Southwestern Pasta Salad

This is recipe I remember making several years ago back when I lived at home. My mom and sister and I used to love it. We finally busted out the recipe again last time I was home and it was just as good as I remembered.  Next time I make it I think I may add in some fresh or pickled jalapenos to give it an extra kick and some heat.  I find it is best served slightly warmed or at room temperature.  This would make an excellent dinner if you added grilled chicken or shrimp over the top.  I think what I like most about this pasta is it has a creamy dressing instead of a vinaigrette, its so good.
Enjoy!

:: S O U T H W E S T E R N   P A S T A   S A L A D ::

DRESSING

4 oz reduced fat cream cheese

4 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons milk

1 table spoon olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

SALAD

2 cups bow-tie pasta or 1 12 oz box

1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed

1 can white corn

1 4 oz can chopped green chiles

1/4 cup chopped tomatoes

2-3 green onions chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped

Fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Combine cream cheese, lemon juice, milk, olive oil, lemon zest, cumin, salt and garlic powder in a microwave bowl.   Heat on high in microwave 1 minute or until cream cheese is soft.  Stir to blend ingredients, add water if it needs to be thinned.  Add in Parmesan cheese and set aside.

Cook pasta and drain.  Add dressing and toss.  Add in black beans, corn, green chiles, green onion, tomato, cilantro and toss.  Grate in fresh Parmesan and mix all together.

Obsessions

\\ J Crew Baby \\

Man oh man am I in trouble.  The J Crew baby line just debuted and I want everything!  A few of my favorites.

Baby Tunic in Fox Print |  Heart One Piece |  Dot PJs

\\ 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Leopard Dress \\
This was my only purchase from the Phillip Lim collection and I have to say I love it.  I didn't even look in the store just ordered online.  It is a great pregnant dress because it is so stretchy.  Love the Mustard color as well and you know I never met an animal print I didn't love:)

\\ Helmut Lange Jersey Jacket \\

Love this jacket and love the fact that it is jersey so that means it is super comfortable.  I would wear this jacket everyday, I even think it would be cute to toss on over workout clothes.

  \\ La Senorita Jolie Ines and Charlotte Tops \\

You might remember awhile ago I posted about the line La Senorita Jolie.  They seriously make the best tee shirts.  So soft and affordable.  These are my two new favorites and they actually still fit pregnant.  Not pregnant they are the perfect long not too tight tees.  Such great classic tees for everyday wear that won't break the bank.   I own them both in black and wear them all the time. Use code LSJ-DBDD for free shipping on everything!

 \\ Spanx Ready to Wear Leggings \\

These leggings are the answer to my prayers.  I love everything Spanx and had been wishing they  would come out with leggings.  I live in leggings in the Fall and have yet to find a pair that really suck you and are flattering,  but it looks like these are.  I will most def be getting a pair of these.

\\ Tinley Road Swiss Dots Blouse \\
This blouse looks just like an expensive blouse but it is only $59.  Such a great blouse for work or play.  Love both the green and nude.  And thru tonight at midnight you can 20% off your Piperlime order with code THANKYOU.

\\ Sabine Pleated Maxi Skirt \\
This maxi looks so similar to the Tibi version everyone was buying last summer.  Such a steal at $64.  You could wear this now and into the cooler months with a leather jacket. You can also use code THANKYOU for this on Piperlime.

Scenes From Our Weekend + Blackberry Farms Pimento Cheese Recipe

Did everyone have a fab weekend? Ours was totally uneventful but sometimes that is nice. By uneventful I mean we ate frozen pizzas one night and Taco Bell the other and were in bed by 9 both nights- raging weekend:) 
Can we talk about Breaking Bad last night?  How in the world is the series going to end??  It has been so good I am going to be devastated when it over.  and Yay for Breaking Bad finally winning an Emmy for best Drama, that was well deserved!

I officially only have 60 days til my due date- yikes, right?  But I am ready!  Thank you for all the wonderful comments Friday assuring me I am not the only one that thinks pregnancy is hard!

I finally picked up my compression hose and for any of you ladies that have to wear them too, I highly suggest getting black.  I was originally fitted for nude but my mom talked me into switching them for black so I could wear them as tights/leggings.  Pure genius and they suck you in like spanx and make your legs look skinny, double bonus.  I wore mine most of the weekend and must say they really helped relieve some pain.

 
Saturday we hit up the beach thinking since it was September and the crowds might have died down but no luck still crowded.  Sterling had fun though.  That is Matt's forced smile face.

I made the most delicious Pimento Cheese from the famous Blackberry Farms in Tennessee.  I would love to visit the Blackberry Farm one day, such an amazing place.  The pimento cheese has pickle juice and hot sauce in the dressing and it gives the cheese such great flavor.  I highly recommend it! 

Recipe is ||

 1 tsp. finely chopped garlic 6 Tbsp. mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. dill pickle brine 1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp. Frank’s RedHot sauce (or favorite hot sauce) 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/3 cup finely chopped red bell peppers or red pimentos from a jar, drained 1 lb. cheddar cheese, finely grated 

I framed my Sharon Montrose Animal Print Shop Prints for the nursery.  I am obsessed with all of Sharon's work!

 
Placed my first order from Honest Company.  I have been wanting to do this forever.  I ordered  a trial of the diapers and some household cleaning supplies.  Anyone else used the Honest Co?  What products are your favorite?  I am especially excited to try the detergent for baby clothes and the healing balm.

Have a great Monday!

Weekend Style Files: Flats for Fall

I am a  huge fan of flats. I wear them all the time. I rarely wear heels unless I have to! Flats are comfortable and look chic for everyday wear. I love them paired with skinny jeans or leggings. They really go with anything.  This Fall you better believe I will be living in flats with a new baby! 

My dream flats are the Vince Nina D'Orsays, but they are so expensive, maybe if they go on sale I can snag them.  I think most people own the TB Reva's but if you don't they are a great pair of flats.  I own them in several colors but the black and tan are my favorites.   I heard her Caroline flats are even more comfortable so I added them to the list too. They come in such fabulous rich colors for Fall, loving the dark green and red.

 I love the flats in the picture above picture, they are similar to the Dolce Vita Gav Flats and they are on sale right now!  Rebecca Minkoff makes such great flats, in such fun patterns yet still neutral enough to go with everything. 

Here are my favorite flats for Fall, scroll thru to see them all.  Any others I should add to my list?

Pregnancy It Ain't for the Weary

Before I start my bitching let me say I am so thankful to be pregnant,  a day doesn't go by that I don't thank God for this sweet baby girl growing inside of me.  Pregnancy is such a blessing and my heart goes out to any of you that are still struggling to get pregnant, I know what that feels like.  It is amazing what our bodies do to accommodate the babies growing inside of us.  It is a powerful feeling to know that you have housed and grown a baby for 9 months (really 10 but who is counting but us preggos).

I don't think Matt will ever fully understand the extent of how taxing being pregnant is on my body.  Half of the time he looks at my stomach in fear and I know he is thinking is that really going to get bigger?   Pregnancy is hard as shit and I don't believe anyone that says otherwise.  You do have a short time period in the second trimester when you feel good and like yourself but that quickly fades once you reach the third trimester. 

This pregnancy has most definitely been harder on my body, as I am sure any subsequent pregnancy is.  I was very nauseous the whole first trimester.  Now, I am beyond uncomfortable.  Every time I sneeze I wet my pants.  My boobs officially touch my stomach. The backs of my legs are covered in so many varicose veins it looks like someone beat me.  Not only are they disgusting to look at they are painful if I am on my feet for too long.

Case and point; I actually just got fitted for support hose.  They are that bad.   Any tips for bad veins?  Will they go away after?  I had zero veins with Sterling so this all new to me.

I pee about 5-6 times every night.  Poor Matt may never get a full night sleep because he has to hear me get up to pee every hour.  I think the peeing is getting us used to being up all night with a newborn because I have not had a good nights sleep in ages.  I get out of breath walking up 3 stairs, heck I am out breath just getting Sterling out of the car sometimes.   I feel so much pressure in my back and groin it feels like this baby is going to pop out.   I am beyond exhausted, having a busy 3 year old makes pregnancy that much harder. I am in bed most nights by 8.  I have no social life, I am a hermit when I am pregnant.  I would rather lie in bed than go out to dinner.

Oh and the drinking.  I miss martinis and wine like crazy.  I can not wait to have a vodka drink.  I also miss my skinny jeans.  I have about 10 outfits that still fit me right and I am just rotating between them.  I refuse to buy new clothes til after I lose the baby weight!

I am starting to get major anxiety about delivering this baby which is funny because it is my second time you would think I would be more chill.  But I think I am more scared this time because I know exactly what to expect,  last time I was in the dark.   Hospitals give me anxiety.  I just pray everything goes smoothly.

 All of these pains and fears are trivial and I know they are totally worth it to birth a healthy baby but I just want to say pregnancy is hard.  I think the last month or two is the hardest because you are so uncomfortable.  I admire any and everyone of you women who have gone thru this and especially ones who have carried multiples.  I think the men in our lives will never fully understand the extent of pregnancy and how much our bodies change over 9 months.  Pregnancy ain't easy, but once you hold that sweet baby in your arms for the first time you forget everything you went through.   You just cherish that sweet child that you welcomed into the world and realize what a miracle pregnancy and childbirth is.

Ok, ranting is done.  Go enjoy your Fridays.  I will be not drinking and in bed by 8:)

Blouses: An Everyday Staple

My daily uniform consists of a blouse and either cut-off jean shorts or skinny jeans. I love how feminine blouses are and how easy they are to toss on yet you look really pulled together. Blouses have served me well this pregnancy,  most of my blouses still fit because I wore them loose and flowy before. If you need some inspiration check out these lovely ladies rocking blouses.

Oh how I love a blouse.  It is the perfect everyday staple.  I rounded up a few of my favorites of all different price ranges.  Whats your favorite blouse?

Key Lime and Coconut White Chocolate Pound Cake

This pregnancy I have been obsessed with all key lime desserts. I loved the mini cheesecakes so much I decided to try my hand at a key lime cake. I made this for my mom's birthday while we were on vacation, and it was a huge hit with everyone.  It was also easy to make because it uses a box pound cake mix- minimal measuring is always good!  I love the addition of white chocolate in the cake mix and the coconut in the icing, they both give the cake extra flavor and pair perfectly with the lime juice!  I made this cake in the bundt cake pan and it cooked perfectly it was just a touch thin, next time I may make the cake in the bread pans instead.   The loaf of bread would make a great hostess gift, but the cake is great as well for a birthday party.
Enjoy and trust me you won't be able to stop at just one slice.  I was eating the leftover icing by the spoonful with my second slice of cake.

:: K E Y  L I M E  P O U N D  A N D   C O C O N U T   W H I T E   C H O C O L A T E 

 P O U N D  C A K E::

Pound Cake:

1 – 16 oz. box Betty Crocker Pound Cake Mix

2/3 c. water

¼ c. butter, softened

2 eggs

2 tsp. Key lime juice

1 tsp. Key lime zest

1 – 3.5 oz. White Chocolate Bar finely chopped

Glaze:

1 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. Key lime juice

1-2 tbs. milk

¼ c. shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour 4 miniature loaf pans or bundt cake pan and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, water, butter, eggs, Key lime juice, and lime zest.  Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy and the lumps are all gone.  Stir in white chocolate pieces.  Pour evenly into prepared pans.

Bake 28-30 minutes in mini loaf pans or bundt cake pan.  Remove from oven cool 10 minutes in pan.  Remove cakes from pan and cool completely on rack.

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, Key lime juice, and milk.  Whisk until smooth.  Drizzle evenly over cooled cakes.  Sprinkle with shredded coconut, and serve.

*we just mixed the coconut in with the icing and drizzled over the cake**