that is Mountain Dew. I have been up for waaaaaay too long. And I have literally accomplished nothing. I pinned 8 new things that I will never create. I set up a boutique session (oh yeah, i never mentioned I am a photographer. and no, not a MWAC photographer), which I am super excited about, but I am sure my vision will change by the time the session rolls around in February. And I made an ass of myself in an email attempt to book a possible client. yay me.
Becoming Jen
a day in the life of Jen, as told by Jen.
Wacky Wednesday Win
Todays Wednesday Win is a little different. On my hunt to find a science project to do with Connor, I stumble across Voss sparkling water. The wacky part is WHERE I found it. Marshalls??? Really?? So this is our winner this week!
Pretty in Peach
I have a new found love of all things peach. This all stems from this gorg peach sapphire ring I found on Etsy. Anyways…..a friend of mine, owner of Mills Design Co., was holding a contest and shockingly, I WON!!! I never win giveaways or “like” contests, but now I know why they say “Slow and Steady wins the Race”. It just took all (15) of those contests, not to mention all of the “enter to win now” emails I always try and only win SPAM! anyways….I won these gorgeous pillows!!! I am so excited! My poor, neglected, bedroom is about to have a huge upgrade and those pillows will definitely be making a statement.
So with all of that rambling being said, she is holding another “like” contest on her Facebook page. After the next hundred “likes”, she will be giving away another free pair of pillows to the person who referred the most people! So, go “like” her page and start referring people!!!
Lettuce Rest, I’m feeling Beet
Vegetable humor 
I L.O.V.E. food! And I love to try new things. We generally eat a hearty meat dinner each night, but I try to make a vegetarian dinner 1-2 times a week. I found an awesome recipe on Pinterest, from the Proud Italian Cook blog, for a zucchini side dish that I decided to try tonight to see if it could only be a side dish or if it could possibly be a main entree. I used a small zucchini and a larger zucchini (close to the size of a small eggplant). I followed her directions (below) on gutting the seeds and placement. I then placed my small tommy-toe (cherry) tomatoes, cut lengthwise, in the dip of the each zucchini half. I altered the recipe a tad just to put my own touch on it (of course!). Instead of using bread crumbs, I mashed up about a handful of seasoned croutons. I also decided to salt and pepper each half first and then I forked on my olive oil by itself. I placed these in the oven on 350 degrees for 30 minutes. After removing the cooked zucchini, I placed my cheese on top (i only used Mozzarella) and inserted them back into the oven under the broiler for about 4 minutes. They were delicious!!! The portion size did make a huge different. The smaller ones would make a great side or even appetizer and the larger version could be used as a main entree. They were very filling! I think these could also be yummy with small mushroom pieces as well. Mmmm very yummy!
The Before and After
Here is the Proud Italian Cook’s directions:
Just cut a zucchini in half lengthwise and trim a little off the bottom so it sit still in a baking dish*** Scoop out the center where the seeds are with a spoon*** Brush the surface with a mixture of crushed garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper*** Arrange halved grape tomatoes into the grooves, sprinkle with bread crumbs and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes*** Remove and place diced fontina or mozzarella in between the tomatoes, place them back in, but now under the broiler til golden and bubbling***Remove and drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkling of grated parmesan.
So this is the new year…. And i don’t feel any different.
For all of you Death Cab for Cutie fans 
So, we are saying goodbye to twenty eleven and hello to twenty twelve! I, personally, do not do resolutions due to the overwhelming disappointment I feel when I don’t keep them. But, I do strive the ever lasting attempt to better myself in healthier ways!
Here is what I hope to accomplish in 2012:
I hope to lose 15 lbs and lose my muffin top
I hope to revamp my wardrobe and rid of all of my “stay at home mommy” comfy clothes
I hope to check off 2 things from my bucket list
I hope to find a new hobby
I WILL do 5 things just for myself.
So, Heres to the new year and all of the fun adventures to be had!
Photo courtesy of Candace Wilson Creative
Wacky Wednesday Win – - – - on a Thursday?
Oh heavens, I forgot to post my Wednesday find!!! Forgive me…ehem…and here is our Wacky Wednesday Win a “wittle wate”
Fred Flare for the win, again!
Guest Bathroom Upgrade
Ok, so I have been a little pre-occupied since we moved in 4 months ago! But, I finally got around to painting the walls of the guest bathroom and did a little upgrade to the mirror. Not such a big deal, I know….but it only cost me $37.42 and 3 hours!!! I picked my paint color from the “Ooops” paint selection at Lowes and it only cost me $5. And not cheap paint either, it was a gallon of the Valspar paint that is usually $30. Then I decided I wanted a new mirror for the wall as well. I searched Target, Walmart, and so on, and the common price was around $60. But after all of those fun Marshall’s holiday commercials, I decided to check there. Ding Ding Ding!!! I found the exact same decorative mirror for $29.99! Score! (don’t mind my bad photography on this either!) Here are the before and afters. I will add decor in later. Enjoy
Christmas
Christmas has come and gone, but I am left with a whole heap of loud and obnoxious toys, a mess on both the first floor and second, and a Paula Dean cookbook. Now, I love to cook, but very rarely do I use a cookbook. I like to “experiment”, but I find myself pleasing 1 person out of 3! So, my sweet, adorable, husband decided I needed a good, southern food, cookbook. His exact words were “you needed a cookbook with a good Country Fried Steak recipe”! So, tonight I made my very first recipe from it; Southern Chili in a Bread Bowl. I used my own chili recipe, but I made the bread bowl. It was a very different meal than I have ever made. Here is a picture of the finished product! Please excuse the horrible photography!
Pampers Sensitive Swaddlers size 3
There are two kinds of disposable type mommas in the world. There are the Huggies and the Pampers. I have always found myself to be a Pampers momma. That was until today. I used Pampers sensitive with both of my babies. With Connor, they stopped the sensitives after size 2. They recently added the Sensitive Swaddlers to go through size 3. I was so excited about this, until today. Caroline has been using the sensitive swaddlers for about a week now, and I kept noticing this horrible chemical smell coming from her. It was only after she was using the bathroom. So, I called Pampers tonight and they were telling me that they “don’t use chemicals in their diapers” and that “it could be where they are being stored” as if I keep my diapers right next to my bleach and ammonia. Anyways…they are going to send me an envelope to send 2 diapers back for studies and a bunch of coupons. But now I am faced with the question: what brand do I want? Pampers which we are having issues with or huggies which I do not know. I’ll let ya know!
