Amy Wilson Photography – Parmesan Princess

24
Aug
2014

The 2014 Emmy’s Are Here! I Have Been Nominated for A Liebster!

I am thrilled to except this award!

Thank you www.saltyblonde.com for the nomination!

Liebster is a German word meaning “sweetest, kindest, sweatheart,” and a Liebster award is passed along to a new blogger! The nominator chooses a blog that is new, sweet, charming, and intriguing, in an attempt to get to know the blogger behind the blog better! The idea is that the award will move through the blogging community like a chain letter. I have been nominated by the beautiful and talented Bethany at http://www.saltyblonde.com
Thank you my salty blonde friend!

66th Primetime Emmy Awards hosted by Seth Meyers! Monday August 25th @8pm!

11 Randoms About Me:

1. I am a mom of 2! Brady is 5 and Bella is 3!

Photo by http://www.amywilsonphotography.com

2. Most days, I would rather cook than go out.

3. That being said, I could eat Mexican food everyday of my life, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.

4. I met my husband while eating breakfast bagel sandwiches in the cafeteria of our office building. Food=Love!

5. I have never been able to replicate that exact breakfast sandwich. A warm bagel, not toasted, with super fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp almost burnt bacon,and a gooey cheese sauce that most definitely came from a generic large can. Fantastic!

6. I love to put outfits together, especially for others. I’m a good stylist if you ever happen to need one ; )

7. I am a bit OCD. I can’t relax or go to bed with a mess, a dirty dish in the sink, or the worst!! a clean dishwasher to unload.

8. I love Pittsburgh; shopping in the Strip District, the restaurants, the vibe.

9. I am the oldest of 5, which makes me the caretaker, the advice-giver, and the one who ensures everyone has enough to eat! (Plus leftovers)

10. I gained 75lbs. and 65lbs. with my pregnancies. Usually I weigh right around 100 lbs. I would eat the tops off of a dozen cupcakes driving 3 blocks.
(Not sharing a photo…ever!!)

11. I am humbled by this award and thrilled to be sharing my love of food with you!

Here are Bethany’s question to me and my answers:

1. Fave restaurant?
Right this minute it is Matteo’s in Lawrenceville! When I was there for Pittsburgh Restaurant Week, I had a dish I can’t stop thinking about…. The Porcini Cappelletti. It is amazing!

Matteo's Lawrenceville — Matteo’s Lawrenceville

2. How did you meet your husband?
Funny how I chose this for one of my randoms. Over breakfast sandwiches!

3. Biggest Fear?
Heights.

4. Celeb crush?
We all have our lists, don’t we?! David Beckham

5. Heels or Flats?
Heels. Being 5’2″, I dont feel like people take me seriously unless I am wearing high heels, but a perfect high wedge will do.

The higher the heels the closer to God, right? Or is it hair?

6. Any beauty trend you wish you could try?
Can you try botox/ fillers and never go back? I know I’m only 29 ; ) but I’m sure eventually I will need something.

7. Beach or CIty?
I love the sun! I actually begin to relax when I’m laying in a lounge chair with a good book, but the best restaurants seem to be in city!

8. Best Vacation Spot
We honeymooned in Aruba and it had everything! Beach, resorts, restaurants, shopping (Aruba had just opened a new Louis Vuitton store while we were there! And I got to pick out my wedding gift from Kevin ; )

9. Fave Movie?
I am not a movie person!

10. Biggest accomplishment?
Raising our two beautiful kids!

11. Favorite month?

December! We entertain all month! Baking, Cooking, cocktails, family and friends! It’s the best!

I am nominating the gorgeous and very talented Amy Wilson of http://www.amywilsonphotography.com, a photography blogger!

Amy, here are your questions:

1. If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?

2. Solid cream cheese or whipped?

3. If you could go back and change one thing in your past, what would it be?

4. Where is your favorite driving distance travel destination and why?

5. Favorite magazine?

6. What does your favorite go-to outfit look like and how long have you had it?

7. Walking or running?

8. Did you eat wings with your husband while dating him?

9. What is your favorite sport? Team?

10. What is your #1 dish to bring to a party? Recipe?

11. What makes you smile the biggest in life?

Thanks again! Congrats, Amy!!
Ciao!

22
Aug
2014

Back To School Crockpot Meals: Mexican!

categories: Crockpot, Dinner, Fun for Kids, Healthy Living, Recipes

Photo by Amy Wilson Photography http://amywilsonphotography.com — Photo by Amy Wilson Photography
http://amywilsonphotography.com

Back to school for a mom of a preschooler and a half-day kindergartener means pick ups and drop offs all day long. Other than 4pm-5pm, there is little time to prep and cook dinner! Oh yeah, and on Mondays with baseball at 4:30 and dance at 5, there is absolutely no time!

Mexican is great in the crockpot! Make enchilada, taco, empanada, and burrito filling!

On these busy days, a crockpot meal is a perfect option! And Mexican is healthy and super easy in the crockpot! Throw in frozen chicken or beef, pork, with the ingredients that you have onions, peppers, corn, beans, taco seasoning, salsa, etc. Let it cook for the day and your crockpot mixture is ready to be stuffed into fresh tortillas!

Crockpot Mexican Filling
(Makes approx.10 servings stuffed tortillas)

Ingredients:
1 lb. Frozen boneless chicken (use any meat or no meat!)
1 35oz. can whole tomatoes
1/4 cup taco seasoning (you can substitute chili powder)
Salt/pepper
1/2 cup salsa
1-2 bell peppers, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can black beans
1 8oz. bag frozen corn
10 of your favorite tortilla shells

For extra spice, add 1 tbsp. Of cayenne pepper and 1-2 tbsp. Red pepper flakes and/or chopped habanero peppers.

Additions: Making burritos? Add quinoa or rice-1 cup uncooked.

Directions:
Throw it all in and cook all day 8 hours + on low or 4-6 hours on high!

Take the lid off when you get home to thicken if it is runny. The amount of liquid varies based on the brand of tomatoes and by the amount of absorption of the additions!

Chicken and pork will shred easily with a fork.
Chop fresh tomato, lettuce.
Top with sour cream, shredded chihuahua cheese and guacamole.

Easy, delicious, healthy dinner! #backtoschool

The ingredients can vary based on your family’s preferences!
Enjoy!
Ciao!

20
Jul
2014

Family Photos: I Found You A Photographer…Now What??

categories: Around Pittsburgh, Fashion, Fun for Kids, Shopping

Family photos, what to wear? Should we all wear white or all wear black? Please don’t! Style your session, show your family members’ individual personalities, and watch them shine!
Our latest family photos were taken by the amazing Amy Wilson of Amy Wilson Photogrpahy www.amywilsonphotography.com. When I asked her what she wanted us to wear, she suggested a styled session.

I originally peeked at clickitupanotch’s styling tips!
http://clickitupanotch.com/2013/10/what-to-wear-in-family-photos-5/

Here are my top 5…

Styled Session Tips:

1. Choose the most colorful, patterned article of clothing and match other articles around that piece.

2. Don’t be afraid to use different hues of the same color.

3. Use different textures, they pop in the photos.

4. Use statement pieces- necklaces, earrings, or hair accessories to bring in a vibrant color.

5. Be comfortable! Uncomfortable models equals uncomfortable looking photos!

I let Bella, age 3, choose something she wanted to wear first because she is the most difficult! Ha! She chose a top by Pittsburgh Boutique Clothier, Miss Priss Kids.
https://facebook.com/missprisskids Bella chose her favorite Miss Priss piece, a swing top with different textures and beautiful patterns and colors.

Her choice gave us so many other color options! Blues, yellow, gold, white, purples... — Her choice gave us so many other color options! Blues, yellow, gold, white, pinks, and purples…

I chose a slightly darker pink dress with tiny navy polka dots for myself with a beautiful yellow statement necklace and a similar hue in my shoes. To even out the brightness, Brady, age 5, wore an adorable relaxed blue dress shirt and dark grey beach pants from H&M. The blues and greys complement the pinks and purples from the girls. Since Brady had a light shirt and dark pants, I alternated with Kevin, giving him a dark blue shirt and light tan shorts.