Easter weekend recap

Friday, my mom came over and made a chili dinner for the three of us. We stayed in and watched TV. It was a pretty quiet night. I also was able to start putting some outfits together for vacation.

Saturday, Geof and I headed down to Delaware. He did some shopping at Best Buy, while I was left to browse around Ulta (always dangerous). I picked up some nail polishes and a Smashbox shadow palette. We went to the movies to see Water for Elephants and I loved it. There were some things and characters in the book I was expecting to see in the movie that I didn’t, but all in all they did a nice job telling the story. Uncle Al was a character that was missing that I 100% expected to see.



After the movies, we went to Red Robin for dinner and then decided to go back to the movies to see Scream 4. I went in with low expectations and was glad I did. It wasn’t a great movie, but definitely better than the 2nd and 3rd ones. I don’t think you can ever top the original.



Sunday it was straight up hot out and we took the dogs for a long walk. They were beat. We came home, got ready, picked my mom up and headed over to my aunt and uncle’s house for Easter. It was nice, as always and so fun to see the kids go on a big egg hunt. These kids make out like bandits. Some of my cousins racked up $25+ and candy. I was lucky to find a $1 in an egg in my day (I sound so old right now). I also have a cousin that is like a little 4 year old princess. I think I carried her around for at least a half hour, but you have to love her. I also had some interesting conversations with my triplet cousins who are 13. Two of them are all about school while the other is completely boy crazy. Fun times!


Pretty flowers on our dog walk


I still get an Easter Basket

Calypso St. Barth for Target

Target has done it again!

Calypso St. Barth is teaming up with Target to bring a limited-edition line of affordable fashion, jewelry, accessories, and home goods to the masses on May 1st. This breezy and beautiful collection makes me want to escape to the closest beach. With prices ranging from $1.99-$79.99, it’s incredibly affordable compared to the average $500 price tag for this brand.

Calypso is a favorite among celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Kate Beckinsale. It’s not wonder I’m a fan considering how much I love their style.

Here are some of my favorites from the new collection:


Turquoise dress - Love everything about this from the color to the easy fit


Maxi Dress & Crochet Vest – Maxi dress…check. Diagonal stripes…check. This look is a winner.


Tunic, Shorts & Tote - Great mix of neutrals with a pop of color in the tote. The tunic is beautiful.


Navy dress, Tote & Wedges - The off-the-shoulder look is flirty without going to far and the scalloped edges are very pretty.


Tie-dye Wedges – The color combo is great and even though no-one would see it, I’m kind of loving the lime green lining.


Natural Wedges – These would go with anything and again, I’m loving the color choices for the lining.


Elephant Necklace – Global chic and I like the length.


Throw Pillows – I’m crushing on this melon & coral design. This would give any piece furniture that perfect summer flare.

Do you like anything you see?

Right now I’m loving…

Spring flowers


My garden is in full bloom and every time I walk outside it makes me smile.

Vacation - VH1 Best Cruise Ever


I leave for vacation soon and will be cruising the Caribbean with some of my favorite people and bands. The Script, Train, Lifehouse, SafetySuit and many others will be on board rocking the boat. Pun intended.

Water for Elephants


I finished the book the other night and what an amazing story (with the exception of the animal abuse parts). This will go down as one of my favorite books. Not that I’m a huge bookworm, but it really was so good. Now I’m looking forward to seeing the movie.



And how gorgeous does Reese Witherspoon look in the May spread for Vogue?!

My new Michael Kors sunnies


These will be great for vacation and I know I’ll wear them all summer long. I haven’t bought anything for myself in awhile, so this was quite a treat.

What are you loving?

Tasty Tuesday - Beef Taco Bake

I've been craving Mexican lately and found an easy, but tasty recipe that was another hit in our house. This is one I'll definitely be keeping in the rotation.



Ingredients:
2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
2/3 cup water
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 pound ground beef
1 jar (16 oz) Old El Paso® Thick 'n Chunky salsa
1 can (11 oz) Green Giant® Mexicorn® whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained
1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend
Sour Cream, if desired

Directions:
1. Brown ground beef
2. Heat oven to 450° F. Grease 9x13-inch pan. In medium bowl, mix Bisquick mix, water and cilantro until soft dough forms. Spread in bottom of pan.
3. In large bowl, mix beef, salsa and corn. Spoon beef mixture over dough.
4. Bake uncovered, 22 to 28 minutes or until edges are golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately sprinkle with cheese. Let stand 1 to 2minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with sour cream.

Enjoy!

Weekend recap

Friday, I worked pretty late and then Geof and I went to Nifty Fifty’s for dinner where we had the most obnoxious dining experience of our lives. Long story short, there were about 6 kids between the ages of 7-10 and they were screaming and being completely ridiculous. Their parents were at the booth behind them and said nothing. People near them requested to be moved and the whole restaurant was staring. We could not get out of there fast enough.

Saturday, I did some work in the morning and then we got ready to head to Glenside for the SafetySuit concert at Arcadia. A bunch of people we know from other shows came down from Boston, New York and New Jersey to see them. It was a little fan reunion of sorts and nice to catch up with everyone.


Geof & I with SafetySuit

SafetySuit sounded great, as always and their new single for the song “Get Around This” comes out tomorrow and I cannot wait. If you’re interested, here is a link to a clip of it. After the show, we chatted with the guys in the band, got some pics and took off. One of the things about SafetySuit that I love most is their stage presence. There’s never a dull moment and I’ve said it before and will say it again, you could not ask for more down to earth guys. It’s very easy to be a fan and root them on as they climb the ladder of success in the music world.


Doug, Tate, Jeremy & Dave


SafetySuit friends and Geof and I with Doug


Acoustic version of "Get Around This"

Sunday I worked on and off most of the day and got some grocery shopping done. My mom came over for dinner (recipe to come tomorrow) and we watched Celebrity Apprentice.

Weekend recap

Friday, Geof and I stayed in and it was nice having him home. He was everywhere from Canada to Miami in one week and I missed him like crazy.

Saturday, Kristen and Sean picked us up bright and early to head out to Harrisburg for the PA Flavor Beer & Food Expo. We checked into the hotel, got ready and headed right over. When we first got there we went in the wrong entrance which was clear from the smell as soon as we walked through the doors. It was an Alpaca show and we were out of there faster than you can say rodeo.


PA Flavor

When we finally got to the right area, it was time to get sampling. They gave us a mini glass, probably about 6 ounces and the perfect size to try different beer from over 30 breweries. They had everything from stouts to pale ale. My favorite one of the day was probably the Cherry Chocolate Bock from Sam Adams. I also really liked the Scarlet Lady Ale from Stoudt’s. Hoppy, light and delicious.


Favorite of the day


Geof with the guy from Fegley's


Kristen & I


Stoudt's

Along with the beer, there was plenty of food on hand from area restaurants. I had some fantastic bbq pulled pork with polenta and later some delicious bleu cheese and porcini mushroom meatloaf from Appalachian Brewing Company. We also tried some interesting hot soft pretzels called Hempzels that were made with hemp flour, seed and oil. There was a bread vendor there (perfect for a beer event) and we bought a loaf of cheddar explosion bread. So good.


Pulled Pork & Polenta


Voodoo


Had to get a pic with the cool cap guy

We went back to the hotel and I unfortunately had to work for a couple hours, but it was fine. I got done what I needed to and enjoyed myself after that. We get a hold of our friends Liz & Josh that we met on our cruise last year and they came to pick us up for dinner. We headed across the river to Duke’s and it was so much fun. This is a couple that I wish didn’t live 2 hours away, because I could spend countless hours with them. I ordered a burger and it was a monster. They don’t mess around with portions in the country.

Sunday we grabbed some hotel breakfast, checked out and headed home.

Cherry on Top!

Blog awards can get a little out of control, but every now and then a special one comes along and this falls into that category.

The lovely Leeann at Join the Gossip presented me the Cherry on Top blog award. I urge you all to run over to her blog and say “hello”. She is one of my favorite chicks and I’m not just saying that. We’ve formed a real friendship over the last year and for that, I’m thankful.

List 3 Things You Love About Yourself:
1) I love easily and I’m forgiving. This is something I love about myself because I’m a genuinely nice person. Sometimes this can also be seen as a fault depending on the situation.
2) That I’m good at figure skating and still love doing it even after 20 years. I started when I was 12.
3) Passion. When I like something, I really like it. I think that stirs up an excitement that should always be inside of you.

Post A Picture You Love:



There is nothing in this world like a Hawaiian sunset. This photo is from our last night in Hawaii and it was honestly the best vacation I’ve ever been on. From time spent with Geof, to all our adventures and splashing around in the warm Hawaiian waters. We have so many wonderful memories that I’ll never forget.

Pass on to 5 other blogs that you just adore!
Handbag Obsessed
Love, Lipstick, and Pearls
A Suitcase and Stilettos
Like A Box Of Chocolates
Fashion Meets Food

Weekend recap

Friday, I took the day off and it was much needed. I did my nails and rushed off to the mall to meet up with Kristen. We had lunch at Panera and then came back to my house to get ready, get Geof and then headed off on a mini road trip to NJ for the SafetySuit concert. The last time we saw these guys was back in August when we went to South Carolina, so it was great to see them again. We got to hear a new song and the guys sounded great, as always. After the concert, we said a quick “hello” and then headed home.


OPI Mod About You - perfect pink for spring!


SafetySuit

Saturday, we relaxed around the house. Later in the evening we watched the Phillies beat the Astros. It was a good weekend for Philly baseball. Geof got to try out some new brew and was loving life.



Sunday was another quiet day and I caught up on the last two episodes of Grey’s. The musical episode was a little painful to watch. My mom came over in the evening, I made dinner and we watched Celebrity Apprentice.