Maggie is One

Happy Birthday to Mags! Today, our little girl turns 1!! Thinking back when we adopted her, I wasn't sure if I was ready for another dog, but now I couln't imagine not having her around.

Mags just 12 weeks old

First beach visit

Happy Birthday Maggie!!

~Blog Love~

Today I am going to share with you a blog that I recently came across and L-O-V-E. Some of you might have already heard about, but if you haven't you must check it out! Kate, at The Small Things, is a hairdresser, DIYourselfer and jewerly maker with wonderful hair tutorials that even I can do.

My favorite so far as been the tutorial on how to trim your own bangs. Anyone who has bangs knows how much this is helpful, bangs can get out of hand very quickly.

Kate also blogs about DIY crafts and just anything else she loves. So check it out!

Birthday Celebration #2

Well it's official I am 30! And, you know it's not that bad, so far so good. Everyone who knows me, knows that I love celebrating birthdays and usually they last at about a week, which is why I have two post dedicated to my birthday celebration. Last weekend, however, was the "official" birthday celebration. Since my birthday was on a Sunday and there was a home FSU game I decided to have a 30th birthday Tailgating party. It was a blast. My sister and her husband came for the weekend, as well as, one of my dear college roommates. What a weekend! I mean it has taken me almost a whole week to recover, which is why I am just now sharing it with everyone.

We started the weekend off at one of my favorite spots, The Wine Loft.


My sis and I striking a pose

Then we headed to dinner at another one of my favs, Masa.


Kira and I enjoying a little vino at dinner

Then on early on Saturday we headed to the stadium for the tailgating party. My sister and Mr. C did such a great job setting up and decorating the tailgate. Oh and the weather could not have been more beautiful - it actually was kind of hot.

I just love the cupcake toppers my sis made!

And, then on Sunday all the company left and I enjoyed a lazy, relaxing day!!

Birthday Celebration #1

This past weekend my parents paid a visit to celebrate my birthday (they have to babysit on my actualy b-day). We had a blast! I always enjoy it when my parents come to Tally to hang out. We started the weekend off right with happy hour at Level 8, a roof top bar in Tallahassee, and then finished the weekend off with my dad's yummy blueberry pancakes. It was definetly a great way to start off my week of birthday celebrations.

Eli Turns 1

Last weekend Mr. C and I traveled to the beach for our nephew's 1st birthday celebration. What a blast! I know people always say thier nephew's are the cutest, but really Eli is the cutest little boy EVER. He has such a fun, playful and sweet personality.

Some might think that my sister and I went alittle over board with a dinner party for a one year old, but you only have a 1st birthday once. The theme my sister decided on was "One Year Old in a Flash".  So from the invitations to the place settings, everything was based around pictures of Eli.

We planned this great elaborate dinner party with prime rib, creamed spinach and mashed potatoes - yum! (You see my sister fixed this dinner at Easter and it was soooooo good, everyone wanted a sequeal.) Unfortnatley, though we all got caught up in all the excitment of Eli opening gifts and mingling that we forgot to turn off the oven at a certain time and our prime rib ended up being more like a pot roast.  (sad face)

Oh well that's our memories are made :)

Let the Countdown Begin...

Gosh I can't believe it is October 1 all ready! This year sure has gone by so fast and this month is going to be a busy one for Mr. C and I. Not only will we be celebrating Eli's first birthdayy...but also mine. Yup, this year it is the big 3-0, so let the countdown begin.

I'm not going to lie I am a little bummed about turning 30. My life is not exactly how I pictured it would be when I reached my thirties. To start off, I thought I would be a little farther in my career, making more money (of course who doesn't want to make more money), and definitely didn't think I would be living in Tallahassee. But then there is the other side of me that is excited to see what my thirties will bring. And, I am very blessed to have the life that I have - a wonderful husband, the sweetest puppy dog Maggie, a loving family, good health and in this economy a J-O-B.

As some of you know I am obsessed with Pinterest and recently I came across this quote. The minute I read it, I had to pin it and someday I am going to frame it. It is my new motto. So, with that, let the countdown begin!! Only 22 days left till my 30th birthday - WOO HOO!!

P.S. As I am writing this post New Kids on the Block Hangin Tough is playing -  man did love Jordan when I was in 4th grade.

Cakes & Corks

Last night some friends and I learned the art of cake decorating at a fun event called Cakes & Corks. The event was held at a fairly new event venue called The Space at Feather Oaks - a renovated barn surraounded by beautiful oaks and stables. Learning how to decorate a cake is somehting I kind of have secretly wanted to try. A couple of times I have thought about taking one of the classes at Michael's, but they always last a for a few weeks and I just couldn't commit. So when I heard about this I didn't think twice. I mean what's more fun than learning how to decorate a cake and drink wine at the same time! (that's the cork part- in case you havent' figured it out already)

Well here is my final product. Isn't it beautiful?!?!



Me, Katie and Parker sporting our FSU cakes

Tropicla Storm Lee

Well this has definitely been a relaxing weekend at our house - it has rained for almost two straight days now thanks to tropical storm Lee. I mean it has been nice to get some rain cause we could use some and I am sure the farmers are loving this rain, but a girl can only clean and organize for so long! But all in all, I have to say this Labor Day weekend was a pretty good one - I mean, it is the start to football season and of course my NOLES kick it off right with a shut out over ULM (34-0). Go Noles!!

However, game day was just Saturday, so the rest of the weekend I was busy cleaning and straighting things up around the house.  I did manage to try a new recipe. I have always wanted to try making some homemade gumbo. My father-in-law probably makes some of the best gumbo I have ever tasted and  since there wasn't much else to do I thought this would be a great weekend to try it myself. I kind of married to recipes together, one from Alton Brown and a Paula Deen. All in all it turned out pretty good. The roux is probably the most difficult part. I am not ready yet to share my recipe quite yet, as I need to perfect it a little more. But it did taste pretty good for a first try.

Maggie helping me cook

The finished product! (not sure whats up with the gray line across the bottom, sorry!)

Of course, then today (again thanks to T.S. Lee) the power went for almost four hours. I had this great mexican meal planned, but with no electricy that went out the door. So we opted to end the weekend with a nice dinner out! Tomorrow is back to the grind, but at least it is only a four day week! Yipppeee!!

 Hope every one had a great holiday weekend!

Football Season

Yay! The football season is almost here - I can hardly wait. Only a few more days until FSU kicks off the season with their first game.  Mr. C and I are hard at work planning our first tailgate. So, to help with gathering some ideas, I turned to none other than Pinterest. For the last couple of nights I have been busy pinning some great tailgate inspriation.

I think have some good food ideas and decorations (depending on how elaborate I want to go on our tailgate).

 Go Noles! Scalp Em'!

The Jersey Shore

I am kind of embarrassed with what I am about to write, but what can I say I am a sucker for reality TV. Before I make my confession, I must tell you that I have never really been into the fist pumping, spray tan wearing show - actually I think the last episode I watched was the very first one.

Well, while Mr. C was out running errands I decided to have a little me TV time. I flipped to my trusty BRAVO, as they ALWAYS have marathons on, but to my disappointment the real housewives of New York reunion part 2 was on. (I already sat through that once I couldn't do it again.) So, I just happen to pass by MTV and there it was, Jersey Shores' first episode of the new season and I got hooked! I don't know what it was, but I was sucked in. The excuse I am going with is that they are in Italy this season. And, I mean what can possibly be funnier than Snooki and the Situation partying in Florence.

Really though it just made me miss Italy and reminded me of how much I want to go back. Good food, good wine, great shops. I have been VERY lucky to have had the opportunity to visit Italy twice and both times were so memorable. Who knows maybe I will become a Jersey Shore fan, I have to watch something while all my other shows are on holiday!

fifty decor ideas under $50

Finding decor inspiration for your home can be easy, finding it on the cheap, not always so easy. That's why I was super excited when I came across this article in the July issue of Better Homes and Gardens.  If you subscribe to BHG, I don't want to spoil it for you, but if you don't you can read the article online. Here is a sneak peak of a few of the ideas.

  Change out pillows.

I'm a firm believer on this one. It is amazing how new pillows can make an old couch look new again!

 Love Love Love the cabinets in this kitchen, actually the whole thing.

Don't know if I would ever be able be this bold and do a color cabinet other than white or wood.

freebie:Printable Business Cards

For anyone out there who is starting up their own small business and is looking for cute FREE business cards. These argyle motif business cards via How About Orange are super cute and customizable. You can get them in orange, pink or blue.



Click here to snag the how to's on these freebie downloads!



Blueberry Cobbler

I have been craving something sweet lately and since blueberries are in - I thought blueberry cobbler. And I must say this recipe is pretty darn good. It will defintely satisfy any sweet tooth you have. Enjoy!

Recipe via Cooking Light

Ingredients
Filling:

• 6 cups fresh blueberries
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

Topping:

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 5 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup fat-free sour cream
• 3 tablespoons 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare filling, combine first 4 ingredients in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish.

To prepare topping, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (flour through baking soda) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in sour cream to form a soft dough.

Drop dough by spoonfuls onto blueberry filling to form 8 dumplings. Brush dumplings with milk; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar. Place baking dish on a jelly roll pan. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until filling is bubbly and dumplings are lightly browned.

Memorial Weekend

I love summertime - even though it can be HOT, HOT. I enjoy being down at the beach, going fishing and just hanging out family. Memorial weekend always seems to kick-off summer and this year it went off with a bang! Not only did we celebrate all of the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to serving this wonderful country, but also my mom's 60th birthday.

My mom's brother, Alan and his wife Jolene; and her sister, Sharon along with her Daughter Stacy and granddaughter Lynleigh, came to visit. We all had so fun catching up, eating great food and of course, playing cards. (I didn't win, but it was still fun)

My Uncle Alan got a chance to reel in a big AJ on Saturday, as a few of us went offshore. It had to be one of the most beautiful days out on the water in a loooooooonnnnnng time. It was so flat and not a cloud in the sky.

Our catch

Had to sneak in a pic of the cutest littlest boy ever!

Birthday Weekend

Last Friday was Mr. C's birthday and unbeknowst to him I planned a weekend full of surprises, including a weekend filled with two of his very good friends and his sister. Mr. C can sometimes make it difficult to surprise him, so I was so thrilled that everything went as planned and he was SUPER surprised.  We are so lucky to have such great friends, ones that we will share many more memories with. All in all I think Mr. C had a fab 30th birthday. It was a busy weekend and I am so glad that his birthday is over - he was milking it all last week. Uh...he can finally go back to doing his own laundry!



Me and the birthday boy

Everyone on the Miss Behavin' Again

Went with a bourbon theme for the party

Mags on the way home- she had was pooped.

   




It's his Birthday...

It's his birthday and we gon' party like it's yo birthday, we gon' sip Bacardi like it's his birthday
...sorry 50 cent flashback....

Thirty years ago today, Mr. C entered this world. Happy Happy Birthday to my hubby!

Boy he sure was a cutie and still is of course!

Californication Part 2

Well if you remember in the first post about my Cali vacation (you can read that here), I mentioned all of the great places we ate at. Because every place was just so delish I decided to make a post of it's own. Of course we hit up some of the famous hot spots, but no celebrity spotting's.


The Ivy
The restaurant is located on Robertson Boulevard tucked away behind beautiful lush landscaping. The inside is decorated like a little cottage with fresh roses on every table. Oh and I almost forgot, if you do go don't take any pictures - yes, I got in trouble for taking pictures :(



Chrystina and Mom 



yummy pizza with fresh tomatoes and basil

This is the picture that got me in trouble - guess they thought I was taking a picture of someone.

Nobu 
Now this place was a bit pricey, but sure was good and totally not was I expected. I guess since stars dine there a lot, I was thinking it was going to be something fancy, but I was wrong - just like every other sushi restaurant I've been to.

yellowtail with jalapenos

little wonton tacos with spicy shrimp and white fish

Spicy tuna

Saddle Peak
This place was very interesting. The restaurant is an old log cabin and serves everything from steak and seafood to buffalo and antelope. I of course ordered the lamb chops.

We definitely didn't go hungry!

Cheers!









Californication

I finally got my much needed vacation! Woo-Hoo. Where did I go you ask? Well if you haven't figured it out yet, I spent most of last week in California! My mom, sister and I had a girls trip to remember. Let me just start out by saying this trip has been in the works for about year. Last spring my Mom wanted to take a trip with her girls to Cali., but with work and grand baby on the way it just had to be put on hold. Then this past February, my mom started talking about it again - and well, my sister and I thought this year would be the year - a girls trip rolled into my mom's 60th birthday celebration!

We had such a wonderful time eating at great restaurants, great shopping and spending time with great friends.  Our trip began last Tuesday, which I think might have been one of the longest days of my life. I went to work, got off at 2, drove to Panama City, then arrived in L.A. at 11:30 p.m. their time...(just makes tired thinking about it again). We packed so much in the fours days we were there. California was not really what I expected - it was very laid back and mountain scenery was just beautiful! Now I have to admit I was a little disappointed that we did not have any celebrity sightings. Oh well always next time!