Lilly Love and Sunshine

I am on top of a pink and green rainbow right now!  I snagged this dress for $108!!!!  Yes it is authentic, yes it has tags, yes its brand new and yes 108 U.S. dollars!  I've been eyeing it since the moment Mrs. LP introduced it for spring. 

I've just totally gone and made my own week. 

Other things I'm digging for my most favorite season of sun, fun, Firefly sweet tea and sand

And since I'm dreaming I'll take some new stationery too!

I think I have a thing w. wellies and rain because I found the most adorable polka dot rainboot vases at Homegoods for spring.  Wish I had a snapped a pic! And I snagged this bargain from Garnett Hill.

What are y'all swooning for this spring?!?!

I think I'll go for a walk outside now the summer sun's callin my name...or work is!

cBv

Gotta Love Giveaways!

Yesterday I was greeted by this lovely package when I arrived home from work!

What I thought was just another boring Monday was spiced up thanks to Mrs. MFC!  It totally made my day.  Many thanks Melia for all the goodies, I especially love the notepad and candle!  If you don't follow her, you should definintely check her out!

Just a reminder that the giveaway from Kitchen Belleicious is still open until tomorrow so pop over and enter! 

Thanks for all the fabulous comments about the dress! I hope y'all have a fabulous Tuesday!

cBv

Success but Exhausted

This weekend was absolutely exhausting and didn't even feel like a weekend but it was quite successful and beautiful might I add (63 degrees in RIC yesterday)! I headed to Charlottesville for the weekend to my parent's house.  It was "wedding weekend", or in other words, stuffing, sealing and stamping my sister's save the dates.  Sunday we headed to another one of my favorite places, RIC, to find the perfect bridesmaid dresses.  And a success it was!  We found this beauty from Jim Hjelm that I love!

Now all that is left is to find super cute purple pumps and jewelry. 

I'm seriously fatigued so while I catch some zzzz's I'm going to leave you with a fabulous giveaway from my dear friend Jessica at Kitchen Belleicious. And the girl can cook so be sure to check out her recipes.  She's the saving grace behind my chocolate chip cookies!!

Here's to a super quick Monday!

cBv

Cupcakes Sisters Big Debut

Exciting news for fans of Georgetown Cupcake's delectable treats!!

The ladies behind the fabulous sweet confections at Georgetown Cupcake will be making their tv debut on their newly negotiated, reality-show, Cupcake Sisters, which will air on TLC this summer.  AOL TV reports that "'Cupcake Sisters' (working title) will follow the real-life stirrings within Georgetown Cupcake, an establishment in the shadow of Georgetown University; the "cupcakery" serves fancy confections to the movers and shakers of the Nation's Capital. Only two years ago, proprietors (and siblings) Katherine Kallinis and Sophia LaMontagne left non-foodie careers to follow the frosting...TLC has stopped short of a baker's dozen with 'Cupcake Sisters,' ordering just six episodes for its initial run."

Source Nakeva Corothers

Congrats to the talented sisters, it doesn't get much sweeter! I think this calls for a celebration, cupcake style!

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

cBv

Two Thumbs Down!

Lean Cuisine was really impressing me until today. Enter Glazed Chicken, which sounded and looked so appetizing {according to the box}.  Then I tried it. No bueno!! And now I'm starving!  Too bad I bought 2 of them.  Are there any Lean Cuisines you absolutely love?!?!

cBv

It's A...

BOY!!!! 

We found out yesterday afternoon that we're going to have a nephew!! I was hoping for another niece, because ribbons and bows are just so much fun, but I'll gladly take a nephew to spoil! We're super excited to meet little Nathen James or Chase Matthew {the hubs is routing for Chase} in July!

A few sales you may want to take advantage of

Gap - 25% off spring arrivals (excluding jeans).  Ends Sunday, Feb 21.  Code: GAPNEW25

White House Black Market - $20 off an $80 or more purchase.  Ends March 21. Code: 9028
J. Crew - extra 20% off final sale items.  Code: EXTRA20.  Plus free shipping $150 or more.

Happy It's Almost Friday!!

cBv

Dip Your Dressing

So I was definitely skeptical last week when Christin recommended dipping your fork into your salad dressing instead of pouring dressing on your salad, in her healthy eating post. Well, let me just tell you, Christin is one smart cookie.  This skeptic tried it out last night, I poured my light ranch into a ramekin, filled it almost to the brim, ate my ginormous salad and was amazed as to how little dressing I used.  I'm a ranch junkie and I swear and I don't even think I used one full serving {which is 2 tablespoons}! I wish I would have taken a before and after pic.  I'm not sure if it was because the taste is so strong when the dressing is dipped on each indiviual bite or what but I was amazed.  She claimed you'd save hundreds of calories and now I believe it.  My butt and thighs thank her!  P.S. - def check out livestrong.com.  Thanks Christin!

On a more serious note, I read a really heartbreaking post from darling momma-to-be Megan yesterday.  Please keep baby Cohen in your prayers!!!

A few good sales you may want to take advantage of

Horchow - 25 to 30% off entire site through today only!!

 

Old Navy - 20% off purchases of $100 or more (code: ONSAVE20) and Free shipping on purchases of $50 or  more (code: ONGIVE50) ends February 18th!!

 

Jos A. Bank - extra 50% off clearance.  I got my hubby quite a few $80 dress shirts for $10-15 last night!!

 

Is anyone giving up anything good for Lent?  If so, throw them my way! The hubby is Catholic and I'm Baptist (so I'm not obligated to participate) but I give up something with him just for support. 

Have a fabulous Wednesday!!

cBv

Back to the Grind

warning: extra long post!!

I'm back to work after a fabulous 3-day weekend, with a special Valentine's Day mixed in.  I hope all of you had an extra sweet V Day with those that are near and dear to you.  The hubby treated me like a queen and we tried out a new restaurant we've been wanting to try for a while now, J. Gilberts.  It was pretty darn good and the ambiance was perfect for V Day. 

Saturday morning I spent with some lovely ladies and very sweet elderly people at a nearby assisted living center.  We hosted a Pretty and Polished event and gave ladies, and a few misters, a manicure.  It was a humbling and fun experience, I'd love to do it again.  I met a sweet man, Grady William Mallone, to be exact, that was the first person to visit us and was the last person to leave, he stayed the entire time.  He spent the morning telling myself and another girl about his life as a retired Army Major and spelling out our names and his with heart letters, over and over.  Sweet, sweet man that reminded me of my papa.  He was the funniest thing, he refused to take picture with any of us but he loved taking pictures of us.  The cutest thing was him taking pictures, bless his heart he didn't realize there was a screen that showed what he was taking a pic of so he was holding the camera up to his eye and glaring at it up close, as if there was a lens.  Nevertheless the pictures actually turned out nice.

I had two special packages arrive from other lovely bloggers.  I opened the first box and found this pretty little box.

Inside was the beautiful pearl and jade necklace I won, courtesy of Natasha Grasso, from the Bon Bon Rose Girls' blogiversary.  Thank you Kristin and Megan, I absolutely love this piece!

This picture so doesn't do it justice.

The second package was from Southern Cinderella and was just in time for V Day!  I opened the box to find a  festive card from Lindsay and V Day tissue paper.

that revealed all these goodies

Look at the cute valentine from Lindsay and Chloe!  Can't wait to try out the recipes in the chocolate chip cookbook!

Thank you ladies for the wonderful gifts, you're too sweet!!

After P&P, I dashed over to the catch the last couple hours of the Fornash warehouse sale.  I definintely picked up some goodies including

a champagne colored boa scarf (one of Oprah's favorite things for 2009!)

The Annapolis sale is this Sunday, February 21st.

The Mongram Chick is hosting a fabulous giveaway until tomorrow night so be sure to sign up and check out her store and blog, she has fabulous things, all monogrammed of course!  Be sure to tell her I sent you! ; )

As you can probably imagine I'm just a little behind after having 4.5 days off so I'm out for now.  Exciting stuff coming in the very near future, stay tuned! 

Happy Mardi Gras!! Anyone doing anything to celebrate?

cBv

Love is in the Air

Hello lovelies!  I'm finally back at work and boy does it feel good!  I thought I had to work Monday but then my boss informed me that we are closed for the holiday.  I was actually a little bummed because I'm still suffering from cabin fever.  But it will be nice to have an extra day with the Mr.

Does anyone have anything big and fabulous planned for Valentine's Day with their sweet someone?!?!

Personally I'm hoping for a low-key day w. the hubs.  I wanted to do brunch after church at one of my favorite brunch spots but the Mr. turned me down because he already made reservations somewhere.  If you're in the DC area and looking for an A-mazing brunch you must check out Harry's Tap Room.  They have a few locations and the french toast is to. die. for. 

Eat some for me, please!!

Have I mentioned how much I hate suprises?!?! I think it comes with my Type A-need to be in control personality.  I just can't stand them.  And the hubs know this, so he always makes sure to capitalize on this to drive me crazy.  The only thing he told me for Sunday was he has a reservation somewhere and church.  Everything else will remain a surprise (blah!!).

Tomorrow I'm kicking off Valentine's Day a little early by participating in Pretty and Polished.  It's a group of girls that get together through my church and visit area nursing homes and assisted living residences and give the sweet little ladies manicures.  I'm really looking forward to it and I hope I can bring some love and cheeriness to their day.  It makes me think about the sweet nurses that cared for my papa when he was in the Veteran's nursing home.  They were so sweet to just take a few extra minutes to humor him by listening to one of his jokes, sing w. him and probably, on occasion, grumble about something.   Those little moments of caring, listening and sharing can really go a long way and truly brighten someone's day.  And I know it brought a smile to his face.  I hope I can share some love and do the same. 

Here are a few of my favorite pink things.

We will definintely take a stroll here on Sunday for one of my favorites!

I hope all of you lovelies have a fabulous Valentine's day spent with someone special that makes you laugh and smile! I'm so blessed and lucky, thank you for tagging along with me on this crazy little blog.

Tickled Pink!

cBv

For all of you DC ladies - the Fornash (Alexandria) warehouse sale has been rescheduled for tomorrow from 9am to 3pm. The Annapolis sale will be next weekend. Happy Shopping!

Warm Fuzzies

I'm home from work. again.  This makes day 7 and it's honestly getting a bit ridiculous.  The hubs has also been home so we've been trying not to get on each other's nerves all while attempting to keep our stir craziness at bay.  The malls have been closed, too, so that meant no fun.  And you can forget about me going outside.  That. just. isn't. going. to. happen.  the rate we're going it'll be April before I see the great outdoors again.  UGHHHH.  Amidst all the annoyances I've very thankful.  We've had the "P" word throughout the entire week long snowpocalyspe.  And that says alot, because alot of people have not. I cannot even imagine.  I'm not even going to go there.  As for old man winter, he's not my cup o' tea.  So to keep me warm {and more importantly busy so I don't eat 5000 calories a day} I've baking and cooking. Yesterday I made lasagna, chicken noodle soup and apple pie.

We had an impromptu game/American Idol night with our favorite neighbors so the soup was devoured before I could snap a shot. Props to the girls for beating the boys in Catch Phrase!!  Although there's been moments of boredom and stir craziness, I'm really thankful for all the extra time it's afforded me.  We've been able to catch up w. good friends, eat good food and its given me some time to spoil the hubby a little w. banana pancakes and homemade goodies. 

A big thank you to Kitchen Belleicious for passing along this award to me!  Thank you Jessica!! You're too sweet to think of me and I love reading your blog.  Be sure to check her out. She's always sharing fun and new delicious, or should I say belleicious, recipes.  She is also the lifesaver who turned my brick cookies into ooey, gooey, soft, fluffy, edible delicious yummies. 

I'm passing this award to the following lovely ladies:

Bon Bon Rose Girls

The Lucky Wife

Amanda at Serenity Now

Chapters of Our Life

Enjoy ladies!  Thanks for keeping me entertained and on my Ps and Qs for everything fashion, home decor and more!

cBv

Dilemma? Yeah, I've Got One.

I'm joining Amanda's Decorating Dilemmas party since I've got a dilemma that I just can't seem to rid myself of.  Meet the dreaded entryway wall...

This is the first thing you see when you open our front door and step inside our house.  It's narrow, it's short and to make matters even more tricky, the circuit box is also smack dab in the center of the wall. 

{Please ignore the ugly marble.  That's getting ripped up and beautiful hardwoods will be taking their place.}

I've tried to come up w. every solution possible to make this wall (on the right) cute and inviting yet functional.  And everytime it's been a big fat FAIL.  I really wanted a small table on this wall to stash keys and things when we come in the door but it just ain't. gonna. happen.  The depth of the wall is only 10 inches and then after you allow for the trim it really only leaves about 8.  Try finding an 8 inch table.  So then I moved onto hanging storage.  I looked at everything from corner storage to regular and nothing works.  It just makes it feel too cramped when you come in the door.Then I had this picture hanging above the key holders trying to disguise the ugly circuit box but it was too high and so I took it down.  So I've just decided to grin and bear it.

 

I found a triple hanger fleur de lis hanger and ripped them apart, spray painted them and put our initials on them and called it a day. At least we're able to hang out keys by the door.  I. give. up. 

I'd love to hear your suggestions and tips for making this hated wall into one that's functional, that I can refrain from cursing at everytime I come home.  It's awful to think the first thing we see when we walk in is a circuit box.  The architects and engineers who designed our condo were just brilliant.

I'm off to bake an apple pie and eat the whole thing to drown my sorrows and praying for a miracle solution.

cBv 

Deja Vu

So you're probably getting sick of hearing but I have another snow day today (making this a 4-day weekend and we're expecting 10-20 inches again tonight)!! And I won another giveaway, this time from the wonderful Mrs. MFC!  Be sure to visit and check out her blog.  Thank you Mrs. MFC!!! 

But seriously what the heck is going on?!?!

I'm very blessed but not lucky {normally}. 

Y'all are probably ready to slap me bc you're sick of hearing about my luck. 

Good news though, the lovely girls below are currently hosting giveaways so get your tooshies over to their blogs in a jiffy and enter.

The Bon Bon Rose Girls are giving away a $50 gift card from the Vintage Pearl

Short Southern Mama is giving away a super cute stationary and a tote bag from Lydia & Pugs

Amanda at Serenity Now is giving away a custom design button from Designer Blogs

Imperfectly Beautiful is giving away a bunch of Mrs. Meyers Clean Day products

I noticed that LOTS of you won giveaways from Blooming on Bainbridge's week of pink giveaways. 

Thanks to the super sweet Short Southern Mama for passing along the Blogger BFF award to me!  You're so very thoughtful.  (P.S. - I'm loving the new look, SSM!)

I'm passing the love onto

Kitchen Bellicious

Southern Cinderella

A Classy, Southern Bride

Mrs. MFC

Sweet Tea and Biscuits

Here's a quick pic of my tote bag I finished last week from sewing class.  The inside is the same print as the pocket and base. It turned out pretty well minus a few misaligned seams.

Hope everyone has a fabulous Tuesday! I'm off to bake an apple pie and maybe cook some soup to keep us warm, since apparently I'm a housewife these days.

cBv

Who Dat Winner?!?!

This week is already off to a great start. The federal government is closed which means another snow day for moi! The Saints pulled out a W over the Colts last night and I found out that I won a fabulous Valentine's themed giveaway from Lindsay at Southern Cinderella!!! I'm super excited and can't believe I won! I'm never this lucky when it comes to winning anything. Thank you Lindsay!!! 

All this calls for a celebration. Louisiana style.  I'm going to make shrimp n' grits tonight for dinner.  Kinda excited and nervous all at the same time.  I've never made this recipe.  I'll be sure to let y'all know how it turns out and if its a success I'll be sure to share the recipe. 

We had our neighbors over to watch the big game last night.  It was nice to have a low key, fun celebration and to catch up w. some amazing friends. 

In honor of the Saint's victory I'm leaving you with a few pics of fleur de lis decor in our home.  Unbeknownst to the hubs, a die hard Eagles fan, we have a little Saints love going on!

napkin holder

DIY key holders

Ballard's rug

And some super cute fleur de lis favorites.

Monogrammed Fleur de Lis platter from Sassy Scripts

Fleur de Lis frames from Sweet Lily Design

Preppy Pink & Green Fleur de Lis Wall Decor from 4 Little Pilgrims

Mariposa Fleur de Lis Napkin Holder

Have a good week. I'm off to the mall to do a little shopping, it's extremely overdue!
cBv