Meal Plan Monday

I'm not gonna lie.  I'm glad today is the last day of March.  In like a lion, out like a lamb.  My ass.  I need some warm weather in my life.  I seriously can.not.wait to sit out on the deck after work, have a cold beer & eat dinner al fresco!  Until then, here's what's on the menu for our indoor, in front of the TV, coffee table eating...

Crock-Pot Pulled Pork BBQ Sliders with Roasted Red Potatoes

Shrimp & Grits

Chicken Fajitas with Mexican Rice

Breakfast for dinner {if I can get O on board.  If not, pasta.}

Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Five on Friday!

I still don't feel caught up from being gone last weekend, but my dancin' feet are finally feeling normal again, and I'm ready for another Five on Friday with April and the girls!

{one} Big game tonight.  Big BIG.  We're playing our rival team & I couldn't be more nervous excited.  My anti-Louisville coworkers and I will be enjoying UK brownies at work today in honor of the game.

 Find your team FanPan here!

{two} I have a slight problem buying random ceramic things.  This one in particular.  I plan to take the berries I buy out of the plastic thing that looks just like this ceramic thing, and then keep them in the ceramic version.  {that is how I explained the "need" for this new container to my husband.  Verbatim.} 

{three} I'm almost afraid to say it, in fear that I'll jinx us, BUT....I think Spring is here.  Maybe...  Now watch.  It'll snow next week.

{four}  Y'ALL.  I was SO pale before the wedding last weekend.  I hightailed it straight to Sephora & picked up the St. Tropez Self Tanning Mousse.  It is FOOLPROOF.  It gave me a nice little base & I didn't look too pasty...  I will def. be using this again.  Worth every penny. 

{five}  I'm about to down four more cups of coffee because I stayed up wayyyyyy too late watching Scandal last night.  I swear, best show on TV.

Happy Friday, Friends!  And, GO CATS!

Best of: Nails

A good manicure is just the icing cake.  The perfect finishing touch!  So I thought it would be fitting to wrap up my Best of series with my favorite nail products!

1:   Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream has been my go-to for years.  I have one at my desk and on my nightstand, and try to apply two times a day.  It keeps my super dry hands and cuticles tame!

2.  I also keep Fine Grit Nail Files all over the place too.

3.  I loved Essie's Grow Stronger base coat when I was trying hard to grow my nails out & stop biting!

4.  I pretty much exclusively use Essie Nail Polish.  Favorites for my hands include Ballet Slippers and Allure and for the Piggy's Smokin' Hot, Mint Candy Apple and other fun seasonal colors.

5.  Dry time is the worst.  Essie's Good to Go helps speed things along!

6.  I mentioned this Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps base coat a few Friday's ago.  It really has made my manicure last so much longer!  I can really get away with going a week without noticeable chips!

My normal routine:
-File {buff if needed} and apply cuticle butter and hand cream.
-Swipe an alcohol soaked cotton ball over my nails to remove any residue.
-Apply one coat of Hard as Wraps, let dry approx. 2 minutes.
-Apply one coat of polish, and let dry about 3-5 minutes.  Apply a second coat if needed, and dry the same time.
-Apply one coat of Good to Go.

I took a tip from my blog pal, Emily, and surf the iPad for about a half hour while I really wait for them to dry.  That way I can really be sure they won't be ruined.  Because ruining your nails as soon as you do them is the WORST!

What are your favorite nail products?  Any tips to make your mani last longer?!

Weekend Recap

So sorry for the silence these last few days!  I hated to skip out on my Friday Five last week, but I had a great reason.  One of my bests got MARRIED!

I was so honored to be a part of their special day & spend the weekend celebrating with some of our favs!

Between the long drive back to Kentucky from Virginia, and numerous March Madness games, I could barely hold my eyes open past 8pm yesterday!

Speaking of March Madness.....how 'bout them Wildcats?!?  My bracket is looking better and better these days!  I'm pretty sure my DIY door hanger brought us our latest winning streak ;) 

Keep your fingers crossed for a W on Friday against Louisville.  Or else poor O may go into a funk until Derby weekend...

Best of: Hair Tools

Good hair products are only as good as the tools you pair them with.  I'm a firm believer in that.

{1} The Vented Ceramic Brush is my first line of defense when I start to dry my hair.  The vents allow air to travel through, helping me rough dry just a little faster.

{2}  On days when I actually want to curl my hair, I reach for the BaByliss 1 1/4" Curling iron.  If it can create a curl that will hold in this mane, it deserves an award.

{3} My old trusty friend, the Chi Ceramic Flat Iron.  This bad boy has been with me since my sophomore year of college, survived almost daily use, has been dropped numerous times and even had a trip in the toilet once while plugged in.  It is the best tool I've ever owned.

{4} If my raving about Drybar wasn't enough in this post and last week, let me give you a little more.  This brush!  The best I've ever used.  It is the perfect size, actually helps dry my hair a little faster, and creates enough movement that lasts all day.  Worth every penny.

{5} O gave me this hairdryer a few years ago for Christmas after my previous one kicked the bucket the night of my work holiday party.  Wet hair in December was borderline traumatic.  I digress...  This guy knew what he was looking for, because this Conair dryer is the best hair dryer I've ever used!  So good, that my momma went out and bought the same one after she used mine.  Top five gifts he's ever given me.

The thing with hair tools is, they're usually a little bit on the expensive side.  I'll tell you this: I've killed more straighteners, curling irons and blow dryers than I care to count.  But once I started investing in quality tools, I stopped ruining things and replacing them.  Take the Chi for example...it went in the toilet.  THE TOILET!  And lived to tell the tale...

Meal Plan Monday

I love weekends like the one we just had.  The weather was amazing, we took care of a bunch of errands, started a few projects, and UK 

Highlight of the weekend?  We bought a new grill.  Maybe it's all the nice weather we've been having that prompted the purchase or the fact that ours was old and the bottom was rusting out.  Either way.  O was like a kid in a candy store.

{see the Loft bag peeking around the corner?  Busted.}

So, needless to say, I'm not turning on the oven ever again.

Ok, that's a lie.  But at least for the rest of the week.  Here's our grillable dinner menu for the week:

Grilled Pesto Shrimp {my green meal for St. Patty's day!} with Orzo

Buttermilk Herb Chicken Breasts with Grilled Asparagus

Southwestern Stuffed Peppers 

Bacon/Blue Cheese Burgers with Onion Straws

What are your grillin' favs?!

Five on Friday

Has this been the longest week ever, or what?!  Ugh.  SOOO glad to see Friday here once again.  Linking up with April and the girls for my favorite post of the week!

{one} The weather was all over the place this week.  One day I'm on the deck, having a beer & enjoying the 70 degree weather.  The next day--literally, the next day--it was snowing.  I don't get it.

{two} If you follow me on Pinterest, you know I've been pinning a lot of doors.  I've been wanting to paint our front door for a while, but I finally decided to make this my weekend project.  I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to stay neutral or go bold.  Thoughts?!

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{three} We popped into a new shop close to our house called Fom Vass--they carry oils, vinegars, wine and more!  When you walk in, it's wall-to-wall jar's FULL of exotic and interesting stuff!  We had so much fun taste testing different oils & vinegars!  I had no idea how many were out there.  We came home with an amazing light citrusy balsamic vinegar.  Perfect for summer salads!

{four}  I'm still on my mint/seafoam/sea glass kick.  Proof?  I bought these this week.
PS: THE most comfortable flats I've ever put on my feet.

{five}  I'm definitely looking forward to one of these on Monday...although it may not be green.  Do you have any fun St. Patty's Day plans?!?

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Happy Weekend, friends!