Kielbasa skillet

Summertime is pretty amazing, right??  The kids are home, the days are busy and I'm loving every minute of it!  It's hard to accept the fact that school will be starting at the end of the month. 

I think by now you know that I really enjoy cooking.  It's no secret.  But do you know what I don't enjoy?  Clean up.  Summer is so fabulous because grilling means less dishes and clean up, and that means more time to enjoy the things I want to enjoy.  But let's face it... I can't grill every single night.  Want to enjoy less dishes, less clean up and more time doing the things you wanna do this summer? Let me introduce you to this kielbasa skillet meal.

Looks pretty amazing, right? One skillet.  Tons of delicious flavor for you and your family to enjoy!  This meal will be perfect once the kids go back to school as well.  It's easy to throw together and minimal clean up will give you more time with your family.  No kids?  No problem.  This skillet meal is a crowd pleaser.  Who wants to be left with tons to do after friends leave for the night?  Not me!

Ok, so the bad thing about this meal is that there isn't a real recipe that I use.  The good thing about this meal (other than it being easy, quick to throw together and delicious) is that there isn't a real recipe.  You can't really screw it up and it tastes amazing every time!

Ready??  Here's a general idea of what you need to make this amazing kielbasa skillet...

Kielbasa Skillet

*Russet potatoes, diced (I used 3 medium ones)

*One ring of Hillshire Farms kielbasa, sliced (I used half of that)

*One can of Frank's sauerkraut (I used half of that as well)

*Half of a sweet yellow onion, sliced

*One bag of shredded cheddar cheese (Let's be honest... I use most of that)

*Salt & Pepper

*Lawry's Seasoning Salt

*Lawry's Garlic Salt

*2 Tbls Vegetable Oil

*2 Tbls Butter

Grab a skillet (cast iron if you have it) and set it to a medium heat.  Add one tablespoon of both butter and oil to the pan.  Add sliced kielbasa and lightly brown on each side.  Remove kielbasa from the pan and add the rest of the oil and butter.  Add onions to the pan until they start to soften.  Then add the diced potatoes to the onions.  Season with salt, pepper, garlic salt and seasoning salt. Fry up the diced potatoes until lightly browned and tender.  Turn heat to low. Add back the kielbasa and top with sauerkraut.  Lastly, top it all with delicious cheese.  Turn off the heat, cover and let the cheese melt.  If you're using cast iron, feel free to set under the broiler to heat up the cheese a bit quicker and more evenly.  Now grab a big spoon and dig in!  Soooooo cheesy and yummy!

*you can follow me on IG @HauteDishHousewife , on FB Haute Dish Housewife , on Pinterest @HauteDishHousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife and SnapChat @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways. 





Pre-Fall Pieces to Adore

I know... I know.  It's hotter than ever outside.  However, us Minnesotans know how quickly things can change and I like to be ahead of the game.  So does Mainstream Boutique in Savage!  With new arrivals daily, they've been unpacking perfect pieces to transition us into fall in the coming months as the weather will slowly get cooler.  While I will most certainly be writing all about the 2016 fall fashion trends and closet must-haves in the coming weeks, as well as sharing some wonderful recipes, I wanted to share with you a bit of what's been coming into Mainstream Boutique in Savage lately.
But first, lets get a few things out there.  I LOVE Summer.  I love pretty much everything about Summer.  Buuuuuuuut, I love Autumn equally as much, with it's one and only downfall being that Autumn brings the terrible, horrible, absolutely no-good winter. But fall fashion, crunching leaves, apple orchards, pumpkin carving, baking...   Autumn just looks, smells, and tastes amazing!
For now, I love that we can look forward to blending the trends of Summer with the warmth of Fall.  A cute little dress with a pretty cardigan, the perfect soft tee with an AMAZING jacket, florals with deep, bold, leafy reds... what's not to make our heart pitter patter?!?!?!
Here are some of my favs that came into Mainstream Boutique in Savage and if you're anything like me, you're gonna want to make it ALL YOURS.  Feast your eyes...


Let me start off my saying these are the go to shoe which I featured with all my picks this week.  They are a fun mix between a sandal and a bootie.  Super cute, totally comfortable and addition to your closet for transitioning from summer to fall.  (Pssst: That is my tan...)

Lovely little floral dress, meet this beautiful red jacket. I'm totally loving this jacket and not just for the color.  The 3/4 sleeves are so super cute and there's no belt needed thanks to the cinching by the waistline. 

Minimal accessories needed for this #ootd, but I decided to add the pretty blue horn pendant necklace for good measure.

Speaking of accessories, how beautiful is this necklace??  Another floral dress but a totally different look.  This is such a great outfit.  The neckline of this dress shows off the tan shoulders of summer and I like that.

The longer cardigan is definitely a closet MUST.  It's great over dresses, to throw on with jeans or as an extra layer at work because they keep those offices so freaking cold. (I don't miss that one bit.)

I hope this boho look never goes out of style.  This cold shoulder dress has such a fun pattern and looks really cool with the chunky tassle/cross necklace.  It would look great belted as well!

 

Next up?  My favorite.  For real.  What's better than Paige jeans, the most perfect comfortable, soft white tee and this absolutely 100% fabulous jacket?  The answer is not much.  The lace-up back on this jacket is the CUTEST. EVER.  We opened up the box and a gasp followed by each of us... it was that amazing.

I'm doing a live video on FB this week for my August favorites and I'm including this white tee.  It's serious perfection.  I'm wearing it right now.  Ladies, you know how your bra shows through all the white tees and tanks and it drives you crazy because you just want that relaxed look without having to add the tank underneath?  NOT an issue here.  No tank required.  The pics don't even show the slouchy front pocket. Like I said, this whole outfit is just the best.

They say it's all in the details, and the neckline on this adorable shirt just can't be beat.  How cute, right??!!  This was my second fav this week.  Maybe I'm just really in the mood for great jeans and cute shirts?  Whatever the reason, I hope you agree with me that this shirt is pretty amazing.  And the Paige denim jeans.  Obviously. (If you haven't been in to Mainstream Boutique in Savage yet to try on a pair of these jeans, promptly drop what you're doing and drive there. They're spectacular and worth every single penny.)

 

 

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 or FB at Mainstream Boutique Savage MN

*you can follow me on IG @HauteDishHousewife , on FB Haute Dish Housewife , on Pinterest @HauteDishHousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife and SnapChat @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.  You can also catch me live on Periscope at HauteDishHWife

Treat Yourself: Renew Your Skin

As a woman (and even more so since I've become a mom) I feel like many of us don't give ourselves "me time" or treat ourselves enough.  I always have good intentions, of course.  Sadly, I find myself feeling guilty for spending the time, money and time away from my kids to do things for myself.  I know I'm not alone.  I talk to so many friends who feel the same way.  We head out shopping with good intentions to buy ourselves something for an upcoming event but then walk into Justice or Gymboree and BANG... there it goes.  It's easy for women to spend money on their children.  It's easy for us to justify getting our friend that adorable shirt for her birthday because it will look SO CUTE on her and she would totally do the same for you, right? Ladies, it's time to really treat yourself to something relaxing, rewarding and healthy for you!
I recently had an opportunity to treat myself to something I had never experienced before... a facial. Not just any facial... a HydraFacial with Denise at Renew Facial Plastic Surgery.

It was INCREDIBLE but even more than that, it got me thinking.  Mostly about my health.  Let me explain...


I went into Renew Facial Plastic Surgery in Edina to meet with Denise Bona, a licensed aesthetician and my skincare angel.  (Meet Denise here!) We went in and had a long talk about how I have (or have not) protected my skin over the years.  I told her I use sunscreen.  Ok, sometimes.  NOT all the time and likely not as much as I should and the whole time I'm thinking, "I know better.  I know better.  I have friends who have suffered and continue to suffer from melanoma.  I see what the sun can do to our skin."  She did a really cool test on my skin where she told me where the most damage was and we talked about steps to take to protect my skin in the future.  I take good care of my teeth, hair, nails... but I seemed to realize I've been neglecting my skin.  I don't think twice about slathering sunscreen on my kids daily and worrying about their health and the future of their precious skin, but never really made my own skin a priority.
Friends, check this out... the skin test.  It measures things like pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage.  It tells you the age of your skin.  The real age of your skin.  I won't lie... the truth hurt.  But I definitely needed to hear it to realize that while damage to my skin has been done, that doesn't mean it has to continue.  Denise gave me some great skincare tips and advice!  She even pointed out a few spots on my skin that she thought should be checked out by a dermatologist.  These are spots I see every single day and completely overlook.  Needless to say, I'm so thankful I had her expertise to give me some guidance.


Afterwards, I was ready to take some steps towards healthier, better skin.  Denise and I went into a room for my HydraFacial.  I laid down and before the HydraFacial began I was treated to dermaplaning, which is a simple and safe procedure for exfoliation and ridding the skin of fine hairs.  Dermaplaning feels AWESOME and requires zero chemicals, making it a great option for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.  (Which I'm NOT, but I have just heard such wonderful things about the procedure that I had to try it.  SO happy I did!)  HydraFacials are amazing because they're not only effective at improving overall skin health but over time it can remedy fine lines and wrinkles, skintone and firmness, hyperpigmentation, oily skin, enlarged pores and advanced signs of aging.  Sign. Me. Up.  Right??!?!!  So I was told this was a pain free procedure, but I'm a total skeptic so I have to admit, I was a bit nervous.  But guess what... it was COMPLETELY pain free.  Not only was it pain free, but it felt really cool because with each step I could feel my skin feeling better.  It's gentle AND effective, and as far as I'm concerned, you can't beat that!
Check out this video to see more on how HydraFacial works.
Renew Facial Plastic Surgery is second to none in customer service.  I felt so welcome the minute I walked through the door.  Appointments ran right on time so I wasn't made to wait very long at all, but just incase I was offered water by the extremely hospitable front desk staff and a seat in a very comfortable waiting area filled with what seemed like all my fav magazines!
While I was so fortunate to receive the HydraFacial and dermaplaning, Denise is a skincare expert and has a variety of aesthetician services to choose from. To see a list of all services Renew Facial Plastic Surgery has to offer, please click here.  Click around a bit on their website to see services performed by Denise & Dr. Wudel, as well as some incredible before & after photos. 

Speaking of which... OMG.  I can't believe I'm even doing this because they're completely make-up free photos (YIKES!) but here are my before and after pics. 

 

The first I took right before my appointment and the second I took the morning after.  (I didn't get home until right before dinner and the night was busy, busy!) Notice how much smoother my face looks in the after photo?  My complexion has a more clean, even look.  I felt like my skin was glowing.  No joke when I say my face felt incredible!  My appointment with Denise left my skin feeling baby soft and smooth.  Even my make-up goes on better and more even since my appointment.  This is definitely something I'd recommend and something I will most certainly be treating myself to again.
Wanna treat yourself to a HydraFacial or any of the other fab services Renew has to offer?  Call (952) 227-3639 and be sure to tell them I sent you!  Then follow up with me and let me know if you loved your skincare experience as much as I did.  Be sure to follow Renew on FB!





You can follow me on IG @HauteDishHousewife , on FB Haute Dish Housewife , on Pinterest @HauteDishHousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife and SnapChat @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, style, beauty and super cool giveaways. 

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

You guys... feast your eyes on THIS.



Tender chicken satay laced onto skewers, just waiting to be dipped into this AMAZING peanut sauce.  This is seriously one of my favorite homemade meals.  It's really like take-out, but at home.  Not to mention so much better for you because we know exactly what's going into it.  It's also really easy to whisk together and the hardest part about it all is just waiting for the chicken to marinade because it smells soooooo good.  Bonus if you throw together your own fried rice.  I love to make a big ass batch of homemade fried rice because... leftovers.  That in itself could make great leftovers for lunch but my personal fav is if by some chance I have leftover chicken, I just tear it up, throw it into the rice and spoon the peanut sauce over it all.  OMG. Heaven.

So, make extras.  Trust me.  You'll thank me later.

In the summertime I grill the chicken skewers.  But cold weather doesn't stop me and I just throw it under the broiler for a few minutes during the colder months here in MN.  Just as delicious!  I've also made this with beef and that's super yummy as well.

Are you ready to make a meal your whole family will adore??  Here's what you need:

Chicken Satay

*1-1.5 lbs skinless boneless chicken breasts (of sirloin steak), cut into strips

*2 Tbls soy sauce

*2 Tbls lemon juice (fresh is best!)

*one Tbls honey

*one Tbls sesame oil

*2 cloves of garlic, crushed

*one tspn fresh ginger, grated or paste

*one tspn curry powder

Cut chicken lengthwise into strips and place into a ziplock bag.  In a small bowl, whish together the rest of the ingredients and pour over the chicken.  Marinade for at least a few hours.  (I usually get to ready in the AM and let it marinade throughout the day.)  Soak your skewers in water for about 10 minutes (this prevents them from burning while on the grill or under the broiler) and then thread the chicken onto the skewers.  Grill on medium high heat for about 4 minutes per side or set under the broiler for about 4 minutes per side.  I set my broiler to 425.

Serve warm or at room temp with peanut sauce for dipping.  (recipe below)

Peanut Sauce

*3 Tbls chicken broth

*3 Tbls peanut butter

*3 Tbls soy sauce

*one Tbls honey

*one Tbls brown sugar

*2 Tbls lime juice

*2 cloves garlic, minced

*one tspn ginger, grated or paste

*1/2 tspn sesame oil

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.  Or if you have a jar with a lid, use that and shake, shake, shake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Sounds easy enough, right??  Give it a try and let me know what you think!


you can follow me on IG @HauteDishHousewife , on FB Haute Dish Housewife , on Pinterest @HauteDishHousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife and SnapChat @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways. 

Sunshine & Shopping

Whew, you guys.  I'm in the midst of full on summer and I'm absolutely LOVING it!  While it leaves me less time for myself, writing, etc... my time with my family is priceless and I'm loving spending the days with my girls.  The days where my husband gets home from work early are a total bonus and the four of us get to spend afternoons together.  Once school starts, that time is once again limited.  So, summer... I LOVE YOU.
Tuesday however, was a bit different for me.  A different pace.  My awesome mother-in-law had taken the girls for a day/night of Finding Dori, sleepovers and splash pads, leaving me to a morning at Mainstream Boutique in Savage, a few hours of editing and writing and an afternoon/evening with my husband.  Alone time.  Like... alone.  Just the two of us.  I don't think this has happened since before Christmas.  Normally when we do something together it's with friends or family and usually our kids are along.  But Tuesday night?  Just us.  I was in heaven!  We enjoyed a glass of wine out on the porch of our local winery and then dinner on the deck at a nearby supper club.  We shared appetizers and enjoyed each others company without interruptions.  It was fabulous!  The night ended out on our deck watching the sun go down.  We were snoozing by 10:30.  #goals  It was a pretty great evening with my handsome man.
All the outfits I tried on this week at Mainstream Boutique in Savage were completely adorable and would be perfect for date night or a night out with friends.  Or, if you're like me and are with your kids 99% of the time, these picks are super cute for those days as well.  So basically what I'm saying is that Mainstream Boutique in Savage has some MAJOR cuteness going on in there right now so you may want to get in there and check that out.  OR just check out my picks of the week and if you see something you love, call (952)440-4020.  These ensembles are hitting all the summer trends and are going super fast!


Now that my girls are back home and wanting my undivided attention, I thought it would be fun to include them in my blog this week.  Here are the opinions of Ava (7), Ellason (4) and myself on all of this weeks picks.

Me:  SO cute and comfortable.  The shirt is lightweight, feminine and the cut makes it super flattering to show off sun kissed shoulders.  I paired it with Paige Denim skinnies because I love the fit and feel of those jeans.  The denim is SO soft.  If you haven't tried a pair... you MUST!

Ava: Oh my gosh!  Mom, I LOVE those skinny jeans.  (Coming from the kid who has refused to wear jeans the past 3 years, this is quite a compliment)  I really like the print on the shirt and the flow-y sleeves makes it stand out.

Ellason:  I think you look pretty in this, Mama.  I like your shirt so much.

Me:  This whole outfit just says, "vacation" or "lake life" to me! I thought the shirt looked so light and airy... I love that!  The pants were so super cool AND the fabric was really soft against my skin.  Prints are really hot right now so these pants were so much fun to wear.  The blue suede wedge heel?  Adorable.  Plus they are versatile and seem to work with so many of the outfits I tried on this week.

Ava:  OOOO!  I love those printed pants!  And the necklace!  The shoes are so cute.  Can I get a pair of those shoes, mom?

Ella:  Are those.... Are those pants??????  (And that was all I got from her.  She really couldn't get past the pants.)

Me:  This.  This has got to be my fav outfit this week.  The dress is a HOT item and is gonna go fast.  The detail on the chest and hemline is 100% lovely and the denim jacket with the distressed pocket?  Pretty much doesn't get cuter than this. Again... the shoes.  These shoes really do belong in my closet.  This whole outfit is so girly and fun.  A casual cutie!

Ava:  I want that whole thing!  Look how cute that dress is!  You were smart to go with the sunglasses mom.  They make the outfit look really cool.  (Thanks, kid.)

Ella:  Oh. My. Gosh!  Mom!  That's my favorite one.  I want one of those dresses too and I've already got a jean jacket to put on it. (See?  Even my four year old knows that a jean jacket is a closet must-have.)

Me:  Boho chic accomplished.  The roped neckline along with this print just really made this dress stick out to me.  I've been loving the boho vibe this summer and the flow of the dress looked so good on the hanger but was even better on.  A great dress for casual evenings on the deck.  The shoes have a little wedge heel to them and are really comfortable to walk in.

Ava:  I REALLY like that belt and those shoes.  I really like this whole outfit.

Ella:  How come I don't have any long dresses like that?!?!?! (safe to say she thought it was cute)

Me:  A simple black dress is an anytime wardrobe staple and this one hits the mark.  The cut is low enough that you could even throw a fun lacey bralette under there to give it a whole new look!  Instead of the bralette route, I added a gorgeous necklace and my current fav from Mainstream Boutique in Savage... the blue suede wedge heel.  Plus, pockets, you guys.  The dress has pockets.  That ups the pretty factor a ton!

Ava:  How cool!  That dress has POCKETS!  This one looks really cute on you.  I like that necklace too!  (I'm noticing Ava is more attention focused on accessories and such where I look at the main pieces.  The dress.  The shirt.  The pants.  She goes for the shoes and accessories.  Interesting!)

Ella: I want some yogurt.  (This was the point where I lost Ella for any opinion giving.)

Me: If you've been following me on FB at Haute Dish Housewife you may have seen the live video where I talk about summer trends.  This dress hits a few of those trends!  The lace detail and the sheer fabric are both hot summer trends right now.  I'm a sucker for the color navy so I thought this dress was absolutely adorable. 

Ava:  All these pictures make me want to do is go shopping and I just spent my allowance on books.  UGH!  This dress is really cool.  I wish they made all this stuff in kid size.

Ella:  (Busy eating yogurt)

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 or FB at Mainstream Boutique Savage MN

*you can follow me on IG @HauteDishHousewife , on FB Haute Dish Housewife , on Pinterest @HauteDishHousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife and SnapChat @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.  You can also catch me live on Periscope at HauteDishHWife

Sneak Peek Backstage at TTPDA 2016 Recital

"It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters."

I love this quote.  I think it sums up the important things quite well.  Family, friends, teachers, mentors... those are the things that matter.  Those who are there for us, cheer us on, love us, lead us, support us and guide us. 

To The Pointe! Dance Academy in New Prague recently had their dance recital over the weekend of May 13-15. It was incredibly entertaining, from the littlest dancers to the most experienced dancers, and I was so happy my girls were a part of it! It was my Sweet Girl's third year so she knew what to expect, but it was my Little One's first year and it was so fun to see it all through fresh eyes.  They were both so excited to get on that stage and give it their all! 

It was a show filled with dedicated, hardworking dancers, pulled off by an amazing group of leaders and helpers. To be invited backstage and take photos was such a wonderful experience, and I got to take part in and witness all of the above at it's finest.  

I could go on and on chattering, but I will let the pictures do most of the talking for me. (Because I included A LOT of pics in this post!  It was hard to narrow them down to just a few.)

I loved this. I was told one of the girls mother is a police officer for special forces and was called off to an emergency before the show.  This little girl had a friend who was willing (and incredibly able) to help her friend apply the show make-up.  Seriously.  I watched for like, 5 minutes and took tips from this kid.  She was applying eyeliner like a pro!  (Minutes earlier I was struggling and cursing under my breath as I applied that same type of liner on my own kiddo... yikes!)

Last minute touch-ups...

A little encouragement from mama.  I mean... how precious is this picture?  The tiniest group of all and this wee one was getting hugs and lots of mama love before going on stage.  She kept leaning in to give her kisses and I was melting.   

This little dude was handsome as could be!  But sometimes little guys need help with shoe tying...  Thank goodness for moms!!

Even big kids need their moms!  Pictured here is Angela, owner of To The Pointe! Dance Academy in New Prague with her beautiful daughter, Sophia, right before the Production group went onstage and performed the first dance of the show, Seize The Day.  This performance was choreographed by the super talented Ms. Kris AND won platinum, 1st place and the Outstanding Choreography Award at the Encore competition earlier this Spring.

This darling duo is dance dedicated 100%!

Don't forget about the dads!  You can see how proud he is of his girl!

Kristie (one of the founders of To The Pointe! Dance Academy) with her mom and her daughters, Ellie & Maggie.  I love this picture.

Would you believe me if I said dance brings siblings closer??!!!  Well, it's the truth in this case!  Caught this adorable brother & sister duo in the cutest hug!!

AND in this case as well!  These sisters are the sweetest support to each other!

These next pictures are of my girls with their mentors.  To The Pointe! Dance Academy has a mentorship program that is second to none.  If you have children, you know how much they look up to the big kids who do what they love.  The mentorship program pairs an older dancer with a younger one and they exchange letters of encouragement, support and it's the best to watch!  My Sweet Girl was beyond thrilled that she had her mentor watching her from the side of the stage, cheering her on.  I saw the moment she was on stage and she saw her mentor, Sydney, watching her because she got a HUGE smile on her face and those nerves seemed to just wipe away!

Here's my Sweet Girl and her mentor, Sydney.

Here she is again with another one of her mentors, Avery.  My girls love to watch Avery dance!  She is a powerhouse and a part of the dance group, Amaze, which won a bid to Nationals for their crazy awesome performance to the song, Dancing in September.

Here's my tiniest dancer with Miss Morgan.  She adored Miss Morgan and stuck right by her side all year long in class.  She was so happy to see her backstage and I had to snap a pic of this adorable pair.

Here's my oldest with Miss Kaitlyn.  Miss Kaitlyn is a Senior this year and one of the hardest working dancers out there!  She's not only a graceful dancer, but she is so full of grace and sweetness when it comes to these little ones that look up to her.  She always takes the time to talk to the littles, give them hugs and encouragement and snap a pic at their request. 

This has to be one of my favorite pics that I snapped this recital weekend.  The bigs with the littles.  Priceless. Ellen (holding my little blondie) is our babysitter and our girls can't get enough of her!  She's incredibly sweet and she even yelled, "GO AVA!!" from the audience to cheer on my tiny dancer.  Needless to say, it made Ava's night.

This is a scene that you find often backstage.  These older girls act just like big sisters to the younger ones.  They play with them, give them high-fives after they perform and just really cheer them on.  It really is wonderful & heart-warming to watch.

My Sweet Girl getting a big hug from our neighbor Maddy.  Maddy is AHH-MAZING to watch dance!  Her dance group, Encore, took home first place at The One Nationals Competition this year in Chicago for their jazz routine to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.  That whole group is crazy talented.  They're going to be so much fun to watch as they grow and become even more incredible than they already are!

The fun backstage doesn't end!

I mean... these cuties could pretty much get away with anything.

The Encore group (National Champs) playing games between performances.

Let's hear it for the boys!!  These cool dudes were SO much fun and their hop-hop routine rocked the house!

This close-knit group of cuties is the Show Choir group, and they go together like rama lamma lamma!

Last, but most certainly not least, is this extraordinary group of young women... the Seniors.  Let me tell you, it was not an easy task to gather up these talented, busy beauties for a photo between all their performances and costume changes, but when I finally got them all together they were such a delightful dozen.  I watched at the end of the night as they stood on stage with pictures of their childhood on big screen behind them.  Memories of their pasts, snippets of their lives shared with us and plans for their bright futures.  All intelligent.  All beautiful.  All so kind & talented.  I have to admit, I got a bit teary eyed as I watched their proud parents join them on stage.  Someday, God-willing, that will be me watching my girls as Seniors in High School, thinking of them as little as they are now, adoring how proud I am of the young ladies that have grown into, with dreams of what's to come.

They were a great example of poise, kindness, hard work and dedication... and leave the younger groups in good hands at To The Pointe! Dance Academy in New Prague!

Congrats, Seniors!  And congrats to Angela and her team of teachers, volunteers and everyone who made this 2016 dance year and Spring Recital a successful one!

Want to learn more about To The Pointe! Dance Academy or to check out their upcoming summer classes?  Check out their website at www.tothepointedanceacademy.com or email them at tothepointedanceacademynp@gmail.com for more info.

Minimal Effort, Maximum Cool

Let's talk time.  How much time do you have to get yourself ready in the morning?  I usually get anywhere from 5 minutes (seriously) to 30 minutes.  Hopefully once summer vaca rolls around and the kids are out of school that will free up more time, or at least be more consistent, and our schedules won't be so tight.  (YAY for taking showers when I want to versus have to!) Often times I give myself extra time by taking showers in the evenings after the girls go to bed, so that helps a bit. 
One thing that seems to take up much of my "getting ready" time is deciding what to wear.  Some days I can't predict the crazy morning, but when I can I try to set aside something in the closet to save me the time and hassle the following day.  It saves the extra "what to wear" time in the morning which, let's face it, I think we are all guilty of.
I like to wear comfortable clothes that look cute but take minimal effort to throw together.  So when I walked into Mainstream Boutique in Savage this week, I was pretty thrilled that I could pull together 5 outfits in less than 15 minutes.  (Why can't my mornings at home be that easy??!!) These are all pieces that would layer and work well with others in your closet and I paired a few of the outfits with the newest jewelry line in the shop... Em & Gem Designs. Emily is one of the super stylish sales associates at Mainstream Boutique in Savage and happens to be the creative mind behind Em & Gem Designs.  She's a doll.  You'll meet her in a bit...


Some of the other outfits I just went without accessories because I didn't feel they needed them and another I used a super cute chunky red necklace because it went perfect with my red shorts.  (Yes, red shorts.  More on that later as well!)
So anyway, having "uncomplicated" pieces in your closet that seem to work with other items you have can be a definite time saver on those busy mornings!  I also generally choose accessories that will pair with numerous outfits rather than just "that one outfit."  I like effortless.  But I don't like to look like I spent little time on myself. (Although if you see me at drop off at the elementary school, you know that some days it's unavoidable... YIKES! *see 5 minute days*)
Of course, that's not to say I don't enjoy getting fancy now and then.  Mainstream Boutique in Savage is my go to place for those outfits as well.  I happened to come across a long layering dress/tank with soft tulle that I topped with a popcorn poncho.  This would look gorgeous for date night.  But you could also throw a loose tee over the layering dress/tank and make for a chic jeans and tee look.

Without further ado, here are my choices this week from Mainstream Boutique in Savage that will leave you looking effortlessly cool...

First up is this maxi dress. 

 I love this style of maxi dress and I thinks it's such a flattering style. Plus, it boasts floral, which if you know me, you know I'm a fan of!

I grabbed a frayed jean jacket for an extra layer of warmth.

These accessories are the BEST. 

 The Em & Gem necklace is my fav.  Jesus is my homeboy so anything beautiful that includes a cross gets me.  I love how dainty it is and it balances out the fun, chunky turquoise ring.

Next?  Red shorts, you guys.  But I have to admit, these had me thrown.  When I first saw these shorts laying on the new arrival table, they looked long and I didn't think they'd be very flattering.  I kinda wondered what Dyana was thinking! (Sorry Dy!)  But something told me to just give them a try and I was SO HAPPY that I did. 

I learned a few things.  Never judge an item of clothing without trying it on first and never question Dyana when it comes to fashion. She just knows things.
This ended up being one of my fav outfits I tried on.  The shorts were super cute and totally comfortable.  I loved them!  They bring out the red in this top perfectly and the chunky red necklace was a no-brainer to pull it all together.

Soooo... this.  It's a slacker day dream.  It screams "I JUST WANNA BE COMFY ALL DAY" all while looking completely adorable.  

Confession:  I could save so much time by wearing these shorts to bed with a tank, waking up, throwing on a bra and this tee, brush my hair and teeth and then poof!  Done. (Don't judge)  Perfect for those mornings I need to pull myself together in 5-10 minutes. Add some shades, cute shoes and this lovely little Em & Gem Designs necklace and nobody will guess you have half your pajamas on!

Ok, I told you earlier that you'd get a chance to meet the adorable Emily.  Here's the delivery...


Meet Em!

Emily has been working at Mainstream Boutique in Savage now for about 1 year.  She's attending U of M and working on getting her Masters in Integrated Behavioral Health.  Emily has been designing jwel for a few years and this is her first official launch in a retail store. 10% of all purchases are donated to Proj Semi colon which is dedicated to providing hope and support to those suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts, self harm and addiction.  If you'd like a customized piece feel free to email Emily at emandgemdesigns@gmail.com .  She will be sure to create something you'll love!


We wear short shorts!  

Ok... only sometimes.  But they have to be comfortable and not tooooo short.  These shorts from Mainstream Boutique in Savage totally fit the bill.  The denim is soft, the fit is comfortable, they don't ride to low and they don't show your butt if you bend over.  All good things, right!?!? 
I feel like this outfit defines casual cool.  I put on this super cute tank and threw a red, white and blue flannel over it for a warm layer.  PS: This would be super cute for the 4th.  Just saying...

Here's my chance to fancy things up a bit!  Here's the tulle layering tank/dress I was talking about earlier.  ADORABLE, right?!?! 

I dressed it up with a pretty gold Em & Gem necklace and a popcorn poncho, but you could dress it down with a tee or tank to and make it more casual.



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 or FB at Mainstream Boutique Savage MN

*you can follow me on IG @HauteDishHousewife , on FB Haute Dish Housewife , on Pinterest @HauteDishHousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife and SnapChat @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.  You can also catch me live on Periscope at HauteDishHWife