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Birthday Wish List and TBB Asks

We are already knee deep in August and you know what August is? My birthday month!!! I do like to treat myself to a few things throughout the month and create a wish list for funsies. Here are a few things I wouldn’t mind having wrapped up just for me!

This Rose Gold Gorjana Lariat necklace has been on my wish list for nearly a year. I think it would go with so many things in my closet and be such a staple piece!!! It would also layer nicely with my beloved Kendra Scott necklace I wear nearly every day!

I am also obsessed with this BaubleBar Aimee Layered chain. Since it is gold, thicker and layered…it gives a completely different look than the Gorjana one!

How cute are these mules in blush??? I am in need of some new work shoes for the fall/winter and these would be perfect!

I want to get a purse that is a little easier to tote around with baby. I love don’t need to carry as much now that she is a little older and I want something I can take to work too without having to take things in and out of her current diaper bag. I think a backpack style like this or a larger tote like maybe this would be better.

How pretty is this Skippy Dip Lip Topper by Jouer?

I am obsessed with slides and these are a classic!

This shirt looks crazy cozy for the fall weekends! I could use a pop of color in my wardrobe.

Cole Haan is the only brand of flats I have found that I can wear for more than a few hours without wanting to throw my shoes in the trash. I have a pair of black ones, and I really want to get a pair of nude to wear as well. These look perfect!

I would love a fancier band for my apple watch, this rose gold one would be perfect! Love the price too!

When Andrea emailed me about TBB link up, I knew I had to participate! These are fun questions to get to know someone better and I got right to drafting my post! But then I forgot all about it when I posted about my weekend on Monday. Better late than never, I always say!

Pool, Lake or Ocean?

My favorite place is the beach, I love to listen to the ocean crashing into the shore. But from the pool. I rarely get in the ocean. If I do, it is maybe ankle to knee deep. Never more. The pool is more my jam.

Camping, cottage or hotel?

I am so not an outdoor person. I never say never, but I seriously cant see myself ever thinking that camping sounds like a good idea. Give me all the indoor amenities and air conditioning. Please and thank you! A cottage or hotel suits me fine.

Favorite ice cream flavor?

Cookie Dough

Pj’s, Nightgown, T-Shirt/Shorts or Birthday Suit?

Usually shorts and a tshirt or short cotton nightgowns.

Fave Summer Beverage

Fruity beers and ciders or a mojito. At the beach, I do love a good pina colada! Cant believe I didn’t even have one this year.

Would you rather be hot or cold?

Cold cold cold. Please give me the cold! For someone who lives in the deep south, you would think I would be used to the heat. I hate it! You can always add layers, but you can only take so many off. I am a fall/winter girl.

Sandals with heels or flats?

These days you will find me in flats 98% of the time. I also appreciate a good wedge.

Shorts or skirts?

Neither! I were dresses in the spring and summer or pants in the winter.

Sit in the sun or the shade?

Unless it is in the upper 60’s or low 70’s, you will find me in the shade. See above. I hate sweating.

Water, tea or soda?

water

Fave summer fruit, vegetable?

Pineapple! Nothing beats a pineapple in peak season! I also love fresh ears of corn.

Sunrise or sunset?

I love both, but if I have to pick….sunset. Alabama has some of the prettiest sunsets I have ever seen.

Bike, ride or walk?

Alabama is not so not walkable. Not even our downtown area, so ride it is.

Winery or brewery?

brewery

Garden or no garden?

I do not have a green thumb, nor do I have the time.

Big summer concert or music in the park?

Music in the park, I hate crowds.

Fave cookout food?

Filet or burgers

Dine indoors or patio?

Patio, as long as it is shaded if it is too hot!

Fave summer destination?

Our annual trip to Gulf Shores

Big theme park or local carnival?

Again, I hate crowds. I don’t really care for either. Though I really really really want to go to Disney World!

Drinks blended or on the rocks?

blended

Popsicle or freezie flavour of choice

You know what I miss? Pudding pops!

Hot Dog or Hamburger?

Hamburger

August 9, 2017 by Nadine

about me, currently

Currently

Linking up with Kristen and Gretch for a little What’s New With You currently post!

Reading: I just finished Brew or Die and will have the review in the next book link up! I am now on to Dashing Through the Snow. A little Christmas in July/August anyone?

Watching:Chris and I just finished watching Ozark on Tuesday night. Get on it!!! SO good!!!

I also catch episodes of Young and Hungry here and there. It’s a cute show that doesn’t make you think and you might have a laugh or two. We are talking about starting Game of Thrones. We have resisted this long but everyone watches it. Maybe we are missing out? We’ve never given it a chance. I can’t wait for fall TV to start back up!

Snacking:Carrots and blue cheese, Italian Roll Ups and cherries. I love when cherries go to $1.99 per pound. I take full advantage!

Working: We need to baby proof the house!!! Zoe started arming crawling this week! Not full on crawling, but couple that with the fact that she can pull up on things around the house, it is time to get serious! I rearranged her room yesterday so that she cant knock over her book shelf or side table. I also removed her swing and then cried for like 10 minutes. She is getting so big and she changes every day!

I also started filling in Zoe’s baby book this week. I don’t know why I have waited for almost 8 months to do it, but we are caught up to current on it now. I really want to make photo books for 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months. I have yet to start any of that, so we shall see how that goes. I was going to do one book for each month the first year of her life but that sounds a little excessive to me now. Though, I have thousands of pictures and I have a feeling I am going to have a hard time narrowing them down for the four books I want to do. Who knows. Mom’ out there, did you do either?

Purchasing: My Sephora order came last night. I repurchased the Murad Time Release Acne face wash and my coveted Clinique Moisture Surge Intense moisturizer. You guys, both of these are seriously amazing. I have been using the moisturizer for almost a year now, and I started the face wash a few months after I had Zoe. My face is the clearest it has been in a long time and it feels super soft! This is my second bottle of face wash and my third or fourth jar of the moisturizer.

Excited: The solar eclipse is this month! It is also my birthday month! Though, turning 34 isn’t anything to get too excited over. It sounds so old, doesn’t it?

What are you up to?

August 3, 2017 by Nadine

about me

Five on Friday

Oh hey there, June. What??? Seriously, someone please tell me how it is June?? Anyways, I am watching my nephews today. Crazy how the school year is over, right?? Zoe loves getting to spend time with her cousins! She got to see another one of her cousins at her grandmothers house earlier this week. It was really cute, because when we came home that night she kept pointing to his picture on the refrigerator. My sister and I also plan to see my mom tomorrow for lunch to celebrate Mother’s Day. She was at the beach that weekend and we haven’t gotten to see her since. Someone asked me how she was doing since her surgery on her shoulder, and she is doing well. She is in physical therapy right now and told me just the other day that she road her bike at the beach every night, so clearly she is feeling a little better! Other than that, I am not sure what else is on the agenda for this weekend. Definitely grass cutting at some point too. It is never ending over here. Since I just did an add it to your list and currently post this week, I wanted to share some moments and thoughts this Friday instead of doing favorites.

Memorial Day was full of memories in more than one way. Zoe got her first taste of solids!!! We started on pureed sweet potatoes, but I plan to do a mix of purees and baby led weaning style foods. Zoe licked the spoon a few times and didn’t spit any out, so we are calling it a win. She still isn’t sure what to think about it though, we have tried twice since and she only had a few licks and is over it. She stares very contently at anything we are eating though. I think that is why baby led weaning is going to be the better option.

2. I am trying to get back on the healthy wagon. I don’t know why it has been such a struggle for me after having Zoe. I am sitting here 5 months postpartum and completely unhappy and disgusted with my body, and yet lack the motivation to do something about it. I haven’t been eating too terribly bad 100% if the time, but it hasn’t been good either. And the workouts. I just cant seem to make it a priority to fit them in right now. It will require me to wake up super early and get them done before Zoe wakes up. The problem is, I have an hour and a half window of her usual wake up time, so I need to wake up and get that work out in and be done before the earliest that she could be up. And that is really freaking early and mommy is tried from working full time and raising an infant. And life in general.

Having the Apple Watch has helped, because I make sure I at least hit my stand goals for the day. And I try to get at least 50% of my move goal and at least 10 minutes of an accelerated heart rate to be considered a “work out”, but I need to do better. Sooooo this is what my lunches have been looking like. I dont hate it.

What I am trying to say is, I need to make this a priority again and stop bitching about it in my head. So I am putting it out there today to hold myself accountable. Amy posted about doing a midyear reset of sorts yesterday and it was perfect to hear because it is where I am too. If anyone has any tips on how to squeeze a workout in to a jam packed day, let me know! My only option is to workout from home and I have weights and a step and a treadmill and I do YouTube workouts a lot. I need to whip Jillian back out and let her kick my ass too. Woof.

3. Snuggle time is my favorite time. While it can be super frustrating that Zoe fights her naps and sometimes sleep at night, that is when she gives her best snuggles.

4. Target has been killing it lately with their clothes, for both adults and kids. I shared the items I ordered during the dress sale this week. Which, memorial day they were offering an additional 20% off!!! I went to a different Target near my office on Monday and scored some major deals on kids clearance! They grow like weeds and I feel like every two or three months I am on the search to complete the next size up for her wardrobe. I like to do it all on clearance if I can! How cute is that mermaid rash guard swimsuit? She has an red/white/blue anchor swimsuit in a smaller size to wear at the beach too. Cant wait to see those on!

5. People are always commenting on how Zoe looks just like Chris. Which she does. But my mom reminded me this week that she does look very similar to me at that age too. I think she might be on to something….

What do you have planned for this weekend?

June 2, 2017 by Nadine

about me

Never Say Never

I have learned over the years to never say never. Because life is crazy, and messy and unpredictable. And honestly, we all change and evolve over time. I am pretty sure that if you would have asked me 10 years ago, I could have told you with 100% certainty that I would never live in Alabama. Yet, here I am seven years in.

If you would have asked me just a year ago my thoughts on being a full time working mom, I would have told you that was what would make me the happiest. I couldn’t fathom the idea of staying home all day every day with a kid and no adult interaction. I thought it would be maddening. Turns out that working from home and getting to see Zoe all the time has made me feel so fulfilled and so very happy. I cant tell you how many times I have cried in the last week because I know that I am having to return to the office full time and will be putting her in day care soon.

You you could have told me that I would do a month of Whole 30 two years ago and I would have thought you were crazy. Me give up dairy, and grains, and sugar and alcohol for an entire month? Eat that strict? Nope, no faith in myself on that. And yet, in January 2016 I did just that and it was awesome.

When skinny jeans came out several years back, I thought to myself…yeah…not for me. Now? I am pretty sure the only jeans I have worn in the last two years have been exclusively skinny ones.

In high school and college I was a silver only kind of girl. Never even thought of gold as an option. Now, half my jewelry box is gold or rose gold. Still love silver, but I have expanded my collection to be more versatile. I even have some gold things around the house. gasp

I used to be a fast paced city living girl. I lived in downtown Atlanta for years. I thrived there and knew my way around the city and loved that life. Now we live 35 minutes outside of Birmingham in a quiet little town that pretty much no one outside of the county we live in has even heard of. You know what? I love it. Have you ever really seen the stars? You can see them at our house at night without all the city lights. We have lived there 5 years and it still takes my breath away single time. Driving the back roads gives your mind time to wind down. The slow paced life where you enjoy a cold beer on your back deck on a spring day is the life for me.

I mean, I have a pretty good idea of some things I will never do. Like sky dive? Yeah, no. Hike one of the tallest mountains? Probably not. But you know, whose to say what I will be in to and what kind of priorities I will have in ten years, five years, next month. What are some things that you thought you would never do and were dead wrong about it?

May 22, 2017 by Nadine

about me, currently

Currently

Linking up with Kristen and Gretch for a monthly check in! Today Zoe turns 5 months old. My goodness!!! I need to find time to squeeze in a five month photo shoot at some point. Time is flying!!!

Reading: I am finishing up Royal Scandal from Netgalley.

Listening: I Don’t Know How She Does It on audiobook thanks to the library.

Watching: You guys, I am almost embarassed to say…but I still watch Pretty Little Liars. I mean, I am already in deep so I have to finish the damn thing. There have been so many twists and things have honestly gotten so ridiculous but I cant quit. There are seven episodes left and I better get some fucking answers. I just have a feeling they are going to end the show on a ridiculous twist or something. Like it was all made up and these girls are dreaming this all from the psych ward or something….and I am going to be pissed.

On a more positive note, Lucifer is back!!! So excited about that. I freaking love this show.

Eating: Paleo Banana Bread for breakfast most days. I have been making stir fry veggies and brown fried rice for lunch a lot lately. Dinners are mostly paleo/whole 30 approved. This week was baked pork chops, turkey burgers, kickin chicken, and bacon wrapped steaks. Yum!

Loving: The weather lately! Though, today and tomorrow we are getting a cold snap with rain. Tomorrow the high is 54. For Alabama in May, that is just nuts!!! But the rest of this week has been gorgeous and Zoe and I enjoy going and sitting out front and blowing bubbles together. Gotta protect those precious eyes of hers! We got her some glasses with a band around them to keep them on her head for the beach and pool this summer so we decided to try them out this week. She already has a pretty decent sunnies collection going! All Cat and Jack brand from Target so far. These watermelon ones are my favorites that she has. I am wearing Kate Spade.

Working: After months of attempting to complete my office area, I am in the final stretch! We have a garage sale and a bulk trash pick up day coming up in a few weeks and after that, I should be golden. I want to get the walls painted in here too and have an extra can left from Zoe’s room that I think I will just use in here since it is a neutral gray.

I have also been trying to straighten up/organize the unseen areas in the house. You know; under the kitchen and bathroom sinks, the laundry closet, the kitchen pantry and cabinets. I have a trip to HomeGoods in my near future to get some more organizational things so I can just knock it all out.

Pinning: Which means, I have been pinning all the organizational things!!!!!

via

What have you guys been up to?

May 4, 2017 by Nadine

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