Five for Friday: Turkey Time

Happy Friday! We met with our pediatrician this morning and had my 34-week doctor's appointment, so we've already been out and about and busy. Conveniently, that meant a pit stop at Sheetz for a pumpkin pie latte... doesn't take much more than that to make me a happy girl! It's the little things in life, isn't it?

Thought I'd jot down a quick Five for Friday today, since it's been a little quiet around here other than my weekly posts. Lots going on in life these days, and blogging always falls a little behind when that happens. Oh well. Let's see....

1 // I am firmly in the "Thanksgiving before Christmas" camp and you will not see any Christmas decorations around my house until after T-Day. That said, I have secretly been listening to the Holiday Jazz Pandora station when I'm home alone - it's just such nice background music!! It makes me happy. A little holiday jazz here and there doesn't hurt anything.

2 // Speaking of T-Day, we are hosting this year, and bought a 22-pound turkey last weekend. That sucker is huge! We are going to have a pretty full house, and my mom and C are doing all the cooking while I sit on the couch and eat pie. Joking, but... not exactly. It's going to be low-key (I'm talking buffet-style with paper plates) but everyone seems to be okay with that. As much as I love a fancy holiday dinner, there's something nice about just being able to be simple and comfortable with loved ones, too.

3 // There is a cold front coming through (those of you with snow know this already!) and we are going to have lows down in the 20s later this weekend. I am super excited for it to actually get cold and wintery - the random 70-degree days are making it impossible to dress each day and also causing my porch pumpkins to rot. Bleh. Apart from not currently having a coat that actually fits, I am ready for cold weather. I recognize that I am probably in the minority. Oh well.

4 // We are venturing to hell Ikea tonight in search of one more piece of furniture for the nursery. Wish us luck. People go in there and never get out, I'm pretty sure...

5 // Speaking of the nursery, I'm pretty sure we are just about ready for baby! (That is a scary thought.) We don't have everything we need, but we have all basics now, and are at a point where we could bring him home and have everything to survive for a while. The nursery is thisclose to being done - I love how it has turned out, and can't wait to share some pictures!

Happy weekending! Hope you have a great one, and get everything ready for Thanksgiving that you need to. I know I'll be cleaning like crazy and doing some last-minute grocery shopping. Wish me luck!

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Friday: It's Hallo-Weekend!

Today's Five for Friday is essentially five thoughts I couldn't flesh into full blog posts... sorry 'bout it! The brain is a weird thing, and a pregnant brain is even weirder. I have been having the craziest dreams, suffering from a complete inability to remember things 2 seconds past my initial thought, and making the weirdest connections in my mind when I see / hear other things. I've been hearing more and more that these "symptoms" just get worse once the baby is born... oh boy.

Anyway. Happy Hallo-weekend! I was thinking the other day about how great it was to have Halloween on a Friday or Saturday in college - it meant AT LEAST 4 days of partying, if not more! And then I shuddered to think about all the skantily-clad little co-eds wandering around Blacksburg in the cold... life sure has changed for me, hasn't it?? My big, exciting plans for tomorrow? Order Chinese take-out (our traditional Halloween dinner, of course) and sit on the porch to pass out candy to the kiddos. I'm actually really excited about it. Last Halloween, we had over 100 trick-or-treaters, and it was a school night! Can't wait to see how many we get on a Saturday! (It better be a million, or I am going to have a ridiculous amount of candy to eat on Sunday...) What are you doing to celebrate?

Okay, let's see here. Let's talk Five for Friday!

1 // Books. Do you use Goodreads? I kind of love it for keeping track of what I'm reading, what I've read, and getting recommendations for books from friends. I have a "shelf" titled "Did Not Finish," which is for books I just could. not. get. through. This is a rare occurrence, and there are not many books housed there. A new one was added this week, though: The One and Only by Emily Giffin.

Guys. I couldn't. A co-worker recommended it, and it was available at the library so I went with it. I shouldn't have. I was SO skeeved out by the creepy plot line that I actually just gave up. I have friends who rated this book FIVE STARS... I am seriously questioning your judgement, and side-eyeing the heck out of you. Sorry.

2 // Last night was the second and final meeting our of "Labor Basics" class at the hospital. What an eye-opening experience. Whew. Like I said before, I thought I knew about giving birth, but really I did not. However, I went into this far more educated than some of my classmates... I am nervous for the children they are going to bring into this world. Sigh.

We also took a tour of the Labor & Delivery Ward, and it got me pretty excited for the Big Event. The hospital we are delivering at is relatively new, and it's beautiful, and the L&D area looks amazing. That is definitely a good thing!

3 // Have you ever seen the show Beat Bobby Flay on Food Network? I don't generally watch it, but it's been on twice in the last few days when I was flipping channels. Here's the gist: two professional chefs battle each other for the chance to battle Bobby, then whoever wins the first competition challenges Bobby to cook his or her "signature" item, which they are supposedly really great at cooking. I have now remembered why I don't watch it: it infuriates me. Bobby never loses. Never!!!! I get it, he's good. But is he really, truly, that good, that in a blind taste test against another professional chef, he never loses? Ugh.

4 // Is there a worse flavor of yogurt than blueberry? I think not.

5 // When all else fails, cats.

I worked from home several days this week (the BEST because it does not require real clothes, which are a nightmare these days) and Toby insists on helping all. day. long. He just really wants to be by his humans and involved in what they are doing, which is precious, but seriously? It's hard to work with a cat standing on your laptop. I spend a significant amount of time removing him from my bubble.

Have a great Friday and a happy Halloween, and don't forget to turn back your clocks on Sunday!! See you in November (!!).

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Friday: all the treats

We made it to Friday! Hooray! We have a low-key weekend at home ahead of us: I have a vacuum and a dust cloth calling my name. Not the most fun, but definitely needs to be attended to while I have the energy to do it. Feel free to hire me a cleaning service for my birthday in January. :)

In the spirit of loving Fridays, here are five things I am loving this week - enjoy!

1 // I've been on an organizing / de-cluttering kick (thank you, nesting instincts) and broke out my trusty label-maker... there is something so nice about everything having a place and being IN its place! Don't mind me, I'll be over here labeling anything and everything that sits still long enough.

2 // I had a serious hankering for cinnamon rolls, and I knew that if I didn't make my own, I'd likely be thoroughly disappointed in whichever ones I did eat (sorry, Pillsbury, but your "rolls" just wouldn't cut it this time). I did lots of research, and ending up settling on No-Yeast Required Cinnamon Rolls from Iowa Girl Eats - she has never let me down with a recipe yet, so I figured that would be a good place to start for my first time ever making sweet rolls! They turned out beautifully... and deliciously. I'm pretty sure a warm cinnamon roll with gooey cream cheese frosting is a treat sent straight from the heavens.

3 // the news is finally public and so I get to share my excitement! My college roommate is pregnant and due in March... we are going to be raising babies just months apart!! Fingers crossed that hers is a boy, too, and they can be best friends like their mamas.

4 // I made the most delicious coffee cake to feed to my co-workers this week: chocolate chip sour cream coffee cake from Smitten Kitchen. She totally snagged my interest with her Instagram picture, and I couldn't get that recipe out of my head. It turned out perfectly, and my team gobbled it down.

5 // Nothing like tea in fancy china cups to make you feel special on a random Thursday afternoon. My boss brought this tea set with her from Armenia, and all the dishes are stamped with "made in the USSR" on the bottom. She's going to give them to her daughter some day. Love it!

So there ya have it - a few happies to share on this gray Friday (we've got rain forecast all weekend - stay dry!). Anything fun happening in your world this weekend? If not, I have a few chores you could do for me... ha!

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Friday: the sad and the good

Five quick things, then we can all get on with our Friday. Before the fun stuff, though...

I would be remiss if I did not mention the tragedy that occurred on live news on Wednesday. I was horrified to see that two journalists were murdered, and saddened to see that it happened at Smith Mountain Lake. As many people know, my family has a house on SML, and we consider the lake to be a serene refuge from the "real world." Bridgewater Plaza, where the incident occurred, is a place that we have frequented over the years, and it broke my heart to see this tragedy unfold at a place that I consider one of my homes. It has been a sad week for the lake community, the news community, and the Hokie family, as one of the journalists was a VT grad. Keep them and the victims' families in your hearts, if you can.

Deep breath. OK. Let's do our five things!

1 // C made meatball pita sandwiches with homemade tzatziki on Tuesday night. I always kind of forget how much I love tzatziki, and then when I have it, I feel like I could drink a bowlful. Seriously. Garlic breath doesn't scare me. It's just so good. Try this recipe if you've never made it at home.

2 // We just bought tickets for a Hokie football game this fall, and I am beside myself with excitement. Can't wait to get "home" to Lane Stadium!! It will be baby's "first" football game (and possibly my first sober game... cough cough) and I know we will have a blast.

3 // In other baby news, a large package arrived on our doorstep earlier this week... we officially own a crib. Yikes. My in-laws were sweet enough to buy Baby W's bed for us, and while it's just going to sit boxed up for a while longer, I can't get over how intense that moment was when I realized that we have a crib in our house because a baby is coming.

4 // C is hosting his friends at our house this weekend for their fantasy football draft. It is intense and very, very serious, and I am very, very seriously vacating the premises for the weekend. I am planning to hightail it up to my parents' this weekend and spend some QT with them. It's my dad's birthday tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to celebrating, plus a few other fun activities with my mama. The boys will hopefully keep my house neat and tidy not destroyed, and I'll return home once the shenanigans are finished on Sunday.

5 // I've had some office requests for sweet treats lately, and it really has been a hot minute since I've brought any goodies in. May have to do some baking this weekend! Any suggestions for easily transportable favorites? I'm thinking brownies of some sort...

I told you this would be quick! What are your plans for this weekend? Send me your favorite baked goods recipe! Please :)

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Friday: We Have a Secret!

Happy, happy Friday! It is BEAUTIFUL out today, and it's supposed to be most of the weekend, too! Last night it was under 70* with low humidity - so unusual for August around here but I will take it!! Pre-season football was on TV and it was nice and cool outside... practically fall. Love!

I have been on a roll with Five for Friday posts lately... let's keep it going!

1 // Yesterday was a VERY exciting day... we had our 20-week anatomy scan, aka "we have a secret" day because we found out the sex of the baby! We are sharing with our families tomorrow, and then I'll be back next week to spill the beans here. Any guesses?? Our friends and family are split 50 / 50 it seems.

2 // We may or may not have gone directly from our ultrasound appointment to Target to buy baby clothes. I have been SO good so far and refrained from buying anything just because it's adorable - but I couldn't stand it any longer and had to make some purchases. We definitely had a few minutes of fun eyeing all the tiny clothes, knowing what is in our future!

3 // C and I were trying to decide what to do with ourselves this evening and were tossing a few ideas around - and then we remembered that we have a gift card to a local brewery! Score. Is there anything better than a dinner date with free dinner? Not to me. Ha!

4 // I have been on a Pintrest KICK lately - pin. all. the. things. I haven't had much desire to actually do much other than sit on the couch, thanks to the constant shoulder pain, but in my brain, I am cooking and baking and organizing and crafting. Ha!

Recent pins include football snacks, fall fashion, and this adorable wreath that I'd like someone to make for me. Any volunteers?

5 // We have been semi-binging on NCIS on Netflix this week. I always love the reruns when they are on TV, but realized that a) I have never really seen enough to understand the flowing story lines and b) all the seasons are on Netflix. Yahoo! Started from the beginning, now we.... here.

However, it always makes me insane when shows are based in the DC area but small details are totally incorrect. For example, NCIS HQ is at the Navy Yard in DC, but they can make it to Manassas in 15 minutes... on what planet?! I know, I know, it's just TV... but it really gets my goat. Totally unrealistic! Guess it might detract from the story a bit if they answered a call with "yep, be there in 2 hours because of rush hour traffic... sorry!"

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Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you next week with a 20-week update and the big PINK or BLUE reveal!

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Friday: Hashtag Me

This week has been painful.

Painful, you ask? Yes. Remember that pinched nerve I mentioned in my bump-date on Monday? Yeahhh, it's only gone downhill from there. I ended up at the chiropractor with an emergency appointment on Tuesday, and back again on Wednesday, for a couple intense rounds of adjustment and deep tissue massage. Not sure which hurts worse - the problems my back & shoulder, or having it fixed! My doctor informed me that my upper back is in state of "havoc" - what a word! Luckily, a full week after the initial pain started, I think that I am starting to feel a little better. I have been pretty miserable this week. Waaahhhh.

Anywho. A quick Five for Friday post for ya today - anything exciting happening in your world?? Tell me something good!

1 // Last weekend was girls' weekend, in Philadelphia this time. My two girlfriends and I spent the afternoon at a pop-up beer garden in front of the Rocky steps (San Pellegrino is refreshing but NOT the same), which I think is easily one of the coolest things about Philadelphia in the summer.

We then had an amazing dinner at Tinto. I took absolutely no pictures because it was super dark in the restaurant (maybe just poor lighting at our table? But I actually pulled out my phone to illuminate the menu better. #blindasabat). We ordered a wide array of tapas dishes, which is one of my absolute favorite ways to eat with friends. I think my favorites were the arugula salad and the Brussels sprouts. Yum! We rounded out the meal with shakes from Shake Shack - classy and fabulous. It was perfection.

2 // We have no plans this weekend for the first time in a solid month, and I am actually looking forward to the opportunity to organize and clean. Kinda sad how it gets to the point sometimes! I just get behind before I even have a chance to think about it in the summer. Sigh. #sendhelp #andacleaningcompany

3 // I've been burning a new candle this week: B&BW "Black Sands." It is delicious and a perfect reminder of our week at the beach. #takemeback (PS - just looked at the B&BW website and ALL THE FALL CANDLES ARE BACK. Yes, yes, yes. #nottooearly)

4 // With this shoulder / back issue going on, I have not been to the gym or worked out at all this week. However, I did buy a new workout top at Target on Tuesday. Does that count? #itwasonclearance #cantresistasale

5 // I had a Strawberry Poppyseed & Chicken Salad from Panera one night this week and it brought me an extreme amount of happiness. I have not been craving "fresh" food this pregnancy (#iwishionlywantedsalad #butireallyonlywanticecream) but that particular salad really hit the spot.

Have a great weekend!!

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Friday: Last Day of July!

Tomorrow is August, and that means we are THAT much closer to September and Fall! Hooray! C keeps telling me not to "wish away" these next couple of months, and I promise that I'm trying, but I am way over summer and ready for cooler weather and my favorite season. Sorry not sorry.

I was afraid this post-vacation week would drag by, but it actually went pretty quickly. Friday already, and another round of Five for Friday. Bring it on!

1. I am already seeing Fall clothing collections being released, and I get super excited before remembering, oh, right - maternity clothes. Buzz kill. Not that there are some cute things available for pregnant ladies, and not that I'm not excited for even more of an excuse to wear cozy, comfy sweaters and the like, but it's just not the same. Sigh.

2. I am desperate for a hair cut and color but trying really hard to stretch my highlights out a few more weeks. I just haven't loved my blonde as much this summer as I did last summer, and I'm ready to go back to all-over brunette, and get a couple inches taken off, too... but beauty is expensive, so I need to make the blonde wait just a little longer! Sigh again.

3. I had to get my state inspection done yesterday on my car (second to last day of the month, oops) and went to a new-to-me, family-owned shop near our house. They had me in and out in under and hour, didn't try to sell me anything other than my inspection, and actually took me into the garage to show me the one issue that the identified. How is that for a win!? I was so please. Fredericksburg friends, if you need a recommendation for an auto shop, let me know.

4. It's time for another girls' weekend! I am headed up to Philadelphia tomorrow morning for some much-needed time with my sweet girlfriends, and while there will be far less wine consumed this time (by me, anyway), I am still super excited! We have dinner reservations at a fun tapas restaurant, and I'm looking forward to catching up with the lay-dies.

5. Earlier this week, C made me a fried green tomato BLT for dinner... and it was possibly the best sandwich I've ever eaten. The man doesn't even LIKE tomatoes, but he is willing to put his hatred aside to create something delicious for me. I picked up some green tomatoes at the farmer's market before we left NC last Saturday, and he fried them up real quick with a cornmeal crust. It was ah-mazing. Those tomatoes, with a healthy schmear of mayo, crispy bacon, and fresh romaine? Perfection.

Tell me something good! Any exciting plans this weekend? How often do you get your hair cut / colored? What was the best thing you ate this week? I could probably eat five more of those BLTs and not be unhappy for a minute. Yum!

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Fri-YAY!

Happy Friday! I tried really hard to think of a good title for this post, but let's call it what it really is: a brain dump of random thoughts swirling through my head. Five for Friday style, so it "makes sense." Just go with it.

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1. Please tell me you saw that Limited Too is making a comeback. 90s girls everywhere, rejoice. How fun!

2. I had our house pressure-washed and our deck and porch stained this week, and I had no idea that such a mundane thing could make me so happy. Those are both to-dos that have been on the list since the day we moved in, and after two years of never finding time, I hired out the job. Done and done.

3. My sister-in-law made a pan of s'mores brownies yesterday and they were demolished by the time the night was through. SO. GOOD. Going to have to get her recipe (it didn't look too complicated) and recreate / share. Yum.

4. Last Friday, we went out to dinner with my friend, Aileen, and her husband - good news was that we got to try a new restaurant in Fredericksburg (Spencer Devon Brewing); bad news was that it was the last time we were seeing them before they moved. Boo. Aileen was one of my very first friends that I made when we moved, and I am so sad to see her go. Can't wait to get to visit her in her new home, though!

5. I know that we are not even through July yet but I am already getting super excited for football season. I can't wait for fall! Anyone else with me? Summer just seems to last forever...

Have a great weekend!!

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Friday: My Brain is Tired

My brain is struggling to get through this week. Anyone else feeling that way? I got all the way to work this morning before remembering to check and see if my laptop was in my backpack... luckily my fantastic husband knows that I'm a smidge scatterbrained and had taken care of that one for me. Whew!

That said, I am thrilled it's almost weekend:30 - time to get the party started! But first... Five for Friday, tired-brain edition.

1 // C's birthday is next Wednesday, but we are celebrating (for the first time!) tomorrow! I have surprise plans for us for the day, and I think that, for once, he actually doesn't know what to expect. He is the worst with birthday surprises, and always manages to figure it out ahead of time... I think I've got it locked in this year! I'll share next week what the activities were :)

2 // Have any of my lovely readers ordered from May Designs before? Please tell me your stories. I currently have several books / designs in my shopping cart, but can't pull the trigger. Is a $20 journal worth it? Help!

3 // Last weekend, while at my grandma's in Spokane, WA, we picked up a strawberry-rhubarb pie from a local farm. We then baked it and ate it warm with melty vanilla ice cream. That, my friends, is the stuff dreams are made of. I'm still thinking about it. Dessert is one of my love languages, and I am not even a little bit upset by that.

4 // My friend, Aileen, just lent me her copy of The Girl on the Train, so that will be the next book I read. Who's read it?? Did you think it was as great as all the hype?

5 // We have already reached the point in summer weather where I pretty much cannot stand to blow-dry and straighten my hair in the morning - the thought of all that heat makes me feel ill, plus I know that the minute I walk out the door into the humidity, all my effort goes down the drain. I've been using this mousse and this spray to embrace the semi-wave in my hair. I probably look a bit like a drowned rat most days. Sorry, not sorry.

Who has exciting weekend plans? Tell me something good! Hope you have a great rest of your day today!

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Friday: Philadelphia edition

Happy Fri-YAY! I am home from my business trip and reunited with my phone, so all is good in my world. Wahoo!

I spent Tuesday-Thursday in Philadelphia for work, and I just have to say that each time I visit that city, I enjoy it more and more. Granted, every time I start to feel like I know my way around a little bit, I end up completely lost, but oh well.It's a great mix of city and not-city, and I always enjoy discovering new things and places.

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Being phone-less for the week, I am pretty much picture-less, too, but I still thought I'd share a few things for Five for Friday! It's been a while... oops.

1 // On Wednesday, my team had lunch at Devil's Alley. My co-worker and I split the daily special, which was a tuna melt (yum!), and the fried green tomato BLT. Both were fantastic. It was a great lunch spot - check it out if you're in the area!

2 // Being in Philly meant I got to see my BFF, Lizzy, for a few hours! She picked me up from my hotel on Tuesday night & we grilled on the patio at her apartment building - it was great to see her and visit for a bit without any other plans going on! Definite perk of this particular work trip. Between our recent girls' weekend and the bachelorette party in Philadelphia, I've seen her several times over the last few months, and I love it.

3 // A co-worker managed to snag dinner reservations at Zahav for Wednesday night, which was a huge deal - everyone was super excited for the chance to try this renowned dining experience. I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into - Israeli / Indian / Middle-Eastern food is not my cup of tea, usually - but I was pleasantly surprised by what we experienced. We opted for the tasting menu, which included a variety of salads to start, multiple small-plate appetizers, and multiple entrees, so that everyone could try a few bites of a ton of different things. With the exception of a few dishes, I enjoyed everything I tasted!

4 // I traveled to Philadelphia via Amtrak - my first train ride! That's a lie, since I ride the commuter train to work every day, but it was my first time on Amtrak. I was very pleased with the service. Will definitely look into that in the future when we are booking trips north.

5 // We took a quick trip through Reading Terminal Market yesterday afternoon before heading out of the city, and I stopped at Flying Monkey Bakery to pick up a treat for the road. Enter chocolate-dipped banana whoopie pies. Ohhhhh my heavens. So delicious! I am already thinking of ways that I can re-create at home. Yum!!

It's wedding weekend for my sweet friend, Brittany, and her fiance - can't wait to see them tie the knot tomorrow and begin their lives together as newlyweds! What fun Memorial Day plans do you have? I'm hoping for a cook out with C on Monday. Burgers on the grill sound amazing.

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

The Fog is Lifting - Friday Link-Ups

I always get into a general funk for the first two weeks of April, and you may have noticed via my lack of posting (or, let's be real, probably didn't notice). The thing is, as my brain gets heavy with sad thoughts, I feel less and less inclined to write happy, frivolous posts - it just doesn't feel true to myself. Better to sit in silence than cover it up with words I don't mean or don't care about.

Ultimately, the fog starts to lift the day after the 16th, usually. It almost always feels like a literal weight has lifted. I don't know why, but the sense of foreboding and sadness begins to dissipate as soon as that awful day is gone. Maybe it's all in my head...

Things are a little different this year, because in addition to the anniversary of April 16, we are missing my grandma and grandpa, too. This was an especially hard time for my family last year, and it's incredibly hard to believe an entire year has gone by since they both passed. We were all in such a haze of emotions last spring, it's almost like that whole part of year went by without us noticing. It's been hard to catch up.

All that said, I am still so happy about the birth of our niece last Sunday - and I'm looking forward to her being a little shining, bright spot in the years to come during what is always a very sad month for me. I am trying not to dwell on it too much, but I do think it's more than a coincidence that her birth came so closely to a few dates that I associate with so much death. The circle of life and all that, right? Thank you all so much for your sweet words on my Monday post, and your kindness yesterday, as well. It means a lot!

Today is a beautiful, brilliant day in DC, and I am hoping to get outside around lunchtime to get a little Vitamin D. The sunshine certainly does me good. I'll leave you with five thoughts for this Friday...

1 // Yesterday was taco night in our house (because tacos make me happy) and I attempted to make my mom's famous Spanish rice for the first time ever. I am thrilled to report that I was successful - and it was DELICIOUS. Winner, winner, chicken taco dinner.

2 // How gorgeous is this blouse that Kristen linked to this morning? I cannot afford such things, but dang is it pretty.

3 // We have not yet had time this spring to address the jungle that is our yard, so that is on deck for tomorrow morning. It's supposed to be sunny and 80 tomorrow - I have a date with a lawnmower and some sunscreen. Here's hoping we can tame the beast!

4 // I read this article by Kristina Anderson yesterday discussing how to honor the anniversary of a tragedy, and it really resonated with me. Everyone remembers / honors / handles it differently. There is generally no wrong way. That was reassuring to me.

5 // let's make this a two-fer and throw in a little can't live without... I present to you the best travel mug ever. This baby comes with me to work every day, carrying the liquid gold coffee that I need to be a functioning human. It is not cute, it is not pretty, but it is legit. No travel mug I've ever used before is so good at keeping hot liquid hot AND it's totally spill-proof (as long as I remember to close the top!) I once forgot my coffee at home on the counter and found it 12 hours later....... still warm. Not lying. I will never own another!

Happy Friday, friends. Have a wonderful weekend.

linking up with stephanie, cait, and laura

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Friday: Friday Inspiration

Sharing some words of wisdom on this beautiful, sunny Friday... because we all need a little inspiration sometimes, right? (Or is that just me right now?) Today's Five for Friday is mainly for myself, but I'm sure there is someone else out there who needs it today. Enjoy!

Five for Friday: great posts

Surprise, surprise - it's the first week of March and I am writing from underneath almost half a foot of snow. Mother Nature is a cruel, cruel woman. This is not entirely unexpected, as this area regularly has significant snow in March, but still.... this winter-lover is just a tad bit over it. As is just about everyone else, amiright?

Enough snow talk, though. I thought I'd change it up a bit for this week's Five for Friday. I read a lot of blogs out there, from big writers to small ones like myself, and there are always a few articles or posts each week that really stick with me. This week, I'm sharing five posts that caught my attention. Maybe you will discover a new favorite read!

>> "My Real Skills" by Jill at The Strawberry Blonde Life - this post had me giggling out loud, and it was fun to think about what I'd put on my resume if I could be honest about what I'm good at.

>> "Recipe Round Up: Breakfast Inspiration!" by Stephanie at My Freckled Life - a bunch of delicious-looking breakfast recipes for when the old standard gets too boring, this post had me drooling over California Breakfast Casserole! Yes and please.

>> "I am most proud of..." by Kait at CommuniKait - a good reminder to think about all the things you've accomplished, and actually take credit and be proud of them! Kait's list includes major and minor life things, and I thought it was very inspiring.

>> "Kettlebell circuit workout" by Gina at The Fitnessista - I tried out this workout at the gym on Wednesday after I got there too late for spin class, and I was actually kind of glad that I had to change it up a bit! These moves are overly complicated or intense, but they were just enough to work up a serious sweat and leave me sore the next day.

>> "The Hungry Eyes Tourist Challenge" by Kelle at Enjoying the Small Things - it's always fun to try to play tourist at home, and see your area the way a stranger would see it. It can be easy to forget the things that make where you live unique, and this post was a great prompter to stop and look around and appreciate the "special" in your hometown.

What's your favorite blog to read? What post from another write stuck with you this week?

Have a great weekend!

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Five for Friday: TGIF!

Is it just me, or has this been theeee looonngggeessttt weeeeeeek evveerrrrrrrr?

Seriously, it feels like about 10 days have gone by since last weekend. And I've been suffering from "day ahead" syndrome all week, always thinking I was one day closer to the weekend than I really was. That is the WORST! So my TGIFness is in full effect this morning. Cheers to the (LONG!) weekend!! Un-cheers to the fact that the temperature has dipped into the negatives around here with the wind chill. We are freezing our tatas off in these parts.

It's been a while since a good ol' fashioned Five for Friday post, so let's get on with the fun!

1 // C and I have a long-standing tradition of staying in and cooking something delicious for Valentine's Day. We were debating over what to make this year when I saw this post for Surf and Turf for Two from Iowa Girl Eats. Decision made! Surf and turf is the way to both of our hearts, and that red wine pan sauce looks to-die-for. Throw in a side of veggies, and we've got a gourmet meal on our hands. What are you doing for V-Day?

2 // Fifty Shades of Grey debuts this weekend. Did you read it? Will you see it? In theaters or in the privacy of your own home? Why was Ana so confused over how to use a laptop in 2011? Why did she and Christian text in all capitals? Discuss.

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3 // I caved and placed my first Fabletics order. I've seen so many cute pieces floating around the internets, and I'm on the hunt for some new workout gear because most of my staples have seen better days. With an offer for 50% off the first order plus a $10 off coupon, I got my first two pieces for under $15. I kid you not! Now, we'll see what they are like when they actually arrive at my doorstep. Standby for a review! Want to try it? Click here.

4 // I was a religious Grey's Anatomy watcher in college. Seriously. It was a thing. (I know you know what I'm talking about!) But I quit watching after the plane crash, because it really just got to be too much for me. It was ridiculous. However, in the last few weeks, I've started watching again... and I just can't tear myself away. So yes, I was sitting on my couch last night, glass of wine in hand, full-on ugly crying... and it reminded me exactly of watching in college. Some things don't change.

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5 // I am a little bit obessed with "Style" by Taylor Swift.... it's just so dang catchy. She just released the music video this morning. It's a little weird but.... I'll keep in playing in the background today regardless. You're welcome!




Happy weekending! What's on the agenda? Happy Valentine's Day, my loves!

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Books, movies, and working out - my favorites!

Happy Friday! It's the eve of a three-day weekend for me, and I am STOKED. (Do people still say that?) We have several super fun plans for Saturday and Sunday, and then we're going to take it easy on Monday. Sounds lovely to me!

Five for Friday is back again - here are five things I'm loving this week.

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1 // Big Little Lies: yep, I finally got on the train and am reading Liane Moriarty's latest novel. I adore her other books, and I'd really been wanting to read this one, but the waiting list at the library has been about a million people long ever since it came out. I finally bit the bullet and just bought it for my nook, and I'm in deep and loving it.

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2 // Restaurant Week: today kicks off Fredericksburg's bi-annual Restaurant Week, and I'm so excited! The restaurants that participate offer a lunch deal for $10.15 or a dinner deal for $20.15, and it's usually a multi-course meal for either. Yum! C & I are having a date tonight at one of our local favorites, Poppy Hill Tuscan Kitchen, and I can't wait!

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3 // American Sniper: C & I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this movie, and it's finally out. I have heard amazing things about it, and can't wait to see it. I bought tickets in advance for Sunday, and I'm fully preparing myself to ugly-cry all the way through it.

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4 // More reading, less social media: Kristen @ Iowa Girl Eats shared an idea today that she has been using lately - move all your social media apps into a folder away from the main page of your phone, and move your e-reading app to front and center. Then, when you have a minute that you would normally spend mindlessly scrolling social media (in line at the post office, waiting at the doctor's office, etc.), read a few pages of a book instead. I immediately made the change on my phone, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it works.

5 // BodyCombat: I got back to one of my favorite classes at the gym last night, and it totally destroyed me - in a good way! It's been several weeks since I made it to a Combat class, and I was so happy to have time to go last night. It is such a killer workout, and fun, too. Perfect!

So tell me...

• Have you read Big Little Lies? What are you reading?
• What's your favorite group fitness class?
• Planning to see American Sniper, or any other movie this weekend?

Happy weekend!

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy