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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #36

Hey hey! Happy Friday and happy Easter weekend. I always look forward to Easter as a time to reflect and really embrace the spring season. I hope you have something fun planned this weekend with family if you celebrate. 

Today’s Friday Favorites is truly a mixed bag, from things to read, listen to and watch and use! I guarantee you, there’s something you will find that you like. Here’s some things I’m loving as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

Colette-Have you seen Colette yet? It came up as a recommendation for me on Netflix and my interest was piqued. Although, it’s a few years old, it’s definitely worth the watch. The movie follows the story of a young woman who falls in love and marries a man in the 1940’s. She ends up being his ghost writer, but it doesn’t exactly go as planned. My favorite part of the movie was that it was based on a true story. So fascinating!

The Bestie Breakdown– One of my favorite podcasts, The Bestie Breakdown is back for season 4! Erika and Shay breakdown so many fun and relatable topics, I love listening to their fun conversations about life, pop culture and family. They’ve released a few episodes so far and I have loved listening to them. I took a road trip last week and listening to this podcast made the time go by so fast. Looking forward to see what other topics they breakdown this season.

Hello Spring!-Sticking with the spring vibes, this Hello Spring lotion from Bath and Body Works has been a favorite for me. I keep it in my car and apply it daily. I love the soft scent that’s not too overpowering. This and lotion is just a subtle nod to spring that’s been a bright spot in my days!

Emily Ley on Substack– Emily Ley, founder and creator of Simplified has started writing on a new platform called Substack. I’ve used substack before to follow Elizabeth Holmes who writes and follows the Royal Family. Substack allows people to read/write and listen to longer form thoughts and musings. So far Emily has written about her sabbatical, books she’s read and things she’s learned. I can’t wait to read more from her this year.

Biggest Changes from Book to Screen for Daisy Jones– I promise this is one of the last times I will talk about Daisy Jones, but for those who read the book and watched the series, this article is great at comparing the two and spotting the differences. As I’m working on this post, I am listening to the show’s soundtrack. SO GOOD!

Well there you have it, just a look into life lately and what I’m loving! I hope you have a fantastic Easter weekend! He will soon be risen!

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Currently

Currently #39

Hello all! Happy Wednesday and Happy end of March! I wish this month felt like more like spring, but it felt more like winter. To put it in perspective, we got more snow in March than in February and we didn’t even get that much snow.

A look at March in terms of weather!

That being said, I am ready to welcome spring with open arms. The sun has been out more, the days are longer, it’s just good vibes all around. Here’s a look into life recently.

What I’ve Been Up To: This month has flown by with a mix of slow days and busy weeks. This month, I’ve ventured out for the first local zoo trip of the year. I’ve also tried some new recipes, caught up with friends for dinners or long overdue facetime calls and enjoyed some time outdoors, even in the chilly weather. I’m looking forward to fewer layers, sneakers instead of boots for walks, and not heating up my car in the mornings in April, or I’m at least hoping.

First Zoo trip of the year
Weekend drives and breakfast sandwiches

What I’m Wearing: I have been making it a point to wear brighter colors to channel my inner spring even on the colder days. I got this soft green dress from Calvin Klein from Marshall’s and it’s already been a favorite of mine this year. I love the sleeves and the color, a great combo for Spring.

Green for Spring!

I’ve also been pairing neutrals with brighter colors for work, like a pink sweater with a tan skirt. It breaks up the neutral colors and makes you get in the spring spirit.

A spring skirt and top combo
Green has been in heavy rotation this month!

What I’m Reading: I’ve been reading lots of books over the past few weeks as I spend more time indoors. 

Here’s what I have been enjoying.

Carrie Soto is Back– I finished Carrie Soto is Back and enjoyed it more than I thought. It follows the story of a tennis player looking to return to the court to claim her title as champion. I learned a lot about tennis, endurance, and hard work. I really appreciated the relationship between Carrie and her father. There’s a lot about female empowerment, family ties, and some romance too. It’s a bit different than some of TJR’s other books, but I really enjoyed it.

It Ends with Us– I started another Colleen Hoover book. It Ends with Us is a serious drama which follows the story of a young woman who falls in love with a neurosurgeon, he seems like the perfect catch, but there’s more that meets the eye. This also comes as her first love comes back in her life. Will she choose her new love or first love? You will have to read to find out. In more good news, a few months ago, it was announced that it was being made into a movie with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. I can’t wait to watch.

What I’m Watching: A lot of shows that I follow released new seasons so I’ve been catching up on some of my favorite shows. I’m caught up on the new season of YOU, which was filled with murder, mayhem, mystery and of course cliffhangers.

I’ve also watched Daisy Jones and the Six on Amazon Prime which I really loved. From the music, to the character and plot lines, I think they did a great job going from the book to the screen. I was so sad when it was over, but was so satisfied with the ending, even with some changes.

The cherry on top was having the new season of Ted Lasso come out. I really enjoyed the first two seasons and have been loving season 3 so far. I’m so glad the new season is back! You can catch that on Apple TV.

What Inspires Me: I’ve been inspired by lots of cooking and baking. I’ve been trying to bake or cook something every week, I’ve mostly been aiming for new recipes but have worked to perfect some family favorites. Here’s a look at some of my favorites from this past month.

One pan chicken, sausage, potatoes and veggies.
Blueberry muffins
Cinnamon roll bars
Rice Krispy Treats
Chocolate drizzle sea salt popcorn
Taco soup!

What I Accomplished: This month has been so productive from getting yearly check-ups done, hair cuts, tackling big work projects, and catching up with friends who were home on spring breaks from university programs. I also got some quality family time in with both of my brothers home on Spring Break. It’s been a packed full, but such a good month.

Fresh cut for Spring
Hot cocoa and early spring drives.

Goals from Last Month: This past month, I wanted to do my best at creating memories both indoors and outdoors. I celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with our community parade.

St. Patrick’s Day parade in town

I enjoyed Maple Fest in our community, by heading to local sugar houses and enjoying lots of maple treats and of course, syrup!

Learning the process
Successful maple fest

I also went to see a performance of Riverdance. I tried to make the most of the month and I think I succeeded.

Time spent cozied up with my favorite for-legged friends!

Goals for this Month: I can’t wait to enjoy all things Spring, from Easter, to fresh flowers, outdoor walks and kicking off my Spring Bucket list. I’m so excited for the new season and month and everything it brings.

Goodbye Winter..hello Spring!

That’s a look into life recently. Lots of indoor time between reading and catching up on shows. Some time outdoors with walks with pups and friends and trying new things, like recipes.

Nights have been spent by the fire

Tell me: what’s something you’ve enjoyed and savored over the past month? Let me know in the comments below!

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Recommendation Roundup

Recommendation Roundup #1

Hey everyone! Happy Wednesday!

I’m kicking off a new series today called Recommendation Roundup where I gather and share a variety of things I’m reading and watching. You may see me talk about a series I watched or a book I read in a Friday Favorites post or a Currently post, but this series will be one spot where I share my recent top recommendations for the series. Don’t worry, I’ll still be sharing what things I’m loving week by week, but this series that will come out every few months will be a one stop shop for recent favorite things. 

Here’s the first recommendation roundup. 

For the book lover:

Taylor Jenkins Reid books. Like so many other readers, I have fallen in love with Taylor Jenkins Reid and her writing. I love that several of her books are in the same universe, meaning you could be reading one book and then there’s a reference to a character from another book. Such a creative way to tell a story and to find little Easter eggs in the books. 

So far I’ve read

Daisy Jones and the Six

Malibu Rising

Carrie Soto is Back

One True Loves

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

(I can’t choose a favorite since they were all so good and have their unique storylines. But, I do have to say, I have loved seeing Daisy Jones and the Six come alive on the big screen. I can’t wait for One True Loves to come out soon.)

Rebecca Serle books. I’ve read a few of Serle books and I love how she ties family, love friendship and finding oneself all in one. I also love how she usually has a twist in her books too. She has a way of writing that once you start, you can’t put it down. 

So far I’ve read:

In Five Years

One Italian Summer

Colleen Hoover books. I just started reading some of Hoover’s books but I have found myself hooked with her thriller themes and intriguing way of writing. There have been so many times when I’ve wanted to stop reading since a storyline was getting intense, but couldn’t put it down. Even after reading the books, I still think of the endings.

So far I’ve read

November 9

Verity

It Ends with Us

For the binge watcher:

Downton Abbey (PBS) – A classic period piece with two movies that follows. This series follows a family who’s male heir dies and it’s up to the family to find a husband for one of the three daughters within the family. The series follows the wealthy family in England through ups and downs, war, love, marriage, loss, friendship and new decades. I was hooked on this series and equally loved the movies.

Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – A series that I have watched for years. It starts with five interns on the first day working in the hospital and follows them through residency and eventually becoming attendings. There’s love, loss, death, drama, lots of crazy, unexpected plot twists, natural disasters, characters coming and going, but after over 20 seasons, it’s still going strong.

This season is off to a great start!

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime)– This follows a woman who takes a chance on becoming a stand up comedian in the 1950’s. The costumes are fantastic, the one-liners are too funny and the scripting keeps you on your toes. After watching this series, you will wish you were back in New York City in the 1950’s.

Emily in Paris (Netflix)– This tells the story of a young girl who moves to Paris for a job and ends up falling in love with the city. I drool over the fashion, Emily pulls off outfits that I couldn’t pull off. There’s some love triangles, cute one liners, gorgeous Paris scenes and of course lots of finding oneself. 

Outer Banks (Netflix)- It may seem like a teen drama and it is, but once you start, it’s hard to stop until you see if a group of high school friends discover buried treasure. Just when you think, things can’t get crazier, there’s another twist. Definitely a fun show to have on in the background.

For the podcaster

The Simplified podcast -Emily Ley and her team put out episodes once a week where they offer ways to simplify and automate your life. They cover topics like friendship, family, cleaning, organizing, schooling, relationships, holiday prep, summer fun and more. It’s such a fun way to find ways to make my life simpler.

That’s my recent roundup of recommendations. Some of my all time favorite things. The next time you are searching for something new to read or watch, I hope this provides some suggestions. Happy hobbying!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #32


Hey all! Happy Friday and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! If you choose to celebrate, I hope you have an enjoyable and safe holiday!

Last weekend we had another burst of snow, so I’m hoping this weekend it’s just clear skies and sunshine and more spring weather. 

One more burst of snow this season!

Here’s a look at some things I’ve been watching, eating and reading as I link up with with Erika and Andrea!

The Law According to Lidia Poet- I found this mini series on Netflix and really enjoyed it. It is in another language but there are English subtitles and dubbed in English so you can follow along. It follows the story of a young female lawyer who’s looking to make in the courts but keeps facing roadblocks in the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. I love the costumes, the casting and the murder-mystery storylines. Did I mention, while she’s trying to become a lawyer, she’s also solving murders?! So clever! Definitely an intriguing show you can watch in a weekend or over the course of the week. 

Lemonade Packets– My go-to drink is always water but sometimes, on long days, I like to change it up. These lemonade packets are the perfect fix for the afternoon slumps. They are low in calories, there are lots of flavors and it’s the perfect pick me up for long days. I always have them in my pantry or lunch box for work. They also get you in the spring and summer season. Yum!

Behind the Scenes of Daisy Jones and the Six– Each week, I’ve been enjoying Daisy Jones and the Six. It’s been so fun to follow along after reading the book. I’ve also been doing lots of reading on the making of the series. This article gave a great inside look at the relationship between the characters. I love learning about what happens when the cameras aren’t rolling. So fun to hear about their friendships off screen. 

Murdaugh Murders Documentary-Like so many others, I was following the trial of Alex Murdaugh, however, I didn’t realize the whole scope of this family until I was watching the three episode documentary on Netflix. I planned on watching the first episode, but quickly got hooked and finished the whole series in one night (mind you-the episodes are only 45 minutes). The series shows how this one family was tied to a series of deaths, leading up to the most recent murders. It was fascinating to learn so much about the power that one family had in South Carolina. Definitely worth watching if you are interested in current events and true crime.

Fairytale Scent– New season, new scent! I recently started using Bath and Body Works Fairytale Scent. It’s a perfect mix of warm and fresh wrapped up into one. I also go for a body spray and lotion combo from Bath and Body Works and they last me for about three months. I always like switching out scents and trying what’s new. What’s your current favorite scent?!

As we make our way through March, this is just a look at some things I’m loving right now, certainly a mix of reading, watching, tasting and wearing. Tell me, as we gear up for spring, what are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below! 

Have a great weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #31

Hey guys! Happy Friday or Fri-YAY! I hope you had a great first full week of March! This week was filled with work, doctor’s appointments and getting outside as much as I could.

The second part of YOU season 4 came out yesterday, so I’ve been making my way through that and plan to watch more of it this weekend.

Even though, I’m working this weekend, I have some fun activities planned which I’m excited for. Today, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites. Here’s some things I’m loving this week!

Where the Crawdads Live– I’m so late to the party on this movie, but I watched Where the Crawdads Live a few weeks back and really enjoyed the movie. I heard about the book, but never got around to reading it. The movie kept showing up on my recommended watch list on Netflix and decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did! Without giving too much away, it tells the story of a young girl accused of murder in a small town. The girl is an outcast to the town, so many people have already set their minds on if she committed the crime or not. The movie goes back and forth between the past and present. I was worried it would be a little dark, but found the story to be enlightening, beautiful and a story about life and death. Now, I want to read the book!

Etsy Finds– I am a huge fan of Etsy and have purchased some recent gifts from small businesses. I love how unique every item is, how you can talk to the shop owners and the best part is that you are supporting local businesses. If you are looking for unique and timeless gifts, I would highly recommend Etsy! I’ve had such great luck for anniversary gifts, birthday gifts, just because gifts and Christmas gifts! Definitely recommend checking them out.

Blueberry Muffin Recipe-I’ve been on a baking and cooking streak and have been trying new recipes left and right. I tried this new blueberry recipe and loved it! The muffins were full of flavor and so moist. I made them for my family and they were a big hit. I have Pinterest to thank for this recipe.

The best blueberry muffins I’ve made!

Daisy Jones and the SixDaisy Jones and the Six came out on Amazon Prime last week and I have been devouring this mini series. I couldn’t wait to watch the series after reading the book last summer. It’s been so cool to see the characters I fell in love with come to life on the screen. From the music to the costumes and casting, this has been such a fun show to watch. You don’t have to read the book to enjoy the show, but it’s been fun to compare the two. 

One True Loves trailer– Sticking with Taylor Jenkins Reid, the movie, One True Loves, based on her book is coming out soon and I’m so excited to see it. I really like the casting so far and the trailer looks really good and promising for a great movie. You know it’s a good Friday when you have two TJR favorites!

Whew, that was a jam-packed Friday Favorites and a good mix of things I’ve been loving. Tell me, what are some things you have been loving recently or looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below! Have a wonderful weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #30


Happy Friday and happy first Friday of March! This week, we said goodbye to February and hello to March! I know it may not feel like spring yet, it certainly doesn’t feel that way to me, but this new month brings the promise that we are closer to spring than winter and that’s a major win! 

I have a fun roundup of favorite things this week. Let’s jump right in as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

Disenchanted– I watched this movie a few weeks ago and kept forgetting to share it until now. Growing up, I loved the movie Enchanted with Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey and was so excited as an adult to learn they were making a sequel. I’m glad I saw Disenchanted, I thought it was cute and liked how they brought the same characters and had little Easter eggs from other Disney movies, but didn’t think they needed a sequel. But if you are looking to enjoy some childhood nostalgia, this movie wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Fun movie for the whole family!

Everything Seasoned Crackers– I was on the hunt for some different crackers to enjoy with lunch and tried these crackers from Walmart and loved them. They have so much flavor and seasoning and go great with cheese, fruit, even dips or spreads. Definitely worth picking them up the next time you are on the hunt for a new cracker. 

My new favorite cracker-so much flavor!

The Fableman’s– In honor of award season, I watched The Fableman’s and loved it. It’s based on the story of Steven Spielberg and how he fell in love with movies and directing. I’ve enjoyed so many of Spielberg’s movies and loved learning more about his backstory and childhood. Michelle Williams did a fantastic job and the cinematography was incredible. It may have been a long movie but it didn’t feel long at all, you totally get caught up in it. I loved every second and can’t wait to see how it does for the Academy Awards.

Apple Fitness Time to Walk– I have talked about some of Apple Fitness’ different workout courses and have really been enjoying their Time to Walk series, different actors, actresses, athletes and world leaders narrate different stories or share personal experiences while walking, it’s very similar to a podcast. I really love listening to different people’s stories and it makes walking in colder weather so much better.

Outerbanks Season 3- Anyone else finish Outerbanks season 3 yet?! It came out last Thursday and I’ve spent most of the past week catching up on it. There were definitely some surprises, cliffhangers and reunions this season but it was so good to catch up on this show. Not going to lie, seeing all the exterior scenes had me craving some warmer weather. If you have caught up on the new season, what did you think?!

What I’ve been watching this week.


That’s just a recap on some of my favorite things from this week. This weekend, I’m looking forward to watching Daisy Jones and the Six. I’ve been talking about it a lot from the book, to trailer and now the series. I have a feeling it will be one of my favorites next week.

Hello weekend plans!


I hope you enjoy this first weekend of March! Have a great weekend!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #29

Hi all! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week as we enjoyed the last full week of February!

It’s been a busy week of work, friends and family. As the week wraps up, I’m sharing some things that have caught my attention and I’ve been loving. Here’s a roundup of my favorite things as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

New Season of the Masked Singer– The Masked Singer is one of my guilty pleasures. I started watching the show when it premiered a handful of years ago and I’ve been an avid viewer since. I love seeing the talent, watching the cast members battle it out and seeing who gets unmasked each week. Season 9 premiered last week and the first few episodes did not disappoint. Some of the unmasking have definitely surprised me. I can’t wait to see what this season holds.

Romantic Comedy Books– I’ve been on a rom com kick when it comes to books. I talked about Part of Your World on this week’s Currently and really loved it.

I also read The Bodyguard after hearing great reviews about it and really enjoyed it as well. I fell in love with the characters, the unique plot line and the setting. If you are looking for some new books to read, these are definitely winners.

Ted Lasso Season 3 Teaser– I’ve been making my way through Ted Lasso and I’ve been loving it. The new teaser and synopsis for Ted Lasso season 3 dropped last week and I can’t wait to see what this season brings. This has been such a fun show to watch with my boyfriend. We can watch an episode or four and it doesn’t get old. 10/10 recommend if you haven’t watched it yet.

Daisy Jones and the Six Full Trailer– The full trailer dropped for Daisy Jones and the Six dropped and it looks so good. After reading the book last summer, I love seeing these characters come to life. The music sounds so good and the makeup and costuming looks phenomenal. You better believe I’ll be watching the series once it drops next week on March 3 on Amazon Prime.

Shotgun Wedding– I really enjoyed seeing all the promotions leading up to Shotgun Wedding on Amazon Prime. Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel brought the perfect mix of humor and serious to their roles. The movie follows a couple who are getting married in a destination wedding, things start out smooth until their wedding gets hijacked by pirates. This movie is filled with great one-liners, romantic moments, beautiful destinations and a happy ending. If you have seen it, what did you think?

Such a cute rom com

That’s a roundup of some of my favorite things. Tell me what are some things you are loving today?

Let me know in the comments below! Happy Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #19

Hi everyone! 

Happy Friday! I can’t believe we are ONE week away from Christmas. I’ve been trying to soak up as much Christmas cheer as I can. This past week has been filled with mailing gifts, Christmas dates and holiday movies and I’m loving every second of it.

Here’s a few favorite things of mine this past week as I link up with with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites:

Gift Exchanges: I am so proud of myself for scheduling gift exchanges with friends and family before the month got away from me. Between dinner and lunch dates, I was able to spend one on one time with my friends, exchange gifts and catch up in between holiday commitments and it did wonders. One of the many instances where planning ahead pays off big time.

A little bit of Christmas cheer!

Ice Skating: Ice skating has become a winter favorite for me and over the past few weeks, I’ve been able to go a handful of times and have been loving getting back on the ice. Last week, I went skating with my boyfriend and we had the rink to ourselves with Christmas music playing…yes, I felt like I was in a hallmark movie and LOVED it. I’m looking forward to hitting the rink several more times through the winter months.

Daisy Jones and the Six First Look: If you have been following along this year on my blog then you know I’m on a Taylor Jenkins Reid’s kick. The first photos for Daisy Jones and the Six just came out a few weeks back and I’m so excited for more teasers and photos. The mini series comes out on March 3 and that is one thing getting me through a long winter.

Harry and Meghan Docu-series Part Two: Last week, I talked about part one of Harry and Meghan’s documentary series on Netflix coming out and this week, it’s all about part two. In between all the Christmas movies, I’ve been watching this mini-series and I have really found it enlightening, interesting, and true love story. My favorite part was all the little stories and behind the scenes photos and videos. I’ve really enjoyed seeing a different side of Harry Meghan than what we have seen in the media. This docu-series has me even more excited to read Harry’s book next month.

Nancy Thayer Christmas books: As I continue with my Christmas books, I read two great ones from Nancy Thayer. A Nantucket Christmas and An Island Christmas. Both stories take place in Nantucket over Christmas time and have themes of family drama, cozy Christmas vibes and happy endings. I really appreciated the attention to detail about the island of Nantucket and I ahve to admit after reading both of these books, it makes me want to travel to the island and experience it for myself.

Some of my Christmas reads so far!

That’s just a taste of life over the past week. My world has been work, family time, seeing friends, and all the Christmas cheer and I couldn’t ask for anything more. I hope you have a magical weekend full of Christmas cheer!

Happy Friday!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #8

Hello all! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week and have some fun weekend plans, maybe even something fall-hello pumpkin patches and corn mazes? This week really felt like autumn was setting in, from the cooler weather to the changing leaves, it’s been giving me all the fall vibes.

I’m linking up with linking up with Erika and Andrea for today’s Friday Favorites! Here’s five things I’m loving this week. 

Apple Muffins– In true fall spirit, I have been spending a lot of time indoors and that includes doing lots of baking. From muffins to cookies, it’s been so fun and cozy to enjoy a warm treat inside.  Apples have been my go-to for baking. I made apple muffins this past week and they were a hit. I made them last year and couldn’t wait to make them again this year. They are so easy to make and require little prep and ingredients. I have plans to do some apple picking soon and I know I will be making more recipes with them. Here’s some more apple recipes I enjoy!

Old Navy Shirts– I did some shopping at Old Navy and one of the things I love are their t-shirts. I always get them in white or black in short and long sleeve to have some neutral colors, but they had cute colors for fall and I grabbed a few on sale. I love the color green and I love how it breaks up neutral colors. The fabric is also super soft too. Perfect for fall and winter.

Malibu Rising– I’ve also been doing a lot of reading. I’ve been on a Taylor Jenkins Reid kick. I read Daisy Jones and the Six in the summer and I just finished Malibu Rising this past week. It follows the story of one unforgettable party in Malibu that a family throws every year. However, at this one party, secrets come out, decisions are made and things are forever changed. I personally liked Daisy Jones and the Six better but this was still very good. For any Taylor Jenkins Reid fans out there, what book should I read next?

Snack Lunches– I’ve been eating a lot of lunches at home lately and as a way to clean out my fridge and use what I have, I’ve been enjoying snack plates. I’ll load up fresh cut fruits, veggies, cheese and crackers and enjoy. It’s healthy, filling and it uses what I have in my house. 

Operation Mincemeat– I’ve been enjoying some movies and shows on Netflix recently including Operation Mincemeat. It’s based on a true story about a mission during World War II involved Great Britain, Germany and Italy. I really enjoyed the plot, the mystery aspect and the casting too. It is a longer movie but keeps you on the edge of your seat. 

That’s a look into what I’m loving this week. Tell me, what’s a favorite thing or two you are loving this week! Let me know in the comments below! Happy Friday!

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Currently

Currently #32

Hey guys!

Happy Wednesday! As we wind down with another month, I’m sharing what I’ve been up to this past month. August was a busy month, from days trips to family vacations and last minute cramming in all the summer fun!

What I’ve been up to-This month was filled with soaking up summer! From bonfires, a trip to an amusement park at home, a family vacation, packing up my brother for college and a weekend wedding, plus add in wrapping up a big work project, August was a busy month, but so fun! It was so good to soak up the sunshine and squeeze in some summer fun!

Summer s’mores and bonfires!
Family trip to the beach!
Fun times being a kid at a local amusement park.

What I’m Wearing– As summer winds down, I’m making sure I wear all my summer clothes, from sundresses, shorts and t shirts and bathing suits! We took our family trip to the beach and it was so good to just wear a bathing suit and shorts most of the trip, it reminded me the days of being a kid. Old Navy had a few great sales that I fully took advantage of. Be sure to stay tuned on a clothing haul post soon!

My uniform for the beach (and most of the summer)…shorts and t shirts!

What I’m Reading-August was such a good reading month! I read three great books back to back! I started the month with Finding Freedom. This books follows the story of Harry and Meghan from when they met to their decision to step back as Senior Working Royals. I’ve always been interested in the Royal Family and found this book to be so enlightening. If you are interested in Harry and Meghan, I definitely recommend this book.

After such a good book, I didn’t know how to top it, well I found it with One Italian Summer. This is one of the hottest books this summer! I’ve been on a waiting list to read it since May. It was definitely worth the wait. It follows the story of a young woman who loses her mother and takes a trip to Italy and learns more about who her mother was as a young woman. I loved the description and how vivid the author makes the setting in the book. I loved the plot twist at the end! 5 STARS for me!

After hearing about this next book for years, I finally got my hands on Daisy Jones and the Six. I loved the way this book was told (it’s told through a series of interviews). The story follows the story of a fictional band and what led to their formation to what led to their demise. I fell in love with the characters and the plot. I can’t wait to watch the series on Amazon Prime.

What I’m Watching: I’ve been spending so much time outdoors, I haven’t been watching a lot of movies or shows this summer. I did recently finish Maid on Netflix which follows the true story  of a young woman and mom who after getting out of a bad relationship must start from the ground up. I shared a bit about it on my last currently. It was definitely a heavier mini series but it’s one that really sticks with you. After hearing a lot about it, I’m glad I got to watch it for myself. 

What I’m Loving: All the times outdoors! From walks to zoo trips, amusement parks, beach days, even just sitting by the pool. I’m doing my best to get outdoors as much as I can before the seasons change.

Time spent reading and outdoors is a favorite of mine in the summer!
Grilling has been another summer favorite!

What Inspires Me: After spending a few days at the beach, I really loved having a few days to slow down. I’ve found that day to day, you don’t realize how busy life gets and how it’s always go, go, go, until you stop to catch your breath. I’m glad I had a few days to recharge and slow down.

It felt so good to relax for a few days at the beach!
Enjoying outdoor dining was another summer favorite!

What I Accomplished: I checked off almost all my summer bucket list options as shown from my post last week, plus I got a few extra activities thrown in too 

Ending the summer months by relaxing at a lake for the weekend.

Goals from Last Month: From a family vacation to entertaining guests, afternoons reading and nights swimming. I got so much in and the good news is just because kids may be back to school doesn’t mean the weather gets cold, I’m looking forward to spending more time outdoors as long as the weather permits it!

Beach days!
And ice cream nights!

Goals for this Month: As much as I hate to say this while still in August, next month, I’m looking forward the transition of one season to another. I’m excited to start thinking about my fall bucket list and still enjoying the time outdoors. I love walks in the fall and seeing the leaves change. Thankfully we still have time before it gets too cold, so right now I’m going to enjoy all the sunshine I can and I hope you will too!

Fun times entertaining this summer!

Enjoy the last few days of August!