shuggilippo: December 2010

Frank & KC Fall Madly In Love

I’m pretty sure I have WAY too much fun with these projects in which Collective Bias invites me to participate.

More #FranksRedHot with a dash of a #HamBeach slow cooker. Can I just add that it pleases my soul (and tastebuds) to have gone through two bottles of Frank’s Red Hot Sauce in the past month? Well I’m adding it. So there.

This time I decided to share a love story that some are familiar with, but most are not. There’s something magical about when a bottle of hot sauce and a bottle of KC style BBQ sauce share a refrigerator shelf and fall madly in love. It brings out all sorts of warm fuzzies for both parties.

Take a peek at Frank & KC’s fairytale… (In other news: I slay me.)

I made me some delicious Spicy BBQ Pulled Chicken for sandwiches and used the leftovers to jazz up a salad.

Here is the recipe to curb the drooling:

Spicy BBQ Pulled Chicken

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast (I used tenderloins because we have a tiny family)

BBQ Sauce

Frank’s Red Hot Sauce

1 medium onion, chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Place chicken breast in a single layer on the bottom of the slow cooker. Add onion if desired, covering the chicken. Cover the chicken with BBQ sauce. Sprinkle hot sauce generously over BBQ sauce. Spread with a spatula for full coverage. Place slow cooker on low for 5 hours or high for 2.5 hours. After cooked, pull chicken using two forks and toss in the sauce.

Mix a small amount of BBQ sauce and hot sauce in a bowl. Pile up your chicken on a fresh roll or top on a bed of lettuce. Pour extra sauce over either generously. Binge. Smile. Repeat.

Disclosure: The spicy chickens at Collective Bias facilitated this experience by providing my kitchen appliance collection with a Hamilton Beach slow cooker. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. While I love CB, Hamilton Beach, and Frank’s Red Hot, this love story was all my own.

Sponsored Post: DiGiorno Game Time

Game Time.

Let me rephrase that, FOOTBALL Game Time.

Football is a huge deal in our family. No one in the family played football or really has any strong connection to football, save myself ~~suffering~~ enduring a brief stint as a cheerleader in high school and almost, barely, this one time, kissing Max Hall on the mouth. We’re just super big, gigantic, football fans.

With five girls, one boy, all of our spouses, and mom & dad, there’s no surprise that when it comes to being game time, there are a lot of picky mouths to feed.

Our go-to is usually BYOB and appetizers, but, the day after Christmas, no one wanted to lift a finger making anything intricate, so we opted for pizza. I mean, how can you ever go wrong with pizza?!

Delivery just seemed cruel. The last thing I wanted to deal with was a snot-face pizza delivery boy who was bitter he wasn’t home playing Call of Duty.

DiGiorno to the rescue!

To feed fourteen people, it only cost us $27. Twenty. Seven. Dollars. That means everyone got a whole half of a pizza to themselves and we didn’t have to have a “Toppings I Hate” collection plate on the ottoman because we couldn’t all agree on which two large pizzas we wanted to order.

Plus, with the rising crust pizza that DiGiorno makes, everyone seemed to fill up a bit faster so there where, my favorite, leftovers. Aka…I didn’t want to have to make anything intricate for the next two nights for dinner. Ha!

Thanks to the yummy, delicious, pizza heads over at Collective Bias for facilitating and compensating me for the opportunity to experience DiGiorno Rising Crust Pizza with my family. All opinions and silliness are my own. The pizza did NOT make me do it. Pinky swear.a

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve.

I have a Christmas miracle to share with you. But not today.

Today I have a badrillion and forty three hundred six thousand and nine things to do before tomorrow.

The tomorrow where we are planning on packing up the truck and heading north to expose Nugget to the frigid wonder of snow, all whilst taking a gamble on mother nature that we won’t get stuck because of road closures. We’re ballsy like that, maybe.

The today is when I am positive this chicken will lose its head. Or at least that’s what I’m going to look like until Sunday rolls around. Bok-bok.

The best part about today though? The wrapping party where I dress like a Rockette and wear ridiculously, festive head gear on the internet with friends far and wide. My friends aren’t wide. The distance between us. That’s what I’m. Oh never mind.

Now where are my nylons…

Wordless Wednesday: Wintry Sunset

**Join the Wordless Wednesday fun and link up with Angry Julie Monday.

A Rockefeller Christmas…

…Tree.
In our teeny living room.
Husfriend lives to humor me, I’ve decided.

Ain’t Nothin’ Like Christmas Baby

This Just In: Christmas Chaos at its Lowest

I am totally in the Christmas spirit. I mean, really, when am I not joyful and triumphant?! Psssht.

For some reason, I’ve been overly anxious lately (note: thank you Xanax). I keep thinking I’ve forgotten something or someone on my gift list (damn shopping efficiency has my panties all up in a bunch!), I missed an appointment that I intentionally never set, I haven’t paid a bill that doesn’t even exist, or the more everyday things like: have I put on pants. I’m never in a bra so that doesn’t really fall in the “forgetful moments with Jess” category.

Things have been running smoothly, falling in place if you will. The well of blessings is gushing out over the members of our family, like it sprung a leak that no plumber-crack is supposed to fix. Projects are getting finished efficiently. Creativity is at its peak. “Hoorays!” and “Woots!” are in the air.

The obvious optimist in me says there’s something ugly a-brewin’.

Get in the cellar Jim-Bob! Bring the preserves Sally-May!

Merry Friggin’ Christmas?

Wordless Wednesday: Nugget Vision Christmas Edition

**Join the Wordless Wednesday fun by linking up with Angry Julie Monday.

Dear Santa: Swirls Diamond Key Pendant from G3 Jewelry

Um, G3 Jewelry just followed me on Twitter. @G3Jewelry

I’m already in love with their key pendants.

I will humbly accept this one as a New Year’s gift.

Dear Santa: Kantha Throw by Couleur Nature

Can we tell I’m actually paying attention to my Gilt, OKL, and Rue La La emails today?!

I have no words for how amazing this throw would look on my white couch.

Dear Santa: Lil Mo Traffic Rug by Momeni

I’m pretty sure ~~mommy~~ Nugget would love this rug in his bedroom.

Dear Santa: Sony VAIO EA Signature Collection Laptop

Not that I need another computer, but wouldn’t this be fun to set up for a work-from-Starbucks day?

Another selling point? This particular piece of deliciousness in the collection is called “Arabesque Gold”.

If you are familiar with Guitar Leg and or my affinity for flinging my legs around for no apparent reason, you’ll understand the glory that lies within me owning such a marvelously named object. Plus I’m gold like buttah!

There are also some stellar performance features you should probably check out to convince you that you would love to buy this for me for Christmas or a Tuesday because I love it so much and think I might die if I don’t have it but not really because I’d probably die metaphorically if it showed up at my front step so I’m not going to keel over before that could quite possibly, maybe, if I hope and wish and pray for it to, happen. ::deep breath::

Dreaming of a White, Powdery…Christmas.

On the outside, I’m an angel.

On the inside, I’m an angel.

In the privacy of my own bedroom when no one else is awake to fall witness, I’m satanic.

There’s just something about the holidays that puts you in a great mood for 99.999% of the days leading up to Christmas (or whichever winter holiday you happen to celebrate) but leave you crabby, stabby, and menstrual for the remaining .001% of the day.

Anyone else to the point where all you can do to gather some sanity is picture yourself as a stick figure making snow angels in freshly fallen snow?

Dear Santa: Will Ferrell Handshake

No. This isn’t some 2010 fad toy that “every child needs beneath their Christmas tree”. Although, I’d certainly pay good money to see how Playskool would handle manifesting such a request…and for children.

I would very much adore shaking the hand of Mr. Will Ferrell for Christmas. It wouldn’t necessarily need to happen on the morning of the 25th, just someday within the next year. I also foresee the trickling of gold down my pant leg if aforementioned request happens to come true.

Better get a head start on the scour for adult diapers and lady cave parfum…just in case.

Dear Santa: Handsoap Set by foliage on Etsy

I would like a truckload of these for housewarming gifts and/or parting gifts for Val’s Baby Shower.

$16 for a set of 8. Get some.

Yes, please.

Sewing Project: Simplicity Apron from Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts

I get it. Sewing is for “old broads”. I get the flack more than you know, but you know what I say ~~in my head~~ to those people? Screw you.

Okay, I’m really not that violent about it, but it definitely lights a fire to prove “those people” wrong. Why is it so odd to be obsessed with sewing instead of shopping for shoes? I can be twenty-four in real life and an old broad at heart. Right?

Having a son makes things tough in the “sewing things for babies” department of the Moms Who Love To Sew Mart. However, I am lucky enough to have all sisters (save one…he’s a dude) and a sister with another chicky on the way.

So this year, with the economic downturn, I decided to make them all gifts to use while cherishing our time together. Aprons. Naturally, because I can’t seem to live a full five minutes of existence without consuming some sort of sugary sweet, there will be a marathon day/night of Christmas cookie making and the memories? Well, they’ll include pictures and video of us in stylish new aprons, courtesy of yours truly with the help of Simplicity patterns because I just don’t think I can “wing” this type of mammoth project. I’m silly and giddy about stuff like this. It’s what I do best.

Are you ready for a zinger? I have never, ever, ever, used a sewing pattern before this weekend. Never. Yep, you heard me. I’m one of those, “I may have barely passed trigonometry, but I can totally figure this out.” types of people. “Type A” as some might say. Well, I went the safe route choosing a pattern from Simplicity’s Sewing Patterns for Dummies line. Two reasons for this, 1) I want you to know that you can do this too (I believe in you!) and 2) After shaking my magic eight ball, I knew I was going to need to take baby steps this go ‘round. You aren’t the dummy, I am.

I love Jo-Ann stores because there’s just something about ~~touching things~~ seeing the fabrics up close and personal, that helps get my creative juices flowing. Even if I don’t have a particular project in mind, I skip the shoe shopping and browse the aisles of fabric at my local store for inspiration. Because I’m a perfectly normal twenty-four year old woman. Remember?

Since I’m gifting six of these bad boys, I couldn’t very well make one using the super-gift fabric (Hi Val!) so I scoped the store for a cute, everyday one I can keep in my own kitchen. Pattern, fabric, trim, and thread and I was ready to rock. and. roll.

I had a blast, holing up in my creative lair for a few hours (yeah, I know, just a few hours. rad.) and churning out a project that amped me up for sewing. I’ll now be keeping a dusting cloth close by my machine to remind me that I hate dusting and need to use the thing all the time to avoid said housework. I’m also lazy like that.

Do you sew magnificent gifts for family or friends for the holidays? birthdays? Wednesdays?

I was provided monetary compensation by Collective Bias to complete this project over the weekend. All patterns, fabrics, and general tom foolery are my own.

Dear Santa: Kikkerland Charging Station

I’m not super granola in anyway.

I think this gift request pays homage to that statement.

I could get behind sprucing up my office with a little “greenery” for a cool thirty bones.

Buy yours here. C’mon, it’s for Mother Earth.

Sweet Baby Abby

Baby Abby has yet to make her grand debut, but she’s already created a glow in her mother that words just cannot suffice to describe.

Also? Don’t you wish you looked so teensy at 29 weeks. bitch

Dear Santa: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Face Peel

I’ve been using this system paired with the All-In-One Cleansing Foam for a whopping four days.

The typically wide open, see them from a mile away, pores on my nose and the apples of my cheeks, are already significantly less noticeable. After FOUR DAYS! I’ve never been in love with a product, nor been so willing to address this self-esteem fizzling flaw, than I have been in the past few days.

I took it for a test run and opted for the 10-day pack. Now, with day ten fast approaching, it appears to be the time to begin the Saint Nick groveling…

Dear Santa: Pottery Barn Farmhouse Armoire

Here’s a big ticket item on my personal wish list.

The Pottery Barn Farmhouse Armoire in Espresso.

I’m thinking a winning lottery ticket will securely place this 73” bad boy under the tree. Well, maybe not under the tree. Perhaps a few feet to the right of the Christmas tree, finally concealing our rarely used television. In turn, our living room will become more of a conversational space for mingling and entertaining and less of a “TV as the focal point” sort of space.

pottery-barn-farmhouse-armoir

Dear Santa: Rainy Day Story - Road Trip Camper

Along with a slue of other awesome handmade prints, I’d like to gift a pallet of these awesome cards to Husfriend.

Pack that sack jolly man…

Get your hands on some of these Road Trip Camper cards at Rainy Day Story (featured at #crafeteria10)

Dear Santa: Kids TOMS Shoes

Dear Santa-Who-Is-Less-Santa-And-More-Mommy’s-Best-Friend-Rachel,

Thank you for ~~stealing Mommy’s idea for a rad present~~ the early Christmas gift.

Now I can look just like Daddy. And hopefully Mommy.

Love,

Nugget

P.S. Please encourage other Mommies and Daddies to earn major cool points by grabbing some here.

Dear Santa: TOMS Gilded Herringbone Women’s Classics

I’m a 9/9.5.

In case you were wondering. I am sort of in the market for some new party footwear. (heels = glamazon and/or ankle spraining)

Could these be any more festive for the holidays?!

You can buy them ~~for me~~ here.

Save the Date: Celebrate Valeri & Baby Abby

I’m ecstatic to help host a shower celebrating my little dude of a sister and her husband’s blessing of a beautiful little baby.

I’ve got my work cut out for me, but I wouldn’t want to be focusing my energy on anything else. I mean, beside my boys and Christmas and a certain Dirty Thirty trip for Megan and keeping the house clean and eating. I must remember the eating.

Where’s my chocolate donut?

Wordless Wednesday: Dreamy Saturday with Arizona Lewis & De Orta Photography

I had the most amazing Saturday morning last week with the talented arizona lewis & de orta photography. (words)

**Join the Wordless Wednesday fun by linking up with Angry Julie Monday.

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