Weekend Recap {Mark & Mets}


Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope you all had a good weekend. It was quite the whirlwind over here. If you read my Five on Friday, you saw that my brother in law got called up to the big leagues. This is something we've all been praying about for years and finally his hard work had paid off!!! The excitement continued (after our crazy trip up to LA) on Friday when we headed to Dirty Birds to hopefully see him play. He didn't go in that night but it was still fun to hang with some friends.

He's home!!

On Saturday, my husband came back in town. We've been apart for 2 months, which isn't that long in our world, but still felt long lol. His flight was delayed so we ran a couple errands when he got here and then headed to the Maxwell's house for a party. We've seriously met the BEST people during our time in San Diego. I'm so thankful for these people (and a few not pictured) for the love and support they've shown us over the years. I will miss them! Also, thank you to Emily and James for throwing us such a fun party. It was low-key and casual, just the way we like it haha :)

Our hosts- I love that we accidentally color coordinated lol








On Sunday morning we headed to Wonderland to have brunch with some family friends who were in town and also to see Mark's mom. The food was delicious as always and you can't beat that view.
Afterwards, Mark and I rode our bikes to the ferry and took it over to Coronado. We met some friends at McP's and ended up getting to see Chase pitch. People probably thought we were crazy because of all the yelling and cheering. Such a cool experience to see the little bro make his major league debut. Plus he got two strikeouts! We had a LONG ride back but it was a fun day.

on the ferry


Watching Chasen




Five on Friday {Exciting Week}

I am running off of no sleep but my mind won't let me go back to bed. AH! Such a bummer but oh well. Let's dive in...

1. Big League Time


Yesterday was a BIG day for the Bradford family. My brother in law, Chase, got called up to the big leagues!! I was running around my house screaming like a crazy person when I found out. Chase is one of the most hard working and humble people I know. He deserves this more than anyone and I still can't believe it actually happened! Immediately we started putting plans in place to head up to LA in the afternoon for the game. The Mets just happened to be playing the Dodgers so it was perfect.

We drove up to LA with some family and got to the game not too long after it started. We were able to see Chase warm up a couple times but they ended up not putting him in because they were losing going into the 9th. It was still such an incredible experience to be there to support him. We are so proud of you Chase!!








2. Goodbye Debt

This week was also exciting for me because I paid off a student loan with my Rodan+ Fields earnings!! Getting rid of debt is such a good feeling and I love that I have a way to put money aside that doesn't kill our checking or savings. When I started this business I had no idea exactly what I wanted from it. I thought a couple hundred dollars would be helpful but didn't realize that it could/ would turn into the income source it is today. So thankful to my friend Sara for introducing me to the business!

3. Fave New Book

buy it here 

A few weeks ago my friend Kylee recommended the book Caraval by Stephanie Garber. I usually don't read fantasy/ YA books but she always has the best recommendations so I immediately downloaded it. I seriously couldn't put it down, it was so good! It's a much different premise from what I normally read but it was just so intriguing.

The story is about two sisters, Scarlett and Tella who dream of going to the famous Caraval and getting away from their abusive father. They don't see how they can ever leave the island but their fate is changed by an invitation to the mysterious game. This has been Scarlett's dream for so long but the game is much different that it appears and could even be deadly. I don't want to give you any more info because it will give too much away. Read this asap!!

4. Black Bean Flautas


I really haven't been cooking much lately which is so weird because I LOVE to cook. It's just harder for me to get inspired when Mark isn't here. Half the fun of cooking is having someone else try your meals and love them. One thing I was craving this week though was black bean flautas. This is one of my fave meals and Mark's too! I made a batch to have for dinner a couple night and they were delicious!! 

Get the recipe here

5. New Decor


Stephanie gave me this owl sign as an end of the year gift. I have an obsession with owls and she know she so well! How cute is it??


Weekend Recap {Father's Day}


The weekend technically started on Friday because school ended on Thursday... woohoo! I spent part of Friday with some kiddos from our school though for a lunch and movie date. We saw Cars 3 and it was super adorable! My parents got into town Friday afternoon and we headed to the Pearl for happy hour. Afterwards, we went to Buona Forchetta in Liberty Station for dinner. We had the best food... I seriously love that place.




On Saturday, we went to breakfast at Harbortown and then headed to the Harbor cruise. Lots of harbors in that sentence hahah! The harbor cruise is one of my favorite things to do when people come in town. It's only $7 for a military ticket for the hour cruise and it's so relaxing and beautiful. Especially this weekend because the weather was so clear and sunny. Afterwards, we headed to Kansas City BBQ because it's a must when my dad is in town. If you've never been, this is a fun place to stop. It's where they filmed the piano scene in Top Gun. :)



Next, we headed to Old Town for a late lunch and then back home to chill for awhile. It was a long afternoon in the sun and we were exhausted. We ended up venturing back out later that night and headed to the Shout House to see the dueling pianos. A couple was super nice and let us sit at their table and even offered us half their pizza :) haha they were so friendly. We stayed out for quite awhile and LOVED the music that night.



The next morning we were all pretty exhausted so we headed to the beach for a relaxing afternoon. This was after making my dad a big Father's Day breakfast of course. We hung on the beach for a few hours and then had dinner at Fireside. Everything we ate was delicious! We ended the night by watching a super sad movie lol... I don't even know the name. It made my mom cry though.

Happy Father's Day!


My parents left Monday morning and I was sad to see them go. I always have a blast when they are in town! I hope you all had a great weekend!

Weekend Recap {Oysterfest & Emma's Birthday}


Hey everyone! I'm a day late on my weekend recap but that's because I was up late writing a paper on Sunday. Better late than never right?? I had a really fun weekend that was jam-packed with time with friends. Just how I like it :)

We had a half day at school on Friday since it was the last day with the kids. We always do a big performance on the last day of school so it's stressful right up until the last minute haha. The kids did a great job! Afterwards, I had to get my oil changed and ran a few other errands. I was bone tired but didn't want to waste the beautiful day. I ended up going to the beach in Coronado and I relaxed and read for awhile. It's one of my favorite things to do in the summer and it made it feel like vacation was already here!


On Saturday, Emily came over with Goose so he could meet the pups. They played for awhile before we headed to Oysterfest. I had never been before so I was excited to experience something new. We met up with some friends and spent the day listening to music and not eating oysters lol. I only had one the whole time! For an oysterfest they didn't have very many oyster options, oh well lol! We had a great time.





On Sunday, Emily and I got pedicures and breakfast at a new coffee shop in Point Loma. Later on, I headed to Emma's 2nd birthday party. I still cannot believe she is two already! So grown up :(



The rest of the night was spent writing a paper but I'm finally done so hallelujah! Now just three more days of work! So crazy. Have a great day everyone!

Five on Friday

Happy Friday everyone! Today is the last day of school but I still have a week of inservice the following week. I'm still so excited about the idea of summer being SO close. Hallelujah! I am exhausted from this week/ year in general lol. The kids have been super rambunctious because they feel summer is closing in as well. Anyways, I have a fun weekend planned so I'm excited for it to get started. Today, I'm sharing some random favorites of the moment. Here we go...

Wonderspaces





Dina and Meaghan invited me to Wonderspaces in Mission Valley, which is a pop-up art installation. It was so interesting to see the exhibits and such a fun plan for a Tuesday night. We had a little too much fun taking boomerangs at the little outside area. I love a good belly laugh though :) Thanks for inviting me girls!! 
If you're in the San Diego area definitely check it out!

Coconut Lime Scrub

image via

I always love a good body scrub and this scent is my absolute favorite. It takes me right to vacation mode and feels like I'm on a tropical island. Since it's a sugar based scrub, it doesn't leave your skin feeling dry or tight at all. So good!

Gap t-shirts

image via
I'm always on the hunt for a flattering plain tee that's not see-through or body hugging. I'm all about the swing tee or any loose fitting top in general. I found these tees from the Gap the other day and immediately bought all the neutral colors. So perfect to throw on with some shorts or jeans this summer. Disclaimer: the blue pictured above seemed a little more see-through than the other options. **They are actually more flattering than it looks in the pictures on Gap.com

Bloodline


My friend Dina told me about Bloodline on Netflix and now I'm hooked. It's so unlike any show I've ever watched and every episode makes me want more. I barely watch tv when Mark is gone but when  I do Bloodline has been my go to. It's centered around a family in Florida who owns a resort style inn.  The drama is focused on significant events that happened in the family's past. I don't want to give anything away so I will leave it at that. Just watch it!

Cutest Shoes

image via

I saw these shoes at Target and just had to have them. How cute are they?? They are the Dolce Vita line at Target and have the most adorable tassle detail on the zipper. I can't wait to wear them!

Have a great weekend everyone!



Summer Reading List


I have been compiling my summer reading list for a while now so I thought I would share some of my top picks with you. There are some lighter reads on here but it wouldn't be one of my lists without a few thrillers. I love a good scary book! Anyways, some of the books are not released yet but I've pre-purchased most on this list. Reading is my FAVE thing to do any time of year but especially during the summer.


Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer

I'm actually just started reading this book. I'm only a few pages in but so far so good. Nancy Thayer's books are always an easy read but light and refreshing. This is a read at the beach kind of book which is perfect for the summer months. I'll give you a final review when I'm done.

Synopsis from Amazon:

Memorial Day weekend means that seasonal visitors have descended on the glamorous island of Nantucket. For year-round resident Darcy Cotterill, it means late-night stargazing in the backyard of the beautiful house she grew up in and inherited from her beloved grandmother. It’s also Darcy’s chance to hit the beach and meet her new summertime neighbors. But the last person the thirty-year-old librarian expects to see staying next door is her ex-husband, Boyz, along with his wife, Autumn, and stepdaughter, Willow.

Darcy must also navigate the highs and lows of a new romantic relationship with local carpenter Nash Forester even as she becomes smitten with handsome vacationer Clive Rush, a musicologist in town to write a book and visit family. And she finds herself pulled into the concerns of Boyz, Autumn, a charming elderly neighbor, and an at-risk teen.

As the season nears its end, Darcy must decide her next move: retreating to the comforts of her steady and secure island life, or risking it all for a chance at true happiness.


The Breakdown by B.A. Paris

I might be the most excited about this book. I read Behind Closed Doors a few months ago and holy moly it was sooooo good! This is the next book by the same author but it doesn't release until mid-July. I hate waiting :( Just a warning, Behind Closed Doors was super graphic!

Synopsis from Amazon:

Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods. It was on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, and a woman was sitting inside―the woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind; what could she have done, really? It’s a dangerous road to be on in the middle of a storm, and she probably would have been hurt herself if she’d stopped. Not only that, her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home.
But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing. Where she left the car; if she took her pills; even the alarm code.
The only thing she can’t forget is that woman, the woman she might have saved, and the terrible nagging guilt.
And the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her…


The Identicals by Elin Hildebrand

I have a major thing for Nantucket and I LOVE reading books about the island. I've read pretty much everything Elin Hildebrand has ever written and it's largely because of the setting haha. These are usually pretty quick reads but I never get tired of them. This releases mid-June and I pre-ordered it already!

Synopsis from Amazon:

Harper Frost is laid-back, easygoing. She doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. She likes a beer and a shot and wouldn't be caught dead wearing anything fashionable. She's inherited her father's rundown house on Martha's Vineyard, but she can't hold down a job, and her latest romantic disaster has the entire island talking. 

Two beautiful islands only eleven miles apart.
Tabitha Frost is dignified, refined. She prefers a fine wine and has inherited the impeccable taste of her mother, the iconic fashion designer Eleanor Roxie-Frost. She's also inherited her mother's questionable parenting skills--Tabitha's teenage daughter, Ainsley, is in full rebellion mode--and a flailing fashion boutique on Nantucket in desperate need of a cash infusion. 

One unforgettable summer that will change their lives forever.

After more than a decade apart, Harper and Tabitha switch islands--and lives--to save what's left of their splintered family. But the twins quickly discover that the secrets, lies, and gossip they thought they'd outrun can travel between islands just as easily as they can. Will Harper and Tabitha be able to bury the hatchet and end their sibling rivalry once and for all? Before the last beach picnic of the season, there will be enough old resentments, new loves, and cases of mistaken identity to make this the most talked-about summer that Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket have experienced in ages.



Every Last Lie by Mary Kubica

This may be my 2nd most anticipated read of the summer. I loved Mary Kubica's books, The Good Girl, Pretty Baby, and Don't You Cry so I am so excited to see what kind of thriller she has come up with this time. Out of the first three, The Good Girl is my absolute favorite!

Synopsis from Amazon:

Clara Solberg's world shatters when her husband and their four-year-old daughter are in a car crash, killing Nick while Maisie is remarkably unharmed. The crash is ruled an accident…until the coming days, when Maisie starts having night terrors that make Clara question what really happened on that fateful afternoon. 
Tormented by grief and her obsession that Nick's death was far more than just an accident, Clara is plunged into a desperate hunt for the truth. Who would have wanted Nick dead? And, more important, why? Clara will stop at nothing to find out—and the truth is only the beginning of this twisted tale of secrets and deceit. 
Told in the alternating perspectives of Clara's investigation and Nick's last months leading up to the crash, master of suspense Mary Kubica weaves her most chilling thriller to date—one that explores the dark recesses of a mind plagued by grief and shows that some secrets might be better left buried.


The Shark Club by Ann Kidd Taylor

This book is currently pre-ordered (it releases June 6th) and I am super excited to dive in. The author is actually the daughter of Sue Monk Kidd who wrote Secret Life of Bees and Invention of Wings. They have a book that they co-wrote as well but I've never read it. There's a lot of buzz around this book so I'm thrilled to get my hands on it soon.

Synopsis from Amazon:

One summer day on the beach in Florida, two extraordinary things happen to Maeve Donnelly. First, she is kissed by Daniel, the boy of her dreams. Then, she is bitten by a blacktip shark.

Eighteen years later, Maeve has thrown herself into her work as a world-traveling marine biologist discovering more about the minds of misunderstood sharks. But when Maeve returns home to the legendarily charming and eccentric Hotel of the Muses where she was raised by her grandmother, she finds more than just the blood orange sunsets and key lime pies she’s missed waiting for her.

While Maeve has always been fearless in the water, on land she is indecisive. A chance meeting on the beach with a plucky, irresistible little girl who is just as fascinated by the ocean as Maeve was growing up leaves her at a crossroads: Should she re-kindle her romance with Daniel, the first love she left behind when she dove into her work? Or indulge in a new romance with her colleague, Nicholas, who turns up in her hometown to investigate an illegal shark-finning operation?   

Set against the intoxicating backdrop of palm trees, calypso bands, and perfect ocean views, The Shark Club is a story of the mysterious passions of one woman’s life: her first love and new love; the sea and sharks that inhabit it.


The Young Wives Club by Julie Pennell

When I was looking for some new books, I came across this one on Amazon. In the description it said that this is perfect for fans of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood and I LOVED that movie. I immediately put it in my cart and it's on it's way :)

Synopsis from Amazon:
In Toulouse, Louisiana finding your one true love happens sometime around high school. If you’re lucky, he might be the man you thought he was. But as four friends are about to find out, not every girl has luck on her side in this charming debut novel perfect for fans of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Desperate Housewives. 

**I didn't includes the rest of the synopsis because I felt like it gave so much of the story away. 




The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable 

Another book set in Nantucket, need I say more?? This seems like another perfect beach read.

Synopsis from Amazon:

The ocean, the wild roses on the dunes and the stunning Cliff House, perched atop a bluff in Sconset, Nantucket. Inside the faded pages of the Cliff House guest book live the spellbinding stories of its female inhabitants: from Ruby, a bright-eyed newlywed on the eve of World War II to her granddaughter Bess, who returns to the beautiful summer estate.
For the first time in four years, physician Bess Codman visits the compound her great-grandparents built almost a century before, but due to erosion, the once-grand home will soon fall into the sea. Bess must now put aside her complicated memories in order to pack up the house and deal with her mother, a notorious town rabble-rouser, who refuses to leave. It’s not just memories of her family home Bess must face though, but also an old love that might hold new possibilities. 
In the midst of packing Bess rediscovers the forgotten family guest book. Bess’s grandmother and primary keeper of the book, Ruby, always said Cliff House was a house of women, and by the very last day of the very last summer at Cliff House, Bess will understand the truth of her grandmother’s words in ways she never imagined.