Our Weekend

First I want to say thank you so much for all your beautiful comments from Our Birth Story post. I loved hearing from you guys on FB, Instagram, and on the post. I love this community and I'm so happy to have finally shared such a special day with us. I can't believe it took me so long to put it together! 

I had this Saturday off and I was looking forward to it all week! Ellie came down with a pretty nasty cold during the week and I caught it and I've been waiting to sleep in all week. I've been so tired and going to bed early. Poor Ellie hasn't been able to sleep well at night and has been waking up 2-3 times almost every night so Matt and I are crazy tired. We're all better now, Ellie has a runny nose, but her cough is just about gone and she's sleeping through the night again (PTL).

Cardi (on sale now!) // Top // Jeans // Flats (old Steve Madden, similar here)

Saturday morning we slept in to 649am which is still great for us (Matt usually wakes up about 4 and I wake up at 545-6) and we were up and out the door to meet his parents for breakfast. It was so much fun getting out of the house and meeting up with them. We used to live around the corner from them and it was always great to get together all the time. We still see them often, but I miss having them less than a mile from us. We promised that we would meet halfway at least once a month and try new restaurants and cafes. After breakfast, we all went shopping at a local outdoor mall for a few stores before the rain came down.

Floral Top (in store, but found the maternity version online here) // Heart Tunic 

We stopped at Old Navy and they had the cutest stuff for toddlers. Usually I think they have better stuff for toddler boys than girls, but oh my word they have some cute stuff for girls right now. I snagged this adorable heart tunic for Ellie for Valentines day. I also plan on getting her these floral jeans, yellow polka dot jeans, and chambray tunic for spring. I also picked up this top for spring for myself. I bought a large without trying it on because they were out of mediums, but it's a bit too big. I couldn't find it online (except for the maternity version of course) so I'm going to see if I can find it at a different store. I love the color combos and it's so different from anything I own.

When we got home, we went back to pajamas and slippers as soon as we walked in the door. Then Ellie and I both took a nap and it was glorious. Naps are so underrated and I wish I had time to take a nap every weekend.

After nap time, I relaxed some more and finally watched The Holiday (well I had to finish it yesterday) for the first time. It's one of my sister's favorites and I had never seen the whole thing! Isn't that crazy? It was so good though, I really enjoyed it. After that, we had dinner as a family and did some house cleaning. Super exciting Saturday night around these parts.

Sunday morning I stuck with a New Year's resolution and got to it in the kitchen with some crepes for breakfast (while on the topic of resolutions, I also cleaned out the fridge). They turned out great and was really easy to make (I used this recipe). It was a nice change of pace from our usual breakfasts (eggs/spam, pancakes, chorizo). Matt went all out for dinner and baked a turkey and made gravy for the first time. He's a freaking champ and is so awesome. They both turned out delicious, especially the gravy. I'm such a gravy snob because my mom makes the best ever so I'm super judgy of gravy, but his passed the test.

We used the Hershey's Spread with Almond instead of Nutella. It wasn't as delicious as Nutella, but still pretty good. Yes, I realize Nutella is with hazelnut and I thought I bought the hazelnut version of Hershey's, but I guess I didn't. Nutella is easier to spread and is creamier.As a snack last night I had it with some sliced apples and it was bomb. Even still, I think I'll buy the real stuff next time.

Hope you all had a great weekend! I have a fun polish review for tomorrow!

InstaLately Link Up 10

Christmas with the hubs

My gift wrap finally done! Every year I think I enjoy wrapping, but then when it comes down to it, I seriously loathe it. I picture myself making gorgeous wrapping and bows, drinking hot cocoa, watching Christmas movies and singing carols and it's nothing like that. I blame Martha Stewart. 

I LOVE getting mail addressed like this! Love, love, love it!


This baby could eat nothing but fruit all day everyday


Getting pink packages from Kiki La'Rue is the best. It instantly makes your day!

My nails for the holiday; Sinful Colors black, Essie Luxeffects Set in Stones, and Sephora for OPI Only Gold for Me.

GoJane Boots (old), F21 Jeans/Blouse/Necklace, Target Scarf

Steve Madden Intyce Boots, Nordstrom Colored Denim, F21 Sweater

Since my beloved Costco Salted Caramels will never return, someone suggested these babies to me. They're pretty good. Not nearly as great as Costco's, but will hold me over.

FINALLY saw Les Miserables. I've been waiting for this movie to come out. I die. I loved every minute of it. Especially the minutes with Eddie Redmayne. Swoon.

My Holiday Weekend + Black Friday

In past posts, I've shared with you all how excited I am for this year's holidays! This past weekend has been awesome! First, I had Wednesday- Friday off, my sister came up Tuesday night, and then it was fun filled since!

Wednesday I finally had my eye appointment and picked up some new contacts and Ray Ban glasses (I guess I can cross that off my Need Wishlist now!). I'm really excited for my glasses, they're super cute too. It was the first time I saw this doctor and I really couldn't be happier with him. I've never had a doctor take so much time with me. He explained a lot about my eyes and the tests we were taking (I have astigmatism), then I tried on 6 different types of contacts. He made sure they fit me correctly, asked for my opinion on how they felt, explained the differences, pros and cons of each brand, etc. In the past my doctors have just kind of given me new contacts and sent me on my merry way. I'm so so happy I found this doctor and that he's up the street from me! Plus, he's an Eagle Scout, which made me smile.

Then, that night we went out with some friends and my cousin. It used to be a tradition to go out on the night before Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we haven't done it in a while. It was fun to catch up. I also wore my liquid leggings and actually did my make-up. Since I wake up so early in the morning for work, I kind of just do the basics. I haven't busted out a smoky eye in a long, long time. I wish I had a better pic of my make-up to show you guys.

Thanksgiving was such an awesome day! Matt and I woke up early to drive out to his parents who go camping each year. We had breakfast with them, his sister and her fiance, and some close family friends who are on their trip with them. Then back home to get ready for my side's celebration. I made the above cherry cheesecake (easiest recipe ever!! and it's DELICIOUS, not too sweet or heavy) and green bean casserole. I don't eat casseroles (I don't like my food to touch), but this is a family favorite and I was tasked with it this year. My in-laws add soy sauce to the recipe (just 1 tsp) and apparently it makes it yummy. My uncle and my father in law both don't care for the dish, but ate it right up when the soy sauce is added. I considered it a success. I also like to take pictures of anything I cook or bake for proof.

Then that night, the Black Friday shopping began! I met up with my girlfriend and some friends at 9pm at Kohls. We weren't the first in line like last year, but the 3rd group there. They have the best deals, $$ off coupons, % off coupons, both of which can be combined together, AND they give you Kohls cash back. After we went to the mall, but crashed around 4am. I slept for a bit, then headed out to Target. Came home showered, and then my gf and I headed back out to the mall and Old Navy. I finally got home around 4pm. I was pooped!

This year we did so good! I knocked 6 people off my list and found some great things for the hubs and I, and a few things for our future home.

Finally, I did pretty good at only buying a few items for myself, I'm pretty proud. Every Christmas, I feel like for every one gift I find, I get two things for myself. I just love all the glitz, glamour, and deals you can find at this time of year.

Brave on DVD, you can't beat $10! I also picked up Cinderella for $15. 

Essie Razzle Dazzle Manicure In Beige. It comes with Glamour Purse, Set In Stones and First Base Base Coat. I figured I was getting the base coat for free! I've been wanting/needing some silver glitter polish. 

New flats for work. They come in a tan/nude I want to get as well, but the Steve Madden I have are still in good shape. At least I know they're available at Kohls. I believe they carry them year round. 

Another plaid flannel from Old Navy. They're so easy to wear! I loved the Christmas colors in this one too. This one is really long, so it's perfect for leggings and I plan on layering my puff vest too with it.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and great weekend! Did you go black Friday shopping? Did you find good deals?

Would you be interested in the cheesecake recipe?

PS My Sister-in-law and her fiance made it on ESPN for the USC and Notre Dame game! Aren't their signs HILARIOUS???

Favorite of the Week- Hunger Games

This weekend I finally saw The Hunger Games and I loved it. I've been a fan of the books for a while and was really happy with the movie. Some parts were cheesy and maybe not gritty enough to fully represent the novels, but it had a PG-13 rating, so I was expecting that. I felt the movie stayed mostly true to the book and I can't wait for the rest of the novels to go to the big screen.

Have you seen the movie or read the books? What are your thoughts?

Oh and want to know what you can do with your old bridesmaid dresses? Host a pub crawl!

Favorite of the Week- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Ok so I have 2 things for my favorites this week. I know, I know, I just couldn't help myself.

First, is Matt and I rented The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo over the weekend from Redbox, and this is how the DVD looked:

I totally freaked out that it was a burned copy and that some jerkface had stolen from the company and that we might have to watch some crappy version or that the DVD might not work at all. So I tweeted Redbox about it all huffy, and they told me that the video was supposed to look like that because the main character Lisbeth is a computer hacker. Oh. Then, I felt dumb but was totally amazed. That's super cool they did it that way, I just wish I knew it beforehand or didn't jump to conclusions. The movie was really good and I look forward to seeing the future movies from the trilogy. I haven't read the books yet, and I'm not 100% sure I will. Have you read them?

My second favorite thing this week was my date with Mandy from In the Fashion Lane. We had such a blast shopping and having lunch. Blogging has really opened so many doors and I've met some of the most wonderful people. I'm so thankful to all of my readers and new friends I've met along the way.