Coral Brights & Lemon Highlights

Hi friends, I plan to get back to lengthier posts here soon, so today you get a few random tidbits on the fly (it's been a busy day, to say the least).

First, I have discovered Suave's new dry shampoo. I've used dry shampoo before but haven't been blown away by any of them. Some days they seem to work, others they don't. I've tried Baptiste, Tresemme and more, but when I sprayed on Suave's lemon-scented version, it was miraculous. Don't believe it? Here's a photo of me with hair that had been super sweaty from an intense workout at the gym followed by an entire  afternoon by the pool and only one wash from the day before:

It's a sexy mess, right? Ha, don't answer that.

Anyway, this shampoo stuff retails for around $3 so I highly suggest you grab some next time you're at Target, Walmart, the grocery store or drug store. It's literally everywhere and is the only dry shampoo they carry. I can't wait to try it after washing and straightening my hair. Hoping it adds some extra volume, and on days I choose to use my rollers it would probably be a good way to give my hair some "grip" so it holds curls better.

In other news, I'm still obsessed with turquoise... but I've also let a little coral into my life. This is the most recent addition to my Etsy shop, Texas Take, and I'm kinda diggin' the turquoise and coral connection. 

I made it so the necklace can be worn two ways, but the clasp still stays hidden behind your neck.

Whaddya think? What are your favorite colors or newfangled beauty finds? I'm all ears!

I Love My Country

On the eve of breaking news last night about Osama bin Laden's death, I just have to state how proud I am of our country and how wonderful America is.

Photo from Google

We have our shortcomings and we have our blessings, 

we have the leaders that shine and those who fall short, 

we have tough times and good times, 

we have freedom of speech and the will to fight,

we have brave souls who will sacrifice their lives for us,

and we have the American dream that never dies.

We are the United States of America.

God bless us, everyone.

My Recipes: Stove-top Chicken & Grilled Salmon

Today, my lovely readers, you get a two-for-one! I've been cooking rather "plainly" lately, quick and easy meals in my usual 30-minute timeline. So as I mix up some tasty basil and feta cheese burgers that we'll be grilling by the pool later today, I leave you with a pair of painless, tasty recipes to try on your own this weekend!

Stove-top Chicken

Ingredients
Garlic, minced (bottled or fresh is fine)
Dry Italian seasoning mix (basil, thyme, rosemary, etc.)
Worcestershire sauce
Fresh cracked pepper and sea salt
Organic coconut oil or olive oil
6-8 chicken drumsticks

Place a small amount of oil in the pan and heat to medium high. Place chicken in the oil and rotate to coat then sprinkle a fair amount of garlic, Italian seasonings, salt and pepper on top. Cook with the lid off for approximately 5-6 minutes, until bottom of chicken is browning, then flip. Place lid on pan and cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center.

We paired our chicken with steamed zucchini and artichokes and black beans!

Grilled Salmon

Ingredients

Fresh salmon

1 lemon, cut in half

Sea salt and cracked black pepper

1 bunch asparagus

Garlic salt

We had been dying to get out the grill again, so we heated it up nice and hot and placed the salmon and some asparagus on top in a "fish-safe" grill pan. (It comes with tiny holes in the bottom to keep the fish from flaking off and falling between the grating.)

Squeeze half the lemon onto the salmon, then sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Grill over a high heat, flipping once to lightly brown and cook the top side. Use the other lemon half to squeeze over the asparagus and sprinkle with garlic salt. Rotate the veggies often to avoid charring them, and drizzle with olive oil if they begin to look dried out.

(A certain doggie decided to guard the grill while the food cooked.)

The fish should be completely cooked within 10 minutes, when the edges are white-ish in color and the fish flakes with a fork, it's ready! We paired it with some steamed butternut squash sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Happy eating!

Zebra Zing!

So I've succumbed to a recent obsession with zebra-print. I don't know exactly what started it, but it's sort of wiggled it's way into various parts of my home decor and personal fashion. When it comes to the Texas country interior style, similar to what we have in our home, it's easy to get overloaded with brown and tans and solid colors. I've said it time and again, and I'm currently looking for ways to break up the repetition. I spotted these small zebra-print lamp shades at Stein Mart in the clearance section. With my 40% off coupon, they were only $1.40 apiece! I replaced the tan faux leather shades that were on the kitchen light fixture with these and love the variation they bring into our small eating space. 

I also decoupaged an old tray I found at an estate sale with zebra print paper. The zebra-print fabric is a .99 cent buy from Hobby Lobby. I thought it'd be fun to tie the whole theme in from ceiling to floor! 

In our bedroom, I brought a little zebra in with these plate chargers I found at Garden Ridge Pottery for $3 each. Our room has more brown and tan in it as well, so I'm working to add a little more color and variation and I like that these chargers liven up the bedside corners.

And just for fun, when we spent a weekend in Dallas recently, I slapped on some zebra-print nail stickers by Sally Hansen and even found a zebra koozie at Bucee's on our drive to the Big D. A little much, you might ask? A little more fun, says I. ;)

What are you obsessed with these dayzzzz?

My new Etsy shop! {Texas Take}

I've got exciting news, today, friends. You've probably already gathered from the title of this post that I've launched my own Etsy shop and I'm super duper excited to confirm that's true! My love of turquoise and chunky necklaces led me to make a variety of designs lately when I'm sitting still during my down time, and since I can't keep them all I'm hoping to start slingin' 'em on my new shop, Texas Take.

Head on over and take a gander - and spread the word, Texas Take is open for business!