I winged it then I ate it. And I liked it.

I know you don’t come to my blog for recipes, but every now and again I like to throw one in the mix if it’s cheap and easy enough.  Especially if it’s a recipe I winged and liked because let’s face it, I’m not the second coming of Bobby Flay. 

In fact, I'm the complete opposite. I “cook” by meticulously reading and following recipes line by line.  I’m also the girl that writes my grocery list in chronological order of what I will hit in the grocery store first to last.  OCD anyone?

Needless to say, I don't "wing" recipes.  However, Sunday I had some pork chops in my freezer I needed to cook, but I was too tired from my busy weekend to go to the store.  Instead, I grabbed a few items from my pantry that I hoped would suffice.   I threw the ingredients into my Slow Cooker (a gift from God) and five hours later, a yumm-o meal was prepared.  Literally the meat was falling off the bone, so I thought I would share this very basic slow cooker recipe yours truly created:

 Directions:

1. Season 1.5 lb of bone-in pork chops with cracked pepper and garlic powder.
2.  Pour 2 Lipton Onion Mushroom Soup Mix contents into large bowl and coat pork chops (acts as a breading)
3. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat and brown pork chops.  Set aside.

4. In slow cooker, whisk the carmelized onion and reduced sodium cream of mushroom soups together, add your browned pork chops, cover and cook on low for 5 hours. 
5. Serve over brown or white rice.

Ta-da! you have yourself a home cooked meal on the cheap:

I slow boiled french cut green beans with diced ham as a side.  Seasoned with pepper, wine & garlic seasoning and about 1 tbsp of margarine.

If you test this out, let me know what you think!

Grown-up slumber party and other weekend festivities

As mentioned in Friday's post, my beautiful cousin Sierra stayed with me this weekend and I loved having her in Dallas with me.  Let's discuss the weekend highlights, shall we?

Friday night my besties Liz and Stefanie came over to my apartment for a grown-up slumber party.  Not sure what a grown-up slumber consists of?  Well, allow me to elaborate:

Bachelorette veils and sashes were bedazzled ...

Bow bouquets were meticulously crafted ...

A trip to the sketchiest convenience store of all time was made.  See exhibit A, B and C for reference:

My fave Queen Helene Mud Mask was adorned by all for a truly frightening site ...

Again, I'm single because why?

And obviously vino was consumed in generous quantities.  A prerequisite for any grown-up slumber party.

Here's the closest I'll ever come to wearing a veil.

Saturday morning Sierra made a Starbucks run while I whipped up some breakfast tacos and put my pink blender to use by blending some fresh green fruit smoothies.  My $17.99 blender works like a charm by the way (in case you were wondering). 

In the afternoon, I went to the neph's first soccer game and it should come as no surprise to any of you that he was the MVP.   Would you expect anything less from my Reesey pants?  Our little David Beckham in the making:


Saturday night Sierra and I enjoyed some melt in your mouth & expand your thighs Chuy's Mexican Food for dinner:

And we sipped on some Sangria and Mexican Martinis.  Unfamiliar with the Mexi Martini?  By all means, let me to introduce you to some more Texas greatness:

We came home at least one pant size bigger each, so we changed into sweats and delved into some DVR'd Datelines.  We were highly disturbed to learn of this panty snatching Canadian Air Force Colonel:

And this, my friends, is what nightmares are made of and exactly why I was hiding with knives in the dark that one time.

Sunday afternoon Sierra left me to drive back to Houston, but I'll get to see her pretty face soon at Thanksgiving.  Next weekend the only thing I plan on doing is packing for my impending move, which happens in t minus 20 days.  Have I mentioned how much I hate packing/moving? Least. favorite. thing. ever.  Anyone want to come pack for me?  I'll pay you in e.l.f. goodies.  Plleeeassseeee!

Current Love Affair: Big Lots

Hello ladies!  I couldn't send you off for the weekend without a proper Friday post, now could I?  Seems as though most of you were intrigued, some disgusted (you & you) with my Frito Pie post yesterday.  All I can say is, don't knock it till you try it. It's heaven in your mouth.  Trust.

Now ... on to more important things.  Like my current love affair with Big Lots.  I got this Modella polka dot train case there yesterday for $3.  It even has compartments for your make-up brushes.  Perfect size to fit in your purse, too.  Love!  They had several sizes and patterns to choose from. Who knew?

I also got this  St Ives In-shower Exfoliating Body Polish in Shea Butter & Oatmeal.  It's supposed to gently exfoliate and cleanse to leave your skin smooth and irresistibly soft . We'll see, I haven't used it yet. I love their shea butter and oatmeal lotion, so I have high hopes.  Only $2.50, so if I don't like it, oh well.

And 2 of these Aveeno SPF 50 Sunblock Sprays for only $4 a bottle.  That is straight up SPF robbery.

The neph's 4th (cannot believe it.) birthday is next Saturday.  He is obsessed with taking my kitchen utensils and pretending he's a chef. I got him this play kitchen set in blue for only $35 bones:

Last but not least, I spotted some e.l.f. goodies!  I have never tried their nail polish, so I got their Summer Ready collection for $4.50.  I've heard their polish isn't exactly fab-o, but I'll be the judge and def report back.  It's cheap, so I doubt it'll be long lasting. And you know how I feel about cheap nail polish:

So that about sums up my Big Lots splurge.  Here is a link to all of Big Lots' current clearance merch if you want to take a gander.  I am thinking I need one of these $99 accent chairs for the new lair.  Perfect for my soon-to-be vanity area, don'tchathink?

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Tonight I'm having girls wine night at my apt to craft two PinkLouLou veils (#veilsweatshop) for Bachelorette parties I have coming up. Wish me luck because I need it. I'm too embarrassed to show you the only other veil I made a few years ago.  Let's just say when I showed PLL, all she said was, "at least you tried." That bad.

Also, I have a visitor staying with me this weekend ... my gorgy cousin, Sierra, who is in town from Houston.  I mean, don't hate her cause she's beautiful cause I do:

OHMAHWORD (& thank gawd)... TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE for moi for CBS Dallas Most Valuable Blogger!!!!!!!!!  I appreciate all of your support more than you know.  You bargainistas have been ahhhhmazing and it makes my heart ridiculously happy.  I've already got a blonde army ready to stalk CBS if I don't win.  Watch out & cross your fingers because I don't want things to have to get ugly. (I kid.)

Over and out. TGIF!

A Texas Delicacy: Frito Pie

It was brought to my attention recently (by this Yankee) that ... GASP ...Frito Pie is not a staple in all of your lives!  This truly befuddles me.

I legit thought EVERYONE knew what Frito Pie was and how to wash it down with an ice cold Big Red.  If you are unfamiliar with Frito Pie, then odds are you've probably never gulped a Big Red either, which saddens me even further.  Please go here to acquaint yourself with Big Red.  It's another Texas staple that you need in your life.    

While I can't change the fact that you've been missing out of this gourmet greatness, I can introduce it to you today. Better late than never, right?  The concept is quite simple: Fritos + Chili topped w/ cheese = Frito Pie

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This, my northern neighbors, is a Frito Pie in all its yummy, high-caloric glory.  And yes, it tastes as amazing as it looks.  Some people top theirs with onions or jalapenos, but I prefer mine the old fashion way: Chips, Chili and Cheese only. Thankyouverymuch.

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You can go the civilized route and eat out of a bowl like pictured above, or if you are feeling a little cray cray; Slice open a personal sized bag of Fritos, top with chili and cheese and eat directly out of the bag.  It's illegal in Texas to eat Frito Pie this way using anything but a plastic fork. You've been warned. 

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As a Texan born & raised, I have grown up eating Frito Pie, so I just assumed every one else did too.  Clearly I was mistaken.  This Frito Pie revelation has made me wonder ... what are YOU eating that I don't know about?  I think it's only fair that you divulge some Northern delicacies with me.   Spill Yankees.


VOTING ENDS TOMORROW! Don't forget that if I win, I'm making all of you bargainistas famous:

Giveaway winner & an announcement

The winner of my 1 year blogiversary GUSSIED giveaway is ....

Which was Miss Callie!  Congratulations!  Just e-mail me and I will put you in touch with Erin @ Gussied.

Chin up & don't go pouting just yet!  Even if you didn't win, Erin is giving all of you bargainistas 30 percent off a single item on her site throughout the entire month of September!  She added tons of team cuffs and can make *almost* anything you want if you don't see it.  Check, check, check it out.

And now for the announcement.  Drum roll please Adam ...

So it's no secret that I love e.l.f., right?  Well, guess what?  I got a ton of new e.l.f. product for a Back to School post and have hand picked 7 of my favorite items out of this bag for one of you! 

I'm soooo over the "follow me" or "like me" and you'll win, so I'm going to do something a little different in order to enter this giveaway.  I'm not sure what yet, so any suggestions are welcomed!  Leave your genius ideas in the comments purdy please!