I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

Today is a good day. Why, you ask? Because I have the BEST blog following-friends in the world!

This morning I was pleasantly surprised with my first blog award from the very sweet Tarryn & Allison over at 2Bloggeristas! Ahhhhhhh!!


[ Made. My. Morning. ]

In usual MEGnificent fashion, I would like to thank the academy while wearing this gorgeous bright yellow couture Valentino gown from the 2010 spring line.



[ Yellow Anything + SJP = 2 of My Faves!]

In all mushy seriousness though, this is really cool! Tarryn and Allison gave me "The Versatile Blogger Award" - which is SO sweet!




Thank you to all of you oldies but goodies and recent new [Life of Meg] fans - you are amazing! It is so wonderful and refreshing to know people are not only following, but enjoying my blog :)


PS- Go check those Bloggeristas out!

Heavenly Banana Cake

Every Monday night BF, myself and a big group of our wonderful friends get together for what I call family dinner.


{ This night is by far one of my weekly faves! }

Each week family dinner is hosted at another friend's house - pot luck dinner party style! The person hosting usually makes the main dish and then all of us bring something to compliment the theme.

I, of course, realized it was family dinner night at 4 p.m. yesterday, so I was racking my brain to find a new yummy dessert to bring! After scanning the kitchen and finding several perfectly ripe bananas, the search was on! It only took me 10 minutes of scanning allrecipes.com [my go to fave!] to find this amazing recipe for banana cake with cream cheese frosting!

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{ Banana Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting }

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter
2 1/8 cups white sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas

1/2 cup butter softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
2) Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
3) In a small bowl, mix mashed bananas with lemon juice, set aside.
4) In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
5) In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
6) Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla.
7) Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk.
8) Stir in banana mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.


Bake Time: 1 hour [My cake took 1 hr + 20 min]

**Remove from oven and place immediately in the freezer for 45 min!**


[I know, I thought this freezer trick sounded weird too, but this made the cake SUPER moist and yummy!]


Frosting Directions

1) In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese until smooth.
2) Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
3) Add confectioners sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth.
4) Spread frosting on cooled cake, chill and serve!

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The cake was super easy to prepare and was in the oven in no time! This cake was SO moist, with rich banana flavor and the BEST smooth cream cheese frosting I've ever tasted! The feedback I got from all of our friends was that they LOVED IT!

Well, I hope you try it out! It's perfect for any dinner party, shower or BBQ that you may have coming up!

PS- In case you're trying to watch it with the sweets [like me!], try my Guilt Free Cupcakes!


Bon Appetit!

Kids = Hilarious

After reading a facebook post from my dear friend, Javier,
I have decided that I am self-diagnosing myself with Peter Pan syndrome. That's right, after reading this story from The Huffington Post, I want to be a kid forever.




Below are several awesome photos of kids' actual to-do lists...
[freaking hilarious!]

My favorites are shown below :)











_____________________________

To-Do List

- Eat Ice Pops
- Play With Friend
- Mix Cornstarch & Water
- Eat Stuff
- Be Happy & Go Home

_____________________________

Yep. That's exactly what I was wanting to do today too [while wearing my favorite purple sparkle jellies and my Little Mermaid dress] - fabulous!


{ The joys of being a little kid. }


What would be on your to-do list?


{ Hope this made you giggle! }

Guilt Free Cupcakes

So... I happened to stumble across several cupcake pictures and they completely got me in the mood to bake! It's been so long since I've been in that kitchen baking yummy treats and I miss it!


{ Aren't these cute? }
Part of the reason is due to the fact that I am a self-admitted, rehabilitated (or at least in the process) sugar/sweets junkie. Since "competing" in my office's Biggest Loser competition, I am determined to do whatever I can to keep changing my lifestyle and mentality.

I mean, HELLO! If I bake yummy treats and they are just lingering around my kitchen, they're toast. My waistline doesn't need them and my pocketbook is counting on winning that $600!

Craving a cupcake, but not the calories?
...try this recipe!
SO simple, easy and delicious!

______________________________

{ Guilt-Free Cupcakes }

Ingredients

- 1 box cake mix (any flavor - I prefer Pillsbury Super Moist)
- 12 oz. can diet soda (any flavor)

Topping

- 8 oz. Cool Whip Free
- 1 oz. package Jello sugar-free vanilla pudding
- Sprinkles (optional fun!)

Directions

1) Preheat oven (following direction on box).
2) Line tin with cupcake wrappers.
3) Mix together cake mix and diet soda.
4) Poor mix into tin and follow baking directions on box.
5) Whip together cool whip and jello until blended well.
6) Remove cupcakes, let them cool, dollop on topping .
7) EAT & ENJOY!


Calories: 105 (per cupcake)
Fat: 1.8 g
Fiber: 3.6 g
______________________________

{ Favorite Combos }

- Strawberry Cake Mix + Diet Sierra Mist
- Chocolate Devils Food Cake Mix + Diet Coke
- Lemon Cake Mix + Diet 7-Up
- Chocolate Cake Mix + Diet Cherry Coke
- Angel Food Cake Mix + Diet Orange Crush
- Red Velvet Cake Mix + Diet Cherry Vanilla
- White Cake Mix + Diet Ginger Ale
_______________________________


So simple, right? Trust me, you can't really go wrong with any flavor combo unless you use dark soda for a light cake (color combo isn't so attractive!). Are you excited? I hope this makes you want to rush out to the store, buy some cake mix and get baking!

Let me know how your cupcakes turn out!!


Bon Appetit!

FREE Donuts!

There are few things in the world that I love more than Fridays. BUT I can think of one thing...


{ National Donut Day + Friday! }

Yes, that's right, today is the day to eat as many donuts as possible because the calories don't count!



Luckily enough for me, Krispy Kreme (along with some local KC donut shops) are giving away FREE donuts to anyone and everyone today, no purchase required! So, you'd better believe I'm going to get me some! ;)


{ Message to BF this morning }

"Are you aware of what TODAY is? National Donut Day!!
I know what we're doing for dinner... *nom nom nom*"


Of course he may have to drive me there since I'm still on crazy meds [starting to slowly feel better!], but one way or another I will get my free donut!


Hope your day is full of sprinkles & frosting!

Wild About TOMS Wedges

Holy cuteness! TOMS Shoes just released their newest edition to their shoe family:


{ Calypso Canvas Women's Wedges! }



{ Love them. Especially this yellow... Mmmm dreamy! }


Just in case you're not familiar with the wonderfulness that is TOMS Shoes, let me enlighten you! TOMS One for One Foundation mission:

_________________________________

"With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes
to a child in need. One for One"
_________________________________




So just in case you're feeling like saving the world one pair of shoes at a time...

...here's your wonderful excuse!!



{ Enjoy! }

When Life Gives You Lemons...

I just wanted to drop a quick post to thank all of you who have been sending me sweet get well soon wishes - you are pure sunshine!

For those who have been curious, here's a quick update. Sunday afternoon I was experiencing terrible lower abdominal pain, so BF rushed me to the emergency room. After several hours of yucky tests, CT scans, and what not, they found several substantial ruptured ovarian cysts and an infection. Ouch! :(


{ No wonder I felt yucky! }



This past week I have taken much needed recovery time off from work. The pain is slowly going away, which is amazing. My miracle doc has me on some aggressive medications after meeting with the specialist today - so I should be back to my normal self in a few days! YES!

I just wanted to say a special big THANK YOU to my cousins, BF, Mommy and Sista for taking good care of me well I've been under the weather.

{ Hugs for all! }

Back to simple sweet & sassy posting soon!

Have a Magical Memorial Day!

Just wanted to pop in and wish you all an amazing Memorial Day. If you see a soldier, please thank them for risking their lives every single day to keep America safe!

I know I've been a little MIA lately, especially between my best friend's wedding in Kentucky and my yucky hospital stay yesterday (no worries - I'm now home & resting! More on that later...), it's been utter chaos! Time to unwind!


Have a magical Memorial Day!

Everything + Kitchen Sink

Well I am officially all packed and ready to go... with a record-breaking, earth-shattering 2 bag total! Wooooooo!

Yes, ask my BF how this little blonde typically travels and he will have no reservations telling you, that's for sure! Last weekend I got heck from him for bringing 4 bags with me for a 2 night stay with my parents. I swore up and down that they were all absolute necessities! (...hehehe...)

{ Well BF, you should be proud! }



I victoriously fit 5-6 outfits, 4 pairs of shoes, 4 dresses, 3 belts and make-up into ONE suitcase. I know what you're thinking... AMAZING, right?

However, if someone was hypothetically curious as to how one might manage this, I might tell them that a "friend of mine" has to take a running start, take a huge leap and land on top of it in order to close the suitcase hiney style... hypothetically, of course.

Anyway, victory is mine! I've got my travel must-haves packed and I'm off to Kentucky for best friend wedding pallooza!


Let the madness begin!

Gaga for GLEE!

Who saw this week's Lady Gaga inspired Glee?! Holy COW, I couldn't be happier that I actually DVR'd it so that I can watch it again... Absolutely amazing!


Outstanding Costumes + Emotion + Kurt + Storyline + Lady Gaga
Song Selection + Idina Menzel + 60 minutes

{ Fantastic Episode! }



To all my fellow "gleeks" out there...


...what did you think?!

Top 10 Travel Must-Haves

Summer is always full of wonderful adventures and new places to experience...


{ Are you ready to travel in style? }

I am headed out-of-town tomorrow afternoon for my best friend's wedding in Kentucky... bridesmaid duties call!

I first made a list of all the boring necessities - toothbrush, underoos, bridesmaid dress (CAN'T forget that!), etc. - but that's no fun! So today I made my checklist of all the things that I love and must have with me when I travel... Here we go!


My Top Ten Travel
Must-haves
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1) iPod

- Umm... I need my jams! A playlist for every mood is a must.


2) Good Book

- Yes, I finally bought "The Carrie Diaries" & I'm excited for an amazing read!


3) Healthy Snacks

- No matter who you are, traveling always throws you off a bit and eating junk makes you feel yucky. I want to feel energized and healthy while of vacay, so snacking healthy is a must!
Personal faves: raw almonds + dried cranberries, Luna/Clif bars - YUM!


4) Sling One Strap Purse

- Let's face it, getting through security is a nightmare without a strategy. I want something small and easy to store and find my I.D. and boarding pass. My mom gave me the cutest Coach sling purse and I couldn't travel without it...
{Thanks mom!}


5) Camelback Water Bottle

- I'm a water freak. Ask BF, I take this thing everywhere! I don't want to waste money on a $4.50 plastic bottle of water and then not be able to recycle it, so I've got my handy dandy water bottle - must stay hydrated!


5) Magazines

- If you want to make me the happiest girl in the world, buy a new mag or give me one of your already read ones! InStyle, People, US, Cosmo, Elle, Southern Living, etc... absolutely LOVE them all!


6) Cozy Travel Pillow

- I bought the most amazing travel neck pillow at Brookstone a few years ago and it was the best $25 I've ever spent. It's super easy to relax and sneak in a quick nap without drooling all over your neighbor's shoulder with this little gem.


7) Easy Slip-off Sandals

- When traveling I want 2 things: comfort and ease. Teva sandals are the answer! These little hippie sandals are the essence of both.


8) Socks

- Let me just clarify: I am not a sock person. If I never ever had to wear socks again I wouldn't. BUT every single time I fly wearing my comfy little Teva sandals, my toes turn into tiny popsicles.

{ No, I do not wear my socks with my sandals!}

It's one or the other, people - gross. Flip of the sandals, wiggle on the socks just for the plane ride, and then quickly switch before landing.


9) Camera [duh.]

- How else can I document all the crazies in the airport?!
[Best people watching spot EVER!]


10) My BlackBerry

- Lifeline to everything I might need: weather, GPS, e-mail, FB, and blogging!











What's on your must-have travel list?