Pinterest Recipe Successes and Fails

I go to Pinterest for the majority of my recipes. Either I search out a certain dish or I go with a generic search term like easy weeknight meals. Then I usually find a couple websites that I check often for their new recipes like Pinch of Yum and Skinny Taste. Sometimes the recipes are successes and I make them a lot or sometimes they are just awful. Here are some recent goods and bads.

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Tortilla Soup

I made this soup last week. The only thing I did different was use a bag of tortilla strips and I think I will make the strips next time. I just didn't have the time, or I thought I didn't have the time. This dish is full of flavor, some heat, you definitely need that squeeze of lime and the cheese. Total winner in my house.

Honey Garlic Butter Glazed Carrots

I made these carrots to go with our Christmas dinner. I let them get the caramelized color and added the herbs at last minute. They were really good and matched our Christmas dinner perfectly. I would make these again.

 BBQ Beef Pockets

I made these thinking the girls would love them since they love burritos, they love sloppy joes and they love pie. But these were just not good. I followed the recipe exactly and we didn't like them. They were bland. We will NOT be making these again.

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

I have made this about three times since we tried it and that was only a month or so ago. I was really nervous about putting the pesto in it, but the flavors are on point. I had no idea what bulgar was before this recipe, but we love it. And the leftovers are even better!

Mississippi Pot Roast

I heard a lot of good things about Mississippi Pot Roast. I never thought to put peppers into my pot roast, but it just works. This dish is super simple to make and really packs in the flavor. Just make sure to skim the fat off. 

Sheet Pan Mongolian Beef

I have mentioned this dish on here before, but it is soooo good. I have made this a few times and I even doubled the recipe (hello leftovers). The doubling was a bit of a trial and error, but it works. If you want to double the recipe, cook the green beans fully before. Then remove to a cover plate and proceed with the meat. This way you can cook the meat all at once. Then I just combine it on the sheet pan or in another casserole dish for serving. This dish over brown rice is amazing. And don't skimp on the flank steak.

 Creamy Brussels Sprouts Gratin

So I have made this twice now. The first time, we thought it was good and the second time we just didn't like it. I made it originally because at a tailgate someone made a similar dish and I couldn't stop eating it. But when I made this one, it didn't taste the same and it didn't caramelize like above. I think that is the biggest problem and I cooked it in a cast iron skillet. I wouldn't make this again.

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I have made this twice now and we love it. It is super simple, flavorful and makes for good leftovers. The first time, I used the iceberg lettuce that it called for and the second I used live butter lettuce. Both were great. And make sure you get the sauce. I ordered it online since I didn't find it at Whole Foods or my local grocery store.

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Lastly, sloppy joes. My girls and I love sloppy joes. I grew up on Mamwich at school and I loved it. But then as I got older, we realized what was inside that can and now we make ours from scratch. My mom started this as we got older and I used that recipe for a long time and now I use this one. It is very similar to my moms, but this one has a bit of mustard in it. Packs in the flavor. I usually make this when Rory travels for work, but I recently made it for him and he really liked it too.

Do you have any recipes to recommend to me? I love trying new ones.

What's Hap-Pinning

So I was browsing Pinterest as I always do looking for new recipes, hair tips and tricks, clothes and cocktails.

These carrots look amazing. And the best part is, we are growing carrots in an old wine barrel right now. I can't wait to try this recipe with them.

Roasted Carrots

I eat salads almost daily for lunch unless I have leftovers. I always looking for new salads to try and this one mimics one of my favorite ones from the Cheesecake Factory. It is only missing the jicama and fried onions, which I could easily add on to it.

Southwestern Chopped Salad

Another salad I would love to make for myself would be this spinach salad.

Almond, Fruit and Chicken Salad

Today is National Scotch Day and you better believe I will be taking part of it...tonight...after dinner that is. In honor of scotch day, I would love to be enjoying a glass of Macallan 25, but sadly that isn't in price range right now. So instead I will be enjoying this one.

Glenmorangie Scotch

Last week I had some pain in my armpit. It hurt to lift my arm and even put deodorant on it. It had a slight bump inside of it and I think it was from my deodorant or a clogged sweat gland (per the doctor who I sat next to at the wedding last weekend). But it really got me thinking that I shouldn't be using traditional antiperspirant due to the cancer issue. I have always rolled my eyes at it, but I just don't want to risk it. So I have been looking into other options and Jenn posted about this natural one a week ago. I really want to try it. She says it takes a bit to get used to, but she likes it. So I think I might try it. Have any others tried it before? What did you think?

 Piper Wai

I am loving this look. Sure it is listed as Spring wear, but I think it is still fitting for the summer. I would love to get a skirt like this and wear it to work or date nights. It would be perfect for Europe!

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What's Hap-Pinning

So I am a little late to the link up today, but I am here. I had planned on writing this post last night, but sleep won instead.

We are on the search for some beach gear for our girls, so I have been looking at wagons to carry our gear through the thick soft sand. So far I have it narrowed down to these two. Any feedback or reviews for these two you care to share?

MacSports Folding Beach Wagon source

Ozark Folding Beach Wagon source

And we are on the hunt for water shoes for the girls since the sand gets so hot. What are your experiences with kids and water socks? Have any to recommend? Here are a few that I am looking at.

Starbay Water Socks source

I have been wanting a beach/pool float for quite awhile. I have seen the flamingo and pizza ones all over IG and I am dying for one. Plus I can put my girls on it with me (and watch them, don't worry). Zulily had a sale on them about a week or two ago and I didn't look it up in time for the ones I wanted. So until then, I will dream about them.

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After looking at beach stuff, I decided to start in on some camping stuff as we want to take the girls camping more and more. Right now, they sleep in my parents 5th wheel and Rory and I stay in a tent, but we do want them in a tent with us at some point. Especially if we camp without my family. I saw this toddler bed and it is on my wish list right now.

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I am linking up with Jessi and Jenn today.

This post contains affiliate links.

What's Hap-Pinning Lately

I'm back with another installment of What's Hap-Pinning and today I have a ton of random pins. So get ready to pin away.

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I love these shorts. They seem to be light, airy and I love the print. They are a bit short for this mommy, but still beautiful nonetheless.

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This romper is everything. Blush pink, the light fabric, the deep v and the small circles. I would have loved to wear this about 5 years ago (body wise).

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I swoon over this dress. It would be perfect for the upcoming wedding I am going to. I love the flare, the high neck and the colors. Get in my closet.

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I would wear this necklace daily if I had it. The rose gold, the tear drop shape and the gold chain. Definitely needs to be around my neck.

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Heaven. A Boozy S'More Milkshake. I am in love. This would be perfect for my upcoming Graeagle trip which is in 12 days by the way!

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Everything about this breakfast sounds amazing. I am always looking for new healthy breakfast recipes and this fits the bill. Especially for work days when I only have time to grab yogurt, fruit and some granola. Why not make it ahead of time into something even better?!

Today I am linking up with Jessi and Jenn

What's Hap-Pinning Lately

I have a serious all over the place list of pins I have been pinning this week. Everything from baby to running and anything in between. But you can see for yourself below. Welcome to the world of Danielle's chaotic brain this week.

Today I am linking up with Jenn and Jessi.

First up, is the ongoing search for the perfect diaper pail. Is there really any diaper pail that is GREAT? Probably not. We used to have the Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail for about a year and a half. It was starting to smell and we were at the end of our supply of bags, so I searched amazon and so many reviews of diaper pails and ultimately decided on the Ubbi Diaper Pail. After using it for a few weeks, I am finally ready to say that I HATE this diaper pail. Yes, you read that right. Hate. Sure it is prettier than the other brands with the outside being made of steel, an easy sliding door and the ability to use any kind of bag you want. The bad: the so-called childproof lock is dumb. It is a small quarter turn and it is locked and keeps toddlers out. No it doesn't. My girls got in within seconds this morning and were trying to pull the diapers out. Odor control...only when it is closed. If you open it, even for a second, the odor wafts out and stays in the air even after you close it. We tightly wrap their diapers shut and only open the pail for a second and the odor consumes us. Yes, we have toddlers so their poop stinks more, but this doesn't help with the odor. Changing the bag is easy, but when you open the top to get the bag out and have to put a new one in, you gag so much from the smell that you throw up in your mouth. True story.

I am so disappointed in this diaper pail. If you have a newborn to 6 or so month old, it will work great because the baby can't get into it and their diapers don't smell as much. But if you have roaming toddlers like I do, try something else.

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I used to be an avid runner. I loved running and would hit the gym and start my workout with a 30 to 45 minute run. I had long, lean legs and love the way my body looked. Then I got pregnant and had to stop running when I was 6 months pregnant. I have been wanting to get back into running since having the girls and I had started only to have surgery on my umbilical hernia and now I am back to square one again. I am dreading the start up again, but I have to do it at one point or another otherwise I won't have those long and lean legs I strive for. Apparently, I have been doing the elliptical wrong and have bulked up my legs (gross) instead of toning them like I wanted. So yesterday, I started a couch to 5k program. Sure, it seems easy and I feel like I won't need the 8 weeks, but you never know. I needed motivation, so here is to hoping it works out for me.

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So I got my hair done on Friday and I am happy with it, but not sure it is EXACTLY what I wanted. I went in with the idea of doing bayalage and having more natural looking hair that I could go even longer in between appointments. So off, my stylist went. I was looking for a butter blonde bayalage like this...

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It came out more like this one. More of an ash blonde bayalage.

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While I still like it, I fret that it looks like I have silvery grey hair in certain light. Maybe I am freaking out over nothing and it looks great. Who knows, but I have a follow up in 5 weeks to make sure I like it and to change anything I don't. I ended up only trimming it a tiny bit and I am rocking the wavy curls everyday.

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I feel like I am in a food rut lately. I make the same meals day in and day out it seems. We want to change it up and try new things, but some I don't research new meal ideas that often before I go to the grocery store or we pick things that we are more used to. We need some new inspiration. I have seen a ton of these companies all over blogs and facebook and want to know which you like best. We are open to trying a few of them and seeing which we like. So who likes Blue Apron? Sun Basket? Hello Fresh? etc.