Five on Friday!

This is definitely the happiest Friday I've had in a very long time because...Matt and I are playing hooky together today for a little day date while the kids are in school!

one. Guess where we are headed? Hint: It's my happy place. And no, it's not my driveway, although we do love a good happy hour there! We're headed to the mountains!

two. Last weekend Matt (& Thomas) cashed in a gift card that Matt has been hanging on to forever on a new Yeti...and one for me too (best surprise ever)! I now understand all the hype around these amazing tumblers! And I'm obsessed with the seafoam color he got me.

three. I have painted my nails (& Caroline's toes) this gorgeous Essie color called Bikini So Teeny like seven times in a row now. I am so obsessed with it. It's the perfect summer blue and although I normally opt for pinks and reds for toes I have loved this color on my toes and have received so many compliments!

four. New dress! New dress! I am always on the hunt for casual summer dresses to wear on the weekends and I just scooped this one up on sale for $19!! It comes in a ton of patterns and the fit is so flattering. These braided sandals are also my favorite for summer -- I have them in white and gold and just grabbed two more pairs (black & brown) on sale! They are so comfortable and go with everything!



five. A few evenings ago I met a girlfriend for pedicures and cocktails. THIS cocktail is definitely going to be my summer jam -- lemonade, muddled strawberries and vodka! It was so refreshing and delicious!!!









http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article/1038

My Trader Joe's Shopping List!

I received some questions about my recent Trader Joe's haul on InstaStories, so I thought I would pop in with my shopping list. I know I'm missing stuff on this list (Thomas destroyed my receipt) but these are a few items I never leave the store without. Tried and true favorites...

TRADER JOE'S GROCERY LIST

1. Wine (duh)! 
• La Ferme Julien Rouge Rose, $5.99
• Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, $7.99
• Picton Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, $6.99
• Trader Joes Petite Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, $6.99 
2. Cheese: goat cheese crumbles, feta crumbles, Manchego, boursin, Chevre with Honey
3. Produce: tomatoes, avocados, apples, onions, spinach, arugula, broccolini, etc.
4. Frozen: cauliflower rice, grilled cauliflower, blueberries, edamame, BBQ Chicken Teriyaki, turkey meatballs, mac & cheese
5. Meat: sliced prosciutto, filet mignon steak
6. Frozen Desserts: mini ice cream cones, cookie dough cheesecake bites,
7. Flowers 
8. Salad Dressings: Champagne Pear Vinaigrette, Cilantro Salad Dressing
9. Olive Oil Spray & Avocado Oil
10. TJ White Cheddar Corn Puffs (pirates booty knock off -- my kids favorite popcorn ever) 
11. TJ Mini Peanut Butter Crackers
12. Cinnamon Schoolbook cookies (favorite bribery treats)
13. Random spices, Pink Himalayan Sea Salt & Peppercorn Grinders)
14. Bonus impulse buy: Succulent garden (Seasonal -- and only $8!) 

Now share your favorite Trader Joe's items!



Thyme for Herbs

Gone are the days when I had enough time to plant herbs and keep them alive all summer. Well, that's not exactly true. Every (and I mean every) spring I get suuuuuuper excited to scoop up ALL the herbs from Home Depot. I swear each year will be different from the last and that I'll perfectly plant them and diligently water them..for about a week. Then Matt takes over the herb watering because he's awesome and then reminds me the following spring that if I want to plant herbs I should care for them. Touche, Matt. Touche. But this year I promise things will be different. For real.

Because I have another person to take over the watering duties. And she takes this job really seriously.

And she has an adorable water boy helper that does anything she commands. 

But they have their work cut out for them because we purchased our herbs during a random Home Depot run and then let them sit in the bed of Matt's truck for about a week before remembering to plant them. Oops. Wish them luck!

PS - If you have toddlers, you need this Little Tikes Garden Table for the summer!    Check out these posts for previous less exciting herb gardens: 2016 Caroline's 1st Herb Garden    2015 Thyme for basil 2014: Too pregnant to plant herbs 2013 Herb Garden 2012 Herb Garden 2011 Herb Garden