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Currently

Currently #55

Hello everyone! 

Happy Wednesday! As much as I hate to say it, we are at the end of July, I have had such a good and fulfilling summer.

Although, I know we still have plenty of summer and nice weather ahead, the end of July always makes me a bit sad since I know it will soon be back to school and back indoors and one of my favorite seasons is coming to an end.

Today, I am focusing on the positives and everything I accomplished over the past month. July was BUSY between entertaining, crossing off big goals, seeing friends, and day trips. In case you missed it, here’s what I have been up to.

What I’ve Been Up To:

I have been trying my best to enjoy as much time outside as possible, from reading by the pool, to eating outdoors, catching up on work outside, even folding laundry in the sun.

It’s been a beautiful month!

Speaking of eating outdoors, I have done my best to cook as much as possible outside and that means lots of grilling.

I’ve done some grilling myself, but I’ve enjoyed when other people do the grilling for me.

The before
The finished product

The month began with the Fourth of July which included lots of food, family, friends, and fireworks!

Plus, plenty of leftovers that we enjoyed all weekend long.

I then went to a wedding in Cleveland which was a fun afternoon and a great time to celebrate great people and love!

I enjoyed summer fun like by mini golfing!

Soaking up summer fun like by mini golfing!
I’ve enjoyed live music by the water
Plus some festivals and fairs too!

What I’m Wearing:

Short sets have been my go-to. These polka dotted shorts from Marshall’s were a hit for the Fourth of July.

For a more casual look, I love these white, cotton shorts from Old Navy.

Florals are in this summer and I love a bold print. This was the dress I wore to the wedding at the beginning of the month from Ann Taylor. It would be perfect for weddings, showers, or a fancy date night. 

I will be sharing more about this outfit as part of Friday Favorites. I got both the top and shorts from Marshall’s and were pleased with both.

A skirt and top combo for a dinner out!

What I’m Reading:

This month had some ups and downs in terms of reading. I read some great books and others fell flat. 

Funny Story– Funny Story by Emily Henry was a win for me. I love Henry and have read all her books, and this one did not disappoint. It’s all about a girl who gets dumped by her fiancé for his oldest friend. She ends up moving in with oldest friend’s ex, temporarily. They end up becoming friends as he shows her around the town and community before the wedding. They decide to face the music and go to their ex’s wedding together, how about that for a plot twist?! 

Mostly What God Does– Mostly What God Does by Savannah Guthrie was such a good daily read.  It’s a series of essays about faith, God, his love, and life. You can read it all at once, but I chose to read an essay/passage a night. It took me a while to finish it, but I’m glad it gave me time to really appreciate the readings.  I really love how Guthrie has the book laid out. It gives readers a chance to really focus on the material and then digest it. 

Just the Nicest Couple– Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica is all about a man who goes missing and one of the last people to see him alive is his wife’s best friend. Did she have something to do with it or is she being framed? These two couples who you think may be friends, may not be as close as they seem. There were some great twists, turns and plot points.

A Court of Thorns and Roses– Sarah Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses was a fantasy first for me. I have heard so many rave reviews about this book and I thought it was good, but not great. It’s all about a medieval land where a faerie is forced to live with a beast after she allegedly killed one of his people. She is treated like an outsider at first, but eventually grows to love her new world, until she is forced to leave. She then must decide if she wants to return again. The description of the land and the characters is very well done, but I think the different genre is what caused me to have a hard time getting into it. I may continue to read some of her other books in the series but decided to take a pause for another book genre. The book was good, but I don’t know if fantasy is for me. 

Chasing Harry Winston– I picked up Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberg at a book sale and was interested in the plot about three young women in New York City who are all searching for new relationships. It’s a story about love, growth, taking chances, but most importantly, friendship. I thought the book was good, but not great.

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper– This was the second book I read by Phaedra Patrick. The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper follows a widowed man who discovers a charm bracelet from his late wife which takes him on a journey about the life she had before him. He travels to India, London, Paris as he learns about each of the charms and the story behind them. This was such a quaint novel and I loved learning about all the adventures his wife went on.

Emergency Contact– This was the first book I have read by Lauren Layne and Anthony LeDonne. Emergency Contact is about a woman who gets in an accident and when they call her emergency contact it turns out to be her ex-husband. This story follows the two reconnecting and being forced to spend the holidays together in an effort to get home. I loved all the obstacles the characters had to overcome and the ending was perfect! 5 stars from me!

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird- Josie Silver’s The Two Lives of Lydia Bird tells the story of a young woman who loses her fiance and has to cope with life without him. However, when she sleeps, she finds herself in a world where he is still alive. She must decide what life she wants to live in. This is the second book I have read by Josie Silver and I loved it!

The Blue Bistro– I have been on an Elin Hilderbrand kick and the The Blue Bistro was my latest read. I loved everything about this book, from the setting, Nantucket references, the characters and storyline. My favorite part was the description of the food! Everything sounded so delicious. The story follows a young woman who takes a job at a restaurant in Nantucket for its final summer being open. It’s all about the challenges she has to overcome and the lessons she learns and the people she meets along the way. Such a good story!

What I’m Watching:

I haven’t been watching too much tv, which is typically the norm in the summertime. I like to be outside as much as possible.  But I have watched a few movies which I enjoyed. 

A Simple Favor– I know it’s a movie that has been out for a few years, but I finally got around to watching A Simple Favor. It stars Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick who become friends until Lively’s character goes missing. Where and why did she disappear and what secrets does she have hidden? I really enjoyed the movie, especially with the unexpected plot points.

I Am Celine– I have enjoyed Celine Dion’s music and was sad to learn when she announced her illness last year. Her new documentary “I Am Celine” is now on Amazon Prime. I really loved getting a behind the scenes look at her life before and after her illness. I also loved hearing some of her iconic songs throughout the documentary. Definitely worth the watch if you are a Celine fan.

We also have been watching the Olympics! From the opening ceremonies to the primetime events, it’s been such a fun nightly watch!

What I’m Cooking:

It’s been a great month of cooking.

Strawberry Chicken Salad- I got this recipe from Celebrate with Babs’ cookbook. It was a hit with grilled chicken and I added some extra fruit to garnish and that seemed to go over well.

Strawberry Salad with Grilled Chicken

Cocoa Oatmeal Treats– I found this recipe from Hershey’s and even though they aren’t the healthiest with chocolate and peanut butter, they were tasty and easy to make.

Texas Caviar– I made this salad for our Fourth of July party and really enjoyed how it turned out. You can eat it with chips or just on its own.

Lemon Blueberry Muffins– I loved citrus and fresh fruit in the summer. On a rainy day, I decided to do some baking with my blueberries from my picking and these lemon blueberry muffins were a hit!

Pineapple Chicken with Caprese Orzo and Corn- These were two recipes I found on Pinterest and loved to try. They can be eaten by themselves or together for a filling meal with lots of flavor!

Peach Caprese Salad– This was such an easy side dish. We ate it with chicken, but you can eat it on its own. I loved the flavor of the sweetness of the peaches mixed with veggies and cheese. I got it from my Magnolia cookbook by Joanna Gaines.

Shrimp Tacos and Homemade Coleslaw– I found this recipe from Jessie James Decker’s cookbook and it was a hit. I love seafood and the slaw was so easy to make too! A great summer meal!

Peanut butter Chocolate Chip Cookies– I was craving something sweet and these hit the spot. I love anything peanut butter and chocolate and this was such an easy recipe that I found on Pinterest!

What Inspires Me: I have been spending so much time outside, whether it’s going for walks, cutting fresh flowers, or eating meals. I love seeing everything in full bloom.

Fresh cut flowers make everything better

Here’s some quotes that have been both inspiring and left me smiling too!

I saw this quote on instagram and it really resonated with me.

What I Accomplished: I have been checking so many things off my summer bucket list and while I’m glad I’m accomplishing a lot, it makes me sad that summer is coming to an end.

Great way to start the day

Some highlights of my summer bucket list from this past month include running my first 10 K and hitting a new personal record.

I started the day by doing my first 10K and setting a new PR!

I also enjoyed fruit picking from cherries to blueberries.

My garden is coming along nicely too.

Plus I enjoyed lots of summer walks to new places and old and at all hours of the day.

Walks at old places
And new!

I also got in some zoo trips too! This is one of my favorite summer activities!

Local zoos!
And out of town zoo trips!
It was a beautiful day!

Goals from Last Month:

I accomplished a lot from celebrating the Fourth of July, heading to a friend’s wedding and seeing and catching up with friends whether it be through calls, facetime or in person.

I also got away for a day-trip to Canada. I packed a lot in and will be sharing more next week in a whole post!

Goals for this Month: I am looking forward to but also dreading August. I have a lot of fun things planned like a family vacation, but also I’m not looking forward to everyone moving out and going back to school. It will be a month of change and transition, that I’m not particularly looking forward to, but know it will be a month of growth.

Going on walks always give me peace of mind in life’s chaotic moments.

That’s a look into life lately, great strides in my summer adventures and lots of memories being made. 

Categories
Currently

Currently #54

Hi everyone!

I can’t believe we are at the end of June. This summer is going by so fast and it’s making me sad. There are a lot of good things on the horizon, but also some major changes. I’m just trying to take it one day at a time and enjoy where I am at. Since we are at the end of the month, it’s time for another Currently. Here’s a look into life lately.

What I’ve Been Up To:

Since I last caught you up on life at the end of May, a lot has happened. 

I have been enjoying a lot of outside time. I have been to minor league and major league games, including a quick trip to Cleveland to see the Guardians play and win!

Beautiful night for baseball
Gorgeous afternoon for a Guards win!

I also celebrated my 26th birthday with dinner at home with my family and boyfriend and cake and presents. We had Jessie James Decker’s Can of Cola Cake with raspberries and it was delicious.

A fun day!
A sweet night!

I’ve spent some time at the local zoo and enjoyed a picnic too. 

Perfect summer day!

I’ve been enjoying lots of outdoor meals!

I’ve also been sneaking in working from outside on days off.

Lots of ice cream runs on hot days!

And Morning walks and drinks!

What I’m Wearing:

I have been loving a mix of casual and work outfits including this skort and t-shirt combination for a casual look.

I also have been wearing bold and bright colors in the summer, like this new suit from J.Crew.

Some blue and white too!

What I’m Reading:

Expiration Dates– Expiration Dates was such a fun read by Rebecca Serle. I have really enjoyed her other books and this one didn’t disappoint. It’s all about a girl who always gets a note and date of when each of her relationships will end. This happens for years until she gets a note with no end date. Has she finally met her match or is it a trick with fate? There were some unexpected twists and turns that I didn’t see coming that really added to the plot. The ending was my favorite, definitely a summer read. 

The Perfect Marriage– The Perfect Marriage was a mystery/ thriller that I didn’t know I needed to read, and it was one of my favorite books that I have read in months. From the outside, it looks like this couple has the perfect marriage, that is until the husband’s mistress ends up dead. The person who defends the husband? His wife, who is a top attorney. I loved the mystery of who killed the mistress and seeing how more people got caught into the web of the marriage. I stayed up late and woke up early to finish it.

The Heiress– The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins is all about a young man who returns to his family’s estate to collect his inheritance. Once he arrives, he learns there’s more to the family story than he realized and everyone has a secret and ulterior motive, including his own mother. The books goes back and forth between the present day and letters that are written talking about what happened. There are a lot of characters which can be hard to keep track. But overall, it was a good book with a really good and unexpected ending.

It Had to Be You– It Had to Be You by Mary Higgins Clark was a page turner and thriller that had me staying up late to finish it. It’s all about twin brothers who are accused of murdering their parents. Years later, the case is reopened and new evidence is brought to light. It took a while for it to pick up, but once it did, I was hooked. Definitely recommend it!

How to End a Love Story- How to End a Love Story is by Yulin Kuang. This is a new to me author, but I really enjoyed this book. It’s all about a young woman whose book gets turned into a tv show, one of the writers is someone from her past. Will the two resolve their differences and work together or is the past too much to move forward together? I really loved the character development and the behind the scenes of the making of the show.

What I’m Watching:

Bridgerton is back, both installments of the new season dropped over the past month. Although, I’m not a huge fan of the character Penelope, she really grew on me this season and really matured too. I also loved the costumes, setting and modern music tied in.

What I’m Cooking:

This has been such a good month for cooking and it’s been filled with lots of fresh fruits, veggies, and grilling.

Chinese Chicken Salad was a hit from Jessie James Decker’s cookbook.

Chinese Chicken Salad

Caprese Chicken– I grilled chicken and add fresh mozzarella, tomato and balsamic for my birthday dinner. We also as shrimp pineapple skewers for an appetizer and a Cesear salad which was delicious. We ended the night with Jessie James Decker’s Can of Cola cake with raspberries and ice cream. Yum!

Pineapple Shrimp Rice- I got this recipe from Mix and Match Mama. I love how easy it was to make and how light and fresh it was, while still being filling.

Bowls– I’ve been enjoying bowls for lunch with things I have in my fridge. On this day, I mixed black beans, corn, rice, pork and salsa for Tex Mex bowl-yum!

Citrus Salmon with Orzo and sides- This was a light and refreshing, but most importantly, healthy dinner. All wins in my book in the summer.

Apricot Ham and Broccoli Salad– Both of these recipes are from the cookbook, Brunch with Babes. I have been saving recipes to try and this month was perfect. I love the flavor of the ham and the crunch of the salad.

What Inspires Me:

I have been reading Savannah Guthrie’s book, Mostly What God Does, every night and I have been loving ending my day with something prayerful and to cal

m my mind. This quote really stood out to me.

My sweet friend Sarah got me a necklace for my birthday, and it came with this beautiful quote. So inspiring especially in the summer months.

Some inspiration from Simplified in June!

What I Accomplished:

I have been making my way through my summer bucket list and trying to soak up as much time as I can outside. 

I’ve done that by enjoying ice cream or milkshake runs.

Reading by the pool

Planting Flowers

Planting my garden


Here we have strawberries, zuchinni, pumpkins, and squash
Here are carrots, onions, peas, tomatoes, and peppers

I also ran my furthest this month of 8 miles. I was very proud of that accomplishment.

Goals from Last Month: I really wanted to make a point to soak up summer and enjoy the mornings and nights when I could. I still have a ways to go on my summer bucket list, but I’m just hoping summer slows down. I’m not ready for it to end.

I checked Donuts and Sunrise off my Summer Bucket List

I also ventured to a new place for a morning hike.

I’ve gotten to enjoy dinner by the water.

Followed by ice cream runs!

A day trip to Deep Creek, Maryland happened this month, my first time for a day of hiking and hitting the beach and reading.

Goals from This Month: Next month will be busy between the Fourth of July and celebrations. I have a wedding to go to and I want to make plans to see friends while still enjoying summer and working too. It will be busy but oh so fun!

Both my pups enjoying the warm weather!
Categories
Currently

Currently #43

Hi everyone! 

Happy Wednesday! It makes me sad to that we are at the end of July. I feel like June was so well paced and a great introduction to summer and then July came and went in a blink of an eye. There’s always so much anticipation to summer and then it goes by too fast. I know August will be a busy month with end of summer activities and people heading back to school.

Summer is in full bloom!

In good news, I did my best to make the most out of July! From a low key Fourth of July to a concert, seeing friends and some pool days, it was packed full of summer fun in between work. Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to.

What I’m Up To– July started off with the Fourth of July, this year was a bit more lowkey as it fell in the middle of the week and I was working, but my family and I still grilled and enjoyed some Fourth fun and sunshine after work. It’s more about the people and moments than all the extra hustle and bustle.

Our Fourth of July spread

This month, I also made two trips to the Pittsburg area. The first was to catch up with friends for lunch and dinner.  Living long distance and being on different work schedules has made it challenging to see some friends so it was great to catch up in person and enjoy some time outside too.

Catching up with friends is always good for the soul

My second trip was to see Ed Sheeran in concert which was so fun. I saw him back during his Divide tour and I was excited to see him perform songs from all his albums. 

Ed Sheeran’s tour

I also got to enjoy some live music this summer, our city always does a great job at hosting live music events, and I have gone to a few of them. There’s nothing better than live music by the water.

Live music in the summer, a must for summer!

I also enjoyed lots of time outside, having pool and reading days on my days off. We had a stretch of beautiful weather and I tried to soak up as much time outside as possible.

Reading by the pool days
Summer walks by the water.

What I’m Wearing– Last week, I shared some summer outfits that I have been wearing to work, you can read more about it here.

I also have been into skorts and casual skirts recently too. Here’s been some of my favorite looks. 

I have also been wearing shorts and all the graphic t-shirts. They are so easy to throw on for off days especially when I’m outside and just relaxing on days off. 

Also, t-shirt dresses are a major win for me in the summer, they are lightweight and easy to throw on after work or heading out and about to run errands, you look put together with minimal effort. A win across the board.

Perfect for a day in the city

What I’m Reading– I had such a good month for reading. This month has been a mixed bag of genres and they have been so fun!

Happy Place- I couldn’t wait to dive into this book. Happy Place tells the story of six friends reuniting in their favorite spot for one last summer trip together and one of the couples pretending they are still together when they have broken up. The personalities of the friends, the description of the setting and the nostalgia had me craving a week at the lake. I read this book on vacation and it was the perfect beach read. If you haven’t read this book yet or any of Emily Henry’s books, you are missing out.

Such a fun, summer read!

My Hygee Home- I got this book for my birthday and it’s all about making a house a home and ways to incorporate Hygee which is a Danish practice into your home. I learned a lot of practical lessons about ways to make your home cozy and useful and purposeful too. It would be a great coffee table book and a great read too. You can easily finish it in one sitting.

28 Summers- 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand was such a fun summer read. It’s about a man and woman who meet as young college students and agree to meet up every summer in Nantucket no matter what. Now, let me start out by saying, I don’t believe in cheating or having affairs, but I did enjoy reading about how no matter what was going on in these character’s lives, they always met up every year. I loved seeing how their relationship changed and stayed the same through the years. I also loved reading all about Nantucket and it makes me want to visit even more.

A favorite summer read.

What I’m Watching– Summer is typically a slower time for me for tv shows, but now with streaming services, I feel like there are more options to watch different shows. I’ve done some binge watching, but a lot of these shows have episodes that come out weekly. This summer, I have been watching Outlander, which I have really been enjoying this season, especially the twist with Roger and Brianna. I won’t say more than that to avoid spoilers, but these episodes have been really good.

I also have been watching And Just Like That, every week, again, another light and fun show. In my opinion, season two has had really good episodes and some have fallen flat for me. Overall, I still love the friendships, the fashion and the nostalgia and that’s what draws me in week after week. 

As far as binge-watching goes, I have been watching The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon Prime. I never read the books, but I watched the first season last summer and thought it was cute and I wanted to see what was in store for season 2. This season has been definitely more dramatic and intense, but it’s still fun to watch. There are moments that are a bit unrealistic, but overall, it’s a fun show to watch at the end of the day.

Lastly, Sweet Magnolias has been my other go-to binge watch. If watching this show doesn’t make you want to move to a small Southern town, I don’t know what does. I love the aspects of southern hospitality, the one-liners and life lessons and most of all the friendships. Such a fun summer show.

What Inspires Me– I have been inspired by my garden that I started at the beginning of this summer. I am finally seeing some progress and some buds. It’s been exciting to see it grow as I tend to it every day.

My garden so far!
My first set of veggies! Peas!

I’ve also been inspired by finding new places to walk and hike. I have my places that I love to go to, but it’s been fun to find new spots and explore new places and get some exercise too.

Plus no summer would be complete without a trip to the zoo!

What I Accomplished– I’ve been doing my best to soak up summer and I think I’ve been doing a good job with it by trying to build in slower days in a busy schedule. I have also been trying to go to as many events that are traditions and free and fun! Plus, I’ve been doing everything I can do to spend time outside, from reading to grilling outside, I have been soaking up all the sun!

I’ve also been enjoying lots of meals outside.
Plus lots of grilling too!

Goals from Last Month– I made the most of summer and actitvites by crossing things off my summer bucket list. From friends, to new adventures and places and visiting old spots, it’s been a packed month. Plus, throw in some family time and you have a great July!

Summer beach days in July!

I’ve also been enjoying trying new recipes! Last week, I made homemade chicken sandwiches! So good!

A mix between a McChicken and Chick Fil A sandwich! Yum!

Goals for Next Month-The time is almost here. I’m crossing something off my 2023 New Year’s Resolutions and Summer Bucket List by running my first 5K. I have been training for it since the spring and all of this summer and I think I’m almost ready. A 5K may not seem like a huge accomplishment, but for someone who has always hated running, the fact I am excited to do this and have enjoyed the hobby is a big deal to me. I’m looking forward to finishing and accomplishing it next month. I’ve been running longer distances and I’m proud of myself for what my body can do.

Next month, I’m also looking to some family time as we take a little getaway and then some final summer adventures. 

July flew by, but looking back, I accomplished so much. I know August will be busy with trying to get everything done, but I’m excited to see what the next month brings.

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #49

Hey guys! 

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week! This week was a busy, between being back to work after some days off, the Fourth of July in the middle of the week and then visiting some friends on days off.

Time spent with friends in the sunshine!

It was packed full but in the best way. Summer is all about making memories and I certainly have done that this week!

Everything is in bloom his time of year!

I’m excited for this weekend for some fun activities too! More on that next week. Anyways, I hope you had a great week and have something fun planned this weekend.

Now, that I have you all caught up on life. Here’s some things I’m loving this week, a lot of these things are things that I loved and used during my family visit to the beach last week. Buckle up, here’s some fun, summer favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

Tennis Dress– I was influenced by Shay Shull for this Amazon tennis dress. While I am not a tennis player, I love how easy this dress is for the summer to throw on for a day of errands or coming out from the beach or pool. It’s easy to throw on, it’s made from Nylon so it’s good for being around water. It comes in so many colors, but I love the light blue. I’ve been into blue this summer and this was the perfect fun outfit to add to my fun clothes wardrobe. 

Pearl Hoops– If you remember, I got a pair of gold hoops around Easter and have been wearing them a lot for work. For my birthday, I got a pair of pearl hoops that really elevate your every day outfit. I have worn them with dresses for work, to shorts and blouses. They add some fun, bling compared to pearl studs. They can really dress up a cocktail or work dress. For example, on this day, I wore them with a blue and white polka dotted dress. So fun! They would even be great for a summer wedding!

Such a fun statement pier of jewelry!

Happy Place– I love the author Emily Henry! She has written some of my favorite beach reads from People We Meet on Vacation to Book Lovers and Beach Read. Happy Place may be one of my new favorites! I loved the plot line of six friends reuniting in their favorite spot for one last summer trip together and one of the couples pretending they are still together when they have broken up. The personalities of the friends, the description of the setting and the nostalgia had me craving a week at the lake. I read this book on vacation and it was the perfect beach read. If you haven’t read this book yet or any of Emily’s books, you are missing out and I highly recommend picking up one of them this summer!

Such a fun, summer read!

New Wall Flower scent– I love lemons! From the scent, to the flavor, to any foods. At the beginning of the season, Bath and Body Works unveiled some new scents including a sweet tea and lemonade scent. I loved the concept of the combo, but they are sold out of lotions and soap and candles. However, they still had some wall flower scents and I was able to get one. This is the perfect summer scent. It’s refreshing and not too overpowering. I use it in my bedroom, but I think it would great for a kitchen or a family room. I have tried a lot of different scents but this may be one of my favorites. The best for summer!

Smells like summer!

The Night Agent– I know I talked about this show on my Currently post last week, but I figured it deserved its own spot on Friday Favorites! The Night Agent on Netflix  has been such a fun and dramatic show to watch in the summer. There’s mystery and suspense and of course some romance too. There are definitely some intense parts but it’s been a fun show to watch nightly in the summer. Have you found any new shows that you have been loving this summer?

Another summer show!

That’s a look into life lately and what I’m loving! Some fun vacation finds and things I’m loving as we make our way through July! 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!! See you next Wednesday!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #44

Happy Friday friends and happy JUNE! This week went so fast and it was so busy! We kicked off my birthday on Monday with Memorial Day which was so fun! Then we had a few family events this week, so I was ready for my weekend! 

Surprise birthday flowers still going strong!

Today’s Friday favorites are so fun for the start of summer as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

J.Crew Haul– I did some retail therapy for some new work clothes last week and was so happy with some recent J. Crew purchases. I got some great blazers, pants, tops and dresses. It was such a successful day at the outlets. I can’t wait to share some of my outfits soon in a few weeks, but here’s a sneak peek. I can’t wait to wear these fun pants and a blazer this summer. Very professional but also fun for summer!

New Kylie Cosmetics Lip Color– I always enjoy trying some new makeup, but I do like to stick with what I know and love. I have really enjoyed Kylie Cosmetics for the lip kits, colors, and how long lasting they are. I have been on the hunt for a bright, pink and finally found it. This color is perfect for summer and can be great for work or play. I have ordered Kyle Cosmetics online, but now that you can get products at Ulta Beauty, it makes it so much easier to pick out colors and makeup options. This will be a summer favorite for sure!

Summer Planting– Over Memorial Day weekend, I made my way to the greenhouse for some summer flowers! I love the smell, colors and creativity that comes with a greenhouse. I picked out some flowers to help my mom with some of our pots. Although it’s a lot of hard work, the end result of a summer full of flowers is worth it. I also picked out some items for another summer project this summer. Stay tuned!

Love Again– Ahead of my birthday, my mom and I went to see Love Again in the theaters. We went to a matinee and were the only ones there. So fun! The movie stars Sam Heughan (hello Outlander fans) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The movie is all about two people getting connected and finding Love Again. There’s a few unexpected twists in the movie and some surprise cameos. One of my favorite parts was all the Celin Dion songs (she stars in it too!) Definitely a new favorite, rom com!

Ted Lasso finale-This past week was the season 3 finale on Ted Lasso and wow, what a finale, dare I say series finale! My boyfriend and I started binge-watching the show at the beginning of the year and watched it right up to the start of season 3 and we have been watching the new episode every week. This season had some up and down episodes, but overall, I thought the last few episodes were really strong. This has been such a fun show to watch. If you watched the last episode, what did you think?! This article breaks down what happened. Warning: Spoilers!

There you have it! A fun roundup of shows, products and movies as we kick off June! Tell me what things do you have planned for the first month of summer? Let me know in the comments below!!

Happy First Weekend of JUNE!

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #37

Happy Friday Friends! It feels like Springtime here! The sun is out longer, I’m not wearing layers upon layers when I head out the door and flowers are starting to bloom. I love this time of year!

First signs of spring

As we make out way into another spring weekend, I’m sharing some of my favorite things with you from the week as I link up with Erika and Andrea!

Easter Fun!

I know we are a week past Easter, but I wanted to share an easy recipe! We always make a traditional Easter Bunny cake! We use a box mix to make to circular cakes and then here’s how you get the bunny shape!

Bake your two cakes in two circular pans.
Take one cake and cut two angles to make the ears for the bunny face.
Use the other for the bow
Ice, decorate and enjoy!

Sea Salt Crackers– I picked up these crackers when I was out and was looking for a new flavor for my lunches. I love to pair these crackers with cheese, apples or salads. I love the consistency and flavor of the pita and sea salt. I am always on the hunt for new flavors and tastes and these check all the boxes. If you are looking for a new cracker, definitely check these out.

Rose Water and Ivy Wall Flower– As the seasons change, it was time for a new wall flower scent from Bath and Body Works. For spring , I’m using Rose Water and Ivy and I’ve really been enjoying it. I love the sweet and fresh smell it gives off. I also swapped out my plug-in for a new one with sleeker look. I’m excited to use this more in the coming weeks.

Greenwich Park– My co-worker shared Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner with me and I loved it, I finished it in less than a week! It’s the perfect mix of drama, thriller and mystery. The story is told from different perspectives of the characters. The book follows a story of a woman who meets a fellow first-time mom in a pre-natal class, the two women become friends until the new women has a hidden agenda and some secrets and connections to the protagonist and her friends and family. The book starts out fairly slow but picks up towards the middle and end, so if you re thinking about quitting, stay with it.

Emily Ley’s Podcast on Friends– I listen to Emily Ley’s Simplified podcast every week. She covers different topics about life, organizing, cooking, motherhood, finances along with guests every week. Last week, she released a podcast about friendships and the different kinds of friends. Her message was all about how there’s different friends for different parts of your life or seasons. This podcast really resonated with me, I definitely recommend the Simplified podcast for regular listening but also for this specific episode.

That’s a look into some of my favorite things from this week. I hope you have something fun planned for you this weekend! Happy Fri-yay!!!

Categories
Fabulous living

Spring Bucket List 2023

Hello all! Happy April! I hope your first week of this new month is going well. I’m hoping some of the spring weather we are experiencing is here to stay. As we embrace spring, I’m sharing my Spring Bucket list today! This is just a list of ideas of things I want to accomplish over the next several weeks.

Before we start on spring fun, I wanted to share my winter bucket list and recap it. 

I accomplished a lot of things I set out for, the only things I didn’t get done were because of our mild weather this winter. 

A look at my bucket list from the winter

The few other things I didn’t get done, I plan to do in the spring. So without further ado, here’s my spring bucket list:

Plant a Garden

Go to a New Place for a Walk

Celebrate Easter

Enjoy Ice Cream

Head to a Local Bookstore and pick up some new reads

Try a Spring Recipe

Enjoy more Fresh fruits/veggies and smoothies

Zoo Trips

Have a Picnic

Try to do Outdoor Activities with Friends

Cut and appreciate Fresh Flowers

Celebrate Memorial Day

Make it a Point to Spend Time Outdoors

Celebrate my Birthday

Enjoy Meals Outdoors

Clean Car

Transition from Winter to Spring

Dye Eggs

Make Lavender Lemonade

I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration for some spring fun! There’s a lot of outdoor fun, some projects, new recipes to try and memories to make! Did I miss anything for my bucket list? What do you plan to do this spring? Let me know in the comments below! Happy SPRING!

Categories
Currently

Currently #28

Hey guys!

Happy Wednesday! I had to check the calendar twice when I saw that next week is May. 2022 is flying by.  As this month comes to a close, here’s a look at what’s been keeping me busy these past few weeks. 

What I’m Up To: The weather has been getting warmed despite a day here or there with some snow flurries, yes, even in April. I’ve been trying to take advantage of the spring-like days by taking walks with friends, heading to our local zoo for a walk and celebrating Easter.

Heading to the zoo was always a favorite childhood activity and I still loving going as an adult.

It was nice to enjoy a family Easter dinner and take part in family traditions like dyeing eggs.

Dyeing eggs is always a favorite Easter activities and I still love doing it today.

All fun activities to get into the spring spirit.

What I’m Wearing: I keep trying to find opportunities to wear spring-like dresses and florals, but it’s been tricky with funky weather. I wore this dress for Easter, which I’ve had for years, but it was in the 40’s outdoors. At least I was trying to channel the warm weather even if it didn’t feel like it outside.

The best part of the dress? POCKETS!

What I’m Reading: LOTS of good books. I finished Business Minded by Carly Riordan and learned so much from it. I would recommend it if you are looking to start a business or turn your passion into a career. 

I’m a big fan of The Office and I read this book, which I found to be equally entertaining and informative. The book goes through each season and is made up of interviews from cast and crew members. Definitely a good read for any Office fan.

I’m currently reading Everything After by Jill Santopolo. I saw it on display at the library and fell in love with the cover and I’m falling in love with the book. It tells the story of a woman and her two loves in life and if how she decides who is her true love. Yes, it’s a chick flick but we all need that every once in a while. 

What I’m Watching: I finished Downton Abbey the series and proceeded to watch the first movie and I can’t wait to see the second movie next month. It was such a good show to escape to during the winter months. I just started Mad Men and even though I’m only a few episodes into it, I’m loving the period drama. 

What I’m Loving: I’m really enjoying the fresh flowers and the hints of spring in the air and outdoors. Although, we still have a ways to go until we have consistent warm weather, I’m taking what I can with spring like weather. I’m also loving the spring decorations this time of year and the planning of summer activities. I know the calendar will fill up fast, but I’m looking forward to making plans to see family and friends. 

Fresh blooms outside.

What Inspires Me:  I keep saving different activities and ideas for things to do in the spring and summer months, so I’m looking forward to making them happen. Pinterest is always my go-to for coming up with fun family or date ideas. Sometimes, I do go down the rabbit hole when it comes to Pinterest but I always end up with lots of ideas. 

Fresh flowers to get me into the spring spirit. My post from last week has more about the power of fresh flowers in your home.

What I accomplished: I’ve been doing better at making time for friends. I try to see at least one friend per week whether it’s for coffee or a walk or dinner. It can be hard to see friends with our busy work schedules or commitments, but I always look forward to quality time with friends. There’s nothing better than stepping away from the craziness of life and catching up with friends, whether they are from childhood, high school, or college.

Goals from Last Month: I really enjoyed celebrating Easter with my family and despite chillier days, I’m glad I’ve been able to get outdoors when I could. I’m hoping this trend continues as temperatures get warmer. I’m also looking forward to making more summer meals too. These past few weeks have been busier so I haven’t had a chance to do too much cooking but I’m looking forward to doing more cooking in the summer.

A look at our Easter dinner place setting.

Goals for Next Month: May is a big month. I have graduations to attend, birthdays to celebrate (including my own) and a few plans with friends already on the calendar. Plus, summer is around the corner. I have a feeling it’s going to be a good month. I’m also looking forward to more walks outside. Here’s a snapshot of my stats from a day when I got lots of exercise in.

That’s a look into life this past month. Let me know below what you are looking forward to next month and the highlight of April below!

Categories
Currently

Currently #20

Hey guys! I can’t believe we are at the end of summer. This summer flew by! Even though I’m not in school anymore and I can still do things outside into September and even October when the weather is nice, it’s still sad to think summer is winding down.

This month has been extra busy but also lots of fun! Here’s a look into my life lately.

What I’m up to: I’ve been busy making lots of trips to see friends. From dinners, to shopping and lunches, and the weddings. One of my best friend’s got married last weekend, I was one of her bridemaid’s and it was so fun getting to celebrate her these past few weeks and this past weekend. There’s nothing better than celebrating love with people who you’ve known for years. Work has kept me busy too, but I’m in a really good place in life, so I can’t complain!

Work always takes me to different spots. One day it took me to the pool on a hot summer day!

What I’m wearing: I’m trying my best to wear all my summer clothes and dresses before it gets too cold. I have been wearing lots of bold and bright colors. I’ve been also wearing some short sets and blouses on my days off too! 

Wearing some bright color at work

What I’m reading: I have been reading a lot! I finished, One Summer in Paris. It follows two women, one from England and one from the United States as they meet while both in Paris for the summer. It’s about friendship, love, the City of Love, finding yourself. I really enjoyed it! I also read the actress and comedian, Retta’s autobiography. It’s about her life journey to where she is today and how she got into acting and comedy. It was a fun and light read. It almost felt as if she was reading it to me. I’m currently working on Tina Turner’s autobiography, Happiness Becomes You, it’s been very informative and have learned a lot about this singer. 

What I’m Watching: Ladies and gentlemen, I finished Offspring. I really loved it! It was so fun and light- hearted and the perfect spring/summer show to watch. I definitely recommend it on Netflix. I also blitzed through Outer Banks on Netflix too. It’s a teen drama, but I watched the first season during Covid, so I had to continue it. It was really entertaining!!

Season 2 was soooo good!!!

I’m watching some movies before I start another series or before my fall shows return. I watched The Last Letter from your Lover, it was very good and a great period romantic drama. 

A movie win in my book!

What I’m Loving: I’ve been loving lots of time outside, whether it’s a trip to the zoo, and ice cream date or an afternoon by the pool. I’ve also been enjoying lots of summer meals, like salads, salmon, and snacks by the pool too. 

A delicious combo of salad and salmon! Yum!

What Inspires Me: I’ve been inspired by being more mindful. I’ve started to do mindful breathing in the morning. Every morning I always do some reading and journaling and prayer but I’ve started to add some breathing exercises, just to be in the right mindset before I start the day. I’ve noticed it has been helping start my day off on the right page. 

My mindfulness journey so far

What I accomplished: I’ve gotten to see so many friends and I have loved it.  I also loved celebrating one of my closest friend’s big day! I saw some family earlier this month too which was lots of fun! It’s been a busy but a summer filled month! I also got lots of pool days in too!

Even my dog Reese got in on the pool action.

Goals Accomplished from Last Month My goal was to keep enjoying summer and I mostly certainly did that. I’ll have my summer recap coming up soon. I love to see how much I accomplished both on and off my list! Stay tuned for that story coming up!

Fresh flowers are a favorite summer must have of mine!

Goals for the New Month: As much as I hate to admit it, next month will be all about the transition from summer to fall. I’m looking forward to this last few weeks of summer and spending as much time as I can outdoors.

That’s a recap of August, it’s been a busy but fun month. How’s your last full month of summer been?!

Categories
Fabulous living

A Few Favorite Things

Hi guys! Happy Wednesday!! Wanted to round up a few of my favorite things with you guys that I have been loving lately. A few things I am loving and make a difference in my day to day life.

Starting up first…

This heat protecting hair spray from Eufora. I have been using a lot of heat on my hair whether it is with a curling iron or a straightener. Every day, I am applying heat to my hair, this hair spray comes in super handy when it comes to taking care and protecting my hair. 

After I am done with washing my hair, while it is still damp, I spritz a bit on and not only does it smell great but it protects my hair too.

Next up…

This vase, I got it as a gift from Signals, it comes as a thin bag, but once you add water, it inflates. There are so many reasons why I love it and why it’s a favorite. First, I love the painting and the colors, second I love the fact it is slim and portable and I love how it is durable, once you add water and flowers it holds up very well.

Last but not least…

Fun and colorful masks! Masks are the next best fashion statement. I have been seeing so many fun colors and patterns sold everywhere. Gone are the days of not being able to find masks, now, I swear I see them at every retailer. Old Navy has a variety of fun patterns and colors to match to every outfit. They make wearing masks much more fun!

That’s just a peak into some of my favorites this summer. What are sine favorite things you are loving this season?