5 Faves Fridays, 2 weeks late Birthday Edition!

So I made it to the ripe old age of 31. No longer just a 30 year old but a 30-something year old. Gah! But today has been good so far. Lots of lovely birthday wishes and Zoe made me coffee and breakfast this morning.

I have been a bad, busy girl and have neglected my 5 Faves and how I have missed them. So let's just roll with it shall we!

#1. Joanie and her clean bill of health-One of the greatest things about 5 Faves is the amazing friendships that have been forged. And anyone who has joined us in the 5 Faves journey is sure to know the beautiful Joanie by now. What an amazing woman indeed. She is open about her journey with breast cancer and is such an advocate for breast cancer awareness. She had a check up appointment with her Dr. last week and was given the best gift...a clean bill of health! I think we all had a collective sigh of relief. Check out Joanie, the #1 5 Faves AND breast cancer awareness advocate. An inspiring, loving lady whom you need to know!

#2. Gilmore Girls- OK you all know that I HEART GILMORE! And there was a WHOLE SEASON that I didn't even know existed until ABCFamily started playing it a few weeks ago. Well, I have now watched them all. I just got to sit down a few days ago and watch the final show finale and yes I cried like a baby! Zoe kept saying "Gee Mom, get OVER it" but damn it, I love this show and am so sad that Rory didn't marry Logan, was sad to see her move away and leave behind Lorelai but was so thrilled that Lorelai and Luke kissed and made up. Once again I will say this: if you haven't watched this show yet WATCH IT NOW! ABCFamily just started the whole series over again this week. One of my fave all times shows EVER!

#3. ddeforest etsy shop- Dianna puts together some super cute, shabby, vintage kits and she had this to die for b/w houndstooth ribbon that I just had to have! She has a sale going on right now! Check out these cute packs at only $4 a piece!:

#4. Sohomode etsy shop- now while I haven't bought anything from here yet, ughhh I am sorely tempted to. Pencil skirts, aprons, her dresses ohhh her dresses. Crisp, clean, elegant and simple!

#5. Simplyrecipes.com-I don't even remember how I stumbled across this site, but I am a sucker for recipes and pictures of food and well this site is FULL of both! They have spicy, citrus black beans up today and yummo they look so tasty!

#6. Avocados- I used to HATE, LOATHE avocados and now I can't get enough of them. They taste good on almost everything. My favorite way to eat them this past week is:

Flour tortilla, spread cream cheese on top, add chopped onions, 4 slices of avocado, 3 slices of bacon, 1 slice of muenster cheese, 1 romaine lettuce leaf and eat as is OR I have been adding BBQ chicken fingers or smoked turkey slices as well. Oh and if you have ranch, dude throw some of that on there too! And you MUST have some pepperoncinis to go with. I have eaten this no less than 5 times in the past 2 weeks. Also have been making a ton of homemade guacomole too. Here are some more avocado recipes!

#7. Webster's Pages Winter's Wings line- Almost makes me wish it was winter but umm not quite. Totally enjoying the warm weather right now and working on my tan. BUT this line is sooo gorgeous! Take a peek at this:

#8. Amazon gift cards- Zoe and John got me one for my bday and now the only hard part is paring down what I want to get. Cause this girl always wants it ALL LOL! But it was a very sweet present from my 2 favorite peoples! Love you guys!

Ok so I think that is all I can think of for now! Enjoy your day and I am going to go finish having a great Birthday!

Five Faves Friday on Saturday "the Birthday Edition"

So it totally isn't my fault that my post is late.

I have reasons, really LOL

Ok sooo anyhow...this week is a special one because my cute girl turned the big "8" on Thursday. So this weeks 5 Faves is dedicated to my Zoe girl.

She had a fabulous skating party last weekend. She got all kinds of wonderful gifts from her friends and Grandma and Auntie June.

John and I saved the BEST present for last.... You will find out what it is in a second.

So without further adieu, my 5 Fave pictures of Zoe's birthday.

#1. This beautiful picture of my now 8 yr old. She just looks so grown up and sassy:

#2.The look on her face. She loooves water balloons!#3. Blowing out her candles. She had a Hannah Montana cake since NOWHERE in this damn hick town had a Jonas Bros. cake. #4. We had a scavenger hunt for her biggest present....Here she is with her"Golden Ticket"

#5. What tickets are THOSE, you might be asking...Tickets to go see the Jonas Brothers World Tour! Check out this face....Remind me it was all worth it just for this face OK!!! I am going to need that reminder when I am surrounded by a sea of Tweens going crazy for the Jo Bros!

So there is my lil pumpkin, all grown up and ever so excited to get to see her favorite band. And I get the Mommy of the Year award for suffering through it....at least I think I deserve it, right? LOL

Five Faves Friday!

Sooo I am jumping AHEAD of the game here if you can actually believe it.

We have a full day of fun scheduled tomorrow. Going to Wildlife Safari with my gal pals from high-school Bree, Jamie and Jen. Then we are headed out for a girls night out and having some good food, good wine and good gossip!

Here are some great things that I hope you will love as much as I do:

#1. This recipe for Mexican Shredded Beef: You would NOT believe the smell in my house right now, it is insane.

Mexican Shredded Beef:

1 boneless beef chuck shoulder roast (about 3 lbs)

1 Tbs ground cumin

1 Tbs ground coriander

1 Tbs chili powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 cup salsa or picante sauce

1 Tbs cornstarch

2 Tbs water

taco shells, corn or flour tortillas

Slow Cooker Directions:

Combine cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper in bowl. Mix and rub over roast.

Place 1/4 cup of salsa in bottom of crock pot. Put roast in. Layer remaining salsa on top.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. (I never cook this long though, I have a super hot and fast crockpot. So know your crock pot cooking habits!)

Remove roast from cooking liquid; cool slightly. Trim and discard any excess fat from meat. Shred meat with 2 forks.

Let cooking liquid stand 5 minutes so fat can rise to surface. Skim fat off. Blend cornstarch and water until smooth. Whisk liquid into crock pot. Cook uncovered, 15 minutes on HIGH until thickened. Return shredded beef into crock pot. Cover and cook additional 15 minutes. Adjust any seasonings to taste. Serve in taco shells or tortillas.

May be refrigerated for up to 3 days or FREEZE up to 3 months.

#2. Anthropologie bib necklaces: I had an email from Anthropologie today in the ol inbox and they had these DIVINE necklaces in them.

Here are a few of my favorites (I think they would go well with the dresses from shopruche.com, don't ya think)

#3. When Fried Eggs Fly- John recorded this show on the Documentary Channel. Here is a quick synopsis from the website so you can get an idea of what it is cause I can't do it justice: Visionary teacher Bruce Mack makes a commitment to get 162 eight-year-olds in a New York City public school to compose, perform and record original music with their parents. The topic is pressing: saving the environment. Serious rehearsals. No cutting corners. And it has to have a great beat. A film for both kids and adults. When Fried Eggs Fly shows how to beat the odds and get a song made.

It was amazing to see how this one music teacher made a tangible difference. A touch it, see it, feel it, hear it, difference. He somehow managed to bring not only 162 kids but their teachers and parents together to create music. It was incredible and inspiring and made me want to go start some kind of damn revolution in our school. Go check out the trailer at the When Fried Eggs Fly website.

#4. Jeff Buckley "Grace Around the World"-I heart Jeff Buckley. If you haven't listened to him, or have and thought "Lord, I hate this" please oh please give this man another chance. I have one of his songs on my playlist, go listen LOL. This is a DVD of unseen live performances and it is beautiful and haunting at the same time. From Grace to Hallelujah to my favorite Lover, You Should Have Come Over...

Read these lyrics and tell me if the man wasn't a genius.

Lover, You Should've Come Over

Looking out the door I see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners

Parading in a wake of sad relations as their shoes fill up with water

And maybe I'm too young to keep good love from going wrong

But tonight you're on my mind so you never know

When I'm broken down and hungry for your love with no way to feed it

Where are you tonight, child you know how much I need it

Too young to hold on and too old to just break free and run

Sometimes a man gets carried away, when he feels like he should be having his fun

And much too blind to see the damage he's done

Sometimes a man must awake to find that really, he has no-one

So i'll wait for you... and i'll burn

Will I ever see your sweet return

Oh will I ever learn

Oh lover, you should've come over

'Cause it's not too late

Lonely is the room, the bed is made, the open window lets the rain in

Burning in the corner is the only one who dreams he had you with him

My body turns and yearns for a sleep that will never come

It's never over, my kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder

It's never over, all my riches for her smiles when I slept so soft against her

It's never over, all my blood for the sweetness of her laughter

It's never over, she's the tear that hangs inside my soul forever

Well maybe i'm just too young

To keep good love from going wrong

Oh... lover, you should've come over '

Cause it's not too late

Well I feel too young to hold on

And I'm much too old to break free and run

Too deaf, dumb, and blind to see the damage i've done

Sweet lover, you should've come over

Oh, love well i'm waiting for you

Lover, you should've come over'

Cause it's not too late

Got goosebumps yet?

and

#5. My Scrappy Fave of the week comes via my friend Pam and in the form of Basic Grey June Bug....Ohh stop my beating heart!!!!

and thus ends my longest post EVER! Lordy, I am long-winded tonight LOL

Have a great weekend.

Chirp Chirp Chirp....

Ahhh the sweet sound of a silent house.

As we near the end of the school year (only 2 days left), I am having some mixed feelings. It will be great not to have to be up and at 'em before 7 am every morning if we don't want to. I am a lounge in my jammies, drink 3 cups of coffee before starting my day kind of girl. No homework to keep track of, no lunches to pack....BUT with all of that comes the constant entertaining of an 8 yr old. All of my free time sucked away from me for the next 3 months. So today I sit and soak in the quiet house, a few minutes of free time and mentally prepare for the craziness that is summer.

So while we are just chilling...how about some 5 FAVES?!?!? A few days late, but Friday was crazy as all get out...

Here is what has kept me entertained and going this week:

#1. Check out these 2 totally cute etsy shoppes. I spent no less and an hour the other day checking them both out. Guarantee you will LOVE them as well:

Caramelo's (one of my favorite candy bars as well, so what ISN'T to love)

and Pink Grapefruit Style (one of my favorite breakfast fruits!) Both stores have amazing photography of their products. The colors at Pink Grapefruit are enough to leave you inspired for days.... Enough talking though, GO CHECK THEM OUT!

#2. ShopRuche.com- found this site via Scoutie Girl, I believe. The site design itself is adorable. Birds, birds everywhere! The clothing is beautiful and the prices are UNBELIEVABLY low! I need all of these ASAP:

#3. The Tonight Show with CONAN O'BRIEN- Move over stupid Jay Leno, Coco is coming thru, kicking ass and taking names. I LOOOOVE Conan. Think he is hilarious. I have missed him and his show has been better than ever. So happy to have Conan back on again. Ohhh and did you see my crush Joel McHale on there the other night? Sighhh he is sooo cute!

#4. Banana Laffy Taffys- Seriously, these stupid things are so dang tasty! I hate bananas, hate them but I love fake banana flavored candies. And how can resist the stupid jokes? Not me, I get angry if I accidentally rip thru one and can't read it (like I JUST did). I vote that there should be a strawberry banana laffy taffy! Who is with me?

#5. Scrappy Fave of the Week- Well I haven't scrapped all week long, and I probably should get my teachers thank you gifts done huh, being there are only 2 days left. But I used some Shimmerz paint on one of my projects and I am in love with this stuff. Thanks Jeni for getting me hooked! I used the Chickadee paint and ohh lala...I love how my project turned out.

So that's it for this past week. I am anxiously awaiting the season 7 of Gilmore Girls on ABCFamily tomorrow!!! Eeeeeek! I didn't know that I had missed an ENTIRE season. So this is me jumping up and down like a huge, stupid dork right about now. Speaking of which I need to go finish watching the Behind the Scenes Gilmore episode I tivo'd!

Have a great rest of the weekend,

Dena

Five Fave Fridays-The Portland Edition

So last Friday my mom, sisters and I went on a wee road trip. For my Mom's birthday (we won't mention how old she turned!) I had the idea to either take her out for a day at the spa and go get pampered or to take her to Portland for a Girls Nite Out...well Mom chose the latter.


After extensive researching and trying to find the best bang for our buck, we ended up with a hotel package at The Paramount via http://www.portlandperks.com/, which I found via http://www.myacorn.net/. If haven't checked out myacorn.net, do so! Tons of coupons and money saving deals and if you live in the Portland area, even better because so do the girls that run this site and they are always posting deals that are pertinent to P-town!


Anyways, it was only an over-night deal, so we didn't get to cram in as much as we wanted to. And had my mother maybe driven over the top speed of 60 mph, we might have had more time to shop LOL, gotta love my Mom. We stopped off at Bridgeport Village first, where we somehow managed to burn through 2 hours in only 2 stores. BUT Crate & Barrel and Anthropologie will do that to you. My little sister Ginger had never been to either one (totally OUT of her scope) and funny if she wasn't the one who spent the most money at both stores! These tiny little personal gravy boats found a home with me. I will treat you well little guys!




Here are some of my 5 faves from our little excursion:


#1. My girl Jeni won a GDT spot with Rose Moka-Totally off topic but deserves the #1 spot today! I threw on my cheerleading outfit and cheered this girl on when she told me she wanted to submit. I just KNEW she would make it and Jeni, I am so thrilled for you. It is always so fun and amazing to watch a friends dream come true!


#2. The Heathman Restaurant- Seriously addicted to this place. The food is simply to die for. Mom and I ate here last time we came up to Portland together and we had to take my sisters out so they could experience it as well. Because it is just that, an experience...not just a meal. While it did take a while for our food to get to our table, well you know the old adage, good things come to those who wait, it was worth every second. Plus it gave us some time to order cocktails. We all agreed that the Gin Blossom was the cocktail of the night. As for dinner: Mom and I both had the grilled Kobe beef with potatoes, shantrelles and grilled asparagus. Ging had some kind of chicken dinner that I don't remember the name of but I will from here on out, always be putting fresh tarragon on my chicken! Sasha had the hanger steak which came with this potato galette that had been cooked in duck fat and we all agreed move over Emeril with your bacon fat, duck fat is here to stay!


#3. Flying Elephants Fox Tower-Just a quick stroll from our hotel, the cutest little deli and gift shop is a hidden treasure! The smell of homemade goodies hits you like a ton of bricks as you walk through the doors. People sipping on wine, eating amazing looking sandwiches, noshing on huge salads...for a little deli, this place is full of life AND amazing treats! And while we are on the subject of treats, they have these cute little elephant shaped sugar cookies dipped in red frosting (had to pick one up for Zoe girl) Which leads us to my next faves


#4. Fran's Chocolates- It is funny to think a caramel can bring a tear to your eye, but if it is the best damn caramel you have ever had, then I suppose it isn't too crazy right? I bought a box of gray salt caramels that has made me a firm believer in all things Fran! Note to self: salt is a must on caramel!



#5. Butter Baked Goods-Another little gem that I found in Flying Elephants were these amazing looking homemade, all natural marshmallows. I bought Zoe and John some strawberry marshmallows and a big smores as well. I don't think I can ever eat a plain ol white marshmallow ever again.


#6. Jo Malone cologne- While in Portland a trip to Nordstrom's is a definite. While fondling shoes I could never afford, I caught a quick scent of something tantalizing. Enter Jo Malone: A world of scents so clean, fresh and sophisticated. Driven by something larger than ourselves, Sasha and I made our way to the Jo Malone counter and started huffing Jo Malone like it was going out of style. After giving my nostrils a good, healthy work out, I went with the Nectarine Blossom&Honey Cologne. It came all wrapped up in a beautiful box with a bow, which was delicately placed inside a beautiful bag all tied up with ribbons. Buying this cologne was an experience all in its own. One I highly recommend. With scents like grapefruit, lime basil&mandarin, pomegranate noir....how can you possibly lose?




After a night of horrid sleep, we were serenaded by our next door hotel neighbor and her bratty kids yelling and crying all damn night, we also awoke to all of our food spoiled in the non-functioning refrigerator in our room. NICE HUH! So I wept a sad farewell to my tiramisu that was not to be eaten and my mom gave the hotel staff one of her famous lectures. Of which they did nothing to fix the situation at all....So we shall NOT be staying at The Paramount again and I suggest if you are visiting the Portland area, that you do the same. Head on over to The Heathman, stay there and save yourself the walk for dinner!


I will finish with a few pictures from our trip that was cut short with a text from John saying that Zoe was very sick and he was having to take her into urgent care...ends up I have a kid with pneumonia and now a John with the same thing. Wish me luck that I don't get sick. I don't think this tiny body could make it through a nasty spell of pneumonia right now.


Farewell sweet Portland...til we meet again!

Five Faves Friday!!! Ummm pretend it is last friday ;)

Ohh sweet blessed Friday! If I hate Mondays, well I loooove Fridays. And especially today. The sun is shining, the weather forecast is UNBELIEVABLE (like record breaking heat unbelievable) and well I have the general feeling that today is going to be a good day. So let's hope that it is.

The faves, oh the sweet Friday Faves!

#1. endless.com- Thanks to Miss Suzanne, who shared this link over at Bad Girls, well I found a new favorite online shoe store. Does it get ANY better than FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING? I think not! And they really meant overnight. I got these beauts for my big weekend trip! I looove the hot, sexy bronze color on these.

#2. Silversun Pickups "Panic Switch"- I love this song because it reminds me of old-school Garbage. And I was a huge fan of Garbage! Go check out the video now :)

#3. Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller- So I hate watching her show cause she does this weird things with her eyes that always reminds me of a deer in headlights...BUT this woman is onto something with her approach towards cooking. I picked up her cookbook at Ross last year sometime for $3.99, used it several times and then hadn't really used it for a while. Well, I was rummaging thru my cookbooks the other day and busted the ol Quick Fix Meals out and let me tell you, it has been a lifesaver the past 2 weeks or so. And it isn't so much the recipes themselves as her approach towards cooking. I love her cook 2 of everything and freeze and save for later methods and her meal kit ideas. I will be going on and on about her processes in the future on this blog because well, it works!

#4. My new Nine West Bag Habits tote- It says it is mini, but this is the biggest purse I have ever owned. I feel like I could zip myself up inside this sucker. But it is green and shiny and is fabulous and hopefully will look cute on my arm this weekend!

#5. My scrappy Fave of the week:

soo, excuse me while I have to toot my own horn a wee bit, but I am the guest designer over at Pink Paislee for May and I LOVED playing with their Fascinating line! Rebecca spoiled me rotten with some amazing Pink Paislee goodies and I have to say that I love their new sticker books. The stickers are fabulous and the book itself is dual purpose. I transformed mine into a little mini album. Oh and I love the chipboard shapes too! They are adorable. Here is what I came up with, so here's to hoping I did the product justice!

So there they are! Don't you just love the colors of this line? I know I sure do.

Thank you so much Rebecca!

Well girls...I am off for a weekend on the town, P-town that is. A much needed break and some girly time with my Mom and sisters. Wish us luck!

Five Fave Fridays!!!

No it is not an illusion. I am actually posting a Five Fave Friday list on Friday!!!

let's just get right to it

#1. Tropical Skittles (or otherwise known as the blue pack)- You can keep the crappy red original pack, I wanna taste a sweeter rainbow LOL. With flavors such as: banana berry, kiwi lime, mango tangelo, strawberry starfruit and my favorite pineapple passionfruit...how can you ever eat grape, cherry, lemon again?

#2. Bob Ross- Yes the crazy puffy afro painter. I love this man. I love watching this show and now I have Zoe hooked on it too. He is such a wacky dude. The way he talks while he is painting (and now I will put a little happy tree over here, but wait he needs a friend) and the way he makes painting look SO EASY. I walk away every time thinking...man I wish I had a fan brush!

#3. Bottega Veneta sandals- Look at these beauties! Aren't they adorable. My feet so want to be caressed by them!

#4. This Stella McCartney dress- what is not to love about this. Dainty and girly and lacy. It is beautiful. I totally need this to wear out next weekend. Anyone have a spare $500 to loan me? LOL

#5. My Scrappy Fave of the Week- My new K&Co Amy Butler tote bag! It is grey/green/floral and adorable. So easy to just dump my most often used tools in there and haul my crap out to the living room for some good ol scrap time. I picked it up for..get this...9.99 at Michaels on clearance! Talk about a steal!

So there is my 5 faves for the week. I could have gone on forever! I hope you have a fabulous wonderful weekend!