Flashback Friday: Halloween Edition!

Happy Halloween!!! 

As I kid my costumes were either homemade, hand-me-downs from Molly, or clothes thrown together as the last minute.  We would brainstorm with my mom and dad a few weeks before and start getting our materials together.  I loved that our costumes were homemade; we would spend a lot of time together painting or cutting out felt pieces, and it made Halloween that much more special.

Now that I look back through my costumes, I realize I was not nearly as creative as I thought I was... I dressed up in two different costumes two times each!  I know I'm missing a few years, but here's a little walk down memory lane :)

I love looking at all of my costumes since I was a kid!  This year I'm a ballerina... apparently that is all I want to be in life.

Have a great weekend!

October Favorites

One month closer to the holidays... I can smell the Christmas trees now and it's not just because I'm burning my B&BW Balsam candle.  October was a lovely month!  We had our first anniversary, lots of birthday celebrations, a trip to the orchard, and my first ever wine tasting.  I'm excited for the end of this month; we have a full weekend with Halloween, my momma's birthday and the Race for Hope in honor of my dad on Sunday.  For now, let's take a look at a few of my favorite things this month!

Beauty Product: Elizabeth & James Nirvana Fragrances

I caved this month and bought a roller ball of each of Elizabeth & James Nirvana scents: Black and White.  To me, White is light, floral, happy, day-time scent.  Black is a bit deeper, sexier, evening scent.  When I put either of these on my wrist, I honestly can't stop smelling them!!! I've become obsessed with wearing Black on one wrist and White on the other.  I think they mix so beautifully and until I figure out which one I like better, I'm just going to wear them both!

Songs: Waves & Trumpets

Waves - Mr Probz (Robin Schulz Remix)

I could listen to this song over and over.  I (obviously) like songs that are feel-good and get you pumped up.  I'll give Scott credit for finding this one.

Trumpets by Jason DeRulo

This song is just my jam lately.  Kinda sucks that Jay-Son DeRuuulo and Jordin Sparks are no more cause I feel like this song might be about her, but I'm still down with it.

Food Find: Cookie Chips

Y'all.  Salted peanut butter cookie chips. They are so amazing!  I found these bad boys at the grocery store (obvi) last week and lets just say they did not last long.  This week we picked up chocolate chip and, you guessed it, they're awesome, too.  I know there's a lot of candy going around this week but blah blah blah - try these!

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Friday is HALLOWEEN!!!  I am so excited because my newish job has a costume contest and I get to stay in costume to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters.

I'm going to be one of the following...

        A. Princess Jasmine (or Princess Jabs-Min according to my niece)
        B. A ballerina
        C. Taylor Swift circa Shake it Off video
        D. Maggie from TWD

Leave a comment to see if you can guess what I'm dressing up as!

Sweetwater Farm & Grace Winery

Saturday was a beautiful day for my first ever wine tasting (check it off the list)!  A bunch of friends got together to celebrate Jackie's birthday (which is today, Happy Birthday pretty lady!!!).  The weather was perfect to sit outside and enjoy trying a few wines!

I think we tried 7 different wines at Sweetwater Farm & Grace Winery.  My favorite ended up being the Merlot which surprised me because I am not a red wine lover.  Maybe the birthday girl influenced me a little bit ;)

Of course we had to take a break from the tasting for a mini photo shoot in front of the grapes.  Don't worry girlfriends I will e-mail you your pics with your men!  How gorgeous do the grape bushes vines look against the fall trees?!

How cute is she!

It was so nice to be able to catch up with the girls and see the guys for a bit; I love when we can all get together!

After the lovely wine tasting we headed into the borough for some dinner and dessert.  I had to include just a few pictures because look at that beautiful caprese tower!  We ate (and had little more wine) at Teca, then headed over to Gemelli for some gelato.  A day full of food and drinks!

Scott and I had so much fun celebrating Jackie's birthday with everyone and are definitely looking forward to our next wine tasting.  Hope you all had a great weekend!

Mini Pumpkin Pudding "Pie" Tarts

If you're like me, you're buying anything pumpkin related right now.  Pumpkin Eggo waffles, pumpkin Greek yogurt, and pumpkin instant pudding.  I was trying to come up with a fun recipe for the pumpkin pudding that was really easy, and came up with these beauties with only 7 ingredients!!!

Mini Pumpkin Pudding Pie Tarts

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

For the filling:

• 1 (3.4 oz) box Instant Pumpkin Pudding
• 1 ½ cups + 1 tablespoon cold milk

For the topping:

• 3 oz. Marshmallow Creme
• Kitchen torch (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 1 cupcake sheet with paper liners.
• Cut butter into large chunks and melt in a microwave safe bowl.
• In a food processor blend graham crackers until fine.  Add brown sugar and butter until mixture becomes crumbly.
• Split mixture evenly between cupcake liners and press into cupcake sheet.  I used a mini-Coca Cola glass to help press the mixture down, a shot glass could also work.
• Bake graham cracker crusts for about 5 minutes until lightly golden brown.  Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
• Whisk instant pudding mix and milk.  Set in fridge for about 5 minutes.
• Once pudding is semi-set, fill each crust with about 2 tablespoons of pudding.  Return to the fridge and allow to set for at least an hour.
• Once mini "pies" are set, fill an icing bag with marshmallow creme.  Pipe onto pudding pies and serve immediately.  Optional: Toast marshmallow creme with a kitchen torch right before serving. Option 2: For a less sweet option, pipe cool whip instead of marshmallow creme!

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These little "pies" are the perfect treat to satisfy your pumpkin pie craving before Thanksgiving arrives!  One of my tasters said these minis could be served at a lovely restaurant around here - I'll take it!

Have a great weekend :)

The Fine Line

Last week I took a break from blogging and reflected a bit on what my goals are with this whole thing.  Originally I thought I would share my favorite make-up items.  After I did a few restaurant reviews I started to like that.  I like posting my monthly favorites, travel stories, and my weekends in pictures.  But where do I want What Gina Says to go?

About a week ago I read an article about a man who became addicted to Google Glass, the glasses created by Google that keep you connected to the internet 24/7.  While he was going through withdrawal (yep... this actually happened), he reportedly continued to reach up to his temple as though he had the glasses on.

Although I don't see myself as addicted to technology as this example, our generation is definitely addicted to and reliant on technology to an extent.  First thing you check when you wake up?  Phone.  How do you get directions? GPS/internet.  Math?  Calculator on cellphone.  Recipe?  allrecipes.com.  Latest news on your old friends from high school?  Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.  If you really think about it, any time a question comes up, we almost instantly turn to technology.

What is the line between using all this modern technology and the internet in positive ways and becoming addicted to using it?  Is the internet really as addictive as drugs or alcohol?

When I compare kids growing up in today's world with my childhood, there are significant differences directly related to technology.  I remember being so excited in 4th or 5th grade when our school had the newest iMac desktop computers in different colors.  Today, kids know how to use an iPhone before they're forming sentences.  On road-trips my parents would pull over and pull out the atlas, today we go straight for the GPS.  Without using problem solving skills, will future generations really develop them?  What would happen to them if the technology they relied on suddenly wasn't available?

Technology has definitely made life easier and some forms of it are wonderful, but how far is too far?  In a world where very little is shocking anymore, does it shock you to hear that someone is actually addicted to a piece of technology?  Not really, but I can't help but picture the beginning of the movie Wall-E.  If you've seen it, you know that humans can no longer live on earth and orbit around in a space ship in hover-chairs with televisions attached.  That seems a bit extreme, but would it really be that much of a shock?

So, how does this all relate to my blog?  It's great to see the number of readers going up, hearing from friends that they liked a post or seeing likes on Instagram, but how do I make sure I'm not sharing too much of my life?  What is the difference between utilizing technology and finding my place on the internet versus over sharing and becoming addicted to a social response?

I know this post is a question filled rant, but a week off gave me some time to mill over what I really want this blog to be about, and I think it's about sharing responsibly.  Sharing experiences and recipes, thoughts and jokes.

While I figure out exactly what I want to share, I hope you'll keep checking back to see what I have to say.  For starters, Friday will feature a quick and easy pumpkin recipe that's perfect for sharing... with your friends or coworkers perhaps!  See you then :)

Weekend in Pictures: Birthdays Galore!

This past weekend consisted of baking, jumping on moon bounces, pizza, baking, pumpkin beer, baking and signing happy birthday (x3)!  My niece turned 4 and my nephew/godson/favorite little man turned 2.  We celebrated with a Moon Bounce party for Abby and a family party for the both of them.

I did a little bit of baking for the kid party on Saturday; it was Frozen themed so we went with snowflake sugar cookies and "snowball" Oreo truffles aka crack.

The birthday princess pre-bouncing!  So sweet to watch her with all her little friends :)

After bouncing around and racing through the moon bounce obstacle course, we headed home.  The rest of my Saturday looked like this...

For the family party I baked both of the kids birthday cakes.  I love how the Pinterest-inspired ombre Frozen cake turned out and I definitely want to use that technique again soon.  I would love to try it with purple or pink (duh super girly).

The kids we very excited to open gifts (who can blame them?!).  One of my most memorable birthdays was by 7th when I got a boombox, the Spice Girls CD, AND Spice World the movie.  I mean really, does it get better than that?!  For the time being, Abby is (obviously) into Frozen, Princesses, and My Little Pony.  Chase is loving dinosaurs and cars.

At this point Abby is saying, and I quote, "this is taking forevvvver."

After Chase realized what was in the box he was excited to try it out!

I still can't believe Abs turned 4 this year!  She's a sassy little one and is totally aware everything that's going on; can't get much past her anymore.  She is very smart and was excited for her Frozen Treasure chest :)

Cake time... Chasey boy wasn't having it and Abby had a sneaky little grin!  I served both cakes with strawberries as suggested by the birthday girl, and now I think they should be an addition to every cake ever.

Scott and I finished the busy weekend with a trip to Target where I found my new FAV snack.  I looove the Snap Pea Crisps so when I saw these new Lentil Snaps I was all about them.  They are delish.

Someone was not happy to be in Target... how is that even possible?

It was a busy but fun couple of days.  This weekend we're headed to Nikki and Matt's wedding which happens to be at the most beautiful venue ever!!!... where we got married :)  We are so looking forward to that.

Happy Hump Day!  Two and a half days til the weekend y'all!

Our First (Married) Year

It's crazy to realize that Scott and I have been married for a year.  I've heard that the first year of marriage is the hardest.  If that's true, I think we'll make it :).  Trust me, we've butted heads multiple times over or first year as newlyweds, but the good times we've had and memories we've made far surpass any arguments.  I definitely learned a lot during our first year in marriage, and I figured I could share some advice to my soon-to-be married friends (I'm looking at you Caitie & Melissa!).

1. Take turns

Take turns making dinner, doing the dishes, picking out restaurants, choosing a weekend getaway, and being the romantic one.  It's not fair to expect one person in a relationship to always be the one responsible for making decisions.  I'm not the best decision maker, but I do my best to offer suggestions and go out of my way to do little things to surprise Scott.  It's always nice to find a random note or your favorite greek yogurt in the fridge ;)

2. Compromise

Once you're married, it's not just your decision anymore.  Before I got married, I would occasionally check in with Scott on little decisions I was making.  But now everything from big purchases and travel arrangements, to little things like homemade pizza is discussed so that we both know the options.  I may not always want to watch ESPN, but I know Scott doesn't always want to watch Teen Mom or The Big Bang Theory either.  Giving in to what the other person wants every once in a while is necessary to keep the balance.

3. Keep each other in the loop

I don't think couples need to be in constant communication and honestly get a little annoyed when I'm spending time with someone and they're texting their bf the whole.time.  While I don't need to know every move Scott makes during the day, I do think it is important to check in with each other a couple of times and keep each other in the loop.  With Scott traveling daily, it's nice to know where he is at or what time he thinks he'll be making it home.  This may seem obvious, but keep each other aware of any upcoming plans you may have made with friends, too.  Marriage takes working as a team together... i.e.don't just go to happy hour with your gfs and eat dinner without even realizing that the only thing at home for your hubby is a frozen hot pocket.... whaaaaa?

4. Remind them what you love about them

Straight off of Pinterest, I made an "I love you because..." frame that we have in our bedroom.  We take turns writing on it and the messages vary, but it always makes me smile when I see Scott wrote something.  It's been anything from "you cleaned the whole house!" to "you are so determined and it's inspiring!".

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Our first year of marriage was filled with fun trips and dates; we saw new places together, celebrated "married" holidays and birthdays, tried new restaurants, worked on home "improvements", tried new recipes, and had a lot of laughs over the past 12 months.

Tonight we're off to celebrate with dinner and attempting to eat a year old cake!  Cheers to many more anniversaries and birthdays and holidays and babies and vacations and memories together, Skitt. xxo :)

Flashback Friday: Our Wedding!

It's hard to believe our wedding was a year ago this weekend!  We lucked out with a gorgeous day and celebrated surrounded by all of our favorite people.  Our incredible photographers, MattnNat captured all of our special moments.  I'm so glad we chose them for our wedding because every time I look back at our pictures, I remember all of the little details.  I love thinking back on our big day and when Scott and I were looking at our album the other day, I decided to share some pictures.  Enjoy!

These lovely ladies (and a couple mimosas) kept me calm throughout the morning!

A small heart made from my dad's favorite flannel.

My gift to Scott was a new watch, so all the guys wore their matching Movados.

Scott and I opted to have a "first look" and do all of our pictures and bridal party pictures before the ceremony.  I was so excited before the first look and I was a really nice moment for Scott and I to share between just the two of us.

How gorgeous was my bridal party?!

A special moment with my momma after she walked me down the aisle.

Our venue was the beautiful Riverdale Manor in Lancaster.  We were so thrilled with how the space looked and, especially with the gorgeous weather, loved having parts of the day outside, too.

So happy to make it through the first dance.

Our cutest little flower girl and niece, Abby, who still thinks she's a flower girl to this day!

A cotton candy surprise for my groom.

With the help of my sisters and Matt and Nat's expertise, we were able to capture this amazing sparkler shot.  It is one of my favorite photos of the night; I'm so glad we took the time to get it!

A sparkly send off at the end of the night!

Looking back at these pictures makes me remember how lucky I am!  I get to spend everyday with my amazing husband and spend my life with such great friends and family.  We had a tough year leading up to the wedding, but it turned out perfect in our eyes and we're both very thankful.  It feels like this was just yesterday; it's hard to believe Monday will be our first anniversary!

Thanks for joining me to look back at such a special day.  A few hours of work and then I'm off to bake lots of goodies for my niece and nephew's birthday celebrations this weekend!  Happy Friday!