Friday Faves- A little more inspiration

Hooray it's Friday (well it's actually Thursday night, but close enough)!!  What's great about this Friday is that I have the day off!  Well, I have the day off from my 9-5 job, but I am going to be busy. Busy prepping, shopping, and cleaning for Nick's 5th party on Saturday!  I am in full Star Wars party mode!!

So in all honesty, it has been a pretty busy week and I just didn't have time to get my favorites together.  But I just happened to be doing some reading tonight and came across some more quotes that really spoke to me and I wanted to share.

So if you're having a bad day, a bad week, a bad year, or a bad decade, take a look at these.  One of these might speak to you too, and make your day a little brighter.

Shine on my friends and have a lovely weekend.

Linking up with:
Andrea at Momfessionals
The Diary of a Real Housewife






That Friday Blog Hop
Five on Friday
Friday Flash Blog

Kids' Room Re-do

With the boys at my parents for the weekend, it was finally time to give their rooms some serious updates!  Nick is obsessed with Star Wars (as you may have already gathered from reading this blog), so I thought it would be AWESOME to give him a Star Wars room!

Of course I forgot to take the BEFORE pictures of his room!  I thought I had some stored on my computer but they are nowhere to be found.  :(

But... here are the AFTER photos!

Disclaimer:  We moved into our house 3 years ago and still haven't painted the boys' bedrooms.  At this point, I think I am just going to wait for them to be old enough to choose the color they want themselves!

Got these pics on Etsy and framed them

A totally random find at Toys R Us.  Coolest. Chair. Ever.

Reading nook

Lego building table- also a big hit!

Alec inherited several pieces of his brother's old "Transportation" themed room.  Definitely more of a big boy room for my now 2 year old than the Jungle Animals theme that was going on before.  Now we just have to bring the Cars toddler bed up from the basement and he will be all set!

 I am happy to report they both LOVE their newly decorated rooms.  Nick told me his room is AWESOME and he has "always wanted a Star Wars room."  He even thanked me!

I also re-decorated their bathroom from frogs to Ninja Turtles.  That project isn't fully complete though, so no pics!  Plus, do you really want to see pics of my kids' bathroom?  Probably not!

Currently

Another currently post?  Why yes, I think I will!!  :)


CURRENTLY.....


Listening to:  Teen Titans on the TV.  Nick playing Minecraft on his Kindle.  The dishwasher running.

Excited for:  Nick's 5th birthday party on Saturday.  The foot of snow we are forecast to get tonight and tomorrow (although considering it hasn't even started snowing yet, I don't think this is likely).

Feeling:  Sooo many things.  But the one that sticks out most right now is tired.  All sorts of tired.  In fact, I may go to bed right after I finish this post!

Thinking about:  How my big boy is turning 5.  How he will be going to Kindergarten in September.  How scared and nervous this all makes me!  Where did the time go!  Make it slow down!!!

Nick at 3 months old.  Such a cutie!

Love this photo

Wondering:  If my cat is deaf.  Yes, I'm serious.  I'm pretty sure she is.  But she's 16, so I guess that's to be expected.

Randomly thankful for:  That my husband cleaned out the garage so I could put my car in there when I got home.  Just in case we really do get that foot of snow.  :)  And that I didn't have to make dinner tonight.

Loving:  My blanket scarf!!!  Yes yes yes!!  It's been so cold and it is sooo cozy and warm!  

Not loving:  The thought of taking the dog out to pee in the cold.  We have invisible fencing, but something happened and Georgie has breached the perimeter!  So... the leash it is until the fence can be fixed!


Linking up with Becky at Choose Happy
And All About You!

Friday Favorites- A little inspiration edition

Happy Friday friends!  This week my favorites are a little different than my usual Friday favorites post.  I feel like 2015 has gotten off to a rocky start for a lot of people, myself included.  And maybe we could all use just a little inspiration right now.

Number 1

Number 2

Number 3

Number 4 

Number 5

Number 6 (OK, I snuck an extra one in but I really like it and wanted to share)

Linking up with

Andrea at Momfessionals
Five On Friday
That Friday Blog Hop

Friday Flash Blog

The Diary of a Real Housewife

Weekend wrap-up and a recipe

Happy Monday!  It's a long weekend for some so if you are enjoying an extra day off today, HOORAY!  I was supposed to be at work today, but our daycare provider called in sick (stomach flu) so I had to take the day off.  I'll be honest.  I REALLY wanted to go to work today.  The boys were OFF THE WALL alllll weekend long and I was so ready for a "break!"  But alas, here I sit, typing and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  For the moment it is quiet.  One boy upstairs, one boy downstairs.  This won't last long.  Any minute the yelling, running, screaming and chasing will commence.  But for the moment, I will enjoy some quiet, coffee, and banana bread!

So how was your weekend?  The weather here was crap.  COLD and windy on Saturday and rainy, cold and dismal on Sunday.  We did manage to have some fun though.

Saturday we took the kids to Tiny Tots Tea Room.  I have blogged about this place before, but it is worth mentioning again.  If you are local to the Albany NY area and have kids between 18 months and 5 years old, you need to go.  There is a large gated playroom for the kids.  There are specialty coffees and teas for the moms and dads.  You can sit at a table, drink a latte, and still see your kid in the playroom.  It is heaven.  LOL  Nick is just about too old for the place, but he still finds things to do.

Mommy and Alec hangin at the tea room

A fireman/bee hybrid?

The rest of the weekend was spent watching movies, cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping.  You know, the usual weekend routine!!

Alec waiting for dinner in his typical dinner attire (diaper only).

The usual dinner antics

So...I have a plan to include more recipes on the blog this year.  I am aiming for 1 recipe a week, but it may be more like 1 every 2 weeks.  :)  Anyway, I am going to start off with this quick and easy pasta dish.
Disclaimer:  This is totally not my recipe.  All the credit goes to Andrea at Momfessionals.  BUT.... it was so quick, easy, and tasty, I just had to share!!!

Now, if you are looking for something healthy, this is not it!  If you are looking for something quick and easy on a busy weeknight, here ya go.

"Weeknight Pasta"

Andrea's recipe was meatless, but the hubs enjoys some protein in his pasta so I added in some sliced up hot sausage.  This would be great with some grilled chicken added in too.

Ingredients:
1 jar Marinara sauce
1 jar Alfredo sauce
Box of pasta
Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Cook your pasta according to the box directions.
While your pasta is cooking, mix up the marinara and alfredo sauce in a large bowl.  Mix in 2 cups of mozzarella cheese.  I also stirred in the cooked, sliced sausage.

When your pasta is done, drain it and transfer it to your big bowl.  Mix everything up and pour into a baking dish.
Cook at 350 for about 30 minutes (until hot and bubbly).  Add some parm cheese on top and cook another 5 minutes or so until melted.
Voila!!  Dinner is served!

Well, that's it for today folks!!  Enjoy your day and enjoy your week!  I've got a busy week ahead, but  I will definitely be back on Friday for Friday Favorites!!

Friday Favorites- yup, late again.

OK, I wasn't going to do them, but here I am with my Friday favorites!  I know you're excited!!! :)

Number 1:  Bath & Body Works Beautiful Day
I haven't really shopped at Bath & Body Works in a while, but I decided to take a quick stroll through while I was Christmas shopping.  $100 later, I emerged (did I mention I have a shopping addiction!??!).  My favorite find was Beautiful Day!  I can't get enough of this scent and the lotion is divine!

Number 2:  My new blanket scarf!
OK, I don't actually have it yet, but it's on its way!  And it's monogrammed!  I cannot wait to get this and wear it!  Thank you to Elaine at Honey Pie Accessories!  Check her out on FB- she has all sorts of cute stuff!!!!

Number 3:  Starbucks Very Berry Hibiscus
Yes, it has been -10F (Yes, NEGATIVE 10 DEGREES) here several mornings this week and normally that would prompt me to crave a hot drink, but sometimes (like when you're frantically shopping with a toddler and a 5 year old at Target), you just need something cool and refreshing.  Enter the Very Berry Hibiscus!  Sooo yummy and low calorie too!!

Number 4:  WreathsByRobyn
Of course my favorites would not be complete without an Etsy shop.  I love decorating with wreaths and this lady has one for every season and holiday!  She even does sports teams ones!!   I already ordered a Valentine's Day one (see it below) and an Easter one and I am pretty sure there will be a few more in my future!!

Number 5:  New Calendar
I LOVE this calendar!  It's called Out on the Porch ( I found it on Amazon).  I have it hanging up at work and every time I look up and see the pretty pictures,  it brightens my day!  If you are still looking for a 2015 calendar, I highly recommend it!

There you have it folks!  Hope you all have a beautiful and warm weekend!!!

Linking up with Andrea at Momfessionals!!

And

Friday favorites- late again

Man, I'm late to the party again! Oh well, better late than never.
I guess I can say this year is off to a great start.  I made one resolution.  I made a resolution to try a Cronut this year.  Well friends, I did it!  Success!  :)

Seriously though, I haven't made any real resolutions.  I plan to though.  You know, something along the lines of eat better and exercise and lose the 25 pounds I have gained since having Alec.  I have a feeling that one will be a little harder to complete than the cronut!

BUT... on to my favorites!

Number 1:  Birthday parties!!
I love planning parties!  Sometimes when it gets to the day of the party, I wonder to myself WHAT WAS I THINKING inviting all these people to my house.  But...the planning part is so much fun!  Alec's birthday is December 28th and I was so pressed for time I really didn't go as "all out" as I had envisioned.  Instead we just had a small family party, but it was still lovely!  Here's some pics of the fun:

Starting out the day with a birthday donut

The spread

The cake- this kid loves Bob the Builder!

Yummmm

Happy birthday boy!

Next up I am planning a Star Wars birthday party for Nick and his friends at our house.  That one I AM going all out for!  Anyone have a Star Wars themed party before?  I would love some ideas/suggestions!

Number 2:  A good cup of cocoa
There is nothing like a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows on a cold winter's day!  And especially when it's in your favorite mug (thank you Rebecca)!!!

Number 3:  Funny birthday cards

So December 29th was my birthday.  I won't tell you how old I turned, but I will say I don't have much time left in my thirties.  :(    And yes, I find this very, very depressing!!  But this funny card from my boys cheered me up!  SOOOO them.  The only one more fitting would be, "Wipe my Butt." LOL  Oh the joys of motherhood!

Number 4:  A new wreath!

I love this new wreath I found!  It's made by Valerie Parr Hill and you can find your own on QVC (yes, I shop QVC)!!  I also got the matching garland.  I love it because I feel like it's wintery as opposed to Christmasy and will work perfect until I am ready to put up my Valentine's Day stuff. And I think it's super pretty!  It's hanging over my sink and it makes me happy when I'm doing dishes!  :)

  

Numbers 5: New Jamberrys!!

I am LOVING the new Jamberrys that have been released for Valentine's day!!  I already ordered some for myself!  I also LOVE the new color of the year wraps that have been released- Marsala.  Soooo pretty!!  So....  if anyone else loves them, or any of y'all want to have an online party and earn some free ones, I'm your girl!!!  Parties are completely online so it doesn't matter where you live... New Hampshire, Nevada, or New Brunswick!!!
You can shop at my site:  www.onlinejamswithkim.jamberrynails.net
And if you would like to book a party (I would LOVE to book some more parties...seriously, I do all the work and you just sit back and get free stuff!!) leave a message in the comments or email me at onlinejamswithkim@yahoo.com

THANK YOU!!!!

OK, that's it for today!   Welcome to 2015!  I hope it's your best year yet!!

Linking up with:

Andrea at Momfessionals

Five on Friday
Friday Favorites