First {ever} Giveaway (CLOSED)

EXTENDED UNTIL WEDNESDAY! 

Dear friends, followers, random readers and those who just read my blog because you have nothing else to do at the moment, THANK YOU! 

I have been blogging for a whole year now and loving it!

Thank you for sticking with me and letting me share a small part of my life with you! 

I enjoy blogging and taking pictures of my outfits - it pushes me to new creativity levels.

Well, in appreciation  I am giving away a small gift - (if you noticed, I'm not advertising therefore not making money of this thing, therefore all expenses come out of my pocket), J.Crew gift card. It has to be my favorite store (not according to my wallet though), so I want you to enjoy something small on me (even if it is a skinny belt on super clearance sale). 

Thanks again! 

It has been fun!

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Leave a comment in the comments below about your favorite outfit that I wore.
2. Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin
3. Pin any image from this blog (it could be your favorite outfit but doesn't have to) on Pinerest
And that's it! Good luck...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

April {Budgeting Series}

1/2/3/4/5/6

We are here again! I mean, time just flies!

I don't know how it happened but I ended up doing some shopping this month. Couple trips to the mall to get a birthday gift and Jonathan's outfit for his blessing, then shopping trip with sista and I'm maxed out!

Time to fess up. And I did pretty good! YAY ME!

I was in desperate need of chambray top and scored one with polka dots (major bonus!) at TJMaxx for only $19.99 but here is a similar (and three times more expensive).

The trip to Forever21 produced skinny dark denim, lemon cardi, white blouse with black trim (worn here not online) and a lace top for under $70. Talk about a score!

Then shopping for Jonathan I scored polka dot top (#6 similar) on a major sale $22.60. 

Adding to my collection of mint things are these flats, which are very comfortable. I think of all the flats I have ever owed, these are the best. They have a small platform which you can't see but which makes walking for long periods of time a breeze. Best investment so far.

Budget Total: $100.00

Spent: $126.60

Well, before going shopping I shared with hubby my projected budget and he said that I should go and enjoy myself (whaaaat? he wasn't trying to stop me?), as well as add $20. 

So I stayed within my budget with only $6 over.
I'm happy to be at this point and glad I stuck to it! 
I'm currently in a process of re-organizing my closet and figuring out what I need for the summer so I can do smart shopping this month. But it's going to be so hard with amazing summer deals and gorgeous dresses all over. More trips to the park and less trips to the mall.
That should do it.

P.S. P.S. I am linking up with my monthly shopaholics budgeting group hosted by Franish, 

see more budgeting bloggers right over here. Enjoy!

Tired

top: Forever21, skirt: JCPenny, shoes: BCBGirls, bag: Kate Spade NY, 

I'm  really tired. 

You know when you are tired and all you can think of is hitting that pillow? 

Well, this is it.

But it's the good kind of tired, knowing a lot was accomplished and planned ahead, so that later on, I can be less tired. If that's going to be ever possible.

Also it's the feeling of not enough sleep, and busy weekend.

Although, that sunshine sure made it all worthwhile. 

And just to let you know, a quick nap on my freshly sprung green lawn was amazing! 

So I'm off to enjoy my delicious homemade breakfast (hubby is home this morning) which includes French Toast, egg casserole, bacon and sausage. So maybe that's why I'm tired? Yep that must be it.

Although I'm not too tired for another piece of toast.

Neva!

Have yourself a nice day!

Casual Mommyform

top: Old Navy (similar), cords: Land's End, flats: Target, tote: Gap

Since becoming a mom, flats, cords (love those things) and easy-to-throw-on tops, that give easy access to merchandise,  have become kind of my thing. Especially if I have a million places to go to. 

Between groceries, dry cleaners, bank and post office it's a lot of times in and out of the car WITH the car seat. I have to get out of the car, take the car seat out, haul it with me, come back, put the seat back, all while making sure Jonathan is not too hot or cold. 

You mommies out there know the drill. 

So as you can tell, heels have become more of a Sunday thing - going to church all dressed up while hubby carries the stupid thing. 

Jonathan is growing fast and it's already hard for me to get up two flights of stairs from the garage to our main floor, with my purse and his diaper bag. (I actually consolidated the two recently) 

 Thankfully, places like Old Navy, Forever21 and Target are selling some cute flats and clothes that I don't have to worry about being too neat (i'm still a perfectionist and a neat freak).

So here I go sporting my mommyform, conveniently having nowhere to go today. 

Wait, I think I need stamps.

Have yourself a great weekend!

Strawberry Cake {recipe}

 I mean, it's obviously a recipe post. Take a look at the picture. Duh. But I went ahead and put {recipe}in there just for kicks. Just to make sure.

So here it is. The cake I was raving about. 

Honestly the first time I made it, I was going to take pictures but forgot and it disappeared too quick for me even to take a shot of one piece. After making it second time and forgetting to take pictures AGAIN I had to finish the cake all by myself. It was too good. This time I was afraid to forget again, so I left a note on my phone telling me to take pictures. If that's not getting old, I don't know what is. 

Let me know how you guys like it. And if you like it at all.

Ingredients:

for the cake

- 2 cups of Bisquick

- 8 eggs

- 1 cup sugar

for the frosting

- 1 cup heavy cream

- 1/2 cup powdered sugar

- 1/2 tsp vanilla

- 1/2 package cream cheese (softened)

- 1 stick butter (softened)

for the syrup

- juice of 1/2 lemon

- 4 tbsp sugar

- 3 tbsp cognac

- 1 cup of warm water

for garnish

- strawberries

-chopped pecans

Method:

Preheat oven to 300 F

Beat eggs and sugar on high until light and fluffy. Add Bisquick and mix just until combined, don't over beat. Divide the mixture between two pans.

Pour 2/3 of the batter into well greased round 9'' pan and bake on 300 F for 45 minutes. Let it cool until able to handle, then take out of the form. When the cake is completely cool, cut it lengthwise in half. 

Pour the other 1/3 into 8'' round pan and bake for 30 minutes at 300 F. Take out and let cool completely. 

Beat  heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff picks form. (To get best results with whipped cream, place the bowl, whisk and cream in freezer for 5 minutes). Set aside, but not before getting a nice taste of that deliciousness. Yummy!
In a different bowl, beat cream cheese and butter together until uniform mixture forms, add whipped cream and vanilla and combine.

Meanwhile, mix all the ingredients for syrup together and set aside until the sugar dissolves completely. Pour the syrup evenly over the two halves of the cake.

Take the other cake and tear it apart into small pieces. Cut strawberries into small pieces and mix with about 2/3 of the frosting. Just careful not to get carried away with the strawberries and eat them all. They do look good though.

Take the bottom half of the cake and spread a little frosting on it. Then put the cake/strawberry/frosting mixtures and top off with second half of the cake. Spread the rest of the frosting over the cake, covering the sides.

Cover the edges with pecans and top with cut strawberries. Then scrape the bowl of frosting clean, while complaining to your husband that your old pre-maternity jeans don't fit your perfectly too round bottom. Let out a big Sigh. Move on with life.

Let the cake stand in the fridge for at least 3 hours, better yet 12. 

Enjoy a piece. Or two. 

Then sigh about your long lost size 4 jeans.