Country?

I would never have described myself as "country"...but since I have some newly acquired time on my hands (and I am DESPERATE for some sittin' on my fanny entertainment), I picked up the latest copy of Country Living magazine at my neighborhood B&N.  I was PLEASANTLY surprised by what I found.  There is a wide array of styles and price points in this little magazine and their idea of "country" isn't the country this city girl envisioned!  If you are uber contemporary in your style this may not be the mag for you, but you never know you just might want to check it out.

Now I do have a bit of a bone to pick with CL (yep, they call themselves CL so I think I will too).  On page 18 they showcase a fabulous set of three mirrors for a mere $18 as their "Bargain of the Month" (very poor picture included below).  Since I can't wait to get my little spray paint happy hands on them, I went to the source to place an order.  I got nothing.  The mag references Urban Outfitters but I cannot for the life of me find these babies on their website.  So much of a bargain, they don't exist!  Anyone else have any luck?  Maybe I should write my new friends at CL...  {Oh and for a totally random note on UO, they sell orange duct tape on their website - does anyone else find that really strange??}

Moving on in!

We are moving in!  Yep, you read it.  Moving into our new space!  There are still quite a few finishing touches to be completed but we got the green light to begin moving furniture.  It is oh so exciting.  The last details we hope will be finished by the end of the weekend.  My little "nesting" heart is going pitter-pat just typing it.  I can't wait to share some final pictures but think I will wait until the furniture is in so stay tuned.  I promise not to tease much longer. :)  

Have I mentioned how much I lurve my new washer and dryer?  It is amazing how quickly it washes and dries the largest of loads.  LG makes one fabulous product.  I have been working those suckers over time lately - okay, I admit, the thought of bringing home baby means EVERYTHING must be washed of "construction grime".  I mean, everything.  I think I washed blankets we have never used.  Yep, I am nuts.  Pregnant and crazy.  Confirmed.  Admitting it is the first step, right?


Speaking of admitting things...I have cankles.  There.  I said it.  Cankles.  You know, when your calf and your ankle become one?  It looks especially fabulous in a dress.  Thank you Parker.  My sweet little boy is causing his momma some swelling.  Oh thank heaven for flip flops.  Any suggestions to help or even reduce this type of swelling?  Coco keeps telling me to put my feet up.  But how can I do fifteen loads of laundry and organize underneath my new bathroom sink all propped up?  Hmmmm...I don't see this going well.  


Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Leaving on a jet plane...

Coco and I are headed to Lakeland for a long weekend...and my first baby shower!  

It's official...

I have baby brain.  Yep.  I have crossed the threshold.  It's only just begun.  While I was out running errands on my lunch hour yesterday, I picked up lunch.  Or so I thought.  I got my drink, my check card, receipt and pulled out of the sandwich drive through...without my sandwich!  I got all the way to the office (at least 2 or 3 miles) and realized I had no lunch.  Imagine my sheepish grin when I pulled back to the drive thru window and asked for the sandwich I left.  Geez.


On a more intelligent note, progress is going well here at the house. :)  We have sheetrock and the tile and carpentry are starting this week.  It has been a flurry of paint colors and grout selection around here.  Pictures to come soon I promise!

What happens in Vegas...

will be completely sober. :)  I am heading to Las Vegas for a conference for work for the rest of the week.  Not exactly the best place for a woman that is 23 weeks pregnant.  Let's just say I am not exactly looking forward to this trip.  Although, I just might have to make a spa appointment...at the Bellagio.  Hmmmm...

Coco will have to keep me posted on the house progress from afar.  Be back soon with some updates!

Made in Mexico

On one of our many trips around the country in the last year, Coco purchased a Garden and Gun magazine in the airport. I know this doesn't sound earth shattering - especially since he does neither...that is neither garden nor gun. I think the slight streak of Georgia redneck left in him urged him to make the fateful purchase. Why is this so special that I must bring it up now? This particular G&G publication held an article on Mexican Coke. What in the world is Mexican Coke you ask (with bated breath I'm sure)? According to Coco it is the sweetest nectar this side of the Mississippi. Mexican Coke is made with good ole cane sugar not the high fructose corn syrup produced in the US of A these days. Ever since he read this article, we have been on a tear to locate these goods. Coco spotted (hmmm...I believe it was more like stalked) them at a local Mexican market and at $2.50 per 12 oz bottle they are a sweet treat {For what its worth coming from a die hard DC addict, I must say the Mexican version is WAY better - almost palatable}. Imagine Coco's glee (and my relief - no more slinking into the Mexican market on the questionable side of town) when we located this sweet stuff at our local Costco this weekend. Yep, you read right, after eating wandering through the aisles of our neighborhood Costco we stumbled upon the sweet nectar. Two cases later - yep, 48 bottles of Mexican coke - at only $18 a case (for those mathematicians out there that is less than $1 a bottle...what a deal) we were barreling towards home to get them chilling in the fridge.

Oh the things that excite us these days. I guess its the little things that make life sweet. Anything for my Coco. :)

Catching Up...again

Wow. I am a terrible blogger. I feel like I should reintroduce myself. In case you forgot who I am, check out this post. I am remiss. I apologize. I thought I would be better than this. This season has caught up with me. Oh I hope to keep my promises.

So a lot has occurred in the life of Kiki and Coco since mid-November (the last time I really blogged). I will try to keep this brief (ha!) and give you a rundown...

MC and I took a road trip to Florida for a MonogramChick Trunk Show at my parent's house. So much fun to be home even if it meant that getting there would take 8 or more hours. Long story. And long ride. But nice to spend it with MC. Let's just say our little trip involved lots of DC and these...

Is anyone else addicted to these this time of year? Here are a few pics from our trip...a few of all of MC's merchandise spread all over the house and some from a fun family dinner (thanks dad!). We had a great time, way too short but so wonderful to be together.

Mom and MC...aren't they beautiful?

Dad and me

Thanksgiving with the Marshalls! Coco and I spent Thanksgiving with his family in Macon and it was definitely not without entertainment! We had a great time visiting. Coco's mom, Jo, worked so hard to prepare a scrumptious meal. We arrived Wednesday night and Thursday morning I helped with some last minute food prep. One of those items was the turkey. Let me be clear and state that neither Jo or I had ever cooked a turkey. This became apparent when Coco's Aunt Molly discovered upon removal from the oven that the turkey had been cooked upside down! It literally fell apart in the pan, it was hilarious! It was actually really tasty since all of the yummy white meat cooked on the bottom with all of the juices. Who knew??? We spent nearly an hour texting pictures to everyone we know, this is one infamous turkey!

Me and Jo...I love this picture.

Pulled turkey for Thanksgiving anyone? Anyone have any crazy Thanksgiving stories?

Sick...

...that's me. All week. Be back soon.

Catching Up

I know, I know. Long time, no blog. I think I have blogger's block. Does that exist? Or maybe life has been too boring to share lately. Or maybe I have been too busy. Whatever the reason, I apologize for my absence and I promise to be better. Blogging really is therapeutic and, for me, it is a great way to exercise the other side of my brain.

Coco is out of town for work until Wednesday night so I am home with Lucy. So for the next two days the TV will be permanently tuned to HGTV and Lucy will not move from her window perch for fear that she will miss Coco's arrival back home. Oh, and I won't cook. That I am looking forward to. Coco will be traveling most of the next two weeks and I really don't like it when he is gone. I like it too much when he is here. Oh well. This too shall pass.

I thought I would share an easy peasy dessert recipe I made over the weekend for some out of town friends. I have no idea where I got this recipe so if you recognize it, give the owner some cred!

Butterfinger Cake

1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix

1 bottle caramel topping

1 can condensed milk

1 large tub cool whip

2 butterfinger bars, crushed

Prepare cake according to package directions. Immediately after removing cake from oven, poke several holes all over the top with a fork. Mix sweetened condensed milk and caramel together, pour over hot cake and spread over entire cake. Chill well. After cake has chilled completely, spread cool whip over the top and sprinkle crushed Butterfinger on top of cool whip.

I forgot to get a picture before the feasting began. I promise this ooey gooey yumminess is a crowd pleaser!

Drama Queen.

Sunday afternoon Coco and I took Lucy for a walk around the neighborhood. A few of Lucy's friends were out so we stopped to play for awhile. We watched Lucy tear around the front yard of our neighbor's house being chased by two boxers, Goose and Bower. After about 30 minutes we walked a very tired Lucy home.

Apparently her jaunt was a bit too much because later that night we found that one of her paws was bleeding. It appears she cut it during her play session. We cleaned it out, used some liquid bandaid and wrapped a self adhering bandage to her paw. As soon as the bandage went on, she started milking it. She didn't even act like anything was wrong before her paw was wrapped up (the bandage just helped keep the little bit of blood off of the furniture). Coco and I almost fell on the floor laughing because she wouldn't walk on her paw - she scooted around like a tripod! She got this pitiful look and found her bed. I couldn't resist, this was too good not to take a few pictures. This is priceless...she is such a drama queen..wonder where she gets it from?

Doesn't she look pitiful?

Poor baby

Oh, and before you think we are cruel parents - she really is fine. She is back to her old self...drama queen and all.

Wordless Wednesday

Blogs and Coffee

You may have noticed the fabulous framed poster, "I love you, blogs and coffee", proudly displayed in our home "office". My sweet sister, MC, sent this little happy to me a few weeks ago. Isn't she wonderful? It is perfect, I love it. It was purchased from the very talented MadeByGirl. MadeByGirl shares her fabulous creativity through her Etsy shop, her blog and her website. Check her out! I am now on the hunt for a fab frame I can spray paint white (you know my infatuation with spray paint :)) to make my own poster look chic! Don't you just luuurve it??

Photo courtesy of MadeByGirl's Etsy shop

Life Handbook

I received this in an email forward from a friend, I am not a big fan of forwards but this one has some great insights that I thought I would share. These words get you thinking...

Life Handbook

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner

like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less

food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

5. Make time for prayer.

6. Play more games.

7. Read more books than you did last year.

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what

their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts over things you cannot control.

Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.

14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake.

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her

mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate

others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems

are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like

algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your

family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

37. The best is yet to come.

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

I am list girl - I am drawn to things I can "check" off. It's that whole type A personality I possess. Maybe that is why I liked this. It gets you thinking. Life isn't always this simple but it never hurts to get back to basics. As we embark on one of the busiest times of year, take some time for life. :)

Candy Corn...

...how I love thee.

Wordless Wednesday

Lucy's Glad We're Back Too...

I just couldn't resist sharing this picture. My sweet sister, MC, and her hubby, Dr. W were so wonderful to keep Lucy while we were gone. She had a great time with her Aunt and Uncle and cousin Bailey, so great that she is wiped out. As soon as I brought her home and bathed her she assumed this position on the couch. Too cute.

Waiting on Coco

It has been raining for days here in Alabama which has everyone in our household a little stir crazy. This morning I woke up before 7 WIDE awake. After laying in bed for a few minutes I decided to get up and make myself useful. I am not sure what you were doing before 8 this morning but I made cookies...

I snapped this to prove just how early it was!

All finished - ready to eat!

While I was getting my bake on in the kitchen, Coco headed out to grab some yummy bagels for breakfast. All was quiet in the house so I began to wonder...where is Lucy? I peeked into the family room and this is what I saw.

It was too cute not to capture. She was waiting on Coco to come back home. She melts my heart sometimes.

Drink Much?

I recently revealed to ya'll my addiction to DC. Well...I think my problem is bigger than that. Take a close look at the above picture that I snapped from my desk yesterday at about 2 pm (yes, we already established that I keep my camera in my purse for just these occasions). 44 "super" ounces of sweet nectar (aka DC), an almost empty (and twice refilled) Preppy Travel Mug of coffee (with splenda and creamer of course) and a 24 ounce bottle of water (twice refilled as well) all consumed since 8 am! It is no wonder I spend the better part of my day schlepping to and from the ladies room. Is anyone else similarly afflicted?

Etsy Find!

I have a throw pillow problem - I collect them and I don't think they were meant to be collected. I like to change them out with every season and it seems that every season I end up buying a few new ones to add to my collection. Oops. I use the same inserts (my fave are from Pottery Barn) and just buy new covers to freshen things up. I had to share with you my latest purchase for my fall/winter collection that I found on Etsy...

I L.O.V.E. this burlap Ampersand pillow. It arrived over the weekend while we were away and I was so excited when I came home to a package! Petit Coterie has some fabulous items and they leave no detail undone (the bottom corner of the pillow has a little silver guardian angel tied to it). You must check them out! I haven't quite decided where in my den I am going to put it. It looks so cute in my pin dot chocolate chair but it also looks comfy on my couch...maybe I need another one. Here we go again.

All this talk gets me in the mood to "switch over" my decor! Is it too early to decorate for fall? What day/month is acceptable? Isn't September 22nd the official first day of fall? Do I really have to wait until then? I want to get out my pumpkin spice candles and decorate with pine cones that smell like cinnamon! Hmmm...would tomorrow be too early?

A trip to the City

Coco and I are headed to New York City at the end of September for a long weekend getaway. I have been to NYC many times but Coco and I have never been together and we are really looking forward to getting away just the two of us! We are trying to plan out a few things in advance and were wondering if you had any suggestions or favorite things to do in NYC. Any restaurants you can't resist, fab spots to shop or Broadway show that shouldn't be missed? What is your favorite "attraction" - a particular museum, the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building or Radio City Music Hall? Share your favorites and suggestions with us!