1. Here was a scene from a bath night earlier this week… Cody almost always comes in to see what’s going on, but he’s never gotten as daring as he did here.
I was just waiting for him to fall in and make a mess of the bathroom…then again, Lucas already does that on his own. ;)
2. I have been LOVING the Pitbull station on Pandora this week! I actually turn it on with Lucas (we were listening to it in the tub in the pic above) and he loves to dance right along with me! I just sing really loud over any curse words.
3. This was the week!! Target FINALLY had my counter stools! Jay told me that he thought he saw them online, so I immediately had to check and, sure enough, they were available in gray. I honestly can only think of maybe 2 other times I’ve ever made a purchase so fast online – one of them being on The Chive for Jay.
4. Workouts this week have been…ok. I managed to get up for 2 early morning workouts but that was it. Other than running around with Lucas (which is a workout, trust me), I also ended up doing a quick circuit workout in the living room after work one day. And it was hilarious to watch Lucas try and mimic each of my moves! He’s got his squats down.
5. Ohhh, Cody. Still my snugglebug, always looking for whatever space he can find on the couch next to me at night.
6. This weekend we’re getting some Fall photos taken and I always stress out WAY more than I need to about them (will our outfits match, will Lucas smile, will they come out okay?!) but I’m excited. The only downside is that they’re outdoors and it’s not even supposed to hit 50 on Sunday…eeeek! At least it’s a mini session so it should (hopefully) be done quick and the photographer will be able to work her magic.
7. This kid. Love beyond words. Even on the nights he literally only eats about 5 bites out of everything I’ve put in front of him for dinner.
8. Fun shopping alert! Shopbop is having 25% off select merchandise this week with promo code INTHEFAM25 for their Friends & Family event! I’m loving the look of these adorable winter boots, as well as the whole outfit paired with this sweater (I just never feel like I can pull that look off!)
9. Our meal planning has been freakin awesome this week. I’ve managed to not only stick to my original plan, but have carried through on all of the meals (and they’ve tasted so so so good, too). I’ll share Sunday, but for now…last night’s dinner was just phenomenal. Grilled chicken, bacon, and avocado salads with ranch dressing and homemade garlic bread on the side.
My taste buds were in heavennnnnnn.
10. Do you guys want to know how I celebrated National Dessert Day?
Vienna Fingers. So lame! Not the Vienna Fingers though…I actually enjoy them quite a bit and bought them on impulse at the store last week…but dessert day should have included gooey cookies or cake with frosting. I’m making up for it this weekend.
11. I got thinking the other day about “cheat days” and “cheat meals.” I almost decided to include some thoughts in today’s post, but I think I’ll save that for a post all on its own.
12. There is a strong part of me that worries that I’ll never be able to fill the right side of the TV with pictures/picture frames unless they exactly mirror the ones on the left.
I mean, it must be okay to have them be different on each side…right??
13. I noticed recently that an old blog post of mine for Low-Fat Crockpot Veggie Stew has been getting some extra love on Pinterest. If you haven’t tried out the recipe yet, definitely check it out! It’s been a great reminder for myself to make again ASAP because it’s perfect for making on a Sunday and bringing for lunches during the week!
Okay friends, I’m off for today. I hope you all have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead, whatever you may be doing! <3
Jenn@Mark My Miles! says
That is the cutest picture of Cody and Lucas in the bath! I can’t get my little man to eat more than a bite for dinner lately either…so frustrating!
Brynn says
Don’t even mention the Shopbop sale -gah! I am going to check out your soup recipe. I am in the mood to make soup as the weather is turning and college football is ramping up!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
I actually don’t think I’ve ever had Vienna Fingers, but there is no reason I wouldn’t love them! Maybe it’s a good thing I haven’t tried them yet because I’d probably eat the whole package in a matter of days haha
Christina says
Never heard of Vienna fingers before although I live in Vienna, Austria :D
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
I just had a mini session with my 6 month old and I was SO worried about it. It was the opposite and supposed to be really hot so I was sure it would be a fail, but they turned out great. Wishing you luck and smiles from Lucas!
I would also be OCD about the pics matching on the other side. This is why I’m terrible at decorating!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Courtney! Happy Friday! Your cat is funny. Well all cats are funny, actually. I have a puppy and no cats, but I definitely think you find cats in stranger situations than dogs. As far as your weather in the 50s … how nice! I wish we had cooled down a bit here in Northern California, but the heat remains. Looking forward to see your pictures!!
Eileen says
I would be OCD about the pictures which is why I would do something else! You could get one of those wall decal quotes from Hobby Lobby – they look good and have a lot of options about family.
Courtney says
Ooooooo, I do love a good wall quote! ;)
Katie says
I would even think about a tall plant (fake or real, doesnt matter). :)
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I’ve somehow never had a Vienna Finger… hm. I had kind of a “lame” celebration of National Dessert Day myself: Milano cookies. I do love them, but it seems like the occasion called for something a little more special. Oh, well – they were delicious! Have a great weekend!
Jen says
I think you could do a big geometric mirror. Or two larger photos/ art prints stacked.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
My cats are always so curious about the shower too! Heaven forbid I try to actually put them in it though! Not that I’ve tried or anything…
Carli says
Hi Courtney! Happy Friday :) I was having similar issues decorating our living room but found that getting an artificial plant vs. more wall art really balanced things out nicely! I’m not sure how this would work, but looks like it could fit nicely in that corner: http://www.walmart.com/ip/6-Ficus-Silk-Tree/16933967
Have a nice weekend!
Courtney says
Ooooo, that’a also a good idea! Thanks Carli!
Teresa says
How about a ladder shelf to the right of the tv?
Courtney says
That is an AWESOME idea!!!! Now I’m on the hunt…thanks Teresa!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I was TOTALLY waiting for you to say Cody fell into the bath tub or that Lucas tried to pull him in or splashed him or something! That is quite daring; I have never met a cat who liked water!
Shawna says
i cringed reading that it isn’t supposed to be above 50 upstate on Sunday — gah. i’m thinking of running the Hairy Gorilla Half at Thatcher Park next wknd and apparently i need to dig out my running gloves! good luck with the fall photos — i’m sure they’ll be lovely. def gonna check the Shop Bop sale, thx! & i totally remember Vienna Fingers — i associate them with my grandma’s house when i was little!
Courtney says
LOL my grandma always used to have Vienna Fingers too ;)
Emily R says
Happy Friday!
Lol, my family and I are also doing our fall family photo session and its going to be really cold here in Ontario, Canada. Maybe even snow flurries =0} I stress about the same things, but sometimes we can’t control it all.
For the other side of your TV, I think you would be able to fill in the void. Maybe use the same frame layouts but with family photos like the ones you will be taking this weekend and maybe even a picture of you, your husband and Lucas from about the same age? I have done this above my couch, Family wall!
Good Luck and have a blast!
Courtney says
That’s a really cool idea, Emily! Thank you!!
Kristin says
At first, I was going to tell you that I think a large picture frame (like 18×20 kinda large) would be great on the other side of the TV. Something that would take up about as much room as the 3 pictures on the left side. But then I saw the comment about a ladder shelf, and I think that would look amazing there!!! You don’t have to worry about it being a mirror image, great way to add some storage and more decorative items, and the bottom couple shelves can store toys and books for Lucas!
That salad looks amazing. Is your hubby okay with salads for dinner? I feel like mine would be like, um okay where’s the rest?
Can’t wait to see the fall pictures! We signed up for a mini session the day after Thanksgiving. I’m down in Virginia, but it’s going to be pretty chilly at 9am at the end of November!
Courtney says
I was also thinking maybe a larger frame or a couple of canvas prints, but I agree, I like the ladder shelf idea!! Then again, it’s just one more thing for me to dust, lol…. And yes, as long as the salads are filled with some sort of meat (so, chicken and lots of bacon last night, haha) he’s totally okay with them (thank goodness!) :)
Marie says
The star-shaped sandwiches are so cute! Did you know that if you go into your account settings in Pandora that you can turn off the “allow explicit content” option? I just discovered it a couple weeks ago!
Courtney says
Woah woah, I did NOT know this?!? Thanks, Marie!!
Abbie says
I love all the updates on your house! I might order some of those bar stools too. Please tell me the color of the walls in the living room. They are so warm yet neutral. Love it!
Courtney says
Thanks so much, Abbie! It’s Agreeable Gray by Sherwin Williams!
lee says
Awesome picture of Lucas and Cody! Have a great weekend!
Katrina says
Pitbull is my workout JAM! In love!
Have a great weekend! :)
Erica says
I had the same issue with a similar wall in my house! We’re also in need of some extra storage space so I ordered this bookshelf (http://www.wayfair.com/Halifax-87-Single-Bay-Bookcase-CA612-AOVA1042.html) and hope it can take care of both issues! Something similar could look great in your space if you wanted to go that route!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Love bath time with Cody and Lucas! Hilarious! Also, I think Cody is one of the cutest cats. I don’t know what it is, but there is just something about orange cats that have my heart.
Trisha says
Wishing you luck with that photo shoot! We did the same yesterday and while sunny, it was also cold and sooo windy. We all had runny noses by the time we were done but got some cute pics nonetheless.
Am I a terrible mom for not minding the idea of my kids swearing? And even swear in front of them, sing swearing included? I suppose I might feel differently when they can actually speak but right now I just feel like fat, ugly, stupid, etc are so much worse than the typical swears that don’t hurt anyone. Regardless, Pitbull radio is a major thumbs up.
Lastly, I think you need to do something completely different in the other side of the TV. If you do something, but don’t get it exactly the same, it will look weird. Maybe two columns of three frames??
Bethany says
I think one big piece like a mirror, metal piece, clock would look great on the other side…….that way not to matchy matchy
Christy says
Maybe one of those sayings to the right of the TV? http://tinyurl.com/familywall