The Friday 5! (September 25 Edition)

I'm back with the Friday 5! A snapshot of the week and some of my favorite things lately.

1) First lets start with last Thursday, aka Taylor Swift Day! :) I'm still listening to her music on repeat in the mornings when I workout. Who doesn't love a little Taylor in the AM! She was SO good!

2) Next on the list was the girls 2nd day (2nd week) at preschool (aka Mom's Day Out (or Dad) Program). Its not perfect but we are working through it. The teachers seem great and the girls are really loving their backpacks (i.e. don't want to take them off!)

The park is still their favorite activity to do followed by play dough! The weather has been so nice!

 3) On a foodie front I made these pumpkin cookies this week. I skipped the cranberries and added about 1/4 cup more pumpkin. They are good crunchy and have a nice sweet taste to them!

(Source / Recipe)

4) If I had unlimited free time and an unlimited budget I would go on a re-decorating spree! My favorite DIY bloggers came out with a new book this week which I pre-ordered so it was a nice mid-week surprise! For some reason reading decorating blogs is relaxing at 10pm at night!

(Source / Blog)

5) Last but not least, I did a 3 day cleanse this week (Monday through Wednesday) where I restricted myself to protein shakes, fruits and veggies (no sugar, dairy or carbs). It was the perfect reset to remind my body what its like to run on clean energy. (And I get to head into the weekend a good 5lbs lighter!)

I am super excited to meal plan this week (if you don't eat much for 3 days its very exciting). This is one of our dinners we are planning. I can't wait to try it...BBQ Meatloaf cups. Perfect for the little people and big people in the family!

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I am also pretty excited for the weekend! Its Scott's birthday, lots of football and the weather is going to be amazing. I get bordline giddy about breaking out the pumpkin and boots! 

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I hope everyone has a great weekend! TGIF!

XO,

Holly

The Friday 5! - Playdough, Capes, Lattes and Fashion!

I have been thinking about starting a new blogging tradition called "The Friday 5". Its essentially a recap of the week including my favorite things, events and really anything interesting and fun! So here goes...

The Friday 5!

#1 The little people discovered capes, playdough and "dolls" appropriately named "Susie" and "Sally" this week. Lesson learned...all toys should be EXACTLY the same. If one doll is pink and the other is purple its is WW2. We have also mastered the word "zoom" and fly around in our capes most nights after dinner.

(Hair bows, hair style and all things "hair" is another topic! aka, AH!)

#2 The pumpkin spice latte (or chai tea which is what I LOVE) is back. I just want to go put on my fall boots and jump in the leaves.  There has been quite a focus on the fact that Starbucks is now using "real" pumpkin. I can't taste the difference, but it does make me feel a little better knowing I am not completely falling of the "clean" eating wagon when drinking it. 

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/does-real-pumpkin-make-any-difference-in-starbuckss-pumpkin-spice-latte-2015-09-08

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#3 I am pretty much OBSESSED with fall clothing right now. I may have found matching infinity scarfs for the girls and I :) This goes along with #2. One of my biggest inspirations for working moms and transition clothing is here. New fall lines are popping up everywhere and NYC Fashion week is this week. (aka, my dream world!) 

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#4 We are making this for dinner next week and I am SO excited. Anything crockpot and BBQ pretty much gets an A+ in my book. 

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2014/09/bbq-chicken-chili.html

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#5 I am starting to carve out more time to read more at night (well I have thought about doing this and implementing it this weekend! I used to be really good at it...) I have been wanting to read this for a long time. I am about 1/2 way through and its super motivating. #girlboss

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So there you go! Essentially my moments of the week and hot topics all wrapped up into one :) Have a great weekend!

Summer Recap!

Wow! I can't believe its already Labor Day (well almost) and summer is officially over! Since time has FLOWN by I thought I would do a quick recap of the summer in pictures! (Because if you know me well, its what I do best!)

First up, our trip to Florida in June!

Celebrating the 4th of July!

Spending time with Heather! (Including those amazing senior pictures!) And some more college visits!

Working out with the girls!

 

Overall silliness!

Fall is our favorite time of year. So excited to see what the season brings!

Have a great weekend! And GO BUCKS!