Weekend Update Blog Hop

I love weekends, especially when they are spent at my happy place :) To read more about my happy place click here & here.

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I enjoy doing these weekend blog hops because I think it makes Monday's more interesting. Plus everyone always has something fun happen on the weekend and it's great to get ideas for things to do. 

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Friday I went to my parent's house after work. We got on the road right away and made the 3 hour trek to Traverse City. Interesting fact, in Grand Rapids it was 104 degrees, in TC it was 84- I knew it was going to be a great weekend :)

Once we unpacked and kicked on the air in the cabin we went to a local pizza place called Peegeo's. We started off with buffalo chicken dip and a few beers

BEST PIZZA EVER. It had thin crust with a layer of fresh mozzarella, sausage/pepperoni, and another layer of fresh mozzarella topped with fresh oregano and basil. Along with the pizza we got to listen to free entertainment and people watch. I love to people watch.

On Saturday we got up and went running. It felt so nice to run outside. It's been so hot in East Lansing that I haven't been able to! I got 3 miles in and then went for the most amazing muffin ever. It doesn't look pretty but this cherry almond muffin from Hoxie's is heaven on earth.

After savoring devouring our muffins the parents and I cleaned the cabin. Hardcore cleaned, I vacuumed all the window sills, floors, and stairs. Between lifting the vacuum and moving furniture I got a good arm workout in! By the time we were done it was already 2pm and partly cloudy. We decided to go to Elk Rapids and take a walk. 

River where you can swim and body board the rapids

My Mom & I have a special bond

The parents

I love the beach, especially this one because it's never busy.

When we were driving back to TC my Mom took a sharp turn into Lochenheath. It is a beautiful golf course/restaurant/and has a few homes. We were able to enjoy a beer on their beautiful patio and soak up some sunshine

Image taken from website http://www.lochenheath.com

When we got back to our cabin we had an awesome appetizer of shrimp, cheese & crackers. This was eaten while grilling chicken and drinking wine. It was amazing and delicious.

Sunday was spent on the boat. All day. It was warm enough to go swimming, jet ski, and tool around in the boat. Unfortunately I forgot my camera & phone so no pictures :( 

I really enjoyed this weekend. It was filled with amazing food, drinks, and relaxation. It was also nice to spend some quality time with my parents before I leave. 

I hope your weekend was enjoyable and I can't wait to read all your wonderful posts :)

TC+ TL+ NF= Happy Friday!

Ok let's get real here. It's Friday. I'm beyond happy that it's finally the weekend. 

 I'm rockin the shellac mani from last week

I get to go to my happy place in TC.

I plan on eating good food, drinking a lot few glasses of wine, and spending my days on Torch Lake.

I'm most excited to spend this time with just my parents. To relax and not think about the million other things going on in my life.

I hope you all get a weekend like this too!! 

And a huge shout out to Cait because it's her Wedding Day!!!

It's Ok to be Thankful Thursday Mashup

TGIT: Thank Gosh It's Thursday! I hope everyone had a really enjoyable Independence Day! I didn't take many pictures but I was able to spend time with family and friends so it was perfect (even with the 101 degree weather).

Now is the time to say What I'm Thankful For & It's Ok... 

It's OK 

I'm taking a break from packing to make this post 

That I'm writing this post at 9:30 at night 

I'm leaving in 13 days and am starting to get sad 

I'm stressing out about money and student loans and classes 

To let some people go... I can only put forth so much effort 

I'm Thankful For 

My amazing family and friends (See these people on the Loved Ones Page) 

My beautiful friend Erika, it's her birthday today! 

I only have 13 days till I move!! 

All my blog friends! You all are awesome and I love chatting with you! 

What is Ok in your life? What are you Thankful for? Link up and share :) 

June Foodie Pen Pal Reveal

Sometimes I really hate blogger. Tonight is one of those times. You see I had this amazing post for Foodie Pen Pals. I mean it was epic. Yea well blogger disagreed. It decided it wasn't epic enough so it deleted it. Thanks blogger but I think I can decide if my own posts are good enough.

This month I received a package from Monica! I was so excited because she's a Michigander like me! 

I mean seriously how cute is she?! She also sent me some amazing goodies! 

There was so many goodies they all wouldn't fit in my artsy frame I tried to do...

 Skinny Chocolate Cupcake ingredients. I haven't made them yet but they include my favorite things and super easy to make!

Roasted Chick Peas! They had a mexican seasoning on them which was amazing. In fact I'm snacking on them now :)

Mug Cake! And a super cute mug! Super easy and satisfied my chocolate craving super fast!

Pretzel crisps and popcorn! I love these salty snacks and I got a huge bag of popcorn in addition to it!

There was also a jar of homemade peanut butter which was gone in minutes. Seriously, minutes. 

Thank you so much Mon for such an amazing box!! 

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And now it’s time for some details about Foodie Penpals.  In case you’re a new reader, here’s a reminder of what the program is all about:

-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.

-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!

-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!

-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)

-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.

-Foodie Penplas is open to US & Canadian residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa.

If you’re interested in participating for July, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions.
You must submit your information by July 4th as pairings will be emailed on July 5th!
*If you’re from somewhere besides the US, Canada or Europe and want to participate, send me an email and I’ll see if we get enough interest this month!

Weekend Update Blog Hop

Why do Mondays come so fast? I mean it seems like it was just Friday!

If you're doing a recap of your weekend you should link-up with these sweet girls for a blog hop & Miscellany Monday! 

My weekend was pretty low key. 

Friday 

I had to work in the am then I ran a few errands, worked out and did homework. I also watched the first night of the Olympic trials for women's gymnastics. Go Jordyn!

Saturday

I tried to sleep in but it just didn't work so I was up and at 'em at 7 am. I got a decent workout in (HIT elliptical and treadmill & weights) but my heart wasn't in it. Maybe because the gym was filled with beefed up guys grunting every 10 seconds...

I was able to cross 2 things off my Pinterest though! I had a coupon for Bed, Bath & Beyond and their mason jars were on sale! I picked up a case and made salads, and flavored water and lemonades. So tasty and easy to do! 

Sunday

I was lucky enough to meet up with the rents for breakfast. I wanted to take them to the best place on earth Golden Harvest but they were closed. We decided on a little place called Theios. It was good, we all got the egg, hashbrown & bacon special. But after I felt really sick. The food just sat in my stomach like a rock so I spent the rest of the day laying in bed trying to feel better.

Later that night I watched the 2nd part of the gymnastic trials and cried my eyes out when Jordyn Wieber was announced! This is going to be a great year for the girls! 

Happy Monday!

Sunday Social Week 4

It's Sunday Funday! And it certainly has been for me! I got a great workout in this am, met up with the rents for breakfast and spent the day running errands. Now I'm out enjoying this beautiful weather and will be cheering on Olympic hopeful Jordyn Wieber :)

I'm loving linking up with Neely & Ashley for Sunday Social. They have fun topics and this week is one of my faves- SHOPPING! 

What is your favorite store to shop at? 

Some may laugh but I love Old Navy & Target. I can always find something and they're reasonably priced. I like J Crew too!

If you could afford anything and everything, which designer brand would you covet? 

J Crew, Lauren Conrad, Ralph Lauren, & Sarah Burton (Alexander McQueen). 

JCrew, Fall 2008

Kate Middleton's Wedding Dresses, Designed by Sarah Burton

Paper Crown by Lauren Conrad

Must have closet staple?

J Crew tees, Old Navy Active wear and shorts. 

Favorite kind of shoes?

I wear a size 3 in kids. Yep in KIDS! Sometimes I can wear a 5 in woman's. It's very hard to find fashionable shoes but this fall I found my favorite pair of boots by Fitzwell. I also love TOMS because I can wear the kids size and get them for $40 ;)

 

Best clothing deal you've ever gotten? (sale or amazing find)

I would have to say a pair of TOMS I found at a garage sale. They had only been worn once and the girl didn't like them. (10 year olds have NO style). I got them for $5.

Style you'd love to try?
I wish I could wear Maxi dresses. They look so comfortable but I'm too short and curvy for them.