My New Favorite Jeans

Something light hearted for your Friday: a shopping recommendation!

I have sadly been on the hunt for a good pair of jeans for almost 18 MONTHS. Since Judah was born I have not been able to find a pair of jeans I really like. I used to live in the Stella skinny leg jeans from Express. I do have some of their "jegging" line that I like because they still have a lot of stretch. But when it comes to true denim, putting on those jeans just didn't quite feel... right.

Anyone that's had a baby can tell you that even though you may weigh the same as before kids, your body shape may be completely different. And that's definitely true for me. I weigh exactly the same as I did pre-Judah...but clothes fit SO differently now! I'm a little thicker in the waist and my butt is flatter (what the heck is up with that?).

The problems I was having with jeans were endless - one was that I was between sizes, so it's hard to find something that fits properly without alterations. I was also finding that I would try a pair on in the store and they would fit great, but then I'd get home and they would start getting saggy really quickly. I was having to belt all my jeans or keep pulling them up constantly. It was because the denim was loosing it's elasticity too quickly, so I'd keep washing and drying them hoping for that "just out of the dryer" fit.

A lot of the problem comes from the rise of the denim - everything is super low rise now. That just doesn't work for me or my mommy muffin. Enter my new favorite: the Straight and Narrow Dark Wash Jeans from J. Crew Factory.

The rise actually comes up to my belly button. The denim is quality enough so that it doesn't get stretched out after one wear, and thick enough so that I know it's durable. The cut is simple and doesn't have a lot of trendy fading or distressing on the wash.

Image via factory.jcrew.com

Best of all? Right now they're on sale for $44. I ordered a pair of skinny cropped jeans in coral from J. Crew Factory about a month ago when they were having a 40% off of their already reduced clearance and got this pair for $17:

Both jeans were a great deal since they're normally $80. They both fit great, and I'm looking forward to ordering more in the future. Hopefully THIS will finally be the brand of jean I've been searching for and can count on.

Back in the Saddle

I have not done a new oil painting in more than two years... until now. I decided it was time to get back in the saddle, and I really missed working in my favorite medium. I stopped oil painting when I was pregnant with Judah because of all the toxic chemicals in the paints and in the mixing mediums and switched to watercolor. And then of course it's really hard to find time to paint with a toddler running around getting into EVERYTHING. So I moved my little studio to my office at work and started painting during my lunch breaks. It was perfect - quiet, and I didn't have to worry about a small human getting into toxic chemicals.

The subject is what scared me. I chose to do a portrait of Judah, and I was so worried because I wanted it to look like him. I am mostly happy with the way this turned out, and it looks a lot like the photo I was painting from, but I'll admit, it's rare that his face ever looks that serious. I searched and searched for the perfect image to use, and ultimately went with this one. It's one of the closest I have of his face where he's mostly still and has a lot of dramatic lighting. I'd like to share the process with you if you're interested.

I started my painting with a light pencil drawing straight onto the canvas which you can see a little bit of in this shot. I used only three tubes of paint with this piece because I wanted the finished painting to look cohesive: Cadmium Red - Medium Hue, Cadmium Yellow - Medium Hue, and French Ultramarine Blue. And Titanium White of course. Every color in the finished painting was mixed using only those three primary colors and white. I used very light washes to rough in the dark areas. If you want to know the medium I use to thin my paint this is my formula:

• 5 parts ordorless turpentine
• 2.5 parts linseed oil
• 1 part damar varnish

I work "lean to fat" - the darkest areas actually have the least amount of paint on them and are a bit translucent. The lighter areas have much more paint and go on towards the end.

Here you can see the picture I'm working from clipped to the top of my easel. This stage kind of makes me laugh. It's where I start tweaking it to actually look like the person I'm painting. I make a list of things that need to be adjusted. For example, I don't like in this one how his eyes look too intense and not really like the sweet baby that he is. His chin in a little too pointy and the eyebrows are too dark and sharp. The upper lip is also slightly too pointy. So I go through and make little edits and tweaks. Sometimes moving something a millimeter makes a difference.

And here's the final piece one more time! I have a home for it already in my renovated office at home on the gallery wall. I just need to find a frame.

If you're at all interested in a custom portrait, I do accept commissioned work. You can shoot me an email or contact me through my etsy shop. It feels good to be back to doing what I love!

On the Menu: Bistro Chicken Pasta Salad

I've been following Kraft on Pinterest and have to admit - they've got some great recipes! And they're all really easy, which is a nice benefit. If you click on one of their recipes, it will take you to their page so you can even make a shopping list.

This recipe for Bistro Chicken Pasta Salad has become Scott's new favorite. I love it because it doesn't heat up my kitchen. I've tried this recipe with pre-grilled strips from Tyson and also with grilled chicken that Scott made on the grill earlier in the week. Both are great options, but grilling your own chicken is definitely more economical. Also, I didn't take pictures of this one, but another recent hit in our house was this Bacon and Avocado Macaroni Salad.

Bistro Chicken Pasta Salad Ingredients:
• 2 cups cooked whole grain penne pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes - quartered
• about 1/4 of a red tomato - diced
• 1 4 oz container of feta cheese - crumbled
• 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes
• 1/2 lb chicken breast - grilled and cut into 1/4" strips
• A handful of fresh chopped basil if you have it, 1/2 tsp of dried basil if not
• A package of Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix - prepared with the "less oil" directions (you'll need oil and vinegar to mix)

Combine all ingredients and enjoy! Serve room temperature or chilled.

Office Re-do Reveal...Finally

So...all the way back in January I let you in on my dark secret of the awful home office. Well, it's finally done! Mostly. There are still a few projects left to tackle, but most of the work has been completed. For a reminder, here was my original plan:

And here are the before and after shots! Click on any of them to enlarge.

Looking into the room from the doorway

Scott's work area...still much messier than mine :)

My work area and solid corner of curtains

Here are a few more shots as well:

Still working on my gallery wall.

That pillow from Target was one of my original color sources for inspiration

So proud of my chair re-do. I like it a lot better than the oak wood and green pleather cushion that was there before.

I still have a few projects to complete. That cabinet in the last shot needs sanded, painted and new hardware, but I'm having trouble deciding on a color. I'd like to get some wood blinds for the windows, and there's nothing on the wall opposite the gallery wall. I was also thinking of Modge Podging the trunk under the side table. I got it at Wal-Mart over 20 years ago, so it's a piece I feel ok messing up. Furniture/Paint sources are:

1. Wall Color: Mountain Ridge by Behr, Home Depot, $35/gallon
2. Curtains are burlap, Amazon.com, $49 for a set of 2 (we ended up with 2 sets to go across the corner)
3. Faux Mercury Ball Curtain Rods are from Target - $30 each
4. I spray painted the chair with Hammered Rust-Oleum white paint - 4 cans
5. Fabric for the chair is duck cloth from Hobby Lobby
6. Rug is from Target, $80 (5x7)
7. Mirrored crackle glass lamp from World Market, $49 + $20 burlap shade
8. Art is from etsy, and the tiny watercolor is from our trip to Paris

I can honestly say I'm pretty happy with how this project turned out! Anyone have any suggestions for hiding that vacuum in the corner? We have zero storage space.

On The Menu: Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Mango Black Bean Salsa

In the summer I'm always looking for simple recipes with fresh flavors that DON'T heat up my kitchen. Our kitchen is very warm in the summer at the back of the house and it's almost unbearable to stay back there and have to turn the oven on to make dinner. Which is why I was so happy to find this recipe from Iowa Girl Eats. I followed her recipe to the letter, so I'll let you click the link and read her instructions. The only thing I DID change was to add a half of one avocado - cubed - to the salsa. I also used minute rice so my cooking time for the rice was a little shorter than what she has listed. Hopefully you enjoy this summer meal as much as I did!

On The Menu: Turkey Pesto Meatballs

This is a recipe adapted from Baked Bree (her original uses 2 lbs of turkey and makes quite a bit) to serve 4 people. I like this one because you can easily adapt it - we either serve it with a marinara pasta or an alfredo pasta. This past time I made it, I happened to have a box of Butter & Garlic Pasta Roni on hand, so I took the easy way out and served the meatballs with that instead! But even this cut down version makes quite a few meatballs (about 25), so you could always freeze half if you're serving for two. This is also one of Judah's favorite meals!

Ingredients:
1 lb. Ground Turkey
3/4 C. Bread Crumbs
1/2 C. Pesto (we buy a large jar at Costco, but you can make your own if you prefer)
1/3 C. Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 egg
Salt and Pepper to taste
A Handful of Grated Mozzarella Cheese

Directions:
1. Set up: preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place a wire cooling rack on top of the cookie sheet and spray with olive oil or pam. This allows the cooking grease to drain onto your cookie sheet and for easy clean up. It also makes it so you don't have to turn your meatballs over during cooking time.
2. Combine all meatball ingredients in a bowl, mixing well.
3. Form into walnut-sized meatballs and place on wire rack on cookie sheet. I usually get between 25 - 30 meatballs.
4. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
5. Serve by themselves with marinara sauce or with pasta and your choice of sauce.

On The Menu: Crispy Cornflake Chicken & Creamy Bowtie Pasta

Another day, another Pinterest Recipe. This one courtesy of the blog Jamie Cooks it Up. You can view her original recipe or use my slightly adapted one below. I've changed the proportions to serve about 3 people. This one tastes delicious and is extremely filling, so I don't make a side for this one.

Clockwise starting from the top left: 1.) My set up - 1 large deep pot, a pasta pot, and an aluminum foil covered baking sheet 2.) My three Tupperware containers for coating chicken 3.) No need for a meat tenderizer - I just use a rubber mallet 4.) The finished product (and Judah's portion for the next day) 5.) Frying up my chicken

Ingredients:
• 2 Large Chicken Breasts
• 3 Cups Frosted Flakes (You can use Cornflakes, but I'll actually eat the leftover Frosted Flakes and the sugar helps caramelize the chicken a little more)
• 1/3 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• Salt and Pepper
• 6 T Vegetable Oil
• 8oz Farfalle (Bowtie) Pasta

Sauce Ingredients:
• 1/2 Container of Italian Herb Philadelphia Cooking Crème
• 1 Can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
• 1/4 Cup Milk
*Optional Fresh Chopped Parsely

Directions:
1. Get set up ready. Line a baking sheet with foil and set to the side. Fill your large pot or pasta cooker with water, and put your oil in your deep pan or skillet. Place your ingredients for your chicken coating in three separate containers - one for your milk, one for your flour, and one for your cornflakes/Frosted Flakes.

2. Place the chicken breasts into a large Ziploc bag and pound thin with a meat tenderizer or rubber mallet. You'll want them about 1/4" thin. Then cut each one in half so you have four pieces of chicken.

3. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Coat the chicken in flour and place them on a plate in the freezer for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, crush your cornflakes by hand or with a food processor, get your water boiling, and heat up your oil (over about medium high). Preheat your oven to about 300°F.***

4. Get your pasta cooking. Meanwhile, take your chicken out of the freezer. Place each side in the milk and then immediately into the crushed cornflakes. Coat well. Cook your chicken in the hot oil over medium high for about 5 minutes. Turn the chicken over, REDUCE the heat to medium, COVER your pan/pot and cook for 7 more minutes, being careful not to burn the bottoms.

5. Remove the chicken from the pot and place onto your tinfoil lined baking sheet and slide in the oven for 5 minutes or so. Meanwhile use the same pot your chicken was cooking in to get your sauce ready.

6. Combine all sauce ingredients with a whisk until bubbly - about 3-5 minutes.
7. Combine cooked pasta and sauce. Top with your crispy chicken and enjoy a very filling meal.

***Note that because all ovens/ranges are different, cook times are approximate and may vary.