Friday Favorites!

YAY for Friday!!! Thanks for hosting Erika, Andrea and Narci!

1. The new Gilmore Girls Trailer and Release Date (Novemeber 25th!) makes me smile- so hard. I got goose bumps just hearing the song again:) #onceagilmorealwaysagilmore

#Lorelaiforpresident

2. #NSale home items! This throw pillow arrived yesterday and I LOVE it.

#lovemesomepillows

And this blanket makes me want to cuddle.

3. Another fave are these bling earrings which can be such a fun gift for a girlfriend or somethin' fancy for a date night:)

4. Next would be my favorite Aveda product that I have CLUNG to all summer long. It helps control the side effects of the summer humidity on my hair. 

#myhairhateshumidity

5. To finish off my favorites list, I have to mention my excitement for the Summer Olympics beginning in one week!

Thanks so much for reading! Have a great weekend!

xo

gg

What's Up Wednesday!

The last Wednesday of every month I join in this link up and answer the fun questions below! It's hard to believe that July is almost over!! Thanks for hosting Shay, Mel, and Sheaffer!

What we’re eating this week?

I have to use this opportunity to include a few of the recent delicious treats that I have indulged in!

Avocado Club Egg Rolls from CPK

Saffron Arancini with Chorizo Manchego

What I’m reminiscing about?

I LOVE summertime. I love sandy toes, long days and sun kissed skin J! But… recently I have been reminiscing about scarves, booties, and a warm drink in my hands. I am missin’ a chilly walk with Bella and the hubs or being cuddled under a blanket while sitting in front of a fire. I mean a FL girl only needs 65F to feel chilly! ;)

What I’m loving?

I am loving on my Nordstrom Anniversary sale picks and the fun deliveries that are associated with them:) More to be delivered today!! YEA!

What we’ve been up to?

Always workin' on our little fixer upper and adding small touches that are slowly makin' this house a home. Recently we updated the light fixture in the kitchen. This is the third one we have updated in this area and I love what a difference it can make in a room!

What I’m dreading?

I'm dreading cutting out my beloved soda. I know it must be done! I will vow... again.. that, as of August 1st, I will be a soda free girl. Bring on the LaCroix! 

What I’m working on? 

Finding the perfect camera! I have been searching for the best "starter" camera and lens. Most recently I have been researching the below, the Canon Rebel t6i. Thoughts?? Any recommendations, please share!

What I’m excited about?

Finishing up my Invisalign trays! My attachments (little buttons on the side of my teeth) were removed today and I only have two trays left. I am SO excited to finally be done with this process. I had wire braces years ago and then stopped wearing my retainers, had jaw issues and landed myself back in braces. Ugh. This time no wires involved but Invisalign trays. I would recommend it to any adult but am EXCITED to just have straight teeth and no more trays ;)

What I’m reading?

I decided to not finish a book I've been reading...because life is too short to finish a bad book. I previously planned on reading "Cancel the Wedding" but never started it! So tonight we will begin!

What I’m listening to?

Currently, I am re-watching Downton Abbey in the evenings after my hubs drifts off to sleep. I miss that show so much and am really enjoying it.

What I’m wearing?

So as I mentioned earlier, I am reminiscing about cooler temps and this sweater from the #nsale is calling my name! Just waiting for the delivery J

  

What I’m doing this weekend?

We are hoping to sign up for a Sur la table cooking class and I am so excited!  We are torn between the two options of: Down by the Shore or Summer in Tuscany!

What I’m looking forward to next month?

Looking forward to hopefully getting away on a small vaca!! The plans are just gettin' started but I would love to visit some of my best friends who are new mamas who don't live close by! A reunion is in the works :)

What else is new?

This blog! Constantly learning new things in this new world:) 

Bonus question: What was your favorite part about summer?

Oh Summer, I love you for your long walks on the beach, sunsets, tan lines and thunderstorms. I will miss you but please stop being 11521 degrees outside.

Happy Hump Day;)

xo

gg

Friday Favorites!

Another week of Friday Favorites linked up with Erika, Narci and Andrea!

My first favorite for this week has been the fun delivery surprises waiting for me when I arrive home! :) Below are a few treasures I snagged from the Early Access Nordstrom Sale! *more doorstep surprises for me in the coming days ;):):)**

My most exciting purchase so far has been the booties pictured below. I. love. them. They are the perfect boot for Florida in the Fall/Winter. They also transition from dressy to casual very well. I have them paired with this cowl neck shift dress that I can't wait to layer with a jacket for the cooler Fall outings. These booties also look so adorable with skinny jeans and this striped long sleeve crew neck tee. I am always looking for an excuse to style tops with a scarf! I am a Florida girl who wishes we needed scarves on the regular. A girl can dream!

2. Another favorite for this week is that a sweet coworker of mine opened her Etsy store recently selling beautiful agate coasters and magnets. Be sure to check these beauties out!

                     They are all so uniquely beautiful and gorgeous to have on display.


3. One more fave is my early morning workouts!

I have been really proud of myself the last 2 weeks because I have stuck to my early morning workouts! Woohoo! On top of doing the elliptical for 30 minutes (while watchin' the Today show ;))
I also add on this short work out routine! I know Rome wasn't built in a day so I am being patient with myself:)

These shorts were a nice find that I love workin' out in! Lovin' GAP athletic wear! They are so comfy!

4. I also snagged these pretty hand towels from Pottery Barn. A nice lil addition to our master bathroom:) On sale for $9.99!

5. Lastly, but certainly not least, was a date night with a view!

Finally figured out how to use the pano option on my iPhone ;)

That was my week!

                                       Have a great weekend! Thank you so much for reading!
                                           
                                                                             xo,
                                                                             gg

Show and Tell Tuesdays! Home Tour!

This is a fun bi-monthly link up hosted by Andrea that provides the opportunity to view other people's homes and also gives me a chance to show off our home (or at least a few rooms) ;).

We have lived in this little gal for one year and our little fixer up is a source of pride for my husband and I! We are doing it bit by bit ourselves and will eventually get her the way we want her:) The two rooms below are the ones we wanted to show off!:)

The first is our dining room!

Below is a closer picture of our dining room table that we built, sanded, and stained ourselves! It was SUCH a fun project and loved doing it so much we are looking for the opportunity to build them for others:) !

My hubs also built the pony walls in this photo to provide a division to separate this room from the other living space.

Also, all of our shutters were an outdated natural wood color so we refinished them (and the trim) with white. Almost every square inch of this room, and the living room, were painted either white or grey. My husband constantly teases me that those are the only two colors in our house. What can I say?! I love grey and white!

And the second room on this quick lil' tour is our living room:)

Bella made sure to sneak in this picture;)

Another angle of the room. I have not quite perfected my picture taking skills to include the entire room.

Our coffee table and end table were chalk painted and antiqued.

I love our picture wall! It is such a pretty feature for such a large room.

We cannot wait to continue to switch these photos out as our lives change, grow and happen!

                                               

When we moved in the fire place base was an awful red brick which we painted and finished. We also stained the mantel  a darker color for a needed update.

We love our vaulted ceilings. It was pretty scary to stand on a ladder and stain the highest beam...but I did it! :)

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Have a great day!

xo,

gg

Meal Plannin' Monday

Organization is my key to eating better!  If I don't meal plan...I eat out or make unhealthy choices. Dinner time is also such a nice time for my husband and I because we are able (forced) to chat with no T.V. or phones to distract us ;) We also really love cooking together! So I wanted to try out sharing some of our favorite recipes and help some mommy friends who mentioned needing/wanting some help in this area! I have included 4 meals (Monday- Thursday) with web links to the grocery lists and recipes!

1. Fried Green Tomato Caprese

Super simple, light and fresh meal inspired by a recent restaurant outing! This one is just too good to make vegan, sorry :( 

For the tomatoes simply slice according to thickness preference (1/2 to 1 in). Then whisk eggs and milk together and separately mix cornmeal, bread crumbs salt and pepper on another plate. Then set up stations where you place the tomatoes in flour, then the milk mixture and then the cornmeal mixture. The last steps are to heat vegetable oil in a large skillet (on medium heat) and place the tomatoes 4 or 5 at a time until browned and then repeat on the other side.

Then top with sliced buffalo mozzarella, basil leaves and a drizzle on balsamic reduction/glaze.

4 large green tomatoes

2 eggs

½ c milk

½ c cornmeal

½ c bread crumbs

1 qt vegetable oil

Buffalo Mozzarella (as desired)

Fresh Basil (as desired)

Balsamic Reduction/glaze (as desired)

2. Zucchini Lasagna (adapted from SkinnyTaste)

Instead of making rolls I just layered "no boil" lasagna noodles and treated this like a layered lasagna. And Barilla Sweet Peppers Pasta Sauce MADE this dish!!

3. Sheppard's Pie with a vegan twist! (from MinimalistBaker)
I dare my adamant meat eating friends to try this... who knew lentils were so filling!?

4. Tex Mex Ravioli Bake ( from Mix and Match Mama)
**For a vegan option use 16oz corkscrew pasta instead of ravioli ;) 

Happy dining and have a great Monday!

xo,

gg

Friday Favorites!

Another Edition of Friday Favorites!

Thanks so much Erika, Narci and Andrea for hosting such a fun topic!

This week has been tiresome because I finally have committed to exercising in the mornings and it's been an adjustment;) I have managed to squeeze in some fun this week too!

Here are my weekly faves!

1. My SWEET husband decided to pick me up the most delicious treat earlier this week. This was my first time trying out a local place called the,  "Mini Doughnut Factory" and HOLY COW they are even more delicious than the pictures would lead you to believe!!! You name a flavor you would love and they have it. And bonus, they offer gluten free doughnut options!

The two bite bacon mini doughnut called the "Sweet Pig" on the lower left hand corner was ah-mazing.


2. I recently discovered and tried "Silk's" dairy free yogurt. It was really tasty and a great alternative for breakfast.

3. I had to mention the sale everyone is talking about!!! If you are a card holder- get your early accessin' booty to the Nordstrom site ASAP! General access starts 7/22!!!

4. This adorable Gap romper! I was so excited to receive this puppy in the mail! And I love the color ;)

5. This past weekend I had such a fun time with a group of girlfriends catchin' up and havin' some drinks that I was inspired to finally take the plunge into organizing a supper club. Ladies who already do this with their girlfriends on a regular basis please share any tips on how you organize yours and keep it running:)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and please read back on Monday for my week's meal plan!

Thanks for reading!

xo

gg

Stranded Series!

Thanks for the fun Shay and Erika!

This Stranded Series asks:

What three famous people would you like to be stranded with on a deserted island?


1. For practical reason, I would have to include Bear Grylls on this list, right?!

I mean he could help build a shelter and knows what to eat, and more importantly, what not to eat! He also could potentially save your life with his impressive set of skills- major plus.


2. Oprah Winfrey

How can you not want Oprah on the island with you!? She is someone who I would love to learn from- about life, business, relationships, her inspirations...the list is endless. Plus, Oprah could probably hook you up with gettin' off that island;) 

3. Tina Fey (and sneak Amy Poehler on too)

I feel like we would need a lot of laughs on a stranded island and these ladies would deliver! Also, they are both such strong minded business woman who I could learn so much from! 

And seriously, how much fun would it be to participate in a chat between Oprah, Tina and Amy?!?

Thanks for reading! xx

gg