Always Welcoming the Weekend

Happy Friday lovelies!

Other than busting my ass at work, this week was pretty uneventful but I guess that's not a bad thing. I actually feel well-rested despite increased work hours + unruly cute puppy that's potty training + rain & fog causing my commute to almost double (don't even get me started on stupid drivers). Either way, this weekend will be used to sleep in and de-stress with a small chance of productivity.

I'm know I'm late to the party but I signed up for a free trial of Amazon Prime this week. I've obviously been in the dark about everything this membership comes with (other than 2-day shipping). I'm still figuring out all the perks but I'd love to hear from those that use it, mainly:

(1) What do I need to take advantage of during this 30-day trial?
(2) What really makes continuing with the $99 membership worth it?

 Joining the lovely Amanda and Tif for their Friday linkups. 

Favorite Accessories:

My growing Alex and Ani bangle collection. It's been fun customizing my collection around the things I love and being gifted some new beauties from K & friends.

Favorite Recipe:

This healthy Chicken Chickpea Salad from Ambitious Kitchen looks amazing!

Favorite Fashion & Hair Looks:

Favorite Funnies:

 

Have a great weekend!!

Weekly Roundup and Friday's Favorites

Happy Friday!

I have a fairly low key weekend lined up and looking forward to taking Lola to her first puppy training class tomorrow. My toes and furniture will thank me later!

Last night K and I went to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate his promotion at work. The manager came over and ended up comping our dinner since their restaurant and K's company do business together. Win win!

Late photo recap of NYE night because I just received these photos from a friend's camera. We're a classy but more so, a crazy bunch. 

Linking up with the lovely Amanda for Friday's Favorites.

Favorite Recipe:

Chicken and Asparagus Stirfry

Favorite Gift:

Kate gave me this cute bulldog magnet as a birthday gift and it's now up on my fridge. I definitely agree life has been better since we got Lola!

Favorite Seasonal Beer:

Blue Moon Mountain Abbey Ale

Favorite Giveaway:
Mine & Sarah's of course! Enter now and daily (until next Wednesday) for additional chances to win an awesome set of Bose headphones and a $25 iTunes gift card so you can load up on your favorite tunes for 2015.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Favorite Funnies:

 

 Also linking up with Tif, Caitlin, Katie and Della for their new High Five for Friday linkup.

 

NYE Recap & Friday's Favorites

Happy New Year!

This week has been weird with NYE being smack dab in the middle of the week, no work yesterday but then right back to work today. Let's just say I'm ready for the weekend already and so happy it's Friday!

We went to a NYE party at a friend's house and it was a fun night with good friends, jello shots & delish food. But after working a long & stressful day I was ready to go home after the ball dropped and spend the rest of the night with Lola.

Joining the lovely Amanda for Friday's Favorites.

Favorite Sites: 
I'm loving that the weather has been in the 70s with beautiful sunsets at night. It must be a record high because wearing flip flops and shorts on Christmas day is not the norm!!

Favorite Recipe

Pumpkin soup by Sarah from Coffee & Glitter (recipe found here). Im a sucker for a good soup and might even attempt to make it this weekend if I have some extra time.

Favorite Product & Shopping Finds

These are some of my favorite items I scored in 2014 -- 50% off Bath & Body Works 3-wick candles this week (I've already stocked up) --  MK purse (in grey) -- TB sunglasses for my birthday -- Versace Bright Crystal (smells amazing) -- VS lace undies -- TRESemme Keratin Smooth hair products to control frizz and tame hair -- Smashbox concealer -- Tarte foundation (both provide excellent coverage) -- comfy PJs for lounging at home. 

Favorite Funny:

And of course my favorite baby girl, Lola.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Weekly Roundup & Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! 

I love when the holidays come around because it's my favorite time of year although December is going to be a busy, busy one and now we have a puppy which makes it that more difficult to juggle. 

My work holiday party is tonight and I have several more upcoming parties and events on the agenda:

- 2nd holiday party for the year with friends

- Staycation and birthday trip to Disney

- Friend's wedding on my actual birthday

-  A friend's housewarming party/3rd holiday party

- Christmas long weekend with the in-laws

-  NYE celebrations with friends

After the 4-day weekend for Thanksgiving, it was really tough going back to work and leaving Lola at home for most of the day. I now know how parents feel leaving their babies/kids/pets behind when they head to work. 

A girl friend of mine was in town visiting so our college clan went out for Japanese hibachi and sushi dinner to catch up. 

Joining Amanda for Friday Favorites.

Favorite Purchase:

Bath & Body Works goodies for myself and Christmas gifts.

Favorite DIY/Craft:

Seriously thinking of creating my own advent holiday calendar.

 

Favorite Sips:

Really good seasonal beer ~ Leinenhugel's Cranberry Ginger Shandy.

Favorite Quote:

I ran across some Marilyn Monroe quotes while reading a documentary of her life at the hairdresser a few weeks ago.

Have a great weekend!

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday everyone! 

I found out that I'm heading back to San Francisco for work in March. You can read about my work trip earlier this year here and then touring San Fran here. This time I'm hoping to find some time to head over to Napa Valley as I'm already out there. I'm currently trying to recruit a friend to join me so I don't have to tour wine country by myself. 

I happened to visit the bridge on a rarely clear day and got this amazing photo (our tour guide said there are only a few days in the year the bridge isn't foggy). After touring around, San Francisco quickly won my heart and I can't wait to go back to explore some places I didn't get to see.

Yesterday, myself and several coworkers volunteered at Feeding Children Everywhere, which is an organization that assembles healthy meals for hungry children throughout the world. We packaged and boxed our goal of 10,000 meals to be distributed worldwide. 

This week's healthy dinner meal plan was successful after a few weeks of hiccups: 

Monday: Skinny chicken fajitas

Tuesday: Pork chops and brussel sprouts

Wednesday: Baked salmon and broccoli

Thursday: Tossed salad with chicken

Joining the lovely Amanda for Friday Favorites.

Favorite Recipe:

The Ultimate Bloody Mary via Honestly Yumm ... or as I like to call it, a Vodka Salad!

Favorite Purchase:

This Speechless Lace Bodycon Dress for one of my upcoming holiday parties. 

Favorite Funnies: 
Possibly? He rocks the kid pretty good.

I'm convinced I'm allergic to tickles.

Definitely reminds me of my granny from childhood days. Ice cream with chocolate chips was her signature treat!

True story, especially when it's cold and no one is seeing your legs anyways!

Have a great weekend loves!

Friday Favorites & Weekly Recap

I'm so thankful Friday is here! I probably sound like a broken record but I'm so over this week and in need of some downtime. My 2nd blogiversary is tomorrow and wow has the time flown! I have to tell you though, it's been life-changing with the friendships, advice and support I've received from the blog world. I think I'll stick around a bit longer ;-)

Let me get right into my Friday favorites and weekly recap. As always, joining the lovely Amanda and Lauren for their weekly Friday linkups.

Doesn't this kitty almost look like a fake stuffed cat? (And, no I didn't get a new pet!)

 I ran across this gorgeous stray over the weekend. She was actually inside the bar we went to on Saturday but the bartender says she sleeps on the streets and they feed her during the day. I couldn't believe how pretty she was.

Favorite Finds:

I made these chicken pot pies from Trader Joe's over the weekend for a friend's baby shower. Such an easy and not-so-typical dish to bring to a party.

Favorite Purchases: 

Well this was a major splurge on my end but I need a big purse for work and going out and about to fit all my crap and after browsing for weeks, I decided on this beauty. 

Cute baby clothes for the shower last weekend. I thought it would be boring shopping for a baby boy (compared to girls) but I ended up scoring some cute things and of course some UCF onsies to make sure baby represents our Alma Mater. 

Favorite Recipe: 

Skinny Bang Bang Shrimp from Skinny Taste. I admit I made entirely to much sauce so the shrimp were swimming in sauce but the recipe itself is delicious nonetheless. 

Favorite Funnies:
Ugh, autocorrect will be the death of me!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Halloween!

How do you plan to spend your Halloween night?

Only a few years ago, I was dressing up in sexy costumes and painting the bar scene red. Now I'm happy to spend it at home equipped with a large bowl of candy for the neighborhood kids, some takeout for dinner and a movie to end the night. 

We did some pumpkin carving/drilling this week. Sooo creative, I know, but it's honestly easier and much safer than tackling a knife. Either way, I usually let K man the project and this is what he came up with. I also have my witch costume and the candy ready to go for tonight!

If you are going to be out and about for Halloween this weekend, I have you covered with a free Uber ride (up to $30)!

If you're not familiar with Uber, it's a mobile app that connects you with a (taxi) driver. You can click on the code below to sign up and get a FREE first ride. (code expires Sunday, 11/2/14 at 11:59pm)
SPOOKY349TD  


Favorite Recipe:

This delicious tortellini soup from Genuinely Lauren.

Favorite Purchases:
I mentioned last week that I won a $100 gift certificate from Drugstore.com. Well I made sure to spend it all in one sitting and scored some fun beauty items plus a few other things. I can't wait to try out the hot roller set since I can't seem to master the art of a curling iron or wand.

And some gifts for a friend's baby shower tomorrow.

Favorite Funnies:
True stories....

Have a safe Halloween weekend!

Joining Amanda and Lauren today for their weekly Friday linkups.