Hey there!  Oh my gosh, do you even remember that I blog??  It has been a while … insert a bajillion excuses here.  Oh yeah, ummmm, okay, let me just tell you why.  Work has been insanely busy.  It’s that good kind of busy though.  I’m learning so much and really loving putting that PMP to good use.  Jellybean has been staying up later, which is great because we get more quality time during the week!  The only down side is it shortens then amount of time I have with both my hand and not having to keep one eye on the bambino!  Post bedtime stories are packed with household stuff, relaxing and QT with the hubby.  Finding the energy and motivation to blog has been hard, but I’ve really missed it.

So I’m back … and oh so hopeful you will accept me back into the fold. =)

Lets get to it with my current favorites this Friday!

JellybeanEasterWeekend

I finally got around to ordering prints from January to March of this year … jeez I’m a slacker!  But, seriously, what is better than actual prints?!?!  Any-hoo this picture is from Easter weekend and I just love it.  Jellybean is concentrating on saying hello to the ‘baaa baaa baaa, sheep’.  Our kiddo has ZERO fear and stuck her little hand through the fence in an attempt to touch the ‘baaa baaa baaa’.  Luckily Grammy was closely monitoring the interaction so I could capture the moment.

I’m totally obsessed with this Crispy Cajan Chicken dish.  It’s a home run recipe!!  I’ve modified it a little by brushing on the hot sauce and then searing it on the stove top, followed by baking in the oven.  When I cooked it on the stove top the whole time all the breading fell off – total bummer.  I’ve literally made this meal every week since finding the recipe.

They don’t call these leggings ‘live in’ for nothing! I want to wear the all day everyday.  I’m thinking of buying a second pair in another color.  And speaking of clothes, I wish it was acceptable to wear the same blazer EVERY.SINGLE.DAY to work.  Given how hot is has been in DC as of late this blazer has been clutch.  Throw it over my tank top and head to a meeting … professional and comfy!

This baby sponge is amazing and why didn’t we find it when Jellybean was just an infant.  Bath time sponge equals a decrease in the amount of laundry {no more… or at least less wash clothes}.

Totally loving this fashion blogger.  I’m working on creating a new cohesive wardrobe so I’m really into reading these types of blogs recently.

My sister is ENGAGED!!!  I got her this super cute cup as an engagement gift.  It’s been crazy fun to help her plan a little.  It brings back so many memories from planning my own wedding.  I’ve also been pinning bridal shower and wedding ideas like crazy.  Pinterest … Can’t Stop … Won’t Stop.  LOL.

Finally tried this under eye dark circle corrector.  Everyone sings it’s praises and I do like it, however I have a feeling I’m not applying it quite right.  So I will continue to work on that!

What are your favorites this week??  Happy Friday! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!

Signiture_Nicole

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This was one of those weeks that was so long and yet flew by all at the same time.  Does that even make sense?!  Meh it’s how I feel so I’m going with it.  I’m so looking forward to this weekend … my sister AND sister-in-law are coming in for a visit.  Yay! TGIF!

The best part of my week was my fur baby and toddler are finally bonding.  And seriously I have a toddler? WHY is my baby growing up so fast?!?!?!  Sophi tolerates Jellybean as she aggressively pets and attempts to {open mouth} kiss her.  Jellybean shrieks with glee on the rare occasion Sophi kisses her back.  It’s really quite entertaining to watch them together.

Check out Sophi’s ‘I’m not sure I like this’ face …

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Some favs from the past week …

I wish it was appropriate to wear yoga pants and sweatshirts to work, restaurants and maybe sometimes to parties … okay really everywhere!  LOVE me some cute & comfortable clothing.  I love this sparkle heart sweatshirt.  An absolute must have with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, ummm yup purchased!  Such a great find — comfy and stylish V-day wear for this Mama.

Over the holidays I signed up for Birchbox.  I’ve received two boxes so far, honestly I’ve had mixed feelings about the contents.  I absolutely love the concept, but the products have been just okay.  My favorite product from the December and January boxes is by far the Vasanti exfoliator.  Once my sample size runs out I will definitely be purchasing a full size version!

After a year, yup an ENTIRE year, {hang my head in shame} I am finally reading a book … like a real book with paper pages and everything.  Despite loving my Kindle I impulse bought a new read on Amazon one evening in early January.  So what am I reading?  The Happiness Project.  So far I’m enjoying it a lot and it’s written as though you are having conversation with the author.  It came highly recommended from friends as well as a number of the bloggers I follow.

This recipe was divine, although the bananas didn’t seem to come quite right.  Either way it was delicious and when I have time, I plan to make it again.  Side note: I’m kind of obsessed with quinoa right now.  I blame it on credit the Earth Bowl salad from Sweetgreen.

Do you remember jellie shoes?  OMG I was totally in love with them as a child.  Hello early 90’s!!!  Too bad they were incredibly uncomfortable, but stylish so I wore them anyways.  WELL … I found baby sparkle jellies online.  My fingers did the clickin’ and a week later they arrived!  I can’t wait for my baby girl to wear them.

And in other news … it’s official … I am Apple convert!  Bye bye PC, see ya later Android and say HELLO to my pretty little Mac and iPhone 6.  I never wanted to be a lover of Apple products, but I am.  Phew I feel better … no more secrets about being an Apple lover :)

What are you loving this week?

Have a great weekend and happy Friday!

Signiture_Nicole

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There are SOOO many beauty products out there.  Now don’t get me wrong I love all the options, but sometimes it makes it hard to know what to choose when the market is so abundant.  It has taken me quite a few years to figure out what product work best for me.  I have a pretty big collection of makeup/beauty products in the house.  It often surprises me the husband hasn’t asked me why I have so much … he probably assumes it’s a girl thing!  When traveling I try to be selective and only bring the essentials with me.  Below are the products I wouldn’t want to go a weekend without…

makeup_essentials

{1}  Too Faced Shadow Insurance
The makeup artist for my wedding actually turned me onto this eye shadow base. It brings out the pigments in the eye shadows and helps ensure the shadow color stays strong all day!

{2}  Almay Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover Pads
Great little pads to remove eye makeup. Ever put on some shadow that just doesn’t look right? These little puppies get it off without having to re-wash your entire face!

{3}  Boi-ing Concealer
I am one of those people who has dark circles under her eyes ALL the time. It doesn’t matter how much sleep I’ve gotten or what I eat the circles never go away. I’m always trying new dark circle corrector creams in an effort to lessen the dark circles as I’m confident they will never be totally gone.  A friend recommended I try Boi-ing under eye concealer.  It is amazing!  It’s the only product I have found so far that actually covers those horrible circles and stays on all day.

{4}  Even Skin® Portable Foundation
Great basic foundation that doesn’t dry out my skin or look “cakey”.

{5}  100 Eye Shadow Platte
I bought this eye shadow platte on complete impulse one afternoon while shopping. It was so cheap I justified the purchase without much effort.

{6}  Mascara – Lash Curling and Lash Thickening
During the day I just apply the lash curling mascara. If we are headed out at night to an event, party, dinner, etc I will first apply the lash curling and THEN add the lash thickening on top. It adds just the right about to make me feel “more dressed up” than just my daytime mascara.

{7}  Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes
These towelettes are fabulous. The makeup/mascara comes off so quick and leaves my skin feeling clean and not dried out!

I’m always on the lookout for something new.  What are your go to makeup and beauty products?

If you enjoyed this post, please add your tidbit by commenting below.  Don’t forget you can follow us on PinterestInstagramFacebook and Twitter.

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Happy New Year!  Can you believe it’s 2013?!?!  Last night we hosted a New Years Eve pot luck dinner with some friends.  It was a great way to welcome 2013.

I’ve never been one for making new years resolutions mainly because I can’t seem to keep them.  Instead I used to keep a list of things to do or places to go, never really managing to stick to that list either.  Every once in a while I succeed a keeping a new years resolution, like passing the PMP exam last year, but 9 times out of 10 I’m an utter failure.  Despite my affinity for skipping the new year list of resolutions  I decided to give it one last try this year.  Maybe with the list out there in the world wide web I will feel more accountable and actually follow through.

I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew so hopefully this list isn’t too lofty a list.

1 – Improve Photo Skills and Take More Photos

My husband bought me a fancy camera a few years back.  I’ve slowly learned how to use the different features on the camera as well as improved the quality of the photos taken.  The Pioneer woman taught me a lot about apertures and shutter speeds here, here and here. A few photography books have been sitting on the book shelf waiting for proper attention to be paid to them.  In order to become a better photographer one must take pictures, so taking more photos goes perfectly as a sub-resolution.  Photography is something that has been on my “to-do” list for quite some time.  I love it and yet don’t make time for it.

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2 – Get in Better Shape

I put this goal on and then took it off, but inevitably it really should be on the 2013 list.  I find many people have a similar new years resolution, which is why gyms become PACKED from January to late February.  Purposely weight is not something in the title of the resolution.  Weight is touchy and regardless of how much I do or don’t weigh I should be in better shape.  If I loose weight while getting in shape, fantastic, but it isn’t the overarching goal.  I was in great shape for our wedding.  I spent a lot of time eating well (thank you weight watchers) and taking long walks with one of my friends.  She too was working out to prep for her wedding.  Although walking is good for the body it didn’t seem like we were working out.  We would chat and laugh and walk … before I knew it the “workout” was over.  So whether it’s walking, yoga, running or weight lifting in some way shape or form the end result will hopefully be an in shape girl (errr woman) in 2013.

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3 – Stay in touch with Friend and Family

Despite being in love with talking on the phone as a child I don’t really enjoy it as an adult.  Phones were the theme for my Bat-Mitzvah, that’s how much I adored talking on the phone.  I don’t know when or how the change in behavior occurred, but it is reeking havoc on some much needed catch up conversations with family and friends.  I have a couple of friends who I miss terribly.  They are the type of friends that no matter how much time has passed you pick up right where you left off.  I am fortunate to have that type of relationship with them!!  Despite that, it feels like I am missing out on big chunks of their lives (and them on mine).  I know I should really just pick up the darn phone and call them.  So this year I am going to try to be better.  Less email/gchatting and more calls or trips to see my friends and family!

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4 – Try one new Recipe a Month

This one should be pretty easy.  Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies.  I think it’s almost therapeutic at times, so making one new recipe a month shouldn’t be too tough.  My husband’s parents got me a subscription to Fine Cooking this holiday season, which should come in particularly handy for this new years resolution.  Hopefully the new recipes will include appetizers, sides, main dishes as well as desserts.   I’m not going to put any parameters around what type of recipe needs to be cooked though … regardless of the type of dish one new one will, hopefully, be cooked each month.

5 – Be a Lady (as my sister-in-law says hehehe)

So what does being a lady entail you might ask.  Well simply is means taking better care of yourself as a woman.  Over Christmas my sister-in-law and I discussed this list to include: doing our nails, putting on (and learning how to do) makeup as well as learning how to style hair.  The nail polish part I’ve pretty much got down.  The makeup I would say I’m 50% there. I wear makeup to work and I’ve been getting closer and closer to mastering the whole smokey eye look, but there is still lots to learn.  Hair styling could be an epic fail for me.  Having long hair as a child and adult, one would logically think I would know what to do with it … however … that would be a NO.  I can french braid other people’s hair and am a master at the ponytail.  Curls, buns or any other cute hair styling ability is lost on me.  Regardless I will give it a try and maybe share some of the hair styling tidbits along the way.  In an effort to gather ideas for being a lady there’s a special Pinterest board dedicated to this resolution.

So there you have it.  Bring it on 2013!!!  I really hope I am not taking on too much for my first official list of new years resolutions!

What’s your new years resolution?  Happy 2013!

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