I'm so excited for the holidays! I thought I'd resurrect the Throwback Thursday posts to share some of my favorite holiday posts. They might be new to some and a first time read for others. To me, there faves. I hope you enjoy!!
Usually I post something on the blog on the anniversary of moving into my home, but I didn't this year. This past August was actually my 5th year here!! Crazy scary how fast time flies!!
So in the spirit of the Holidays, this Throwback Thursday, I am sharing the first Christmas Home Tour I ever did on the blog. It's the first time readers got a peek inside my home at Christmas.
I am all decorated for Christmas already this year, but plan on posting this years home tour later on in December...stay tuned! For now, let's turn back time!
Showing posts with label Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home. Show all posts
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Holiday Looks!
Wednesday! Woo Hoo!! This week has seemed like the longest, huh? Or maybe that's just me!! Ugh!
It's been forever and a day since I've posted anything fashion related to the blog, but today I'm giving it another shot!!
As I sit down to write this post, I'm realizing Holiday Looks probably means Christmas. But Me being Me is going to save all those for the December Prompts! So today I'm showing showing my love for Small Business and sharing my Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving looks that show off tops I purchased at a local boutique.
This Saturday I was on the couch sick with a sore throat and cold, so I unfortunately I didn't shop Small Business Saturday like I usually do. Then my mom reminded me of something, I very rarely leave my town so...I Shop Small all the Time!! I gathered she was right, so I felt a bit better!
I love this little shop in town called Say More Boutique, and when they recently had a Sip and Shop Sale event at the store, I attended.
If you read my post yesterday you may remember that I don't really shop without a purpose. If I get something, I have a specific place or event I'm going to wear it too. I went shopping that night wanting to find something to wear for both my Friendsgiving celebration and Thanksgiving day with my family. I succeeded!
I shopped and shopped...and shopped some more! I may have shopped way more than I thought I was going to, but the store has such cute stuff and who doesn't like snacks and drinks while you shop!?!? I've gotten pretty friendly with the owner too, so I like supporting her and women in business doing great things in my town! You can shop her boutique online too, here!
This first look I wore for the Friendsgiving that I hosted here at my house! Loved the colors of this easy, breezy top and thought it was really a different spin on the animal print top. While it's not really heavy or wintery at all, it worked because with the turkey baking for hours in my small house, I was still comfy. And to be honest, I'm thinking this could really be an "every season" kinda top!
Since I really wasn't the one cooking or hosting for Thanksgiving, I went bold with this top. It's huge sleeves were super fun and I loved the high neck of it. I have a lot of mock neck tops these days. The Fall color was perfect too. I thought this whole look was very Thanksgiving worthy actually!! (Even though our temps were in the low 20's and I could've been wearing a winter parka!!) We just did not get enough of a Fall in my opinion, so I'll squeak out every last bit of it, even if it's in my outfits...lol
It's been forever and a day since I've posted anything fashion related to the blog, but today I'm giving it another shot!!
As I sit down to write this post, I'm realizing Holiday Looks probably means Christmas. But Me being Me is going to save all those for the December Prompts! So today I'm showing showing my love for Small Business and sharing my Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving looks that show off tops I purchased at a local boutique.
This Saturday I was on the couch sick with a sore throat and cold, so I unfortunately I didn't shop Small Business Saturday like I usually do. Then my mom reminded me of something, I very rarely leave my town so...I Shop Small all the Time!! I gathered she was right, so I felt a bit better!
I love this little shop in town called Say More Boutique, and when they recently had a Sip and Shop Sale event at the store, I attended.
If you read my post yesterday you may remember that I don't really shop without a purpose. If I get something, I have a specific place or event I'm going to wear it too. I went shopping that night wanting to find something to wear for both my Friendsgiving celebration and Thanksgiving day with my family. I succeeded!
I shopped and shopped...and shopped some more! I may have shopped way more than I thought I was going to, but the store has such cute stuff and who doesn't like snacks and drinks while you shop!?!? I've gotten pretty friendly with the owner too, so I like supporting her and women in business doing great things in my town! You can shop her boutique online too, here!
This first look I wore for the Friendsgiving that I hosted here at my house! Loved the colors of this easy, breezy top and thought it was really a different spin on the animal print top. While it's not really heavy or wintery at all, it worked because with the turkey baking for hours in my small house, I was still comfy. And to be honest, I'm thinking this could really be an "every season" kinda top!
I really like that the animal print is subtle!
Here I paired the top with the Express Faux Leather Leggings!
Since I really wasn't the one cooking or hosting for Thanksgiving, I went bold with this top. It's huge sleeves were super fun and I loved the high neck of it. I have a lot of mock neck tops these days. The Fall color was perfect too. I thought this whole look was very Thanksgiving worthy actually!! (Even though our temps were in the low 20's and I could've been wearing a winter parka!!) We just did not get enough of a Fall in my opinion, so I'll squeak out every last bit of it, even if it's in my outfits...lol
The ruffle sleeves are big! But I really liked that they're different...and pretty damn fabulous!!
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! And looks forward to the upcoming craziness that December brings!! There's hope for me yet, posting on Wednesdays thanks to my bestie and blog photog, Mel!
Link up with The Blended Blog every Wednesday in December too, with these fun and festive prompts!!
Now head on over to TBB to check out Vanessa's holiday looks! Link up your own post too!
No Blog? No Problem! Share your OOTD and your Holiday Looks with us using #theblendedblogstyle!
Friday, February 16, 2018
5 things I've Learned in my Thirties...
Today’s my birthday! And there seem to be a lot of people more excited about it than me!! I think I’m indifferent! But I am looking forward to a fun weekend of celebrations with family and friends!
For the past two years on the blog, I’ve shared a birthday post with random facts about me. 36 was not too bad, 37 was a little bit harder! Rather than beat a dead horse (and damn 38 is a lotta random!) I thought since this year since the big day’s fallen on a Friday, when we typical share a Friday Fives, Friday faves and loves, I thought I’d switch things up a bit and share a five for Friday...
5 things I’ve learned in my thirties!!
5 things I’ve learned in my thirties!!
1-FRIENDSHIP has no AGE LIMIT!
One of the things I love about being part of The Blended Blog Collab is that even though we all span different ages-30’s, 40’s, 50’s, we still have much in common. It shows that friendships have no age limit. This is true in my daily life as well. I have great friends who are in every stage of life... and every time we hang, it’s always a blast. On any given Friday, our Happy Hour crew can span from 20-somethings to 60-somethings! For me, it’s more about the person, their personality, values and beliefs (and fun factor!) rather than closing myself off to them because they are perceived as too young or too old.
2-How to say NO
Ya know, I’ve spent too much life doing things I didn’t want to do! So now if there is something I’d rather not do...I simply say no to it! And I have no guilt or regret about it!
3-I Don’t need a Man to Define Me!
Who I am is entirely up to me. At this stage of the game, being single and in my thirties...some people think, I’m an old maid, some think other, not-so-nice thoughts about my singeleness... and I just think, I don’t need a man to make me happy. Would it be nice to have someone to talk to once in awhile, to get sweet texts from on the daily, or maybe to zip up my dress??? (LOL) Sure! But I don’t need a man to make me happy. I’m 38 today and right now, I’d say I’m pretty damn happy with where I’m at!
4-I’m gonna do whatever I want, when I want, because I can!!
Lately this has been my mantra. And I’m gonna stick with it. It's not to be meant to sound bitchy. It's just that, in this Solitary Life, I can. If I want to go out and have fun, I'll do it. If I wanna spend the day in my undies, vegging on my couch binging on Netflix and wine, I can do that too! Because no one's around to see me!! It's pretty much the best of both worlds!
5-You’re only as OLD as you Feel!
When I was younger, 38 seemed so old to me! But now, NO WAY!! How in the hell am I 38?? How in the world did that happen? Am I getting carded at bars anymore? Nope! But those AARP mailers?? They are a-comin’!! I guess I can no longer say today I’m 29 for the 10th time!!
I know it’s silly, but every time I see those Facebook quizzes that say things like “How old are you REALLY?”, “How old do you feel”, or “Can we guess your age?” I always take them...for shits and giggles! I took one recently and it came back with the age of 24. I’ll take it! Do I sometimes feel 75 though too...some days!! But I have more days where I feel young , so I’m just gonna live it up and take each day as it comes!!
Monday, January 15, 2018
Resolutions?!? Not so much...
Happy Monday! Happy to be home today!! Linking up with the ladies of TBB today to share resolutions...or not!
In my last post of the year I mentioned that I'm not really one to make resolutions. I've tried and tried in the past, but by week two I always falter. So this year instead of resolutions I'm tackling a goal.
2018 marks five years in my little house! It's been a fun five years. So I'm making 2018 the year of the HOUSE. I've spent to much money on fashion and clothes. I need to get my priorities in order. So it's the house...
When I moved in five years ago, the place was brand spanking new. Now five years later it's showing signs of wear. It's in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint. I've been wanting to do it forever so that's one of my big goals. By the end of the year, I'd love the whole place to be painted. And now that I've painted an accent wall in the living room, I'm even that more excited about it!! So sooner rather than later, it'll get done.
The next two goals go hand in hand and the house! I need a new bed. I have not been sleeping well, and I thought changing up my mattress pad would help but it hasn't. So I need to invest in a bed. And I know it's another big expense, but it's deserved. My sister and I calculated that the bed I have now is from 1994...lol!! So clearly it's happening!!
After I get the new bed I can finally set up my old bed in my guest room and figure that whole debacle out! Like it been FIVE YEARS!! And then maybe after five years I can have some guests!!
Really these are a few goals under the whole umbrella of the house! I'm confident, just saying it's one BIG goal that I have all year to complete, I know I can accomplish them!!
Fingers Crossed!! Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by today!!
In my last post of the year I mentioned that I'm not really one to make resolutions. I've tried and tried in the past, but by week two I always falter. So this year instead of resolutions I'm tackling a goal.
2018 marks five years in my little house! It's been a fun five years. So I'm making 2018 the year of the HOUSE. I've spent to much money on fashion and clothes. I need to get my priorities in order. So it's the house...
When I moved in five years ago, the place was brand spanking new. Now five years later it's showing signs of wear. It's in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint. I've been wanting to do it forever so that's one of my big goals. By the end of the year, I'd love the whole place to be painted. And now that I've painted an accent wall in the living room, I'm even that more excited about it!! So sooner rather than later, it'll get done.
The next two goals go hand in hand and the house! I need a new bed. I have not been sleeping well, and I thought changing up my mattress pad would help but it hasn't. So I need to invest in a bed. And I know it's another big expense, but it's deserved. My sister and I calculated that the bed I have now is from 1994...lol!! So clearly it's happening!!
After I get the new bed I can finally set up my old bed in my guest room and figure that whole debacle out! Like it been FIVE YEARS!! And then maybe after five years I can have some guests!!
Really these are a few goals under the whole umbrella of the house! I'm confident, just saying it's one BIG goal that I have all year to complete, I know I can accomplish them!!
Fingers Crossed!! Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by today!!
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
What's in my...junk drawer!
And full disclosure here...this is what I would call neat for it at the moment!!
This is a drawer in my kitchen. Don't ask me why one of the largest drawers in my kitchen is the junk drawer!! But it works I guess...I have a lot of sh*t!!
Typically when I have people over, sometimes unexpectedly...lol, with one swoop of the arm, whatever is on the counter gets tossed on top of this. But not too long ago I lost something, had a major freak out, dumped this drawer, threw away half its' contents (from 2014) and was left with this! I never did find what I was looking for but in my cursing and tears vowed to just chuck everything. Why do I need expired coupons and broken pencils?!? I don't even have a pencil sharpener!!
Typically when I have people over, sometimes unexpectedly...lol, with one swoop of the arm, whatever is on the counter gets tossed on top of this. But not too long ago I lost something, had a major freak out, dumped this drawer, threw away half its' contents (from 2014) and was left with this! I never did find what I was looking for but in my cursing and tears vowed to just chuck everything. Why do I need expired coupons and broken pencils?!? I don't even have a pencil sharpener!!
But apparently, I thought it a good idea to save 4 night lights?!? I think my mom bought me those when I moved in! Little did she know I live in a pitch black cave at night!!!
A few other things of note:
A few other things of note:
- doesn't everyone have a shoehorn? .... have no idea where I got that?
- tissues and a brush are a junk drawer must!
- that Muhelnhaupt and Company coaster is the perfect size to cover my stemless wine glass when I'm outside in the summer!! Keeps the bugs away!
- credit cards and gift cards are on the left
- that brown tin is filled with change...not sure what I'll do with it but it's there!
- my taxes from the year 2013-15 are buried in there somewhere (so I know where to find them when I need them)!
- my red nose from red nose day
- my subway art for every season is also buried in there somewhere! I post subway art in a frame in my living room for every season!
That's about it I suppose....that and anything thing else I might throw in there at any given time of the day!
How fun to check out what's in everyone's junk drawer!! Go link up your post with us over at The Blended Blog or post a pic on Instagram with the #TBBWhatsinmy...
Monday, February 8, 2016
My Long Island Bucket List
A while back I saw an article in our local paper about 50 things to do on Long Island in 2016. This got me thinking. There are so many wonderful things to do on this Island I live on, and yet I tend to stick to what's familiar. I often joke that I only travel between 4 towns! Half the time this is true! HA!! But then the other day, I saw a commercial for Chick-Fil-A...and I thought...we have that on Long Island now...I should go! And just like that, this post was born. If I actually write (or type!) these things down, I feel like they'll be more inclined to actually happen!! And since 50 is a bit overwhelming, I chose 10. 10 is pretty do-able!!
A bucket list of 10 things I hope to do on Long Island this year.
Get to Chick-Fil-A, Wahlburgers, Sonic, and Stew Leonard's...places that have recently come to Long Island!
Go to more breweries! They seem to be popping up all over the place these days! And since I had so much fun the weekend my bestie and I went to the Oyster Bay Brewery, I want to go to a few more!!
Go Back to the Long Island Children's Museum. I went a few years ago and thought it was really fun. And yes I realize it's for kids...that's who I went with, so the day was all about them and I wasn't really focused on what I was seeing. i was seeing it through the kids eyes. I want to go back and not take anything for granted!
I really would like to go to the Air Show at Jones Beach this year. The blue angels perform each year and I know so many people who go and love it. I want to get in on that fun this year.
Climb the Montauk Lighthouse. Believe it or not, I've never done this!! I saw one of my teacher friends and her son pictures of when they did that this summer and since then I've wanted to make the trek up!
Spend a Day in the Hamptons
Finally visit The Wine Guy! I imagine it much like what Heaven might be...
Go pumpkin picking. I haven't been in years!! I always see everyone's pictures on facebook and Instagram and it look like so much fun for fall!!
Go to the Holiday Boat Parade this year! I wanted to go last year but never made it! It rained and I was hungover that day! I have higher hopes for 2016.
I also want to catch the Holiday Lights at Jones Beach. After a few years break, the light show is back at the beach! I never made it there the first time around!! I wanna go!
If you're not a Long Islander, I hope you got a glimpse of some of the fun things there are to do here! Come visit me! I've been to coup up this winter with weather and my hibernation period!! I can't wait for Spring and Summer to arrive!! I have hope that it's soon...
Have a great week!!
A bucket list of 10 things I hope to do on Long Island this year.
Get to Chick-Fil-A, Wahlburgers, Sonic, and Stew Leonard's...places that have recently come to Long Island!
Go to more breweries! They seem to be popping up all over the place these days! And since I had so much fun the weekend my bestie and I went to the Oyster Bay Brewery, I want to go to a few more!!
Go Back to the Long Island Children's Museum. I went a few years ago and thought it was really fun. And yes I realize it's for kids...that's who I went with, so the day was all about them and I wasn't really focused on what I was seeing. i was seeing it through the kids eyes. I want to go back and not take anything for granted!
I really would like to go to the Air Show at Jones Beach this year. The blue angels perform each year and I know so many people who go and love it. I want to get in on that fun this year.
Climb the Montauk Lighthouse. Believe it or not, I've never done this!! I saw one of my teacher friends and her son pictures of when they did that this summer and since then I've wanted to make the trek up!
Spend a Day in the Hamptons
Finally visit The Wine Guy! I imagine it much like what Heaven might be...
Go pumpkin picking. I haven't been in years!! I always see everyone's pictures on facebook and Instagram and it look like so much fun for fall!!
Go to the Holiday Boat Parade this year! I wanted to go last year but never made it! It rained
I also want to catch the Holiday Lights at Jones Beach. After a few years break, the light show is back at the beach! I never made it there the first time around!! I wanna go!
If you're not a Long Islander, I hope you got a glimpse of some of the fun things there are to do here! Come visit me! I've been to coup up this winter with weather and my hibernation period!! I can't wait for Spring and Summer to arrive!! I have hope that it's soon...
Have a great week!!
Friday, June 19, 2015
It's Reveal Day!!
YAY!! This post is a long time coming and has been in the works for a while! Today's the day the Style Me girls and I reveal our blogger exchange gifts. We are just a such a fun group, aren't we?!? Just like we did around Christmas time, we had another secret gift exchange via elfster this Spring. And a big thanks goes out to Deena for coordinating this for us again too!!
During our last link up we wrote about our homes....so our gifts reflected "home"!
I was super excited when I received my gift in the mail!! I had kinda forgotten all about expecting it, so it was a delightful surprise when it it saw this on my doorstep.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
CHEERS TO THE WEEKEND!!!
Katie
And since the Style Me Girls are some of my favorite people and these are some of my favorite new things, I'm linking up for Friday Favorites, too!!
During our last link up we wrote about our homes....so our gifts reflected "home"!
I was super excited when I received my gift in the mail!! I had kinda forgotten all about expecting it, so it was a delightful surprise when it it saw this on my doorstep.
OK....actually seeing this Pampers box on my doorstep was freaking hilarious!! They day I got this, a friend dropped me off and we saw this for the first time together. I was like "What the hell"... and she was like, "Is there something you need to tell us?!?
Hahahahahaha
Yes, people this Solitary Life I live is just a facade!! I've got a baby on the way!!! LOL...NAH!!!
When I saw who this was from it totally made perfect sense. My gift giver was Sarah from Foxy's Domestic Side. She a mama of 2 littles...Mini Fox and Baby Fox!! I just love Sarah and her blog! And now she even vlogs!! So awesome!! And knowing it was from her made me smile because I had sent my gift to her at Christmas time. Funny how that worked out!!
I got in the door and ripped the package right open, I just couldn't wait!! This is what I found inside!
There was nothing on top so I opened the tissue paper...to reveal this!
How cute is this pillow!?!? I put it right on the chair. Isn't it just perfect there?
Below the pillow, was this...
So I did what I was told and unwrapped the next gift. Inside I found this...
It's a photo album. Love, love, love it!!
And a great gift from Sarah, who lives by the beach!! Girl, I am coming to visit soon!!
After I opened the gifts, I opened Sarah's sweet card. She said she, like me loves to be home, either with her with her sweet family or enjoying some time alone. So she thought this pillow would fit me well. She is so right. I love it. I have received compliments on it from everyone who's come over since I got it!
The photo album I adore. And it is similar to many others I have. And by that I mean with the two pics per page that you can easily slide in, so I will look perfect on my shelf with my albums. For now though I have it out and on display amongst my summer decor!
Sarah mentioned that I could fill the album with photos of all the fun I have this summer, and I'm going to do just that. I can't wait for summer to officially begin!! 5 more school days...woo hoo!!
Thank you so much Sarah! You know me so well (even though we've never met...in person!!) I love both gifts! Sending you a big hug from the East Coast!!
I was really excited when I got my draw of who I had to buy for. Find out who I sent my gift to here!
How much fun!! Can't wait to check out everyone's gifts. I've done a lot of blogging this week but haven't been reading much!! I have no plans tonight, which I LOVE because I've gone from no voice to a gross-sounding voice and old lady hacking cough this week, there were many early nights thanks to NyQuil! Tonight I plan on vegging on the couch catching up on all the blogs!! So if you see a comment from me late on a Friday I am THAT girl, but I'm a sick girl! No rest this weekend though, it's a packed family weekend!! Maybe I'll blog about it!!
Go check out all the girls blogs to see the goodies they received!!
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A Little Bit of Cheer // Nick + Nik // Foxy's Domestic Side // The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life // Quilty JoyJoy
CHEERS TO THE WEEKEND!!!
Katie
And since the Style Me Girls are some of my favorite people and these are some of my favorite new things, I'm linking up for Friday Favorites, too!!
Friday, May 29, 2015
This place I call home...
I'm really excited about today's Style Me Bloggers topic! I'm going to tell you a little bit about my hometown! If you've been following my blog for any amount of time, you've read about my adventures in buying a home and my solitary life in this new (or at least new to me!) town. A big reason I began blogging was to document my living alone for the first time. Read my first ever post here!
It's rare that I leave my little 3 mile radius. LOL I live in walking distance of the school that I work at, the train station, and right down the road from Main Street! (I just love that I live in a town with an actual Main Street!!) It works for me!l!! And my town is so much fun!! Lots of shopping, restaurants, concerts, the Beach and the Great South Bay! I've blogged about some fun things I've done in town here and here. It really is one of my favorite places and just pretty perfect for me!!!
But since I know not many people will know my town itself, I thought I'd tell you more about this Island that I live on instead!! Long Island may ring a bell for some of you. When people hear Long Island, lots think of the Hamptons (Thank you Kardashians and Revenge!). I DO NOT live there...LOL
I've lived on Long Island in the state of New York for my entire life. Long Island is that "fish-like shape that hangs off of New York on a map! And YES, Deena we are actually an island...surrounded by water on all sides. We stretch out into the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Long Island Sound on the other. Long Island is so large and overpopulated, we could be our very own state...we are bigger than many states actually!! Long Island consists of four counties, from West to East. Brooklyn, Queens Nassau and Suffolk. Because Brooklyn and Queens are considered boroughs of New York City, a lot of people just count Long Island as Nassau and Suffolk. And Montauk Point truly is THE END.
Long Island has beautiful beaches both on the North Shore and the South Shore. I live on the South Shore. Our beaches are smooth. The North Shore is more rocky. There are 150 beaches on the Island, including Fire Island...just a short ferry ride away.
Jones Beach is in Nassau County, further west, from where I live, but it's a place I visit in the summer for both sun and fun. The Theatre at Jones Beach is the only concert venue right on the beach. When I saw Kenny Chesney there a few years ago, high tide came right up under the stage and all the people in the first row sections got soaked. Kenny said he had never seen anything like it. I went to a bunch of concerts there last summer and am going back in two weeks to see Tim McGraw! It's sure to be a lot of fun! There is also smaller outdoor amphitheater further out east where lots of my country faves play! Last summer I went to tons of shows at both venues and had a blast. Read more about that here!
Long Island is very historical, too. The homes of President Roosevelt, Poet Walt Whitman, painter Jackson Pollack and the Vanderbilt Family are here. The Long Island Children's Museum, Old Bethpage Restoration Village and the Long Island Aquarium, Planetarium and the Long Island Game Farm are super fun and educational places to visit. Ok, the teacher in me is coming out...
Long Island has a number of wineries on the North Fork and the South Fork. It is fun to spend the day wine tasting and listening to music at the different wineries in the summer. The number of Craft Beer breweries on the Island has grown too!! Blue Point is probably the most widely known, but there are breweries in Oyster Bay, Greenport, Riverhead and Montauk, just to name a few. My town alone boasts 2!! And I can't wait to make my first visit to the Oyster Bay Brewing Company this summer!! Whoop! Whoop!!
For me, Long Island really is an ideal place to live. But if your looking to get off the Island for a while, the City is just a train ride away and Connecticut and Massachusetts are just a short ferry ride in the other direction, so it's really convenient!! Come Visit Soon!! :)
Can't wait to link up with the other girls today!! Join us!!
Have a wonderful Weekend!!
Katie
Linking up today, too for Friday Favorites with Erika, Narci and Andrea
It's rare that I leave my little 3 mile radius. LOL I live in walking distance of the school that I work at, the train station, and right down the road from Main Street! (I just love that I live in a town with an actual Main Street!!) It works for me!l!! And my town is so much fun!! Lots of shopping, restaurants, concerts, the Beach and the Great South Bay! I've blogged about some fun things I've done in town here and here. It really is one of my favorite places and just pretty perfect for me!!!
But since I know not many people will know my town itself, I thought I'd tell you more about this Island that I live on instead!! Long Island may ring a bell for some of you. When people hear Long Island, lots think of the Hamptons (Thank you Kardashians and Revenge!). I DO NOT live there...LOL
Long Island has beautiful beaches both on the North Shore and the South Shore. I live on the South Shore. Our beaches are smooth. The North Shore is more rocky. There are 150 beaches on the Island, including Fire Island...just a short ferry ride away.
Jones Beach is in Nassau County, further west, from where I live, but it's a place I visit in the summer for both sun and fun. The Theatre at Jones Beach is the only concert venue right on the beach. When I saw Kenny Chesney there a few years ago, high tide came right up under the stage and all the people in the first row sections got soaked. Kenny said he had never seen anything like it. I went to a bunch of concerts there last summer and am going back in two weeks to see Tim McGraw! It's sure to be a lot of fun! There is also smaller outdoor amphitheater further out east where lots of my country faves play! Last summer I went to tons of shows at both venues and had a blast. Read more about that here!
Long Island is very historical, too. The homes of President Roosevelt, Poet Walt Whitman, painter Jackson Pollack and the Vanderbilt Family are here. The Long Island Children's Museum, Old Bethpage Restoration Village and the Long Island Aquarium, Planetarium and the Long Island Game Farm are super fun and educational places to visit. Ok, the teacher in me is coming out...
Long Island has a number of wineries on the North Fork and the South Fork. It is fun to spend the day wine tasting and listening to music at the different wineries in the summer. The number of Craft Beer breweries on the Island has grown too!! Blue Point is probably the most widely known, but there are breweries in Oyster Bay, Greenport, Riverhead and Montauk, just to name a few. My town alone boasts 2!! And I can't wait to make my first visit to the Oyster Bay Brewing Company this summer!! Whoop! Whoop!!
For me, Long Island really is an ideal place to live. But if your looking to get off the Island for a while, the City is just a train ride away and Connecticut and Massachusetts are just a short ferry ride in the other direction, so it's really convenient!! Come Visit Soon!! :)
Can't wait to link up with the other girls today!! Join us!!
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Have a wonderful Weekend!!
Katie
Linking up today, too for Friday Favorites with Erika, Narci and Andrea
Monday, March 16, 2015
That weekend I gained 10 pounds...
So this weekend I didn't do much! Basically I did not see another human being! #solitarylifeprobs Why is it that I did something every single night last week and had no plans this entire weekend!! I go in spurts really, I guess! I either have nothing to do, or plans both days! Big doings next weekend though!
But back to this weekend!! In Friday's post, I mentioned that I started receiving Hello Fresh delivery! I got lots of great feedback and questiions about it in the comments. Thanks. The weekend was spent making the rest of those meals and then some.
Friday I was super excited to get home, throw on my sweats, pour the wine and start making meal #2! (I might have started at 3:15...love getting home early on Fridays!) The second meal was a spinach, sun-dried tomato chicken penne dish.
Really good! And another really easy one-pot meal (with the exception of the pasta, cooking first!!) I always get a little iffy when I cook chicken in a skillet but it worked. Wish I took a picture of it all as it was cooking but I forgot. I also realized that I definitely need a bigger skillet. The last thing you do before adding the cooked pasta to the skillet was add the spinach. You're supposed to add it all, but I had lots left over. Eventually adding EVERYTHING to the skillet in the end, it was overflowing!
But back to this weekend!! In Friday's post, I mentioned that I started receiving Hello Fresh delivery! I got lots of great feedback and questiions about it in the comments. Thanks. The weekend was spent making the rest of those meals and then some.
Friday I was super excited to get home, throw on my sweats, pour the wine and start making meal #2! (I might have started at 3:15...love getting home early on Fridays!) The second meal was a spinach, sun-dried tomato chicken penne dish.
The meals come packaged with all the ingredients for each meal in a bag!
Super easy to figure out what goes with what.
Really good! And another really easy one-pot meal (with the exception of the pasta, cooking first!!) I always get a little iffy when I cook chicken in a skillet but it worked. Wish I took a picture of it all as it was cooking but I forgot. I also realized that I definitely need a bigger skillet. The last thing you do before adding the cooked pasta to the skillet was add the spinach. You're supposed to add it all, but I had lots left over. Eventually adding EVERYTHING to the skillet in the end, it was overflowing!
I had a ton of this leftover! It was really yummy!!
Saturday was really rainy! So I decided to bust out my crock pot. In my Peapod order earlier in the week, I got all the ingredients to make a recipe that Mel at The Larson Lingo posted a few weeks back, Crock Pot Chicken Tacos. Only three ingredients! It's kind of like the Salsa Chicken I make, but kicks it up a notch, literally. The taco seasoning really gives it a kick. And the chicken is shredded for tacos. Find the recipe on Mel's website {here} I had even more of this leftover. I really have to invite people over when I cook!
My taco fixin's included some of the spinach salad I had left over from my dinner Friday, shredded cheese (the mexican blend) and sour cream. I wrapped it all up in a burrito. YUM!!
Sunday I made two meals! Three, if you count the breakfast burrito I made with eggs and the rest of the spinach!
For lunch, I made my third and final Hello Fresh meal of the week!! A Greek Flatbread pizza. I'll be honest, this was the first homemade pizza I ever made. I did ok, not great, with the dough. Two thumbs up to Hello Fresh for suggesting using a wine bottle to roll out the dough, if you don't have a rolling pin! This wasn't difficult, just a lot to chop and cut up. I also should not have left this for last. Some of my tomatoes had to be discarded!
Looks a little wonky, but it tasted great!! Mad this is the only picture I took!!
When it's done you top the pizza with the romaine lettuce coated in balsamic vinegar. You can't really see the rest of the ingredients but there's grape tomatoes, garlic, red onions, feta, mozzerella, and artichokes, under there!
For dinner I had a piece of salmon that I had to eat before I couldn't anymore. Anytime I make salmon, I wrap it in a foil pack to steam it. This is my go-to method. I topped it with a honey balsamic dressing and baked it on 400 degrees for 20 mins. So easy.
I had this with a side of lemon shrimp risotto I brought home from Meetball.
I'll be honest, I couldn't finish this all, even though it was really good!
I feel like all I did was eat these last three days!! I may not have gained 10 pounds but it certainly feels like I did! I am getting another Hello Fresh Delivery today and am looking forward to more delicious meals. But I might have to skip next week...I need a break from all this food!! I would definitely recommend Hello Fresh. To try it and get $40 off your first box like I did, use code: LYY428
Have a happy Monday!!
Linking up today with Ashley at A Cute Angle for Monday Madness and Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending!
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
My favorite room!
This is pretty much how it is...
Looking out from my kitchen into the living room, one would probably say, the living room is in front of the kitchen, technically speaking but It's all one room! LOL
Now if you're a regular reader, you know I DO NOT Cook, but I gotta say I just LOVE my little kitchen. I love the wide counter tops and my deep sink. Eating alone most of the time, I sit at the counter more than at my kitchen table. My favorite feature in my kitchen though is probably the collection of wine cork holders I have above my cabinets! It makes it really "homey" I feel!
My living room area is also a fave. Living this solitary life I do, I spend the most time in here. I don't spend too much time in my bedroom, because I feel like it's far away (if that makes sense!) Honestly, I just sleep there! HA! I like spending most of my time in the living area because it's spacious and open! I have a comfy couch that I watch TV on, work on my blog on, and read on!
These chevron chairs might be my favorite things in the room!
Last year I participated in Andrea's What's On Series where I went into more detail about what's on the walls of this space too! Check it out {here}! This is where I've decorated most and can show off a bit of who I am in the house to visitors.
I like that the great room is a space where everyone who visits can spend time, be comfortable and enjoy! And because it's just me here, I can do the same when I'm alone! I hope you enjoyed a little taste of my home!
Until next time....
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