Thoughtless Thursday...

Oh happy sunshiney day! And be proud of me, Miss Katie, I'm playing along in my first installment of Thoughtless Thursday! So a little background before we begin. Speaking of happy days, Mr. T and I went to our first wedding as a married couple this past Saturday for our dear friends Tera and Teddy. They did a private ceremony with family and close friends at a sweet little chapel in Brentwood and then came to town to rock it out at their reception with over 200 guests, a DJ, and an open bar! I definitely remember requesting "Imma Be" by the Black Eyed Peas and "Gold Digger" by Jamie Fox. And Lawd, did we ever cut a rug! Congrats, Tera and Teddy, and please know how insanely jealous I am of you two sunning your cute selves in Hawaii right now!

Props to my sweet friend Melissa (who you can see I adore) who was the Wedding Planner Extraordinare that day - she turned the Cannery Ballroom into the prettiest place you ever saw!

My favorite dancing partner...my HUSBAND! (I still love saying that).

With the lovely bride, Tera.

Cupcakes!

I was feeling very affectionate, I suppose. It happens at the end of a night with an open bar. :)

In other news, I have officially filled out my first NCAA Men's Basketball Bracket. I know. I'm shocked myself. I still think you can only REALLY love one sport, and we all know that mine is definitely football. But I wish you could see how excited the Hubs got when I filled one out. He says he knew a girl who picked her teams based on the color of their uniforms...and WON, people. Baby needs a new pair of shoes, so I figure it's worth a shot. Pun intended.

I'm predicting a Duke/Syracuse matchup. How about you?

St. Patty's Past

Marcie,

This is for you. :)

Love,

Your favorite leprechaun

A Letter To My 29 Year Old Self

Dear 29 Year Old Self,


Yes, you're turning 30 in seven hours. Quit freaking out about how old you're getting and that your roaring twenties are behind you and that 30 seemed so ancient just a few short years ago and instead, let's try and focus on the positive. And wow, there is so much to be positive about. In fact, I've made you a little list:

• Your laugh lines that are starting to appear mean you have found much happiness in these first thirty years. Always surround yourself with the people, places and things that bring laughter, and let it keep you feeling forever young.



• Your metabolism that is beginning to slow down just means you have to work that much harder to fight for that fitness you once took for granted. But your health has never been more important to you, and that is a very good thing.



• You can still rock a pair of skinny jeans and stilettos. Yes, your feet ache a little more than they used to but that is the price we pay to be fashionable. For now, at least.



• You still get carded, and it still feels good. Thank you, random waiter/stranger/bouncer/whoever for making my day when you do that.



• You moved to a new city two years ago not knowing a soul. That was gutsy. And the best decision you have ever made.



• You went on a blind date that ended up being your last first date.



• You just landed yourself a handsome, thoughtful, considerate, kind, hilarious husband, who wakes you up each morning and contributes to the aforementioned laugh lines every day.



• You just bought your first home. And picked the paint colors for every room. And persuaded the hubs that a tile backsplash and a wine cooler were in fact wise investments. And you were RIGHT.



• You still look forward to football season, and feel it is rather unlucky to not wear crimson on game day. Some habits die hard.



• On that note, your favorite football team won the national championship this year. Who says college football is only for those in college?



• You have a family that loves you, and a place to always call home.



• You've just added a new family that you truly love to be around, and you've realized that stereotypical theory of not liking your in-laws is just silliness.



• You have met wonderful new friends while not forgetting how dear the old ones are to you.



• You've let go of the people that don't add to your life, and clung to the ones worth keeping.



• Your faith has been tested. Your moments of questioning, searching and being held to the fire has shaped the person you have become.
  
  
• You've started investing in things that are outside yourself, and trying to really spend time on things that matter. And it feels amazing to not be so selfish for a change.



• You've realized that all those worried prayers that kept you up at night in your twenties have finally been answered, and that even better things are to come. How cool is that?

Happy 30th birthday,

Your 29 Year Old Self

Surprise! (aka 2nd Best Birthday Ever)

What a weekend! And I'm not just talking about that glorious return of the big bright shiny thing called the sun. No, I just pretty much had the most fantastic surprise pre-30th birthday party EVER. Which would go down as the best birthday ever, but that position is currently held by last year's 29th b'day, when Mr. T got right down on his handsome knee and proposed to me. So even though this year's birthday hasn't arrived yet, it has already shaped up to be right up there in second place.

So it all started with my husband, bless his sweet heart, and my friends Tera and Melissa, who used to be his neighbors. I pretty much knew the night I met them that we would be fast friends. Well not only do I love the girls, but it turns out Tera and I got engaged within two months of each other, and Melissa and I have birthdays that are exactly a week apart (hers on the 4th, mine the 11th) so we're also birthday buddies! Here we are celebrating her birthday at Germantown Cafe...

Before heading out in this way too much fun limosine! And yes, I am in fact wearing a faux fur coat. I figured it was my last chance before spring AND it makes me feel a tad rich and famous.

Yes, the newlyweds WILL gladly pose for a quick photo...

Until lo and behold, the limo pulls up to one of my favorite local watering holes and I saw THIS!


Along with about 20 of my favorite peeps who yelled "Surprise" at the top of their lungs when I walked in! I like to have fallen in the floor, yall! I had absolutely NO idea but was beyond stoked to have a surprise party - on my 30th birthday, nonetheless! They had the whole thing planned out to a tee, and going out for her Melissa's birthday was all part of their master plan to set up the surprise. I mean, are they the best or what? More pictures are forthcoming, but I'll leave you with one of the favorites from the night...which was blown up POSTER SIZE and definitely got a lot of conversation -and laughs -throughout the evening. (Which, in a nutshell, is that this was taken just before my friend Marcie's wedding in Birmingham last July, when her mom decided she should tease my hair to high heaven before putting it in an up-do for me. I hadn't seen the tangled mess she created until the photographer died out laughing and snapped this lovely picture.) So thank you, Marcie, for sharing this little beauty with the free world. I seriously look like a TROLL!

Friday Favorites: The Details

Goodbye, longest week EVER and hello WEEKEND! So I've chosen this fabulous Friday to post a few of my favorite "detail shots" from the wedding. We just got our proof album back from the photographer with over 500 photos, and while some are a bit repetitive (there are about 25 of me in the chapel just after our first look where I am posed in almost exactly the same way) there are some jewels in the mix too. Here are a few of my uber-favorites:



OK, I must admit - I seriously loved my shoes. They were the perfect shade of ivory but a little plain, so I jazzed them up with feathers centered around a beautiful pearl broach - which were actually a pair of earrings I found at Francescas! I got the gel insoles (a wise investment) and danced the night away!



I thought the perfect compliment to the girls' dresses would be a fun clutch they could use that night and everafter. So I commissioned a lovely lady out of London (shoutout to my girl Emma Gordon - check out her Etsy site to see all her creations) to design these satin handbags, and personalized them by having her stitch my maids' initials into the lining - a sweet touch! My bridesmaids wore midnight blue, so their bags were silver with a blue flower, and my junior maids wore platinum, so their bags were reversed!



Here are Stacy and Candice showing off their clutches in the Bride's Room at the chapel, just before showtime. Thanks to my other photographer, Marcie, who was on camera duty!




My beautiful bouquet, compliments of Caprice at The Enchanted Florist. Peonies make my happy, so naturally, that is what I chose for my happy day. They had an ostrich feather cuff to make it a bit more "wintry," and a glam-tastic vintage broach that I found at a shop in DC.



A close up of the aformentioned broach (again taken by Marcie). Isn't it fun?




Simple white feather wreaths on the chapel doors. Do you see a theme developing here? I just LOVED the idea of using them - they go along with the winter decor so well!



For the decor in the chapel, I envisioned lots of candlelight and a clean, simple arrangement of flowers . Nothing fancy, because the chapel itself is so gorgeous, I wanted it to take center stage. I loved this candlescape at the altar table. We garnished with magnolia leaves as a nod to my southern roots!



Love this shot! My maids carried lanterns in lieu of bouquets, which were lit up with lamp oil to give a soft glow. Total cost for all six? $70! That is the cost of one single bouquet, people!


Loved my bistro table arrangements! They really glammed up the reception in an unexpected way. Caprice added the crystals for a gorgeous last-minute touch - she is genius, I tell you.


Pinecones, silver manzanita branches, and more candlelight on a January night = perfect!


The coffee bar - complete with coffee stirrers that say "To Keep You Warm and Toasty" and a fun end of the night treat - donut holes!

Meet Pearl

BinB followers, meet my new car, Pearl. Pearl, meet my fabulous BinB followers! That's short for Bride in Boots, by the way. Catchy, no? I purchased Miss Pearl last night and love her already. Now I have nothing but kind things to say about White Lightning - let us take a moment of silence to remember her and thank her for protecting me in the crash - but Pearl is definitely an upgrade! I can't wait to figure out my Bluetooth thingamajig, so I can say "Call Home" or "Temperature 72 degrees" and it does without me ever taking my hands off the wheel. That is a nice little comfort after having an accident, when you think anything and everything on the road is out to get you! I am a 10 and 2 driver from now on!

So here she is, in all her glory. Check her out from the rear (don't worry, she won't mind).



And see her luxurious leather interior - complete with my only must, heated seats!


Standing out from the competition at the CarMax lot - which by the way, really is the way car-buying should be. Love that there is no haggle, no negotiating, no runaround. Quick and easy!


And according to automotive.com, is quite a buy. Here's the official review:

The Infiniti G35 offers the sporty handling of a rear-wheel-drive car and boasts one of the best V6 engines available today. The G35 comes in sedan and coupe variants. Either way, it's clear the G35 is intended for serious driving enthusiasts, with rear-wheel drive, a sports suspension, an available six-speed manual gearbox, and nearly 300 horsepower.
Yet these are practical cars, as well. The G35 sedan offers more interior space than other near-luxury sedans. Its daring design, with stacked headlamps, catamaran fenders, and short overhangs, gives it a unique look we find appealing. The G35 costs less than a comparable BMW or Mercedes, but it gives up nothing in handling and performance. Infiniti substantially improved the G35 for 2005, with richer interior materials, more horsepower, bigger brakes, and a more refined ride. And if you're really interested in hearing more (Dad), here is the Edmunds review.

Exhibit A:


Exhibit B:

A little update on how my last week has been spent: since the guy who hit me admitted fault and we knew my Accord was a total loss, several people thought it would be easy-breezy to get my check in the mail and have a new car in hand in a week's time. Um, not so much. First of all, I got assigned to the worst insurance agent at Traveler's (the other guy's insurance, I'm a State Farm girl) and I'm pretty sure he hated his job and hated me for making his job more difficult. I was offered a reasonable value for my car, but after doing a bit of research and discovering I could actually get a lot more if I had sold the car, I decided it was time to up the annie (my mother just kindly emailed me that "ante" is actually the word I want here - sheesh) and we started a little game of Let's Make A Deal. Problem was, he didn't want to play. In fact, he didn't even want to return my phone calls. And he also wanted to limit my rental car to five days from the day the offer was made, even though I didn't find the offer acceptable and was NOT going to be out of transportation just because HE thought five days was enough for me to find a new car. So I put my mad skills to work, spoke with his manager while he was out of town, had the rental extended another five days, and increased the total value enough to get one pretty little down payment lined up. Take THAT, Mister Miserable Insurance Agent!

So I plan to take advantage of the gorgeous weather we have lined up for the weekend and taking Miss Pearl for a spin with the sunroof FINALLY open! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Tuesday's Tastings, Part Tres

Dear Winter,

Um, excuse me. What in the world are you still doing here? It's March, for crying out loud. And you should be ushering yourself out the back door. Besides, I thought I told you to GO AWAY. Did I stutter? Did I not speak loudly enough? Could you not understand because of my thick southern accent? Well let me be good and clear - I might just go crazy if you stick around much longer. So the time has come for you to shimmy on back to Alaska where you belong. No more snow. Yes it's pretty but now it only ellicits a yawn out of the girl who was once so giddy to make a snowman in the front yard. No more dipping under 40 degrees, please. I'm tired of shaving only to have my chillbump-covered legs immediately back to their original state once I step outside. No, this gal is dreaming of days filled with the following:

Ice-cold lemonade in hand - check.

Kabobs on the grill - check. (Which means Mr. T in charge of dinner - double check).

A big heaping cone of gelato for dessert - Triple Check. (Or my personal favorite pit-stop, Tasti Delight, for you lucky local ladies).

So in the spirit of summer, this edition of Tuesday's Tastings will be dedicated to one of my favorite warm-weather foods, the amazing avocado.

I could truly eat an avocado every day - sprinkle it with a little sea salt and lime juice and you've got one delicious little snack that you feel only semi-guilty for. I mean, it's a veggie, right?

Now of course I could share my favorite guacamole recipe, or perhaps a yummy salad, but I've decided to feature a little number that's packed with healthy ingredients, and is perfect for bringing to an outdoor picnic once the weather cooperates. We can dream, right?

Black Bean and Corn Salad
submitted by The Sisters Cafe

2-3 cups black beans OR 2 (15 oz) cans black beans rinsed and drained
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups frozen sweet corn, thawed
1 avocado, diced
1 small red pepper, diced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
6 green onions (tops and all) finely chopped
1 jalopeno, seeded and minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro


Put the lime juice, oil, garlic, salt and cayenne in a small jar. Cover with lid an shake until well combined.

In a medium bowl, combine the beans, corn, avacado, bell pepper, tomatoes, green onions, hot pepper and cilantro. Pour the lime dressing over the salad. Stir well to coat.
Makes 4-5 main course servings or 8-10 side-dish servings.

The salad can be prepared a few hours ahead, but don't add the avocado until serving time. Refrigerate, and adjust the seasonings before serving.

Featured!

Extra, extra, read all about it! Here's some fun news for a dreary Monday...our wedding has been featured in the March issue of Her Magazine, now on newstands here in Nashville!



But in case you can't wait to get your hands on a copy, check out the article here. How much fun is THAT?!

Tuesday's Tastings, Part II

And there you were thinking I would forget! No way would I let you guys down after how nice you've been to me the past few days with all the sweet comments. So we're back for the second edition of Tuesday's Tastings, and today I'd like to switch gears and focus on what is perhaps my most favorite cocktail - to drink or to serve. Whether or not you like to have your drinks with some kick or play it safe with a virgin alternative (like my disciplined friends who are giving up alcohol for Lent), this little concoction can be made either way. Photos and recipes courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess, my go-to site for all things pertaining to entertaining. Once you feast your eyes on this lovely libation, I'm sure you'll find a reason to celebrate.



Sparkling Pomegranate Champagne

• 1 oz chilled pomegranate juice
• 4 ounces chilled champagne

Pour the pomegranate juice into a champagne flute and top with champagne. Enjoy!

*****

Sparkling Pom-Apple Mocktail

• 1 ounce chilled pomegranate juice
• 4 ounces Sparkling Apple-Pomegranate Cider* (chilled)
• mint leaf for garnish (optional)

Directions
Pour the pomegranate juice into a champagne flute and top with flavored cider. Garnish with a mint leaf.

*If you can’t find Apple-Pom cider, substitute with Apple-Cranberry or Apple-Raspberry instead.

P.S. I think this is the perfect cocktail to accompany a bridal or baby shower. It lends itself perfectly to a theme of reds, whites and pinks, such as the one featured here, don't you think? Tres chic!

So there you have it - my go-to cocktail that looks pretty and tastes pretty every time. Cheers!

I'm heading to Chicago for work tomorrow, so I hope to have an update on the new set of wheels by the weekend. Taking the Maxima for a test drive tonight!

Sister Needs A New Set Of Wheels...

First and foremost, let me say a GIGANTIC thank you right off the bat for all the sweet and thoughtful comments about my car accident last week. They would pop up throughout the weekend and make me smile and feel so very loved at just the right moment. Truly, they are appreciated more than you know! That was definitely a scary experience that I've thought a lot about since it happened (and replayed over and over in my mind the moment when he crashed into my driver's side - not a good visual) and without being completely melodramatic and sounding trite and cliche, it has just made me think about how precious life really is - and how one wrong turn, or even two inches of difference on the point of impact - can make a world of difference.


Honestly, it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise that it happened - one, because I walked away virtually untouched, which is truly amazing when you see the damage to the car - and two, because it has given me a nice kick in the pants. I'm not ashamed to admit that I needed it. I think I was getting WAY too complacent about life, going along my merry little way without thinking about how much I've been given and blessed beyond comprehension with, and how it is time to stop being so me-focused and set my sights on the stuff that really matters. It's so easy after the craziness of the wedding to welcome the change of pace of settling into more normal life and with that, beginning to take things for granted, such as my faith, my husband, my home, my job, my good life in general. And so from now on, I never want to have a day where I forget to thank the good Lord for being so incredibly good to me.


That said, while I AM here on this earth, I suppose a new set of wheels are in order since my little White Lightning is now a goner. Man, she was a good car. I feel almost bad that she got so banged up and I got nothing. It's like she totally protected me and took it all upon herself. Wow, who knew I would be so sentimental about a freakin' car? They really do become a part of you!


So unless I want to carpool to work with Mr. T at 7 a.m. every morning (and um, no I do not, because he chooses to get there an hour ahead of everyone else to get a jump start on the day because he's such a go-getter and I am just fine getting there during normal hours, thankyouverymuch) which I assure you would get ugly - I am not a morning person and am doing good to get there with matching socks on my feet - I figured I better start car shopping pronto. So Mr. T and I started the process on a glorious spring-like day yesterday, (yes, I went bare-legged for the first time in ages, and my freshly shaven legs wanted to dance at finally feeling something other than chillbumps!) and though we didn't have a lot of time, I think I've already got it narrowed down to three choices. So this is where you come in, dear friends. Help a sister out and let me know what you think. Yeah, yeah, I'll do my research on MotorTrend and Consumer Reports and all that jazz, but I want your input, my sweets. Because I really will listen.

In terms of colors, let me just say that I like to keep it neutral - so I'm thinking black, white, or silver, with a teensy-tiny slight preference to black, for no real reason other than it always seems to look super-sharp on the road. And let me also add that I'm not really a car person, because there are WAY better things to spend money on, in my humble opinion. And I'll probably be tired of whatever it is I buy in about five years anyway. But I do want it to be safe, I do want it to carry me into my child-bearing years (and yes, that is crazy to think about, much less type) and I do want to look like a total supermodel behind the wheel. What, I'm just being honest. So behold, my top three choices, in no particular order:



The Nissan Maxima - isn't she a beauty? My first car when I turned 16 was a Nissan Altima and I did love it, but I just think that Maxima is smokin' hot. Though I must say, the Downtown Nashville Nissan crew has already lost points because of an email reply I got from a car salesman whose name was signed "Handsome" Jim Ransom. Seriously, he put that in the signature of his email. Who really nicknames himself? Furthermore, who puts that on a PROFESSIONAL email? Seriously, dude. Major stock drop on that one.




Next up? The Acura TSX. Now the first car I ever purchased all by myself was an Acura 3.0 TL, which I luuuhved. She and I were tight. And she was totally tricked out with leather, sunroof, all the fun stuff. And I am crazy in love with the 2009 TL's but they're a tad bit out of my price range. But this little TSX is catching my eye - it's a little sportier, with a little more sass. Definitely a top contender.

And finally, the Volvo S40. No, I've never had a Volvo, driven a Volvo, or even had a friend with a Volvo. But somehow it keeps reeling me in. Perhaps it is because of it's super-safe reputation (isn't it supposed to be one of the safest cars on the road?) or perhaps its that I've never had any interaction with Volvos and I feel like cool people drive them. Again, I'm just being honest.

Now, I should mention that the new Honda Accords get a very close fourth place honorable mention ribbon. I mean, White Lightning did hold her own and was about as good a car as I'll ever find. But I figure if I have to make a change anyway, I might as well try something new. It's kind of like when you find a lip gloss that you love and you probably should just buy the same color when you run out but you feel almost compelled to try something different because you want to exercise all of your options. Well, buying the same car would be kind of like that.

So there you have it, friends. Thoughts? Opinions? Any others you think I should throw into the mix? (Oh! And for you Nashville folk, any special places I should look that don't have salesmen like "Handsome" Jim Ransom)?

Thankful...

Today, I write with a VERY thankful heart. Yesterday was pretty eventful for me, to say the least. I was leaving my office to go walk a friend's sweet dog on my lunch break, and just as I was pulling on to Broadway where it turns into 21st Avenue South (in front of Varsity Grille, for you local folks), a SUV coming the opposite direction plowed into the driver's side of my car. Thankfully, the side air bags deployed, which I didn't even know my car had, and they protected me from both windows shattering on impact, and who knows what other kind of damage. It was my great fortune that a wonderful man driving behind me witnessed the accident happen, and stopped immediately to check on me and stayed with me to give the police report and until Mr. T could arrive on the scene. Believe me when I say there really are good people in the world, and he is without a doubt one of them. I learned today that the other driver admitted fault, saying he looked down momentarily, completely missing the bend in the road. I can only speculate a cell phone or some other distraction was involved, and it has really made me mindful of paying attention when I'm behind the wheel. In fact, I've been a little hesitant to get back behind the wheel today, even in my super-safe Volkswagen Jetta rental car (complete with side airbags, which I made sure to request). So here's the last of my little 2003 Honda Accord, affectionately known as White Lightning... she has been declared a total loss and has gone on to Junkyard Heaven.


Just after the accident happened - look at how close that crash could have been to the gas tank!


My super fantastic awesome incredible side airbags, which protected me from all that glass shattering right into my head. The tender spot it left behind from hitting me is my own little love bump, and I'm happy to have it. Can you believe I only walked away with that bump and a few small scratches and cuts on my legs from the broken glass? Again I say, so thankful.

So do me a favor on this glorious Friday. Love on the ones that mean the most to you, and never for one minute take them for granted. Have that extra helping of whatever makes you happy. And above all else, make sure your car has side airbags! I'll begin car shopping this weekend, and you better believe that will be on the top of my checklist for my next set of wheels!

Tuesday's Tastings - The First Installment!

I know I'm probably beginning to sound like a broken record but I am OVER you, Old Man Winter. Skedaddle. Get outta here. Be gone from my life. I'm tired of tiptoeing to my car each morning and fearing all my neighbors are about to watch me slip and fall, only to crank said car and let it run for a good 30 minutes to get it nice and toasty before I can even think of driving to work. I've done the shivering all over, use my pinkies to drive because the steering wheel is too cold deal and it is NOT for this Alabama girl, so if I lost an entire tank of gas this week letting my car run, so be it.

Anyway, as I told Mr. T last night over a bottle of Pinot Noir and the Bachelor (don't even get me started on a recap - I'll just leave it at Vienna gets a big fat Boo Hiss in my book and he is a moron if he really picks her) all this cold weather makes me want to do is cook carb-loaded food, drink coffee or wine, depending on the time of day, and curl up on the couch. And if I'm doing those three things, it would be nice if I also wanted to pay the ole YMCA a daily visit. But dare I venture out in my layers of long sleeves and sweats only to peel them off once I get to the gym for my 30-40 minutes of cardio, and then put the darn things back on and shiver back out to my now cold car? I think not. So it's either Jillian on my OnDemand or nothing at all these days. And I fear that all those lovely little pounds that were shed before the wedding will be displayed in all their full glory come swimsuit season if this frigid, Alaska-ish weather keeps up much longer.

That said, I decided I would share with you lucky people my new obsession, MyKitchenCafe. I love how she always includes photos of what it is supposed to look like, and step by step directions that are easy-breezy to follow, even for a novice like me. As the dutiful newlywed that I am, I hit it up at least once a week for yummy new recipes to try out on the Hubs. Some he loves, like the homemade Hawaiian pizza that has now become a Sunday night staple, and some he claims to love but I know better, because he doesn't go back for seconds, but either way, he doesn't spit any out. So that says something. (And yes Mr. T, if you're reading this, I know you said you would rather eat my cooking than go out to a restaurant. Which I really appreciated, even though I know you were probably lying. Love you, honey.)

So for the first installment of Tuesday's Tastings, allow me to share with you a few gems that are currently making my mouth water. Feast your eyes on these carb-tastic beauties!

A panini for lunch, perhaps? This one is Smoked Turkey, Apple and Brie. Delish!



Artisan, sourdough or french bread, cut into desired slices
Shaved or sliced smoked turkey
4 ounces Brie cheese, wax removed and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 apple, cored and cut into thin slices (I used a Gala apple)

Place a single layer of brie on one slice of the bread. Top with sliced turkey, then with the apples and finally with another layer of brie. Place the other slice of bread on top of the sandwich. Preheat a skillet or indoor grill pan to medium heat. Place sandwich in the pan and top with a heavy skillet or panini press (I have a cast iron panini press I use with my indoor grill pan). Grill 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and heated through.


Creamy White Chicken Chili (for those oh-so-cold winter days when you need a variation from traditional ground chuck chili - I plan to try it tonight!)



1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon oil
2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies (if you like less kick, add just one can)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream

In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately. This is especially good served with tortilla chips. Makes about 6 servings.

Simple and Meaty Skillet Lasagna (all the taste with lots less hassle!)

3 (14.5 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, minced
Salt (I like sea salt)
3 medium garlic cloves, finely minced
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (these do not add spice - just flavor!)
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground beef (I used 80% lean)
12 curly-edged lasagna noodles, broken into 1 inch lengths
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup ricotta cheese (do not use fat-free)

Pulse the tomatoes with their juice in a blender or food processor until they are coarsely ground and no large pieces remain (in a food processor, that is about 12 pulses).

Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking apart the meat, until it is lightly browned and no longer pink, 5 to 6 minutes.

Scatter the broken lasagna noodles over the meat and then pour in the ground tomatoes and tomato sauce over the pasta. Stir in the basil and oregano. Cover, increase the heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring often and adjusting the heat to maintain a vigorous simmer, until the pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.

Off the heat, stir in half the mozzarella and half of the parmesan. Dot heaping tablespoons of the ricotta over the noodles, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Cover and let stand off the heat until the cheese melts, 2 to 4 minutes. Serve.

And finally, because I'm a tried and true fan of dessert, and these might be the best things ever:

Red Velvet Balls and Oreo Truffles (click for the full recipes to both, I'm just including photos, though I guarantee the pictures are enough to send you running)

I've tried the Oreo Truffles twice, and forgive me for saying this because I know I should be humble, but they are perfection! I made a batch on Valentines Day (at Mr. T's request) and brought some to work yesterday - they were gone by lunch time!

Are you hungry yet? Thought so. And please, feel free to share your own special recipes in the comments section. Like I said, I'm always on the lookout for a yummy weeknight meal!

Bon Appetit!

I Love Louise...

One of the best things I've discovered about blogging is the way it connects you with other bloggers, often times fellow brides, who are going through the same things you are when it comes to not having bridezilla-riffic meltdowns, attempting to document all the details of the big day, and then posting recaps that make you feel like you were right there in the room to watch their vows. There are so many awesome women right here in Nashville (see my link love on the right) that seem to capture this crazy chapter in one's life in such a fun and entertaining way through witty commentary, fantastic photos, and the like. But the best bloggers I have found and who keep me revisiting their blogs long after the wedding bells ring are those that make you feel like you've known them forever. Enter the lovely Louise, known to all of us in the blogosphere as The Thirty Something Bride.



This lady is the real deal, folks. I've never met her (which is insane, when you think we share a city) but I truly laugh out loud almost every time I read one of her posts and find even the most mundane details (i.e. why MissNowMrs.com is a total waste of time) so very fascinating. Which is why when she shared that she would start a real wedding feature, and would I happen to want to be the first one, I jumped at the chance. I just knew she'd make me look good. And better than that, it would be authentic, real questions instead of the typical "how did you meet" number taht seems to start off every questionnaire you see these days. And let me tell you, she delivered.




Head over to her bodacious blog right now and check our our real wedding feature, "It's Real, Not Fake" as fast as your little fingers will carry you. And then give that girl some big time blog love, because boy does she deserve it.

Man, this just made my Monday a million times better...

Mr. T's Valentines Gift

That's right, ladies. Sweet little ole Lil worked up her courage last Saturday and vamped it up in my very own Valen-tease boudoir session, shot by the super fabulous Noelle McCoy of McCoy Made. And can I just say she might be my new best friend. She is the sweetest thing EVER.


I really can't believe I got the gonads to do the shoot, but she made it so very comfortable and classy, and has the studio right in her beautiful home. I've been talking about wanting to do a shoot like this forever, and actually planned to do it before the wedding, but with the craziness of those last few weeks coupled with the holidays, I decided it would be much better to pose for a Valentines Day session instead. Lo and behold, she offered a special session (postponed twice because of the blizzard - talk about anticipation!) just in time. And can I just say that I. Had. A. BALL! Seriously, it was too much fun, and I highly suggest all you lovely brides-to-be, newlyweds, whatever - treat yourself to this because you will be SO glad you did one day! We didn't work on those wedding day bodies for nothing, right?

So obviously I won't be showing any of the photos, but just know that I am so very pleased with how they turned out. I didn't even recognize myself! I pick up my little black book album today at noon, and plan to give it to Mr. T tonight. I can't wait to see his reaction! He's going to freak!

We're headed to the Black Eyed Peas tonight (love you, Lindsey, for the hookup on the tickets) and to see Jim Brickman at the Symphony tomorrow (love you, Nashville Symphony, for being a client of Craig's and finding tickets to the sold out show!) so this is going to be one F.U.N. V-Day weekend. The Symphony is becoming our new tradition - we went to see Itzhak Perlman play on Valentines Day last year, and it was amazing. So much fun getting all dolled up too. I'm thinking I'm going to bust out my fur stole, just because. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy and happy.

As you can see here. :)

And here...

And definitely here...


Hope you all have the happiest of Valentines Days! My first as a married woman - woo hoo!!!