5 Good Things | No. 16

Everyone kept saying how quickly the week had gone. Maybe it was because they got Monday off work for Columbus Day, but last week was long and tiresome for me. I did not get off work Monday and stayed late at school nearly every day. I was so happy to be able to walk out of school Friday afternoon at 3:30 and get my weekend started. I didn’t really do anything this weekend except tend to my much neglected laundry situation, but it was still nice to spend it at home. I have some fun things to share with y’all today, so let’s get going.

Recipes

I tried out two new recipes this week for dinner. One was Cream Cheese Chicken Stuffed Croissants. I found it on Pinterest, naturally, and the author of the recipe said that her family eats it about once a week. Her children are grown and in college and make it themselves in their apartments. I thought that sounded like a definite tried and true recipe, and I needed to make it. The only thing I did different was that I left out the bell pepper since Paul’s not a huge fan. It was still wonderfully delicious, and it was crazy easy. Definitely a great weeknight meal option.

The other recipe I tried was also from Pinterest and was perfect for the end of the week when the temps started to drop. I made Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup in the slow cooker. I prepped the night before (chopped a bunch of stuff) and dropped it all into the crockpot before I headed out the door for school Thursday morning. I still have plenty left over in the fridge today. (It’s Sunday as I write this post.) It was very hearty and thick, almost like a casserole consistency, so I think adding a half cup more chicken broth will make it more soup-like. It was so good, and Paul even said it should be on the menu again this fall and winter.

The last recipe I made was a quick dessert recipe I’ve made countless times. It’s just three ingredients and is a healthier alternative to regular cupcakes. Of course the store was out of the Sugar Free Devil’s Food Cake mix that I needed, so I went for the full sugar stuff. Here’s the recipe I always use:

Ingredients:
1 box sugar free devil’s food cake mix
1 can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling- just plain pumpkin)
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (How much is up to you. I do about a cup.)
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to box mix temperature (375 usually)
Spray cupcake tins with non-stick spray or use liners
Mix cake mix and pumpkin with a mixer in a medium size bowl until fully combined
Mix in desired amount of chocolate chips
Scoop equal size amounts of batter into the cupcake tins
Bake according to cupcake directions on cake mix (about 16 minutes)
Cool on a cooling rack and enjoy

Skin Twin Creamy Concealer

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Beautycounter is releasing the second product in the Skin Twin family. First the foundation and now the concealer. It’s not available until Tuesday the 20th, but I had to tell you about it now. I used to use this concealer but the packaging was so frustrating because I never knew when I was about to run out. However, it was an incredible concealer that I could never find the perfect dupe for. Thankfully, that’s not the case anymore. This formulation is thick and creamy and covers like a dream. It’s also buildable and blends well with a sponge. Beautycounter is coming out with one of those, too, but these are the ones I use.

Get Organized with The Home Edit

Y’all, I do not get excited about organizing. I couldn’t care less if my storage bins were see-through or if everything was in rainbow order. Literally, don’t give a rat’s you-know-what. But this show was so fun to watch. Clea and Joanna have such a fun dynamic, and I loved seeing them work together. And the episode where they do the whole master bedroom for the event planner mom had me in full on tears. It’s a great show and gave me ideas on how to organize things should I ever get the urge to put a serious system in place.

Old Navy Giftober

I have been singing the praises of my favorite Old Navy jeans for years. (The Mid-Rise Rockstar Super Skinny in case you forgot.) I also really love their luxe tees, and, let’s be honest, their clothes are just really affordable and hold up pretty well, in my opinion. Well, the sales they are doing this month are fantastic! Twice in a week they have done a 50% off your entire purchase + free shipping sale. I got more jeans (shocker), black and white luxe tees, a long cardigan I’ve been eyeing for a month, and today I pulled the trigger on this CUTE coat that may be what someone gives me for Christmas. Not sure if I’ll be able to wait that long. We’ll see. I also think I’ve earned a total of $50 in Old Navy cash just for shopping, so hopefully I’ll be able to get some other people some Christmas presents with that money! I’m not saying you should get in on this action, but I’m also not not saying that you should.

Pumpkin Spice Milano Cookies

My mother-in-law passed these on to me this weekend, and I feel like I have found my favorite fall sweet snack. I know I’m all up in basic white girl territory here, but these are so good. Trust me. If you know a fellow basic girl like yours truly, please pick them up a bag of these as a friendly fall treat. She will be eternally grateful.

Well, that’s it for now. I’ve got new students starting Monday, and it feels like the first day of school all over again. Cue the Sunday scaries. Gonna be a long one. Here’s to all the good things to come!