April Sponsor - Chloe vs. Tank

Happy Saturday friends! I hope you're all having a good weekend.


While you're lounging on the couch on this lovely Saturday in yoga pants watching Food Network (oh wait, that's just me?) I'd LOVE for you to go check out one of my fabulous April Sponsors.

I'd like to introduce you all to Amanda from Chloe vs. Tank

Amanda recently opened a little shop called Chloe vs. Tank with bracelets that are perfect for spring and summer! She got the name from her two dogs, Chloe the Cockapoo and Tank the Bullmastiff (where you can see tons of photos of them on her blog!) She has always loved crafting where it goes way back to junior high...making beaded rings and charging 25 cents!

Cute lil miss Amanda modeling some of her adorable bracelets!

You can find Amanda here: BLOG - ETSY SHOP - FB - TWITTER

Amanda has graciously offered my readers a discount code! From now until April 30th, if you enter the code BRUNCH at checkout, you'll receive 15% off!


Now, go ahead and get your shop on! ;)

Book Club Friday #9

Happy Friday friends! Today, I'm linking up my latest book with my hoecake, Heather. She just had her baby girl last weekend, so go show her and Skeeter some lovin'!






Today, I'm sharing Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen


I know I know, I'm a little late to the game. Everyone in the world has already read this and/or seen the movie. In all fairness, I did buy the book last year before the movie came out. That counts, right?

Book description from Amazon:


Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.


Jacob was there because his luck had run out—orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act—in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.


My thoughts?


I was NOT a fan of this book. I think it was too hyped up, and I was seriously let down. I started reading it last year, and it was too slow for me, so I put it down about halfway through. Eventually, I decided since I bought the book I wanted to finish it, so I did. I will say the second half of the book was much more interesting than the first half. So, overall I will give it 2 stars outta 5.


Have you read this book? Did you enjoy it, or find it slow like I did?

It's OK Thursday #35

Hey hey hey, happy Friday eve! ;)


First off, today I am guest posting for Joey over at Hodge[s]Podges. Go check it out - I'm discussing my love affair with coffee.. yes!


It's about that time for It's OK Thursday! Just type up a post similar to mine below, grab the button (located to the right) and come back to link up with us!

It's OK..

..to be REALLY ready for the weekend, this week started off rough


..to be a little sad that I was banned from tweeting drunk pics from Neely's bday this weekend ;)


..to make a big pot of spaghetti so you can have dinner for like a week


..to feel a little overwhelmed by the books I haven't read yet on my bookshelf


..to not mind babysitting when it's your bestie's daughter, she's the best baby ever! :)


..to obsessively wash your windshield & freak a little when you run outta the fluid


..to stay up later than normal to watch The Notebook on TV even though I've seen it 100 times


..to hate running my A/C at the apartment, but when it hits around 80 degrees, I reach my breaking point


..to laugh 'til you cry over immature humor with your BFF


..to be SO completely overwhelmed at the response to my post on Monday - I really do have the best readers!


..to buy more than one pair of your favorite leggings because they are OH SO comfortable


..to make your fro-yo not so healthy by adding cheesecake bites


..to really wanna get back into playing tennis but have no one to play with :(


..to think your dog looks hilarious right after you give him a bath


..to save the crossword puzzles in the People mag for your boyfriend


What's OK with you this week? Come link up with us and share!

He Said, She Said

Today, I decided to join Megan and Jess for their super fun link-up, "The Newlywed Game".


I am a couple days late, they started this on Monday, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to talk the boyfriend into answering the questions or not. He's typically not into this kinda stuff.


By the way, I am NOT a newlywed, but they said if you are dating, you can still link up. They are awesome like that.

First, I have to let you all know I asked Nate these questions when he was running on 3 hours of sleep. Normally, he's a man of MANY words, but his brain wasn't functioning normally that night. ;)


On to the questions..


1) What do you think my best quality is?


Your caring nature.


Your ability to make me laugh no matter what kind of mood I'm in.


2) What would be your ideal date with me?


Sitting on the porch or dock, listening to music, watching the sunset.


Going out to a nice dinner, maybe a wine bar or a movie, and back to cuddle on the couch and watch something on Netflix.


3) What was your first impression of me?


You were shorter then I thought you'd be.


"Oh thank God, he looks like his pictures!"


4) What is your favorite memory of us?


Incubus concert.


I'm going to have to say the Incubus concert too. I got him tickets for his 27th birthday (the first one I spent with him) and it's where he first told me he loved me.  


5) What do you see for us in the future? 


Tomorrow... ;) 


HAHA! I'm not shocked at his answer. I see lots more memories, laughter and fun times together.

God, I love this man!

Spring Favorites LINK-UP!

Hi friends! Neely and I are SO excited for y'all to be joining us for our "Spring Favorites Link-up"!


We just couldn't go a few months without a holiday/season challenge, but instead of 2 weeks this time, we are doing ONE DAY ONLY. So don't miss out on the fun! :)


Just grab either mine or Neely's, OR both of our buttons and type up what your favorite things about Spring are, then come back to link up. Easy as that!


This pretty much sums up how I feel about Spring.. ;)

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Amber on Pinterest

HAHA!


In all seriousness, some of my favorite things about Spring are the fun dresses I can wear

And I can't sport one of my fun spring dresses without a springy manicure, right?!

And, the amazing weather. It's perfect enough to wear shorts and a T-shirt and not be too hot! I can, however, go without the allergies all the flowers bring. I have sneezed no less than 100 times a day it seems!

What about all of you? What are your favorite things about Spring? Come link up with us and share!

Child in Need

Normally, I like to have a fun, light-hearted post for Monday mornings. However, there's been something wearing on my heart this past weekend, and I felt compelled to share with all of you, and seek help.
A close friend of my family has recently taken in a baby to raise so that way they could hopefully give him a better life than he was having in his past situation.
Shortly after, they lost an immediate family member. Because of having to take off work for funeral, travel, etc. they were unfortunately let go from their job.
Now, not getting the income they were once used to, it's been very hard to raise a baby. We all know how expensive it can be to buy the things a young child requires.

Don't get me wrong, they are able to show him all the love a child deserves. They're doing their best, and the baby is in no harm or any neglect. However, they are barely making ends meet with all of the extra costs.

I'd like you all to meet 8 month old Johnathon..

Isn't he so precious?! I just want to squeeze his little cheeks!
This family is doing a selfless act by taking in a child that isn't theirs, and raising him to have a better life. In return, all we can do is see that they receive the help they deserve.

My best friend and I have already gotten together some stuff that we hope will help the family with the baby.
We don't want "ask for anything" - but if you have it in your heart to help this family, anything would be helpful.
Clothes, bottles, diapers, wipes, formula, toys etc. Any and everything we collect for the family will be appreciated.

Johnathon wasn't meant to be in this situation. He deserves to have what all other children have.
He wears size 4 in diapers, and size 12-18 mos in clothing. (he's a big boy!) ;)
If you'd be interesting in donating anything at all, please email me at brunchwithamber@gmail.com
I'd be happy to give you my shipping address for you to send the items to. We will be sending the items to the family as they are received.
Thank you ALL so much!

Book Club Friday #8

TGIF people!


Today, I'm linking up to share my most recent read, with Heather. Y'all go wish her some love. She's currently in the hospital until she delivers her baby girl!

This week I am sharing Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me


I knew I had wanted to read this book for a while. I have read all of her books, and I watch her show religiously. I'm fairly certain I've mentioned it before, but I'll say it again.. if Chelsea Handler and I were ever to meet in person we would be total BFFs. Love that crazy woman.

Book description from GoodReads:


"My tendency to make up stories and lie compulsively for the sake of my own amusement takes up a good portion of my day and provides me with a peace of mind not easily attainable in this economic climate."--Chelsea Handler, from Chapter 10 of Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang


It's no lie: Chelsea Handler loves to smoke out "dumbassness," the condition people suffer from that allows them to fall prey to her brand of complete and utter nonsense. Friends, family, co-workers--they've all been tricked by Chelsea into believing stories of total foolishness and into behaving like total fools. Luckily, they've lived to tell the tales and, for the very first time, write about them.


If you want a funny book that'll literally make you laugh out loud? Then get this book! I laid in bed every night laughing until tears were flowing down my face. Already love Chelsea? You'll love her more after reading this. She's hilarious! I definitely give this book 5 stars.


Are you a Chelsea Handler fan, like me? Have you read this book before?

It's OK Thursday #34

Hey there. Welcome back for another edition of It's OK Thursday with Neely and I.


PtotheS - did you see our announcement yesterday for a ONE DAY ONLY link-up this coming Tuesday? Go check it out!


While you're at it.. go ahead and enter my giveaway too, if you haven't already. It will be closing this weekend!


Okay, back to your regularly scheduled programming..


We appreciate each and every one of you who link up, even if we don't get around to commenting on your posts, please know that we LOVE you! :)


All you've gotta do is type up a post similar to mine below, grab the button (located to the right), and come back to link up!

It's OK..

..to type up all your posts for the week on Sunday nights


..to have fro-yo 2, or 3 days in a row


..to be a little creeped out when your TV turns on and off by itself


..to buy more books even though you have a ton you haven't read yet


..to also vow to not buy ANYMORE books until you read all the ones you currently have - readers, I'm expecting you to hold me to this! ;)


..to hate that your money burns a hole in your pocket anytime you have it


..to be a horrible gambler


..to not eat until 3pm for the first time of the day - sometimes I'm not hungry yet


..or to eat the second you wake up, my body is weird


..to already be thinking about what you'll do to celebrate your birthday... in July


..to seriously need to clear out your magazine stack


..to feel like your best friend's daughter grows a foot each time you see her


..to really love samples of products but get sad when they run out so quick


..to not feel like a normal girl because you suck at styling your own hair


..to wish you had someone to ride around with you 24/7 so you wouldn't have to pump your own gas


What's OK with you this week? Come link up and share!

Mama's Macaroni Salad

Hey friends. Spring/summer is fast approaching, and soon we'll all be attending BBQs and cookouts. Today, I've got a super delish recipe you can whip up to take to these outings.


I'm sharing my mom's recipe for macaroni salad. It's a little time consuming, but it's easy and yummy.

Mama's Macaroni Salad

First, gather up all of your necessary ingredients:

1 lb pasta (any kind, I used elbow noodles)

3 eggs

1/2 small red onion

2 tbsp sweet relish

1 tbsp dill relish

1/2 chopped jalapeno (optional)

1 cucumber

1 handful green olives

1 1/2 c. mayo

1 tbsp mustard

1/4 tsp celery salt

1/8 tsp paprika

1/8 c. cider vinegar

1-2 tsp sugar

pinch of garlic salt

pinch of pepper

First things first. Get your pasta cooking, and eggs boiling. If you're like me, you have a hard time determining when the eggs are ready and are considered "hard-boiled".. I have a little trick that'll help you with that. Get your pot full of water, and put your 3 eggs in. Once the water starts boiling, add in the pasta. When the pasta is cooked, the eggs will be perfectly hard boiled!

While that's cooking away, get your veggies all ready.


Take the cucumber, and quarter it, and then slice them up.

Chop up the red onion, jalapeno and green olives. I mostly use my food processor for these steps, it's much quicker and easier clean-up.

Next, throw all of these into a big bowl, and then add in both of the relishes with it all.

Then, mix up the ingredients for the "sauce". Mix together the mayo, mustard, celery salt, paprika, vinegar, sugar, garlic salt and pepper. I put it all in a big measuring cup, and then stir it all together to mix it well.

By now, your pasta should be done. Drain it, and make sure to rinse VERY WELL. The pasta shouldn't be hot when you mix it up. Also, rinse the hard boiled eggs, crack and chop up to your liking.


Sorry, no pictures of those things. Surely you know what they look like. ;)


Next, mix up the pasta with the bowl you have your veggies in. Then add in the chopped eggs.

Then, you're going to pour over about 3/4 of the sauce mixture, and mix. Then cover, and put in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes. The pasta and eggs will soak up some of the wet mix, so after removing from the fridge, pour the remaining mixture on the salad and mix well.

This recipe makes a bowl big enough to share, so be prepared to share with friends.


ENJOY! :)

Extra Extra, Hear All About It!

From the people who brought you

ITS OK Thursday

The Fabulous Fall and Holiday and Valentines Challenges 

Come something new!!

A super fun ONE DAY ONLY LINK UP!!!

Entitled....

My Favorite Things about Spring...with Amber and Neely

In Lieu of a button you may grab either or both of our blog buttons to put on your post, but please grab one of them :)

When will this linkup take place you ask???

Next Tuesday March 27th!!! 

What can we write about you ask??

Anything that has to do with spring! Favorite vacations, spring fashion, spring decor, spring recipe's, movies/books/music thats coming out this spring...TV finales...anything and everything spring!

Why are we doing this?? 

Cause it would be weird if a few months went by and we didn't do a challenge :)

Plus who doesn't love shorts and flip flops weather??

Be sure to come back bright and early next TUESDAY March 27th! Link up your blogs and tell us what you love about Spring!

Its a great way to get your blog out there and find new blogs!

Many have told us that they have found several new blogs and gotten several new followers from our linkups which we absolutely love!!!!

WE hope to see you next TUESDAY!!!!

XOXO

Neely and Amber

Birchbox: Month 8

Like always, I was super excited to tear into my Birchbox. I missed out on the email where you could choose if you got a regular box or a Teen Vogue box.. that's what I get for deleting emails before I read them all the way. So, I got a regular box. I'm going to be super jealous if I see that the Teen Vogue boxes were better!


Anyway, this month my goods were as follows:

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens - These shine busting sheets absorb oil with all-natural green tea extracts.


Color Club Nail Lacquer in Lava Lamp - Brighten blah nails with this on-trend neon orange polish.


Grandma Stelle's Refreshing Hand Soap - Dress up your bathroom sink with this moisturizing hand wash. It has a winning citrus scent and leaves skin super soft.


Traditions by Nick Chavez: Yucca Root Shampooing Cream - Hollywood stylists rave about the restorative abilities of this silky cleanser, which is made with fortifying wild yam and yucca root.


Stila Smoky Eye Card - Take the guesswork out of matching eye makeup with this mini palette.


Kusmi Detox Tea - Look good, feel great. This detoxifying blend of mate, green tea, and lemongrass is a delicious way to boost your wellness.


My thoughts?


The blotting linens, eh. I have dry skin, so these probably won't come in handy. I heard that a lot of people got Essie in their box this month, so I was a little jaded when I didn't see that, and saw Color Club instead. Excited to try both the hand soap and the shampooing cream. I don't see much use out of the stila card, it will end up in my bathroom cabinet for a while, I'm sure. And the tea? Well, I may try it out when I get sick and end up with a sore throat.


How was your box this month? Did we get anything alike?


Wanna subscribe to birchbox? Click HERE!


Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any form by Birchbox for my review. This is my honest opinion only.

Cell Phone Fun #7

Happy Monday friends! Is there such a thing? Let's try ;)


Today, I'm linking up with Savanah and Ashlee for Fun with Our Phones. In pictures, I'm going to recap my weekend for y'all.






This weekend, Nate came over on Friday night, and we lounged on the couch with Binky and watched PLENTY of basketball while he made sure his bracket was still in tact.

On Saturday, we were meeting up with our friends and their sweet baby for lunch. While we were waiting on them, we decided to have a St. Patty's Day drink. Nate stuck with his usual festive beer, Guinness.. while I chose to have a "Margaveza" - it was 3/4 margarita on the rocks and 1/4 modelo. It was very tasty and very strong. :)

After lunch, we ordered some green beers. Can you believe I've never had one until this past weekend? Crazy-ness, I know! So we had that and admired the sweet baby :)

Sunday was a day I had all to myself! It was nice, and I decided to do things for myself.


It started off with sleeping IN! I laid in bed and played on my phone until around noon. It was utter bliss. I finally decided to get up, get dressed and get out of the house. First stop was Starbucks, of course. Best way to start the day! Then, I was headed to Half Price Books to shop for my book swap partner, Molly.


While there, I found so many good deals, like always & I also came across this little gem that made me giggle like a 12 year old boy..

Hahahahahahaha. Ha. Ha. HA!


Afterwards, I was headed to treat myself to a MUCH needed mani/pedi. I went to my favorite place, and was really excited to see that my favorite OPI color, "Cajun Shrimp" is now offered as a shellac color. Score!

I got a dark, shimmery purple on my toes. I forgot to look at the name, oops! Afterwards, I met up with my best friend to run some errands, do a little window shopping and grab some of our favorite fro-yo.

I ALWAYS forget to take a pic when I first get it when it looks all pretty. I'm too excited to dig in, so this time I remembered once I was almost finished.. better than nothing, right? ;)


How was your weekend? Did you do anything for yourself?


While I have your attention.. Have you entered my giveaway yet?!