Our Weekend and Menu Planning Monday

Well somehow the weekend is already over... it went by way too fast ;) We had a really good weekend... the kind that you wish would never end.
Friday night, we decided to have a date night at home... we made a homemade pizza, yummy drinks, and pumpkin muffins. It was perfect ;)

 Saturday, we watched college gameday together... and then headed out for a walk. It was pretty warm out, so we ended up grabbing {iced} coffees and walking to a few other stores that we needed to stop at. Also, Z got a birthday gift from his parents...

 Which was perfect attire for the bama game Saturday night! We watched the game with at Joe and Lolly's and ate some yummy burgers and cheese dip... such a fun night.
Sunday... was perfect. We actually overslept so we missed church :/ but it was so nice to just hang out in our pajamas until noon, ha! Then we headed down to Michigan Avenue and walked around for a few hours. The weather was much cooler, so it was a perfect day for a long walk. Z had some work to do later that afternoon, so we headed over to the Starbucks by our house and sat outside. He worked, and I browsed pinterest for the perfect halloween costume ;) We finished our perfect afternoon with some Chinese takeout. Such a great weekend.
And now it's Monday...
Speaking of Monday, I'm bringing back menu planning Monday... More for my sake than anything else. I love having a menu planned for our week. This week, I took a little help from Pinterest. Almost all of the meals featured came from my pinterest board... So here we go...
*Monday- my small group is going out for dinner!! Yay for a girls' night out! Z will have to have Chick Fil A or cereal ;)
*Tuesday- chicken fajitas... SO yummy! I found this on Pinterest, tried it, loved it, and quickly put it in the rotation. Quick, easy, and delicious!
*Wednesday- skinny chicken florentine...I haven't tried this yet. But it looks so yummy. We love pasta... I'll let you know ;)
*Thursday- shrimp quesadillas... a favorite at our house! Or I might try to make spinach, feta, and onion quesadillas that I had planned for our weekend.. Chinese takeout trumped cooking ;)
*Friday- I'm heading home to Alabama! Z will be on his own this weekend... I might try to make these things for him to snack on...
Peanut chocolate cookies
Mom's homemade chili
French toast breakfast muffins
Although, I think he might prefer to just hit up Chic Fil A and Papa Johns ;)
I'm counting down the days until I head home to see my family and a few of my besties!!
Hope you have a fabulous week..

Happy Friday!!

Yippee for the weekend! I love Fridays... and weekends ;) So here's the thing... I don't really cook much during the weekend. But now that football season is back, I do love to have yummy snacks around... so I like to whip up quick things that we can munch on. I thought today I would highlight a few recipes that I want to make for weekend treats!
But first, I wanted to say a special "good luck" to my dad's football team tonight! It's their homecoming... so go Tigers!! Love you dad!
Now... here are a few things that I'm planning to make...click each item to go to the recipe...{All of these are from my pinterest board}
-For breakfasts- pumpkin bread... my FAVORITE fall treat!!
-For the game- taco pizza, white cheese dip, buffalo chicken croissants, sweet and salty pretzel bites {I sub dark chocolate kisses for the hershey's hugs... so yummy!}, and apple pie snickerdoodle bars  all sound SO yummy! I'll have to decide on just a few things though ;)
-For Sunday night- {I love to make a quick, yummy dinner on Sunday evening. Z and I often watch a movie or just hang out before our busy week!} feta, onion, and spinach quesadillas {for me at least ;) Z will prefer a chicken quesadilla}
Check back monday for a new menu planning Monday... yep, I'm bringing it back, ha!
Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Random...

Hi friends! So happy it's Thursday... and tomorrow is Friday! Lately I feel like I'm always just looking forward to the weekend... I am trying to be more thankful for every day and not just wish each day away! But anyways... here are a few random thoughts...
-I think I might try to get back on a blogging schedule of sorts... Last year, when I wasn't working, I would post a menu on Mondays, what I'm loving Fridays, and other weekly posts along the way. I also love other blogs in blogland that do a "what I'm wearing Wednesday" post {although my outfits for work are nothing fancy... they usually are covered in paint, glitter, and oobleck by the end of the day! ;)} {oobleck is basically green goo in case you didn't know, ha!}. But regardless, I love when other people post about outfits that they wore all week... We'll see.
-We have had the most fabulous weather all week. I seriously love this time of year. I've tried to take full advantage by going for runs or walking home from work in the afternoons. I know it will be miserably cold in just a few months... gotta soak it up while I still can!!
-My little friends at school are such a riot. I come home every afternoon telling Z the funniest things. One day I'll have to blog about some of the hilariousness. I just love that this is my job. Laughing at the cuteness and watching them discover the world around them. It's the best ;) {Even if I am covered in paint, glitter, and oobleck! ;)}
-So I decided to try making kale chips yesterday... Here's the thing. I know they're a super healthy snack, and I thought they tasted pretty good. But the smell. Oh my. I can hardly get past the smell :/ I just threw a whole bag away because when I walked in from work, my apartment STILL smells like kale {24 hours later}. Ick. I don't think I'll be making any more kale chips!
-To cover up the kale smell, I'm burning yummy candles. I really want to get a pumpkin spice candle... I know that Bath and Body Works has some that smell so good... I think I'm going to have to make a trip!
-Speaking of pumpkin... I really want to make some pumpkin bread. Yummy!
-I'm flying home a week from tomorrow!!! So excited. I'm meeting a few of my besties in Tuscaloosa for the Alabama game and a quick trip to my parent's house & the beach!! Can.not.wait!
Well I guess that's all I have for today. I'm going outside to take advantage of this beautiful afternoon! {Or maybe in my kitchen to make pumpkin bread?! We'll see...}
Hope you all have a fabulous Friday!!

I Think Fall's My Favorite...

I love summer. I love longer days and summer nights and being outside. I love the beach and the pool and getting a good tan. I love eating on patios and rooftops and picnics in the park. BUT, as much as I love summer, I think I love fall even more ;) So I didn't get around to my summer bucket list until summer was almost over... so since yesterday was the first day of fall, I figured that today is the perfect day to make a fall bucket list! So here are a few things I just cannot wait to do this fall...
-Go apple picking {at an apple orchard! So excited!!}
-Carve a pumpkin
-Make pumpkin bread
-Watch a Bama game at the Houndstooth with friends
-Drink as many pumpkin spice lattes as I can stand ;)
-Make apple cider
-Make a homemade apple pie or apple crisp {I'm going to have a lot of apples after we go apple picking, ha!}
-Go for as many long walks as we can... no long walks once winter is here :/
-Make yummy soups
-Go on the Chicago Gangster Tour or Ghost Tour
-Visit a pumpkin patch
...I feel like this is a growing bucket list... so I'm planning to update as I think of fun fall things to do! But for now, I'm going outside to take advantage of the lovely fall weather! Have a great week!!

Happy Birthday to My Favorite!

Today is my sweet hubby's birthday... and I am so happy for the chance to celebrate him! He is the kindest, hardest working guy... and I am one lucky girl. I am so, so thankful for my Z. He's my very best friend that can make any day better. Ten years later {can you believe we started dating ten years ago?!!?!} and he's still my favorite! I can't wait to celebrate you, Z, for the next 80 years ;) I hope this year is the best one yet.. you deserve it. I love you SO much babe!

Fall Wish List!

We have had fabulous, fall-ish weather the past few days!! Love.love.love! So now, of course, I'm wanting all kinds of new fall things ;) Wanting being the key word here... let's face it.. I have a closet FULL of clothes and shoes. So I don't need anything, but it's still fun to make a list of wants, ha!
{Although... there is an awesome consignment shop around the corner from our apartment... so I figure if I sell some clothes first, and use that $$ to buy new stuff, it's an even trade, right?!}
So here are a few things on my fall wish list...
-A new statement necklace... maybe green and gold with some black mixed in? I like this one from Francescas...

 -A navy or black pencil skirt or a-line skirt... I LOVE this one from Jcrew Factory!

 -A new, lighter chambray shirt... I wear my darker chambray with EVERYTHING! So I figure it's a good investment ;) This one is from Old Navy, and I really like the way it fits!

 -A shirtdress in a lovely fall color or print... something like this one from Gap {preferably at a cheaper price though, ha!} would be lovely!

 -These actually are a winter wish list item... and might even fall under a need more than a want {well snow boots in general are a need up here... not sure if I can justify the price tag or namebrand as a need, ha!} I still have a while to save for these though! Might even go on the Christmas wish list?!

 -Plum colored skinny pants... in love with these from Gap! {Waiting for them to go on sale!!}

 -Cardigans, cardigans, cardigans! Maybe my favorite thing to wear during fall?! I really like this one from Gap... I also love a few at Loft, Old Navy, and Target!

 -So I really want some cute, camel colored booties... I like these from Francescas, but I do NOT want to pay that much $$!

 -I like the price of these better! But not too sure if I love the style? Also from Francescas...

 -These look fun!! Again, I don't want to pay this much... but the pop of gold make these extra adorable! From Francescas...

So that's a pretty good list of fall wants, don't ya think?! I just LOVE fall... the boots, sweaters, love!
...One last thing... tomorrow is my sweet hubby's birthday!!! I can't wait to celebrate my very best friend. Love him SO much! Check back for a birthday post for my favorite guy ;)

Stephanie came to visit!!

Last Wednesday, one of my besties came to Chicago for a visit! And I was super excited to see her and to explore Chi-town with her ;)
I was able to take the day off on Wednesday... so I dropped Z off at work and headed to the airport to pick her up! Yay! We took her luggage to our apartment, and then headed out for brunch. We went to Hash House a Go Go... SO yummy! I had my favorite, an egg scramble with spinach, ham, and cheddar. And Stephanie had a Snicker's pancake... delicious!! Plus, the first scramble they brought out was not the one I ordered, so we ended up with a third entree! So.much.food!!

Biggest pancake EVER!

Our LEFTOVERS! Ha!

Such a fun, yummy brunch!

After brunch, we walked down to Michigan Avenue and did a little shopping! Always a good idea ;) We then headed back to the apartment to chill for a bit, and to watch a marathon of House Hunters, ha! We picked Z up from work later that afternoon, and ran to the market for a few dinner items. Joe and Lolly came over, and we grilled out some yummy hamburgers on pretzel buns... mmm!
Thursday, both Z and I had to work. Stephanie decided to go on an architecture boat tour, one of my favorite things to do in Chicago! I got off at 2, and took a train to meet her downtown at the Sears Tower {technically now the Willis Tower}. And we headed to the Skydeck!! So much fun, and such a fabulous view!!! I wish that I had better pics... but the lighting was no good for my iphone camera :/ Stephanie got a few great ones with her actual camera though!

 We left the Skydeck and headed to Crumbs for some cupcakes! They were yummy, but I have to say that Sprinkles cupcakes are still my favorite!!We also made a trip to Target... favorite errand ever ;) That night we just stayed in, made some yummy Mexican food, and relaxed!
Z and I both had to work again Friday. The weather was ah-mazing... and it felt like FALL! I even wore a blazer to work and had a pumpkin spice latte ;) Love!! After work, I met Z and Stephanie back at the apartment. We did a little shopping near North Avenue, and then had TWO yummy snacks... We split a peanut butter and jelly doughnut from Glazed and Infused {YUM!!!} and some cheese fries from Edzo's {also yum!}! Then we took Stephanie to Wrigley Field...

Later that night, we met Joe and Lolly at Homeslice Pizza in Lincoln Park for a yummy dinner! Thankfully we had to wait forever, because we were all still a little full from our "snacks" earlier ;)

Saturday, we woke up ready to watch some football!! Z even set an alarm so he could watch Gameday ;) We walked over to Starbucks for coffee {pumpkin spice latte!!!} and to Panera for some bagels! It was super chilly, and I even wore my Alabama sweatshirt to run our errands :) Later, we got ready and headed to Joe and Lolly's to watch the big game! It was super close, and so exciting! Roll Tide!

Even our sweet friends that are from Ohio wore red to support the Tide!

Loved cheering on the Tide with you, Stephanie!

My sweet, handsome hubby!

It was a super fun day! Stephanie had to leave early Sunday morning to make it back to work Sunday night... Z and I took her to the airport at 6 am and came back home and crashed! It was such a great weekend and such a fun time visiting with my sweet friend!! Love you Stephanie!

Dear Summer, Please Never End!!!

This has been one of my favorite weekends of the summer... Okay, so I have said that same phrase the last few weekends... I think I just want summer to last forever! But really, we have had a great Labor Day weekend!
I was off Friday, so I have had an extra long holiday weekend, which has been glorious ;) Friday afternoon, I picked Z up from work, and we met some friends at the rooftop lounge at the Hotel Lincoln. So lovely! This is such a fun spot just a few blocks from our apartment. We really don't take advantage of all that Chicago has to offer nearly enough! After drinks, we had the yummiest dinner at Mercadito... so fun! Our last stop for the night was a speakeasy bar/lounge across from Mercadito called Untitled... cutest place ever... I literally felt like we stepped into the roaring twenties! Love! It was such a fun night!
Saturday we woke up and watched college football gameday.... which Z has been waiting to do all summer! It rained Saturday morning which encouraged a super lazy morning... perfect. I made a little door decoration to kick off the Alabama football season... gotta represent up here!

 I also made some yummy food to eat during the game. We finally got ready and headed to our friends' apartment to watch the first Alabama football game!! Thankfully we won, even if it wasn't the prettiest W ;) Saturday was such a perfectly relaxing day!

Roll tide from Chicago!!

Sunday... this was my favorite... we got up {later than planned} and decided to drive to Michigan. I have been wanting to do this all summer, so I was super excited! First, we made a stop at Starbucks ;) and then we hit the road.

 It was really nice to get out of the city for a while. We drove to Sawyer first, where we saw some crazy sand dunes and a super packed public beach. We ate a quick picnic and decided to continue our road trip... Our next stop was the cutest, most charming little town, St. Joseph. It reminded me a lot of Fairhope meets Seaside, lovely! There was even a little antique flea marketish festival going on... so we of course had to look around a bit ;) I'm already planning a trip back to St. Joseph when we can stay for a while!

We really wanted to drive further north, but since we got such a late start, we decided to head back to Chicago. Next time, for sure!
Today has proved to be another fabulously relaxing day that started with this...

Thanks to my sweet kiddos at school for the Starbucks gift cards ;)

Our plans for today include a walk along the lakeshore, a stop at Barnes and Noble, and possibly Oak Street Beach?! Yep, I'd be just fine if summer decided to stick around forever ;)
How did you spend your Labor Day weekend?! Hope it has been just as fabulous as ours!