Theit Bag

I arrived home from work last week to see a big box with the words Theit
printed on the outside of it sitting on our porch. 

I think I cheered out loud. I couldn't tear the box open fast enough. 

I've lusted after this camera bag since lucky Meg won one at the So Cal blogger meet-up a couple of months ago. 

I ordered it in Retro Brown which was on backorder for four, very long weeks. 

The amazing thing about this camera bag is that it looks like a purse. Well, actually it doubles as a purse. There's even room inside for your wallet, phone, keys, etc. But there are also adjustable compartments made of the softest material for your camera and lenses.

While it isn't exactly the most inexpensive bag, there will be no more carting my big purse around AND my ugly camera bag AND having to choose which lens I really want to bring because I don't have anywhere to put a second one.

Digital Pretties

I told myself when I started blogging that I wouldn't do giveaways unless I really, really loved a product and thought you guys would too. When Liz from My Memories Suite reached out to me about hosting a giveaway I wanted to review the product first. And let me just tell you, I have spent the last couple of days playing around with it, and I'm giddy at all of the options! I've seen quite a few of my blog friends offering the same giveaway and it makes me happy to know how many people are getting the opportunity to use this software!

The best part is how easy it is to use! Although, I'm just starting to get the hang of Photoshop, My Memories Suite is something that I can use quickly! It's extremely intuitive, and simple to navigate. Although its primary purpose is for digital scrap-booking (think Shutterfly & Snapfish photobooks), the options really are endless.
 

Sponsor Pleas: 

Pre-designed Templates to share photos:

With Picnik going away in a couple of weeks, My Memories Suite is an excellent tool to add text and make collages!

Of course if I was craftier, I would also show you how you could use this program for blog design. 

{Pretend there is a really pretty picture here.} 

My Memories Suite has generously offered to give away this software to one of my readers!
I want to make it as simple as possible for you guys, so:

Extra Entries 

{Leave a separate comment for each entry}

 3. Like My Memories Suite on Facebook

{they offer great tutorials!}

4. Follow me on Bloglovin' 
5. Like Shades of Gray on Facebook

You guys have until Sunday evening to enter!

Engagement Pictures & Sponsors

I've been sponsoring the lovely Tanya from Mr. Taylor and His Lady this month, and today you can find me over there answering some questions about myself. If you feel so inclined, you can head over and check it out. Especially if you don't know who she is because you'll LOVE her...and you might never want to come back!

Speaking of sponsors, let me know if you'd like to swap for April. I'm trying to keep it under 15, so email me know as soon as possible :-) 

It's been awhile since I've linked up with any other bloggers but when I saw that Just a Touch of Gray was asking everyone to share their engagement pictures, I had to partake. Aaaand, I automatically loved her blog because she spells Gray just like I do :-)

We took our photos in Tenaja, California which is where my family home is. They live on acreage surrounded by open green fields, horses, and large oak trees. In fact, our pictures were even featured on Stylemepretty which was my favorite blog while wedding planning {this is something that still really excites me, ha}.  All of our engagement & wedding photos were taken by the talented Brightwood Photography.

 And some outtakes for your viewing pleasure...these never made the Christmas cards but they always make me laugh.

Link up with Rachel, I'd love to see your engagement pics!

Pesto Chicken

So I stumbled upon this SUPER easy/healthy recipe on where else but Pinterest. We've made it three times already because it takes minimal effort, tastes great and doesn't make me feel guilty afterwards! You can find the original recipe on Kalyn's Kitchen but since I've been practicing with my camera I figured I would share my experience making this recipe here.

Pesto Chicken Bake

You'll Need: 

Boneless, skinless chicken

1/2 cup Pesto (I used half of a container of the store bought stuff)

Mozzarella Cheese

White Rice

Directions: 

1. Spray casserole dish with Pam and spread a layer of pesto at the bottom and add chicken. The second time I made this I remembered to sprinkle the chicken with garlic salt and pepper but it tasted fantastic without it also.

 2. Spread a second layer (about 1/4 cup) of the pesto on top of the chicken

 3. Place foil on the dish and put in the oven at 375 for about 25-30 minutes depending on your oven.

 4. After the timer goes off, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and place in the oven for another 5 minutes. If you'd like the cheese slightly browned, Kalyn recommends putting it in the broiler after the 5 minutes is up, for another 5 minutes. *The first time I didn't brown the cheese, and the second time I did. Both times were delicious.

 5. While my chicken was baking, I used my rice cooker to make white, fluffy rice. I served the pesto chicken on top,  with some grated black pepper,  mmmmm.

And that's all she wrote folks. Simple enough yeah?

Shamrock Shake

I've yet to have a Shamrock Shake from McDonald's but I looked up a few recipes online and they are one of the easiest things in the world to make! Just mix mint chocolate chip ice cream and milk until it's the consistency that you want and top with whipped cream.

De.li.cious.

Kandi and I thoroughly enjoyed them. 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!