November 30, 2009

Crossing them off...

Pin It Now!
I have quite a list of goals, but I'm slowly completing them, one step at a time. 
I have a few updates to make to my 101 in 1001 list:

10.  Installed some closet organizers.  I found a plastic shelving unit that stands on it's own - so no need to attach it to the wall of the closet.  It's so nice to have the closet clean and everything has a home now.

19.  I cleaned the storage unit!  And my oh my does it feel good.  Now I know that there isn't a bunch of junk in there, and I was able to sell and donate a lot of the stuff that we had been storing but didn't really need anymore.

33.  I'm a Big Sister!  Yay!!  I'm so excited to share my time with this wonderful little girl.

So far I'm 7 down and only 94 to go!  
Only 956 days left...

November 28, 2009

Tulle Everything 50% off + Free Shipping

Pin It Now!
Tulle is having an amazing sale this weekend.  


Everything is 50% off, plus they are offering free shipping!!  







I bought this adorable puff-sleeved shirt for only $4 !!








Real Simple for $5

Pin It Now! Amazon.com is offering an amazing deal on Real Simple.  


I picked up a 1 year subscription for only $5 to Real Simple!  





They are also offering $5 deals on 

But hurry - these deals are only good for a limited time! 

November 26, 2009

Etsy Finds Thursday! Nestie Style

Pin It Now!
Before you fight the crowds tomorrow on Black Friday, be sure to shop locally and handmade.  Here are some great gift ideas from my fellow Nesties.  




























Want to know what I've been up to?

Pin It Now! Well, I've been so excited to share with you my big news...


I'm a Big Sister!





L is an aborable little ten year old girl full of wit and very creative.  She is smart and loves soccer and creating and making crafts.  Yay!  Crafty has a little crafty friend!  


We had our match meeting on November 19.  That day we met at the Big Brothers Big Sisters office and I was able to meet her mother and siblings.  We picked out several activities to do on our first few outings.  


L is truly an amazing kid that I'm so happy to be able to inspire, mentor and learn from.  


Our first outing was November 21 and we went to our local craft store and painted glass ornaments.  We then perused the different craft ideas, deciding to create a scrapbook of all of our future time together.  She picked out some fun paper and stickers, and decided that we need to take at least one picture each outing and create a record of our adventures.  She went through the embellishments and stickers and pointed to each sticker set making comments like "we can buy these stickers when we bake cupcakes," and "we can use these ones for when we go to a soccer game!"  It was thrilling to see her so excited and planning our future get-togethers.  I don't know who's more excited!  


I can't wait to watch her grow and be a part of her life. She has a wonderful mother that loves her dearly, and I'm so happy to share in development of this child.  


If you would like to enrich your life and the life of a child, you can sign up at the Big Brothers Big Sisters website.  

Happy Thanksgiving

Pin It Now! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Eat lots of food and enjoy the company of loved ones!





I love Thanksgiving as it's a great time to reflect on what I'm truly thankful for.



  • My amazing husband who I adore and admire immensely
  • Being able to go to school and achieve the career of my dreams
  • Being able to have the time to volunteer and pursue my ultimate passion
  • My 3 healthy and amazing dogs
  • Building a great relationship with my brother
  • Having a sister that's pursuing her dream to change the lives of impoverished children
  • Having full support and love from my amazing aunt and grandparents
  • Only 7 more months until my aunt comes to live by us
  • Having the last year, albeit very difficult, to be able to build a wonderful marriage and spend quality time together
  • Incredible in-laws that are so kind, loving and generous
  • An amazing professor that is helping me build a foundation of learning that I never thought possible, and opening my mind to the world - Thank you Kim!
  • Learning to live frugally and more eco-friendly
  • Having a beautiful home of our own



What are you thankful for?

November 24, 2009

Thanksgiving Menu

Pin It Now!
This year is a very special Thanksgiving for Neil and I.  


I simply can't wait to eat all the yummy food we have planned!  


Here's a sneak peak at our menu:


Organic Smoked Turkey from our favorite local meat market
Hawaiian Rolls with Neil's amazing honey-whipped butter
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie


Happy Thanksgiving!  Don't forget the sweatpants.  :)

Thanksgiving Recipes: Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

Pin It Now! I love this recipe because you it's delicious, and you don't have to waste valuable oven space.  Just set up the crock pot and let it cook!


Ingredients:



  • 3 (15 ounce) cans sweet potatoes, drained
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 cups mini marshmallows


Directions:


Lightly butter the inside of your crock pot with the tablespoon of butter.


Beat sweet potatoes, melted butter, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg with electric mixer


Spoon into crock pot.


Cook on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.


Add marshmallows about 15 to 20 minutes before you are ready to eat. so they have enough time to melt slightly. if they are in too long, they will melt too much.

Thanksgiving Recipes: Cranberry Sauce

Pin It Now! Sweet, tart and great as leftovers on a turkey sandwich.


Ingredients: 




  • 1 package cranberries
  • 1/2-3/4 cup sugar (depending upon how sweet you like it)
  • 1 cup orange marmalade
  • lemon juice
  • nuts, if desired


Directions:


Spread cranberries in shallow dish so that they are not too thick.


Sprinkle sugar over them.


Cover.


Place in oven at 350 degrees until all are popped open.


Remove from oven, mix with marmalade and lemon juice to taste. Refrigerate. ( you could add some nutmeg and cinnamon to this)

Thanksgiving Recipes: Green Bean Casserole

Pin It Now! Yum, I love this stuff!  I love green beans, and this is great for Thanksgiving.  Super easy, and everyone always love it.  




Ingredients:


  • 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans cut green beans, drained (or you can use fresh green beans)
    1 (6 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained

  • 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup

  • 1 (4 ounce) can French fried onion rings

  • 1 small onion, peeled and chopped





    Directions:


    Preheat oven to 325 degrees F


    Combine all ingredients except French fried onions


    Put in casserole dish; top with onion rings


    Bake 30 mintues




Thanksgiving Tablescapes

Pin It Now! Here's some beautiful, but easy, ideas to make your Thanksgiving dinner look fabulous.













{ credit - flikr, Country Living, Proper Hunt, Studio M Designs }

Crazy Blogger!

Pin It Now! Hello!  Apparently I've been having some technical issues with Blogger, but they're all fixed now.  Done!  I hope you are all enjoying your week. 

November 22, 2009

Giveaway for the Dog Lovers!

Pin It Now!
Ruby is offering an awesome giveaway over at Her Name Is Ruby! 


Go check it out!!  Your doggy will thank you  :)

November 20, 2009

Winner Winner

Pin It Now!
The winner of the AddieBugs $20 Gift Certificate is 

#35 - Jenny

Congrats Jenny!  

November 19, 2009

Etsy Finds Thursday! Nestie Style

Pin It Now!








And The Winner Is...

Pin It Now!
The winner of the CheapShots! Photography Photo Shoot is...

#4 Ali Mae

Congrats!!  


November 15, 2009

Don't Forget To Enter

Pin It Now! I have two fabulous giveaways ending this week.  Make sure and get your entries in for your chance to win!





Hurry up and enter!  Contest ends Wednesday, November 18th




This ends Thursday, November 19th



November 13, 2009

Mason Jar Cupcakes

Pin It Now! I have so many friends and family that live out of town it's nice to have mail-able gifts.  This is my favorite to send to loved ones, everyone loves baked goodies!

You'll need:
Cake Mix (Boxed works great)
Frosting
Half-Pint Mason Jars

Follow the directions to prepare the cupcakes.  Line the muffin pan with cupcake liners, and bake as package suggests.  I used a mini-muffin pan for mine, but you can use whatever you have available.




Once out of the oven, let cupcakes cool completely - about 1 hour.

Cut cupcakes in half vertically.  Place each half in sterilized jar, piping (or spooning) the frosting in between the halves.  Frost top of cupcake.  Seal jar with lid and band.



{ I used mini cupcakes. I put three in each jar, piping in between }

You can decorate the jar however you like.  I used colored ribbons and made little tags that say "Enjoy!"

Freeze jars overnight, then pack jars securely in a box and mail.  The cupcakes will defrost in the mail, and you'll loved one will receive a little yummy gift ready to enjoy!





My Old Navy Steal

Pin It Now! Old Navy is running a great sale right now through Sunday - 50% off all Outerwear.

I bought this gorgeous wool coat




It was originally $89.50, reduced to $44.75 after 50% off.
I also had a Friends & Family Coupon for 30% off - bringing my total to $31.32.

Isn't that a great price for an adorable coat?!

Friday Funny

Pin It Now! I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning , I received a call from the doctor's office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 am. I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45am. The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I didn't have any time to spare.
As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, butthis time I wasn't going to be able to make the full effort. So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in that area to make sure I was at least presentable. I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, donned some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment.
I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in. Knowing the procedure, as I'm sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Parisor some other place a million miles away. I was a little surprised when the doctor said, 'My, we have made an extra effort this morning, haven't we? I didn't respond.
After the appointment, I heaved a sigh of relief and went home. The rest of the day was normal. Some shopping, cleaning, cooking. After school when my 6 year old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, Mommy, where's my washcloth?' I told her to get another one from the cupboard. She replied, 'No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it.'
Never going back to that doctor. Ever.
{ via Meredith at La Buena Vida }  Thanks for the laugh!

Craft Ideas Needed!

Pin It Now! My friend Ellen over at To The Max has asked my crafty friends for some help.  She is looking for some kid-friendly craft ideas that can be done at home with items most people already have around their house.

If you'd like to participate, leave a comment or link with your craft idea.  She will give you and/or your blog full credit, too!  Thanks Crafties!

November 12, 2009

Etsy Finds Thursday! Nestie Style

Pin It Now!
I decided to make the next few Etsy Finds Thursday all about my fellow Nesties.
Here's to you, creative ladies!






















November 11, 2009

36 Rules of Life

Pin It Now!
The 36 Rules of Life

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

2. Don’t worry about what people think, they don’t do it very often.

3. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.

4. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

5. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you’ve never tried before.

6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.

7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.

8. A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.

9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.

10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.

11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.

12. A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.

13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.

14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.

15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.

16. A balanced diet is a muffin in each hand.

17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.

18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.

19. Junk is something you’ve kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.

20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.

21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.

23. Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.

24. Someone who thinks logically provides nice contrast to the real world.

25. It ain’t the jeans that make your butt look fat.

26. If you had to identify in one word the reason why the human race has not achieved it’s full potential, that word would be
‘meetings’.

27. There is a very fine line between ‘hobby’ and ‘mental illness.’

28. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

29. You should not confuse your career with your life.

30. Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.

31. Never lick a steak knife.

32. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.

33. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.

34. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she’s pregnant unless you can
see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.

35. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that deep down inside we ALL believe we are good drivers.

36. Your friends love you anyway.

Avon Calling

Pin It Now! Who doesn't love Avon?  They have great skincare products, cute jewelry and clothes and adorable seasonal products.  What's not to love?


My friend Chelsea just started her Avon business and I wanted to give her a shout out!  
Go ahead and check out her new Avon site. You can order directly from her site, or ask her about hosting an online party!  


Here are some things I found that are must-haves for me!!










I just ordered this - so excited to try it out!!




I will definitely be buying these!!






Fabulous Giveaway from AddieBugs!!

Pin It Now! I am so happy to announce another fabulous giveaway for my readers.  Jen over at AddieBugs on Etsy is so generously offering a $20 gift certificate to one reader!  How awesome is that?  Her products are just adorable!







Be sure to leave a comment for each entry. 
Include your name and email!

To Enter:


1.  Become a follower of my blog {Mandatory} ~ One Entry

2.  Visit AddieBugs and leave a comment here on which banner
you would buy if you won ~ One Entry
3.  Tweet this and leave a comment telling me you did ~ One Entry
4.  Add my button to your blog ~ One Entry
5.  Blog about this giveaway and link back here.  Be sure to comment with a link to your blog post ~ Four Entries
6.  Make a purchase at AddieBugs Etsy store ~ Five Entries


Good Luck!


This giveaway will end Thursday, November 19 at 11:59 pm.  Winner will be chosen by Random.org

November 10, 2009

Kate Spade: 75% OFF!

Pin It Now!

Kate Spade Sample Sale - Everything up to 75% off!
Hurry up - this sale only lasts through November 13th. 

Black Friday Ads

Pin It Now!
Here they are folks: The Official Black Friday Ad Scans!  


Woohoo!!  I will be mulling over these for the next couple weeks, preparing for my big shopping trip.  I love this day!


Waking up early, seeing the crowds, waiting in the lines... I love it all!  


Black Friday Ace Hardware
Black Friday Craft Warehouse
Black Friday Kmart
Black Friday Kohls
Black Friday Lowes
Black Friday Old Navy
Black Friday Sears
Black Friday Staples
Black Friday Toys R Us