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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Target Treasures

I absolutely love Target.  They have adorable clothing, office supplies, school supplies, party supplies, kitchen tools. house ware, a beauty section, and so much more.  The other day I went in to grab just a few things.  Of course they didn't have what I was looking for, so I decided to browse around a little bit (such a dangerous idea for my wallet's sake).  

I've been looking for blank cards that I can use to write thank you notes, "just because" notes, etc. I found two sets that I couldn't resist leaving the store without.  They are both very classic looking. I couldn't choose between the pink and white quartile or the navy ones with gold anchors, so I bought both! 
I am a HUGE list maker, especially during the school year.  I opted for the larger Lilly agenda this year, so that I could write lists in there.  However, I still like to have a small notebook where I can keep all of my lists and thoughts in one place.  As I was browsing, I found a pink and cream striped notebook with thick paper.  The top of each page even has a spot for a subject line and a place to check off what day of the week it is, perfect for list making! On the front cover there is a spot to put anything you want, I will most likely be personalizing my notebook with a monogram.  The inside of the notebook has a large pocket to keep other items in, which will be very useful.


What are some of your favorite things from Target right now?

xoxo
-mQs-


Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Tuning In


This summer I have been using Spotify significantly more than I have listened to Pandora.  Today I'm sharing with you some of my most frequently listened to Spotify playlists.  



I'd love to hear what some of your favorite Spotify playlists are!

xoxo
-mQs-

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

A Mid Afternoon Snack

Looking for a mid afternoon snack, I have just the solution for you...homemade chocolate chip cookie ice-cream sandwiches.  I made them the other night and they were such a tasty snack. 

First you'll need to make the chocolate chip cookies.  I used the recipe on the back of a bag of Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chips.

2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup of chocolate chips

1. In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a mixing bowl combine the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.  Beat the mixture until it is creamy then add eggs and continue to mix.
3. Gradually add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl.  Once all of the flour has been used add the chocolate chips and continue to mix the cookie dough.
4. Chill the cookie dough in the fridge for 30 minutes.
5. spoon the dough onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10-11 minutes.
6. After the cookies have baked and cooled get your favorite ice-cream flavor from the freezer.
7. Scoop a few spoonfuls of ice-cream onto a cookie then add the top cookie to create a sandwich.  Roll in sprinkles for some extra fun.

Enjoy your snack!
xoxo
-mQs-


Monday, July 28, 2014

Monday Morning Check In




watching. Revenge Season 2. I just finished it this weekend and it was so good. I highly recommend this netfilx series. 
excited. To see what the rest of the summer brings and for the Luke Bryan concert in August!
loving. Not having to work today.  The family I nanny for is on vacation this week, so I have a few days off. 
missingThe beach. Although I spent a week at the beach last week, I still haven't spent nearly as much time at the beach as I would like to.
obsessed. with fruit infused water.  I have been trying to drink more water and one of the ways that has helped me is by adding fresh fruit to it. 
enjoying. My relaxing morning.
wondering. What this upcoming school year will have in store for me. 
laughingAt myself for some of the silly things I've said this week. What can I say, I'm a brunette with blonde tendencies.
wishing. That there was more than a month left of summer. 
wearingThe perfect summer  casual wear- norts a running tank and vineyard vines flip flops.
drinking. Raspberry Zinger Tea
wanting. Everything on my to do list to be done. 
looking. For somebody to monogram the backpack I just bought. 
waiting. For everything I just ordered online to ship to my house. 
smelling. The pumpkin bread I bought at the Amish market this weekend. 
thinking. Of all the things I should be doing but instead I'm having a lazy morning. 
feeling. Lazy. I've been so busy lately that just having a day of nothing seems quite refreshing
smiling. Because it's the best medicine.

xoxo
-mQs-

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Sunshine on Saturday

  

One of the perks to living out in the "country" is that we have tons of amish farms.  Most of the amish farms near us have their own produce stands.  This morning it was cloudy and rainy out, my mom and I spent some time picking out fresh fruits and veggies at one of the local amish markets.  I found a vase full of sunflowers while we were browsing the market, sunflowers are one of my favorite types of flowers! The saying a cloudy morning doesn't always mean a cloudy day is true for today.  The dreary morning brought on a beautiful saturday afternoon.  

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul"


Enjoy your weekend!
xoxo
-mQs-

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Kitchen Adventures: Pasta Box Inspired

I've always wanted to try the recipes that are on the back of barilla pasta boxes, but I've never had all of the ingredients to make it.  A couple of weeks ago I finally was able to find all of the ingredients for a pasta box recipe, in my house.  

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 carton of grape tomatoes (cut in halves)
1 zucchini (sliced into small pieces)
1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese
A few Basil leaves
Salt and Pepper (to taste)
1 clove of garlic
1 box of whole wheat pasta


1. Boil water and cook pasta.
2. While pasta boils, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet.
3. Add the garlic and let it cook for two minutes or until it is golden in color.
4. Slice the zucchini and add it to the skillet. Let it cook for 4 minutes or until slightly browned.
5. Add the sliced tomatoes and basil and simmer it for two minutes.
6. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the sauce.
7. Drain the pasta and put it in a large bowl.
8. Cover the pasta with the sauce and add the freshly grated cheese.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Back To Reality

Happy Monday!

I'm back from vacation and ready to start posting again! The past week was filled with fireworks, fun in the sun, mini golfing, sunsets at the bay, reading, good eats, watching the sunrise on the beach and a little relaxation too.  This morning I began working again, this week I am working three jobs all in one week, luckily they only overlap one day.  




I have lots of posts planned for the future that I am excited about! 
xoxo
-mQs-

Friday, July 11, 2014

Friday Five: Life This Week

One: Summer Jobs
There are definitely a whole lot of positives and negatives to having not just one summer job but two.  Last week I was only able to find the negatives, but this week I have turned my attitude around and I've actually enjoyed the time I've spent working.  I am nannying for the same family again this summer and the children behave much better this year compared to last.  I've actually had a lot of fun with them this week.  Yesterday we spent some time drawing and playing tic tac toe with side walk chalk.  I highly recommend nannying as a summer job for any college student.

Two: Coffee Dates
Who doesn't love a coffee date or three in one week?  That's right three coffee dates in one week.  This summer is flying by, and just like I'm busy working and traveling so are my friends.  Some friends live near by, while others live a little further away.  While it is fun to go out to eat, it can get very pricey for a college student's budget.  This is why coffee dates are perfect: cheap, great for busy schedules, and if you want to sit and talk a server isn't bugging you to leave.  In a few hours I will be meeting two of my best friends for my third coffee date of the week.  

Three: Beyonce and Jay Z
Last weekend I went to Beyonce and Jay Z's On The Run Tour. Let me just tell you it was an amazing concert: good friends, good music, and so many memories were made.

Four: Read of The Week
Now that my summer classes are over I'm back to reading again! This week I have been reading All You Could Ask For written by Mike Greenberg.  It is such a good read.  I highly recommend it.  Just a little fun fact- he is from Mike&Mike on ESPN radio. 

Five: Vacation
I leave for a week at the beach tomorrow morning with my boyfriend and his family.  I still have yet to pack, so that will be what my afternoon will consist of.  Needless to say, there probably won't be any blog posts for the next week or so! 
You can keep up with me via instagram: @shorelifeofmqs or twitter: @mich_quigley

xoxo
-mQs-

Monday, July 7, 2014

The Parent Trap on Netflix

As a child I was never big into watching television, especially not cartoons.  Very few movies I would watch on repeat.  The Parent Trap was one of the movies that made it to that "few" category.  I loved and still do love this movie.  It is humorous, relatable to viewers of all ages, and who doesn't love a plot with a little love story in it. 

For my Parent Trap fans out there, I have some good news for you.  The movie is now on Netflix.  You can now watch it whenever you want as many times as you want without pulling out the VHS player.


xoxo
-mQs-

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Weekend Reads


My breakfast this morning because I am a foodie.  
Croissant with strawberry jam, herbal tea, and yogurt with fresh fruit and granola.

1. A simple summer recipe

2. 7 things to do in July

3. Tips for braiding

4. 15 Lessons from 20 years of the French Laundry

5. Change your mood now

6. Choosing a monogram necklace

7. Morning green drink

8. An adorable outfit

9. Summer travel: how to pack like a pro

10. 10 books to read this summer

xoxo
-mQs-

Friday, July 4, 2014

Friday Four

I thought I'd be clever and do a play on the usual "Friday Five" since the fourth of july falls on a Friday. 

One: Drafts on Drafts
Although I haven't been posting regularly, I have managed to accumulate over 20 drafts of future posts.  The ideas are flowing and I have lots of fun things planned for the month of July.

Two: Fresh Fruit
This morning I went to a local farm and bought fresh blueberries.  Let me just tell you they are like a little bit of heaven in your mouth.  I love love love fresh blueberries, so I was excited when I found them sitting on the produce stand. 


Three: Summer Classes
I'm finally finished with my two summer classes.  It is such a relief to be done.  These classes moved at a fast paced, which definitely had its pros and cons.  The classes weren't too difficult just a lot of work.  I'm just glad to have my time back to enjoy the remainder of the summer.  
*Future post to come on summer classes*

Four: Happy Fourth of July?
This year Fourth of July is rather lame for me.  I've spent the morning doing laundry and grocery shopping, and I will be spending my afternoon/night waitressing at the country club.  However, if I was celebrating this is what I would most likely be wearing.  


Enjoy your Fourth of July!
Xoxo
-mQs-