Follow @mycorporatestyle on Instagram

Go over to Instagram and check our my cousin's page @mycorporatestyle. She has some great fashion ideas for the "corporate" world or everyday wear. Here are a couple of here pictures she has posted.

Find out where she purchased all these pretties from when you follow her on Instagram! I also believe she has a Giveaway going on!!

 

Naked 3

Naked 3. What a beautiful thing. If you haven't checked it out, you probably should. I may or may not have purchased this for a Christmas gift, and really want to keep it for myself!

I couldn't help but gawk over this pallet before I wrapped it. It is beautiful. The colors are fabulous! It just came out, so get your order in! I think it is being sold online and in stores now.

Also, if you haven't already, check out the Nordstrom Giveaway at Sorority Girl In the Real World.

Chicken Sausage with Brown Rice Fusilli

Have you ever heard of the Fast Metabolism Diet by Haylie Pomroy? It has changed my life...no joke. It taught me how to eat healthy and clean. Here is one of my favorite recipes in the book.

Chicken Sausage with Brown Rice Fusilli
Serves 4

2 cups brown rice fusilli (brown rice pasta is a staple in this house)
12 ounces chicken sausage
2 cups cubed zucchini (I used peppers instead because that is what I had in my fridge)
1 cup broccoli florets
1/4 cup minced red onion (I use whatever color I have on hand)
1 tablespoon crushed garlic
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Prepare the pasta according to package directions, being careful to not over cook the pasta. When the pasta is done, strain and rinse it. Set aside.

Cut the chicken sausage into 1-inch pieces.

Preheat a large skillet. Add 1 tablespoon of water and stir in the sausage, onion, and garlic. Cook on medium heat until lightly browned. Incorporate the zucchini, broccoli, salt, and pepper, and cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3-5 minutes.

Add the pasta to the skillet and toss until warmed through. Serve immediately.

It seriously is easy and delicious. When I cook, I am usually cooking for one. This dish I can eat for lunch and dinner the next day, and I am not a HUGE leftovers fan, just ask my husband.

You can find the chicken sausage at your local grocery store. It usually is near the other sausages by the milk, butter, and deli meats. I always am substituting the vegetables to what is fresh in my refrigerator. Sometimes I eat it with quinoa instead of pasta. And I always add some crushed red peppers for a little spice. I always pair it with a nice glass of red wine! ;)

Take a chance and test this recipe. It will not disappoint.

 

 

Fashion to Farming

We will start from the beginning...which sometimes feels like a million years ago, and others it feels like yesterday. I am not sure I can pin point how I ended up finally deciding to attend Iowa State University, but I did. I went to school for Fashion Merchandising. I mean ladies lets be real...who doesn't want a career in Fashion? I know that was my absolute dream (and still is). There were so many options in this field; buying, merchandising, designing, and so on. I graduated in 4 years with my Bachelor's degree. I literally started my career the Monday after I graduated, which was on that Saturday. I accepted a job as an Assistant Buyer in Ames, Iowa for a company that opened up temporary Halloween stores across the United States (I decided to stick around Iowa, because I was head over heels for this cutie names Joshua). The buying part, was AMAZING. Traveling to New York, Houston, and Las Vegas for shows, were a blast. (I even received a kiss from Pauly D, yes you got that right kids, a kiss from Jersey Shore's own Pauly D. One of the Halloween vendors had a licensing contract with Jersey Shore, so they got him to come DJ at their party).

The people I worked with, I loved. I really truly had a passion for this. It was so fun being able to see the new "HOT" costumes for the following year. Dream job, right? Unfortunately, there were other things I needed to consider...how was I going to pay my student loans, rent, and daily living expenses. After being there for 3 years, towards the end I was worried about getting my next pay check. It is a scary feeling. People at the company were positive, but I just couldn't afford to be around when that day came. Insert: Customer Service position opening at the local Cooperative in the small town I live in. I knew this job wasn't my dream job, but there were some positives when it came to applying for the job. The company was stable, very stable. POSITIVE. Driving 2 minutes from my house, literally 5 blocks (I dislike driving in the winter A LOT, and my other job was 40 minutes away, and in the winter you have to drive through drifts, sorry not my cup of tea), again POSITIVE. Benefits, they are great here, we even have a Pension plan, right something you rarely see anymore, POSITIVE. After talking it over with my parents, Josh, my siblings, Josh's family, I ended up applying for the job. I got it. Wow, was I freaking out at this point, I was leaving an industry that I fell in LOVE with. I ended up taking the job. I began in Customer Service, and have now moved into a position in the Agronomy Department. Make fun of me, but I had NO idea what in the heck Agronomy was, I always grew up thinking corn was corn on the cob, I mean call me naive. I was. Let's just say I have learned A LOT. Information I never in a million years thought I would ever learn. I've gained a new perspective on who farmers really are, and how much they mean to this world.

It's actually kind of funny, I do a lot of similar things as I did when I was a buyer.

I use to order Halloween Costumes now I order Seed.
I use to run Sales Reports, I still run Sales Reports.
I use to work with Sales Reps, I still work with Sales Reps.
I use to have AMAZING Co-Workers, I still have AMAZING Co-Workers.

My friend Dani and I. She worked with me at CHG

Diana, Jen and I at an outing at the icubs game. They both work with me at IAS.

So there you go, the story of how I landed in the Farming WORLD. Although, it is not my dream job, I do enjoy coming to work everyday. Another stepping stone in life! Living in a small community, there are only so many jobs, and so many businesses.I am fortunate to be able to work in the community I live in.

Girls Night with the Besties

Happy Monday! One more weekend down, only two more until Christmas! Oh and my sister visiting. Yay! This time of year is so fun. I love it. It is a great time to make memories with your family and friends. My favorite part is getting holiday cards in the mail. Growing up, I remember my sister and I would fight to see who could get to the mail box first and open the cards.

 

This weekend my besties and I had a girls night. Always a fun night when you are with friends.

We also did a small gift exchange. I saw this on a blog a few years back, and it is meant for a larger group, but we will had fun with it.  

Favorite Things Exchange:

Here's how it works:

Each guest was asked to pick a favorite item (costing no more than $5), purchase five of that particular thing, and then bring all five items to the party. Once there, everyone’s name was put in a basket five times. Then each guest took turns sharing all about their favorite thing, why they love it, and where they bought it! Next, they picked five names from the basket, careful not to pick their own name or any duplicate names and proceeded to pass out their "thing" to the five names they chose.  At the end of the party, each guest goes home with five different "Favorite Things"! 

I purchased each of the girls an Anthropology mug with their initial on it. Find it here. Limited addition!

Here is what each of my friends gifted...
Katie: Rabbit Wine Pourer with Stopper. Anything wine in my books is a WIN!
Jenni: Kate Spade socks. She purchased hers from TjMaxx, but you can find them here.
Julie: Essie Mink Muffs nail polish! 
Erin: Ulta Plush Drama Mascara. Erin is a newly engaged woman as of last night! Congratulations Erin!

We also drank some wine and made cookies (which was kind of a fail). We were so busy chatting we didn't have time to pay attention to our cookies. I'll take the girl talk over cookies any day. I call the night a success!

And because my dog is the cutest here is her Christmas picture! Hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday Season!

 

 

Currently...

Excited: to see these ladies (Azure in Spirit) tonight for a girls night! Besties!

Listening to: 101.3 KDWB on iheart Radio, because it makes me feel like I am in Minnesota! My heart will always be in Minnesota.

Eating: Healthy. Why? Because we have a Health 360 Check on Friday, and I can potentially get $60 off  on our health insurance a month ....that's a good chunk of money for my husband to shop with! ;) Love you Joshua!

Wanting to buy: EVERYTHING, because I love to shop! Small obsession! I blame it on my mother, she taught me how to shop. In all serious though...it's Christmas gift buying season, which is so fun! Check out my Gifts for Her and Gifts for Him posts.

Reading: The Distant Hours by Kate Morton (Kindle Edition). My mother-in-law and sister-in-law introduced me to her books! Great reads! I love download books to my Kindle App on my phone. That way when I have a chance to read, I have it with me!

Laughing at: My husband. No joke, he is the only one who can make my belly hurt after laughing. Usually it is at his expense. I love it and him!

Wishing: My mother and sister lived closer, that my grandparents would live forever and ever, that my husband woke up next to me every morning, that my dog would stop barking at everyone in the mornings, and my list could go on and on and on.

 

Drinking: Water and Wine are my drinks of choice. Water at work, Wine at night!

Into: My husband. I know I talk a lot about him, but I swear each day I fall more and more in love with him! Monday night before he left to go back up North, he brought home crab legs, steak and a Christmas tree. I feel like a lucky lady!

Ending: with a reminder to follow me!!

Gifts for Him: Under $100

Hopefully most of you did your holiday shopping on Black Friday or Cyber Monday! I know there were some great deals out there. You can still find great deals up until Christmas. (Download the Retail Me Not app on your phone). Before I buy anything, I am always checking this app to see what kind of deals I can score.

If you have not done your shopping yet, you still have time! Here is a list of things I think any spouse or significant other would love!

1. Leather Billfold Wallet
    $34.50
    Use Code Cyber30 for an extra 30% off!
 
2. Calvert Boots
    $78.00
    Use Code Cyber30 for an extra 30% off!
 

 3. Timex Originals Classic Round
    $65.00
 
4. Boxer Briefs
   $12.95
   These would be great for his stocking!
  
5. Bass Pro Gift Card
    Any amount you wish!


6. Apple TV
   $99.99

The men in our lives can sometimes be difficult to shop for. Don't over think it! Have fun with it!