sandr077

So, my sister has this adorable clutch.  It is the PERFECT clutch to wear with espadrilles (neutral,woven) and I have tried to steal this bag on a number of occasions.  It is incredibly well made and VERY reasonably priced!  Made by someone my sister grew up with... Natalie Therese has a collection of bags available for purchase on her website ! This is the bag my sister has.... did I mention that I love it!?  $40... total steal... handmade! I also have my eye on this one!  I love me a flower. Hmmm.... which one should I get?  She has lots of cute bags including some larger options if a clutch isn't your thing!  Until next time...xoxo

So, today's Meatless Monday is once again focused on beans.  When you don't eat tofu... it makes going meatless a little limiting if you still want a hearty protein!  It is a Black Bean Enchilada Casserole that comes to you from The Meaning of Pie !     Ingredients: 2 cups chopped onions 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1-14½ ounce can diced tomatoes ¾ cup picante sauce (or salsa) 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2-15 ounce cans black beans, rinsed 12-6 inch corn tortillas (or flour... I was out of corn tortillas!) 1 small can tomato sauce 2 cups Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded Garnish: avocados, sour cream The "How TO": Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil, sauté the onions and the bell peppers. After about four minutes, add the garlic and continue to sauté for about a minute longer. Add the tomatoes, cumin, and picante sauce and stir to combine. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Add the drained and rinsed beans and stir un...

So, I think I have mentioned before that I am a total beauty product addict.   Love them!  I have a special fondness in my heart for "de-frizzing" hair products, concealers, and lip stains.  But, truthfully I love them all!   This week for work- I was very lucky and got to visit two lovely ladies who started Birchbox.   I am a Birchbox subscriber ... so it was extra exciting for me.  I LOVE my monthly Birchbox subscription. One of the recent products they sent was Philosophy's Purity Made Simple.  I have a enormous bottle of this as it is my daily cleanser.  It makes your skin really soft, but not greasy.  It does not suds up too much but gets off your mascara and everything else.  When I rinse and dry my skin- it almost feels like I don't need moisturizer- it is that soft. Check this out for yourself at the Philosophy website or at Birchbox .   Have a great weekend!  Until next time...xoxo  

Everywhere I look... pouf.  Pouf, pouf and more pouf!!!   They go in almost any room, come and almost every color, and come at all price points.  I was perusing Pinterest for some inspiration! :) Check out these poufs!  Get yourself a pouf or two or three! :)  Until next time...xoxo

So, taking a break this week from Meatless Monday!  There has been a lot of takeout in my house this past week.  Some days... well actually, some weeks are just harder than others!  Today, I am focusing on milestones!  It is hard to believe that my baby is almost 9 months old.  As I mentioned in a prior post , I have been documenting her month by month and framing in a frame very similar to this one from Target . It is amazing how much Avery changes month to month!   I really really cannot believe how fast time if flying by.  I only have 4 more slots on my picture frame to fill! :)  Until next time....xoxo PS:  DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR ME!  YOU CAN VOTE ONCE PER DAY BY CLICKING HERE !  

My blog is a finalist in Boston's Most Valuable Blogger!  Thank you!!!  Now, I am a competitive gal... so I need your votes.  You can vote daily (only one time per day) from now until September 9th.  You can vote for me by clicking HERE  or clicking below!  Thanks in advance. I have had a rough couple of weeks... being a full time working mom and trying to maintain a blog is hard work!  I have some fun posts in mind for next week though.  Get excited! :)  Until next time...xoxo

It is here!  (Actually it was here last week- I just could not get my act together!)    My August Birchbox arrived.  I have not tried any of the products in it, but there are some interesting ones!  I got 5 items in total this month. 1.  June Jacobs Papaya Purifying Enzyme Mask (.5 fl oz).  Full sized product (3.7 oz) sells for $62.  Value of birchbox sample $8.38. 2.  Ouidad Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel (.6 oz).  Full sized product (6 oz) sells for $16.  Value of Birchbox sample $1.60. 3.  Shaveworks "The Cool Fix" (1 oz).  Full sized project (2 oz) sells for $11.  Value of Birchbox sample $5.50. 4.  Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Foundation Primer (.25 fl oz).  Full sized product  (2 oz) sells for $36.  Value of Birch Box sample $4.50 5.   Twistband Hair Tie... one tie.  Three ties sell for $5.  Value of Birch Box sample $1.67 Total value of this month's products $21.65. ...

This week for Meatless Monday I wanted to try Spaghetti Squash!  I googled around in search of a recipe- there were quite a few to choose from, but I landed on Herbed Spaghetti Squash !  It caught my eye as it uses all fresh herbs to flavor the squash.  I did change up the recipe a bit.... my adaptation is below!  It is important to note that I served this with a very generous tomato mozzarella salad so I could include protein (cheese).... the husband looked worried when I told him we were eating squash with herbs. :) Ingredients 1 small spaghetti squash, about 2 1/4 pounds 2 1/2 tablespoons  butter 2  tablespoons finely chopped basil 1 tablespoon of finely chopped cilantro 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 2 tablespoons pine nuts (toasted) Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Pierce skin of Spaghetti Squash 5 or 6 times with a sharp knife.  Put squash in pan and bake for 1 hour 15 m...

Hello, my name is Courtney and I am addicted to benches of all kinds.  Okay, I spotted this ottoman/bench on the Layla Grace website.  I love it.  $270....I think not!    This seems like a perfect DIY project as I have often spotted cute vintage crates/boxes at flea markets.    I think I have a new item to look for at September Brimfield! :) I kind of have a bench addition- but they are so versatile! :)  Until next time....xoxo

Photo from Veggie 101 Meatless Monday is back!  I was on vacation in Rhode Island last week which allowed me to get my act together....well sort of.  I made this meatless but hearty pasta dish.... Eggplant Puttancesca and it was a hit with the husband.   As I mentioned, the husband also thinks if it does not have meat that it is not a full meal, but this was thick and hearty.  I almost felt like I was eating a meat sauce.  I have made a few tweaks to the recipe which I found on the Vegetarian Times website .  In the recipe below I cut back a bit on the red pepper flakes (my mouth is still on fire) and the capers (though there were just a twinge too many). The husband gave this recipe an 8 which is a high mark for a meatless meal! INGREDIENTS 4 Tbs. olive oil 1 medium-sized eggplant, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes 1 cup sliced red onion 1 cup chopped green or red bell pepper 6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 Tbs.) 1 cup chopped kalamata olives 1 28-oz. can ...

So, August means the end of summer.  Yes, I am Debbie Downer.  Well, don't worry we have the whole month to go!  For as long as I can remember.... August meant "back to school" shopping.  Even though I no longer go back to school, I still love fall shopping!! I have been eyeing a maxi shirt for a while but could not find a summer version that suited me.  But, I am loving this fall version!  I have never bought anything from ASOS.... have any of you? I love that this skir t is still shapely.  I wish it came in black, but I do like the grey.  I love the idea of a long skirt .... you don't have to wear tights or what not.  Throw on some boots and done! :) I am getting sick of my summer clothes.  Until next time...xoxo

Sorry for the late post- I am on vacation this week, so not really scheduled as I usually am! :) So, I have always been a painted wood girl- particularly furniture painted white.  But lately I am finding myself drawn to more stained wood tones!  Not a room of all "wood"- but some two toned stuff and splashes of wood tones.  I am particularly attracted to more "worn" wood tones....aka recycled wood!  You can use old wood planks, pallets, wine boxes... and so much more.  Use it on walls make new furniture and more! Check these out these recycled woods! (All images via Pinterest) My creative juices are flowing.... now if I just had the time to do  a project!  Until next time....xoxo

I am all about "clutter" free.... I particularly hate ugly bottles on bathtub, sink etc.  How cute is this DIY Idea from Beneath my Heart ? Before After Sometimes you just want to look at pretty bottles... rather than tacky plastic ones... right?  For  complete DIY directions- check out here !  Until next time...xoxo