Category Archives: Links

Best Week Ever + Good Reads

I might be having the Best Week Ever, you all. Our life is pretty much routine these days, and it’s not that often that every day has something exciting going on. Of course I’d try to find things to be grateful for every day, but this week just had an abundance of crazy good things!

Monday: My cousin Jen had a baby! A beautiful baby boy named Luke. There is something so magical about a new baby. If you want to sneak a peek at his chubby, baby cuteness check him out here.

Tuesday: On Tuesday night, WE BOUGHT A NEW CAR.  Oh man, was it a long time coming! And my Nissan Murano was really giving up the ghost and it was getting stressful. The most fun part about it was when we finished all the paperwork and came out they had put a big bow on it and filled it with water and snacks. I felt like I was in a car commercial. As a mom, I make sure my kids are safe so I plan to get car insurance at BestCarInsuranceWSA.COM. It was kind of a fun little weeknight deviation.

Looking for a car insurance calculator? How do you ensure that the offers you receive match reality as closely as possible? Visit this website for a couple of tips for you who are interested in calculating the price of the insurance, so that you do not pay more than necessary.

Not to mention a great drive to work the next day. Hopefully, after reading this article about the risks you take when you use a public parking lot, I’ll be more attentive when I use it this weekend. After driving a 10+ year old car, let’s just say the technology change for me is a real learning curve. If you sustained injuries in a car accident, hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you means you will have a professional working for you, go to this website to find one.

car

Wednesday: Because we were at the car dealership until LAAAAAAAAAAAATE the night before, I was Tired AF on Wednesday. But we made a (new to us) Instant Pot Recipe and not only was it super quick and easy, but it was an 11 out of 10. I love when kitchen experiments work out like that. Here’s the recipe if you want to try it.

IP Recipe

Thursday: My house cleaners came, and seriously I felt like a Praise Emoji walking around my house afterward. They usually come every two weeks, but it had been almost a month due to some schedule conflicts, and I had hosted Christmas, so my house was at DUMPSTER FIRE LEVELS of dirtiness. Coming home yesterday felt so good, and made me excited to enjoy my clean house this weekend. (Man, I guess this is Adulting. haha)

Friday: I mean…it’s Friday! What could be better?

And just for fun, here are some fun things I have read this week in case you feel like perusing the internet while enjoying your weekend:

Have a great weekend, folks!

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All The Articulate Ladies!

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This has been a week of good reads on the internet for me, and it’s only Tuesday. Sweet! Don’t you love when that happens? I thought I’d share some of the things that were speaking to me.

The first was an article by Jennifer Weiner on The Pressure to Look Good.

This is one of those coincidental articles where days before I had trying to articulate my thoughts on this exact issue when talking to Garrett but couldn’t find the right examples. It all started when I was getting ready to go Scottsdale with my cousin for her Bachelorette party. The entire week leading up to it I told him he was on his own for cooking dinner.

One night I was heading to the nail salon because I was needing rhinestone glue for nails to do my manicure and a pedicure. The next night I was returning the bathing suit cover up I had purchased because I had found one that was more flattering and squeezing in a quick brow wax. The night before I left I was having a lovely stranger come over while I stripped naked in my living room to give me a spray tan. (That one really freaking him out LOL) And he just kept saying “Dude, this relaxing ladies vacation sure seems like it’s a lot of freaking work!”

Then there was Spanx-gate. For reasons too long and humorous to explain, Garrett has only recently realized how prevalent Spanx are among all women and bless his heart he just can not comprehend why anyone would try and squeeze ten pounds of sausage into a two pound casing. (My words, not his.)

“Because foundation garments are game changers” I told him, “Duh.” But he still couldn’t wrap his mind around why someone would do something so uncomfortable.

Then one night we’re sitting on the couch watching Real Housewives of Orange County together (as you do) and there’s this scene where Shannon is in the bathroom discussing how she is wearing 8 pairs of Spanx so it’s going to take her a minute. Garrett again just can’t believe it and he basically says something to the effect of, “Wait a minute — she is only two pounds of sausage to begin with? Why would she be wearing 8 types of Spanx?” So I tried to explain why I understand that she would take all precautions, being on a reality show and all of that. And yet, he was still confused.

This article did a great job of articulating what I had been reaching for.

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Second was Rashida Jones and her Guide to Happiness at Work

The entire article was funny and true and I could relate on may levels. But the nugget that spoke to me the most was this “Happiness is not the endgame.”

Sometimes someone will say something to me and the perspective it gives just zaps me light a bolt of lightning and this was one of those things. (The last one I can remember was when someone said to me “Balance is a moving target.” I can’t remember who that was, but man — I LOVE THAT.)

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Last was my pal Melissa Joulwan who recently linked to a 2009 post she had written that sung to me like a personal anthem. It was all about the power struggle that sometimes happens between being fun vs. being happy.

This gets back to that brilliance about balance being a moving target, but after weeks of fun! things! on our calendar — I have never been so damn happy to eat grilled chicken and vegetables and to be working out twice a day.

You can call me crazy, but I just call me BLISSFULLY BLISSFULLY happy. Mel articulated exactly how I’ve been feel about this delicious phase that I am in right now.

“…this state of being is not forever. It’s just for a while, so I can re-charge my batteries and emerge feeling strong and happy.

You like me more that way, don’t you? I know I sure like me more that way.”

A hearty YES to that, my friends! A hearty, hearty yes!

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Have you come across any super good reads on the internet this week? Please share!

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Fun Things To Read On A Friday

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Happy Friday, you all! WE MADE IT!

I really really need a weekend. Yesterday I was working from home and decided to take advantage of that “flexibility” and run up to the grocery store at 10:30 am (right before a conference call) and grab a red bell pepper for lunch because we only had green ones on hand. (I was allowing myself a diva moment since we are Whole 30’ing.)

When I got back in my car it was COMPLETELY DEAD in the parking lot and I only had 20 minutes until my conference call. Thank god I only live about a mile from the store so I could run home (in flip flops, awesome!) to get to it…AND THEN HEAD BACK TO THE STORE TO DEAL WITH CAR DRAMA. Needless to say my day went down much differently than I thought it would and today I am playing catch up.

Weekend: I NEED YOU!

Guess what I’m doing tomorrow? Going wedding dress shopping. That should be…an event. I have no expectations and I’m sort of anxiously looking forward to it. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Now, onto some things that piqued my interest this week on the internet:

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*I am very intrigued by this salad dressing. Think it may have to show up on the meal plan this week.

*Ebola > Small Talk? Hmmm…I kind of agree.

*A relatively easy way to organize your Instagram photos if you are feeling like they need some tidying.

*It’s better than heroin.

*Great sports bra suggestions for how to tame big tatas.

*I continue to love reading people’s takes on the changing of the blogosphere.

*Remaking yourself every ten years? Now that I think about it, that sounds about right.

*I didn’t get around to posting a What I Ate Wednesday this week but my friend Sarah did and there are some intriguing looking recipes there. Check it out!

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Hope all of you have great weekends too!

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Tuesday Bullets

Came home to an epic laundry fail.

*I was living on the edge yesterday with the amount of laundry I hung to dry on my guest bathroom shower curtain rod. Clearly I miscalculated. What a mess!

*I had to take a test for this nutritionist that I’m seeing that required me to consume only 24 oz of water in a day. EEP! Yesterday was that day and seriously, it was torture. I got up this morning and was like “I WILL DRINK ALL THE WATER I WANT JUST BECAUSE I CAN” and man, I’ve never felt so excited.

*Speaking of the nutritionist, we are embarking on a little experiment together (HOLD ME) — I’m quitting coffee again. When I type that sentence my brain just sees ALL OF THE SWEAR WORDS IN BIG BOLD LETTERS. So. Any decaf teas you want to tell me about? Because I have to replace my morning ritual with something or this will never work.

*My closet is annoying me. I’m not going to say I’m in a full on clothing funk, but my clothes are boring me and even pinterest isn’t seeming that inspiring. Maybe it’s the changing seasons but getting dressed is just feeling like a drag lately. Perhaps I just need to go out and shop for a whole new wardrobe. 😉

*With the three day weekend coming up Garrett + I really want to see a movie. I know, wild times! But remember, on weeknights we get really crazy and do things like juice and listen to music. Anyway, what have you seen in the theater lately that you just loved, anything? Any disappointments we need to stay away from?

*While not in a clothing funk I *am* in a reading funk. I can’t even tell you the last book I finished, how sad is that? Goodreads tells me it was Brandi Glanville’s book Drinking and Dating and that was all the way back in April. Man, that is EMBARRASSING!

*I did read some great advice about reading funks recently though: If you’re not reading at the moment, you’re just not reading the right stuff. I think this is so true. I think maybe I need to put down the literary fiction and either read something scary, angsty, or hot pink. Recommendations welcomed.

*What’s new with you this Tuesday?

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Fun Things to Read On A Friday

Dang, somebody put this inspirational date night on Pinterest! #seniorcitizens
Was your week as wild as ours?

HEY-O, it’s been a while since I shared some fun links around here, but it’s Friday so why the heck not? It’s just a few, but they all made me laugh, nod or salivate. That’s the Holy Internet Trinity, I think.

This weekend we are taking a day trip, cooking up a storm, and definitely relaxing, but who am I kidding, we are still breaking in our new juicer so we will probably play around with that some too. Any fun juice recipes to share? HOOK ME UP. I’ve also been into Orangina juices these days. 

Hope you all have a fun and restorative weekend, friends. Let’s do this again next week! 🙂

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*This post of 5 Favorite Food Bloggers is full of links to gorgeous food inspiration.

*This weekend I’m planning on making these Ranch Carnitas, this Peach Frozen Yogurt, and perhaps this Slow Cooker Thai Beef Stew just to have some food ready for the week.

*The Muppets doing Beastie Boys? This made me chuckle.

*All of these outfits made me ready for fall! COME HERE, LEGGINGS!

*I loved this idea that content creators/creative folks should not be aiming to “inspire” — let’s all just write what we want!

*I know the word life changing is often overused, but when it comes to books they really can be. Here’s an inspired reading list. (Related: 8 Books That Helped Me Take Charge of My Own Health)

*How To Do 10 Things Slightly Better — WIN!

*A Haircut Menu — where has this been all my life?!?

*6 Ways to Win at Whole Foods. HA!

*After reading this book this year I’ve taken to swapping out the word “but” and swapping in the word “and.” It has been kind of a game changer for me and I loved this post that expands further on the power of that idea.

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Fun Things To Read On A Friday

engaged

Happy Friday!

We made it! Garrett and I are still living out of suitcases and climbing over piles of laundry after our weekend away, but this coming three day weekend should go a long way to getting us caught up. I’m going to work on some cleaning projects (my closet, yikes!) some cooking projects (Hooray for new recipes! I’ll share the good ones) and I definitely plan to write a couple of blog posts including telling the story of our engagement because honestly, you guys, it is so awesome and hilarious and US! I just couldn’t be happier than I’ve been this week.

In the meantime, since I’ve been working and climbing over laundry, I’ve been doing more internet reading than I have writing. So will you indulge me while I share some links? Here we go:

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*Well this is just about the sweetest/saddest story ever.

*Superficial Alert! 5 Fuschia Pink Polishes to Try For Summer. Twist my arm!

*Pro-crastination vs. Pre-crastination: What an interesting concept, right?

*Reading about the difference between how men and women view work/life balance kind of made me feel ragey.

*Continuing on the ragey train: this roundup on Monica Lewinsky.

*I made this with dinner three times this week. YUM.

*Do you block schedule? Is it helpful? Tell me more, please…

*Beth is offering up some awesome menu planning inspiration lately. I want to eat everything in this post.

*A round up of Paleo Summer Salads — this is perfection!

*Here’s a great bookmarker: 100 Fantastic Pieces of Journalism. Reading material until the end of time.

*The Daily Routines of Famous Writers was fascinating!

*Busty gals, this post is for you.

*Tangentially related: It’s not you, it’s the clothes.

*This seems like a delicious and quick lunch recipe.

*I know I’ve said this before, but weightlifting completely changed the way I viewed my body. Love this post on the benefit of barbell sports.

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Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! See ya next week!

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Fun Things To Read On A Friday

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Well would you look at that! It’s Friday. 1/7th of your life is a Friday — so hey, that’s pretty rad.

Any exciting weekend plans? I have a lot of errands to run this weekend so I anticipate being really productive but also getting out into the sun as much as possible. It’s going to be in the 80s this weekend (SORRY/NOT SORRY) and something about that just makes me feel much more excited about being out and about and getting things done. Also, there will be eating dinner outside FOR SURE.

I’m heading to the gym tonight to do workout 14.3 (let’s just get this over with! LOL Did any of you do it already? TELL ME YOUR SECRETS) and then tomorrow we’ll be cheering on our friends doing it as well (feeling much more relaxed I’m sure.) And beyond that, not too much planned besides taking Buster to the park and just laying low.

But enough about all that chatter, how about some links?

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*Interesting perspective for the Fitbit Obsessed.

*If you are reading this post and thinking, “This doesn’t apply to me — I never lie,” you are probably lying to yourself:  The Surprising Cost of Telling Small Lies

*Recipes I’d RULLY like to make: Grain Free Orange Scones, Spicy Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic Aioli, Cinnamon French Toast Panna Cotta,

*Good advice on loving the body you have.

*This is seriously the best book list I’ve ever read.

*A fun roundup of necessary CrossFit gear — I definitely second most of these. (And that double under thing looks pretty interesting if you are still trying to master them.)

*Stuffocation? Hmmm…that’s an interesting concept.

*No truer words have ever been spoken: “Never live anywhere without a bathtub. That would be like losing god’s phone number.”

*Need a week of meal ideas? Well here you go!

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Hope you enjoy your weekend, wherever it takes you!

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Fun Things To Read On A Friday

Buster - putting boudoir photos on the Internet is creepy, dude.
Buster is making bedroom eyes at you during his boudoir photo shoot because it is Valentine’s Day.

Well hello, friends and Happy Friday!

It’s been a nice, calm week around here and I’m right to wrap it right up with a love filled little holiday. I am a valentine lover! I’m not into cheesy romance AT ALL, but hot damn if I don’t love a holiday that is all about spreading the love. I’m ridiculously happy and obnoxious today and SORRY I AM NOT SORRY.

*I love to see what other people’s grocery hauls look like. Maybe I will do one of my own sometime soon.

*A happy life vs. an interesting life — it’s a fascinating distinction.

*You guys, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post about calories. I know, I’m obsessed with hating on calorie counting but seriously, it MAKES SO MUCH SENSE. The relationship between calorie counting and obesity needs a serious PR overhaul.

*Random website alert: Have you ever wondered how many times a particular blog post has been pinned? Find out here. Kinda cool, right?

*I am in love with Beth’s new office. It’s making me want to finally put all of my pinboards to good use and redecorate mine!

*I know this was all over the internet this week, but if you did not see this post called Let’s Keep It Real About Our Bodies then you MUST read it.

*This piece on creative deadlines really rang true to me!

*Doesn’t this salad sound delightful?

*I love long Vanity Fair stories about Hollywood.

*It’s February. How are we doing on our New Year’s Resolutions? Before you abandon them, read this.

*I read this shocking statistic this morning and it reminded me of my friend Tamara’s awesome fist bumping post from earlier this week.

*Dog lovers, get out the tissue because you’re going to need it. (In a good way!)

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I hope you have a love-ly day (SEE WHAT I DID THERE? HUH? DID YA?) and a fantastic weekend overall!

xo, friends!

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Fun Things To Read On A Friday

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Yo!

It’s Friday!

Is it just me or has this been a whacky week? Not busy, just kind of — I don’t know, weird? I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’ll figure it out this weekend — WHILE I’M RELAXING DOING NOTHING. I mentioned yesterday that it’s supposed to rain all weekend and I’m going to do my best to be a complete homebody. Nothing like reading with a hot cup of coffee and watching the rain fall. I CAN’T WAIT!

If you need some reading material this weekend, check out these links:

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*This week was a great week of exposes on the internet. First there was a contestant from The Bachelor exposing the show’s weird sex issues over on Slate. JUICY! (And so true)

*Then there was a crazy three part series (Part One // Part Two // Part Three) with an ex Biggest Loser Contestant detailing what the show was really like. Honestly, I didn’t think The Biggest Loser was a show that promoted “health” but I still found the interview and information shocking.

*Ooooooooon a lighter note: Grace Bonney of Design Sponge posted about 10 Instagram Accounts to Follow this week and they were all fun to look at!

*I have Winter Olympics Fever — this may be the only cure. Drink that while watching this and you’ll be all caught up and ready for Opening Ceremonies!

*Good Kitchen Inspiration here: 23 Salads to Get You Through Winter

*I am obsessed with Every. Single. One. of these awesome leopard outfits!

*List nerds, check it: The Surprising History of the To Do List

*Mom, I feel like you will love this – 25 Life Hacks You Didn’t Know You Needed

*This is absolutely always on my mind.

*This side by side is amazing and hilarious.

*Did you need a daily dose of cute? I’ve got you covered. (Now I want a pig and a polar bear. Maybe not at the same time.)

*Oooooh, I could have written this. (But I didn’t. WOMP WOMP.) Totally good read though!

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What’s on your agenda, folks? Have a good weekend!

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Fun Things To Read On A Friday

Stop working! It's the weekend! #INYOFACE

Buster would like to remind you all that it is Friday, and that NO ONE should be working on Friday. 🙂

How are you all this week? Over here things were pretty mellow until yesterday when I ended up at the vet with Buster. I think that dog gets antsy if he doesn’t see the vet once a month. He must like the treats there or something, because MAN — THE FREQUENCY! He’s on the mend we think, so nothing to worry about, but that sure threw a wrench in my Thursday.

Anyway, what are you up to this weekend? Are you watching the Super Bowl? I don’t know if I can bring myself to watch it — the 49ers loss still feels SO RAW. 🙂 We’ll see. Beyond that I’m thinking some workouts, some cooking, some reading — you know, the stuff weekends should ALWAYS be made of!

In the meantime, let’s get to the links, shall we?

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*The LA Times ran a nice feature on Sacramento as a vacation destination this week and I was like “HEY! That’s my town!” Also, one of my most favorite Mexican restaurants!

*Do you all know about glutamine’s super powers? This explanation is so clear and concise. I can totally vouch for the part about sugar cravings.

*This week PaleOMG did a round up of 48 Paleo Super Bowl Snacks. They look pretty delicious! And speaking of delicious, this week I made her Overnight Coffee Chia Breakfast Pudding (with Chameleon Cold Brew, SCHWING!) and it was a totally fun morning treat.

*OHMYGOD Did I just say Schwing? I think I did.

*Did you read this Yahoo! article on the Best/Worst health trends of 2013? It ruffled a lot of feathers because it included Whole 30 on the worst list. Since I love the Whole 30 I just rolled my eyes at it, but this eloquent rebuttal was definitely worth a read. I especially loved this:

We have got to stop equating weight loss to health because they may be connected, but they are not one and the same.

*100% validation for my unapologetic crush on Pitbull.

*Speaking of unapologetic love: 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Chipotle. It’s like a rabbit hole of awesome!

*I’m intrigued by the topics of this book. What are you reading right now, by the way. My library queue is low.

*This article about two twins, one who gave up sugar and one who gave up fat was awesome!

*Last weekend I used this recipe to make Garrett some cioppino and he said he had died and gone to heaven. Ringing endorsement, I’d say!

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Hope whatever is on your weekend agenda is awesome!!!

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