TBB Asks: Shop til You Drop Edition

Do you love shopping? I love online shopping. Shopping in stores can be overwhelming because of crowds, never having your size and those awful changing room mirrors and lighting. But I love to shop and I love new things. It sounds materialistic, but how fun is it to buy things for you kids and see them all dressed up and cute as ever in said items?

This month The Blended Blog Asks is all about shopping and I can't wait to read everyone's answers because I love finding new places to shop!

1. Top 3 Shops? Vici, Nordstrom and Amazon (because they have pretty much everything).

2. Where is the majority of your shopping done - in-store or online? Well I said it up top...online. It is so much easier to shop online, have it delierved to my house, try it on, and decide there. It is even better when they have free shipping and returns.

3. What's your favorite thing to shop for? Clothes. Any and all clothes. For my husband, he would say shoes. He has a lot of shoes and loves shoes. And my girls are taking after him in that aspect.

4. What do you just HATE shopping for? Bathing suits. I am too self conscious and as I said above, the store mirrors being all the ugly out.

5. What's your most favorite thing you've ever bought? I would say our wedding bands because the meaning behind them. Otherwise, I would go with my Chanel earrings.

6. Do you prefer shopping alone or with others? Depends on my mood. I would mostly say with others, so they can give me an opinion on how something looks. But other times they just linger too long in a store and I end up with things that I don't need.

7. Best bargain? I guess I would just say buying everything on sale. I always look for my jeans and any higher priced items on sale. I rarely buy full price.

8. Thrift store shopping: yes or no? I only shop at thrift stores for vintage furniture and costumes.

9. Best cities for shopping? NYC, LA, Vegas

10. Who's your style or fashion icon? I don't really have one. But if I had to pick a blogger that I follow for fashion advice and style, it would be Cristin Cooper. She is amazing. She has a real figure and I feel like she is tells it like it is.

TBB Asks Relationships

So I’m back and ready to catch up on all of your comments for the last week or so. Thank you for all your comments. I am ready to get back to everyday life. At least for a bit. Today is a TBB Asks post and the topic is relationships. .

1. Who is your oldest friend/how did you meet? Well other than family, that would be Brandy. We met when we were super young. Like Kindergarten. Even though we have families, busy work schedules and life that gets in the way, we try to meet up a few times a year. I wish it was more but we live about an hour apart.

2. Tell us about circle of support. Who are your people? Well my blogging community. I have made the best friends who listen to my rants, who answer my texts at all hour and are there cheering me on. Also my family. Immediate and extended. My family watches the girls, comes to all the parties, celebrations, dinners and everything in between.

3. How did you meet your partner? At work in October 2006.

4. How is Valentines Day celebrated in your home? We usually do a dinner at home now that we have kids. I usually get Valentine cards and goodies for my kids and husband and keep it simple.

5. What is your love language? I still need to take a test and really find out.

6. Do you prefer receiving flowers or chocolates? Flowers. But I have a ton of chocolates that I just brought back from Belgium so everyone is getting chocolate this time.

7. What is the most meaningful gift you have ever received or given? Wow that is hard. I did give Rory a Valentine’s gift of concert tickets to see Black Keys and a weekend getaway with it. But otherwise it would be a sentimental piece of jewelry that I have received. Like pearls for graduation from my parents or many pieces of jewelry that Rory gave me that we’re stolen when our house was broken into in 2011.

TBB Asks - Keep Me Entertained

The Blended Blog is hosting another year of TBB Asks and this month's prompt is Keep Me Entertained.

Book(s) you have read multiple times. The only book I have read several times would be Fun House by Dean Koontz. I used to love to read horror/thriller books. I still enjoy them, but reach for the suspense books more.

Favorite book/author of all time. That is a hard one. I am not even sure I can narrow it down to one book or even author. I do love Emily Giffin a lot, along with Sophia Kinsella and Lauren Weisberger.

Favorite TV show to binge. Tie between Sex and the City and Friends. I love them both and have seen the entire series for both of them way too many times.

Favorite new-ish TV show. I would have said This is Us if it was last year, but this year hasn't been as good as previous seasons. So I am going to go with Riverdale. I know, weird. But it is good and cheesy.

Favorite movie of all time. Another super difficult one. My husband would say something like Devil Wears Prada since I have seen it at least 100 times. But I think it would be either Dirty Dancing, Grease or The Big Lebowski.

Movie you are looking forward to watching. I had to google movies coming out in 2019 because I never get to watch the latest and greatest movies unless they come out on Netflix. So I am not even sure on this one.

First concert you attended. Offspring.

Ultimate concert (even if it can't happen!). A festival of Pink Floyd, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars.

Favorite music artist/band. Again, another one so hard to answer. If I split it up between older and more recent, it would be Pink Floyd and Incubus.

How do you listen? Mostly Pandora or my iTunes library.

TBB Asks - Holiday Edition

It's time for another round of The Blended Blog Asks and this months theme is everything holidays. I love Christmas so much. From the cozy feeling to the decorations to the lite up tree, it is just amazing.

1. Candy Canes? Yes or No? Yes. I really do love candy canes. From the peppermint ones to the fruit ones, I love them all.

2. Christmas morning early riser or sleep in? Growing up, I would be an early riser. Now I love to sleep in, but my kids don't really let me.

3. Did you shop on Black Friday? Yes or No? No. I hate shopping on Black Friday.

4. Christmas tree up in November? Yes or No? Yes. We always put it up the weekend after Thanksgiving.

5. Do you get Holiday ideas from Pinterest? Yes or No? Maybe Elf on the Shelf ideas, but otherwise no.

6. Christmas Glam or Ugly Sweater? For parties, I go with the ugly sweaters, but Christmas day, I usually dress up.

7. Stocking stuffers: wrapped or unwrapped? Both. I wrap some of them, but leave some of them unwrapped.

8. Traditional or modern Christmas songs? I love the traditional ones.

9. Fruitcake? Yes or No? NO!! So gross.

10. Is your Christmas shopping finished? Yes or No? No. I got a lot of it done on Cyber Monday, but we still need a few things, but not many.

11. Is there snow in December where you live? Most definitely!

12. Classic show: A Charlie Brown Christmas or Rudolph? Charlie Brown. I love them both, but I really do love the Charlie Brown Christmas.

TBB Asks - Giving Thanks

It is time for another round of The Blended Blog Asks. This month's theme/topic is Giving Thanks and I feel like this year, I have a lot to be thankful for.

1. Have you ever kept a Gratitude Journal? Yes or No? No I haven't.

2. Hosting Thanksgiving at your house? Yes or No? No I have not. But I do host Christmas dinner at my house each year.

3. Favorite Food from The Thanksgiving Meal? This has to be a toss up between green bean casserole and mashed potatoes and gravy. I love the classics.

4. What one thing in Nature are you most grateful for? The changing weather and how beautiful it is.

5. Pumpkin Pie: Yes or No? OH very much YES. I love pumpkin pie and homemade whipped cream. I have been dreaming about pumpkin pie for months.

6. Traditional Cookbook: Yes or No? Most of the time yes, but we do branch out a bit sometimes.

7. Oven Baked or Deep-Fried Turkey? Oh I love them both ways, but I usually eat more of the oven baked turkey.

8. Thanksgiving Leftovers: Yes or No? I like a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich the day after, but usually that is it. I gorge myself way too much on the day of to want to eat any leftovers.

9. What is one household product your most grateful for? Paper towels....maybe because there is always so much to clean up and it is easier to use paper towels.

10. Are you most grateful for home cooked meals or restaurant meals? Home cooked meals all the way. I love going home for the holidays and having a traditional home cooked Thanksgiving meal.

TBB Asks - Fall 2.0

It's time for another round of The Blended Blog Asks and this month's theme is, you guessed it, Fall. I love Fall and everything that comes with it. We get cooler temperatures, amazing foods and yummy drinks, football, leaves changing and so much goodness. This is definitely one of my favorite seasons.

1. Favorite Fall color? Orange. I love when the leaves change to orange. I love orange pumpkins and incorporating a little orange into my wardrobe.

2. Apple cider hot or cold? Hot!

3. Caramel apple: yes or no? I LOVE caramel apples. I eat them at every football game that we attend. They are soooo good and such a Fall favorite treat.

4. Pumpkin doughnut or apple cider doughnut? Both, haha. I love both donuts, but if I had to pick one, it would be apple cider doughnut. I love them from Apple Hill.

5. Long or short cardigan? I love the long cardigans and I can't wait to start wearing them daily.

6. Favorite football or fall party food? These spicy meatballs.

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Spicy Crock Pot Meatballs

7. Orange or white pumpkins? I love them both, but tend to have the orange ones because we grow our own pumpkins.

8. Hayride or bonfire? I love a good bonfire!

9. Favorite fall baked good? My mom's pumpkin cookies!!!

10. Most anticipated Fall activity? Our annual trip to Apple Hill. Such a favorite time!!

 Apple Hill 2017

Apple Hill 2016

How do you do Fall???

TBB Asks - How Do You Cozy?

And just like that, we are in September. I am sooo ready for the Fall. So much about this month makes me feel cozy. So when I saw TBB Asks theme was How Do You Cozy? I knew it was going to be easy and a good one.

1. Slippers: yes or no? I am all about the slippers. I wear them basically as soon as I get home until I leave the house again. My favorites are my Ugg slippers with the real sole on the bottom. But I do have about 3 pairs that I regularly rotate.

2. What is your favorite blanket? My Saranoni Blanket. I got the gray stripe home throw and I snuggle in it every night while watching tv on the couch. It is soooo soft and cozy.

3. Thin or thick pillow? I love a thick pillow. I hate flat pillows and will use two at a hotel if they are not thick or plump enough.

4. Favorite warm beverage? Caramel macchiato or mulled spiced apple cider.

5. Robe: yes or no? Yes. I am guilty of wearing a robe pretty much year round. I have one for the winter months and one for the summer months.

6. Favorite comfort snack foods? I really love beef jerky. Especially teriyaki or hot and sweet.

7. Movies or tv series binge? I love a good tv series binge.

8. Actual pj's or leggings? I wear actual pj's. Way more comfy. Especially lounge pants.

9. Do you cozy up on the couch or chair? I go back and forth between these. Now that I have a beautiful Nevada table next to my lazy boy chair, I choose that a lot. But there is nothing like snuggling on the couch.

10. Hoodie, t-shirt or sweater? I wear sweaters all the time since I get hold and love to cozy up in them.

TBB Asks - Vacation Edition

It's time for another round of The Blended Blog Asks and this month's focus is on vacation. I know I could use another vacation right about now. How about you?

1. Will you go on a summer vacation this year? Well we already went on one in June to Graeagle, but we are going back to Graeagle again in August. So I guess that means yes!

2. Do nothing but relax or pack it all in vacation? I would say a little of both. I love the relaxation, but I love going out on adventures and seeing it all.

3. What month do you like to vacation? June.

4. Cruise: yes or no? Yes. I have only been on one, but it was a great experience.

5. Favorite vacation tradition? I am not sure I have one. Maybe indulging and getting ice cream often.

6. Most memorable vacation? Oh that is hard. All of them have been memorable, but I guess my most favorite one was Costa Rica.

7. Pack light or pack it all? I pack it all. I usually over pack, but I want to make sure I have everything I will possibly need.

8. Hotel, condo or house? All of them. I have stayed in all of them over my vacations and they all have benefits to them.

9. Favorite thing(s) to eat on vacation? Ice cream, pasta, pizza, tacos and tons of seafood.

10. Warm or cold destinations? Warm.

TBB Asks - Summer Lovin'

The the first Monday of the month which means it is time for another round of the Blended Blog Asks. This month's theme is Summer Lovin'. Summer is definitely my favorite season.

1. Walk or Bike Ride? I love going on walks. But I do love a good bike ride on my beach cruiser, but a walk wins this one.

2. Favorite Picnic Food? Caprese skewers. Or any kind of veggie or fruit skewer.

3. Pool or Lake? Definitely the lake and more specifically Lake Tahoe. I love living so close to this beautiful lake.

4. Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream? Pistachio. This has changed over the years, but I love pistachio ice cream.

5. Ice Cream Cone or in a Dish? In a waffle cone!

6. Flip Flops or Slides? Flip Flops.

7. Jean Shorts or Jean Capris? Only jean shorts.

8. Favorite Summer Fruit? Watermelon.

9. Corn on the Cob or Cut Off the Cob? On the cob. I love grilling corn on the cob too. But it must be white corn.

10. Favorite Summertime Song? Oh man. This is a tough one, but I am going to go more old school with the Beach Boys Kokomo. I love that song.

11. Favorite Summertime Activity? Wakeboarding. I love wakeboarding. It comes to me so easily and it is soooo much fun.

12. Favorite Berry? Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry or Blackberry? I LOVE strawberries and blackberries, but if I had to pick one, it would be strawberry.

13. Bikini's, Tankini's or One Pieces? Bikini's all the way. At least until I can't or shouldn't wear them anymore.

14. Dresses or Skirts? Dresses.

15. One World to Describe Summer? Sunshine.

TBB May - Entertainment

It's time for another round of TBB Asks and this month is all about Entertainment. Grab the image below, answer the questions and link up with the ladies at TBB.

1. Comedy or Drama? I like both, but I always love a good comedy.

2. Fiction or non-fiction? I am all about the fiction.

3. Movies in theater or at home? Well I used to say at home, but now I love going to the theater since it is something we rarely get to do.

4. Musical or play? Play.

5. Which meal of the day is your favorite to eat out? All of them. Ha. Just kidding. I love going out to dinner. Dinner is my favorite meal as well.

6. Favorite book ever read? Oh that is too hard to narrow down.

7. Game night: yes or no? I used to love game/dinner nights with my friends, but we haven't done one in years. We need to make that happen again.

8. Favorite outside game to play? Hmmm I love washers and cornhole.

9. Favorite TV series ever? Another hard one. I could narrow it down to my top 5...in NO particular order. The Office, Friends, Lost, Dexter and Gilmore Girls.

10. Sitcoms growing up or sitcoms of today? Ugh that is hard. I have favorites from both, but I guess I would go with growing up. They were more wholesome then.

11. Miniature golf or bowling? I love both, but I will go with miniature golf.

12. Favorite movie theater candy? Dots or gummi worms.

13. How do you like your popcorn? With butter, salt and pepper.

14. 3D movies with the glasses; yes or no? I have only watched one with glasses, so I am not a good judge of this.

15. Favorite genre of books to read? Thriller/Suspense

TBB Asks - Spring

It's time for the monthly link up of TBB Asks. This month is all about Spring. Grab the graphic and go link up at TBB.

1. What 3 colors remind you most of Spring? Pink, purple and yellow.

2. What is the first thing you’d add to your wardrobe in Spring? A cute pair of sandal.

3. What is the first wardrobe item you ditch in Spring? Big bulky sweaters.

4. Who mows the grass where you live? My husband. I try to, but I don't mow it in the pattern that he likes.

5. What’s Spring Like where you live? It is a mix of sunny days and snowy days. I am all for the 60 degree plus weather because then we get the beautiful Spring blossoms.

6. What’s Your favorite thing about Spring? The Spring blossoms. I love how beautiful and colorful everything looks.

7. Are you a Spring Cleaner? I try to be. We have been Spring cleaning already. I used to set aside a full day to Spring clean, but now with toddlers, I just do it when I can.

8. Are you a Baseball Fan? Of course. Giants baby. Little unknown: Avery's middle name is Madison. I have always loved that name, but the year she was born, the Giants won the World Series with Madison Bumgartner. It was fate.

9. Tulips or Daffodils? Tulips.

10. Favorite Outdoor Spring Activity? Going on walks, gardening and Spring snowboarding.

11. Flowers in the Ground or in Pots? Both. We have flower beds, planter boxes and pots.

12. Favorite Bird? Ummm, I guess I never really thought of this, but I will go with hummingbird.

13. Car Wash or Wash Vehicles at Home? Car Wash. I used to wash my car at home, but now I don't have the supplies and the amount of water that I waste, oiy!

14. When Do You pull out Your sandals? Usually in April unless we have a nice 70 degree weather before that.