Thursday, March 28, 2013

This Idea Sucks

As many of you already know, Google Reader will be no more come the summer. This makes me super sad because it's how I read the blogs that I follow. So now I'm trying to figure out how to follow and read blogs in a new one. Apparently it's through Bloglovin'. 

I don't know who came up with this decision but frankly I think it sucks. Like really, really sucks. So now I've had to go onto bloglovin', create a profile and start trying to import the blogs that I read. This kinda takes the fun out of blogging and reading blogs. Does anyone else think this? 

Anyways, I've added bloglovin and I'm trying to add everyone. If you have it please let me know! 
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

It's Never Too Early

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my upcoming birthday. This year I will be turning 29 years old and entering my last year of my twenties. Honestly, that is scary as *bleep*! So instead of being terrified, I'm going to embrace it and make a list of things I want to accomplish before I turn 30. No... this isn't one of those 30 before 30 lists. This is just a few things that I'd like to do in the upcoming months to put the 20's out with a bang. 

So what would I like to do this year? I've been giving it a lot of thought. I'd like to do any of these activities....

Take a hot air balloon ride
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. I've drove across it but I've never walked it.
Tour Filoli
Tour the Coppola Winery in Napa
Go to Seattle
Visit the Aquarium in Monterey 
Tour Sierra Nevada Brewery
Go on a shopping spree at Ameoba 

Then there's always the hope that I'll get some fabulous gift. This year I'm hopefully going to be really lucky and my mom will be able to fly out and spend my birthday with me. Since I could have the potential of spending my birthday all alone, I'm really hoping she can get out here for it. As for the fabulous gift... I don't even know anything. I'm kind of at a point where I don't get my hopes up for anything. I guess I won't get disappointed or let down that way. Maybe I'll keep thinking on the gift ideas. Ha!

So when do you start planning your birthday ideas? 

Monday, March 25, 2013

Weekend Review

I would be lying if I said I had a relaxing weekend. Don't get me wrong... it was a good weekend but very busy. My weekends now run Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. Those are prime days for things going on around town. I'm actually starting to make friends in Sacramento and I was included in a few activities this weekend. That made me pretty excited! The weather was great all weekend and I started it off with a pretty sunset leaving work...
On Thursday, we hit up the Dive Bar again. I mean who wouldn't want to listen to dueling pianos and see mermaids swimming around? It's fun! 
When I mentioned Dive Bar last week a lot of people asked if the mermaids are in there the whole night? To answer that question, no they are not. They disappear every now and then but reappear. I don't know where they go or what they do. I'm sure they go up for air and to get out of the water for awhile. 

On Friday, I furniture shopped all day with my old roommate Ellie who lives in town. She was successful but I couldn't find anything except some glass, vintage grapes. I did end up buying a bed from her because she needed to make room in her house for her boyfriend to move in. It was a fun day together and it felt like old times, running around Huntsville together. That evening, I went to a dinner party. I was responsible for bringing a dessert and since one of the host is allergic to cocoa and chocolate, I scored a lemon meringue pie. 
 
On Saturday, I spent the morning moving in the new bed that I had acquired from Ellie. Then I went about doing all those tasks that you really don't want to do and put off till you can't put off any longer. I also took the time to make the famous mac and cheese (yes I know... I made it last week as well) along with pork chops. 
Once I ate, all I wanted to do was stay home but I got roped into a going away party for a really nice guy at work. So I hit Chevy's On the River and since I've usually never been to half these places before it was a new experience! I feel like I'm completing one of my goals that I made for myself this year that was to get out there and do more things! 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Last week when I posted about making some baked mac and cheese, I got a lot of request on wanting to know how I made this. I can't take credit for this recipe because it actually came from Shayne. It's by far the best baked mac and cheese I've ever had! It's also really simple to make!
Ingredients
1 lb Monterey Jack Cheese
1 lb Colby Jack Cheese
1/2 lb Velveeta Cheese
16 oz. Macaroni
3 Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Milk
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp paprika

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 
Cut all of the cheese into cubes. 
Cook Macaroni 
Mix together:
eggs
milk
salt
pepper
cayenne
paprika

Once Macaroni is ready, pour macaroni into a baking dish.
Mix in cubed cheese. 
Mix in milk/egg/spice mixture.
Reduce heat to 400 degrees. 
Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. 
Enjoy!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Weekend Review

This weekend I got out of the house and tried some new places. I made a goal this new year to actually get out of my comfort zone, go out and do more fun things. Well I'm trying to make that really happen! So I headed downtown and tried out two places. The first place was for a meal. It's called Pizza Rock. 
The food was really good. The place had a nice mix of people and wasn't too busy. I had the Gorgonzola cheese fries and they were tasty!

Once we left Pizza Rock, we literally went next door and hit up Dive Bar. I had heard about this place but had never been inside. They have dueling pianos and a huge fish tank above the bar. The tank is so big that they have an actual mermaid or merman swimming around in it. 
I thought the dueling pianos was the best part! The mermaid was kinda cool but odd. I wonder if their hands get water-log? One of my biggest issues when going out to new places is trying to figure out what to wear. I have tons of clothing but I can never gauge what to wear when going to a new place. After much consultation, I ended up going with some black skinny pants, a white top with studs on the sleeves and some silver flats. I fitted right in!

Then I spent the rest of the weekend doing homeowner projects. Let me tell you, I thought this was going to be an easy project.... HA! It's harder than it looks trust me. I had this giant hole right in front of my front door way path. It's near a fountain and I wanted to fill it and make it look pretty. I had been seeing ads in the Sunday papers for lava rock so I went with it. Five bags later.....
I think it completely changes how the front of the house looks and in a good way! I also added this cute little mushrooms to the path...
And I totally mowed my lawn! Like all of it. I have a huge front yard and a large backyard so when I mow it, I usually alternate every week doing just the front or the back because it's so much. This weekend, I did both. 
So there you have it kids, a very productive weekend! Hope all of you have a great Monday!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Social Sunday


Sunday Social

1. What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
Stay inside and watch movies

2. What is your favorite thing to do on a summer weekend?
Be outside. Swim. Basically anything outside.

3. What is your favorite spring activity?
Getting back outside. Having a clean car. Reorganizing.

4. What is your favorite way to spend a winter day?
Keeping warm. Snuggling. Watching movies and eating popcorn.

5. What is your favorite season and why?
I like the winter because of the holidays but I love summer!!!

6. What is the best birthday you ever had?
I've had a lot but I had a great time in Vegas for my 21st.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, Mad Max
Made in 1979, Mad Max stars yet to be famous, Mel Gibson as an Australian Main Force Patrol Officer. In a dystopic Australia with Earth's oil supplies exhausted, the justice system has began to break down because of the energy sources. It falls upon the MFP to guard the roads and keep people safe. When a motorcycle gang begins to wreak havoc on a town and everyone that they come into contact with Max becomes involved. It really gets personal for him when the gang starts to terrorize him and his wife Jessie and their child. 

Max takes them away to a remote farm in the outback to try and escape the gangs reach. When the gang finds them and tries to kill them, Max snaps and becomes a shell of his former self. He swears revenge and begins to methodically hunt down each member of the motorcycle gang to kill them. He can't rest until they are all killed. It consumes him and it becomes his mission. 

I had never seen this movie until now. I wouldn't say it was the greatest but it was definitely interesting. Mel Gibson is very young in this film and he's rocking his actual accent. Give this one a try, you might enjoy it! 

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

An Origami Owl Giveaway!

I'm sure a lot of you have been hearing about Origami Owl . Incase you don't know or you are unsure about what they really are, I'm here to tell you! 

Origami Owl Living Lockets are completely customizable and 100% unique to the individual who builds it. The lockets come in 9 different styles with 3 types of metal choices. Once you pick a locket you fill it with charms of things that you love, are passionate about, show off your hobbies, loves, career, etc. You can add a plate for LOVE or Sisters and many more. You can also add cute outside dangles and tags. These lockets help you share your story with the world!

This is my personal locket...
Small Gear Charm, J Initial, Vintage Typewriter, Diamond Stone, Film Camera, Pearl, Pink Stone, Airplane, Hummingbird

So wouldn't you love to share YOUR story with the world?!? Here's how you can! Since I'm an Independent Designer with Origami Owl, I've decided to host a giveaway

Since I've started working as a consultant with Origami Owl, I've seen how much people really enjoy these lockets. I love selling lockets and spreading the word about them. So all you have to do is go like my facebook page! Once I get 100 "likes" on my Origami Owl Facebook page, I'll host the giveaway! If you like my page you'll instantly be entered into the giveaway! If you refer a friend, let me know and you'll get a second entry! Simple as that! Here's the link to my Facebook page... Origami Owl by Jmomiller ! 

Monday, March 11, 2013

Life Lately

Life has been crazy the last week. I've got a big work project that's going to finally get put into action on Monday. I'll be glad once it starts cause that means I might actually get to slow down some. My 10 hour days have consisted of me working, coming home to eat dinner and then crashing. So let's recap this past week via Instagram...

I finally hung curtains up in my kitchen. It only took me seven months of living here. Win!
I added more pillows to my colorful bedding idea...
I channeled my best Zoolander impression while clothes shopping....
I spent an hour making baked Macaroni and Cheese...

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Sunday Social


Sunday Social

1. What is one movie you are terrified to watch?
Reservoir Dogs. I've seen it once and it deeply disturbed me.

2. What is one TV show you have always wanted to get into but haven't yet?
Gossip Girl

3. What is one daring activity on your bucket list?
Hot Air Balloon Ride. Think about it, you're in a little basket way up in the air!

4. Would you ever travel alone?
Yes. I have. I went to Elvis Week 2011 completely alone!

5. What activities do you like to do alone?
Currently everything. I enjoy reading and shopping alone. If I shop with someone, I feel like I can't take all the time that I need to, to pick out clothing etc. 

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, Don't Tell Her It's Me.
Don't Tell Her It's Me stars Steve Guttenberg as Gus, a cartoonist who is just getting over being seriously sick. His sister Lizzie (Shelley Long), a romantic novelist decides to set him up on a blind date with a reporter, Emily (Jamie Gertz) that she met during a press event. Emily however is sorta engaged to this dead beat guy who's out there cheating on her and looking for his next lay. 

Once Gus and Emily meet, Gus becomes infatuated with Emily and you could almost call it love at first sight. Too bad Emily doesn't feel the same way. She's not attracted to Gus at all and she doesn't know that he just got over cancer. Gus feels dejected and alone so Lizzie decides to give Gus a complete make over and change everything physically about him. She believes she knows the type of guy that will make Emily be attracted to him. 

Gus takes on a whole new persona and becomes Lobo. He works out, he's tan, he's got great hair and he even has a New Zealand accent! When Lobo meets Emily, she's completely thrown for a loop. She doesn't even recognize him or realize that it's Gus. So the lie begins and Lobo tries to win her over. When an accident brings them closer together and fast, Gus begins to wonder if he can really lie to win her heart and what will it cost in the long run? 

If you've never seen this cute movie then check it out! Steve Guttenberg use to be a hottie! And of course Shelley Long is funny as ever! I wonder what she's doing now?!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

A Victorian Mystery

It's now March and I'm on my 10th book. I'm moving right along on my 50 book challenge. Hopefully this year will be the year that I will read 50 books total. One of the latest books that I finished is, Mrs. Jeffries and the Mistletoe Mix-Up. 
This was the first book I've read by Emily Brightwell and the first book that I've read in her popular series that follows Mrs. Jeffries. The Mistletoe Mix-Up takes place in Victorian times in England and over Christmas. When a lover of art and artifacts is killed inside his own home on the day of a ruined dinner party, everyone in attendance instantly becomes a suspect. It becomes Police Inspector Witherspoon's duty to track down the killer and bring them to justice before Christmas Eve. 

The household staff of Inspector Witherspoon spring into action the moment they hear there has been a murder and that the case has fallen into his hands. Mrs. Jeffries and the staff have made it their job to secretly help their boss solve his cases and have established a routine for finding out any and all information they can to help in his success. Plus it helps that there might be a mutual attraction between Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon. Will the staff be able to track down the killer or will Witherspoon? Hopefully they can do it before Christmas because everyone is counting on finding the murderer before the holiday begins. 

I thought this book was really good. I couldn't guess the murderer before the end of the book. I also thought that the time period was a bonus addition. I'm adding the other books in her series to my read list! If you're looking for something to read, check this one out! 

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Sunday Social

Sunday Social
1. 5 songs you'll listen to the rest of your life
With or Without You by U2
Still Learning How to Bend- Gary Allen
Just Dance- Lady Gaga
Every Elvis Presley song
Set Fire to the Rain- Adele
2. 5 things on your bucket list
Travel to Egypt
Pet a koala 
Buy a vacation home
Take a hot air balloon ride
Have a baby one day
3. 5 celebs you'd love to hang out with for a day
Keanu Reeves
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Sandra Bullock
Will Ferrel
Conan O'Brien
4. 5 things you always carry in your purse
A Pen
Body Spray
Wallet
Phone
A Book
5. 5 books on your reading list
Across the Universe
A Night Circus
Dark Places
The Host
Legend
Have you read any of them? Thoughts? 

6. Share the last five pictures on your phone