Sunday, March 31, 2013

Sunday Social!

Sunday Social
Let's just dive right in, shall we? 
1. What is your favorite type of workout to do? I really liked to run until I injured my foot and was told that I wasn't allowed to run anymore. But, fear not. I just had a check up appointment and doc told me that I could TRY to run again, but I wouldn't be doing anymore half marathons. Boo! I guess it will be all 5k's from here on out. Who's in? Also, why isn't my favorite workout something that will help my abs? That would just be too convenient.
2. What is your favorite guilty pleasure candy or sweet? I really like cupcakes. And now, we have a new cupcake shop in town and it's SO HARD for me to stay away. They have like every flavor and change them every day. What is a girl to do?? 
See what I mean??
3. What is one thing you continuously forget to do? I ALWAYS forget to pay my water bill. Every single bill I have can be paid online except for that one. I never go to the side of town in which to pay that bill, so it's always late. I hate that it's always late, but they need to get an online payment system worked out! 
4. Do you prefer Post-Its or phone reminders? Why? Most definitely Post-Its. I hoard them at work. It's so satisfying to rip one off of the wall when you're done with that task. It's like it makes it real that I actually finished something. There are a lot of Post-Its in my office. 
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5. What is your favorite picture currently on your phone that always makes you smile? I actually just took a photo that I don't think I will be deleting any time soon. It's of Hubs, and he makes me laugh. I love him. Here he is in all of his glory:

Are you linking up with us today? Can't wait to read your answers! Hope everyone had a fantastic Easter weekend! 

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Insta-dump!

Pearls and Curls

I like to wait until Saturday night to link  up with this because I always have the most pictures on Saturdays and almost none during the week. I think I need to step my Instagram game up! But, either way, here we go! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with me in real time! I promise I'll start doing better! 


So, winter's over and we decided that Kimber needed her winter coat brushed off. Didn't expect all this! 


Came into work on Thursday (our last work day since we have Good Friday off) and had a cute little chocolate Easter bunny on my desk. Yum! I love my job!


Kimber is seen in rare form here, actually letting me taking a picture of both of us together. Normally, she would probably be thinking "Ain't nobody got time fa dat!"


In case you missed it - BASEBALL STARTS MONDAY!! So, in celebration, I put up my baseball wreath to ring in the day that I wait for all winter. Fun fact - until today, I still had my Valentine door hang proudly displayed. Whoops! 


Went to the clay shooting trail today and it was hot! After we finished we needed something to cool us off. What better than a nice spinach fruit smoothie. SO GOOD. I swear I could drink one of these every day. 

Are you linking up today? I sure hope so! 

Friday, March 29, 2013

Dropping In Real Quick!

WITH SOME AWESOME NEWS!!

With a little patience and ingenuity and just plain luck, I have somehow managed to purchase FLOOR SEATS to see the following incredibly attractive guitar playing men: 

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I am BEYOND excited right now. Not even joking. Special thanks to Jess over at City Sequins for informing me that this incredible tour was actually taking place! I'm gonna go nap now. That excitement really wore me out!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Cara Box Reveal!


Cara Box

This was my very first time doing the Cara Box exchange set up by Kaitlyn at Wifessionals. Let me just say, it won't be my last!!! Basically I buy for someone and someone else buys for me. In the process you get to know 2 lovely ladies who you might normally not have found otherwise. Each month has a theme and this time we bought for each other things that started with the first letter of their first name.

I was paired to gift Tara at Laila's Charming Pieces. You can see her reveal post and check out what I got her here. She has a great Etsy shop that you might want to check out while you're there too! 

Taylor at Confessions of a Busy Busy Bee was chosen to gift me! She's an awesome girl from up north who blogs about whatever comes to her mind - Just like yours truly!  She even just redesigned her blog all by herself! 

I was so excited when my box arrived! The most adorable box I've ever seen was sitting on my front step when I got off of work last week. 

Who wouldn't be excited to see a box this cute? 
I immediately went inside to open it up. This is what I found:

I'm a sucker for color coordination and ribbons. Not gonna lie. 
I took everything out and I had a lot of stuff to open!

How cute is that tape? And the card was handmade too! 
Once I unwrapped everything here are the goodies that I found:


1. Target Gift Card for $5! Target is my absolutely favorite store. I'm kind of wondering why I haven't used it already! 
2. Thongs/Flip Flops! Aren't they cute? So summery! They made me smile when I opened them up. I wish the weather would hurry up and get warm!
3. Tazo Tea! Confession time - I've never had this tea. None of the flavors. I'm pretty excited to try it. Also, I bought Tara the same tea! Isn't that funny?
4. Twix! This is the flavor of the month in the Lott household. She even wrote a note on it for Hubs to tell him to back off! SORRY! 
5. The Best of Me - Nicolas Sparks. I'm really excited for this. I've been trying to find a book to read and I just haven't had the patience to walk around the book store to find one. I'm so glad someone did that for me. And it's Nicholas Sparks. I mean, you really can't go wrong there. 
6. A handmade card that matched all of the wrapping. It had the sweetest note in it. Seriously, go check out her blog. 

All in all, this was a great exchange. I can't wait for another one. It might have to wait until May though because I've already got the Spring Exchange lined up for April. I love exchanges. I can never do enough of them. Did you do the Cara Box Exchange? What did you get?? 

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Sunday Social!

Sunday Social

It's Sunday Social time! This week it's all about Spring!

1. What is your favorite thing about Spring? 
Wearing flip flops and shorts. If I had to choose a favorite outfit it would be shorts, a hoodie and flip flops. I can finally (when the weather decides that it actually wants to be Spring again - WTH, Georgia?) wear my favorite clothes and be comfortable! Thank goodness! 

2. What is your favorite kind of flower to grow or receive? 
Well, I have a black thumb and I'm terrible at gardening so this will be my favorite flower to receive. That would be the same flowers that my wedding bouquet was made with. Calla Lillies and Roses. LOVE.


3. What is your favorite nail polish color?
Anything bright and happy-looking. The brighter, more neon the better! Also, any fun designs are always welcome to grace the nails on my toes. 

4. What is your favorite outdoor activity? 
Tanning. Not even really joking about that one. Drinking outside is also fun. And camping - as long as it's in the Talladega infield. :)


5. Do you have any fun Spring plans? Details!
Well, Talladega Spring race is every year in May - so we're going to that again! It's like my favorite weekend of the summer months! Where my Dega fam at? 




Other than that, we don't have any real plans. If anyone has any ideas, send 'em my way! 

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Insta-recap!

Pearls and Curls

It's time to catch everyone up on my insta-shenanigans with Sara over at Pearls and Curls! Click on the button to check out her page. She's awesome. I know you'll love her! 

Not too many this time! 

The Walking Dead date! 
Baby Shower gift I made for a co-worker!
New bracelet! 
Kimber girl!
Sushi date in Jacksonville! 

How was your insta-week??

Friday, March 22, 2013

March Madness - A Little Late!

So I'm sitting here watching the basketball games, crying (ok, not really) over the Georgetown loss and realized that I hadn't shared my brackets with everyone yet! With all of these bracket busters, it's not looking too good, ya'll! Oh well. Better late than never, right? And always better color-coded that not. :)


Maybe I won't have anymore loses tonight! I sure hope not. Is anyone else doing brackets? How are yours looking? Hopefully a little better than mine - unless you're in my pool, if that's the case, I hope your brackets suck. :)

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Stepping into Spring Swap!

I have found the cutest spring swap I've ever seen!

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In the swap you're going to exchange flip flops and nail polish!! How adorable! I couldn't pass it up!

Here is the description from the lovely hosts:

Spring officially started March 20 and to celebrate that my amazing friends and I are hosting this swap to help get you ready! What better way to start spring off right than with a fresh pedi and a new pair of flip flops?! Please join us in our first annual Stepping into Spring Swap!!

Rules:

1. To sign up just add yourself to the linky in this post.

2. The linky will stay open for one week and will close March 28.

3. Partners will be announced by email and on our blogs April 2.

4. Once your partner is assigned please contact her and get to know her. Find out her favorite nail polish colors and brands, flip flop size, and anything else!

5. Spending limit is $20!

6. The deadline to mail your package is April 15!

7. Link up and reveal all of your awesome goodies April 25!

8. Open to US residents only. Sorry!

Everyone should sign up for the linkup! How could you not? Maybe I will be partnered with one of you lovely ladies! 

Monday, March 18, 2013

Dogs: Big vs Little

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I have lots of friends with pups and they are all different shapes and sizes. Some are small, some are miniature, some are medium, some are large and some are extra large - like my sweet Kimber (of which this post will be riddled with pictures). 

3/17/13
All dog types have their advantages and disadvantages, but I'm here to advocate the big dogs! Team big dog!

(DISCLAIMER: I'm not saying that all dogs are like the ones I will describe, but in my experience, this is how my opinions have formed of each.) 

The dogs that sometimes don't get as much love as the small dogs. It seems like everyone wants a small dog. Every time a small dog is up for adoption at the shelter, they are the first ones out and the bigger dogs sit and wait for their turn to be adopted, most of the time, sadly, never comes. Lord help them if they are more than a year old, poor things. Small dogs may seem like the "easier" dogs to take car of with less maintenance, but I just haven't seen any evidence of that in the past few years since we've had Kimber. 

5/28/11
For those of you who didn't know, Hubs and I have actually owned a small dog. We ended up giving it away because it wasn't right for us. We wanted a calm, playful dog with the same personality as us. This dog was rambunctious, never listened, always barked (ALWAYS) and super needy. Not good for us. We decided to lay off the dogs for a while and got a cat. I wanted a dog like our cat. Relaxed, never made a noise, easy to take care of, perfect in every way. :) Then, it happened - we found Kimber. 

7/11/11
The day we got her, she literally laid in the grass outside the house all day. Didn't move. We took  her inside and she just stayed in her kennel. She met the cat and didn't even flip out. Today, they are soooo good together. Immediately we started teacher her tricks and kennel training her. I can not stress enough the importance of training your puppies. It makes such a difference. But, don't be alarmed when they have an accident or do something bad - they're still just puppies! 

7/25/11
I have friends with small dogs. They aren't for me. I thought I wanted a small dog. Hubs practically made me get a big dog. I wasn't exactly all for it. I thought it would be so much more work than it actually would be. Now, I will always choose big over little. We never had to teach Kimber to be protective. Never. She just did it. And she only does it at the appropriate times. She doesn't bark at people who come to the house. She doesn't bark at geese or other animals. She barks at people she doesn't recognize who are "threatening" our home. I have no idea how she learned that. But, I will tell you, I LOVE that she basically never barks. She literally NEVER barks in the house. Only once - when the door chime went off and no one came into the living room for her to see. She was alerting me that the chime went off! I can not say the same for the small dogs that I know. 

8/28/11
Another thing about big dogs is that they can hold pee and poo for HOURS. Seriously. Kimber goes at least 12 hours and more if she has to without going potty. Big dog - big bladder. Thank goodness. I would HATE - I repeat HATE - taking a dog out to potty more than 2-3 times a day. Obviously we had to do just that when she was a puppy, but not anymore! It's fantastic! 

8/30/12
Another thing I've heard is that bigger dogs are better family dogs. I can not attest to this first hand because I don't have a family with kids yet, but I have a friend who has a big dog with small kids and her dog is sooo good with the kids! The kids basically torture the poor dog and she just takes it. I've got another friend who has an even bigger dog who has an even smaller child and he basically just rolls over and lets her do whatever with him. It's the most adorable thing I've ever seen. Literally. I feel like smaller dogs would not like having a kid in the house terrorizing it constantly. I know I wouldn't like it if a little human was bothering me all the time. Especially with it being bigger than me already. Know what I mean? 

7/19/11
Another good thing about big dogs? Trespassers won't know if they're friendly or not. If a dog is big enough to pop his head over the fence like that and has enough teeth to tear someone to shreds (even though all she really wants to do is play...) they aren't coming into your yard. No way. Would you? 

Also, many people I know who have small dogs are constantly having to get something fixed, or taking them to the vet. We take Kimber to the vet to get her meds, get her yearly physical (shots, etc.) and never have to go back. Nothing is ever wrong with her. I don't know what the problem with small dogs is, and I'm sure that one day we MAY have hip dysplasia problems (which small dogs have too!) but there's no sign of them now. 

2/17/12
The one thing that I don't necessarily like about my Kimber is that she sheds.. A LOT. But, it's because she's a GSD. We knew that when we got her, and I mentally prepared myself for it. Now that I'm knee deep into to - it's not that bad. A small price to pay for the best dog I've ever owned. 

Does anyone else own a dog? Small? Big? Thoughts? I always wanted a dog that I could just carry around in a bag or pick  up with one arm, but ever since getting Kimber I will forever be a big dog advocate! How do you feel about it? 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Friday Jams Recap

It's FINALLY Friday! I don't know about ya'll but these past couple of weeks have just drug on and on. Thankfully, the weather is warming up and the weekend is here! Here's what I'll be listening to while enjoying my beautiful weekend ahead!


One Direction - Kiss You. Call me a Directioner or whatever the heck they're called now-a-days, I don't even care. Maybe it's the 90's kid in me that loves 1D, but I JAM to every song that they come out with. It's a little ridiculous. Whatevs.


Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel. Ever since Darius Rucker came out with his coverof Wagon Wheel by OCMS, I've grown to appreciate the original song even more. No one can duplicate it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Darius' version, but I'm attached to the original.


Kenny Chesney - Key Lime Pie. Where has this song been all my life? I love key lime pie, I love Kenny Chesney. What a perfect combination of both of those things that I love. Holy crap. Kenny music makes me want to vacation all year round. How about you?


Chris Young - I Can Take it From There. Ya'll, I saw Chris Young in concert with Miranda Lambert last year and I fell in love. Also, I'm going to Talladega in May to camp on the infield and guess who's playing the free infield concert! You guessed it! Chris Young. Whoop Whoop!


Corey Smith - The Baseball Song. Ya'll it's coming!! In just over 2 weeks, regular season baseball is BACK! I am BEYOND excited for baseball season. There's nothing like walking into Turner Field, hearing the crack of the bat, smelling the boiled peanuts and hearing the tomahawk chop. I am SO READY. Fun Fact: This is my ringtone.

What are YOU listening to this week?

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Come ON Google! You're Killing Me!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Google is getting rid of Google Reader and thus, GFC (can someone confirm this please? I heard this as a rumor!). I just figured out GFC and now I have to switch gears! Follow me on Bloglovin' to keep up with me!

Don't be scared if you don't have Bloglovin yet, I JUST made one because of the recent debacle and let me just tell you, it's AWESOME! Go getchu one and meet me on the other side!

PS, Follow me on Bloglovin. Did I say that already? :)

Breakfast Casserole with Country Gravy!

A few days (weeks?) ago I wrote about my favorite breakfast food. I said that it was breakfast casserole and then proceeded to inform everyone that I have a recipe that includes country gravy. There seemed to be some interest in the recipe, so I made it the other day, and I'm ready to share! Hope you're ready too! Please forgive my iPhone photos! It's the best I can do. 

Here's your ingredients list:

  • 1 can refrigerated Crescent/croissant rolls 
  • 1 lb sausage (I LOVE Jimmy Dean Hot!)
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp pepper (or more, if you like it!)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I use sharp cheddar)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 package white gravy mix
Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

As many, many, many other recipes start, the first step is to brown and drain the sausage! 


While you're waiting for your sausage to cook, pop open that canister of Crescent rolls - cringe a little before it actually pops open - and line the bottom of your GREASED casserole dish with the dough. I made sure to press all of the seams together also. I have no idea if this made a difference or not, but it looked prettier in the dish. :)


When the sausage is browned and drain, spread it evenly over your dough in your casserole dish.


Next, mix the gravy mix and however much water it needs according to the package. I just measured the water in the measuring cup and mixed it in there. One less dish to worry about! 


Now, pour that country gravy all over that sausage! Looking good, huh?


After that, in a separate bowl, scramble your eggs and mix in your cheese, milk, and however much pepper you want. Once it's good and mixed, pour it over the dish. If you're using hot sausage, you may not want to add too-too much pepper. It gets a little spicy! (Disclaimer: I don't really do spicy!)


Simple enough: Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350. 


Finally, let it cool and enjoy! It's so scrumptious! Seriously, I could eat this every day! Hope you like it too!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

I'm a Liebster Magnet!

I was sifting through some emails from my fellow bloggers the other day (of which I LOVE to read!) and I had an email from Megan at Barefoot Bluejean Princess (You can find her cute little button on my sidebar - cute blog name, huh??!) letting me know that she nominated me for the Liebster! I love the Liebster! Since I've done it a few time already, you can read some of my facts and other questions I've answered here, here and here. :) You can find Megan's post from her nomination here.

I'm just going to jump right in and answer the questions that she came up with.

1. What was your favorite song as a child? The first song that I remember completely being obsessed with was... Mmm Bop. Yeah, you know you loved that freaking song too. And you know that every time you hear it, you still know every word and sing along like it was the 90's again. Oh nostalgia. And just because I love you... and I kind of want to hear it again:


Did you know: All of the brothers met their wives at concerts... they would groupies.

2. What is something you wish you were better at? I wish I were better at gardening. If you've ever seen my yard, you would completely understand. Can we say DISASTER? Someone please help. I will provide beer.

3. If you could solve one world problem, what would it be and why? I would solve the world's violence problems. Can't we all just get along and be nice to each other? I would love to live in a world full of love (I totally felt like a pageant girl answering that question).

4. Do you have a claim to fame? I think if I would be known for anything it would be my artistic abilities. I can pretty much eye something and get the jist of it. I also have good handwriting. Not sure if that counts as a claim to fame though.

5. What's your favorite makeup product? I love Falsies Volum' Express by Mabelline. I have super short lashes and this mascara is the only mascara to give me the length that I've always dreamed of. Seriously. That may sound like I was paid to say that, but I wasn't. That's how much I love it.
Source
6. What was the last book you read? You Don't Sweat Much for a Fat Girl by Celia Rivenbark. That lady is hysterical. And she's from the South. Her new book comes out in October. I'm counting down the days.

http://www.celiarivenbark.com/
 7. What show do you watch (or DVR) every week? Oh, so we're going there? Might want to sit down for this one! *Clears Throat*  Criminal Minds, Survivor, Amazing Race, Top Chef, Face Off, Project Runway, How I Met Your Mother, Hells Kitchen, Master Chef, Duck Dynasty, The Walking Dead, The Big Bang Theory, Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Seriously. It's a full time job catching all of my shows every week!!

8. If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? My mother makes the BEST roast beef. I've tried to duplicate it, but sadly I can't. It would definitely be that - with green beans, macaroni and cheese, rice and whatever bread she decides. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

9. If you could go back in time, what time period would you teleport yourself to? This one is my favorite. I was born in the late 80's and everyone I know always says that I should have grown up in the 80's. I would TOTALLY go back to the 80's and love every minute of it. I kinda feel bad that I didn't pick something from a long long time ago, but oh well. I'm not sorry. Bring on the 80's!

10. Tell us your biggest pet peeves. When someone KNOWS they have a deadline and it's just sitting on their desk for who knows how long and then SOMEHOW it ends up on my desk when there is virtually NO time left to do it. Thanks for that. Also, leaving seconds on the microwave after you heat something up. Please press clear. I promise the microwave won't explode. Finally, when people just don't accept that my way is correct. JUST KIDDING! Maybe. 

11. What is the wallpaper on your computer? Love this question! Fun fact: it matches my browser theme. :)


 I loved these questions! Ya'll really need to go check out Megan's blog! She's a GA girl just like me, so it's bound to be good, right? Right!