Back to the Gym

After an indulgent holiday season, I am back to the gym. I am doing the circuit, power ball, and spinning all once a week. I don't have a high success rate just going to the gym to work out. I need a class where I am pretty much "locked in" until it's over :) I have a stationary bike at home and have also been doing wii fit. Scale isn't budging as of yet but I am sure annnnnyyyyyy second now those extra lbs will be flying off :) I have been feeling better, so I guess it's a start!




I bought this on a whim at Stop and Shop last week because it was on sale. Bolthouse Farms Vanilla Chai Soy Protein drink. It is REALLY good. I am trying to use in the place of a 4pm snack (that's the usual time when I am suddenly starving) I highly recommend it. Just be careful b/c it is so good you'll be tempted to drink the whole bottle - I measure out a cup at a time to limit the calories to 160. I haven't tried any of the other flavors yet, but I'll keep you posted if I do :) xo, Brie

Easy Candy

My mom went to a book club and they had these there in a bowl for snacking. They are so good, really easy, and look pretty in the bowl.

Ingredients

1 bag of pretzel snaps (square grid shape)

bag of hershey kisses

regular m&ms

• Preheat oven to 220
  Line a cookie sheet with the pretzels.



• Unwrap the kisses and put one on top of each pretzel (warning: the unwrapping is a bit of a pain, but the kids liked doing it!)



• pop them in the oven for about 5/6 min



• remove from oven and carefully press the m&m in the top (chocolate should be soft and this should be easy to do)



• cool and eat :) Once cooled they can store in a tupperware container

These could be great for holiday treats by using the seasonal color m&ms! xo, Brie

Daisy Scouts

It's been 2 years since we've had a girl scout in the house. Very sad for us especially around cookie time but Caroline is in her first year and is loving it! I of course and loving it too and am anxiously awaiting the day I can eat another box of do si dos in under 15 minutes.

She surprised us this weekend by making her bed and leaving this Daisy calling card - so cute. I hope she has more cards because I have a lot of work around here that needs to get done :) xo, Brie

New Favorite Necklace

Wow, have I been a bad blogger or WHAT? Don't answer that... In my defense, I like to post with pictures and can't seem to locate my camera which isn't all that rare of an occurrence around here. I just remembered though that Kay got a nice camera for Christmas (which I am noticing is nicer than mine anyway... what the?! Today I will show you my necklace I purchased for myself for my birthday :) I wish I could give the designer a plug but she is in the process of building her website. The company's name is Tara Sheeleigh Designs.

Loving it!! It's a 4 disc necklace hand stamped with each child's first initial and their birthday is stamped on the flip side.

I like the thickness of the discs... each circle is a half inch so the sizing is perfect for me. Nice macro feature on Kay's camera. I'm stealing this! xo, Brie

Lady, We're not Together Anymore

ATL 1 @ Yahoo! Video



This might be one of my all time FAVORITE American Idol auditions ever. William Hung who? Dewone, you had my heart at Layyyyyyyyyyyyyytee. I have been singing this for close to 12 hours now much to my family's delight! xo, Brie

Ebay Tuesday

I honest to goodness have one of these. It's one of my very favorite things. If I were Julie Andrews singing in the Sound of Music, I would have worked him into the lyrics of that song.

This is an egg mcmuffin transformer that was a Happy Meal toy sometime in the 80's - because what is more fun than breakfast foods that transform into robots? Nothing, that's what. I am completely calling BS on its low market value btw, this guy is true treasure!

When Keely and I were younger (I'm guessing high school) a favorite trick when cleaning our rooms was to secretly unload all the random crap that had accumulated in our room and put it somewhere in the other's room. The egg mcmuffin made the rounds several hundred times. I can't for the life of me figure out why we didn't throw him in the trash, but I am sure glad we didn't!! We still hide him today. He was sitting on her chair at high school graduation, snuck inside a piece of banana cream pie, and he even travelled internationally to Ireland. You never know when he will appear but he will always make you happy when you randomly find him in a snow boot that you haven't worn for a few years.

Come to think of it, I have no idea WHERE he is right now. Keely please tell me you have him or he is hiding here in a most awesome spot? I don't want to live in a world without Egg McMuffin transformer! xo, Brie

Horse Play

Not even sure WHY I am stressing over the tables in the foyer because if you came into the house right this very second, this is what you would see on the floor. I like to call this "Fun at the Farm"

I swear this photo is not staged. I was told by the creator of this scene that they are giving each other piggy back rides. This stuff writes itself! xo, Brie

Currently Reading

I've decided to read this book next... Still Alice by Lisa Genova about a woman in her 50's who is recently diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer's. My mother saw this author speak at the Cape this past summer and as I add books into my Shelfari account, this book is continually suggested. I have it in hand and hope to start sometime today! I only have it on loan from the library for 2 weeks so need to get crackin. The subject matter truly terrifies me as Alzheimer's is a very nondiscriminating disease that can strike anyone, anytime.

A few blogger friends and I are considering starting up an online book club! Still trying to figure out the logistics and operations of how exactly this can work - if you have any suggestions or would like to be a part of it, I'm all ears :) xo, Brie

We've got options

Here is another look with some vessels I also picked up from Home Goods. So which will it be :) xo, Brie

She's Here....

and she's taking a test spin on the table. Are you feeling her? I might be, but I am holding onto the receipt just in case ;) xo, Brie

Decorating Help in the Foyer

I have 2 tables in my foyer and you can see each of them as you walk into the house.

First I have a round one that you see straight ahead.

Nothing too fancy with the decor - a lamp, some pictures, a mother of pearl candle burner, a fluted bowl from Sandwich glass. I'm satisfied with it. It will be littered with car keys and mail momentarily.

The other table to the left is right against the wall and under a mirror and in a word? BORING! I cleared the whole thing off for Christmas decorating and when it came time to put everything back, I have absolutely no idea what was there in the first place. The fact that I can't even remember tells me it was no great shakes and it's time for a do over.

I went to Home Goods yesterday and roamed around. Then I roamed and roamed and roamed some more because nothing was jumping out at me at all. I finally settled on a footed bowl and some sparkly picture frames. I did have a yellow Buddha statue that I was considering because it was pretty and exotic and the color was nice. I took a picture on my cell and sent it to Keely. Her reply: "Are you insane?" She didn't feel it went well with my other decor which is decidedly a cross between traditional and contemporary. I think she may have been right!

I had the twine balls which I think are too big but will work for now. As you can see I have a vacancy on right side of the table. I can't help but wonder how yellow Buddha would look there! I may pick her up just to "see"......

These apothecary jars could also work from Pier 1 and these would actually blend a little bit better with the rest of my decor.

May have to stop in there tomorrow too just to try them out. I am also going to look around on ebay for some depression glass votives in other colors to disperse throughout the table.

The point of this post is, I need some help!! Do you have any suggestions? I think I want something on the larger side, something a little different, something pretty.... I'd love to hear what you think! xo, Brie

Interjections

Out of all the School House Rock shorts they used to play on Saturday mornings - this one was my favorite. It really helped me get a handle on interjections. Too bad the making of a bill or the adverbs one didn't stick with me as well because I think that type of information might have served me better. Oh well, the bright side is I do know when to properly use and exclamation point (or a comma when the feeling's not as strong). Shazam! xo, Brie

Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2010 is going to be huge for me, I can feel it ;) This will be THE year that I.....

• exercise more


• eat healthier


• declutter and organize my house


• continue reading


• pump up the volume on the website with some new ideas


• turn 40!

Wish me luck :) I'm starting by taking down the Christmas decor today (the glitter and pine needles all over my person and house look glorious) and while I am very sad to say farewell to Rudolph the Red Nosed Minivan.... I have a new friend in the house for inspiration and support. I proudly introduce one of my very favorite Christmas gifts (drum roll please)

hmmm looks like the piano could use a light dusting! I'll add that to the list

Mr. Davey Crackit the Squirrel Nutcracker! You know you're jealous... I LOVE him! Don't be jealous, you can get one here !! I hope 2010 brings you all the best! xo, Brie