Channeling my Inner PD!

That's Paula Deen, for those of you who don't know.

My personality is one that hates hates reading directions. I'd prefer to dump everything out and just go for it. Unfortunately, that has led to several IKEA mishaps (can I get an AMEN?!).

That bad personality trait filters over to cooking as well. I will look over a recipe and then decide I can make it better (I can't), and then I'm disappointed when it turns out poorly. I cannot count the times that I have "modified" a recipe and then wondered why Andrew didn't want to eat it.

So, Saturday night it was rainy & chilly here. I decided it was definitely a soup night. For me, a bowl of soup is a meal. For my husband, it's an appetizer. Soooo, if I was going to make soup, and not have to worry about having to cook an additional meal to go with it, I needed to make it substantial. Enter Paula Deen's Taco Soup.

Ya'll, it was SO good. My husband said when he saw the "we are having taco soup" text come through, he was not thrilled. But he loved it! Raved the entire time he was eating it about how good it was. 

Now, I am going to list all the ingredients, but I need to let you know....I did change some things. Old habits die HARD around here. Some of the changes were purely based on our specific dislikes (chunky tomatoes) and money (soup shouldn't cost $30 to make).

I am no photographer. This is what it looked like, just believe me.

Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cups diced onions
2 cans pinto beans (I only did one can since Andrew isn't a bean fan)
1 can pink kidney beans (I did light red instead)
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes (I did tomato puree b/c we don't like chunky tomatoes)
1 can diced tomatoes (left this out entirely)
1 can tomatoes with chiles (I just purchased Rotel)
1 can diced green chiles
1 can black olives, drained & sliced - optional (I did these as a garnish b/c I don't like black olives)
1/2 cup green olives, sliced - optional (left out entirely)
1 packet of Taco seasoning mix (we like spicy, so I used a mild mix)
1 packet ranch salad dressing mix
Tortilla chips, for dipping
Sour cream, cheese, pickled jalapenos - for garnish

Directions
1. Brown your meat with the onions. I personally made my meat on the chunky side. 
2. Mix everything else in your crockpot (pintos, kidneys, corn, all tomatoes, chiles, black olives, green olives).
3. Rinse meat & add to crockpot (I did not rinse my meat, rebel).
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
5. Serve with garnishes.

EASY! This recipe is for 14-16 servings, so be ready to share with friends! :)

Happy Tuesday & much love!

5 on Friday and other happenings!

Hi friends & happy fall!

1. I have been traveling for work this week and the weather has been amazing. Boston is not known for it's nice weather, but thankfully I hit it just right this week. Yesterday when I left, it was sunny, breezy, & 75 degrees. So beautiful. I asked my cab driver on the way to airport how long they would have this gorgeous weather. His response "two weeks". EEK! Glad I was coming home to the same temps, but for more like 2 months. 

2. Well football started back, which means that the only nights of the week I might get the remote are now Tuesday & Wednesday. Between college & the NFL, there is a game 5 days out of 7. It's a good thing I like football so much. :) My husband got really lucky I tell ya! So far this year, all the teams we love are undefeated. I might have just jinxed us, but hopefully not. Go Tigers! Geaux Tigers! Go Falcons! 

3. My Etsy shop (www.wheatonwhaleydesigns.etsy.com) has been going great as well. I'm constantly adding new things, so be sure you check them out. I'm trying to update Instagram (@wheatonwhaleydesigns) as I make stuff, so be sure to follow me there! I'm going to be doing a Christmas in October sale where I offer one thing super cheap each day & will have a limited quantity of each thing at that price. Get excited! It's going to be fun! 

4. And in baby news, we are officially (plus some) in the 3rd trimester! 30wks! WOAH! She is definitely active & moves constantly. She loves Jeopardy! Every time the theme song plays, she goes crazy...like we can see her move from the outside. It's so neat & just amazing. God is such a creator. We can't wait for her to get here! We talk to Milly every night about her getting a new sister. I'm not sure she understands one word we're saying, but still. 

5. One of my friends mentioned to me earlier this week that this time last year we were preparing for my bachelorette weekend. If you told me then that I'd be very pregnant at this point, I would have laughed & told you that you needed some counseling. God had bigger plans that I could have ever imagined. 

Sorry I took such a hiatus! Gotta do better! 

Happy weekend pretty people!

Much love!

Wardrobe Wednesday: PinkBlush Maternity

Hi friends! Sorry it's been a few days. We were away for the Labor Day holiday to celebrate the marriage of one of Andrew's friends and just an overall sweet couple. It was a lot of fun, except for the rain...which it is doing here today by the boatloads.

First up, lots of new things on my Etsy site! Go check it out! https://www.etsy.com/shop/wheatonwhaleydesigns

Finding maternity outfits to wear to a wedding can be tricky. You either are wearing black, which I didn't want to do, or you just seem under-dressed.

A while back I came across Pink Blush Maternity and was really surprised at all the trendy while classic options. And ya'll, their prices are wonderful. I had looked at several maternity dresses for the wedding and was this close to paying $150 for a dress I knew I wouldn't get my money out of...just because the options were so slim. Glad that was a quick moment of insanity.

So, what did I buy? Of course you know I'm going to share! :)

The dress I wore to the wedding is called the Mint Damask Maxi (faux wrap) dress & it is so comfy. I ordered a medium (my pre-maternity size) and it fit nicely. I'm right at 5ft tall and I had to wear it with heels.

And yes, I cropped my husband out of the picture. He specifically asked me NOT to post that picture of him looking tired. #toomuchfunthenightbefore

I also bought the same dress in another fabric that I plan to wear to a shower later! The color is much more neon in real life, so be warned!

I have worn this cardigan several times since I got it. I'm nice & long so you can wear leggings & a long tunic top with it. 

Cardigan

Also, since all of my orange attire for Clemson games has gotten a tad small, I decided a sweater was a better idea. I can definitely get more wear out of it, and it doesn't look so college like. I'm excited to wear it when it gets just a tad cooler.

Fall please hurry & come see us!!!

Much love,

5 on Friday!

Today I'm linking up with April, Christina, and Natasha for Five on Friday!

If you missed it on Monday, my Etsy shop Wheaton & Whaley Designs launched! Woohoo! It has been crazy since...but in the best way possible!

Since there have definitely been a few "standouts", I thought it would be cool to bring you my 5 most popular fabrics this week! 

All of these can be ordered through my Etsy shop and I take custom orders as well!

5. Orange & Taupe diamond print - I just love this print for fall & autumn. It's subtle enough of an orange to not take over a room, but it's still a statement.

4. Red Pagoda - Asian inspired fabrics & all things chinoiserie are very in right now & have been for a while, much to my husband's dismay. This is a great way to bring in just a hint of that Asian flare, and in a pretty color.

3. Palm Print - Even though summer is over, that doesn't mean that we quit making our porches look glamorous...and this pillow definitely does that! It is very Beverly Hills Hotel to me and will look great on any porch!

2. Floral Multi-color - Who doesn't love a good pop of color? I know I love color in decorating. This pillow went crazy this week, and it's obvious why. Isn't it the prettiest thing? I even have a bride using it during her reception to add color. Smart idea!

1. Asian Toile - I was shocked that this pillow cover did so well. I personally loved the fabric, but I wasn't sure everyone would agree with me. Boy was I wrong!!! I've had to order more fabric in this pattern because it has been SO popular.

I am so excited about this little business venture & am thankful for all the support that I have gotten so far. My sweet husband has been amazing, even though I've taken over our living room as a work station! :)

Have a great weekend & a happy and safe Labor Day!

Much love!