Five on Friday

Oh yeah, you know what that post title means...TGIF!

{one}
This was a great week, I made it back into the gym after a short holiday season hiatus. I really wish I had never left, but I am going to do my best to make the remainder of my pregnancy as fit as possible! I've already noticed a boost in energy and less aches and pains {other than the kind you should have after a good workout}. This is the workout schedule I plan to stick to for the rest of this pregnancy {originally posted on my fitness blog, The Gym Bunny}:

 And here I am working the leg press the other day {see that belly?}:

{two}
I'm loving wearing my leopard flats with like, everything right now. I got these in NYC last month at ALDO Shoes.

{three}

Tried out a shade of Pantone's Color of the Year on my nails this week. This is a little less pink-toned though, but still pretty:

Wet 'n Wild - On A Trip/En Voyage

{four}

I think I'm going to start some paintings for the nursery this weekend. Since I am using the same color scheme as our living room, I am thinking I want to do something similar to the paintings I did for that room:

{five}

I've been on the hunt for some good book recommendations to download on the Kindle. I plan on keeping it at my nursing table so I can do some reading while feeding {lol}. I think it will help pass the time, and when else am I going to find the time to read as a mother of three? So far, I've heard great things about these two and plan on downloading ASAP. Do you have any recommendations?

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Time To Dust Off The Kindle

I don't know about you, but as a working mom, usually picking up a book to read is the last thing I think I have time to do. As a child, though academically intelligent, I wasn't one of those that loved to hole myself up in my room for hours and read novels. I rarely did. I was more active and extroverted. Don't get me wrong, there have been books that piqued my interest so much that I zoomed through them in a matter of a few days, but other than that, not much of a reader.

But I'd really like to make an effort to read more. Maybe I could replace my fitness magazines and read a book when on the treadmill or elliptical...maybe I could try to go to bed a half hour or so earlier and try to get in some light reading. I know there are ways I could make time for it, and from what I hear, it can actually be a nice, relaxing experience if I allow my mind to turn off everything else.

All that being said, I have been interested in a few books that are new-ish to the market and I think it's time to dust off that old Kindle - that I haven't touched since putting 50 Shades of Grey down in book 2, chapter 5 last summer. {Yeah, need to finish that series.}

Anyway - here are my picks:

1. The Honest Life by Jessica Alba

I embarked on a journey to greener living a couple of years back. I have fallen in and out, but have definitely made some changes that stuck. I started cloth diapering my then-5-month-old, Breckin, and also now make my own household cleaners using such ingredients as vinegar, pure rubbing alcohol, baking soda, lemon juice and castile soap. I'd really love to be 100% organic in our eating too, but that does prove difficult, however I try to stay away from the most processed things as possible. I can't wait to start reading this book and see the tips that Jessica has - she is so inspiring how passionate she is about it.

2 {and 3}. The Happiness Project and Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin

I have heard so many great things about The Happiness Project - not sure why I haven't read it yet. She also just recently came out with the sequel - Happier At Home and I think that one will be great for mothers. Mother's Day present, anyone?

4. Young House Love by John & Sherry Petersik

I, like many of you, have been reading their blog for years. They are the cutest couple and they have some of the best ideas I've ever seen for DIY-ing. I love doing DIY projects so I need to get a hold of this book for some great tips and ideas.

5. Unbearable Lightness by Portia De Rossi

 

Maybe it's due to my own past struggles with body dismorphia and eating disorders, but these types of memoirs really get to me and really interest me. I'm surprised I haven't yet picked this one up.

6. Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres

Well, may as well end the list with a funny one from the wife of the author of the serious book in slot number 5. I love Ellen - she's hilarious. I love a book that can make me laugh out loud. I also say "Seriously, I'm kidding" all the time.

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Coffee Table Books

I am slowly becoming obsessed with beautiful, big, chunky books as decor...for shelves, coffee tables, etc...{blame all the fab blogs I read daily!}

The problem with this obsession is that it can become an expensive habit, especially if you are really only buying the book for looks as opposed to reading through it. Many great books cost upwards of $20 or more at Barnes & Noble. This is why I highly recommend checking out your local thrift stores.

Check out these books I found at Goodwill the other day {I swear someone dropped off a ton of their old cookbooks because they had way more than usual}:



I LOVE LOVE LOVE that I happened upon a vintage Better Homes & Gardens recipe book that was published in the 1970s...and it's in great condition. Not bad for $1.00. I may even try some of the recipes as opposed to just using it as decor.

I thought this Charleston one was especially charming and perfect for my space {because I live here, duh!) I see it being a great conversation piece...it has so many great pictures of historic attractions in Charleston {and some BOMB recipes!}

When looking for books at thrift stores, I recommend taking a peek under the sleeve...sometimes it has more aesthetic appeal without the cover. See my books now:

So what are you waiting for, head to your local thrift store and see what you can find!

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