Five on Friday: TV Edition

Happy Friday Y'all!

I have a confession to make.
 I watch the worst and most random TV ever.

And now that most of my favorite shows are on their summer hiatus, I need to get a game plan together of the terrible television I plan to watch this summer.

So, below you will find five of the shows I plan to waste my spare time on this summer. Some of which I am sure my love for will fizzle out but it is always good to have a plan of attack!


{one}
Orange is the New Black.

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Now I am feeling slightly embarrassed to admit I like this show. It is really raw yet funny at the same time. Does that even make sense? Reid and I just started season 1 and I think he hates it. He has fallen asleep on both attempts to watch it. Some parts of the show are a little graphic for me and I have to hide my face under a blanket but I am hooked on the story line and the characters.


{two}
Catch up on Glee....

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I am not embarrassed to admit I really like or liked his show. I just had to stop watching when Cory Monteith died and now I am so behind. It was just too sad and it broke my heart for Lea Michele. I secretly love tv shows even more when the main characters are dating in real life and these two stole my heart for some reason. I think I am brave enough to continue on this summer especially since next year will be it's final season.


{three}
Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.

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Thank God for the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet! They brings us riveting reality tv like Deadliest Catch, Whale Wars and Alaskan Bush People.  (Steph, please tell me you are still watching ABP!) We all know how amazing Deadliest Catch is so I will not go in to detail on that but...... Alaskan Bush People takes it to the next level. After Tuesday night's episode, I have so many questions....I mean, you are homeless in the woods, then you move to a boat, then it sinks and you are homeless again. Yet, the sons still find time to pick up girls!!! So many questions!
I have also heard there is a new series coming out from Animal Planet on June 15th called American River Renegades...it also looks amazing slash terrible all at the same time!


{four}
So You Think You Can Dance

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Oh my. I love this show. I think I manage to cry during every episode. The God given talent that some of these dancers have is simply amazing and don't get me started on their background plugs. Grab a box of tissues! Plus, I love to watch Mary Murphy and her collection of pinky rings and chokers.


{five}
Girl Meets World

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Is anyone going to at least give this a try? Didn't we all grow up wondering what Cory and Topanga would be like as parents? I know it is on the Disney Channel but I will at least give the first episode a shot....for old times sake.


I want to thank the amazing ladies who host Five on Friday and Friday Favorites - love y'all!

Five on Friday: April, Christina, Darci and Natasha. 

Friday Favorites: Amanda


Till Monday Loves!

xoxo,

CAD


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Pool bag, check!

Can you believe we have already hit the end of May and summer is almost here? I know it is not technically summer quite yet, but I think it is safe to declare that after Memorial Day, my brain goes into a summer frame of mind. I am immediately ready for grilling every night, porch sitting, dog walks, farmer's market veggies and the pool. Oh lord yes, the pool! My physique may not be ready for the pool, or a bathing suit, but every other ounce of my being is. I can sit out at the pool all.day.long. Give me a good book, some snacks and my Tervis Tumbler filled with gin and soda, and I am as happy as a clam! 

This past weekend I had to dig out the ol' pool/beach bag from the scary crawlspace in our master closet and give it a quick tune up. It is always fun to see what remnants are left over from the year prior. This year my collection included bottle caps, an empty Corona bottle, snack bags, sand, a million koozies, 2 bathing suite straps and like 6 semi used bottles of sunscreen. Clearly, I just shoved this bag into it's hiding space last year and never bothered to clean it out - oh well.... I never said I was a neat freak!

The above items are my must haves for any successful pool day. I am absolutely loving my Turkish towel these days. It is rather large when unfolded but does not take up a ton of room in my bag. It is super quick drying and works perfectly as a quick cover up. I do find that since the fabric is a bit thinner, I tend to use my towel clips more and more. And who doesn't love a good snack while lounging? Pirates Booty is simply the best and goes great with gin. 

Now, my bag is super clean and just waiting for a good trip to the pool. My schedule is free this Sunday, if anyone would like for me to tag along with them.
{hint hint}

What am I missing? Who has a good recommendation for face sunscreen? I am in need of a few new cover-ups, any ideas? 

See y'all lovelies tomorrow!

xoxo,

CAD 

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Wanderlust Wednesday: Williamsburg and Memorial Day

Happy Wednesday Loves!

I  hope everyone had a very lovely weekend and first day back to work yesterday. We had such a great Memorial Day weekend and I can't wait to share it with y'all!

I think I can tie this into my usual Wanderlust Wednesday posts since we did actually visit Williamsburg...here we go!

{friday}
Reid and I had the best little date night on Friday night. The weather was gorgeous and my only requirement for dinner was to be outside. We headed to Cary town without a reservation or a plan...those two things on a Friday night can result in dinner at Cookout but we got really lucky and landed a great table at The Daily Kitchen and Bar.

{saturday}
Well, I had to work from 10-5 which was actually ok. The moment I got home, it was go time. We gathered up the pups, all our stuff (so much stuff) and hit 64 towards Williamsburg. We ended crazy our day with dinner down at the river in my parents neighborhood. My parents live in the best little community in Williamsburg called Kingsmill. It has the best walking trails, pools, club, golf, river access and homes and we love to take full advantage when we are there. When we got home, I proceeded to try on my wedding dress because it is still hanging in my parent's play room, calling my name....and it still fit. Barely.

{sunday}
My brother, his wife and their two precious little ones drove down from Richmond to spend the day with us. We had the best time playing, laughing, sunning and snoozing at the pool. The whole family returned to the river for dinner and then Reid and I slipped downtown to walk around Colonial Williamsburg and see a movie.

{memorial day}
My parent's fixed a yummy breakfast and then Reid and I spent another beautiful day at the pool. We rounded out our glorious weekend with a fabulous bbq at our friend's house back in Richmond.

I had so much fun yesterday catching up on all of my favorite blogger's weekend activities, I knew I had to join in on the fun!

Till tomorrow loves,

CAD

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Trending Tuesday: Smoothies

Hey y'all! Ashley here today.  I hope everyone had a happy Memorial Day and long weekend, spent with loved ones. I know I sure did. After surprise birthday dinners, wedding showers and grilling out with good friends, I am definitely not ready to be back at work today! 

As promised, I am bringing you some fabulous smoothie recipes today! Smoothies have  been trending recently, and I have definitely jumped on the band wagon. Here are some of my favorites that I have been enjoying recently. I have to first thank my mom for giving me the Nutri Bullet! Don't worry, if you don't have a bullet, any blender or food processor will work. Enjoy!

{Spinach and Fruit}

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What you'll need:

• 1/2 cup baby spinach (I don't measure, just throw a handful in)
• 4-5 frozen dark cherries
• 1 cup frozen mixed fruit. There is a mixture you can find at Target that includes mango, peaches and banana that I have been using
• 1/2 banana
• 5-6 cashews or almonds
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 tbsp chia and flax seed blend with coconut and cocoa that I found on sale at Whole Foods

Directions:

Put all of the ingredients in the Bullet and pulse/blend for about a minute. I will sometimes add more coconut water if it's too thick. 

I really like adding spinach or kale as a base because the natural sugars in the fruits really hide the flavors of the green.

{Berry Blueberry Smoothie}

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What you'll need:

• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries (I like to use frozen to keep the smoothie cold)
• 1 peeled orange
• 1/4 cup fat free vanilla/greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp chia and flaxseed blend that was mentioned above
• 1 cup ice (optional, but if you use fresh blueberries, then this is recommended)

Directions:

Pack everything into the bullet and blend, blend, blend! 

{Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie}

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What you'll need:

• 1 banana
• 10 ounces of skim or almond milk
• 1 tbsp peanut butter

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in the blender or bullet until Smooth. If you would like a thicker smoothie, add 5-6 ice cubes.

{Strawberry Banana & Flax Seed}

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What you'll need:

• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries
• 1 1/2 cup skim or almond milk (unsweetened)
• 1 tbsp flax seed blend mentioned above

Instructions:

You know the drill. Add to the blender or bullet and mix, mix, mix. 

{Thin Mint Protein Smoothie}

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What you'll need:

• Large handful of fresh spinach
• 1 cup of almond (unsweetened) or skim milk
• 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/8 tsp peppermint extract (or if you're like me, add a bit more for the extra minty flavor)

Toppings:

• 1 tbsp walnuts
• 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

Combine all of the ingredients beginning with the spinach and ending with the peppermint extract. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a cold glass, then add the toppings. 

I hope y'all enjoy these smoothies as much as I do. I typically drink these for breakfast, but have also enjoyed them for lunch as well. The Thin Mint smoothie would be a great dessert option, as it adds a bit of sweetness. Happy Trending Tuesday! 

Today I am linking up with Kristina, Amanda, Katie, and Zelle. 

xoxo, 

Ashley

Random Five on Friday

So we did it, we made it to Friday! I would be doing a happy dance right about now but I unfortunately have to spend my Saturday at work. That's right y'all, I will be at the enterprise tomorrow... but it's ok because we are headed to Williamsburg the second I get off work to spend the weekend with my parents. Sounds fun right? Well, make sure to follow along on instagram - should be a fun and relaxing weekend! 

Per norm, I am linking up with my favorite Friday lovelies:
Five on Friday: April, Christina, Darci and Natasha. 
Friday Favorites: Amanda

{one}

Memorial Day.

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 This Memorial Day, don't just celebrate your three day weekend. Celebrate the men and women in this country who gave their lives serving in the United States Armed Forces. Make sure to raise a glass, or two, and cheers the ones who fought so valiantly before us and to the ones we had the pleasure of knowing in our lifetime. Remember their families, stories, love and the true reason for Memorial Day. 

{two}

My Dad.

This weekend, I cannot help but think about my Dad. He was somewhere between 23 and 24 when  these pictures were taken in Vietnam. I often forget that he lost friends over there and this weekend holds a special place in his heart. I am blessed that I can share Memorial Day with this wonderful man.

My Dad served 23 years in the US Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel when I was 4 (I was a mid life crisis baby).When I was a kid, I used to beg my Dad to tell me stories about his crazy adventures with his Army buddies and all the trouble they would get in to. These are stories I still ask to hear as an adult because it is just something that I will never experience on my own. This was a time in his life when I was not even a twinkle in his eye and he was young and fearless. A Hero.

{three}

Epic Sale Season.

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Damn you Kate Spade, Banana Republic, C.Wonder, Nordstrom and whoever else that is basically giving away amazing things. I got bit by the Kate Spade Sale.....shhhh don't tell Reid because we are supposed to be saving money right now. BUT how could I resist???? After much internal debate, I ended up with this little beauty!

{four}

Yes, They're Real.

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Now, as many of you know, I am not really in to make up. I practically never wear it. When I do, I get stuck on the same thing over and over again. BUT I was thrilled to find and love this product. I have naturally long eye lashes, yes hate me now, but this mascara is amazing! It really does make your lashes look like fakes!!! Try it, you will like it!

{five}

Target Fruit Strips.

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So, I am so obsessed with this sweet treat that I keep a box at work and a box at home. It is just the perfect little pick me up when I am feeling the hunger bug bite. They are only sold at Target  and usually on an end cap in the food section. I like strawberry the best! 

That's it for me folks! I hope you have the most wonderful holiday weekend!

Be safe!

xoxo,

CAD

Book Review: The Aviator's Wife

Happy Thursday!

 I cannot believe how fast this week has flown by. I am by no means complaining because I am so looking forward to the holiday weekend, but is it really Thursday already!?!

 To say that I enjoy reading might be a bit of an understatement. I am one of those people who stays up until 3 o'clock in the morning just to finish the book I started earlier that evening. I have also been known to read a couple chapters, then skip to the last two and decide if I am going to like the book or hate the book. Yes, I hate surprises and get very mad when a book does not turn out the way I want.... cough Allegiant cough. 

But enough about me, today I am excited to share with y'all, The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin. I picked up this book on one of my random Target adventures because it had an airplane on it and I was about to travel, and it donned a 20% off sticker. Seems like two good enough reasons, right?

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Let me start off by saying that I read this entire book in one day. Mainly because I was hooked by the first chapter but also because this was the day I was stuck in the Philly airport for 5 extra hours. Lucky Me. Thank goodness for this little gem! Melanie's fictional biography, held me captive with her expressive writing, compassionate and thoughtful candor and overwhelming sense of compassion for the First Lady of the Air.   

Very Quick Summary:

The aviator is Charles Lindbergh, the first pilot to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, and the wife is Anne Marrow, an US Ambassador's daughter who is a self proclaimed plain Jane slash rebel. Their life and love is met with unparalleled tragedy and joy, and their journey together and apart is not a fairy tail; rather real, sometimes honest and sometimes not, and as loyal as each is able to be.

My  thoughts after reading were:

Anne is either craziest or the strongest women ever or quite possibly both.
What an incredibly difficult time to live and raise children.

This book reminds me of The Paris Wife, which I loved. 

How did she do it? How did she get up everyday?
Where did she find the loyalty every day?
Why did she not strangle him?
She is a hero too.

Favorite quote: 

"Without a single doubt, I had placed my very being in his hands, certain he would take care of it, of me. And in that moment, that first moment of flight, of my breaking of the rules of gravity - I broke the rules of my heart, as well. For I had strictly governed it until this moment; this moment when I gave it, literally and figuratively, to the man seated behind me. To the man steering me through the air, making sure I didn't fall. No longer did I need to be responsible for my own destiny, to worry about what to do today, tomorrow or next year. I needed only to give in and be, like the simplest of creatures. Like birds flying miraculously below me. " (The Aviator's Wife)

I would most certainly recommend this book and I hope when you do read it, you enjoy it as much as I did. It gives you a glimpse into a time when women were just supposed to be wives, mothers and loyal to their husbands and how Anne rose to the challenge! 

Now it is your turn! Have you read this book? What books have you been loving lately? 

Next book on my list is The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. 

 Have a wonderful day, Loves!

xoxo,

CAD 

Honeymoon Recap: Rome Day 2 & 3

Hey hey!! 

Today let's finish up our time in Rome and celebrate Wanderlust Wednesday.... Ready? Let's go!

Day two of our honeymoon was another whirlwind, and since our luggage had yet to arrive from the airport, we were left again to muddle through with our so un-comfy shoes! We had a rainy, humid day ahead of us and let me just say that jet lag was not my friend.

 Our first stop was an early morning trip to the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica. If you have been to these two tremendous pieces of history you know that words cannot even begin to describe the majesty, beauty and utter awe it gives to the world. The art and statues will move you to tears and the the feeling of being among such history is tremendous. The feeling proved to be a bit too much for me while in the tapestry room leading into the Sistine Chapel because I just about passed out! The heat from so many people, the hanging fabric, humidity and jet lag all combined made me super light headed and I lost touch of reality for a little while. Finally the tour guide said "Caroline, are you ok? You are about to pass out!" that snapped me out of my funk but oh, why me? After some much needed water and a little break we entered the Sistine Chapel. No pictures are allowed and you must be completely silent but it was simply amazing. 

From there, our guide took us on avery thorough tour of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceilings are just breathtaking. Reid and I could not get over how intricate and detailed they were. And to see the seat where the Pope holds mass was incredible. I feel so lucky that we were able to visit Vatican City while the Pope was in town. The whole experience is really indescribable. 

After our morning tour, we made a quick pit stop by the hotel just to see if our suitcases had arrived and thank God they had...my feet were about to fall off! All that praying I had done that morning payed off! After a quick shoe change we headed on our merry way. The rest of the day was made up of getting lost in Rome, eating and drinking, people watching, shopping, sightseeing, carousel riding and lots of picture taking. We certainly made the most of our last full day in Rome! 

Day three was welcomed with open arms because all we had to do is make on our boat by 3pm. We woke up a little later, ate the most delish breakfast and took one last stroll through the streets of Rome. Our driver picked us up and after a short ride to the Port of Civitavecchia, we boarded the Norwegian Jade. This boat had just made the long journey across the sea from it's home port of Hawaii, and we were it's first European voyage for the season. It still makes me laugh so that our boat was decorated in a Hawaiian theme. From the crew's hawaiian shirts, to the Tikki bars, to the Luau lounge ... we were hula dancing our way across the Mediterranean.. Happy Happy, washy washy!

Enjoy the pictures loves! 

the room after this one was my downfall...I just about passed out!

I cannot wait to fill you in next Wednesday on day four -  we take on Pompeii and the Amalfi Cost. Oh and if you missed day one or our itinerary, make sure to check them out! 

xoxo,

CAD