Lately

Lately I've been...

COOKING

Homemade skinny french fries. These have been a staple with all grill-outs at the Mahal house. Super simple. Super delicious. 

preheat oven to 425

cut up several potatoes and place them in a bowl with ice and water for 

10 minutes (this will make them nice and crispy!)

toss the potatoes in olive oil and lay on parchment paper - season as desired 

(I've been using rosemary) 

bake for 25 minutes, flip, cook for an additional 10-15.

DRINKING
Fruit infused waters; cucumber, mint, strawberry, lemon. If it's delicious - I'm infusing it!

READING
The Girl on the Train! It's the Book Club book of July.

PLAYING
with Charlie.

WASTING
Time .. watching the Bachelorette. It's such trashy television but it's like a car crash - I can't stop. I really do like Kaitlyn, she's unapologetic and I think that it's a key characteristic in these reality dating shows. 

WISHING
That summer would stop moving so quickly!

LOVING
My husband

WEARING
dresses. every. single. day!

It's so much easier to throw on a dress and a pair of flats and head off to work - especially in the warm summer months.

FOLLOWING
The 2016 presidential election. I know, I know it's early but I really enjoy the debates, banter and everything else that will go on in the next 18ish months.

iphone pic roundup

I know you're sitting there thinking to yourself; 'man, i wonder what crappy iphone photos Amanda has been taking lately'. Don't worry, I'm here to oblige. 

This puppy gets soo tuckered at daycare that she can't even be bothered to put her tongue in her mouth when she passes out. 

The struggle is real.

During our stretch of warm weather, the puppy learned the joys of passing out in the sun.

So sorry for the food posts but Phil and I discovered something new at Von Hansons. For as much as we frequent that joint, it shouldn't be possible to find something new - but we did! 

Peppercorn rubbed beef skewers & Chipolte Chicken skewers (with zucchini, of course). We grilled it up, sat on the deck and enjoyed the weather!

The little lady celebrated her first 1/2 birthday. 

Pretty typical cuddle sesh. 

NEW MUMFORD. 

I'm going to be honest, I wasn't a big fan of Believe. One radio station compared it to Coldplay and then that's all. i could. hear! The Wolf is much better and (in my opinion) much more true to them. 

Guacamole + Cucumber Infused Vodka = All the makings for a bitchin' Friday night on the patio. 

There you have it. I'm glad I could grace you with my mediocre photos.

Until next time, folks.

Happiness

As I was blowdrying my hair this morning I needed a little inspiration for my day and week - it is humpday afterall. I found this little gem. The sun was shining, weather is perfect and I had coffee brewing. Life hasn't always gone my way and it won't always in the future - but I am in charge of my happiness. So, it's time to buck up and smile.