It’s Thursday morning and I’m feeling rather chatty today which means it’s the perfect time for a blog survey! Since surveys are always so fun for me to read when I see them on other blogs, I love featuring them on PBF from time to time when I’m in the mood for some lighthearted ramblings.
Thank you for this “Lately I’ve Been…” survey, Presley and Courtney!
I always enjoy reading your responses to the survey questions in the comments section of survey posts, so feel free to chime in below.
Let’s get to it!
Lately I’ve Been…
Making: Roasted nuts! I’ve been on a big seasoned roasted nuts kick and enjoy playing around with different spices and oils. I think I’ve made two more batches of my sweet and spicy roasted almonds since I posted the recipe last week!
Cooking: Fish. Ever since my dad sent us back to North Carolina with a haul of frozen fish from his spearfishing trips, I’ve been cooking up some delicious fish a couple of times a week. It’s healthy, easy to make and tastes delicious. Triple threat!
Drinking: Water. Non-stop. Pregnancy thirst is real. The colder the water, the better and if it’s sparkling or flavored, I’m in heaven.
Reading: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. I’ll elaborate more on this one tomorrow (it’s going in my Things I’m Loving Friday post!), but I’ve been devouring it ever since I started reading it on Monday night.
Wanting: Another good book to read when I’m done with Me Before You. I’m considering The Husband’s Secret and The Girl On The Train. I also ordered The Happiest Baby On The Block, but that falls into a separate category from my usual “pleasure reading” selections.
Looking: Forward to two weekend getaways before baby arrives! Ryan and I were able to rearrange some travel plans and now have a fun trip planned for next weekend. I’m counting down the days!
Playing: Pandora. My go-to stations of the moment: Dave Matthews, Destiny’s Child and Pitch Perfect. (For the Pandora lovers out there like me who may be looking for some great workout music inspiration, check out this post: Best Pandora Workout Music Stations.)
Wasting: Time researching fun things to do in Charleston! I am crossing my fingers a weekend trip to Charleston will work out for me and Ryan in June because the recommendations you guys sent my way yesterday have me feeling more and more excited about this mini vacation!
Wishing: My family lived closer. I absolutely love where we live right now, but since Ryan and I lived within two hours of both of our families for 11 years before we moved, I cannot help but miss living such a short drive away. And while I’m wishing people I loved live closer, I’ll also add my best friends from high school and college to this wish list. I’d even take just one of them!
Enjoying: Feeling our baby move! It never gets old.
Waiting: For the results from my glucose screening test.
Liking: Burning candles! I know this may seem odd, but for years I’d “save” my candles and only burn them on special occasions. Eventually I realized this was so silly. I buy candles to burn and enjoy so I should do just that! Now I regularly light a candle on my desk to enjoy when I type up my morning blog post and also love lighting candles in the kitchen at the end of a long day. They just add a comforting ambiance to any space and make me happy!
Wondering: How we’re going to adjust to life with a baby. It’s so crazy for me to think that the days of “just the two of us” are coming to an end soon and there’s really no way to completely prepare ourselves for just how much our lives are about to change in a few months.
Loving: Ryan. He’s the best. I feel very lucky to have someone in my life who just “gets me” and makes me laugh every single day. He’s a good one!
Hoping: For a healthy third trimester and an even healthier baby.
Needing: To get better at figuring out some sort of an organizational system for my emails. I’m drowning!
Wearing: Workout apparel and soft, forgiving bralettes. (<—Wearing that $7 find a little too much lately.) As always. And now that the weather is getting warmer, my nighttime pregnancy uniform has morphed from a large, oversized sweatshirt to soft, cozy tees and sleep shorts that I should probably retire for a while because, as my body has changed a bit, they’ve become ridiculously unflattering, but I refuse to give them up.
Following: The latest season of The Bachelorette. Guilty pleasure, baby!
Noticing: The feeling I get when we’re out on the water. I love living close to a big lake and the feeling I get inside when Ryan and I spend a weekend afternoon on the boat fills me with so much joy. Plus, it’s pretty sweet not to have to worry about sharks or alligators in the water now that we live in North Carolina!
Knowing: I have some pretty stellar friends. I cannot believe how many of my girlfriends are going to be traveling to Charlotte for my baby shower next month. They’re the best!
Thinking: Sadie is going to be quite shocked when our little one arrives. Whenever people ask me if Sadie knows I’m pregnant I just laugh because I know she’s clueless. She’s just annoyed that my belly is growing bigger and that means she can no longer comfortably sit on my stomach which used to be one of her go-to cuddle spots since personal space boundaries do not exist in Sadie’s world.
Feeling: Excited. Nervous. Overwhelmed. Anxious. Elated. Every single day. Let’s just say a lot of emotions are tied to carrying a baby!
Bookmarking: Bathroom renovation ideas. I’ve been obsessed with Houzz and Pinterest and am finding lots of great inspiration ideas for the bathroom renovations we’re hoping to begin soon.
Opening: Packages! Ever since our baby shower invitations went out, some gifts for our little one have been arriving at our doorstep which means so much to me. Our baby is already a little spoiled and he hasn’t even arrived yet!
Question of the Morning
Play along with the survey above by picking a few (or all) of the prompts and sharing your answers!
Need some guidance? Here are a few:
Lately I’ve been…
- Making
- Wanting
- Wishing
- Loving
- Needing
- Wearing
- Feeling
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Making – Green smoothies like crazy! I am so glad that a green smoothie in the morning is a habit I have gotten into in the last year. It’s so nice to through breakfast and realize that you have already gotten your greens in!
Wanting – Memorial Day Weekend! My husband and I were invited to several cookouts, including one of our own, we’re going to Skyzone trampoline park, and every day of the long weekend I have a coffee date with different friends. I love it!
Wishing – My sister would move here with my niece! Her husband is in the army and they are moving to North Carolina but have no idea when. It could be tomorrow, it could be in a month but I would love to be so close to family! I haven’t lived near family in 4 years.
Loving – My husband and friends. We just had our 1 year wedding anniversary and I am really starting to realize how much I love him and being married.
Reading – I just finished re-reading a book from Highschool, Hatchet for our book club this weekend. I love that I have a reason to get together with friends once a month to drink, eat and have awesome conversations in depth about books. It has severely increased the amount of reading I do. A very positive change!
Wanting – I want to learn to play the piano! I have started and can play some songs but I want to be able to sit down at a keyboard and just play!
Wearing – Fierce black pencil skirt (Express) and sheer black/white top(Old Navy) , Kenneth Cole Watch and Ballet flats (Target) – I love “power outfits” at work. The type of clothes that make me feel like I could do anything and walk down the hallway with confidence! I will teach a ‘lunchtime’ yoga class today at work though and will change into pajama pants and a zip up. A nice comfy break in my workday!
Feeling – Excited and content for some amazing opportunities on the horizon. Travel, volunteerism, friends. Awesome!!
Just finished the book The Nightingale and it is one of the BEST books I have read in years, highly recommend it. The husband’s secret is also good.
Oh man, I remember the pregnancy thirst well.
Making: grits with cottage cheese
Wondering: whether to try for baby #2
Loving: Fabletics athletic wear
Fun post Julie!
Pitch Perfect Pandora?! Why haven’t I thought of that?!! GENIUS!
I meant to mention yesterday I went to Charleston in March for our babymoon and it was great! The food is beyond amazing and we walked a ton so I didn’t feel too quilty. Defiantly try out Husk and Gin Joint is a fun little bar with a nonalcoholic option too. All the breakfast places are amazing, grits everywhere-yum! We loved just walking down to the battery and taking in the views and all the unique homes. Have fun!
I’ve been a long time reader of your blog, but haven’t been here in awhile — CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’m so happy for you 🙂
I’ve been:
Making… banana bread (finally perfected my recipe!)
Wanting… a faster 5k PR
Loving… that winter has finally come to an end… and my family and pets <3
Wishing… there were more hours in a day
Wearing… the usual, scrubs or running gear
Needing… more sleep!
Feeling… tired, but excited for the summer!
I highly recommend The girl on the train!! It’s a must read 🙂
I live in Charleston, so if you need any help let me know what you two are into and I’ll be happy to share the must-do things! One for sure… go to Middleton Place and CawCaw
I stayed at Middleton Place for my honeymoon–even though it’s a drive to the city, it is SO worth it!
LOVE Me Before You… You should read her most recent book.. One Plus One.. I am listening to A Girl on the Train right now and it is very good! I also ordered the Happiest Baby on the Block, I need to start reading that!
I love this survey, I think I’m going to respond to these questions on my blog as well! Lately I’ve been loving my husband <3 Haha is that too cheesy? We got married in January and we are just having the best time!
Aw, I love this! Congrats and I’m happy you’re enjoying your time as newlyweds!
I just finished reading Big Little Lies and I Couldn’t. Put. It. Down! Seriously like 3 days all 450+ pages were done and I was in love the entire time. I’m looking forward to ready Me Before You as well!
I just finished reading The Girl on the Train a couple days ago and let me tell you, all I have to say is wow! The ending definitely threw me for a loop, but it was the type of book that is difficult to put down. Before I knew it, I was done. It keeps moving and really isn’t stagnant at all. It reminded me of the way Gone Girl was written.
If you like Me Before You/Jojo Moyes books, I was OBSESSED with The Girl You Left Behind–sort of a historical fiction/modern romance, and pretty amazing.
I want to read The Girl You Left Behind!! I loved Me Before You too!
I have read Me Before You, it was excellent!!! I cant wait to hear what you think. I have also read My Husbands Secret which was good. Girl on a Train is on my list as well!!!! And Happiest Baby on the Block I bought when I had a newborn and it does have some very good tips in there. I am currently pregnant with #3 (I cant believe how fast time flies). My kids will all be 2 years apart. I am loving your pregnancy updates, blessings to you and your little one! <3
I LOVED The Girl on the Train! I finished it in like a day haha I couldn’t stop reading it.
Also, I made your sweet and spicy roasted almonds last week and they were great! Everyone loved them.
So happy to hear this!!
What a fun survey! I would not suggest Girl on The Train. It was hyped up to be like Gone Girl but fell super flat for me. I figured out the ending by the middle of the book and just didn’t really care about any of the characters. I’ve heard the other one is much better!
I’ve been loving the warmer temps and the beautiful spring weather we’ve been having. After a very long, cold, snowy winter up here in the Northeast, temps in the 70s and 80s and plentiful sunshine has been very welcome. Lots of walks during lunch and after work have been happening and I’ve been loving running outside on weekend mornings.
I just finished reading The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton and would highly recommend it if you’re looking for something new to read.
Kate Morton is my all time fav!! Have you read Distant Hour? That one is the best in my opinion. Can’t wait for her to come out with another novel.
Thanks for the recommendation. That was the first book of hers that I picked up but I’ve heard good things about her other books. I’ll have to look into it because I’m always looking for good new things to read.
I loved the book The Husband’s Secret. You have made me want to re-read it!
I would also recommend the book Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. I liked it a little better that Happiest baby. I felt it was more practical and helps you learn to get you and your new family on a routine.
I always think of you when I flip by ABC Family and pitch perfect always seems to be on!
Ooh I loved a The Husband’s Secret and anything by Liane Moriarty. I couldn’t put down Me Before You either!
IMO, Big Little Lies was way better than The Husband’s Secret, but it is still a good read. I like all of Liane Moriarity’s books.
Lately I have been:
-Needing: A new style of sports bra. I have been wearing Nike for years and they just aren’t cutting it anymore.
-Making: Blue Apron meals. I really have enjoyed them! It has been nice to spice up our nightly routine.
-Wearing: Work and workout clothes. Feels like I just can’t get in my PJs fast enough.
I read “Big Little Lies” by: Liane Moriarty and it was such a good book! I definitely recommend it! Such a page turner toward’s the end!! 🙂 Same author as, “The Husband’s Secret” which I just started!
Lately I’ve been…
Making…pb banana toast for breakfast and veggie burgers for dinner… I really need to switch things up!
Wanting..A beach vacay
Wishing..it would stop raining!
Loving…that it is almost summer break for this teacher! Woo HOO!! 🙂
Needing…to go shopping…or I guess that’s technically I want…;)
Wearing… Target white v-neck, Gap coral scarf, Anthro patterned skirt 😉
Feeling…tired and stressed…but trying to focus on positive things…like ALMOST summer break! 😉 Ha, can you tell I’m a little excited!
I’m a teacher too & summer break is DEFINITELY on my mind too!!
that bathroom pic is so charming! i’m also stoked for my first visit to Charleston in June, although my friend lives there and is planning every little detail — my only request is that he find me a good place to go for a run one morning. i read Me Before You this winter and really enjoyed it, too.
Feeling…excited about our dr’s appointment today and hearing our baby’s heartbeat again! Praying for another strong one!
<3 Hope all goes well for you, Sarah!
I’ve been wearing lots of vibrant colored leggings and my skyhigh sneaker wedges! I just finished reading the Goldfinch which was incredible! Definitely a bit of a longer read but totally worth it!
i’m totally into the bachelorette too. though i have to say i’m a bit nervous that the season is going to be too ridiculous after watching the season highlights…what do you think?
Oh my gosh, I know!!!! But I’m still intrigued. I just can’t help it!
Hi Julie! I feel you on the family thing! I’m so close to mine, and yet I live in San Francisco and they are in Southwest Florida. But the good news? I’m on a plane RIGHT now to see them!! Have a lovely day!
So fun! Enjoy your time with your family!
I saw this on Courtney’s blog yesterday and bookmarked it to fill out on a rainy day. Love them! I’ve been on a pretty big almond kick lately, too. The more seasoned the better! 😉
I recently read Me Before You and loved it. I had to slow down during parts because the tears were blinding me so much the letters got blurred. Such a great book. Did you know Jojo Moyes has a sequel coming out? It’s called After You and will be released in September. So excited!!
I’ve been bookmarking bathrooms as well! Our new house in Atlanta has great bathrooms…but they are so small! I’ve been pinning small bathroom organization ideas. How do people live without counter space?
Me Before You is so unbelievably good! Pro tip: don’t read the last 1/3 in public.
We ordered the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD (instead of the book), which is a 1/2 hour summary. Just watched it last week and hoping it’ll help us when baby #1 arrives early August! My husband’s doc recommended it and couldn’t say enough good things about it.
That’s basically where I am right now!! Now I’m concerned I’ll be crying all night long tonight… 🙂
Are those Mint Leaves in your water? I’ve got a fresh chocolate mint plant, and I’ve used some leaves in smoothies, but it doesn’t have as much minty flavor as I hoped for.
I’m surprised you have to wait for your test results. The nurse tested my blood immediately after drawing it! Time goes so slowly when you’re waiting on test results, sorry you’re going through that.
My midwife mentioned to me that once your baby is born and they wipe off some of the vernix and other fluid on the baby you can ask to keep that towel and it’s perfect to give to your dog so they get used to the babies scent and introduce the new addition!
Making: A lot more shakes and smoothies because we just got a nutri bullet
Wanting: SUMMER VACATION!! (I’m a teacher!)
Wishing: I get a new teaching position that is 30 minutes closer to home (one way) & a $7,000 raise.
Loving: My fiance because he’s taken on so much lately due to my crazy schedule.
Needing: A weekend free of plans to catch up on housework/life/a bazillion bridal shower thank you notes
Wearing: Jeans, because it’s technically our Friday!
Feeling: Tired, worn out, & debating a cup of coffee to give me a jump start, but also excited for the weekend.
Hi! Like another poster, I am a longtime reader but never posted to any of your blog posts. I like the open survey of this one, and it’s different than most of the open surveys I have seen. Also, congrats on your little boy! I really liked the neutral nursery idea. I had not seen that before! Now on to the survey:
Making – time for friends and family, and the most of it at work. I work as an RN at a rehabilitation hospital in Lexington, KY on the brain injury unit. If that wasn’t stressful enough, we recently were bought out by another company, and just transitioned this month. My unit normally handles stressful situations by making jokes and laughing about it, but other units aren’t used to this, so being pulled to other units is kind of wearing me down. I almost cannot wait to go back to my head injured people! Also, last October, I switched from night shift nursing to day shift nursing. My body is so much happier, and I feel like I have time to have a normal social life again.
Wanting – more patients on my unit so I don’t get pulled! The night shift differential pay on a day shift. More money to pay off some bills. I want to travel more than anything. I want to become fluent in French so when I finally do visit Paris I can carry a conversation with someone. I want to read a new book. One of the things that I really want is to be a Labor & Delivery RN. I remember having the biggest rush of adrenaline when a baby is born and how much I loved clinical. But right now, the memory becoming dull and the only thing I know is that I want it.
Loving – the warmer weather! I never realized how much I loved and worshipped the sun until I worked night shift. Also, my family and friends.
Wishing – for more money! I’m planning a trip to Atlanta in October to visit my college roommate. I’m going to San Antonio in December to see some family. If you had asked me yesterday, I would have said my first stitch fix box. I received it yesterday!
Wearing – right now, pajamas. But I will be wearing some yoga pants and a t shirt later.
Needing – I’m still trying to figure out what I need! I can tell you a million things that I want, but I’m not sure about what I need.
Feeling – excited, nervous, apprehensive.
I hope you have a great day!
I love that you are also addicted to Bachelorette 🙂 It’s also my guilty pleasure! I highly recommend The Husband’s Secret, along with all of Liane Moriarty’s books! I’ve read about 5 of them now and they are all such light and girly reads. Have a good day!
I love these kinds of surveys! That bathroom inspiration is beautiful! I love how much Sadie loves you guys and you guys love her! Me Before You was great but made me ugly cry. I really want to read Girl on the Train too!
The Husband’s Secret was great. I highly recommend listening to the audio version of The Girl on the Train. I don’t normally love audio but it was done by three people for the three narrators which made it much easier to keep track of things. I was one of the only people in my book club who wasn’t confused on certain plot points.
Charleston is the best! We vacation on Isle of Palms and it’s just heaven down there. Enjoy!
I loved Me Before You!! I have read both The Husband’s Secret and Girl on the Train and recommend the latter. I’m reading Orphan Train right now which is also so good!!
The Girl on the Train is FANTASTIC!! If you want a book that you cannot put down, that is definitely a good choice. Very fast paced, filled with lots of twists and turns 🙂
Awesome!
making crockpot lasagna – wanting SUMMER and today is my last day of school wahooooo!!!
Lately I’ve been…
Making – chicken sausage, quinoa, sweet potato hash
Wanting – Oct. to come for my move to Australia!
Wishing – I could work out for a living
Loving – my family and friends
Needing – a vacation!
Wearing – business casual work clothes :-/ so restricting!
Feeling – stuffed! breakfast was big
I know you liked the Maze Runner series, and all the other Distoypian ones out there, you should check out the Legend series by Marie Lu- pretty great! Sadie is too precious 🙂
Wearing boyfriend capris and a flowy, sleeveless mint-green top with sneakers.
Reading- I Am Pilgrim- SO GOOD!
Excited for the weekend- my best friend is visiting!
Oooh! I will look for it. Ryan and I both love dystopian novels, so I’ll add it to my list!
I have followed your blog for over a year now, but never commented so hello! I’m also a fellow North Carolinian and you & Ryan should visit WNC soon. It has so much to offer. And I just feel the need to tell you thanks for the awesome treadmill interval workouts. They always help me spice up my cardio routine.
Lately I’ve been…
Making: Blog posts and smoothies!
Wanting: A new computer. Mine has carried me since I graduated high school 5 years ago and she’s been faithful, but its time to upgrade
Wishing: That my car payment would make itself!
Loving: A new church I tried out last week with my family
Needing: Yoga. I tweeked my back weird while lifting weights. I can always use some relaxation too
Wearing: J. Crew, J.Crew and J. Crew. A new outlet just opened near my home and I got some great deals on their awesome shorts and tops.
Feeling: Relaxed and accomplished. I just finished my first year of graduate school! Praise!
thanks so much for taking the time to comment! we still have SO much exploring to do in NC!
We just booked our honeymoon for Charleston! Staying at the Francis Marion Hotel. We are so excited! You will have to do a recap post!
have you read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls? It’s a memoir and I finished it in 2 days, it really opens the eyes right up! I’m not a parent yet, but it made me consider what kind of a mother I want to be. (And it’s not a parenting book..) so good.
This is a fun survey! I loved The Husband’s secret & The Girl on the Train–both quick, intriguing reads.
wearing: comfies before changing into workout clothes to go teach GRIT
reading: the storyteller
needing: someone to decide on paint colors for me (gahhhh)
wanting: our closing date to be here already! only a few more days!
I hope you guys have fun on your trip to Charleston. It looks like a beautiful city.
I loved “Me Before You.” Can’t wait to hear what you think of the ending! Water is my refuge, being by the ocean or on a lake always has a wonderful calming presence for me. Charleston is one of my fav US cities. Make sure you grab something made from Sweetgrass, so many artisans to choose from but I find that some of the ladies on the street have remarkable skills. Definitely try and get out to the islands like Isle of Palms (IOP) or Sullivans if you have time. I love Sea Biscuit Cafe on IOP for breakfast/brunch and 39 Rue de Jean if you want to try some fantastic french food. There are so many wonderful places to eat there. Check out Southern Living for great recommendations: http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-east/charleston-restaurants-0
I forgot to mention that “Me Before You” is going to be a movie! Emilia Clarke from Game of Thrones is the star. Sam Claflin will play Will (he is from The Hunger Games.
I am currently making lunch. Yes, at 10:40 a.m. which happens when you’ve been up with a newborn since 3 am : )