Coffee Talk {2}

I'm starting this week out with a To-Do List on my mind- making this link-up the perfect one for me!

1. Clean house. My house looks great Monday night-Saturday morning, but sometime between Saturday Morning and Monday afternoon a tornado comes through and manages to destroy everything. I've been trying to work on this but just can't seem to get there. 

2. Subway art printables. I've been working on a few prints, a couple for my house and one for a lady in my neighborhood. I get up before my girls lately and just watch shows while I wait for them to wake up, instead I'm going to start pulling my laptop out and working away. 

3. Pick a hair cut/color. My anniversary is in 4 weeks. I am getting my hair done and have no idea what to do, I'm determined to have at least a couple ideas by the end of the week so I can make an appointment. 

There ya have it! Three of my goals for the week!

Linking up here today!

Summer Reading.

As I will be spending lots of time inside enjoying the comfort of the air conditioner as well as lots of time outside watching my girls get their energy out I decided I need to get a good list of books to read this summer! So far with the [little] wandering of blogs I've been able to do the last couple days I have a few books on my list!

In The Unlikely Event- Judy Blume

The Book of Joan- Melissa Rivers

A Million Suns- Beth Revis

Granny Dan- Danielle Steele (a re-read from a long time ago!)

   

     

    What are you reading this summer? 

Monday Coffee Talk.

Happy Monday! It's 7:30 and the 3 kids are still asleep here. I've been up for at least an hour since getting my nephew- who thankfully goes right back to bed. I wish I could have, I know I'll be looking for some place comfy to curl up later in the afternoon. I've been doing that a lot lately. 

I'm so happy to be linking up with Jasmine for Monday Coffee Talk today. What better way to start off a new week? So I could be wrong but it looks like we're going to share a few goals for the week and I definitely need this. If only I had a nice cup of coffee to sit down with. Right now I'm completely caffeine free and living off of water. 

one. Cleaning. Lame right? My house has been a disaster for weeks- I just can't seem to get ahead of the mess right now but I have a good feeling that this might be the week where I finally have energy and can stomach the cleaning that needs to be done.

two. Reading. We have a neighborhood/church book club. I've wanted to go but never get around to reading any of the books so with book club just over 2 months away right now I went and picked up their next book. Wonder by R.J. Palacio. I found this in the Children's section at Barnes and Noble, I'm really curious to see what I can get from this book. Have you read it yet?

three. Get some sun! This is the first time in years that I've actually had a tiny bit of tan on my legs. I've been spending tons of time outside this summer so far and am happy to say that it's paying off tan wise. Other than that it's absolutely wonderful watching my girls run around outside. They could live outside if I let them too bad it's starting to get too warm for me to enjoy it too much outside. 

{Review} The Essential Gluten-Free Grocery Guide

About 2 years ago my husband took my advice and started a gluten free diet. He sticks to it when he goes out and when we're at home. The thing is, I meal plan & grocery shop, and my daughters and I don't necessarily follow a gluten free diet all of the time. At first I would check labels and only buy anything that was clearly labeled Gluten Free. It was so time consuming to walk through the store, and having to double check everything I picked up. I eventually had figured out several things and just sorta stuck with those items for a while. 

This last couple weeks I've tried something new when it comes to my meal planning and grocery shopping. I've been using The Essential Gluten-Free Grocery Guide. I just meal plan and as I'm writing my grocery list if there is something I haven't bought too often or something I'm not quite sure about I'll just pull it up in the book. 

Honestly, at first I didn't see a point to this book, I was a bit overwhelmed with it and wasn't sure I'd even care to look through it. I mean sitting down to find new recipes, meal plan, make a grocery list, is more than enough to keep me busy and now I was supposed to throw this book in the mix? It seemed like a pain. It's really not though. I've enjoyed using it and making sure that I'm picking up the right things for my husband. 

I know he will never know what it's like to have to meal plan, make a grocery list and grocery shop all while trying to follow a specific diet, but it's A LOT of work, especially with 2 young kids in tow. If he ever gets the opportunity to actually do it I'm sure he'd appreciate the book as much as I have learned to. 

Those of you that are Gluten-Free, how do you meal plan and grocery shop? Do you stop and check every item- or are you stuck in a rut like I was for a bit there with just buying what is familiar? If you're just starting a Gluten-Free lifestyle or are looking for something to help you out, this book is a good option! Very helpful and easy to use. If you already have something you use, let me know what it is and how you like it! I was given this book in exchange for my honest review! 

+LIFEGUARD Mini 1 Power Bank Review

It feels like even though my phone is fully charged at night that if I'm out and about it just doesn't seem to last. My girls like to keep it busy, constantly watching shows or listening to music on it. I don't mind I just wish that I didn't have to charge it while at home or driving. Never did I think I would have a need for a +LIFEGUARD Mini 1 power bank for my phone. 

Well guess what, now that I have it, I can't believe I didn't get one sooner! This power bank has made it super easy to charge my phone while I'm out shopping, or even in church. I just toss it in my bag and plug my phone in and it starts to work it's magic! This power bank has a tough aluminum shell, making it perfect for it's travels in my purse. It can be recharged up to 800 times, easily! 

It is compatible with the following devices: iPhones, iPods, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, Nokia, Sony and other cell phones, MP3, MP4, digital cameras with DC 5V input. I personally use it for my iPhone and it works well! I've been very pleased with how well this works and how easy it is to use and charge. I don't have one complaint! 

Have you ever used a power bank for your device before? If not but you'd like to, I'd definitely recommend this one! I did receive this power bank in exchange for my honest review.