Life Lately: High Five for Friday

Phew! Can we all say whirlwind? I feel like there has been so much going on lately and I have so much to tell you. Quick run down so I don't babble for days on you...

• I am now a contributing writer for Makeoverly. You can find my posts here, my first one went up today! 
• I'm working with a couple of local ladies for Thriving Under Thirty posts, coming soon!
• I have finally recorded my video profile for the blog, its on Youtube and you can find it here on my about page. Eeek! Be nice now, my webcam is obviously not the best quality...and this was my first video!
• Everyone is having babies! I became an Aunt this week, my older half brother is now the Father to an adorable little baby boy. And some friends of ours had their little girl about two weeks ago. So cute, I'm an Aunt!!! :) :) :)
• Long hair is HOT in the summer, I almost cut this mop off but I was talked down to dyeing it darker and holding out on the scissors a little bit longer. #longhairDOcare

Dee and I went to the Moonbeam Bash put on by Yelp of Jacksonville last night. It was awesome, I'm so excited that I finally was able to attend another Yelp event. We tried all kinds of food and drinks and now have some new restaurants/food trucks we are going to visit soon.

On the rooftop of the Museum of Science and History for the Moonbeam Bash.
(Maxi dress #3 I've bought recently.)

We don't have too much planned for this weekend, possibly a trip south to New Smyrna Beach to see baby Melody and her parents again... but that's about it. I'm relieved, I'll have some time to write some posts  for here and maybe answer some questions on Makeoverly.com. That's the whole premise behind that site by the way, people send in their beauty or fashion related questions and experts on the topic come in with an answer for you.

Have you been to a Yelp event? In addition to the awesome food and drinks they give 

out some pretty good swag. We have 2 mason jars from the Moonbeam Bash I'm 

planning to pour margaritas into here shortly. Cheers to the weekend!

Link Up: Sunday Social

I haven't done a linkup in a while so here we go. A little more about me...and my movie/TV tastes.

Via 90zkids.com

1. What was your favorite TV show as a kid?
Saved by the Bell, Full House, Sister Sister, 7th Heaven...all those shows.

 2. What is your current favorite TV show? 
After almost 5 years of no cable, we recently got Netflix so I have been catching up on Gossip Girl and CSI Miami lately. I also like to watch the Gordon Ramsay restaurant shows.

Via FanPop

3. Which reality show would you NEVER do?
Fear Factor sounds like an awful idea...no thank you I will pass on the snake bath and bee swarms! (I'll spare you any pictures on this one, it gave me the heebie jeebies just glancing at them for 2 seconds.)

4. Which reality show would you LOVE to do?
Say Yes to the Dress! I've 99% sure found my dress, but I'm holding out a bit longer to see if something else comes along. I'd love to see more dresses that a stylist would suggest.

5. What is the TV personality/character that you feel is most like you?
Lauren Conrad, I followed her from Laguna Beach through The Hills and she was always so driven and independent. Granted I'm engaged, I still feel that sense of independence and the knowledge that I could tackle anything I want to if I put my mind to it. She's a bit of a role model too for me, she's already written 3 books, worked with magazines,

I'm Chuck Bass
Via

6. Which TV character would you want to date?
Haha, Chuck Bass- DUH! (Sorry babe ;)

So what's your favorites, past and current? Link up with Ashley and Neely and let me know!

It's Ok Thursday

It's been a little while since I linked up with Neely and Amber for this. It always feels a bit cleansing though so here it goes.
It's Ok...

• that recipes with meat have been catching my eye lately, its almost been a year of my pescatarian diet. I just need to modify them...
• that I have been a serious blog slacker since 2013 came along- actually that's not ok!
• that I've been engaged for almost 2 months and the only thing we've agreed on so far is the country we will be getting married in. Friday is the one year mark (and our 6 year anniversary!), time to get down to business.
• that I didn't get tickets to the Gentlemen of the Road tour coming to Saint Augustine with Mumford and Son in September. It sold out the day they went on sale! And we have to save for our wedding.
• that I just planted my daffodil bulbs this past weekend, wayyyyy late but they were sprouting so I'll let you know if they bloom. :)

What's ok with you this week? Are there any other link ups you can't get enough of? Please share!

It's Ok Thursday

I haven't been able to link up for It's Ok Thursday in almost a month now. My Mom & Step Dad are finally here, moved in to their temporary rental, and hunting for their permanent home. It's pretty awesome, not even gonna lie. :)

It's Ok:

• That I've been sick all week; sore throat, fever and Rod Stewart voice. Boo!
• We still don't have a Christmas tree, the lights and surfer Santa are up outside so I guess I'm halfway there.
• That I'm going to Maryland next weekend and have some major Christmas shopping and DIY'ing to do this weekend.
• I haven't posted as much as I wanted to in the last couple weeks, life has just gotten busy and then getting sick...I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to do when I'm sick is think about getting cute and fashionable. Watching Cameron Diaz in The Holiday in her winters best on the other hand...

Thanks for letting me vent. Link up with Neely & Amber and let off some steam, you'll feel better!

Its Ok Thursday

Yup, it's already Friday Eve! And of course I'm linking up with Amber & Neely, this is like a release writing these posts each week. You should join in!
It's Ok:

• That I'm not making Thanksgiving dinner this year and we are going out to eat. It will give me more time to prep my Black Friday shopping stops!
• This is my last weekend of my 2nd job. I'll miss seeing my coworkers there regularly, but having that time back will be so worth it. And the martinis and food will certainly bring me back in for visits. ;)
• I've eaten way too much popcorn in the last couple of days, thank you to The Popcorn Factory.



Image from Paris Brothers

• That I'm shopping for the perfect Olive Stuffer, any recommendations? I can't live without gorgonzola or blue cheese stuffed olives and my addiction could get mighty expensive...

Have you signed up for my Giveaway yet? There's only 2 weeks left to enter!

It's Ok Thursday

Ah finally cooler weather. :) I have been making the most of the last week's outfits with these lower temperatures. Lots of boots, sweaters, leggins and scarves. I'm lovin' it!
It is already Thursday, so hard to believe we are 2 weeks from Thanksgiving, and only 6 1/2 weeks from Christmas. It's time to pull out the Grinch and get to some serious Christmas shopping/DIY'ing!


Linking up with Neely and Amber today, here is what's OK with me this week.

• I may be developing a slight addiction to Chia Seeds.
• That I've made 2 vegetarian crock pot meals this week, lazy cook over here.
• There is a movie from Netflix at my house right now called ROBsessed, all about Robert Pattinson. bahahah
• My dogs have no sense of the time change, in fact they think we jumped ahead an extra half hour!
• I'm already pretty much finished with preparing my Thanksgiving menu, and no one has even been formally invited yet.
• That I'm slightly dreading the "when are you getting married" conversations I will surely encounter next month when I go to Maryland.
• That I would be content watching holiday movies from now, through January 1st. Anybody have any good ones they would recommend adding to my Netflix queue? 

What's OK with you this week?

Have you signed up for my Giveaway?

It's Ok Thursdays

Another week almost over. Today I'm linking up with Neely and Amber for It's Ok Thursday. Everything has been going pretty good this week, so I don't have much to gripe about. :)


It's Ok:

• That we only got 10 trick or treaters last night.
• That the first Trick or Treater was the best! A 2 year old dressed up as a police officer (even aviators), with his Mom and Dad dressed up as inmates. Sooo stinkin' cute.
• The photos I took with Foxtale Photography have all been published here. Why would this ever be ok you ask? Because Dee has agreed to take pictures for me and I'm on the prowl for a tripod!

It's all okay though, because I'm hosting my first giveaway today! Be sure to check it out and sign up.
Enjoy your leftover Halloween candy or the best that you've pulled from your children's bags. ;)

It's Ok Thursday

Thursday- Yay! I welcome you and the impending weekend with open arms!! I am ready for a couple days to catch up on house chores, read some of my HTML book (oh exciting, hah) and hopefully go pick pumpkins with the man.
This week It's Ok with me that:

• I have been eating way to many sweets lately, there is candy or cookies everywhere I turn. I really must get my cravings under control.
• The new J.Crew Style Book came in yesterday and I'm super crushing on a $365 trench coat that I'll only be able to wear for a month and a half.
• I'm also crushing on a $245 pair of shoes from the same catalog.
• I'll probably just end up with this ring in dusty quartz that will stack nicely with my Michael Kors stud ring. :)
• I feel like I'm procrastinating because I haven't started Christmas shopping yet. Does anyone else feel this way or am I worrying far too soon?
• I am missing out on Maryland Fall...because I'm going in December!!! Yay!

What's ok with you this week? Or what's making the not so great things better for you this week?

It's Ok Thursdays

It's Thursday, so you know what that means!
It's Ok...

• that I've been so busy working on a new project that my brain is seriously starting to hurt.
• I'm a little nervous to post the Fashion Friday post tomorrow, I hope you all love it!
• I've only eatten carbs today. (not really ok though)
• that I'm finally getting this post finished at 8 pm on Thursday evening, hey "Its Ok!"
• that I'm watching Eat, Pray, Love for the umpteenth time while the man works late.
• that I get way too excited anytime I get a new follower on here. Seriously, immediate grin, internal happy dance and day officially made. Thanks guys! 

I hope you had a good week so far and have some big plans for this weekend. My parents are in town from Maryland so I'm hoping to have some fun and yummy eats with them.

Fall into Fall Swap

When I saw Neely's post that she was hosting a Fall into Fall Swap I knew now was the time to join in on this blogger love and immediately signed up.
Once I knew who my partner was it was time for some research/stalking into her blog. So here we go, everyone meet Brittany, a soon to be Indiana University, PR graduate. She loves to travel, write, read and is in love with the rainy city of Seattle. Britt hates chipped nail polish and paints her nails 3 to 4 times a week. That is some serious nail dedication right there!
On to the fun stuff! Brittany read through my blog and saw how much I like to cook, this post stuck out most with her.

I could not be happier with what she chose, I will have this forever! This is a classic, just like my red and white cookbook. Thank you sooooo much Brittany, I certainly will never forget you and your thoughtful gift.
I already dove in and made my first recipe from this cookbook, the Clafouti aux Pommes, or Apple Flan. So delicate and delicious, the perfect Fall treat!

Check out my guest post on Jordan's blog today for more scrumptious photos and the recipe to this heart-warming fall dessert.
Thanks again Brittany for your Fall into Fall Swap gift! I hope you enjoy your box of goodies as much as I do mine!

It's OK Thursdays

Major sigh of relief that tomorrow is Friday and this weekend will be somewhat relaxed. Still working Friday night but back to normal. Last night Dee and I had our usual sweets craving so I ran straight to the cabinet. No chocolate chips! Dangit! So these Peanut Butter Oat Drop Cookies had to do.

I have to say they were certainly yummy, especially with a cup of English Tea Time. Here's the recipe from the "Better Homes and Gardens New Cook" (Google Affiliate Ad), or as my family calls it, "The red and white cookbook." This book is 4 generations of being the go to cookbook for the women in my family.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups quick oats
• 1 cup chopped peanuts

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In a large mixing bowl beat butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed about 30 seconds or until combined.

Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.

Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.

Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined.

Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer; stir in any remaining flour.

Stir in rolled oats and peanuts.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake about 10 minutes in preheated oven or until edges lightly browned.

Transfer cookies to wire rack and let cool.

Congruent with the last few Thursdays, I'm linking up with Amber and Neely for It's Ok Thursday.

It's Ok...

• To have something sweet everyday; sometimes more than one, or 2, or....
• That my gym membership is collecting dust. :/
• That I've worn boots twice this week and it's been about 85 degrees every day. Hey it is officially fall!
• That I will be planting daffodil bulbs and then bringing out the Halloween decorations this weekend. October starts Monday, it's time!
• That I spent the same in shipping as I did on my Fall Swap partner's gift! It's ok because she's awesome and I know she will love it! Annnd good karma, good karma, good karma. ;)

What are you Ok with this week?

It's Ok Thursdays

Yay it's Thursday! I think anything could've happened this week and I would have been A-Ok with it. After 8 years of living away from my family, and being promised my Mom and Step Dad will be moving down here to Florida, it is finally happening!! Right now it looks like they might even be moved down before Thanksgiving. And to top it off, they are coming down to visit for a week, TOMORROW! (sorry for all of the exclamation points, I am however a little excited)

    So here's what is ok with me this week:

• Some people are just plain mean, there's nothing I can do about it, just purge them from my life.
• That my dogs constantly interrupt me when I'm trying to blog, seriously fur-child, go away! I love you but we'll play later.
• That I live in a town where there are apparently no other bloggers who post regularly. As I've said before if you know someone who does, in Saint Augustine, FL send them my way please.
• That I often pick where I want to eat dinner based off of their dessert menu. Ahem, South Beach Grill and their peanut butter chocolate mousse tower- you will be mine this weekend!
• That I haven't read very much in the way of books in the last two weeks because I've been so "addicted," as my boyfriend says, to reading blogs and getting to know you all! I love your comments and they certainly guide me straight to your blogs.

Let me know if you link up with Neely and Amber too!