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Monday, October 31, 2011

First Giveaway!

Happy Halloween Monday!

I thought it'd be fun to start the week off with what 
bloggers seem to love~
a giveaway!

As I was organizing my closet, I  stumbled upon a few purses that just seem lonely.  
The one I chose for my first giveaway is perfect for late fall.


A pretty plum colored purse.

It is a Nine West, gently used purse.
{By gently, I believe I used it literally a handful of times.}

It's light & the perfect size to carry on your shoulder.



 
What's a purse used for?
To hold stuff!!

The winner will also receive:
 2 other items that no longer fit on my overcrowded bookshelf!

A fun book to flip through...
You can see what stages you've been through, and which you still get to experience! 

Great to share amongst girlfriends

And this is actually a book on CD {I listened on my work commute last year.}
 If you like Chelsea Lately, or have heard about her other books, you'll laugh hysterically as
Chelsea recounts some of her UNBELIEVABLE affairs
My Horizontal Life (A Collection of one night stands)
It's highly inappropriate and OH SO good!!

It is sure to bring some comic relief to any stress you may have in your chaotic life!

 (5 discs)

Be ready to laugh uncontrollably because this is so funny!
So to recap:
1 winner will receive all 3 items: purse, novel, & audio book.

How to Enter my First Giveaway:

1. (Required) Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect & leave a comment telling me so! {Entry #1}
2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet @MrsDelleFave is having her first blog giveaway! {Entry #2}
3. "Like" my new Facebook page, Bliss to Bean {Entry # 3}
4. Blog about this giveaway {Entry #4}

{So that is up to 4 separate ways you can enter!!}

  *Due to shipping costs, you must live in the U.S. too please. Thanks!*

This giveaway will run from October 31-November 7 at midnight. 
I will announce the winner Tuesday, November 8.
I will use random.org to select the winners!

I am excited to share some of these fun items with you and 
love the idea that one of my lucky readers will get to enjoy them, as I have.


Good luck!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Weekend Re-cap!

While I tried to get Joe to rest his sprained ankle as much as possible, {he was a typical guy and still continued to do things, such as stack firewood! Men!}

We did have our niece Adrianna, Friday-Saturday and enjoyed havin the "little french fry" spend some QT with us.

We stopped briefly at library. She picked out some SPOT books (wanted nothing to do with some mouse Halloween book my friend's twins loved!)
Uncle Joey suggested we make a run to Toys R Us.


 We came home with a doodle bear you can draw on & set of dolls-Olivia her family




 When changing into this, she did this hilarious "Arrrrrrrgh" with a wink.
 In the morning we made some crafts for family.
So serious!


Sunday I enjoyed some organic coffee with some International Delight's Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer & a bagel with pumpkin cream cheese.  Anyone else on the pumpkin spice kick?!


Our Holly Wally in her pink camo
 

And me in our office trying to type this, only to find out that I had to stop because it was interfering with  Sunday's NFL ticket  to watch the 49ers game on our Ipad2!!
Oh well, at least San Fran won & I still got to finish this..just a little later.

Be sure to check by tomorrow, as I'll be announcing my first little giveaway...a clue:
It involves  a few things, perhaps the color purple & also lots of laughs.

Hope you have a wonderfully happy week!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday's Fancies

Today I'm linking up with {AV} for Friday's Fancies.  This week we created costumes for Halloween.  I was really curious to see just how much money some of these fancy items on polyvore were, so my costume is, "I have so much money, I buy ridiculously expensive stuff!"
  Total cost of this costume, 
$239,443.

It was so fun! 
Be sure to stop by and check out all the fun costumes!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Not your Average Salad




I make a delicous salad.  It's not just lettuce, carrots, & tomatoes over here!  Pending on my mood, what's in season, and what's in the cupboard, I'll throw just about any fresh ingredients together, just to try out different combinations!  It's kind of become 'my signature item to bring' because I put so much thought into a salad. 
It's always a hit!

Start with the salad basics. 
  • Organic greens {I prefer a spinach/spring lettuce mix}
  • Organic carrots
  • Organic tomatoes {romas or cherry are best}
  • Organic scallions
Then play around with fruits--
I recommend one or two in a salad, too much fruit and it quickly turns into a fruit salad--
which is not what we are going for!
  • Organic strawberries
  • Organic kiwi
  • Organic raspberries
  • Organic apple
  • Organic dried cranberries
  • Organic pear
  • Organic avocado----this, my friends, will make your salad stand out far more than any others!
Because what we are eating is so raw & natural, it is best to get organic.  My rule is typically, if it has a skin covering it, and it's not organic then I'll probably buy it.  However, with  foods such as lettuce/tomatoes/carrots, I really try to buy organic.  (and local!)

Extras: {Again, just one or two.}
  • Nuts {walnut, pine, almond slivers, cashews, caramelized pecans}
  • Cheese {Parmesan, extra sharp cheddar, an aged gouda, crumbly blue, mozzarella}
  • Play with the way you use cheese: grated, sliced, chunks, whatever!
  • Croutons--we typically don't use, but you could.
Our secret weapon:
  • Cilantro
 Some people don't like cilantro, so you could substitute one of the following:
  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Mint
  • Any fresh herb!!
Dressings:

  • Of course, we stick with Italian, we really like Good Seasons.
  • Mix 2/3 cup of good quality extra virgin olive oil & 2/3 cup of white vinegar.
  • I also really like Marie's Poppy Seed ~thank you Alison! It's perfect with apple & sharp cheese.
  • A little EVOO & Balsamic Vinegar, maybe some spices/herbs
  • Lemon juice & EVOO--simple & refreshing
Whatever you do, DO NOT add avacado until you're ready to serve (turns brown & mushy=gross) and same goes for adding your dressing. I think it's best to toss it all together, but be sure to do so as people are sitting down to eat. 


Any other fabulous salad ideas out there?? I'd love to hear from you.

Hey it's OK Thursdays!


My first:




Its Ok Thursdays

I'm linking up today!  

  • That I have now started the habit of staying up until midnight {or after} to blog
  • That I just started using Twitter {because of blogging!}
  • To try and find in the good in all people, even if they may not deserve a second, or third, chance
  •  To pretend I'm Rachel Zoe when I go to my closet
  • or that I take ideas off of Pinterest for my outfits! (somethin like this today!)
  • To honestly forgive those who have hurt me in the past
  • To love making my hubby breakfast, lunch, & dinner every single day. 
  • To be so happy and love that we actually get to see each other so much now!! :D
  • To not have been to the gym in a little long while; I went today & I feel great!

We just joined the YMCA & now that the weather is not exactly dog-walking, basking in the sunshine, kind of weather, I decided it was time. 

I did a half hour on the treadmill.  I must say, I was AH-mazed, that the treadmill not only held my iPhone, but charged it too! (Guess it has been a bit since I have been to a gym.)  

I then did some bicep exercises...didn't want to over-do it the first day back.  


What are some of your workout regimes?  
I'd love to hear what works well, especially for a strong back/upper body. 
Have a fantastic day everyone!!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Tater Tot Casserole

An easy dinner to whip up, when you didn't think you'd be cooking that night. 0=)

Something easy. 
How can you go wrong with tater tots, cheese, & hamburg meat? You can't. 
{It's not something you should be eating all the time, but once in awhile? Sure.}

Ingredients:
  • 1 package organic hamburg
  • small onion
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 can organic mushroom soup
  • 1/8 package of Velveeta (or any cheese you like)
  • Tater Tots
Pre-heat  the oven to 375 degrees.  Meanwhile, saute onions until soft {add a little salt to help them soften quickly.} Add the garlic. Add the hamburger.  I used 93/7 lean, so there wasn't anything to drain.  If you use a fattier meat, drain it.  Add the soup & stir.  Pour into a casserole dish, cover with cheese.  Top with tater tots.  Bake for 35 minutes.  We definitely pour ketchup all over...it's just one of those comfort kid-like meals that us big kids still enjoy. 

Pinteresting Wednesday~Last of October~

Today is Pinteresting Wednesday & I'm linking up with Michelle at


google
A few of my current favorite pins...



I really wanted to find Holly a taco costume for Halloween...I better get on that!



I love finding outfits on here--
I just need some inspiration & go pull from my closet! {It has happened twice now!}

Source: polyvore.com via Donna on Pinterest



A little motivation always helps :)


Love scarves...cannot have too many!!



Nor can you run out of ways to wear them!!
Source: gaztu.com via Jennifer on Pinterest


An easy way to transition from Halloween decor...into Thanksgiving....then Christmas!!! :D



And of course an adorable little old couple, always makes me smile.
Someday that will be us honey!!


And a little soul food....yum yum yum!


The last book I read. If you haven't, it's a must-read!! I just started the sequel.

Source: None via Jennifer on Pinterest

Of course, this would be a "D" on our door--but so simple--love!!


And I'll leave you with my favorite poet, & poem...