Friday, February 27, 2015

{Friday Linkups}


1. How You Livin J Pivin + Samantha Who???
Remember Samantha, the girl who maybe spoke TWO words on the Bachelor?!  Yeah, well now she's dating Jeremy Piven.  Bravo, Samantha.  Who wants to go live on a farm in Arlington with nothing to do when you can date Jeremy Piven, live in Malibu and go to the Entourage premiere this summer.  As you know, Derek and I are a OBSESSED with Entourage so I'm not sure why I was never following him before but I die that his insta name is howulivinjpiven.  Samantha also looks pretty funny herself since she insta'd #SamanthaWho.

2. Hollywood Happenings
If you missed my thoughts on The Bachelor (duh!), Dancing with the Stars and what was in the Oscars gift bags to make them worth more than $160,000!!!, click here for yesterday's post.

3. 50 Shades of Grey Soundtrack
I can't get enough of these songs! We've been listening to them all week - luckily, everyone seems to love the soundtrack because the songs are always on the radio in the car too!  Especially love me like you do.

4. Too Much Cuteness
While I was doing Zumba yesterday morning, I looked over to find Derek and Stella catching a 7am nap together on the couch. Adorable.  I wanted to quit my workout right then and there and jump in with them.

5. Lilly Lusting
I am craving spring clothes, bad.  Especially a trip to Lilly.  Luckily, I think Mom and I are making a trip to the mall next week.  I'm dying over these two dresses.  I love all of Lilly's dresses but usually the ones sized S/M/L instead of a number size are more comfortable as well as more casual for any occasion. I might not even be able to wait a week or two, I might crack and just order these this weekend.
Give me all the Lilly prints for spring/summer.

6. GCB
Does anyone remember this show?! I'm bummed it didn't make it back for a second season and never thought it would make it out onto DVD but it did!! My brother, Davey included it as part of my Christmas gift and I just love watching these southern women.  Since Derek and I are on a kick of watching shows together at night, it's taking me a little while to get through it but at least that makes it last longer!

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Hollywood Happenings

Starting off with... A Night at The Oscars
I'm not super big into award shows (weird, because I love everything Hollywood) but I love the red carpet hours.  I don't usually watch glued in like most people, but I love watching in the background, I mean is usually h-o-u-r-s of coverage.
Did anyone hear about the Oscar's Swag Bags were worth over $160,000?! I was amazed!
Just for the host (NPH) and the non-winners in the top six categories (best actor/ess, best supporting actor/ess, best director).  
Items included free silver car Audi rentals for a YEAR, a $20,000 astrology reading, an $800 custom candy and dessert buffet, a $12,500 glamping vacation, $11,500 Italian vacation package, $1,000 worth of liposucion (only in Hollywood), $25,000 worth of custom furniture and more. 
On to the fashion.  My top outfits (three of the ladies could probably wear anything and I'd love it because they are my favorites AND I also usually love any/all styles of theirs.  So starting first with those three…
Reese Witherspoon, Kelly Ripa, Jennifer Aniston 
Lara Spencer, Anna Kendrick, J Lo


I LOVED Lara Spencer's hot pink dress.  Probably because I've been looking for a perfect hot pink dress forever but nonetheless, it definitely popped during her interviews.

And finally, I would probably never wear something this low cut in my entire life AND I'm not J Lo's biggest fan but I am a big fan of this beautiful dress


No wonder she tripped, there's a lot of dress there!!
I didn't watch much of the actual show because I haven't seen many of the movies (IF I'm watching award shows, other shows are more my thing) and a late Sunday night can kill me until about Wednesday.  For real. 


Also, Reese Witherspoon's Mom melts my heart. How cute is she! 
Pretty sure I would get texts from my mom like this if I was an actress.

Some Bachelor Thoughts (of course)...
The fantasy suite episode is never my favorite; it's always so dragged out to make it to the two hour mark, I mean the point of the suites is so they can have ALONE time.
Chris still seems to have it bad for Whitney and I have it bad for her neon dress - how perfect would that be for the summer?!
 How great was it when they had to wear these outfits?! And slick their hair back?!
Or when Chris and Chris wore matching of the men's version.
It was obvious Kaitlyn was going home when she was so confident in her interview when Chris grabbed Becca away to chat.

This is the first time in a long time that I've really loved both of the final two.  I'm still pulling for (and expecting) my girl Whitney to win but Becca keeps growing on me. 
At least she's actually honest and says she can get use to the idea of Arlington but can't say for sure now.  That's real life, Chris, get with it.  Love stories don't usually happen over six weeks and your town is smaller then small; if you like the girl then let her adjust.
Who do you think will be the next Bachelorette?! I can't tell who it will be (I heard Britt is still in the running? How!) or who I even want it to be.

Dancing with the Stars is back...
I don't watch religiously but it is a good background show and with the 10 year anniversary/20th season, I feel like some good surprises will be in store.
When they announced the first half of the cast, I was pretty sure I wouldn't tune in. 

When the announced the second half, I still wasn't sure.
Bravo, ABC for the tricks.
 I'm glad that Derek's back (my Grandma LOVES him) and I love Nastia (I love watching the gymnastics in the Olympics) and I think she's pretty! 
Great twist to announce them..
 from NYC,
last (or so we thought)
and after Derek said he wasn't coming back.
 Once Whitney wasn't brought out with a contestant I almost knew Chris was going to be on since he had been rumored to be AND Whitney already said she was coming back (she's my favorite pro).
I wasn't very surprised to see her standing there later and to hear that her partner was still a secret but he couldn't rose rise just that early.
I'll definitely be routing for Derek/Nastia and Whitney/Chris.  Some of the cast I've literally never heard of... like that model and Derek/Julianne Hough's second cousin!?

Will Ashton show up to support Rumor?! Are they still close??
I can't wait to see how Robert from Shark Tank does!

Olivia Pope: FOUND

And can we just get an Amen! that Olivia Pope is back?! I was kind of over the whole "missing" story line!  I can't wait to see what she's got in store the rest of the season.

Two hours of How to Get Away with Murder tonight..
 is too good to be true. I'm not sure if I'm watching live or even tonight at all (hopefully) but every minute of this show is pure action packed and I can't imagine what the finale will be. 
I'm starting to question that Sam killed Lyla after last weeks twists?!

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Wedding Wednesday: Ceremony

Before we dive in, I'm also linking up today with Andrea for Recipe Club and sharing my Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops + Chicken Parm Casserole that I shared yesterday in case you missed it!
I was very into the ceremony planning; I mean it is when you officially become husband and wife!  

I carefully picked my favorite hymns and readings which was nice because we were able to include my sister-in-law and two of my aunts in the service as well.

We had a solosist sing "God Gave Me You" by Blake Shelton which added a more modern and fun feel to the service.  It was also the first song we danced to :)  This was one of my favorite parts and it turned out perfectly!

The church was filled with flowers and we used the pew candles to make it more romantic.  I just about died when they opened the doors at the back of the church and I saw everything as well as my family, friends and of course my husband at the end of the aisle.  I was practically running down to him.

I was nervous and excited.  There were so many people and I thought I would for sure cry.  But, I could not stop smiling.  For real, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.  I was so happy.
My groom was emotional :) 

Two of my most favorite moments of the entire day were the doors to the church opened (not only were people and my husband waiting to see me, but I was waiting to see them and him!  I hadn't peeked at the church until I went down) and when our pastor, Nikki, pronounced us husband and wife, (then when we walked back down the aisle together and celebrated with our best friends/bridal party in the parlor while the church cleared out).
I was baptized, confirmed and now married here :)
One of my favorite pictures because it always brings back the happiness I felt in that moment 
My heart
Love that I have a picture of my sweet parents so happy watching me
Our pastor was THE best.  We had so much fun in our sessions with her and she kept the service lively and fun.
Taking a moment to look out at everyone and take it all in
We did unintentionally fist bump during the service. I mean you have to when the pastor says your the best matched couple she's ever seen.
Praying on our new marriage together
The moment that started our forever
Time to get the party started

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Recipe Roundup: Crockpot Ranch Porkchops + Chicken Parm Casserole

I've got two recent recipes that we've tried lately to share today. 
Both easy weeknight dinners.  
Both great for cold nights.  
Both delicious.

 Ingredients:
2 packages chicken shortcuts 
1 box pasta
1 jar ragu marinara spaghetti sauce
2 cups mozzarella shredded cheese
1/2 cup parmesan shredded cheese 
2 cups bread crumbs 
2 tablespoons olive oil
*This was enough to make an 8x8 dish for us to eat and have some leftovers AND freeze a pan the same size.  For a smaller dish without freezing, just cut in half*

Directions:
Toss cooked pasta in some of the sauce
Drizzle the olive oil over the pasta
Lay chicken (cut into cubes) on top pasta
Sprinkle 1/4 the bread crumbs over the chicken
Pour spaghetti sauce over pasta
Top with mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and bread crumbs
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes
Uncover and cooke for the last 5 minutes

Another chicken parm casserole recipe that I tried out last winter: here

Ingredients:
Boneless pork chops (1/2 to 1 pound)
1 packet ranch seasoning
1 can cream of chicken soup
corn (optional)
1 cup water 
Seasoning of your choice (we put in a little garlic)

Directions:
Could it be any easier?! Combine all the ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours (or high for 4 hours)

We served ours with some mac and cheese and a salad.

Enjoy!! What are some of your favorite, easy, cold weather meals?!