Facing the Music

My Outfit Inspiration - Allison from Shy Scout 

As a woman I have always thought of myself as pretty, confident and on the rare occasion, sexy. Never, have I ever, considered myself "cute". 

I, as a woman, am a CREATOR of cute things. 

For example:

My daughter, My outfits, Birthday Party Invitations, etc...you get the point.

Puppies - are cute.

Kittens - are cute.

And apparently

{almost} Twenty Five year old Mothers - are cute.

Well damn...I guess it could be worse.

Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Pinspiration {Words To Live By}

For those of you who have been with me for a while you know that I set a couple resolutions at the beginning of the year.

I thought it was about time to give you an update.

1. Quit Smoking - I have been a "committed quitter" for 85 days. Yes, I've cheated and had a couple "cigs" here or there but I have yet to buy a pack and have no intention to. The hubby on the other hand has not picked up a cigarette in 85 days and I could not be more proud of him!


2. Lose Weight - Truth be told I didn't quit drinking completely - which yes, would help me lose weight. I did however start drinking LOTS more water and making a conscious effort to eat healthy(er) at every meal - but alas have not lost any weight! I attempted P90X for a couple weeks and it kicked my butt and was hard to keep up with due to a certain attention hungry 2 year old and a lazy mamma that refused to wake up before 6am. 

And so...it's back to the drawing board.

 But not before congratulating myself on my victory over smoking. 

Happy Hump Day Lovelies!

1.2.3.4.5.

It's Working

I was SO excited when I got an email from the Invisible Children saying "Kony 2012 is Working" To the nay sayers - to the people who said we wouldn't be heard - How does that feel?

It's so frustrating to me that people I know, people I LOVE - will not watch the video and want NOTHING to do with this 2012 resolution. I just hope that everyone realizes, Kony 2012 is NOT about religion. This is NOT about politics. Kony 2012 is about stopping a man who has KILLED, MUTILATED, and STOLEN the lives of thousands of people, mostly women and children. This is about restoring humanity and becoming one to make it happen.

And it's working.

Stop at nothing.

...And May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor.

One would think being a mom and all that I would be able to function efficiently on four hours of sleep...however I seem to be having trouble communicating coherent and sensible sentences today. With that I will make my review of The Hunger Games short and sweet.
(don't worry there are no spoilers in here)

FACT: If you loved the books you will love the movie. Yes there are some differences but that was to be expected. {If you don't agree with this statement I want to hear your thoughts.}

FACT: If you've never read the books, you will love the movie. And then after you've seen the movie you will want to read the books. Unless you don't like books, in which case - why are you reading my blog?

FACT: Be prepared for Twihards. We were surrounded.

Vintage Inspired

I found this gem of a dress in the corner of my closet and it was like Christmas Morning. I love finding clothes that I forgot I owned! {I am a little obsessed with the belted dress look so please bare with me until I'm out of this phase.} Now onto the shoes... I adore these shoes. Yet another Target purchase from a few years ago. I feel like these shoes make any outfit almost vintage - the neckline on the dress helps too.  

I am SO PUMPED, my good friend Kate and I are going to see the Midnight (well 12:10) showing of The Hunger Games tonight and I am so effing excited! I just **hope** that the movies are as good as the books - which almost never happens ... {i.e. One for the Money} still stoked nonetheless. 

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: VS

Belt: Forever 21

Shoes: Target
Happy Hunger Games Thursday!

Cherry Blossoms in Bloom

Spring has sprung in the Shenandoah Valley which means it's time to ditch the panty hose and break out the open toed shoes. I could NOT BE HAPPIER. Right now the Cherry Blossoms are blooming and soon it will be time for Apple Blossom, which is everyone's favorite time of year around here... I am so excited! 

With all of the blooming and the sun shine, I can't help but literally stop and smell the roses. 

What I'm Wearing?

This entire outfit is from Target {minus the belt} a couple of seasons ago... 

Happy Hump Day Lovelies!

Rachel Ray, Eat Your Heart Out

Probably my favorite thing about warm weather is getting to use the Grill. The hubby and I got it as a wedding gift and it sparked my "learn to cook" craze. Here are two of my GO TO nice weather/done in less than 30 minutes/weeknight dinners that my family (and hopefully yours) loves!

Grilled Chicken Teriyaki and Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 Chicken Breasts
• 1/2 cup Teriyaki Sauce
• 2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 1 cup white (instant) rice

Directions:

1. Defrost Chicken
2. Combine Teriyaki Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Olive Oil, and Salt and Pepper - and let the Chicken marinate in that for at least two hours. (I usually come home at lunch and do this part)
3. Throw it on the grill! 
4. While Grilling the chicken - start the instant rice.
5. Place chicken over rice (I like to cut ours up) and enjoy! 

Grilled Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 Chicken Breasts
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Bagged Salad
• Any toppers you might like! (If you haven't tried Krafts Green Goddess Dressing you are seriously missing out!)

Directions:

1. Defrost Chicken
2. Season with Salt and Pepper 
3. Throw it on the grill! 
4. Once Chicken is done - throw it on the greens, add toppers and dressing.
5. BOOM DONE.

I told you they were simple - and they're so good and for the most part healthy! 

Enjoy!

pssst.  Almost forgot - found THIS on Pinterest yesterday, and am SO EXCITED to try some of these recipes! 

Friday Pinspiration {Outfits I Want}

I've been totally M.I.A for a week now and I'm sorry. I guess you can say I've had a bit of spring fever (the weather has been sunny and in the 70's all week) and kind of flaked out on my blog child.  I'm not going to keep making excuses, so I'll just say I'm sorry and leave it at that.

Speaking of spring fever - I can't. stop. shopping. for new spring/summer looks. 

These are just some of the outfits I'm currently pining for from my Outfits I Want board. 

1.2.3.4.5

Happy Friday Lovelies - have a fabulous weekend!

...Spot Me

Yep, my eyes are closed.

This was NOT how I wanted to wear this dress for the first time, but it's a little too short to wear to work as "a dress" - plus it's a bit chilly out today... so I paired it with a long sleeve shirt, leggings, and my favorite boots and I think it totally works.

I had so much fun doing these photo's today, I'm glad I made time! It was my most public "photo shoot" and even though it was obnoxiously windy, I'm really pleased with the photos... {even the one with my eyes closed}. 

One more thing - my belt. I love this belt and haven't worn it yet, mostly because whenever I pick it up I'm afraid it's going to break - it's totally vintage, circa 1960's and was my grandma's. Talk about a conversation piece!

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Dorothy Perkins (sold out!)

Undershirt: AE

Leggings: AE

Boots: Piperlime (seen here)

Have an AH-MAZING weekend everyone!

Friday Pinspiration {Funny}

In light of KONY 2012 I thought I would share some of my favorite Pin's from my Funny board to lift your spirits. Plus, what better way to end the work week than with a couple Friday funnies? I'm going to try to get an outfit post in today because I am actually wearing the dress! But I'm not making any promises. 

Happy Friday Lovelies!

PSSSS. If you get really bored this video makes me laugh every. single. time.

Help Us Save the Invisible Children

If you are on facebook then I'm sure your feed has been blowing up with THIS video for the last 48 hours. I am honestly surprised at the number of people who look at it and say: "I don't have time to watch a 30 minute video" or sarcastically ask "And just how do you plan on helping?" Really? That's you're response?  

I don't care how busy you are, if you want to HELP TRY to make it a better world for your children and your children's children, you will take HALF an HOUR to watch this. And afterwards if you don't feel like you've been living under a rock for the last 10 years... then yes you did waste your time. 

Help us make Kony Famous. 

Please.

Its Times Like These...

Today was such a beautiful day, only made better by having lunch with my beautiful daughter.  Here are just some shots of our lunch down town at possibly the oldest "burger joint" in Winchester! 

I'm linking up with See Me Rwar for some little facts today:

Pet Peeve: partially opened dresser drawers! Just close the damn things!

Food: I love crab legs and am embarrassed to say how many POUNDS I can eat in one sitting.

Guaranteed happy: Time with my daughter, even if she's screaming... today made me realize how much I wish I was a stay at home mom and had lunch with her more often.

Sleepless Nights

Does anyone else lay awake mentally putting together outfits for the next day? I do this a lot, and even when I've finally decided on what I'm going to wear, my brain will sometimes continue to talk to itself... This happened to me last night.  I found a really cute outfit for today in my "mental closet" and finally I drifted off to a peaceful slumber, only to be awaken by my daughter about an hour later. To say the least we were up for some time and when the alarm went off this morning my really cute outfit went on the back-burner with the touch of a  snooze button. 

What I'm Wearing:

Sweater: Old Navy

Button Down: Just Old...

Pants: Ross

Shoes: Thrifted (Loft!)