Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad I could ever ask for...

To a Dad who only gets mad because he cares.

To a Dad who let me "cut" his hair.

To a Dad who was always there.

To my Dad who gave me my red hair.

And to my Dad who taught me that compound interest is the 8th wonder of the world.

I couldn't ask for a better Dad to love me all these years.

Sorry I absentmindedly mailed your cards to San Diego when you're still in New Jersey, but you can check the post mark that they were mailed before today.

Happy Father Day.

Love you!

Fantastically Delicious: Baked Bean & Hot Dog Casserole

This is the recipe for one of my FAVORITE Summer Casserole dishes.  My Aunt use to make it all the time and it tastes like my childhood Summer.
I make this recipe multiple times during the Summer and for the first time this Summer on Wednesday night after my closet assault. I burned my arm on my oven (I still have a little burn mark on my arm) and turned my inferno like apartment into a freaking 5-alarm situation. But its so good that I had a bowl at 11:30pm after it had cooled down before I went to bed, THAT's how good it is!
So here it is, I'll make it again this week so I can add a picture..

BAKED BEAN & HOT DOG CASSEROLE

Ingredients:
1 package of 8 or 10 hot dogs (I prefer Nathan's) sliced
1 medium onion (I prefer a vidalia) chopped
2 Tbsp of butter
2 Tsp mustard (I used Dijon)
1/2 Tsp pepper
2 1/2 Cups of baked beans (I prefer Bush's Baked Beans)
1/2 Cup of ketchup
1/4 Cup of firmly packed brown sugar
Sliced Cheese (I prefer Cheddar, but you can use Provolone or American)

Preheat oven to 350.
In skillet cook: butter, sliced hot dogs, chopped onion, mustard & pepper.  Mix well.  Set aside.
In 13x9 casserole dish: Pour baked beans into dish, add ketchup & brown sugar.  Mix well.
Layer hot dogs & onions from skillet evenly over baked beans.
Top with cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes.

Serves 6

Closet Assault

On Wednesday I had my own version of What Not to Wear....
My dear friend/personal stylist Tanya came over and assaulted my closets. And it was FAB-U-LOUS and so much fun!!

She pulled everything out of both my closets (its not like they're walk-in or anything, just two small coat closets) and made my try on almost every piece of clothing I own.  Tanya reviewed it all advising on what fit me 'right' and what didn't and then creating outfits out of clothing I would never think went together, who knew you could belt so much?

By the time we were done my apartment was a mess, clothes and shoes strewn everywhere.  When I put everything away my closets looked so bare but it was all for the greater good of my wardrobe and style.  The only sad part of the night was parting with my favorite mumu, but I was told even if I belt it I'm no longer allowed to wear it EVER again.  I now have two large Nordstrom bags filled with clothes for Goodwill donations.

These were some of the items that made the 'yes' list...

Look a belt as a bracelet - she's so clever

All the major models use this pose

I know I may look like a model, but my posing technique may need some help, lol.


It was exactly what I needed.  I know what looks good on me because I always wear the same thing; the same style dress in a few different colors and you'll hardly ever see me in pants.  The purpose of Tanya's assault on my closet and then subsequent shopping sprees is to learn how to wear different styles; create a versatile wardrobe, learn how to accessorize, wear pants, and some pizzaz to my closet.  So now the next steps: shopping to fill the gaps in my wardrobe.

Thanks Tanya!  Check out her awesome blog eyeheart 

Summer has officially began!

Sunday was a day trip to Fire Island to kick off Summer at the Beach!

Beach Buddies: Irene, Lisa & Matt

Ass in beach chair, toes in the sand ... Life was good that day

I made a new friend, Fred.

The cutest little girl came up to me and asked if I wanted a snail to take home with me.  As much as I tried to persuade her that I didn't want a snail, Fred became mine.

Me & Fred

I finally convinced the little girl to take Fred back to be with his friends.  Though I'd love to take Fred home with me, I didn't think he would survive the adventure.

Throughout the day I thought I was being so careful having Lisa spray me down with my spf 30 every 2 hours but alas I still managed to lobsterfy by back, arms, knees, shoulders & worse my ass.  I told Lisa she's now useless with sunscreen and no longer allowed to be my re-applier, lol.  Everything was just RED and only needed a little aloe & lotion, but it was my ass that was a different story.  It hurt to walk, sit, stand.. who burns their ass?  Apparently me!
Whatever, I love Summer and even more I love the Beach!  My "burn" turned into a tan, so now I have the perfect base tan to kick off Summer!!