Sugar and Shopping and a Wedding

 Since we last spoke, we've done a lot of eating (for MS' birthday), and some traveling east (for a wedding).

First stop - cookie slop pie. Well, the official name is No Bake Cookie Pie. Cookie slop is Matt's mom's recipe and it's basically the same thing in a 9x13 - chocolate chip cookies dipped in milk layered with cool whip. It is absolutely fabulous and ridiculously easy.

We did eat an actual meal beforehand. Pioneer Woman's Penne alla Vodka. You haven't lived until you've been to the liquor store 6 months pregnant.

On Friday's grocery store run I saw this monstrosity. We all know how that game ended. RTR.

Confession: I've never made chili. So of course I decided that's what I had to cook for my family dinner for Matt's birthday. My friend's recipe did not disappoint and it was the perfect meal for a cold Fall night.

Mom made the red velvet cake - Matt's favorite.

Before heading to Atlanta on Saturday we dropped Namath at Doggy Day Camp - aka the vet by Matt's parents house. Boarding him at a different vet has proved way less traumatic for his tender ego. Despite the stink eye in this pic.

I got 3 of 6 magazines read on the trip, and we arrived at the hotel to this cute welcome bag.

The wedding and reception were gorgeous. Loved these centerpieces - I'm a sucker for a hydrangea. They had food stations from all the countries they've traveled together as a couple. Thailand, Italy, France and Australia as well as a Southern food station for Georgia. Delicious! When else can you eat pad thai and mashed potatoes in one sitting?!

You know MS wasted no time getting out on the dance floor.

Erin was a beautiful bride! That dress...maybe one of the prettiest I've seen. If I knew the names of fabrics, I would tell you, but it was really different and oh so pretty.

We made our first trip to Ikea Sunday on our way out of town. We picked up quite a few things, and besides an odd and end, all of our main items for the nursery are purchased.

A sneak peak at one of our finds:

We fit it all in, thank goodness.

Being a mile from The Varsity, there was only one thing left to do.

A Little Friday Q&A

Today I'm breaking away from the Friday Five brain dump to do a little Q&A with The Williams....

1. What is your favorite recipe?

It's hard to beat a good soup in the crock pot. White Chicken Chili or Taco Soup. I'm just waiting on the slightest change in temperature to take the plunge. Shredding your chicken in the Kitchen Aid mixer makes the White Chicken Chili, if you ask me. Which hey, you did!

A few key ingredients

2. What is your favorite hair product?

I've blogged about this recently, but right now I'm loving the Kenra Blow Dry Spray.

I love this too - and didn't realize how much until I ran out and my roots came running in. Yikes. This stuff is a lifesaver. I'll be picking up a can this weekend to get through to my next highlighting appointment.

3. What is the best vacation you have been on?

Hands down, Greece. Not only was it beautiful, it was the longest vacation I've ever taken, we were iPhone free and able to totally unplug. Plus, the food was amazing.

4. Tell us your favorite meal? 

Mexican, easy! I often take pictures of my Mexican because it's just that good it should be shared with a photo. A Chille Relleno (not fried, which is hard to find) and a quesadilla can make everything ok.

5.  Dream job?

I like my job pretty well right now. But I guess if I was choosing something as a total dream, could I review spas? I would be very thorough.

6. Christmas or Thanksgiving? 

I love them both, but I think overall, I like Christmas better. It's a true season, and I love decorating and all the time with friends and family. Last year was the first year in our house and I loved getting to decorate. 

7. Favorite clothes store? 

TJ Maxx for sure. I love finding a good bargain, and it seems there is always ones to be found, if you're willing to search around. I have to be in the mood, but some of my favorite things are from TJ!

8. What is your favorite Football team and do you have any traditions on game day? 

If you read my blog for any amount of time in the Fall, this is an easy one - Alabama! We are having quite the run right now, so the past few years have been super fun. We love having people over to watch, and make it down a couple times a year to Tuscaloosa to tailgate with friends.

Pivotal moment in last years heart stopper with LSU.

Namath enjoys the festivities too. 

Football season has great food. One of my favorite go to sites for a new dip - Plain Chicken.

9. Favorite TV Show?

I watch entirely too much TV. At least I recognize the problem. But if we're talking about shows I like to watch live and can't stand to miss, I would go with Dexter, Homeland and Parenthood.

10. DIY or buy everything? 

I like to think I'm crafty, and I've made a few DIY items. But for the most part, I buy. A few Pinterest inspired items as of late -

I think that ends this portion of our Q&A, and my brain already feels lighter on this Friday. Happy weekend, friends!

Chicago - Day Three - Take Me Out to the Ballgame

One of the things MS was most excited about was going to the Cubs game/seeing Wrigley Field. Like a good wife, I went along, and like a smart wife, I bargained for some shopping time at H&M.

First, Wrigleyville.

We had to eat at the Houndstooth, being Alabama fans and all.

We won't talk about the fact that our waitress didn't know what a yellowhammer was. Sigh.

 Me and MS, and an action shot of a local runner. Just keeping it real. Yes, MS is wasting away.

 They did figure out what a yellowhammer was, luckily, since that was MS' drink of choice. I documented mid-sentence. I take those liberties as blog writer.

  A collage - aka I'm trying to figure out Picasa.

 I wore the closest I could to Cubs colors. I may should have accessorized with some red. Hindsight is 20/20. We sat in the outfield bleachers, because you are supposed to for the experience. It was a great view, but got a little warm.

View of the skyline from the bleachers.

Deep thoughts on beer number two, or three.

  A quick snapshot of our hotel between stores.

I promised I would be back to the Hershey store for this smore treat. It was worth every calorie.

We had a great time in the Windy City and would definitely go back - if for no other reason than the food. If you get a chance to visit, pack your stretchy pants and jump on a plane.

Chicago - Day Two

On day two, the weather was forecasting CODE BLACK GRADE FIVE storms. I'm not kidding. There really was some kind of code black.  Which I only know from Grey's Anatomy, and I think it means bomb threat, but clearly not in this case.

All that to say, we were going to take the highly rated architectural tour, but didn't think CODE BLACK weather merited getting on a boat. So, we used our free time to try to squeeze in some of the sights before the storm came in.

Millennium Park, home of The Bean.

And some weird pig art that I made MS pose with.

There she is.

MS approached, camera in hand.

I was close behind so we could take some selfies. Because that's what you do at The Bean. I think.

We look really matchy matchy. I promise we are not that couple - despite evidence to the contrary.

After The Bean, we crossed the river and headed to the John Hancock building for the view and a cocktail.

The view.

 The cocktail.

 View from the women's bathroom. I talked the bathroom views up to MS, and turns out, the men's bathroom didn't even have windows.

 Notice the teeny tiny green spaces on top of the buildings. I bet those are bragged about in real estate listings. My zillow app came in handy  to do some price checking. Newsflash: we can't afford these condos.

 The great iPhone photographer at work.
 

 For dinner, it was time for Chicago's most famous dish - the deep dish pizza. It did not disappoint. We opted for pepperoni, sausage and peppers at Pizza Due.

We saved just enough room for after dinner cocktails. 

We toasted to the fact that the five alarm storm totally missed downtown.

 MS skipped out on the girly drinks and headed for bourbon on the rocks. Pizza and bourbon - I think it was his perfect night.

 I will leave you with some sage advice.

 Do with it what you will.