Thursday, December 29, 2011

Candy Canes and Bubbly

Hope you are ringing in the new year with sweets, bubbly, and surrounded by your besties!  
Cheers to all of you and wishing you a healthy and happy 2012!

For those of you that requested a pic of the sweater...one last (and only two of two) what I wore photos this year...and because it just happened to be taken by a professional photographer (thank you Brian)...just like the first.


Signing off for 2011.

MUAH!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Wearing your heart on your chest

Hearts are my favorite shape.  Always have been.  I just adore their big red boldness.  And it seems that this is a great time for the romantic shape as heart sweaters are popping up all over the place.  I recently saw a tutorial on making one, so you know they are big right now.  I wore a similar black with red heart to our holiday office party and loved the pop of festive red.  Of course I had purchased it that day and this is how the conversation with my husband, who met me at the party, went:

H:  "Ahh, new sweater?"
M:  (silent)
Friend from work:  "No, I've seen her wear it before, remember she got it last year for Valentine's Day..she thought you would like it."


Gotta love a friend who can whip out that answer...and we all got a huge laugh out of it!  It's the running joke between me and the hubs when he ask if something is new (and I'm not sure what it says about us or me, but who cares, it's just fun).  Best answer yet was in response to a hat, "Yes, I got it at Walgreens"

BTY
Add caption

Back to the holiday hustle!





Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Perfect Holiday Red!

Second annual post about holiday reds!




The perfect holiday red.
Essie Shade:   Wild Thing
Give yourself an hour break from the hustle, go get a mani




The perfect holiday red.
La Vieille Ferme
big wine at small price of $13.99      




The perfect holiday red.
M&M Red on these easy holiday treats
Great time consuming & fun activity for the kids





Monday, December 19, 2011

The holidays put me in the mood to watch these two movies, not The Grinch, A Christmas Story or any of the holiday classics.  Just a glass of red wine, my barefoot dreams blanket, and a good chick flick are all I need for a cozy escape from the holiday bustle.




Friday, December 16, 2011

You Rock!


Rocks collected at the beach + magnets + alphabet stamps + gorilla glue = perfect little student made gifts for the teachers! 
Add a gift card and it's done!

last year's wrapping
All thanks to these alphabet stamps!

Last Call

Last call for Keihl's mineral mascara.  Apparently, Kiehl's is taking it off the market to focus on their facial products.  Hoping this is true and not a rumor spread by the man behind the Kiehl's counter at Saks in a strategical ploy to get me to stock up, because I did.   I'm going to have to purchase a few more though to refresh my stock until I find its replacement.  I've posted about my other favorite mascara but I like to use a mineral base for everyday use!  Any suggestions?



Ok, I did not mean to post this...misfire.  But since it's already out there...

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Perfect little gifts


I love this flower in a can for a perfect little gift for $15.00!  Great for stocking stuffers or adding a sweet little touch to an end of the year bonus for the sitter.  Great hostess gift.  Just cute all around and I have heard, from people I have given them to, that they do bloom.  My sister n law still has her, fully growing and blooming from three years ago. 

west elm alphabet mug
$6.00
Last year, one of our stylists gave everyone in the production office an alphabet mug with the letter from our name.  It just added a personal touch to the gift.  Plus, I love drinking a nice big cup of joe of out it!



Fun holiday shades for the girlie girl!


A year of cookie cutters
$24.99
For the baker!

Just a few ideas I'd share if you find yourself scrambling for ideas, oh and the gift itself!



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Triple Tri

Have you ever competed in one of these events?  I am sure you have, so please share your triple tri experience.  Here's a little recap from mine the other day!  The transitions were tough, but I pushed on through.  And the event started pretty early...a little too early for my liking.

LEG ONE OF THE RACE - 5:45am start (and I am including my times for each event)
-Make coffee and drink one cup - 15:01
-Fix breakfast for the kids - 17:02
-Get kids dressed, check backpacks, pack lunch - 24:10 - this is where i lost some time - i was struggling


LEG TWO
-Get myself shower and dressed 7:34 - i whipped through this part
-Run kids to school - 5:30  - i actually had to walk this part - phew was i tired
-Volunteer at school, wrap and organize gifts for the giving tree - 59:10 - this took much longer than anticipated

TRANSITION:  Mommy to Working Woman (transition was tough, i felt like i already finished the race, but it was only 9:15am and I had another entire leg to go- someone in the crowd handed me a paper cup of coffee - threw out a little "you can do it" and I was off to the next leg.

LEG THREE
-Work a full 9 hr day  - 9:00 duh
-Run to car, drive as fast as possible to make my son's first piano recital - 10:20
-Make it to recital just in time - THANK YOU  green lights - and shed some tears at my son's first ever anything on stage and in front of a large group of people 30:00


TRANSITION:  Back to Mommy - my easiest transition

LEG FOUR - ok, it was more like  a quadruple tri - and they didn't give me times for these ;)
-Bath
-Bedtime stories
-Bed




Yes, it was an all day race, but I made it!  Tell me about your latest race?!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Fudgy Oatmeal Goodness



Going to a cookie exchange party, want to make something for that special someone, and forgot to build this baking time into your schedule?  Oh, like I did!  Try this recipe, besties.  These are no bake, no fuss, cookies that turn out tasting delicious.  And the very best (and worst) part, you can eat the dough right out of the bowl because it doesn't contain eggs.  Good old fashion lick the spoon, eat a million calories in two seconds, feel guilty that you haven't been to the gym goodness.  Recipe found at this beautiful baking blog, BrownEyedBaker!


 2 to 3 dozen cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes  (yep, follows my 10 and under rule)
Cooling Time: 30 minutes (who cares on cooling time, really.  you've already moved on to another task!)
½ cup (1 stick) butter
2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup milk
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
½ cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1. Add the first four ingredients (through the cocoa powder) to a 4-quart saucepan.
2. Bring to a rolling boil and let boil for 1 minute. I didn't let boil for a full minute (just brought to a boil) on my second batch and they were better, not so dry.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until smooth, then stir in the oats.
5. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto wax paper-lined baking sheets.
6. Let cool until set.

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Think we could add a few extra weekend days to this month?
Otherwise, I'm going to be pulling some good old fashion college all nighters.


Speaking of calendars....this Snow and Graham wall calendar hangs in my office at work and is the perfect office gift.  Despite all the "e" schedules we have, I still reference this for a quick date reminder.  Now, if it could only remind me to get that field trip permission slip in on time, order the teachers' gift, sign my daughter up for ballet, not to miss my lunch volunteer day at the school.....well, you get the point.

Monday, December 05, 2011

Clementine Candle


Have you seen this tutorial? What a great idea for a little holiday party!
And I'm going to try it as soon as I can carve out an extra hour in my day, which will probably be at about 4am when I wake up stressing about all the things that need to get done.  Besties, I know I have a lot of reading to catch up on, so I'll be stopping by soon.  xo

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Mug hug

We take our coffee drinking seriously in the morning and I don't know about you, but what I drink my coffee in is almost as important as the coffee itself.  Even on the rare occasions that my husband brings me a cup of coffee and it's not in the preferred mug, I will secretly do a quick mug switch, hoping he doesn't know notice.  The type of mug I prefer?  Usually, one with curved walls, not straight edges.  It's more comfortable in the hand and perfect for the two handed mug hug.  You know, like this:
via


But we are giving ourselves an early Christmas present this year and searching for the perfect mugs and travel mugs.  I am thinking a sunny yellow may be nice.  And since we are in the spirit of the holidays, I'm going to start featuring a charitable purchase each day through December....the fishseddy mug is perfect and a percentage goes to the ny food bank.  If you haven't been in FishsEddy in ny or on their site, head on over.  It's one of my favorite stores!


west elm






Where does your coffee land in the morning?


Monday, November 28, 2011

What the %&#* is for dinner?

Red Bean Stew from Cooking Light
More and more, the what are we going to have for dinner question is stressing me out.  And I'm a little bit of a freak about just giving in to the usual take-out options.  Fast food is usually not the best option for all the usual reasons.  My kids don't even like McDonald's fries...I know, ALIENS, right?!  Whenever I went to the dr's office as a young child, my mom would often take me to Mcdees' for a post visit treat.  Totally counterproductive to a doctor's office visit, but hey, it was like 1981 and my mom and I were using our fries as cigarette props - my parents didn't even smoke, but it still wasn't totally frowned upon either.  Anyway, being a product of this time, I have tried to continue this tradition at a certain Rock n Roll McDonald's downtown which happens to be a few blocks from our pediatrician.  This is how it always goes, the kids only want shakes but they'll order fries because I always ask, "hey, you guys want fries with your shakes."  Agreeable children that they are, they cry, "YAY!" We are barely out of the drive-thru and the kids are calling me out on devouring the fries.  They don't even want any, they just can't get over the rate at which I can eat them.   ANYHOW, long story short, or long, I've got to keep the favorite healthy recipes in rotation, otherwise, it's mac cheese n peas, and I can't take the parental guilt of serving that too often.

So, every Monday I am going to start sharing one of our go-to healthy (usually) recipes for dinner.  If anyone wants to join in, I'd be happy to put up a little linky widget, and I'd be even happier to hear what you all make for dinner!  I need new recipes!!


RED BEAN STEW (my five yr old loves this, the three yr old will eat it, but not her fave)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil 
  • 1 1/2 cups presliced mushrooms 
  • 1 cup diced carrot 
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 
  • (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained 
  • (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (i always use boxed tomatoes)
  • (14-ounce) can less-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup uncooked ditalini (about 4 ounces short tube-shaped pasta)
  • 2 tablespoons commercial pesto
  • 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
  • Sometimes I add garlic, onion and italian spices for more flavor

Preparation

  • Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and carrot; sauté 4 minutes. Stir in water and the next 4 ingredients (through broth). Cover; bring to a boil. Stir in pasta; cook, uncovered, for 11 minutes or until pasta is done. Stir in pesto; sprinkle each serving with cheese.


Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving and a WINNER!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my blogging besties out there!
So much to be thankful for this year, as every year.

 Sharing one of my favorite outdoor thanksgiving table settings found on Pinterest.
Although, we will be celebrating inside, we'll be sure to venture out and give a little thanks to mother nature.


Another bid thanks to all of you who entered the Pillows by Dezign giveaway!
I am thrilled to announce that winner is the lovely TORRIE from A Place to Share.
Congratulations!  I am sure that you will be thrilled with your pillows!

Don't forget that ALL followers will receive 15% off all purchases made on November 26th by using the code goodiesandbesties.  Start making your lists and go shopping!


Look for another great giveaway in December!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Pillows by Dezign - A GIVEAWAY!


Slowly but surely, I am putting the finishing touches on the interior design of our new condo, you know, because we just moved in.....seven years ago! My bed, dressed in all white, has been begging for an accessory, so I was delighted when I won a giveaway from Pillows by Dezign. They offer gorgeous pillows in unique prints, subtle shades, and cheery colors. So many fantastic options to choose from and something for every style! The Nate Berkus Show recently ordered a bunch of these beauties for one of their recent segments. Hey, if these goodies are decorating the chairs and couches of Mr. Berkus' set, I definitely want them on mine. The result is that my boring bed is going from this:



to this
(love the sunny yellow)


And now, I am returning the good pillow karma as Brian, from Pillows by Dezign, has graciously offered to giveaway a $65 shopping credit to apply to any of their amazing decorative pillows! They also offer custom designs and outdoor pillows, so head on over a take a look! Here are just a few of some of their gorgeous designs.




love this pop of fuchsia!



So how do you enter to win?
1. Visit and "like" Pillows by Dezign's Facebook page and leave a comment on their page
2. Visit their site and leave a comment on which pillow you will order if you win
3. Be a follower of GoodiesandBesties via Google Friend Connect & Twitter

Up to three entries per reader, leave a comment per each entry!

Giveaway ends November 23rd at 9pm central time. I'll announce the lucky winner on Thanksgiving day! So, be sure to take a break from turkey, wine and holiday list making to stop by and see if you've won.

ALL READERS will then receive 15% off their purchases the entire day of November 26th.
Use coupon code "goodiesandbesties"

Stay connected with Pillows by Dezign via their website, blog and twitter for more up-to-date trends on home decor and the latest pillow designs!

GOOD LUCK!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Best cookies ever!

Sometimes you just need a good old fashion chocolate chip cookie and a glass of milk.

"These may be the best cookies I've ever had in my life."  - husband (but he did just take a full saturday to play paintball so take it with a grain of salt)

The perfect night cap.

Because I had a craving AND 3/4 bag left of mini chocolate chips.

And that's why I decided to make chocolate chip marshmallow cookies at 9:00 at night (that's late considering my son got up at 5:40AM, wth) But, I was enjoying my cookies by 9:23, so they passed my shorter than 10 min prep time test.


Best cookie recipe EVA found at this lovely lady's blog!

Monday, November 14, 2011

urban treasures

The Weather Gods blessed us with one last warm weekend!  It was in the 60's friends...and last week it snowed, so that's pretty warm.  I didn't mess around and took full advantage.  Dragged the kids to the beach to search for urban sand treasures and we found beach glass, blue crab claws, shells, AND shot gun shells.  Yep, you read that right.  It's the city after all.  We considered them all treasures anyway, along with the day.

the kids love sorting it all 

triple dog dare ya
my husband convinced me they had been sand blasted clean
rebel in my old-er age


Friday, November 11, 2011

Thumbs up!

"Hello!  Nice to meet you (going in to shake hands)  Oh, sorry, my hands are freezing...just came in from outside and I was just holding a cold drink."  Yeah, like a blue freezer pack?  These words come out of my mouth often and I am total lying!  MY HANDS ARE ALWAYS COLD.  And when I shake someone hands, I always feel the need to justify their iciness.  Which is why, I am a huge fan of shirts with thumb holes!  It's like wearing half a glove and I'll take it.  Maybe when I shake your hand, it will only be my pinky and ring finger that startle the north pole out of you.

My favorite designer from renegade, Jo Handmade Clothing, has been incorporating arm warmers and thumb holes in a lot of her winter line.



A little extra dose of coze...found on etsy

 
Etsy 1, 2, 3