What’s Up Wednesday {August}
Today I’m linking up with Shay, Mel & Sheaffer for this months What’s Up Wednesday! The questions are in green so check it out and join the fun.
WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK…
With school back in session on Monday I wanted this week to be as simple as possible. On Sunday we grilled 4 steaks and 4 chicken breasts and roasted some veggies.
I cooked a big batch of brown rice and put together meals for my lunches this week.
And Tuesday night I made another stir fry with the remaining grilled chicken, added some veggies and cooked in chicken broth, soy sauce and a pinch of sugar. It was so good!
We love some leftovers at our house and it makes it so much easier to eat healthy in a pinch when our schedules become a little crazy. In addition to prepping my lunches for the week I also made sure to organize plenty of goodies for the kids to grab when packing their lunches. My kids LOVE having control over what is in their lunch. You can read my tips and see what they are taking in yesterdays post here!
WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT…
My sweet daddy. August 28th will mark 11 years since he passed away. I still miss him so much and I can still hear his voice so clearly calling me {baby girl}. He died of colon cancer a short 10 weeks after being diagnosed so I always like to remind people this time of year if you have reached the age of 50 go get that colonoscopy!! It could save your life.
WHAT I’M LOVING…
Being back on a schedule! As much fun as we had this {summer} and as much as I love lounging around with my coffee first thing in the morning, there comes a time when a schedule just feels good. We’ll see how long I can stick to a schedule!
WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO…
We had a great summer and made some special memories. I loved taking a look back last Friday with my favorite summer memories here. I think my only regret looking back is knowing our entire family was only together for a brief piece of it.
WHAT I’M DREADING…
Honestly, there is really nothing I’m dreading right now!
WHAT I’M WORKING ON…
August 1st marked my one year blogiversary so I am working on some goals for the second year. I have learned so much but there is still so much room to grow. There were times this past year when I know I let the blog lead me instead of me leading the blog so I really need to find some balance. I love this little community but I started this blog to have some fun and remember how much I loved writing and I don’t want the fun to be zapped. Looking forward to year #2.
WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT…
Saturdays spent with friends at Kyle Field! I’m not going to lie as the students come back and the town comes alive the atmosphere in our little town is just incredible. The very first time I attended a game at Kyle Field I was 18 years old and totally sold. This will be the first season in the newly renovated Kyle so it is sure to be nothing short of spectacular. So much fun and so many great memories.
WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING…
You girls out there who are finding great series to watch with your husbands….I am super jealous. I typically do not watch much TV. Back in 2009 we had to make some budget cuts at home and the TIVO was the first to go so I don’t have the option to record. I have recently been trying to find a series that Keith & I could watch from the first episode to the last and so far he has not been the least bit entertained. If there is the least bit of drama that’s it for him! So…I guess I’m going to have to go solo on this one and I’m really thinking I want to try Friday Night Lights and finish where I left off {in 2009 when I lost TIVO} watching the Good Wife.
I’m actually reading the book Paper Towns right now and probably shouldn’t admit that I’m liking it since it is categorized as a “teen” book. Eek…but I am definitely sucked in right now.
WHAT I’M LISTENING TO…
My new favorite song is Southern Style by Darius Rucker. When things like this cross my mind I think maybe I do really have issues….am I the only one who hears a song sometimes and thinks it could have been written for them? Oh..that’s just me…insert the embarrassed emoji here. This song maybe not so much but I seriously listen to some songs and think oh my gosh that sounds just like me.
WHAT I’M WEARING…
It’s still really hot and humid most days here in Texas even though we have had a few reprieves with some rain showers cooling things off. With school starting I have been trying to begin transitioning my closet to a little more fall palette while still picking lightweight items to stay cool.
I put this basic outfit together for church on Sunday. I seriously felt like a million bucks wearing this simple outfit.
To me adding plaid and a little leopard begins to feel like fall! I chose this outfit for the first day of school. I really am so glad I purchased these loafers last year as they have been a favorite shoe and I haven’t been able to find another pair I love as much.
Tuesday I paired my mint J. Crew Factory skirt with a neutral shirt to tone it down a little and added my Halogen flats which have seriously become a fast favorite. Have you ever tried the no-iron shirts from Banana Republic? Well I’m a huge fan. They really do make easy pieces for work. I’m guessing this wasn’t my best outfit ensemble ever as Carly says to me “mom, you look like you are going to work in a diner”. Nothing but honesty from that girl.
Halogen Flats exact here
And oh my goodness! This dress arrived yesterday from Loft and I am in LOVE. I love the fabric, the colors and the fit and I am thinking of the tons of ways I can style it for fall but also across seasons. This will definitely be a dress I will wear over and over.
Striped dress here
Side note…I’ve been using Rodan & Fields for awhile but switched to the Reverse regimen in July and I am super excited with how great my skin is looking. The dark spots I have from the sun are definitely beginning to fade and overall my skin has had a more youthful glow. If you have considered trying Rodan & Fields and would like to talk more about what it can do for you, I would love to chat!
WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND…
We are going to get in one last little summer fling before the kids really get busy with dance and baseball and our weekends are no longer so free. My mom has a friend with a cozy little house on the river in Matagorda so we are taking off as soon as the kids are done with school on Friday. We will head out bright and early Saturday morning for some fishing in the bay and then head to the beach in the afternoon and ride some waves. I have not been fishing since last July so I can hardly wait! Hoping for a beautiful day and some sweet memories with this crew.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH…
My baby girl is turning 10!! How could that even be possible?!! I blinked friends…just blinked. Carly loves a good party so we are busy gathering ideas. Last year she had her first slumber party, a Night Owl Party actually, and she loved it! You can see all the details here including a fun little owl craft. She starts planning her next birthday almost the second the current years is over.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW…
I have a new found love for Target clothing lately. I have tried shopping for clothes here before but came up short or would purchase something only to find the quality was really poor. Well friends…the new items showing up for fall at Target knocking it out of the park this season. You can see some of my top picks from a couple of shopping trips here and here. Of course I HAD to have the Queen Bee shirt…just too perfect.
BONUS: MY FAVORITE BACK TO SCHOOL TRADITION
Sadly what I’ve realized over time is we just really don’t have any steady traditions that last from year to year. I don’t know if that comes from having kids so spread out or what but we kind of just make up our own thing as it comes year after year! We DO however LOVE taking first day of school pictures and I love browsing social media the first few days to see all the babies and how much they have grown. This is my very last year to be an elementary school parent…you can read a little bit more about that in my grateful heart post here.
I wish I lived in a fun football town!!!! Love your Sunday outfit!!
Thanks Katie…it is an exciting place to be for college football!
I just ordered those leopard heels and I can't wait to get them !!! And I shared your lunch box packing tips today on my blog…hope it's ok;)
You will love them! And thank you so much for sharing!!
So many things going on with you, lady. Love your back to school pictures, they are so sweet. I secretly love checking out on facebook :)!
I am so sorry for the loss of your father, I can only imagine how hard it is without him. <3 to you lady!
I think your outfits are well put together, love the accessories!
OMG! I swear we were twins at birth!! I'm off to find a picture to prove it!
Hey Shelly,
I'm "parked" beside you today on While I'm Waiting! It's fun to get to see all of your outfits and fun family pictures.
I was going to ask where you lived in Texas, and I'm really "sad" to find out you are another Aggie friend that I really like. Holly, you, Kim at Hunt and Host… what is the world coming to!! (just kidding)
My husband and I are both Baylor grads. We live in Memphis now, and he is from Tyler. Love the state of Texas.
Hope you have a great day.
Blessings,
Melanie
Haha Melanie….yes another one of those Aggies! Actually….I am an Aggie because I work for the school. I enjoy cheering them on but I would not say I'm a die hard. I actually graduated from Sam Houston State. Good luck to your Bears this weekend! At least I can say that now that we are not in the same conference!
I found the post!! If I had time to go to my mom's and pilfer thru her pics, I could find one with even more resemblance!
http://thehortonfamily.blogspot.com/2009/02/flashback-friday-can-you-guess-who.html
Yes to Friday Night Lights!! We loved that show 🙂 Target is definitely knocking it out of the park this year!
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
I'm LOVING Paper Towns – dinner and drinks soon to discuss? 🙂
That food looks and sounds so good! And I love your outfits! Please come dress me every day! 🙂
And you are so not alone on thinking a song was written for you! I feel the same way about so many songs! And finally, I have to give you a huge pat on the back for going without TIVO and such for so long. I know there is no way I could handle that. #keepinitreal
I feel like I need a numbered list for all my comments on this post since I was nodding my head the whole time I read it. So sorry about your dad. Thanks for reminder about testing…that will be coming up for me in a few years. Congrats on the one year blogiversary…can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve for year 2. Regarding the tivo, we have one more year on our directv contract and then will probably be cutting the cable cord. Most of the shows we watch are on Netflix, so I think we could make it work with an antenna and streaming services. I also want to watch Friday Night Lights. Love the song Southern Style too! I remember when Chicken Fried by Zac Brown came out, I was living in the UK. I listened to it over and over because it reminded me so much of southern life. And I bought the Queen Bee tshirt too. Anyway, sorry to write a book…have a great Wednesday!
Love all your outfits!!!!
Jaymie
http://www.jaymieashcraft.com
I'd love for you to join me on Friday for my Fridays Fashions link up. 🙂
I swear I commented on this yesterday, but I am losing my mind possibly since it isn't there. lol!
That food = YUM! I seriously need for you to come to Ohio and dress me each morning! I always love your outfits Shelly!
Love that song by Darius Rucker! There are so many songs that speak to me and I feel they were written for me too 🙂
Thanks for linking up each week 🙂
I'm cracking up! You DID comment yesterday but I am THAT far behind on reviewing comments!! Have a great day!
love your outfits – you look awesome!
stop by and chat ♥ http://storybookapothecary.com
Wonderful looks! I love to plan ahead and cook for the week so I can have healthy lunches, as well. Adore your queen bee tee – too perfect!
Jennie – A Pocketful of Polka Dots
Come join me for the Fabulous Friday Link-Up!
I love you in stripes Ms. Shelly and that food looks yummy!
What a fun post! I read Paper Towns and it did suck you in, I am debating about watching the movie. Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you next week.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I still have not finished it! I have got to get back to reading.