5 Things

I thought I would link up with Maegan at Chesterrific today and share 5 things I'm currently loving
When I first starting blogging I used to do a favorites list every Friday but I kind of fell off
When I saw Maegan was having this link-up I figured it was as good a time as any to start up again

Nutella on Graham Crackers

You pretty much can't go wrong here. The trick is to stop after one.

Kiss Vs. Duckface

via
This is pretty much one of the best post I read all week. Check it out here.

Aubs' New Chair

She got this for Christmas and I absolutely love it. Not only is it bigger than her other one but the color is also way better for masking all those toddler stains. Her last one was light pink and no matter how many times I washed it I couldn't get some of the stains out. It is from Pottery Barn.

My New Tripod

I am super duper horrible at taking self portraits in the mirror- I mean like really bad. I think it's important to put pictures of yourself on your blog and now I will be able to do that more often. So a big thank you to my brother for getting me an Amazon gift card for Christmas.

Oh Adele you are AMAZING!

You have probably heard this but if not than you are in for a treat.
I also wanted to let you know that I will get back to Mondays are for Music this Monday.


I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Best Garlic Bread Ever!

So I know I'm suppose to be all healthy in 2012 but.....
This garlic bread is AMAZING!!!
I had to share it
I made it for the boys birthday on the 22nd, again on Christmas and then again New Years Day



Ingredients:

Package of refrigerated biscuits
1/2 a stick of butter
2 or 3 cloves of garlic- minced
1/4 shredded Parmesan cheese

Direction:

Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees. Melt butter and pour into a 9" cake pan and evenly coat.
Then sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and minced garlic.



Now pop open your biscuits and cut each one into fourths.
After all of your biscuits are cut, smoosh them into one layer in the cake pan.



Once you have all your biscuits in the pan, place it in the oven for 15-18 minutes on the middle rack or until biscuits puff up and are browned. Within the first few minutes of taking the pan out of the oven, flip it over onto a plate.
You may need to use a butter nice to loosen some of the sides.



Pull apart and enjoy!

DondaLee Ring Giveaway

So have you noticed my new layout?
Gorgeous, I know.
Dondi over at Just My Type Designs made it for me.
She does a great job at finding out exactly what you are looking for as far as blog design goes and then weaves those ideas into a fantastic layout.
She just launched a brand new site for blog design that is super easy to use and navigate.

That's not all.
She also runs and etsy shop and a personal blog.
Her blog is full of inspiring images, tutorials and giveaways.
Her Etsy shop is home to beautiful accessories and paper goods.
She is even having a big sale right now to clear out all of her Christmassy items.

Dondi has been kind enough to offer my readers a beautiful ring.



So Cute!

If Rafflecopter isn't showing click
Read More to Enter:

Wordless Wednesday: Knit Cap

It's finally cold enough around here for Aubs to wear a knit cap
I bought this last year and she has only worn it once
I'm sure it will warm back up in a couple of days but until
then the bear ear cap will be placed upon her head whenever possible







Be sure to check out my Peppermint Rose Ring Giveaway!

Linking up with my usual lovely wordless Wednesday ladies
The Paper Mama, Baby Baby Lemon, and then, she {snapped}, Parenting By Dummies and Jenni from the Blog

Memories, Dreams & Reflections 2011

Me! - picture of yourself. What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2011?

{I can't get over how dark I had my hair}
I am most proud of finally starting up this blog. I had been toying around with the idea for years and actually started a private one when I found out I was pregnant with Aubs. I finally got the okay from my husband to put our lives on blast and I am so happy with the way things are going so far.

I Love You - picture of your husband, boyfriend, children, pets, etc.

My hubby and our girl. I don't think there is a love much bigger than this.

Still Laughing...- a moment you're still laughing about now...tell us a story.

This girl- I swear sometimes she thinks she is already a teenager. This was back in August when she first started wearing her glasses and she would always look over the top of them. I came out to see her sitting like this watching television. I couldn't have posed her better if I tried.

Winter Wonderland - a picture that reflects Winter.

Winter wonderland is kind of a tough concept when you live in Florida. I actually haven't seen snow since I was in Aspen in early 2008. I feel like I associate winter with Christmas now so here is a shot Santa emerging from the attic.

Birthday - share a birthday picture.

Aubs 1st Birthday! It is a day that I will never forget.

Friends - a picture with friends

This was a great night out at the beach on my 28th Birthday

I Was Inspired... - could be a picture of your inspiration(person or thing), or inspired by...

I am inspired by my husband. He works really hard everyday for long hours so that I am able to stay home with out daughter. His job is not easy and he is constantly stressed yet he wakes up everyday and does it all over again.

Spring Fever - a picture that reflects Spring

As you may know or read in the entry above, I live in Florida. So Spring isn't the Spring that I grew up with but it does mean that you can put on your skimpiest tank and jean shorts and go to the park to swing the day away.

Travel or Vacation - a picture taken on vacation or on a recent travel experience...even if it was only a few miles away.

Living 15 minutes from the beach means that you have a pretty good vacation spot in your own backyard. Joe and I were fortunate enough to have a few beach weekend getaways this year.

Summer Days - a picture that reflects Summer

I think this one is pretty self explanatory

A Day In My Life - a picture of a typical day in your life.

One mess after another

All Smiles - a picture that makes you smile or of smiling faces.

I took this last January. It was right after I took a ponytail off the top of her head.

Autumn Harvest - a picture that reflects Autumn/Fall.

Pumpkin Festival

Family or Home - a picture of your family or a picture that represents family/home for you.

Aubs sleeping on my Mom's chest last March

Celebrate! - a picture that reflects a celebration.

My nephew's 5th Birthday

Let's Do It Again... - a picture of something you'd like to do again soon.

Vegas please

I Miss You - a picture of someone or something you really miss.

I hate that my Nana only gets to see her only great grandchild once a year.

Beautiful - a picture of someone or something you find beautiful.

I think that my daughter's loving spirit is beautiful

Dress Up - this might be a picture from Halloween or not...but someone who is all dressed up!

Minnie Mouse

Macro - share your favorite macro or close-up image.

I made this clip for Aubs to wear on Easter. Maybe there is an Etsy shop in my future?

Holidays - a picture from the Holiday of your choice.

I swear she did this all on her. Sat on the Christmas presents and watched t.v.

My Favorite - share your favorite picture or memory from 2011

This one was soooo tough but I really do love this one and I will probably get it printed on canvas.

Don't Ever Change - something you love about yourself, someone, or something that you never want to change.

I mean come on, seriously!?! Don't stop making me laugh, ever.

Just Because...So There! - share any picture(s) that you really want to share, but doesn't fit in any other category.

Just because my dog is cuter than yours- come on admit it!

Hopes and Dreams - share what you hope to come or dream for 2012. Feel free to share an image of your choice.

I hope to be my best everyday and let the love in our family grow.

A New Year

I love celebrating the new year
I love the feeling of a fresh start
It feels like the Monday of all Mondays
Even though it's technically not a Monday this year but you know I mean



Here are a few things that I plan on kicking ass at in 2012:
{If you notice me slipping, feel free to call me out on it}

-Eat clean and make cook clean delicious meals for my family. I have been falling off with healthy cooking and eating. Not only does it make me and my husband gain weight but it also makes us feel sluggish. I just wish my husband enjoyed fresh vegetables as much as I do. Plus Aubs needs a good example. She adores salad though so that's my go to with her.

-Exercise 5 days a week- Aubs loves the kids club at the gym so it's a win win. I am also going off red bull so I could use the extra energy boost that cardio gives me.

-Learn how to use my camera more efficiently. I need to do the work, read the information and practice. I would love to have more beautiful and clear photos of my family.

-Read more. I already read a lot but I need to read more non fiction.

-Write more. I used to absolutely love to write and now I don't take the time to sit down and put a real quality piece together. I miss being super proud of something I have written.

-This one is kind of lame but I want to keep up with my hair. When I don't get it done every couple of months I don't feel as good about myself as I usually would.

-Grow a vegetable garden. I live in Florida, I can almost garden the whole year so there is no excuse.


Are there any resolutions that you are dead set on following through on?

Friday Flashback: New Year's Eve 2008/2009

I wanted to post some old New Year's Eve pictures and these were the ones I was able to find. I was actually looking for the ones from 2006 because that was my best New Years Eve to date but I could only find them on Shutterfly and the resolution sucked. That year we were in New York City and went to a party at Roseland Ballroom until 4 in the morning. 2008 was fun too though. We got a group of friend's together and rented a stretch hummer and went to The Hardrock Casino. My New Years since then haven't been too exciting. This year we will probably hang with a few friends and play games and have some drinks.

Do you have any big plans for New Year's Eve?