The Sarcastic Blonde

Lifestyle, recipe

:: oprah’s favorite things + crockpot recipe of the week ::

November 8, 2016

’tis the season…… for Oprah’s Favorite Things!!

Don’t you wish Oprah was still on every day at 4 PM?

It was just the best getting home from school and watching it.

and, of course, the best episode EV-ER was her Oprah’s Favorite Things Giveaway.

half of the show was just watching the audience expressions as they freaked out over each gift.

it was amazing.

if Oprah is ready to get the gift guides going…. I feel like I am too 🙂

it’s so strange to be thinking about Christmas when it is this warm outside, but we talked last night about putting our tree and decorations up this weekend and I feel like why not!

Check out the entire list of gifts here

:: CRACK OF THE WEEK ::

Last night I made a slow cooker chicken recipe and I’m so glad I did but I feel awful and was way too exhausted to do much of anything.

It took minutes and was delicious : Salsa Verde Chicken.

This was so simple to make and had such a strong wonderful flavor.

I am very new to eating salsa verde; my friend buys the Whole Foods 365 Brand Salsa and it is seriously crack. Prior to a few weeks ago when I had it at her place, I don’t know that I ever really ate it?

Now, I am hooked!

The salsa verde is such a nice change with an entirely different flavor from the more common red tomato salsa.

it is truly amazing.

just a warning…. because once you start dipping your chip in that bowl it just won’t stop.

recipe from skinnytaste

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 lbs raw skinless chicken tenders
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp ground cumin
salt, to taste
16 oz roasted salsa verde (my favorite is Whole Foods 365 Brand!)

DIRECTIONS:

Season chicken with garlic powder, oregano, cumin and salt and place in
the bottom of the slow cooker. Cover with salsa verde, cover and cook
HIGH 2 hours. Remove chicken, shred with 2 forks. Remove 2/3 cup of liquid from the slow cooker, and discard (unless you want it over rice). Place shredded chicken back into the crock pot with remaining salsa, adjust seasoning to taste if needed and keep warm.

For Kip, I put his in taco shells with the usual taco fixings.

I did mine with brown rice, peppers, onion, tomato, and avocado.

Let me know if you make this and love it! I

t is such a great addition to my weekly slow cooker recipes!

Lifestyle, weekend recap

:: weekend recap ::

November 7, 2016

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

I love this tablescape set-up!

image

We had friends in town staying with us from Chicago and had an incredible couple of days.

Of course we somehow took zero photos the entire weekend….. whoops.

Friday we went to dinner with friends to Cooks & Soldiers.

It was amazing.

It is tapas style and everything was amazing.

A favorite and must-have for everyone was the “Bikini” which is their version of a grilled cheese on crack with jamon iberico and the perfect amount of black truffle.

images via yelp.

We followed up dinner with a night at Johnny’s Hideaway.

Oh Lord.

For those of you unfamiliar, Johnny’s is a cougar bar and is so much freaking fun. The people watching and music in the dark smoky bar is on point.

Saturday we went down to the Beltline for brunch.

We went to Ladybird for brunch and then walked along the beltline,

We stumbled upon a huge music + beer + chili fest so that was fun to walk around at too.

That night we did Haven in Brookhaven for dinner and all loved it.

Sunday I made a big brunch at home before sending them off to the airport, and Kip and I did very little the remainder of the day. He woke up sick Friday morning and it quickly spread to me.

I’m guzzling tea and hot lemon water hoping it’ll pass quickly.

Random, but I felt worth sharing :

For any engaged ladies out there,

I just saw that you can put SoulCycle classes on your wedding registry!

As someone that loves SoulCycle but hates the price tag, I feel like that would be worth a try to see if people get them for you!

Audrina Patridge got married over the weekend to her long-time boyfriend.

Also this weekend, the cubbies were on SNL 🙂

check out one of the several skits here with Bill Murray joining them of course

I am in love with this sweater dress.

We are going to be in Chicago + Wisconsin for Thanksgiving and the weekend after, so I need to get some cold weather dresses ready for that!

// SWEATER DRESS //

I had big plans for lots of new recipes this week, but I feel like I am in a walking fog, so we’ll see if I can get to any of them. Maybe a slow-cooker recipe or two to make it a bit easier!

I usually do a slow cooker chicken every week, so I am thinking of doing one with a jar of salsa verde for this week.

// SKINNY TASTE SALSA VERDE CHICKEN //

Luckily I already voted so I wont have to go wait in long lines feeling like this.

OC Reunion + Vanderpump Rules Premiere tonight on Bravo!

these outfits for the premiere party were absolutely horrid.

friday randoms, Lifestyle

:: FRIDAY RANDOMS ::

November 4, 2016

image

Cheers to Friday!

:: CMA Red Carpet ::

I still havent been able to watch the CMA’s, because it was cubs only in this house from 8-1 AM, but I have them taped and I am excited to see it! I heard great things.

I did see the red carpet fashion however and loved it.

I wish Eric & Jessie would come back on.

Her reality show was the modern day Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, filled with plenty of “chicken of the sea” hilarity.

I mean, will there ever come an age for Reba where she doesn’t look like a stone cold fox?

God Bless her.

ALSO, I entirely forgot that Nashville is coming back on some random channel.

It totally had j”umped the shark” and the storyline was just awful, so I am praying I do not get whatever channel it is going to be airing on.

How cute do the girls look at the CMA’s ?

:: Kelly Dodd on WWHL ::

If you’re a long time reader, you may recall me commenting that nothing drives me more nuts than watching the guests on my-boyfriend-andy-cohen’s WWHL stare at themselves in the little TV monitors below the camera.

Kristen Doute of Vanderpump rules is the reigning Queen for not ever looking at anything the whole 30 minute show except herself.

I just watched Monday’s WWHL with Kelly Dodd and right off the bat, she is just staring at herself.

My-BF-AC is making his little opening one liner cracks and she isnt even giggling because she is too incompetent to follow too busy staring at herself and turning her head left and right.

See, I would feel bad about just insulting her intelligence, but she continues to give material.

The first question he asks “Do you feel sorrier about what you said about Tamra’s daughter or Shannon’s husband?”

Kelly : “Shannon’s Daughter.”

after he corrects her she just stares blankly and is like “yeah, yeah”

I just can’t.

Her being on this with Rachel Dratch is just amazing. I love me some Rachel Dratch.

and I must say….. Rachel Dratch looked amazing. Best I’ve seen her.

and then she comes out as Mrs. Roper and looks even better!

oops, one more….. Kelly Dodd just said “texts-sus-ses” for “texts” which drives me SO FREAKING INSANE. In her defense, I do know extremely intelligent people who do this, but OF COURSE that’s how she says it.

I lied again….. one more…… as I try to move on from this subject she keeps talking….

my-boyfriend-andy-cohen just asked her an open ended question, one that does not warrant a yes/no answer, and WHATTAYA KNOW!

she says “yes”.

my-bf-ac: “yes what?”

Kelly Dodd : “yes”

:: FRIDAY SALE FINDS ::

There is so much great fall stuff on sale!
up to 40% off !

one of my favorite tee’s that I wear all of the time – so soft and a longer cut in the back!

// CROSS-FRONT TEE //

// PRINTED LOVE SLEEVE DRESS //

// SPERRY QUILTED DUCK BOOT //

// COWL NECK SHIFT DRESS //

// COLLARLESS CREPE JACKET //

// RASPBERRY PUMPS //

and with that,

I send you off with inspiration courtesy of

RuPaul’s Drag Race.

PAH-REACH.

I mean, if this doesn’t inspire you for the weekend, I don’t know what will.

coffee talk, Lifestyle

:: coffee talk ::

November 3, 2016

discuss amongst ya-selves…….

:: RHOC finale ::

Kelly just kicks it off with a no-brain-cells bang:

“so you’re saying I should have a two drink minimum at the party?”

yeah, Kelly.

I am very excited for this “finale” party because it is the one dinner or party in Housewives history to have unhealthy food. Doughnuts, burgers, I want it all! I mean even if it was just the Krispy Kreme’s I’d be pleased.
Also, Shannon’s rental house looks great.

The second I saw the doughnut “cake” on the screen I knew Heather was going to be all “Um. No. That is NOT what I wanted.”
It’s freaking doughnuts, just EAT them instead of arranging them ladies.

Vicki arrives and everyone immediately scatters the second she tries to talk to them.

except for her new boyfriend of course…. he keeps her love tank full.

wait, what did Meghan King Edmonds say she is thinking for the name? hallow? I did a rewind and still cant tell what she said? someone please let me know…. because I feel as though no matter what letter she said in front of -allow it isn’t going to be a good one.
but atleast my thoughts on how awful this little girl’s name could be distracted me from the horrid outfit she chose for this occasion. she as a person always looks beautiful…. but sorry not sorry, her clothing choices can be (and often are) just horrible.
BUT …. all that said…. Meghan totally wins best housewife award.
She’s the only one of these people with a heart and soul.

vicki : I dont need to be talking about anybody….. well, having that mindset everyday would be great. But you didnt seem to be of that belief when spreading the rumor that David beat the crap out of Shannon. but whatever…. potatoe poh-tah-toe.

Cut to kelly and her sigature line “I didnt do anything”

They need to do a montage of how many times shes said “I didnt do anything” at this reunion and I pray to my bravo gods that my-boyfriend-andy-cohen does that.

The fight starts after Tamra hands out tanks….poorly made tanks if I do say so myself…. I’ve been on some bachelorette parties with better tanks, but hey, whatever….
and Vicki’s says “Offense: Lying”

When Vicki tries her signature move of disappearing in the middle of things heating up, Heather turns to her signature entitlement and parenting demanding “Don’t Move”.

Heather….. you aren’t in charge. Vicki is such a little ass sneaking out, but you don’t control everyone.

All of the guests at the whole thing are just standing there watching. Everyone.

but Ireland must have worn them all out because this was nothing compared to that.
….sad that this little kerfunkle isnt even a blip in the radar.
which means one thing: On to the Reunion!!!!

PS. For those who haven’t been on the internet,
sadly there IS a police report and arrest and everything from 2 years after Shannon and David got married. He was charged with “battery against a cohabitant.”
She said in the article from 2+ years ago that it was just a fight and she called the police hoping it would make it end faster and that there was no abuse.

:: halloween ::

everything is offensive to everyone.

seriously. you can’t cough without offending people.

can’t some things just be a freaking costume?

Hillary Dugg had to publicly apologize for her controversial chief and pilgrim costume with her boyfriend.

sorry not sorry if this offends anyone…..

but no one is trying to offend anyone!

I mean I understand when it’s certain costumes,

but didn’t a bunch of us dress up as Pocahontas or an indian when we were younger? I feel like every year in college a bunch of girls always would be an indian? and in the years following??

Is an Indian and Pilgrim costume saying anything bad about Native Americans?

so let me know, because I have no idea, when did the Indian costume start being banned and disrespectful?

and who is going to alert the members of the Village People before their next performance?

because that would really put a wrench in their happy YMCA number.

:: the worst people on TV are back ::

Vanderpump Rules premieres next Monday

prepare yourselves….

:: jackhole + mazel ::

mazel to the mom, jackhole to everyone else.

I honestly cried when I read this post with the little video montage of the photos.

:: CAN’T DEAL ::

I am proofreading nothing (which isn’t that uncommon) because of the World Series….. I am like barely breathing and closing the laptop.

EDIT: CUBS WIN 2016!!!!

and I’m still not proofreading because the game was on until 1 AM and then I couldn’t fall asleep for quite some time and now I slept in too late before work. whoops!

GO CUBS GO! Couldn’t have been a more stressful but INCREDIBLE game!

EDITORS NOTE :
as always, ignore my own blatant grammatical errors whilst I make fun of others poor grammar during coffee talk on a weekly basis.

#hypocrite #sorryimnotsorry

I write these posts late at night while simultaneously watching Bravo, taking snapchats of my snoring husband, and making to do lists of everything I was supposed to do and didn’t do that day and likely won’t do the next day either. or the day after that.

gifs and images via giphy, ABC , E!, Reall Housewives Tmblr, and Bravo

fashion, Lifestyle

:: wishlist wednesday ::

November 2, 2016

shopbop’s secret sale has arrived!

it’s up to 40% off for 3 days only!

check out some of my favorites below.

Lifestyle, weekend recap

:: midwest weekend moments + j.crew sport ::

November 1, 2016

This past weekend was such an incredible one.

We’ve been so lucky with how frequently we’ve been able to see friends and family since leaving Chicago for Atlanta.

hashtag blessed.

but seriously, it warms my heart and makes saying goodbye every time easier since we’ve been going back fairly often.

Kip and I flew to Wisconsin for a weekend in Lake Geneva celebrating his Grandparent’s 60th wedding anniversary. Everyone from the Richmond side was there which is a feat in and of itself – there were about 30 of us and it was gorgeous weather for us Friday and Saturday.

Lake Geneva couldn’t have looked more beautiful.

We stopped at the Brat Stop on our way from the airport – a place very famous in the midwest and yet somewhere I had shockingly never been.

Once in Lake Geneva we enjoyed lots of family time, boat rides on the lake looking at the gorgeous houses (more like mansions, but we’ll call them houses) and the most perfect fall foliage everywhere.

We changed our flights to come back Monday instead of Sunday, and made the quick drive to Chicago to see Wrigley in all of it’s glory for game 5 of the World Series.

We were very much a good luck charm (I’d like to think :D) because we got the W!

It was so fun to be in Wrigley for the day, and to see the city so excited and abuzz.

one of the many cops offered to take this picture and was so sweet. he directed us where to stand, when it only took one he said “oh this must be in snapchat…. I can take more if you go into camera” and said he had become a pro and was happy for distractions after three days of standing there.

How freaking adorable is my friends great dane in her Cubs Jersey?

There were police officers all over the place and they couldn’t get enough of her when we took her for a walk. She now has to wear this Jersey every night so that there are 2 more wins for the Cubs in game 6 and 7 🙂

While on my morning stroll down Southport Monday morning before our flight, ~~I creeped on our old house~~ I saw the new sports and activewear in J.Crew’s shop windows.

Lemme tell ya, that stuff is ca-yute.

and for how pricey J.Crew can be, it’s all reasonable and under $100