girls night.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Last week it was the first 'married to medicine' girls night-

something I always look forward to!

Our activity of the night was called 'my favorite things,' and I thought it'd be fun to share my list with ya.

Everyone was asked to make a list of 10 things they've fallen in love with:

things you have learned, products you like, tips of any sort-

anything that makes you smile.

Then we each brought with us one thing on our list to exchange with each other,

so everyone left with something special.

I ended up with a beautiful scarf from India that one of the wives bought while traveling this summer with her husband, how cool it that?!

It was a blast.

And a game I totally recommend for girls night-

I mean, who doesn't want to know everyone's beauty secrets, best kept recipes or awesome shopping deals?!

Below is my little list and a few photos from the night.

Enjoy!

Oh and PS they're in no particular order.

1. Anthropolgie Candle: it's the aged silver 'volcano' candle that smells like heaven!

2. Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff: it's very Notebook-esk and based on a true story, highly recommend!

3. El Basha {Greek restaurant in Omaha- one of my favs}!

4. St. Ives Even & Bright Pink Lemonade & Mandarine Orange body wash- pretty much the reason I shower- it's another product that smells amazing!

5. My Kate Spade 'Mrs' necklace. Enough said.

6. Fake Bake Tanning Lotion- the bees knees! And doesn't make ya look like an Umpa Lumpa. 

7. VSCO Cam for editing Instagram pics.

8. A large Diet Sprite with a Diet Cherry add-in from Sonic- Mmmmm caffeine free and zero calories!

9. The blog, lovetaza- my favorite online read.

10. The note tradition that Zak and I do- each day we write each other a little note, whether it's an accomplishment, funny story, love note or whatever then we put it in a jar with the date on it. Finally on NYE we read all of them aloud and reflect on the year- it's the sweetest tradition ever, and something that I will always cherish.

This is only some of the group- but let me tell you, these ladies have been such a blessing in my life. 

When our husbands are studying from 6am-8pm everyday it can get pretty lonely,

and I can always count on them for company.

From shopping trips, to lunch dates and just hanging out and making dinner these girls have been such a wonderful support system,

and I can't thank them enough.

Mmm and they also know how to cook, too!

xoxo

social media.

PC: Pinterest

Where to begin?!

I have a love/hate relationship with social media. 

In that, I love Instagram.

The pretty pictures, awesome sense of "community" and the people are great. 

Really, the people are my favorite part.

Yet, I hate {or really dislike, hate is a strong word} that I am constantly scrolling and turning to my phone all throughout the day as if I'm going to miss the most important picture ever.

Silly huh?

Because what I'm really missing out on is what's going on around me. 

I guess sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed by it, like I have to know what's going on all the time.

And that shouldn't be the case. 

The same goes for Twitter..

and Twitter is even more overwhelming for me.

Working in the news, Twitter is a tool-

and it is used constantly!

If I miss a tweet from the police department about a shooting, well I'm screwed. 

If I miss a tweet from viewer about a house fire, well I'm in trouble. 

Or if I happen to misspell a word..

I'm the worst journalist on the planet. 

I don't even tweet personal stuff anymore because my account is all about work now..

which is such a bummer. 

However I do retweet about animal stories and no one can ever stop me from doing that!!

Crazy animal lady, I know.

And anyone else who uses Twitter knows your timeline is constantly updating-

new tweets every minute, which can be super overwhelming and freaking {excuse my language} time consuming.
Sensory overload.
Sorry, I know I'm ranting. 

I would talk about Facebook, but lets face it..

it's lost its touch, to say the least. 

So anywho, I just feel like social media has taken over my life-

from constantly watching my Twitter timeline at work..

to then looking at tons of photos on Instagram at home..

I'm kinda tired of it. 

And that's not good, because A. it's apart of my career and B. it should be enjoyable, not stressful.

So I've been trying a new thing lately where if I'm spending time with Zak, or hanging out with friends, my phone is away.

Completely away, and it has been awesome. 

You know those days where you're having too much fun to even think about your phone?

Yeah I love those days, and plan to make them happen more often.

And then when I am alone and not working I'm only using my "personal" list on Twitter and scroll through Insta all I want-

so I can enjoy myself..
 {and just shut the news out for a couple days.} 

It's relaxing, and totally needed.

Yeah I finally learned what those list things are on Twitter and man they're helpful.

Thanks to the hubs for showing me. 

And don't get me wrong, I am still going to be on Instagram,

and probably post more photos then I should..

I'm just going to use it at different times. 

Instead of all the time.

I hope someone can relate to this post, or else I'm going to look like such a weirdo.

Oh and emails.. 

dang you emails, you are in the same category!

Work emails I will only answer at work-

and personal I will only answer on my days off. 

Yeah I totally sound like a weirdo.

But people, I'm telling you I felt like my phone was consuming me!

From tons of work emails, breaking news tweets and the latest Instagram post..

I was feeling a overwhelmed,
and needed to simplify some things.

so thankfully my new motto {or whatever this is} has totally helped me enjoy this stuff rather than resent it. 

PC: Pinterest

Okay so on a totally random note I LOVE TAYLOR SWIFT'S NEW SONG!

There I said it. 

Romie and I may or may not have danced in the kitchen about three times to it already.

He totally wants me to buy her album. 

And I agree. 

Here's the video from Vimeo in case you haven't seen it. 

Just makes me want to dance all.the.time. 

Taylor Swift - Shake It Off from Petra Richmond on Vimeo.

fishy fishy.

Anyone remember that McDonald's commercial where they'd sing 'fishy fishy' about the filet-o-fish sammys? 

Really hoping that's not just me.

Probably though.

Oh well!

I'm usually not one to post about recipes..

literally this is my first recipe I've written about,

but I had to share this one!

I have to admit though, I'm not the biggest cook. 

And it's not that I don't like to cook, it can be fun.. 

{when it doesn't take all day and 123846255937 different ingredients}.

But I work nightside, which in TV news means I don't get home till about 9:45-10ish.

And my mornings consist of Romie walks, working out, getting ready and then pretty much taking off for the station..

so making it beforehand isn't really an option, either.

But on my days off, I do try and be domestic and make dinner. 

Zak and I have tried cooking fish a bunch of times..

and it has either been way too fishy, overly salted, squishy, wet {so gross} or just bad. 

But I finally found a recipe for tilapia that hit the jack pot. 

We like eating it because it's supper healthy for ya and very low fat. 

So, without further adieu,

here is the Greet tilapia recipe Zak and I have been raving about for the last 24 hours!

PS and the leftovers are just as good too,

 score. 

Recipe/photo via Pinterest & missinformationblog.com

Greek Roasted Tilapia Fillets                

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tbsp minced fresh garlic 

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil 

1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 

 2/3 cup seeded and chopped Roma tomatoes 

1 3/4oz reduced fat feta cheese, crumbled 

1/2 lb tilapia fillets, bones removed 

Salt and Pepper 

Olive oil nonstick cooking spray 

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat a medium baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Mix garlic, olive oil, parsley, tomatoes and feta in a medium bowl. Lightly coat both sides of tilapia fillets with nonstick cooking spray, then season both sides with salt and pepper. Lay fillets side by side, barely touching, in prepared baking dish. Top evenly with tomato mixture. Bake 13-17 minutes, or until fish flakes with a fork and is no longer translucent. Serve immediately.

Let me know if anyone tries it! 

xoxo

home sweet home.

Remember when we moved into our new place earlier this summer?!

I know, I haven't gotten around to posting about it yet..

that is until now.

:)

Better late than never, right?!

On the Fourth of July we had a big party to not only celebrate the best holiday ever,

{see here for all those post details}

but it was also a little,

welcome-to-our-new-place-party as well.

It was a blast!

And our awesome friends over at TinyPrints made us the sweetest moving announcement postcards to send to loved ones about our new change of address.

This was our first time sending these postcards out-

and let me know tell you, I plan to do it each and every time we move in the future.

It's the easiest {and cutest} way to tell friends and family members,

"hey we moved!" and "here is our new address in case ya need it!" and

"come visit us soon!"

Check out TinyPrints for all your paper needs!

They have the loveliest prints, I tell ya! 

Here is a link to the TinyPrints postcards we made, hope you like them below! 

I blocked out our address, so the little white part is where it would normally go. 

Another new item in our new home is this awesome TinyPrints mounted photograph.

It's my absolute favorite picture of Zak and I.

It's right after he proposed on Catalina Island,

{see here for all those post details}

and TinyPrints turned it into not only an awesome photo,

but a timeless piece of home decor.

I love how it sits on its own, 

and I can easily incorporate into my style.

Speaking of my style.. it's very..

mixed matched, with a little bit of vintage added with some modern twists and lots of Anthropologie inspiration, if that's even a style?!

And even though it's a little all-over-the-place, this canvas photo fits perfectly into the design. 

But, I think my favorite thing about the photo is that because it stands out on its own, people often ask what's its from,

and it means so much to me to tell them about the day we got engaged.

I think having decoration pieces that have a story or special meaning behind them, is the best way to design your home. 

Like my momma always said, you want to have "talker" pieces that tell a story in your home, and this canvas photo certainly does so.

Guess what?

PC: Pinterest 

I've been taking some more online videography classes.

You'd think a bachlors degree in broadcast journalism would be enough?

But no, you gotta keep up on your craft and continue to learn.

We've also been doing lots of research on wedding videography/ travel journalism.

And it makes me really really happy. 

Just thought i'd share the news.

:)

new car, Mexican food & Romie.

PC: Pinterest

Good morning!

Hope you have a little more sunshine than us Omahan's today-

it's a rainy day schedule. 

The last few days have been pretty exciting in the Hambsch household.

... we bought a new car!

woot woot. 

It was very needed.

And well overdue. 

the backup camera is one of my favorite things about it!

We traded in my slug bug 

{remember I won it in a raffle}?

That was such a fun car, I always always always wanted a bug--

and I'm so glad I got to drive it around my senior year of college. 

But, now it was time for us to invest in a future family car.

:)

Buying a car is such a long stressful process, isn't it?!

I'm so thankful for my hubs.

He really took charge and got us the car we totaly wanted! 

And I can't wait to drive our little babies around in it one day. 

Anywho, the rest of our weekend was filled with..

errands.. organizing our life.. chores.. Mexican food.. and a sleepover. 

There were lots of little "to-do's" we needed to cross off our list before Zak headed back to school on Monday.

You know those kinda things that are not immediately important to get done, but are still in the back of your mind needing to be done?

Yeah those types of things.

So we had fun sorting through last years documents, getting oil changes, grocery shopping {okay maybe that's immediately important?}, making dental appointments and paying bills.

Oh the joys of adulthood. 

But ya know, it's never not fun when you can do it with your spouse. 

It's those days that Zak and I have the most fun doing things that aren't fun, if that makes sense?!

I just love that guy.

We rewarded ourselves with a little cheat dinner at Roja in Old Market.

We're just a tad obsessed with their chips and salsa.

It's a problem. 

And then had a slumber party in the living room and finally made it to the newest season of Arrested Development!

Any other Bluth family fans out there?!

And did anyone else think Lindsey looks COMPLETELY different in the 4th season?!

It's really throwing me off.

But, I do like how Kristen Wiig and John Krasinski have made some appearances.

We're also big Office fans, too.

My favorite view of that street.

it's 9:30 AM and I could still eat all of that right this minute. 

Oh and for giggles I thought I'd show you Romie's favorite laying position. 

He just loves to cuddle, let me tell you.

hahaha. 

Don't judge Rom, this angle is not flattering. 

Oh and I was really creepy and grabbed this pic off of someone on my FB feed who just got a new puppy..

and does it not look like the baby version of Romie?!

Since we rescued him when he was about 3 we never saw his younger years..

so I'm keeping this picture and want to believe he looked just like this when he was little.

I know, I'm a crazy dog lady. 

Hope you have a good rest of your week!

xoxo