military and coral (27 weeks)

Can anyone tell me where March went? I feel as if it didn’t even happen and now here we are, on the very last day of the month. On most given days my goal is to not look as huge as I feel, with black being my best friend in that department. But today I needed color because today is going to be sunny and gorgeous.  It’s begging for color, and I aim to please.

maternity_jacket_maternity_style_bump_1 military_jacket_maternity_style_bump_2This day also marks the end of my second trimester (talk about things that are impossible to believe).  Less than 3 months to go, that is just crazy.  The last couple of months have been amazing which makes the ending of this phase of pregnancy bittersweet.  All that anxiety I felt at the beginning has subsided and finally I have enjoyed being pregnant much like I did with Jettie.  My heart and head have completely wrapped around this image of a little boy in our family.  It is hard not to smile every single time I think about it.  And as much as I will miss feeling his kicks and squirms (he is so very fidgeting like his dad) I can’t wait to see his little man face.

military_jacket_maternity_style_bump_3 military_jacket_maternity_style_bump_4|WEARING| military jacket similar/Liz Lange for Target maternity tank/H&M boyfriend maternity jeans/Target pumps/chain bracelet similar/beige tote similar

 

brandyjsig

 

 

 

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pink grapefruit margarita

Pink Grapefruit MargaritasIf you want the most refreshing best tasting margarita you have ever had then you have got to squeeze, squeeze, squeeze.  Basically nothing but fresh juice will do.  This particular version calls for the wonderfully bitter yet slightly sweet juice of pink grapefruit.  My mouth starts watering just thinking about it.  Which is really all I can do, think about it.  Official taste tester Sticky confirms this margarita is as amazing as it sounds.  And he wouldn’t lie (well, he might to his pregnant wife for safety’s sake).

Pink Grapefruit MargaritasNot being able to drink this may be a tad annoying but it really was a cinch to whip together.  Calling for a cup of grapefruit juice had me thinking I’d need quite a few fruits but much to my delight 2 were more than enough.  As for the limes I ended up using 4 between juicing, rimming and garnishing.  Of course this will all vary depending on the size of the fruits you have.

Pink Grapefruit MargaritasIf all that tart and bitterness has you worried add some agave or simple syrup.  What I wouldn’t skimp on is the salt.  It really helps bring out the flavor of the tequila and grapefruit.  Sneaking it into the mix instead of rimming the glass may be a good option for those “no salt” margarita drinkers.

Pink Grapefruit Margaritas Pink Grapefruit MargaritasJust slightly over a year ago we featured another grapefruit cocktail which became our first official break out post.  Awe…memories!  Hopefully this one will please just as much.

Cheers!

brandyjsig

 

 

 

pink grapefruit margaritas
 
Ingredients
  • 1 lime, cut in wedges, optional
  • Rock or kosher salt, optional
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (2 fruits)
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (4 limes)
  • 1 cup orange liqueur, such a Triple Sec
  • 1 cup white tequila
  • Agave or simple syrup to taste (optional)
  • 2 cups ice
Instructions
  1. Rub lime wedges on edge of 4 empty glasses and rim in salt. Fill each glass with ice
  2. Combine juices, orange liquor or triple sec and tequila in smaller pitcher and stir. Add agave or simple syrup to taste if you desire extra sweetness.
  3. Pour into prepared glasses and serve immediately with lime wedges. Cheers!
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 4
Posted in cheers!, Cinco de Mayo, recipes | Tagged | 25 Comments

free apps to organize and simplify

In the last two months I have been described as organized from two different individuals.  Say what?  Are we talking about me?  Rest assured I am anything but.  There is certainly a mass amount of physical clutter in my home but it’s my head that really needs the spring cleaning.  Wearing so many hats in a day can sometimes make me feel like I have accomplished nothing.  Often it’s so overwhelming that I’ll resolve to throwing in the towel and doing something wasteful (like online window shopping for these too cute for words cat measuring cups on amazon):41WHJNqM6qLSince online window shopping is unfortunately not one of my jobs, the hunt is on for better ways to organize my brain and simplify my day.  The last 2 weeks I have used and fallen in love with several apps.  From meal planning to professional organization these have helped my head and life feel a little more put together and less cluttered.  They also happen to meet my #1 requirement for almost all apps – they’re free.

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1 Evernote – are you a scatterbrain (specifically a creative one with tons of ideas swarming in your head)?  If yes, this is the app for you.  Organize notes, paperwork, ideas, photos, videos and check lists with an incredibly easy to operate interface.  I use this for everything from a PPJ post idea to documenting a receipt.  You can also sync your phone to computer for access anywhere!  Only downfall is if you want your entire life on Evernote you will need more space (which will cost you).  I am pleased to report the free version is more than enough for me (at least for now). 2 Key Ring – reward cards are so 2009.  Rid your keys of the bulk by storing all of their information in your phone for easy scanning at checkout.  No more searching through dirty worn out cards (or asking the clerk to look up your information). 3 BigOven – meal planning is something my life was in desperate need of.  Having used several apps I had all but given up that there was one that had the ease and versatility I was looking for.  Enter BigOven and all has changed.  Using their database of recipes or add your own favorites (from the web or even an image from a cookbook, yes, a cookbook!) you can easily create a weekly menu.  Think of it as pinterest but with a meal planner.  And the best part – PPJ recipes add brilliantly into this app. 4 ZipList – the simplest way to create a shopping list for yourself or send to that special someone shopping for you.  Includes a 300,000+ directory of recipes to add ingredients directly from.  Honestly though I enjoy the no nonsense list making and send aspect of it more than anything. 5 Groupon – yes, you more than likely already know about this wonderful site.  You may not know however, that the app will automatically update to whatever location you are in making finding the best local deals that much easier.  A gem for someone like me who doesn’t put much time into planning before embarking on a trip. 6 Ebates – ok, this may encourage the non-productive online shopping addiction (and really doesn’t help organize or simplify) but it’s fabulous.  Chose from over 1700 stores and receive cash back for shopping online.  Yes, you heard me correctly – cash back!  You’ll receive $5 from your first purchase for just joining.  Better yet, earn more by referring a friend.  Being rewarded for shopping feels like a dream except it’s not.

There are certainly times when my iphone can feel like it is doing anything but making life easier.  With the right apps however it can be your best friend in simplifying and de-cluttering the everyday.  Now about this house (and those measuring cups I don’t need)…

 

brandyjsig

 

 

 Have a favorite can’t live without app?  Please share with us!

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peanut butter cup rice crispies

My oven has been on more than it has been off this week.  Before this pregnancy began, Josh and I spent a lot of time trying to map out when “the best time” for me to be pregnant would be, with holidays many times calling for all-night baking sessions that we knew would not be healthy for me.  When I was pregnant with Adelynn I had a fairly easy pregnancy, but found it hard to be on my feet for more than 15 minutes at a time without fainting, which is sort of a big issue.  They say no pregancy is a like but with this small heart condition we couldn’t help but feel like I needed to steer clear of big baking holidays like Christmas and Valentines Day, just to be sure I wasn’t in over my head.  The funny thing is, when you really pull out your calendar and try to map out 9+ months, there really is no “good time”.  There’s just God’s timing, and it comes whenever He sees fit, and suddenly it makes more sense than your plan ever did.  Now that we are on this journey, and beginning our second trimester, over and over I find myself thankful that it’s not my plan, because lets be honest- I was never a planner anyways.  This is the time, right now, and all is well.  (Actually, more than well really.)

Back in the fall, I signed on to help sponsor Hope Spoken, a conference in Dallas hosted by a few bloggers that I deeply admire (Casey Wiegand & Danielle Burkleo, along with a few others!).  Hope Spoken is this weekend- so lots of cookies are going out my door and headed their way, and I couldn’t be more excited for these ladies.  Finding a balance between work and extreme sleepiness has been so challenging (as it is for every working mother), but weeks like this- so very awarding.  Causes like this make my heart happy, and being able to help in a tiny, edible way is the best thing in the world.

We’ve been powering through this busy week with these dangerously good little peanut-buttery-heaven-crispies.  Simple and yummy, with no oven time required, which is good because my oven is indefinately occupied.

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peanut butter cup rice crispies
 
Ingredients
  • 6 cups Rice Crispies cereal
  • 16-18 Reese's peanut butter cups, chopped
  • 5 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp light corn syrup
  • 1 (10 ounce) package mini marshmallows, plus 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • ⅓ cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Line a 9x13 dish with alluminum foil, and butter the surface of it.
  2. Measure cereal out into a very large bowl, add chopped peanut butter cups, and mix to combine. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Add corn syrup and marshmallows, stirring constantly until smooth.
  3. Pour mallow mixture over cereal, and combine using a wooden spoon. (Your peanut butter cups will melt and fall apart a bit, but thats okay!)
  4. Press into prepared pan, and set aside to cool completely.
  5. In a small saucepan melt peanut butter, and then pour into a ziploc bag. Snip the end and pipe onto treats.
  6. In the same pan, melt chocolate chips until smooth, and then pour into a ziploc bag. Pipe over the treats. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.

Recipe slightly adapted from this recipe.
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Nom nom nom,
shansig

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bright bold lips

Bright, bold lips paired with nothing but a hint of mascara is all over this spring.  I love this trend because not only does it look fresh and young, but there isn’t anything more simple than this combo.  The tricky part- is finding the right shade for your hair and skin tone, and knowing how to apply your lip color. We agree that it’s worth the effort- there is something dreamy about this effortless look!

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If you are able, visit a counter and ask to try some swatches of bright hues before buying- but if not, here are some shades with rave reviews:
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1 Nars “Heat Wave” is a great bold orange tinged red. 2 Mac “Candy Yum-Yum” is their most popular matte pink.  3 Revlon “Tutti Frutti” is a bright but wearable orange, and you can find it at your local drugstore for under $10!

The Beauty Department has a great tutorial on making your lipstick last all day- WITHOUT liner!  Check it out, here.

shansig

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