Hello all! How is it already Thursday? I don’t know if today’s post will be very exciting, but here we go!
I have been wearing my Target Universal Thread dresses a lot. I now have white, black, and mauve and I’m done.
I wore white to a graduation party:
I wore mauve to a wedding dress shopping event for my friend:
I also wore the mauve as a bathing suit coverup on the boat. You know sometimes when you feel more comfortable wearing street clothing over your suit? These dresses are great for that.
I wore my new half price boutique dress for Tom’s birthday dinner outing: yes, his eyes are closed but he is smiling, so I’m gonna take it!
I wore this coverup to go to my friend’s pool: I did have to stop in Target to do a return on the way. This coverup is really old from TJ Maxx, I think.
And, I love my new Target slides! Yes, I have a no Target shoe rule (it’s loose), but I made an exception for these. I am thinking I should have gone down a size.
I wore them here to pop into my nearby boutiques that I hadn’t visited in about two months. My cutoffs are old from Target and my blouse is from this spring at Loft.
I feel like I have more than enough summer clothes because I just don’t go that many places. But, this is my favorite season to buy clothes and I have the time to peruse!
And, one last thing…my cocktail lightweight beaded earrings are getting worn pretty much any time I go out! They are so fun and I get tons of compliments. They are in all of my local boutiques. But, here are some on Amazon, too. They make a great gift – maybe along with a matching bottle of said alcohol! Ha!
Is any banana bread really hard? Probably not, but hear me out. I discovered/adapted this recipe recently and I think it’s probably the best I have ever had!
We are going to start with a cake mix! I have done yellow and white and they both worked.
You need:
a cake mix
a greased pan
2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
3 eggs, beaten
1 and 1/4 cups of water
2 ripe, mashed bananas (could probably do 3 for even more banana flavor)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix everything together with a wooden spoon or a mixer. I did both and both worked.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. I had to put mine back in for a bit because of the pan I used. Anyway, just bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
I hate nuts, but you could add them if you like them.
I looked around the other day and saw so many things that make me happy. I added to this list over the last few days. Now, there are plenty of things that I would like to change, but I like to focus on the positive as much as possible. I would love to hear your simple pleasures in the comments!
Gosh, I love an empty dishwasher. Does anyone else have problems with the timing of an empty dishwasher – like it’s full and dirty when you need it to be empty and ready to be loaded? It’s an art. I have found that I really just need to run it every day. I put most everything in my dishwasher, too. I used to hate unloading it but I timed myself again recently and I had it unloaded in 4 and a half minutes. Have you ever timed a task you hate? Now I happily unload it to get this empty dishwasher feeling rush! Ha!
I love drinking out of mason jars. When a restaurant serves me a drink in one, I am giddy. Bonus points if they serve me a cocktail in one!
My favorite drink is water, though. My Dad called it “faucet juice”. Louisville water is the best. Have you tried our water? It makes it hard for Louisvillians to travel because we love our water. I’m serious – we have won awards! Lol! My kids hated bottled water when they were growing up.
Rain! I love rain in all seasons, but there is something about a summer rain.
Ernie licks the rain off of our deck railing.
I enjoy mopping my new mudroom floor. I also love that I repurposed old trashcans for a new use. The one on the left is for dirty dish towels and the one on the right is for lint and dryer sheets. I realized I needed a trashcan near the dryer for these things.
A fresh mani and I am pleased when I do it myself.
Same with a fresh pedi.
I love color. I like to have some disposable cups on hand but I try to mostly use real cups. The stack of colors makes me happy.
I love these tumblers for my protein shake and for just water, too. I saw these in multicolor and I was smitten! I used my Starbuck’s gift cards to get these!
A candle always makes me happy.
A good book that I can’t wait to get back to.
Seeing water – even if it’s brown.
Something I’ve cooked makes me happy.
A new bottle of wine – especially when shared.
A cocktail with a straw. Please don’t give me a paper straw or a metal straw. Yuck! I can do plastic reusables but I do not want to suck on metal. All the chills. And, paper straws? I might as well be sucking through a noodle like at some Italian restaurants.
Wind in my face. I roll my windows down a lot in all of the seasons to get this feeling. It’s really good on a boat! I know why dogs love this!
It’s Monday and that means it is link up with Holly and Sarah day!
How was your weekend? Mine was really good and felt like summer again!
Let’s go back to Thursday…Elizabeth and I were invited to Erica’s country club pool and this was the first time I had been. It’s huge!
They had some really good food and we split a snack basket.
and they had light Truly slushies!
I split a caprese sandwich and sweet potato fries with Elizabeth.
We had a really nice day and I wasn’t ready for it to end, but I had to go to another country club that puts “country” in country club. It was literally out in the country and it was the scene of one of my best friend’s daughter’s graduation party. The weather was gorgeous for my day at the pool and for the party on the patio.
I didn’t get a photo of the lovely graduate, but these are my two best friends from college.
Friday, Tom requested that I have lunch with him during his work day. He used to work downtown and loves the opportunity to go back down to his favorite soup and sandwich joint.
He was very happy. I was running errands when he asked, but like I have said, I am trying to say “yes”!
Then, the most wonderful thing happened…you may disagree. A perfect summer rain meant I needed me to drop everything and hang out on my covered patio. A candle, a good book, the sounds of summer rain…and Mason joined me for a bit. Jack was at work.
I like this plain La Croix, too!
I made my kids these honey mustard wraps in the afternoon.
I had a Kroger pick up that evening and go these poolside Trulys. I like them!
I made Tom a little charcuterie.
We just ate at home which is kinda normal for our Fridays.
It was very simple. I adjust mine a little bit.
Saturday morning I kept reading on the upper patio, but it was a cool morning. I finished this book this weekend and I highly recommend. I can’t tell you if I like The Good Sister or this one more. They are both great!
I found the most beautiful prosecco and it tastes good, too. Elizabeth invited Erica and I to her wedding dress appointments with the rest of her people. I offered to bring the mimosas if the bridal boutique didn’t serve them.
I took photos for Elizabeth of the rest of her people, but this is our little group. Elizabeth is wearing the bride earrings I got her! I bought the mauve version of the dress. Now I have black, white, and mauve. I think these little dresses will be workhorses!
After the first boutique, we said goodbye and then I had plans to boat with Tom. There were lots of sailboats out. We stayed out for a couple of hours and it was nice. I brought sandwiches for our lunch in the cove.
Then, I read a bit more. I started this and I am almost finished. I can’t put it down, either. I am closing in on completing my third book of summer!
Tom and I went out for pizza – his choice again. Goodness, he is really getting spoiled lately.
It looks like a lot because we brought pizza home for Jack. Mason was at work.
I like to make a little bowl of some chocolate chips and marshmallows for my something sweet after a meal. My kids really like this, too, and I have been doing this since they were really young.
Sunday morning and I was reading again – with my coffee.
Then, Tom, Ernie, and I went out on the boat from about 10:30 until 4:00. We had a really nice day.
My sandals arrived when we got home. Love them! I hope they aren’t one size too big. I have noticed that the rubber Croc/Birk sandals tend to run big. They are only online.
I stopped a lady in Costco that had these on because I loved them so much.
Tom and I enjoyed the mild weather on the patio before dinner.
We have temps in the high 90s coming so we had to enjoy this!
It’s Friday! Who cares anymore? Not me! Just kidding – I am happy that Tom gets a weekend at 5:00 p.m. today! Is this how I will feel when I retire? I hope so!
I am linking up with the ladies here for Friday Favorites!
Here are a few things from my camera roll this week that were my favorites or that I just want to share…
This was my first full week of summer and I guess I am getting into a bit of a routine.
I did a Costco run and it was so nice going on a Monday instead of on a weekend. Also, I vacuumed out my car and I have a Goodwill donation in my car. I am trying to go through more stuff before I take this. Where does all of this stuff come from?
You may have seen the Target version of this shoe everywhere…
Well, I have been burned by Target shoes and the wedge is super high. Look at this Anne Klein version I saw on DSW’s website. It’s not a bad price either if you need something lower heeled and are in the market. I have a couple of pairs of dressier sandals in this color, but I might need these. I haven’t seen them in person yet.
I had a library pick up this week. I feel like I get an email almost every day about another book I have requested!
I started the Stanley Tucci book and The Secrets of Midwives first.
Have you heard of Magic Candles? The scents are made to mimic Disney scents. I am not a big Disney gal, but I can appreciate that they probably have good smells. I bought this and I don’t love the smell, but I love the cool wooden wick situation. I was totally influenced on this purchase, but I might order a different scent.
I think I’m really into candles in tins lately. I usually use them outside.
Facebook showed me a sweet memory. Tom got home from work and had an umbrella escort to the back door in the rain. And, look at my white minivan. I proudly drove him for 11 years. I loved that car. You know what? I think we were packed and loaded for vacation because the car topper is on and the beach toys are right by the garage.
I started watching Casual on Hulu. I think I like it. I can’t remember the blogger who recommended it, so I apologize. I have been looking for a new show to start on my own while I eat lunch or in the afternoons. The only thing that bugs me is that the 16 year old girl acts way older and looks way older.
On my Costco trip, I finally found and bought the Bare nuggets I have been hearing about. They are probably the best frozen nuggets I have ever tried. Many people compare them to CFA. They are not quite CFA to me, but they are really, really good.
I also found this Yum Yum sauce at my Walmart Neighborhood grocery.
I went in for these Walmart bakery 3 point steak rolls to use for sandwiches or a bread with my meals. They are really good!
One night we had these chicken teriyaki bowls and I added the Yum Yum sauce. I didn’t use a recipe – just used teriyaki sauce.
I found a new to me site/app. Check this out for your area if you want to. I found it interesting/entertaining. You can “book” a private person’s swimming pool in your area just as you would an AirBnB and pay by the hour. Some of them allow alcohol and some don’t. Some have a bathroom you can use. Yeah, I would think they would all want to have a bathroom that people could use! Also, do the home owners stare out the window at you?
There were a couple of sketchy looking above ground pools in my area that cost maybe $25 an hour to rent. They would have to pay me way more than that to even get in that water. Anyway, maybe you don’t think this is funny, but it made me laugh. Some of the pools were very nice, but still…this seems weird. I grew up swimming in my neighborhood lake so I’m not a diva, but…what do you all think?
I was running errands one day this week and saw this place I had heard about.
I got a make your own bowl and I was surprised by how much food really fit in this bowl. It was really good but I think I need to try different flavor combos and sauces. This is a good option if I don’t feel like cooking.
And, I found another flavor at TJ Maxx. I am not sure if I like my brown sugar or this vanilla caramel creme better!
It’s been so nice waking up in my bedroom when it’s already light out. I just don’t do this very much during the school year. I really love my light and airy new bedroom. It still seems new even though we have had it for two years now! Tom is getting up at 4:30 during the week to get to the gym by 5:00 and I sleep in until about 6:30 lately. Ha!
My hydrangeas are starting to bloom! I was too scared to cut too much down after last season, so disregard that part, ok?
It is Thursday and that means it’s time to link up for Fashion Files. Check out Kellyann and Jill and many more!
So, let’s start with my new white dress from Target’s Universal Thread line. I can’t remember if I saw this on a blog or if I found it while perusing my Target app as I like to do. To me, this is one of those items that doesn’t seem too exciting but that you reach for time and time again. I wore this to eat brunch with my friend.
Well, look what I did. I bought it in black and I sized down one. I think sometimes you have to go up a size in white items like jeans and dresses because white shows everything if it’s too form fitting. I hope I didn’t make a mistake. As you can see, I paired it with my new Amazon Cushionaire clog sandals. The sun was in my eyes so I apologize for looking scarier than normal. I wore this out to listen to Tom’s friend and eat Mexican last Saturday – with my tequila earrings!
I bought the blouse version of the skirt in black and it was too small. I sized up one and I’m still not sure. I really like this lavender color, though. Beware, because the white version of this blouse is a totally different fabric. That’s so weird when a retailer does that! Should I keep this? I haven’t worn it out yet, but wanted to style it with my white denim shorts that I have had.
When I went to my hometown, I wore my black cut offs, my white Old Navy linen blouse, and my Coconuts by Matisse wedges.
And, this is the dress I bought in my hometown at a cute little boutique and it’s the brand Savanna Jane. It was half off! Again that sun is in my eyes and again, I haven’t worn this out yet.
And, that’s it for this week. I feel like I want to wear either a dress or cut offs! What have you been wearing lately?
Lots of blog posts are tailored to feeding our kids in the summer, but what about the moms?
I am already enjoying taking a break from my prepping of 5 breakfasts and 2-3 lunches each week, but I had a thought yesterday that I still need to do some prep – cutting up veggies to have with dip, making some cauliflower rice, or just planning ahead with having the right foods to help me eat healthy lunches.
I will be honest and tell you that I feel like I have been slacking since about Easter. I have had a sweeter tooth and I have been enjoying more cocktails as the weather has warmed up. I am increasing my exercise this summer, but I felt like I needed to get back to basics with tracking, so I buckled down on Monday. I don’t want to obsess, but I know that I need to track my WW points a little bit more strictly because I haven’t reached my ultimate goal.
I am doing the WW Personal Points, but basically I am trying to eat lower carb/higher protein. I am reducing my sugar, processed foods, and trying to eat high fiber. So, I think these tips will help anyone just trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Some people think it’s easier to eat well in the summer because of the abundance of fresh vegetables, but I have more time and freedom in the summer to eat whatever I want and it’s always been harder for me, I think!
By eating a really good breakfast and lunch, I can save my calories for those happy hours and dinners out that I want to enjoy. I still am ordering smarter than I have ever ordered before (except for french fries – my nemesis!)
So, maybe this post is more for me than for you! I am getting back to the basics that helped me lose 60 pounds…
First of all, let’s talk staples and condiments to have on hand:
mustard, dill pickles, ranch powder to mix with plain non-fat Greek yogurt, buffalo sauce, Laughing Cow cheese to spread on bread or a low carb tortilla, La Banderita low carb tortillas, Keto buns, Keto bread, slimwiches or bagel thins, frozen cauliflower rice in place of regular rice, quinoa – these are a few of my MUST HAVES. And, my favorite snack foods are popcorn, string cheese, and Dum Dum suckers.
I am also trying to reduce food waste, so I keep a list of possible lunches on my memo board in my kitchen. I also do this for my kids so they know what they need to eat/make for their breakfasts/lunches.
I always keep the Boca burgers and the Boca “chicken” patties in my freezer. I think both of them taste amazing and I have said before that I am not willing to sacrifice taste. I will only eat foods I enjoy! I also make it a point to always plate my food and sit down to eat.
I make a faux Chick Fil A sandwich and this is 5 points for me.
I have really been enjoying these chopped salad mixes lately. I just use the mix as is – sometimes reducing the nuts or the crouton elements and I add…
grilled chicken to make it higher in protein and more filling. Yum! I also added extra dill pickles to this. The variety of these salads is amazing. If you haven’t gone in to your grocery lately, check these out.
Here is the kale salad where I added chicken.
Laughing Cow is so good – I spread it on a tortilla or I use it to make a pasta sauce. I put it on a cracker or celery, too. It is also an element of my buffalo chicken dip.
These sandwich thins are really good. They are big!
Here is my favorite summer sandwich:
For this recipe, you can add as many things as you like, but this is my favorite combo.
-Slimwiches or bagel thins or any bread of your choice (This slimwich is 4 WW points for me)
-garden vegetable cream cheese
-thinly sliced tomato
-thinly sliced cucumber
You can add pickles, banana peppers, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, or anything really!
Spread both slides of your bread with a thin layer of the garden vegetable cream cheese.
Add your vegetables.
Cut in half and enjoy!
It just tastes so good in the summer!
I am sure this won’t be my last summer lunch ideas post, but that’s it for today!
What are your go-to summer lunches and do you struggle with this?
It’s time once again to link up with Tanya for Prime Purchases. I guess I have a love/hate relationship with Amazon. I feel like sometimes it saves me money (because when you go in certain stores for one item – ahem, Target – you come out with a cart full of stuff that spoke to you) and I know it saves me time. But, it’s just so easy and so tempting. If an item is a want rather than a need, I do try to have a waiting period before I click “buy”. Do you do that, too?
I only had two of these glasses and I had been wanting to add two more because I knew of a couple of times that I would be having two friends over. I love these glasses!
I am really pleased with the quality of this brand of rug. I love the pattern and this is what I used in my bathroom and in the hallway outside of the bathroom.
I am enjoying my fat free half and half and this syrup combo in my morning coffees. Starbucks who? Seriously, I really don’t feel the need to go there anymore. I have a couple of gift cards that I plan to use for their tumblers for my iced coffee.
Ok, now I have worn this suit and I am super impressed with the quality. I have not washed it yet, but I plan to today. The green colorway is on sale for $18, too!
My bff’s daughter is having a graduation party this week and is attending Auburn in the fall. I wanted to get her a gift rather than money so here is what I picked for her.
I got her my clear purse, my Gucci-esque strap, a strap in Auburn colors, and an Auburn wristlet. I figured she could take the purse to the games and any concerts she attends. And, the straps give her some versatility. The wristlet might even fit in the bag, but I intended for her to use that alone. I hope she likes it!
And, finally…I needed my fix! I haven’t been able to find cake batter anywhere in person in a long time!
So, what have you been ordering lately? Do you love Amazon?
Friday morning I headed to my hometown which is an hour away. I stopped at a cute boutique on the way called the Pink Julep. I will definitely go back. They have some really cute gift ideas. I wore my black Walmart cut offs, my raffia wedges, my white linen Old Navy blouse, and my brown cross body. I brought flat shoes to change into, as I usually do! Gotta take advantage of a full length mirror when you can!
First stop was a restaurant on the river. These are my sister Molly’s kids.
Gosh, these girls are getting tall! I should have worn my flat shoes for this photo to really see!
Fun fact: I spent one or two college summers waitressing in this exact location but it was a different boat/restaurant called The Bonnie Belle. It was a really big restaurant that boats could pull up to (they still can with this one) and it had another barge attached that was a cocktail lounge where they did karaoke on the weekends. I made a lot of money in tips and heard a lot of bad singing.
I tried a mango White Claw. I approve.
We shared some really good pretzel bites.
I had a really good salad with warm bacon dressing.
Sister picture:
We went up to the little downtown area where there are a lot of cute little shops.
Yup – I found some Topo Chico earrings that came home with me, and…
a little pouch to hold my credit card and license when I use my clear purse.
Now I am very bothered by how close the two L’s are. Why?
Photo of me using it on Saturday night:
My mom, brother in law, and the kids went to get ice cream and the sisters went to a winery!
After the winery, our Dad’s military service flag is really close by so we thought we would go take a photo and say “hi”.
So, then we kept driving down by the river and I asked them if they had seen the new hotel on the river. They hadn’t so I suggested we park and go check it out.
As we were walking up the path to the hotel, we spotted my Dad’s favorite mints just lying there. He kept these in a bowl next to his t.v. watching area. My kids dubbed them “Grandpa mints” and would come home with their pockets stuffed full of them on many occasions. There were only two mints so I hunted and hunted for a third, but my sister Kate said that our Dad would know she doesn’t believe in signs like this. I was sure to check the lobby to see if they had a bowl and they did not which made it so much more cool to me. Do you believe in signs like this? I really think this made Kate a believer. What are the chances that these exact mints would be somewhere right after we took a selfie with our Dad?
The view from the hotel:
We are in Indiana in this photo and across the bridge is Kentucky.
The day could not have been any more beautiful. Look at that sky!
So, we toasted my Dad with a bit more wine because we found the mints.
It was a really good day. I feel so blessed to have sisters. I don’t feel like we are competitive at all and we laugh and laugh when we are together.
I finished this, as you may know from a previous blog post, and now I have requested a few other of her books!
I started this and it’s deeper than you might think at first glance. I think I have given up on The Roughest Draft, by the way.
I ran to Target and the library Saturday morning, but I spent most of the day just piddling and reading on my porch. If I know I have evening plans, I take it pretty easy during the day. Are you like that? It’s like I can only do ONE thing a day! Ha!
We drove about an hour to hear Tom’s former co-worker play with his band at a Mexican restaurant. I was so pleasantly surprised that they had them set up on their lovely patio.
Their skinny margarita was pretty good. Mine is still better, but they came close!
If you’re gonna drink a marg, you gotta wear the tequila earrings, no?
Queso por supuesto!
We shared some fajitas. I love when they include grilled pineapple!
We didn’t tell Tom’s former co-worker we were coming and he and his wife were so touched, I think. It reminded me of Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project principle of “just showing up”. At least, I think that is where I heard this. It’s basically that all you have to do sometimes for people is “show up”. I used to dread going to funeral visitations because I never knew what to say, but I realized that you don’t really have to say anything. Just “showing up” to the little and big things for people is all you need to do.
Wow – I sure went off on a tangent. And, I am not that great at showing up.Tom is better than I am at this, but he has helped me. I’m not trying to preach and say that I am that great about it. Remember the one event in a day thing? Also, I think it’s important to be able to say no when you need to.
Sunday I woke up and did my reading on the patio. Ahhhhh, summer. It was chilly but nothing a sweatshirt can’t solve.
I piddled around a little and did some meal prep for dinner and then around 11, we went down to the boat.
We had lunch in the cove and I had a kale salad with chicken and Tom…
shared his tuna and crackers with Ernie.
Ernie got tuckered out from swimming!
We stayed in the cove for a few hours and then we decided to check out Captain’s Quarters and we were hungry because we ate such a light lunch.
My high school friend happened to be parked right in front of us! Hi, Jenny!
We ordered a smoken salmon flatbread. It was really good!
We headed home and spent some time on the patio.
We had dinner with Jack but Mason was at work. Jack is working a fair amount, but Mason is working so much, or it feels like it because of the hours, I guess. And, they kind of have opposite schedules so we aren’t getting to see both of them at the same time very often. We are still adjusting to this summer schedule, too, of course. I wish Mason was working a little bit less, but this is a cool opportunity. He leaves at 4:45 p.m. and gets home around 11:00 p.m. It’s hard for me to go to sleep before I know all are safe and sound in the house, too! It is five days a week right now and then it will be six days a week in July and he can’t ask off on a weekend. The internship is with Kentucky Shakespeare and it takes 70 people to run the summer performances in our Central Park.
So…anyway, how was your weekend? Our weather was truly gorgeous for the entire weekend and it really felt like summer.
Happy Friday! It’s time to link up with the ladies here where everyone shares big and small favorites from the week.
My first day of summer was Wednesday and it was a perfect day. I went to the gym, organized my closet, did two loads of laundry, and then met my friend Beth for brunch at a new to us place called Big Bad Breakfast (it’s a chain, by the way).
We had breakfast margaritas. Seriously. That was what they were called on the menu!
I ordered a vegetable skillet – yum!
It was really cute and cheerful!
Beth had on the coolest earrings from Etsy: She only has one piercing. I think these are called “ear climbers”?
I am still enjoying my morning two cups of coffee with this combo. I put a little of the flavored syrup in a cup with a little bit of the half and half, froth it up, then add to my cup. I ordered the syrup off of Amazon.
Around 10:00, I still have my iced coffee. I use about a tablespoon each of the instant coffee and water, froth it up, add ice, then add my Premier. My favorites are cake batter, caramel, and vanilla. I mix it up so I don’t get too bored.
Tom and I are both enjoying Oikos Pro strawberry yogurt with a bit of high protein granola and some frozen fruit. We like the frozen fruit because it kinda thaws into your yogurt in a good way.
I think I have a new favorite way to make chicken that might get a post of its own. I season chicken with salt, garlic powder, pepper, and this, then marinate with olive oil in a big baggie for a few hours before cooking on a sheet pan or in a skillet.
I made a new recipe here. I am going to change from the chili garlic sauce to oyster sauce. I found the chili garlic to be not only too spicy, but harsh tasting. I already use oyster sauce in my fried rice and my cauliflower fried rice. I had this meal with cauliflower rice and the fam had the regular rice. I didn’t have a bag of mixed veggies so I just had roasted broccoli on the side. It’s really delish!
Tom and I tried to go to a sailboat race on the river but there was no wind and it got cancelled.
I officially joined Jazzercise for the summer. You can go to unlimited classes for two months. I went to a 7:00 a.m. class yesterday.
I popped into Paul’s Fruit Market after the class. I love this store and it’s a chain all around town.
I finished this:
Oh my – it was so good!
Here is my new dress on me. I showed you my recent purchases yesterday.
I have been loving these mixes from Taylor Farm.
Here is what Tom had:
He loved it, but did comment it was heavy on the vegetables!
Here was mine:
The chicken was done in the method I described above with the Trader Joe’s ranch.
So, those were just some of my favorites from the week!
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 