Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

Genre: Fiction


Pages: 260


Synopsis from Goodreads: There are secrets you share, and secrets you hide…


Growing up on her family’s Sonoma vineyard, Georgia Ford learned some important secrets. The secret number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine: eight hundred. The secret ingredient in her mother’s lasagna: chocolate. The secret behind ending a fight: hold hands.

But just a week before her wedding, thirty-year-old Georgia discovers her beloved fiancé has been keeping a secret so explosive, it will change their lives forever.

Georgia does what she’s always done: she returns to the family vineyard, expecting the comfort of her long-married parents, and her brothers, and everything familiar. But it turns out her fiancé is not the only one who’s been keeping secrets…


My Thoughts: Eight Hundred Grapes is one of the best novels I have read in a while. It was on my Summer Reading List and it definitely did not let down my expectations. Bonus points for being a shorter book to help me through my reading list! For the last several years, Ryan and I have had a big California trip all planned out. We just haven’t quite found the time to go yet. This book made me want to visit northern Cali SO much more. It sounds so beautiful. I loved the way all of the relationships panned out in this book ans the story gripped me from the first page. It was an addictive book that I couldn’t wait to read every night. I would definitely recommend it to women of all ages! Oh, and I gave it 5 stars which I haven’t done in a while. 🙂

P.S. Be my friend on Goodreads!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SchooledByBeauty #CollectiveBias

Mornings are always so busy around our house. Both of my babies are very awake when they decide to wake up – which is usually around 6:00 a.m. With me being in charge of diaper changes and breakfast in the mornings, I have to be awake and alert. I have a really simple morning routine that always helps me jump start my day. If I’m really lucky, I get to take a shower in the morning. Most of the time, however, I take mine at night right before bed. If that is the case, I head to the kitchen and make myself (and my husband) a cup of coffee. I am not a morning person. I don’t know if I ever will be. I definitely function better if it is later in the day. This reminds me so much of my college days. It is officially back-to-school time and I have been nostalgic and reflective on my time in school. It felt similar to how I feel now – running on little sleep.

What helped me through college and is helping me now as a new mother was a simple morning routine. After I enjoy some coffee, I head to the bathroom and wash my face with Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Scrub Pink Grapefruit. My grandfather always taught me to wash my face every morning and every night before bed. He drilled that in my head and I will always remember that. I’ve done this for as long as I can remember. I then use Neutrogena’s Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne moisturizer to make my skin baby soft! I love soft skin and I am kind of a lotion hoarder. I put lotion on multiple times a day because it feels so good.

After cleaning and moisturizing, I then begin to apply a light layer of make-up starting with Neutrogena Skinclearing Mineral Powder. I love this product and have been using it for years. It is so affordable and great for your skin. My dermatologist actually recommended that I used this when I was a teenager and having problems with my skin. I have loved using it since. It is light and airy and offers the perfect amount of coverage without feeling like you’re wearing a mask. 

Now through September 9th you can purchase three Neutrogena facial products and get one free! You can also get 10% off all Neutrogena cosmetics when using Target’s Cartwheel app through August 29th!

Be sure to check out more Neutrogena beauty products here! Which would you like to try?

I can’t believe tomorrow is my birthday! I will be a whopping 27 years old! I’m super excited to be spending my birthday weekend in one of my favorite cities – Jax Beach – and with my family who I don’t get to see very often. My husband spoiled me with some goodies from the Nordstrom Sale, but he REALLY surprised me with this Lily Pulitzer romper! I love LP but it is so expensive. I couldn’t believe he bought it for me even after I thought he was finished with my gift… or technically gifts. He is way too good to me. I am wearing this little number on my birthday tomorrow for sure! What better place to wear it than Florida?

And now, we will be cruising away and vacationing for an entire week! I couldn’t be more excited and this could not be a better time. I just wish my little man were feeling up to it a little more. We will still have a good time and spoil him with a lot of quality one-on-one time. He definitely needs it right now.

I’m off to celebrate my birthday weekend, so peace out for now! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

What does comfy mean to you? To me, “comfy” means leggings and an oversized sweatshirt on a cold winter day. Snuggling by the fireplace with a cup of coffee and devouring a novel. It means cuddling with my babies on the couch and going for long walks around the neighborhood in my worn sneakers. Comfy is my husband and our home that we bought and created together.

When I am having my time of the month, the only thing I want to be is…you guessed it – Comfy! I can’t always wear sweatpants and lay around, in fact I hardly ever have time to lay around these days, but U by Kotex® Curves Liners keep me feeling comfy no matter what clothes or undies I am wearing. They keep me from being paranoid and make me feel at ease throughout my day. I feel like I can tackle anything and not have to worry about an embarrassing situation. They are now offered in bright bold colors and the designs are so fun!

This week, I have been laying around with SR and Hampton since he broke his ankle and can’t walk on it. Ryan has been out of town all week and just got back in late last night, so we have been pretty lazy and pitiful. Being comfortable has been key. For me, and especially for my boy!

Be sure to enter the #BringComfyBack Contest, by visiting bringcomfyback.com and upload your creative pic or gif showcasing your best uncomfy face! Each month, one winner will receive a $200 Urban Outfitters gift card, a Go Pro Hero 3 white camera, a $100 Sephora gift card and some U by Kotex products.


At the end of the contest, the most creative selfie will be chosen and the winner will receive a trip to L.A. with a friend, an exclusive U by Kotex photo shoot and $2,000 cash! Good luck! 

Be sure to stop by and get your FREE SAMPLES of U by Kotex® Curves Liners!

What is your favorite “comfy” item?

How is everyone feeling about this tank top weather? I’ll be honest, I am kind of over it and ready for fall. If you think I’m nuts, you obviously don’t live in Alabama. Seriously, it is SO hot. It doesn’t help that I have been running in this 95+ degree weather every other day trying to lose weight for our cruise next week!

I have been living in tank tops and shorts and I am still hot 99% of the time. This tank has been one of my favorites because of the message it spreads. I am a Christian first and foremost and always want to represent Christ in everything that I do. I fail more times than not, but if I can turn someone’s head by the shirt I choose to wear and make them google a bible verse or ask me a question about my faith, I am going to take that chance to minister to someone. Even if it is in a really small and subtle way. After all, that is our purpose, isn’t it?

I am so excited for our cruise next week and honestly can not believe it is finally here. This trip has been planned for a year (before I ever even knew I was pregnant) and while it felt like it took forever to get here, these last couple of weeks have definitely snuck up on me. I am hustling trying to get packed and ready to leave. This tank is definitely coming with me. It is perfect for throwing over my bathing suit in the Bahamas!

Once we get back from our cruise, I am going to be ready for fall weather. Unfortunately, that doesn’t come here until around late October. It is my favorite time of year and I can’t wait for some heat relief!

If you noticed on Instagram, my baby boy broke his ankle over the weekend. He was jumping in the kiddie pool I bought for him (which has been renamed “the pool of broken dreams”) and he twisted his ankle and landed on it really funny. He immediately grabbed his foot and stated screaming. It was one of the worst moments as a mother. I did remain calm because I didn’t want to scare him or make things worse, but it was not a fun night. After 5 hours in the ER, we got home around midnight and he couldn’t sleep. He was hurting so much. It was awful. I really hate he is going to be in a cast in this miserable weather, but even more so because of our cruise. It is breaking my heart. I keep reading this verse and it is comforting. I am praying for healing for my sweet angel and I hope he will feel much better by the weekend.

Do you have any last minute vacations planned before school starts? Have you ever broken any bones?

This post contains affiliate links.

As an early birthday present this year, Ryan spoiled me a little bit by letting me snag some goodies from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! I am so excited and have already worn a couple of my new pieces. I couldn’t possibly wait until fall! I also splurged and bought SR a little winter dress. I LOVE it! I can just see it now with some little white tights and booties!

Unfortunately, the prices on the new fall items have gone back up, but you should still check them out! Some of the things I bought are not too terribly expensive and they are all really worth the splurge! Here is what I scored from the sale:

Booties
Rayne Tassel Necklace by Kendra Scott
Dylan Stone Pendant Necklace (in Emerald)
Arden Cuff by Kendra Scott
Sweater
Lush Tunic
Everly Dress (in black)
Zella Leggings
Pink Baby Dress

Did you buy anything from the sale? What were some of your picks?

This post is sponsored by NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE but my love for their morsels is all my own!

I was perusing Pinterest the other day for an easy no-bake recipe for our cookout on Saturday that we hosted for some of our friends and family! We love to entertain and have our friends over often. On the menu were steaks and twice baked potatoes, but I wanted to include a delicious dessert that didn’t take too much time to make. I came across this Edible Cookie Dough Recipe and knew that is what I was going to make. The original recipe can be found on Cincy Shopper! 

I ran to Publix and grabbed my Nestle Toll House® milk chocolate morsels and everything else I needed to make this recipe was already in my pantry. The total time to make the dough was about 10 minutes. It is a great dessert if you are in a hurry. Bonus points: my friends and our kids LOVED it! It is a great summer time treat that can be paired great with ice cream as well! Without further ado: 

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
2/3 cup Flour
1/4 cup Nestle Toll House® Milk Chocolate Morsels
4 tbsp softened Butter
2 tbsp Milk
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Vanilla


DIRECTIONS:
Mix Brown Sugar, Softened Butter, Salt and Vanilla together. Stir in the Milk and Flour until you get your desired consistency. Fold in chocolate morsels. Chill in fridge about 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

That’s it! It is SO easy and really delicious!

GIVEAWAY:
You can win $10 to try a no-bake recipe for yourself! All you have to do is visit Nestle Toll House®‘s Pinterest page and repin a no-bake recipe you’d like to try! Be sure to leave the link to your social share in the comments below!

What did you do over the weekend? Do you entertain often?

This post contains affiliate links. 

Instax Camera

Faux Leather Backpack

Leggings

ASICS

Fitbit

Shirt Dress

Kate Spade Rain Boots

Stapler

kate spade new york Sticky Note Set

Apple iPad Mini

Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses

Watch

T-shirt Dress

Planner
Jeans

I may try to get away with some of these styles, anyway. I mean T-shirt dress? That is a trend I can get behind!

What is on your back-to-school list?

Also, check out my Tips for Getting Organized: College Edition!

This post is sponsored by Yoplait but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.


Be sure to make your #SweetSummer by checking out the latest Yoplait Yogurt and coupon!

I’m so excited to tell you that I am now only 5 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight! I am so thankful, but I must admit that I have been working my tail off and it has not been easy. People have been asking me if I’ve been “wrapping” or doing Advocare, etc. but I am SO not a gimmick girl. I am a firm believer that the only way you will lose weight and keep it off is if you change your lifestyle.

Exercise – I have been exercising (almost) every day. Whether it’s a 3 mile jog or a 10 minute yoga video, I am making sure to move every day. When I plateaued about six weeks ago, I noticed a huge difference once I started exercising again. The weight finally started coming off.

Diet – I have started watching what I eat again. I am not going to sit here and tell you I’ve been perfect, because there is a slice of cookie cake from last week that will tell you I haven’t been. I am trying to eat healthier but I won’t be so strict to where I can’t enjoy life’s pleasures. One way I do this without totally ruining my diet is by eating yogurt. Yoplait has a new yogurt that has 25% less sugar in it! I have loved eating these and I even feel good about giving them to my son without worrying that he will be super hyper.

Determination – My husband will be the first to tell you that when I get an idea in my head, I won’t be satisfied until I do it. Some may call me stubborn, but I call it determination and dedication. 😉

Scheduling – I am a natural planner, but I have started making sure that I have written in my calendar when I will work out from day to day. Most of the time it happens at night or late afternoon when Ryan can watch the kids. Sometimes I take Hampton on my runs and leave SR with Ryan while she is taking a nap. Planning ahead will make it seem more important and you won’t have an excuse to not do it.

Giveaway Time!!!

Don’t forget to print your Yoplait Coupon and enter to win $15 by visiting their website HERE and leaving me a comment telling me which flavor and recipe you would like to try!

This past weekend was so busy, but a fun kind of busy. Friday afternoon, I bought Hamp a little pool for our backyard for $5 on clearance at Walmart! I just couldn’t pass up that price or the chance at making my son’s day! Sure enough, I spent the rest pf the afternoon and Saturday morning in the pool with him! We even got fancy and put his little slide in the pool! I’m a cool mom! haha

Saturday afternoon we enjoyed time at Target…and when I say “we” I mean me. Ryan always dreads going to Target because he claims we can never leave without buying things we don’t really need. I have no idea what he is talking about! I needed those 2 new books that I bought!

After our Target run, we headed to my nephew’s 3rd birthday party! It was so much fun! Everything was decorated so cute. He is very into Paw Patrols right now. I am new to this because it is apparently a little over Hampton’s head right now, but he loved playing with the Paw Patrol toys, so it may not belong before we are in that phase, too. I wouldn’t mind a break from Thomas the Train.

Sunday, after church, I went to one of my childhood friend’s baby shower! She is having a little girl this October and I couldn’t be happier for her! She is going to be a wonderful mommy! It seems like so many friends are getting pregnant again! I can’t wait to meet all of these precious babies!

My best friend is finding out the gender of her baby this morning and I am going to lunch with her today after her appointment! I Can Not Wait. She has a little boy that is a few months older than Hampton and they are kind of adorable together! Now I just can’t wait to find out if SR will have a BFF or a boyfriend!

So many exciting things are happening right now. I’m so excited for all of my friends and I love celebrating and rejoicing in their happy news!

What did you do last weekend? Have you noticed a lot of preggers lately?