The Simple Things

Today I’m enjoying the Simple things in Life

1. Smiles
I felt like a Zombie when I walked into Starbucks this morning…Beyond tired. I didn’t realize it then but I must have looked unhappy, this lady in front of me was looking on the shelf and turned to me and just smiled. (Maybe she thought I could use one.)  Honestly it caught me off guard, I thought to myself do I know you, but I didn’t. She was a complete stranger just exchanging a smile….I have been Smiling at everyone ever since. Truth: Smiles are contagious; I’ve been getting return smiles all day (its only 11:13 A.M.)

2. Warm Boots & Hot Chocolate

 Living in New England you need a good pair of boots, the weather here is out of control 70* one day and a blizzard the next! I recently got the Sorel Joan of Arctic boots; they may be the best boots ever! Warm toes and a warm body from the silky smooth gourmet hot chocolate I grasp between a knitted pair of mittens. Without a doubt I’m letting my mouth savior the rich texture of this {chocolate heaven.}

3. Baths
I’ve been kind of obsessed with baths as of lately. They are so beyond relaxing, not to mention I was lavished with lots of LUSH products over my Birthday!

4. Quiet Time: After the holidays our household slowed way down! It is so quiet and calming, no more hustle and bustle of the crazy Christmas, New Year’s, birthday frenzy! The next two holidays that are approaching are Valentine’s Day and our 8 Year Anniversary. For the past 4 years we have stayed at a four story beach house right on the ocean with two of our close friends. I will do a post on this as a lot of planning and detail go into this very special February Get-A-Way. This is one vacation of complete relaxation! One to not be stressed over, it’s actual a stress reliever!

5. Being Loved: What can I say; there is no greater feeling. 

and lastly Hall And Oaks who have consumed my Radio this A.M. 

                     But have to Admit....this Cover is my Fav!

Love Love Love Them!

Dollar Tree FREE

I have yet to go on an Extreme Coupon rage…I actually have No Clue how those people on TLC Extreme Couponers walk out of stores with 800 dollars’ worth of groceries and pay 10 cents…PLEASE teach me!?! I do know however I’m kind of on the fence…from the looks of their carts it looks like complete processed junk, but I certainly wouldn’t mind never having to buy, cases of water, paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning products, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste and Laundry Soap every again!! I’m attempting my first “walk out” and seeing if I can get all these products free at the Dollar Tree…I don’t need any of it, but I so want to try! Here is what you all can get today for NOTHING! Give it a try….

Luden’s Throat Drops $1
-$1/1 Luden’s Bags, exp. 1/31/13 (SS 10/21/12 R)
-$1/2 Luden’s Bags, exp. 1/31/13 (SS 10/21/12)
-$1/2 Luden’s Throat Drops printable
= as low as FREE

Planters Nut-rition $1
-$0.75 off one PLANTERS NUT-rition Peanut Butter
-$1.00 off 2 PLANTERS Nut Products
-$1/1 Planters Nutrition, exp. 3/31/13 (SS 01/06/13 R)
-$1/2 Planters Product, exp. 2/28/13 (SS 12/02/12 R)
= FREE

L’Oreal eyeliner OR eye gloss, 1 ct $1
-$1/1 L’Oreal Paris Eye Product, exp. 2/3/13 (RP 12/09/12)
-$1/1 L’Oreal Paris Eye Shadow or Eyeliner, exp. 2/3/13 (RP 12/09/12)
= FREE

Zicam RapidMelts $1
-$1/1 Zicam Product, exp. 3/31/13 (SS 11/4)
= FREE

Advil Pm 4 ct $1
-$1/1 Advil PM Product, exp. 1/31/13 (RP 10/28/12)
= FREE

Scotch Pop Up Tape Dispenser $1
-$1/2 Scotch Pop-Up Tape Product, exp. 3/31/13 (SS 12/02/12)
-$1/1 Scotch Pop-Up Tape Deskgrip Dispenser or Refill printable
= FREE

Reach Waxed Floss 55 yd $1
- $1/1 Reach Floss Product printable
-$1/2 Reach Floss Product printable
=FREE

Cepacol Lozenges 16 ct $1
- $1/1 Cepacol Sore Throat Product printable
= FREE

***If you are looking for ways to lower your grocery bill, Daniela over at Frugal Ain’t Cheap has some great Ideas, go check her blog out!!! And Kinda Obsessing over her Etsy Shop!!! Thinking I have to have these French Kitchen towels...They are hand crafted with calligraphy on each one, swoon!! 

                                   Picture from Frugal Ain't Cheap on Etsy

Valentine M&M Blondies

I can't get enough of VDAY treats!! I love the color combos and I'm a sucker for all things {LOVE}!! I found this super easy recipe on Allrecipe and they look so cute and delicious! Can't wait to bake!!




1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup to 1 1/3 cup M&M's


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside. Melt 1/3 cup butter. Add 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar and mix well. Cool slightly. Add egg (beaten) and vanilla and blend well. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing well. Mix in 2/3 cup M&M's. Spread in 9 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Sprinkle 1/3 to 2/3 cup M&M's on top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Maybe a Little Mood music while you bake: 

                                                                     BIG JET PLANE

...love.

Sometime I go back to those days…When things were fresh and new. More so lately as I have decided that my laptop needs to go. I think after all the drops and mistreatment it’s getting revenge on me and not working so well (when I need it most!) So I decided all my pictures need to be sorted and put in a safe place.

             Oh how I love to look back at all the memories Ralph and I have created! It’s been such a fun and Amazing adventure…My entire 20’s are filled with the most amazing Love Story. Ever. Its beyond words how incredible being “in love” actually is…I remember those nervous phone calls, late night talks, Extreme Butterfly’s and pure joy….It Amazes me to think that there all still present…Minus the nervousness. This man holds my heart in a way that no other man has been able too. Makes me wonder if there is really such a thing as “SoulMate” because if there is... HE is surely THE ONE!! 

 

            Sometimes I will say to him “Isn’t this fun?!?” He says “what?” and I say THIS! Just having a life together, playing around our home with our little doggies. Doing whatever we want. It’s hard for me to grasp that things can be this good…Sometimes I feel like I’m 18 again and can’t believe all that I have. I have just been feeling so lucky lately; lucky that at this very moment I have EVERYTHING I want. Not many people can say that….I hope you all can. So embracing past moments, this moment and looking ahead to future moments that will surely take my breathe away....

More Angus and Julia Stone....because I cant get enough.

a New year.

Happy NEW year! 

I LOVE the idea of a Fresh New Start. Ralph and I rang in the New Year {quietly} PERFECT! Just the two of us! Christmas, New Years and My Birthday is always a rapid Blur.  It really does take me a good week after all the festivities to wind down. The upside it was WONDERFUL the downside I took NO pictures! Can you believe it! I was so present and in the moment that I didn’t get a chance to photobomb you all right now. BUT I did make a pretty awesome purchase… A NIKKON D7000!! I know it seems extreme to spend almost two thousand dollars on a camera but I HAD TOO! I love taking Pictures and I figured that it will be a family investment…Plus Ralph bought another Plasma so he couldn’t argue much…I haven’t had a chance to get out and take some “real” pictures with it but I’m hoping this weekend I will be able too! 

                                                   I turned 29 on Friday.

Ralph was the first to wake up, getting ready for work in the darkness 4 a.m. I felt his beautiful lips meet my check so gently and whisper so soft it could have been spoken in his head “I love you birthday girl.” To me there is no other sweeter day (other than Valentine’s Day) than ones Birthday!

  I seized the day in total Carpe Diem style! I woke up…went downstairs to the cutest letter written on a PAPER PLATE. Yes a paper plate haha I guess in Ralph’s mad dash to get out of the house he was unable to find a piece of paper…I think the paper plate was so much sweeter.  Then I prepared for a FULL day of pampering, including everything from massages to Lavish Lashes. I did it all…came home to a magical night that included all of my favorite things, even the most precious Tiffany & Co. engraved dog bone bracelet from my puppy’s ;)

I'm grateful for the opportunities this year has given me, I have learned, grown through trial and error and have found a new happiness in writing and photography. Through the excitement of realizing what I really love to do in life and finding that, mid-twenties, I can pursue these goals while creating a new adventure for Ralph and I. Looking forward to sharing this adventure with all of you lovies. Hope you all had a Magical New Years! Here's to 2013.

Because I have to share my playlist with you...

                                                        ALL OVER NOW.