Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

How is everyone?!  Is it just me or has this week been the Mondayest week of all time?  I think it's a combination of the super hot weather and the awful rain/wind/floods.  Gross.  Gross.  Gross.

In traditional Friday Fashion, I'm going to list off my new faves!

1.)  Notorious  O.M.G.  If you were a fan of Covert Affairs you will LOVE this!  I love Piper Perabo and I think she's brilliant!  The show is part television producer ruling the world/legal drama.  All parts perfect!  Thursdays at 9, y'all!

2.) Erin Oprea's book The 4 X 4 Diet 
If she trains Carrie Underwood, then she's good enough for me!  The book is a great combo of fitness, lifestyle, and food.  The book reads like a casual conversation with an amazing trainer friend.  The book is chock full of recipes and tabatas for all fitness levels.  Erin then goes into the science behind all of her finds, ideas, and recipes.

3.) Girl on the Train hype!  Is anyone else as excited as me about the release of this movie?!  Currently I'm in a Facebook chat entitled Girl on the Train Groupies!  I loved this book and read it in 2 days.  2.  DAYS!  It usually takes me a while to read a book because I'll get sleepy or caught up in work, but this kept me riveted from start to finish.  I think Emily Blunt will kill it!  Also, Justin Theroux is yummy so I want to see him.

4.) PT is ovahhhh!  I loved PT and I had a great experience at Strive PT in Moorestown.  If anyone needs a PT, get there ASAP!  I worked with Abby and she was amazing.  I cannot thank them enough for all of their hard work.  I think she really took all of my goals and made them come true.  She was fabulous and I cannot say enough good things about my time there, but I'm happy to be back to my usual self.

5.) Return of Running!  I can run again and it feels amazing!  I ran 6 miles on Sunday and 5 miles on Tuesday with little pain!  I had the biggest and goofiest grin on my face the entire time I was running.  I probably looked insane to those spectating my run, but I don't care!  I loved it :)  It feels good to be back.  This past month was hell for me, with not being able to run, and the whole mental game, so this was an amazing experience!

5.) Calia!!  I can't believe that I've gone a year and half without these workout clothes in my life!  In the past week I've ordered 3 pieces.

All can be found here

They're so comfy and perfect for transitioning from summer to fall and from the gym to brunch :)

6.) Brantley Gilbert's new CD is coming soon!  I heard his new song The Weekend and then the DJ said that the CD is coming out in November!  I can't wait!!  He's one of my favorite singers and songwriters.  No one writes a love song quite like him.

7.)  Carrie Underwood's Calia commercial!  So inspirational and it definitely gives me all the feels.  It's the only commercial I watch lol

I'm off to work with a new trainer (He's trying to kill me.  He texted me that.  I. CANT. WAIT.)

After that, (If I'm still walking) I'll be grabbing din din with Kate!  Can't wait to see her after the wedding and her minimoon!  I can't wait to hear all about it :)

Enjoy your weekend!  I have a 5k on Sunday, and dinners with Cait on Sunday and Saturday!  There may or may not be some Melting Pot in my future...


-E

Friday Favorites

It's the Freakin' Weekend...I'm about to have me some fun!

Happy FriYAY!   I don't know about you, but I definitely feel like I earned this weekend.  I can't believe that in one week one of my best friends will be getting married!  Grown up married, not like 5th grade married!  Crazy!  So excited for her!  I know this will be an awesome week full of fun and festivities.  

This past week was a struggle.  I have been to PT for a week now and I am feeling a lot better.  I know it's a long road ahead, but slowly and surely I'm getting used to my new normal.  Adapt or die, ammiright?  I've been using kinesiology tape and I'm loving it now.  Maybe it's all mental, but I really think it's helping!  One of my students told me I looked like an Olympian.  Someone clearly wants an A...My PT said I can do light interval running aka 1 min walk/1 min light jog.  Hey, it's a far cry from 1/2 marathons, but I'll take it :)  Sunday morning I'm going to start my day with a little run/jog/walk.  

Does anyone have anything fun going on this weekend?  I'm babysitting tonight and tomorrow I teach my last Total Body Blast class for the year.  This has truly been one of my favorite summers because of this class.  It was kind of a dream I didn't know I had.  I'm definitely getting certified this fall so I can hopefully have my own class soon.  Sunday I *maybe* have a breakfast date with Amanda for acai bowls.  Deb and I then have manis for Kate's wedding.  Then, Cait, her mom, Deb, and I are going to Valenzano Winery for their annual wine fest.  I love this!  I think this is my 6th favorite day.

If you're wondering my favorite days go as follows:

1.) Thanksgiving

2.) Christmas Eve

3.) Souper Bowl Day at school

4.) Cookie Tray Day at school

5.) Cole Swindell Concerts

6.) Valentano Wine Fest

7.) My birthday

8.) Halloween

9.) Fourth of July

10.) Valentine's Day

Speaking of Favorites...here are my favorites from the week!

This hair cut!  I'm obsessed with Carrie Underwood (duh, total girl crush!) After Kate's wedding I'm totally cutting it!

President Barbie!  Every election, Barbie comes out with a President Barbie, but this time she's different!  There are 2 of them!  They are also multicultural.  I was also blown away by Barbie's career diversity.  While I was perusing the aisle at Target, I saw Barbies dressed as pediatricians, vets, scientists, and businesswomen.  Win win win!  

When I was in Target, some how these little babies ended up in my cart.  Weird how that happens, huh?  I wanted to try these puppies out.  Half way through the bag, I can say they are pretty good.  They remind me of the Crispy M&Ms.  They're really sweet, though.  They taste more graham crackery than marshmallowy.



SPIN!

My favorite spin instructor goes down the shore for the summer, so I'm thrilled when she comes back and I can finally take spin again.  Yes, spin is still offered at my gym when she's not here, but I really only like her.  So I take the summer off to focus on running, and then get back in the (spin) saddle come September.

I was supposed to have a half on Sunday, but I obviously have to pull out of it.  I'm really upset about it, but I know that I'll get better and be able to run again soon enough.  To all my friends running on Sunday, best of luck!

What are you loving this week??

Love Love Love,

E

Friday Favorites

Happy Happy FriYAY!

How has everyone's week been going?  Mine has been a crazy one, with the end of vacation and trying to get everything ready for back to school, plus some fun end of summer activities.  More on those things later :)  Also, happy Women's Equality Day!  Shout out to all of the women who have made this world a more equal and wonderful place for all of us!  Another shout out to all the women who continue to fight the good fight everyday to ensure equality, safety, and health for each and every one of us.

To keep with tradition, let's discuss some Friday Favorites!

1.)  The return of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Making The Team 11 

Who else is pumped about the return of this show??  It is one of my favorite shows and I fully cop to binge watching old episodes all zee time!  (I may or may not have the DVR set to record ANY & ALL episodes)  Since Amanda lives 3 states away, we have virtual wine dates with each other and will FaceTime or text through the episode.  Since I'm trying to detox from vacation, I had a scrumptious green juice and Amanda had some Barefoot.  The show was awesome!  I'm cheering for Kyndell, Jenna, Amy, and Tasha.

2.)  First Women by Kate Andersen Brower

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This book is fabulous!  Where was it when I was writing my thesis 3 years ago?  **Oh God, did I really graduate from college THREE YEARS AGO?**  I have a not so secret fascination with the first ladies and I can't put this book down.  It's non-fiction, but it reads like a novel.  Brower spoke with lots of past and current White House workers, East Wing staffers, friends, and family members of past and current first ladies.  I'm hooked!  I read it on the cruise and it was an amazing read.  I'm about 1/3 done and I can't wait to finish it!

3.) Strawberry Daiquiris!

Ok, confession time.  I haven't had a daiquiri in years.  Usually when I go out for a drink I order something low-cal like a tequila and seltzer with lime, but on the cruise I basically said screw it!  I got a daiquiri for the last 3 nights of the cruise and it reminded me of all of the good times in college.  They taste like you are 22 and have zero cares in the world!

4.)  MASSAGES!

On the cruise I decided to treat myself to a massage.  I got a scalp, foot, and full body massage.  It was heaven.  My masseuse deserves a special place heaven for working the knots out of my calves and back.  I think I left my body and went to heaven in those 75 minutes.

5.)  Horseshoe Bay!

This beach is all that it's cracked up to be.  The pink sand feels like snow it's so soft.  The crystal clear aquamarine water is perfect and you can stand up to your neck and still see the bottom.  There are rocks and caverns in the water that you can explore and play on and in.  I loved this beach and could have stayed there forever.

How gorgeous is this view?

6.)  Nutty Monkey Smoothies

Cruises are not known for their healthy food options, so when we were in Hamilton Bermuda, I found a bakery that made protein smoothies.  I will be recreating this meal this week!  Here's the recipe if ya wanna give it a whirl!

1 banana
1 cup vanilla (Unsweetened) almond mlik
1/2 cup oats
2 T peanut butter
1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
handful of ice

*sprinkle with cinnamon and vanilla if you're feeling it*

7.)  New Orleans!  My trip is booked!  I can't wait to see Zach again!  Hello November in NOLA!  I'm looking forward to not sweating my butt off this time.  I also can't wait to take a ghost tour of the Garden District!


Happy FriYAY!  I wish everyone a great weekend full of fun!  I have a concert and a baseball game coming up this weekend.  I'm teaching Zumba in addition to my usual Total Body Blast class.  What are you all up to this weekend?

XOXO,

e

Friday Favorites

It's the freaking weekend baby, let's go have some fun!

As expected today is looney bin day over in our house. We're running final errands and getting everything ready for vacation. Deb and I have nail appointments today in a futile attempt to relax and recharge before the hectic day of vacation departure is upon us. I'm thinking a hot pink or coral color in honor of Bermuda's pink sand beaches. 

In today's Typical Friday Fashion, I have found some new things that I'm loving. If there's anything you're loving please feel free to play along in the comments. 

1) Reader's Requests!  I love hearing from y'all and answering your questions or writing posts that you want to hear about. This week I got a lot of questions about what I eat and food/diet secrets while I don't believe in diets, I do believe in healthy swaps and healthy secrets. 

2) Dan + Shay's CD Obsessed. Last Saturday night Cait and I went to the Darius Rucker concert and they were one of his openers. I've seen them before and they were just meh. Very vanilla. This new CD, while a little pastel and predictable for them, has some cute new songs on it. I'm loving How Not To and Around The Clock. The first song has an amazing music video. It reminds me of Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud in a sense because it has a beautifully choreographed lyrical routine, but with the complete opposite message. Think of this as the breakup sister song to Thinking Out Loud. Around The Clock, on the other hand is a fun summery song about those first few weeks of dating where everything is fun and new. When you still find their quirks...endearing instead of OMG FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP TAPPING YOUR PEN!  

3) Chris Lane's For Her. Such a sweet song. I think we all have the dream of being in the kind of relationship described in this song. I have to say these new country singers are KILLING IT!  I can't wait to hear what else he has in store. 

4)  Caulirice Sushi!  Low carb fans raise your hands! I love my sushi! It's light, but filling, but has a ton of rice in it. I try to get my carbs from fruits and veggies only, so the rice was always kind of a bummer. Now I can eat my sushi sans rice! Wegman's has created some caulirice sushi! Instead of the traditional brown or white rice, they are using riced cauliflower. The sushi still tastes the same, but has a surprising crunch to it. It's also saves you about 150 calories for a 10 piece portion. It saves you carbs and gives you valuable nutrients from mega food cauliflower. I get the kale-lujiah roll which features marinated kale, cauliflower, and a seaweed wrap. It clocks in at only 120 calories!  I add a plumcot and I'm good to go with sustained energy for a few hours. Also I've been munching this as part of my Meatless Monday routine!  

5) STARBUCKS IS GETTING ALMOND MILK! I repeat STARBUCKS IS GETTING ALMOND MILK!  This is not a drill!  I'm not a huge coffee girl, but I've never met a frozen hot cocoa I didn't like!  Game changer! 

I'm off to get my nails done and start this vacation party right!  While I'm away I'm going to work on a healthy living while cruising post. Even typing that I'm smiling because it sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it?  I'll have to show you all pictures of the gym aboard the Anthem of the Seas!  Swoonworthy for sure. 

Have a happy weekend! 

E

Friday Favorites Olympics Edition

Happy FriYAY!

How is everyone doing?!  Sorry I've been MIA, I've been trying to get back into the swing of normalcy over here after 3 weeks of weddingstravaganzas!  Raise a wedding cake covered fork if you're ready to have a weekend free of weddings?!

Not that I don't love weddings, but I'm ready to breathe and have a peaceful low key weekend.  However, I can't wait to show you the pictures from Kate's shower and her bachelorette party!

Is everyone watching the Olympics?  I'm not a huge Olympics fan **put down the pitchforks lol** but I've watched a few of the competitions.  Gymnastics...obviously!   A little bit of swimming (Ryan Lochte's blue hair doesn't impact how cute he is) and some beach volleyball.

In traditional Friday Fashion here are my favorites from the week!  Feel free to play along in the comments section.

Botched By Nature- Wednesdays at 9 on E!  I'm obsessed with Botched anyway and when I found out the doctors were going to do another show my plastic surgery obsessed self started to dance!  When I was 2.5 I fell at my swim club and broke open my forehead.  My parents opted to have plastic surgery done to fix my forehead.  I'm so glad they did.  I know that if I didn't have that surgery, I wouldn't be as comfortable with myself as I am now.

This Michael  Phelps picture.

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What a great quote!  I think everyone has gotten caught up in jealousy or envy or self doubt and this picture is a great way to visually understand that it's all BS.  How many times have you played the comparison game?  She's faster than me, she's prettier than me, she's stronger than me.  The list goes on and on, but do those comparisons make you better or improve your skills?  Nope!  They don't help you improve at all.  I think all of that negative self-talk actually makes your performance worse.  So next time you want to compare yourself to someone else, think about this picture.  Phelps is focused on the wall and winning, and Chad Le Clos is focusing on Phelps.  Focus on winning.


Aly Raisman's Parents!

These two crack me up!  How do they not make her even more nervous?  If those were my parents I would ask them not to come because they would make me wayyyyy too nervous :)  They're so funny and it's so obvious that they love their daughter and want her to be successful, but they are hilarious!


Phillies Wall of Fame and Alumni Weekend!

Every August, the Phillies welcome another player to their Wall of Fame.  This year the honor is going to my favorite Philly *drum roll please* Jim Thome!

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Thome was a first basemen for the Phillies who was the #1 home run hitter in the NL in 2003.  He has 612 career home runs, the 7th most in MLB.  

For Christmas in 2003, my dad got me a Thome jersey (in a size Men's XL none the less) and I can't wait to resurrect that jersey for today's game.


First Comes Love by Emily Giffin.  This book is so so so good!  I have read all of her books and love how the different characters from her different books are intertwined.  This book focuses on the relationship between two very different sisters.  The book alternates chapter by chapter between one sister's point of view and the other.  It's a cool way to understand the various points of view while keeping the book fast paced.  I am almost done and I am doing what I always do when I get close to the end of a good book...I put it off.  I try to avoid the book at all costs.  When I lay out I read a few pages then I fall asleep because I don't want to finish the book.  I don't want it to be over because I know I'll miss the book.

Plumcots!  They're baaaaaack!  Plumcots are an apricot/plum hybrid and they're delicious!  They're sweet, but not so much so that they cause the sugar shakes.  I had green plumcots this year, too!  A little bit more tart than the red ones.

Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Bleue Parfum Rollerball

This week I picked up this new perfume for my upcoming cruise.  I wanted something different than my usual Calvin Klein Eternity and since Tory is my fave shoe designer and Philly girl, I decided to try hers.  It was love at first smell.  At a $28 price point, my purse was happy, too!  I love how convenient it is to just roll on and throw it in my clutch and I'm good to go out for the night.  I know it's also strange, but the cap screws on really tight and that makes me smile because I'm confident that the perfume won't get all over my purse.


So those are my favorite things from the week.  What are you all loving?


xoxo,

e

Friday Favorites

Hey All,

How is your FriYAY going so far?  Mine has been crazy busy already.  I started my morning at 4:30 with a 5 mile run, then hit the gym for a schweaty lifting sesh.  I'm getting ready to run to tutoring and then it's shopping for the Florida Georgia Line concert!  I'm going to channel my inner Jessie James tomorrow aka boots, cut offs, and a bandana.

Ra and I have dinner plans in Princeton tonight!  I can't wait to join forces with my partner in crime and college roomie.  I'm introducing Ra to the wonderful world of Indian food tonight!  Ra introduced me to Ed Sheeran (Ra was the first person to hear about him.  I know this for a fact because she used to force me to jam to him in 2010) and Matt Nathanson.  She also introduced me to the actual lyrics of Ozzy's Crazy Train.  #Friendshipgoals

Today for FriYAY Favorites I figured I'd share some things I'm loving as of late!

1.)  Cameron Rupp's Instagram account.  Cam is our catcher and he's hilarious!  He puts up solid numbers a catcher and fill the big cleats of Carlos Ruiz or Philadelphia's beloved CHOOOOOOOOOCH!  Cameron puts up hilarious pictures and captions.  This week he put up a pic of the team wearing American flag onesies.  Hilarious!

2.)  Watermelon.  OMG I think we've eaten a watermelon a week over here this summer.  My favorite morning snack.  Watermelon is a healthy snack because it's 92% water, has loads of vitamins including A, B6, and C.  It also has lycopene and antioxidants!  Healthy and delicious?!  Sign me up! You can read about more of watermelon's benefits here.

3.)  THIS TOP!  I think it's perfect for the FGL concert with the girls tomorrow!  Is anyone else obsessed with denim and white eyelet like me?

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4.) Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.  After seeing the previews for this movie last week I decided I HAD to read the book before I saw the movie.  Well....I'm hooked!  I read it in about 4 days and was obsessed with it!  So good!  You all need to read it.  

5.)  Finding Dory!  Deb, and our two other mother/daughter co-worker friends went to see this movie on Tuesday.  It was everything I hoped it would be!  It gave you all the feels.  It was sweet, hilarious, and heartwarming.  It brought tears of happiness, sadness, and hilarity.  Great movie!  Worth the 13 year wait.

I hope you enjoy the day!  I'm thinking a pool day after the mall is in store.  

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Things I'm Loving Friday #4

Happy FriYay!!

Why do short weeks always feel infinitely longer than full weeks?

Raise your hand if you're ready for the weekend?

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This week has been a jam packed non-stop train ride of crazy!  Even my never-sit-down-run-around-all-active-crazy self is looking forward to the weekend and some chill time.

This weekend is pretty low-key, babysitting, some hang time with the girls, and running some errands.

BUUUUUUTTTTTT before the weekend comes Friday!  Here are the things that I am loving this week.

1.)  Amanda's Bachelorette Party Weekend! 

Can you guess where we're going?  

I'll give you some hints:

-Will Smith penned a tome about this great city

-Khloe and Kourtney opened a DASH here

-Don Johnson had a show called __ __ __ __ __ VICE

-They tried and failed with a Real Housewives franchise here

Can ya guess it?

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Welcome to Miami!  

Awwwww yeah!  

New bathing suits, big hats, and cute dresses here we come!  Amanda and Tony's bridal party are both going to Miami together...we're splitting up as soon as the plane lands!  I can't wait because who doesn't want to enjoy the sun, surf, and sand with your besties?  Count.  Me.  IN!

2.) TVLand's Teachers

OMG!  It's a total satire of everyday teacher life and I'm obsessed!  They say everything you as a teacher want to say, but can't!  The show follows the school lives of 6 fictional teachers and their classes navigating everyday school life and problems.  As you can imagine hilarity ensues as the writers explore real life teacher problems such as:  superintendent visits, picture day, and anti-bullying.  The best part of the show is how they call the students Alex B. or Jason P.  The teacher jargon (use quiet hands/make a good choice) kills me.  

The show is on Wednesdays at 10:30 on TVLand.  

Also, I'm no longer mad at TVLand for airing Full House and Everybody Loves Raymond reruns and calling it classic television #Imnotthatoldyetthankyouverymuch

Hello!  I watched them live...

3.)  Snow Days and 2 Hour Delays

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I love that phone call!  I get to sleep in, wake up at the same time and relish in the do-nothing-but-sit-around-time.  

2 hour delays are just as glorious...even if they do make the kiddos confused.  My kids couldn't understand why they were going to lunch after spending just one hour in school.  

4.)  Purple Sweet Potatoes

HOLY DELICIOUS!  I had about 4 this week and I can't.get.enough!  They're a delicious way to add some smart carbs to your meal...plus the purple color is GAWWWWJUSSS!  

5.)  Chana Masala

Whole Foods does it well!  I've had a slight obsession with this since I discovered it this summer.  I'm pretty sure it translates to Amazingly Delicious!  It's spicy heaven.

6.)  Juicer Is BAAAACK!!

It's been back for about a week and I'm loving having my daily juice again.  

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What have you all been loving lately?

Happy FriYAY!

e

Friday Faves!

Happy Friday Everyone!


How was everyone's week?  Does anyone else feel like August is flying by?  We need to slooooooow it down.

This weekend is a crazy one like always.

Today I'm tutoring, lifting, running, and doing some shopping.  Tonight, I'm meeting Cara for dinner in Princeton.  Love roomie meet ups.

Tomorrow I have workoutstravaganza followed by my God-cousin's improv show and dinner in Philly.

Sunday is a long 11 mile run followed by a beach day.

I'm liking my weekly beach trips.

In typical Friday fashion, I'm here to list out all of my favorite things from the week.

-Pit Life!

Singing/dancing/jamming up close and personal with the band is in a class of its own.  There's no comparison.  It sounds so chi chi chi, but it's true.  IT's going to be hard to go back to the lawn with the fellow peasants.

-Avocado-Holy Guacamole I'm obsessed with this veggie.  I've been using it to top my Crock Pot Chicken Salsa, Greek salad topper, and as a spread for turkey and cheese sandwich.  The avocados were perfect-not too mushy (grosssssss) and not too hard.  Love them!

-Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Making The Team Season 10-I'm obsessed with this show!  As a cheerleader and dancer, I know the stress that these girls are under.  I love how they show the human interest pieces about each cheerleader--you get so connected to these girls and you root for them throughout the process.  I also like to see who came back from last season.  It's a heart warmer

-OpenTable.com

I love making reservations because I hate waiting for for when I'm hangry.  It's so easy and eliminates the awkward phone reservation conversations that I seem to have every day.

-Vintage Blog Posts

I've been reading those "You might want to read" posts at the bottom of some beloved blogs…and guess what?  I've been loving reading the bloggers' lives from what seems like a million years ago.  I love reading blogs of mom's before they were moms.  So funny and interesting to see where their lives have gone.

-Bath and Body Works Summer soap scents-Magnolias and Mimosas?  Yes please!  Summer Sails?  Absolutely!

-This sunscreen

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-Weekly beach trips
Every Sunday for the past 3 weeks and I don't hate it!

-Grilled shrimpies from Ike's on the OC Boardwalk.  A little Old Bay  and I'm a happy girl :)

Happy Friday!

XOXO,

E

Friday Faves

Happy Friday!!

How is everyone today?  Any fun weekend plans?  I'm super busy (just the way I like it) with a wine tasting today (!), a Phillies game, a hair cut (#holyroots), Rascal Flatts concert, and a beach day!


As in true Friday fashion I'm going to share some of my favorite things from the week!

Amanda's Bridal Shower Cake!

So much talent!

Chocolate chip cake with delicious fondant frosting

Greek Salad!  Ever since Sam's wedding last year I developed a love affair with Greek salad.  I never liked olives until last year.  (Sam's wedding had these delicious appetizers called Greek Salad Spoons which were soup spoons with a mouthful of Greek salad.  It was a flavor explosion and I've been hooked ever since)

This Greek salad has the usual:  greens, olives, red and orange tomatoes, cucumbers, and goat cheese instead of feta.  BUT we added some avocado and a homemade lemon vinaigrette.  DALISH!  I also added a piece of Moroccan lemon herb chicken for some added protein.  I went to bed with salad dreams about this lunch.  I even wrote a note on the fridge to ask mia familia to save me some salad :)

Saladgasm

 This Peach and goat cheese pizza from THIS site.  It's the perfect blend of sweet Jersey peaches and tangy goat cheese!

These Target Buckets!  $1 a piece!  Target for the WIN!  New writing center here I come!

Pineapple!  All of the pineapple!

Bachelorette Viewing Party!  Love these girls!  We even roped in Deb!

THIS!  ALL OF THIS!  Jenna Fisher aka Pam Halpert posted this on IG today and my Office  loving heart melted a million times over.  She uses a Dunder Mifflin mug!  Lurve :)

Pam Halpert 4Ever

Thomas Rhett's new song!  I heard it last week at the FGL concert and was hooked!  It hasn't been officially released yet so I had to hunt around on youtube to find it.  But just tell me that your heart doesn't smile when you hear this song!  He wrote it for his wife because she asked him to write something that was like Tim McGraw's Just To See You Smile and not another song about beer.

Give it a listen and I'm sure you'll be hooked and desperately creeping on iTunes waiting anxiously for its release!

TR's new song


Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Making The Team 10.  Thank you IG for letting me know that there were marathons of past seasons.  While watching said marathons, I found out that the new seasons is starting August 6 at 11 on CMT!



Have a great weekend!


Love,

E

Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday!

How was everyone's week?  Mine was pretty good.  I worked a lot, hung with girlfriends, worked out, and went to Oven Yoga.  All in all not too shabby.

We did get a little rain aka Thunderpocolypse 2015 last night forcing my Pilates Pool Party to come indoors.  We still had fun with our s'mores and best salad ever.   It's always a winner winner salad dinner when you get to hang with good friends, laugh, joke, trade stories, EAT, and drink wine.



As per tradition, today is Friday Faves!!  Here are some of my favorite things from the week.  Please share your faves!


This fedora!  I'm loving the cute summery vibe it has.  It's perfect for the Taylor Swift concert tomorrow night!  #Swiftiesunite!

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 I have to tell you, I was having such a hard time deciding what to wear to this Taylor concert.  When I went to see her circa high school, she was rocking the cowboy boots and sundresses with curly locks.  So I did, too.  

No judgement…I was 18 and super pumped to be seeing Taylor.
That's an unamused Dylan if you are wondering...

Now it's a little harder because she's a grown up who no longer wears sparkly dresses and cowboy boots as her concert get up.  When Taylor adjusts, I adjust.

I'll post my outfit recap on Monday.  But the fedora will make an appearance because I need to cover my face from the sun at MetLife stadium.

Queen Phyllis eyeshadow from BareMinerals!  I have the shimmer version and I'm in love! You can find product info here.  I use BareMinerals eyeshadow and eyeliner and I'm very happy.  I still use Clinique for everything else.  This shadow is a miracle.  It's light and summery, but still has depth and personality.  Apparently the creator named certain eye shadows after her close friends--thus dubbing them "Queens".  Love friend shout outs!

S'mores!  I've been on such a s'mores kick recently and I don't hate it.  Last night some of the girls came over after Pilates and we had s'mores, wine, girl talk, and salad.  In love!

We made the marshmallows in the oven because of the rain :(

Running!  My 5 am runs have become common place and I'm pretty happy with that.  I love waking up and starting my day off with a good sweat sesh.  This week was kind of difficult for me because a ghost came back to haunt me.  Before you think I'm a kooky loony toon, it was a guy ghost.  You know, someone from your past that you think you're over and then they show up and wreck your progress?  Yeah, that kinda ghost.  Runs have definitely become a saving grace for me.

This is a shorty but all of my faves!

Enjoy your weekend!  It's gonna be gorgeous here in NJ!  As always, tell me what you are loving

XOXO,

e

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

How was everyone's week?  Is it just me or did this week fly by?  This week was a whirlwind.

As you read this, I'm probably sweating my troubles away at my first Bikram Yoga class!  I'll post about it this weekend.

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I love this picture!  

I think after yoga I'm going to get a mani…any color suggestions?  I'm thinking bright!

Tomorrow I'll be running in a Fourth of July 5k!  I love 4th of July events and picnics.  Does anyone else think the 4th of July is super romantic or is that just me?  Maybe it's the hot weather, the late night fire pits, the fire works, or the happiness and good times that make the world a little more rosy?  I don't know, but I just love it.
As usual, this post will be focused on my Friday Favorites.

1.)  Kelsea Ballerini's CD The First Time.  Ohmygoodness I love this CD!  Have you ever heard a CD that makes you think, how did you read my mind?  Her CD is a fun mix of summery love songs, feel good anthems, and break up jams.  You need to listen to XO, Peter Pan, Looking At Stars, First Time.  She may heal millions of broken hearts.

2.)  Dinig al fresco!  What is it about summer and eating outside that makes everything taste better?  I've been dining outside so much lately and it has been making every meal that much more enjoyable.

3.)  Maria Menounos' EveryGirl's Guide To Diet and Exercise.  

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This book is easy to read because it's fun, free of exercise-mumbo jumbo, but still educated and scientifically backed.  Maria writes an easy how-to guide for women to help us firm up and gain confidence.  I love reading healthy lifestyle blogs and books and she nails it.  The book has quotes and advice from fitness experts, Q& A's with celebs, recipes, and workout pictorials.  *Also the inside has a lot of pops of pink aka making everything better*

4.)  Clinique's Cheek Pop in Pink Pop!  It's the perfect summer color.  It's a creamier powder blush, than my usual Clinique Pink Blush.  It's the same price ($21) and it gives my cheeks more oomph.  Being from Jersey, there's nothing we love more than blush and a cute pink cheek.  The color is light, airy, and looks super natural--perfect for that just pinched summer look!

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5.)  Plumcots!  Plumcots are a hybrid between apricots and plums.  I had a sample at Wegman's about a month ago and I've been hooked ever since.  They're sweet and tangy and a flavor explosion!  I call them confused fruit because they don't know if they're supposed to be sweet or tangy.  I have one everyday and I'm hooked.

6.)  Outdoor afternoon naps!  Every day I've been taking a little afternoon nap by my pool.  The warm air, the most comfortable chaise lounge ever, and the peace and tranquility that comes from laying by water makes for perfect summer nap weather.  I love these little pm naps.

What are your favorite things this week?  I'd love to hear some things you love!

P.S.  ONE thing I'm not loving is the fact that the Phillies are away for the next 2 weeks thanks to a road trip and the All-Star Break.  I have a hankering to go see my boys play under new leadership.  I'm thinking I'll need to score some tickets to the July 17th game…


I hope everyone has a happy Friday!

XOXO,

E

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

Let's all do the Friday Dance!

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How was your week?!  My was bueno.  It was my last week of "real work".  I taught SMARTBoard lessons to my fellow teachers during Professional Development.  It's weird teaching to fellow teachers.  A lot of the teachers in my class are people that I know or have worked with.  It's super nerve wracking.  

Teaching to kids, I got this.  Teaching to grown ups?  Completely different animal!  

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I think it's because I respect them all so much and every day you want to impress them and prove yourself.  Anyway, it all went well and I think I did a good job.  

After work on Tuesday I went to babysit.  We played trains.  Let me tell you, Type A chickas like me should not be allowed to play trains. Why?  Because Type A me needs all of the pieces to align.  It took us an hour to assemble the whole thing.  It was divine.  All the pieces connected, no pieces were forced, there was complex loops, and it went under the table and circled back around.  

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Wednesday was my first "Day Off" in what felt like forever and I spent it at a 5:30 am spin class.  The usual spin instructor is away for the summer and we have a replacement spin instructor.  It's just meh now.  I then had a lifting session.  

Wednesday night Kate and I went to the movies to see Spy.  It was very funny.  You can never go wrong with Melissa McCarthy and a girl power comedy.  There are so many good movies coming out! I want to see Aloha, Magic Mike, and Trainwreck.  I'm having a total Amy Schumer moment right now.  I loved her on The Bachelorette!  She's hilarious and I think that movie will be fantastic!

Thursday was an early run.  Usually I run at 5 am, but this time I ran at 7.  Let me tell you, 7 am runs in the summer are way hotter than 5 am runs!  Also, 5 am runners are much friendlier!  When I wave to 7 am runners, some wave back and some ignore you.  

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Just wave!  It takes like 5 seconds total.  Anyway, I digress.  

Thursday night I went to Pilates and Barre.  These two are my therapy classes.  They make me so happy and I just feel more centered after taking those classes.  

Today I went for a 5:30 am run.  I'm watching old school Real Housewives of OC that I have DVR'd.  I love Old School OC.   I'm going to tutor now, but then the famsquad is going to the Tall Ships Festival in Philadelphia!  I'll tell you how it goes :)  I may or may not have a nautical themed outfit on today….

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Have a Happy Friday!  It's the weekend :)

Love Love Love,

E

Friday Faves

Hey Bloggies!

How is your week going?  It's Friday, Friday, Friday, gonna get down on Friday ovah here!

Today is Deb and my work party--we're hosting it at our casa and I'm pretty excited.  I love parties especially ones by the pool :)

Life as of late has been pretty crazy.  School is over next week (for the kiddos anyway, I'm working until the 23rd) and between report cards, training for my half, and sleeping (what's that?) life's been insane!

Today I'm going to leave you with a little quickie Friday Faves post!

1.) This jumpsuit!  I'm obsessed with it.  Is anyone else having a 70's Charlie's Angels moment and loving the jumpsuit?  I just picked it up and can't wait to wear it.  I'm already planning a summer fancy schmancy dinner in AC just so I can wear it.  Does anyone else do that?  Buy an outfit and then plan something so you can wear it?  Nope?  Just me?  Ok moving on then…

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2.) THIS Jackie book!  If you've been a longtime reader (gracias) then you know I'm all about my Jackie!  I wrote my history thesis on her and I've been obsessed for a while.  Love her style, grace, intellect, and approach to life.  As a Jackie connoisseur I can pick out a fan piece a mile away.  This book would make Jackie proud.  It focuses on her true self.  It's not fangirl-ish or fake.  It's full of interesting insight and focuses on her as a person, not just Jack's wife.  I started reading this book and have become addicted.  I'm bringing it babysitting tomorrow.

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3.) 5 am runs!  I've never been a morning person until this spring.  Yes, as in 2 months ago.  I love waking up at 5 to run 2-3 days a week.  I find that once my run is done, the day has really begun.  Didn't mean to go all Dr. Seuss on y'all, but hey I'm gonna roll with it.  I love getting up early and running 5 miles.  I do not love getting sprayed by secret sprinklers!  Come on people, set your sprinklers for 3 am!  #suburbsprobz

4.) THIS goat gouda!  IT'S everything I COULD POSSIBLY WANT TO HAVE IN A GOAT CHEESE!  Yodeling Goat Gouda has my heart!  Thanks for helping out the lactose intolerant peeps!

5.) THIS Cole Swindell song!  Just listen to it!  It's amazing--well, actually I'm a huge fan of all of his songs and jam out unabashedly to his Pandora station at work.  This song just sounds like summer to me :)  Who doesn't want to be at an outdoor concert, swayin' with Mr. Swindell?  My friends and I are obsessed with his CD!  Get it people!  He reminds me of a young Lukeybear  Luke Bryan.

Anyway,  that's what I'm loving this Friday.  What are you all loving?  Any good races, fitness events, concerts, weekend plans?  I'm having a chill weekend full of babysitting, 9 miles on Sunday, food shopping, and I heard there's a possible Whole Foods Hot Bar date in my future…

Have a great weekend loves!

-E

Favorite Beauty Product

Happy Friday!

Let's all do the weekend happy dance!

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Did anyone else bawl their eyes out last night during Grey's?  I was tearing up and making pouty faces at the gym.  It was cute not normal and people stared.  Scandal? OMG!  Crazy Good!

Today's post is all about my favorite beauty product and this is the easiest thing to rave about.

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There are no words for how much I love this product!  I started using it when I was in high school and on Acutane.  It saved my chronically chapped lips.  For those of you who have not used Acutane, it is an intense Acne medicine that dries you completely out.  It saved my life and I've been a devotee since.  I actually do finish the entire container and NEVER lose it.  I have one safely in every purse I use.  Miracle in a stick. It is light, balmy, and not greasy.  Unlike so many other chapsticks, it doesn't fade away.  You know what I mean, some you put on and they slide right off?  Nope!  Also, some balms seem to slide off your lips??  Not this beauty! It's the best $2.99 you will spend.  

What beauty products do you love?  I'm also a huge water lover so my water bottle is another beauty product must.  

Sunscreen would be number 3.  Neutrogena Beach Protection is my #1.

Well, I'm off to do the work thang and then Jess, my parentals, and I are off to see Much Ado About Nothing.  One of the nice things my district does is they give out 2 free tickets to staff members for every show.  It's great!  The productions are always a display of talent.  Plus, Much Ado is my favorite Shakespeare play!  

Beatrice is my spirit animal.  She's my third favorite literary heroine.  Junie B. Jones is #1.  Chrysanthemum is #2.  Can I get a hand clap for the ladies of literature?!

Have a great weekend!  One week until Halloween!  Teacher blogfriends, are your kids already candy crazy?

Love Love Love,

E

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

We made it another week!  Go us!

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I have another interview Monday.  I also got rejected from a job I really wanted.  That produced

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Today's link up post is "5 Favorites".  It can be 5 favorites of your choice.  I decided to do my 5 favorite TV shows of the summer!  Get ready for some low brow entertainment people.  I picked my 5 favorite summer TV shows because I'm a pale person and burn way too easily to spend any amount of time out in the sun.  I like my TV because I don't burn or get hot and schweaty.

The struggle is very real my friends....VERY REAL!

1.) Real Housewives of New Jersey Sundays at 8 pm BRAVO.  This classic train wreck meets tanned out North Jerseyites has had me hooked since 2009.  I remember binge watching a season of it in my dorm room freshmen year of college and wondering:

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The mix of big hair, "In the Italian culture" tag line that is dropped 100 times an episode, and the shear unREAL version of the mythical land that is North Jersey simply intoxicated my 19 year old self.  I have been hooked every since.  Since then I have met the Manzo and Laurita clan, and Teresa.  I am still on a quest to meet Dina, Kathy, and Melissa.  We shall see!  I'm a SoJerz girl so the whole North Jerz thing is kind of new to me.  Honestly, I didn't even know what was up in that part of the state until I went to college and made friends from NorJerz.  They really are like that though!  It's crazy!

I'm lumping Real Housewives of Orange County Bravo Mondays 9 into this tanned out train wreck, too.  This train wreck has been chugging along since it's conception way back when (06 maybe?) and I've been loving it for 3 years.  I was tardy for the party but it's ok because I just am so hooked on it!  I think I like it because I don't actually like anyone on it.  I think all of the women are awful.  I guess the only one I like is Lizzie?  Shannon is ok, but I want to hug her and tell her everything will be ok.  I can't stand some of them, yet I can't abandon them.  Maybe it's the blonde thing?  It unifies us?

2.) Scandal sure this show has been out for a few years but thanks to my lover Netflix I just discovered it!  See in college I worked 3 jobs and therefore took mostly night classes and missed a lot of television.   Well this summer I caught up right quick!  Deb and I marathoned all three seasons and are waiting with white hats perched until September for the return of Pope and Associates.  

3.) Don't Be Tardy Thursdays 9, BRAVO.  Again, trash!  This is the worst reality show in the world but there is something so endearing and gripping about Kim Zolciak's life.  I love Kroy!  Don't we all?  He just seems to adore her and her girls.  I love this show because it is white trash chic and she owns it!  I love how she loves sweat pants, and wigs, and glitter, and all things crazy.  I'm hoooooooked!  I never watched RHOA because it never gripped me, but Kim?  Love Kim!

4.) The Bachelorette Monday 8 pm. ABC.  The best show ever!  I'm loving Andi but I do want a fresh person for the next season of Bachelor/Bachelorette.  New blood Chris Harrison.  Also, I get really sad when I look at Chris' manicured digits and don't see his titanium wedding band.  I don't see why he and Gwen couldn't work it out. I'm still rooting for the MOST.DRAMATIC.REUNION.EPISODE.EVER. when Gwen reappears and asks for him back.  Can't stop dreaming about that!  But seriously, I'm 100% still Team Chris!  I love him.  He's the best guy.  Just all around wonderful!  Now I'm team Josh because Nick is a salty little saltersen and I'm over his moody drama.  I think I also love this show because I get to watch it every week with one of my closest friends.  We gossip, dream, and joke through the episode and it makes it 1,000,000,000 times better!

5.) Homeland I know this show came out years ago, but again see #2.  Deb and I are on season 2 and we love it!  It was a slow start but now we're hooked!  We give each other crap for leaving the hosue and thus barring the other one from watching an episode.  We're crazy cool like that!

I hope you enjoyed my low brow sense of entertainment!  I think I love trashy shows because real life is hard.  Real life sucks.  Reality TV?  I don't hate it!  It's an escape and I love it!  What are your favorite shows?!

xoxo,

Er

Things I'm Loving Friday

Happy Good Friday Loves!!

Happy Weekend!  Happy Easter Weekend!  Happy Almost Done Student Teaching and School for my SPED girls!  (We're so close we can feel that tassel hitting us in the face at graduation!  Fingers crossed for The Git's reused speech! WECANONLYHOPE!)

I'm doing a link up today with one of my fave bloggers Amanda about my Friday Faves!  I have a lotta faves!  I'm a fan of stuff and the more stuff I can find to love the happier I am.


1.  Subbing.  I subbed during my student teaching district's spring break and I loved it!  I love subbing more than any other job I ever had (except babysitting...hello free apple juice!) Subbing is great because you are not responsible for grading work, planning the lesson, or really doing anything besides making sure the kiddos are safe.  Seriously, remember when you were a kid and if you didn't do your homework when your teacher was absent you could totally do it that night and be like, "Oh, she didn't collect mine."  Or, "I had a really bad experience before when I handed homework to the sub and she lost it.  I just wanted to hold onto it so I would be sure you would get it."  Also, if you didn't do something you as a class could say, "Oh we didn't get to that yet."  And you're set!  As the sub, no one expects you to actually do anything.  They leave you their plans but the closing line of most sub plans says, "If you don't get to something it's not a big deal."  I'm super anal and crazy Type A so I always follow the plan to a T but some subs don't listen at all.  Crazy!

2. Victoria Secret's PINK Yoga Pants.  Yesterday they were on sale for $30!  Happy Easter Erin!

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How cute JERSEY are these?

3. Barefoot Refresh White Wines!  These mean summer in the Kitley household!  Every summer BBQ involves grilled asparagus, garlic parmesan corn, chicken burgers, and these beautiful loves.  They're light, fruity, and...refreshing?!  

My favorite wine!

4. The Mediterranean Cous Cous (They didn't add the second cous til 1979...Sigh, I miss FRIENDS) Shrimp Salad from Panera.  This has been my Fridays in Lent staple!  (P.S. if you want to bring me one, NO OLIVES!)  I loathe boring salads and this is anything but boring!  

Look.  At.  Those.  Shrimp!

5.  PopChips Katy's Kettle Corn-HOLYGUACOMOLE are these fantabulous!  Serindipity brought us together last Monday.  I was in TCNJ's bookstore (or most overpriced place to buy anything) picking up my cap and gown (more on that later) and I realized I was hungry.  I knew I wanted a healthy afternoon pick me up, so I wandered over to the organic/gluten free section (could we BE MORE pretentious?  JK I heart TCNJ.  We're pretentious and we know it/like it) and I found them!  I lerve kettle corn and I decided I wanted something salty/sweet.  These were perfect and mostly healthy (yes the only healthy snack is carrot stix and water pops but you know what?  No one actually craves them...so there's that) and I bought a bag for Easter. Also, the fact that it's popcorn shaped like a chip is a novelty that has not worn thin on me!

Sweet Serindipity!

6.  Freeze Dried Apple Cinnamon Slices-NOTE I have yet to actually try these, but I have eaten and loved the freeze dried mango slices (they have a TON of sugar in them though so be careful).  But anything from Target+organic+fruit+cinnamon=most likely a gem in my book.

They look good right?

7.  L'Oreal Smoothintense frizz serum is a Godsend! In NJ, humidity is our king and we're just his loyal forced subjects.  I, as I'm sure all girls, am constantly searching for products that are going to smooth my frizzball hair.  Without serum, my hair is kinda blah.  It just hangs out.  It's not really frizzy but it's surely not smooth.  I've tried all of the $$$$ brands to no avail, but this gem is $5.99!  It works!

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8.  Matt Nathanson's  Kinks Shirt is on the radio!!  I heard it once yesterday and a preview for it again today!  Cara introduced me to the sweet symphonic sound of Matt frosh year and I've been hooked since!  I've seen him 4 times since frosh year and he gets better each time!  He's rarely on the radio though (the radio's loss by the way) so when he is I always text Cara and we celebrate his little victories!  Here is a link to the song.  Go.  Jam.  Be Free.  When we went to his concert last fall, Cara and I were dying when he told us a story about this song.  He said that he and his buddies would go to the diner by the studio for lunch everyday and one of the waitresses wore a Kinks shirt everyday and he said she was super hot, all tatted up, and looked like she could kill you.  (P.S. Matt's hilarious and his concert is part comedy show part concert)  So he wrote a song about her but didn't tell her, nor did he expect she'd every find out.  So one day, he gets a Twitpic from a fan who is posing with this girl!  The fan told the waitress about the song!  Haaaalarious!    Kinks Shirt

9.  The girl's name Tiegan pronounced (TEE-GEN).  When I was subbing, a girl at the school was named Tiegan and I thought it was so cute.  My kids are going to get teased on the playground aren't they?

10.  Craig Campbell's Keep Them Kisses Coming.  I have been jamming nonstop to this song!  Don't we all want this kinda love?  I do!  Everyone wants that we're not doing anything all day but hanging out kinda love.  Here's a link!  Craig Campbell has been around for a long time and I'm glad he's gaining popularity.  Keep Them Kisses Coming

Hoppy Easter Weekend!

xoxo,

Er