Food: Taco Chicken

This was another meal from our 2 week challenge. Another super easy recipe.

 So, I took about a 1lb of chicken and cut it into slices.  Then, I rubbed taco seasoning all over! I think I only used half the package. Then I cooked it for about 10 minutes or so until the internal temp reached 165.  Then we served it up, fajita style! We got these delicious southwest tortillas from the bakery at HEB. And then added some cheese, sour cream, salsa, and a bit of corn.  
MmmmmMMmmmm. This is making me hungry just looking at it! 

So, you have probably noticed that I've changed the layout.... once again. I don't know what it is. I like change? I can't help but switch it up every now and then. I wanted to simplify it a bit more but wanted to keep the print that was in the background (which is now in the header). Also, I moved everything to one side so that I can have bigger pictures and focus more on the content that what is in my sidebars. Ya? What do you think? 
I keep switching up the header but I think I like it as it is.... we'll see. 

P.S. I haven't responded to comments in like 2 weeks because I've been SUPER busy. But I plan on doing that asap! It's happening though!

Mingle Monday: Half Price Full Sound

Welll I convinced Brandon to write up a little post for Mingle Monday! I told him to make it relevant and was quite impressed with what he came up with. Sooo, here it is. Enjoy!

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Flipping through decades of hippies and hair makes diving for vinyl a rich and entertaining task. A task that goes hand in hand with the hours Sam racks up in thrift stores around the greater Houston area. She searches tirelessly through piles and piles of styles. Some bold, some hilarious, until she finds a piece that speaks to her. A piece that is familiar.
Unfortunately on my last dive, I was accompanied by my two year old and her attention span. So I was not able to indulge in mustached mariachi bands or the top 25 polka hits of Soviet Russia. I had to go straight for the goods.
I jumped to the Z's, checkin' on my man Zappa (Frank). And there, in all it's misplaced glory, was the warm serene face of the swedish Tom Waits look alike resting on a pair of seemingly comfortable bosoms. It was Tom Waits' ninth album, Rain Dogs in mint condition.
Tom Waits is a mythical creature who's raw and revealing poetry is delivered through the voice of an angel who's vocal chords have been set ablaze. Rain Dogs is a chaotic and honest (the only thing Tom Waist knows how to do) depiction of the entertainingly tragic streets of Manhattan. 
Despite it's place in the history of blues music, perhaps the best part about this iconic record is that it was.... $4.95!!! In the words of Sam Wish, "I just couldn't pass it up." I rushed home, baby bouncing under arm, to put that needle to the groove. Every crack and pop of the 33 made the words and sounds of Rain Dogs all the more real as only vinyl can do. 
So go diving!! Go hunt for a connection with the past, then dust it off, spin it round, and give it new life. That's why I dive for vinyl. 

Joy!

Hellllllo again! How was your Easter? I spent most of my Sunday recuperating from the crazy week I had. The vintage pop-up show on Saturday was AWESOME. But it left me so exhausted, I'm still not fully recovered. However, it went extremely well and although I walked away with a horrible farmer's tan (and a bright red, rudolph nose!), it was definitely worth all the stress and hard work. I'll share more about it later!

This is kind of a lazy post because I don't feel like editing a bunch of pictures. So here are a few funny ones of Eliza playing in my brother's truck! 

 

And I've been in such a good, inspired mood lately so I though I'd do a joy post! 

• Of course, my number one joy is my babbbay! She's just getting so big and lately she's been... a little more cooperative than usual which is making my life a lot easier. Ahhhh, I love that girl of mine. 
• My next joy is the success of my first pop up show! It was so much fun and I can't WAIT to do another one. It was a great opportunity to meet like minded people and kind of network, I would really like to do shows more often (especially in the summer!). Fun! 
• Last night I got a renewed motivation to finish school! The past fews months of school have been really hard for me. Not really work-wise but just because I had to drop a class and then I lost ALL motivation to finish school. I was seriously thinking of just quitting. But everyone I talked to says I just need to stick it out and get my degree. So last night I was doing homework and just decided I have made it this far, I'm going to get my freakin' degree! So that's making me happy. I know it's going to be hard work but I'm just going to do it. 
• Brandon got me bagels from Einstein's this morning. I LOVE bagels. 
• I have a bunch of cash I'm going to go thrifting with today! I've been having withdrawals... it's bad. 
• I've also been motivated to de-clutter my workspace! So far so good, I've been getting rid of a lot of stuff and am excited that my work space will be more clean and neat for me to create in! 
• For dinner last night, we had this AMAZING avocado/chicken casserole stuff. SO GOOD. I will be sharing that later on. 
• I found a truly awesome fashion blogger that is a young mother just like myself! She's so pretty and definitely inspiring. Go her! 
• ALSO, I'm on instagram guys! My username is samwish3!!!!!!

I'm going to stop there so I don't overload you guys! I'm just lovin' life right now, so much goodness! (: 

What are your joys? Feel free to do a joy post of your own and link back so I can see!!!!
Happy Monday Ya'll 

P.S. There will be no "mingle monday" today because of my crazy, hectic weekend/week. But next week for sure! Maybe I'll convince Brandon to write a little something though.... we'll see.

Girlish Garb: Pink Dress

This dress is kind of a prized possession of mine. It belonged to my mother and... it's just freakin' awesome. I don't wear it often because it's BRIGHT pink but I was really feelin' it this day! And it's probably the most comfortable dress I own. 

 Outfit Details: Dress- from my mom Belt- thrifted  This is in my dad's backyard. It's just crawling with little rolly pollies! Eliza and I love to catch them and let them crawl all over our hands! Of course, we let them go after...


Oh! And I have to share something funny that happened the day I wore this! So I had to go to Home Depot to pick up a few things. I was walking around in this dress getting stares from all the guys as I walked by (I guess I shouldn't be surprised, it is HOT PINK). I walk down this one aisle looking for wooden legs and find them on a bottom shelf. So I kneel down and was looking at them when I hear this guy and a baby stroll up behind me. He doesn't work there (obviously, he has a baby) but he asked me what I was looking for. Oh boy. So I stood up and fumbled a little before I got out that I was looking for table legs. He was this short, hispanic man with a very feminine voice (I almost thought he was gay). But then he asked me what my name was and reached out his hand. So I said my name was Sam, gave him my hand expecting to shake his and then..... HE KISSED MY HAND. I think that's the first time anyone has ever kissed my hand and I was BEYOND creeped out. I mean who goes around Home Depot, WITH A BABY, kissing girl's hands! So then he told me I was beautiful, I thanked him, and walked to the cashier as fast as I could and got the hell out of there. Too much for me. Do people really still do that? Kiss people's hands that is? I shouldn't have been so horrified but the way he did it was so creepy like trying to get his sexy face on but just being even creepier. And he had a baby. No thanks. On the bright side, it got me out of that store without buying anything else! So that was kind of good? 
Anyways, I have a little down time and wanted to squeeze in a another post before the day begins. I'M SO EXCITED FOR TOMORROW. labkj;wlekbgajw;lekj! Wish me luck! 

Honey Mustard Salad Dressing

I have a new found obsession with salad. This is like a breakthrough for me. I've NEVER liked salads until a couple of weeks ago and now I can't get enough!!! I've been trying to eat super healthy, blah blah blah and salad has become a major part of my new eating habits. I love it. I try to keep my pantry stocked with lots of nuts and dried fruits for toppings but this day I was feeling the need for something a little more wholesome. So I cooked up some chicken to put in it! Then I though, hmmmm what salad dressing should I use? I have a favorite but that wouldn't quite go with this. And then I remembered the delicious salads I used to get at Burger King (they really were good... not so much now though....). It had breaded chicken with honey mustard dressing. So I looked up how to make some and turns out it's super easy!! Here's where I got the recipe from. 

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup Mayo 

1 tablespoon Mustard (I used spicy brown mustard)

1 tablespoon honey 

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice 

Just mix it all together and store in the refrigerator. Perfect. 

I'll definitely be sharing some more of my yummy salad combos. My new thing lately is having smoothies for breakfast (all fruit of course) and then salads for lunch. For dinner, we usually have something with a meat/carbs in it and bam! Most food groups taken care of! I'll have another post about smoothies but that's my other latest obsession. Aaaahhh I could go on and on. Another day. 
My week has been completely dedicated to getting ready for my pop up show Saturday. I've still got a lot to do but am feeling pretty good about it! I'm so excited and a little bit nervous. I've officially put the shop in vacation mode until monday. 
ALSO, I've joined Instagram! I think my username is samwish3 if you'd like to be friends.... or whatever it is on there. 
Hope you guys are having a great week. Not sure when I'll be back, it's about to get a little crazy around here. So, until next time! 

Shop Update!

Today, I have a little shop update for ya! Here are a few more handmade dresses that I've just listed. I've actually started making more patterns like crop tops and a tank top but those will have to wait until next week. I think later tonight (or tomorrow morning) I'm going to put the store on vacation until Monday. If you haven't heard, I'm taking part in my first pop up show/market type thing!!!! I'm super excited, it's all I've been thinking about for the past three days and pretty much all I've been doing!. If you want to check it out, here's the facebook page. 

 red floral & lace  beige floral  green flamingos green floral & lace red checkered turquoise paisley
So here is the finished set, floor and all. I'm still working on photoshopping. The pictures with the other set, I used an action on them to kind of make them all blend. I'm trying to go for the crisp, white look with these but not sure if I like the results? Look here to see a picture with the action and tell me what you think! I'm so stuck! 

First Guest Post: Kitty Snooks

Hey friends! Last week I asked you about guest posts here on My Latest Obsession. So I came up with a plan and invited one of my new favorite bloggers to come share a post today! I couldn't decide between a questionnaire type post or a real post so I settled on a little bit of both. Anyways, give a warm welcome to Katia of Kitty Snooks!
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1.     What got you into blogging and how long have you been at it?

I cringe at this question. Because the answer is pretty embarrassing…. My first introduction to the big wild world of the Internet was by playing Neopets when I was about 7 years old? I continued to play on and off until I was about 14 or 15, but at that point I was in it for the guilds (sort of clubs with a ‘homepage’ and forum) because I had become obsessed with designing layouts for them! That led me to explore many graphic resources sites, eventually exposing me to the world of blogging! I’d say it’s been about 5 years that I’ve been blogging – though I never stuck with one until Kitty Snooks which I started in September :)

2.      What does blogging mean to you? Business or pleasure?

Well, I started Kitty Snooks as a distraction to get me through a hard time (and I knew I wanted to start one anyway, so it was perfect timing!) and I can’t believe the positive influence blogging has in my life. I’m motivated by reading others’ blogs and their comments on mine, I get inspired daily, and am reminded every day to be positive and live life with a smile. Blogging opens your eyes even more to the little beauties in life, which is such a key to being happy :)
As for pleasure over business… well. For now it’s for fun, but you never know what the future might hold *wink wink* !

3.    What do you mostly blog about?

My outfits, my artwork, things that excite me, music, inspiring things, etc. etc.

4.     What do you besides blogging? What’s a normal day like in the life of Katia?

I’m currently studying Illustration in university so I’m usually a busy bee running off to classes and constantly making art. It’s a pretty sweet life right now I must say. I also try and have fun reading, writing, cooking, running, playing with my puppy Oliver and spending time with my family!

5.    Do you plan out your posts or just kind of wing it? Strict schedule blogger or go with the flow blogger?

This totally depends on the day or the post! Lately I’ve been pre-writing my posts but only because I’ll have a whole bunch of ideas and time on my hands, but I don’t want to swamp readers with 58396783 posts all at once. Sometimes I wing it, sometimes it’s planned out more. I like to go with the flow though :)

6.     Are you a daytime blogger or night owl blogger?

It really depends on my schedule. On my days off I’ll write during the day, but if I have classes I’m usually home later in the day so I don’t have time until the evening! Getting to sleep on time is pretty important for me (6 AM wake ups for class? No. Fun.) So I try not to lose track of time at night while blogging. That’s not to say it never happens though….

7.     Name a few of your favorite blogs and why?

Am I going to be called a suck up if I say “My Latest Obsession”? I will? Ok. Well I’ll say it anyway! I love real bloggers, there’s a need for more of it out there, and Sam’s style is rawkin’ and her photos of her family are super adorbs!

It’s so hard to pick out of the bajillion amazing blogs out there,  but some other blogs I’ve been enjoying a lot lately are  “Little Chief Honey Bee”, “Simply Melissa Ashley”, “The Awkward Indie Girl”, “Dori the Giant” and “The Life of a Cupcake”. A group of really awesome girls that are really fun to read from!

I’ll end this off with a little sneak peek at some of the artwork I do! And a big thank you to Sam for letting me guest post on her rawkin’ blog, it’s been a joy :)

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I love Katia's blog, she's got such a great personality and I look forward to her posts everyday! Thanks so much Katia!!! 
For the future, I'm thinking of having guest posts on Monday and calling it "Mingle Monday"?! What do you think? I'll be back later with a little shop update/news. Happy Tuesday ya'll!