142 Cupcakes and Being Busy at Work

HAPPY FRIDAY Y'ALL!!!

I am SO SUPER busy at work! 

I get there early and leave late. I'm swamped!

By the time I get home, I am SO tired, I am not doing anything except relaxing.

Except for last night - I baked 142 cupcakes

Actually I made 144 cupcakes - but The Husband thought he needed to taste test.

And yes, they were mini - not full sized. But still. 

I made them to sell for Relay for Life.

My mom and sister each have a team, my sister is the Chair Person for the event.

Silly girl - she can't help but volunteer.  She already has a lot on her plate...

but it is for a good cause. And I will go and support them! =) YAY!

I have no plans for the weekend other than helping with this event.

I'm hoping for a relaxing Sunday and maybe a crafty Saturday.

I know - how boring am I?! 

But seriously - I have to have some down time where I am not stressed.

Work has me stressed to the max and I'm just exhausted.

On top of that silliness, I think I am getting sick =( 

I plan on running 3-4 miles tonight at the relay in hopes of pushing it out of my system.

Oh and I am totally going back to get this watch:

I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since trying it on

and it is like 60% less than retail! I should have just gotten it yesterday...

but that isn't my style ;)

What are you getting into this weekend??

DIY Makeup Organization

Hey hey!! Happy Thursday! 

So this past weekend, The Husband and I did a couple quick and easy DIY projects in an effort to make me more organized.  In his words, I have a lot of clutter.  Any girl knows that I don't have clutter - everything I have out (makeup and accessories) are tools to make me more amazing =) 

Anyhow - I saw on Pinterest that some people were up-cycling spice racks as a nail polish organizer. I think this is a great idea. The problem I found was that I couldn't find a wooden spice rack...or a wall spice rack of any kind for that matter! SO I talked to The Husband and we opted to build our own =) 

Materials:

2 - 6' 1X2 boards

chop saw/saw of some type

Nails/nail gun

6' piece of trim

spray paint

Liquid Nail

ratchet strap

OK so first thing - I wanted to mount this thing INSIDE the door on my side of the vanity. We SHOULD have measured the door but we didn't - off we went to the store. We over bought in material BUT it worked out perfectly for the second part of this post =) 

When we got home, we measured the door of the vanity.

We decided to make the shelf 14.5" tall and 9" wide. 

Then it was time to decide how many shelves - we agreed on four. 

Make sure at LEAST one shelf is tall enough to accommodate your tallest polish.

After you measure and decide on a size, make the cuts for your shelves and sides.

Nail these pieces together -- so you should have 2 long pieces for the sides and 4 shelves.

Measure and cut the lengths of the trim.  (4 pieces)

Nail the trim to the from of each shelf - this will keep your nail polish from jumping off the shelf =) 

We filled the nail holes with Spackle and waited for it to dry/set.

This is before the spray paint. I feel like you can see a little better what I am talking about in the directions.

I took this outside and spray painted it white. 

Once the paint was dry, we put liquid nail on the back side, stuck it to the shelf.  We used the ratchet strap to hold the shelf up tight against the cabinet door until the liquid nail dried.

Load with nail polish! =) I LOVE that it can see all my polish AND it is out of the way. This beats the heck out of having them in a drawer or box all piled up on one another!

So since we OVER PURCHASED on the 1X2, I decided I wanted a little more organization in my makeup drawer. Make some measurements, cut the wood, nail it in the drawer and TA-DA!

I can actually fit all my makeup in the drawer AND the more amazing thing...

I can FIND it all!! No more staring blindly into my messy make up drawer =)

Each piece has it's own designated area =) YAY!

So that's it =) These projects took all of 2 hours combined. We - well I -- was also cleaning out under my sink cabinet and getting rid of old makeup so it probably could have been done quicker =) 

Oh and speaking of under the cabinet, does anyone else think it is absolutely preposterous that they don't automatically put some sort of shelf on at least ONE side in the bathroom vanity cabinet?!

Have you done any DIY projects lately?
How do you keep your makeup and nail polish organized?

Favorite Color Swap!!!

 

Mamarazzi is hosting ANOTHER giveaway!! YAY!

You may remember the swap I recently participated in:

My Favorite Things

WELLLLLL she has set up a new giveaway:

Favorite Color Swap!!

I'm so excited about this one! 

You send your swap partner a package full of items of THEIR favorite color!

Can you imagine receiving an AMAZING happy piece of mail

AND everything inside is YOUR favorite color (s)?! 

I KNOW! Sounds SO fantastic right?! 

I can't wait to start shopping for my swap partner =) 

What I'm Loving

Hi Y'all!!! 

I know I have been a smidge absent so far this week.

It's hard to be away from me, I know ;) 

It is Wednesday - THANK GOODNESS!

and as I tend to do, I'm linking up for WILW! YAY!

Jess over at Stilettos and a Fishing Pole received this shirt

I am LOVING this shirt!!! 

Before meeting The Husband, I would have definitely considered this girl a YANKEE!  In the last almost 5 years, I have taken a turn for the Southern.

Now don't get me wrong, I can't claim to be a SOUTHERN girl like The Kentucky Priss. But I can proudly say, I'm definitely a little of both!

Therefore, I need this shirt =) 

I'm LOVING accessories!

I for real can NOT get enough!!! 

Because of my new obsession with fun and cute accessories, I keep it in budget.

That's right. I get the goods at F21! 

Here are some new additions thanks to my birthday

  

I'm loving the weather lately!

The last couple days it has been right around 75*

PERFECT running weather!

I'm loving that in the past two days I have already run 4 miles!

I am hoping to run at least 3 on Friday at Relay for Life

I'll be taking today off and maybe doing some strength tomorrow.

I'm loving my wonderful husband who does all sorts of random things and projects for me! and I am LOVING this silly picture from my birthday =) 

What are you loving?!

Doing Nice Things Gives Me Warm Fuzzies

Happy Friday Friends!!! 

whew! This girl has been SO tired this week!! 

We have spent the better part of the week helping some sweet friends remodel their parent's kitchen. 

As you can see from the pictures below, EVERYTHING needed to be done. 

Over the course of about six days, The Husband and I, along with a few other couples have been helping on and off this past weekend and after work. 

BEFORE

 

 

Here is what we were able to help with this week. 

AFTER

 

This was a surprise for Marc's parents while they were out of town for the week.

It needed to be done and Marc and Christy asked for a helping hand.

We were thrilled to be a part of it! 

I can't wait to hear their reaction =) 

Well peeps - that's all I have. I'm exhausted and I'm ready to lay down. 

Can you believe we actually do NOT have plans for this weekend?!

AND it is supposed to rain so I guess that is God's way of saying "RELAX!"

Five o'clock is still five LONG hours away but I'm sure I will manage.

I WILL be getting a LARGE Dr. Pepper at lunch to get me through.

Hopefully, I will feel alright enough to go for a run after work...we'll see! 

Happy Friday! 

Have an amazing and relaxing weekend!

Product of the Week: MAKE-UP

I have this friend and she has GORGEOUS skin. 

She is always glowing in photos. 

I know some people just have that glow, but I was hoping some of it was make up induced.

I messaged her. 

I was in luck!

She DOES in fact use makeup for her fresh face! YAY!

Her secret: and now MINE:

Neutrogena Skin Clearing Makeup!!!

I had TERRIBLE acne in jr high and high school; 

It was so bad, I took accutane for a year. 

PS: that stuff makes you a wee bit crazy!!

moving on....

I switched to the foundation and mineral powder like a week ago. 

I'm in LOVE!!!!!!!!

My face is ALREADY clearing up again!

It has amazing coverage without being heavy.

oh AND did I mention the FABULOUS deal I got?!

Walgreen's had consumer coupons for $3 off

THEN they were running buy one, get one half off

SOOOOOO

I nearly scored two for the price of one!

YEAH!

Happy Friday Eve!

What is your go-to face product?

Photo Booths are a MUST! Birthday Edition

HI Y'all!!!! 

How was your weekend?! Was it as absolutely amazing as mine?!

As many of you know, last Friday was my birthday! 

The Husband took me to an amazing restaurant that we hadn't tried: Milliken's Reef. Seriously the food was DELICIOUS! I had crab cakes and Caribbean rice! 

I love going on dates with The Husband; just him and I. Especially when we sit on the same side of the table so we can laugh and giggle and have the same viewpoint of those around us. 

Saturday was the big party celebration! 

We spent ALL morning running errands and getting things prepared. 

Dinner was had at the local Outback Steakhouse where I ALWAYS get the seared Ahi Tuna appetizer as my meal. We had the ABSOLUTE BEST service while we were there.

That is saying something because there were 23 people! 

After dinner we made our way back to the house where a dessert bar had been prepared.

 

I made FOUR different flavors of cupcakes for my dessert bar: 

Almond

Yellow Cake

Dr. Pepper

Spice Cake

SO yummy! I made little mini-cupcakes that are bite size and oh so dangerous =) 

My mom helped make some goodies; including home made swiss cake rolls, brownies, grasshopper brownies, and oatmeal cookies. I made the stands from $2 chargers from Hobby Lobby and $1 glass candlestick holders from Dollar Tree! 

I set up a photobooth in one of the rooms. 

That was seriously the Best. Idea. EVER! 

 

I got the background from Party City - it is a plastic table cloth.

The stick on Mustaches are from Party city. 

The boa is from Hobby Lobby.

All the other props came from Dollar Tree!

   

As you can see, not everyone got crazy like some of us =) 

There are well over 100 photos that were taken over the course of the evening.

It was by far one of the most fun things I have been a part of.

I definitely encourage those of you planning a wedding - DO A PHOTOBOOTH! 

......oh and, Add a couple of loaded Corona's for good measure =) 

We Gonna Party Like It's Your Birthday

HIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What up Lovelies?! 

Happy Friday the 13th!!! 

More importantly - 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME 

I am so looking forward to the weekend's festivities! Tonight I'm going to dinner with The Husband. 

The card he gave me this morning was so sweet! 

I'm so lucky to be his best friend and wife!

TOMORROW is the PAR-TAYYY!!! So excited! 

Seriously. 

It is going to be AMAZING! 

Here are pictures from the last 5 years of birthday celebrations for your enjoyment =) 

2007

2008

2009

2010

was REALLY low key because the month before was our wedding and honeymoon.

I took a few pictures but you seriously can't tell there is a celebration...

Plus we were STILL. EXHAUSTED.

2011 (Here and Here)

 

I can't wait to share deets next week on our festivities for the weekend!

I CAN tell you that it is going to be so much fun! I am so excited!

Come on 5:00!!!

Have a wonderful weekend! 

{Recipe} Champagne Cupcakes

I saw these on Pinterest - shocking I know! 

BUT the for real shocker is that they are from Betty Crocker! 

I can honestly say I had no idea all the wonderful recipes and concoctions I found existed on BETTY CROCKER! Some of them are SO innovative!! 

Last night I had a hankering for some cupcakes! 

We didn't have many eggs and ZERO oil AND I wanted something fun and NOT boring. 

ENTER: CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES

(should be PINK but this girl doesn't have food coloring)

Champagne Cupcakes

1

box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix (I used Vanilla cake)

1 1/4

cups champagne

1/3

cup vegetable oil

3

egg whites

Buttercream Frosting

1/2

cup butter or margarine, softened

4

cups powdered sugar

1/4

cup milk

1

teaspoon vanilla

• 1
  Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• 2
  In large bowl, mix dry cake mix and champagne. Add oil and egg whites. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
• 3
  Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• 4
  In medium bowl, beat frosting ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle with garnishes. Store loosely covered.

OK NOW I followed the frosting directions. It was THICK! 

so I decided I needed to add some milk...this was my frosting outcome:

When you are finished laughing, NOTE that this frosting was administered VIA A PIPING BAG! 

No, no, I'm not joking.
Seriously - SADDEST attempt EVER. 

I went back and added some more powdered sugar to thicken up the frosting.

VIOLA! Sheer perfection y'all!!! 

AHHHH! Much better! 

I LOVED these! The champagne gave the cake a fresh/crisp flavor.
These would seriously be perfect to take to the beach.

Because I had so many, I took pretty much ALL of them to work today.  

I plan on making a pretty good amount for Saturday night, with some variety so we'll have leftovers this weekend. 

SO what did I learn from this?? Use frosting from the tub - it is PERFECT for decorating...

Seriously people, they perfected cake in a box and frosting in a jar. Take ADVANTAGE.

Just sayin!

Happy almost Friday!!

Three Years Ago Today

I can't believe how fast time flies now that I am an adult! It's seriously SO crazy!

Three years ago today, an amazing man proposed to me.

You can read the proposal here

 

This is one of my all time favorite photos of the two of us. We should totally wear cobalt blue more! =)

My gorgeous engagement ring. The Husband did such an amazing job picking it out all by his lonesome!

So much has happened in the three years since I said 'yes'. 

We planned an amazing wedding.

We got married.

We have struggled financially.

We have overcome financial struggles.

We found The Husband a new job. 

We have both been promoted.

We have bought a house.

The MOST important aspect of all those statements is WE. 

WE have done all these things together; as a couple. 

I have loved every moment - the ups, the downs, the good, the bad. 

I'll never forget the day he proposed and asked me to be his wife. 

Happy Tuesday!! 

Where Did My Weekend Go?!

Hey hey!!

I couldn't believe last night when I laid down in bed that my weekend was OVER! I was bummed but my weekend, while FULL, was a LOT of fun!

Friday night, we didn't do anything and The Husband was asleep on the couch by 7:30.  He woke up around 9 and decided we should watch a movie.  We have had one of our Netflix movies since JANUARY.  It was Twilight and he actually sat through the whole movie with me! =) I saw it in theaters right after it came out - to be honest, I thought the movie was atrocious...like almost walked out of the theater terrible.  This go round, it was definitely more tolerable. I just would NOT have cast Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan...I think she is terrible but whatever...I do believe I am like 1 of THREE people who feel this way lol. 

Saturday, we were up bright and early to shop with my mom.  Dad had a presentation to work on, so it was just Mom, The Husband, and I. We had an absolute BLAST.  My parents agreed to re-stock my wardrobe for my birthday so Saturday morning that is what our shopping list was for = YAY birthday! =) I had such an amazing time!! We laughed a LOT and I am getting some amazing items! I can't wait to share.  My mom took the clothes with her to show Dad AND so she could wrap them; yes I LOVE unwrapping gifts =) 

Saturday night was spent at Senor Frogs for a friend's birthday.  

Have you ever been? The two times I have cruised, I have never made a trip into a Senor Frogs. I will tell you that initially I was overwhelmed by the noise and everything that was going on. We had such a great time; lots of laughing, drinks, and dancing =) 

 

Sunday, we tried a new church that both The Husband and I LOVE! We will definitely be going more regularly which makes my heart happy =) 

We spent time with both parents/families and suddenly our day was over! 

 

When we FINALLY got home Sunday evening, we watched Robin Hood with Russell Crowe.  I LOVE him - I think he should ONLY do period movies! I really really enjoyed the movie; I think tonight we will watch Gladiator =) 

Today - I am suffering from a food hangover.  

When I eat a LOT more than I normally do, I feel like I do every want to eat again. 

Yesterday was one of those days. I missed breakfast because we were running late for church.

THEN when we finally ate at The Husband's parent's, I ate way too much, only to repeat the same mistake a mere 3 hours later. 

Hopefully, by this weekend, I will feel more up to eating lol I can't WAIT to celebrate my birthday this coming weekend! 

How was your Easter?