Saturday, December 31, 2011


Kimbra

"Settle Down"

For anyone who has ever been through a divorce or a failing relationship.

Stand Too Close





Thursday, December 29, 2011

written words









tell me I'm strong enough to understand


grab hold of my skirt


hold on, Baby, I've got you


take my hand, stand, guide me


through valleys of shadows & death


sorrow has seen the last of you


LOVE has taken hold

Birthday Bash!

It's a bit early to be planning  a birthday party for March but I can't resist mentioning that I've just discovered the theme: 


Aiden Gray will be turning 5 years old! I can't hardly believe the time has passed by so quickly. I'm so happy to be able to have so many vivid memories of our lives together. I am so very proud to have a son with such a vibrant personality! Who better to help celebrate that than Dr. Seuss himself? I can't hardly wait!


Know something else that's pretty awesome? Dr. Seuss's birthday is March 2, only a few days before Aiden's!

Thing 1 and Thing 2 Cupcakes!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

I won an award!





Ashley from Sunshine.Life.Love. (----> click her button!) named me on her list of versatile bloggers! I'm so thrilled she thought of me and I am equally excited to pass on the recognition.

I have met so many amazing people online in the few short months I have been blogging. If you think it's difficult to meet new friends in person, imagine trying to do so over the net! Anyway, I am particularly fond of the bloggers I have found that post about just about anything, that are versatile (aha!). 





Feel free to share the love!
The Rules for this award:
1-Nominate 15 fellow bloggers.
2-Inform the bloggers of their nomination.
3-Share 7 random things about yourself.
4-Thank the blogger who nominated you.
5-Add the Versatile Blog Award picture on your blog post.

Please go visit these lovely ladies by clicking their photos and show 'em some love!

HELLO.
Grace @ GraceLovesIggy

Molly @ Blonde Out Loud

Katie @ Desert Gypsy Mama
Krystina @ Cup 'a Hot Chocolate

Mama WhiteElk @ The WhiteElk Clan

Lena @ Mom2MemphisandRuby

Lauren @ Our Crazy Ever After
Kodi @ Leaving My Mark

Mar @ Mar & Peej








Tuesday, December 27, 2011

SAY WHAT!?

Pinned Image



ASOS is banging. I clicked this fave image on Pinterest... and VOILA! It's a look designed by my favorite store everrrrrr.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Fantasticness

Watch this: 


Did you nearly die laughing as hard as I did when I saw this?

This happened to me! My darling beau bought me a car for Christmas. It's not just any old car either... it's an old totally awesome hipster fantastic car! A white 1991 Volvo 240. It's so spectacular it has burnt orange/yellow colored leather interior!


I do not look as thrilled as I actually was because my family was showing up and I catch enough grief from  them for acting a fool as it is. :) I made out like a freakin bandit this year! This was my other most awesome gift from Brett:


Honestly though (insert sappy music here) I seriously made the best memories this year. My wonderful smart  4 year old little boy nailed it yesterday when he was overheard saying to O'Ryan:

"Do you know what just happened here!? AWESOME! 'AWESOME' just happened here!"

Here are some snapshots of just what 'AWESOME' exactly was:


my children: excited about getting books from Mimi Cathy & Aunt Claire
 

I hope your holidays were as blessed as mine! I was not nearly prepared for the joy I experienced yesterday. Honestly, Christmas doesn't hold very many pleasant memories in my mind. I am looking so forward to making many, many more with Brett and our children!

*I sincerely apologize to those of you were looking for Wish! {out loud} Sunday link up... I dropped the ball in a major way. We'll be back up and running this Sunday, mark my word!*

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Basic Space

I am starting to put on my baby weight. I've noticed that besides my thickening waist line, I am also losing energy to dress myself and am losing tolerance with uncomfortable fabrics... so I try to put together the easiest and most comfy outfit I can. On a funny note, I totally noticed that you could see through my black shirt a bit to my leopard bra. I could not have cared less, I was not about to change again.

Basic Space by The XX

This song is one of my and Brett's absolute favorite songs. We discovered it during the first few weeks of our lives together and were enamored with it for months. The outfit is named appropriately as it is compiled with a few of every woman's (should be) basics. And come on, why not pop it out with a slam of glam red!?




Black T-Shirt: F21
Leopard Print Bra: Victoria's Secret
Grey Maxi Skirt: Kima (Pac Sun)
Grey Sweatshirt: J Crew
Black Ankle Boots: F21
Glamorous Necklace: Banana Republic
Red Lipstick: Estee Lauder



Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Boys Buy Beer! Lesson: 2


Hello Ladies (and you occasional Gents)! I sincerely apologize for keeping you waiting on the second installment of my friends lessons in beer buying! Here it is though... and just so you know, it was totally worth the wait. 

Beer’s been around for approximately 8,000 years. A long time for us to appreciate the historic, economic, and cultural value of the stuff!

There are some beers that have been made of anything from baked bread (ancient Egypt) to human spit (ancient South American cultures).

Fortunately, most of the beer we’re able to get at the local market today is spit free (although there are a few very experimental brewers out there, such as DogFish Head, that’s still trying out primitive brewing methods).

The beers that I like are beverages that give a good feeling, that aren’t made with a lot of unnatural starches and sugars. Those tend to lead to headaches, upset stomachs, and bad attitudes.

I really enjoy beers that taste great, at almost any temperature. Many of the beers that I’m recommending can be enjoyed fresh from the fridge, or at room temperature, and a little flat. If I can enjoy a beer that’s a little flat, and a little warm- based on taste alone- I know I’ve found a really good one!

I hope that you’ll be able to explore and expand your pallet, trying and enjoying new tastes and new experiences with some of the beers I’m recommending.

I think that if you’re able to keep an adventurous spirit about you, you’ll be able to find some really unique 
tastes that you might never have experienced!

Turn over a new leaf, and be adventurous! Challenge your taste-buds, and take them to places they’ve never been before!


New Belgium Snow Day (Seasonal)*

As promised, New Belgium is popping up again with this splendid seasonal Winter Ale. Snow Day is a medium-dark beer, and heavier than your typical Lager or Ale. The brew is made with darker malts, and features a great balance of lightly spicy and floral hops.

Snow Day has well-balanced caramel flavors, perfectly intertwined with dark chocolate and faint hints of heavier fall spices.

When I first tried Snow Day, I was struck by just how fitting a Winter Ale it really is. It’s very drinkable; no overtly strong flavors stand out. This beer really nails it- The perfect brew for that blustery  Snow Day!

*Make sure to check this one out soon, it is a seasonal and will come out of most distributers’ rotation by mid-February!

Brewery: New Belgium, Fort Collins, Colorado
ABV: 6.2%
Expect to pay: $8.00-$10.00 / 6pk
Pairings: Corn Chowder, Grilled Chicken or Steak Panini, Roasted Grouper, Rib-eye

Bells Brewer Best Brown Ale (Seasonal)*

Delicious fall flavors highlight this malty, delicious brew. It’s a darker-brown Ale (as title suggests), with hints of cocoa and caramel and toasted walnuts and pecans. This delicious brew is heavy enough to stand up as an early winter ale, but lacks the heaviness of many of its more malty, heavy companions.

I really enjoy this brew (especially when available on tap), and find it to be a refreshing break from the normal overly spiced cool-weathered brews expected around this time of year. American grown hops balance out the smooth caramel malty taste, and give this a beautifully sweet start and finish. It’s light enough for the fire-pit evening with friends, and heavy enough to keep you warm when the fire dies down. Bell’s Best Brown Ale is a must have for this holiday season!

*Available throughout the fall and winter seasons only!

Brewery: Bell’s Brewery, Galesburg, Michigan
ABV: 5.8%
Expect to pay: $8.00 - $10.00 / 6 pk
Pairings: Session, Goat-Cheese Pasta, Fillet Mignon

Wild Blue Blueberry Lager

This Lager is a rush of fresh Blueberry flavor in a way you’ve never encountered! I include this in the “medium color” because of just that- color!

This is a delicious summertime brew, but beware! The heavier ABV makes this perfect cool-weather reminder of what summer can taste like, a suitable concoction for cool-weather gatherings!

I love this Lager for two simple reasons: Blueberries, and ABV. I won’t lie- this is a great buy on a budget if you’re looking for a great fizzy summery taste, without putting a lot of money into your content.

As stated, this lager does have a heavier alcoholic content than most lager, but  I think that’s what makes it a better summer-nostalgic brew than the average summer sipper- (we all know it’s easier to knock back a few rather than just one or two when it’s hot out).

Fresh Blueberry Juice comes through strong and clear, with a mild taste of hops and spice to balance out the sweetness. For those of you who are migrating from the “near-beer” or “malt-beer” flavors and brands, (you know the Smir(@ff brands that I speak of) this is a great transition for you. Just take care; this Blueberry lager is extremely easy to drink- Very sweet, very mild on the pallet, but it’s mildness in flavor is paid back on the senses!

Brewery: Blue Dawg Brewing, Baldwinsville, New York
ABV: 8.0%
Expect to pay: $7.00 - $9.00/ 6 pk
Pairings: Pork Tenderloin, Fried Chicken, Chedderwurst

Terrapin Rye Pale Ale

As a resident of Georgia, I refuse to allow myself the luxury of being partial to a local brewery. If it’s good, it’s good. If it’s not.. then well, you won’t see it on this short review.

I’ve had only a couple of this Athens Georgia Brewery’s beer, and I think very highly of this particular selection. It’s not quite an IPA, it’s not quite a plain old Ale. Terrapin has found a really nice, happy medium between the ultra-hoppy, and the ultra malty-sweet ales.

This brew makes me see a lot of promise in Terrapin, but the brew itself, featuring five different blends of hops, shows a great maturity in the brew-master at this brewery.

This is a brew that will truly capture any beer-lover’s attention, no matter your preference. The balance of hops, spices, and blend of rye malts, promises an excellent session or dinner beer. I guarantee you will not be disappointed in one of Athens’ finest brews!

Brewery: Terrapin Brewery, Athens, Georgia
ABV: 5.5%
Expect to pay: $7.00-$9.00 / 6 pk
Pairings: Burgers, Chili, Pizza, Grilled Corn & Zucchini, Cranberry & Honey-Cream Grits




Yuengling Black & Tan

This is another of Yuengling’s excellent brews, and I’m happy to report it’s quite dandy!

Yuengling mixes their premium Lagers with their Porter (also an excellent brew by itself) to create this medium bodied, coffee and chocolate flavored taste fest!

The caramel flavor is evident from the first sniff of the beer, and the coffee comes soon after. I’ve always found these to bring a delicious hint of chocolate to the mix (or maybe that’s the original intent of the brewer). Overall, this is another excellent brew with a very drinkable flavor at a great price from Yuengling.

In all seriousness, if your price tag is on the lower side, this is a brewery that you really need to check out. These guys have some great year-round brews, complimented by seasonal and regional selections at a price that cannot be beat!

Brewery: Yuengling Brewing Company, Pottsville, Pennsylvania
ABV: 4.7%
Expect to pay: $6.00-$8.00 / 6pk
Pairings: Turkey & Pastrami Subs, Shrimp & Grits, Sushi or Sashami  



Brought to you by my dear friend & ghost-writer:
-Phil Harmonic Smorgasbord

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas Fete

Oh my gosh! Heeeeeey! It's been, like, FOREVER!? Right!? Or so it seems... Sorry it's been so long. But alas, I'm back! Soooo, there's news!

I had a party.

anditwasa.GREAT.one





















I have this habit of buying clothing off the clearance rack with no regard for the size of the garment simply because I figure one day, I might fit in it. This gold sequined spaghetti strap top is a perfect example of that habit. I purchased the top from Urban Outfitters in Asheville, North Carolina for $6. It has been sitting in my closet for nearly two whole years. It's a medium and way too big on me to justify wearing in public... until I gots myself pregnant! NOW, it's a super cute mini dress that fits just right. The entire back of it is see-through, which I deem inappropriate for pregnant ladies, so I threw it on over a black cotton spaghetti strap dress that was close enough to the same length to get away with. Paired with my fave leggings and cardigan and VOILA! 

Holiday Prego Dress #2

And here are my lady friends:




I'll tell you, one of the perks of being in love with a chef is getting to eat all of the incredible food he makes. I hope our guests felt as spoiled as I did!








If you're interested, email me and I'll send you the recipe.

This was my contribution:

I got off way easy this year. Obviously.

Check it:

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