FAVORITE THINGS: MAY 2016

As usual, May has been a whirlwind. I always feel that May/Early June are the CRAZY months of the year. There is just  so much going on between end of the school year events and baseball and dance recitals and birthdays and anniversaries.

I had to really think about what my Favorite Things were this month. As I was brainstorming for this post all I could think was, "Nothing. NOTHING IS MY FAVORITE WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO DESTORY ME MAY. WHY CAN'T WE JUST GET ALONG!?" (Seriously. This is my life. I talk to the months of the year in caps lock in my head). I had to check myself this past week and remind myself to be positive, be patient, and be kind (to others and myself). Because no one likes a mean, grouchy, frazzled person (including myself). And then, once I was calm (for at least 20 minutes), I was able to think and come up the following:

Favorite Things to Eat: My garden is growing beautifully and the nasturtiums are blooming like mad. Did you know that nasturtiums are edible? The entire plant is-flowers, steams and leaves! They add beautiful color and taste to salads.

Favorite Weekend History Lesson: Over this past Memorial Weekend, our family took a trip to Gettysburg. More to come on that (if I ever manage to write a post about it, that is. Don't hold you breath, friends.)!

Favorite Thing to Wear: These gold sandals are my new BSF (best shoe forever). The metallic makes any outfit instantly more dressy and the cut makes jeans feel summery. Perfect for work and weekends!

Favorite Thing For Relaxing: Lavender essential oil is my go to lately. I put a few drops in the bath in the evening and it helps calm me and even helps me sleep better.

Favorite Cookbook: The Little Paris Kitchen, Rachel Khoo Simple French recipes, beautiful photos. I'm so inspired by this book and Rachel Khoo.

Favorite Family Nights: Little League games. Here's the thing: Little League is a TON of work. Mutiple practices, games, gear. But I love it. I love every part of it. This year has been especially fun, because it's Dylan's first year playing kid pitch and it's Ava's first year ever playing t-ball. I made this chalkboard at the beginning of the season and when it comes to an end next week, I'll be sad. Less for us to do, but the end of baseball season is always bittersweet.


Summer, we are ready for you!

FAVORITE THINGS: APRIL 2016

Guys, I JUST KNOW that spring, real spring is almost here. The trees are getting leaves, flowers are popping up, we've had a few (very few) days get into the 70s. Winter is behind us, thank the Lord and the Universe, because I cannot deal with even a hint of any more snow or ice. No more, I say. NO MORE.

Here's a round up of things I'm loving for this (beginning) of s-p-r-i-n-g.

Favorite Things I Read: For The Love, Jen Hatmaker This book resonated with me hugely. It spoke right to me and I absorbed it all right into my heart. (Good Lord, that sounds mushy. But it's true!) If you're looking for a book that really speaks to you about having grace and that makes you laugh, this is it.
Buddha in the Attic, Julie Otsuka This book was lyrical, sad, and completely beautifully written. It is written in a plural voice ("Some of us..."), which I found to be a complaint of some readers, but which I found to be even more intriguing. It tells the story of a group of Japanese woman from the 1920's through the 1940's, who come from Japan and live their ordinary, yet tragic/beautiful lives. I loved it.

Favorite Household Things: Mrs. Myer's Handsoap in Peony. The smell is ah-mazing. And this "Sun Kissed" scented soy candle from Target is also fantastic.

Favorite Things For a Healthy Life: I started the Tone It Up Bikini Series 8 Week Challenge. I love the Tone It Up workouts and community, if you're interested look them up on Instagram @toneitup!

Favorite Things For the Garden: I started planting my garden this month. Lettuces and peas are in, and a few flowers, including these Morning Glories. I'll be planting more this weekend!

Favorite Things For an Organized Life: Pilot G-2 07 multicolor gel pens These are awesome for my bullet journal because they are bold but don't bleed through pages.

Favorite Beauty Things: While I still love my Urban Decay Smoke Eye palate, it was feeling a little dark for (almost) spring. I picked up a Maybelline The Blushed Nudes palate. While the quality of the shadows isn't as high end as the Urban Decay ones (nor was I expecting them to be) they're still really nice and good quality. And I love the colors; they're perfect shadows for (almost) spring at a great price.


Have a great weekend guys, and check back on Monday for a B+ Goals post!

FAVORITE THINGS: MARCH 2016

Guys, March pretty much kicked my butt. I had pneumonia, it was still snowing, I ate like crap, and...just...blah. But! I also tried new recipes, worked in my bullet journal, and slept a lot. Let's look at my favorite things for March, shall we?

Favorite Thing I Read: Masterminds & Wingmen, by Rosalind Wisemen Being sick this month, I read A LOT of books, but this was the stand out. It was part of my Reading Challenge, and it's a book that I've been meaning to read for years. I learned so much about raising boys, the challenges they face, and the ways we can help them succeed. I highly suggest this book if you have boys or teach them. Eye opening and soundly written.

Favorite Beauty Thing: Maybelline Ruby Star red lipstick Perfect shade of red

Favorite Thing For Learning New Things: the Duolingo App. I'm bushing up on my Spainish (I haven't worked on it since high school) and this language app is FREE, and totally helpful! It provided quick, 5 minute, practical lessons that you can just do right on your phone. After I drop the kids at school and before I head to work, I just sit down with a cup of coffee and do my lesson. I love it.

Favorite Thing I'm Drinking: Tazo teas. There was a lot of tea this month.

Favorite Recipe: Cooking Light's one pot pasta. EVERYONE loved it. I'm so glad I subscribed to this magazine again; they've really stepped up their game.

Favorite Thing For an Organized Life: Dave Ramsey Budgeting Sheets We've followed the Dave Ramsey Plan for years, but had started slacking on sitting down and doing out actual budget plan every month. We've gotten back into the habit this year and these budget sheets are what we use.

Favorite Thing I'm Wearing: J. Crew Factory Chambray Button Down Perfection AND it's on sale.

That's all I got this month! Check back Friday for a B+ Goals recap and see my new ones for April!

FAVORITE THINGS: FEBRUARY 2016

I'm not sure how this happens, but despite the fact that February is the shortest month of the year, it always feels like about 5 months. I mean, guys, IT'S STILL FEBRUARY. Things were sluggish this month for me. But I read good books, drank nice wine, the husband came home after a month away, and I heard great things about both kids at parent teacher conferences. So, February, you will not defeat me. 

But, buh bye. See you on the flip side, February.

Favorite Thing I'm Wearing: Seamed Blouse from Loft  I love this top. It wears gorgeously, washes up great, and is ON SALE, It looks great with jeans and dressed up. You should get one!

Favorite Beauty Thing: Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream I've always had sensitive skin, and the past couple years have really brought out redness in my face. I picked up this cream after reading raving reviews about it and I have to say that the reviews are correct. It really evens out my redness, and isn't heavy. I put it on twice a day and it hasn't irritated my skin at all.

Favorite Thing I'm Eating: Harvest Snaps Snap Crisps (lightly salted picture, but cracked black pepper is soooo good that I have already eaten them all) These things are delicious and addictive, That is all.

Favorite Thing For an Organized Life: Bullet Journal Have you heard of bullet journaling? I just started it a couple weeks ago and let me tell you, THIS IS MY THING. All your lists, thoughts, to-do's in one places with a symbol system. Yes, yes, YES.

Favorite Thing For a Healthy Life: Water Bottle with a Straw I had been slacking on my water intake, which I'm normally really good about. I realized that I had changed what kind of water bottle I was using, that my previous one had had a straw. So I just picked this new one up at Target. And that little straw helps me drink more water. Random, but it works.

Favorite Things I Read:

Books:
Brooklyn, Colm Toibin (Reading Challenge Book, loved it)
Smart Money Smart Kids, Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze (Reading Challenge Book)
All The Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr (reread for pure pleasure, one of the best books I have ever read)

Websites:
Go Fug Yourself

Goodreads 

Coffee + Crumbs

Favorite Things I Listened To:

Sarah R. Bagley Podcast

No Doubt Pandora Station (90's girl lead singer groups for the win)

Favorite Things I Watched:

Misty Copeland: A Ballerina's Tale

Downton Abbey (there's only ONE left and I don' know what I'm going to do)

Hope you're February was lovely. Check back in tomorrow for B+ Goals!

FAVORITE THINGS: JANUARY 2016

 

This January has been a good one! After our crazy busy holiday season, this has been a month of getting back on track, working on goals for the year, and settling into our routines.  I've been  working hard, reading good things, and loving more.

But let's be real, I'm ready for spring and don't need any more snow ever again this season.

 

 

 

 Here is a round up of my favorite things this month:

 

Favorite Things For An Organized Life:

 

 

This day planner was a stocking stuffer from the husband. I love that it has a year, monthly, and daily squares to fill in. // And this Moleskin cashier journal is perfect for keeping track of orders and inventory for the shop. // Ink Joy pens are my favorites and I love these pencils for pattern work.

 

Favorite Beauty Things:

 

 

I got the Urban Decay Naked Smoky eye palette for my birthday and it is the best ever, the end. // I've been oil cleansing for awhile now and I love this cleansing oil. It's by CoCo Lavish and it's amazing.//  I first heard about hair primers from The Small Things Blog and picked up this one on a whim while I was at the drug store one day. It's a total game changer. It cuts my dry time, it keeps my hair smooth, and it acts as a barrier to hair products so my hair doesn't feel heavy or sticky. Love it.

 

Favorite Thing I'm Wearing:

 

 

When we were in New York for my birthday, I went to J. Crew to browse and the husband bought me this coat as an extra birthday gift (He's a keeper, guys). This coat is beautiful and warm and maybe the most grown up thing I own. This cut is no longer available (online at least) but J. Crew has lots of beautiful wool coats here.

 

Favorite Things I Read:

 

Books:

At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain (reading challenge book)

Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin (reading challenge book)

 

Websites:

Sarah R Bagley 

Putting Me Together

 

Favorite Things I'm Listening To:

Podcast: What Should I Read Next? by Anne Bogel

Adele 25 (When We Were Young, especially)

 

Favorite Things I'm Watching:

Downton Abbey (Of course.)

Making A Murderer (CRAZY PANTS.)

 

 

It's snowing-AGAIN-so we'll be snuggling, watching movies, and baking these last few days of the month.  Hope you had a lovely January!

 



FAVORITE THINGS: SEPTEMBER

 

 

I love September-it's usually still warm but with a bit of fall in the air, and it always feels like a season of change. And this September has been a big month of changes for us! The kids started school-Dylan is a third grader and Ava started preschool. While Dylan has flourished this month-great friends, good grades-Ava really struggled adjusting to school. I'll be writing more about this later, but the settling in period was hard for her. She's really doing so much better now though!

With both kids in school, I went back to work outside of our house. It's perfect hours where I can still take and pick up the kids to and from school, and I'm loving my job. But it's still been an adjustment overall for us!

 

Here are a few things that help get me through this month of changes!

 

1. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo   I read this book this past spring and loved it. And this month I finally got around to beginning to apply her practices to our home and life. We're attacked our clothes with a vegence and I now have a closet that sparks joy. I'll be moving through the other steps in the upcoming months! // 2. Women's Health magazine I picked this up on a whim in a checkout line the other day. And it's, like, the best magazine I've ever read. Inspiring stories, doable hair tutorials, strong women. Yes, yes, yes. // 3.Infiniti Pro Conair Blow Dryer.  So here's a secret about me: I never ever blow dry my hair. Because it's super thick it always feels like it takes for-ev-er to dry, which in turn, dries it out and gives me the dreaded poof head hair. So I gave up blow drying. But now that I'm back to work, and I run in the mornings and need to wash my hair, but don't want to show up with dripping hair. I bought this blow dryer (on sale for under $20!!!) and it cuts the time in half and leaves my hair looking good. Win/Win. // 4. Leopard Print Flats, H&M A fun flat can make an outfit. // 5. Radha Tea Tree Oil I'm not super into essential oils, but this stuff is amazing. It clears up breakouts, helps heal cuts, and I've put it in all our shampoo bottles to keep lice away. And the smell is clean and fresh. // 6. Burt's Bee Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream My hands get super dry as cooler weather settles in, so I make sure to apply this cream to my cuticles every night before bed.

 

Alright October, we're ready for you!  

FAVORITE THINGS: AUGUST

Summer is on it's way out. The leaves are starting to turn yellow. It's cooler in the mornings and evenings. The tomatoes are slowing down in the garden; the cucumbers are done.

Friends, fall is on it's way.

Here are some end of summer favorites:

1.Day Designer planner and calendar. Hands down the best daily calendar I have ever used. I got mine at Target. 2. Essie Chinchilly nail polish. I already know that this slate gray color is going to be my go-to this fall. 3. Despite being a Austen fan, I just read Mansfield Park for the first time this month. And it was fantastic! So scandalous for a Jane Austen book. 4. Hands Free Mama is such an eye opener. I've talked about how I struggle with too much media usage, and this book really puts all of that into perspective. 5. I've been using the Pocket Yoga app. It is perfect for at-home yoga. "Desert" is my favorite! 6. Golden State Wax candles are my new favorite candle. I'm currently burning "Firepit"-it smells like a beach bonfire with hints of marshmallow (for real). I'm ordering "Sierra" next. 7. Since I'm doing the Whole30 (only 4 days left!), I've been looking for inspiration to continue with clean eating. I really love this issue of Clean Eating magazine. Great, economical ideas for clean eating. I've noticed our grocery bill has gone up a bit by doing the Whole30 (more about this next week) and I love the ideas they have in this issue for eating clean and not breaking the bank. I am definitely going to get a subscription to this magazine!

Favorites Around the Net:

Instagram: @brooklynsupper, gorgeous food inspiration

Pinterest: k8smallthings, I cut my hair and I am loving all of Kate's hair tutorials.

Website: Whole30, of course.

FAVORITE THINGS: JUNE

 

 

Ya'll, SUMMER IS HERE. Swimming, barbequing, gardening, outside until the sun goes down SUMMER. I'm enjoying every. single. minute. of it.

 

Here are my June favorites:

1. Beach Blanket Bingo One Piece from Mod Cloth. I'm a little bit in love with Mod Cloth in general (the shoes!) and a lot in love with this suit. It fits perfectly (order up a size like the comments advise!) and is super cute. I can't seem to find a two piece that fits properly, so I spent the money on a great one piece. I'm never going back! I receive compliments every single time I wear this and it stays put. // 2. Grapefruit and Sumac Salad from Plenty More. Go to summer salad. //3. So despite the fact that it's summer, it still rains here all the time. So non-sandal foot wear is part of my summer wardrobe. Plus, there is lots of walking here, and flip flops are not made for lots of walking. I love my rose gold TOMS. They are no longer available (sad face) but I have my eye on the Classic Red as a second pair (TOMS is donating to the Special Olympics with every purchase of the Classic Red right now!)//4. The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. Fantastic read. I loved the main character, and the descriptions are amazing. I enjoyed Eat, Pray Love a couple years ago and this novel doesn't disappoint. // 5. Monogramed tote from MJ Custom Embroidery. My friend Morgan does amazing embroidery! I picked up this awesome tote from her to use this summer as a pool bag and I love it.

 

Favorites Around the Net:

Instagram: @elsiejoy, inspiring maker with fantastic photos

Pinterest: skinnytaste, awesome & healthy recipes

Blog: Iowa Girl Eats

 



FAVORITE THINGS FEBRUARY: EVERYDAY vs DATE NIGHT BAGS

On Valentine's Day, for the first time in about six years, the husband and I went out on a date, just the two of us (thank you most wonderful in-laws!). It was snowing and cold, but dinner was fantastic and the company divine.

 

I switched bags for our night out and realized that there is a slight difference in my everyday vs date night life. Observe my favorite things from both:

 



 

 

Clockwise, from left: Bag: Tory Burch York Buckle Tote  A bit pricey, but I only buy one purse about every 7 years. I splurge on quality and use it everyday.//Lotion: Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere Hand Cream The scent is amazing, and it truly helps my dry skin, hand sanitizer because, it's a must with kids, Burt's Bees Lip Balm with Mango Butter Also smells amazing and really helps with dryness. (I have dry skin. And so do the kids. So moisturizing products are high on my list.), random little girl hair clip because her hair is always always in her eyes, tissues, Rapunzel Mini Tin This is an amazing toy. It's a slim metal box box (the size of a note pad) with an image of Rapunzel on it and magnetic dress up clothes. Ava plays with it when ever she gets stuck some where with me (the vet, Dylan's guitar lesson). It's a perfect size and nothing gets lost because it's all STUCK on, Priority Mail envelopes for shipping items from the shop, notepad and pen, Sunglasses (prescription),  Altoids (wintergreen), Phone with Rifle Paper Company cover (mine seems to be no longer available, but this one is similar), small mirror, water (usually reusable bottle but I grabbed this on the go), wallet (gift from the kids), coupon holder (Target, I use it for receipts), keys.

And Date Night:

Clockwise, from left: bag Libeskind Caelia Glimmered Wristlet from Anthropologie (a gift form the in-laws, seriously they are awesome), red lipstick (Maybelline Ruby Star), pen to sign the check, Altoids, Phone (see above for info).
 

FAVORITE THINGS: JANUARY

 

Oh, January. You start out so darn hopeful. Ideas of clean closets, organized workspaces, new healthy recipes, running on a regular basis again: all glitter before me, with a will and hope and starry eyes. But in the end, you always just have me pining away for summer days and wanting to eat carbs.

 

(And I don't even want to talk about the snow. Someone hold my earrings, because I hate snow and am about to beat it down. Everywhere I go, my refrain is, "I'm from CALIFORNIA." Which translates to "I am grouchy and I don't understand how to function in a bulky coat and for the love of God can someone explain to me why it is SO HARD to put mittens on a preschooler!? I'm sorry/not sorry.")

 

Anyway.

 

These are my favorite things from January:

1. We've eaten the Pioneer Woman's Pot Roast a bunch of times this month, and it is hand's down the husband's most favorite meal ever. It is so perfect for a cold night!//2. On my birthday, we went to MOMA (amazing, wonderful) and I picked up a Moleskin Classic Lined Notebook in the gift shop, something I've treated myself to the last couple years. I do list journaling, and this is the perfect notebook for it.//3. Dylan started taking guitar lessons. I feel that his practice book is really adding to the décor of my home. I LOVE the graphic on this book.//4. I read Kate Morton's The Secret Keeper. I've managed to read a lot of not so great fiction lately, and this book made up for it. Great story! //

5. Downton Abbey is back and that mean's reading Tom and Lorenzo's take on it every Monday. Highlight of the week. If you watch Downton (if you don't, I'm not sure we can be friends), you need to read these recaps.//6. Meghan Trainor's Title Album is fabulous.//7. Neal bought me Burberry Brit (the eau de toilette, which I love because it's a bit lighter then the perfume) and the smell is incredible.  

 

Favorites Around the Net:

Instagram: @womenirl HILARIOUS.

Pinterest: New York and Paris Board 

Blog: Teaching Sam & Scout