Hi, Everyone! Happy Wednesday 😊
Today’s recap post isn’t very long, but I still wanted to put one up just if you were looking for a light read this afternoon. I spent most of the week behind the computer screen, my meals were bowls of soup and jars of smoothies, and my exercise consisted of dog walks. After a trip, I like to spend a lot of time writing and catching up on housework. It was nice to dedicate my week to staying put while being productive. I’ve also had a lot of time to brainstorm, plan for the upcoming months, and set some goals for myself. Overall, I feel good today, motivated, and ready to start up some new projects!
We were getting the tropical storms from the hurricane earlier in the week. The weather helped me stay put, and I spent the day working on my blogs, videos and catching up on all the laundry from the trip.
On Tuesday evening, I made a delicious pot of sweet potato chili. It was delicious, and I lived off it the entire week! I used this recipe and added sweet potatoes instead of carrots and kidney beans. I also added two cans of hot green chilies. I picked up a bag of Siete chips to add to the top!
The dogs loved their raincoat walks! 😳 (My mums didn’t survive when I got back from my trip.)
Between Wednesday and Thursday, this was the only photo I took! That’s never happened before. I was just so preoccupied with other projects.
I made my favorite breakfast smoothie: banana, cashew milk, cocoa, matcha, spirulina, protein, and pumpkin seed protein! You can see the whole process of this smoothie on my “raw vegan video!”
The weather was PERFECT on Friday. It was around 70-degrees and breezy. My mom had the day off, and we just wanted to spend some time outside. We both needed new mums and pumpkins for our porches, so we headed over to the nursery to pick out a few.
We decided to stop at our favorite spot, Panera, for lunch. This is always our go-to when we’re together.
I ordered the turkey chili and apple fuji salad. I always customize my salad by adding avocado, kale, romaine, no cheese, and cucumber. I ordered a fruit cup on the side to throw on top as if it needed any more toppings! 😉
I couldn’t stand looking at that teal chair I used to have in the corner any longer! I moved it up to the office and replaced it with a new chair the fit the room so much better! I’ll get a better photo of the chair area soon!
Not only did I get a new chair, but I also wanted to change up the summer-y rug under the dining table. I picked out a really soft one at Target! Leo LOVES sleeping under the table, so I made sure to find one that was extra soft for him. Even though I love this rug, I know myself too well. I’ll end up changing it again. I think it’s too bold for this area. It’ll do for now!
Kyle and I have been searching for a new sectional. Couch shopping is so hard! We will pick out a soft grey or light cream, but it HAS to be comfortable and durable. I can’t wait to get it ordered! I’ve had my current couch for about five years, and once we added Leo to the family, it really took a beating with the boys wrestling and tearing it up. There will be new rules with the new couch! We are thinking of keeping the one we have now just if we move into a new home in a year or two and need to fill extra space. I also want to get rid of it, so I may just set it outside during the neighborhood yard sale for free. We are still debating!
I spent Saturday out and about shooting some campaign photos for upcoming blogs and giveaways! I had to have a snack later in the day! I had a GoMacro bar from CVS, and it was pretty good.
The weather was PERFECT on Saturday evening. We stopped out at my parent’s house for dinner and backyard fun. We played some games, let the dogs run around, and then had a delicious dinner. I love when my mom makes salmon! She does it the best. 😃
Happy dog ♥️
On Sunday morning, I had a breakfast smoothie before tackling some projects! It had Garden of Life vanilla protein powder (I’ve loved lately), banana, almond milk, pumpkin seed protein, and ice!
I headed to Earthfare to pick up some things to make soup for the week again. Eating soup all week long made my dinner nights so much easier! I also picked up more flavored almond butter from Big Spoon Roasters! I’ve loved this stuff, and the ginger-flavored one was awesome! Before I left, I grabbed a fresh juice. It had celery, apple, lemon, kale, extra ginger, lime. Whenever I order a juice, I always ask them to add one apple to keep the sugar low.
I made a delicious chicken and butternut squash kale chili soup for dinner! I’ll get that recipe out soon! 😊 We’ve been eating it all week long.
Questions for you!
- If you could change one thing about your living room, what would it be?
- I’m planning out my VLOGMAS schedule. What Christmas-themed video would you like to see?
- Have you carved pumpkins yet?
Amy T. says
Taralynn,
First off, your dinner at your parent’s looks AMAZING!
1. I need to finish decorating, so probably curtains and wall art
2. I know this may be weird, but I’m always interested in how/where people store Christmas décor….probably not a Vlog topic, but a blog post maybe? Everyone does how they decorated and I’m wondering where it all goes when the holiday is over. I’m starting to collect seasonal décor since I’ve been in my house now for each season and need organizing help!!!
3. I haven’t even bought pumpkins!!! And I’ve actually never carved a pumpkin before!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Amy!
They ALWAYS go all out when we head out that way!
I usually put mine in bins and store them in my attic! You’ll get to see that on the video when I put all the decor up!!
WAIT, WHAT?!?! PLEASE CHECK THAT OFF YOUR LIST!!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Fall where you live looks beautiful! I’ve said it many times, but I wish there were outdoorsy places like this in Hong Kong! 🙂
I’ve never carved pumpkins in my life, actually! The pumpkin breeds typically used for carving aren’t cheap here (but kabochas are!) so yeah… I hope to try it in the future, though! 😛
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Hopefully you get to see all those places when you travel! ♥️
I can’t believe you’ve never carved pumpkins! You shold do that if you visit the states in the fall!
Shelley says
I’d love it if youd donate the couch instead of giving it away during a yardsale! I think you bring your clothes to a shelter, bring the couch!
Taralynn McNitt says
Great idea!
Mal says
1) I need more art! I just order some photos off my phone that came in and they look awesome! Looking forward to finding a creative way to hang those!
2) Oh my gourd girl, I want to see a video of you making your sugar cookies and decorating them! I always lose patience when it comes time to decorate and ice them!
3) I haven’t carved a pumpkin yet, but I am going to a BYOP event this Saturday- and I am a manager of an apartment community so we are planning a super fun Pumpkin Party next week! Wahoo!!
Taralynn McNitt says
That is great! Can’t go wrong with photos!
YES!! THATS ON THE LIST!! 😃
That’ll be such a fun fall acitvity! Enjoy, Mal! xo
Charity says
Woohoo! I’m so glad you’re doing Vlogmas! I would love to see just every day life vlogging, Christmas shopping, tree decorating, Christmas parties, all the Christmas stuff! ♥ (Seriously, I’m so pumped now…Ha!)
Taralynn McNitt says
I am SO EXCITED to particiapte this year. Something fun to add to the blog 😊
Those will all be included in Vlogmas!
Ann says
The salmon and the Panera both look delish! I love that squash soup!!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Ann! Panera has really good food for sure 😊
Susie says
Mmm… love Panera, especially their tomato bisque (in a bread bowl!) and their mac & cheese.
Your dining room rug looks great! But I know what you mean about the boldness, I tend to stick to more basic-y decor myself.
If I could change one thing about my living room it would be finally finding some wall decor/art to hang over my sofa. That wall is completely bare and it really bugs me. I like how you have a decorative mirror over your sofa, but I already have my mirror hanging elsewhere.
VLOGMAS! I would love to see a holiday home decor tour, baking, crafts, holiday makeup tutorial…
I have not carved pumpkins yet, – maybe this weekend!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Susie!
Ohhhh man! Panera is really the best! So glad I have one close to me 😀
Glad you get me! I think it’ll work for the colder months, but I’ll have to go lighter in the spring!
It’s SO HARD to find things to hang up! I always see ideas online that look amazing, but mine end up being fails.
CAN’T WAIT to do vlogmas!!!
Ohhhh yes! I’m thinking next weekend but seeing everyone’s creations make me want to get started!
P says
Pumpkins are so gross! I don’t know how people carve them.
Taralynn McNitt says
Ha! I’ve actually had a couple of people tell me this.
Brooklyn Murtaugh says
If I could change one thing about my living room, it’s that I would get a living room haha. When I moved into my apartment, after driving for a week across Canada, we were told that our one bedroom we were expecting to live in is actually a studio. It was annoying at first but has somehow grown on us.
That chili looked delicious!
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Brooklyn!
Sometimes when you have less space, it’s less stressful! You don’t accumlate so much stuff!
Ashton Jury says
I carved pumpkins last night! Mine looks like Oogie Boogie from Nightmare Before Christmas.if I had to change one thing in my living room it would definitely be our enertainment set up, its to bulky but I haven’t found one I like yet. I would love to see maybe a cookie or Christmas tree decorating video.
Taralynn McNitt says
That is so cool! I bet it looks awesome.
I had to go to like seven stores to find the perfect one!
Those will both be in the vlogmas! 😃 🎄
Emily says
It is definitely soup season! ❤️ I can’t wait for you to share that Chicken butternut squash kale soup!
I haven’t carved my pumpkin yet, but plan to here soon!
Taralynn McNitt says
Same here! ❤️
Bren says
I always appreciate your consistency with recaps! Even if they arent long, we love them!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Bren!
Anastasia says
Loved this post! Those Emmy’s organic vanilla bean cookies are AMAZING. I love them soooo much with a cup of coffee!
If I could change one thing about my living room it would be the carpet…God bless my roommate because her parents bought her this rug for the living room and it is SHAG… and we have 3 dogs that live with us… yeah, it is permanently stinky and traps hair like no other.
I think it would be really cool if you did some DIY Christmas present videos or made healthy Christmas goodies!
No pumpkins have been carved yet…but lots of pumpkin bread has been eaten!!! lol
Have the best week!!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Anastasia!
Thanks for stopping by! 💜
We LOVE the Emmy’s organic cookies! I keep them in the freezer and also have one with my coffee in the morning! Or afternoon 😉
I’d defintiely be getting rid of that carpet too! lol
Yes! Definitely adding those to the list! I love DIY during the holidays!
YUM! Can’t go wrong with pumpkin bread! 😃
xo xo
Jenna says
Only one thing? I hate my living room so much, it’s so dark and I hate that. We have these really ugly, old fake? wood panels on one wall, really dark carpet, and then a white fake brick wall on the other walls. It looks terrible. Not to mention our couch is dark, our recliner is dark and our tv stand is dark and my boyfriend always has the blinds/curtains closed with dark brown curtains! So I want a new living room completely lol.
As for Vlogmas, I’d have to just say some Christmas recipes! (:
No, no pumpkins here. I think the new thing in FL is carving either a watermelon or a pineapple because with this 90 degree weather the pumpkins just wont last. I do plan on taking my pup to the pumpkin patch for pictures though!
Oh & I thought of you the other day. We went to this little, tiny shop in our area called Mrs. Mango and they make their own honey, they sell herbs, spices, tea, etc. It’s seriously the cutest shop. Well she let me try a candied ginger. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough to spit it out. It was so strong and burned my mouth! But you love ginger, so i thought you would like it. LOL!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Jenna!
Sounds like you need to add some light to the living room! I’d start grabbing a gallon of white paint!! Also if you don’t like the carpet, a lamenet floor is easy and fun to intall!
YES YES TO RECIPES!!
carving a watermelon!? OK FUN!! And so much yummier!! We are heading to FLorida for Thanksgiving again and it’s always a blast!
That sounds like the perfect shop for me and you can give me ANYTHING GINGER!! lol Your reaction was my boyfriend’s reaction to anything ginger! haha
Jenna says
We rent so unfortunately I can’t change anything except for decor in my living room…. ):
Where in Florida do you go? The weather right now is gorgeous – high of 80!
Yeah I wanted to try it but ginger is definitely not for me… but there is this coffee/juice shop opening near me and they are going to be selling elderberry! Can’t wait to try it out!
Taralynn McNitt says
We go to Venice Florida! 💜
You’ll have to let me know what juice shop that is! Is it ginger flavored elderberry!? 😆
Krista says
You have the best eye for interior design! If there were one thing I could change about my living room, it’s that I would learn how to match colors, HA! I don’t really know how to match things, despite having worked at a furniture store for almost a year back in the day. 😐 whoops.
No pumpkins yet, but I’m not sure we’ll do it this year. We’re hopefully adopting a dog this weekend, in the middle of everything else, and next week is my husband’s birthday (unrelated but nonetheless exciting), but I don’t think it’ll be a big deal– we live in an extremely religious neighborhood that doesn’t really do Halloween. On my first Halloween in the house, we camped out with Netflix, ordered pizza, and had gotten two huge bags of candy to give out. Around 8:30 or 9 pm, a little girl came by the house to trick-or-treat, dressed as a devil. 😛
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Krista!
Thank you so much!!!! I just watch a lot of fixer upper lol I’ve been trying to stick to earthy tones but adding one fun color to pop every season!
Aww how fun is that!! You’ll have to let me know if you do end up adopting! Would love to see pics! 😃 🐶 I feel like netflix and pizza is perfect for Halloween! Lol 😂 Love that she dressed up as the devil in a very religious neighborhood. I’m sure that went over very well haha!
Morgan says
I know you frequently eat protein bars and wanted to ask if you had tried Perfect Bars yet? They are TO DIE FOR!
Taralynn McNitt says
I havent yet! I see them all the time. I’ll have to try them out next time 😃
Courtney says
Loved the blog post this week! I also really enjoyed your videos from your trip home to see family. Looks like y’all had a great time.
1) I would really like to change/add new decor to the living room. It needs some sprucing up.
2) I would love to see a Christmas home decor vlog. I’m getting super excited for Christmas already, though I love Halloween and Thanksgiving. I need to enjoy those first!
3) I haven’t carved any pumpkins yet. Hopefully doing that this weekend! 🎃
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Courtney!
Thanks so much! 😃
Living rooms are so fun to decorate! 😊
I’m alreayd excited for chrsitas too! I’ll be doing a full-out Christmas decorating post for my very frist vlog!
❤️ 🎃
Liz says
Hi Taralynn,
Do you still go to church? Are you still a Christian? I haven’t heard much about that on your blog in the last few years and it seems like you used to attend pretty regularly. I would love to hear your thoughts of why you transitioned.
Taralynn McNitt says
I don’t go to church as often anymore, but my relicious views havent changed at all.
To be honest, I wasn’t getting much from going to church. I know that probably sounds awful, but continiously going to Catholic mass just didn’t leave me feeling inspired or motivated in my religion. I read the bible, lean to verses, and love listening to religious podcasts from time to time. I guess I’m in a funky place when it comes to going to church, but never lost my faith. ❤️
Brit says
I can’t wait for your next blog post!
Taralynn McNitt says
Awwww thank you!!
G says
More videos!!
Taralynn McNitt says
😊
Shelby says
Love the new rug! I think it looks great in that spot!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Shelby!!
Miriam Coppess says
Ahhhhhh love all the fall feels! I’d love to see a Christmas tree decorating video for sure! We haven’t carved pumpkins yet, but I can’t wait until we do!
Taralynn McNitt says
Yes a decorting video for sure!!
Jennifer W says
Something I would love to see on Vlogmas is how to wrap gifts! I am terrible at it and always enjoy seeing how others do it. I usually go the easy route and just stuff it in a bag. I have 3 sisters and they all wrap their gifts so beautifully!
No pumpkin carving yet, here in Florida we finally had a taste of all. On Sunday, it hit the low eighties. That was really nice. I will go buy some pumpkins this weekend 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Jennifer!
I’m good at it when I take my time! lol, I think that’s a great idea though. It can get overwhelming!
Enjoy your weekend!