spOtted: C o P y c A t[recipes]

'tis the season for hearty, comfort foods. But no one really wants to go out in the cold for it, do they? We all want to snuggle up indoors with the ones we love '&enjoy a nice holiday movie. So here are two yummy recipes that are quick and so so easy, I've practically made them for you!

enjoy;

salted[CARAMEL]hot chocolate

3 tbsp. caramel syrup[warmed '&melty]

Hot Chocolate [you can use the powdered kind, I prefer Stephen's Hot Cocoa mix]
whipped cream[canned if you prefer, or you can make your own.]

1 tsp. medium coarse sea salt

Coat the inside of a coffee mug with roughly a tablespoon '&a half of the heated caramel.

 Add your hot chocolate '&mix well. 

Top with whipped cream, drizzle with caramel '&a sprinkle of salt.

so easy;so yummy;so festive.

Noodles&Co. Mac'&Cheese

Pretty much the only thing I order at Noodles&Co. is their mac'&cheese. So-- why not figure out a way to make it?! 

1 lb. macaroni
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
3 cups 2% milk
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
shredded cheddar cheese

Cook macaroni according to directions on package. Set aside.
In saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until well combined. Slowly stir in milk, and whisk until thickened. Add salt and remove from heat.

 Add monterey jack cheese and stir until melted.

[The sauce will look very, very thin-- don't worry, it's supposed to. It's not supposed to get too thick.] 

Spoon sauce into the bottom of a bowl[the amount of sauce is up to you, but it is a very heavy sauce, so beware.] 

Top with noodles, '&garnish with shredded cheese. Mix it all together '&enjoy!

spOtted: Tis The Season.

Oh, my. I can't believe December is here! Well-- it's here tomorrow. hahah! But still, it's pretty much here. I have been so Christmas-y, poor Kaleb is practically ripping his hair out; from making him listen to Christmas music, to watching silly Hallmark Christmas specials[like-- right now, as I'm typing this] he's been such a good sport[he has a Grinchy mentality].

[left to right; me,Diana,Brooke]

[short hair!]

But before I start discussing Christmas, I should talk about Thanksgiving. I spent it in Logan with Cubby's family, like promised. It was, to say the least, eventful. From the whole house filling with smoke, thanks to the turkey[don't worry, it turned out fine], to cookie trains '& yummy eggnog, to cute aprons '& making pumpkin pie, it was a great day. I'm so glad I got to spend it with the future in laws. On top of that-- I chopped all my hair off. Go. Me. Hahah!

[Kasen saying the blessing.]

Since Thanksgiving has come '&gone I am now officially allowed to begin my FULL Christmas enjoyment[see aforementioned music '&movies]. In a few short days, I will heading back to my favorite place in the whole world with my favorite man in the whole world trilling carols all the way there. Upon my arrival, the tree will be put up, '&decorated. Cookies will be made. Presents will be wrapped. 

fa la la la fabulous! 

[simply,simple love]

barbie train

police train

gramma train

stay merry '&bright!

spOtted: A Winter Wonderland

 Ah.. Winter is among us! Yesterday, it was snowing-- ALL DAY! And for once, I am LOVING it. It is perfect sweater,scarf,soup&'snuggle[it's S season!] weather.

Out here in Cache Valley[the boondocks!] it was snowing from early in the a.m. until about 9 p.m.;I'm sure it continued later into the night, I just know it wasn't snowing while the fam was in the hot tub![hot tub&'snow=bliss] We got maybe nine or ten inches;all I know is that it's beautiful!

And of course, snow means so many things! Cute fashion,hot chocolate,roaring fires,candy canes,sparkles[I'm hoping to get a sparkly addition this holiday season]family parties,Christmas movies-- the list of bliss goes on.

Stay safe&' I'll post again soon!

xo-evie

spOtted: A Whole New World?

(So I typed up this blog once already, only to have the internet decide to freak out, &' just not work. hahah! So this is my second attempt. Hopefully it works! If not-- this little bit of commentary is pointless. If it does work-- all of my readers can laugh at me.)

So after not blogging for quite some time, I have a good amount to catch up on. So lets start from the beginning...

Halloween has come &' gone, sadly. We went up to Logan for a family party &' I had such a fun time. I got to meet some of the extended family. They are all such fun, lovely people. I can't promise I remember everyones names (there was a good amount of people there! I met so many people.) but I can remember what a fun time it was.

Shortly after that, Kaleb got a new job at a place called AlliedBarton-- a security company that works all over the Salt Lake Valley. Well, he got hired on full time, &' had incredible hours (incredible as in he had weekends off, &' a set schedule.) Well basically, right after getting hired, he was diagnosed with strep. When he let his boss know, his boss told him to NOT come in, not until the antibiotics had been in his system for the correct amount of time, &' such. So Kaleb went along with that, &' was fine. Well, after that, he got a call letting him know that his boss said he was "giving away" his shifts. AFTER MISSING ONE DAY, THAT HE WAS TOLD NOT TO COME IN FOR. So right off the bat, I'm thinking, something is just not right here. So that gets sorted out, and Kaleb carries on working-- &' next thing we know is, his schedule changes-- BIG TIME. His boss decides to change him to a "flex" schedule, &' now Kaleb is working Friday, Saturday and Sunday, completely ridiculous hours. So it's just issue after issue. Well, Kaleb called in yesterday, being sick still. Well, his boss calls him this morning, &' fires him. So not okay with me. Apparently, things just "aren't working out" for them. Right, cause the guy had it out for him to begin with. I guess that's how things go. This guy can cause issues when he decides he doesn't like a person. That makes perfect sense. It sounds like a great company to work for, don't you think? So I guess it's a blessing, in a way that Kaleb doesn't work there anymore. Oh well, c'est la vie.

Well, with that being said, Kaleb &' I have been discussing some big things-- like... REALLY big things. He's talking about maybe moving out to Logan-- &' he wants me to go with him. So, if everything works out the way we want it too, that will for sure be happening.

This relationship is-- simply put-- the easiest relationship I've ever been in. I'm comfortable. I can be myself. I haven't laughed so much as I have lately. Being around him is as easy breathing. I feel so good about myself when he's around, &' he's so funny. I can't wait to experience the future with him.

Well-- That's all for now.

I'm sure I'll have more to talk about later.

xo-- evie

spOtted: A Better Heart..

Its finally, finally over. After months &' months of tears, &' heartache &' fighting-- its over.

As most of you know (I don't know who actually reads this) I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Kaden. Well, when Kaden was about five months old, I made the hard decision of giving him up for adoption. I realized that I was in no place to give him the life I wanted too.

Well, I had an issue.. Kaden's father, wasn't particulary in the picture. So I needed him to sign his rights over, in order for my sister, Shannon (Kaden's best choice) to adopt him. Well.. There was A LOT of drama. Much to much to go into. But long story short, a lot of people got hurt, and there was a lot of confusion and frustration, but it came down to a simple truth: we need to do what's best for Kaden.

I just barely, maybe 45 minutes ago, was told that Kaden's father was ready to sign over his rights.

So now, as much as my heart is breaking, a new chapter of life is about to begin, and with that being said, I would like to say thank you to Kaden's dad, for being strong and brave. I also want to thank Shannon, and her family for taking Kaden in and giving him everything I wished for him. I love my son very much, and om so grateful to ths experience for making me stronger.

That's all for now..

xo-- evie

"When faced with a tough decision, your heart &' your head are going to tell you two different things. So sit &' think for awhile. Then decide if you have a better head, or a better heart." --unknown

spOtted: Fall into Fall

This fall, there are some killer looks out there!

From hairstyles (I've included the top knot, even though its not the best picture, and the Brooklynn "decker"), to make-up&beauty (soft, winged eyeliner, dark red lips, gold eyes, and emerald nails), to the gorgeous fashion (pull those boots out!).

Its a beautiful time of year!!

This post isn't as long as I'd like, but I'll post again soon.

xo-evie

Sent from my Windows phone

spOtted: Novemburr Bucket List

Since November is right around the corner, I've decided that there are some very necessary things that I want to do this year...

• make wassil. (yummy.)
• snag Rachel Skalla's yummy recipe for orange rolls.
• make this years Christmas wreath (hopefully for the new place!)
• fall centerpieces.  
• watch 17 Miracles.
• watch Charlie Brown thanksgiving movie.
• make a big ol' Thanksgiving dinner. 
• take photos in the canyon. 
• learn to crochet. 
• actually SUCCEED at sewing. 

I'm very excited for the upcoming New Year (I can't believe 2011 is almost over!). There are so many new adventures around the corner for me. (: Plus, it's time for cute fall fashion! 

xo-evie

spOtted: happily ever after?

Long story, short:

He's 6"0', and I'm fun size. 

He's quite an introvert, and I'm... pretty much far from it. 

He's a nerd, I'm a social butterfly. 

We dated in high school, and it didn't work out.

But now, by the grace of God, we have found our way back to each other. We are strong, and flirty, and playful. He teaches me something new about myself everyday, and we can talk for hours. 

I wake up to a "Good morning, beautiful" text every morning, and we can barely spend one day apart.

I've known him for three years... And all it took was 2 weeks for me to fall head over heels in love with him again. And then I fall in love with him all over again every single day. 

I'm never bored when I'm with him. (Actually as I'm posting this, I'm at his best friends LAN birthday party; a.k.a. a HUGE nerd fest.) I'm strangely content, and comfortable in my own skin. He makes me blush, never talks down to me, supports my dreams, and laughs at my jokes. He makes me happy to be... me. 

I'm gonna marry that boy someday. 

xo-evie

spOtted: Footloose

Footloose is by far one of the best movies I've seen, both the original, and the 2011 remake.

2011 edition stars Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald, and is full of modern day humor, lots of good music that makes you want to get up and dance (Fake I.D. is my favorite song in the movie, besides Footloose) and very sincere and heart-warming situations.

This movie tries to make you understand the essence of being true to yourself and standing up for what you believe in.

I can't give a long review on this movie, because I just want to spoil the whole dang thing!!

I definitely think everyone should see this movie, so put on your dancing shoes and go see it!

xo- evie

spOtted: 50/50

50/50 is a heart-warming movie, based on a true story of a cancer survivor. Adam is diagnosed with a rare cancer in his spine, leaving his odds at 50/50.

The story is raw, and full of humor. Adam goes through heartbreak, heartache, a break-up (seriously, that girl is a twat...) and finding love, all through the course of chemo and a surgery.

Seth Rogan and  Joseph Gordon-Levitt star in this hilarious comedy that is a must see for all (adults, that is.. Awkward sex scene aplenty..)

spOtted: What's Your Number?

I just saw What's Your Number?' today.

Let's be real here.. I have a love/hate relationship with this movie. It was so funny, but it makes you think.. A LOT.

Ms. Anna Faris was incredible as Alli, on her search to find the best ex (or.. On one night stand?) of her life. From the weirdo she lost her virginity too, (believe me... This guy was beyond creepy) to her rich and famous high school boyfriend, she wades through the douche bags, finger sniffers, and puppet masters with cute, and witty charm. All while battling her mother, and helping her sister plan her wedding.

Despite it all, she learns a lesson we all need to learn (myself included): BEING IN LOVE MEANS BEING YOURSELF.

This movie is a must see. Great for laughs, and touching moments.

I'll for sure be seeing it again!

xo-evie

spOtted: Moneyball

Last night I went and saw the movie 'Moneyball' starring Brad Pitt, and not really looking forward to it. The movie hadn't caught my attention at all. But I was pleasantly surprised!

This movie is about the Oakland Athletics baseball team. Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane, the GM for the team. He struggles with his team losing game after game, and, then, slowly has to rebuild a successful team, and on a budget that definitely isn't the New York Yankees. 

Jonah Hill is also in this movie, and helps Beane craft an amazing team by using a computer generated analysis on multiple players, which gains scrutiny from many different people, including Beanes own management team.

I highly recommend this movie to any one looking for an uplifting story, that will warm your heart, and make you smile. Plus.. Who doesn't love Brad Pitt?

spOtted: a new blog.

In the midst of how hectic my life has been as of late, I decided to create a new blog. A blog for fashion, my normal life drama, movie reviews, advice (ask, I'll answer!), and pretty much anything else I decide to put out there for the world.

Every day is something new, and exciting, and life is just starting.

Lets be real here... We all want something... Well, real! So here you found it. Welcome to spOtted.

I hope it's loved, and followed and shared.

And trust me.. I'll be editing the layout and such. That sort of thing is just hard to do from a phone! (:

xo-- evie