Frozen Pizza Up-do

This tasty pic was just uncovered on my phone.  Woopsie, ya'll.  I had every intention of sharing this weeks back and never did.  What's a working mom to do when she works a little too late and shows up at home famished with no strategy for dinner?  She becomes a kitchen wonder woman.  This tasty creation actually started as an average cardboard looking, inexpensive frozen pizza (gasp).  Topped with fresh spinach, mushrooms and goat cheese ... presto, chango ... it's a delish pizza that made a perfect dinner for Dear Hubs and I on short notice.  Not bad for under $8!

Sweet Way to Say Thanks

My dear friend A is a doll.  She has a little boy, a little girl on the way and impecable taste when it comes to designer fashions for her little tot!  Since baby 2 is a girl, she has been so kind as to pass a few perfect finds my direction for Baby B.  How lucky are we to inherit big name fashions WITH the tags still attached.  Lucky day!

To tell her we appreciate her thinking of us, a little treat now and again is in order.  I know A's little boy would just love these, and maybe her preggo cravings would dig them too!

Sweet heart shaped, fruity marshmellows are packaged up with a cute bow and a "You're a real sweetheart" tag.  I know these won't go to waste.  Thanks sweet A for the picture perfect duds for Baby B!

Feeling Coastal

For the past 5 days, I've had the luxury of visiting the wonderful tropics of Puerto Rico.  While hard work was the dish most served, I still had a great time with work friends and the beautiful scenery.  Upon my return back to the ATL, I'm already missing sunny sky and palms abounding.  Lucky for me ... a little box was waiting for me at home.  I had ordered these from an antique dealer before leaving on my trip and almost forgot about them with the hustle and bustle of the past few days!

To my surprise, two antique pewter oyster shell plates were here to welcome me back.  It's like the coast just knew I would have withdrawls!  These two beauties are just perfect for my bookshelf and I'm so excited to add them to the collection!

Bestie S's spin on Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is my dear bestie S on our recent ski adventure.

In addition to her many talents, bestie S has proven that a good chicken dip can get even better.  While I've had that delish and addicting dip many of us know as buffalo chicken dip more times than I care to admit, I will confess that good can get better .... and that's what bestie S's recipe has done for this dip!

On our ski trip, she made this divine dip for our indoor super tailgate festivity for the Super Bowl.

Here's her top secret, better-than-good, OMG yum buffalo chicken dip recipe.  Try it and you'll be hooked like all of us!


Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients:

• 3-4 chicken breast
• Frank's hot sauce, couple of dashes
• 1 pkg ranch powder
• 1 8oz pkg cream cheese
• white sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:

1.  Boil and shred chicken breasts.  If you have a bay leaf handy, she swears this makes a difference - boil with it!
2.  Mix with Frank’s hot sauce to your hotness tolerence.
3.  Mix ranch powder with cream cheese and layer on the bottom of Pyrex dish
4.  Add sauced chicken on top of mixture then top with shredded white sharp cheddar cheese
5.  Bake on 350 for 30 minutes and serve with Frito scoops


YUM!

I Dig You

I've got spring fever ... that's a fact.  My daffodils are starting to show the early signs that spring is just around the corner, and I couldn't be happier about that!  As a combo get ready for spring and Valentine sweetness for my sis Lala and ZsaZsa, I whipped up these cute "I dig you" kits.  Nanny D also was the proud recipient of one of these sweeties. 

Each kit includes a bag of bulbs, veggie seeds to be planted in a few short weeks, a handheld shovel for planting and a pair of cute gardening gloves.  I wrapped up the items with a fresh pink bow and a small label that reads "I dig you".  I know these are sure to be a hit.  I certainly can't wait to try my hand at seed planting veggies this spring!

Lovely Roundup

It's been non-stop around these parts and we did our very best to slow the fast forward speed just enough to have a few fun, festive Valentine moments.  Dear Hubs and Baby B surprised me with sweet cards, a dozen roses and a gift certificate for a deluxe pedicure (much needed before my Puerto Rico trip next week).  And, in return, I begged a little help from the cheery cherub, Cupid, to put forth a fabulous Cupid's Top 5 countdown to celebrate.

Fun balloons that Baby B thought were super silly!

One of our 5 day countdown treats.  A little alligator and an alligator bracelet, complete with a "I'd snap at the chance to be your Valentine" tag!

A sweet breakfast to get in the Valentine's mood.  Belgium waffles topped with bananas and fruity heart marshmellows were a delish treat!

A batch of heart shaped cinnamon rolls were left for Dear Hubs before I headed out of town this week.  To make these so simple treats (thanks pinterest), simply cut a small slit in the premade (Pillsbury) rolls.  Form a heart shape with your hands.

Baby B and the diva dogs tore into their Valentine's loot and then all checked out what the others received.  Dear Hubs also received a gift of my love and something I know he'll enjoy - a nice bottle of scotch!  Baby B received his current favorite Thomas the Train dvd and train toy.  Sheila received a leopard print bone dog toy fit for a diva, and Colby received a football throw toy.  All the toys are sure to be loved!

And while you would never know it from the pics, I really don't make a huge deal out of this day.  Every day is a reason to celebrate and tell your friends and family how much they mean to you.  Hope you had a wonderful Valentines. xoxo.

For the Love of Jimmy

In keeping with the February / Valentine's love theme of course :) today I must profess my love for one of my dear friends - hair stylist Jimmy.  There are likely thousands of reasons I could detail to outline my profession...

• Perhaps it's because he is bluntly honest with me when my hair really needs to be cut about 6 inches because I'm starting to look like a blonde Cher
• Perhaps it's because he gives me a hard time when I attempt to "just trim up my ends" using paper scissors at home
• Perhaps it's because he threatened to break up with me the one time I tried an at home kit to color my hair (it was a disaster)
• Or the fact he brings me sweet little travel sized goodies from time to time

While all of those might be true, we will just gloss over my hairy adventures in self service and focus on the fact he is so thoughtful and picks up a few little supplies for me.  Jimmy knows I am always on the go and bouncing from city to city, so he snatched these up for me and I was pleased as punch to get a text from him telling me of the new tiny size treasures.

The Matrix product line is a good ole' staple that keeps you coming back (even if you don't use it regularly).  But, I must admit, I'm smitten with the Kendra products he gathered up.  The hairspray is divine and the dry shampoo is pretty fabulous too! 

Thank you dear, sweet Jimmy for your personal service and saving the world one hair do at a time!  xoxo

Always Room For Bacon

This is bestie R posing for a quick pic with Dear Hubs (I'm going to be crucified for posting this pic).  They are a perfect match.  Bestie R is a fabulous chef.  She spoiled us all rotton with her gourmet treats while on vaca.  Dear Hubs likely thought he died and went to heaven, because like many of us (me included) Dear Hubs has a soft spot in his heart for a fine piece of swine ... that's right he's a sucker for bacon :). 

Bestie R whipped up the savory treat by the slab for breakfast ....

We were dazzled by a dessert tray featuring chocolate covered bacon....

And as shocking as it may sound, bacon also made it's way into our milkshakes!  What's crazier, after dining on it (and even converting a few skeptics to give it a try) I found out that this little gem is being piloted in many restaurants as a new staple!  Who knew???

Overall, we tested the versatility limits of one of our favorite meats and learned it's so much more than just a breakfast staple or the "B" of "BLT".  Thanks bestie R for some good grub and some even better bacon!

Decorated with Love

The last week was spent frolicking with good friends and Dear Hubs among the snowy mountain tops in Beaver Creek, Co.  We had a great time and once I get back in this timezone, I'll be sure to post some pics of this great little adventure. 

In the mean time, I had a few free moments to go ahead and doll up the household decor for the sweetest day of the year.

First, I am excited to confess that I broke down and just painted the entire darn wall chalkboard.  Yes, my "go big or go home" rule to live by definitely kicked in here.  I chose a small wall (so Dear Hubs didn't have a hissy) just off the kitchen and right now it is sporting a sweet message for V-day!  You can see my other adventures in chalking here.

THE WALL!!!!

Next, I secured two felt decorations from (gasp) the dollar store.  Combined with some ribbon (also dollar store) and these cuties made TWO front door hangings for under $5.  Simply run a length of ribbon through the two sides of the felt decoration and I have a heart shape door hanging perfect for the month.  How's that for frugal???  I think another run is in order for MORE of these cuties.  Placemats maybe?  Sounds sweet to me!

Super simple front door hangings

The front hall table has been dolled up with some oversized heart shape lollipops, gumballs and cotton candy.  The display is complete with some cute confetti and bags for grabbing a handful on the go!  The cotton candy vase is a simple glass oversized vase, but I dolled it up with some puffy heart shape stickers.  The cute ribbons are compliments of Wilton and I gobbled up a ton of these from the sale area at Michaels.  They were such a deal!

Mini candy display

Cotton candy sweetness

 While my schedule is pretty hairy the next few weeks, at least I'm dolled up for the sweetest day of the year, and that's half the battle, right?

Happy February!
~charmed b