Polyvore Fun!

I'd like this for our Valentines Day Date ...

Valentine's Date by brittneykbolt featuring heart earrings

Pink Asymmterical Short Sleeve Tee by DKNY
85 GBP - my-wardrobe.com
Pink tops »

7 For All Mankind The Skinny Jeans
$149 - piperlime.gap.com
Skinny leg jeans »

Badgley Mischka 'Humbie II' Pump
$200 - nordstrom.com
Glitter peep toe pumps »

Silver heart hoop earrings
40 GBP - debenhams.com
Heart earrings »

Tinley Road Braided Cuff Bracelet
$36 - piperlime.gap.com
Metal bangles »

NARS Duo Eyeshadow
$32 - nordstrom.com

benetint
$28 - benefitcosmetics.com

Dior Miss Dior Cherie 6.8 oz Perfumed Body Moisturizer
$46 - sephora.com

OPI Nail Lacquer- Bubble Bath
$8.49 - haircarechoices.com

I'd like this for spring please...

Spring Day by brittneykbolt featuring burberry sunglasses

Blu Moon Under The Tuscan Sun Top
$154 - piperlime.gap.com
Dressy tops »

7 For All Mankind Highwaist Slim Trouser Jeans
$158 - piperlime.gap.com
Slim fit jeans »

Givenchy Woven leather wedges
$1,190 - net-a-porter.com
High heel pumps »

7 Chi Kenzie Handbag
$158 - piperlime.gap.com
Leather handbags »

Hive and Honey Scale Chandelier Earrings
$22 - piperlime.gap.com
Hook earrings »

Sunglasses Sonnenbrille von BURBERRY ab 159,00 € im Impressionen...
159 EUR - impressionen.de
Burberry sunglasses »

MAC Lustre Lipstick - Lustering
allcosmeticswholesale.com

Aren't the Givenchy shoes, TO DIE! yeah, i know they are over $1,000. haha. I'm sure I could find something SIMILAR at Off Broadway :)


And I'd love this ensemble for a casual, outdoor dinner on our anniversary cruise in October..

Cruise Casual by brittneykbolt featuring mirrored sunglasses

Sequin Halter Bra Top Dress
$38 - victoriassecret.com
Victoria secret dresses »

China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Nail Polish
$3.69 - luxuryparlor.com
Bikini bathing suits »

Very Volatile Habanero
$90 - piperlime.gap.com
Leather shoes »

Juicy Couture Gen Y Tote
$78 - piperlime.gap.com
Canvas handbags »

Rosanne Pugliese Lemon Citrine Earrings
$490 - barneys.com
Lemon citrine earrings »

Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses with Mirrored Lenses
$139 - bloomingdales.com
Mirrored sunglasses »

Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzing Powder
$28 - sephora.com

i LOVE polyvore.com! Thanks, Whitney for introducing me!! I'm going to make some more "ensembles" later :) Happy Monday!

-B

quoteworthy...

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou

I know that next year, next week, heck, even tomorrow, the words on this blog will be forgotten. and that no one, not even me, will remember what I did last Saturday, but feelings are deep. I'm sure you can all remember the first time your husband/boyfriend/wife/girlfriend/partner told you you were beautiful. The first time your parents told you how disappointed they were in you for finding out you stole that candy bar from the store. The first time your coach told you you were the best on the team that day, or your teacher said she was really proud of you for how hard you worked on an assignment. You remember the first time you saw your favorite artist in concert (i cried when i saw nsync. i couldnt BELIEVE i was in the same room as them, ha) Or perhaps the first time a puppy licked your face (unless you're my friend, Jordan, and you dont like animals, haha) Although I may not recall how it was said, how it was done, I remember, CLEARLY, how i FELT through all of these situations.

This quote goes hand in hand with my new years resolution. Keeping a positive attitude, no matter what. My book that goes with my resolution, talks about how we can think all the things we'd like to in our head. we can gossip to ourselves. we can think critically of others, to ourselves. we can complain all we want, to ourselves. but when we lash out at others, put others down, speak condescendingly to others, it's making them feel bad. and it's going to leave a lasting impression. However, the more we dont SPEAK that negativity, the less we think it! This resolution has been so hard, and so far, I have failed at it, miserably, (i mean, i watch the Bachelor and would can go that entire show without criticizing) but I have NOTICED myself noticing how much say that is a complaint/gossip/criticism . And just noticing it, makes me stop doing it so much. That sounds confusing i think, but it makes sense in my own head right now, and i write this blog not only for you to read, but for me to come back to as a reference.

Anyway, I write this with the hopes that next time you're about to say or do something, that may or may not be in character, think of how it's going to make the other person FEEL. the people around you feel. And, is it an important enough of an issue to make them feel that way? I also write this to keep myself in check. I find that if I take this long to write about something and think about how im going to write it, it's easier to remember for my own good.

Think before you speak. Think before you act. Because there is nothing worse, that I can think of, than someone recalling you for making them feel like less of a person, especially when it's unnecessary.

ps- i realize this post is WAY deep for my usual blogging style. this was just something that was weighing on me pretty heavy today. back to our regularly scheduled programming on sunday :)

since i just learned how to put videos on my blog...

this is the most annoying video my husband has ever shown me... yet it manages to pop into my head ALL THE TIME and i can't get the catchy tune out of my head!!! so, now you must suffer in my misery...

the night of the possum

so.

last night, matt and i were sitting on the couch in the living room. watching Nick Swardson's stand up on comedy central, which if you haven't seen it, you must. i was CRYING!!! so funny, i love him. ANYWAYS. we were glued into the tv and i realized Cooper and Annie were not in there snuggled up with us, which they usually are. I told Matt to go make sure they didn't escape from the backyard or something. I mean it was 9 pm and about 30 degrees outside, so it was odd for them to stay out long.

Matt decides he's gonna go up and play halo (go figure.) and calls them inside on his way upstairs. meanwhile, i am still zeroed in on nick swardson talking about how funny drunk girls are. about 5 min later i notice the dogs are inside, when Annie comes marching up by my head on the couch, smelling like straight up POOP!!! "My she!!! Oh my gahhh what did you track in here??" I shot straight up scanning the room for terds. She HAD to have stepped in something or gone potty inside. Well, I see no terds, but see Cooper, sitting up so tall and majestic, smiling, and looking down at the floor, back up at me, down at the floor, back up at me. And I knew right then, he was proud of something. There, beside him, i see something furry, that I first suspect is a stuffed hedgehog he plays with all the time. Realizing the hedgehog is green, and this thing is black and gray, i call for Matt. "Lamb!!! Come down here!! I think my boy brought in another animal!! Hurry!" I couldn't see bc the light was off and the flicker of the tv wasnt enough. Matt comes thundering down the stairs, with a happy voice saying "MY purrrdy, did you get another squirrr?!" (squirrel in our language) Flips on the light switch.

"OH, my god. It's a POSSUM!!!" Then darts out of the room. Leaving me STANDING On the couch repeating "oh my god oh my god oh my god!! what do we dooooo???? cooperrrrrr!!!!" Quickly realizing how funny it would have been to video the scene, last time cooper brought in a squirrel, i decided to run and get matts phone from the foyer. on my way to the foyer, i stop to get a better look at this thing. it is laying there... wet fur on its back where my boy had it in his mouth. and a little bit of blood coming from its nose/mouth. ugh. the scene is quiet, bc matt has gone to get a shovel. just me and the possum alone. i creep closer to it, trying to get a better, peek. and slowly as im bending down, POP!!!! it shoots is freakin head up and LOOKS AT ME!!! looks at me like "Ha! I'm alive! Gotcha!" I scream and BOLT (haha) out of the room and get matts phone, while he is simultaneously running into the room with a shovel.. and thats when i hit record.



oh. my. gosh. matt was SO scared. that thing was showing its teeth and staring at him! hahahahahaha this is so funny. i love that i captured the moment and nothing was planned and it was sheer chaos. please excuse all the LAUNDRY in the living room that i was working on and the pile of junk on the dining room that consists of all my christmas wrapping needs. im working on that :)

needless to say, we tossed the possum. blocked the doggy doors so the dogs couldnt get back out. and gave them baths. which took about an HOUR bc they try to escape the tub the whole time. i should have taken a picture of what we looked like by the end of the whole incident. soaking wet and in our underwear from the dogs soaking us throughout the bathtime process. with dog fur and suds all over us. then had to clean the small blood spot the POSSUM left on our RUG! ewww! i tip toed around all night hoping there wasnt another one in there. so creepy!

matt and i ventured back out into the yard around midnight with our flashlights and phone cameras in toe, to make sure the thing ran away. otherwise the dogs would sniff out the dead thing and bring it back inside. mr possum was no where to be found. so i guess he was alive and well the whole time. gross!!!

did you have as eventful of a sunday as we did?? :)

Good week wishes to all,

B

a MUST read for all bloggers

so, my dear friend Megan O'Neill Witt showed me this blog the other day and i am obsessed. besides the amazing pictures and awesome writing, her story is an incredible one! When you get to the blog click "Start Here If You're New" under the "she's turning one" banner.

DISCLAIMER: Don't read this at work, or in front of people you dont want to see you crying, because it's a TEAR JERKER!!!

http://www.kellehampton.com/

ps- how freakin beautiful is her main blog picture?!

things im obsessed with .. this week

best friends are so much alike :) ... i just read my BFF's blog and she wrote about things shes obsessed with at the moment. i decided to copy her, and while doing so, i realized we're obsessed with all the same types of things. i guess thats what being friends since age 8 does to a person :) i love you wells!















I can't stop eating gouda and crackers. not smoked gouda (that stuff tastes like ham or something) but regular ol gouda. yum!















a vacation!!!! in particularly, a cruise, that we MAY or may not be taking in October for our 3 year anniversary!! :)




















THIS DRESS that Olivia Wilde wore to The Golden Globes this week!! ahhhhhh mazing
















starbucks white chocolate mocha. it's felt SO good on my sore throat this past week! delishhhh



















nicki minaj's song "Super Bass" from the Pink Friday album. Taylor Swift tweeted last week, "Driving back from rehearsals listening to Super Bass by @nickiminaj OVER and OVER. I'm so obsessed with this song!" So, of course I downloaded it, bc i pretty much am obsessed with taylor, too. and she was right, the song is awesome.



















Neosporin Lip Health!!!!!! this is my #1 obsession of the week! I love it so much, I have been to three stores looking for the overnight one. I have the daily hydration and I swear it works!! It says on the package that it guarantee's to restore visibly healthier lips in 3 days. and it does. this stuff is amazing! The first time I put it on, it felt thin..compared to like Burt Bee's or chapstick. And I was like, great this stuff isn't going to work. but it does and i love it.
















The Bachelor!!! I swear im not going to read realitysteve.com this year. so don't tell me if you know who wins!!! I think I'm going against the grain on this one, but I really like Brad. I liked him the first time, too. I thought not choosing DeAnna or Jenny too some gumption, and I respected that he didn't pick someone because he "had" to.




















Barbie's Fashion Fairytale Glitterizer. omg. I babysat Gracie Carlton this past week and she got this thing for Christmas and it is SO FREAKIN COOL! You put glitter in the bottom ... put barbie in, complete with fashionable shaped stickers...close the door and lock it.. press the glitterize button, and a mini fan in the bottom blows the glitter up onto barbie and glitterizes the felt stickers you put on her!!! I wish I had a life-size glitterizer wardrobe for myself :)

annnnd that's about all im obsessed with this week. :) there will be bigger and better things next week.

happy more than halfway through january!!

-B

some inspirational quotes for your weekend

instructions: lather. rinse. repeat.

Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out - it's the grain of sand in your shoe.
Robert Service

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. ~Francesca Reigler

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.” - Herm Albright

Baked Spaghetti

I haven't posted a recipe in like, a year. but this one was WAY TOO AMAZING not to share with yall. I made it last night. and had it for dinner tonight and last night. it is SO GOOD. especially reheated, because that's the way i love spaghetti most. This is definitely going to be my "go-to" dish when I need to take someone food next. So, whoever has baby next, gets some baked spaghetti!! Make is ASAP!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pkg spaghetti noodles
• 2 lbs. ground beef (browned and drained)
• 2 jars of spaghetti sauce (24 oz each)
• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 4 tablespoons of flour
• 4 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 12 oz can of evaporated milk
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

DIRECTIONS
Combine cooked spaghetti noodles, sauce and browned ground beef; set aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter; add flour, Parmesan cheese, salt and garlic powder. Stir constantly until smooth and bubbly. Add evaporated milk and one cup of cheddar cheese; stir until thoroughly melted.

Pour half of the spaghetti mixture into a 9X13 inch casserole dish and spread cheese mixture on top. Pour remaining spaghetti mixture over cheese mixture and top with remaining shredded cheese. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

Makes 12-18 servings. This recipe can easily be divided in half.

THIS MAKES A LOT!!!! My 9x13 pan was overflowing and I could have probably made a small loaf pan's worth as well. Next time, I'll divide it in half. It's SO GOOD SO GOOD SO GOOD !

Enjoy!

B

SNOW

so .. my dad is basically a weather man and has been telling me for the past two weeks that this was going to be a "major storm." i think i believed him. i mean i know i believed him that it was going to be a good snow but i did not realize how much!!! when it started last night around 12:30 i got online and fiddled a bit, looked out the window only an hour later and there was already like an inch and a half. SO EXCITING !

what's better is my friends came over to get snowed in with me :) matt has to work, bc he works from home anyways and it'd be pretty hard to explain a "hazardous commute" to his boss, considering his "commute" is from the bedroom to the office about 5 ft down the hallway. haha. my friends didn't want to be snowed in and bored at their own homes so they came here!!

we woke up this morning and i did this...


















cooked breakfast casserole and hashbrowns. it was pretty good, if i do say so myself. then we were sad because jordy still had to work.















but she ran out and took a picture in the winter wonderland first...



















then sarah and i got prepared to brave the snow... in hopes of sledding .. good thing dad gave me my ski bib last week..


















after we were all bundled up we were restless to get outside bc we were sweating in the warmth of the house!! haha














dont worry, i definitely tried to get a running start to dive onto my disk sled..and face planted!! the snow was WAY too soft and powdery. i am hoping for more sledding success tomorrow with the newly fallen ice layer on top! but here's me sitting on my sled with bilo bags over my shoes bc i didnt have any waterproof boots~ :)

















then i made an AWESOME snow angel. this is what snow angels are SUPPOSED to look like!!




































we came in.. had some lunch.. took naps.. and then were lazy all day until we got enough energy up to fix some dinner and watch the Bachelor like we do every Monday night anyway. Even now, Sarah and Jordan are asleep in the guest room, and have been for like, 2 hours. While I, the night owl, am up wide awake at 2:15 am.

Things im hopeful for, for tomorrow:
1. A good pancake brekky (the Australian term for breakfast, Callie taught me )
2. Sledding success
3. Matt to come outside and get to play for at least a LITTLE while
4. Some good pictures. I didn't even take my camera outside today, my hands were FROZEN without my gloves
5. To feel better. I am kind of sick. but that can't hold me down from going out in this snow!

Hope you all had a good day, too!!

-B

the gym..and the beach

they go together kind of..no?

As I told you before, I joined the gym near my house, Pivotal Fitness and got a personal trainer. This is basically what it was like ..



















haha, no but really. He told me he was going to have to "assess me" at our first meeting. I ended up doing a Marine Corps workout (wth??) maxing out at each one of these exercises...aka, do as many as you can in one minute

1. Push Ups
2. Squats
3. 3 min of elliptical
4. Shoulder press
5. Bicep curl
6. Lunges on each leg
7. 3 min of elliptical
8. Tricep extensions
9. Leg extensions
10. Leg curls
11. Sit ups
12. Crunches

Woooooooooooof!!!!! I haven't done a full body workout like that in I dont even know how long. I mean, P90X was certain muscle groups on certain days. Needless to say, the next three days were hilarious. I had to lift my leg and set it outside of the car to be able to get out. And lower myself onto the toilet by putting my hands between my legs. It probably took me 30 seconds to get up my 3 front porch steps. Haha! I like being sore though.. it makes me feel like I've accomplished something. Which I hope I accomplish A LOT by June 11th. Which is my good friend Chester's wedding AND the day I go on family vacation for a week at the beach.

Wanna know who/what my inspiration is for looking this way by that time??


















No, no no, this isn't a professional model, but my friend Megan (aka dear baby e blogger..aka just had a baby...aka im sure she'll look like this again in like 2 weeks) See, within like, the next two years or so, I want to have a baby, too, like Megan. And before I do... I want to look like this, like Megan. She did not get this way by doing nothing. She loves working out. she did P90X Ab Ripper all the time, and oh, she's a Zumba instructor. I don't think I will ever look THAT good in a bathing suit, but im hoping with a lot of hard work, effort, perseverance, and my trainer, I'll get close.

Now, onto the beach news. From when I was born until I was about 4 years old my Mimi and Grandy had a beach condo in Destin, FL. I can't remember that much of it, but we all used to go as a family every year. Since they sold it, we have a mountain house in Highlands, NC where we congregate every July 4th and Thanksgiving, and sometimes in between. Last year I asked Mimi if we could PLEASE all go to the beach together, since I couldn't remember ever doing it before. She already had a few trips planned and we couldn't get a time together last year... but at Thanksgiving she announced to us that we could go in June .. that'd they'd pay for the house if I could find us a good one. I was so EXCITED and then realized I have a pretty picky family. We all know, beggars can't be choosers, but let's face it, we are. Haha.. These are the requirements I was given:

1. Sleeps at least 11 people
2. 3 couples must get their own rooms (aka no rooms with 2 queen beds, etc)
3. Within a block to the beach
4. Close to a golf course
5. Pet friendly
6. A living room and kitchen of substantial size
7. A living room with a "good tv setup" haha
8. Updated decor
9. A king size bed in the Master
10. A pool (this is the only one that could waiver, as long as it had all the other qualities

Holy Moly! I have been looking for a place, like, nonstop since Sunday and we FINALLY decided on one, today. I am SO excited I can barely contain myself. Usually, at this time of year, I am constantly checking to see when the next "Blizzard of '93" is going to hit Greenville, or supposedly going to hit Greenville (next week has some serious potential) but right now I can't help but stalk J.Crew to see when their 2011 Swim line is going to come out and I can start looking for a new bathing suit that will show off my "Megan Body" come June. :) Here are some pics of "my prize!"

located in the heart of Isle of Palms ... close to WILD DUNES golf course... in close proximity to The Windjammer Cafe... one block to the beach...updated decor...pool... etc....

i think this kitchen will suffice. I can't wait to look up recipes to make for the whole family. Low Country Boil anyone??














Sunny bright living room ...














room we'll get to share with THE KERNS :)















Rooftop Deck with Grill and Lounge Chairs...














Cast of Characters staying in this awesome place... Mimi and Grandy, their dog Cady, Dad and Susie, Sam and Twila, Matt and I, Matt and Ashley, Tyler..and a friend bc Janey will be in Spain. Ahhh. Sigh. I can't wait to be there. BUT .. I will hold my horses, because I am really excited about the potential Snow Storm coming Sunday-Tuesday to the upstate. There is just SO much to look forward to already and 2011 just started!!

Hope everyone has a good Friday!!

-B

ps- im still holding strong w/ my no complaining resolution. it is definitely difficult, esp starting with a trainer...and wanting to say "IM SOOOOO SORE" to matt all the time, but i'm really glad im doing it :)

SHE'S FINALLY HERE!!!

For all of you who follow "Dear Baby E" on my blog list, my good friend, Megan HAD HER BABY!!!!!!

little Adelyn Harper arrived at 11:40 am this morning. Weighing in at 6 lbs. 3 oz. and measuring 20 3/4 inches! Guess she took her "eviction notice" on yesterday's blog pretty seriously :)

SO EXCITED FOR ADAM AND MEGAN (and big brothers, Blaze and Indi)!!!! Welcome to the world baby Adelyn, you are just beautiful!! :)

Happy 2011!!!

We had a great time ringing in the New Year!! we changed our plans about 40 bazillion times before we finally figured out what we were going to do... go downtown, just the two of us. eat a fun/nice dinner and then head over to whatever bar we felt like, watch the rest of the Chicfila Bowl and then ring in the new year. That's exactly what we did.

We drove downtown having no clue where we were going to go. Just one look at the new Ale house and matt wanted to eat there. (We used to go to original Carolina Ale House in Raleigh all the time and we loved it, and have been so excited about Greenville getting one.) We walked in to a packed house and they said it'd be a 2 hour wait for a table and we were starving! So we went across the street and up the block a little to Takosushi which I have been wanting Matt to try for a while, because I ate there with Cindy and I knew matt would love it! We walked right in and had a seat immediately and the food was delicious!! Matt got The Crazy Roll and I got the baha fish taco plate. They are SO SO good!!!! So here's Matt at takosushi ..


















Then we went back to Ale House and waited in line for about 15 minutes before finally making it upstairs. It was so fun. We scrounged up a table and happened to run into Devon and Michael so they sat with us, then Jordan, Samantha, and Brooks showed up. We just sat at our table, talking, watching New Years Eve in New York, and laughing. Before we knew it, people were counting down!! Happppppppppy New Year!!! Our first picture together in 2011...



















We stayed for a while, still talking, and then I found this hat...


















haha. We headed home to get in bed because we had to be up pretty early the next morning to head to my Nanny's house in Summerville, GA. We got to my mom's and loaded up the car with luggage and presents and SEVEN people in one tahoe. Trav, Mom, Matt, Me, Janey, Tyler, and Lindsey all piled into the Tahoe and were on our way to GA. We were even crazy enough to stop at Starbucks in Commerece and EVERYONE in the car got a drink... might at add they were all caffeinated (except for mine) and it was a very eventful car ride, to say they least! :) WE made it to Nanny's and had a WONDERFUL christmas dinner.... Ham, creamed corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, crockpot mac n cheese, dressing, collard greens, black eyed peas, biscuits, and rolls. my mouth is watering just thinking of it. Matt and I made sure to load up on collards for money and black eyed peas for luck and we were stuffed!!! We opened some presents and went back to the other house to play Trivial Pursuit steal! fun game.

Sunday morning we woke up and went back over to Nanny's for a huge breakfast. So yummy! Hung out for a while, and headed back home.

It was a very fun and eventful way to bring in the new year and i am so excited for all of the changes 2011 is going to bring!

I start with my personal trainer today at pivotal. yikes!! but i am going to get in shape. I have a meeting with the nutritionist tomorrow and I've only got one more medication to wean off of.

Basically, i hope to be a complaint-free, medicine-free, fat-free person by the end of this year!! :)

Best,

B