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Have y'all seen these? I debated on whether to share them with you only because I wanted you all to think that I was just really great at styling my own hair.


The Goody Spin Pin. These things are amazing, and for someone with hair as massive as mine, that's saying something. A friend graciously agreed to take down her cute 'do to demonstrate them for me, and needless to say, I went out asap to get some myself. I tested them out this weekend, and they work exactly the way they say they do (hooray for small victories). I of course had to use both of them, but you just gather your hair at the base of your neck or wherever, twist into a bun, twist these little beauties in, and voila! I'm in love. Twist away, ladies!

Mama Jones at the XO house used to call me Cookie Monster because I adore a cookie. So does Kell - probably why we've managed to keep a marriage together for 4 years. A couple of months ago he asked me to make butter cookies. Well, I'd never had a butter cookie, but thanks to his super chef mom, I had the recipe. After a failed attempt ("those don't look like my mom's," says Kell), I think I've finally gotten them down.

Freddie's Rich Butter Cookies

1 cup butter (yep, that's 2 sticks)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla, butter and nut flavoring (this was hard to find. Kell's mom brought us some, and we finally spotted some at the Madison Wal-Mart)
2 1/2 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt

Cream butter; add sugar gradually, creaming until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, butter and nut flavoring; beat well. Sift together dry ingredients. Blend with creamed mixture. Drop by teaspoons onto ungreased (remember all that butter) cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned, and you have a happy Kell!