SPRING WISHLIST

 

Usually I am the person wearing black all year round....but I am trying to step out of my comfort zone and make sure that when I'm shopping to almost ALWAYS go for bright colors!  Especially for the spring and summer months...you can't go wrong with anything bright, fun, flirty or floral :D  My Nordstrom wish list is never ending but here are some cute new arrivals I am crushing on.

Going from top left to right and down...

Navy floral jumpsuit - this would be so cute with a denim jacket over the top!

Hot pink ruffle blouse

Tan leather slide - these could be worn with ANYTHING! 

Blue & white striped jumpsuit

Off the shoulder floral dress - so cute for a wedding/baby shower :)

Cropped flared denim - love the uneven hem and color of these!

Let me know where your favorite places to shop for spring clothing are below in the comments <3 HAPPY SHOPPING!

xoxo Lisa

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

H&M blazer, black jeans, turtleneck, slides (similar), Tory Burch purse (old), necklace (old)

No surprise here, I'm wearing all black :)  BUT, I adore this necklace and think it's so unique and different!  It was a gift several years ago but I'm pretty sure it's from Charming Charlie.  They have so many different and unique pieces of jewelry and accessories at a GREAT price!  If you're looking to add some statement pieces to your wardrobe...definitely check out their website I have linked for you.  

This look is very simple to put together.  Add a fun necklace to dress it up and make your outfit look "special".  I'm sure almost all of you have similar pieces like this in your closet right now and could put this together in a flash!  

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo Lisa

FITNESS FRIDAY

JCREW vest, graphic sweatshirt, leggings, tennis shoes (similar), headband

Warm weather and sunshine instantly make me want to start moving and create a new fitness plan for the Spring.  Since the temps are already warming up in DC, it's time I get to it!  Like most people, I get pretty lazy in the Winter and usually end up doing short little workout videos that I find on YouTube - if I do anything at all :Z  

I normally will find a video that I like and do the same video consistently for the whole week.  For example; I found a really good Zumba workout on YouTube and I will do that same routine for the whole week Monday-Sunday.  Once Monday rolls around I will start a new video like PiYo or Pilates and do that for the next week.  This way I don't get bored of doing the same old routine at the gym (elliptical, crunches/legs on the mat, stretch).  It's pretty simple and actually pretty fun trying out all these different ways to get moving and get in shape!  I have named this series "Fitness Friday" as a way to share the workout I chose for the week!  Let me know if you end up trying the video below and I will post a new video every Friday!

ZUMBA WORKOUT!

xoxo Lisa

PINK LIPS

Clinique Matte Magenta, Maybelline Coral Burst #740, YSL Rouge Volupte Shade 13, MAC Girl About Town, LO'REAL Pink Cashmere

If you know me, you know how much I LOVE wearing lipstick!!  I cannot leave CVS without buying at least one new lip color (and I go to CVS at least two times per week :0).  I normally tend to be attracted to more reds and plums but I do have a handful of staple pink shades that I absolutely love!  I rarely splurge on a high end brand lipstick - mainly because I either lose them, they somehow melt in my purse or because sometimes I simply can't justify spending $30+ on a lipstick (girl on a budget over here).  I do reallllly love MAC lipsticks and they have the perfect consistency and usually last a really long time so I do have a handful of colors but I have no problem buying any shade/brand from the drugstore!! 

I have linked my top 5 favorite pink lipsticks - going from left to right in the photo above!

Clinique Matte Magenta: this lipstick definitely needs a gloss over top since it is a little dry but it is the truest pink lip color I own!

Maybelline Coral Burst: more of a coral and VERY vibrant and bright!  Looks really good with a tan and especially when on vacation!

YSL Rouge Volupte Shade 13: looks better when you have a tan.  Very creamy consistency and feels really smooth and glides right on.

MAC Girl About Town: another true pink that is creamy but also matte.

LO'REAL Pink Cashmere: really pretty light pink, goes on easily and looks good as an everyday color.

Let me know in the comments if you have any PINK lip recommendations :D

xoxo Lisa

WINTER TO SPRING TRANSITION

Camo jacket, black leggings, black booties (similar)

The weather in DC has been soooo amazing!!  I am also a little bit "outfit confused" since it's only the end of January and it's starting to feel like Spring already!  Anyways :Z,  this outfit is the perfect "transition" look to go from Winter to Spring.  If it was colder outside, this could still be worn but with a big jacket on top and maybe a hat or earmuffs!  As you will all soon notice....black is my favorite color haha!  I love wearing all black clothing as my base and then topping it with a bright colorful purse or a print jacket/sweater!  It works for me and is comfy and easy to put together :D  This is the perfect outfit for shopping, walking around the city, going to brunch and just about anything else, which is why I LOVE it!  Have fun shopping!

xoxo Lisa

PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS

 Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Ingredients:

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup flaxseed

1 tablespoon black chia seeds

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 scoop Vanilla Whey Protein Powder (you can also follow this exact recipe but remove this ingredient, it will taste the same either way)

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

2. Take your hands and mix the ingredients.

3. Roll into 1" balls and place in a dish/tupperware.

4. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

6. ENJOY! (they last for up to 1 week)

I love meal prepping these for breakfast.  They are so easy, filling and quick to just grab and go - especially if you need to wake up early for work or before a workout!

xoxo Lisa

ENCHILADA SOUP

 I have made a few different versions of enchilada soup but this one takes the cake BY FAR!!  I will leave you with the recipe - like I said I am a picky eater - so by all means add/subtract what works for you :D Hope you like it!

Enchilada Soup 

Ingredients:

2 tsp olive oil

2 large chicken breasts

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups low sodium chicken broth

8 oz can tomato sauce

2 tsp chipotle chili in adobo sauce (I only used the sauce from the can - not the peppers)

14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes

2 cups of corn - with no added salt

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp dried oregano

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a saucepan - add the garlic until it becomes fragrant.

2. Add the chicken broth, tomato sauce and chipotle adobo sauce and bring to a boil.

3. Once boiling, remove from heat and put in your crock pot.

4. Add diced tomatoes, corn, cumin, oregano and stir all ingredients together.

5. Add chicken breasts and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours.

6. Remove the chicken from crock pot and shred with two forks and place back into the soup.

7. Serve in a bowl and top with shredded cheese, tortilla strips and sour cream.

8. ENJOY!

xoxo Lisa

SEVEN LAYER DIP - RECIPE

 

I cannot say enough good things about this dip.  Everywhere I take it...it gets devoured in 10 minutes flat haha!  The best thing about it is that it is extremely simple to make...it takes 10 minutes to make and 10 minutes to polish off :P  You can mix up the toppings and add/remove whatever you like...I am a very picky eater so I normally only top with cheese and sometimes a little pico de gallo.  Get creative...the more toppings, the prettier the dish looks!  ENJOY :D

LINNY'S SEVEN LAYER DIP RECIPE

Ingredients:

2 cans of Fritos Bean Dip

Pre-made guacamole (or you can make your own if you want to get fancy)

Sour cream

Taco seasoning

Shredded mexican cheese

Olives

Pico de gallo (chopped tomatoes and onions)

Directions:

1. In a baking dish -  spread the 2 cans of bean dip evenly across the bottom of your dish

2. Layer the guacamole over the beans

3. Mix the taco seasoning and sour cream together

4. Evenly spread the taco seasoning + sour cream dip on top of the guacamole layer

5. Next sprinkle with shredded cheese

6. Add whatever toppings you like (olives, pico de gallo, onions, tomatoes, etc.)

7. Let sit in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes

8. Take out and enjoy!  We usually dip with tortilla chips (the scoops are the best) but you could dip with anything!!

I hope you enjoy this recipe! xoxo Lisa