Grocery Guide Round Dos

It's Sunday morning at the Miller household :)

Bacon is in the oven...

Dishwasher is running full of all of the dishes I didn't take care of yesterday.

It was a long day spent out in the sun, and I may or may not have been in bed by 8pm.

Full disclosure.

{yes, I am getting old!}

I'm on my second cup of (much needed) coffee, and I've had a little breakfast.  I am loving these cinnamon/vanilla seasonal English muffins, they're great with some of my favorite peanut butter.

Can you guess what I'm doing now?

Making my grocery guide!!

Last week I stuck pretty well to the plan.

Well...other than one impromptu happy hour date on Wednesday.

{his & hers beers + 1 very unhealthy, unpictured, and highly necessary appetizer} 

Which also means I didn't play tennis. 

In fact, I didn't get to the gym until FRIDAY, people.  What the what.   

{please send your motivation to Arlington Heights, Illinois...along with my old metabolism} 

I do have to say that I think the favorite meal of the week was the most simple. 

{grilled chicken Caesar salads}

I have a law degree, but I seriously have to respell the word C-A-E-S-A-R every single time I write it. 

I promise, for my next post, I will come up with something more interesting that does not involve grocery shopping :)

But, for today, here is this week's list...maybe it will give you some inspiration! 

SUNDAY

Chicken Enchiladas {my recipe}

Broccoli

Make these...just do it.

They are amazing left over, and it gives you an excuse to have a margarita, or an ice cold Corona light (my fav!) with a lime, of course! :) 

MONDAY

Leftover enchiladas (see, I told you!)

Some sort of veggie. 

TUESDAY

Buffalo Turkey Qunioa Bowls (recipe to come, it's a goodie!)

WEDNESDAY

"Hot Dogs" on the grill (I buy the all beef polish sausages, we are big fans!)

Side Caesar Salads 

THURSDAY

Leftovers or Date Night (I'm hoping the latter, because it sounds a heck of a lot more fun!) 

FRIDAY

My choice!

I will be having a single night :) Justin has a big bachelor party to attend.  I'm thinking maybe Chipotle or grabbing hot bar from Whole Foods.

Probably catching up on DVR or finding a chick-flick on demand.

Sounds pretty amazing to me!!

Well there you have it, friends! 

Let me know if you make the Enchiladas this week, they're to die for!

xoxo

Jess 

Grocery Guide

Hi old friends!!

Sunday mornings are one of my favorite times of the week.

Our lives have been so busy lately, so my usual routine has been thrown off - but this week, hallelujah!, things have slowed down a little bit.  Today, I was able to wake up and have some of the quiet time I have been craving.

Typically, on a Sunday morning, I will let me "boys" (aka, my husband and our dog Hank) sleep in.

Most Sundays, I will make us breakfast (bacon, eggs, toast).  We like to make our bacon in the oven, so while my coffee is brewing, I will get the bacon going, then sit down with my coffee in front of my computer and try to figure out our meal plan/grocery list for the week.

I am constantly struggling, especially lately, to figure out what to make for dinner during the week.  I have to guess that some of you who are reading this are also wracking your brain on Sunday mornings, over your cup (or two, if you're like me) of coffee, coming up with quick and relatively healthy dinner ideas.

It's been a LONG time since I've visited this little blog space of mine, but I thought today I might share with you what I have come up with for this week! Woo hoo...exciting stuff, I know! :)

Sunday: 

Shredded BBQ Pork
Green Beans

I'm going to head off to the grocery store soon to pick up the pork so I can get this in the slow cooker for tonight! So yummy and so easy.

Monday: 

Cajun Turkey Burger Skillet

This is probably not the healthiest of meals, but is cheap, easy and a favorite at our house...I will be able to get this made up quickly so I can sit down to watch the Bachelorette :)

Tuesday: 

Leftovers

We have our dog trainers coming over on Tuesday night, so we will have to eat quickly - either leftover pulled pork or turkey burger skillet will be on the menu for Tuesday night.

Wednesday: 

BBQ Pork Quesadillas
Broccoli

I am hoping to go play tennis on Wednesday night, so again, dinner will have to be fast.  I love to use Flat Out wraps for quesadillas - just put down some leftover pulled pork, a little salsa and cheese, fold in half and grill on a skillet.  So simple!

Thursday

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salads

Justin loves Caesar Salads - I will get a couple of pre-marinaded chicken breasts to grill up, then toss with romaine, croutons, shredded Parmesan cheese, and my favorite Bolthouse Farms yogurt Caesar dressing.

Friday

Buffalo Bleu Cheese Burgers
Asparagus

Friday night we will stay in and take advantage of Justin's new grill.  I will make up the patties (see the link for the method to my madness!), and he takes care of the rest!

If you can't tell, buying the grill for his birthday was a genius idea over here because it gets my husband to help with some of the cooking :)

So there you have it! Our meal plan for the week - and what I will be using as my grocery guide. Now it's off to the store to get the goods.

Have a fantastic Sunday!

xoxo

Jess

P.S.  I know it has been forever since I have blogged! I am contemplating starting it back up again.  Let me know what kinds of things you would like to see :)

Celebrating a New Year

Justin & I had a fantastic few days celebrating the end of 2012 (which you all know was a very big year for us) and the beginning of 2013.

Last Saturday, we had a "date night" planned in Indianapolis - a city that holds a special place in both of our hearts.

We stayed at the Hyatt in downtown Indy, a hotel I have always loved.

(source)

We got great service at the Hyatt - I forgot my entire toiletries bag (thankfully NOT my makeup, that is my worst nightmare), and the front desk loaded me up on all of the essentials including hairspray so that I didn't have to go out and waste $$ at CVS.  Big fan! 

Justin & I had quite the debate about where to go for dinner for our big date. Last time we were in Indy, we went to Palomino and had a great dinner with these Lavender Cosmos (me, not Justin!) that I have not been able to get off my mind since (and that was YEARS ago). 

I had to go back to Palomino for at least one of those cocktails. 

It was ALMOST as good as I remember - the bartender went a little heavy on the sour mix, which is not my thing, but still delish. 

We didn't eat at Palomino, because we had both always heard great things about St. Elmo's Steak House, and ultimately decided this was the trip to give it a go. 

I think we are both VERY pleased with that decision - our dinner and service were amazing. 

I didn't take any pictures of our food, but we split their famous shrimp cocktail, which was really good - I was shocked by the level of spice in the cocktail sauce (horseradish, hello!!).  

After that, Justin had the filet (perfectly cooked) with some mashed potatoes that will change your life, and I had the King Crab and Shrimp Linguine. 

We also split a bottle of Hess Cabernet, which was reasonably priced and we both enjoyed. 

(Excuse the lipstick marks, classy, I know)

After dinner, we "whooped" it up a little around the town - at the bar at the Canterbury Hotel and a Cigar Bar (no cigar for me, they make me sick!). 

It was a fantastic night spent just the two of us - we don't do a lot of big nights like that, so it felt really special and was a treat.  

Sunday morning, we slowly rolled out of bed and fought some insane traffic from the Colts game to head down to Bloomington, Indiana (where we met & went to school) to meet up with our very good friends, Ashley & Tyler, for New Years. 

We have spent almost every New Years with Ashley & Tyler since we graduated IU - it has become a tradition that we always look forward to. 

We had a blast in Bloomington hitting all of our favorite places - Nick's (sink the biz, biz fries, AND pizza!), Sports, Village Deli, Upland Brewery, the Sample Gates, Oliver Winery (my favorite), Upstairs, Kilroys...

...I am exhausted just thinking about it and I want to go back at the very same time! 

Ashley & I got to relive our college days of waking up almost every day on the weekends for a workout followed by Village Deli breakfast.  

 {favorite breakfast from Village Deli - Spinach Scramble}

Hotel gym wasn't quite as nice as Cardinal Fitness, but it did the trick! 

Some more pics from our adventures... 

{The four of us at Oliver for a wine tasting on New Years Eve}

{Justin & I in front of the frozen fountain at Oliver} 

{Sample Gates Pic - a must have!}

{First New Years as Husband + Wife}

We watched the ball drop at midnight at Sports - then headed straight back to our hotel. 

Times certainly have changed - we used to GET to Sports (the late night bar, IMO) at midnight :) 

Happy 2013 everyone!! 

Are you working on any resolutions?? 

{I have been wracking my brain all week, and still have not decided what my goals for 2013 will be.}

Have a fantastic freakkieee Friday!

xoxo

Jess  

Let Your Heart Be Light

 

Hi everyone :)

 

I just wanted to pop in and say Merry Christmas! 

 

From our family to yours, wishing you peace & blessings today, and every day.

 

 

Photo & Card by Just Love Me Photography + Design

 

 

xoxo

 

Jess 



Winter Beauty Buzz

Happy (let's call it what it is) one-more-day-until-the-weekend! 

I don't know about you, but I am counting down the days until Christmas.  I will have five uninterrupted days off work and lots of time to spend with my family and friends.  Glor-i-ous :) 

This week has been pretty quiet in my neck of the woods.  We have a busy weekend up ahead (all fun stuff!), so I think my body has forced itself to rest up and lay low knowing that come Sunday, I will be in need of a giant nap. 

I was trying to think of some clever way to segway into the "subject" of this post, but truthfully, for some odd reason, I've been really into reading about random beauty tips and beauty products lately (go ahead, call me vain). 

It might have something to do with the book I just finished reading - Kyle Richard's, Life is Not a Reality Show (love me some RHOBH!).  Kyle writes a couple of chapters about the daily rituals/products she loves the most, so it got me thinking...

While it is a priority most of the year, lately, numero uno on my beauty product list has been all about MOISTURE. 

It's getting cold, and my skin tends to get very dry this time of year (we are talking painfully dry!), especially since I spend a lot of my day working in a office with stale air and paper. 

LOTS of paper. 

Here are my absolute favorite products for moisture.  

All can be found in my medicine cabinet and crazy-over-stuffed bathroom closet right now, and they'll probably be stashed all year around because they are just that awesome. 

Say Yes to Carrots Repairing Night Cream

I love the "Say Yes to Cucumber" lazy take-off-your-make-up wipes, so I was interested in trying other products from this company.  I have been on the lookout for a good night cream for many years and this is honestly the first one I have tried that I am satisfied with.   

I was nervous though.  

Is my face going to turn orange? Am I going to smell like a carrot? 

Sounds kinda ick before going to bed if you ask me. 

Well, my skin stayed pasty pale as usual (ha!), and I have to say, this stuff has a pleasant, soothing smell.

I lather this on every night before bed and wake up feeling like my skin is glowing, but not greasy. 

(source)

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

This stuff is the holy grail of face moisture.  

You are going to think I am bat-spit-crazy, but my hand to God, I started to notice some lines developing on my forehead a couple of years ago.  

I'm not sure if it's because I am so "expressive," or because I spent so much time "thinking" in law school, but this was NOT okay.  

My mother has amazing skin has developed very few wrinkles as she has aged, and gosh darn it, I didn't get her tan skin so I sure as heck better be getting the elasticity. 

I went to the spa, spent way too much money on face products, and this was the only one worth keeping in the regular routine.  

This B5 gel somehow managed to smooth things out a little up north.  It is pricey, and sometimes hard to find, but worth it if you're in the market for this sort of thing (tip: it is very good after chemical peels or microdermabrasion treatments). 

(source)

Almay Smart Shade Smart Balance

Two-in-one.  I'm not a fan of Pert Plus, but I am a fan of tinted moisturizer. 

Bring it on!

I love Laura Mercier, but this is a good inexpensive alternative that I used last winter and again this year.  

It blends really nicely and does not feel greasy throughout the day. 

(source)

Moonlight Path Triple Moisture Body Creme

Ohhhh the Bath & Body Works debate.  You either love it, or you leave it. 

I got this lotion as a present from Justin's grandma a couple of years back.  I keep buying it, running out, telling myself I'm not going to buy it again, and then going back for more. 

For some reason the scent is just so fresh to me - and it feels so nice to put on before bed and right out of the shower.  It's a little thicker than a regular body lotion (it's a "cream"), so it is great for the winter months.  

(source)

Smith's Rosebud Salve In-a-Tube

All of my bridesmaids received this in their gift bags.

I am a chronic chap stick buyer.  

I need a chap stick in my purse, on my desk, in my car, in my bedside table drawer, in my medicine cabinet, in my coat pocket, under my pillow...everywhere. 

This has been my favorite "chapstick" to date - it's essentially colorless, smells nice, and I have found it to maintain its moisture longer than any others I've tried.

Yep, you need some too :) 

(Try Sephora or Anthropologie to get the tube - I hate greasy fingers). 

(source)

Keratase Nectar Thermique

Ohhh boy.  Holy grail of hair product. 

I have gotten away from using expensive shampoos & conditioners in recent years (my favorite drug store brands are Aussie and Pantene), but I will splurge for a good product. 

I strongly believe in minimizing heat styling, but if I let my hair air dry, it looks like a hot mess. 

This is a great leave-in product that I smooth over my ends right before I blow dry, and it seems to help with keeping my hair healthy through my next trip to Salon Buzz (the best Salon in Chicago, ladies!!). 

(source)

So there you have it! All of my faves! 

Go find them, or maybe even request for stocking stuffers. 

Have a fantastic day, everyone!

Something to talk about: What is your favorite 'moisture' product right now? Tell me, tell me!! 

P.S. I am now back to updating the workout log on the Sweat Seshes page - check it out for some ideas if you want to switch up your routine. 

xoxo

Jess 

Let's Catch Up

Well hello there!

It has been far, far, FAR too long.

I know.

I knew it had been far too long when my now mother-in-law (yes, I am MARRIED!) could not even remember the name of my blog.

Sad face.

Where have I been?!

Why did I stop blogging?!

Is this blogging break going to be forever?!

All very valid questions you have there.

Trust me, I have been meaning to get back to my computer and type away for a long time now.

I think, partially, it has just been daunting thinking about all of the things I need to catch you guys up on.

If you know me personally, you probably have a basic idea about where I have been since March (yes, holy cow, March!). Thank you, Facebook :)

But for the rest of you, let's do a crash-course of the last 9 months of my life.

Where did we leave off??  

I ran that 5K.

{Marissa, Sarah, Me, & Mary Beth}

And it was a PR for me as far as pace goes. 

Don't be too impressed.  After that, I pretty much fell off the fitness wagon until after our wedding.  

Seriously, who STOPS working out before their wedding?? 

I did, however, stay very, very active...

...on the wedding circuit. 

We had Justin's friend Kara's wedding in May. 

Then some of our close friends, Kristen & Seth's wedding in June.

Then wine club went to Minnesota for our fellow wino - Jenna's - wedding. 

In between those amazing events, I had a beautiful shower back in my hometown of West Lafayette, Indiana thrown by my former neighbors.

{The gracious hosts, Ron & Josette}

{Me & my future groom in the garden}

I attended the bachelorette party of one of my very best friends - Megan (in the green, below) - in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. 

Then rounded out the summer with two additional, amazing wedding showers of my own. 

First, there was a very thoughtful day shower thrown by my very good friend, and bridesmaid, Christina at her new home. 

{Me & the beautiful hostess}

{Potted herb favors in Mason Jars, pinterest-worthy for sure}

And a beautiful event thrown by Justin's aunts in the Wine Cellar (ohhh yesss) of Villa Macri in Granger.

We were blessed by a tornado warning towards the end of that shower.  

Never a better time to be stuck in a basement...

...a wine-filled basement :) 

And then, my friend Megan was married. 

Megan is one of my oldest and closest friends - we became close at the beginning of high school when we managed the boys' varsity tennis team (I will spare you of a throwback pic, just can't do it after that gorgeous one above).  We've been through so much together - roommates freshman year of college at IU, roommates again when we first moved to Chicago, heartbreaks, shenanigans, celebrations, and now being all grown up and married.  It was a very special day to share with her, and I was so incredibly happy to be a part of it. 

Megan had about a two weeks to recover before it was time for my bachelorette party. 

We celebrated with a weekend in Southwest Michigan - winery hopping - it was an absolute blast and, in my opinion, a perfect way to send me out of singlehood. 

I was reminded why I do not take shots...especially tequila shots...

...multiple tequila shots. 

And I think I showed everyone that yes, I really do know how to let loose from time to time :) 

After that, it was a complete whirlwind until the arrival of our wedding weekend. 

{Rehearsal Dinner @ Papa Vino's - last night as Jessica Morrison} 

{Me & my beautiful MOH & bestest friend, Ashley}

{Me & my bridesmaids getting glam} 

{Happiest day of my life - 9/15/12} 

And, so now, we have come full circle. 

Hi, I'm Jessica Miller.  It's so nice to meet you! 

I am enjoying my days as a newly-married woman, back to my usual business of living life as a twenty-something attorney in Chicago...and striving to make it a happy, full, and healthy one. 

{At our breathtaking resort in Aruba for our honeymoon. Take...me back!}

{Us at the Notre Dame - they are going to the National Championship, I have a very happy husband} 

{One of my favorite weekend activities - wine tasting at Lynfred Winery} 

{Us at Thanksgiving - first holiday as "The Millers"} 

So, I know that this recap has been entirely too abbreviated and I will need to do some full recaps down the road.  

But, for now - consider yourself mostly caught up - and I can't wait to share the fun-filled adventures in the future with all of you! 

Have a wonderful Sunday evening, friends!

I am off to the grocery store to get some food for dinner, then home to prep for another week in the life.  

Who knows, maybe I'll see you tomorrow? ;)  

xoxo

Jess 

Something to talk about: What would you like to see more of in the future of BEBT?