Catching Up

::: Every year, my moms side of the family spends a day baking a bunch of apple pies and then we freeze them for all of the holidays. Ironically, none of us are that big of pie fans, but it's become a tradition over the last ten or so years - so there's no stopping now. And it's a really fun day for all of the family to be together before the holidays begin

 

 

 

 

::: Have you listened to the Cat and Nat - podcast? I think it's new, there are only 5 episodes out, but I love it. It's all about how they became self made millionaires.  I binged listened to all 5 yesterday while I washed all of our interior windows. This weekend we are going to tackle all of the outside ..... which should really be a thrill.

::: Did I ever post any finished basement pictures? We ended up doing two coats of Revere Peweter - and it really brightened up the space. Ideally, I'd like to put down some large carpet remenants just to warm the space, but for now - we're pausing. In the new year, Joel and his dad are going to drywall the rest of the exposed walls and are going to build a little wet bar downstairs too. 

 

::: Can you believe Christmas is kind of around the corner? Which also means Drew is going to turn ONE!? How is that possible? She's about to walk, she's saying a lot of little words (at random times) - mama, dada, baba, and hi....and overall and most importantly she is just a delight of a human being. She has the happiest, sweetest energy, and we couldn't imagine a day without her. 

::: Because I'm crazy, I've decided to host a little birthday brunch for our baby girl, as well as host a formal Christmas Eve dinner for +30 people!  Ha! You may not be hearing much from me in the coming weeks.

::: Along with having a super jam packed calendar - of really fun stuff I do want to recount here - I'm trying to get our family year book made, Drew's birthday book created, and finish a 2019 family calendar for everyone. I've been spending a lot of my free time on Shutterfly and it's freaking time consuming. I may back-burner the year book and baby book for January and just take it off my list. In fact. I think I've just decided that's the plan.

::: I have always been a hater of the Pumpkin Spice Latte trend....but this year....I'm kind of loving them. They're the perfect sweet, spicy, coffee-y deliciousness. Thankfully they're expensive as all get out or I'd be getting them way more frequently ;) 

::: It's taking everything in me not to decorate for Christmas this weekend! I know it's early, but I love it, so I'd rather enjoy it for a longer period of time. We are rocking Christmas music, and I took all of the Halloween stuff down, so I think next Saturday will be the day we deck the halls! 

::: This is a LONG shot, but does anyone know how to convert an image saved as a NEF to a JPEG file without having photoshop or lightroom? 

::: I made the easiest dinner this week - Crock Pot Buffalo cups. I served them with a broccoli slaw and a creamy blue cheese dressing. 

The next day, we were out of butter lettuce cups, so I served it as a salad over arugula and loved it. Couldn't be easier either - chicken breast in the crockpot with water until it shreds, then mix in Frank's Buffalo sauce. That's it.

::: Leo is on a major art project kick. He loves practicing with scissors, painting, coloring, and taping. It's been fun for both of us - and really nice when I can get him into something while I'm cooking dinner or having a glass of wine. He did dot markers with my mom this week - and this little art project really impressed me! 

 

::: Do you ever get wine from Trader Joe's? We have always had great success with TJ's private label. They used to sell their brut champagne for $9.99 and I swear to you it tasted better than most $25/30 bottles. They recently upped the price to $14.99. BUT - another great $10 buck wine is this one. I had it at a girlfriends last week and can't wait to go stock up.

 

 

Recent Must Have's

::: I popped into Banana Republic last week and they were having a major sale - so I scooped up this sweater. I would have gotten in it in at least 2 colors, but they were out of most sizes. The lady said they couldn't keep it stocked (but it looks totally fine online).

The fit is comfortable, the material is SO nice (I'm very sensitive, and this is a really perfect cotton blend that isn't too light or too heavy).  I highly recommend!

::: And....on a total flip side of fashion...I ended up getting a popover from the Lilly Pulitzer after party sale...and I'm obsessed.

Joel's first comment was "that's a bit bright"....and it is. It's probably not the most seasonally appropriate sweater, but I actually like that it gives a gray day some color, and the material is almost terry cloth, so it's comfortable under coats without making you overheat.

Plus, with leggings on, I still feel put together for picking up Leo from school - even though, it's really just a comfy sweater! I can't find the exact popover I ordered from the sale, but I linked one above that's similar.

::: Here's a random one - but Caycee from Hanging with Hewitts had included these no-show socks from her Amazon picks, and I ended up purchasing them and really liking them too. They stay on all day - and they really don't show. I will say, they are cheap and thin, but I had ordered 3, and just recently ordered another batch because I've ended up wearing them a lot this fall with sneakers or booties.

::: I have been buying most of Drew's bows from Amazon, but my girlfriend suggested this Etsy shop (Little Lady Bowtique) that monograms bows - and I LOVE it. It's the perfect size for Drew, really inexpensive ($4, with $4 dollars for shipping) and I like the shape of the bow a lot. I only ordered one for now, but I have a feeling a few more will be making an appearance around Christmas.

 

::: Speaking of Drew - I know everyone is familiar with Freshly Picked, but I was actually given a pair of Sweet N Swag moccs for her, and I like them so much better than Freshly Picked. The leather is a little firmer, holds it shape much better, and doesn't show its wear as quickly as Freshly Picked does. And they're about half the price. 

::: H3 Wine - I like both the Cab and the Merlot. They're pretty affordable for weekday drinking ($11-13/bottle).

 

::: The Flu Shot



Have you gotten yours? You really, really should.  It's not scary at all!

Things we need to discuss

::: If you are ever at the beach....you need this tent. I found it at Tj.maxx and the two times we've used it, it's changed our entire expirence. Drew can crawl around happily, I like to sit in the shade, and it's a perfect spot to eat enjoy snacks and hang out. Well worth the $30 bucks

::: Mom question: Has anyone ever had a baby who had a violent reaction to oatmeal? Apparently it's a thing on Google, and Drew isn't the only one. Her doctor isn't concerned and told me its too early to label her as "allergic", but both times after eating (earth's best) organic cereal, Drew had a horrible vomit reaction exactly 2.5 hours after consumption. She threw up until her entire stomach was emptied, and then was basically totally back to normal.

::: I have been trying to keep a list of some of my favorite wines and I don't have too too many because mostly this summer I've been drinking beer (corona light and Crystal Lake Brewing's Beach Blonde), but I have been drinking a ton of this Rose. It's so good - the bottle is beautiful (which makes it a pretty gift), and it's a reasonable price point ($16)! I've bought it at Mariano's and Target.

 

::: Speaking of drinks....the other day was like 93 degrees, it was 2pm and I was exhausted. I needed some coffee but the idea of hot coffee was just not doing it for me. I normally HATE iced coffee, but I decided to give the new "Salted Carmel Cold Brew" a try - and damn it was good. I didn't want anything that was so caloric it felt like a meal, but at 180 calories for a tall, I felt like that was a reasonable treat, and not only did it hit the spot, it totally energized me through the afternoon slump.

  

::: One of my best girlfriends Sara had her baby girl Emma a few weeks ago, and Drew and I finally got a chance to head into the city to meet her. She is SO darling, with more dark hair than even Drew had, and it was just so fun to be with Sara and our DAUGHTERS. Life is crazy.

 

and being with Emma made Drewbie look SO big



::: We are going to start potty training Leo soon. Joel and I are heading to California in two weeks, and we are going to bootcamp potty train him when we get back. Any tips? I haven't read anything - but I think we are pretty much going to try and wing it? Is that a horrible idea? I know I want to install two new toilet seats. Our neighbors use them and they seem like the perfect solution for little booties without being too gory.

New undies, potty books, lots of ipad games, tons of treats,a sticker chart, pull ups for bed (because he is still in the crib) are the other thoughts I have, but let me know if there is something else I seriously need.

::: I'm sure there's a long list of other things, but for now,  a new episode of Younger awaits and my eyes aren't going to be open for much longer!

Must Haves

::: Old Navy Luxe Swing Tank Top ::: 

 

This one in particular....I love it. I bought the black and grey and wear them in constant rotation. I will say, for whatever reason, some of the other colors don't fit the same way, but I keep trying them on in hopes that they will. 

::: Asics Gel Venture 5 ::: 

These are cheaaaap on Amazon ($60) and the most comfortable gym shoe I've worn in years. I don't love to wear gym shoes to run errands (I typically prefer like a new balance sneaker), but I've been wearing these constantly because they actually look pretty cute to hang out in all day. 

::: Cameron's Southern Toasted Pecan :::  

This coffee is SO good. It's stronger than Dunkin Donuts (which used to be my old go-to), but still has enough of a flavor taste that I'm looking for. They have some bags on Amazon - but I've been finding it at the grocery store for even cheaper. I'm obsessed. 

::: Splitting Up Together :::

 

The pilot premiered last week on ABC and I loved it. It's hard to judge a show by the pilot but so far, this one has all of the elements in a show that I like; not too serious, funny, sweet, and relateable.  

And I love Oliver Hudson. 

::: Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom:::

 

I have one of these in every corner of my life - strollers, my car, my makeup bin, downstairs desk, and my purse. I've tried a few colors (hibiscus is a fail) and this one is the perfect pink to wear anywhere, anytime of day. 

::: Robert Mondavi Chard :::

I think I mentioned last week that I'm on a major Chardonnay kick....and I have another good bottle if you like a really Oaky taste. My girlfriend Vicky grabbed this one for me (from Target), and just this week I picked up another one because I liked it so much. 

Any other goodies I should add to my list? It's freezing and snowing here so please share some good things to make this week a little sunnier.

Five on Friday

 

and yes, her hair is too dang much! It sticks straight up no matter what you do, feels like duck hair, and is truly the cutest thing I've ever seen.

::: 1 :::

I suppose I'm a glutton for punishment but we've started to transition Drew from the swaddle and the rock and play to the Merlin Magic Sleepsuit and her crib. It's.....going. I know she will get the hang of it but we're adjusting as of right now with lots of crying as we fall asleep (like upwards of 40 minutes) and one middle of the night wake up session where she just needed to be held by daddy for 30 minutes. Here's hoping by next Friday we're back to regular sleep patterns!

::: 2 ::: 

My favorite weeknight dinner this week - greek chicken pitas. SO good! I use this recipe to marinade the chicken and then just add whatever toppings we've got. So easy and a crowd pleaser for all.

::: 3 ::

:

I'm on the hunt for a new patio couch and table set but haven't found the perfect one yet. I might drag Joel to target this weekend, my mom recommended Lowes, or I may go the really lazy route and just blindly order something from Wayfair or Amazon.We are going to stain our patio this year and I really want the bench ready to go by the time that is done so we can start enjoying that space. We need to have a screen door installed and the weather to cooperate but I'm ready to start filling my planters and sprucing up our outdoor spaces. 

And I'm kind of loving the black and white thing....We have a few green chairs we need to work with, but I think black and white would do well and then as I get sick of it (as I inevitably will) can easily add in pops of color. 

::: 4 :::

 

Speaking of outdoor spaces, there may be a play house in our backyards future. I really think Leo and Drew would have tons of fun with this for years to come....my sisters and I used to play in our "fort" growing up constantly.....Think Joel can build it by Easter morning??

::: 5 :::

 I've clearly got summer on the mind - and since I've had Drew - have had a constant carving for Chardonnay. The same thing happened after I had Leo. I have no idea why, but it just has never tasted so good! My favorite bottle has been this. It's buttery enough, super easy to drink, the right price point ($12-14), and overall has been my favorite weeknight drink! 

Weekly Menu & Crock Pot ?s

Right now, I'm shooting to make about 4 or 5 meals at home. Since we moved, we haven't had a totally "normal" week, but both Joel and I always feel so much better when we're cooking at home more frequently than not.

 We try to keep the carbs low for dinners at home, and last week we had a few really great dinners.

Monday: Natalie's Thai Meatballs with a pre-bagged Asain salad  - These will be a staple for us. So easy and so good! Next time I will double the recipe to make sure we have leftovers for lunch.

Tuesday: Cauliflower & Mushroom Kale Salad

 

Wednesday: Yellow Curry (typically made in the CrockPot, butttt...see below...so I made it in my Le Creuset and it worked just fine.) 

 

I also picked up this awesome wine from Costco last week. I think it's about $20-ish dollars but its a really, really nice bottle that tastes double the price.

Also....last week....my CrockPot died. I need to order a new one this week, I use mine at least 1/2x a week, and wanted to see if you guys had any recommendations? I really liked my Calphalon, 6qt, but I'd like to find an even bigger one if possible.