Birthday Sweets

Over the weekend my friends daughter had her first birthday party. She went all out for it. She had it on the North side of Houston at a park by their house.

Well, the weekend before she had asked if I would take pictures. She said she was too busy to take pictures (since she is a photographer). I gladly agreed, since I know this will give me more experience. It turned out great. I loved all the pictures. She even had a photo booth which another friend took pictures of while I shot the whole event. She did a great job. Everyone had a great time using the props and acting funny for the camera.

Here are some pictures of the birthday party .

Here is the birthday girl and her momma!! 

This is the cupcake decorating station.

The tree of cupakes to decorate.

 Birthday girl decorating her cupcakes.

 Some of our desserts. (Homemade cake balls)

 Party favors

The food table. 

Me playing in the photo booth.

Some of the kids playing in the photo booth too.

High Five Friday

Yea, it's Friday. The best day of the week. Who doesn't like Fridays? They are warm, fuzzy, and reminds you that after you get off work you have two days of fun.

Today I'm linking up with Lauren at, From My Grey Desk.

Below is my High Five for Fridays!

What are your's?

Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Coffee Mug Swap pt. 2

OK, yesterday and today I spent after work shopping for a coffee mug for my new friend Tiffany. It's kind of hard to find a cup for someone you don't really know and hope they like it. So just in case she reads this post, this is all I can say (until I know she's got it. In which case, then I'll post a picture). :)

I bought it at Vera Bradley (who I just found out is a wonderful store).
I paid less than $20.
And I have no doubt she's going to love it.

I'm looking forward to what I'm getting. I can't wait. It's so great to get a present in the mail and to see what people choose for you.

While I was buying her coffee cup, I found this cool key chain thing. Not sure exactly what you call it, but it's cool. It keeps your keys together then you can snap the pink part around the strap and then you don't have to look in the bottom of your purse to find them.

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On a different note:
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I had to go to the Apple store after work. The lens on the back of my iPhone was all scratched up. When I would take pictures, it would show up blurry and faded. So $30 later, I had a brand new back cover. While I was waiting for the guy to come back with my phone, I found this really cool cover. For those who don't know, Speck is my last name (which in Italian, means Bacon).

Master Bath Iron Piece

So yesterday I get an email back from Suzel Says saying I can particpate in the coffee mug swap. So today after work I hit all the stores on the way home looking a cute mug to give my new friend Tiffany. I found one that was cute, but it's not exactly what I'm looking for. You know when you see it and the light bulb goes of and you're like, "AH HA!!!!" Yea, I haven't gotten that yet. There still a few more stores I can go to before I go back to the one I think she'll like.  I saw a really cute one at Pier 1 that was Zebra print and in the bottom was a little zebra. They had a frog one too.

Well, while I was in Ross, I saw this really cute iron piece for under $30. It 's big and a powerful statement but in a not so loud way.

So when I got home I moved the picture that was there to the other wall and then put it over the tub. I feel like the house is finally turning into a real home.

Check it out.

Coffee Mug Swap

So today I was reading a blog by Lauren at http://www.frommygreydeskblog.com/. Apparently there is a Coffee Mug Swap going on during April at http://suzelssays.blogspot.com/p/coffee-mug-swap.html.

Well, I didn't read Lauren's coffee post until today and found out that it ends today. :/ So I emailed Susan and asked if it was still going on and if I could get in on it. So we shall see what she says. Hopefully someone is in need of a partner. If not there is always next time.

Who doesn't like drinking out of a coffee cup that some random stranger picked for you? I think it's a cool idea. Sometimes I wish I was more creative than what I am. I remember when I used to be so creative. Too bad 30 is 3 years away. I have no excuse. :)

Talking about coffee, over the weekend my husband and I went downtown on a all day date Saturday. It was wonderful we had lunch a really good family own Greek restaurant. You had to wait in line for 5-10 minutes just to order. Then it was another 20 to get your order, but it was well worth it in my book. I'm not a big Greek eater but their food was out of this world. Their Gyros was fabulous and so was their homemade honey balls. I could have eaten a full order.

Side tracking. Coffee, that's what we are talking about. We found this brand of coffee called Kona Fancy. Apparently it comes from Hawaii and is super expensive. We're talking like $30 a pound expensive. We bought half a pound and made a one cupper in our Kureg and it was so smooth, and delicious. I have never had coffee that wonderful.

There's this other brand called Jamaica Blue Mountain. And let me tell you, these two types put Starbucks to shame. If I could afford this at home all the time, I'd buy that instead.

Is it sad that I can't wait until tomorrow morning to drink another glass?

What's your favorite coffee?

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UPDATE!!!

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So today (May 4) I got my mug from Tiffany. I LOVE it!!! It's perfect and it came just in time too. Tomorrow morning I'm going to get up and have a cup of coffee and sit on my back porch and swing while I do my morning talk and devotion to God.

THANK YOU Tiffany!!!! I really do love it. I am so excited to drink out of it that I might have to have some tea tonight to break it in. :) I look forward to getting to know Tiffany better. She seems like a super sweet and fun girl.

Here is the coffee cup she sent. I literally just got it in the mail a few minutes ago. :)

The cup is actually in pink.

Ok maybe I should post a better picture than black and white. Hold on.......

........... here we go!!

Click here for Susan's blog.

Guest Bathroom

Yesterday I stopped at the local Marshall's store and Pier 1 Imports. I  found this really pretty shelf and picture frame.

Since my guest bathroom is simi- small, this really added character and helped make it look a little more homey.

Best Cookie Dough Recipe

A coworker made this at work and it was fabulous. I  can't wait to make this at home for my hubby.

1 pkg of cream cheese

1 stick of butter

1 bag of mini chocolate chips

¾ cup of powdered sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp amaretto (if you don’t have amaretto double the vanilla)

½ bag of heath candy pieces (you could do nuts too if you’d like)

Soften the cream cheese & butter.  Using a hand mixer on slow (the kitchen aide creates too much heat) add the powdered sugar and blend well.  Add the brown sugar and blend well.  Then crank up to high and add vanilla and amaretto.  Once everything is incorporated mix in the chocolate chips by hand.  Chill in the fridge for an hour or two and then shape into a ball, roll in the heath candies and serve with graham sticks.  Yummo!!!