Happy Friday! How has your week been? Fast and furious or slow and steady? I hope it has been everything you have hoped for.
This past week I celebrated Memorial Day and my 26th birthday.
A bright day!
Fun drinks!
A sweet night!
As we gear up for a summer filled weekend, this first weekend of June, I wanted to share somethings I have been loving as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
It Ends with Us Trailer– Last year, I read It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover and although it was a different genre and a heavier book than I typically read, I really enjoyed it. I even read the sequel and enjoyed it as well. The book is being made into a movie starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni and the trailer was released a few weeks ago. It looks really good and true to the book. I can’t wait to see Lily, Ryle, and Atlas come to life. I know I will be seeing it when it comes out.
New Blue Pants– I got these soft blue pants from Ann Taylor a few weeks ago and finally broke them out for summer! I love the pastel blue, how they are a wider pant and how you can virtually pair them with any bright or neutral top! I wore it with a pink sweater but can’t wait to try it with other combinations. Those will definitely be worn a lot in the summer months especially on cooler days.
Less Screen Time- This is a bit of a personal favorite but I have changed and limited my screen time throughout my day and have noticed a difference in my routine and sleeping. I used to always check my phone first thing when I woke up, it was the last thing I looked at before bed and I would find myself scrolling in the middle of the night if I couldn’t sleep. Now, I do my journaling and reading in the morning and at night before I check my phone. I know we have been hearing it for years to not be on the phone before bed, but after trying it myself, I am on board with it. When I can’t sleep in the middle of the night, I have found reading or mediation helps as opposed to mindless scrolling. I have found myself sleeping longer and deeper when I’m not distracted by my phone. A subtle change, but one that I have found has been making a big difference.
Just Eat– Jessie James Decker cook book Just Eat has been on heavy rotation over the past few weeks in my house. I’ve been making a lot of her recipes of the past few weeks including her shrimp fried rice, and Chinese chicken salad. They were both hits in my house for meals! I’m looking forward to trying more recipes as the summer months go on.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Chinese Chicken Salad
Can of Cola Cake
Expiration Dates– I had been seeing this book, Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle on so many blogs and finally got around to reading it and it was so good! It’s all about a young woman who gets a paper about every relationship she will be in and how long it will last. There’s a few twists that I didn’t see coming mixed in an oh-so-cute plot. I really loved the theme of live life to the fullest and the lessons you can learn from love.
That’s a look into what I’ve been loving this week! Tell me what have you been loving this week?
Hello All! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are all having a great week. Whether it has been a long week or its flying by, I hope this post is a nice midweek pick-me-up. We have been experiencing gorgeous weather over the past few days, it has been in the 80’s and I am here for it, especially in May.
My currently post is a bit earlier this month, due to a special post next week.
Here’s a look into my life lately.
What I’ve Been Up To:
Since my last Currently post at the end of April, I hit a new running distance of six and a half miles.
Then I conquered my May goal of running 7 miles! I was especially proud of how much I have built up my stamina and I look forward to continuing to do so.
I have also been enjoying the warm weather and we have been savoring lots of outside time, including eating meals outdoors. At the tail end of April, we ate dinner outside for three nights in a row and it was beautiful, less cleanup, more time outside and lots of fresh air and sunshine.
Grilling outdoors makes me happy!
My boyfriend and I spent some time detailing cars this month which was hard work but definitely worth it.
I also got to enjoy my first baseball game of the season, the weather was absolutely perfect!
My mom and I celebrated Mother’s Day with a build your own bouquet which was so fun!
I have been enjoying lots of walks with friends outdoors too!
Lots of time outdoors
I made my way to the beach for grilling and to watch the sunset.
First sunset of the season
I made my way to Cleveland for a quick trip and had a delicious meal in Little Italy.
A night out in the city
Followed by a delicious meal!
What I’m Wearing:
In the cooler days of spring, this has been my spring uniform, leggings, slip on sneakers, and a neutral top.
I also got a fresh cut for summer
What I’m Reading:
Lessons in Chemistry– is all about a chemist who hosts a cooking show in the 1960’s. I loved the combination of science and cooking and how they were intertwined throughout the book. The romance between Calvin and Elizabeth made my heart soar, but my favorite part was the importance of women working in a male dominated field in the 1960’s.
Tom Lake- this was a harder one to get into but I’m glad I read it. It’s all about a woman who shares the story about a man she loved before her husband with her grown daughter. The book goes back and forth between the past and present. The theme of the book is all about the lives that parents have before their children. I found the book to be a bit slow at times, but after it was recommended to me by friends and I read about it online I am glad I read it.
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston and it’s all about a young woman who falls in love with a man after they both end up in the same apartment, the catch? They are from different times, she’s seven years ahead of him. How does this relationship work and will they find each other in the future? You will have to read to find out. I loved the description, the setting, the characters and all the details about food which is a huge part of the book. Definitely a fun read!
The Women in Me by Britney Spears is a memoir by Britney herself. I’m glad I read it after it getting recommended to me and after hearing about it when it came out. I have never been a huge Britney Spears fan, but I did learn a lot about the pop singer. I thought she was very open and vulnerable in her writing and sharing of her story. I thought she shed a lot of light on different headlines, and it was interesting to get her perspective on things. However, I wish more things were explained and gaps were filled. Overall, I thought it was an interesting read and I did enjoy talking to my friends who had read it too. I would recommend this for a girl’s book club read if everyone is interested in the topic.
Outlive– by Peter Attia was a book recommended by Shay Shull and it’s all about longevity from all different aspects of your life. The author focuses on fitness, nutrition, emotional health, mental health, sleep, and how they are all connected. There is a heavy science component to the book but it’s very easy to understand. I really appreciated how the author connects all these different aspects of your life and how you can make small changes for a longer and healthier life. It’s one of the best health and wellness books I have read in a long time.
I think both books and series could be consumed on their own, but it was nice to visually see the stories I enjoyed so much.
I also started watching the new season of Bridgerton and have been loving this season.
What I’m Cooking: It’s been a busy month in the kitchen filled with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Air Fryer peanut Butter cookies-I started the month out by trying a recipe for air fryer peanut butter cookies. They turned out okay, but I think I will stick to my traditional peanut butter cookies in the oven.
Bacon Chopped Salad- This was super easy to assemble and was so healthy. I know I will be making this again in the summer. Make a salad with all your favorite vegetables, add in grilled chicken, corn, avocado, and chopped bacon and you are in for a flavorful and healthy meal.
Homemade Chipotle Bowls- This was a super easy to prep and healthy meal. This was my own take on Chipotle’s bowls- just cook rice and your favorite protein and add your favorite veggies and toppings. I personally love corn, black beans, avocados, sour cream, and cheese.
Chicken Caesar Salad Pasta Bowls- Another easy bowl recipe. Cook your favorite pasta with grilled chicken and a caesar salad and combine for a hearty and tasty meal.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Shrimp Fried Rice came from Jessie James Decker’s cook book. I love how this dish was so easy and fast to make in one pan, plus it was filling. The best part was that there was no leftovers.
What Inspires Me:
The sunshine and spring weather!! Here’s a look at some of my favorite moments.
Plus who can resist ice cream?!
Fresh flowers and planting has made me smile!
Grilling by the water
A surf and turf for dinner
What I Accomplished:
This was a busy month with end of school year fun, people moving home, graduations and celebrating birthdays and holidays.
My puppies enjoyed lots of sunshine!
And time indoors relaxing!
Goals from Last Month: In the midst of all the craziness I did my best to really be present and soak up the season I am in.
Perfect day for a walk this week…blue skies and not a cloud in sight
We got to view the Northern Lights this past month from our home which was such a cool experience.
It was beautiful at night!
Goals for this Month: Summer is officially here and that means it will soon be time for my summer bucket list. I’ll be sharing that soon with you all.
So many signs of spring!
I also enjoyed some trips to the zoo!
That’s a look into life lately and what I’ve been up to this week. I hope you are having a fantastic week so far. See you back here on Friday!
Hello all and happy Halloween weekend! I know Halloween falls on next Tuesday but I feel like this weekend will be a weekend full of celebrating. I know I plan on making some fun Halloween treats, popping some popcorn and enjoying a Halloween movie or two!
Fall out of my kitchen window is BEAUTIFUL!
As the week wraps up, I have a fun roundup of Friday Favorites for you as I link up with with Erika and Andrea .
Love in the Air– If you want a break from Halloween or fall movies and are searching for a light rom-com, I have just the pick for you! Love in the Air on Netflix is all about a woman who takes over her mother’s flight company in Australia. However, it’s on the brink of being closed and being bought by a larger company. After a rocky start when the potential new owner comes to visit, sparks begin to fly between the two. You can figure out the ending from here, but my favorite part was seeing all the beautiful sights in Australia, the entire continent looked gorgeous! If you are looking for a movie to escape for 90 minutes, this is it.
Such a cute movie!
Just Eat– Jessie James Decker’s new cook book, Just Eat, dropped last week and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I love browsing through cookbooks and choosing recipes that look good and attempting to make them on my own. There’s so many sweet and savory recipes that I can’t wait to test out these for myself and my family. Just paging through the book has my mouth watering. I have really enjoyed getting more comfortable in the kitchen and trying new recipes. I grew up helping my mom in the kitchen with cooking and baking and as an adult I have enjoyed the process of attempting family-favorite recipes and trying new ones too.
Latest cook book!
Fall Graphic T-Shirt– I briefly mentioned this shirt in my post on Wednesday, but I loved it so much I had to make it its own favorite! I browsed so many stores for a cute, fall graphic t-shirt and thanks to YOUR recommendations I found exactly what I was looking for on Amazon and I scored a great deal on it on Prime Days! I got this shirt. I love the fabric, how it fits and how it’s just enough fall cheer without going overboard, plus it was very affordable, what more could you ask for in a shirt? I already have a few graphic t-shirts for Christmas, but I may have to check out Amazon again to see if there’s any new styles.
Burt’s Bees Almond and Milk Hand Cream– I always have hand lotion or cream on me, whether it’s at my desk, in my car or in my purse. My hands get dry in the winter and even in the other months of the year, I like to keep my hands moisturized. I have been using Burt’s Bees Almond and Milk hand cream every day and have been really enjoying this lotion. Just be warned, it is a thick and heavy cream which is great if you have really dry skin. Because it is so heavy, you only need a little bit for your hands. I always feel better after applying some lotion at the start and end of the day and this has been a good product to try and use.
My new favorite and cream!
Kerry Washington “Thicker Than Water” article on Shondaland- I talked about Kerry Washington’s memoir, “Thicker than Water” coming out a few weeks ago and her interview with Robin Roberts. I haven’t had a chance to read “Thicker than Water” yet, but it’s on my to be read list. Recently, Washington did an interview with Shondaland about how Shonda Rhimes encouraged her to write a book in the first place. I’ve really been enjoying seeing Washington on her press tour and all the different guest moderators at her events. This article gives more insight into why Washington decided to write the book in the first place and some of the things she reveals throughout it. After all this prep, I’m looking forward to reading Washington’s book soon.
That’s a look into some of the things I have been loving this week. Some fall stuff, some shows and books and beauty products! As we gear up for Halloween-weekend, how are you celebrating? Scary movies? Costume parties? Lots of candy? I hope you have a fun and festive weekend!
