Weekend Shopping and Baking

I'm always so excited for Friday, and then next thing I know here we are again on Sunday evening. It just goes by too fast, and there isn't enough time to really unwind before the next work week starts up again. But enough of my whining. I had a good weekend, did some shopping and we had some friends over last night that hadn't seen our house yet. I made my famous buffalo dip (recipe can be found here) and pumpkin spice cupcakes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream 1 and 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter until smooth in a large bowl

Add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar and mix until smooth

Add 3 eggs one at a time and set aside

Combine 1 cup of pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of buttermilk, and 1 tsp. of vanilla in a medium bowl and set aside

Combine 2 cups of all purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 and 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon, and 1 tsp. of baking soda in a large bowl.

In thirds, alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture to the butter mixture blending well until smooth.

To make a cake pour batter into three 8 inch pans and bake for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees

To make cupcakes, pour batter into cupcake cups in a cupcake pan and bake for approximately 25 minutes

After the cakes have cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat one 8 oz. package of cream cheese and 1/2 cup of butter (both softened) until fluffy.

Gradually add 16 oz. of powdered sugar beating at low speed until blended.

Add 1 tsp. of vanilla beating until well blended

After serving, store any leftovers in the fridge as the frosting contains cream cheese

We enjoyed these goodies and gave them a tour of the house and then went out for a few drinks. Great evening and we've been really enjoying getting to know new people down here. We miss our friends and family back home so much it hurts, but it's really helps that we've been blessed with great neighbors and co-workers.

I also did a little shopping this weekend since there were some sales going on for Columbus Day weekend. I don't have a 3 day weekend, but was able to take advantage of some retail therapy with the sales going on.

Remember the black skinnies I wanted from The Gap in my most recent Wardrobe Wants Wednesday post? Well, they went on sale this weekend! Instead of $69.95, they were $34.95... but here's the catch. I went to the mall today because I wanted to try them on and make sure I liked them, but only the blue ones were 50% off, the black ones were only 20% off at the register. But I specifically remembered seeing them 50% off online, so I went home and ordered them instead and got my 50% off!

Unflattering cell phone pic from the dressing room. I feel a little "hip-py" in them, but I plan to wear longer tops with them. They're super comfy and no where near as restricting as regular jeans.

I also picked up H a nice new button down and some boxers from The Gap which were also on sale, got a new necklace and earring set from Forever 21, and some new tops from Old Navy.

I got this great top at Old Navy for only $8.00

This cardigan was also from Old Navy and on sale for $17.99

I also purchased the top that I'm wearing in the Gap dressing room pic from Old Navy on sale for $7.95, but for some reason I can't seem to find a pic of it online. All the tops are super comfy and I'm so happy that they were all so cheap.

Hope everyone else had a great weekend, and maybe hit up some good sales, now it's time to look Monday in the face and conquer it!

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Sephora by OPI Review

In my last Sephora goodies post, I mentioned that I purchased my first bottle of Sephora by OPI nail polish. I got the "Break A Leg Warmer" from their Urban Ballerina collection. I was super excited about it, and thought it would be a great fall color to switch it up from my usual pale pinks.

I applied it Sunday night while watching tv with H, and already had to reapply both Monday and Tuesday night! I am looking at another re-application tonight as it's chipping even worse today *sigh*.

I'm just sad because I thought the color came out really nice, and if I'm paying $9.50 for a bottle, it should hold up a lot better.

Here are pics from the original application on Sunday:

I tried doing the classic pose of showing the bottle and the color on my nails.. epic fail..

Practice makes perfect I guess.. I'll have to keep at it ;0)

I hope this isn't true for all Sephora by OPI colors, as I have quite a few on my Sephora wish list that I'd love to try out. I think I'll try out one more and if it does the same thing, I'll be done with this line and stick to my never failing Essie which I can get at Target for $7.79 a bottle.

Onto more news that still brings a smile to my face. H recently went to a baby shower... get this... without me! Not only was it a jack & jill function where men were invited, but I was unable to attend the festivities as I wouldn't have been able to make it on time. It was for his boss, so I told him he should definitely go and just enjoy the free food and drinks and hang out with the other guys. But of course I was the one that went to Babies R Us to shop off the registry, put the gift together AND reminded him several times the morning of the shower to make sure he didn't forget the gift on the kitchen counter! Haha.. he said he had an ok time, he was really excited about the catered food and he got to spend some time with the guys from work so he did just fine at his first baby shower without his wife. I promised him that when we have our first baby, I will make it clear to my mom or whoever is planning the shower that it shouldn't be a co-ed event as the father to be is all set with baby showers.

Oh! And isn't this adorable? This was too cute not to post! My little fatty! Our sleeping princess, she's so soft and comfy to lay with.

Sephora

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By New Years Challange

I work out on a regular basis (4-5 times a week) and I switch up my workouts from cardio at the gym to spin classes to strength training, abs, and light cardio and I have still hit a plateau. I was losing about a pound a week for a few months and I kind of just stopped in the past several weeks and hover around the same weight. I'll lose half a pound and then gain it back.... it's a vicious cycle :-P

So, I decided to get serious about reaching my goal (which is another 12 pounds) and gave myself a goal and a reward if I reach my goal which is to amp up my workouts and eat better so I lose those last pesky 12 pounds by New Years. Instead of waiting until New Years to make it my resolution, I'd like to have reached my goal by New Years. At this point it would be about a pound a week which is how I was doing for a while until we went on our cruise a little over a month ago. Other than going on the cruise, I haven't changed my lifestyle at all and have continued eating the same and working out just as hard, but I still hit my weight loss plateau that so many experience.

I'm sure by now you're all sick of hearing me talk about how bad I want a pair of those gorgeous red soled Louboutins, but surprise surprise that's my reward if I reach my goal. I just can't justify spending that amount of money for no reason, so I decided that I won't feel guilty if I purchase them because I reached an important goal of mine. I talked it over with H and he thinks I'm ridiculous in both aspects.. trying to lose weight (as every loving H wonders why his wife wants to lose weight) and that I want some Loubies. He said it's bad that he starts pointing out the red soles on tv now whenever we see them, because I talk about them that much! But he knows how long I've wanted a pair and understands that this would be a great way to reward myself and that it'll make me happy. He's such a good H! :0)

But of course once I set this goal, one of my marketing reps at work brought in what he called "dessert" and I just couldn't resist.

*Oy*

But I've decided that if I reach my goal I'd like to invest in a classic pair of Loubies which would be either a black heel or a nude heel.

or the Black Rolando pump

Does anyone else have any goals they'd like to reach before the new year? Fitness? Financial? Social? Work related? If you're at a place where there is something you'd really like to achieve, but just haven't made the effort yet? Give yourself a great reward and something to strive for and look forward to. It'll be that much more rewarding in the end. I promise!

Ok I solemnly swear not to mention Louboutins again for several more posts. *Mischief Managed*

Christian Louboutin

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Wardrobe Wants Wednesday

I haven't been able to shop for clothes in what feels like forever, so I feel like everything I see.. I want.

I'd love love love a pair of black skinny jeans

I love these from The Gap.

This Kate Spade About Town Idiom Bangle

This Bow Waist Pleated Skirt from Forever 21

This Burnout Flyaway Cardigan from Express

This Flared Maxi Skirt from Express

This Breezy Blouse from Old Navy that all the regulars on the nest fashion & beauty board have been going nuts over. It's super cute and looks super comfy too.

This Ruched Open Front Boyfriend Blazer by Lauren Conrad at Kohls. Not only do I love Lauren, but I adore her style as well and love this blazer! I found this on Miss K's Love Lipstick and Pearl's Blog under her recent purchases. I loved everything she's purchased, but this really stood out as something I'd like to jump on.

We're still trying to make purchases for the house, but I'm sure I can squeeze in a few wardrobe purchases in the next few weeks ;0)

Express Forever 21 Kate Spade Lauren Conrad Old Navy

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Bethenny's at it Again!

My girl Bethenny is at it again! After taking over North America with her genius invention of the Skinny Girl Margarita she came out with the next best thing which was the Skinny Girl Sangria. Now she's releasing.. wait for it.....

Skinny Girl White Cranberry Cosmo

<3 her!

I wonder what she'll come out with next.. before we know we'll never have to drink a calorie filled cocktail again. I love that the skinny cocktail trend is spreading to most restaurant menus and is becoming pretty mainstream.

Skinny Girl White Cranberry Cosmo

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Weekend Decorating

So sad to see another beautiful weekend come to an end, but H and I got to relax as we didn't have much going on compared to the last several weekends. We did a lot of cleaning and decorating of our new home. We realized we still didn't have much hanging up on the walls and had a ton of stuff in boxes still, so we went through them and starting taking more things out and getting creative ideas of what we'll be doing with the empty rooms.

We recently ordered this sofa table from Overstock.com to go behind the couch in the family room

We ordered it last Sunday and it arrived on Thursday. Super quick shipping and it was also really easy to assemble. As of right now, we've put a candle (candle and candle plate from Pottery Barn), our wedding invitation frame (from Kate Spade), and a vase of fake roses. The flowers are from Walmart and the stones we're using as a filler are from Ikea.

I'm also really excited that I was able to get the 8x10 Kate Spade frame from Bed, Bath, & Beyond on sale from $99 to $44. Then on top of that I used a 20% off coupon for our entire purchase which means I only paid $35 for a $99 frame! Jackpot! The Kate Spade June Lane line is what we got for our wedding china, so I was so happy to be able to match our wedding invitation frame and 8x10 frame to our china pattern. It's a truly beautiful set and great quality.

This is our Kate Spade June Lane china and stemware set:

So pretty! Hope you all had a great weekend and were able to enjoy some beautiful weather. H and I will be spending the remainder of the evening watching football and possibly peeking in on all the shows I have the DVR set to record. I'm excited about the new show Pan Am that airs tonight at 10:00.

House Kate Spade

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White After Labor Day

Happy 1st official day of fall. For all those out there jumping the gun on the season changing from summer to fall a few weeks ago, I just wonder how many of them are going to be complaining about the long winter and where summer is? I'll happily remind them they decided to sweep it under the rug before it's time ran out in September. There a lot of misconceptions when Labor Day rolls around the first Monday of every September. The first being that summer is over (*tear*) and the second is that you can no longer wear the color white.

I for one moved down south to extend the summer like weather and escape the bitterly cold winters. But traditionally in the northeast which is where I grew up, there was an outdated tradition which is the summer whites come out from only Memorial Day until Labor Day.

Where did this ridiculous outdated tradition come from? The answer is that it all started with America's high society who dressed for the summer season which was their social season. If it was the summer, they were no longer in the city, but out at their beach or country home. And the popular choice for clothing was white since it reflected the sun and kept you cooler, but once they returned to the city and the weather cooled, they changed their wardrobe back to darker and heavier fabrics. This lifestyle and clothing choices were great if you were a part of the high society who lived this way, but for the rest of civilization, times have changed and the rule certainly doesn't apply.

The key is to "winterize" your whites and take your white pieces from summer to fall and eventually to winter.

*Ignore the 2010 in this pic and pretend it says 2011* :-P

For example, take your white jeans and pair them with cute riding boots and a jacket instead of sandals and a tank top. Or add a scarf for even more of a cooler weather effect.

Cute for fall

Cute for winter

But when you live in the south, and it's still in the mid 90's well after Labor Day (and for those of you in TX and AZ in the 100's) there's no need to winterize your whites. I've never followed any silly rules and dress for the weather outside not what it says on the calendar.

Exhibit A:

So wear your whites and wear them proud! Don't bury them begrudgingly in the back of your closets or bottoms of your dresser drawers until Memorial Day. Just dress for the weather in your area. If it's still hot out dress comfortably, and if it's starting to get chilly where you are start pairing your whites with some heavier pieces and boots. Oh how I miss boots.... I love the weather here, but I have a hankering to wear some boots, but it's still just too hot out for that.

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My Top 5 Vacation Spots

I'm linking up to Joyful Rambling's blog to do my top 5 vacation spots of places I've been.

~*Five*~

Cancun, Mexico

My favorite thing about Cancun was the gorgeous water and the waves! Most of the Caribbean islands I've been to have beautiful water, but alas no waves :0(