Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Hi, My name is Brittany...

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and I am addicted to bargain clothes shopping. I can't help but seek out cute clothes for cheap prices. I REALLY love shoes too but usually spend more than I should on them. Clothes on the other hand I never buy unless it is a super good deal (or it is something I must have for a real purpose and I had no time to find it cheaper). David says I have way too many clothes... Is that even a possibility?! I think NOT.
Since this is my blog and no one really looks at it anyway I figure I can post some of my cute, cheap finds and brag about my wardrobe to the internet. Why not right? I have to say that my most FAVORITE place to shop is Good Will. Give me a few hours of free time a buggy and I am a happy girl. I love to take my time and go through every single rack. My cart is usually FULL of my finds and then I get to try them all on. I really just love shopping, so why not shop for cheap! Of course my closet is full of fun new finds that I cant wait to wear. I'll be sure to post them when I do. But for now, here are a few of my latest finds.

#1
 Chevron Shirt from Rue21 - 6.00
I love chevron and the colors coral and black!

 #2
Express purple sequined strapless top -2.50
(Good Will)
Black shrug with lace back - 1.00
(Clearance at Wal-Mart)
 #3
Belk- Teal and black dress -6.00
#4
Talbots- Navy and white polka dot button up
3.50 (Good Will)

Monday, February 9, 2015

It's not delivery it's D'Brittany

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Happy National Pizza Day!!!!

How could I let this day pass without serving pizza for dinner? Answer is... I couldn't! We all know how awesome and amazing pizza is but homemade pizza *insert drool* is of course the best. Since I live in a house of 5, of course we can't all agree on pizza toppings so of course there has to be multiple pies made and in multiple ways. Everyone was super happy about their pizza tonight and we all have full tummies. I even got "This is better than Elizabeth's!" from Michael. Score one for mom!

We started off with all of these ingredients to choose from


















And here are the finished pies!

Logan & David:
Pepperoni
Sausage
Mushrooms
Onions
Red Peppers
Olives on half


Michael and Dylan:
side one- 
Onions
Red Peppers
Tomatoes
Black Olives
Spinach
Mushrooms
side two-
Pepperoni
Sausage
Olives
Tomatoes

Brittany:
Chicken
Pepperoni
Red Peppers
Olives
Mushrooms
Tomatoes
Spinach
Alfredo and pizza sauce

And what pizza dinner isn't complete with a nice side salad full of fresh veggies!

CY365 February 5-9

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I have been goof about taking my pictures each day but of course I suck at coming here and posting them on the blog. Here is a compilation of the past few days.

2/5 - My View - 

















2/6 - Minifigures

















2/7 - Gateway

















2/8 - Pink




























2/9 - So Lovely

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Cy365- 2/4- Trees

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As I am still sick I didn't venture outside today to get a creative picture of some trees so one from the confines of my bed must suffice. 

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Book Challenge #5

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The fifth option on the list is: A book published this year. I am starting with this book because it caught my eye on the "Just Arrived" table at the library yesterday. I have been an avid watcher of The Vampire Diaries (and an Ian Somerhalder/Damon Salvatore) fan from day one. A couple seasons ago when the originals family was introduced I was excited about the new characters. The spin off  The Originals has been fantastic so far and I figured the book would be as well. The author is the same person that writes for The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. This is the first book published in what will be a trilogy of the The Originals families untold stories. I am a few chapters in so far and haven't been disappointed yet. The next two books are slated to be released in March and May. 

The Originals- The Untold Story "The Rise"


CY365 - 2/3 - "Where I Stand"

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Today I am not standing. I am laying in bed. I feel like I was run over by a large truck who then thought it would be a great idea to do it again and again. Today in bed I "stand" on the cusp of a medically induced sleep and the constant battle to find a comfortable position given that every inch of me aches. 

26 books with Bringing Up Burns

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Here is the list for the book challenge. As I said I am starting with #5 as I already had a book that fit this prompt on hand.

CY365 - February

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Here is the list for February for the Capture Your 365 photo challenge. Need a little inspiration? You can join their Facebook Page or use #365 on instagram and see what others are coming up with. This list is for inspiration and the results are pretty amazing.

Oh Right... I have a blog!

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I am probably the worlds worst blogger. I seem to do a great job for a couple weeks, with the intention of doing great for much longer. But I always just fail. So why not pretend I am going to do an awesome job once again and see how it goes this time. It is the beginning of the year after all!

Currently I am working on two challenges.

1. CY365- take a picture a day from a prompt. The prompt is open ended and the possibilities are endless. If you are creative (which I seem to not be when it comes to photography) this could potentially be a lot of fun. I am having fun even though my photos are not the most creative or the best by any means. I am posting my pictures on Instagram. You are welcome to Follow Me and see what I come up with.

2. 26 Books with Bringing Up Burns. This is a reading challenge. I love to read and I am usually scrambling after a book to find another to read. At least with this list of prompts I will have a direction instead of stumbling around the library looking for something to jump out at me. My OCD would like me to do this challenge in order but as I just made a trip to the library yesterday... I will be starting with #5 on the list. Yes, it will be okay to NOT go in order... I think.


In general, life is great. Kids are great. Hubby is great.  Logan is enjoying basketball. Michael is making perfect grades and is the sweetest kid I know. Dylan is having a MUCH better year than last year and is still my cuddle bug. David and I just celebrated 11 years of marriage and are hoping to make some big changes this year. I am finally finished with school and looking for my first big girl job. In the mean time I am still catering and absolutely love every minute of it. Our extended family is all doing well and our life is pretty wonderful.


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Chicken Scamp-ish

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Tonights new recipe was a bust. I am in LOVE with it. Loved everything about it, but everyone else in the house hated it. Doesn't surprise me though. It is fairly healthy so why would my guys like it :P


Chicken Scamp-ish

Ingredients:
1lb boneless skinless chicken breast
1 cup diced red, yellow or orange bell peppers
1.5 cups diced fresh mushrooms
1 cup diced zucchini
4-5 cloves minced garlic
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs butter
2-3 tbs lemon juice
2 tbs chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste
dash of cayenne pepper
2 tbs chopped fresh parsley
3/4 tsp Italian seasoning

Directions:
In a large non-stick skillet, with a tiny amount of EVOO, saute peppers, mushrooms and zucchini until crisp tender. Then set aside in bowl.


















In same pan add EVOO and heat to medium heat. Once the pan and oil are hot, add chicken and saute quickly, stirring frequently and cook for a few minutes, just until chicken turns white and is cooked (do not overcook). Remove chicken and place in a bowl.



















Add 1 tbs of butter to the pan and the minced garlic, cooking on medium heat until garlic is almost tender. Add additional butter to pan with the cooked garlic along with the Italian seasoning. Add the lemon juice and chicken broth. Simmer lightly for a couple minutes, stirring constantly. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne; stir in the fresh parsley and cook about one minute. Add the cooked chicken with their juices back into the skillet along with the cooked peppers, mushrooms and zucchini. Toss until everything is combined and heated through.

















Serve Chicken Scamp-ish over a couple large dollops of Rich and Thick Parmesan Cauliflower Mash. If desired. sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.


Rich and Thick Parmesan Cauliflower Mash

Ingredients:
1 medium head of cauliflower, broken into 1-inch florets
1 cup chicken broth
4 oz cream cheese
4 tbs heavy cream
4 tbs Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, place cauliflower and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cover. Reduce heat to low-medium and simmer until cauliflower is very soft and tender and chicken broth has completely cooked into the cauliflower (about 20-30 minutes). Make sure there is no liquid left at all int he bottom of the pan (remove the cover, if necessary and cook until any remaining liquid is gone and the cauliflower is no longer wet looking).

















Remove pan from heat; add cream cheese and heavy cream. Using and immersion blender or regular blender, blend or puree the cauliflower until the cream cheese and cream are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Add the Parmesan cheese and the salt and pepper to taste. Blend another minute. Add additional cream to think out or cream cheese to thicken in necessary. The cauliflower mash should be thick and not runny.


Photo Day 5: After Dark

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This is just a silly prompt. What can you see after dark? It's dark! This is me in my bedroom in jammies. Awesome jammies right??

Friday, February 14, 2014

Photo Day 4: Something Green

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Already a day behind... oh well! Today was something green. it took me a while to think of something and then it hit me... my favorite green thing! My sheets!! I am a sad sad homebody and I LOVE nothing better than to be snuggled in my bed. Sleeping is my favorite hobby.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Photo Day 3: Clouds

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Today was supposed to be a beautiful picture of the sky. Nice blue sky and pretty fluffy clouds. Not quite ;)

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Guilty Pleasure

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Guilty pleasures... we all have them, most of the time we just keep them to ourselves.  But this is a place to ramble about myriads of nothingness so why not talk about it here? 
I love to read, I always have. Unfortunately for me though I have a highly addictive personality so reading comes with a price. If I am in the mood to read, I can't just read a few chapters and out the book down. I have to read the entire thing as fast as I can. It usually takes me less than 24 hours to read a book. That is why I HATE to buy a book. I read them so fast and then never read them again, it seems like such a waste of money. I'm sure you are thinking "umm Brittany, reading isn't a guilty pleasure." No, it is not. but what I read is. I love cheesy young adult novels. Anything that is about a witch, demon, vampire, angel, fallen angel, fairy, or mythical creature is what I want. I know I should read things more my age but these books just grab my attention and swallow my mind. I honestly can't relate to anything in them but can't get enough of them.



I love finding a poorly written "free" novel on my Kindle app, reading it in a few hours and looking forward to the next in the series. I have tried reading sci fi books that arn't young adult books and just cannot seem to get into them. I guess my reading maturity level needs to catch up with me, but until that happens I will continue to devour every cheesy sci fi romance novel I can get my hands on!

I just so happened to grab a new series last night at the library. "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare. First book in the Mortal Instruments series. Books 1-3 are in hand. Let the snow days begin!!




Photo Day 2: What you wore

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I am usually working at the coffee shop every day of the week so its jeans, tennis shoes and a Binding Time Cafe t-shirt. Today just happened to be a day off! I still had to work but got to wear something I wanted. Since I was working it wasnt anything fancy but it feels nice sometimes to just wear normal clothes. 

Skinny jeans, American Eagle long sleeve shirt, orange tank-top and flat knee-high boots. 

*who doesnt like a good bathroom selfie while at work ;)*
 

Monday, February 10, 2014

Photo Day 1: Self Portrait

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Photo Challange

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I always have my phone on me and decided to try out this photo challenge. I can take at least one awesome picture a day right?I of course found this on Pinterest. Let's see if I can be creative and if I can actually remember to do it everyday!


Hi, Hello, and Welcome

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Blogging... I try and try and then it fails. The blog sits unused for months at a time. Not this time right?? HA! we shall see. Lets do a quick run down/update of my crazy life and begin the fun.

1. I am a wife and mother to 3 little boys (Logan, Michael & Dylan) and one big boy (David) he counts as a kid right?? The boys are 5,7, 9 & 34. They definitely keep me busy and there is never a dull moment. The boys are all in school this year and things have been a little different. I am not technically a stay at home mom anymore. I work at a coffee shop most days and help with a catering company most weekends. We are still very active in out local scout program and I am STILL in school. But I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! 4 more classes to go. Then I will have a degree in elementary education with a minor in special education. What I plan to do with that has yet to be determined. 

2. David and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary. Where has the time gone? It feels like just the other day we were just dating. We have had a great journey so far. I wont lie and say that everyday has been a piece of cake but I can say I wouldn't change any of it. Our ups and downs have made us who we are and I think have made our relationship stronger for it. This funny guy is my very best friend and I honestly do not know what I would do if I didnt have him by my side to help me through life. I hope that we have many many more years together to love and annoy each other and that we never run out of things to talk about. 

3. I am trying to change my lifestyle. Who doesnt want to be healthier and thinner? I spent 8 of the last 10 years either pregnant, breastfeeding or scared my heart would blow up. In 2011 I finally had surgery to correct my heart problems and have not had an episode since then. I am not having any more babies, my "baby" is almost 6 and my heart is fixed... pretty much ran out of excuses huh? I have changed my eating habits, started exercising and even bought and elliptical so that the excuse of bad weather cant stop me. Let me tell you, It SUCKS! Why cant I just be thin and eat what I want and never have to exercise?? Cant they make a pill for that? I have a goal and am slowly, like a turtle in peanut butter, working towards it. I completely cut out soda back in August and as of January cut out sweet tea. Water, water, water and a little coffee. 16lbs have come off since August and there are 12 more to go, 17 if I really push it. I need to do this for my family and for myself. So expect some grumpy posts talking smack about food, or the lack of, and that dreaded elliptical.

4. Friends and family. I have become a hermit and rarely talk or go out with anyone. I am not a member of any type of group in my area anymore and can not remember the last time I had a "mommy night". But I sure do miss them. I don 't get to spend as much time as I would like with my family and wish I got to spend more time with my friends. My new years resolution was to make sure that the people I love know it more often. I may not get to see you or spend time with you but I am determined to make sure you know I love you and am thankful you are in my life.

5.Crafts and creativity... They have pretty much become nonexistent. I just do not seem to have time to do anything like that anymore. I have plans and boards full of ideas on Pinterest and I am sure I will get to them one day. I am no longer making cakes. I do not have the time and I honestly just got a little burnt out on it. Maybe one day I will get back into it. I am going to keep all my stuff just in case. 

6. Plans for the blog. I hope to post a few times a week. I want to use this as a creative outlet, a place to vent and to share awesome things that happen in my awesome life. So expect to see pictures, random ramblings, recipes and anything else that happen to come to my mind. 

If you have made it this far, you must be really bored or are a trooper. Welcome to my crazy life, I never know what is going to happen next but I cant wait to see!