Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week! It’s starting to feel more and more like fall. The leaves are starting to change, it’s getting cooler and it’s almost time to start pulling out legging and long sleeve t-shirts.
Today’s post is a bit of a different spin on the weather. One of my summer goals was to grow a garden. I have always wanted to get my hands dirty and see if I had a green thumb. I love vegetables and planned to challenge myself to see if I could grow my own. My first summer of being a gardener is in the books, so I wanted to share what I learned and a bit about my experience. I am by no means an expert gardener. This was my first year giving it a try and I’m happy with the results, even if it did have some ups and downs. I learned a lot and I will be taking what I learned this year and using it when I garden in the future.
I started the process back in May, with the help of my boyfriend, who has helped grow his fair share of vegetable. I did some research on what plants vegetables to try and grow. Since this was my first year, I decided to not go overboard and start small by planting seeds for tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, carrots and peppers. I got the seeds at our local nursery and went home to plant them.
I found a section of the garden, dug the holes, planted the seeds and covered them with fresh planting soil and gave them some water.
The start of my garden
I like to be creative whenever I can, so I made signs for each plant so I could keep track of what I planted and where it was located.
The signs
Then the tending began. I checked on my garden every day and watered them frequently. It was exciting to see the progress of my vegetables grow through the summer, what started out as seeds, turned into stems, blossoms, leaves and eventually fully grown vegetables.
Just the beginning
The biggest thing I learned through the process of growing a garden this summer was the power of patience and accepting trial and error. It takes a while for things to grow sometimes things don’t always grow according to plan or grow at all.
My garden growing- peas, carrots, and cucumbers.
For example, I started out with a lot of peas, but they quickly died, after researching I think it was due to being overwatered. I also got blossoms on my pepper plants, and they grew a lot too.
Early pepper plants.
While it was frustrating and disappointing, I still had other plants to care for.
My first set of veggies! Peas!
Other vegetables did fairly well. I got a handful of tomatoes, while small, they were tasty, and I was very proud of them.
The fruits of my labor
My tomatoes!
I used them to make a Peach Caprese Salad.
A fresh salad with veggies from the garden
I also got a handful of cucumbers, I really enjoyed seeing them grow from week to week and lastly, I got carrots!
My cucumbers!
I started the summer with the hopes to grow five different vegetables and ended up with three, for my first time growing a garden, I’m pretty proud of successfully growing different vegetables and being able to enjoy the fruits of my labor.
My baby tomatoes
I will definitely be growing a garden again and I want to try my hand at some new vegetables too. I really enjoyed the process of growing vegetables, and my favorite part was having something to show for a hard summer’s work. Next summer, I may change where I grow my plants and may change my watering habits. I have a much better appreciation for fruits and vegetables especially when I see how long it takes to grow the individual vegetables.
Cucumbers growing.
There’s no better feeling than accomplishing your goals and it feels pretty good when they are a success and taste good too.
If you have grown a garden, I want to hear about your experience! What did you learn and what have you grown?
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!
I hope you are having a great September. It’s the second Tuesday of the month which means it’s time for another Let’s Look as I link up with Erika and Shay.
This year has been flying by, I can’t believe we are closer to the end of the year than the beginning or middle. It’s been such a good and fulfilling year, I can’t complain.
Here’s a quick recap of all the Let’s Looks we have done this year.
I love getting a look into other people’s lives and I love sharing a bit about my own too!
This month’s prompt is a look into our evening routines. My evening routine is pretty lowkey and not too exciting compared to my morning routine. It also ebbs and flows more than my morning routines.
For me, the end of the day is all about wrapping things up and prepping for the next day so I can do my part to have a smoother morning.
After I get home from work or whatever I’m doing that day, I’ll eat dinner, visit with my family and clean up. Then I’ll do some computer work or picking up, like laundry, getting my lunch, prepping for the next day, anything that needs done.
I’ll shower and wash my face then unwind for the night. Unwinding is typically done by watching a show (whatever I’m binge watching or if there’s a weekly show I’m watching) or I’ll do some reading. If I have to be up early, I may drink some Sleepytime Tea to unwind. This is what I’m currently drinking.
My current favorite tea!
Right now, I’m watching A Perfect Story on Netflix which follows the story of a runaway bride and how she turns her life around when she meets someone totally unexpected. It’s a light-hearted mini series that’s only five episodes long, so it’s been a fast watch.
I just finished reading Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson. I have been waiting all summer to read it, but it was always checked out at the library. It was such a good and fast read all about the dynamics of a wealthy family in New York City. I loved how it was told from different perspectives and truly fell in love with the storylines and characters. Sometimes I’ll watch an episode or two depending on the time or read a few chapters or pages, it mostly depends on the day and how busy I am.
My latest read!
I try to be in bed between 9:00 and 9:30 when I’m working an early shift which means my alarm goes off at 3:30 a.m. or by 10:00-10:30 when I’m up at a normal time like 6:00 a.m.
A few things I always use before bed is my Sara Happ Lip Scrub and Slip. Since I always have lipstick on, I like to use this scrub and slip to clean and protect my lips nightly.
I also like to use essential oils at night for a good night’s sleep. I use different scents through the day, but at night I stick to Lavendar, Peppermint or mixes like Calm, Headache, or Deep Sleep.
I always use these at night.
If I also use a pillow/room mist that has Lavendar in it too and then I always apply some hand lotion before bed, Bath and Body Works Lavendar has been my go-to.
Now all that’s left is to put on my eye mask and hit the pillow. I do one final check on my phone for social media or to see if there’s any calls or emails I may have missed and then it’s time for bed.
My morning routine is way more detailed an expansive. However, at night, it’s just about wrapping up the day, getting set for tomorrow and then calming the mind and body. I’ll do some deep breathing techniques right before bed and that typically puts me to sleep.
Alarms set for the new day!
I wish my evening was more exciting, but it’s pretty subdue.
I’m always curious to learn about other people’s evening routines! Tell me, what do you do at night that helps you get ready for a new day or unwind at the end of the day? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy Friday friends! We made it through the first full week of September. How was your week? Productive? Relaxing? Getting adjusted into a new routine? No matter how your week went, I hope it is ending on a high note and you have something fun planned for the weekend. If you are a football fan, then I’m sure you are gearing up for a big weekend as the NFL season officially begins! I’m hoping to catch some of the game this weekend.
As we say hello to the weekend, here’s some things that I’ve been loving as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites!
Cuticle Lotion– I love doing my nails and through the years, I have tried different brands and tools and colors while giving myself my own at-home manicures and pedicures. I have been using this cuticle lotion by Burt’s Bees and have really been loving it. I use a cuticle oil when I don’t have any polish on, and I have been using this lotion on my cuticles as well. Typically, I will change my nail color once a week and on the days when I don’t have any polish on, I will put on the oil in the morning and the lotion at night (or whenever I have time through the day). I like that the lotion isn’t too thick or heavy and I have found that it has strengthened my cuticles. I have used it with polish on but prefer to use it without polish. I only have been using the travel/ sample size and it’s been working well. After I finish the sample size, I will see about investing in the full size, I’ll keep you posted.
Hair Drying Bow– Another beauty product for you this week, I shower at night and try to have my hair fully or mostly dry before bed. I got this hair drying bow and I have been using almost every day. I like how it absorbs the water in my hair after I’m done washing it. There are also essential oils infused in the wrap which leaves my hair smelling good too. Plus, it doubles has a headband which holds my hair back if I’m doing things before bed like reading or watching tv. I think I got this one from Marshall’s or T.J. Maxx, but I have seen ones similar at those stores and Target and Walmart. It’s a fun beauty accessory that has a purpose.
Rice Cakes– I know I am late to the game with this snack item, but I recently discovered Rice Cakes and I have really enjoyed them as a lunch snack. They aren’t super flavorful, so I typically add a spread on top. Since I have been eating them at lunch when I am home, I have been spreading some peanut butter and my homemade strawberry jam on top. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and salty and low calorie too! I know people eat them for breakfast a lot or even as a snack. Since I am new to the rice cake group, tell me, if you are a fan, what do you eat them with? What’s your go-to spread and flavor? I’m open to trying everything!
An easy go-to lunch or snack!
Ear Bud Cleaning Kit– Whether you have Air Pods, Wireless headphones or even regular ear buds, a cleaning kit is a huge help. I got this ear bud cleaning kit a few months back and it has all the tools to clean out headphones, earpieces, even smart watches. There are so many different brushes, fine toothpicks, and other items to really give your headsets a good cleaning. I wear an earpiece for work every day and use some of these tools to clean them out. I have done a thorough cleaning of my Apple Watch and its band and used some of the tools as well. If you use headphones daily, I highly recommend getting a little tool kit to keep things clean.
A must need for headphones or earbuds!
Sunday Scroll– I mentioned before how I have really been enjoying following some of my favorite bloggers and writers on Substack. It’s a writing platform that has brought me so much joy to read posts from some of my favorite people! Emily Ley recently launched a Sunday Scroll series where she shares some of her favorite books, links, articles, and favorite things. You can learn more here. It only takes a few minutes to read, but it’s been fun to learn new things and find new items. Definitely a light read/ scroll during the weekend.
This week has been a fun one with lots of fun favorites too! I hope you have a great weekend! See you back here on Wednesday!
Happy first full week of September. I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend and soaked up the last big weekend of summer. I still plan on keeping the shorts on and enjoying the sunshine for as long as I can this month.
September is always a month of transition, from getting back into a new routine being back to school, to the changing weather, this month can be a busy one. Over the next few weeks, I have some day trips planned, lots of appointments that I scheduled for when things calmed down from the busy summer and then some friend dates. I’m looking forward to crossing things off my to-do list and starting my fall bucket list!
Speaking of bucket lists, here’s a look at my summer bucket list all completed:
I got so much accomplished this summer, both on my list and doing things that came up through the summer, needless to say it was a fun and packed full summer. From trips to New York City, Toronto and San Diego, to lots of walks and picnics, grilling and pool days, it was a memorable summer!
Summer is a photo!
Now that we are slowly saying goodbye to summer, it’s time to start thinking about FALL!
I started a fall bucket list at the beginning of the month and will add to it over the next few weeks, but here’s what I hope to accomplish over the next few months.
My Fall Bucket List
Apple Picking
Fall Walks
Collect Leaves
Make Apple Recipe
Try A New Recipe Once a Week
Bonfire
Football Game
Pumpkin Patch and Carve Pumpkins
Celebrate Halloween
Make Chili
Use Kitchen Aid
Read Fall Books
Go to a Fall Fest
Celebrate Thanksgiving
Enjoy Apple Cider
Hockey Game
Soup Recipe
Kinzua Hike
Elk Watching
That’s just a start into what I hope to accomplish over the next few months. I love to make to-do lists and bucket lists because they give me ideas of things to do for fun and it encourages me to take advantage of my hometown and the season. I hope this gives you some ideas of fun things to do in the fall season.
Tell me, do you have a fall bucket list? What do you hope to accomplish?
Even though we are in a month associated with fall, I’m holding onto summer for as long as I can. I hope you have something fun planned for Labor Day weekend and the end of the summer season. This weekend, I plan on spending time outside, getting in some pool time and some family time too.
Soaking up summer with every last ice cream!
Before we get to the weekend, I want to share some things I’m loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites.
Becoming Free Indeed– A few months ago, I mentioned I am trying out Audible for a free trial and one of the first books I listened to was “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. I was interested to read her book about her faith and life and decided to listen to the audiobook version to hear it read in her voice. 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.
Brown Flats– I got my first taste of fall with this purchase. I was on the hunt for some sturdy but fashionable flats and found them at DSW, they are by Kelly and Katie. I love the extra cushion and support they provide, plus the dark brown allows them to go with dress pants, skirts, and even jeans. Plus, the gold buckle is such a cute accessory. These shoes and fall fashion will make saying goodbye to summer a little less painful.
Katie Couric’s Wake Up Call Newsletter– This isn’t new, but this is something I use every day and wanted to share. One of the first things I do when I get up is check the top news headlines. I get them from various apps and sources, from my local news app, to USA Today, Twitter (X), and then Katie Couric’s Wakeup newsletter that gets sent into my inbox every morning. It covers national and world headlines along with some entertainment news and then some features. It takes only a few minutes to read, but it brings me up to speed every day. You can learn more and subscribe here, definitely a great source if you are looking to get a comprehensive scope of news.
A look at the newsletter
The Morning Show Season 3 Trailer- The new season of the Morning Show begins this month. I’m excited for this upcoming season especially after seeing the trailer that was released last week. It looks like this season will be filled with drama, a cyber attack, some new faces and a lot of morning news. It’s been interesting to see how the show has evolved and changed since its begun and how it brings in what’s going on in the world into the show. I’m excited for some new shows to watch!
Laundry Crystals– Call me crazy, but I love doing laundry. I always like to stay on top of laundry with six people and I’m always interested to see what things are out there to keep my clothes fresh. I have been using these Purex laundry crystals in my washer to keep my clothes fresh. I have used the Unstoppables brand in the past too and have enjoyed how they keep my clothes smelling fresh. They are just a little something extra that keeps my clothes smelling fresh after a wash.
There you have it, a look into some of my favorite and sometimes practical things that I am loving this. As we say hello to September, what things are you looking forward to this month? Let me know in the comments below! I hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!
Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week! Remember how I felt like July went by in a blink of an eye? Well August went by even faster. This month has been a whirlwind between traveling, big work projects, back to school, and wrapping up summer fun!
As one month end and another one begins, I’m recapping this past month and all the memories and adventures that came with it.
Here’s a look at this month’s Currently.
What I’m Up To: This past month has been all about soaking up the final days of summer, from hiking in new places, completing bucket list items, and traveling to new places, I have been busy but in the best way possible.
It’s local festival season!
And local farm show season!
Plus, no summer event isn’t complete without a funnel cake!
I’ve attended community fairs and festivals, been spending lots of time outside and have been reading lots of fun, summer books.
My trip to Toronto was a highlight for sure!
What I’m Wearing: I have been continuing the trend of shorts and graphic tees.When my family and I went on vacation to San Diego, California, I wore a lot of neutrals to mix and match and keep it simple for travel. Here’s some of my favorite summer outfits. My shorts are from Old Navy and so are some of my shirts too.
A few of my looks from vacation.
Lots of color coordinated outfits.
And some bright colors too!
I have also been doing my best to wear all the bright colors for my dresses for work. I only have a small window to wear in the warm months, so I’m doing my best to wear them all.
Bright blue for work!
What I’m Reading: This past month has been such a good month for reading for me
Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch follows the story of a young girl who loses her mom and her mom’s dying wish is for her daughter to go to Florence and reconnect with people from her mother’s time when she lived there. This book checks all the boxes for a cute rom com book. Dreamy city, beautiful description, incredible Italian food and desserts, and a little romance too. I blitzed through this book and was so sad when it came to an end.
The sweetest summer book!
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune tells the story a young woman who takes over her mother’s resort on the lake. She plans on making some changes when she gets some unexpected help from someone from her past that she always wanted to forgot. I really enjoyed the story and finished it within a week. I’m also excited that it’s going to be making its way to the screen as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be working with Netflix to turn it into a movie.
Better than Fiction by Alexa Martin and it combined two of my favorite hobbies, reading and hiking! This book follows the story of a young woman who inherits her grandmother’s book store. As she tries to manage this new project, enter a fan-favorite author. He’s visiting her small town for inspiration for his new book and they make a deal. She shows him around the area and he teaches her how to love books.
Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler follows the story of a young woman who makes it her mission to deliver her neighbor turned best friend’s ashes to her long lost lover. However, the journey to get the ashes delivered does not go smooth. She ends up traveling with someone from her past and they endure all sorts of detours. The book goes back and forth between the past and present and there’s so many twists and turns, you will question if they will ever make it to their final destination.
What I’m Watching: As summer winds down, I’m finishing up my summer shows. I finished season two of the Summer I Turned Pretty. Overall, I thought the season was pretty good. I definitely enjoyed the first season more but I thought the second season had some great storylines and the finale left a lot of questions for season 3! If you watched, what did you think of the finale and Belly’s choice?
I also finished the first part of Outlander. This was another show that had a lot of ups and downs this season. There were some major plot twists with characters that I did not see coming. I’m anxious to see where it picks up and how things get wrapped up when it returns.
I also finished season two of “And Just Like That”, it was such a good season. I loved the callbacks to earlier seasons of the show, the fashion and the friendships. The finale was really good, especially with the surprise appearance by Samantha! I was also excited to see that the show was renewed for season 3! I already can’t wait for next season!
And last but not least, I finished the new season of Sweet Magnolias. Although, there was some drama this season including some fights, fallouts and relationship shakeups between characters, I really enjoyed seeing the characters come together in the end.
What Inspires Me: I have been enjoying all the summer salads with fresh fruits and vegetables. I hate wasting food, so I have been enjoying salads and bowls with lots of food that I already have in the fridge. Here’s been some of my favorite salads.
A spinach and strawberry and pecan salad. This is the perfect blend of fruits, veggies and some crunch too.
Strawberry and spinach salad
A steak salad on top a bed of veggies keeps you full and gives you lots of flavor.
A steak salad
A peach and chicken salad
Speaking of fresh vegetables, I have been so inspired and proud of my garden. Although, I have lost some plants, I’m so happy with the ones that have grown and flourished. I’ll be doing a bigger blog post on this later in the season, but seeing seeds turn into bright, red tomatoes is certainly inspiring.
My baby tomatoes
The fruits of my labor
Four fresh tomatoes
What I Accomplished: August was a busy month. I kicked it off by attending our local National Night Out.
My boyfriend and I did a day trip to Toronto, you can read about our adventure here.
The iconic Toronto sign
My boyfriend and I also went blueberry picking for the first time which was so much fun and I made some tasty muffins too!
Our haul
The best way to use blueberries!
Soaking up the end of summer with nighttime concerts.
Summer S’mores!
My family and I took our family vacation to San Diego which was so fun! We packed a lot in and made a ton of memories. It was the best way to spend time together before we all went our separate ways from school to work.
From the palm trees
The hikes and ocean
Enjoying some iconic West Coast food.
The San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park
Goals from Last Month: I accomplished my goal of running my first 5K, you can read about my journey here.
Finishing my first 5K!
I accomplished almost everything from my summer bucket list. There were a few things that I didn’t get done, but I plan to do them in the fall.
The best part of this past month was all the family time. The older I get, the more, I realize how important family time is and how much I try to treasure every moment I have with my family and siblings. This summer has been so special that we have all been home under one roof.
End of summer Lobster rolls!
Goals for Next Month: Even though it’s September, I still plan on enjoying the warm weather and soaking up the sunshine. I’m not ready to think about fall yet, but I know I will have to eventually, right now, I’m all about savoring every last bit of summer. I will also be sharing my fall bucket next week!
Enjoying evening walks after work can continue in the fall.
There you have it, another Currently in the books. Tell me, what were some of your favorite parts of August?
Let me know in the comments below! Have a great rest of your week and end of August! See you back here on Friday!
Hello all! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week and are ready for the weekend! I can’t believe we are in back to school mode, this summer truly flew by. Two of my siblings are back in school and the last one goes back this weekend. We had such a good summer and I’m sad to see it go. But in good news, as long as the weather is nice, I can still enjoy plenty of outdoor fun, which is my plan for this weekend. Now, onto some of my favorite things from this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites.
Flower Hair Clips– I am hopping on the trend of big hair clips. I got these big flower clips for my birthday and have been wearing them a lot after a long day at work or on weekends. I love the colors, how they hold all my hair and how they are a cute fashion accessory. These have easily become a fun fashion trend and I am here for it.
The cutest hair accessory!
80 for Brady– When I was traveling with my family for our vacation I got around to watching 80 for Brady for the first time on Amazon Prime and really enjoyed it. Although, unrealistic at certain times, I loved the bond between four older women and their love for Tom Brady. You don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy this film. There were so many funny scenes between the main characters and great one-liners, plus a few tear jerkers too! This is a great movie to get you ready for the football season too!
Such a fun movie!
Face Scrub-Sticking with travel, I tried a new product while on vacation. I got this sugar face scrub from Tree Hut in watermelon citrus water. Besides the refreshing scent, which is perfect for summer, I really enjoyed the fact it was a scrub, I felt like my face was really getting cleaned. This would be a great product to take along for a beach trip or to use if you want to give your face a good cleaning. I’m not sure if I would use it every day, since it was a scrub as opposed to a cleanser, but it was fun to try out on vacation.
Some fun new products to try this summer!
Blueberry Muffins– My boyfriend and I went blueberry picking a few weeks ago and I used some of our blueberries to make muffins. I followed this recipe from Mix and Match Mama. I haven’t done a whole lot of baking this summer, but it was so fun to get back in the kitchen and this recipe was super easy to whip up. I even made a few with chocolate chips. These are perfect for back to school breakfasts or you can enjoy them as a post-dinner treat! My family loved them too! Yum!
The best way to use blueberries!
Better than Fiction- I have been going through books left and right, sometimes you hit a really good streak with books and that’s where I’m at now. I recently finished Better than Fiction by Alexa Martin and it combined two of my favorite hobbies, reading and hiking! This book follows the story of a young woman who inherits her grandmother’s book store. As she tries to manage this new project, enter a fan-favorite author. He’s visiting her small town for inspiration for his new book and they make a deal. She shows him around the area and he teaches her how to love books. There’s some bumps along the way, but overall, this book will leave you wanting to go on an adventure and support your favorite local bookstore!
Such a fun read, I breezed through it!
And that’s a wrap on another edition of Friday Favorites! Thanks so much for coming along for the ride this Friday and every Friday! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Happy Wednesday! I hope you had a great week so far! We are halfway to the weekend and I couldn’t be more ready for it.
I love to travel and visit new places, whether they are cities, state parks or the suburbs! This summer I have done a lot more traveling than in year’s past, mostly due to Covid. It’s been fun to return to old places or go someplace new. My boyfriend and I love taking day trips together, since our work schedules don’t line up whenever we take a day off for one another we try to really capitalize on it. So far this summer we have gone to Columbus, New York City and Toronto and the Canadian Falls to name a few spots.
Our trip to Canada was our most recent trip at the beginning of August. We had such a good time and packed a lot in. Here’s what we did and how we did Canada in a day!
We left around 4:30 and made our way up north. We drove to Burlington, Canada and from there took a train into the city of Toronto.
Making our way across the border
We arrived around 8:30 to Union Station with all the commuters for the day.
Union Station
Our first stop was Tim Hortons for some fuel, even through we have them at home, we knew we had to take advantage of the Canadian staple.
Fuel for the day!
The city in the morning!
We walked around downtown for a bit and checked out some of the tourist spots, like the CN Tower and the big Toronto sign and then City Hall. We also saw the Rogers Arena where the Maple Leafs play!
The CN Tower
The iconic Toronto sign
City Hall behind the sign
Home of the Maple Leafs
After taking in the downtown we took a ferry to Centre Island which was so fun! From the boat, you got a whole new perspective of the city and it was beautiful to be out on the water.
The city from the ferry
On the ferry!
On the island, there are trails to walk and bike, a beach, lots of food stands, a little amusement park and lots of green space along with boating clubs.
There were so many green spaces
A look at the amusement park
We walked around by the piers and rented bikes as we took in the island, we could have stayed there all day!
It was beautiful on the island
In the future we want to go back with picnic and spend more time there. It was beautiful!
The ferry coming back to the island (my boyfriend snapped this photo)
We took the ferry back and then made our way to St. Lawrence Market for lunch.
A look inside St. Lawrence’s Market
There were dozens of different vendors , from fresh produce, to breads, meats, fish, vegetables, bakery items, and speciality goods. We both settled on sandwiches for lunch.
Lunch time!
After our meals, we decided to take the train back to our car in Burlington and then head to Niagara Falls. We have both been to the American falls, but this was our first time heading to the Canadian falls together.
The falls!
If you have never been before, the Canadian falls is very touristy, lots of gift shops, fast food places, amusement park rides and very Americanized. We found it to be a little overwhelming, so we quickly made our way past the chaos and just enjoyed the falls.
America or Canada? It was hard to tell with all the American chains.
We decided not to purchase tickets to any boats or activities since we arrived late in the day and just decided to take in the falls.
Up close of the rushing waters
The falls-both of them!
It was beautiful to see both the American and Canadian falls next to each other. After seeing them from many different spots and taking lots of photos, we decided to call it a day and make our way back home.
A rainbow to end the day!
It was a packed full day and we were tired.
We had such a great time that we have already begun to talk about what we want to do the next time we go.
Goodbye falls!
Tell me, have you enjoyed any trips this summer and have you been to Toronto or Canada, if so, what are your must do’s?
Let me know in the comments below!
See you back here on Friday for another edition of Friday Favorites!
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!
