This & That Fridays – October 30

Well here we are again, another week complete!  Hopefully yours was a good one!

So tomorrow is Halloween!  Do you hand out candy?  I do and it’s one of the things I look forward to all year.  We only get around 20-30 kids but I love seeing all the costumes.  Plus I dress my dog up and she loves hearing the doorbell ring and greeting the kids at the door.  Anyway if you’re looking for some last minute costume ideas, this Real Simple article has some clever (and groan-worthy) options for you.

Are you a fan of the Hunger Games?  The trailer for Mockingjay: Part 2, which is the final installment in the series, is out.  I don’t go and see many movies in the theaters but this is going to be one of them.  So stoked!

I got a new iPhone last weekend and now I’m on the search for a case.  I want something cute, yet functional and not too chunky.  I kind of like the looks of this clear glittery one and I REALLY like this Ted Baker folio version.  This gold floral lace option is intriguing too!

I have a bunch of chocolate chips in my pantry that I need to use before they expire so I might whip up a batch of these.  Two words: Peanut butter.  Chocolate.   Thank you Pioneer Woman!  (My waist line does not thank you).

So we’ve had some chilly, very Fall-like, almost Wintery weather here this week which was a bit of a shock for me.  And I’ve realized it is now officially back to being tight and nylon season.  I wear a lot of skirts and dresses to work and as much as I hate wearing them, they are necessity.  What are your favorites?  Hue makes my favorite tights but nylons are a different story.  Just this week for instance – I brought a brand new pair, had them on for all of 2 hours and managed to rip a hole in the knee.  I PAID $15 FOR THEM!  Yes I know that’s my own fault but they were really good ones.  But obviously not that good if I ruined them 2 hours in. Anyway I’ve learned my lesson, I’m not doing that again.  Joe Fresh makes some decent ones for not a bad price so I might have to stop in there this weekend.  But if you have a good nylon recommendation help a girl out and share please!

Lastly, after reading fellow blogger Stash Matters’ post on Essie’s Cashmere Matte nail polish collection, I fell in love with the shade Coat Couture.  Despite her less than glowing review on the formula, I decided I needed this in my life. I gave myself a manicure Sunday night and let me just say, this is going straight into the garbage!  My nails were chipping like crazy by Monday afternoon, and not just small chips – it was literally coming off in large strips!  I removed and re-applied some of the nails with bigger chips on Monday night and by Tuesday afternoon it was the same thing.  So disappointing as this is such a beautiful and unique colour.  No patience for this one!

And that’s it for this week!  Have a wonderful weekend and a spooktacular Halloween!

Thanks for reading!

This & That Sunday – Thanksgiving Edition!

I’m doing something a little different this week – instead of my This & That Friday post, I decided to bump it to Sunday because here in Canada, it’s our Thanksgiving weekend!  In the spirit of the holiday, I’ve themed my post around the things that I am thankful for.  First up, the important things:

• Family.  I’m really looking forward to sharing turkey and gravy, pumpkin pie and good wine with them and just spending time with them period.  I feel very grateful to have a wonderful husband, supportive parents, and devoted furball in my life.
• Good friends.  A co-worker of mine who has also became one of my closest friends is moving back to her hometown this weekend and I’m so sad to see her go.  Heading back to work Tuesday is going to be tough without her there but I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to not only work with her but to have gained a lifelong friendship.
• The basics.  A roof over my head, food to eat and a job that makes those both possible.  My heart always hurts for those without these – circumstances can change so quickly and you never know when you might end up in a similar situation. It’s so important to be grateful for all that we have.
• My blog and my readers!  I’m so glad I decided to start blogging – I’ve learned so many things and as much work as it is, I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I’ve completed a post!  And thank you to all my readers – thanks for following me, reading my posts, liking them and commenting on them!  It really brightens my day to know when someone enjoys or likes what I’ve written!  🙂

Now, on to the superficial stuff:

I’m thankful for having a new series to binge-watch on weekends!  D and I started watching Boardwalk Empire about a month ago and we got through a bunch of episodes last weekend and we’re both hooked.  It’s an HBO show so expect no shortage of violence, crude language and nudity but we’re hooked.  Steve Buscemi is fantastic in this!

I picked up these leggings at Costco about a month ago and I finally tried them out last week.  I paid $12.99 for a pack of 2 and I’m loving them – they’re fleece lined so they’re going to be nice and warm for winter dog walks.  But that also makes them super comfy for lounging around the house in.  So far, no pilling either.  Note: These run slightly big, I’d normally be a medium in any other legging but I’m a small in these.  So I’m thankful for Costco and their awesome deals!

Have I mentioned that Halloween is fast approaching?  It’s only my favorite holiday of the entire year.  And I’m one of those crazy people who dresses my dog up in a costume.  She goes to doggy daycare once a week and they actually throw a Halloween party for all the dogs and have a costume contest. #dontjudge  Last year she was a cowgirl and she won first prize!  I’m trying to figure out how to top last years costume…Party City has some absolutely hilarious options, including Dorothy, Bettlejuice, or a T-Rex.  She’d never let me put any of those on her but just looking at them makes me giggle!  So thankful for ridiculous doggy Halloween costumes!

If you’re wanting something different for your Thanksgiving dessert or just a dessert in general, may I recommend this Blueberry Crumble recipe?  I made this multiple times throughout the summer and it was delish!  Crumble recipes scream fall to me and although blueberry season is pretty much over, I was still able to find fresh ones at my grocery store last week.  Very thankful for homemade desserts!

And that’s it for this week.  For all of my Canadian readers, have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  I hope you get to enjoy time with family and friends and eat lots of yummy food!  And to everyone else, just have a great weekend in general!

Thanks for reading!

 

This & That Fridays – September 25

Happy Friyay!  I hope everyone had a great week.  I can’t believe we are heading into the last few days of September – where did the month go?  I feel like it flew by faster than usual.

It’s now officially Fall, which means it’s sweater-season!  Personally I like wearing sweaters and other fall/winter clothes for about a month and then I want to go back to wearing flip flops and t-shirts.  Regardless, how adorable is this version courtesy of Ricki’s?

If you haven’t yet heard, adult coloring books are all the rage!  I picked up this one from Costco recently and I’m really liking it!  I do a little bit each night before I go to bed and I find it helps me relax and clear my mind.  Until I color outside the lines that is.

If you’re a fan of Bath & Body Works, I’m sure you’ve already determined which are your favorite scents from their Fall line.  My favorite?  Pumpkin Pecan Waffles!  So far all I have is the hand sanitizer but I kind of want to eat it, it smells so good (I won’t).  Need the 3-wick candle and hand soap now.

The Muppets debuted a new prime time show this week and I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet but I can’t wait to.  The first episode is called Pig Girls Don’t Cry (bahaha – my kind of humor!)  The Muppet Show was one of my favorites when I was a kid and and while that obviously can’t be duplicated, I’m excited to see what this is like.

I know it’s still September but my favorite holiday is inching closer and closer – Halloween!  I have a large collection of decorations for outside of my house and now I want to add to my small collection of inside decorations.  Pier 1 always has cool, albeit expensive, stuff!  Loving this Glow in the Dark Ornament Tree, this Skeleton Hand Serving Bowl and this sign, which is highly appropriate for me BTW.  Crossing my fingers for a 20% coupon…

One of my favorite fall recipes is the Pioneer Woman’s Beef Drip Sandwiches.  Technically these can be made at any time of the year but because it involves an oven, I always make it when it’s cooler outside.  I’ve been making this recipe for years and I assure you it’s absolutely delicious. Perfect for football Sundays and it’s so simple!   I always make the version with the pepperoncini peppers but I might have to give the basic recipe out sometime soon too.

Lastly, I did my nails last night in Essie’s Merino Cool which is my go-to fall color every year.  The formula on this polish is perfect, two coats and you’re done which I always appreciate.

And that’s it for this week!  Have a wonderful weekend and as always, thanks for reading!