Happy Friday!!

This always puts a smile on my face! Happy Friday!!

Garnier Fructis Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment

I love MoroccanOil... you know that expensive hair product with the turquoise label that cost like $50 bucks for a bottle... but it's amazing... so you don't care how much it costs... well guess what... I found a $5 winner.

Garnier Fructis Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment 

BOOM!! BUY IT!!

This is just as fabulous as the other brand. I put it on my hair right before blow drying and my hair LOVES it. I have fine hair but a lot of it. If you have this kind of hair you know that fine hair plus oil plus sleek anything equals yuck. Grease-ball. I was nervous that this product would make my hair look oily like the other Moroccan Oil competitors. I was thrilled when I put this in my hair, it soaked right in and gave my hair a nice healthy shine .. plus it helps with my dry, frizzy ends.

I will say, the only minus about this product is that it does not have the strong MoroccanOil scent.... but hey... it's $5 bucks! -LD

American Horror Story: Asylum!!

Did you watch last night, did ya? did ya? American Horror Story on FX is back!!! 

I loved  the first season of this show, it was creepy, scary, eerie and  sexy. Season two starts with a whole new plot line so if you didn't watch last year it doesn't matter. This year the show is taking place at  Briarcliff Manor, a state asylum in Boston.   As a Bostonian it is always interesting to see how the actors portray a Boston accent, and so far, I like it! The show has a few different plots lines that all intersect together mainly revolving around the new villain BLOODY FACE!! The cast includes: Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Zachary Quinto, Joseph Fiennes, Adam Levine, and Evan Peters.  

Kudos to Jessica Lange, she ROCKS on this show!! Srsly, look at her! 

Would you mess with her?? I don't think so!!

She plays Sister Jude, the administrator and disciplinarian head nun of the Asylum. She is mean and sadistic,  but has a softer side that includes caning the words of God into you. Yes, you heard me right, she has a CABINET of canes, all various shapes and sizes. You better behave if you are admitted to Briarcliff... or you have to deal with her!! -LD

Son-day!!! Sons of Anarchy tonight on FX!

Son-day, or, as the un-indoctrinated know it, Tuesday, is my favorite day of the week.  Sons of Anarchy is now into it's 5th season and so far has been incredibly intense and violent.  I'm not really a tattoos and leather kind of gal (not that there's ANYTHING wrong with that)..........

See?  Uh huh.

Now then, as I was saying, I'm not really a tattoos and leather kind of gal, but this show is so fabulous.  The cast is amazing (see previous picture), the writing is phenomenal and the story lines are so gripping (really!).  Kurt Sutter is the writer and has me hooked each week.  This season - and there have only been 5 episodes so far! - I have sobbed, been shocked, and have laughed so hard at some scenes.  It's great entertainment.  I make myself stay awake long enough to watch the entire thing and the previews for the next week, and I'm usually so wired from the intensity of it that I start to watch the second run that begins at 11.  Not an easy feat with a toddler running my world!

Also, there's these two ladies:

Maggie Siff and Katey Sagal. Amazing actresses.  The focus is not entirely on the MC (motorcycle club to you newbies).  These two have major story lines each week and give some of the most convincing and sincere performances I've ever seen.  Shame on whoever for not giving these two Emmy's this past year.  Love them.  Tune in tonight!

Food Truck Throwdown!

Boston v. NY Food Truck Throwdown!  

Saturday Oct. 13, 2012

Dewey Square - Boston

We're taking advantage of a crisp fall day tomorrow and hitting the city to attend the Boston v. NY Food Truck Throwdown!  I'm not exactly sure how this all works, but there will be food trucks giving away free food so we are there!  

Representing Boston: Bon Me, Kickass Cupcakes, The Cookie Monstah, Lobstah Love, Mei Mei Street Kitchen, Roxy's Grilled Cheese and Staff Meal. Representing NY: Bian Dang, Fishing Shrimp, Big D's Grub, Mike 'n Willie's, The Munchie Mobile, Nuchas, and Waffles and Dingies.  YUM!  

Anyone familiar with the Food Network's show hosted by Tyler Florence, The Great Food Truck Race, may recognize some of the vendors participating.  We'll update you on how it went!

Alex and Ani Bracelets

These beauts are my new obsession... I bought one, now I want 20 more! 

Alex and Ani Bracelets

The motto of this local Rhode Island company is "eco-friendly, positive energy products that adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit". They have all different styles of charm bracelets, earrings, and necklaces that are made out of Russian Silver or Gold.  The single charm bangles have different charms to choose from...some have beads, some have dangly charms...in all different themes... 

Flowers, Charity, Religion, Inspirational Words, Sports, Nature.

Each bracelet comes with a card describing the symbol and its qualities. 

The Mermaid is my favorite...

The Mermaid, also known as the Mistress of Enchantment, exudes a combination of elemental and gelic energies. Seductive, and charming, the Mermaid is a master of persuasion, fascinating and attracting all they come in contact with. Bear the Mermaid to unleash you inner charisma. 

 Check out the website, start shopping and let the obsession begin!!! -LD

Geeks!!!!

I just have to give myself a little pat on the back.  I'm officially have created linked tabs for our blog and I'm feeling really good about it!  Then this happened:

ME: i think ive got it
LD: yeah it looks like it
       BOOM way to go blogger
       we should do an about us. blurb with a tab
ME: ahhaahah
LD: YEAH! boom!
ME: we need a TECH tab BITCHES
ME: OMG I feel like such a nerd
    
Random Instant Messages are our specialty.  You may need a translator.  Sorry.  

The Vampire Diaries Premiers Tonight!!!

The Vampire Diaries begins tonight!!!!!

I can't believe this day is finally here!  After a hasty and frantic few weeks to watch ALL 22 episodes of all three seasons - let's do some quick math, shall we? 22 x 3 = 66 - yes, we watched 66 episodes this summer in order to get caught up before tonight's premier.  You see, we were a little late to the game on the CW's fabulous guilty pleasure TVD so we made a mad dash to watch it all in one summer!  We did it with about a month to spare, and have been counting the days until it started back up.

Tonight we finally get to see Elena wake up and (or maybe not?) transition into Mystic Falls newest immortal!  As we've all seen from the previews, Elena needs to decide to complete the transition into a vampire by feeding, or she will die.  Oh what will she decide....death or eternity with Stefan and Damon fighting over her. Hmm. Tough call.  Tune in tonight at 8!

Yep....tough call.   Sure wouldn't want to be Elena.

Perfect Pot Roast!!

This is what happened at my house last night...

This is a very basic but delicious and flavorful slow cooker pot roast recipe. There is nothing better than coming home from a long day at work to dinner that is done. Bonus, the house smells incredible!!! Enjoy!!

3.5 lb Boneless Chuck Roast (keep it tied up)

1 Lb Bag of Carrots (cut into 3 inch pieces- you can leave the skin on)

1 Sweet or Vidalia onion (quartered)

1 Can of Low Sodium Beef Broth

1 packet of McCormick’s Slow Cooker Pot Roast seasoning

 Salt and Pepper

Add some olive oil to a heavy bottomed skillet on high heat. Brown the carrots and onions.. Set aside on plate. Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper.  Sear the chuck roast so its nice and brown on all sides. Put it in the crock pot. Add carrots and onions to the crock  pot. Use ½ cup of beef broth to deglaze pan and then add it to the crock pot. Use the remaining ½  cup of beef broth, mix with the seasoning packet and pour over everything in the crock. 10 hours on low. Yum! -LD

Fall Funk

The weather here in Beantown has been cold, rainy and depressing and I am OVER IT. I have a lot of fun activities coming up this fall....but unfortunately not enough to get me through the fact that summer is over and inevitably the snow will fly. ... what to do... what to do... I know...  PUNTA CANA!! I just booked my husband and I a vacation to the Dominican Republic for 5 nights at the end of March! I am so excited. We have not been on trip together without our friends since we got married four years ago. I have spent a lot of time on Trip Advisor and Oyster.com (2 awesome travel review websites) and found us the perfect place to stay.... The Catalonia Royal Bavaro Adults Only All Inclusive Resort... ie. Heaven on the beach. White sand beaches, crystal turquoise water, palm trees, frozen drinks with umbrellas and some much needed relaxation. March cannot get here fast enough.. let the countdown begin!!! Are YOU planning a winter getaway?? -LD

"Mommy" Journals

I just bought a couple of these from Paper Source.  I'm not usually a stationary sucker, but I was looking for something a little more special than your basic spiral notebook to start writing down some notable moments from my now 2-yr old son.  There's just too many to keep perfectly chronicled in my head, so I'm starting this project.

I didn't want a baby-ish looking journal since he's really not much of a baby anymore, and I love, love, love anything with succulents so these were perfect.  What you can't see are the pretty sheets inside with beautiful sketches in plum, green, chartreuse and fucia - a nice little surprise.  Find them, and many other pretty little things, here: http://www.paper-source.com/

Anyone else keeping a Mommy Journal?  What kind of things do you write about and what are you using to write them in?

Bringin' it back....again.

Ok, this is is really, really going to stick this time!  We are back on a blogging kick and are ready to re-commit to this project after a thoughtful conversation via text that went a little something like this:

ME: Tuesday, I'm over it.
HER: Ditto
ME: Ughhh this blows.
HER: We need an escape
ME: .............

So, this is our solution.  Re-vamp, blog about all of the fabulous things we do, find sponsors and rake in some cash. Good plan, right?  Ugh, why didn't we think about this before..... Oh.  Right.  Well, anyhow.  Onward.  Check back to see what changes we make (namely, actually posting things).

Beaba Babycook Babyfood Maker - Love, love, LOVE it!

As my boy's 6 month birthday quickly approaches and my little man looks increasingly hungry I’ve been thinking more and more about what and how I’ll be feeding him.  I think I’ve found the best solution: anyone ever heard of the Béaba Babycook Babyfood Maker?  This thing is so sweet!  It’s a very smart all-in-one tool for steaming, puréeing, defrosting and warming home made baby food.  Best part?  I can make my own baby food, controlling what goes in and, more importantly, what doesn’t go into my baby’s first meals.  Now that football season is over I’ll be spending my Sundays steaming, puréeing and freezing Aidan’s first foods!  Oh how life has changed….. for the better, of course! ;)

Check it out!  http://www.beabausa.com/product-babycook.cfm

Someone has a new hobby...

I like to shoot guns. Yes, I know I live in Massachusetts and not in the South. Yes, I know I am girl and it does seem that my neck has  gotten a tad bit red over the past few months... but it is so much FUN! About six months ago, my hub picked up his license to carry... Many of our friends already have them because they are in the police force. They all belong to a rifle and pistol club and hub decided that he wanted to get into target and skeet shooting.

The first time I went, I was FREAKING!  It was very loud, lots of men were shooting at things and here I come wearing my pink Red Sox hat and stylish capris... Breathe deep hub said as I was about to pull the trigger.... BAM! Check out my skills!!



As time has gone on, hub has purchased a few other types of guns for shooting and I have also been able to shoot some of his friends, Assault Rifles, pistols, long range rifles.. So my favorite to shoot is the Remington 308. It is a beast of a gun and it shoots bullets the size of a fricking tube of lip gloss!! With some practice, I am now able to hit the target at 300 yards!! That is three footballs fields ladies!!! -LD

Our blog has been up for a scant 24 hours and already I’ve had writers block!  What to post….what to post?  I keep thinking to myself it probably doesn’t matter all that much because no one but DBDuff will probably ever read it but what if - WHAT IF - someone actually stumbles across this blog of ours and reads what I have to say.  It better be interesting…

So, I guess I’ll post about the thing that is most important to me these days – my baby, Aidan.  Nearly 5 months old already and growing up so fast!  It’s so funny, there are days when I simultaneously want to stop time so I can keep him the sweet tiny baby he is now, but also can’t wait to see what he learns tomorrow, next week and next month.  Already he is so different than the baby he was just a few days ago, I can’t even fathom what he’s going to be like when he hits the 1 year mark!  It’s been a super exciting adventure for me and my hubby.  Everyone told us how much our life was about to change (cue ominous music), but no one really could convey how much fun it would be.  Anyhoo, here’s my little handsome boy who will have his 5 month birthday on Sunday!