Headed Out

Heading to the Texas Hill Country for a little R&R and to ring in the New Year.

And I have to say, I am pretty stoked that instead of wearing one of these

I get to be bundled up in one of these

jealous?

Happy New Years Eve



Birthday Lady

Happy Birthday to my mom today!

Wish I could help you celebrate today

and I know your not 10 but how yummy does that cake of donuts look?!

Maybe someone else will buy you some balloons :)

Happy Birthday Mom.

XOXO



Rescue

Yesterday I mentioned that I finished this book

I have read several of Anita Shreve's books and while a few have disappointed I am still an ardent fan.

Rescue is the story of a young  rookie paramedic (Peter) that pulls a young woman (Shelia) out of her mangled car. After this first rescue, a lifelong tangle of love and wreckage begins.

Peter and Shelia fall in love, get married, and have a child. But their romance ends just as quickly as it began leaving Peter to raise their daughter alone for 15 years.

Shelia's sudden return could be a godsend--or it may be exactly the wrong moment for a lifetime of questions and anger and longing to surface anew.

I would recommend grabbing a blanket and snuggling up with it over a weekend.

Heck, I'll even let you borrow mine.

Merry (late) Christmas

Pardon my tardiness, it has been a busy few days.

So busy that yesterday I ended up taking a mental health day.

I was feeling a bit like this... 

And a lot like this... 

Why is it that the Holidays can be so dang detrimental to my emotional stability, mental sanity, and physical existence?

No answer? Thanks a lot...

During my 10 hour escape from society I finished this book

Unpacked my suitcase

Did a few loads

and just generally got my life back in order

So now I kind of feel like this



If only we could take mental health days like once a week!

Food Baby Friendly

Well, It's not even Christmas and my food baby is out of control.

I am definitely going to need something "tummy friendly" for tomorrow...

Christmas comfy by Sgforbis featuring leggings

Fendi Silk-mousseline sheer blouse, $763
Hockley jackets BROWN, 780 GBP
Old Navy Womens Denim Leggings, $30
ELLE LEATHER BOOTS, 459 EUR
Hermes enamel bracelets, Hermes enamel bangles | Hermes.com, $510
Hermes enamel bracelets, Hermes enamel bangles | Hermes.com, $510
Minimal hammered hoops in gold - medium, $68

We are pretty casual at mi casa so this look will be perf!

I'm Comin Home

I'm heading home to snuggle with my family.

Especially this guy

Pray for me on my day of travel.

I'll be keeping calm with the following lyrical ballad

Happy Trails To You

Big Ole Howdy Country Texas Bday

Well, I didn't get any Champagne

but several salty margs at a sassy SURPRISE birthday whipped together by the Manfriend are a pretty niiiice substitute :)

That's right, a SURPRISE party for my first Houston birthday.

Nothing like sharing a few tequila con coffee, fajitas and margaritas with new friends.

And to make things even better, take a look at a few of my prizes

mmhmmm, that Hermes bracelet I had blogged about.

Nicely done gift giver. You take hints well.

Never dreamed I would start my Cutco collection at 24....

I don't hate it! Went home looking for things to cut, slice, dice, chop...

And what would a bday be without some s-s-s-sugar

of course Crave would put mini Kitchen Aid mixers on top.

I knew I liked them.

Wonder what will be in store for next year...

and I'm pretty confident I'll be around.

Especially now that I got these bad boys.

(blurred for you creepers)

Howdy.

Balls In Your Court

Cake Balls, that is

This is one of the easiest recipes, a bit time consuming, but easy.

I made them for our company Thanksgiving lunch and they were a HUGE hit.

Ingredients:

1 box cake mix (any kind you like)

1 can icing (any kind you like)

1 package bark coating/candy bark

Prepare the cake according to the box directions

After finished cooking, allow to cool for at least 20 minutes.

Once the cake is cool enough to handle, break it up into a large mixing bowl

At first I used my hands to break large chunks into the bowl.

After that, I used a fork. You could always use a food processor if you wish.

Add about 1/2-2/3 of the can of frosting to the cake and mix well.

Once I reached this point I stuck the bowl in the freezer to firm up

(only like 10 minutes or so)

Then I started to roll out all the balls.

At this point, you need to do one of two things:

1)open a bottle of wine

2) take a patience pill

When you have all of your 1-1.5 inch balls, allow them to harden in the freezer.

(like 30 minutes)

A few minutes before you take out the balls, break up your bark and melt it in a double boiler

(or 5 sec intervals in the microwave-in a micro safe bowl, duh)

Now is when I would put the bottle of wine away....

Using a spoon and fork, two spoons, toothpicks, your weapon of choice,

roll each ball around in the bark until completely coated.

This stuff dries super fast so once it hits your wax paper it will be close to finished.

Oh yea, lay out some wax paper for the balls to dry on...forgot that step.

After you finish having fun, cussing, threatening to quite half way, you are probably going to have a tummy ache from all the finger lickin' but stay strong because.....

TA-DA

You will have gorgeous balls ;)

I used a strawberry cake mix with cream cheese icing rolled in white choc bark

I also used a white cake mix, white icing and milk choc bark. 

I am not lying when I tell you that people were putting them in zip lock baggies to take home to their husbands, wives, kids....

FYI- they are small enough to eat more than one but don't go Ballistic (ha) because they are soo rich.

Happy Holidays 

Movie Monday- You've Got Mail

One of my favorite movies and soundtracks...

Let's take a look at Kathleen Kelly's Brownstone

First, please note her matching PJs....girl after my own heart.

Second, the molding....

The entire apt is filled with gorgeous molding

I also find the stained glass pretty, pretty, pretty.

I have always been a sucker for a bay window....

In my "growing up house" I used to sit on my radiator (old house) in front of my windows and pretend it was a large bay window with a cushioned seat.

Next,

built-ins absolutely covered with books

Her kitchen is pretty vintage (I can totally relate) but my purpose in showing this picture is obviously the french doors open to the kitchen.

What a great way to separate a room without interrupting the flow, especially in a smaller space.

In love with the table at the end of the kitchen....

and her matchstick blinds look familiar :)

and now...

my favorite

Today is the Day!

to me!

Today I am 

 and hopefully someone that loves me is throwing me a

With tons of 

 and

(confetti)

and 



So, fingers crossed that I have a tummy ache tomorrow from all the sugar and bubbly.

And maybe I will be sore from all the dancing and laughing and I will wake up with lots of little sparkles and confetti in my hair and stuck to my face.

CHEERS!