Friday Faves

Happy Friday!  This week has been an especially long one, as John had to work really late hours.  We have missed him!  I think we had sushi or pizza take out every night for dinner, and I barely stayed awake long enough for him to even make it home from work :(
Needless to say, we are SO ready for the weekend!

And not just any weekend....we are celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary!!  Best 6 years of my life, I tell ya.  We've actually been together for 10 years, and I just can't believe how lucky I am.  I always say, he's not perfect.  No one is.
But he's absolutely perfect for me!

Love you sweetie!

So, aside from my anniversary weekend, here are a few things I'm loving.

My Friday Faves!  

First up:  

1. Over-sized Tops

Can't get enough of these lately, and I find myself wearing these particular ones on repeat.  As in, every single day.  Throw a denim jacket over them, a statement necklace, or a light weight floral scarf, and it looks like a completely different outfit!  I've recently purchased all three below, and the Brandy Melville is my top choice - will be getting the gray and black soon!

Brandy Melville - Rie top

Forever 21 Dolman Top

Love this color and fit!  

Piko Top 

I may be way behind on the Piko top trend, but I love them!  I have them in white and charcoal gray, and I would love that Cobalt blue color for spring to wear with white jeans or cut off shorts.

2. Scandal

Eeek, it's SOOO good.  I sailed through the first 2 seasons on Netflix when Andrew was sleeping 23 hours a day. But it's safe to say, this is my favorite show right now.  And as I sit here in my yoga pants and volleyball sweatshirt from 9th grade, I just swoon over that mighty fine and crisp wardrobe of Ms. Pope's.  Those coats!

3. Oatmeal

Random, I know.  But I have always been the pickiest eater, just ask my parents and husband.  And I always just knew I hated oatmeal.  Well, lo and behold, a few weeks ago, I tried the stuff, and ummmm, whoops!  I was totally wrong about my tastebuds!  So good!

My favorite is the Quaker Maple and Brown Sugar (lower sugar), and I always sprinkle some cinnamon on top, and maybe a 1/2 banana.  I've been eating it every morning for the past few weeks now, and I am loving it!  (It's great for you too!)

4. Statement Earrings

These beauties are my latest jewelry obsession.  Necklaces are just too hard with a newborn that is pretty much on my chest 24/7.  So I've been fancy-ing up my outfits with some bold statement earrings lately.  Love them for spring, and they really do make a simple t-shirt or tank look a hundred times more stylish!  Just recently bought these, and these!

(And #9 below is on my Birthday wish list!)

1//2//3//5//6//7//8//9

5. Mac ProLongwear Concealer

I am a concealer girl.  Especially now that I have a baby.  This stuff is what dreams are made of.

It's creamy, smooth, has amazing coverage and does not budge.  I love that is has a pump too, so you don't use too much at a time.  I love trying new concealers out, but I don't think I'll be buying anything other than this for awhile.  It just might make it into "holy grail" status.  (I love to apply it with a dense concealer/foundation brush.)

6. This Boy

He is 3 months old this week, and I am just loving every second with him.  He is the light of our lives, and I am just so grateful for him.  

Here's a little sneak peek into some pics I took this week...more to come soon!!  :)

Happy Weekend!!

XOXO

Peanut Butter and Chocolate

Peanut Butter and Chocolate.

Only the best combination of sweets EVER.  In my opinion, at least :)

Even though my pregnancy has been over for 3 months, I've recently had crazy cravings for this delectable and decadent pairing.  

If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have noticed this PB/C combo popping up quite frequently!  Here are a few I've tried recently.....

Cookie Dough Cup

VIA

This has been a yummy, healthier alternative for dessert or an afternoon snack! 

I've been loving Greek yogurt a lot lately, and have been substituting it for lots of ingredients in my recent baking.  This "cookie dough" cup is sweet, but not too sweet.  And although the post I found the recipe from states "optional chocolate chips," they are not optional.  :)

Chocolate Peanut Butter "healthy" Shake

VIA

I have raved about this shake on my blog before, and it's quite embarrassing how often I make this sweet treat.  I omit the syrup, but I add a little Hazelnut coffee creamer, and it's just perfection.

Peanut Butter Brownie Pie

VIA

Yep, I made this yummy treat several years ago, and it's still one of favorite and go-to recipes!  The picture quality difference of the "Pinterest" pics, compared to mine is just fantastic, by the way.  Yikes.  Not a food photographer.

But don't let the poor quality photo fool you.  Go make this today!  It's absolutely delicious!

Chocolate Dipped Nutter Butters

VIA

Another fantastic recipe with a not-so-fantastic picture to prove it.  Again - not a food photographer. But these are perfect for small group get togethers, pot-lucks, new moms, newly engaged, newly married, you get the point.  ANYONE who loves the PB/C combo will fall in love with these!  And they are so ridiculously easy.  Dip Nutter Butter Cookies in chocolate, cover with chopped Reese's peanut butter cups, and refrigerate.  They are really yummy right out of the fridge.

And now for the recipes I want to try!!

Skinny Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

VIA

Omg.  I love brownies, and these look amazing!  And this is another recipe that uses Greek yogurt!  And she adds oats, too, so they're totally healthy!  ;)

Frozen Reese's Peanut Butter Pie

VIA

Ok, I MUST have this as my birthday cake this year.  OK?  Not that I'm on a super duper health kick lately, but this recipe can absolutely be modified to make it not-quite-so-indulgent.

i.e. fat-free cream cheese, reduced fat crust, fat free Cool Whip, ect.  So, another healthy recipe for you!  You may as well be eating 3 Tic-Tacs for dessert! 

But seriously, this looks delish, and it's perfect for when it FINALLY gets warmer outside!  

VIA

I'm definitely a "muffin" gal.  And I recently made a version of these, but added banana, and they were so good!  I really had never thought of adding peanut butter to muffins before, but it works!  Now the version I made used Greek yogurt, oats, and flax seed, so it definitely tasted "healthy," but I was a fan.  This recipe is perfect for breakfast or a snack, when you don't want something EXTRA sweet.  The recipe linked above probably tastes a little sweeter, and less "granola-y". 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies for Two

VIA

Now this is just the cutest.  Do you ever just get the hankering (does using that word make me sound like a grandma?) for a cookie, or four?  Well, this recipe makes just four delicious peanut butter/chocolate chip cookies.  Share them with a gal pal or significant other.  

Or, eat them all by yourself while watching "Scandal," like I probably will.

Two guilty pleasures at one time - it's like killing 2 birds with 1 stone!  

(I don't think I've ever typed that saying before, and it really is quite morbid!  Poor birds!)

But these cookies really do look divine, like real live bakery cookies!

 These may be next on my to-bake list.

Are you a big Peanut Butter Chocolate fan, like me? 

Have you already devoured the Reese's Easter Egg Cups like me? (why are they so much better than the original?  Do they have more PB?)

Any recipes you are wanting to try, or ones I should try next?

Do tell!!!  :)

Weekend Wanderings

Whelp...its already the start of a new weekend, and I'm just now blogging about last weekend!
But here we go :)

My Dad flew up for an impromptu visit from Florida, and we had the BEST time!
Andrew loved spending time with his Papa D!
It's quite hard being so far away from family and friends, so this trip was extra special.

Friday, we had amazing weather, and ventured out to lunch at the new
Corner Bakery!  It was delicious!



And these two were just the cutest ever.




Saturday was spent enjoying another beautiful day, walking around downtown Princeton.
And having an amazing seafood lunch at Blue Point Grill.
(highly recommend!)










Andrew was a champ, and basically slept the whole day!
(New or expecting Mamas --- I absolutely LOVE my Baby K'tan wrap!)


Sunday, we made it to Church, the second time for A!  He did great again, sleeping through the whole service.  It is so special to have him there with us, worshiping God, hearing the Word, and learning about Jesus.  It really can get me emotional thinking about A's future relationship with our SAVIOR :)  I truly thank God every day for entrusting us as his parents.








HUGE thanks to my Dad for making the trip up to see us!
We LOVE you!

Hope you all have a wonderful SPRING weekend!! YAY!!

Feelin' Green

happy (belated) st. patrick's day!
hope you're all having a fabulous week - wore your green yesterday, and didn't get pinched :)  
we spent our Monday resting up from a busy weekend, staying in our pajamas all day, 
and eating lots of guac and chips...
hey, we had to get in the green spirit!

in celebration of the holiday, here's a little treat of all things green :)  


top//maxi dress//boots//sheath dress//small earrings//
mini bag//wallet//large earrings//sunglasses

I've actually always loved wearing pops of shades of green -especially kelly green and mint :)  and I absolutely LOVE my forest green hunter boots (pictured above)!  

cheers to a wonderful st. patrick's day!  
our weekend post coming up next!

(p.s. do you know why we celebrate st. patrick's day?  the British born Saint Patrick was actually kidnapped by Irish raiders, lived there, found God, and then returned to Ireland once free to preach the Gospel, convert the pagan Irish, and spread Christianity! 
what a great reminder of sharing the Good News to your enemies!)  

happy tuesday!

Work It Out

Ever since I got the "go ahead" to start working out post baby, I jumped right in.  And I also tried to jump right into my pre-baby sports bras and gym shorts.  That just wasn't happening.  So I treated myself to a bit of an exercise clothing shopping spree.  Not only could I now fit into my workout clothes, but I also was more motivated to actually do my workouts, now that I had some cute new gear :)

Am I the only one who gets motivated by a new pair of fun leggings?
Whatever works, right?

Here are a few of my new items (1, 3, 7, and 10), and others that are still on my wish list...

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8  - 9 - 10

P.S. John and I are doing the new p90x-3 workout DVD's.  They are only 30 minute exercises, and they are hard, but really fun!  Highly recommend.

Hope you're having a great Tuesday!  

Happy 2 Months!

Dear Baby Boy, 

You are two months old!  This past month, you have changed so much!  You love to smile, and it just is the cutest thing in the world.  Pretty soon, you'll be giggling too :)

You follow people and objects with your eyes, you stare at lamps and lights with a quiet fascination, and you seem to really love music.  Saturday mornings are the best - you love it when Daddy plays with you all day, and Mommy gets to nap!  Speaking of napping, you have been loving your Mamaroo, and you have been sleeping 6-8 hours at night in the bassinet!  Good job!

You finally love your baths!  And you HATE when we take you out to dry you off.  I dream of the days when you will splash all around and squirt your rubber ducky and just laugh and laugh.   

I know bath time will be so much fun.  

You had some visitors this month! 

Mimi came all the way from Florida, and we had the BEST week with her! 

She gave you lots of snuggles and rocked you to sleep.  She read you books, gave you baths, changed your diapers, and took just a few pictures ;)

Aunt Maria, Aunt Emilie, and Uncle Bernie also came to visit and they fell in love!  You were such a good baby, and let everyone cuddle with you.

Mommy's best friend, Aubrey came to visit from Nashville!  She got to see lots of smiles, and we had the best time together.  You had a super fun day with Daddy while Mommy and Aubrey had a girl's day out!  

It was the best month - and you are growing so much!  

You are 10 lbs 2 oz, and 22 inches long.  

You are becoming so expressive, especially with your sweet little eyebrows :)

We love you so much angel!  Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives!