Things I'm Loving

Is it just me, or does summer feel like its end is coming quick. Today on the news, our weather lady said it was gonna be 65 degrees tomorrow. That is not acceptable summer happy hour weather.

Lately, Pinterest is full of thanksgiving recipes, Michaels is full of christmas decor and I am not ready. My jackets are still shaking off the snow from last season and I just want to stay in my sundress forever. Call it the Arizona girl in me, but I am not ready for boots and snow.

To banish the "Winter is Coming" blues (that was a game of thrones reference people, don't even get me started on last weekends episode) let's chat about all the good stuff.

Photo by Pineapple Supply Co. on Unsplash

USHER AND JAMES CORDEN KARAOKE

First, I love Usher. I have loved Usher since the 90's. Coti and I listened to his Confessions album our entire trip to Europe in high school. We belted to let it burn, cried when he cheated on Chili and danced our butts off to yeah! Enter Usher and James Corden. Oh man, I've watched this 100x. Enjoy.

NORDSTROM SALE ITEMS

If you don't know, now you know. The Nordstrom sale is still going strong! It ends August 6, so you've got a few more days to grab some essential fall items. This sale is one more reason summer is ending quicker than usual. Guys, these rag & bone jeans are everything. They fit like a glove, but with the right amount of stretch that you don't have to undue the button after a big dinner (that's not just me right?). This Free People sweater, ahh, all the fall dreams. And those Vince booties. Guys, I'm in clothes heaven. Get to shopping before you miss all the deals!

THE NINETIES

It's no secret the 90's were the best. Days when shows like Full House, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Boy Meets World, Beevis and Butthead and everything Nickelodeon ruled. MTV showed music videos, VH1 told you secrets about the songs and Boyz II Men was cooler than sexier than anything. 

Those were the days. CNN is currently running a docu-series on the 90s. MTV just announced they are bringing back TRL and I guarantee, grunge will only become more popular.  

To commemorate the 90s, how about a playlist. I love the 90s.

90s

A playlist featuring Hanson, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, and others

THIS THAI CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE

Adam has made it clear that my go-to grilled chicken over a boring plate of lettuce is not his favorite meal. It's a good thing we didn't live together in law school because that is all I lived on. 

When I'm making salads, I try to make them as fun as possible. I had a ton of veggies, great homemade dressing and portions large enough to fill an army. 

This salad was a game changer. First, the dressing is the best I've ever had. Plus, the sauteed sweet po's and all the delicious flavors mix perfectly. I doubled it because I like homemade leftovers for lunch. Enjoy! 

Ingredients

For the thai "peanut" dressing (I doubled everything) 

• 1⁄4 cup sunflower seed butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon coconut vinegar
• 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
• juice of 1⁄2 lime (about 1 tablespoon)
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes\

For the salad

• 4 tablespoons ghee, divided
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, pounded thin
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• pinch of black pepper
• 1 small sweet potato or yam, shredded 
• 6 to 8 cups mixed greens
• 1 cucumber, diced
• handful of sliced carrots
• handful diced tomatoes 
• 1⁄4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• roughly chopped green onions, for garnish

How to Make: 

Dressing: Place all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth. 

Salad:  

1. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the ghee. 
2. Season the chicken on both sides with the salt, garlic powder, and pepper, then place in the hot pan. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the chicken is cooked through and no pink remains. 
3. While the chicken cooks, place the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a small sauté pan over medium heat. 
4. Add the shredded sweet potato and a bit of salt and pepper and sauté for about 5 minutes, until soft. 
5. When the chicken is done, let it rest for 3 minutes, then slice it at an angle into strips.  
6. Arrange the salad: Place the greens in a large bowl, add as much dressing as you like, and toss to coat. 
7. Add some greens to each plate, then top with the chicken strips, sautéed sweet potato, cucumber, coconut, and cilantro. 
8. Serve immediately and enjoy!

THIS

LINKS I AM LOVING

• Suzanne from My Kind of Sweet giving me everything in this embroidered chambray.
• Shay and her Hawaiian Pizza Burgers? How are these a thing. They are magical.  
• Caitlin is sharing her Nordstrom HOME decor picks. Who knew! I love it all. 
• Chrissa is teaching us how to do barre at home. I LOVE this workout. And it's quick.
• This list of CRAZY facts that Buzzfeed just published. Dead. 

Happy Thursday friends! What are you loving today?