Last Things Thursday - IV

Hey hey! I got to make this short and sweet today. I have lots of work to do. I have a whole new collection coming to laurendarlings. Collection? Really I shouldn't use words like that. I'm working on something new for summer and I'm about to go work my little fingers to the bone to get them ready for you!

The last thing I...

bought - gas, fabric, and the passion tea I'm drinking now.

got excited about - the fabric being on sale. I was seriously praying about this. I needed a sign to know that what I was doing wasn't all just a big idea in my head. This little sign confirmed my decision. 

tweeted - making dreams come true today..what are YOU doing ?!?! No one has yet to respond which I think means everyone is either busy working or at the pool. Not following me on Twitter land yet - now you can @larnlevy - you're welcome.

posted - ways to encourage your spouse. It's not a lecture don't be scared to read it. I thought it was funny, but maybe I'm one of those people who think I'm funny and I'm not.

did for someone else - the nanny called in sick so I played with the kids yesterday afternoon. Barbie even stopped by my IG feed to say hello.

tried new - #shereadstruth an online community to keep other woman accountable for reading the Bible daily. The new plan started today, and I'm really excited about it.

downloaded - Creepin' by Eric Church 

cooked - again I have nothing. My mom has been keeping the refrigerator stocked. Luckily she can duplicate Brandon's Mema's cooking pretty close and whipped up some Rice and Red Junk. Y'all will never get the recipe. So sorry.

gave away - this cute wristlet to @daisygirlproductions. Don't forget to check on Wednesdays over on my Instagram for a giveaway. Usually there are a few a month! Daisy please email me - laurendarlings@gmail.com

want you to do for someone else - compliment an online friend via your favorite social media. I'll go first.Sarah Halstead - thank you for the sweet tweet. I am for sure going to check out your blog when I have time. Your photos are AWESOME and your son is such a cutie!

That's all lovely people. I stayed way longer than I should have, but you're worth it!

LD

Fridays Letters - Take 1

I've never written Friday's Letters before. I imagine myself sitting at a desk and it going exactly like Jimmy Fallon's segment 'thank you notes' music and all. There now you have a great visual to go along with my first attempt. You're welcome.

Dear sewing machine,

I miss your little foot. We are gonna have a major sewing party next week. I've been brainstorming some ideas for you. I think you'll like our new creations.

Dear husband,

It's been so nice to kiss your face, fall asleep, and wake up next to you the last few days. I'm soaking it up because before long we will be miles apart again.

Dear sister,

I hope you have a great birthday tomorrow. Wish I could be home to celebrate but I feel like we got in great quality time last week.

Dear brother, (the little one)

I'm sorry about your crappy week. I love that you always think I'm going to have some great relationship advice to give you. I'm singing 'Love Stinks... ya ya' to you right now.

Dear rain jacket and favorite blue dress,

I'm really sorry I left you in New York. I'm more sorry that I just realized you were missing yesterday. I'm still working on getting you back, not sure if I will have any luck though.

Dear swimming pool,

Next week I'm coming for you and I'm bringing the little monsters to teach them how to swim. Not just that I will be working on my tan too, but not without some SPF. 

Dear Big Blue Truck,

I love you, but you are so expensive to fill up. I initially thought filling Brandon's stomach was going to be the expensive part in this marriage. I clearly thought wrong.

Dear Lydia Holden, 

I am counting down for your big day this weekend. I realize that we have never met but I just can't help to be obsessed with you and your superman. 

Dear Little Shop That Could,

I am sorry for neglecting you. I think about you everyday and how I'm going to make you work.

Dear Self-Doubt,

Get out - I don't want you here. Period

Dear Ashley from Fridays Letters,

Thanks for the great link up. I'm excited to meet some new friends. 

Dear  Awesome person reading this,,

It was probably a waste of your time but I'm glad you wasted your time with me. 

Sincerely,

Lauren

Last Things Thursday - III

Hello friends! It's been a while, like usual. You know I'm glad I have this online journal to help me keep track of where I am when and how I am feeling about it. Tonight....I'm coming to you from Memphis Tennessee. Yep - we're back! I honestly can't explain to you how it works, why,when, and who decides this. But I'll tell you that its not me and it's not my husband. We are just rolling with the punches best we can. If you're new and catching up with me maybe start waaay back here, here, or here. 


Today I'm linking up with Jenna like most Thursdays... who also just opened a new shop [Neon & Nude] check it out! 


The Last Thing I ...


ate - Mexican with my man. Last night was the first time I've seen him in TWO weeks. If you ask me, that's two weeks to long for these newlyweds. 

cried about - I was at my parents the last two weeks and our dog Rudy of 14 years is having some neck problems. He apparently had an episode of some sort and was not eating/drinking for a few days. I cried with him thinking about all the great times we've had together and that he was gonna be leaving us soon. I love this pup and am not looking forward to the day we have to say goodbye. Fortunately he is doing much better but he made me realize how much I love him. 

daydreamed - that Brandon and I went out on the lake fishing for the whole day. Hopefully we can do this when he has a few days off in July.


cooked - um, I seriously can't remember. I did pick up some cookie dough from the store so maybe I'll bake some cookies this week.


sewed - I have had a few orders for the new camera straps. Since I'm only visiting my guy until Monday - I didn't pack ANY crafting stuff. I  feel lost with out it to be honest but that's okay. I'll get over it. Plus I really feel like I have no clue which direction my shop is taking so it's better to have some time away to think/brainstorm/plan.


sang along to - Sunday, my sister, two brothers,two of their friends, and I went to the Brothers of the Sun Tour featuring Tim McDreamy McGraw and Kenny Chesney. I love country music and good looking cowboys. The only thing that could have made it better is if my cowboy was with me. Also Grace Potter opened for them and was awesome her album came out Tuesday - must buy! I love up and coming artists..it reminds me of my guy fighting to make his dream come true. Which also reminds me of Dave Owens and that you should go check him out here and his sweet amazing supportive wife here. 

laughed about - ecards. I love them and they are true, mostly. 

Alyssa ... I'm talking to you.

needed - was the weekend away with my family. Thursday I met with two of my close friends from college for dinner and to catch up. Then Friday - Monday I was in Kansas City. We went to the pool, caught a movie, rocked out at the concert, and then did some shopping.  I really enjoyed a weekend away from the crazy baseball life. Mostly I enjoyed the pool. I love the pool.

thought about social media - is that it's AWESOME. I seriously have been counting down for a wedding of someone I've gotten to know through Instagram. I know normally this would be creepy but it's not and I will totally meet them someday even if it's when I crash the wedding on the 23rd. If I haven't told you before I LOVE Instagram [larnlevydickson] and the Holden family. 

did spur of the moment - pulled off the road on my four hour drive to watch the sunset. This photo has a filter, but it doesn't matter this is how gorgeous it looked to me! I love that sometimes I stop to enjoy things like this. 

don't want to think about - leaving my man. Two weeks away was way too long not seeing each other. I can't even think that we are going to do this again from June 18 - July 4. Must get in lots of hugs and kisses now! But it does give us the opportunity for texts like this. It also reminds me of the beginning days of our relationship which is kinda cool. Not cool enough to make me forget I have to go to bed and wake up alone. Oh well - thankful for technology. 

did that made myself laugh - I'm silly what can I say. This is truly how I feel. Do you agree?

YOU did to make me happy - was to stop by my blog. Thank you and if no one has told you today you are awesome and can do whatever you put your mind to! Fight for you dreams and never stop.

Something Different - The Last Thing Thursdays

The last thing I...

cooked: cream of chicken casserole & broccoli and cheese 

baked: red velvet whoopie pies

bought: at home gel manicure kit - I'll let you know how this one works. I already returned the Red Carpet brand cause it peeled off in one day. Rut-row.

drank: sweet tea

received in the mail: new business cards - so excited!

did for someone else: babysat our roommates little girl so they could have dinner out and enjoy some adult conversation. I love doing stuff like this for others, there is no gift like it. 

blogged about: a recipe for mozzarella cheese dip.

movie I went to: The Lucky One. Zac Efron, you are a looker.

was in awe of: the sunset over the river.

snacked on: frozen Rolo's & chocolate covered strawberries.

sewed: an iPad case, two clutches, and a giveaway and review piece. I need to get working on some new stuff.

Tweeted: "Checking out from twitter for a few days. I need a break."

Pinned: a dress tutorial 

Instagrammed: my little roommate

played: scramble with friends... vs my husband... and lost.

read: Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman

listened too: Carrie Underwood's album Blown Away - get it. Ahhmazing!

I planned to do: 

Hi-Lo Skirts

The weather here in Florida has been quite awesome. For some reason when I packed for six weeks I didn't bring a lot of fun warm-weather clothes. I didn't bring winter boots and sweaters, but very casual shorts and boyfriend tees. There is nothing wrong with this look, it's my favorite, but I've been in a comfy/casual look slump for a while. Too long actually. 


Before we started dating, the mr. said one of the things that caught his attention (besides the camo shorts) was that I dressed up. I don't tend to do that too much anymore because we usually don't have many places to go. Now due to our lack of a full functioning kitchen we tend to dine out most nights of the week in turn I have a reason to dress up again. Plus I know my husband likes when I put in a little bit of effort to look nice for him. 


So since I've started sewing and we are a little bit settled here I've been dying to make a skirt or two. I received an email the other day with some dresses/skirts and I fell in love with the style. The Hi-Lo style. The Pinterest search began. Here is what I found for my skirt making inspiration....now if only there was an easy tutorial online. I'll just have to do some experimenting. But please if you've seen one, send it my way.

Source: farm7.static.flickr.com via Love on Pinterest

Source: fancytreehouse.blogspot.com via Quinn on Pinterest

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: theblondesalad.com via Célèste on Pinterest

Source: brandymelvilleusa.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

Chex-mas Cheer {A Recipe}

I've been hit by Christmas fever! 

And so has everyone else. The stores were a disaster this weekend. 

My fault for not going earlier in the week.

Anyway..I spent an evening in the kitchen, made homemade broccoli cheese soup and red velvet whoopie pies (separate post). Then I made some Chexmas Cheer, I want to share this concoction with you here.

There may be a recipe somewhere online just like this, but I honestly didn't use one and just threw it together.


Chex-mas Cheer

Ingredients

2 cups white chocolate chips

1 stick of butter/margarine (1/4 cup)

2 cups Chex rice cereal

2 cups cinnamon Chex cereal

2 cups popped popcorn

1 cup dry roasted peanuts.

Confectioners sugar aka powdered sugar

Dash or 2 or 3 Cinnamon

Holiday sprinkles

First melt the white chocolate chips and butter for 2 minutes stirring every 30 seconds.

Mix cereals, popcorn, and peanuts in large bowl.

Pour melted butter and white chocolate mix over the dry ingredients. Stir to cover all pieces. 

Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Mix.

Repeat again with only powdered sugar. 

Add sprinkles to your discretion. The more the merrier.

Pour out on a pan covered in wax paper or foil to dry. 

Package for giving if you haven't eaten all of it yourself. 
I etched PEACE on the side of this jar from the dollar store and embellished with some Christmas colored ribbon. My first ever win on a blog giveaway was this etch all cream from I {heart} Nap Time. This is the first time using it and now I am obsessed.  I quickly realized I should have used the words COMFORT & JOY cause any food or snacks going in this jar will probably provide both.

Anyways...consider yourself warned is delicious. 

Or as Fergie would say, D to the E to the L-I-C-I-O-U-S! 

Linking up here:

A Recipe: No Bake Dirt Cake

It's that time of year and I'm sure you are looking for something spooky to whip up that is still edible. This is especially fun if you have to take something to work OR for your kids around Halloween.

Dirt Cake:

Ingredients:


1 to 1 1/4 lb. pkg Oreo Cookies
1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanillla
3 cups milk
1 (12oz) tub Cool Whip (Chocolate will make it darker)
2 (3 1/2oz) pkg chocolate pudding
Gummy worms

Mix it:


Crush Oreos. Put 1/3 of crushed Oreos into new clean flower pot. Set aside.

Mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Set aside.

Combine milk and pudding mix. 

Fold Cool Whip into the pudding.Next fold together the pudding mixture and butter-cream cheese mixture.


Layer this mixture onto the crushed Oreos. Layer more crushed Oreos and pudding mixture until all ingredients are used. As you're layering the ingredients place gummy worms or other gummy critters throughout the 'dirt.'

Chill in refrigerator for three to four hours before serving.


I used this cake for Big Guy's birthday. I put dump trucks on top because thats about all he thinks is cool these days. 

It would also be cute to put flower shaped lollipops for a little girls party OR just make it creepy for Halloween. You don't have to have a flower pot you can use a pie plate or cake pan or any other fun dish you have around the house. 


Go check out some other 'Whats for Dinner' recipes here and link up your own.