Day 23: Skirt

This is not a skirt. Oh, snap! It's a dress. This dress, actually. But I successfully fooled you into thinking it was a skirt, right?

I wore this on Friday. Totally not a Friday outfit, I know, but I just felt like dressing up a bit. Being a little dressed up makes me feel more confident.

As for July's Give Up/Take On?

Give Up: Sleep. Let me explain. I'm giving up "sleeping in." I've had unproductive mornings simply because I tend to sleep in until I have just enough time to get ready and get out the door. Well, for July, I've been getting up 1-2 hours earlier than need be. What do I do with that time? Exercise, prep for dinner, whatever. I just miss the days when I was productive in the mornings, so I'm trying to get back into that routine.

Take On: Reading. Not reading in general, but reading specifically a book. Focusing on one book to read and finish. Want to know what I'm reading? "The Neverending Story." No foolin'. Hubs claims it's his favorite book ever, and I bought him a hardback copy for Christmas a couple of years ago. Now I'm finally taking the chance to read it.

Do you have any challenges you're taking on this month?

H&M top, Banana Republic dress and leather bracelet, Mossimo wedges, F21 belt, gifted, handmade bracelet

Day 14: Pizza

This was Monday, the day I not only convinced my hubs to meet me for lunch, but also to snap my outfit shots. Isn't he a great guy?

He truly is. He's planning our anniversary fun for this weekend, so I"m excited! Our three-year anniversary is next Tuesday, but we'll be celebrating this Saturday. Last year I planned our anniversary events, so it's his turn this year.

I'm excited.

I'm also excited about this necklace I won in dash dot dotty's giveaway! It goes perfectly with this top and I can't wait to wear it lots. Thanks, Dotty!

 Old Navy top and jeans, Urban cardigan, Banana Republic shoes, won necklace

And, lastly, I'm excited to share with you a gluten-free recipe. I finally got a chance to use the Namaste pizza dough mix I bought weeks ago. Just like my sister-in-law promised, it was great! I liked this recipe so much, I thought I'd share it with you, with my modifications below.

Caramelized Onions and Leek (Gluten Free!) Pizza

(Originally here, slightly modified below.)

Ingredients

2 leeks, white parts sliced thin
1 1/2 onion, cut in half the sliced thin
2 1/2 T. butter
3 garlic cloves, sliced thin
salt and pepper to taste
oregano to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup tomato pesto
Namaste pizza dough mix, enough to make one 14-inch pizza

Directions

Preheat oven to 425

1. Melt butter in large skillet over low heat. Add leeks and onions and cook for about 30 minutes, or until onions and leeks are cooked, soft and translucent.
2. Follow directions to prepare your pizza crust.
3. Pour pesto into center of the crust and--using the back of a spoon in clockwise or counterclockwise motion--start spreading the sauce evenly across the dough.
4. Sprinkle on 1 cup cheese. Layer garlic slices and sprinkle with oregano.
5. Add onions and leeks. Then sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake in the oven until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted completely.

6. Stuff your face with gluten-free pizza deliciousness!

Day 10: Good

There are several things I'm not very good at that I wish I were:

Cooking: It's true. As much as I talk about cooking and what recipes I'm working on, cooking is not my forte. Sigh. I follow recipes just fine, I just can't come up with my own recipes. And that's OK. I don't need to be a brilliant cook. I just need to be able to feed my family.

Playing the guitar: I picked up the guitar in college because it seemed like the thing to do. The good thing? I learned quickly because I started playing the piano at a young age. But I didn't really stick with it long enough to get any farther than strumming some chords. Now I've got a long way to go, and I'm not really sure where to start.

Party planning: Surprised? Yeah, I've planned a few parties in my life, but it's not something I'm good at, and I don't particularly enjoy it. I like having friends over, I like entertaining, but the planning part? It's just not me.

BUT

I am good at some stuff:

Baking: You know what you're good at when you're good at following recipes? Baking. And I've baked some killer things, including pies from fresh-picked apples (the first thing I ever baked from scratch) and red velvet cake (thanks to my mom-in-law's secret recipe!).

Singing: My voice is something I'm especially proud of. Along with acting, it's what gave me the confidence I needed to get through the self-esteem draining middle school years. I love singing.

Hostessing: I may not get all fancy with party favors and doilies, but I can make someone feel welcome. The other night a friend expectantly dropped by, and we all had dinner together. And I love that. I love that my friends can just drop by and feel welcome. And I love that friends can come stay with us for a few nights and feel at home. I hope they always do.

 H&M top, Banana Republic pants, Gap sandals, Old Navy necklace

Tomorrow I'm taking a break from the 30. I think i can do that every ten days. It's because 1.) tomorrow is the Giants game and I want to wear orange, and 2.) tomorrow is my friend's bachelorette party (right after work), so I probably won't have time to post.

Ta ta!

Day 7: Diablo

Singing at church.

Old friends visiting.

Paella for lunch.

Riding in a rental Crown Vic.

Driving up Mount Diablo.

Empress of China for dinner.

Back home for "Futurama" reruns and winding down.

Early to bed.

 Old Navy tops and jacket, Gap pants, Banana Republic shoes, F21 bracelets, Frosted Willow earrings

Day 3: Wedged

You know, it's weird. This week has been busy, starting with rehearsals on Saturday. And yet, I'm feeling energized. I'm sure I'll crash by the weekend.

I've been thinking I'll reread the last Harry Potter book before seeing it in the theater (totally going to the midnight show). Like Jessica suggested, I'll be making some "reading dates" with myself. I know, I know. Harry Potter is no stretch for the 'ol brain muscles, but I think that's what I need right now.

I kind of forgot and just remembered again that next week my grad school pals with be in town for one of our friend's weddings. I am so excited. We have a fun bachelorette party night planned, and we're all staying in a house together. And there's a hot tub there.

Oh my goodness that will be wonderful. And lots of laughs, to be sure.

 Old Navy tank, gifted jeans, Target necklace, Mossimo wedges, necklace c/o Erskine College