New England Bucket List

When we found out we were headed to Boston for residency, we knew that we didn't want New England to be our 'forever home' as it's so far from family. So since we are planning on being here temporarily (in the grand scheme of things) we knew we wanted to create a "New England Bucket List" so we can see and do everything in the area before we move again in the distant future. I thought it would be fun to share our bucket list with you in case y'all ever find yourself out this way and need recommendations of what to do and see and where to eat!

New England Bucket List: 

+ indicates that we've done the item. 
- means we have yet to check the item off the list. 

+ Do a day trip to Maine

Back to School is for EVERYONE with My Sister's Closet Boutique

Every year at about this time I find myself wanting to refresh my closet and I think that's because it's the back-to-school season and my body/mind/closet just knows that shopping is in the air. But I'm no longer a student so I have had a hard time post-graduation justifying getting new clothes at this time of year because I'm not going back to school, ya know? But I think back-to-school shopping should be for everyone because whether or not you are a student yourself, heading into a new season is an adjustment so everybody deserves to treat themselves to something new!

Introducing My Sister's Closet Boutique! I am SO excited to share this collaboration that I've been working on with this adorable shop! Not only do they have the CUTEST clothes, but they also have amazing prices AND you can use the code CHELAN10 for 10% off your purchase. It's a no brainer!

My Sister's Closet Boutique sent me this darling floral dress and I've already worn it a few times because it's so comfortable and cute! I love the ruffle sleeve, smocking detail, and floral pattern. The colors are perfect to transition into fall, as well. And they have so many items on their site that are just as adorable so be sure to take a look!

Colorado

After our month in North Carolina, we headed to Utah for a weekend before driving to Colorado. You can read more about the fun weekend we spent exploring our old stomping grounds and meeting up with friends from college here! Seriously so much fun! We drove through the mountains to Denver for 'away rotation' #3 and the drive was stunning with the changing leaves.

We both started working that Monday morning - Parker at the hospital and I was at Chipotle's corporate office downtown. Since we were both working we didn't get to explore Denver as much as we wanted to but what we did see and do was great! We would love to explore more of Denver in the future!

Easy Meal Round-Up

If you know me at all, you know that my abilities in the kitchen have been a constant struggle my entire 5 years of marriage. BUT! I am learning and I am improving! If you are at all insecure about your cooking abilities, please read this post about a few of my cooking failures. I'm sure it will make you feel better about yourself.

I am here today to proudly tell you that I have improved when it comes to cooking. Not by much, mind you, and cooking for people other than Parker still really scares me, but I'm getting there! So I wanted to share with you a few easy peasy lemon squeezy and delicious meals that are Parker and Chelan approved (because I'm also one of the world's most picky eaters... read about that here). I promise you, if I can make them, you can too!

Garlic Butter Fettuccini with Chicken and Zucchini

First things first, I love the website that this meal is from. We have liked every recipe we've tried from Damn Delicious (I really hate the name of the website btw) but this one is our favorite. Parker requests this dinner often and it was a real winner when my friends came to visit us in South Carolina last November, too. I like to top mine with a little sprinkle of lemon pepper which isn't listed in the recipe but is SO GOOD!

Image from Damn Delicious

Wide-Leg Pants

A few weeks ago I needed some 'work appropriate' attire but I didn't want to buy a bunch of clothes that were strictly for work and work alone because where's the fun in that?! It's a good thing I had that mentality with my shopping because I ended up switching jobs and have a much more relaxed atmosphere for work now but I can still wear all of the items I purchased that were for work - one of those being the pants I'm sharing today. They are amazeballs!

I've never owned official 'wide-leg pants' before and I was a little hesitant to try them because some that I've seen have been quite unflattering but I'm SO GLAD I tried these on in Old Navy because it was love at first sight. They fit perfectly, are so freaking comfortable, and they are cute to boot! They will also be perfect to transition to fall.... which is still over a month away, might I add, so no need to get hasty about it. Let me just throw that out there haha! #longlivesummer

I wish I had gotten these pants in every color. They're currently on sale and you can get an additional 30% off with the code EXTRA so I just might add a few more colors to my closet. I love the off white color (Creme De La Creme) and the navy (Darkest Hour)! So cute!

Currently Reading: Everything I've Read So Far in 2019

I've talked a lot about books recently on Instagram and I wanted to share all of the books I've loved this year - and maybe a few I haven't loved so much - in a blog post so its all in one place for a quick read rather than a bunch of IG videos to click through.

First things first, if we aren't friends on goodreads or if you don't have an account, it's free and so fun! Click here to go to my profile to see what books I love and create an account if you don't already have one.

I'll share books in two catagories: "Don't Waste Your Time" vs "Worth The Read". Also, please note that I really don't like sharing negative opinions about books (or anything for that matter) because I understand that people put in so much time and effort to create it but I'm simply sharing my opinion and I wish I had spent my time reading something else that I would have enjoyed more.

Don't Waste Your Time:

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton - this kills me because I LOVE Kate Morton but this was one of her weaker books. It was still better than The Distant Hours which is saying something. I would read her other books like The Lake House, House at Riverton, or The Secret Keeper if you want to give Kate Morton a try! She really is such a great writer, this book just missed the mark, in my opinion.

Sodalicious at Home

Pop. Oh, how I love pop! Sodalicious became a thing right before I left Utah (which was probably a good thing) so I didn't get to enjoy it for very long but I've been a general pop lover since I was in the womb. Diet Pepsi is like pure nectar from heaven if you ask me. The sound of a cold can opening makes my mouth water. I crave the burn in the back of my throat on a daily basis.

My parents renovated their kitchen last summer and one of the additions to their updated space was a 'drink station' complete with a mini-fridge that is stocked full of pop of all kinds at all times, syrups and flavor add-in options, and cute cups/straws so you can create the perfect brew of your choice. Pretty much Sodalicious at home! When we moved here to Boston, I decided I needed pop mixology in my life and that doesn't really exist outside of Utah so I created my own favorite mix at home like my parents.

My favorite pop creation includes:

+ Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi
+ Lime Juice
+ A shot of creamer to make it 'dirty' or so they call it at Sodalicious. Two shots is considered 'extra dirty' lol. My fav is Coffee-mate Natural Bliss creamer in the Sweet Cream flavor. It's delicious!!

I'll pour it all in a cup with some ice and a cute straw and I'm good to go! SO GOOD!

I've shared my sisters' favorite mixes below, too!

Matlin loves:
+Dr. Pepper
+Raspberry Puree
+Extra Dirty

Cam's favorite is:
+Mountain Dew
+Strawberry
+Peach
+Dirty

What's your go-to Sodalicious order and have you ever made it at home?

xoxo, Chelan