Outfit: Autism One- Day 1 of 3

I attended Autism One this year thanks to the persuasion of Nicolette of Momnivore's Dilemma. Here is what I wore to day 1:

Dress: E Street Denim, Vest: Express, Belt: Forever 21, Shoes: Target, Earrings: swap w/ Kaitlyn, Stackable Rings: Shop Jules, Ring: C/O J Good, Watch: C/O Kristin Hassan

She told me in advance how overwhelming it would be, but I thought she meant overwhelming like a lot of info to take in, lots of vendors, etc. It was overwhelming emotionally and mentally as well (which I was NOT prepared for) and I cried after leaving the first day.

I guess I thought I was doing a good job(ish) by my son so far. I know we haven't gone full on bio medical yet, but I guess I didn't realize how far away I was from it either.

Needless to say I had a mild panic attack while sitting in a lecture called "What's Next? Exploring your options by Anju Usman, MD. I literally left the room with my notes full of words I needed to go home and look up! I felt guilty, I felt under prepared, I felt like I needed to make changes...NOW!  I immediately went and bought new vitamins and probiotics. It did make me feel a bit better. ;)

Check back Thursday and Friday for day 2 and 3 of my Autism One Experience.

**Check out how I styled this dress for a night out on the Sisters Marie Blog!

Passport to Style: World Tour 2012- Athens

Hello Again! Last week I was overjoyed with announcing my new role as the official Tour Guide for the Athens Collection from the Passport to Style: World Tour 2012!  I received so many baubles, one Grecian outfit post simply wasn’t enough (jewelry also seen here, and here)! Today’s look is all about a night out in Athens!

Aphrodite Bracelet, Parthenon Double Wrap, Demeter Cuff

Athena Tracery Necklace, Hellen Stud Earrings

Tank: Free People, Jacket: C/O Sheinside, Skirt: Hive & Honey via Piperlime, Hat: Forever 21, Shoes: C/O Just Fabulous, All Jewelry: C/O Kristin Hassan

The Athens Collection is only available in limited quantities for one more week! Don’t be the one without the souvenir - Shop Now!

Be sure to check back next Wednesday for the best giveaway ever! In the meantime, keep traveling with us by reserving your passport.

αντίο! XO, Lisa

KH city tour

Good morning everyone! You may have noticed my recent partnership with Kristin Hassan, and I’m sure you’ve taken note of her new program Passport to Style: World Tour 2012! Passport to Style is a fresh and exciting experience that will be bringing you almost a dozen different jewelry collections via a virtual trip around the world! Each city will be hosted by a guest blogger “Tour Guide”, and guess what.. I’m your Tour Guide for the third city, ATHENS!

Kristin sent me a huge package filled with ten different styles of jewelry, all inspired by the ancient capitol. This my friends, was an amazing day! ;) I am obsessed with this collection. Each peice I pulled out was better then the next and the amount of ooos and ahhhs that left my mouth was ridiculous. There are some major must haves in this collection. Not just one or two peices, but all of them. I don't know how I would have explaned to my hubby that I bought ever single piece, so it's good that I was the tour guide on this one. I dare you to not want them all!

I’m so excited to style up an outfit with Grecian flair! Here’s a look I would wear as I tour the magical and historical city of Athens:

PARTHENON LEATHER WRIST WRAP - BLUE

PARTHENON LEATHER WRIST WRAP - White

AEGEAN WATCH

ARTEMIS CHAIN BRACELET



OLYMPUS SCARF

PERSEPHONE BANGLE

Top and Shorts: Banana Republic, Bag: C/O Just Fabulous, Belt: Fossil, Shoes: Target, Scarf and all jewelry: C/O Kristin Hassan

The jewelry from the Athens Collection is a must have for every woman! Sadly though, it is only available in limited quantities for three weeks! Claim yours a.s.a.p. - Shop Now!
But wait, that’s not all that Kristin and I have been working on. Be sure to check back next Wednesday for my Athens evening outfit post and even more jewelry. We also have an amazing giveaway coming up! Make sure you don’t miss a thing from Kristin or the tour by reserving your passport.

αντίο! XO, Lisa

I Spy DIY

For those of you who do not know, the book I Spy DIY recently came out (buy your copy here). When I heard that Jenni was going to have a DIY demo and book signing at Anderson's Books in Naperville (IL), I knew I needed to go! I just LOVE her blog (not to mention I love her column in InStyle magazine)! Here is what I wore.

 

Dress & Belt: Dolce Vita, Vest: Dots, Shoes: Target, Cuff: C/O Kristin Hassan, Watch: Fossil, Earrings: Kate Spade, Ring: Jewelmint, Bag: Coach, Sunnies: MNG by Mango

As per usual, I arrived to the event first! lol (I am seriously early everywhere I go!) Thank goodness I had the pleasure of picking up Jess and Jill of Style Juncture from the train so I was not there early alone! ;)

Jill, Jess, and myself

 

Jenni and myself

As soon as Jenni got there she asked us all to pull up to her table so we could get our DIY on. We began to make feather earrings and then friendship bracelets using leather wrist wraps. 

 

Chicago blogger Jessica from Bows and Sequins was there. (She is a fellow #PassportToStyle tour guide.)

 

Hallie from Corals and Cognacs was there too! 

 

Here are the earrings I made and below all of our friendship bracelets!

 

Jenni was beyond sweet, down to earth, and just a genuinely nice person. I like her even more now. And it's always amazing to meet someone like this who truly deserves all her success! I hope her book sells out everywhere it is sold. ;) 

I can't wait to do more DIY projects from her book and share them with you guys. There is a necklace that is so me, I can't wait to try to make it!  

In an unexpected twist of events the 5 of us below all went out for a glass of wine and some appetizers. All and all I had a wonderful night! I honestly thought I was going to go stand in line and get a book signed. I had no idea I was going to end up listening to music, making my own jewelry, and hanging out with Jenni after we left the book store. The blogger world really IS such a supportive one! 

Jill, Jess, Jenni, Randi (Not Just Mom), and myself

Recipe: Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

I found this recipe on Pinterest and loosely based my soup around it.

Ingredients: 

1 lbs. chicken boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained (I used 2 cans black beans)

1 can corn

1 onion, chopped

2 cans low-sodium chicken broth

1-2 cups of water

1 Tbsp garlic powder*

1 Tbsp chile powder*

1 Tbsp ground cumin*

1 Tbsp dried cilantro*

Toppings: 

tortilla chips

sour cream

shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Avocado
*Instead of these spices, you could include a packet of Taco seasoning if you prefer.* I used a little of all! ;)

Put chopped onion, cans of beans, corn, chicken broth, water, and spices in CrockPot and stir to mix. Put chicken breasts on top of mixture and make sure they're at least partly submerged in liquid. Cook on high 6-7 hours or low 8-9 hours. Before serving remove the chicken breasts from soup and shred, if needed, (sometimes they'll just fall apart on their own, but sometimes they need some help). Return chicken to CrockPot, stir to combine.

To serve put a few tortilla chips in the bottom of a bowl, ladle soup over tortilla chips, top with shredded cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream, serve with more chips if you like. Enjoy!