Friday Favorites

Hellllllo and Happy Friday!! Long time no blog! I hope everyone's 2021 is off to a decent start. I must've really let myself relax over my winter break because I struggled to find my motivation these past two weeks! I've been letting myself ease back into reality hence not posting for a bit. But have no fear, I am back and ready to blog all year long! To start this year off right, I'm sharing some things I've been loving lately in today's Friday Favorites post.

Not the best/most flattering photo, but her One-Pot Cheesy Chili Mac was a favorite last week for dinner! It's now going to be part of our usual dinner rotation.

Emily Bites Blog
If you're looking for some delicious new recipes that are also on the lighter side, check out the Emily Bites blog. I've been a fan of her recipes for awhile now without even realizing it! John and I made a goal to make 24 new recipes in 2020 (which we crushed!) and a few of the recipes we used were from her. We have a similar goal for 2021. I'm hoping to make even more of her recipes this year! They are total comfort meals without being too high in calories.

21 for 2021 List
If you're like me, then New Year's resolutions might not be for you. Every year I pick a handful of resolutions that I usually forget about by February. For the past couple years I've also been making a list of things to do in that year that corresponds with the year and that has proven to be the most successful for me! This idea came from one of my favorite authors, Gretchen Rubin. Instead of resolutions, I pick concrete tasks I'd like to accomplish that year. I like this idea because I absolutely love the idea of crossing things off a list which is possible with a 21 for 2021 list. Some examples on my list are "get a new passport," "update resume," and "re-do our filing cabinet." So nothing too exciting but makes me feel like I accomplished tasks that I've been putting off. If you'd like a printable of a blank list, click the link above which will bring you to Gretchen's blog post about this.

Little Fires Everywhere was the first book I read on my Kindle! I give it 5 stars because it was a great story and had me thinking the whole time but I was a little disappointed with the ending.

Kindle Paperwhite
One of my Christmas presents from John's parents was a Kindle. I own the original Nook, but a few years ago Barnes & Noble announced they were no longer supporting that Nook so it virtually became useless. I had been missing having an e-reader so I was thrilled to receive this as a present! It's a major upgrade from my Nook as it has a touchscreen and the background lights up so I'm able to read at night without disturbing John. With the help of a fellow blogger, I even learned how to rent e-books using my library card! Now I can really work towards my goals of saving money and simplifying my life since I won't be tempted to buy every book I see.

Question of the Day: What is something you've been loving this week?

{December} Currently

Happy Wednesday! I’m over here trying to wrap my head around the fact that Christmas Eve is Friday and 2020 is almost over. The past couple weeks have just flown by! I’ll be spending tonight and tomorrow morning prepping to have my family over for a little Christmas Eve dinner. I’m really looking forward to that and then a very relaxing Christmas Day. Before I log off for a week or so, I’m sharing my monthly ‘currently’ post! I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday season!!

I am currently...

Eating

Caramel popcorn! An Instagram friend of mine shared an amazing caramel popcorn recipe with me last week that I was so eager to try over the weekend. It turned out phenomenal and is the best Christmas gift for John and I's co-workers!

Wearing

Alllllll the fun Christmas earrings! I love working in elementary school because they're always a hit with the kids.

Reading

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I just started it but have heard so many good things about it. I’m eager to have more time to focus on it now that my holiday break has started!

Watching

Emily in Paris. This was suggested to me by so many people so I finally caved and started watching it on my snow day last week. I am almost done the season and so far I really like it! It's the perfect mindless show to watch after work.

Drinking

Hot chocolate. Something about this time of year has me craving hot chocolate almost every day!

Listening To
Taylor Swift’s new album, evermore. I’m seriously obsessed with it. I’ve had it playing in my car and on my phone while I run since it was released! I’d have to say my favorite song on it is champagne problems. If you’ve listened to the album yet, let me know which is your favorite!

Question of the Day: What is something you’re currently eating, wearing, listening to, etc.? Pick one :)

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday before Christmas! I've been really soaking up any bit of free time I've had lately and letting myself relax or prepare for the holidays. It's hard to believe that Christmas is already next week but I surely am ready for it! We have a little over a week off from school for winter break and then my district will be all remote the few weeks following the break. It'll be an interesting start to the new year but I know it's the safest option!

It's been awhile since I've posted a Friday Favorites so I figured I'd hop on and share a couple things I've been loving lately!

B&BW Kitchen Lemon Hand Cream
I picked this up at the Body Care Sale last weekend at Bath & Body Works and I am so glad it made it into my bag of goodness. The lemon scent is phenomenal and while the consistency is a little thicker than I normally prefer for a hand cream, it soaks in quickly and keeps my hands super moisturized. I keep it on my desk in work and use it after every time I wash my hands.

2-Ingredient Bagels
Yesterday was a snow day for me so I took advantage of the quiet morning and made myself some homemade bagels using 2 ingredient dough. If you've never heard of 2 ingredient dough then listen up because it's a true game changer. To make the dough, you use a cup of self-rising flour and a cup of plain Greek yogurt. Once mixed, you can use it for whatever you want! I typically make pizza with it (which I did Wednesday night during my snowed-in night) but it works for bagels, too. After kneading out the dough, divide it into 4 chunks that you then roll out and shape into bagel shapes. Top with an egg wash before popping them into your air fryer at 350* for 10 minutes. You can also add a topping with the egg wash, like Everything but the Bagel Seasoning or cinnamon! I linked the recipe I follow above so you can get all the details.

evermore 
I couldn't forget to talk about my new favorite Taylor Swift album! Taylor Swift blessed us all with her second album in the past FIVE MONTHS last week and I am just still amazed by that fact. I downloaded it the second I woke up last Friday morning and had it on repeat all day. After my first listen, I liked it but wasn't in love just yet. After a few days, I can now say it may be my new favorite! I'd have to say my favorite songs off the album are champagne problems and no body, no crime but that could change at any moment haha.

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! For once, this week didn't seem to drag on too much. Maybe it's because students are coming back into the building on Monday so we've been working nonstop to prepare? Who knows, but I'm not complaining! We don't have anything officially on the agenda for this weekend but we've been talking about a few different things to get ourselves out and moving. As much as I love a lazy weekend, I do like to do a couple things to feel like I actually had a weekend come Sunday night. Here are a few things I've been loving this week!

Sharpie S-Gel Pens
I am an office supply obsessed teacher so when I saw some people sharing these pens on TikTok lately, I knew I had to have a pack. At almost $6 for a pack of 5, it took some internal convincing in the school supply office at Target to finally splurge on the pack (treat yo' self!). Let me tell you, they are worth the hype and the price! They write so smoothly, have a comfortable grip, and do not smear, which was the selling point for me. I bought the medium point size and I feel like that is the perfect thickness for me.

Olay Daily Facial Wipes
I received a free sample of these in the grapeseed extract version and knew once I tried it, I needed to buy a whole pack. I ended up buying the sensitive skin version when I went to pick them up at target but I believe both are great. These cleansing wipes do the work of a cleanser, make up remover, toner, scrub AND a mask! To use these, you wet the cloth with water and then scrub it all over your face. It makes such a nice lather and leaves my skin so smooth once I rinse it off. I've been using these on nights when I am way too lazy to do my full nighttime routine.

Pumpkin Spice Granola
You didn't think I'd post a Friday Favorites without a pumpkin spice related item, did you? I picked up this granola at Aldi when I saw it was nut-free. I've been snacking on it plain all week but I bet it would taste amazing in yogurt. It's hard to explain, but I think the texture is a little different than most granola I've tried. Almost a little softer than usual but still crunchy, if that makes sense. The flavor isn't too pumpkin-y and there are even pumpkin seeds mixed in to cut the sweetness down.

Question of the Day: What is something you've been loving this week?

Friday Favorites

 Hello & Happy Friday! I'm finishing up this week on a tired note. I have nothing on my agenda for the weekend so I'll be getting the rest I need! The teacher-tired feeling has been so real this year but I am doing my best to take time for myself, especially over the weekend. I hope you are taking time for yourself this weekend or doing something fun out in this beautiful fall weather! Before I power through this FriYAY, I'm sharing a few things I'm loving this week.

Fairlife Nutrition Plan Shakes
My mom mentioned these shakes to me last week so when I went to BJ's over the weekend, I picked us up some to try! I originally went intending to just get the chocolate flavor, but when I saw they also had vanilla, I grabbed that, too. I'm so happy I made the last minute decision to grab the vanilla because it's my favorite! With 30g of protein, this has been the perfect breakfast for me all week. I typically eat my breakfast once I get to work so a shake is the easiest option. Like all the Fairlife products I've tried, these shakes have an amazing flavor and are perfectly creamy. Both flavors taste like a milkshake!

PainCakes
I've seen these all over Instagram for a few years now, so when I saw them in the special buy section of my local Aldi, I knew I had to grab a pack (or two!). PainCakes come in 3 different sizes: large, mini, and a wrap (which I just learned about after some Googling). I grabbed one large and one mini, which comes with 2. PainCakes are ice packs that stick to your skin so you don't have to hold it there the whole time. I tried out one of the minis on my elbow the other day, after I stupidly hit it on something, and it was great! It stayed in place the whole time and made it so I could do some stuff around the house while it was on. Once you're done using the PainCake you just put the little cover back on the sticky part and throw it back in the freezer because they're reusable!

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?

Friday Favorites

Happy First Friday of Fall! The weather has actually been very fall-like lately which I hope continues. We have a busy weekend ahead of us! Tomorrow we are going to a winery to celebrate one of my best friend's birthdays with her, her boyfriend, and another couple. On Sunday we are going to my sister's house to celebrate her birthday with family. Lots of birthdays over here! Before I log off for all the festivities, I'm sharing a few things I've been loving this week.

Pumpkin Pie Hummus
Okay okay, I know I've been bombarding you all with pumpkin flavored items for weeks now but unfortunately, expect this until about November, haha. But seriously, my mom got me this pumpkin pie dessert hummus at Aldi last week and it takes everything in me not to eat it by the spoonful! I've been pairing it with pretzels and having it as an afternoon snack all week. I swear, it's like pumpkin pie in hummus form! It's the first dessert hummus I've ever had that I'd believe isn't really hummus and is the actual dessert. I think other brands may make a pumpkin hummus, so if you don't have an Aldi near you, check your local grocery store for other brands that might make it!

Bath & Body Works Stress Relief Soap
First off, I love anything stress relief scented from B&BW so you can always win me over with those products. I replaced the soap in my guest bathroom (the bathroom next to my WFH office) with this hand soap as soon as I started working from home this year because work is just a tad stressful. I love using this throughout the day because it leaves my skin soft, while also leaving the stress relief scent on my hands to help calm me down. Maybe it's just me, but I really believe that the scent relaxes me. I had it in a wallflower in my college dorm and it always made me feel less stressed when it was plugged in. If this scent isn't for you, I highly suggest any of their foam hand soaps as they are just the best in my opinion!

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?

Recipes We've Tried and Love: Fall Edition

 Happy Fall, everyone! Since yesterday marked the first official day of fall, I thought I'd share some more recipes John and I have tried and love. This time, I'm sharing a few that are more fall related! To give you a little update, John and I made a 2020 goal for ourselves to try 24 new recipes. Together we are up to 16 recipes so far. I also track ones I've made by myself and that list is up to 8, so technically I have hit the goal but not with John. With all the recipes on our "to try" list, I know we'll get there. I hope you all have a great Wednesday and enjoy these recipes!

Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies
After my first full day of  remote teaching, all I wanted was some chocolate chip cookies- ASAP! I turned to Google to find a recipe that didn't involve any waiting time for the dough and was easy. This one seemed the best so I quickly made the dough and threw some in the oven. The recipe makes a lot of dough... I may have missed where it says it makes 39 cookies.. oops! I ended up making a dozen and then putting the rest of the dough in the fridge for later in the week. These cookies were so delicious when the dough was fresh AND after it had sat in the fridge for a few days. They are super quick to throw together and don' take too long to bake. As much as I absolutely love Joanna Gaines' chocolate chip cookie recipe, this may be my new go-to recipe when it's a cookie emergency! I think I might make them again soon with some pumpkin chips I have to give them a more fall-like flavor.

Pumpkin Scones
I tend to go crazy with pumpkin baked items this time of year, so I was thrilled to find a more healthy version of pumpkin scones so I wouldn't feel as guilty. This was my first time making scones and I was pleasantly surprised with how easy they were to make! My one suggestion with these is to definitely add the glaze! I added some pumpkin pie spice to the glaze to get even more pumpkin flavor so feel free to do that if you love a more pumpkin-y flavor. I love keeping these in the fridge and then popping one in the microwave for breakfast or a snack. Also, it never specifies if the butter should be cold, room temperature or melted, but I've tried both cold and melted butter and melted worked best!

Banana Muffins
I'm not sure if banana muffins are really fall-related but any warm, baked muffin is perfect to have when the weather is cool! I had some super-ripe bananas that I needed to use ASAP and this was the first recipe that caught my eye. I try to bake healthy when I can so then I can splurge on other treats that aren't good "healthy." These were a quick, easy recipe that turned out amazing! They keep well in the fridge and heat up great in the microwave for a quick, yummy snack. I highly suggest any a smidge of butter on it, too :) I added chocolate chips to a few and those were a hit with my husband!

Question of the Day: What is your favorite fall recipe?

Currently

Happy Hump Day! The past week or so has been a whirlwind for me so I thought I'd take a moment to check in with a "currently" post since I've been lacking in the blogging department! School is now in session and it's crazier than ever. Hopefully once I get into the swing of things I can get back into blogging a lot since I have a lot of ideas swimming around in this brain of mine! Anyway, enjoy today's post!

I am currently...

Eating

Salads. They've been the easiest thing for me to make for work and I love how versatile they can be. Lately I've just been getting lettuce and putting whatever sounds good on top.

Wearing

My nice work clothes, finally! We have the option to work from home, but since I co-teach, going into the classroom has been easier. I've been so happy to finally be able to wear some of my cuter clothes and not so much workout clothes (at least not all day).

Reading

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. I am only 1 chapter in so I don't have much to say about this book just yet. I have heard a lot of good things about it, plus it seems like a quick read, so I'm excited to zip through it!

Drinking

Pumpkin spice coffee, both hot and iced! I'm a huge Dunkin' fan so you can find me there most mornings haha.

Watching

Private Practice. It's been on our list to watch since it's Addison's spin-off of Grey's Anatomy and we've finally gotten around to it. It was hard to get into but now that we're a few seasons in, we're hooked!

Listening To
Taylor Swift's Folklore Album. I've had it on repeat in my car since it came out!

Question of the Day: What is something you’re currently eating, wearing, listening to, etc.? Pick one :)

Friday Favorites

How is it already September?! We've had some nice weather here in Jersey so I am definitely getting the fall vibes. Most of the fall vibes come from the fact that I am back in school. Although we are starting remote, I've been in my school the past couple days for in-service days. I'm eager to start with my kiddos next week!

Although it's been a busy week here for me, I still managed to put together my typical Friday post. I hope you have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Lemon Blueberry Granola
I ventured out to Aldi last week in search of some snacks to keep on hand now that school is starting. Somehow I snack more throughout a work day more than ever... I came across this granola and was happily surprised when I saw it didn't contain any nuts (I believe it was processed somewhere that also processes nuts so if you have a super sensitive nut allergy then this might not be for you). The lemon blueberry is delicious and the dried blueberries are the perfect addition. I've been enjoying it all week both plain and mixed in yogurt!

Cerave Eczema Creamy Oil
Someone had told me about this creamy oil months ago but I hesitated to buy it in fear that it would be super oily. Plus it's a little on the pricey side. The word "creamy" really is the best word to describe the oil (I guess that's why they put it in the name haha) because it's more like a very thin lotion rather than an oil. I've been using it every night after my shower and it has done an amazing job of keeping my Eczema flare-ups at bay. It soaks in fairly quickly so you aren't left with a greasy residue. I'd suggest this to anyone with any type of dry skin, not just Eczema.

Marshmallow Fireside Candle
I've had this candle from Bath & Body Works for over a year now but have just recently started to appreciate it. The scent of this candle is a fantastic mix of a smoky campfire and sweet toasted marshmallow. I've had it lit almost every day this week since the not-so-sweltering-hot weather has been giving me fall vibes and it just gives me such a cozy feel. I have the 3-wick candle of this scent and it has lasted me awhile.

Question of the Day: What is something you've been loving this week?

Friday Favorites

 Happy Friday! This is my last official Friday of summer as I start in-services on Monday. Our school is currently starting remotely so we'll see how that goes! I have a busy weekend ahead of me! I'm going to visit my friend Rachel for her birthday on Saturday and on Sunday we are getting together with John's best friend for a belated birthday celebration for John. It should be fun! Before I sign off and start this last summer weekend, I'm sharing a few things I've been loving this week.

Gatorade Endurance Energy Gel
I did a long run on Wednesday and figured I should probably bring some fuel with me. I grabbed a gel I had gotten during the Philadelphia Marathon last year (it was their course fuel) without knowing how it would be. Luckily, it ended up being great! It was apple pear flavored and had a thinner consistency than most gels, such a GU. I liked the fruity flavor which surprised me because I'm a die-hard S'mores GU fan but I just felt like it was much easier to digest when my stomach was already a bit wonky from the heat. I haven't tried their other energy gel flavors (vanilla, blackberry, and mango) but now I want to!

Honey Mustard Pretzels
I picked up these honey mustard pretzels at my local Amish Market last week to try and switch up my snack options. I was hooked from the first bite! They're the perfect salty snack to have on hand throughout the day, but fair warning, the honey mustard powder coating can get messy! My dad said they reminded him of Snyder's Honey Mustard and Onion pretzels so if you don't have an Amish Market nearby, I suggest picking those up! I'm planning to grab a bag on my next grocery trip to compare them.

Weighted Blanket
I've been eyeing one up for a couple months now so I figured it was the perfect purchase to use an Amazon gift card I had been holding onto on. They can be pretty expensive but I ended up finding a decently priced one on Amazon and bit the bullet on buying it the other day. I went with the queen size and it came to $40, which I learned after some research is fairly cheap. I've only had it for a few days now but I just had to include it in today's post because I am OBSESSED! I mainly bought it in hopes it would help me fall asleep faster at night. Let me tell you, it works! I was asleep so quick the first night I tried it. The next morning I decided to push off my run until later in the day and I fell asleep as soon as I changed my alarm, which never happens. Once I'm awake, I'm up for the day usually so this is a game changer. The material it is made out of is super soft and doesn't get extremely hot like I expected.

Question of the Day: What have you been loving this week?

Friday Favorites

 Another week has come and gone so here is another Friday Favorites post! Work will be starting up shortly for me which means I'm really trying to soak in these summer days. I spent a lot of time this past week seeing some friends while also getting things done around the house in preparation for a crazy school year. This weekend is John's birthday but, as of now, we don't have any set in stone plans. All I know is we are celebrating tomorrow with his parents and Sunday (his actual birthday) just us. Before I sign off and go get wrap up his presents, I'm sharing a few things I've been loving this week.

Dunkin' Pumpkin Iced Coffee with Oat Milk
As of August 19th, pumpkin is back at Dunkin'! I know a lot of people think it's too early but it's been a rough couple months so please just let us pumpkin lovers have this, haha. Anyway, along with pumpkin, Dunkin' also released a few other new items, one being oat milk as an option! I was all over this as any real dairy can mess with my stomach. I went the other day and got my usual pumpkin iced coffee, but instead of cream, I got the oat milk. Holy moly was it yummy! I'd compare it to the creaminess of regular cream but without the stomachache after. I highly recommend a pumpkin iced coffee with oat milk or any of your favorite Dunkin' beverage with oat milk!

Dunkin' Mocha Latte Cereal
Sorry to my non-coffee loving friends, but another coffee related item! Post recently released a Dunkin' line of cereal. They currently offer two flavors: caramel macchiato and mocha latte. While at the grocery store on Wednesday, I caved and picked up a box of the mocha latte cereal. Of course I came right home and poured myself a bowl. Guys, the flavor is phenomenal! The combination of coffee and mocha flavors is spot on and the little marshmallows are a much-loved touch. Now I'm eager to try the caramel macchiato flavor!

Special Edition Gunmetal ROADiD
This week ROADiD released a new finish option for the 19mm wrist ID- gunmetal. As an ambassador, I got first dibs at getting one and I jumped on the chance! There are five amazing band colors to choose from- bubble gum (the color I chose!), swim trunks (blue), tennis ball (bright yellow), charcoal, and sidewalk (kind of like an off-white). I'm pretty sure I let out a squeal when I opened the box and saw how pretty the gunmetal grey hardware looked against the bright pink band. SO. PRETTY. Like all ROADiD wrist IDs, the quality of both the silicone band (which is adjustable for all wrist sizes!) and hardware is wonderful. Plus, I feel safe going on a run knowing all my emergency information is right on wrist if needed! If you're interested in buying one, or any ROADiD, use my code EMILY_2020 until October 1st for a discount!

Question of the Week: What is something you've been loving this week?

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday & last day of July! Where has the time gone?! It's crazy to think that my summer break is quickly coming to an end. This summer has definitely been very different compared to other years but I am really enjoying it. There isn't much on our agenda this weekend besides an ice cream party at my sister's on Sunday. We have been trying to do little family get together's on a weekly basis to make up for the past few months. Maybe we'll even squeeze in some pool time at John's parents at some point ;) Now for what you came here for, my Friday Favorites! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Badass Lady Gang Virtual Runs

I'm not even sure how I stumbled across this on Instagram, but I'm so glad I did! As part of the Run, Selfie, Repeat podcast, the Badass Lady Gang hosts weekly virtual runs. Each week is a different workout in which you can listen to through the podcast. Kelly guides you through the workout so all you need to do is listen and run. Not much thinking is involved so that is right up my alley! I did the workout pictured above yesterday and oh man, was it a spicy one! If you're looking for a way to switch up your running routine, I highly suggest trying one of the many guided runs that they have to offer!

Sweet Magnolias

After many suggestions, I finally caved and watched Sweet Magnolias. I must've really loved it because I binged it over the course of just a few days! The Netflix series follows the lives of 3 women in a small South Carolina time who have been friends since childhood. They are by each other's sides through everything when it comes to romance, family, and their careers. It's such a sweet show that is a nice break from all the really intense shows out there! I happened to finish it as soon as they announced there will be a season two so that is exciting!

Skinny Banana Bread Muffins

I had a couple of really ripe bananas sitting in my fruit bowl the other day so I decided to whip up some banana bread muffins! I did a little google search and came across this healthy-ish recipe that required little sugar. They were super quick to whip up and taste amazing! I made some with chocolate chips and while the plain ones were good, the chocolate chip muffins really knocked it out of the park! This may be my new go-to banana muffin recipes now!

Question of the Day: What is something you've been loving lately?

Using Nuun in More Than Water!

As most of you know, I'm a huge fan of Nuun Hydration (and hydration in general, but that's a topic for another post!) and am even a 2nd year ambassador for them. With the extreme heat wave Jersey has been experiencing lately, I've been trying to get creative with my hydration game. Adding Nuun tabs to my water throughout the day definitely helps make staying hydrated a bit easier, but lately I started thinking outside the box. What if I could incorporate Nuun into some fun summertime treats? Today I'm sharing three ideas I've tried and loved!

Nuun Slushie

This has to be my new favorite post-long run treat! This recipe can be altered in so many different ways but for now I will share how I made it. I dissolved 2 strawberry lemonade tabs in 16 oz of water. Once they fully dissolved, I combined that with a handful of frozen strawberries in my blender. Next I blended it then enjoyed! Super simple. Like I said before, there are an endless amount of ways you could alter this, from the amount of water or number of Nuun tabs to the flavor of Nuun or frozen fruit added. The key to it being the slushie consistency is for the fruit to be frozen but I'm sure you could add in some ice cubes if your fruit isn't frozen.

Nuun Jello

This idea came from a fellow Nuun Ambassador on our Facebook group and it's super simple to make! Make your Jello following the directions on the box, but dissolve a tab or two of Nuun into the cold water that is added at the end. Like the slushie, this recipe can be altered so many ways as the flavor combinations of Jello and Nuun are endless! The number of Nuun tabs can be changed based off how strong you want the flavor to be. When I first made it I used strawberry Jello and strawberry kiwi Nuun- so good! I just made it this past weekend using cherry Jello and Kona Cola Nuun which may be my new favorite combination.

Nuun Ice Pops

With all my hot runs lately, I knew I needed to come up with a refreshing treat for after a run that was quick and easy.  My idea was a Nuun popsicle! Once again, this is another simple recipe. Dissolve 1-2 Nuun tabs for every cup of water you're going to use (my ice pop mold only held 1 cup total), pour the Nuun into any ice pop mold, then freeze! I've been loving having one after a really hot run. If I don't feel like finishing it, I just drop the remainder of the ice pop in a glass of water to cool down my water and add a little bit of flavor. My favorite flavor for these is Fresh Lime since it's so refreshing!

Question of the Day: Which of these recipes are you going to try first?

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! Did you miss me? I'm hoping you didn't think that I was just abandoning my blog. To be honest, my lack of a strict schedule since school officially ended has really thrown me off. And then last week John and I took a 5-day trip up to the Poconos to relax and recharge. I spent this past week adjusting to my newfound freedom (I have either had marching band or worked every summer since the summer of 2007...) but now I am back and ready to blog the summer away because really what else can I do? 🤣

It's been a hot minute since I've posted a Friday Favorites so I have tons of ideas swimming around in this head of mine. I'll try not to bombard you with too many today haha.

These Views

Like I said, we spent a majority of last week in the Pocono Mountains. We spent almost every day and night at the lake fishing since there wasn't much else to do with limited options. I really enjoyed being at the lake at night because the views were absolutely stunning! I snapped a couple good shots while we sat on the dock because I was just in awe at the colors and beauty of the sky. You don't see this kind of stuff that often where I live lol.

Smirnoff Ice Zero Sugar Original

My mom introduced these to me recently and they have quickly become my new favorite. I don't drink often because usually the drinks I enjoy are higher in calories and super sugary. These are the perfect choice because they are made me zero sugar but don't taste like it! John and I both agree they taste similar to Mike's Hard Lemonade, which is one of our favorites. I'll be sipping on these all summer long!

Yes, I still take ring pictures... ;)

Wifey Mug

Right before Father's Day I made my first trek into a Wal-Mart since before COVID. It was the only place that sold what I needed for my dad so I masked up and went super early in the morning to avoid crowds. That was a good idea because then I had the chance to wander around and find this beauty! Since getting married, I have been saying I wanted some sort of mug that either said wife, wifey, or Mrs. This mug exceeded my expectations because it is huge at 16 oz, I love the font of the word wifey, AND it was less than $5. Win! 

Voortman Sugar Free Wafers

Not to overload this post with sugar free items, but this is another awesome find that doesn't even taste sugar free! I found these at Dollar General for $1.50 but I am sure they can be found at other stores. First I bought the orange cream flavor and was amazed at how delicious they were! The orange flavor is strong without being fake tasting, if that makes sense. I thought the chocolate would taste bland since the actual wafer part isn't chocolate but I was wrong! Just like the orange, the chocolate flavor is strong but doesn't taste fake. I may have eaten this quicker than any human should... I also bought strawberry and vanilla wafers but have yet to try those!

Question of the Day: What have you been loving lately?

Friday Favorites

Another Friday, another list of things I've been loving! This week went by super slowly for me for some reason so I'm pretty pumped that it is actually Friday now! We have yet another chill weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow we are planning to have a window date with our nephews since Joey turned 1 yesterday! We may also try and have some sort of indoor date night either tonight or tomorrow. Other than that, you can find me relaxing :) I hope you all have something nice planned for the weekend!

Brookside Crunchy Clusters

Some of my coworkers arranged a "booze fairy" thing where we took turns "boozing" one another. The person who boozed me last week really spoiled me! Along with the booze, she also gave me some snacks, one of which were these Brookside Crunchy Clusters. They are a mix of crispy pieces and chewy berries covered in dark chocolate. They are dangerously good! It's took everything in me not to finish the whole bag in one sitting.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Kya Clark is a quiet girl who has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home. She is referred to as the "Marsh Girl" by everyone in the nearby town and is pointed to as the suspect when Chase Andrews, a well-known man, is found dead. The book intertwines two separate timelines that follow along with Kya's life as well as the murder case of Chase. 

This book was really hyped up for me by many people so I was happy when I got my hands on it. It wasn't a book I'd normally pick up on my own but I am so glad I got around to reading it. I was hooked from the beginning and stayed up late one night because I couldn't stop reading until I knew what really happened!

Our Patio Project

Awhile back John found a pin on Pinterest for a really cool lighting project we could do for our patio that used the string lights I'm obsessed with. We live in a townhouse so we lack a backyard where we can do cool stuff so our patio has to do. John and his dad worked on it for a few days but it may have been able to be done all in one day if they chose the fast setting cement. First we bought pretty barrel planters which they put 8 foot posts in and then set them in with cement. Once that set, we put soil in the planters which later we planted some pretty flowers in. The final step was to drill in hooks near the top and hang the lights! It was a fairly simple project and looks amazing on our back patio both during the day and at night! We have already spent many nights sitting out there and relaxing.

Question of the Day: What is something your loving this week?

Friday Favorites

Another Friday, another Friday Favorites post! This week went by fairly quickly but this weekend is much needed. With the end of the school year approaching, the work is piling on. I'm looking forward to June 16th to be able to stop remote learning for good {fingers crossed!}. The weather around here looks iffy for the weekend but hopefully that changes and we get a little sunshine! I hope you all have a great weekend!

ONE Birthday Cake Protein Bar

I received this as a free sample a week or so ago and I finally tried it this week during a busy day of meetings. I'm a huge fan of birthday cake flavored foods and this did not disappoint in the flavor department! It has the same texture I feel like all protein bars have which isn't necessarily good or bad. The best thing about this protein bar is it is NUT FREE! As someone with a nut allergy, I struggle to find a protein bar without any sort of nut ingredients. I'll have to check out their other flavors to see if they have any other nut free options.

Not the most photogenic meal but it's much tastier than it looks!

Cheesy Fajita Chicken Bake

John found this on Pinterest a few weeks back so we decided to give it a try this week. It's a pretty simple recipe. You mix up cream cheese, salsa, and fajita seasoning, pour that over chicken breasts, and bake! It also calls for cut up green peppers to give it that fajita feel but we didn't have any in. It still tasted great without them! We had it both on its on and in a tortilla. We are definitely adding this into our recipe rotation! 

iPhone Screen-time Setting

This has been a thing for the  iPhone for awhile now but I'm just now hopping on that train. Quarantine has me on my phone for an embarrassing amount of time. For the past few weeks I've been utilizing the App Limits setting to limit my time on certain apps that I seem to get lost in. I can't tell you how helpful it's been! It's almost like a game each day to see how little time I can spend on those apps each day and never get to the 5 minute warning. If you are finding yourself spending what you feel is too much time on your phone, check out the screen-time setting!

Question of the Day: What is something you’re loving this week?

Friday Favorites

We are officially ending week 10 in quarantine and I honestly can't believe it has been that long! My sister and I keep talking about how crazy it is that back during that first week of schools being shut down we really thought it was only going to be a two-week thing. This all feels normal now that I can't imagine how life will feel once we start getting back to "real normal," if that is even a thing anymore. Anyway, I'll stop the quarantine talk and get back to why we are here- my Friday Favorites! With life being a bit bland, my more exciting blog posts are non-existent (but only for a bit!!) so my Friday post is something I look forward to typing up each week. I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Bowl & Basket Tortilla Chips
We eat tortilla chips like it's nothing in this household. We LOVE them! We're talking buy-four-bags-at-a-time and eat-a-bag-in-one-sitting love (or maybe it's a problem?). If you weren't aware, Tostitos brand chips are a bit pricey. I got into the habit of buying the Aldi brand ones since they were under a dollar a bag, but I've been avoiding that store lately since I was stressed shopping their even before covid. While at ShopRite recently, I noticed they had a store brand of tortilla chips so I grabbed them figuring it was worth a shot. I'm happy to report that we love them and they are our new go-to tortilla chips. They are are the perfect combination of salty and crunchy. Our wallets are pretty happy we found a cheap option, too!

TikTok
Oh gosh, I'm embarrassed to even admit this but I fell down the TikTok rabbit hole this week. It started with my friend sending me a TikTok video through text, then I downloaded the app, and next thing you know it's an hour later and I was still scrolling through the "for you" videos. I haven't actually created an account, and I don't really plan to, but I could spend hours watching videos on there! They are just so funny and often relatable depending on the topic.

Taylor Swift City of Lover Concert
Earlier this week, Taylor Swift released a recording of her Paris show which you can now view on Hulu or Disney+! I played it during my lunchtime on Wednesday and I absolutely loved it! It's only about a 40 minute long show where she plays some of her songs from her newest album, Lover. Since a live concert won't be happening anytime soon, this was just as good :)


Question of the Day: What is something you've been loving this week?

Friday Favorites

I've been thinking the past few days that is has been Friday so now that it actually is, HAPPY FRIDAY! Work was super busy this week so a weekend is much needed for me to recharge. I need to close my office door and not think about work until I decide I need to do work on Sunday Monday morning! We have another relaxing weekend ahead of us. Sunday is Mother's Day so we are going to visit bother our moms, social distance style. My sister and I gifted my mom with an at-home Board & Brush painting kit so we are going to Zoom later that night to all do our own boards and drink wine :) I hope you all have a great weekend!

Wasabi Peas
If you've never had or heard of wasabi peas, they are just roasted green peas that are coated in some sort of wasabi coating. These are a snack I've always enjoyed but last week I picked up a huge container of them at BJ's so they've been my go-to all week. They're the perfect mix of crunchy and spicy that satisfies my snacky cravings.

This person went super overboard for this wining! You don't have to do anything more than a bottle of wine but some people are really have fun with it :) I loved this surprise!

Wining
I was invited to a group last week called The Sisterhood of the Traveling Wine that was based out of my area of New Jersey. The idea of the group is that you share your address based on your county and then people go around and "wine" you and then you return the favor to somebody else. I was a little skeptical at first but it's actually a super cute concept and people are really getting into it. I've been "wined" 3 times so far, one of which was by a close friend. I've been gifted some really cool wines that have been fun to try out. I've "wined" one person in my neighborhood so far but I plan on "wining" some fellow teachers this weekend!

Gallo Watermelon Wine
Let's stay on the topic of wine because wine not? I crack myself up... Anyway, my mom surprised me with this wine over the weekend! We are both big Gallo fans due to their sweet flavors and low price. We had found out about the new watermelon flavor through the traveling wine group and both knew we had to try it! My mom beat me to it and found it at a local liquor store which had curbside pick up {what a time to be alive!} so she picked it up before delivering it to me. It's the perfect blend of sweet and watermelon flavor. Not too overpowering on either end which was good! Highly recommend!


Question of the Day: What is one thing you've been loving this week?

Currently: Quarantine Edition

Hey! How is it already May?! With all the free time I have you'd think I'd spend it coming up with some cool blog post ideas but that hasn't been the case this week. Now that schools in New Jersey have officially closed for the remainder of the year, the stress is REAL. I've also been using this time to get a lot of house work done.

Since I feel like the past month or so has been a real blur, I'm taking a moment today to check in and share a "currently" post with you!

I am currently...

Eating

Super Hero Muffins from Run Fast. Eat Slow. by Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky. I've been enjoying them as a mid-day snack!

Purple + gym clothes all day, everyday!

Wearing

Work out clothes all day, everyday. There is no real point in dressing up while working from home and I try and sneak in random workouts through out the day, so leggings, a tank, and sweatshirt are my normal attire. 

Reading

Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin. It's a book all about habits which is right up my alley. I bought it when it first came out a couple years ago and am finally getting around to reading it.

Watching

Grey's Anatomy... again. John and I love this show and we are currently re-watching the whole series.

Drinking

Whipped coffee. This has been my favorite pick-me-up in the afternoon!

On Saturday we did our long run together and even went as far to wear completely matching outfits!

Loving
My new routine of getting up early and running almost every morning! My sister and I have gotten into the habit of going on a run every morning at the same time. We talk on the phone during our run, which gives us a chance to catch up before our days get crazy.

Question of the Day: What is something you’re currently eating, wearing, listening to, etc.? Pick one :)