{Recipe Box} and Making Life Easier with Peapod

Tried a new recipe, well, semi new recipe and let me tell you. I'm in love. We were running low on groceries and with nothing but dinosaur nuggets in the house, an adult meal didn't seem likely. I have been working like a mad woman lately so I decided to try the PeaPod app, placed an order during a conference call and had my groceries delivered. I ordered the minimum, found a coupon to take $15 off (code: Truck, 1st time users only) and here is what I found. Don't worry, I'll get to the recipes soon.

PROS: It was easy. Like shopping online for clothes.

             Communication, was impeccable. 

             Driver was so sweet considering I made him wait 10 mins, since I didn't hear my phone.

             I was given free delivery for the next 60 days.

Cons: Broken eggs. 3 to be exact. Now I have to call customer service.
(If you have any problems or questions call 1-800-5-PEAPOD)

Would I order again from PeaPod, most likely. The prices aren't much different and the delivery fees are what I pay for coffee so it is worth saving myself the 2 hours it takes to get my monkey ready, drive to the store, shop, carry everything back to my car, load the toddler back in, park in the garage, unload a toddler and several bags and take them to the elevator and to my unit. It takes time. I'd rather, save the time, use it to spend time with her instead.

Well, once I got my groceries, I planned dinner. I eyeball and make up everything as I go along so bare with me as I guess-timate portions.


My Americano Style Fajitas
Serves 2

2 Chicken Breasts, sliced in the middle and then cut in strips
1 small red pepper
1 small orange pepper
3/4 of a white onion
2 cups fresh spinach
2 large flour tortillas
2 tbs ketchup
1 tbs minced garlic
1 Goya Sazon packet
1 tsp Cumin
salt (eyeball it)
1/2 cup water

In a hot skillet or a wok (what I used), I added 1 tablespoon of margarine, 2 of EVOO. Added the chicken and seasoned with salt and cumin. Add the onions, a pinch more salt (work in small amounts), garlic, ketchup, sazon and water. Cover. After about 5 mins, add the peppers. Keep tossing and making sure nothing sticks. Meanwhile, heat your tortillas. Once the chicken is done and the water is gone, onions are clear and the peppers are very soft, add fresh spinach to your tortilla and then layer on the chicken. Devour. I did.

Rockin Robin {Personal Style}

 top: H&M | blazer: Kohl's | skirt: JcPenney

 on him: Michael Kors & Bloomindale's Men

Deborah Lippman* Nail Polish in Rockin' Robin

Two outfit posts (sort of) in a row? Yes, ma'am. So last Thursday, I went to Cheeky's Real People of Style Fashion Show. It fell on date night, so I brought one (wink). I was able to sport my new blazer that I got on clearance at Kohl's just the day before for only $18! I got an at home manicure, layered on the liner and threw on an updo and had a genuinely nice time networking, catching up with old friends and pigging out on Thai food after. All in all, a good time. Today, I am going to find a 24 hour Starbucks and work late. I'll drag him out to that also, I mean, it's still date night even if I have to work.

I've always been a fan of Deborah Lippman and while the price is a bit steep for polish, a little luxury every now and then is well worth the tiny splurge. This 'polka dot' polish has the longest lasting power of her polishes yet. With that said, I was not compensated by any brand mentioned here and bought everything myself. Happily.

deborah lippman

Casual Day {Personal Style}

I'm shooting a video today for a PR firm regarding what my audience needs from a certain budget brand. The project is in such beginning stages that all I can share is that for now. They did ask, I dress casually, so I chose my chambray top from JcPenney, my $6 harem pants from Target and my comfy "mom" wedges from Aerosoles. I've worn this top at least 3x a month since I got it and it is time for a new one so I found the same one in a lighter color here. What do you think? Should I go for the lighter one?

Chambray Tops

Springtime Beauty Buys Under $10

I've worked as a make up artist for some of the finest lines so naturally, I have a ton of great products just piling up as if getting ready to compete with Nordstroms in a matter of days. However, when I go into the drugstore, I just cannot help but pick up a few things here and there. This Spring, I've been obsessing over a few "budget buys" at the drugstore. Some, I've used for years, others I am new to but love them just the same.

CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara $7. I am a lash snob. I layer two, three kinds, add falsies but on a nice day where I just want to run out the door, this one gives me all that volume without all the fuss. Dare I say, I traded in my DiorShow for this? 

NYX Matte Nail Polish in Teal Light Blue $6. I've never been a pastel girl but something hit me like a ton of bricks this season...oh yeah, the pastel craze. I'm not sure what I love more the color, or the fact that this nail polish is all matte.

L'Oreal Tru Match Concealer $9. I know, I use Bobbi Brown concealer now and it works great but in a pinch and on a budget, I really have always loved this concealer. I used it for years and it has yet to fail me.

Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush $12.99. I know, that is NOT under ten but on drugstore.com if you buy 1, you get 1 half off so yes, that would make it under ten. Why do I love it? Because it is cream, makes your cheeks just glow and if I want that "wow", I could just add powder blush on top for an extra punch.

EOS Organic Lip Balm $3. I am not going to lie, after taking off to an indoor water resort with the baby, my lips were dryer than the Sahari desert. But after a few days of using this, my lips healed beautifully.

Rimmel Waterproof Gel Eyeliner $6. I've said it a million times, I will take a bullet for black. I have a drawer full of pencils, gels, creme and liquid eyeliners. I know, it is a sick obsession. This one stays on. The end.

Mane 'N Tail Shampoo and Conditioner 32 oz $7 & 12 oz $4. I used this when I was younger and my hair was long so I bought it again. I got ripped a new one when I picked up my Oribe so I thought I would soften the blow with this one. It soften more than just that for sure. Careful with the conditioner, it is very protein rich so try a clarifying shampoo in between washes to avoid protein build up. The larger size is usually $7 but I found it at Walgreens for $2.99 right now.

CoverGirl WetSlicks $7 (Currently buy 1, get 1 50% off). I am a gloss junkie. I have 3, at least, in every single purse I own. I like this one because it makes my lips look really shiny, yeah wet almost but it is not sticky which I love.

Wet & Wild Brow and Eyeliner $1. No look ever looks complete without brows, I don't care how full yours are, they are not perfect without the finishing touch. For the greater good, add the finishing touch.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Hand Creme $9. Dear goodness my hands are dry and coming out of the cold season just makes them worse. I like to carry a bit of this in my purse. Not only does it feel good, it smells amazing.

I'm loving my new 'budget buys' and want you to love them as well that is why I am giving one lucky reader a CoverGirl* LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara for you to see for yourself. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*CoverGirl is not sponsoring this post nor did they pay me to write this review. They did, however, send me this mascara to try out and since I already use/have it, I thought I would share. You see? I am nice.

Blazers {Classic Style}

I am a huge fan of blazers. In fact, I picked up a great one at Kohls yesterday but you'll have to wait to see me wearing it as I'll  be rocking it tonight! Here are a few bloggers that I absolutely love, rocking blazers the right way!

Courtney

Jill

Beth

And for some great blazer options on a budget, check out Penny Chic (who also has her own line of LBD at Walmart). Go ahead, let's go shopping!

View more options HERE

Casa Garza: Spinach Egg Mini Breakfast Muffins

No outfit post today but my first food post...YAY!

Here at Casa Garza, we have been trying to eat better and getting both the baby and myself to eat more greens. I have been doing great putting greens in my green smoothie and Analiese will eat spinach by itself but then she tires of it easy. Here I thought, why not add it to our breakfast? Here is what I did:

2 eggs + 1 egg white
Handful of baby spinach
2 slices of Turkey bacon
Some cheese (I did shaved some Parm)

Preheat oven for 350 degrees. Grease mini cupcake pans. Beat the 2 eggs and 1 egg white together. Julienne the baby spinach and turkey bacon and mix with egg. Add the cheese. Pour into mini pan and bake for 20-25 mins.

I did not add salt as the bacon and cheese give it enough flavor and the point is to eat better right? Any new recipes you are trying?

At Home Manicure {Brilliant Nude}

 Fashion by Deborah Lippman (old) & Stroke of Brilliance by Essie (c/o)

I'm horrible at painting my own nails but my budget doesn't always allow for my no-chip manis and it is great quality time with my daughter who loves when mommy paints her nails. Kind of reminds you of the Tracy Reese for Neiman Marcus/Target Collab, right?

It was totally unintentional but it was all I could think of after I did it. What nail colors are you looking to try?

To Infinity...

I've always wanted a tattoo but with a strict upbringing, I was always afraid of my mother catching wind and "burning it off with an iron". At 18, I got my first.  My then boyfriend insisted we get one together and then getting one together turned into getting matching ones. After 6 months of dating, we got infinity symbols, on our ring finger. I jokingly asked if it was my engagement ring and he smiled. It really was. On our way to the movies, we casually got matching wedding bands for our casual engagement. Yes, casually because the movie didn't start for another 2 hours and we had time to kill. One would stop here and ask if I was crazy to which I would answer yes. I was 18 and didn't know what I wanted in life, marriage was something I wasn't excited about coming from divorced parents and seeing the statistics but the movie was indeed not starting for another two hours so what is a girl to do right? He was cute, my best friend, we were crazy infatuated, in love even and if things didn't work out, "it would make for a great memory". Yes, he actually used this line and it worked because what is life if not for a bunch of amazing memories mixed within the horrible ones. Ten years after making him my boyfriend, I still take off my wedding rings to remind myself of that really cool guy I had dated. And to my husband, all I have to say is that you were right. It still makes for a great memory. I love you.

A Virtual Personal Shopping Story

I know. I have been posting randomly and out of order but I have been doing a few reader requests (here as well) and I'm trying to put them up as quickly as possible.  Recently, I've been discussing a "mom's wardrobe" for my bloggy buddy, Sili from My Mamihood. As a small business owner, she realized the importance of investing in herself. Smart woman. That being said, she reached out to me to compile a list of items she should get. It went from a list to a huge project that spans over 6 bloggers and we have named it, "How Mami got her Swag Back..." Here is the list:

Her budget is small and as a small business owner, it should be. So I've compiled a few pictures that can serve as inspiration from places such as Old Navy, JcPenney, Uniqlo and Forever 21 amongst others. I am also doing a video with instructions and tips for her to take with her while shopping. Yadira from Club de Las Diosas, will be assisting this anti-shopper and helping her stay under budget and making sure she gets items that can mix and match to get as many looks possible from just these ten items. Only ten items ladies! Here are her inspirational shopping guides.

Good luck Sili and Yadira. The trip will be documented so we will be sharing that with you as well as her purchases, and we will have a few other bloggers joining us in this massive project to help our anti shopping friend so stay tuned.

What to Wear : Maternity {Reader Request}

Dress
weekend: jacket | necklace | bag | boot
work week: jacket | bag | bracelet | shoes

So excited that one of my readers reached out to ask for some ideas on what to wear via my Facebook Fan Page. She also happens to be walking around 5 months pregnant. YAY! When Analiese was in my belly, busy sticking her feet in my ribs, I stayed comfortable in stretch jersey, maxi dresses and fun jewelry. I NEVER looked better. Seriously, I put more thought into what I looked like while wobbling around.  I found this basic maternity dress at Old Navy. What I love about it, aside from the simplicity that allows you to work with a blank canvas, is the color. It is fresh, fun and full of life...just like the mom-to-be wearing it! On the weekend, try it with a denim jacket or even an unbuttoned chambray shirt with moto boots. It gives it that cool factor while adding a bold necklace keeps it chic. Wear it again Monday morning to the office or even to lunch with friends with ballet flats and a blazer. The juxtaposition of polka dots and stripes is a bit daring but keeping them both in black and white makes it work perfectly and roll up your jacket sleeves to reveal a stack of bracelets. I did that a lot, I layered every gold bracelet I could find. Hope this served up a little inspiration. I'll be sure to share a bit more soon. Enjoy your weekend.

Getting S**t Done

Source: theglitterguide.com via Yanira on Pinterest

So today, I am spending the rest morning working on my launch project before heading into my outside work (the job I still love sometimes), writing in my notebook, drinking amazing coffee from one of my favorite local spots and listening to my heart just to hear if it has anything to say. In the meantime, check out these reads, I can home last night just tired and decided to catch up on a little blog reading. I think you would like these. I'll see you next week and speak more of this "heart to heart" conversation.


This home collection just launched and these plates are stunning. The price? Not so much.

This stylish mom is stunning but her little one steals the show.

The Spring checklist for little ones.

I have been extremely busy and I feel that this helps cut down my computer time so much. This series is called "GSD: Getting Shit Done." It inspired me to GSD this morning!

What's in Her {Diaper/Mom} Bag with Pattie Cordova

Today on the first of my new series, we meet super bloggy mama, Pattie. Check out what is in her {diaper/mom}bag.

What bag are you carrying?

L.A.M.B. Trademark Satchel 

Do you only carry this bag or to you carry a purse as well?

Only this bag

Favorite baby product?

Seventh Generation Baby Lotion

Favorite Mommy product?

Sony NEX-5N camera - to take great pictures of everyday moments

I never leave the house without my cell phone.

In case of an emergency, every mom should carry sunglasses. Because you know, it's an emergency if you don't have your eyes done.

Beauty product every mom should carry?

Beautifully Disney Lip Gloss in Enchanted Slumber

Pattie Cordova, the blogger behind LivingMiVidaLoca.com, is a Latina mother of two niños - a five year old and a one year old.