August...in Numbers!

Linking up with the forever fabulous Deena for her Monthly Numbers Post!  After never sharing my July, I'm back at it with an August recap!  In numbers...


Countless cups of coffee consumed! Because it's summer...and I have time for two a day!! Sometimes more if I had a cup after dinner and such! Most of which I put Rum Chatta in because I didn't have half and half (and was to lazy to go out and get!) Don't worry, Ma...I eventually did!!

0 trips to the grocery store and 0 peapod orders!  Which means...I ate out almost every single day in August, except one, because I came back from the Dominican Republic with a lil bug!!! I spent way too much money on food this month.

Looking back over my planner I can say there were a lot of toast, meetballs, cheese and rice pudding consumed this month.  I love my town!

3 visits to Toast- and none alone-woo hoo!!
4 visits to The Cheese Patch for Wine and Cheese
6 Visits to Meetball for meatballs, pretzels, and Beer!
2 visits to Sweet and Savory...where I sampled at least a dozen Rice Puddings.  Rice Pudding is my new favorite...especially when it's BO-GO!!

I feel like I always talk about food and drink in these posts, but really I felt like all I did this month was eat and drink....lots of prosseco and beer were consumed this month too.  But that just means I had a really great month hanging out, eating, drinking and enjoying time with good friends!!  I guess I can't ask for more than that!

Speaking of friends, made three new friends in August!  LOL

And I did something I said I would never do!!  I drank Pumpkin Ale in August!  Hahahahahaha...
Why do they stop making summer beers and start loading up the bars with pumpkin in August?!?  September People, September!!  But I gotta say....It was so damn good!!!

Lots of time was spent with family this month too!  Every weekend was spent at my one of my sisters' houses, so I was able to enjoy the beautiful weather we had and take advantage of their pools...and yummy cooking!  The weather this August was pretty AMAZING!!  So I spent hours in the sun!!

1 trip to the beach with friends and their little ones!  Because when the beach is involved Aunt Katie crashes play dates!!

Mom and Dad celebrated 45 years of marriage this month and my brother-in-law Anthony celebrated 40 years on earth!  Both fun celebrations.  On my parents anniversary, we re-watched the anniversary video my sister put together 10 years ago for their 35th (we threw them a big party, then). It was fun to reminisce and realize some of the kids weren't even born yet!!

6 days this month  were spent preparing for the new school year!  Meetings and visits to the classroom, and a Back-to-School BBQ on the 31st made it all real, helping to put summer vacation in the rear view! Tomorrow it's officially back to work!


1 Kenny Chesney concert attended, with 3 acts pre-show!  For me....this was not his best!  But I can say that after going nine times!  Still,  I will never not go!!  Kenny is Summer for me!!

Only 1 book finish in August!  But it was one I really enjoyed!! I reviewed it {here}.

August is always a tight month for me money wise and most of my money was spent on food (clearly!) but I did replace a few of the items that were stolen from me in the DR!  A got a new pair of white jeans, a new pair of blue jeans and some more workout clothes from Fabletics....all on super sale, so that made it a little bit better!!

Oh and August is my home-iversay!!  I celebrated three years in my cozy condo on August 29th!  I blogged about it too!

August on the blog....was a slow month!

12 posts
1 feature on TBB
Most Popular Post: What I Wore...on vacation!
Most viewed post on Facebook: What I Wore...on vacation!
And the fact that this photo was the most viewed out of everything on The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life Facebook page this month makes me laugh so hard...and thanks!!


Hope your August was filled with great summer memories!  Here's to a sensational September!!

Happy Labor Day!!  Enjoy these last days of summer...

My August Book Shelf...and planned September Reads!

Happy Friday and Happy Holiday Weekend!

This morning I posted my Friday Faves to the blog, forgetting that I was also linking up with some of my best bloggy buddies from The Blended Blog, to share my August reads!  But it's Friday, it's a holiday weekend and it's the unofficial last weekend of summer, so a two-fer is in store!  Who doesn't love two-fers?!?  

Unfortunately, my August reads list, is a short one....a very short one...like just ONE!!

Earlier in August, I blogged about what I hoped my life would be like 10 years from now on The Blended Blog!  The prompt, was an idea based on the book What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty.  I had hoped to finish the book before the post went live, but that didn't happen, because ya know...SUMMER!!  But I finally finished it!  And I gotta say!  I loved it!  I was really annoyed when I thought it was not going to end the way I had hoped, but in the end, all was right with the world.  I highly recommend it.  (Or am I the only one who had never read this one before!?!

Since I only read one book in August, I thought I'd share the books I have on tap for this month!  I am really committed to reading 30 minutes each night before bed so I hope that helps me up my "books a nonth quotient." 

Alison reads ALL THE BOOKS!!!!  A few weeks ago, one of her faves was The Last One.  I was immediately intrigued by it, so I requested it from my library.  I just picked it up!  I can't wait to start reading it this weekend!!  Read Alison's review here!

My Mom recommended the book When Friendship Followed Me Home as one I might like for my library and students!  She saw a review for the book in the newspaper, thought it sounded great so she bought it and read it.  After she read it, she said it was nothing like she thought I'd be and handed it over to me!  HA!!  I am resisting reading anything about it beforehand but there's a dog on the cover!  I'm thinking if it's about a boy and his dog, I may cry!!  It's a Middle School book, so I'm hoping I can get through it quickly like my mom did!

My sister, Tara lent me The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand last week.  Tara reads all her books and really loved The Rumor. I had hoped to read it all this week and be able to return it to her by Sunday, but I don't forsee that happening!  And now that The Last One is a library book, I'm starting that first.  I like library books, they give me and end date!  Hahahahaha

Tara lent me a book, so I lent her these...

Some of my favorite reads!!

Wish Me Luck!!  See you back her at the end of the month to find out how I did with these reads and to hear my reviews!

What did you read in August?  Let me know with a comment below!  I'm always looking for great reads!!

Have a wonderful relaxing Labor Day Weekend!

Friday...Lots of faves to choose from this week!!

This week, I had plans cancelled left and right.  So I spent lots of time reading, lots of time blogging and online.  But I still have a bunch of faves to chose from this week.  Here are my top five!

{ONE} Shutterfly's 50% off sale! 

This might just be my most fave this week!  If you know me, follow me on insta, or have been reading the blog awhile, you might know that, for the past two summers, I've put together a recap of my summer, called Summer in an Insta in a collage frame from Shutterfly!  The 2014 frame I ordered in I think May of 2015!  HA!  So I am so excited this year that I can order it right after Labor Day!!  And at 50% off, that is HUGE!!  I've already started putting the collage together and will be finishing it up this weekend.  It looks like Hurricane Hermine will be foiling our Labor Day Weekend plans, so I guess now my summer photos are pretty set!  Head to Shutterfly to get the deal too!

It's a little hard to see but this is last year's Summer in an Insta Frame!

{TWO}  My Final Pair of Go-to Shorts!

Earlier this summer, I posted about my favorite go-to shorts!  I mentioned in the post that the only color go-to's I was missing was the purple.  Well, this past week, they were on summer sale with free shipping on any order AND they had my size! So I took that as a sign that I should go for it and get them! And since a pink pair was stolen from my suitcase in the DR, I thought why not?  I'm so excited I did!!  It was my final summer purchase!!  There's a 50% off sale at JCrew Factory this weekend, if your interested!!

{THREE} On Tuesdays we eat Rice Pudding!

Many of my plans were cancelled this week, but my mom and I spent a nice day together on Tuesday, we did a little shopping and we went to our new favorite place.  The Crepe and rice pudding cafe in town!  My mom is a huge rice pudding fan.  When we went to lunch there earlier this summer, we found out that on Tuesdays, the rice pudding is buy one, get one free!! So crazy!  And you won't even believe what a huge savings it is.  On Wednesday, we came home with a ridiculous amount of rice pudding, but we shared! :)

This wasn't even the half of it!  This was just the haul I took home.  Oh and that top one was pumpkin!!  YUM!!!

{FOUR} You go Grandma!

Did you see the story of the Grandma who wanted hot firefighters at her 105th birthday?? Well she got her wish!!  So cute!  Check out her story here!

{FIVE}  Back to School on The Blended Blog

This week I headed back to School-unofficially!  Wednesday we had a Back to School BBQ where the students came and dropped off all their supplies, met new friends and reconnected with old.  And yesterday was a PD day for teachers.  Thursday I posted a Back to School Survival Guide for Teachers on The Blended Blog.  I would love it, if you checked it out!  Hopefully it gives you a giggle during this hectic Back to School time!

And now before the students return on Tuesday, and it's back to reality for me, I'm off to enjoy a four- day Holiday Weekend!  With the hurricane coming, we are expected to see it remnants, so  I see lots of reading, blogging, and interneting in my future...again!  I am thinking about binge-watching Stranger Things too.  It seems to have been all over this week and I've heard good things!  Have you seen it??

Hope you all enjoy the long weekend as well!!

 Linking up today with:

Erika and the girls for Friday Favorites
Tif and the girls for H54F

I'm over at The Blended Blog today....

I'm over at The Blended Blog today sharing a Teacher's Back to School Survival Guide.  It was a really fun post to put together!   Check it out here!!  Let me know what you think!

And today's August Sentence-of-the Day Recaps, but since I really couldn't get my act together this month, go check out the girls' posts and link up your own!

Sarah / Alison / Sheila / Leslie

Have a great Thursday!!

Let's Talk: Fall Favorites

Am I ready for summer to end? NO, not at all!
Have I already had a fall favorite, Pumpkin Ale, YES!  Yes I have!!

While I am in not hurry for summer to come to an end, the impending school year is upon me and I know that the end is inevitable!!  So I'm taking a break from summer today and sharing some fall favorites with Erika and Andrea for their Let's Talk Series!!

There are so many things to look forward to in the Fall.  Here are a few of my faves!!

Riding Boots and Skinny Jeans!  By far my favorite part of fall!  I love wearing my riding boots are the time and love pairing them with great tops and accessories.
And wearing skinny jeans and riding boots means I don't have to shave my legs everyday!! Hallelujah!  (THAT'S definitely a favorite!!)

Crisp Air  As many of you know, summer is my absolute favorite season.  But I do love a good crisp, fall night.  The way it smells, the blardigan I can bundle up in!  Love, Love love!

Pumpkin Ale I can't say that I'm the biggest fan of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but give me a Pumpkin Ale everyday in the Fall and I'll be your best friend.  pumpkin Ale is by far the best thing about Fall....but don't forget the cinnamon rim!!

New TV  I'm a self-proclaimed TV Head!  Fall brings brand new episodes of my favorite series and new shows to try out.  This Fall I am looking forward to This is Us on NBC, and the Kevin James show on CBS.

Autumn Wreath Candle  Come September 1st, I'm busting this candle out.  It's my favorite fall scent from Yankee Candle!  I also have to get a new Young Living scent for Fall for my diffuser!!

Football!  Over the years I have to love football.  Often on Sundays, I have it on in the background while I'm planning, doing laundry and getting ready for the new week.  Somedays I'll head over to my sister's to watch the games too!And it's a great excuse to drink beer and eat guac!!  Who wouldn't love that?!?

What are you most looking forward to this fall?  Let me know in the comments below!  Enjoy your Tuesday!!

And head on over to The Blended Blog today!  It's Wrap-up Day!  We're sharing our favorite posts from August on our personal blogs!!

Three years in my humble abode!

Today marks three years since I purchased my home.  I figured since I blogged about years one and two, why not blog one more time!  Three years ago today I moved into my little house!  It's been a fast three years actually.  Isn't there a quote by someone that goes something like "The years pass fast but the days go slow" ??  That is so true because when I think about this day three years ago, it kinda seems like just yesterday!!  But it really is a home!!

Someone told me not too long that my house was "goals"  I thought that was really funny but also very sweet!!  I've worked hard to make this place a fun, cozy house and I think I'm succeeding!  Here's a few facts about year three!

When I first moved in, this place that was under construction!  That's still the case right now, three years later, as I sit here typing this and listen to hammers, big trucks, and saws outside my window.  I can't say that it's been a bother, because it's something I've just gotten used to, but I am thankful that it's almost DONE!!

With the exception of this summer, I've cooked more.  Thanks to Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, and a few Crockpot Challenges!!

That being said, I've also set the smoke alarm off more times this year than I care to recall!!  :)

Looking back, I'd have to say, this was a more solitary year.  I had no long  term house guests like I did in year one and no one stayed for a week like in year two.  I did have lots more visitors though! Some who had never seen the place, so that was fun!

And traditions that were started, continued!  The 2nd Annual Friendsgiving was a success, as was Christmas Eve Dinner!

I also hosted book club here....once!!  hopefully I can get that up an running again!

I got a larger kitchen table, to accommodate more guests who I didn't actually have!!  HA! But still no chandelier!

Thanks to these guys for helping my pick it up and set it up!!

I didn't paint this year like I had planned!

On that note, I've walked to school more this year than I have in the past, and I've also walked around town more, as more and more new places popped up to eat!

I will also dare to say, in this third year, I've spent LESS time here.  I actually traveled a total of four times this year!!  Read more about my travels here, here, and here (a real recap of the DR is coming soon!!)

Oh and after three years, I've made more friends in my neighborhood!!  Woo Hoo!!

I've also become good friends with my mailman and UPS man...who discovered he delivers to both my house and my school, so he gives me updates on my packages while I'm at work.  I haven't decided if I should be worried about this!

Is it any wonder why the UPS guys and my mailman and I are besties?

I've continued to decorate the place and make it my own!! My theme for this year was "This is My Happy Place"....because it is!  I love my little house.  I love that it's all my own.  I worked hard to get it!  And I enjoy it, whether it's filled with family and friends, or just the nights that I'm on my own!  And I think that's all that one can hope for their home!!

I think the year three recap is my last!!  My home is always splashed throughout the blog, and I think for now that's enough!  Thanks for letting my recap the last three years here!  Cheers to many more!





Linking up with Shaunacey for Monday Moments of Gratitude...because I'm grateful for this roof over my head!!  And I know there are so many others out there who are struggling to make ends meet and find a home of their own!

Friday Favorites: The Summer Edition!!

It's been forever since I've posted on a Friday this summer.  I took a bit of a summer vacation from it I suppose!!  So today, I'm back with a round-up of a few of my favorite things from this summer!!

/ONE/

I was obsessed with the Olympics.  Actually the Gymnastics and the Swimming most!  I saw this on social media during the games and I laughed so hard!!  This is so true of me...sadly, I do this all the time!!

/TWO/

I can say without a doubt this has been the summer of prosecco!!  It's been my go-to drink!  Back in the spring I did a post on prosecco on The Blended Blog, and ever since then I've been enjoying it more and more.  It's just perfect for summer... light refreshing and bubbly!  I love adding a little splash of pomegranate to it too.  And the single bottles are perfect for a single girl like me!!

/THREE/

I've followed Jenny Collier's blog and insta for a while.  And was excited when she started her clothing store, Gray Monroe but had never purchased anything...until now!  I purchased this awesome cold shoulder top for the fall and picked up a few more fun tops at the summer sale!!  How fun is this tank?!?  I like that she offers free shipping and no tax!!  Perfect.  And I enjoy supporting small businesses.  Check out gray Monroe here!!  New arrivals for Fall are out now!  You won't be disappointed!!

/FOUR/

Here's a song to kick off your weekend!!  I've been loving this song...perfect for summer!!

/FIVE/

And just because I'm headed back to school next week...
  How cute is this!! I posted this to my Facebook yesterday...so true!!

Linking up today for Friday Favorites!
Linking up today with:
Erika and the girls for Friday Favorites
Tif and the girls for H54F