Thank You

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Sunset at Elliott Bay

Sunday afternoon Mom & Dad drove down to help me with a few house projects I couldn't do on my own.  After working for several hours, we got hungry and decided to head down to one of our favorites, Maggie Bluffs at Elliott Bay Marina.  While it was still too cold to sit outside, the weather wasn't quite freezing like it had been and the sun was shining, so it was the perfect evening to spend by the water watching some NFL playoffs and drinking beers.  When we got out of dinner, the sun was just setting over the bay and the colors in the sky were absolutely breathtaking.  I had to stop and snap a few pics to remember this gorgeous evening, and it reminded me why I live in this beautiful city and put up with these icky winters - when you least expect it, the most beautiful evening appears.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili

The skies have opened and it's back to rainy Seattle winter.  While I'm appreciating the tiny bit warmer weather, I'm not into the rain.  But regardless, it's still cold out which means it's the perfect time to break out the slow cooker and make a big ol' pot of chili.  This Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili is from my new favorite cookbook Skinnytaste: Fast & Slow and it was delicious.  As the recipe says, it makes a ton {I would probably use 2 chicken breasts if making again instead of the recommended 3} but it was perfect to eat for a few days and then throw in the freezer.  It kept me warm on these cold days the past few weeks and since winter doesn't seem like it's letting up anytime soon I can't wait to reach into the freezer in a few weeks and bring it out again.  And the best part?  Absolutely no prep work {ok, except chopping the onion}.  Everything went in the slow cooker in the morning and was ready for dinner when I got home that night.  How easy is that??

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili

Ingredients
Seasoning
1 1/2 Tblsp cumin
1 1/2 Tblsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Chili
1- 8oz can tomato sauce
1- 15oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1- 15oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1- 10oz package frozen corn
2- 10oz cans diced tomatoes with chiles {Rotel}
1- 4oz can chopped green chiles
1 small onion, chopped
2-3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients for taco seasoning and set aside.
2. In slow cooker, combine tomato sauce, beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, onion, and seasoning.  Stir well, nestle chicken on top, and cover. 
3. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours.  Remove chicken and shred.  Return to cooker and stir well.
4. To serve, scoop chili in individual serving bowls and top with cilantro, avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, etc.

Serves 10

adapted from Skinnytaste Fast & Slow

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Winter Sunrise

How was your long weekend??  Besides the awful game on Saturday {ugh, I can't even talk about it} my weekend was pretty good.  And it started out with this gorgeous sunrise on Friday morning on my way to work - I walked outside and it literally looked like the sky was on fire!  Pictures don't do it justice but let me tell you, these cold winter skies are pretty spot on.  Now, that doesn't mean I'm not totally ready for spring.....

Happy Tuesday already! :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Blue Friday

Happy Blue Friday!  Tomorrow is a big one, and I'm pumped to watch the boys take on Atlanta on their road to the Superbowl.  It's gonna be a tough one, but I'm confident they can do it with all of the 12's behind them.  Hope you all have a great long weekend and don't forget to cheer on our team!  

Go Hawks!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Market & Delancey

After the museum, Mom and I walked down to Pike Place Market to wander the stalls and check out some shops, and we were treated with a gorgeous sunset over the sound.  As we were heading back to my house and trying to decide where to go for dinner, Mom suggested that "pizza place" we went to for my birthday a few years back.  Delancey?  Yes please!  We headed up to my favorite little spot in Ballard right as they were opening and snagged the first table in the restaurant that eventually filled up quite quickly {like always}.  We ordered big glasses of wine, the Jersey salad, and a sausage pizza and devoured everything {you have to - it's so good!}.  As we took in the other patrons and planned for the upcoming holiday I was so happy to be sitting in that cozy little restaurant with some of my favorite things - pizza, wine, and my mama :)  

xoxo,
stephanie marie

YSL at SAM

The week before Christmas I took a half day at work and Mom came down to the city to go to the museum with me.  All fall {actually, since a year ago when I heard about it}, I've wanted to go see the Yves St. Laurent exhibit "The Perfection of Style" at the Seattle Art Museum and since it was leaving after the holidays, it was the perfect time to stop by.  The museum was close to empty on a Wednesday afternoon so we were able to wander around the exhibit reading the narratives, watching the videos, and taking in the amazing fashion.  It's hard to explain how it made me feel walking around and seeing these historic and gorgeous pieces of art - there's something about being around such beautiful and intricate and famous pieces that made me so giddy I had butterflies in my stomach.  I felt such a high being in the presence of these iconic dresses and sketches by the legend himself that I couldn't stop smiling and staring and taking pictures.  Unfortunately you can't go see it anymore {oops} but I definitely took enough pics to give you a feel for the magic.  Enjoy! :)

 the coolest paperdolls

 obsessed with this jacket

 the famous mondrian dress

xoxo,
stephanie marie