Paint Colors

Luckily, there isn't much that Mr. C and I need to do to our new house. The house was built in 78' but the previous owners did a good job renovating some of the main areas - like the kitchen, but one thing I definitely wanted to do was paint. The formal living room, dining room, foyer, kitchen and laundry room were all a dark olive green. Of course, Mr. C "loved" the current paint colors {but between you and me, I just don't think he wanted to deal with it} and didn't want to change them.

He was not going to win that battle no matter how much kicking and screaming he did! I didn't want to paint just because I didn't like the color, but also because I wanted to make it ours. I have been renting apartments and townhouses for four years - living in the same old boring colors. This is our first home together and I wanted to make it ours, starting with painting! 

Why does picking out a paint color have to be so dog-gone difficult? I think it was one of the most stressful things to do - okay maybe not the most stressful - but it was definitely up there. I searched all over Pinterest and some of my other fav blogs for color inspiration. I bought five samples before finally picking the two perfect colors! Ta-da

   

The Porpoise was used in the kitchen and laundry room. I love gray and it looks so good up against the white cabinets and {as Outkast so cleverly put it} so fresh and so clean. All the other rooms {living room, dinning room and foyer} brightened up with the smokey slate, it no longer looks like we live in a dungeon.  I wish I had some good before pictures, but of course all I had on me at the time was my cell phone {they didn't turn out that well}. Oh well, here are a couple before and after pictures.  Again, I apologize for the bad pics!!

Kitchen -before

Kitchen -after

Dining Room & Living Room -before

Dining Room -after

We are moving....again

But this time it is to our NEW HOME!!! Yes, Mr. C and I brought a house in Albany and we couldn't be more excited, I guess this means we are staying here in SWGA for awhile :)

We have been on the move a lot, 3 times in the last 4 years to be exact- moving to our new home will be #4!  I will be so excited when we get everything settled in the new house, cause this chica is not moving again for long time.

Also, because we have moved so frequently we have so many wedding presents we haven't used or even seen in the last 2.5 years. It will be like Christmas unwrapping them all again.  And of course I have been scouring Pinterest for decorating ideas and inspiration. First up on the to do list  is painting!

Mediterranean Chicken

I love it when I find an awesome quick and simple recipe, it helps make my life easier. The other day I was on the hunt for a new chicken recipe, so I started browsing some recipes over at You've Got Supper and came across this one, Mediterranean Chicken in a NY Minute. The name said it all and I was hooked! {Side note: If you have never heard of You've Got Supper definitely check it out, I posted about it before here.} Now at first I was a little skeptical to try it because (a) chicken is not Mr. C's fav and (b) he doesn't really care for artichokes - unless of course they are in my sister's crab and artichoke dip. But I decided to go out on a limb and give it at try because (a) I love chicken and artichokes and (b) I was the one doing the cooking.

Well...the hubby put his stamp of approval on it.

via

Ingredients:
4 chicken breast halves, boneless & skinless, 4 oz. each
1 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes, no salt, drained
1 14 oz. frozen artichokes coarsely chopped (I used 1 small jar of the non-frozen)
8 large kalamata olives, pitted halved (these can be kind of $$$, so I used black olives)
2 oz. feta cheese crumbles ( I probably went a little heavy on this...love me some feta)
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. oregano

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Lightly pound chicken just so they are all the even thickness, but don't make them to thin
3. Cut 4 12" squares of foil, place one chicken breast in the center of each piece of foil (it doesn't say to, but after this I seasoned the chicken with a little S&P)
4. Combine the diced tomatoes, artichokes, olives, and feta in a bowl. Top chicken evenly with the mixture. Then, drizzle each with a little of the olive oil and oregano.
5. Seal the chicken in the foil and then place packets on a rimmed baking sheet.
6. Bake for about 22 to 25  or until chicken is cooked.

For a side,  I made yellow rice but couscous would also go nice with this recipe. Enjoy!

3 month review

I have got to be the world's worst blogger. I know there is not a lot of you out there that read my blog, but to the ones that do I am sorry for being so MIA. I actually have a good reason though - drumroll please - I finally got a job!!! It is crazy how I can go from not having anything to do to, to everything happening at once.

Since my last post I have acquired a job, went to Orlando for one of my dear friends baby shower (who a couple of days ago welcomed a sweet little boy to this world), traveled to Auburn, AL for a wedding, went to the beach to celebrate Easter with the family and my sister's birthday.

It has been non-stop and so, I thought I would take this time to also let everyone know how I am coping with living in SW GA.  When we decided to make the move, I was excited for our new adventure, but I won't lie, I was pretty nervous too. The thought of moving to a new, small southern town where I knew only two other people, try to make new friends, and find a job - it was all little frightening. But through previous experience I knew that when one door closes a new one always opens up - I just didn't know how long it was going to take for that to happen. I don't know about y'all, but I find that has you get older it can sometimes be harder to make friends. But I am happy to report that everything is falling into place (knock on wood!), Mr. C loves his job, I like mine and we are meeting some wonderful people. Everyone has been so friendly, especially my friend Cristin, who has been tremendous in helping me get settled, I am truly getting a taste of that southern hospitality.

Weekend Round-up

Mr. C and I took advantage of the beautiful weather this past weekend and enjoyed the great outdoors. Mr. C has been working so much lately and the past couple of weekends he has been going to work, so it was nice to spend two whole days with him. We enjoyed some good country cookin' at a local joint called Pearly's, walked around Chehaw Park, and I caught my first bass and brim!  

{It was my first time eating at Pearly's and it was definitely good. Nothing fancy, but probably some of the best biscuits & gravy I've ever had!}

{Me and Mr. C at Chehaw.}

{My first brim!}

St. Patty's Day Ideas

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. Oh how I used to love St. Patty's Day in college - so much fun! I quickly realized that St. Patricks Day for college students is like Christmas morning when your a kid. It is just a good reason to get together with friends, hang out and drink green beer. Not sure exactly what Mr. C and I will do, if anything. But I still wanted to get in the mood for this green holiday so I turned to....that's right Pinterest for some inspiration.  Here are some of the great ideas I found!

Source: browneyedbaker.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: hostessblog.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: tangledandtrue.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: twigandthistle.com via Amanda on Pinterest

oh the view

I can't say that apartment living is the best, but there is one good thing about our apartment....the view! It is such a beautiful day (besides all the pollen)- I just can't wait for spring!! Hope everyone is having a great day :)