Things that make me smile :) :) :)

Yo yo yo!  It has been a while since my last post and I do apologize to anyone who was possibly looking forward to my snarky yet chipper posts...I failed you.  Now that the new year is under way and going full blast I feel like I can commit a little more to writing and less to whatever else was keeping me away.

I do my best thinking in the shower, and since the last time I blogged was January 7th, I have had quite a few showers and a lot of thinking time between then and now.  I would come up with amazing titles and subjects for my blog and then life would happen between that morning thought and the end of the day and then, what-do-you-know, but I hadn't blogged...AGAIN.  With that said, I will get back in to the habit of posting my jibber jabber online in hopes of entertaining at least one person.

Today's post will be about things that make me smile.  If you will reference my personal description, smiling is absolutely one of my favorite things.  To quote the wise Frances Mae Aden (my Nan) "Life is too short to take seriously...no one gets out alive anyway."  I have always followed her optimism and joy for life; with that comes smiling...a lot.   So, let's chat about things that make me smile.

I got a new car this weekend.  My husband is so sweet and let me pick out my very own, brand new, shiny Jeep Grand Cherokee.  I am not so sure I have ever owned anything so nice.  THIS makes me smile.  The fact I got the deal I wanted makes me smile too. Nothing beats that new car smell and all the new gadgets and gizmos they put in there such as touch-screen technology, heated tuschie warmers, a big-ole sunroof, built-in GPS (so that I am no longer a danger on the road trying to navigate from my Iphone), and satellite radio.  Mentioning the satellite radio brings me to my second thing that is making me smile...

If you are looking to get a car, go to Hendrick....they treat you right!  Shout out to Tyler Martin for helping us out.  Also, something that I discovered REALLY makes me smile....haggling.  I feel like I'm pretty good at it too!

90's on 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The era that I thought I would never miss is oh-so-amazing when relived on the radio through music.  The horrible tunes that we listened to in the nineties that were filled with computerized noises, heavy bass beats, and words that were unrecognizable really pulls at my heart strings and makes a giant grin come across my face.  If you had told me that I would enjoy this genre of music I would have laughed at you...that just shows you how sometimes you don't know yourself at all.  When "Flip Fantasia" came on the radio I instantly relived my long days in the summer at Gold Medal Gymnastics warming up for my floor routine.  When I heard Boyz II Men I instantly remembered those hard days in Jr. High when that special guy just wouldn't notice me and I was almost certain I would die an old maid (yes, I know....I would NOT do the awkwardness of Jr. High again if you paid me trillions of dollars.  Sheer agony and torture...but good memories!) THEN came the late nineties....that's when I started my High School years.  Talk about a trip down memory lane:  "Chickity China, the Chinese Chicken" and "I really really really wanna zinga-zing aaaaahhh"  were just some of the lyrics that we found so entertaining.  I remembered those hot summers out on the practice field perfecting our dance moves for the fall's half-time shows and I remember cooling off after practice in my bff's pool and then riding in her turquoise Eclipse to go to Sonic to get a flavored drink concoction that had enough sugar to kill a small elephant.  THESE were the days my friend, and this radio station made me relive them minute by minute.  The 90's on 9 makes me smile...

Best. Break. Up. Song. EVER.

I still squeal like a 14-year-old when she comes on the radio

Don't act like you didn't stay up late to see them perform on Saturday Nigh Live

Outfits that I would have LOVED to have had in my Junior High years...what the heck were we thinking?!?!?!?!?

I was also really in to grunge music...and the 90's on 9 plays BOTH dance and grunge.  YES PLEASE!

This was my favorite movie and in 7th grade ALL fashion decisions I made were based on the "Cher" factor.  If Cher wouldn't wear it, I wasn't interested. 

Visiting my parents and my Nan:  THIS makes me smile.  Today I took the new ride to see my parents in Huntsville as well as a small trip to see my sweet Nan.  The best thing about seeing my family is they always feed me (usually too much), they give the best hugs, I get to see my other fur-children (Winston, Sadie Belle, Chloe, and Sammie) and I always get treated like a VIP.  You know what else?  I get to give my mom decorating advice.  Sweet lady that she is, she is always trying to rearrange her "stuff" to make her home perfect.  This means she constantly needs advise.  Today's obstacle: where to put an upright piano?!?!?!?!?!?  Yes, this is tricky.  One rule of thumb is you are never supposed to put a piano on an exterior adjacent wall as this will constantly cause your expensive musical instrument to get out of tune.  With that said, not too many people have a room in their home that doesn't have at least 2 exterior walls.  The remaining walls are usually taken up by door casings or passageways.  So, what options does this leave?  NOT MANY MY FRIENDS.  Right now my mother has her beautiful piano cattywampused in the middle of the room.  This was NOT the solution.  This also is the first time I have been truly stumped as to how to help her out.  In fact, I still do not have the solution.  I think we will actually have to put it in the DINING ROOM (gasp!) and move the four sideboards she has in the dining room right now to somewhere else.  I think I failed to tell you that my mother collects antique family heirlooms and has a really hard time parting with ANY of the pieces she has accumulated.  With that said; while the thought of rearranging all of those heavy objects around makes me grimace, the thought of helping my mother perfect her space makes me SMILE...

Where does one put this?  AND why is my mother moving this on her own?

And lastly, I am going to brag on my Allen one more time; while I was off in my NEW ride visiting my parents and getting my grub on, he was at home washing our laundry and straightening up our house.  Having a man in my life that pitches in and doesn't shy away from his "honey do's" MAKES ME SMILE FROM EAR-TO-EAR!  It is wonderful to come home and not have to worry about whether or not we have clean socks to wear to work tomorrow.  He makes me smile multiple times a day, but he deserves some mad props tonight for all of his efforts today!

I hope everyone had just as fabulous of a weekend as we did and that you found hundreds of reasons to smile these past couple of days.

Good night all and thanks for reading...hopefully I made you SMILE! 

Peace and chicken grease (see...the 90's on 9 is so inspiring),
MB

To wrap up college football season...an ode to MAN CAVES

Alright you little readers of mine...I haven't posted like I wanted to last week and thusly I am blogging DURING the big game.  At the score of 21-0 I am hoping/praying/wishing that we win so that I do not get blamed by the hubs as to being part of the problem by not paying close attention.  (Yes, this is logical in guy-world.)  Also, I apologize if my thoughts and sentences are fragmented as I am trying desperately to pay attention to two very important things at once.  I am also biting my tongue in bragging about my team because we haven't won YET and as anyone who loves SEC football knows...anything can happen.

With that said, I want to share a few thoughts I had about this game, game day in general, and how to keep your man and your home happy on game days.  

I will start with THIS particular game:

First and foremost, ROLLLLLLLL TIDE ROLLLLLLLLL!  The best thing about this game is that I actually RESPECT the opponent above any other that we have played.  I wouldn't say it is because I studied up on their stats or because they have impressed me in any particular way, but, simply because they share some of the same core values and traditions that the Crimson Tide football team holds near and dear.  We have a lot in common, those Irish and we do!  They are classy, traditionally-minded, and all-in-all have remained a good program throughout the years.  They don't change their uniforms up to follow trends, they believe in sportsmanship, and (to put in southern terms) "they don't fix what ain't broke."  I generally enjoy them; HOWEVER, I am NOT digging their gilded helmets they are sporting tonight.  Yes, they are always gold...but not THAT type of gold.  It looks cheap and it isn't their traditional helmet...and it resembles that of a kindergartner's macaroni-necklace-spray-painted-gold craft project-ish.  Please ditch this ASAP and go back to what you know!

Example of obnoxious helmet color

I had to throw this one in...

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Now, on to game days.  One of my favorite things about going to a game in Bryant-Denny stadium is eating a "stadium dog."  Like I said previously, food in general pretty much is one of my favorite things.  During my stint at U of A our football team took a beating and still came back for more.  That left me with two things to do during the games: watch our amazing cheerleaders (and learn all of their moves in the stands) and to eat stadium dogs.  If you are not an Alabama fan and you have never had one of these amazing treats, then I suggest you follow this recipe and imagine yourself surrounded by over 100,000 of your closest friends and cheering on your favorite team while chomping down on one of these 'dawgs.  Yup....it is one of the things that makes life worth living.  

They are not pretty...but who cares!  Looks just like the real thing

I will give you my personal recipe for these....but keep in mind that I have guessed the ingredients and made these by trial and error.  Please do not break out the measuring cups and mixers...KEEP IT AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.  It is more the process than anything else:

For the 'dawgs' you will need one large pot with a lid, 2 cans of the cheapest beer you have in the house, and 2 beer cans of water.  Pour ALL contents in the pot and add your wiener of choice.  I also like to sprinkle some Old Bay seasoning in there as well just to spice things up. (You will notice in my future recipes that almost EVERYTHING has either Old Bay Seasoning or Cayenne pepper...or both.  The hubs and I like things spicy.)  Bring everything to a low rolling boil and cover with lid.  
---Now ladies, if you are going for a "beautiful" dish...this is NOT the recipe for you.  These wieners will explode/burst/split.  You want this to happen no matter how horrific it looks.  It makes all that juice soak in and makes for an amazing flavor that mimics that of those hot dogs that are turning all day under heat lamps (pretty sure that's how they do it at B.D. Stadium)

While your wieners are doing their time, make the Stadium Dog sauce.  You will need one can of shredded sauerkraut, 1 medium/large yellow onion (chopped), about half a small bottle of Heinz ketchup (sorry, I am VERY particular on my ketchup of choice), yellow mustard (I eyeball this, but, probably 1/4 cup), and the world's tiniest smidge of chili powder and cayenne pepper.  Stir all this together in a pot, cover, and heat on low stirring occassionally.  It should make a bright orange-almost-pink colored mixture.  (I like to taste mine to make sure the proportions are right...but do as you think necessary.)  

This is the color you want to go for...

Here is the crucial part of the recipe as this is the one that takes some creativity, patience, and all-together MacGyvering: steaming the buns.  Keep those wieners-a-boiling and place a baker's wire rack over the open pot.  Place your buns on the rack and cover with a sheet of aluminum foil.  That beer/spice concoction really turns those buns to pure pillowy-goodness.  Do this for a few minutes and then add your ugly split wieners and a big-ole-spoonful of your Stadium Dog sauce.  Replace over the steam and cover with the aluminum foil sheet again.  Let it sit for a few more minutes.  Wrap each dog separately, tightly, in a single sheet of foil and put in the oven at around 200 degrees.  Leave them in there until everyone is ready to eat; the longer they sit, the better they are.  Putting them in the oven to roast slowly not only makes the bun stick to the dog (which is one of the reasons these are so good), but, it also browns that Stadium Dog sauce so it is no longer a weird pink color but now a nice brown ooey-gooey-gob.  It is FANGER LICKIN' GOOD!!!!!!  ENJOY and ROLL TIDE!

My dogs are steaming!

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This brings me on to a subject that I get quite a few calls for:  THE MAN CAVE.  Every little lady seems to want to give their man a place they can call all their own.  These spaces usually consist of some sort of favorite sport or sports team, a recreational piece of furniture such as a a pool table or foosball table, collector's art such as Daniel Moore paintings (again, Roll Tide!), a mini bar or humidor, and comfy/durable furniture.  Here's the kicker that these ladies ALWAYS request:  make it look nice!  Challenge says you?  No says I! :)  The most important thing about this space is making it fun and making it functional.  A few key questions to ask before getting started: 

1. What is the main function of the room?  Will you mainly be watching tv/movies/sports or will you be reading/writing/playing games?  This will effect the lighting needed as well as the paint colors.

2. What collectibles/art will he want prominently displayed?  Again, this will aide in the paint color selection as well as fabrics and other soft finishes.

3. What is the most important thing to him in the room?  You want to be sure to make it the most important thing to you in the room as well.

4. What sections/stations do you want in the space?   Such as: Will you have a wet bar? Will there be a fridge? Do you need a cable or plug in a specific location?  Where do you want decorative lights versus task-oriented lights such as a billiard light or decorative pendant?

Once these questions have been explored and answered it is time to select paint colors and fabrics.  Now, realistically in a man cave we use our left-over furniture.  There is not one darn thing wrong with that.  This furniture will be punished; it will be spilled on, stepped on, moved, moved back, moved again, shifted, turned, and well-loved.  There is NO SHAME in purchasing a few throw pillows to revive your old sofa and calling it a day.  You can still get creative with your paints, window coverings, and accents.  This is the route I typically choose as I am not one to advise purchasing new furniture unless absolutely necessary.  With that said; we'll talk paint.

A new paint color in a space can really set the whole scene to a room.  When it comes to a man cave, you will usually here a guy request dark paints.  DO NOT BE SCARED; this is actually a great and dramatic way to go.  If your man is a collector of prints, memorabilia, or other items hanging on the walls, then consider what the main color is that you want to accent in the pieces and think OPPOSITES.  Yes, that sounds weird, but, whatever color you want to jump out at you from your wall art, you need to do the opposite as your wall paint color.  Let's reference U of A once again; crimson is obviously their main color.  Most people would immediately think "let's paint the whole thing CRIMSON."  NO, please, do us a favor and do not.    First off, it is a very fun color.  A little goes a LONG way....and I promise you will tire of this color LONG before you are able to cover it up with another shade of paint.  Does anyone know what the opposite of red it?  GREEN!  Yes, you guessed it.  (No, this is NOT advice to paint your room grass green...bare with me, I am getting somewhere.)  Try a nice medium to dark shade of grey that has a green base to it.  It won't look green on your walls but it will let that Crimson do the talking on your wall art.  A nice one to try is Sherwin Williams' "Anonymous".  The same effect can be had with blue bases;  try Ben Moore's "Kendall Charcoal" (this is currently in our family room/man cave and I absolutely LOVE it!)  These are both very deep colors, so it would be best to use these in a room where the main activities will be watching tv and minimal tasks such as reading.  HOWEVER, if you just love the look of a dark room, as I do, then just add extra lighting such as lamps and recessed cans to make up for any lost light you may encounter.  For those "other" fans who prefer oranges and blues, the same rule applies: if you want the orange in your wall hangings to pop out, go with a dark blue based color.  Don't go straight for the navy (although that would be pretty because I LOVE LOVE LOVE a navy room, it may look a little cheesy next to your AU stuff) but reach for a nice pure gray or dark gray/brown.  Try Sherwin Williams' "Porpoise" for a gray, or Sherwin Williams' "Homestead Brown" for a nice gray/brown.  This will really give those AU colors a pop.  When in doubt: opposites attract.

Anonymous

Kendall Charcoal

Porpoise

Couldn't find a blobby of this one

Now that you have selected your paint color: let's talk accents.  One of my favorite accents in a man cave is a nice manly plaid.  Plaids come in so many shades and textures.  You can go with the traditional wooly plaid or with some of the more woven patterns that have a more open weave.  I also love a good stripe in a man-space.  "Ticking" fabric is cheap cheap cheap and makes a lovely statement in a casual space.  When thinking "manly man fabric" think linear.  Anything that runs in straight lines or has more sharp-sided shapes will look more masculine.  You can even mix these fabrics and layer them for a more plush and put-together mix-n-match look.  Try a plaid with a stripe and then a solid in a  cool texture: if they are all in similar color families they will go together splendidly.  You can use different fabrics on pillows, chair covers, and drapes.  Have fun and go wild, this is the fun room!

***Note, not suggested to use these three particular fabrics together: I can't give away all my secrets now can I?***

Manly Plaid

Manly Stiped

Manly Texture

The last advice that I have for you is to 100%, every time, all the time, do not forget, so important, MUST DO: make sure that you make his favorite things in the room the center of attention in that space.  Is his old college-recliner his must-have piece?  Is it his pool table that he loves?  Does he have a vintage record player?  Does he play a musical instrument that he wants to incorporate in with everything else?  Whatever his interests are, please be sure to incorporate them in any way possible.  This is his space.  His buds will be over.  He wants to show off all of his man toys...so please let him.  Not only will it make his space truly his own, it will also keep his stuff out of the rest of your house.  Think about it, win/win!  

Posh man cave (do those words actually go together?) complete with man toys

Love the natural stone wall with recessed sconce lights and the ceiling treatment!

Race car themed man cave

My perfect man cave: plaid, stripes, textures, paint color, ahhhhhhh!  (too bad it isn't a Mae Beth cave.)  See how the dark blue-based color really punches those red-browns back at you?  That's why I like to use opposite colors to make a statement.

I threw this in because it is awesome: who doesn't want to reuse those old kegs as bar stools?  Remember...have fun with it!

I hope you enjoy designing your new man's space in your home.  It is a lot of fun and you will be oh-so-happy when you see the look on his face after you present him with his brand new, shiny and cool, super-de-duper-de-awesome, all-other-guys-will-be-jealous SPACE of his very own.  Now here's the next trick: how does he keep us ladies out?  I know I am always in Allen's space....ooops!

Thanks for reading and ROLL TIDE ROLL!
~MB

A Nashvegas New Year

To celebrate the coming of 2013 and the going of 2012, the hubs and I went to Nashville to visit two very dear friends of ours and participate in some shenanigans and broohaha-ery.  Needless to say, it was quite memorable and one of our best celebrations yet.  

We kicked off the long (and well-deserved) weekend with going out in our hometown of Birmingham. We ate ourselves silly at dinner and then people-watched at a watering hole while listening to an amazing band.  Then, we proceeded that Saturday to laze around the house like the couple of house-cats that we are, then packed for the big trip.  We woke up early on Sunday morning to make our way up I-65 to Music City U.S.A.  

On Sunday Allen and I went to our first NFL game.  The Titans played the Jaguars and won;  which as I understand it, is not something that generally happens.  While I am a southern gal and I love some football, I typically stick to the collegiate version of the game.  There are a few differences in rules and regulations, but, the most important difference to note is that they actually serve adult beverages at NFL games.  This, my friends, is the way to watch a game!  

After the victory was celebrated we continued on our party path and scurried to a place on Printer's Alley to (what else?) watch more football.  Here are a few pics to document the debauchery of Sunday's events:

Snugglin' to stay warm at the Titans' game

After all the activities we snapped a pic outside of the Nashville Orchestra building----architecturally beautiful!

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We woke up Monday and started the day with a delicious breakfast at a sweet little Franklin, TN establishment where I had a country version of eggs benedict that consisted of a biscuit, bacon and sausage, an over-easy egg (or two) all smothered in white gravy.  If that ain't Heaven then I don't know what is!  I was a very happy (and full) girl.  After that, my sweetheart and I went sight seeing.  One of the best things about Nashville is the history that is so well preserved there.  You will hear it in the stories told by the locals, see it in the well-kept historical homes and buildings, and notice it with every turn specially marked with a plaque telling you of the significance of the spot you are standing on.   If you have never visited, I highly recommend the trip.  Take your time, read up on the locations, and breathe in the culture.  

Since this IS a design blog I snapped a few photos of elements that caught my eye.  I wish I had taken more, but, with all the activities scheduled I was on a tight timeline.  I took two pictures of two VERY different things that made me excited in totally different ways.  

Look at this house!!!!!!!!!!!  Not only does it depict an era of long-ago, you can tell the owners (both past and present) really took pride in keeping this home in pristine condition.  There were larger (and older) homes all over this area of Downtown Franklin, but, this little charmer stole my heart with the room of windows hanging off the side and the perfectly manicured lawn.  You can tell that every architectural element was considered when choosing all of the details.  From the historically accurate paint colors, the dentils and the finial at the front door, even up to the Christmas decorations; this sweet home just made me melt.

And then there was our lunch spot (yes, I am talking about FOOD again...perhaps I should reiterate how much I love food because you are also going to hear a lot about our dinner in just a few lines down)...I digress; we went to the Sportsman's Lodge in Cool Springs for a SMALL lunch (I reluctantly, but smartly, chose a side salad so as not to spoil my dinner.)  Here at this wonderful restaurant you could see that it was the epitome of warm and cozy lodge.  Not only was it adorned with all kinds of dead animals (not my favorite element, but, interesting to look-at and highly appropriate none-the-less), it also had TWO real stone, floor-to-ceiling, wood-burning fireplaces, stained wooden accents, and multiple ANTELIERS.  Yes, anteliers.  Let me go ahead and set the record straight with my personal tastes in design; while I may not personally want a specific style in my own dwelling, that doesn't mean that I can't lust after the overall feel and design in a different setting.  I will more-than-likely never own a ski-lodge, mountain-home, or hunting camp, but I can always enjoy the aesthetics when I find myself surrounded by the likes.  With that said, I am OBSESSED with anteliers.  It started as a joke, as I had only seen these light fixtures used in comical ways such as movies and magazines, poking fun of rednecks with too many trophies on their walls.  Then it happened; I saw one of these intriguing and creative light fixtures used in a real-life design and was so impressed.  It is whimsical yet slightly formal all rolled into one.  When used in the right setting, there really is no better choice to give you that concept of "bringing the outdoors in."  Sometimes working with nature really is the most peaceful, cozy, and beautiful design.  ***I would like to add a disclaimer that while I love an antelier, and there is a lot to be said for authenticity,  I, in no way, support the senseless killing of all of those sweet deer with their long, flapping eyelashes (sorry daddy....I had to say it.)  In my mind those antlers are carved out of some sort of simulated wood so that no tree or animal was harmed.  When I received my first fur coat at the tiny age of 4 my grandmother explained to me the bunnies were "dead already."  I still use this thought process when purchasing meat at the grocery or shearling accessories at the boutique.***

  

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All this brings me to the main event of the weekend: the 16-course, dance-til-you-drop, food and vino extravaganza.  Just to reiterate my choice in side-salad a few hours prior, I said SIXTEEN COURSES.  I know....seriously?  And yes, I enjoyed every bite of it!!!!!!  Our super-hip and ultra-cool Nashvillian friends were kind enough to invite us to this crazy concept of dinner and we loved every second of it.  The place is called "Mangia" and is a pop-up-restaurant that sets up inside of the Cool Cafe.  The Cool Cafe is open on weekdays and serves breakfast and meat-n-three lunches.  The owner of this establishment is friends with a really amazing Italian cook.  He is an authentic Italian-American who wanted to bring his love of Italian-style family dinners to the public...and I am oh-so-thankful he did this.  The concept is amazing, the food is even better, and the atmosphere was sheer perfection.  Placed in an unassuming strip-mall with the name "Cool Cafe" plastered on the outside, you feel like you are part of this great secret that not everyone is privileged to be a part of.  The wine starts flowing and then the appetizers start.  Then the salads.  Then the pasta.  THEN YOU BREAK TO DANCE.  Yes, dance.  (also one of my favorite activities ever)  The chefs at the open-style kitchen start to keep time to the music banging on their pots and pans, the wait-staff starts to round everyone up, they crank up the music and everyone is on their feet and participating in the festivities.  This goes on for around twenty-or-so minutes and then the bell rings....TIME FOR THE MAIN COURSES!!!!!!  Our waitress comes out to let us know that the homemade veal-stuffed ravioli is taking a moment because it was made just a few minutes prior to keep it fresh.  I didn't mind the wait as I was enjoying the merriment...but nothing could have prepared me for what was about to happen.  The ravioli came out and it was pure perfection.  This was hands-down my favorite thing I have ever eaten.  E.V.E.R.  This is not an exaggeration in the least.  Unfortunately you will never understand as it is not near as good TALKING about it as it is EATING it.  ***Another disclaimer; I typically never eat baby animals and veal falls in that category.  Thank goodness I made an exception with this one***  The beef tenderloin that came up next made a great impression too.  Then we wrapped up with more wine, a champagne toast, and desserts (yes, multiple.)  The dinner started at 6:00 and we left around 11:00 so I'm sure you can jump to the conclusion that we were stuffed, happy, and loving life.  We went home to kiss goodbye to 2012 and say hello to 2013 with full bellies and joy in our hearts.  THANK YOU MANGIA for a memorable and delicious experience!

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As I went home to celebrate the coming of a new year and reflecting on the past year, I couldn't help but feel extremely blessed.  Blessed to have an adorable husband who loves me and whom I love dearly, friends who mean the world to me and warm my heart every day, family who will always guide me in the right direction, and God who has showered me with all of this.  I hope that everyone has taken a moment to tell your friends and family that you love them and has counted their blessings one-by-one.  May each and every one of you have a wonderful 2013 filled with laughter, joy, love, and kindness.  ~Much love~

Friday's Five Favorite Things:

I have decided that everyone loves a good Friday and we all typically look forward to this day almost all week long.  In celebration of one of my favorite days of the week, I have decided to make it a weekly habit to share five of my favorite things with you guys.  Now, please know that I move on quite quickly from my obesessions, but, when I crush on a fave object I crush hard.  So, without much further ado, I present to you my five favorite things as of 12.28.2012:

1. My dog Geoff.  He is 110+ lbs of pure joy and love.  He speaks with a Jersey accent, his middle name pays homage to the great Robert DeNiro, he is smart enough to know that he should do as he is told, but still realizes he can make a decision whether or not to obey us, and he gets so excited to see me every day that you would think I had been away for 20-some-odd years.  While sometimes he is referred to as "Geoff-Monster" because of his clumsiness/dirtiness/shedding/gigantasism/strong-will; he is my little precious and I have been obsessed with him from day numero uno.  (Also, there was a puppy who visited us at work named Mickey and since he falls into the category of puppy/doggie/canine he is also posted on here...begin the surround sound of "aaaaawwwwwweeeeeeeeees")


Geoffrey DeNiro Sandlin



Geoff-Monster enjoying a little raw-hide snack.  He is destructive.



Mickey II was our visitor today.  He was added to the list by just being his adorable Welsh-Corgie self.  PRESH!

2.  My S-Mother's famously delicious banana pudding.  (This is a classic and will not be a fleeting obsession like some others on this list.)  Now, I'm sure if you become an avid reader of my posts you will hear a lot about my family and friends as I simply adore them.  With that, you will get to know my mother who I affectionately refer to as my S-Mother, Worst-Case-Scenario-Susan, Mama Sue, and My Mommy.  She comes by all of these nicknames honestly and is one of the coolest, sweetest, and most talented people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.  With that said...the woman can COOK as well.  Now, one thing to please note about my mother is that she hates all things banana.  She hates the "odor" (as she calls it...most of us would downgrade it to a smell at least), the color, the idea, and the taste of them.  However, for someone who probably has at least one nightmare a week about said delicious fruit, she sure can make THE best 'nana puddin' you've ever had the pleasure of stuffing into your face.  When I asked for the recipe she sent me straight to the Nilla Wafers box; I have tried this recipe and she clearly does something different that she is not sharing with the rest of us.  It is mind-blowingly delicious.  But, since she insists that this is her only secret to this amazing treat, I have posted the recipe for all to see.  Happy cooking!

Mama Sue’s Famous “Labor of Love” Banana Pudding/Nabisco’s Nilla Wafer BP Recipe

Prep Time: 30 min

Total Time: 50 min

Makes:

12 servings, 2/3 cup each

Makes 12 servings, 2/3 cup each.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar, divided

1/3 cup flour

Dash salt

3 eggs, separated

2 cups milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

45 NILLA Wafers, divided

5 bananas, sliced

Preparation:

Heat oven to 350°F.

MIX 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler. Blend in 3 egg yolks and milk. Cook, uncovered, over boiling water 10 to 12 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

RESERVE 12 wafers for garnish. Spread small amount of custard onto bottom of 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Cover with layers of 1/3 each of the remaining wafers, bananas and remaining custard. Repeat layers 2 times.

BEAT egg whites on high speed of mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread over custard, sealing well to edge of dish.

BAKE 15 to 20 min. or until lightly browned. Cool slightly. Top with reserved wafers just before serving.

3. Joss and Main online store.  Design Geeks: This. Will. Rock. Your. World.  Not only is their symbol a peacock (which there isn't enough time in the day for me to describe my love of peacocks and their amazing feathers) BUT they have amazing accessories, furniture, and cool "junk" at amazing prices.  If you are like me, you have a husband who likes to have his home looking good; however, he may not understand at what price this luxury comes.  When you shop at Joss and Main you will find throw pillows (all men's favorite accessory, ha!) that are originally 70+ bucks for  a set of two at the low-low price of 35.00!  Not only that, everything is sorted by style, theme, and description.  This website will make you see a little porcelain book-end shaped like a pug dog and make you ask yourself "where has that been my whole life?!?!?!?" as you click on the 'add to cart' button.  I almost bought a light turquoise beach cruiser bicycle for myself...impulsive much?  Check it out: https://www.jossandmain.com/ 



Thalia Sofa- $1225.95




Delta Pillow (set of 2)- $81.90



Ashbury Wall Mirror- $45.95

4.  AND, since this IS a design blog, and I have a lot to say about design and could go on and on an on for hours on end about some of my favorite aspects of design and yadda yadda yaadda yaaaaah (you will get enough of this as the posts continue), I want to share a snippet of some of my favorite paint colors.  If you are one of my faithful readers, you will remember that in the very first post I let you know that I am obsessed with paint colors.  Not just the actual samples, but also the way they look in a space, the names of the paint colors, the richness and intensity, and the quirkiness of how to predict whether or not a color will come off as originally expected.  It is almost like a game of rhoulette on some colors....and I am addicted to the rush of trying new ones.  Now, while my love for paint colors will never change, my tastes and preferences most certainly will.  I change my "favorites" list up quite frequently and become easily obsessed with new ones.  The theme of Friday is "five favorites" so sticking with that I will give you my five current favorite neutrals that are more-than-amazing in a home:
 

I.  Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter---this is the most amazing light warm gray you will ever lay your eyes on

II. Sherwin William's Urban Putty---a very light and warm cream with just a hint of beige to add color (goes with everything)

III. Sherwin William's Jogging Path---for the person who likes a little more color on their neutrals.  This is a lovely warm gray with a hint of sage.

IV. Benjamin Moore's Hot Springs Stone---this medium-toned taupe color can really dress up a dining room or bedroom.  While not dark, it does give off a soft and restful feeling.

V. Sherwin William's Taupe Tone---again, this is a medium toned taupe color (neither distinctly grey nor dinstinctly tan) which changes color in each space you put it in.  It can run a little darker, so be careful putting this in task-oriented spaces without proper lighting.

***If you do not own your very own paint fan deck I highly recommend asking for one for your next Birthday/Christmas/Anniversary.  You do not understand the power it gives you until you own one of your own :)*



5. AND lastly, but definitely not least;  I found a necklace that I requested and recieved from my beau for Christmas and I am pretty obsessed with it.  It is the Karma necklace and it is a simple reminder that what goes around always comes around.  It is so beautiful and petite and goes with everything I wear.  It is always nice to have a peice of every day jewelry that you love;  and  to know that it is such a cool symbol of such a simple belief and way of thinking....I just love it. 



Always be kind to others; people are so much more attractive when they are smiling



That is it for me today.  I hope you enjoy your Friday night and that it lives up to your expectations you placed upon it on Monday.  May you have a blessed and joyous New Year and safe and happy travels!