Five on Friday: Puppies, Greek Yogurt Bars, and more...

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a great week. Mine just flew by and that's okay with me! I'm excited for the weekend but unsure about how I feel about the high 70, almost 80 degree weather on the forecast. Isn't it winter?? Anyways, I have a couple of fun things planned this weekend but I'm also ready to relax and dig into some books. How nerdy do I sound haha??

One- My pups :) 

Oli

Oli and Bentley- ignore the junk in the background lol

How cute are they??? They were looking up at Mark hoping he would give them a treat for sitting so still. :)

Two- The People vs. O.J.

Who else started watching American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J Simpson this week?? I was so excited for it to start and I've loved it so far. What did you guys think? The cast is great and I can't wait for next week!

Three- Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars

I recently bought the Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars and I am OBSESSED! They are so light and creamy and the sea salt caramel variety are delicious! They don't taste like diet food, which I really appreciate lol. I have such a sweet tooth so I love when I can indulge a little without adding a million calories to my day. That being said I could probably eat all four in one sitting lol.

Four- New Eye Cream

I starting using the Rodan + Fields Multifunction Eye Cream several weeks ago and I'm LOVING it. In the past, I really struggled with finding an eye cream that actually did what it claimed to do. I needed something that hydrated my under-eye area, de-puffed my eyes, and also worked to combat the fine lines and circles. I think I've finally found it! This little guy works wonders overnight and I recently just started using it in the morning as well. I took a picture of my eye-area when I first started using it so I am excited to take another one in a month or so to compare the differences. If I'm brave enough I'll post the before and afters on here one day :) If you have any questions about the eye cream or any of the R+F products email me and I would love to chat with you about them.

Five- Things I'm Lusting After

Striped Tee  |  Hat
Fringe Shirt  |  Primer

I haven't been clothes shopping in forever! When I say forever I mean about a month lol. That's forever in shopping terms, for me. I've been eyeing several things online though and this striped long-sleeve tee is one of them. I love how comfy and cozy it looks and the side slits are super flattering! I need to just go into Nordstrom and try it on.

The fringe shirt has also been on my list for several weeks now. My friend Emily got it and it looks adorable on her. I worry about it being too boxy on me though. Who am I kidding? I love boxy and over-sized clothing lol.

I saw this hat from H&M on Caitlin' from Southern Curls & Pearls Instagram and fell in love. I love these floppy hats! Also, I've been eyeing this new primer from Benefit. I wasn't a huge fan of the professional because I felt like it made me oily. Maybe this new mattifying one will be better? Has anyone tried it yet??

Have a great day everyone!!

5 Ways to Have the Best Valentine's Day Ever

image via

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 :)

Simple Valentine Wreath

I love making wreaths for our front door. It's an easy way to add something festive to our rather drab front walkway. We still had our pine wreath on our doorway as of this weekend, so I knew it was about time that I made something new. I was looking around Pinterest for some cute Valentine ideas and I decided to try a yarn-wrapped wreath. I always use burlap with a wire wreath base, so I was excited to try something new. I intended for the wreath to be much more valentine-esque but it ended up looking more like a spring wreath. Oh well, at least I'll be able to use it longer than just this month.

1. Collect your crafting items:
- hot glue gun
- small straw wreath
- wide ribbon
- flower embellishments (I cut the flowers from leftover ribbon I had on hand)
- yarn
- scissors

2. Start wrapping your wreath with the yarn. Keep the plastic on, it makes it a lot easier. I tried a bunch of techniques to make the wrapping go faster but I finally figured out it was going to take awhile no matter what lol. I recommend listening to a podcast or audiobook to pass the time :)

3. Wrap some of the wide burlap ribbon around the side of the wreath, overlapping the pieces. Hot glue them in place.

4. Place the flowers on the ribbon until you get the desired position. A variety of felt flowers would look super cute!

5. Add ribbon to the top so the wreath is able to hang.

On My Reading List

via

I am currently reading my 4th book of the year and I'm off to a great start to meet my 50 book goal. Woohoo! If you want to see what I read last year click here. I thought I would round-up some books that are on my reading list for anyone looking for some fresh ideas. I always seem to have a stock-pile of books that I want to read. Too many books and not enough time lol. #firstworldproblems

The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst

Buy it here.

Do you often feel like you are pulled a million directions or that you don't know how to prioritize the things in your life? I do. Terkhuerst talks about learning to make wise decisions in the midst of being overwhelmed by the world around us.  

I started this book about a week ago and I really like it so far. Terkeurst is an wonderful author so I knew that I would love this book. I'm excited about learning how to manage my time to make God-honoring decisions. 

After You by Jojo Moyes

Buy it here.

This is the sequel to Me Before You and if you haven't read the first book click here to see what it's all about. It was one of my favorite books from 2014.  **Now, stop reading this part if you haven't read the first one lol**

It picks up after Will has died and Louisa has to piece together her life. The summary of the book also hints at a possible love interest, Sam, which makes me so excited! I'm interested to see how Louisa has grown and changed from those emotional and heartbreaking months with Will. 

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Buy it here.

I am so excited to read this book! It's been on my reading list since it came out so I was pleasantly surprised when my friend Sarah gave it to me. The book takes place many years after To Kill a Mockingbird left off. I haven't started reading it so I thought I would share the Amazon summary: 

Maycomb, Alabama. Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch—"Scout"—returns home from New York City to visit her aging father, Atticus. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights tensions and political turmoil that were transforming the South, Jean Louise's homecoming turns bittersweet when she learns disturbing truths about her close-knit family, the town, and the people dearest to her. Memories from her childhood flood back, and her values and assumptions are thrown into doubt. Featuring many of the iconic characters from To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman perfectly captures a young woman, and a world, in painful yet necessary transition out of the illusions of the past—a journey that can only be guided by one's own conscience.

The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes

Buy it here.

This book is set right after World War II and follows the stories of women who are on a ship from Australia heading to meet the men they were promised to marry. It seems that the lives of the women will be intertwined with the other men on the ship which could cause emotional and physical upheaval.

I was immediately drawn to this book because of the time period. I have an infatuation with historical fiction especially around World War II. I've also never heard of these war brides and I was amazed to learn that this really happened. The characters in the story are fictional but the premise is based on events that actually took place. I am currently 15 pages into this book, even though I should really finish one of the others books first!

Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian

Buy it here.

I've had this book for several years now but I haven't actually finished it. I like the book but I have so many devotionals that it can become overwhelming. I am apart of an online Book Club and this is what they chose for the month. I guess there's no better time to finish it than now! The book has great advice on how to create a meaningful and deeper relationship with your husband through prayer.

The Devil in White City by Erik Larson

Buy it here.

I am SO excited to read this book although I will most likely definitely have nightmares. It's a true story about the events surrounding the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. The book alternates between the architect who designed the World Fair and also a man masquerading as a doctor, who is actually a serial killer. It sounds like just the right amount of history and crazy to keep me interested! 

What is on your current reading list? I would love to hear!

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!