Things I am Loving Today {3/30}

Made with Picasa, pics from Pinterest Board: http://pinterest.com/melbl/movie-pics/

I honestly want to write a great introduction for this post but words escape me. I'm essentially in left field picking daisies staring at the clouds. 

SO...

I am just going to share the recipe for the "Best Sandwich on Earth" and one of my favorite quotations from the film.

As for the quote? My heart melts when Adam Sandler's character John Clasky looks at Fleur,(upon suggesting that the last thing she would want to hear is someone complimenting on her looks) and says:

"They should name a gender after you. Looking at you doesn't do it. Staring is the only way that makes sense. And trying not to blink so you don't miss anything...

And all of that and you're you. 

It's just that you are so drop-dead crazy gorgeous. So much so that I'm actually considering looking at you again before we finish here."

Sigh.

 Every woman wants to be that BEAUTIFUL! The kind of beautiful that stops men in their tracks; that makes them question the ability to form a sentence... 

It was such a romantic scene in the movie and every time I watch it...I want to cry in pure delight...

 

It means that there is love out there! 

 

As for that AMAZING sandwich here is the recipe & how-to:

 (Courtesy of Thomas Keller)

 

What you need:

3-4 Slices of bacon

2 slices of Monterey Jack Cheese

2 slices of toasted rustic country loaf

1 tablespoon of mayo

4 tomato slices

2 leaves of butter lettuce

1 teaspoon of butter

1 egg

 

The Procedure:

 

1. Cook bacon until crisp

2. Place slices of cheese on one side of the toasted bread. Place in toaster oven to melt the cheese. 

3. Spread mayo on other side of sliced bread. Top with bacon, sliced tomato, and lettuce. 

4. On non-stick skillet, melt butter.

5. Fry egg, overeasy! You want a drippy yoke!

6. Slide finished egg on top of lettuce and top with other slice of bread, cheese side down.

{source: The Kitchn }

 

Just Be {Happy}

http://pinterest.com/pin/160581542933323592/

50 Ways to Nurture Your Happiness.

{Strongly Encourage You to Read}

http://www.bellamumma.com/2012/03/50-ways-to-nuture-your-happiness.html

Do You Remember When...

Hello nostalgia ;)

Perhaps it was the music stylin' of the Red Hot Chili Peppers blaring from my Iphone,

that brought me back to a time period where I was utterly goofy, clumsy, and AWESOME:

The 90s...

The 90s, A lovely time period where all of the following things were considered AMAZING:

Lisa Frank Trapper Keepers and/or stickers

Polly Pocket

Madonna 

Clarissa Explains it All

Doodle Bear

Friendship bracelets

NSYNC vs. Backstreet boys 

(the battle still continues)

Slammers & Pogs 

Tenant Mutant Ninja Turtles

Handwritten Notes 

Kenan & Kel

(KEL LOVES ORANGE SODA!)

Spice Girls

Vanilla Ice

Ahh, how I miss those days! Seriously the list could go on forever.

Omg.

I almost forgot:

Full House

Trolls

TOPANGA....oh how could I forget Topanga. 

Boy Meets World

Girl Talk...

JELLIES! (clearly nuff' said.)

Happy Hour Readers: What do you MISS OR LOVE about the 90s?

And if you are interested in taking a further stroll down memory lane... 

Check out this amazing article:

175 Reasons Why Being A 90s Girl KNOCKED OUR JELLIES OFF! 

HERE

One Thing To Always Remember

Pinterest

"It isn't what happens to us that causes us to suffer, it's what we say to ourselves about what happens."' 

-Pema Chodron 

"The longer I live the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. 

It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. 

It will make or break a company, a church, a home. 

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable. 

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. 

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% is how I react to it. And so it is with you...

We are in charge of our attitudes. 

Author Unknown

Happy Hour Mixology: Strawberry Sangria

Made with Picasa, myheartisfullofwine.tumblr.com

Whenever I think of spring orsummer, I envision warm evenings, brightly colored skies, chilled white wine, and strawberries. 

So why not combine all them?

Strawberry Sangira

What you need:

1 bottle of dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio (one of my favorites) or Sauvignon Blanc

1/2 cup of strawberry schnapps

1/4 cup of sugar

2 cups of sliced fresh strawberries

Ice.

2 qt. pitcher

What you need to do:

1. Stir wine, schnapps, and sugar together until sugar is dissolved.

2. Add sliced strawberries.

3. Cover & chill for 1-4 hours

4. Serve over ice in wine glasses

5. Garnish with strawberries & Enjoy!

Xo -Kristina

How Do You Define Beauty

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"I want to grow old without facelifts...I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I've made"

-MarilynMonroe

Amen. A woman who believed in aging gracefully and beautifully,I may add. 

As I watched GMA this morning I had to ask myself: Why as a society, are we so concerned with beauty? And why are women going to the extreme to meet the standard?

(If you haven't already heard: woman are now getting fat injections in their hands to prevent them from looking old. It makes sense of course, after countless injections of Botox, fillers, and/or breast enhancement surgeries, you have to keep up with the process...)

The cost is even more astounding, upwards to $14,000. 

Really? $14,000 for fat injections to the hand?! 

I personally, found it UNattractive. 

  

I do however, find a person attractive when...

He/She speaks her mind.

(Regardless of the consequences)

An assertive woman, who knows what she wants and speaks her mind, is beautiful. Society at times, can paint the assertive woman as being a "Bitch", but there is nothing more attractive than the woman who can look another man/woman in the eye and stand behind what she believes. 

 

He/She puts a smile on her face despite the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.

At times, this can be really hard.  But there is beauty in strength...

He/She is confident.

 Confidence is attractive! It doesn't matter if you are black, white, purple, pink, tall, skinny, fat, short, oblong..

If you are confident and comfortable in your own skin...that is beautiful. 

He/She has a sense of humor.

Personality.

Chemistry

If someone can make me laugh I am automatically drawn to them.  

He/She has heart. 

or depth,

or radiant soul...

Happy Hour Readers: How do you define beauty?

 

Prince Charming

Made with picasa, pic: chocolate-mouse.tumblr.com

She believed in dreams all right, but she also believed in doing something about them. 

When prince charming didn't come along, she went to the palace and got him. 

-Walt Disney, on Cinderella. 

Things I am Loving Today...

xobetseyjohnson on Instagram, whatweareburiedwith,@bellamumma, blog.mrslilien.com

There is always a sigh of relief the moment I realize it is Friday. 

It means that the weekend is finally here, and that I can finally relax. 

Today I wanted to share a collage of a few things that I am loving!

Bright colors...

Betsey Johnson on Instagram 

(Love her style, big bright colors, and unique personality)

Quotes 

(Particularly about dreamers) 

"People too weak to follow their own dreams will always try to find a way to discourage yours."

LOVE LOVE LOVE 

 && 

 Brightly Colored Inspirational Quotes

"May your weekend rain down with a little bit of fabulousness"

 Finally, I am loving the idea of happy hour. 

I need a good, strong, cocktail...

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

xo

 

Don't Be Afraid

Made with Picasa. Photo: whatweareburiedwith.tumblr.com

Don't be afraid to fall apart. Because it is an opportunity to rebuild yourself. 

-Rae Smith 

Hair Desire: Braids!

Made with Picasa, pics from weheartit, tumblr, and sherrilynnpuz.blogspot.com

I am loving these simple, beautiful, elegant braids.

Dreaming Of Paris

Compilation made with Pinterest Pics and Picasa...I do not claim to own any of these lovely photos.

Sometimes it's better to live in fantasy.

& That's where I am living today. 

I am dreaming of Casablanca Lilies...

an unforgettable view...

jewelry far too big for my neck...

Burgandy gowns

& the words of a love song. 

Happy Hour Readers: What are you dreaming of today? 

Above the Clouds

As I fly above the clouds, I realize I am the closet to heaven I'll ever be. The clouds serve as a blanket; a blanket in which I could quite possibly lay my tired, worn body for a mid-summer's rest. What lies below them-remains indefinite. They break revealing beautiful shades of coral as the sun awaits the presence of the moon. City lights and bodies of water glimmer cascading shadows onto my curious eyes. I long to take a snapshot in my mind to possibly recreate the breathtaking anomaly before me.

-My first experience flying over the clouds.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31113246@N06/5698724733/

Spring Style Watch

Spring Style Watch by kcaron83 featuring flower jewelry

Summer Beauty Tips

Made with Picasa

Ahh. The warmer weather is finally here! With that been said, ladies we need to start protecting our skin from the harshness of the sun, and of course do something about that frizzy hair in the humidity.

Here are a few tips to keep you absolutely gorgeous this spring/summer! 

Haircare 

1. Summertime means a lot of swimming whether it's taking a dip in the pool, the lake, or the ocean. Unfortunately it damages your hair! Continually wetting and drying your hair leaves those tresses brittle. 

Solution?

Be sure to deep condition at least once a week! 

It will repair all the damage from chlorine, the sun, etc. 

2. On a budget, but want some highlights?

Try spritzing some lemon juice through your hair! The sun will naturally lighten the hue of your hair. 

(*I love to do this! It works and it makes your hair smell good!)

Skincare

1. SPF! SPF! SPF! Did I mention SPF? You want to wear at least a 15 at all times. Please do not sacrifice your health for fashion! Sure, a tan looks great but it can do serious damage in the long run. Wearing SPF on a regular basis will keep you looking young and eliminate sunspots. Safer & (equally attractive alternatives include bronzer(s) and/or a spray tan.

2. Stay adequately hydrated. 

Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day! Don't like the taste of "plain" water? Slice up some lemons, limes, mint, or even strawberries and add them to your water. Adding lemon actually helps detoxify the liver and metabolize fat!

3. If you do happen to get a little too kissed by the sun, make sure you treats burns with Aloe. 

It will soothe the burn and allow you to heal faster.

Make-up

Less is more in the summah time!

1. Accentuate that sun-kissed glow with a shimmering powder instead of thick foundation. 

2. Apply bronzer! 

 Powder bronzer can accentuate your features and give you a healthy glow.

3. Make sure you use a lip balm or chapstick that has SPF. You want to protect your kisser! 

4. If you are around water or perspiring, waterproof makeup is your bestie. It will prevent those awful "racoon eyes" and streaks if you happen to get tossed into the pool. ;)

& Lastly...

Enjoy your summer. Sit back, relax and be happy. 

The most beautiful thing a woman can wear is a smile.

Romance

"We mistake sex for romance. Guys are taught that pushing a girl up against a wall is romance. Sex is easy; you can do it with anyone, yourself, with batteries. Romance is when someone you like walks into a room and they take your breath away. Romance is when two people are dancing and they fit together perfectly. Romance is when two people are walking next to each other and all of a sudden they find themselves holding hands, and they don’t know how that happened."

-John C. Moffi

whatweareburiedwith.tumblr.com

Inspirational Women: Mandy Hale

Ms. Mandy Hale

"The art of life is to convert tough times to great experiences. We can choose to hate the rain-or dance in it."

#TheSingleWoman 

I must admit I have been ignoring the whole Twitter, tweeting thing, but I decided to give it a try. I created a page for my blog @ADailyShot and started tweeting. Conveniently Twitter has a "Who to Follow" feature so I decided to check it out. Upon the masses I discovered Ms. Mandy Hale, or also known to the Twitter world as @TheSingleWoman. 

Finally a breath of fresh air! 

She was fresh, original, witty, funny and she tweeted about things that us girls, worry about all the time: LIFE, LOVE, RELATIONSHIPS, BOYS, MEN, & HEARTBREAK! 

Little by little I found myself clicking "Re-tweet" to nearly the majority of her tweets. 

She made sense on a bad day. 

SHE STILL MAKES SENSE ON A BAD DAY! 

If you have not have the opportunity to "Follow" her, I strongly suggest that you do! 

In nearly one year, she has positively impacted over 400,000 followers across the globe. She has been nicknamed "The Carrie Bradshaw of Music City" (#3 Twitter page in Tennessee).

In an essence she:

"Cuts to the heart of the matter with her inspirational, straight-talking, witty, and often wildly humorous take on life and love"

-TheSingleWoman.net

What more can you ask for? 

 

5 Ways: To Feel Better Right Now!

Having an "off" day? 

SNAP OUTTA IT PUMPKIN!  But seriously, here are 5 things that you can do right now to better your mood.

1. Think of a compliment that made you feel really good. 

Maybe it was from a stranger, or from a loved one, either way- a compliment can really go a long way. 

2. Give a compliment. 

Remember how you felt when your received one? Share that simple joy, it will make you feel better knowing that you made a small difference in their day,.

3. Turn on Pandora, grab a happy hour beverage of choice, and sit outside.

Even if it is by yourself.

Solidarity shall not be lost. 

4. Get off Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and/or Tumblr.  

(For at least an hour or more)

It is said that social media has a negative impact on women. So please,stop "pinning" those images of perfection on your "I Wish" board. You are beautiful just the way you are. Smile, and do something that makes you feel good. 

5. Do something out of the ordinary!

We are creatures of habit & routine but it is actually quite nice to not do the same thing every day. Last night as I was walking the puppy, I happened to look up at the stars and got an idea. Quickly, I ran into the house, grabbed Chris and said " Just be corny with me for one minute." As he followed me, I laid upon the driveway and stared at the stars. For a brief couple minutes, I completely forgot about the troubles plaguing my mind.

whatweareburiedwith.tumblr.com

Oh No! Unexpected Guests? Quick Appetizers To Please!

Sometimes we are pleasantly bombarded with unexpected guests.

But what do you do if your fridge is looking bare and they are hungry for some munchies?

Solution: 1 8oz container of cream cheese and one or (all) of the following:

Salsa 
Tablespoon of pesto
A small jar of strawberry jelly.

The quick fix:

Cream cheese + 1 small jar of salsa = A spicy dip to serve with chips (tortilla)

Cream cheese + 1 small jar of strawberry preserves = A sweet dip that will taste wonderful with graham crackers, animal cookies, or shortbread cookies

Cream cheese + 1 tablespoon of basil pesto = A perfect savory dip that will pair wonderfully with crackers! 

  Source: Claire Robinson, Host of Food Networks, 5 Ingredient Fix

Photo found here!

Corona & Lime

Spring is more than a season, it is a feeling of revival.

Late last night, I hate to admit, I found myself losing grip, crying, as the rain fell upon my face. I felt hopeless, overly emotional, and angry. (If you have followed some of my other posts, you will know that my life has been LESS than desirable as of lately...)

But as I drenched my pillow with tears, I said a prayer. I prayed for new beginnings, hope, and of course, revival.

My prayers must have been answered because I awoke to warmer temperatures, sunshine, and a feeling much different than the night before. I was excited for Spring, the blooming of flowers, bare feet upon freshly cut grass & sundresses.
 

With Spring comes hope...

new beginnings...

&&

Possibly a little Corona & Lime...

whatweareburiedwith.tumblr.com

Happy Hour Mixology: Red Wine Spritzer

I'll take two: Bastardized Sangria HA!

This recipe is designed for lazy folk who just want to get tipsy.

Amen.

What you need:

Red wine

Peaches (hell throw a can in, drain first)

Grapes 

Strawberries

Splash of Sprite

Ice, Ice baby. 

 Your besties, some gossip, and some terrible chick flicks...

Enjoy. 

Thx Thx Thx

The idea of a "Thank You" note a day? 

LOVE IT. 

ADORE IT. 

Wish I thought of it....

But since I didn't, I want to share this wonderfully AWESOME website with you & share one of the most relevant "thank you"notes in my life...

Ps. Why can't I get paid to be wildly creative & witty? I'd BLOG all day, everyday. 

And yes, that's a HINT hint NUDGE nudge to all those prospecting publishers.

Visit here: http://thxthxthx.com/?cat=26

and here: THX THX THX

Only Love

"There are four questions of value in life...

What is sacred?

Of what is the spirit made?

What is worth living for?

and what is worth dying for?

The answer to each is the same...

Only love."

-Johnny Depp

aliceiswonderful.tumblr.com

They got hitched!

Pinterest board: Love/If I Someday Say I do

In honor of two dear friends:

Congratulations! 

YOU DID IT! 

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you a lifetime of happiness, good fortune, and of course, love!