Five on Friday - June 8, 2018

It's Friday!!  Who else out there is ready for a weekend?!?  I know I sure am.  I'm also ready to share my five with you today, so with no further ado ~

1.  Cody
You might remember last fall I mentioned my dear friend's son, Cody, was involved in a car accident that left him with very serious injuries to his head and body.  Well, after 8 long, silent months, Cody is speaking!  (Insert praise hands here!)  This great news actually began on Mother's Day and his speech has continued to improve ever since.  The road to full recovery is still long, but this is such a huge step forward!  If you would like to read Cody's story, check out his GoFundMe page HERE.  And please continue to keep Cody and his family in your prayers.  Cody's a fighter and I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of his miraculous recovery!



2.  Ocean's 8
Can't wait to see this movie that opens today!  So many fabulous female stars came together in this film - Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Rihanna, Sarah Paulson.  Here's how Rotten Tomatoes describes it, "Upon her release from prison, Debbie, the estranged sister of legendary conman Danny Ocean, puts together a team of unstoppable crooks to pull of the heist of the century. Their goal is New York City's annual Met Gala, and a necklace worth in excess of 150 million dollars."  Is it on your list of movies to see?

3.  National Best Friend Day
Hip, hip, hooray for best friends!  And today's the day to celebrate them!  We all have moments when we just need best friends to lean on.  Let today be the day you tell them how much you appreciate and love them in your life.  To all my friends -- I honestly don't know what I would do without you!  Thanks for being there for me.

4.  Saddleback Carriers
Have you guys seen the Saddleback Carriers?  These things are game chargers for parents with small children!  If you've ever tried to carry a kid on your shoulders for more than a nanosecond, you know what I'm talking about.  Saddleback Carriers have a little seat for the child to sit in AND straps that go around their legs to make them more secure, allowing you to be hand-free!  One version comes with a backpack and the other is just the carrier.   Looks like a pretty cool contraption to me!

Click HERE to purchase

Click HERE to purchase

5.  Summer body....

Have a great weekend guys!  My friend, Debbie, is coming over tonight and we're going to watch the new episode of Nashville.  Then I have some wedding work to do on Saturday and Sunday.  Hey -- just a friendly reminder to RSVP to any of those invitations you get in the mail.  It's no fun having to track people down to see if they are coming to your event or not!  See you next week.

Linking up with:

The Peaceful Posse

Amanda at Meet At The Barre
Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home
High Five for Friday
5 on Friday

The Blended Blog
This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks

Friday Favorites - June 8, 2018

Hello!  Welcome to Friday Favorites.  Hope you have a blast checking out all the links from last week.  Please feel free to link up this week with your favorite post.

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

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Amy at A Day of Small Things - Pin

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Thinking Out Loud Thursday - June 7, 2018

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday!  Here we are again knocking on the door of the weekend and I, for one, am getting pretty excited.  Aren't weekends just the best!  Especially in the summer.

We are in the midst of enhancing our patio just a bit with some lighting and I'm looking forward to sitting outside after the sun goes down and doing some reading.  I'm picturing hanging out by the fire pit, a cool breeze blowing and being engulfed in an awesome read.  That's one of the beauties of reading on a Kindle - you don't need a lot of light.

Are you a Amazon Prime member?  If not - WHAT?!?!  Click HERE for your free 30-day trial.  (You're going to love it!)  If you are, have you been getting your free book every month?  This month I choose The Things We Don't Say.  Loving it!

Here's what Amazon says about it, "Nearly sixty years ago, renowned London artist Patrick Adams painted his most famous work: a portrait of his beloved Emma Temple, a fellow bohemian with whom he shared his life. Years after Patrick’s death, ninety-year-old Emma still has the painting hanging over her bed at their country home as a testament to their love.

To Emma’s granddaughter, Laura, the portrait is also a symbol of so much to come. The masterpiece is serving as collateral to pay Laura’s tuition at a prestigious music school. Then the impossible happens when an appraiser claims the painting is a fraud. For Laura, the accusation jeopardizes her future. For Emma, it casts doubt on everything she believed about her relationship with Patrick. Laura is determined to prove that Patrick did indeed paint the portrait. Both her grandmother’s and Patrick’s legacies are worth fighting for.

As the stories of two women entwine, it’s time for Emma to summon up the past—even at the risk of revealing its unspoken secrets."

Click HERE to purchase for $4.99

I also joined an online book club and am looking forward to heading straight into the book selection of the month as soon as the last page of The Things We Don't Say is finished.  We're reading The Wife Between Us.  

Click HERE to purchase

I've heard great things about this thriller, so I can't wait to dig in.  I'm also very excited about being in a book club.  Talking about a book with others who have read it is something I just love.

I'm also adding a series to my Kindle.   Have any of your read The Cabots series by Jamie Beck?  It's a three book series about family, friendship and starting over.  The grand total of all three books right now is $9.47.  How can you beat that!

Click HERE to purchase

    

Click HERE to purchase

Click HERE to purchase

What's on your reading list for the summer?  Let me know if you've read something awesome lately.

So that's what I'm thinking about out about today.  What's on your mind?  Link up and share!

An InLinkz Link-up

Enjoy more Thoughts for Thursday at:

Home of Malones

East Coast Chic

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

This is How We Roll 

Wonderful Wednesday - June 6, 2018

Welcome to our party!

Wait till you see the posts you visited most last week. I think you will agree that there is a lot of variety and amazing creativity here. Personally, I think we had some of the best posts shared with us ever and I am very excited to see the new things you share THIS week!  

Most Viewed

DIY Raised Shiplap Garden Bed - LeCultivateur

 

Very Popular

9 Ways to Make More Money As A Side Hustle - Girl Boss Boutique

 

Beautiful Royal Wedding Gowns - Debbie This And That

 

Being Thrifty - 7 Experiences Every Thrifter Can Relate To - Homemade Lovely

 

Tips For Creating a Hummingbird & Butterfly Habitat Garden - The Handyman's Daughter

Editor's Pick

13 No-Bake Dessert Ideas Perfect For The Summer - Faeries and Fauna

 

Off The Shoulder Works - A Stylish Fit

  So let's get this party started!

This week is Pinterest week. If you have not yet followed all of our hosts on Pinterest, please do. ♥

Ducks 'n a Row – Pinterest

Mom Resource – Pinterest

My Life Abundant – Pinterest

Engineer Mommy – Pinterest

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Eclectic Red Barn – Pinterest

LeCultivateur - Pinterest

Simple Steps For Living Life - Pinterest

• Please TWEET our party ♥ Use the hashtag #WWBlogHop
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An InLinkz Link-up

TBB Asks about June - Summer Lovin'

Happy Monday!  Today I'm joining The Blended Blog gals for the June edition of  

TBB Asks.  

Walk or Bike Ride?

I love a good walk, but riding my bike is so fun too!  A few years ago, my friend Tracy gave me a retro bike complete with a basket, bell and pinwheel.  Her name is Chelsea.  If you lived in my neighborhood you would see me tootling around the block.

Favorite Picnic Food?

Good question.  Eric and I did a couple picnics last summer with cheese, fruit and wine.  It was pretty lovely!  We have our first picnic of the summer planned for June 15.  That's the first night of our Muny season tickets and it deserves a picnic celebration.

Pool or Lake?

Well, I'm just a tad bit afraid of water so the lake is definitely out.  Floating or sitting in the pool is definitely my preference.

Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream?

This is a trick question. If it's soft serve ice cream, I will go for vanilla. If it's dipped, then I'm more of a butter pecan gal.  But don't get me wrong, if you sit ice cream in front of me I'm probably going to eat it no matter what the flavor is.

Ice Cream Cone or in a Dish?

Give me a good cone.

Flip Flops or Slides?

Slides all the way.  I have this thing about having something between my toes, so flip flops are out.

Jean Shorts or Jean Capris?

Shorts.  Years ago I purchased a pair from Loft and paid what I thought was way too much.  Turns out they have lasted so long that I've really gotten my money's worth out of them.

Favorite Summer Fruit?

Bring on the watermelon!  It's pretty much a staple around our house in the summer.

Corn on the Cob or Cut Off the Cob?

I've been cutting my corn off the cob since my days in braces YEARS ago.  We have a magical little tool (available HERE) that makes slicing the kernels off the cob so easy.  Couldn't live without it!

Favorite Summertime Song?

I can't really narrow this down to a single song, but I do love going to outdoor concerts in the summer.  We have a great venue in St. Louis (Hollywood Amphitheater) where you can take your beach chair, sit on the hill and listen to the artists they bring to town.  There's nothing better than jamming out under the stars!

Favorite Summertime Activity?

See above.  Outdoor concerts are my fav.

Favorite Berry?  

Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry or Blackberry?

Blackberries win!  We love to hit up our local orchard when blackberries are ripe and pick our own.  A few years ago, I did a post on what I made with the blackberries we picked.  You can read it HERE.  I've also posted a recipe for Blackberry Buckle HERE that is oh.so.good!

Bikini's, Tankini's or One Pieces?

Definitely tankini or one piece. The days of bikinis on this body are long gone.

Dresses or Skirts?

Dresses for me.  Old Navy has really been bringing it lately.  I love their swing dresses.  You can throw on this dress with a necklace and be ready to go in a flash.

Available HERE

One Word to Describe Summer?

Delightful.  I love the longer days and atmosphere just feels more laid back.  I know I definitely get way more done in the summer than any other season!

Five on Friday - June 1, 2018

Happy Friday! How was your short week? Mine was so busy it didn't really seem like a short one. Eric and I saw The Book of Mormon on Tuesday night and had Ian and Kayla over for dinner on Wednesday. It was a great extension of the weekend, but now I need to focus on getting caught up at home. Somehow my laundry hasn't learned to do itself! :)

I did manage to pull together my five for today. Here they are~

1.  Oreo Flavor Contest
Did you know that there's an Oreo flavor contest going on? Now through June 30 you can vote for one of these three flavors - Pina Colada Oreo Thins, Cherry Cola Oreo or Kettle Corn Oreo.  When you vote HERE you also have a chance to win an instant prize.  If you're lucky enough to be one of 6,500 prize winners, you'll get either a $6 FandangoNOW credit or a movie prize pack that includes a projector, movie screen, blanket and a $30 FandangoNOW.  I don't know about you, but I'm headed to the store to get these flavors and try them out!

2.  TravelWise Packing Cubes
A couple of my friends have recently used these packing cubes when they travel and have had great things to say about them.  I'm thinking very seriously about investing in some.  They compartmentalizes your items so they won't shift around in transit, leaving your clothes a lot less wrinkled.  Plus, imagine how organized you will be when you arrive with all your like items neatly tucked away in a cube.  I think they would make a great gift too for a graduate or someone who likes to travel.  Click HERE to check them out.

 

3.  Adrift

This movie went on my want to see list the very first time I saw the previews. What hooked me was the fact that it's based on a true story. Here's what Rotten Tomatoes says about it: "Starring Shailene Woodley (Fault in Our Stars, Divergent films) and Sam Claflin (Me Before You, The Hunger Games films), ADRIFT is based on the inspiring true story of two sailors who set out to journey across the ocean from Tahiti to San Diego. Tami Oldham (Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Claflin) couldn't anticipate they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope for rescue, Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved. ADRIFT is the unforgettable story about the resilience of the human spirit and the transcendent power of love."

                    

4.  Burt's Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment

Last weekend when I stayed at my friend Linda's house, she had a little gift bag full of goodies for me. One of the items was Burt's Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment. Have you tried this stuff?? It's amazing!! Put it on before dozing off at night. When you wake up your lips will feel so soft and smooth. Want some of your very own?  Click HERE.

5.  Trying to diet....

Hope you have a great weekend!  I have a wedding planning meeting tomorrow - those always make me happy.  I'm working with an adorable couple and it's fun making their wedding dreams become reality.  See you next week!

Linking up with:

The Peaceful Posse

Amanda at Meet At The Barre

Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home
High Five for Friday
5 on Friday

The Blended Blog
This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks

Friday Favorites - June 1, 2018

How was your short week?  I don't know about you, but it sure didn't seem like a short week to me.  I'm ready for the weekend!  And I'm looking forward to checking out all the links today!

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Maisy at Becoming Alice - FB | G+ | Pin

Sheree at Stage Presents - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things - Pin

Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

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You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!