Well Hello There.

Long time no chat! Well I guess that’s because I kinda feel like I gave up on this little blog. Something I did not want to happen. But there were so many things that just got in the way. Or at least I let them. This was supposed to be a fun outlet, just little old me writing about this and that. But somehow I managed to get overwhelmed by it. My friend Amy has an amazing blog. She took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. But what I learned was most people post on these incredible blogs DAILY! They have fabulous photos, and they give away gifts. They have linky parties (something I still don’t understand). They tweet, and pin, and all this other crazy stuff that is way too much for this mama to handle.

J has now entered full blown toddlerhood. She’s a diva. She throws full blown tantrums over things like yogurt or my cell phone, which she truly thinks is hers…”MINE” she tells me! She wants so much to be in charge of everything (little does she know, she really is!) So when I have a second to myself, I found it difficult to sit down and blog. I love writing and just sitting down and talking openly, it’s all that other stuff that felt like work, and I couldn’t gear up to do it on a daily basis.

But here I am (during naptime) making confessions. So this is what I’ve decided. I can’t take any of this too seriously. With a name like Sequins to Sippy Cups, how could you? I will write when I want to write. Snap photos on my iPhone, and mini hot pink Canon, and not worry about the ginormous camera that I don’t know how to work. I will stop spending way too much time than I’d like to admit trying to figure out how to edit pictures I’ve taken of a craft project or cookie. I won’t worry about having followers. I won’t link up obsessively trying to get my name out there. I’m just going to let it be. Hopefully, this will make it more fun, and you’ll hear from me a little more often. Sound good?

Sneaky Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I have a serious sweet tooth! I love sweets, all sweets. It’s a problem. There is no discrimination. Unless it involves orange, I find that so unappealing. Like chocolate and orange? That would be the one thing I say no to. It just freaks me out.

This life long addiction of mine has me constantly searching for ways to make sweets healthier. You know, so I don’t feel so guilty for eating twice as many as I should.

And I have a feeling Jhett may have “inherited” my love for sweets. But thankfully she has no clue how healthy these cookies are for her and devours them every time I make them. They are moist and dense, like a muffin cookie, hard to describe. I promise you won’t even notice a vegetable snuck it’s way in.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

(Recipe adapted from Deliciously Deceptive)

• 1 Cup whole wheat flour
• 1 Cup oatmeal, old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 Tsp baking soda
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 1/4 Tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 to 3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar, (I use 1/2 cup if you like your cookies sweeter, do 3/4 cup)
• 3 TBSP Tub Margarine (I use Smart Balance, but make sure not to use the Light version, it is not meant for baking)
• 3 TBSP unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 Cup mashed ripe banana
• 1/2 Cup Zucchini Puree (just steam and puree in food processor, skin on)
• 1 large egg white
• 1/2 Cup raisins

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with Parchment/Wax paper.

Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl (flour, oatmeal, baking soda, salt, cinnamon).

In a separate bowl beat the sugar and margarine with a wooden spoon until just combined. Do not overmix. Add in the applesauce, banana, and zucchini. Next add the egg white and stir to blend.

Add in the flour mixture and raisins to the the sugar mixture, stir to combine.

Drop onto cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Hope you enjoy these yummy cookies!

My first Birchbox!

Sorry for being so M.I.A. lately but I have been in a heavy dark fog lately…otherwise known as Fifty Shades of Grey!! Completely unable to concentrate or perform day to day tasks until I finished the entire series!

Well I’m all done. And a bit depressed it’s over!

But just in time to cheer me up….My First Birchbox has arrived! All is well in the world again!

I thought I would share with you what I got.

This month’s theme is Gossip Girl. Which I used to watch religiously! It fell off the radar quite some time ago when I briefly switched cable companies and didn’t have it programmed to the DVR. Ironically I caught a glimpse of the show last week. Blair was kissing Dan?! What? I thought that would never…could never happen! Apparently motherhood and a brief stint with a satellite dish has landed me under a rock because I am longer up to date with important issues like this!

My birchbox was filled with fun little goodies. Which I tested immediately this morning. Here’s how it went:

Dr. Jart+ BB Cream

You all know how I feel about BB creams. I am particularly partial to the Estee Lauder one, so much that it has replaced my foundation which was essential to my daily routine. This one by Dr. Jart+ is nice. I felt it made me looked a little washed out when worn alone. But it’s light and nice. Also the SPF is slightly less (only spf 25) than the Estee Lauder so I don’t think I’m ready to make a switch.

Color Club polish in Disco Nap

 

Disco Nap. Love the name! I used to take these in college. Mainly on Fridays after I paraded around at Happy Hour from 4-7pm then went home…took said “Disco Nap” then headed out for the evening! Now my occasional Disco Nap occurs between 2-3pm while Jhett is napping, so I can muster up enough energy to cook dinner and straighten up the tornado she created earlier on in the day. It’s a beautiful shimmery gold color. Its has great coverage, not sheer at all. Loving it because I like everything gold right now.

Fresh Sugar Lip Balm in Rose

 

This has a subtle pinkish reddish color. Sheer and really really pretty on. I wore this with just my BB cream, a little concealer, light powder, a touch of bronzer and BlushBaby by Mac (a versatile blush color I love) and it looked really nice, very natural. I’m buying this!

Atelier Cologne in Vanilla.

This is a vanilla-y lime-y scent, very light. I would love in a body lotion over a perfume.

Twistband Hair ties

I have several of these already and love them! So soft, no snags. My favorite are the glitter ones but this one was a pretty raspberry color. Kinda matched the lip balm. I promptly braided my hair (just like Mr. Grey would have liked ;) haha!) and put in my new hair tie.

And a little extra. A cute red note card, labeled xoxo, like the Gossip Girl signature. Saving this for a little love note to the hubby I guess.

So that’s it. My first Birchbox. I can’t wait for the next one!

Have you subscribed yet? What do you think of it? I’d love to hear.

Happy Anniversary…to me!

Today is my 3 year anniversary! It should be my 8th year anniversary, but you lose all those years you invested when you were dating as soon as you say I do! Sometimes it makes me feel a little bit jipped! Not gypped, because today while spell checking this, I learned that “gypped” is a racial slur, and I certainly don’t want to offend any gypsies! ;)

…Moving on!

3 years is a good place to be for us. One was new, Two was a little complicated, but Three is great! We are happy and so thankful for each other and the blessings we have. I thought I would share a few of my favorite moments from my wedding May 2, 2009.

We got married in Seaside, FL. If you haven’t been there, its dreamy. Its this adorable beach town that is so picture perfect. We decided to make a whole weekend out of it so our guests could really enjoy themselves.

Friday night after the rehearsal dinner we had a dessert and cocktail…emphasis on the cocktail reception for all our guests in Watercolor (next door to Seaside). We wanted it at The Red Bar, but my M.I.L insisted it wasn’t as classy…Gee wonder why?

Yep! Bride on a Bar! That’s how I roll!

Because Tequila shots the night before your wedding are always a good idea!!

All the girls got ready at our beach house. My very favorite place to be!

My sweet little princess, Dolce.

This was not a joke! I literally was lifting weights (3lbs, you can barely call them weights) moments before I got dressed. Addicted to this routine from Pilates!

Dance party before…DUH! Had to break it down to “Lose your Love” my fav 80’s song!

 

The Chapel looked breathtaking.

Me = Happiest Girl in the World. My Sweet Daddy = Losing is baby girl! :(

The Mr. & Mrs..

Our lil boy Grayton made an appearance.

Being a MOH was hard work! Thanks Em!

The decor was amazing. Everything I dreamed of. Pewter gray and shades of pink with lots of bling! Cherry Blossoms and Peonies. Crystal chandelier in the beautiful tent. And dancing under the stars with cafe lights strung above. We had “His” and “Hers” lounges for people to hang out in on each side of the dance floor. Mine was shabby chic and very girly, and his was a cigar lounge.

Time to PARTY!!

Very fitting, the Best Men wore lightning bolt patches.

Our first dance! I think we were counting our steps the whole time. Slow…Quick Quick….Slow….

Each person’s place card was a mini bottle of Moet with a special label with our monogram and read: “Champagne wishes from the Mr. & Mrs.” and the hang tag had their table assignment.

 

Breaking it down to “My Girl” with my daddy. He’s got some serious moves!

It was a magical day, I will never forget.

And They Lived….

Happily Ever After!

PS: A few mentions to my favs…

      Photography, Sublime Wedding

      Design, Nouveau Flowers

      Print Items, Ft. Lauderdale Stationery

      Dress is Rivini.

How to keep your guacamole from turning brown & Mango Guacamole Recipe

I heart Mexican! Any and all Mexican! Especially fresh guacamole. Which is a little weird since I don’t like avocados. Actually I’m the same way about tomatoes, but that’s another story.

Usually when I make guacamole at home there isn’t any left over! But every once in a while, if I make too much I will save it for later. And without fail, it always turns brown and grosses me out the next day, even after skimming the top, I’m still a little freaked out.

But I found a great new way to keep it green!

The reason it browns is the oxidation, so the key is to slow it down. (I know I sound really smart right now! Not to worry, I just read about it in Cooking Light. I should have gone on letting you think I am a genius!)

There are 2 things you can do to slow down the oxidation:

1. Use citrus. Chop up the avocado and squeeze fresh lime juice over it (about 3 tablespoons per avocado). Toss it in the juice and leave until ready to prepare. Then when you are ready to prepare, use some of the juice in the dip.
2. When you are ready to store, rub a little olive oil on some plastic wrap then press down on the dip (oil side down). This will create a barrier. 

This will also work if you want to make it ahead of time for a party….Like Cinco De Mayo!! But remember that once it’s exposed to the air, it can begin to brown, so you can try to avoid that by serving in small batches.

Here’s a fun guacamole variation to try from How Sweet Eats (PS if you haven’t been to this blog, it’s amazing!!)

Mango Guacamole

• 4 ripe avocados
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped mango
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion
• 1 small jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• juice of 2 limes
• a big bunch of cilantro

Remove avocado meat and combine in a bowl with tomato, jalapeno, onion, mango and a bunch of torn cilantro. Add salt, pepper and lime juice and mix/mash until desired consistency is reached.

Any fun Cinco De Mayo Plans? I’d love to hear them.

My Favorite Self Tanning Products

It’s that time of year again. Really already!? Where legs can no longer hide behind maxi dresses and colored denim. It’s beach season. And for me, that means lots of self tanner in my future.

I have to be honest, I have been using some form of self tanner since I was in middle school…probably. But definitely since high school. Maybe this means that I will have fabulously young looking skin because I don’t try to pretend that I could actually tan on my own. I am white. No peach. And I go from light peach to medium peach to well, I think that’s about it, on my own at least.

Every spring and summer without fail the magazines are filled with the best tanning products to try. I find it’s really hard to find one you like, and you can really spend lots of money trying to find the one that works for you.

Here are my picks.

My Tried and True

Clarins Self Tanning Gel. Clarins makes excellent self tanning products. This was the very first self tanner I tried, and have been hooked on the company ever since. I love the consistency of the gel and it dries very quickly. The color is great. 

The Newbie

St. Tropez. I love that this smells nothing like a typical self tanner. I literally can put this on in the morning and wear all day. The color is subtle. But you MUST use the St. Tropez mitt. It is a tinted foam, and trust me you will be sorry if you don’t have that mitt. I feel that it also helps with the application. Sephora sells a kit with the foam, mitt, and this pretty gold illuminator, that's the best deal.

The Cheapo

Neutrogena Build-a-Tan. I like this because the consistency is light and the scent is mild. Every time I put it on my husband says I smell good. It’s gradual color but can repeated once dry to achieve a darker color. I find if I use this for a few days in a row I get a nice color.

The Staple

Jergens. Everyone has used the Jergens gradual tanning lotion. It genius. And idiot proof. But the Natural Glow Express is awesome too. If you’re like me and want it when you want it, then this is a great one to try. Its nice and thick and moisturizing. I use the Medium to Tan skin Tones (which I clearly am not) one because it acts more like a true self tanner giving you instant color.

The Faker

Lorac TANtalizer. Lorac makes this bronze illuminator. Its light like a gel but gives you a lot of color. It washes off so its great for a night out or to enhance your tan. I usually mix it with lotion, because a little goes a long way. One bottle will last you forever.

So what are your favorite tanning products? I’d love to try out some new ones.

Oh and PS, I’ve ordered the Birchbox!!! Yep, I finally made the cut. Can’t wait to tell you all about it!

DIY Pacifier Clip

Ok I admit it. My daughter is addicted to a pacifier. Or “paci” as we call it. It’s a real love/hate relationship we have. At first it was cute, especially because I blinged out her paci’s with Swarovski crystals when she was a baby. Then it was funny, the way she had to have one in her mouth, and one in each hand. But now, it’s a little scary. She’s an addict. Maybe there is a baby 12 step program out there? Mommy and me pacifier anonymous?

I’m not quite sure if I’m “officially” an enabler or if I’m just sick of frantically scouring the house/car/purse for a pacifier. So in order to stop this madness, I made her a paci clip. A pretty one, if I do say so myself! And you can too. If you are sans baby, it would make a really cute shower gift.

 

You will need:

• Beads (I got mine in a single strand, ready to go from Michaels)
• stretchy jewelry cord
• a suspender clip
• a keychain clip
• *optional* button, scrapbook thing-a-mi-jig (Can you tell I don’t scrapbook?), or any other decorative object to cover your suspender clip
• Glue Gun if covering suspender clip

 

First you will tie a knot on the keychain clip. This is probably not called a keychain clip. Thank God for pictures, so you know what I’m talking about and don’t have to decode my jargon.

 

Then you will string your beads and tie a knot on the suspender clip

 

Then just add the decorative thing-a-mi-jig if using with a glue gun.

 

Yep, it’s that EASY! And looks so adorable!!

The princess was pleased!