Leave All Your Love and Your Longing Behind

Another year over and what have you done?

Cute hat... no neck.

2011 was a pretty awesome year, for me at least. I spent most of the year preparing for and planning my dream wedding, and then the remainder has been spent in wedded bliss, learning to cook, and mentally giving birth to a blog (it's a girl). 

I love this sweater

As with most years I've made some mistakes and have some regrets. I've made some new friends, and lost some old ones. I made unforgettable memories with some of the people I love the most.

Speaking of really good friends, one of my best friends (my husbands BFF since they were in 5th grade) made a list - a Life Pro Tips list - some are ridiculous like:

 "Don't try to make grilled cheese in the toaster."

But than again some of them are really worth sharing, which is what I've decided to do. I know that the following is going to seem a lot like common sense, but sometimes you need a reminder. And with the new year coming in two days, what better time to remind you?

(some of) Dave's Life Pro Tips:

·  Be attractive. Don't be unattractive. 

·  If you want something, you have to ask for it.

·  Fake it 'till you make it usually works

·  Buy quality products that you will use a lot. They are an investment.

·  No one is keeping track of the mistakes you make.

·  Get to know your parents before it's too late.

·  Respect is earned, regardless of status.

·  People are far more like you than unlike you.

·  Ignore the trolls.

·  Learning how to cook is an incredibly valuable skill.

·  You don't have to be nice, just don't be a douche-bag.

·  Body language makes a huge difference.

·  Spend time with people worth spending your time with.

·  Showerbeer is amazing.

·  Use sunscreen.

·  Kill spiders with fire. Or nuke them from orbit. 

·  Treat yourself well. Celebrate the little victories.

·  Bacon makes everything better

·  There actually are loving and caring people in the world.

·  Prepare for the worst, hope for the best

·  Floss like a boss

·  People remember compliments.

·  It doesn't matter if you fall down, as long as you get back up.

·  Admitting you made a mistake will earn you respect and speed up the fixing process. 

·  Talk it out with your Significant Other.

·  Socks are lube for pants.

·  Place a clean towel on your pillow every night to help cure acne.

·  You have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak.

·  Tell people that you appreciate them.

·  Thank you cards for gifts go a long way.

·  You are not alone. You are never alone.

What I'm Wearing:

Hat: Kohls

Scarf: Macy's

Sweater: AE 

Shirt: Simply Vera by Vera Wang (via Kohls)

Jeans: Old Navy 

Boots: Ballard by Wanted (via Piperlime) -- seen here

The title for today's post was borrowed from Florence & The Machine: The Dog Days are Over

The Truth about Trust

He trusted I would cut ONLY the cake.

Trust is a funny thing. Websters defines trust as - Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Which would lead one to believe that faith and trust are almost the same thing. They can both  be tested, restored, and lost. They both have multiple levels and understandings. However faith is defined as - Complete trust or confidence in someone or something. 

Yep those are ours 

This isn't a post about religion. This is a post about people. For example: When CJ and I got married, a lot of people asked me "How's married life?" and I always responded the same "Good! It's no different than engaged life." but honestly it was. No - our routine didn't change. No - we didn't finally move in together. What had changed was my perspective on our relationship. The level of love was different. The level of trust was different and the level of faith was different. I somehow was more in love with this man, simply because he made a vow in front of all of our family and friends to cherish me for the rest of his life. I now trusted him with every piece of my body, heart and soul. I now had faith that he would always love me and would always to his best to protect our family. 

Sorry that got really girly and totally off topic for a second. 

Whether trusting someone with a secret, your heart, or that they won't trip you during a zombie apocalypse, what I'm trying to say in a round-about way is that in any relationship/friendship there are levels of trust. It is important to define the level that you are on. Never assume that you are on the same level... But have faith that you will be someday. 

Because you really don't want to wait for a zombie apocalypse to find out ... do you?

For your reference. Thank me later.

Happy Thursday! 

Two for One

It is ridiculously windy out today. How windy? So windy that I woke up in the middle of the night to take our wreath down. So windy that I also should have flipped the table in our backyard over to avoid it from flying into oblivion. SO WINDY that it made taking pictures of my comfy casual work outfit nearly impossible.

What I'm wearing:

Shirt - Old button down

Sweater - Forever 21

Scarf - Simply Charming 

Khakis - Old Navy

and of course...yet again - my Dolce Vita Boots.

So you get a half way decent picture of my outfit and a halfway decent picture (and an easy recipe) of what we had for dinner last night. 

Easy Reuben Sandwiches:

Ingredients:(for 2 sandwiches)

• 4 slices of Rye Bread
• Butter
• Swiss Cheese (sliced)
• 1/4 lb. of Corned Beef
• Sauerkraut (drained)
• Russian dressing (recipe included)

Directions:

1. Butter one side of each slice of bread
2. Spread the opposite side with Russian dressing
3. Place two pieces of cheese on top of the dressing
4. Place corned beef on top of cheese
5. Place sauerkraut on top of beef
6. Add two more slices of cheese on top of sauerkraut
7. Place other piece of bread on top
8. Grill the sandwich in a pan until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted

Russian dressing:

• 2 tbsp. mayonnaise
• 2 tsp. ketchup
• 1 tsp. horseradish
• 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• salt & pepper to taste

Happy Windy Wednesday! 

Moats and Boats and Waterfalls...

This is what I'm dealing with today, 37 degrees and rainy... gross.
(can't forget the periods of HEAVY RAIN.)

That didn't stop Kate and I from having a reunion lunch downtown at our favorite spot... 

And I found out that I can run just fine in my new boots.

Good to know... Fun for others to watch.

Needless to say - this weather makes it very difficult to take pictures for an outfit post. 

Hopefully you had an AMAZING Christmas/Holiday Weekend, and got lots of new, fun stuff. There's nothing better then having a nice long weekend with your family and friends.
(Fun stuff not needed, but it's certainly a plus)

I was even able to successfully pull off a Pompadour
(or a pomp-a-dorable if you will)
That was until I got rained on... 

*Note to self, check the weather and plan accordingly* 

Undershirt - AE

Dress - Charlotte Russe

Vest - Forever 21

Belt - Simply Charming

Tights - Gap

Boot Socks - Homemade

Boots - Ballard by Wanted (via Piperlime)

The Secret to a Happy Marriage

WARNING - This post is a tad-bit racy and is therefore rated PG-13

There are A LOT of factors in a successful marriage, but in my opinion the top three are as follows: 

1. Communication (You need to be able to speak openly with your partner)
2. Understanding (You need to be able to understand what your partner is saying/doing)
3. SEX (Lets face it, this one does not need an explanation)

With that being said, I'm not here to rant about how communicating and understanding are the secret to a good marriage, it's really the sex.  To the couples that have sex once a week, do you realize that you're only doing the deed 52 times a year? Out of 365 days... that's not even half! And to those couples that are every other week or even once a month, why are you even married if you're not going to reap the benefits of having a lifelong partner?  not really sure WHAT is wrong with you to say.

I'm not saying have sex everyday (although my husband is probably wishing I would) but at minimum twice a week-- personally I usually get a little "fussy" by day three with no "O" face. 

So lets take a step back and talk about this. Just you and I - blogger to bloggee. Why sex is so important in a successful marriage. 

#1 - Make Time: Sex is healthy, I mean really healthy. Sex relieves stress, boosts immunity, burns calories, improves heart health, improves self esteem, improves intimacy, and helps you sleep better.  So do yourself a favor and make time for a little whoopy. The average "sack session" only lasts about 12 minutes, so even if you're "too tired" or "too busy" just DO IT! He doesn't care if you have polar bear legs or you just got back from the gym. Trust me, and if anything do it for your heart health, because that's some serious stuff. But why are we even debating this when we both know it's going to end happily?

#2 - Switch it Up: Having one partner for the rest of your life should NOT scare you, being in one position for the rest of your life should. Seriously. Switch it up.  Cosmopolitan isn't one of the top women's magazines for nothing! I'm not saying do some crazy shit and go all Kama Sutra, but flip over at least. ALSO - beds are boring. Nothing says good morning or puts a smile on your face like a soapy session. Be creative, I hardly doubt that you will get a divorce because you wanted to be adventurous. 

#3 - Compromise: Communication and understanding apply to every aspect of  your relationship, especially even in the bedroom. What I'm saying is Christmas is not the only time for giving and receiving. Just remember - there is no I in TEAM. And that's what you are, you're a team. 

Taking another step back, these three rules (Make Time, Switch it Up, and Compromise) can be used in every aspect of your relationship. Don't just make time for doing the dirty, make time for your partner, whether it's a dinner date, talking about your day, or some late night cuddling watching reruns, make time. Switch up your routine, the woman doesn't have to cook dinner every night and the man doesn't have to always take out the trash, you're both adults so switch it up. And compromise, this one speaks for itself. Marriage is not about keeping tabs, as a team you should both be happy with the decisions that are made, and if you're not than you need to start playing nice and learn to compromise.
OH AND LAUGH. Really if you take nothing else away from this post, the secret to a happy marriage is laughter and sex. 

And for the men reading this: Yes, we know you like our butts, but slapping them as hard as you can every chance you get is not something we look forward to on a daily basis. When we say "Ow!" it is usually genuine. 

This is my last post until after the
 Holiday Weekend, so have yourself a
Merry little Christmas
from our family to yours. 

Girl With a Guys Name

For those of you who haven't read my profile, My name is Justyn. Pronounced JUST - IN, as in just in time, just in case, Justin Timberlake. I am the only girl out of four children, which would mean I have three brothers, and yes we ALL have boys names. I tend to joke about the fact that my mother named me Justyn (because my father had nothing to do with it) to confuse people but there really is a story to the origin of my name. Actually, there are two stories that I have been told, and luckily I've decided to share them with you today.

Story #1 - Most likely untrue... While my mother was in labor and sitting in the hospital waiting for her beautiful baby girl to be born (yes she knew I was a girl) she was flipping through a Play Boy magazine (because that's what women in labor did in the late 80's?) - in which Justine Bateman was "interviewed". Supposedly my mother thought that Justine's name was pronounced Justin and hence I was born Justyn. Here's the problem with that story - first of all, Justine's name is not spelled J-U-S-T-Y-N. Secondly, Justine was in the December 1987 issue of Play Boy and I was born November 1st. If anything this story would make good conversation at a party, but there's no way it's true. 

Story #2 - Probably the truth... My mother is a strong, beautiful woman. However in high school her nickname was Tank. She claims she named me Justyn because she wanted me to have a strong, sturdy name. She didn't want me to "turn out like her" and have a petite pretty name like Tiffany or Ashley. In her own words "I had no clue you'd turn out to be a valley girl."

Little did she know... I would still acquire nicknames over the years. 

Nickname #1 - Bark Bark. Really? I was in 4th grade and new to the school and a group of boys (most of which I ended up dating in High School) decided to call me Bark Bark. Because having a boys name wasn't traumatizing enough to a stick thin, boob-less girl, apparently I looked like a dog. Luckily that nickname didn't stick past Middle School.

Nickname #2- Girl With a Guys Name. Creative. You can thank my 9th grade Biology teacher for this gem - and the title of this post. 

Then there were the nicknames from my friends parents... 

Justyn Time - Justyn Case - This Justyn

I know that this seems like a completely random rant, but it actually was inspired by my outfit which is a bit BOYISH today... and totally comfy.


Shirt: AE
Sweater Vest: Forever 21
Jeans: AE
Shoes (not pictured): Dolce Vita Booties


Happy Thursday before Christmas!

Easy Dinner for Four

Since becoming an avid "Pinner" going grocery shopping is SO MUCH EASIER --  Mostly because I have started to make menu's and then shop accordingly. Yesterday I went grocery shopping (hungry...but I controlled myself) and decided to make an easy dinner last night that was just so yummy I had to share.

Our neighbors (Danny & Erin - their son Jaxson is our daughters boyfriend) came over for dinner and it was funny because when Erin asked me where I got the recipes, both husbands responded (in an unnecessarily high pitch) "Pinterest!" they then proceeded to laugh as I ran to get my camera so I could take pictures of my meal for - duh - my blog.

**Note - the link to the original recipe's are included in the title**

Penne Pasta with Sun-dried Tomato Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (8 oz.) dry penne pasta
• 8 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (about 1/3 cup)
• 1 can (12 fl. oz.)  Evaporated 2% Milk
• 2 cups (8-oz. pkg.) shredded Italian-style four-cheese blend
• 1teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions, adding sun-dried tomatoes to boiling pasta water for last two minutes of cooking time; drain.
2. Meanwhile, combine evaporated milk, cheese, basil, garlic powder and pepper in medium saucepan.
3. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Add pasta and sun-dried tomatoes to cheese sauce; stir until combined.

Stuffed Cheese Bread with Herbs

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp of chopped fresh basil
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp green onion (or chives)
• 1 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella 
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Take a long loaf of bread and slice in half.
2. Scoop out the middle, and save the insides for breadcrumbs later.
3. In a bowl, combine the stuffing ingredients and mound into the hollowed out bread.
4. Put the lid back on the bread to cover and wrap tightly in aluminum foil.
5. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. 
6. Wait till cool enough to slice.

ENJOY!!!

Rough around the Edges

I found a bench. 

I just gotta say...I'm a little bummed because it's not terribly cold outside, granted it's not warm, but it's definitely not cold... which means Northern Virginia will more then likely not have a white Christmas. 

Dress: Old Navy

Sweater: American Eagle

Belt: Old.....

Leggings: Target

Boots: ...they're old too

Necklace: Early Present from the Hubby... Juicy Couture 

As the title of this post suggests I'm feeling a little "rough around the edges" today, probably because it's Monday... and I really just want this week to go by fast because unlike others I'm ready for Christmas and some QT with my family. 

HAPPY MONDAY Y'ALL!

Fake it 'till you Make it

When I was younger my mother always made "Kellie's Pot Roast" for dinner. She'd let it cook in the crock pot all day and then serve it over egg noodles, and it was the most amazing meal every time she made it. Now I don't know who Kellie is, or where her recipe came from but my mom DID pass on her secrets to me and I have successfully mimicked this recipe several times. WELL yesterday I decided was a good pot roast day and began to gather the things I would need to yet again make Kellie's famous pot roast, that was until I realized I didn't have all of the ingredients. Being that Sundays are my lazy days I was not getting dressed (or showering for that matter) just so I could run to the store. Instead I improvised, which is kind of scary when you think about it, an inexperienced cook improvising is usually not a good idea. 

So I set to work gathering random ingredients I thought might work well and threw them all in the crock pot with my roast, then I proceeded to sit on my couch and watch lifetime movies. At close to 4 0'clock when the roast was almost done my husband informed me that we would be having company for dinner. This meant I not only had to come up with a side for my improvised roast, I now had to take a shower and get dressed. To everyone's surprise (especially my own) dinner came out AH-MAZING. The roast was perfect and my made up side dish - cheesy potato and  broccoli casserole - was delish! I'm almost positive that everyone had second and third helpings of both. 

At least I know that I did! 

Justyn's Pot Roast

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 lb boneless chuck roast
• 1 cup Chicken Broth
• 1 packet of Onion Soup mix
• 2 cups Red Wine (I used a burgundy)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Throw the above ingredients together in a crock pot and let cook (stirring occasionally) for 8 hours on low.
2. Serve over Egg Noodles
3. Enjoy!

Cheesy Potato and Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of frozen Broccoli and Cheese
• 2 russet potatoes (peeled & cubed)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp. sour cream
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Defrost broccoli and cheese - set aside
3. Peel and cube potatoes
4. In a medium bowl mix 1 cup cheese, potatoes, broccoli & cheddar, sour cream and salt & pepper until evenly coated
5. Put mixture into casserole dish and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and stir.
7. Add remaining cheese and breadcrumbs to top of casserole.
8. Return to oven and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes - or until top is crispy and golden brown.

Deck the Halls -- and your nails!

One of the first blogs I ever read -- the first blog I ever "followed" was ...loveMaegan. This woman is amazing, I check her blog religiously for fashion advice and easy DIY's (and pretty much anything else you can think of -- you have to check her out!) Her blog has inspired me in SO MANY WAYS (including creating a blog of my own)

You can also thank her for the following post. 

Maegan recently posted "Festive Holiday Nails ~ Glitter Stripes" which I just had to attempt! **Side note... hers come out much better then mine -- I can only say check out her page so many times!**

I'm such a girly girl - I LOVE DOING MY NAILS - but usually do them at work considering my daughter likes to help me do everything which only makes the things that she can't "help" me with that much harder. So word to the wise, if you have small children wait for them to go to bed before "decking your nails". Otherwise it's going to take close to ten times longer and they probably won't be as pretty (not to mention you'll have to paint ten more nails.)

I used: 

O.P.I - Year of The Dragon

Sally Henson - Growth Formula Top Coat

Pink & Gold Glitter Glue

Take heed! Glitter glue takes A LOT longer to dry than nail polish so proceed with caution!

Have Fun!

Ignore the Trolls

Hello again to all my friends, together we can play some rock and roll - I am totally feeling 80's rocker chick today. It's the boots, and the hair... and the blazer... 

So for today's post I did some scavenging for the PERFECT backdrop... and I found it. Boom. Right there in my neighborhood... Who'd have thought?

Can I just say that regardless of the 80's rocker chick feel, I LOVE this outfit. 

The above picture is totally Vogue, I know. It's the hair -- which reminds me I also just want to say that I feel like it is a rhetorical question to ask me if I cut my hair. SO if you asked me and I ignored you, that's why...

CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE (and rice)

I love my hair and it only took me two (to five...) minutes to do this morning.

P.S. tomorrow is Friday and the beginning of the week before Christmas - If you're not smiling right now, you should be. 

**The awesome title of this post came from David Zook's Life Pro Tips** 

New England Clam Chowder (with a twist)

So a couple of weeks ago I found this recipe on Pinterest and decided I was going to make New England Clam Chowder - but then I forgot to print the recipe out. Luckily for me I have a ton of cookbooks at home -- that for the longest time have been used at counter decorations in my kitchen. So I decided to finally open one up and found this recipe in my newest Better Homes Edition Cookbook. Again this was a couple weeks ago (before I became an avid blogger) and decided to test run this recipe on my parents... well it was a hit! 


I made it again last night and added a couple things - not a lot - just enough. The original recipe was DELICIOUS, the twisted recipe is well, BETTER THEN DELICIOUS (perhaps scrumptious?) 

New England Clam Chowder:

Ingredients:

• 2  6-1/2-ounce cans minced (or chopped if you prefer larger pieces)clams
• 4 slices bacon, halved
• 2 ½ cups chopped, peeled potato (3 medium)
• 1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
• 1 carrot chopped
• 2 celery sticks chopped
• 1 tsp instant chicken bouillon granules
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ tsp dried thyme, crushed
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup light cream
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

directions:

1. Drain canned clams, reserving juice. -- If necessary, add enough water to reserved clam juice to equal 1 cup. Set juice aside.
2. In a large saucepan cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in pan. Drain bacon on paper towels; crumble bacon and set aside.
3. Stir reserved 1 cup clam juice, bacon drippings, potato, onion, carrot, celery, bouillon granules, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and pepper into saucepan. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. With the back of a fork, mash potatoes slightly against the side of the pan.
4. Stir together milk, half-and-half, and flour; add to potato mixture. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in clams. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more or until heated through. 
5. Sprinkle each serving with crumbled bacon.

Makes 4 servings (6 cups)