Buffalo Chicken and Cheese Dip

If you are at all hungry, you might not want to continue reading this post!  I went to an awesome Oktoberfest birthday party a couple of weeks ago, and had this amazing chicken dip that everyone was raving about.  I asked my lovely friend Nicole for the recipe and she sent over this gem.  I made it this past weekend for football watching, and it was delicious!  Here's what you need:

Ingredients
(2) 8-ounce packages of cream cheese
2 cups diced chicken (use rotisserie chicken and shred it)
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1 cup Frank’s hot sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus a little extra for sprinkling

Mix all of the ingredients together in a big bowl, making sure everything is thoroughly mixed.  Pour into either a metal or glass baking pan, and sprinkle the extra cheese on top.

 Bake at 325 degrees for about a half an hour, or until the cheese is all bubbly.

Serve with Fritos or tortilla chips, and enjoy!  This dip goes perfectly with a bottle of beer and a football game!

Weekly Weigh In #5

Hello and happy Monday!  Had a slightly better week this week, but not by much.  I am definitely worried about this week coming up, as I have rehearsals and shows every night of the week.  Typically when I am stressed, I eat.  I'm going to try to make sure I have plenty of low points goodies around so that I am not as tempted.  Fingers crossed!


Stats as of 10/27:

Starting Weight: 187
Ultimate Goal Weight: 145
This Week's Weight: 163
Total Lost This Week: 1
Total Lost: 24

What I've Been Pinning This Week

Happy Thursday!  Almost made it through the week!  Life has been pretty busy for me this week.  I've got a production coming up at school, so I have been working late and not sleeping much due to stress.  But I always seem to find time for Pinning!  Here are my faves from this week.  (Click pic for original source, all images via Pinterest.)

Brie and raspberry pastry yumminess, definitely making these for Thanksgiving!

Cutest advent calendar idea ever.

Melt crayons and make shapes using candy molds...um, genius!

This bag has me written all over it!

Adorable hanger for baby's home from the hospital outfit!

My most Pinned image this week was the princess themed, DIY crayons.  Totally loving that idea!  Happy Pinning!

Fall Fashion

I don't know about you guys, but I have been ready for fall for about three months now.  Fall has all of my favorite things:  football, cozy sweaters, yummy coffee, holidays that revolve around snacking...what more can you ask for?  Being that I live in sunny So Cal, I have been waiting for fall for a while now.  And waiting.  And waiting.  We got a quick glimpse of chilly weather a couple of weeks ago, but it was fleeting.  Last week I was wearing my summer dresses to school.  This past weekend gave me a glimmer of hope.  I actually had to use my comforter at night!  Woohoo!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will hold out for a while.  I cannot wait to bust out all of my cute and comfy fall clothes.  I may even need to do some shopping, so it's a good thing I've been pinning lots of inspirational photos!  (Click pic for original source, all pics via Pinterest.)

I think it's safe to say that I will be investing in a good pair of brown boots.  Now I'm off to pray to the Southern California weather gods for more cold weather, and maybe even a colored leaf of two.

Weekly Weigh In #4

So another not so great week this week.  It's been a while since I've had a gain, and this one was totally avoidable.  Just had a lot going on last week and was doing too much snacking.  Plus, we had movie night at school Friday night so there were candy and chips and sodas to be munched on.  No excuses.  Time to get back on track this week!

Stats as of 10/20:

Starting Weight: 187
Ultimate Goal Weight: 145
This Week's Weight: 164
Total Lost This Week: +.4
Total Lost: 23

Here's to a better week this week!

Disney 5K Outfit Planning

Because planning outfits is way more fun than actually running and/or doing any sort of training whatsoever. 

So Mr. B and I are going to be running in the Disneyland 5K in January.  It is my first time ever doing anything like this as I a) hate running and b) really suck at it, but I figured a race through Disneyland is about as painless as a race can get, so we bit the bullet and signed up (and forked over a hefty fee).  This was about two months ago.  Wanna know how my training is going?  I'll give you two guesses.  If you picked c) haven't even tried on the new running shoes you are the lucky winner!  I have, however, been doing some important research to get me ready.  Research as to what I could possibly wear for such an important life event.  Seriously.  The outfit is a big deal.  Here are some of my inspiration pics.  (Click pic for original source, all pics via Pinterest.)

What do we think?  Any favorites?  I am partial to the Sleeping Beauty and Ariel ones since they are my fave princesses, but minus Ariel's sports bra, 'cause yeah no way is my tummy gonna look good in that.  Now I guess I should get to the like the actual training part.....

What I've Been Pinning This Week!

Hello and happy Pinterest day!  Over halfway through the week people, we can make it!  And now for your viewing pleasure, here are some of my favorite Pins from the week!  (Click pic for original source, all pics via Pinterest!)

How cute is this DIY shirt?  Best part, the Jack-o-Lantern face is removable!

Love these as a party decoration, or if you make them flat, a super cute hair piece!

Branches + sparkle = cheap and easy winter decor!

I am in love with this polka dot table runner!

This is the coolest freakin' little girls room ever on the face of the planet!

Place a chalkboard in your home; throughout the month of November, family members write what they are grateful for!

Hope you enjoyed this week's Pins!  My most repinned image of the week was the chalkboard Thanksgiving!  Tune in next week for more Pins!

Impatient

So Mr. B and I have been discussing the baby stuff at great length and have decided to start "officially trying" around May.  I am probably going to stop taking the pill around February so I can try to get it out of my system and see how long it takes for my body to go back to normal.  But I have never been known for my patience, and May seems so far away!  I am the kind of person that once I decide on something, I get to work and I do it.  I planned our wedding in ten months.  We started our house hunting in August of last year and closed on our place two months later.  I don't do well with the waiting game.  And though I know, logically, that May will be a better time for us, I want it to be right now!  I am a little bit like the blueberry girl from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, minus the rich daddy.  It's hard knowing that something so big and exciting is coming up for us in our future, but we can't really do anything about it yet.  I know that May will be here before I know it, but, let's face it, that's not going to make me any more patient :o)

Weekly Weigh In #3

Yay for a good weight loss week this week!  I needed it after the big fat nada last week!  I don't know if it is the motivation factor or what, but it has been so much easier losing weight on this program than any I have done before.  (I'm on Weight Watchers currently--just the online one, no meetings.)  I have done WW before, but something seems to have finally clicked in my brain and though I have been frustrated at times, I have never even come close to that f***-it-I-give-up moment.  I am confident that I will get to my goal weight, just in time to get pregnant and gain it all back!

Stats as of 10/13:

Starting Weight: 187
Ultimate Goal Weight: 145
This Week's Weight: 163.6
Total Lost This Week: 2
Total Lost: 23.4

Next week I am hoping to hit 25 pounds lost all together!  Wish me luck!

What I've Been Pinning This Week

Hey y'all!  Happy Hump Day!  Time for another look at my favorite Pins from the week at hand!  Enjoy, and thank you again for giving me a reason behind my addiction!  (Click pic for original source, all pics via Pinterest.)

How adorable is this little onesie?

I'm starting to plan my 30th birthday, and this is definitely a theme possibility!

I'm sorry, but this has got to be one of the funniest pics ever!

Loving this cozy fall look!

Just because it's awesome!

What would I do without you Pinterest?  My days of work would definitely be consumed with actual work!  (Just kidding, boss, should you ever read this!)

DIY Birthday/Hostess Gift

I will freely admit to being terrible at buying presents for people.  I leave it to the last minute, and I never know what to get.  I figure, for most of my friends, booze is always a good option.  But a bottle of wine (while awesome) isn't the most exciting gift.  But have no fear, there is a way to spice up this standard present!  I got this idea from Pinterest (duh) and this lovely pic.  This bottle of wine was for my friend Stacey for her 30th birthday.  I decided on pink glitter since we are both fans of pink, and I figured I would brand it with her name so no one else could have any!  First, I took the label off the wine bottle and scrubbed away the excess yucky stickiness.  I used vinyl letters to spell out her name, then covered the bottle with Mod Podge and lots of pink glitter.  When the glue dried, I peeled off the letters (carefully).  I sprayed the whole thing with a clear coat sealer to make sure I didn't leave a glitter trail on the way to her party.

Then I had to come up with a cute way to wrap the gift.  I had a box from Ikea that once held a set of wine glasses so I decided to use that.  I covered it with pink paper, and then put cupcake duct tape along the top edge.  Presto, cute box!

Not bad for last minute huh?  Hope this inspires you to come up with some cool gifts of your own!

Weekly Weigh In #2

So I knew this wasn't going to be a great week weigh in wise since I started my period this weekend, but I will be good and post my stats anyway for posterity :o)  Hopefully this week will be better in terms of weight loss.  I definitely have not been working out as much as I should be, but the weather is starting to cool down a little here in So Cal so that should make things easier.  We do have a 5K to run in January, so I gotta start sometime!  Fingers crossed for a better week this week!

Stats as of 10/6:

Starting Weight: 187
Ultimate Goal Weight: 145
This Week's Weight: 165.6
Total Lost This Week: 0
 Total Lost: 21.4

Book Review: Knocked Up: Confessions of a Hip Mother-to-Be

One thing y'all should know about me is that I like to read.  Like a lot.  And my reading patterns tend to follow whatever my latest obsession happens to be.  So right now I am reading a lot about babies.  In just a short time, I have realized that there are helpful pregnancy books, scary pregnancy books, and boring pregnancy books.  And because I appreciate a good book review, I am going to share some of my thoughts about said books with you!

My first baby book review is for Knocked Up: Confessions of a Hip Mother-to-Be by Rebecca Eckler (Villard).  I chose this book to read for a couple of very simple reasons.  Number one, the cover is pink.  Number two, it has a martini on it.  These are both things I can appreciate and enjoy.  I knew right away that this was not going to be a "boring" pregnancy book.  This book is the true story of Eckler's journey through an unexpected pregnancy and how she handles the transition from a hot, young, stylish journalist to a nine months pregnant (she dubs the third trimester the "even fatter months) woman who can barely put her shoes and socks on.  While the book certainly included some scary truths about pregnancy (the cravings!  the weight gain!  the not sleeping!), Eckler delivers these details in a way that is funny and charming, making the whole process seem slightly less daunting.  I particularly enjoyed Eckler's sneaky tricks to make it seem like she was still enjoying her favorite libations, all so her friends wouldn't know something was up.  I will totally be stealing those tricks some day.  Knocked Up is--what I am quickly learning--a rarity in the baby book world.  Informative, yet still entertaining.

If you are interested in reading Knocked Up for yourself, click on the cover to be taken to Amazon.  (See what I mean about the enticing cover?)

***Please note that this review, along with all of my others, is strictly my opinion.  I have not been paid in any way by the author or publisher.  This is just what I think y'all!

Overwhelmed

I have been really good lately about doing my research.  I am reading through lots of pregnancy internet boards, looking up doctors and talking with some friends who have kids.  One of these said friends lent me her copy of What to Expect... and I have been going through it diligently.  And there really is only one word for how I've been feeling: overwhelmed!  There is sooooo much info out there (and some of it is conflicting info!) and there are so many things to consider and think about.  My brain feels like it may explode any minute now!  But, even though I am on info overload, I don't really feel scared at all.  Knowing my past thoughts on babies and pregnancy, I thought reading the nitty gritty details would send me running for the hills, but so far, not so much.  In fact, if anything, I am getting antsy and anxious for the time when we are officially "trying".    And how could anyone be scared of a face like this?

       
I guess the good news is I have lots of time to process all this info, and hopefully when the time comes, I will be as ready as one can be for baby!

What I've Been Pinning This Week

I'm going to assume that many of you out there in Cyber Land suffer from an addiction much like mine: Pinterest.  Pinterest is my crack, my vice, my time killer (waster), and my inspiration.  This will be a weekly feature in which I will share my favorite Pins of the week (mostly so I feel like I have an excuse to keep Pinning like a mad woman).  (All images via Pinterest; click pic for original source.)

Forever 21 Maternity?  Yes, please!

A keg from a pumpkin, perfect for fall parties.

Lots of cool ideas for gifts in jars.

Homemade super cute bookends, could spell out anything!

Love this idea of wrapping silverware for parties!

There ya have it!  Thanks for stopping in and justifying my Pinterest addiction with me!

Happy Halloween Holiday Decor!

Yay!  It's officially October, which means it is officially fall, which means it is officially the holiday season.  Of course, for those of us living in Southern California, it still feels like summer outside, but that doesn't mean I'm not showing off the season inside!  I put up my Halloween decorations this weekend and I am loving the look!  Most of the decor is stuff that I made, so I thought I would share some of it with you!

 

This is a dresser that we have in our dining room, mostly used for extra storage.  It's kinda cool because it is the dresser that was in my nursery when I was a wee little one, so there are lots of memories attached.  Always on the dresser: the lamp, the big green B (from our wedding), the purple glass bowl (a pretty place for Mr. B to toss his wallet, watch and other male paraphernalia), and the picture of our anniversary (7/24/11).  Added for Halloween: the "BOO" picture ( just black cut out letters on top of burlap) and the jar of white gourds.  I found the gourds at Wal Mart for 97 cents each.  They were really bright and kinda ugly, so I used my stock of craft paint to paint them an ivory color.  The jar is from Home Goods (I actually stole it from my mom!).

And this is the entertainment center in our living room.  I made the "trick or treat" sign with the die cut letter press at school (sometimes it pays to be a teacher!).  I strung the letters on some brown leather cord and used our DVD player and cable box to hold the ends in place.  I also have another jar of the white gourds, a sparkly silver pumpkin, and the "BOO" vase.  I (again) stole the vase from my mom (I'm lucky to have a mom with style!).  I filled it with wheat stalks and used removable vinyl letters to spell out my Halloween message.

I'm definitely excited for all of the upcoming holidays and I can't wait to work on some more decor projects!

Weekly Weigh In #1

One of my main goals before getting pregnant is to get healthy and get in shape.  I know, I know...that seems a little counterproductive.  Lose weight and get a hot bod, only to get pregnant and gain weight.  But, I do know that being overweight makes it harder to get pregnant in the first place.  Plus, I want to be active during my pregnancy because I know it will make losing the baby weight easier.  So at the end of June (before I was even truly bitten by the baby bug) I signed up for Weight Watchers, and as of my weigh in this past weekend, have lost just over twenty pounds!  I was so excited to hit that big goal, and I am now about halfway to my ultimate goal.  I know losing the last twenty pounds is going to be harder, but Mr. B and I have signed up for the Disney 5K in January, and are going to start training this week, so hopefully that will kick the weight loss into high gear!

Stats as of 9/30:

Starting Weight: 187
Ultimate Goal Weight: 145
This Week's Weight: 165.6
Total Lost This Week: 2.8
Total Lost: 21.4