Organized Chaos

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I have the best of intentions to always be neat and tidy, but as I get closer to needing to pack up my house after 3 years of renting, I'm realizing that I have collected a lot of stuff. I think many creative minds can agree, you tend to hold onto things that you think may come in handy one day down the road... old magazines, meaningful mementos, clothes you hope will be in-style again someday, etc, etc.

The thought of this stuff has been keeping me up at night. Seriously, you'd think I'd just get up and purge some of it to make me feel better! But, as much as I strive to simplify my life, there are connections to these things. Memories of people, places and good times.

This quote helped me to realize that sometimes the most fun and fantastic people still get a little lost in the shuffle of their lives... whether it's loosing your umbrella or a messy purse. So for now, I'm going to embrace my organized chaos and hold on to the things that mean the most! Afterall, I'm quick and curious and playful and strong!

Friday 5: Summery & Sparkly

Longest week ever, anyone? I'd sure say so! How about some pretend retail therapy to cheer us all up?...

1. I guess I'm still in the mood for shorts! Last week's pick are still on my list, but I've added these, too! {shorts $54}
2. I've always been one to love school supplies and these pencils are no exception! What a good reminder right there on your writing utensil! Wear sequins to breakfast? Well, ok! If you say so! {fancy pencils $12}
3. After a busy month of birthdays in April and a very special birthday coming up for my sweet nephew at the end of May, these cake topper sparklers are a good way to mix up the traditional candles on a cake! {sparklers $6}
4. For those mornings when time is not on my side, which is sadly more often than I'd like to admit, if nothing else, I must curl my lashes! Sadly, my favorite bargain curler has changed and just isn't doing to job anymore! It's time for an upgrade. Expect a full review on this baby once I've put it to the test! {shu uemera eyelash curler $20}
5. Perfect summer dress to take from the beach by day and dinner by night? I think so! {print maxi $88}

Mia Took On the Monster

...The Monster Cookie Recipe that is!

Let me back track a moment... last weekend my Mom and I grabbed lunch at my favorite salad spot, Dean and Deluca {sidenote: every time I eat there I pretend I'm at the Soho location in NYC and just stopping for a quick bite while I'm out shopping! Ohhh that would be so glam!}. Anywho, back to the story, after we had our healthy servings of greens, we shared a monster cookie. And.it.was.fabulous! So fabulous that I decided I needed to recreate the goodness.

Fast forward to a free evening spending some quality time with Mia.

If only you could smell the yumminess through your computer screen.

I found a basic oatmeal cookie recipe and adapted it to include peanut butter, chocolate chips and M&M's... and I think it turned out pretty darn spectacular, if I do say so myself!

Mia's Monster Cookies

1 stick of butter {softened}

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 teaspoons baking soda

4 1/2 cups old fashioned oats {not quick oats :)}

3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

3/4 cup m&m's candy

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Then, beat in baking soda followed by oats. Lastly, mix in your chocolate chips and candies!

Using an ice cream scoop, drop cookies onto baking sheet. {Tip: flatten cookies with the back of the ice cream scoop so there a bit concave in the middle... it will help them bake evenly so the sides don't get crispy!}

Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown!

ENJOY!

Cut It Out!

No, this isn't an arts-and-crafts/DIY post... I'm talking "cut it out" when it comes to dresses!

Remember back when I was recapping the Grammy Awards, I mentioned that my usual not-best-dressed pick made my best dressed list? No? Not so much? Let me remind you:

hollywoodlife.com

Well, I think I've found a way to incorporate that look into my wardrobe... if I can pull it off, that is! Check out this LBD I spotted on Kate Spade Saturday:

Saturday shape shifter dress

New summer staple? I think so!

Ughhhh.

someecards.com

Ugh. I hate crocs... and Monday's. I miss my weekend already!

Friday 5: Fresh for Spring

Well friends, sorry for the radio scilence yesterday. I guess the busy day on Wednesday sent me over the edge... not really, but the fabulous spring weather we were having earlier in the week did send my allergies into a tizzy. I was in bed all day yesterday with an awful sore throat. The kind that hurts enough that you can't even sleep. Such a tease feeling so yucky and still not being able to snooze. No fun! But don't worry, Mother Nature decided to dump more snow {yes, I said snow} on us yesterday and today! Hello May in Kansas!

Anyway, here's some fresh Friday 5 picks that are helping cheer me up!

1. These shorts belong in my closet. Well done, J. Crew! {can't find them online, but the dress in that print is pretty cute too for $138}
2. I picked these up this week for a friends birthday present... they were too sweet to pass up. {journal set $10}
3. How cute are these mini tassels all around this bracelet? I think this needs to be part of my arm party. {seed bracelet $22}
4. This cute set of piggy banks... errr owl banks... are so fun! I could see them displayed as a set in a china cabinet to add a little fun to the formal. {owl bank set $41}
5. Still in the decorating mode {and probably will always be! I think I was an interior designer in my past life}... these chairs caught my eye. Not my usual classic style, but I really love them! And so affordable for a set of 2! {retro accent chair set $195}

Big Day. Big Coffee.

It's one of those days... a lot on my plate and not a lot of time to get it all done! Somehow I know I just have to keep going -- with a little help from my friend, caffeine.

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Sorry it's short and sweet today... I'll be back tomorrow with a goody!