Lifestyle

The Ultimate Fall Soup Guide

October 17, 2021

I am always so excited for fall because of soup season! There is nothing like a cool Sunday afternoon with football on the TV and soup on the stove, am I right? I am here to share with you my top soup recipes, most I have tried but there are a few that are on my list still! As always, if you try one of these recipes let me know how it turned out for you!

**Note: I have linked each recipe to keep this post simple to follow along with, I do not take credit for these recipes or images. Just sharing what I love!

1. Zuppa Toscana – Olive Garden Copycat!

This is my all time favorite soup from Olive Garden and I almost died when my mom surprised me with this recipe, believe it or not I think it is better!!!

Click Here for the Recipe!

2. Beer Cheese Soup

It definitely is illegal to live in the Midwest and not have this soup at least once! The best part is the broiled cheese toast. Y U M!

Click here for the Recipe!

3. Enchilada Chicken Soup

I have not tried this soup yet, but it is on my list! I am thinking about making it next weekend! If you have tried it before what did you think?

Click Here for the Recipe!

4. Taco Soup

This is also on my list to try! It seems to be a fun spin too chili, I can’t wait to try! Doesn’t it sound so good?

Click Here for the Recipe!

5. Lasagna Soup

I used to make this in college because I would never finish an entire pan of lasagna myself. This is so easy to make and so delish! I topped mine with ricotta cheese, or cottage cheese when I didn’t have ricotta.

Click Here for the Recipe!

Let me know if I should do a part 2 to this post! I hope you try at least one of these listed, I promise you won’t regret the ones I have made before especially the Zuppa and Beer Cheese!!! Now I am hungry. I will share how the enchilada and taco soup turn out, but Im sure they will be nothing short of amazing! Also – Freeze all leftovers and reheat in the future!

My Netflix Guide

September 17, 2021

I am here to give you my Netflix guide: my top shows/movies I have seen and LOVED! I feel like everyone has Netflix but never knows what to even watch on it, unless a show is trending. I am here to give you some options, yes some were popular at one point and I’m sure you have seen a few but for those who haven’t – you need too!

Shows + Movies I have Seen

Here is my top 10 I have seen, I left out the main stream shows that I love like Manifest, Outer Banks, and Selling Sunsets as I wanted to offer a list of some of my favorites that aren’t always talked about. I enjoy crime/murder/suspense shows but I also enjoy the cheesy rom coms, and the movies that will make you cry. I hope this list will help at least someone!

After + After We Collided

After and After We Collided is a series about a girl named Tessa who is trying to figure out life and ends up falling for a “bad boy” Hardin, their relationship is rocky but all the drama in between will suck you in!! This is my favorite series and I can’t wait to see the next movie. I would LOVE to read the book series someday!

2. The Woman in the Window

I actually read this book before I watched this on Netflix and I LOVED the book!! The movie was also very well done, and will have you on the edge of your seat. It is hard to explain what it is about without spoiling it, but trust me on this.

3. Before I Fall

A girl is reliving the same day, but how does the day really end? Watch to find out! I LOVED this movie and will definitely watch it again!

4. What Happened to Monday

It is based in the future, everyone is allowed 1 child but a man adopted 7. This is their story on how they live. Just a warning there is a lot of blood and gory. This is probably my all time favorite movie though, I have seen it more than 10 times at least!

5. Hidden in Plain Sight

A woman is hiding from her abuser, until she’s not.. I was stuck to the TV while watching this!!

6. Five Feet Apart

The typical hospital, sick teens fall in love..but this one was just so good and Cole Sprouse is in it! Such a good option to get in your feels.

7. Secret Obsession

London Tipton is the main character..need I say more? But really, the title should give you a good idea on what occurs.

8. Virgin River

This series is SO FREAKING GOOD. I would not watch with a spouse because it is very chick flick (with some bad ass scenes) but it is just as heart warming as a cup of hot chocolate during a snow storm! I finished this so fast, and now I am desperately waiting for more.

9. Clickbait

This show starts out slow, it took a second for me to get into it and to understand where it was going but the ending will BLOW. YOUR. MIND.

10. Home Again

A Reese Witherspoon rom com, but not a lot of the rom? I don’t know how to explain this movie but I love Reese and will forever watch anything she stars in.

What’s on My List

Here is a list of what I plan on watching next, I will be sure to post an update on if they ended up being a hit or a miss either in another blog post or on my Instagram! If you have seen any of these below I want to know what your thoughts were!

Grace and Frankie
Behind Her Eyes
Afterlife of the Party
Kate
Black Spot
An Unfinished Life

I hope this gave you some new ideas on what to watch/binge with these cooler temps coming up! If you liked something or didn’t let me know!! No hurt feelings here!

Thanks for stopping by!!

My Favorite Etsy Finds

July 19, 2021

We all love finding unique stuff that also isn’t from the typical Walmart or Target, I made it a goal to shop less at chain stores this year so you will find be at a lot of small businesses and finding fun things on Etsy! I have curated a list of items I will be purchasing off Etsy and wanted to share my finds with you! It can kind of get repetitive on there, so finding unique items that are also fun and trendy can get hard when you don’t have the time to scroll through 100’s of pages. My hope is my list of items will help you find items you love while supporting someones dream! (These make great gifts too!) Please note these images are not mine, quality may be diminished.

Click the image to shop (affiliate links) – I hope you found at least one item you like! xoxox

The Best Mac N Cheese EVER!

July 17, 2021

I am here to give you the best Mac n Cheese recipe in the ENTIRE world. This was a family recipe secret until I convinced my stepdad to let me share the yummy-ness!!! I PROMISE if you are not a fan of Mac n Cheese you will still enjoy this! You can always customize or substitute ingredients to your wants or needs but this is to die for. So lets get into it!

It is probably the easiest recipe there ever was and it is so freaking good! It makes a big pot which is great for potlucks or family dinners! PS. it is VERY filling so beware, and don’t eat the entire pan or you may have a heart attack within the next month. Anyways, I hope you try it and if you do send me your review and/or pictures!! Love ya!

10 Fun Things to do in Madison, WI

June 26, 2021

Is a weekend getaway calling your name?? As many of you know, I moved to Madison WI in January and now that it is finally getting nice out I have been able to go out and explore! I am going to tell you my favorite spots in Madison so far and if you need some time away they will be inexpensive (mostly) ideas to do with your friends/husband/kids/aunt/grandma..you get the point! I’m still a newbie here so these may be popular finds, but I promise give me time and I will find some more!

Verona Beach – There is a reason this is my top choice and it is because I was dumbfounded a place like this was so close to me and so inexpensive!! It is a small lake (pond?) with a beach, swimming, water slide, splash pad for small children, concession stands, park, fishing, & bike trails. What else would you need? It is so much fun and you could easily spend an entire day there!
Paoli, WI- Spend a few hours in Paoli at my new favorite coffee shop called Vert Cafe and Plant Gallery then right next store is Lily’s Mercantile and Makery! They have the cutest items in the entire world, and they are all so unique! Find some special items for your wardrobe, or favorite room in your home! They have home decor, clothing, jewelry, plants, anything you can think someone would need in life. Also Lily, hand paints a lot of items sold there and they are INCREDIBLE!!! You NEED to go!
If you are an outdoorsy type, go kayaking or paddle boarding on the Mendota Lake at Marshalls boat dock! It is very inexpensive and a lot of fun!! They also have a beach area if you have kids who want to swim! The water is not deep at all close to the shore line so it is very safe, but there are no lifeguards so be sure you are responsible, anything can happen.
Watch a movie and get served food and alcohol during the movie at Flix Brew House!!! I haven’t been yet since they have closed due to the pandemic but the second they open I am definitely going! I can’t wait to share my experience and if you are interested be sure to keep an eye out on there FB page!
Exploring downtown – State street. I think this is mostly what Madison is known for..the stores, food, drinks, small businesses, and so much more!! OH and go to every coffee shop you can find in honor of me. hehe I LOVE finding new ones, there’s so many here I don’t think I would even visit all of them in a single year! LOL. But I will make it a mission, don’t worry.
Hiking and bike trails, rent an e-bike, or rent a bar bike. Biking here is HUGE and if you have a bike of your own bring it up and go explore the 1,000s of miles of trails up here!! You can also rent an e-bike downtown to explore OR get a group of friends together and rent the Bar bike! Bike around downtown and drink!! Sounds like a good time to me, until my legs start aching.
Picnic at the Arboretum – It is beautiful there!!! Grab a blanket, and pack up some sandwiches, fruit, and drinks and go have a picnic!! This is on my bucket list for sure!! I have only ever taken pictures there so I am excited to go back and explore more!
Olbrich Botanical Gardens..ok, I have not known this place is real, until recently and YOU GUYS. If it wasn’t raining this weekend I would be there in a heartbeat. O M G. It is beautiful, I will report back with my experience and if you go please send me your pics!!!! Google it, you will fall in love!
The Memorial Union – Stop here at this GORGEOUS place right on the lake! It is beautiful and such a good place for date night! This place is hard to explain online, it is definitely something you MUST experience in life. The Union has many different restaurants, live music, beer gardens, lake views, and just an all around AMAZING vibe. You MUST visit here at least once!
Hilldale – Amazing shopping at places like Lululemon, Anthropology, Madewell, Apple, and so much more! When you get hungry stop at cafe Hollander for a Bloody Mary, Great Dane Pub for a beer, or Bar Taco for the ~aesthetic~ and for some amazing tacos! SO YUM! You can’t go wrong at any of these places!

If you decide to do any of these activities listed please send me pictures!! I am so excited about this list and I am SO ready to complete this summer bucket list! I hope you found some helpful things here, and I wish nothing but the best times ahead for you!! xoxox

Please note- not everything is pictured, I will be experiencing more and getting more pictures but for now if you are curious about anything please reach out!!