The GREAT Things

Happy Hump Day chickies!

I apologize for my blogging absence...I've found myself feeling guilty over my lack of blogging, as well as blog reading, but at the same time--I've been so busy living LIFE that I've had little time to blog about it.  Tomorrow is my blogoversary and I'm planning a special post for it.  In the meantime I'd like to share some of the little things that have been going on in my life today.  I entitled this post "The GREAT Things" because let's face it--it's the little things in life that make it great, so why not refer to them as the GREAT things!

Without further adieu, here's a peak into some of the little things that have been making my life GREAT!

Dinner this weekend at one of our favorites, Bellytimber.

I love this "DIXIE INN" sign they have on the wall!

Delicious.

New tennishoes, courtesy of my mother!

If you look closely, there's some glitter on the lattice design--every girl needs some sparkle, even at the gym!

Green and Gold St. Patty's Day Candy on the coffee table!

This Richmond magazine Bryce surprised me with the other night, just because...

A little pink and green popping up as the first sign of spring!

Mason Jars at Comfort.

Beautiful weather that even makes yard work enjoyable!

What little things have made you life GREAT lately?

EASY Chocolate Mousse Cake

Happy Tuesday loves!

Hope your weeks are off to a fabulous start!  I had a much needed relaxing weekend--most weekends I plan to relax, but somehow end up busy.  This weekend, however, I actually said "NO, thank you!" to a few friends' invites to go out on the town and was happy I did.  I fell asleep by 10 pm each night and really needed the sleep!  I've had the last two days off and it's been nice to sleep in a bit and get some things done!  Today, I am finally sharing the recipe for the chocolate mousse cake I made for our Valentine's Day dessert (see post here).

So without further adieu..here goes!  When it comes to cooking (or life in general), I think there are times when it is important to take your time and work on something for hours, days, or even weeks at a time.  I also think there are times when it is important to take a short cut and give yourself a break! On Valentine's Day, this is what I did!  I had accepted a half day subbing job at the last minute for the morning of February 14, which left much less time to get all my Valentine's tasks done (Bryce's "52 Things I Love About YOU!, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, and Dessert).  That being said, I decided it was time to take some shortcuts, but still pour a lot of love into my dessert.

Bryce is a chocolate lover, so I knew something rich and decadent was necessary.  I had made an easy chocolate mousse years ago, but had since, lost the recipe.  I decided to search Pinterest to find a new easy recipe.  As I was scrolling through the search results, I ogled over pictures of gorgeous layered chocolate mousse cakes.  Some had layers of white, milk, and dark chocolate mousses, others had layers of cake, cream, and mousse.  I was smitten by these cakes and knew I had to figure out an easy way to create one of my own.

First I found an easy chocolate mousse recipe, here, from the Stone Soup blog.

Ingredients
3 oz dark chocolate, broken into small chunks
10 fl oz whipping cream
1 T confectioner's sugar
1 t vanilla extract
A pinch of salt

All of the cake ingredients!

Directions
1. Place about 1 inch water in the base of a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.  Remove from the heat.

2. Place a heatproof bowl on the saucepan and check to make sure the base isn't touching the water.  Add the chocolate chunks and leave for about 5 minutes to melt, stirring occasionally.

This is such a good trick for melting chocolate, which I had never learned before!

3.  Meanwhile, whip cream with confectioners sugar and vanilla until soft and fluffy (making sure that it is not too firm).

Soft and Fluffy!

4.  Add the chocolate to the cream and fold through.  Refrigerate.

Chocolate Added

Folding it In!

Ready for the fridge!

*This chocolate mousse really was easy--the toughest part was whipping the cream, just because my arms got tired!*

And now for the SUPER easy parts!

In the meantime...I baked an easy Betty Crocker boxed cake mix.  Once that was finished baking and cooled, I cut two large pieces.  I decided that the best way to present this dessert was in individual wine glasses.  I put a piece in the bottom of each glass and used my fingers to mold it into the bottom.  I then used a wet paper towel to clean and crumbs left on the inside of the glass.

1st Layer:  Box Mix Chocolate Cake

Next, I added in the mousse:

2nd Layer:  Homemade Chocolate Mousse

Once I got to Bryce's I added the third layer:  Cool Whip Lite!

3rd Layer:  Cool Whip Lite

As a final touch, I garnished with red lip sprinkles and mini chocolate chips!

Kissy Lips and Chocolate Chips to Garnish!

This dessert was a huge hit with Bryce.  For me, it was a bit rich, and I'd like to experiment using milk chocolate with the recipe in the future.  I also think you could mix it up with different delicious layers, like a peanut butter cream or fruit filling.  Finally, it was definitely more than we could eat--we only ate about half of it, so I'd say this recipe could easily feed 4-6 people!

Are you a chocoholic?  Do you believe in taking shortcuts when cooking or always going the full homemade route?

And now for a few side notes...

Check out the Sundresses and Smiles Facebook Page, by clicking here!  I've really been working to spruce up the page and have added a "What I'm Reading..." photo album with books I've read lately and a few lines sharing what I thought about them.  I'm hoping for it to be an Open Forum, where YOU, my readers, can comment with book suggestions and your own opinions about the books.  So head on over, check it out, and like it!

Finally, don't forget I'm trying to reach a goal of 500 followers by my first blogoversary, March 15--just NINE days away!  I've been so busy lately that I haven't been as active with the blog, but I still think I can attain this goal.  Spread the word and if you're a usual reader that hasn't yet followed, go ahead and do it!  If you're new, and like what you see, follow!  If I make this goal I will put together a special giveaway for my blogoversary!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

LX

Happy Hump Day friends!

I know I said this in my very last post, but I just don't know where my weeks' go!  It's already midway through the week and I'm just posting!  I've had such a long list of blog ideas lately, but little time to put them all together and also keep up with your blogs, so I apologize!

Today, I'd like to share a soiree Bryce and I attended this past weekend:  A Surprise 60th Birthday Party for his step-uncle in Virginia Beach.

We left Friday evening and rode with Bryce's mom and stepdad.  We drove through hail, pouring rain, and high winds--BUT--it was all worth it, because the evening was so fun.

The party was seamlessly planned out.  Everyone was to arrive no later than 7:00 pm.  The man of the night, Mark, was to arrive around 7:30-- tricked into thinking he was simply going to drinks at the club before a birthday dinner.  Being a fellow Wahoo, they decided the ploy to get him into the party would be signs for a Virginia Tech (i.e. our arch rivals) party in the main ballroom.

The party planners knew that Mark, the birthday boy, would be curious to take a peek at the Hokie party!

They even outfitted this mannequin in a VT football uniform!

The surprise was a good one and I was thrilled to be a part of the event.  An open bar, hors d'oeuvres, buffet,  cupcakes, a funny slideshow, good music, and open mic all made the night a fabulous one!

I absolutely loved these glasses they had made for the event:

One side is etched with "BUNDY"--the last name of the man of honor

And the other side is inscribed with LX--Roman Numerals for 60!

Even the cupcakes had LX, in WAHOO (NOT Hokie) colors!

I LOVE this picture I took of Bryce and his mom--I will definitely be framing this for her!

I wish my dress wasn't twisted in this picture!

By the end of the evening, the mannequin was disrobed and in pieces--lots of people were taking silly pictures with the different parts!

All the cousins (and young people in the group) ended the night at Waterman's Surfside Grille.

The next morning, all of the immediate family met for brunch, and I'll just say we had some throbbing heads.  I pulled my Excedrin Migraine out at one point and shared it to nearly half the table!  I'd say that's a sign of a fun night!

What did you do this weekend?

Come back soon--I'll be sharing my chocolate mousse cake recipe in the next post!

Also, as some of you know, I'm getting very close to my blogoversary!  Sundresses and Smiles will be turning 1 on March 15.  I have a goal of making it to 500 followers by March 15 and will put together a fun giveaway if I reach that goal.  If you're a normal reader who doesn't yet follow, go ahead and do it!  And while you're at it, check out the Sundresses and Smiles Facebook page too, by clicking here!

Have a great day!

Emma Graham Designs

Happy Thursday readers!

Where did the week go?  I had planned to post all 5 days this week, and here I am, only posting twice!  I don't know what happens to my time.

I'm subbing today at a new elementary school in a first grade class and am thrilled.  Additionally, the weather forecast predicts a high of 73 today--which, of course, adds to my good mood!

All this warm weather is making me anxious for spring...and you know what spring brings don'tcha?  SUNDRESSES...and smiles!

I recently was contacted by Emma Graham Designs and their sundresses will surely put a smile on your face.

I was familiar with the company before, but learned they have revamped their website and I am really pleased with what I found on it.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Jordan Dress

I love, love, love this dress!  It is simple, but also fun at the same time!

I would pair it with nude heels for a dressier occasion or Jacks for a casual occasion.

Lauren Dress

This dress exudes sexy and cool and I can just picture it with tan wedges on a sultry summer night!

Kristen Skirt

I love the easy, yet put together look of this skirt...and the beading detail at the waist is DIVINE!

Jenn Dress

I'm a sucker for a ruffle AND a sucker for a cool back...this dress has BOTH!  What more could a girl want?

And for the finale, I've got my eye on the Molly Top for summer.  As y'all know, Southern summers are HOT and STICKY.  That being said, one of my favorite things to wear in the summer are loose, flowy tops to stay cool...enter the Molly Top!

Molly Top

I'm just picturing this on a summer night..drink in hand, fireflies in the air!

Don't see anything you fancy?  Don't worry...Emma Graham even has a Design Your Own section, which enables you to pick your silhouette, colors, and size for a custom piece that ships to you in just two weeks!

SO...what do you think?  Have you ever heard of Emma Graham?  Do you like their pieces?

If you like what you see, stop by Emma Graham's new website, here, to look at some more of what they have to offer!

Have a great day!!

Heart Day Recap

Hello sweet friends!

How were y'all's weekends?  Mine was good--lots of relaxing (I even started reading Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin and am hooked) and time spent with family.  Finally, the cherry on top this weekend was a beautiful snow Sunday night--check out the Sundresses and Smiles Facebook page, here, to see a picture!

Additionally, my aunt is continuing to recover very well.  I appreciate all of your kind words over the weekend.  As a blogger, it can be scary to open yourself up in such an honest way, particularly about something that is tough.  I was nervous to post what my family has been struggling with, but, all of your support and kind words showed me that the blog really is a place for me to be my whole self.

Today I thought I would give you a recap of my Valentine's Day with Bryce.  WOW!  Can't believe it was already a whole week ago.

Bryce and I decided that we wanted to stay in and cook dinner together rather than going out.  For me personally, going out to a fancy restaurant surrounded by other couples celebrating Valentine's Day, takes away from a bit of the romance and intimacy of the holiday, so I was glad to be staying home.  When I arrived at Bryce's he had the table set up!

lit candles, wine we bought together at Rosemont, and a beautiful bouquet

When I arrived we quickly got to work on dinner:  A mixed greens salad, Halibut, and Risotto.

It all turned out so good that I even went for seconds!

Knowing that a way to a man's heart is his stomach, I worked all afternoon on a special dessert for Bryce.  Bryce is a HUGE chocolate fan, so I knew something decadent and chocolate would be necessary.  I ended up opting for a chocolate mousse layered cake (recipe coming soon!)

Garnished with red lip sprinkles and mini chocolate chips!

It was delicious, but a little too rich for my tastes (perfect for Bryce's)!

After dinner, I presented Bryce with his two presents.  We both had agreed not to get each other extravagant gifts, but I did want to do something special to show him how much he means to me. 

First on the list were these chocolate covered pretzels I made!

Next was the big gift--"52 things I love about YOU!"

"52 things I love about YOU!"

Rather than bore you with ALL 52, I'll just share a few of my favorites.  I tried to keep the list a mix of serious and silly things.

"I love your cute TUSH!"

"I love when you SING to me!!"

"I love that you're a true Southern gentleman."

"I love that you're kind and friendly to everyone you meet."

"I love that you ALWAYS make me feel beautiful!"

"I love that you give without expecting anything in return."

"I love that you put up with my whining."

Guilty...I can be a whiner!

"I love that you never give up on US!"

Bryce really loved this gift and snickered when I admitted the idea was from none other than Pinterest!

Bryce gave me the most beautiful bouquet of pink roses and stargazer lillies (lillies are my favorite flower), which I mentioned in Friday's post.  As promised here is an updated picture since the lillies have begun to open up more--they are SO gorgeous!

isn't that stunning?

Additionally, he got me this cute card that couldn't be more perfect...

Bryce can't stand when I rub my "ice cubes" on him to try and warm them up!

All in all, it was a wonderful Valentine's Day and a really special time to celebrate our love!  

How did you celebrate?

Did you have a good weekend?