Pre-Surgery Checklist

As you you know there is a lot going on in my little world as of late.
With surgery less than 2 weeks away, I'm diving into full planning mode. While I'm down to one functioning leg, I'd prefer that our house doesn't fall apart, we remember to feed ourselves daily, and I am not bored out of my mind during recovery.

{via}

1) Research and prep quick meals
When I told Adam I was doing this he reminded me that he has fully functioning limbs and would be happy to cook (he's a keeper, ladies and gents). However, when he's working long days I don't want him to work about my usual duties of meal prepping, shopping, and cooking. So anything I can help do ahead of time to make it easier, I'm all about it.

Any suggestions on freezer or crockpot meals that you love? 


2) Buy comfy lounge clothes
Have you tried the amazing things at GapBody? They make a good majority of their PJs and lounge wear out of modal, and let me tell you, there as smooth and silky as butter! I have two Gap Body boy short/cami sets that I practically live in, but I would love some cozier pants or a little hoodie to lay around in. I love these joggers!

3) Clean the house from top to bottom
Nothing relaxes me more than enjoying a squeaky clean house while my Scentsy warmer is on making our house smell SO good (fave fall scents are Cider Mill, Honey Pear Cider, and Pumpkin Marshmallow). However, our house could use a little TLC deep cleaning... enter weekend to do list! 

I've started lots of miscellaneous projects - sewing, going through my closet, sorting and labeling Christmas decor - that I need to finally wrap them up. After that, I want my floors to shine like the top of the Crysler Building (any Annie fans out there? Buehler?).


4) Make a list of fall movies to watch
So granted I will be hopped up on some good pain meds and will be sleeping some of the time, but I am not a napper. With fall being my absolute favorite time of year, I want to bring a little bright spot into my recovery by watching some of my fall favorites:

   + When Harry Met Sally
   + You've Got Mail (pretty much anything with Meg Ryan!)
   + Runaway Bride
   + October Sky

Do you have any that remind you of fall?


5) Stock up on good books to read
I'm currently reading Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and I can barely put it down. I love being back in the world of Hogwarts! Looking for other great books to add to my library list. I'd love to stock up before being confined to the couch for a week or so! If you have any books you could barely put down, please send your recs my way!

Recently read:
   + The Girl on the Train
   + Me Before You // After You
   + Modern Lovers

On my radar:
   + When Breath Becomes Air
   + The Last Lecture
   + The Summer Before the War
   + First Comes Love
   + The Vacationers
   + All the Light We Cannot See

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If you have any suggestions on recipes, fall movies, and books... help a sister out!!

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Top 10 Summer Reads

Follow my blog with Bloglovin I wish I could say that I'm an obsessive book worm who plows through libraries of books with ease. I mean, I could even settle for having a good conversation about what I am reading lately.

Wait, you mean talking about the fact that I can easily watch 4 episodes of book-turned-series Orange is the New Black isn't an acceptable alternative to actually reading the series?

Well, this summer, I am out to turn things around. It's time for me to reignite my passion for getting completely lost in a good book while lounging outside on our porch. Or perhaps to decide that picking up a good read over catching up on my DVR is way more worthwhile.

So I have made a fantastic list of books that excite me, and believe it or not, I'm half way through the first book! Well on my way, my friends, well on my way.

{original via}

My Summer Reading List

1// The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 
- This is insanely good so far, although it does hit a little close to home given the fact that I work with cancer patients every single day. Excited to finish and then see the newly released movie!


2// The Hundred Foot Journey by Robert Morais
- I've been dying to read this culture and food filled read. Not to mention the upcoming film looks fantastic!


3// Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter 
Want to hear a secret? I was drawn o the book by it's cover (ha!), but once finding out that it's set in a gorgeous Italian town with lots of rumors and mystery, it easily jumped on my ever-growing list.


4// Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 
People won't stop buzzing with excitement about this book, so naturally I need to do some snooping.


5// Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
Another read I keep seeing everywhere. What a cleverly interesting cover and I can't wait to dive into the mystery.


6// Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist (thanks for the recommendation, Rach!)
The celebration of serving good food and doing life by loving others one meal at a time.


7// Wild by Cheryl Strayed 
The adventurist side of me is completely intrigued by this story. A completely independent woman off to find new adventure while hiking her way through the Pacific Crest Trail.


8// Homeward Bound by Emily Matchar 
This book was simply written to feed my soul. An inside look at why modern day women are thriving on going back generations to learn the art of canning, sewing, knitting, baking, gardening, and so much more. A glimpse inside the ambitions I love to daydream about.


9// Driving Lessons by Zoe Fishman 
The story just seems like a good one about three women each at a crossroads in their life and how they deal with everything that comes along with that.


10// The One and Only by Emily Giffen
Let's be clear here, I am obsessed with anything and everything Emily Giffen has ever written. So low and behold, the moment she released a new book (I've been waiting forever!), it went on the list.

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// What's on your summer reading list? //

 

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Confessional Friday

Hey there gal pals! Happy Friday to you!
For the first time in a long time, the week sure flew by for me. And with my fabulous parentals driving up to Kansas City for a visit, I couldn't be more excited that the weekend!

Today I'm linking up with Leslie's weekly Confessional Friday: Link-Up over at A Blonde Ambition... please join the fun with me!

1) I confess that... I am ridiculously excited to announce that I am now offering extremely affordable blog sponsorships to all! Yes, that means your Etsy shop, small business, or blog! I've received several e-mails lately asking about budget friendly opportunities, so here they are!

Monthly sponsorship price ranges from only $10-22!! Click HERE to see how easy it is to get your own ad - it only takes a minute! :)

2) I confess that... lately, I am embarrassingly obsessed with Grab the Gold bars. BF got me hooked when he mentioned they were a protein laden healthier version of a no bake cookie. I know they don't look that tasty from that photo, but Oh. My. Word. They taste EXACTLY like a no bake cookies, but with tons of protein and fiber, and minimal added sugar!

This is not good that I know how to purchase these!

3) I confess that... I have not washed my face before bed this entire week. Now before you get totally grossed out, know that I am completely obsessed with the Neutrogena Deep Clean Face Wipes. Although I shouldn't avoid washing my face every single night, it's nice to have a back-up when I am tired (aka: ridiculously lazy).

4) I confess that... I am secretly loving my doctor putting me on couch arrest. I've been increasing mileage on my daily runs and have now developed hip and knee bursitis in my IT band. Don't worry, I know it sounds no fun (and it is kind of ouchy!), but nothing good ol' ice packs, rest, pain meds, and my overflowing DVR can't fix! ;)

5) I confess that... I can't wait to visit the farmer's market with my mom on Saturday morning, buy lots of peaches, and make my dad these rustic mini peach pies for Father's Day. Best child award? I think so.

6) I confess that... I am beyond pumped to see all of you who signed up for the Soak Up the Sun - Blog Gift Swap! Are you signed up? Entries close next Wednesday. Don't miss out - hurry, hurry, hurry!

7) I confess that... I secretly want to know more after hearing about 50 Shades of Gray. Tons of friends are raving... maybe I'll finally cave? Have you read it?!

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Alrighty, ladies... I'm off to finish up my Friday, hit up a few Relay for Life events for work, and then let me weekend begin! I'll be taking photos and have plenty of tasty recipes, weekend stories, and inspiration to share... stay tuned!

Also! Don't forget to stop by on Monday for my week-long Mingle Monday blog hop! Grab new followers and great exposure!

Have a beyond lovely weekend, dolls!

 

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PS - Want to gain new followers?! Need some blog exposure?

Click HERE to visit my weekly Mingle Monday blog hop! Open all week long! :)


PPS - Don't forget to sign-up for the Soak Up the Sun blog gift swap! Entries close early next week!
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Just Call Me a Teeny Bopper...

Because this little lass has tickets to the midnight showing of The Hunger Games!!! Yup, you heard that right. I will be spending the evening with Adam, our closest friends, and 10,000 kids on spring break at the movies! Woohoo!




After reading the first book, I just loved it far more than I ever imagined. Needless to say, the night I finished it I had to rush out and get the second book. I bring a whole new meaning to the word obsessed apparently.

Nevertheless, I am beyond thrilled that the gang and I have talked BF into tagging along. For whatever reason, he thought The Hunger Games was more in the Twilight saga category, but as soon as he heard the premise and read some reviews... he was all in! Here's your sneak peak...




Who else is planning to catch the film this weekend? Are you so excited? Did you read the book first?


"May the odds be ever in your favor..."

Something Borrowed

C ould May 6th come any sooner??
Ever since I saw the amazing trailer for "Something Borrowed" I have just been DYING for it to be May!

If you don't know what I'm talking about, you're totally out of the movie magic loop. No worries, lovelies, I'll be sure to catch you up STAT!




So who has read the amazing Emily Giffin "Something Borrowed" series?

I am not sure if I've been under a rock for the last few years, but I finally bought the first book in the series, "Something Borrowed", a few weeks ago and it's uh-mazing!




Now you book ruiners, don't you get too antsy and tell me all about it, I'm only half way through! ;)

Well lucky us, they've made a moving starring my beloved favorite, Ginnifer Goodwin, as Rachel and they've cast Kate Hudson as the attention-needy Darcy.

Did I mention the best part? They have not one, but two major hotties in this film: John Krasinski *swoon* and Collin Egglesfield. Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout...





{ Who's planning on seeing this gem? }

{me!}

10 Summer Reads

I don't know what it is about the summer season, but I always crave new and exciting books! Summer is always the time I have to get lost in a good book and find new adventures. I love it.

I think it has something to do with wanting to be out enjoying the beautiful weather... reading by the pool... reading in my cozy patio chair... reading while stretched out on a picnic under a beautiful tree.


{Mmmm... summer reading.}

So, in anticipation for summer I have been making an on-going list of books that I would love to get lost in this season. As always, I warmly welcome any and all suggestions to add to my list! Here is my list, to name a few...


1) The Last Lecture
- Randy Pausch

2) The Happiness Project
- Gretchen Rubin

3) The Carrie Diaries
- Candace Bushnell

4) Lunch in Paris
- Elizabeth Band

5) The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To
- DC Pierson

6) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
- Rebecca Skloot

7) Searching for Tina Turner
- Jacqueline Luckett

8) The Forty Rules of Love
- Elif Shafak

9) The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson
- Jerome Charyn

10) Girl in Translation
- Jean Kwok



My plan is to get to a book shop this weekend and hop to it!


So tell me... what's on your summer reading to do list?