Runnin'

Remember last week when I told you I had
a running secret to share with you?

Well here it is...

I've started running.

And I kinda like it.

I'll pause for those of you who know me IRL

and know that I have said many, many times that

I. hate. running.

(In high school I was a cheerleader
and would have to run across the basketball court...
every single time the Mister would tell me I looked like a bounding deer...

So maaaybe I was a little scarred from running in front of people.
I think I have now officially gotten over that teenage embarrassment.)

And now that I have actually begun a running routine,

it is starting (I say that cautiously) to grow on me.

So now not only have I started running but I'm also registered for a race.

A race in which you get dirty, nonetheless. 

The besties and I are signed up for the Color Run on July 28th in Indianapolis.

And if that isn't motivation, I'm not sure what is.

Plus, it just looks fun.

I have heard a lot really great
success stories with Couch to 5k
and have decided to go that route.

I am now on week 3 of the program 

and really feel like I am getting into a groove.

Color coordinated gear is necessary

I downloaded the C25k app on my phone
and let me tell you,
my (phone) trainer is just the nicest woman!
It is so nice to have a plan and program laid out for you. 

It is not easy quite yet but it is starting to be fun.

Any good running tips for me??

P.S. I have already scoped out some adorable running gear
I clearly have my priorities straight.

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Weekend Wrap Up: Memorial Day

Who wants to start a petition with me to make all weekends 3 days??

We managed to cram a LOT into these past 3 days 

and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Here's what went down

(in bullet and photo form)

Friday night Mister and I had a date at Pitrellis

then we rented The Sitter

 and had to turn it off about 20 minutes in because 

there were too many disasters happening.

I hate disaster movies.

Saturday I spent the day with Floyd 

and then the afternoon at the pool with Mister.

Then, I did something I never do.

I was spontaneous.

I decided to drive to Indianapolis to see the best friends.

And it really could have not been a better spontaneous decision.

I am so happy that I went and it was SO amazing to see the girls.

 Saturday night we played 'Cards Against Humanity'

 Listen.

This game is too funny for words.

Think an adult version of Apples to Apples.

I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time. 

(disclaimer: this game can be offensive ... just fyi it is not for children)

On Sunday our day started by scrambling to McDonalds before 11 to get breakfast

(you know you have all been there before...)

 Then we headed over to Elise's to hang out and soak up some sun!

Sunday afternoon I came back to Cincinnati 

and we had a delicious dinner at Eddie Merlot's with 

the Mister's parents and family for their 40th (!) wedding anniversary!

Dinner was amazing but being married for 40 years is even more amazing!
Congrats again to them!!

Monday was rounded out with errands, pooling it, 

 outlet shopping 

 and ice cream

Phew and now I need another nap!

How was your holiday weekend??

Share the details!!

P.S. Who else is excited that PicMonkey added the collage feature??

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Recipe: Crack Brownies

I would go ahead and run around the block before you even read this post

in preparation for these.

(speaking of running...I have some running news that I'm going to share with you next week!)

 Oookay, are you back?

Let's do this but be warned...

this will be one of the easiest recipes you've ever made.

Crack Brownies

1 box of brownie mix (+ ingredients on box)

2 Symphony candy bars (I like the toffee ones but either will do)

1. Prepare brownie mix as directed on box

2. Pour half of the brownie batter in a brownie pan

3. Lay the 2 candy bars side by side on top of the batter

4. Pour the remaining mix on top of the bars

5. Bake! 

6. Allow to cool and DEVOUR

 *Notes: 

1. Any flat candy bar will do...I have been thinking about trying the Hershey's Cookies and Cream bar.

2. These usually take about 10 minutes longer to bake than normal brownies. I check them until a toothpick comes out clean. 

3. I stole this recipe from my friend Hillie...she calls them crack brownies because they are SO good you can't stop eating them.

There you have it!

Told you they were realllly hard ;)
 

You should probably make these for a Memorial Day cookout...

I know Joy made them recently and was not disappointed! 

Have a great holiday weekend, friends!!

 Can't wait to hear all about it! 

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Product Reviews and Giveaway Winner

We've made it half way through the week, friends!
That deserves a pat on the back if you ask me!

I have come across a few beauty products lately and that I am quickly becoming obsessed with

and I figured you ladies would want to know about them!

Up first

Suave Keratin Dry Shampoo

Besides this dry shampoo smelling amazing and being only about $4

it also works like a charm!

I have tried a lot of dry shampoos and this is definitely my favorite!

It's formula is compared to that of Bumble and Bumbles

Big Skinny

My friend introduced me into this self tanner and I have not looked back since.

It only takes a super small amount to make a big difference.

The formula is so strong that I usually mix it with a little bit of regular lotion

to decrease it's Snooki like effect on my skin.

It produces a subtle, non glittery bronze to your skin...that's the perfect formula for me!

Olay Total Effects Refreshing Citrus Scrub

 

First of all, this face wash smells like you have a basket of fresh oranges in your bathroom

So yummy!

Next, it does a great job of exfoliating but does not feel like it is ripping your face off.

I hate when face washes are SO intense that I feel as if I have lost a layer of skin while using them.

Acne Stress Control Toner

I just started using this toner about a week ago and can already tell a difference.

I have been using it in the morning and at night.

 My face is definitely less oily and smoother- which is the exact result I was looking for! 

There you have it, my favorites as of late!

What products have you been loving?

And If you are searching for other great product reviews,

you HAVE to check out

Jayme and Mendi over at 

 They have the best product review videos!

Not only are they adorable but their reviews are honest and spot on!

I love watching their videos,

I always feel as if I am sitting around chatting with my best girl friends.

They also do videos of their recent shopping hauls.

Who doesn't like to scope out the latest items that your friends just bought??

*One more item of note...

the GIVEAWAY winner is....

Samantha of Confessions of a Real Estate Diva!

CONGRATS girl...shoot me an email and I will get your goodies out to you!

I'll be back tomorrow with the crack brownie recipe...

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What to Wear?

As I mentioned on Sunday,

we are having a cocktail party tomorrow at work.

I need help choosing an outfit to wear

and who better to ask than you ladies?

Please note that both of these outfits will have jewelry

and my hair will not be the flattest thing you've ever seen

So which one do you like better?

 Option 1

Tank: Vera Wang for Kohls (recent), Skirt and Shoes: Target

 Option 2

Tank: Kohls (recent), Skirt and Shoes: Target (shoes are recent)

Apparently I really like tanks for Kohls and skirts and shoes from Target, ha!

So which one OR none of the above?

Help me, Rhondas!

In other fashion news I broke down and bought the (knockoff) J.Crew Bubble necklace.

I was trying to resist giving in to the trend...

and then I saw someone with it on in person

and I caved.

I can't say I'm sorry...

Now only if I can wait 2 weeks for it get here! 

Alright ladies, lay it on me!
and have a great Tuesday!

P.S. Today is the last day to enter the giveaway!
You have until 6pm tonight!
Winner will be announced on Wednesday!

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Weekend Wrap Up: All Around Great

We had a truly fantastic Cincinnati style weekend!
The weather was great, the friends were great, the food was great...

all around it was...great! 

(Get ready for a photo dump)

My weekend started early with a summer styling session held at Madewell by Lauren

beautiful clothes and good friends

are a great way to spend a Thursday.

 Friday night Mister and I knocked another burger joint off our list-

we are on a quest to have all of the best burgers in Cincinnati

Quatman Cafe was the choice and it did not disappoint! 

Saturday morning started with me finishing the 50 Shades trilogy.

Honestly, I'm not ready to talk about it...

#latersbaby

The rest of the morning was spent down in OTR supporting some friends 

that were running the Go OTR 5k.

 (I was rockin a pretty solid top knot and my new Madewell tee)

 

We popped in Bakersfield for a quick beer with friends.

 

Mister and our friend Chris

 

Next we had lunch with our friends Elisha, Nathan and their adorable babe Roslin.

Saturday night was rounded out with a cookout at our friend's house in the neighborhood.

I took crack brownies

(recipe later this week)

They have a beautiful pup named Pepper 

and I think it is safe to say that Floyd has a new girlfriend.

Sunday was spent running errands and doing yardwork!

How was your weekend?

I don't know about you but I am already counting down to next weekend...

hello 3 days off!

Have a great one friends!

P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway...you have until tomorrow night!

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Meal Plan: Week of May 21st-26th

We had a fabulous weekend 'round these parts.

How was yours??

I'll have a full recap of ours tomorrow

but for now let's chat meal plans

Monday: Hawaiian Pork Roast + Rice

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Cocktail party at work! 

(I need your help picking out an outfit...options will be up on Tuesday)

Thursday: Southwest Chicken Chili Mac

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Taste of Cincinnati is going on 

so I think we will be hitting up the deliciousness downtown!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway 

and have a great week, friends!! 

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Friday Fancies: Chambray

First off, THANK you to everyone who entered the giveaway yesterday

and a huge HELLO to all of our NEW friends here!

(I have so many awesome, new blogs to check out this weekend!)

And if you haven't entered the giveaway yet

enter HERE! 

Last Friday I received an email from the awesome {av}

asking if I minded if she used my Summer Shopping collage 

in her Friday Fancies link up.

Mind??

I was flattered! 

After one week of being linked up, 

I was hooked! 

Here is my collage from this week

'A Day in Chambray'.

I own a few 3 different chambray shirts.

I may have a small obsession.

My favorite time to wear chambray is on the weekends

in a relaxed, casual fashion.

I need to find some pink shorts asap to pull off the look below

and I will be all set.

denim/shorts/cross body/sandals/necklace

What do you think?

Do you love chambray as much as I do?

Read more...

Giveaway!

The day that I have been promising you is finally here!
It's GIVEAWAY day!

Before we get started I want to say a huge welcome to any new 

friends that are visiting from Keep Calm & Carry On!

We are so happy to have you here!
Please take a look around and stay awhile!

(after you enter the giveaway, of course)

Now on to business!

Because I love all of you so much,

and the support you have shown me,

and this little ol blog,

and for the awesome blog friends 

 I have made along the way...

I wanted to do a giveaway of a few of my favorite things!

#1

$50 Target Gift Card 

oh the things you can do with this baby!

#2

A collection of elf goodies

including (but not limited to) 

some of my favorites

Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

 Eye Brightener

 All Over Color Stick

12 Brush Set

and more!!

Here are the rules:

Mandatory:

Follow Total Basset Case via GFC

Additional Entries:

 Follow Total Basset Case on Facebook

Follow Total Basset Case on Twitter

Blog or Tweet about the giveaway

(must leave separate comments for each entry)

Giveaway is open until next Tuesday, May 22nd.

Winner will be announced Wednesday May 23rd!

That's it, easy peasy!

And if you haven't already, hop on over to Katie's blog and check out 

my guest post and show that fabulous girl some love!

You guys rock!
Thank you again to everyone!

Mwah!

Read more...

Rafting?

The Mister and I have been discussing
a short summer vacay for this summer.

I was thinking a long weekend at the beach
relaxing, reading, spending quality time together.

Somewhere close(ish) that we could drive to
Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, somewhere in Michigan along the lake
You get the idea.

So the other night Mister presented me with his idea...
Mister: What if we go rafting this summer?
Me: Like white water?
Mister: Yep! There are some great places in West Virgina!
Me: (I kid you not this is the first thing that came to mind)
What shoes do I wear?
Mister: silence
Me: Do I wear a helmet? This sounds dangerous.
Mister: (still in shock over the shoes question)
I think you do, it is safe. People do it all the time
and don't die.
Me: Oh, well that's reassuring....
Mister: Anyway, I was thinking that could be fun!
Do some rafting, camping, exploring.

Totally opposite of what I was thinking.

Honestly the idea of rafting kind of scares the you know what out of me
but
that is also what intrigues me.

I need to be better about doing things that scare me...

 So ladies, I need your help.
Is rafting fun?
Is it scary?
Who has been before?
Am I going to feel like I'm going to die?
And more importantly, am I going to have to buy special shoes?

Read more...

Recipes: Mother's Day Luncheon

Yesterday I gave you a peek at our Mother's Day luncheon menu.

And as promised, here are the recipes (and links)!

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wontons

I skipped the cilantro and added cheese.

Other than that I followed the recipe!

Strawberry Salad:

Easy peasy.

Lettuce (spinach or romaine)

Feta

Sliced strawberries

Strawberry Dressing:

6 large strawberries

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vingear

pinch of sugar

 *mix dressing ingredients in a blender and chill

I also made Panera inspired mac and cheese.

One word.

YUM.

For dessert we had

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes with Cool Whip Frosting

- 2 1/4 cups flour

-1 tablespoon baking powder

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-1 cup milk

-1/2 cup butter, softened

-2 teaspoons vanilla

-3 egg whites

-1 cup crushed Oreos (about 10 cookies)

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Prepare muffin pan by lightly greasing or with liners (cute ones help)

2. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in sugar. Add milk, butter and vanilla; beat with electric mixer on low for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Add egg whites; beat 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup crushed Oreos.

3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan, filling 2/3 full. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cool and frost. Garnish with additional crushed Oreos.

Cool Whip Frosting

 I am not sure where I saw this but it has become my 'go-to' frosting recipe

and it couldn't be easier.

-I tub fat free Cool Whip

-I package of instant pudding

1. Thaw Cool Whip. Mix in instant pudding.

See, told you it was easy

and low fat! 

  Lemonade Sweet Tea

This tea is so easy and perfect for summer!

And there you have it!

We had a delicious day!

*On a totally random note

I haven't watched the Bachelor/Bachelorette in years and decided to jump in last night.

If not just for the comic relief, I have to say it was a good decision.

Are you watching??

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Weekend Wrap Up: Mother's Day Edition

Happy Monday! 

All sorts of random awesomeness happened this weekend

Here are the highlights!

On Friday we reached 200 FOLLOWERS!

You guys are awesome!!
I think I smiled all day long!

 A huge thank you to all of you that have been here from the beginning and to all of our new friends around here!

You guys rock! 

You guys are in a very special treat this week ;)

Stay tuned

Also on Friday I made a stop by Trader Joe's and picked up this gem.

If you like delicious, mouth watering, sweet peanut butter type treats

I would walk run to your nearest Trader Joe's and pick this up.

To. Die. For.

On Saturday we had our families up for a wonderful Mother's Day Luncheon

(recipes to be shared later this week)

Karson and Rachel enjoyed playing with Sophie and Floyd

Also on Saturday I picked up some new running kicks

I am very excited to get these out on the pavement

On Sunday I had a wonderful 'Mutt-ers' Day with Floyd and the Mister

complete with Sonic Vanilla Diet Cokes, a sampling tour through Costco, 

and napping with Floyd.

That was our weekend in a nutshell!

 How was yours??

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