Random Thoughts 1.14.14

This is probably the most random post of thoughts in a while…just go with it, mmmkay?

-Jason and I have completed {and survived} week one of the Whole 30 Challenge! It’s a freaking miracle, ya’ll! It really hasn’t been all that terrible, though. In the book, It Starts With Food, they talk about how food is emotional, both positively and negatively, and I’d have to totally agree with that. I have mostly wanted things I couldn’t have, and we stayed in most of last week instead of dining out—so a lot of it really is mental. But it is starting to become more a routine, already and hopefully once this sticks, I won’t feel so isolated from my normal social-y {it’s a word} self once I know how to manage it all.

-We went to Whole Foods over the weekend for most of our groceries. We spent $175.00. I wanted to cry. Some of those things included staples like evoo, spices, a trip to their slightly overpriced, but tasty, salad bar for lunch, etc. But still…normally I can get our weekly bill to $70 at the MOST. Jason said, “If you’re justifying this to me, don’t. I’m not stressing. This is an investment in our health.”…well, hot damn. I never thought he’d be so on board with yet another one of my health phases. Well played, husband. There is still no effing way we’re spending that much next week.

What's in a Tree?

As an early Christmas gift, Jason bought "us" a Cannon Rebel. And by us I mean me, because it was all I talked about for months on end. So on a whim around 11p.m. on Thanksgiving night, we went to Target for a camera {and as an added bonus I found out, as I assume most of you did, that as many as 40 million Target customers may have had their cards compromised during this time. Never mind that I go to Tar-jay 3-4 times a week. I digress}.

We've been so busy, however that I haven't had a chance to play with our new camera as much as I'd like. Our snaps primarily consist of Gigi, Oskar, and our Christmas Tree. We lead an ever exciting life, folks.

I told Jason recently that someday, I would love a perfect tree that matched, and was themed. In a true Jason fashion he reminded me that our tree was beautiful because it was a hodge podge of our life together. I mean, how can I argue with his logic?

A few of my favorite mis-matched ornaments:

I have a thing for owls

Candid. {Kim Geraci Photography}

Oh hi, remember me? Things have been in-sanely busy this week!  I just wanted to pop in real quick and share some of the professional photos Jason and I took for our upcoming Christmas cards. Funny enough, Jason is very comfortable in front of the camera, whereas I am better with candid shots. But husband was a good sport, and we got a few great shots. A HUGE thank YOU to Kim Geraci for snapping such great photos {even with my super sensitive blue eyes {that do not like the sun}}. If you're in the area, I highly recommend Kim!

That would be Jason and I ::ahem:: discussing the "luscious locks"

XOXO,

Nichole

Where am I going?

Do you think today's blog post title is too deep for a Monday? It may be, but that is where my head is at, currently.

This past weekend, I attended my first blog conference ever, Blog Fete. I had a great time, and feel super inspired! I also realize that this little ol' blog doesn't have as much direction as I would like. I met a ton of successful ladies; business owners from all spectrums, a few like me who have day jobs we're not passionate about and want to do more than we are, and a few who were professional bloggers; as in for a living. Whoa.

Do I know where this little page in the blogosphere is going? Nope, I sure don't. I do, however have some ideas after this weekend. It may take me time to get where I plan to on my site, but I plan to, soon!

Hey, that's me!

October Instagram Challenge: #Octogram with #Parkesdale

I don't think it is any sort of secret that I am an Instagram junkie! So when Denise and the Tampa Bay Bloggers talked about an October Instagram Challenge, I knew I totally had to share, and join in on the fun.

Starting October 1, follow each of these talented bloggers on Instagram and use the hashtag #Octogram #Parkesdale {#Parkesdale for a chance to win a fabulous prize!}.

The #Octogram Hosts – Blogs and Instagram IDs

Parkedale Farm Market - @parkesdale
Tampa Bay Bloggers - @TBbloggers
Denise of Run DMT - @Run_DMT
Scotty of Dads Who Change Diapers - @diaperdad
Life as Dad - @lifeasdad
Haley of Running with Diapers - @runningwithdiapers
Caroline of My Fascinating Life - @carolinecalcote
Tara of Everyday Ramblings of My Life - @tfunair
Jenny of Metamorfit - @metamorfit
Nanci of This Crazy Life of Mine - @auntnanci
Jina of Behold the Turtle - @behold_turtle
Stacey at Artsnark’s Artifacts - @Artsnark
Crystal of Thrifty and Frugal Living - @Latsyrc728
Beth of Making, Baking and Creating - @anasilan
Lydia of Running Wild(er) - @Wildlyd
Raffi of Running Betty - @rafdarrow
Mindy of Mindy’s Fitness Journey - @mindyartze
Carlee of Frugal and Fun Mom- @frugalandfunmom
Bonnie of Not So Modern Housewife - @notsomodern
April of Pixiedust Savings - @pixiedustsavings

Luscious Locks

You guys, my husband is on strike. He is on strike from cutting his hair. When I met Jason six years ago, he kept his do' super short. I liked it a little longer, and since he was a nice boyfriend, he grew it out for me. And when I say grew it out, I mean like a l.i.t.t.l.e. on the sides.

Halloween, 2007. Short.

He has pretty much kept it the same give or take, over the years.

2012, my favorite length.

Heyyyyy Four Day Weekend!

This title instantly puts Gangham Style into my head. I hate my own self, sometimes.

...anyways. It is a glorious thing to have t.w.o. four-day weekends in a row {and only have to use three vacay days!}. Last weekend, was a whirlwind of fun, and busy, and this weekend, I am all about the slow life. I am still uploading a ton of terrible phone shots, but will share our trip, soon.

I got a nice little bonus recently, and I'm dragging some of my siblings to do some outlet shopping with me, today. Post shopping, we're going to Trader Joe's in Sarasota, which is the closest one to Tampa. I feel like everyone I know has a TJ's and/or has been to the Sarasota locale, and I think I am missing out. Plus, the outlet mall is only twenty minutes from the grocery chain, so I'm making a day of it.

If you're in Tampa Bay, I suggest a few other fun things happening this weekend!

I love food. I love food made in trucks. I have no plans, Saturday afternoon. Ergo, I'll be at the Florida State Fairgrounds for The World's Largest Food Truck Rally EVER!

Over 90 Food Trucks from all around the USA!

Brought to you by Carlos Eats, TruckSpotting, and Generation Food Truck!

Parade kickoffs Saturday morning from Encore Tampa with City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn!

Media partners are 98Rock and Tampa Tribune! Enjoy 15+ live bands all day long as well!

Food Truck Rally Festival is from 11AM-8PM at the Florida State Fairgrounds. FREE admission. $6 parking! Bring friends and come hungry because there will be plenty of food to try!

...and after that, we're going to see:

Matt & Ben by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers

-----------------------------------------------

A bromantic comedy about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck before they were famous!

One day, in the mid-90's, two nobodies in Somerville Massachusetts, Matt & Ben, witness a miracle. The script for the Academy Award winning screenplay Good Will Hunting lands at their feet, and their names are on it! Tension grows and their friendship is tested as they decide how to navigate this cosmically inexplicable and potentially dangerous situation.

-----------------------------------------------

Starring Molly Leigh Healy & Lydia Marie Ferry

Directed by Christopher Rutherford

THREE PERFORMANCES ONLY!

Thursday August 29, 8pm

Friday August 30, 8pm

Saturday August 31, 8pm 

$15 General Admission

$10 Student/Senior/Military

Free Beer or Wine (w/ purchase of ticket and valid ID)

-----------------------------------------------

Sunday, and Monday, I have ZERO plans. Can I tell you how ecstatic I am over this?!

What are you planning to do this weekend?

XOXO,

Nichole

Blocked.

Do you ever have so many ideas in your head, and goals you want to achieve, that you don't know what the heck you're really doing? No, just me then?

pretty much

This post is a hodge podge of the many different thoughts swimming in my head. Sometimes, just like when my house gets cluttered, when my mind becomes this way, I am blocked, and sort of shut down, feeling overwhelmed with all the things I want to do and not really sure as to how to get there.

• I booked another wedding to coordinate! I still someday hope to professionally plan events as a career, but it will take me a long time before that can happen. I think though, I want to get certified as an event planner, and register a business name, to motivate myself to grow this passion, and do more. The only real name I liked was something along the lines of Four, Nine, Eleven productions, to incorporate our wedding date--until Jason pointed out the nine/eleven...womp womp. I don't want to associate my {future} business with something tragic, and I am back to square one.
• I'm not sure where to take my blog. Lately, I have had more and more views, and unique visitors and this of course makes me happy. Should I care? If I want to grow this thing, than sure. Is it worth it? I don't know. What is my goal with this little space I have in the blogosphere? That is my question, often.
• We decided to renew our lease another year. Everything I personally like to buy, isn't OUT of our price range, but we'd be pretty house poor if we did so right now. Plus, our leasing company was only going to raise our rent $29 which is a steal, in my opinion. And, I just got a small raise at work, and the pay increase will more than cover the rent, so we're still ahead of the game.
• Which means I want to get better about budgeting. I plan to share an entire post about our expenses, and all that jazz, soon. But really we're doing great and can do whatever we want. I mean, we don't have a pool of money like Scrooge McDuck {though, tell me that wouldn't be awesome?}, but we're not hurting either, for once. And I want to take every advantage we can of this, while we can. Meaning, before we have babies.

via

• I'm tired of being fat. I'm tired of posting how I want to lose weight, need to lose weight, and then...not losing weight. I mean this last bullet pretty much speaks for itself, right?

So that's where I am at. Overwhelmed with all the things I want to do, and not sure how to necessarily go about it all, at once.

How do you manage your goals?

Paint, Balls, and Birthdays...

This weekend I think we were home maybe, ten hours, including sleep, which would explain why today I have a major case of the Monday blues and feel as though a truck hit me.

Friday night, Jason and I channeled our inner arteest at Simply Art Studios, in Oldsmar. It was a team building night with people from work, so I got to hang with some folks outside the office, that I wouldn't normally see. It was a lot of fun!

Jason "painting".

My finished work of art.

Jason's.

Saturday was USF alumni night at Tropicana Field, and nine of us decided we'd get together, and tailgate in humidity that is bound to melt your face off and drink, therefore getting even more hot; why we do this every year, I'll never know. Though it is always a good time. Everyone just looks like Hell because we're dying in the sun. But we won, so I'll take it!

Classy Rays fans, clearly.

Sunday, my lovely momma turned another year older younger, and we took her to...another Rays game. The stadium was sold out, and we were packed in there, but what the birthday girl wants, she gets. Not before we had an unwanted conversation about politics.

Me: Sam Fuld is cute.
Mom: You know he supports Obama, right?
Me: I didn't ask who he voted for, just thought he was cute, mom.
Mom: Well he is quoted as saying that Obama is one of the most influential people of his time.
Me: I'll make sure when I have leave Jason for Sam {because that is going to happen}, not to bring my new baseball player boyfriend to your house to discuss politics, deal?

via

Then we hightailed it to the parentals for a birthday dinner made by the sisters. Not really healthy, after I just shared about weight loss struggles, but for mom's birthday, one meal, I think that is more than okay.

Linking up with Sami.

XOXO,
Nichole

Weekend 7/29/13

For every slow weekend we have at our casa, we have two busy ones that follow. This weekend, was no exception.  But first things, first -- my latest tv addiction.

Somehow, between Thursday-Sunday, I watched eleven of the thirteen episodes in season one. The fact that I had a headache and took a mental day off of work Friday, probably helped my tv cause.

• Since I was home Friday, I started my morning with the baybees, and I think they rather enjoyed it. How can I convince Jason that I am just destined to be a stay at home dog-mom? 
• After getting the headache to somewhat subside, I met husband at Panera for his lunch hour where I devoured the above sammie, my new summer favorite.
• Then treated myself to a little shopping at Sephora for some much needed makeup.
• I made more of my chicken alfredo flatbread for dinner, while we watched Sharknato with my siblings and Jason drank the summer semester away. I did not have any drinks, but while watching this flick, I almost felt drunk, myself. It was so bad, it was almost good. I said, almost.

• Saturday, Jason and I stayed overnight at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ybor {pronounced e-bor, for my non Tampa friends}, so that we could responsibly enjoy Jennifer's BIG day. It was such a beautiful wedding, and a great time! We ended up at James Joyce after, for one more drink or two before passing out in bed. 
• The night included lots of great food, an open bar {hence the selfie in the bathroom. oy}, a surprise food truck with BBQ, my husband dancing Gangham Style, and then a photo with some creepy comic guys back at the hotel. Apparently not only was there a halfway to Gasparilla party going on in Ybor, but a comic convention, as well. So naturally the last photo was required.

Sunday morning, we had breakfast with some of the other wedding guests, and then saw The Wolverine before picking Gigi and Oskar up from the parentals.

How was your weekend?!

XOXO,
Nichole

Linking up with Sami

Favorites.

Woo! My little ol' Facebook page has surpassed 100 "likes"! Thank you, all! I know, I know one hundred isn't a lot to most, but I'll personally take it and I appreciate the interaction with you fine folks. You guys, you are my favorites!

As a THANK YOU, I did promise a fun lil' giveaway once I got to my one hundredth like. Plus, it's Friday, and what better way to kick off the weekend, than with a chance to win.

To win what, you are asking? Oh, just some of my favorite things. I like stuff, people. I ain't ashamed to say it. Where do I like to buy pretty things that I don't need you may ask?

Tarjay, naturally. Or Target. Whatever. Don't rain on my parade.

Contest starts 7/26/2013 and will end Thursday, 8/1/2013. I am giving away two gift cards: {one} $25.00 gift card, and {one} $10.00 card. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway





*This is a self hosted giveaway from yours truly. Obviously I just really lurve Target, and YOU.

XOXO,
Nichole

Redd's BBQ Party

A few months back, the bestie and one of my sisters and I were at the Oldsmar Tap House. The OTH serves primarily craft and import brews. Being one that knows nothing about such things {I do love me some Miller Lite, but know little about other beer}, I asked if there were any ciders on tap. I was informed while there were no ciders on tap, OTH did have Redd's Apple Ale, which was technically a beer, but was more sweet, like cider.

Six Redd's between us, and I think it was safe to say, we girls thoroughly enjoyed it. So when I won another awesome House Party to host a Redd's BBQ shindig, I was be-yond excited! A free Redd's party pack and the chance to throw a party?! Well, okay.

I am not kidding when I say I made everyone I know apply for the same House Party to increase our chances. And not only did I win, but so did the bestie. Joint party, ya'll!

Naturally, we hosted the weekend of the fourth {Redd, white and blue--get it?}. And being one who likes to throw a good party, I couldn't allow us to just serve beer. We needed party food!

Enter our burger bar station. I love how creative you can get with such displays, adding as much or as little as you like to customize your burger. Like  an obligatory side of bacon. In a patriotic tin. 'Merica.

Our "bar" was a hit, and I scored some awesome deals in the dollar section of Target on July 5th. I snagged quite a bit of festive, and patriotic garb for .50/each; I spent $12.30 for the entire display! We ended the night with a round of Cards Against Humanity. A great evening was had.

Free Redd's + Burgers Galore = A Great Summer BBQ!

Have you tried Redd's Apple Ale or had a BBQ this summer, yet?

XOXO,
Nichole

Clutter

Can I tell you all a secret? I hate clutter. Ninety percent of the time, our house is clean {as in no dirt}, but lately, it is bey-ond cluttered, and I hate a pile up of such things.

I know being a law school widow is nothing compared to what others go through. You know, like actual widows, and military spouses, and sad things like that. But the "quality" time I get to spend with Jason is few and far between. And while I know he is busting his ass hump for us, I am sure the last thing he wants to do is work forty hours and go to school at night. And then study in between. But even though rationally I do know all this, sometimes I am still mad with him.

Maybe mad isn't the right adjective here, but it works for me in the moment. I get upset {maybe that's better?} because I am the one who now goes places alone, and has to explain to the four hundredth person why Jason couldn't make it out, since he has to study. I get annoyed because I know he is killing himself for us and our future, and that leaves me to do the majority of cleaning, cooking, and general house ish in general. And mostly, I do think it is more than fair. I wouldn't want to memorize case laws all weekend and read and read, and read until my retinas started to detach {dramatic, much?}.

But sometimes I get lost in who Nichole is in all this. I have no idea how mothers do this. HOW?! And when I get like this, I let the house stuff get behind. To the point where I don't want to do anything but avoid it. The last thing I want to do when I am in a law school widow funk, is clean. So the clutter begins to build. Literally and figuratively.

And with a cluttered home, comes a cluttered mind for yours truly. And sometimes as sad as it sounds {by the way, I didn't intend for this to sound so sad and boring, but here it is}, I get lost in a fog, until I physically clear the clutter at Casa de Crews.

This past weekend, I cleaned and de-cluttered our 1100sqft condo rental. And you know what? My mind is more clear, and I feel so much better.

I think I need a hobby. Or possibly a maid.

Do your surroundings affect your mood?

XOXO,
Nichole

Where am I?

So yes, the time has come for Google Reader to go away. I still don't really understand why it is going away, but it is. So, where can you find me?

Bloglovin'

Facebook

Twitter and Instagram. {or just click on my social media icons to the right {in yellow}, since I just gave you the same info. Ha.}

I'll be honest, I hadn't gone to Bloglovin' much, until today. I did see that you can now import from Google Reader, and that makes things a lot easier for me! Now, to remember to check in there, regularly.

Come find me!

XOXO,

Nichole

Guess what's back, back again...

Steph and Nichole's link up, tell a friend.

We had a great time last month, linking up with you all. So much so, that we decided to host our meal plan link up...monthly!

Join us the first Tuesday of every month, and share your meal plans, prep work, a recipe...we don't discriminate! We just ask that you grab our button and add to your post, to help us spread the word.

                                             <div align="center"> <a href="http://www.casadecrews.com" title="Casa de Crews"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNS5cVDCzbx-BwAR-g1S9Dw7U8syLc-EaCfS-kQoGos1gayz9jSWIHaOPGiPukiBtRdznK6CooYridFBIQWEQVF8vK9gvBXXSG46veIpNrvafdweyCbL9BPjJloxRUJCH_0w0Y-fDq2pQ/s320/mealplanlink.jpg" alt="Casa de Crews" style="border:none;" /></a></div>


Until this Tuesday, 7/2, I leave you with a few of the meals I made this week:







Plus salads, and of course, my normal egg "cups".



...and string cheese for snacks.

I didn't meal plan as heavy and regular as I usually do, because I had a lot going on this week, and my normal Sunday prep day was spent working...I'll get back on track, next week.

What have you made this week?

XOXO,
Nichole

woot woot

Last week was the first time I saw this commercial. Appropriately, on Wednesday. I giggle every.time. Tell me you don't laugh, too? Simple mind, simple pleasures...or something.

You're welcome.

Nichole

Thirsty Thursday

This title has nothing to do with anything, what so ever. I just liked it, and it's Thursday.

I have been kind of MIA here this week. I have been trying to work out every day after work and by the time I get home, take out the dogs, eat dinner, clean up {both the dishes, and you know myself!}, I'm effing done-zo. Plus work has been insane and I am a tad mentally exhausted, lately.

All is good at Casa de Crews, however.

I am working my first paid wedding gig all by myself this weekend. I haven't worked a wedding since Cross Creek Ranch. I am very excited, and lucky. My bride is way organized and is a friend of a friend, so while I will be coordinating and working this wedding, I don't think it will be as stressful as if my first alone event had been a complete stranger. Funny, how things work out.

The best friend and I each won a FREE House Party prize pack from Redd's Apple Ale. So naturally at some point, we're throwing a joint party....with free sugar water drinks. This pleases me like you don't even know!

Last time I had Redd's {one of them was not mine, thankyouverymuch}.

I have been on track this whole week with working out and exercising. I am so proud. Now, to just get through the weekend {where I usually fall off}.

Zucchini noodles, lightened up chicken parmesan, and crushed tomatoes.

Even the dogs and their cousin, Regi, could their walk on!

...and just because I miss prime time tv and love Ron Swanson, a little laugh for my Parks and Recs friends.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway from Easy Canvas for a chance to win a free 8x10 print of your own!

That's all I have...Be back, soon! {also, I just realized this was an instagram dump...}

XOXO,
Nichole

Not So Newlyweds

I have seen this question and answer game floating around the blog world on and off for a while, and thought with over two years under our belt, the Crews' should play along! Basically, I sent an email to Jason, while he was in the other room studying, {because a newlywed blog questionnaire is more important than studying case laws about property, right? I thought so, too} and he got back to me almost right away. I guess he needed a break. And the guy knows me pretty well. Though being me, I did add my own thoughts to a few of his answers. You're welcome.

How long have you been married? 

Jason: 2 years and almost 2 months.

Nichole: 2 years, almost 2 months

Where was your first date? 

Jason: Good food (Smokey Bones) and an awful movie (I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry)

Nichole: Technically, Smokey Bones, but we had hung out a few times before that with friends and what not.

Where was your first kiss?

Jason: Outside a cheesy country bar where we were hanging out with friends (this was the night before our first date. Scandalous!) 
Nichole: Oh man, embarrassingly enough, at a country bar (the night BEFORE our first real date; I am a class act, folks} around our friends. It was ladies night or something cheesy and this lady had had a few.

Who first said, "I love you"? 

Jason: With a little liquid courage, she did.

Nichole: Ugh that would be me.

What were your wedding colors? 

Jason: Gray and yellow, gray and yellow, gray and yellow (thanks Wiz)
Nichole: Yellow/Grey

What is her most commonly used phrase? 

Jason: Literally?

Nichole: I say legit a lot, as in, “That legit happened today” or, “This dog is legit insane”.

{I do say literally a lot, though. He is right. I blame Parks and Recs}

Who is her celebrity crush? 

Jason: Channing Tatum or Bea Arthur

Nichole: Just one? Maybe Bradley Cooper or Ryan Gosseling or for the love of God, Don Draper, Jon Hamm

{haha, I do love me some Golden Girls, I will give him that}

If she was ordering drinks for both of you what would you each get?

Jason: Miller Lite

Nichole: Miller Lite or rum/diet, or whiskey on the rocks for Jason if he didn’t want beer

What is the best meal she has ever cooked you? 

Jason: When she cooks with her heart, it’s always delicious.

Nichole: He says I make really good chicken and also scrambled eggs?

What is the worst meal she has ever cooked you?

Jason: I don’t understand the question. I’ll have to move on to the next one.

Nichole: I once made this smothered pork chop dish. It called for salsa, cheese, and sour cream baked on top of the pork. I don't recall how it actually tasted, but it looked a bit like vomit and well, that turned me off.

{a smart man whose wife does all the cooking and could poison his dinner, knows better than to answer this negatively}

What is the most-played song on her iPod? 

Jason: Baby by Justin Bieber or Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO (but only because we used to babysit my niece and nephew. A lot.)

Nichole: Sadly I hardly ever use my iPod these days…

{2011 called...}

What would she say is your most annoying habit?

Jason: She disapproves when I talk. (I kid! I kid!)

Nichole: We are almost always late to EVERYTHING, and it's not because of me.

What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed?

Jason: She likes for me to make the bed and tuck her in. {because I am six}
Nichole: Turns on fan, and then takes 365 tosses to get comfy.

If you could throw out one item of her clothing what would it be? 

Jason: I really don’t dislike anything she wears. She used to have an annoying habit of wearing ridiculously uncomfortable footwear at inappropriate times, but she’s gotten better about it lately.

Nichole: I don’t think there is anything…that I can think of, anyhow

What would you say is your favorite thing about her?

Jason: Her smile.

Nichole: He says he loves when he can make me laugh

What's her go-to drink at Starbucks? 

Jason: I think its called a Venti Vaguely Coffee-Flavored Slurpee? But I’m not 100% sure.

Nichole: He won’t know this; he calls my beverages of choice at Sbux, milkshakes…

{asshole}

What's her blog's name?!

Jason: Casa de Crews (I’m the original Crews)

Nichole: Casa de Crews

we fancy.