Sunday, October 30, 2011

To My Pumpkins

My sister sent this to me and I really liked it. Happy Halloween to all my Pumpkins!


Being a God loving person is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, envy, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Dear Neiman Marcus, You're Crazy.

Did anybody else get the Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog in the mail this week?


It's crazy. I mean do they even know we are in the middle of a recession right now? The Fantasy section of gifts is quite extreme. If you have some extra money to blow you can get:
A Custom Speedboat for only $250,000



or maybe you would rather an International Flower Show (I will be honest I still don't even know what this is) for $420,000



Or better yet a private Johnny Walker Scotch Tasting for $5,000. That better include several bottles of scotch and a good buzz.



Or perhaps a day trip to Stone Barn Farms outside of Manhattan is more your speed. This will only set you back $9,500 to take 5 friends to this farm to look at vegetables. What a steal right?



Or are you in the market for a new car? You can get this Ferrari for only $395,000. Who needs a house when you can buy a car for the same price!

Anybody else think the Fantasy section of the catalog is a bit much? And what I really want to know do people really buy this stuff?

I did however spy a few things in the catalog that I would really like for Christmas (Santa I hope you are reading).

TORY BURCH SELMA LOGO BOOTS
Once again these boots are haunting me. I keep seeing them everywhere! When are they going to go on sale? And it makes me want them even more that they are only sold out in my size, size 9.

KATE SPADE KAROLINA PUMPS
I adore the color of these pumps and the heel height is perfect. They would go with everything!

GUCCI MARRAKECH MEDIUM TOTE
Big enough for all my stuff and Sterling's too and it's gorge. Enough said.

MICHEAL KORS EMBOSSED CROCODILE CUFF
I love crocodile and how gorgeous and versatile is this cuff?

But seriously Neiman Marcus, even though your Fantasy gifts anger me, I could never hate you because your Last Call sale makes me very happy!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Nursery Sneak Peak

I have been busy working on some changes in Little Man's Nursery. Nothing major, we are staying in the crib as long as we can. Just a few "big boy" changes like:

A new rug. You might remember me saying how a white sheepskin rug was a bad idea. I loved it for his newborn nursery but that thing was filthy. Here is its replacement. I was originally going to order the Urban Outfitters Zig-zag rug but it was backordered til Christmas. I like immediate gratification, so thank you Homegoods!
A little more masculine right?


We also added a new storage ottoman. So genius, the top comes off so we can store toys inside. This baby is probably 20 years old. It used to be my parents and I recovered the top. I love the vintage and masculine feel of the wood. And you know I love me an animal print.



And I finally got around to framing my prints, I blogged about HERE. We framed all 6 of these for about $50. I found the frames at Micheals on clearance and used black construction paper as the mat. I will show a final reveal once I hang them, but I am waiting on my Dad to hang them. He is the master picture hanger!

The bear is my favorite print!



And I can't forget the Dinosaur Sterling picked out to go with it all!



Somebody is very excited about the big boy changes!



Next I plan to restyle his bookshelves and I am working on a painting for over his changing table. I share a final reveal when everything is done!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Chicken Casserole Stuffed Biscuits



If you are looking for a super easy, quick, and tasty weeknight dinner this is it! This dish is beyond amazing. My good friend Erin passed this recipe along to me and it was a huge hit in the Mason Household. Matt may or may not have eaten 5 biscuits in one sitting. Sterling also loved it. I mean how could stuffed biscuits not be good? This is one of the easiest dinners I have made and it reheats well the next day too. I recommend using the layers biscuits because they are thinner so your biscuit doesn't end up being too thick. You could really use any cheese you have on hand and add any veggie other than broccoli. I thought it would be great with spinach or mushrooms next time. So get creative! I highly recommend you make this delish dinner.

**Once again sorry my pictures are flipped. I really need a 101 class on blogger and camera use!**




Chicken Casserole Stuffed Biscuits
-1 can buttermilk layers biscuits
-1 can cream of chicken soup
-1 Box frozen chopped broccoli (thawed and squeezed dry)
-1/2 white onion diced
-1-2 cooked chicken breasts shredded (I used a pre-roasted chicken)
-1 cup shredded cheddar cheese plus more to sprinkle on top

Flatten the biscuits in your hand to make them thinner and able to stretch up the sides of a muffin tray. Place the flattened biscuits in a greased muffin tray. One biscuit per muffin opening. The biscuits should reach up to the top of the tray. Mix together the rest of the ingredients. Scoop the casserole mixture in the biscuits. Sprinkle each biscuit with cheddar cheese. Bake according to directions on the biscuit can or a little longer til mixture bubbles.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Obsessions

Happy Tuesday Friends. I got back from Charlotte yesterday and let me tell you my house looked like a fraternity house. Dishes and beer cans everywhere, unmade beds, and dirty floors. Why can't men keep a clean house? Between my two men our house is always a wreck! I finally finished cleaning and unpacking late last night! Here is this week's lust list!


NAILHEAD CHEST
I spotted these beautiful babies at the HomeGoods Store in Charlotte on Fairview. How amazing are they?? They had gray and white and I love them both equally. I really wanted to buy one to save for my next nursery. Wouldn't it make a fabulous changing table? But alas I didn't have an extra $600 to drop. Somebody please go buy these and then let me know how you use them!




WARING ELECTRIC WINE OPENER
This thing is amazing. I guess I am old school because I still use a Rabbit (and no not the kind Charlotte on Sex and the City used). My parents had this wine opener and it pops bottles in seconds! If you don't have one you need one! It would also make a great Christmas gift for a wine lover.




MILLY SUZANNE PRINTED TOP
I adore this top. It reminds me of a blouse my grandmother used to have! Vintage patterns are my favorite. Best part my mom let me borrow hers and I have been rocking it alot!




VITA COCO COCONUT WATER
I have to be honest when I first tasted Coconut Water I thought it tasted like dirty socks. But this stuff really grows on you and I swear it is a miracle hangover cure. I drank some Saturday at my sisters and it really rejuvenated me. I promptly picked up a case at Costco. Best part this stuff is filled with potassium, magnesium and other essential vitamins. It hydrates you like no other beverage.



CHARLESTON'S THE LOCAL PALATE MAGAZINE
This one is mainly for my local readers. If you haven't picked up this magazine you should. The first issue is free and it is filled with all things food related! The magazine has recipes, write-ups on local restaurants, and interviews with local chefs. A true food lovers dream. I will definitely be subscribing to this foodie gem.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Weekend Happenings + Winner

Did y'all miss me on Friday? Well on Thursday I had to have a colonoscopy. Don't know if y'all have had one before but its not fun. I didn't get to eat for 36 hours, yes that's right! I am still not sure how I managed that feat. I won't go into details about why I needed one but thankfully everything was fine. Friday I was wipped out and tired from the anesthesia so no post!

Plus side was I had the procedure done in Charlotte so I got to go out with my girlfriends the next night! Here is my outfit from that night.

Blouse: JCrew, Jeans: Seven "The Skinny", Boots: BCBG, Necklace: Stella and Dot
The blouse is from JCrew and I absolutely love it. It comes in green and taupe too. It is the perfect plain blouse to dress up or down. I have a hard time finding plain colored blouses that look cute and this one fits well and looks great on!


While I was in Charlotte we took Sterling for his first haircut. As much as I loved his curls it was turning into a mullet/rat tail in the back and that is just not cool. He did great, not one tear. I was a proud Momma.



The new "do"





I painted my nails Essie's Limited Addiction and love it!




I went in a Madewell store for the first time and loved it. I knew JCrew owned them but I had never stopped in the store before. It did not disappoint. and for those of you who don't have a store they offer free shipping online a definite plus in my book! I picked up this dress.
Madewell Dovetail Shirt Dress



I am kind of wishing I bought these dresses as well. Madewell had such fabulous colors and great prices!
Madewell East End Shift Dress

Madewell MelodyMaker Dress




I enjoyed some amazing red wine my parents had. I can always count on them to have the best wines. Don't be alarmed by the weird wolf on the bottle, this stuff is delicious! The wine is out of my price range at $28 a bottle on special at Harris Teeter but totally worth it for a special occasion!






And the Winner of the Novica Giftcard is: Chicago Mom Heather! I will email you the giftcard later today! Congrats! xoxo

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Sweet Tea and Stiletos

So I forgot to mention earlier I am guest posting over at Sweet Tea and Stilettos today sharing my recipe for this amazing dip!


Please go check Hannah's adorable blog HERE! You have to love the name right? Hannah is so cute and is always sharing great recipes and fashions! Her blog is a must read! Oh and the dip is a must make for any football game party!