Friday Favorites {2-3-17}

Is it just me or did this week FLY by? I can't believe  it's already the first Friday of February! I am busy today working on Hudson's cake for our family party tomorrow. I am hoping to share it with y'all next week. Fingers crossed it turns out like the plan! Ha!

{O N E}
So I am still going with my healthy eating plan and goals to be my fittest by my 30th birthday. I am a water drinker. It isn't hard for me to drink water all day long. I never have liked soda. And although I always spice up my water with lime or lemon ALWAYS, I decided to get on La Croix train. I purchased a couple of flavors to start. I went with lemon, because, I already know I like that flavor. And I also got Cherry Lime.

Y'all, I don't like it. So technically, NOT a favorite. What are your favorites?? Help a girl out!

{T W O}

This is Us. Who's watching?? Who was majorly let down this week when it was supposed to be on and then was just NOT??!!! You can not show me previews that I fully expect to see in one week and then nothing! It just is not ok, NBC! 

But seriously, I love Jack and Rebecca. I love the peeks back into their growing up years. I love Randall. I am uber intrigued in Kevin's (who's character I feel has very little depth right now) past relationship that just came up.  I am obviously riveted by the adoption plot line and the challenges that adds to the family dynamic. 

Is it my favorite show of all time? No, not even close. {Side note: Parenthood fans can we all rally for one more season. BRING IT BACK!!} But Jack and Rebecca are probably in my top favorite TV couples of all time for sure.  

{T H R E E}

Our family got a pool membership as a family gift for Christmas. We are super excited. The boys (and this mama) have tons of friends that are also members. It is minutes from home. And I just can't wait to create those memories with my boys like I have growing up spending days at the pool. 

That being said, I've been thinking swimsuits. We'll all need a few because we'll be going so much. I have always been a BIG advocate of wearing a bikini if you want. Kids, no kids. Stretch marks or not. Just owning your own skin. However, I am feeling like this may be my year to go to a cute one piece. I am not decided fully yet. And of course, my feelings my change once I lose some of my winter fluff and get some color. Pass the self-tanner, please. 

These are some of the suits I am loving right now. 

Isn't this suit so pretty? I love the mesh detailing. It is a fun touch that allows you to show some skin without really baring it all. I also love that it covers the backside well too according to reviews. 

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Clearly, I am taking the term one-piece and gravitating from the traditional sense. I don't need to be completely covered. I still want to get a great tan. And this cute, cut out suit delivers. Support with a halter top. Completely covered so I can move around and the high waisted bottoms cover that tough to tone area.

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Typically, I stray away from a tie bottom because, well I am no longer in college. But, these are a more substantial bottom in my opinion. And the high neck halter with all the detail just makes the suit. I feel like it adds some sexiness without being overt and I can totally swim and play with my kids in the pool without any wardrobe malfunctions. #winwin

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I love the high waist of these bottoms and the cute scallop detail on the top. I don't have a super long torso so not sure how this one would look on me but I feel like the coverage is right in all the places I want coverage and is totally a bikini I can rock as a mama without feeling too much like a "mom suit". 

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{F O U R}
Purging. It has been happening around here. It all started with looking through my closet for an upcoming swap (more on that some other day). Well, once I got through my closet, I decided to go through all the closets. Then our storage area. And toys. And DVDs. It felt so good to have these piles of things leaving my house. I typically do this every few months when I get the itch to de-clutter. I have found that we always have "stuff" we aren't using/wearing/playing with. No one even misses it when it's gone and because of this, my house never feels over cluttered or full. I think we can all really do without so much more than we think.

That's all I have for today! I have a cake that needs finishing! Better get to it! Have a fabulous weekend!

Favorite On-screen Dads

Since Father's Day is right around the corner I thought I would do a little post about some of my favorite on-screen dads.

I love TV and movies and I love how great characters can get deep into our hearts. They make us laugh, cry, think.  We find ourselves wanting them to be part of our lives. So below are some of my all time favorites!


I used to watch this sitcom with my brothers in high school.  I would laugh hysterically at the antics of Ray's crazy parents.  But he put up with it all. He was humorous, likeable, and cared about his family, even those that drove him crazy. I always wanted to be at the kitchen table in the middle of one of those conversations where his whole family was constantly chiming in.

Ray Barone

Everybody Loves Raymond

This is one of the first shows I remember watching growing up.  But even before the show, my mom would read the Little House series to my brothers and I.  I loved imagining what it would be like to live back then, in a home without electricity, where going to the store was an event.  I loved the way Pa was in those stories and on the show.  I loved how was strong, firm, loving. I think every house could use someone like that. 

Charles Ingalls

Little House on the Prairie

This movie breaks  my heart and makes me cheer the entire time. The love Will Smith's character possessed for his son. The fuel in his heart to give him better, to show him every day the meaning of not giving up.  Totally pulls on my heartstrings. 

Christ Gardner

The Pursuit of Happyness

I don't think you can have a list of dads without Danny Tanner. I loved watching this show.  I wanted to be a Tanner. Two sisters, a house with two staircases, endless amounts of fun from all the adults in your home?? Sign me up! What I love now is sharing this show with my boys! They love the episodes of younger Michelle. They get her! ;) 

Danny Tanner

Full House

If you can't tell, I am a child of the 90s. As I got older it may have been more of my J.T.T. crush but nonetheless, I loved Home Improvement. I remember Tim always making us laugh yes, but still having the important conversations needed with his kids. I still remember the finale episode.  *tear*

Tim Taylor

Home Improvement

Who didn't grow up on the Cosby's?? Just trying to find an image I was flooded with images of the many "faces" of Cliff Huxtable.  He was funny.  He was fair.  He didn't take any nonsense either.  I loved watching him and Claire interact too. They just seemed to have it all together when they had each other! 

Cliff Huxtable

The Cosby Show

This movie!! If you are a parent, you have to see it. Especially if you are a father! I so believe that the role of a father really sets the tone for a family. Not that a mother doesn't have a presence and an equal impact, but there are so many things my husband can give to my children, teach them, that I simply can't. I love the idea of code, so to speak, a standard to live by and to live up to. What an example! 

The 4 fathers of Courageous

This show is one of my favorites.  Even reruns now.  Yes, they seem a little cheesy but my goodness, the values and lessons the show had are unlike those on TV today.  He always made time for his family.  He always showed work ethic, and love, compassion.  Each of his kids were different, and he parented them accordingly.  So many episodes he stood up for his family. Love that dad!

Alan Matthews

Boy Meets World

When I was little my dream wedding was the wedding from this film.  I thought a wedding in my backyard with swans would be ideal. Who doesn't think that? I loved George. I loved how he envisioned his daughter as his little girl and how that feeling never really went away.  I look at my boys now and get it.  They will always be mine.  Letting them go will never be easy. Hopefully when that time arrives for Andrew and I, we can get through it with a little humor. 

George Banks

Father of the Bride/Father of the Bride II

My all time favorite on screen dad is Eric Taylor. This show made me want to pack up and move to Texas.  It made me want to sit down and soak in an evening with him and Tami.  I love football and I love the South.  Those perks aside, I loved the way Coach Taylor was.  The way he parented his daughters, his players and just loved on the people around him.  I loved his gruffness and sensitivity. This dad takes the cake. 

Eric Taylor

Friday Night Lights

Who would you have on  your list of favorite on screen dads??