April-September Reads 2020

At the end of 2019/beginning of 2020 I had set a goal to read one book a month. I have always enjoyed reading, I just never made the time to do it much recently but I wanted to get back in to getting lost in a story! I had read Where the Crawdads Sing and it got me hooked on reading again. I love those books that are so good you can't put down!! Little did I know that 2020 + Covid were going to slow things down, create quarantine and all the more time to read! So far 11/12 months in and I have accomplished, and even surpassed, my goal set! Here are some reads from April- Sept!

The Alice Network

4/5 stars

A historical novel that follows two story lines that eventually merge on some common ground.

Reach for this book if you like World War reads, if you read + liked The Tattooist of Auschwitz. 

This isn't my typical genre or my usual psychological thriller but I would recommend!

 

Grab it on Amazon: here 

The Guest List

5/5 stars

The Bride. The Plus- One. The Best Man. The Wedding Planner. The Bridesmaid.

All merge together to one twisted ending.

This also isn't my typical read with having multiple viewpoints throughout but I LOVED it! 

It had juicy characters that I wanted to know more and more about! 

A page turnover that kept you on the edge of your sit right to the end!

Definitely recommend!!! This is a new release (to public in May) but I got it though my Book of the Month club. Here is a referral link if you want to join too: Book of the Month

 (Book of the month also makes a great gift idea! ;))

 

 Happy & You Know It

4/5 stars

 

Read this one if you like any of the Real Housewives shows as that is what it reminded me a lot of! It was a quick and easy read and you get attached to the different characters and want to know what happens!

Grab it here from: amazon.

 

 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

5/5 stars

I lovedddd this book! I loved how it had twists and turns. I was immediately hooked on Evelyn Hugo and her story and wanted to keep going to hear more, more, more! 

 

 

City of Girls

4/5 stars

 

First of all, the cover of this one is gorgeous! I was really excited to read this book but I will be honest, it was a little anti-climatic at the end for me.

I did love many of the small quotes and tid bits that kind of made you think: 

"The world ain't straight. You grow up thinking things are a certain way. You think there are rules. You think there's a way that things have to be. You try to live straight. But the world doesn't care about your rules, or what you believe. The world ain't straight."

I'd love to know: What are you reading?!

Also, support your local, small book shops as much as you can right now! They need you!
Let me know if you have any questions!!!
xoxo,
Ashley

Breakfast Pizza

 

 

 

I think this makes the perfect weekend breakfast, lunch, snack-- whatever! It was so good we had it for breakfast AND lunch last weekend! The boursin cheese spread makes it SO delicious!

And, it was SUPER easy to make!!! 

This is a must try!

 

Have a great weekend!!

xo,

Ashley

Cowboy Caviar

This dip is super easy to make and one of my favorites now that the weather is starting to get nice! It has so many fresh veggies in it making it light + the perfect snack! Support your local farmers market + grab your ingredients there!

Grab some tortilla chips on dive in!

Quarantine Cocktail

Have you been switching things up and making different cocktails during quarantine??

I made this one a couple weekends ago and it was perfect!

Sweet. Refreshing. Easy. Delish.

Rome, Italy: May 2019

The anniversary of our first ever Europe trip is coming up & I am feeling so blessed that we were able to make that trip happen last year! It was a trip of a lifetime and with all that is happening right now, I couldn't imagine how devastated I would be if we had to cancel! My heart truly goes out to all of you who have had to cancel a major trip such as one like this!

Day one was mostly a day of travel; we flew out late (9pm) from the Toronto airport on a non-stop flight to Rome. It was a six hour drive to Toronto BUT it saved us quite a bit of money on airfare so it was definitely worth it! (Also, with it being one of the few non-stop flights that did make it even better!!!) If you are interested in doing a trip like this and looking to save on airfare, make sure to explore ALL your options--- even if you may have to drive a bit for your flight.

Packing cubes were a huge game changer, especially for this flight/trip and I would 110% recommend them for ANY upcoming travel you have! For two weeks, two different countries, and lots of variety of activities--- these helped organize and save space!

Ok, so arriving at the airport in practically the same outfit as your friend kicks off the trip!!! (HAHAH!!)  This trip would have not been half of what it was without our two travel buddies! My friend Ashley & I (and some help from my husband Tyler too) planned the entire trip ourselves. From making an itinerary to booking Air B&B's, and train tickets it was 100% done by us! 

We were able to sleep most of the plane ride over, took our "No Jet Lag" pills and arrived in Rome ready to hit the ground running! (Italy is 6 hours ahead of us and it was about a 9 hour flight) 

We connected with our driver to take us to our first Air B&B, got our bearings for a bit, and then set out to grab some food and explore! That first day we hit the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish steps, and views around the Vatican. We experienced our first (real) Gelato and Italian food & wine (and we were HOOKED!!!! Seriously never tasted better food!) We mostly ordered the house white and it was delish! Also,  here starts the "Gelato Challenge" (eat Gelato at least once a day while we were in Italy! ;)) In case you're wondering, my friend & I 100% completed this challenge and have NO regrets!

Pantheon

Trevi Fountain

This was a lot for our first day and we were beat! We grabbed dinner (which by the way... restaurants kind of shut down in the middle of the day to early evening and Italians are accustomed to eating late dinners!) and then headed back to our place for the night to re-group on tomorrow's plan and get some rest!

Using Rome as our hub we ended up experiencing the city in a couple different days (one at the beginning of our trip and one at the end). We did A LOT of walking on this trip which helped us to really see and experience it all! If you're interested in our itinerary for the trip or have any other questions, I would be glad to help! :) Stay tuned for more pieces of our Europe journey & memories!

Email me: romzeka@gmail.com

Spring Dress x 4 Ways!

I know, I haven't been wearing real pants either.
Seriously, for like 5 weeks straight.
But, a dress isn't pants either... so we're still in this together!

I grabbed this dress from Target before all of this Covid-19 craziness started.
And, I am still excited to wear it come Spring/Summer.
And, if we're still shut down. I think it will still work well for Fall too!! :)

I have styled it four ways.
Let me know which is your fave!!!

If you love it and want to grab your own, check it out here .

True to size!

Let me know if you have any questions!!!

xoxo,

Ashley

Flatbread Pizzas

I don't know about you but I think one of the worst parts of being quarantined at home is all the cooking! I'm sure you feel like you have made your 8,000th meal and you're really starting to run out of ideas.. am I right?!?!

My husband & I love pizza... of any kind... any variety. 

I especially love that they are easy to whip together!

**And, to make it even simpler, for these ones I grabbed some flatbreads (or you can use Naan bread) (can find near the bakery area) so you don't have to worry about making or baking a dough!

Here are a couple varieties that stray a little different from the norm if you're trying to mix things up!

• Mushroom, bacon, arugula, goat cheese!
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Dice up mushrooms (I'd say we used maybe a couple handfuls?)
• Saute them in a pan with some olive oil, a couple minutes
• I cheated and used microwave bacon (EASY!) Make that and break in to pieces.
• For the base/sauce I mixed probably about 1/3 cup mayo with a handful or two of each: Parmesan cheese (shredded) and Mozzarella cheese (shredded).
• Spread that mixture on your flatbread or naan.
• Sprinkle mushrooms out evenly.
• Sprinkle arugula over.
• Sprinkle goat cheese.
• Bake until melty and gooey and good! (Maybe like 15 minutes or less!)
• Drizzle with balsalmic glaze! YUMM!!

• BBQ Chicken (Ranch- if desired) Pizza
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Shred a rotisserie chicken in to a bowl.
• Mix in BBQ sauce (whatever kind and desired amount) and about 1/4 or so of an onion, diced.
• Spread on a flatbread or naan.
• Top with desired amount of gouda & mozzarella cheeses (shredded).
• Bake until cheeses are gooey and melted!
• I topped mine with a small drizzle of ranch but my husband didn't! Enjoy!!

• Now, you can always also just do the good ole original Pepperoni & Mozzarella cheese too! The flatbreads/naans just make it nice not to have to worry about the dough!

What are you making during this quarantine!?!?

Let me know if you have any questions!

xoxo,

Ashley

Get Lost in a Book!

I haven't always been a huge reader, I think in part related to school. 

When I was in undergrad for my nursing degree I studied a lot and any free time I had, I wanted to spend with my friends. So, reading took a back seat.

Last Spring though I had the itch to get lost in a good book again. I started a book club at work and have been finding so many good reads! Spring Break is right around the corner and I know people love a good book recommendation for their travels. Today I will be sharing my top 5 picks!

The book that got me hooked again!

This was our first book club pick and it was SO GOOD!!!

It follows the story of a girl who was raised in the swamp (on her own) and a murder that happens in the near by town. The people of the town quickly accuse her committing the crime! 

It's a story of survival and love!

I wanted to know what happened but I also would stop reading because I didn't want it to end!

This one is a MUST READ!!!!

I just finished this book last month and I had a book hangover for days!

(Has this every happened to you? I couldn't stop thinking about this book and feared I could never read another one as good as this one! haha)

Ok, it might sound like I'm saying this a lot but this one of was SO SO good!!!

It follows the story of a girl who is about to enter her 16th year (The Grace Year). She is whisked off to this foreign land where she must survive for the next year. (**Think: Hunger Games, maybe with a small mix of Handmaid's Tale**). This one too is a story of survival and love. But I also love the message of supporting each other to get through the most difficult times rather than trying to one up each other. I couldn't put it down!

A psychological thriller that follows the story of a girl who is kidnapped by a man hired for the job but it ends up not going to plan and he takes her out to this cabin in the woods for days. 

Meanwhile, her parents are working feverishly with the police to find her.

This one kept me on the edge of my seat!!

Another psychological thriller that was edgy and twisty and literally made me gasp out loud when they reveal the biggest twist! This one is a little dark, but not too dark where you won't be able to sleep! It follows the story of a pyschotherapist who tries to unlock the mystery of why Alicia isn't talking after she kills her husband. It keeps you guessing!

Lastly, The Woman in the Window is another plot twister that will also keep you guessing! 

It follows the story of Anna who is an agoraphobic who drinks a lot and spies on her neighbors. 

Late one night she believes she witnesses a murder across the street and now she has to figure out what happened. What is real? 

Fun fact: this book is becoming a major motion picture in May so hurry and read the book now!

I hope this helps you pick your next book to get lost in! 

Let me know what your favorite book recommendations are!!

Take a Hike, Part 2

Take a Hike: What to Wear Edition!

Headed to a destination with some hiking included in the itinerary and not sure what to pack?? 

You have come to the right place!

And, even better right now Patagonia is having a S-A-L-E so you can pick up some gear at a deal!

Check it out here: Patagonia Sale.

Another great site for outdoor clothing & gear is: Backcountry.

Here are my FOUR tips on dressing successfully for your next hiking adventure:

1- A good pair of hiking boots.  You need a good shoe, especially if you plan to put in multiple miles! Tennis shoes are not a bad option but a good hiking shoe or boot is better! I recommend a boot so it gives you ankle support as well. Some of the terrain you may traverse is rocky, not flat, and rugged so a supportive boot is key! Also, if you grab some make sure you wear them around the house or on a few walks at home before you wear them on your hike. This is very important because you DO NOT want to get blisters when you're on the trail! I recommend Merrell shoes. I have a couple pairs of these and have been happy with them! 

2-Plan for layers. A lot of hikes (especially out west) will either start at an elevation or you will gain elevation as you. Altitude can be tricky so make sure you plan for layers that you can add or shed as needed. As you go you may get warm so you'll want to take longer sleeves off but when you get to the top it might be cooler! I always usually have a t-shirt, sometimes a long sleeve, and then a zip up jacket too. You can never have too many! For pants, I often wear a comfortable legging. Or, I recommend a hiking pant. If it is going to be chillier/snowy where you are going I would also pick up a base layer long sleeve and/or legging to wear too. Here are a few examples of mine that I have worn.

3- Take along a good pack. You will need some sort of backpack to carry with you if you are doing more than 3 miles round trip. This will help you carry water and any snacks you might want, as well as, a place to put your clothing layers if you shed them! I have a Patagonia single strap one (smaller size) and an Osprey one that I like!

4- Accessories. Depending on the climate you're going to be hiking in, I recommend a hat, gloves, headband, and a good pair of socks! The hat also helps you quickly get ready in the morning  :)

Need inspiration on a destination?? Read my previous post on choosing a National Park to visit 

here.