Weekend Recap

This weekend I enjoyed the sunny weather with some good times spent with friends. On Sunday we had a bunch of our friends over for a crab feast. And Monday, Hubby and I wanted to take advantage of the day off but the line for the pool was ridiculous so we opted for a movie date instead. We saw Bridesmaids which was hysterical. He was afraid it was going to be a girly movie but it definitely wasn't.

A few new blogs I'm following...

I need a clean out of my Google Reader the other day and wanted to share with you a couple of the new blogs I'm following...

Shasta Anne

Found in My Closet

Honey We're Home

just lovely

Connecticut Cupcake

Haight-Brown Vineyard

My last visit to see Hubby in CT we decided to explore a little bit and headed to the Litchfield area where we stopped at the Haight-Brown vineyard. It was so quiet and peaceful out there and the vineyard grounds were so quaint. We got there when it opened and had the tasting area all to ourselves. The woman that did our tasting was so sweet and really made our experience very enjoyable. We ended up going home with two wines. The Chardonnay was so crisp and "clean" as Hubby put it. I don't normally like chardonnays but this one is fermented in a stainless steel tub as opposed to oak. The second bottle was Big Red and this is by far one of the best cabernets I've ever had. Our next CT adventure will be next weekend when we head to Essex.

Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Rachel @ RachelSmiles for winning the $100 gift card to shopbop! Please email me your contact information at christinasfavoritethings@gmail.com and I will pass along the gift card. Congrats! And for those of you that didn't win...stay tuned because there will be another giveaway coming soon. :)

Great Appetizer Recipe

My SIL made these amazing (unhealthy) snacks for our Super Bowl party and I have been making them for every gathering we've had since. They are so yummy and so easy to make.

Ingredients
1 lb sausage

1 lb beef

1 lb Velveeta cheese (cut into chunks)
butter

garlic salt

onion salt

cocktail ryes

Directions

In a big pan, brown meat and drain. Return meat to pan and melt cheese in with meat. Spread butter on bread and sprinkle with salts. Put meat & cheese mixture on bread. Bake at 350 for 10 or 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Favorite Thing #219 - Remington D-2012 Tstudio Collection Tourmaline and Ceramic Hair Dryer

Thank you to my dear friend Shannon for introducing me to this amazing blow dryer! I really don't know how I ever lived without it. It is so powerful and my hair is dry in half the time it used to be!!! And because it's got so much power behind it, it helps smooth out my curls so flat ironing takes less time too. This blow dryer is definitely a favorite thing and I highly recommend to all of you. Best part is I got it for $30 on Amazon!

Favorite Thing #218 - Frederic Fekkai Protein RX Reparative Treatment Mask

I wanted to wait to post this favorite thing after using it for a while. It was instantly a favorite but wanted to make sure it would stand the test of time and so far it has. Favorite Thing #218 is a great deep conditioner for my flat ironed hair. Frederic Fekkai's Protein RX Reparative Treatment Mask works wonders on my hair. I flat iron my hair every day and really try hard to protect it. I use Favorite Thing #33 before every blow dryer and now use Favorite Thing #218 almost each week to protect, protect, protect! You don't need a lot to go a long way. I just put two quarter size (I have long thick hair) amounts in my hair and comb through. I leave it on while I do the rest of my shower business and then was it out. My hair is so soft and shiny. It's runs about $30 but like I said a little goes a long way so I see it lasting me through the year. Loooove it! If you purchase it from Apothica via Ebates you can get 7% cash back!

Want to host a Stella & Dot Trunk Show?!?

I definitely recommend it! I've hosted two trunk shows with Stella & Dot rep Ashley and have been so pleased (and gotten so much free jewelry) that I have to share with my readers. For DC area ladies, you can host one at your home and it's so easy...Ashley comes to your house sets everything up and let's you and your friends hang out and look at the jewelry...no pressure to buy or try things on but she's there to answer your questions. If you don't live in the DC area (or don't want to do one at your house) you can do one online! Invite your girlfriends from all over to shop the Stella & Dot website. Right now there is a special that if you host a trunk show with four separate orders that total at least $500 you get an additional $50 in jewelry. Nice! It's ends May 31st so book a party soon. Here's the breakdown of the "free stuff" you will get for sales.

$300 - $499 in sales - 15% towards free jewelry and two half priced items
$500 - $999.99 in sales - 20% towards free jewelry and three half priced items
$1000+ in sales - 25% towards free jewelry and four half priced items.

I've gotten lots of free and discounted pieces so I definitely recommend doing it! And for you active bloggers...you can open it up to your readers. It's a win win for everyone. :) If you are interested feel free to reach out to Ashley at ashley.polo@gmail.com. Enjoy!

Great Banana Cake Recipe

Thanks to Jamie of All Trades for sharing this yummy banana cake with cream cheese frosting. I made it over the weekend and it was a huge hit! I also must give her credit for the amazing photo. My cake didn't look as pretty. :)

Cake Ingredients
3 very ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Grated zest of 1 orange {i didn't have an orange so i subbed in lemon zest}
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Cake Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. grease and flour a 9 x 2-inch round cake pan.

Mix bananas, granulated sugar and brown sugar in bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. add oil, eggs, sour cream. vanilla and orange zest. mix until smooth.

Stir together flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Stir in chopped walnuts. pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. cool in pan for 15 minutes, turn out onto cooling rack and cool completely.

Frosting Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese, soften
8 oz unsalted butter, soften
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Frosting Directions
Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth. Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar, mix together until smooth. Frost on top of the cake, cut and serve.

Favorite Thing #217 - Shopbop...and a giveaway!

I'm a huge fan of the website Shopbop! This site has all of my favorite designers all in one place. It's my go to pick up my Ella Moss tops, Tory Burch flats and my Hanky Pankys! They have some really great stuff right now like my recent favorite Tory Burch Edie Flats or my original favorite Tory Burch Patent Revas! I had my eye on this Ella Moss maxi skirt but I'm not sure if I can pull it off. Thoughts?

Because of my love for Shopbop, they are offering me a a $100 gift card giveaway to my readers! Rules for the giveaway below -

1) Must be a follower - leave a comment letting me know you are one (one entry)
2) Tweet about the giveaway using my handle @xtinascripps (one entry)
3) Post it to your blog - please include a link (one entry)

Please leave a comment for each entry. Giveaway ends May 25 at midnight. Winner will be chosen by random.org the next day. Good luck!

So bummed...

...that Brothers & Sisters was cancelled! I love that show. So bummed! :(

Favorite Thing #216 - Bare Escentuals Buxom Lip Gloss in Katie

I've heard nothing but amazing things about Bare Escentuals Buxom lip gloss so when I needed a light, natural looking one for spring/summer I decided to try it the Katie color. I was instantly hooked. It's a mineral-infused lip gloss which I like because its free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates. Lots of shine without feeling sticky or tacky. I especially love the color because it's so natural with just a hint of color.

Movie Review: Something Borrowed

I have been soooo excited for this movie to come out. As many of you know, Emily Giffin is one of my favorite authors and Something Borrowed is definitely my favorite of her books! I was so happy that one of my best girlfriends, Shannon, was in town and we could go see the movie together. I really really enjoyed the movie. It had everything I love in a romantic comedy - tear at your heart string love story, laugh out loud moments and stories of great friendships. I'm sure I'm biased because I love the book so much but this really was a great movie. It's not going to win an Academy Award but it's the perfect movie to watch with girlfriends. I will definitely buy it when it comes out on DVD.

They did an amazing job casting the movie. Ginnifer Goodwin was super cute and very relatable. Kate Hudson was the perfect choice to play Darcy, so over the top and self-absorbed but yet you still love her! Dex was played by Colin Egglesfield...there wasn't much to his character but he was very nice to look at. And finally the character that stole the show (and I think will convince my husband to watch it with me), John Krasinski! He was hysterical, witty and had me laughing out loud!

The movie was pretty close to the book but as with any book that's been adapted to the big screen there were changes. I think the changes worked to help move the story along...its been so long since I read the book I want to read it again so I can pick out all the changes.

I definitely recommend seeing this in the theater and if you do, make sure you stay till the very end for a clip from Something Blue. Can't wait for that one to come out!

RIP Blow Dryer

My blow dryer died this week. :( Thankfully my friend Shannon had just recommended this blow dryer too me. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime shipping. I should only be a day without one. :)

Shoe Haul!!!

Over the last month or so I've updated my shoes for the spring/summer and I've finally had time to share everything with you. I'm very happy to say that I got all but one pair of shoes with a discount. Please ignore the fact that I desperately need a pedicure. :)

I've had my eye on these adorable Steve Madden sandals for awhile. I actually really wanted the Stuart Weitzman (looks just like these) but didn't like the price and was very excited to find these Steve Madden lookalikes. And then I was even more excited when I found these at DSW when I was visiting Hubby in CT. Can't wait to wear these when the weather gets warm.

I blogged about these a while back and when I got a coupon to Piperlime I had to get these adorable Kate Spade cork wedges. These shoes are so comfortable! They are very lightweight and will go with almost anything in my summer wardrobe.

Thank you Saks for having Friends and Family which helped me pull the trigger on these Tory Burch Eddie flats. I went with the nude color and so happy I did because they are going to be perfect for work this summer when all I want to do is wear flip flops and I can't.

These are the one pair I didn't have a coupon and weren't on sale but I really liked them. I wanted a pair of "dressier flip flops" and was very happy with these Luichiny Sandals. I actually bought these in person at South Moon Under but they can also be found at Zappos.

So what do you think of this haul? What have been your spring/summer shoe purchases?

Giveaway Winner

Congrats to Fashion by Alicia for winning my Stella & Dot giveaway! She chose the Garden Party earring.

Small Bathroom Redo

As you may remember from my post a couple week ago, I wanted to spruce up the bathroom with color. I decided to go with turquoises. I found some new rugs and towels at Target. What do you think?

Vacation Getaway!

I'm so excited that Hubby and I finally booked our getaway for when he is done with his job rotation. He and I will be heading to Riviera Maya, Mexico (15 miles north of Cancun) in July. We are staying here. It's an all inclusive resort. We've never done all inclusive before and I'm excited to not have to worry about a thing and we can just relax, drink and enjoy spending time away! We've never been to Mexico...any recommendations?

You Pick the Giveaway

I love doing giveaways but I want this one to be a little more interactive and let you pick it! Since Stella & Dot jewelry is my latest love, I want to share it with you. If you win the giveaway, you get to pick (of my favorites) which piece you want. Below are your options and rules for entering. Good luck.

OPTION #1

Mira Bangles (gold or silver)

OPTION #2
Garden Party Earrings (green or cream)

OPTION #3
Ever After Necklace

OPTION #4
Signature Dot Disc Necklace

How to win:
1) You must be a follower and let me know which piece of jewelry you would like if you win (one entry)
2) Tweet about it. Please include my handle @xtinascripps (one entry)
3) Blog about it (one entry)

Leave one comment for each entry

This is a quick giveaway entries end Friday at 10pm.

And if you want to order anything from my trunk show, Click here and go to the top right corner and then click on can't make it to the trunk show.

Beauty Palette

Just purchased this Urban Decay palette from Sephora. I've had my eye on it for a while but it's been sold out. When I got my VIB 10% off coupon I checked and it was in stock! Woo hoo! Can't wait for it to get here.

Not Packing Enough = Shopping Trip for Me!

This weekend I was up in CT visiting Hubby. I did not pack appropriately and needed to make a mall run for some warmer clothes. Thankfully Banana was having 40% off everything in the store and I had a gift card and reward certificate. I ended up picking up two cardigans. This one below and another one (navy and tan stripe) that I can't find online (I'll post a photo later this week). The cardigan below is a perfect transition cardigan during these weird hot/cold days. I absolutely love the color...it's a light amethyst.