What I'm OK with Today

Woooo It's already Thursday!!

Just a few rando thoughts crossing my mind this beautiful morning...

• My new fall pedi. I'm ready for the cooler weather!

 We'll Always have Paris.  

Le sigh. 

And yes, we will, as well as Rome, Amsterdam...

• That I'm mostly ready so I can switch up my wardrobe since I am getting a tad bored with tanks & panel shorts! I cannot wait to wear more scarves & cardis...and boots 
• But I also cannot wait for Pumpkin Spice Lattes--I heard September 4th they return?!
• I'm counting down the days until I can decorate for fall {hubs isn't ready yet!}

 A few new Jo-Ann's purchases 40%!

• To have made comfort food a lot this week; ie: Linguine w/ clam sauce, Pot Roast, Ribs -recipe
• To send good luck and positive thoughts to my sister on her knee surgery today
• That I may have bought a few or quite a few clothes for my baby girl this week!
• To not find it weird that I'm so excited to wash her clothes & fold them up!! 
• That I can't believe we're already halfway there to meeting little baby Brooke!
• I've never been so excited to pick out carpeting, paint colors, & such.
• To be researching a mini weekend babymoon, since our original plans didn't work out...ideas?
• That I'm NOT down with the high temps again this weekend; boo!
• To be hungry all.the.time. 
• To hope we get to go out on a date night again soon!
• That I think Joe & I should switch sides of the bed so I have easier access to la toilet
• To hope that baby girl gets used to Holly barking at everything walking by outside!
• I am loving these tasty bagels right now--

• To wonder why my neighbor across the street has a garage sale on a Thursday? She did it a month ago too...not like a Thurs-Sun or even Thursday & Friday. Just one day...seems odd.
• To wonder why I even care?!
• That I keep thinking of things to write so I don't have to go clean up breakfast dishes, unload the dishwasher, do the floors, start laundry, make the bed, get lunch ready...#procrastinator
• To want to see this movie, but worry it may be too silly stupid to waste money on in a theater?

What are you OK with today?!

It's OK Thursday!

It's been awhile...

...to typically be a summer girl, but this baby is making me crave fall {cool weather, pumpkins, donuts, falling leaves, apple pies, boots, leggings, cardigans, scarves}...

...to be so determined to walk more, I made a makeshift leash for Holly, since I left the real leash in my husband's truck {that he took to work}...

...that I cannot wait until Aug. 14 to find out if baby is boy or girl!?

...to want to live on yogurt, fruit, cheese, pasta, and ice cream...

...that I'm still celebrating my birthday today by going to an Orchard luncheon with a girlfriend...

...and to be going on a birthday pedi with another girlfriend tomorrow...

...to obsessively watch pregnancy vlogs/blogs and take them seriously {aka taking notes}...

...that we have no 'set plans' the rest of the week and I love it...

...to be 31 and still not love thunder and lightning...

...that I am getting bigger and bigger each day...I don't know how some gals stay so teeny while preggars...

...that I compare my bump to every other bump around...

...to pay quite a bit of money to leave our dogs in good care whilst hubs and I had a night away...

{you just can't put a price on peace of mind}

...that sometimes I feel like bloggy friends know me better than my own sisters...

...to be loving my land line; call me old school, but I enjoy using a real phone...

...I'm counting down the days until hubs and I go on our little babymoon...

...that I really don't want to do the dishes that are staring me in the face,

since I was spoiled and haven't had to do them since Tuesday...

What are you OK with today?!

Thankfully OK Thursday!

It's OK & Thankful Mashup!

It's OK ...

...to love hot weather, but I would rather enjoy it lake, beach, or poolside!

...to be obsessed with egg & cheese sammies for breakfast

...to have paid $8 for a quart of cherries and enjoy every succulent bite!

...that my hubs finally has a day of tomorrow (the first since 6/3) and I couldn't be happier for him!

...that I try to like cheap makeup, but I can't help myself around the good stuff (BE)

via google images

Colors: Page Six & Most Requested {yes I bought this}

...my girlfriend Alison & I got our craft on at Hobby Lobby yesterday...

...now that I made jam I will never want store bought crap again...

...that I can't find the energy to make another batch of said yummy jam!

...to walk around my gardens/plants in awe and amazement of my accomplishments...

...that we may be buying water/squirt guns to get Holly to stop barking at every thing! {water is the only thing that works at her misbehavior, and I don't want to do shock collar treatments!}

...that husband and I will probably  need two squirt guns so we can wage a water war against one another!

Thankful

I am most thankful for:

...patience

...faith

...hope

...optimism
...for our new deck and being able to grill out on it with my love!

...finding the good in everything

...tonight is our first real DATE NIGHT in forever

...that tomorrow is finally Friday; I have been waiting so long for you!

...for true friends who love & support me always

...family who truly cares

...this gorgeous August-like weather...

...my flowers beginning to bloom...
 

...life.

Link up with the fabulous 

Neely & Amber

and the lovely Tracy

Remember to have a beautifully blissful day!! 

xox

It's OK, right? Right.

IT'S OK

...I ate way too much homemade pizza and lemon meringue pie at my in-laws...so...good...

...that after I wrote my post about white pants, I went to Old Navy and found a pair...woop woop!

...that I went for neon barbie pink nails and luuurve them...

...that I'm NOT ok with being behind on my shows...

...but I'm happy to be busy and enjoying this weather...

...that I really don't care too much about St. Patty's Day...

...I am super excited to go on a double date with my girl Alison & her hubs Matt tonight...

TAPAS&SALSA 

via

...I have been somewhat obsessed with skin care and I keep buying new products...

...that it feels like a mini vacation to me since I haven't cooked dinner, Tues, Weds, or tonight!

...that I went from 6 cups of coffee down to 4 and already regret it...

...that if it's not in my planner, it probably doesn't get done...

...that hubs and I are going to Charleston, SC to visit my mother and I am SO excited to get away!

...for said mini vacay, it's a reasonable explanation for the need of cute spring hats, sunnies, scarves, shoes....

....that since I played yesterday, I have a lot of cleaning to do today...

What's OK in  your world?
Link up!

It's OK Thursday

It's OK!

...that I am so o-v-e-r this white stuff; Spring where are you??

...that hubs has been SUPER busy at work...

...but I miss seeing him/coming home for lunches...

...that I'm jealous of anyone on a beach right now...

...that I still haven't helped my pasty legs and they'll be glowing white Saturday night...

...that I'm still in my pjs; I am still not feeling my perky self...

...that I don't want to hear about other people's marital drama...

...that I just touched up the blonde hair; no cut this time...

...that I am craving Starbucks, right now...

...that I really don't have anything else to say!

Have a great day lovelies.

Link up with Amber & Neely-

Really, It's OK

Holllllla It's Thirsty Thursday!!

I love Thursdays since hubs has tomorrow off {squeal}

I'm slightly hungover from my Zumba workout.

Last night it was NO JOKE.

I keep chugging water, then coffee, then more water...

I even have a headache, what gives?!?

I am linking up with "It's OK"

I'm 100% OK...

...with the fact that I worked out so hard last night, I almost puked....

...that I spent a small fortune on a new bikini {but got a free beach tote woop woop}...

but then

...I bought a Groupon for a fancy pedicure, so I don't have to pay all that $$$...

...to be happy to dress up/go out Saturday for a friend's birthday hubs just told me this morning...

...that I'm stoked for the UGLY DISCO next Saturday {get down boogie!}...

...to overly excited when I save money couponing on our everyday items...

...that the scale has not budged much, but my clothes are fitting so much better,

I'm feeling fitter, and I'm feeling [emotionally] fabulous!

...to still really want to do a small weekend getaway with the hubs...

...to not know what I'm making for dinner tonight...

...that I may be getting addicted to working out again...

...must.get.on.treadmill...

...to LOVE all my blog friends & all the support out there; you girls rock!

...to be kinda sad I can't go hang out with some of you because you're a gazillion miles away...

...to be slightly annoyed with unappreciative/selfish people...

...to quickly brush them and their comments off, and focus on what's good in life...

...to have a 2 Live Crew song stuck in my head from Zumba last night...

{warning: small bishy rant ahead}

You all know my theory on Zumba.
I LOVE that everyone tries it.

In fact, I highly encourage all people to do it, it's that fun!
But is it that hard to put on deodorant and not leave your clothes

in the washer too long so they have that funky stanky smell?
Ugh.

Plus half of the girls workout the first hour to Zumba Toning 

then stay and do the regular Zumba class.

I think that may have contributed to why I wanted to throw up last night.

I have a really sensitive nose and it's just so gross.

Seriously...body splashes are cheap, buy some!

Sorry for the rant, but it really bothers me.

I guess it's ok that I'm not OK with that!

Have a great day, link up and get your workout on!

It's OK & Cupcake Recipe!

Yay for Thursday!
I'm completely OK--
...to be totally distracting by Live with Kelly &
Jerry O'Connell while trying to write this post--SO FUNNY!
...to relate to this picture {I forget where I found it, but omg!!}

...that I am so incredibly sore from doing Zumba 2 days in a row...
...that my pulled pork was not down for lunch yesterday with my mother-in-law...
...so I served the pulled pork to hubs & people he works with for dinner up at the dealership...
...and I made "Bacon Pasta" otherwise known as Bucatini All'Amatriciana...
{sounds super fancy, but it's seriously so simple and my automatic "go to" in a time crunch!}
...to be a product snob sometimes, especially when it comes to hand soap, ie...

All these fun tropical scents make me want to travel to an exotic place!

...to not want to go anywhere but here {home} with my love on Valentine's Day...
...to have squealed with joy when handed this cup of Vanilla Soy latte...

The barista was probably like what's wrong with her?!

...to be equally(?) excited when handed a free glass of Pinot Noir
while hubs got his haircut Tuesday night...

...that hubbers asked for vanilla cupcakes, so he got vanilla cupcakes...

Recipe:
{adapted from Brown Eyed Baker}
I loved that it only made 12 cupcakes!
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
line cupcake tin with cups or with nonstick cooking spray
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of organic flour
1 cup of sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick of butter at room temp.
1/2 cup of plain non fat Greek Yogurt
1 large egg at room temp.
2 large egg yolks at room temp.
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract {NOT imitation vanilla!}
Directions:
1.  Put all dry ingredients and mix gently.
2.  Add butter, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla and beat
on medium speed for about 30 minutes. 
{She's right on with the 'satiny' texture and scrape
down the sides once or twice with a spatula}
3.   Fill cups and bake 20-24 minutes.
{mine were done at 22, check by inserting a toothpick.
If it comes out clean, they're done!}
While they are baking, prepare the butter cream frosting!
Frosting:
1 stick of butter, room temp.
2 1/2 cups of confectioner's sugar
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
whole milk
Directions:
1. Use the wire whisk attachment and whip the butter for
about 5 minutes on medium-high speed. {scraping bowl as needed}
2.  Slowly add the sugar...whipping.
3. Add the vanilla
4. This is where I felt it still needed some moisture to create the cream,
so I added a few splashes of whole milk.

Allow cupcakes to cool completely, then feel free to frost.
I would like to get all fancy next time and use a bag/tips, but my
mother-in-law came over and we just spread it on with a spoon.
Of course, add colorful holiday sprinkles depending on what time of year it is.
Most importantly, enjoy at least one!!
Easy and homemade with love.
Awwww.
What are you OK with?
Go link-up!!

It's Just Gonna Have to Be OK...

Link-Up:

...that I just showered at 1:30 in the afternoon...

...that I got real & quite vulnerable in my post yesterday...

...to be overwhelmed with all of the sweet support, comments, virtual hugs 

& prayers that were sent our way...
...Thank You; it means more to me than you'll know...

...to be happy Joe was able to eat some organic scrambled eggs & drank 2 Vitamin Waters...

...to love that hubs is home with me, but not happy because he's sick...
...to be sad/mad/pissed/frustrated that now he'll have to work this weekend
because he took off time being sick...
...to not love the History Channel and its weird show on the world ending, baaaabe...

...to really wish we were on a vacation like now...
...to wish I could review fun things for free like other big bloggers...

...that I really want to go indulge in a super duper pedicure {with the works, ya know paraffin} 

but to not want to spend the $$$ on one...
...to love the month of February and all its cutsie red & pink hearts..

Source: designsbycp.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

...that I really want to go see The Vow but I don't know if hubs will like it...

...to always try and remain optimistic, no matter what...

Source: spirituallythinking.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

New Hair & It's OK!

Today I'm OK with:

...my new haircut. 

It's nothing drastic, 

{even though husband thinks I got a lot cut off, I really didn't, 

I just had it layered and I LOVE IT!}

...that I have AWESOME readers who gave really good hair advice!!

 ---sorry for the weird ducklips--

See? It's still pretty long babe!!

 ...that said hair cut with new product came close to a couple hunge...I love you baby!

...that it's 10am and I already made white bean spinach & sausage soup for the day

...love being a housewife!

...my husband gets this on a daily basis for breakfast:

...I still feel like I need more pink & red hearts around the house for Valentine's Day!

...I will put off reading my new magazine because I don't want to be done with it.
...That I really want to go on a date to the movies, but there are NO movies I want to see :(

...We woke up to a lightly ground covering of snow, and I love it.

...To really want to go tanning but I don't want skin cancer, but I hate being pale

...it's a constant debate in my head every day!!

...that I don't believe in diets, but I am portion controlling like crazy & not eating after dinner!!

...It's Thursday which means the husband only works til 5 and has tomorrow off wooooo

...After having my 3 year old niece for just one night, it makes me appreciate the alone time hubs and I have because when the kids card is finally played, there will be no turning back to this quiet life!

What are you OK with?
Link up with Amber & Neely!!!

It's OK Thursday {what a great week!}

It's OK That... 

• I am hopping on the health bandwagon: 2012--the year of the seed. 
• See here for Chia benefits!! 

Note: I think I put too many in our salad haha!

• That I added a new little Le Creuset to my {super small} collection

•  That last week I felt like I was going to die in Zumba
• Last night I felt like a Zumba Rock-star!

•  I apologize to the girl with messy hair in front of me, who did not know how to dance nor could she stay in her space, for kicking and accidentally smacking you a few times. Move forward; you had plenty of room! or go to the back because you don't know what you're doing.No really, I kid....I am so proud of anyone who is out there shakin her thang, but seriously?  I couldn't see the instructor or dance in my own space because she was in it.

• That I own about 6 aprons and haven't paid for any of them!
• This is my newest addition: I won from Ashley's Giveaway Everyday AEM

• That I think Giveaways are fun! I see so many bloggers complain about them, but I think it's all part of the blogging fun.  There are so many facets to blogging, and it's one of the many perks! I have found more cool little shops because of blog Giveaways, it truly is a great way to advertise.  
• To be even more in love with my husband & happier now than I was 4 years ago when we met

  

  So sweet of him! {Our wedding colors!}

  • And lastly, to be overly excited that my idol, Giada, tweeted a :) to me.
  Oh, you want proof you say?
  OK---

{Now, lovely readers, the odd thing is, I didn't @ or # her.

I mean, I have before, once or twice, but that was weeks ago. 

This particular photo I simply stated, 

"Yes, I pretend to be Giada."}

And attached this photo:

I was making our '4 YEARS of knowing each other dinner'

May have had a glass or two of Pinot, and took a picture of parsley on a plate.
Low and behold, my favorite Chef, or celebrity for that matter, tweeted.

To me.

How did she even know I said that?
I'm still smiling about this!

• It's Okay that I am OK that I am a huge DORK.

What are you OK with today??

Link up!

It's OK Thursday!

It's OK...

• To still love real food and splurge on girls night
• and thoroughly enjoy ever single bite:

1. I made a Pizza Dip

2. -Seved it with a crusty garlic Tuscan bread

3.  Kristin made a beautiful salad

4.  Matty made Paula Deen's Creamy Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

5.  Alison brought Ina Garten's Lemon Curd Tart

• To only have 3/4 of our Christmas tree undecorated
• That all my Christmas decor does not fit in the bins I pulled them from 
• and that I need to go buy more storage! #acquirednewChristmasstuff
• To love the feeling of DE-cluttering (aka throwing away crap!)
• To still hold onto said crap, for awhile before being able to throw it away. Weird.
• To be reading 3 books at once,  but read more blogs than anything bahaha
• To really love connecting with some great bloggy friends!
• To just be happy. What's wrong with being happy people??!!
• To bug hubs every day about going away on a mini-vacay! Bahamas? What?
• To want honest & real opinions about my cooking {I can take it, I want to be a better cook!}
• To hope that you enter my spicy Tastefully Simple Giveaway!! 
• To never have too much girl time!!

What are you OK with this fine Thursday?  

Link up below!

It's OK Link up & Last Day for Giveaway!

You still have a little time left, go enter my FREE Scentsy Giveaway

Hey, It's Okay...
To keep buying Christmas decorations every.day.I.go.shopping!

To still not be done with actual Christmas shopping for people!
To be thrilled I have only been blogging since late September and I just hit 100 followers!
 That I love my little blog & all the wonderful people it's connected me with.
And to realize my 'honeymoon phase' of blogging is over, as I see drama & mean girls unfolding; ignorance is not bliss.  {There sure are some biotches on here!}

To truly believe I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have found my husband.
To be obsessed with couponing, yet love Coach purses. {That's why I save, right?}

That I have been to the post office 3 days this week & it's only Wednesday, as I write this & I will still have to go again Thursday, probably as you read this!.

To not know what our Christmas Dinner will be yet...

To realize that I'm finally feeling better, only because I've finally had a glass of wine!

To still tear up when having deep conversations with my husband {happy tears}

That I really really really want a baby.

To still really really really love the alone time with Joey!

To be super pumped for MY COOKIE PARTY THIS SATURDAY!!!

To listen to Christmas music non-stop {iPhone, laptop, TV, car}

That I may be as psyched for my middle sister Bri, as she is, because she's getting married on a beach in St. Thomas--yay! our family will be going on a cruise together!!!

That I am really starting to feel the need to workout/eat better so I can live in bikinis on said cruise in May!

To attribute our better behaved dogs to me being home with them all day.

To wish that my drug addicted little sister would really get her act together & be healthy. For good.
That I'm the only one awake at 10:43 pm. Joe, Holly, & Sadie are all sleeping on the couch beside me.
That I love my life!

Go ahead & link up over here:

Hey it's Ok

Today's Link Up:

• To start cleaning at 11 and still be cleaning in your Pjs at 6
• To consider that type of cleaning as a workout!
•  To absolutely love summer, but wish for some snow right now
• To love being a housewife, so 1950's and i.love.it.
• To thoroughly enjoy organizing my stuff with bins
• To spend an hour just cleaning the tub/shower and then not want to shower in it afterwards, in fear of dirtying it!
• To ask one of your friends to send you mean texts if you don't workout...but think that she's not mean enough!
• To lust after Paula Deen's diamonds y'all!
• To love Christmas, but not really be 'ready' for it until the first snowfall or December 1st
• To literally write down things like a menu, cleaning schedules, workouts, to-dos, grocery lists {in several different spots: ie. planner, fridge, notepad, journal}
• To adore Christmas decorations, but really despise blow-ups in front of house {sorry, but why?! Lights are simply pretty!}
• To be really upset that my grandma is flying across the country to live in California :(

What's OK in your world?

Hey it's OK

Today I am linking up over at:

•  I will re-wash a load of laundry if it sat too long because I HATE that old laundry smell!!
• That I may have had to re-wash a load 3 times out of pure laziness of not drying it quick enough
• To want my hubby to shoot a deer so we can have tasty venison!
• That I am still new to blogging and need to google internet slang {OOTD = outfit of the day, duh!?}
• I totally ate a snack size Butterfinger before breakfast
• I need to clean the kitchen before I can mess it up again
• I will turn the car around to go home and triple check that I turned off my CHI straightener!

• I simply cannot function without coffee.no exception.
• I won't go to the store, if I know I have coupons {and forgot them at home!}
• To love carbs a little too much. bread.bagels.pasta.rolls.rice.noodles. 
• To never get enough "girl time".  I love my girls!!
• To sometimes not want to get dressed & just stay in this:

Source: google.com via Syl on Pinterest

 

Hey it's OK Thursdays!

My first:

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!)

Source: Uploaded by user via Alex on Pinterest

• 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.  

Some of the bicep exercises I did

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!!