Preppy in Pink

Doughnuts

2010-10-03T23:47:00.000-04:00

I'm checking out at Publix (that's a grocery store here)
and the girl bagging my groceries says to the cashier
"I'm just back from break. I ate 3 doughnuts and I am so hyper!"
I turned to the hubs, gave him a nudge and said "Lightweight"
We were both dying laughing the whole way to the car.

HAHAHA
I hope my skinny friends get this :)
Have a great day!

Yeah, I did it!

2010-09-28T06:07:00.000-04:00

Thanks everyone for all your comments about my food raiser for the Humane Society!

As you all predicted it was a HUGE success :)

We collected 3145 pounds of food

(yep, that's over a ton of food. cool, huh?)

$312

plus the Humane Society gets 10% of sales for the day and there were a LOT of people there.

I also partnered with Petco and they are matching the donations

(hopefully..cause thats a lot more food than I ever thought possible)

AND Petco is going to continue collecting donations till the end of the year!

YEAH!

So, pretty successful considering I didn't think anyone would show ;)

Have a great day!

and I promise to stop talking about it now, heh

If you live near Tampa please visit me Sunday!

2010-09-23T21:38:00.000-04:00

FOX

2010-09-23T03:09:00.000-04:00

I LOVE television but FOX not so much anymore.
I'm not intentionally not watching... I don't think.
but since my favorite show, Sarah Connor Chronicles was cancelled
I guess I don't have much faith in FOX anymore.
So I don't watch the programs anymore.
I mean they brought us the X Files and now we have Fringe? Yuck
I realize they got a new pres..from NBC....
Maybe thats why the network seems so so now.
Anyhow, just wanted to throw my 2 cents out there

Mad Men: I have fallen

2010-09-15T21:34:00.000-04:00

Last year when I read all the Mad Men posts..I just didn't get it.
Now, I hate to miss it and I re-watch it on demand :)
Thanks Ladies

I've really liked the show that pays before it too, Rubicon

Ugly Betty

2010-09-12T00:27:00.000-04:00

The TV Guide Chanel had reruns of Ugly Betty today
I can't believe how much I miss it :)

Guess what the problem was

2010-09-10T00:52:00.002-04:00

So I've been trying to sign on to site meter to check it out.
I couldn't figure out why a kept getting the error message.
Turns out the hubs put a block on my computer so pages that
try to send me a cookie are blocked.
Yep, all this time it was me :)
hahahaha

Have a great day!

Site Meter

2010-09-08T17:47:00.001-04:00

I was reading Preppy Pink Croc's blog and she was talking about Site Meter
Has anyone else used this?
I've been trying to sign on since I read it but the site has been unavailiable.
Has it maybe been turned off?
Have you heard?
**************************************************************
ok, just tried it again and getting "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage"
anyone else having trouble?

This heat has got me down

2010-08-29T15:06:00.000-04:00

Hi All
Hope everyone is having a super weekend!
Living in Florida is a blessing and a curse.
It is so hot and humid today, it's really got me down.
We went to a lovely party at the hubs bosses house yesterday
and the 'que was fantastic. ;)
Today we are having supper at Ella's.
I've never been but it was recommended by a friend
they are supposed to have excellent soul food so
I'm looking forward to it.
I haven't had any since I lived in Georgia.
So although I feel like a slug I will move for food :)
Can't wait to see your posts this week and keep the comments coming
I love to read them

Just trying to figure out google analytics :)

2010-08-27T01:07:00.002-04:00

Hungry animals aren’t picky; they’ll take whatever you can give to Casper’s Cupboard at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Please come Load 'Em Up Sunday September 26th at Texas Roadhouse Wesley Chapel from 11:30am to 8pm to donate bags of dog and cat food.

We are all familiar with the amazing job the team at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay does to save abused, abandoned & neglected pets. In 2008 the amazing recovery of one animal, Casper, was the impetus for Casper’s Cupboard the HSTB Food Bank. Brought in near death, Casper had been starved & wasn’t expected to live. However, the love & kindness provided by the team of professionals at HSTB gave him a second chance. Now other animals have an opportunity for a second chance too. Casper’s Cupboard has helped hundreds of families keep their pets. No one wants to surrender their pet because they can't afford to feed them. Casper's Cupboard provides free pet food to families who are experiencing financial hardship. It’s such an amazing story but it is only one of hundreds of miracles performed at HSTB every year.

You’re probably wondering how you can help. During our event GFWC New Tampa Juniors & Juniorettes will be collecting pet food. In addition, Texas Roadhouse will give 10% of every sale of food and drink to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Come in Sunday September 26, 2010 from 11:30am to 8pm with a bag of food and a smile.

Present this card to your server at Texas Roadhouse Wesley Chapel and 10% of the sale will be donated to HSTB.

Please use call ahead seating (813) 907-8188

Many thanks to Texas Roadhouse Wesley Chapel for their amazing support of the GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club & the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

For more information please visit our website.

www.GFWCNewTampaJuniors.org

Texas Roadhouse

26409 Silver Maple Pkwy

Wesley Chapel, Florida 33543

(813) 907-8188

TA DA! The flyer for my food raiser ;)

2010-08-24T04:54:00.002-04:00

Isn't it great?

at Grosgrain Garage

visit GFWCNewTampaJuniors.org
for more information :) YEAH

or the event page on facebook
CASPER

I know I'm nutty....

2010-08-16T10:56:00.000-04:00

Ok, got the sale papers yesterday and target has watercolor paint sets for 50 cents!

So I have decided what to do with my crayon stash!
I'm going to make little art boxes for the migrant children for christmas!
It will have the crayons, colored pencils, markers, paints, glue, construction paper & coloring paper and of course watercolor paints :)
I'll make a special box for each of them to hold their supplies with their names on it and maybe if I find some stickers later on...but that's what I have decided to do with my cases of crayons! YEAH!

I LOVE art supplies. My mom got them for me every christmas and I never got tired of them. :)

Have a great day!

What is a kiniption? Can I have one?

2010-08-12T11:27:00.000-04:00

I am planning a huge (for me) event to raise food for Casper's Closet

and I'm getting pretty anxious because my partners seem to be putting things off.

All except 1! Lisagh @ Grosgrain Garage, THANK YOU

Lisah designed the ad for my event and thank goodness cause it is amazing!

Photos of the super fab ad when it's approved by all the boards

coming soon.

This is Casper. He was found tied up in a couples back yard here in Tampa.

He was so emaciated they didn't think he would live.

BUT HE MADE IT! YEAH

In his honor the Humane Society of Tampa Bay

renamed their food bank

"Casper's Cupboard"

Unfortunately the food bank is empty most days

so together with the New Tampa Woman's Club and Texas Roadhouse

I'm managing a food drive.

Lord, what have I gotten myself into?

It started out really small just maybe collecting dog & cat food from

our members during the monthly meetings

to everyone wanting to participate and having a giant all day party.

Yowsers.

I'm so nervous and I really want this to go well.

I was at the Humane Society yesterday to get our plans on track

and the room where the food bank is was filled with people.

When I went into my meeting there were only about 10 bags of food

left but the room was still full.

I feel for them. I really do because no wants to let their pet go hungry.

So I'm going to try my best not to get frazzled and make this

the best food drive ever!

Your tips, suggestions, words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Have a great day!

I have a problem.....

2010-08-09T16:19:00.000-04:00

It seems pretty obvious that I have a shopping problem.

I was at Wal-Mart this morning getting a gift card for my sister for her birthday.

(I know..I haven't been able to turn her to the red side)

When I saw a giant sign that said

Crayola Crayons .25 cents

There are 24 crayons in that little box for 25 cents!

I bought a case.

Am I teaching? NO

Do I have children? NO

So what are my plans for 48 boxes of crayons?

um, not sure yet. :) but they are just so darn cute!

And what an amazing deal. I remember when I was searching for stuff to fill easter baskets these suckers were $2.00!

Maybe I'll go back and get the markers for $1.00

Have a great day!

Club Membership

2010-08-07T13:02:00.000-04:00

Isn't being in a woman's club like a sorority?
I didn't pledge in college, so I'm not sure
but it seems like if we are willing to volunteer
to assist the underprivileged we should be
willing to help our sisters too, right?

So why don't clubs have job boards?
I read a blog of a friend in a club/league/sorority
and she is desperate for a job
but neither of our clubs have a job board
to help club woman.
Does anyone know why that is?
Is it some sort of Taboo?
If we know about an opening, shouldn't we relay that
to our sisters/friends first?
That's the whole networking part of membership, right?

Please let me know what you think.
Cause I think it's very strange but I have only been a
member for a year so I'm not sure if I should
approach the executive board about it.

Thanks so much for your help ladies!
Have a great weekend!

Preppy Pink Crocodile: Palm Beach Cookies

2010-08-06T04:58:00.000-04:00

The Preppy Pink Crocodile mentioned these on her blog today and they look so yummy I decided to share. They are called Palm Beach Cookies and here is the sccop from her site:

"The fabulous Laura over at A Dozen Eggs is at it again, working her cookie genius! Look at these prep-tastic Lilly-like cookies. The Palm Beach Collection. Love love love! The perfect treat for your favorite prep. Because not only do they look amazing, but they taste great too. Do you see the glass of lemonade cookies? Beyond fantastic!", Preppy Pink Crocodile.

Shopoholic in Alabama

2010-08-02T14:27:00.001-04:00

Hey ladies, I know I've been talking about her a lot this week but she is really having some amazing giveaways. Here is the information on the next one. I'd never heard of this ETSY store before but when I went to take a look...it's exactly the type of place i LOVE!
Here's the info, Have a great day!

Welcome to Day Six of Shopaholic Birthday Giveaway Days! I'm hosting these in honor of my 40th birthday coming on August 12...it's a fun way to stop thinking about getting older, and profile some of my favorite designers, websites, stores and brands! HA

Thanks so much to Shannon at the lovely Etsy Shop, The Preppy Ladybug, for sponsoring our Day Six giveaway! By now, my love of custom stationery, address labels, and party decor is well documented! When Shannon contacted me and I was introduced to her creations, I fell in love! I know you all are going to love this line too!

Today's giveaway is a set of one of The Preppy Ladybug's best selling items, the Bumblebee Honeycomb Address Label Stickers and a set of the Bumblebee Honeycomb Flat Correspondence note cards. I don't know about you, but I think these pink and green bumblebees are the cutest things ever! One lucky Shopaholic reader will receive this set, personalized with their desired information.

Back to School

2010-08-01T11:47:00.001-04:00

It's one of my favorite times of year ladies!

I opened todays paper and found tons of

wonderful office supplies on special deal!

I LOVE back to school and the specials

on school supplies!

Yum, the smell of paper and post its

binders and notebooks

all beautiful and pink

Have a great day!

Have you seen this?

2010-07-31T06:35:00.000-04:00

Preppy Princess is offering two items for Shopaholic in Alabama's Birthday Giveaway celebration! For the first item, the winner will have their choice of either a Lilly Pulitzer umbrella in the new prints Checking In or White Zin OR a Lilly Pulitzer Laptop sleeve in the new prints Checking In or Patch Day.

For the second giveaway item, the lucky winner will receive their choice of prints in the new Lilly Pulitzer Koozies. The Koozies are available in Frisky Business, Checking In or Patch Day.

Run over NOW to sign up and win... (but not the umbrella cause I want the umbrealla, kay?)

Have a great day!

Epsilon Sigma Omicron

2010-07-26T13:47:00.001-04:00

As a member of the Junior Woman's Club I was eligable to pledge Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO). A honorary educational society that provides clubwomen with a structured reading program that stimulates a desire for self-improvement. The goal is to:

•Encourage clubwomen's pursuit of higher education

•Create an additional means to unite women in volunteerism

•Develop a support network for women returning to school

•Improve current and develop new study skills

•Stimulating systematic home reading and study with minimal supervision

•Encouraging the establishment of home libraries and greater use of public libraries

•Encouraging the formation of reading/study/discussion groups

Members can participate in ESO as part of a reading group or on their own. The program provides membership, awards and certificates, pins, reading lists, and a framework in which to pursue continued self-improvement through reading. Many clubs combine club programming with ESO related activities, such as reading awareness and book promotion.

I love to read and part of what I love about the group is getting together with other women like myself to discuss stories. We don't talk about politics or the oil spill or the crazy things kids say and I love it.

We also don't all read the same book. We read whatever we want and when we meet we tell eachother about it. One of the things that always turned me off book groups was the arguments people get in about character development or the deeper meaning of so and so. This group is very relaxed and escentually we give tips on whats great to read. I belong to the fiction lovers group and the book I read today was fabu.

Thin Rich & Pretty

beth harbison

I wasn't sure about this one when I picked it up. It was recommended by amazon based on my searches. I have to tell you they were right on. It really was a coming of age story. One I found HILARIOUS. So of the things these girls did, I did myself...except for the stealing but I'm sure that was just the authors way of keeping me engaged ;)

In any case it was lovely.

New Tampa Junior Womens Club

2010-07-22T04:12:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year ladies
when we start looking for new recruits.
We have some amazing events planned and you can be a part of the adventure.
Join us. A new member orientation has been scheduled for
August 18th at 7pm at Winestyles in Wesley Chapel

I WON!

2010-07-20T21:08:00.000-04:00

Oh My GOD!

remember last week I blogged about a giveaway

for this adorable Stella and Dot necklace?

I WON!

I can't believe it!

Same Sweet Girls blog is so adorable

and I am so grateful

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Maybe it's just me...

2010-07-18T12:02:00.000-04:00

but I think Ugg

is ugly

seriously

they look like my grannys bedroom slippers

This is one trend I will never understand

OH MY GOD!

2010-07-17T10:36:00.000-04:00

I just got my electric bill and it's 302.56!

Holy Cow

We have lived in this house for 12 years

and I have never had one that high

I think around 260 was the highest

e ghad

and I really wanted that Furla Handbag

from Ideeli on Monday!

I just finished reading...

2010-07-13T07:31:00.000-04:00

Vengeance in Death

It's not scary like it sounds

It's a mystery and it was very good

JD Robb is actually Nora Roberts

who writes romance novels

but the "In Death"

series are futuristic mysteries with a little hubba hubba on the side ;)

This is the 6th in the series and I've decided to read them all.

So far there are 36 books and I have read 24.

I wish I could have read them all in a row

then I would understand the character development a little better.

But there is a long que for this particular series so when

I get an email from the library that says one is availiable I run over to

snap it up. heh

This is partly the reason my original goal to post

3 days a week has gone to the wayside

Have a great day!

Talbots SALE

2010-07-09T16:53:00.000-04:00

Remember a couple months ago when everyone was buzzing about Talbots?

Well I have really become a super huge fan.

I placed an online order and went by the size guide rather than my usual size

When it arrived it fit perfectly and looked beautiful.

I haven't been into a Talbots retail store since I was 5 or 6.

That was my Grans favorite and I guess I always figured it was for old ladies. hehe

Anyway, I had seen a beautiful top that I loved in INSTYLE magazine last month

but I could not afford it at the time so I tore out the page and put it in my little wish basket.

Today I went to the website and it is 50% off plus an additional 30%

Can you say AWSOME!

So I snached it right up..unfortuanately the dress that I love is out of stock but still FABU!

but since they are practically giving things away I added a few more items to my basket

OOoh, I can't wait for this delivery!

and these are perfect for my women's club meetings

cute but cool!

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Have a great day!

Have you seen...

2010-07-08T23:48:00.000-04:00

The new Lilly Pulitzer Tote

at Barnes and Noble?

Only 69.99

and I'm sure there is a coupon code somewhere you can use

Plus there is free shipping.

Can't beat that

Have a great day!

Looky Looky

2010-07-08T16:23:00.000-04:00

The Company She Keeps is

GIVING THIS AWAY!

I know right, so head over NOW and enter!

and have a great day!

Busy Bee :)

2010-07-07T16:01:00.001-04:00

Hello Ladies!

Just a quick note about an awsome giveaway of Stella & Dot

Head over to Same Sweet Girl to enter to win this fabu necklace.

I have been eyeing it for some time

it was one of the auction items for the Tampa Burn Center

and I didn't win that day

but have been thinking of it ever since :)

Good Luck!

Happy Independance Day!

2010-07-04T20:53:00.001-04:00

You will never believe what happened...

2010-06-29T14:50:00.000-04:00

I was coming out of the grocery store and I saw Anna Wintour! I was flabbergasted. I was so astonished I didn't even look for my camera. I'm just standing there, in the middle of the parking lot and other people are walking around me and I'm sorta pointing and she goes in the store. So then I'm like should I follow her, where is my phone I should call someone. Then I start looking around for her limo or driver or something, nada. Then I remember an article I read recently by Tim Dunn stating she always has a body guard so I start looking for men in black while I'm walking back to the enterance. There are none. Wait, why would she go into a grocery in Florida alone? I'm outside the entry sliding doors ie blocking the enterance to the grocery store debating if I should start ~~stalking~~ I mean reenter the store. It doesn't seem right. So I decide to just sneek a quick peek cause the bags are starting to get super heavy and it's too hot to wait outside. She is in the floral department. Right there! Why doesn't anyone else notice her? I have no idea. People are walking around me while I gawk. I get a little closer and she has on a pink polo, white jeans, a green sweater tossed over the shoulders and some sort of sandals, chanel sunglasses earrings and bracelet (at least I think the jewelry was chanel def on the glasses) anyway she turns around looks up smiles at me then turns around to finish her convo with the clerk in floral. Thats when I think this can't be her cause the polo has the Saddlebrook tennis academy embroidered on it and I don't think Anna Wintour smiles. In anycase I couldn't hold the bags anymore so I left, but holy cow I think that's one of the coolist celebrity sightings ever.

Although I'm pretty sure it wasn't her...I still think it was pretty cool.

Thank You

2010-06-28T03:15:00.000-04:00

I was reading a blog recently and I thought to myself 'this sounds exactly like me'.

Then a few days go by and 'that happened to me too'

and a few more days or weeks go by and I read some more and I'm like 'she could be my sister' and that leads to 'we should be best friends!'

I am so lucky to have made such great bloggy friends like you and I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your comments, suggestions and words of wisdom.

Reading the blogs has really educated me in so many ways and taught me to really open up so I just wanted to say Thank you. I know I don't always delve as deep as many of you do. Maybe someday I'll be as brave but till then Thank you :)

The Carrie Diaries

2010-06-19T18:33:00.000-04:00

Summer Reading

If you can only read 1 book this summer I'd put the Carrie Diaries at the top of the list. i loved it.

Now I know there are some who have read and were miffed cause it doesn't follow with the TV show. That's because TV & Movies never follow the book exactly. I mean we all know in real life she married the ballerina, right?

But it does match up with the books and let me tell you, I could not put it down. The original Sex in the City book had numerous points of view where this is the story of Carries youth. And OMG the ending is AWSOME! Can you say hooked?

I actually ended up buying this book cause the library copy had chocolate and cheeto fingerprints on the first 50 pages (yuck) so that tells you it's getting a lot of use but an excellent read none the less

and it's so good it was a fast read too.

Neiman Marcus

2010-06-15T12:44:00.000-04:00

I am on the email list for Neiman's and sometimes they have some very interesting items at 50% off or more which I LOVE with a capital L

It is sometimes called the midday dash and I think I am addicted

Today at 12:28 EST I was at the computer refreshing 20 times a minute!

Then when my computer said it was 12:33 the page was there! YEAH

after 1 minute I realized there was nothing that I could fit into or liked

hum

This has happened at every mid day dash since Feb

think there is a pattern?

think I'd change my behavior?

uh, no

It's kinda like gambling I guess

You push the button hoping for 3 cherries

but end up with a bunch of useless images

but one of these days I'll get my 3 cherries

and the deal will be mine all mine!

Have a great day!

LILLY LOVE

2010-06-11T17:04:00.000-04:00

I had seen this dress on

Beth Dunn

of Social Climbers fame

and fell in love

the print goes around to the back of the dress

of course I immediately thought of

Kate

from Nautical by Nature

and had to share

LOVE

have a great day!

Shout Out!

2010-06-09T22:20:00.000-04:00

Who went to the Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse Sale

TODAY?

I want to hear all about it!

Please leave in comments cause I now have a free voucher for

Southwest Airlines and I'm thinking this is how I want to

use it but I want to know what kinda deals there

are this year!

$69 Dresses?

$25 POLO's?

$39 Mens Shorts?

$69 Shoes?

Let me know ladies

SHOUT IT OUT!

One Kings Lane Super Deal

2010-06-09T12:43:00.000-04:00

Ladies this is a super fantastic deal

if you are a stationary lover like myself

you will love this deal at One Kings Lane

from 2 designing ladies

Regularly $72 you get

1 gift certificate to make a custom stamp

and 2 packages of

10 foldover note cards

for $29!

That's less than just the stamp at Expressionary

with the 40% off

coupon code!

Use my invitation link

https://www.onekingslane.com/SignUp.aspx?Sponsor=Patricia_Murphy%40verizon.net

then choose the button for

OKL Must Haves

It may only be for today so hurry!

The time is NOW

2010-06-08T19:10:00.002-04:00

This is the moment for the Senate to enact comprehensive energy and climate legislation in 2010 to create jobs, reduce dependence on foreign oil and limit global warming. The NRDC Action Fund has teamed up with Leonardo DiCaprio to ask you to urge your senators to support strong climate and energy legislation.

To join the fight, go to:

http://www.nrdcactionfund.org/thisisourmoment/

Sincerely,

The NRDC Action Fund

I just read, again...

2010-06-03T11:13:00.000-04:00

The best summer read yet!

I am a fan of Lisah's blog

Grosgrain Garage

and she mentioned one day that she was reading

Preppy in Plaid

It looked adorable so I went staight to the library and picked it up

Hilarious

Then I read the rest of the series

Hilarious x 100

oh my gosh

this girl says things I only think of

and I love it

Now I must say that my fair lazy wasn't my favorite

but I did buy the entire set from Amazon

and re-read them again

try them and see...

Bitter is the New Black

Preppy in Plaid

Such a Pretty Fat

Bright Lights Big Ass

My Fair Lazy

Ideeli

2010-06-01T13:35:00.000-04:00

Have I ever said how much I LOVE this site?

Well, I do.

There has been 1 exception and thats the bag I ordered for my mother in law for mothers day never shipped

Yeah, oops

I guess they over sold

but today I got these Pearl Havianas for only $10

so they are back on my good side.

Have a great day!

Thar' they are...

2010-05-30T21:21:00.000-04:00

Yep, those are my chubby nubbys

the reason for this photo is I couldn't figure out why I had cut my toenails at an angle

then I realized I stand like a duck

with my feet spread apart

so my big toes are painted at an angle....

in red

like this /

NICE

but when I just stand like I always do you can't tell

so HORAY for duck feet!

Cheecky

Have a great day!

HAPPY DAYS! or Pasco Girls Just Want to Have Fun

2010-05-29T13:27:00.000-04:00

Hi Ladies!

I had my meetup group over for a potluck and boy was it fun!

What a great group and we always have so many laughs, I love it!

Some of you were asking for the recipes so here goes ;)

Turkey

Ingredients

1 (12 pound) whole turkey

6 tablespoons butter, divided

4 cups warm water

3 tablespoons chicken bouillon

2 tablespoons dried parsley

2 tablespoons minced onion

2 tablespoons seasoning salt

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Rinse and wash turkey. Discard the giblets, or add to pan if they are anyone's favorites.

2.Place turkey in a Dutch oven or roasting pan. Separate the skin over the breast to make little pockets. Put 3 tablespoons of the butter on both sides between the skin and breast meat. This makes for very juicy breast meat.
(I accidentally put the butter on the butt then realized it was the wrong side so I had double butter, Oops)
3.In a medium bowl, combine the water with the bouillon. Sprinkle in the parsley and minced onion. Pour over the top of the turkey. Sprinkle seasoning salt over the turkey.

4.Cover with foil, and bake in the preheated oven 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). For the last 45 minutes or so, remove the foil so the turkey will brown nicely.

Sweet Potatos

4 1/2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup milk

1 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup butter

1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

2.In a large bowl, mix together mashed sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup butter, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Spread sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and flour. Cut in 1/3 cup butter until mixture is crumbly, then stir in pecans. Sprinkle pecan mixture over the sweet potatoes.

3.Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Mac and Cheese

Kosher salt

12 ounces gemelli, cavatappi or other spiral-shaped pasta

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon dry mustard

Pinch of cayenne pepper

1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk

1/2 cup whole milk

3/4 cup shredded yellow sharp cheddar cheese

3/4 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, chives and/or scallions

Directions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, mustard and cayenne and stir with a wooden spoon to make a paste. Cook, stirring, until the paste puffs slightly, about 1 minute. Whisk in both milks and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, whisking occasionally, until slightly thickened and creamy, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the cheddar and jack cheeses and all but 2 tablespoons of the parmesan and whisk until melted; keep warm.

Combine the panko, herbs and/or scallions, 1 tablespoon butter and the remaining parmesan in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until the butter melts, about 1 minute; toss.

Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup cooking water, and return to the pot. Toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, then stir in the cheese sauce, adding the reserved cooking water if needed. Season with salt and top with the breadcrumb mixture.

Key Lime Cake w/Cream Cheese Frosting
From the kitchen of Michele McCarthy

Mix:

1 Box Lemon Cake Mix

1 Small Box Lime Gelatin

1 ¼ Cup Vegetable Oil

½ Cup Orange Juice

5 Eggs

Glaze:

4 Tablespoons Confectioner Sugar

½ Cup Fresh Lime Juice (2 ½ - 3 Limes)

Frosting:

1 Stick Butter (Softened)

1 (8 oz) Cream Cheese (Softened)

1 Box Confectioner Sugar

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Cake: Mix first five ingredients beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Pour into 3 (9 Inch) round cake pans. Bake 350˚ for 25 minutes (or till done in the middle)

Glaze: Mix Confectioner Sugar and Lime Juice. Drizzle over layers while cake is still warm.

Frosting: Cream together Cream Cheese and Butter. Blend in Sugar and Vanilla.

Let cake cool completely before frosting.

if there is another one you wanted let me know and I'll e-mail the cook ;)

Also, I asked Cess to send be the hash browns recipe and I'll post it when it is received!

I just gotta say it.....

2010-05-25T22:22:00.000-04:00

WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?

Ok, I shouldn't still be angry.

It's been almost 2 weeks but I can't stop thinking about him...

This is Trooper.

We met last week at the Tails & Tuxes Gala

for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay

I am totally in love!

The hubs, not so much.

I want want want to adopt him

but the hubs is beyond allergic to practically everything

so I have been terminally SAD.

But this is not the sad story.

I met Trooper at the Benefit because he had been adopted

but his adoptive parents were not very attentive

and Trooper got hit by a car.

I'm not sure how he got back to the Humane Society

if he walked there all smooshed up

but somehow he got back.

The car crushed his front leg

The Humane Society had a super awsome vet

volunteer to take care of him (YEAH)

but he had to have his leg amputated

OMG

Just hearing the story made me want to hit someone

I DO NOT condone violence at all

but boy I was angry

and this was not the only rescue story that brought me to tears.

He was wearing a body cast

that the volunteers decorated to look like a tux

and he was hobbling around on three legs.

He was SO happy and excited to meet everyone and I was thinking

boy he is a star tonight

what a great personality

I'd love to have a dog like him.

Frankly, I'd love to have an attitude like that.

That is a great lesson.

Bad stuff happens and it can get worse

but don't let it get you down

cause I'm way better off than most peple and

I thank "god" everyday

for my amazing husband

and that I'm so lucky to stay home and take care of him.

So I will always think of Trooper when I'm down

and resolve to be a happy, good person

cause at least I have all my fingers and toes.

Shopping Addiction

2010-05-13T14:39:00.001-04:00

Hi Ladies :)

For those of you who are not aware

I have a little shopping problem

the hubs calls it an addiction

silly man

I'm not sure when it started but it peaked last June.

Yes, June at the Lilly Pulitzer warehouse sale ;)

Now, I am a Ross/TJ Maxx person and so when I see a deal I buy it.

Unfortunately there are times when things don't fit or look as cute with something as I thought. Also, I'm not very good at holding onto receipts to return things. (Thank god Target has the Credit Card system thing where they scan and poof there's your receipt)

Anyhow, when the guest bedroom closet got full of things that didn't "work", I opened a little Ebay store to move them off to a new home.

Then last year I went to my first LP Warehouse sale while the hubs sat home watching baseball. I got VERY caught up in the excitement of $39 flats So, essentially, I bought one of everything I loved

for myself, my sister (who I don't speak to) her kids, the hubs, my nephew in Oklahoma.

Oh yeah it was great! Till I got home and had over $1000 of Lilly that didn't fit.

Cheeky

So when I got the email from Lilly anouncing the Warehouse Sale next month I immediately told the hubs I wasn't going. Who was I going to buy it for? I've gained a little weight and don't fit in the clothing

so escentially I'd be going for shoes and handbags and the handbags were gone by noon

on the first day last year.
So...what to do?

(ummm, handbags....)

Well then the hubs says, "Haven't you made a nice little profit from Ebay?

That extra money could pay for your trip and a few things for yourself."

This is why I married him.

Joy Joy Happy Happy

I still haven't decided if I'm going to the "PARTY"

but at least I have the green light

Can you believe this is from Talbots too?

2010-05-10T15:44:00.000-04:00

I think I love Talbots

Ring: $39

Bracelet: $59

Happy Mothers Day!

2010-05-08T23:46:00.001-04:00

Hi there!

I hope all the moms are having a great day

I got my mother in law this Rowallen Hope Tote for Mothers day

I totally LOVE it!

I thought it would be perfect cause she can carry her laptop and magazines etc

rather than this giant duffle that she usually carries everywhere

Plus it's a lovely Khaki that will go with everything

and frankly I think it looks very professional

When I showed the hubs

he wasn't excited

hum

She works for a company that distributes magazines to specialty grocers

so she has tons of magazines everywhere

and I mean everywhere

So I thought this was perfect

fortunately he didn't think it was that bad cause

he didn't ask me to return it

and he didn't get something else

but now I'm paranoid that she'll hate it, UGH!

Men

I don't know why I'm beating myself up

it's not like she'll tell me she hates it

it will just sit in her closet and she lives 2000 miles away

I hope she likes it

Vern Yip: Art of Giving

2010-05-04T10:27:00.000-04:00

(this is a picture of him projected on a screen)

Last week I attended the Art of Giving Benefit with guest speaker Vern Yip

What a cutie pie

It was super fun and they had a special Martini

the Yiptini for everyone during the Silent Auction

Delish

I, of course, cried during "this is how you help change children’s lives" segment.

The food was marvelous & I won 2 Silent Auction items!

YEAH

The Benefit raised over $150,000 for the United Way summer programs

Silent Auctions are the BEST!!!

2010-05-03T13:07:00.000-04:00

Publix is a grocery chain in the south and they have a department called Aprons that does in store demonstrations of quick and easy meals but they also have a cooking school and I won seats for 2 to the beginner class! YEAH! So the hubs and I will be attending classes for the next 6 weeks in order to increase our (my) cooking proficiencies. heh. I'm really excited about the chopping/knives class. Maybe I'll be chopping like Julia Childs at the end!

Talbots: Who knew?

2010-04-30T00:03:00.000-04:00

I always thought Talbots was for old ladies...

Until I saw this

WOW

This is definately not my mothers Talbots

a few weeks ago Puttin' on the Grits

had a very interesting blog item about the new Talbots

and today she is having a giveaway

Talbots Giveaway via Puttin' on the GRITS

it is in conjunction with

Red Chair Confessions

and is adorable

Be sure to pop in and enter!

MAY EDITION: Town and Country Magazine

2010-04-29T00:30:00.000-04:00

Ladies, the May edition of Town and Country Magazine is tres' fab

However, my most favorite part is the interview with

Nadja Swarovski

at her parents home in Windsor Florida

Ok, not only is she beautiful

and an heiress to the Swarovski crystal fortune

her mother must be amazing.

Why you ask. Because of the 21 pictures in the spread

2 full page photos include her mothers desk + 1 little photo.

How do I know this? Well other than they said it was her parents house

this beyond amazing desk is PINK!

Oh yes. The entire desk is wrapped in pink embossed leather.

TO DIE FOR

If my mom had a giant pink leather desk I would think she was cool too.

Ps. did I mention she has 3 beautiful children and her hubs is british?

Are these preppy or what?

2010-04-27T19:32:00.000-04:00

I finally started reading Town & Country magazine

and I saw the most marvelous preppy item EVER!

18kt gold pink sapphire and peridot drop earrings

OMG

Paolo Costagli Florentine Collection

I couldn't, um, borrow the image from the website

but seeing is believing

Posts

2010-04-27T00:18:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking I will try to post more regularly.

It seems my bloggy peeps try to blog every day

but I really go in spurts

so I think I'll TRY to post 3 times a week.

What do you think?

Simply Vera: KOHLS

2010-04-26T14:10:00.000-04:00

I need to stop reading INSTYLE

Once again my hopes are dashed by the retail gods

I saw this in INSTYLE magazine and thought it was tres' chic

so I flew over to KOHLS to pick it up

Did they have it?

Silly me thinking an advertised product would actually be at the store, huh

So I went to the online store, uh, none their either

What is going on?

This shirt is $40

and it's a T-shirt

aren't we in a recession?

Suck-o-la

The UPS Man

2010-04-23T22:37:00.000-04:00

Last week the UPS man came rang the bell

and went back to his truck

I made it in time for the bendy Butt shot

as he was getting into the truck

When he sat down he turned

and saw me ~~drooling~~ waving

He smiled and drove off into the sunset

Today he droped off the package

NO DOORBELL RING

RACED BACK TO THE TRUCK

AND SQUEELED OUT OF THE CUL D SAC

Geesh

He acts like he never saw a woman

waving before

humf

H & M

2010-04-23T14:16:00.000-04:00

Living in Florida has its drawbacks

one of them being there are only 2 H and M's

in the entire state

I became especially upset by this while perusing

this months INSTYLE magazine

I thought this was beyond adorable and totally suited to Florida living

Unfortunately the closest H and M is in Orlando

90 minutes away

ARRRGH

H and M gods

if you are listening

Please open an online store

STAT

Thanks

WHAT IS GOING ON!

2010-04-22T00:14:00.000-04:00

The hubs has been getting up for work

and going directly to the kitchen

to make a loaf of bread

every morning for the last 2 weeks.

No this is not a euphamism

FANTAS-EYES.com

2010-04-20T21:44:00.000-04:00

Fantastic Eyes dot com

Why do you tease me?

I LOVE the glasses by XOXO

and they are INSTYLE this month

WHY OH WHY

Did you offer a coupon code that doesn't work?

Silly Fantastic Eyes don't you know I will search hi and low now

for a better deal

PS. Get a new shopping cart yours stinks

PPS. Yes I did try it several days ago before the promotion ended

Titan Luggage Update

2010-04-20T13:31:00.002-04:00

I was reading INSTYLE today and lookie lookie

A 40% off Coupon for Titan Luggage at

http://www.titanluggageusa.com/

The coupon Code is
INSTYLE40

Sweeeeeet

So of course I had to see if there was anything cute

and one of the new spring colors is:

FUSHIA

holy cow, must have now

I think I'm in Love

2010-04-19T21:50:00.000-04:00

Lisagh of Grosgrain Garage mentioned this book on her blog

Pretty in Plaid

Jen Lancaster

I thought the cover looked adorable so I picked it up at the library

I LOVED IT!

I think I should be her best friend ;)

So I spent the day scouring the internet for all of her books

and then I pre-ordered her new book on amazon

This book was so funny I would burst out laughing and startled the hubs

although he sorta deserved it for veto-ing the pink chair purchase.

If your looking for a good laugh pick up any one of the books by

Jen Lancaster

Bitter is the New Black

Bright Lights Big Ass

Pretty in Plaid

Such a Pretty Fat

My Fair Lazy

and visit her blog it's Hilarious!

Jennsylvania.com

Nutty, Maybe.....

2010-04-19T15:00:00.000-04:00

Getting snail mail is one of my most favorite things.

My mail carrier usually arrives at noon and it is now almost 3pm.

I realized how manic I have become when

1. I started tapping my foot incessantly

2. I checked 3 websites to be sure today isn't some weird holiday

3. I started looking out the window every 5 minutes.

Obsess much? Me? Pfft

GUILT GROUP, yep

2010-04-15T17:15:00.000-04:00

I have been a huge fan of Titan Luggage since my trip to Las Vegas 4 years ago. Many of my friends have said "HOW COULD YOU SPEND $500 on 1 SUITCASE!"

My reply had always been "It was cute"

However, i also carry a Hays and after spending 2 hours trying to get through the airport with a broken wheel i will only buy Titan. They have a beautiful glossy finish, come in green and pink (YES!) The wheels have NEVER given me any trouble. They are hardsided so easy to keep clean especially when somone at the neighboring slot machine spills their drink on it and very easy to find if I check my luggage and the best part is they have a lifetime warrenty.

Gilt Groupe has the cosmetic case for $95 but it's not the X2 edition so I passed.

Unfortunately I have not been able to turn the hubs to the darkside. But today on Gilt Groupe they are on sale. The $540 computer bag is a mere $135 and it is a manly slate color. So I will not feel guilty about this purchase and I will hide it in my closet till his birthday. :)

I realize there is a chance that he may never use it but it is so super cool, I can't resist. Plus, I could always carry my laptop in it...right?

Have a great day!

Homegoods: The Chair

2010-04-14T20:09:00.000-04:00

So I really liked this chair but I couldn't get it into the car with the cabinet

What do you think?

The Homegoods is about 40 minutes away

Lucky Me (says the hubs)

Don't blame Mii, Japan via the chicagotribune.com

2010-04-13T15:09:00.002-04:00

Don't blame Mii, Japan - chicagotribune.com
"Wii Fit" may actually be Japanese for "you're fat
Jennifer Lancaster

HILARIOUS!

Posted using ShareThis

Homegoods Gods

2010-04-12T17:16:00.000-04:00

Since Tickled P&G started doing her Homegoods updates and I had never ventured inside I figured I would go in and see what the rucus was about.... Good Lord....I may have to go back to work now to oay off my VISA bill. hahaaha

I fell in love at firstsight

There was a chair too but it wouldn't fit in my car and I'm not sure how I thought this would get into the house but I had to have it. I ended up asking the neighbor guy to help me in exchange for beer. :)

That was one of the best lessons learned in College.

Anyhow, the hubs had a carpeted dolly and the neighbor got it in and positioned in about 5 minutes.

Young people :)

Unfortunately or maybe fortunately the hubs hasn't noticed it yet.

Wait till I have it all decked out.

Sweet!

Have a great day!

Spring Giveaway

2010-03-30T14:46:00.000-04:00

It's the World I Know

is hosting a Spring Cleaning Giveaway as a way of celebrating spring and our nice weather. One lucky winner will receive these great Mrs. Meyer*s products and pair of Gloveables... they're loveable (Lilly looking, too!).

LEMON VERBENA ALL PURPOSE CLEANER

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lemon Verbena All Purpose Cleaner is good for just about everything, an all-around generalist. It safely and effectively cleans floors, counters, and surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens or any room both inside and outside. It's concentrated, hard-working, earth-friendly and biodegradable.

LEMON VERBENA DISH SOAP

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Lemon Verbena Dish Soap is rich, thick and makes grease disappear like nobody's business. This concentrated formula for handwashing dishes includes Soap Bark Extract, another ingredient from the garden that is one of nature's best degreasers. Rinses clean. All you need is a squirt or two and you're on your way.

LEMON VERBENA SURFACE SCRUB

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lemon Verbena Surface Scrub works on the grimy surfaces throughout your home. This non-scratching powder is made with a naturally safe ash and oxygen bleach for use on tile, stainless steel, professional cookware, porcelain fixtures and more. It's chlorine and phosphate free, of course.

GLOVEABLES

Suddenly cleaning has a new meaning. Caution: Use of this product has been known to cause laughter. Guaranteed to class up your day.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Ralph Lauren: Rugby

2010-03-29T17:16:00.001-04:00

I was reading Preppy Princess today and saw this!

Adorable, no?

but how did I miss that Ralph Lauren has a

new division called

Rugby?

I need to get WWD delivered!

Lets go Peeps!

Have a great day

What is going on with Blogger today

2010-03-29T13:02:00.000-04:00

It is 1pm and Bloggy time and the photos on my favorite blogs are missing! Whats up google? Want us to move to wordpress?

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS!

2010-03-28T23:24:00.000-04:00

How fantastic is this?

I must say I was beyond delighted when I opened my email today

and found an invitation from Lilly to the Spring Safari!

and I'm sure I'm not the only one.......

ladies who wants to go?

i do, i do

What are the chances we could all meet and go together?

I'm sure Beth already has her outfit picked out and verified the Nanny is on duty :)

What a perfect place to initiate the Preppy Mafia?

Collars Up

Have a great day!

Hopeless Cook

2010-03-17T16:19:00.000-04:00

I have never been a good cook. I don't have the patience.

So when I saw one of my girlfriends had become a fan of Dinner Done I checked it out.

I am SOLD with a capitol S.

Not only do they make a great meal that I can pop in the oven and forget till the timer goes off

but they now offer free delivery to my area on the 3rd Weekend of the month.

The food is delish.

I can go and make it at their place

or they can make it for me for an additional $1.75

and if they make it for me I can get it delivered free.

OMG, this is the best invention ever.

THANK YOU HEATHER!

Have a great day!

SHAZAM: Bonanno's Spring 2010 Collection

2010-03-16T14:07:00.000-04:00

Our girl Lisagh of Grosgrain Garage Fame had an amazing announcement today!

All of us Preppy Girls are familiar with the preppy staple Stephen Bonanno Sandals but who would have thought one of us would have the privilege of having one of these amazing creations named after us?

Beyond amazing and I am TOTALLY JEALOUS

Our girl is famous!

Congratulations Suga'

Have a great day

TIBI LOVE

2010-03-16T12:15:00.000-04:00

Gilt Groupe is having an amazing sale on Tibi today.

I LOVE this Kaleidoscope Silk Dress

but the only size left is a 2

and the sale just started at noon!

Have a happy preppy day!

My New Addiction

2010-03-15T14:01:00.000-04:00

Hopsy hooked me up with One Kings Lane

and now I am addicted!

Did you see the adorable stationary they have from

Lilly Pulitzer today?

and they had the most adorable trays

I can't get enough!

HELP!

Have a great day!

Nail Enhancement Swap

2010-03-12T10:23:00.000-05:00

Hey Ladies!

I particiapated in Confessions of a Control Freak Nail Polish Swap

and I got some super fun items from my partner Megan at

Churchy and her Sailor

I have been waiting 5 days to post photos of my awsome giftys

but the hubs took the camera to work and I have not seen hide nor hair of it

So when it comes back I WILL post photos but I didn't want

Megan or Gwen to think I was a flaker :)

The goods:

A fabuloso hand cream by OPI AVOPLEX <- super amazing product and works wonders

The quick dry Start to Finish base/top coat from OPI

The cuticle oil from OPI

** A spongy emery board like the professionals use **

A soothing face mask <- totally awsome

And a deck of cards, but they are special cards ;) They help you find/recognise the everyday happenings that are totally amazing that we sometimes overlook...cause us preppy girls are busy bees!

It's very inspirational and a beautiful swap gifty, I loved it!

Thank you Megan

Have a great day!

Little People are SO FUNNY!

2010-03-05T23:27:00.002-05:00

I met this little person today and he asked me
"Don't you hate it when poop sticks to your butt?"

I wasn't sure how to respond and the parent was speaking to the hubs
so I said, "Yes, I do."

He says, "Me too...so I just shake it till it falls off."

BAHAHAHA

I should have asked where he does this shaking but I was choking on my soda.

nuff said.....

Have a great day!

Charity Gala: Night of 5000

2010-03-04T06:05:00.001-05:00

Night of 5000 is only weeks away! Buy your tickets now because we have some awsome auction items including a BMW driving experience in SC, flight and hotel to Key West, Two Deep Sea Fishing excursions, Tickets to every sports venue in Tampa, Beer Tastings for 8 at World of Beer, Two Wine Tastings for 10, Two tickets to NYY game in NYC and much more!!!

AND DON'T FORGET THE GRAND PRIZE

$5000

Purchase your tickets now for a night to remember

GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman's Club Home Page with PayPal

http://www.ntjwc.org/

Easy Manipulated...

2010-03-03T17:25:00.000-05:00

In a recent blog Beth Dunn of Social Climbers fame was raving about monograms again and as soon as I saw the picture I knew I had to have it...

a monogramed yoga mat!

Preppy Mafia indeed

Check it... PreppyMafia.com

love Love LOVE!

2010-03-02T21:00:00.002-05:00

Duma, a fantastic film

2010-02-24T02:52:00.000-05:00

As many of you know I am married without children so I felt a little weird watching what was supposed to be a kids film. This is a movie about love, friendship, heartbreak and loss. I think everyone old or young can relate to it. I really liked it.

It didn't have amazing acting or deep spiritual meaning but it really touched my heart.

I hope your having a great day!

COACH Valentines tale

2010-02-19T19:19:00.000-05:00

The hubs comes home from work and starts telling me about a convo he had with one of his coworkers
"What's up with girls and Valentines day. I mean what do they really want?"
some of the other fellows said flowers, candy jewelry and then one started telling a story.....

'My girlfriend and I have been together for 4 years and this year I wanted to get her something really special. Everytime we go to the mall she points out this purse that she likes. {It's a COACH handbag} So I went to the mall to get it for her and the sales lady says it's the perfect gift. I'm smiling and ask her how much it is. $300. WHAT $300 for a purse to carry her junk? uh, what do you have in the $100 range?'

Apparently several guys have walked up to listen at this point and one says, "Why don't you get it at the flea market. They look exactly the same."

The hubs starts laughing and says, "She'll know the difference."

The other guy is like "no, no she wont I've checked they look exactly the same."

The hubs says, "dude, I've been married 12 years, she'll know, trust me."

The other guy keeps arguing and the hubs walks away.

So he's telling me this story and I am laughing hysterically and the hubs says, "so?"

I calm down a little and said if he got me a fake handbag I would have to re-evaluate our relationship. hahaha
and yes you can tell the difference it smells like plastic!

It turns out the coworker bought his girlfriend a Coach coin purse to match the bag she may have one day and had a great Valentines day to boot. I'm not sure about fake handbag guy...but I told the hubs I don't want him hanging around with guys like that! :)

Have a great day!

Hit the Brakes Ladies!

2010-02-18T19:37:00.000-05:00

UGLY BETTY has been CANCELLED!

aaaagggghhhhhh

but I love it!

Although I must admit I watch it online instead because ABC keeps moving it around

End Rant :)

Have a nice day

One of these days I'm going to give myself a heartattack

2010-02-18T18:43:00.000-05:00

Hello Girls

Things got so hectic I never told my superbowl party story and looking back it's kinda funny

So I joined facebook a couple months ago and a friend of mine from high school was found.

We have been chatting and then a couple days before the superbowl she invited me over for her party.

Yikes!

But I was excited and gave a enthusiastic YES!

Ladies, I'm sure we all look a little different than we did in high school.....nuf said

(It's been about 25 years for me)

Then the hubs advised he would be heading out with the boys for brews & snacks sunday

WHAT?

Ok, I'm not panicking. He wouldn't know anyone anyway so thats ok but a house full of people I've never met and the one person I know is the hostess....OMG

OK so I'm getting ready and I can feel the sweat on my neck but I ignore it and head out with a bottle of wine. Thats a pretty safe hostess gift, right?

On my way I stop at McDons for a cheeseburger to settle my nerves.

I get to her neighborhood and it's adorable.

It's an old fashioned town with craftsman style houses like the one above with the driveways behind the house. She live across from the park sorta behind the town square, lovely.

I walk up to the door and all these boys come racing out of the house and the last one says "go on in" but I'm nervous so I tap on the door then open and there are 100 eyes on me! (ok maybe it was 30 but it felt like a 100) and I'm looking at everyone and NO ONE LOOKS FAMILIAR! OMG

I have the address written down and I checked the house number when I came in so I'm in the right place then someone comes forward and says "I'm so glad you made it" and as we move toward each other I can see it's L and she looks beautiful.

I'm so happy and relieved and she steers me to the kitchen table and we talk and eat for hours.

Everyone was already tucked in and watching the game when I arrived so I got to hear the full scoop. :)

She has 2 beautiful children and her husband is so nice!

and they have 8 Chihuahua's!

they are so cute they look like gizmo from gremlins :)

I totally wanted to take one home.

I did have one (that I know of) moment when we were talking about friends from high school and I mentioned AC and that I couldn't believe she slept with my friends husband.

OOps

Insert foot in mouth!

AC & L are friends, eek.

Sorry L!

Other than that I think the night went pretty well and I had a super fun time.

All that fussing for nothing. When will I learn?

Have a great day!

{please excuse any typos something is wrong with my keyboard}

{I probably spilled snapple on it}

Too Funny

2010-02-17T17:39:00.000-05:00

I went to the vetrinarian to pick up Scoobys ashes today and there was a doggie dad with

a Great Dane and a Chihuahua.

They looked just like the 2 in the picture and I thought it was so funny

I started laughing like a crazy person.

There were tears of course but this is the first time I've cracked

a smile in a week.

They were both very sweet and loving and the doggie dad was

telling me there is another Chihuahua and a horse at home.

Can you imagine?

Humor really goes a long way to heal a broken heart.

Have a great day!

SSM and Nail Polish Swap

2010-02-17T01:03:00.000-05:00

SWAP

OK, while reading Short Southern Mamas blog tonight she mentioned a nail polish swap!

I thought that sounded soo fun! Cause some swaps are kinda hard

but a nails and more swap....shoot..it's on girls

I recently participated in Hopsys swap and 4 things pink was the gist

but I ended up getting 1 truly awsome pink item

and some other fun things.

Pink is hard cause there are so many variations.

Anywhooy, I signed right up and I hope you do too because the more the merrier, right?

and it's such a great way to make new friends :)

Hope all is well.

Have a great day!

Scooby

2010-02-11T18:34:00.000-05:00

This is my Scooby.

He lost his battle with cancer today.

He will be missed.

1998-2010

2010-02-04T15:25:00.002-05:00

Embarrassing!

2010-01-31T14:32:00.001-05:00

Friday night my husband’s company hosted a get together at the Lightning vs. Ducks hockey game. I was pretty excited because the team is so fun and we don't get together often. Anyhow...Scooby and I are walking for the team to raise money for the humane society and while the owners were greeting us the team leader mentioned the team had raised $6500. Oops. "I must really be slacking" I said and Mrs. Owner said she was requesting donations in lieu of gifts for her birthday. Yowzers.

My birthday is Tuesday and I haven't received any cards yet...maybe I should do that too I was thinking. So I averaged it out..there are 16 of us walking so that would mean that the average is $205 but I'm sure the Mrs. has more than that plus she gave me a $50 donation. Hum, so I'm not sure what I should do but I feel like the class dunce with my measly $150.

What do you think? Should I walk around the neighborhood with my little tin can like when I was a kid? Or call every friend in my address book begging for donations? :) hahaha

Have a great day!

{6500/2 cause the company matches the donations/16}

Ugh, When in Rome...yuck!

2010-01-27T00:17:00.000-05:00

Ugh, When in Rome, the new movie with Kristen Bell looked cute the first time I saw the preview 4 months ago. Now, I want to throw something at the TV everytime the ad comes on. Talk about oversaturation, yeesh. Even the music makes me cringe now.

End Rant :)

Have a great day!

Haiti Rescue

2010-01-14T18:36:00.001-05:00

President Obama has posted the different ways we can help

with disaster relief. Please click the logo to the right to do your part.

Martha: Blogger Edition

2010-01-14T10:56:00.000-05:00

Hey Girls did you see Martha today? She was celebrating Bloggers. She had some interesting guests but I thought the best part was that so many of the Bloggers were preps! Also Jennifer & Alexis were on and it's so funny to see how she interacts with her mom. She's not afraid to point out what Martha doesn't know...er...maybe it's more like Martha has a different perception of Alexis and Alexis likes to set her straight. :) I'm not sure why it reminded me so much of my mom & I but I really liked it.

There was also a girl who got laid off and wanted a new job at Martha Stewart so she started a blog Hire Me Martha to show off her skills. I'm thinking that is a very creative idea. I wonder if she has had any other job offers. She did say MSO had her resume but no nips yet. Interesting.

Time to start lunch. Have a great day!

Reader stinks

2010-01-09T17:39:00.000-05:00

As I read my favorite bloggy posts it gets harder to stay focused. Maybe it's just me but Reader takes some of the joy out of it for me. I love to click on my bloggy friend lists and see the whole beautiful page. Granted seeing the itty bitty one is nice if you want to browse but most of my favorites are my favorites so.......um.....bloggy friends, no more feeds, kay?

time for the pink fluffy jacket?

2010-01-09T09:36:00.001-05:00

Hey Ladies. For those of you not following on facebook...the weather in Florida has been pretty wacky. It's 9am and 32 degrees outside. Totally unheard of. My husband said he saw snow earlier today. What the heck is going on? Don't get me wrong, I love me some cold weather. Finally a chance to wear my super cute outfits. :) But now I need a jacket! Yuck....and of course that means getting in the attic and pulling down the jacket tub. yuck yuck. I usually only need to do this once every 3 or 4 years when we go to Colorado. It seems so crazy to be walking around Target as the Pillsbury Dough Girl {don't shake your head..I went to college in Colorado and it's pink! And down jackets are, uh, cool. Yeah}

So, today I am a little bummed about the weather but I'm sure we'll be closer to 50 this afternoon and I wont need a jacket and I can head out in full on Ralph Lauren without the hindrence of a fluffy pink jacket! Go Girl, show your fashion in style and Have a Great Day!

Men of a Certain Age

2009-12-30T20:11:00.000-05:00

Have you seen this show yet? I think it's hilarious! This week Owen, the black car salesman, decides to be nice to customers. He feels great until he gets his paycheck! hahaha .....you really should watch it....it's great and on demand.

Have a great day!

My most amazing day...

2009-12-24T06:45:00.000-05:00

Last Friday I went to Joshua House to drop off my Christmas presents & I couldn't believe how small the gift pile was. My little donation didn't make a dent and I was sad because I know Joshua House shelters kids who have it really bad. Kids who don't have anyone to take care of them. They have been neglected and abused by their parents and aren't safe at home anymore and have nowhere else to go. They come to the shelter with the clothes they are wearing and that’s it. No toothbrush or teddy bear to help them through the next days and weeks.

Anyway, I left and was really sad about the whole thing. There are 40 children currently at the shelter, mostly teenagers, but the gifts were towels and sheets. Weird. I don't ever remember putting that on my Christmas list when I was a teenager.... When I got home I sent an email to my husband’s company community relations manager (she's also an owner) to see if she could send an email to everyone at the company and maybe we could get some more presents for the kids together. That was Friday night...

Saturday I had dinner with my Meet Up group and was telling everyone about what had happened the day before when one of the girls said she would love to help too...It turns out she works for Macy's. :)

As luck would have it almost everyone at my husband’s company took this week off but when he got home Monday he had a check from the community relations manager to help buy gifts for the kids at Joshua House! Yeah!

I already had a plan to go to Macy's and get clothes for the kids. I had my Macy's card and the check. I had a list of all the sizes and I was ready for action!

My Meet Up friend had all the junior clearance items on racks for me to choose from and it went so quickly! Together we were able to purchase 1 outfit for each child at Joshua House. Yep, that’s 40 outfits for $212!

Then I raced over to Joshua House to drop off the bags and the volunteers were so excited! They had just started wrapping presents but the pile was still pretty bleak and I took some of the outfits out to show and there were ooo's and ah's....it was such fun! Thank goodness I remembered to get gift boxes. It was soo fun to be together and laugh and hear stories about the kids and how excited they would be. It really was the most amazing day.

TOYSRUS

2009-12-20T04:07:00.000-05:00

Did anyone go to toys r us Saturday?

They had the most amazing sale.

Board games for 4.99-7.99

and then Hasbro has a rebate coupon

I got battleship, chutes & ladders, twister + 10 others

for 2.99 after rebate!

I'll get through tons of birthdays next year!

I love the holidays!

Have a great day!

OMG, I have to walk a mile :)

2009-12-18T01:30:00.000-05:00

Hey Girls...so you probably noticed my ticker on the right and I thought I would share. Scooby and I will be walking at Bark in the Park for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Now Scooby and I aren't the best walkers. He is very easily distracted and I, well, I'm a roundy. :)

But this is such a great cause we agreed to walk for Charity and a great time.

I'll be sharing our mishaps on facebook and hopefully raising money for the Humane Society. My facebook badge is on the right so you can follow along too.

So if you have a few extra dollars you can spare I would appreciate your support!

Have a great day!

Please tell me why

2009-12-17T01:48:00.000-05:00

Why do men leave their socks on the floor all the time?

Why, now that I have tile floors, is there hair everywhere?

Why does the dryer ring at the same time the oven timer rings?

Today hasn't been one of my better days.....

The Gap

2009-12-08T23:28:00.000-05:00

How cute are the Gap commercials this year?

The girls outfits are so adorable.

I wish they had them in my size.

Have a great day!

A little anxiety today....

2009-12-04T19:32:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the first holiday party and I am a wee bit anxious because my schedule is pretty tight.

Set up for Mistletoe Market (8am)

Assist with Marketplace (to 4pm)

*Remind the hubs to get a haircut*

Shower prep

Salon: Hair and nails

Mac: Makeup

race back home

dress

Hopefully I'll be dressed and ready to go by 6:30pm but it's more likely to be 7:30....I guess I should do my own makeup....hum maybe I can leave the volunteer market a little early...

Tagged...I'm it!

2009-12-03T17:14:00.001-05:00

I was tagged by Jilly! This one is great. Have a great day and remember every days a blessing...

1. Have you started your Christmas shopping? Yes, I shop all year. When I see something I love, I pick it up and it goes into the gift closet.

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions. Putting up the outside lights, the tree and wreaths Thanksgiving weekend. Packing all the gifts and getting them shipped off and wrapping my hostess gifts and putting them under the tree till the party. I just love having everything done and ready so I’m not rushing around. I usually finish the Christmas cards and ship them on Wed before Thanksgiving so they are received Dec 1st.

3. When do you put up your Tree? Thanksgiving weekend

4. Are you a Black Friday shopper? Oh yeah Baby! That’s one of my favorite days of the year. The day after Christmas is my next favorite day ;)

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home? The hubs and I usually stay home

6. What is your funniest Christmas memory? When I was little all my family gathered at my grans. She was an awesome cook! She had 8 children and tons of grandkids…we were all together one Christmas in her little apartment and as we kids were rallying for the front row nearest the gifts, gran came out to take her place next to the tree. She lost her balance and toppled over into the tree. It was so funny! She was laughing and everyone was trying to help her up. She sat down in her chair and she was covered with silver icicles. She clapped her hands and said let’s get this party started! Hahaha.

7. What is your favorite Christmas movie of all time? Wow, there are so many! White Christmas is a classic, Preachers Wife, Love Actually but A Christmas Story can’t be missed!

8. Do you do your own Christmas baking, what’s your favorite treat? No, that was my grans favorite thing. She made this awesome almond cookie with a giant chocolate kiss on top.

9. Fake or Real Tree? Fake, Live ones don’t last long in the Fla heat.

10. What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done? Never. I usually have everything done and ready Thanksgiving weekend.

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve? Nope

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas? Uh, around the tree part, opening gifts, seeing everyone smiling….

13. What Christmas craft do you like the best? Making the wreaths

14. Christmas music? (Yes or No) If yes, what is your favorite song? Oh, yes absolutely. Michael Buble’ has some great ones..I can’t really decide.

15. When do you plan to finish all of your shopping? Already done :)

ASPCA International: Operation Baghdad Pups

2009-11-24T10:18:00.000-05:00

I am not from a military family so I'm not familiar with the military lifestyle but I am familiar with loss. I have a girlfriend who, at 40, decided to accept civilian employment with the military in Egypt. She is a Librarian working 25 km from the border of Iraq. We haven't seen each other in at least 10 years but this is the amazing thing about facebook, you get to peek into their lives like you never left. :)
So my friend leaves everyone she knows and loves to start this very scary adventure. I have to preface this by saying she also took the position because librarians are low on the "schools must have" totem pole and they are not being rehired.
So she gets there, she's sick the first couple weeks but eventually gets acclimated. Then a group of soldiers return to base with a dehydrated/malnourished momma dog and her 6 puppies. There is no veterinary care available and no veterinary supplies. So the team gives them water and part of their rations and eventually they get stronger. My girlfriend decides to adopt one of the puppies jointly with the base Chaplin and we thought they would live happily ever after. NOPE. The military has a strict "no pets" policy. OMG
She talks about him on every post and has boded and formed an attachment and now they are going to kill it? Yes ladies that is what the military requires. They don't want soldiers in battle to be distracted so they don't allow pets and if you have one you have to find it a home or kill it. Needless to say in a country that looks on dogs as pests rather than pets finding a home was hopeless.
Fortunately there is a caveat. If a dog is a mascot of a regiment it is a member of the team and can stay plus it gets its own rations! Yipee! Fortunately the Kansas Reserves were happy to offer the puppy a new home. He will be joining the regiment December 2. But then what you may ask.....
This is where Operation Baghdad Pups comes in. They are a division of ASPCA International and they assist soldiers in their attempts to bring home their furry friends. It's really amazing when you think about it. They help with veterinary care in the home country, assist with travel and housing then customs, post vet care and temp housing. Amazing. Then the doggie or kitty goes on the road again to the final destination and a permanent home to await their military counterpart.
COOL
So, I’m thinking to myself what can I do to help soldiers and their pets? Hum, I can send care packages…maybe I could help raise money to bring pets from other parts of the world..I’m not sure. If you have suggestions I’d appreciate it. I’m a sucker when I hear these stories. I want to reach out and love and protect these poor little animals but the reality is I’m not very good at it. I’m good at getting people together and fundraising, so maybe something in that area……..
Have a great day!