Oh Hey Friday!

I am a huge fan of these yummy snacks. I found them at CVS. It's like one giant fruit leather bar. However, it has a lot of sugar. I wonder if I could replicate it!

No bake energy bites from Keep Calm & Carry On. These are a great pick me up mid afternoon.

This gratitude app

These fun pants (Modern fit ankle pant) from Target and this tank (Feminine layer tank.) My mom had it in grey and I thought it was so cute I had to get it.

I got mine in eggplant

I got these in black, kind of like leggings!

This face. Come on, you knew I would!

Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday....

I don't know if it is the super comfy maternity jeans and poncho sweater I am wearing, or the red cup from Starbucks I am drinking from and Christmas Pandora station playing in my office BUT I am in a GREAT mood today!

For my Five on Friday I am going to share some things I am loving:

1. I am loving these beauty advent calendars. I love advent calendars, I love beauty products, what could be better?!

Benefit's Countdown to Love

ciate's calendar is available at Sephora

 

2. S'more brownies. My dear sweet friend Megan sent me these for my birthday (she always sends me something wonderful for my birthday) and they are DELICIOUS! I may or may not have finished the pan already.

3. Southern Living Thanksgiving Edition. I was over at my old boss' house last Saturday and he had his edition of Southern Living out on the table and it had all the Thanksgiving recipes. The Salted Caramel Chocolate Pecan pie looks like a winner to me.

 

I am hosting Thanksgiving this year. My parents are coming from VA and my brother and sister in law are coming from FL. I will feed them, then put them to work painting the nursery and putting together baby furniture :)

4. It is getting COLD around here. And I have to have my fuzzy warm socks. My feet are always freezing. Target has cute cheap socks. I have a couple of pairs like this, but I usually end up stealing a pair of Kyle's extra thick wool socks.

5. And speaking of cold, my hands are always dry this time of year. I love Soap and Glory, Hand Food. Smells great, works great!

 

Five on Friday

I am currently on my way to VA and I could not be more excited! This weekend is my friend Megan's 30th birthday celebration and I get to have a reunion with some of my favorite people that I haven't seen since March! I also get to spend time with my parents, which means full control over the menu. I have already put in requests for an apple pie, Megan's chicken (a cream cheese chicken recipe my mom makes, and my favorite growing up) and my dad's homemade cinnamon rolls. The baby and I are going to PIG OUT!

I decided to link up for Five on Friday and share some things from this past week:

1. The Body Shop is having a "buy 3, get 3 free" deal on some of my favorite scents. I love the cocoa butter scent (it has been my go to pregnant belly lotion) and the Vitamin E line of face products are great! Sale ends October 28th!

Really great gentle cream cleanser

Hands down BEST body scrub

2. I made the mistake of reading this article on BabyCenter about what happens to your body after you give birth. I have read What to Expect When You're Expecting and had all the sex ed stuff in health class, but until I read this article I didn't really know what to expect to happen to MY BODY after delivery. I know this is the miracle of life, it's going to be hard, it is so rewarding, etc. But man, if you want some FREE birth control, read that article!

3. The last couple of weeks my energy has totally surged. I mean like higher energy levels than before I was pregnant. I have used this time to prioritize walking and getting in exercise. And Kyle has started walking with me. Just between you and me, he has gained some sympathy weight. So I have been encouraging him to join me. I wonder what the chances are of me getting him to do the prenatal yoga DVD?

Saturday's hour long excursion.

 



4. I made chocolate chip cookies last night. They are so delicious. Sometimes you just have to return to the basics and make a classic like the chocolate chip cookie. I will make sure to pack some of them in my carry on for the flight!

5. Bouncing around on some blogs this week I saw a recipe for homemade fruit and veggie gummy snacks. I def want to try these out!

Five on Friday

This has been the LONGEST week ever, and I have no idea why! I have been in a snappy mood, and just not my normal self all week. It is miserable. My in-laws are coming to visit this weekend, so I better get with the program so I can enjoy their visit! I'm linking up for Five on Friday, maybe it will pull me back to happiness.

1. We finally got our TV stand and dining set. Our townhouse is coming together, thank goodness. I was a little nervous that dining furniture wouldn't get here soon enough and my in-laws would have to eat on TV trays their whole visit. How embarrassing. BUT, it arrived yesterday and I am very happy with how everything looks!

 

 

2. I started doing a prenatal yoga DVD, just to give me something else besides walking. I in no way, shape or form seem as serene as the woman on the cover of this DVD. FALSE ADVERTISING I TELL YA!

 

 

 3.  Essie- Don't Sweater It is a go to fall staple for my nails. Love love love!

 

 4. I got some more maternity wear this week. Preparing for cooler weather. Now I just need the state of Georgia to realize we are almost half-way through October and get with the program. It is FREEZING when I leave for work in the morning, and by afternoon it is super warm. I never thought I would want cooler weather and now I am begging!

 

 

5. We received our first baby gift!! This adorable little bulldog outfit came yesterday from "Aunt" Jennifer. It was so exciting to open it, and see the little man clothes. AH, it's becoming real!!!

 

Of course Gigi had to jump in the picture!

 

 

 

 

Five on Friday!

So happy this week is coming to a close, mostly because it is UGA v. LSU weekend here in Athens! I have been looking forward to this game ever since we beat South Carolina. College Game Day is on campus and there is just an excited atmosphere all around. I am happy it is Friday, but I will be even more happy when it is Saturday in Athens!
I'm linking up for Five on Friday!

1. First, my Hokies beat GA Tech last night. So proud! Wish I could have been in Atlanta to cheer them on!

2. This morning I am starting with some UGA spirit though. I didn't have a full length mirror, and the belly is getting in the way. Don't you love the carpet in my office?!





jeans Target, shirt Old Navy, shoes Jack Rogers

3. Kyle and I are checking out a daycare center today. The Today Show is doing a series on being born in America and posted this article. I have been thinking a lot about my maternity leave and already making plans at work about how my responsibilities will be covered while I am gone. I am the type of person that checks their work email while on vacation. I know some people think that is ridiculous, but honestly I love working and being busy. I will have enough time saved up by February to take 10 weeks off. I have a SUPER supportive office environment and supervisor that have no problem with being away that long, but I have a problem with it. February, March and April are three of the biggest recruiting months for our field both for graduate students and professional staff. I was looking forward to coordinating these processes and traveling to conferences. But I know now that is just not possible. I really hope the worker bee in me calms down after Baby D is here so that I can adjust to my new role as momma.

4. I am still trying to figure out what to bring to our tailgate this Saturday. I swear football is the ONLY reason I will wake up at 6am on a Saturday. I was thinking of baking these:

via

 

or these:

via

5. I got my birthday present from my parents early this week: a flight to VA in October to see these ladies! Can't wait!!!!

 

 

 

Dawgs on top!

I'm linking up with Sami's Shenanigans to share my weekend. It was the first home game in Athens!

 

Our new tailgate location was great! We had a wonderful shady spot and easy access to in-door plumbing. At one point during the day there was a large contingent of small children at the tailgate, and their parents made alcohol free jello shots (aka, jello in a little cup).  Perfect for small children and pregnant adults! I will admit one positive of being pregnant at a football game... the line for the bathroom. As soon as ladies saw me standing they immediately told me to go to the front of the line. I doubt I waited more than 3 minutes for the bathroom at any given time.!

While it might be nearing fall the temperature here is still high, and in the stadium it is even worse. Kyle brought home hand fans before we left for the game. I have no idea why we didn't think of these sooner! Made sitting in the heat MUCH more bearable. Or if you are like the old lady that sat in front of us you will read a book on your iPad the entire game in order to make your experience more enjoyable (seriously!) While sitting on the hard benches was getting to me by the third quarter, the game was so good I couldn't leave. And I am glad I didn't because the Dawgs won!

 

Sunday we couldn't pick Gigi up until 6:00pm so we took advantage of being dogless and slept in. We ran errands in the afternoon that included buying a new mattress and complete new bedding for our master bedroom. We got this lovely duvet set on sale for half off. I think I am turning into my mother because I love finding a good deal!

 

All in all a wonderful weekend and a great first home game!

Weekend Update

I'm linking up with Sami's Shenanigans to share my weekend!

1. One my way to Atlanta to visit Brianna, that's my excited face. She is in Atlanta twice a year for a conference, so it is the perfect excuse for a reunion!

2. Selfie in the elevator with Brianna.

3. We  celebrated National Margarita Day on Friday.

4. Emerald nail polish. Loving. Painted my nails while Brianna was giving her presentation on leadership at SEIFC.

5. Thrift shopping with Kyle on Sunday, just call him Macklemore. Found this gem of a leather jacket. Hilarious.

Friday Confessional

Linking up with Aubrey at High Heeled Love for Friday Confessional.

I confess... I have slacked on mileage this week. I only made it to the gym Tuesday. YIKES. 
I confess... I have been looking forward to my trip to Atlanta all week. Can't wait to see this girl!

I confess... no buy February got really hard this week when we stopped by the outlets. I am ready for some new spring dresses!
I confess... I am so proud of my brother  for being sworn into the Navy this week. He leaves for OCS next month. 

I confess... I love the nights after Gigi has been at daycare. She comes home and passes out on the couch all night.

I confess... I am obsessed with juicing. I love trying all different kinds of  fruits and veggies. 
Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Saw it. Pinned it. Did it.- Simmering pot!

Steph and Katie's Link Up: "Saw it. Pinned it. Did it." is quickly becoming my new fav link up! For everyone needing a reason to actually do what you have Pinned on Pinterest this will help motivate you!!!

I have wonderful memories of my Dad putting orange peels in a pot of water and leaving it on our wood burning stove/fireplace every fall/winter. It always made the house smell so good, so when I saw this Pin I just had to make my own simmering pot. 

Oringial Pin via

Directions:

Fill a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add the ingredients from your favorite recipe, boil for a few minutes, then turn the heat down to simmer all day. Top up water as needed.

Caution: Set your timer for 30 minutes so you remember to top up with water. You don’t want the pot burning dry. Do not leave the house with this left heating on the stove.

Recipe #1

Cinnamon sticks
Apple peels
Orange rinds
Whole cloves

I modified recipe one, because I didn't have apples. 

Boil then simmer! 

I actually use the same pot for awhile. I turn it on for awhile every night, then put a lid on it when I'm not using it. It usually lasts a couple of days.

SMELLS LIKE FALL FOR DAYS!