photo SEPARATOR_zps16bb71c8.jpg  photo SEPARATOR_zps16bb71c8.jpg  photo SEPARATOR_zps16bb71c8.jpg

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Cruise Chaos Recap...Part 1

Yup, you read that correctly. Cruise chaos it was. I have to preface this with the fact that we have had 5 awesome cruises without any real issues, so I figured it was time. But....and thats a big ole' but...this one was just a little too much for me.

Mike and I have travelled with Carnival 2 times before and loved it. The food was always awesome and they definitely catered to the younger crowd with parties and entertainment. We loved it. Their comedians are the best and there is always something to do. This year's vacation will not change our minds about cruising. But...it might make us rethink when we decide to book.

We drove 17 hours to Miami. We left at about 6 on Friday night and stopped for some sushi. Then headed on our way. Snapchat was rocking that night as I documented my travels with my lovers. Sorry guys...but Mike and I always have a blast driving to Florida and this time was no different.
(Don't mind the spray tan residue...)

It's prescription, calm down. I'm legit crazy ADHD.
For rizzle. Ask my mom. Luh you Ma!
Miami was great and we ate some Cuban sandwiches and parties with the Cubans. Well...until about 7 that was. Then, we headed to bed...



We got to port on Sunday morning at about 10:30 and headed in to be interrogated. Lots of questioning due to Ebola, which was nice but....I didn't really want to be reminded of possible consequences. haha.

The embarkation process wasn't that bad. We paid an extra $50 to get the Faster to the Fun package, which pretty much allows you to board right after priority and your stateroom and luggage is there when you board. That alone I think was worth the $50. Considering Mike and I always smuggle alcohol on the ship it's a lot less stressful when you don't have to wait all night to see if you have been sent to the "naughty room" for your indiscretions.

We boarded the ship and headed right to Guy's Burger Joint and Blue Iguana to get our burgers and burritos. (You're going to read a lot of stuffing face in this post.) Then, we went and got the unpacking out of the way for the week. We had the muster drill and attended our meet and greet to get the dranking started. Dinner and entertainment that night was awesome...as usual...and we finished off the night by getting stupid drunk and watching Ride Along on the big screen on the pool deck. That's right...under the stars in the middle of the ocean. Doesn't get much better than that.


Here's how our itinerary was supposed to go...

Cruise itinerary was supposed to be as follows:
Sunday - Board the ship
Monday - Key West: 8-4 (Key West Pub Crawl)
Tuesday - Sea Day
Wednesday - Grand Cayman: 8-4 (All Inclusive Beach Day)
Thursday - Cozumel: 8-4 (Cozumel Bar Hop)
Friday - Sea Day
Saturday - Off the ship to head home

We got off the ship in Key West a little late. I think I might have overindulged a little the night before. But, hair of the dog master her had it all figured out with a bar hop through Key West. We tried to meet up with Jess, but unfortunately, didn't get the chance. I may or may not have been a little hungover in the heat and the drinks weren't helping. lol. But we really didn't have a lot of time to get back to the ship anyway. Between Jess and Key West itself, however, I'm sure Mike and I will be taking a trip there soon enough. Awesome!!



We woke up Tuesday morning all ready for our sea day. Mike and I actually don't mind sea days. It gives us time to lay out and lounge in the pool. We started off today no different only it was a little dreary outside. That doesn't disturb us, however, and we lounged about anyway. About 11 in the morning we got an announcement that there was a medical emergency and instead of going to Cozumel on Thursday we were increasing speed to get there today. Disembarkation would be about 2:00.

At about 3:30 we were allowed to get off the ship. Not sure if you know much about Cozumel but all the resorts where you can pay $50 and get all inclusive drinks and food close at 5:00. It's just no competition for the downtown Señor Frogs type clientele. So...there wasn't much to do unless we were willing to spend about $200 on a few drinks and some food.

No sir. Not when we have free shit on the ship. So, we walked around in the rain for about an hour and headed back to our sanctuary.

Oh well...At least we've got Grand Cayman left...

...famous last words...

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Recipe: Copycat Chick -Fil-A Chicken Nuggets

This is kind of a repost. A while ago I posted a link to my other blog post which had this recipe, but I didn't actually post it on here so I figured I would repost!!

I am in love with Chick-Fil-A. The closest one, however, is up the highway for 15 minutes so we tend to stick to the one delivery place in our town. haha. So, when I found this recipe for copycat Chick-Fil-A nuggets I knew I had to try it. Not to mention it was a SKINNY RECIPE!!

The only problem was it called for pickle juice and I had just thrown away my last jar. However, finishing off a jar of pickles is never a problem for me so the next time we headed to the store I was sure to pick up a jar! (Always save the juice!! If you don't want the copycat chicken nuggets, pickle juice is always good for pickle shots!! pickle shots = pickle juice + vodka)

While I was preparing the nuggets, super easy by the way, Mike looked up the recipe for copycat Chick-Fil-A sauce and we tried that out, too!! Yes, I had mac-and-cheese. I have been craving it, but I didn't feel guilty at all. Especially because one serving of these nuggets (4) is only 149 calories!! For full nutritional info see the original recipe at Skinny Mom.


INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup pickle juice
1 egg
1 egg white
1/2 cup milk
1 cup flour
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp dried basil
coconut oil (really any oil)

DIRECTIONS:
Cut chicken breast into large nugget size pieces and marinate in the pickle juice for 30-60 minutes. The chicken will shrink just a little when cooking.

Put oil in skillet and heat. The temp should be about 350º. While that is heating up, mix wet ingredients together in a bowl. Then, mix dry ingredients into a separate bowl. 

Place chicken into the wet ingredients. Dip each piece into the dry ingredients and place in the skillet. Cook on each side about 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. 

Remove chicken from oil and let dry on a paper towel covered plate. Serve and enjoy!!

Ooops and here's the link to the copycat Chick-Fil-A sauce!!

Martinis & Bikinis
Eat Drink & Be Mary

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Recipe Repost: Tasty Halloween Treats!

Last year I posted about my Halloween treats that I made for my book club. The ladies loved them so I figured I would repost to give you guys some ideas in case you were having a Halloween party this year!! I mean...since it does fall on a Friday, why wouldn't you?!?!

In case you can't tell, Halloween is my favorite holiday!! I love to have get togethers around Halloween because it gives me an excuse to make some of this awesome stuff!!

Here is a list of my favorites from last year! Everything was super easy to make and if you click on the link it will take you right to the recipe!

Halloween Recipes

Halloween Recipes


Halloween Recipes


Halloween Recipes


Halloween recipes


Halloween Cocktails

I hope you enjoy!! Be sure to post pics if you make any of these and tag me so I can see it!!
 [Instagram: @crooksy532] [Twitter: @leggs532] 
And although I won't be here to link up, if someone would like to add my post to these links that would be awesome!! Otherwise I'm there in spirit!

Eat Drink & Be Mary
Martinis & Bikinis

Cocktails & Carseats

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Cruise Must Haves

So, we leave tomorrow to head to Miami for what's probably going to be our last cruise for a while. Mike and I have finally had the "baby talk" and we think we might be ready to start thinking about trying. We have a time frame in mind and figure that by the time we get pregnant we probably won't be able to make it on any more cruises. We were lucky to even be able to go on this one it just so happens that the price was right and I was able to get off work.

If you haven't heard me talk about cruises before, I am in love. They are, by far, the best vacation my husband and I could ever afford. The cruise we're going on next week is a 6 day cruise and between the 2 of us we paid $1100 total. That includes our room, entertainment, meals (and as many as we want a day), and the trip to Key West, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. We have to pay for the excursions and alcohol, but it's still so affordable. What else can you do for that price including 4 course meals and outstanding chefs for a week? And actually, our cruise just dropped down to $200 per person the other day. WITAF?

Hopefully, I have convinced you all to take a cruise now, but before you go check out this list of must haves so you can live it up the right way!


1. Bring your Tumbler!!! - Mike and I always bring a huge "drankin cup" with us. I found this one on Etsy. The only thing they have available are the little hotel glasses that you use to rinse your toothpaste out. They also have small plastic cups but you have to fill up two at a time to be able to actually quench your thirst. But, if you bring a large tumbler, you can fill it up and be good to go. Which brings me to...

2. Rum Runners!! - Rum Runners are the best way to smuggle alcohol on the cruise. They remind me of the bag that wine in a box comes in. You fill them up with your favorite alcohols and they are undetectable to X-ray machines. I put mine inside a shoe box with my shoes and we stick a few under some clothes or mixed inside my makeup bag or toiletries bag. Just don't put them on your carry on because they get searched. You can order them here...

3. UNO - Bring some playing cards. Mike and I always try to get to the entertainment early so we get good seats. They are usually playing BINGO but you have to pay to play and we never win. There are some good prizes though so you might want to try. UNO usually helps us pass the time while we wait. We also love to go sit in the atrium and listen to the musicians while we get our drank on and play some cards.

4. Extra sunglasses - It's so easy to scratch or lose your sunglasses on a cruise. Mike and I always bring an extra, cheap pair just in case. That way when you're drunk laying out on the deck and forget to grab your sunglasses when you head back inside, you have an extra pair to take with you.

5. eReader - Bring it! You might not think you will have time to read but it's always better safe then sorry. Mike and I always have our Kindles with us. We take them up to the pool deck when we lay out and I can usually get a fews books in during the cruise. Mike also always reads while I'm getting ready. Especially if you have a balcony room, sitting out there watching the waves and reading is so peaceful. 

6. Waterproof watch - You miss the ship, it's on you to make it home. Get a cheap waterproof watch to take with you so you always know what ship time is. That way you don't have to worry about figuring out the ship time when you're in a different time zone. And, since it's waterproof, you don't have to worry about leaving it behind or having it slow down.

7. Sunscreen and After Sun Lotion - This might seem like an obvious one, but I can't tell you how many times Mike and I forget to buy it. And, of course they have it available on the ship, but it's expensive as hell. It never fails I get burnt the very first sea day and we always forget the after sun lotion. Then I'm in pain the entire night and can barely move. I got the Hawaiian Tropic stuff in a Influenster VoxBox and have fallen in love with it. 

Got any cruise must haves of your own??

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Recipe: It's Chili Weather!!

I love this time of year! By far my most favorite time of all. I'm sitting here watching the football game with the windows open as I type this and it's amazing. I know I've been super MIA lately and slacking. The hubsters and I have been super busy and truthfully, I can't even tell you what with. Just that I feel like I haven't had a chance to breathe in the last 2 weeks.

But, here I am! I'm making a post!! Yay!! I promise I'll try to be better, but I have said that probably a million times before and I can't be positive I won't get lost again. But...I'll try.

This is the perfect weather for soups. And...it's finally chili weather!! Mike makes THE best chili ever and it's super easy. Plus it always makes enough for leftovers and we usually buy a block of Velveeta and make some chili dip for the football game that weekend. Sooooo good. And, because I'm in love with this chili I figured I would post the recipe so you can enjoy it, too!!

Mike's Famous Chili

INGREDIENTS
1.5 lbs sausage
1.5 lbs ground beef
1 McCormick hot chili packet
1 small can Rotel
1 large can of tomato sauce
1 large can of crushed tomatoes
1 small can of diced tomatoes
2 small cans of kidney beans, drained
1 large onion, diced
1 large pepper, diced
1/2 cup sugar
salt and pepper to taste
chili powder to taste
hot sauce to taste

DIRECTIONS
In a large soup pot, brown sausage and ground beef with the onions and peppers. Add rest of the ingredients and let simmer on low for at least an hour. Season to taste. Make some cornbread and throw some sour cream and shredded cheese on top. Maybe some extra onions, and BAM! You're done. Enjoy!!

Martinis & Bikinis

Eat Drink & Be Mary

Friday, October 03, 2014

TGIF!! On the Rizzle...

ONE
     It's a wedding weekend!!! Our friends Daniel and Stephanie are getting married tomorrow and Mike is in the wedding so we have a fun filled weekend ahead of us. I can't wait to see how gorgeous she looks and how everything is put together. I have been hearing about the details for-ev-er and I'm super stoked!!

TWO
     All my Scentsy stuff came in!! I'm going to do a little blog about it some time next week if I can get my tail in gear. I got so. much. stuff. and I can't wait to show you. I'm smelling the plug in I put in my classroom as we speak. She's adorbs!!


THREE
     I made it all week without drinking!! On Sunday I realized I needed to get back on that healthy eating bandwagon I was on before. Since I can't exercise the way I used to I figured I would need to at least eat healthy if I expected to see some changes. And...although Mike thought it necessary to drink while I wasn't............................................I still made it through. Wohooo!!

FOUR
     I have also been tracking my calories with My Fitness Pal. It told me I needed to eat between 1600 and 1800 calories per day and no more if I wanted to lose something. I'm also happy to announce I have come either pretty far under, or just at that all week long, too. Now...let's see if any of that shows on the scale cuz I can bet it won't. Betch.



FIVE
     It's OCTOBER!!!! Which means Halloween time!! I got out the Halloween stuff last weekend and have yet to actually decorate. Things have been so busy and so hectic around the house, I feel like. But, hopefully everything will calm down and I can get those decoration out promptly. It's making me think of last year with the awesome Halloween treats I made!! Might have to link them up for Tuesdays Recipe Swap the week of Halloween.


 photo H54Fbutton_zps973d26e1.png             and