The Best Book I Ever Read

I don't like reading. I feel like that's important to say to emphasize just how good this book is. I finished a book! And I liked it, I really liked it!! I honestly wish I liked reading more. My mom and several of my good friends are avid readers and are always telling me about the latest & greatest book they've just read and I'm just like **yawn** I get it. 
But cut to me being part of the conversation: Guys, I've just read a fantastic book, and you've got to read it!!! It's by comedian Rob Delaney. I discovered Rob (first name basis, because we're besties now, obvs.) on Twitter. You can pretty much stop reading this post and go to his Twitter right now and you'll be convinced you've gotta read this guy's book.

He's so funny. But besides being funny, he is a great story-teller. And all his stories aren't LOL funny, some are heart-warming and some are heart-wrenching. So yes, I legit laughed and cried while reading this book and I genuinely didn't want it to end, which is why it probably took me almost 3 months to read it. But alas, it is Rob's only book thus far, so now that it's over, I don't know what else to do but make everyone I know read it and experience all it's glory for themselves.

Happy reading, friends! 

Favorite Things

It's been awhile since I've done a Favorite Things post, so why not kick off Monday with one?! Speaking of favorite things, the weekend would be on every favorite things list ever made. It was a blazing 110 this weekend, so we spend mucho time at the pool, and the next coldest place, the movie theater, seeing A Million Ways to Die in the West.

Now onto my point, Favorite Things.

Maui Babe Browning Lotion.  Like I mentioned, it's freakin' HOT here and that means lots of time at the pool.  My BFF Sarah introduced me to Maui Babe and I've been obsessed ever since.  It's all natural and gives you a little tint immediately after putting it on. I swear it expedites your tan and BONUS! it smells great! Since it has no actual sunscreen in it, I usually put this on first and then mist some sunscreen over it. 

Up & Up Exfoliating Cucumber Cleansing Towelettes.  I love love loveeee using towelettes to take off my makeup at night.  It's so much easier and cleaner than using soap & water (unless I'm just the only one who makes a big water mess when washing my face).  I've tried a few different brands, but this Target one is the best and sells for under $5. Score!

Shellac Manicures. I love having my nails done, but hate chipped nail polish. Also hate how acrylic ruins your actual nails (and is expensive!). Shellac is significantly less expensive than acrylic, lasts for weeks, yes WEEKS!, and doesn't ruin your natural nail when you take it off. What more could you ask for?!

FitSugar Prenatal Workouts.  Now that I'm preggo, I still try to exercise 4-5 times a week, but I definitely can't handle the more intense cardio/strength workouts I was doing before.  I love searching YouTube for new workouts; and a lot of the prenatal ones I've found have been way too easy and some have been way to hard. However, just like when Goldilocks found Baby Bear's porridge, ClassFit Sugar is juuuuuust right. 

Chocolate!!! My latest & greatest craving has been chocolate.  I've satisfied my sweet tooth with chocolate chip banana bread, using the recipe I found here, and adding cinnamon and vanilla and devouring the second half of the chocolate chips not included in the recipe (I'm not kidding). And what goes better with chocolate chip banana bread than chocolate milk in a wine glass?! 

Awesome Awesomeness

I have two favorite things right now.  These things bring me so much happiness with their awesome awesomeness, I was literally brought to tears.  

The Horchata Frappuccino. One night I was perusing Instagram when I came across a picture of a lady holding a horchata frappuccino. Quick side note: I LOVE HORCHATA. So the thought of a horchata frap existing was just too good to be true, and as Oprah once said, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is."  I nervously typed "starbucks secret menu horchata frappucinno" into Google and tried not to get my hopes up... but like a shining ray from the heavens, there it was, a link to the recipe! I clicked on it. And then walked out from our bedroom, to the living room where Erik was sitting (and literally with tears in my eyes) told him the horchata frappuccino existed.  The next day I told my coworker about it and she said she was planning to go Starbucks on her break and asked if I wanted her to get me one. OF COURSE!!!!!!!!! Breanna, you are a saint. 

It was everything I could have hoped for and more. 

Here is the "secret menu" so you can grab yourself one of these bad boys.

Zumba. I got Erik an Xbox One for his birthday.  Actually it was his birthday/Christmas gift or late Christmas gift, however you wanna look at it, the point is I got him one!!! And like the kind man he is, he tried to get a couple games he thought I would like, one of those being Zumba. I fell in love with Zumba on the Xbox after witnessing Erik do it (he looked hilarious in the cutest way possible).  After trying it for myself, I was hooked. You literally cannot do Zumba without smiling because a). it's so fun and b). you know you must look like a complete fool but uhhhh don't care because you're having so much fun. Also if you wanna be all fitness-y and technical, it's a pretty decent workout too! 

And maybe I'll have your abs one day, lady.

So there ya go my friends, what's makin' me happy as a clam these days!

Speaking of happy... have the happiest of hump days!!

Favorite Things: Christmas Edition

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles plus warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

I'm singing right now.  Can you tell?  You're actually lucky you can't hear me.  I'm an awful singer.  I often daydream about what my life would be like if I could hold a tune to save my life.  But I digress, this post is all about my favorite Christmastime things.  Singing Christmas carols is obvs not one of them.

Holiday Themed Classroom Activities.  You know I love a theme & this applies to my classroom, as well.  I love decking out my classroom in season/holiday decor.  This was a new project for us this year, "Gingerbread Men Around the World."  Each student had to choose a country and create an appropriately themed gingerbread person.  Not to be biased.  But I absolutely am in love with the Italian  man in the top left corner.

Air Wick Homemade Holiday Vanilla Butter Cream Cupcake.  I discovered this scent literally two days ago and I. AM. OBSESSED. Since it's so new I sometimes forget about it, walk into my kitchen (or bathroom) & think who is baking cupcakes?! It's that good.  

This view.  When lounging on the couch, watching TV, blogging, eating dinner, etc, etc, etc. Why can't we have Christmas trees all year round???

Festive Drinks.  I have two favorite holiday drinks.  Exhibit A: Brandy & eggnog.  and Exhibit B: Mulled wine.  We've been using a gluhwein mix from a local winery to make mulled wine but it's just about out & I've been seeing some great recipes out and about on some blogs that I can't wait to try!

 Giving Christmas gifts! I love when I finally (FINALLY!!!) come up with perfect Christmas gift for everyone on my list.  Lots of my gifts will be semi-homemade this year & I would totes share now but I'm a little scurred some people who said gifts will be for read my blog. Sooooooooo.  Maybe I'll share them after Christmas?!  Because they would also be perfect for birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day...next Christmas?

 My favorite Christmas movie. I love this movie so much! When it plays 24 hours straight Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, it will be on at my family's house that entire time and no one will get tired of it. Oh my god. I just thought of all the lines I wanted to quote from this movie right here & now and realized it was just about the entire movie, so I'll leave you with this Ooooooooooh fuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge.

Sick Day

Yes, I am having myself a sick day.  And not one of those "pretend you're sick and play hooky from work days," a real "I'm sick" day. Blahhh.

I woke up in the middle of the night Sunday with a really sore throat, which I thought was strange because I have the most awesome humidifier (more on that later) but tried to go back to sleep & woke up at 6AM to get ready for work. I wasn't feeling too terrible, just keeping my fingers crossed this sore throat would disappear as the day went on.  But it didn't. And I realized around 10AM I had a fever too.  So I left work and went to Urgent Care. 

Erik also had a doctor appointment yesterday (he's not sick -- just a checkup for him). So of course, we texted each other doc office selfies ;)

2 hours after sitting in Urgent Care (apparently Monday is the most popular day to get sick) I left with some antibiotics & instructions to rest.

Rest. I'm not very good at that. I hate haaaate haaaaaaate sitting around doing nothing (even when I'm sick!) but Erik gave me firm instructions several times before he left for work this morning I needed to "lounge and watch TV all day." Okay, FINE! But I will also be semi-productive & blog my favorite sick day cures ;)

1. Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier (i.e. the amazing humidifier I mentioned at the beginning of this post). I don't just use it when I'm sick but when Fall & Winter hit and the air starts to get dry & you wake up every morning with a sore throat -- this thing will save you! And works double time when you're sick.

2. Celestial Herbal Tea-Sampler Pack.  This is my favorite tea! And I especially love the sampler packs because all the flavors are so delicious and throat soothing. My personal fave right now is the Honey Vanilla Chamomile.  Also, when I have an especially sore throat I make Cayenne Pepper Honey Tea (you can either do it with plain hot water or add it to tea) and it's made just like it sounds, by adding lots of cayenne pepper & honey to your tea! :)

3. Burt's Bees Natural Throat Drops. I love these because they don't leave your teeth feeling like they have a film of sugar over them.  They also taste great (and make your throat feel great) with no funny aftertaste when it's gone.

4. Arm & Hammer Simply Saline Nasal Mist. Although I don't have a stuffy nose with this fun sickness I've got, this is my go-to when I do.  I tried a Neti Pot a few times and not only was it extremely uncomfortable to use, my stuffy nose was back within a matter of minutes.  This spray will clear you up and keep it that way for quite awhile!

Alright, back to tea drinking I go before I get in trouble for not resting enough! 

xo

If You Need a Laugh...There's an App For That!

I recently discovered two apps that make my days a little bit brighter, so I thought I'd share with the class. (Haha. Teacher pun).  You're probably already doubting the credibility of my humor after laughing at my own lame joke. But here we go!

First up. Bitstrips. 

This app allows you to create an avatar of you and your friends and puts y'all smack dab in the middle of hilarious comic strips.

Like for example, such as:

Perfectly depicting the love Erik & I have for each other.

Coworker humor.

And silly sister shenanigans.

On Monday, my life was changed, while during my day off, I discovered mytalkingpet.

Although this one costs $0.99.  It will be the best $0.99 you've ever spent! I mean, endless entertainment, that's priceless right?! It seems as though my blog is being a little fussy and won't let me upload any videos, but just take a second to imagine this precious face talkin' & jokin' with ya!

Happy Humpday! 

Fall Favorites and Other Ramblings

Happy Monday! And what a happy Monday it is because I have the day off.

Thank you, veterans!!!

This weekend was Homecoming weekend at UofA (my rival school) & that meant a fun visit from Erik's brother & his girlfriend! 

Yes, as I mentioned this is my RIVAL school. But I felt it necessary to partake in the school spirit and we all got matching "Viva Los Gatos" shirts.  I mean, if for nothing else, they're pretty awesome!

Insert first fall favorite. LEGGINGS. More specifically, leggings as pants. I know someone once said leggings are not pants, but after Olivia introduced me to fleece lined leggings this weekend, all I have to say is, it was nice knowin' ya "real" pants!! 

Second fall favorite? FOOD. This is kind of silly because food is always my favorite.  But I feel like once October hits, my food intake exponentially increases. And I'm pretty okay with that, especially when I discover new mac & cheese places, and this goes in my belly.

Along the same lines of food. I am in love with coffee creamers (can you tell?! this is a little obscene.) Especially the holiday flavors!

 Gooooood morning, festiveness in a mug!

CANDLES. Duh. What human being can resist a holiday scented candle?! (& if you can...what's your secret????) Yesterday, while Erik and I were perusing the mall, a magnetic force pulled me into Bath & Body Works and I picked up these two gems (2 for $22!). The Cinnamon Frosting is wonderful but I am obsessed to the max with this Winter Candy Apple.

And finally. SNUGGLES. Sunday snuggles from Kobe in my cheetah onesie. 

Kobe is only allowed on the bed with us on Sundays (it's a special Sunday treat for him. is that weird?). And every Sunday morning, like clockwork, as soon as he sees us rustling around and semi-concious, he hops up on the bed and squeezes his way right in between Erik & I. I am seriously impressed that he seems to be fully aware of what day Sunday is! 

Proud fur mama right here!!

xo