Things I'm Loving Tuesday: Nike Flex Experience Run 4

This is a non-sponsored review and I purchased or received as a gift my own shoes.

A few months ago I started another monthly blog series called

THINGS I'M LOVIN' TUESDAY!!!

If you missed the first few, you can find them here, here, here, here and here!

and make sure to check back every last Tuesday of the month!

Now onto what I'm lovin' this month...

A few months ago I posted the below picture on my Instagram.

I had just purchased new running shoes,

AND run further than I'd ever run before.

I quickly fell in love with the shoes

and have run over 200 miles in those babies.

Soooo it was time, past time really, for new ones.

And since I loved them so very much,

I asked for a new pair of the exact shoes for Christmas,

only this time in a different color combination.

If you're in the market for some new running shoes,

I highly recommend the Nike Flex Experience Run 4.

Like I said, I'm already on my second pair this year.

And I bet my next pair will be the same kind as well.

Crock Pot Whole Chicken

This post was supposed to go live yesterday,

but I have been crazy sick the last few days

so I am just now getting around to posting.

My apology!

Years ago my brother told me about the blog 100 Days of Real Food

and how the Crock Pot Whole Chicken recipe is so easy and so tasty.

I tried it soon after we talked and have made it multiple times since.

Not only is it really easy to make, but it has so much flavor too!

It's become one of my favorite ways to make a whole chicken

and the best part is that the crock pot does most of the work!

The Goods:

Whole Chicken

Onion

Carrots

Baby Potatoes

Fresh Thyme

Paprika

Salt

Onion Powder

Garlic Powder

Cayenne Pepper

Black Pepper

Cut up your onion, carrots and baby potatoes, then place in the bottom of your crock pot.

You don't want these too small, but more like bite sized pieces.

Combine all your spices and then rub the mixture ALL over the cleaned chicken.

Place chicken on top of the onions, carrots and potatoes in the crock pot.

Cover with the lid and cook on high for at least 5 hours,

or until the chicken meat is falling off the bones.

After about five hours, you'll have super flavorful chicken, carrots and potatoes.

Totally optional - but I like to make a gravy using the liquid from the crock pot.

Make up a plate, grab yourself a drink and enjoy this yummy dinner!

Crock Pot Whole Chicken

Adapted from 100 Days of Real Food

Whole Chicken

1 Large Yellow Onion

4 Large Carrots

12 Baby Potoatos

4 Sprigs Fresh Thyme

2 Teaspoons Paprika

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Onion Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1. Cut up your onion, carrots and baby potatoes, then place in the bottom of your crock pot.
2. Combine all your spice and then rub the mixture ALL over the cleaned chicken.
3. Place chicken on top of the onions, carrots and potatoes in the crock pot.
4. Cover with the lid and cook on high for at least 5 hours or until the chicken meat is falling off the bones.
5. Optional - make gravy with liquid from the crock pot.

Friday Favorites: Wish List Items + Ebates Cash Back!

Happy Friday you guys!!!

I'm back today for another Friday Link Up!

This week, I'm linking up with THREE different groups.

Make sure to check them all out at the bottom of this post!

Christmas is almost here and I'm SO excited!!!
It's literally next week folks!
So today I thought I'd share with you
FIVE FAVORITE WISH LIST ITEMS!
And you can get Ebates cash back with ALL of them!!

Yup - you read that right, folks.
All five items I'm sharing today,
GET YOU MONEY BACK!
You just have to sign up for Ebates first.
It's so easy, and a no brainer really.

Unless you don't like free money...

Now let me show you five things I've asked for this year!

ONE
Zella Leggings

Buy them at Nordstrom, through Ebates
and get 3% back!

TWO

Le Creuset Dutch Oven

Buy at Le Creuset, through Ebates

and get 5% back!

THREE

Ray Ban Original 58mm Aviator Sunglasses

Buy at Ray Ban, through Ebates

and get 4% back!

FOUR

Bath and Body Works 3-Wick Candles

Buy at Bath and Body Works, through Ebates

and get 1% back!

FIVE
Clairsonic MIA 2

Buy at Sephora, through Ebates

and get 4% back!

And don't forget to sing up for Ebates folks!!!

Now for more Friday Link Up Fun, check out the blogs below!

Andrea and Erika's blogs from Friday Favorites.

April and Christina's blogs from 5 on Friday.

Karli and Amy's blogs from oh hey friday!

Bubble Bath Review: Aveeno Stress Relief Foaming Bath

This is a non-sponsored review and I purchased my own Bubble Bath.

Happy Hump Day!!!

I love Wednesdays because the work week is half over,

but I love every third Wednesday of the month even more,

because that means another Bubble Bath Review post!!!

When I saw the Aveeno Stress Relief Foaming Bath,

I knew I had to buy and try it for a few reasons!

One being it said Stress Relief and I can always use that,

but also because it too reminded me of bubble bath from my childhood.

Aveeno Stress Relief Foaming Bath

Bubble Bath Essentials:

Reading material and a yummy beverage!

Just like most bubble bath, 

simply squeeze under running water.

Mmmmm bubbles!!!!

And mmmm beer!!!

This bubble bath was actually one of my favorites!

It had a nice, very light scent

and it produced a decent amount of bubbles.

I'd for sure buy it again!

If you missed them, make sure to check out past bubble bath reviews:

Lush Bubble Bars

 Aura Cacia Foam Bath

 Rite Aid

Bath & Body Works

Avon Bubble Delight

Dead Sea Essentials

Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath

Calgon Skin Silkening Bubble Bath

Mr. Bubble

Sinful Devil's Food Cookies

This recipe is almost exactly like my Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies,

except instead of using Red Velvet cake mix, I used Devil's Food cake mix

and came up with another delicious and super simple cookie.

These cookies are so simple to make,

you just have to have a little patience for the dough to chill,

but after that you'll have some yummy cookies to devour.

Let me show ya how simple they really are!

In a large bowl...

cream the cream cheese,

add the butter and cream that too,

then add the egg and mix well,

add the vanilla and mix again,

and FINALLY add the cake mix

and combine until fully incorporated.

Portion out mix and roll into balls of dough.

Roll each ball in powdered sugar and place on a baking sheet,

leaving enough room for each cookie to expand.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove from baking sheet and cool on wire rack.

Once cooled, dust (or really COVER) with more powdered sugar.

Take a bite and let the chocolate just melt in your mouth.

Yuuuuuuuuuuummmy!

Sinful Devil's Food Cookies

1 Box Devil's Food Cake Mix

1 (8oz.) Block Cream Cheese - Room Temp

1/2 Cup Butter - Room Temp

1 Egg

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

Powdered Sugar 

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese.
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined.
3. Add cake mix and mix until fully incorporated.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
6. Roll chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls.
7. Roll balls in powdered sugar and place about two inches apart on a baking sheet.
8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
9. Cool completely on a wire rack and then dust with more powdered sugar.

Christmas DIY Round Up

For this month's DIY post,

instead of sharing one DIY project,

I'm sharing FIVE past DIY projects

that are all Christmas related!

Let's start with some homemade holiday cards.

If you've followed my blog for awhile,

you'll know that I make pretty much all my cards.

I've done it for years and can't imagine buying them again.

Which reminds me, I need to get on that for this year!

2012 Holiday Cards

2013 Holiday Cards

Now how about some fun homemade ornaments?

I've made thumbprint ornaments the past two years.

They are pretty easy and always come out really cute!

I should make some this year too.

Any suggestions for a new design?

Thumbprint Reindeer Ornaments

Thumbprint Snowmen Ornaments

And last but not least, I can't forget a DIY decoration.

I saw this idea in 2013 originally,

but waited until 2014 to make it.

And I LOVE it so very much!!!

I'll be displaying this for years to come for sure!

DIY PEACE Decorative Sign

2015 Christmas Decor Home Tour

It's almost Christmas and I am SO excited!
I love everything about the holiday season,
but I especially love to decorate my apartment
and make it super festive!

I shared my Christmas Decorations last year,
and had planned to sorta scale back this time around,
but once I get started decorating,
I JUST CAN'T STOP!

And today I'm here to share it all with you guys!
Let me warn you - this post is VERY picture heavy,
so grab some kind of warm yummy beverage,
sit back and take a peek into my home!!!

The decorations start before you even get inside!

DIY PEACE Decorative Sign made in 2014.

Of course both side of my front door are decorated.

DIY Yarn Wreath made in 2013.

Christmas has taken over my living room!

As much as I love a real tree,

I went with a fake one this year.

because it's just easier with the two cats!

Just a few of my favorite ornaments, 

including a DIY Thumbprint Reindeer one from 2013.

I went a little pine cone crazy this year!

See - more pine cones!!!

My grandma hand painted the Nativity scene for me years ago.

More pine cones!!!

I love a decorated mantel with a nice fire.

Just makes it seem more Christmas-y to me!

My little collection of nutcrackers, DIY Ribbon Tree and House Rules.

Those three make ANY sort of decoration much cuter!

Found this sucker super cheap last year 

and couldn't wait to pull it out of storage this December!

Of course I have holiday dishes!

And other holiday touches around the kitchen.

HO, HO, HO towel was a gift from my mom.

And how cute is this Santa spoon rest?

The guest bath is festive with some lights...

A cute reindeer towel...

And can't forget the snow globes!!!

Head down the hall and the decorations continue.

A garland over the den french doors and ornaments over my bedroom door.

If the guest bath has some decoration,

you bet my bath has some too!

Oh hi there Santa!

Lastly, some festive flannel sheets to keep me warm and toasty at night!

And finally a panorama of the living room, where most of the decorating happens!

I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at my Christmas decor.

Wishing you all a fun, safe and happy holiday season!!!