Friday Faves

Happy Friday before a holiday weekend! This is the one where all of the pools open up, cook outs happen, and it feels like the official start to Summer. Lots to be excited about!!
Let's talk about some favorites!

Friday Favorites // Friday Favorites // Oh Hey Friday// 5 on Friday

{1}Thoughtful Gift
On Wednesday I got an unexpected delivery on my doorstep. I opened the package and inside was a very thoughtful book, from an incredibly sweet friend, Owen. As much as I hate that either of us (and anyone else) is going through a struggle with infertility, it helps to know that there are amazing people there to support and love to get us through. I'm glad that I have you to lean on, and vice versa. Thanks for being wonderful!

{2} Favorite Find

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In my teacher appreciation basket a couple of weeks ago I got a bunch of stuff, and in there was a granola bar. I was super hungry in the middle of the morning and went for the KIND Fruit and Nut: Dark Chocolate Almond and Coconut bar that I'd stashed away in my desk and it was SO good! Plus it's gluten and dairy free for those who need that! Check it out!

{3}Surprise!

My friend's husband arranged a surprise dinner for her on Wednesday night for her birthday. It was a small get together with some friends and it was great to give her an unexpected surprise when she walked in the door. The food was delicious and the company was great. This has been an almost 10 year friendship and I was glad I got to celebrate with my friend :)

{4} Memorial Day Weekend
Like most of you who have off for this weekend, I'm jazzed to get a 3-day weekend starting this afternoon! Three-day weekends are always a blast. We have some cookouts scheduled, family time, and as much time outdoors as we can. Gimme all the sunshine! I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend, and takes a moment to think about those whose lives we lost because of their bravery and willingness to serve and protect us all.

{5} Funnies

How I feel after I get my hair done and blown out (only less man-like haha)

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When someone stares at you out of their side view mirror in the car while you're stopped behind them:

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When JoJo picks the two drunk guys and the erectile dysfunction guy on the first night of the Bachelorette

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When Luanne (RHONY) says her "cool/uncool" line repeatedly, Brandi (RHOD) says "Jesus Juice" or Leanne says "charity"

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What I envision my 3-day weekend plans to look like

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Hoping your Friday is fast, and your weekend is long and fabulous!

Confessions and Hashtags

It's Thursday which means it's time to link up with some of my favorite ladies for some confessions!

I confess that....

....I saw a super cute outfit photo on Facebook, and without looking too closely went to click the link, only to realize that it was an outfit for toddlers #butitwasstillcute #kidshaveitsogood

.....If you couldn't tell by my post yesterday with the Old Navy and Loft sales this weekend (with free shipping) I went a little nuts! #oops

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.....I'm a little annoyed that the weather went from Fall cool (50s and low 60s) to Summer heat (high 80s and 90s) with almost no in between. I love Spring and I'm bummed we missed out on the milder temps. I'm happy it's not raining though! #freezingtosweaty

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.....when a coworker of mine asked if my husband and I were trying, and I shared that we have been, and then she said "you guys just need to relax" I responded with: "You know, that's the worst thing you can say to someone who is trying to get pregnant". I said it in a nice way, and then went on to explain to her how long we've been trying, and how even during the months that I'm not really stressing about this, it still doesn't happen. Maybe it made her feel awkward or uncomfortable, but so is sharing my sex life/pregnancy plan with a coworker. Another coworker who was there at the time (because she'd asked me with 6 other people around) texted me afterwards and commended me for standing up for myself and said I did it in a very good way. I think I educated her and I'm proud for standing up for myself, so it's a win. #infertility

.....I'm beyond excited for a 3 day weekend! #fireupthegrill

.....I can't believe that yesterday was 3 years since MG and I got engaged in Philly! My Facebook TimeHop was filled with photos of our engagement, and also my friend Bree's birthday (whose bday I can never forget since it's on this day!) #memories

.....I love finding new recipes that end up being huge successes! I made a new recipe on Monday (One Pot Broccoli Pesto Pasta--delicious) and I'm making another one tonight (chicken cakes). More yummies to share with you all! #yummyinmytummy


....when I saw that Kailyn and Javi (from Teen Mom2) are getting a divorce yesterday morning, I was really sad. I was seriously rooting for them, and it bums me out that they didn't make it work #tear

.....On Bachelorette, I feel like the producers made JoJo keep those drunken idiots around. Because if not, then what the hell is she even looking for? Especially after the drunk barging in on her personal interview? Ew. And Chad. I'm surprised his ego fits in that mansion. Sure he's hot, but his personality is putrid #drunkdrama 

....hearing steel drums playing makes me immediately think of vacation #takemeaway

That's it for me today. What are YOU confessing??

What's Hap-"Pinning" Wednesday {#42}

Happy Wednesday friends! It's a glorious day out today with our SECOND day in a row of sunshine! Things are looking brighter around here--literally and figuratively! :)

Since it's Wednesday, you know it's your chance to link up with Jessi and I to share what's hap-"pinning" with you lately!

I don't know if you've noticed, but there have been some MAJOR sales lately. Old Navy had 40% off on Friday with free shipping, and Loft had a Flash Sale on Sunday/Monday with 40% off new arrivals, 60% off sale items, AND Free Shipping (which they rarely offer other than during Christmas).

So, needless to say, my credit card has been getting a workout. But I figured I'd share with you some of the items that I picked up and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of on my doorstep!

//Old Navy Finds//

These two tops have cute and fun details to them. I got the black top in white, and it has small pom poms on the bottom. 

And I found a denim jacket, which I'd talked about last week, so hopefully this one works!

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I thought this dress was too cute to not try and see if it works once it gets here, and I got the cross body bag for something like $18 and figured it would be good for our Greece/Turkey trip this summer.

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Total with taxes: $76

//Loft Finds//

Again, I feel like I hit the mother load when they sent out this flash sale announcement plus free shipping. I immediately found a bunch of things that I liked.

1. Scallop Lace Sleeve Tee  // 2. Striped Strappy Cami

3. Swing Tank   //4. Crochet Mixed Media Puplum Top

 And I may have loved that bottom left swing top (#3) so much that I got it in this color, too:

Swing Tank

Total with taxes: $112

And because I'm terrible, and have no self restraint, I went back on Monday and found these two accessories and quickly added them to my bag and checked out:

Mixed Stripe Tassel Scarf                        Pearlized Double Sided Earrings

Total with taxes: $28

Needless to say, I'll be putting myself on a tight leash when it comes to any sales coming in the near future, but I feel like I got some great stuff (if it all works out) for just over $200. And almost all of it could be taken with me on our trip this summer #win!

Now it's your turn to link up with us and share what's hap-"pinning" with you!

Beauty Would You Rather

I saw this on Nikki and Cara's blogs the last couple of weeks and thought it would be a fun one to participate in!

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1. Wear only one eyeshadow color or only one lip color for the rest of your life?
I could probably do one lip color for the rest of my life since I haven't mastered the art of lipstick yet and usually go with a typical neutral pink or lip gloss. I feel so middle school saying that lol.

2. Live without makeup or without nail polish?

Without nail polish for sure. Make up makes the world go round...or at least keeps it from being a little less scary :)

3. Have dark nails or bright nails year round?
Hmm, I think light nails. If I could wear Essie's Limo Scene all year round I think it would look ok, and classy. Plus it goes with everything. But I do love my dark purples and reds...decisions decisions...

4. Give up makeup brushes or mascara?
I guess make up brushes, because as Nikki pointed out, you can use a blender or sponge (which I also havent gotten or used yet...)

5. Leave the house with an obvious foundation line or overdone blush?

I think with overdone blush. When people can tell you have foundation on, that's not good. The whole point of make up is to look better naturally right? Although overdone blush would be a dead giveaway on that too. Looking like an overdone porcelain doll isn't attractive but I guess the lesser of two evils. I've written a lot about this one question and overanalyzed it way too much now I think 

6. Have no eyebrows or sharpie drawn ones?

Is neither a choice? Who would want NO eyebrows? But then I think of sharpie eyebrows and this comes to mind:

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So, I guess no eyebrows and then get them drawn in professionally? If that's even a thing? Let's hope it never comes to that.

7. Go out with messy hair/nice makeup or nice hair/no makeup?

I think messy hair and nice make up--messy hair can be a thing. But if you have pretty hair and your face looks tired and a mess, no one focuses on your pretty hair. Plus, if the hair is messy, you can put it up in a pony tail and then you're chic! Voila!

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8. Have a bad haircut or bad hair color?

I've had a bad haircut before, but never a bad color. I think I'd rather have a bad color because it usually washes out relatively quickly (I mean, unless your hair is orange or something), but a bad haircut can be a long process to try and fix.

9. Be able to buy only drugstore makeup or only high end makeup?

Well obviously if money was no object then high end make up, but I've found some really good drug store knock offs that are good money savers!

10. Spend $1,000 on clothes or makeup? 

Easy for me. Definitely clothes. I'm not a huge make up guru and I've made it through life with the little make up skills that I have. I'd definitely rather splurge on clothes and then just have someone else do my make up haha

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Rainy Weekending Highlights

Happy Monday, friends! We here in Northern VA are attempting to build arks since the rain seems to never be stopping (ok, it's supposed to this week).

Despite the rain, this weekend was a fun one.

My weekend highlights included:

~high 70's by the end of the day on Friday

~a girls night out with 9 other friends for dinner. I didn't take any pictures at dinner but I did take a photo of my outfit before I left (sleeveless because it was so warm!!)...and a snapchat haha

~Our 7:30 dinner lasted until 10:30--great night!

~Up early on Saturday morning and made my way to the doctor's office for our procedure--I waited 40 minutes past my appointment which was super annoying. Our chances this time are lower, but I'm still trying to be semi hopeful. Thank you to everyone for your sweet messages on Friday, and over the weekend!

~Got a much needed massage in the afternoon

~Relaxed for a bit and then got ready to head out to dinner with our friends who rent our condo

~Tried out Palette 22, which was super delicious! Lots of small plates were had and shared, and the meal ended with churros and sides of caramel and chocolate sauce #heaven

In addition to the great food, it was great to catch up with these two!

~A super rainy Sunday morning made less dreary by homemade omelets a la MG followed by errands

~Picked up a North Face rain jacket at Dicks since I've been in need of one...and because it's rained for something like 24 days out of the last month

~Finally got our prints that we got our anniversary weekend into frames and hung downstairs--it was tedious getting everything measured out correctly, but it looks good (we will be getting some kind of decoration/candle/sconce for the two spaces)

~MG picked up Chipotle for dinner which was perfect for a rainy night (or any night, let's be real)

~Finished watching Billions. Such a good, and intense, show! Already ready for season 2!

~Partook in the double dog snapchat couples shot that seemed to be the trend over the weekend

~Watched Shahs of Sunset, snuggled with MG and Cooper on the couch and made our way to bed for another week. 

Today marks one month until the end of school. Let the countdown begin!!!!

Hoping your weekend was less wet than ours was, and fun-filled!

Happy Friday!

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Happy Friday, friends! I'm taking the day off from Friday Faves this week. I had two doctor's appointments yesterday and a busy day at work, so the day got away from me and instead of spending a while at home last night writing a post, I chose to spend it with my husband just unwinding from the day.

I do want to thank all of you for your messages of support, love and prayers yesterday for our next fertility procedure tomorrow morning! We're hoping that this time around brings us the gift we've been hoping and praying for for so long now.

I hope your Friday is easy and rain free like we're getting today, and that your weekend is fun-filled! Catch you loves back here on Monday!

Confessions and Hashtags

Time for some confessions with Lynn and Danielle!

I confess that....

......when I got a work email saying that band classes would be practicing in the teachers lounge all morning (as in 3.5 hours), every morning for the next few weeks I almost screamed. My office is right next to the teachers lounge and it sounds as if they're practicing right in my office. And, let's be real, these are elementary school kids so it's never good. #passmetheearplugs

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.....when I was opening the Costco jug of peanut butter pretzels, my finger got sliced by that thick foil/cardboard food sealer on top really badly. It's a SUPER deep cut. And it's on the tip of my middle finger. See? Being hungry can be dangerous! And painful. #middlefingeroutofcommission

.....I'm having what seems to be my second round of allergy attacks, probably because the weather's been so cold lately, the full season never really happened. Itchy eyes, scratchy throat...it's not been fun. Not to mention I'm still wearing a coat to work in the mornings. #givemeSpringdammit

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.....I have been struggling to stay awake in the evenings. I don't know if it's the weather, or the allergies again, but past 8pm battling to keep my eyes open...and have lost that battle twice this week! #sleepyhead

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.....I wish that the things that tasted super good were always good for you #badbutohsogood

....my assistant principal cornered me yesterday to ask me if I'd talked to a special ed teacher about a parent meeting on Friday when I was out (one with my work nemesis). I said we had, and then she went on to explain to me everything that had happened in the meeting. So, if you were gonna tell me that, why'd you ask me if I already knew what had happened? Because, I did. And I didn't need the repeat. #howmanymoredaystilSummer

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....I found out that a really tough parent I deal with at work is not going to be at my school next year and I may have resisted doing a happy dance. Or maybe I did a happy dance. Or 5. #byebyecraycray

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.......MG and I could use all of your thoughts and prayers this weekend that our next fertility treatment works. We're in the midst of getting the day narrowed down (either Saturday or Sunday--looking like Saturday morning right now), so if you have a spare minute, please keep us in your prayers that this round is the one that brings us a baby! #babylove

That's all that I'm confessing this week. What about you??

What's Hap-"pinning" Wednesday {#41}

Happy Wednesday friends! Since it's the middle of the week, you know what time it is! Link up with Jessi and I and share what's hap-"pinning" with you--it can be anything, it doesn't have to be Pinterest-related!

I've been loving the white, navy and gray combinations because you can accessorize with so much, and especially when you can add in some denim. I've decided I need a denim jacket for a good layering piece, especially since our weather can't get it together lately.

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And I also love a good pop either in the form of color or patterns, especially for those warmer weather outfits!

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And you know after last year, I love a good romper, like this one to dress up or down:

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Let's hope that the weather catches up with the time of the year so I can start wearing some stuff similar to these instead of things that go with rain boots and umbrellas haha!

What are some of your favorites for warmer temps? 

Now it's your turn to link up with us and share what's hap-"pinning" with you!

{Recipe Files}: Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf

I made this meal a few weeks ago but then I forgot to post it because you all were excited about the parmesan herb crusted salmon, that I posted that one first.

I'll admit, it's really difficult to make meatloaf look appetizing, but trust me when I say this was super tasty and very flavor-filled. If you like buffalo sauce, you'll like this recipe!

Plus, it's SUPER simple to throw together. Win-win!

*adapted from recipe at Mother Thyme

What You Need:

~1 lb ground chicken

~1 cup plain bread crumbs

~1/3 C celery, diced

~1/3 C crumbled gorgonzola cheese

~1/4 C white onion, diced

~1/3 C milk

~1/3 C hot sauce

~1 large egg

~1/2 tsp salt

~1/4 tsp each: garlic powder, parsley, dill weed

~pinch of black pepper

Topping: 3 Tbsp hot sauce

                 1-2 Tbsp crumbled gorgonzola

What You Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Then spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray.

2.  In a large bowl, add in the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, celery, gorgonzola and onion and mix to combine.

3. In a smaller bowl, add in the milk, hot sauce, egg, salt, garlic powder, parsely, dill and black pepper and combine.

4. Pour the contents from the small bowl into the meat and mix to combine. Then add to the loaf pan. Add the remaining hot sauce to the top and bake for about 45 minutes. Then add the Gorgonzola cheese to the top and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

5. Let stand for about 5-10 minutes before serving.

Like I said, it doesn't LOOK sexy, but boy does it taste awesome!