tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43719085463290917922024-03-05T19:45:11.017-06:00creatively classyA simple girl learning to live in the big city...the creative and classy way of course!Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-31303164450135816132014-01-18T21:01:00.000-06:002014-01-18T21:02:32.939-06:00Losing a part of me...What a terrible reason to start back blogging, but what is a blog if not a place to vent? A place to talk, even when it's simply to yourself.<br />
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Facebook is filled with Judging Judys and I would write in a diary, but I'm almost positive I would lose it.<br />
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Today I'm happy I don't rock the blog world and have a gazillion readers because today's post isn't for you. It's for me...to hopefully easy the pain.<br />
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I lost a part of who I am this past weekend and I'm still wandering around wondering how to breathe again. My parents were the new couple on the street and I was the new baby with no grandparents. That didn't last long. She made sure that from day one I knew that she loved me. They both did.<br />
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All of the major moments in my life have her in them. Twenty-five years worth all the things grandmas are best at. The most recent was the day that they stood up, with the rest of my blood family, as my grandparents, on my wedding day. No questions asked. She wouldn't have had it any other way.<br />
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You would think that as many times as someone close to me has died that this would get easier. That the pain wouldn't be so debilitating anymore. Wrong. Something's different this time; something's worse.<br />
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Hear me out. When you are related to someone by blood, it's like you are obligated to love them. They are your family, no matter what. But what about when you aren't related? She didn't have to love me. She didn't have to treat me like one of her own for 25 years. But she did and that's what makes this so hard. I grew up with her by my side. Through all of this, the best thing that someone has told me was "She was an amazing lady and she helped make you that way too - don't forget that."<br />
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God, I miss her.<br />
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I don't make new year's resolutions. They are just meant to be broken, so what's the point? But this year is different. This year, the lady next door that I loved more than I ever could have imagined was taken from me in the blink of an eye. Why didn't I even know she was sick? Life got in the way.<br />
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I only need one...Cherish the people you love. Make time for phone calls, coffee dates, card games, unannounced visits and birthday cards because one day, they won't be around to enjoy those things with.<br />
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<br />Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-45016394360092009352013-10-29T21:26:00.000-05:002013-10-29T21:34:15.862-05:00Return to civilization and $5 digital downloadThe vicious cycle of not blogging for more months than one can count goes a little something like this...<br />
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<strong>Month 1</strong> - "It's only been a month and I have been super busy - I will apologize and be incredibly charming and all is forgiven right?"<br />
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<strong>Month 2</strong> - "Damn, I forgot I wrote that post but never finished it last month. Hopefully when I am traveling for work I can catch up on my posts in the hotel. *big promises*"<br />
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<strong>Month 3</strong> - "What the hell do I post that anyone who hasn't heard from me in 3 months will remotely give a shit about??" <br />
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Aaaand here we are. <br />
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So instead of talking to you too much, how about a special coupon?<br />
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The first 10 people to purchase this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/161623018/hello-gorgeous-5x7-download" target="_blank">little beauty</a>, will get the digital download for only $5 bucks! <br />
*5x7 color file - perfect for that lonely frame on your vanity ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOcfFx_AUcaZmSyo0CIZIWaiLh0TK8jvvYJ0EwJNRZje9JImLEsp5JkAbT8a9Mhma0sJ8o5K_YZfASlbXVxiyh71O7gQoTQlpqozE75aN8DetNpi18iS1gFUEbd-YlXH_aEz-7olC2dK8/s1600/Hello-Gorgeous-5X7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOcfFx_AUcaZmSyo0CIZIWaiLh0TK8jvvYJ0EwJNRZje9JImLEsp5JkAbT8a9Mhma0sJ8o5K_YZfASlbXVxiyh71O7gQoTQlpqozE75aN8DetNpi18iS1gFUEbd-YlXH_aEz-7olC2dK8/s640/Hello-Gorgeous-5X7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hurry and grab one before some other gorgeous lady gets it!<br />
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Happy Hump Day {almost}!<br />
- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-23190711794693657392013-09-13T11:23:00.001-05:002013-09-13T11:23:57.615-05:00New House Tour {Before}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The husband and I have been busy bees trying to get paint on the walls and furniture in the right rooms and I can finally say that the house is coming together!! {Slowly}</div>
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I am not quite ready to take the after pictures, but what are after pictures without before pictures??</div>
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So here is a little tour of the house before - excuse the DISASTER we didn't want to commit to anything yet lol</div>
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Home Sweet Home!</div>
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{View from the driveway}</div>
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Right side of fireplace </div>
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{View from front door} </div>
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Living room wall - behind couch</div>
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{Entrance on right leads into the hallway}</div>
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Main wall of living room - houses the fireplace</div>
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Windows in living room facing front yard</div>
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{View from breakfast area}</div>
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View through living room, breakfast area and 'mini mudroom' </div>
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The breakfast/dining area</div>
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{The area in the back has a small step down into what I call our "mini mudroom". It leads to the backyard}</div>
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Left wall {shared with kitchen} of the breakfast/dining area</div>
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P.S. - See the sticky notes? They totally have measurements and color names on them so we wouldn't paint the wall the wrong color!</div>
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Extra room that used to be the garage </div>
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{Ignore the duck...}</div>
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The entrance to the kitchen {View from the sink}</div>
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Kitchen sink and windows to backyard </div>
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{Same as above, but with the 'new' dishwasher}</div>
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The empty corner that is supposed to house a pantry, but doesn't</div>
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{This isn't a TRUE before pic, because that stove is new {to us} and waaaay better than it's predecessor}</div>
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Full bath complete with vintage retro painted tile!</div>
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Half bath also starring the painted tile...in teal!</div>
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Laundry room - it has a window :)<br />
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After pictures to come shortly, but for now I can only concentrate on one thing...<br />
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AGGIE FOOTBALL<br />
#BTHOBAMA<br />
#JOHNNYFOOTBALL<br />
#ROLLTEARSROLL<br />
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Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-16435795704415254082013-09-04T07:00:00.000-05:002013-09-04T07:00:04.088-05:00Life and It's LessonsWhen I was a kid I couldn't wait to grow up. I couldn't wait to get a "big girl" job, wear a business suit and drink Starbucks.<br />
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I couldn't wait to have my own money and a credit card - OH LORD, I wanted a credit card.<br />
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I wanted my own kitchen, so I could wear an apron and bake cupcakes {because that is the only thing you do in a kitchen, right?}<br />
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What I never thought about was what all of those things come with...<br />
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Like a credit card comes with interest rates; A kitchen comes with an electricity bill; A business suit comes with a dry cleaning bill and don't get me started on what comes with a "big girl" job. Being a grown up isn't always fun...WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME!?<br />
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Okay so while I sat around writing this I thought to myself - "Self, you sound pretty damn whiny..." And I was right.<br />
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After being with Ford for so many years, I realize (and then I forget and then I realize again - it's a cycle) that I take for granted all of the milestones and life changing moments that we have been through together.<br />
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Not everyone can say that they learned to drive with the one they love; or walked across, not one, but two graduation stages with the one they love; or celebrated their first legal drink with the one they love; or had the best and worst experiences in life in college with the one they love; or walked down the aisle and married the one they love; or lived together for the first time with the one they love; or any of the other wonderful things that we have added to our memory lane.<br />
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So where are we now?<br />
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Our first house together (it's a rental, but hey, a house is a house people) ---Exciting, scary, fun and stressful are the emotions we are sharing at the moment.<br />
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So here is to new adventures and figuring it out along the way. To cupcakes, briefcases and being a "big girl."<br />
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Count your blessings and live in each moment - you only get one chance.<br />
<br />Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-18248294526553996102013-07-08T11:27:00.002-05:002013-07-08T14:17:17.255-05:00Special Brownies...The Black Bean KindDiets are all the rage. Whether you're pretending you're a cave man or pretending you live in the Mediterranean, there is a fad diet for you to obsess over.<br />
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Recipes for these diets fill my Pinterest feed and I can't help but think that some of them actually sound decent. {And the photos aren't half bad either}<br />
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I have tried a few healthy dinner options and those work out just fine usually, because there are lots of things to supplement for fattie foods like heavy cream or a stick of butter. BUT - <em>and that is a big but</em> - I get really skeptical when it comes to "healthy" desserts, because how the hell do you make chocolate and sugar healthy and <strong>still taste good</strong>? <<VERY IMPORTANT<br />
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Well, since the summertime fat blues have officially kicked in, I figure it's time to try some, because sweets {chocolate specifically} are my weakness. I came across a great blog on Pinterest and hallelujah, it focuses on healthy food, desserts specifically!<br />
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Katie from <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/" target="_blank">Chocolate Covered Katie</a>, is a girl after my own heart and now her recipes are gracing my kitchen counters! {Well one is...multiple to go}<br />
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This weekend I started my "healthy desserts" journey with her recipe for <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/09/06/no-flour-black-bean-brownies/" target="_blank">black bean brownies</a> and I have to say that as I was adding the ingredients into my food processor, I was giggling to myself because I couldn't wait to serve these bad boys to everyone without telling them what they were. <br />
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<em><strong>Side note:</strong> I don't have kids yet, but I have a husband and sometimes I feel like he is a child... and I knew that if I handed him a brownie and told him it was made with beans he would immediately have turned up his nose and swore that he could taste them. In comes wife trickery...</em><br />
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So what was the verdict? 15 minutes after I cut them, there were none left!<br />
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<strong><u>Ingredients:</u></strong><br />
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<li>1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well) (250g after draining)</li>
<li>2 tbsp cocoa powder- dutch or regular (10g) (add a little extra if desired)</li>
<li>1/2 cup quick oats (40g) </li>
<li>1/4 tsp salt</li>
<li>1/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave (Honey will work, but not for strict vegans.) (75g)</li>
<li>2 nunaturals stevia packs or 2 tbsp sugar (or omit and increase maple syrup to 1/2 cup)</li>
<li>1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil (40g)</li>
<li>2 tsp pure vanilla extract</li>
<li>1/2 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/2 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (115-140g) (Not optional. Omit at your own risk.)</li>
<li>optional: more chips, for presentation</li>
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<strong><u>Instructions:</u></strong><br />
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except chips in a good food processor, and blend until completely smooth. Really blend well. (A blender can work if you absolutely must, but the texture—and even the taste—will be much better in a food processor.) Stir in the chips, then pour into a greased 8×8 pan. Optional: sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top. Cook the black bean brownies 15-18 minutes, then let cool at least 10 minutes before trying to cut. Makes 9-12 brownies.<br />
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I loved this recipe because I got to use products I have never used and now have on hand for another new recipe. Next time I think I will add nuts and double the batch because the 8X8 didn't last long at my house!<br />
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And the best part is, these bad boys are only about 115 calories each! Thanks Katie - I can't wait to try <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/09/09/cinnamon-roll-baked-oatmeal/" target="_blank">these</a>, <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/08/01/healthy-starbucks-frappuccinos/" target="_blank">these</a> and <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2013/01/25/worlds-healthiest-tater-tots/" target="_blank">these</a>!<br />
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<strong>What healthy recipes were you skeptical about, but loved once you tried them??</strong><br />
- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-77713595281071997672013-07-03T13:54:00.000-05:002013-07-03T13:54:31.198-05:00Five ways to make your spouse happy {man or woman}Normally when I see article titles such as "The Key to Making Your Wife Happy" or "How to be a Good Boyfriend/Girlfriend," I immediately skip over them and move on to something more fascinating like "Stars - They're Just Like Us". <br />
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Recently, I came across these two blog posts through the ever handy for useless information, Facebook and I have to admit, I clicked on them thinking they were going to be a complete joke, but Mr. Bo Wright of <a href="http://5minutesofyourlife.com/" target="_blank">5 Minutes of Your Life You'll Never Get Back</a> is one smart dude. <br />
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading about what makes a wife happy, <strike>sending it to my husband with a READ NOW title</strike> and then reading what makes a husband happy. <br />
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Even with his witty humor and sarcastic tone, Bo hits the nail on the head with both posts and it's nice to hear these things from someone who has been married almost 20 years. {Let's face it, marriage/dating advice from a couple who has been together for 5.5 seconds is more than irritating.}<br />
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Enough blabbering...you get the gist, now go read the posts on Bo's page <a href="http://5minutesofyourlife.com/2013/06/11/confessions-of-a-married-man-my-top-5-ways-to-a-happy-wife/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://5minutesofyourlife.com/2013/07/01/top-5-ways-to-a-happy-husband-yes-there-are-5/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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Agree? Disagree? Is he missing anything?<br />
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- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-76214349608343469332013-07-01T13:42:00.000-05:002013-07-01T13:42:05.643-05:00Eating my way through 25...<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks for all the sweet birthday wishes - it was a great one! My co-workers definitely made me feel special with this little party and wonderful husband sent beautiful flowers to my office. </div>
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My favorite part about birthdays {other than spending time with the people I love} is that fact that, in my book, you get to eat whatever you want on that day!{Or during your birthday week}</div>
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And that is exactly what I did...and I don't regret it one little bit!</div>
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I started my day super duper early with a heart healthy breakfast of a sausage and cheese kolache{apparently meat kolaches are a southern thing} and a donut! Mmmm...carbs</div>
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The foodie adventure continued with an amazing lunch with my co-workers at a build your own burger joint, The Counter. New restaurant for me and I was very impressed. They make hamburgers exciting and the choices are endless. And even though they don't have truffle fries, which should be a staple in one's diet, they have parmesan rosemary fries that are definitely a contender!</div>
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<em>{That's not me in the background...obviously. And that isn't my actual burger - that picture has escaped me at the moment...but you get the picture right?}</em></div>
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{Tip: don't go if your in a rush- it took me 20 minutes just to decide what to put on my burger!}</div>
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After work, I had a book club meeting <em>*nerd alert*</em> at Reef Restaurant in downtown Houston and if you haven't been, go. The owner and chef Bryan Caswell is not only a great guy, but makes the best damn seafood dishes in the state! {If seafood isn't your thing, try the sliders. To.die.for.}I skipped all that for this visit though and stuck to the most amazing adult milkshake a girl could ask for.</div>
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Oh and you can't have a milkshake without fries. Plus Reef's come with a sriracha remoulade sauce that should be consumed with a spoon!</div>
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After the book club, I jumped in the car and headed to my second home - College Station, TX. One of my best friends lives there and was in much need a of a girl's movie marathon weekend. I pulled it a 9:30pm to a slice of chocolate birthday cake - she knows me too well!</div>
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{The husband had a practice bar exam test all weekend, so this trip was perfect}</div>
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Lunch on Friday consisted of philly cheesesteak sandwiches, which were ooey gooey and yummy!</div>
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<em>Side note: I will be in the home of the cheesesteak sandwich in October and you better believe I will be having more of those bad boys!</em></div>
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Dinner was hand tossed pizza piled high with all my favorite toppings and Caesar salad. {No pictures - too hungry} We chowed down in the dark and watched a scary movie that I highly recommend! The Call with Halle Berry takes suspense to the max and definitely gets your heart pounding.</div>
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Sunday brought a long drive home to see my parents and siblings, another best friend, my husband and more cake, which was the perfect end to the perfect birthday weekend! </div>
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Here's to 25 and all that I have planned for it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe3cjb4rb8xQYHmJUK2-O3CmOjVojYtDicgRTn11HobCWdgjsDSV2z4A55KMXqf_aRPNHe3AGEC7WTPnxBtg1D-JYv43UZi_5L9_Vp_lazc2tMv830TWT-TCMWL8si02Gi_M41ATpbHPD/s1440/me+birthday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFe3cjb4rb8xQYHmJUK2-O3CmOjVojYtDicgRTn11HobCWdgjsDSV2z4A55KMXqf_aRPNHe3AGEC7WTPnxBtg1D-JYv43UZi_5L9_Vp_lazc2tMv830TWT-TCMWL8si02Gi_M41ATpbHPD/s400/me+birthday.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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- Lindsey Nicole</div>
Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-73260211133044128392013-06-27T07:00:00.000-05:002013-06-27T07:00:10.498-05:00The BIG 25<div style="text-align: center;">
Today's the day. The day I cross from early twenties into *gasp* mid-twenties! </div>
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And I am pumped.</div>
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I love birthdays, as stated more in depth <a href="http://creativelyclassy.blogspot.com/2012/06/its-my-party-and-i-cry-if-i-want-too.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and this one is no different. Sure, I have heard it's all down hill from here or that life after 25 isn't all peaches, but I'm still here with a smile on my face and people who love me so it's all good! </div>
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I am off to start my day, as an experienced birthday brat, filled with my favorite foods, friends and family - back to chronicle it all on Monday! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Yfu7rTV_tnWNna5SAkt7ZSeFfSSomrptRnBRUS6lG6lmUk-XU3hGx5oTvrRlMiq_qUfvzls0zkYqv1Wf2fjHQ01KJn-ku70gAzoH6Cwc3zlqbt-FKmrksuBEEg4FGc9wEQvWoAL55rL_/s1600/marilyn+birthday.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Yfu7rTV_tnWNna5SAkt7ZSeFfSSomrptRnBRUS6lG6lmUk-XU3hGx5oTvrRlMiq_qUfvzls0zkYqv1Wf2fjHQ01KJn-ku70gAzoH6Cwc3zlqbt-FKmrksuBEEg4FGc9wEQvWoAL55rL_/s400/marilyn+birthday.png" width="332" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Here's to the BIG 2-5!</span></div>
Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-4726711784749991312013-06-25T15:55:00.000-05:002013-06-25T16:15:30.958-05:00TUESDAY TOPICS: FIVE Memory Filled Songs<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.lifelovelauren.com/" title="Life. Love.Lauren"><img alt="Life. Love.Lauren" src="http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w421/TiffanyAustin922/TTround3jpg_zpsd4ae0f04.jpg" style="border: currentColor;" /></a></div>
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I loved doing this last week, so I am back for more! Surprisingly, this week's was tough and took me quite a while lol<br />
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<strong>{1} The Way You Look Tonight - Tony Bennett</strong><br />
<em>This was the song that my wonderful husband and I danced to on the best night of my life!</em><br />
<em>{And it makes me think of my favorite movie of ALL time - My Best Friend's Wedding!}</em><br />
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<strong>{2} Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle </strong><br />
<em>My daddy has sung/played this song for me for as long as I can remember and we danced to this {amongst many tears} at my wedding.</em><br />
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<strong>{3} Mama's Song - Carrie Underwood</strong><br />
<em>I had this one sung at my wedding as a surprise for my momma. After the father/daughter dance, I wanted us to have our moment too...still makes me cry!</em><br />
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<strong>{4} Remember Me This Way - Jordan Hill</strong><br />
<em>My older brother passed away way to soon and this song was played at his funeral. Hard to listen to even to this day.</em><br />
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<strong>{5} Texas A&M War Hymn</strong><br />
<em>Last, but not least, I am and forever will be an Aggie and bleed maroon, so this song always puts a smile on my face! WHOOP!</em><br />
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P.S. - Happy National Strawberry Parfait Day and National Catfish Day!<br />
- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-80873918356520496402013-06-19T10:11:00.001-05:002013-06-19T14:35:15.003-05:00I conquered a Pinterest braidDon't get me wrong - I love Pinterest, but sometimes it makes me feel inadequate! The thought of a super intense DIY posts or a fancy hair-do makes me sweat.<br />
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But last night, I conquered my fear and tried a braid style that I have seen a gazillion times and love the way it looks and it didn't turn out too bad!<br />
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Original inspiration My Rendition {Not a good picture, but you get it}<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OgPhrNb8lcfnBaA1yVei5AdIyAenZl773DLCfszdRfJdHaj1EhhDlDP-vvGxwfoaKpR7Uia3rGtEU1tohF-Xrtm9uRbP3ZWY1JzcJPaqXIYCvtL7QKzv4wI6Euh9l0tDVChF902fbUo3/s1600/twist+braid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OgPhrNb8lcfnBaA1yVei5AdIyAenZl773DLCfszdRfJdHaj1EhhDlDP-vvGxwfoaKpR7Uia3rGtEU1tohF-Xrtm9uRbP3ZWY1JzcJPaqXIYCvtL7QKzv4wI6Euh9l0tDVChF902fbUo3/s320/twist+braid.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYK3t77GzpupddT5ntwRt8r5HapNAczBNjelzgIIrJqrBPh1VYLLb-ZfoiE5Ama70mLPzHZFobsORocHXl0RjQYeH29QoUCLYF6ct8xf3RVEk6NAEj2CKzr1LNqK2178N93fZJFBzEtz_/s1600/waterfall+braid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYK3t77GzpupddT5ntwRt8r5HapNAczBNjelzgIIrJqrBPh1VYLLb-ZfoiE5Ama70mLPzHZFobsORocHXl0RjQYeH29QoUCLYF6ct8xf3RVEk6NAEj2CKzr1LNqK2178N93fZJFBzEtz_/s320/waterfall+braid.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I need to keep practicing because my hands got tangled up a couple time and I need a better way to secure it than bobby pins, because they keep sliding out. Maybe I will try a little rubber band like the original picture from the super cute hair style guru, Annelise, over at <a href="http://www.auniesauce.com/" target="_blank">Aunie Sauce</a>!<br />
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It's super simple once you get the hang of it - start like a normal braid {3 pieces}, but instead of holding onto the piece you cross over, let it fall and then twist the remaining new strands once. Grab another piece {to make 3 again}, cross it and let it fall. Twist remaining pieces and continue to repeat! <br />
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Now I'm motivated - what are some cute styles that y'all have conquered??<br />
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- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-18278935862850881332013-06-18T10:00:00.000-05:002013-06-18T10:00:18.984-05:00TUESDAY TOPICS: SIX Favorite Products<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.lifelovelauren.com/" title="Life. Love.Lauren"><img alt="Life. Love.Lauren" src="http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w421/TiffanyAustin922/TTround3jpg_zpsd4ae0f04.jpg" style="border: currentColor;" /></a></div>
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Apparently I have lived under a rock the last couple months and didn't know anything about this link-up, but now I do and I'm ready to jump in!<br />
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<strong>SIX FAVORITE PRODUCTS {KITCHEN EDITION}</strong></div>
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{1.} <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=16723&catId=9&parentCatId=9&outletSubCat=" target="_blank">Pampered Chef Baking Stone</a> - Large $33.00/Medium $25.00 - You will never use another metal baking sheet again. Whether you want biscuits, pizza, cinnamon rolls, cookies, etc this pan will do the job. You never have to preheat it, it pulls moisture from food so no soggy pizza crust anymore and the more you cook on it, the better the food taste because the pan becomes "seasoned." {It's even microwave safe}<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8SvrQtbiHKPeHpGX90uC9OnTmw1uBstqjBJFi57JrPaD9xUVuRvkYfbCbM2IpBHwdDfkZiUekdErLTWtNrDSxSRpEHN_T5IF1u9iBYrNVcTgIARHgq08MYtcBkuVkfahwhj4IvqyZaoM/s400/baking+stone.jpg" width="400" /></div>
{2.} <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=16755&catId=96&parentCatId=96&outletSubCat=" target="_blank">Pampered Chef Bamboo Spoons</a> - $10.50 - Never buy wooden spoons again! The bamboo is super tough and almost {except when stuck in the blender} indestructible. I have had the same set since college and the are perfect for both stainless steel pans and coated pans!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-q4-64J990m6jwa1kRqImBNVJX5AhnMdxwNO5_jIKAvr374oasVAx2IcgHU4l9TOKpXE3Xqlu59ZpSX-eJ4cNFx_Ww-xPq76OBDIbC4LeQT4-DoEDEvM6lMZk20h_igqjiOJKNFwox-P/s1600/bamboo+spoons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-q4-64J990m6jwa1kRqImBNVJX5AhnMdxwNO5_jIKAvr374oasVAx2IcgHU4l9TOKpXE3Xqlu59ZpSX-eJ4cNFx_Ww-xPq76OBDIbC4LeQT4-DoEDEvM6lMZk20h_igqjiOJKNFwox-P/s400/bamboo+spoons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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{3.}<a href="http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-676480/ninja-master-prep-professional-blender-food-processor.jsp" target="_blank"> Ninja Blender</a> - Average $65 - Best blender {that one can afford on a year's salary} hands down! The 6 blades that go all the way up the cylinder, instead of just the one at the bottom like normal blenders are the key to success here. Anything and everything blends so easily and evenly and the best part...3 different size removable containers WITH storage lids! AND the top piece, that supplies power, never gets dirty! Simply pop the containers into the dishwasher for easy cleanup people :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEGwxM0hxqgrnMaSD6lMHbGHMYFfXVWSe2WLaGjt1WQZU4sw-FnyHaQVHYkIjMMPxfaojMcdmG52E1GRvsVEZ-29OIwrquIXOk3Szja2d0u0870eCw4Tzg84NMFkNHu4pwTr3GbD55IG2/s1600/ninja+blender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEGwxM0hxqgrnMaSD6lMHbGHMYFfXVWSe2WLaGjt1WQZU4sw-FnyHaQVHYkIjMMPxfaojMcdmG52E1GRvsVEZ-29OIwrquIXOk3Szja2d0u0870eCw4Tzg84NMFkNHu4pwTr3GbD55IG2/s400/ninja+blender.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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{4.} <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=40969206&RN=975&" target="_blank">Cheese Knife</a> - Ranges from $15-$100 sets - Mine's a cheapy one and I couldn't be happier. $14.99 later and I have the best looking cheese in town! This knife will cut hard cheese and soft, mushy cheese without any problems and nothing ever sticks to the knife. The good ones are stainless steel and some {like mine} come with a warranty! Happing cheese cutting!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiQNfNNj8e4qag1ZKX4paRr3eosdZ1SdG6TEwckZSuUYXFsdFPTb_LfzCRiGS6OZIH4XEhJwmG_O8SnfyqhUw3KrKKnTRc-74CDZylvxg8o1qJd_yatb8zO20eEQ_UQ7wMruiWe-WQVNw/s1600/cheese+knife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiQNfNNj8e4qag1ZKX4paRr3eosdZ1SdG6TEwckZSuUYXFsdFPTb_LfzCRiGS6OZIH4XEhJwmG_O8SnfyqhUw3KrKKnTRc-74CDZylvxg8o1qJd_yatb8zO20eEQ_UQ7wMruiWe-WQVNw/s400/cheese+knife.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
{5.} <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=27482&words=measuring spoons" target="_blank">Pampered Chef Measuring Spoons</a> - $8.50 - One spoon for teaspoons and one for tablespoon and that's it! No silly rings filled with 16 different measurement spoons taking up all that space in the drawer anymore. Dishwasher safe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2SGeSGFxNrn5prs7ZmHCLTRZCr-w-Syd3XjALVvVkSJpIeai7GG7gjODgSQSBQNeM-a0AQWWVjmlD2TNsLE5THhE071xEhOcV81kqLCXHAN2l7eWngehuRoK7qwxYL3lfpsDARVe6w7C/s1600/measuring+spoons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2SGeSGFxNrn5prs7ZmHCLTRZCr-w-Syd3XjALVvVkSJpIeai7GG7gjODgSQSBQNeM-a0AQWWVjmlD2TNsLE5THhE071xEhOcV81kqLCXHAN2l7eWngehuRoK7qwxYL3lfpsDARVe6w7C/s320/measuring+spoons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
{.6}<a href="http://www.target.com/p/houdini-lever-style-corkscrew-with-foil-cutter/-/A-10434753" target="_blank"> Houdini Wine Opener</a> - Average $30.00 - Ever been embarrassed trying to open wine because the cork breaks? Ever have a bad day and need a glass of wine and can't get into the bottle? No more! The Houdini wine opener make opening any bottle of wine so simple, even for this girl, who doesn't drink very much wine I am always the one volunteering to open the bottle!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3AXcgs0kpWWapDTKSdoet_kqEn_rfsUpHID5xNbPAUo9WglT9JwV_mVRg2IupNRYjHmnzg-y3Wed0KHZ-TyUuvgVtuv_3qnX5eNomdsDo6OFmS1bYHL5_AlZz-tFxJ3RBGbKK2gGXgvk/s1600/wine+opener.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3AXcgs0kpWWapDTKSdoet_kqEn_rfsUpHID5xNbPAUo9WglT9JwV_mVRg2IupNRYjHmnzg-y3Wed0KHZ-TyUuvgVtuv_3qnX5eNomdsDo6OFmS1bYHL5_AlZz-tFxJ3RBGbKK2gGXgvk/s320/wine+opener.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><u>What are your favorite kitchen items??</u></strong></div>
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- Lindsey Nicole<br />
<em>{All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for any of the above reviews or recommendations}</em>Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-3464204738610126342013-06-14T08:33:00.000-05:002013-06-14T08:33:15.845-05:00Lemon Caper Chicken<div style="text-align: center;">
I love anything salty {much to the dismay of my cholesterol} and one of my favorite chicken dishes is lemon caper chicken. </div>
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I recently tried a new restaurant {Raffa's - for all my Lake Houston neighbors} and fell IN.LOVE with their Mediterranean chicken. </div>
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It had a lemon cream sauce and was topped with capers, mushrooms, olives, sun dried tomatoes and feta. It was to die for! </div>
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I decided that it was something I should try at home and so I began searching for a {somewhat trimmer} version of this dish. </div>
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Thanks to Jaime and Jen, at <a href="http://jjdishitout.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jaime and Jen Dish</a> I found a great, low-cal, recipe for a lemon cream sauce that was so yummy on grilled chicken. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHNWOj70WpLCBRtQkf346kScpvL1bETpgkrobeGE6_0D5_CsEHzLJA7R0qIhAvWHNV3AE2usbJNNAt3JNOLVYU75iYPxZHGHAlPtko-N_VlQfR1hzkbi0Ey2S_JSoyi-BQYukuVhU11Mc/s1600/lemon+caper+chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHNWOj70WpLCBRtQkf346kScpvL1bETpgkrobeGE6_0D5_CsEHzLJA7R0qIhAvWHNV3AE2usbJNNAt3JNOLVYU75iYPxZHGHAlPtko-N_VlQfR1hzkbi0Ey2S_JSoyi-BQYukuVhU11Mc/s640/lemon+caper+chicken.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">1 clove garlic, minced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">1/4 cup lemon juice </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">2 tablespoons capers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">1/2 cup low fat sour cream</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">Heat the oil on medium heat and cook garlic on medium heat until soft (about 1-2 minutes)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">Add your lemon juice, capers and lemon pepper and let simmer on low for about 5 minutes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">Add sour cream and let simmer for additional 5 minutes. {Depending on how lemony you like things, you may want to add a tad more sour cream}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Enjoy and Happy Friday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"></span>- Lindsey Nicole</div>
Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-45758375861254071362013-06-12T07:00:00.000-05:002013-06-12T07:00:00.363-05:00National Food Holidays<div style="text-align: center;">
Who doesn't love National Donut Day or National Margarita Day??</div>
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Who hates missing out on those days? The one day where you feel justified in that you can indulge in that normally off limits treats and it's perfectly okay...</div>
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Now you don't have to miss any of them. A friend of mine {who also shares in my hatred of missing food opportunities} sent me a link to a website that is truly a stroke of genius. </div>
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Now, if said site is legit, that is still out for discussion. But who cares, its a national food day for every day of the year...yes, thank you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSOqvbFhSW2lr93OvK7xAQvYtO0Et7-mxbQvbPn85u0_4nx5pNCV0YRRrbSt66orwjM0RSUPAlfKDO5gvuO49yHY7L6J2kMijxuKKTgCv8RxY8QPr6yiE2pOcDxcsKjDJQrdfIEZDnSrx/s1600/food+holiday+calendar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSOqvbFhSW2lr93OvK7xAQvYtO0Et7-mxbQvbPn85u0_4nx5pNCV0YRRrbSt66orwjM0RSUPAlfKDO5gvuO49yHY7L6J2kMijxuKKTgCv8RxY8QPr6yiE2pOcDxcsKjDJQrdfIEZDnSrx/s640/food+holiday+calendar.png" width="630" /></a></div>
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Check out every month <a href="http://foodimentary.com/today-in-national-food-holidays/" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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Go ahead, find your birthday, anniversary, lucky number, whatever - you won't be sorry!</div>
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- Lindsey Nicole<br />
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P.S. - Happy National Peanut Butter Cookie Day! YUM.Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-14049043509839773162013-06-11T07:00:00.000-05:002013-06-11T07:00:05.679-05:00Kitchen Cheat SheetI love food. I love to cook. I love everything that has to do with cooking and eating. Except for the parts I hate. Good thing I have picked up some sweet tricks of the trade to make kitchen duty easier. Take a look - here are a few amazing, quick kitchen tricks that everyone should know about:<br />
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<a href="http://creativelyclassy.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-cinnamon-rolls.html" target="_blank">Cinnamon Rolls</a>: Grab a can of crescent rolls and before you instead of tearing the triangles out just roll the dough into a rectangle and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Now roll it up like a jelly roll and slice into however many rolls you need! <br />
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<strong>Icing/Glaze:</strong> Don't have any canned icing? Don't have time to make icing from scratch in the mixer? All you need is water and powdered sugar. Mix 1 cup powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons water (depends on how thick you want it) and voila! <br />
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<strong>No more mess pancakes:</strong> I hate making pancakes because it is such a pain in the ass and makes a huge mess. {Especially when your husband makes them} Best fix ever: old ketchup bottle! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlJrWR18T0Btu_LyXaBiC8fkSX2BRWqWJ0uGvA8dj3KIw9LtDOHNAX8By0w1s-ynAhy_DybdLPtw_BT8VT9jilE-sGn5WAPyEHUIBdEhjvuQ3hYASBfclW32Hrc5pxJ__DxqyYHK3xwRk/s1600/ketchup+pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlJrWR18T0Btu_LyXaBiC8fkSX2BRWqWJ0uGvA8dj3KIw9LtDOHNAX8By0w1s-ynAhy_DybdLPtw_BT8VT9jilE-sGn5WAPyEHUIBdEhjvuQ3hYASBfclW32Hrc5pxJ__DxqyYHK3xwRk/s400/ketchup+pancakes.jpg" width="334" /></a></div>
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<strong>Quick Appetizer:</strong> Pour olive oil onto a plate and mix in your favorite spices. Dill, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, etc. Dip some yummy bread into it and your set.<br />
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<strong>Simple Syrup:</strong> Nothing is worse than sugar granules in your ice tea or lemonade. Mixing syrup in will get rid of that and taste just the same. Combine1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in sauce pan and heat until sugar is dissolved, mixing often. Once it's cooled mix it into anything that needs a little sweetening!<br />
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<strong>8 Minute Baked Potato:</strong> Who has time to wait for a baked potato to cook on the grill or in the oven?? Poke some holes in it and put in the microwave for 4 minutes and then turn it over and cook for another 4 minutes and it's done! (Unless it's a mutant potato, then it might have to a little longer)<br />
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<strong>Left over tomato paste:</strong> I have yet to find a recipe that calls for the whole can of tomato paste. And even though it's only like $.79, who wants to waste it? Just take tablespoon sized amounts and wrap them in cling wrap and freeze. When you some just unwrap and drop in the pan!<br />
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Photo from <a href="http://barefeetinthekitchen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Barefeet in the Kitchen.</a> She has a lot more amazing tips and YUMMY recipes you should check out!</div>
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What kitchen tips do you swear by??</div>
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- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-19798083982642291292013-06-10T07:00:00.000-05:002013-06-10T07:00:10.369-05:00Summer Time To-Do's {I'm Back!}Now that I can breathe a little and can get back to some level of normalcy in my life, I'm pumped because it's summertime in Houston and that, my friends, is my favorite time of year!<br />
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<em><strong>You know it's summer in Houston when...</strong></em><br />
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* The first order of business after walking through the front door - stripping. Too damn hot for lots of clothes.<br />
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* Your activities can be one of two places- indoors or in the pool<br />
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* Saturdays are spent on the lake, at the beach, in a puddle - anything with water<br />
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* You bring a jacket into any building with you because the AC is set on -10 degrees<br />
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But summer also means bathing suits and beach trips, watermelon and picnics, bare feet and shorts, sunlight until 9pm and even though I no longer live the life of a college student with nothing to do during the summers but subject my skin to the sun's evil rays 6 hours a day, I still can't help but feel more carefree and happier in the summertime. <br />
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{Let's just say I could never live in places like Alaska that have entire days of darkness - serious lack of Vitamin D.}<br />
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Some people think the heat makes them sluggish and tired, but summer time makes me feel adventurous. It makes me feel like trying new things, setting new goals and taking advantage of every extra hour of sunlight. <br />
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{Maybe it's a trick - more hours of daylight makes me feel like I get more hours in the day to do things or something} <br />
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<strong><u>Here are my summer to-dos:</u></strong><br />
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1. Clean out my closet. You know it's time when you run out of hangers.<br />
2. Join the YMCA and maintain my weight loss. Easier said than done, but it is swimsuit season right?<br />
3. Grow some herbs. How hard can it be? <br />
4. Blog routinely. And by routinely, let's start with at least twice a week for now, shall we.<br />
5. Try more new recipes. Now that we have roommates {that's another blog post} I have more people to cook for! <br />
6. On a food note - organize my recipes. Recipes on napkins and various scraps of paper is not cute!<br />
7. On another food note - blog my recipes/food adventures more. I always take the pictures and then never blog about them. <br />
7. Celebrate my 25th birthday with the people that I love :)<br />
8. Go to more blogger meet ups. I went to one and loved it - now I just need to go back!<br />
9. Get back into graphic design. I finished the website and the Etsy shop and then life got in the way. <br />
<strike>10.</strike> 11. Learn to count<br />
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What are your favorite things about summertime? Any summer goals? {We can be accountable together!} <br />
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- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-16059010115210049752013-04-12T19:30:00.002-05:002013-04-12T19:30:54.280-05:00When blogging gets added to a list of stuff I don't want to do99% of the time blogging feels like an escape, an outlet, a piece of the world that belongs to no one else but me.<br />
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The other 1% of the time it feels like just one more thing to add to the list of things I have to do that is already more than a mile long. <<<That has been the case for some time now.<br />
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But today - it needs to be that safe space for me to breathe<br />
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Right now, life is definitely hectic, but deep down I know that all of the things I am stressing over are positive things that will make my life better and more fulfilling, but are just scary to go through at the moment.<br />
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All good things in life are worth working for and that is what I have to remind myself everyday, because oddly enough it applies to every aspect of my life right now.<br />
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For someone who plans things for a living, I have to also remind myself that life isn't on my terms and, even though I like to think I am, I am <b>not</b> in control. God has plans for Ford and I and I have to stop thinking they are my plans.<br />
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Hindsight is 20/20 and it is easy to look back at a confusing and difficult time and say, "Now I understand why that didn't work out like I planned." But in the moment, it is much easier to feel like nothing works for you or that your prayers aren't being answered.<br />
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{One of my favorite quotes: If God answers your prayer, he is increasing your faith. If He delays, He is increasing you patience. If He doesn't answer, He has something better for you...}</h2>
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Sometimes it's hard to slow down and remember that, so tonight, this planner is going to slow down. She is taking a deep breathe. She is letting it all go, because it is crushing to deal with it all alone. </div>
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I am blessed beyond belief that my stresses are those that will bring joy to future and not those that bring pain to my daily life. </div>
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So happy Friday and thanks for sticking with me even when there is nothing new to read :) I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and remember</div>
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<i><b>If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans...</b></i><br />
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-Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-24784397594880042092013-04-04T06:00:00.000-05:002013-04-04T06:00:17.012-05:00Healthy! Crockpot Bourbon Chicken <div class="prep_box_w">
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<time datetime="PT15M" itemprop="prepTime">One of my favorite parts of going to mall is walking through the food court and unselfishly sampling from each place offering it - for the good of the company you know!</time><br />
<time datetime="PT15M" itemprop="prepTime"><br /></time><time datetime="PT15M" itemprop="prepTime">One of my FAVORITES is the bourbon chicken...I'm sure other people call it other things and if you don't live under a rock, you have probably seen the recipe on Pinterest recently. And surprisingly enough, it's not going to put you in the grave. </time><br />
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<time datetime="PT15M" itemprop="prepTime">{Unless you have high blood pressure - then stay away from this salt mine!}</time><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLx1bat7TOg0JenIQP2Lf0UG9NpMnGvZtHXbJv0fyKvEDpVz_nobykYZ4PeQJi7Z0SMxTQ_nyDoxiQe3SZW9RTkHA5YZO7Uwj-UZqTLWI8YZ_y0VKWLwCUsys1QOQF9qRxVqT1BSEgRu3/s1600/Bourbon-Chicken.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLx1bat7TOg0JenIQP2Lf0UG9NpMnGvZtHXbJv0fyKvEDpVz_nobykYZ4PeQJi7Z0SMxTQ_nyDoxiQe3SZW9RTkHA5YZO7Uwj-UZqTLWI8YZ_y0VKWLwCUsys1QOQF9qRxVqT1BSEgRu3/s640/Bourbon-Chicken.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><b>Note</b>: I absolutely, positively HATE cooking with chicken thighs. They give me the heeby jeebies - I guess I am more of a breast woman.<br />
<br /><b>Another note</b>: Because I use breasts, I chose to cook it on the stove so it wouldn't dry out. That, and I was being lazy and didn't want to come home at lunch and do the whole crock pot thing.<br />
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- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-79256829172858824882013-03-28T16:21:00.000-05:002013-03-28T16:21:06.051-05:00Kiki La'Rue Addicts Anonymous - You need this!<div style="text-align: center;">
Blogging is hard. Especially when your computer motto to live by is "rebooting fixes everything." Any conversation with the words "coding" or "html" and I'm ready for a drink!</div>
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{If only I had a "computer guy"...how does one get one of those? Someone told me getting married would fix that...}</div>
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Any website, blog, youtube video, voicemail or telegram that can help me learn I am all over it. I stumbled across a gold mine of a website and I am super excited to share it with y'all. </div>
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<em>{For those smarty pants who know how to do this with their eyes closed, just nod along}</em></div>
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Every time I have to create a button for my own blog or for someone elses, I cringe. I cannot for the ever living life of me remember how to do it...correctly. Something always goes wrong and then I get a freaking algebraic equation to try and decipher!</div>
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Well today, after an hour of trying different blog posts for help on this lovely matter, I came across a website that does it all for you!! {Because I am beginning to think all my issues are human error}</div>
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This <a href="http://www.mycoolrealm.com/sandbox/gbgen/" target="_blank">website</a> is a button code generator and all you have to do is fill in your personal blog site and image url and voila - a <strong>perfect</strong> button code with grab box!</div>
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{If I had only found this first --- many many many curse words would have been saved!}</div>
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Want to know what I created with my new bff? This lovely little button now lives on my sidebar!</div>
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<img alt="Kiki La'Rue" height="65" src="http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/lynsylou27/KLR-button_zpse13d6cb5.png" title="Kiki La'Rue" width="200" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.kikilarue.com" title="Kiki La'Rue"><img src="http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn63/lynsylou27/KLR-button_zpse13d6cb5.png" alt="Kiki La'Rue" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
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<strong>So for all you other <a href="http://www.kikilarue.com/" target="_blank">KLR</a> addicts, copy the code above and add this little love bug to your own blog and any time you need that shopping fix, she is only one click away!</strong></div>
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- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-2536273922263642162013-03-27T09:04:00.000-05:002013-03-27T09:04:12.602-05:00I've moved to NYC... <div style="text-align: center;">
I have moved today - to a little area known as <a href="http://www.twothirdshazel.com/" target="_blank">Two Thirds Hazel</a> and boy am I excited!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_9maYWbs0RIn9Pl2gElCSsTqISMGQtdcyxUevRXiUFKa1w0GhBU0gN_bkSNQ6ZYRLYk0DLSy0CZQH-p9fLvW-GRzo_r3DWPGLHwlcUFSn4QCEZlgAR3yqiPST-3_yTJ8aWsitjFlpOK9/s1600/two+thirds+hazel+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_9maYWbs0RIn9Pl2gElCSsTqISMGQtdcyxUevRXiUFKa1w0GhBU0gN_bkSNQ6ZYRLYk0DLSy0CZQH-p9fLvW-GRzo_r3DWPGLHwlcUFSn4QCEZlgAR3yqiPST-3_yTJ8aWsitjFlpOK9/s640/two+thirds+hazel+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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AND NERVOUS....Eeek, go check out why!</div>
<br />Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-20838278883722177332013-03-26T06:00:00.000-05:002013-03-26T06:00:14.734-05:00Calling all animals lovers<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyone who knows me, knows that I most of the time I prefer animals to people and would do anything for my Murphy boy!</div>
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I admit it - I am a frequent Animal Plant watcher and when I'm tricked, National Geographic too. I have recently discovered two of the cutest shows on television.</div>
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I''m talking super sticky, sugar sweet and you're in luck because I am sharing my secret tv obsessions with you!</div>
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First we have <a href="http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/too-cute-kittens" target="_blank">"Too Cute"</a> and as the name describe it is just too damn cute! They take 3 separate families who are raising a litter of puppies or kittens from infancy until they are old enough to go to new families. </div>
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<i>*Fair warning - the narrator is disgustingly cheesy, but what can you expect from a show about infant animals?</i></div>
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Second we have <a href="http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/unlikely-animal-friends/" target="_blank">"Unlikely Animal Friends"</a> and this show blows my mind every time I watch it! People tell their stories about a pet that has become a friend with the most unlikely of animals. Maybe a hippo and a giant tortoise...or a dog and an orangutan?! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgok0clpUU1VzicYGm0t7USoPFzaSg9mhld6wpw2VDJjwwgPGP1kYimCFyuDMrjoFKwe1_F28sJU3J-S0-zSmW4_E9emEbmpIqtYpI_ixnWXLlG5XYQA18kVfHxXHKnALxNdK9MSchqCtb/s1600/hippo+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgok0clpUU1VzicYGm0t7USoPFzaSg9mhld6wpw2VDJjwwgPGP1kYimCFyuDMrjoFKwe1_F28sJU3J-S0-zSmW4_E9emEbmpIqtYpI_ixnWXLlG5XYQA18kVfHxXHKnALxNdK9MSchqCtb/s640/hippo+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlas6M9RuPwC-NcePpciZJ7MANklgBMFH6r3n2lBob9VQnRd4woWOl5pzrE6ZcvTzNUghNI_I6Q-aWCcGe9jFHv7AoFELOKqe54jFBIDBon1pCt6N1fNSeNKyhBWYBNpJaL3G7bcGNp0bg/s1600/dog+and+monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlas6M9RuPwC-NcePpciZJ7MANklgBMFH6r3n2lBob9VQnRd4woWOl5pzrE6ZcvTzNUghNI_I6Q-aWCcGe9jFHv7AoFELOKqe54jFBIDBon1pCt6N1fNSeNKyhBWYBNpJaL3G7bcGNp0bg/s640/dog+and+monkey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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{This show is definitely one for the whole family, as the testimonials are easier to stomach than the child like announcer on the 1st show. }</div>
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The complete innocent and genuine love that comes from animals is truly amazing - no judgment, no conditions, no rules or requirements. Obviously being of the same species doesn't matter to them either! </div>
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So if you are in the mood for something that will bring a smile to your face and make you squeeze your pet a little tighter, definitely check these two shows out!</div>
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- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-27177260390233120822013-03-25T06:00:00.000-05:002013-03-25T06:00:19.144-05:00Food Truck Festival 2013<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Food trucks have swept the nation as the next big thing and now, especially in Houston you can find one just about on every corner! </div>
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But once a year, more than 30 trucks gather in one spot and you can eat your little heart out. </div>
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{And then go home and take a nap because you will need it!}</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Welcome to <a href="http://www.hautewheelshouston.com/" target="_blank">Haute Wheels Houston!</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3vwkeDmaOhX4JiTrE3eKCBxmYolZ4p2OAgNSaiOx7ckXCAnBRlsfeAktb0bgnN9qcndATMTznpsHAETdEn9VK8WBPr6Pa0UBQ9x2ozwzJmXqp4LRhX2w3uiuJleAKc13A7QJnpaO3cWt/s1600/food+festival+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3vwkeDmaOhX4JiTrE3eKCBxmYolZ4p2OAgNSaiOx7ckXCAnBRlsfeAktb0bgnN9qcndATMTznpsHAETdEn9VK8WBPr6Pa0UBQ9x2ozwzJmXqp4LRhX2w3uiuJleAKc13A7QJnpaO3cWt/s640/food+festival+sign.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The 3rd Annual Houston Food Truck Festival</i></div>
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<b><u>Here are some tips for those foodies who want to attend next year:</u></b></div>
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1.} Only take one car - or if you can walk there. The parking fills up so incredible fast and be prepared to sit in traffic to try and park</div>
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2.} Get your tickets online - they sell them at the door, but they only allow 2,000 tickets per day and they sell out quick. </div>
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3.} Review the trucks that will be there online first and know which ones you want to try ahead of time</div>
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4.} Choose your top few trucks because the lines are LOOOOOONG and you can't do they all in one day! </div>
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5. Do not base your choices on people complaining about said long lines...every truck that was worth eating at had longs lines. </div>
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6.} DO NOT EAT BEFORE! </div>
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<b><u>Here were some of our favorites from this year's festival {in no particular order}:</u></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://Www.goldengrillhtx.com/" target="_blank">The Golden Grill</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSups4eTfEHWKcuHBO1fhnzcCANrN0L7g_4yh-8o9Drxakj7APF2Suv5B9mpyYwhQVg8po_4n7Dl4ZxTirpvRGyEGRVkl-C9CFVyIj2n6Qpi-xYVq-CYS7seHX4dkRlwtPbR8VuSZvxaiC/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSups4eTfEHWKcuHBO1fhnzcCANrN0L7g_4yh-8o9Drxakj7APF2Suv5B9mpyYwhQVg8po_4n7Dl4ZxTirpvRGyEGRVkl-C9CFVyIj2n6Qpi-xYVq-CYS7seHX4dkRlwtPbR8VuSZvxaiC/s640/photo+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Traditional grilled cheese meets gourmet ingredients - sign me up!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvRw3g0AePwiQfaW7zWxiyvTucWtJwPBtXqhyxgq8SvcN0dpVYJ5w7SnHkEXxyukPU12kM1Q_0jce8XIFzXbS9fZzvGi7vR0Gh11L6UylDgXMT1tqiFu7LVBwC2HPQAg2_ZW_b3v35MAa/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvRw3g0AePwiQfaW7zWxiyvTucWtJwPBtXqhyxgq8SvcN0dpVYJ5w7SnHkEXxyukPU12kM1Q_0jce8XIFzXbS9fZzvGi7vR0Gh11L6UylDgXMT1tqiFu7LVBwC2HPQAg2_ZW_b3v35MAa/s640/photo+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Busted!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP6UOrZIJ5QDCEdosUB2I8iuPAi2EeSJdH-0Y3YIqOh8l6erjJ77VwZY0bfqype2r2Qtm0XTIZzdusSF9gJml1J3kJAee3hTVStVzHrZ4YOQB13XalSyxLZo_1APL-uk65w54whuGQmQ0/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP6UOrZIJ5QDCEdosUB2I8iuPAi2EeSJdH-0Y3YIqOh8l6erjJ77VwZY0bfqype2r2Qtm0XTIZzdusSF9gJml1J3kJAee3hTVStVzHrZ4YOQB13XalSyxLZo_1APL-uk65w54whuGQmQ0/s640/photo+5.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT I ATE: </u>The Market Sandwich - Local tomatoes, fried egg, arugula, goat cheese on whole wheat bread</div>
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<b><u>WHAT I THOUGHT:</u></b> These guys do an amazing job pairing decadent cheeses with everything from simple everyday foods to things you would never think of like specialty jams. </div>
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Let's just say I will be adding an egg to all my grilled cheeses from now on! </div>
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<i>{Check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheGoldenGrill" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page}</i></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chilantrobbq.com/index" target="_blank">CHI'LANTRO BBQ</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmQo2cNGB6NniZvZtn387l_u0c_BCOTI8SRg1-A7Z25Zji4ieS0H3XWpqQrDmdQQknvXUtDaKzf80z3wV1C7O77XOCBxFD6tZl3rbpYJ1Xrp0DWZGkziESntXs8h6S059UTqHvt24yRrw/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmQo2cNGB6NniZvZtn387l_u0c_BCOTI8SRg1-A7Z25Zji4ieS0H3XWpqQrDmdQQknvXUtDaKzf80z3wV1C7O77XOCBxFD6tZl3rbpYJ1Xrp0DWZGkziESntXs8h6S059UTqHvt24yRrw/s640/photo+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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^^^ Korean + Mexican Fusion = enough said folks!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMyMewymWL0LyAx3AuIlvVP0tQtsad8TsnPvCLkNFiclHQiEJwBmyKDP7iguLGX3Zji_tK5aTLsLk5ttiCTjgrNPmjVBAPKhUAJr14o2kFG-inaXwyQK0zTDzQty5uFwHX-aAsyzwpgy3/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMyMewymWL0LyAx3AuIlvVP0tQtsad8TsnPvCLkNFiclHQiEJwBmyKDP7iguLGX3Zji_tK5aTLsLk5ttiCTjgrNPmjVBAPKhUAJr14o2kFG-inaXwyQK0zTDzQty5uFwHX-aAsyzwpgy3/s640/photo+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This truck had one of the longest lines of all the trucks and I still couldn't decide what to get after waiting all that time! Everything looked and SMELLED so amazing!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMdqgixs7DE2R7CZFKedbL5wUo-w3-lroxnEVtmAZgY7st7fcn62Qv_8dze42-LlHSLs_zg4SUZJRm569p_vsw39UH4OOIWtHrIKHaWYaiuCBPPUTDjUao9rRXy8hV9FCZQBH0t0CH0_z/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMdqgixs7DE2R7CZFKedbL5wUo-w3-lroxnEVtmAZgY7st7fcn62Qv_8dze42-LlHSLs_zg4SUZJRm569p_vsw39UH4OOIWtHrIKHaWYaiuCBPPUTDjUao9rRXy8hV9FCZQBH0t0CH0_z/s640/photo+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>WHAT I ATE: </u></b>Chicken Kimchi Quesadillas - Caramelized kimchi, Bulgogi, cilantro, onion, Chi'Lantro salsa, magic sauce and sesame seeds.</div>
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<b><u>WHAT I THOUGHT:</u></b> When can I go back??? Can I have one of everything else??? I am so glad we waited in line for this one!</div>
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I will also say, I am super sad I didn't get the Kimchi Fries too --- I am dreaming about them after seeing people eating them! {Lunch next week??}</div>
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<i>{Check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChilantroBBQ" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page}</i></div>
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Last, but not least</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.monsterpbj.com/" target="_blank">MONSTER PB&J</a></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDBtiuSR2lSb6LUhMa5YMNQ0ITJABKsQCN6e3i77YrGISw8w2ceTzuAQvHoshagBaNFZ3PDoza5tp96mLGBbRK-uCnLhR29_TxW2smlq4IsaenCEGiTDIXfZocS5_8fYY8OQ1eRn918aa/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDBtiuSR2lSb6LUhMa5YMNQ0ITJABKsQCN6e3i77YrGISw8w2ceTzuAQvHoshagBaNFZ3PDoza5tp96mLGBbRK-uCnLhR29_TxW2smlq4IsaenCEGiTDIXfZocS5_8fYY8OQ1eRn918aa/s640/IMG_2056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><i>"He's a one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater"...anyone else?</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">Here's how it works: Choose your size, bread, nut butter, fruit, sweetener. Then have them cut that bad boy into whatever shape your mommy used to and your set!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_yP5mn0u-EPYnaVre7oS9-pjEm_Lo-XYJFJPNJxsUJOA7GN-yXo7nLgPQv3CfmR-BLa8iyEnCRGJBBf41MqUWWHjBzJQJdMbq-6Isu7rMkfrnGeSq-VEC9dAMp6fBhrbOR7j5w2qluGv/s1600/pbj+menu.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_yP5mn0u-EPYnaVre7oS9-pjEm_Lo-XYJFJPNJxsUJOA7GN-yXo7nLgPQv3CfmR-BLa8iyEnCRGJBBf41MqUWWHjBzJQJdMbq-6Isu7rMkfrnGeSq-VEC9dAMp6fBhrbOR7j5w2qluGv/s640/pbj+menu.png" width="438" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsPpCQ1s9XIAPJ7rBP7b77-GqQa-yKdqnPIsV3V417R6HwgEzkiwBGn_sjHnI_SovC_-Gp5ULiTYMxf9ho9zmd_DmrhPwfjjpx2fLQo1S2XxAVWDWq7pPmhTKOBN8QqE_S9kccT-4juQq/s1600/IMG_2060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsPpCQ1s9XIAPJ7rBP7b77-GqQa-yKdqnPIsV3V417R6HwgEzkiwBGn_sjHnI_SovC_-Gp5ULiTYMxf9ho9zmd_DmrhPwfjjpx2fLQo1S2XxAVWDWq7pPmhTKOBN8QqE_S9kccT-4juQq/s640/IMG_2060.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<b><u>WHAT I HAD:</u></b> Cashew butter, strawberry jam, sliced bananas and Nutella - grilled and cut into 2 triangles</div>
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<b><u>WHAT I THOUGHT:</u></b> Holy Hell Batman! Why couldn't my PB&Js as a child taste like this?? I also love the way you can personalize your sandwich, because who doesn't love to feel special?! </div>
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<i>{Check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Monsterpbj" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page}</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9G0-Ju1zEeYF9a3vj35wOa5kjOnDUPZxejuQ1YelAiZRMzHSWItxa9_bSWm399rjHhl_O6Rd-jDPOXVqOMYAezZpB9qk0SO230TUOWuXsfYulRYiPXgiiiHGwGYAS1jaxMm_ru7v5-ZZ/s1600/pbj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9G0-Ju1zEeYF9a3vj35wOa5kjOnDUPZxejuQ1YelAiZRMzHSWItxa9_bSWm399rjHhl_O6Rd-jDPOXVqOMYAezZpB9qk0SO230TUOWuXsfYulRYiPXgiiiHGwGYAS1jaxMm_ru7v5-ZZ/s400/pbj.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i>{They also win 1st place in my heart for best truck/marketing and design - look how cute he is!}</i></b></div>
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Now that I am so full, I cannot breathe - I hope you enjoyed my reviews and if you ever see one of these fine food trucks while in Houston, STOP AND EAT!<br />
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<b>You will not be sorry!</b></div>
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- Lindsey Nicole<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*All reviews were 100% my own opinion and I was not compensated in any way for these reviews</span></i><br />
<br />Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-79247560907822973122013-03-22T06:00:00.000-05:002013-03-22T19:15:38.839-05:00Honey Lime Grilled ChickenEveryone who is "trying to eat better" eats A LOT of chicken and eventually trying to find new ways to cook chicken is like trying to find an outfit for an important event in your own closet!<br />
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We all know it's easier to just go buy something new right?! Same with eating - easier to just go pick something up!<br />
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But that defeats the purpose - so I have been scouring Pinterest and other blogs to find new healthier recipes that may or may not involve chicken.<br />
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Here is one I made the other day that was a winner:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI0IR50UawXfaHd60jsTf-bu0FE0crMgDLtCX_dEUYuitCb2X1pXX98VCs6llZmEfltZPee5rL-1HMQ2Gi8ACAloYfrFh4-k2Crh496PJfkjO-bhDi0VqkCE3g3NQL6K4LRRuKwZ1lHsV/s1600/Honey-Lime-Chicken.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI0IR50UawXfaHd60jsTf-bu0FE0crMgDLtCX_dEUYuitCb2X1pXX98VCs6llZmEfltZPee5rL-1HMQ2Gi8ACAloYfrFh4-k2Crh496PJfkjO-bhDi0VqkCE3g3NQL6K4LRRuKwZ1lHsV/s640/Honey-Lime-Chicken.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Courtesy of <a href="http://kitchenmeetsgirl.com/main-dishes/honey-lime-chicken-skewers/" target="_blank">Kitchen Meets Girl</a> - she has so many yummy recipes!!!</i></span></div>
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<b>Note</b>: I chose to just cook mine in the skillet because I live in an apartment and grilling requires driving to the pool area.<br />
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<b>Another note</b>: I only marinated for 1 hour and I felt the flavors would have been stronger had I gone longer.<br />
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ENJOY!<br />
<br />Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-85280405593697828442013-03-12T10:44:00.002-05:002013-03-12T10:44:36.265-05:00Wanted: Grown Up Advice<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember when you were a kid and the answer to every problem was "Ugh, I can't wait to be a grown up!" (Well that and a cookie) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUT6OPrpjaF1a7v3Ru9qWk-kZwMOaL8wlKITqan3vpBlUHMV4hAC-MptE2NYMtP6GZuTFptIBaKjbSZ2c3Qn0hYMZzdNoLY5Vmofy-BZ96jlRgstkMV4GBKJ-iPBVpEvQNAKA9T0SdRbk/s1600/kid+with+cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUT6OPrpjaF1a7v3Ru9qWk-kZwMOaL8wlKITqan3vpBlUHMV4hAC-MptE2NYMtP6GZuTFptIBaKjbSZ2c3Qn0hYMZzdNoLY5Vmofy-BZ96jlRgstkMV4GBKJ-iPBVpEvQNAKA9T0SdRbk/s400/kid+with+cookie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As a bonified? Grown up, I can officially say my new answer to every problem is "Ugh, I wish I was a kid again!" </div>
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Don't get me wrong, being a grown up has its perks - alcohol, husbands, dinner parties, cookies in bed, Bed Bath and Beyond shopping trips on Saturdays - you know, the usual. </div>
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But it also comes with things like bills, insurance, 8-5 jobs, laundry, husbands who leave dishes in the sink, floors that don't clean themselves and bank accounts that don't magically refill with a weekly allowance. </div>
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Oh and big decisions - like searching for a home...super exciting, but super scary!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8XJEZpPlYcNpTWQ35ZSY3uSdP-noOHh-a9d80OrcLG5oB3LapKLmxQSHbvRuTBHBtVaUEN3eVb14w00gMSj5Gb71APrwIRHd79pnqU52ctPj81sQWFg88bvz0se8xiO4WJWSks8mrf6K/s1600/HomeownersNew2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8XJEZpPlYcNpTWQ35ZSY3uSdP-noOHh-a9d80OrcLG5oB3LapKLmxQSHbvRuTBHBtVaUEN3eVb14w00gMSj5Gb71APrwIRHd79pnqU52ctPj81sQWFg88bvz0se8xiO4WJWSks8mrf6K/s400/HomeownersNew2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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{All it needs is a white picket fence! And to be real lol}</div>
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(Note: I can't claim to be a 100% grown up just yet, because we are going to still rent, but there are still so many decisions to consider) </div>
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That's where y'all come in - all the home renters (and owners) out there - <strong>help!</strong></div>
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<strong><u>Give me advice on everything and anything: </u></strong></div>
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1. What questions to ask? </div>
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2. What to look for in a rental? </div>
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3. Negotiations to make?</div>
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4. Things to avoid?</div>
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5. How much is too much? (As far as requirements to ask for) </div>
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6. Houstonians - city or burbs? </div>
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Or anything else your big grown up brains can think of! </div>
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Thanks and Gig 'Em! </div>
Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-69585029170437476552013-03-11T06:00:00.000-05:002013-03-11T06:00:12.179-05:00Fantasizing <div style="text-align: center;">
Is it weird that I fantasize about fonts? All types of fonts - scripts, stencils, gothics even tacky holiday fonts! </div>
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Is it weird that I notice fonts before anything else on everything? Or that I can name them by site? </div>
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If you need a font fix, you need to try my favorite <a href="http://www.dafont.com/">FREE font site</a>! </div>
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No matter if I am designing a business card or a birthday invitation for someone, they have the perfect font.<br />
{This could be the reason I have more fonts in my font book than I will EVER use}</div>
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Meet my newest editions:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYrSyVsfUZx4J22erMov0Bw3UMOkKPajJ0rh6opze6EW4djkdReosRbEcirQUialVwwI9y2_HC7Y2q70EOm9Sbb4s0bh6QCjQh1mz6ja7vm0tDGm5J2ZpJzvlNFhEF8W_QzgsGGFUohu5/s1600/kg+faith+hope+and+love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYrSyVsfUZx4J22erMov0Bw3UMOkKPajJ0rh6opze6EW4djkdReosRbEcirQUialVwwI9y2_HC7Y2q70EOm9Sbb4s0bh6QCjQh1mz6ja7vm0tDGm5J2ZpJzvlNFhEF8W_QzgsGGFUohu5/s640/kg+faith+hope+and+love.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.dafont.com/kg-faith-hope-and-love.font">found here</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOFsiOGKxLM5_YaS7NuCCmWK0bJ6bwNgKVgv8CH2WbuIWlAoMtIPFK_TLv6f6okCrcjpMyYqqzHkJSVBM5ieYghyGXh0Pt60r4sJrLRLQlSgDi8z_hLvNi44icYMFG8-8SdSkV_ehVMW_/s1600/dalmais.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOFsiOGKxLM5_YaS7NuCCmWK0bJ6bwNgKVgv8CH2WbuIWlAoMtIPFK_TLv6f6okCrcjpMyYqqzHkJSVBM5ieYghyGXh0Pt60r4sJrLRLQlSgDi8z_hLvNi44icYMFG8-8SdSkV_ehVMW_/s400/dalmais.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.dafont.com/dalmais.font">found here</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n8Eh8KhqiCVbHaPfN0Qvwme1IXTz4tQiFXilKPr38dLinTOTsaik8BA87W97q7O29CPzgn1Z5CaffQwkKeR26VAHHRfMIfoDek7Ely9R3wRUfCW7KCEBa30q0I5x7DjH97hUA8gBcuqP/s1600/southern+font.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n8Eh8KhqiCVbHaPfN0Qvwme1IXTz4tQiFXilKPr38dLinTOTsaik8BA87W97q7O29CPzgn1Z5CaffQwkKeR26VAHHRfMIfoDek7Ely9R3wRUfCW7KCEBa30q0I5x7DjH97hUA8gBcuqP/s400/southern+font.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.dafont.com/southern-aire.font">found here</a></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVA1LiNk-ZxelmAFzEK2EICmyraSPn01LPmIDhb5fidnEjAC46VXjUZjX_WW7bhnfi2EvhQ2pL4Xwpnk0JzBIUy3ANe1hiZCYodUIoDA296F9_rj2PIGP6LOwcJf3c40i7NCWOng5ZmWA/s1600/alphabits+font.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVA1LiNk-ZxelmAFzEK2EICmyraSPn01LPmIDhb5fidnEjAC46VXjUZjX_WW7bhnfi2EvhQ2pL4Xwpnk0JzBIUy3ANe1hiZCYodUIoDA296F9_rj2PIGP6LOwcJf3c40i7NCWOng5ZmWA/s640/alphabits+font.png" width="640" /></a><i><a href="http://www.dafont.com/alphabitssquared.font"> found here</a></i></div>
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Go ahead - but don't say that I didn't warn you when you look up and it's been 2 hours and you have downloaded 20 new fonts!</div>
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- Lindsey NicoleLindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908546329091792.post-40204634902754377712013-03-01T00:30:00.000-06:002013-03-01T00:30:00.578-06:00New Blog Design!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">TA-DA!</span></b></div>
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For those who know me, the fact that this design is up and working correctly is truly a miracle!</div>
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I am totally a nerd, but I am so stinkin' proud of myself for finishing this damn thing, considering that every night of work on it usually brought cussing under my breath and the close destruction of my precious Mac. </div>
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Anyways, Happy Friday and I hope you love the new blog design as much as I do! </div>
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{Pssst....there is more surprises to come soon!}<br />
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- Lindsey Nicole</div>
Lindsey Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03651293982597513440noreply@blogger.com2