Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010 (a little reflecting)

Well, 2010 is upon us. How are you feeling about letting 2009 go? I'm feeling a little nostalgic right about now. This year was a year of learning, growing, love, heartbreak, celebration and every other emotion that you can imagine.

There were many experiences from this year that I will never forget and some that I would love to forget. But, alas, that's life and you can't tell your memories to take a hike.

As I was thinking about my New Year's post, instead of just reflecting on the year I thought I would reflect on the things I did this year that I had never done before. Like I said, 2009 held lots of experiences for me!

I made a New Year's resolution (no, I had never made one before)

I graduated from college (with honors)

I started graduate school (and made a 4.0 my first semester)

I went to New Orleans...

During Mardi Gras....

And I had a Hand Grenade

I saw two of my best friends, (ABC & TLC) marry the men of their dreams

I saw another friend get engaged to the man of her dreams

I got my first puppy, Millie Bug

I moved into my own place

I started paying bills

I started blogging!

I started my first 'real' job

I started collecting Willow Tree figurines (they give me daily inspiration)

I went to my first University of Tennessee football game

I significantly expanded my shoe collection

I learned the importance of having a few best friends

and I learned the importance of being able to enjoy life all by myself

So, how was 2009 for you all? Memorable? Miserable? What new things did you do this year? What new things do you want to do in 2010?

Happy New Year, lovies! I can't wait to see what this year holds for all of us!

 

Cheers, everyone! Talk to you next year!

PS: I only lack one more follower having 100, can I do it by midnight?! Hopefully!

Lights, Camera, Action! (favorite movies of 2009)

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I finally made it to my parents house yesterday- with power!! Woo hoo! However, our cable and internet has been hit-and-miss which is a bummer. I don't remember a snow storm causing this much drama in a long time! Geez louise!

I was thinking about what to post for today and decided to recap some of my favorite movies of 2009. I love movies! And surprisingly I take my movie visits quite seriously. I go through the same ritual every time. First, buy ticket. Second, order a small popcorn, Peanut M&Ms, and a small Coke. Go into the theater and find a seat in the upper middle section (I don't want to break my neck, thank you). After I'm comfortable I open my M&Ms and pour them in my bag of popcorn. If you haven't tried this you don't know what you're missing!!

Do you all do the same things over and over again when you go to the movies? Or is it just me? Hmmmm....maybe it's just me. Anyway, on with the list!

In no particular order...

My girls and I LOVED this movie! We actually watched it the night before one of my bffs got married :)

 

For those of you who saw this movie, you know why it's on my list!

I loved this movie! For obvious reasons, lol.

 

Tyler Perry is hilarious! If you haven't seen this go get it now!

My two besties and I saw this together. Jamie Foxx was amazing!

Yes, I am a kid and love Harry Potter.

There aren't enough good things I can say about this movie!

And finally.....

Swoon...

I still want to see Invictus and Did You Hear About the Morgans. What movies did you see this year that you loved? Did you see any on my list? What did you think about them?

I hope you all are having a wonderful day! I noticed that I'm almost at 100 followers, wow! It pleases me so much to know that you all enjoy reading my randomness! Keep showing the love, please!

Christmas is over? Already?

Oh goodness, it feels good to be back here! I hope you all were blessed with family and friend-filled days and lots of gifts and yummy food! This was one of the best Christmases I remember having in a while. This holiday season was devoted strictly to my wonderful family, and it was absolutely perfect!

Remember the storm that came my way a week ago? Well, that storm took out my parents power which didn't come back on until today. At first we were all whining about the power going out and what were we going to do, and me not being able to make it home, blah blah blah. Then my momma said the most beautiful thing. "Maybe this is God's way of slowing us down and reminding us what Christmas is really about..."

Mom, you're exactly right.

So, the power outage turned out to be a blessing in disguise and allowed my family to spend more time together during Christmas. It was wonderful!

It's been a habit for me lately to just post a bunch of stuff at one time. Well, that's what I'm doing again. I'm giving you a complete recap of BeB's Christmas extravaganza! Are you excited? Me too!

 Ok, first the outfits.

This is what I wore for Christmas Eve dinner with my family:

I had been saving these pieces for...well, I don't know what I was saving them for! And it hadn't occurred to me to put them together. The top is a Kristin Davis for Belk and the sweater is a Belk brand too. I wore it with black pants and my zebra flats.

And then on Christmas day we went to my parents' best friends' house. This is what I wore:

The dress is from Belk (I love Belk!). I got the tights in my stocking :) And the necklace is Forever 21 (also in my stocking). The flats are Isaac Mizrahi for Target.

This was me on Christmas morning. One with stocking (thanks, Dad) and one without.

Now, onto the loot- my favorite part! This isn't everything that I got, I just chose a few things to share with you all that I thought you would enjoy...just a little eye candy!

 I got a digital picture frame. Thanks mom and dad!

Two new Willow Tree figurines. Aren't these beautiful?

The mother and daughter is from my momma, and the puppy is from dad.

I got some new clothes from Forever 21.

 

 Aren't these so fabulous! I die!

I also got some new shoes. The first three were on sale at TJ Maxx (mom did gooood) and the gold ones are from F21.

The jewelry....

And this last one needs no intro....

Dad got a big 'ol hug for this!

I also got a diamond and white gold key necklace. I couldn't get a good picture of it though, dang. And few other things but I won't bore you with that.

The next few pictures are some randoms from our Christmas festivities!

 

 

 

Millie's loot, including a new coat and a Jackie O. sweater complete with pearl buttons :)

We got my cousin a Polo sweater dress. So loved it, to say the least!

Hope you all enjoyed my Christmas recap! So, how was your Christmas? What did you get? New Dior perfume?? New jewelry? I hope so!

So, what's on tap for this week? Well, I have a couple new things that I got for my bedroom that I want to share. And I did a little face-lift in my laundry room that I can't wait for you all to see! And I'm hoping to have another guest post this week! Woo hoo! I'm excited just talking about it!

Finally, I want to say hello to my new followers! Thank you for joining me :)

Ok, lovies, I'm going to eat dinner and then catch up on your lives!

Love to you pretties!

Life is Short: Eat Dessert First (another yummy recipe!)

Thank you all for the wonderful response to my 'Pretzel Popper' recipe! I hope you all will try it, those things are so yummy! Mmmmmmm.

Since there was so much lovin' from you all, I decided to share another very simple dessert recipe. This one, however, is more like an appetizer. A sweet, little, slice of heaven appetizer! It would be perfect for a New Year's party!

I give full credit of this recipe to Ms. HFG who writes Monograms and Manicures. When she posted this I almost died it looked so yummy! So, here is my version with a little tweaking:

Chocolate Chip Ball

What you need:

One 8 oz. package cream cheese (softened)

1 stick of butter (softened)

I know it sounds fattening, so far! Well, it probably is, but you aren't gonna eat the whole thing by yourself....right? Well, even if you do I won't judge ;)

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3/4 cup confectioners sugar

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Chocolate, Chocolate Chip or Regular Graham Crackers for dipping

Mix it up:

Combine cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until creamy.

Add in sugars and mix.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Put in fridge until it is a good consistency to form a ball.

(this is very important otherwise you're going to have a dip not a ball)

Form mixture into a ball and put on a platter.

Sprinkle with a few chocolate chips, it makes a pretty presentation!

Place crackers around the plate.

Voila! 

How yummy does that look? Well, let me tell you from experience it is deeeelish, and it was a big hit at Christmas Eve dinner with my family :) I hope you will try it for your next party or just because!

Ok, y'all I'm off to get ready for some post-Christmas sales! Woo hoo!!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Happy Christmas!

I want to wish all of you a wonderful, happy, healthy, festive evening with your family and friends! And I'm hoping you unwrap all the little gadgets and trinkets and sparkles that you asked for tomorrow morning!

Happy Christmas, lovies!

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth

Luke 1:14

Blonde Episodes meets Brown Eyed Belle!

Yes, today Ms. Kori (aka Blondie) meets Ms. Julie (aka BeB) and it is heaven!! I hope you will agree once you've finished reading what this amazing lady wrote for me! If you don't know Kori, head over to her place as soon you're finished here. If you are visiting me from Blonde Episodes, hello, I hope you'll stay a while! Now, settle into a comfy chair and enjoy.....

What have you learned this year?

I was asked by my friend Julie to guest post on her fantastic blog.  I am so honored to be chosen and thought I would write a little about something I am feeling…love.

Now, before you get all nauseous and want to gag, hear me out.  Yes, I am newly in love.  No, I am not some star-eyed twit wandering around in a fog. 

With Christmas fast approaching, I think it’s time to really reflect on the past year.  I was married.  I’m newly divorced.  I finally found the sweetest, kindest, most considerate man I’ve ever known.  My husband verbally abused me and made me feel like I was nothing.  I broke away after only 5 months of marriage and have never looked back.

Am I proud of myself?  Yes.  Do I wish I never married him?  No.  You see I had to marry the biggest jerk on the planet in order to grow up.  I always dated bad boys you see, and didn’t want anything to do with the nice guys.  That all changed after I went through what I did.

That’s when I found Jerry.  I believe God truly sent him to me.  I am so lucky and thank God every day for this new beginning and happiness I never thought I could find.

So, what did I learn this year?  A lot.  Most of all, I learned to be happy.  What have you learned this year?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Last minute shopping!

Hey you crazy ladies! Well, I'm not saying that you're crazy, I use that term with total affection!

The mamasita and I are hitting the town tonight to do a little last minute shopping! Well, first we are having dinner with my dad and then I'm certain he is going to abandon us to go to Best Buy.

I never do 'outfit of the day' posts but I am loving this little number that I put together tonight, so I'm going to share.

And of course Millie is showing off, too in her polka dot bow!

I'm rockin' my Rosie tee, a black cardigan & jeans. Casual but so very sassy. Just like me!

 

This is just for you Ms. Kori!

 

Sportin' my leopard flats

My sterling silver rose earrings. LOVE!

"J" necklace from my mama

I hope you enjoyed my spontaneous OOTD post! I'm off now!

Love you lovies!

"Stressed" is "Desserts" spelled backwards!

Photo via google

"Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie."
~Jim Davis


"Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity."
~Voltaire.

How fabulous are these quotes? I know it's getting a little hectic right now, and I thought this would brighten your day!

I knew that I wanted to share a little recipe with you all today, but I also wanted to do some words of wisdom. And this is what I came up with!

Remember when I told you all about the cookie exchange that my mom and I went to here? Well, one of the ladies that attended the event made these amazing little pretzel treats.

You know that obsession that we all have with salty and sweet treats? These are just that! Absolute perfection and so easy to make!

Since adopting this recipe myself I have named them 'Pretzel Poppers.' Isn't that cute? And very true, to be honest. Cause once you start popping them in your mouth, YOU CAN'T STOP!

Here's the 411:

First you need a bag of mini pretzels, Hershey Hugs, and M&Ms. Set your oven to 350 degrees.

Then you lay the pretzels out on a baking sheet.

 

Next unwrap the Hugs and place one in the center of each pretzel. Aren't they so cute?!

Then you put them in the oven for about 5 minutes. I'm thinking this will vary depending on the oven. Just keep an eye on them.

Finally, before they have completely melted down, take them out and place an M&M in the center of each Hug. Let them cool on the baking sheet. I put mine in the refrigerator for a little while.

Then I put them out on a plate for everyone to enjoy. These are perfect treats to give to friends and neighbors. Don't they look yummilicious?!

I think these would be the perfect treat to make with kids. They would love it!

I know it's getting super duper hectic right now, but I hope you all will come back tomorrow because I'm having my first guest post!! Kori, the sweetheart who writes Blonde Episodes, is guest posting for me tomorrow, and I can't wait!

Have a wonderful day everyone! Only two days til Christmas!!