friday randoms Archives - Page 14 of 22

:: Friday Links ::

February 17, 2017

Cheers to the Weekend!!

I am en route to Scottsdale, AZ with some Chicago girlfriends (and one Chicago-to-DC transplant) and I am so excited! I haven’t seen any of them in WAY too long and it is definitely going to help cure my Chicago home-sickness. The weather has been 75+ and sunny every day, and will be Monday and the rest of next week, but unfortunately it looks like Saturday and Sunday may not be in our favor. We are arranging some Plan B options other than ~~drinking and~~ laying out, but today I think we’ll be heading straight from the plane to the patio to soak up as much sunshine as we can.

We have lots of catching up to do

A few weekend links for today :

I will be perusing the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue on the plane (on the Texture app on my giant iPhone I discussed yesterday) and looking like a straight up perv, and I am completely okay with that. Kate Upton is Cover girl for the 3rd time.

Speaking of supermodels, I am really into the pre-runway diet of Bella and Kendall.

And speaking of supermodel bods, I had heard of Body by Simone before, but then I saw her recently on TV(Khloe Kardashian’s Revenge Body) and it re-sparked my interest.

Popsugar had her on once for a cardio workout and I think I quit shortly into it because it was SO hard. She looks like a Tracy Anderson alternative I need to get behind! Three free workouts I just found : DANCE CARDIO / 20 MINUTE WORKOUT / 40 MINUTE WORKOUT

And speaking of Kardashians, alert the masses! Ya heard it here first! Rob and Chyna have broken up! The wedding is OFF!

I mean…. isn’t this a news headline every other week? And don’t we all know this is never going to last?

Love Actually returning for a sequel is the best news of the week!!! But how can it only be 10 minutes!? We need more!! {my gif in Monday’s post must have been a subconscious premonition!}

Some Links for the weekend!

I love this sporty tee for running around on the weekends.

Lilly always pleasantly surprises me with their two-piece outfits. Love this maxi two piece and the wrap top two piece.

The perfect neutral solid tank with a pretty neckline and just enough detail.

Put me near the beach, and this is the strapless top I want to be wearing.

I’m still on the hunt for the perfect drape front coat, and this may be a winner!

The most adorable striped shift dress for under $90.

I am thrilled that this shoe is back in style. <3

I can’t get enough of jumpsuits lately. and this color is gorgeous

A yellow one piece that makes me happy.

I love knit fit + flare dresses, and this one is so classy in a beautiful bold color.
it has killer reviews and Im not surprised one bit. perfect for ANY age.

A great example that you can never have too many striped tees, because this is perfection.

alright….. you know where I’m headed….. enjoy your LONG weekends!

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friday randoms, Lifestyle

:: FRIDAY RANDOMS ::

February 10, 2017

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:: Random Thoughts + Link Love ::

We all are aware of the recent events with Bethenny and her ex-husband Jason Hoppy. I mentioned it slightly in last weeks Coffee Talk.
I have always thought he seemed amazing, and on season 3 of their show Bethenny pretty much annihilated him, and I just never knew how much of either side to believe.
aka – I feel like he’s a good guy and he’s being made out to be the devil by her.
But…. I have educated myself a bit more this week (you know, podcasts and gossip sites) and now I feel like I am wrong?!
Because everyone else is saying he has been horrible always, and that all of this stuff with what the arrest was over 2 weeks ago is legitimately true, and that it has been like that for awhile.

WHAT?! Please comment or e-mail me your thoughts because my mind is blown.
Watch him the whole first 2 seasons of the show before their marriage was imploding and he was SO SWEET to her even when she was a lunatic!

I feel like a fool!

If you are going to be baking for Valentine’s Day,

might I suggest Momofoku MilkBar’s Layered Cake?

I may have stopped at their new Cookie Bar at The Cosmopolitan and let me just tell you, it is delicious. I have a friend that was a pastry chef there and she brought us a bunch of baked goods to Chicago one time and I have been a believer ever since.

But these cakes look adorable and you can layer them and change them up with whatever things you like!

Plus, you bake the cake on a sheet pan which, to me, makes it 10x easier!

………speaking of Valentine’s dessert….but one that is much faster to make and healthier.

I’ll be doing a Saturday post sharing my flourless brownie recipe that is CRACK.

I made it in January and it was insanely delicious, so I am going to bake a batch tonight in an attempt to get better pictures, because we kinda just dug right into the pan a few weeks ago 🙂

So if any of you are being healthy, you can still indulge on Valentine’s Day without the guilt.

I just saw a video for Kyle Cooke from Summer House’s business he works with called Birddogs, gym shorts for free balling.

OH. Nevermind. I am coming back to correct that after going to the website.

It is “Gym Shorts For Free Balling Crotch Crusaders”

I just can’t…..

…. yet, I still am oddly in love with him?

And does this make me love him more? Kind of?

My favorite pair is Seersucker and named The Flying Wasp.

I mean, yes, I love him more.

His more legit company is called Fenix.

I always tape the 10 o’clock hour of the today show and will watch it at night after work while I do my Tracy Anderson DVD or cook dinner.

I love me some Hoda and Kathy Lee 🙂

Two beauty finds that Bobbi shared this week that I love.

The Pony Dry Shower Cap

This lets you wash your roots while keeping your ends dry.

If this really works, I am game.

There’s only so much dry shampoo’ing you can do.

And the most genius make-up tool :

Remember the pens that had different colors and you would just push down whichever one you wanted?

This is the make-up version with 3 eye liner colors and 1 lip color

// CLARINS 4-IN-1 PEN //

it has been selling out and being restocked, but if it is,

google it and there are other places in stock!

Talk about what would have been the perfect stocking stuffer?!

Perfect Valentine’s Day gift now I suppose?!

Friday Links:

I found the gorgeous pumps I posted Wednesday for 20% off in this beautiful blue color.

I love the tiny bit of exposed skin with this side tie sweater.

I’ve gotten a couple of questions about my tortoise sunglasses from Las Vegas; they just re-stocked the grey tortoise shell (!!) so hopefully the dark tortoise will be soon too!

I love this pair and this pair that are also a steal at under $15!

The most perfect black OTK boots are down from $225 to under $100!

I’ve been eyeing this dupe of a Chloe bag all week.

All of the cute Valentine’s jammies have me set on getting a new (inexpensive) set. I alternate between ~~three~~ usually two sets of pajamas because I do laundry every other day and it’s time for something new. I like this short set for something comfy + cute and love this set for a little lace. I love the look and price of Honeydew Intimates pj’s.

CHEERS TO THE WEEKEND !

My weekend will be a quiet one while I continue my detox from last weekend

~~and prepare to re-tox with girlfriends next weekend 🙂~~

No complaints – I am greatly looking forward to relaxing, organizing and catching up on some sleep!

Next week, I’ll recap my January Intentions and 31 Day Challenge with working out.

I saw that Tone It Up is having their 7 Day Slimdown kicking off next week so I think I’m going to try to follow that starting Sunday until we head to Scottsdale for our reunion weekend!

friday randoms, Lifestyle

:: RECIPES + RANDOMS ::

January 27, 2017

Cheers to Friday!!

This has been a busy week and I am very ready for the weekend!

Many of you requested some more recipe posts, especially some healthy meals.

Today I have two healthy “recipes” that aren’t even really recipes, just a few ingredients thrown together, that have been on repeat for fast weeknight meals lately.

It couldn’t be easier.

I have been making Zoodes with my Spiralizer that I got for Christmas, but if you don’t have Zoodles and don’t want to buy them at the store, I have been making the same recipe with Spaghetti Squash as well!

I have made this the night of, or also have grilled the chicken and prepped the zoodles in advance, so that all you have to do is heat everything up and put it together!

I am a pasta lover so these satisfy that craving perfectly!

I simply combine the following:

Zuchinni Noodles or Spaghetti Squash

Pesto (store bought or homemade)

Grilled Chicken

Sun-dried Tomatoes

For the Spaghetti Squash:

Cook at 400 for about an hour. Shred with a fork and remove all of the noodles. Mix noodles with the remaining ingredients, put back into the shell, and top with some part-skim mozzarella. Throw under the broiler for a few minutes and it’s all set!

For the Zucchini Noodles:

you only need to sauté them in a little bit of olive oil for a few minutes (3-5), and then add the remaining ingredients!

I squeeze water out of my zucchini noodles before cooking, and drain in a colander after cooking because for the life of me I can’t figure out why mine seem to release more water – if anyone has any tips for this please let me know!

That is it! So, as I said, it’s not really a recipe.

But it is extremely satisfying and seems like a treat that took a lot of time when it doesn’t at all!

:: 5 FRIDAY FAVORITES ::

Inspired by Nick’s Mom, and all of the ladies of The Bachelor,

I have some leather jacket finds for you!

Actually… come to think of it….

My mind was blown with just the mom + the contestants and the amount of leather.

But now I am realizing

NICK wears leather jackets constantly too? I feel like I’ve seen one every single week: T-shirt and Leather Jacket??

He even jazzes his up with unexpected colors like RUST.

but okay seriously…. look at how many leather jackets he is in?

what is going on?

I’m thinking that the wardrobe person for The Bachelor is forcing everyone into them because she watched Unreal and Shiri Appleby does nothing but wear her black leather jacket day and night.

amiright?

okay… now that you never want to see leather again because I’ve said it 50 times :

let me share my picks for the week!

Speaking of unexpected colors inspired by Nick, my favorite is the Navy because like Nick, I like a non-black leather jacket… there’s also some blush for a different color and some suede in there too just to change it up a bit. Ca-razy.

1. NAVY LEATHER JACKET

2. DRAPED FRONT SUEDE

3. BLUSH AND UNDER $100

4. HOODED SWEATSHIRT JACKET

5. DRAPED FRONT UNDER $60

aren’t you so glad you stopped by the blog today to discuss the amount of leather on The Bachelor?

Me too. Me. Too.

Maybe next week we can do some leather pants…..

Only a few more days of my 31 days of working out in January remaining…..

Considering next weekend we are in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl…. I’m thinking I only have one week left before I have a day with a bit fat ZERO for physical activity.

Unless lifting a drink to my lips counts while I’m there?

friday randoms, Lifestyle

:: friday randoms ::

January 20, 2017

Cheers to Friday!!!

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First, lets bow our heads and have a moment of THANK YOU LORD for

the return of Will + Grace in a 10 episode revival!

OH {pause} MY {pause} GAHHHH. as jack would say….
but of course there is no gif of that so we’ll do this instead.

I now have plans to do a full will and grace gif post to show NBC my appreciation.

Worth Reading : 31 daily ways to save (in January, or everyday).

I thought there were a lot of great tips in this article!

One that I will be implanting for sure: getting a library card. After reading Biana’s book recommendations I realized Amazon is robbing me blind, especially when the books I order only are only available in hardcover.

…. adding library frequenter to my 2017 list of intentions……

Is this top too showy?

Or rather, am I too old for this? With white jeans?

I have warm weather trips coming up,

and I meannnnn its navy and striped…..

the heart wants what the heart wants.

// STRIPED WRAP TOP //

But I fear my time has passed.

~~cough : comment below that I can TOTALLY pull it off and I’m not too old.~~

A reader, Stacie, sent this to me and it is amazing. (thank you!)

It’s a compilation of tweets about Corinne, and someone created a twitter account named @CorrinesNanny.

// 24 of the Best Tweets about Corinne //

Someone posted this on Heather McDonald’s Juicy Scoop page (which is mostly nonsense, I was expecting more, but then you get gems like this).

Dorit is Amanda from Friends that has the fake British accent who never stops talking about herself.

Watch this mash-up; it really was a perfect comparison, and I loved it.

:: FRIDAY FAVORITES ::

1. You can never have too many striped tops. Love the shorter in the front, longer in back.

2.. The side slit in this workout tank is so cute.

3. A different version of my favorite new purse in 4 beautiful colors (the blue is gorgeous).

see my designer knock off here

4. The emerald color of these earrings, and the price, is perfection.

5. Stripes + Eyelet + Navy + A Dress = ME!

I am off to my second class at Blast and praying I survive again.

I finally got new sneakers and have a bad blister,
so I’ll be using that as my excuse if I am “running” like an 80 year old.

friday randoms, Lifestyle

:: Grand Cayman + Friday Favorites ::

January 13, 2017

I have gotten requests for some Grand Cayman recommendations

so I wanted to get around to posting some photos from our Christmas trip!

We went to the Caymans for the first time for Spring Break in 2004, and we have been going back ever since. It has become a Christmas tradition and one that I hope never stops!

It is the perfect place for a family vacation because it is safe, small, gorgeous, and there are things to do but not a ton so it encourages beach time and lazy days. From Atlanta it is a quick 2-2.5 hour flight and then a 5 minute taxi once you land.

When you stay on 7 Mile Beach everything is a quick couple minute cab – or hopefully walk – away. We have started out in Condos, did a couple of years at the Marriott, and now have been back at the condos for 3 years.

My lunch service and cooler of mixed drinks and beer isn’t quite as nice as the bartender mixing daiquiris and mimosas and a killer Lobster Roll and Fries….. but everything else we like 10x more with the condo! I really miss that lobster roll though…

Other than a day or two for Stingray City (which is incredible and my absolute favorite) and some snorkeling/diving (I don’t dive, but it is supposed to be incredible here) or fishing,

last years sting ray city, this year was deep sea fishing (womp womp)

everything else is laid back beach or pool time. My kind of vacation 🙂

Beach all day + amazing dinners out at night = Heaven for me.

After the photos I have listed the restaurants we usually go to!

NOTE :

Deep Sea Fishing is NOT greater than Stingray City.

The boys wanted to change it up a bit. {still do Stingray City hands down!}

The boys went to this one random liquor store one day and they had 4 Loco (not pictured) and the Island Version of 4 Loco (pictured) called “Drink Like A Boss”

I tried Drink Like A Boss and it was absolutely repulsive!

Isn’t 4 Loco illegal in the US or something?

I even love the airport (well… the inside is tiny with not a single thing to do, but the outside is great).

You check in and check your bags, and then we eat lunch up at the restaurant and you watch the planes take off and land until your flight. It’s a great last hour in the Caymans versus sitting inside the airport!

Grand Cayman has the BEST restaurants ever.

Truly. Other than Italy, which is just entirely different, Grand Cayman has the best food I have ever had.

I’m not even a seafood person, and of course the seafood is a main highlight at the restaurants, and I have the best steaks, pastas, tuna appetizers, conch fritters, desserts, even Italian food!

We tend to go to the same restaurants over and over again.

There are too many to name that we always say we want to try because we hear such great things, but then we never want to miss out on the ones we love.

So, there hasn’t been anything new in a few years and we stick to a solid 6 or so.

Restaurant Recommendations :

Calypso

If there is one restaurant I recommend the most, it is Calypso. It has gotten busy here and the tables can be tight if you are there in high season, but it is incredible. The food never disappoints, and you cannot leave without getting the Sticky Toffee Pudding for Dessert.
It is insanely, insanely amazing. The name doesn’t do it justice – it’s one of the best desserts I have ever had! I also got the pasta special this year which was a Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage, and I never order Gnocchi, and we went back a second night and I ordered it again. CRACK at this restaurant I swear. It’s so good.

The Wharf

Right on you guessed it, The Wharf! This is another one of our favorites.
Right on the water, the little cove is filled with Tarpon which are these hideous fish that you do not eat, but they ring a bell and everyone gets to feed.
I don’t know why, but it’s thrilling?
Love their shrimp cocktail and their conch fritters too!

Eduardo’s
This isn’t on the water or anything, but the food is incredible. Even the bread they put on the table tastes like something out of this world.
Their lasagna kills me and I burned my mouth this year because I couldn’t wait to devour every bite.

I didn’t see him this year, but a smokin’ hot Irish guy Sean always ran this and greeted us 🙂 So that was a little disappointing not seeing him…..

Decker’s

They do an all you can eat Lobster night which the boys love.
This is walking distance from Ritz and Westin.

Grand Old House

This is closer to Georgetown on the other End of 7 Mile Beach.

We used to eat here for Christmas every year.
It is a gorgeous old house right on the water so everything is beautiful.

Plus on the drive you pass the governors mansion with all of the Christmas Lights (I think it’s the governors? I can’t remember whose it is?) which is a fun Christmas highlight!

Papagallo

This is a fun restaurant, especially if you have kids.

It is one of the further restaurants on the opposite side of Georgetown in West Bay.

You can eat inside or out, and the inside has a beautiful large thatched roof.

The best part is they have all of these gorgeous birds so it’s a pretty atmosphere, and kids obviously love looking at the birds.

This list is by no means all encompassing.
There are many other incredible restaurants on the island and I can promise the food won’t disappoint!

:: FRIDAY FAVORITES ::

I have been really feeling the ruffles and sleeves this week.

Ever since I got this top, I’ve been embracing it more and more. I

It’s back in stock in ALL sizes HERE.

But not all Ruffles are created equal.

I’ve rounded up 5 Different Ways to wear the Ruffle :

all under $100, most under $50 !

1. This tee is perfect for everyday, casual wear.

2. A great long sleeved option, with just a tiny bit of detail.

3. My favorite! This color would look so incredible with white jeans.

4. Adorable shoulder detailing.

5. Not exactly a ruffle, but a perfect bell sleeved top with the cutest bow tie back.

Oh! And this bell sleeve top that keeps selling out is fully restocked in all colors!

Sorry if the spacing keeps showing up strangely, it looks normal in the editor and then wacky when I publish it.

CHEERS to the WEEKEND!

friday randoms, home, Lifestyle

:: FRIDAY THINGS + DIY ::

January 6, 2017

I hope you’re all having a great start to the weekend!

I made it to a Flywheel class this morning before

preparing for the “state of emergency” with our “snowpocalypse” in Georgia.

The Timehop app kills me because somehow things are always perfectly timed.

I of course am having a good laugh at the city freaking out about 1-4 inches of snow in Georgia.

I get it I get it. There are no plows or salt trucks here and its all hills and windy roads. And 2 years ago people were stranded in their cars for hours or sleeping at the office and it was a nightmare. I TOTALLY GET IT. It’s just hilarious that now because of that the city has to basically shut down an entire day early so that they don’t get blamed for the worst winter-storm-plan EVER, and so that people can hunker down as if it’s going to be the hardest 48 hours of their lives.

but I digress…..

so….this came up in my time hop this morning

On this day 3 years ago, I had to go to work in -43 degree wind chill (I can’t remember the real temp, I just focused on the “feels like” and YES it felt like it) by taking the train and then walking to work.

I had to WALK TO WORK in that, and everyone here is literally acting like it’s the end of the world.

But anyways….. cheers to a cozy winter weekend!

I’m interested to see how this “state of emergency” plays out!

As I mentioned earlier this week, we hosted a small group at our place for New Years !

A lot of you asked out my Champagne Bubbles DIY so I wanted to share, even though yes, New Years is 359 days way.
I tend to do things late on the blog. You know that.
I still haven’t even posted about our Christmas vacation 🙂 so stay tuned…..
I figure, Christmas and New Years may be over,

but Awards Season is just beginning and this would work perfectly for that.

It was too easy and TOO CUTE (if you ask me) not to share!

I think it would be perfect for the Golden Globes this weekend or upcoming Oscar parties with your girlfriends!

and if you want to take advantage of the post-Christmas decor sales (which are AMAZING) I also think it’d be cute with pink and red ornaments for Valentine’s brunches, etc…… when I find an easy craft I really don’t drop it….. prepare to see this bad boy year after year!

My first tree and ornaments when I was out of college all came from Target in one of those huge jumbo bins. They sell them year after year so I’m sure you’ve seen them. It’s a ton of plastic ornaments for about $20.

I didn’t have varying sizes, which they recommend, but it still turned out SO cute.

I had Kip cut the hangers for me and then it was a matter of minutes before it was all set!

based on champagne bubbles from The Kitchen on Food Network

All you need is

A champagne bottle – I used a jumbo one that we got for New Years

Needle nose pliers, to cut the hanger

A wire hanger

Christmas Ball ornaments, they used clear, I used gold and silver.

Cut the hanger so that one edge is straight and the other has the top/curved edge. Then just thread the ornaments of various sizes, starting with smaller ones if you have them, and building all the way up. Pop the hanger in the bottle and you are all set to party!

I had two sticks in two smaller champagne bottles since we hadn’t popped the jumbo bottle prior to guests arriving, and then I switched both sticks over into the one jumbo.

as Ina would say,

HOW EASY IS THAT?!

and as my husband says,

“I don’t think anyone is as excited about the champagne bubbles as you are.”

Whatever.

I also made take-home Hangover Helper bags for our friends.

I included : water, lemon, fish oil, aspirin, green tea, and a detox tea.

I don’t know what came over me but I was feeling crafty the day of!

There was tons of yummy food that I got zero photos of 🙁 so I am just going to skip that part……

I wore jeans and OTK boots with my feather racerback tank and this blazer that I am obsessed with.

// BLACK NOTCH COLLAR BLAZER // FEATHER RACERBACK TANK //

my brain is truly fried after this week.

I’ve been sitting here for 5 minutes trying to remember all of the other things I wanted to include in this post, and you know how I ramble, so I promise it was A. LOT.

All I can think of is :

I forgot to mention in my Coffee Talk post that Nick’s job just isn’t even mentioned AT ALL on The Bachelor. Remember when it used to Andrew Firestone and all of these successful men and now they don’t even necessarily have a job? Nick’s job is literally just a reality-TV person. Same with Ben Higgins. They used to have jobs, and now are “formerly” employed. Like Ben’s fiancé Lauren who is no longer a flight attendant. And now contestants don’t even have to have legitimate jobs.

Anyways….. just think it’s hilarious that they are truly going to have a Bachelor for an entire season that literally doesn’t have a job and they aren’t even going to mention employment of any kind.

So pathetic.