Five Question Friday & a Wish List

Good morning Y'all!  I don't know about you but I am so ready for the weekend.  I have just not been able to wake up all week and haven't slept well at all. 

We have two baby showers this weekend too, one about an hour north of here for a friend we've known for years.  The whole family is invited!  Yay!  The second one is for my adorable friend Loren who requested John Deere dresses from me a while back, so I made her a little JD gift package (don't worry, she doesn't read my blog!)

Aren't they cute????  Want one - visit me on Etsy!

I purchased the mini John Deere boots HERE.

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This week I am participating in Five Question Friday hosted by Five Crooked Halos.  Don't you just love that name.  So right, isn't it!  "Crooked Halos"

Here are the questions this week:

1.  What is one food you could eat every day? 

Wow, this is a tough one for me because I'm a very versatile eater.  I guess I would have to say pasta.  I love pasta of any shape, sort, size, flavor with or without any type of sauce.  Love it!

2.  Are you working the career you thought you would be when you were 18? 

Ummmm, that is a BIG NO!  I never thought I would be in real estate, commercial at that matter.  When I was 18, I was in college, majoring in psychology, thinking I wanted to be a music therapist.  That quickly changed after the psycology professor kept giving us multiple choice questions and I kept failing exams.  Seriously ya'll, human nature canNOT be downsized into four multiple choice answers.  It's just not ever going to be that way.  Anyways, I then decided to become a chemistry major.  Hmmmm....calculus and I don't mix.  So, I decided to be a philosophy major (which I ended up with a minor since I didn't start until my junior year).  My major was applied music.

And now, I'm in commercial real estate asset management.

Hey - at least I learned to think!

3.  What is something you wished you had done when you were younger and didn't? 

I won't answer this question or even consider it.  Because if I changed anything about my life before, I wouldn't have the most awesome Husband, daugther, in-laws, friends, co-workers, blessings that I have today.  I chose this path for a reason and I'm very happy with this reason.

(But, if I had to answer, it would be regretting not going to Interlochen Music School in Michigan....but I wouldn't call it a regret).

4.  What color are your kitchen walls? 

I didn't paint them so I don't know the color, it's kindof a khaki/taupeish color.  Very pretty.  I like it so far.

5.  Do you remember what your first favorite song was?

No, not really.  But I do remember getting my first album, Michael Jackson's Thriller.  I also remember dancing around the bedroom with a tiny blue padlock with a pink heart on it to Madonna's Open My Heart (with your key, darling.....I'll give you love...).

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My Summer Wish List

A super cute, but very expensive floppy straw hat from Neiman Marcus.  I love floppy hats, mainly because I love to hang out in the pool, my fair skin....notsomuch.

Of course, my summer wishlist wouldn't be complete without some Lilly!  I love the Bowen dress and this new one shoulder top.  I've never tried the one shoulder top, but I think I could pull this off.  Maybe?  I really, really like it!

I have no idea how I ran across this Etsy shop.  I wasn't looking for wreaths and wasn't searching for Lilly items, but I am so glad I did.  Look at this adorable wreath made from all Lilly fabrics!  I love it!  I wish for it!  You can find this adorable shop HERE.

I love navy and white.  You can spruce it up with just about anything of any color.  This Milly dress is one of my favorites this season.

Maybe I can pair it with this adorable green necklace from Kristin Pearce?  My friend over at Petunia in Paradise was wearing one of her necklaces the other day and I just love it.

Last but not least, gotta have a shoe!  I love the Tory Burch espadrille in pink and navy!  Love them.  So cute and fun for just a pair of shorts.  They are on sale now too for $58.00!  A Tory Burch shoparoonee.  I think so, yes!

Happy Friday Y'all!

 

I couldn't have done it without you...

My blogger friends, that is!

So, I've received tons of awards across the past 1 1/2 years of blogging, but very rarely post about them.  It's not that I don't appreciate it, I just can't seem to remember.

BUT....lately, three of my favorites have given me awards and since they all have the same rules, I can ac\cept all three with one round of duties!

 Pink Preppy Lilly Lover and Cool Gal over at It's the World I Know both awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award.  I guess it's because I talk about everything and haven't really stuck to one particular theme.  I think that's what keeps you (my readers) coming back.  Maybe, hope, wishful thinking?  VA Gal over at Beyond the Blue Ridge awarded me the Sugardoll award (isn't that cute....sugardoll?)

You should stop over and visit all three.  They are all very different, but equally lovely!

So, ten things about me that you may or may not know about me.  Hmmmm.

1) I am a classically trained violinst from the age of three.  Have performed in orchestras in the midwest and traveled in Europe my senior year of college.  I still play at weddings/receptions etc., but not as often as I used to.  This is a bad picture of me.  Perfomring is not the most attractive stature plus I'm outside and my hair is frizzy.  But still....I like the picture.

2) I despise melons.  All of them.  Cucumbers, watermelons, cantelope, honey dew.  Anything related.  If I am entrusted with fruit salad for a party, I will make two, one with melon and one without (as I hate the taste of melon on other foods).  This upsets Husband because a) it costs too much to make and b) I usually leave one at home accidentally leaving it to rot.  Yuck.  As payback, Husband has decided to tell Lallie I love melon thereby having her force feed it to me.  What?  So I'm going to tell my picky three-year old that I don't like something.  It's VERY hard to stomach.

3) I do not like sea creatures.  They are in the water and humans are on dry land as the good Lord intended.  We are not too mix.  If we're at the beach and a school of fish comes near, I jump up on Husband telling him to get me out.  The one time I actually felt comfortable standing in a school of fish, sharks were coming right towards us.  Humans and the sea don't mix!

(I do love to go boating though.)

4) I am very hard on my nails.  I bite,chew, pick.  I am trying REALLY hard to stop this habit and have beautiful nails.  I have been using LUSH Lemony Flutter cuticle cream (a/k/a the Wonder Stuff) and have been evening, smoothing, buffing and shining my nails.  So far I'm doing well and actually look like I might have pretty natural nails and cuticles very soon! Yay me!

5) I despise clutter.  Our house does not have clutter.  The toaster is tucked away and not on the counter, the magazines are hidden in a cubby and decor is actually quite sparse.  We like it that way.  However, if you open up any drawer in the house, be forewarned, it will be one of many junk drawers.

6) I am a sucker for "as seen on tv" things 

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  Pillow-Pet (ooo, Lallie would love one)
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  tupperware on a turntable (actually have it)
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  top 40 hits from 1980 from Time Life (I reallly need that for my collection
• 
  
  SpaceSaver bags (abso-freakin-lutely - love them!)
• 
  
  Ginsu knives (oh! yes please)
• 
  
  holiday light tester (sign me up, darn tree lights!)
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  Hercules hooks (where's the credit card?)

***You think that is bad.  QVC and HSN are on permanent ban in our household per Husband

7) I know how to repair a roof of most types better than the average man.  Husband can attest as I severly embarrased him in Home Depot one day when I reminder him to get the mesh he needed for a tar repair to flashing around our chimney. 

8) I am a CVS super shopper.  I rarely spend more than $20.00 usually saving up to $40 or $50 between coupons, BOGO and Extra bucks - on each trip (unless on prescriptions).

9) I love PEEPS!  I wish they were sold all year round.  Probably a good thing they're not.

10)  I despise "friend drama."  It needlessly stresses me out, makes me feel down on myself and makes me question relationships.  This is why I hesitate to get close to anyone.  I have lots and lots of friends, none of them know me inside out (if you've ever done a personality study, the DISC one, I am a D at work and an I at home - describes me perfectly!).  The few times I have gotten close to anyone, I've been either let down or the relationship has been destroyed over something so petty and stupid, it wasn't worth it.

I just wanna have fun gosh darnit!  Leave the drama to my marriage!  LOL!!

So, the ten bloggers I'll pass these awards onto are:

Her Highness of Cute

Pink Champagne

Pink Cashmere Cardigan

The Adventures of Mrs. Smith

AM's World

In the Trenches of Mommyhood

Prissy and Preppy Flamingo

Southern Seersucker

Webbisodes

Life of a Suburban Princess

Pink & Green Thursday! Lallie's Birthday Party

Good morning y'all!

It's time for another Pink and Green Thursday as hosted by Miss Trish over at Preppy Pink Lilly Lover (which she's actually on vacation, so I'm not sure if she'll post today or not!)

I'm stuck on the birthday party since Lallie's is coming up at the end of the month.  I can't believe this beautiful little two year old face (note her dress colors)....will be turning three already!  Sorry for the poor picture quality, I had to scan and photoshop the picture since I didn't have a digital image.

We are having a pink and green princess pool party and BBQ so I mailed out these adorable pink and green castle invitations to the little princes and princesses.  The white parts are actually shimmering and so pretty. 

The poem inside the card reads "Princess Lallie (middle name) is turning three, She has invited you to her castle to celebrate with thee!"  You can purchase them at http://www.merimeri.com/ and print them yourself, in pink and green lettering!

Now, the details:

Cupcakes - Thanks to my good friend who owns a cupcakery!!! Can't wait to see them!

Food - BBQ style dinner - we're eating Princess Bess Gets Dressed style by having dinner on the porch around the pool as princes and princesses need to play every once in a while too!

Water bottles - I am SO stealing the water bottle idea.  Easy and costs nothing to do!

Table - pink with a pink/green Lilly napkin runner (tape napkins together on backside to the length and width desired and then turn over).  Pink and green plates and utensils (purchased at CVS!!!)  Utensils will be wrapped like the picture below.  Again, easy and inexpnsive!

Centerpieces - mini flower pots decorated in pink/green ribbon with mini pink/green ribbon topiaries.  The main food table will have the bowl filled with flowers (not baby's breath) with cut up limes.

Decoration - pink and green pom poms made out of tissue paper - click HERE for tutorial and birthday banner.

Party Favors - hmmmm....any thoughts on this?  We have more boys than girls coming to the party and I really don't like cheesy (well I'll just come right out and say it).....crap.... that kids usually give out at birthday parties.  I want it to be a little more classy.

Happy Thursday Y'all!

Weekend Recap

Hope everyone had a fab Fourth of July weekend!

Mine started out on Friday with a little lunch and shopping with fellow blogger and South Floridian, Petunia In Paradise.  I love shopping in the historic downtown area where I live.  There are wonderful shops with unique clothing, gifts, bath items, SHOES!  I was good and only bought some stationary (I really need to start writing more cards to downsize my collection).

Great hostess tip - take one folded notecard from each set of cards and wrap them in a clear bag and tie with a bow.  I've done this many times and the hostesses love the idea.

It rained pretty much all weekend, but that wasn't going to stop us!  Check out this sky, interesting!

We started Sunday at a friend's house with their family where Lallie received a fishing lesson.  "Ewwww worms!"  She was fascinated by the worms (her little friend named the worms Shelley, Amanda and Victoria).

  

Then we moved onto our friend's house on the water for the fireworks!  It drizzled the entire time we were there, so everyone pretty much remained wet (either via rain or the pool).

"Show me your watermelon!!!"  A Fourth of July staple if you ask me (though I greatly dislike watermelon, which if you follow me on Facebook, you would know that as Husband thought it would be funny to tell Lallie that I love watermelon and force feed it to me).

Niki, our resident baker and cupcake chef, made adorable star cookies for the kiddos!

Yummm!  Trifle!

And for the grand finale..  Fireworks in the rain while everyone shouted "Happy Birthday USA (and Lallie)"  Lallie seemed to think all this celebrating was for her birthday.  Since she cried when we told her it wasn't, we just left it alone and said she was included.

Happy Wednesday Y'all!

Menu Planning Monday

Well, I know it's not Monday, but I took a day off yesterday, so you're getting the meal planning today!

Recently, I posted a blog about my dislike of cooking.  I guess it's not that I dislike cooking, because I don't, if I know what I'm doing, that is!  I just have a mental block against preparing quick, easy, healthy, yet filling meals without taking hours to cook.  Even worse, it's impossible for me to get all items done at the same time.  I love to read and collect recipes and even more, I love to eat, so what to do, what to do???

Well, I received TONS of great comments and emails from my followers about how to combat this issue.  I was pointed to a great blog called Pocket Full of Posies.  These two sisters have devised a wonderful meal planning program called "the Pocket System", which I instantly snatched up and started planning!

Since this is working out so well, I contacted Pocket Full of Posies and asked if I could do a month long blog review and they were completely up for it!  So, if you have this plan, or plan to purchase it.  Come along and cook with me!  Visit the Pocket Full of Posies blog for details as full recipes will not be posted here (as to be fair to the mom-peneur!)

Here's how this will work:

Monday - Announce cooking plan and complete shopping

Monday through Friday - cook, cook, cook

The following Monday - review the recipes including cost of ingredients, likes and dislikes and substitues we made.  Also on Monday, post the next week's planned recipes.

So, this week, I have planned:

Monday:  Mexican Taco Salad

Tuesday:  Caesar Chicken Pasta Salad

Wednesday:  Cashew Chicken

Thrusday:  Night Off (eat out or leftovers)

Friday night:  Pizza Calzone

Saturday Night:  Salmon with Cucumber Sauce

Come along and cook with me!  I'm confident I can do this, you can too!

Happy Tuesday Y'all! (I'm almost typed Monday!)

 

Lallie, New Design and a Recipe

Good morning Y'all!  Lots of things to talk about today.

First, Little Lallie.  For those of you who missed out on the adorable Fourth of July dress I made for Lallie and the Etsy shop, here it is in action!  Today is Fourth of July day at school and they are having a parade, so of course, I had to deck her out in full red, white and blue!  I love that her teachers taught the kids all about the American flag this week, so Lallie has been coming home talking about our famous colors!

(Note - hair has not yet been cut.)

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How are you liking  my new blog design?  Husband likes the pink and green better as it's more me and Southern Living: Preppy Style then the black/pink/white with shoes.  BUT and it's a big BUT....I designed it!  Yes, I did this all by myself.  I edited the HTML code, I worked in photoshop, I cut and pasted and searched for clip art and I am loving that this is all mine!  I have lots of other little tricks up my sleeve and am looking for pink/green so I can go back to my signature colors, but rest be sure.....I will never have a stationary layout again.  It will always be changing.

Of course, I would love to spread the wealth of knowledge (note, I said "knowledge"), so be looking forward to a post on websites and etsy shops you can search so that you too can create your own custom blog design.  Fun stuff!

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Last but not least, a recipe.

I'm on a Kentucky kick.

I gave you the recipe for a Kentucky Derby Pie HERE.  (Well, I found out why everyone calls is something different, "Kentucky Derby Pie" is actually a registered trademark).

Today, I'll give you a recipe for the Kentucky Hot Brown (note....not Hot Brown, it's the Kentucky Hot Brown).  This fabulous dish, which I grew up eating with Cheddar sauce instead of Swiss at Patti's 1880's settlement in Grand Rapids, Kentucky, originated at the Brown Hotel in Louisville in the early 1900's.

It is originally made with turkey and Swiss sauce, but a lot of places have begun substituting ham and Cheddar sauce and some even call it a sandwich.  I beg you to try eating this with your hands and not a fork, you will not be successful.  Moving on, if you want to be original, you must go with this recipe from Nick Sundberg at the Brown Hotel (click HERE for info).

•3 ounces turkey breast, roasted, sliced

•1 slice toasted white bread

•2 slices tomato

•2 slices bacon, cooked and drained

•Sauce:

•2 ounces butter

•3 ounces flour

•3/4 cup cream

•1/4 cup milk

•1/2 cup Swiss cheese, grated

•salt and white pepper to taste

Preparation:

Heat butter and add flour. Whisk and slowly cook for 5 minutes. Whisk in cream and milk and heat. Whisk in cheese until melted. Season. Simmer for 30 minutes. Sauce should be very thick.

Quarter toast and place in an oven safe dish. Top with turkey and tomatoes. Cover well with sauce. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Garnish with bacon.

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Coming up next week:

Meal Planning - A start to a new lifestyle?

Blog Design - How did I do it?  You can do it too!

Hope Y'all have a fantastic Fourth of July!  We'll be swimming, BBQ-ing and hanging out at the waterfront watching the fireworks!

Cohen

Please join us in a day of blogging silence in honor of Cohen. Megan and Brent are having the memorial service today for their sweet baby. We know they would greatly appreciate your love and support. You can find the information here.

Don't forget to say a prayer as well.  As a parent, I can't even imagine what Megan and Brent are going through, in addition to other parents who have ever lost a child.