Happy Day! I took today off because Callahan’s daycare was closed and we had a fun day running a few errands, prepping for the weekend, and playing together. For whatever reason, I had three (!!) emails in my inbox that had round ups in them today – one of my favorite type of email or blog posts to read from the people I follow, so I figured you may like some of the things that have been on my mind lately.
Five Things I’ve Got My Eye On
My cousin has this Beis bag (made out of recycled water bottles !!) and I was in love as soon as I saw it. I’m not necessarily in the market for a new bag, but when I am this will be a top contender.
I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for a gold necklace that I can wear on a regular bases. My friend had on this Made by Mary necklace with a poppy stamped into it. I snagged one with mine and Callahan’s birth month flower.
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson – The first book in The Storm Light Archive that I finally got around to reading in January. Kevin read these a few years back and several friends have been asking me to get on it. At over a thousand pages, it’s a bit daunting but worth every page.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – My favorite TJR read – BY FAR. Huge fan of this one – a few twists and turns to keep you on your toes.
The Intentional Year by Glenn Packiam and Holly Packiam – Such a great beginning of the year read. I loved pairing this with my goal setting practice for the 2023 and will probably go back to it for 2024, as well.
The Stories We Tell by Joanna Gaines – Loved this memoir that took us through Joanna’s vulnerable journey of struggles and hope. Adored the stream of consciousness feel of this book, read it at the perfect time.
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson – Maybe this is cheating – I’m not even halfway but I already can’t put it down.
Five Things That are Inspiring Me
Sweet little stack of books in the kitchen. I go back and forth between wanting my kitchen counters complete clear and wanting little vignettes here and there.
This bag. I have it and it’s the best.
Little wainscoting/photo ledge situation has my brain spinning. We have a little built in shelf at the bottom of our stairs that would look fantastic with this instead.
Bright white living room – probably not ideal with toddlers but definitely my vibe.
This kitchen is the same shape as ours and is similar colors to what I’d like to paint ours. Always love seeing it in someone else’s house first to make sure I’ll like it.
Five Links to Click
Substack – My new favorite way to follow friends online. Like the old school feed readers (ok, I still use them) but so much more fun and interactive. Favorite follows are: Rachel Dawson, Claire from Online, Hannah, and Overbooked Mama. (Ope, that was four links in one.)
This really happened. For the first time in franchise history, the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup. I’ve been dreaming about these moments for the last 27 years, hoping that my team would finally have the chance to lift the Cup. The entirety of the play offs were incredibly nerve wracking, tying for the most postseason games played in a single year (at 26 games). We watched game seven in our basement with friends and I watched our team celebrate for hours afterwards. I would be lying if I said that tears weren’t involved. We celebrated with the rest of St. Louis at the parade and rally downtown the weekend after we won. I’m so glad I got to go experience it all, truly one of the best moments of 2019!
Sunsets, a sweet pup covered in beautiful light, succulents growing on succulents, a curated closet, and neighborhood walks. These are a few of my favorite things.
Friday before a long weekend, has me jumping up and down in my seat. Here are five of my favorite photos I’ve taken recently.
My tile installation supervisor, helping finish up the bathroom project. We finally got everything wrapped up a couple weekends ago and I’m so glad to be using the bathroom again.
We got cupcakes to celebrate a friend’s new job – gourmet cupcakes are always the way to go.
I helped water Sarah’s garden a couple weeks ago, and I couldn’t help but take a couple photos. I just love catching the natural growth and stages of veggie ripeness.
I recently did some more KonMari action in our house, and the result of my bookcase was pretty fantastic.
I can’t really go without two pictures of our sweet girl, she’s just Sunday snoozing in the prettiest light. I’m looking forward to all the naps this weekend.
It’s Friday, ya’ll! This week has absolutely flown by and it didn’t help that I kept thinking Wednesday was Monday. Westworld Season 2 helped us start off the week and I haven’t stopped thinking about all the conspiracy theories people are coming up with. I’ve also been thinking about my lofty goal of publishing 100 Blog Posts in 100 Days. I mentioned this a while back and have been sharing here more often than I have in a long time, so I’m really proud of getting 13 posts out there so far this month. I’m ok with progress over perfection here.
Kevin and I got a new phones recently and I have to say, they have made some significant improvements in camera department. Poor Chloe has become the subject in all of my “portrait mode” test photos. This camera is making it really hard to want to bring my DSLR out.
We have hyacinths growing! It’s finally spring after what felt like the longest winter known to man. We still had multiple snowfalls/flurries this month and I’m 150% ready to be done with that garbage. I’m glad that the snow didn’t seem to affect the daffodils and tulips that have been popping up around here lately.
Kevin’s brother, Dave, came over this past weekend for a little grill out. I’m super proud of this shot because it candidly captured his whole vibe and his grill skills. This picture was followed by the best burgers (with pimento cheese) plus broccoli. Can’t beat that!
Chai lattes have always been my thing, but this month I’ve been loving them a little extra.
Now that the weather is nice, we’ve been taking Chloe on lots of walks! The last photo was taken on one of the trails here in town that she hadn’t been to yet, but that Kevin frequented a lot when he first got his bike in college. I love her sweet smile.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
It’s Friday, Friday! Gotta get down on Friday. I used to do weekend wrap ups on the blog and these posts remind me so much of those. I think these are my absolute favorites to write because they help me highlight the best moments and the small details I want to remember but will probably forget. Here’s a quick recap of what’s been going on in my life lately:
Kevin and I went home last weekend for Easter and we got to hangout with our families as well as our friend Bennet over dinner, drinks, and some march madness basketball. The guys have stayed connected via video games and they celebrated all their wins – called Chicken Dinners – in person, with 50 wings. This is why I love technology.
Dave, Kevin’s brother, came over last week and grilled up some food. Twice baked potatoes and the best burgers I’ve ever had. Notice that the veggies haven’t made it onto any of our plates. Ha! (PS: RIP table runner)
I joined Liz Lameroux’s Tell It: Collage class and have been powering away. I don’t know how much of it I’ll actually share, but I’m looking forward to more cutting and pasting and writing on this journey. The best part about these online classes is that it doesn’t have to end when the class is over. I can feel collaging becoming part of my normal creative routine.
The family gathered for Easter brunch and my oh my was it delicious. I love that we can all sit around one table and that we all had a say in the creation of Nana’s bitmoji. It’s amazing that you can take a photo and it will make one for you…if only my hair was as good as bitmoji thinks it is. HAHA!
Kevin and I upgraded our phones this past weekend and I’m on year 10 of Team iPhone (iPhone 3G, what’s up?). Naturally, I had to try out the portrait setting on Chloe and look how majestic she looks with that glowing fur. This camera is wicked and for that reason, I have to say that this has been my favorite upgrade yet.
