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about me, fall

When September Ends

It is no secret that fall is my favorite time of year. I think I have only mentioned it about a thousand times. The temperatures cool down, all my favorite jewel tones can be found in stores, the TV shows start back, we have football every weekend, the leaves turn colors, the fall scents are everywhere. Do I even need to keep selling it??? Today I am linking up with Andrea for TBB Asks for some fall themed questions! (Yes, I know I am a day late. I always have this post finished but like to share it on Tuesdays since I talk about my weekends on Monday.)

Favorite Fall Sweet Treat? 

I have to say that apple pie is my absolute favorite fall treat. There are so many delicious things that come with the season, but there is nothing better than my mom’s homemade apple pie. It is my goal this fall for her to come over and teach me how to make it so that I can start a tradition for Zoe to have some every year.

When my sister and I were young, we had our very own apple trees in our backyard at our house in Pennsylvania. I remember going out there and picking lots of apples to bring in for my mom to make us pie. She always had leftover crust and would put it in a small pan and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over it and get it crispy and perfect and let us snack on that while we waited for the pies to cool.

Red, Yellow or Green Apples?

Granny Smith green apples are my absolute favorite, but I also enjoy Pink Lady, Gala and Honeycrisp.


Favorite Fall Sport to Play?

Me play sports? LOLOLOL


Best Drink for Fall?

Are we talking coffee? Alcohol? Let me share my favorites that I look forward to.

Salted Carmel Frapuccino, apple cider and pumpkin beers


Favorite Fall Activity?

Watching football. I want to start some traditions with Zoe like going to a pumpkin patch or fall festival.


Must have Fall Purchase?

Cozy cardigans and boots!


Pumpkins: Pick your own or store bought?

I don’t usually go pumpkin crazy, but now that we have Zoe, I would love to make it a tradition to go pick our own each year!

Real or Fake Pumpkin?

Real


Favorite Halloween Costume?

I don’t really dress up for Halloween anymore. In recent years, I did get a little festive when Chris DJ’d at an annual Halloween party, but it isn’t my favorite holiday. I guess it depends on how much Zoe gets into it when she is older.


College Football or NFL?

College Football is a must for us!! I think you all know that we are Alabama fans in our house. Roll Tide!!! I also pull for Georgia. I occasionally watch NFL and my heart belongs to the Steelers and the Falcons. Even if I don’t many of their games, I do keep up with how they are doing.


Fall or Halloween Decor?

I don’t go crazy decorating the house for fall, I save most of the energy for Christmas. I do plan to get a little more festive for each season when Zoe is older. I prefer fall decor over Halloween stuff.


Raking Leaves or no Leaves to Rake?

Nope. We don’t have a lot of trees in our yard so we just leave them. I love looking at them. And honestly, we still have to cut the grass after they start to fall, so the lawn mower takes care of most of them. We do have lots of woods behind our fence, but luckily the leaves stay back there.


Favorite Soup?

Chili


Favorite Fall Candle scent?

Marshmallow Fireside and Flannel. We have Marshmallow Fireside candles in our house year round and I have Flannel in my car right now. I also love Leaves.


Love or Hate Pumpkin Spice?

I enjoy a few PSLs every year, but I don’t get crazy about all the other pumpkin spice treats that come out. I also love to get one pumpkin scone.


Short Booties or Tall boots?

I love both, depending on the outfit. Though, I don’t wear boots above my knee because my calves are too muscular and they never fit right.


Favorite Halloween Candy?

Pumpkin shaped Reese Cups and candy corn


PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte): YES or NO?

Yes (but I love the salted caramel more)


Hayride or Corn Maze?

Hayride.


Favorite Fall TV Show?

I can’t just mention one. I live for fall TV! Our regular shows include Grey’s Anatomy, Law and Order SVU, Big Bang Theory, South Park, Chicago Fire/PD/Med/Law, Modern Family, This is Us, Scandal, Jane the Virgin, Lucifer and The Good Place. I think that is all of them that come back?? I think we might try The Good Doctor too. And I kind of wouldn’t mind watching Will and Grace since it is coming back.

What are your must watch fall shows?

about me

What’s Up Wednesday

Linking up for What’s Up Wednesday.

What we are eating…

This week we are having salads two nights, taco soup two nights and pork chops. For lunches I have soup and an apple for three days. I had a market salad from Chick Fila yesterday and I have lunch plans to eat out on Friday with some girl friends.

What I’m reminiscing about…

Baby Zoe!!! I know she is still technically a “baby,” but she is going to be one soon. And she is growing so fast and learning all these new skills and and and. I mean just look….

What I’m loving…

All the snuggles and smiles Zoe has been giving out! She is seriously the sweetest kid ever.

What we’ve been up to…

Just trying to stay above water. A certain tiny human has decided she doesn’t need to nap anymore, and it has been really hard to get anything done! I seriously need some of her energy. She is all play and explore these days. Other than that, just been working and doing the daily grind of life.

What I’m dreading….

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Anything work related. LOL

What I’m working on….

I have been trying to get back on the exercise wagon this week. My goal is to be back at pre-pregnancy weight by Zoe’s first birthday. So far I am three for three this week and hope to continue. It feels good to get all those endorphins flowing first thing in the mornings!

What I’m excited about…

Fall weather!!! Supposedly we are supposed to be having some more fall like temps here soon. I will believe it when I see it.

I am also super excited about lunch on Friday! We haven’t had a girls night in a really long time. Since I have to get Zoe from daycare after work, doing happy hour isn’t really a thing for me anymore…so I am glad we are able to break up our work day and have a girls lunch!

What I’m watching/reading…

I am finishing up reading The Expats. It is so good!

The Expats

And we are watching all the shows that  have started back and trying out some new ones!!! We watched Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon on Monday night. BBT is one of my absolute favorites!!! And I really liked Young Sheldon.

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We watched The Good Doctor last night. SOOOOO GOOOD!!!!!! Chris and I both predict it will probably be our favorite of all the new shows that come out. Go ahead and jump on The Good Doctor Train!!!

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We watched Kevin Can Wait last night. They killed of the main female role from the first season to have the old duo from King of Queens this season. It was a little cheesy and I am not sure how long we will continue to watch it? We didn’t watch the last several episodes from the first season because we got bored with it, but wanted to see the new chemistry between these two.

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And we are still catching up with Better Call Saul….

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What I’m listening to….

Yes my Accent is Real by Kunal Nayyar on audiobook. And my usual 90’s and early 2000’s music.

Yes, My Accent Is Real: and Some Other Things I Haven't Told You

What I’m wearing….

Trying to find the happy balance between YAY ITS FALL WHERE ALL THE FALL THINGS!!! And BUTTTTTTT ITS STILL HOT AS BALLS OUTSIDE SO CALM YOUR TITS. My Nordstrom Rack order with my clearance tanks should be coming in today!!! I did pick up a longer cardigan( in the color port wine) to wear with my summer dresses. It’s a great price point and it is butter soft!

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What I’m doing this weekend….

My dad’s birthday was last weekend and a few months ago, my sister found a car show going on that she thought he would enjoy. It is this Saturday, so we are going to take him out to dinner first and then head over to the car show.

Also, Alabama plays Ole Miss at 8pm. I plan on being home in plenty of time for that!!! I hate games that are this late, hopefully I can stay up for the whole thing!

What I’m looking forward to next month…

Watching Hocus Pocus and hopefully starting some fall traditions with Zoe!!

What have you been up to?

about me, currently

Currently

It is time to link up with Kristen and Gretch for a currently post!

Reading: I am finishing up Jane Green’s Falling and Roanoke Girls right now. I hope to have both done before the link up on Tuesday!

Watching: We are waiting for all the fall shows to start back! We started watching Catastrophe this past weekend and are in the second season. I really like it. I also watch episodes of Young and Hungry when Chris has other things to do. We are still catching episodes of Younger when they come on.

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Planning: I can’t believe I am about to say this, but Zoe’s first birthday is just a few short months away!!! I have the theme for her party picked out and ordered the first thing for it this past weekend. I know what I want her outfit to look like and I need to call and schedule her one year/smash cake pictures too! I can’t talk about it anymore or I might start crying. A year??? No.

Debating: On if we are going to Gatlinburg or not after Christmas this year. The fires last year devastated the area and the supply of chalets is really low right now, which means they are asking A LOT for them. We didn’t go last year because we had a brand new baby and weren’t in any shape to travel, so we really want to go this year. It is a tradition and we enjoy it so much!

Lusting: Have you guys looked around the clothing department at Target lately??? There are so many things I want right now!!! I always get excited when the fall clothes come out, their tones just suit me and my pale skin so much better. How gorgeous is this color top??

How cozy does this poncho look?

Love this pretty color too!!!

This green sweater would be so perfect this fall/winter!!! I don’t have this color right now and I am loving everything I see in it.

Welcoming: Fall!!! I am excited that fall is here! Cooler temps, football, new shows, and all the holidays will be here before we know it. I am hoping to do a few fall fun activities with Zoe and start some traditions. Do you have any traditions that you do with your family or you did when you were little that you loved? I think a trip to a pumpkin patch is always fun, but what else?

Photographing: Zoe, of course! And food. Always food. I keep saying that I am going to get Chris’s fancy camera out and learn how to use it, but seriously…I need to make that a priority this fall! My iphone does a fabulous job for the every day things, but I would love to stage some pictures of my own every few months. There are so many picture ideas on Pinterest. Especially with the holidays coming up!

What’s new with you?

about me

School Is For Fools

Linking up with TBB for TBB Asks again. The end of summer is here. September is all about school. It has been a long time since I got to do any back to school shopping. While I was a ball of nerves the first day, I loved the actual prep for it.

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1.Did you love school or hate it?

Even though I did very well throughout school, I wasn’t a big fan. Kids are assholes.

2. Start school before or after Labor Day?

When I was in elementary school in Pennsylvania, it was always after Labor Day. By the time we lived in Georgia when I was in high school, we were starting around my birthday in mid-August.

3.Wake up: Eager Beaver or Slow Poke?

I definitely remember hitting the snooze button many times or telling my mom to go away.

4. Favorite Breakfast?

I loved French Toast but mostly ate cereal because it was quick.

5. Favorite Cereal?

Crispex

6.School uniform or no school uniform?

no

7.New outfit for the first day of school or no?

Always yes! I loved picking out my school supplies and clothes for the school year. My mom always took us shopping. Choosing your first day outfit was the most  important thing, was it not? It set your tone for the rest of the school year!

8. Walk to school or ride the bus?

I rode the bus every year until I could drive my junior year.

9. Backpack, tote or messenger bag?

Most years it was a Jansport backpack. I tried to make a messenger bag a thing for awhile, but always ended up back with a backpack.

10. Eat school lunch or pack lunch?

98% of the time I brought my lunch. Every once in awhile I would buy, but hardly ever.

11. Remember the little milk cartons? White or chocolate?

Since I packed my lunch, I didn’t really get the milk cartons at school. If I did, it was always chocolate. I wasn’t a big milk drinker. I preferred water bottles, juice boxes or capri suns.

12.Paper bag or lunch box?

Both. When I was younger it was a lunch box, when I got to high school it was mostly paper bag.

13. Favorite thing to do at recess?

Hmmm I don’t remember much about recess. Maybe swing?

14. Favorite back to school supply item?

Writing utensils! I loved picking my pens and pencils out.

15.Chalkboard or dry erase board?

When I was in elementary school, it was always chalk boards. I think in high school is when the dry erase boards took over all our classrooms.

16. Regular or mechanical pencil?

Mechanical! Who has time to keep regular ones sharpened?

17. Homework as soon as you get home or after dinner?

I really don’t remember this either. I know I always got it done.

18. Favorite after school snack?

fruit or celery and peanut butter

19. Favorite after school show?

My sister and I watched a lot of Nick.

20. Favorite subject in school?

English

21. Least favorite school subject.

Geometry was the absolute worst!!!! And often times, I was bored during history.

22. Name of  your best friend in high school.

Erin

23. High school mascot.

I was a Wildcat for the first year and a half, then an Eagle when we moved to Georgia the middle of my sophomore year.

24. SAT or ACT

I took the SAT. Funny story, my first day at my new school in Georgia was the day they were taking the SAT practice test. Talk about getting thrown to the wolves, right???

25. Favorite year in school.

My middle school days. I went to a smaller school in Missouri then and I had such a great group of friends, was super involved in activities and just remember having a lot of fun.

26. Class ring or no class ring?

I had a class ring with my graduation year on one side, and my flute on the other. My birthstone was the stone instead of the school color.

27. Attend or not attend high school reunions?

Not attend. When I graduated high school, I had only been in school with those kids for two and a half years. I didn’t grow up with them. It was such a huge school, over 1,000 people in my graduating class. I care nothing about going to the reunions. Honestly, I only follow a select few people from high school on Facebook and haven’t seen any of them in years since I don’t even live in the same state.

I hope you are all enjoying your long weekend!!! I will be back tomorrow with weekend shenanigans!

about me, birthday

34 Things For My 34th Year

You guys. I turn 34 today. Well, 30. The 4 is silent. Obviously. The thing is, my thirties have been my favorite years yet. I feel much more comfortable in my own skin, I care less and less of others opinions, I know what is important to me, Chris and I have found a good balance in our life, and of course…Zoe has brought more joy to my life than I could have ever imagined and I am so thankful everyday for our sweet sweet family.

Shout out to my birthday twin, Kate!!! We were born on the exact same day in the exact same year. How cool is that? We almost managed to have birthday twin daughters, Zoe is just a few weeks younger than S!

I thought I would share 34 things about me. I always like learning new facts about people, and who doesn’t like a list? Danielle shared her 34 things about her recently too.

1.I am originally from Pennsylvania. I have also lived in Missouri and Georgia. I lived in Atlanta the longest and felt most myself there, but Birmingham is feeling more and more like home these days.

2. My Spotify playlists are all over the board. More often than not, you will find me listening to music that is at least 10 years old or more. Isn’t the music from whenever you were in high school/college  your favorite?

3. I graduated from the University of West Georgia with my BBA in Real Estate. I still work in the real estate field today.

4. My first memory is of when I was two and walking in my grandmother’s yard barefoot, getting stung by a bee. Still traumatized today, as I tend to run anytime a bee flies near me.

5. My favorite toy growing up was my Care Bear. Love-a-Lot to be more specific. She went everywhere with me. True story, I slept with her in my bed until I was 22 and brought Gracie home. I was afraid that she would try to eat her, so she stayed in my closet after that.

6. On my 18th birthday, my parents present to me is the butterfly tattoo that is on my right shoulder blade. My dad drew it for me. There are two hearts, one on each wing, that are in memory of my Grandma Jerry and Grandpa Carl.

7. The only bone in my body that I have ever broken is my big toe.

8. My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast.

9. My first car was a bright red 1993 Jeep Cherokee.

10. I played the flute all through middle and high school.

11. My favorite colors are pink and purple.

12. The only country I have visited is Canada when I was ten years old. My sister was five.

13. I have been to 19 states: Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

14. I never went to prom. In fact, my senior year I worked on prom night.

15. My first job was at Kirkland’s. I started at the one located at Mall of Georgia and worked for the company until my first “real job” after college. I am still friends with my boss who hired me.

16. When I was a freshman in high school, my dad won tickets to a Matchbox 20 concert for me. It was my very first concert, and to this day, Hang is still one of my most favorite songs.

 

17. I have young parents. My mom always says that we grew up together. I have no clue how she did it, since I am nearly twice the age she was when she had me. She did such an amazing job with Tracy and I. I hope that I can have a close relationship with Zoe. One of my main worries is that I am an “old” parent.

18. My absolute favorite food is my mom’s homemade pierogies. She makes them every year for Christmas.

19. My favorite season is fall. There is something special about that first fall morning. You know the one….where it has a little crisp in the air and you can literally smell fall. All the gorgeous leaves, the cooler temperatures, the jewel toned clothing, football season. I am a fall girl!

20. Chris and I met on a dating site. We prove that they can have a happy ending!!! Today that isn’t so uncommon, but some people gave us a hard time about it back then.

21. For NCAA, I am an Alabama fan all the way. My second favorite team is Georgia. I cheer for the Steelers and the Falcons in NFL.

22. I prefer cookie cake to actual cake. In fact, I don’t like actual cake except for the icing.

23. Cookie Dough and Mint Chocolate Chip are my favorite ice cream flavors.

24. We all collect something, don’t we? My collections include antique character glasses and Chris and I have a pretty large vintage video game collection going. Also, I love designer purses and sunglasses and have a little stash of each. Treat yo self, I say.

25. I am an INFJ.I have taken the test several times over the years and always end up with the same outcome.

26. I can decide pretty easily on big life decisions if I like a car or a house, but please don’t ask me to pick where to eat.

27. When I was little, my dad worked two jobs and was a volunteer fire fighter. One of this two jobs was a paramedic. I loved when he would take me for ambulance rides. Anytime we were in downtown Greensburg, I would start saying Angel II Angel II and he would drive me by Angel II, the medical helicopter.

28. My first dog was a Dalmatian that my sister and I named Lucky, after our favorite Dalmatian in the 101 Dalmatian movie. My dad was actually excited that is what we wanted, as he had a Dalmatian named Sparky when he worked as a fire fighter.

29. I have always been shy. So much so, that my Kindergarten teacher tried to hold me back telling my mom that I wasn’t emotionally ready for first grade. My mom thought that was total crap and pushed me on anyways. I excelled all through school with my grades, so she made the right choice.

30. I can’t swim. My mom took me to swimming lessons at the YMCA in the second grade and part of the training was being thrown into the 12 foot end of the pool to do jumping jacks. That scared me for life. I made such a fuss and was so scared, my mom was embarrassed and we quit my lessons.

31. Chris proposed to me at Stone Mountain a little over a month after we started dating. I said yes and here we are over seven years later. Sometimes you just know what you want.

32. My little sister is the strongest person I know. I am thankful for her every. single. day.

33. Christmas is my favorite holiday.

34. I have never been to Disney World. I have been at a resort inside the park for work and got to see the fireworks show at night, but never actually got to visit the park. Now that we have Zoe, we are so going!!!!!!!!! If it is the only place I get to cross off my bucket list places to visit, I will be happy.

In honor of my birthday, treat yoself to something today. Since it is my birthday, the calories don’t count!