May Favorites

Yikes!! May is almost over already!! It's almost sum-sum-summer time! For me that brings the excitement of summer concerts, backyard parties, beach trips and suntans! Some of my very favorite things in the world!! Speaking of favorites...I thought I'd share some of my favorite things from May!

1. My Pandora bracelet - My husband bought me one for Mother's Day and I am in LOVE with it. No, I'm not a mother exactly but my husband loves to find an excuse to buy me a gift. ;) So far I have the Forever Together charm which he got me with the bracelet, the cupcake charm, and the flower clips. I swear it's hard for me not to just fill up the bracelet right now. It gets rather expensive though!!

2. Bare Minerals Eyeshadow in Nude Beach -  I love Bare Minerals eyeshadows!! They glide on so smooth and blend beautifully! My favorite has always been Queen Phyllis but I had been eyeing one of best friend's eyeshadows for a while and I finally asked her what it was. It was Nude Beach and it's absolutely beautiful!! It's a pinky pearly glimmery color and it looks amazing blended with a rich brown or all by itself! I have found my new go-to shadow!

3. My new Juicy iPhone case - I went to the Apple store to purchase a new case for my phone in hopes of finding the same one I had before I dropped it in the ocean. Well, I found it...but not before I found much cuter cases in Juicy and Kate Spade! I had a hard time deciding between them but this is the one I ended up choosing and I love it! It's a pretty pale pink and it didn't even crack when I dropped it the other day. LOL!

4. Young Forever by Jay-Z - Have y'all heard this song yet?? It's a remake of Forever Young by Alphaville. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song and I just can't get enough of it! Listen to it here and become obsessed like me! :)

5. Smart Ones Key Lime Pie - YUM!!!! My mouth is watering just typing about it! Hahaha. These little mini pies only have around 190 calories and 6 grams of fat in them. They are, as Kenny Chesney would say, a great little after dinner mint. I have recently become obsessed with them and crave one after EVERY meal.

6. Yellow - I am loving yellow right now!!! My clothes, my accessories, my bedding!! While my husband was on vacation, I decided to redo our master bedroom bedding. I've been needing something more cheerful in there. I chose this bedding from Target! Isn't it beeyutiful??? It brightens my day every time I walk in my room. :)

7. Baby Girl's Camo Dress from Bass Pro - My husband warned our friends when they had their daughter that she WOULD end up wearing camo and going hunting with him. We were at Bass Pro the other day and we thought a little camo dress for her would be so cute. Turns out they actually loved it! Hahaha. Doesn't she look absolutely adorable?! Speaking of this adorable child, I get to babysit her this Saturday! I'm soooo excited!! :)

8. My gift from Caitlynn - When one of my best friend's daughter gave me this picture, I was ecstatic. It meant so so so much to me! I am seriously contemplating framing it. :) She will be 7 in August and I have watched her grow up and been there for all of her firsts. I love that child to death and I can't believe how much she is growing up!! Speaking of THIS adorable child, I have been cutting her hair from the beginning and I have the pleasure of cutting it again this Sunday. I can't wait! I am having an adorable child filled weekend!

Caitlynn's 5th birthday :)

What are y'alls fantastic weekend plans??

Strawberry Fields Forever

Let me take you down, 'cause I'm going to strawberry fields! I don't know what my fascination has been lately with strawberries...but I want so bad to go wandering through a strawberry field with a little basket picking my own strawberries. I know there are places around to do that but I just haven't had the time or gotten the opportunity to do it yet! Have y'all ever done that?? It probably isn't all it's cracked up to be...but in my head it's the best thing ever.

                                                                   Photo from typarlandscapes.com

Photo from destinationfantastic.com

 

Isn't this necklace from Forever 21 adorable?!

 

And look at these Keds! I'm pretty sure they are for kids...but I would totally rock these!

 

We can't talk about strawberries without mentioning strawberry wine!!! 

 Photo from vitiswine.co.uk

Now you can sing along with me "Like strawberry wine and seeeeventeen...the hot July moon...saw everything! My first taste of love...ohhhhh bittersweet....green on the vine. Like strawberry wine..."





Isn't this bedspread darling??

Photo from finebeddingpro.com

One of my favorite scents from Victoria's Secret...Strawberries and Champagne. Yum.

And how do y'all feel about strawberry chicken salad?!?! Sounds delicious right? I think I'm going to have to try out this recipe very soon. 

Strawberry Chicken Salad




2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chutney
2 teaspoons lime juice
3/4 teaspoon grated lime peel
3/4 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
4 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves





In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery and onion. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, chutney, lime juice, lime peel, curry and salt. Add to chicken mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.


Just before serving, stir in strawberries. Serve on lettuce-lined plates. Yield: 4 servings.



Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups equals 222 calories, 9 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 61 mg cholesterol, 528 mg sodium, 14 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 22 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 very lean meat, 1 fat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit.


Strawberry Chicken Salad published in Healthy Cooking April/May 2008

Awards galore!

Awards are circulating again and I have been meaning to get these on here and pass them out but I've been so lazy. Please forgive me!! I just couldn't wait any longer though so here they are!!

The Sweet Blog Award is from Southern Loves. (Thanks darling!!) Absolutely beautiful girl with a beautiful family and a very sweet, inspirational blog that I enjoy reading every day! Please go visit her when you get the chance. I promise it will just light up your day!

The only rule for this award is to pass it on to 10 sweet blogs! Here they are in no particular order!!

1. Ashley @ Sweet Southern Prep

2. Heather @ The Belle of the Beach

3. Danielle @ A Day in the Life

4. Kate @ Southern - Belle - Simple

5. Dee @ Makeupthoughts

6. Jules @ Chic & Pink

7. ACL @ Adventures Abroad

8. Amber @ The Survival Guide for the Young, Fabulous and Newlywed

9. Shannon @ Webbisodes

10. Marcie @ Lemons and Laundry

You girls have always been so sweet to me and I wanted to thank you with this award! :)

The Versatile Blogger Award is from Juleps & Jon Jons, Southern-Belle-Simple, Life in Dawleywood, and Adventures Abroad. (Thanks girls!!!) I love love love all 4 of these girl's blogs and I hope you will visit them soon!

The rules for this award are to list 7 things about yourself and pass the award along to 7 other blogs. I'll try not to repeat any of the things from this post. Here goes!

1. I am very shy at first but that all changes once I get to know you. :)

2. I have been pondering going to school for teaching. I love kids and I'm good at teaching. I would love to be a teacher one day. I think teaching special needs children would be perfect for me.

3. I wear black too much. I will usually grab the black one of any shirt that I like. I'm trying to kick that habit!

4. I love camping!! Not camper, hook up, bathroom down the street camping. I like to pitch the tent, cook the food over the fire and pee in the woods. Well, to be honest I hate peeing in the woods...but I take the bad with the good. ;)

5. I worry way too much about what others think of me. It causes great stress in my life.

6. I used to collect Trolls! I had all kinds. The naked ones, an astronaut, a football player, a clown...I wonder where those are...?

7. I've never broken a bone! I hope to keep it that way. :)

I'd like to pass this award on to the following lovely ladies!!

1. Melanie @ Melanie's Randomness

2. Misty @ The Queen of My House

3. Katie @ Kentucky Blue Belle

4. Erica @ Fashion Meets Food

5. Mavi @ All Things Tickled Pink

6. Hillary @ a gal and her dog

7.  Garden State Prep

The I Love Your Blog Award is from Jules @ Chic & Pink. (Thank you girl!!) She is so lovely and always leaves the sweetest comments. Go check out her blog!! You won't regret it. :)

The rules for this award is to list 10 things I love and pass the award on to 10 other blogs. Again, I'll try not to repeat any from this post.

1. God

2. Panda Bears

3. Having a great tan :)

4. Pad Thai

5. Cheesecake

6. Wine

7. Cupcakes!!

8. My adorable husband

9. The beach

10. The first chilly feeling of Fall

I'm passing this lovely award on to:

1. Fried Pink Tomato

2. Jess @ Polka Dots, Pearls and Pink...Oh my!

3. Tiffany @ Memoirs of a Munchkin Mommy

4. Stacey @ There is Life being the Wife...of a Preacher

5. KK @ KampKK

6. Jenn @ Chances I'm Taking

7. Jenn @ Be.So.Happy

8. Lily Lemontree

9. Ashley @ Miss Ashley in Mississippi

10. Amy @ Tomorrow's Dust

The Going Places Award is from Shannon @ Webbisodes. (Thanks sweetheart!!!) She is such a beautiful woman with the most precious little girl you have ever seen! Check out her blog!! It will put a huge smile on your face. :)

The rules for this blog are tell us where you want to be in 10 years and pass the award on to your fellow bloggers.

Hmm...10 years. I will be 36. Yikes! I would love to have a few children, God willing, a house on the lake with my sweet husband and a great career doing something I absolutely love. :)

I'd like to pass this award on to:

1. Kate @ The Cow Jumped Over the Moon

2. Valerie @ Red Vines for Breakfast

3. Short Southern Momma

4. Prissy and Preppy Flamingo

5. Andrea @ Life in Dawleywood

6. Pink Champagne

7. Jen @ Slumber Designs

And last but not least Jess over at Polka Dots, Pearls and Pink...Oh My! tagged me!!! I just recently found her blog and I'm so glad I did because I absolutely adore all of her posts! Go check it out!! :)

1. Who is your style icon?  

I have quite a few!! Reese Witherspoon always looks cute and classy. She is also a fellow southern belle!

Kate Hudson always looks so darling!!

Kim Kardashian always rocks her curves so well. :)

2. What is your Socialite Lit book?

I have read quite a few...but I think one of my favorites would have to be The Bombshell Manual of Style by Laren Stover. It is such a cute read with lots of little tidbits on how to bring out the bombshell in you! ;)

3. Favorite Party Theme?

Well, before my last party I would have said beachy, hawaiian luau theme...but I just recently did a Low Country Boil and it was so much fun!!! Everyone had a blast and we want to do another one already!

4. Go-to Halloween Costume?

I don't have one! I love dressing up for Halloween and I've never dressed up the same twice!! I think my favorite costume was last year when I dressed up as a sailor. Please forgive me for looking like such crap. This picture was taken hours after the Backstreet Boys concert!! Also, please excuse my brother in the German outfit....hahaha.

5. Extravagance you can't live without?

Ahh!! There's so many. LOL If I had to choose one it would be handbags!! A brand new Coach bag on my arm just makes my day. :)

6. Living person you admire?

My husband. He has always been there for me no matter what. He accepts me for who I am and he has the most amazing faith of anyone I have ever met. He teaches me so much and I am so thankful that God chose me to send him to. ;)

7. Greatest Fear?

I have a few big fears but I think my biggest fear is losing my husband. I worry about him so much sometimes it hurts. I can't stand when he goes out of town because I am a nervous wreck until he walks back through the door. I am getting better though!

8. Trait you deplore in yourself?

Shyness. I have always been shy but when I was younger it was ridiculous! I wouldn't talk to anyone in school and I regret it because I could have made some really great friends. I got much better when I got my first job and now I am a million times better but still shy when it comes to certain things. It holds me back from doing a lot of things that I'd like to do. I'm working on it though. :)

9. Which talent would you most like to have?

I would love to be a great singer!! I always sing in the car with the radio and think I sound good but once the radio gets turned down...whoa buddy.

10. Greatest Achievement?

My greatest achievement would be marrying the most amazing man in the world and buying a house together.

Now I'd like to tag whoever hasn't done this tag yet!!! I'd love to hear y'alls answers!! :)

Love you all!! Have a wonderful day guys!!

What Pleases God

"Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." - Ephesians 5:10, 17







Paul urges us to find out what pleases God, to understand what God wants us to do (as opposed to what we want to do or what others want us to do). This can be your daily prayer: "Lord, what do you want me to do? What will please you today? Help me to hear your voice above all others and to gladly do what will bring you glory today."

—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions






Good morning! It's Monday again already. I hope y'all had a great weekend!! I attended my very first NASCAR race on Saturday night!! It was really exciting and fun! Much more than I thought it would be. Did y'all do anything fun and exciting this weekend?

The message today means a whole lot to me at this point in my life. I have really got to step back and think about what GOD wants me to be doing and what will bring glory to his name. I may not always like it...but I'm not in charge. I hope you will pray this prayer with me today so we can all live today and every day the way God wants us to. Have a wonderful day!!

Flashback Friday

July 29, 2006   Ocean Isle Beach, NC

The happiest day of my life. :)

Happy Friday darlings!!! Hope y'all have a great weekend!! :)

A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work.

Oh how I love fishing. The first time I ever went fishing, I was probably around 5 or 6 and I went with my dad. I remember catching the tiniest little fish and dancing around, excited as I could be screaming "I got a fish! I got a fish!" Since I met my husband, I've learned a lot more about the different types of fishing and I have fallen in love with it even more. I always throw my fish back but my husband will keep one every now and then if it's a good size and type for eating. Last weekend, he and a couple of friends traveled up to Kingston, NY to go fishing on the Hudson River. They had a blast and caught a couple of pretty big Stripers. Here's my precious husband with his catch.

When he brought home some filets of Striper I knew I had to come up with a good recipe and quick while it was still good and fresh. I chose Striper Cakes with a low fat zesty remoulade sauce. I whipped up some of that yummy coleslaw I told y'all about a while ago and it was all DEE-licious!! Here are the recipes I used!!





Striper Cakes

2 pounds of fresh striper (remove all red meat)
2 tablespoons of light mayo
1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups of italian bread crumbs
1 can of sweet corn with red and green peppers
2 teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning
a couple dashes of ground red pepper
a dash of red pepper flakes

To poach fish:

4 1/2 cups of water
3 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of salt
1/8 teaspoon of black pepper


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut fish into 1-2 inch pieces. Add to a saucepan and add the poaching ingredients. Heat on medium high heat until water begins to simmer. Simmer (not boil) fish for about 10 minutes or until fish looks flaky.
3. Saute corn in a pan with a tablespoon of canola oil.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine mayo, mustard, eggs, sauteed corn, Old Bay, ground red pepper and flakes.
5. After fish is done, drain it of all excess moisture and mix it into the above mixture until the pieces of fish are small enough to make good cakes with.

6. Add bread crumbs and mix.
7. Make into 6 patties and place them about 1-2" apart on an aluminum foil covered cookie sheet.

8. Bake for 40 minutes then broil them on high for 5 minutes on each side.





Low Fat Zesty Remoulade Sauce

1/2 cup of Fat Free Thousand Island Dressing
2 tablespoons of sweet pickle relish
Cajun seasoning to taste

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.

Mmmm...tasty!!! I'm pretty sure any flaky fish would work just fine for this recipe! Try it out sometime! You'll love it!!

So what are some of y'alls favorite seafood recipes??

It's that time again...

Haircolor time!! Yes...that time comes for me way more often than it should...but there's no turning back now. I've been doing it for so long that it's like second nature to me. I was born with dark brown almost black hair and had it up until around the 7th grade when I begged my mom to let me try that dreadful Sun-In. Ever since, I have been lightening, darkening, streaking, paneling, low-lighting, high-lighting...you get the idea.

Nowadays I have developed quite a few gray hairs on top and my haircolor fades into a mousy "see-through" brown color. I know "see-through" isn't a technical term but hopefully you know what I mean. I love my hair to be dark and rich. It makes it look longer and healthier. I have been dyeing my hair and my friends' hair since around the 9th grade. We have been through a couple disasters but nothing that wasn't fixable. I went to cosmetology school about 4 years ago and learned about professional color. We used Wella haircolor at my school so that's what I know best and what I still use. You can find it at Sally's. I use the demi-permanent because it is less damaging to your hair and it fades in a way that doesn't show roots.

For the color scale think of 1 as black and 10 as platinum blonde. I chose a mixture of 4 Natural, 5 Natural, and 6 Red Violet.

You will want to do 1 part color to 2 parts developer. I used 1 oz. of the 4N, 3/4 oz. of the 5N and 1/4 oz. of the 6RV. I wanted just a hint of red. Then I used 4 oz. of the Wella Color Charm developer which is what needs to be used with the demi-permanent color. Mix it up, slap it on for 20 minutes and voila!

Here is my before picture. Notice the mousy and "see through" brown. LOL

And here are my after pictures!

It looks just as good as professional and only costs about $5.00 per tube of color and about $4.00 for 8 oz. of developer! You can't beat that! What about y'all?? Do you color your own hair? What's your go-to haircolor???

Mother's Day Cupcakes

Yep...it's time for another cupcake recipe!! I haven't made any since these for Mother's Day and I am having withdrawals!! I think the next ones I make are going to have coconut! I've been craving coconut lately. Yummy! For my mommy I made rhubarb cupcakes with a strawberry buttercream frosting. Rhubarb is a bitter vegetable or fruit of some kind...but add some sugar and it is DELICIOUSNESS! Like I said before, my mom used to make us this awesome rhubarb pie. I need to get that recipe from her! It was SO good. So, rhubarb reminds me of my mom and I thought it would be the perfect gift. She loved them and everyone else seemed to as well! They are EXTREMELY moist to the point where you will be like "Is this right???" but once you taste them you won't care how funky they look. Hahaha. Oh and please excuse my silly cupcake frosting designs. I am working on getting the hang of the whole icing bag with tips thing.

Rhubarb Cupcakes

1 cup of all purpose flour
1 cup of sugar
6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened
1 cup of diced rhubarb (I used frozen because I couldn't find it fresh. Boo.)
1 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 large egg

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 cup muffin pan with liners.
2. Cream together butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture along with the milk and beat until combined.
4. Fold in the diced rhubarb.
5. Fill the 12 liners evenly with the batter. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. They are not going to look done but as soon as that toothpick comes out clean, take them out and let them rest for at least 15 minutes and they will be perfect.

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

I normally like to use real strawberries, but I wanted this frosting to be smooth and pink with no chunks so I left it out.

1/2 cup of solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon of strawberry extract
2 tablespoons of milk
4 cups of confectioner's sugar
(optional) A few drops of red food coloring.


1. In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer.
2. Add strawberry extract and food coloring if using.
3. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry.
4. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.

If you've never had rhubarb, I encourage you to try these!!! They are delicious and I just know you will fall in love with it. I must warn you though, you will be tempted to taste test the rhubarb as you are dicing it up. Big mistake. LOL It is quite bitter without sugar. So what have y'all been baking up lately??