Currently Searching For...

With warmer temps on the horizon I have been searching for new pieces of clothing to add to my wardrobe. I want to change the way I dress all together. Try something bright and colorful. I feel the best when I am wearing black, gray and white pieces but let's face it in the spring and summer time that doesn't look so appealing.

I have been scoping out Pinterest lately for ideas and I stumbled across my new found love for Dottie Couture. Other than that, the pieces are from all over the place.
Here's what I'm going for....

All items can be found here.
If you own a shop, boutique or store that sells similar items such as these please let me know! If you know where I can purchase items like these I would love to hear your suggestions!

Are you going after a new look?

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Never would have I thought in a million years that my little ladybug, princess, sassy, little chubby cheeked girl would be playing baseball.

Her first practice was last week and not to brag or anything but she WILL be giving those boys a run for their money. There is only one other girl on the team which automatically makes them stand outs.

We started out by picking up all the gear she needed. She, like any other girl HAD to have all of the pink matching accessories. I mean come on, we have to look good doing what we love right??!?!

Off to practice we went, where Madison threw balls faster than an average four year old, caught balls with her eyes closed (you can only laugh at this moment) hey least she caught it and hit the balls that were pitched to her. I was impressed by her poise and manners that she displayed.

When you talk to most parents who have experienced this moment in time they usually describe the kids as dandelion pickers and non listeners but Madison was the complete opposite.

She is 100% involved. She's ready to go to every practice. Last but not least, and I believe the cutest thing ever, she walks up to bat, smiles and says "I'm focused" then shakes her booty.

I CANNOT wait to catch that moment on camera!

Tonight continues the long season of practices and game day is a month from now. I have already taken a million and one pictures so I'm pretty sure she already feels like I am the paparazzi. Hey, what can I say, I'm a proud mama having a great time sharing all of these fun, exciting moments!

Fingers crossed for no cracked teeth, busted knees or black eyes!!

Play Ball!! Gooooo Rockhounds!!!!

Voila! Crock Pot Chicken Stew

When the weather outside is frightful and you want something delightful I suggest crock pot chicken stew. Where did you think I was going with that? Snow?!?! Ha! No thank you! Although it is supposed to be in the thirties all week I am mentally preparing myself for more springlike weather this weekend when the temperature heats up to the sixties!!

So while it remains cold and everyone is stuck inside looking for something easy to cook and yummy at the same time let me share with you a simple recipe everyone can enjoy!

Ingredients:

4 boneless chicken breasts
4 russet potatoes, I left the peel and diced to 1" sq
1/2 white onion, diced
4 stalks of celery, diced
5 cups of chicken broth (or cover the ingredients in the crock pot)
20 baby carrots
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp Grill Mates Mccormick Montreal Steak Seasoning (you would think to yourself isn't this a chicken recipe but trust me, this seasoning is the best)

Directions:

Prepare all of the ingredients above and then place everything into the crock pot. Turn the crock pot on high (if cooking for four hours) and turn on low (if cooking for eight hours). After the desired time is complete, take a slotted spoon and remove the chicken placing it into a bowl. Shred the meat with two forks and then add the chicken back into the crock pot. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

I actually amazed myself when I tasted this for the first time. I always look up to the grandparents because they seem to make the best heartwarming recipes that leave your taste buds satisfied so it was awesome to feel that way about my cooking. If you are looking for something quick, easy and memorable this one is for you!

Enjoy!

Making The Most Of Everything

I sure am glad today has arrived. It has been one busy week. Now you might catch me saying this same phrase every Friday but each week seems to become busier and busier whether I like it or not.
Madison just started baseball (more details to come), work is in the middle of a major overhaul and my home life is even more chaotic.

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle quite a few positive things have happened.

1. My new toy, the Chromebook, has left a smile on my face all week. Knowing that I typed every blog for the last three months on my Kindle Fire makes me appreciate how quick I can now type each and every post.

2. Spring is officially here and so to get myself in the mood I spent my lazy day updating my phone. It is the little things you have to do to keep the positivity going in your life. Looking forward to sunshine and flip flops!

3. As I said Madison started baseball this week, although it conflicts with her dance sessions we are making it work. Her facial expressions and excitement warm my heart and make me laugh.

4. As I shared yesterday my awesome Ipsy bag came in the mail. I love their products and cannot wait to see what they have in store for next month, being that it's my birthday month and all!

5. Nothing feels better than purchasing a piece of new furniture. This week I experienced a day of extreme depression and so I spent the entire night shopping for a new dining room table. Success came when I walked into the Room Place and found the beauty I was looking for. The picture doesn't do it justice and I also upgraded to the 7 piece for an awesome deal! Although the day had been a disaster this made up for it and turned my mood around.

This weekend I am looking forward to picking up my new table, practicing more baseball skills with Madison and resting my mind before Monday comes too fast and the chaos starts all over again.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Ipsy Glam Bag: Destination Beauty

So now I that I have officially cancelled my Birchbox subscription gasp! I now only have one little piece of mail that I look forward to receiving each month and that is my Ipsy glam bag.

The products are totally worth the $10 monthly fee! The difference between Birchbox and Ipsy for me was the type of products I began to receive. I am more of a makeup girl not an all around product girl. I don't need hundreds of BB creams, hand creams and small foil packets full of a product that I only get to use once.

With Ipsy, the product is at a larger size so I am able to sample the product throughly and give a better opinion in regards to the item. It also helps me to decide if I will be ordering the sample in full size.

With that being said, I highly suggest Ipsy. Their shipping is quick and easy, their products have great quality and are affordable for any budget.

So let's see what Ipsy sent out this month...

Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready-$18
This lipstick is creamy and has a great pigment of color. This shade is great for any occasion. Subtle enough for work but would match perfectly to a more glamoured look maybe for a date night. I'm not a huge lipstick wearer but paired with a nude gloss I quickly became a fan.

Pixie Flawless Beauty Primer-$9
The older I get the more obsessed I have become with keeping my skin healthy. I want the glowing, no wrinkle and smooth looking face. With the help of this product my skin looks better and my makeup stays put all day. In the past, I would have never used a face primer but since I started receiving the Ipsy glam bag I have been able to try a few different brands and I must say that a face primer does wonders!

NYX Love In Rio-$6
Brown shades of eye shadow, boom! I LOVE brown eye shadow. All brands, any shade, brown is my go to color. I did the I'm so excited clap my hands four times kinda thing when I pulled this little trio out of the bag. The pigmentation of the product is great and it doesn't crease on my lids after a entire day goes by.

Chella Indigo Blue Eyeliner-$24
I really wish this would have been in black. Blue is not my color and to be honest we had more fun drawing decor on our nails! This fine point eyeliner pen works great when it comes to achieving a perfect line but it is the shade that threw everything off for me.

Ipsy also sent out other products in their glam bags which also included OPI nail polish, body butter and a temporary tanning lotion. I have been subscribed with Ipsy for over a year now and have never been disappointed!

Oh Me, Oh My What Did I Buy?!?!

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I have a little bit of a problem.

When I am feeling down, I shop. Retail therapy, I'm all about it! 

I don't mean spend a few dollars here or there, I spend money at all of my favorite places.

Here recently, this has been occurring more and more.

This week for example:

1. Starbucks-I couldn't even tell you how many visits has occurred this week. Grande White Mocha you are my bff.
2. The Room Place-a new dining room table minus the dining room (I have an eat in kitchen). I am dreaming of the day I have an actual room dedicated to meals spent with the family.
3. Baskin Robbins, DQ, Subzero etc-ice cream, come on everyone knows ice cream heals wounds.
4. Restaurants-the list is so long I can't remember where I have been or where I plan on going. Needless to say the gym is where my butt needs to be within the next 24 hours or bye bye bikini season!
5. Build-A-Bear-also known as the crazy nut house for kids. Madison suckered me into buying another build-a-bear. Her little pout and innocent little face gets me every time.

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So just to name a few I have officially broke the bank and cracked my debit card. No lie. A replacement card is coming in the mail within the next few days. I really need to hide the darn thing or I may be sorry later. 

I have no regrets in regards to my impulse buying extravaganzas but I do feel guilt for not fixing the issue that is causing all of this. I have a lot to think about and a few changes that need to occur. 

A life evaluation is in the works and I plan on making some major decisions soon. 

Until then, I will ask you this:

"How do you channel your feelings? What do you do to make your day better or to improve your mood? Have you made a life altering decision and what was the result?"

Home Decor and Faux Food

Who wouldn't agree that food is wonderful. 

The way it looks, tastes and makes us feel happy inside is extroadinary.

What also makes me happy, is home decor. So what happens when you combine the two?

You get this....

Some may think it is ridiculous but I find it to be a unique and quaint way to spruce up a kitchen or dining room with faux food. I recently decided to stop in a store that has caught my eye for years and was recommended by a family member, Silk Scapes, this is where I found all of these great items. I am now obsessed with everything they have to offer.

That same family member is known for the small details used in her home. I hope to one day follow in her footsteps. She has decor from faux coke with a cherry on top to a bowl of cereal with a glass of orange juice. 

Every time I add a piece of decor to the house it makes it feel a little more like home. Organization, uniqueness and cleanliness are among the important things to me and as long as I keep these little trinkets around I feel like I am on the right track! I can't wait to add a little more splash of color and patterns to each room!

How have you added your own special touch to your home? Do you have a favorite store you shop at to pick up those unique items?

Where's Me Gold?

I was really hoping that St. Patrick's Day was going to be tomorrow instead of today. Why you might ask?

Well the Mega Millions jackpot is at a whopping 400 million and if all the stars were aligned maybe just maybe I would get lucky and strike it rich!

Who am I kidding! I'm just lucky the bills are paid and I have everything I need. It would be nice to find that pot of gold though.

So while everyone that is really lucky will be celebrating the holiday, I'll be behind a desk staring out the window wishing that someday I too will be able to take a day off and enjoy life like the rest of the world. Until then, I will reminisce on the weekend that I chose to make the best of.

We took Madison downtown for a walk where the Comic Con, the Big Ten tournament and the St. Patrick's festivities were going on so you could say it was a little busy. There were tons of people dressed up in costumes which made it very interesting. I can say I have never been around so many people dressed as Batman and Spiderman.

While soaking in the one day of warmth and sunshine I did get to take some really good pictures. Every holiday I try to take some family photos and snap updated ones of Madison capturing growth and change.

Are you one of the lucky ones who are off work today? What have you done to celebrate or plan on doing to celebrate?

Reflecting Back

Thank goodness for Friday's and the weekend. It's these three days that motivate me. Time off work, time to rest, time to check tasks off the to do list and time spent with the family.

While it's great to look forward to things to come it's also good to reflect on the positive things that happened before.

Here are my five positive happenings over the course of the week....

Madison made the little league baseball team and her bff Cash is on the same team! We are planning on picking up all of her equipment this weekend!

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I don't know about you but I'm sooooo ready for warm weather! This week we had one 65 degree day but then it turned to snow and temperatures in the teens! Seven more days until Spring!! I'm sure hoping the weather makes a change soon! I'm ready for sunshine and flip flops!!

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I finally received my Ipsy glam bag! I will be posting my full review next week! $10 and you receive a beauty bag full of great products!

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Madison's dance class hosted a visitor's night last night so we were able to watch the class for the entire hour! It brings a tear to my eye seeing how much she has grown and how she has blossomed out of her shell.

One of the best parts about being a parent is when they run up to you holding a craft they made at school and tell you they made it just for you. Madison did just that this week. The theme in school was Dr. Suess. They created little thing 1 and things 2's with their hands. Makes my heart melt every time.

I'm looking to a great weekend celebrating St. Patrick's Day! Although I have no plans at all and I'm not one of the lucky ones who got Monday off work, I am looking to do something with Madison. This will be the first year we haven't went out to the bar. I'm a little over the bar scene and would much rather be toasting green kool aid hearing Madison giggle. It's a parent thing I guess.

What's your plans for the holiday? Suggestions for parents?