Sunday Lately: Cherishing, Applauding, Singing

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe

We e-hangout every Sunday, sharing a small glimpse into the past week of life in our own words.

Happy New Year!  I'm hosting Week #158 of our Sunday Lately linkup, led by our fearless leader Katy.  Here's a glimpse into the first week of 2018 in my life!

Cherishing...  my friends and family.  We had another baby shower this weekend, this time in Tennessee.  We've hardly had to buy a thing for this baby, because we're blessed with friends and family who've been so generous!  This baby is so loved already.

Applauding...  The Pigeon Letters.  I love the botanical line drawing books Peggy has done! I've been drawing in my planner versus using stickers these days, because it's something I can do without carrying around a bunch of planner stuff, just pens.

Singing... to my baby belly.  I'm feeling pretty big at 33 weeks... I can't believe I'm just going to get even bigger!  I know he can hear me, so I've definitely been singing even more than usual, especially in the shower.  I have also been reading a bunch of books (many of them gifts) that just make me feel overall a bit more knowledgeable about topics I never really cared about before.  I've definitely learned a lot about my own body in this process!

And for no good reason except for cuteness, here's a photo of my (fur) babies!

THIS WEEK IN SOCIAL MEDIA...

• On the Blog:  I recapped 2017 with my annual post here.
• On Twitter:  This dog that carries his own sled uphill wins the internet this week!
• On Pinterest:  I pinned Molly Yeh's spatzle and cheese with hot dogs because it reminded me of my childhood weeknight dinners of hot dogs and mac 'n' cheese!
• On Instagram:  I documented a (sort of) cake fail this week.

An InLinkz Link-up

How was your week?

Sunday Lately: Tweeting, Raising, Giving, Illustrating, Restoring

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe

We e-hangout every Sunday, sharing a small glimpse into the past week of life in our own words.

It's been a while since I've done one of these, right?  Well, I'm back!

TWEETING...  mostly airport rants.  Like this one where a lady took Southwest's "open seating" claim literally and thought that pushing ahead of others in line was how to board.  As in, she had a C-group pass and tried to get in front of me in A-group.  I must admit, because I travel so much, I have less patience with airport/hotel rookies. I WILL power walk around you and roll my eyes.

I'm always living out of bags... but at least they're cute!

RAISING...  the bar for my chai lattes.  I will admit, I don't always like the clove-laden coffeehouse chai lattes; I like sweet, commercial ones because I'm basic.  Usually, I take Starbucks with skim milk, not because I like skim milk but because it doesn't make my lactose intolerance flare up. 

Dutch Bros. totally spoiled me while we were on vacation, because they offered eight different flavored varieties of chai latte,  like cinnamon roll.  They basically took a bunch of their latte flavor combos and brought them over to the chai side.  Starbucks doesn't have these, but using the app I've been able to make some that I've enjoyed!  Here's one that I posted on my Instagram, where instead of 4 pumps of chai, I ordered 2 pumps chai and 1 pump each of vanilla and caramel, resulting in deliciousness and a little variety.

GIVING...  beer a chance.  It's not my go-to beverage, but it's my husband's career.  And I'm fairly knowledgeable and can hold my own in conversation.  Now, I want to read up and possibly even work on beer tasting certification, along with Dan.  It will help me understand what he does, and be able to answer the zillions of beer questions I get when people find out I'm a brewer's wife!

ILLUSTRATING...  I am dabbling in modern calligraphy/lettering, but I think I might be better at botanical line drawing!  I'd like to be better at both.  I love the books from Peggy Dean.

RESTORING...  my sanity.  We traveled for vacation, and I traveled for work both the week before and after.  Woof.  So when I realized that this weekend I had ZERO plans?  Freaking bliss.  The kitties were super happy to have us home, and I got all kinds of things done on my checklist.  I remember one moment yesterday when I was laying on our bed listening to the podcast "Up and Vanished" and just being relaxed... so good.  Love. The only thing we did yesterday was go to the mall for hand soap (Bath and Body Works sale, holla), eat dinner, and see Wonder Woman.  All of this after 5:30pm, so I didn't leave the apartment before that.

THIS WEEK IN SOCIAL MEDIA...

• On the Blog:  I've been recapping our Pacific Northwest vacay on the blog, but don't miss the post before those on my stop in Lancaster, PA!
• On Twitter:  covered this above!
• On Pinterest:  I've started creating pinnable images for my travel posts, so you can put them on your Pinterest board.  What do you think?
• On Instagram:  Huevos rancheros and a cocktail with my girlfriends? Perfect Friday night!
• Shopping:  I seriously browse the dresses on eShakti like every other day.  Some sell out before I can get one... but I've managed to only buy two last month!  This isn't an affiliate or sponsored link, I just have a ton of their dresses and love keeping them in my closet.

How was your week?

Sunday Lately: Shopping, Releasing, Breaking, Cleaning, Sewing

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe

We e-hangout every Sunday, sharing a small glimpse into the past week of life in our own words.

SHOPPING...  I am loving my #kimmieforever shirt and buttons, designed in memory of my friend Kimmie who passed away a few weeks ago.  They're based on a portrait by her local artist friends Crystal & Marc at Olivia Frankenstein.  I wore mine for work on Friday with a blazer, and I loved chatting with folks about the awesome design.

RELEASING... myself from hangups about the mirror.  I'm not the size I'd like to be, but I can still rock a mirror selfie, so you'll see a return of some of my #ootd Instagram posts I think!

BREAKING... I'm in need of a break!  LOL  We're going on vacation in a few weeks, so I'm kind of seeing that as the light at the end of my current tunnel.

CLEANING... laundry.  Laundry, laundry, laundry.  I've had two loads of clean stuff in a basket all week, and more to do... and a suitcase on the floor.  The weekends I'm home are usually spent blogging, doodling about, reading, and doing laundry.  And it's kind of nice not to leave the apartment at all sometimes!

SEWING...  nada!  A few weekends ago, I did a pile of mending, but I haven't really sewn in years.  I did buy a couple of books on brush lettering and botanical line drawing from Peggy Dean to stretch my creative muscles.  So there's that!

THIS WEEK IN SOCIAL MEDIA...

• On the Blog:  Our trip to the National Cornbread Festival and touring the Lodge foundry.
• On Twitter:  My husband had a genius idea on how politicians could be more transparent.
• On Pinterest:  I have been thinking about building a house someday. And since I stay in a lot of hotel rooms, I keep thinking how master suites and guest rooms should be laid out more like hotels!
• On Instagram:  I work in a pet-friendly office, so I loved this snap I took of Matilda the doxie mix, held by one of my work besties.
• Shopping:  I want a denim jacket, but I haven't found one I love.  I have a white one from Liverpool Jeans, and it has this comfy stretch to it. I wonder if this one would be a good match for me.

How was your week?

Sunday Lately: Adoring, Quoting, Dreaming, Designing, Using

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe

We e-hangout every Sunday, sharing a small glimpse into the past week of life in our own words.

I took a quick trip to Skokie, Illinois (near Chicago) for work this week, then spent the weekend pup-sitting and around town.  It was a busy one for sure!  Here's this week's Sunday Lately.

ADORING... my new Tory Burch perfume!  It's Jolie Fleur Lavande, and I love the floral powder-y smell.  It's not the strongest scent, and I wish it lasted longer throughout the day.  But it was irresistible after I tried the sample from Sephora.

QUOTING... Tolkien!  I saw a hand-painted quote sign at Franklin's Main Street Festival, and I had to take it home!  It goes so well next to the metal sign my sister bought me from Jimmy Don, the guy who does all the metal signs for Fixer Upper.

DREAMING... of more Shake Shack burgers.  Noms.  There was a Shake Shack near my hotel in Skokie!

DESIGNING... my dream home via Pinterest.  We have no intent to buy or build a home anytime soon, but that hasn't stopped me from pinning away!

USING... the Rebecca Minkoff purse that I bought in Arizona in March!  The warmer weather and the small size are just perfect.  I carried it today to brunch with my friend and then the ballet.

THIS WEEK IN SOCIAL MEDIA...

• On the Blog:  Reviewing lip color that lasts with Lipsense!
• On Twitter:  I maintain that people should walk on the moving walkway!!!
• On Pinterest:  I'm wondering if this is the dress I should wear for my sister's wedding in October!
• On Instagram:  Look at the cute pups I dog-sat for this weekend!
• Shopping:  I've been thinking an LED makeup mirror should replace the old one I have.

How was your week?

Sunday Lately: Digging, Aiding, Experimenting, Believing, Refreshing

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe

We e-hangout every Sunday, sharing a small glimpse into the past week of life in our own words.

It's been a couple of weeks since I checked in here with Sunday Lately, but I'm back!  Trying to find the space to write has been challenging with various commitments, but I always say that it's important to only write when you feel compelled... or when you have a true deadline.  Usually, my blog doesn't fall into the latter, hence my absence!

DIGGING... First Watch's avocado toast.  I know it's probably overpriced, and I could likely make it the same at home, but seriously... amazing bread, avocado, seasoning, lemon, salt, and basted eggs?  I seriously could eat it every day.

AIDING... my sleep.  I'm determined to focus on eight hours per night, so I've been focused on getting to bed at 10pm and up at 6am.  It's a work in progress.  Dan likes to fall asleep to television, so I have to wear an eye mask to block out the light.  But he does humor me with lower volume and a sleep timer, at my insistence.  I really wish we could eliminate the TV altogether, but his entire family is accustomed/conditioned to falling asleep to the TV, and they all struggle to sleep when they don't have it on!

EXPERIMENTING... with new Starbucks menu picks!  And no, not the Unicorn Frapp or whatever, I refuse to try that concoction.  But the Pink Drink (the strawberry acai refresher with coconut milk) is really tasty, and I don't even like coconut.  There's also a less sweet version of the chai latte being offered, which it probably better than the ones I order normally.  And both drinks look so pretty iced, eh?  Even I can't resist Instagramming a pretty Starbucks cup.

BELIEVING... in the power of nature.  I took some beautiful photos before my friend Kimmie's memorial, on a rainy, spring day.  I have a blog post drafted of things that remind me of her, but at her memorial last Saturday, I was just struck by the greenery around me, the flowers, just nature.  Now, when I get up in the morning, I sit and listen to the birds.  And on Monday, I went outside to eat an apple during work, listening to music and walking barefoot through grass.  I forgot how much I love the feeling of grass under my feet!

REFRESHING... my shoe collection!  From flats to sandals, the warmer weather has me more excited about shoes, probably because I'm also back to wearing my dresses and skirts even more.  (See what I bought this month here.)  Comfort is key for me.

THIS WEEK IN SOCIAL MEDIA...

• On the Blog:  My monthly closet budget post, with ALL THE TARGET THINGS.
• On Twitter:  I checked out the Rifle Paper Co. collab for LeSportSac and had to resist buying it.
• On Pinterest:  Move over, onions!  Shallots are our favorite thing to use when cooking steak.  So much flavor!  This recipe looks right up our alley.
• On Instagram:  We've replanted our Aerogarden, and you can check out my sporadic updates at #aubreysaerogarden
• Shopping:  The hemline of this dress is just beautiful!  I'm tempted to get it to wear to my sister's wedding, because I know I'd rewear it as a holiday dress!  Also, I'm obsessed with Jockey slip shorts under dresses.  OMG, game changer!  They're not Spanx (no constriction), and perfect for running around in a cute dress at a festival or at work.

How was your week?

Sunday Lately: Reading, Fancying, Getting, Doubting, Scheduling

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe

We e-hangout every Sunday, sharing a small glimpse into the past week of life in our own words.

It's Easter, and Dan's family is in town, so my post is going up later, as most everyone is napping!  We've had a wonderful weekend finally getting to show my brother-in-law and his wife around our town, and my mother-in-law is here for the week.  We went to Leiper's Fork yesterday, including the new distillery out there, and we went out to dinner in downtown Franklin.  Today I cooked brunch, and we took a picnic to a local winery.  Oh, and I bought so much Lacroix water at Costco, it's like embarrassing.

READING...  I just finished Grit by Angela Duckworth.  I tried to listen to it on audiobook, but the author has a rather dull way of reading aloud.  I think she's a better speaker/lecturer (she has a TED Talk) but the audiobook just felt like Siri was reading to me.  I'm listening to Hillbilly Elegy now, and it's fascinating!

FANCYING...  fresh flowers.  I used to hate bouquets of flowers, because they just seemed like a waste.  Now I love getting cut flowers at Kroger and mixing them up into arrangements.  Maybe it's because it's warmer weather now?  I'm starting to also love the fragrance.  But it's such an unnecessary expense, to be honest...  #firstworldproblems

GETTING...  new things I don't need for the apartment, because houseguests always make me what to give the place a little spruce.  I went to the At Home store and got a new doormat, and Kroger for some fresh flowers.  I also bought some new coasters while I was shopping with my MIL and SIL in nearby Leiper's Fork.  I got a new kitchen towel that is so appropriate, because Bear photobombed at the right moment.

DOUBTING...  I doubt myself a lot.  It's this perfectionist issue that I have.  It's something that I'm working past, allowing myself to forgive past decisions and just move on.  Life has to be lived.  I need to just be happy in myself and my choices, and embrace things.  No regrets, no doubts!

SCHEDULING...  Fun things.  I'm super busy this weekend through next, but I'm hoping the following weekend I can convince Dan to take a mini day trip with me.  Tennessee has so many cute festivals and towns to see!  I also just finished up my planner layouts for May, so that month is really getting into the books and planned out at this point.

Also, look at this beautiful photo I took while I was in the lobby of the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville.  It's just so pretty, I had to include it here just because.  I'd love to stay the night there, but it's so pricey!

THIS WEEK IN SOCIAL MEDIA...

• On the Blog:  LOTS of posts this week!  I blogged about my memory planner, a cooking class I took with a friend, and dining out at Tansuo, Maneet Chauhan's new restaurant in town.
• On Twitter:  I vented about parking.
• On Pinterest:  I made this recipe I pinned for Blueberry Cinnamon Roll Bake for Easter brunch and it was DELICIOUS.  And so not healthy LOL.
• On Instagram:  When you're walking around downtown and you discover Brad Paisley is shooting a music video.  This sort of things happens around here!
• Shopping:  I want a French style rolling pin, and this one on Amazon is beautiful.  I saw one in this sort of gallery store that was $55 and I really wanted it, but it was $55. LOL  I bought marble/wood coasters instead for $18.

How was your week?

Sunday Lately: Mending, Beginning, Doodling, Musing, Applauding

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe

We e-hangout every Sunday, sharing a small glimpse into the past week of life in our own words.

MENDING...  Last week, I mended a pile of clothes.  This week, I'm trying to mend my heart.  On Tuesday, the world lost Kimmie Jones, one of the first friends I made when I moved to Nashville.  She was a part of a little blogger girl squad that we've formed over time, and an integral part of it.  I'm working on a post about Kimmie, but it's not ready (and I'm not ready) yet.  In the meantime, I would encourage you to get to know her through her writing and unique voice, at her blog That girl in the wheelchair, and at other sites where she wrote...

• Hello Giggles: http://hellogiggles.com/author/kimmie-jones/
• Ravishly: http://www.ravishly.com/contributors/8745
• Elite Daily: http://elitedaily.com/users/kjones1/

BEGINNING... a huge closet makeover!  I've just listed a bunch of items on Poshmark, thrown away a bunch of shoes, and have a garbage bag of donations to inventory.  I still have an insane amount of dresses (I can't part with them!) and whatnot, but I'm pulling things slowly out to make room.  That way, I can add new, on-trend things like these new shoes I bought this week.

DOODLING...  on Instagram stories.  I quit Snapchat because I was managing too many social media channels... Blog plus Facebook/Instagram/Twitter is where I'll stay.  Here's a doodle from when we were watching Rogue One last night.

MUSING... about the beauty in unexpected places.  I traveled to Cincinnati for work this week, and I had no idea about the amount of art deco and beautiful architecture they had in the city.  I walked and explored downtown a bit, and it was just building after building of beauty.  I want to take pictures and see even more next time.

APPLAUDING...  my carbon steel skillet.  It's becoming a new favorite of mine in the kitchen, especially since it's so much lighter than my beloved cast iron.

THIS WEEK IN SOCIAL MEDIA...

• On the Blog:  I had a cuppa and reviewed Plum Deluxe teas.  You can join their monthly tea club for just $10 a month!  So fragrant and delicious.
• On Twitter:  RT during last week's Walking Dead episode.  You can always count on Carol.
• On Pinterest:  I pinned like a zillion eShakti dresses.  I have so many that I love, I need to look into some more.
• On Instagram:  This mug is the perfect one for me.
• Shopping:  I want to get all of the Target Poppy d'Orsay Flats in all the colors, like the red and cobalt blue.  I just got two pairs at Target, along with a Victoria Beckham top.

How was your week?

Sunday Lately: Working, Loving, Stressing, Growing, Visiting

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe

We e-hangout every Sunday, sharing a small glimpse into the past week of life in our own words.

You guys, I've had such a rich week!  The birthday joy just kept on giving.  Sunday night, I reconnected with an old college friend and indulged in The Melting Pot.  Monday night, I took a cooking class with a friend.  Three times during the week, I had lunch with beloved coworkers, and they even treated me for my birthday.  I guess I'd say that this was a week of friendship.  And that just gives me all the feels.

WORKING... on building my figurative "house."  This poem inspired me so much this week. The part about the roof being a masterpiece of forgiveness?  Slayed me.

LOVING... the S-town podcast!  I'm hooked, so no spoilers. I'll finish it on my work road trip coming up this week.  It's a true-life Southern Gothic, references to Faulkner included.

STRESSING... about work deadlines and house cleaning checklists, not making time for some of the freelance commitments I have... but I'm working on prioritizing.  It's all in the Happy Planner.  Breathe in, breathe out.

GROWING...  some bomb hairs, y'all!  Look at how my girl hooked me up with a cut and some refreshed color yesterday.  Love love love.  I feel pretty.  Confession: having someone else wash my hair is one of my favorite things.

VISITING...  with friends.  As I mentioned at the start, the theme of this week for me, whether I knew it at the time or not, was about the love of my friends.  It felt so good making space to indulge in good conversation, laughter, and trust.  After five years in Tennessee, I just feel like things are in a great place. 

And I mean, look at this food.  This is friendship and fellowship, right?  It's actually what my friend M ate, but I snapped a pic because it's beautiful Korean food.

One thing I did this week was write thank you notes to all of my friends and family who gave me gifts or took me to lunch or something like that for my birthday.  I'm a sucker for handwritten cards and letters, because it seems more personal in this day and age of texting and whatnot.  Old lady Aubrey strikes again.

THIS WEEK IN SOCIAL MEDIA...

• On the Blog:  I posted my recaps of Tucson and Phoenix.  What a wonderful trip!  It made me happy.
• On Twitter:  Tweeting about how satisfying it is to watch cupcakes being frosted, like some kind of creep.  My friend said visual autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a thing, so I'm totes normal.
• On Pinterest:  I don't love asparagus, but this dish seems like a nice compromise between unhealthy and healthy pasta dishes.  It has bacon!
• On Instagram:  This doodle about Target is so true, it hurts.
• Shopping:  I fell in love with these sandals in light tan, so I impulsed ordered them... hope they're comfy!

How was your week?