cheer for the weekend!

You guys, we did it! We made it through our first week back at work since the break, not that I really had a break but you know what I  mean. Friday is here, hallelujah.

First up for this fine fine day...so far in my year goals I've excelled at eating healthier. and I went to the gym once! I know one isn't a lot, but it is one more time than I've gone in the previous 6 months so in my case it is a win. There were plans to go more times but unfortunately work/life got in the way. Next week my goal is to go again, at least once aiming for twice. We can do this!

Second- this weekend is my sister's baby sprinkle! Nephew #2 is close to arriving so instead of a full-blown shower we are having a sprinkle. Excited to share some more details of the party planning and pictures next week!(which I can't really take much credit for except for helping pay for it- all the planning is on my crafty sister)

Third-right now it is SNOWING! a legit snow, not a little dusting of fluff but snow. I love snow, I love how it looks, I love how it feels, I love how quiet it can be.

Fourth... I have a week off in February and I'm so torn about what to do with it. Do I sit around all week enjoying the not working, do I visit family in Florida, do I try and take a vacation somewhere else?? Too many choices!!

I mean I could totally go for one of these again...

and fifth... can I just give a holla out to eBates again? Seriously this site is rocking my world. I do a bulk of my shopping online and just about every store I shop out is on there, so my normal every month purchases are now getting me money back. As of now I'm expecting a 60+ return for February. Living the dream!

Happy Friday!

 

Color Swap Reveal

I'm super excited to reveal all the gifts I received from the totally fun color swap I participated in this month. I actually found out about the swap on facebook and jumped right on it- I love doing any kind of Secret Santa/give a gift, get a gift/surprise thing.

My partner was Hannah from Love Hannah B, we started chatting right away and getting to know each other so we knew what kinds of things to send. It was wonderful meeting another blogger, finding out their likes and dislikes and in general meeting a new person.

Above is what I received from Hannah, lots of goodies- many of which are in the color blue, my favorite color! Surprise, I know. And that is what was the most fun about this swap- it was about your favorite color and sending gifts in your partners favorite color.

Hannah sent me some fun lipgloss, a lot of great notepads plus a planner (always a win with a blogger). The city picture is a pack of tissues (so needed at this time of year). Actually Little J tried to take them from me and tell me they were his.. sorry to burst your bubble munchkin! The mini-clothspins are super super cute and I can't wait to display all the signs. And the bracelets hanging over the joy sign are festive, with a young vibe and soft feel. Winner in my book!

Overall a really great time, a nice way to meet a new blogger and friend and way to get some awesome surprises!

http://www.twomiracles.net

Make sure to stop by Two Miracles and see some of the other Color Swap Reveals!

Gift-Giving Guide for Him

Brooklyn Brew Beer Making Kit, Everyday IPA / Wedding jewelry / Bose accessory / Tech accessory / The Men's Store at Bloomingdale's Solid Knit Gloves / Kiehl's Since Men's Energizing Kit 1851 / Kenneth Cole Reaction Passcase Leather Wallet / The Little Black Book of Brain Games (Brain Teasers) Challenge Your...

I will confess, besides my father and brother-in-laws, it's been quite awhile since I actually bought a gift for guy- but when I think about my friends and family, these all seem like things they would all appreciate and enjoy. Which is why I bring them here, to my gift guide. Honestly I would be pretty okay with some of these gifts for myself as well.. like how fun would it be to make beer?

Gift-Giving Guide for Her

Heart coffee mug / Rewined rustic home decor / Eberjey robe / Collection XIIX infinity scarve, / Twistband knotted hair tie / Essie nail polish / Walking Stick Umbrella / Gone Girl:Amazon:Books

In my opinion buying gifts for a female friend, relative, love interest, boss- whatever. It's all about pampering. Purchasing something that they might buy themselves, or might just want to buy themselves but haven't gotten around too. A fun umbrella, cozy robe, some new books or nail polish. Something fun, festive, and that will bring a smile to their face. Now go fourth and buy some awesome things!

p.s I would welcome any of these myself... (except gone girl bc I've already read it- but another book for sure!)

Favorite Family Holiday Photo

This is by far my most favorite family holiday photo ever/ it's one of the only ones I have in my possession but it's hilarious so I don't care.

It's circa 1991, I'm the little grumpy child front and center. We used to attend the Mickey's Holiday Party every December at Disney and I know there are a ton of these laying around somewhere... eventually they will appear and I can really spread the joy. Until then, enjoy this gem!

Letter to Santa

I'm really excited to join in with Ash from The Grits Blog and Tay from Tay Meets World for their Blogmas14. I might not participate in every prompt but some of them will be first times for me (like today's!) That's right folks- I've never written a letter to Santa. This is because I'm Jewish, and usually celebrate Hannukah, but hey I don't see why I can't write a letter... honestly as a child I totally believed in Santa. I just knew that he didn't come to my house because we didn't celebrate Christmas and because we were Jewish.

so here we go..

Dear Santa,

hello! It is so nice to finally be writing you! I'm sure you are surprised to hear from me but I figured why not say hi and mention how awesome I am.

I would like to think I've been a pretty good person this year- I donate to friend's charities, give aid whenever possible and am always open to lend an ear.

I am super thankful for my job, my apartment, my family and friends. I am happy to say I am healthy, my animals are healthy and if anything I have health insurance and that is fantastic.

Anyways, since I've been a pretty cool person this year there are a few things I would love to just magically appear in my presence-  with much debate I would not in anyway turn down a camera, a nice beautiful DSLR camera. This blog space is beginning to turn into something and I want to step up my game.

And that super fancy bar cart that I finally tracked down but then turned out to be over $600. I love it, it's way cute but now officially out of my price range. Totally want it still...

Along with that, a new dining room table and chairs could make me really swoon.

So Santa, if you have any extra room in that giant bag of yours, feel free to throw out a bit of love for little ole' me!

these are a few of my favorite things...

I'm a little late to this link-up but figured it would be the perfect way to end the week. With the arrival of my new couch tomorrow (cross your fingers it fits through the door!!) I figured I'd give a list of what I would like to purchase (or receive) to help finish up decorating my living room.

 so if you need any ideas for what to get me for the holidays... here they are!

1) A new coffee table:

found here at Wayfair

      I really want a two-level coffee table to help keep some of that mail and magazine junk off the top- this is one I've found so far that I've liked, I also really need to measure my space..

2) Floor Rug: Ugh- I'm so torn about a rug. My wall is painted purple, the new couch is light gray. I was thinking of a yellow or blue rug. But this might be the hardest decision of them all- here are a few I've seen and liked..

I

3) Bar Cart: All the rage these days- I'd love one with a wine-rack built in!

4) Fun Wall Prints: a toughy because i really don't know what I want but I know I want something- details, details. I'm a big fan of putting up some quotes- maybe some favorites from books. obviously that means some harry potter. I like the idea of a gallery (below) with a mix of book quotes and fun ones.

 5) Shelving for Pictures: with a look like this..

Happy Friday!

What's in My Makeup Bag? + a cash giveaway!

Good question- I don't wear makeup on a daily basis but when I do wear it I have some set staples that I'm not sure I could ever replace...

Garnier BB Cream- this stuff is amazing, it works as a moisturizer, foundation, and so much more. It covers me up and evens me out without feeling heavy or gunky.

I usually layer a blush (from The Body Shop) and a bronzer on top.

The Clinique eye-liner is great, goes on smooth and the cap has a built in sharpener- perfect for on the go. 

And we can't forget about the eyebrows! The Anastasia Brow Wiz helps keep me looking sharp and defined.

My sister gave me this Urban Decay palette several years back and I really need to buy a new one- I've used a good chunk of it up and it never lets me down.

In a Birchbox several months ago I received a sample of Benefit's They're Real Mascara and seriously haven't turned back. Hands down the best mascara out there.

And Bite Beauty lip gloss- I discovered this at Sephora about this time last year and am in love with everything they offer. The gloss up above is a great shade of red that pops, doesn't stick and lasts forever.

Chapstick- have about 20 sticks of this laying around, in bags and pockets. Caudalie's lip conditioner is my go to especially at this time of year.

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And on to the good stuff...
With the holiday's coming up faster than fast, 

this giveaway is really perfect!

145 extra dollars to buy something totally rad for your hubs, or kids, or yourself! 

Yes. Definitely spend it on yourself. 

What I am trying to say is that you HAVE to get entered to win this money.

Because when is free money a bad idea?

The answer...if it's drug money. Bad idea.

This however is clean.

Extra clean free money for you... for following these beautiful ladies:

Mary | Lindsay | Renee | Chelsea | Chelsea

Amy

Karli | Trish | Megan | Karissa | Rebekah

Seems like a win all the way around. 

Get on it. Show them some love.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mustard Chicken- Sheet Pan Super

I made this dinner a few weeks ago and it was fantastic for so many different reasons- one it tasted great, which is always helpful. It was also wonderful because everything came out of the over at the same time- your starch, protein, and veggie all in the oven together and ready together to eat immediately. Can't get better than that...

Ingredients:
1.5 pounds sweet potatoes (2 medium)
2 teaspoons chopped thyme leaves, plus a small bunch of thyme sprigs
1/4 C whole-grain mustard
4 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks (or a mix), patted dry
2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2/3 cup plain dried bread crumbs
2 tablespoons of EVOO, more for drizzling
1 pound broccoli rabe, trimmed
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/3 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

Preparation:
1. Prepare the sweet potatoes: Heat over to 425 degrees. Cut potatoes into 1-in thick slices. Reassemble the slices so the look like intact potatoes, inserting a sprig of thyme between each slice. Wrap each potato in 2 layers of foil and place on a pie tin or directly on over rack. Back until very tender, 60-75 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, make the mustard butter for the chicken. In a small bowl combine the whole-grain mustard and chopped thyme leaves. Mince 2 garlic cloves and stir into bowl. Remove 1 tablespoon of mixture and set aside for future use. Add the butter and dijon mustard to remaining mixture in bowl and stir to combine.

3. Prepare the chicken- season the chicken with 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Then rub the mustard butter all over the chicken. Place the bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. Coat the chicken evenly with bread crumbs. Transfer to a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.

4. Once the potatoes have baked for a half-hour, add the pan with chicken to the over and bake until the chicken is golden and no longer pink, 35-40 minutes.

5. As the chicken cooks, prepare the broccoli rabe. Toss the rabe with olive oil, remaining salt and red pepper flakes. Smash remaining garlic cloves and toss into rabe. Spread onto a sheet pan. Add to the over with the potatoes and chicken for the last 10 minutes of cooking time. The rabe is cooked when the stems are tender and the leaves are crisp at the edge. All items (chicken, sweet potatoes, and rabe) should come out of the oven around the same time.

6. To serve combine the reserved tablespoon of the mustard mixture with the sour cream or greek yogurt. Serve chicken with broccoli rabe and sweet potatoes on the side, dolloping the potatoes with the sour cream-mustard mixture.

Enjoy!

The Easiest, Most Delicious Pasta Sauce- ever.

This is really, in all honesty, one of the easiest things I've ever made- it's simple and really tasty. Let's just say I made it twice in one week because we all enjoyed it so much.

Ingredients:
4 cloves garlic, minced
15 roma tomatoes, diced
4 Tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste, i used about 1 tsp each
fresh basil, chopped, to garnish (or stir in)
your favorite pasta

Directions:
1. chop tomatoes

2. heat oil in pan over medium heat, add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

3. add tomatoes and any leftover juice to pot. Bring to a simmer and simmer covered for 10 minutes.

4. remove cover and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.

5. using an immersion blender or carefully transferring to a blender/food processor, blend sauce until smooth.

6. add salt and pepper, chopped basil and then toss with cooked pasta.

bada-bing, bada-bomb. easy as that. enjoy!!