Book Club Friday: To Read

Do you ever take pictures of books when you're out and about so you remember to buy them later on? I do this all the time. Here are recent snapshots of books on my To Read List:

Elf Girl by Rev Jen

Poser by Claire Dederer

Stay by Allie Larkin

Happy Chaos by none other than Punky Brewster!

Swamplandia by Karen Russell

A Place of Yes by Bethenny Frankel

Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe

Bossypants by Tina Fey {Nope, still haven't read this one!}

Yoga Bitch by Suzanne Morrison


Conversations & Cosmopolitans by Robert Rave and Jane Rave

Confessions of a Prarie Bitch by Allison Arngrim



Linking up here:

Easter is Pretty Pinteresting

{Note: When I don't blog I'm clearly in a funk. This funk is holding strong. Bleech! Even though it's not all sunshine and puppy dogs, I have some Easter pins to share. I hope to do something for Easter this year. I probably won't decorate -- but perhaps some Easter treats or splurge on pastel nail polish!}

Source: crookedhouse.typepad.com via Krystal on Pinterest

I have a few other "crafts" that I've saved that require loads of paint colors. Would the guys at Lowe's sideways eye me if I just threw a bunch in my purse? ;)

Source: foodfamilyfinds.com via Krystal on Pinterest

I could actually make these.

Source: Uploaded by user via Krystal on Pinterest

And these. Chocolate + pretzels = my go-to holiday treat.

Source: Uploaded by user via Krystal on Pinterest

I love bright yellow flowers.

Source: shexists.com via Krystal on Pinterest

A little labor intensive -- but cute!

Source: creativeholidaygiftideas.blogspot.com via Krystal on Pinterest

Easter S'Mores?! I need to read more about this!

Source: adventuresincreating.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

Did you know you can mail some plastic eggs?! This -- I might have to try!!

Source: stephscloset.com via Krystal on Pinterest

LOVE these colors!

Source: Uploaded by user via Krystal on Pinterest

Source: butteryum.blogspot.co.uk via Kimberly on Pinterest

Jello eggs!

Source: blogs.babble.com via Erica on Pinterest

No idea how to make this but I'm obsessed with the colors.

Source: craftaholicsanonymous.net via Krystal on Pinterest

I still swoon over bunting!

Maybe the pastel colors will lift my spirits today! =]

Pinteresting... Baby Style

It's no surprise my baby board on Pinterest was in existence even before we thought about expanding our family. I figured I should do a nice baby Pinterest dump...to remind me of what I pinned in the past...and see if my opinions have changed as far as decor, ideas, etc.

Source: blushink.com via Krystal on Pinterest

Boy or girl I love the colors...and the pinwheels of course.

Source: indulgy.com via Krystal on Pinterest

Everyone bring a different letter to the baby shower...and you end up with this!

Source: sookiesaysblog.blogspot.com via Krystal on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Krystal on Pinterest

Easy birth announcement

Source: etsy.com via Krystal on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Krystal on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Krystal on Pinterest

Source: boogaboohandmade.blogspot.com via Krystal on Pinterest

Source: e-tells-tales.blogspot.com via Krystal on Pinterest

I love pinwheels.

Source: mphotocontests.blogspot.com via Krystal on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Krystal on Pinterest

P.S.

Source: littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com via Krystal on Pinterest

Truth.

St. Patrick's Day on the Beach

If I don't blog about it, it's like it didn't happen.

I was asking myself "what did we do last year for St. Patrick's Day?" and since I couldn't find it on my blog... it's as if that day didn't exist. So, in an effort to keep better track of my life this year, here's what we spent our Saturday doing...

After braving the Spring Break crowds, we finally made it to Ft Myers Beach. I wanted to explore and knew there would be music for me and good drinks for him.

We had to park REALLY far away but got in a nice mile beach walk.

We stopped and listened to a terrible DJ at a beach side bar before heading to Smokin' Oyster Brewery. He had yummy beer and I had scallops. I can't indulge in beverages but I surely can indulge in FOOD. Yum.

Our final destination was a place on the water that promised some cheesy cover bands--Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones. We only stayed for Eric Clapton before heading back. It was such a beautiful day out though.

A green rum runner. It smelled like death (also known as really cheap rum).

Also - who know one of my husband's special skills was cabbage bowling?

Nice form...

...STRIKE!

I am kind of in disbelief by how HOT it is in Florida already. Don't get me wrong - I'm used to the warm weather, but last year, I could have sworn that it wasn't THIS HOT in March. I could be wrong but oh lordy...am I going to be in for it this summer!

Pregnancy {The 1st Trimester}

Pregnancy Rewind

Here are some snippets of thoughts I had been emailing myself in January and February. I’m glad to finally be able to post them! The overall theme seems to be sleep, tears, and anticipation.

--

I’ve known about my little pregnancy for a week now. I haven’t told anyone which is kind of amazing—and by that I mean besides the few people we told instantly. I had an OB appointment but quickly switched to another after learning pricing details and location. Two places ran my insurance and they each gave me different prices. Bizarre but I didn’t question it. I obviously chose the cheaper and closer location. We go on the 28th of January and I could be 8 weeks.
I also literally have been sleeping for days. I slept last night from 8pm on... and I've been napping on and off today. I have ZERO appetite either. Smells are getting to me... strong smells. I am trying to get motivated so I had some caffeine, hoping this will help! So I guess I’m 7 weeks today? I am so not understanding how to count my weeks! Ha. Since my doctor won’t see me till week 8, I guess this is week 7.

So, Blue Ivy made her appearance into the world and her daddy Jay-Z already released a song called “Glory.” Adorable. Though its a little cheesy... “you’re my child from someone in Destiny’s Child!...” The song is here.

I also feel STUFFED all the time. It's possible it's because I'm squeezing myself into my work pants. That little stretch they have is just not enough. I'm obviously not showing but it’s like my weight is being redistributed. I feel very big in my waist now.

Scott made his first purchase for baby b. It was Dr. Seuss’ “One Fish Two Fish” but the infant version—a big sturdy book with plastic fish on a ring at the top.

I was inspired by his purchase and ordered an Erin Condren kids journal with Baby B on the cover. I hope to use it to document the pregnancy. It is just like a life planner but without the calendars. It’s very cute. Pictures to come!

As for finally being out of the first trimester -- hooray! I can already a difference with my energy levels. On St. Patrick's Day we walked two miles up and down the beach... I don't think I would have been able to do that a month ago. I only had "morning sickness" once and it lasted a solid 24 hours. I felt like I was going to die. I was getting sick nearly every twenty minutes for an entire day. I'm glad that didn't happen again.

And -- here is kind of sort of what I look like now... all squeezed into my work pants. I definitely can't fit into them anymore so the last photo still isn't what I look like currently. I'm not "bumpin'" but I'm certainly... plumpin'. Ha.

Project 366 {Week 11}

Carrying on with my March pictures. I love how some of them came out for this week. =]
{As usual, taking the topics from the March Photo a Day challenge.}

10: Loud. Meet Kaze. He's such a yippy barker even though he's such a big dog.
11: Someone I talked to today. Hello, Denali! He's SO quiet. He barely makes a sound.
12: Fork...and my delicious lemon pepper scallops from the Smokin' Oyster Brewery yesterday. I can't drink so at least I can indulge in some yummy treats.
13: Sign. Outside the Pink Shell on Ft Myers Beach. If those distances are correct... we were surprised to see we were still closer to Tampa than Miami. I feel like we should be closer to Miami since we are much farther south now...guess not!
14: Clouds. The beach at Sanibel Island a few days ago when my mom came into town. It was such a beautiful beach! I'm glad I gave it another try.
15: Car. It's messy.
16: Sunglasses. We have a store's worth near our front door.
17: Green. A sweet swap package from Cami's Get Lucky swap. My partner was Jen! She sent me a green tumbler (I love these!), some Crystal Light Mojito mix (super thoughtful since I Can't drink REAL booze...hehe), and some new Essie! Great package. :D

Even though I can't drink, I still feel like I need a recovery day from the St. Patrick's Day festivities. A lot of walking, a lot of sunshine, a lot of eating. =]

You Will Never Guess...

...that I've been taking an Improv Performance Class!

No, really. This is not a joke. There's only ONE more class left of the session. I have not "come out" and told everyone about this yet. Of course, it's totally awesome. But, I didn't want anyone to think all of a sudden I'm pursuing an acting career or worse yet, a career in comedy! Yeah right! {Not that that's a bad thing or anything...}

Since I work for an arts center, I'm eligible to take classes at no cost. In order for a class to run, a certain amount of people have to be registered. So, in an effort to make sure Improv ran {And I have to admit I *was* curious about it!}, I signed up.

We have had five classes so far and it's been fun... hard, but fun!

Basically each class we learn different Improv "games." What I didn't know what how universal the games were. In high school I remember seeing Improv live every Friday night at midnight and having a great time. I, like everyone else, loved Whose Line Is It Anyhow. I still love stand up comedy and sometimes think I'm funny.

But Improv can be tough. Thinking spontaneously... following the "rules"... trying to come up with something to SAY.

So if I don't end up becoming the next member of a local Improv Troupe, at least I will have gained some confidence and done something I thought I would never do!

And, in case you're wondering, my favorite Whose Line is it Anyway guy -- Ryan Stiles!

I didn't know that last year GSN ran an Improv show with some of the old popular Whose Line is it Anyway guys!

3.14 Swap Reveal!

The premise was simple --

3: Paper items. Stationary, a card, whatever you want to send that is made of paper!
1: Accessory. Hair clips, earrings, etc.
4: Pastel items. This is where it could get fun! Nail polish, makeup, pens--anything and everything that is pastel colored that you think your partner will enjoy.
{We tried to encourage everyone to keep the spending limit to around $15, no need to go broke!}

So -- what did my fabulous partner get me?!

Laura was my partner and we are on the same wavelength. Not only did we send each similar packages but we LOVE the same things. If you don't follow her blog, you should add it to your Reader. Maybe if enough of us do she will return to blogging regularly... ;)

Let's check out the goods!

Hooray stuffs!
Some adorable bright colored stationary, a listpad (Already on my fridge!), two Sinful nail polishes, a blue bracelet (I sent her this in another color! Great minds think alike!), some strawberry sorbet eos and lots of extras! Candy and glitter pencils. :)

The colors up close without a filter. I LOVE. This is a pretty great polish for the price if you've never tried it.

I can't wait to try!

It's nice to swap items with someone you don't know very well. It's crazy how just SPOT ON her package to me was. It's like we would be besties in real life. Thank you Laura!

Link up what you received below:


P.S. Did you enjoy this swap? Would you like to participate in another one? Leave your thoughts below. :-)

Keep Calm & Watch The Sunset

A week or so ago I came home from work and Scott was ready to hit the beach. His idea? Grab some food at the local seafood shack and have a picnic on the beach. Sign me up! I don't think we have ever actually had an official picnic -- one where we sat on the ground and ate food. And, this picnic came with great scenery.

We ordered some fried seafood to go -- scallops, shrimp, fish -- and laid out our towels to enjoy the view. As you can guess, the weather down in Southwest Florida has been pretty nice lately. I don't think we had an actual "spring." It's certainly feeling like summer nowadays.

The beach was busy with other sunset viewers -- snowbirds and tourists. Everyone had their cameras out to take photos. It was nice and warm. If you know anything about me, you should know that I'm usually always cold and CRAVE sunlight.

A little spontaneity during the work week surely makes the mundane week feel a bit nicer.