So the show Nashville.....

I'm a huge fan on Connie Britton since she was on Season 1 of American Horror Story. So when I saw the over abundance of previews on ABC for Nashville I knew I was going to give it a shot. Hayden Panettiere I liked on Heroes but not in much else. I have to say she plays a good villain. But the breakout star for me is Clare Bowen. Her look..her VOICE..her acting skills... I can't take it! She's amazing. I am guilty of re-listening to "If I didn't know better" over and over again in a night. The whole show soundtrack is great. Who knew Connie and Hayden had such great voices. And Sam Palladio is excellent eye candy and his voice!!!! Amazing! I love the new commercials with him speaking in his British accent! Die! The story line ain't shabby either. I'm really looking forward to when this starts up again. Thoughts on Hayden's character?

Even if you have never watched the show at least take a look and listen to this song... you will enjoy it!

I'll be doing another tv related post since all my shows had their mid-season finales. Anyone? The Walking dead? Ah that last episode. Kill me now! What is going to happen to Daryl!?!?

31 Bags Outlet Sale!!!!

I'm a consultant for 31 gifts. There is a huge outlet sale, 70% off bags!! All thermal, weekender, lunch, picnic totes, and organizational bags dirt cheap!!! Go now its a while supplies last deal!!!!

Here's the link 31 Outlet Sale

Happy shopping :)

Our Christmas in pictures

Hope everyone had an amazing Christmas. My kid's made out like bandits. Now the tough part figuring out where to put all the new toys. The happiness on their faces was the best. This year Olivia actually opened her own gifts and she loved each one. John got exactly what he wanted plus a few surprises. Socks mom? Really? hahahahah Hey the kid needed them! Here are some of my favorite pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...

My parents with the kids

Yup I'm an only child

 The only family Christmas picture

About to go sprinkle the reindeer food out on the lawn

His favorite

Olivia and her new gogo walking and barking puppy

Her new kitchen..get cooking lady I want some dinner

Were having lots of fun putting these together!

My mom with Olivia

Opening gifts together..I love their smiles

My parents opening the new 2013 calendar we got them, full of family photos

I love this picture because of the look on all their faces, my parents look so happy.

A little bit of a MAC obsession....

So MAC cosmetics has brought back some of their most popular lip colors. Needless to say I'm a little bit in love with the three I bought. And it was even better they offered FREE 2 day shipping! Of course today was one of those days where I didn't shower until 1pm. Too much cleaning going on in this house. We had my son's belt graduation tonight he went from being a white belt to being a yellow belt! Were so proud of him. I got all dolled up just to go and watch him! I used my new Saint Germain tinted lipglass and I'm in love. I'm swooning! So glad they brought it back and I was able to try it out. Can I just say the Candy Yum Yum lipstick I'm dying. Every woman should own it and just vacuum and clean up after the kids if that's all your doing for the day with this hot pink lipstick on. I think it can change your whole outlook on your day.

1. Candy Yum Yum Lipstick here

2. Saint Germain Tinted Lipglass here

3. Rebel Tinted Lipglass here

Get them before they are out of stock! They will go quick. Thank God they are keeping these shades available for good!

Christmas Wish List

I've found this year that I'm leaning towards more practical gifts. That's not saying I'm expecting any of these things....that's why it's a WISH list...After becoming a parent the gifts are more important for the kids. But there are a couple of things that would make my everyday life so much easier. What woman started the myth that we don't like appliances? Or am I just strange?!?A good appliance cuts my time in half and keeps my house lookin good. So here goes number one on my list....

A good vacuum! Seriously girls you know your using this EVERYDAY! Why not have a nice one!

A new phone...I've been using what I like to call "The Frankenphone" for months. Cracked screen. And two batteries that constantly die and will only be charged by a wall charger.

And I'll need a case so here a couple fun ones..

Lace and Pearls you can't go wrong.

I'm a sucker for anything that is a Zombie! Or Disney!

Two of my favorite things mint and leopard..make that three I love bows too!

Ok ok.. one more.. we all know we love a cute blinged out Hello Kitty cover. My daughter would never give me my phone back!

I have a Nikon D3000 and I've been wanting to grow my lens kit. I have the lens that came with my camera..but I SWOON over this one all the time. Two years strong and it's just been sitting in my shopping cart the price going up and down. Last year around Christmas the price was cut almost in half and I kick myself all the time for not purchasing it. The price has not budged in a LONG time!!!!

My list isn't long..but these are the few things I keep thinking about everyday!

What are you wishing for?

Then the Christmas pictures happened

So due to procrastination on my part I never got my son's Christmas outfit until this week. Which is completely not fair seeing how I've had my daughter's since the Fall. Sometimes your just walking through Target and BAM! you gotta grab that beautiful dress for your little babe. So with all this lateness I never made an appointment to get their pictures done. I stopped sending out Christmas cards around John's 4th Christmas. Every year I just think...eh I can do without sending them out again. So this year we mixed it up and Mommy played photographer. I didn't pay an arm and leg for my camera for no reason. So as soon as John got out of school we headed across the street to our second home...the football fields. At the back there are some trees and Winter browned weeds that made a nice backdrop. In the end it was 8 minutes of cuteness and we were done.  I'm so proud of myself for how they turned out. I'm a little in love with these pictures. And my children were so good, they look beautiful! Today I printed them out and have them ready for the family over the holidays. Here's the final product. Enjoy!

Fashion Fridays

I've been online window shopping again..here's what I'm drooling over....

This little yellow number. Some sunshine in this Northeastern winter.

Easy. Comfortable. Run out the door in this. Sub the cowboy boots with a pair of motorcycle boots.

                                                

I'm a sucker for big sweaters with geo patterns. Loving neon lately.

                                                   

                             These leather leggings. This website always has a ton of new designs.

Oh Em Gee.. These sequin pants. Ooh lala.

Sam Edelman Perry Boot. Any Sam Edelman booties would be just fine for me.

What have you been coveting lately? 

Easy Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

Made this for my Mother's of Preschoolers Group (MOPS) and it was a big hit!

Easy Butter Cake Recipe Ala Paula Deen

Cake
1 Box (18 1/4 Ounces) yellow cake mix
1 Large Egg
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted

Filling
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
2 Large Eggs
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted
1 Box (16 ounces) confectioner's sugar--I had a large bag and ended up using a little less than 4 cups.

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 13 X 9 baking pan with butter or (2) 8 X 8 square pans.

For the Cake: In a large bowl mix: cake mix, egg, melted butter with a large spoon until combined.

Scrape the batter into pan and smooth out. I pushed it down with my fingers.

For the filling: Using hand mixer or paddle attachment with stand alone mixer... beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth.

Add the eggs and vanilla beat well. Add the melted butter and beat until combined. Slowly add confectioner's sugar 1/4 cup at a time and beat well after each addition.

 Using spatula spread the filling over the cake mixture.

Bake for 40-50 minutes. In the two square pans I usually bake for 40 minutes.
The center of the cake will be gooey. Check with toothpick there will be a few wet crumbs left on it.

 
This came out darker around the edges than it usually does. I didn't hear the timer go off so it baked a little longer than usual. I couldn't help it I was snuggling with the cutest toddler in the world!

Enjoy!!

Questions or comments? Feel free to comment below.

Ricotta Cookie Recipe

Ricotta Cookie Recipe
2 cups sugar
1 cup margarine or 1 cup butter, softened
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla extract--for a different flavor try almond extract
2 large eggs (room temperature)--helpful hints: always use room temperature eggs when baking to keep your butter/sugar mixture smooth and fluffy. 
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons milk
Colored Sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat sugar and margarine or butter until blended.

Increase speed to high; beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

At medium speed, beat in ricotta, vanilla, and eggs ( I crack my eggs in their own bowl this way you don't ruin your mixture with a bad egg) until well combined.

Reduce speed to low.

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add to mixer 1/2 a cup at a time.

Drop dough by level tablespoons, about 2 inches apart,onto ungreased large cookie sheet. This is probably the stickiest cookie dough!!! 

Bake about 15 minutes or until cookies are very lightly golden--they will be soft. 

Transfer to cooling rack.

When cookies are cool, make icing: In a bowl stir confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth--it's as simple as that--easiest icing ever! Some people like to add lemon juice to this to add a little different flavor. If adding another liquid just add in confectioner's sugar until you get the consistency that you want. 

With small spatula or knife, spread icing on cookies; add your sprinkles or other decorations right away this way they stick to the icing.

 Set cookies aside to allow icing to dry completely, about 1 hour.

MMM..... my favorite cookie!!!! Feel free to comment with any questions. Enjoy!