Ehrmehgerd!

^^^This guy^^^ knows what's up! 

That's right! I went shopping. And got amazing cheap(ish) things that I am super excited to share! This shopping all happened because I am going out with a group of friends for work tomorrow night and I desperately need something to wear. So, I turned to my favorite thrift store... Goodwill. 

Now, I didn't find anything for going out, but I did find a few great deals! Check it out...

Score! 

The red (A says its coral) is a New York & Co. and the blue (which is really teal but I have a crap camera until I can afford something better) is from J.Crew. Both steals at $5 a pop! I also snagged a pair of Gap Trouser jean pants for $7, and a copy of Mean Girls for $2. All in all a good trip to the local Goodwill. 

On the way home from Goodwill, A and I stopped off at Avenues because we had noticed a "Store Closing" sign and guess what that means!?! SALE!! That is right, everything in the store is 70-80% off. Excellente. I ended up only buying one blouse but went back today to dig through somethings because I just *knew* there was more to find. This is what I found....

I scored a pair of white skinny jeans (which I am scared to wear but I've been doing a lot of blog reading and soul searching and I think I can do it) for $15.40, the lavender (I know it doesn't look lavender) blouse for $10.46, and that TOO cute dress at $14.98! Not too shabby, hey? 

When I left Avenue, I noticed Ross was still open, and who can pass up a good sifting through those racks? Not I. I got 2 GREAT deals! 

Do. You. See. That?!?

That's a double-headed snake belt. FOR $1.99! Ehrmehgerd! I died a little from all the excitement. I actually almost bought two of them because of the price and how amazing it really is. The top next to it is the beautiful blue and black lace that I am very excited to wear and it was a steal at $10.99. 

So, there you have it. This was my evening last night and tonight. I'm not much of a shopper, but when I get the bug, I love it! 

Happy hunting!

<3Tina

Slime Time Live!

EEERRRR!! EEERRRR!!! EEERRRR!!!!

If you watched Nickelodeon growing up, you know that that's the warning sign that you're about to get SLIMMED!!!! If you're Lori Beth you take it like a champ. I like to think I take after her in that way...

Except there was no warning sign... except for my mothers laughter when I told her I was trying this recipe.

Avocado Buttercream

I found the recipe on Food Network's website. It's an easy recipe by Alton Brown. 

You will need: 

8 ounces of avocado "meat" - or 2 smallish avocados

2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 pound of sifted powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

What to do:

Peel and pit the avocados.
Place the avocado into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment along with the lemon juice and beat until lightened in color, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the powdered sugar a little at a time and beat until smooth.
Add the lemon extract and mix to combine. 
If not using right away, store in the refrigerator.

This sounds easy peasy, right? Because I was planning on baking two dozen cupcakes, I doubled the recipe and subtracted the lemon extract (because I didn't have that in the cabinet).

Because I don't have sifter, I use this meshy strainer thing. Just shake back and forth and, voila!

Then I added the lemon juice followed by the sifted powdered sugar a little at a time.
Oh, and added two (blended) kiwi to flavor the frosting because I was going for kiwi-strawberry cupcakes. 

And I got slimmed.


This stuff was capital N, nasty. The flavor wasn't bad. It actually had really good flavor, but the texture was appalling. The first thing I thought of was Nickelodeon slime. Gooey. And gross.

Foul.

I'll let you know next time what I ended up making  :)
They turned out excellent. And no slime.

<3 Tina <3

Birthday Bliss

Do you remember the single greatest moment of your life?

I DO!

I mean this moment ranks up there with other special moments like:

1. Watching my sister marry her lurverr
2. Securing employment with a government contractor at a CAPS game (6 months out of school WOOT)
3. Becoming part of the greatest sisterhood I could EVER imagine! ΓH <3

***EDIT***
3a. Meeting the one and only Allie, my sidekick and radio co-host, in what might be the worst university lit class ever and becoming life long friends
***END EDIT***

4. Not dying from appendicitis....

...are you getting a good understanding of how great this moment was?

This.

Was the moment.

Every woman dreams of.

I was in the middle of straightening my hair when...

My very own Kitchenaid mixer had arrived at my doorstep!

HALLELUYERRR!

And it's PURPLE! Sweet baby Jesus!

So much baking will be happening! I've actually gotten to make a few things and will be sharing sometime this weekend. I have a couple of posts to do... one pretty lengthy and one major FAIL. I'd rather not show you how bad it was, but it must be done.

I finally finished my hair and was on my way to meet some friends.

I am one happy lady!
Thanks to the greatest momma and dad ever!
Look forward to some baking posts this weekend. 

<3 Tina