Tussy Mussy

One of my Mom's good friends owns a great company called Peachtree Circle where you can get everything from Tussy Mussies to bridal charms and attendant gifts. I just received the Tussy Mussies that I ordered for my Mom and future Mother-in-Law and my Grandmother. They are so beautiful that I wanted to share them with you today!

For Your Listening Pleasure

I've been spending a lot of time in the car lately thanks to two weekends at my parent's home for Mardis Gras. This weekend I head to see my fiance (he's in grad school about 2 1/2 hours away) and next weekend I head back home for one of my best friend's weddings. So, I decided I deserved some good ole trashy chic lit. I downloaded the Debutant Divorcee, loaded it on my ipod and I was there before I knew it! I have also listened to all the above books on audio book in the last 6 months. If you haven't tried listening to books it is great. I'll share some of my others after I finish them. Happy listening and let me know if there is a great book you have read lately that I need to add to my ipod!

Weight Watchers Spicy Black Bean Soup

I'm going to Weight Watchers in an hour and I am scared. I tried to be good at Mardis Gras, but when you are riding on a float throwing thousands of beads and moon pies it is hard not to work up an appetite for some King Cake. The crown and diet coke in my water bottle certainly did not help. But, I was good all week long so maybe it won't be too bad. In honor of a very good week of eating ahead I will share the Weight Watchers recipe I made last night. It was great! Wish me luck...

POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 30 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
The key to thickening this soup without flour? Pureeing some of the beans before cooking it. You'll love the stick-to-your-ribs texture that results.



Ingredients
1 sprays cooking spray
1 medium onion(s), finely chopped
4 medium garlic clove(s), minced
45 oz canned black beans, undrained, divided (three 15 oz cans)
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 tsp ground cumin
14 1/2 oz fat-free chicken broth, or vegetable broth
10 oz canned tomatoes with green chilies, such as Rotel Tomatoes
11 oz canned yellow corn, drained
Instructions
Coat bottom of a large stockpot with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft but not brown, about 5 minutes.


Place one can of beans in blender; add sautéed onion mixture, red pepper flakes and cumin. Cover and blend on high until smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour mixture back into stockpot.


Place second can of beans and broth in blender and puree until smooth; add to stockpot.


Stir third can of beans (do not puree first), tomatoes and green chilies, and corn into stockpot. Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Yields about 1 1/2 cups of soup per serving.

Fine China

I wanted to share my beautiful fine china with you. It is Wedgewood Crown Platinum. I love the simplicity of it, but it is still so elegant with the scalloped edges. What is your fine china?

For Sale...Sold??

Big news for me! I got a offer on my house yesterday! It was only on the market for 9 days! I have accepted the offer, but now we have to wait for the inspection (insert haunted house music.) They have 10 business days to complete the inspection, but I think they are going to do it this week. I'm not telling anyone (except parents, fiance, roommate, and you...my blogging friends) until the house passes inspection. The buyer chose the exact day I told my boss was my last day of work for our closing day! The sun is shining down on me if this all works out! Of course, now I'm in complete panic over all of the things I'm going to have to do in the next 6 weeks. I am also a little sad about leaving my cute house. It is my first house and I just can't help but be sentimental about it. Keep your fingers crossed for the inspection!

In other weekend news, we had a great time at Mardis Gras. I'm still a little sore from throwing all of those beads and moon pies, but it was worth the pain. I also had a chance while I was at home to try out a new hair stylist. I have curly hair and with the humidity of June I was getting worried that I would have a problem finding someone that would be able to fix my hair for the wedding. The new girl did an AMAZING job and I'm about to call and book her. I'll post some pics later! I hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez

Well, I'm off...my fiance and I are heading south to my parent's home this afternoon. I am in Mardis Gras organization and our parade and ball are tomorrow night! My float's theme is the fifties so I'll be wearing that beautiful headpiece you see above. Don't worry the blue part is now pink polka dots with rhinestones! I have a pink poodle skirt, pink cat eye glasses, and some pink tights since it is supposed to be really cold. We are going to look great!

In other news, my house has been on the market for one week now. I think it has been shown 10 times already. I think that is good? There is an open house this Sunday, so maybe there will be a bidding war and I'll make a little extra $. I know, wishful thinking.

Ok, I'm leaving you with pics of a king cake. King cake is one of my favorite Mardis Gras traditions and I have been saving my Weight Watcher points (if I have any left from the great V-day dinner last night) for a nice big piece. The tradition of the king cake (if you don't already know) is that there is a plastic baby placed in the cake. Whomever gets the piece with the baby is supposed to buy the next king cake.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mardis Gras! Keep your fingers crossed for an offer!

Ready to Show a Little Leg!

I don't know about y'all, but I'm ready for this cold to be over so I can break out the spring skirts and sundresses and show a little leg! Look at these cute finds at Boutique Ooh La La. They are even having a 15% off sale right now for everything in their polka dot category. Which one should I get?