What is that? Is that a Ritz?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I did. We spent it with great friends, had a wonderful meal and oh yeah THE EAGLES WON!!!!!!!!! Even though it was cold, the game was so much fun! Ok, so onto the reasoning behind my post title. My daughter's friend made a Mock Apple pie. I never heard of this before. She told me how she made it and I was a little grossed out, until I tried it! It was delish!! I swear you would never know it does not have a single apple in this pie. YUM!!

Many Blessings

This year has been a wonderful year. Yes we are all trying to get by just like everyone else, but how can you not reflect on things that you should be thankful for? My wonderful fabulous husband. I tear up just thinking of you. You are my world and makes my life worth living. My girls, my beautiful dazzling girls. You give me laughter, love and a purpose. I am thankful that I can be the kind of mom you can be proud of. I am thankful that my family are all healthy and talking :P I am so grateful for my mom, you are the best mommy ever! Thankful that I have the best in-laws ever! They love me like a daughter/sister and it means everything to me. And lastly, I am SO thankful for my friends. My true friends. You know who you are. You are in my life again and never ever going anywhere. I cherish you.

Oh and who could forget my Fozzi Bear, my little buddy, my son.

We all have so much to be Thankful for this year.

God Bless and have a Fantastic Thanksgiving!

So Talented!

I just have to link my gf Bobbi's site. She posted pics of Christmas lawn decoration SHE MADE herself. She is truly talented. Sunday is the lighting "Ceremony" of her Griswold house. I will be sure to post pics!!

Hello 80's calling!

Are you old enough to remember MULTIPLES??

O M G!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Look at this!

classy

I heart this room!

Twilight - my review

Ok I'm gonna jump on this like every other girl between the age of 10-50! I went to see Twilight last night and I LOVED it. Seriously. I had never even heard of Robert Pattinson before this movie (no, not a Harry Potter fan) but I got to say I am now a fan. He played Edward to the "T". Robert is actually has a British accent so his "accent" in this movie was different but unmistakeably HOT. I actually believed he was from another era, which is what I wanted from the movie. A few things were a little different from the book, but it was all ok, cause the story still stayed pretty much true to the book. The cast all seemed to fit nicely. Peter Facinelli was pretty impressive in the role of Carlisle Cullen. It was just funny seeing him cause you automatically think of of the movie "Can't Hardly Wait" with Jennifer Love Hewitt (that was the movie Bobbi). Remember AmanDUH? oh and the way that they made Edward's skin look like diamonds was really impressive also (I mean Hot). And the kissing scene? Lordy! So have you seen the movie yet, Thoughts??

wow gwen can cook.

I got this Thanksgiving dinner email from Goop - Gwyneth Paltrow's website. There was a recipe in the email for turkey burgers and man, did they look GOOD!

Im gonna have to make these this weekend. The family will love it.

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

SERVES: 2 (makes two huge burgers)

TIME: 20 minutes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup finely minced onion
1 tablespoon very finely chopped fresh rosemary
3/4 pound ground turkey
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1/2 cup Classic Bread Stuffing
2 hamburger buns
Cranberry ketchup

Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over low heat. Add the onions and rosemary and cook for about ten minutes, or until quite soft and sweet. Let the onion mixture cool a bit and then put in a large mixing bowl with the turkey, salt and pepper. Mush the ingredients together with a wooden spoon or your hands. Form a quarter of the mixture into a thin patty. Mound half of the stuffing in the center of the patty. Take another quarter of the mixture and form it into a patty and place on top, sealing the edges so that all the stuffing is snug inside. Repeat with the remaining turkey and stuffing.

Preheat your grill or broiler. Cook the burgers for five minutes on the first side, flip and cook for four more minutes or until the burgers are browned and firm. Cut the buns in half and grill alongside the burgers. Spread the buns with Cranberry Ketchup (lol sounds funny), tuck in the burgers and go to town.

I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to food

I had a bottle of wine Saturday night, and it was delish. I went to the Bordeaux world and I am happy to report that I could live there ~ forever. It was a 2000 Chateau Mayne Sansac Bordeaux. I higly recommend this wine. The aromas include blackberry and cherry with subtle oak notes. It says so on right on the bottle.

just cause

Thought I would share my fave lip gloss ever.. Just cause I wanna.

NARS Lipgloss in Rose Birman

Cozy clothes

Doesnt this weather just make you want to put on your jammies and lay around all weekend??

I'm thinking that's my weekend plans, after a little shopping of course.

How cute are these.. all from American Eagle.

I'm out of here.. have a great weekend..

Dinner tonight!

This was dinner tonight. The pic is Martha Stewart's but my dish looked pretty much just like this. I really need a new Blackberry so I could show how nice it plated! Oh I did add sweet potatoes to the mix, just cause I am trying to get "good" carbs, but still it was DELISH! I highly recommend it!

Warm Spinach Salad with Fried Egg and Potatoes

Oh my!

Ok why am I a little jealous that Robert Pattinson biting Tyra Banks??

That sexy vampire looks like he is really biting her! Damn it!! He will be on her show November 28th! I might have to DVR that one!

Monday can't come quick enough for me to see this movie!!!

I did it all for the Health!

Last night I made a pitcher (or 2) of Pomegranate Martinis ONLY cause I know how healthy they are for you ~ Honest! :P They were oh so yummy. I made the Rachael Ray version that Oprah loves so much, mainly cause they are so simple and oh so good. I thought I would share the recipe AND the health benefits of pomegranates. It's a two-fer!

Slow cooker Sunday

I usually make this soup in the winter... the family loves it. I hope it's just a good in a slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Escarole Soup (Italian wedding soup to some).

Another F&F Weekend Coupon..

Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor Loft

Turkey Day

Thanksgiving is 1 week away! Can you believe it? This year we are adding a twist to our holiday and the husband and I are going an Eagles game! Crazy I know, but it's actually going to be fun (I hope). Not the freezing my ass off part, but the hanging out at my girl friend's fathers house for an early turkey dinner, then tailgating - all without our girls. It will be weird though ~ No cooking on Thanksgiving. I haven't done that in years. I won't miss a few dishes that seem to circulate at this time of year, like the old-fashioned Green Bean Casserole (GAG!) I can not eat any recipe that is based on canned soups labeled "cream of" anything, I just can't. I started making this healthy version of a Green Bean Casserole a few years ago and guess what, it's hands down 10 times better, and so much healthier than the old way AND everyone that I make this for LOVES it. Normally don't share recipes that are a hit and frequently requested, but ehh it's Thanksgiving, and I'm a giver.

As seen on..

Ever see a hair product on QVC, HSN or an infomerical and wonder if they actually work? Well wonder no more, Totalbeauty.com has made a list of the best products that are "As Seen on TV", reviewed and rated all for you. Check it out.

No renewal here!

Time Inc is closing down Cottage Living!! I cant believe this, I'm so upset. It's one of my fave decorating magazines. This sucks!!! The November-December issue on stands now is it's last. So sad.

What the Hype?

Seems like the movie Twilight has a lot to live up too! Monday night was the premiere and according to the media it was insane. Hundreds of people turned up to scream their faces off at Robert Pattinson (Edward) and Kristin Stewart (Bella) IT BETTER BE WORTH IT!! I've been spending all my time reading this series (many thanks to Bobbi) and I will not be happy if the movie sucks! I gotta say though, he is kinda sexy huh?

Let the count down begin!

I don't know about you, but I love to shop on Black Friday. Just me and my Visa MAC card. I love looking at the ads, seeing who is having the best sale and what stores are worth the lines. Never ever go to Toys R us on BF, just a bit of advice! WORST experience of my life.
Websites are now ready to let you know who is having the best sales! Most of these sites let you add your email and you will be emailed with the store updates!!
10 days to go baby!! Happy Shopping!

http://www.blackfriday.info/sales/
http://www.theblackfriday.com/
http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/
http://bfads.net/

Sephora - 1 week only!!

Sephora- enter code SHIPFREE25

Goodreads

Check it out..

Goodreads is a free website for book lovers (like me). Sign up and see what others are reading. Invite your friends into discussion groups or book clubs. My new neighbor and I were just talking about starting a book club! You can read other people's reviews and their ratings. Ahem .. friends look for an email from me inviting you soon. Too cool!

Christmas decorating

I'm so over Thanksgiving already and it isn't even here yet! Bring on the Christmas decorating! How can I not want to jump into it now? Everywhere I look there is Christmas stuff tauting me!! I am already thinking of themes, scouring the internet for ideas and writing them all down. I have my color scheme picked out already ~ yes I am THAT girl. This year's colors will be Silvers and Blues! All kinds of blues ~ pale blue, navy blue, plain old blue and turquoises. I am sure there are other shades of blues but I don't know the names. So now I have a question, am I the only one? Do you decorate with themes too? I know a few of you that go all "Griswold" and I love that.. and a few that just put electric candles in their windows and that's .. well lame, but hey if that's your idea of decorating.. I won't mock it.. MUCH! I am so excited..

hallelujah!

Lipstick Jungle is NOT cancelled!!!

Wait a minute!

Doesn't Christina look so pretty here? Love her hair, the outfit, her makeup and the fact that her breasts aren't up under her chin!! Wait a minute..what happen to her ta-tas? How can she just put them away whenever she wants too? I have to find out how she does that trick! Guess she isn't breast feeding anymore?? oh please..

Lordy!

A little beef cake with your morning coffee.

um um umm

I plan on seeing the movie Australia, just for a little of this..

slow cooker sunday UPDATED!

This weekend is an oldie but a goodie! I'm in the mood for a Slow cooker Pot Roast. I got this recipe from marthastewart.com (of course!). I like that the recipe is minus the potatoes. I'm not a fan of how they turn out in the SC. I think I will just roast mine in the oven with EVOO, sea salt and rosemary. I like them better that way.

Updated! Another hit. Nice and simple.

I want

too freakin cute!

katespade.com

Bath & Body works ~ 20% Friends & Family!

Here is another one.. coupons galore this past 2 weekends! Bath and Body Works is offering 20% off Friends and Family coupon (code 20FRIENDS) for online purchases. Offer valid til Sunday, November 16th.

What a great baby shower gift idea!

In the past I use to love making diaper cakes for baby showers, then I got over showers period. Ugh so boring ZZZZZZZZZZ. I saw this diaper cake on thehostessblog.com and thought "NOW this diaper cake would would make me want to go to a shower again" (minus the grass)! I love the idea of hiding a bottle of champagne in the middle. Brilliant! I am kinda wishing someone would get pregnant so I can make it! Anyone??
I guess you can also do it for a bridal shower gift and hide towels in it??



stepbystep instructions

Oh no they didn't!!!!! WTH!

AGAIN they cancelled one of my favorite shows!!!

Lipstick Jungle has been canceled and I'm PISSED!

Our Grown up room

Our "formal" living room is anything but formal and that's fine by me. I'm starting the process of trying to make it even more casual, casual but elegant. I want a room where you want to put your feet up and have a drink (or 2), read a book, but a room that is elegant enough to entertain in. I'm hoping I can pull it off. I have a vision of the kind of room I want. Floor to ceiling book shelves, a flat screen TV on the wall, surrounded by shelves that are filled with glasses, plates, and barware on both sides. Also a buffet/bar underneath with all the fixings to mix a perfect drink or chill a perfect glass of wine. I guess I need to get started on achieving this look!

ooh the girls are gonna love these!!

How perfect are these for stuffing stuffers for my girls! They look delicious enough to eat!
What a great idea for Dylan's Candy bar to make body products. The packaging is genius!

Inspiration!

Last year, for the 1st time, I used grapevines around my entrance. I am doing it again this year, and now I am inspired to add more to it to get this look.

I just love it.

pic: myhomeideas.com

1st attempt at Squash and a kicking new Food blog!

Dinner tonight.. via the food blog the Kitchen sink.
Doesn't it look delish?
Spicy, Garlicky Spaghetti Squash
picture from ourkitchensink

CORRECTION : LAST TIME! Not a squash fan at all... I really wanted to be too. oh well

Cookie Swap 2008

This year I am hosting my 1st ever Holiday Cookie Swap. I'm getting pretty excited looking at all the different kinds of cookies I can ruin, I mean try to bake. Why is it my hips feel like they are growing wider just looking at them? I found a a few great sites for ideas, my fave is Marthastewart.com (of course) simple and to the point.

Here are a few I am thinking of ~ found here YUM!

Dragging Monday

My ass is dragging today.. combination of too much fun (tailgating KILLS you) being the losing team and lack of sleep. I thought I would just post a few friends & family coupons today. too tired too make an effort!

West Elm (LOVE this store) 15% off

DSW.com $10 off $50