Friday's Five + 1

1)  PUMPKIN TIME, Y'ALL.

2)  Spending some quality time with my blonde daughter...and having her get a little camera shy.

3)  Having one of my best childhood friends, Kady, get ENGAGED!!  I adore her fiancé and couldn't be more thrilled!

4)  Discovering that last year's Halloween black cat ears (pre-Lula LaShonda rescue in November) must have foretold the future diva that would soon claim my home.

5)  Heading to see one of my college friends get hitched this weekend!!  A fabulous and fun couple -- so excited the big day is only hours away.

5b)  Receiving more sparkly clutches that will be the perfect addition to Saturday's wedding ensemble!

 

Champagne Ice Cubes

I love champagne, don't most girls?

I love to celebrate special occasions with some champs, but I never want more than a glass or two and usually end up eventually pouring half the bottle down the drain.

While flipping through a magazine a while back, I noticed the idea of using that extra champagne to make ice cubes - genius!!  You can even pop a cube or two in a glass of white wine, lemonade, the possibilities are endless.

I chose the rosé for a pretty pink ice cube.

So with half a bottle left, what to do?

Drink it straight up:

Mimosas, anyone?

Or just make more ice cubes because they are perfection.

This could be dangerous.

Pink lemonade with three rosé ice cubes...mother, may I have another?

Drinks in Oxford

Top - Lulu's, similar here and here

Jeans - Forever21

Heels - Christian Siriano for Payless, similar here

Clutch - Urban Expressions, similar here

Jewelry - Etsy Coral Necklace, Swatch watch, assorted David Yurman, Hermes, Cartier, Forever21 ring

While in Oxford for our last pre-marital counseling session (first session mentioned here), we had some wedding homework to do (homework from yours truly, not our minister):  choose our two "signature cocktails" that will be served at our November wedding.

I knew I wanted a vodka drink for my cocktail, but Christian was undecided on what exactly he wanted.  We had a delicious dinner at our favorite Oxford spot, Boure, and bar hopped on the square, chatting it up with different bartenders and tasting different concoctions.  We were able to really have fun with it, considering we stayed at my parents home close by, allowing us to walk to the restaurant and home after cocktail sampling.

A fun weekend with fun memories - with such a busy fall this year Christian and I were smitten thinking that the next time we are in Oxford together, where we first met and began our relationship, he'll be my personal assistant, I mean husband.

Cheers!

Créme de la Créme

This weather is tricking me into thinking it's fall already...and I don't mind it.  Fall has always been my absolute favorite season - the crisp weather, hearing the high school marching band practicing as I walk to work (truth), scarves, boots, hot chocolate, the changing colors of the leaves, a holiday in October, November AND December...need I say more? It was a no brainer I wanted to get married in the crisp fall season -- and I have been anticipating this fall more than ever.

Because I'm getting married?

Nope.

Because I'm tired of sweating in this Southern heat.

BRING IT 70-and-below-temp.  Bring it.

SkinnyRunner Mention

Thanks for the mention on your fab blog, SR!

You can check out the CBL mention here.

The post on the chambray with red denim can be found here.

Happy Friday!

Friday's Five

1)  Receiving this adorable note in the mail from one of the shops, Persnickety, where we have registered.

2)  Enjoying some always classy celeb gossip and a pink lemonade.

Then deciding I obviously needed some chocolate chip cookies to go with the lemonade.  I used my silpat mat for another perfect batch -- and did y'all know that Betty Crocker now sells "snack size" chocolate chip cookie mix?  I know, calm down.

The package says it makes 18 cookies but let's be real...only if they're the size of a dollar coin.  It makes like...10 real people cookies and it's amazing.  Look for it!

3)  Admiring this very SATC Carrie Bradshaw-inspired wedding gown when I had my final dress fitting (!!!).

4)  Still losing the game at keeping Lula LaShonda off my bed.

5)  Receiving some new sparkle in this delicate and bedazzled clutch.

Brunch in Oxford

Striped Top - Old Navy (old), similar here

Vest - Old Navy (old), similar here and here

Denim - Forever21, under $11!

Sunnies - Karen Walker

Wedges - Dollhouse (old), similar here and here

Accessories - statement necklace, Swatch watch, Hermes enamel cuff, assorted David Yurman, Cartier, Forever21 stacked ring

While in Oxford recently, Christian and I decided to grab some brunch.  Trying to avoid the swarm of college kids back in town, we decided to go further off campus and hit up some IHOP.  I have only been to IHOP once when I was in jr. high...I know, it's crazy -- but I just never grew up eating at chain restaurants.  I had never even been to Chili's until college!  But I mean, 2 for $20?  I'm not above it -- I always get the fajitas.

Sugar and chain restaurant information overload -- good thing I had Christian to finish off these pancakes.

Bonus:  Getting to play with my chubby bunny niece, Miss Harper, after brunch.  I love that little girl!

Really I just can't get enough of that body.

White Maxi Dress

I got several comments and emails regarding the white maxi dress I wore to my bachelorette party.

One word:  eBay.

Find the dress (and lots of other adorable options) for under $40 here!  They are so comfortable and I've actually ordered other dresses from this same shop for my honeymoon.

As for all the other brides asking about both dresses, the short sequined number was a dress I purchases a few years ago from a boutique in Birmingham and is no longer available -- so sorry!

Skinny Cajun Pasta

Inspired by mine and Christian's favorite restaurant, Boure, I wanted to try to make a lighter version of their pasta jambalaya.  I used this Skinnytaste recipe as a guideline and changed a few things to make it my own.

Ingredients:

penne pasta (I like to combine white and wheat)

green & yellow bell peppers, diced

1/2 red onion, diced

3 small tomatoes, diced

8 oz. fresh mushrooms, diced

garlic

cajun seasoning

garlic powder

1 TB olive oil

1 cup fat free chicken broth

1/3 cup skim milk

1 TB flour

3 wedges of laughing cow cheese

salt & pepper to taste

3 chicken sausage links (not pictured)

two chicken breasts (not pictured)

I went ahead and cooked the penne pasta and set aside.  I chopped all the veggies and combined the milk, flour and laughing cow cheese in the blender and set aside.

After covering both the chicken sausage and chicken with cajun seasoning and garlic powder, I sprayed the skillet with cooking spray and sautéed the chicken sausage and chicken together for about 10 minutes, then set aside.

While the sausage and chicken were cooking, I poured the olive oil and garlic into another skillet and let the garlic brown some before adding the bell pepper and onion.  I sautéed them together for about 5-7 minutes before adding the tomatoes and mushrooms.

I seasoned the veggies with salt, pepper and garlic powder.  I reduced the heat to medium and added the chicken broth and blender mixture slowly, stirring for about two minutes.

Add the chicken and sausage, seasoning the entire mixture with cajun seasoning, salt and garlic powder to taste.  After stirring for about two minutes, add the pasta and toss evenly to coat.

Serve up and enjoy!

I was extremely pleased with how this turned out.  I know CHBoo will LOVE this dish as his family is NOLA born and raised.  He's already requested this dish when he comes home from his away rotation and has asked for sausage and shrimp, hold the chicken.

Diva.