Celebrating Progress!

Just would like you to note in a major step towards getting my act in gear... I changed up the St. Patrick's Day motif that stayed on this blog from March to August.   Phew!  Maybe that's enough work for one day.... baby steps :)  xo, Brie

Back to School is Better than New Years...

It really is.... back to school time is when I tend to (or should I say ATTEMPT to TRY) get my arse in gear.  The resolution lists are all your typicals like eating healthier - good Lord do I enjoy myself every summer and the scale is certainly reflecting that fun fact, and getting organized.   I don't mean cleaning out that crappy drawer in the kitchen that collects the most random insane items  (anyone remember the lobster ornament kind of organizing... I mean it this time (ha)!  By the by that little hot spot referenced up there in the link is as big a disaster as ever.  Add it to my do list :)

I have 4 school schedules to manage this year as my oldest is going to high school (and I fear that might mean I am getting old) PLUS I am going back to work as a part time nurse 2 days a week.   I am really looking forward to this so it's time to get the old rear in gear!  I got more sports schedules to manage than I am even going to admit b/c truthfully it looks ridiculous to me and I can't bear to spell it out.   Long story short is my time is tight and I am going to make it work and make it work well. 

First order of business.....  my menu planning.   I spent 185 at the grocery store today (note to self:  boys eat a lot of food) and I'm afraid I will lose my list and forget all the wonderful things I have planned :)  I unfortunately speak from experience........

Wed (football scrimmages) early quickie dinner hot dogs, strawberries

Thur - Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry with Rice

Fri - Lasagna Roll ups and salad

Sat - hoping we are out :) so I can save this for a future day but if it fall through I am making Gigi's (mil) chicken casserole and rice

Sun - Labor Day BBQ hamburgers, deviled eggs, pasta salad type things

Mon - Tacos

Tue - Linguine with Clam Sauce, salad

Wed - Make Your Own pizza and salad

That's as far as I've gotten but I think it's a good start.  Keep you posted on all the tremendously exciting progress!  xo, Brie

Gone Fishing

You may or may not have noticed.... but I am on hiatus.   Don't let anyone tell you to fear the 40 - it's been fabulous to the third power.  A perfect excuse to get together with all you girl besties you haven't seen in FOREVAH and get away.  It's very good and shiney fun.  I am revamping my website so stay tuned for some very exciting updates ;)  I miss you all!  xo, Brie

Still Here

I've been sewing, cooking, gallivanting and photographing it all.  Just need to upload and get typing some text.  Promise to do them soon :)  In the meantime... I'm drinking this

pardon the stinky pic taken with my phone!

a homemade shamrock shake and while I am enjoying very much and drinking the whole thing in under 5 seconds.  It pains me to tell you that it is truly not as good as McD's version.  Boo hoo... I suspect it's the peppermint extract - don't use as much as that recipe suggests.  A little goes a LONG way with this stuff.  xo, Brie

Tomorrow I am posting a favorite meatless meal recipe for Lent!

Glitter Hands!

By now I'm sure you've seen these new Sally Hansen Salon Effects  adhesive nail polishes.   I decided to splurge on a set for 9.99 last weekend.  The selection was pretty picked over at our Walgreens but I am very drawn to shiney things (like a fish) so it was an easy decision for me despite the limited selection.  Crazy multi color glitter it is!  Frock Star to be specific.... oh yes please!

I put them on Saturday night while we watched Inception (don't try this at home, this movie requires your complete attention so I suggest you put on American Idol or something instead while you bedazzle your nails). 

When it comes to nail care, I generally leave this up to the professionals.  I am terrible at it... filing and painting skills are not top notch.  I was afraid these would be a disaster but I found the application QUITE easy!  You just size them up, stick em on, and file them down!  It comes with everything you need in the kit (nail polish stickers plus a few extra in case you mess up - which I did not by the way :), a wooden sticky thing for your cuticles and to smooth, and a file - I thought the file was only so so, if I ever do this again I think I'll use my own nail file).

Here is my review in pro and con form - disclosure:  I paid cold, hard, cash for these.  Nobody sent me anything to review these and if for any reason they wanted to.... my arms are wide open. 

Pros:

• Easy to put on
• Nice "staying power" we're on day 4 and they're going strong.  Box claims they last 10 days
• I am not nibbling on my nails
• Polish feels soft and pliable at first but definitely hardens with time
• I was able to bedazzle Ms. C's nails too with the additional strips and left overs - she loved them for the whole 30 minutes she wore them before she peeled them ALL off
• Our librarian  gave me a lot of positive feedback over my (and I quote) "festive nails" 

Cons: 

• I feel the designs are little young for me although I must say after looking at glitter hands for 4 days now, I am starting to own it.
• while they fit me well at the cuticle line, a few of them are a smidge short on the side length of the nail
• When the sun hits them just right, I'm pretty sure I could get myself rescued of a deserted island (maybe that's a pro, I don't know)
• May cause you break out in jazz hands without any warning whatsoever

In conclusion, I think it was money well spent.  They're kind of fun and hey... my librarian thought they were fabulous!  xo, Brie

What a Week

I am happy this week was short with Monday's holiday, I am ready to bid it a fond farewell.   My youngest was SICK with a crazy high fever and no other symptoms that lasted for 3 days.  Apparently it is really going around and not just in New Jersey which I was able to gather from handy dandy facebook.  I hope this nasty virus doesn't come to visit your house, it's no fun at all.    She missed the whole week of school and probably could have returned today but I decided it was just best to stick a fork in this week and we'll start fresh on Monday. 

In other news... I'm told from some very reliable sources that the totally delicious Shamrock Shake from McDonalds is back.  I went out in search of one only to be told that our local NJ franchise "does not have them yet"  - what are you waiting for folks, I need to get my shamrock on!!!  This news was delivered yesterday around noon and here we are a full day later at 3pm and I am still not over it.   I now have the recipe in my hot little hands - so take that McDonalds!  If you would like to join me and have one too, here is the recipe

I'm still cleaning out the dreading sewing room.   It is taking forever and is long overdue.   I am really trying to weed out and get organized this year.   One great side effect of cleaning is that you find items you COMPLETELY forgot you even had!    Look at this cute little flower I made today out of felt scraps - I love working with felt!  I am working some felt flowers into our hair accessory line and will probably debut them in the etsy shop, so I'll keep you posted on that!  I think it came out pretty cute....

I'm making a delicious chicken and broccoli stir fry tonight that I am told is excellent and I'm charging my camera up so stay tuned - hopefully will get this up over the weekend. 

Last but not least - while I should be cleaning my house in all my spare time, I have been making some etsy treasuries of some of my amazing finds ;) This is the one I made today - it's one of my faves! Check it Out Here! There sure is a lot of talent over there on Etsy!

Cheers to a fabulous weekend for all!! xo, Brie

A week in bullet points

• Life has been hectic around here.
•  Basketball is still going on and it's basically March madness come early around these parts. 
•  I didn't post my meal plan last week as it was most unimpressive.
• I read another book by Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants) called Ape House.  I didn't necessarily NOT like it, but it was no Water for Elephants.
• I've been weeding out the sewing studio - it's in quite a state of sadness, finding lots of small amounts of oldie but goodie fabrics so I'm making some limited edition items to put in the xoribbons etsy shop
• I've been updating my etsy shop (linked) new products, more organized, shipping worldwide now - holla!!  ;)
• discovered my 6 and a half year old decided to shave her legs in the shower and thankfully was not hurt (razors are now up even higher than they were in the first place).
• Last but not least - I bought the dress you see below completely on impulse and triggered by a facebook sidebar ad.  How fab is that?  Keep in mind that at this point in time I have absolutely NOWHERE to wear it.  I couldn't resist the amazing savings and am hopeful a fantastic event is on the horizon for me.  Worst case scenario, I pull a Ms. Havisham and wear it around the house.  

Here's the link - they are going fast!! My size is already gone so now I'm EXTRA happy I went for it :)   http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/suzi-chin-maggy-boutique-charmeuse-shantung-halter-dress/3169605?origin=category&resultback=6965
xo, Ms. Havisham