WINTER'S SECOND BIRTHDAY

Last Monday we celebrated Winter’s second birthday. It was lot different than her first. No big party, no theme, no friends over for fun. It was a Monday and I had the day off from working all weekend, so it was a day to just spoil our little one before our new little one arrives.

We started the morning off with a trip to Petco. We have been in the market for a new harness for our big two year old. During our morning walks she can get a little rambunctious, so we researched using a harness versus a leash would help establish dominance and make the walk more enjoyable for us both. After trying on a few styles and sizes in store we settled on the Kong brand harness, here.

In the afternoon, to beat the heat, we treated her to an at home spa day: Mani, pedi and a bath. Recently, I ordered a dremel pet nail file from Amazon and it is the best and safest way to keep her nails short and dull. It is a highly recommended product, check it out here. For less than the cost of one nail trim you can have unlimited at home. At first, it took some getting used to, but it is a lot less stressful than being a in a grooming room with blowing fans, barking dogs, and a stranger grinding down her nail bed. Finally we finished up with a fresh shampoo and conditioner wash leaving her coat so soft and smelling great.

In the evening I got in the kitchen to put together a dog and people friendly birthday cake. I found an easy recipe on the TheAlmondEaster.com. I had all the ingredients and made a frosting from peanut butter- another one of her favorites. After singing Happy Birthday, Jose and I got to enjoy a slice with her too.

I know next year’s birthday will look very different, but life is all about sharing the little joys together as a family, making memories and capturing them for years to come. I hope you enjoyed our little one’s birthday recap and the photos along with it.

Also, if you are interested in learning more about dog food and how to choose the right dog food for your dog, check out this amazing article. It breaks down so much valuable information and if you consider your fur baby as part of your own family, then you will check it out too.

XoXo

Britt

RED, WHITE & DUE

Coming in with the big news! Eleven weeks and three days pregnant: it’s official! Well we can talk about it now because it’s been official on social media and we are overjoyed with all the love we are receiving. This is been one of the hardest secrets to keep and I can’t wait to tell you the story and continue to share throughout the journey of becoming a mother.

How did I find out?

I knew because I had a feeling when I was getting sick in the afternoon consistently and I missed my period- I know I knew it was time to take an official test. When I saw the + it didn’t seem real almost like a dream but I knew I had to share the news in an exciting way to Jose. I was overjoyed with the news that our life was about to change- we are about to be parents.

How did Jose find out?

Four days after I received the news, jose and I both had the same day off and I booked us an appointment to confirm the news. That morning I woke up early and went and got donuts, threw up on my way to the donut place, came back home told Jose what a great cat dad he is what an amazing dog that he is and that he’s going to even make an even better human. He was in shock, of course, like most first time dad’s reactions. From there we went to the doctors to confirm the news

Working in healthcare I am mediately had to tell my boss, my director of nursing and my HR director, but they couldn’t have been more supportive. The hardest thing, though, has been or was keeping it from our families.

How did the family find out?

I’m an only child so I knew that I had to tell my parents in person and during this quarantine I didn’t make things any easier. We tried to get them to come out but Fourth of July ended up being the big weekend. Keeping it from the local parents, Jose’s parents, was even harder especially when you want to go over for Sunday dinner or celebrate Father’s Day. Finally we had everyone over on the Fourth- and shared- were Red, White and Due, January 2021.

So how is my first trimester?

The morning sickness turned in the afternoon sickness turned in the evening sickness. I remember getting my blood drawn and the phlebotomist said the only time she wasn’t sick was when she was sleeping and I feel that girl. The cravings were more like things I enjoyed over things I didn’t enjoy like citrus sour salty things. I really had to change up how I was eating meals and making sure I was snacking throughout the day to not only keep up my nutritional intake, but make sure that I was eating enough. But, even as I write this I’m trying to figure out if I want to go throw up or not. So, first trimester we are a week away from being over and I’m hoping that’s true with the nausea as well. Now that the cats out of the bag I can start asking for tips tricks and any advice that will help me along the way to the second and third trimester. 

Boy or Girl?

That’s the million dollar question. As long as the baby is healthy I am happy and to make sure the baby stays healthy I need to make sure I’m taken care of myself. This is hard for me because I want to do everything obviously cleaning the cat box and heavy lifting is out, but I definitely need to be more vocal in expressing my needs and allowing those around me to lend their hands. Being pregnant during the Corona Virus is not any easier, not that I have anything to compare to, but imagine being sick and having to wear a mask all day- feeling nauseous and the smell makes you sicker and you have to continue to either smell your mask or smell whats is in your mask. I also work in healthcare so I see the pandemic every- new cases or asymptomatic patients and I know that I need to put myself first, my health and my baby.

 I can’t wait to share everything about this journey. It’s a long road ahead, but baby when you read this when you’re older, know that I love you so much already and I don’t even know you. Cheers to 2021! I know we’re all looking forward to it for so many reasons and here’s another one! Thank you for the love and support and we can’t wait to debut our new Finding Arizona Podcast Co-host in January 2021.

XoXo

Britt

ARIZONA LOOKS TO BECOME HOTBED OF ESPORTS

Arizona is well on the way to become a hotbed for eSports in the US, courtesy of our thriving college teams.

Grand Canyon University, University of Arizona and Arizona State University all have thriving eSports teams which have seen notable success of late, but that isn’t the only reason we might soon see a boom of eSports in the area.

The field of eSports, in general, has seen an increase in popularity, not least due to the recent world crisis. In the absence of physical sports, fans and players alike have taken to their computers not only to participate but also to watch and interact with their favorite sports teams. Major League Baseball’s Player League was a roaring success, capturing the imagination of baseball fans across the country, although the Diamondback’s pitcher Jon Duplantier did not qualify for the playoffs, finishing 17th of 30.

Indeed, even prior to the need for more home-based activities, ‘electronic sports’ was rising in popularity across the globe. In Asia, the 30th South East Asia Games saw eSports make a debut as an event. Expatbets reports that eSports is the rising star of the entertainment sector and that was cemented in the region by the inclusion of titles such as Dota 2, Tekken 7 and Starcraft 2. They took their place at the games alongside more traditional physical sports such as badminton, soccer and swimming. That exposure across a wide range of platforms has also been evident in other parts of the world, including the US. The Player’s League took place on MLB: The Show 20, whilst other titles such as Rocket League, Fortnite and Overwatch also have thriving communities built up around them.

Back in Arizona, GCU was the only school to reach the 2019 Overwatch National Championship beating the top-ranked school at the time, California-Irvine. Albert Lee, GCU’s esports coordinator, has grown their division since introduction in 2018, but he is also full of praise for the other two schools, who do not have university funding for their projects.

“From a community standpoint, I really admire the programs at ASU and U of A,” Lee told the Cronkite News. “We are lucky here at GCU to have university support. I’m impressed by what ASU and U of A have accomplished without it.”

It is not just the success of our universities that is helping develop Arizona as a hotbed of eSports. A WalletHub study looked at the percentage of homes that owned computers and smartphones to try to predict where an eSports hub might pop up and, surprisingly, Gilbert was amongst the top-ranked towns. That, along with the dreams of a company called Do Not Peek Entertainment, could help drive more eSports competitors to Arizona.

“We want to figure out how we can bring more esports to Arizona,” said Scott Smith, co-founder of Do Not Peek Entertainment. Smith is a former freelance journalist with 20 years’ experience in the industry and he’s hoping to bring more focus on the area as an eSports hub, although he’s mindful of the other companies who have been doing the same, for longer. “Being the flag holders might seem egotistical of us,” he added. “There have been organizations here longer than us grinding away and I don’t want to disparage those that have been here growing the scene.”

That desire ties in with the sublime efforts of U of A, ASU and GCU, all of whom have contributed to the exciting possibility of seeing Arizona become a hub for eSports in the future.

For further reading on how Arizona residents have been dealing with recent events, be sure to check out our article latest Quarantine Cookbook Club featuring Half Baked Harvest.

Credit – Tommy Beland / Writer.

CHANGES

“I see no changes, all I see is racist faces.” I can’t get this line outta my head given the current times. The tragic, senseless death of George Floyd in Minneapolis has put a spotlight on the injustice that exists in our country. We are hurting, exhausted, angry, and discouraged right now. I am not here to tell you what to do or how to act, just know that it’s tough for everyone. But, I am going to encourage you to have the talk: internally, externally, educate yourself and get out of your comfort zone because that’s where changes happen.

I started thinking about what I know about black culture or when I started learning or recognizing it. When did I see the difference in colors? I remember in elementary school I was enrolled in a dual English-Spanish immersion class. I was born and raised in San Diego and learned how to count to 10 in Spanish before English. It just becomes second nature - you don’t look at colors, symbols or people any better or worse, just respectfully different and that is perfectly okay. In the fourth grade I was in a performing arts school and we held a play entitled: Out of Africa. It really explained the history of slavery and racism- the first time I was really learning about it. Hearing the Martin Luther King speech over and over and over again in school is crucial to understand racism and the path towards anti-racism. What sticks with me is we will be judged by the content of our character and that’s how I was raised. We read about the riots in the 50s the 60s ,then the 70s , the 80s, definitely the 90s and now here we are in the middle of a pandemic experiencing the same damn thing we have for the last thousands of years.

I don’t have any answers I don’t have any solutions; I just know that I hear what’s going on and I am listening and I am actively participating in my own way. I don’t need to take to the streets to be heard I don’t need to jeopardize the safety of my family or myself to be heard and I don’t need to go low when they go low.

We will get through- it I don’t know how, but it starts with conversations much like this I’m having with myself: remembering, understanding, questioning, accepting, changing, adjusting. Our podcast mission remains the same: an open door policy for any race, religion, gender, background, or preference to share their truth. Our recommended book list is getting a lot longer with some eager reads and we are on a mission to discover the best BBQ in the valley. Together we will rise, we are Phoenix after all.

Stay Safe.

XoXo

Britt

MAY FINAL FRIDAY FIVE FAVORITE FINDS

Arizona Summer is here so it must be May. We are hitting triple digits this week and spending more time in the pool. Social distancing is still being practiced and the podcast is still trucking on. I am so proud of the adjustments we have made and the safety precautions we initiated to always make our guests feel safe. But, what are Jose and I enjoying when we’re not “working?” Here are our five fave from the month of May.

BRITT’S FIVE

1. HOW ITS MADE - Rediscovered this gem on Hulu and it has become our bedtime show. But honestly I am fascinated with watching the most obscure things come together: commercial dishwashers, pencil sharpeners, toy dinosaurs. It as been a great distraction from reality, but still educational.

2. POOL TOYS- As I mentioned we are spending more time in pool and obeying our one pool rule: All flotation devices must be like things you eat: Pizza, Pineapples, Popsicle! We are building our collection and enjoying the variety.

3. DRUM AND BASS THE MOVEMENT -Okay, my favorite music of all time is Drum and Bass. Since Quarantine, two major labels: Hospital Records and Ram Records along with many of their artists have been streaming weekly mixes on YouTube and it is the greatest soundtrack to a sunny Arizona day. Recently, a documentary long overdue and years in the making was released sharing some of the history, its a great YouTube watch here.

4. ICED COFFEE– Between Dalgona, Iced and Cold Brew I have been appreciating great chilled coffee lately, and especially grateful for Starbucks for honoring healthcare workers with free tall iced or hot coffees till the end of the month. I truly understand the meaning of first sip feeling.

5. PEOPLE MAGAZINE- I love me some celebrity gossip and while I get my daily fix on TMZ.COM I get my weekly fix from People Magazine. I love seeing what they are doing during quarantine and realizing, “Stars, they are just like us.” Although, my favorite part is after I am done reading I take to a resident at my facility who loves magazines, but by the time she makes it down they are always gone. Handing her this special gift every week puts a smile on her face and one in my heart.

JOSE’S FIVE:

1. LIGHTROOM MOBILE APP - I know. I know. Everyone has known about this little gem for a while now. With sites also putting out free presets, it is hard not to see the appeal.

2. JUICE CLEANSE - Britt and I took on the challenge of doing a 3-day juice cleanse. Now we have done these before, so this is not my first rodeo. So overall, I can say this time around I felt pretty ordinary. The first time, I definitely felt more hunger and eager for food. We ordered our Juices through Squeezed.com .

3. OUTDOOR PROJECTOR-By far the best couple gift we have purchased together! We hope to have for our first friends/family party soon, once it’s safe. Until then, we enjoy summer night’s movies, just the two of us.

4. THE WRONG MISSY - The Sandler production team turned back time for this movie. Back to their r-rated raunchier days with jokes to match it. Combined with a stellar performance from Lauren Lapkus, you will definitely laugh more than once. Streaming on Netflix today, you have to check it out!

5. HAWKTHORNE HEIGHTS - During one of my recent runs, I found a certain song from my high school days found in a playlist with this band. Now with the magic of Spotify, I can go back into their discography to start from the beginning.

We are continuing to take things one day at a time and appreciating all the wonderful things we have including each other. You do the same and we will chat next month!

XoXo

Britt

SQUEEZING OUT THE DEETS OF MY 3 DAY JUICE CLEANSE

Year three of my three day juice cleanse complete. How am I feeling? Hungry. So why do I do it? I enjoy a mental and physical challenge and as a Virgo I love controlling things. I consider it a reset and after enjoy all the great benefits and appreciations for delicious food and drinks.

I use the company Squeezed for my juice cleanse. This is my second year and I am a fan. Their delivery is next day, their juices are fresh and the cashew milk is to die for. It is reasonably priced and you can customize your experience to taste more sweet if you don’t like traditional “green juice” taste or spicy flavors to increase metabolism. The bottles are clearly numbered so its easy to follow. Directions are given about how frequent to drink and making sure to still pack in enough water.

Day 1 was the easiest this time. t was helpful to mentally be ready for the next two. I did not miss coffee as much as I thought I would and definitely happy no caffeine headache! However, I did not enjoy the final taste of the “dinner” juice to I opted to switch my lunch and dinner the next day. My energy was still up, but I was felt more bloated than I was before starting the cleanse. Looking forward to day two.

Day 2 was a sleepy day. I tried to keep up with more water today and I was so happy I made the switch for my lunch and dinner. At work we had a meeting catered by Chik-Fil-A, but I toughed it out; wearing a mask helped wean the smell. At night I did get some heartburn from my new dinner juice, but it went away after I drank tons more water. I did go to bed hungry and just started missing chewing and biting foods.

Day 3 is all mental. I wanted to stop for a coffee on the way to work or just start chewing carrots or celery to get my jaw moving, but I stayed strong. My coworker ordered Canes and it was even harder, but I feel skinny- whatever that means. No bloating, no gas, no irritable bowels. Plus, my skin is clear! This is when I start to believe what I did was good. I begin planning what my first meal is going to be: joking about donuts and pizza, but really craving a nice crisp salad or fresh grilled chicken breast.

So yes I may be “off my diet” now, but I dislike the word diet. Life is all about moderation and this yearly reset for me reminds me about how amazing food is and to appreciate all the wonderful things it does for our mind, body and soul. So yes, I will be back in the kitchen ASAP sharing a focaccia recipe and (of course) dessert recipes I have been finalizing. But this was fun and until next year, stay safe stay health, stay juicy.

XoXo Britt

If you are interested in checking out Squeezed please go online and sign up! You can also use my email address for a referral! johnsonbrittjohnson@gmail.com (its my old one, lol)

WHY I AM SCARED THE WORLD IS OPENING UP

Three hundred and sixty five days ago i would have never thought I would be working in healthcare let alone during a historical pandemic arguably the craziest of our time. When this all stared I remember going to and from hospitals seeing the “If you have traveled to China,” signs slowly pop up and then masks at the door, then the restrictions of anyone under 12 or flu like symptoms.

One morning meeting we got word the first positive case in a local hospital. We had to pull admission records, order Double PPE and begin to take it more seriously. Hospitals began restricting visitors all together and my role was changed, and soon my title.

Essential personnel. Getting free coffee and special grocery shopping hours are great if you have time to get there. The hours got longer and the rules changed rapidly. Of course, no one wants the virus and working in a Nursing home fighting all the stigmas this quickly became a new one. The safety of our loved ones at home and work is a 24/7 job; just because we clock out doesn’t mean we stop fighting the disease.

As I write this we remain non-positive. Which was a weird word concept for me to grasp. Positive comes with such a different connotation for me but when COVID takes over the frontal lobe you don’t look forward to seeing that word often. Everyday there are scares. From symptoms, to pending tests and accepting admissions from our partners in the community as ordered by the governor of the state of Arizona. But we do our best, that is all we can. But it is not just our responsibility.

Why am i scared to open up? Because we don’t know anything about COVID other than it’s name. Because someone who was tested negative in a Billion Dollar Famously Named Hospital while interacting with him today I had to wear full PPE. Because the grocery stores can’t keep food on our shelves how are the restaurants supposed to supply their needs and what about the hospitals and nursing homes that are ordered to care for your loved ones. Because you not wearing a mask and choosing to live a normal life is selfish in a time where we all need to work together. Because its is not just healthcare and first-responders who are risking their lives.

I feel like this is dividing us more than politics or religion. Protesters are marching the capitals and pages are being started to report those breaking the stay at home orders. But today we open up restaurants and beauty salons and clothing stores. Some with “rules” in place, but we don’t know what the future looks like. Tests are becoming more available but we need the antibody test not the swabs. Our spikes are flattening out, but we haven’t had a steady two week decrease. So please, stay home.

Stay Safe.

XoXo

Britt

APRIL FINAL FRIDAY FIVE FAVORITE FINDS

April- Some of us are still quarantined and some of us are still essential workers. Either way were still stuck in this Groundhog’s Day. After rounding up ways to support small businesses in last month’s favorites were back to selfishly sharing our faves of the month. I was (not) surprised its mostly things were watching, but maybe you’re sick of The Office reruns and looking for new binges.

BRITT’S FIVE

1. BITES WITH BRITT - It’s a working title for my cookbook/cooking show. LOL. Not sure if it’s the quarantine stock pile that we have going in my pantry or my obsession with cooking shows right now, but when I am not working you can catch me whipping up something yummy. We have the Tastemade Channel and I have been binging Mary’s Kitchen Crush and Struggle Meals. I also knocked out more than half of our monthly cookbook. You can read some of the recipes we tried in this blog post here.

2. SPACE - To distract myself from the current unknowns I revert back to our original unknown- our universe. Ancient aliens and Nova have been on the TV for bedtime. I am back to following the moon cycles and appreciating our Earth a little bit more. Not sure if it is because its Earth Day or because less people are out, but plants are greener and the animals are active..

3. ALL OUT SHOW -Shade 45 is the best station on Sirius XM Radio and the best show on the station is the All Out Show with Jude. It’s a hilarious afternoon radio show covering news, slang, and a segment called Hate it or Love it that always has me cracking up. Jude Anthony Angelini originally was from the Jenny Jones show and I totally recognized him after Googling it. Now, I catch up every day on the episodes if I can’t catch them live. XM is free right now becuase of the Corona Virus, check it out here.

4. KIANA LEDE “MAD AT ME”– Listening to a mix I heard the OutKast’s “So Fresh, So Clean” sample and I was boppin, but then this angelic voice popped in talking about a girl being on her shit and people can’t be mad at her. I was like “YAAASSS” and since then I listen to it every day to and from work. Listen here and LMK your thoughts.

5. MOCKTAILS- I am transitioning away fromdrinking alcohol for so many reasons, but still craving a cute, fun, spritz to boost my day. I have created a mocktail that you can easily make at home. I call it the 3LW: 3 Layer Lemonade Strawberry Watermelon. Start with a glass half iced, then add some lemonade we use Crystal Light or Country Time. Next, slowly pour a Kirkland Sparkling ICE Strawberry Watermelon drink as slow as possible. It’s carbonation stays light on top of the lemonade and creates a beautiful ombre mocktail. Add a fresh lemon wedge or a fancy straw ans serve. Enjoy.

JOSE’S FIVE:

1. EATING-Britt has been going HAM with the baking and the cooking! I’m helping eat it all and I’m not complaining. My new top pick for dessert is her new butter pecan bars from HALF BAKED HARVEST: SUPER SIMPLE cookbook. It’s literally my favorite things in it - coconut, chocolate, shortbread. Need we say more? 

2. DAVE ON FX - It is a new pick for tv comedy. The concept is simple, Dave Byrd aka Lil Dicky is a white Jewish rapper trying to find his way through the complex world of hip-hop/rap music. Filled with laughs, complex conversations, and the occasional rap star pop in. You will laugh for sure. 

3. THE SCOTTS- Travis Scott’s new music Friday find. I really enjoyed how he premiered the song. He did it by working with the company that created Forte Night and held a live concert in the game. The last song was the first airing of the song.  

4. CANINE CARE-Canine care is a new badge earned by Britt and myself. We have had to care for our dog for the past couple of days. She has been suffering from a small infection but is recovering well. 

5. HOME TO DOS - Our home suffers from a surge of pigeons squatting on our roof. What we have learned from a previous podcast with a pest control company is that this species tends to return to their place of birth. I am trying to add prevention to our home to stop them from returning. 

And before the month is over we have triple digit weather. Time to get ready to quarantine ourselves in the pool. Continue to sty safe, stay home and stay healthy.

XoXo

Britt

QUARANTINE COOK BOOK CLUB: HALF BAKED HARVEST

It wasn’t supposed to be like this; we aren’t supposed to still be locked up; but here we are. I remember our first cook book club where we got together IRL over an Aperol Spritz and carbs, but now our second book turned into our third. BUT, at least it is a fantastic one at that! Half Baked Harvest Cookbook by Tieghan Gerard has your new favorite recipe; I guarantee it. I’ll share a few we’ve been working on bellow.

Spinach & Artichoke Mac & Cheese Bake

Difficulty: Easy

Taste: Delicious

We made this for a family night (before the quarantine) and the in-laws. I loved that it was essentially one pot and we had all the ingredients. Sneaking in veggies maybe tricky for your picky eaters out there, but this was fool proof! I would also recommending adding chicken and or broccoli.

Chewy Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Difficulty: Medium

Taste: Game Changer

I am always testing out chocolate chip cookie recipes. It is not like there are bad ones, I am just in search for the best. Although this isn’t HOLY enough, its pretty darn close to heaven. Two words: Brown Butter. I just discovered it, but it is a simple act of almost heating your butter tp brown perfect before you use it in a recipe. This simple change amplifies the taste of the creamy sugar and egg combo that is not too sweet. Plus add a little fresh sea seal on top, yum! Mine didn’t look the same, but sure did taste good.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup & Seasoned Pretzels

Difficulty: Hard

Taste: Okay

I am a soup fanatic. I make my own copy cat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar soup. But after seeing Ms. Gerard has one in the book, I had to try. I prefer my soup a little more chunky vs pureed. Also it was missing that extra something. Even with the pretzels, which were delicious, just a lot of work for little flavor. I want to play around with the seasoned pretzel recipe a bit more, but still sticking with my soup.

Black Pepper Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Difficulty: Hard

Taste: Okay

I was most excited for this one andI think that is why. graded it so hard. I try all the time to find “healthy” “vegetarian” options for my favorite snacks. This one looked good on paper, but the execution was sub par. The spicy bread crumb mix did not stick to the cauliflower and ended up just falling off in the baking process. The cauliflower steamed in stead of roasted and sogged its way into the dip. The dip was great and inspired me to make various creations including a taziki that I hope to share on the blog one day. Overall, would not recommend or remake these.

Potato & Burrata Pizza

Difficulty: Easy

Taste: Perfecto

Pizza dough from scratch- don’t be afraid- it is made with beer! That is right a can of beer and a packet of yeast gets you the perfect pizza dough. We followed her recipe for the Potato & Burrata Pizza, minus the Burrata because where can you find it at a time like this? We also made out own sausage pizza with the remaining dough and it was delicious. We will be using this pizza dough recipe for future Make Your Own Pizza Night at home #PostCorona.

Gingered Thai Steak & Peppered Salad

Difficulty: Medium

Taste: Beefy

This dish was a perfect dinner steak. Hearty with the beef and balanced with the light greens and dressing. There is so much delicious spicy ginger flavor in this dish without even trying you feel like an iron chef. One thing you do have to love is rare steak. I had a harder time searing the meat because personally I like a medium to well done steak and there is no way you can do this (and it tastes good) with this meal. Overall wouldn’t make again, but would recommend.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Blondie Brownie Bars

Difficulty: Hard

Taste: Phenomenal

I have always wanted to make blondies! I was a bit surprised to find the recipe called for a box of brownie mix, but I went along with it. First, let me re-state baking is difficult.It is a science and you always have to account for other elements. Second, with that being said I think this is why I had some difficulty with this dish: Consistency. My batter wasn’t drizzling in the pan, my peanut butter after much attention didn’t melt and the pan size called for was not in my kitchen. But did they taste great? Yes. Would I make them again? Absolutely! Chocolate and peanut butter- you can’t go wrong.

As quarantine continues, and while we still have flour, we will be continues to cook up delicious treats and crafting our own. Let me know what you have been cooking up and if you have any recommendations for our next cookbook when we get out of this!

XoXo
Britt.

HOME UPS- QUICK & CHEAP REDESIGNS IN QUARANTINE

Finally, Arizona issued a Stay at Home Order this week. Although, as essential personnel this means the same for us. Jose is now #Workfromhome, but once I return, after I de-clothe and shower we become home bodies. April 1 we celebrated our 3rd year as home owners and wanted to share a few Home Ups we did to protect our budget and our sanity as we Shelter in Place.

Living Room- The first piece of furniture we invested in our living room was a new couch. It took a while to find the right sectional for our space. We love comfy couch sessions and could see us doing that with a normal sofa. Luckily Living Spaces had the right size within our budget! Once that main piece was in we worked on accessories. Between Ikea and Walmart we found these gorgeous gold frames and had our favorite wedding photos printed in black and white to showcase in the entryway. I also was looking for a great full-length mirror that would not break the bank, to balance the other side of the TV and Way Fair had #JustWhatINeed. Lastly, I went around the house to the other rooms to re-purpose trinkets, books, knickknacks, candles and crystals that would fit the theme. I even used a rug from another room to warm the space’s concrete floors. This room proves that you don’t have to go out and buy all NEW items for a room makeover.

MASTER BATH – This was and is my favorite room in our house. So much pink and potential. It was originally added to the home in the 70’s for the owner’s wife, as it’s the only part of the house ADA approved. Three things we did here and for less than $100. First, the original wood vanity mirror we painted black. Second, we switched out the light fixture. Geeze, the things you realize are so expensive when you get older: rugs, lights, nuts, etc, blog post to come? We scored a great LED light on Amazon, I bought, Jose installed. Our latest VLOG will show you the BTS of that. LOL. Lastly, I got a frames at goodwill, painted black and printed free, fun bathroom sayings: I like your butt, and more! You can print your own from my Pinterest page here.

KITCHEN/PANTRY- Our kitchen is next on our home remodel. We recently had to make a major investment into our plumbing as we had the original cast iron pipes from the 1949 build collapse. As we continue to save back up for the kitchen cabinets, counters and hardware we made a few arrangements that make our house a home. The biggest and best change I made was turning our bar cart into a coffee cart! We don’t really drink alcohol, anymore, so this re-purpose was necessary. Instead of dragging out my Keurig to our limited counter space every morning, I rolled our bar cart into our pantry, added our carousel of k cups and ordered a quick Frida print on Amazon. Now my pantry is more than just a walk through, it’s a walk in.

The purpose of this blog is to show you during Q-tine you don’t have to be bored. You don’t have to spend money you don’t have. You don’t have to live in a space that doesn’t bring you joy or spark creativity. Take these tips into the weekend and let me know any room redecorating you’re doing.

We plan on filming a Cribs Vlog next weekend and I can’t wait to show you what we have done and what we plan to do with our forever home space. Stay safe and stay home.

XoXo Britt