Hair Envy

Recently, I have wanted nothing more than to chop off a good four-five inches of my hair. I just got a nice little dye job a few weeks ago after moving to Italy, but that wasn't enough of a "change" for me. 

I have TONS of hair. It's the most annoying thing ever. I seriously feel like I have the mane of a horse on top of my head. And something that doesn't help is the fact that my hair just doesn't grow. My hair gets to that awkward not shoulder-not mid back length, and then it just stops. This isn't something new, either. This has been for the past 19 years of my life. 

Since Spring is here, erm, kind of, I am really wanting to just chop it all off and give myself some bangs. I have some serious hair envy towards Olivia Wilde. It looks to me like we have the same hair texture/thickness and I really think I could pull this off. Maybe. My only concern is how round my face is. I'm not too sure how that would look. But then again, we almost have the same face shape, mine is just...fuller.

I would more than likely go with the cut on the left. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to get rid of the extra 2 inches like the cut on the right. I don't know though. What do you think? Regardless, I'm doing this soon! 

XOXO, 

Megan

March Favorites

After reading everyone else's blogs and watching YouTube videos, I've decided that it's time to jump on the band wagon and start my regular monthly favorites.Why not, right? Well, here ya go.

This month, as I've noticed everyone and their mother is, I'm obessed with coral. I mean really though, who isn't? If you're not, well I'm sorry. 

My go-to for every day is Benefit's Go Tropi Coral box. This thing is my holy grail kit. It includes a relatively nice sized sample of Cha Cha Tint, High Beam, Coralista blush and lip gloss. It's seriously perfection. 

Revlon Lip Butters. I'm obessed. Of course, who isn't? I've loved these puppies for quite some time but since it's Spring (at least that's what the calendar says, Italy hasn't gotten the memo.) I've been reaching for my lip butters in more so than any other of my lipsticks. They are also great for hydrating the lips, which is exactly what I've been in need of. 

I'm normally not a drug store mascara lover, besides my e.l.f. loves, but The Rocket from Maybelline is pretty stinking great. It's probably the only mascara from their Volum' Express collection that I fancy. 

I have been loving my e.l.f. polishes, especially the Vactation Trio. The mint and lavander colors are my favorites! I really love e.l.f.'s formula, as well. Typically, one coat is more than enough for me.

Last but not least is my Revlon PhotoReady foundation. I LOVE this stuff. Just love it. I have to say that I love this more than my e.l.f. flawless finish foundation,  which incase you didn't know has been the only foundation that I've worn since October. I seriously love that stuff. But this is better. Maybe. I'm just in love with it right now. 

The husband and I are finally moving into our house tonight! YAY! However, we won't have internet for a week or two. :( Hopefully I can work on a few posts. But until then, don't forget about me!

XOXO, 

Megan

March favorites

March favorites by armywifestylelife featuring maybelline mascara

Maybelline mascara
walmart.com

Benefit gift sets kit
sephora.com

Revlon beauty product
drugstore.com

Manicure tool
eyeslipsface.com

The Dress

Okay, so I may just be pulling this out of my ass, but I am pretty sure that we have a military ball coming up in the next few months. I'm not sure what the rules are for it, like if you have to have been deployed etc., but if we do have to go to it, this will be my dress!!! If I can't have this dress, I won't go. It's just PERFECT!

To military balls, you're typically supposed to wear floor length, formal gowns. It's like the Oscars or Golden Globes for military wives. Or, like prom. Maybe I shouldn't go as far as celebrity award shows. But anywho, since I live in Italy and the ball would be here, I figure why not wear something super Italian and eccentric?

This dress is from H&M Italia. I am not sure of what "brand" it's under, because I can't get the page to translate, but I know that it's not the standard H&M brand, as this dress is 99euro. But nonetheless, this dress is gorgeous and just so me! Let's hope that if we are able to go to the ball, my husband will actually want to go. 

I JUST WANT THIS DRESS!

XOXO, 

Megan

Recipe: Crock Pot Baby Back Ribs

I'm sure you all know by now that I have an obsession with my slow cooker. And I have good reason! The two burner stove in this hotel room just isn't going to work for me. And that's perfectly okay, because I could cook with my crock pot every night and be perfectly happy. My husband on the other hand, eh, not so much.

After eating ribs in Verona, I had a craving for them yesterday. I'd say the feeling was mutual with hubs as well. I, of course, got on pinterest to see what I could find as far as slow cooking ribs. Almost everything I found involved putting them on the grill at some point or another, and since I just couldn't do this, I just went all in with my crock pot. And I'm happy I did! 

Here's what you'll need for savory, tender, fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs:

1. *1-2 racks of baby back ribs *depending on how much you want to eat

2. 1 bottle of BBQ sauce, of your choice. *I'm starting the Paleo diet soon, so I chose a version without refined sugar/corn syrup. 

3. Cayenne Pepper 

4. Red pepper flakes *I chose a kind with garlic, as well.

5. Cajun seasoning (optional)

I try to keep things pretty simple when cooking meat in the slow cooker. I don't want to take away too much from the natural flavor of things. I tend to go a little heavy on the spices though. Being from Louisiana, it's just the natural way to cook things. 

Here's how to cook 'em:

1. Cover thawed ribs in spices. Add as much or as little of these as you like.

2. Place ribs in crock pot and coat evenly with half bottle of BBQ sauce.

3. Cook on medium for 3 hours. *If your crock pot doesn't have this setting, cook 4 hours on low.

4. Pour remainder of sauce on ribs, continue cooking for 1-2 hours(depending on heat setting.)
5. Eat these babies up!!!

Please excuse my messy plate and horrible quality iPhone photo!

I am so very proud of this dinner! I feel like it was very well balanced and extremely filling. This is what most of my recipes will look like once we start the Paleo diet. Meat, veggies, and no grains. I can't wait to start. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe. If you decide to try it out, let me know how it goes for you! Let me know if you changed anything up as well! 

XOXO, 

Megan

Verona, Italy.

 
   Yesterday, the husband and I decided that it was a good time to finally venture out of Vicenza. I'm pretty sure yesterday was the last day we will see the sun for the next few weeks. I say this, because it seriously never stops raining here. What is wrong with you, Italy?! I don't think Italy has gotten the memo that it's supposed to be gorgeous all the time. At least in my mind...

   The first city that we decided to travel to was Verona. This city is south west of Vicenza where we currently live. If you're wondering, Vicenza is directly between Verona and Venice. Just in case you were wondering.  We didn't really venture out too much. We just hopped on the train for a few hours of exploring and to eat some lunch.   

   When we got to Verona, we jumped in a cab to take us from the train station to the Piazza Bar.(downtown, center city area) Here, they had a nice outdoor market set up with fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, and plants. It is also where the main cafes, museums, and even the coliseum are located. We decided to first get some coffee and pizza, then we got a proper meal after walking about the city. The meal ended with wine and coffee, of course. 
       The trip was short winded, but it was nice to get out of Vicenza for a few hours, at least. I definitely look forward to spending much more time in Verona as soon as I possibly can. I see many day trips to Verona planned in our future! And to the rest of this beautiful country as well! 

XOXO, 
Megan

Recipe: Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

   

Being in a hotel for the past, eh, almost month, has made me have to get really creative with cooking. We are trying to save money (and stay healthy) by eating in, and the small two burner stove in the hotel just wasn't cutting it. So this, as you all know, led to this girl getting her beloved crock pot! I've cooked quite a few yummy things in this beauty over the past two weeks and I don't see that slowing down, even when I'm in my own kitchen with real pots and pans.

 
Pinterest is my favorite (isn't it everyones???) so of course I look to it to get my crock pot recipes. I'm sure you've all seen the many pins for "Salsa Chicken," and today I decided to try my hand at making my own. In a last minute trip to the commissary, and a last minute idea to do this, I picked up a few ingredients for what I thought would be a "healthy" version.These are the ingredients that I used for my version of Salsa Chicken:

1. 3 Chicken Breasts

2. 1/2 Jar of Organic Garlic & Cilantro Salsa

3.1/2 Bundle of Cilantro 

4. 1/3* Bottle of Taco Bell Mild Taco Sauce *only use if wanted. more/less

5. Spices/Salt to flavor

And that's it! Only 4 necessary ingredients, depending on how spicey/salty you want it. I just added some red pepper flakes and Cajun seasoning to spice mine. The best part about this dish is the cooking. It's so easy, a caveman could do it. *caveman joke will make sense the further you read.

1. Place in all ingredients.

2. Cook on low 3-4 hours.

3.Shred chicken with fork.

4. Enjoy!

 

Told you it was super simple. You can do whatever with this, but the hubs and I just made old fashioned tacos. We are planning on going Paleo,*hence, the attempted caveman joke*, as soon as we move into our house, and I'm thinking this would be an awesome Paleo dinner, just use lettuce for wraps instead of tortillas, or throw it on top of a salad. I'm pretty excited to try it.

Well, I'm off to join my husband in what I hope to be is a deep sleep. Have a lovely night, everyone!

XOXO, 

Megan