October 20, 2017

Five on Friday!

Hi! Happy Friday! I have some gooooooood stuff to share today…

one. If you’re a podcast listener you MUST listen to The Life Coach School podcast. It has seriously changed my life, my perspective, my habits and more. These three episodes have been my favorite this week and I always make sure to listen to each episode twice, especially if I’m multi-tasking. Listen to just one, I promise you’ll be hooked.

two. I recently made my favorite Caramelized Onion & Prosciutto Pizza using Trader Joes Cauliflower pizza crust and it turned out amazing. Well, that’s not true. I messed up my first pizza because I didn’t bake the crust it before adding all my toppings so it tasted more like a grit cake. But the second pizza I nailed. SO delicious.

three. Charlotte friends — have you eaten at Roots Cafe yet? It is so dang beautiful, the food is locally sourced and the menu is unreal. I’ve been twice now and have been impressed both times. This week I met a girlfriend for lunch and she ordered the Grilled Bacon Brussels and Ricotta Sandwich and I ordered the Bunless Veggie Burger. Both of our meals were absolutely incredible.

four. Matt has been away at a conference so I spent last night packing up all of my summer clothes and unpacking all my winter clothes. As I was pulling out my winter wardrobe I applied some advice from the aforementioned Life Coach School podcast and asked myself “would I buy this again?” If the answer was no, it went into the donation pile. If the answer was yes, I hung it up with the hanger turned inside. Once I wear the item I can flip the hanger around. If the hanger doesn’t flip by the end of the season, the item gets donated.

five. [GIVEAWAY CLOSED!!!] Earlier this week I got home a few minutes before Matt and the kids and lit a brand new Pumpkin Pie Spice candle from Pure Integrity. These soy candles are marketed as 50% more fragrance than any other candle and they totally lived up to their claim (and their Amazon reviews)! Within minutes the entire house smelled like a pumpkin pie and it was AMAZING — the perfect fall scent. When the fam arrived home Matt excitedly asked “Woah! What are you baking?!” The heavenly scent was that strong. Also, these candles are also the perfect gift for your Thanksgiving hostess!

Lamp // Nightstand // Candle

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED*** Pure Integrity has generously offered to give away a candle to one lucky reader! To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below with your email address and your favorite Halloween candy! Bonus entry: Leave a second (separate) comment telling me your favorite Fall TV show! The contest will run through Oct. 25 and the winner will be picked at random and announced back here on Oct. 26! Good luck!

CONGRATULATIONS TO REGINE! You are the lucky candle winner! Check your email, friend!

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Five on Friday!

Happy Friday! I have a post packed with fun stuff today…

one // I think I received a record number of comments on this amazing cookie on my insta-story last weekend. I’ve got into a really bad habit of ordering a pound of sliced turkey at the Harris Teeter deli…and then taking 4 steps over to the bakery cakes case while I wait. And when this insanely delicious four layer cookie cake is available I just have to take a slice home. It’s dangerously good but not too sweet — the middle isn’t icing, it’s fluffier which allows you to eat way more than you should in one sitting.

two // Moving on to more food! Sorry, I love food! This week we received one of our most favorite HelloFresh meals to date — Rapid Crispy Shrimp Tacos with Crunch Red Cabbage Slaw. First, this truly took less than 12 minutes to prep, cook and devour (hence, the “rapid” title). I think it’s the reason I loved it so much, but also because it was SO DANG GOOD. Everything came already prepped and sliced which I really, really appreciated so I just dumped the ingredients into a bowl and then cooked the shrimp in a few minutes. Here’s the recipe to make on your own!

three // I’ve been meaning to share Thomas’s second favorite Christmas gift — the twilight turtle constellation night light. As part of our bedtime routine Thomas loves turning on his twilight turtle and picking out the color for his starry night sky — orange, green or blue (or if we’re feeling really fun we’ll hit the button that cycles through all three). His room has a pitched ceiling too so the constellation looks amazing! The light stays on for 45 minutes before automatically shutting off too. Also, I don’t know why I find this so funny, but the box states that this constellation night light is “pediatrician recommended” in case you need another reason to purchase one.

**In case you’re wondering…I know you were!…Thomas’s favorite Christmas present was the Dirt Devil vacuum. We have to pry it out of his hands when we leave the house and especially at bedtime. That little guy literally vacuums the house all day every day.

four // I recently scooped up $8 worth of flowers at Trader Joes for the loveliest bouquet of hydrangeas ($5) and some eucalyptus ($3). Additionally, Matt and I grabbed 6 new bottles of wine but our kids were screaming so I couldn’t focus and just grabbed a hodge podge of pretty labels. So tell me, what is your favorite pinot noir or cab and your favorite sauvignon blanc at Trader Joes? Preferably under $9 a bottle.

five // I almost made my entire 5 on Friday post about this ONE item but held myself back…y’all, I recently found out (from a way cooler, trendier friend) about the iluminage skin rejuvenating eye mask that reduces the appearance of wrinkles while you sleep!!! This silky mask is embedded with copper, a well-known essential mineral with skin-enhancing properties. Anyway, you can find it at Macy’s, Neimans, Nordstrom, Sephora and a few places. Or you can do a little price shopping and pick it up from Amazon (which is currently offering it at the same price but with a coupon for $2 off) and duh, free two-day prime shipping! I am two weeks in and am LOOOOOVING it.

***Also, I’ve also been told to get the iluminage pillowcase next.

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rox

Friday 3rd of February 2017

DITTO for the Espiral Vinho Verde. SO perfectly crisp and a touch of bubbles for that perfect summer (or any season - let's be real) sip.

Lisa

Tuesday 24th of January 2017

THAT CAKE...no wonder you buy a slice...it looks amazing and so did the shrimp tacos. (I love food too?) One of my friends little ones has that turtle too...so cool! Have a great week!

Rachel Emily

Sunday 22nd of January 2017

I juuust promised my husband shrimp tacos this week and these look like a perfect (easy) way to switch them up! Thanks for sharing!

June Pope

Saturday 21st of January 2017

Just ordered the mask, I live 1 block from the HT and that cake, the shrimp looks like something we'll be having next week.....dang Christina! You rock!

Melissa Fitch

Saturday 21st of January 2017

The shrimp tacos look amazing!! Adding them to this week's menu plan. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

May 20, 2016

Five on Friday!

It’s been a crazy week and I couldn’t be more ready for a glass of wine in 9.5 hours.

On Tuesday we had a consultation for Thomas to see if he is a good candidate for tubes. Sure enough the doctor peeked into his ears and without hesitation said “yes, next week.” So one week from today he’ll have surgery and I absolutely cannot wait to see how much relief it provides him. He’s pretty much had an ear infection since October and we’ve done everything to get rid of it including 3 types of antibiotics and several rounds of shots and nothing works.

one. Matt has been hard at work building a retaining wall in our backyard. It’s taken him several weekends of labor, 25 Home Depot trips and the help of a friend but it’s finally complete and it looks fabulous! And it’s filled with some of my favorite flowers – hydrangeas and rhododendron! So proud of the hubby for tackling this project.

two. We’ve been eating SO well this week thanks to The Naked Pig Meat Co.! Recently they offered to send us some products to try and Matt couldn’t say YES fast enough. Not only do I love that the farm is local to North Carolina, all of their meat products are free of added antibiotics, hormones, and artificial enhancements and are harvested from healthy and happy animals raised outdoors.

My favorite meat we received was the pork tenderloin! I threw it in my crockpot with a bottle of Sticky Fingers and let it slow cook all day long. It was so tender and juicy – perfect for pulled pork sandwiches.

Ohhhhh, the bacon! We LOVE bacon in our house. Matt says this was his favorite product review we‘ve ever received. I fried up a pound of bacon over the weekend and have to admit that the quality and freshness was unlike any bacon I’ve ever purchased from the grocery store. For $7 plus free shipping, I will probably start purchasing all of our bacon from The Naked Pig.

We also enjoyed an awesome fresh pork roast this week too! Thomas was a huge fan!

three. Nothing makes me homesick more than missing a party at my parents house. Last weekend Lindsey threw Ryan an epic surprise 30th “Brews & BBQ” party. She knocked it out of the park and he was completely surprised, especially because she purposely threw the bash a month early so he would totally be caught off guard.

Lindsey and mom set up an incredible hamburger bar for more than 40 guests.

And there was a separate table dedicated just for FRENCH FRIES. Told you it was epic!

I WANT IN THIS PICTURE SO BAD….

And last but not least, THE beer cake!

four. Speaking of parties, now that we’ve celebrated Caroline’s birthday (still need to write that post) I am already thinking about Thomas’s birthday in July! Since it will be 15 degrees warmer outside I am thinking about having ~~his~~ our friends over for a popsicle party! I love this idea because everyone loves popsicles, not just kiddies…

five. I know I’m covering a LOT of food in this post but I can’t help but share delicious things with y’all! Last weekend our friends John and Lisa invited us to a park date and then back to their house for the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had.

The Yummiest Grilled Cheese Ever: Butter the tops and bottoms of your bread (we used Pepperidge Farm Oatmeal bread – so good)! With the buttered side down, add a layer of provolone cheese, avocado slices, spinach and sprinkle with goat cheese. GRILL (yes, use your grill) until melted and delicious!

—-

Wanna join April, Natasha and I on the Friday fun? You can link-up on any of our four blogs every Friday! All you have to do is…

1.) Write your post about five things you’re lovin’ this week (or any five things you want to share!).

2.) Share the logo on your blog and link back.

3.) Link-up at the bottom of the post so some new readers can check out your five things and say hello!

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Abal Abal

Wednesday 1st of June 2016

I'm thinking to start playing online poker, saw that website, seems to be a good place ...bola online

Sara Elizabeth

Sunday 29th of May 2016

All that meat looks fantastic!! I love putting pork tenderloin in the slow cooker. Easiest meals ever. :) Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for Mr. Thomas and his poor ears!!

Traci

Tuesday 24th of May 2016

Poor lil man! I hope the tubes give him some relief. That cake is AMAZING!!

Amber L

Monday 23rd of May 2016

Okay, all this food has made me super hungry! I'm a HUGE grilled cheese lover, so I'll definitely be trying out that recipe. Hope you had a blessed weekend! Amber http://www.joythroughlife.com

Courtney

Sunday 22nd of May 2016

I don't know what looks more delicious - the pork BBQ sandwich, the bacon, the grilled cheese or all of that party food! And it's so great to see your dad looks well, too!

March 20, 2015

Five on Friday!

Happy 1st day of Spring! It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful weekend ahead and I am so excited to get out in the yard and replace our dead mums with Spring flowers, take some long walks and grill out.

Also, to make up for my absence this week I’ve got 6 things today.

– ONE – Work has been insanely busy and I am so thankful to have ended several days this week with a family picnic and playtime on a blanket with Caroline since it’s been warm!

– TWO – Last weekend I baked a triple batch of lactation cookies to drop off to 3 mommies! Here is the recipe that I love to use. When Caroline was born I went through many, many failed cookie recipes before finally perfecting an adapted recipe. If you’re looking for a small “thinking of you” gift to drop off on the porch of your breastfeeding friend, this is it!

– TWO – Last weekend Matt and I had the most fun date night at The Melting Pot. I hadn’t been there in years (and Matt had never been – what?!). It was a pregnant woman’s DREAM — loads of cheese fondue to start, followed by a meat and pasta course and topped off with a variety of desserts dipped into a pot of creamy peanut butter chocolate. Take me back!

– FOUR – I sent out Caroline’s birthday party invitation this week…and then cried. I am in total denial that the Muffin is turning one in less than seven weeks. However, I am really excited about the distraction of her little party. We’re keeping it simple and doing a Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star theme.

– FIVE – I don’t know why it is nearly impossible to find a yummy flavored DECAF coffee. I think I’ve been searching for two years now and finally found this delicious Cinnamon Vanilla Nut light roast from…Target!

– SIX – Saved the BEST for last! For those of you who have been thinking about and praying for my family, I want to thank you AGAIN! Back in December my dad was diagnosed with stage 3 lung, brain, spine and adrenal gland cancer (full story). The news hit us hard and we were prepared for the worst but prayerfully hoped for the best. That’s where you all came in. For months I’ve received emails, texts, comments and more from you all who continue to check in and remind me that you are alongside our family in this journey. Your prayers have been so powerful and God has continued to heal dad in the past few months, bit by bit. We still have a long way to go but last week we received another miracle…Dad received the results from his brain scan – cancer free! Just like that, the Lord healed his brain! And a few weeks early we learned that the tumor in his lungs has shrunk from 6.4 to 2.4!

Please don’t stop praying! There is still progress to be made and a long journey ahead but we are confident that the Lord is going to continue to heal dad! And I’m pretty sure that dad’s doctors are the most prayed for doctors ever! Seriously, thank you, thank you, thank you! Our entire family is so blessed by you all!

Dad’s Cancer Journey: 1/16/15 Progress Report and 3/6/15 Progress Report.

Wanna join Darci, April, Natasha and I on the
Friday fun? You can link-up on any of our four blogs every Friday! All you have
to do is…

1.)
Write your post about five things you’re lovin’ this week (or any five things
you want to share!).

2.) Share the logo on your blog and link back.

3.)
Link-up at the bottom of the post so some new readers can check out your five
things and say hello!

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February 20, 2015

Five on Friday!

Thank you all so much for your advice on my post earlier this week about gifts for Caroline’s first birthday and car seat recommendations! You all are the best.

So this week was a bit of a rough one. Caroline came down with a nasty cold last Friday and it progressively got worse throughout the days that followed before it got better. She had the saddest cough (keeping her up all night), more snot than I ever thought was possible and a fever for 5 days. The doctor said all we could do was ride it out with Tylenol and Motrin (aka liquid gold), lots of snuggles, warm baths, Vick’s Vapor Rub, a nighttime humidifier and frequent snotsucking (Matt’s job). She is finally on the mend and we are thankful!

On to the good stuff…

– ONE – Yesterday we had our anatomy scan for Baby M2 and are thrilled to confirm the gender! Our parents have already popped their gender reveal poppers and the envelope containing the name has been opened and announced! I can’t wait to share the details with y’all next week! Until then, any guesses on a brother or sister for Caroline?

– TWO – Last night I hosted Supper Club and it was such a good time. Since we ended late I didn’t have time to write a more thorough recap. Post to come next week. Here is my tablescape…

– THREE – I’m the last one to the party on this one but I just discovered Cookie Butter from Trader Joes and it’s an unhealthy new addiction for me. I seriously need to hide all my spoons.

– FOUR – On Tuesday we celebrated our first snow day! Well, it was mainly just an inch or two of ice, but still counted enough to stay home in pajamas! Even though Caroline was sick as a dog she perked right up once we got outside and plopped her in the snow. I think this was the happiest I’d seen her in five days. She loved it! For those of you who asked about Caroline’s snow suit…it’s the Cosy All-in-One from Baby Boden (Thanks, Grandmom!). This print is no longer available but you can find a similar version here.

– FIVE – I recently discovered the best trick to deep cleaning your towels! The other day I pulled out my freshly cleaned towels from the dryer and they smelled like they had been left in the washer for several days before making it to the dryer. Well, maybe they had but I did re-run the wash before drying them.

Anyway, here’s the tip: Wash your towels in hot water with one cup of vinegar (only). Wash towels in hot water again with 1/2 cup of baking soda. Throw them in the dryer and enjoy your fresh towels!

Wanna join Darci, April, Natasha and I on the
Friday fun? You can link-up on any of our four blogs every Friday! All you have
to do is…

1.)
Write your post about five things you’re lovin’ this week (or any five things
you want to share!).

2.) Share the logo on your blog and link back.

3.)
Link-up at the bottom of the post so some new readers can check out your five
things and say hello!

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Alexandra Bee Blog

Thursday 26th of February 2015

That picture of Caroline in the snow is THE CUTEST!!! Seriously love the snow suit and her smile!!

Five on Friday!

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Five on Friday!

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Five on Friday!

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Five on Friday!

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Five on Friday!

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