PINS + LINKS

Happy Friday! I've decided to bring back Pins + Links on Fridays.


Do you ever come to the end of a week and find yourself focusing on all your shortcomings? It doesn't happen often to me, but this week has been a struggle. Some weeks are hard, you know? I'm hoping this weekend clears my mind and sets me on the right path for the coming week. The kids are off of school Monday, so it's a three day weekend for us, which already puts things in a positive light. I need a little downtime, some meditation, a little prayer, and maybe a nap and a glass of wine.

Here are some Pins I found this week:

1. Have you read about how people are choosing to wear a "uniform' everyday? This is my uniform. 2. I'll be making this drink station as soon as it warms up (hopefully this weekend!). 3. I just shopped at Aldi for the first time this week-and I really liked it. 4. Happy St. Patrick's Day! I think a Guinness float sound fantastic. 5. We're looking at new dining room sets and this is the look I'm going for.

Link Love:

Since one of my springtime goals is more gluten free baking, I've been making these Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies from Livin Paleo and they are SO GOOD.

I watched and loved The Crown, but this news of season two is HIGHLY ANNOYING. The Go Fug Yourself Girls break it down for you.

I'm moving toward ALL all natural cleaning products in our home and am finding lots of ideas/inspiration from the blogs From Faye and Clean Mama.

I just bought these Converse and I love them. My capsule wardrobe is pretty much complete!

This stuff is just the cutest. Even though Ava has been extra sassy this week, I want to buy it all for her.

That's it for me! I hope you have a great weekend.

FOR THE LOVE OF FRIDAY

Hello! I know, it's been forever  awhile. I was doing things like...moving.

But! We're all settled in, and I'm planning (hoping?) to be writing and reflecting more here. Let's do a  For The Love Of Friday post, to get back in the saddle, yes? Let's ease in.

Reading: I've been reading the Chief Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny and am currently on number 9. I love these books, but especially how the author's story telling has sharpened over the series. The first books are good, solid story telling, but the last couple are amazingly well written.

I'm cooking out of Run Fast, Eat Slow. EVERY SINGLE RECIPE so far has been delicious.

Current Favorite: Flu Fighter Chicken and Rice Stew

I'm also browsing my trusty copy of McGee & Stuckey's Bountiful Container book. It's my all time favorite gardening book and I cannot wait for spring to get here!

(It slowed last night. This followed: 78 degree temperatures, high winds, rain, and tornado warnings. All in the past week.)

Listening: The Minimalists Podcast. I'll be writing about it more (hopefully), but we've been on a huge get-rid-of-all-the-things kick, so I've been drawn to this podcast. It can be a little...wordy?...but the overall theme is enjoyable. And I do love the home tour on their website!

Wearing: Neal got me a new Kate Spade watch for my birthday (because I may or may not have dropped my other one in a gardening box, which he then found a week later) It's the horoscope line (Capricorn for the win!). It's no longer available on the Kate Spade website, but you can get one-half off!-at Nordstrom Rack. Despite normally having my phone with me, I love wearing a watch.

Want List: Le Creuset Skillet, & new converse. 

Come back Monday, and I'll have some B+ Goals for you (hopefully)!

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: 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!

 



SCENES FROM A WEEKEND

I love a three day weekend, but it was back to regular schedules today! Which is why this post is so late.

I started out the weekend with a run-on the treadmill again because the east coast has given up the eternal fall we're had since September and has busted out with full on winter. Sad face. Sad, cold face. I took 2 minutes off of last weeks time, and it felt good-for real this time-so that's a win. Having a great podcast on helped.

 

 

 

 

Saturday breakfast was scrambled eggs with salsa, mashed avocado, and dairy free sour cream.

 

 

Ava found a worm and made him a house and gave him a name. I love her like my heart is going to burst, guys.

 

 

Lot's of Scouting projects this weekend: derby cars and carving soap.

 

 

Thank you Thug Kitchen for advising me to put hot sauce on braised cabbage because oh my God, SO GOOD, and I would have never in a million years thought to do such a thing.

 

 

And then this happened.

 

I read my horoscope at Loft (which cracks me up, why is Loft doing horoscopes?!). My year is looking good and I love this graphic. I also loved the gigantic sale they are having! Sale code here.

 

 

New kicks, a Tone It Up workout, and another run on Monday.

 

Happy Tuesday!