Giveaway on HIMYF Blog

I just entered the Smathers & Branson giveaway on How I Met Your Father Blog because I absolutely adore their needlepoint! I've had my eye on their items for awhile now but remember how I'm on a budget? I can look but I can't reach for that credit card! My personal favorite needlepoint design is:

Pink Elephant & Martini

So cute, right? And very appropriate for me! Fingers crossed I win this giveaway, I'd be one happy girl in pearls!

My New Favorite Accessory: Lilly Pulitzer Sweet Pea Necklace

I've been trying my absolute best to stay on my budget this summer & I'm proud to say I stuck to it! However, then came the End of the Summer Lilly Sale. My best friend and my budget's worst nightmare. Luckily, I stayed true to my budget promise and only purchased a necklace, which I've had my eye on for ages.

Sweet Pea Necklace: $19

Sometimes, a girl needs some new jewelry  in her life. Plus, I'm just doing my part to help the economy. Did you shop the End of Summer Lilly sale? What's your current Lilly must-have?

Thirsty Thursday: The Hurricane

With all the preparations underway for Hurricane Irene, try the Hurricane cocktail. I visited New Orleans last spring & of course had to have the famous Hurricane cocktail from Pat O'Brien's. It was delicious & I kept my souvenir glass, it's proudly displayed on my bookcase!
 Ingredients:
2 oz light rum
2 oz dark rum
2 oz passionfruit juice
1 oz orange juice
Juice of half of a lime
1 tbsp simple syrup
1 tbsp grenadine
Orange slice & cherry for garnish
 Preparations:
1. Squeeze juice from half of a lime into shaker over ice.
2. Pour the remaining ingredients into the shaker.
3. Shake well.
4. Strain into a glass. 
5. Garnish with a cherry & an orange slice.

Pat O'Brien's in NOLA 

Me Enjoying a Hurricane with Two Friends on Our Trip to NOLA

Hurricane Drink & Mix

Living Social Now in Gtown & Foggy Bottom

I'm a subscriber of Living Social deals but most of the time, they're not for restaurants & places that I can easily access. Being a DCist without a car, I rely on the Metro, the bus & my own two feet for transportation. So I was thrilled to say the least when I saw the email today from Living Social announcing they will now have deals in Georgetown & Foggy Bottom! I can't wait & you bet I'll blog about it!

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Whenever I come home from D.C., I always bake these cookies for my daddy. They're his favorite & are really fun to bake! 

Ingredients: 

1 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1/2 cup shortening 

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk 

additional sugar 

Hershey's chocolate kisses (unwrapped)

Directions: 

1. Mix shortening, sugars, egg, vanilla & peanut butter. 

2. Add dry ingredients & milk. 

3. Shape dough into small, identical balls & roll in the additional sugar. 

4. Place on ungreased cooking sheet. 

5. Bake 10 minutes at 350. 

6. Place a kiss in the center of each cookie until the edges crack. 

It's a simple, yet delicious recipe. Enjoy! 

Spread the Word to End the Word

The campaign to Spread the Word to End the Word is a cause near & dear to my heart because of my brother, who was born with significant developmental disabilities. I absolutely cannot stand when people throw around the word "retard" or "retarded," there is no difference between the "R word" and any other slur. So please, the next time you catch yourself about to joke that someone's retarded, simply don't. 

Wish List

I found this on Etsy and am pretty tempted to purchase it: my bedspread is Parisian themed and this would go perfectly with my room's decor!