Wishing You A Very Merry Chrismas!

The Holidays are always such a busy time. Preparing for Christmas and being under the weather have kept me away from my blog and all my blog friends. I look forward to being back with you very soon after Christmas. However, I couldn't let the Holidays go by without wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

I am so thankful for each of you, and I hope that your Christmas is filled with family, love, and happiness! May God bless you and those you love! Merry Christmas!!

Love-Jennifer "The Pink Chick"

Deck the Halls or at least the door!

I love trying new things, so when I got an e-mail a few weeks ago announcing a wreath making class I immediately signed up! My new adventure resulted in an evergreen wreath for my front door. It was so easy to make, and it smells delightful (just like Christmas)! Here's a snapshot of my creation. It's definitely not perfect, but I am proud of my very first wreath!


If you are interested in making a wreath (it is a lot easier than it looks), check here for great instructions and tips!

My Favorite Things: Gift Giving Edition

Last year I won two monogrammed shopping totes from a blog giveaway. I absolutely love these totes, and I use them all the time. They are so cute and useful, and I get a ton of compliments on them! The best part-they make a great gift and for under $20! In fact, this is what I am getting my female coworkers.

You can find these mixed bag totes online at Emma's Closet. You can also buy a cute reusable tote and have it monogrammed at a local shop! Hobby Lobby has a small selection of reusable totes that are absolutely precious and very cheap with a 40% off coupon. (We're talking less then $3.) These bags may be inexpensive, but they are definitely a crowd (or gift recipient) pleaser!

Roadside Bargain

The entry way to our home is very small. It is basically a small hallway with a coat closet. Even though it is tiny, I have always wanted to make it a little more welcoming by adding a small table. Most of the small tables that I find are horribly expensive, so I have never found one that I liked in our price range.

However, yesterday was my lucky day! Unlike most people, I commute from a larger town to a smaller town for work. While driving through this smaller town, I happen to spot a junk store that had a few pieces of furniture by the road. One of the pieces happened to be a small table similar to ones I have looked at in the past, so I stopped to peek at the price. It was in great condition and only $29.99.

I tried to negotiate with the guy a little, but he wasn't having any of it. I think I need to work on my negotiation skills a little! However, at $29.99 I couldn't pass up such a sweet little table. I purchased it and immediately texted my husband to let him know that I just bought a table on the side of the road.

I think he was scared to see what I brought home, but I don't think it is too shabby for a roadside purchase. (Sorry for the poor photo quality. I took the picture with my phone). I think the picture hanging above it dwarfs the table a little, but I think I can solve that with a few accessories for my new table (maybe a cute bowl or vase, maybe a few books, or a small lamp).



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My Favorite Things: Gift Giving Edition

Since Christmas is sneaking up on us, I thought I would spend the next few weeks dedicating "My Favorite Things" post to gift giving ideas. I have to admit that my first idea is an idea I borrowed from my friend, Diana. It is definitely a gift idea that I will be using this year!

If you are looking for a thoughtful, fun, and inexpensive gift for a female friend or coworker, then a pair of monogrammed gloves might be your answer. A pair of fleece gloves from Old Navy are regularly priced at $7.50 or 2 for $10 in store. Old Navy always has great sales, so it is possible to get them even cheaper.

A pair of these gloves on their own make a little bit of a boring gift, but add a monogram and you've got a super cute and special gift! Most any town is going to have a shop that does embroidery. If not, check to see if you have a friend or relative with an embroidery machine.

Image Source

Want to add to the gift? Pair the gloves with a monogrammed scarf or a nice bottle of hand lotion! Great gifts don't have to be expensive! Just use your imagination or borrow ideas from friends! :)

Trader Joe Advice Needed! (And A Few Cute Coats)

Athens, GA has a new grocery story by the name of Trader Joe's! Yipppeee! Last week was the first time I have ever set foot into a Trader Joe's, and I have to admit that I am in love.

So far I have tried the wine, the Mandarin Chinese Chicken (frozen meal), and the pumpkin bread mix. All were outstanding!

Now, I need your help!!! What are your favorite Trader Joe's items? Tell me your must haves, so I can try them too!!!

P.S.-I can't let the weekend pass by without telling you about the great prices on cute coats at Old Navy! I'm wearing this precious green coat today that I purchased for only $29!

They also have several darling ruffle coats at 50% off. I'm thinking about ordering this one! It's currently prices at $49.50.


Make sure you check them out if you are in need of some winter wear! Have a great weekend!

A Yummy Recipe for a Chilly Day

Today has been the first truly chilly day we have had in Athens this Fall. Days like today make me want to run home, put on my fuzzy slippers, and make a yummy stew or chili. Oh how I love my soups and stews during the Fall and Winter!

My mom makes a fantastic stew that she calls Brunswick Stew. It isn't a true Brunswick Stew, but it is delicious and so easy to make! I thought I would share it with you. Michael and I will be enjoying some tonight! Since it isn't a true Brunswick Stew we will call it, "Not Really Brunswick Stew".

Not Really Brunswick Stew

Ingredients:
1 pound of ground pork sausage (browned)
1 pound of hamburger (browned)
1 can of whole kernel sweet corn
1 can of sweet peas
1 or 2 can(s) of tomatoes
1/2 of a sweet onion (diced)
1/4 cup of ketchup

Directions: Brown your sausage and hamburger meat. Combine in large pot with rest of ingredients and cook! When adding corn, peas, and tomatoes, do not drain.

That's it! How easy it that! It is one of Michael's favorites! I usually serve it with cornbread or a yummy cheese bread. I hope you enjoy!!

P.S.-The training I told you about last week. Well, I worried over it and studied really, really hard, and I passed! Yippeee! Thank goodness it is over!

Training

I just wanted to drop in and leave you a little note. I am at a training for work this entire week. I thought I would be able to keep up my blogging schedule, but the training has been intense. I have a written test and field test on Friday. Eeek! Say a little prayer for me! I will be back soon-like Monday soon or maybe sooner! I promise! Now I am off to study, study, study!

My Favorite Things

Every time I go to the doctor I have to lie. Let's see if you can spot my little white lie in the conversation below.

Dr: Hello Mrs. Pink Chick! It is good to see you today. Are these the current medications you are on?

Pink Chick: Why yes Doctor. Those are currently the medications I am taking.

Dr: And you are taking a multi-vitamin.

Pink Chick: Of course I am taking a multi-vitamin. I mean, what idiot would dare not to take a multivitamin. Only a fool would skip their daily multi-vitamin.

Did you spot it? Can you tell at what point I unleash my tall tale? If you guessed the part where I swear to the doctor that I take a multi-vitamin, then you are correct!

Until recently, I have never taken a multi-vitamin on a regular basis. I know I should. I know it is good for me. However, the thought of swallowing another giant pill with a bad after taste had me skipping my daily vitamin.

Then one day I found these! Adult Gummy Vitamins! When I first saw these in the store, it was like the heavens opened up and a golden ray of sunshine illuminated the bottle while angels sang.

Okay, maybe my flare for the dramatic is a little overboard today, but this discovery has me taking my vitamins every day(which is a major accomplishment)! I even enjoy taking my vitamins! They are actually tasty. If you hate taking vitamins as much I did, definitely give these babies a try. I take the variety shown above, but there are several brands that carry an adult gummy vitamin. Many stores, like Target and Wal-Mart, also carry the generic version.
Making taking vitamins fun again! Try adult gummies!

Let's Catch Up!

I have been away from the blogging world for a month. Boy how I have missed all of you! So I guess I left you wondering where I went. I wish I could say that I was whisked away to some tropical island where I spent a month in complete luxury but unfortunately that is not the case. I have, however, had a busy and exciting past few weeks. Here's a recap in bullet points.

• One night a week I have been attending Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University at our church. I had heard such wonderful things about this class, but I have to admit that I was skeptical. I signed up thinking that I wouldn't attend, but I am so glad that I have been attending. It is, by far, one of the best classes I have ever taken. It has totally changed the way I think about money, and I could not be more thankful. I have to admit that my wardrobe is suffering a little though!

• One night a week I am attending an adult clogging class. I started taking clogging lessons in the summer, and I decided to continue on to the Fall classes. I love it, and it is such a fun way to exercise.
  

• I ditched my routine of going to the gym after work, and I have traded it for working out during my lunch break at our work gym. Now I have more time to cook supper and to take the dogs on a walk! Michael is loving my kitchen creations!! (Or at least he is pretending too. He's a very sweet husband!)
  

• I have been attending a few Georgia games. Our team really stinks this year, but I am still a fan! Plus, I still adore this guy (see picture below)! He is my coach boyfriend. I have thought about adding Aaron Murray (UGA Quarterback) as my new quarterback boyfriend, but I am still deciding.
  

• And best of all, I spent a whole week in my hometown. My mom and sister added an addition to their cute little gift shop, so I spent a week helping them clean and move in. I had so much fun getting to spend the week with my family. They worked me hard, but they also did a great job at spoiling me too! If you want a peek at their gift shop you can it on facebook. It's called Three Chicks a Hen.

I can't wait to catch up with all of you during the coming week! I can't wait to read all of the exciting things you have been doing this Fall!! Have a great weekend!! I'll be back on Monday to share a new favorite thing with you!!

Holy Cow!

Holy Cow! I can't believe I haven't blogged in a month! I have no good excuse except that time just got away from me. I blinked and it was October! Shouldn't it still be August?

I have a work event to get ready for tonight, so I don't have time for a normal post. I promise I will be back tomorrow! I can't wait to catch up with you all! Until then-have a very wonderful day!!

The Grim Reaper of Automobiles

Last week I blogged about adding a little unwanted decoration to my car. Just one day after I blogged about my little scuffle with the garage, my car experienced a major malfunction. I had it towed to the Toyota dealership and quickly found out it needed a new engine-a $7,000 engine. Since my beat up 02 Highlander was not worth $7,000, my husband and I decided it was time to replace it.

I have to admit that I felt like the grim reaper of automobiles. I not only did body damage to that poor vehicle, but I also blew up the engine. I begged for a pony instead of a new car. Ponies are much easier for me to take care of and much less complicated than a car. Michael wouldn't buy me a pony. He insisted that my 4o mile round trip commute to work called for a car.

I sadly accepted the fate of my precious (and a little beat up) Highlander, and I began the hunt for my new car. The hunt was a little stressful because this is the first time I have ever had the opportunity to pick out the vehicle, but I almost immediately fell in love with the cutest 07 Rav 4. We purchased the Rav 4 this weekend, and I am so excited. Well, I'm not excited about having a car payment, but I am excited about having a reliable car again!

I was going to host a car naming contest on my blog. (Yes, I name all my cars.) However, Michael jokingly pointed out that the spare tire on the back of the car looked like a bunny tail, so my new car has been christened "The Bunny Car". Here's a picture of a similar looking car, so you have a visual of what I mean about the bunny tail. Hopefully, "The Bunny Car" will live a long and full life, and I will lose my grim reaper status. :)

I Promise I Wasn't Drinking!

A few weeks ago, I did this to my car.


See all that pretty white paint. It's not supposed to be there. Yikes!

I bet you are wondering how I did it. Well, I scraped my car on the side of my garage. The garage was unharmed, but the car was not. Everyone immediately notices the damage and asks what happened. It is a tiny bit embarrassing to admit the truth, and I have gotten more than one eye roll when I tell people I hit my garage. I tried coming up with a few fun stories like a large white bird flew out of the sky and smacked into my car or my dogs got bored and decided to do an art project.

I am eventually going to get it fixed (probably within the next few weeks), but until then I will have fun inventing imaginative stories about how my car got damaged. Let me know if you think of any good ones! :)

My New Favorite Recipe

I have been attempting to expand my horizons and try a new recipe each week. Things are going pretty good so far. I have only had one recipe that failed. Oh, and what a failure it was. Needless to say, I won't be attempting to make spicy chicken lettuce wraps with peanut sauce again!

I am still at the beginning stages of my cooking journey, but I have found a new recipe that I absolutely adore. My husband loves it, and I even made it for a group of friends! They gave it an A+! This recipe came courtesy of my friend Alison. She is an in real life friend, and also has a great cooking blog.

Enjoy!!!

Honey Lime Enchiladas

Shopping List:

Pork or Chicken (1.5 pounds)

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese*

Shredded Cheddar Cheese*

Flour Tortillas

2 (10 oz) cans of green enchilada sauce

Honey

Lime Juice

Chili Powder

Garlic Powder

*Instead of mozz and cheddar cheese, I sometimes just by the shredded Mexican cheese mix.

Sauce:
1/3 c honey
1/4 c lime juice
1 Tb chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 (10 oz) cans green enchilada sauce

Mix together sauce ingredients then add to shredded pork or chicken. Let the sauce soak into the meat for about 30 minutes.

Lightly spray 2 pans with non-stick baking spray. (I usually use one 9x13 and one 9x9 but it may vary with how thick you stuff your enchiladas) Pour green enchilada sauce into pans to coat the entire bottom. Fill tortillas with shredded meat and desired amount of cheese (equal parts mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Roll and place in dish.

Pour remainder of sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle more cheese on top - don't be stingy! (I sometimes use more like 1 1/2 cans- you can freeze left over enchilada sauce in a baggy.) Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Then turn on broiler and place enchiladas nearer the top of oven. Let it broil until cheese is slightly brown and crispy.

A Gift for Him

Before I get started, I wanted to thank all of you for the anniversary comments! Y'all are so sweet, and I appreciate all the anniversary wishes!

One of the most challenging things in my marriage is trying to figure out what to buy my husband for those gift giving occasions. I always love when bloggers share their gift ideas for the man in their life, so I thought I would share the gift I gave my sweet husband on our anniversary.

This anniversary was our fourth anniversary. The traditional four year wedding anniversary gift is fruit or flowers. No help there. Although I did draw a pear in his card for tradition sake. He he he!


Abandoning the traditional route, I decided to go with my husband's love of fine alcohol. Since two of our low ball glasses broke recently, I purchased a set of four low ball glasses and a matching ice bucket. Much to my surprise, the glasses match our existing wine glasses and even match a decanter we purchased at an antique store. Along with the glasses, I got him a nice bottle of scotch and a tray to display the set.


He loved his gift, and I was so excited I was able to surprise him with it. Now, if I could only figure out what to do about Christmas! :)

Four Years of Wedded Bliss

Four years ago today I married the love of my life and my best friend. I was wrong to think that our wedding day was one of the happiest days of my life because the days just keep getting happier and sweeter. My sweet husband fills all of my days with love and laughter. I never imagined I could be so happy. Here's to nine years of love and four years of marriage!

Shop Easy!

CSN Stores has graciously offered to let me do a product review, and I am so excited! CSN has become a favorite of mine. With over 200 stores, I can always find what I am looking for at a good price. They offer everything from Le Creuset to home decor to outdoor products! Your shopping options are endless!

I can't wait to share my product review with you, so make sure your come back and visit me! Also, make sure you check out CSN stores and all the fun products that they have to offer!

Pulling a Princess

I don't often take the princess path in life, but some days just call for it. Monday was one of those days. I woke up to a sore neck and back. While getting dressed a random bug happened to be in our bathroom and it stung me on the arm. Ouch! And without getting into too much detail, let's just say that work was not going my way that day.

My day was not looking great. In fact, it seemed rather comical all the things that were going wrong, so I decided to take charge! I pulled a princess! I took half a day off, got a massage, and finished my day off with a bubble bath. My husband thought it was hilarious and a little over dramatic! I thought it was perfect! :)

Have a Happy Tuesday and don't forget to treat your inner princess every once in a while!

(image source)

Pink Chick in the Kitchen

It's no secret that cooking doesn't top the list of things that I am good at. Unfortunately , it doesn't even make the list. This little sign that hangs in my kitchen tells the story! (He He He! I love my little sign!)


I always tell people that I do know how to cook, but I never know what to cook. I'm not very adventurous in the kitchen, and I rarely try new things.

Well, I am proud to report that I have a new goal for myself. I want to try one new recipe every week. I want my main focus to be on healthy recipes, but non-diet options will also be thrown in the mix.

I tried my first new dish last week. It was a "clean eating" recipe that I found on sparkpeople.com. It was super easy to make. It was healthy and yummy! Overall, it was a success. The recipe is below if you want to try it out. You can also find the recipe here and see comments people have left on how they changed/improved the original recipe.

Clean Eating Chicken, Potato and Veggie Bake

Ingredients:
Cooking Spray
2 Skinless Chicken Breasts, chopped into 2-inch cubes
1 lb Red Potatoes, chopped into 2-inch cubes
1/2 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (OR Red & Green Peppers, OR Vegetables of your choice)
1/3 c fresh basil, chopped
4 garlic gloves, thinly sliced
1.5 TBSP Olive Oil
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
Ground Pepper to Taste
1/2 cup Chicken Broth (if desired)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Add chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, vegetables, basil, garlic, chicken broth, and olive oil. Sprinkle with rosemary. Add pepper if desired. Bake for approx. 45 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender. Serve.

Number of Servings: 4

Pink Chick Goes to Court

Several weeks ago I received a little gift in the mail. This little gift I am referring to was a jury summons. That's right! I had been chosen for jury duty.

Most people think jury duty really stinks (and it does), but I was excited since I had never been called for jury duty. I was also excited because my husband is an attorney, and it would be like getting a peek into his world.

My letter told me I should report to the courthouse at 8:30 am on Monday, so Sunday night I carefully picked out a cute outfit (while channeling my inner Elle Woods) and packed my purse with all the essentials one would need when reporting for jury duty.

Monday morning went smoothly. I looked cute. I parked in the appropriate parking deck, and I arrived to the court room on time. We had to wait a super long time for the judge and the attorneys, so I made a new friend while we waited.

The time finally came for them to select the jury. The judge, the lawyers, and the defendant were all in place. That's when the defendant decided it was time to be creepy. He turned around, peeked over the podium and began to stare. I wasn't sure if he was staring at me or the girl behind me, so I uneasily assumed it was the girl behind me and shifted my gaze away from him. He kept staring and then started waving. This went on for a really long time. It was super creepy, and that's when I decided that jury duty wasn't fun anymore and I wanted to go home.

Thankfully, it wasn't too long after the uncomfortable staring incident that my panel of jurors was released. Both I and the girl behind me happily left the court room and the creepy defendant behind. (insert huge sigh of relief here).

When I arrived home, I couldn't help but google the name of the defendant. I don't want to give any details away since the case is still pending, but let's just say my knowledge gained from google made him even creepier!

A Sea Monkey Warning!

In December I shared a little story about my purchase of sea monkeys. You can read it here , but the quick version of the story is I bought sea monkeys, they lived, and I felt a huge since of accomplishment.

Seven months later, the sea monkeys are still alive. Not the same sea monkeys, but their 100th or so great grandchildren/grandmonkeys. Holy Cow! These things will not die! I am beginning to think I missed my calling in life. Instead of working in public relations, I should be a sea monkey farmer.

I have to admit that I am growing weary of my never ending generations of sea monkeys. Their small plastic tank resides in my living room, and it is kind of gross (and it is my understanding that you aren't supposed to clean it out). My husband's solution is to pour them out, but I just can't do it. I have a commitment to these monkeys, and I will see it through until they are finished reproducing and the last one enters the gates of sea monkey heaven-or at least until the dog knocks them over.

My Favorite Things

As you know, I am constantly on a diet. I exercise regularly, and I try to eat right. However, I find eating healthy to be a bit of a challenge mainly because I eat out of convenience. I tend to eat whatever is easiest for me to grab and run. Now, I could solve this problem by planning ahead like they teach you at Weight Watchers, but I'm not very good at that either! :)

Introducing my new secret weapon....It's healthy and convenient and perfect for lunch!


Ready Pac Bistro Salads!!!!! They are available in a variety of different flavors including Santa Fe Caesar and Asian Style Chicken. My favorite is the Chicken Cranberry Walnut. It is oh so delicious! These cute little salads are available at most grocery store chains like Publix and Kroger. You can find them where the ready made salads/salads in bags are found.

Give them a try! You won't be disappointed! Also, if you have any tips on other convenient and healthy meals-I'm all ears!!!

A Bad Case of the "I Wants"

Well, I am back from The Mart in Atlanta, and let me just say that I had an absolutely wonderful time. The only bad part about going to market is it gives you a bad case of the "I Wants". Visiting all the fabulous show rooms just makes my wish list explode.

On my ever growing wish list, one of my favorite items happens to be a set of vintage seed packet prints. Denise (my oldest sister) and I both fell in love with these prints as soon as we spotted them. I couldn't help but imagine how fabulous they would look in my kitchen. I think taking pictures of the products is rude, but I couldn't help but snap a quick picture of one of the prints. The picture (pumpkin seed packet print) is crooked and poor quality because I had to pretend I was talking on my phone while I snapped it.


We were not able to order the prints because the opening minimum for this store was way more than we were willing to spend, so I have scoured the internet trying to find similar prints.
Here's what I have found so far. (found here).

What do you think? Do you think it would make a cute kitchen print?

Gone Shopping!

It's that time of year again-market time! I'm in Atlanta at the mart. I will be gone the rest of the week helping my mom and sister buy fun things for their gift shop! I will be back on Monday, and hopefully I will have some fun new finds to share with you! Have a great weekend, and I will look forward to catching up with you all on Monday!

Try it for Free!

I am totally addicted to skin care products (stupid fine lines and wrinkles), so I just had to share this!

Nuetrogena is offering a rebate on their new Neutrogena Clinical line. If you buy Neutrogena Clinical SPF 30, Night, or Eye cream between the dates of July 11th and July 18th, they will send you a rebate for the full value of your purchase (up to $40). All rebates must be postmarked by July 31. Go here for more information and your rebate form.

I picked up the Neutrogena Clinical Eye Cream yesterday at Wal-Mart for just a little over $35. I haven't tried it yet, but I will let you know how it goes. I love when I get to try new products for free!

And The Winner Is...

The winner of the CSN giveaway is Mrs. Smith from The Adventures of Mrs. Smith! Congratulations Mrs. Smith! Happy Shopping!

Thank you to all that entered, and thank you to CSN for sponsoring the giveaway. Stay tuned for another giveaway that is right around the corner! Oh, and just in case your wondering-I used the random integer generator to pick a winner.

Introducing...

...One of my favorite people in the whole world! My friend, Katie, has a new blog! Katie is nothing short of super cool and awesome!



In about a month, she will be leaving our little town headed to get her Masters Degree in Europe (a two year program). I am going to miss her so much, but hopefully the hubby and I will be hopping across the pond to visit her.

Be sure to head over to her blog to read about her new adventures and to welcome her to the blogging world!


P.S.-I totally stole this picture off her blog. It is from her trip to New Zealand. (Sorry Katie! I hope you don't mind that I stole your picture! :) )

A New Routine

Guess what I am doing tonight? You'll never guess in a million years, so I'll just tell you! :) I am going to dance class. Clogging class to be exact.

Several dance studios in my area offer adult dance classes. A while back I tried out an adult tap class. Big Fail! I hated it. The instructor was all over the place, and I learned nothing. I do have a pair of nifty tap shoes as a memento of my giant tap failure though. :) However, this time my attempt at adult dance classes will be different. I am with a new studio, and I used to be a clogger!

That's right folks! I clogged from the time I was in middle school until I was a junior in college. I have the shoes, poofy dress, and embarrassing pictures to prove it! Too bad all of my embarrassing pictures are at my parents house. I will definitely have to dig some up to share the next time I'm visiting!

Tonight I am joining the beginner adult clogging class, and I am so excited! I am excited to refresh my clogging skills, and to get a little exercise while having fun! If this goes well, I might even try a few more dance classes. Although ballet is definitely off the list if I have to wear a leotard! :)

P.S.-Don't forget to enter my giveaway! It ends on Friday.

In Memory of...

Please join in this day of blogging silence to remember Cohen and in support of his parents Megan and Brent. http://sendlovetocohen.blogspot.com/

A Confession...

As of 7:15 pm tonight, I (along with the rest of the pre-teens in the Athens and surrounding area) will be watching the new Twilight movie. I resisted the craze for oh so long, but I finally gave in to the books a few months ago. I held out strong against the movies until last week when I watch both the first and second movie and purchased tickets to the third. I have no will power.

I, however, will not be wearing a Team Edward or Team Jacob shirt because let's face it I do not discriminate when it comes to hunky men. And if I were Bella, I might just find a way to make polygamy work. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box! :)

My Favorite Things: A SALE!

It's that time again! Time for my favorite things post! This week I just couldn't resist sharing Old Navy's 30% off sale. The last two days of the sale are today and tomorrow, so hurry on over to oldnavy.com to stock up on a few summer essentials. To receive the 30% discount, enter the code ONBIG30 at check out.

Not sure what to get? Here are a few of my favorites!


I adore this cute summer dress! I ordered one just last week! It hasn't arrived yet, but this dress gets great reviews on the web!



I purchased this skirt this Spring in khaki, and I could not be happier! It is long enough to wear to work, but it is still short enough to be fun! Oh, and it is cool to wear on those hot summer days.

If you are in need of a good fitting polo, Old Navy certainly has a contender. Old Navy polos are my favorite. The fit is great, the colors are fun, and the price is right (currently $10 before discount).



I have had my eye on these sandals for a few weeks now. I haven't ordered them, but I just had to include them on my list! Aren't they the cutest! They come in several colors. The silver is pictured here, but I think the "cool combo"color version of this sandal is my absolute favorite!
The sale ends soon, so don't procrastinate! Happy Shopping!

P.S.-Don't forget to enter my giveaway! :)

I'm Back with a Giveaway!!!

I am so happy to announce that I am back!!! I am not only back-I am back with a giveaway sponsored by CSN stores. CSN stores carries a variety of cool products from cookware to speaker stands. The prize up for grabs is a $60 promotional code to use at any of the CSN Stores.

To enter just comment on this post by midnight (EST) Friday, July 9th. For an extra entry, mention a neat product you found on one the CSN store web-sites. For yet another entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway. Make sure to let me know about your extra entries!

In closing, Yay! I am so happy to be back, and I apologize for such a long hiatus! My big work event is over, and I finally have time to breath! I can't wait to spend the next few weeks catching up with all of my blog friends. Wow! I have really, really missed you guys!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway and spread the word!! Good Luck!


Disclaimer: CSN Stores is not compensating me in any way to host this giveaway. Only the winner of the giveaway will receive goods courtesy of CSN Stores.

...Only I Didn't Say Fudge.

This weekend Michael and I traveled to Cleveland, OH for the wedding of two very dear friends. The wedding was absolutely beautiful! The bride and the groom thought of everything to make sure the travelers were comfortable and felt at home. It was amazing!

Michael was a groomsmen, so I was on my own most all of Saturday. I have to admit that I have been looking forward to this day for over a year. Why?-Because I had a very special place to visit in Cleveland. Now most people who visit Cleveland would end up at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or maybe even the Cleveland Museum of Art, but not me. I have a love for the obscure, so the number one place on my list to visit was the A Christmas Story house.

For those of you who don't know (and shame on you for not knowing), A Christmas Story is the movie that plays 24 hours on TBS on Christmas Eve. It has Ralphie and Randy and the little boy who gets his tongue stuck to the flag pole. Oh, and who could forget the famous leg lamp!


The house the movie was filmed at is in a neighborhood about five minutes from downtown Cleveland. It has been restored to its former movie glory and is open for tours. There is also a museum and gift shop across the street.

Here are just a few pictures I took on my adventure. I have a ton of pictures. In fact, I might have gone a little overboard with right around 70 pictures, but I don't want to bore you so I just included the biggies.

The sign greeting me as I arrived at my destination.


The house!

And the major award or leg lamp!



Touring the house didn't take me long, so I did make it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later in the day. However, I have to admit that it paled in comparison to the A Christmas Story House. :)


P.S.-Just in case you didn't know, the title of this post is a quote from the movie. In fact, it is one of my very favorite quotes from the movie. "Only I didn't say "Fudge." I said THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words..."

My Favorite Things

Hi all! It's been a little while since I have blogged! Sorry! I am facing a really, really busy time at work right now, so there hasn't been much time for blogging. Please stick with me. I will still be here as much as possible, and I should be back to normal blogging by the end of June! Oh, and I will have a giveaway coming up soon! Yay! I love giveaways!!!

Keep an eye out for my giveaway, but until then I have to tell you about my new accessory! I have been seeing commercials for a new product by Goody. It's called the spin pin, and it claims to help you create that messy (but ultra cute) bun in a matter of seconds.



I couldn't resist buying a set, so I took a little trip to Target yesterday. I spent the rest of the night playing with them. The results?

* They are easy to use, but a little hard to master. I am not confident enough to wear them to work yet, but I would definitely use them during the weekend and on vacation.

*They are a little on the expensive side for a smaller hair accessory-priced at right around $6.

*I definitely think they work best on longer hair. However, they did just fine on my hair which is a medium length with layers.

Overall, I grade the spin pin at a solid B. It isn't a must have, but it is definitely a fun accessory to add to my weekly hair routine!

A Mint Julep Please!

If there was ever an occasion to drink a mint julep, it is this Saturday-the first Saturday in May or the day of the Kentucky Derby! I have always, always, always wanted to throw a Kentucky Derby party. I have so many party ideas running around in my head including one activity involving betting on paper horses. Oh, and who could forget the sundresses and hats! You would have to wear a fabulous sundress and hat.

However, April, May and June are super busy months at work for me, so I have yet to throw my Kentucky Derby party. I won't be hosting a party this Saturday, but I might just try my hand at making the drink most often associated with the Derby-a mint julep.

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Below is a great mint julep recipe found in Southern Living. You can also find it here.

Yield: Makes 1 (8-ounce) julep

Ingredients

• 3 fresh mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon Mint Simple Syrup
• Crushed ice
• 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) bourbon
• 1 (4-inch) cocktail straw or coffee stirrer
• 1 fresh mint sprig
• Powdered sugar (optional)

Preparation

Place mint leaves and Mint Simple Syrup in a chilled julep cup. Gently press leaves against cup with back of spoon to release flavors. Pack cup tightly with crushed ice; pour bourbon over ice. Insert straw, place mint sprig directly next to straw, and serve immediately. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Mint Juleps are traditionally served in a silver julep cup (as pictured above). Amazon has a great selection of julep cups varying in price. (Don't forget to check to make sure the julep cups you purchase are meant for drinking. Some are just made for decoration and are not food or drink safe.)

Don't have julep cups. Don't worry-Just be creative! Serve your mint juleps in a mason jar or in any other fun bar glasses you might have! After all, mint juleps are quite stout, so after one you really don't care what kind of glass you are drinking out of! ;)

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Shoe Dazzle

Have you heard of shoedazzle.com? It is a company founded by Kim Kardashian. I just discovered it a few weeks ago, but I have to admit that I am often behind the times.

To put it simply, it is like a shoe of the month club. For a little less than $40 a month, stylists pick out a selection of shoes they think you might like and add them to your on-line gallery. You then choose the shoe you would like to purchase that month and they send it to you. You can also opt to skip a month and not receive a shoe (and not be charged).

I have an account, but I have not ordered my first pair of shoes. (You are not charged until you order your first pair of shoes.) I also haven't decided if I am going to order a pair of shoes at all. However, I do love shoes, and these cute babies are currently sitting in my on-line gallery.


I need your help! What do you think? Have you tried Shoe Dazzle or heard of someone who has? Should I give it a try?

I Was Late For Work...

Update: I went home at lunch and both the dogs and the kittens were doing great! I couldn't resist a close-up look at the kittens, so I knocked on my neighbors door and told him about the kittens. He was surprised and went with me to look at them. (By the way, this is a very sweet neighbor not the creepy one.) I discovered that there are 3 little gray kittens. They are tiny and their eyes have just opened. I snapped a couple of photos with my phone. One of the pictures looks like I am choking the kitten, but I promise I am not. I was just holding him up so I could get a picture of his cute little face. Without further ado, here are the kittens.


...but I have a really good excuse! I found kittens! Now if kittens aren't a good excuse to be late for work I don't know what is. Although the time I got trapped in my garage was a pretty good excuse, but that is a story for another day.

This morning the dogs were barking and hanging around one certain area of the fence. After many failed attempts at trying to quiet them, I headed outside to see what all the fuss was about. That's when I spotted two tiny gray kittens sleeping in the recycling area in my neighbors back yard (just on the other side of the fence). I wanted to run over to my neighbor's house and tell them that they had kittens, but I decided to be a polite neighbor and wait until a more reasonable hour. Translation: I'm going to pounce on my poor neighbors as soon as I get home from work. I ultimately settled the dogs down, and when I left this morning my chocolate lab was lying right beside the fence like he was guarding the kittens.

I am headed home for lunch to check on my dogs and the kittens. If I get a chance, I will take a few photos. Did I mention I needed an extended lunch break to do this? I think kittens also serve as a great excuse for a long lunch! :)

Creative Wrapping

As most of you know, I love wrapping gifts and making them extra special. Today on my lunch break, I ran out to buy a gift for my nephew who has a birthday this week. His gift is an odd size, so I had to opt for a gift bag. The gift bag was $4.00, but I happened to spy a reusable tote (decorated with Buzz and Woody from Toy Story) for $1.99. I opted for the cheaper and more useful (and cuter) tote bag.

I'm not sure why I have never considered (until today) using a reusable tote bag instead of a gift bag. There are some super cute reusable totes out there that are very reasonably priced, and who couldn't use a cute tote!

Toys R Us has some really cute totes for the kids in your life for around $1.50. I'm not a kid, but I wouldn't mind receiving a gift wrapped in the pink elephant bag. :)


I can't find a picture, but Michael's also carries some really cute reusable totes for under $2.oo. I purchased a brown one with colorful dots. It is super cute and would be a great gift bag.

Just remember the next time you need to wrap a gift quickly, and you still want it to be cute-Check your local store for a cute reusable tote! Where have you spotted some cute reusable totes?

My Inagural Trip to Taylor Grocery

This weekend Michael and I packed our bags and hopped (or drove) a couple of states over to Mississippi. Why a trip to Mississippi? -To visit a friends of course!

We had a wonderful time visiting our friends (Melanie and Adam) and meeting their sweet and absolutely precious little boy. They are such wonderful and treasured friends. I wish they lived closer or we got to see them more often.

On Saturday afternoon, they treated Michael and I to a trip to Oxford, MS. Oxford is home to Ole Miss, where Michael went to law school. Melanie and I had fun shopping on the square while the boys went to a bar, watched sports, and drank beer. If you have never been to Oxford, it is a charming town with a beautiful downtown area. The downtown area or square (as they call it) also has great little boutiques.

Saturday night, we went to Taylor Grocery. Taylor Grocery may be the most amazing place on Earth. It is a restaurant in an old general/dry goods store. It serves wonderful Southern food. It is most famous for its fried catfish. I don't really like catfish, but even I like the fried catfish at Taylor Grocery. If you go, order the catfish and make sure to get fries with a side of rotel. Yummy!

Taylor Grocery oozes charm and seems to take you back in time a little. There was live music, signatures all over the wall, and a crowd of people. I left with a full tummy and a t-shirt. I didn't have a chance to sign the wall, but you better bet that on my next trip to Taylor there will be a sharpie in my pocket!

Revamping Your Jewelry

I love making jewelry, but lately I have been more interested in revamping jewelry pieces. For example, I might take pieces of an old necklace and turn it into earrings or just rework a necklace to make it a different style. Even if you don't know the first thing about making jewelry, you can still have fun revamping your old pieces.

My favorite trick is to shorten a long necklace by doubling it and securing it with a broach. I love doing this with my long pearl necklaces! Of course this is a horrible picture, but you get the general idea.


I had fun wearing this gray pearl necklace joined with a sparkly broach to add a little pizazz to my black sweaters this winter. For spring, I think a necklace secured with a flower brooch would be adorable and very similar to some Stella and Dot necklaces that I have seen.

Oh, and just for fun here is a picture of a pair of earrings I made from a bracelet. I don't wear bracelets much, so I turned a $4 bracelet into two pairs of earrings. I gave one pair to a friend and kept the other for myself. Again, please forgive my poor photography skills.

Bird Themed Baby Shower

A few weekends ago, I hosted (along with a few other friends) a baby shower for my sweet friend, Hailey. She is expecting a little girl in April. Her nursery is decorated in a bird theme, and it is absolutely beautiful.

We decided to stick with the bird theme for the shower. Everything turned out so cute, and I had such a fun time decorating. As always, please excuse my horrible picture taking.

The flowers were pink rose arrangements with a little bird accent.

I also had an arrangement of daffodils. These flowers come with a cute story. I have been working with Budget Blinds of Athens on installing blinds in my house. They are so helpful and so super sweet. I really enjoyed working with them. The last day of installation, they brought me the daffodils.
The drink table was decorated with my hurricane egg arrangement. We served champagne punch with sugar rimmed champagne flutes. We also had water and sodas available.


I didn't get a good picture of the food table, but you can get the idea from the picture below. The centerpiece was a tree with paper birds. As guests arrived, they wrote wishes to Hailey and the baby on the birds and hung the birds on the tree. This picture was taken before the guests arrived. The tree was full of birds by the time the party was over.


Instead of a cake, we decided to have cupcakes and mini-cheesecakes. Publix made the cupcakes, and I decorated them with candy eggs. I also used a nest with candy eggs to decorate the top tier of the cake stand.


We had a huge crowd at the shower, and I think everyone had a good time. I know I had fun visiting with friends and cooing over tiny baby clothes!