Thursday, September 29, 2016

LuLaRoe, Here I Come!


Messy Messy Fail - I've been to what my local peeps will understand as Tiny Tops (a Tops Friendly Markets in our neighborhood that's really small, hence the name) a total of three days in a row.  Nothing like forgetting a VITAL pantry item at every trip - first it was milk, then I realized we needed bread, then the third and final trip for peanut butter.  The cashiers were laughing at me.

Tidy Victory - While at Tiny Tops - my 2nd visit - I came across a 50% off bin FULL of E.L.F. Makeup which I happen to like!  I scored a tube of mascara, a baked blush, two other blush palettes and a purple cream eye shadow crayon (complimentary to my green eyes) for a $1.50 each!  So far I've only tried the baked blush and I REALLY like it, gives off a nice glow!  Did you know I have a blush obsession?  You can read about that here :)  

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Apple-Glazed Pork Chops with Raisins for #AppleWeek

Messy Messy Fail - I am just hanging on to my front hanging baskets for dear life.  We purchased two beautiful pots of pinkish-red trillion bells at the end of May beginning of June and only let them dry out a few times.  Of course we get quite neglectful of them as we get into September, and the stems have turned almost entirely brown.  Yet I still feed them Bloom Booster and all of a sudden, all these little flowers show up on the brown straggly stems.  Almost perfectly appropriate for Halloween, but that's not for another month.

Tidy Victory - Do you want to know what the NYS auto inspector said to me when I went to pick up my car and asked if there was anything to be watching for?  "Ma'am, this car is going to be around for a long time".  I KNEW it would pay off to purchase a 2007 Champagne Camry (whom I have since named Cecilia) even if it meant I would not be driving the most sporty or even most appealing car.  Perhaps I shall change her name to La Cucaracha!


Monday, September 26, 2016

Hot & Boozy Caramel Apple Cider for #AppleWeek

Messy Messy Fail - Did I mention in previous posts that the front left burner on my cooktop only boils now?  I'm so mad about this that I feel as though I may have ranted about it on another post, but I'm going to again because I'm that mad.  Regardless of the setting on the dial, that burner only boils.  I discovered this after pretty much burning two separate meals in my NON-STICK pan which is now my NON-USABLE-CANCER-CAUSING pan.  Did you know you aren't supposed to cook above medium heat on a non-stick pan?  That's right folks - it can't take any more heat than medium and the pan will be of no good.  So thank you to my only-boils-on-the-left-burner cooktop for ruining my non-stick pan.  Rant finished. 

Tidy Victory - After months of just stuffing and CRAMMING linens into my linen closet to make them fit, I decided it was time to clean out and reorganize.  I love organizing the sheet sets so that you fold the fitted sheet, top sheet and one pillowcase in a stack together then insert the stack into the other matching pillowcase, fold the end over and TA-DA - all together and ready to go.  No searching anymore.  AND I found a plastic bag full of travel size toiletry items that I forgot I had also stuffed in that linen closet :)  

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #140

Messy Messy Fail - I haven't had my hair did in literally 7 months.  I went back and checked my calendar because I honestly didn't believe it had been that long.  That's embarrassing.  My roots and ends are embarrassing.  I'm making an appointment next week.  No exceptions.

Tidy Victory - We took the kids out apple picking and ended up collecting 2 full bushels and a 1/4 peck - now that's a lot of apples.  At $16 a bushel with upick - what a STEAL!  

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #139

Messy Messy Fail - In preparation for LuLaRoe about to take over my house, I have been trying to move all of the toys out of the one side of the unfinished basement.  Every few days I go down there to take inventory of the situation and try moving a few things, and regardless of my toy removal, they have all magically found their way back.  All over the floor.  Everywhere.  Everyday.  Like they come to life at night and fling themselves everywhere.  Or my sons have no regard for my efforts to contribute to the family.  So rude.

Tidy Victory - I have another amazing recipe to share - The Best Sloppy Joes from Chef in Training.  I made this recipe tonight for dinner, it is a staple in our house!  The sauce from this delicious recipe is so thick and sticky - make it and see it for yourself!  



Thursday, September 15, 2016

Health, Beauty and Wellness Groupons for a Parental Relaxing Experience #Groupon #ad


Messy Messy Fail - Definitely had the cute t-shirt I had on under my sheer LuLaRoe Lindsey inside-out for half of the day yesterday.  I only noticed when I looked down and saw the hem on the outside of the v-neck.  Perhaps no one noticed (da da DAaaaaaaa).......or did they?

Tidy Victory - I am so excited that the new fall TV show lineup is in progress - so many new and exciting series it's hard to know what to pick!  There is simply not enough room on my DVR for all of them - will there be anything to replace Parenthood in my life?  Only time will tell - what are you excited to watch this fall?


Sunday, September 11, 2016

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #138

Messy Messy Fail - Last night was our date night - we talked about it previously in the week, found a sitter, all set to go.  We get to our destination of choice - the entire restaurant/bar was closed for a wedding.  Arrive at our second choice - completely overwhelmed by customers because choice #1 was closed from the wedding.  Call choice #3 - closed for the season.  Seriously?  I mean, we really ONLY go out to a nice dinner perhaps two times a year......

Tidy Victory - Choice #4, and old but good stand by, was completely open and completely delicious.  I had hot and spicy crab cakes with a corn salsa and sweet potato fries - so much food that I boxed half of it and brought it home.  I know what Mom-Mom is eating for dinner tomorrow night :)

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #137


Messy Messy Fail - It was rather chilly today, so I thought I could break out a frozen freezer bag of homemade tomato soup and make grilled cheese sandwiches.  Unfortunately, SOMEONE did not mark the frozen bag properly and it was actually spaghetti sauce - not tomato soup - in the freezer bag.  

Tidy Victory - So I quickly cooked up some pasta and made a nice Italian lunch with a simple side salad.  There is nothing more disappointing then having something in mind to eat but then having to change plans.  However rather then letting it ruin my lunch, I made the best of it and enjoyed a hot meal.  The spaghetti sauce was tasty, too!

Saturday, September 3, 2016

First Day of School Free Printable Sign

Messy Messy Fail - In preparation for the UPKer going to Kindergarten, we had to get the boy new sneakers.  We are slightly limited in our options around here, and I should have known to call ahead to see which stores would have the toddler size we needed.  Especially when the buckets of rain started to fall from the sky.  The third store was the charm, but even more unfortunately the 4th store we stopped in just to look (MISTAKE!) had the same sneakers, slightly different colors, HALF OFF!  The UPKer wouldn't even entertain trying them on.  

Tidy Victory - This AMAZING recipe is what I made for dinner on Wednesday night - Grilled Salmon with Black Bean Salsa.  It was quick, simple, fresh and full of so many lovely flavors!  Total hit, for the adults anyways.  The UPKer said it didn't look like the fish sticks they had at school......his opinion doesn't count on this one.