Weekend Wanderings: How To Relax

Happy Monday Y'all!!

This was the first weekend this month I was finally just staying put. 

Well minus the trip to target to fill our registry back up, and trying to get getting my oil changed which didnt happen because they were totally booked till close, and to the grocery store, and to the gym... so much for staying put. 

But I since being gone and the starting my new job I haven't been able to finish any of the laundry or give the house a whole scrub down. Kinda driving me crazy, J does help a lot when he can but he works more than me and during the week, so by the end of the day we are both so exhausted and in turn not much cleaning gets done other than a quick once over. 

Every Saturday when J leaves for works he always says "relax as much as possible"... I dont know what that word means. I always say "I just wanna relax" or "gosh I need to go relax" and I never do. This weekend he was the one to relax due a little stomach problem late Friday night. 

Saturdays are my days to get shit done! I clean, do laundry, plan the grocery list, go to the gym, run errands, maybe blog a bit and with the wedding almost here my mind is constantly going at warp speed. I don't even have time to color in the coloring books I got for Christmas any more!

I only have like 20 more days till we are finally man and wife, so after that maybe my nerves will be able to calm down a bit and I will learn what relaxing means! 

Enough of my little shpeal we actually did do some fun stuff this weekend, a main one being dinner at our favorite  the best burger joint in Jax... M Shack.. twice!!

This place is amazing! They have a few locations around Jacksonville along with a couple high end restaurants as well. J & I usually get the same thing every time we go because the burgers are just so perfect but this weekend I switched it up and got their fish sandwich... I finished it before the boys finished their burgers.
I could go on and one about how delicious and fresh all of their food is but that is an entire post on its own. But I will say if you live close to Jax or are just passing though make sure to make a pit stop and have the best burger you will ever eat!

And we went and played FootGolf on Sunday with a few of our closest friends.

It sounds just like what it is... Golf with your feet, your foot is the club and the soccer ball is the golf ball.

And we got to rent a cart so there were some shenanigans on that as well, I may or may not have fallen off and J almost tipped the entire cart. Apparently people take this like 100% serious and there is like an entire league here in Jacksonville so Google "Foot Golf" in your area and go play, its a fun little weekend activity you can do with friends, as a fun first date, or take the whole darn family along!


So despite the cleaning and the minor stomach bug we had a pretty good weekend together which has been a long tim coming! Here hoping to another fun weekend this weekend too!

I hope Monday didn't kill you and that your weekend was just as fun!

Fri{YAY} Favorites- Top Pintrest Recipes

Hey Y'all and Happy Friday!! 

So since J and I are finally out on our own we have been cooking alot more and after about 2 months of being in out own place I have started compiling some J's favorites. 

I use Pinterest to find just about all of my recipes. Its the best thing ever!! I am slightly obsessed with it, I have like 30 boards and over 3,000 Pins. For my recipes I usually print them out so I done have to lug my computer to the kitchen and constantly put in my password. But they are all save on my Pinterest page and I will link them below as well :) 

1. INDOOR S’MORES - This one is self explanatory. If you are a fan of smores, but dont have the fire to cook them on or want an awesome warm dip for dessert parties (or whenever you want), you need this in your life!

Here is what you need...
1 Cup Chocolate Chips (we like to use half semi sweet and white chocolate)
Marshmallows - enough to cover the chips in your pan. (If you use large ones cut them in half)
Gram Crackers for dipping ....or a spoon like me

To "Cook It"
Preheat over to 450 Degrees
Layer them all in an over proof pan - if not using a cast iron skillet spray with non-stick
Bake for about 7-9mins checking sporadically to make sure you don't burn your marshmallows
Take out of the oven and try to wait a couple minutes as to not scold the roof of your mouth because you can not resit the amazing smell now wafting though our your kitchen.
ENJOY!!

2. Chicken Penne Bake - So yummy, so simple, makes plenty to freeze for a later date if there is only two or three people eating it. J wants me to just make the chicken part and use in a sandwich with some yummy cheese one top one day.... I have yet to do that oops

The pictures make is look as easy as it is, I don't even think I used the actual written recipe but a few times to check temperature to bake it at and maybe some measurements.. big maybe**

You will need:
1 (16 oz) box regular or whole wheat penne pasta 
2 chicken breasts 
6 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves 
1 tsp basil 
1 tsp oregano 
1 tsp rosemary 
1 (24 oz) jar tomato sauce 
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I might have used more because I love parm)

To make:
Preheat oven to about 375 degrees
Bake the chicken till it is no longer pink in the middle - 20 to 30 minutes should do it
Cut and shred the chicken as shown above and put in sauce to absorb
Boil pasta to preferred tenderness
Mix pasta, chicken and sauce all together
Layer the chicken mixture in a greased baking dish with the cheese
Bake about 20 minutes or until your cheese is nice and melted.

3. Cheesy Bacon Potatoes Bites- Cheese, Bacon, and Potatoes... um you can do no wrong! Oh and some Ranch on the side for dipping... AMAZING!!! J makes these at least twice a month.

You only need 4 things to actually make this amazingness

2 or 3 large potatoes

6 slices of bacon, cooked & chopped  

2 cups cheddar cheese,

shredded 4 green onions, chopped (not necessary)

salt & pepper to taste 

Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

spray cookie sheet with cooking spray

Wash & slice potatoes, somewhere between 1/4 and 1/8 inch thick. I like them best on the thin side. arrange potatoes on prepared cookie sheet, shingle style, slightly overlapping.

Lightly brush potatoes with reserved bacon grease or a bit of butter

Sprinkle with shredded cheese, salt and pepper and chopped bacon.

Bake until potatoes are cooked through- depends on the thickness.

For extra crunch place under broiler for 2 minutes max! 

That's all I got for now!! Let me know a few of your favorite Pinterest inspired recipes, or just favorites ones in general. We love making new things and adding to our little recipe folder! 

Tag us on Instagram @ Learning_Life_  if you make any of the deliciousness above. 

May your weekend be filled with lots of love and yummy food!

Weekend Wanderings : Epcot's Mini Food and Wine Festival

Another busy Wedding activity weekend in the books!!


It is all becoming so real, J and I are getting married in 26 Days from today!! Like what?! Where has time gone, what else do I need to get done ahhhhhhh!!!

Anywho,

So I was back in Orlando this weekend (again) doing bridal things and one of them (my favorite part) was Epcot Flower and Garden Festival... aka Mini Food and Wine Festival.

This is time of year (with exception of the holidays) is my favorite time of year at The Happiest Place on Earth. All the flowers are in bloom, it is usually sunny and beautiful but not to hot like it can be during summer and WAY WAY WAY WAY less crowded!

Friday my mom, aunt and sister all played hooky took me too the Flower and Garden Festival with the cutest matching shirts. This is us in France right before we had one of the biggest Macrons I have ever seen and a small serving of Duck Confit,

sisters who became best friends!

We ate some amazing food too.. sadly we ate it to fast to take any pictures... oops bad blogger I know, I am sorry but if your go to disney food blog you will get the idea.


We also had my Bridal Shower!!!! It was a high tea theme, as you can tell from older posts Im a fan of tea and London etc, so It was only fitting.

We had it at the cutest little tea room in Lake Mary (right outside of Orlando) call Dickens Tea Room, and between you and me she can still get Cadbury chocolate which has been "banned for shipping here in the US" so sad, Cadbury is the BEST chocolate ever!!!.
Oh and of course in traditional english fashion we all has fascinators.


Here are a few pictures from that, along with gifts we got after they were assembled.

as soon as we walked in 

My MOH & Aunee of the bride who set it all up 

The beautiful Platter we got from Mud-Pie, we don't entertain much but we LOVE it 

The most perfect counter stools from Target

Other than that this was weekend was filled with over eating and more crafting just like last weekend.!! I am so excited to finally be able to clean and relax in our place this weekend, oh and register for more stuff at Target this coming weekend!!

I hope the weather is as wonderful where you are as it is here in Florida!!

ps idea for our wedding registry would be awesome!!! 

Fri{YAY} Favorites: Bride Brain is Real!!!

Happy Friday Y'all 

it was to cute not to post. This is what the girls look like when we say "potty" or "walk"

Let me start off by saying I am a terrible at being a blogger and bride at the same time and I am sorry blogs have been so little. I have had so many planned and then just fall asleep in front of my computer, who knew planning a "small" wedding could be so damn exhausting! 

Any who on to my favorites for this week 

1. We are officially one month from getting married!!!!!! We still have so much to do, mainly getting our marriage license which is kinda the most important thing that has yet to be done.

I'm trying my hardest to not go into panic mode thinking of all the little things that we need to do (or at least that I think we need to do.  J has been good about keeping my wine glass full while I am working on all the stuff at night. 

2. My pretty new desk that I work on wedding and blog stuff every night. Its from Walmart of all place, J went in for football gloves for our nephew and also came out with this.

Its simple and sweet and helps fill a small empty area, this is not out picture this is from Walmarts website. Its great, I loves having a desk to work at. Its not permanent the one we really love is a bit more than our budget allows right now with the whole wedding planning thing. But if you are looking for a good size desk at a great price this one is perfect! 

3. Blaming everything on Bride Brain. Its like pregnancy brain, but for brides, its real goggle it. I am spacey and panicky enough. If you are not sure what Bride Brian is here is what I found on Urbandictionay.com 

             Bride Brain 

 A less invasive, but more expensive version of a frontal lobotomy. Experienced by most brides, as they enter a catatonic state which renders them incapable of sustaining any thought or conversation that does not involve cake, caterers, flowers, wedding dress designers, Chinese wedding dress knockoff designers, updo's, hair pieces, color schemes, wedding themes, and personalized M&M's.

 

Okay so that is sorta it. Basically not being able to focus on anything else but the wedding, how hot your groom is, how sparkly you nre wedding band will make your engagement ring etc. 

So instead of saying it was a blonde moment, I blame bride brain!!

 

 4. NEW JOB!!!! I started my new job this week, and it is very nice to say that I like my job, I like the people I work with, I can hold a conversation with the people I work it. It is a small Doctors office where they focus on Stem Cell Procedures, so I am constantly learning new things and talking to people around the county and even the world about what our Dr. could possibly do for them.

 

Oh and I get to wear scrubs every day... aka my second pair of pjs.

 

5. Last but not least J, my future hubby is  a big favorite this week. I mean he is always my favorite but this week has been a difficult one. My anxiety has been really high because of a new pay structure, wedding budget and money in general which he likes to remind me I always stress about when there really isn't a problem and we will make it work. He is an amazing man and always strives to take care of me and works so hard to provide for us. I am so lucky to call J all mine forever.. haha He is stuck with me!!! 

When this goes up I will be in Orlando for my Bridal shower and at Epcot eating and drinking my way around the world for their Flower and Garden Festival!!

I hope everyone had a wonderfull week and has an even better weekend. The weather is going to be great here in Florida again... Fingers crossed I can get a tan started at some point! 

   

Weekend Wanderings: Wedding DIY

Well we had quite the busy weekend again. I was off work all last week so I played house wife and stay at home puppy home for our two girls... I also realized I would not make a good stay at home mom/wife.

I cleaned and did the usual chores they first couple days, made it to the gym and has dinner cooked by the time J was home... Then I was bored out of my mind! I would have to have a little part time job, or maybe by the time that possible this little slice of the web of mine will be a little bigger. 

But I did really like being able to have dinner ready for J on the table when he got home or shortly after and catching up on all my shows wasn't bad either. 

Now to the details of the actual weekend

This was an extended weekend of sorts for me, I am sorry I didn't get a Friday favorites up my mom had me doing manual labor getting the favors ready for J and I's wedding in about a month now.  Guests will be able to take home a stemless wine glass or can coozie *not pictured 

My Coozie 

Not only this weekend was filled with wedding prep and some DIYs for favors and centerpieces... And a trip to Ikea which would have been dangerous but luckily I was able to control myself, my mom on the other hand is a different story. I also put a vinyl starfish or sand dollar on the candle in the center, and there will be shells all the way around.

Ikea BORRBY Lantern

Anywho back to the wedding DIY, we made shirts for a girls trip to Epcot they are so cute and I think I like my sisters (my MOH ) more than mine but oh well. Shirts all from Old Navy and then used Heat Transfer Vinyl and the silhouette cameo to put the words on them.

We also went to an amazing cajun place call Tibbys New Orleans Kitchen... There are not words for the deliciousness of this place. If you are ever in Orlando or Brandon (they just put a location there) You HAVE to go!!

And there was a little down time with the sister and our little pup who made the trip with me. 

the messy room of a teenager and cutest pup around

I am so excited for this coming weekend even though more crafting will be involved! But more on that next monday!! Sorry this is up so late! Please forgive me!! 

Wanderlust Wednesday : Must See London

My Must See's Next Time I Find Myself Across the Pond

Hello All!! I hope everyone is having a good week. Last week I showed you where I went in London for the week I was there, this week is my must see next time I go.

Lets get started on a mini getaway in the middle of the week.

Neal's Yard in Convent Garden

First on the list is a tiny little alley in Convent Garden called Neal's Yard. This is one of the most Instagramed spots in London. With its vibrant colors and little boutiques and restaurants you could stay here for hours and never know its just right around the corner from one of London's busiest streets. 

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

I could see Dickens sitting in the corner drafting an early copy of Oliver Twist. 

One of the oldest pubs in London, originally built in 1538 but destroyed by the Great Fire of 1666 and rebuilt, as the sign states, in 1667. This pub was a popular haunt for some literary greats like Twain, Tennyson and Dickens and is one of the reasons it is a must visit on my list. I am a bit of a history buff and minored in English Lit in college. 

There is a rumor that this pub also served as a brothel upstairs in the 18th century.  Scandalous!!

Warner Brothers Studio: Harry Potter 

WB Harry Potter Studio Tour... One of my biggest regrets last time I was in London was not going here. I don't nerd out about much but this is my weakness. I don't know what it is but I love the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I have all of the movies, all of the books on my kindle, I am working on collecting all of the paper version of the books and I have listened to them via audible often too. It is my escape from reality,  reading or listening to the books or watching the movies it how I relax.

I have been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios and Islands of adventure on more than one occasion. I have an interactive wand and a Gryffindor headband... I am 26 I know but I like it. Harry Potter world (as we call it here) is great but to see places where they actually filmed and be immersed fully would be amazing and is 100% on my Bucket List!

The Crooked House of Windsor

Seeing as my moms side is from England afternoon tea was normal for me at a young age. I can remember summers at our beach house here in Florida coming in for lunch and a cup of tea while the afternoon storms rolled through... I was like 6. I always carry a tea bag in whatever purse or wallet I may have, so naturally afternoon tea was a must for me. 

This adorable little house isn't in London persay but it is a tube ride away. It was the oldest tea house in England, however is sadly no longer a tea room but you can still buy their tea I believe in the shop downstairs. 

All the markets of London

Finally and an all encompassing must in London is the markets. You will find the best local foods, drinks and eclectic souvenirs at these markets and really enjoy London like a local. I only made it to two of the countless markets around the city. Leadenhall & Borough markets, the first having lots of little shops around each corner and the later having some of the best food and smells at over 50 stalls it was huge and I could have spent all day there but my group was in a bit of a rush. 
Camden Market was on that I was told is a must while sharing a pint one night with a few locals I met, sadly I never made it so it is on my list of Must sees!


What are some of your "must sees" in London or anywhere you are longing to visit? Tell me in the comments below and I shall add it to my own list.