Day After Photoshoot: Downtown Georgetown

Forgive my brevity, I'm only using 9 fingers to type thanks to a silly bread knife injury & trip to Urgent Care on Halloween night.
Right.

After returning from our honeymoon, we met up with our fav photog, Leah of Studio Juno.  We intended to finish our hour (honestly 3 hour long) session with a Trash the Dress romp.

First up:  Georgetown cityscape shots

 I love these shots!
Bee Tee Dubs, lovely locks sculpted by David Beck & exquisite make-up crafted by Andrea, both of Salon Rouge.

Steppin' Out Saturday 10.29.11 Happy Halloween!

Last Halloween, Mike came up with this costume idea but it's really hard to find a dress for a man, last minute.  This year we planned ahead.

And let me just tell you, watching Mike try to put on hose (which unfortunately you don't even see in the pictures!), eyeliner (again, can't see) and lipstick made my night.  But Courtney Love doesn't need perfection.

At first I thought wearing baggy jeans, a sweater, and not doing anything with my hair was *awesome.*  But there's something to be said about dressing up.  It's fun.  However, Kurt Cobain doesn't "dress up."

We headed out to a friend's party, with The Most Interesting Man in the World (or George Clooney?)

No matter what persona you embody, be it a really ugly woman/drag queen/Courtney love or the Brawny Towel guy/lazy person or Kurt Cobain, may you have a fun night!

(what face am I making here?!)

Happy Birthday Mom!

She's the reason I take vitamins (without prompting, now), the reason I always bring a jacket or sweater with me (don't want to make her cold), and the reason I never missed a day of school unless I was sick (hehe).
[But I still refuse to iron - some things you can't change!]

Happy birthday to a woman I love and respect, very much!

She knows how to keep it real!

Much love to you mom, 

today and always!

(Wedding Recap) Dance the Night Away

The remainder of the night passed in a blur of music, dancing, and fun.  In fact, I took a little break to cool off.  All that dancing in a dress made out of the "best" (translation heaviest) fabric in 80 bazillion layers, can really tire out a girl!
[Note to designers: make detachable wedding dresses that turn into short, cute, dancing dresses for the reception. One dress, two ways.]

The guests danced on....

and LOVED the photo booth, which we turned into our guest book!

The photo booth props turned into an opportunity to have more fun...

  and you KNOW where you can find me when the Electric Slide hits...

My last present to Mike -

my rendition of (Mike's least favorite band) Journey's Don't Stop Believing.

 Because honestly, who doesn't love Journey?!

(This took some creative scheeming and planning with the band)

((and we majorly butchered this song))

(((because all my friends sang along and embarrassed my new Hubby)))

It was awesome to the max.

...and during the after party I went to the ER due to heat exhaustion & low blood sugar.

(apparently you're supposed to actually eat at your wedding? and for the record, I stopped drinking halfway through the reception)

((I wish I was kidding to the max))

The first time Mike referred to me as his wife, in public,
was at GW Hospital.

There's a story for your grandkids!

THE END.

Wordless Wednesday: Take My Breath Away

 

{edit: credit where, credit's due: From our Trash the Dress session by Studio Juno}

Turkey, Sweet Potato & Bean Chili

I bring you one of my most favorite, easy, & healthy go-to recipes.  The only thing that would make this more perfect would be a crock-pot.  However then the sweet potatoes would go all squishy.  We don't want super-squishtastic sweet potatoes.  Or maybe you do -- and so you can crock-potify this baby (and then report back).  

Turkey, Sweet Potato & Bean Chili*

*adapted from The Food Network Canada

yields about 8 servings, unless you are Mike and I - then it makes 6

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb extra lean ground turkey
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon each ground cumin & coriander
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 can each of black beans and red kidney beans
• salt and ground pepper

First heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the cumin, coriander, oregano, onion, and garlic to allow their flavors to release.
Then add the turkey & cook, breaking it up well with a spoon, until no longer pink (about 5 minutes).

(my sister the vegetarian will hate this cooking flesh picture.
You're welcome, sis)

Add the sweet potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or so.
Add the chili powder & red pepper flakes, and cook for about a minute.
Bring mixture to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring when you feel like it.

Meanwhile, rinse and drain the beans.  Stir in the beans to the mixture after above said 10 minutes.
Cook for about 20 more minutes, to allow chili to thicken.

Season to taste with salt & pepper.  Serve in bowls with rice, chips, or whatever your little heart desires.

 Mmm, Perfect for a cool fall evening!

What are you serving up, lately?

Vlogtastic - Scentsy Sunday: Fall & Winter

Howdy all!  I hosted my first-ever in home Scentsy party yesterday & had a blast sharing all about these wonderful systems! (Thank you to all my wonderful friends who came & supported me!)

I even put out a nice fall-inspired spread:

This vlog shares with you my five favorite fall & winter scents.  They are *perfect* to get you into the fall & winter spirit with their cozy and warm scents!

Be sure to watch for TWO surprises.
One you can't miss, right off the bat.  Err, sorry.
The other is really exciting and free, so watch until the end!!!!!



Also, forgot to mention this in my ramblings, but the Pumpkin Roll scent is hit or miss.  It's good, but feedback tells me there are other favorites out there (like the ones in the vlog!)

Happy Fall!!
Check out the Scentsy Fall & Winter Line here!