As if the words Southern Hospitality didn't already conjure up sweet thoughts in your head

I'm not even gonna talk about it, because in my opinion, putting words to something this good is just wrong.

So just take a bite, close your eyes, and breathe a big sigh of "Where've you been all of my life?"

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

photo c/o Wikipedia

Awesome


Awesomer...

The CHOCOLATEY part, not the 'partially hydrogenated vegetable oil' part.


This week I discovered that they make a chocolate version of one of my most favorite candy bars in the world, Charleston Chews. And yes, I now know that they make a strawberry version too, but with very few exceptions, please don't add any type of fruit ingredient or healthy fruit taste to any of my sinful delights. If I wanted fruit flavor I would have headed to the produce department. It's kind of like how my sis Sal Gal says that the apples ruin a good apple crunch pie. It's like phrasing gossip in the form of a prayer request, it's just wrong. You with me?

Charleston Chews have been around for a very long time, since 1922 to be exact, but they are often hard to come by. My grandparents said that when they were growing up they were sold in almost every store. But now I can only find them in certain ones in my area. I don't know how people made it before 1922, wondering around aimlessly I'm sure, headed through life without these delicious treats. It's even made with imitation chocolate, but I cannot bring myself to discriminate. And it was of no surprise to me to see that the Tootsie Roll Industries are the ones who produce this sweet bar of love, as you'll remember my post from a while back about another obsession of mine.

And then the other day, after I take my last bite of one, I look at the wrapper and it reads, "Try Me Frozen." Try you frozen you say? Well I thought you'd never ask. There's a Charleston Chew on aisle two waiting on me and it's freezer bound I tell ya. I LOVE desserts and candy that you can put in the freezer. I love putting these and these and of course Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies® into the freezer as they all seem to become more delectable with ever degree they drop.

Anyone else out their share the love for these chewy bars? I bet your grandma does. If not, you got something else I should try?

As I said, sometimes they are hard to find, but this chic wouldn't hesitate to jump in her car and drive to Charleston for this Chew.

Hello Lover

I'm addicted.


I'm addicted to the simplistic joy that a tootsie roll surrounded by fruity, hard candy can bring. I realize that these beauts aren't the newest, hippest candy around. I used to eat them as a kid on occasion, but never to the extent that I do now. I've recently rediscovered these precious gems and I can't tell you how much I look forward to eating one or two......okay, maybe five, a day. Seriously, I'm not even bull skatin'. I eat these pops one right after the other, like they were potato chips.

Our school has a snack stand for students in the afternoon and who do you think is the FIRST in line, waiting for her Tootsie Roll Pop?! Yep. Move over Billy. Watch out Sara Beth. I need my POP!


So there ya have it. I'm a pretty simple girl.

That little stick of goodness is my drug of choice these days.


What's yours?

I thought you should know, I've met someone new

Yes, it's true.


It happens to the best of us.


I have indeed met someone new.

I didn't see it coming.

It just happened.

Meet Dyson.

I guess I shouldn't say that I didn't see it coming, when in fact, I know I did. I've been looking him up and down since the first day I caught a glimpse of him.

Sal Gal is in a relationship with his twin, and I hate to say it, but I've borrowed him a few times for myself. It was on those few occasions that I completely fell head over heels.

Okay, I can't do it anymore....

M to the Izz-A had this beauty waiting on me when I got home from work yesterday.

I know some may have taken a gift such as this as an insult of sorts. You got me WHAT? THIS was the surprise?! YOU PUNK!

I've been wanting a Dyson for quite a while now. I'm telling you, if you've never used one, you have NO IDEA what you or your home is missing. I only thought I was cleaning before. This vacuum cleans like you never knew a vacuum could.

So today, I'm gonna get my clean on.

You'll be surprised to know that I let Kate go and stay with her Grammy (Matt's mom) this weekend. I have never done this before. I, the mother, am the one with seperation anxiety. Admitting it is the first step, right? Well, this time I figured I could give it a try. I mean, she is 15 months old! So Matt and I met his mom half-way to hand my love over for the weekend. Hence the reason that I will be able to clean my entire house in one day and not just "spot treat", as Matt calls it.

Big things people, big things.

JOY, inside and out!

"Taking joy in life is a woman's best cosmetic."
-Rosalind Russell


LOVE, love this quote. It's one of my favorites and is so very true.


But lets's face it, sometimes life slaps ya in the face with, well,................life. So, for the days you're feeling a little less than joyful (and may those days be few and far between) and you need a little help (not that any of you ever do I'm sure!), here's a few inexpensive products that I am lovin' right now.
























1. Albolene - In the past, I used only Arbonne products but have recently tried a few others. Come to find out, it's good ol' $11.00 straight from the drug store Albolene that I've been missing.
I came across this stuff while reading Big Mama. She had a pic of her 90 year-old "Nanna" sitting there looking all twenty-ish and stuff. She recommended Albolene and I figured I'm not getting any younger and tried it.


I've never been a fan of real creamy, vaseline-feeling cleansers but I'm telling you now, this stuff is awesome. It really cleanses and leaves your skin feeling SO very smooth. Love it!


























2. Jane Shimmer Blush (in Natural) - This stuff gives you just enough shimmer and doesn't look overdone.

3. Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush lip gloss (in Passion Fruit Pop or Piece of Cake) - This is my all time favorite lip gloss. It is perfection in a tube ladies.



So there you go, a few of my faves that'll still leave ya some celery in your pockets!

Edition 2: Sunday Savings

Alternate title: Saving Some MOE-NAY!

Today we decided to go to all three stores. First we went to Walgreens, then Publix and last Winn-Dixie. I was really impressed with my savings today.

Here's a pic of Sal Gal. She didn't really want me to post it as we were already pretty deep into our shopping. Her exact quote was, "No one looks good midgame, Hollie!"

14 cents Powerade + 98 cents trailmix = perfect halftime nourishment
"Drink powerade, Get powered up!" Because strategic shopping IS a sport!

My favorite quote from her today was when she looked at me dead serious, with wisdom-filled eyes, and said, "Now, you can't be scared of looking like a nerd when you play The Grocery Game." Nerd? You just gave away your age my friend.

We really enjoyed our time together, and she didn't mind hearing me sing "Get your clip on, get your clip, getcha getcha getcha getcha Getcha clip on" (sung to the tune of a once popular Missy Elliott song).

The beauty of The Grocery Game is that you build a stock pile so that when you run out of something, you go to your home store (the mini-grocery store you've created). That way, you're not at the mercy of the seller and their prices. And another great thing is that you try brands and items that you may have never tried. Take for instance, my new found love for Sara Lee's Soft and Smooth bread. I mean, yes we've just started dating but we're already looking at rings. It is soooo good!

Hello lover.


Okay, I should really get to the main star of this post: The Savings!

Walgreens: saved $81.42 spent 102.97

Winn Dixie: saved $54.61 spent $ 74.71

Publix: saved $54.14 spent $51.53

In other words, I got $419.38 worth of groceries for only $229.21! Go ahead, have a seat, take all the time you need. Let me know when you wanna join in. Matt couldn't believe it. If I keep coming home with receipts like this, I could single-handedly be bringin' sexy back.

Savings like this deserve a heel click!

And THAT'S pretty much what's up.