Chicken Broccoli Divan Recipe

My sister and I decided to be the chefs of the night and cook our parent dinner. We came across the Chicken Broccoli Divan recipe and thought it sound tasty on a cold, snowy evening, as well as manageable for us to cook. The recipe called for broccoli, chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, butter, shredded cheese and bread crumbs. I do have to say once it was all done it turned out delicious.

What You'll Need

4 cups cooked broccoli florets 

2 cups cubed cooked chicken 

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free or Healthy Request®) 

1/3 cup milk 

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 

2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs 

1 tablespoon butter, melted 

How to Make It

• 1
  Place the broccoli and chicken into a 9-inch pie plate.
• 2
  Stir the soup and milk in a small bowl.  Pour the soup mixture over the broccoli and chicken.  Sprinkle with the cheese.  Stir the bread crumbs and butter in a small bowl.  Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the cheese.
• 3
  Bake at 450°F. for 20 minutes or until the chicken mixture is hot and bubbling.
  
  
  http://www.campbellskitchen.com/recipes/chicken-broccoli-divan-24320 

The process of cutting up the broccoli and chicken.

It ended up being cooked for about a good thirty minutes, until the casserole was bubbling and the broccoli was soft. 

Our final product! We added a side of salad and french bread to top it off :) however the options are endless!

Time to treat yourself and indulge. 

XoXo 

Pinky

Essie Nail Polish; Butler Please

We all know after the holidays it leads to discounts, returns, and more shopping. I couldn't resist to post my new purchase of Essie polish. It is call "Butler Please", and is a bright but rich blue.

(Just a side note, this is a picture of my sisters nails after I painted them. Apparently a freshman in high school can't stay still too long because that's what lead to the not so perfect lines of the polish :)) 

A little splash of color never hurts!

xoxo

Pinky 

Top Knot & Accessories

I embarked on the after holiday shopping today. At American Eagle I found the cutest hair accessory for the popular top knot hairstyle. Plus with the after holiday sales the accessory was only $2.00, and they had a variety of colors and prints. I, however, bought a bright pink one!

 

This is what the accessory looks like. After using it, it seems like it will stay in much better than a bow or a headband. This is because there is a thin wire under the fabric allowing you to pull it as tight as you want around your bun. The wire also allows you to twist it so it holds in your hair. 

 

This is my bun before I added the bow to it. I used one of the bun formers, and rolled my hair underneath it until it was just how I wanted it. 

 

I un-twisted the accessory I bought from American Eagle. Then I placed it around my bun, and twisted it to look like it tied in the front. 

Have fun being creative. 

xoxo 

Pinky 

Mockingjay; Hunger Games Trilogy

After the abrupt ending to the movie Catching Fire, I knew I needed to read Mockingjay. First of all, if you haven't seen any of the Hunger game movies I highly recommend them. Once you see them you will know why I was so gung ho on needing to read Mockingjay. I started Mockingjay and finished it within two days. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy action, suspense, and adventure. Plus we are all looking for something to do this time of year as the cold weather keeps us hibernating within our houses. With that being said, the book is about Katniss Everdeen who is a winner of the Hunger Games, and becomes this icon of hope for the districts against the capitol. This hope leads to uprisings that the capitol is against, which gives Katniss determination to wage war against the capitol. It is a must read if you are interested in seeing who comes out victorious, will it be Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire? or Panem, the capitol? 

xoxo

Pinky

Jesus Calling

I recently got this daily devotion book called, "Jesus Calling". Since today is Christmas Eve I thought I would share the message today just as a reminder of the gift of hope, love, and eternal life that was brought upon us on this day.

      "I speak to you form the depths of eternity. Before the world was formed, I am! You hear Me in the depths of your being, where I have taken up residence. I am Christ in you, the hope of Glory. I, your Lord and Savior, am alive within you. Learn to tune in to My living Presence by seeking Me in silence.

      "As you celebrate the wonder of My Birth in Bethlehem, celebrating also your rebirth into eternal life. This everlasting gift was the sole purpose of My entering your sin-stained world. Receive My gift with awe and humility. Take time to explore the vast dimensions of My Love. Allow thankfulness to flow freely from your hear in response to My glorious gift. Let me Peace rule in your heart, and be thankful."

Lastly, one verse from Psalm 90:2. "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole work, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

As all the busyness of gift shopping and wrapping come to an end I find it important to reflect on the true importance of this Christmas holiday; The birth of Jesus Christ. He has been there before us, and He still stands with us today, giving us freedom of sin, and hope. All we need to do is trust in Him and have the faith.

Blessings to you on this special day!

xoxo
Pinky

Room Ideas; Vintage

I feel the whole vintage style is very popular whether people incorporate it into their wardrobe or decorations. My sister, however, took on this challenge when it came to redesign her room. So that is who inspired this post, my sister. Her room consists of three out of the four walls being a light, light yellow, and the fourth wall is a creme. Once the hard portion was done, we went to local antique shops sifting through items whether they were to hang on her wall or act as decorations on her bookshelf, vanity, or nightstand. I found it enjoyable taking the time to look for particular items to bring this vintage theme alive. For example, at one antique shop we found what looked like a framed chicken coop (this idea is all over Pinterest) in which my sister uses clothes pins to hang up pictures or vintage looking postcards. Another cute touch to create a vintage room is creating a collaged wall with tattered picture frames, mirrors, or quoted wall decor. More importantly I found it fun being creative, and looking around at a variety of stores in helping her find the right items in order to complete her vintage room. Below I included a few pictures of her "vintage" room, however, it is still in a work in progress.

 The pictures above are a start to her collaged wall. Her wall decor that spells out dance is idea of incorporating some quoted wall decor I mentioned above. 

Well hopefully this post gave you some inspiration to be creative! 

xoxo 

Pinky

Holiday Fashion

The holidays are a time of celebration, which I love especially when there are a variety of parties to get all dressed up for. Plus the holidays are over the long college break, which means running into friends you graduated with. Now looks aren't everything but what girl doesn't want to look classy and fine in front of people you haven't seen in a while. With that being said, I thought I had to include a few of my favorite holiday looks during this time of year, but just keep in mind I'm no fashionista either!

1. My newest obsession has become nail polish. During this time of year I've grown to love to dark, earthy colors, as well as red. Leave it to Pinterest for me to fall in love with this Essie color, "Carry On".

2. Thanks to my roommates for introducing me to the fashionable chunky necklaces (I don't know how else to describe them). These necklaces add so much to an outfit, by dressing an outfit up or adding a splash of color to it. 

(Pictures, jewelry, and inspiration found from Francesca's; francescas.com)

3. Now to the clothes, which is the fun part! My personal style doesn't involve an over dramatic look. I tend to go for the more simple and classy look. This year I found I like assembles that put together a little bit of sparkle with some jewelry. Also, I have grown to like red as an accent, so I had to add a simple assemble that used red as the accent. 

                                               

(Assembles and pictures found on Pinterest)

Best of luck in finding the perfect outfit for you holiday festivities! 

xoxo

Pinky

Christmas Movies

I don't know if you've noticed but I fully enjoy the Christmas season. From baking, to setting up the tree, to watching Christmas movies. Now with only four days until Christmas it seems like every television station is showing some sort of Christmas movie every night. That made me feel like I had to list what I think are the top 10 Christmas must watch movies each year, let's begin…

1. Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation

2. Elf 

3. Christmas with the Kranks

4. The Polar Express 

5. A Christmas Story

6. Charlie Brown's Christmas

7. It's A Wonderful Life

8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 

9. A Christmas Carol

10. Home Alone 

Time to grab a blanket, hot cocoa, turn on the Christmas lights and begin to watch these movies as we await Christmas! 

xoxo
Pinky

Christmas Baking

Today was the day, I finished my organic chemistry final and my fall semester in college was complete. I booked it out of school for an afternoon full of final Christmas shopping and baking Christmas cookies. This put me in the Christmas spirit because who doesn't love to bake? So… I just have to share what I made, as well as pictures of the finishing results.

I started with the traditional Peanut Butter blossoms.

These cookies are so simple, all the recipe called for was peanut butter cookie dough and Hershey Kisses.

Then wahlah, I made a cookie I can't stop indulging in. 

Next I made white chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles. 

                       
Again, these were simple too. All I needed was pretzel rods, Almond Bark (white or milk chocolate), and a variety of sprinkles. I melted the Almond Bark, then using a spoon, I poured the melted chocolate over the pretzel. Lastly, I put the sprinkles on them. For the pretzels to dry I placed them, vertically, in a tall cup so the chocolate didn't smear.

After hours of making a mess in the kitchen, I am treating myself to a homemade cookie with delicious hot cocoa, while watching basketball and Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation.

With the Christmas season upon us, I've been taking in all the enjoyable Christmas traditions. More importantly I'm not letting myself forget the real reason for the season.

Now what are you favorite Christmas traditions or memories?

Until then,

xoxo
Pinky

10 Random Facts

1. Favorite color is Pink

2. Enjoys baking

3. Likes to run

4. Obsessed with Pinterest

5. Movie watcher

6. Have a weakness for anything sweet

7. Fan of Duck Dynasty

8. Really into nail polish

9. Proud to be a Minnesotan

10. Favorite saying, "Live, Laugh, Love"

xoxo

Pinky

The Adventure Begins

Hello World,

I've officially decided to become part of the blogging world by influence of my dad. It sounds like it'll be fun enjoyable way to share my daily adventures of being a college student, being a twenty-year-old, and living life as a blonde. So far setting up my blog has taken me away from preparing for my organic chemistry final so what do I have to complain about… blogging has been great so far!

Until then,

xoxo

Pinky