Friday, April 29, 2016

Friday Confessions

How was everyone's week? I'm happy to be finishing up mine with ya'll here on #BTO! I'm closing out the week with my edition of Friday Confessions and linking up with Oh Hey Friday and Five on Friday!





one | I'm still dreaming about  Sally's Apizza. I literally can't stop. There's really nothing more to say about this pizza from New Haven other than it's literally the best pizza you will probably ever have in your entire life. Period. The smell, the taste, the crust... it's all perfection! Including their little ribbon for take out orders!


two | Reading shmeading... I hate to admit it, but I was sent a book from a girlfriend to read monthsss ago to then pass it along through our group and I've been a total hold up. The book  is really good, but it has taken me forever to read it. So, LMC if you're reading this I promise to hurry up (I'm half way!) and get it out the door soon! Like before year's end... jussst kidding. At least before the summer's over :) 

three | This is a real deal confession. I decided 7 years ago when I got my golden retriever that nothing will humble someone quicker (probably other than a baby) than a dog. You think you're all cute and sassy until you have to stop and pick up your dog's poop... at the groomers... inside! The topper? Another patron actually had to point it out to me because I was too busy filling out paperwork! Gahhh.... I left with my tail between my legs.

four | As mentioned we just got back from visiting my father for Passover, and I have to admit something. I have a terrible memory from when I was younger of trying Matzo Ball Soup for the first time and literally having full body chills. It was horrible if my memory serves me correctly. However, now that I'm older and clearly more mature the Matzo Ball Soup this time around was actually pretty good - like comfort food.

five | Does anyone else walk around a college campus and actually believe (even at 30) that you can still do anything you want in this world? We spent some time in CT walking around Yale and it was beautiful! I love a college campus. There's so much hope and fearlessness. It really reinvigorates me to know that there's still life ahead, and you can still do everything you set out to do as a freshman. Even if your time has passed.

What's on everyone's weekend agenda? We're finally getting around to planting our garden! Hopefully we'll see a little bit of sun here in NC even though it's supposed to rain all weekend. It may be a good weekend to go see Mother's Day though! Everyone have a safe and happy weekend!

Until next time...

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Travel Update!

We're back from our travels north and are finally back into the swing of things! It was a great trip, and much needed time away. A look at our trip through pictures...

The Coffee Pedaler - cutest coffee spot right in downtown New Haven, CT. Absolute BEST Rosemary and Sea Salt Bagels... EVER! This was such a good find we had to make a 2 day stop.


The crew at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, CT right on the sound. We had the best weather the whole weekend! I was so surprised at how many people were at the beach enjoying the perfect spring day!

Grandpa and Cousin time!

As I mentioned before, I was really looking forward to an old favorite... Wentworth's Ice Cream. You just can't get ice cream like this in the south. Believe me I've done the research for you! Every last bit of that ice cream cone was gone... happily!
Ready for Passover Seder
The whole group in front of "the painting". My grandmother loved this painting and had it hanging in her house for 40 years until it recently found a new home at the   Yale University Art Gallery. Every family picture ever taken for the last 40 years is in front of this painting called "The Model" and so we made sure to document this occasion with a trip to the art museum for just that! It really was a special treat that we could all be there together!

Monday, April 18, 2016

Happy Monday!

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Happy Monday everyone! We finally had a gorgeous weekend filled with lots of sun here in NC. We really had a low key weekend which is exactly what we were in need of! Lots of relaxing, lots of good eating and lots of outside time! 

My thoughts from the weekend...

I know it's getting warm out, but I'm seriously in need of a preseason spray tan! My legs haven't seen the light of day since our honeymoon, and frankly it's scary!

Is anyone else concerned about Zika or is it just me?! The repeated news reports have put the fear of god in me. Anyone else?

I enjoyed my new go-to summer thirst quencher all weekend... Cucumber Mint and Watermelon infused water! So good!

We're still waiting to plant our herbs and veggies, but on our list this year: basil, mint, parsley, oregano, jalapenos, peppers, tomatoes, and new this year green onions. We're out to make sure our urban garden is better than last years!

One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is visit the NC Art Museum. Not only are the grounds beautiful, but the extensive greenway linked to the museum is the perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon walking. I can't wait for the new addition to be open, too! Our local attraction got some NY Times love recently as well - jump on over and it check it out!

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Lastly, Mr. B and I are excited because we have a short week ahead! We are traveling north to spend the weekend with my father's family. I'm currently dreaming of Wentworth's [the most amazing ice cream...ever] and Louis' Lunch [birthplace of the hamburger]!

Until next time... I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Working from Home (and a GIVEAWAY)


Now that I've been working from home, as I mentioned here and here, I've come to several realizations...

one | Kathie Lee and Hoda really are as funny as you think! They make my morning routine much more entertaining. 

two | Workout clothes actually become less attractive by Friday. I'm still trying to work out my routine, and getting dressed has fallen to the wayside.


three | A coffee run in the morning to my favorite spot makes a huge difference! Sometimes it's nice to build in some "commute" time even if that's just for coffee.

four | For the first time in my life I've actually started paying attention to how many lights I use... and leave on! Now that I'm home more I've become more aware of our power bill, so I'm trying to grow up and turn off lights as I leave the room. It's a work in progress...

five | I have high hopes that not wearing makeup everyday will do wonders for my skin! Here's to hoping!

AND... since we're talking about "work" I wanted to extend an awesome GIVEAWAY to my readers! Jump on over to our Instagram and Twitter to like, follow and comment on the picture below to win this super cute tote and cooler in one! Winner can decide to keep this tote blank or imprint it with their favorite logo! Winner chosen April 6th, so hurry up!


Friday, April 1, 2016

Five on Friday!

I'm back with my favorite things with this week's edition of Five on Friday. I'm keeping it short and sweet, and linking up with Oh Hey Friday and Five on Friday!




one | Sushi Time
I made Skinnytaste's Spicy California Shrimp Stack's awesomeness for dinner earlier this week, and it was a total hit! I mean really, really good! We love our local sushi joint, but this may be our new go-to for a quick sushi fix! Next time I think I'll try it with tuna... yum, yum!

Skinnytaste Spicy California Shrimp Stack

two | What's on my DVR
I've been in a TV rut lately and have recently stumbled on the following shows... GirlsBroad City and Vinyl. If you're looking for something new to watch that's easy, breezy and funny check out one of these! On the TV note, who else is excited for Southern Charm, Shahs of Sunset and RHONY to come back?? I live for Bravo!





three | Currently Eyeing
Summer is around the corner and I've been eyeing a few new essentials... this cover up and these wedges need to make it into my wardrobe sometime very soon! We're headed to the beach in May, and it can't come soon enough!!

four | Podcasts
If you've read my blog before you know I'm a sucker for a good podcast. It really makes the time fly by while I'm working. My two new favorites are Straight Up with Stassi and Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald. Both seriously entertaining!



five | Office Edition
Now that I'm working from home full time and have set up the basics of my office I really need to start adding some flare. Considering the broken treadmill that occupies my office taunts me everyday, I've been dreaming about this... One day. One. Day.

The Small Things Blog Office Love

Until next time... Happy Friday, ya'll!