WANTED

I found something that I can't live without.... Le Creuset in the color CARIBBEAN!! Did you know they made this color???

The only color I've seen (usually in Williams Sonoma) is the red. And while I think it's nice... I'm not a huge fan.
However, I LOVE anything turquoise! My mom and I joke that it's my "signature color" because when we're shopping I'm always drawn to anything turquoise, like a deer to a bright light! Haha! I probably have turquoise in every room of my house.

Oh, caribbean, how I love you. Let me count the ways...

My Fantasy Baby Shower

It's time for the weekly "Show Us Your Life" tour with Kelly's Korner blog. Today's theme is BABY SHOWERS!

Since I haven't had a baby shower of my own (yet! ;-), I will show you my ultimate fantasy baby shower. I have been collecting pictures of fun baby showers in a little folder on my computer - do you do that? I have nursery inspiration picturess too, and baby announcement ideas, and ohhh could I go onnnn. But I wont. Haha!

I'm thinking a moroccan theme. Unique, no?
The invitation would feature gold scroll work along the border to set the theme.

We could have it outside under a canopy of flowing fabrics. We will all sit around on cushy chairs and pillows. Although, I don't know if I could sit on a pillow being pregnant and all ;-)

For decoration, we'd have lanterns and jewels and lots of fresh flowers in bright colors.

For food, we'd have a spread of goodies. The table would be adorned with paper lanterns. And yes, there would have to be a chocolate fountain!! Haha!

We would have tea and punch out of etched glasses to carry the theme through.

For dessert, we would have a lovely 3-layer strawberry cake like Martha made here.

And, for entertainment, we could have my pregnant belly painted with henna. (I'm sure I can hear my grandma screaming now at the thought of how indecent this would be!). And, since this is a fantasy, my belly would look perfect, just like this picture. No stretch marks. A woman can dream!! Haha!

Thanks for visiting! Stop HERE to enter in my GIVEAWAY if you'd like :)

Bark

I can't believe I'm about to do a post on Almond Bark but one of my commenters said that she HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT! I about came unglued! Is Almond Bark a regional thing? If you're from somewhere *other* than the Midwest or South, do you know what it is - please comment!? We typically use it to cover pretzels or as another blog follower said, to cover Ritz crackers and peanut butter. (thanks for reminding me of that recipe by the way! it used to be one of my favs!!)

So.. let me show you a picture of something I was thinking about serving at this engagement party I'm hosting...
And for this... you would need Almond Bark :) Do you see where I'm going now??

And, just because it's pretty, I'll show you another "inspiration" picture I'm working with for this party. (Rach, if you're reading this, I'm sorry to be spoiling some of the surprise!)



Tonight is my last night in Raleigh. I really hope I can come back soon because I love it here and I love all those southern accents!! My co-workers and I were at Schlotzkeys for lunch today and I swear, I could barely understand our poor server :)

Joe will be on call and working all weekend so I'm going to have to come up with some recipes or decorating to keep me entertained. Haha!

Dont forget to become a follower so I can enter you in the giveaway I started in the last post!! Should I add some Almond Bark to the loot? ;-)

Shopping & A GIVEAWAY!

When I'm on location for work I like to take some time to pretend like I'm on vacation. Yes, vacation a-l-o-n-e, but vacation nonetheless. Would you ever take a vacation alone? Today, in the spirit of being on holiday (as those Brits would say!) I did a little shopping and relaxed with a book. If you are looking for a good book, I beg of you, please go get The Help. I am loving it! So much better than Time Traveler's Wife even (which seems to be the book all my friends are reading)!

I stopped in an antique store and found a couple goodies that I just have to share! I am always on the look-out for "his" and "hers" pillowcases. Don't these seem too fun to have on your bed??

And I've always seen old postcards in antique stores but I've never bought any. Until now! I read the back of this one and almost peed my pants!
I'd love to get a postcard that said that! Haha!

I was also doing some virtual shopping and found something I can't (or I refuse) to live without.
I don't have a punch bowl and I'm planning to host several parties in the future so I thought this was very chic! Don't you think this is more festive than a regular old punch bowl?

One of my new favorite blog friends stopped made a comment yesterday and I'm SO glad. I just realized I had wiped out the spot for others to follow my blog when I did my big facelift a while back.

SO... If you're reading this - PLEASE become a follower!! How about if I sweeten the deal?

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Next week I will draw the name of one of my new followers (over to the right you'll see what to do!) to receive the following in a care package from yours truly... Ta da!!!

A copy of The Help. I really think you'll like this book as much as I do!

A box of Godiva chocolates

a $15 Starbucks gift card

Here's how to play:
1. You get ONE entry for becoming a follower
2. You get TWO entries for becoming a follower & posting about this giveaway on your own blog

Leave a comment and tell me what you did :) Good luck!!

Sprinkles

I'm in the great state of North Carolina today - I flew in just a few hours ago for an assignment for work. Ya'll, it's sunny and warm here and I'm so glad because I'm tired of the rain we've been having in Kansas!!
I'm here for four days and I plan to FILL UP on some good southern sweet tea while I'm here!

I'm also working an idea around in my head. I'm trying to come up with a fun dessert idea to go along with cupcakes I'm making for my friend's engagement party I'm throwing in a few weeks. The theme will be kind of a nice backyard bar-b-q. I'm fixing some really cute cupcakes instead of an old-fashioned cake and I want something else too. I roamed the aisles at the supermarket last night... I picked up sprinkles and almond bark. You can't go wrong with those two, right?

Garage Sales and Golf...

I wanted to join in Southern Hospitality's carnival to show weekend garage sale and thrift store goodies. I am so NOT ashamed to admit I LOVE garage sales! It's probably the thrill of the hunt more than anything! On Friday afternoon I had time to stop at two little garage sales right by my house and I found some good stuff!!

Big, round basket. Lord, do I love baskets!! $3

Brand-new tack-board. I'll probably put this in the laundry room and pin pictures/lists/coupons/recipes to it. $1

Glass vase, $0.25, set of wooden serving spoons, $0.10 apiece, Mikasa linen napkins, $0.25 for the set!

Pink zebra pattern - the way to my heart!

BH&G cookbooks, $0.25 each!

On Sunday afternoon the weather was so pretty and Joe and I didn't want to hang around the house all day so we decided to check out a golf course on the east side of town. It's smack dab in the middle of a big sub-division, but it is a full 18 holes with sand traps and ponds to hit across!

I played the first three holes and then situated myself in the golf-cart and acted as caddy the rest of the time while Joe played ;-) (I did bring my book so I could read during the times he was hunting for his ball! Haha!)

Hope you had a good weekend!

Date Night

Yesterday Joe and I stayed in our pajamas until about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. He didn't have to go in to work and I had nothing to do but relax and pick up the house. We planned all day to have a date night to see The Time Traveler's Wife, since I had just read and finished the book.

The movie was good, I'd give it a B+. Do you not think Rachel McAdams is beautiful??

I didn't like Eric Bana as Henry, and for some reason I didn't think he and Rachel McAdams had very good chemistry. Oh well - it was fun to get to the movies! Joe and I used to go to the movies AT LEAST once a week - sometimes 2 or 3 times a week. This is only the second movie we've seen in the last couple of months.

After the movie we went to Borders so I could get a few more books. I love, love going to the bookstore. I usually load Joe's arms up with a huge stack then I have to narrow them down to a couple so I don't break the bank!

Then, we went to Starbucks and headed home. Now isn't that just about the best date night ever?