In Honor of Love Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! In honor of Love Day, I wanted to give you two posts in one {an outfit idea and a recipe}. Consider it my Valentine to you!

The first half is my V-day outfit.  I saw this dress and immediately thought of this Hallmark holiday.  I figured I'd get a little fancy for my lunch date with the hubs today.  In lieu of fighting the crowds tonight, {well, okay, we never made dinner reservations} we decided on having a heart day lunch together.  We are heading to one of our favorite spots, Sushi Zushi.  The Cosimo Roll will be ordered for sure....fried shrimp and cream cheese, wrapped in avocado, topped with Tampa Bay sauce, sprinkled with furikake seasoning and drizzled with eel sauce.  Are you hungry yet?  I am!

                  Dress:Forever 21 | Shoes:Lucky Brand | Belt:The Limited | Jewelry:Forever 21                  Headband:TJ Maxx | Watch:XOXO

I love t-strap shoes.  They will help taper your legs 
and give a thinner look.  PROMISE!

Couldn't resist doing this pose today!

I usually never wear flowers or headbands in my hair. 
I told you I was getting fancy!

This is my Valentine {and photographer}. Isn't he handsome?

PART TWO OF POST - A RECIPE!!  WHAT? WHAT!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cream Cheese Ball

I wait all year for this cheese ball to arrive at my local H.E.B. grocery store. They only make this ball of deliciousness during Valentine's Day or if you place a special order, but I never remember to call ahead since my grocery shopping is always spur of the moment. I loathe going to the grocery store and put it off to the very last minute.

I wanted to share this with everyone, but I know that H.E.B. is only in Texas, so I had a bright idea...call the H.E.B. deli and ask them for the recipe.  Uh, why didn't I think of this sooner?  So, thanks to my genius idea, I can now share this ball of LOVE.  Be warned...it is addictive and I can eat the whole thing by myself!

What You Need:
Chocolate chips
Block of cream cheese {I prefer light, it makes me feel better}
Can of strawberry frosting
4-5 Finely chopped, fresh strawberries

Directions:
Mix the cream cheese and 1/2 of the frosting container.  Add the fresh strawberries in with a mixing spoon.  Roll the mixture into a ball {whatever size you like...you can do one big one or several smaller ones}. Spread the chocolate chips over wax paper and roll the cheese ball over the chips until it is covered to your liking.  Chill in the refrigerator for a few hours.  Serve with water crackers!  Heaven!

Looking forward to seeing everyone's Valentine posts!  Big hugs and love!

Cheers to hearts, t-straps shoes and homemade cheese balls!

I am linking up with Blonde Episodes today.  Hop on over and check out all the V-day love!

Weekend Wear and Recap

Is it Monday, already?!? Ugh, the weekends seem to go by too fast. Sunday evening rolls around with a blink of an eye and it's time to get ready for another work week. Who votes for mandatory 3-day weekends going forward?  Me! Me! Me!

I must say it was a great and productive weekend. I completed the mounds of laundry that I have been avoiding, got my out of control eyebrows waxed,  treated myself to a much needed manicure, cleaned my horribly unorganized closet, had an amazing Sunday brunch with some of my college friends and their better halves, watched sleet and snow flurries fall {crazy for Texas, right?} and tuned into the Grammy's.  The true highlight of my weekend was that my little girl turned four years old {the redhead}.  She is our little, monkey sparkle!

Off to get the brows and nails done in my trusty Express skinny jeans that I decided to roll up.  This is an easy way to put a twist on wearing jeans.

A stripe shirt and a tan crop jacket are staple items for every closet.  They are timeless, classic and can be worn in a variety of ways.

Show off your boots by rolling up your jeans. Black ankle boots should be a part of every girls' shoe shelf, right next to the nude heels. 

Mix up your "arm candy" with different styles, colors and designs.

Mix up gold, silver and pewter in your jewelry

Jeans:Express | Top:Express | Jacket:Target | Boots:Payless | Bag:Forever 21 | Ring:Forever 21

Earrings:Sam Moon | Bangles: Forever 21 & Vintage | Necklace:Target | Sunglasses:XOXO

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Cheers to longer weekends and faster weeks!

Finally in the Valentine Mood

Do you have your Valentine's Day outfit picked out?  Better yet, have you made your dinner reservations?  Well, I can honestly say no to both of the above!  But now, I am finally getting into the Valentine's Day mood thanks to My Friday's Fancies with av at long distance loving.

With life being so hectic with work, the hubs, kiddos, errands, emails, phone calls, blogging and actually having "me" time, I have seemed to let the giddiness of "love month" pass me by.  At least I still have five more days for a little bit of V-day swooning.

 1. Earrings | 2. Blazer | 3. Necklace | 4. Flower Pin | 5. Rings | 6. Clutch | 7. Shoes | 8. Polish 

9. Lipstick  | 10. Bracelet | 11.Jeans | 12. Belt

I am sure most of you know, red and pink color blocking is all over (here).  And, you also know, if you have been following my blog, that I LOVE red skinny jeans (here) and leopard anything (here).  So, I thought, what a better way to complete a Valentine's Day outfit than with a stylish trend and pieces I am obsessed with.  I featured this clutch in last Friday's post (here).  I think it is fabulous enough to feature again.  A tan, neutral day clutch is an essential wardrobe extra.  It's still available online and they have it black too!  Show yourself some love and get them both!  And don't forget your red lipstick for a little smooching!

Cheers to cherubs, conversation hearts and of course red skinny jeans!

Also linking up with these ladies!  Join the parrrty!!  It's FRIDAY!!