Hump Day Pins

Rabbit, rabbit. It's the first day of a new month, and I plan to make it a good one! I j.u.s.t. found out I am taking a three day cruise for a friend's bachelorette party in a few weeks to the Bahamas! I have approx two weeks to shop. It's also a new month and I have decided to try one of the 3,256 squat a day challenges I keep seeing pop up on Pinterest, while I am at it. And one of my fave "holidays" is {almost} here. And when I say "holiday", it's just because I love cheese. And salsa. And margaritas. Whatever.

{Necessary for any cruise}

{I love all of her recipes}

{what my hair will most likely look like in the Bahamas?}

OHP!

It's been a while since I have linked up with Michelle and I have loads of new pins to share!

Since I am desperately trying to lose weight, I know the biggest thing I must do is plan the F ahead. And so I share with you, my most favorite meal pins, as of late.

Source: Food Doodles via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: Best Food Pins via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: A Food Centric Life via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: Casa de Crews via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: Skinnytaste via Supper for a Steal on Pinterest

What healthy meals do you make? I'm always {always!} looking for inspiration!

Spring and Things!

I am sharing today, with a ton of fabulous ladies, some of my favorite spring things. Grab our button,  and share your favorite spring things in our one day link up! Special thanks to Mrs. Monologues for creating this idea/link up!

Meet Your Hosts (brought together by a Blog Billion Networking Group): 
Kate @ Mrs. Monologues 
Krystal @ Krystal's Kitsch 
Nichole @ Casa de Crews 
Christine @ Life With a Side of Coffee 
Rachel @ Can't Google Everything 
Amanda @ A Beautiful Mess 
Vicki @ My Vickilicious Life 
Asha @ The Dansha Diaries 
Megan @ Megan Card

Grab the button and come link-up your favorite things about spring!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.mrsmonologues.com" title="Mrs. Monologues"><img src="http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/mrsmonologues/MasonJar_zps045d0c0c.jpg" alt="Mrs. Monologues" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
Fall used to be my favorite season, until I got hitched in April. Spring is now my fave. It's not too hot {yet} in Florida and it reminds me of our engagement party {adorned with tons of tulips} our yellow and grey wedding and the two cruises Jason and I have taken two years in a row.

1. I love any and all things mason jars. While mason jars are not seasonal, I love that you can use them as rustic, chic vases to showcase bright flowers.And festive drinks {class up your alcoholism!}

{via}

{via}

{via}

2. Vacations: unfortunately no vacay this season, but two years in a row, we have taken some awesome trips to tropical destinations and hope to take a trip next year {if I am lucky, back to Jamaica}.

{sunset in Grand Cayman}

3. Tulips. Jason isn't a huge flower giver but I love tulips and they remind me our engagement party and also the bouquets in our wedding.

{photo cred: Caroline & Evan Photography}

4. Grilling. Jason refuses to eat anything gas grilled. We both prefer charcoal, but I know how to work a gas grill, so once spring/summer roll around, I can get the husband to grill me tons of tasty meals.

{via}

{via}

What are your favorite spring things?

XOXO,
Nichole

Eats for the week

I find that I am someone that needs a routine during the work week. I also have discovered that while I need a routine, sometimes it bores me to death. Last week I was spot on with my meal planning, but the week got way busy and I didn't get to the gym once (but surprisingly, stayed within my calorie budget so I'm still happy} and had something going on every night, Monday-Friday and now feel run down. Not surprisingly,  I feel sick again. Awesome. I had a feeling whatever ish I had a few weeks ago, may come back if I didn't take it easy. womp womp.

The local meat market I mentioned the other day, Cacciatore Bros, had another  week of $1.99/lb chicken breasts for a 10lb bag and so I stocked up this weekend {um, we still have 3-4 in the freezer as we speak but, I needed to load up!} again and plan to make some more creative chicken dishes {or I may die of boredom if I make more salads, but I digress {also, these are real first world problems, I do realize I am being dramatic}} this week.

Source: circle-b-kitchen via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: BevCooks via Nichole C on Pinterest

Okay, okay. One  salad {I mean they're so easy for lunches for work}. My sister made this for me and the bestie last week, and ever since I have been c.r.a.v.i.n.g. this salad.

{recipe found here}

So even though, it sometimes feels like a pain in the ass to prep for the week, I do feel better planning ahead. Now, if I could just feel better!

What are you making this week?

XOXO,

Nichole

My First Thanksgiving {OHP!}

Do you all realize we are only two weeks (and one day) away from Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is actually my fave holiday; mainly because it's the kick off season to the holidays in general and I love that.

This year, I am hosting my first Thanksgiving dinner for the in-laws. On the mister's side, we actually celebrate turkey day the Sunday before so that the day of, we're not all running to two or three different dinners. Its actually a genius idea, I think! But since J and I have been married eighteen or so months now, I figured it was time to step up my turkey game, ya'll. I've never made a turkey but I do know how to decorate! I'm planning of course to decorate on a budget, which involves some creativity, but I am pretty excited about hosting! Get back with me in ten days and I may change my mind, however.

Source: etsy via Mary on Pinterest

{clearly I have a thing for mason jars?}

Source: emmalinebride.com via Lisa Swendsen on Pinterest

Source: craftily-ever-after.blogspot.com via lane 11f on Pinterest

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: theidearoom.net via Amory Anderson on Pinterest

....and my favorite blog for parties has some beautiful table settings!

Source: blog.hwtm.com via Nicole Edwards on Pinterest

Fatty McFats....

If you've followed my blog long enough, you know that I have always struggled with my weight. It's kinda sad actually, because I have no one to blame but yours truly...

I've lost some weight, gained that weight back and probably then some...I know its been partly circumstance, as in the fact that I got stressed job searching, commuting, and learning a new job. Those aren't really excuses, but that didn't stop me anyway...

...So here we go AGAIN

...a little motivation for me (and perhaps you, if you're lookin')

Source: saysomethingposters.com via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: blog.houseoffifty.com via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: startnow.stockphotosweb.com via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: standuptofight.tumblr.com via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: mamalaughlin.com via Nichole C on Pinterest

Seriously, my last pin of mamalaughlin.com is some good readin'! She cracks me up! Go check her out!

What have you pinned, lately?!

XOXO,

Nichole

Grub: Party Edition

Happy freaking Hump Day!

I am hosting a fun lil' jewelery party next weekend (Lia Sophia to be exact!) and am starting to plan my menu. Its after lunch time but of course I will need some fun party foods, anyway. I mean a bunch of chickies together for a Sunday afternoon, will require some fun eats to soak up the drinks we may consume ;) I'm just sayin...

...Now on to the food porn:

Source: shine.yahoo.com via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: kelseysappleaday.blogspot.com via Robyn Glazner on Pinterest.com

Source: http://www.newlywednichole.com via  Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: twigandthistle.com via Mrs. T on Pinterest

I love simple foods like this bruschetta-y dish above but do see this one below?!

Guacamole.Bruschetta.
My mind is blown...Holy COW

Source: justataste.com via Nichole C on Pinterest

Source: thehungryhousewife.com via Jeri Landheer on Pinterest.com

....and last but not least:

Source: Google.com via Patricia Campbell on Pinterest.com

Totally Rad 80's, BABY

One of my most fave chickies in the entire world, Christina, is coming home Memorial Day weekend to celebrate her big 3-0, ya'll. Since she was born in the eighties, we're going ALLLL out and dressing up like the 80's, ya'll.

It's going to be totally tubular (sorry, couldn't help myself).

I'm not too sure yet what all I am wearing but I have found quite the inspiration on pinterest

Fact: I have very thick, naturally curly hair (which gets a Keratin treatment every 3-4 months and yet I still need to flat iron it, every day) that is beyond per-fect for the 80's

Madonna

Source: Thecomfortzonediversity via Kelly on Pinterest

Source: Yahoo Images via Laurelee on Pinterest.com

Oh, the clothes!

Source:Pop Eighties via MaryKay on Pinterest

Via

Lisa Turtle!

...and since I love me some photo booth fun (and I love Etsy), I'm getting these babies for the party bus!

Kitty Dune Cuts

Can't.Freaking.Wait!

XOXO,

Nichole