Good Morning Texas

Good Morning to you from Texas!

If you want to check me out this morning live on TV whipping up quick and simple breakfast recipes, make sure you tune into Good Morning Texas at 9:00 CST.  If you can't watch live, you can always watch online today too.

For some more yummy food, check out my BBQ Chicken Sliders on my foodie blog today...

Such a simple and delicious supper!

Have a great Wednesday!  See you tomorrow!

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I heart Camo (and I'm a city girl!)

I am such a city girl.  I mean...really and truly, I am a city girl (who is married to a boy from a farm).

I grew up in Dallas, I don't own cowboy boots, I learned to drive by locating the different malls around our metroplex, and I would never camp.  Ever.  That being said, this city girl has a new found love for camouflage.

I've been telling you about my new Camo Toms for about a month now.  I saw them online and pre-ordered them because oh.my.heavens. they looked fabulous!  And then they arrived last week...

...as soon as I ripped open the box and put them on my feet, I texted this picture to Sheaffer.  She had two responses...first, she said they were so cute and it was my job to educate the world on how to wear them, and second, she said she was ordering her a pair right away.

Let's get a few things straight around here...I wear heels every day.  I am that mom.  I am the one who takes her kid to dance, goes grocery shopping, and waits in the post office line in 4 inch heels.  

However, if there so rises an occasion when I need a pair of flats, I need a good pair!  I want a pair that is comfy, that looks cute, that doesn't break the bank, that will hold up to running after my kids, walking a lot, and doesn't look grungy after I've been in the rain or walking through dirt at the park...I need the perfect pair.  And I think I've found them.  Because of their camo print, they are going to look great even if they get a little (or a lot) dirty.  Plus, they will go with everything all year long.

Let me show you some examples of what I think would look great with my new Camo Toms...

This season, I'm going to be pairing them with stripes and red accents.

I think they will look so cute with shorts, cardis and scarves.

They would look oh so cute with skinny pants and some layers.

And of course cropped jeans with a military jacket would be perfect with my Camo Toms.

Camo is the new neutral (yes, leopard is still a neutral too...camo is just the new neutral!).  I've been seeing camo everywhere...

I bought this pair of Camo Jeans from Gap last spring and love, love, loved them!  I was so happy to see that they brought them back this fall...

Aren't they so cute?!?!  Click here!

And this Gap Camo Jacket is so cute too!  I tried it on in store and it was the perfect weight and fit.  Look how cute it looks with her jeans and tee!

And here are a few other cute camo options too...

These Lucky Brand flats are so cute too!

And if you need a little heel...Erika and I found these Toms that are Camo Booties.  They are really cute!!

And if you only want a little pop of camo...look at this infinity scarf!  So cute!

So that's it...I've proclaimed my love of camo.  It is the updated version of a neutral.  It's fun, it's fall, it's for everyone...even city girls.

Don't forget, this Friday will be our Pin-spired Linky Party!

Today...it's Mix and Match Mama's 2nd Blog Birthday!  And I'm giving away a $100 Williams-Sonoma gift card to celebrate!

Click here to enter a chance to win!

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Have a great day!  

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Fifty Two Shades of Shay: The Scent(s) of this Woman

The whole point of my Fifty Two Shades of Shay series is for you to get to know me better.  Sometimes, by getting to know me, I might have a useful tip or a great pair of wedges to show you.  Today, it's all about the way this mama smells.  And I smell pretty darn good!

I don't know when I became obsessed with scents but it's an absolute obsession.  My mom isn't a scent person.  She has probably 15 bottles of random perfume at her house that she uses...but for me, I adore scents and I wear them depending on the season...they're important to me.  I love, love, love bath gel, lotions, body sprays and perfumes.  Today's post is all about my good scents ;).

(As a side note, I was not in any way paid by Bath and Body Works for what I'm about to say about their products...but if they'd like to send me a thank you note a bunch of free lotion, I'd be happy to supply my address!)

From March through August, I use this fabulous lotion and shower gel...

Bath and Body Work's Lemon Vanilla scent is my go-to spring and summer lotion/shower gel.  Every year, they say it's seasonal and won't ever be back...and every year, it comes back.  In January, they always bring it back as part of their big 75% off sale and so I stock up.  I keep it in my gym bag and my bathroom.  It's a scent that will just make you happy.  I use the shower gel and lotion but since I shower at night, in the morning when I wake up, I feel like I need a great perfume that compliments the Lemon but has a sophisticated and lovely scent...so, that's when I spritz on my favorite spring/summer perfume...

I only wear two perfumes and Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb is one of them.  I wear it every day during the spring and summer and it always smells light and fresh.  I love it.  I love perfume because it can define you.  A person can be remembered by their cologne/perfume...and trust me, I'd love for you to remember me by this one!

After the warm months of summer, I am practically giddy over my fall scents.  And when I say giddy, I mean, I refresh my Bath and Body Works webpage over and over again, hound the people in store and scour my inbox for emails about their Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin scent.  

I'm not lying...two weeks ago, I called Andrew during the middle of the day and said, "This has been the best day ever!", and he said, "What?  Did they get your pumpkin lotion in?".  And they had.  And that's why it was the best day.  And that's why he's a good husband...because he knows stuff like that.

The first time I bought this stuff was my freshman year of college 13 years ago...and I stock up and hoard this stuff like some kind of animal preparing for winter.  I swear the weather in Texas cools off a good 30 degrees just by me wearing this (at least in my head it does).  

Right now, you should go buy yourself some.  It's amazing how a little bottle of lotion can perk you up and make your day just a little brighter.  My mom always told me that she appreciated the fact that something as simple as lotion or a candle could make me so happy.  I'm a firm believer in that it's the little things in life that give us the greatest joy.  Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin equals joy.

Find it all right here!

And what perfume do I pair with my fall and winter scents?  My absolute favorite perfume in the world...it makes me smile every morning when I put it on...

Burberry Brit.

I have no words.  It's wonderful.  It's my favorite.  I will never not wear it.  I love it.  Do you get how passionate I am here people?  

But...I'm not done.  I'm saving the very best for last.  Yes, I love the Lemon Vanilla in the spring and summer and yes, the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin makes me cozy and warm...but what scent is my absolute favorite, I've blogged about it for years, I've named a bundt cake after it, I once bought an entire case of it...it is my favorite and I still have 8 bottles left from last year to take me until this November when they bring it back...

Vanilla Bean Noel.

Let's just pause and pay our respects to the best smell ever created.

I'm obsessed with this stuff to a level you just don't understand.  I keep a bottle in my purse 365 days a year.  I wear it daily from November through the first warm day of spring, but I always have it with me in case I need a little extra something happy.  It's the best.   

Just you wait until this November when it hits the stores and online...you will see it and think of me.  They should just go ahead and get rid of the reindeer and put my face right on the bottle.  

So now I want to know...what scents make you happy?  What do you wear?  Scents are so important!  We recall memories from a scent, we think of people we've lost and loved from scents.  Scents can be very powerful.  What's your scent?  I would love to know!

Next week, we move from one vice to another in my life...it's Fifty Two Shades of Shay: Coffee.  Enough said?

Today on the foodie blog, a quick and easy breakfast casserole that we like to eat for dinner!

Have a great day!

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Follow me on Instagram @mixandmatchmama

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My new BFFs are Stella & Dot

Earlier in the spring when I did my first Stella & Dot giveaway, you people loved it so much that I've decided to do one with every season.  We'll call this one, the beginning of Fall party!

I'm obsessed with Stella & Dot and it appears you are too!  I've decided that they're my new BFFs (sorry other BFFs, until you offer me fabulous and well-made jewelry at a great price, these ladies are in!).

Here are some of my favorite Stella & Dot things that I've collected over the years (and absolutely love!)...

 Serenity Stone Drops

I have all 3 of the colors listed above and wear them all the time!  Look how much fun they are!  They instantly make any outfit pop!

I love the Serenity Stone Drops so much that I have also purchased the Purple and Gold Serenity Small Drops as well.  I love, love, love them!

These little drops are smaller, lighter and just as eye-catching.

Last year, I won the pink pair of Seychelles Chandelier Earrings in a blog giveaway (so fun!) and loved them so much that I bought the navy and turquoise pair myself.  These are really lightweight and I seem to wear them almost every day.

And you know me...I'm a big earrings and bangles kind of gal.  So, what do I pair with my fabulous earrings???

These...

Stella & Dot have such a wide range of bracelets, bangles and wrap bands that it's the perfect place for mixing and matching textures, metals and materials.  You know me...I swoon over an armful of bracelets!

I'm really into the leather wrap bracelets for fall mixed with my gold jewelry.  

And lately, I've been coveting some of Sheafer's Stella & Dot necklaces...

I mean look at Sheaffer!  I know she's showing her readers her awesome jacket but I'm coveting that necklace!

And here it is again!  Look how it has instantly glammed up both of her outfits.

This fall, I'm thinking you might see me in some necklaces for a change.  I'm really into these right now...

I love the long necklaces and the pendents a lot!  You can layer them or just kind of add them to a basic tee for just a little more oomph!

So yes, my new besties Stella & Dot have gorgeous jewelry but I also discovered this year that they have fabulous totes and bags too.

Erika and I both got this bag last spring...and we LOVE it!  I took this bag on vacation with us to Spain for all of my carry-on items, I use it to tote around my kids' stuff, I take it as a bag for daily outings...I'm telling you, this bag is really good!  I love the red but I also love Erika's blue version and I'm kind of obsessed with the navy and white stripe too.

Isn't that pretty?!?!  I really didn't know about the bag until last spring but now, I'm in love with it.  I'm also in love my jewelry organizer and used it on our vacation too...

 I received this jewelry organizer as a gift and really loved using it on our vacation.  All of the jewelry I needed for 12 days fit inside all snug and safe.  I'm not sure if I would have thought to purchase this on my own, but I'm so glad someone thought to purchase it for me!  It fit perfectly inside my tote :).

You know I wouldn't talk about all of this wonderful Stella & Dot stuff without offering some kind of giveaway, right?  

This week, I'm giving away one of these cute cosmetic bags, a Trinity Pendant, and a pair of the Serenity Small Stone Drops earrings (you pick the color) to one of you.  That's a $127 prize!

Just enter the Rafflecopter below and a winner will be picked this Friday at midnight.

To check out all of the other fabulous things that make up Stella & Dot, check them out here.  Make sure you have me listed as your hostess!  If I want to continue giving things away on the blog, I need to be the hostess under your purchase!

Tomorrow, on Fifty Two Shades of Shay, I'll talk about organizing all of your jewelry so that it's easy to find, not damaged, and fits neatly in your space.  

And today on the foodie blog...my Fall preview.  

So many ideas and a suggested grocery shopping list for your fall pantry!

 Have a great Monday!

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Find me on Instagram  @mixandmatchmama

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Kidd Kraddick

Words cannot honestly express my sadness over the death of national radio personality Kidd Kraddick.

When I was 12 years old, my dad and I started listening to a local DJ out of our hometown with this funny radio show.  His show grew into this national sensation and I listened every step of the way.  

Meeting Kidd last July was one of the highlights of my life.  He was so warm and friendly.  He hugged me, he asked me questions about my family, he was engaging and interested. He was fabulous.  Then when I went back this February, he not only remembered me, he remembered things we had discussed, he told me he followed me on Twitter...he was absolutely delightful.

Andrew and I are so sad for this loss.  Kidd was a huge part of not only our community, but of our mornings.  Andrew listened every morning while he was at the gym and in the car, while I listed from my i-Phone at home.  My heart breaks for Kidd's daughter, family and friends.

I checked Kidd's Twitter account tonight when I heard the news...and it still says that he follows me.  I am so honored.

I am thankful for all the laughs, all the memories, and my mornings won't be quite as bright any more.

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And the 100th Bundt Cake is...

...you have to click here to see it.

And don't worry, I'm back from vacation now.  This week, more Fifty Two Shades of Shay, Instagram pics galore and several posts documenting my fabulous vacation.  But first, right now, go see what my 100th bundt cake is!!

Happy Monday!

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Barcelona & Riviera Cruise: Days 1 & 2

Oh.my.heavens!  Andrew and I just returned from 12 days in Spain along with a Riviera cruise that took us to Italy, Monaco and France.  We had the very, very best time!  Over the next few days, I'll be sharing some pics of our trip.  But let's be honest...without my kiddos on the trip with us...it's going to be a lot of selfies of Andrew and me.  

OK...let's begin!

Day 1...me at the airport.  At this point, I know it's going to be a fabulous vacation!  I have my latte, my novels, my magazines, my cookbooks and my hubby.  I'm in my happy place!  We flew from DFW to New York where we had a 3 hour layover and then took a 10 hour flight to Barcelona.

We arrived at 7:30 am in Barcelona and went straight to our hotel.  We felt so blessed because they had our room ready for us when we arrived!  Thank heavens!!  We stayed at the Hotel Arts in Barcelona. I think we've decided this was the nicest hotel we've ever stayed in.  We had a huge window view of both the city (here) and...

...the beach.  The hotel was right on the water.  The room was huge and gorgeous and the bathroom was fabulous.   As seasoned travelers, our best advice is this...do not sleep when you arrive!  Even though you're tired and have jet lag...if you sleep, you will never acclimate!  We showered, put on fresh clothes, had a cup of coffee and headed out to see Barcelona.  (I repeat, do not sleep!).

Our first stop was the famous La Sagrada Familia cathedral.  Beautiful!

After seeing the cathedral, we headed to the main shopping area in Barcelona called Las Ramblas where we proceeded to walk 6 miles over the course of the day.  We just love walking and taking in the city.  We stopped in shops, we ate ice cream, we really savored the day.

Walking 6 miles earns a girl 2 scoops!

We stopped in this cafe for lunch (pizza!) and a quiet spot to take in the city.

We walked back by the beach on our way to dinner.  The Barcelona beach is really beautiful and packed with people.

And here we are headed to dinner.  At this point, we had been up for over 36 hours and walked 6 miles...after we took this pic, we headed for cheeseburgers and fries!  A much deserved treat after such a busy day!

More vacation to come!  To see days 3 & 4 click here.

Happy Friday everyone!  Make sure you check this out below...

I'm celebrating my 100th Bundt Cake with a $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!

You better run over to Mix and Match Mama and check out my all-time favorite Bundt Cake and enter to win that Visa gift card.

Monday, I'll be announcing Bundt Cake #100!  Have a great weekend and I'll see you soon!!

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