Ignite The Fire! "I Want You To Want Me"

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

I've noticed an odd trend, very few couples spend any time together!  Now I'm not talking about those little lovebirds still in the climax of their relationship, please!  No, I'm referring to those couples who have hit the honeymoon stage and are way beyond it!  They are still very much in love with each other, love spending time together but for some reason, they just don't make date nights a priority.  I know, I shouldn't talk because my husband and I also have a hard time planning alone time, it gets tough with kids.  So this post is to put my fire ablaze too!

IGNITE THE FIRE!

Set the fire ablaze!  Get rid of the excuses, work to grow your relationship and above all, find time for each other!  If it means you pick the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month for date nights, then do it!  No excuses, there should be at least one date planned a month!  Show your lover that he is an important part of your life.

TRY A CHANGE-UP

Try something new.  Stop recreating the same date nights over and over again, even people who don't take risks and like consistency will at times enjoy change, just be careful not to fly them to Paris without warning!  (You got the point!)  If you always plan a dinner date, but why not try a new restaurant downtown, or a picnic near the lake or how about dinner reservations on a small boat?

BE CREATIVE

Dates are not all about spending money, they are about spending time!  Oftentimes the best dates are the unplanned, unique but intimate ones.  Try not to make it about yourself, but about the both of you as a couple.  Spice up your time together, plan something unexpected, something that will make you laugh, make you joke, maybe even make you cry (happy tears) but best of all, make some memories!

I WANT YOU TO WANT ME

As sensual beings, we all want to be loved.  We want to feel needed, caressed, cared for and above all we want to be wanted!  Show this to your loved one, whether it's a kiss on the neck as he's watching a football game, or a massage (without strings attached) or bringing home flowers, just because!  There doesn't have to be a special occasion for you to show your love, these small actions will be welcomed everyday throughout the year.  They don't have to be over the top, but once in awhile, a genuine surprise is amazing!  And no, purchasing a new shower rod is not a "surprise" or a "gift"; it is a household "necessity", can we say HOMER GIFT!

GIRLS' WEEKENDS v. GUYS' WEEKENDS

This has become the new trend, girls' weekends (manis, pedis and plenty of shopping) v. guys' weekends (golf, golf and more golf!).  There is nothing wrong with these types of vacations, we all need girl or guy bonding time, but there must be a limit and by the way whatever happened to COUPLES' WEEKENDS, or just COUPLE WEEKENDS?  Why must everything be done in social groups?  We don't have to make everything public to the world, somethings are better private.  Make time for your girl weekends and guy weekends, but spend time away as a couple...alone.

THE UNEXPECTED

A surprise doesn't have to be crazy, it just has to be unexpected.  So plan a date for you and your loved one, but something you will both enjoy!  Just remember, it's not where or how you are planning the date, it's who you are spending it with!  

Word to the Wise...You never know where the night will take you, so be prepared to have the time of your lives!

Chilly Day & Comfort Food

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

A day of chilly weather, overcast skies with an occasional bit of sunshine brought out my inner desire for "comfort food".

I'm not a huge fan of casseroles but this recipe was so easy and tasted extremely yummy and delicious!  Had to share!

Stove Top Swiss Casserole 

(recipe adapted from http://thefrugalgirls.com/2009/07/stove-top-swiss-casserole-recipe.html) 

4 Chicken Breasts 

(I put them in the crock pot for 4 hours on high before baking in the oven)

2 pkgs. of Swiss Cheese

1 16oz. box of penne pasta

1 box of Stove Top Chicken Stuffing

1 c. of Sour Cream

2 cans of Cream of Mushroom 

1. While boiling pasta, shred the chicken.

2. Mix the chicken, cooked pasta and soup cans together.

In a separate bowl mix the sour cream and uncooked stuffing

First spread the noodle mixture in a rectangular (cooking sprayed) pan and cover with a layer of the stuffing mixture.  Place the slices of Swiss cheese on top and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
(Keep it uncovered when baking)

Make room for this warm belly food!

Next time it's dessert!

Gray Skies and Orange Hues!

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

With the onset of fall weather, or more likely my desire for fall weather, I felt it was appropriate to talk about fashion.  The basic colors of black, white and gray seem to be popping up everywhere (actually they never truly went out of style, we are just seeing more of them now), but how do we incorporate the neutral with the color?

My love for orange is always renewed in the fall!

A fun textured gray shirt with black undertones.

Shirt from http://www.allurebeautique.com/

"Gray Skies" Top ($28.00)

Add a basic black pencil skirt. This is a wardrobe staple!

Bring on the orange!

Shoe Brand: Andrew Geller

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird 

I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." ~George Eliot

“Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is 
the woman who is wearing it.”~Yves Saint Laurent

Hostess with the Mostess: Hors d'oeuvre

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie) and Va Va Voom (Katrina)

While enjoying a fun and fabulous evening with amazing friends we had a great array of hors d'oeuvre to choose from.  If you plan on being the "hostess with the mostess" give your guests options and always, always, always give a great presentation!

You can't go wrong with a fruit platter of champagne grapes, figs, raspberries, 

blueberries and strawberries!

A variety of cheeses and crackers!

Don't forget the wine!  A hint of Malbec!

Step Down!

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

Have you ever been in those situations where it takes all your strength not to roll your eyes, say a harsh remark or even worse, reach across and slap that person?  Maybe it was their nasty comments, or the tone of their voice.  Maybe it's their rude facial expressions, or a horrid attempt to prove superiority and status?  Who hasn't dealt with these types of people?  Oh you haven't? Just wait, they come along right when you least expect it!  So, be prepared ahead of time.  How will you handle these confrontational situations?

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Pick Your Battles

It's sad to say, but these people who feel they need to "prove" something with their rudeness are not worth your time and should be shown some charity and pity for their classless courtesies.  It may not be the best time to put that person in their place, don't humiliate someone in front of a group of people.  Give them a little leeway, it might just be an off day for them!

The start of a beautiful friendship!

Don't Be A Pushover

Kindness and charity is possible without being a pushover!  Charity does not mean you are forced to let people walk all over you!  Charity is wishing what is well and good for every human being.  If this means a correction is due, think it over before creating a scene and maybe regretting your actions!  It might have a fruitless outcome if you are too emotional and unprepared!

A Short Sharp Statement

Confront the issue head on.  Sometimes a short, sharp statement is necessary.  This may help the nasty/rude comments to end!  Don't make everything into a dramatic scene, remain firm and calm!  Hopefully they will get the hint and maybe even walk away!

Word to the Wise...pick your battles!  You don't always have to embarrass someone, or make a big scene by their immature behaviors.  Correct them in private, if necessary, but try to show compassion, even when it's difficult to do!

If you can't fight it out, dance it out!