{The Stud Muffin} Brick Chicken and Onion Potatoes

I have a feeling that being a food photographer is a little like being an on field sports photographer.

There's always the risk of getting hit, knocked over or burned and ruining the photo (and possibly large patches of skin.)

When Micah is on the move, I'm at risk for getting run over or pushed into the hot oven. Usually, I just leave him to it in the kitchen and interrupt only to take a photo. 'Only' to take a photo probably isn't the right way to say it. Micah says, "Here, I'm doing the next step, come get a picture."

Well, 12 photos later, I still haven't found the perfect angle, or I have to adjust my lighting. And Micah's patience is thinning. Usually he just sighs and taps his foot and acts pretty put out having to wait for me to capture his creation in the best light possible.

We love to watch shows like Chopped and Iron Chef on the Food Network, and after trying to photograph my own husband in the kitchen, I can't imagine being one of the camera people trying not to get run over by two sweaty chefs.

I think I'll stick to Micah's foot tapping and deep sighs.

**Also, the potato recipe was shown to me by my mother in law, and now I'm addicted. I love roasted potatoes, and the onion soup mix just gives it something a little extra. YUM.*

Brick Chicken

Marinade:

1/2 large orange, sliced in thick rounds

1 lemon, sliced in thin rounds

2 sprigs of fresh rosemary

1 tablespoon of paprika

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon sea salt

Roasting:

1/2 large orange, thick slices

1 lemon, thinly sliced

2 large sprigs of rosemary

2 Skin On, Bone In Chicken Breasts

2 Skin On, Bone In Chicken Thighs

1. Mix all ingredients together, mashing up the orange and lemon slices to release juices
2. Divide marinade into two parts and pour into 2 large ziploc bags (thighs in one, breasts in the other)
3. Massage marinade into  breasts and thighs through sealed bag (insert 14 year old boy joke here)
4. Marinate chicken in marinade for 4 hours before cooking
5. Preheat oven to 500 degrees and place large cast iron pan into oven
6. Heat cast iron grill pan (or large skillet) to high on stovetop until hot
7. Sear breasts and thighs skin side down on stovetop skillet until skin is browned

 

8.  Flip chicken over, cover with remaining orange and lemon slices and rosemary sprigs 

9.  Remove hot cast iron skillet from oven and place flat side down on top of chicken

10.  Place chicken pan-wich (hehe) back into oven for 25 minutes, or until cooked through 

11.  Remove cast iron skillet for last 5 minutes of cooking to crisp skin

Onion Soup Roasted Potatoes

2 lbs small red potatoes

1 packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix

3 tablespoons olive oil 

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. Wash potatoes thoroughly before cutting
3. Line large baking pan with aluminum foil
4. Quarter potatoes until bite sized
5. Pour olive oil into lined pan and distribute evenly
6. Toss potatoes in pan until well coated with EVOO
7. Pour packet of onion soup mix evenly over potatoes, then mix until evenly coated
8. Place pan in oven, stirring potatoes every 10 minutes to ensure they cook through
9. Cook for approx 40 minutes, until soft in the middle with semi crispy skins
10. Enjoy!!!

Flying High

Something about these pink pants just put me in a good mood. 

 

Pair my magic pink pants with my bird shirt, and I'm unstoppable. Dare I say, I believe I can fly. Red Bull be damned. I have a little bit of sad though. These pink pants fit beautifully when I first bought them, but now that I'm losing the weight, they fit for about 15 minutes, then they start falling off at the waist. 

 

Here's the thing though. They still are tight on the legs. So just from my hips to my under-cheek do they sag. I'm considering having them taken in at the waist so I can wear them longer. Heck, I only paid $8 for them. I figure I can swing some darts.  

More importantly, it's Friday, and April starts this weekend! How are we already a quarter of a way through the year? A year ago this time, I was getting ready to move to Austin, doing lots of bridal-y things, crafting my little heart out, and finishing up my last month of school. Ever.

 

 What were you up to April 2011?

See? They really do make me fly.

Top: Old Navy (2012)  Pants: Thrifted (2012)
Belt: Forever 21 (2012)  Flats: American Eagle (2005)
Bracelet: Forever 21 (2012)  Earrings: Forever 21 (2008)

April Showers... In March

April came early this year. Well, the showers anyway.

Two photos into this session, the sky opened up and we took cover to keep my camera from getting wet. That and it's dangerous if I get wet. Sugar melts.

 

 

After the horrible drought that completely parched Texas last year, I'm not going to complain. In fact, I love the rain. It makes me miss Seattle. A lot.

 

Luckily for me, I also love umbrellas and rain boots, so this was a great time to break out one of my two favorite umbrellas! I found this lilypad umbrella in a boutique that was going out of business for a mere $3. Score! I'm currently in the market for a pair of yellow rain boots, so hopefully by the next gusher, I'll be stylin' like Paddington Bear.

Tee: Anthropologie (2011)  Jeans: Forever 21 (2008)
Scarf: Forever 21 (2008)  Flats: Target (2007)
Earrings: Banana Republic Outlet (2011)  Umbrella (2008)

 

  With everything popping up green and the flowers blooming, I'm getting excited for a year with running rivers, full lakes, no flesh eating bacteria breeding in standing water. Central Texas is stunning this time of year with the wildflowers, blooming trees and cool fresh air, and I can't wait to get out in it!

{Beauty Mark} Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel

Spring cleaning isn't just for the clutter in your closet, kitchen or attic.

It's also for you! Winter brings dry, chapped skin and spring is all about the new. I myself am very sensitive to scrubs with beads or crystals and will break out at the mere sight of them. I use a face loofah in the shower, but I still feel like I'm shedding skin throughout the day.

I caught myself wandering around Ulta around this time last year, about 2 months before my wedding, and ran across these pads. I normally wouldn't spend the moolah on something like a face peel, but my mom had been getting lactic acid peels and loved them (was that supposed to be secret?) and I saw that these used lactic acid as well. I figured they were less expensive than going to a dermatologist, I was a bride possessed, and was sucking up any product that could possibly make me a more radiant, sane bride. 

These puppies didn't make me any more sane, but good grief did I glow! I would rub one of these on my face fresh out of the shower, as well as my neck, chest, shoulders and tops of hands. After about 3 or 4 uses, I started noticing a subtle glow and an evenness to my skin that I hadn't noticed before. I only used them twice a week or so, because any more and they would just straight peel my face off.

I would advise applying these at night to give them time to soak in, as they can leave the face slightly sticky for a few minutes after application. Because of the season, make sure to apply a face lotion with SPF to protect that new baby skin!

After seeing the improvements, I told my mom, and not only did she start using it, her boyfriend did as well. My husband even uses them from time to time! I have even converted a couple of friends to start using them as well! 

They may run a little pricey (ok, a lot) but I just now finished the jar a year after buying them, as they need to be used less often once you bring out that glowing new skin!

Philosophy Microdelivery Peel Pads

Disclaimer: This product was not given to me nor was I compensated for this review in any way. This product was purchased by myself with my money because I felt like it. That's how I roll.