Friday Things
1. Total baby beach model pose, ha! Joseph has gottenย spoiled taking swim lessons in a 90-degree heated pool; it took him a little while to get used to the cold hose water ;-) Cold hose water is all I ever knew as a kidโฆ I lived on the slip nโ slide in my grandmaโs yard during the summer!
2.ย We have (finally) started making headway on the nursery for Josephโs little brother. Headway = me sorting the rest of Josephโs old clothes by size and us picking out the furniture. Thereโs still a single bed in there and piles of Josephโs clothes. My (younger) sister keeps reminding me that the second child always getsย neglected!
3. Did you hear that MTVย has launched an โMTV Classicโ channel, dedicated to music from the 90โs and early 2000โs? First of all, I feel super old. Second of all, HELLO classic MTV Unplugged! We watched Alice in Chains unplugged a few nights ago and it was awesome. I was very much into old classic rock, alt rock and grunge rock in the 90โs, so it was right up my alley. Iโm totally at the point in my life where Iโm all โwhat is this atrocious noise that kids these days listen to? music was so much better in my dayโ.
4.ย Love these cleaning hacksโฆ so many good tips and tricks!
5.ย Okay all of you super organized planner peopleโฆ letโs talk. I need a good plan for 2017 because I currently feel like Iโm floating through each day with a rough to-do list and with another little one on the way, I need to get a better handle on life. Do you have a planner you love? A regular lined notebook you love? I think I need both to keep myself on track.
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6.ย Iโm not a terribly creative eater, so this chart of ingredient pairings for salads is awesome! Itโs totally inspiring me to make a different one each day for lunch.
7. I picked up Essie gel polish from the grocery store this week and am intrigued to see if it will actually last a decent amount of time. Oddly enough, the ONE thing thatโs a surefire way to chip and peel my nails is washing my hair. Not dishes, not cookingโฆ washing my hair. It happens without fail. Iโll report backโฆ has anyone tried it?!
8.ย Is anyone playing fantasy football this year? Our draft is in a few weeks! I love it, but with a baby due in October, Iโm tempering my expectations for my team this seasonย ;-)
9.ย What are you watching on TV right now? I feel like most of our shows arenโt coming back until later this fall or even January. Weโre waiting for season 3 of Blacklist to be released on Netflix so we can catch up and start up with the new season this fall!
10. TGIF! Such a seriously mopey (suspicious?) face!
As a child mom didnโt understand my music. I didโnt with my children, either. Every generation probably goes through this.
Just started watching Outlander โ totally hooked.
I just binge-watched all 8 episodes of Stranger Things on Netflix. I absolutely LOVED and highly recommend it!!
Washing hair! Itโs the surefire way for me to ruin my nails! I thought it was just me (or just a bad manicure).
I will echo some of the above commenters and say Stranger Things! It has us hooked so far. It is definitely a mystery/thriller with some sci-fi mixed in. Regarding Essie, I have been wondering how well it works too. How Sweet Eats posted that she is loving the Essie gel polish lately and I almost bought it but chickened out. Hope youโll update us! I have the same problem with showers ruining my nails. What the heck?! I tried Jamberry for a while, but found that was the worst in showers. Not only would the nails peel up, but my hair strands would get pulled (sometimes out completely!) in between the stickers and my nails. Owe!
I have two Sally Hansen gel polishes. Obviously theyโre not a salon manicure but it does last a little longer than regular polish. You have to make sure to dry the base thoroughly before applying the top coat, cause itโs pretty abrasive; I usually wait a couple hours or overnight. And washing my hair kills my manicure too :P
OMG Iโm totally with you about washing your hair as a surefire way to ruin a manicure :( Thought it was just me lol
Iโm watching Married at First Sight. My husband and i have a bet on who will last the longest. These couples seem like they have better chances of making it work than last season
I started up bullet journaling. I recommend checking it out on Pinterest or Instagram.
And I also am more likely to chip nails in the shower. It sucks.
I also highly recommend Stranger Things on Netflix! We wanted to binge watch it, but with two young boys, thatโs not really possible! :)
For organizing/planning Iโve found I like the native calendar app on my phone for appointments and meetings plus the Any.do app for daily lists. Iโm rarely without my phone so itโs nice to have it right there and not also carry around a paper journal. Any.do has a calendar app it will pair with but since I tried the free versions of both I didnโt like how they integrated together. Maybe if you paid for them theyโd interact differently, I donโt know. Any.do is a list maker though. You can assign tasks/items to Today, Tomorrow, or Future and move them around as needed. You can also make an item โrecurringโ and it will auto populate on its designated day (so if you always have swim lessons on Wednesday that task will always show up on Wednesday until you deactivate it). As a list person for my days and to doโs, Iโve found it works really well.
I have a girlfriend who really likes the Erin Condren journals though.
I love the picture of Joseph in the kiddie pool! So cuteโฆhaha about the cold water though โ it is a shock to the system if you are not expecting it. I do need a planner for 2017 but canโt decide on which one and I need to figure out how to use it properly too โ lots of my friends have gone back to using one โ my phone sort of works okay for now but I know I need to do better. No fantasy football for me โ never got into it โ but I do need to pick a team to start rooting for now that the โMiserable Ramsโ have left town โ I feel free to call them that since they were mostly a poor team and their owner is a complete jerk! Iโm excited about watching the Olympics though โ at least weโll get to see sports we donโt see everyday on TV
Iโm loving Essie! Although I havenโt tried the gel. I havenโt painted my nails in probably over 20 years. It never lasted more than a couple of days. I am always cleaning and working in the yard, so I figured why bother. A friend recently suggested Essie, so I tried it. I didnโt even bother with the base coat or top coat, just 2 or 3 coats of color. I have to say, Iโm SHOCKED that it usually lasts close to a week. And I donโt wear gloves, either!
I am a fellow fantasy football player!! We do auction style and we all get together and have a potluck. Really fun, but with 5 year old twins and a 7 year old I havenโt really had time to look at anything and our draft is on the 27th! Still have time though :) Good luck to your team! I think itโs all based on luck anyway :)
Michelle, did you ever give the bullet journal a try? You introduced me to it on one of your Friday posts, and I LOVE it. On Carrol Ryderโs site that explains the process, there is now a section for moms. Itโs new, so nothing had been posted yet. Iโm sure it will have awesome ideas, though.
Iโm about to start my first Bullet Journal, with the supplies that my husband just gave me for my birthday. I am so excited! Iโve been researching them quite a bit and think itโs something right up my alley. Especially if I have the right pen, and I found an amazing Faber-Castell one that will make the whole journal awesome! He also got me a 36-count set of colored Staedtlet pens that wonโt bleed through, so I can add pops of color to every page.
I have enjoyed watching Boho Berryโs Bullet Journal YouTube videos for instruction. This type of journal might be a little time-consuming for some, but you could combine it with the Passion Journal listed above, if you want a lot of the layout already designed for you. I picked the Leuchtturm 1917 Hardcover notebook in Medium with dots lining the pages, so I can make each page whatever feels best!
Of course, I canโt live without Google Calendar on my desktop and phone. It is the best way to keep on top of everything going on! The bullet journal will be a fun way to remember memories.
I love your blog. So pleasant and lovely. I hope you find what works best for you.
Hi Maria, I gave it a quick try right after the holidays but the issue I had is that for everyday tasks, my phone was just so much easier. With a toddler, I just didnโt always have a notebook handy, but if I thought of something I needed to do, I could quickly type it into my phone. I may revisit it for longer-term planning. I LOVE Boho Berry!! So inspiring!
I love the planners from ShePlans on Etsy! I just looked and there are no more in stock right now but the 2017 planners will be in next month. I have tried so many and have used hers the last couple years. It has plenty of space for tasks and notes. Also, havenโt used these but heard good things about them: http://www.gettoworkbook.com/product/2016-2017-get-to-work-book
https://www.emilyley.com/collections/simplified-planner
Is it just me, or does the white fur around Einsteinโs eye look like a heart? How appropriate โ considering all the love inside this guy!
Have you tried Jamberry nails yet? I was gifted a couple of sets by my sister and I love them. I know they get mixed reviews, but so far theyโve been the best for me. My manicures always only last until my next hair wash too. I thought I was the only one because everyone elseโs nails always seem to last longer than mine! Iโm not a consultant for Jamberry and in fact I donโt even know anyone who sells itโฆ I just like them. I have two kids ages 2 & 4 and I work a desk job where lots of filing is involved. These nails withstand the crazy wear and tear that my hands take everyday!
Also, have you tried any calendars or planning apps on your phone? I know a lot of people like to hand write things, but Iโve found that my phone has been invaluable! My husbandโs calendar is synched to mine so it helps for planning things! I also like it with kids because I can set reminders throughout the day. Especially helpful for potty training and remembering to switch the laundry loads :-) I know itโs not for everyone, but it does for me. Probably because I work outside the home so itโs easy to keep everything with me on my phone.
Hi Stacy, I havenโt tried Jamberry nails. I keep a Google calendar for our appointments/plans, and I use Wunderlist for my daily to-do list. However, I need something to actually help me PLANโฆ like a few months in advance. Breaking down larger projects into smaller tasks. I do like keeping everyday stuff on my phone because I always have it with me, versus a physical planner.
That salad pairings chart is great! The only thing I wish they would have added is salad dressings โ preferably vinaigrettes โ for each. But, yes! to a salad from that chart each day for lunch, and even dinner with a grilled meat of some sort.
I may be retiring after probably close to 10 years of Fantasy Football. We donโt play for money which keeps it a blast, but I think I just need a break. First pre-season game this weekend . . . SO ready for Steelers football! Our Buccos are struggling even though theyโre only a couple games out of a wildcard slot. Should they make it, I canโt imagine theyโll go far into the post-season run.
Suggested salad dressings are listed in the far right column ?
Keep looking to the far right on the salad paring chart, the suggested dressing is in a colored block. and most are vinaigrettes!
Please tell me you watch the British Baking Show on PBS. It is a wonder and a delight!
Totally agree. Iโm addicted to this show. It is also a much โnicerโ competition, which is a breath of fresh air when compared to cooking competitions in the US. They tried a spin-off of this program in the US a year ago and I thought it was a complete disaster. The American bakers chosen were just not the caliber of the British bakers. Unfortunately for me, because I follow this program and always want to know when it will be back on PBS, I already know this seasonโs winner.
I donโt! I will definitely check it out!
Michelle โ Here in Asheville the baking show is on NOW on PBS. This program the bakers are making patisserie, and on my PBS, they have a second show following on CHOCOLATE. Please watch and if you canโt right now, tape it and watch later. It is that good!
My daughter and I have been using passion planner.
Really like the format. passionplanner.com
You mentioned nail polish but youโre forgetting to use a base coat, then the polish, then a top coat to seal in your fresh polish. Itโs what the professionals use at the salon and my pedicures last at least 3 weeks. I donโt polish my fingernails because I bake and cook a lot too and worry about polish chipping off if Iโm not using gloves. I love Essie nail colors, always so vibrantโฆI have a lovely shade of pink on my tootsies right now.
Hi Robin, Thatโs definitely how I polish my nails! Base coat, two coats of color, then a top coat. Mine will last around 4 days or so like that, but seriously washing my hair always makes it chip! Itโs like the strands of hair get underneath the nail color!
The Essie gel polish worked for me. It stayed on for 3 weeks! The only hard part is taking if off. Just make sure you donโt peel it off your nail, because that could damage your nail. Youโll need to soak your nails in acetone.
As far as the calendar, Iโve been using the momAgenda mini notebook. I love it because it has a section for your kids. As a mom of 4, itโs important for me to see where they need to be and when separately. Itโs also small enough that I take it everywhere.
Have a great weekend!
I tried it and it chipped on the first day. I also took it off like normal. Not too impressed actually. I even tried a second color and had the same results. Your better off just buying regular Essie. The shine is nice though.
Ahhh thanks so much for your review!
I tried the new Essie gel polish its in the different looking bottle for about $11. It lasts me a good week to week in a half with no chipping or peeling. You donโt have to soak it off, it comes right off with nail polish remover. It works great in toes too the shine is awesome haha
Of all the blog posts I get everyday, yours is my favorite. I am in my 50โs and have two grown sons in their 20โs. We had a golden when my kids were growing up. I feel like I can relate to you:). Thanks for all the wonderful recipes and tips! Have a good weekend.
Aww thank you so much Debbie! :)
I highly recommend โStranger Thingsโ โ season 1 on Netflix! Think โGooniesโ and โX Files.โ We got through the 8 episodes in one weekend. Sooooo good! Happy Friday!
Second children are not neglectedโฆ.there will be more than enough love and time for this little guy. Just maybe a little less attention to the details! As for n organizer, check out Erin Condren (https://www.erincondren.com). Iโs be lost without it, and hers are both beautiful and functional.
Iโve heard great things about the Erin Condren planners, thanks for the rec!
Definitely Erin Condrum!!!