Turkey Meatballs

This time of year is the time I start looking at carbs like they are my bestest of best friends. Pasta, garlic bread, rice you name it. Hey I can't really help it when it's a mere 20 degrees outside my belly wants to be warm and carb full?! Doesn't yours???? Pheew so glad I'm not alone! ;)

Well I know that isn't the best for me nor my waist line. I want my hard work at the gym and barre class to pay off. Kinda my 'just say no to muffin top-ville' movement this winter! So in an effort to make weeknight meals easy for myself I've started prepping ahead on the weekends. This week Turkey Meatballs.

Made ahead of time, they are easy to heat up when I get home from work or the gym exhausted, and starving! I've paired them along side a big salad one night and steamed veggies another. And I have to say I'm pretty proud - I can't get enough of them!!

Ingredients :

* 2 lbs ground turkey - I ended up with 1.75lb of ground turkey breast
* 3 egg whites
* 1 cup quick cooking oats
* 1/2 tsp ground cumin
* 1/2 tsp dried thyme
* 2 tsp dry yellow mustard
* 2 tsp black pepper
* 1 tsp chayanne pepper - this ended up being a little much, if you don't like a small bit of heat, less is more, but I like it! 
* 1 tsp salt
* 2 tbsp garlic powder or 2 fresh garlic, minced
* 1 small onion (finely chopped)
* 2 celery stalks (finely chopped)

Directions:1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Spray pan with canola or olive oil.
3. Mix all your ingredients together in one large bowl.
4. Roll the mixture into balls and place on pan. 
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes.


Makes 16-18 meatballs (I was able to make 18, I had to use one more small sheet to bake a few that didn't fit on the tray shown above)


*Ground white meat turkey is generally found to have less fat, cholesterol, calories etc than ground beef. But I am no expert, this is just basic knowledge I learned from web and food shows. :) 

**Last night I had them along side a mixed greens salad with crumbled blue cheese, and a super small side of low fat blue cheese dressing to dip them in. Just enough to get a small hint of flavor and not to drench the meatballs. 

sale hog

How were your holidays?!! Did you do any black Friday shopping??? I didn't (per say). I partook via the web, from the safety of the warm house.....but I did take full advantage of the sale J.Crew was offering! 25% off goes a long way!! 

Peter Pan Collar // Scarf // Striped Peplum

Added a few small items I've been wanting forever! Treat to myself! 

What did you get? Do tell!!!! 

...

I hope each of you enjoy time away from the daily grind. To relax, & spend time with those you love. To reflect on what you are thankful for. If you do not celebrate, I hope you still enjoy the time away from work! 

And good luck to all you crazy early AM black Friday shoppers! I may peak online but my day will consist of naps, couch time and the gym! :) See you after the holiday - taking time to gear up for the crazy last stretch before my projects complete. Yippee! Not! :) 

fall acquisitions

Some recent additions to the closet. Well not all super recent, but purchases in 'fall-sih' time frame :)

Some people like seeing what others have bought, so I thought... I shall share (and ryhme!)! There are a few other items in there somewhere....like this sweater, this blouse, this sweatshirt,

Zara Jacket // Rag & Bone Harrow Booties // J.Crew Plaid // NYC Sweatshirt via Target (not online currently) // Glitter Nail Polish // Minnietonka Moccasins // Gap Skinny Camo // DV Booties

I love this jacket!! I can layer under it with ease, and the collar, oh how i love the huge collar! It was actually a gift from the Hubs!!! These booties are my hands down favorites shoes right now, I want to wear them everywhere, and try to restrict myself bc other shoes need attention! They are really comfy and I'm in love! I'm kinda having a plaid/sweatshirt moment recently. I love the way each of them slip in and out of different outfits with ease! This NYC baby is a new one to the mix, as was the one I shared yesterday. Pretty much I wear one plaid shirt a week to work, I wonder if ppl think I'm part lumber jack? hmmm...maybe I should limit the plaids.....nah! 

I've been extending mani's and hiding chips by layering on glitter to my tips. great way to make them last longer! And these last two shoes have been my weekend hit list. The moc's could not be more comfy, I really want excuses to wear them daily! And I can say the same for these booties! 

What were your favorite purchases for Fall/Winter? 

*Editors Note (HA aren't I funny!) - Sadly these babies went back. Sob. I adore the style, height etc, just the color in real life was a bit too much. i'd blind coworkers if I wore them to the office. Which isn't the end of the world however, what fun are heels you can only wear 2 days a week - and lets be real I don't go out every weekend! 

life

I've kinda been a sucky blogger lately. Not by choice, but things happen. This is all to my Mom's dismay I'm sure! I currently have two rather big projects running concurrently and will both roll-out the same day. So the to-do lists are long and the conference calls are endless! By the time this little lady gets home, if I haven't already dozed off on the train, I am barely making the swap into PJ's before passing out on the couch! No lie I think I went to bed at 9 every night last week.....and even Friday night! Old lady status!! 

But I don't mind, I'm really enjoying what I'm doing (of course I wish I made more $ but... ) but something has to give. And sadly the blog is it. Normally I use lunch to start a post and the evening to fix it up and hit schedule post, but when one is passed out and sleeping those events don't really occur!! And this weekend really kept with that status. I woke up extra early each day and did a few chores then took a nap. Needless to say I slept a LOT this weekend. It was great! 

But as for a swanky post, this is all I have LOL - life via instagram! 

Comfy and casual Saturday! 

 Wearing: Pendleton Parka, J.Crew Sweatshirt, Joes Jeans, Minnietonka Mocs, Chloe Bag

The Hubs Homemade Metloaf!!!! Surprise Friday night dinner! 

How were your weekends? Are you ready for Thanksgiving? I am - days filled with sweatpants and naps! Cheers to a short week!!! 

tar-jay as they say

Target. Tar-jay, if you want to pronounce it all fancy-schmancy like. It's a beast that you love to hate or hate to love. It really goes both ways if I'm being honest! I can't ever leave without spending $50! It's like a new age urban legend or something, because I know I am not alone!

Well my new-ish found obsession on Instagram is.not.helping!!! If you don't know, thank/hate me later! I blame Tori for introducing me, but really I thank her (who you should follow on insta too, bc her fam is the cutest thing ever!!!!)!

Ok so back to my new obsession!!! On istagram there is a profile run by two of the cutest ladies, called 'Target Does it Again' {They also have a Tumblr, but I don't have tumblr so ....} And they feature the best little things from around Target, I continually think I need to won!!!

Focusing mainly on clothes, but also including anything from anywhere in the store to housewears to anything inbetween. Here are a few of my favorite recent posts!!! Enjoy!

Anyone else running to Target this weekend with me now?! :) 

They always post the price and the Target brand, so it is easy to find in store!! Kinda also loving the loafers and fringy booties they just posted too! :) 

i think it is over

I was just talking about how amazing the weather was, 65= in Novemeber?! So nice. Well folks....I think it is over. Yesterday was a balmy 35 and windy (so it felt so much colder!)!!! I think that last hoorah of decent weather is over ....til like April! SOB!!!!

But at least rocking plaids in all forms, beanies with giant pom-poms atop and embellished sweaters is to be expected!!!! I am going to jump all over all these band wagons!!! Loving all these very budget friendly buys of more trendy items. I think I could use all of them!!! :)

Pom-Pom Beanie from GAP // Plaid Ankle Trousers from TARGET

Embellished Animal Sweaters from OLD NAVY

I am loving how lately with some 'editing' you can find items that look like their fancier retailer counterparts!! Items like these, that I wouldn't' see myself years season after season, I'm all about the saving!!! I can get my lamb sweater at a fraction of the price! And I am sorry the fox is just too cute! Ripped up jeans, plaid shirt under, boots and a parka?! Or what about with a wool pair of slacks in a lighter camel and a white button down, for the office?!  

back to it

Back to the work-week grind after a spectacular weekend!!!!! I had the BEST time with my Mom, and really didn't want her to leave! We talked and shopped and laughed and just had the best time! {Mom you should really move closer!!!}

The weather this weekend was AMAZING!!!! mid 60's sun mixed with bouts of rain. It was wonderful, we left our jackets at home. And huddled around a few pitcher of Sangria to wait it out on Saturday. Then rewarded ourselves with some margaritas after a wonderful day shopping around town!

How were your weekends?!

happy friday

Happy Friday my loves!!!! First off isn't this pairing of colors great?! I love it! Would be perfect for the chilly fall weekend ahead (well at least that we will be having here in the Midwest!). I don't own any orange skinnies.....but this proves we all should! *wink wink* I am sure on an orange kick this week! 

These past two week have been insane for me at work. The Hurricane and a huge deployment project all happening at the same time. They have left me with little free time or much energy but its ok, I really enjoy it! And to make the pending weekend any better.....I get to spend it with my Mom!!!! She'll be in town for the weekend, so-a shopping and cocktailing we will-a go!!! I can't wait! 

Anything fun on your agendas? I can't wait to see James Bond personally (once Mom's visit is done) - I am a JB nerd, I blame my Dad! 

thursday treats

get yours here!

I've been obsessed with this style pump forever {See them on my wish list here in Cheetah print from ages ago}. They have popped up in outfit styling all over this little here blog. But these babies, are orange. Orange is my favorite color! On sale with an add'l 25% I may have had to do it!!! :) hehe!!!!!!!! Now watching for the postman to arrive!

Get yours now!! The additional 25% off sale ends today!!!

pretty findings

Pom-Pom Beanie // Cookbook // 2013 Calendar // Skulls Studs // Snake-Skin Pumps

All of the babies have made it into my fictional carts around the web lately!!!! I love them all!!! Still debating on these pumps (in this color or the bright orange-y red which are already on sale, so they will end up being more than 50% off original price!!!!! while JCrew has the 25% off sale going on.......gaaaah I want them so bad!)

I guess bundling up, cooking yummy food and getting ready for next year have been on my mind! What has made it into your fictional carts lately?!

Anyone else been majorly cleaning out their closets like me? I am so over all my really old sweaters/winter accessories, I want so many new ones! Like the v-neck sweater I wore yesterday, umm it is 6 years old!

comfy in camo

I had an pretty great weekend! After a taxing week I welcomed it with open arms!

Chilly days and 2 year old birthday party - call for a pair of the most comfy pants. I am so in love with these camo pants and have found just about any excuse possible to wear them!!! Head out and grab yourself a pair, you'll thank me later, serious so comfy and look so great on!

Grab my look here!

And I can't help but share a few peaks of my precious "neice's" birthday.....I am jealous! She is one lucky and loved lady!!