Friday, February 21

It's the Weekend!

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Happy Friday!

Is it just me or are Fridays one of the best days? This week has definitely flown by which means I'm ready for a little relaxing. I also plan to do a little antique shopping since the forecast for tomorrow is 57 and sunny [yes!]. Whenever the weather gets warm I start getting the itch to have a few projects going and even though there are a few I've got waiting on me in my parents basement, one more couldn't hurt right? Fingers cross I find something good this weekend! I'll be sure to post any great finds on Instagram (@amandapattison_) so make sure to follow along!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Wednesday, February 19

Recipe || Smoked Sausage and Tortellini Soup


A couple of weeks ago I was at my parents for dinner. It was one of those nights when you clear out the fridge and enjoy a total hodge-podge of pairings that don't make sense but taste so good together. One of the things I had was a bowl of smoked sausage and tortellini soup my mom made earlier in the week. Talk about delicious! It was something she had never made before, at least not when I was around so I made sure to get the recipe. And since I loved it so much I thought I'd share the recipe! I'll warn you, this makes a pot full so invite over a few friends [or enjoy left overs!].  

This is the recipe I got from my mom but I used what I had on hand [listed below], which happened to all be from Trader Joe's but you can use whatever!

Smoked Sausage and Tortellini Soup 
serves 6

1 package (4 links) smoked andouille chicken sausage
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
5 cloves garlic or I used 5 cubes of Dorot crushed garlic
1 32oz box of low sodium chicken broth
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes in juice
1 10oz package spinach tortellini
1 10oz package cheese tortellini
6 oz fresh baby spinach leaves
parmesean cheese, for serving optional required

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a Dutch oven and saute smoked sausage until browned. Remove from pan and carefully slice into small pieces; set aside.

Heat remaining oil [3 tablespoons] in Dutch oven, add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in chicken broth, bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 2 more minutes then add both packages of tortellini. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Add in can of tomatoes [juice and all!] and spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Return sauteed sausage to the soup, heat through.

Serve, top with parmesean and enjoy!

Tuesday, February 18

Tuesday's Tune

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I realize this song is a few years old [hello 2008/senior year of college!] but it came on the radio the other morning while I was driving into work and even though I was half asleep and not wanting to work I turned it up and was instantly in a good mood. Sometimes a song with good memories is exactly what you need!

Monday, February 17

Snapshots Vol.2

 bright pink purse [Target/old, similar] to beat these winter months

flying through this series!

the best smelling candle

pretty pumps [currently on sale!]


Happy Monday! 

I hope you all had a great weekend! Some of you might still be enjoying it if you are lucky enough to have a three day weekend [ I do not :( ]. Since the boyfriend and I celebrated Valentine's Day earlier in the week while he was in town my weekend was pretty uneventful. Friday night was spent indoors watching the Olympics due to more snow showers and Saturday I caught up on sleep, cleaned my room, and enjoyed a little quiet time + reading. Sunday was the usual task of grocery shopping for the week and I even managed to try out a few new recipes. I'll be sharing one later this week so be on the lookout for that!

Whether you are at work or enjoying the day off I hope you have a great start to the week!

Friday, February 14

It's the Weekend!



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Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope you all enjoy a day full of lots of love and laughter.

xo 
Amanda

Thursday, February 13

Closet Craving || Flower Shop Dress

via ModCloth


This might be the most perfect spring dress that ever was!


Wednesday, February 12

Tuesday's Tune [ One Day Late]

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With Valentine's Day on Friday it seemed completely necessary to have this week's Tuesday's Tune be a love song. And who's better at singing a love song than John Legend? I mean his voice .... so good ! His new album Love in the Future has quite a few fabulous songs [Made to Love, For the First Time, All of Me] but this one is definitely at the top.

Enjoy!
 

Sunday, February 9

It's the Weekend!

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Hope you all are having the best weekend!

xo
Amanda

Thursday, February 6

Closet Craving || Peter Pilotto for Target

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The official debut of the bright and bold collection from Peter Pilotto for Target is right around the corner. You'll be able to shop the line in stores this Sunday, February 9th. There are more than a few items that hit outside my comfort zone but I am loving the fun colors and bold patterns. You can check out the entire look-book and pricing here and see the individual pieces here. I definitely plan on picking up at least one of the bathing suits! They have the one above in a black and white pattern. So cute and will be perfect for my beach trip in May! Fingers crossed I can find it!

Wednesday, February 5

DIY I Want to Try



all images & DIY Miss Renaissance


How fun are these little succulent pots? 
This is the perfect way to add greenery and bright pops of color during these gloomy winter months!
You can find the supply list and complete instructions here.


Tuesday, February 4

Tuesday's Tune

Justin Timberlake || Drink You Away
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This song is by far my favorite on Justin Timberlake's second album of The 20/20 Experience.
They are all good but there's just something about this one.

Monday, February 3

The Start of a Smoothie Kick


Lately I have been wanting to find ways to get more fruits and vegetables into my diet. Overall I'm a very healthy eater and try not to eat too many sweets/snacks, some days that's harder than others! For breakfast I have a cup of coffee, a Larabar - these are my favorite, and 2 cuties or an apple. I'll snack on a combination of hummus and carrots, apple slices and caramel if I didn't have an apple at breakfast, some sort of granola or trail mix, or Nut-Thins and a Mini Babybel Light. Then for lunch it's usually soup, salad or sushi. For dinner it's whatever I feel like making (pasta/salmon/chicken/veggie burger/salad/soup/roasted veggies/etc) and if I'm not hungry I won't eat, that's terrible, I know!

So in an effort to make sure I at least have something for dinner I recently decided to either start juicing or making smoothies. After doing a little research, talking to friends and family, and figuring out which would fit my lifestyle best I decided on making smoothies. Also, I figured a blender would get more use in the kitchen than a juicer. I knew I wanted a blender that was compact (there are 3 of us sharing a kitchen) and came with a processing bowl as well as processor cups + travel lids, which lead me to the Ninja Kitchen System Pulse. And I managed to snag this guy up when it was on sale for only $60, love a good deal!

My next step was to decide on what smoothies I wanted to make. I am not a huge fan of bananas, the texture freaks me out and I don't really enjoy the taste. And I don't want to feel like I'm drinking a glass of leaves and grass. Lucky for me my sister in law recently purchased a Vitamix and was on the same mission to find green smoothie recipes and shared this website with me and has a ton of smoothie recipes pinned. I also found the recipes above and a few very helpful tips (freezing fruits, order of blending, and healthy additions) here. Between the 2 websites and Pinterest I should be able to find some recipes I'll like. 

Do any of you make daily smoothies? Have any go to recipes or helpful tips? Since this week will be the beginning of my smoothie kick I'd love any tips or tricks you all might have! And I'll be sure to share  any delicious recipes I find along the way.