One cute cat...

I will be the first to admit that I totally slacked off this Halloween (I procrastinate with EVERYTHING)!

Last week Ryan and I thought that we should probably figure something out. We headed to Target and bought a totally overpriced Cinderella dress.

Then once Halloween actually rolled around and the weather had turned to fraken freezing I decided to improvise.

This is Lilly's fav new outfit that I bought at the "Old Gravy" last week and I painted a cat face on with some of my gray eye liner. Done.

She was pretty darn cute and the face stayed painted all night. Stoked!

Pig tail time.

I am not so sure what is going on here but you all are talking about painting my face and that does not sound like a good time.

So we bribed her with freshly baked choco-chip cookies.

Obviously it worked like a charm. Gotta love some good old fashioned bribery. 

Check out her cute pants:

(My Jersey girl will be continuing to wear these on a regular basis. You know it.)

Very serious cat.

Lilly, you are Mommy's pretty little girl. You had a blast Halloween of 2011 walking around the neighborhood with all of your friends. Next year Mommy will try to plan ahead a little better. But I can tell you are Daddy's "go with the flow girl" b/c you did not mind one bit that you did not have a hand sewn fairy outfit or an overpriced Cinderella dress made in China.

I love you sweet girl.

What I want today...

Comfort for loved ones that are hurting.

You know who you are and I want you to know that I am praying that your dark night passes quickly...

because the sun will rise. I promise.

Source: vi.sualize.us via Katie on Pinterest

Time to get more of my Fall on...

It is time for some white lights and Thanksgiving banners here in the Keefe home. I am thinking those will be going up this week. :)

Here are a few other things I will be working on:

You remember those drawer pulls that I have been hunting for like forever for the master bedroom?!
I think I may give this a try. Might start with a cute ribbon...

Source: simplifiedbee.blogspot.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Slacking a little with my pumpkin carving but thought these were ubber cute.
Time to get the drill out!

Source: strawberry-chic.blogspot.com via Jillian on Pinterest

My daughter is OBSESSED with collecting sticks lately and I am thinking I may put them to good use for this cute craft!

Source: pinterest.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Any cute fall decor going on in your house!?

Fall Inspirations...

I do apologize for my posts being totally sporadic and random in theme. I am working on getting my grove back.

Nothing like a little more fall inspirations to assist.

While I do not like being cold I do like being cozy. Red wine, jeans, sweaters and candles cozy.

What are some of your favorite fall things?

Fall Inspirations by jilliebeans on polyvore.com

What I want today:

...a tall glass of wine and a poodle.

what more is there?

Source: us.mc310.mail.yahoo.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Home sweet home.

I thought I would post a few cute ideas I have found for the home this week.

This here; brilliant. Painted cookie sheets to hang stuff on! Again, my stainless appliances have ROBBED me of my love for a picture cluttered fridge. This seems like a nice runner up!

Source: crate.typepad.com via Cindy on Pinterest

I just think this sign would be so cute somewhere as a nice reminder.
I dig this. Good thing I have a head start on the looking stupid part. ;)

Source: designeriphone.tumblr.com via Lexi on Pinterest

These are fabric covered shoe box tops. I do not know about you but I am always on the hunt for the perfect "pictures" to hang on my wall. I do however always have tons of adorable fabric swatches that could easily go on over shoe box tops (those are never in short supply in this house)!
Love!

Source: houzz.com via Jillian on Pinterest

What is for din din for tonight:

I feel like I have been in a serious dinner rut for what feels like a year now.

I have been digging in my Colorado cookbook for the last week and found another goodie. 

Chinese Chicken Salad.

I have not been eating very well for like the last four days and its time to get back on the wagon.

Nothing like a great salad.

Source: myrecipes.com via Krista on Pinterest

OYE...

It is such a Monday and I feel that this was meant just for me today.

Luckily I have a God that knows what I need and only requires that I come to Him...He will take care of the rest...

Thank you Lord.

Source: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com via Alida on Pinterest

Inspirations.

Its just been one of those weeks when I needed a little "pickmeup";

I little "I am woman hear me roar", basically a little inspiration.

I am dragging a bit.

I am thinking this is a good enough one:

Source: designsbycp.com via Jennifer Fitzgerald on Pinterest

What I wantED today...

I have been on the hunt for a little something fun to wear to my dear, dear friend Tina's wedding.

I just found this lil thang today; and I bought it.

How fun with some gold earrings and maybe a long necklace?!

BTW Honestly Tina & Jason, I could not be happier not only to attend your beautiful wedding next Saturday but that you two beautiful souls found each other. I love you both so much and cannot wait to celebrate the beginning of your forever with you...oxox

For the home...The time out edition.

Lilly has always responded really well to her time outs. 

(P.S. I never thought I would be a user of the time outs...another discussion for another time...)
Her time out place has always been her crib. We remove all the fun cozy stuff and she sits in there for a few minutes. She HATES it.
The looming transition to a toddler bed, which she will be able to escape has presented us with the dilemma of where her new time out spot is going to be. Until now:

You can buy these adorable little gems(time out stools) at Wisteria.
As you can guess I am getting the white one, shocking I know.

Source: wisteria.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Oldie but goodie...

When I lived in Colorado many moons ago I bought this awesome cookbook from the local coffee company. It is called "Best of the Best from Colorado"

Tonight, one of my favorite recipes from the book; Chicken and Bean Enchiladas

Source: foodgawker.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

3 cups plain yogurt
1 cup shredded chicken
1 (4oz) can chopped green chilies (I like the hot ones)
2 cups refried beans (I like the vegetarian beans)
1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
dash (or 2 or 3) red pepper flakes
1 package corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups graded sharp cheddar cheese

Spread 1/2 cup yogurt into baking dish. Mix 1/2 cup yogurt, shredded chicken, drained green chilies, red pepper, beans, tomato sauce, and chili powder. Spread each tortilla with a dollop of mixture, roll and place face down in baking dish. Top with remaining yogurt and cheese. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes until cheese is melted.
** I like to warm my corn tortillas just prior to the dollop phase of the recipe. This prevents tortilla crumble-age. I hate it when that happens!
** Goes pretty excellent with Skinny Girl Margaritas (just saying...)

What I am wanting today.

Lilly & I are meeting some friends this morning for a lil apple and pumpkin pick'en.

I am thinking nothing would be more perfect to get me to the pumpkin patch than a little pumpkin coffee.

What do you think?

Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Source: mariahealth.blogspot.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Fall wish list.

As fall collections are released I dream. Here are a few on my mind for this week.

Looks like I will be headed out for some drapes and cozy rugs today.

Happiness.

Fall 2011 Wish List by jilliebeans featuring mid rise flare jeans

Old Navy kimono sleeve top
$35 - oldnavy.gap.com

Theyskens' theory mid rise flare jeans
$88 - theoutnet.com

Jeffrey Campbell wedge shoes
£40 - office.co.uk

Peacock jewelry
$35 - pages.pumpkinsandpeacockfeathers.com

Remy White 4'x6' Rug
$219 - crateandbarrel.com

Z Gallerie - Antique Mercury Pumpkins
$40 - zgallerie.com

Teramo Curtain Panel in Curtains | Crate&Barrel
$80 - crateandbarrel.com

What I am wanting today. Worry Free.

Source: jesustotheworld.tumblr.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Thank God I am married to a man that is chill.

I try to be chill. I want to be chill. I am not chill all the time.

I worry, about stupid crap.

This needs to be posted on my forehead. 

God is good, I know He speaks this to me ALLTHETIME!

Lord, you make me smile. Thank you for your goodness...

Master Bedroom Woes...

Source: texasprep.tumblr.com via Skyler on Pinterest

So... since we moved into our home over two-years ago I can not for the life of me get the master bedroom to my liking.

I want this master. There are beautiful layers, it is cozy, there is a seating area and the look is eclectic. I love.

My mission before winter comes is to make this "look" happen.

Wish me luck!

Why I avoid the parabens...

As with my diet changing while trying to conceive my daughter I had to change my beauty products as well and here is why:

One -

Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives in pharmaceutical and beautiful products (shampoo, conditioners, lotion, makeup, even toothpaste). As with preservatives in food and us as a culture wanting to avoid them we must do the same thing with our beauty routine!

Chemicals used as preservatives = no no

Two - 

Did you know that the body reads parabens as estrogen, they mimic estrogen. Too much estrogen has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.

No matter your opinion parabens are a chemical that have been linked to two things that I would rather not mess with ever again. There are also some really great products out there that are Paraben free. Why not be safe than sorry?!

Here are a few of my favorites:

This fragrance is honestly my favorite. I use the pure vanilla scent. It is yummy.

Secondly, their deodorant is awesome!! It took me a really long time to find one with no aluminum that did not leave me feeling like I was sweaty and stinky within an hour. This one did the trick!!
(Lavanila Products can be found at Sephora or Beautybar.com)

My face gets really dry here in the east come fall/ winter. I started using this product last fall and have been using it ever since!
BWC cleansing milk with lavender.

This soap is the best and you can honestly use it to clean anything. I use it purely as a shower bar soap. It is gentle, organic and smells great!
(Can you tell I am all about scents!?)
Dr. Bronners Almond castile soap. 

What is better to go with the almond soap that you used in the shower than some yummy almond lotion by Desert Essence?!
I do get most of my products from Soap.com. They have a wide selection and I get them the next day. Love.

As you can see, I do not feel that I have had to sacrifice quality, yummy factor or price to go paraben free!
These are only a few of the products that I use. There are also some really great hair products, make-up, etc. If anyone has any questions or would like to know what I use let me know!

happiness...

This saying makes me smile.

Source: kelly-place.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Silver.

While I do L..O..V..E the fall colors, I am thinking I may whip out some silver loven for my "winter" decorations once Thanksgiving has passed.

I must not get ahead of myself with the muggy 80 degree weather that we are having. Boy, has this been one long, hot summer. No, I am not complaining. teeheehee...

This silver pumpkin with personalized push pins will be all over the place in (& around) the Keefe home...

Source: amyallinaday.blogspot.com via Sabrina on Pinterest

I do love lanterns and anything Moroccan. These are beautiful and winter-y cozy.

Source: vivaterra.com via Katie on Pinterest

What is for dinner tonight...

Since the hubby is gone for work I get to whip out another one of my favorites (that he doesn't like) for dinner:

Portabella  burgers.

(I threw on a little goat cheese to make it extra decedent. yooommm!)

Source: mushroominfo.com via Shonna on Pinterest