Favorite Things August Edition

It's that time again, the end of the month! And that means linking up with my beautiful friend Ashley for Favorite Things. Can you believe tomorrow is September 1?

August has been kind of a boring month. You would think with it being the last hot month of summer that there would have been many bbq's, trips to the beach, the lake or the river, picnics, etc; but it just didn't happen this month. Time just got away! I'm definitely going to make up for it in September. 

Here are a few of my favorite things from August....

Applebee's happy hour. About once a month, we head to Applebee's for happy hour. We know both the bartenders, so it's fun to go have some cheap drinks and wings and chat. 

Taking these little monsters for a morning walk. They love running through the park and chasing the ducks. It's good exercise for them and nice to be outside on a beautiful summer morning. 

Getting this text from my friend, Katrina. About six months ago, we discovered we both LOVE A Fine Frenzy, so you can only imagine our excitement when we found out she was going to in concert here. Tickets are purchased and now we are just waiting for Oct. 11. You can bet this concert will be one of my October Favorite Things. 

Opening my online store, Bitz & Pieces, with handmade picture frames and custom made canvases. If you're in need of a unique gift or just something for your own home, let me know. I would be happy to help custom create something for you. 

Zumba!!! Getting back into zumba and getting the motivation to start working out again. I absolutely LOVE zumba. It's a great way to burn calories and have fun while doing it! 

Looking at these things makes me realize August wasn't near as boring as I thought! Goodbye, August!!! Hello, September AND Fall!!!! 

Head on over and link up with Ashley! 

Do you ever...

Just not feel like blogging? Not know what to say or talk about? Well, I'm having one of those weeks. I have had no desire to sit here behind this computer and try to come up with something to say. I have even been slacking on my blog stalking reading. I have a lot of things I should be doing on the computer, but I just don't feel like doing any of them. Anyone else have weeks like this? Am I the only one? 

Anyway, I've been spending my days working out and getting ready for my mom to be here next week. She gets here Tuesday and will be here until October 1, that's almost a WHOLE month! I am beyond excited! I haven't seen her (or any of my family) in almost a year! I don't have much planned for us except for to just hang out and enjoy our time together. A few things I do have planned; go to the beach, have a bbq and have a Mom/MIL girls day. What are some of your favorite things to do with your moms? 

WIWW and Pinteresting

Happy Hump Day Friends!!! 

I know some people don't care about seeing what other people wore, but I see it as a way of finding new outfit inspiration. I love getting new ideas for outfits and seeing things paired together that I might not have thought of. I have said before that I am by far no fashion blogger, but I do occasionally enjoy taking "outfit" pictures and posting them. So there ya go, what I wore last Friday to dinner and a movie. 

 

Oh, How Pinteresting "Sexy and I know it" Edition

About a week and a half ago, I got a new pair of jeans. So, I decided to go through my old jeans and get rid of the ones that I didn't wear anymore or no longer fit. Boy was this good motivation to start working out and watching what I eat more. To keep me motivated, I spent quite some time pinning motivational quotes, pictures and healthy recipes. 

Source: fit fab cities via: Jen on: pinterest

Source: the skinny confidential via: Niki on: pinterest

Source: reasons to be fit via: Kimberly on: pinterest

Source: reasons to be fit via: Kasey on: pinterest

Source: Sprint 2 the Table via: Missy on: pinterest

What do you guys use for workout motivation? How do you stay on track?

Friday Funnies #2

Yay for Friday! Last Friday, I shared some of my favorite "funnies" and this week I decided to make it a Friday ritual. 

First up, a hilarious letter a friend sent me the link to "Amusingly pissed off letter to Continental Airlines about a seat by the lavatory". I love the little drawings the guy adds!

Happy Friday! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Oh, How Pinteresting and a WINNER!!!

I am sooooo ready for Fall! I'm ready for sweaters, boots, scarves, fall decorations, anything pumpkin, etc... 

In honor of fall, I went pin crazy last night pinning everything fall fall fall! Here are some of my favorite upcoming fall things. 

Fall TV Shows

Source: deadline.com via: Mark on: pinterest

One of the funniest tv shows ever! Such a great cast and mix of characters. 

Source: deviantart via: Rod on: pinterest

I wasn't sure about this show for about the first four episodes and then I was hooked! It's definitely dark and different, but something about it just pulls you in. 

Source: media-cache via: Sareen on: pinterest

Revenge!!! Oh, how I love this show! The suspense, the drama, the love triangle... Daniel or Jack?!? Both are H-O-T HOT! 

Fall Food

Source: dreamydesserts via: Callie on: pinterest

Pumpkin cookies with cream cheese filling

Source: petitekitchenesse via: Helen on: pinterest

Chai-Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Source: babble via: Robyn on: pinterest

12 Fall Crockpot Recipes

Fall Fashion

Source: kikbird via: Rachel on: pinterest

Big, comfy oversized sweaters

Source: prepfection via: Charity on: pinterest

Shorts and tights... perfect fall transition

Source: prettylifeanonymous via: Melanie on: pinterest

Cardigan, skinnies, boots.... LOVE

What are some of your favorite fall shows, recipes and outfits?

 
And... announcing the winner of the Bitz & Pieces giveaway!!! 

Congratulations Judy Martin Wilber!!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Happy Hump Day!!!  

Missing Missouri

I don't know what's wrong with me right now, but I'm feeling a bit lonely. I'm thinking it's probably because it's been almost a year since I've been back to Missouri to see my family and friends. It's not that I don't have friends and family here in California, it's just different. I was born and raised in Missouri and have a very close family and close group of friends (some of whom I've known since kindergarten). Thankfully, my momma will be here two weeks from tomorrow for almost a WHOLE month. I can't wait to spend some quality time with my mommie dearest. I think it's just what I need to get back to feeling like me again. Until then, I will just look through old pictures and reminisce... 

My grandpa and me at the Mailes family reunion 2008

My grandma and me at my bridal shower 2009

My Aunt Shelly, cousin Staci, her son Jacob and me at my bridal shower 2009

My dad and me at my grandparents 2009

My beautiful cousins Michelle, Lesley and me at the Seneca Park during my last MO visit 2011

One of my best friends Art and me when he flew my mom out for a surprise visit January 2011

My beautiful best friend and roommate for life Tresh and me during my last MO visit 2011

And of course my beautiful mommy and me at my wedding September 2009

 

These are just a few of the MANY people that I'm missing terribly right now and cannot wait until I see them again!!! 

One day left to enter the giveaway for a custom canvas, $20 shop credit to adie's lovelies and a green and purple pattern makeup/jewelry pouch. Hurry on over and enter here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Funnies

Cheers to Friday! I don't know about you, but I like to start my weekend off right. Since it's only 1:00 PM here, I should probably NOT start it off with a drink. Instead, I will start it off with a good laugh. 

Yesterday, my cousin posted this link to my fb wall. 

"The Fart That (Almost) Altered My Destiny"

I sat there almost crying I was laughing so hard. It's kind of a long read, but I assure you it is totally worth it. If you haven't clicked the link yet, go ahead and do it now. You will be sorry if you don't! I also love the fact that I'm the first person my cousin thought of to send this to. 

Happy weekend twat waffles (I assure you that's a term of endearment)!!! 

Don't forget to enter the custom canvas, $20 shop credit to adie's lovelies and green and purple pattern makeup/jewelry pouch here.

Sweet & Salty

Yesterday, Aunt Flo and her buddy Cramps decided to show up a few days early. I was NOT ready for them. And by not ready, I mean I had nothing sweet (at least nothing that sounded good) to eat and no cheap wine. 

*Jeremy just came in the room and our conversation went a little like this: Jeremy - "Are you blogging?" Me - "yep" Jeremy - "Are you blogging about my toots?" Me (laughing) - "Yep" Jeremy - "My big, scary ones?" Me (laughing harder) - "Yep" Jeremy - "Oooh, I want to read it later!". Mind you, Jeremy is my 35 year old husband, not some 4 year old boy. So, here you go Jeremy, I blogged about your toots.* 

I sent Jeremy a text that said, "I want something sweet to eat and wine. Yes, definitely wine. And something sweet. And wine!" Is it obvious that I wanted something sweet and WINE? I don't know about you, but for at least the first two days of my period, I want to eat everything in sight! Usually the things that sound the best are something sweet with something salty to go along with it. And wine, we can't forget the wine. I say it helps my cramps. Too be honest, it probably just makes me forget I have cramps. Either way, it works! 

Anyway, I took a trip to the store to get some cheap wine and to find something to curb my sweet tooth. I scanned the cookie aisle and nothing jumped right off the shelf and screamed BUY ME! So, I came home and baked myself some cookies. Not just any cookies, the PERFECT cookies! I say these cookies are perfect because they are both sweet and salty! Two birds killed with one stone, BAM! And, I don't like birds, so the less stones I have to use the better! So, I decided to share this wonderfully, perfect cookie recipe with you. 

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, softened

1 cup light brown sugar

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped pretzels

3/4 cup chocolate chips

3/4 cup peanut butter chips

sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds). Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until all combined

4. Slowly add in the flour mixture and beat until well mixed

5. Add in the pretzel and chocolate/peanut butter chips and stir until mixed

6. Scoop out well rounded tablespoons of the dough onto a greased cookie sheet and then gently press the dough with the back of the spoon to flatten. Place flattened dough about 1 inch apart and then sprinkle with sea salt. 

7. Bake approximately 12-14 minutes or until the edges are nicely browned. 

 8. Remove from oven and let cool on the pan for a couple minutes then transfer to cooling rack

9. ENJOY!!! 

Goodbye sweet and salty craving! Just try not to eat too many! If it's that time of the month, Aunt Flo says it's ok to eat as many as you want and go ahead and finish off that bottle of wine. 

I don't know if it was the cookies or the wine (probably the wine), but I had a dream last night that I met Johnny Depp in Vegas and I asked him to take a picture with me to send to my mom. He said sure and we proceeded to have a little photo shoot complete with kissy face pictures. Who doesn't want a kissy face picture with Johnny Depp?!? Too bad it was just a dream! 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a custom canvas, $20 store credit to adie's lovelies and a green and purple pattern makeup/jewelry pouch here.

What I Wore Wednesday #2

I am by no means a fashion blogger, by no means! But, doing these link-ups makes me a little more conscientious of what I'm wearing. And, I love seeing what other people are wearing and getting ideas for new outfits. 

Alisa, from All Things Alisa is starting a new project featuring outfits under $50 and asked me if I wanted to participate. Being a lover of Ross and all things bargain, I of course gladly accepted!

 *Gotta love the dog toy on the floor*

Dress: Ross $12.99 Shoes: Charlotte Russe $22 Bracelet: Gifted from Montana @ SaraMontana Says Watch: Gifted from my MIL Earrings: $12.50 from a kiosk in Vegas

I absolutely LOVE high-low dresses!!! And it was fun mixing stripes and polka dots. I get tons of compliments every time I wear these shoes. I wore them to jury duty and an older gentleman (at least 65) said, "Excuse me Miss... I just have to tell you that I love your kicks". Seriously, this man told me he loved my kicks and I got a huge kick out of it!

 

 Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a custom canvas, $20 adie's lovelies store credit and Green and Purple pattern makeup/jewelry pouch here.