Living on Cloud Nine: April 2015

CAN THIS MAMA WEAR CUTOFF JEANS?

This top was a random Target find. I went into a Target I normally do not frequent in another town to get wrapping paper and suntan lotion and although I did not plan to look at clothes, somehow my legs drug me over there. Funny how that happens in Target!!! I browsed quickly but in with the skirts was this top, I could not resist the tribal pattern and neon coral in it! However, I immediately knew I wanted to wear it with cut-off jeans, be super casual and have a laid back boho vibe.....until.....I presented the "Am I too old to wear cut-off jeans?" to my teenagers. After a resounding "Yes, you're Waaay too old" I took a cute pair back out of my online shopping cart and threw some white capris to go with...but I longed for cut-offs all vacation.

So, here's where I need you. Yes or No on the cut-offs or is there something that would look even better with this adorable top?

Look how cute the back is!!

Help, you rockin out bloggers......I need your fashionista assistance...

xoxo
"Nothing Comes Between Me and My Calvins"
~Brooke Shields

HOW BLOGGING SAVED MY LIFE

Have you ever felt like something was missing? Yet, it was hard to pinpoint? I mean, my husband and kids are happy and healthy, my marriage rocks, I have a beautiful home, I seem to appreciate the little things in life and although small, a beautiful extended family. Sure rough spots popped up now and then but no matter what they were, we would seem to overcome them due to our faith and unyielding love.

Yet, no matter how happy my life was, there was still an ache in my heart. An ache that I had no purpose. An ache that I didn't feel I was making a difference. An ache that friends weren't as loyal as they used to be. An ache that two of my children would be going off to college in 18 months and I really didn't know what I was going to do with myself as a big majority of my life is dedicated to my family. And ache that the positivity I tried to exude often wasn't reciprocated in this world. Couple those aches with an anxious personality, increasing social phobias and curve-balls and there were days I felt like it wouldn't even matter if I got out of bed.

Yet, you know what always kept popping in my mind was that so many of the blogs I was a fan of DID make a difference in my life. Many of you bloggers would make me smile with an inspirational post, a rocking' outfit, a yummy recipe, words of advice and basically just seeing that there was still so much good in the world. For the past three years, every time I finished reading a blog post by a favorite blogger, I thought to myself, why don't I start a blog? Just maybe I'll brighten someones day and jotting down my thoughts in that kind of format might be therapeutic.

I walked into our living room one day and said "Honey, I'm starting a blog!" A week later, I hit the publish button, then again the next day, and the next. Guess what, I wanted to get out of bed. Blogging inspired me! Heck I even lost 3 pounds the first week because I was so busy blogging in my spare time that I was forgetting to eat. I became even more organized and prioritized even better than before. When people started commenting, I felt like hey, even if I just make one person smile that's something!

I found the blogging community to be so kind, so supportive and so unselfish. I found myself wanting to get up early in the morning just to check my feed so I could comment on other people's blogs and let them know their content had meaning to me. If you're taking the time to write a blog post you're a special person and it means that your whole heart is in it.

I mean, it's not that often that I blog about something serious but even if it's just a funny post, a fashion post, a family post or yummy post, it's something. I may only be a minuscule speck in this whole wide world of Internet but it's my speck and it saved my life. Maybe not literally but figuratively, it lifted me up out of the pit and gave me a safe place to stand.

Cheers to this fun ride called Blogging, cheers to YOU, who put your heart and soul out there everyday and cheers to those who take the time to read and truly smile with you.

xoxo

"Do what makes you feel good. Remind yourself of what you're good at and make sure you do that."

~Jessi J

CRISS CROSS

This was my favorite short vacation dress. Since there really was no bra to wear with these, I got some of those bra pads that stick on and then they connect in the front. They are great but beware when you remove them.... Kinda like taking off a band-aid....ouch!!!!

Steve Madden Cuff Options HERE,

Wedges from J.C. Penny HERE, Clutch Purse Charming Charlie HERE
Druzy Necklace is from Cents of Style, Site HERE which as great accessories & Super Friday deals

Unfortunately this Forever 21 gem is still sold out but it is available on their European site.
Here are some great options....

ASOS Cross-Back Stripe HERE
I love the Nautical Feel of this one

This Urban Outfitters option HERE
Well, this cobalt blue is stunning.

Sheinside Long Sleeve cross-back Dress HERE
This is my fave...so boho chic.

Charlotte Russe cross-back Skater-Dress HERE
What's not to love about bright pink and a double criss-cross!

xoxo
"Kris Kross will make you jump jump!"
~Lyrics from "Jump" by 90's rappers Kris Kross, who wore all their clothes backwards.

LOOKING GOOD....PROM 2K15

Happy Monday Everyone, I hope your weekend was everything awesome!!

So last Monday I did a post on Promposals. Well, here is the result.

Around these parts, the theme for this past weekend was PROM everything!! Our two sons looking mighty fine indeed. Haircuts, dinner reservations, tux pick-up, money giving, flower pick-up, vehicle cleaning, preparing pre-prom snacks, pictures and more pictures.

I so loved the gray tuxes. Back when I went to prom it was black or white and actually very few wore white. I thought the gray was really classy.

Unfortunately, not everyone was together for pictures. My husband was on his way home from a business trip so missed it all. Yes, he was sad. I kept sending pics as they happened to his phone.The son on the left with his beauty in mint had to leave early to be elsewhere for double date pics.

Love these young men!! And they make us proud!

With having all boys, you can imaging how excited I was to have all these beautiful girlies around to ooh and ahh over their beautiful dresses, hair and nails. It was a cold, rainy day but these ladies still shined even if there were a few shivers.

I made some little Pre-Prom goodies and my fave were these mini Reese Cupcakes. This sweet girl popped the whole thing in her mouth. A girl after my own heart!! And she didn't even mess up her lipstick.

Here is this son's beautiful date pinning on the boutonniere. Why does it always take a good 2-3 people to get those darn things on? As you can see by the following pics, he ended up with his own harem, we joked.

Whoo Hoo......3

Here's to a great week and Here's to the future....

xoxo
The future is always beginning now."
~Mark Strand

WHITE CHOCOLATE PISTACHIO TOFFEE

Yum
Gee, I've been doing so many fashion and vacation posts that I forgot some of you enjoy a recipe now and then and this girl sure loves to make these yummies.
I often like to make sweet treats on Sunday's to enjoy and have throughout the week. Here's a goodie and Here's to a Sweet Sunday to you all!
There is something about this recipe, that just says, 'Spring!" I make a similar toffee at Christmas time with milk chocolate but the white chocolate and pistachios just sounded yummy. I like this kind of toffee because it's so easy to make and it packages up so nicely to give as gifts. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have. It truly is delightful!
I bet some mom's out there would love some homemade toffee for mother's day.
Homemade treats just ooze "LOVE!"

White Chocolate Pistachio Toffee

Ingredients

40 saltines (give or take a couple)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup salted shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped

Instructions

Heat oven to 350.
Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray and line with crackers. In a medium saucepan, heat butter and brown sugar over medium-low heat. Bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Once it's good and bubbly, pour over crackers.

Bake for a few minutes (about 8) until the toffee is bubbling all over the crackers. Remove from oven and sprinkle white chocolate chips over the top. Once they start to melt, spread lightly with a spatula and sprinkle with pistachios. Let cool. and move to wax paper. I prefer to keep these stored in the refrigerator.

Linking with Wow Us Wednesdays // Weekend Potluck
Tasty Tuesdays// Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday // Creative Muster Party //
Thursday Favorite things Blog Hop // Best Of The Weekend // Celebrate365 // Meal Plan Monday #106
xoxo

" Anything is good if it's made of chocolate."

~Jo Brand

FAVORITE DESTINATIONS

Whoo Hoo friends, Friday is here!!! When I saw Momfessionals was ding a Shoe and Tell Tuesday on favorite vacations I decided to link this up as it got me thinking about the favorite places I've been and where I want to go. I think part of the fun of vacation is the anticipation and the daydreaming of what it will be like and The saving up to make it happen. Here are five of my favorite destinations and four I would like to go to someday equaling NINE, of course.

1. Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman

I have been to a few Caribbean Islands and I must say, this was by far my favorite. Beautiful, safe and each meal more yummier that the last. A beach vacation is definitely my favorite of them all.

2. Florence, Italy

My sweet husband took me to Italy for a milestone birthday of mine. You know how you picture a place in your mind or in the movies and it turns out NOT to be that way? Well, let me tell ya, Italy was exactly as I pictured and MORE!! Cobble stoned streets, amazing architecture, fountains, food and wine to die for and charming, oh, so charming. Our favorite city was Florence. It was a tad more quaint and had an old earthy feel. Plus, the BEST Gelato!

3. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Well, you see, this is where Mr. Nine and I were married...in a Little Log Cabin and we truly love the mountains, which we don't get much of in our neck of the woods. Good ole' Gatlinburg Tennessee. We've had some adventures here like a downpour hiking back from a waterfall but Beautiful scenery, lovely dinners and we stay in a.....yep, a LOG cabin!!

4. New York City, New York

Every five years, for her milestone birthday, I take my mom on a surprise trip somewhere special. A fave was New York City. Whew, we probably needed a vacation from our vacation, we did so much running around....& shopping. However, it was a blast and fantastic memory. Kelly Ripa, Today Show, Wicked, Times Square, the Subway, Sex in the City movie taping, Tons more celebs, Jacques Torres Chocolate, great eats, new friends....but best of all AMAZING shopping. It's not just high end folks, NYC had it all. We work for the same hospital and they even did a story on us because we met so many celebrities. Here's a pic from our photo shoot and one with Kelly (we are so giddy in that one that our smiles are ridiculously cheesy)

5. Lake Michigan~Small town on the Shore

So sorry but I cannot divulge the name of our quaint lake town just yet. We go there every summer and it is the most relaxing place on the planet. The sunsets are even better than the Caribbean. Sometime, we will be living there part of the year and our memories of this town are so special. At some point I will devote a whole post to this town and how we stumbled upon it. It's a gem!