It was 10 years ago today that my dear friend Melissa lost her battle to Cystic Fibrosis.

When I started high school I was terrified. I was moving to high school where I didn't get to be with anyone from middle school. I remember walking through the double doors and literally running into Melissa. Although I almost knocked her over, she had this smile on her face and started talking with me. She made me feel so at ease when I was so scared.

Immediately we became friends. She was such an inspiration. She had goals, drive to find a cure and strength when she knew her time was near. She was always smiling and laughing. She fought her disease with bravery and poise! After she passed, our school held a candleight vigil for her in our school gym. I remember so many people were there to pay tribute to her. Later on that day, we went to the courtyard and lit candles with  paper rings around them. They were covered in bumble bee stickers. Melissa loved bumble bee's. The rings also carried the words "We will always bee with you!"

Cute!

This halloween I have no plans but the hubby will be going out with the boys.

I went to the doctor yesterday for a swine flu follow up { wasn't improving as much as I was wanting too } and was ordered to take it easy. So, between naps & tricker treaters I am hoping to make some new pieces for my Etsy shop!!! I have been getting a lot of inspiration and can't wait to put it into something fabulous.

My fever broke { again } and I am starting to see the light at the end of the swine flu tunnel. Time to celebrate!!!

This year I haven't had much motivation to make big Halloween plans but Etsy has some amazingly fun and festive things to make everyone's holiday a little happier!!!

... tonight should be game night. I heart monopoly!!!

It is no secret that I heart yummy, delicious cupcakes. Probably { no definitely } my fave dessert!!! So many flavors, combinations. The other day I came across this blog, The Cupcake Activist. Does she not have the best job ever ... jealous!!!

Maybe I will make some of these for Thanksgiving in SJ. My mom-in-law loves Guinness!!!

Cupcake
1 cup Guinness
1 stick, plus 1 tbs unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 tbs vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking soda

Frosting
1/3 C butter
1 T milk
4 C powdered sugar***
4 T Bailey's Irish Cream***
1 1/2 T Jameson Whiskey***

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350; line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Combine the Guinness and the butter, chopped into 1-inch chunks, in a large sauce pan, and heat to melt the butter.

Remove from heat, and whisk in the cocoa and sugar.

In a bowl, whisk the sour cream and the eggs and vanilla, then add to the beer mixture.

Sift together the flour and baking soda, and fold in the batter.

Pour into muffin molds and bake or 25 minutes, or until inserted cake tester comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes, remove from muffin tin, and cool completely on a rack.

Allow butter to reach near room temperature then cream at high speed with an electric mixer.

Add in milk and 1 cup of the powdered sugar to create a wet and thick mixture.

Add in the remaining liquids and mix until frosting is spreadable.

*** Vary the amount of alcohol to taste.***

***More or less powdered sugar may be required to reach desired consistency.***

Happy Monday! Did you have a good weekend? Do anything fun?

Over the weekend, I continued my quest to feeling better with naps and exploring the web. I am feeling at about 50% this morning which is a HUGE step in the right direction!!!!

Yesterday, I came accross this website, La Dolce Vita by Paloma of Houston, Texas. Her blog is amazing!!! She is always featuring fabulous interior designs that give me so many wonderful ideas for when the hubby and I own our own home.

Update!!! I went to the doctor this morning. While he had to send out some labwork he is 95% positive I have H1N1. Yep, swine flu!!! *ugh* Now, I am on Tamiflu and ordered to stay put and do ABSOLUTELY nothing. It is so funny how much you want to get out and do things when you aren't allowed...

Continuing to think positive, I was at the store filling my perscriptions when I decided to pick up my fave mag { Instyle }

Cute, UGG inspired boots that are like being barefoot! What?? Oh these fill my flip flop addicted heart <3 with joy!!! Visit BeachFeet to check out all their fabulous styles and colors. I LOVE the Anna style pictured above!!!

After a week of be quarantined to the couch, I have decided that a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning is a must! I usually try and kick colds myself { and it usually works } but this one is holding on with a vengence. But, with all this time on my hands I have been looking on the bright side; my DVR has never been this clear, my nails have never been this pretty { without going to get a mani }, I haven't had to clean anything and I have been enjoying long baths and a ton of naps!

While I have not been in quite the mood to blog, I have been internet surfing a lot to pass the time. I have to admit, I am really into the whole Rock n' Romance look right now. Flowing tops, fun jeans & big statement jewelry/accessories. I found some great pieces at  Free People { Shock, I know! } that completely fit the bill.

What a weekend... what a Saturday... I am exhausted!

After cake baking and gift wrapping the night before, my Saturday started with Hayden's 10th birthday bowling extravaganza! Tons of kids, pizza, { diet } soda, silly bowling shoes, presents and arcade games. Couldn't have been funner.   { or tiring }

That night was Girl's Night Out!!! We went to our typical spot... Tia Lou's. { after a quick visit to Belltown Billiards } Good times were had by all and after dancing the night away I HAD to indulged in a 2 am Seattle tradition, the cream cheese hot dog!!! Of course without a bun, but equally delicious!!! Photos to come ...

Sunday I spent the day being domestic while the mister locked himself in his man cave for football. 2 naps, 3 loads of laundry and 1 clean house later, Dexter was on and I finally got to spend some time with my hubby.

Last of all, Miss Bria Lynn sent me this link. Secret Keeper - the best invention ever!!! Every girl should have one. { in every color }

Back to work ... Have a great Monday!

Oh happy day!!! I can not begin to explain how happy I am that it is Friday. The past week has gone by so slow and been completely exhausting ... but now I am ready to put on my dancing { and bowling } shoes and enough the weekend.

It has been a week of lines and very rude people but I finally am a Janes. My new license came in the mail last night and although I HATE my photo { who doesn't } I couldn't be more excited to show it off!

But, after visitng the courthouse to get my marriage license, the Dept. of Licensing and the Social Security office I have decided my passport will be staying Carlson. Hey, I just got it. It's not even broken in yet, and well to be honest ... I am done with the madness name changing brings { for now }.

via Nordstroms! Man, I feel like shopping.

It is 4:47 AM and I am awake!!! What?? Alarm went off and now the hubby and I are headed to my parents to take them to the airport. Hawaii here they come... I hope I get some chocolate covered macadamia nuts out of this deal! So sleepy...

Love you guys!!!

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Chris, happy birthday to you!"

Happy b-day to my favorite dance partner!!! I hope you get away from finals long enough to enjoy your special day. XOXO

I did not get a chance to post my "Recipe of the Week" last week so I am making up for it with something that looks amazingly delicious!!!!  I will definitely be throwing the diet out the window to taste one of these babies.

2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk, divided
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix + ingredients to make mix
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk (not cream of coconut)
2 sticks butter, softened to room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
About 1 cup shredded, flaked coconut, toasted

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. To make the dulce de leche: pour 1 can of the sweetened condensed milk in a glass pie plate or similar size glass casserole dish; cover with foil. Place the pie plate in a large roasting pan where it can sit flat. Pour hot water into the roasting pan to a depth of about halfway up the pie plate. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 25 minutes or until caramel colored. Let cool completely.

Mix up cake according to package directions using recommended ingredients and adding 1 teaspoon coconut extract to the batter. Pour into paper lined cupcake pans filling about 3/4 full. Bake according to package directions.

While cupcakes are baking, whisk together the remaining can of sweetened condensed milk, the evaporated milk, and the coconut milk. When cupcakes come out of the oven, inject each of them with the milk mixture using an injection needle and about 1/2 to 3/4 ounce in each cupcake. Cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting, beat the butter on high speed until light and fluffy. Add the dulce de leche and beat until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time and beat until smooth and light and fluffy.

Frost cupcakes generously with frosting, then sprinkle with toasted coconut. Keep refrigerated.

Now that I am a newlywed, the Knot has upgraded me to [the nest]! It is this ultimately fabulous magazine { love magazines } with everything a newlywed could ever need to know and today my lovely mailman delivered me my first installment!!!

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey..."

I have recently rediscovered the band Jack's Mannequin. I first got hooked on their music when I heard the song "Mixed Tape" on the radio years ago. Somehow, I lost track of them and the other day I was watching old episodes of One Tree Hill { yea, I know! } and they just happened to be preforming. When I went to their website to check it out, I realized there was so much I had missed out on... and now, I am completely hooked { AGAIN }!!!!

To listen to some of their latest album, The Glass Passenger, click here.

With fall in full swing here in Washington, I have been back to my morning routine of Chai Tea Lattes { via my amazing Keurig machine } and toasted wheat bagels.

And, since I have always been a tea fan a few weeks ago I tried out this store call Teavana. It is like heaven. They have so many nummy flavors to try.

My faves are the Honeybush Vanilla Herbal Tea, Pear Luna White Tea, and Gyokuro Imperial Green Tea.

Click here to find a location near you. Highly recommended by me!

I have been daydreaming of the hubby and I's next vacation! {when we can afford it of course }

With Mom and Brooke off to Hawaii and Dany and Michael off to Europe next week I am a little jealous!

Love vacations!

Hugs, kisses and warm birthday wishes to the most beautiful and amazing mom-in-law a girl could ever ask for. I hope you have an amazing birthday!! Can't wait to see you soon.

Miss you, Love you