Friday Highlights 2016 V10

Hello Friday!
It has been a long and dreary week and we are oh so ready for the return of that sunshine and warm weather that we were enjoying. March always seems to be so gloomy, rainy and windy and 5 days of it in a row gets to be a bit much. 
Weekend plans consist of pretty much nothing AKA lots of time with my laptop and a larger than life cupcake. Things could be so much worse.
How about you?  What do you have planned?
{ONE}  Blog Recap
This week on the blog I shared about...

 Our Pretty Little Girls 2nd birthday! We are officially two now! Our February in numbers.
'The Kid(s) Behind The Blog's' Second link-up Our February Picture Perfect link-up.
{TWO} A BIG Change
This weekend there are some exciting changes happening here.
But, if everything goes well you won't know any different. (Other than a pretty new page design of course)

Here's a sneak peak at the new look.
Later tonight I begin the process of switching our Blogger blog over to a self-hosted WordPress. Say a little prayer for me and wish me lots of luck because like most of my projects I am DIY'ing this transition.
{THREE} Easter Fun

Looking for some fun Easter posts too check out?!
Whitney from Polka Dotty Place did a fun feature on chalk eggs.
Last week I shared how you can DIY your own resurrection eggs.
Stephanie from Wife Mommy Me shares 25 candyless Easter basket ideas And that adorable Bunny Pie is the perfect dessert for your Easter Meal.

{FOUR} Ibotta

Confession. I found out about Ibotta one week ago today when my friend Anna brought ups the $43 in gift cards that she had earned in a matter of months. If there is one thing I love it is getting money back for buying things I was already going to buy!

So that got me  thinking surely I'm not the only one who has never heard of this app? 

Yes? No?

Check it out today and when you use my link you will get an extra $10 when you make you redeem your first coupon. 

{FIVE} Almost Famous... Again
Sunday morning I was shocked when someone said they saw Emily's photo in the local paper. Marissa's response: "WHAT?! Emily, AGAIN!"

It turns out the individual making the ad for the 2016 JMR run must have thought Emily was just as cute as we do and picked her to be the "fun run poster child"

I think they picked well.
Friday Linkup Parties To see where I am linking up check out my link-up tab.
Have a great weekend!

We will see you back here soon.

Friday Highlights 3.4.16

Happy Fri-Yay Friends 
Things are going to be a bit different around here today as I stray away from my typical Friday five format. This week I had the pleasure of working with Hello Fresh who hired me to share their amazing service with you. Today I want to talk about my experience and give you my honest opinion while I share 5 reasons why Hello Fresh is awesome!

{ONE} Convenience
Two hands in the air if going to the grocery store pains you. Anyone else?! Picking a menu, creating a shopping list, loading up the kids and going to the store. It is definitely one of my least favorite tasks. Hello Fresh takes the work out of the process by creating a menu, doing the shopping for you and delivering quality, fresh ingredient to your door step, FOR FREE!

When my box arrived, I naturally dropped everything to dig into it right away. On top I found my recipe cards followed by boxes with the ingredients for each meal. Underneath that was a cardboard layer with several large ice packs and the meat. It was all wrapped in an insulated bag. Leaving me already impressed. 

{TWO} Quality
Hello Fresh provides gorgeous, high quality ingredients that are purchased from their local suppliers. Not only are the ingredients a great quality, they also send you almost everything you need for the recipes. In the three Hello Fresh meals that I fixed the only thing I used from my pantry was a bottle of olive oil.

{THREE} Creativity
I absolutely love being creative in the kitchen, but sometimes I find myself stuck in our routine or a comfort zone. Hello Fresh challenged me to be creative by using new ingredients and flavor combinations. The meals I prepared were more gourmet and healthier than our typical week night meals and that was a great change.

{FOUR} Fun

Hello Fresh made cooking exciting and fun again. I often find myself in the "do we really need to eat dinner" rut, but not this week. Preparing the meals was so easy and exciting. The whole family really enjoyed being a part of the process and I found Marissa excitedly asking which box we were going to fix tonight!

{FIVE} Flavor
The meals we tried were:
Crispy Chicken Pamigiana Salad
Korean-Style Beef Stir Fry
Jamies Mega Mushroom & Lentil Curry with Tomato, Cilantro & Lemony Rice
We definitely had our favorite, the Crispy Chicken Parmigiana Salad, but all of the recipes were so flavorful and unique. Hello Fresh loves picky eaters too. With their classic box you are able to hand pick up to 5 recipes a week to try.

Are you interested yet?
Convenience that you will love. Amazing, quality ingredients.
Creative recipes & flavors. Meals that are fun to prepare.
Great, gourmet meals at home. Why wouldn't you be?!
To take $35 off your first box use code: Pretty35
What are you waiting for?!  
Friday Linkup Parties To see where I am linking up check out my link-up tab.
Have a great weekend!

We will see you back here soon.

Friday Highlights 2016 V8

Happy Fri-Yay!
What a week we've had! It felt like we partied all weekend long (because we did) and come Monday I was wiped out. The rest of the week felt like recovery mode but it was pretty busy too. Needless to say, I feel more than ready for the weekend and thanks to a surprise it should be full of fun and relaxation. More on that later.
Here are this weeks Friday 5!
{ONE} Blog Highlights 

This week on the blog I shared...
My newest recipe creation for Vegan Coconut Shortbread Cookies. I co-hosted the fist $10 at Target Link-up. I wished our Emily Elizabeth a Happy 5th birthday. Shared my favorite blueberry muffin recipe. Interviewed Russ for 'The Guy Behind The Blog'.
{TWO} Last Weekends Highlights
 I ran out of "blogging days" this week, so I thought I would throw a little last weekend recap in here.
Friday We spent most of the day with our dear friends.

Saturday Saturday was spent celebrating Emily, ALL day long.

Sunday Sunday was Emily's actual birthday and the Daytona 500 which is also a holiday in our family.
*Note how the husband redecorates the living room just for the occasion. 

{THREE} Mommylogues

This week I guest posted in my dear friend Whitney's Mommylogues series. I shared about where I am in my current stage of motherhood and how I feel about where we are.  Your can read my post HERE.
Make sure you leave Whitney lots of love while you are there. She's the best!

{FOUR} Surprise Night Away

Guess who gets to spend tomorrow at a "swanky" casino?!

Okay, so that sounds kind of weird. But it's true!

The husband told me he had to work on Saturday, but surprised me with a night away too. On Saturday we are heading out to the Joplin Home Show where he will work a 5 hour slot then we get to hang out, do whatever we want and stay there that night, for free.

Sounds like a win to me!

I mean how often do you get to stay at a hotel 15 minutes from your house?!

I'll make sure to post a weekend recap on Monday!

{FIVE} Giveaway
This week was the first $10 at Target link up and to celebrate we're having a giveaway!

The hosts of the $10 at Target link-up want you to take the $10 challenge! This month we are giving away SIX, $10 Target gift cards!!!  Make sure you enter for your chance to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Linkup Parties To see where I am linking up check out my link-up tab.
Have a great weekend!

We will see you back here soon.

Friday Highlights 2016 V7

Happy Fri-Yay!
A busy weekend led straight into a busy week and another packed weekend! I have a feeling things are going to feel boring around here next weekend when we suddenly have nothing to do.  Sometimes those are the best ones though.
Weekend plans include: Take 2 for last weeks cancelled Valentines Party, a girls night with Anna, birthday cake with the cousins & grandparents, celebrating Miss Emily's 5th birthday and our annual Daytona 500 party on Sunday! 
Sounds like we have lots of partying to do with one planned every single day!
{ONE} Blog Highlights

This week on the blog I shared...
Our Valentines weekend recap My favorite Pinterest Pins What is going on "currently" About my battle with seasonal depression
{TWO} Birthday Girl
5 years ago I would have looked like this right about now. 

Pretty sure I've never shared a bump photo before. Hello HUGE belly. I was definitely one of those you look like you swallowed a watermelon ladies. Crazy to think I was even bigger with Marissa!

Days later this lady was born and this Sunday she is turning five!  Oh that is going to be so hard on this mama's heart.
{THREE} Giveaway
Guess what happens Monday?!

It is month #1 of the $10 @ Target link-up and to celebrate we are kicking things off with a giveaway!
Make sure you check back on Monday for more details!

{FOUR} Daytona 500

If you've been following me along for a while you know how I feel about cars, LOVE them.

Not only do we have a growing collection of classic / antique cars, but we are also big NASCAR fans. 

I know, I know, you probably don't understand and that's fine. I don't judge ;). 

Needless to say we are pretty excited about this weekends big kick off race. 

{FIVE} Vacation
We may or may not have booked our 2016 vacation this week. I may not be dishing out all of the details on the when an where right now.  But I will say this it rhymes with peach...

The word excited doesn't quite cut it.  Now if only it wasn't FOREVER away. 
Friday Linkup Parties To see where I am linking up check out my link-up tab.
Have a great weekend!

We will see you back here soon.

Friday Highlights 2016 V6

Happy Fri-Yay!
Friday, Friday, finally Friday!
I don't often find myself looking forward to the the weekend but I couldn't possibly be more excited about this one. A Valentines Party with our dear friends, wine & chocolate girls night, a trip to the shooting range, possibly a date and Valentines Day with my loves. It's going to be so much fun! I'll be sure to do a recap of all of the fun on Monday.
Now for this week Friday picks!
{ONE}  Blog Highlights

This week on the blog I shared about...
#ASweetPairing featuring Josh Cellars Wine and Ghirardelli Chocolates I poured out my heart when I shared Our Love Story 'The Kids Behind The Blog' link-up officially started! The Picture Perfect Photo Project: February
{TWO} Valentines
Some of my favorite blogging friends shared their amazingly creative Valentines this weekend and I was nothing but impressed. I picked a few to share with you today just in case you are still scrambling for some Valentines to make.
Plus it is never to early to start getting ideas for next year?!
Whitney from Work It Mommy

Desiree from Macke Monologues

Liz from Chasin Mason

Stephanie from Wife Mommy Me

{THREE} $10 at Target, The Link-Up
Last month I had so much fun taking the $10 at Target challenge. Have you heard? Now the challenge we all love is officially a monthly link-up.

So for all of you who chimed in and said "I really want to take the $10 Target challenge" now is your chance! Make plans to join us on Monday February 22nd as we kick off the official link-up with a bang... and by bang I may or may not mean giveaway :).

{FOUR} Closet clean out

I'm not exactly sure why, but last weekend I started cleaning out my closet. One pile morphed into two piles and when it all came to an end I bagged up 71 (yes I'm totally a dork who counted) pieces of clothing. 

It felt amazing!

I haven't exactly changed much over the past 16 years so I seriously had clothes in my closet that I wore when I was 16. It felt so good to let go of some of the things I have been hanging onto for no good reason!

The best part is now I have a better idea about what I need to focus on and what I don't need to buy (active wear). This year I promised to shop for more color and/or pattern and my shopping buddy Anna has vowed to keep me accountable by using force if necessary.
I even picked up a new shirt this weekend with a coupon JCP sent me.

Look, color and pattern!

When was the last time you cleaned out your closet?

{FIVE} Giveaway
In Mondays post I shared all about a little giveaway we have going on right now! Josh Cellars Wine and Ghirardelli Chocolate are giving you a chance to win one of two $75 prepaid American Express gift-cards. 
Make sure you enter. The winners will be drawn first thing Monday morning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Linkup Parties To see where I am linking up check out my link-up tab.
Have a great weekend!

We will see you back here soon.