Tribute to my sis!

My bestie is graduating tomorrow!!! After four years of diligence, hard work and persistence, J is going to be struttin her stuff in that navy blue gown!!! Honestly, I can’t wait for this moment because we’ve always been way too school for cool. With that said, since da bestie LOVES attention, I thought one of the special ways I could honor her is by posting a little tribute to her with some beautiful pictures from our past years of friendship.

My sis has been my best friend since 6th grade when we finally decided to stop competing for the hottest girl in a Providence uniform (which was obviously me in my pleated, khaki, husky, sunshine shorts). She has been MORE than a best friend to me. She has stayed up late with me plenty of nights crying…laughing…eating…we even skyped while living in the same city once. She has loved me the same way my own family has, and even after our immature periods of silence throughout the years, we always ended up crawling back to each other because there really is no other bond like ours! I am so excited for her as she ends this schooling journey only to move forward to bigger, more exciting things!! May she not get sucked into the family business, like her sis did!! Oh well, I suppose worse things could happen :p

I’m gonna just go ahead and stop here for a few reasons. Reason #1 being that I know jdcyclones is cringing as she reads this because she had no clue when I sent her a text asking for permission to post her pictures on my blog that I was going to do this. Reason #2 being that I don’t think anyone really wants to read the details of our love affair. Lastly, reason #3 being that I think everyone loves looking at pictures. Hope you enjoy!

I realize some people never end up having a best friend forever friendship like we have, and that hurts my heart. If you are blessed enough to have a friendship like this, don't forget to last that person know what he or she means to you from time to time!!

Bringin' back the old fashioned recipe exchange :)

Are recipe exchanges still “in?” I remember getting some kind of chain email a few years back with some kind of recipe exchange, but I was young and not into it. Is anyone even interested in exchanging recipes these days? I’m looking for TASTY, EASY-TO-MAKE, AFFORDABLE recipes. I know it’s hard to leave comments on blogger if you don’t have a blogger account, so how would you feel about sharing your recipes with me via email or a paste a link if you have one? I’ll be glad to share a few of mine too! My email is brookefenwick@me.com. Share the love?! I’ll compile the list in a week or so and create a blogpost with recipes to share with y’all. Sound like a plan?! I’m excited!!! Xoxo :)

Late night cupcake food addict post ;)

In case anyone is interested on how my afternoon went down, here it is.
All afternoon at work, I kept debating whether or not I was going to go to the gym. Even though I knew I needed to go, I really was NOT in the mood to get sweaty, feel out of shape, ruin my good hair day…I think some of you girls are getting the picture. I kept thinking of excuses for why I couldn’t go. My main excuse was traffic, and there was a class at the gym that I wanted to go to tonight at 5:30, so how was I even going to make it? I hate being “that girl” with the sweaty bob who walks late into exercise classes all awkward and klutzy-like. With that said, J said he would meet me at the gym with my clothes, so there was seriously NO getting out of it. I’m still in that “impressing the hubby “stage where I like to look like I enjoy working out after 9 hours of work. Psh.

Ok, sorry this is longer than I thought it would be, but I make myself laugh as I type, because I know someone out there besides my best friend can relate to the sweaty hair after a workout. When you only do your hair once a week, the hair is a HUGE factor.

Fast forward to 6:30, and I had finally made it through that dreated hour at the gym. I was DYING. I went with my husband, brother, and brother-in-law. After the four of us worked pretty hard, what did we decide to do? Grab a bite to eat. I’m proud of us, because we actually ate somewhat healthy.

Here’s where it gets bad. I HAD TO HAVE CUPCAKES. Not just ANY cupcake…but J’s aunt and cousin’s special cupcakes that I tried last weekend. They were to die for. So, around 9:30, I started making our cupcakes, when I realized I didn’t have cupcake pans. At this point, I’m ticked because not only am I about to ruin my workout, but now it is 10pm...oh, and I was at Publix an hour ago buying ingredients.

Walgreens DIDN’T have any. What’s up with that? Publix was closed. I’m not near Wal-mart. Bring on Momma’s house ☺ Ok, so I drive to Mom’s to get cupcake pans. My mouth is watering. I can’t wait to make them for the little goobers waiting for me at home. Then, I walk in the door, and no one is watching a movie anymore. I know my family too well. I know they are hiding, and they’re about to scare me. My heart is racing. I keep waiting on them to jump out……and nothing happens. So, I walk upstairs, and the hubby is in bed drifting off into a luscious sleep. Of course, I’m a little peeved, so I ask him where the boys went. He told me they left. They were tired of waiting. J got up early, so he was also tired. Wow….so, now I am sitting in my den….alone….waiting on these dadgum cupcakes to finish, because THAT’S WHAT FOODIES DO.

With that said, I have to say this IS NOT my recipe. So I won’t try to act like I’m the bomb, but I will share a few pics and the recipe with y’all ☺ I’d say these are the best homemade chocolate cupcakes I’ve ever had. The only thing I’d put up against these would be Cami for obvious reasons and also my mom’s cupcakes. I still think this is the best homemade chocolate cupcake with buttercream icing…especially for something quick and easy if you're in a bind and don't actually have to run to Publix or to your mom's house!!! Enjoy…oh, and don’t forget to smile, take deep breaths, and bask in the moment as you eat these. It’s now 11:00, and I’m about to…maybe I’ll also include a pic of that. Maybe not ☺

The cupcake ingredients (Yes, I'm aware that it's taboo to show your messy kitchen, but legit bakers make a mess...right? & this blog was never made to impress people...it's just honest).

Luscious!!!

The pink is a heart-shaped cupcake pan :)

So, I wasn't completely alone. The bear was with me!

The icing ingredients (yes, I know the kitchen is even messier).

Mmmmm!

A little sloppy, but I was getting tired. Me likey anyway :)

Last, but most certainly not least, I took a lazy pic of the recipe because I'm tired of typing for the night. Hope you enjoy! 4 more days til the weekend!

The dreaded cleaning post...

Last night I found myself having a lengthy conversation about cleaning and organizing. Since this isn't my forte, I honestly don't have much to say except that cleaning and organizing OVERWHELM me.

How do y'all do it? Do you have one day a week where you catch up on ALL of your cleaning? Do you split up your chores on different days? Do you just leave your house a mess?

I'm serious. I really want to know your method. Since I moved into a house with my husband just about two months ago, and I still have random things in boxes, bags, and suitcases, I would like to know the best way to get all of this done!!!!