Friday's Fuel

First off, thank you so much for the outpouring of love from my last post. I honestly feel lighter from finally shedding that and standing in the light. It takes a lot of courage and vulnerability to be honest which has been on my heart recently since watching Brene Brown's Netflix special - The Call to Courage. If you don't know what I'm talking about you must go watch or use your sister's Netflix login. My sister called to tell me I HAD to watch because "you know we're the same, so you're going to love it." And well, darn it, she was right. I laughed and cried. It is amazing. Maybe even transformative. The message is clear - it takes vulnerability to be courageous. To stand in the light. To put yourself in the ring. To show up. To put yourself in uncomfortable situations that allow your true self to grow and shine. It's tough when different seasons of your life are upon you to feel like you aren't just letting life pass you by. I know that's how I'm currently feeling. The day to day can start to be a drag - wake up, rush out, drive an hour, work, work work, drive an hour, rush, eat, sleep. The last few months have left me feeling like maybe I am just taking a back seat. Maybe I do need to be vulnerable and adjust and reassess.  We can't be brave enough to stop letting life pass us by without vulnerability. So, enough about that. Just go watch it!

Let's get to today's Friday Fuel...

one | Speaking of vulnerability and courage I have to shout out 2 girlfriends that are standing in their own light, putting themselves out there and doing the darn thing! First, Jessica who just started a blog - The Honest Truth. She's wearing her heart on her sleeve and doing so beautifully. Go give her blog a read and join her community! And the second shout out is to my girlfriend Lauren who has been building her side hustle of Rodan + Fields into something amazing. Both of these women decided to go outside of their comfort zones and do something for themselves and I see them reaping the rewards from being courageous enough to do so! Go ladies go!

two | Mom truth... Have you ever gotten a call from the preschool to say your child has completely disrobed, diaper and all, and peed on the playground? Well, me either until yesterday. Fun times, fun times. Potty training just escalated to emergency levels.

three | Hi, I'm Anna and I have an addiction to something called an Iced Kong Fusion. It's sweetened black tea, espresso and steamed milk. Seriously don't knock it until you try it. It is amazing and life changing. I know Brene Brown would say so, haha.

four | Has anyone shopped at Target lately? Ever since we moved and are much further away from one I rarely ever go anymore, but I did manage to find my way there last weekend. Wow, ya'll! Some really cute things! I found this suppper cute jumpsuit/romper and some really cute swimsuits for George. They have really upped their game!

five | I love to see what people are buying on Amazon, and recently there have been a lot of really great things that I've added to my Amazon shopping list. Drop a comment below - what have you been buying lately?

one | two | three | four | five | six

Alright lovelies, I've so enjoyed being back in this space with you! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Mother's Day!

xoxo - A

Monday's Ramblings

Hello and how do you do last week of September? When did you get here?? Mr. B and I are going to be living up this week because come October we are challenging ourselves to Whole 30 and Sobertober (sober + October)! If you know me and I have a cocktail in hand or a giant piece of bread no judgement please as I'm sure I've already had enough self talk for all of us. 

--Any van mom's out there? Does yours have an onboard vaccum? Isn't it life changing? Am I old for getting excited over that and volunteering to handle that chore?

--Peekaboo! Look at this cutie. Yes, what you see is basically an 80's style play pen. We caved and are those people now. It's actually a lifesaver, but a serious eye sore for obvious reasons. And don't overlook that lil tongue!

--Run, don't walk to your kitchen and make Ina Garten's Chipotle Smashed Sweet Potatoes. Now! For dinner! Tonight!

--Went to Kohl's looking for picture frames and was smacked in the face with a full-fledged Christmas section. There are so many things wrong with this! First and foremost it's still 80+ degrees in NC. Let's get through September before we're singing Deck the Halls.

--We've decided to cut the cord. The cable cord! After a quick search for best streaming services we went with Sling TV. We're waiting to completely iron out any issues before truly cancelling our cable service, but we're moving in the right direction! The only thing is NBC isn't live in our area and CBS doesn't do streaming services, so we may have to get an over the air antenna. Any ideas about those? Anyone else cut the cord and have any pros/cons?

--Basic girl things: Autumn Wreath candle from Yankee Candle and a Venti Iced Coffee with 3 pumps classic and soy milk from Starbucks (thanks Dad!). 

--I previously professed my love for Radio Andy on XM, but I also love Channel 109 - Stars. Wake Up with Taylor. Financially Fearless with Alexa von Tobel. Just Jenny. Plus, Bobby Flay is going to have a new limited series!

--Currently loving this picture from our last 2 girls weekends. Top picture is last October versus the bottom a couple weeks ago! Since last October we've welcomed 3 new babies to the group - all boys too! Love these girls. Who's your tribe?

--Anyone heard of Lipsense lipsticks? Go over and follow Smooch by April! Basically it's a long lasting, kissable, smudge proof lipstick/lipgloss. What you do is put the lipstick on 3 times top/bottom then apply a gloss to seal it in. I'm not a huge lipstick person, but I like that with the gloss it's less lipstick and more lipgloss feeling. I currently have the Aussie Rose color with the clear Glossy Gloss and I just ordered a new color, Roseberry, which is a matte color and will be great for fall!

 What are your Monday ramblings? Until next time... have a great day, ya'll!

Well, hello!

It's been a crazy 8 months (to the day) since I last posted. For one, we have the sweetest, most handsome 9 month old that has stolen our hearts more and more with each passing day. That's an obvious update, but let's get down to the real things that matter (wink, wink)! Let's see if I can get everyone (really myself) up to speed on what we've been up to!

What we've been eating... everyone knows I love to cook and if I could really spend my days doing something fulfilling part of that would be with cooking. But, the dinner hour has proven to be a challenge the last 9 months. I think we're finally getting into a good groove though. You know I love my homemade pizzas and the one below did not disappoint! This was sort of a chopped version as I was trying to use what we had on hand and it turned out delicious. Basically it's fresh mozzarella, ricotta, sauteed broccoli, and diced chicken - yum! 

I feel I would be doing everyone a disservice if I didn't pass on the two recipes below as well. I can't remember if we've talked about these carrots before, but I've never been a fan of plain ol' carrots for dinner. The glazed carrots from Cooks Illustrated are anything but and will make you an instant lover.  I've made them so many times my cookbook basically just opens to that page! Last, everyone needs something sweet right?? Do not pass up these chocolate chip cookies from the Pinch of Yum blog. They look basic, but who doesn't like an oldie but a goodie?

Glazed Carrots - Cooks Illustrated
1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch *I use the bagged baby carrots and it works perfectly!
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Bring carrots, broth, 1 tablespoon sugar, and salt to boil, covered, over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until carrots are almost tender when poked, about 5 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to high and simmer rapidly, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to about 2 tablespoons, 1-2 minutes. Add butter and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar to skillet, toss carrots to coat, and cook until carrots are completely tender and glaze is light gold, about 3 minutes. Off heat, add lemon juice and toss to coat.

What we've been reminiscing about... pretty simple - the last 9 months! All of a sudden it's really hit us that we have a 9 month old, and looking back on that time I feel like I had amnesia for most of it! Just thinking back on those long days and nights it feels like years ago. It's crazy how different developmentally babies can be from day to day! The only way I know how to slow the time is by letting G fall asleep on me sometimes. It's just the sweetest and I know that is also quickly coming to an end as well. How do I bottle up the last 9 months so we never forget each step we've taken together?

What I've been loving... tea! You heard it right from the previously self proclaimed Starbucks addict. My current fave is the Blueberry and Aloe Herbal Tea from Bigelow. So yummy and perfect for cooler weather!

What we've been up to... we have been everywhere! Let's see, first we were at the beach with Mr. B's family then we were off to another beach with my family which were both much needed time away. We took family pictures, we went to a wedding and we recently had a weekend away with my college friends and all of their husbands and sweet babies. We basically packed a summer's worth of activities into the last 2 months! 

Atlantic Beach, NC

Holden Beach, NC

my forever date
Leesburg, VA

all the kiddies from our girls weekend! ages 4 months - 5 years
Cherry Grove, SC

What I'm dreading... is it too early to say cold weather?? Ice. Snow. Blah!!

What I'm working on... G's birthday isn't until December, but I've already started thinking about decorations and presents and cake, oh my! First time mother, first born baby problems. Oh well, I guess there could be worse things right??

What I'm excited about... Fall is really a fun time in our family! September is Mr. B's birthday, our anniversary is in October, my birthday is in November and now G's birthday in December. It's crazy, but I'm really excited to celebrate all of those things plus the holidays and all the festivities that come all with that. Is it too early to start listening to Christmas music??

What I'm watching/reading... I've been obsessed with Younger on TV Land this summer! It's such a good show that's reminiscent of Sex and the City. It just ended, but you can catch it on demand. They are already renewed for another season!

I thought with all of our beach time recently that I would have time to read a few books. Um... no one told me I was loco for thinking that. I maybe read 10 pages of Crazy Rich Asians. I've heard such great things about this book, but who knows how long it will take me to read it... ya know between baby duty and all! For real though, of the few pages I did read it's been good so far plus they are making the 3 book series into a movie!

What I'm listening to... 2 things - Radio Andy on XM and Saltwater Gospel by Eli Young Band! All.summer.long!

What we're doing this weekend... considering we've been gone almost 2 months we will be home getting it back in order and enjoying some quiet quality time together!

What we're looking forward to next month... our 2nd anniversary! Maybe we'll get a date night out of it - wink, wink!

If you've made it this far, thank you for sticking around! We all know this is purely for my benefit to type this out, but I've enjoyed revisiting this space of mine and I hope to continue again on a somewhat regular basis. Hopefully, you'll keep coming back!

Happy Wednesday, ya'll!

Five on Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! TGIF! Just working for the weekend over here. We are sticking around Raleigh this weekend which will be very nice after our travels last month. Mr. B is looking forward to grilling and football on Saturday (go pack!), and I'll be off celebrating a special friend at her baby shower.  For now though, let's get to what's important... Five on Friday!

::one::
I have to call out a sweet friend of mine. Friend = sorority little sister. I specifically remember when we had our Big/Lil Sister Reveal. Back then each little sister had to dress up in something provided by her secret big sister. I remember waiting to the last minute and the only costume thing I could find was a full zip up dog onesie. The only problem was it was suited for a child. Oops! Anyway, fast forward, she's started her own family and blog - J.Glo Mom-life. She has dedicated her blog to the learning's of teaching her sweet daughter Spanish in an English world and all things fitness, family and fun. I know she's going to do great things with her blog, so jump over and visit her site regularly!

::two::
I finished Elin Hilderbrand's The Rumor right before our wedding. I highly recommend it for your next quick read. I also just downloaded her book Winter Street. So far so good! Winter Street is the first book in her winter series. She just released the sequel Winter Stroll. Can't wait to start that one as well!

::three::
Your next Pinterest dinner... 

Oven Roasted Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin with Maple-Ginger Glaze

Baked Tomatoes with Basil and Butter

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler

...is your mouth watering yet?

::four::
Earlier this week I was looking through Instagram and came across this picture. My horoscope! I wonder if this is a foreshadowing? If Dorinda from RHONY and I were friends I would have called her up in disbelief. I think someone has tapped my phone.

::five::
 I love to listen to podcast's while I'm at work because it's a great way to pass the time! You may remember me mentioning my guilty pleasure of Straight Talk with Ross Mathews. I recently listened to WTF with Marc Maron's podcast with James Taylor. It's a great listen! Several years ago I had the chance to see James Taylor in concert, and it was exactly what I hoped it would be. He came out in a long blue grandfather looking sweater and was nothing short of amazing! Do you listen to podcasts, and if so which are your favorites?

Alright folks! Until next time...

If you want in on the fun, join Christina, April, Darci and Natasha every Friday!

Running around Asheville

Last weekend I had the chance to get together with all of my favorite girlfriends for my bachelorette in Asheville! It was a packed full weekend which is totally my speed. We stayed in the most charming little house in West Asheville which was fun to see the residential areas while we were there. My sister was the party planner and had everything planned out perfectly! Here's a photo recap of our jaunt around Asheville...

::Friday::

• Waking Life coffee shop - BEST nitro coffee pour! You don't even need milk.
• Hike around the Folk Art Center - beautiful views on the way up the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Walking brewery tour - Wicked Weed, Green Man Brewery, Twin Leaf Brewery (my fave!). All of the breweries had a great indoor/outdoor open breeze. It was a gorgeous day to enjoy beers around Asheville.
• After a great day out, we came back for happy hour and to my surprise a cocktail themed shower! So sweet, and so fun!!
• Dinner and drinks at Cucina24 and MG Road - great atmosphere and right in the middle of everything

::Saturday::

• Breakfast and coffee at High Five Coffee - I'm still dreaming about the smoothie I had!
• Gorgeous walk around the North Carolina Arboretum 
• Lunch at Rhubarb - don't let the double burger fool you - it's small and amazing especially with pimento cheese. We followed that up with beers at One World Brewing
• We started our night off at the Grove Park Inn Sunset Cocktail Terrace and it was beautiful! The best view all weekend, plus the peach and basil gimlet can't be topped.
• Dinner was at Rezaz where we had the chef's table (see picture above - right in the middle of the kitchen action) for a 5 course meal with wine pairing. It was absolutely delicious!
• We couldn't get enough of the Grove Park Inn so we headed there after dinner for more fun and drinks. And if you can't tell we ended the weekend on a high by spotting Kate Upton on a girls weekend!

The entire weekend was thought out perfectly and hit all of my high notes for what I imagined in Asheville! It was the perfect way to kick off the festivities for Mr. B and I since we are quickly closing in on 10.17.15!! Next up.... bridal portraits!

Happy Friday!

Life Lately...

So, it's been more than a month since my last post! I didn't intend to drop the blog like a hot potato, but it's been hard finding time to sit and focus. In an effort to catalog the craziness here's what's been up...

We'll start with Memorial Day Weekend which I'll call Buffalo Trip #1. My family started out Friday afternoon trailing a Uhaul to Buffalo, NY to move my sister's family. It was a jammed packed weekend, but what I learned is that the further north you go into Western NY the more farm lands you see. Which for some reason really surprised me, and it was actually really pretty. My pictures don't do it justice so I'll spare you!

Exploring the Village of Williamsville

After that, as I mentioned before, my sister's family stayed with Mr. B and I until last weekend. We spent the last 5 weeks grilling, running the museum, going to the park, eating dim sum, serious attempts at juicing (read this article for a laugh) and general fun-ing around the capital. My niece was the perfect helper watering our plants*, and providing endless entertainment. We all thought 5 weeks sounded like forever, but in reality it FLEWWWW by! Sadly.

*Our plants look amazing! We're so proud of our very small produce haul!

Perfecting the BBQ

Callie being very tolerant!

Saying goodbye... for now

Goodbye party with all the girls!

This doesn't look like much, but this pretty much brings us to the present. Last weekend Mr. B and I made Buffalo Trip #2 for the final goodbye. After 30 years of basically living in tandem it's time for my sister and I to spread our wings. It was a sad goodbye, but we already have plans on the calendar for the next several months. Until then, we'll stick with FaceTime. 

With all the action early on, the summer feeling has set in hard for me! If there's any such thing as senoritis for grown adults I have it! With our wedding and honeymoon on the horizon I can barely stayed focused.  

We're on the go again this weekend to the beach to finalize our wedding menu. I'm really excited to see what they have in store for us!

Until next time...

BM... the bridesmaid kind

I'm dedicating today to a bridesmaid shout out! There is clearly something special about rallying the girls around. I love the hype, and for me it never gets old. Unless I gain a new best friend between now and the time I'm deemed as too old to be a bridesmaid I think I walked my last aisle alone last weekend.

So, the only way to say goodbye is with a running list:

long or short?
chiffon or cotton?
cut your hair
color your hair
up do
leave it down
pull it back
strappy sandal
peep toe
nude pump
pack comfy shoes
pack your stickies
get a tan
workout
keep your make up natural
lipstick or gloss?
no gloss? 
ahh, more gloss, got it.
smile!
make sure to smile!
keep your flowers down
hold my flowers
walk slow
always look at the bride
fluff my dress
find your partner
dance
rally

Some of my faves...

Cheers to all my ladies! 

xoxo - A

What's Up Wednesday!

I'm linking up today with Mix & Match Family, The Larson Lingo and Pinterest Told Me To for What's Up Wednesday. Join the fun the last Wednesday of every month and answer these questions...

What we're eating this week... last night I made a quick and easy dinner. I wanted to use something from our herb garden, so I made pork chops with a rosemary and garlic sauce, sauteed spinach and orzo. It was actually pretty good, and I'll probably be putting it into rotation!

What I'm reminiscing about... this past weekend I was in my best friend's wedding. It was so much fun, and I can't stop thinking about how awesome the band was! Plus, being a bridesmaid is always more fun when you love your dress (and hair and makeup)! It was a fantastic weekend spent with friends and family, and a perfect way to kick off wedding season!

What I'm loving... sea salt spray! I've been over using and over abusing John Frieda's Beach Blonde Sea Waves Sea Salt Spray. I'm currently growing my hair out for our wedding, and the thought of blowing it dry now that it's getting warmer sounds miserable. So, I've turned to air drying my hair with a little sea salt spray and hairspray. Easy, breezy!

What we've been up to... As I mentioned we were at a wedding last weekend which happened to be where we'll be getting married. We capitalized on the time there, and met with our florist and finalized our cake! I don't care much for wedding cake, but I think it's going to be pretty good!

What I'm dreading... I'm so ready for summer to be here, but honestly I'm not looking forward to the scorching heat!

What I'm working on... one word - WEDDING!

What I'm excited about... I can't wait for our guests to receive our save the dates. They should be going out soon, and it finally feels like the festivities are kicking off.

What I'm watching/reading... everything Bravo! It's a horrible obsession, plus I want to be best friends with Andy Cohen. 

What I'm listening to... I think I've found my new summer song - Meghan Trainor "Dear Future Husband" It's pretty catchy and very timely!

What I'm wearing... Before we went on our cruise at the end of March I found the jumpsuit below at Belk, and I've fallen in love. I recently wore it to our engagement party, so it can definitely be dressed up for something special.

What I'm doing this weekend... attending an oyster roast/graduation party for my sister and brother-in-law which really means eating my weight in oysters.

What I'm looking forward to next month... I think I've mentioned before that Mr. B and I will have roommates for May and June, and we couldn't be more excited. My sister, brother-in-law and sweet niece will be staying with us before they move to Buffalo. 

What else is new... exciting news on the work front. Waiting for the final pieces to fall into place before I spread the news, but cheers to having something new and exciting on the horizon!

Have a great Wednesday, ya'll!