Recipe: Quinoa Chicken Chili

Recently I saw this pin and thought it was a great recipe using the oh, so fabulous quinoa. I took the plunge and tried it this past weekend not expecting my husband to like it or even eat it and it won in his book so obviously, it's blog worthy.

I chose to modify my recipe slightly and have a recipe card below available for downloading and printing at your leisure using the ingredients I threw in mine. Happy chili making, y'all!


click here to download recipe card.
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Implant Update

I know, I know, I've talked about this damn implant far too many times in the past 2 months but I'm happy to say I finally have good news to share! If you read here about the inserting procedure and here about my side effects then you're pretty much up to speed but to say the least, I've been hating it since it was inserted back in March.

Today though friends, we talk happy about this little lady, implant. I have finally stopped bleeding (TMI?- I don't think so since it's been mentioned before); praise God! It started to finally slow down from a "cycle type flow" to small spotting and it has officially stopped just shy of one day before 9 weeks of having it. I can't tell you how elated that makes me. I don't know if it was the constant bleeding or the implant in general but it was a struggle feeling like myself over the last 2 months. 

I have still been pretty emotional and crying over....nothing. Sorry hubs. But I can definitely see a change in my mood and outlook on things lately. Before it was anything that irritated or frustrated me triggering the water works and I've notice myself still going through everyday life annoyances and I've been able to handle them without having a full on meltdown. Again, Praise Jesus! I've always been an emotional person but when it hit me daily and for everything that contributed to my day, it really got me down. I'm so thankful I'm feeling more in control of my body and my moods. I'm sure my stunna hubby is just as ecstatic also!

As far as the nausea, I'm still a little sick sometimes but I have a lot of nausea from my migraines as it is so over this time of my body being at a whack I haven't fully been able to pin point if it's the implant or the migraines. It has decreased but as have my migraines so that could be a whole other issue.

I have a better outlook on the next 3 years with this implant now. I'm thrilled that we can now start "enjoying" the luxury of it's low maintenance dosage without interrupting our intimate moments and I am just as excited that we now have a handle on what to expect the new few years of it being active.

I'd still recommend this to anyone to try but I'd really caution you to do your research and don't tell yourself you'll be fine without side effects, because look where that got me. I'd also recommend still exploring options in IUD's and shots because my sister in-law (who hasn't birthed a babe) just had one inserted and she's doing great so far. It's all about your body and how it adapts to differ medications. Maybe I would've considered the IUD more knowing how well my sister in-law is doing but I also had been cautioned about it for other reasons, so I can't fully say.

All in all, I hope my ramblings about it have you a little more educated; if you have questions on things I haven't gone over, don't hesitate to email me!


Cheers to taking advantage of my hubby now, so conveniently!
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Make Up: Coral Crush

I'm guilty of obsessing over coral lately, so when I stumbled upon Rimmel London Kate No. 12, I knew it was a must for summer. I'm not much of a lipstick person but I think this is just the right color with a matte consistency and the perfect moisture so it's inevitable. I will be wearing it all summer long. 

I had some fun playing with a basic, bronzed face with this nice little pop and thought, let's share!
products I used:
eyeshadow 2 | mary kay almond


You can see my basic daily routine, here.
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Friday Freebie!

Maybe I'm my worst critic but most of the freebies I make are ones I don't normally use. A lot of the time it's for your phone and I like to have my hubs face or Drake on the front so it's not something my "style" exactly but after getting my iPad it's been no easy feat finding a background I wanted to use. After searching Pinterest a bit and learning more the vibe of design I like, I finally made a desktop background (which I also used for my iPad background) that I'm in love with! If I could define my style it would be classic with a bold element, normally something neon or whimsical to spice it up so this freebie is exactly what I can use that defines me and it's something I can use for a long time!


click your letter below to download
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
Enjoy friends!

this week on the blog:
wednesday | Juicing
thursday | Half Sleeve
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Half Sleeve



I figured it was that time to finally debut this half sleeve with the attention it deserves on the blog. Back in October, Andrew and I both had major ink added to our bodies. He had a full sleeve done which just makes me melt. I think it's so sexy and it's even sexier his meaning behind his. It's a heaven vs. hell display that really taps into his beliefs and views on everyday life and the temptations in it. Mine is a little different.

You see, I always knew I wanted to have tattoos and ones that covered a lot. I've said from day one I want both arms sleeved and I'd love to have more added to my back so when I had the opportunity to start a design, I defaulted to more floral. Every tattoo I have is built around a floral design. My foot, back, hip, side... all have some type of flowers incorporated. It's something I love, something that's beauty in my eyes, something I know I'd be happy with permanently on my body. Everything else I have is done in color and I thought this time, I'd like a change.

It's just been in the last year I've immersed myself into design and I've really learned the things I love and the things I'm drawn to so it seemed natural to make this piece all black and grays. I had him touch a few spots to highlight in white and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.

I'm sure some of you are asking, "why a skull?". I get people think it's a bit much especially being on a girl that is the definition of girly but it's special to me. It was important to me to also have something in my tattoo that represented the time of life I was in and a skull just seemed right. I've become really close with Drake over the last two years and he's been very vocal about how he loved daddy's skull tattoo so I thought, let's do it! I'm going to add a skull and it's going to represent my Little Man. Crazy? Maybe, but it warms my heart looking at my arm and thinking how it represents myself in floral and my boys with a skull. Again, truly transparent to the time of life I am in.

We're talking about adding more ink with me sleeving the remaining part of my arm and Andrew working on a back piece. It's something we both find our voice and beauty in and I can't wait to continue adding onto the art I already have.

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Juicing.


A couple months ago we purchased a juicer, this one here and it's been amazing for us. Andrew grew up juicing and has his favorite recipe and I've never done it but was excited to try it. I'm normally a green smoothie kind of gal but juicing has been just as great for me and I personally think it takes a lot better! I've been able to customize the flavor to my liking and I know I'm getting great nutrients for my day.

We are going to Mexico mid June and both have been on the journey to shedding pounds here and there focusing on what we eat and attempting to be more active. So we've decided for the next couple weeks until we go, we're going to simply juice and that's it.  I've heard of quite a few people doing this and they tend to lose the weight pretty easily and quickly but I guess I'm just concerned we're going to be depriving our bodies of necessities. I've considered adding in a few salads for dinners so I'm not going to bed hungry but we will see.

Either way, I'm excited about it and I can't complain because it's a delish "meal". Cross your fingers we make some kind of transformation in our time doing this.

favorite recipe:
5 carrots
3 oranges, peeled
1 stick celery
8-10 cubed pineapple
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1 | Redken: All Soft
This stuff is a life saver. I was using the basic drug store shampoo and conditioner normally Tresemme because it was inexpensive and did the job. Last year when I had black hair and went back to blonde in the matter of 3 weeks, I needed something strong and worth it. I splurged on Redken, which I had used many times in the past and haven't looked back since. It's great for color treated, dry hair and it's lasted me 9 months with the large sizes.

2 | Biotin
I jumped on the bandwagon about 6 months ago taking Biotin along with my daily prenatal vitamins and my hair is finally growing to where it's noticeable! I couldn't preach about this stuff more because it works so well. It's cheap and is great for your nails and skin also. Totally worth the buy!

3 | Wide Tooth Comb
I used to be the girl who'd grab a brush and yank through my hair causing a million times more breakage and damage than needed. I purchased a wide tooth comb about a year ago and it's really kept my hair in great condition. I like to have one in the shower so I comb through my hair with conditioner on it and I have one for when I'm combing through after the shower.

4 | Bed Head: After Party
It's like heaven in a bottle. The smell is divine and the consistency with the product works on so many hair types. I prefer using this after I've curled versus straightening because it has a oil base and I feel like it pumps up the shine on my locks, gives off a wonderful scent and it's perfect for taming those annoying fly aways.

5| Moroccan Oil
When my hair was at it's worse, this stuff saved me. One little pump takes you a long way and it's worth the spend. It's great for adding the perfect amount of moisture to your hair along with the ability to tame and keep hair in it's place. I like to finish with the spray to add some glimmer and tasty scent.

6 | Pureology: Precious Oil
Need a hair masque that really works? Spend the money and get this stuff. It's great to apply in the shower while shaving your legs and I always comb through with my wide tooth comb. I like to do it about every other week because the product goes a long way.

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Tangerine + Army Green



Being completely truthful, I threw on my extensions and had to capture the great hair day that was happening. Doesn't the color just match so well? I'm still over the moon about my "sombre" I've been rockin' for a few weeks now. So hubs and I were heading out for drinks so it just so happened I was in this little number. Perfect summer attire in Arizona. Well, maybe not the blazer but it was 8pm so it wasn't too unmanagable.

We need to touch on those H&M shorts. You saw a red paid here and I've since then purchased 3 more pair because they're $12 and the fit is perfection. I'd recommend getting some, and coming from a lady who hates her legs and wearing shorts, that means a lot. I'm trying people, I'll embrace the dimples this summer because it's too dang hot in my neck of the woods not to be in shorts.

Also, that white blazer is dreamy. I'm guilty of trying to wear it everyday and I'll admit, it does happen quite often. It's been hard trying to find the right attire for working at the church this summer. I didn't think I would struggle so much trying to cover my tattoo but it's also an oven outside so I'm torn. Most coworkers say to show it and then there's one person who gives me the stare down when the lovely half sleeve is out. Makes me want to get real sassy but I must act like a lady.




tee (option) | forever 21
blazer (option) | H&M
shorts | H&M
wedges | nordstrom
necklace (option) | forever 21
watch | fossil
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