Five on Friday 3.31.17

Last day of March! Hopefully April will  bring some Spring weather!

//1// Luke Pell is headed to Bachelor in Paradise.

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I'm a huge Bachelor/ette fan, but have never watch Bachelor in Paradise because (quite honestly) I think it's really trashy. But I can't pass it up if Luke is going to be on. #swoon


//2// Trading Spaces is returning to TV!

I watched this show everyday at 4pm on TLC in the early 2000s. I would watch it when I got home from school while scarfing down some "dinner" before heading to the dance studio. Can't wait for it's premiere in 2018!


//3// Someone did a "newborn" photo shoot with their puppy and I think it's the best thing EVER. Check it out here.


//4// I've been watching the World Figure Skating Championships this week on NBC Sports Network. The ladies either seem to be flappers or swans this year. So boring.

Mariah Bell's short program to 'Roxie' from the musical Chicago makes me cringe.


//5// We leave for Europe in about 7 weeks! Woo! I've been doing some shoping for some clothes to wear on the trip and I was really impressed with Old Navy! Old Navy is very hit and miss for me so I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had so.many.cute.things!

Have a great weekend!

Birthday Cake Popcorn

What You'll Need:

2 tablespoon of butter

6 cups of popped popcorn

3 cups of marshmallows

2 teaspoons of vanilla

1 tablespoon of milk

1 cup of white cake mix

Sprinkles

What You'll Need to Do:

Pop popcorn and remove kernels.

Melt marshmallows and butter in a medium pot, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat once marshmallows are melted.

Mix in vanilla, milk, and cake mix.

Stir mixture into popcorn and coat evenly.

Top with sprinkles.

Let set.

ENJOY!

Monday Motivation 3.27.17

Five Things on Friday 3.17.17

Happy Friday and happy St. Patrick's Day (if you're in to that). Here are Five Things for Friday!




//1// Bachelor Nick gave out his finally rose and got down on one knee and proposed to Vanessa!

The After the Fianl Rose interview was pretty awks, giving me doubts that it will last.

But in pictures that have surfaced after After the Final Rose they seem really happy!

//2// I have become obsessed with Jamberry! I love having my nails done, but it's not worth the time and effort when they chip is just a matter of few days.

The picture above shows a Jamberry wrap which I have had on for over a week vs. polish I had on for less than 24 hours. #winning

//3// I made Birthday Cake Popcorn for my friend/coworkers birthday. I got some many compliments on it! Recipe coming soon!

//4// I started watching Big Little Lies on HBO. I got a free 7-day trial because all thought all the episodes were out at once. Nope. Only four are out. Apparently it's a weekly series. Boo to HBO! #fail

These characters are so messed up in the head. It's a super weird show. However, I'm intrigued enough that I'd like to read the book!



//5// Friday Inspiration

Smart Tips for Easier Housekeeping

Spring is almost here and it's time to clean up, clear up, and scrub down! Cleaning is my absolute least favorite thing to do so learning shortcuts and hacks has been amazing.

Be efficient. Store your supplies where you use them. Keeping kitchen cleaning products in the kitchen and bathroom cleaning products in the bathroom will help get small jobs and daily cleanings done fast! The more you have to search out your products, the more likely you'll be to get distracted and forget about the task at hand.

Dust before you vacuum. Particles fall to the floor as you dust so start dusting before you vacuum. Otherwise, you'll void all of the work you just did!

Spend your time on high traffic areas. Instead of vacuuming the entire carpet is every room every time, just do the paths where people walk most often.

Use baking soda for more than just baking. Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet prior to vacuuming or put an open box in your laundry hamper. It will freshen carpets, clothes, and other possibly stinky areas of your home.

Clean your toilet overnight. Pour toilet bowel cleaner in the toilet before you go to bed and leave it overnight for extra cleaning power. When you get up in the morning, just brush and flush!

Make your microwave work for you. Fill a mug with water and set in inside your microwave. Nuke it on high for 60 seconds. The steam the hot water creates will help loosen stuck on foods and debris which makes scrubbing a lot easier! Fill the mug with lemon juice or lemon essential oil for a better smelling microwave.

HAPPY SPRING CLEANING!

Monday Madness 3.6.17

Happy March everyone! Nick I celebrated our NINTH wedding anniversary on March 1. We celebrated by seeing the touring production of The Sounds of Music. It's one of my favorite musicals and so glad that Nick agreed to go with  me!

We also had a very nice meal at Bistro Bella Vida. It was snowing... same as on our wedding day!

I started watching Army Wives on Netflix and have gotten totally hooked.

I'm currently on season 2 and can't wait to see how the show progresses. It has me in tears all the time already!

Speaking of tears, this weekend I finished the book The Choices We Make. I had big 'ol fat tears rolling down my cheeks by the end of this one. I hope to have a review up soon, but in the meantime - GO BUY IT AND READ IT!

This past weekend was about pampering! I treated myself to a mani, pedi, and massage! They were all much needed. After having the flu and jumping back into a (always) busy work schedule, I needed some relaxation time. I also went to a fundraiser/auction with a coworker/friend to support her kids' school. I wish I would have taken some pictures. it was an awesome night!

Hope all of you also had a great weekend!

2017 Oscar Fashion

Movies' biggest night took place in Hollywood last Sunday with the Academy Awards. With a major flub during the awarding of Best Picture, it was one to remember. However, I don't feel you could say the same about the fashion. Overall, I found the dresses to be boring and frumpy, but a few choice did shine as bright at the Oscar statue itself!

Emma Stone in Givenchy haute couture

A gold dress for her golden moment. She came to win. Get it, girl.

Viola Davis in Armani Prive

Not only was Viola a winner (Best Supporting Actress), but her dress was as well. The interesting neckline and sleeves put a spin on very beautiful and flattering classic dress. The color was beautiful on her!

Felicity Jones in Dior Haute Cotoure

Most people didn't like this one, but I really loved it because she reminds me of a ballerina. It was really sweet and simple and looked great on her.

Octavia Spencer in Marchesa

I love the combo of the feathers and satin. I also love that she went with gray, and the fit is impecable.

Kristin Cavallari in Zachary the Label

Kristin Cavalari had hosting duties for E! at the Oscars, but she might as well have stolen the show from the A-List celebs. She totally nailed it in a red, structured column dress. I can't not mention that amazing bling around her neck too!

There was an abundance of terribly awful gowns to choose from for Worst Dressed. Celebs that topped my list include Louise Rose, Dakota Johnson, Chrissy Teigan, and Busy Philips.

What did you think of this year's Oscar fashion?



Good Reads: The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright

Good Reads Synopsis:

Family can be complicated. Especially when skeletons from the past pop up unexpectedly. For American Evie Gray, finding out her deceased mother had a secret identity, and not one of the caped crusader variety, was quite the surprise. Evie’s mom had a secret life before she was even born, one that involved tiaras.

In this modern day fairytale, Evie is on a path to figure out who her mom really was, while discovering for herself what the future will hold. Charged with her late mother’s letters, Evie embarks on a quest into her past. The first item on the list is to attend Oxford, her mom’s alma mater. There, Evie stumbles upon a real life prince charming, Edmund Stuart the second Prince of England, who is all too happy to be the counterpart to her damsel in distress.

Evie can’t resist her growing attraction to Edmund as they spend more time together trying to unravel the clues her mother left behind. But, when doubts arise as to whether or not Edmund could ever be with an untitled American, what really ends up unraveling is Evie’s heart. When Evie uncovers all the facts about her mom’s former life, she realizes her mom’s past can open doors she never dreamed possible, doors that can help her be with Edmund. But, with everything now unveiled, Evie starts to crack under the pressure of new family responsibilities and the realization that her perfect prince may want her for all the wrong reasons.

My Thoughts:

I adored this book, not just because I'm a Royal Watcher, but also because I felt this was a great coming of age story. Edmund and Evie's relationship expertly hits on perils of relationships in the late teens, regardless of who's royal in this story. The are 'we/aren't we' and uncertainty very much reminded me of my college dating history. I enjoyed reading Evie's letters from her mother, and following her and Edmund as they unravel the clues to find out who Evie's mom really was, and in turn who Evie really is. This aspect of the plot really sets the book apart from other 'commoner falls in love with Royal' books that have been put out since the Royal Wedding in 2011.  The ending wrapped up the story like a little pretty present (which I love). It's a fast read that you won't want to put down!