Showing posts with label Things I Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Things I Love. Show all posts
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A Woman of Few Words...


 Dress and Purse: Thrifted
Shoes: Aldo (circa '08)
Earrings: Forever 21



So folks here it is, my favorite dress. I wear it constantly but for some reason I never have the camera when I do! I dont have much more to say than that :)

Have A Great Weekend!
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Skin So Soft (SSS)

So, my husband is a teacher and so since he is off of work during the summer and I work from home we have been spending a ton of time together... so this is the reason why his has been mentioned in all of my post lastly... besides I find him extremely amusing.

Soooooo, I know that we all have our bathing rituals... they are very personal and private. Well, my husband was in the bathroom one morning when I was going through my after bath ritual. Now, please understand I was really trying to get him out but NOOOO, he was brushing his hair and grooming his beard for what seemed like forever. Sooo, Im waiting for him to leave all wrapped up in my towel and he is just not getting the point. Well, since it didnt seem like I was going to get my normal alone time I started with my normal lotion ritual. I was almost done when he was like "hold up, hold up... are you really putting all that crap on your skin"... I start rolling my eyes like here we go! He is always joking on me.

I actually use all of these lotions everyday and have been for years.

The Shea butter lotion is for my legs and feet, the lotion gets mixed with the baby oil... especially during the summer.

The Stretch Mark lotion goes on places that have or could get stretch marks... I have a few marks on my stomach so I use it there but I dont have them on my arms, butt and breast and I dont want them so its like preventive medicine.

And the Bath and Body works lotion is for the areas that are exposed... my arms, chest and neck.

Okay, there I said it... Im a lotion freak!!! I know that I am not alone.

What are some of your secret bathroom behaviors?
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Wild as the Taliban

Skirt/Dress: Thrift Gifted
Turban: Gifted from Jamaica
Sunny's: Dollar Tree (can you believe it $1)


So, my good friend over at the Fashionista Next Door was the inspiration for sporting this fashion turban. Hubby and I were enjoying a sunny day of shopping last week. When I walked out of the house he did not say anything about the turban and in his language that normally means that he likes what I am wearing. Well, we pulled up to the mall and I opened my car door and he stopped and was like "what are you doing, where are you going with that on your head"... With a chuckle in my voice I asked him what was wrong with it. I was trying to explain to him that it was something I was trying out. He is so funny, he was like... why do you have to ALWAYS be the one people to stare and point at? Such a funny moment. After a few people passed and complement me on being an individual he started warming up to the turban and even started walking next to me.

How do you all feel about the Fashion Turban?

(sn: I took some really cute pictures and made a mistake and deleted them all... I dont know what I was thinking... simpleton!!!)
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Hair and Beauty Week:Day #1

So Ladies, its HAIR and Beauty WEEK!!!

I have had so many questions about what the heck I do to my crazy hair. I must admit up-front that I am no professional nor do I believe in using a ton of products. But I will break down what I do to my hair, maintenance, coloring and styling. I will also give some makeup tips that are so easy you will be able to perfect them before the weekend. I worked for M.A.C Cosmetics for years and though I do not wear as much makeup anymore, makeup is one of my first loves.
This week is going to be fun. I hope you all enjoy.

In order to know where you are going you have to remember where you have been.

Courtney also known as the Hubby in 2002
I actually got a perm in this picture, it was the first time since I 1997 and it lasted a day.

In 2008 I married the love of my life with all hair well past my bra straps... I actually cut off 7 inches and donated it to Locks of love.

After the big cut, I actually balled my head... which my husbands loves. I was allowing it to grow back finally in late 2009.

Sporting my natural hair color which is RARE!!! This was ummm, 2010?


Circa Now, big wild and unruly.

We would love to feature some of your "hair through the years" photos... just email us and will be happy to post them. Contact us at kdrsblog@gmail.com



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Adorable Blog Award

WHAT A SURPRISE!!! We were nominated for the Most Adorable Blog Award. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Sunny @ Musings of Louisville Slugger for this nomination. You guys, please check out here blog, She is amazingly fabulous!!!



10 Things About Deon
  1. I will probably never act my age
  2. I LOVE fashion but I dont like to pay for it. "id rather be thrift shopping" what a great bumper sticker
  3. I dont like black and white movies
  4. Id rather spend a day with my husband than anyone else
  5. I hate cheap Q-tips
  6. I wish I wore an A cup bra... big boobs are over rated
  7. I am STILL NOT my hair... though we have a lot in common
  8. I think its funny when the people on the Biggest Loser fall off the treadmill #shameface
  9. I have a crush on Bravo's Andy Cohen
  10. And Lastly I think its funny when I pass gas... there I said it!!!
10 Things About Keesha

1) Im a pretty dull person(in my head at least lol)
2) I've had a crush on my husband since the 2nd grade
3)I love nail polish and own more than Id like to admit since I hardly ever polish my nails
4)There isnt a day that goes by that I dont question myself *sigh*
5)My kids are funny and drive me crazy daily
6)I dont collect friends. I have a handful that I love dearly
7)I have to coolest Dad in the world (shout out to The Grandpat)
8)I have a million pairs of shoes and cant seem to stop wearing the same 3 pair
9)Thrifting isnt a hobby, its a way of life
10)Im addicted to eyeglasses. I have to wear them and love to buy them


OUR NOMINEES ARE:

Linka Living: I love her Mommy Style
Fashion nette-work: Love her personal style
Besos, Lynn: She is just so darn cute
Itsmytaste: Her blog post are fantastic
Zarna Runway: She is just a true fashionista!
Rush Our Fashion: An amazing blogger who loves to have fun

Now, here are the rules for you ladies:

  • Thank the person who gave you this award, and link back to them in your post
  • Tell us 10 things about yourself
  • Nominate your bloggersLink
  • Contact these bloggers, and let them know they received this award


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Earth Day


Cardigan: Target
Top: KMart
Jeans: Bitten
Flats: Thrifted


Happy Earth Day!
Please remember the purpose for this "holiday" and take care of Mother Earth not just today but all year long. Do your part to protect her so that our future will still be green and bright!
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My Daddy :)

via The Made Men
http://themademen.tumblr.com/
So my Paw was asked if he wouldnt mind if he and his "man bag" were featured on a mens life and style blog. This just made me smile so I thought I would share :)
BTW, He purchased it at the Art Institute of Chicago but you can find them at www.cork-boutique.com
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Home Tour: Part 1




Hallway leading to bath and bedrooms


Ok Sing, Heres the home tour you requested...well part one anyway :) Welcome to our (DJ and I) home! This is the first thing you see when you enter, our living room. My home decor, much like my wardrobe is probably 75-80% thrifted. My husband and I are pretty hardcore midcentury modern enthusiasts so our home is pretty reflective of our love for all things, well midcentury!


Hope you enjoyed the pics. Which room should I post next....
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You Dirty Dirty Wife!

So, I am so excited to be back in posting action. I have been MIA and I have just run out of excuses, so all I can say is sorry.

Well, last night I totally got my Mo-Jo back. Last night was the first Dirty Wives Club meeting. The founder, my best friend Beth gathered a fabulous group of wives for dinner and girl talk.

There was food, drinks and tons of normally inappropriate conversation. Part of the classified rules is no conversation topic is off limits so of course we took that rule and ran with it!





We ate dinner at Surin of Thailand. It was delicious BUT there was one big problem... the fake flowers that were planted outside of the restaurant. Beth's husband is half Asian so she was able to clear up and explain the normalcy of planting fake, Dollar General flowers with the tags still on them. The best part of the "flower garden" is that the flower bed is mulched... that took time and talent.





Isnt this drink beautiful? Though we (Keesha and I) dont drink I couldnt drink even if I wanted to. (TBA)


After the show is the after party!!!

Since Target was closed we shook our groove thangs in Wal-Mart.


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Egg Dropped!!!

So, I am a self proclamed "foodie" who is scared to eat a runny egg... There I said it. When I lived in France, I remember eating at this perfect little french restaurant and I ordered a pizza (I know its lame to eat a pizza in France but it was the only thing I could pronounce at the time). Well, the first time I ordered a pizza in France it came with a WHOLE fillet of Salmon on it so I thought I would play it simple and safe and just order and plan cheese (margarita) pizza. Well, to my surprise out come my perfect french cheese pizza with a big old EGG dropped right in the middle of it... Now, you have to understand I was only 20 at the time and made a typical American (yes, I'm stereotyping) style I fussed and made the "gross out" face over dinner with my friends. I asked server to take it back and remove the egg in my most polite, broken french but the waiter didnt understand me and just wished me a Bon Appetite as he walked away... so I ate around the giggling egg that night and stored that memory in the back of my mind.
Well here we are in 2011 and I still have not concord the runny egg. So ladies and gentlemen on Saturday morning, I will be taking the big leap. I am going to have giggling egg and wheat toast for breakfast... Im scared and excited but most of all I cant wait to share the experience with you. STAY TUNED!!!

Until then... here are the top 5 ways to eat a runny egg according to thekitchn.com... and yes... one of the top 5 ways is atop a pizza! Imagine that?

1. Over Green Salad: Not only does this make a striking presentation, but once you cut into it, the yolk becomes an instant salad dressing. We love the contrast of cool, crunchy greens with warm, tender egg.

2. Over Noodles or Other Grains: This is comfort food at its best. The yolk makes a creamy sauce that coats every noodle or grain in the dish. This is great with a handful of veggies (cooked or raw), or simply on its own. Try this recipe for Sesame-Garlic Soba Noodles with Fried Egg!

3. On Pizza: All you have to do is crack a few eggs onto the top of the pizza just before it goes in the oven. By the time the crust is golden, white of the egg will be set and the centers still soft. You might have to eat this one with a knife and fork!

4. On Kale or Other Hearty Green: Bitter greens and rich egg are one of those perfect flavor combinations that has to be tasted to be believed. We especially like this with pinch of red pepper flakes or a few shakes of Tabasco sauce!

5. On Toast: Ok, this one is pretty basic, we know. But if we're desperate for dinner and nothing else comes to us, a fried egg on toast never fails to satisfy. We like it just like that, but we'll also add baked beans, a few slices of tomato, or a sprinkle of cheese if we have those around.

2008_05_13-BreakfastPIzza.jpg


Where else do you use fried eggs in your cooking?

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Extra- Ordinary Birthday Cake


So, my sister and Keesha's Birthdays are coming up... and I am so excited!!! I saw this cake while blog hopping and fell in LOVE. Its so pretty and a total must have!!! Now as you all know I cant bake but I always have a blast trying.

Ingredients

Makes one 9-inch-round six-layer cake
  • Vegetable shortening
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 1/3 cups sugar
  • 5 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups milk, room temperature
  • Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple gel food coloring
  • Lemony Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush six 9-inch-round cake pans (or as many 9-inch cake pans as you have, reusing them as necessary) with shortening. Line bottom of each cake pan with parchment paper; brush again and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar. Slowly add egg whites and mix until well combined. Add vanilla and mix until fully incorporated. Add flour mixture and milk in two alternating additions, beginning with the flour and ending with the milk. Mix until well combined.
  3. Divide batter evenly between six medium bowls. Add enough of each color of food coloring to each bowl, whisking, until desired shade is reached. Transfer each color to an individual cake pan. Transfer to oven and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean, about 15 minutes (working in batches if necessary).
  4. Remove cakes from oven and transfer to a wire rack; let cool for 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto a wire rack; re-invert and let cool completely.
  5. Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes to make level. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan. Place the purple layer on the cake plate. Spread a scant 1 cup buttercream filling over the first layer with a small offset spatula so it extends just beyond edges. Repeat process with blue, green, yellow, and orange layers.
  6. Place the remaining red layer on top, bottom-side up. Gently sweep away any loose crumbs with a pastry brush. Using an offset spatula, cover the top and sides with a thin layer of frosting (also use any of the excess frosting visible between the layers). Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
  7. Using an offset spatula, cover cake again with remaining frosting.
From The Martha Stewart Show, April 2010


Read more at Marthastewart.com: Rainbow Cake - Martha Stewart Recipes
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Valentine's Day Meal for Two


So, Last weekend my church family had a little ladies only- how to make a romantic meal for two- and how to give the proper massage- Pre-Valentines day party at chez moi. I gave a cooking class and my girl Sonja (a professional masseuse) was there to teach use to give a proper back massage.

We had so much fun laughing and chatting that we didnt get to the massaging part (no thanks of course to our veggie champagne)... The night was so much fun, full of laughter and food... what could have been better?

Menu

Flacky Pastry Pockets
stuffed with Portabella Mushrooms, Fresh Spinach, S
un-Dried tomatos and Cheese.

Oven Roasted Asparagus Spears
topped with Hawaiian Red Sea Salt, Fresh Black Cracked Pepper and lightly tossed in a good Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes
a chocolate lovers dream cake topped with homemade wh
ipped cream (some was for the cake and some was for later "wink wink")

How to Make the Flacky Pastry Pockets and Molten Chocolate Cake:

(google images)

Pillsbury Crest Rolls
Fresh Portabella Mushrooms
Fresh Spinach
Sundried Tomato sause or Fresh
Cheese- you choice... Gruyere is my suggestion
NOTE: You can add chicken or Stake to your stuffed pockets

Roll out your Crescent Rolls. Make sure they are nice a flat. Use a rolling pin or glass of needed. The rolls have pre cut edges and one of them is straight down the middle... perfect for dinner for 2
Once they are flat add your Raw but clean mushrooms, spinach, sundried tomatos and cheese. Fold this full pouch over to meet the other side and seal with your fork and a little water. For all of you real cooks out there you can add an egg wash but Pillsbury Crest Rolls will normally bake with the perfect color and crisp.

Bake for about 10-13 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Once you put your Pockets in the oven, toss in your Asperigus spears and they normally take about the same about of time.

While they are baking you can start making your Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes


  • 5 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 stick salted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup powered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Large pinch of salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons of Heavy Cream or Milk
Melt your chocolate and butter together in the microwave... it only take about 20 seconds... add more time and stir as you go.

Once its melted add your sugar (stir), flour (stir), cream (stir) eggs (stir), vanilla and salt (stir)... Now I know that it seems like there is a lot of stirring going on but its more of a blend... you dont wanna over blend your batter.

Spray your custard cups and add your batter.

By the time you have your batter mixed up its time to take out your dinner.

Place your cakes on a cookie sheet and back for 8-10 minutes. When you check them, they should be cake like on the outside and bouncy feeling on the inside.

Making homemade whipped cream is the easiest/fanciest thing ever.
Add Heavy Cream to a Cold dish, about a 3 tablespoons of powered sugar and mix with a blender until you see your soft peaks form... dont blend to long... if so you will make butter. (I know that from experience)

Thank you ladies for coming over... I hope that you all enjoy these recipes and enjoy a very happy and romantic Valentines Day with your love.

SN: Please forgive me for not taking any good pics of my own... we were so busy taking and laughing that eating was first on my mind and taking pictures was second... unfortunately it was to late to get a good shoot that wasnt half eaten.

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Sunny Snow Day!!!







So, today was our first time away from the house since Sunday. We didnt go far but we at least was away from 110 Kingswood Dr. Of course I didnt care how snowy it was I did make it to Target. It was so bazaar to see a grocery store with no eggs and bread. Because of the weather there was no truck deliveries.
On the way home we stopped for a quick photo shoot.

Orange Boyfriend Blazer: Thrifted
Arabic Coca-Cola t-shirt: Morocco, North Africa
Jeans: Old Navy
Green and Brown Slouch Boots: Germany

While in college I decided that I wanted to live in France so I moved to France and studied the language for a year. While I was there I went to 15 different countries in Europe and North Africa. Along the way I picked up shoes... lots and lots of shoes. These boots and the ones HERE
were purchased in Europe years ago... oh, how I miss European shoe shopping.
Where is your favorite place to shop for shoes?
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Let's Make Whoopie!!!

German Chocolate Whoopie Pies

So, Its after the Christmas holidays and I dont know if you all are like me but I have a ton of stuff that I rarely use left over. You buy a 5 pound bag of flour for that one recipe that calls for a 1 cup... As you all know I am NOT a baker... but I was chatting with one of my friends at Cool Pink who is a FABULOUS baker and it inspired me to try. Keesha of kdRs says that the reason that I cant bake has a lot to do with the fact that I simply do NOT follow the recipe. Well, I did it... I followed the direction and some that I made up and POooF!!! I made Whoopie!!!

What you will need for the cookie cake

2oz unsweetened chocolate
4oz semi sweet chocolate
1 stick butter
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt

Set your over to 375. Line your cookie sheets with Parchment paper.
In a glass bowl melt your chocolates and butter in the microwave or you can use a double boiler.
Once melted whisk in sugar, eggs and vanilla into chocolate mixture
Sift in your flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
Mix well but do not over mix.
Scoop onto lined cookie sheet... and bake for 6 minutes ONLY!!!

While there baking you can make the filling

1 cup evaporated milk
5 egg YOLKS
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
2 cups coconut flacks
1-2 cups pecans

Over very low heat add your slightly beaten egg yolks, milk, sugar, butter and vanilla. Once butter has melted raise the heat and allow to thicken... stir for about 10 minutes and then take off heat and allow to cool.

Once cool you can add your pecans and coconut. My husband also added some chocolate chips to his for an extra twist.

This little whoopies were gooey and delicious... I am going to enjoy them while I can cause just like Millions of Americans I am going on a serious diet in the New Year!!!

Cheers!
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Deon's Birthday Bash!!!

Celebrate good times... Come on!!!

So guys I am a year older and I had a blast. I celebrated all weekend long. Here are some highlights from the party. Note: While looking at these pictures PLEASE keep in mind that we don't drink... this is all natural... sad but true.

Miles doesnt have hair so he borrowed some of mine

Best Cupcakes EVER. Thank you Gigi's for adding on at least 4 good pounds to my waist and hips

My little sister is the best... thank you Sophia!

My partner in crime and her hubby... we have some stories... Wow!

This beautiful lady and her husband just had twin boys and she came out for my bday... youre ultra fab Nat!!!

My husband... Best Friend and Lover. This guys completes me!

Striped Skirt: Forever 21 (it was only $7)
Black turtleneck: Bitten
Sequined top: Forever 21 (it was 7x3... :( )
Black ankle boots and tights

We ate until our eyes popped. Vegetable tempura sushi and Monaco signature nacho... they were great. If you live in the area please check out the Scene Restaurant, they are the best.


Needless to say we lounged forever chatting for hours. It was fabulous!