Look Good, Feel Good

I really do believe that there is truth to the saying, "Look good, feel good." 
We all have those days.  Days that we wake up feeling unmotivated, maybe feeling a bit down & out.  Maybe a situation with a family member or friend has you left you feeling a bit lost.  Or maybe just tired!  Whatever the reason, those days leave me feeling blah.  I sometimes will give myself a day (or two if things are really tough!) where little effort is put into getting myself ready. (Think yoga pants, messy bun or pony and zero makeup.)  But I find that I can't give in to that feeling more than once or twice a week otherwise I start to feel somewhat lazy and depressed. 
While some days take a bit more effort than others, there is something to be said about getting up and just pulling yourself together.  Give yourself a few more minutes to do something cute with your hair, give that new lipstick a try or take a minute to go through your shoe collection and find a pair you've been leaving behind for awhile. 
Getting dressed up in something that looks cute just makes me feel good.  Going out to run that extra errand doesn't seem like such a chore.  I take more time to visit with people because I feel more comfortable with them seeing me.  I don't feel less than adequate when making an unexpected first impression.  I also find that if I get out of bed and take the time to get ready I'm even more productive IN the house.  I cook more and bake more.  I grab the vacuum and get going.  The lazier I allow myself to be and look, the lazier I feel.  Do you feel the same?
Even the colors I choose to wear can brighten my day, which is why I'm so thankful that Spring is around the corner.  Every Tuesday when I walk into Mainstream Boutique in Savage, I'm greeted with sweet, friendly faces AND pops of color everywhere!  It's an instant mood lifter!  I had mentioned in my last blog post that different shades of orange, (think coral and tangerine) floral and lace are really hot this spring, and these outfits from Mainstream Boutique in Savage definitely follow suite.
So check out my picks this week and if you see something you love, treat yourself and spend the day feeling fancy free in your new ensemble!


This asymmetrical dress is such a gorgeous color.  It just screams happy! I paired this with a scarf and a pretty emerald green necklace.  This outfit is effortless and totally cute!

Dress: $54, Scarf: $24, Necklace: $48

Next is this sleeveless plaid dress with lovely lace detail on the bottom.  I belted it to give me a bit more shape and wore nude flats to finish off the look. (Nude shoes, especially heels, make legs appear even longer than they are.  Which is always a good thing!)

Dress: $64, Tank $36, Belt: $18

This low cut maxi dress is flattering and is a great opportunity to show off that gorgeous necklace.  The cardigan is a perfect addiction to the outfit and comes in other colors as well as shown below.

Dress: $70, Cardigan: $58, Bracelet: $36, Necklace: $48

Floral makes me happy!  This dress is so light, soft and I love the little tassel detail. Again, I chose to belt the dress but this would look great without as well.  This would make a gorgeous cover up to throw over a swim suit (think vacation!) and head to lunch.  With or without the cardigan, this outfit is pretty, pretty, pretty!

Dress: $62, Cardigan: $58, Belt: $18

If your itching to wear floral right now while the weather is still chilly, here is your answer.  This top is soft and the sleeve detail is perfection.  These jeans are new in the store and they're not only comfortable, they are cute.  The frayed hem is totally in right now so be sure to grab yourself a pair!! 

Jeans: $64, Shirt: $39, Necklace: $36

I hope you enjoyed looking at these outfits as much as I loved putting them together and posting them for you to check out.  If you see something you love, stop on by Mainstream Boutique in Savage if you're close by!  Experience that unbeatable customer service first hand.  Otherwise, give the ladies a call at (952) 440-4020 and they're more than happy to help you out and ship you your purchases.  Not only are they sweet... they're quick to ship because they know you're excited to get your new stuff.
 You can also follow them on Instagram @mainstreamboutiquesavagemn

*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife or on Twitter and SnapChat @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Soup

The last few years, my husband and I pack up the kids and head to Florida for a few weeks.  It's absolutely wonderful having those two weeks free of house chores and to just focus on my husband and our girls.  We soak up the warm sunshine, bike miles and miles, shop til we drop and swim, swim, swim.  We try to make the most of our time before we head back to the cold winters we have at home.

One of my favorite things to do on vacation is to eat.  Duh!  I love trying out all the different restaurants on Sanibel Island.  Doc Ford's is a very popular tourist-y restaurant on Sanibel and while we were dining there one night I decided to give their soup of the day a try.  It was chicken and mushroom soup and it was absolutely to die for.  My oldest daughter decided to give it a try as well and we were both scraping the bottom of the bowl trying to get in every single last bite.  I looked at her and promised her that I'd do my very best to recreate that amazing soup when we got home.  Sure enough, as soon as the bags were unpacked I was scouring the grocery store for ingredients that I thought would be perfect to clone Doc Ford's chicken and mushroom soup. 
While my Sweet Girl was at school my Little One and I went to work chopping, mixing and taste testing.  I was super happy with what we came up with and just had to share with you, dear reader!
I've also added a few tips on how to stretch this soups leftovers (if you have any) and make it into a delicious casserole. Since it's a cream based soup, freezing wouldn't be the best option for leftovers.


Without further ado...

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Soup

*2 Tbls butter

*one tsp extra virgin olive oil

*one onion, diced

*2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced or shredded

*one package of sliced baby portabella mushrooms (I chopped the bigger ones into smaller bites)

*1/2 tsp dried thyme

*3 cloves of garlic, minced

*1/2 teas Lawry's garlic salt

*one celery stalk, diced

*1/3 cup flour

*4 cups chicken broth

*3/4 cups half & half

*salt and pepper, to taste

In a large soup pot melt butter and olive oil over medium heat.  Add onions and celery until both have softened and onions are opaque.  Add garlic and mushroom and cook until mushrooms start to soften.  Add chicken and stir up a bit.  Then stir in garlic salt, thyme and flour.  Cook about one minute or so until the flour is absorbed.  Slowly stir or whisk in the chicken broth a bit at a time to prevent lumps.  Reduce the heat to medium low.  Cook for about 20 minutes or so until soup has thickened.  Stir in the half and half and then remove from heat.  Salt and pepper to taste, although depending on how salty your broth is, you may not need to add any salt at all.

Serve with a crusty bread.  Delicious!

To stretch this meal you can add a cup of cooked wild rice soup.  Another option is to add two cups of wild rice to a 9x9 baking dish.  Top with a cup of your fav chopped veggies (maybe some green beans, corn, cooked carrots... even steamed broccoli or cauliflower might be some to try? Whatever is available in the fridge!)  Top with 2-3 cups of chicken and mushroom soup and them top that with a handful of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.  Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.  YUM!

*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife , Snap Chat username: HauteDishHWife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife for more food, fashion and family.

Trends to Try: Spring 2016

This week is Fashion Week in New York. While designers are debuting their 2016 Fall/Winter collections, (so jealous and would totally love to attend someday) I'm just over here in MN trying to forget all about Fall & Winter. I'm totally looking forward to Spring, you guys!  (However, that's not to say I haven't been stalking my fav models and designers on Instagram & SnapChat to get sneak peeks... because I have!)
Walking into Mainstream Boutique in Savage this week was completely refreshing. After a few weeks off due to vacation with my family on Sanibel Island and then a week of trying to get back on track at home, I was due for my Midwest fashion fix and there no place more perfect to get it than Mainstream Boutique in Savage!
Some of the top Spring trends for 2016 are lightweight denim and fringe (both of which have carried over from previous seasons) and, of course, the classic white shirt.  Whether it's a crisp button down or a soft tee with a great fit, you can't go wrong with the classic white.  Orange/tangerine in a variety of shades is also a go-to hue this upcoming season.  Pick it up in a wedge, a handbag or a pretty statement necklace for a simple pop of color.
If you're a girly girl you are in luck because Victorian era influences are hot this Spring! Think ruffles, floral, & lacey eyelet dresses... extremely feminine.  *sigh* This makes me super ecstatic because I'm a total girly girl at heart.
Dyana, owner at Mainstream Boutique in Savage, knows what's up and follows the trends carefully to bring her shoppers what's in style season to season.  In fact, you can find a beautiful floral dress below as well as a lightweight denim shirt dress with a coral tank that brings a lovely pop of brightness.
This past week I met up with my dear friend Amy Lindquist of Lindquist Fashion & Image Consulting. (www.lindquistfashion.com) and together we came up with some must-haves to be stand out darling this Spring.


*A great wedge heel.  Dress them up or down, you'll find you'll wear them a ton!  (Bonus if they are orange and worn with the denim shirt dress from Mainstream Boutique in Savage.  You're welcome.  That's a perfect outfit idea right there.)


*A fabulous, amazing handbag that you just can't live without.


*A new dress.  One that flatters you perfectly.  One you can dress up or down.  Shirt dresses are great for a slimmer figure while a pretty sheath dress compliments many figures.  If you are curvier or if you have a shorter midsection, a tunic style dress may work better for you.  Be sure to pick one that hits right above the knee to show off those legs!  (But ladies, if you are going with an above the knee dress be sure to go with a cute boycut panty or shorts so you don't show off the goodies!  Getting out to pump gas on a windy day while the kids are in the car begging for treats and your butt is showing to pumps 1-5?Not fun. For real.)

*A swimsuit. I know... finding a great suit is like finding a freaking unicorn.  But it IS possible! (the swimsuit.  NOT the unicorn.) They have so many options to choose from and you just gotta ignore the crappy, unflattering dressing room lighting and find what's best for you! Underwire?  Padded or no? Tummy control?  Soooooo many options!
While you're at it grab yourself a fab swimsuit cover up.  You don't need to necessarily shop "cover-ups." An adorable maxi, sundress or tunic are great options to throw over a suit if you need to run an errand or the like.


With all that said, it may be cold and icky outside, but my heart is singing a Spring tune.  My closet is saying, "dresses, tunics, skirts and sandals... please!" Who am I to fight it?
Check out my personal favorite Spring finds this week from Mainstream Boutique in Savage and shop these looks by stopping by the store or by calling (952)440-4020. 


This top... my goodness!  ALL the heart eyes!  The necklace is gorgeous.

Jeans: $89.50, Shirt: $68, Necklace: $56, Scarf: $24

I absolutely love this mustard top with the denim.  These cropped white jeans are a great fit and while destructed, they are patched as well which is good for those of you who aren't fans of the actual holes in the jeans.

Jeans: $99.50, Shirt: $54, Denim Shirt: $78, Necklace: $36

Pretty much the perfect spring outfit.  It hits the denim and the go-to hue trends and I'm a total fan.

Shirt Dress: $88, Tank: $36, Scarf: $24

This. Is. Fabulous and I love everything about it.  Plus the necklace says "calm & focused" which is TOTALLY me.  HA!  Kidding!  But it's a great reminder, right?! Dress?  Perfect. 

Dress: $42, Belt: $18, Necklace: $54

My favorite.  For real.  Both the dress and belt came home with me because I loved it so much.  (No worries though!  You can still call and get one!) The floral was gorgeous and the neckline detail was totally lovely.

Dress: $66, Belt: $18

I hope you enjoyed looking at these outfits as much as I loved putting them together and posting them for you to check out.  If you see something you love, stop on by Mainstream Boutique in Savage if you're close by!  Experience that unbeatable customer service first hand.  Otherwise, give the ladies a call at (952) 440-4020 and they're more than happy to help you out and ship you your purchases.  Not only are they sweet... they're quick to ship because they know you're excited to get your new stuff.
 You can also follow them on Instagram @mainstreamboutiquesavagemn

*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife or on Twitter and SnapChat @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.