Frrozen Hot Chocolate Recipe

I am in Las Vegas on business and had this heavenly dessert at Serendipity at Caesar's Palace. It was amazing- so good. I did a little digging online and found the recipe!

Frrrozen Hot Chocolate
6 pieces (1/2-ounce) chocolate , a variety of your favorites
2 teaspoons store-bought hot chocolate mix
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
3 cups ice
Whipped cream

Chocolate shavings Directions: Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Place it in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted. Add the hot chocolate mix and sugar. Stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and slowly add ½ cup of milk until smooth. Cool to room temperature.In a blender, place the remaining cup of milk, the room-temperature chocolate mixture and the ice. Blend on high speed until smooth and the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Pour into a giant goblet and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Children's Book Recommendations

I was an avid reader as a teenager and am hoping to have a child that loves to read, but when I was pregnant I was completely clueless as to the best children's books. One of my baby showers was a book shower and it was perfect! The ladies showered me with their favorites- from their childhood or their own children's favorites. It filled my bookshelf with a wonderful collection that Abby Lu loves!

I also think having a big comfy chair in your child's room is a must. It has gone from the breastfeeding chair in her nursery to her favorite place to sit and turn the pages in her books. I hope she does homework in that chair one day!

These are her current favorites and all of them are on Barnes & Noble's website and many other places I am sure!

This book is simple, has fun cutouts and the last page says "Peek a You" and has a mirror. My child kisses herself in that mirror each and every time!
Munch was a birthday gift from my friend Alison (sorry Andrea! ha!) and each inside page gets smaller and smaller as the rabbit chews more of the page. Abby loves to feel the pages.Isn't this the book of so many precious memories for parents of many years? We read it to Abby every night in her bed when she was a newborn. I would realize I had recited her the whole book before I noticed it was upside down. I would just say the words from memory and exhaustion while staring at her drifting to sleep. It is now a bent up sticky book from the months of love.

This book is genius! My friend Caroline has mentioned it before- I am certain Abby's first 100 words will be from this book. It is big and study and she loves to look at it. I need to be more diligent in really reading it to her. It is such an easy read.

I had a hard time finding a board book explaining Christmas and Easter and this one met my criteria. It explains the birth of Jesus simply, with great illustrations and she can't tear the pages. Perfect!

These next two are books I look forward to reading:

Didn't we all read this one as a kid? I loved the girl who wouldn't take out the trash! I'm certain I'll enjoy this book all over again in a few years!

This last book is the Jesus Storybook Bible and was recommend by Angie Smith about two years ago. It is just beautiful! Every page is a work of art and the stories make the Bible come alive. I hope to learn my Bible better through this book and teach it to Abby.

Happy Reading!

Fantastic Foofa

Remember when I made this cute Foofa onesie inspried by Yo Gabba Gabba?

This is my sweet daughter wearing her Foofa today. She kept pointing to her belly and saying Foofa and Gabba. It was possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen and makes me want to make more Yo Gabba Gabba onesies! Of course, she could point to her belly and say DIRT and I'd still be smitten!

Guest Bedroom Makeover- All Americana

I have been wanting to upgrade my guest bedroom for months. It was really the hand-me-down room with our old bed, old bedding and random decor I didn't want in other parts of the house. Not anymore! I sold our old bed, nightstands and bedding on Craigslist and used the money to make some changes!

I purchased the headboard online and spray painted it in red! The stars were in my extra decor bin. The bedding was on super clearance at JC Penney. I love their American Living line! Most of these items were in the room originally, but now they seem to pop more. I did spray paint my quilt stand red. I really wanted an ornate rod iron stand, but haven't found exactly what I want. Two of these quilts were made by my husband's grandmother and the other one was a wedding gift from my mother.

I also threw in some matching picture frames from around the house and filled them with my sweet girls' photos.

One fun final addition, my stool growing up. Abby already loves using it to climb onto "Nana's" bed.

I hope you've enjoyed your stay at the Birdie Inn! :)

On the Hunt for Cute Navy Shoes

Black and navy do not match. I just can't do it. I own a pair of navy pants that seldom get worn, because I just don't have a pair of navy shoes I love. I own a pair of navy loafers from back in the day and I can't wear them in my right fashion mind anymore. I just can't. So, I am hunting for a cute pair of navy shoes. Perhaps you are too? Here are some great options I found!

How fun are these? The green buckles add a little personality to a simple well made navy wedge. I think these would be great with my navy pants or a cute little floral dress. Fun! Navy dressy patent sandals that aren't too granny! I like these with a navy summer suit or dress. Plus, since they are by Sofft, you know they won't hurt your feet! These sure are cute and I like the use of both navy and aqua blue!This is a unique shade of blue, but I just love the retro feel of these shoes. They also come in black and red in case the blue color is too limiting for you. It is for me. I really like these navy sandals- cute, comfortable and the blue is vibrant. You can't mistake it for black! These look so much cuter here. I love the big buckle and the price. They come in black and orange also! The reviews are not so kind in the comfort department. Ugh!

A perfect kitten heel in navy! Good work Calvin Klein! If I were a crazy (crazy because my feet would be killing me!) woman who still wore heels, these would be great. Classic navy patent peep toe would last you forever! Thank you Bandolino for recognizing young fashionable women like navy, too!

Lots of additional casual options from Birkenstock, Havannias, and the casual tennis shoes with navy! Happy Shopping!

If I Had One Million Dollars...

Why are navy blue shoes so hard to find? I want a cute pair to last many years since I know I'll only wear them on ocassion. I love love this pair for $749! I can't imagine being able to spend that on one pair of shoes!

Please Vote- Cute or Not Cute?

I am drawn to this purse- I have looked at it for months and now it is on clearance and I just can't decide if it is a little too Bohemian for me? So, vote- cute or not cute?

Recipe Organization

I have a fair share of cookbooks, but really use the recipes in my small recipe box on a regular basis. They include the handwritten recipes from college, the print outs from emails and blogs, and the note cards from friends after a must-have try at potlucks. My recipe box from my sister was crammed full! So, I purchases these from Paper Source and decided to give desserts their own box and I tell you, it is as full as the box of salads, meats, veggies, breads, casseroles!
I was even able to use dividers inside desserts to break up cookies, cakes, pies, candy and other.


On a similar note, the metal bread box from Target I've been sale stalking is mine! My girlfriend Tabriah bought me the red and turquoise one! I have the red one in the kitchen and the turquoise one houses my craft paints in the craft room. Thank you Tabriah!

No Guilt Banana Split Cake

I made this cake for my team at work this week. Of the 5 of us, 4 are trying to eat better and the 5th is tall, skinny and pregnant! I ended up bringing a lot of leftover cake home, but I'm not complaining because I love it! Banana Split Cake

Bake a yellow cake according to the box.

Once cooled, poke holes with a toothpick all over the cake.

Mix small box Strawberry Banana jello with 1 cup water and pour over cake.

Mix 15 oz. crushed pineapple (drained) with 1 tub cool whip and spread over the top. Chill and enjoy!

Super simple and very refreshing for summer!

May Desktop: I'm an Idiot

Here is your May desktop! Right click and save to your desktop! I'd love to know if you all use these as I just discovered I gave April 31 days and nobody told me! I feel like an idiot! So, do tell- do you use these and didn't notice my goof?