SWEET HOME CONNECTICUT: February 2010

February 26, 2010

TGIF

LOVE MY WEEKENDS: manicure & pedicure, painting our bedroom royal blue, Lilly’s 2nd birthday party, Steve’s 30th birthday dinner w/ Matt, Nichole & the girls, working on finishing the basement & more!
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Thanks to my co-worker Amanda...she gave me a ring pop today!

I really really really want one of these star/moon spinning lights/lamps! I think it would look super sweet @ night in our master bedroom!

Steve received these "30th" birthday cookies today from the lady that made our sunflower cookies for our wedding! They make my mouth water!

Totally purchased the metalic silver boots below from Forever 21 yesterday. How much? $13.99...oh yesssss.

Albino deer! Have you ever heard of or seen them before? Crazy huh! I didn't know they existed! Thanks for the email forward Bonnie!

Has anyone seen that recent sports commercial? Maybe it's on ESPN. It shows a bunch of sports interview clips by the media. It's a rap-ish-turn table mix. Freakin love it! It's so clever! I tried finding it online to post the video but had no luck. If any of you know what I'm talking about and you find a link send it to me will ya! Thanks in advance!

This brings tears to my eyes....

P&G “KIDS” WINTER OLYMPICS COMMERCIAL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGgwfjA0V14
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THAT IS ALL. PEACE. :)

WE ARE THE WORLD

FINALLY! I have been dying to see the final cut! Here it is! "WE ARE THE WORLD"...25 years later...the "For Haiti" version. ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/user/wearetheworld?v=Glny4jSciVI&feature=pyv&ad=5274879739&kw=we%20are%20the%20world%202010

February 25, 2010

JAPANESE & SUSHI

Tonight we are going out to dinner to have Japanese & Sushi for Steve's 30th birthday! YAY! YUMMM! Can't wait!!! The only thing is, we will be eating at an actual restaurant on actual plates instead of eating off of our desks @ work like my sister Ashley is doing at the moment. HA! :) Yes folks, this is a "live feed", she just sent me a phone pic of her spilt soy sauce. She has decided to proceed by dipping her sushi pieces into the accidental mess shown below. YUMMM! or YUMMM???

February 24, 2010

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

SUCCESS! Thanks to Amy the beautiful candy delivery fairy! :)

MY HUSBAND IS AN OLD MAN :)

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO MY HUSBAND STEVEN!!! :) I LOVE YOU VERRRRRY MUCH BABE!!! I HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A FUN FILLED DAY FULL OF HARRASSMENT BY YOUR WIFE, FAMILY, FRIENDS & CO-WORKERS!!!

Tonight Steve will probably play some volleyball w/ the next door crew...while he is out I plan on putting all of his birthday gifts together & making a special meal for him! "Mrs. in Training"-I am sooooo stealing your Pork Tenderloin recipe that you blogged about recently! It looked & sounded so yummy! Wish me luck!

This was my hubby as a young boy-we used these photos & a ton others in our wedding guest book...too too too CUTE!!!

Annnnnd....THIS is what I had delivered to his work today! A birthday blast candy bouquet! Cool huh? It's from http://www.candyblast.com/ Steve is obsessed w/ sweets! I found this online weeks ago! Figured this was perfect for him to share with his co-workers as a small treat! Can't wait to get a call from him about this-I should be hearing from him shortly since it was just delivered...Oh yes...I wrote this message on the card...HA!

"HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY BABE!!! I THOUGHT OF THIS “SWEETS” IDEA A WHILE BACK, HOPEFULLY YOU (AND YOUR CO-WORKERS) CAN ENJOY IT! SAVE ME THE BLOW POP WILL YA? I HOPE YOU HAVE A FABULOUS DAY! I WILL BE THINKING ABOUT YOU!

I LOVE YOU!

~LOVE~

YOUR AWESOME WIFE SHANNON
PS: DONT ASK ME HOW MUCH THIS CANDY BOUQUET COST…YOU ONLY TURN 30 ONCE! :)"

MY FREE BLOG GIVEAWAY & RANDOM

In honor of this past Valentine's Day...THIS adorable blush pink flower headband is my next FREE BLOG GIVEAWAY!!! As you know, all you have to do is leave a comment on THIS blog post AND add yourself as a follower of my blog! (see the right side of my page) Don't be shy! Make sure you leave your contact info/email in your comment so I can reach out to you if you win the drawing in a few weeks! GOOD LUCK!

Check out Victoria's Secret's new Spring Pink fragrances! WISH, HOPE & LOVE.....I bet they smell really pretty!

Another freebie from Steve @ work...I haven't tried it yet but I will soon! Love energy anything! http://www.highoctaneenergy.com/

February 23, 2010

YAY FOR...

1. A stocked pantry cabinet! Is it weird that we love going grocery shopping? We really have fun w/ each other! This usually includes Steve trying to throw things in the cart from afar & accidentally stealing other people's carts when he isn't paying attention! The bad thing is, we usually go when we are hungry...this is a big no-no. HA!

2. Southwest rapid rewards program! 10 free drink coupons baby!!! AND 2 free flights that we plan to use in the near future towards our 2010 trips we have lined up!

3. My brand new ROXY ski boots! Steve gave these to me for Valentines Day! LOVE them!

4. Belated wedding gifts! Thank you Julie & Steve for our VERY generous Pier One gift card! OMG! Our mouths dropped when we received it! What a WONDERFUL surprise in the mail! We rushed right out to purchase these items for our home! Zebra print chair, magnetic photo board, decorative vintage door knob, green decorative bird, green floral vase & decorative bath scrub brush! YOU 2 ROCK!!! Keep a look out for your thank you card in the mail!

HAPPY 30TH EMILY

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL BFF EMILY!!! SHE LIVES OUT IN CALIFORNIA RIGHT NOW W/ HER HUBBY! I MISS HER SOOOOO MUCH IT HURTS!!! I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY EM! I WILL BE THINKING ABOUT YOU!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO GET MY GIFTS!!! IN THE MEAN TIME...

ENJOY THESE BALLOONS...

~LOVE~ ME (The photo I sent you the other day drinking out of my FAVORITE "me" coffee cup that you gave me for my birthday this past November!

I'll leave my readers with this....Check out the new music video by Jewel! Her song "Stay Here Forever" is on the new "Valentines Day" movie soundtrack!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrd1ehyh_5A

February 22, 2010

DC DISTRICT SAMPLE SALE

For all my NOVA/VA/DC peeps....District Sample Sale tickets go on sale tomorrow! The date of the Spring sale in DC is March 16! I went a few years ago & had such an awesome time! I was in heaven! Designer clothes, shoes & accessories for dirt cheap!

LOWES

I used to really hate going to Lowes w/ my parents back in the day. I used to think it was sooo boring! Now that I am older & Steve & I own our own home that has changed. This weekend we went & purchased royal blue paint for our bedroom (funky huh?) & a bunch of supplies to help us finish our basement. I started to actually get excited about Lowes....until....Steve stood in front of the insulation for almost 20 mins while deciding which rolls were the better deal. THAT was boring. :)

February 19, 2010

ON REPEAT

Always tell your loved ones how much you care for them-even if it’s in the smallest way.....

February 16, 2010

JUST WANTED TO SHARE

Tina Fey...beautiful...

Jessica Simpson...again, beautiful...

The perks of Steve working @ the Corp Headquarters of CVS! FREE beauty products! YAY!

Jake didn't take Ali back on "The Bachelor" last night...I was just as shocked as she was! If they don't work out in the long run, maybe she will be the next bachelorette?

I get a Barbie magazine in the mail. I'm cool, I know. UPDATE: THIS is the magazine... https://shop.barbiecollector.com/html/catreq/main.php

ORGANIC FERTILIZER

My cousin Jeremy is famous! :) Way to go Jer!

http://southeastfarmpress.com/vegetables-tobacco/organic-fertilizer-0212/

CRAB TOASTIES

I think this is the 1st recipe I have ever posted! I am sooo not a cooker or a baker. I'm on the same page as you Eve! ;).....BUT I have learned to master my mom's infamous CRAB TOASTIES!!! Each time she makes them they are a HUGE hit! I made them for the 1st time for Tiffany's bridal shower & for the 2nd time @ mine & Steve's neighborhood Valentines Day party! Let me tell you, they did NOT disappoint! This recipe is so freakin easy to follow! (I swear Eve!) I heart easy. Freel free to try them out for yourself! PS: If we are ever invited to the same party & we have to bring a dish to share don't you dare bring my crab toasties cause I'll be making these babies! ;) HA!

The recipe is below..but before you read on....

THIS is what "Old English Cheese" looks like. It's NOT in the cold section, it's usually located in the cracker aisle or the aisle w/ the Cheese Wiz or Handy Snacks! You might have to ask someone @ the grocery store where to find it! It's definitely a tricky hunt! Just pretend you are on "Super Market Sweep"! HA!.....EM: Thanks for the photo of the jar below!

1 stick of butter (room temp so you can mix it easily-do not melt it in the microwave, just set it out on the counter ahead of time till it gets soft)

1 jar of Kraft Old English Cheese

1 can "Premium Select" Lump/Fancy Lump Crab Meat-red can-Bumble Bee (in the tuna fish can section-drain juice as normal & make sure you take the paper out)
1 package of English Muffins

Seasoned Salt

Mix the butter, Old English Cheese, Crab Meat & a LIL bit of seasoned salt (you don’t want it too salty) into a bowl so it’s spreadable.

Split the English muffins in half & put them on a baking pan-BROIL until toasted-WATCH the oven...it only takes a few mins to toast…

Spread the mix onto the muffins.
Put the whole pan of muffins into the freezer until they are frozen. You can serve that day or another day! They last quite a while in the freezer!

Cut the muffins into 4’s w/ a sharp knife.
Put the lil muffins in a zip lock bag to store & seal it tight! You can put these back in the freezer & pull them out whenever you want to eat them! It’s nice you can make these way far in advance if you want!

Keep them frozen until you are ready to serve. Then pop them back into the oven on BROIL until they get bubbly. AGAIN, WATCH the oven, it only takes a few mins for this as well!

That’s it, I promise! ENJOY! MMMMMMMMM. Feel free to double, triple, ect the batch! They will go super fast!

MARDI GRAS

HAPPY FAT TUESDAY

We are "celebrating" it tonight by having Steve's friend Chris & his girlfriend Jennifer over for dinner! We plan to have a nice relaxing, snowy evening with them!

February 12, 2010

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Some people think that Valentines Day is a "Hallmark Holiday". Not me. At all. I LOVE VALENTINES DAY. It's one of my favorite holidays! I am sooo excited about our plans this year! I can't wait for the weekend to begin! And I definitely can’t wait to share these festivities & create many more memories with my husband! He set everything up for us, he has already made me feel sooo special!!! I love him so much. :) I really do count my blessings every day.

OUR VALENTINES DAY WEEKEND PLANS

FRI: work & relaxation

SAT: My 1st pregnancy photo shoot for our neighbor Trish & Gerald…then Valentines Day celebrations w/ Steve: “Valentines Day” movie, dinner @ Cassarino’s in Providence & an overnight hotel stay! YAY!

SUN: Cat Country’s Go Red for Women concert @ the Crowne Plaza Hotel-VIP style: Steel Magnolia, Josh Thompson & Jake Owen! This is my red dress for the event! I plan on pairing it w/ black tights & black heels! http://www.dhstyles.com/clothing/dresses/comecomo-gd511-red-sleeveless-beaded-cocktail-dress.html

***Our lunch theme today here @ COX is: Love is in the Air.....too cute.

I hope all of you out there enjoy the holiday of love! I hope you all feel special & have the chance to make someone else feel special as well! Hugs!

HERE FEW PHOTOS I FOUND THAT MAKE ME SMILE. ENJOY!

February 11, 2010

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?

If you watch "Gary Unmarried" (one of the best shows out there!) have you seen the classic car headlight photo on the fireplace mantel in his family room? I sooooooo want something similar! I want it for our kitchen! Maybe a few of them actually. I might have to find one & make a print or take a photo of one on my own. Love how it captures the side of the car a bit. Love the angel of the picture...

This is a screen shot from the show... see the photo? :)

BUUURRRRR-BEAN TOWN

Bean Town AKA BOSTON...what a whirlwind of a trip it was! 11 girls, freezing cold windy weather, lots of eating, drinking, dancing, picture taking & a few knocks on the door by the security guy!..........Short but sweet....By the time we got on the road this past Saturday it was around 1:30pm. We arrived at the hotel we were booked at only to find out that their was a flood on our floor. Sooo that hotel carted us around in taxi vans to an even nicer hotel! This is where we ended up staying! http://www.colonnadehotel.com/ ..........After we got settled some went shopping & some stayed in the room to start drinking & posing for photo ops (I was part of this group!)....7pm dinner reservations @ my most favorite restaurant ever-PF Changs. I ate sooooooo much-including desert! YUM!....Then it was off to bar hopping! A few low key places @ first...eventually we ended up @ some club in "the alley". A few of us got split up so my group had to meet the other girls. We learned pretty quickly that "the alley" wasn’t the bar name, it was the area....eventually we found our crew! Fun times it was! Even though a few of our shoes were killing us!!! Lesson learned...or not...HA! Thankfully when we eventually went back to the hotel we were able to flag down the coolest taxi van driver ever. He was so nice! We got back to the hotel around 2:30am....pizza was delivered around 3am & we were in bed around 4pm. I haven't done a late night like that in sooooo long! Can you believe we were up around 9am? NUTZ I'm telling you, just NUTZ!....Anyway, here are a few photos from the night, feel free to check out the full album if you want to see more! PS: Since our original hotel was flooded we are going to get our money back!!! That's right. We can now say we stayed in Boston for FREE! Yeeeaaahhh.
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The hot pink shoes I wore! My sister gave me these pretty ladies last year!