Dinner at our House: Christmas Brunch

This Christmas I had both my parents and Tim's family over for Christmas breakfast. Lots of goodies were made including pancakes, quiche, bacon, Chocolate Chip Ricotta muffins, hashbrown casserole, and more. Two of the items I made were from my beloved addiction, Pinterest. One turned out AMAZING, the other was disgusting. I'll go ahead and rave about my favorite first.

Mmmm! Sticky cinnamon breakfast ring!

I found this gem on pinterest, and I am sooooo glad I made it. Was definitely my favorite part of the breakfast goodies.

Ingredients:

• Pillsbury Grand Biscuit (large)
• Pillsbury Grand Biscuit (small)
• 3 Tbsp. butter, melted (I use yogurt butter)
• 1/2 C. pancake syrup (I use lite syrup)
• 1/3 C. packed light brown sugar (I only had dark brown)
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1. I sprayed down my brand new Bundt pan. 
2. Melt the butter and combine with the syrup. 
3. In a different bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon. 
4. Drizzle half the syrup mixture into the pan. Then sprinkle some of the sugar mixture. 
5. Place the biscuits on the bottom of the pan to form the "ring." 
6. Drizzle the rest of the mixture and sprinkle the sugar. 
7. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. I took mine out after 22 minutes.
8. Let cool for a minute, then flip over on top of a plate (I used my glass plate as seen above).
9. Consume and enjoy the gooey sugary love.

And now for the ugly:

French Toast in a crock pot?

First off, I don't eat French Toast. Tim does. I wanted to include something he might enjoy. Well, I don't think FT was meant to be made in a crock pot. This photo is actually when I first put it all in. I forgot to take a photo of the pinstrosity that arrive after the six hours in the crock pot. Tim gave it a 2 out of 10. Here is the original pin link.

Overall, it was a Christmas full of food and yummy goodness. In fact, I spent most of today in a food coma on the couch watching Nip/Tuck on Netflix. :)

Reflecting on the election

I started out the evening with what I'm deeming to be a pretty positive note. On Facebook I wrote:

"Here are my 2 cents on election day: don't let your enthusiasm die today. Do more than vote. Become an active participant in your community. Be a leader, or be the support role. Be something. Do something. Make a difference every day, not just during an election. We are just as important as any elected official on the left or the right."

So now that the evening has come to a close, and the results are in, I find myself coming back to my own words. I need to remind myself, that this isn't about one man or one woman. It's about all of us doing what we can to better our lives.

I'm not going to pretend that I was a total workhorse or anything, but I invested a good chunk of time, energy and passion into my first ever stint with local politics. I stepped out of my comfort zone (I mean really outside) and campaigned for Mark Post for District Attorney. I first met Mark when he spoke to my sexual assault volunteer group about our concerns (I have now been a victim advocate in my hometown for over a year). I saw something in him that I knew I wanted to know more about. Later on, I was invited to a meeting to learn more about him running for DA.

In the past several months I've really come to love Mark and his wife Donna, and several of the other volunteers, particularly Brad and Carleen. I am so honored to have served on this campaign because I got to stand for something. I got to say hey, I want my survivors to have a bulldawg (ha, UGA joke) fighting for them. I also learned a lot about working with others who are different than me. Even though politically I'm not a conservative, I worked alongside some pretty strong conservatives. The great lesson there is that if you pay enough attention to what people have to say, we all want the same things.

Coming back to the original thought with this post, I'm not going to let this discourage me (even though I've shed a few tears). I'm going to use this to motivate myself to be the absolute best I can be for my community. Because it really isn't about the one person elected in charge. It's about you, me and everyone in between and how we work to build up our community to be its absolute best.

Day Two of Thanks

Whew! I'm thankful I survived this week at work. It was a long one, but because of amazing coworkers it all worked out. So really, I'm thankful that God provided me with energy and endurance to meet my great challenges. I'm ready to take on the next one!

Day One of Thanks

Here we go again. I'm going to give it my very best effort. Here it is, 10:51 p.m. post-major event at work and I'm really in a reflective mood. I should be in bed, but I've got a million things to do before work tomorrow. Which is what I'm thankful for this evening. I'm thankful for my job. I work with some of the most wonderful people you could ask to work with. I lovingly call it my "crazy train," but I really do feel like I've made some of the most meaningful relationships with my coworkers. I'm so blessed to have my work friends who have transcended past the prefix of "work," as they are simply my friends. A lot of people have hugged me tonight and told me I did a great job, but I truly thank all of the people on my "team" who helped me. I can't do anything without the love and support of my friends, and for that, I am thankful.

So here is to a wonderful month of Thanksgiving! My favorite of holidays!!

September and October Birchboxes

I can't believe how behind I am *same old, same old excuses* But, I want to share what came in the boxes and the products I am loving.

September's box:
Birchbox and Color Club® Custom Collection
Jouer Matte Moisture Tint
kate spade new york Twirl 
LA FRESH® Eco Beauty Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover 
Mighty Leaf Tea - Tea Pouches
Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

October Box

October's box:
theBalm® cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer
Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+
tili Bags Small Collection 1
Nexxus® Pro-Mend Split End Binding Targeted Leave-In Treatment Crème
Nexxus® Pro-Mend Split End Treatment Daily Conditioner
Nexxus® Pro-Mend Split End Treatment Daily Shampoo
Naked Princess Naked Shine Luscious Lip Gloss

My favorites are the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint, kate spade twirl perfume, Mary-Lou Manizer, Dr. Jart BB and Naked Princess lip gloss.

I am now a second-time recipient of Dr. Jart, but I LOVE IT. I don't know if I'll ever go back to "foundation" again. I'm loving beauty balms and tinted moisturizers likes Jouer.

The kate spade scent is super light and flirty. Tim seems to be a fan of it the most out and any of the perfumes I've received.

The Mary-Lou Manizer is nice. You can use it in a variety of ways, so that's very appealing. Right now I've just been dusting the apples of my cheeks over my light blush.

The Naked Princess lip gloss is great. I definitely want to try some other shades. It goes on smooth and wears very light. Love it.

I haven't made my first full-size product purchase yet, but I'm close. I'm going to definitely buy full-size in Dr. Jart BB, and possibly the lip gloss.

Have I sold you on Birchbox yet? Has anyone done Little Black Bag yet?

Date Night Movie Review: The Perks of Being A Wallflower

The Perks of Being A Wallflower

I have been looking forward to this movie for quite some time. I was so excited in September when I thought it was being released, only to have my little heart broken that it was limited release. But, luckily I was patient enough and it finally came to Columbus this week. Tim was not really looking forward to it, but he gave in and took me to see it last night. Needless to say, we both loved it.

TPOBAW is based on a book by the same name. I can't remember when I first read it, I think I was actually  a freshmen in college and I had borrowed it from Sarah, Tim's sister. Even though I was in college there was something about it that just hit me so hard, hit so close to home. I think that's the great thing about the book is that it perfectly captures that part of you that just struggles to figure it all out. In case you've missed it on my millions of facebook posts, here is the trailer:

I thought the movie was perfectly cast. I know that on message boards I read a lot of concern about Emma Watson for this reason or the other (my favorite negative remark has to be with people complaining about her eye color...seriously???). Emma was a perfect Sam. The whole cast was perfect.

I pretty much cried during the entire movie (note: do not wear eyeglasses to a movie you know you're going to cry during- it only makes things more difficult). Not because I was sad, but because I just kept feeling. It amazes me how deeply a book and/or a movie can make us feel. I think it really helped that the movie was written for screen and directed by the book's author. He really owned his characters and it showed throughout the entire movie. If you have the time, make it a point to see this movie soon!

Dinner at our house: Mac N Cheese

Mmmmmac N Cheese!

Some of you saw this on my facebook tonight, and I thought I'd share the recipe. It turned out really yum! This is sure to become a regular in my house, and I plan to try and make my own alfredo sauce next time so I can make it lowfat. There is a skinnier version I can make I'm sure!

Ingredients:

1 lb corkscrew pasta

1 15 oz jar alfredo sauce (I used Bertolli)

3 cups shredded cheese (I used Kraft 2% Sharp Cheddar + 2% Colby Jack Blend)

Sour cream (I used low fat)

Bacon crumbles

Croutons (I bought an asiago blend)

Directions:

Cook your pasta as normal. While it's boiling, in a deep sauce pan heat up sauce over medium-high heat. Mix in your shredded cheese. Make sure it's smooth and not lumpy. Once it's melted all the way, you can go ahead and add in your bacon if you'd like (Tim didn't want it so I set it to the side). Add in your pasta and stir til covered. Add a dollup of the sour cream, bacon (if you didn't use it before) and top with crushed croutons. Eat!

Mushy High School Romance Flashback

Prom circa 2003

Look at this gem that I found in the bottom of a box today! I posted this to facebook earlier and some folks are saying Tim looks a little like RPat, ha! I see it some. Don't you love that we were so cool and rebellious wearing out Converse All-Stars? We really thought we were something back then. It's so funny to look back  almost a decade a ago and remember who we were then, and contrast it to who we are now. Makes me wonder where we'll be in the next ten years.

Birchbox: I'm running late on this month's box!

Back to school edition! (PS this was me testing out my instagram, ha)

Opening...

The goods!

Here's the skinny on what I got this month:

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur

per-fékt Beauty Lash Perfection Gel

DDF® Brightening Cleanser

Caldrea Hand Soap

oh, and a Schick hydro silk razor! :)

So far, the perfume smells pretty, but likely not something I'd wear. So far my favorite perfume from Birchbox has been Arquiste L'Etrog from my very first Birchbox. I'm actually a little behind on posting some reviews for these products. I need to be a better planner...I need to stop saying "I need to do this..." :)

Maternal Instincts: Care package for Katie

Since she got it today, I can share the photos now! :) I had some fun with it.

Snackfest: PB to go, Reese's Pieces, Cheez-its, gum and pretzels! 

I wrapped up Nerds!

And Spree!

Inside: temporary tattoos!

A big eraser!

Paperclips!

A staple for Gameday.

See above :)

A Paddle :)

Jackson wanted to get in the box...

Success!

Apples to Apples in a can!

Elliot wanted to help too!

There were also some drinking straws (for soda), some scratch art stuff and pinwheels! I also wrote my best advice for college on a note and included it. I cannot believe that Katie is already in college! Tim and I started "dating" when I was 16, which means Katie was like 6. That means I've known her for 12 years. Some 66.667% of her life. Crazy how time flies.

Snacking at our house: WW Red Velvet Cupcakes

The ingredients!

So cute!

Big and fluffy. Makes 15!

So I tried these out last week. The cupcake part was awesome. The pudding for icing, tastes like pudding. It wasn't bad, just not my cup of tea. Here's how you do it:

1. Mix together 8ox of Diet Dr. Pepper with the cake mix.

2. Bake as usual (makes 15 cupcakes)

3. Make pudding as usual.

4. Top cooled cupcakes with pudding.

5. Enjoy for 4 old school WW points each.

Business trip: Mobile AL

So I realized today, that I actually started this post a while back but never posted it. Without further ado- photos from my trip to Mobile from a little while back.

Entering the city.

View from my room.

More of the view...

and more...

annnnd more...

JACKPOT! Look at that hottie...

I'm shy and nerdy, so each night I ordered room service.

It was so yum!

At the conference we had an adorable milk and cookie break!

I participated in a team scavenger hunt as a team builder. The guy in the middle was the hotel  bartender. 

We had to find a U shaped chair.

and all fit on a treadmill!

Get in the pool

get out chalklines made!

Pose with the battleship (we cheated)...

Get our photo with the bar across the street.

and locate plastic Jesus (he's there)!

It was nice, but I hope next time my buddy Beth will come along :) Then I might be brave enough to leave my room at night haha!

Mail Order Madness: Birchbox, Victoria's Secret + Forever21

Today is a very photogenic post. I've been scoping out some deals online.

Victoria's Secret- Clothing Clearance

I bought this one in black- so cute when I tried it on too.

Bought this top in the colors shown and it is HUGE! It doesn't actually taper, it's just MASSIVE all over.

Forever 21- Good deals!

This one is adorable!

I took a gamble on this one, but it turned out ok. I find it to be comfortable and summerish!

I also bought some various tank tops for layering in all kinds of colors. You cannot beat their stuff at 2.80 a pop. The black one I ordered months ago has held up pretty well for 2.80....

Birchbox- July Glamour Edition

It arrived on time! Woo!

Lots of goodies inside.

Inside this month's Birchbox:

amika Obliphica Hair Treatment

amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask

boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++ 

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner 

Harvey Prince Hello (perfume)

LÄRABAR® über

Also there were a pair of earbuds. I'm overall really excited with my box. I cannot wait to try out the hair treatments because they claim to tame the frizz. Also, I loved my Dr. Jart's BB so I'm really fascinated by BBs now. I'm looking forward to trying the boscia BB.

And that's it. Thus concludes my mail order madness! An in case you're wondering, all of this in my post cost right at $80. That's 4 tops, 3 tank tops, 1 bandeau top, shipping and my Birchbox subscription. Not too bad!

Birchbox Round Two: June Box

After MUCH waiting, I FINALLY got my second Birchbox. And it was already a bummer, but it ended up being a total bummer...

I'm here!

Love the packaging. I need a way to upcycle these in a cool way. Suggestions?

Here it is. In all it's lackluster glory...

I received:

BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive Bandages by Cynthia Rowley Bundle 

Apothederm™ Stretch Mark Cream 

John Varvatos Star U.S.A. (A preview from the Men's Birchbox)

So basically, I have designer Band-Aid's which are totally not my style because HELLO I'm a couponer haha. I am interested in the stretchmark cream...and the men's stuff smells awesome so I passed it on to Tim.

As for last month, I've been using some of the products more than others. I loved the smell of the perfume, but it's probably outside of my budget. The nail polish is fantastic in terms of how it goes on and comes off. I just need to save gold for the beach, ha! Hands down though, my favorite item from my first box was Dr. Jart beauty balm. It's amazing. I squished every molecule of it out of the tube. It's basically a foundation and I used it often. It was especially great for days I wanted to go out in public without additional makeup. I'm probably going to treat myself to it for my birthday since it's about $32 a bottle. That's probably what I pay at Clinque anyways.