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Recommendation Roundup

Recommendation Roundup #1

Hey everyone! Happy Wednesday!

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

Hereā€™s the first recommendation roundup. 

For the book lover:

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

So far Iā€™ve read

Daisy Jones and the Six

Malibu Rising

Carrie Soto is Back

One True Loves

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

(I canā€™t choose a favorite since they were all so good and have their unique storylines. But, I do have to say, I have loved seeing Daisy Jones and the Six come alive on the big screen. I canā€™t wait for One True Loves to come out soon.)

Rebecca Serle books. Iā€™ve read a few of Serle books and I love how she ties family, love friendship and finding oneself all in one. I also love how she usually has a twist in her books too. She has a way of writing that once you start, you canā€™t put it down. 

So far Iā€™ve read:

In Five Years

One Italian Summer

Colleen Hoover books. I just started reading some of Hooverā€™s books but I have found myself hooked with her thriller themes and intriguing way of writing. There have been so many times when Iā€™ve wanted to stop reading since a storyline was getting intense, but couldnā€™t put it down. Even after reading the books, I still think of the endings.

So far Iā€™ve read

November 9

Verity

It Ends with Us

For the binge watcher:

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

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

This season is off to a great start!

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

Emily in Paris (Netflix)– This tells the story of a young girl who moves to Paris for a job and ends up falling in love with the city. I drool over the fashion, Emily pulls off outfits that I couldnā€™t pull off. Thereā€™s some love triangles, cute one liners, gorgeous Paris scenes and of course lots of finding oneself.Ā 

Outer Banks (Netflix)- It may seem like a teen drama and it is, but once you start, itā€™s hard to stop until you see if a group of high school friends discover buried treasure. Just when you think, things canā€™t get crazier, thereā€™s another twist. Definitely a fun show to have on in the background.

For the podcaster

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

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

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Currently

Currently #38

Hey guys! Happy Wednesday. I know February is the shortest month of the year and it certainly flew by. This month has been filled with new recipes, unexpected sunshine and mild weather, lots of books and new shows. Here’s a recap of this past month.

What I’ve Been Up To: I’ve been keeping up with lots of my favorite hobbies. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw that I have been putting my new cookbook Just Feed Me by Jessie James Decker to good use by trying lots of recipes. 

Here’s a few that I have tried this month. 

I made Na’an Bread Pizzas
I also made Cilantro Lime Rice and broccoli
And Dirty Rice and Beans
Chicken Chili

We’ve also had such a mild February. With little to no snow, I’ve made the most of the sunshine by getting in lots of walks and outdoor time.

Winter walks in the snow
Followed by warm drinks, even with Santa mugs!

I also got some friend dates for dinners around Galentine’s Day. My boyfriend and I celebrated Valentine’s Day with dinner after work, and we also did a day date to Cleveland at the beginning of the month where we went ice skating, went to the Museum of Art and dinner and a show. It was a packed full day but so much fun!

Skating in the city!
An afternoon at the museum.
And a show at night!

What I’m Wearing: I’ve been wearing Valentine’s day colors all month long. From pink sweaters to red coats. I always love to break out some fun colors around the holidays. These bright colors also help me get in the spring feels which will be here soon.

All pink for the month of LOVE
My red coat made its way out for a date night

What I’m Reading: I got on a Colleen Hoover book train and read two of her books this past month. 

I also finished Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez, this told the story of star-crossed lovers who live in essentially different worlds. A country boy meets city girl, they fall in love but quickly realize they may not fit in each other’s worlds. Will they make it work or have a short-lived romance, you will have to read to find out. (I finished this almost 400 page book in a week-so worth it!)

Some of my books that I’ve read and still need to read.

What I’m Watching: New show to me, but I started watching Ted Lasso and love it. I know I’m late to the party but find it so creative and funny. I love all things Great Britian, so I can’t get enough of the British references.

Such a fun show, especially with snacks!

I love the casting and one-liners and can’t wait for the new season to debut this summer. I’ve also been making my way through some movies on my watch list on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Iā€™ve been watching lots of rom coms. Here’s some of my favorites. Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris follows the story of a woman who works as a house cleaner and looks to fulfill her dream of wearing a designer gown. This movie takes her from England to Paris where she gets a newfound sense of confidence and makes some friends along the way.

About Fate follows the story of two people in different relationships, one serious, one not so serious, but they run into one another without their significant others and end up spending New Yearā€™s Eve together overcoming one obstacle to another to get to their dates. They end up learning they have more in common than they thought and fateā€‹ keeps bringing them together.

What Inspires Me: Spring will be here soon, or so I hope. As much as I am enjoying winter, I wouldnā€™t be lying if I said I am looking forward to spring. I am savoring the time indoors and being cozy and working on projects that I may not be able to accomplish in warmer weather.

Fresh flowers make me think of spring too!

What I accomplished: I have been making headway on lots of odds and ends projects, which is a huge accomplishment. I also spent time with family and and friends which is always a good thing!

Goals from Last Month: I was so glad I got to make time for my girlfriends for Galentineā€™s Day. I enjoyed having one on one time with friends in town and made time for friends further away with facetime calls. I also had a great Valentineā€™s Day that was filled with lots of baking and sweets.

Some Valentine’s Day treats!
And more treats!
Valentine’s Day fun!
Lots of sweets!

Goals from this Month: March is such a tease for spring with a mix of winter. I am looking forward to getting some warmer days, while savoring the days of winter. 

Cold days and warm drinks are the perfect combination!

Thatā€™s just a look into my life this past month, lots of baking, reading, binge watching and walking, throw in some work and family time then you have yourself a perfect month. Iā€™m looking forward to see what next month brings. 

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #28

Hey guys! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week full of Galetineā€™s Day celebrations or a Valentineā€™s Day date night. I know I enjoyed spreading a little extra love this week and indulging in some sweet treats too. I did some baking before Valentineā€™s Day and enjoyed sending cards and some baked goods to family and friends.

Some Valentine’s Day treats!

During the winter months, I spend more time indoors, getting projects done, catching up on books, shows or trying new recipes. That being said, if my Friday Favorites seem similar week to week, thatā€™s why.

Hereā€™s what Iā€™ve been reading, watching, and enjoying for this weekā€™s Friday Favorites as I like up with ErikaĀ andĀ Andrea.

YOU-Part one of YOU season four came out last Thursday on Netflix and I finished it in two days, mind you, it was only five episodes, but once I started it was hard to stop. This new season takes Joe to a new country, with a new murder and a whole new cast of characters. Thereā€™s mystery, intrigue, romance and cliffhangers. Iā€™m excited for part two to come out next month!

Your Place or Mine– In a complete opposite genre, Your Place or Mine came out last weekend and it was the perfect way to get into the Valentineā€™s Day spirit with this rom com. I loved the storyline, the characters, and the chemistry between Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher. If you havenā€™t seen this movie yet, you are missing out! Super cute!

Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Raspberry Hearts– I indulged in all the sugar and sweets from Valentineā€™s Day. From heart-shaped cupcakes to homemade sugar cookies, it was definitely a sweet holiday. I tried these new chocolates from Ghiradelli and loved them. The blend of fruit and chocolate was the perfect ratio. I always enjoy anything chocolate so when I saw a pairing with raspberry, I knew I had to try it and was so glad I did!

Colleen Hoover Books– Late to the book party here, but I finally got around to reading some of Colleen Hooverā€™s books. I have heard about her for years, and decided to try some of them after a friend lent me them. I recently read November 9 and Verity. November 9 was such a sweet love story with an incredible twist. Verity was definitely darker and there were many times I wanted to put it down, but Iā€™m glad I finished it. The ending definitely raised more questions. Iā€™ll be looking into more Hoover books. If you have read her other books, what ones are your favorite and what should I read next?

New Wall Flower Scent– I swapped out scents for my wall plug in from Bath and Body Works last week and have been loving this new scent. I went from Pine which was very Christmasy to Spearmint and Eucalyptus. This scent is so fresh and perfect for the winter months. Thereā€™s nothing better than a new scent for a new week.Ā 

Thatā€™s just a look into life over the past few days. Tell me, how did you celebrate Galentineā€™s Day or Valentineā€™s Day? Have a great weekend!