Favorite Thing #163 - Poppyseed Chicken

This favorite thing is going to be our contribution for dinner on the beach trip. Each couple is making a meal and Hubby and I decided on this one. It is such a quick, easy, and delicious recipe (thanks to my friend Lisa for sharing) - it's so easy that my husband makes it.

Ingredients
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom or celery
1 sm carton sour cream
1-2 cups cooked and cubed chicken
1 package Ritz crackers
1 stick butter (I rarely use a whole stick)
Instant Rice

Directions
Mix 1st 4 items together. Put in casserole dish then crumble Ritz crackers and sprinkle on top. Last, melt butter and drizzle all over. Bake at 350, 20-25 mins or until it gets bubbly. Serve over rice. Enjoy!


Still love and eat at Favorite Thing #63 - Sushi Damo. It is definitely one of the best sushi places in the DC area. Everything is so fresh and delicious (I just wish it wasn't so pricey). Hubby and I love the Rockville and Blue Ocean specialty rolls.

Finally...

...Victoria's Secret has added my alma mater, West Virginia University, to it's Pink Collegiate collection. I am so excited. It's a very limited selection (sweatshirt, sweatpants, and T-Shirt). I like the sweatshirt so I went ahead and ordered it with my $10 off birthday off card. Thank you to Yellow Brick Blog for posting that her school was up there which made me go check to see if they added WVU.

Another Great Rue La La Boutique

Rue La La is having another great boutique. This time its not clothes but kitchen stuff (my favorite). There will be a Williams-Sonoma boutique tomorrow starting at 11am. This is the perfect boutique to find something for that upcoming bridal shower, wedding or just get something for yourself. :)

Rue La La is a By-Invitation-Only Sample Sale site. Click Here to sign up using my personal invitation link. This link will grant you immediate access to the site after you sign up. (FYI - If you just sign up the regular way you will just be put on the waiting list.)

Enter these giveaways while I'm gone...

...while I'm gone you should check out these giveaways...

Just Lovely is giving away monogrammed wall art from Etsy. There are several examples on her site. Click here to enter. The last day to enter is June 30th.

Chic & Pink is having a 200th post giveaway. Click here to enter. The last day to enter is June 30th. Her giveaway includes -

• Pink & Green Tote Bag/Cooler
• Pink Beach Towel
• Green Polka Dot Ice Cream Bowl
• Beauty Rush Strawberry Fizz Lipgloss
• Bath & Body Works Butterfly Flower Body Lotion
• OPI Nail Polish Set w/Shorts Story & Clear Top Coat
• Yellow Bow Headband…very Gossip Girl!
• Pink & Green Whale Luggage Tag
• Striped Notepad and Pen Set

Beachbound!

Hubby and I are headed to Virginia Beach for a few days. We are packing up the car and heading down with my sister-in-law and nephew.

We will be staying here...

...with my mother-in-law, her husband, his five kids (and spouses), his seven grandchildren, my brother-in-law, both sisters-in-law and my niece and nephew. It's going to be a full house but should be a fun and enjoyable vacation! We come back Thursday morning just in time to get the house ready for our Fourth of July BBQ. I'm not sure how frequently I will be blogging over the next week but I will try and keep posting.

Gift Idea Friday - Cupcake Kit

My friend Lisa sent me this gift idea the other day and it's adorable (She found it on Baking Bites). Perfect for the cupcake lover or the inexperienced baker. It is available at Amazon for $13.57 (and is eligible for Amazon Prime). "This kit has everything needed for making and decorating dozens of festive cup-sized confections: 14 scrumptious recipes 250 decorative cup liners in two sizes a pastry bag and an assortment of piping tips for creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces."

More Ebay Items...

I'm doing another clean out and I've listed some really great items so check them out here. Some of my favorite's include Juicy Tunic, my Jessica Simpson shirt, and Banana Republic outfit.

Instructions on How to Pre-Post

Many of you asked how do I pre-post. I only know how to pre-post in Blogger and it's very easy. If you look at screen when you are creating a post, there is a hyper linked phrase called Post Options. Click on that and below will appear a place on the right hand side for Post Date and Time and you can set it for whenever you want. After you've set the date and time then click on Publish Post and it should appear as a scheduled post. I've tried to take a screen shot but its not very big. I hope I explained it clearly. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Blogger Troubles

Anyone else having problems with Blogger not posting your pre-posts? I'm always super busy during the week so I try and pre-post stuff so I have something up each day. Well it hasn't been working. Today I went on and noticed that my neither my Rue La La or favorite thing posts didn't post. So frustrating. Any advice on how to fix this?

Another Great Rue La La Boutique

Another fabulous boutique at Rue La La. One of my favorite designers Nanette Lepore will be featured today. Sale starts at 11 EST so check it out right away before its all gone.

Rue La La is a By-Invitation-Only Sample Sale site. Click Here to sign up using my personal invitation link. This link will grant you immediate access to the site after you sign up. (FYI - If you just sign up the regular way you will just be put on the waiting list.) And the bride's veil was made my her mother-in-law. It's gorgeous!!!!

Sephora to the Skin Care Rescue!

After blogging about needing your help for a new skin care regime, I got an email from Sephora that they are running a special on Decleor products - 40% off!!!! I immediately went to the Sephora website (of course via Ebates for 8% cash back) to check out what they had. I'm so excited because I was able to purchase cleanser, moisturizer, and night oil for $110.40 (less than what I would have spent on the Philosophy stuff). This would have regularly cost me $184! This sale is going on for a few days so if you love Decleor products definitely take advantage.

If you haven't signed up for Ebates yet I definitely recommend you do (especially if you do most of your shopping online like me). Check out my post about it and email me (christinasfavoritethings@gmail.com) and I will send you an invite.

Weekend Recap - Wedding/Birthday Celebration and 100 Followers!

Another busy weekend for me and Hubby. We were both off on Friday and headed to the Poconos (in PA) for our friends Shannon and David's wedding. Hubby and I headed in early for the rehearsal because we were a part of the ceremony doing the Prayer to the Faithful ("Lord Hear our Prayer").

the bride and groom at the rehearsal

group shot of everyone at the rehearsal

Hubby and I at the rehearsal

Me and the Bride

The wedding was beautiful. It was at Sky Top and the grounds and buildings are amazing. The weather not so much. It rained pretty much the whole day. Thankfully there were some windows where there wasn't any rain so they got some pictures outside. They actually used the photographer that Hubby and I used for our wedding so I know the pictures are going to turn out amazing.

Saturday also happened to be my birthday. Hubby is so sweet and through a little mini birthday celebration for me in our hotel room. It was a great birthday! Hubby got me the dress I wanted from Ellen & Ollie (she only had a size 6 left but I'm going to get it and just have it taken in) and some jewelry from Target and Etsy. Shannon (the bride) had the wedding band sing happy birthday to me which was so sweet.

Also over the weekend I hit 100 followers. I can't believe it! I was so shocked when I hit 50 and now I have a 100! Thank you all so much for following my blog. It really means so much to me. And for that I'm going to be doing another giveaway soon. Probably not till next month because on Saturday Hubby and I leave for the beach for a week.

UPDATE - Both of my dresses are from Rue La La (pink - Betsy Johnson; Black/White - Shoshanna and my pink wrap is from Target). Rue La La is a By-Invitation-Only Sample Sale site. Click Here to sign up using my personal invitation link. This link will grant you immediate access to the site after you sign up. (FYI - If you just sign up the regular way you will just be put on the waiting list.) And the bride's veil was made my her mother-in-law. It's gorgeous!!!!

Favorite Thing #162 - Revlon Color Stay 12 Hour Eye Shadow Quad

This is another favorite thing that was discovered while trying to be economical when buying makeup. I had a coupon for $1 off a Revlon product and needed new eyeshadow that had dark pink/mauve tones. I decided to try Favorite Thing #162 - Revlon Color Stay 12 Hour Eye Shadow Quad in blushed wine and was immediately sold. Not only did I love the colors but it lasted almost all day long. I got another coupon and decided to get another one in neutral khaki and love it. I definitely recommend you try these out.



Still drink Favorite Thing #62 Schmitt Sohne Blue Riesling it is one of my favorite spring/summer wines and affordable. It is available at most stores.

Need Your Help!

I'm looking for a new skin regime. Something somewhat affordable but amazing for my skin. Here's my skin care back story -

I was using all Decleor products because that's what we sold at the spa I used to work at in college. It was more affordable for me because I got a major discount. I've been trying to keep up with using those products but my wallet (and hubby) didn't like it. So I decided to try something new - the Philosophy skin care line - and at first it was ok but lately (the past couple of months) I've notice my skin break out a lot more frequently. I thought at first it was because I went off birth control (no I'm not pregnant nor do I plan to be any time soon) and my hormones were out of whack but then I read Lyndsy's post at Yellow Brick Blog about it doing the same thing.

I've decided its time to change my skin care regime again. So I need your help - what's your skin care regime? I need your recommendations!!

Thanks to a NYC Housewife-In-Training for the Honest Scrap award! She's got a fabulous blog so go check it out.

Another Great Rue La La Boutique

Tomorrow there are two great boutiques at Rue La La - Gucci and Waterford. I've shopped the Waterford boutique before. It's perfect for this time of year with all the weddings going on. And Gucci looks like they are going to have a sampling of handbags, sunglasses, and watches up for grabs. Definitely make sure you check it out. Sale starts at 11 am EST so get there early before everything is gone.

Rue La La is a By-Invitation-Only Sample Sale site. Click Here to sign up using my personal invitation link. This link will grant you immediate access to the site after you sign up. (FYI - If you just sign up the regular way you will just be put on the waiting list.)

Favorite Thing #161 - Victoria's Secret Double-layer Oversized Tunic Tank

I got this favorite thing a couple of weeks ago and just wore it this weekend and love it! It is from Victoria's Secret (I've been having some good luck with their clothes) and I got a lot of compliments on it. I paired it with a pair of white shorts (not normally a fan of shorts but it worked with this outfit), Favorite Thing #144, and J.Crew Fireball Charm Necklace (future favorite thing). The shirt is a thin material (must wear a strapless bra underneath) and free flowing. It's sooo comfortable and hides my trouble area (my belly). I purchased it in spring violet but all the colors are pretty - you can't go wrong with the soft pastels. And the best news is that it is on sale for $29.50 (and you get 2% cash back from Ebates). If you aren't already a member of Ebates email be at christinasfavoritethings@gmail.com and I will send you the info.

And of course again I forgot to take a nice full shot of me so this one will have to do. Ignore my crazy hair.

Still love and use Favorite Thing #61. This is the best chicken rub. We (well Hubby) uses it every time for Beer Can Chicken. It's the best. I love it so much and was so afraid Williams Sonoma wasn't going to carry it this year that I stocked up last year. We have enough to last us a few spring/summers.

To Tweet or Not to Tweet

Everyone I know Twitters (ok well not everyone but a lot of people I know). I've been holding out on not signing up because I feel like that is one more thing for me to do - blog, Facebook, etc. Lately I feel like I really should sign up for Twitter but I just don't know. What do you guys think?

Weekend Recap

It was another busy weekend. Saturday was my brother-in-law's surprise 40th birthday. It stayed a surprise (which none of us thought would happen) and he was shocked when he opened the door to a room filled with his family and friends. There was great food, fun games, and the weather was good (very humid) and thankfully the rain held off. Here are some pictures.

Me and Hubby

Fiona

The brothers

Baby E

My sister-in-law Aimee (Eli's mom) and me

Grammy (my MIL) and Eli

Another Great RueLaLa Boutique

Tomorrow's RueLaLa Boutique is for all you Tory Burch lovers. Tomorrow at 11am the boutique starts so make sure you check it out right away before everything is gone. I've previewed what's going to be available and it is LOTS of cute stuff.

Rue La La is a By-Invitation-Only Sample Sale site. Click Here to sign up using my personal invitation link. This link will grant you immediate access to the site after you sign up. (FYI - If you just sign up the regular way you will just be put on the waiting list.)

For all you Lilly Lovers

There are two Lilly Pulitzer dresses on major sale that came through on my Shop It to Me sale alert this morning. Get them while they still last...

Lilly Pulitzer Patch Print Brighton Dress
On Sale for $55.98

Lilly Pulitzer Straw Jacqueline Scrolly Dress
On Sale for $55.98

And for those of you that don't know about Shop It To Me check out my post here. If you are interested in signing up, please email me at christinasfavoritethings@gmail.com and I will send you the invite.

Favorite Thing #160 - Dave Matthews Band

I have been a Dave Matthews Band fan since middle school. I have all of their albums and know most of their songs by heart. I don't think there is a song that they have come out with that I don't like. Some of my all-time favorite songs include Satellite, #41, Say Goodbye, and The Space Between. Last week their new album, Big Whiskey and The Groo Grux Kings came out.

I actually bought the CD (I can't remember the last time I bought a CD) and listened to it on the drive to Morgantown and back this past weekend. Already I'm in love with the new single Funny The Way It Is (#3), Time Bomb (#11), Baby Blue (#12), and You and Me (#13).



Still love Favorite Thing #60 - Me Jana. It's a great restaurant. I haven't eaten there in a while (and not because I don't want to) because I'm not eating lunch out very often since we are trying to save money. If you are in the Arlington area and plan on it, I definitely recommend eating here - lunch or dinner.

Favorite Thing #159 - Mossimo® Black: Tote - Gold

This favorite thing is my spring/summer purse. It's from Target and is the PERFECT bag. It's fits everything and anything I need. There are there compartments - two outer compartments snap and the center one zips shut. I can keep all my stuff organized in this bag and it goes with almost any outfit. You can't beat the price either - $29.99




Still love and drink Favorite Thing #59 - Allan Scott Savaigon Blanc. I've been so bummed because the last few times I have gone into my favorite wine shop (Finewine.com) they have been out of it. Hopefully they will have the next time I'm in there.

I have more ebay items up for sale. Click here to see them. Included in my auctions are a few things that I've posted about GAP purse (I ended up finding one at Target I liked better), Vera Wang dress (I don't think it will ever fit my boobs), and Banana Republic Dress.

Book Review

Last week I finished Love Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos. The style of the book is very similar to one of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult. Two women's (actually one woman and a child) stories are told in alternating chapters, the woman, Cornelia is told in first person, and the young girl, Clare is told in third. At first the book dragged and it was hard for me to get into it but about a third of the way through I was hooked and couldn't put it down. It's a great summer read.

Here's a summary from Booklist -
Cornelia is a single thirtysomething who lives her life like a series of movie moments. She's a manager of a cafe because she hasn't figured out anything better to do. Her ideal man is Cary Grant. And just when she thinks he'll never show up, he does, in the form of Martin Grace. What she doesn't know is that Martin, with his cool charm and debonair demeanor, has a daughter, Clare. And she never would have known that except that Martin, in a state of panic, shows up with the girl at the cafe after her mother had a breakdown and left Clare to fend for herself. Estranged from his daughter for years, Martin doesn't know what to do with her.

And for those of you that loved the book like I did - there is going to be a movie staring Sarah Jessica Parker. I don't the details of when filming is set, etc. But I do know there is going to be a movie and its a movie that I will definitely go see.