My Christmas List

There are some years it is really hard to come up with gift ideas for myself.  Probably because I figure I work hard and if I want something I usually buy it.  But this year I have a long list!  And I'm basically 90% done for the kids.  Still need teacher gifts, Parents, etc.  But I'm big on the gift cards so that's easy.  I pair them with a candle and I got an amazing deal at Bath & Body Works.  They had their big candle sale and I had coupons!  But back to me right?

First I would love a new ring for my right hand.  Pandora has an adorable one like this that I have been eyeing up!

And I have been wanting this perfume for a while and I missed using a 20% off coupon from Sephora and just getting it.  But it is at the top of the list!  

I would love a certificate to get my truck detailed!  I know - boring right?  But its a mess on the inside and Steve just doesn't have the time to do it.

I really need a new pair of slippers.  These are adorable from Boden.

Alright I admit I already bought the next gift for myself.  Haha but I had been wanting them for so long and decided to just buy them. They are just so classic and I should have owned a pair a million years ago.  I had these in regular eyeglasses but since I don't need them anymore...thank you LASIK!

I almost forgot I really, really want this brush set from it cosmetics.  I have 2 brushes of theirs and they are amazing.  This set is only $50!

And lastly, I need a weekender bag.  I was trying to explain this to the hubs, yes I have a bunch pf bags but none of them are a weekender.  He didn't get it!  Anyway, this is perfect for our trips to Great Wolf or would make a great carry on too.  And that Kate Spade sale 75% off - I was basically saving him money.  He should thank me :)

Happy Shopping!!!

What's for Dinner?

So one positive thing about Steve being in school all the time is not having to plan dinner.  My kids love chicken nuggets or soup.  And mom loves having cereal for dinner.  However, I do plan at least one meal for the weekend and I love to look at Pinterest for ideas like everyone else.  And pretty soon he will be home every night so I need to come up with some winner recipes and fast!  The hubs LOVES Beef Stroganoff so much he buys it from the cafeteria at work :( I found a recipe that is super simple.  Tweaked it a bit and it is so good.
Here's the original pin:

http://thecrockstar.blogspot.com/2009/01/absolute-best-crockpot-beef-stroganoff.html?m=1

The comments made it sound like this Golden Mushroom soup was going to be hard to find and it totally wasn't.  And I LOVE worcestershire sauce.  Apparently not that much though as mine was from 2014 - Whoops!  I thought it was weird there were no mushrooms in this recipe so I only used 1 pound of stew meat and added 8oz. of sliced mushrooms.  Any recipe you can throw in a crockpot and have it come out delicious in a few hours - sign me up!!  I served it over No Yolks brand egg noddles (for my dad) but you could also do mashed potatoes.  Enjoy!

Boys Room

Time to purchase some new beds and bedding for the boys.  So I purchased a toddler bed a long time ago and NO ONE has ever slept in it.  Pierce decided he wanted to sleep in bed with Brady.  Brady said he didn't care and the rest has been history.  They love it!  And seeing them walk up the stairs hand in hand will melt your heart!  And Reid LOVES his crib.  He climbs in and out and will not go near that toddler bed.  It makes me sad to think we are taking down the crib forever - but the time has come.  Reid needs to get tucked into a bed (my kids refuse sleeper pj's) and I would love to read books to him at night and lay next to him anyway.  Especially since he gets up once an night for a hug!  SO, his crib turns into a full and he will be all set. Actually he was helping me the other day change sheets and he said "mommy I like Blue" and was loving curling up into Brady's bed.  I mean clearly hes asking for a hand me down - I will have to oblige.   Now the other boys are so different. Pierce wants spiderman (of course) and Brady is obsessed with football.

I am ordering 2 twin beds and they will have matching sheets (white and red stars) to tie it together.  New paint (Steve will be thrilled) and getting the carpets cleaned.

Ok so have I mentioned my love for Paige denim? I swear the last 4 pairs of jeans I have purchased have been by her.   She used to be a fitness model so she gets it.  Her jeans will make your butt look awesome.  And (hallelujah) they have high rise!!!  Which is what my mom tummy needs these days. Just got a pair from nordi's too on sale!

And why have I waited so long to try the actual Beauty Blender?

I have always had some generic ones from ulta.  But decided to buy the real deal and it is amazing.  Especially since I learned they should be wet and rung out.  Now the makeup actually goes on my face instead of inside the sponge.  Seriously, amazing!!

Halloween

Halloween is over so it's time for my favorite Holidays!!!  I wasn't that into Halloween this year.  We knew Steve wouldn't be home and I had a hard time getting in the spirit.  We didn't even carve pumpkins or buy a mum.  Although I killed the mum last year in record in time anyway.  It's tradition we have a pizza party and invite over both sets of grandparents and Aunt Kara and Uncle Pete.  We did and Kara helped me take the kids around the block.  The kids had fun - especially Pierce when he got to spray webs!  And now he's pretty much obsessed with silly string :)

Funny moments that Steve missed: One house asked Reid what he was and he said "I a cow!" Ummmm he wasn't - he was a dog.  And Pierce said a tree hit him when in actuality he walked right into it.  Guess my kids aren't used to being in the dark - hahaha.  What can I say I love early bedtimes.

Alright so onto my 2 favorite Holidays!!!  Which will be SUPER special because my dad came so close to not being here at all.  Coconut cream or banana cream pie? I mean that is the question folks!!!  I already ordered matching pajamas for the kids on Christmas morning and have a list started for each one.  Pierce is going to freak when he opens this gotham city.

Reid wants a razor scooter like big brother!

And Brady wants nerf footballs, guns and a ramp.

Happy Shopping!