Fun Four Friday

Hello Dolls!

It's the most wonderful day of the week- Friday! Part of last week and some of this week has been an emotional wreck for me, which I will get to.. but some high notes for the week included these!

1. In no way does this picture do this French Toast justice!! Sunday morning was spent at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia.  Joe & I along with some friends enjoyed a delicious breakfast which included this stuffed french toast with marscapone cheese (my favorite), bacon and bananas.. YUMMO! Followed by some shopping in the city.

2.This throw back picture was taken right before Prom 2005 (hence the hair do) with my 3 month old puppy! Tuesday we celebrated her birthday!

3.Like I said before we celebrated Milana's birthday on Tuesday.. with her favorite cake of course- Vanilla Coconut, she loved it can't you tell!

4. I guess I should tell you what's been bothering me this week.. Late last week Milana had a visit to a specialty vet because her allergies have been really acting up (or so what the Vet has been telling us). It turns out that after running tests they would numerous tumors inside her nose. For being so young only 9, this is very uncommon, but does happen. The vet told my parents that we would know when it 'is time' and to make her as comfortable as possible. So for time being this still happy and cheerful butterball, has free rein in my parents house.  Her crate which she sleeps in is plopped in the middle of the kitchen, her favorite blankets tossed all around the couch for her during the day, and did I mention my mom makes her a buttered waffle every morning for breakfast!  Anyway, when I got this news last week I was so sad and heartbroken... but after seeing her normal self this weekend, I learned to just cherish every moment left with her.  It is all in God's hands now.

Hope you all had a good week and some awesome plans this weekend!

The Truth Behind Disney's Pixar

Yesterday I saw someone post a link on Facebook about the real identity behind Andy's mom from Toy Story.  After reading this article I literally became obsessed and wanted to watch every Pixar movie to find out what else I was missing.  Well that didn't happen considering I would need lots of free time, which if you hang around here often you know does not happen!
After around I found the whole Pixar Theory here. Are you ready to get blown away.. read this article!!

Oscar Party

This Sunday is Oscar Sunday!! I've never been to an Oscar party before or even thought of throwing one.. until now. I started to brain storm ideas, and kept coming back to a old Hollywood feel.  

First step to any great party is your amazing guest list! Send out an old Hollywood Fashion invite complete with dress attire (so your invitees can dress the part!) Check out my post from yesterday to get the perfect outfit!

Purchase invite here!

No Oscar Party is complete without you watching intently and having a ballot. Now I know there are a lot of categories, so on my ballot I chose to just reflect on six.

Best Picture, Leading Actor and Actress, Best Animated Film, Best Original Song and Best Visuals:

In the modern era, 'selfies' have become the IT thing through social media. Why not add some fun into it using these Photobooth Accessories and snapping some selfies! Publish them on Instagram and don't forget to hashtag to view all the memorable moments! #Heartsnstuffoscars14

Popcorn Bar:

When I think of movies, I think of going to the theater and about $30 later snacking on some popcorn and candy.  Why not have you guest snack on some popcorn with extra add on's and can't forget about all the candy!

Via 

What you need:

Popcorn 

Different seasonings 

M&M's

Reese's Pieces

Peanuts & Almonds

Extra Butter

Use apothecary jars to store the popcorn for the party.  Put your store bought seasonings into little salt & pepper shakers for your guest to easily sprinkle on their snack.  Make your own, or purchase bags at the dollar store for guest to enjoy their snacks in! Add finishing touches using lots of glitter and making signs so that everyone knows what is what on the table! 

Candy Bar:

What you need

Milk Duds

Licorice

JuJu Bees

Sour Patch Kids

M&M's

Arrange an assortment of candy in baskets and jars. Make sure to add tags to all options so your guests know exactly what they are getting!

What is a party without some cocktails! Luckily our friends on THE CHEW hooked us up with some fun options!

Click here for full recipes!

So now all you need is your friends over for a night at the movies.. I mean watching the Oscars! Enjoy!

Oscar Night Outfit!

So you didn't get your invite to attend the Oscars.. bummer. But you are invited to a party! Go YOU! Now you think what do I wear?? A ball gown?? A cocktail dress?? JEANS?? ahhh.. I would say your best bet is to talk to the host- assuming they are friends of yours that is! See what the attire is. Most likely on your invite it will say your attire, but if this isn't the case, you can't go wrong with a little black skirt and a blazer!

Top / Blazer / Skirt / Pumps / Earrings / Necklace

But what if you didn't get invited to a party? Are you totally bummed and would love to throw one?? Well stick around because tomorrow I will be sharing my Oscar Party Night inspiration!

Birch Box // February

This box was a little different when I took it out of my mailbox. Birch box comes with a cardboard 'wrapping' outside the box which includes your actual box with products inside it. When I took it out all I could hear was glass banging against each other and could only imagine the mess I would see when I opened the box up.  To my surprise nothing was broken, just packaged poorly.. With that aside I was happy to see a very hot pink polish and a sunscreen, which could only mean that Spring is on it's way!!

Smashbox Cosmetics, Full Exposure Mascara- I thought this would be just another mascara I would end up putting in my jar of samples, but after opening to see the barrel it is actually pretty big! I find that throughout the day I like to refresh my mascara, but hate carrying my who make up bag.. this would fit perfect into my purse and easy to travel.

Beauty Protector, Protect & Oil- This oil targets hair that has been dried out from heat and UV rays. Simple massage into the ends of damp hair and dry as normal. I will definitely be giving this a try, since in winter my hair gets abnormally dry with all the heat blasted from drying it with every wash.

COOLA, Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face- This made me beyond happy to see! SUNSCREEN!!!! ahh! Anyway, this is a tinted SPF which is a little dark for me to wear right now without any tan.  But once I get a base tan this is definitely something I will give a try! A plus to this product is it is scentless!

Ruby Wing, Color Changing Nail Polish in Kitten Heels- First off can we please look at the name of this product- Kitten Heel, how fun is that! Secondly- look at the color, it shouts out to me SPRING/SUMMER! Anyway, after inspecting this vibrant color, it's actually sun changing. It goes from this hot pink shown above to a deep magenta in the sun.  Pretty cool!

Smashbox Cosmetics, Full Exposure Palette (NOT SHOWN)- The hues in this palette are very close to mimicking those of the Urban Decay Naked palette. There is only enough to use each color once or twice, but would be good for an weekend excursion out!

If you are interested in signing up for a BirchBox simply go here.

Fun Four Friday

It's FINALLY Friday! This week feels as though it dragged on.. maybe because this my first full week at work due to snow in two weeks! Besides the snow there was some fun points this week..

1. When I saw this posted on Facebook I literally laughed out loud. This is totally my boyfriend. 

 2. I received the sweetest card from my parents. It made me cry when I opened it up! It's so perfect Pink & Cupcakes!

3. This little guy or I should say big guy since I have NO room for it in my little kitchen; found its way home with me this week! I just love the mint green color of it (real color Candy Apple) 

 4. I took the picture on the right last weekend at our cheerleading competition and the one on the left was taken in 2011.  What changes we both made! It is a pleasure seeing these kids grow up right in front of my eyes!

What fun Friday happenings did you have going on??

Have a great weekend dolls!

Snow>> GO AWAY!

Lately, I haven't been myself, mostly this is in part to the amounts of snow, freezing rain, and ice we have been getting. I'm not gonna lie, it is very hard getting out of my warm bed in the morning especially looking out the window and seeing nothing but covered cars, mounds of snow and hearing plows constantly.  You know it's getting bad when your 'snow dog' aka Siberian Husky doesn't want to leave the house!

Oh and let's talk about the grocery store right before a storm shall we.. 

But really, who needs to buy that much cereal and oatmeal?? The best time to go grocery shopping I have come to the conclusion is when it just starts snowing or just finished! That is IF anything is left for you..

On the brighter side, it is suppose to be almost 60 this weekend.. yay 60!!! And we are almost to end of gloomy February- double YAY!! However, just like that all hopes are shot down, because we are suppose to return to a polar vortex next week.. #sadface

What Is Behind 'Hearts & Stuff' and Some Facts!

The other day I was shocked when someone called me 'unapproachable'. It actually made me very sad and a little angry at the same time. I like to think that I am a very easy spirited person.  One who has a temper at times.. that my family credits as the 'Casciano Temper' in which there is at least one person in each immediate family that holds this Italian temper! But that only comes out if someone REALLY ticks me off, and when that happens take cover! I have a hard time saying no to anyone. If you ask me to do something I will most likely say yes and try my hardest to fit everything into my crazy schedule. So for someone to say I'm 'unapproachable' really upsets me.

After speaking with some friends, they let me know that sometimes not opening up to people may come off as say 'bitchy' or 'unapproachable'  just because I'm not a loud and in your face person- until you get to know me that is! So in this new year I want to try and become more socialable towards people even before I get to know them.  I need to remember everyone has a story!

Onto a lighter note.. 

I'm sure some of you are wondering what is the meaning behind Hearts & Stuff?
... Well this goes way back to my college days. I don't actually know where it started but during pledging for my sorority, my pledge sisters and I started saying it to each other instead of the typcical 'I Love You' we would say  'Hearts & Stuff'.  This then stuck through with me throughout college, typing it on peoples walls, writing it in cards, and even just making a heart sign to friends! After graduating and starting my all star cheerleading program, my first team I coached was a young group of kids between 8-14 years old.  Some were very inexperienced and at their first competition was in awe at what they saw from other teams! I started saying to these kids that they have my heart & stuff and before every performance would shoot them the heart sign from the front row of the mat. I still say this to the kids now three seasons later, and they say it to each other also! So when thinking of a name for my blog, I wanted something I could put my heart into and write with passion and show my creative side also! So this title I thought would be perfect. Easy to remember.. and kinda catchy!

What are some other facts you don't know about me??

• I used to be a redhead.. yes that's right I was a ginger when I was little

  

  I also clearly looked like Shirley Temple with my curls.  Oh and PS that is food in my mouth.. I wasn't that chubby!

• In high School I played three sports and earned 4 Varsity Letters in each ... Cheerleading, Volleyball, & Softball!- and served as Captain in all three!

• I guess I should say about how small my school was.. I graduated with 45 kids with 1/2 being exchange students from other countries! So the life of a Catholic School Girl!

  

  Isn't my roommate gorgeous!! PS my skirt was trimmed just a little for Halloween festivities!

• I sometimes say words wrong. 

America Says:                           I Say:

Pull                                            Pool

Graham                                      Grayham

Salad                                          Sal- it

And those are just some of the many

• I was in a Sorority in College- Sigma Sigma Sigma to be exact and met 8 of my best friends. We were together through thick and thin and was so sad to leave them when we graduated. 
  
  
  
  

That's all I will leave you with right now.. Hope this gives you a better glimpse into Hearts & Stuff :o)

Gifts Under $25

Why is it that four of my friends have birthdays all within two weeks in February. Mix in Valentine's Day = Broke. I am the type of person that loves to give gifts! Not that I give to expect them in return, I literally just LOVE giving gifts..

• Putting thought into it
• Going on the hunt for it
• Wrapping or decorating it
• The look on their faces

Just some of the reasons!

But those gifts can add up! Especially when they all come at the same time (like February).  I've compiled some options for gifts that are all under $25

1.Cardigan- If you have been out to shopping at any mall lately, you will see most stores are putting out their Spring essentials! Now is the best time to stock up on winter & cold weather accessories. You can get pretty much any cardigan on sale now!

2.Coasters-I love the look of these wooden signs, and who doesn't need coasters for their living room tables! What cute sayings!

3.Bottle Opener- This can be hung on a wall next to a bar cart or outside for your summer gatherings and parties.  Great idea if a friend has a beach house, aren't we always loosing the bottle opener outside!

4.Jewelry Box- Can be used for men or women to store jewelry, watches, coins or personal items!

5.Hot Sauce- Does your friend like spicey or hot food?! This brand can typically be found at any local grocery store, but perhaps try different flavors or brands your friend wouldn't normally purchase!

6.Wine Glass- Just imagine your wineo friends face when they open up this bad boy! It's so cute and would make a great asset to any bar or bar chart they may have! 

7.Candle Warmer- If you know your friends don't like using actual candles because of the fear of flames in their house, this is a perfect alternative.  Great for use in offices also!

8.Luggage Tag- Is your friend an avid traveler? Or how about going on a vacation in the near future? You can help them out and gift them a tag and even better, put a gift card in the tag! Two gifts in one!

9.Wine- You can NEVER and I repeat NEVER go wrong with a bottle of wine for a friend.  This is probably the easiest and cheapest gift. Price range for a typcial bottle of everyday wine is from $5- $20! Put a little ribbon around the neck and you are good to go!

10.Stationary- I am a firm believer that everyone needs stationary! Whether to write your grocery list, or send a letter this is a great idea. If you don't want to do anything over the top or to frilly for them, simply go with a monogrammed letter on it! 

Hope these gift ideas help you out to try and stay on a budget of $25.00!

Also, a Big Shout out and Happy Birthday to my best girl and guy!

Happy Birthday, Brenna!!!

Happy Birthday, Kevin!!!

Beauty Box >> February

My beauty box has finally arrived! Beauty box is celebrating their 2 year anniversary in February so as a bonus they are having a sweepstakes to win two tickets to a weekend getaway.. doesn't say where- but I'd take anywhere warm at this point!! Although I was excited to open it up thinking there would be all kinds of Valentines Day stuff, this month was kinda of a dud to me. None of the products really appeal to me and most likely will only be using one of them!

1. Elizabeth Mott, Volumizing Mascara- This mascara has a very small barrel which is good for the under lashes, but I prefer a large barrel to use on a daily bases to help curl my lashes also!
2. John Frieda, Luxurious Volume shampoo & Conditioner- One thing this girl doesn't need is any volume added to her hair! Even though I won't be using this, I was very surprised to see John Frieda included in the box! This will definitely be used in my 'guest jar' (all my samples I haven't used that any guest I have can use!)
3. H2O, Targeted Care- This is a non scented moisturizer for hand and cuticles.  This time of year, my hands get super dry which causes them to crack or get hang nails. This travel size is great to throw into my bag and without scent since it isn't to over powering.
4. Rockstar Nails, Nail Sprinkles- If you read this post, you know I didn't do to well with my last 'caviar' experience.  I don't think I will be using this one either.  The little microbeads are so tiny and to put them on your nails you would have to dumb them out in order to apply them.  Also, when I opened them up, they fell all over my table - big thumbs down.
5. Rockstar Nail, Nail Polish- This is a very pretty pink color, however it is very bright! I will have to wait until it warms up a little to get the true color of this hue- especially with a good tan!
BONUS:
$10 off a purchase at My Name Necklace- This may be my perfect time to get my monogram necklace I've been craving!

Did you receive a Beauty Box 5 this month?? Hope you enjoy your products

Fun Four Friday

Well here in the Northeast we are currently digging out from a large snow storm and I can't help but think thoughts of summer and the beach, so I will leave you with just this picture today! Warm thoughts xo

Valentine's Day Date Ideas

Well time is running out if you have not gotten your special someone that perfect gift! You can check out my ideas here. So tomorrow will be the biggest date night all year.. have you made reservations yet?? Well if you haven't then keep reading because I have some stay at home and alternate ideas!

Oh and remember these cookies from last year.. 

Find the recipe here! Maybe you can make them for your sweetheart.. or a bake sale?!

Ashley's Top 6 Date Ideas

1. Have a takeout dinner at home and later go to a fancy bar for drinks.
Restaurants will be packed and most only offer a prefixed menu for this special night.  Why night have your favorites meal right in your own home! If you must get out of the house, put on your best dress and heels of course and go to a classy bar for cocktails and drinks.

2.Game night
With my busy schedule, its hard to stay in and just play a board game with my man. Take a night away from social media and just enjoy each other's company.

3. Recreate your first date
Whether your first date was at the local pizza shop, or at a friends house party. Try the best you can to recreate this.  Maybe have the same drinks or beer you had, make a similar meal to your first date, or go to a special place you first caught each others eyes!

4. Spend 1/2 day doing his favorite things and the other half doing your favorite things
My favorite time of day is weekend Brunch and Joe's favorite is a steak dinner! Compromise and do both! Spend Saturday with a mimosa brunch and a night out with beer and steak!

5.Tapas and sangria night
Maybe you are not into the whole big meal thing and rather have smaller portions while just lounging around. Go with the tapa's option and make a pitcher of Sangria

6.Go ice skating and have a hot chocolate bar at home.
With the Olympics in full swing, why not try your hand in some ice skating.  I have not gone ice skating since I was probably 12 so if you are like me, most likely you will spend more time on the ice then on your feet!

After all that skating go home and enjoy a warm up with a hot chocolate bar!