What's cookin' good lookin'?

Remember back a few weeks ago when I told you I couldn't stop pinning recipes even though it was pointless since I didn't even have a kitchen to cook them in? Well, now that I am all moved into my apartment and have my very own kitchen again, you should know all those pins have not gone to waste.

In fact, last Saturday I whipped up a Paula Deen hash brown quiche and Sunday night I delved into my first Pioneer Woman recipe: chili for Frito Pie. To this day it still baffles me that not every single one of you grew-up indulging the Texas delicacy of Frito Pie. Check out this vintage BB post if you don't know what I'm talking about.

I would have blogged about my culinary adventures last week, but my life got crazy busy yet again and now it's 2 pm on a Saturday afternoon here on the west coast and I'm sitting in a bustling "hipster" coffee shop called Sambalatte using their wifi since I am waiting for a modem to be delivered to me. It's a long story that's neither here nor there, but I don't have Internet in my apartment at the moment.

So here I am in this coffee shop with live music and lots of people a lot cooler than me and one of my dreams just came true: I got a cappuccino with one of those "fancy" designs.

That's actually my second cup in the picture above. I drank my first one before I took a pic:

I realize this makes me seem like a stereotypical uncultured southerner, but I can assure you I'm not that uncultured. It has just always been my routine to drive through a Starbucks and order my regular.

But with the start of a new beginning comes lots of new firsts; like spending my Saturday afternoon in a hipster coffee shop complete with a live Latin songstress. In line after ordering, I also struck up convo with a stranger who, as it turns out, also just moved here two months ago for a job and knows virtually no one. We exchanged numbers and promised to hang out soon. See what I mean about firsts? In Texas I would have never spent my Saturday in a coffee shop and I would have never made a potential new friend.

Enough about the new introspective me. I started this post to share two recipes: a quiche and chili. Both are easy, I promise. If the list of ingredients and directions look daunting, I'm out on that. Basically if I can do it, then so can you.

Don't think for one second I'd miss an opportunity to drink out of my Paula Deen coffee mug while whipping up a Paula Deen quiche.

Got this mug at her restaurant when I visited Savannah this past summer.

The evolution of the quiche.

First, brown your hash browns, which forms the crust for your quiche:

I really like fresh ground pepper.

While your crust is browning you whisk eggs with half and half, ham, cheese and green onions. Next time I think I'll cut out the green onions altogether, but that's based on personal preference. I found them to be a bit overwhelming.

Poor egg mixture over your hashbrown crust, bake and you're done. It's easy as quiche ... I mean, pie.

For the complete quiche recipe and directions, click here.

And last but not least, I present to you the best chili recipe for frito pie. It's the best because its super thick so it doesn't make your fritos soggy. Pioneer Woman's secret? Masa. Go here for the recipe. It was easy to make, made plenty for me to freeze and tasted really good. A win-win.

Ok, the Latin songstress is now belting out Stand By Me. I'm in heaven and officially declare this coffee shop my new favorite place. As Paula Deen (and I) would say, enjoy the rest of your weekend, y'all.

Friday Faves! Better late than never.

<center> <a href="http://thebargainblonde.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e215/LindseyLeeTTU/ffbblogo.jpg"/></a></center>

I'm a little late on Friday Faves, but I'm just happy to post a blog period these days so whatevs.  I only have two faves that I can think of, so its going to be short and sweet today.

Favorite TV Show

Season 2 of Duck Dynasty recently started on A&E and my life is pretty much now complete.  I somehow missed the bus on season 1 but luckily they play old episodes all the time so I have got myself all caught up with Phil and gang.  If wanting to marry Si is wrong, I don't want to be right. Ok, it is wrong (the man is missing a few teeth), but seriously ... this show makes me happy, happy, happy. 

Favorite Bargain Discovery

As if we need another reason to shop at Target, but I recently discovered that Spanx has a budget-friendly line of shape wear at Target called Assets.  Um, what?  How did I miss the memo Sara Blakely? I bought a pair of Assets black tights for my Halloween costume and have been wearing them on the reg since. I wouldn't say they suck you in as much as the original Spanx line, but they definitely will help a sister out by slimming your midsection plenty. Your wallet will also thank you. 

So what are your faves from the week?  Do tell.

Get your VOTE on today!

Blue dress, red nails. Not even planned. #patriotic

Friday Favorites: The RE-Resurrection!

We finally made it to Friday.  Hall-e-lu-yer! And what better way to start our Friday than with a little Friday Faves action?

Up first is my most favorite and only favorite from the week: I FINALLY GOT ALL OF MY BELONGINGS FROM DALLAS!  (And then moved them into my Vegas apartment.) Double yay. 

Have I ever mention that I have the best Mom in the history of Moms? I'll tell you why. She flew from Raleigh, NC (where she lives) to Dallas to pick up a moving truck that I reserved from Penske. Then she and my brother proceeded to load it with all of my boxes, furniture, etc.  

Moving truck halfway packed.

Then ... are you ready for this? She drove that 16 foot truck from Dallas to Las Vegas all by herself. That's a 20 hour drive with a moving truck by herself.  Mom of the year, I know. Wouldn't you agree?

I'm not even close to being done unpacking, but I hope to be by the end of this weekend.  To tide you over, here are a few photos of the view from the balcony of my new place:

I suppose I could show you my front door:

Any inside pictures will have to wait because I still have a lot of boxes to unload and things to put away. I've actually finished my kitchen and dining room, but I want to wait to do one big post of pictures from the interior.  MMM K?

So I'd say that is a pretty big Friday Favorite so I rest my case. I have nothing else to trump it. Now you tell me what your favorites are from the week and link-up below!

I'm RE-resurrecting Fri Faves tomorrow!

I kind of did better blogging this week, right?  Tomorrow I'll be hosting Friday Favorites again! It will publish at midnight CT so link-up if you can. I promise to make it more routine and start posting it every Friday like the "old days" aka before I moved here.

I had fun passing out candy last night, but I learned I should not guess little kid costumes when I answer the door because I am way out of touch with what is "hip" these days.

"CUTE! Are you a troll?!" - me 

"No, I'm Jimmy Neutron." - little girl

Um, should I know who Jimmy Neutron is? I'm officially that old person. All I know I learned from Reese and he's all about superheroes so that's the extent of my hip little kid knowledge.

I went to a co-worker's Halloween party Saturday and of course, I waited until the last minute to pick out a costume.  I ended up going as a pirate wench.

AAARRR!

See you guys back here tomorrow for Friday Favorites!!  Who is going to link-up!?? HTML code for the FF button in case you need it:

<center> <a href="http://thebargainblonde.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e215/LindseyLeeTTU/ffbblogo.jpg"/></a></center>