February in Review

We have finally come to an end on the shortest month of the year.

The month where love was flowing abundantly and snow continued to fall.

Here is what happened in February in case you missed anything.

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The Super Bowl was at the beginning of the month and I had 3 favorite commercials.

I talked about how ashamed I am with my amount of student loans 

along with the benefits to renting your textbooks.

You learned what my theme song truly is.
And the funniest dog video ever. I'm still dying.

The Hubby and I celebrated Valentine's Day with a delicious meal.
And I received these beautiful flowers.

I showcased a new DIY project - Canvas Art.

We drove to Michigan to visit with family and to celebrate my in-law's birthday.

Chit Chat Thursday vlog featured my do's and don'ts to blogging.

Favorite Weekend Pictures

one/two/three/four/five

one/two/three/four/five

Favorite Meals

Veggie Chowder
Philly Cheese Steak stuffed peppers
In-n-Out Burger

You should totally go check out my sponsor page.
I have one available right now and another starting March 6th. 
Check for promo codes to get a free spot.

February Week Four Meals

Today we are getting some pretty crappy weather in the Midwest. 

Specifically rain. I would much prefer the snow because it is not as messy.

Oh well. I must run out to the store because we are having company for dinner.

Here is what else we will be eating this week too.

I am making the baked chicken tonight simply because it is super easy to 

make but the taste reflects a meal that I slaved over.

What are you having for dinner tonight?

*Linking up with Melissa @ The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife for GFC Blog Hop.

That was our weekend.

Every weekend just seems to get better and better after we moved in December.

I can't even say why. 

Maybe it is the fact that we no longer have moving boxes in the house. Maybe because all of our belongings have been put away and art is starting to go up on the walls. Maybe because we are starting to find shops and restaurants and places that we can be regulars at.

Whatever the reason is for having great weekends, I am one happy girl.

Friday I did a little shopping. Or a lot of shopping! However you look at it.

I bought some new goodies from Lush.

What are some of your favorite products from Lush?

On the way home from the store I stopped by our favorite brewery and filled up our growler.

Also, for those of you who didn't know, Friday was National Margarita Day. 

That meant we had beer and margaritas on Friday night.

Saturday started by getting our workout on. Hubby went for a run outside and I stayed in and did some HIIT. The cold weather and my asthma do not go well together.

After we got our sweat on and cleaned up we drove around this swanky neighborhood that is right by us. Million dollar houses are beautiful but I could not imaging spending that kind of money on something that I would need to clean daily. Plus, talk about utility bills. 

They were definitely some amazing homes but the neighborhood is one I would not call mature or developed. I like my trees!

We then hit up this cafe and pub to see what they were all about. You walk in the front and you can order your coffee but then if you walk to the back you can get your brewskis and cocktails. 

Pretty cool.

That little taster of beer in the background, worst thing ever!!! 

It was a smoked something or other and it was like liquid smoke.

On our way back home to make dinner, we stopped and picked up a movie as well as cheesecake for dessert. A Saturday night could not get much better than blankets, comfy couch, movie, and drinks.

Side story - We drove all over town trying to find the movie Ted and it was out at every redbox location. So we settled for What to Expect When You're Expecting. 

Warning: the movie will definitely make one have serious baby fever not myself but Hubby. 

Sunday we did the usual grocery shopping gig. Plus, we ended up finding the movie Ted!!

Spoiler alert: We did not like it!!

To finish off the weekend, Hubby wanted a dilly bar from DQ. 

Now let me tell you, I have never had a dilly bar in my life let alone heard of one.

So we put on our winter clothes and walked up to DQ with the puppy. 

We came home with a bright box full of cherry dilly bars.

I am not a huge fan of anything cherry and I would have preferred chocolate but I tried it...

I did N.O.T. like it. It was like eating ice cream dipped in cherry dimetapp. Awful.

That was our weekend. How was yours?

*Linking up with Carissa @ Lowercase Letters for Miscellany Monday

Window Shopping February [Linkup]

Month #2 is pretty much done and over with. This is going to be another year that just flies by.

Agree?!

Rules for Linkup:

1. Browse Etsy for new, fun, bizarre, or crazy things.
2. Linkup and share what you found.

That's it!!

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February was the month of love and I found these.

I wish I would have seen these before Valentine's day. 

How cute are the matching panties? Underwear? Undergarments? Whatever you want to call them.

photo and item from livasaule

Who wouldn't want to drink from their face? I do. So cute.

photo and item from wandersketch

Although I love to drink coffee or nutella hot chocolate from any cute mug.

photo and item from theprintedsurface

I have been loving winter hats this year because we are no longer in the sunny state of Cali.

photo and item from ForYouDesign

I am such a sucker for anything personalized. Like this cutting board.

photo and item from WoodInk

Or what about this welcome mat?

photo and item from PetiteAmbre

Be sure to linkup below if you found any goodies!!

Did you see my Do's and Don'ts to blogging vlog?

Do's and Don'ts to Blogging Vlog

It's that time of the month again...

No, I'm not talking about lady month times.

It's Chit Chat Thursday. The day I sit in from of a camera and film a vlog for you.

You never know what the vlogs will be about. It could be a house tour or just me talking.

This week I wanted to talk about the do's and don'ts to blogging.

Now these are just my own personal ideas of what I think is appropriate or not.

These are all items that I have learned along this journey of blogging.

Here we go.

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Also, don't forget. Tomorrow is my Window Shopping linkup. 

So if you have found any cool or unique items on Etsy.com recently then come linkup tomorrow. 

February Week Three Meals

It has been well over two months since I have been able to cook any food on a grill due to our move. I am dying for some grilled pineapple or a grilled pizza. 

Why are pineapples over $2 when I used to be able to buy them for $0.49???

While we wait for BBQ grills to start popping up in stores, this is what I'm making.

sauce recipe below

Country Club Chicken Pasta

Cream Cheese and Chicken Taquitos

What are your go to meals when you don't feel like cooking?

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In-n-Out Burger Sauce Recipe:

Ingredients:

Equal parts

- Mayo

- Ketchup

- Pickles (diced)

- Onion (diced)

- Dijon Mustard

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Sauce can be used on anything from sandwiches to burgers. Enjoy!

*Linking up with Melissa @ The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife for GFC Blog Hop.

Driving through the Midwest

I am about to bombard you all with a ton of photos from this weekend.

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Now that we live in Indiana, we are fortunate enough to be within five hours from both of our parents in Michigan. They actually only live one mile away from each other but in different cities. The Hubby and I are also fortunate that his parent's birthdays are in February and my parent's birthdays are in April. 

That saves us the hassle of making that 5 hour trip so often.

Why are you getting this little back story? Simply because we traveled to Michigan this past weekend to celebrate my in-law's birthday. It is so difficult to buy gifts for parents because they pretty much have anything they want. This lead us to the idea of treating them to a nice dinner.

But before that delicious dinner was the car ride to Michigan. 

It was a long 4.5 hour trip late Friday night.

The car was packed full of our belongings including our little baby.

If you have never driven through the Midwest, this is what you will most likely see.

The whole time...

We stayed the night at my in-laws because, after all, we were celebrating their birthday.

Saturday morning, we were able to stop over my parents house to 

see my parents, sister, niece, and fur nephew.

See my Mom in the back? To the left?

After a short visit with my family, Hubby and I went to my favorite place to eat in Michigan.

Coney Island!

You may or may not know the feud or story behind American and Lafayette coney island in downtown Detroit. And I probably would not be able to tell you which one is better because I have never actually eaten at the original locations. But if you are in Detroit, you might as well try 

both because they are right next door to each other. 

Yes, honestly.

Anyway, we ate at a coney island that is close by.

The restaurant is clearly known for their coney (chili) but I would not order anything but a plain hot dog and side of fries extra crispy. Seriously best thing ever! 

Afterwards, we went to see Hubby's side of the family at our nephew's hockey game. 

Finally, dinner time!

We enjoyed a nice restaurant in a quaint city. 

I ordered the coriander encrusted sea scallops and they were so tasty.

Once all four of us were stuffed to the brim, we went back to my in-law's house and put some pajamas on and opened up some wine. We finished the night off with the movie The Box.

I am not sure how I felt about it.

Sunday was our day to drive back home. only spending a few short days in Michigan with family is great but I have never wanted to be home so much. The drive is a serious headache. 

The puppy was seriously tired from all the socializing.

And our car has officially turned into an old lady. 

So close to 100,000 miles on my lady friend and I want her to last forever.

Yes I consider my car a female and yes she is my friend. 

We got home, unpacked the car and put on sweats. It is great to be home.

How was your weekend?

DIY Canvas Project

I have been taking you guys along my journey of making this canvas art piece for my half bathroom.

I am still on the fence if I want to keep it this way or add more color. 

You will see in one of the images the towels I use in that room and give me your input.

Also, there will be a tutorial at the end along with my tips and tricks.

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Tutorial

What you need:

- canvas (any size and as many as you want)

- thick tacky glue or permanent fabric bond

- design of your choice or freestyle

- pencil

- sponge brush

- smaller paint brush

- acrylic paint in your choice of color(s)

How to:

- print off what ever design it is you choose to use and trace it on the canvas with a pencil

- use the tacky glue to draw over the design

- let dry for at least 24 - 48 hours

- paint several coats of acrylic color you choose allowing paint to dry between coats

- hang and admire

The glue I used.

After 2 coats of paint.

Do's:

- Do allow the glue to dry for several days, I waited 5 days before painting.

- Do get creative.

- Do work slow and steady with the glue to ensure a strait line.

- Do you several coats of paint if you do not want the white to show through.

- Do paint the edges of the canvas because it will show.

Don'ts:

- Don't choose a design that is too detailed.

- Don't use elmer's glue, it won't work.

- Don't rush the process. 

What do you think?

Easy isn't it?

Day of Love

Oh, the day of love. 

Valentine's Day!

Whether you are single, engaged, married, or just dating your significant other, 

Valentine's Day is a day to show a little extra love. 

So if you are that single person then treat yourself to a spa day or a super naughty snack. 

But for those in a relationship, try and show your partner a little extra love than normal.

The Hubby and I celebrated Valentine's Day (dinner) over the past weekend so that we could cook together. We ventured out from our normal dishes and created something fantastic. 

Dinner for two.

Butternut squash soup is one of my all time favorites. 

So yummy.

Roasted asparagus is amazing. You must try it.

The main man, beef wellington.

Amazing!

And what would Valentine's day be without cutesy cards and beautiful flowers?

 Don't forget to head over and enter my giveaway.

You will be helping out a great charity in the process too.

Entries are low and your chances are great!

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While we are talking about love. 

Why not head over to Indianapolis Bloggers and show some love because I am officially a member!! 

I am so very excited to be a part of their team and see where this journey takes me.

RNJ NiceShirt.org Giveaway

I am so very excited to present this giveaway to you all.

Some of you may not be aware but I have been volunteering with the organization called Rape is Never Justified (RNJ) for over 3 years. RNJ is a completely volunteer run organization focused on helping victims and survivors of sexual assault and rape find strength to heal.

I have been working long and hard on a campaign for the month of February called Rally for Love.

Read about it here.

A huge part of the campaign is the release of this limited edition t-shirt designed by NiceShirt.org.

As you can see, $6 of every shirt sold is going to benefit the Survivor Rebirth Program that RNJ offers.

It would be awesome if each and every one of you went right now, here, to purchase one of these shirts but I don't think that will happen. Because of that, I am going to be giving away one shirt to one of you.

This will be open Internationally and will run until February 17th. 

All you have to do is follow the prompts in Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This is not a sponsored post.

Shirt will be purchase with my own money.

Love Supper

It is the week of love and many people will be eating out or making a super special dinner for their love bunny on Thursday. However, I already had my love supper and I will share that on Thursday.

Besides that meal, here is the rest of what we will be eating this week.

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Black Bean Enchiladas

recipe found here 

recipe found here

What are some of your favorite meals?

*PS - please help the RNJ, the organization I volunteer for, with their 

new campaign. Buy a shirt or spread the word!*