But mommy I want some turkey!

My poor cold hands

I don't know what it is but my hands and feet are always, always
freezing.
I was in desperate need to find a cute fingerless glove pattern-- and
tadaa!! Here they are. Super cute shell pattern really adds to the
look.

I'm not 100% happy with these since it was my first go at it, and one
warmer is slightly larger than the other around the scalloped edge.
Being a perfectionist sucks.

Holidays Schmolidays

With the upcoming holidays comes impending doom for a newlywed couple. Basically this means the new couple wants to share in the fact that they now have an inviting adult house. One of the many ways to show off your home, besides throwing lavish parties, is to invite your family to your humble abode for Thanksgiving dinner.

In the moment, one does not think about all the preparations that loom - for instance, finding open space for all family members, which also includes a few days of heavy cleaning. This type of cleaning sometimes involves things you may not do on a regular basis - for instance cleaning the ceiling fans, hiding the bong and boxing up the sex toys.

I haven't even begun to touch upon the cooking debacle that looms. Good thing my husband is an excellent cook. I basically put cookie dough on a cookie sheet and expected it to bake in the oven. (See December's cookie blog fail.) The part I have played in the planning is compiling a list of recipes. Matt chose the ones that would be most appetizing. I give my seal of approval on all the choices and I haven't even tried them. Are you curious? Wanna see what is on the menu at the Mitchell's this Thanksgiving?

Stuffed Mushrooms

The Maple Roasted Turkey

Buttermilk and Dill Mashed Potatoes

Green bean Casserole


Of course I expect a few random sides in there, but this is the jist of it. ANNNND I even bought a cute apron from Etsy for the occasion.
I plan on being in the kitchen and trying my best to lend a hand. It may get burned, mangled or cut, but that is the price I will pay for being hostess.

Yelp Elite Party Mad Men style at the Highball

Wow. I had such a good time! Yelp always puts on a great party, as usual. This one was free food, bowling, karoke, Maker's Mark and Harpoon Brew. Annie Ray was also in attendance with her fabulous photo booth.

I had to get my hair done for this event, I was so excited. The wonderful Leslee at Wet Salon did my Joan-wannabe updo. It was super fierce and got tons of compliments.

There was quite a few appetizers passed around but I only partook in a few bites since I am officially off the cleanse today. Can't let all this great work go to waste for one event.

I love this picture. The guy taking it was giving us directions on how to pose. I think he told us to look forlorn and lost. Mission accomplished.

Look at Lindsay's lips! Those babies are huge. I bet they could smother a small child.

Awww much better smiling.

My favorite girls, poor Dana had to go to Jim's softball game right afterwards so she couldn't dress up.

RAINBOWS and KITTENS

Today at lunch I was sitting in the cafeteria when my attention was drawn to the television. Every single thing that was on CNN was about something terrible - either pedophiles, sex crimes, or murder. Honestly, the coverage put me in the worst mood. We began a discussion on why there is never anything cute on the news. I agree....CNN is a negative Nancy.

Therefore I have decided to make this post a HAPPY DAY post! Here are some things that make me happy:

Getting into a warm bed at night and having Colotte follow me in, crawling into her favorite spots (in between my legs or under my butt.) <----- both places must emit large amounts of heat!

Trying on a pair of pants and having them be too big for you.

Thursday and Sunday night TV shows (even though I am sad about Mad men being over)
A perfect dish of calamari



Burning a fresh candle that smells like cookies or cake

Not peeing out of my butt



Finding cash in my back pocket

Snuggling with Matt on the couch

Now don't you feel good? I know I do.

See what happens when I don't eat for 8 days?

So I got crafty this weekend and looky what I did. I'm going to throw them into my etsy shop as soon as I get a few more done. These pictures don't do the colors justice, I was too lazy to color correct and actually use a decent background. But that red hat is freaking fabulous. Actually they all are. I wouldn't mind if they don't sell. I'll keep them all for myself.

See something you like? Let me know and I will reserve it for you and knock off a little from the price.

Fun stuff this weekend!

Need some ideas for cool things to do this weekend? Here are some events and cool things that may interest you. If I see more things pop up, I'll add to the list!

Thursday

Heads & Holgas: Art by Hope Perkins & Cory Ryan

Thursday, November 12, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm Austin Art Garage

Free adult beverages!

Austin Daily Press - Thursday's Launch Party from 6-8. Free beer & awesome pressed sandwiches.

Mugshots happy hour - $4 pitchers of Lonestar, $2 cheeseburgers, $3 Boca burgers & $3 jagers! Every Thurs & Fri from 5-8pm. Friday

Saturday

Tiff's Treats Grand Opening Charity Event!

When: Saturday Nov. 14th 9:00am-5:00pm
Benefiting: Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central & South Texas
Where: New Southwest Austin Store @ 3201 Bee Caves Rd #172. Austin, TX 78746
What: In honor of our 3rd Austin location, we will be selling cookies for $3/dozen! All proceeds go to Make-A-Wish®.
Fun Stuff: We will insert prizes into random boxes of cookies, so you have a great chance to win an awesome gift card or prize!

2009 EAST Austin Studio Tour

Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th & Saturday 21st – Sunday 22nd
10 am - 5 pm each day
This year, for the first time, the tour also features:
20 Exhibition Spaces, 49 Happenings, and 30 Programs
all taking place throughout the 9 days of the tour

Doc's Backyard this Saturday for our Thanksgiving Food Drive and ESPN Austin Away Game Watch Party as UT takes on Baylor. Donate at least 3 non-perishable food items and you could win the Ultimate Ticket Prize Pack: Spurs, Toros, Stars and Houston Texans tickets

And so it begins. Winter is fast approaching, and I have this insane desire to cleanse myself before this horrible thing that is Thanksgiving debauchery starts. The one exceptional thing about working in an office setting is the vast amount of home-baked goods from coworkers. While this idea puts a spark of joy into my heart, and tummy for that matter - it leaves me with this feeling of dread. That feeling you get after you gorge yourself with pumpkin pie and tarts and brownies. I know it's coming, and I will be ready for it. Hence today is Day 1 of the Master Cleanse. I've been pro-active and cleared my weekly schedule of all things that involve food, drinking and frivolity.

I've gotten back into the groove of working out to the 30 Day Shred. Alas, the day Matt mentions he can see a difference in my fluffy belly, our xbox decides to die on us. Our dvd player does not work and I am SOL at the moment. Good wishes please on the safe and quick arrival of our repaired xbox. Till then, I starve myself with visions of maple syrup, lemons and cayenne pepper dancing in my head. Wheeeeeee!

These are a few of my favorite things....

My recent blog post got me thinking last night. Sometimes I stumble upon certain items or products that really blow my mind. There isn't a plethora of things that get me really excited - but when I find that certain something I want to shout it to the world - "Hey try me out! I swear this doesn't suck!" I try not to swear by too many things - but these, seriously, are my favorite things.

This luxurious Tempurpedic bed has really made an impact in our sleeping and comfort level. I cannot tell you the difference we feel from our old mattress, or any mattress for that matter. It's expensive - but so worth it. Especially for you side sleepers - it's amazing to lay down and not feel the springs or creaks or sags. You just sink into it - your whole body relaxing in a pool of warmth. Get this mattress!

We have 2 disgusting pets. They shed all the time. I can't believe we ever lived without this Dyson Pet vacuum cleaner. If you know us, in the beginning Matt would give everyone that came over a cleaning demonstration for months after we got the Dyson. We got the one that specializes in pet hair pick-up. It rolls on a ball, which is so handy when it comes to cleaning corners, underneath the tables and sofas. Plus the price has gone down considerably from when we got ours years ago. Another tip - you can check out woot.com. I always see some kind of Dyson for sale pretty cheap.

You saw the previous post on Zico. Enough said.

This workout has really changed my body. I'm lazy and I don't like to do much. That's not a good way to lose weight. I had to find a way to really lose weight and gain muscle in a relatively short amount of time (3 months.) Before the wedding, I would check out the Knot wedding forum and all the brides would swear by the dvd workout. You can find it at Target or Amazon for under $13. Basically the 30 Day Shred is a workout dvd by Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser. It consists of circuit workout of 3 minutes strength training, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute abs - 3 times. No breaks, no water, nothing. It's really tough and you can feel it the first time you try it. The workouts come in 3 levels. For me, it takes about 5-7 days to master a level. One of the best things about the different levels are the girls on it. One of them, Natalie, is always doing the more advanced version of the workouts - higher impact. Anita is lower impact and very good to follow on your first few days. I've done all the levels and think level 2 is the hardest. But it really works! I could feel muscle tone in a week. After 2-3 months of the Shred I was looking amazing, had a ton of muscle definition and felt fantastic!

There is a lot of negative comments when I mention the Master Cleanse. Personally, I don't care. It works - you can lose up to 10lbs and cleanse your system out to the point of feeling light and amazing. Yes it is hard. Should it be a diet? No. Do I use it for one? Sometimes. But every time I come off the Cleanse, I do feel like a million dollars. I would not recommend this on a monthly basis. Maybe once a season. But those that have been down this road know the benefits and drawbacks. You won't keep the weight off unless you completely change your eating habits. Remember, the first few days you are losing water weight. That stuff comes back pretty quickly. But the Cleanse can be a great way to kick start a new diet or healthy eating routine.

I'll think about some more....

My fabulous find!

I have let a few of my friends in on my secret lifesaver, I think it may be time to let the rest of the world know. I have the best hangover cure. It's called Zico and it is amazing.

"ZICO is 100% pure coconut water with natural flavor essences. With five essential electrolytes, more potassium than a banana, low acidity, no fat, no sugar added, and no cholesterol, ZICO is the natural, refreshing way to hydrate and replenish."

This stuff is for reals guys. It works well when taken the night of drinking, usually when you are crawling into bed. If you forget, reach for it first thing in the morning, take a nap, and you will wake up feeling much better than you started.

You can find Zico at Central Market and HEB. I'm not sure on the other healthy stores in town. Check out the zipcode look-up on the website.

I've tried the passion fruit and mango flavor and not been too impressed. I prefer the original. And another great thing about Zico - they are now selling them in large containers, so you can leave them in the fridge and have enough for the weekend.

Ok, enough gushing. I'm really in love with this product. There, I said it. Now you all know. Go spread the word my children and be free!