We're going to...Party...Fiesta

If I could blast some Lionel Richie in my cube today, I certainly would. It's a rainy Monday. I have a flat tire and hair that is anything but. I made a horribly embarrasing e-mail blunder that I've spent most of my energy trying to forget about. But, we are coming off a great weekend, so let's recap and try to fight off this case of the Mondays, shall we?

This weekend was our first wedding shower. Not to beat a dead horse, but I absolutely cannot believe we are knocking on September - when the clouds part and deliver cooler air, fresh McDreamy, Dexter and Alabama football. I digress. Let's recap the last weekend of August.

We have wonderful friends who organized a couples fiesta for me and my groom this weekend. We had a great time visiting with everyone, and felt so loved that everyone took the time out to celebrate with us. Sixty-one days and counting!

The guest book. A minor detail I overlooked until Saturday morning.

All the delicious food. I regret I didn't eat more. Not something I can say too often.
Thank God for to go plates.

Wanta fanta, dont you wanta fanta? Yes, I do. Love this shirt Mrs. Smith! So festive.

Melissa, me and Laura. By the food table.


The boys helped out by keeping an eye on the beer all night.

One of these is not like the others....But, we like him even though he's not a blonde.

Our wonderful hosts even prepared a fun little activity for us.

Christina, me and Melissa. These recent brides have been my wikipedia for wedding questions. They are the best!

We had to go into the kitchen to get a picture with Suz since she worked her tail off in there all night. It did not go unnoticed! I believe now that you like us:)

It was a fantastic way to say goodbye to summer and kick off the wedding countdown. Thanks to all our gracious hosts for their hard work! We love ya'll!!

(and Matt)

Seeing Red Crimson

Last night I enjoyed...

Some red wine.

Red sauce.


A handsome fiancee dressed in red.

And a preview of a lot of Crimson.

I'm a little behind, but caught up last night with the Training Days: Rolling with the Tide that aired on ESPN U last week. Loved. It. (Editors note: the red theme was unintentional. I swear.)

This was probably my favorite part. Alabama fan or not, you've gotta admit, this is pretty funny.



Can you believe it's football season? It seemed so far off, and here we are. I'm pumped. You should be too. Football season = cake ball season. Recipe to come.

I'm Lovin' It

A few things that are putting a smile on my face this week. From head to toe.

I read about this stuff on a few blogs as favorite beauty products earlier this year, and I just had to try it. It does an awesome job of keeping my blonde from getting brassy. It smells a little like old lady, but such is the price of beauty. I bought this stuff because, you guessed it, I had a great coupon. I love nivea products, and this doesn't smell like old lady. On the contrary, it's got a great fresh scent. Who knew bamboo smelled so wonderful?

This guy's OCD makes my Tuesday nights. I would love to get him and Bethenny Frankel in a room together.

Exhibit A:




Do you see that the HIGH is 92? That means its mostly in the 80's today. It practically feels like fall. Which means football, cream cheese dips, post 7 a.m. runs and the return of Namath breathing normally. Come to mama.

Polish of choice for last week's pedi. It almost makes me glad its still blazing hot outside. Almost. It also makes me excited for OPI's new fall line. I have a good feeling about William Tell Me About OPI. Think I can get away with it on the toes 10.30.10?

Back in the Saddle

We are back.

Laundry is done and suitcases put away.

I've traded my bathing suit for a business suit.

We had such a relaxing trip. I finished two books, hardly took any pictures and sported a ponytail for the majority of the weekend. It was just what the doctor ordered.

We left early Friday morning. So early in fact, I ran out the door and left the baked goods I had slaved over the night before. I sulked for a good 15 minutes. Seriously. Have you ever had chess bars? If so, you can understand my sadness.

We got to the beach in time to spend a whole afternoon enjoying the sun. Isn't the ocean beautiful?! There are few things I love more than sitting by the ocean, good book in hand.

After brushing the sand off and putting on our finest attire, we headed to Dewey Destin's - a little jewel the Searson's discovered on their last beach visit.

It's not much to look at.

But the food and ambience couldn't be beat. The company wasn't so bad either.

We went for a run Saturday morning, before mixing up one of my favorite beach concotions - the banana daiquiri. The mix can only be found at the beach - or so has been our experience. It nearly filled the chess bar void.

We got some rain in the afternoons, so we headed to the outlets. Unable to escape corporate America completely, I snagged a couple of suits for a great deal.

And that's about all she wrote, folks.

We ate, we drank, we felt our toes in the sand.

Is there anything better?

CVS Trippin'

It was a great week at CVS. I'm so enjoying playing the grocery/drug store games and being stocked up on things I need and use. It's so nice when you run out of something to have a replacemment waiting in the wings that you got a great deal on!

The loot:

The rundown:
(1) Tide 100 oz
(1) Purex 20 count 3-in-1 laundry sheets
(1) Blink eye drops
(1) Glide floss
(1) Herbal essence shampoo
(1) Aussie hair spray


Transaction 1:
Blink eye drops: $7.99
Glide floss: $3.50

Used:
$.75 off Glide
$1.50 off Blink
5 ECBs

Paid: $4

Received: 10.50 ECBs

Transaction 2:
Tide: $10.96
Purex:$5.99

Used:
$1 off Tide
$3 off Purex
10.50 ECBs

Paid: $6.66 (even the cashier commented....yikes.)

Received: 4 ECBs

Transaction 3:
Aussie hair spray
Herbal Essence shampoo

Used:
BOGO Aussie/Herbal Essence
4 ECBs

Paid: $3

So, in total, I got $48 dollars of merchandise for $15. Not too shabby. There's something to be said for getting to know your cashiers. Mine let me do two seperate transactions, and congratulated me for 'workin' it'. Thanks girl!

This weekend is destined to be full of volumized hair, moisturized eyes, fresh clothes and plaque free teeth.
TGIF!

All Signs Pointing South

Three books. Mostly mindless. This could mean only one wonderful thing. We are beach bound soon. I can hardly contain my excitement. It even merits an exclamation point!

On a semi-related note, if you haven't heard, the library is a wonderful thing. The largest one in town is mere blocks from the corporate tower I call home 40 hours a week, and every time I go I kick myself for not turning off Bravo and reading a few more books.

My favorite feature? Well, since you asked, the online ordering is fantastic. This morning, I checked out the web site for the book(s) I wanted to make sure they were in. If they werent, and I hadn't waited until the last minute, I could have them shipped from another library to the one closest to me. Fabulous.

This may be old news and/or common knowledge, but just a friendly reminder of something you are already paying for out of every single paycheck with your hard earned dollars a free service.

Any books you recommend? I think I have time for one more trip this week...

Calm before the storm

I can feel it in my bones. The storm of packing, shopping, addressing, moving, writing thank yous and attending to details is perched to take over the next 74 days couple of months.

Until then, we've been enjoying the down time.

Watching the sunset from the comfort of the couch.

Playing a little pool.

And enjoying the last bit of summer with these cuties.

I have a feeling these next few months will be gone faster than this ice cream...

Wordless Wednesday

Things I could eat three times a week edition.


Name this delicious dish -

Layin' Low

It was a busy weekend, although we didn't participate in much social activity outside of a couple family dinners. Saturday we ran a lot of errands and focused on spending time with the dog child. He needed a little TLC after the past few week's comings and goings.


This guy loves his toys BIG time. He chewed on this ball so hard it drew blood. Take it down a notch, buddy.


That's more like it.

Just when I think this dog of mine can't get any more awkward and goofy, I finally caught one of his fits on camera. It was just a matter of time before I could document the snakes in his head. Apologies for the dark lighting and the sounds of Matthew agging him on.

God love him.

It's Amazing...

This past weekend, Matt competed with a team from work in The Amazing Race to benefit the Lakeshore Foundation. Everyone was responsible for fundraising for the team and since the competitions team had monopolized the baked goods department, Matt took matters into his own hands and sent out a mass e-mail:

Good morning,

As you can tell from the spread in the 5th floor breakroom, the "DBA” team has tried to monopolize all the donations with their delicious baked goods. However, as the ONLY member of the “EHS Sales” Team here at Brookwood Metroplex, I’ll be accepting your generous donations as well. Even though I can’t provide you with a snack, I’ll be handing out “Handshakes & Hugs”. **Hugs for the ladies only, please**
Seriously though, I have a bucket at my cube for donations. If you’re not sure where I sit, just call my extension and I’ll come to you.

Thanks in advance for your contributions to this year’s WINNING TEAM!

Matt

Gotta love the effort. He ended up racking the most on his team, so I was proud of his creativity.

The race started at the foundation campus. The foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes independence for persons with physically disabling conditions and provides opportunities to pursue active, healthy lifestyles. (lifted straight from their web site) The morning was spent participating in activites to give competitors an idea of what it's like to live with a disability and the awesome things they are able to learn to do so well. They got a clue for completeing each activity and then raced around the city. It's modeled after the TV show The Amazing Race....so you get the idea.

Here's a few of the team shots I was able to get in my short time as spectator.

Before they were off to race around the city (and I was off to race around Publix).

Team EHS ended up coming in 5th. Maybe that's where the aggression to win at Catch Phrase came from? The pieces are coming together.

Have a great weekend!

Winner, winner chicken sausage dinner.

Healthy and budget friendly. These are two concepts that are sometimes hard to mesh. Its definitely easier to whittle down your grocery budget when you throw calories out the window, but life is all about balance, and this area is no different.

So, when I saw an easy, healthy recipe on a blog last week and the ingredients were all on sale at The Pub, I crossed my fingers it would be a winner. And it was.

Cut up some chicken or turkey sausage and yellow and green squash. Drizzle with olive oil and add a dash of sea salt and pepper. Or any seasoning you like. Put in a 9x13 pan.

Broil for about 10 minutes, or until you see char marks. Take out and stir. Return to oven for 10 minutes on 325.

Serve with brown rice. I threw a piece of toasted sourdough on the plate as well for no other reason than I had it and its my favorite. It was easy, it was delicious, it was a hit.

Here's the original recipe. Lots of good variations on this one!