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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Strawberry Fudge.

This took be about 3 minutes to make, and that included opening the chocolate chip bag and the frosting contaniner, that's right, there's two ingredients.  SIMPLE.  And that's how I like it.  Bonus, it's delish.  Recipe found here.  



Enjoy!
-m

Saturday, January 28, 2012

What I'm Loving Lately.

Warning: selfish, superficial post ahead :)  Some random STUFF that's been on mind/pinterest boards--mostly consisting of food and fashion.

1. Trader Joe's Corn Salsa.

2. Labels.  I think I might be investing in a label maker soon... Organized chaos is what I'm going for here.  Baby steps.

3. Mustard. The color.  In my house, on my clothes, anywhere.  A painting project will be in the works as soon as garage sales season comes around.

4. Craving some new hair-- maybe bangs? uh oh.  Or a cute long bob like Gweneth.  I'm one of those suckers who thinks they'll come out of the salon actually being the person in the photo you bring to your stylist.  Note to self- I'm not Gweneth.





5. Peanut butter and oats and anything else I have on hand (chocolate chips, coconut, butterscotch, blueberries), it's good.  Stirred up right there in the peanut butter jar makes it even better.

6. Colored Cords.  Maybe pale pink? Or turquoise like these.

7. Karen Walker Sunglasses.  Or maybe these more affordable ones from Fred Flare.  They look really great on her and her-- but doesn't everything?



8.  This swimsuit... dreaming....


9. The "runner's high".  My new shoes are definitely helping me stick with my workout goals. It's the little things. Thanks, J!

10.  The weather.  It's like we're making up for those nasty summer days of 150 degrees where we were couped up inside all day.  The Vitamin D does wonders.

Hope everyone's enjoying a good weekend!
-m

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Birchbox January.


January's Birchbox came, and it's even better than the first!  Here's a rundown of the goods:

1. Zoya Polish in Megan (AH!)
4. Stila Smudge Stick waterproof eyeliner in purple lang (LOVE!!!)
5. Witchcraft Granola

I will definitely reorder the eyeliner, and I haven't even put in on yet--the color is just so fun. I'm already excited for next month!
-m

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

DIY Map

Finally found some time (and motivation!) to finish this map project that I have been wanting to do for quite some time now.  I found the vintage style map at Office Depot of all places for $7.99.  The map is 32'' by 50''.  I thought for sure I could find a frame in that size.......

Turns out I don't have hundreds of dollars for a custom frame, so I came up with a new plan.  I wanted to be able to use push pins in the final product, so I thought cork board would be good.  Again, not found.  I found some foam board at the craft store that I could cut down to size, but again, it was like 20 bucks!  I headed to Home Depot.  I found a HUGE piece of foam board (insulation?) for $11, and they cut it right there for me- score.

The board was purple, and since I didn't see a frame in the near future, I decided to just paint the edges brown.  Lucky for me, I had some helpers!  

After the paint dried, I used spray adhesive to spray it to the board.  Easy, and done!  I hung it on the wall with command strips since it was so light.  For the push pins, I found some bottle caps at Hobby lobby and glued flat pushpins to the backs.  I'm happy with the results!





-m

Monday, January 16, 2012

Road Trip 2011: Day 3

ZOO!!!  Again with the weather... TDF.  (mom- that's text lingo for "to die for")


These elephants gave us a show--  Like tricks and stuff. They're my favorite.



:)

The Alamo.

Our last night we took a riverboat cruise around the River Walk.  So pretty.


Day 4 looked pretty much like this:

This right here is reason #89579854302 I love my husband:
He had me punch in a bunch of numbers (bored as a was on this drive home, I obliged)... evidently, this is how long it would take us to get home if we traveled at the speed of light.  'Nuff said.

-m

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Road Trip 2011: Day 2


This little Czech bakery was popular with those we talked to in Fort Worth, so we decided to stop and check (ha!) it out....

The line was crazy long.  Honestly, I wasn't the slightest bit hungry, but I couldn't pass up all the excitement.  I had a peanut butter cookie and some sort of cheesy roll.  I wish I had bought 200 peanut butter cookies-- no joke.
We passed through Austin just in time for lunch.  I used my trusty iPhone to track down some good eats.  Anyone used the Oink app?  I think it's good... just needs more users :)  It suggested some food trucks and some other downtown restuarnts.  We settled on "Frank".



Next stop, San Marcos.  I knew when we planned this trip, that PotterBarn Outlet was a must.  I dreamed of this place.  Good news: It. was. glorious. Bad news: I bought NOTHING. I blame being overwhelmed... and my small car, and even smaller bank account.  

There were about 5 million people shopping.  Assumingly, each with their own car.  Yeah........ J loved this stop :)

Every section looked like this... it was FILLED!
Those sofas were so cheap!  I mean like under $1000 for a sectional.  For those mathletes out there, that nearly 75% off people. It's probably good I don't live close to this place... 

We left that place with only one stop to go!

After a slight wrong turn... oops, we made it!  Our hotel was located right on the river walk, so we could walk nearly anywhere we wanted to go.  The city looked absolutely gorgeous.  The best part?  We ate outside both nights and enjoyed the lights.



More to come!
-m

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Road Trip 2011: Day 1

We unpacked our bags for one night home, did some super speedy laundry, and packed up for our trip down south.  With quite a few miles ahead of us, we decided to take our time getting to San Antonio.  First stop, Oklahoma City.  J had been a few years back, and wanted to show me the OKC Memorial.  I'll let the pictures do the talking.



I was so determined to get this sign, so although it's blury, there it is!  We made it to Fort Worth around 6:00, decided on a hotel for the night and headed out on the town.  Bonus- our hotel had shuttle service! Our driver suggested we eat at the Flying Saucer.  We have one in KC, but this one was so quaint and perfect.  It was set in an old building right in the middle of downtown Fort Worth. Good drinks, good food, good times. We would definitely go back.

-m

Saturday, January 7, 2012

My 2012.

Less Stuff.
More Craft.
More Moving.
Less Spending.
More Vacations.
More Risks.
More Outdoors.
More Dates.
More Books.
More Pictures.
Less Processed Food.
More Water.
More Sharing.
More People.
Less Media.
More Fun.
More Baking.
More Calm.
Less Regrets.
2012

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Happy 2012!

Five days into the new year, and I'm proud to tell you I've stuck with my resolutions.  Only 364 days to go... :)
via


Perusing the Internet, I found this list of 20 New Year's Resolutions for 20 Somethings.  Some don't quite apply to me, but are entertaining nonetheless. 
  1. Before you status update, Tweet, Tumble or Instagram, pause and say to yourself, “is it entirely necessary that I share this morsel of thought with my entire social network?”and if the answer is not, “yes, I absolutely must,” then step away from the Internet.
  2. Know which candidate you’re going to vote for in the upcoming presidential election, and know why.
  3. Enough with the 14-day juice cleanses. If you want to lose a little weight quickly, eat less and exercise like crazy. If you want to lose a lot of weight slowly, do whatever Jennifer Hudson did.
  4. If you really like the person you’re hooking up with and would like them to be your boyfriend/ girlfriend, find a way to tell them, and hope for the best. If you don’t and wouldn’t, stop.
  5. Find a way to save approximately 300 dollars and spend it on a flight to see a friend or family member who lives far away.
  6. Please stop liking the Kardashians, all of them. It’s not helping anyone, least of all the Kardashians.
  7. Spend less than or equal to the money you earn each month.
  8. Wear clothes that fit you, especially to work.
  9. Call someone on the phone at least once a week, and speak to him or her for at least ten minutes.
  10. Start preparing now to get over the fact that Facebook is probably going to change again in six months. You’re not going to deactivate your account. You don’t know how.
  11. Wait 30 seconds before you look up a fact you can’t remember on your phone, and try to remember it using your brain. This is what the olden days were like.
  12. Replace one terrible reality show you’re currently watching with one wonderful scripted show currently available on television.  Swap suggestion: Real Housewives of Anywhere for HBO’s Enlightened.
  13. Try that food you think you don’t like but have never actually tried, unless it’s brussels sprouts. They really don’t need any more attention.
  14. Cut one person out of your life who you truly do not like and add one person who you truly do. Note: not on Facebook, on Earth.
  15. If you’re still blacking out regularly, you should stop.
  16. Volunteer once over the next 90 days.  You’ll feel really good about it, and probably end up volunteering again over the next 275.
  17.  Tell someone who you love that you love them on a more regular basis. To their face, not in a text.
  18. Back up your entire online life onto an external hard drive, especially your photos.
  19. Crap or get off the pot. This applies to whatever thing you’re not doing that you should just sack up and do already.
  20.  And in the eternal words of Tom Haverford, “TREAT YO SELF!”
Happy New Year!
-m

Monday, January 2, 2012

ROAD TRIP!

We ventured out in our new car for a trip down south on the 26th. 
Neither J nor I had been to San Antonio.  For J's birthday, I surprised him with this trip.  

What I learned from this road trip:
1. It's really not about the destination, it's about journey.
2. It's a small world (after all).
3. The iphone is a necessity for a car ride.
4. Plans are good, but spontaneity is more fun.
5. I love my hubby.

Details to come. :)
-m

images via

Christmas 2011.

So I'm a little behind.  This "break" will be known in my memory as the Christmas Tornado.  WHEW!  I can't believe how much we have squeezed into just under 2 weeks.  I tried my best to document the whirlwind, so we'll start with Christmas.  It was beautiful, and perfect.

Wednesday:  J and I celebrated our own Christmas on the Wendnesday, the 22nd, with some Chili's to go and DVR. This is Sadie before she got to open her stocking.  She loves Santa.

And... after about 5 minutes, she had already destroyed one of 2 gifts.  I think she felt sorta guilty. 


J got a new Xbox (yay..... )



I'm so bad about taking picutres of my own experience.  J got me a coffee grinder, some coffee, a super warm snow hat, and my favortie gift of all- NEW RUNNING SHOES!  I love love love the shoes, and I'm just sure they will take me running.  Like every day.  I actually broke 'em in yesterday to kick start the new year. Thanks, babe!

Thursday: We headed to KC to see some good friends.  Good friends = good times.

Friday: I caught up with some old roomates for some lunch and good conversation, then spent the night walking around the Plaza enjoying the season.

Saturday: CHRISTMAS EVE! This year I've learned that although this time of year is craaaazy, it's also so special.  I really love each and every moment we spend with our loved ones, and how lucky are we to have so many loving family members in our lives.  I spent the morning with my mom- a quick morning jog (the weather was FAB!) and did a little cooking.  J and I headed to his parents for a bruch/lunch/eat all day fest.  It was divine.

This is Ava.  What more could a girl want- she's got her tutu and a toothbrush!


We sat around and sang Christmas carols before we opened presents.  J and his mom played the piano and we sang-- this might be my favortie moment all day. 

We left J's parent's house just in time to stop back by my parent's house for my dad's side of the family's Christmas Eve.  More food, presents, family fun! :)  We ended the night at the Christmas Eve service at church.  

Sunday: CHRISMTAS DAY! Santa came to my parent's house.  He was good to me. 

I wish I had more pictures of this day.  After our morning with my immediate family, we headed to my Aunt's house to celebrate with my mom's side of the family.  We played "Left, Right, Center" and "Apples to Apples" for some Xmas gifts, and laughs, of course.  Before we knew it, we packed up and headed home for a night, only to pack for our trip to San Antonio! More on the to come...

Merry (late) Christmas! It was a great one, 2011.
-m