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{What I Love Wednesday}

Yellow & Something Cool from Becky's Blog

Lately I've been obsessed with the color yellow. It sort of hit me by surprise, because I used to hate yellow. Perhaps it's because, as a teen, I convinced my mom to let me paint my bedroom a frightful shade of yellow called "banana split." It was even brighter and more offensive than it sounds, believe me. It was such a brazen shade of yellow that you could tell it was yellow at night with the lights off. Maybe it's true that your tastes change every seven years, because it has been about seven years since that awful bedroom was yellow. The color of yellow I'm into these days varies from mustard to turmeric. I'm not sure what got me so excited about yellow. Perhaps it's the fact that I love accenting my closet full of purples with yellow handbags. I've got two. I got my first yellow purse at Leenalu in downtown Richmond. It's one of those annoying stores where you wish they had on online store, but it's just a boutique and they don't. I found some of the most amazing accessories there, too! My second yellow bag came from Rich for Valentines' Day. He did an amazing job picking it out. I don't think the colors are showing 100% true in these pictures, but here are my yellow bags.

The bag from Rich :)

This is the bag from Leenalu.

Now I'm thinking of using a beautiful, warm spice yellow in the master bedroom of our new place. We move soon--a perfect time for a face lift. :) I found the perfect textiles at Ethan Allen. However, the occasionally sensible soul inside of me can't see paying EA prices, because I'll probably be onto something else sooner rather than later. So, we'll see what happens!

SEE ETHAN ALLEN'S YELLOW BEDROOM TEXTILES HERE! 

Now, onto the latest piece of awesomeness from my cousin Becky's blog. I am a greedy little hound when it comes to her blog. I love it! I'm always waiting for her to post something new for me to read. I love the little tips and tricks she gives, the items she posts about (how did I LIVE without some of it?), her sense of humor, and watching her decorate her new house, one room at a time. I'm fascinated with the way she repurposes things, and they look amazing once she's done!! This time it's an "accessory" for grocery shopping. Now I do try to remember to use my reusable grocery shopping bags, but these "bags" take the cake. I ordered two in baroque sand immediately!! 

Find what I love HERE!!

Stovetop Pizza Casserole

If you're wanting to make an easy dinner that's reminiscent of pizza, Pizza Casserole is the way to go. It's really a no brainer. My favorite thing about it is that you can make it just as you like your pizza. I made mine to suit the hubby. Meat Lovers', I guess.

2 cups medium-shell pasta (dry)
1 lb Italian sausage, browned
1 package pepperoni
1 14-oz jar of pasta or pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp pizza seasoning
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp chopped dried onions

Boil & drain the pasta. Brown the meat with the garlic, garlic salt, and onion. Combine everything into a pot over medium heat till it heats through. Eat. :)

AFTER A DAY LIKE TODAY, THIS CONCEPT MAKES SO MUCH MORE SENSE. 

                                              CHOCOLATE CASTLE!!!!!!!

Yes, it's made completely from chocolate. :)

Happy Valentines' Day

On Valentines' weekend in 2007, I went on my first dinner date with Rich. Our first date had been two months prior. As crazy as I was about him then, I've come to appreciate him so much more in these past four years. I have been so blessed to have married a man who loves me no matter what, is forever laughing with me, stays as a steady as a rock through life's ups and downs, works unbelievably hard--not only to provide life's necessities, but also the things he knows or thinks I "want," and who remains my best friend. He puts up with me when I am cranky, makes fun of me when I am being ridiculous, laughs at me when I being a snot, and reminds me what life is truly about. He has even learned how to kindly co-habitate with my obnoxiously demanding and crabby chihuahua. :)

Since we moved to Fort Lauderdale, not knowing a soul out here, we have built the most amazing life together. God has blessed us with great friends, a one-in-a-million church, and even put some college friends just an hour away. :) We had such a great Valentines' weekend together--and my sweet valentine got me an outrageously adorable bag that he knew I would love. :) So I guess to my list of the things I love about my sweetheart, I will have to add "amazing gifter!!" I have so much enjoyed spending the weekend celebrating us--each year adds new depth to our relationship that makes "us" just that much better!

Happy Valentines' Day!

Nail Spa Day: Marcy, Delia & Ms. Lemonface

After a ridiculously annoying workweek, I *finally* got to stop by the nail salon on my way home today to have my gel mani refreshed. Now typically, this would be a lovely hour, spent in a nice cushy chair, with a nice breeze blowing through the salon, meandering, sporadic conversations with other salon-goers, and the soothing foreign murmurs of the Vietnamese nail techs. Yes, it should be relaxing. But, NOT TODAY!!! Spa day began with the loud, obnoxious whining of a girl who was with her mother. "Buuuuuuuut Mooooooooooom, IIIIIIIIIIII waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant a peeeeeeeeeeediiiiiiiiiiiiicuuuuuuuure toooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!" And so on, and so forth. Next, a lady with attitude comes in for a manicure--and when she finds out she can't be seen, like, 5 minutes ago, she has a HUGE hissy fit and storms out, slamming the door. What, you can't call ahead like EVERYONE ELSE IN THIS SALON?!?!

Spa day continued with the addition of March & Delia. Now they were especially special. Most girlfriends spend time getting their nails done together to have a relaxing time. Apparently, Marcy & Delia missed that part of "woman training." :) They had matching perms & matching complaints. Surely Delia's husband wasn't as bad as Marcy's! Surely Marcy's kids weren't as bad as Delia's! And have you heard about the new president of the women's club? "Girl, she is just NOT cut out to be a president!"  (Missed out on the full details of that, as they actually whispered some of *that conversation.) Within 30 minutes, I knew more about Marcy & Delia than I ever want to know about anyone. Seriously.

Now bring in Ms. Lemonface, an extremely sour-faced woman approximately in her 60's. Ms. Lemonface marched in and demanded a manicure and pedicure. Poor, innocent Annie had the nerve to ask if Ms. Lemonface wanted a gel polish manicure. I obligingly held out my hands for Ms. Lemonface to see. The wrath of Ms Lemonface falls: "I DON'T WANT FRENCH!!!!!!!!!!" Poor Annie says, "we have other colors besides French." This seems to appease Ms. Lemonface momentarily, until Annie says, "The gel polish is $20." Now that just sends Ms. Lemonface over the edge. "Why on earth would NAIL POLISH cost $20?!?!" After futilely attempting to explain that it's because the gel polish has to cure under the UV light three times and takes much longer, Ms. Lemonface loudly exclaims that, "THAT IS $10 I CAN SAVE! I'll take the regular manicure!" Well excuuuuuuuuuuse Annie for trying to offer you an upgraded service. By this time my nails were nearly done, and I was longing for a hasty exit!

So really people, the moral of the story is this: if you see me in your nail salon, tie your kids to the front door, sit down, shut up, and if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all!!! :)

Happy Saturday!

Easiest Ever Chunky "Mexican" Soup

1 can chicken breast, drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can Rotel tomatoes & jalapenos
1 pouch Mexican rice (the microwave kind)
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 cup water
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp taco seasoning
any other spices or seasonings you like: cumin, cayenne pepper, etc.

Heat & Serve. Top with sour cream and cheese if desired.

It's amazing the things you can make when you are trying to empty the cupboards.