My favorite look for New year's eve is an LBD paired with a sparkly accessory.  

Whether it be a shiny pair of heels, a sequined clutch, or a glittering statement necklace.

My closet is literally filled with Black dresses so I don't need to go shopping for anything which is a plus.

I also bought a fab gold sequined scarf a few years ago that has become my go to New year's eve scarf.

 

Ive narrowed it down to these two options.

I love the simple design of the first dress.  The 2nd option is very figure flattering.(and I can't resist a skater silhouette)

My favorite scarf ♥ 

 Baby Fashionista!

The Queen bee's 1st New year's eve outfit!

  Baby sparkle leggings

Have  a wonderful New year's eve! Remember New year's eve sets the tone for the year so make it a great one! Dress up, put on your favorite lipstick and start the New year with a positive outlook!

Sparkletini glitter bottle!

                       Sparkletini glitter bottle! Ready for New Years!

Motivational Monday!

Keep trying, Better things are coming , What is meant to be will find a way!

Best Pork BBQ crock pot recipe!

 

This is the Best ever pork BBQ crock pot recipe!  My mom gave me this recipe so I am not sure where it originated from.  This is our go to party main dish.  I also like to make it on a Friday to save some time in the kitchen and serve the leftovers over the weekend. It is so delicious and easy to make! It makes your house smell great while it's cooking.  I typically serve it with rolls but I just recently discovered it is amazing on a wrap!(In fact I prefer it that way) I am making this for New years day. Don't forget your sauerkraut for good luck in the New Year!; ) Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

A pork roast (About 4 lbs)

Sea Salt 

Black pepper 

 One jar of tomato sauce I use Ragu traditional

A dash of Frank's hot sauce

1/4 C of ketchup

1/2 C brown sugar

1/4 C white vinegar

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp dry mustard

A splash of Worcestershire 

Season your roast with salt and pepper.

Whisk together your BBQ sauce ingredients in a bowl.

Pour your sauce into your crock pot over your pork roast.

Cook on whatever crock pot setting you desire.

When the pork is fully cooked shred with two large forks.

Serve on a toasted roll.  This is really good with a slice of cheddar or colby jack cheese on top!

 

 

 On the lighter side- Serve on a honey wheat wrap.(I ♥ Tumaros wraps!) They are only 60 calories 

I added coleslaw into this wrap. (It really makes the wrap taste amazing!)  Here is my favorite coleslaw recipe!

Enjoy!

What are your New Year's traditions? Share in a comment ♥

Classic Potato Salad

This is the perfect potato salad recipe!  This recipe has been modified from the classic potato salad recipe in the better homes and gardens cookbook.  This is a staple at our family gatherings and barbecues.  Our family has been making it for years and has perfected the recipe over time.  I get so many compliments every time I serve this salad at parties.  I am guilty of consuming so much more of this than I should every time I make it! lol.  I have a serious weakness with any dish involving potatoes. The loaded potato salad versions I see on pinterest are always tempting, but I prefer to stick with this recipe. I think potato salad has enough calories as it is and this recipe has incredible flavor on its own!  Here is the recipe

Ingredients

 A bag of red potatoes

 I peel my potatoes before boiling it makes it so much easier!

4 hard boiled eggs coarsely chopped

Just under 1/2 cup of thinly sliced celery

1/2 cup chopped sweet onion

scallions optional

for the dressing

1 and 1/4 cup Hellman's Mayonnaise

1 TBS prepared mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp sugar

2 TBS white vinegar  Secret Ingredients

 I double this recipe when I make it to serve at a party because our family loves it! I also love to have left overs!

 Peel your potatoes and place in a large pot.

Fill with water, add sea salt and bring to a boil.

Boil for approximately 20 minutes.(No longer)

Remove from stove top and drain immediately.

Allow potatoes to cool down before chopping into coarse pieces.

Place your potatoes, chopped eggs, celery and sweet onions in a large serving bowl.

Combine all of the dressing ingredients and whisk together in a small bowl.

Pour your dressing over your potato mixture and mix gently with a rubber spatula.

Chill overnight and served topped with chopped scallions.(if desired)

  

Enjoy! 

You'll love this recipe!

KFC inspired coleslaw!

KFC inspired coleslaw..If you like coleslaw you will love this recipe!  It is the best.

I found this recipe on food .com 

I made it bit easier by using a pre-cut bag of cabbage and carrots.  I love to serve this as a side with homemade chicken tenders, or pork barbecue.  It is amazing added on to wraps.

Here's the recipe!

Ingredients

   

One bag of Dole coleslaw mix  Don't buy the pack with the dressing included

2 TBS minced sweet onions
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise  

1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

 1/4 cup buttermilk Or make your own that's what I do because I can never find it in the store!

                                                                     

How to make homemade buttermilk

Pour a tablespoon of white vinegar into a measuring cup then fill the cup with milk until you've reached the one cup line. Let sit for 5 minutes. Don't forget only use 1/4 of it for this recipe and discard the rest.

For the coleslaw

Pour the contents of your dole coleslaw bag on a large chopping board.

Use a large knife to chop it up finely.

You could skip this step if you'd like, but I prefer a finer texture and like it much better this way.

Add in 2 TBS of minced sweet onions.

Place contents in a large bowl.

Whisk together in a bowl your milk, mayonnaise, white vinegar, buttermilk, lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper.

Pour the mixture over your coleslaw mix and stir until combined.

 Cover the coleslaw and refrigerate overnight.

Enjoy, this recipe is so good!

 

2014...Please Be Good

I have a good feeling about this year coming. 

The Confetti project!

I have an obsessive love for all things confetti and anything that sparkles or shines. Here is a fab list of confetti inspired products and DIY projects!   Make your own gold confetti like the above featured using a circle punch and metallic paper. Couldn't be easier!

Amazing list of DIY confetti inspired projects!

If someone brought this bottle to my house they would be invited back! : ) 

Confetti gift wrap! 

 Adorable DIY confetti invites!

I love to include confetti in birthday cards and packages.(Such a fun surprise for kids!)

Confetti popper! 

I want this.....

Confetti wand!

 Confetti cake batter dip!

Lauren Conrad's Office wall makeover
This would be fun in a playroom!

DIY Kate Spade inspired dinnerware

Love this idea!

 Kate Spade DIY inspired Canvas wall art and Ornaments

Share your New year's eve plans in a comment : ).  Ours will be low key spent with the kids at home. ♥

Sparkling Caramel Apple Cocktail!

 

This is the perfect holiday cocktail. I am not generally fond of liqueur( I prefer a glass of wine) but this is delish!  This drink is very simple to make and only requires two ingredients. It would be cute as a signature drink at a birthday party or great for Christmas/New Years Eve. All you need to make this is Martinelli's sparkling apple cider and Smirnoff Kissed Caramel Vodka. I chilled the bottles beforehand.  I used 2 parts of sparkling cider to one part vodka. It's as simple as that!         

 FYI- I had all intentions of making a cute apple garnish to go along with this, but Marc a certain husband consumes an excessive amount of apples.  Although I thought I bought extra...  Clearly I should have hidden one, so we will have to settle for this straw.  lol Maybe next time. A caramel candy would work great too.

Enjoy!

Holiday Hair!

 

I love both of these embellished hairstyles! They are perfect if your looking to add a little sparkle to your holiday look.  If you like the looks above I recommend checking out Anthropologie. They sell the most beautiful hair accessories on their website!  Their hair ties are so pretty some of them can actually double as a bracelet!

 

Half up with a bow

Pull your hair into a half up style and secure with a bow barrette, or simply tie with a pretty ribbon.(I would use a small hair tie and then wrap the ribbon over top, so it is sure to stay put.   

Middle parted waves

Lauren Conrad's hairstyles are consistently nothing short of perfection! I love her style(and her), she always manages to look pretty and polished.

  

Try this Tutorial above by Cara Loren to get perfect wavy curls!

 

Glam Waves

Love the look of waves paired with a deep side part!

 

Try this tutorial for Glam Old Hollywood style waves like Kim.

Enjoy your Holidays! ♥ 

Motivational Monday!

Perfect Pasta Salad!

This pasta salad is Amazing, after making pasta salad many times I finally feel that this recipe is perfect! The flavor is incredible and its packed with colorful veggies. The addition of tortelloni is what really makes it so delicious. I like to make a big batch on a Friday and serve it as a side with different main dishes over the weekend.  It saves me some time in the kitchen, so I am able to do other things, such as spend more time with the kids! I ♥ make ahead dishes for that reason especially. Typically I pair this with burgers/pork roll, pork barbecue, grilled chicken or italian sausage sandwiches.  You may want to cut this recipe in half because it does make a large amount!  I love to have the leftovers though and it's great to have on hand for a quick lunch.  Here's the recipe

Ingredients       

 5 cups of chopped vegetables

I mostly use cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, sweet onion, and cherry tomatoes

8 oz of chopped up fresh mozzarella cheese(I love Bel Gioso!)

2 Packets of Wishbone Zesty Italian dressing mix
One box contains two packages

Olive Oil

White vinegar

About a 1/4 cup of good parmesan cheese

1 12 oz package of  bow tie pasta

1 8 oz package of Barilla ricotta and spinach tortelloni

For the dressing

Empty both packets of dressing mix into a bowl.

Add in 2/3 cup of water, 2/3 cup of vinegar and 2/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil.

Whisk together to combine

Place your both of your pastas, mozzarella cheese and all the vegetables in a large bowl.

Pour your dressing over top and mix well.

Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over top of the pasta salad(Make a thin coating)

Mix thoroughly.

Serve chilled. Enjoy!  You will love this recipe I promise!

I make this very often.