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Loving: The Beau and The Belle is out today and available on Amazon!!! You guys, this book was SO CUTE!!! The author was kind enough to include me in the ARC, and now I am hooked on her. She seems so cool, like someone I could definitely be friends with! This book reads like a romantic comedy. I absolutely loved Beau and Lauren. It takes place in New Orleans and has me itching for a trip down there! I cant say enough good things. You can purchase it for just 99 cents on kindle here!

Reading: I am having a bit of book hangover with The Beau and The Bell to be honest. I want more of those characters! I am finishing up The Gods in Alabama right now.

Watching: To be honest, a lot of Puppy Dog Pals and Vamparina. Zoe has shown interest in TV now, especially if there is singing involved. She drops everything the moment she hears the intro song to these two shows. She also loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Mickey and the Roadster Racers. We have been home sick, so she has been getting more screen time than usual. Judge away.

Working: I have been slowly getting our kitchen organized. I redid the pantry, again, last week. Yesterday, I started going through a few cabinets and getting rid of miss-matched shit that we never use. I also packed up most of Zoe’s bottles. She really only takes one right before bed now, the rest of the time she drinks water out of a cup. It was bittersweet packing those up! Next I want to tackle the two random cabinets that house appliances like the toaster, waffle maker, mixer, etc.

Cooking: For breakfast, I have been back on my coconut flour muffins. I got this recipe from Kathy a few years ago, and it is sooooooo easy and quick!!! I dont have a lot of time to spend on cooking in the mornings, and this comes together and ready to eat in under five minutes.

1 egg

1 teaspoon coconut flour

1 tablespoon almond milk (could use regular or coconut)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon maple syrup (when I was on whole 30, I left this out and it still tasted good)

Whisk all that together in a bowl, grease a ramekin with coconut oil and cook in microwave for 2 minutes. BOOM! Done! I really love it with homemade apple butter spread on top too!

Planning: Laura and I have a craft day schedule for this Saturday, as long as both our kids can stay healthy. Sheesh. Planning anything when you are a parent is hard. You can’t predict when your kid is going to be riddled with nasty daycare germs…or is being a toddler with a tantrum. You know? Anyways, we have plans to craft marble trays (thanks Elle!!!!)for us, and we have a few crafts for the kids to do for Valentine’s Day! We are also going to make sugar cookies and let them decorate. I cannot wait!!!

Life: I have been working from home the last two days with a sick Zoe. Again. You guys!!! Seriously! I just want one full week at daycare with a healthy Zoe and no snow days! I feel like I should get a refund for at least half a month with how much we are gone. Her ear infection from last week came back with a vengeance Tuesday morning. She seemed to be feeling better by the afternoon, but we didn’t go back to school until this morning. It looked like there were several other kids out as well. Oh, and I realized about 5 minutes away from daycare that I forgot to give her the medicine this morning. I had to turn around and drive the 20 minutes back home to get it and go back out. Sheesh. Have I mentioned that I am so over cold and flu season already??? I am basically behind on everything so bare with me. I got to say, I didn’t hate all the snuggles I have gotten over the last few days from my sweet sweet girl.

I am linking up with Kristen and Gretch for What’s New With You. Let me know what you have going on!

February 1, 2018 by Nadine

about me, health, Whole 30

Thoughts on Whole 30

I did it. I finished my third round of Whole 30! After the initial OMG what have I gotten myself into again thoughts on around day three when I would have stabbed someone for a splash of coffee creamer and a hunk of cheese. Or when I had a rough rough rough day at work and I just wanted a damn glass of wine!!!! After those thoughts, I have to admit that this has been my easiest round of Whole 30 to date. The only thing I truly missed was my coffee creamer. Dare I say that I rarely noticed that I wasn’t consuming cheese. I know. Crazy.

I do Whole 30 because it works for me. It detoxes my system and strips away all the cravings for sugar laden foods and reminds me of how awesome my body feels when I am fueling it properly. Do I think Whole 30 is sustainable past the 30 days? Not really. It is very strict and doesn’t allow for any splurges. To me, life is too short not to enjoy things you love. I have so many people who tell me they could never do it because of the cheese or bread restrictions. I used to say the same thing. It is amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it!

I have to say, I feel absolutely AMAZING!!!! The results are in, I lost a total of 8 pounds. It might not be a big number, and I have done better in the past. But I wasn’t surprised when I got on the scale this morning. The truth is, I only worked out twice the entire month. And that was this past Monday and Tuesday. I just haven’t gotten my mojo back yet, and that is going to be my focus for February. If I would have put forth the effort to work out five days a week, I know I would have seen better results. But I am ok with that. You cant put a price on how much energy I have had the last few weeks. How much clearer I am thinking. How I haven’t had single stomach ache all month. I managed to only get slightly sick once, despite the fact that Zoe has brought home a new bug at least once every week. There is something to clean eating!!! That is for sure.

I plan to try and stay 90% paleo now that Whole 30 is over. And I am introducing fitness back into my life after all the laziness on my part over the last year. I will adjust as I see the need once I dive in. And most definitely have a delicious lunch tomorrow with no cares about what is in my food.

January 31, 2018 by Nadine

about me, three things

Three Things

Stealing Jana’s Three Things post because I absolutely LOVE these posts.

Three foods I hate and refuse to eat

1.Okra – stop trying to tell me I just haven’t had good okra. It is the nastiest texture ever and I have tried it fried and baked and every just way and just no. No no no no no. You can have your loogie balls.

2.Grits – See above. I have tried it sweet and savory and every which way and it is still gross.

3.Oysters – bleh

Three foods I love and eat more of than I should

1.chips and salsa

2.cookies

3. M&Ms

Three things chores I avoid until absolutely necessary

1.Ironing

2.Cleaning the shower

3.Cleaning the sink -Why does it get so gross so quickly? I freaking HATE cleaning out food particles and shit that collects in the drain catcher.

Three chores I always do

1.Laundry

2.Dishes -I cant freaking stand to see dishes in the sink or on the counter. It makes my skin itch.

3.Cleaning the floors

Three wardrobe staples

1.Leggings

2.Cardigans

3.Black -At least half my wardrobe is black.

Three things I don’t spend money on

1.Manicures

2.Expensive kid’s clothes (Have you met a kid? They are messy messy messy and I go through a stain spray bottle about once a week.)

3. Paying people to do my grocery shopping. I am picky and want to choose my own produce and check dates on things.

Three things I do spend money on

1. Skincare

2.Purses

3.Shampoo

Three TV shows I frequently watch in reruns

1.Big Bang Theory

2.How I Met Your Mother

3.Rules of Engagement

Three genres I generally don’t read

1.Horror

2.Sci-Fi

3.Most history

Three things I’m looking forward to this year

1.Seeing all the milestones Zoe will hit this year.

2.Our annual trips to the Beach and Gatlinburg.

3.All the new restaurants I will try.

January 24, 2018 by Nadine

about me, weekend shenanigans

Weekend Shenanigans and TBB Asks

This weekend we didn’t really do a whole lot. Zoe came home with a fever Thursday night. It only took the kids in her new class three days to take her down with their grossness. I worked from home and took her to the doctor Friday. The only time her and I left the house this weekend was yesterday to go grocery shopping and meet up with her grandparents for lunch.

I have been staying strong with Whole30. The hardest thing for me is no creamer in the coffee in the mornings. I really enjoy my coffee time and it has sucked this past week and not been special at all. I just chug it down for the caffeine. I know I will at least add the creamer back on February 1st because life is too short to not enjoy your coffee!

Truth is, I cheated midweek. You aren’t supposed to weigh yourself during the 30 days, but I just wanted to see that I made some progress to give myself some motivation to keep going strong. I hopped on that scale and realized I was down 4 pounds in just a few days. Ummm ok!!! I will keep going! No problem!

I love linking up with Andrea and the ladies from TBB Asks each month to answer some fun questions. These posts are some of my favorite to read as well, I feel like I always learn something new about you!

1. Resolutions or No Resolutions?

I mentioned before, but I don’t really do resolutions. I usually have something in mind that I want to work on for the year, but don’t set specific goals. It is almost always my health. Constant work in progress over here.

2. Love snow or No Snow?

Love love love love love snow!!! Unfortunately, here in Alabama we don’t get to see it often. We can go years without it. We were blessed with one beautiful snow day already this year though! I should edit to say, I love it just as long as there aren’t ice issues. That shit is scary and I think we all remember Snowpocalypse in the south from a few years ago.

3. Name a New Place you want to go this year?

I am not sure there is going to be any major traveling this year with a one year old. Chris and I do have a bucket list of a few places that we want to go to though and I hope to make it a reality over the next several years.

We are all about taking advantage of what is within driving distance to us here in Birmingham though. Atlanta and Chattanooga are just two hours away. Nashville is about three hours. The beach is four hours, Gatlinburg is five hours. And we do like to go to Huntsville, which is just an hour. So hope to add a few day/weekend trips!

4. Would you rather have a new Hair cut or Hair color?

Color. I like to keep my hair long (or as long as the fine, stringy mess will let me), but get my hair colored at least twice a year.

5. Name one special thing you want to do for yourself this year?

My health took a backseat last year while I tried to find my way as a new mom. I guess I can say I sort of let myself go. I swore before I had a baby that I wouldn’t be that person who completely loses who she is just because she is a mom. I am working on getting back Nadine this year, and still being an awesome mom in the process.

6. Least Favorite thing about January?

I get the blues that the holidays are over. And that the month is filled with full work weeks. LOL

7. Most Favorite thing about January?

The clean slate feeling that the first of the year brings, and getting my house back in order after the holidays.

8. When do you take down your Holiday decorations?

I try to have them down by January 1st. If not then, by the next weekend for sure.

9. Do you diet in January?

The last three years I have done Whole30 in January. Even before that, I can remember making a conscience effort to eat better and detox after all the holiday splurges and treats.

10. What area of your home do you want to organize the most?

The entire thing! Honestly, we hope to put our house on the market sometime this year and move. So I am working on staging and making the house look awesome for potential buyers. But also keeping in mind my goals for a new home with whatever I buy to organize and stage, because I want to invest in things we love.

11. Favorite Winter Comfort Food?

I love savory foods in the winter time. I make a pot a soup just about weekly, usually for lunches but also dinner often too. So I guess soup?

12. Favorite Guilty Pleasure

Definitely a good Netflix binge!! I also find myself reading a lot of cheesy Christmas Romances in the winter. Though, I have to be honest and tell you that I never feel guilty about anything that brings me pleasure or joy. You shouldn’t either!

How would you have answered some of these questions??

I hope all my friends in the ATL stay safe today! I know you are supposed to be getting some possible road compromising winter weather. It is pouring here, but 36 degrees and *hopefully* no ice for us! We had been below freezing for so long, I had to remind myself a few times I was in Alabama and not Pennsylvania! I hope you all stay warm and have a fabulous week! I am double dipping and linking up with Biana too for Weekending!

January 8, 2018 by Nadine

about me, currently

Currently

First of all, shout out to Laura!!! Today is her birthday! My absolute most favorite thing about blogging has been all the friendships I have made, both IRL and online. I cannot be more thankful to blogging for bringing Laura in my life! She has been the bestest friend that I could ever ask for. And Laura, we need to take more pictures together!!! I went through my entire phone and these are the only ones I could find. Though there are a ton of our hands holding drinks together! Hahaha. 🙂 Love you! You are the best!

Linking up with Kristen and Gretch for a currently post!

Reading: Mean Streak by Sandra Brown

Watching: Most all of our shows are on break right now. We did watch Lucifer last night. I just love that show! We watched both the new Dave Chapelle on Netflix on New Years Eve. We also started watching Blue Bloods over the last month. We are still in the first season, but I am really enjoying it.

Buying: Nordstrom had their half yearly sale this past week and I have been lusting after these booties since they debuted in the fall sale. They were 50% off and I decided to pull the trigger. I ordered the Stone color because I figured they would match pretty much everything I own. I have some black wedge booties, but no neutral/tan color (for winter) to match things I don’t want to wear black with so I am excited to get those!!

Working: Now that all the holiday stuff has been put away, I have the urge to organize and clean all the things!!! Our pantry and refrigerator are driving me insane, so that is the first space I want to tackle. I went to HomeGoods yesterday to look around and found some plastic bins for the refrigerator like these.

I got a cute wire basket for the potatoes and onions, thanks to this inspiration….

via

And I found some wonderful natural woven baskets (similar) with wooden handles to recreate the look below.

I will grab some chalkboard stickers from Michael’s this weekend to label the baskets. I like that idea so that I can change up the contents if the need arises.

There are several house projects we want to tackle soon. The list keeps on growing.

Cooking: I have been scouring Pinterest and paleo blogs for new Whole30 recipes. I found some amazing recipes the last two years during Whole30 that I make on a regular basis. Nothing gets me more pumped than trying something new, so I have been pinning all the things. I will definitely share anything amazing with you all. During the football games on Monday, I made up a batch of this kielbasa and it was delicious!!!! And so easy, a one pan and done under 15 minutes. I am sure I will be making it again soon.

Excited: Is it weird that I am excited to get back into a routine? I feel like the holidays is such a chaotic time without any schedule or routine. I am already getting back on track with my eating. I am really trying to get myself pumped up for a regular workout routine again. I was so good for several years, working out five days a week. No excuses. I want that drive back and I think I am almost there. Honestly, I am just so damn tired all the time. I wake up so early and have to be on all day. I am hoping to find something new that I love that will get me back in to the habit, and then I can incorporate everything again. What workouts are you loving right now?

Scheduling: A lunch date with Laura tomorrow to celebrate her birthday! I also would like to make a trip back to Atlanta sometime soon. It’s crazy that I lived there for 13 years and only live about two hours away, and yet it has been at least two years since I have visited.

Laughing:

Uh yeah

January 4, 2018 by Nadine

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