August is Amusing

Well - this month passed in an absolute blur. The final month of Summer has come and gone, Autumn is on the horizon and there are only four months left of 2019. What in the world?

Anticipations

Virginia Scottish Games - There's nothing like learning from your ancestors, right? My family (at least - my Dad's side) hail from Scotland and I love going to the Scottish games to see and experience all things Scottish. My friend Danielle and I are going and plan to spend most of the day trying Scottish food (but not the haggis - never again with the haggis), listening to Scottish music and just immersing ourselves in all things Scottish!

Game of Thrones in Concert - The live concert experience is back in Northern Virginia in September and this time the concert has been formatted for amphitheaters! Since my parents finally watched all eight seasons of Game of Thrones (and were just as underwhelmed by the finale as I was...) - they decided they'd enjoy the concert. The music is certainly one of the best aspects of the show - so I can't wait to see how all the beautiful music from the final season is woven into the show this time!

Books I Read

Game of Thrones by George RR Martin - You're reading that right, I'm reading this yet again. I think this is my third time reading it through all the way. I'm reading my illustrated copy and the pictures that go along with it are stunning....I've included some below!

 

In A Dark Dark Wood by Ruth Ware - It's a new book y'all! My friend Meridith passed this along to me and I devoured it in just a couple days. The synopsis: Follow the story of unreliable, amnesiac narrator Nora Shaw as she attempts to recall the events of a bachelorette weekend in which a man was murdered that both she & the bride-to-be loved. This book was easy to get into, fast-paced and interesting... I really loved reading it!

Books on the Shelf

I read in an article once that you return to the things you love because they're familiar and make you happy. Like re-reading a book you've read (more than once) because you know you enjoy it. It's familiar and comforting and I guess that's what I'm doing with Game of Thrones - because there are plenty of other books on my shelf, ha-ha!

Can't Be Missed Movies

I didn't see a single movie this month. Honestly - there wasn't much out that I was interested in seeing and I spent a lot of this month outside doing things. Which is amazing to me because it's August and usually it's like the fiery pits of hell outside but this month hasn't been so bad - hence the outdoor activities as opposed to indoor activities.

Must See TV

Four Weddings & A Funeral - I preface this proclamation of my love for this show with the confession that I haven't seen the movie Four Weddings & A Funeral but I absolutely love this show! It is heartwarming, funny, romantic and it's set in London - which is; in my humble opinion, absolute perfection! The first eight episodes are on Hulu with the final four coming out in September and I will be so sad when it ends!

And if you've been watching - which character are you? I took a quiz and I'm Gemma. Can't say I disagree with that one too much, ha-ha!

Derry Girls - This show is the most random Netflix find and is really just a gem. It follows five Irish Catholic teens in Derry, Ireland during the 1990's. It's hilarious and sometimes crass but also manages to be touching at the same time. There are only two seasons with six episodes each and they all come in at between 22-24 minutes - so it's a quick watch. And it's just so very amusing!

One of the five Catholic teens is a British boy - who is forced to attend an All-Girl's Catholic school while living with his cousin, who also attends the school. Hilarity ensues....

Tasty Treats - August was filled with plenty of delicious things: I started the month off with fabulous coffee at the office (of all places) with the new, high-tech espresso machine that the office purchased while I was on my "Staycation". The coffee is strong and rich and delicious. My Mom and I had dinner at Nana's Irish Pub and I devoured Vegetable Beef Soup, a Chicken Pot Pie and Bannoffee Pie - I have never had anything at Nana's Irish Pub that wasn't to die for.

I'm not usually a cobbler person but I shared some divine peach cobbler with my Mom at the Peach Festival at Marker Miller Orchard and we also split a slice of cannoli cake from Carrabba's - it was delectable. I ended the month with a lip-smacking Watermelon Lemonade cocktail from Roma's and we made a stop in at Chuy's in Woodbridge where I tried the highly recommended Pablo's Enchilada's - just typing that makes me drool.

Tunes & Talks

I am loathe to admit that I downloaded a song from Taylor Swift's newest CD this month - but it really is such a bop and I couldn't help it. Otherwise I'm still listening to Game of Thrones music and such... I also stumbled onto a podcast called Close the Door & Come Here that's focused on the Jaime & Brienne chapters of Game of Thrones. So... there you have it.

I cannot believe that tomorrow is the first of September - absolutely mind-boggling. Time marches on.

Five on Friday

Technically Autumn doesn't start until closer to the end of September and I suppose this weekend is one of the final weekends of Summer - but I don't really care - I am ready to embrace all things Autumn and so I'm going to use my colorful and festive Friday Five banner for the next few months! 

One. Cake Batter Blondies - I stumbled onto this Pinterest recipe and gave it a whirl last weekend and I absolutely loved it! I made them again this week to surprise a co-worker for her birthday - because these just look like a birthday cake to me! 

• 1 box Betty Crocker Golden Vanilla Cake Mix
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 large egg; beaten
• 1/3 cup half & half or heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
• 1/2 an 11.5 ounce bag white chocolate chips (about 1 cup)
• 1 tbsp. rainbow sprinkles

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• Preheat the oven to 350
• Combine the cake mix & 1/2 cup sprinkles in a large bowl.
• Add oil & egg & stir to combine.
• Stir in the cream & white chocolate chips until batter is combined; it will be thick.
• Place batter in a greased 8x12 or 9x9 baking dish & sprinkle with tablespoon of rainbow sprinkles. 
• Bake for 25 minutes or until the edges turn golden & a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Allow bars to cool completely & cut into squares. 

Two. Things that Make me Giggle - Y'all know that I've always got to share the things that make me chuckle throughout the week. Marvel made an announcement last week at the D23 Expo that not only was Richard Madden joining the Marvel cinematic universe in The Eternals - but so was Kit Harington. Thus - reuniting the Stark children. Rejoice!

The next one just makes me giggle because honestly - the music for Game of Thrones is utterly fabulous and I feel like Ramin Djawadi does just what that meme below says... ha-ha!

Lastly - I have never before felt so seen as a person. As an introvert, I can 100% agree that when I go to social events with more than a couple people... this is how I feel. 

Three. An Amazon Find - I saw these headbands recommended on a favorite blog and since they were only $12.99, I thought I'd give them a try. They have easily been one of the best purchases I've made on Amazon in a long time - they're perfect! They are cute and have the knot style that is popular right now, they fit well but they don't squeeze my head - like I said, they're perfect!

I ended up purchasing both sets: there is a solid set and a patterned set - both are fabulous! Get yours here! The best part? They're Amazon Prime eligible! 

Four. Weekend Plans - It's a three day weekend! Rejoice! I have lots of plans for this final weekend of August and the first weekend of September...since they are one and the same! I'm going to get dinner with my parents outside DC tonight and then I'm not sure what else I'll do. Tomorrow I'm meeting my friend Katie and her son at the Arboretum for a picnic and catching up - the weather is supposed to be pretty glorious. 

 

The Virginia Scottish Games are on Sunday and my friend Danielle and I are going - we plan to spend most of the day taking in Scottish music, dancing, food (not the haggis), crafts and more. I always love the Clan Parade and especially love hearing the sound of the bagpipes! *sigh* And I'm hoping there is a little Scottish Coo to pet too! I'm not sure what I'll get up to on Monday but I know I'm off work and I can sleep in - yahoo!

Five. The Perfect Mini Kitchen - During my perusal around IKEA last weekend I stumbled on the perfect wee kitchen for my little home and now my brain is just obsessed with getting it! I live in a small basement apartment and don't have much available where a kitchen is concerned - but I saw this little gem and thought it would be perfect for me!

I checked shipping online and it's $199 to ship from the store in Woodbridge - which is beyond nuts because the kitchen itself only cost $149! IKEA - who are you kidding with those prices? I guess another trip to IKEA is in my future!

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Y'all enjoy the long weekend!

Stitch Fix - An Update

Hey guys - I wanted to share some of my most recent Stitch Fix finds! My stylist Bridget has absolutely been hitting it out of the park for the past few months and the most recent Fix was no exception! The pieces I received are perfect for late Summer and early Autumn - but most of them can be worn once Winter arrives too! 

Emory Park Dulce Short Sleeve Knit Top ($36.00) - This top is so cute and pairs perfectly with white jeans and red sandals for a really cute nautical look! It also works with jeans and khakis and will layer really well once Autumn arrives. This top is fabulous!

Kaleigh Vernon Mixed Material Top ($38.00) - This top is soft and comfortable... but it can also be dressed up or down, depending on your mood. This top fits perfectly and works so well for cooler Autumn days! Just like the top above, this top will layer excellently too!

Evolution by Cyrus Ladera Open Cardigan ($68.00) - This cardigan is on the more pricey side but it feels like butter! Y'all know I love a good cardigan and this is definitely just that - soft, stylish and in a cream/winter white that will work throughout late Summer, Autumn and Winter!

Stitch's Jeans Lodi Jeggings (???) - These jeggings have excellent stretch and are so comfortable. They are ankle length, so they'd pair well with taller boots in the cooler months... or a cute pair of ballet flats. I am thinking Stitch Fix must not sell this item anymore because there is no price and no option to buy an additional pair!

Moda Luxe Ellie Perforated Crossbody (???) - Y'all, I also cannot find a price for this item but it is the most perfect little crossbody bag I ever did see. I love the mustard yellow color, especially with Autumn coming! It's a perfect length and has plenty of room inside without being too bulky. I have already used it numerous times and I absolutely love it! 

If you have ever thought of trying out Stitch Fix - I honestly cannot recommend it enough! You pay a $20 styling fee and fill out your profile, you are sent five items chosen by your personal stylist and if you purchase even just one of the items, your $20 styling fee is applied to the purchase. If you keep all five items, not only is your $20 styling fee applied to the purchase, but you get 25% off the purchase! 

The longer you recieve fixes - the better your stylist gets to know you! If you'd like to give it a try, feel free to follow my link: https://www.stitchfix.com/invite/jshd5hffym?sod=w&som=c and give it a whirl!

Watson Wednesday

10 years ago - today. I can't even believe it.

Full

Monday really just got away from me I suppose... I was at work and I got all these pictures posted and then went home (the long way due to road work...) and then once I'd gotten in the exercise and the supper and a shower... I just didn't want to do anything else, ha-ha! 

This past weekend was a good weekend - but I really just can't believe that the final weekend of August is coming up this weekend. I know I say it constantly but I feel it constantly - time just moves faster and faster! 

Friday evening I joined my parents for dinner at a local Italian restaurant and dinner - for the most part - was lovely. Unfortunately a group came in with several boys aged about 8-12 arrived and all the boys ended up sitting in the booth directly behind us... and for the rest of the meal I heard far too much discussion of people being "so poor" and jokes about "Uranus" for my liking. *face palm*  

Saturday morning I slept in (as usual - it's my favorite) and sipped my coffee, then joined my Mom for a little trip over to West Oaks Farm Market to pick up a couple things and peruse their vendor event. The weather this weekend was pretty close to perfect - the temperatures were in the mid-70's throughout the day and just made for spectacular weather. It has me hoping; yet again, for an early Autumn.

We had a late lunch on the deck and I passed the afternoon reading In A Dark, Dark Wood (so good) on the deck, getting in some exercise and watching the Nationals play the Cubs (and win)! We decided to order half off pizza (courtesy of a Nationals win on Friday) and head into the National Park to watch the sunset yet again. I took - tons of pictures - of course!

 

 

When we went to watch the sunset two weeks ago - the sun set at 8:14 and this week the sunset was at 7:54 - a sure sign that Summer is on the way out and shorter days are coming! It was much cooler on the mountainside this time too; I wore a long sleeve cardigan and still ended up donning my coat once the sun began to sink behind the mountains. It all just makes me very excited for the upcoming season!

Sunday morning was a bit lazier than normal - we ended up leaving the house around 10:30 to head toward DC for the day. We went to Woodbridge first, stopping in for lunch at Chuy's (it's one of my favorites) and then perusing IKEA - I needed an additional shelf for my bobble head display and I found the perfect mini-kitchen (although I didn't get it - but it really is perfect). 

The reason for our sojourn into the city was to see the Red Arrows - the RAF's aerobatic team. They didn't do their fly by until 6:00 PM though - so we used our interim time to wander around some of the monuments. Seriously - the weather could not have been more fabulous and I think I will always love wandering the monuments and taking in the city of DC - I just love it. So - of course I took a ton of pictures. 

 

 

Once upon a time I seem to remember that you weren't supposed to sit with your feet in the fountains at the WWII Memorial but they have changed that rule. Now sitting is fine, they just ask that you don't play in the fountains - for obvious reasons. It was so nice to sit in the sunshine, feeling the breeze and letting the cool water lap over my feet... I also did my usual and snapped pictures with the columns on the Memorial for California (state I was born in)... Mississippi (state I grew up in)... and Virginia (state I currently live in). 

 

 

 

We meandered along the Reflecting Pool and my Mom and I were stunned to see that someone had left a Purple Heart alongside the Vietnam Wall - and I think I am more stunned that no one has stolen it yet. Maybe some things in this world are stills sacred? I don't know if there will ever come a time when I don't enjoy just being in DC - and with the perfect weather and the breeze from atop the Lincoln Memorial - I could have sat there all afternoon! 

 

We drove over to the Air Force Memorial around 5:00 and snagged a spot on the grass to wait for the Red Arrows to zip overhead. We thought they were coming one way and they ended up going another... and they only did one pass... and cell phone cameras can't really do them justice, but it was still cool to get to see! After that, we made our way home - stopping to grab delicious Panda Express for dinner en route to the house. 

It was a good weekend. It was a full weekend. I know this coming weekend will also be full too - but in the best way. I'll leave you with a shot of my pup, taking in the sunset on Saturday evening. May the rest of your week be good (it's already Tuesday) and your weekend be long and joyful!