Saturday with The Kirbys

First time wearing these this Fall!

My view at breakfast. Sandwich, sippy cup, trash, IPad, toddler bottom.

Saturday tradition.

We woke up this morning and decided that Bruegger's was a must for breakfast! I also decided that since it was dreary and damp out, today would be a great day to break out my rain boots! After a quick, yummy breakfast, we headed over to Lowe's to shop for mums to decorate our front stoop. And, of course, a little tractor ridin' for B. We made a quick trip to BJ's (which I am loving, BTW), stopped in a furniture, consignment store, and Blacklion, then headed back home. Now, it's naptime, and all three of my boys are snoozing. I plan to relax on the couch and maybe watch a movie! Hope y'all have a fabulous Saturday!

Fashion Friday: Leather Leggings

There are a lot of things I'm drooling over fashion-wise for Fall. However, one trend really takes the cake. I think it's safe to say I have a full-on obsession with leather/liquid leggings. I have a pair that is a couple of years old, so I went ahead and ordered myself a fresh new pair :) In the past, my favorite ways to style them were with a black sweater and statement necklace and heels for a dressier look, and with a white tee, black blazer and mixed metal necklaces with tan suede booties for a more casual appearance.

Here's some Pinspiration I plan to draw from for this Fall/Winter:

Source: extrapetite.com via Ashley on Pinterest

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Source: thelook4less.net via Ashley on Pinterest

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Source: images.coolspotters.com via Ashley on Pinterest

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Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

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Source: zimbio.com via Ashley on Pinterest

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Source: hillsfreak.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

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Source: toryburch.com via Ashley on Pinterest

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OK, after looking at all of these pics, I have convinced myself to wear a leather/liquid legging look tonight, for our anniversary dinner!! I can't get enough!!

Happy Friday!

XOXO

Things I'm Loving Thursday

Another week has flown by! Between preschool, the gym, work, blogging, trips to the park, volunteering, etc, etc, I 'm kind of tired! I'm loving that the weekend is almost here, and here's what else I'm loving...

...glitter back booties! I am digging booties of all kind this Fall, but I must have a pair with glitter! Lauren and I were discussing these today, and now I can't stop obsessing over them!

Source: stevemadden.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{buy here}

...all things pumpkin flavored! It's officially Fall, ya'll, and I've already had several skinny pumpkin lattes. I'm going to make my own version at home!

Source: loveveggiesandyoga.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{recipe here}

...this. Moms get it. Enough said!

Source: cdn.babble.com via Ashley on Pinterest

...cycle strength class. I started this class about a month ago. I am addicted! I go twice a week, and it is amazing! Great way to get your cardio and weights in!

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Happy Thursday! I don't know about everyone else, but this girl sure is excited The Office and Up All Night are back on! 

XOXO

Love This Sweet Face...

Oh, how I love this little boy!!! There are times when he drives me crazy (hello, he's 2!), but one look at him or the sound of his precious laughter can erase that in an instant! We have been spending lots of time at the park lately; so thankful for slightly cooler temperatures!

Oh, and he is into singing now! Old MacDonald Had a Farm, Wheels on the Bus, Ring Around the Rosie, a few songs he's made up (ie: "Walking up a hill, lalalalala" and something about waking up in the morning that Barry and I haven't quite identified yet), the Caillou theme song (seriously, why do kids love that show? WHY?). HILARIOUS!

Forgotten Chicken

Source: darlingdoodles.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

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Barry's traveling this week, so I'm off the hook for a couple of nights making dinner. When he's not here, I simply don't cook. I eat something simple, like soup. It's not worth cooking a big meal just for me because we all know Branner barely eats! So, before he heads out of town, I'm trying this new recipe. I'm excited about it!

Forgotten Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pic on website shows 6)

2 c uncooked Minute rice (I'm using brown rice)

1 can cream of chicken soup 

1 can cream of celery soup

1 pkg dry onion soup mix

Mix together cream of chicken, cream of celery, 1 can of water, and the 2 cups of rice. Pour into a greased casserole dish. Lay chicken on top of rice and sprinkle dry onion soup mix on top. Cover with tin foil. Bake at 350-375 for 1-1/12 hours. 

This sounds so easy! I'll let y'all know how it turns out!

Swingin' Weekend

Our fabulous first official Fall weekend included...

...having friends over for dinner on Friday!

...a trip to the gym Saturday morning!

...lunch with Stacey for B and I!

...a trip to check out BJ's Wearhouse where B got a garbage truck toy the size of Texas!

...movies on the couch on Saturday night!

...a long family bike ride on the greenway Sunday morning!

...a Sunday afternoon nap!

...a walk to the neighborhood park for Barry and B!

...dinner with the girls at Ilios Noche for me!

...the RHNJ season finale! DRAMA!

How was your weekend?!

Playing Catch Up!

Things have been a little cray at our house over the past week or so, which means I've been MIA on le blog. We had a jam-packed weekend with me going to Asheboro Friday afternoon, having a girl's night out with my mom and her BFFs at Bistro 42. So fun! Saturday morning, there was a wonderful shower for my future sister-in-law, Lindsay, then I hightailed it back so we could take B to Yiasou (the Greek Festival) to "ride rides." Barry and I had a little staycation for our sixth anniversary downtown. We went to the Panther's game and stayed at the Dunhill. We were too pooped to go to dinner, so we are having an anniversary dinner do-over if I can find a sitter this Saturday! We had a super-fun, wonderful time at the game and the Dunhill. I think I'm going to have to go to more Panther's games this year!

This morning, we had Branner's appointment with his new allergist, and got better news than what I was expecting! We did a blood panel at his pediatrician's office a couple of weeks ago, and the results scared me a little. As expected, he is allergic to shellfish (specifically: shrimp). But, the blood work showed possible wheat, milk, soy, corn, and a few nut allergies. However, I was reassured by Dr. Patel today that we have nothing to worry about with anything minus peanuts...possibly. We need to do an in-office food test where B will eat peanut butter to be sure, but my child won't touch peanut butter. So, for now, we'll just carrying on as usual. I was so happy to hear we don't have to make any diet changes!

For now, we're gearing up for:

• Picture Day at B's school next week.
• Dinner with friends on Friday.
• More decorating of the house. Chairs for the den have been reupholstered and will be here Friday! Next up: drapes and a custom couch for the den; bedside tables, lamps, and artwork for our bedroom; B's big boy room. Eventually: Leopard wallpaper for the powder room and antelope carpet for the den/main staircase runner.
• Some volunteer work/events for me.
• A trip to the Grove Park Inn for Barry and I in October for a CMCU board conference. 
• Blake and Lindsay's wedding in October.

What's new with y'all?!

Beer CrockPot Chicken

Source: mydailydish.com via Ashley on Pinterest

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I have this in the CrockPot right now! Can't wait to try it tonight; it has rave reviews on the blog it's from.

Beer CrockPot Chicken

4-6 chicken breasts or 1 whole cut-up chicken

1 can of any beer

1/2 t garlic powder

1/2 t black pepper

1/2 t paprika

1/2 t salt

Put all ingredients into CrockPot. For fresh chicken, cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours. For frozen chicken, cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8-10 hours. Review to follow in comment section :)

First Day of Preschool!

Today was B's first full day of preschool! His teachers this year are Mrs. Michele and Mrs. Niza and he will be going Monday/Wednesday/Friday this year. So, far, everything is going great and we are looking forward to a fun year!!!

Gone Girl

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I started and finished Gone Girl this week. Couldn't put it down! Highly recommend it!

Preschool Meet and Greet

This morning, we had a little meet and greet with Branner's new preschool teachers, Mrs. Niza and Mrs. Michelle. I think we are in for a great year! He had fun and played and met several of his new friends/classmates. The moms are so nice! We're looking forward to school starting for real next week!

Crock Pot Chicken and Mushrooms

Source: chef-in-training.com via Ashley on Pinterest

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Here's a recipe I cant wait to try! Sounds easy and delicious; right up my alley!

Crock Pot Chicken and Mushrooms

1 onion, minced

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 T olive oil

1 T tomato paste

1 t dried thyme

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

salt and pepper

1 lb musrooms, thinly sliced

2 c chicken broth

2 T white wine vinegar

2 T quick cooking tapioca

1/4 c evaporated milk

1/2 c grated parmesan cheese

1 T dried parsley flakes

Combine onion, garlic, oil, tomato paste and thyme in a microwave safe bowl. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring every minute, until onions are tender. Pour into slow cooker. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Stir chicken, mushrooms, broth, vinegar, and tapioca into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove fat from the surface of the sauce with a large spoon. Add the evaporated milk, cheese and parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve over rice or pasta. Enjoy!

Food Allergy Follow-Up

Keeping B entertained!

This morning, we took B to his pediatrician for follow-up regarding last week's ER visit. We talked for a while, and our plan of action was to take blood and do a blood panel today for food allergies. We'll get it back in a few days. We're also (obviously) seeing an allergist to really dig deep into the heart of the matter. However, this mama wasn't willing to wait until getting an appointment to at least get a few answers! If B is allergic to foods other than shrimp, I would like to have that info ASAP!!!!!

B was a champ at getting blood drawn. He did cry, but we had no problem getting it. It was the most pitiful I've ever seen him. He was crying and saying, "Mommy hold you! Mommy, hurting!!" I had tears in my eyes the whole time. Bless his little heart! I'm so happy we're on the road to getting some answers.