5 Ways to Have the Best Valentine's Day Ever

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Valentine's day is one of those holidays that can either be super corny and overrated or a fun way to celebrate those you love. I am in the "celebrating ones you love" camp. I think it can be totally fun, if you set yourself up for a great day. Here are my 5 tips for making this the best Valentine's Day ever.

1. Set Expectations.

Whether you are married or in a new relationship our spouses are not mind-readers. I know I am guilty of thinking Mark knows what I want or what I am expecting. In the past, we've had some miscommunications where I ended up being upset because things didn't turn out how I wanted. I am learning that if I want something to go a specific way, I need to clearly communicate those facts.
For example: If I want to do something on Valentine's day I need to say, "I really want to do (blank) on Valentine's day and I would like you to plan it." Also, saying something like "I got your Valentine gift already is a great way to a. remind them Valentine's day is coming and b. let them know that exchanging gifts is something you want to do. The days of thinking he will read my mind are long gone lol. :)

2. Plan an activity.

I'm a huge fan of doing activities instead of just giving gifts. If you've read my gift guide: for him  you will see that I suggested tickets to a concert or sporting event. I think these are the best gifts because you are doing something together. Valentine's day is no different for me. I'm not saying I wouldn't be happy with the Kate Spade wallet from my Valentine's day gift guide (because I would totally love it) but making an incredible memory will last a lot longer. Plus most men seem to have a bad taste in their mouth when it comes to this sappy holiday. Change their opinion of the day by planning something totally awesome!

3. Skip the dinner craziness.

Going out to eat on Valentine's day is always risky. You have to make reservations way in advance or risk waiting a lifetime to get a table. Also, most restaurants have prix fixe menus... those are annoying. Skip the dinner craziness and stay home. Make dinner together using the Newlywed cookbook (even if you've been married for years) or try a new recipe. Being in the kitchen together with a glass of wine can be super romantic. Mark and I made fondue one year with our friends Sara and Dave. It was low-key and fun... my perfect kind of night.

4. Have a day date.

Pick something you know your significant other loves to do and plan a day date around it. Mark loves to golf and I sorta like it. I'm good for about the first 11-13 holes and then I'm over it. It just takes so long and my back starts killing me. I know, I know... I'm a whiner. Anyways, since I know he loves golf so much I planned a whole day around it for some Valentine's fun. I won't put all the details on here just in case Mark is reading :) If a whole round of golf isn't your thing maybe just go hit balls or go to a shooting range with your guy... whatever he is into! Also, this doesn't have to take place on Valentine's day. Pick another day and start with breakfast at their favorite place and let the day unfold from there.

5. Stay in.

Going along with skipping the dinner craziness, just skip the craziness of the day altogether and stay in. Mark and I had a lazy day last Sunday and it was SO NICE to be in comfy clothes, watching movies, and eating comfort food. Every so often we make a "floor fort" which is basically tons of comfy blankets and pillows on the floor. We watch movies all day and just relax together. You could take this up a notch by buying various cheeses, salami, crackers, and fresh fruit. Eat them on a blanket by the fireplace and watch your favorite movie. After all, the day is just about being together... it doesn't matter if that's in your pjs or in fancy clothes :)

10 Last Minute Valentines Date Ideas

Valentine's Day isn't that big of a deal in our household because to be honest, Mark is never here to celebrate it. Since he's here this year I thought that I should make us a fancy four course dinner but then I thought, who am I kidding.... it's on a school night lol. So we decided to order in instead, that way we get to do something a little different but we don't have to brave a restaurant on the busiest night of the year. Also, I can wear my PJs and no one will judge me lol. So if you're like us, and don't want to fight the craziness of the crowds, then here are some ideas for you...

1. Dessert to go

If you want to have something a little special but don't want to eat dinner at a restaurant, order dessert to go! It's an easy way to change up your normal Valentine's Day but won't break the bank. Plus if you have kiddos, this is something special you can do with them as well and they will think it's "fancy" and fun! Check out the unique dessert spots in your area and see if they will let you order a few hours in advance.

2. Cook dinner together

Who doesn't love spending time in the kitchen with your spouse? I do! Mark and I used to cook together our first summer living together and it was awesome! We really need to start doing that again. Anyways, plan to tackle a new dish together and share the responsibilities of prep. Turn on some romantic music, crack open a bottle of wine, and enjoy some technology free time. If all else fails, make a pizza!

3. Breakfast date

Maybe night time is crazy for you so get up extra early and have a breakfast or coffee date. You don't have to leave your house, just set the alarm 30 minutes early, brew a fresh pot of coffee, and spend the morning chatting. I am hoping we can squeeze in some time in the morning too. :)

4. Floor Picnic

If making a whole meal is overwhelming and takes too much prep, then pick up some of your favorite cheese, crackers, meat, and a bottle of wine. Take out a big blanket, some fluffy pillows, and have a floor picnic in your living room. Make sure to turn off the TV and just spend your time together. That's what this is all about.... spending time TOGETHER :) You can even order a pizza and have a floor picnic too. It's just about getting out of your regular day-to-day activities and doing something just slightly different.

5. Plan a scavenger hunt

This is something that can be done on the cheap and set up in your own home. I love the ideas of doing this with kiddos too because everyone loves a fun game that will lead you to a present. If you are doing this for a significant other, you can leave clues throughout their day and end with a fun date night or just lead them to you. Pinterest has great ideas if you need a starting place and so does Dating Divas, if you check out their website. Plus you don't have to do this tomorrow, set it up for this weekend!

6. Fondue Night

Another awesome way to spend dinner is to make a big pot of fondue. It's such a fun way to eat and once again, out of your norm. We did this a few years ago... actually it was the only other time we spent Valentine's Day together in 8 years lol. Sara if you're reading this... remember that night at our house with you and Dave?? You can do a cheese course, meat course, and dessert... or just go for the cheese, because duh, it's the best.

7. Movie Night

This is pretty basic but sometimes you just need to stop all the busyness of your week, make a big bowl of popcorn, snuggle up on the couch, and watch a favorite movie. You can surprise your spouse by choosing their favorite movie or a movie that carries meaning for your relationship. This is one of our favorite things to do and it's just a nice way to tune out all the other interruptions, because let's be real, the work week can be so busy. You can even make a floor fort which is a FAVE in the Bradford house. :) Consider buying movie theater size candy and making other yummy snacks. Who needs dinner when you have buttery popcorn??

8. Beer or Wine Tasting

Trying out a new brewery or winery is something that Mark and I both love to do but why not setup your own tasting at home? Choose some different wines or beer, brown bag them so you hide the labels, and pour some tasters. You might find your new fave beverage!

9. Exchange Cards

One of my favorite things to do is to send out and receive cards. I LOVE getting handwritten cards because there is just more thought put into them. Maybe you don't want to exchange gifts with your spouse, then exchange handwritten cards over a glass of wine or even a cup of coffee in the morning. The gesture doesn't have to be grand, it's just important that you tell your spouse how much you care about them.... all the time, not just Valentine's Day haha.

10. Take a Sunset Walk

I am a HUGE fan of taking walks by the beach, especially at sunset. There's something so relaxing and beautiful about watching the sun go down over the water. If you don't have a waterfront near you, that's okay... just take a stroll around the neighborhood or even to some place new. Being outside in nature will help you feel more connected than just hanging at your house. Plus it's free! :)

Valentine's Day: gift guide for her

Valentine's day is right around the corner and I'm all for making sure I'm ready for the day. There's nothing worse than rushing to get a present the last minute! Valentine's day is also one of those holidays where the gifts totally varies depending on the person and situation. Some people don't celebrate the holiday while others put a ton of importance on it. I live somewhere in between those two. I've included a variety of gifts for a bestie, mom, sister, or significant other. Ladies, if you want something on this round-up just send a "subtle" email to your man! :) I do that with Mark all the time!  I've included a link to the items, just click the number :)

1- This tassel bracelet is adorable! I love the peachy-pink tassel with the neutral beads. I have several tassel bracelets and I love them all!

2- This Vince Camuto bag is such a versatile color. This could work for any time of the year! I also love the zipper detail and the fact that this is a cross-body. This is on my wish list for sure!

3- This Date Night book is such a sweet gift for any gal who likes to cook or someone who wants to cook with their spouse. I love when Mark and I cook together. It makes it so much more fun. This book has little stories to go along with the recipes which are super adorable!

4- Fit bits are everywhere right now! I know a ton of people who wear them and LOVE them. If you know an athletic girl who loves to track her steps, sleep, etc. than this is the gift for you. I also love this plum color!

5- PJs are such a fun gift! These are super cute while still being practical. I get super hot while I sleep so I can't wear the adorable fleece pjs that are everywhere right now. This romper is a great option for year round! I also love this nightshirt from Old Navy, even though the sleeves would suffocate me while I sleep lol.

6- I'm loving the look of Gwen Stefani's eye palette and now she has a blush palette! This is so cute and has great colors! This is also on my wish-list.

7-  I love the simplicity of this necklace and how it would go with everything. I could see this being a staple for me. Plus the price point is great for such a beautiful piece!

8- This little guy is the Macro Exfoliator and it is awesome! You use it once a week and it sucks 5 million dead skin cells out of your skin in less than 5 minutes. Crazy, right? If you're buying for someone who loves skincare or beauty items they will love this. Comment below or email me at: jmbradford0211@yahoo.com to find out more!

9- This little tassel bag charm is a great gift for a friend or even a family member. Who doesn't love tassels right? I'm obsessed!!

10- Kendra Scott has so many beautiful pieces that you really can't go wrong with any of them. I love this cuff though. My friend Stephanie has one and it's even more beautiful in person.

11- I LOVE this wallet. I think the taupe color is beautiful and will go well with lots of bags. Plus you can't go wrong with a Kate Spade item. It screams classic and chic.

Valentine's Date Night Outfit Inspiration

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Four  |  Five  |  Six  |  Seven

Valentine's day is tomorrow! Can you believe it? I feel like it snuck up on me this year and to be honest, Mark is never here on Valentine's day so we rarely celebrate it anyways lol. I still think it's fun to put together a new outfit and go out with girlfriends, which is exactly what I plan on doing. Plus since I'm a teacher, we always celebrate at school. Who doesn't love cute little character valentines from kids??

As far as clothes go, I love the traditional pinks and reds for Valentine's day but in a more edgy way. I'm definitely not a pink girly-girl :) Adding in ripped jeans, peep-toe booties, and a leather jacket takes this date night look up a notch.

The first outfit idea is this off the shoulder sweater dress from Tobi.com. I like that it shows a little bit of your shoulders but it doesn't look like everything is hanging out lol. The dress was a little short on me so I paired it with the skinny jeans or even leather leggings would be super cute too. It's also really cozy and can be pulled up on the top, so it doesn't expose the shoulders. These leather leggings would also look great with the dress.

The next option is something a little more casual. The light pink color of the long-sleeved top is girly, fun, and an easy go-to. The peep-toe booties and earrings would jazz it up but would still be appropriate for a less fancy night out. I have the gray version of this shirt and I LOVE how comfortable it is to wear. The asymmetric top also adds a bit of interest. This necklace would also look super cute, if you wanted to ditch the earrings.

The last option is this fun peplum top from Nordstrom. I love the ruffles on the sleeves and the  overall flattering style. I have this top in black and wore it on my birthday. It is super comfortable but can be easily dressed up with fun earrings or a necklace. It is also the perfect length with the leather jacket and hits at a very flattering spot. Win win :)

What are you wearing for your Valentine's date night??

Valentine's Day Outfit Inspiration

I am majorly crushing on this dress. I love the bright red color and the girly lace detail. This would be  great for Valentine's day or just any romantic date night. I love the under $50 price tag too! This navy dress is also a current fave. 

These simple black heels go with everything and I love the ankle strap. I have similar heels and they are so comfy. 

If you live in a cold climate this wool wrap coat would look adorable. This leather jacket would be perfect if you live somewhere warmer. I like the idea of the leather jacket adding a little edginess to this otherwise girly outfit. 

These hexagon earrings from the Loft are super simple but pretty. I also like this stacked cuff to add a little something to the dress. 

I LOVE this clutch. The zipper and fold over detail are so cute. I have a similar one and use it all the time. 

No matter what you have planned for Valentine's day a cute outfit always makes it that much better :) 

Confessions Round 2

I confess that I have fallen off the wagon when it comes to working out. I have been averaging 2x a week right now. That's sad. I'm just so exhausted when I get home that I talk myself out of it. UGH! I have gone the past two days to OTF and I plan on working out at the gym tonight. That would make it three times then Saturday morning would be four. I need someone to just make me go lol.

I confess that all I've wanted to cook is comfort food. This is so unlike me because normally I cook Paleo-ish meals. I blame my new Pioneer Woman cookbook. It's so good but also sooo rich. I've been cooking a ton but that doesn't mean it's always healthy cooking. I'll meal plan healthier things next week :)

I confess that rude servers really bother me. I worked in a restaurant for 4 years and I was never rude to a customer. We've had some terrible service lately and it's just so frustrating. Be nice people!!!

I confess that I'm back on flavored creamer in my coffee. Ugh, I was so good for so long and now I'm completely hooked again! Darnit :( Maybe I really do need to do Whole 30 next month.

I confess that I haven't wanted to go shopping at all. This is SOOOO unlike me but I just feel gross and don't want to buy clothes at a bigger size. I would rather lose the weight first, then shop lol. Hopefully that will help motivate me!! I've got the self-shame thing down :( which is also super sad!

I confess that I miss my family and I literally JUST saw them. What will I do if we ever move farther than one state away??

I confess that I am already planning my Valentine's day gift/ date for Mark. I know it's super early and V-day is really corny but I love it. We won't be fighting the other crazies for a spot at a restaurant that night because he is actually out of town. We will have a "make-up" Valentine's day later that week. Has anyone else started??

I confess that I always stop and look at the baby section of clothing stores. Baby clothes are soooo cute! I haven't bought anything yet, so that's a good sign that I haven't taken it too far lol. Nothing wrong with people who stock up on baby clothes, I just can't do it because it would make me sad :(

These confessions are kind of depressing :( Let's end it on a high note. I confess that I love meeting new blogger friends! It's fun to read the same blogs everyday and comment back and forth. It makes me feel like I'm actually getting to know them :)

Thanks for reading everyone! Have a great Thursday. I'll be back tomorrow with my Five on Friday post! :)

Five on Friday {Monthly Mash-up} February

Happy Friday everyone! This is going to be a crazy busy day so I'm mentally preparing myself with black iced coffee... yum lol. I actually don't mind black iced coffee but it's not as good as my vanilla lattes. Is this Whole30 over yet??? Anyways, I hope you have a great day!!

What I've Been Wearing

This month has been on the warmer side but I've still managed to wear my Columbia vest a ton. I LOVE this thing and I feel like it goes with everything. I've also been loving long-sleeve flowy tops. This one from Nordstrom is a current fave. Thanks for the awesome b-day gift Dina!! Since the weather has been so warm I've already started wearing sandals. I just got a new pair of Sam Edelman's and I love how they don't stretch out like other sandals do. They are perfect! 

What I've Been Eating

I've really ramped up my cooking in the past two months. I've tried a bunch of the Pioneer Woman's recipes and some of our faves have been the Pawhuska Cheesesteaks, Chicken Milanese, and grilled chicken. The recipe for the chicken marinade is SOOO delicious. Some of our other favorites from last month were Mississippi roast and crockpot buffalo chicken. I was even able to repurpose the chicken the next day and made enchiladas. YUM! I love when it works out that way. I started the Whole30 on Tuesday so my weekly menu will look a little different for the next month.

What I've Been Craving

Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. I don't know what my problem is but I have had such a sweet tooth. I can normally restrain myself but not this month. I blame my birthday and Valentine's day but I know I really need to get it under control. I'm hoping the Whole30 helps, even though it's no fun right now. :(

I'm also looking forward to Spring weather. I can't wait to wear tank tops, jeans, and sandals. I'm not ready for summer though. Summer= bathing suits and this girl isn't ready for that. Yesterday, I posted some things I've been eyeing from Old Navy that really puts me in the spring mood.

What I've Been Planning

My parents and my mother-in-law are coming in town over their spring break. Mark and I will be working for most of the week but we have a couple things planned. We are actually going to see Vince Gill which is a bucket list item for me. Can't wait!

We are also planning a trip to Vegas over Spring Break to see my brother-in-law play baseball. The Cubs and Mets are playing at the 51's stadium for Big League Weekend. I've seen him play in that stadium several times but it's even more exciting that it's with the Bigs this time. It should be a fun time!

What I've Been Reading

I've read some really great books in the last few weeks. One was the sequel to Me Before You by Jojo Moyes called After You. Oh man it was so stinking good. I love when I can't predict what will happen in the book and the Moyes sure threw a lot of curve balls in this one.

I also finished Secrets of a Charmed Life. Every time I type or say that name it makes me think of the song Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind and I can't help but belt it out lol. Does this ever happen to you? No.. just me, okay! :) I wrote a book over-review about it so check it out here.

When Life Doesn't Go As Planned

Raise your hand if you've ever had a plan but then something went haywire. Lol yes, me too! Mark and I joke that every time we planned a surprise or a date for each other, something would go wrong. I got Mark and myself tickets to Opening Day for the Padres one year. I bought the all-you-can-eat section and we came to the game starving. Sadly, when we got to our seats we realized that they were not all-you-can-eat, and $80 later we were full of hotdogs and nachos lol. The good news is that we had GREAT seats!

Another example, Mark planned a romantic getaway to Julian for my birthday/ Valentine's day. The hotel he booked was a cute little hole-in-the-wall hotel, or so we thought. He specifically picked this place because they included a wine tour. When we got to the room to check-in, we found out the wine tours ended the hour before... bummer. The real surprise was when we pulled around to the back to park by our room. The place was super run down and looked like the perfect place for a murder movie to be filmed lol. The water in our room was brown and Mark slept with his gun next to the bed. Also, we both got sick from dinner! Oh man lol. We ended up having a great time but we always laugh at our misadventures.

Well there are some things in life that go wrong and they aren't things that you look back and laugh at, or even think fondly of afterwards. They are heart-wrenching, gut-check type moments/ seasons of life. I feel like we are in one of those seasons right now. I spoke pretty openly about our infertility struggles in a post about a month ago. If you missed it click here to read it. I was shocked by the amount of people who reached out and are going through something similar or who just wanted to send some prayers and love our way. It's amazes me every time I find myself being vulnerable, that people will just surround us with love. It reminds me of how many kind, compassionate, and good people we have in our lives.

I cry just thinking about the sweet texts, emails, and calls I get on a weekly basis from people just checking in. A little note saying, "How's everything going? Any news?" makes my day. Thank you, thank you, thank you! On top of that, the prayer warriors that have come beside me, bless me in more ways than they could ever know.

So are our struggles over? Nope, we are smack dab in the middle of still trying to have a baby and figure out why my body isn't along for the ride. It's frustrating, hurtful, sad, beyond irritating, and can be all-consuming.

So what do we do in the mean time? Sometimes I want to curl up in my bed and cry... and sometimes that happens... whoops. What I really should be doing is focusing on the things I can control, like my attitude and my focus. I didn't come up with this idea on my own though. My friend Katie is an awesome writer and has a blog, A Kup of Katie. She's so stinking adorable and her blog is packed full of positivity and motivational content. You should definitely check it out!

Katie and I recently had a conversation where she reminded me that I can always control how I respond to my situation. We need to give ourselves time to process what is happening and how we are going to look at our circumstances. I can't change the fact that I am not pregnant but I can allow myself time with God to ask for His patience and strength. I can choose to focus on the things that make me happy, not as a distraction but as a way to feel true joy. I am the queen of distracting myself and that's not healthy either.

So I'm making a conscious effort to not let my situation define me and to choose joy despite how I am really feeling.  I'm choosing to thank God for the people He's brought into our lives, especially during this time. I'm choosing to be grateful for the many people who have come along side us and not shied away from this "uncomfortable" topic. I'm choosing to be a prayer warrior myself and pray boldly for those around us dealing with life circumstances that are not what they planned. I am challenging you to do the same. Reach out to someone who is going through a tough time... it doesn't matter if you haven't talked in years. You might just change the way they look at life!

Weekend Recap: Vegas Weekend

Good morning everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend and that you're off today, since it's President's day. We have the week off for "Ski Week" so I am so excited that I have a few more days of sleeping in. :) I had a super busy weekend because I drove home to Vegas to see my fam. My Grammie is in town from Michigan, so I'm excited that I get to spend some time for her. My drive was pretty awful though... 7.5 hours! YUCK.

On Saturday, my mom and her friend hosted a craft party with She's Crafty. Basically you choose different signs that you want to make and select the paint color and vinyl color. Then on the day of the party she gives you the size of wood that you ordered, your vinyl/ stencil, and all the supplies you need to paint and distress your wood (if you want to). It's a really cool idea because you can choose anything you want and it doesn't have to be a one-craft-fits-all situation. I made three signs and I think they turned out pretty adorable. :)

My new shirt from my sister- I'm obsessed! The bottom is even cuter!

After we were done crafting, my parents had a bunch of people over for a going-away party for Chase. He left for spring training (in FL) yesterday so we just wanted one last hurrah before he had to leave. It was fun to catch up with friends and family!

Ignore the white flaky stuff in this picture- I'm not sure what it is lol. 

It was a great time but we will miss Chasen! Good luck bugs!

On Sunday, we went to see How to Be Single and it was hilarious! I seriously love Rebel Wilson, so crude but funny lol. It had some sad moments though, which I didn't expect. I still think it's worth seeing. Later on, we went to dinner at Annie's. The food was delicious but it took almost 2 hours for it to come out. We expected it to take longer than normal but two hours is a little much. The owner was super nice though and came out and apologized. This is why I don't normally eat out on Valentine's day lol. It was a great night but I missed my hubby. Can't wait to celebrate with him when he gets home!

Three generations- me, my mom, and Grammie

My dad :)

I used my Macro Exfoliator for the first time on Sunday- WOW, my face felt baby smooth afterwards!

The weekend was so much fun! I'm excited to celebrate Katie's birthday tonight! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!!

This picture is an oldie but a goodie :) 

My Forever Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!! I am missing my valentine today but we are going to celebrate when he's back in town.

I am so incredibly grateful for my sweet husband. He goes above and beyond to make me feel loved every single day. He makes me laugh and not take life too seriously and let's be honest, we could all do with some laughter and fun! :) He pushes me to be the best version of myself and always believes that I can and will succeed. I still get butterflies when I see him and swear that I'm even more in love with him now than I was on our wedding day. He's the best :) Okay, gush session over!!

I hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating with your loved ones, whether that's with a significant other or girlfriends. :)

Five on Friday {A Bunch of Randoms}

HAPPY FRIDAY everyone! This has been a whirlwind of a week but it has also been really productive. :) I am excited for the weekend though! Let's jump in!

Knights of Heroes

Team GiVe supports Knights of Heroes from Helm Creative Studio on Vimeo.

One of the most exciting parts of my business is being able to partner with really awesome organizations, and to give back to our community. During January and February, we are raising money for Knights of Heroes. This is a camp for kids who have lost a parent due to military service. There is so much sacrifice for a military family already, and then to loss a parent, is just devastating. Last year, Team Give was able to build several cabins for the camp through our fundraiser. This year, we plan to raise $50,000 for the moms and daughters at the camp. 

I am donating $10 for each preferred customer order through February and $50 for anyone who joins me in business. I'm so excited to be part of this and encourage you to help in anyway you can. Please watch the video above to learn a little more about what we are doing. I pretty much cried the whole way through! :)

Best Dry Shampoo

buy it here

I have been trying out several dry shampoos but now I am going back to an old favorite. The Batiste Dry Shampoo is just the best. It doesn't make your hair feel dirty or sticky and the smell is awesome. I have been using the tropical one and I'm in love!!

Planner Sticker Heaven

I'm back to ordering more planner stickers. Those of you who aren't obsessed with planners, will find this incredibly boring lol. Anyways, I've found a couple of shops that I really LOVE. One is Virgo Paper- this shop has super cute stickers that actually fit the horizontal layout for Erin Condren planners. They are also pretty reasonably priced. I ordered this Love Note sticker set for Valentine's day. SO CUTE! I also ordered from Hello Petite Paper. These stickers are so beautiful! I purchased the February monthly kit and the Celebrate set since my birthday is coming up. Using these stickers is like doing a mini-scrapbook. I LOVE it. :) 

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

buy it here

I have been listening to a new audiobook, Into the Darkest Corner, and I'm obsessed. It's super suspenseful and keeps me wanting to listen all the time. The story goes back and forth between past and present, so you know what's coming but you don't know exactly how it all happens. I'm only halfway through and I wish I had it in print version so I could easily plow through the pages lol. Listening takes soooo much longer! I highly recommend this book though!

Portable Charger

buy it here

My phone pretty much dies by noon everyday unless I put it on low power mode. UGH! I think it's time for a new phone but in the mean time I decided to buy a portable charger. Its not the cutest option out there but it was really inexpensive and people seem to like it. So far, it's been working great. :) This is a must if you're going to be out of the house all day. Mark is taking me on a secret trip for my birthday, so maybe it will come in handy there as well! 

Well that's it for my Five on Friday! I hope you have a great day!

Confessions

I'm linking up with Jessica at the Newly blog for Confessional Thursday. Head over to her blog to read more confessions!

1. My name is Jessica and I have a foundation addiction. I'm on a quest to find the perfect one! I'm super interested in the new Nars Matte Foundation even though I don't need it lol. Has anyone tried it? Also, Tarte just came out with a new gel formulation. You can buy it online at Ulta, but not in stores yet.

2. Rude people REALLY irritate me. I don't know what it is but lately I've encountered so many rude people. I'll be walking through a doorway and someone will cut me off or I'll let someone go before me at a 4-way stop and they just look straight ahead. How hard is it to give a little wave or a nod?? That drives me nuts.

3. My sweet tooth is in over-drive lately. The more I try and avoid sweets, the more I find myself eating them. It's terrible! I blame Valentine's day and my birthday, but really I have no self-control. Ugh, I've got to get a handle on this.

4. I'm back on my obsession with Nantucket. I just love the idea of Nantucket so much! I've never been there but it just seems like a magical place. I'm almost done reading Nantucket Sisters by Nancy Thayer and it has me secretly wishing for summer to get here ASAP. Wasn't I just complaining about the heat lol??

5. This new palette is calling my name. I LOVE all Too Faced eyeshadow palettes and I can't resist the colors in this one. Plus the name is adorable!

6. Yet again, I ordered some new Erin Condren planner stickers from the Glam Panner. She has the cutest sets but man oh man they are pricey.

7. You know when people go on rants on Facebook about how other people have annoyed them?? I always think they are talking about me even though I haven't talked to them in forever lol. Am I the only one??

8. I keep an on-going list of baby names in my notes app on my phone. I add names that Mark and I both like and its constantly growing/ changing. It doesn't hurt to be prepared right?? :)

Have a great day everyone and YAY for it almost being Friday!!

Weekend Recap: Cinema Under the Stars

Happy Monday everyone! I can't believe the weekend is over already. It went by so quickly! It was a great weekend with just the right balance of fun stuff but also relaxing and low-key. The weekend started off with dinner at a new sushi place. We went with Kayla and Greg and had a great time. Fridays= dinner out (in my world lol).

On Saturday, we worked out in the morning and ran errands.  I also stopped at a local bookstore in Coronado for a little bit and scoped out some books.

I bought this one!

Then we met Kayla and Greg for lunch at McP's. Yummy burgers!

I made reservations for Cinema Under the Stars earlier in the week. It's an open-roof theater in Mission Hills. We've been trying to go forever but it's always sold out by the time we remember to look for tickets. This week they were showing Burnt. I had heard some many good things about it but I have to be honest I didn't love it. :( We still had a good time though!

Kayla and Greg

Cinema Under the Stars

On Sunday, we had a super lazy day. We made a big breakfast and watched Spy Games.

I made Rice Krispy treats with sprinkles for an early Valentine's day treat for Mark since he is leaving on Tuesday for a couple weeks. I also finished the wreath I started on Saturday and I love the way it turned out. I'm posting a tutorial this week :)

Later on, Dina and Mar came over to watch Grease Live. Did anyone else watch?? I LOVED it! Grease is one of my favorite movies so this was super exciting for me. We made pizza and brownies and Dina brought over a yummy salad. Perfect end to the weekend! :)

I hope you all had a great weekend!