Monday, November 28, 2011

Manicure Monday

I've been missing. I'm sorry. We've been out of town for the long holiday weekend. 





Today's manicure is from China Glaze Holiday 2011 Let It Snow Collection. I'm wearing 

"Glittering Garland". It's a really sparkly green shade. I think it's prettier on my fingers than the bottle (and the bottle is pretty! It took 3 layers of polish to get the effect I desired. I like to hold my hand up to the light and look at my nail tips, if there is no light coming through, I'm happy. With each layer the sparkle got better and better. The color builds really well. It was really nice and smooth going on. Love it!!!
As usual I'm using my CG Strong Adhesion Base Coat and Beauty Secrets Top Coat.

P.S. My manicure last week, the Russian Navy, lasted 7 days until I took it off. Fantastic! On day 3 of the manicure I did a coat of the Essie Good To Go to prolong the manicure and it totally worked!

I have lots to share, pics from the weekend and I may do a holiday blog challenge, but for now, I need to prepare lunch! 

Happy Monday!!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Photo Card

Classic Damask Frame Christmas
Make a statement with personalized Christmas cards at Shutterfly.
View the entire collection of cards.
I have been slaving away trying to get my Christmas cards designed and all of the calendar gifts for this year. Whew. My right hand is so tired from using that darn mouse. I have been selecting pictures and editing pictures and movin stuff around. My parents requested another calendar this year, so I just had to make one for AJ's parents also. Well, I liked theirs so much I needed one and then Chloe wanted one too. At buy one at regular price and get the rest for $11 (basically $10 off) I couldn't resist!! I'm now kinda wishing I got one for Charlie too, but I have already paid for the order so I'm done. I had to get it all done tonight because some of the discounts expire. I kinda hope they renew some of them because I have a $20 coupon-thingy from the kids school pictures and now because I agreed to share what I already wanted and paid for Shutterfly gave me $10 towards my next order! So excited because there are address labels I want but I don't want to pay the listed price ($9.99) or the discounted price ($8.99) for 28 labels. If I got more, it would be worth it but it's not worth it. Vistaprint has like 140 for $1.99.  I want to apologize for this post, because it automatically was created by Shutterfly after I checked out, I can not create a new paragraph without it going like 6 inches down the page. Idk and I'm too tired to care. To summarize, if you don't use Shutterfly, you should. Love them. I have used the site for years. I especially love that I can order my prints the Friday that we drive into Columbus and I pick them up Saturday morning. No lugging memory cards and what not with me.   Have a great night/morning depending upon whenever you read this. :)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

a day late...


Manicure Monday... I'm late, I know. lol I have a good excuse though... AJ stayed home yesterday so we were soaking up some quality time. It is really sweet seeing how much Oliver really enjoys having his daddy home during the day.  

I have been working on a personalized calendar for my mom. Editing and arranging photos. I also took some pictures of the kids for our holiday card. My hand is so sore from being on the computer. I am thrilled with how some of the pictures are turning out. Here is the one going on our card. I'm pretty pleased with my at home photo session.


On to today's manicure, which I just finished. Yay for naptime!!
OPI Russian Navy



I am loving this color! It only 2 coats. It went on smooth and easy. There is a gorgeous shimmery sparkle to it! I see a bit of purple in it. I've been wanting it for a few weeks, so glad I picked it up!


What color are you wearing this week??

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday


I am linking up again this week with this kind of love for WILW. This time of year is my favorite so there's always something that I'm loving and want to share. :)

I am LOVING this CD. I picked mine up at Walmart because it was $2 cheaper than iTunes or Target. This album is amazing!! I'm telling everyone to get it. It's rare for me these days to find albums I can listen to from start to finish. This one is up there with Adele's 21.

 I am LOVING that my tree is going up this Saturday. This is my Christmas tree from last year. Let me explain! lol I am living in Canada. The next holiday is Christmas. Thanksgiving in Canada was in October (you know it in the states as Columbus Day.) Also, we are traveling to Columbus for Thanksgiving to be with family and then again the first weekend of December so my 2 older children can visit with father. So... it's this weekend or next. I say, why put off till tomorrow... (I am such a procrastinator but I love Christmas decorations!)
I heart this picture so much!!


Of course, I am LOVING the Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks, which you can order any time of year, however, if your barista makes it right, the holiday version has a peppermint whipped cream! Divine!! I've had two of these lovelies since I've been back in Canada, they have failed to do the special whip! Boo. Might have to ask if it's a U.S. thing only. Random tidbit, in the summer I love to order the Java Chip frap w/ Peppermint. Super yum, try it!


I am LOVING that I picked up 2 bottles of this at Meijer's in Michigan before crossing the border back into Canada. This is going to help me keep my Starbucks spending to a minimum.

Did I mention my back has been going out for like the last week? I wake up to back spasms. For the record, I am NOT loving that. A massage could be in my future... who doesn't love that? (wink)

Have a great Wednesday!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Manicure Monday

 Today's manicure is OPI's The One That Got Away from the Katy Perry line. Um, I love this color. I wear it often. It has a deep pink with tiny bits of glitter. It is really gray here, again. No pics from sunlight, but this shade looks amazing in sunlight. This is base coat, 3 layers of color and top coat. Probably one of my top favorties!! My photography "skills" are seriously lacking, but trust me, it's GORGEOUS in person!
I wore this all weekend and chipped it this morning. I love it so much I redid the entire manicure!

Jimmy, ME, Charlie
Here I am with my pretty nails out dancing with my besties! I had such a great time with my friends. 
P.S. b.t.w... that's the Victoria Secret sweater, LOVE!!

Have a great Monday, hope it starts your week out right!!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Overwhelmed...

Do you ever just feel overwhelmed? Like there is so much going on and so much to say, you just don't know where to start? Like if you start talking about it, you might never stop? Might start crying? Might make your husband look at you like you're a crazy person? Yea, that's me this week. I'm really hoping our trip home to Columbus will help me get back in-touch with myself. Maybe decompress a bit. I might actually get a few hours without children. I love them so much. I just need a break. 24/7 for the last 45 days. To be honest, I got to go to brunch with a friend once (2 hours) and a football game with my husband (3 hours) but sheesh, I can't even take a bath without company. Needin a little "me time". Does that make me sound awful??

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm linking up today with this kind of love to share what I'm loving today!

Gen. Grievous (from Star Wars), Lil' Cowboy & Vampiress

Baby Pumpkin & my Sweetie

Loving my family! We had a great time trick-or-treating! We were out for about 30 minutes (the kids get cold easy and we don't need that much candy) and then took the kids to Starbucks to trick or treat and have a vanilla steamer.

This is me with my bestie, Charlie. Picture taken at PRIDE Columbus 2009. We are traveling to Columbus this weekend. So, I'm loving him, loving that we will have some "girl time" Saturday. AND loving that he says (after 3 years of living in Canada) he is coming to visit in February!!

Loving that the Holiday cups are back at Starbucks! Supposedly they came out yesterday, but when my Sweetie brought me my non-fat, extra hot Caramel Macchiato it was in a boring, everyday cup. I don't know what it is about that red cup that just makes everything happy. My little "cup o' cheer".

google images
I am SO loving that Bones is back tomorrow!!! Season 7, super excited!



Here are the recipes I promised. I forgot to take pictures, I'm sorry. Next time I make it!!

My Mommy's Lasagna
1 box lasagna noodles
1 lb hamburger
1 lb sage sausage
package of sliced pepperoni
2-3 cups shredded cheddar
2-3 cups shredded mozzarella
1 cup Parmesan (I use shredded)
1 cup ricotta (optional)
1 lg can tomato sauce
2 lg cans tomato paste
*oregano
*garlic

-Cook noodles till tender
-brown the hamburger & sausage together
-cook the tomato sauce and paste together, add garlic and oregano (to taste)
-add the meat to the sauce
-thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the pan
-put the first layer of the noodles in the pan and then a layer of sauce
-add layer of pepperoni
-add a layer of each cheese EXCEPT for the Parmesan
-repeat layers until ingredients all gone (or you run out of space in pan)
-End with noodles on top, then sprinkle on the Parmesan

Bake 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until it browns on top/edges and sauce bubbles through to the top.
**if you prepare ahead of time and refrigerate cooking time will be longer.


image courtesy of Hershey.com

Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake
Mine looked like the picture and the taste was amazing! Very rich, chocolate-y YUMMY!



Happy Wednesday!