Life of a Bama Girl

Too Familiar

2013-05-22T09:41:00.001-05:00

This picture is all too familiar. My heart breaks for the people of Moore. Not long ago my town was ripped to shreds and I experienced the most terrifying day of my life. Please don't forget the people in Oklahoma over the next few days, weeks or months. They need our prayers and support and will continue to need it for a very long time.

Just a few ways you can help:

- Pray

- Donate to the Red Cross

- Donate to the Salvation Army

- Donate to the United Way of Central Oklahoma

- Donate to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society

Edgar's Bakery | Tuscaloosa, AL

2013-05-21T09:30:00.001-05:00

Edgar's is one of my new favorites. Mom and I had breakfast there one Saturday morning. I ordered the bacon, egg and cheese biscuit with a side of breakfast potatoes. I loved that the biscuits have cheese in them instead of a slice of cheese inside. So good!

For lunch one day at work, we ordered Edgar's to-go. I had the Chicken Salad Croissant with a side of fruit and baked potato salad. We were given free cookies. Aren't they cute! Once again, everything was very good. I can't wait to go again and try some of their other lunch options.

La Gran Fiesta | Tuscaloosa, AL

2013-05-20T09:17:00.001-05:00

Growing up, La Gran Fiesta is where everyone went after church on Sunday night. So many good memories. Before starting to paint my house a couple of weekends ago we all went to La Gran for some pre-painting fuel. It was just as good as I remembered.

Fortunes

2013-05-19T13:39:00.000-05:00

Photo by Pam Bell Photography

I finally got the disposable camera developed from Katie and Jeremy's wedding, the one that puts fortunes on the pictures. Well the quality is horrible. I attempted to make them better using Photoshop so now you can at least tell who the people are in the pictures.

Daylight Donuts | Tuscaloosa, AL

2013-05-17T10:26:00.000-05:00

This donut shop is a nice change to the donut shop we already have in town. It's nice to have options. I really like their cake donuts. The blueberry one was delicious. They call this huge chunk of sugar cinnamon goodness a "pinecone".

Bobby + Kylie | Stock the Bar Shower

2013-05-16T08:43:00.001-05:00

A few weekends ago Trey and I went to Montgomery for our friends, Bobby and Kylie's Stock the Bar Shower. It was a lot of fun. Bobby and Kylie are so much fun! I cannot wait for their big day!

WIAW #20

2013-05-15T18:49:00.000-05:00

During the move I ate out A LOT. Now that I have more time I am trying to get back into cooking more. Plus I have a bigger kitchen and a deck to grill out on! I can never turn down Zoe's Kitchen though so for lunch today I had a chicken salad sandwich and potato salad. Zoe's potato salad is my absolute, all-time favorite. For dinner tonight I made a grilled cheese and heated up some tomato soup.

Weekend Snapshots | May 10-12, 2013

2013-05-14T15:51:00.000-05:00

After work on Friday I made a stop at TJ Maxx and purchased a lot of cute things.

I love how my house is beginning to look and feel like my home. It's the little things that make it feel like it is mine. I haven't been wanting to leave it lately. I want to stay home and get everything put up and organized just the way I want it. But then I remember those trips to TJ Maxx and realize I need to go to work to fund my obsession with cute things.

This weekend was another busy one.I finished painting my kitchen and dining area. I love the bright white walls. They feel so clean and fresh. Now I have my bathroom, hall bathroom, both halls and guest room to paint. I enjoy painting but I am ready to have my house finished.

My Mom came over and cleaned while I painted. She showed me how to work a weed-eater. On Sunday we sat on my patio sipped iced sweet tea and her drink of choice Dr. Pepper. We grilled teriyaki chicken, pineapples, peppers and onions. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful, loving and caring mother.

Weed-eating is a job but I managed to get my front and back yards finished just as the second battery went dead. I don't think it will be as bad once I kill all the weeds and get some grass to growing again. Some of the weeds were so thick they could have been mistaken for baby trees.

Quick Update | I'm moved!

2013-05-06T11:59:00.000-05:00

Just checking in with a quick update! All of my stuff is moved into my house! I turned in my keys to my apartment this morning. I have been busy painting, unpacking, etc. The soonest they can set up the internet at my house is this Sunday. I guess that is a good thing because there will be no distractions from unpacking and cleaning. Have a great week!

image source

Currently | April 2013

2013-04-29T11:41:00.001-05:00

Loving: My ~~cactuses~~ cacti (I still think cactuses sounds better) and succulents that I bought at Lowe's and Walmart. Now if only I can find the bowl/planter that I have envisioned in my head... I hate when I know exactly what I want and cannot find it anywhere.

Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I am so glad I decided to read them! I am enjoying them a lot more than when I tried to read them in middle school. I may even finish the series this time.

Watching: The Vampire Diaries on Netflix. I don't know what it is about teenage dramas that just hook me in. It's a tad bit embarrassing... Meh oh well.

Anticipating: The actual move. Now that things are finalized I can't wait to be moved in.

Listening to: Mumford and Sons Pandora station. So good.

Planning: Coordinating paint colors, light fixtures, faucets, hose pipes, weed eaters, how I am going to get grass to grow in my yard?!, etc... If there are any lawn specialists out there feel free to give advice.

Working on: Painting! I want to get everything painted that I can before moving my furniture. I also made moving announcements. I was going to order some online until I decided that I could design and print my own. It saved me a lot of money since I already had the paper and envelopes.

Wishing: For more time in a day. There is just so much to be done!

Thankful: I am so very thankful for my family and friends. They are so encouraging in stressful times.

What are you currently loving, reading, watching, anticipating, listening to, planning, working on, wishing, thankful for, etc.?

Previous Currently Posts:

Weekend Snapshots | April 26-28, 2013

2013-04-28T20:43:00.000-05:00

1. On Friday I came out of this shiny building a homeowner!
2. I signed a gazillion papers.
3. First meal in my new house. Lee Palace's sesame chicken and steamed rice.

4. I was going to paint all of my walls white until I discovered this beautiful section of paint swatches at Lowe's. I went a little crazy. I really hope I like the colors I chose after they are on the wall.

I guess this means I'm an adult now? Say what!?

2013-04-23T13:18:00.000-05:00

I have had this post written for awhile and have just been adding more things to it. I have been scared to hit publish along the way in case something fell through. I have been hinting quite a bit about buying my first home for a month or so but now that it is finalized I can finally share without worrying. What a relief this is!

Over the Christmas holidays while at my Aunt's house the topic came up of "Why doesn't Brittany buy a house?" I have played with the idea many times before but never thought seriously about it. To be honest, I didn't think it was an actual possibility. I had no idea what my credit looked like but thought it would be okay since I always pay my bills on time, I always pay over the minimum balance on my credit cards if I don't pay them off each month, etc. Well lo and behold, after meeting with a mortgage production lender, I was told I could buy a house! This meeting was the day after Christmas. I had until October of this year until my lease was up, or so I thought. I received a notice on my apartment door stating that my lease was up in June and to let them know if I would be re-signing. When I moved into my apartment I signed a sublease in October. I just automatically thought October. So with only 5 months to figure out what I was doing instead of the 9 months I originally thought I would have I started to feel stressed.

Along with being stressed, I have gotten my heartbroken. That may sound a little dramatic but finding a house that I thought would be perfect and then finding out it is under contract is tough! They should definitely take down the for sale sign and the sale listing. Something about it just made me fall in love. So the search continued.

After a couple of weeks I found another house that I really liked. My mom went with me the first time I saw it and I later took my dad back to see it. He liked it and thought it would be a good first home for me. So that was it. I called the realtor and asked if it was still available. She said the house had been under contract but the loan fell through and the couple was not able to get it. I felt bad for the couple but that mean't I could get it. So I made an offer and after going back and forth we finally agreed on a price and terms.

Another unnerving side note is I never ever thought I would be buying a house alone. I am so blessed and proud of myself for being able to provide for myself. I guess I just can't believe it. There is A LOT of things to think about when buying a home and it can be a tad bit overwhelming at times. Am I really doing this?

I am so excited and hope to share my experiences as a homeowner along the way. I can't wait to start painting, decorating and having friends and family over.

Here are the pictures I took the first time Mom and I went to see the house. No picture of the outside for safety reasons but that is one of my favorite parts! I love the brick color and shutters. I have lots of decorating to do! Not crazy about the paint colors or the light fixtures.

Weekend Snapshots | April 19-21, 2013

2013-04-22T10:14:00.000-05:00

1. I went a little overboard with the milk foam this weekend but boy did it taste good. I love that you can make frothed milk with a mason jar and microwave.

2. Saturday mornings call for a good hot breakfast. This past Saturday I made a grilled cheese with eggs and strawberry jam. I love the sweet and cheesy flavors together. I am hooked.

3. My Mom and I went to Lowe's Saturday. I bought a lot of stuff for my house which of course included cacti and succulents. I also got a couple of paint samples to try out on the walls. Now I just have to wait until the Closing on Friday to get the keys!

Book Review | Insurgent

2013-04-17T12:41:00.000-05:00

I finished Insurgent a few weeks ago. I enjoyed it just as much as the first one, Divergent. I really liked how Insurgent picked up right where Divergent left off. I hate when sequels recap what happened in the first book. I wouldn't be reading the sequel if I hadn't already read the first one and liked it. I feel like that is a waste of time. Anywho, if you haven't read this series yet then you should! So good!

Publisher's Synopsis

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Pray for Boston

2013-04-16T13:21:00.000-05:00

image source

Kylie's Bridal Shower

2013-04-14T20:06:00.001-05:00

This weekend I went to Mobile for a sweet friend's bridal shower at the Bluegill. It was a lot of fun. The cake was adorable! It had their two dogs on it and a panda bear bride.

Easter 2013

2013-04-13T18:52:00.003-05:00

After church we went to my Aunt and Uncle's for Easter lunch. This Easter lunch was a little different this year. Instead of having a lot of family over we shared lunch with a sweet family friends. It was delicious as always. My Mom made a pretty cake and I made red velvet whoopie pies.

Weekend Snapshots | April 5-7, 2013

2013-04-12T11:24:00.000-05:00

1. My second attempt at making macarons turned out pretty good. They tasted good so that is a plus!
2. Mom and I went to see Dad at the camp.
3. I fished while we were there.
4. One of the fish I caught.
5. Dad's garden he has been working on. We measured it 100 ft. by 25 ft.
6. I learned how to froth my milk without a milk frother all you need is a mason jar. It makes my coffee so good.
7. These are the boxes I have packed so far. I still have a lot to go.

Currently | March 2013

2013-03-29T09:10:00.000-05:00

Loving: I have started journaling again. It feels so good to write my thoughts out. Lately, there has been so much going on good and not so good that I just need a private space that I can get everything out of my head.

Reading: The second book in the Divergent series, Insurgent. So far it is just as good as the first one.

Watching: Red Widow & Whitney. Whitney is so funny!

Anticipating: Owning my own home! I am so nervous that something is going to fall through but so far so good!

Listening to: NPR still.

Planning: I have been planning on how I want to decorate and organize my new home. Lots of list making!

Working on: Going through stuff and getting rid of things I don't need. I don't want to have to move stuff I don't want or use anymore.

Wishing: That everything continues to go smoothly on the way to owning my first home.

Thankful: I am thankful for such sweet memories I have of time spent with my family. My sister posted the picture above on Facebook a couple of weeks ago and I was reminded of all of the good times we spent at Daddy Ray and Mama Ray's. I miss them and Granny so much but am so blessed to have had them in my life at all.

What are you currently loving, reading, watching, anticipating, listening to, planning, working on, wishing, thankful for, etc.?

Previous Currently Posts:

Weekend Snapshots | March 22-24, 2013

2013-03-28T21:04:00.001-05:00

1. Friday at work for lunch we ordered sushi. I can't get enough of it. So good.

2. On Saturday, after jogging/walking in the Azalea Trail Run 10k, Trey and I went to a crawfish boil at his friend's house. These were the stairs of death I had to climb up every time I had to go to the bathroom. I was so sore...

3. Trey :)

4. Trey and I at the crawfish boil.

5. The amazing salad I had at Panera. It is from their secret menu, Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad.

6. Driving on Friday and Sunday is always the not so fun part of getting to see Trey. But it is worth it once I get to see him!

Recipe | Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

2013-03-21T10:13:00.000-05:00

Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

by Brittany Ray, adapted from Cooking Light March 2013 edition

Keywords: boil simmer entree broccoli cheddar cheese pasta

Ingredients (serves 4)

8 oz. uncooked mini penne pasta (I used whole wheat)
5 cups broccoli florets
1 1/3 cups fat free milk, divided
2 tbs. all-purpose flour
3 tbs. grated parmesan cheese, divided
2 tbs. 1/3 less fat cream cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. During the last 3 minutes of cooking add broccoli. Once pasta is done, drain and place in a large bowl. Set aside.

In a saucepan, combine milk and flour over medium heat, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Cook 5 minutes or until slightly thickened; remove from heat. Add 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk until smooth.

Add cheese mixture to pasta mixture; toss.

Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese.

Recipe | Spinach Chicken Lasagna

2013-03-19T09:40:00.000-05:00

Chicken & Spinach Lasagna

by Brittany Ray, adapted from Hidden Ponies

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Keywords: bake boil entree chicken spinach pasta mozzarella cheese Italian

Ingredients (serves 6)

9 lasagna noodles, not oven ready
1/2 cups butter
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups milk (I used organic skim)
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided, plus additional for topping
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
2 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite sized pieces
10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 tbs. chopped parsley

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Place noodles into boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water, set aside.

Over medium heat, melt butter in a large saucepan. Cook onion and garlic in butter until tender. Stir in flour and salt. Simmer until bubbly.

Mix in the broth and milk. Boil stirring continuously for 1 minute. Stir in 2 cups of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese. Sprinkle in the basil, oregano and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a 9 x 13 casserole dish, spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture on the bottom. Layer with 3 of the noodles and all of the chicken.

Layer 3 more noodles over the chicken. Then spread 1/4 of the sauce, spinach and remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.

Arrange the remaining 3 noodles over the cheese and spread remaining sauce evenly over the noodles.

Sprinkle with parsley and the remaining parmesan cheese.

Bake for 35 - 40 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

Lai Lai | Tuscaloosa, AL

2013-03-18T08:57:00.001-05:00

Saturday, Leigh and I went to dinner at Lai Lai. I had never eaten there when it was on the strip on campus but I have heard many good things about it. We shared the crab cheese wontons for an appetizer. I ordered the Honey Chicken and Leigh Ordered the Sesame Chicken. Both tasted really good and similar but mine was a little sweeter which I really liked. I will definitely be going here again when I have a hankering for Chinese food.

Recipe | Creamy Broccoli Casserole

2013-03-17T16:17:00.000-05:00

by Delish

Prep Time: 40 mins

Cook Time: 8 - 10 mins

Keywords: side broccoli vegetables

Ingredients (serves 6)

3 slices white bread
3 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups skim milk
2 lbs. broccoli, finely chopped
1 cup shredded white cheddar
salt and pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a food processor, pulse bread and 1 tbs. oil until crumbs form. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

In a large boiler, heat the remaining 2 tbs. oil on medium heat.

Whisk in flour. Stir constantly for 1 minute. Slowly pour in milk and whisk.

Bring to a boil and add broccoli. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until broccoli is tender. Stir occasionally.

Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cup cheese.

Pour mixture into a shallow casserole dish.

Top with breadcrumbs and the remaining cheese.

Bake until top is golden brown about 8 to 10 minutes.

Skincare Favorites | Winter 2012-2013

2013-03-14T16:13:00.001-05:00

During the winter I tried to make sure my face always has some type of moisturizer on it when going outside. I also recently decided that I need to be taking a lot better care of my face. I have always taken care of my face but it is now time to get serious about it. You only get one face for your whole life and it is the first thing people see. So I am taking the phrase, "put your best face forward" literally. Below are my favorite face products, in no particular order. Some are new favorites and some are old loves.

Clarisonic Mia 2 | This little gem is somewhat pricey, but well worth it. I could tell a difference in my face after the first time I used it. After washing my makeup off in the shower with the face wash listed below, I used the Clarisonic with the Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel it came with. I then followed with my normal skincare routine; toner, night-time moisturizer, eye gel. I woke up the next day to the softest my face has felt ever. My makeup went on so much smoother. I have not been using mine for long so I do not know how well they hold up but they look and feel pretty durable. If you have the extra money lying around or if you have to eat out less for a month or two (like me) I would absolutely suggest getting one for yourself.

First Aid Beauty Detox Eye Roller | I purchased this product without having heard of this brand before. I tried the eye roller one day in Sephora on the back of my hand. My hand felt so smooth the rest of the day. So I ordered it that week off the website. (The closest Sephora to me is in Birmingham which is 45 mins - 1 hour away from me.) The Detox Eye Roller is a light clear/cloudy liquid. I love that you cannot feel it under your eyes. I love a good thick night eye cream but during the day I don't want to feel like I have anything on. I have used this product for a couple of months. I feel like it does reduce the puffiness and darkness under my eyes. Another plus is that it lasts a really long time. I am not even half way through the bottle yet.

First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum | I will buy pretty much anything with anti-redness in the name. I have always been self-conscious about my red face. I have grown out of most of my redness like my dermatologist said I would but it still shows up sometimes and so I take all of the preventative measures I can. This anti-redness moisturizer is the lightness one I have tried so far. I really like the way it feels on my skin.

Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Creme | This is one of those old loves. I fell in love with this product when I was 16 and working at my Aunt's Merle Norman store. The smell, texture, thickness everything is just right for a night cream. In almost 10 years of using this product there have been many nights I have forgotten or not felt like putting it on before bed and I always wake up the next morning wishing I had. My face is always smoother in the mornings after I have used this product. The smell puts me to sleep. This is my all-time favorite skincare product.

Merle Norman Ultimate Firming Neck Cream | A couple of months ago, my Aunt and cousin were talking about a new neck cream at their store. I felt their necks and they were really soft, smooth and firm. (Yes, I touched their necks, we are a close family haha.) So of course I wanted to give the new neck cream a go. I have noticed my neck ain't what it used to be. Their shop is in Atlanta so I called and asked my Aunt to bring me a jar when she came back. This cream works wonders. My neck was smooth, firmer and softer after the first use.

Blackhead Clearing Scrub | I use this scrub in the shower. I have used all of the brands. I don't discriminate. Usually, I just buy which ever one is cheaper at the store I am at. Here are the ones I have used. Target, Walmart, Clean and Clear.

Apricot Scrub | This is another scrub I like to use in the shower. I don't like using this one every day since it is so abrasive. I rotate between this one and the one listed above. I also buy different brands. These are the ones I have used. Target, Walmart, St. Ives.

In case you were wondering...I was not paid for or given any of the above products. I paid for everything with my own money. All opinions are my own.