Scatterbrained...and Photo Challenge Updates!

It's Wednesday, which is the perfect time to do a scatterbrained post including anything and everything that seems to be crossing my mind these days...

1. I seriously do not think there is anything cuter than baby bathing suits...I'm clearly obsessed. Little Bit already has 3 to take with her to the beach this summer, and I am finding it hard to contain my excitement over "baby beachwear". Seriously, how can anyone say no to these?
{P.S. I am secretly hoping Caroline is a chubby little monkey because there simply is nothing sweeter than a bambino with little rolls in a swimsuit-ha!} 

 2. I finished buying Jeff's Valentine's Day presents yesterday-we wanted to get creative, so we set a $20 budget and I used every penny-savvy shopper! I know he is going to be pumped for his little goody basket filled with fun surprises. 

3. I'm wrapping these photo-a-day challenges into a few at a time...

February 6: dinner...yes, this is a bowl of ice cream because that is what I had for dinner. Edy's Fudge Tracks to be specific, so sweetly brought home to me from the hubs

February 7-button. I desperately want to make this button letter art for Caroline's nursery at some point. Maybe this will give me the inspiration I need to make it happen.

February 8: sun. I'm including a pic of the weather here in Nashville on my way to work this morning...dreary and foggy=no sun {and yes, before anyone judges, I am listening to Lil Wayne-I needed some "get up and go" and I promise, Caroline likes it, too!}

4. Since I've been a slacker recently and haven't been cooking as much, I thought I'd whip up something last night...it was AMAZING and oh so easy! Pizza grilled cheeses: take turkey pepperoni slices + 2 slices of provolone + 2 slices of whole grain bread + pizza sauce + a dash of italian seasoning...then spread margarine on both outside slices of the bread and use a griddle/cast iron skillet to melt just until a crispy crust appears-easy, semi-healthy, and yall, the hubby loved it!

5. The Real Housewives have taken over my TV this week so far...Reunion Part II of Beverly Hills and the premiere of the new season of OC-yes, this is my weakness and I tune in every week to see these women go nuts and get crazy...I have to admit, I missed Vicki's notorious "woohoo!" moments, so I am happy to see her back in action. 

6. I am so excited for today! Jeff is coming to take me out to lunch and we're going to get a tour of the preschool where we've enrolled Little Bit starting in June...fingers crossed everything goes well and I dont break down like the emotional trainwreck I am these days. 

P.S. thanks to so many of you who left encouraging and insightful tips adn advice regarding the baby registry post yesterday...makes me feel a lot better knowing I am on the right track and have made some {what I hope will be} wise decisions-it's so good to know I have successful mommy blogger friends out there who are always willing to jump in and help!
Happy Hump Day friends!

Auld Lang Syne...Happy 2012!!

It's the first post of the new year! I cannot believe it's 2012--I swear last year moved at warp speed, but I can't help get excited at so many things coming up in twenty twelve.
We had the most fantastic 3-day weekend and it was a blessing to be at home celebrating the new year. Friday night, we went to Zanie's to see John Caparulo's comedy show. I had never been before, but we had so much fun...an adult evening for sure and he was hilarious, just like when he's on Chelsea Lately.
Saturday, we had my parents and Jeff's cousin Eddie over--we grilled for lunch and enjoyed the gorgeous 60 degree weather and ate ourselves into a coma before doing it all over again for dinner that night. Jeff wanted to try something new so he made BBQ which was great...I feel lucky I have a guy who can cook so well {when he wants to!}. We played games and watched the ball drop and talked all about our new year's resolutions, and I successfully made it until 1:45AM so I felt like a sober rockstar. 

celebrating the last NYE of just being the two of us

 smoking their NYE cigars...haha

 our tasty dinner...BBQ, ribs, asian coleslaw, and cheesy corn on the cob

 evening attire ;)

 jeff playing with chloe and bella

 watching the ball drop

Sunday morning, I got up to make monkey bread and a sausage and egg casserole for brunch. Then we said our goodbyes and hubby and I worked to get our Christmas decorations down. That night, we met up with Lauren and Andy for dinner and to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which was one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. The story followed the book really closely and I cannot wait to dive into the 2nd installment of the trilogy.
For my last day off, I went to the gym to get my first 2012 workout in and then did some shopping for the nursery...I PROMISE a progress post is coming this week! We spent the night watching mindless television and catching up on RHOBH and my other junk shows including The Bachelor--I gave it an entire hour before saying hasta la vista to Ben...I just can't handle him.
Happy New Year friends--may this be your best year yet!! OXOX

Perfect Holiday Treats

Let's face it, I've been cooking and baking a little less frequently lately since we've had some slight changes--understatement of the year. However, with the holidays in full swing, I can't help but want to get back in the kitchen with my apron on to whip up some tasty, festive treats...today, I am linking up with Natasha over at Schue Love for the Christmas Cheer Party:

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies via Recipe Girl

Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies via Our Best Bites

Pistachio Cupcakes via The Girl Who Ate Everything

Candy Cane Punch via Taste of Home

Reindeer Corn Cookie Bark via Your Home-Based Mom

Frozen Peppermint Cheesecake via Smuckers

Peppermint Crunch Milk Chocolate Cookies
from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

Can you tell I'm just a girl who loves anything and everything peppermint? I can't seen to get enough!

What I'm Cooking This Year...

Growing up, I rememeber helping my Mom prepare Thanksgiving dishes to bring to my Grandparent's house and how we would spend so much time in the kitchen, making sure each dish was prepared perfectly...afterall, turkey day is a lot about the food, am I right?
Even now, I am just like her in that I agonize over each and every detail of what I make, as food=love. This year, the dishes I am making are a little different than usual since we'll be in Hilton Head, though I just have to make some of my most treasured favorites so that it'll feel like home. Here are the items on my to-do list for tomorrow night and Thursday morning:

Baked Brie {my favorite go-to appetizer recipe}

**this time, I'll be using pumpkin butter and pecans instead of preserves

Sweet Potato Casserole {my family's famous recipe}

Autumn Chopped Salad {via Espresso and Cream}

German Chocolate Heath Bar Cake {via Cookbook Jungle}

And because you all love to hate me when I post the infamous "Eat This, Not That" series, I read that the average person consumes more than 4,500 calolries and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving...obviously the "fattest day of the year" by a landslide. However, check out these quick switches to help keep yourself on track during turkey day! Enjoy your time with family and friends ;)

More Fall Yummies and Happy Halloween!!

Now that I am back to cooking more,thank you energy {and time},I wanted to show some more fallworthy recipes I hope to whip up sometime this season. For a recap of my previous post of favorite fall foods, go here.

Taco Cupcakes via Plain Chicken

Buffalo Chicken Bites via Pennies on a Platter

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs via Lick the Bowl Good

Sweet and Sour Meatballs via The Daily Dish

Autumn Chopped Salad via Espresso and Cream

Cran-Apple Marshmallow Salad via Fly Through Our Window

Tortellini Sausage Soup via Our Best Bites

Stuffed Green Peppers via Kalyn's Kitchen

Three Cheese Pasta Bake via Southern Living

Candy Corn Cupcakes via Our Best Bites

Smore Brownies via Can You Stay for Dinner

Pumpkin Dump Cake via Cookies and Cups

And of course, Happy Halloween!! We had a fantastic weekend, which I promise to recap, but hope you all get lots of adorable trick-or-treaters coming tonight and find a way to get rid of some of that lurcking candy...yes, I've been bad--thanks a lot Reese's! ;)

Rambling Randomness...And Q&A Time

I think everyone is posting their normal "random" nonsense today...Thursday is always one of those days, isn't it?

OK so fall is back...seriously, yesterday I had on sandals and today I am wearing a puffy vest, scarf, and boots--Tennessee, I dearly love you, but pick a season and stick with it.

So glad the weekend is nearing, though I think I mention that fact every week, but so be it. I'm baking tonight, more Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats, this time for our work Halloween celebration...let's just hope I can make it out of the house without the hubby sampling one too many.

Did anyone watch Revenge last night? Seriously, it's gotten to the fact that Jeff watches it with me each week...the suspense of everything is putting me on the edge of my seat. Next week is going to end with a big bang, I'm just sure of it.

So, I received a bunch of questions I have stockpiled into one shebang of answers...if I missed you, I blame it on my overloaded brain and remind me to finish what I started.

What products do you use on my hair? How do you fix and curl?
For shampoo/conditioner, I switch it up between Aveeno, Biolage, and Clairol Shimmer Lights which is PERFECT for blondes between root touch-ups. I also do a weekly deep conditioning treatment called Miracle 7. Once I'm out of the shower, I towel dry for 5-10 minutes to remove water and spray Tresemme Heat Protectant all over. I blowdry in sections, just because I have tons of hair and it is super thick. Once dry, I spray each section with Alterna Caviar Spray {miracle in a bottle for damaged hair} and then curl with a 1 1/4 curling iron. Finally, I straighten the top with a flat iron...I know, tedious process but now that I have it mastered, it only takes about 20 minutes.

Where did you get the boots you wore for the gender reveal party?
Oh dear heavens, I get this question literally everytime I wear them...I should be a walking spokesperson for Gianni Bini as I am a devout and loyal shopper of their shoes--trust me, their infamous green boxes are stocked in my closet. They are last year's version that are my favorite pair of shoes ever {thanks Dad!}. And yes, I bought them in a similar color this year because I heart them so much. 

What are your plans for after Little Miss Sunshine makes her debut?
Oh what a topic...this has been quite the discussion, and this is just OUR decision, for I know people really like to throw their two cents in about anything and everything baby-related. Currently, the plan is for me to go back to work once maternity leave is said and done. I am planning to take off somewhere between 8-12 weeks to spend as much time with her at home as possible, and then the idea is that I'll go back to my "normal" life and career.
Since childcare is crazy in that you sign up months before they are set to arrive, we have registered for a preschool literally the next building over from my office, so she won't be far away. As rewarding as being a stay-at-home mother would be, at this time in our lives, it's just not the right decision for us. However, we're lucky in that my Mom, grandparents, family members, and friends live close by so we have a herd ready and willing to jump in whenever we need help!

Where do you buy your clothes--both pre-prego and now maternity?
I am a savvy shopper in that I hunt for a good deal. I subscribe to stores emails so that I can  take advantage of sales and specials--my favorites are Gap, Francesca's, Old Navy, Loft, JCrew, and Macys. Then of course I have online shops I visit in search of dresses and statement pieces--Lulu's, ModCloth, Shop Ruche, and Shop Sosie. I'm also known to hit up TJMaxx, Forever 21, and Target and seem to do quite well when I'm on a mission. 
The biggest thing I am learning in dressing for the growing baby bump is to wear what is comfortable. Most days, you can find me in longer tunics/cardigans and leggings with boots/flats and either a scarf or a big necklace.

What makeup do you use?
You never know what you're going to find in my bag, as I sample different products seeking  new favorites. I moisturize with Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, and then prime with Smashbox Photo Finish Primer {using a makeup brush to apply}. Then it's to the Make Up For Ever line-- I use their foundation in color #155 before brushing on the Matte Face Powder. For blush, I'm currently using Sephora's Romantic Rose. As for the eyes, I am picky when it comes to eyeliner and I am in love with Maybelline's Line Stylist in Onyx {it doesn't run/smudge throughout the day}. For eyeshadow, I use Clinique's Colour Surge Quad Set in Choco-Latte and then finish with High Lengths Mascara in Black. Finally, to the lips--I use Bare Escentuals lipliner in Peony and then set with the Fruit Cocktail lipgloss.

How do you find time to blog regularly?
To be honest, it's all about scheduling and multitasking. If I am on a not-so-important conference call, you can bet I am plotting ideas for blog posts or drafting text. Sometimes, I have posts planned out well in advance so that makes it a lot easier. I also have a document labeled "Blogging Ideas" for when I have a topic I may want to post about at a later date when I am getting into a rut...this has helped me come up with fresh ideas on more than one occasion.

That's it for today friends...sorry for the lengthy post! I'm working on all sorts of fun posts, though--fashion for tomorrow, more fall recipes I am wanting to sample, and the debut of a new sponsor AND giveaway. Woo hoo ;)

R is for Random

It's Thursday and my mind is a big lump of jello...blogging rut, perhaps? How that is possible--I have no idea, so don't mind me while I babble on about nothing anything that pops into my brain.

I'm back to baking friends, ahhh it feels good to have enough energy to be back in the kitchen! Since we're taking Amber food tonight to help her and Luke cope with the new bambino, I decided to take on the dessert component of the meal {surprise surprise}. My how I have missed cooking...I whipped up a batch of Oreo Cheesecakes and due to my official taste testing, they are REALLY good, and easy, too:
Ingredients
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
16 oz cream cheese, softened {(I used reduced fat}
2 eggs
7 Oreos {crushed into small pieces}
1 Oreo pie crust
Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Mix together vanilla, sugar, and cream cheese together with electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until well combined. Add in eggs and mix until smooth consistency--then add in 1/2 of the crushed Oreos and spoon mixture into pie crust. Top with the other 1/2 of crushed Oreos and bake for 35-40 minutes until pie is almost set up. Then, allow to cool completely and refrigerate for 4+ hours until ready to serve!

The highs this weekend in Nashville are only going to be in the mid-60s...I am so excited I could burst. This means I can officially bring out the scarves, boots, leggings, and tunics--otherwise known as the most comfortable pieces to wear ever.

I have officially ventured over to the dark side...with regards to my nails. No more pinks, corals, and bright colored hues for this girl--the chilly temps are on their way, meaning I can experiment with my favorite fall colors, thanks to Essie, Sephora, and OPI.

That's all I got for today friends...I forewarned you, mumbo jumbo at its best. I will leave you with some fun little inspirational quotes and I promise to be back tomorrow with a new Fashionable Friday!!