Good morning! Hoppy Easter week and Wednesday friends! We’re headed home to Arizona tomorrow to see my mom for the holiday weekend, and I couldn’t be more excited. It has been a busy one, yet again, around here, so let’s dive right into this week’s Coffee Talk. Grab that cup of coffee and let’s do this thing!
As I mentioned last week, I was going to try to jump back into Kayla’s BBG program. Well my glutes can attest to it… I definitely jumped back in on Monday night. Some people can call it for what it is, but if you stick to the circuit, it seriously works! I was already feeling sore halfway through Monday night’s legs and cardio, but it’s so worth the burn.
A few weeks ago, someone told me that in order to keep themselves motivated to workout, they think about the feeling you have after you finish a workout, that you’ve accomplished so much and are “high on endorphins” as Elle Woods said. That was the feeling I had Monday night. And even though I spent the majority of yesterday hobbling around as if I had thrown out a hip (nope, just super duper sore!), it’s totally worth it. I’m looking forward to the arms workout today.
I plan on sticking with the BBG when we’re in Phoenix, because Easter brunch will be and always is a glutinous affair! Rick and I are also planning on, weather permitting, heading out for a hike on Squaw Peak and taking the beach cruisers for a ride up and down the old horse path by my family’s home. We’re going to do Easter Sunday service on Saturday night so we can make the most with my family all day Easter Sunday.
As for more house updates, things are moving along nicely and I did some adulting Monday afternoon and headed to Calico Corners to check out some upholstery fabrics for a few projects we’d like to have done. Namely, our coffee table. I really love it, but the comfort of having an ottoman or cushion to put your legs on while watching tv is lacking. So instead of going out and purchasing a new coffee table/ottoman, we’re thinking that an upholstery shop may be able to custom do a cushion for the top of our current coffee table.
If you saw on Instastories, I have narrowed it down to two or three fabrics, all three are performance fabrics that’ll be tough for wear throughout the years. But now it’s time to see if the upholstery shop around the corner can take on this project and come in at a much less price tag then my inspiration, which you can see here.
On that note, who here has shopped Ballard Designs? I have one of their catalogues and cannot stop flipping through it for home inspiration. I want everything featured! Some of it is definitely on the higher end of our budget, but I’ve always loved looking at magazines for inspiration and then trying to replicate in my own way and price point.
This recent blog post, 15 ways to layout your living room is SO helpful!
P.S. did any of y’all watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion?? I cannot get over how poorly Dorit and her husband P.K. have handled the entire affair with Erika. Besides the fact that Dorit drives me nuts with her contrived accent, she’s essentially been a bully to Erika throughout the entire season. How do y’all feel? Can’t wait to see how the reunion continues to pan out!
Now for things I’m loving:Â
– Now that we’re settled into our house (for the most part!) and I have my kitchen totally arranged to my liking, I’ve been enjoying cooking again. Rick has loved home-cooked dinners since we’ve moved in, and even told me last night, “I’ve never made anything he didn’t like,” #winning!
Yesterday, I found myself scouring the likes of Pinterest (you can follow me here) for some recipes and came across this one for baked sesame chicken. I have this weird hang-up about handling raw chicken, so cubing it up wasn’t my favorite thing, but I made it happen. Rick and I both loved it! It was super flavorful and relatively easy to make, just make sure you follow the directions, and you’ll be good! I’ll definitely be adding it to my rotation, as well as other recipes from this blog. They all sound delicious!
– I had lunch with my close friend, Lauren, last week and we did a little shopping after. Once we went our separate ways, I dropped in to the Gap in Rice Village to check out their latest in the athletic wear department, GapFit. Not sure if you even knew Gap had athletic apparel, but it’s some of my favorite, and definitely more affordable than other brands we all know and love.
But before I even made it back to their athletic gear though, I got lost in their colorful and preppy spring setup and before I knew it ended up with a few fun items. It’s like they’re always having a sale, and I snagged everything in my purchase for 50% off the original price! I recently wore this striped popover tunic and received so many compliments. I also snagged this pj tee and sleep shorts… and am obsessed (as seen on Instagram here). Looking for some great budget-friendly pieces to spruce up your spring wardrobe?? I highly recommend hitting up the Gap!
– If you’re Texas-based or ever find yourself visiting during the spring (Bluebonnet season), definitely bookmark this awesome guide on a day trip to Brenham, Texas, by my friend Alice of the blog Lone Star Looking Glass. Bluebonnet season is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen! I’ve been fortunate enough to experience them quite often, as my family’s ranch has some pastures in the back that grow a sea of them year after year. It makes for some absolutely amazing photographs (see them from a really old blog post here), just be sure not to pick one – it’s against the law!
– Lastly, one of my favorite online stores is having a huge spring sale, starting today! Shopbop‘s Event of the Season is in-fact, quite the event. If you’re in the market for some designer goodies, this is definitely the time to make the plunge. Spend up to $500 and receive 20% off your purchase; spend over $500 and receive 25% off your purchase, simply use code: EVENT17 at checkout.
I’ve had my eye on these lace-up sandals for a few seasons now, and it may be time to make them mine. Heading on a fun vacation soon? Then you need this cheeky pom pom market tote! My gingham crush is out in full force, so I’m obviously loving this dress, navy bikini and this ruffle sleeved tee. Want to talk about the perfect bag for spring and summer, enter this woven sisal tote that I am definitely lusting over! Finally, worth-the-splurge, the classic Ferragamo Varina flats (I have them in black! Last seen here), but hurry, as these will go quickly. Shop some more of my sale picks below!
Brooke Butler says
Bluebonnet season is one of my favorite parts about spring in Texas. I’ll have to visit Brenham soon!
xo, brooke
http://www.livethepreplife.com
Bella says
loving your picks at the bottom!!! so many cute things.
Alix Maza says
Such cute picks!
Alix | http://www.apintsizedlifeblog.com
Ava says
Gapfit is the best!! Love their tanks and sports bras!
Jenny says
Love your coffee table and I’m so glad the Bluebonnets are currently out.
Anna says
Ballard has gorgeous home decor! If only it wasn’t all so expensive!
-Anna | http://www.fivefootandfabulous.com
Annaliese says
I always forget Gap sells athletic wear ahh!!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Rachel R Ritlop says
Love your picks at the bottom! super cute! I also love gap’s athelisure stuff!
the sofieyah diaries says
This seems like a great list!!
http://thesofieyahdiaries.com/beauty/introducing-em-cosmetics-infinite-lip-cloud
Carly says
Your ‘loving’ list includes so many things I need to check out. Love this post!
Carly | http://www.thecarlycollective.com
Katie says
So cool to hear that you’re sticking with the BBG program. It is hard, but worth it.
Victoria Stacey says
How do you like the BBG program? I’ve always wanted to give it a try!
Alex Carreno says
It’s really tough! To the point that on legs days I’m super-duper sore! But it’s quick and I can do it at a gym or at home in our garage in less than 30 minutes.