Friday, November 25, 2011

Post-Thanksgiving Food/Shopping Coma



I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!

We enjoyed a lovely meal, just the 2 of us - it was much needed! - at a lovely little restaurant in downtown Providence, Mill's Tavern

The Thanksgiving menu was fantastic and we enjoyed a lovely turkey dinner along with some yummy appetizers/dessert:

Vermont Cheddar and Harpoon “Octoberfest” bisque with house smoked kurabota ham hock and poached quail egg

Point Judith Calamari crusted in Kenyon's white cornmeal with spinach, aged balsamic vinaigrette and quince chutney 
(I had to google quince because it tasted like apple but not exactly)

 

Herb Roasted Turkey Roulades 
with giblet gravy, Kenyon's white cornbread, house-made sausage stuffing, pineapple-cranberry relish, buttered green beans, red bliss mashed
and carrot-sweet potato mashed


 Vermont Maple Crème Brûlée
Fig-pear butter, vanilla crème fraiche,
oatmeal pecan shortbread



Loved this little pewter creamer!

I didn't realize how popular it was to dine out on Thanksgiving! We had 2:30 reservations and didn't get seated until about 3 because it was so busy. So we grabbed drinks at the bar and enjoyed the atmosphere. It was well worth the wait!

Later that evening/the next morning, I ventured out with a good friend to see what this Black Friday madness was all about. Um, definitely not something I will ever partake in again! I did grab a few things on sale at Old Navy, Target, and Best Buy, but honestly it wasn't worth staying out til 6 AM! One of the Targets we went to was ridiculous: lines wrapped around the inside of the store, customers navigating multiple carts overflowing with TVs and other electronics, policemen dealing with all of the chaos both inside and out of the store.  We drove to the next town's Target which was considerably less crowded and grabbed a few things before our next top - Old Navy.  We were probably some of the first 100 people in line, but unfortunately did not get to the doors early enough (thanks to some confusion about what time the mall was opening!) to snag a free digital camera. Oh well! I did get a great deal on this coat, tho:

It's just the right length and has a nice fit - I love the cuffs too!

I spent the rest of the weekend catching up on sleep and being lazy on the couch with my laptop watching episodes of "The Wonder Years" - it was perfect!

Now, back to the daily grind, counting down the days til Christmas vacation! (20 - ugh!) 

Oh - I almost forgot! I tried this recipe from SkinnyTaste over the weekend and it was a big hit with my husband:


I probably should have remembered to serve it with sour cream/Greek yogurt - oops! It was still yummy tho and very easy to make. Can't wait to use my Crock Pot again.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday


Yay for 2 days in a row of blogging!

Here's what I'm loving on this rainy Wednesday (I feel bad for places in Northern NE that are getting snow today!!!)

1. As much as I love preparing a Thanksgiving meal, I am loving that I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow to start cooking a turkey, pies, stuffing, etc.  Brandon and I decided to go to a nice restaurant in Providence (just the 2 of us!) instead! The restaurant is located in the historic Pilgrim Mill's Building (how fitting, right?) and the menu looks amazing - I will definitely be posting pics/reviews on Friday!


2. I am also loving my Batiste Dry Shampoo (Light & Blonde)

I'm sure I've raved about this before, but it has been my go-to product these days when I'm rushing around. Great scent, leaves my hair feeling so refreshed!
3. I started using Proactiv again (tried it about 5 years ago but my forehead broke out in weird little bumps) and I'm noticing a HUGE difference in my skin! 
My skin feels amazing all day long and I started seeing results after only 3 days! Yay!!

Ok, just gotta get through one more class then I'm officially on Thanksgiving break!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Target Tuesdays!

I know it's been waaaay too long since my last post - I am really going to try and make a conscious effort to blog more often, now that my schedule is a little less hectic!

On a recent trip to Target I grabbed this super-soft sweater:


I threw it on today for school and it's perfect! I like thin sweaters because my schools are usually pretty warm and that way I can throw on another layer if I get cold. These are on sale for $9.99 thru Sunday (usually $17.99) I am definitely going to order some more online so I can get the colors/size I need. I just gotta make sure I don't shrink these because they are the perfect fit!

Some other colors I'm debating:
 Cream/Ebony


 Heather Blue


Heather Orange

I also snagged another pair of the Ona flats (I have them in black and tan patent)

These are a really pretty purple and I can't wait to wear them on Thanksgiving!


This dress caught my eye and I just had to have it:



Especially since it could be worn in the spring/summer, too with some fun sandals!
I wore it yesterday with grey patterned tights and my black Ona flats (like the ones above)

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday!


It's been too long since I participated in this blog hop!

Here's what I'm loving today:

Super comfy sweater from Target: click here
the pink is a little less purple in real life



New pants for school from Ann Taylor loft - perfect fit (Julie) and so comfy
(Top: denim color, Bottom: dark chocolate)
I've been drinking this stuff non-stop for the past few weeks! 
I like the original flavor better then the lemon echinacea

And that's what I'm loving this week!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Target Tuesdays!


Yay it's Tuesday!!!!!

I actually have not to been to Target in many weeks (I think this is a record for me!) but I hoping to go tonight to grab some groceries and take a peek at some fall/cold weather clothes. Today I'm rocking some of my favorite Target pieces:


I bought this cardigan months ago, but I'm wearing it today, paired with a grey jersey dress, black leggings and these black flats:


I also have these flats in tan, and while it took a couple of wears to break them in, they are definitely going to be my favorite fall shoe!

Speaking of fall footwear, I ordered these boots a few weeks ago on Target.com because of the many rave reviews. However, being 5'8", they only came up to my mid-calf and they just didn't look right. I was so upset, because I loved the style/color:

So I'll be returning this and starting my search again for the perfect brown boot!

Or, perhaps I'll use my refund to buy:


or:

or:

(which I posted about here!)

I have to say, fall is definitely one of my favorite seasons...don't get me wrong - I love me a good sundress and flip flops, but there's just something about the autumn air, changing leaves and cute fall clothes that get me really excited!!

What are you craving from Target lately?? Don't forget to link up at Tara's blog: www.fabulousbutevil.com

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Could it be?

A new blog post after a month-long hiatus??

Yes, I am FINALLY updating the blog!

a) because I miss it,

and

b) because several people told me they missed it, too - aww :)

So much to write about, where do I even begin?? I think this calls for a bulleted list!

  • I am working at 2 new schools this year (same district) so I have roughly 600 students instead of 400 - joy! It's been a pretty smooth transition and I am slowly learning all the names and adjusting to my new schedule. I don't have Fridays off anymore, so that's been an adjustment, too!
  • Mars is ENORMOUS!! His most recent weigh-in was 65 lbs and he is exactly 5 months old today - our breeder/vet thinks he's going to be at least 100 lbs by the time he's done growing - good LORD!
  • I can't believe it was a year ago this weekend that we had our housewarming party! I'm loving that I can actually enjoy the season of fall this year and not be running around like a crazy lady trying to finish last minute projects, etc. I haven't even decorated my mantel for the new season yet - hopefully I'll have time this weekend since last weekend was a busy one!
  • We flew down to Key West last Friday to celebrate the wedding of one of my best friend's from college. I lived with Corey senior year and then 2 years later we moved into an apartment in South Boston and became very close friends. We had an amazing weekend and it all went by so fast! We're hoping to plan a visit with the newlyweds a few months from now (they recently moved to NC) when the weather in New England starts to get ugly!!
  • Speaking of weddings, we have SEVEN next year!!!! 1 in March, 1 in May, 2 in June, 2 in July and 1 in August...whew, I got tired just typing that out...The good news (I guess it's good??) is that I'm not in any of them, but I'll be singing at most of them.  
Ok, time for some pictures to wrap up this post!


The iconic buoy in Key West!







Such a fun, beautiful and love-filled wedding!


My gift to the newlyweds - an idea I saw on Pinterest and just HAD to try! I really love how it came out (and they loved it too! Yay!!)

Ok, so I am really going to try and update this thing more often. We're planning to rearrange a few rooms soon, and I have lots of "furniture projects" in the near future that I'll be blogging about too!

Not to mention "Target Tuesdays!!!" My favorite!!


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Target Tuesdays!


Now that the school year has finally started my blog has unfortunately taken a back seat :( But this is my favorite blog hop, so I had to link up this week!!

Got this Merona dress last night - as soon as I tried it on I was in love! Great material, perfect length for a tall gal like me and something you can easily wear from late summer into fall!

Here are some things I'm eyeing on the Target website:







Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Target Tuesdays!


Yay it's Tuesday again!! Linking up at Tara's blog for one of my favorite blog hops of the week. 

Here are some recent purchases I made at Target for my kitchen

Comfort Kitchen Mat (link)

Perfect color for our kitchen, super comfy for standing at the sink, and easy to clean!

Nested canisters (mine are white but I couldn't find a picture online! link)

These were on clearance for $10!! I use the 2 bigger ones for flour/sugar and the little one for dog treats! They look great on my counter next to my white Kitchen Aid mixer!


Target Home Tablecloth in Brown (link)

I have this table cloth in the natural color and a pretty turquoise too.
They are very durable and machine washable!
Small White Wicker Basket (link)

These were on clearance for under $7 each, so I took all 3 that were sitting on the shelf! I love any and all kind of baskets and I think I can find a cute place for these somewhere in the kitchen or maybe the living room or bathroom - the possibilities are endless!!

Oh, Target - how I love you!!!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesdays!


Not only is it Wednesday, it's also my anniversary! 

I'm loving the gorgeous weather we're having today, just like we did 3 years ago when Brandon and I got married in Providence, RI.












Other things I'm loving today:
  • My quick and easy makeup routine I've been using this summer, which consists of the following products:

(counter-clockwise)
1. Milani HD Advanced Concealer in #02 (you can get this at CVS)
2. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black
3. Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
4. NARS Bronzer in Laguna
5. NARS Blush in Orgasm
6. Blush/Powder Brushes (Black one is from either CVS or Target, clear one is Clinique)
7. Sally Hansen Eyelash Curler

Closeup of the NARS bronzer/blush




Closeup of UD Primer Potion - a pretty shimmery champagne color

 I like that everything packs up nice and neat in this little bag I got from Ann Taylor Loft:



  • These body lotions from Bath & Body Works:
Dark Kiss - a blend of dark berries & vanilla

Vanilla Coconut

Smells like vacation!

And that's what I'm loving today! Be sure to link up at http://www.littledaisymay.blogspot.com!