Characters Welcomed: May 2012

Friday, May 25, 2012

Friday Favorites: Week 6

Favorite pillow: 3-D Glasses Pillow from freaky fleece on Etsy.
I can't say I'm completely on board with this new 3-D obsession, but I do love this pillow!

3D Glasses Pillow - Geek Chic Home Decor

Favorite fruity bite: Lemon-Lime Mousse with Fresh Strawberries

I've been on a huge lime kick lately, but it's mostly been in things like salads and chicken dishes.
This looks like a delicious dessert. Can't wait to try it!

Favorite earrings: Raw Brass Chain Earrings with Gold Fringe

I love the simplicity of this design. It'll look beautiful with just about anything!

Favorite furniture makeover: Chevron Dresser

How cute is this?!

Favorite welcome:

Bill just painted our entrance foyer in a turquoise that's just slightly darker than this door. I love this cheerful color!

Favorite meal idea: Cheesy Enchilada Casserole

All I can say is...yum!!

Favorite funny: koalifications

LOL!

Favorite blue hue: Hydrangea from Google images

I love, love, love hydrangeas! They just make me happy. :-)

Favorite organization inspiration:

From the dollar store!

Favorite DIY jewel:

I'd really like to try to make this bracelet. I really love the combination of gold, silver and bling in this one!

Enjoy your weekend, friends! And Happy Memorial Day on Monday!!

Chris

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Wardrobe Wednesday: To the Max-i

You know what? I've decided that it's time to interject an outfit post now and again, just for fun. So here you go:

Last week I picked up this cute maxi dress at Kohl's. It's made of a super soft knit and feels just as good as wearing the most comfortable sweats I own! The upside? It's much prettier than my sweats.

I prefer to keep things on the modest side, which is why I chose to wear a white tee underneath. Well, that and the fact that it helps hide my flabby arms. :-)

To accessorize, I kept it simple and sweet with two stretch bracelets

Turquoise: World Market / Teal: Fashion Bug

After my "photo shoot" I got to spend some time out in the backyard with these cuties:

This is Lucky, our border collie/cocker spaniel mix

This is Zero, the beautiful girl next door. :-)

They love to run together along the fenceline.

Happy Hump Day!

Chris

Monday, May 21, 2012

Now THAT'S a lot of cumin!

Look what I just scored at my local Marshall's...

One of my most favorite spices in the whole. wide. world!

And the very best part?

That huge 7 ounce jar cost me...

$4.99!!!

MARSHALL'S RULES!

Meal Plan: May 21-25

Monday: Buffalo Chicken Taquitos

My husband laughs at me because I've become quite the Buffalo chicken afficianado. In the past year my opinion of Buffalo chicken has gone from "oh, that's way too spicy" to "that's freakin' awesome!!" I have no idea what happened. Maybe I'm closer to The Change than I know??? Anyway, I love it. And these taquitos look delish!

Tuesday: Avocado Pesto Pasta

Pesto is one of my favorite flavors on the planet! Add avocado? I'm there!

Wednesday: Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Marinated Tomato Salad

I watched the Pioneer Woman make this on her show Saturday morning, and now I can't stop thinking about it!

Picture of Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy Recipe

Thursday: Open Face Chicken Caprese Sandwiches

Oh, my goodness, do these look good!! Simple, fresh flavors. Yum incarnate.

Friday: Deli Skewers with Cucumber-Ranch Dip

I've decided that we need to go on a picnic this week. The weather forecast is ideal, and I just found this fabulous idea for deli skewers. I'll make some of our favorite potato salad, chop some veggie sticks, and we're good to go!

Happy Eating, Friends!

Chris

Monday, May 14, 2012

Weekly Meal Plan: May 14-18

Hello, Friends! Hope you had a good Mother's Day.

Here's the scoop on what the Perkinses will be eating this week.

Monday: Maple Mustard Chicken
Doesn't this look scrumptious?! And it's easy too. You're welcome.

Tuesday: Chef Meg's Eggplant Napoleons
We're trying to eat healthier this week and exercise more, so what could be better than a yummy recipe from SparkPeople.com?

Wednesday: Thai Chicken Pizza
Some beautiful, exotic flavors on a simple canvas of naan bread. Mmmmm....

Thursday: Southwestern Breakfast Skillet
You know I'm a sucker for breakfast time any time!

Friday: Inside Out Spring Roll Salad
A whole lotta yum in that bowl right there!

Wishing you all good eats and good times this week!

Chris

Friday, May 11, 2012

Friday Favorites: Week 5

Favorite imaginary boyfriend:

I'll admit it - flawed as he is, I like Don Draper.

Did you know that Jon Hamm shares my hometown of St. Louis? Better yet, he's a

fellow Blues hockey fan.

Honey, you can cook for me any. day. of. the. week. [sigh]

And speaking of Don Draper, one of my favorite boutiques here in St. Louis, Maven, sells Don Draper glycerin soap! I just bought some for my husband last weekend, and he loves it! It's "a surprisingly refreshing mix of gin martini and bay rum. Very fresh -- don't knock it 'til you try it!" I concur. It would be a great gift for Father's Day. Just sayin'.

Favorite funny:

This applies to a lot of people I know...including me from time to time!

Favorite new song:

Mermaid by Train

"Can't swim, so I took a boat

to an island so remote,

only Johnny Depp has ever been to it before..."

Favorite refresher:

Basil Lemonade. I tasted this at a local coffee shop last weekend - so satisfying!

Favorite summer getaway:

Treehouse!

Favorite gasp of the week:

Look at this gorgeous shot of the moon over the Caribbean!

Favorite snack:

Churro chex. Yowza, does that look yummy!

Favorite sunroom:

Don't you just want to call all your friends over, make some fresh lemonade and snacks and hang out here for a couple of hours? I do!

Favorite thing I'd do if I had too much time on my hands:

Make my own designer band-aids!

Favorite kitchen tile:

Look at this gorgeousness!!! The colors make me think it's slate, but I really love the iridescence. Beautiful!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Chris

Friday, May 4, 2012

Friday Favorites: Week 4

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you all had a great week. Me, not so much. Work has been crazy, I've gained 3 lbs. and my back hurts. On the other hand, the weekend's here and tomorrow I, your humble blogger friend, turn the BIG 4-0! Yes, I'm a Cinco de Mayo birthday baby. Wasn't it nice of Mexico to give me an even bigger reason to party?! ;-D

Here are some of my favorite things this week:

New Favorite Song:

"Spinning Around in the Air" by The Proclaimers, from their upcoming album "Like Comedy" which drops on May 7. I've loved these guys for at least 15 years, ever since I saw Benny & Joon and heard the immortal "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". I've traveled to Chicago twice in the past three years to see them in concert. Craig and Charlie Reid are awesome!

Favorite "Oh no, they didn't"!

Chubby Hubby Snack Mix from Cookies & Cups

Okay, make that *15* lbs. that I'm gonna gain this week! Can you imagine all this yumminess rolling around on your tongue??? Oh. My. GOODNESS!

Favorite new way to keep clean:

Microdermamitt Body Mitt. No, it's not a new way to support Mitt Romney (although that guy does have good skin for a man, don'tcha think?). This is an exfoliating mitt that you use in the shower 2-3 times a week. You simply wet it with water (or add some body wash if you prefer) and scrub your body to slough off dead skin and dirt. You'll have smoother, healthier skin in one use. FOR REAL! I got one in my April Birchbox. I love this thing and can't imagine how I've lived 40 years without it!