Cinnamon Muddy Buddies

I'm back! I forgot about this blog, but sitting home on a Saturday night watching Big Fish will make you remember such things!  I discovered a recipe that I have to brag about! Cinnamon Muddy Buddies! Last night I went to my ward talent show. The best act was 4 guys "Doubtfiring". What is "Doubtfiring" you ask? I wanted it to be that thing of a man dressed as an old woman who sticks shims face in a cream pie and says, "Helllloooo!", but it was actually four guys who start out vacuuming dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire and then rip their clothes off and balance on each other and do gymnastics and other intimate acts....ahhh Provo. Anyway, one of the desserts was the Muddy Buddies!

• 9 cups of Rice Chex

• 1 cup of Hershey's Cinnamon Chips

• 1/4 cup of butter

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

  

1.  Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside. 
2.   In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. 
3. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.  Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. 

 
My picture doesn't do them justice! Did they turn out slightly orange? I don't want to talk about it. I was lazy and didn't follow the wax paper steps, but these are amazing and taste like Horchata! Very addicting! And now to pin this blog post on Pinterest in the hopes that it will turn out famous. Wish me luck! -L

 

Graham Cracker Brownies- I could eat a whole pan

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 32 squares)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch of salt

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Spread into a greased 8-inch square baking pan
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

-L

Business Trip

So.....guess who is on a business trip! That is right, I am writing this from the Fairfield Inn in Ogden, Utah. My coworker (guess who feels like a big-shot using all these fancy business words ;) Patti and I left yesterday after work  in our company van (2008 Sienna what what!!!!) I work at Head Start and am going to a 2 day class. Patti is my boss from Michigan and Tennessee and her life/stories are twins with a Fannie Flag novel! She does accents and everything. Patti is the bomb! She too is obsessed with Gone with the Wind and we bonded by trading inventory of our GWTW memorabilia  (I have ornaments, she has plates). We pulled up last night and were pumped because a Cracker Barrel was right next to our hotel. Head Start (our "company" ;) gave us an allowance, so I thought what the he$$ I'll go all out! I have never been to CB, but since my dream is to be Southern, I was all kinds of curious. Thoughts on Cracker Barrel...ya barf. I had a plate of fried food, and was trying to be all cultural and ordered turnip greens. Needless to say they were untouched since I'm not really a fan of my vegetables tasting like bacon. When I got up to my hotel room I was in love. Call me white trash, but I love staying in hotels and the Fairfield Inn is good enough for me! I mean it's no Best Western, but you can't have it all right? I threw my bag on the generic tempur-pedic bed and started dancing to the song "Finally it's happened to me..." ya not really :) I went to my 7 hour class today, and afterward went shopping with Patti at the nearby Layton Mall. So much fun! Then we went to a BBQ place and now I am in bed watching Mob Wives on VH1. Just living the dream! -L

So, I am now a proud owner of a laptop. If the truth must be told, I accidentally stepped on my last one, fondly known as "Dinosaur". It was big and breathy and was always overheating and having meltdowns if I left it on the carpet for too long. I was using my sisters for 4 months but when she moved back home last week..... Anyway, I have a MacBook! Yay for impulse buys! So is it alarming that I really only wanted a laptop because I was missing all of my shows? They were neglected and I can't handle not being in the know for all those characters! Also, I have a book recommendation: The Guernsey Literacy and Potato Peel Pie Society. First off, it just sounds literary and important. The title is so satisfying to say. This is a girl book, but I believe many an easygoing guy would also enjoy it as well. It's perfect for when you're in the mood to pretend you are British. Well I'm off to work so just believe me when I say read the book (yes I'm aware this was a horrible review. It sounds like I'm a fourth grader.) -Lauren

The Post of a Lady


After writing about how I barfed up sour milk ( that story HAD to be told), I decided to write a classy yet feminine post. I work in department store for Estee Lauder (part-time), so I have discovered new favorites:

Advanced Night Repair: I got a free lipgloss from my boss for memorizing it's three benefits. They are boring, but the serum is amazing!!!!

MAC: Gaga 2 lipstick. Best nude color. Flattering for all



Idealist Scrub: thermal scrub that refines your skin.  Real relaxing ;)

Bronze Goddess: shimmery and light-weight! Best bronzer.

Jasmine, gardenia, cucumber, and candied rose petals. I finally found a perfume I love (usually I'm a weirdo and like the smell of men's cologne on me better ...nuuthing don't judge).

More later!   -L



Barf

So this morning I decided to stop at a gas station for breakfast. Don't judge- I had just dieted for 3 hours the night before and was craving those mini donuts with crumbs on them (you know, the ones that are 3,000 calories a pop???) I also bought some milk which is out of character since I hate milk but the ladies I work with are always talking about how they have the bones of a 35 year old and that I need more calcium...anyway....I walk into a gas station in South Provo (first mistake). I had to check twice to see if it was a liquor store (it had bars in the windows) .It was in-between. Like it still had a questionable type man standing outside wearing rings that may or may not be a molester, but it still sold Funyuns and shiz. So,I  run in and  grab my donettes and milk and am in the car when I decide to chug my milk. Um it was pure rotten! And I had  made out with it and everything! So I run into the liquor store, bang the bottle on the table, go into the restroom, barf for like 10 years, and then demand a refund. Worst taste ever. Worst thing that has ever happened to me! It was like drinking death! And this foul curd has decided to nest in the back of my throat for the whole day! Later in the day, I decided I better get back on the horse or milk would be ruined for me forever, so I drank milk at lunch with my sister (no, no, I'm not a hero ;) Anyway I feel all violated. Worst thing ever.

Oscar Party!!!

I get excited about 3 t.v. events a year: when a new The Bachelor is on, when Titanic is on TNT, and when the Oscars are on!! I decided to have an Oscar Party last minute and I must say it was a success. The best thing was the plastic wine glasses- we put Ginger Ale in the!. Call it a placebo affect but I believe fancy glasses and apple cider or ginger ale loosen people up. ( Um, none more than me- I can get slap-happy with ANY drink, even milk in a Garfield mug). The other touch that I admit was unnappreciated were my match books. Matchbooks are fancy right! Duh! I had matchbooks for everyone since it was the Oscars. No one really got it-but it seemed glamourous to me and like they would use them in the 1920's. Anyway, my sister Hannah really proved herself and made a lot of the food since I was at work. I loved the dresses this year- I think celebrities are back to trying again! Anyway, the party was full of funny people and sharp comments (why was everyone British?!? Why is James Franco disgusting? Who knew that guy from Chuck could sing?) Anyway, I am off to find out if the Social Network soundtrack is any good- I thrive on listening to moody movie scores while I do busy work (hopefully it is not all video game music). Happy Oscars!

Epidemic

I am very particular about men's shoes. It's true you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wear. For instance, if I see a boy with giant white puffy athletic shoes with 15 loose knots and loops on top of them, paired with pegged light blue denim levis, you know you have a young no nonsense boy on your hands. Practical, likely studious, and maybe runs through campus with a backpack on when he's late for class. Next you have your no socks with Sperry Top-Siders look. Be careful with these ones because although some boys who wear them are normal, these shoes scream Yuppie. Next are the Vans. Usually guys from Utah or Southern California, these are cute normal regular guys (but usually YOUNG guys). Then you have your Pumas which are just Regular Joes, dime a dozen, but usually normal- the majority wear these. Men in Crocs- you go men in Crocs! They are real comfortable and good for you for being bold enough to wear them in public!! Ok and here is the mystery shoe: TOMS for men!????! I know TOMS are cool and charitable blah blah I even own some. But, as my cousin Emily says, "Why do guys want tiny and delicate feet?" Barf!!! Like little baby feet. I am just not sold on TOMS for straight guys (except for the inventor of TOMS on the commercials, he is pure hot in them since  he is a saint and is always playing with children in them). But you see them everywhere!!! Usually paired with a small delicate white v-neck and skinny jeans, or in the summer with tiny jean cut offs. Bleh seeing boys ankles in TOMS is as unnerving as that skin under a boy turkey's neck.....anyway (my one last dig- I tried to find a pic of a guy wearing TOMS but google image only had girls :(...... These are all just opinions and I have known cool guys who wear them but I just don't understand their appeal for straight guys. Also, I have met lots of cool guys who wear all of the shoes I've mentioned (can you tell this is my disclaimer so I don't look mean and judgemental?) But let's get to my shoes: I have vans, TOMS, boots, and my personal favorite, old woman clog Danskos. I must confess that I love comfort shoes. So that probably says a lot about me. Hmmm after reading this maybe I shouldn't be so picky....no, no, I should be :) - L

This is so going to change everything :)

I've been in a deafeated mood lately. Is it maybe fed by me listening to Adele's "Chasing Pavements" and staring out the window at the lovely gray weather? Probably. I admit that I am dramatic and like to make things dramatic since in my mind I fancy myself  a character in a movie...anyway yes I'm a weirdo, but it's part of my charm right?  ;) I am in such a weird place in my life. In a rut sort of.  I work at Dillards at Estee Lauder wearing old woman uniforms and sensible shoes. I am going to take on another job at Head Start so I will be working 60 hours a week. I haven't been on a date in forever, not since my grandpa set me up with a theatre major who was poured into his khakis and spit on my face no less than 6 times during lunch. Bless his heart...and yes that was a very mean description but it had to be said. I am so ready for a change (wait a GOOD change). Provo has been great but I have lived in the same apartment forever (totally my fault- that is why I am moving this Spring to a new apartment!) Anyway I feel like I am in the movie Groundhog Day. Some days I like that my life is so simple and I am free of a lot of responsibility. Oh and I am so GRATEFUL that I am able to have not only one job but 2. But I am resolving to make my life more full and meaningful and  full of variety. I am going to try and do more service. Also, I want to do something at least once a week that is interesting and new. In the winter if I'm not careful my life gets taken by routine trips to Target, eating out at the same places, and watching lots of T.V. (hey this one has no regrets, for better or worse I love t.v.). Time to push myself! Wish me luck!  (And duh of course I will blog about my new life!). This is totally going to happen-not like the 8 million other resolutions I've made ;) Oh and yes I am aware that this is straight out of" Stuff White People Like" But let's quit the dance, I am white...... -L

Day Off

So after 8 days of work I finally had a day off. I was all excited and couldn't sleep so I ended up watching The Bachelor on Hulu at 6 am this morning. After that I was like, you know what, I'm going to the dentist. I have my own dental tools from Walmart so the hygienist was all beaming that I didn't have any fur in my teeth ;) No cavities. And just wait- it gets more exciting! My dentist has a facebook group- "The NO Cavity Club". It's a real big deal (and honor) since they post pictures of the patient and everything. So not only did my beady eyed morning face get a picture posted on facebook, I also got a coupon for a free hot dog....Ok so after that I went to the Cannon Center (I am not proud) to have lunch with my sister (the Cannon Center is where all the BYU freshman eat. It has the essence of a fancy The Sizzler mixed with a cruise ship buffet). It was "Chocolate Day" so they had a chocolate fountain, chocolate cookies-wait do I need to explain this?? Anyway it was like the reincarnation of the cartoon Kathy in there- all the girls buzzing about how, "chocolate makes everything betta", "who needs a boyfriend on chawc-a-let day?" and then just random smatterings of the word, "chocolate!?!!" (in this story they have Jersey accents). Anyway did I mention I usually see about 7 girls with capes and fingerless mitten gloves when I go there? (I'm not judging- just presenting facts ;) Ok so then Hannah and I went to matinee of Just go with It. Yep the Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston movie. Was it made up of one unlikely love scenerio after another? Of course! It was like being in 7th grade where before I would go to sleep I would create scenarios involving my crush of the moment (what if we had to be on an island where the law made us be boyfriend and girlfriend and there was a prom that we had to go to and there was a dance contest and....blah blah blah). Anyway Jennifer Aniston can't act, Brooklyn Decker made me want to tan/regret Chocolate Day, and Adam Sandler was adorable and delivered the same raunchy jokes. BUT I was entertained and knew what I was getting into. Such an eventful day. Oh and while I am writing this, I found a lollipop stick in my hair. For shame.... Anyway, anticipate the next post that will likely be about my new found obsession with Justin Beiber! -L

I Love Real Housewives of NYC!!!

         It's almost 7 right now and while I'm looking on the computer to see if that specific eyeshadow I want is back in stock, Beverly Hills housewives come on. The re-run I am watching features an anorexic burnt raisin throwing a $50,000 party for a girl who is turning 4. What the heck (although I have to admit seeing them this well off makes me want to get old and have my own salary). Most of the time these little series sort of bore me (Real Housewives of New Jersey) or bother me with their attitude (Real Housewives of Atlanta), or they annoyingly bring in their secretly gay husbands and brag about how they are being cougars (Real Housewives of DC). However, Real Housewives of NYC  is a gem that stands out among these. Don't beleieve me? Then why did Bethany get her own show ;) ??? -Maren

Mirror Dance with Liz

So how lame is it that I'm a.) blogging about a TV show, and b.) blogging about it like 30 minutes after watching it (and having a Facebook status about it...nuuuthing). Anyway yeah yeah, bless my heart. Sooo...I was watching 30 Rock and being in love with it since this season is totally redeaming itself, and it made me want to blog about a theory I have. Anyway as many of you know, I feel like an Un-Fancy Liz Lemon (without a fancy t.v. job but with straight teeth and youth) with her twin love life. Looking back I have dated many boys, and I have no hard feelings or regrets- they were all great at the time. But each of them is a version of one of Liz's boyfriends (yes I know Liz is a fictional character...) O.k. so, I've had a Dennis Duffy (totally sleazy but easy to be with because they are so easily impressed/tricked...dang I'm mean), Wesley Snipes (settling soulmate-when every one of my friends has a bf and it is Valentine's Day and I have just watched "Sixteen Candles", I can always say "well at least there's always _________  ), Jon Hamm (PURE HOT= no personality), Floyd (once again when I've just watched "You've Got Mail" and am getting over the latest tool I've been dating, I always wish I had married this person...because it would have been easy), and Carol (twin personalies-totally fizzled out). Wow that invented being a run-on sentence.... Anyway, my point is, I'm happy with my life and my fun a$$ job (who-hoo Estee Lauder), and I am excited for all of the things I want to do in my life....BUT when the time is right  I think my soulmate will be a Jack Donaghy!!!!!! (an Un-Fancy Jack of course-just a regular Joe one) Liz and Jack are totally going to end up together!!! And in a few years (or in Heaven ;) maybe I can graduate from the weirdos and get a man!!!
-L

Life...Yeah ;)

Ok so all the fans out there (all 4 of you) have been begging me to update my blog. All right here it is!!
So I am on vacation and it has been amazing- cheesecake for breakfast, 30 Rock marathons, not wearing make up, and lots of family time!!! I am in a reflective mood, so be prepared for a serious-ish post.  My dad passed away two years ago this March, and today was the first time I have been able to watch home videos of him. I was extremely hesistant-he meant the world to me and even talking about him gets me emotional. I guess I was afraid that seeing him would make me come undone, that all of the grieving and accepting I've done would be erased. But I so desperatley wanted to hear his voice again,so I went for it! For about an hour my sister and I bawled and laughed and watched, fixated on finding any trace of my dad. It was so nice to hear his voice, and for a few seconds it was nice to escape and go back to a time when he was with us.  I wont lie- my heart ached for a few hours after and it has been sort of a hard day. But watching was so worth it- I am getting to a point where instead of being sad I am appreciating my time with my dad. I am so lucky for the family and friends that have helped me through this. I am so glad for the million tiny surprises and joys in life to look forward to. Ok very, very cheesy, but true!!!!  Before this sounds anymore like an excerpt from Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, or JD at the end of a Scrubs episode, Merry Christmas!!!! -L

New Songs!!

No you are not walking into a Forever 21 store- we got young person music!!!! -LHM

Wish List

Perfect dress!!!!  
I love rose gold, missed the boat on toms, want the ruby ring, and loooove the dress (click on the link!!!)) -L

Poo!

Sooo so tired after work. Decided to make pancakes despite my self diagnosis that I am allergic to them. I have a "disease" where food gets stuck in my esophagus and tries to choke me.  I can't remember what it's called? Basically it's too boring and vague to study (according to my Dr.) so they just gave me an inhaler, a head pat, and a big a$$ bill. I am never going to go on WebMD again since I'm always trying to diagnose diseases I may have.Very expensive hobby that robs you of any dignity.... So anyway I made the pancakes (Matilda style) for myself and they were gross/practically suffocated me (my "disease") and I think I gained like 90 lbs. since I made myself eat 4 plus chased them down with a mini bag of cool ranch Doritos. Also, I look in my fridge and I think an infant diarrhea-d  in a bowl (pardon my french).   I posted pics of the fridge poo and pancakes!!! -L

My Coke Rewards

So one of the more alarming facts about me is that I collect My Coke Rewards points. Basically you look under the caps of Coke products and then enter them into your account (at a whopping 3 points a pop). You can get anything from 3,000 point inflatable Coca-Cola beach balls to 450 point Fanta sweatbands.With glorious prizes like these, I don't know why more people don't participate!?!! Anyway, the reason I started this like 4 years ago was to get the coveted Diet Coke 25th Anniversary sterling silver charm. Alas they discontinued it before I had the points :(  Now all they have is a dinky non-sterling silver Fanta charm bracelet. So I need advice; should I spend my points on the bracelet, or wait for better prizes????   -L

Crawling up the Walls

I have a wicked ace migraine that put me into a foul sour mood for most of the day. I took  migraine meds and now I'm shaking and crawling up the walls! I reorganized my room and put up a chandelier in my room ($50 says it's going to fall on my face while I'm sleeping by the end of the week...). I didn't eat because I'm waiting for my roommate to make dinner and I am STARVING!!! So hungry that (I'm not proud)  I ate a bag full of naked loose M&M's given to me by the birthday committee from church. I am sort of a germ- a -phobe so I kept having visions of the M&M's being packed by unwashed hands where individual M&M were probably licked by a rat before wiped on the carpet and put in my birthday bag. Not to be ungrateful but it went through my mind!!! Well almost time to eat....tootles. -L

Yep...

Typical Saturday night- solo at the grocery store in sweats, no make-up, and greasy hair (looking like a meth addict or a character on "King of the Hill"....don't judge). Everything is waaay over-priced; Funyuns for $4.00 are you kidding me??? Who do they think they are- Doritos??? Bleh what to do?? Just ended up getting a liter of Squirt and running into 7 people I know at the store (they always caught me in the Little Debbie section). Sometimes you need a night alone so you can live on Hulu while eating licorice for dinner. Call me crazy, but I get tired of  scoping out neon parties where 24 year old men parade around in lime green and shutter shades (nothing says commitment like Shutter shades). Now off to my Redbox about alien abductions...tootles (I saw them say "tootles" on "The Kardashians" and I think I'm gonna make it my thing ;) -L

Blerg!

         This is the first official post on the LHM blog! Before this really becomes a thing, here are somethings we feel like we need to explain:

1.We are three sisters living in California, Utah, and Hawaii. We love fashion, reading, laughing, observing, watching movies, The Kardashians and sass!!!  We are in a way like Liz Lemon, Scarlett O'Hara, Grace Kelly, and The Kardashians, (hey this is our blog- we can write what we want!!)

2. There are 3 (and we're all very different) of us, so don't think this is one person.

3. We will say whatever the hey we want on here, but don't get all excited and expect to see cussing and what-not. We have boundaries!

4. There might be a lil' wisdom and advice and opinions on here every now and then. You're welcome :)

Love, LHM