Happy Friday and happy first week of December! The Christmas season is here and I am here for it. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this time of year! My holiday calendar is slowly filling up and it begins this weekend with a Christmas concert, I can’t wait!
All is calm, all is bright.
As we begin the weekend, here’s some things that I have been loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea or a fun roundup of Friday Favorites!
Credentialed Podcast– I am slowly jumping on the podcast bandwagon. Certain podcasts, I will listen to on the day they come out, while others, I will listen to when I have the time. I recently started listening to the Credentialed podcast by Justine Ward and Jillian Mele, they are two former reporters who decided to go back to school to get their MBA’s. There’s only a few episodes out and most of them have been about their background and decision to leave the news business. While I love my job, it’s been interesting to hear their stories and decisions to pursue other careers. Definitely worth the listen if you are interested in news, sports, or making a career change.
Fall/Winter Dress– I picked up this Calvin Klein dress from Marshall’s and it’s the perfect dress for fall and winter. I love the color (it’s a mix between a dark orange and light red), the style could work in the fall and winter with or without a blazer depending on the weather and it fits true to size. You can easily wear this to a cocktail party, to church or even dress it up with pumps and some bold jewelry for a holiday party.
Plus, it pairs great with a bright red jacket.
You can’t go wrong with red jacket!
Virgin River Returns– After the fall premiere, Virgin River released some holiday episodes/ specials. I haven’t had a chance to watch the episodes yet, but I plan on starting them this weekend. I like how they planned for some episodes mid hiatus. Not only does the series continue with some updates but I can’t resist a good holiday themed episode. I’m looking forward to cozying up by the fire and catching up. If you have watched or are planning to watch, what are your thoughts so far?
Pinterest Christmas Ideas– Pinterest has been one of my favorite apps lately for all things holiday fun. I have been scouring it for Christmas recipes, holiday decoration ideas and just holiday scenes. I have found recipes to bake, meals to try, and hot cocoa drinks to taste. I always find such creative ideas on Pinterest for the holidays and it really gets my creative juices flowing when it comes to trying new things. You can follow my board here.
Tell me: what’s something fun you have tried from Pinterest?
Side Dish Meme– Ending Friday Favorites with this meme I saw on Facebook. If you have lots of holiday parties or get-togethers coming up, this is your reminder to give yourself some grace. I love to spend time in the kitchen cooking and baking, but it’s not for everyone. If cooking and baking causes you stress, alleviate some of that by heading to the store and picking up something pre-made to bring to your holiday part. The holidays are meant to be a time to spend time with family and friends and soak up traditions, try not to stress about the little things. December can be hectic and busy, give yourself permission for grace this holiday season.
That’s a look into life lately, lots of fun and festive things, plus a laugh or too! I hope you have a wonderful and festive first weekend of December!
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.
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!
Are you in fall mode yet? Are you savoring the pumpkin spice season or soaking up the final days of sunshine? Last week, we had temperatures near the 90’s, so I’m still soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the outdoors for as long as I can.
Final ice creams of the summer!
My summer was a busy one, so I made it a point to schedule a lot of my yearly appointments for September once the summer slowed down a bit and to be honest, I’m glad I did. It’s been nice to take care of appointments and checkups when children are back in school, and the calendar is a bit more open, and routines are back in place. Needless to say, my days off have been filled with ALL the appointments, but I did manage to sneak in some fun too!
It’s never a bad day for a walk!
As we gear up for the weekend, I’m sharing a few things I’m loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites.
Virgin River Back– The new season of Virgin River came out last week, but I didn’t have a chance to watch it until this past week. I have been loving this season so far. For those who watch, it picks up right where last season ends. I really like how each season flows right into the other. A few storylines get wrapped up in the premiere, but new characters and problems arise in the premiere too. I’m anxious to continue the first half of the season and I’m already looking forward to part two when it comes out in November.
Sally Hepworth’s The Soulmate– I have only read a few of Hepworth’s books but have devoured them all. Her latest book, The Soulmate came out in the spring, and I have been waiting to check it out at the library. Once I got my hands on it, I finished it in five days, some nights, even staying up late to read one more chapter. It 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!
Cover Girl The Exhibitionist Mascara-I wear a lot of makeup for work and I’m always open to trying new products, especially when it comes to mascara. I have my staples that I use day in and day out, sometimes like to experiment with new styles. I have been a fan of Cover Girl and their products and one of my friends told me about their Exhibitionist Mascara. I have been using it for a few weeks and have really come to enjoy it. I typically use their lash blast mascara, so it took some getting used to using a thinner brush, but I have found that it makes my lashes look longer. It has great coverage and it’s long-lasting. I’m not sure if I will use this one forever, but it has been good to change it up over the past few weeks.
Black Mary Jane Shoes– I’m not in fall mode yet, but I have made a few recent purchases that is getting me there. My mom spotted these black Mary Jane ballet flats at Marshall’s and they were calling my name. I love how they are a sturdier shoe, there’s a strap on them and you can wear them with so many different outfits. I can see myself wearing them with dress pants, a skirt, even jeans in the fall. I love how they are versatile enough to be dressed up or down with them. I love to browse T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s just to see what things they have in stock.
Simplified Launch– This was one of my favorite weeks as it was Simplified Launch Day this past Wednesday! I am a weekly-yearly planner gal, so I got to pick out my goodies for 2024 and order them on Wednesday. Simplified also dropped some new products that I browsed. Each launch they always bring out so many fun and creative products, I have to reign myself in from buying them all. This was my planner pick for this year. I love the message behind it, the pattern and all the detailing. I can’t wait for my products to come in.
This was a busy week, I finished a big project at work, had some appointments, and work functions thrown in too, so I was more than ready for the weekend! I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend or you are enjoying a nice relaxing weekend in. Either way, I hope it’s a great one!
I’ll see you here back next Wednesday! Happy Weekend!
This week has been a whirlwind. I was on a family trip at the beginning of the week and then jumped right back into work for the end of the week.
Snapshots from a packed full and fun family vacation.
Needless to say, it’s been a busy, but good week. I am looking forward to getting back into my routine next week, but it’s been a good change of pace. We are slowly inching towards back-to-school season. One of my brothers made their way back to school today and the others will follow suit in the next few weeks. This summer certainly flew by, but it was quite a memorable summer.
I hope you are doing something fun this summer Friday as I link up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s edition of Friday Favorites. Here’s been some of my favorite things from the past week.
Barbie movie- I jumped on the bandwagon and finally saw the Barbie movie with my mom before we left for our trip. I had heard a ton of great reviews and after hearing about all the records it broke in the box office, I had to see it for myself. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. From the fashion, to seeing the accessories and clothes come to life on the big screen and all the nods to Barbie history, this movie had it all. There were a lot of lines that really resonated with me about women, success, how far we have come and how far we still have to go. I agree with other commentators that this movie was more than just about the dolls that thousands of others and I played with growing up. I definitely recommend seeing it!
Such a fun movie!
New Lotion– It’s time for a new scent as we make our way through August. I know some people have signature perfumes and scents they always use, but I personally like to switch it up every few months based on the season and what’s out at Bath and Body Works. I just finished Gingham Gorgeous and now I have moved onto Gingham Vibrant. I tend to get the same scent for both my lotion and body spray. The best way to describe this scent would be a warmer and subtler scent. It’s not as strong and floral as Gingham Gorgeos but still fresh and noticeable. I think it will be a nice transition scent from Summer to Fall.
Nothing better than a fresh scent
Simplified Lunch Box– Did I need this next favorite? No, but am I happy that I got it? YES! I have been eyeing up Simplified’s lunch boxes at Target for several weeks and decided to finally upgrade the one I had since junior year of high school. There are three different patterns to choose from, gingham, floral, and lemon. I went with the floral since it was bright and cheery and matched a lot of my purses too. My favorite thing about this lunchbox is how spacious it is. There is a pouch on the outside for a drink (it fits my Yeti thermos), there’s also a zipper on the outside for napkins or silverware and the inside has a lot of room too. It comes with two food storage containers as well. I can easily fit a sandwich, fruit, veggies, a salad, drinks, and many small containers in the lunchbox. This has been a purchase that was well worth it.
Something new to make lunches fun!
Peaches– We are in peach season over here and I have been enjoying peaches whenever I can. I enjoy them at lunch eating them whole, I have enjoyed them for dessert with some vanilla ice cream and I have even enjoyed them as an appetizer grilled with some crackers and cheese. I can’t get enough of peaches, especially when they are sweet and fresh. I love fruit through the entire year, but there’s always something sweet about them when they are in season. I am always looking for new recipes, if you have any favorites, let me know in the comments below!
The sweetest peaches
Virgin River Trailer– The new trailer for season 5 of Virgin River dropped last week and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s set to return in two installments starting on September 7. This season looks like it will pick up right where it left off from last season. I’m excited to see how a few storylines develops and what questions get answered this season. If you are a fan of the show, what plotlines are you looking forward to the most? Let me know in the comments below!
Whew, what a recap! It’s been a fun week of favorites! Tell me, what are you doing this weekend? Something fun, I hope! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
