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I LOVE cooking from recipes, and making up meals, I LOVE spending time with my boys (all three) and entertaining my family and friends, I LOVE bargain shopping (vintage stores included), I LOVE flipping through fashion and design mags, I LOVE the smell of libraries and how often I could get lost there, I LOVE scanning realty websites, I LOVE Trader Joes and LUSH, I LOVE fresh flowers and all four seasons, I LOVE Cincinnati and am always ready to travel, I LOVE stationary and stamps, I LOVE diamonds and pearls, tulle and lace, I LOVE smelling coffee and drinking tea, I love marshmallows and chocolate, I LOVE cozy sheets and morning sunshine, I LOVE me and I love GOD!

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Master Tre'

Master Roman

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

NYE 2011

Cupcakes and Champagne

Cupcakes and Champagne by mrsrjdean on polyvore.com

This year I will be with Scott's family celebrating our dear cousin's 21st birthday.
To celebrate this milestone for such a fabulous young lady, I plan on baking these delectable champagne cupcakes and bringing a bottle of pink sparkly!!! Add a pot of shrimp etouffee and a couple rounds of Dirty Minds and we have the makings for a fun night.

Looking forward to 2012

CLINK CLINK

xoxo,
Ronita

Snapshots from our Holiday






What Joy!

xoxo,
Ronita

Friday, December 23, 2011

HAPPY HOLIDAYS...


... to you and yours.

I hope you all enjoy the warmth of the season with people that truly love you. I hope that the love that is felt during this time is carried into the New Year.

Speak Love. Think Love. Be Love.

 ...and never forget Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

xoxo,
Ronita

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Chuga Chuga Choo Chooo

This past weekend the boys and I along with the grands went to see the holiday trains at The Natural History Museum in Union Terminal. Boy was it fun and they both are at an age where they now can appreciate it!
Roman loved the baseball field in old town Cincinnati and Tre' loved Coney Island!

If you get a chance it's a must see!













xoxo,
Ronita

My Christmas Wishlist 2011

My Christmas Wishlist 2011

My Christmas Wishlist 2011 by mrsrjdean featuring west avenue jewelry

3. A beautiful pearl ring
5. An African basket for my many market trips
7. DVDs to add to my collection

What's on your list this year?

xoxo,
Ronita

Monday, December 12, 2011

Crafty Crafty: Our Gingerbread House








The boys and I (Scott's too much of a perfectionist) had a fun time making our very first gingerbread house together. Trader Joe's made it so easy! The kit was $7.99 and worth every memory!! We even got out old Halloween candy to use on the house. The boys loved sticking a piece and sneaking piece ....hehe

Here is Tre' giving a tour of the house!



HAPPY Tuesday!
xoxo,
Ronita

What's been up with The Deans?

One of our last boxes of our CSA! We sure are going to miss it this winter...


Winter Basketball Camp was a success..both boys had a ball (no pun intended)!!


Hanging out with our little Victoria...Roman is in LOVE!

Peppermint Ice Cream

Date night with the hubby!!

We have been living of loving!!

xoxo,
Ronita

Friday, December 9, 2011

Party Time!!!

(via)

Tonight is my company's holiday party!
It's going to be a grand time!!
I can't wait to spend some time with my co-workers outside of work and to snuggle up with the hubby.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

xoxo,
Ronita

Monday, December 5, 2011

Simply Stated: Holiday Gift Guide- For a Family

Last year my dad and stepmother gave us such a cute Christmas gift.
A movie bin.
It was something that was perfect for our little family! A large popcorn bin, filled with yummy movie candy, two fun DVDs (one for the boys and one for Scott and I to enjoy together), and a big bag of popcorn.
 She wrapped it all up with a bow!!!

Simple and Budget Friendly!!

What a great idea!!!

xoxo,
Ronita

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Music to My Ears: My Soulful Holiday Mixtape


There is nothing like soulful Christmas music to get me truly excited!!

Their vocals are amazing.
Just paying homage to some of the greatest...
***




Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Luther Vandross
Merry Christmas Baby- Otis Redding
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus- Jackson 5
Soulful Christmas- James Brown
What Do The Lonely Do- The Emotions
Winter Wonderland- Ray Charles
Santa Claus is Coming to Town- Jackson 5
Little Drummer Boy- The Temptations
Someday at Christmas- Stevie Wonder
O Holy Night- Smokey Robinson &The Miracles
The Christmas Song- Jackson 5
Santa Clause is Coming to Town- The Temptations
The Christmas Song- Nat King Cole


What are some of your favorite holiday songs?
xoxo,
Ronita

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Video: Holiday Fashion from Andrea at FLY


I found this lovely video over on Fly's blog! Inspiration for all things festive!
If you are in the DC area check out her meet and great at The Antrhopologie.
ENJOY!
xoxo,
Ronita

Simply Stated: Holiday Gift Guide- For Your Foodie Friend/Family

In the days to come I will be bringing you some budget friendly ideas for gift giving this year! Stay Tuned!

Up First!!!

I took a little field trip (not that I wouldn't normally be here) to Trader Joe's to scope out some fab and budget friendly gift ideas for the foodie friends/family in your life.

Here are some of my top picks all under $15

They have a wide selection of festive cookies and candies.
They are great just by themselves or a couple different picks in a basket!
My favorite is the dark chocolate sea salt caramels!


You could make a gift basket with three or four different butters all just $2.29 each.
Add some preserves and a box or two of crackers! Viola 


Their mini Christmas trees with silver glitter are so cute. Perfect for someone who lives in a small place or to help liven up someone's office space (think work Secret Santa)!!!


The gift that keeps on giving: For the true foodie: a rosemary tree! Fragrant and festive!! Something they can use after the holidays are long gone.


Wow!! How fun, a special edition four pack of specialty sea salts.
Chili Garlic and Smoked Sea Salt, Edible Flowers Sea Salt, Tropical Pepper Sea Salt and Thyme Lemon and Bay Sea Salt! All for just $7.99!


And of course any holiday wouldn't be complete without a little bubbly!
I have never tried sparkling red wine. I picked up a bottle and look forward to cracking it open.

***
How cute are these packages wrapped in Trader Joe's holiday brown bags?
Simple and festive!

(via)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

xoxo,
Ronita