Last Wednesday of March!

Hard to believe March literally flew by.

I'll be linking up with Mel, Shearer, and Shay for What's Up Wednesday - March Edition.

Shhh....I Had !A Ton of Carbs & Sugar Yesterday

Confessional Thursday...

One of my favs!

I'll be linking up with Jessica for Thursday Confessions.

Here are some confessions...

[] Up until Tuesday night...I had never spent the night in a hotel room. Alone.  Was I scared? Eh, not so much. I was super excited...I was about to be adulting on my own. I'm so growing up!

[] I hate public restrooms. I will purposefully not drink anything if I know I won't be around a good, clean bathroom (i.e. public restroom).

[] I still keep up with the Kardashians. I know, I know...the show has turned into a train wreck over the years, but I absolutely love Khloe and Kourtney.

[] I have a hoarding issue compulsive disorder with buying things because it was on sale...and never using it.  After cleaning the bedroom, I found close to 20 gift cards - Nordstrom, Craft Warehouse, JoAnn's Fabric, massages {yes, more than 1}, restaurants....the list goes on. Guess I'll be going shopping at Nordy's soon!

[] I exited 4 times off I-5 in the Tacoma/Olympia area in search of a Starbucks.  Let me rephrase that...a convenient, easy to get to drive-thru Starbucks. And was unsuccessful.  I was desperate for a latte. But, I prevailed! Finally! Let's just say...the drive home last night was way more successful with a coffee in hand.

[] Yesterdays food choices consisted of: carbs, sugar, coffee, salad, carbs, water, 1/2 sandwich, more carbs.  My body was on carb overload. Let the detox begin - next week after the final birthday of the month comes to an end.

What are some of your confessions?  Share below!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday!

Confessional Thursday...For I Have Sinned {Maybe}

Logged in this morning and my old coworker/friend linked up with an awesome blog for Confessional Thursdays.
[Thanks Jess at Jessica's Little Bits of Joy]



Jess at The Newly is putting on a fab link party - come join!
Sounds interesting huh?!
I thought so too.

Here goes.

I Confess...

[] This morning I went to Starbucks again (shocker). Not because I had to, but because I enjoy pulling up to a window and having my coffee made for me.  I could very well come straight home from dropping the little one off at daycare and make my own...but seriously, it's not as good. Thankfully, I still have a ton of $$ left only gift cards.  Just hope it doesn't run out anytime soon....

[] While ordering my drink at Starbucks...I ordered an old-fashioned donut too. Best guilty pleasure on the ride home after a loooooong night with the little one last night! All alone. No child. No dogs. No phones. [This could be the culprit of the Michelin tire I've been carrying around] #momlife

[] While working at home this week...I've had old re-runs of Laguna Beach and Teen Mom running in the background.  Hey...back in the day, those shows rocked! [and still kinda do]

[]  I haven't styled my hair all week this week.  Ponytails it is. Wet hair and all.  That's how bad it's been this week feeling run down. #sicknessbegone

[] With that being said...I haven't put any makeup on either since Saturday. Eek.

[] Stopped by the store yesterday morning for some EmergenC. Ended up in the beauty aisle...just browsing.  You never know what you'll find.

[] I love Valentine's day. I just think red roses are so cliche.

There you have it.
Some of my week's confessions.
Boy...do I feel better.

What are some of your confessions?

Share below!

Birthday Weekend Success

Birthday weekend was a success! 

My 'Birthday Drink' from Starbucks. Do I ever pass up a free coffee?! Uh, I think not!
#ThanksStarbucks

I just have to say...I have the best friends and family!
Whew - what a weekend this has been!

I will be linking up with Biana @ B Loved Boston- Weekending.

Friday night I was supposed to head out to a local golf course restaurant's happy hour with my first grade {Elise} and third grade {Erica} friends.  However, my first grade BFF wasn't feeling too good and wasn't able to attend.

So Erica and I decided since we both had babysitters family lined up to watch our little ones...why not take the opportunity to head out still #momsnightout

And when I say 'go out', I mean a laid back, casual happy hour.
At a restaurant.
Claim Jumper to be exact. (It's a tradition)

Drinks. Cheap eats. My kind of night out.

Meet Erica. My friend since 3rd grade.  Yes, that's right...THIRD grade!
Despite having kids...we still find time to get together from time to time.
It's tough at times, but we manage.

That right there, the chocolate chip calzone. So. Freakin'. Delicious.
If anyone has ever been to Claim Jumper....you share these types of things. Naturally, because it was a birthday celebration outing, Erica and I decided to get two desserts - one for her and one for me. Ugh - sugar overload.

Pretty sure I went home in a diabetic coma.

Friday night ended up with me falling asleep in my bed all curled up like a little baby.
BEST NIGHT EVER!
Slept soundly. My little one slept until 7 am.
AMEN!

Saturday was the actual day of birth aka birthday.
Spent the morning and afternoon very low key...doing a whole lotta nothing.
And it felt sooo good!

Dinner with daddy dearest at 5:30 at Amalfi's in NE Portland. [If you're ever in the area...I highly suggest stopping by. The pizza is amazing. The pasta is divine. The drinks are yummy.]

Yes, this is their tiramisu!  [In case you haven't figured this out...I {fuzzy} heart dessert]

After dinner with daddy dearest, Andrew and I headed down to the Pearl District in NW Portland to one of my most favorite restaurants/happy hour places EVER! Oba!!!!!

MMMM....this has been one of my favorite places for several years, and a yearly birthday stop.

The drinks are amazing. The tapas are so incredibly tasty.

Kellie [sister] is obviously super excited to be out with us! I mean, who be?  We are a good time!

Clearly, I'm super stoked about the card!

The 'Crew' at Oba. Kellie [sister], Janelle, Me, Andrew.

We had a night full of belly laughs, great drinks, amazing company and of course, the best banana balls! 

[I have no idea what they are really called...all I know, is that they are this amazing desert that are fried little banana cream filled balls with ice cream and caramel sauce. My weakness.]

All the good food, belly laughs, and birthday came to an end eventually.

But the memories will remain [and the inside jokes]!

Here are a few more of my favorite moments from this weekend:

We are in the sticker phase right now. We had to use the entire sheet of stickers...face and all!

And what better way to spend the birthday weekend with Emily kisses, a Super Bowl party, and lots of Pacific Northwest SUNSHINE!!!!  So thankful for the gorgeous weather we had today!  

Who says turning 31 has to be bad?  Last year when I turned *gasp* 30, I was nervous as I entered my 30's but was excited to see what my 30's would bring.  This last year has proven to me that anything is possible!  

Cheers to 31 and another great year!

What did you do this weekend? 

How was your Super Bowl Sunday? 

Share below!

Friday Favorites: Inner Tomboy Coming Out

First Friday (fri-yah) of February!

This week hasn't been as exciting as last week, as this week was a tad bit more stressful.
Learning a new job (remotely) can be difficult on top of a toddler who doesn't sleep through the night and feeling disorganized can put a real damper on things.

But that is all a work-in-progress! I've got some techniques and tricks I'm putting together to try and see how that helps me.

Since today is Friday Favorites, I thought I'd share a few things that put a smile on my face this last week.

**Warning: My inner tomboy is about to come out**

5 Things That Make My Heart Happy

.F.E.B.R.U.A.R.Y.

My most favorite month out of the whole year [it could be that it's my birth month and Valentine's day...just saying]!

I'm not your typical girl who loves all the romantic stuff that goes with love.
Don't get me wrong, I like the romantic things - there's other things that can totally win my heart.

I'll be linking up with Momfessionals for Show And Tell Tuesdays for things that make my heart feel full.

.L.A.U.G.H.T.E.R.

Hands down, one of the things in life that makes me feel so full!  I like love to laugh! Friends, family, Andrew, my little one...those are my absolute favorites to laugh with.  I love to be funny. I love to make jokes. I like to have a good time.

I can't hold a straight face most of the time.  I love laughing!

.C.O.F.F.E.E. & .N.O.T.E.S.

A for sure way to my heart...coffee. Delivered. I love surprise coffees.  For years, my dad did this when I worked and lived with him.  Now...Andrew has taken that task on.  And boy, does that make my heart just melt...[especially when it's ordered extra hot].

.C.R.A.F.T.I.N.G.

I am a huge fan of crafting and sewing....and nothing more makes me feel so loved than when I get time for myself to craft/sew!  It's been a hobby of mine for about 5 years now.
One day I decided, I wanted to teach myself to sew. And so I did. I sat down with my mom's sewing machine, picked up a few super easy patterns and some fabric [does anyone know what the feeling of buying new fabric is like?! HEAVEN]

Just a few items I've made that has really struck my creative side...


.C.A.T.S. & .D.O.G.S.

If you really want to know how to melt my heart to a huge pile of mush...animals. Namely cats and dogs.  I am a sucker through and through for these little furry friends.  If I could, I'd adopt way more cats and dogs. Buuut, I'm limited now. I've been cut off at 3 dogs and 1 cat...and now a child [lol].

These are my fur babies that make my heart skip a beat!  They each have their own individual personalities and are sweet in their own ways.

Emma:

Ellie: Emily: Harley: And last, but not least... .D.A.T.E. .N.I.G.H.T.S. I love my date nights with Andrew. It's adult time to get out of the house and just have 'us' time.  Whether we go to downtown Portland to Portland City Grill or the local bar & grill in town it's bound for a fun time. 

Taco salad from Mojave (one of the locals)

Don't get me wrong...these things help make my heart happy, however my number one person that makes my heart extremely is my daughter!  She is my little sunshine in this thing I call life!

What makes your heart happy?  Share below!   Happy Tuesday friends!

What's Up Wednesday [01.27.16]

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Today I'll be linking up with Shay for 'Whats Up Wednesday' - so excited!  First link ups with this lovely lady!

What we are eating this week...

A 'very plain' order of #10

Ever so often, I get to go out on a lunch/dinner date to Pho Van with Andrew. And Sunday it was! It's one of my favorite places - Vietnamese Beef Noodle bowl!  Except, I'm lame and get get the #10, chicken noodle, with just chicken, broth and noodles.  I swear, they all think I'm this crazy lady, but what can I say...I'm weird with food. Once this piping hot bowl of yumminess comes, I add my own flavoring of Sriracha sauce!  Of course, I get an order of the salad rolls and a diet Coke to top it all off. Mmm...makes my mouth just water thinking about this delicious soup!

What I'm reminiscing about....

Day 2 of our 'Spirit Week' [Just us girls].  We sure know how to make work fun!

Day 3 of Sprit Week - Legggggs for days!

My old 'Kroger/Fred Meyer' co-workers and all the good times we had.  Seriously, best bunch of people to work with!  I miss working with them already #sadface

What I'm loving...

This. New. Bag.

This new bag has arrived!  I ordered this for myself for an early birthday gift to myself/congrats-on-the-new-job.  Stole this little gem for a fabulous deal online.  I'm so in love with the padlock style on this bag.  Can't wait to use it!

What we've been up to...

Just working away. Learning as much as I can about the new job [and by the way, I am totally loving it!]  We did have a proud mama moment this week - using the big girl potty!  Who knew you could be so excited to see your child use the big girl potty?  Of course, it has to be her idea to use the big girl potty...and waiting until she's almost 2 is fine with me.

What I'm dreading...

My baby will be turning 2 in February.  Don't get me wrong, I've so enjoyed watching her grow up, but 2?!  Wow...time has sure flown by.  I feel lie just a few months ago she was 2 months old.  I will say though, I am super excited for 2!

Oh...and the dentist.  Went to the dentist the other day, to find out I need to have a filling. Really?!  A filling? So...I'm totally dreading that part. #sugaraddict

What I'm working on...

Becoming a better me!  2016 is my year to shine! I'm excited to see what this year has to offer!

What I'm excited about...

Birthdays!  Celebrations!  As if we didn't have enough excitement during the holidays, we [my sister, my daughter, and myself] top it off with birthdays in January and February - go us!  Although, I will be turning *gasp* 31 [and it's an odd year], I'm still excited!

What I'm watching/reading...

This is the current book I have been 'trying' so hard to get read between bedtime routine and falling asleep at night. It's a struggle sometimes. But so far, I love it!

Currently watching a handful of shows - Younger being one of my absolute favorites right now!  If you haven't seen it (TVLand) go see it!

Also, just finished catching up Teen Mom OG where Catelynn and Tyler got married - seriously, such a gorgeous wedding!

I did catch up as well on the Kardashians.  Yes, it's my guilty little pleasures in life that keep me sane.

What I'm listening to...

At this very moment? Total silence. And it's pure bliss!
But as of lately, it's been the Ke$ha or Sum41 station on iHeartRadio.
Occasionally, I'll throw on the Lil Wayne station for some 'hard-core' rap. [because it's motivating and I can]

What I'm wearing...

Currently LOVING the blanket scarf trend right now!  I love pairing the plaids with the stripes, or the animal prints with bright colors!  Being from the NW, I like to keep my neck toasty warm.

What I'm doing this weekend...

Yes, this is a birthday margarita. Courtesy of last year's birthday outing.

It's the start of the birthday weekend!  In our family, my sister is born on January 25 and I'm on Feb 6th...so birthday dinners and outings typically begin this time of the month.  Which means, Saturday night - first birthday dinner [for me].

What I'm looking forward next month...

Lots!!!  But most of all, for the new job to take off!  I love learning! It's been a little "rough and weird" transition since we all work remotely from our homes.  I'm hopeful this week's training will get me up and running like the wind!

What else is new...

That about sums up life right now - birthdays.  Pretty low key.

Favorite Valentine's Day Treat...

Dove Dark Chocolate squares. Need I say more?

What's even better than the above?  The Dove dark chocolate WITH almonds!  [that's a little added protein, right?!]