Finding quality sweaters for winter is much harder than it sounds. So many sweaters are too thin, itchy, shed or stretch out easily. I finally invested in this sweater shaver because so many sweaters pill over time. When I do find a sweater that fits well, is warm, not itchy, and doesn’t require daily shaving, I buy it in every color!
This olive button-back sweater is a cozy staple for winter because of the wool blend material. It fits a little oversized (wearing a small) and comes in six different colors. My only complaint is that the sleeves are a little long, so I usually roll them up once to fit better. The waffle texture and button-back detail of this sweater give it more styling options. The material is easy to tuck in and the buttons allow for layering over a turtleneck. I paired it with J.Crew straight legged jeans and neoprene Jeffery Campbell booties. I have linked all the pieces to this outfit below! xoxo
Call me basic, but if avocado toast is on a brunch menu, I am ordering it! Alex and I started making avocado toast for breakfast on the weekends and it has slowly crept its way into my weekday lunches. It is quick to make, nutritious, and filling. I am sharing my favorite toppings and ingredients to make avocado toast in four ways. There are so many great variations and these are just a few of the ones I keep going back to. Sometimes I even like to find random ingredients around the kitchen to create something new and different. I really love the flavor and texture of Trader Joe’s Multigrain Sourdough Bread, but if you are looking for a healthier alternative I recommend GG Scandinavian Bran Crispbread. I also discovered Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning, and it is a game-changer for avocado toast. I have listed the toppings to recreate four of my favorite avocado toast styles below! xoxo
Trader Joe’s Multigrain Sourdough Bread or GG Scandinavian Bran Crispbread
Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
Red Pepper Flakes
Lemon Juice
Chèvre (goat cheese)
Pomegranate Seeds
Heirloom Tomatoes
Prosciutto
Egg Over Easy
Cut a slice of Trader Joe’s Multigrain Sourdough Bread in half and toast to your liking. Top each half with one half of an avocado. Top as you see fit. Classic Toast includes Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. Pomegranate Toast includes chèvre (goat cheese) and pomegranate seeds. For Pomegranate Toast, I recommended toasting the bread a little longer for a more crisp finish since the cheese and avocado are so creamy. Tomato Toast includes heirloom tomatoes and Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning. Over Easy Toast includes prosciutto, one egg cooked over easy, and Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning.
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New Years Resolutions – three words that seem to be everywhere this month. Don’t get me wrong, resolutions are great, and I do think about the things I would like to see happen in the year ahead, but I don’t usually make them. Instead of “resolutions” I try to make more long-term goals or lifestyle changes. This started sometime in high school when I gave up soda for a year. I decided I was better off without soda, and ever since, I have had maybe 10 Dr. Peppers. For 2019, Alex and I decided to keep things simple and intentional. Our primary focus is health (duh) and creating habits that allow us to enjoy life but also take care of our bodies (we are not getting any younger). We are also continuing to turn our house into our home one room at a time, and plan to read through the whole Bible together. We are grateful that our church has provided a plan to help us manage reading every chapter. My personal goal is to not allow my day job to consume me by continuing to make A Pearl Kind of Girl a priority.
I am also trying to be more intentional about the clothes I buy. Let’s be honest, it is not easy to share a closet with your husband, and now it is also our pup’s favorite place to lay. Needless to say, space is at a premium. I love the simplicity of this white cable-knit sweater from J.Crew. Of course, out of all the colors it comes in, I chose white and layered it over a black turtleneck. This sweater fits true to size (wearing a small), and it is wool so it keeps me extra warm. I paired it with classic high waisted jeans and black neoprene Jeffery Campbell booties. These booties are also a great closet staple (justifying the extra shoe rack) and fit true to size (wearing an 8). The thick heel on these booties makes them comfortable enough to wear all day at work or running errands. I also really love the way they look when styled with tights and a mini skirt or a mid length dress. xoxo
Last week felt like winter in Dallas (which I hate), especially after the holiday season has passed! I am a naturally cold person, so getting warm and staying warm is difficult. If I had it my way, the thermostat would be set to 78 and I would still be wrapped in a blanket. To help combat the cold, I have been on a huge soup binge, especially spicy soups (extra warmth). I have watched my dad cook tortilla soup for years and have taken a lot of his tricks to create this very simple recipe. I quickly cooked the soup on the stove for Sunday night dinner in the images above, but during the week I often use a slow cooker while I am at work. My favorite part of tortilla soup is the tortilla strips that go on top. I have 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper listed in the recipe, but I love heat, so I usually add a little extra. The cayenne on the tortilla strips will soak into the soup and kick up the heat. Stay warm and enjoy this simple soup! xoxo
In a large pot, combine chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes (drained), diced green chilies, and the McCormick taco seasoning mix. Cook on medium heat until liquid comes to a boil, then add chopped chicken breast and white onion. Cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly. An alternative would be to combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low/medium for 5 to 6 hours.
Cut yellow corn tortillas into long strips, each about an inch wide. Spread tortilla strips on a nonstick baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle salt and cayenne pepper on top. Make sure the stripes are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture and spread out on the baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown color. Top warm soup with shredded Mexican-style cheese and toasted tortilla strips.
Is anyone else sad that the holidays are over? I hate the feeling of taking down Christmas decorations and putting them away until next year. Luckily, Alex knows how to cheer me up and took me to see the few holiday lights still up in downtown Dallas.
A few weeks ago my friend Monica posted this burgundy skirt on Instagram Stories, and 30 minutes later it was being shipped to my house. I knew this skirt would be so easy to style for work and upcoming parties. I loved the way Monica paired it with a classic white blouse and later with a floral embroidered top. This old Vince top was sitting in my closet, and I ended up really liking the monochromatic look. Now, I just need matching shoes. This skirt fits a little large, I am wearing an extra small and it is still slightly loose in the waist. I suggest ordering a size down, or wearing a belt like Monica did. I love the length and material of this burgundy skirt so much that the black and navy versions are already waiting in my shopping cart. Shop this look, and some similar burgundy skirts below! xoxo
During the holidays we spent half of our time with family in Dallas and the other half visiting family in Houston. Christmas morning we were in charge of providing breakfast for our Dallas family. This breakfast casserole was the perfect solution to feeding a large group on an already chaotic morning. I made the breakfast casserole a day in advance, froze it, and reheated it that morning. We typically add a little heat to most of our food, so I like to garnish this dish with Chipotle Tabasco. xoxo
In a large skillet, cook the sausage until browned, then transfer the sausage to a plate lined with paper towels. Using the same skillet, sauté the onion until translucent and add in the hash brown potatoes until potatoes are tender. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir in green chilies, cheddar cheese, sausage, onion, and potatoes. Pour the mixture into a large casserole dish. Bake at 375 degrees until the top is browned and the center is set, about 45 minutes. Garnish with Chipotle Tabasco for an extra kick.
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