Photoshoot from before the trip

 Victoria and her husband are good friends of ours from church and were married a year ago this month.  They didn't have as much time as they wanted for fun pictures of just them on their wedding day, so they decided to get all dressed up and have us do another round of wedding like pictures for them.  They picked a gorgeous private property location, a perfect weather day, and this is what we came up with, or at least a small sample of them!

Victoria's also a new blogger, head on over to her blog, Cooking with Victoria, for lots of fun food posts!

So, yeah, it's been awhile

I seriously don't know where to start, it's been a LONG time since I've posted anything real. Sure, I've mobile blogged a few snippets, but nothing with any substance or meaning in week. Nothing's even been funny, or worth commenting on really, at least not anything I've had time to post about.

We went to NY for my brother-in-law's wedding, which is 2-3 blog posts in itself, coming soon.

We got back from NY and my sister and her family were in town, and I spent one full day with them before rushing back into work. That was March 24th, I've had one day off since then.  Oh the stories I could tell about the people I see in the store, if I had time.

I've processed two photoshoots, one official, one fun and shot one VERY interesting wedding! Details can not be divulged due to the fact that I want to stay in business and the whole confidentiality thing is important to most clients, but it was a new one for me, that's for sure! 

I've done very little cooking or baking, hopefully to be remedied today and tonight.  I'm in the mood for cookies, either snickerdoodles or chocolate chip, or maybe a cookie cake.  Or cupcakes, now I'm thinking cupcakes, or Aunt Faye Brownies.....hmmm......

Our dryer's been out of commission for 2 1/2 weeks and up til this weekend.  I finally got to wash towels last night, which was good, because towels don't line dry well, so we were about to run out and I may pitch my hamper if the dingy smell doesn't go away today. 2 weeks of wet towels will leave quite the aroma in your hamper, just an FYI.

I finally made a Target run last night, watered down shampoo is basically worthless and now that we have a dryer again it only made sense to replace my empty bottle of laundry detergent. Now for a food run today as our groceries are pretty scary, as in there really aren't any that actually go together or could make a meal, just random leftovers.

I'm working on updating my summer wardrobe for a just in case vacation. See, we've never really taken a luxury trip, and this year being our 5 year, we really wanted to, but the money's just not there, so we're looking into several little splurges we can take in the process of getting to or from the family trips we have to take this year. 

Due to the shopping for new stuff, I'm debating between a blog sale or a garage sale to find new homes for things that no longer really fit or fit in my closet. Thoughts? Would anyone be interested in buying clothing off my blog?

We're less than $1600 away from being debt free! Which means it's time to start housing hunting! Woohoo! Finally!  And car shopping for me! I'd had my own car since I was 16, bought by me within weeks of getting my license, so this whole not having my own transportation for a year kind of makes me feel like I'm 14 again.  I'm totally ready to be a grown up again!

Rachel clued me in on Pinterest where I've been compiling decorating and clothing shopping ideas, as well as random other things I'm stumbling upon. Check it out and if you want an invite to create your own boards, let me know.

Well off to shower, and do more laundry, and wait for my husband to come home with the car so I can go to the bank, post office, Bed Bath and Beyond, Ulta, Target and Kroger and maybe consider eating too.  And coffee, definitely more coffee!


Detailed posts and pictures coming soon!

My first "big girl" purse!

A Happy Birthday and Thank You for Dealing with my family gift from my husband.

Free run in the Coach outlet!

Thank you husband! I love it!

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Wish me luck!

So after 2 days of pre wedding festivities, today is the actual wedding. My brother-in-law is getting married and my in-laws couldn't be happier.

So happy they've announced on Facebook how wonderful it is to finally be getting a daughter.

So overjoyed by the Bride's presence and Bridal activities that they forgot I was a girl and met new girls who happened to be in town as dates of the Groom's friends at the spa.

So distracted by their happiness that they forgot to include me in the family introduction my father-in-law made a big show of at the rehearsal dinner last night.

So excited about all the pictures with their new family that I was left at the table talking to random relatives or asked to hold their stuff so they could get a better family picture.

Should be a fun day playing random stranger without a name not worth speaking to.

Pray I don't impale someone with a high heel would you.

One more day to go!

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Wish me luck!

So after 2 days of pre wedding festivities, today us the actual wedding. My brother-in-law is getting married and my in-laws couldn't be happier.

So happy they've announced on Facebook how wonderful it is to finally be getting a daughter.

So overjoyed by the Bride's presence and Bridal activities that they forgot I was a girl and met new girls who happened to be in town as dates of the Groom's friends at the spa.

So distracted by their happiness that they forgot to include me in the family introduction my father-in-law made a big show of at the rehearsal dinner last night.

So excited about all the pictures with their new family that I was left at the table talking to random relatives ir asked to hold their stuff so they could get a better family picture.

Should be a fun day playing random stranger without a name not with speaking to.

Pray I don't impale someone with a high heel would you.

One more day to go!

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Welcome to NY

What a friendly and welcoming state I'm from.

Welcome to New York, now pay up!

Smaller tickets and bigger tolls too. Blah!

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bye bye flip flops :(

I think I must still have some NY blood in me, and that it might be time to dig socks and boots out of the trunk. :( bye bye flip flops, see you again in a week.

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Happiness!

Oh how I've missed thee!

Almost makes up for the gray miserable horrible skies we've been looking at since Little Rock.

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Roadtrip begins in 6 hours and I'm blogging?

What's wrong with this picture?

At least I'm packed! Updates from the trip this week!

Discounts Everywhere!!!

Lots of great deals out there this week! 

First off-
Target Printable Coupons are AMAZING!!!!  Go to www.target.com, click on "See More" in the top right, then "coupons", install the printer app and start selecting the items you use! Last time I did my big stock up, the bill started at $78, went down to $34, and my purchase included a $20 prescription refill!  You can stack these coupons with the normal newspaper manufacturer coupons to save extra, and, if you spread your stock up trips over a couple of weeks and buy things already on sale, it can work out even better!

Second-
GAP's Give and Get Program is starting up again next weekend.  Save 30% off all purchases at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy March 17th-20th with THIS Coupon.  Good online and in stores, sale and full price merchandise. 5% of your purchase goes back to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Third-
Every Wednesday in March save 40% off one item at Gap with THIS coupon.  Great for updating your spring wardrobe, or in my case, annually replacing all of my husband's jeans! (Why is it men are so hard on their pants???)

Fourth-
FREE Mascara at Sephora!  If you have a Sephora inside your JC Penney, use THIS printable coupon for FREE Mascara. Seriously, free!

Fifth-
$10 off of $50 at American Eagle with THIS Printable Coupon

Enjoy the discounts and happy shopping!

And the Winner is.......

You can thank my sister for reminding me, and texting me, and asking about the giveaway tonight while I was stressing out at work, without her I totally would have forgotten to count up all the entries, plug the amount in the sequence function of random.org, assign the numbers in the order the comments came in in and then use the randomizer function to get the winner.  I think she was mostly checking because she wanted to win, though I'm not sure how fair that would be without random.org!

Anyways, enough rambling, and stalling,

The winner is-  KATIE

Email me at snhblog@gmail.com to claim your prize!

Coupon Alert!

40% off one item at Gap, or 45% off when you use your Gap Brand (Banana Republic, Gap or Old Navy) Credit Card

Go HERE to print your coupon.

Or, use the code 40WED (or 45WED with card) to apply the discount online!

FREE Shipping on $50 order too.

And-

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY on the sidebar, tomorrow's the last day!

Reminder!
Giveaway deadline is Thursday!
36 views, only 11 entries, let's make it interesting!
Use the sidebar link to access the original post!
Thanks!

Test test can anyone read me?

I'm trying out my mobile blogging for our upcoming roadtrip.

Pizza Night!

Okay, so Pizza night was Tuesday, but I'm just getting around to posting it now.

Crust recipe-
1 packet quick yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup HOT water
2 tablespoons extra virgin (or any oil in a pinch) olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 to 3 cups flour

Dissolve yeast and sugar in water, let proof for 10-12 minutes or until doubled in volume and foaming.

In large mixing bowl, combine water mixture, oil and salt.

Gradually add flour, starting with 2 cups and adding a little at a time until dough forms a ball.

On floured surface knead for about a minute.

Place in clean oiled bowl and cover, let rise for 30-45 minutes.

Dump onto pizza stone and press flat pulling up edges to make a crust.  Prebake on pizza stone 7-8 minutes at 375.

Crust Seasoning-
1 Tbsp Melted Butter
Dash of Garlic Salt
Dash of Black Pepper
Dash of Paprika
1Tbsp Grated Parmesan

Mix together, brush thoroughly on outer crust.

Cover dough with sauce, cheese and toppings and cook for another 10-12 minutes or until crust is crispy and toppings are cooked.

ENJOY!

Planning

So, I'm mapping out our trip today! Kind of fitting since we leave in 11 days and the last day doesn't count because we leave at 5am.

Also fitting, because I only have 2 days off between now and then.

I'm planning for 1580 miles each way, 2 days in the car each way, 6 meals on the road each way, and 1 hotel room each way.

See I'm a roadtrip junkie. I LOVE my roadtrips! I love the view, the maps, the FOOD! I plan my stops based on food, seriously, I'm good at it, and scarily obsessed with roadtrip food stops.

Chick-fil-a Chicken Minis and Coffee
Dairy Queen Blizzards
Cracker Barrel Biscuits and Jam TO-GO! (did you know you could do that? takes 5-10 minutes to order and leave from the gift shops, awesome roadtrip breakfast!)
Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizzas at Target Super Centers
Dunkin Donuts Munchkins

The list goes on and on and none of it's healthy!

To the gym every other day until we go and probably every day after, but it's worth it!!

I feel like a girl!!!

So, I haven't actually watched an entire awards show in 7 years.  Yep, the ultimate media, celebrity gossip, fashion thing for women and I've missed everything for the last 7 years.  This was my first Oscars show in 7 years and I have to say, I picked some crummy hosts to come back for! At least there were some fantastic dresses, presenters, speeches and other performances.

Some Favorite Dresses/Looks-

 

 

Favorite Performance by FAR!!! I was disappointed in Gwyneth, started flat and no emotion, but Mandy Moore doing traditional Disney Princess in that dress-AMAZING!!

 

 And definitely the best presenters in my opinion! They should totally co-host next year!

Best Acceptance Speech has to go to Christian Bale. Funny, Sentimental, able to make fun of himself, and with his real Welsh accent!!!

What are your thoughts?

A Few of My Favorite Things Giveaway!

So, the list has been made! The winner will be receiving-

OPI Nail Polish
John Frieda Finishing Cream
1/2 Pound Starbucks Coffee (decaf or regular, or gift card equivalent by request for non-coffee drinkers)
3.5 oz Ghirardelli Bar
Cute Cupcake Liners
Cupcake Decorating Kit
3 Mix CD's
One Size Fits All Ring

So, that makes 10 items wrapped up in a pretty little care package and delivered to your door.

To Enter-
Step #1- Leave me a comment (can not be anonymous!) telling me 5 of your favorite random things and how you found my giveaway.

Step #2- Follow my blog, or remind me you already follow and get a second entry.

Step #3- Post about this on your blog or facebook and let me know that, and get a third entry.

Winner will be chosen at random on March 10th so I have time to ship it before I leave for NY on the 15th!

Good luck!

Final Giveaway Items!

 

I've been obsessed with cupcakes lately, and I just discovered these new Reynolds Staybrite Cupcake Liners-they actually don't turn into sheer, boring, blah, oily messes!  Not sure on the color because I have to see what's in stock when I go to the store on Monday, but you'll be getting some of these.

 

Also, I've discovered that the basic small tips just don't cut it for covering cupcakes, so I'll be giving you a large style star and round tip and set of disposable bags.

And, last but not least, my hair secret weapon, literally!! This stuff is awesome, you only need a teeny tiny pea sized amount to tame and control frizzies and flyaways all day! I have crazily greasy hair, and this doesn't add any extra grease.  Usually I have a hard time with finishing products leaving me with hair I could wring out by the end of the day, but I've been using this for 2 years and have never had a problem.  This bottle typically can last me 18-20 months, miracle product!

Entrance rules coming tonight!

Preview Favorite Things Giveaway Items #4 and #5

Only one more post til all the giveaway items will be revealed! I have to pick up two more things before work tomorrow and then I'll post them, I just don't want to post them til they're in my hand because I'm not sure exactly where I'm getting them and could change my mind :)

For now- here are your next few items!

 

This should basically explain itself why it's a favorite!  These things are amazing, and rich enough to stretch over several sittings, at least on a good day. On a bad day- goodbye chocolate bar!

I have a strange feeling there may be legal issues with this one, is a more ethical way to do this, 

but I can't afford to buy that many CD's to give away, so, instead, I'll be making some mix CD's. 

Three to be exact!  

One containing my current favorite worship songs.

One containing my current favorite workout mix.

and

One containing my favorite hits from growing up, or at least what I considered hits!

 

 

(all music has been purchased legally by me, and will be copied onto blank CD's in mixes not available for purchase by any media company)

Check back tomorrow for the final items!

Entry begins Saturday!

Preview Favorite Things Giveaway Items #1, #2 and #3

 

This is a Stretch Fit Cocktail (or awesome blingy right hand ring for run!) we sell in my store! 

I'm a huge fan of the look, I'm just wishing we didn't sell out of the gold toned ones before they price dropped this week.  My wedding set is actually two tone white and yellow gold so I can wear either, but for some reason I'm a traditionalist with my yellow gold engagement ring and tend to gravitate more towards yellow gold. So, instead of buying this for me, I bought one for one of you!

You'll also be receiving a half pound bag of Starbucks Verona Roast Coffee.  I know I have a lot of mommy readers, so you'll have your choice of regular or decaf for those nursing.

This is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE COFFEE ROAST EVER!!!

So flavorful and aromatic, and smooth! Which is uncommon in a bold roast coffee. I can almost drink it black it's so perfect on it's own. Normally I'm a cut the bite with sugar, no cream girl, but this is so good on it's own, I barely put any sugar in it, it has some much flavor!

And, last but not least-

My current favorite OPI Shade is-"Cozumelted in the Sun" 

It's a great all season shade, neutral beige-y pink with a hint of shimmer, great for toes or fingers and best part, takes FOREVER to show chips and only really needs one coat to look great! What's better that a fast home done manicure? 

(oh wait, a real, spa mani-pedi, but those are $$$)

Check back tomorrow for final items!

100th Post on the *NEW* Blog!

So it's been almost one year, and exactly 100 posts since I switched over from the old blog name and domain.  I had plenty of good reasons for abandoning the old one after two years, but it's still kind of sad that I'm not coming up on 300 posts over there!

Anyways, in honor of this momentous (or not so much) occasion for me, I'm going to be hosting a

FAVORITE THINGS GIVEAWAY!!

Rules and Details coming this weekend!  Keep reading! Products to include beauty products, kitchen things, snacks and music.

And yes, I know this was a really lame 100th post! 

I just couldn't come up with anything else after spending most of my day doing nothing on my day off!

Food is Good

So, yesterday was a strange Sunday. I totally overslept, and rushing around still tired made me feel like garbage, so rather than try to drag my husband up and make him rush that much, I decided to just go back to bed and skip church.  TOTALLY NOT LIKE ME!!

Anyways, the sleep was much needed and because of my extra sleep I had extra motivation to make these-

I'll try to share the recipe, but seriously, these are "wing it" cinnamon rolls, very little measuring involved!

My Cinnamon Rolls-
Dough Ingredients-
1 Tbsp Dry Quick Yeast
1 Tbsp Sugar
3/4 Cup Hot Water

3 Tbsp Softened Butter
2 1/2-3 Cups Flour
3 Tbsp Sugar

Filling Ingredients-
2 Tbsp Softened Butter
Brown Sugar
White Sugar
Cinnamon

Frosting Ingredients-
3 Tbsp Softened Butter
1 1/2 Cups Confectioners Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Milk

So, here's the fun part, directions!

Bring 1 stick of butter to room temperature (SOFT)

Combine Yeast, Sugar and Hot Water in liquid measuring cup and set aside for ten minutes, or until foamy on top and nearly doubled in volume.

Combine Butter, Sugar and 2 Cups Flour.  Gradually add liquid ingredients.  After all the liquid is combined in, gradually add additional flour until dough forms a ball.

Sprinkle counter with flour and kneed until smooth, let stand 5 minutes.

Roll or pat dough into a flat rectangle, roughly 1/2 thick and 5-6 inches wide. Spread with softened butter and cover with sugars and cinnamon.  Roll into pinwheel and cut into 2" pieces.  Place in greased 8" pan.  Cover and let sit in a warm location 15-20 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees or until just golden.

Prepare Frosting while rolls are baking.  Beat Butter and Sugar, add a few drops Vanilla Extract and Milk 1 Tbsp at a time until it reached desired thickness.

Spread over warm rolls, serve warm.

ENJOY!

It also led to this-

For Dinner.  I LOVE Roasting Chickens!

Mine's really really easy.

Ingredients-
1 Whole Chicken 5-6 pounds
1 Stick Butter
Salt
Pepper
Paprika

Butter the inside of a Dutch Oven.  Clean out and thoroughly rinse out the inside of the chicken.  Use 1 Tbsp Butter to coat entire outside skin of chicken.  Use 1/2 Tbsp pieces of butter to squeeze between each leg and wing and the body.

Combine 2 parts Salt, 1 part Pepper, 1 part Paprika in a small bowl.  Rub spice mixture all over inside and outside of chicken.

Place the remainder of the stick of butter inside the chicken cavity.

Bake un-covered 1 1/2 hours at 350, or until internal temperature reaches 175 degrees.

ENJOY!

Please don't beat me, but Please go enter in at COFFEE GIVEAWAY!!!!

Click over to one of my favorite bloggy friends blog and enter in her fantastic

STARBUCKS CARD 

Giveaway!

Go visit her blog and show her some love and check out the adorable pics of her sweet little girl!


LINK

Good luck!

The closest I've come in awhile

To my natural hair color that is.  At least I think!  It's been about 12 years since I've seen it completely natural, but best I can figure from my formerly grown out roots, this is pretty close.

How many days do you think I can go before I highlight or lowlight something in?

Okay, so there is a need for some venting tonight, seriously.....

So, work is going crazy, literally, people are quitting left and right because of the district manager, because she's basically forcing them to quit because it's either that or she destroys their careers by putting in bad reports on their records and firing them.  4 out of 49 management staff members in the district left the company after anywhere from 4-11 years yesterday alone. More are considering it.  So, basically, everyone's kind of in limbo.  Everyone's on edge. Pretty much every store she's visited this past week someone has quit at because of her visit. There have been 46 complaints, documented with corporate, in the last 5-6 weeks.  And this woman's still here. People are threatening that she's a lawsuit liability, and she's still here.

Could be a fun few weeks waiting this thing out to see where it goes.

Say a Prayer

ALOT of stuff is falling apart in my district at work, my store's in a good place, but 3 other stores are crumbling, due to our new district manager's issues, and corporate doesn't seem to want to do anything about it and people are freaking out.

Thanks

A Little Tempation

So I got in a baking mood, specifically a CUPCAKE baking mood the other night!  My husband was asked how a woman can get in a mood like that, and his response was "because she's perfect!"  :) I enjoyed that!

Anyways, my Valentines Cupcakes

(crummy cell phone picture, didn't think to take real ones)

I have to admit, I cheat a little on my cupcakes, I use a box mix for my base because I'm too lazy to measure the dry ingredients that perfectly.  (I'm a make it up as I go along, trust my instincts cook-doesn't work well with cakes!)  But, I do change it up!

Instead of following the directions, here's my version-

Vanilla-

One Box Yellow (or white) cake mix

3 Eggs (or just whites)

1 Cup Milk

1/4 Cup French Vanilla Coffee Creamer (or heavy cream with 2 tsp Vanilla Extract whipped in)

1 Stick EXTREMELY soft butter

Beat all ingredients together, bake following box directions.

Chocolate-

Substitute Plain Heavy Cream, no vanilla, or add a drop or two almond flavoring for a "hazelnut" effect.

My "Hybrid" Frosting-

1 1/3 sticks softened butter

1/3 stick softened cream cheese

2 1/2-3 Cups Confectioners Sugar

Milk

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Blend butter and cream cheese.  Gradually blend in confectioners sugar, starting with 1 cup, then adding in half cup increments to 2 1/2 cups, or until you get a thick, almost chalky texture. Beat in Vanilla. Beat in milk 1 Tbsp at a time until you reach desired thickness.  Use additional sugar if it gets too thin.  Frosting should form semi stiff peaks.  Add coloring if desired.

Another option is adding 2 Tbsp Chocolate, White Chocolate, French Vanilla almost any other flavor Pudding mix in place of Vanilla. White Chocolate is fun, or Chocolate makes for a Milk Chocolate almost Buttercream Frosting, without having to melt any chocolate.

I piped my frosting on using a decorators bag and standard Wilton tips, but you can always just spread it if that's easier.

ENJOY!

A Little Delayed Valentines

So it's been a crazy year, filled with big changes, a new lack of privacy and total self control of our lives and oddly, alot more romance than I ever would have thought!

We've been working really hard on our marriage this year. Reading books, attending classes, doing devotions and studies together and just really communicating (on all things!!) much better!

Here's to our 6th Valentines Day together.  And MANY MANY MORE!

Love you forever babe. And unlike our first Valentines Day I can actually sign this "yours" Stefanie :)

I can't help it when they keep giving me this much ammunition!

 

Scary shredded Vegas Showgirl look?

 

Definitely do not get the "wings"?? on her back. 

They look more like some random cotton batting shaped like a backpack.

 

I think this one speaks for itself.

It's my favorite type of weather.....

TANNING WEATHER!!

70 and sunny, 82 and sunny inside our back fence.


Cell phone picture from my comfy tanning chair. :)

I have a weakness......

For Nine West-

Buy One Get One 50% Off until Midnight tonight, but I need to be a good girl and not spend money.  So, instead I'll let any of you shoe nuts reading drool with me.

Patience

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to His glory to overlook offense"

Proverbs 19:11

That needs to be stuck in my head for the next 3 days at work..........

Some Recent Photoshoots Part 2

  Engagement Portraits on the Woodlands Waterway Walk

And we're shooting her Bridal Portraits next month and their wedding the month after that!