Weekend Re-Cap!

I have been a bad blogger this week! But I am going to get better I promise :)

I had a very fun weekend.  I was off Friday so I got a massage in the morning then ran all my errands and got home around 11 am so I had lots of time to relax and catch-up on my DVR.  I was going to clean but I decided to save that for Saturday :).

Friday night my best friend Danielle had a Halloween party at her boyfriend's apartment so I took my friend Ashley with me.  I wanted to be a peacock but could not get the costume together (next year) so I was something that I have been before.  80's glitter queen :)

This was my makeup.  I had so much glitter on my face.  I loved my eye makeup.  I used a primer then put on NYK glitter eye shadows (about 7 different ones) then I dusted my whole face with glitter powder.  Yes I had all this stuff already.  I wear glitter all the time ;) 

  I was pretty proud of my outfit.  The only few items I purchased was Glitter hair spray! (love it) leg warmers (which I have worn since) I think I am going to try to bring them back haha and some lace gloves.

This is me and my friend Ashley she was a zombie bridesmaid.  She looked awesome! 

Saturday was a very nice relaxing day.  Except for one of my favorite players getting hurt #21 Marcus Lattimore.  I hope he gets better.  I got to talk to Allen twice :) it was a huge excitement!!!!!  I don't get to talk to him much on the phone since he is in Kuwait so I was so happy to hear his voice :) I also kept my favorite little boy for the afternoon and we watched Monsters and Aliens...one of our favorite movies together.  He watched it once by himself while I cleaned then we watched it again.

Allen had called and we were talking to him on speaker then he started to dance and I had to record it.  He is just so funny!!

Saturday night I finally saw Magic Mike...I will say I wasn't too impressed. Then I went to bed. 

Sunday I went to church in the morning and took Jackson to lunch after church and we had a good time. Then I spent the rest of the day chilling on the couch.  I watched Rock of Ages and had the best time watching that movie.  I sang every song and I really liked it. 

Terrible picture but happy with my wine and movie!

Nothing like watching movies and sipping on wine :) Happy Sunday!

 How was everyone else's weekend?

  

Wine Wednesday!!!

                 

Happy Wine Wednesday Ladies!!!!!!!

Can I tell you I am super excited about going to my favorite restaurant/bar and have 1/2 bottle(s) of wine tonight!!!!  I picked my outfit out last night!  I guess this is what it is like for almost thirtysomethings do now haha.  I remember going to Charlotte Russe in Columbia every Thursday to buy my going-out outfits for the weekend when I was in college then go out all weekend drinking shots and beer.  Oh how the tables have turned, now I go out one night every few weeks for wine.  And no my dress is not from Charlotte Russe it is from Old Navy :) Truth be told I do not think I could fit into anything from there any more!

I am going with my sister by another mother Ashley :) Cannot wait!!! I even think Ms. Danielle will be making an appearance as well.  They haven't met yet and who doesn't love meeting over a glass(es) of wine :)  Wednesday is turning into a favorite day of mine!

   




                                                                                                                            

Oktoberfest Update!

 Last night my brother and I went to a local restaurant for an authentic German Meal!  The food was all prepared in house and even the sausages were homemade.  It was something I had never had before but pretty good and different. I took lots of pictures to show. :)


Here are the highlights:
**I got to spend time with my brother and eat something I had never had before.

**We went to one of my favorite restaurants so I knew I would like the wine :) 
**The food was amazing! 
**Adam seemed to enjoy it too!

Downfalls:
**You sit with people you don't know because they serve the food family style.  This wouldn't be a huge problem if you had a group of friends together and you all went.  That would be fun but I felt like I had to be on my best behavior and didn't get to talk to Adam as much as I want.
**I sat next to the MOST pretentious woman ever! She knew everything about EVERYTHING.  I wanted to punch her in the throat before it was all said and done!
**It was way more expensive than I thought it was going to be.  What I thought would be $40 a person with food and drink included only included ONE drink.  So my bill ended up being about $140 for us including tax and tip...

On to the pictures :) 

We had an accordion player throughout the whole meal.  It was kinda interesting and he really got everyone involved.  Adam really liked that!

This was what we were served for the meal!

And of course this is the seasonal drink section...Adam had the Newcastle Werewolf.  I just stuck with the house Cab :)

This couple actually started Oktoberfest in our little town.  They of course were very German and I couldn't understand much of what they said but they were very nice. 

The next few pictures are a lot of dancing :)

Adam waiting on the food to come

 

 I honestly do not remember what everything was but my favorite was the Brat and the Brussel Sprouts :)

 

The dessert was a yummy apple dish that I am going to try to learn to make for my pampered chef party this weekend.  And of course I had to take a picture of what I had left over from dinner! 

It was about 9 when we left our German experience and Adam and I both were needing a little taste of home so we went to our local bar/grill for a nightcap!

 

Adam had the BudLight and I stick with my Mic Ultra :) We were the only ones in there so I took a goofy picture :) 

All in all it was a good night :)

Oktoberfest!

This is trouble and two of the most important men in my life, Allen and Adam :)

My brother's birthday is September 21st and I still haven't done anything for him.  Normally, we just go to dinner and grab drinks but being a little cash poor lately I haven't been able to do that.  But tonight we are going to a local restaurant that is doing a special dinner.  It is an Oktoberfest feast :) I am really looking forward to it and even though it is $40 a person that includes dinner, drinks and dessert so I believe it is going to be worth it.  I am very excited about it and plan to take lots of pictures of all the food :) So be ready for an update tomorrow friends :)

Manic Thursday!

    Happy Thursday everyone!!    

It's Ok:

This is my first link up :)

To work late on today so that I can enjoy my long weekend 

To be excited to not have any plans tomorrow 

To have a few rough days earlier this week but having a wonderful day today.

That my favorite part of the day is when I get a facebook message from Allen even if it is just a smiley face :) 

To enjoy $2 bottles of wine from Walmart because bitch is on a budget :)  Which I will be enjoying in about 5 minutes :)

 To be excited about my date with my brother tonight. 

To post a picture that warms my heart 

 

 

 

Well that is all I have today  much love to everyone!!!!!!

Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down

Yesterday was a very cold, rainy day and it doesn't help that it was a Monday either.  So needless to say I was a little down yesterday.  I don't know why really but when I always looks at these pictures it is hard not to smile :) 

ER MA GERD

Probably one of my favorite ones :)

I had to add my very own ER MA GERD picture :)

I know this is silly but it made me smile :) Happy Tuesday...

Sunday Funday!

I am big on my routines.  Call me OCD all you want but I love a good routine.  About two months ago, I went with my friend Ashley to her church, Newspring.  And I fell in love! The music was uplifting and wonderful and the preacher spoke so well.  I have gone every Sunday since. I have started taking my nephew Jackson with me and he seems to love it too.  It could be because they have an awesome bouncy house but nevertheless he is going :)

This is what he made at church yesterday :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along with my routines :) we also go to lunch every Sunday to enjoy a cocktail and a yummy meal.  This Sunday with my funds being a little short I decided to cook dinner instead of going out.  I made enough food to feed my brother, Ashley, Jackson and me and also have left overs for the week :) I meant to take a picture of the food before it was all gone but I forgot.  I made a traditional Southern Sunday meal.  Rump Roast with carrots and mushrooms, Macaroni and Cheese, Broccoli Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, Hot-Sauce Green Beans, and Roasted Okra ;) 


I won't give you all my recipes because they are family secrets but I will give some tips.  


When making a roast I NEVER put water in the roast.  I use 2 cans of cream of mushroom and beef broth and a can of diet coke. The diet coke makes the roast extremely tender.  


Only use block cheese when making macaroni and cheese or the broccoli casserole. For some reason you can tell the difference in the dishes if you use shredded cheese.  


Always a few dashes of hot sauce makes every dish better :) 


I will give my recipe for Hot Sauce Green  Beans:


2 big cans of Hanover Green Beans (without potatoes)
Cajun Seasoning 
Paprika 
Cayenne Pepper
Hot Sauce (of course) 
Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
Pepper 
Ms. Dash Seasoning 


Put all that in a crock pot on low for at least 8 hours it will be the best green beans you have ever made!


I love fried okra but I am trying to lose weight and I know the rest of this meal is fattening but it is the least I can do to cut calories somewhere.  But this roasted okra tastes almost like fried okra and it is yummy.  


Preheat oven 425 and put cut okra on a flat cookie sheet or pizza pan.  Drizzle with olive oil and a little cayenne pepper and black pepper.  Pop in the oven for 20 minutes and you have some yummy okra.  

Of course no Sunday Funday is complete without wonderful people to share with and also some red wine doesn't hurt either.  I picked red blend I love blends they are perfect but my other love is Cabernet :) which is what I went to after the first bottle.  Ashley isn't a huge red wine fan.  She doesn't like that it stains your teeth :) so she goes for a white like Pinot Grigio.  Which is yummy too.  It was a great Sunday full of food, movies and a little dancing to Britney Spears :) 

How was your Sunday?

Football, Chicken, and Margaritas

Pepper in her Jersey! Ignore my foot please...

Last Saturday night, Ashley came over to my apartment to watch our Gamecocks dominate Kentucky.  It was a little touchy in the beginning but our team came back and won!!!  WooHoo!!!

Being the little party planner that I am we of course had a theme...I thought mexican would be completely appropriate :) not just because I love tequila which I do but because it is easy.  I was in charge of the food and Ashley was in charge of the beverages.

So here is my recipe for the best chicken ever:

3 or 4 breast of chicken

salsa (I used medium because I like the spicy things in life)

taco seasoning (again hot taco seasoning but you can use what you like)

Hot Sauce

Pepper 

Diced Tomatoes (opt)

Diced Jalapenos (opt)

The combined everything in the crock pot either on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

You will have the best shredded chicken in the world!

I had a nachos bar so I had every topping you could think of-

Corn

Rice 

Black Beans

Sliced Jalapenos

Sour Cream

Cheese

Queso  (white cheese dip)

Salsa

Lettuce 

The beauty about this is that you can use as much or as little as you want.  And being someone that always over plans...I had tons left over :) 

For the "Ashley" Margaritas:

Jose Cuervo - Gold (which I had never had before but it was yummy I have only had silver)

Triple Sec

Margarita Mix

Limes

Just mix it all together as strong as you want it (if you drink with me then it is strong) and put it over ice.  I had these precious margarita glasses I got from big lots which we used that night :) 

Optional items to put in margaritas are sliced jalapenos, cilantro, and cucumbers.  That makes for such a nice flavor.  Just try it the cucumbers soak up a little of the spice from the peppers so even if you don't like spice you might like that :) 

What are your favorite tailgate/sports party dishes and drinks?

 

Hi Ya'll!

Hello Blogger-world!

My name is Jennifer and I am hoping that my recipes and party planning ideas will excite you and keep you reading :)

Just a little information about me...

I live in a small city in South Carolina. I love it here because the weather is normally great and I am surrounded by some fantastic people.

Isn't this a beautiful picture :)

I graduated from University of South Carolina - Columbia (Go Gamecocks) with a fashion major and I loved every second of college!

Although I have a fashion major this recession hasn't been too keen on new stores opening so I work for my father, in insurance, so I need this blog to use my creative side.

 This is him doing the Jersey Shuffle...we have to have some fun!

This is my daddy :)

My mother is a teacher.  She taught me everything I know about makeup and hair (big 80's hair :))  I have tried to teach her how to entertain but she hates it with a passion.  Which somehow makes me want to do it more.

She still has it :) She is modeling some jewelry that my best friend made.

I have one younger brother that lives with me :) He is going to school to become a chiropractor! Hello, free adjustments for life!!!!!  We are 4 years apart but it seems to be perfect for us because we are very close and a lot alike (which scares my momma) 

I went fishing with him one day he loves anything outdoors..we aren't alike there!

 So that is almost my whole family except for the sweetest, prettiest puppy in the world!

Pepper Maebelle!  She is my little angel.  She is 5 years old and the best companion in the world.  I have never been an animal person but when I laid eyes on this little Shih Tzu I knew she would be in my life.  I love coming home and she always greets me at the door. I just can't say enough about her. 

She is very comforting to me especially since my boyfriend of almost 3 years has been in Kuwait for the past 7 months.  January can not get here any faster.  I am so proud of him because he is such a hard worker and an amazing man.  I have to say I am very lucky! 

This is a picture of Allen and our nephew Jackson when he was 14 months old! They have my whole heart!

Ok so on to my friends! I have some amazing friends which are more like family than friends.  I love having girls nights and getting together, drinking wine and eating yummy food. Most of my posts will probably involved these ladies :)

Danielle!!!! She has been the best friend a gal could ask for! I don't know what I would do without her in my life.  She actually was the one to start me blogging too.  So if you don't like me blame her! :)

Ashley is my future sister-in-law and Jackson's mommy :) We live across the street from each other so we have frequent wine nights and they normally end with karaoke!!!! I have to say it is more fun sometimes staying home and drinking than going out and a lot cheaper!

My Other Ashely!!!  Her grandmother and mine have been best friends for over 60 years so we have become as close as sisters! She is an amazing friend and she makes the best margaritas ever!!!!  There is never a dull moment with us!

As you can see I have a pretty good life and I feel that everyday could/should be a party! I love planning and having people over to try new and different recipes and themes. I hope you enjoy my blog and I will keep everything interesting!!!