OH…EM…GEE

Lately I have had a crazy sweet tooth!! For those of you who know me well, know this is pretty darn strange. I usually have no problem passing on the cookies, cakes and candies loaded with sugary goodness…I just really don’t like them. Instead of dessert, I just run for another helping of dinner or an extra roll. Even for breakfast, I usually crave all savory stuff. Keep the jellies and syrups to yourself please.

BUT….lately this is not the case. I’ve had french toast with insane amounts of syrup, been loving cupcakes AND eating the frosting too, I keep sneaking into the cookie jar in our break room at work, and even opting for the strawberry jelly for my english muffin in the fridge instead of the usu butter or cheese. Who knows….nor does it matter I suppose but just seems foreign to me. Oh well, as long as I am satisfied. Just hope it doesn’t linger too long…IT IS bikini season! YIKE!

I mentioned to Mike about my sweet tooth attack and he promptly suggested that cookies should do the trick (so helpful–he is always full of helpful ‘suggestions’ ha). Chocolate chip cookies to be exact…or the ones with a type of candy bar mixed in.

He is a huge fan of these chunky twix cookies found at Sprinkled with Flour

I set my mind on cookies and it being a lazy Sunday I was in search for recipes I could make with only the things I had on hand.

BINGO

Just so happens that a recipe I had been eyeballing on Foodgawker fit the bill! Now folks, if you have never been to Foodgawker, I highly recommend it for sure (there is even an app for that!)! It is a sort of ‘database’ of recipes from blogs around the world. I believe anyone can submit a recipe and when you click on the photo, it takes you straight to their blog (ensuring more endless hours wasted on the web but lots of new fantastic recipes) CAUTION! It is deadly if browsing while hungry! So grab a snack before you browse. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Anyway, back to the recipe. This chocolate chip recipe just so happens to be the 3rd all-time most popular recipe on the whole website. So, when I saw it awhile back I knew it would be a good one….just wasn’t in the mood for cookies….ever.

The original recipe was introduced by Smitten Kitten but added to foodgawker by Use Real Butter. Both fantastic and must see blogs!

Unfortunately, I didn’t think to snap any pics while I ‘slaved’ away over these (really they are absolutely stress free). I borrowed this pic from Smitten Kitten so you can see how these suckers turn out. Think I’ll just have to make another batch so the pics can be authentic, ya know. 😉

Espresso Chocolate Chip Shortbread
from Smitten Kitchen

*Note: I didn’t follow all of the instructions in Deb’s version because I am a lazy bum.

1 tbsp instant espresso powder (I like Medaglia D’Oro)
1 tbsp boiling water
8 oz. unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped OR 3/4 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips
confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional)

Dissolve espresso powder in boiling water. Set aside to cool to tepid. Beat butter and confectioners’ sugar together on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is very smooth. Beat in vanilla and espresso, then reduce mixer speed to low and add flour, mixing only until it disappears into the dough. Don’t work the dough much once the flour is incorporated. Fold in the chopped chocolate or chips with a sturdy rubber spatula. Using the spatula, transfer dough to a gallon-size zip-loc bag. Put bag on a flat surface, leaving the top open, and roll the dough into a 9 x 10 1/2 inch rectangle that’s 1/4 inch thick. As you roll, turn the bag occasionally and lift the plastic from the dough so it doesn’t cause creases. When you get the right size and thickness, seal the bag, pressing out as much air as possible, and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or for up to 2 days. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Put the plastic bag on a cutting board and slit it open. Turn the firm dough out onto the board (discard the bag) and, using a ruler as a guide and a sharp knife, cut the dough into 1 1/2-inch squares. Transfer the squares to the baking sheets and carefully prick each one twice with a fork, gently pushing the tines through the cookies until they hit the sheet (okay, I didn’t poke the cookies and they’re fine). Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, rotating the sheets from top to bottom and front to back at the midway point (I didn’t do that either – I bake one sheet at a time). The shortbreads will be very pale–they shouldn’t take on much color. Transfer the cookies to a rack. If you’d like, dust the cookies with confectioners’ sugar while they are still hot. Cool the cookies to room temperature before serving. Makes about 3 dozen.

**NOTE: I did omit the espresso because Mike isn’t a fan and they were delish as is but I think I must try it the original way. ALSO the dusting of powdered sugar on the top while they are still hot is a MUST!**

I’ll keep you updated on my next sweet tooth fix….maybe I’ll finally conquer those mini pies!

Hey, at least they turned out awesome

Now, not sure if most of you know, but I am somewhat of a ‘overachiever’ I suppose you could say. Lets take for instance ny school days. My poster boards were always the biggest and the flashiest. My projects were always over the top. I would cram in every little detail I could until I could cram no longer. If I could make it better, I would. No settling for the ho-hum. I am a big believer in the ‘whole experience’ theory. People may not remember every last detail, but they WILL remember that there was something that made it special and just different enough to actually remember. This is how I live most of my life. I just like things the way I like them. If it’s coming from me (and I had the time) nothing is half-assed! I want everything perfect down to the last detail. I suppose it’s somewhat anal or OCD, but I promise, this is the only aspect of my life this way. Just ask my fam. (especially my sis who just helped me throw our open house/Mike’s bday party!)

Anyho, down to the point. I found an idea for some address labels (another small detail most would just over look, but of course not me) for our Save the Dates that I feel in love with. They were just awesome….and different than anything I had seen before.

Wrap Around Address Labels!

Check these out courtesy of MadeByAPrincess on Etsy

Super cute right? They are one solid strip and you wrap them around the envelope so the send to address is on the front and your return address ends up on the back.

Well, I loved them and just HAD to have it. SO, I contacted the Etsy seller to purchase a PDF file so I could use the bad boys! But of course, I needed coordinating colors to match my STD’s. The yellow worked, but I wanted a grey damask instead of black. Apparently, this was harder to do than I thought. It took a few days and a few extra bucks but she finally got back to me with the finished product.

I was very pleased

The damask was a little different from what I had planned, but overall, I they were perfect!

So, as you can see it came with five labels to the page. NOW the question was….do I go somewhere to get them printed and cut? Do I use regular paper? How will I attach them to the envelopes? and is this the right size I need for the envelopes I had? Yeesh! Soooo, I did some research online. Well folks, this must be a pretty new thing cause there ain’t much out there on what to do with wrap around address labels. Eventually I found some good info….Some just printed them out at home on full sticker sheets, cut them out and stuck ’em on. Others wanted them printed on cardstock for a more luxurious feel and either made them into stickers or used spray adhesive.

My first move was to go to Office Depot (or one of those places) and find out some costs. Too much! Well, I thought at least to have to go somewhere, take a file then either wait forever or come back to pick them up. I’d rather spend the money on some stuff to cut them out and stick them so I have it for later use…so off to Michael’s I went. I purchased a paper cutter (with an extra blade that perforates for the fold), a Xyron which makes things into a sticker (they come in all sizes!) and some white cardstock. I had decided to DIY these suckers!

That Sunday I got to work. Printing them was a breeze. Addressing them wasn’t hard but not pleasent. I decided to actually address them by hand because I heard that was the ‘right’ thing to do for something of this nature. Anyway….the cutting was stressful, gave me cramps in my hands and was oh so time consuming! After all were cut, I ran them all back through with the perforating blade where I was going to ‘wrap’ them around the envelope. Then it was time for the Xyron which is actually pretty cool! You just crank it through this contraption and it makes it into a sticker! So after I had done only 20, I realized that the cartridge doesn’t go on forever…apparently only long enough for 20. GREAT! Now I had to venture back to the store for like 4 more refills. I eventually got all of them done but I will say it was more of a headache than I ever imagined!

If I do say so myself, they turned out great. Just as I envisioned! The only thing I would have changed was to use a nice silver envelope. Or maybe yellow.

I got some fun new gadgets to use on all my other wedding projects I have swimming around in my head. Let me tell you….it’s a lot!! So stay tuned! I have already used the paper cutter many times since.

Love saves the day, You save the date!!

Hey there my friends.

I can now get to posting about our Save the Dates since they are already mailed out and everyone has them in their hot little hand.

I had a blast doing these!!

With a lot of work and the help of my photographer, Mariel Garza, they turned out just amazing. Well, I think so at least!

As you already know, I had a small vision before we took our engagement photos. I was wanting that ‘concert’ vibe since we are getting married at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in the DR, of course! I called up a local bar and nicely asked if they would put our message on their marquee…sure enough, they had no problem with it. SCORE! Mariel snapped a few photos under it during our engagement photo session. It turned out perfect! What a great starting point…now just to figure out the rest….

One day while I was fumbling around on the internet I saw IT–the perfect inspiration for the rest of our Save the Dates. It was the perfect layout and example of what I was envisioning in my head. BINGO! I sent Mariel the inspiration photos and our wedding website and she just did an amazing job!!

So, here are the inspirations I found…

The marquee inspiration photo was spotted on Libby James blog.

The concert poster inspiration Save the Date was found at Offbeat Bride.

(such a fun website!)

And here is how our Save the Dates turned out!!!

I really hope everyone has enjoyed them (although not as much as myself I’m sure) and there are many magnetized on refrigerators everywhere! And of course, don’t forget to save the date and visit our wedding website for all the juicy details of the big day…and week!

http://mikeandrachel.nearlyweds.com

This brings us to the address labels I used for the Save the Dates. Oh, what a fiasco this turned out to be! It was just a simple idea I saw, fell in love with and that I just HAD to do. BUT more on this to come soon….

Until then, keep it real my friends

Got my toes in the water….

Well not exactly, but got to sing about it!

I know this is long overdue, but I just had to go back in time and let everyone in on the second half of my birthday celebrations. It’s never too late to reminisce about awesomeness!

The weekend after my birthday we put together a little girls trip birthday bash!! It was packed full of stuff to do and see with the headliner being the Kenny Chesney Going Coastal concert!! Natalie’s dad was so gracious to take some time and find us tickets to the sold out concert at the Dallas Cowboys stadium. THANK YOU! What ANOTHER great bday present! So Natalie, Alison (the other birthday girl) and I all headed to Dallas to meet our friends and party!

Friday was a little chaotic because us girls were all spread out everywhere, arriving at different times, from different places, with different things to do. Natalie had to get to Dallas early to take her sister and friends to the Lil Wayne concert at the AAC while Alison was catching up with good friends over some food and drinks. I had to wait till I got off work at 5 to start my journey…and let me tell you…it was a LONG day. But at 5 o’clock on the dot I was outta here and on my way!

I had my sister meet me at Hotel ZaZa (OH, did I not mention this is where we stayed!!..well at least the first night) so we could get ready together and get the party started! After that long, windy trip I was in need of a nice beverage, so we mixed ourselves up something tasty and went to work! After we were all done up and ready to go, we went downstairs to Dragonfly to meet some friends from OKC who were also in town for the concert. Dee and Guthrie, LOVE THEM! They are always sooo awesome and know how to have a good time. Of course they couldn’t let the night go by without a little birthday shot!

Guthrie is always there to take a great pic!

We hung out awhile enjoying everyone’s company, food and drinks….then all of the sudden a familiar face walks by. I had to do a double-take and stare a moment, but yep, it was him! PATRICK! (BTW, he is pretty much THE reason me and Mike met). I was soooo excited and I’m pretty sure everyone figured that out by my “Woo Girling it” haha. Come to find out, more old school Dallas friends were inside hanging out. What a FANTASTIC surprise! We went in to say hi and catch up before we had to jet to our next destination.It was definitely one of the highlights of the weekend!

OMG it was sooo amazing to see these guys!

Natalie called while we were at Dragonfly so we could hop in the truck and roll with them to take her sister and friends back to the airport after their concert! What a wild ride haha. After they were safely on their way home to Abilene, we headed to Knox Street Pub (one of mine and Mike’s all time faves!) to meet up with Alison and some of her friends. I got to see all the regulars, have some cocktails and dance the rest of the night away! After we had had enough, or closing time came around (not sure which came first) we headed back to Hotel  ZaZa to rest up for a great Saturday.

The next morning came too soon, and we hurried to back up our stuff while trying to look cute for the day ahead. First of all, before Friday, we had NO idea that the concert started at 4:30!! 4:30! We had planned a whole day full of stuff so we knew we would have to cut down but little did we know….

First stop, The Cupcakery–Natalie’s favorite! Such a cute, awesome place with amazing cupcakes! We all got 2 mini’s to take with us to brunch. Then the adventure began….

Of course I wanted to go to a place I had never been before….and had NO idea where it was or how to get there. Typical. After trying to find it and coordinate with my friend Rachel, we gave up and decided to settle (and by settle, I don’t mean second rate bc I happen to think this place is amazing!) on Bread Winners. We scored a table outside and started out with mimosas. The food was soooo delish! I had to take a pic to rub in Mike’s face 🙂

BUT after we got our food, it went downhill from there. What started as a nice little brunch turned into a 2 hour affair! The only saving grace was a pub crawl going on in Uptown. We got to see all the teams go by in all their gear and wishing we could joint them. OH and of course my good friend Rachel came to meet us! I mean it was bad folks, we almost had to dine and dash! When we finally got the chance to get the hell out of there, it was already time to head straight to Ft Worth to check into the hotel and get ready for the concert. So much for dress shopping!

The adventure didn’t stop after brunch. We all got into our separate cars (of course) to head to Cow Town and for some more adventure….

The Main Street Arts Festival was being held that weekend in downtown Ft Worth and boy what a fiasco that was! What was supposed to be a short 30 min drive turned into sitting for over an hour of traffic less than a mile from the hotel. Somewhere in there Nat called me in panic because Alison was stuck in traffic and about the run out of gas! Funny story later, we found out everything was fine and she made it to a gas station. Eventually we arrived at our destination ready for some cocktails but of course it wa only 5 min after we had planned to LEAVE for the concert. Well, CRAP! We hurried our little butts to get ready. We were already soooo late but there were no worries, we were too excited for what the night had in store.

FINALLY, we were on our way. We stopped by Natale’s Dad’s restaurant/bar, Fishbones, for some food, pre-party beverages and to pose for a few pics. It’s such a great place and everyone is so nice. Knowing we had already missed Uncle Kracker and unfortunately Billy Currington we pledged to make it to the stadium for Zac Brown Band–my personal fave of the night!

The concert was just soo much fun and we had great seats. We danced and sang at the top of our lungs. Perfect end to a perfect birthday weekend! Well, I guess it didn’t end there…

 

After the concert, we headed back Fishbones to hang out and chill while all the traffic cleared. No way would we be stuck in that again! Then we were off to head to the hotel where we decided to run up real quick, grab some sweaters and hit the town. We ended up at Pete’s Piano Bar (which I had never been) so we got to sing and dance some more. What a fantastic way to end the night!

It was time to hit the hay for sure. We sang and marched our way back to the hotel in the empty streets of downtown Ft Worth. Sunday morning was there before we knew it. We barely crawled out of bed to see everything a mess and no time to clean it. Perfect. It was definitely time to go home. Joe T Garcias was a must for some brunch! It was delish and just what we needed. We said our goodbyes then Natalie and Alison were headed home while me and my sis headed back to Dallas. I dropped her off at her car and said we would do it again soon! I still had one last stop, a baby shower for Tara!

The baby shower was a nice change of pace, and I got to see so many great friends and of course spoil baby Lollar! Can’t wait to meet the little guy…it’s getting close! The car ride home was LONG to say the least. The first thing I did when I got home was flip off my shoes and sprawl out on the couch for the rest of the night.

What an amazing weekend filled with lots of fun and great friends! Thank you everyone for everything!!

**PS thanks Nat and Sarah for the pics! 🙂

Hakuna matata

…what a wonderful phrase

Oh man, so far this week this has been my motto!

What’s a motto?

Nothing. What’s a motto with you??

Haha, see what I did there?

Anyway…

Apparently George Bernard learned long ago what I have recently discovered. Wish I had run across this sooner…

“I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig, you get dirty; and besides, the pig likes it.”

Thanks for the wisdom Bernard…a little late but will always be true.

BUT…Hakuna Matata my friends, Hakuna Matata!!

Hope this will help my  dearfriends to remember: when things just aren’t going right or getting tough, look back to your childhood days when you would belt out this song into your hairbrush and believe in it. Hmmmm, maybe that was just me but you get my point.

Where Amazing Happens

Kobe got Kobe’d by the White Cobra!!

saw this a couldn't help myself! *photo borrowed from a nice young gentleman*

It was glorious last week when the Mavs ousted the reigning champion Lakeshow, with a four game sweep ending in domination! A 122-86 victory, baby!!

It’s NBA playoff season and the Mavs are on fire! (thank goodness) We haven’t missed a game yet and I am loving getting my fair share of….

DIRKALICIOUS. or as Mike likes to call him – THE WHITE COBRA

THE JET – Cause Dallas is where take-off happens!

The PUERTO RICAN – the ‘smallest man on the court’ but still a BEAST

The MISSING KEY – you were just what we needed! Play on Playa

….and of course all the rest of the Mavericks…these are just the main ones I’ve been loving this playoff season. Let’s keep it going strong and bring the Thunder down!

Hello late 20’s

YIKES!!

I have to admit, the late 20s have treated me very well so far. I had an amazing birthday with lots of celebrating and great gifts (recall Mike’s ‘cover his butt’ gift!). My birthday was officially on a Monday so you know that’s never something to get excited about, but we made the best of it!

Mike I decided I should get my ‘utilitarian’ bday present on Sunday to liven things up a bit and get me excited. Sure enough….I was SUPER excited. (First look at what it’s like to be in your late 20’s!!) It was a new washer and dryer WHAT WHAT! Yeah, folks! Beautiful, new, front loaders for our new house. HOT DOG! Check it.

I made sure he knew he did a perfect job on my birthday this year—as ususal–and the best part was that is wasn’t over!

Monday came and off the work I went. It was a ho-hum kinda usu day at Stata, but that was cool cause I was just looking forward to that night! I had convinced Mike we needed to go for a nice b-day dinner to celebrate. We made Jeff and Natalie join us! I choose Christopher’s for this occasion. Everything was absolutely fantastic! I was even surprised with a nice Birthday desert.

That’s not even the end of my birthday celebration. The next weekend me and Natalie headed to Dallas to meet up with some new and old friends for a girls weekend trip! More on that exciting adventure to come!

I look forward to the year to come! Sooooo many exciting things….

But the 2 things that I am most excited about are…..

NEW HOUSE and GETTING MARRIED or course!

“Softly call the Muster….”

I am a self-proclaimed (and rightfully so) 2%’er.

For those of you not familiar with this Aggie term, simply put, I’m not crazy excited about all of the Aggie traditions and rarely participate in them. HOWEVER! I do respect them, know their significance and will always be proud to be part of the Fightin Texas Aggie class of 2007 ( ahem 2010).

When it comes to the significance of this day, April 21st, I will always be amazed at how proud I am to be an Aggie.

Aggie Muster

Aggies gathered together on June 26, 1883 to live over again their college days, the victories and defeats won and lost upon the drill field and classroom. Eventually the annual gathering evolved into a celebration of Texas Independence on San Jacinto Day – April 21st. Over time the tradition has changed, but its very essence has remained “If there is an A&M man in one hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas.” Muster is celebrated in more than four hundred places worldwide, with the largest ceremony on the Texas A&M campus in College Station.
During the Muster ceremony tonight is the Roll Call for the Absent. The Roll Call honors Aggies that have fallen since the last Muster roll was read. As the names are read, a friend or family member answers ‘Here’, and a candle is lit to symbolize that while those Aggies are not present in body, they will forever remain with us in Aggie Spirit.

“Softly call the Muster, let comrade answer, Here….”

Muster is a time to look to the past, present, and future…not only to grieve but to reflect and to celebrate the lives that connect us to one another. A gesture so simple in nature yet so lasting in spirit, Muster is the lasting impression every Aggie leaves with us; it reminds us of the greatness that lies within these walls, of the loyalty we possess, of the connection that binds us, and of the idea that every Aggie has a place of importance – whether they are present in flesh or spirit.

This year Muster is dedicated to the Fightin Texas Aggie class of ’61!

In the list of facts about the Fightin Texas Aggie class of ’61, I saw one that just made me smile 🙂

5.   Aggieland ’61, the yearbook, was dedicated to three special groups of women: the students’ mothers, wives, and sweethearts with this writing:

“Every man needs an inspiration to reach and realize his life’s goals and ideals’ this inspiration is more often than not received from womankind. In early life we first receive this spirit from our mothers who watch over us as we grow into manhood. Then, as we grow older our interests widen and the scope takes in a girlfriend, our sweetheart, and later still we take a wife who now has that great job of pushing us onward. At Texas A&M, few are the students who can make it through without that bit of inspiration from our mothers, wives, or sweethearts. We live here without women and for five days a week studies are next to impossible without those pictures, those letters or that little love and inspiration. It is with these thoughts that we dedicate this book to our mothers, wives, and sweethearts, represented on this page by the Mother of the Year, Mrs. A&M, and the Aggie Sweetheart.”

So, here is to the Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of ’61 and the friends and families of our fallen Aggies who will be honored in tonight’s Muster ceremony.

“Muster will never change. It will survive, unscathed by time, because it is a tradition enriched with the devotion of one Aggie to the other. The reverence, the silence, it’s all part of the notion that Aggies never leave their roots, nor are they forgotten by their own.”

-Pat Pearson ’83

A little reminder

“Life is good; life is what you make it. Live for today and let tomorrow take care of itself. Stay positive about everything in life.”

— Barb Taylor

I read this little gem in the Stata’s Thursday morning email–which I usually just trash without even opening most days (ssshhhh)–but for some reason, today was different. I decided to see check it out. Glad I did! I appreciate reminders like this every now and then.

A little reminder to just live! Don’t get caught up in the little things or what is to come tomorrow. Stay positive because ultimately most of your happiness lies in your own hands. So get out there….live….and don’t forget that your life is what you make of it.

Memento Vivere

Also a reminder of why I got this dang tattoo on my foot…memento vivere!

Remember to live 🙂

 

A girl NEVER forgets her first time

…she receives that  little blue box! of course

As you should all know, my birthday is fast approaching. I am looking forward to it because I love birthdays but I am NOT loving the fact the I’ll be turning 26! Late 20’s ek! I’m headed over to the other side of the 20’s, so weird.

Oh well, live for the moment!!

The BEST thing about my birthday (or hell, any holiday) is that Mike is an amazing gift giver. He always manages to scrounge up something crazy awesome I didn’t even know I wanted/needed but def can’t do without! Always very thoughtful.

One year I got a present for every day of my birth week.

WELL – This year he went on and on about what present he wanted to get me but was afraid it was too ‘utilitarian’ to quote the exact word used. I was convinced if he thought of it then it must be awesome. Everyone he asked said it was a great gift but….

of course, he knew he could do better….

So, what did he do?! In pure Mike fashion…he got me 2 of course! You know, just in case the original present didn’t go over so well!! SCORE!

Wait there’s more — got to open it early because he thought it would be a great addition for our Vegas trip.

Folks, he did it again! TIFFANY’S! well done sir, well done.

I rocked my new necklace hard in Vegas and still going strong

I am so super lucky to have him. He does so much for me and treats me so well. I really appreciate it all! Thank you, Mike. Your the best!

Sorry ladies, I’m locking this one down–Feb 24, 2012!!