my favorite posts



Today's Blog Every Day in May topic is favorite posts in your archives.  

I went way back to the beginning {when I mostly had no idea what I wanted to do with this blog....} and found a few of my favorite posts.  Some are older and some are recent.  

I have noticed a lot of new faces/commenters around here and love the idea of sharing my favorite posts for you guys to read through and maybe get to know me a bit better.  

I narrowed it down to my ten faves ~

1.  let's talk about pricing

2. an awesome Ikea hack

3. things I'm afraid to tell you

4. a 1st birthday wish for my niece

5. County Kerry, Ireland

6. my ten favorite things about Ireland

7. a post about marriage

8. five tips for running a small business

9. ten things that make me really happy

and lastly -

10. my life story in 250 words

Do you have a favorite post in your archives?  Leave the link in the comments - I would love to check it out!


a week of smoothies



Every single day I drink at least one smoothie.  I love them.  They are so easy and refreshing and can easily be packed with fruit and veggies and other good for you stuff.

I get in smoothie ruts {hellooooo strawberry-banana} and wanted to mix it up a bit, so I created several new smoothie recipes....or combos.  These aren't so much "recipes" as they are various combinations.


My favorite smoothie components are some sort of "milk" {unsweetened vanilla almond and unsweetened coconut are the two I use}, fruit, spinach or kale, and maybe a splash of juice or protein powder or chia seeds or flax meal.

I have found that it's kind of hard to make a gross smoothie.  Some I don't love, but they are all pretty good.

My newest favorite is the watermelon-coconut.  It's even better if the watermelon is frozen - so refreshing on a warm day.

All of these smoothies are around 150 calories each will make two 8-ish ounce servings.  You can use frozen or fresh fruit {Trader Joe's has the best frozen fruit} and if your blender needs help, add a little water.

Mango-Melon
-1/2 of a mango {peeled, chopped}
-1 cup chopped cantaloupe
-2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
-1/4 cup orange juice
-1/2 a banana
-2 tablespoons chia seeds
-ice and water for blending {if needed}


Mixed Berry {serves 2}
-1/2 a banana
-1/2 cup mixed berries {I used the frozen "berry medley" from Trader Joe's}
-1 handful of kale or spinach
-3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
-ice and water for blending {if needed}



Pineapple-Orange-Spinach
-1 orange {peeled and sliced}
-1/4 cup pineapple
-1/2 a banana
-a large handful of fresh spinach
-3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
-ice and water for blending {if needed}


Peach Pie
-2 peaches, diced
-1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
-1 scoop vanilla protein powder
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-2 tablespoons chia seeds
-ice and water for blending {if needed}


Watermelon-Coconut
-2 cups watermelon
-1/2 cup coconut water
-1 banana
-1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
-ice and water for blending {if needed}


Green Love
-1 kiwi {peeled and sliced}
-a large handful of fresh kale
-1 a banana
-a splash of orange juice {about 1/4 cup}
-1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
-ice and water for blending {if needed}

Strawberry Vanilla
-1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries
-1 scoop vanilla protein powder
-3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
-1/2 a banana
-ice and water for blending {if needed}

Smoothies for days!  Do you have any favorite smoothie combinations?


blog love



Happy Sunday - I hope you guys are enjoying your weekend!  

Yesterday I was at the North Park Festival of the Arts all day.  It wasn't super busy, but overall it was a good day.  I wonder when I am going to stop the "show" side of this business because my goodness it is a lot of work.  When I finally got home, walked the dogs, and ate, I just sat on the couch in a semi-coma.

Soooo, today's topic in the Blog Every Day in May challenge is to pick your five favorite blogs but as I scrolled through my blog reader I knew I could not narrow it down.  Instead of picking just five, I made categories.  Sorry, I'm crazy.

Also, this is list represents just a handful of the blogs I read on a weekly basis.  I am a blog fiend.

Fashion
Kendi Everyday - Kendi's outfits are so pretty, yet simple and attainable. On top of always looking cute, she is one of the wittiest bloggers...without ever trying too hard.  I have been reading her blog since nearly the beginning and watching it grow has been really fun.

Lifestyle, etc
Harpers Happenings - Mandy is hilarious, always keeps it real, and her daughter is too cute.
PencilBox - Katie takes the most gorgeous photos ever.  And she's an Ohio girl with a big love for the state.  O-H-I-O! 
Sometimes Sweet - I love Dani.  Her posts are so well written and honest.  I love a well written blog.
Story of My Life - Jenni, the mastermind behind this challenge is the best.  Sweet, funny, and a fantastic writer.
Across the Pond Blog - I want to be Meg's friend.  She is so sweet and has an Irish husband....so we both already know the headache that is associated with that ;).

Friends 
Julie Ann Art - Julie's the best.  Her blog is fun, full of great diy/tip posts, and a lovely representation of who she is in real life.
Rouge and Whimsy - Erika's blog is such a breath of fresh air.  She really seems comfortable - like it is who she is.  I have never actually met her in person, but we have a lot in common and I know we would be fast real life friends.
Just Love.ly - I just love {pun intended} Heather.   She is my internet-friend-kindred spirit.
Lemons, Avocados, and the Bay - Tammy is a San Diego resident and I met her through a blog meet-up.  I don't see her in person often, but whenever I do, it is like we hang out daily.  She is friendly and easy to be around.  And so fun.
Freckled Italian - Megan is another "friend" I have never actually met.  God, I sound like a stalker.... Anyways, love her, love her blog.  She is eloquent and adorable and I know we would have so much fun discussing books, politics, and lots more.

Food,  DIY, Home Stuff
How Sweet It Is - This blog is full of amazing recipes and is so funny and fun to read.  Love it.
Shutterbean - Another blog full of amazing recipes and food photography.  One day I hope my food photography can be a tenth as amazing as hers.
A Beautiful Mess - A little bit of everything.  These girls do such an amazing job and I am constantly inspired by them.
Young House Love - Their renovations and budget friendly projects are so awesome.  I have been reading this blog for years and watching them grow has been so amazing.

So, tell me, what are your favorite blogs?  Any gems I missed?



friday stuff, v. 10



The Office finale was on last night....did you guys watch?   I cried on several occasions.  I am SO going to miss that show.

I am going to keep this post short because I have a busy day in preparation for tomorrow's North Park Festival of the Arts. My booth will be on Ray Street - if you're in the San Diego area, stop by and say hello!

I hope you all had a fun week - here are a few links from around the inter-webs that I found interesting this week....

brave and honest post by one of my favorite bloggers.  

I really love this 1920s inspired wedding shoot done in Ireland.  It makes me want to re-do my wedding :).

This switchplate cover diy is so cute and simple!

As if I needed to download any more fonts....but these colorful ones are fun.

I saw The Great Gatsby last weekend and loved Leo's performance.  He was dashing and handsome and heartbreakingly sweet.  I have always been a huge Leo fan and love just about everything he does.  If he wasn't Gatsby, I think I would have walked away really disliking the movie.  I don't care for that particular director's style, I just want the story - not all the nonsense and out of place music.

That being said, F. Scot Fitzgerald's words shine through.  It takes a lot to completely ruin his story.  If you are hoping to see the movie, check out this review from Fresh Air, my feelings are very similar.

Neil and I have been mixing this seven minute workout from the New York Times into our routine. We have our usual 20 minute routine {that I created} but this quick one is a nice change.  And hard....or else I am just really weak.  Your guess is as good as mine.

Don't forget to enter the iPad Mini Giveaway I am co-hosting or the Albion Fit Giveaway!

Ok, that's all I got today - wishing you all a very happy Friday and a fun weekend!

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