Recipe: Easy Chicken Parmesan

I really like chicken parmesan. It's like an irregular comfort food to me - irregular because most of my comfort foods are something my mom makes and I'm pretty sure she's never made this before. I think I just love any thing involving pasta, cheese, and marinara. 

I've made this super easy recipe a couple times and husband has deemed it his favorite meal (score! a favorite that's delicious and easy - life is good!). 

bread, fry, bake chicken

boil noodles

combine and serve.

Daily Threads: One Maxi, Two Ways

My second item to swap and remix: this Emanuel Ungaro maxi skirt. I initially wanted to jump in with everything one else and wear a waist-tied chambray (which I did, scroll down), but I also wanted to do something completely different with it. So here ya go - a maxi skirt as a dress. It's been cooler out, so throwing on a cardigan and boots just made sense.  I just tied a knot to make it a bit shorter and boom.

So, um. Ignore than awkward necklace that is confused as to where he should be. 

black cardigan and chambray: target (similar)

skirt: swapped

belt: NY&Co.

boots and sandals: steve madden

necklaces: self-made (buy here)

Poufs Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to MJ of Teaching in Heels! 

You've won  yourself a fabulous pair of Etta Grace Poufs (of your choice)!

If you didn't win, no worries! Hannah is offering 10% to all you D&T readers. 

Just enter the code Linleyrocks at checkout!

A HUGE thank you to Hannah for being SO sweet and generous! And to ALL of YOU who participated!

Daily Threads: Leather Shorts

 

 top: vintage/grandmother's {similar}

shorts: swapped {similar}

shoes: bandolino {similar}

necklaces as bracelets: self-made

  

By the magic of Twitter, about 10 of us girls got together and decided a.) we were the same size and b.) we wanted to swap clothes. Instead of pairing up, we did a "pass to the right" kind-of deal. I passed some of my clothes to Angeline and I received clothes from Sarah. After a week or two, we'll send clothes back to their owner. It's a great way to try some new clothes without spending money!

When I opened my box from Sarah and saw these shorts I was both petrified and ecstatic. Leather shorts?! High-waited leather shorts at that! I decided they needed something completely opposite to be paired with - my initial thought was a soft, floral top. Well, I don't really have a floral top - not one that would have gone with these shorts. Next best thing? A soft, ivory silk top (courtesy of my grandma) that has a lovely bow-tie front and ruffle collar detail. Throw on some nude shoes and it's perfect. 

The juxtaposition of the leather shorts and the soft, bow-tie top makes this outfit perfect and wearable for me, and still let's the shorts take front and center. If Sarah wasn't so sweet (and didn't have my address), I might consider accidentally not putting these back in the box when returning her items...

Severe Storms

If you follow my twitter, you might have seen me post yesterday afternoon that we had a tornado warning. It was nuts - but the good news is that it passed through without causing damage. The warning was issued for about 45 minutes; the announcement came over the television and the alarms outside went off (which was probably the scariest part). I'm sure these pictures below are what the fuss was all about, but it never seemed to touch down on the ground (so thankful for that!).

This last picture is after the storm had passed. You can tell the sun is out and right above us was blue skies. 

Today and tomorrow we have more thunderstorms rolling through - although, I don't these will be as severe. We are participating in our weekly 'Lazy Sunday' - watching movies on Netflix and wearing lounging clothes all day. Our kind of Sunday!

For the record: we are intelligent people. If we had felt the weather and tornado were threatening enough, we would have stayed inside - at the most central location of our place. Any time the wind picked up, we went back in. 

Wanting for Spring Time

This Spring I have really been aware of pieces I want. Pieces that are versatile, timeless, and awesome. Since I would get in a lot of trouble if I went out and bought all these things, I thought I would share them all here and hopefully satisfy my superficial needs. Are you coveting any of these?

White Skinnys, Denim Shorts, Oxfords, Windy Day Jacket, Printed Maxi, Black Maxi, Quilted Purse, Bangles Bangles Bangles, Watch, Hunter Wellies, Ray Bans, Trench*

The denim shorts I'll probably get - I have a pair that I'm not crazy about the shape or wash, so I'm thinking of doing a DIY. But aren't all of these items fabulous? Solid and patterned maxi dresses, a classic trench (I have one, but it's too big - I'll probably sell it - email me if you're interested), white skinnys and oxford flats! Bangles - they are everywhere! A quilted, chain-strap purse! Red Hunter wellies! Classically shaped tortoise shades! Ah, I feel better already. 

*A lot of these items are priced way out of my price-range, but I wasn't posting actual items I wanted, 

just an item to represent what I want. Does that make sense?

Throwback Thursday

Now, I'm not sure that this will be a weekly thing here on D&T - but the idea of sharing some of my favorite throwback, old school jams is exciting. Hope y'all are excited about it too. 

One thing I love: 90's pop and hip-hop. 

So click and enjoy!

Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)

Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack*

4 Non Blondes - What's Up

*Husband's favorite song. Probably ever. 

Daily Threads: A Few of My Favorite Things

   

{tee and cardigan: target, similar shorts, similar boots, necklace, sunglasses}

 

  

Y'all - this outfit is jammed-packed with things I love. Let me show you:

1. 80's inspired sunglasses (I may or may not have several other pairs)

2. A black and brown combination. 

3. Contrasting colors. 

4. A cardigan.

5. An easy, pulled together casual look. 

6. Shorts and boots.

7. A half-tuck.

I could live in this forever. Even husband spoke up about this look. And when he likes a look, I keep it around. I may have worn this twice in one week - what? Luckily, I have several pairs of shorts, different colored tees, and lots of cardigans. Hope y'all don't mind seeing every possible variation of this look.

Also, don't forget to ENTER this GIVEAWAY!

Sponsor Dwelling and Telling

Hello all! I'm so excited to announce that I am now accepting sponsorship for Dwelling and Telling! After recently doing my first featured item (giveaway here) and accepting my first sponsor (more info about that next month) I wanted to publicly announce to you all that I am welcoming any business, company, or designer that feels they would be an awesome fit with D&T! 

Check out this information below and feel free to send me an email. This information is also available under the Sponsor tab at the top of this page. I look forward to hearing from you!

If you're a company, small business, or designer with clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry, beauty/hair products, decor items, or anything that's awesome - contact me! I'd love to talk with you and discuss working together! I'm open to sponsorship, giveaways, reviews, promotions/discounts, and product placement! Just email me at:

 dwellingandtelling{at}gmail{dot}com

Sponsorship
If you are interested in sponsorship, please contact me for rates and sizes.

Giveaways/Discounts
Currently, you do not have to be a sponsor to provide giveaways/discounts to my readers. A post including the giveaway, links, pictures, and sweet words will be featured. Discounts and offer promotions will only be given in addition to a giveaway or feature (unless you are a sponsor). If you have a item or product you'd like to share with D&T readers please contact me.

Review/Feature/Wear an Item
I am happy to review, feature, or wear items - no sponsorship necessary. I will only wear/feature items that I personal choose and that are a reflection of my personal style.

Stats for February 2011:

105,000+ monthly page views

1,800+ unique visitors daily (avg.)

1,136+ followers (via Google Reader, Bloglovin, and Twitter)

Daily Threads: Poufs Giveaway CLOSED

target top {similar}

F21 skirt {similar}

vera wang heels {similar}

 etta grace poufs

Aren't these navy, polka-dotted poufs adorable? I actually used to have a (similar colored) blue flower that I would attach to my shirt or cardigan, but it got lost somewhere during my three moves last summer. I don't even miss it now because these poufs are infinitely more adorable. 

The lovely Hannah of Tripping With Grace contacted me a few weeks ago asking if I would like to feature something from her Etta Grace Etsy shop. After browsing her shop and spotting some amazing items it was a no-brainer - YES! I couldn't take my eyes off of the polka-dotted poufs and before I knew it they were in my mail box! 

I'm so lucky she sent me two - don't they just look perfect as a pair? They are also versatile enough that you can wear them in your hair with an up-do, on a clutch, or on a jacket. 

Luck for you Hannah is giving away a set (yes, two!) of YOUR CHOICE poufs or mini-pouf bobby pins! Here's what you gotta do:

Since this is for my readers, make sure you follow me via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin.

{if you don't have either of these, but still follow my blog - mention it in the comment}

*CLOSED*

Leave a comment letting me know:

1. How you follow me.

2. Which Etta Grace poufs you want! That's it!

Extra Entries 

{leave a separate comment for each}

1. Follow Hannah's blog over at Tripping With Grace

2. Tweet about this giveaway. (include @hush_that_fuss and a link to this post)

3. Share a Facebook post about this giveaway.(include link to this post)

4. Follow me on Twitter

Giveaway is open to USA and Canada!

This giveaway closes a week from today on March 28th at midnight CST. 

A winner will be announced March 29th. Good luck!!

Not only is Hannah sweet enough to giveaway a set of poufs, but she is also offering D&T readers 10% off!

Just enter the code: Linleyrocks (hehe, great code Hannah!) at check out! 

Love List

   

This weather. It's incredible and I'm so happy it's sticking around for the weekend. It reminds me of spring in the mountains. When spring really began to set in last year, my friends and I would often forgo studying and working on our master's projects to take in the sun at the local park about a mile from our apartment. It was too gorgeous not to. It was a perfect piece of flat land surrounded by mountains, a large stream, and a farm. The sky was always blue, the grass always green, and the air always clean. 

Skype. It took several months, but I finally got my parents to purchase a webcam. I haven't seen my parents since Christmas and won't be seeing them until the end of April. That's just too long. So we chat with them a few times every week and it's wonderful. Almost as nice as actually being home. Chloe (their boxer) is so curious about who they are talking with inside of the computer. It's adorable how she tilts her head tying to figure it out.

Maeby our little poser. She's adorable. Sometimes I glance over at her taking a nap or pouting because we don't want to play and she musters up the best poses. Ever. It's as if she's saying, "Look Mom, I can pose too. Put me on your blog." She's a ham and I love her to death.

The blogging community's support for Japan. What's happened in Japan is devastating. Today is Blogger's Day of Silence for Japan - it's amazing and heartwarming to see so many participate  to show their support. I love it. Rumi stated in her personal account of the tragedy {read it} that in the midst of earthquake she had feeling that were "equal parts heartbreaking and terrifying." To me, hat line says everything. We must continue to pray and support the people and country of Japan.

Daily Threads: No Green

top: gap {similar}

pants and flats: target {similar}{similar}

clutch: vintage {similar}

necklace: self-made

After snapping these photos, I untucked this top and loved it so much more styled that way. But I didn't care enough to retake the photos. So, just image it not tucked in - it looks better. 

Yes! This is my second chambray shirt. I got it when we were in Hilton Head (thanks, frannycakes!). I love it so much - it's like the spring-time version of a chambray - you all will probably see it quite a bit on here these next few months.

So last night I realized today was St. Patrick's Day. As you can see from these photos, I really like to participate in this holiday. Actually, if I knew if was going to be St. Patty's Day, I probably would have worn green, but in the form of a scarf or something subtle. I'm not into going all out. That's just not my style. Usually. 

How To: Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Cleaning your makeup brushes is vital. If you aren't regularly cleaning these brushes oils, bacteria, and makeup buildup all just sit on the brushes and are transfered into your actual makeup and on your face - not good. So you want to make sure you clean the brushes once a week. I recommend Sunday nights - that way they are ready to face the week! 

Since I had a few brushes that needed cleaning, I thought I would share how I do this.

Directions:

1. Get an old cup and cover the bottom with a thin layer of shampoo. Any kind is fine - you don't need a specific brush cleaning shampoo or the most expensive.

2. Place the brushes down into the cup so that the bristles get the shampoo on them. Wiggle them around a bit to make sure the shampoo is on all of the brushes.

3. Get warm water running. Quickly put the cup under the faucet so that you fill the cup up with about an inch of water (you don't want too much as water should not be above the silver piece of the brush).

4. Wiggle the brushes around to get the shampoo/water mix on all the brushes.  

   

5. Pull one brush out at a time and move it around in a circular motion in the palm of your hand. The suds will be dirty.

6. Move your hand under the water while continuing moving brush in circular motion. Keep doing so until water runs clean of makeup and suds. You may want to alternate squeezing out the brush and rubbing it on your hand. *Also, be sure to keep brush at a downward angle so water does not go up into brush.

7. Completely wring out excess water and use your hand to shape the bristles.

8. Lay the brushes out to dry overnight - they will be completely dry and ready to use in the morning. *I like placing my brush on some sort of ledge or over the counter so that all side of the brush are able to breathe/get fresh air. 

  

And now they are clean - free of excess oils, bacterial, and makeup.

I learned this method from a makeup artist. She used to work for MAC and stated this is how they clean their brushes in the store - cheap shampoo and all!

Daily Threads: Pink and Coral

cardigan: jcrew

shorts: gap {similar}

top: jcrew {similar}

sandals: vera wang {similar}

It's getting warm down here in the south - 70s and 80s warm. When the thermometer hits above 70, shorts are free game. For me anyway. I've really been enjoying following the trends that will pop up from now through summer, so I'm sporting my bright and bold colors. Other trends I'm really excited about: loafers, wide-leg trousers, maxi dresses/skirts, and pastels. 

This is me officially saying, "Hello, Spring!"


Also, today I'm featured on Collette's blog Statements in Fashion for Twitter Tuesday! Check me out!

Recipe: Banana Nut Bread

Last week I had ripe bananas that I knew I wouldn't eat in time before they went bad so I decided to make my first loaf of bread. I don't remember when or where, but a while ago I went into a Starbucks and they had a recipe card for their banana nut bread on the counter for anyone to take one - and of course I snagged it - their banana nut bread is beyond delicious. So I thought these bananas would be perfect for trying out this recipe. 

I didn't have everything this recipe called for, so there were a few makeshift ingredients. The main one was chocolate chips for walnuts - I try not to be too healthy around this house! Makeshift ingredients and all - it turned out to be delicious and was breakfast for several days. 

Since the recipe is pretty simple (basically just mix the ingredients in the order the recipe calls), I didn't snap photos of each step.

Ingredients:

2 c. flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg

1 1/8 c. sugar

1/2 c. vegetable oil

2 tbsp buttermilk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 c. chopped walnuts 

1/3 c. chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325. Grease and lightly flour 9x5x3 loaf pan.

Blend flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside. 

Mix egg, sugar, and vegetable oil until combined. 

Add flour mixture to to egg mixture. When blended, add buttermilk, vanilla, and mashed bananas. Mix well.

Fold 1/2 c. of chopped walnuts. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. 

Top batter with remaining 1/3 c. of chopped walnuts.

Bake 45-60 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. 

And that's it! It's super easy for such a delicious loaf of bread!

After a few days of having a slice for breakfast I got bored with the same ole' thing. So making French toast out of the remainder of the loaf was a no-brainer (one of my favorite things ever!). 

(for 2-3 slices)

In a bowl mix: 

one large egg 

1/4 c. condensed milk (or reg. milk)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

a few shakes of cinnamon

Melt a generous tab of butter over medium heat and when it starts boiling, dip slices in mixture and place in pan. Cook until lightly brown on both sides. 

 

Severe with warm syrup.

And there you go - two for the price of one! I love breakfast everything, so I hope this isn't overload. Enjoy it!

Daily Threads: Weekend Casual

{target tee, tj maxx jeans: similar , express leather jacket: similar , isaac mizrahi loafers: similar, self-made necklace}


One great thing about photographing your outfits is that you get to see them in a different medium - you know, rather than in a mirror or in a store window reflection. I actually think a photo is most successful at helping me see what I'm wearing as objectively as possible. Today was proof. I didn't realize that these shoes aren't working for me with this outfit until after uploading these onto my computer. Nude pumps or maybe my UO red pumps would have worked better. Oh, you live and learn. Oh, you style blog and learn.


Actually, forget everything I just said. I think a full-length mirror could have nipped this in the bud. Note to self: we need a full-length mirror - asap. There we go - Oh, you live and learn.


On another note. I spent all weekend making jewelry. Back in December I made some earrings for mom for Christmas. One pair was made with a bee charm and yellow and gold glass beards - to match her school - she's a teacher. Many of her co-workers loved the earrings and were willing to pay for a pair. So I made them last week. When the weekend came... I kept going. I made a few more earring designs that would appeal to these ladies and then I made some necklaces for me. This pendant above is one of them. I love it. I've been wanting a teal/turquoise pendant necklace for so long - and now I have one! And you can too! I may even give a couple away - would y'all like that??

Tutorial: Knotted Bun Up-do

I finally got around to recording the tutorial for a knotted bun up-do! The video is kind of long (sorry), but I pride myself on being thorough. (Actually, I could still be thorough without being long, but I only recored this once. I usually record a couple times and figure out what really needs to be said vs. me just rambling - like I am now.)

This bun is easy to do and takes very little time - especially for being visually interesting. I mentioned in the video, and I'll say it here, tying your hair in a knot can be frustrating. It took me a while to get it down, so don't get discouraged if you have trouble initially. Just practice. 

The hairstyle is so versatile! It can easily be worn to class, work, on the weekend, on a date, or a night out with the girls. You can tie the knot low for a romantic feel or up higher where a ponytail might sit. You can also comb hair back for a more clean, finished look or pull pieces out (like I did) for a more messy, effortless look - it's all up to you. Good luck!

Here's what I used:

Dirty hair 

Dry shampoo

Texturing spray/balm

Spin hair pins (optional)

Bobby pins 

Teasing comb

Hairspray

See a picture of the bun here. 

Winter Remix Roundup

This is going to be a whole lot'a Linley, but I wanted to share all my looks, side by side. The real thing I got from these photos being side by side is that I need a couple new poses. I have about three to four and that's it. 

This second go-around was a bit different. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but I definitely struggled making outfits and finding inspiration. Maybe it was the pieces, maybe it was the wacked out weather that is winter in the south. Who knows?... All in all, I'm happy with the majority of these looks. And I am really looking forward to spring now! 

My favorites are 1, 8, 14, 17, 23, 25, 28, 29, and 30.