chocolate Cookies with Pecans and Caramel from Movita Beaucoup
Southwestern Stuffed Spaghetti Squash from The Comfort of Cooking
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Caramel Cones from Country Cleaver
Brown Butter Gooey S’mores Bars from The Cooking Actress
Caramel-Stuffed Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies from Baked By Rachel
Pumpkin Spice Latte Nutella Cookies from Texanerin Baking
Greek Quinoa Salad from Foxes Love Lemons
Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Brown Sugar Acorn Squash from Half Baked Harvest

I’ve been chowing down on apples every day. I can’t wait to start baking with them.

Angry Orchard makes a wicked good hard cider. My favorite is their Crisp Apple. It tastes like you’re biting into a fresh Granny Smith apple.