Sometimes you just need some wine...

Recently there was a call for wine and who am I to say no to a nice glass of Pinot (or two, or three...counting's hard).

This is pretty serious business so my lady frand Amy and I decided we were long overdue for one of our classic Cheesecake Factory get togethers - made famous back in our super cool high school years.

I'm not sure what happens when you get older but it seems harder and harder to make plans with friends. Maybe I'm just bad at it but it seems we let things like work, relationships, stress, lack of money, and all around tiredness get in our way and I'm the number one culprit. *Gasp!*

I'm so embarassed to say that the words "I'm just so tired, work was rough today" have been used many a times as an excuse and I've been trying (key word here - I'm work in progress people!) to be better about it.

So wine and cheesecake it was!

Needless to say we caught up on the important topics of work, boys, life, etc and it's so nice to be able to just laugh about things. I need to remember this next time I'm "too tired".

So friends this is my call to action! More date nights with each other and less tired nights catching up on TLC (though often also very therapeutic). 

We were so proud of ourselves for taking the most flattering pictures of our gluttony so clearly I posted the evidence of us in all our glory on my lil bloggy. - Sorry Amy! At least we think we're funny amIright??

My plate post Cheesecake Massacre 2012

If One Thanksgiving's Good, Two Must Be Better!

Happy Monday after Thanksgiving break all!

After a glorious 5 day weekend full of food, naps, football, family, and friends my body's still in recovery mode. We ate until it hurt and spent lots of time just hanging out in the kitchen. It was holiday perfection.

My family even has the ingenious tradition of "Second Thanksgiving" where more people come over my parent's house the Friday after Turkey Day and we have a giant lasagna dinner with even more desserts. Heavenly!

I highly recommend adopting this second dinner party. A second day to eat till you burst and more leftovers...need I say more?

This weekend was then full of lazy movie marathons interrupted only by the creation of many turkey sammies, the reheating of lasagna, and quick winter-y walks to get hot chocolates and coffees.

I hope you all had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving also! Let the countdown to Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza/New Years begin!

• Dining room ready and waiting • Papa Dukes carving up our Tom • Grammy helping herself • My ambitious plate (round 1) • A sampling of treats • Second Thanksgiving Lasagna #2 • Second Thanksgiving Lasagna #1 Post Massacre • Lemon Meringue Pie (no need to share, I'll take care of this one guys) •

*Note: My family's super resistant to letting me photograph them, especially while eating...ergo more food pictures! It's something I'm gonna have to work on or just get better at sneaking pictures...

Little Things - Life Lately

I've been a bad blogger lately but in my defense it's the beginning of the busy holiday season!

Also, I've been sucked into Homeland and I'm busy catching up. If you don't watch it yet, well...you should. So run to your Netflix Que immediately!

Though, despite Homeland's and the cold weather's best efforts to turn me into a hermit, I HAVE managed to sneak in some activities that do not involve my couch.

So I thought I'd post a quick little montage to highlight the little things in my life making me happy right now because I'm too overwhelmed to post about things like Christmas just yet. (As I reflect on my pictures I've noticed a common theme: food & drinks. Yum!!)

• Nov. 6th yo - Might as well go wait in line for 1.5 hours for the sticker • It snowed. Wah. •

• Margaritas make the world go 'round • Saturday night is eat your weight in cookies night didn't ya know? •

• My fave Anthro mug from one of my fave ladies • Mutant Tomato! •
• Monday Night Roomie Taco Night - complete with Big Bucket of Margs and lederhosen apron •
• Tacoooosss • Sadly smooshed frosting on an amazingly delicious Apple Cobbler Cupcake •

• Roomies bonding with our old friend Jameson • Risk 2210 - board game Friday people (don't judge) •



Wait...Next Week's Thanksgiving??

My fancy, snow free garage! I think I'm in love...
And he plows the driveway - win!

Last week I let my fear of snow get the best of me during the Nor'easter which may or may not have ended with me purchasing two winter coats, new gloves, and splurging on a garage spot for my car this winter.

What's up fear induced spending!

Now that it's forecasted to be up to 67^o today I feel rather silly butttt I'm pretty sure I'll be pleased to pieces when I don't have to dig my car out every morning in January. (muahaha all you suckers with shovels, you may have saved money but I'm not crying over my snow covered car)

Also, you may have already heard the rumors but apparently Thanksgiving is next week...what??

I feel so underprepared for the holidays this year and I'm mildly stressed about their arrival. I need to get into the Thanksgiving spirit people! And what better way than perusing the Food Network website for inspiration? Maybe I'll try and impress my mom this year and bake a dessert!

Here are the recipes that seem to have the perfect ratio of not too intimidating/look amazingly delicious:

Paula's Pumpkin Cheesecake



Paula's Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping
(sans Pecans - those things are my nut allergy's worst nightmare!)



Barefoot Contessa's French Apple Tart

Nor'easter Induced Winter Wear

At lunch today I had a bit of an Old Navy blackout and this happened:

Woops!

This was strangely similar to my Target and Forever 21 blackouts...the sales at these discount stores suck me in like a moth to a flame people!

But I'm going to go ahead and blame last night's Nor'easter and today's email about 50% off outwear PLUS 20% off PLUS free shipping on this one (because really how could it be my fault?).

I'd also like to point out that I haven't actually purchased anything yet...just made a rather embarassingly long wishlist.

This calls for some serious in-store try-on time because the fits at Old Navy aren't always ideal for my child sized frame but here are my top 6 favorites that I hope are perfect so they can find a nice new home in my closet:


  1. Long Belted Frost Free Coats 2. Softest Crew-Neck Sweaters 3. Button-Shoulder Sweater Dresses 4. Fair Isle Cardigan 5. Softest Printed-Crew Sweaters 6. Pleated Wool-Blend Coats