Day Two

Lela watched (hah - slept through!) her first Disney movie tonight - Aladdin - at her brother's request.

Jared made some amazing cheesy baked chicken for dinner - recipe to follow perhaps later when I wake up to feed Lela. He also made amazing waffles for brunch, because he's totally awesome.

I slept a lot today - I'm largely still feeling exhausted - hopefully soon, we'll be able to get back on a good sleep schedule.

Influenster - Pumpkin Voxbox 2015

This month, I was lucky enough to be chosen to receive a Pumpkin Voxbox from Influenster!  I don't have pictures of everything (more on that in a moment), but I will provide links and a quick review of these products that I received complimentary for testing purposes!

This was a pretty heftily packed box!

First was a goodnessknows Snack Square.  It was peach, cherry, almond, and dark chocolate flavored.  I am not a huge fan of this kind of treat, but my husband loved it!

Next was a coupon for Alexia Foods.  I was not previously familiar with this brand, but I will definitely look for their products the next time I'm at the grocery store!

Next was a hefty sample of Ultra Downy April Fresh Liquid Fabric Softener.  I can't say that I often use fabric softener but this smells amazing, so I'm definitely gonna start adding it to my loads of towels!

Fourth was a failed sample of a Mr. Sketch Scented Marker in cherry.  I say failed, because, somehow, the box got jostled around, and the marker pieces completely shattered, coating everything in the box with red, cherry scented ink.  I guess I can at least advertise that they certainly smell true to their labels?

Next was another coupon, this time for Yucatan Guacamole.  I'm not generally a big fan of guac (I don't care much for avocados), but my husband really likes it, so I will probably try to find this the next time I grocery shop!

Up next was a small bag of Werther's Original Soft Caramels.  These are the bomb (dot com).  I seriously feel like an old lady because I absolutely love me some Werther's caramels.

Finally, there was a small bag of popchips.  These are another hit in my household, so we were all pretty happy to get this little bag.

All in all, this was a pretty good Voxbox.  I just, uh, didn't see anything Pumpkin related to fit with the Voxbox theme.  And, everything getting destroyed by the marker was not awesome.

Glossybox - October 2015 - Paris

So in the month of October, I got the monthly subscription box from Glossybox, in addition to the giveaway I won.  October's theme was Paris - which is kind of perfect because I'm a little bit of a Franco-phile.

Glossybox is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends 5 luxury beauty products for just $21.  Typically, they send a combination of deluxe samples and full-size products.

First off, check out how cool that box looks!  It's super sturdy, and really pretty.  Definitely keeping it and using it to store...something.  In any case, it looks nice on my desk!

 Inside, everything is neatly wrapped up.

The first product in this box was a deluxe sample of Phyto PHYTOKÉRATINE Repairing Thermal Protectant Spray.  It is valued at $6.40.  This product says it detangles and protects hair from heat and breakage while preventing future damage.  It's a leave-in conditioner and it smells really good, almost a kind of tropical scent.  It definitely makes my hair feel softer.  I'd consider purchasing it again.

The second product in my box was this De Bruyere Paris Red Lipgloss.  It is valued at $17.50.  I am not a lipgloss wearer, I don't like the way it feels.  My mom, however, loves it, so this was gifted straight away to her.  (She loves it.)

The third product in my box was a full size Nuxe Gentle Exfoliating Gel with Rose Petals.  It is valued at $26.  This product is awesome.  It is a very gentle exfoliating gel, safe enough for use a few times per week.  Rather than using synthetic beads for exfoliation, which severely damage the environment, it uses finely ground walnut shells.  It truly makes my skin feel super soft and amazing, and it doesn't dry out or hurt my skin, which is great because my skin is fairly sensitive.  Also, it has a lovely, light rose scent.  I'm a big fan.

Next up was a bottle of nail polish - Lollipops Make Up Paris - Nail Lacquer in "Voyage à Paris".  It is valued at $10.  This is about as true of a red as they come.  It is a very pretty color.  The bottle size is slightly smaller than most nail polish brands run for full size polishes - .4 FL OZ, versus the usual .5 FL OZ, but it's still bigger than a mini.  I'm really looking forward to wearing this color around Christmas.

Finally, there was a bar of soap - La Societe Parisienne De Savons - Guest Soap.  It is valued at $6.  The scent I received is a very light, clean floral.  It is really quite nice.  It's almost to pretty to put out for use in our guest bathroom.  I may just decorate with it!

Overall, I was pretty pleased with this box.  I'll use everything out of it, except for the lipgloss, but my mom already has that and has begun using it, so, the box seems well worth it's cost.  The total value was $65.90, and the box subscription is only $21/month.

Recipe - Chicken Dressing Casserole

My husband loves Stove-Top Stuffing.  I had never even eaten it until we had been married at least 2 years - my mom always made dressing from scratch - though, if I'm being honest, I've never really cared for it.  She makes a cornbread dressing that's chock-full of celery - which is basically my least favorite thing in the whole world.

Anyway, Jared could eat STS by the box.  Heck, he has.  Sometimes, that's just what he wants for dinner.  So when I discovered a recipe that combined chicken, cheese, a few other tasty things, and, of course, his beloved Stove-Top Stuffing, I knew I had to try it.

This recipe is insanely easy, tasty, filling, and already a hit in our household - even my fairly picky 6 year old ate a whole plate!

You will need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 6 slices of cheese (I used jalapeno Havarti)
• 1 can of condensed cream of XXX soup (I used chicken this time, but just about any would work!)
• 1/4 c milk
• 1 box Stove Top Stuffing (you'll only use about half of the box)
• 1/4 c butter, melted

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
2. Place chicken in the bottom of the dish.
3. Top with cheese.
4. In a medium bowl, mix the soup and milk.
5. Pour the soup mixture over the chicken/cheese.
6. Top with about half the box of Stove-Top Stuffing.
7. Drizzle the melted butter on top of the stuffing.
8. Bake at 350 for about 50 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
9. Serve with rice or noodles.

See?  Super easy.  And surprisingly really good.  I served it with some Zatarain's garlic rice and some cranberry sauce and it was delightful.  I'm planning on changing it up a little with Thanksgiving leftovers later this month - turkey in place of chicken, gravy in place of soup, homemade dressing.  It will be awesome!

Glossybox - Biossance Giveaway

Two weeks ago, just for fun, I entered a Facebook giveaway from Glossybox offering two bottles of Biossance - The Revitalizer - one for me, and one for a friend.  Imagine my surprise when I got an email from a Glossybox representative informing me that I'd won and asking for my address!  I sent her my info and she told me she'd get my prize out to me that day - how exciting!

Less than a week later, FedEx showed up on my doorstep with the goods!

Glossybox is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends 5 luxury beauty products for just $21.  Typically, they send a combination of deluxe samples and full-size products.

The package got slightly beat up on the edges, but the contents were perfectly fine!

Enclosed was a nice little letter thanking me for entering the giveaway - spoiler:  I love entering giveaways!

The goods:  two boxes of The Revitalizer - Biossance, valued at $58 each!

Within each box is a beautiful glass bottle that looks like this.

Full disclosure:  I've never even heard of this product or brand.  However, when I saw Glossybox offering it in the giveaway, I read the little blurb about it and decided to enter.  I've been on the market for a really good moisturizing product as winter gets closer and closer and my skin gets drier and drier.  Per their website, this product is/will:  instantly hydrating and fast absorbing, increase cell turnover, ideal for all skin types, fragrance-free, weightless and non-greasy, non-comedogenic, paraben-free, dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and sustainably sourced.  It's also advertised as being for all-over body use - including even your hair.  I'm very curious to see how it works, and if it really hydrates my skin as advertised.

So, there you have it.  As I go through the bottle, I'll post an update with how it's working out!  Oh, and I'm totally gifting the bonus bottle to my mom - she deserves some pampering, too!

Bragging on my husband and son...

I have an amazing family.  Scott will say some of the funniest and sweetest things, and Jared is just the most amazing partner a girl could ask for.

So, once a week, in order to preserve the wonderful memories we share, I'm gonna start posting the great things they've done or said.  For one, these are beautiful things I don't ever want to forget.  For two, I want them to one day understand how much I really do love and appreciate all that they do.

So, here goes...

• Monday, I was really under the weather.  I remarked to Scott that I felt completely miserable, and could he just tone it down a little for me - he responded "I feel miserable when I'm with you, too."  Thanks, kid.  I sent him to his room.  An hour or so later, he emerged, gave me a huge hug, and said he was sorry about what he'd said earlier.  I appreciate that we've taught him to reflect on his actions and that he does strive to be a kind person.
• I've been really sick this past week, and Jared has done amazing things to help me, but the sweetest things are when he asks how Lela is, and then pats and kisses my stomach and talks to her.  I can't wait for this perfect little girl to get here!
• Wednesday, I was taking a nap.  Still getting over my cold, I had a coughing fit.  Scott came in and said "hey mom, I have something that will make you feel better!"  He then gave me a big hug...and then threw Hall's throat lozenges in my face.
• When asked who he wanted to go see the Peanuts movie with (last time, he saw Minions with his dad and Pipa), Scott remarked that he should see it with me, because a year ago, I showed him It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for the first time.
• Thursday night, before bed, Scott gave me a hug and a kiss, and then hugged my stomach and kissed it for Lela, then he turned to his dad and gave him a hug and kiss, followed by hugging and kissing his stomach "for all the food in there."
• When I was a baby, I had a Precious Moments blanket that was gifted to my mom, and that I held on to for a pretty big part of my childhood. I loved that blanket.
  When Scott was born, we passed the blanket on to him. He loved it, too. He snuggled it, he played with it....and as he teethed, he chewed on it and utterly destroyed it. But for at least the first 3 years of his life, he held it near and dear. Even now, he'll still snuggle it sometimes.
  Well, unbeknownst to me, for the last several months, my amazing husband has been trying to find a replacement for the blanket, so that Lela could also enjoy the same blanket, though my original baby one is practically destroyed. And a few weeks ago, he found it. SistersGifts107 on Etsy had it....and he ordered it, so in just a few short weeks, our baby daughter will get to have the same blanket her big brother and her mama shared.
  Not gonna lie, I ugly cried when the box came in yesterday and Jared pulled the blanket out.
  I won the husband lottery.
  

Recipe - Creamy Chicken Enchildas

If you ask my husband what I've craved most this pregnancy, his answer will inevitably be cheese.  He's not wrong.  I think I've manged to have something cheesy with nearly every meal.

I've also wanted spicy things often...and chicken nearly every day.  So, what better sort of dish to make than a cheesy, slightly spicy, pan of chicken enchiladas?

This dish is incredibly easy to make, and would comfortably feed a family of 4!

Again, I don't take pretty pictures...

You will need:

• 2 c shredded Colby-Jack cheese
• 8 flour tortillas
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 c sour cream
• 1 4oz can diced green chiles
• 1 large, boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked & shredded
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 c chicken broth
• salt & pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Mix shredded chicken with one cup of cheese.
3. Fill each tortilla with chicken mixture and roll them up.  Place them in a greased 9x13in baking dish.
4. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Whisk in the flour and cook about 1 minute.
5. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth.  Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until it is thick and creamy - about 6 minutes.
6. Stir in the sour cream, chiles, and salt and pepper.
7. Pour the sauce over the enchiladas in the pan.
8. Top with the remaining cheese.
9. Bake about 25 minutes, until the cheese has browned and the sauce is bubbly.
10. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then enjoy!

See how easy it is?  And they're really filling!  Even my finicky 6 year old loved them!