My New Favorite Kitchen Thing

*The opinions of this post are solely my own. I was not approached by Pampered Chef nor did I receive compensation for my review

A couple weekends ago, my mom hosted a Pampered Chef Party.  It was the third one I have been to this year.  The first party piqued my interest in the product again but I wasn't in a position to buy anything. BUMMER! My Seeeester had a Pampered Chef party a couple months later and a I just bought 1 item.  My mom just hosted one a couple weeks ago and I ordered this little beauty! :

The Small Baker! 

To say I LOVE this thing is an understatement! The best part?! I can use this baby in the oven OR the MICROWAVE! SHUT UP!!! No really!  I can! I'm so excited.  

Now I know what you are probably thinking - or your significant other is thinking - no WAY am I eating microwaved meat.  I was skeptical initially too.  But then at the 3 shows I recently went to, the rep used it so I had first hand taste-tested the food prepped in it. AND My mom and sister had purchased one and SWEAR by it.  I ordered it and could hardly wait to get it in! 

Well it arrived on Tuesday night! My mom brought it to my yesterday morning and I used it last night!!! People - before you walk away from this post, I HAVE to tell you how amazing this thing is!! 

I have been with The Husband now for nearly 5 years and he has ALWAYS been the one to make any meal using fish. I had never been around much fish until I met him. The man is truly a hunter/gatherer! He loves to fish and, well, being the amazing significant other that I am, I learned and participated in his hobbies. Who knew I would grow to enjoy and love them so much?! I don't clean the fish (ick!) and I have never cooked any of it...until LAST. NIGHT! 

We were both REALLY impressed - ANNNNNNNDDDD it only took FOUR MINUTES! in the microwave. It was DELICIOUS.  I am so so glad I bought this and it is DEF my new favorite piece of kitchen-ry.  

I guess all I ever needed was a rock and a microwave ;) 

Do you have any Pampered Chef ware?

Product of the Week and a little blue

I'm linking up for POTW

a couple weeks ago, I started looking at my hair. First of all I don't LOVE my hair color but I refuse to deal with coloring or highlighting it because a) it is expensive and b) the upkeep is more than I care to have to remember to do something about.
My next observation is that I want my hair to be shinier and look healthier. I did some research and read tons of reviews and information about various products. THEN I looked at cost because let's be serious, I know you get what you pay for but at some point I have to publicly admit I don't "ball so hard" and have a budget. So I went with something that is pretty inexpensive. I picked up some Organix shampoo and the Moroccan Oil.

 

I am so in love with both products! The oil was about $8 and the shampoo I can get at Walmart for $5.50! I noticed a difference immediately in my hair - both in the shine and how clean it felt. The products are sulfate free and I am thinking that has something to do with it. AND it smells really good =) It is weird that I think $6 for the shampoo to be inexpensive because I kind of get ruffled when I buy Pantene for $10 for a giant bottle. Ha what a weirdo!!!

You have probably noticed that today is March 1st. For some reason, I have been feeling a little down and out. I have a very happy life but today I'm a little grumpy and a little down.

I have amazing friends and a too-good-to-true husband and family.
We are gearing up to celebrate our SECOND wedding anniversary in a couple weeks and we are taking a four day weekend to spend time together at the end of the month.
March is going to be awesome!

But somehow, this morning, I woke up cranky. I feel anxious and I KNOW for certain, without a doubt, it is because there are things on the horizon that I am anticipating. I am finding it a little difficult lately to live in the NOW, the present. I look forward to weekends beginning on Monday. That is just silliness!

To top it all off, the last two morning I have ended up with headaches - yesterday, it didn't matter what I took, I had a headache until I went to sleep! This morning I woke up with a minor headache and it is being persistent. SO annoying! Thankfully it is duller and I think the meds I took are FINALLY starting to kick in.

I am trying to get out of this funky, eeyore-esq mood. Blogging helps me and reading all your positive comments and your amazing blogs/posts lifts me up. Thank you guys so much for being amazing and supportive and sharing with me when I share with you! Y'all rock my world =) Maybe a little Mexican food and ice cream are in order tonight =)

how do you get out of your funks?

Birthday Recap & 2 Product Reviews

So I am want some wine...badly! We went to Maggiano's last night for Jessica's birthday.  The food was fabulous -- the service...eh, not so much. Actually it was borderline terrible.  I was horribly disappointed.  I feel like when you have that kind of dining experience, you are going there for more than the food.  We aren't talking about some secret hole-in-the-wall restaurant that you heard about from your friend's brother's ex! This is Maggiano's!! The food was phenomenal though =)

They mix red wine with the oil to dip your bread

J had the Rustic Chicken & Shrimp -- SO YUMMY!

I had the Crab & Shrimp Cannelloni

Birthday Girl!





Oh and I ordered a GLASS of wine...it was like a shot of wine =( I was SO sad! AND it was $8! LAME! I was told that it was so small because it was a dessert wine.  I don't care what kind of wine it was I wanted a GLASS! =/ Oh well it was very tasty.

Alright so I tried 2 other types of dry shampoo.  I tried Big Sexy Hair:

This was the result of using it...

I had to wear my hair up because it looked heavy and a little dirty =/ I tried messing with it 3 different times and didn't really like the results any of the times =/

I also tried this one based on a recommendation from a co-worker. It's called Pssst!  I could only find it at Walgreen's but it's $6!!!! and a big can too!

This was the result of that use:

I am MUCH happier with this product AND it's inexpensive! =)

Tomorrow night I plan on being on my couch with The Husband, watching movies and drinking REAL glasses of wine =)

J & A Chronicles: Engagement Party & a Product Review

Happy Friday All!!! It's a beautiful crisp day here in Central Florida -- the perfect day to tell you about our engagement party! =) 

It was hosted by my sister (Maid of Honor) and my parents, with the help of 2 of my 3 bridesmaids. It was a very HUMID day in August 2009 but we had a great time hanging out and socializing with our friends and family whom we hoped would attend the biggest day of our lives.

 

  

  

I have lots more pictures at home and I think we had at least 60 people at our house, but this is just a 'summary'  it was so happy and we had such a great time! Some of the people who made it for the engagement party couldn't make it to the wedding but we were happy they could celebrate with us in some form. =)

Now onto my product review.  I have gotten into a bad habit of staying in bed too long.  I can't help it.  J's all snuggled up with me in our amazingly comfy bed...I just can't bring myself to get up haha.  So I was telling my friend Anng about my dilemma and how it's making me late because I HAVE to shower.  No seriously -- if I don't, it looks like I just finished working out -- ie: GREASEY hair! ick! She told me about dry shampoo.  I had heard of it but never have I been brave enough to try it.  Well last night she convinced me to buy some.  I bought this:

I got it at Sephora but I think you can get it at Ulta.  I used it this morning and this is what my hair looks like:

I have to say I am PLEASANTLY surprised! The thing is...the girl at Sephora said it smelled really good.  Let's be real here people, it smells EXACTLY like Pledge.  That's not a happening smell for my head.  My other dislike of this product is that it was $11 for this little thing!!!  Anng said she uses Big Sexy Dry Shampoo.  I am going to try that and/or Pssst that my co-worked told me about. The best thing about shopping at Sephora/Ulta.  If you use a product and hate it for some reason, they take returns -- yes, this includes stuff you have used/tried. So for those ladies out there that are hesitant to try new products because of return policies, shop at Sephora or Ulta, and you can return the product =)
I intend to return it tonight or tomorrow and trying a new one =) I'll let you know what I find!

Enjoy your Friday!