Tag: j crew

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
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #86

Hello all!

Happy Friday! I hope you have had an enjoyable week and are ready for the weekend. We are officially in the spring season despite a few days of chilly temperatures and snow.  Easter is just over a week away and even though it is earlier this year, I am ready for all the hope and promise that a new season brings.

A beautiful, spring like day!

As always, I am linking up with  Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites. I have a mixed bag of things that I am loving this week and I hope you have found some moments of joy too.

Made in Italy– This is an older movie, but I think it is still worth recommending. Made in Italy follows the story of a young man who works with his estranged father to rebuild their old home in Italy that’s been empty for years. After a strained relationship, this project brings the two of them closer together as they work to rebuild the house to re-sell. However, as they near the end of the project, the decision to move on becomes an issue and the two must set work through their differences to find a common goal. Liam Neeson stars in this movie that is perfect for a cozy night in. I watched it on Netflix but it can be found on other streaming services as well.

St. Patrick’s Day Outfit– I am not a big St. Patrick’s Day fan, but I do try to wear my green on and around the holiday. I went to our community’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and wanted to dress up and be festive for the big event. We had gorgeous weather for the parade. It was mid 50’s with sunshine and blue skies, you couldn’t have asked for better weather. Some years, it has been gray and rainy and cold, other years; they have even had to cancel the parade due to snow, this year, it was perfect! I decided to pair my favorite dark wash jeans from Old Navy with a green turtleneck and a Blackwatch plaid blazer from J. Crew. I have been loving bigger/longer blazers to add to outfits and this one didn’t disappoint. What I love about this blazer is that you can dress it up with a dress, skirt, or dress pants, or dress it down with jeans. Plus, I was comfortable with the weather that I wasn’t too hot or cold. I finished the outfit off with a pair of boots and green jewelry.

Grey’s Anatomy article– Last week I talked all about the premiere of Grey’s which was so good. It picked up right where it left off from last season. Although there will be fewer episodes, I’m looking forward to seeing the storylines this season tackles. This season also brought a new showrunner. She has been with the show from the beginning and I’m excited to see how she takes the reigns. This article does a great job of introducing her to those who may not know her.

This is Me Now Documentary– I mentioned Jennifer Lopez’s movie, This is Me Now a few weeks ago. After I finished the movie on Amazon Prime, I jumped right into the documentary that takes you behind the scenes of the creating of film. I love seeing all the behind the scenes of a production and found this documentary to be fascinating. I learned so much about Lopez as a performer, creator and a businesswoman. It was interesting to see her ideas transformed onto the screen. Plus, I loved seeing all the sweet moments captured between her and Ben. 

Crab Cake Recipe– I have been on a seafood kick but trying different recipes on Pinterest and through cookbooks. I enjoy food and making different meals and it’s been fun to try and experiment with new flavors and ingredients. I have always enjoyed a good crab cake but was always intimidated by them. However, once I found an easy recipe on Pinterest, I decided to give a try and was surprised at how easy it was to make and how good they tasted too! I already had most of the ingredients on hand and the prep and cook time was very manageable. 10/10 would recommend trying this recipe if you are interested and also I hope this encourages you to step out of your comfort zone if you are looking to give a new recipe a try but are just scared to not know where to begin. Here’s the recipe if you want to try it yourself.

That’s a quick roundup into things I am loving this week, some food, movies, and beauty items. Tell me: what do you weekend plans entail? Something fun, I hope, regardless, I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Categories
Fabulous living

Audible Review

Hello all!

Happy Wednesday! How has your week been going? Moving fast or dragging? I can’t believe we are halfway through October. I’ve been doing my best to enjoy the fall season as much as possible and that includes making my way through my fall bucket list.

Fall in full swing!

Something that I have been trying out over the past few months are audiobooks. I got a three-month free trial through Amazon and Audible over the summer and wanted to see if listening to audiobooks would be a new hobby I would enjoy. I LOVE to read, I typically go through a book a week. I strictly read “real” (sorry, I couldn’t think of a better adjective) books as opposed to digital books on a Kindle or tablet, simply because I like the feel of the paper and binding, hard cover or paperback and it’s nice to take a break from screens every once in a while. However, I know plenty of people who love a digital book.

Nothing better than a good book

When the opportunity came to try out Audible for a free trial, I jumped at the opportunity. Now that my free trial is up, it’s time for a review! This is no way sponsored, I’m just sharing my thoughts on the app and my experience.

I don’t often listen to a lot of content or media or music. I listen to Emily Ley’s Simplified podcast that comes out once a week. It’s short and sweet and often between 20-40 minutes long and leaves me with great advice or tips. I listen to that while I run.

On occasion, I will listen to another podcast if someone recommends it to me or if I have an interest in the topic, but besides that, I’m not a huge podcast or listening to content person. Mostly because I don’t have a lot of time where I can listen to media or content. My commute to work is 10 minutes and I often talk on the phone or drive in silence (mostly because I like the quiet moments during a busy day). If I’m going to listen to something like music or a podcast or audiobook, it’s often when I am running.  I also I work in an office where I am always on the go and when I am at home, I try to be present with family or doing a hobby that requires my attention, so when I don’t get too much downtime to just listen to things as I go.

Sometimes I listen to the Lazy Genius

When I got Audible, I was intentional in making sure I was listening to the books I got. it wasn’t hard to do since I was interested in all the topics. 

Over the course of three months, I listened to three books: Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Vuolvo, Kingdom of Prep by Maggie Bullock, and Counting the Cost by Jill Dillard. These were all books I was interested in reading and the fact that two of them were memoirs and narrated by the authors got my attention. I enjoyed all three books, learned a lot and was happy I could listen to them while doing other things. I love to multi-task. I listened to all three books while I was out running for a workout, in the car, and traveling. But I had to almost remind myself to listen to the books and make sure I was taking full advantage of the subscription.

As far as book reviews go…

Becoming Free Indeed– Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Vuolo,   I grew up watching Jinger Vuolo on 19 Kids and Counting and I have continued to follow her after the show ended. Through the book, she mostly focuses on her faith and how her relationship with God has changed through her life. She doesn’t focus too much about her family or the drama that has surrounded them in recent years. Overall, I thought it was interesting to hear her perspective about her faith and relationship with God and how it has evolved through the years. I chose to listen to it as opposed to read it to hear it in her voice and I was glad I did. 

Kingdom of Prep– Kingdom of Prep by Maggie Bullock follows the rise and history of J. Crew. I recently became a fan of J. Crew as I got older and started working full-time. I had a few pieces growing up but didn’t really wear a lot of the brand until I was an adult. Now I have several blazers, dresses, and blouses from J. Crew. After wearing their clothes, I was interested in their backstory. I really learned a lot about the history of the brand, where they got their ideas from and the different people who played a part in the company. It was interesting to see how the brand has evolved through the years. I enjoyed the audiobook, but it would have been nice to see some of the photos from the book.

Counting the Cost-Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar Dillard focuses on Jill’s life, how she’s grown and evolved and her perspective about her family and a lot of the events that transpired in recent years. I really love that I could hear her telling her story through the audiobook. I feel that she really pulls back the curtain on a lot of big moments in her life which I appreciated. She was real and vulnerable throughout the whole book. I learned so much more about her and her family situation. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and finished it in less than a week.

Now, back to Audible. I really loved all the different book options available on Audible, it was hard to narrow it down to only three books to listen to! The app was very easy to navigate and every month I got an email saying I had a new credit available to get another book, this made it super easy to know when I could listen to another book. I liked how I could adjust the speed of the reading if I wanted. Audible has different options for memberships, so you can tailor how much you want to pay based on your interest level. 

I was glad I was able to test out Audible for audiobooks, but after my free trial, I don’t think I’m going to renew it. I was happy with all my books and purchases and I was glad I got to listen to them. I had no issues with the app or products, but I don’t think I listen to audiobooks enough to justify the cost of paying for a subscription. I listened to the audiobooks I purchased, because of the free trial, however, if I didn’t have Audible, I still would have read the books. I genuinely enjoy the act of sitting down to read a book and missed that physical interaction with these books. Plus, I do believe I retain what I’m reading when I am looking at the words as opposed to listening to them. I think if you are someone who has a long commute to work, has a lot of quiet time or works best with background noise and likes to multi-task, then I definitely think Audible is worth it, not too expensive, hundreds of books to choose from and very easy to navigate. However, for me personally, listening to audiobooks isn’t a hobby I want to pursue at this time. 

I’m not swearing off on audiobooks forever, but right now, I think I’m going to stick to my library books for now.

If you are an audiobook lover, what do you like about them? I’m always curious to hear people’s thoughts about different topics! To all the book lovers out there, happy reading or listening!

Categories
Fashion

Fall Outfits

Hello all!

Happy Wednesday and Happy October! After holding onto summer for as long as I could, I’m fully committed to fall. The leaves are changing, the mornings are cooler and I’m all about the warm and cozy inside. Since we are in the fall season, I thought it would be appropriate to share some recent fall fashion finds. 

I picked up some of these pieces in the summer and some in the fall and couldn’t wait to wear them. I know these will work both in the fall and winter and will be great transitional pieces too from one season to another. 

Let’s start with a dress! I picked up this short-sleeve dress from Marshall’s on sale. I love to pop into Marshall’s and T. J. Maxx for their work dresses and home decor, I typically go in for one thing and leave with five more, whether it’s clothes, shoes, home decor or even a snack. I always have luck at Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx and Home Goods.  What I love about this dress are the colors (the gray, brown, black and orange are perfect for fall), I love how short-sleeved it is so you can wear it as a transitional dress between seasons or add a blazer to it and I love the style of it. It’s by Calvin Klein and I love the way they fit on me. This dress is a 10 across the board!

I had been on the hunt for a brown blazer to add to my wardrobe. I already have blazers in black, navy, white and red and was looking to add a brown/tan one to my collection for business attire. I got this blazer on sale from J.Crew last summer and couldn’t wait to wear it in the fall. I love the color and texture of the material. I love the cut and style. I actually have it in blue as well, when you like the fit of an item of clothing, there’s no shame in getting it in multiple colors. I appreciate the fact it can be worn with different items. You can pair it with a pair of dress pants, a blouse and flats or pumps. You can also wear it with a skirt and heels. You can wear it over a solid dress, or another twist, wear it with jeans and a top or booties or flats. One blazer and so many different ways to wear it.

Lastly, this black and white polka-dotted long-sleeved top is going to be great for fall and winter. I have so many blouses, but many are short sleeved, which isn’t always helpful in the winter. I have a few long-sleeved blouses and I’m always looking to add more to my collection. This top from Ann Taylor will be paired perfectly with black dress pants and pumps or flats, or it can be worn with a black pencil skirt too. Again, another example of one item of clothing paired multiple ways.

Having a few new items in my closet makes embracing a new season a lot more fun! I love being able to bring back some favorite pieces each season and bring in some new items too! 

Tell me, what fall trends are you looking forward to the most this season? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories
Currently

Currently #45

Hello All! Happy Wednesday! I hope you have had a great week so far and a great month. September was a weird month for me, we had some days in the 90’s that made me want summer to never end and then we had a handful of days in the low 50’s which had me craving fall. Mother Nature could not make up her mind. 

I’m hoping October is a little more consistent, but I will always take the sunshine and warm temperatures for as long as I can.

I got a lot accomplished this month between work and fun, I also made headway on my fall bucket list, and I took some day trips too! Overall, it was a great month!

Here’s a bit of a recap:

What I’m Up To: The month started out with Labor Day and some final ice cream runs before some of my favorite spots closed for the season.

End of summer ice cream

I used some of the tomatoes from my garden for a peach caprese salad. I have been loving peaches this season and have been enjoying them every opportunity I can. I used Mix and Match Mama‘s recipe for the Peach Caprese salad, you can find it here. 

A delicious Peach Caprese Salad

I tried to take advantage of the warm weather as much as I could, which included lots of walks to new and old places. I made a trip to Chargin Falls, Ohio. The falls are right in the center of town, but there are some great trails for hiking nearby!

Beautiful waterfalls!

I also made another trip to our local zoo which is always a fun afternoon activity. 

Another zoo trip in the books!

I rounded out the month with my first trip to West Virginia for hiking. Here’s a few shots from my adventure.

A true fall walk.
Gorgeous views
And beautiful trails!

What I’m Wearing: These past few weeks have been so hard to dress for, some days you can get away with shorts and a T-shirt, but other days, it’s leggings and sneakers. 

A go to walking outfit.
Some days it’s leggings and tee shirt weather for hiking.

The same goes for work clothes, most days I will walk into work with a coat, but by afternoon and evening, it’s way too hot for a coat.

A go-to work outfit.

This month is all about layers. I also can’t wait to start wearing some of my new fall shoes from DSW.

What I’m Reading: This month was such a good reading month for me. A lot of books that were on hold for me at the library came in, so I had plenty of books to read.

Some of my recent reads and to be reads.

This month I read:

Someone Else’s Shoes– Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes follows the story of two different women who accidently swap shoes at the gym. A silly mix-up leads to a lot of self-discoveries for these two women. A wealthy woman is forced to start over in hopes of getting some of her wealth back and a middle-class working woman gets a boost of confidence after finding and wearing designer shoes. I really liked following the storyline between the two women and I really loved what happened when they finally met. With most books I enjoy, there was a happy ending! 

The Soulmate- The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth follows the story of a family who lives in a quiet seaside town. When a woman dies after falling from a popular cliff, questions arise about her death. Was she pushed? Did she fall? Did she take her own life? Secrets are uncovered between two families and connections are made that you won’t see coming. There’s a lot of mystery to this book and it’s a bit of a thriller, but not too much so that you won’t be able to sleep at night. After reading this book, I want to read more of Sally’s books! I really loved the mystery and intrigue this book offered. 

Pineapple Street:  Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson follows the dynamics of a wealthy family in New York City. It’s told by two daughters and one daughter-in law.  I loved how it was told from different perspectives and truly fell in love with the storylines and characters. I think it showed an interesting look into adult relationships especially between in-laws and spouses. I also appreciated the description of New York living, from the sights and sounds and the vibrant city life. It was worth the hype after hearing and reading it on different blogs this summer.

The Mother-in-Law– The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth. It only took me a few weeks, but I got my hands on another Hepworth book. I was looking for another book with some mystery and intrigue and this one delivered. When the matriarch of a well to do family dies by suicide, everyone in the family is stunned. However, not everything is what it seems, when she may not have died by suicide after all. Family members are questioned, secrets start to spill out, and it turns out there may have been different people who wanted her dead. I was taken back by the ending and I’m sure you will too. If you are looking for a good book with twists and turns, this is it!

Same Time Next Summer– Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan is all about a woman returning to her family’s beach house with her fiancé and runs into her first love. She’s changed a lot since she last laid eyes on her first boyfriend and when she sees him years later, all the memories come rushing back. It’s a story of first loves, remembering the best parts about growing up and doing what makes you happy. I loved Nora Goes Off Script and I couldn’t wait to read this book, it was definitely worth the wait.

I couldn’t wait to read this book.

I also finished two audio books this past month.

Becoming Free Indeed– Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Vuolo, I listened to this book at the end of August and start of September.  I grew up watching Jinger Vuolo on 19 Kids and Counting and I have continued to follow her after the show ended. Through the book, she mostly focuses on her faith and how her relationship with God has changed through her life. She doesn’t focus too much about her family or the drama that has surrounded them in recent years. Overall, I thought it was interesting to hear her perspective about her faith and relationship with God and how it has evolved through the years. I chose to listen to it as opposed to read it to hear it in her voice and I was glad I did. 

Kingdom of Prep– Kingdom of Prep by Maggie Bullock follows the rise and history of J. Crew. I recently became a fan of J. Crew as I got older and started working full-time. I had a few pieces growing up but didn’t really wear a lot of the brand until I was an adult. Now I have several blazers, dresses, and blouses from J. Crew. After wearing their clothes, I was interested in their backstory. I really learned a lot about the history of the brand, where they got their ideas from and the different people who played  apart in the company. It was interesting to see how the brand has evolved through the years. I enjoyed the audiobook, but it would have been nice to see some of the photos from the book. 

I have a few more weeks of my free trial with Audible and I will have a full review on that coming soon!

What I’m Watching: Typically, I would be into all my fall shows right now, but due to the writer’s and actor’s strike, that’s not happening, but I have been enjoying my fair share of shows on streaming. A few reality/competitions show I watch have made their return. Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test returned for season two this past week, so I will be tuning in for that every Monday and then The Masked Singer is back tonight! I always enjoy trying to guess who’s under the mask, so this will be a fun season to watch. Here’s a few other shows I’ve been watching.

The Perfect Story– The Perfect Story can be found on Netflix, and it follows the story of a runaway bride and how she turns her life around when she meets someone totally unexpected. They are both recovering from heartache and the two start to spend time together to get back at each other’s ex’s. However, the more time they spend together, they more time they grow to like one another. It’s a light-hearted mini-series that’s only five episodes long, so it’s a fast watch. It is in another language, but it is dubbed in English so it’s easy to follow, especially with subtitles. 

Virgin River– I made my way through the first half of season 5 this month and it was really good. I liked how it picked up right where it left off. One of my favorite things about this show is that it’s the perfect escape from reality. A cute, quaint, town with mostly feel-good storylines. It makes me want to escape to a small town in the woods for a vacation after watching it. There’s some drama, but it mostly gets resolved quickly. It’s not my favorite show of all time, but it’s great to put in ion the background as you work away. 

What Inspires Me: I took a little hiatus from the kitchen over the summer, but I am back and doing all the baking and cooking once again. My goal is to try one new recipe a week and bake something once a week too. If I accomplish it, great, if not, then it’s not the end of the world. So far,  I have made my Peach Caprese Salad, Blueberry Muffins and Banana Muffins.

Banana muffins
Homemade snickerdoodle

I have also made some soups too, like this Margarita Chicken soup by Mix and Match Mama.

Perfect for fall!

I also got some more veggies from my garden.

Two cucumbers
Some carrots!
A perfect salad with all the veggies!

I can’t wait to go apple picking and start making all the apple recipes.  I have also been using my Kitchen Aid more by doing more baking and cooking which makes me happy and brings me so much JOY! 

What I Accomplished: Last month, I officially said goodbye to summer and hello to fall! I have been making some headway on my fall bucket list by going on fall walks and doing some baking and cooking.

Hello fall walks!
Another fall walk!

However, the leaves haven’t changed quite yet, and we still haven’t experienced all the fall weather yet. I have a feeling I will be accomplishing a lot from my bucket list in the next month. Another personal goal I accomplished was upping my running to four miles!

Goals from Last Month: Last month was all about the changing of seasons. I did some fall cleaning, got a lot of doctor’s appointments checked off my list, I saw friends and spent a lot of time outdoors and with family. This was a busy month, but a successful one, nonetheless. 

Getting my new Simplified planner made me very happy!

Goals for this Month: This next month will be all about enjoying all the fall fun! I have some fall day trips planned. We also have a handful of fall festivals happening, so I hope to make it to some of them. As the weather gets cooler, I want to make some hearty soup and enjoy all the cozy days indoors by watching movies or fall shows. 

That’s a look into life for the month of September. Some changes and freshening up of things, but a great month. Tell me: how has your month been? What’s been some things that have brought you JOY? Let me know in the comments below!

Goodbye September, hello October!

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!

Categories
Currently

Currently #41

Hi friends! Happy Last Day of May! This has been a packed month and I swear it flew by in the blink of an eye. I hope you had a fun and relaxing Memorial Day weekend and enjoyed the unofficial kickoff to summer.

A snapshot of our Memorial Day spread!

I had a busy weekend between celebrating the holiday, working and then celebrating my 25th birthday. It was packed full, but oh so fun!

 

Celebrating 25!
With my pup too!

Now, that I have got you all caught up on this weekend, as another month comes to a close, it’s time to recap this month with a new edition of Currently. Here’s what I’ve been reading, watching, and doing.

What I’ve Been Up To: May was a busy work month between traveling to Canada for a day trip to preview the Coronation of King Charles III, which you can read about here, Primary Night in Pennsylvania and kicking off summer events. 

Day trip to Niagara on the Lake!
Primary night in PA!

On weekends, I have been savoring the warm weather by spending as much time outside by taking walks or runs and making a point to get outdoors.

First sunset of summer!

From doing work outside to taking walks after work or on days off, I even have been making it a point to catch up with friends over the phone or in person over a walk. Spring and summer means eating meals outdoors, I always try my best to spend some time outside every day.

Enjoying a Saturday morning walk and coffee!

I also got to enjoy my first sunset and grilling of the season at the beach. It was a beautiful night to sit on the beach and grill! Looking forward to many more nights this like this through the summer.

First sunset and picnic on the beach

What I’m Wearing: On cooler days, I have been enjoying wearing cuffed jeans and graphic t-shirts and sneakers. I even have gotten to break out the shorts a few times this month too which is a huge win! I can’t wait for shorts season all the time come next month.

A weekend look, cuffed jeans for the win!

I also got a few new closet staples from J.Crew and Ann Taylor which I will be sharing soon. I have been looking for bright colors to wear in the warmer months. I got this bright, yellow dress from a friend from The Limited and it’s perfect for Spring and Summer. I love the color and the style, it would be great for a summer wedding, Sunday Church service or work.

Bright and cheery for spring!

Speaking of weddings, I went to a family wedding a few weeks back and wore this dress. Although, it’s navy blue, I dressed it up with gold accents.

A classic wedding look.

What I’m Reading: The end of April and start of May was a big reading month for me. Here are some of my favorites.

I read the sequel to “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover. You do have to read It Ends With Us, before you read “It Starts With Us“, but I don’t think it’s necessary to read the sequel. It was definitely lighter than the first book and it was interesting to see how some of the relationships progressed and changed, but I don’t think you have to read the sequel.

I also made it my goal to read all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books. I read “After I Do”, “Forever Interrupted”, and “Maybe in Another Life”.

“After I Do” follows the story of a young couple who after being married for several years goes through a rough patch and agrees to take some time apart. The book follows what happens when they separate and if they decide if they are better together or apart.

 “Forever Interrupted” tells the story of a newlywed couple who are on Cloud 9 in marital bliss, until the husband is tragically killed just a week after they say, “I do”. The book goes back and forth between the grieving widow trying to move on and the start of the couple’s relationship. I really enjoyed the two perspectives it was told from and how the two storylines eventually get tied together.

The final Taylor Jenkins Reid book I read was “Maybe in Another Life”. This book follows the story of Hannah who moves back to California and when out with friends, she has to decide if she wants to go home with her ex-boyfriend or her best friend. The story goes back and forth between both decisions, if she plays it safe or makes a bold decision. I really enjoyed seeing both lives and perspectives.

The last book I read was “The Dinner List” by Rebecca Serle, it’s all about a woman who shows up to her birthday dinner with five people from her life. Through the course of the dinner, the purpose of each guest is revealed, and our heroine learns the importance of letting go, moving on, and growing from this special birthday dinner.

What I’m Watching: This past month, I wrapped up a lot of series. I finished The Mindy Project which was so good. I loved the casting, storylines and one-liners and truly didn’t want it to end, however, I was satisfied with the ending.

I also finished The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which I loved from the get-go. I thought this season did a great job at wrapping things up and giving glimpses into the future of what happens with fan-favorite characters. I am going to miss the cast, the comedy and of course, the clothes! This article gave a great recap!

If you watched the show, what did you think of the final season and ending?

I also talked about Jury Duty a few weeks ago. You can find it on Amazon Prime and it was the perfect show to watch for a comedy filled 30 minutes. I thought the show was well done with the creative story of a group of people sitting in on a court case that’s being filmed for a tv show. The catch is, they are all in on it except for one jurors. It was such a fun show to binge watch.

I also finished The Diplomat which stars Keri Russell on Netflix. It’s all about a woman who becomes the new Ambassador in the United States. It’s a mix of politics, drama, intrigue and some romance too! I give it 5 stars! I’m already looking forward to the new season.

What Inspires Me: Spring and summer mean all the salads! I have been on a kick of making chefs salads. They are so easy to assemble and great to use what you have in your fridge. I often throw in any leftover vegetables I have plus any cheese or sliced meats or even fruit. I love that you can use what you have and get a hearty meal out of it too.

Besides making chef salads, I have also enjoyed making flatbread pizzas this summer and trying different combinations.

Plus in honor of Cinco de Mayo, I made chicken tacos! Yum!

Lastly, I have been inspired by picnics. There’s nothing better than enjoying a picnic after a nice long walk. I enjoy a classic sandwich and chips and fruit for a picnic, but love to switch it up with grilling too.

Summer picnics are back!

What I Accomplished: I’ve been really enjoying time outside, time spent with family and starting summer traditions and fun! If this month is any indication at how summer will look, we are in for a good summer!

Summer appetizers are back!
Bring on the fresh salads.

Goals from Last Month: This past month has been busy as I celebrated my 25th birthday, I accomplished a lot of things on my summer bucket list and I made lots of memories through the spring and did some things for the first time too, like being to a new part of Canada.

Day trips to the zoo are back!
The best part of family weddings-cookies!
And some sweet gifts too!

Goals for this Month: My only goal for next month is to kick off summer and begin my summer bucket list! I am already working on it and can’t wait to share it with you next week!

Whew, that was a lot! May has packed full in the best way. I can’t wait to see what June has to offer! I can’t wait to welcome a new month and summer! See you back here in JUNE!

Categories
Fashion

Bringing Blazers into Outfits

Hey guys! Happy Wednesday! Today, we are talking fashion, especially fall fashion. One of my favorite things about the fall season is layering clothing, from sweaters, to jewerly, even blazers, there’s so many fun ways to layer clothing and make your outfits cozy, comfortable and professional for fall.

When it comes to work outfits, wearing blazers is one of my favorite pieces of clothing to layer and accessorize. You can pair a blazer with dress pants, a skirt, even a dress. I love how one piece of clothing can tie a whole outfit together or completely change it. 

Here’s a few ways that I incorporate blazers in my wardrobe.

With Dress Pants

I love wearing a blazer with dress pants to layer an outfit. Not only does it keep you warm, but it also looks more professional and put together. I got this blue blazer by J. Crew a few weeks ago and I couldn’t wait until the fall to wear it. I love how the neutral colors of the tan, blue and white. This is such a timeless and classic look that can be worn in any season. I also love the cut and fit of the jacket.

The classic blazer look

As a Pop of Color

Another fun way to wear a blazer is by using it to bring in a pop of color. Here’s the same dress pants and white top with a red blazer. Notice how even with the same pants and top, the blazer completely change the look of the outfit. That’s something I love about blazers, it changes the feel of the outfit.

Same basics, different blazer.

With a Skirt

This photo is from a few years ago, but I still wear this outfit to work. This gray blazer works great for a matching gray skirt or even black or gray dress pants. I like how a blazer can elevate the look of just a skirt and a blouse. This outfit works great for meetings or interviews or a day in the office. Even though the shades are a bit off, the blazer still works great.

Elevating a skirt and blouse.

With a Dress

This is more of a different look, but sometimes wearing a blazer with a dress could help double as a coat. It breaks up the the look of just one solid dress. I wore this light purple dress, but since there was a chill in the air, I added this black blazer as a jacket and for some dimension to the dress too. 

Adding a blazer adds dimension and warmth to a simple dress.

Those are four easy ways to add a blazer to you wardrobe this fall season.

Tell me how you incorporate a blazer in your closet? Let me know in the comments below.

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #9

Hi everyone! 

Happy Friday! We made it through our first week of October! Woo Hoo! It’s really starting to feel like fall as we are consistently in the 50’s degrees. 

Hello F A L L

As always, I’m linking up with  Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites. Here’s some of my favorite things this week.

J.Crew Trench Coat

I got this coat for Christmas a few years back and it’s one of my favorite things to wear in the spring and fall. Not only is it professional for the office by wearing a dress, skirt or dress pants with it, but you can also wear it with jeans or leggings for a casual look. I know I have talked about this trench coat on my blog before, but I had to share it again since I’ve been wearing it a lot over the past few weeks. It keeps me warm; I love the cut and style and quality. Even if you don’t want to go with J.Crew, I highly recommend investing in a trench coat for the spring and fall and even cooler summer nights too. 

Trail Mix

I always keep my eyes open for fun, seasonal snacks when I am out and about, and I picked up this trail mix from Target. I have been munching on this sweet treat for lunch since it’s the perfect mix between sweet and salty. There are peanuts, peanut butter chips, raisins, pretzels and chocolate chips all mixed in. It satisfies the sweet and salty tooth and tastes like fall too. I’m excited to see what other fall treats will be hitting the shelves soon.

Pinterest Boards

Speaking of fall, I have been so inspired by Pinterest lately. I haven’t decorated my front door and porch yet for fall, but when I do, I have plenty of ideas saved from Pinterest. I’ve been so inspired by front doors set up with pumpkins, mums and fall vegetables. I also can’t wait until more leaves start to change for fall walks and drives. I have spent some time outdoors and just seeing some leaves fall got me excited for what’s to come. You can follow me on Pinterest here.

Apple Glaze Cinnamon Swirl Bread

I had some leftover apples and made this delicious and sweet apple bread. It was so tasty that it could be enjoyed as a dessert with a scoop of ice cream. I found the recipe on Pinterest and will be sharing with you in a few weeks. I love using the fall as a time to test out new recipes.

Fall TV is Back!

Some of my favorite weekly shows are back on tv this week. I’ve been catching an episode of the Masked Singer here and there. It’s always a good show to put on in the background and try and guess who’s under the mask. This year they are unmasking more people each week which has been an added twist. Grey’s Anatomy returned last night! There’s a new class of interns to meet this season and I’m looking forward to seeing how their storylines unfold. Ellen Pompeo won’t be in this season as much so I’m curious how the season will go/feel without her in every episode. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.

That’s just a look into my life this week.

Tell me: what are some favorite things you are loving this week? Let me know below!