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

SNOMG!

Oh my gosh, they weren't kidding, it was the biggest storm of the year.  Hopefully it is the last storm and we are headed for warmth, sun and sweet summer!  Here in Arlington the snow started Friday morning and didn't stop until last night about 9pm.  We got 23 inches!!  We hunkered down and watched movies and played games. I made a big pot of yummy turkey chili and baked homemade cookies {again}.

Poor hubby is going stir crazy so we're going to attempt to venture out this afternoon to the gym and T. Joe's for some goodies for tonight's game. (Note to self - take pictures!)  Here's to hoping the Saints can pull out a W!  My living room has many a fleur de lis so I thought it was only appropriate to cheer for 'nawlins. 

Kelly shared the video below and it brought me to tears.  It was a great little mini-message since our church is cancelled today.  And she was right, it will bring you to tears.  I thought I'd pass it along since I found it inspiring.

Hope everyone is enjoying the snow and staying warm.  The only good part about this mess is that we haven't lost power.  Hopefully everyone still has heat and electricity!  Although, our Direct TV satellite is out as of this morning.  Thank God for Tivo!  I hope everyone enjoys the snow day!
cBv

Dear Snow...

Please get the h$#& out of dodge, or more specifically Virginia. I did say please! 

Thanks,

cBv

Side note: I attempted, for the third time yesterday, to go to the grocery store at 10pm last night.  I went to two grocery stores, and in both parking lots cars were double parked and parked on e.v.e.r.y. inch of curb.  I looped around and headed straight back out.  No thank you, I'd rather starve.

Thankful Thursday

I woke up this morning feeling ever so blessed.  Yesterday, we had a visitation for my best friends' grandmother and I really didn't want to go by myself.  The hubs had a deadline for a consulting job he's finishing up so he really didn't have the time to drive an hour there and back.  But he knew how much I wanted him to go and he so graciously came along.  He never complained once and was so patient as I chatted for almost 2 hours before leaving.  We didn't get back into town until 7:30 and then we went back to work and worked until 3am to meet the deadline!  The night before he worked until 1:30am.  I thank God for my hubby; he's always so willing to go with whatever flow I throw at him and he never complains.  This morning I made him blueberry muffins, just a little way to show him how much I love him, and to get him going since I know he was beyond exhausted. 

I thank God that I have an amazing, smart and successful husband that puts my needs and wants before his. He works so hard and has accomplished so much.  I'm so proud of him.  I love you Teddy!

What are you thankful for?!?!

Truly Blessed,
cBv

Calling All DC Shopaholics!

Oh. my. gosh. I am super excited for this weekend.  No, not for the next wave of snow and ick that's supposed to smother VA {again} but for this

and this(!)

This stupid storm better not mess this precious event up for me or I'm gonna have Punxsutawney Phil's head! Fornash is having not 1 but 2 warehouse sales this weekend {insert heavenly trumpet sound here}!! It's almost as good as the Lilly warehouse sale. I'm hoping to snag some preppy jewels to vamp up my spring wardrobe and maybe event get some steals on gifts.  Fornash has lots of great accessories that make TDF gifts.  If you're in the Northern VA/DC area make sure to check this out, it won't dissapoint.  Hopefully I'll make out like a bandit and will have lots of fun pretties to show you on Monday. 
cBv

Iron Snob

Call me crazy but I am extremely picky when it comes to irons.  Not straightening but clothing irons.  Does anyone else have this issue?  Since taking up sewing, it seems this finicky fetish has gotten worse.  I cannot stand irons that don't steam or have the ability and just. plain. suck.  It drives me completely insane!  My mom's iron is famous for not steaming very well and so my clothes always look wrinkled after ironing them.  And everytime I'm "home" its always for something important or a holiday so I need to be looking good not wrinkled. It drives me up the wall and I swear to myself I'm going to buy her a new iron and then I forget until the next time I'm ironing my clothes at her house.  

Anyone else care to join me in my iron snobbery?

Currently the iron that made the cut that gets used on a daily basis is this one

Rowenta DX1900

Yeah he was a bit pricey but SO worth it.  I love it because 1. it does a darn good job of steaming and 2. because the cord retracts and its easy to store.  Prior to upgrading we had this guy and loved it. 

Rowenta DX1700

Does anyone else have any really weird cleaning/household fetishes?!?!  How did today's post end up being this random?!?! I'll never know.  And yes, it's 1:30pm and this is all I came up w. for today.

 cBv

Just call me Paula

So the weatherman was right, it snowed on Saturday, about 4 inches to be exact, which made for a perfect day to wrap up in my Uggs and comfy pants and tackle my inability to bake edible cookies.   I was determined to turn my "won't break even when thrown against a brick wall" cookies into fluffy, melt in your mouth yummies.  I can ecstatically report that it was a success and I broke the curse!  I'd like to think it was all due to my awesome skills but I think it was in large part due to a few things; complete luck, my cute apron, some good tunes, and a peppermint mocha, all essentials when baking.  I'm so bummed I forgot to take a picture of the soft, chewy goodies when they were finished, but I swear they exist.  I also managed to make my mama's infamous brunswick stew and banana and blueberry pancakes for the hubs Sunday morning.  Chocolate chip cookie dough = heaven in a bowl.

After baking I started the long, tedius, time-consuming process of making 1 of 2 "untraditional" topiaries. 

I'm making two for my sister's bridal shower.  Although these are super easy, be sure to have your patience out because you're going to need it.  About an hour or so into it I decided I needed some entertainment so I watched one of my favorites, Steel Magnolias, which I hadn't seen in forever. It. was. glorious.  That's about all besides dinner w. the hubs, winning Scrabble twice, going to the gym and lots of vegging out.  I know I lead such an exciting life!

Hope everyone has a fabulous week. 

cBv

P.S. - Mrs. MFC is having a great giveaway that is on until Sunday.  Head over to check it out!