It's all about the Glam

Glitter is a Girls Best Friend. From the eye shadow to the nail polish to the clothes and right down to the shoes. I think not only does it make you look stunning, it makes you feel on top of the world. This time of year is the best time for glitz and glam. The Christmas colors just bring out that warm glow a woman has. I'm ecstatic about moving to Central Naples. Living in Bonita had me down this time of year. I did not make it home to NY last year for either holiday and that put a damper on my holiday. This year will hopefully be much different. After spending the entire weekend in Central Naples I started to like the scenery and heard good news about the holiday spirit this town has over Bonita. It is about a 15-20 minute drive so we never shopped or drove through there because everything we needed was in our current town. After looking at the shopping centers, researching the schools and seeing the holiday decor that people already put up makes me hopeful for a heartfelt Christmas. And we plan on going home to NY for a week:) So once we get settled into our new home, I'm going shopping for the girls dresses and possibly these glitzy shoes for moi @ yesstyle.com.

Aren't they dazzling.

What's even more fun is the make-up. I love Tigi Bed Head. Thanks to my sisters best friend. She used to do my hair and had this make-up in her salon. I bought an eyeliner stick and ever since fell in love with that brand. It's better than Mac in my opinion. But this chick really knows how to put on makeup.

  

I am deeply in love with shimmering powder. Don't ever go without. Trust me. It makes you feel and look beautiful. It's the bomb diggity.

Dressing up is one of my favorite things to do this time of year. I probably already mentioned. Fashion is Fabulous. I think this time of year is definitely a sequins bash. Debenhams.com has this AMAZING top. I just have to have it. Seriously. It's Gorgeous.

Forever21 has striking clothing for unbelievable prices.

Dorothyperkins has this ravashing grey sequins top.

How sexy is this Halter. Stylesforless has the HOTTEST items at the best deals.

Fashion, Glitter and Beauty always makes a girls day. When all else fails, Glam it up!

Black Friday Confession

Yesterday was truly the best Thanksgiving I'd ever had. The morning started out a little rough with Miss H throwing a hissy fit but once I sat her down and had a talk with her she realized it was a day of thanks and reacted completely opposite. M was the next Rachael Ray. I allow her to watch a show after Miss H falls to sleep some nights. I check on them quite often. I've caught M watching the food network channel with 30 minute meals on plenty of times. She's so involved in the show that I don't disturb her, I just peek to watch her enjoying the show more than any other show she's watched before. We sit and watch Cake Boss as well. She helped me make and bake yesterday. From the turkey, to the stuffing balls, to mashed potatoes, to the MAGIC COOKIE BARS.:) Yum. Everything turned out stunning. I did get a pumpkin pie but failed to freeze it so once I pulled it out of the fridge it had overflowed into the box. Let's just say it was nasty looking. In the garbagio it goes. Walmart was open 24 hours. We ran to get some coin rolls for our lucky pennies, grabbed some extra household items and a box of Magic Cookie Bars from EAGLE BRAND to replace our pumpkin pie. Meanwhile the turkey was baking, we headed home to finish our delightful cooking.


Introducing Chef M:

She over did herself. I could not have had a better day with just the four of us. I know I always say that but it was one of my best and it will be remembered forever.  

Miss H was still going strong with the duck. She changed her outfit about ten times. Girls, Girls, Girls.

She was on the photo/video kick. Of course we took plenty of moments to document the One & Only Miss H.

Trying to throw a pathetic fit ↑

After One Strike Warning ↓

The reason I'm so Gosh Darn Thankful ↓

Magic Cookie Bars ↓

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk 2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut 1 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees for glass dish). Coat 13x9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.


Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with a fork.

Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars or diamonds. Store covered at room temperature.

With loads of Whipped Cream ↑

My Everything ↑

& the moment you've all been waiting for:

My Friday Confession:

I burnt the shit out of this pot. Well I have a very good excuse. I was trying to be super mom and do the usual multi-tasking. While folding the laundry I smelled the burn. And Miss H runs in to tell me I'm burning the dinner that was cooking on Wednesday night. Needless to say I did not burn the dinner just the bottom of this ugly pot. I don't know how but we all sat down to eat, took one bite and boy did it taste burnt. How gross. Somehow Dad got the pot clean. He's the magic scrubber. I was just going to throw it away. I always take the easy way out. If it's dirty and I don't want to clean it, in the trash it goes. So I'm far from perfect.

Toodles

The Many Blessings

I wanted to thank our dear God number one for allowing us to be here today. He is my rock, my best friend and my only father. Despite the fact that we are not with our extended family to share stories around the dinner table with, we have our girls to share a day of Thanksgiving with. They are the reason I breathe, my purpose for still living and many smiles to my chubby little cheeks. Tired as all moms are, I arose out of bed this morning to make Miss H some english muffins. "Mommy, I'm hungry."  I just want another minute to sleep and so that was all she had given to me. An extra minute before she came to wake me up at 7:30 once again. Dragging, I make her some english muffins with peanut butter and while she was eating I was doing last nights dishes because yes I can leave them sit for one night. As I'm washing dishes, hand washing because I forgot the Cascade while I was at the store the day prior, I glance over at the table where her and her duck are eating and she's talking, clucking her tongue and making her duck as comfortable as can be. The duck is wearing her pajama pants that go all the way up to the ducks neck and she's been carrying her around for days now. Everywhere she goes her new best friend goes. I had washed this duck two days ago to pack away. Don't think for two minutes this kid was going to allow me to do so. She was right beside me at the washing machine to grab her duck. She changes her clothing so much I can't keep up. Although my little one is sometimes cranky(especially when she doesn't get her own way) I look at her and my heart just melts because I couldn't be more proud to be their mother. M is going through the changes of a lifetime and I'm beyond blessed to teach her everything there is to know about everything. The bond I have with my girls is the bond I wished I had growing up with my own mother but there is a reason for everything and the reason I have these two girls is to give them a life I longed for when I was a child. Enough with the mushy stuff. Meet the duck. And Miss H who is in her favorite pajama shirt that has been passed on for many many years.  

I wish you all a tremendous Thanksgiving. Share your blessings and truly show them off.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels and Thanksgiving Dishes

It was a chocolate mess here at our home last night. We broke out the Ghiradelli Chocolate Candy Making Kit. Kinda messy but sooooo much fun. We melted the chocolate and drizzled it on pretzels. Mmmmm....really really good. Fantastic. De-lish. I ate the entire plate. Not kidding. My sister can attest. 

Don't try to come in-between a woman & her chocolate.

Lady Miss

Believe me, I poured more chocolate from the bowl on them. Completely covered.

So this morning I went to the grocery store at 7:30am. Yep forgot to go get our Turkey again. Rolled outta bed, headed straight for Publix in the rain to get this dinner going. Made it back right in time for B to go to work. So ready to get my COOK on. I'm so anxious to make my Fried Stuffing Balls. Simply make your stuffing according to directions, cool, roll into balls, dip in flour and set them in the deep frier til crisp. Drizzle some gravy on them and viola. So Good. So Right. You must try.

   

Roasted or mashed potatoes, either way I love potatoes.

I mix my food and everyone thinks I'm disgusting or something. I pile everything into my mashed potatoes. Corn, stuffing, gravy, you name it. I wouldn't eat em' any other way.

This here is topped with sour cream. I think I might have to take a six day break when I'm done.

I love turkey for about two minutes then I'm done and over it. Bryan always wants to get this huge turkey because he wants leftovers. I'd be much happier with a little one. They're much better. You should have seen me in the freezer department this morning searching for one. They were either too small or too large. Damn it. I need an inbetweeny. I ended up with one bigger than I wanted to even spend. I hate expensive food. It seriously erks me. Ahhwell. Whatcha gonna do. 

 The smell is tastier.

I'm ready for dessert. Rachael Ray is my girl. She's just fabulous. She and I must love the same yum because she had this Pecan Pie with Chocolate-Cinnamon Whipped Cream ready for my viewing. I'm a pecan, chocolate, vanilla ice cream loving pig.

Ingredients:

2 cups whip cream
1 shot orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier) (buy a tiny bottle, a nip, if you like)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, eyeball it in your palm
2 pinches chili powder or ground cayenne
1 (3-ounce) baking bar semisweet chocolate, chopped (recommended: Ghiradelli brand) I have plenty if you need to borrow some.

2 store bought pecan pies, serve warm or chilled, as you like.

Directions:

Whip cream, liqueur, cinnamon and chili powder together until stiff peaks form. Melt chocolate in a medium bowl in microwave until smooth, check on it every 10 seconds over 45 seconds, cooking on high. Cool to the touch. Stir 1/4 of the whipped cream into the chocolate until totally combined then fold in the rest of the whipped cream in small batches. Cut pie, top with cream and serve immediately.

Oh My Goodness. Please Have a Fantastic time with family and friends. We'll be missing ours. Enjoy and Give Thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving

Pumpkin Pecan Crunch

Aprons on. Tonight is all about baking with my girls. I absolutely love spending time with them in the kitchen. I'm so worried about baking yummy desserts that I completely forgot to pick up a Turkey while out shopping this past weekend. I tell ya, I'm at the doggone grocery store more often than I'd like to be. I cannot stand food shopping at all. Ten minutes max and I start going insane. Supposed to head there yesterday but the weekdays are busy and I simply forgot again. Since they are off the rest of the week, I intend on more grocery shopping but at this point I could just make this delicious pumpkin pecan crunch and be good to go. You can find the recipe here. Pumpkin Pie and Loads of Whipped Cream is muh fave. Yummy in my Tummy. To hell with the damn turkey. I'm a complete junk food junky.

Yesterday after school I threw Miss H in the tub. Yes, Threw. While getting her out and wrapping her in a big snuggly towel she noticed her tooth came out. We searched for it because it apparently escaped to nowhere land. Finally found it blended in with the cream colored tile. The excitement a child expresses when they finally lose a tooth is dramatic. She was thrilled to have it out after waiting a long two weeks. We had to write a letter to the tooth fairy so she would not forget to exchange. She believes a girl in her kindergarten class is the tooth fairy. Apparently this little girl goes around telling the class she's the fairy. Very Well. What a way to ramble off, Vic. Wiggles finally came out. 

 

Holiday Gift Shopping

In the spirit of Christmas and the gift giving that goes along with it, I'm preparing myself like no other year. The hubs and I have gone all out on these girls since they were brought into this world. The tradition has been carried on for generations and making them feel special makes us as parents ecstatic. As I grow older and wiser I realize that nothing is more important than the gift of family. Having each other dominates the materialistic items we so desperately want to give our children. Over doing it can defeat the entire purpose of celebrating the holiday. This holiday gift shopping is going to be limited and sweet. I've ran across some great gifts that will certainly please my two girls. I wanted to share them with you incase you haven't already seen them. They are fun, crafty and inexpensive. In past years we've tried to fill the entire floor underneath the tree with endless gifts. It has slowly decreased. If there was only one gift under there they would still be happy. It's the whole unwrapping that makes their day. My sister and I were talking about this and both agreed that if we had wrapped things they already owned they would still be just as happy because they enjoy opening much more than whats really inside. With us moving around so much and now having to find a new place right before Christmas, I think it will be a smart decision to stick with a few basic ideas. Although I have donated many of their presents, so getting a lot of gifts isnt so bad afterall. When I saw this piggy bank in the Bed, Bath and Beyond flyer, I was hooked on getting it for the girls. They love to make their own things and Kenz has been wanting a new one anyways. Decorate your own piggy bank. It includes six markers for the kids to make all their own.

$4.99

They also have this picture frame that would make the kids excited about their own craftyness.

I have purchased I don't know how many cameras for these kids. From Disney to Barbie, from Barbie to Bratz. Very Crazy. I know, I use that word too much. But seriously. How many times have we purchased a camera and it ends up in the toy box with the rest of the toys. It's no longer a real picture taking camera, it's a play camera. A friend of mine had this Discovery Kids Camera and I thought where have I been. This is awesome. It's very kid friendly and takes real pictures. Low and Behold, Bed Bath and Beyond has one for $29.99. Seems kinda much for a kids camera but not really.

I'm not really sure if I'm going to get my kids this M & M fortunes candy dispenser but I thought it was cute and looks fun. It's again @ BBB and only $9.99.

My kids are into anything and everything art. They love painting on canvas. Endless works of art. It's simply amazing and we enjoy it above everything else. Bed, Bath and Beyond has pre-paintings on canvas. They run $4.99 as well but sometimes you can get them on clearance for $2.99. Some dollar stores even have the canvas' and Walmart of course. 

 

And lastly we are going to make and bake because thats what we girls love to do. We wish you a happy and safe shopping experience, especially this Black Friday. I will not be shopping. It's Crazy! So behave, Be careful and Don't Let anyone Step on Your TOES.

A Handbag For The Price of a House

I'm not sure if even when I had enough money to purchase one of these crazy expensive handbags that I would. I cannot fathom why people are in awe over Hermes. I'm obviously a very simple lady that is completely happy with a little Coach bag. Some Hermes Birkin Crocodile Purses are over a hundred grand. Excuse me. I can purchase a home in NY for that. Well anywhere for that matter.

I stumbled across these handbags on ebay a while ago.

When I saw that people were buying them for the ridiculous price of a couple cars, a home and so many more important things, I looked deeper. I searched the Hermes Birkin handbags on the web, viewed numerous photos and thought that this thing was not only ugly but seems to look uncomfortable around the arm. It's not appealing to me. Maybe I've missed soemthing but I think NOT.

It's ugly. Plain and simple. I'm dying to hear someone beg to differ with me on this one. Please tell me most people just buy them to show off and say hello I can afford to buy one of these. I'd much rather be buying better things in life. But that's just me. I guess if you have anywhere from twenty g's to one hundred to waste then so be it. Very well. Am I jealous of someone owning a Hermes, No. I'm jealous they have money to waste apparently. 

Tell me you would not purchase one of these handbags for the life of you. Please.

God is Great Coffee is Good and People are Crazy

A dear thank you to our fabulous Lord Above. He works miracles. Jamey Mosch was found alive yesterday around 11am. GOD is GREAT. He was dehydrated, cut up, bitten up and glad to be alive. Right now he is getting treatment at the Naples hospital, his family is relieved, joyous and by his side. He will be doing a story with the local news sometime today. I'm sure more updates are at Naples Daily News. Miracles really do happen. Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers. On another note. It's bright and early, I'm ready to go look at some houses and enjoying a delicious cup of coffee. Yes, it's GOOD. Why in the hedoublehockystick would Jamey want to go off on his own. He ate catfish and drank swamp water to stay alive. He's CRAZY. Glad he's okay. I'm never stepping foot in the Everglades.  

It's A Great Day To Be Alive

This morning is just like any other morn. I wake up, Thank The Lord, Get my girls around and get them off to school. But before I do, I kiss them, hug them, nourish them and tell them how much I love them. I then grab a cup of joe, clean and print labels. I've been turning the news on bright and early to keep up with the latest developments in the missing Everglades man. He's a young man that I went to elementary school with back in New York. We lived down the block from each other when we were little. He is an avid hunter who loves the outdoors. He's been hunting since he was young. Missing since Monday, this is the fifth day that he has been lost in the Everglades. The brush can sometimes be over your head, it's filled with hungry gators, snakes, water moccasins, bugs and swampy water. Search rescue teams from many different counties have been searching for him since Monday. No luck in finding him but they found bits and pieces of clues to make us believe he is still alive. He has lyme disease and that could be slowing him down. The men he went hunting with were men that he met a day prior to them going and they don't sound like good friends to just let him go off and get lost. Someone should have insisted on going with him, no matter what. His mom and family is terribly worried as anyone would be. She has already lost a child. I know how hard it is to lose a loved one. He has so many friends and family praying for his safe return. At this point we just hope that he comes out with minor scrapes and bruises. If anyone can survive being lost in the Everglades it would be him. He has a ton of knowledge on being in the wilderness. Each and every day is a great day to be alive despite the hardships we face, the struggles we encounter and the craziness that we deal with. Prayer is a powerful thing so I'm asking you as strangers to say a prayer for this man and his family today. Hopefully by this evening we will have some good news. Thanks so Much in advance. To read more about this story, Click Here.  

Jamey Mosch

Remember to blow a kiss to your maker and thank him for your many blessings. He is all mighty powerful. <3

He was found alive...thank God....I just heard the news right after I posted this....an update on how he's doing will be later....

All I Want For Christmas

When we bought our first home we remodeled it, refinished the attic and bought a jack russell terrier to complete the package. Precious was her name. She was high spirited, loved attention and gave me a run for my money. We thought she completed the package. When I was eight months pregnant for numero dos we bought another puppy. A miniature pincher. Cocoa. Cocoa Bear. He was the cutest little thing that you ever did see. We then decided to explore Arizona and left my babies behind. Oh how I regret selling the house, moving around, letting someone else raise my pooches. Lessons learned. You live and you learn. We got in a horrible car accident in Oklahoma City. A someone jerk side swiped our Rodeo and ran us off the road. Never stopped. Just kept going. Hit and Run. This may be why I'm so hostile towards careless drivers. There was black ice on the highway and we slid right in the direction of police patrol men standing on the side of the road. In the middle of the night. Listening to Jesus Take The Wheel. Coincidence. Maybe.

The poilce officer ran out of the way and jumped over a side bank to avoid getting hit. We then smashed into the the cop car shooting it fifty feet ahead of us leading us into the concrete wall. The other officer was trying to see if we were okay while trying to get his partner out of the snow bank and calling for help. They said it was honestly a miracle that we were all alive with minor bumps and bruises. The car was totaled. We received medical attention in the ambulance and cried to get out of there. Our lives were so meaningful to me, I just repeatedly thanked my gracious God for sending angels to take care of us. We had to stay in a motel with no heat. In the middle of a snow storm. Mind you they rarely had snow storms that time of year and just our luck to get caught up in it. On foot we searched for a vehicle the next day. I carried my babies back and forth, to and from the motel. We just got a truck rental and went miles out of our way to get all of our belongings off the trailer. We had a motorcycle and everything we owned on it. We walked through orange-red mud and I lost my clogs in the deep poo. Our family offered to come get us and bring us back to NY but we're stubborn and continued to AZ. The entire experience was not meant to be. We lived there for two weeks. Dealt with a realtor that tried giving us a white refridgerator with stainless steel appliances. I can't believe we had to fight with this broad. It's common sense that one would want matching appliances. My infant got sick. Everyone in Walmart was describing the flu that was going around there. We baught and returned furniture to that store countless times. Not to mention the basic necessities. If I went into detail, I might be here for days. Flying back to NY at that very moment is where our hearts was leading us. So long, nice journey, never headed that way again. We stayed back in NY for a year and received the job offer to head south. I said as long as we stay on the east coast, I'm down for another adventure. We've survived the worst of any experiece and nothing was going to stop me from exploring more. The only thing I miss is not being able to have my little pups due to so many moves and living in condos is not the best place for us to raise a little guy. Or gal. I look at our photos of what we had before and can't wait to have that back. I liked living the fast life, exploring the many different places we've been, living in luxury but it's time for me to get what was once mine back.

    From Left to Right: Me feeding Miss H, Cocoa Bear, Precious & M

I want my puppies for Christmas. I want my life back.

Fancy That

This is the best time of year to be dressing your little dolls up. I love little girl dresses. They are so beautiful and sweet. Some kids can't stand to be in dress clothes longer than a minute. I happen to have one of them. Miss H has the time of her life dressing up and having tea parties. She often goes in her closet and drags the fluffy green dress she wore last year for Christmas out. I have a video of her wearing it playing tea time. I'll put it at the end of this post. It's rather funny. I am in dreamland when I shop for these girls. Who doesn't love shopping.

You can find some gorgeous dress clothes at Sophiasstyle.com 

Stunning Princess Shoes by J. Crew

Christmas Outfit-Sophiasstyle.com

Little Boys Christmas Outfits by JCPenny.com

I hope you all have a joyous holiday. Have fun shopping for those darling little outfits and enjoy some tea:)