Things I'm Totally Into These Days

With the calender telling us it's actually almost Fall in many parts of the country, even though we are still in middle of Summer in Phoenix, I'm feeling a little Fall creep into my fashion for when I travel north in the coming weeks.  However, I'm still holding on to Summer in my heart of hearts and actually living in Phoenix we have no choice but to enjoy 100 degree's in September, even though I'm only here 11 days this month.  With that said, I'm totally into many things both of which have significance of Summer and Fall.  So without further ado, here are a few of those things...

~Flannel shirts or at least plaid shirts that look like flannel, because we all know we won't be wearing flannel anytime soon in Phoenix.
~Voluminous Butterfly Mascara for my bottom lashes.  It makes them stand out and the fine brush doesn't get on my lids.
~Wunderbrow 1-step brow gel.  Since losing my hair to cancer, my eyebrows and eyelashes have never been the same, but with the help of color, they are back.  I love this because it stays on for a few days.
~Ombre Lip Liner from NYX, this is awesome for those days that you want a little color on your lips, but you want to have the neutral look.
~Ballcaps on College Football Saturdays.
~Room Fragrances which I got in Pouslbo for my Scentsy burner.  My house smells so fallish.
~Warn looking, ripped jeans, never thought I'd go for this style, but I like it.
~Tieks, I actually don't have a pair, because I can't seem to let myself spend $200 dollars on a pair of flats (short people don't even like flats), but I love all of the colors and pictures I see on instagram.  Maybe one day I'll give in.
~Speaking of instagram, I love it!  It's so fun to see pictures of my nieces and nephews and friends. I also like it that I can journal my life through pictures.
~Bremuda.  Nope I've never been there, but one day this past Spring I started following Bremuda on instagram and now I see a picture every day of the blue water and it makes me want to vacation there.
~I'm getting supper syked for my conference in Austin in October.  I've been pinteresting all of the fun facts and places that I'm going to have to visit when HM and I go for our little getaway. So much to do in such a little time.
~And speaking of Texs, I'm totally into jean dresses, my short jean skirt, jean shirts, and cowboy boots.
~One day last month I was on the stair stepper at the gym watching the Pioneer Woman.  She made this Mexican Pasta Salad.  It made me start salivating right there at the gym.  Of course I hurried home after sweating my brains out and made this to take to the Sondrups for our after pool party dinner.  I seriously can't get enough of this salad.  It is easy, quick and lasts for days (if your one person), otherwise it will be gone in minutes if your feeding a crowd.  Definitely my new go to salad for the future.

•  FOR THE SALAD:
• 1 pound Elbow Macaroni, Cooked To Package Instructions, Drained, And Rinsed With Cold Water
• 2 ears Fresh Corn, Husks And Silks Removed (I just used frozen corn)
• 1 can (15 Oz. Size) Black Beans, Drained And Rinsed
• 1/2 cup Chopped Black Olives
• 6 whole Roma Tomatoes (or 2 Large Tomatoes), Chopped
• 3 whole Green Onions, Sliced Thin
• 1/2 whole Red Onions, Finely Diced
•  Chopped Cilantro (optional) You know I don't use this
• Of course I have to add something to this, I love a red, orange or yellow pepper.
•  FOR THE DRESSING:
• 1 cup Jarred Salsa 
• 1 cup Light Sour Cream
• 1/4 cup Mayonnaise (of course I use olive oil mayo)
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced Or Pressed
• 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
•  Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 2 Limes, Juiced

INSTRUCTIONS

Grill the corn on a grill pan, or just place it in a hot skillet to brown some of the kernels. Remove from pan, allow to cool slightly, then use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off the cob.

Combine all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and stir until combined.

Place the macaroni, corn, beans, olives, tomatoes, green onions, red onion, and cilantro (if using) in a large bowl. Pour 3/4 of the dressing over the top and gently toss until all the ingredients are coated. Add the final 1/4 of the dressing if you think it needs it. Cover and allow salad to chill for 2 hours.

Garnish with cilantro, lime wedge, and any other extra ingredients you have!