I'm Talkin Pedicure on our Toes, Toes

You know- if I owned a black leotard and a pumpkin head I would be very happy to distribute candy to unsuspecting trick or treaters in this get up.  It's probably best for all involved parties that I don't!  Happy Halloween!  xo, Brie

Serendipity Books

Not sure WHAT made me think of these books today but they were my all time favorites when I was little.  Just looking at the covers make me happy in a nostalgic way.  Did anyone read these in the 70's?  I can't wait to see if the library has them!  My favorites were the Gnome From Nome, Hucklebug, Creole, The Muffin Muncher, and The Wheedle on the Needle.  xo, Brie

Post it Notes

Again, I'm so late to the 21st century... but do any of use the desktop post it/sticky notes?  You can make little reminders and stick them all over your computer desktop - I have two versions, one you have to hand write with the mouse (which I hate) and one you can type (love it!)  It has truly changed my life for the better!  I just searched it out on my computer and it was there!   Check it out... xo, Brie

An Easy Fall/Winter Dinner

Making a dinner that everyone likes in this house is no easy task.  One young man in particular (who shall remain nameless but he knows who he is) hates EVERYTHING!!!
Believe it or not, this is one dinner in my house that everyone likes and looks forward to.  I've created some easy shortcuts too so with a little planning in the morning, it is very possible to get this on the table even on a busy sports night.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie (this recipes serves 6)

4 chicken breasts
box of chicken broth
1/2 cup flour
4 tbsp butter
splash of heavy cream
bag of frozen peas/carrots
pepperidge farm puff pastry shells (or sheets)

The morning of, I put 4 pretty much frozen solid chicken breasts in the crockpot and go on my merry way for the day. 

4 hours later they are fully cooked and falling apart

I transfer them to a bowl or something b/c some weird juices accumulate in the bottom of the crockpot and want those out :)  I clean the crock pot and put the chicken back into it (crockpot is off now or you can put to warm if you want to assemble the rest later)  and shred it all up with 2 forks. 

Start preheating your oven to 400 to cook the puff pastry

In a pot on the stove melt 4 tbsp of butter and then add flour - stir it around a bit to "cook" the flour

Add the whole box of chicken broth and whisk until thick, add that splash of cream for color and richness now

You can pop in your puff pastry now if the oven is preheated (please don't focus on my gnarly cookie sheet)

Add your chicken and about half a medium bag of the frozen peas/carrots and stir until everything is cooked through and no longer frozen.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Beep, Beep, Beep - puff pastry is done in about 20 min (again no looking at the gnarly cookie sheet)

Scoop and serve over the puff pastry shell and put the puff pastry hat on top if you are feeling fancy :)

Bon Appetit!  xo, Brie

Holy Flashback

This song just came on my ipod - I had totally forgotten about it!  I had a flashback to my old college workplace Saxa Sundries :)  xo, Brie

Complete Salon Manicure

It's been 10 days since my last blog post?  Yowza - I'm in full production mode for Keeks and Brie as we are about to enter the trenches of back to back to back to back boutique shows.  We need to arrive with lots of product that we will hopefully be saying "goodbye" to ;)   Each year I vow I will build up tons of inventory during the summer and can never seem to make that happen! 

Have you tried this Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure?  It's amazing and I give it my highest recommendations!  Only $7.00 a bottle and lots of nice colors!  My current fall selection - Pedal to the Metal.  Love it!  xo, Brie

Sending you on a Blog Field Trip

A friend of mine posted a link to this great blog on facebook today.  In the wake of these bullying/suicide cases that are all over the news and most recently right in our neighborhood at Rutger's University, I can't help but be troubled.  I feel like the pressures on our kids are so much more than the pressures I certainly felt growing up.  I feel like it's bigger than me and often overly complicated.  

As troubled as I am by any kind of bullying in general and all the mean girl crap- I've sounded off about it before and I'm sure I'll do it again.... I've got zero tolerance for it.  I am equally, if not more troubled that so many teens are turning to suicide as their way out/answer to their problems.  The real problem lies there, we need to assist our kids with coping skills and seeking out support.... I love what Vicky Bell so simply and so beautifully. xo, Brie