Happy Monday, everyone!
I hope you all had a great week! I’m so excited for today because, in about an hour, I’ll be heading out the door to shoot my best friend’s engagement photos. We’ve been planning out this day for weeks now, and I can’t wait to see them come to life. Before I head out the door, I want to catch you guys up on what I’ve been up to! Grab your coffee and let’s jump into the weekly recap! 
Other than the February showers, we’ve been pretty blessed with mild temperatures this month. It makes the morning dog walks much more enjoyable for me. After finishing up Monday’s recap blog, I headed out on a two-mile walk with the pups! I love taking the time in the afternoon to log out and get fresh air. I think Grumples and Leo like it too. I had a lot of questions about the leash I use for them because it does look like it’s a double leash, but it’s not. I use two European leashes and wrap them both around me. This helps them stay on my side and heel when I tell them to. With the leashes around me, it also allows me to be hands-free when I need to be. The leashes have all kinds of hooks so if you wanted to connect the leashes, you could. 
I dove into emails for the rest of the day Monday and then headed to the gym around 6 pm with Kyle. I walked a little over three miles and then stretched for a good fifteen minutes. When we got home, I took a shower and then dove into the Bachelor! I still haven’t figured out why I can’t quit this show. 
I spent most of Tuesday afternoon filming a cleaning tutorial for my YouTube channel. Whenever I talked about my power cleaning routine on the blog, people wanted to know more. I’m already bad with words, so I decided to film the whole process instead. I really enjoyed doing this! I promise after you watch this video, you’ll want to get up and start cleaning! If you do visit my channel, make sure to subscribe because I’m going to start posting more videos that include my nighttime routine, organizing, grocery hauls, car cleaning, kitchen remodeling (happening soon), and more! 
I finished cleaning around 5 pm, and was so hungry afterward! I threw together a turkey sandwich with lettuce, mustard, and Applegate turkey on Udi’s bread and had pineapple, strawberries, and mandarins on the side.
I headed to the gym with Kyle and 6:30 for another treadmill walk and played Candy Crush the whole time. I get so into that game that the house goes by so fast. I only allow myself to play it when I’m on airplanes or at the gym. I was so tired that I took a shower, had a half of a turkey sandwich, and went straight to bed!
After walking the dogs on Wednesday morning, I had my coffee and a health Warrior bar with Trader Joe’s organic creamy unsalted peanut butter on top. I decided to spend the day editing the cleaning video to get it out by Friday. I also worked a bit on my health journey Q&A, which I’m excited to post soon.
I was (and still am) on a turkey sandwich kick last week. I had it for lunch on Wednesday with some carrots and hummus. 
I spent so much time editing my video but messed it up. I needed to deleted files to make more space on my laptop, and I read the dates folder wrong and deleted the recent files. I couldn’t get anything back with my system backup or any software for restoring. Instead of spending hours dwelling on it and trying everything to get it back, I decided to just start all over again. It was so frustrating, but there was nothing I could do, and it was 100% my fault. I’m happy it happened though because the second video was even better than the first.
For dinner on Wednesday night, I had Daiya pizza with a salad. If you add the Trader Joe’s everything but the bagel seasoning to your salad, you’ll be blown away! It’s a total game-changer. It was crunchy and salty like croutons! 
On Thursday morning, I worked on my Colorado trip post because I really wanted to get that out before I spent more time editing my cleaning video again. While working, I enjoyed my cup of coffee and a gluten-free English muffin with strawberry jam on top. 
For lunch, I had leftover Daiya pizza, and apparently, my dogs wanted the same…
When I finished work, I decided to make some m&m cookies for Kyle! I used my gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe but with almond flour instead and added Valentine’s day m&ms. You can replace the gluten-free flour with the same amount of almond flour. Sometimes, I’ll add maybe 1/4 cup more if the batter isn’t thick enough. I made these for a YouTube tutorial, so I’ll have that posted soon. They are seriously a favorite in our house!
I also made a second batch with the Lily’s no added sugar dark chocolate chips and peanut butter chips (Kyle’s favorite.) Kyle LOVEDDDDD these!
We both decided not to celebrate Valentine’s on Thursday because we wanted to go out on Friday instead. He still came home with a bouquet, which was so sweet. They are so beautiful! ♥️ 
We went to the gym, which was awesome because no one was there! I love an empty gym.😊
For dinner, I had snow peas, bell peppers, and cauliflower gnocchi tossed in the chive Kite-Hill cream cheese! IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!! 
If you guys have been reading my blog for a while, then you know I give Kyle a book filled with photos and cute little notes from the entire year. It’s a look back on all the adventures we had together. I was so excited for him to get part three! I’ll show you guys a look inside on my Insta stories later. 
On Friday morning, I had my cup of coffee and worked on the blog. I’m obsessed with this mug that Becca got me for my birthday. I had a lot of people asking about it when I posted it on Instagram, but I believe it’s from Hobby Lobby if you were wondering! 
For lunch, I had a turkey sandwich on a gluten-free English muffin with fresh fruit on the side! I’m not even sorry about all these sandwich pictures because they are so easy to throw together and delicious! This one had Kite-Hill instead of mustard.
Kyle and I headed out on our Valentine’s Day date! We wanted to spend a few hours playing games at Dave and Busters, and it was a blast! We had so much fun! I’m glad they put one closer to us because we definitely want to go back. 
After we left Dave and Busters, we headed to one of my favorite spots, Akahana, for some sushi!
We started with their chicken lettuce wraps. These have been one of my favorites for so long! It’s nice because they have a gluten-free option for them. I ordered the spicy tuna rolls and the orange blossom rolls! Why is sushi so good? Someone, please explain this to me! 😂 
We walked next door to finish off our date night with some froyo! We split the almond milk chocolate and added some of our favorite toppings. 
We cuddled up on the couch to finish watching True Detective! This show is so dang good. I made a decaf cappucinno to warm me up!
I met up with Caitlin early Saturday morning. We planned to get together to work on some Mickey Ears for Disney! We had been talking about doing this since our last trip there! We’re going to be at Disney World for a week, so we wanted to make one for each day! Excessive? nahhhhh 😂 We grabbed coffee at Grapevine and then headed to Hobby Lobby to pick up some art supplies for our project. Making ears yourself is so much cheaper than buying the ears at Disney World! It’s also a fun DIY 😃
Before we headed to my house, we stopped to have lunch at Panera. I had the apple Fiji salad! I always customize it, and it tastes so good.
We poured some wine, blasted the Disney music, and crafted until 11 pm! Luckily, Kyle was at the NBA Allstars game, so he didn’t have to witness the Dinsey madness. We had so much fun, and I can’t wait to show you more of the ears we made once we are at Disney. I will 100% be posting a tutorial because I had so many messages on Instagram asking me for one! Each ear cost about $9 to make, but would have cost $30 for the real deal at Disney! 😃 I’m most obsessed with our ears for the Animal Kingdom!!
On Sunday morning, I headed to the mall to meet Becca! We went shopping for her photos, and I’m so excited to see her in the outfit! 
We finished walking around the mall around 4 pm and were starving. We decided to stop at Chipotle for lunch/dinner, and I was pretty excited because I can’t tell you the last time I had dinner at Chipotle! It was just as good as the last time I had it.
When I got home, I showered off and relaxed on the couch with Kyle! I think it’s safe to say that I had a pretty good week! ♥️ Thanks for stopping by to read today!
Questions for you!
- What is your go-to sushi order?
- When was the last time you had Froyo?
- Have you watched the cleaning video yet! 😉
Romance all around! You and Kyle are adorable, looks like you really enjoyed your day together! 🙂 ❤️ The last time I had Froyo – oh gosh, I can’t even remember! Years and years ago. I much prefer ice cream to be honest! 😉
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thanks, Charmaine!! 💜 I think a lot would agree with you on that one 😉 🍦
Love the Valentine’s Day books <3 I do the same thing except for our anniversary every year! Also, loving the mouse ears that you guys made! The ones at Disney World can be over-priced, and besides, you two will have a one-of-a kind ears to wear!
Great minds think alike 💗
& thank you so much! I love a fun DIY, and just got lucky that they actually turned out!!
I love the ears – they are way better than Disney bought!!! AWESOME
THANK YOU!!
So much fun!!! I’ve been wanting to go back to Disney the last few years, so I cant wait to see how y’all made the ears!!
It was so fun, I’m excited to share! 😃
You had me at Disney crafts <3
So many people make such amazing ears, I love them!
For Valentine's day this year Scott and I bought four tickets to different comedy shows this month (Whitney Cummings was AMAZING, and in a few days we'll see Steve Rannazzissi's from the League). Much better than small gifts taking up space.
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Haha! 💜 I’m just happy they turned out!!
That sounds like the perfect gift! All about the experience 😉
Your cleaning video was the shit!
haha! Thanks, Julie 😆
Your Disney vlogs were my favorite will you be filming again?
Awww thank you!!! & I think so!
Loved the cleaning video! I wanted to ask what products you used since I noticed you were able to use them on multiple
surfaces. I love anything with spicy tuna or salmon and tuna on top of a roll. However being in Southern California I have access to a lot of poke bowl places and I love having those since its a cheaper option and my hubs doesn’t eat fish. I love getting froyo, my favorite combo is pistachio and chocolate and topping it with fruit and gummy bears. Can’t wait to see Becca’s pictures and all the ears you made!
Hi, Ashton!
I’ve been using Brandless cleaning products! I love their lavender granite cleaner, all-purpose spray, and their glass cleaner!
Spicy tuna is my fave!! ohhhhhh I had Poke for the first time visiting my brother in California and it’s SO SO SO SO GOOD!! We just got a good place for it here in Charlotte, so I’m excited to try it out.
Pistachio froyo?!?!? I love pistachio anything.
The photos of Becca turned out GORGEOUS! I can’t wait for her to share!
I just started loving sushi again after a badly cut tuna piece at a Kona Grill. (It’s been a couple of years now!) My recent favorite was albacore and a crab roll with Japanese sweet potato.
Probably summer for the fro yo, I only get it when I’m at a mall!
I haven’t watched the cleaning video yet but I will. I’ve always been curious about your power cleaning.
Hi, Dana!
I hate when my favorite foods get ruined like that! 😔 You can’t go wrong with a crab roll, though!
I always see the froyo at the mall and it sounds so good after a long day of shopping.
Hope you enjoy the video!
My go-to sushi order is anything cooked! Aka the California roll. Haha I’m not brave enough yet to try the raw fish!
The last time I had froyo was MONTHS ago. That sounds delicious now though so maybe I’ll go get some soon! Have to fill up that punch card to get to my free one 😉
YES! I LOVED the cleaning video! I actually went and cleaned my ceiling fan which I had been neglecting for so long… Those get GROSS really quickly! lol Apartment living is not super fun, and it doesn’t help when I don’t have places to put things! lol It must mean I need to get rid of even more…..
Hahahaha! I don’t blame you. That is my mom’s answer too!
Can’t neglect the punch card!!! 😂
GIRL, MY CEILING FAN NEEDS IT BAD. I think I’m going to do a “ten things we neglect to clean” video with the vents, fan, lights, and so on! I need that inspo asap.
Those pink flower from your walk are so pretty! And the pink m&m cookies are equally as pretty 😉
I will definitely check out your cleaning vlog for motivation. Plus I work from home and love to have vlogs playing all day so it feels like I’m not home alone lol sad but true!
I’m so excited to see the trees blossoming! 💜
I don’t think that’s sad, I love having shows on and vlogs on as well 😊
I am obsessed with your cleaning video! I love clean-with-me’s!
Thank you, Amanda!!!!
Any salmon based sushi is my favorite!
I haven’t had froyo in forever, but it sounds awesome now!
I watched your video last night and loved it!! Thank you!
I hadn’t had it in forever either, which is why I couldn’t resist! 😊
Glad you enjoyed the video! ♥️
What tea is that from Panera!?
Hibiscus Ginger I think!
Ooh I love Sushi and I’m willing to try anything. Which means I’ve eaten some pretty weird things. But my favorite is the eel roll!
It’s been a few months since I’ve last had fro-yo, I’d so much rather have real ice cream.
Not yet, but I plan to this week!
Hahaha, sushi can get pretty weird 😂
💜
Such a fun recap! All of your food looks so good and motivating. I love the books you got for Kyle, so sweet.
This is silly but go-to sushi order is anything with just vegetables. lol. I havent had froyo in over 2 years. I think that needs to change! & I didnt see your video yet but you already know Im headed there now! 😉
XO, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com
Hi, Katie!
The books are so much fun! ❤️
Not silly at all. I think that’s a pretty popular order.
I hadn’t had froyo in almost two years as well, which is why I couldn’t resist.
Hope you enjoy it!!
Hi Taralynn! I sincerely hope we’ll get a glimpse of your best friend’s engagement photos! Also can’t wait to see your videos about your night-time routine, organizing, grocery hauls, car cleaning, kitchen remodelling and more! Soooo sorry about you losing your files after working so hard and then having to start all over again, you truly are a warrior, a lot of us would just give up. The book filled with photos and cute little notes that you gave Kyle is such a wonderful idea, it turned out gorgeous, well done!
Hi, Natalija! I’m sure she’ll share them!!!
I wanted this video up so bad, so there was no giving up! lol
xo xo have a great weekend!!
First, question for you– how did you feel when you finished your vegan January??? I’m on day 27 of a Whole30 and half of me is panicking about the reintroduction phase while the other half of me is ready to dive face-first into some of that delicious looking sushi 😛
Also girrrllll, that bouquet looks gorgeous! Those white roses with the red tips look absolutely stunning. I was really excited to see how you and Kyle spent your V-day, and sushi and froyo are my kind of date!
My go-to sushi order is either unagi or dragon roll. The one with avocado and sriracha in your photo looks really delicious– anything with avocado is a winner!
I haven’t had froyo since September… gotta change that soon!
Also hope you and Becca and her fiancee had an awesome engagement shoot! I’m really eager to see what the photos look like!
Hi, Jeni!
I’ll be writing a post/video all about it soon. Towards the end I really really really wanted fish. I have found that now 80% of what I eat now is vegan. It’s a good balance. It wasn’t as extreme going back because it was only 30 days.
Yesss I love those flowers! They came perfect timing because my birthday flowers were on the way out!
I used to always get the dragon roll! so tasty!
I think froyo needs to make a comeback!! lol
The shoot was incredible and we are so excited with how they turned out!!
Can I just say that the extra large chunk of Reese cup looks mouthwatering?
You can 😂 That was kyle’s doing!
I used to do harder core exercises but lost my period and was always aching. Your posts about being happy just to get to the gym for a powerwalk have inspired me the last few months that a powerwalk IS a workout. 🙂 Cheers!
You go, girl!! Do what feels best for your mind & body!
Loved the cleaning video! I was wondering what kind of mop do you use on your hard wood floors?
Thanks, Amber! It’s a Bona!
Have so much fun at Disney World!
Thank you!!!
Hi Tara!
Can you tell me what cleaning solution you use in your video?
I use the brandless products! 😀
Are you done doing No Spend?
Yes, I am. I don’t buy clothes/things for the house or anything I don’t need. I’ll still spend on experiences or if I need something for the blog like the diy things that I’ll turn into a post.
Hi Taralynn!
Just wondering – are you at all concerned about losing muscle mass since you are only walking now at the gym? I’m asking because due to an injury I can only walk right now and I’ve already lost noticeable muscle and it’s making me really upset. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Kyle got you gorgeous flowers! I really want to know who won the basketball game at Dave & Busters?
Haha! He totally did!
Have fun at Disney!
Thanks, Valerie!
I know you love the Daiya pizza but you HAVE to try Amy’s Vegan Margherita pizza! It’s the first vegan pizza that I’ve truly loved!
Also, I love those cute books you do. Such a good idea! What program do you use to make them?
My go-to sushi order is a veggie roll and tempura veggies. YUM!
Hi, Susie!
I’ll have to try that for sure!!!
I use Mixbook to make them 😀
mmmmmm!!! best sushi!
Please tell me how you made the ears so cute, did you buy them already in the mickey ear shape, or did you make them completely from scratch? I am going to disney in 2 weeks and want to make a pair for each park 🙂
Hi! Is there a reason you eat gluten free? I noticed all your carbs were GF and was just wondering!
Hey Taralynn!
So, I just watched your cleaning video and it inspired me to finally get off my booty and stop procrastinating on my Sunday chores! So thank you for that! (seriously, my house thanks you) But that leads me to a question about something. I finally put up my tiny Christmas tree that lived on my entertainment center, and it looks soooo bare and blah. I saw your beautiful flowers on your dinning room table and thought that would be a great addition to my living room. I was curious if they were real or fake florals. If they were fake, where would you advise getting those? I’ve never ventured before into the land of flowers for decor, so I’m genuinely curious. 🙂 Hope you can help! Thanks!