Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

As the last few days of summer slowly linger by and the days start to cool down, I can't help but smile. There is only one magical thing on my mind... Fall.


{ Mmmm... Fall! }

Crisp autumn days are my absolute favorite time of the year for oh-so-many reasons. Golden and crimson colored trees. Leaves crunching under my feet while on a long walk. Yummy candy corn. Halloween. My birthday. But of course I can't leave out my favorite reason... delicious fall spices and flavors.

I've been tweaking some of my favorite fall recipes so that I can reveal to you one of my favorite and most tasty creations yet...


{ Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins }


Your tastebuds will be tantalized by hints of cinnamon,
nutmeg, allspice, rich pumpkin
and ooey gooey chocolate chips.
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Ingredients

3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil**
2 eggs
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips


**Sub unsweetened applesauce for the same taste with fewer calories and fat!


Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2) Grease muffin pan or use muffin liners.

3) Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water.

4) In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.

5) Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips.

6) Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter and bake for 20 minutes.

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With an overwhelming approval rate of A+++++ from BF, family and friends, this recipe is a sure fire hit for you! I could eat a dozen of these delicious spicy/chocolatey suckers!


If you bake these little gems, pretty please
let me know what you think!



Bon Appetit!





{pic}
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PS- Looking for new followers or fun new blogs? Don't forget that the Mingle Monday blog hop is open until Wednesday at midnight. Stop by and get your blog some exposure!
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Going to the Chapel!

I can hear the chapel bells... can't you?

YES folks, the magical engagement has FINALLY happened! What a wonderful surprise! Now, it's time to plan a wedding!

I can't wait for the dress shopping, cake tasting, bachelorette party and wedding night dancing... bring on the madness!




That's right, my BEST FRIEND, Courtney, is going to be walking down the aisle this spring with me by her side.

Isn't her ring absolutely gorgeous? It is the biggest, most beautiful ring I have ever seen and it looks so huge and sparkly on her dainty little finger.





I apologize for my lack of posting on Friday. I was so anxious and excited for their surprise engagement party, that I couldn't risk blabbing or hinting! BF and I loaded up his mini Friday afternoon and arrived just in time to completely SHOCK the soon-to-be bride and make her fiance super happy!

BF and I were introduced by Courtney (my bestie since 8th grade) and Matt (his bestie/cousin) more than a year ago, so they have an extra special place in our hearts. We're very excited to be a part of their beautiful upcoming May wedding...


Court, let's get this shin-dig planned, lovie!




{ I love you, hunny! Congrats to you & Matt! }


Please stop by her beautiful blog, Honeycomb Creative Co., and leave her lovely congrats wishes if you can!





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PS- Looking for new followers or fun new blogs? Don't forget that the Mingle Monday blog hop is open until Wednesday at midnight. Stop by and get your blog some exposure!
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Mingle Monday

Welcome to this week's Mingle Monday! For those of you who are new, the Mingle Monday blog hop is open from today until Wednesday at midnight.

It was such an amazing weekend (update + fun news coming soon!), so now it's time to ease back into the week via fabulous socializing!




Please keep spreading the word about Mingle Monday! Perhaps mention it at the bottom of one of your posts? I want to make sure that it keeps growing so that everyone gets new people visiting their blogs every single week!

I challenege each person to invite a few new blog friends - imagine if everyone brought a few new people... WOO! New followers for you! :)

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How to enter the party:

1) Must be a [Life of Meg] follower to participate.

**If not a follower yet, please click the follow button on the right hand side to be elligible!**

2) Scroll down to the bottom of this blog and click on the link to enter.

3) Add a cute picture and your blog's name.

4) Voila! You're ready to mingle!


How to play:

1) Click on other blogs' thumbnails and go visit their blog.

2) Leave them a comment saying hello from the [Life of Meg] Mingle Monday.

3) Come back and leave a short encouraging review of the 2 blogs you visited!

4) Feature Mingle Monday in a blog post for your chance to be featured on my Weekly Must Reads - I send my readers YOUR WAY! Please leave me your post URL link via comment - so easy!

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** The linky is open until Wednesday at midnight (CST)... so get mingling! **
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Happy Monday!

Lovey Dovey

Perhaps I am extra ooey gooey today because BF gets back in town from a long work trip and I missed him... I'm not sure! All I know is that every single time I hear this song by Bruno Mars my heart melts into a lovey dovey mess...

...and I love it.


I'm so lucky to have such a sweet man
who makes me feel so very special every single day!

"You know, you know, you know, I'd never ask you to change. If perfect's what you're searching for then just stay the same."

~Bruno Mars

.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.


I hope you feel extra special today!

Warning: Scary Facebook Danger!

Last Friday Facebook launched it's new "Places" feature. As cool as some may think it is, it's danger just waiting to happen.


Basically, "Places" is a location-based service utilizing your phone's GPS to allow you to "check in" to locations using your cell phone. After you check-in somewhere, facebook automatically posts your location to Facebook.




The idea is that you can find friends near you. Or you can tell friends where you are so they can join you. When you stop to think about it, it sounds like a lot of fun... think again.

Letting people know your location is dangerous! It could let burglars know you are away from home. Or it might let a stalker figure out your routine. When someone clicks on your location they can even pull up an exact map and address of where you are.


Hmmm... sounds like a great way
to get stalked, robbed, raped or mugged if you ask me.


Unfortunately this feature is enabled automatically for all Facebook users, BUT you can restrict who can see your location.

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How to disable FB "Places" feature:

- Open up your Facebook profile.
- Go to the Accounts menu and select Privacy Settings.
- Select the Custom option on the left.
- Click the Customize Settings link (at the bottom of the page)

- Find the "Places I Check In" option.
- I recommend setting it to Friends Only at least.
- Or even better, click Customize and select specific friends.
- On mine I set it to Only Me.

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Just below is the Include Me In "People Here Now" option. This feature notifies other Facebook users when you check in near them. It doesn't matter if they are on your Friend list or not. I recommend un-checking this feature.

You might think that you're done. But Facebook added a sneaky extra feature. Your friends are allowed to check you in to places. This means your location could be broadcast without your permission. Fortunately, you can turn that off as well.


- Scroll down in the Privacy Settings to Things Others Share.
- Find an option labeled "Friends Can Check Me In To Places"
- Set that to Disabled.

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{ Now your friends can't share where you are! }

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I hope I helped keep you all safe! Please tell your friends about this - feel free to direct them to my post! It's a scary world out there and we all have to look out for each other!


Hugs!




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PS- Looking for new followers or fun new blogs? Don't forget that the Mingle Monday blog hop is open until tonight (Wednesday) at midnight. Stop by and get your blog some exposure!
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Hello Social Butterfly!

Why hello there, lovelies! I have the most exciting news for you! Knowing that I have the most trendy blog friends who love shopping, spas and restaurants as much as I do, I have to tell you about the BEST thing ever...


{ GROUPON! }

Have you heard of it?
Perfect for a social butterfly like yourself!


How Groupon works:
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- Click HERE to find your city and get the daily deal
- Each day Groupon.com sends an amazing deal at an unbeatable price!
- If you are interested in the deal, you click "buy".
- If enough people buy the daily deal, it's on and you win!
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Groupon features awesome deals!

- Spa Packages
- Entertainment
- Boutiques
- Manis/Pedis
- Gourmet Restaurants
- Local Attractions
- Sports Tickets
- Coffee Shops
- Night Life
- Theatre
- Bakeries

...and so much more!

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My favorite recent Groupon purchase:

- $25 for $50 worth of merchandise at the GAP!
(I totally love Groupon!)



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You're totally jazzed now aren't you? You should be!


Click HERE to get your city's Groupon!


All I can say is morning is my favorite time of day because I look forward to waking up and seeing the fabulous Groupon deal daily deal!




Happy Bargain Shopping!






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PS- Looking for new followers or fun new blogs? Don't forget that the Mingle Monday blog hop is open until tonight (Wednesday) at midnight. Stop by and get your blog some exposure!
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"The Notebook" Inspired Engagement Photos

When I first stumbled across these engagement photos by Blushing Bride Studios, I thought they were actually photos from the movie! Both Cindy & her fiance Jean-Nicola love "The Notebook"...

...not to mention Cindy could be Rachel McAdams TWIN!








I dedicate this post to my sweet little sister, who is by far the #1 fan of "The Notebook". Love you, Sister!





PS- Scroll down to the next post to see a gorgeous wedding inspired by (500) Days of Summer!


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PPS- Looking for new followers or fun new blogs? Don't forget that the Mingle Monday blog hop is open until Wednesday at midnight. Stop by and get your blog some exposure!
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Wedding: (500) Days of Summer Inspired

Absolutely in love with this vintage (500) Days of Summer inspired wedding shoot by Green Wedding Shoes.

Perhaps I am easily persuaded due to (500) Days being my all-time favorite film {it's a must see!}, or even more so because of the gorgeous styling and attention to each intricate detail.

{ Enjoy! }




Don't you just love these shots? The vintage touches and city
views are very Tom + Summer.








I just love the way they incorporated so many beautiful aspects from the movie. Rooftop + sunset. Pancakes. Vintage teacups.






What lovely touches! Summer's origami birds. Cute chalkboard place settings. Soft pastel flowers in pretty vases.






How cute are the "I love us" cards at the note table? I especially love the card he's holding... "A story of boy meets girl" with the
cityscape in the background.

.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.:::.


Now you're in love too, aren't you? I know what I am doing tonight...
...I have a date with Tom & Summer!



Happy Tuesday!





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PS- Looking for new followers or fun new blogs? Don't forget that the Mingle Monday blog hop is open until Wednesday at midnight. Stop by and get your blog some exposure!
___________________________________________________

Mingle Monday

Welcome to this week's Mingle Monday! For those of you who are new, the Mingle Monday blog hop is open from today until Wednesday at midnight.

I hope this brings some sunshine to your week, because I know you all certainly make my day!


{ Time to Mingle!! }





How to enter the party:

1) Must be a [Life of Meg] follower to participate.

**If not a follower yet, please click the follow button on the right hand side to be elligible!**

2) Scroll down to the bottom of this blog and click on the link to enter.

3) Add a cute picture and your blog's name.

4) Voila! You're ready to mingle!



How to play:

1) Click on other blogs' thumbnails and go visit their blog.

2) Leave them a comment saying hello from the [Life of Meg] Mingle Monday.

3) Come back and leave a short encouraging review of the 2 blogs you visited!

4) NEW THIS WEEK - please tell me how you found [Life of Meg] for an added chance to be featured on my Weekly Must Reads (see details below).





**BONUS**

Be featured as my Weekly Must Read!

I pick 3 blogs a week (raffle style) and give an amazing recommendation of your blog and content - new follower for you!
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1st entry: Write a blog post featuring Minge Monday and leave me the URL link via comment - so easy!

Special 2nd entry: Please tell me about how you found [Life of Meg] for a second entry to win!

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{ Super easy, super fun! }


Remember, positivity comes back around! If you rave about somebody else's blog, there is a GREAT chance that somebody will give YOU an amazing recommendation!

You have a higher chance of someone seeing your blog if you visit several - so add to the fun and be a generous mingler!


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** The linky is open until Wednesday at midnight (CST)... so get mingling! **
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Happy Monday!