YOUR PLAYING SMALL DOES NOT SERVE THE WORLD.

We all know I am a sucker for a good quote, but this one might take the cake - at least at this moment in my life. The other day someone said something to me that, believe it or not, actually hurt my feelings. Most of you who know me on a personal level, know that I am not exactly a sensitive soul. Naturally, I headed straight to work the next day and had a heart to heart with my co-worker (and friend) about it. She pulled out this quote and handed it to me.

It just might have changed my life in a tiny, little way - again, at least at this moment in my life.

After reading it, I read it again and again. I think I read it ten times that day.  It is just one of those quotes that gives me goose bumps.

Anyways, I had to make it pretty and share it.  Maybe it will speak to one of you like it does to me. :)

Anyways, enough of the sentimental mumbo jumbo. it is Friday and The Buells are off to the Wisconsin State Fair to stuff our faces with fried food and see farm animals! wooo hooo!

BLUEBERRY BRAN MUFFINS

This one of my favorite muffin recipes and a staple in our home. I got the recipe from my Sister in Law's Mother a few years ago and I have been making them on a regular basis ever since! It is one of those recipes that literally everything in it is good for you. :)

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups wheat bran or oat bran
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup fat-free milk
1/3 cup honey
1 ripe medium banana, mashed with a fork
1 large egg
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (or other berries)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat over to 400°.
Mix together dry ingredients.
Mix together wet ingredients.
Combine together wet and dry ingredients - then fold in blueberries.
(Note: If using frozen berries, toss with a little flour first so that it doesn't turn your batter blue.)

Transfer batter into a greased muffin tin.
Bake at 400° for 18-20 min or until a toothpick can be inserted and taken out clean.

Makes about 12 muffins.

CHAMBRAY & STRIPES

I always think it is semi funny that I post about fashion b/c, like I said before, the last thing I claim to be be is fashion forward. I may not know a ton about fashion, but what I do know is that we have our family pictures scheduled in two weeks and I need to figure out how I am going to dress our family of three.  Naturally, I start with myself. :) I was looking online at Old Navy the this past weekend and I saw this adorable chambray dress and it reminded me of two pins I recently made. One reason I love Pinterest so much is that it shows you how to put your clothes together into cute outfits. These pins were not linked to any source, so I had no idea where to find the items in the picture. Even if it did link to source, my guess is the pieces are probably rather pricey. I love the look of this cute chambray dress over stripes with fun colored flats. Here is where you can find the look for (what I am guessing) is less. :)

ok, ok,  I know the clutch isn't exactly cheap, but isn't it so darn cute?! I love that you can monogram it! :)

Dress  |  Top  |  Flats  |  Clutch

NORA & PAT'S WEDDING WEEKEND WRAP UP

I took about a million pictures with my iphone over Nora and Pat's wedding weekend. Probably b/c it was so darn beautiful.

Photography by the oh so talented Blue Dandelion Photography.

Photography by the oh so talented Blue Dandelion Photography.

1. drinks at merchant    2. yellow peep toes    3. mint maids  
4. party trolly    5. san fran officiant    6. wedding wishes from e

1. rehearsal decor    2. lovely ladies    3. matron & maid of honor  
4.  the bride   5. bride & her top maids    6. deliciousness

1. post wedding high five    2. the vet sewing in the bridesmaids... damn zippers    3. top maids once again :)    

4. my handsome hubby    5. bride crossing    6. wedding cake & beautiful bouquet

1. herb boutineers    2. steamer anyone?    3.  Rifle Paper Co. banner    4. giraffe dress ❤   
5. rehearsal sunshine    6. pretty much the most adorable family ever    7. charcuterie    8. more rehearsal deliciousness

Wedding details: Ceremony - Allen Centennial Gardens  |  Reception - The Madison Club

CHICKEN, BROCCOLI & QUINOA CASSEROLE

Ingredients:

3 to 4 seasoned chicken breasts (salt and pepper), cooked & cubedOne 
10 oz can condensed cream of broccoli or mushroom soup (See note below)
1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise (traditional calls for 1 full cup. WOW.)
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/4 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, colby-jack, etc)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large heads of cooked broccoli
2 small cans of sliced water chestnuts
1 1/2 cups COOKED quinoa (3/4 cup quinoa | 1 1/2 cups water | 1/4 teaspoon salt)
Feshly shredded parmesan cheese for the top

Directions:
1. COOK CHICKEN BREATS
Season with salt and pepper. cook at 350° for about 40-45 minutes. Cut open to make sure they are cooked all the way through. Keep the oven heated at 350°.

2. COOK THE QUINOA
Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve until water runs clear. (I use Bob's Red Mill brand and it is pre-rinsed so no need for that part) In a small saucepan combine the quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until fluffy and the white ring/tail is visible. Fluff with a fork.

3. STEAM THE BROCCOLI (or cook in any way you choose)

4. MIX TOGETHER:
In a large bowl combine the soup, mayonnaise, milk, shredded cheese, sugar, and pepper until well mixed. Stir in the quinoa, broccoli, chicken and water chestnuts.

5. TRANSFER TO THE BAKING PAN(S)
Spoon mixture into greased casserole. (either one 9x13" or two 8x8" like I used) Sprinkle on some shredded Parmesan and bake for 35-40 minutes (30 minutes for the two pans) or until bubbly on the edges and golden. Makes 10 generous 1/2-cup servings.

season, cook and chop the chicken (I buy 'JUST BARE' brand chicken breasts - organic & cage free!)

Make your own "cream of whatever" soup to avoid unnecessary ingredients

Mix together the soup, mayonnaise, milk, shredded cheese, sugar, and pepper

Sprinkle on the fresh parmesan cheese

Enjoy!

Note: Sometimes I make my own cream of whatever soup. Here is how:

Condensed “Cream of Anything” Soup
1 cup cold milk
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 1/2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp chicken bouillon
1/2 tsp salt
dash of pepper

Instructions:
In a small saucepan, whisk milk and cornstarch till well blended.
Stir in butter, bouillon, salt, and pepper.
Heat to a boil, stirring frequently. Simmer on low for one minute more to thicken.
Use in recipes to replace one can of cream of anything soup.

CONDENSED CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP:
Stir in a drained 4 ounce can of mushroom pieces to the recipe above.
Use in recipes in place of one can of Cream of Mushroom Soup.

CONDENSED CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP:
Stir in 1/2 cup cooked chicken pieces to the recipe above.
Use in recipes in place of one can of Cream of Chicken Soup.

CONDENSED CREAM OF CELERY SOUP
Stir in 1/2 cup sautéed chopped celery to the recipe above.
Use in recipes in place of one can of Cream of Celery Soup.

recipe adapted from Eating Well... Living Thin(er!)

BTW, I have professional taste testers for all my recipes and J & L clearly love it! ;)

TARGET TIME - 70% SHOES AT TARGET!!!

I know i usually do not post on Saturdays, but 70% off shoes at target is worth posting! I just got back from 'target time' with Jodie and they have A TON of shoes on sale for $5 - $7!  Get 'em while they're hot ladies! ;)  I got these adorable sandals for $5 and all the flats below are about $6. There are many more than shown, but these were few of my favs! Happy weekend!

NUDE WEDGES FOR OUTDOOR WEDDINGS

For Nora and Pat's wedding she asked us to wear nude shoes. Nora suggested we wear wedges b/c the ceremony was taking place outside on the grass. Seems simple, right?! Well, I do not know why, but I felt like it took me FOREVER to find a pair I loved. They sell about a million nude wedges with an espadrille (rope), cork or wooden bottom, but I felt all of those were too casual and didn't work well with my little strappy dress. I looked everywhere and came up with these. I thought I would give my research to all of you in case there is someone out there who needs a nude pair of wedges for a wedding, just likes shoes, or maybe just wants a few new ideas for shoe websites. :)

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR  |  FIVE  |  SIX

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR  |  FIVE  |  SIX

I went with these (#5 from the first set above) and they were actually super comfortable.