The Perfect Manicure

Don't look at my dirty ring! LOOK at those NAILS!!

I'm one of those people who's nails didn't used to look this nice, but now that's a thing of the past because I take care of my nails better! Of course I have a few select products that help me out quite a bit too!

The Perfect Manicure:

1. Remove all old nail polish from nails.
2. Put on cuticle cream. I use very little, just enough to moisturize my cuticles, not the whole finger.
3. File nails in a nice and flattering shape, not too pointy.
4. Buff edge of nails to take off the sharpness from the filing.
5. Wash hands with nail brush and dry with a towel.
5. Moisturize nails with a heavy hand cream.
6. Using rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad, rub lotion off nails well. Any leftover lotion will prevent polish from adhering.
7. Paint on my FAVORITE base/top coat, Hydration Therapy II.
8. Layer the base with two thin coats of your favorite polish.
9. Top again with Hydration Therapy II.
10. Place nails under dryer for at least 3 minutes...and then don't touch anything else still!

Repeat as soon as polish begins to chip.

Belated B-Day Post

I know I'm not the best at getting pics up...I hate uploading photos!

Anyway, May 4th was my birthday so a couple of friends came out with B-man and I to the Cheesecake Factory!



That's Kristen and her hubs...They're great friends and couldn't be nicer :-) They are our go-to couple for the movies!

Blazing Cars and Pantries

So I've really been dragging my feet in posting a few other tid bits about my trip home to Phoenix a couple weeks ago. They are obviously not in chronological order...I'm a Journalism major--I lead with the good stuff!!

On the way to the airport, my mom and I drive past this vehicle bursting with flames! I don't think anyone was hurt since a few people were standing along the freeway 50 yards away... I'm guessing it was their vehicle. While I was home I did a little cleaning and organizing for my mom. Check out her post on my fabulous organizing skills.

I just love an organized pantry. Now if I only had the energy to do it to mine!

Girly Scottsdale Weekend!

A good friend of mine from college is getting married at the end of May in Puerto Vallarta and as much as I NEED some beach time, I'm too much of a chicken to travel to Mexico right now. My perfect solution was to just go to Phoenix for her shower instead. (Yes I know I was just there about a month ago, I love it).

While I don't have the best pics of the shower to post yet, I do have some out on the town with my "bestie" Ondrea. We decided to make it a girls night out in Scottsdale.

We're at Jackrabbit here...

Sara, Laura and On at Cream

On and I at Jackrabbit again

On the flight home last Monday, I watched Bride wars on my iPod. What a sap I am. I got teary eyed just watching a movie about girls and their friends...I miss them so much!

Hub's birthday

Today is my hubs birthday! I'm on the other hand boarding a flight back to the fab state of Arizona. I did however bake him vanilla cupcakes with homemade buttercream frosting:-) I'll miss him and my duke angel while I'm away.


Sent from my iPod

Easy Spring Fruit Dessert

As some of you who know me know I love cheesecake. I love it so much I wanted a cheesecake wedding cake but the idea was vetoed by the hubs. If there were heaven on earth, I'd say it's puppies and cheesecake, I can't get enough of either.

In keeping with the Spring vibe I decided to make up a little concoction with some items in my pantry. When I was in St. Charles, MO my cousin's wife and I came across this super cute place selling all kinds of jellies and spices and I spotted this cheesecake/ball mix that I finally decided to make...problem was, I didn't know what exactly to do with it. The cheese ball alone was too rich but on fruit, now I'm in the money!!

• White Chocolate Cheesecake/Ball Mix by Wind and Willow (I used the cheese ball recipe on the back)
• Low-Fat Daisy Girl Scout cookies (or Teddy Grahams)
• Chopped fruit of your choice

1. Using a mini trifle bowl pile the items accordingly and you have a wonderfully yummy summer/spring dessert!

It can't get easier than this.

Easter Cookies

So sorry for being absent and not posting in forever. I've been very busy with work. Not too busy to make Easter sugar cookies though. I got the cookie recipe from Picky Palate. She has an amazing collection of recipes that are very yummy.

Soft Perfect Sugar Cookies
by Picky Palate

• 2 Cups sugar
• 1 Cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 Cup sour cream
• 6 Cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

1. In an electric or stand mixer, cream the sugar and butter. Add eggs, vanilla and sour cream until well combined. Slowly add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined.

2. In 2 batches, place in plastic wrap in a disc shape and chill for at least 2 hours for best results.

3. Once chilled, roll and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes depending on how thick you cut your cookies. Remove and let cool. Frost and decorate as desired.

For the frosting, I used royal icing in different colors.