Welcome Back to Me!!

I haven't blogged in over a year. How does time just fly by like that? Between work and family there is just such limited time. I have continued to read everyone's blogs, though. I am going to start blogging once or twice a week. It's a good creative outlet for me.

See you soon...

I am broken hearted today...

My husband and I did have a great time celebrating Valentine's Day in Tyson's Corner. However, while we were away my son attended a birthday party for a boy who lives near us and is in the same classroom at school. Apparently the two boys got into a fight at the party and the birthday boy told my son that he didn't want to invite my son to his party, and his mom made him. I am sure it is the truth. I feel so sad for my son and just wish that he didn't have to experience these things. They say kids can be mean, but does it really change as you get older? It seems to me that it is the same old mean stuff just in a less obvious way.

Ritz-Carlton, Tyson's Corner

Hubby and I are celebrating Valentine's Day at the Ritz-Carlton in Tyson's Corner. It is located in Northern Virginia, very close to D.C., and it is less than two hours from our house. The hotel is connected to a mall which is FABULOUS-Neiman Marcus, Saks, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier, and so on...Across the street is another mall which has Nordstrom's, Pottery Barn, etc. I have to work in the office first thing tomorrow (no way could I cancel since we got several feet of snow this week!) and then we are off!

I wish everyone a very special Valentine's Day!!

xoxoxx

Bad, Bad Blogger...

I have been a terrible blogger recently. As you might know, I am a CPA, and this is my busy time of the year. I actually start getting pretty busy in October and it continues to get busier until January hits when it is just WORK WORK WORK all the time!!! I love reading everyone's blogs and you give me so much inspiration on shopping, decorating, and being a good person.

I love you all!!!

Guess where we are going this week...

The happiest place on earth! We are going to Disney World for a week. My husband has a conference in Disney World, so we are turning it into a family vacation. I am going a little nuts right now with getting the house decorated for Christmas and getting ready for our trip!! It will all work out, and I am sure we will have a great time! What is your favorite thing to do in Disney World?

Votivo Winter Solstice

I always have candles burning in my house. Votivo is one of my favorite brands. I purchased a Votivo Winter Solstice triple-wick candle at Tuesday Morning for only $12.99. It probably retails for $50.00. I lit it today for the first time, and it smells amazing. I drove back to Tuesday Morning and bought two more plus a reed diffuser. If you live near a Tuesday Morning I encourage you to swing by and see if they have this candle. It is the perfect winter scent.

Amelia Island Plantation

I have been MIA again. This time I was at the Amelia Island Plantation for a board meeting and a conference. The weather was on the chilly side, and it rained a bit. I was inside at meetings, so it did not bother me. It is good that my family did not join me because they would have been bored. I returned on Saturday, and my husband is leaving for Palm Beach on Wednesday and returns the following Wednesday. Thursday is Thankgiving and Friday is a Philadelpia Flyers hockey game and shopping at King of Prussia. Then, we are leaving for Disney! I think we should just move to Florida! I have 446 posts to read, but I promise to read each one! Hope everyone has been keeping well...

Gregg Ruth Jewelry

Gregg Ruth is my favorite jewelry designer. The top picture is a canary diamond ring in platinum which is my engagement ring. Gregg Ruth's collection is fine jewelry-precious stones in platinum and gold. So much of the trendy jewelry is sterling silver and semi-precious stones or a few diamond chips. I do love my David Yurman and John Hardy, but it is totally different to wear fine jewelry. I love getting a beautiful piece of Gregg Ruth jewelry on Christmas morning!

Halloween Candy Overload

My dining room table is overflowing with Halloween candy. I made treat bags for my son's class. I am in the process of making treat bags for his teachers-nine when you include homeroom, art, gym, computer, etc..... They will have popcorn, candy, and Starbucks gift cards. For my trick or treaters I give out large size candy, and each child can take three.

Good thing I joined a gym...

Enough with the turquoise...

Today was a beautiful fall day, and it was very productive for me. While switching the contents from my Balenciaga Maldives Aqua Work Bag to my Chanel Light Beige Grand Shopper I realized that my computer bag is turquoise and so is another tote bag that I have. They really remind me of Tiffany Blue. I love the color, but enough is enough. Time to mix things up a bit!

Mignon Faget Jewelry

Mignon Faget is a jewelry designer from New Orleans. It is said that every lady from New Orleans owns at least one piece of Mignon Faget jewelry. My friend lived near New Orleans for a few years and starting acquiring some M.F. pieces, and she introduced me to M.F. I love crowns, fleur de lis, and New Orleans, so of course I love M.F. I have a few pieces and always love to see her new designs so that I can add a piece to my collection. My first piece was a sterling silver crown pendant. The pendant and chain only cost $100.00, but I have received more compliments on that piece of jewelry than any other piece of (expensive) jewelry that I own! Do you have any Mignon Faget?

Vampire Cabernet Sauvignon

I purchased this wine because I liked the label (I know that is not a good reason to buy wine) and thought it would be fun for Halloween. It was only $9.99 a bottle. It is not very good, and I am not recommending it. I don't know how it would be if it breathed more or if it would be purchased now and kept until next Halloween. At the same time I purchased this, I bought some Sterling and Rodney Strong cabernet sauvignons, and for a few dollars more they were much, much better.

Caribbean Blue Le Creuset

I love Le Creuset, and I use the Enameled Steel Stock Pot or the Soup Pot everytime I cook. I have both in Caribbean Blue. Their names are a bit misleading because both pots are on the small side-you couldn't really cook much stock or soup in either pot. They are perfect, though, for your normal family cooking.

Chicken Piccata

Because I work I have to have my menus planned in advance and have the groceries purchased during the weekend. If not, we are running to a restaurant and spending too much money on not so great food. Usually I am pretty good about planning menus and grocery shopping, but life has been busy, and I have been in a food slump. I am so uninspired and don't know what to cook anymore.

I made Ina Garten's Chicken Piccata recipe tonight, and it was very good. It was easy and delicious, and more importantly, everyone ate it!

2 split (1 whole) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 extra-large egg
1/2 tablespoon water
3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
Good olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons), lemon halves reserved
1/2 cup dry white wine
Sliced lemon, for serving
Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the egg and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes while you make the sauce.

For the sauce, wipe out the saute pan with a dry paper towel. Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and then add the lemon juice, wine, the reserved lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl to combine. Discard the lemon halves and serve 1 chicken breast on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

MIA for a reason-Fall Festival

Last weekend was the Fall Festival at my son's elementary school. I chaired the crafts. We had three crafts-tie-dye t-shirts, pumpkin painting, and sand bottles. In addition to the crafts, we also had face painting, hair painting, 15 games, a moon bounce, a bake sale, a cake walk, pumpkins and mums for sale, lots of food, and the fire department. It was a pretty typical fall festival for a school, but a lot of work for the few of us who chaired committees. Between working full time, having a family, and the fall festival, I have fallen a little bit behind at home, and therefore no blogging!

I was incredibly apprehensive about the tie-dye shirts because I have never made a tie-dye shirt before. A friend suggested using a kit by Dharma Trading Company. You mix the dye and pour it into squeeze bottles. The kids wear gloves and squirt the shirts with the dye. Five moms met at my house one evening and rubber banded all of the shirts in advance. After the child is finished dying their shirt, you place it in a grocery bag, and they take the shirt home, leave it in the bag for 24 hours, and then rinse it, remove the rubber bands, and launder. The shirts look amazing, and the colors are so bright and vivid-not the pastel look that you normally see. I highly recommend their kit.

I don't need to hear another word about...

the Kardashian sisters' wedding, pregnancy, or reconciliation. EVER.

One of those days...

I consider myself a pretty upbeat person...you know-the glass is always half full. Today is just one of those days when I feel a little down. I feel a little underappreciated, Facebook is getting on my nerves, I met a friend at Starbucks and it was just a little strained (probably my fault), I am struggling to keep the house in order and feel like I am two steps away from it turning into a crack den, the economy is incredibly scary (and no I do not think it has turned the corner), and I don't know what else.

It is really hard to be a working mom and to do a good job at home and work, be active at your child's school, maintain friendships, be a good wife, etc.

Today I am struggling. Tomorrow will be better.

Does anyone else ever feel this way?

IPhone and Ifrogz Case

I am digging my new Iphone and pink Ifrogz case. Too much fun!!!

Balenciaga Work Bag

This is the bag I am carrying right now-a Balenciaga work bag. I think a blue color is nice in the spring and early fall. I love Balenciaga bags, but they do tend to get scuffed around the edges if you are not super careful.

Oreo Truffles

Oreo truffles are amazing-delicious and easy to make.
You will need:
One package of Oreos
One block of cream cheese
Chocolate bark or chips

Pulverize oreos in your food processor. You want them very fine. Add an entire block of cream cheese. Pulverize again until it forms a dough. Roll dough into walnut sized balls. Place in fridge for 1 hour or until firm. Melt chocolate in double boiler or microwave. Dip balls into the chocolate and lay on wax paper to harden.
I like them dipped in white chocolate with some dark chocolate drizzled on top.