Green thumb...or not??

Am I the only one who doesn't have a green thumb? I swear that I am destined for a life without greenery. I kill every type of plant I've ever owned! African violets, orchids, succulents, even MUMS in the fall. Seriously?! Who kills mums? This girl!

Over Memorial Day, my super green thumbed grandma put together a pot of flowers for me. I helped pick them out, and she arranged them. She's a genius with plants of any kind, and I'm loving my pot! 

So pretty! I have NO clue what most of the plants are called, but I'm loving those yellow Dr. Suess looking ones in the back! My friends, the best part of this...??It's still ALIVE!! (Knock on wood!) I'm hoping that keeping one plant alive means I might be able to eventually handle full-on landscaping. Our current landscaping (if you can even call it that) consists of one hydrangea I planted about three years ago (that I don't even water), and two green leafy/grassy/bushy little things with purple flowers that stay green ALL YEAR LONG...that I also don't water. They have to be the hardiest little plants ever! Our landscaping also contains about 15 types of weeds, and some type of large, unruly junk bush. Gorgeous, huh?! Ugh.

I knew the landscaping was bad, but it was especially awful when a delivery girl pointed out last week that we have "the biggest dandelion she's ever seen," and that its leaves would "be totally rad in a salad." Cue dying of embarrassment!! Here is the dandelion in question.

 

Please note that it's probably about a foot in diameter...and is surrounded by many, many, MANY of its weedy little friends! Maybe it's time to bust out the Round-Up and start over! And maybe I do have a green thumb...it's just especially talented at weed cultivation!

I'm excited to kick off a long weekend ian couple of days...and sort of dreading my birthday next week...the big 3-0! Yikes! Who knew leaving my twenties behind would be so traumatizing? I'm hoping to blog about my party decorations...if they ever get here. Thank you, USPS! 

We will be celebrating the USA on Friday in true Connell fashion...Redbox movie marathon and a ton of our favorite snacks while avoiding drunk drivers, awful traffic, and what I'm guessing will be 95% humidity. We will probably even get to save our house from catching fire from all the neighbor's fireworks that land on our roof! Joy! Maybe I'll blog a few of our favorite recipes! Wishing you all a safe and very happy 4th!! 

It's Officially Summer!!

It's the official start to summer this weekend...where in the heck did time go?!? Pretty soon, we will be celebrating the 4th with some adult beverages and some spectacular fireworks! I am determined to enjoy this summer...every 100 degree, 80% humidity, can't breathe when you get in your car moment of it! This winter was BRUTAL, so if another one like that is coming, I need to savor all the hot, sticky, sweaty summer moments that I can!

Today, we took our sweet Finn to a pet adoption event at our outdoor mall. He is usually a little bit of a spaz with other dogs around, but my husband and I were so proud of how well he did! He was so happy sniffing around the other dogs and going into the pet friendly stores...laying on his belly on the cold concrete/tile floors was a highlight for him. He's too funny!

I love his bowtie from the groomer! Such a gentleman!

We are enjoying a weekend of nothing...just sleeping in, relaxing, and maybe doing the occasional load of laundry. We had another basement flood a few weekends ago, so we have been dealing with Service Master and de-watering quotes. Lemme tell ya, it's no cheap, friends! Ugh. C'est la vie, I suppose. Nothing we can do now but get it fixed so it doesn't happen again!

My hubster and I have also become huge fans of Orange Is the New Black on Netflix! I dunno what rock I was living under when it came out, but at the advice of a friend, we decided to watch. I. Am. Ob. Sessed! It was so good! The only down side? We already blew through season 2...now I have to wait A YEAR for season 3? Say it ain't so!! For the rest of you waiting it out, do yourselves a favor and google search Crazy Eyes too see pictures of her when she's not...well...crazy! She is gorgeous, and almost unrecognizable!

Other television favorites have come back for the summer, including my favorite guilty pleasure - Pretty Little Liars! I'm so excited for this season...(spoiler alert!!!!) Ali is back, A is "gone," and Ezra lives on (for now)! I'll keep tuning in to see what awful drama unfolds next!

I'm also loving that Beauty and the Beast was renewed, since it was touch and go for awhile. They're back, airing the last fee episodes of the season...and I'm glad! Love me some Jay Ryan. Google him too, ladies. You're welcome!

Other summer shows include Chasing Life, Night Shift, Big Brother, So You Think You Can Dance, and True Blood. I was addicted to Lindsay and True Tori...both reality train wrecks that I loved. Tori is my favorite...and it was heartbreaking to see some of her show. Phew! Heavy stuff! Some of our fall favorites were canceled, so we will see what next season brings...hoping something good!

I think that's the sum of my last few weeks...pretty exciting! Pretty soon, it will be adventures of drywall, basement de-watering, and paint over here! Can't wait to see how my paint colors turn out...I will be sure to share them!

In the meantime, let me know what shows you can't love without, and what you'll be missing next fall!

Happy, happy Saturday!!

I'm sorry y'all, but is it May or March?? I'm so confused by this chilly Midwest weather! We went from a sunny, humid 85 to a rainy, cloudy 55! It was colder yesterday...it even snowed in Chicago! It's feeling a little like fall over here. The silver lining? Busting out my favorite sweaters, sweatshirts, and boots again! Take THAT sprinter...wring? A combo of winter and spring nonetheless!

Today, our sweet baby boy got to have a spa day at the groomer's. He loves Star, who is always his groomer at the place we go to. He's so nervous when we drop him off - complete with shaking - but he's so happy when we pick him up! All the doggie cookies they make there have him running around the place like a mad man!

Look at that face! I love him... (This is prior to grooming. He looks like a new little man now!)

While our baby was at the "spa," hubby and I ran some errands. We had lunch at McAllister's, where I had my favorite nachos and a watermelon lemonade...which I then promptly followed with a big ole' glass of their amazing sweet tea! So good. We ran to Target (because what errand running day is complete without a Target trip?!), to Best Buy to get my phone fixed (no wifi is no bueno), and to Lowe's to get a staple gun (which my husband thought was hysterical - only I would be in a hardware store for a staple gun...instead of at Michael's!?) for my newest DIY brainchild!

There's a wall in our hallway that I've been wanting to update for a while. The decor there isn't exactly awful, but it's just not "me" anymore. What's hanging there is stuff that I'd had for a long time, so when hubby and I merged households, it fit. The wall was no longer empty, and it was cute enough. But now, I want more whimsy in the house. Less serious, dark, masculine looking decor and lots more airy, fun, colorful, unique decor! So, I decided I wanted to hang my GIANT custom made chalkboard on that wall, along with some mismatched antique inspired frames...and maybe a monogram since I'm obsessed with them!

I found two frames at Hobby Lobby (my decorating holy land) that fit the vintage feel I was going for...and my friends, it wasn't easy! Most frames like the ones I wanted are plaster - can't staple gun that! The two I purchased were wood with plaster accents - perfect!! I also purchased several fabrics from the 'Lob, but used the turquoise chevron for this since my living room is black, white, and turquoise with chevron and arrow accents!! I cut squares of fabric close to the right size, then stapled along the edge of the frame, being sure to pull the fabric taut as I went. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Not gonna lie - they look exactly how I imagined! 

This is just one...the other will hang the opposite way.

I'm so ready to get the rest of the wall going and get these hung up! I'm in love!

Next weekend we are off to my hometown to visit with some family from out of the country. Combined with a 4 day weekend, it's bound to be a good time! 

Hope the rest of y'all are enjoying your weekend...and maybe even some DIYing! 

Race for the Cure

Today was out local Race for the Cure! Hubby ran the 5k, while I walked the 1 mile with my mother in law, sister in law, and nephew! We all joined under a team for my husband's work...a good time was had by all! There were so many amazing survivors and supporters there, and as usual, I teared up a little during the survivor march. What an amazingly inspiring group of heroes!

It was a huge crowd...which is amazing! 

We went for a late breakfast/brunch after the race at one of our favorite local cafés. I had a cheddar biscuit with scrambled eggs, bacon, and avocado on top...with a side of fruit salad and the most perfectly cooked tater tots known to man! It was soooo good! 

After a trip to the nail salon, our family is headed home and the hubs and I are relaxing on the couch with some DVR. I'm trying to muster up the energy to run to Target, Hobby Lobby, and the grocery...but I'm not getting too far! Maybe soon..? Ha!

Hoping to schedule a night out with some of my favorite friends soon. A new restaurant opened that I want to try, do maybe it will come together soon! They really are amazing...and I love spending time with them!

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend, and happy Mother's Day to all the mommas out there...especially mine!

Happy birthday, hubby!!

Wishing my husband the very happiest of birthdays today!! If anyone deserves a wonderful day, it's him. I am blessed beyond measure to have him in my life, and love him more than words can say. He is my very best friend, my soul mate, and my better half. I can't wait to celebrate his birthday tonight...and the next 60 after this one. Love you babe!

Before our festivities at one of our favorite pubs tonight (complete with maple bacon, red velvet, and chocolate cupcakes), my hubby is working. And this morning, I headed in to work for a bit too. I am beyond swamped at work, so any extra time I can spend catching up is a blessing! But, a morning in the office called for a yummy morning beverage and some comfy clothes! 

Naturally, that means I had to have an iced green tea lemonade while wearing my floral "hello" tee from Hello Apparel. Needless to say, it was a great start to my morning!

Right now, it's time for quality time with this little guy, a short nap, and getting ready for tonight's shindig!! Have a wonderful weekend my lovelies!! 

Spring, is that you??

I'm pretty sure I might have seen spring yesterday! 80 degree sunshine...yes please! I will take that all day, every day. This winter was so long and brutal that it felt like spring would never be here. Now that I've tasted it, I want more!! We are supposed to cool down again this week, but that's the Midwest for you. If you don't like the weather, stick around for 10 minutes. It will change!

The taste of warmer weather immediately put me in "summer mode." You know...the mode we all have where we want to BBQ every single day, make fruity adult beverages, sit in beer gardens with our friends every night, make recipes involving avocado constantly, and start listing fruit salad as a dessert...? I started an internal summer bucket list this weekend, so I thought I would share some of my summer must-dos!

• A cookout with all of my favorite people, followed by a night of s'more making around the fire pit. Yes, yes, double yes!! I am from a small town where most of my family lives, and cookouts were always a way to hang with family and catch up. Maybe that's why I love them. I also love event planning, so whipping up a menu, some awesome decor, and even a theme is right up my alley! Can't wait to make this happen this year!! It's also a good way to include my next item.
• Making the fruity drinks I've been pinning on Pinterest for the last year is a serious priority for summer! Sangria, punch, lime/lemon/orangeades...yum!! One of the drinks at the top of my list right now involves watermelon vodka, Malibu coconut rum, pink lemonade, and strawberries all mixed in a mason jar...yes please!!
• A garage/yard sale. They are such a pain to throw together, but once the hard work is done, I love sitting outside for a weekend getting rid of clutter and junk! We haven't had a sale for a couple years, and my husband hates them, but I'm thinking one is in the books for this year. Maybe I'll see if a fee friends want to put anything in the sale too...why not, right?
• Walking my baby boy...my shih tzu baby, anyway. :O) I love taking my baby dog for walks in the warm weather. He is always so happy to trot along beside me, sniffing everything he can and being doted on by a few of our neighbors. He eats the extra attention right up!! And, I love burning his extra energy while getting in a little exercise. It's a win/win!
• The zoo. I'm obsessed with animals, and could live at the zoo all summer. I'm hoping I can convince some friends with sweet kiddos to let us tag along with them as well...love watching kids at the zoo! They have such a good time.

There are probably a million other things I could list, but I'll stop there. I'm just hoping this summer will be filled with lots of fun, family, and friends! I can't wait for this warm weather and longer days. Fireflies, mason jars, sitting outside with my hubby while Finn chases butterflies...amazing! Goodbye winter...I won't miss you at all!

What are your plans for the summer?? Share 'em below!

Busy, busy, and...more busy!

Life has been a little crazy lately! We've both been busy in this house with work, and now we are gearing up to FINALLY paint and carpet our lower level after the standing water we had in it last year! I will be going out of town several times for work this month,  which is something I'm not used to. So, it's been hectic tonight trying to finish last minute laundry that I need to pack, heading to the flooring store to purchase our carpet, and eating super late dinner! Now I'm snuggling my sweet baby dog (such a horrible nickname for him...but he's like my kid!), and blogging from my phone.

I had another Birchbox post ready to go, but I wasn't completely in love with the things I tried, and haven't had time to try the others, so decided this month's box might be more blog-worthy. And, let's be honest. Lazily blogging from the couch on my phone doesn't exactly let me post pictures!

The hubs and I have been loving some of our new dinner recipes lately, so I thought I would share a couple of favorites. I should preface this with a few things.

• We eat mostly turkey and chicken in this house. When we do make beef, it's gotta be a fabulous recipe!
• I am in love with my Crockpot. It is a true lifesaver, and makes cooking so easy.
• I am a carb loving freak. Seriously...I will sometimes just eat mashed potatoes and rolls for dinner. Forget the meat, bring on the carbs!
• I do not claim to be a gourmet chef or super awesome at-home cook. We like what we like, and that's good enough for us!

Crockpot French Onion Roast

• 1.5-2 lb. Chuck Roast
• 1 packet French Onion soup mix
• 1 packet Italian dressing seasoning
• 1 can of mushrooms, drained (you can use fresh, but the canned hold up better during cooking)
• 1/2 c. beef stock

Place all ingredients in the crockpot, stirring a little to get seasoning packets dissolved. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Remove meat from the crockpot and slice. 

We eat this several ways: sliced with a side of loaded mashed potatoes and biscuits, on top of baked potatoes with a little shredded mozzarella and sour cream, or on hoagie rolls with a salad (topped with McCormick salad topping) and some macaroni and cheese. It's delicious...we had it last night!

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Marinara

*This recipe stems from a happy accident.*

• 1-2 lbs. of chicken breast
• 1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce

Put your ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Once your chicken is cooked, shred it up.

We discovered this when trying to make crockpot chicken parmesan...left the chicken in too long and it fell apart. Rather than serve it over noodles, we got some hoagie rolls, then slathered them with butter and garlic powder. We then stuffed them full of the chicken, topped that with shredded mozzarella, and baked them in the oven. So. Freaking. Delicious. We love this happy accident!

We also do a baked chicken fajita recipe I found from another wonderful blogger that I will try and link to later. I'm thinking this recipe share might show up more often! Feel free to link or share your favorite recipes below!