Weekly Walk and Talk | 3.11.2022

Welcome to our weekly “walk and talk,” where we bring our weekly walks to you. Our walks are a time to catch up on family life, share online shopping hits and misses, exchange recipes, discuss our newest Netflix binge — all the stuff that friends share with each other. And now we’re sharing with you!

Don’t miss a single link! Click here for previous editions of our “Walk and Talk.”

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What We’re Watching

CHRISTA : Last weekend, we watched Licorice Pizza (in theaters or purchase on Prime Video), which is nominated for three Academy awards, including Best Picture. The two leads (musician Alana Haim of the sister trio Haim and Cooper Hoffman, son of Philip Seymour Hoffman) made their film debuts and they were incredible! I liked the laid back vibe of the film, which perfectly captured the early 1970’s. Overall, I thought this was a good movie. But its strength was not in the story telling, but in the performances of these two new actors (and I can’t wait to see them in more movies!).

MEGAN : In my hunt for the Oscar winner I also watched Licorice Pizza (Prime Video). Like Christa, I wasn’t wowed by the story, but the cinematography was awesome, you really felt those 70s vibes! My favorite part was the music. As a child of the 70’s it was truly a soundtrack of my childhood. Clarence Carter, Sonny & Cher, Nina Simone, David Bowie, my personal fav Peace Frog by the Doors. I don’t think this is the winner, but put it on your list if you are nostalgic for the 1970s.

We also watched King Richard (Prime Video). Wow – Will Smith is AMAZING as Richard Williams. I had no idea how Venus and Serena Williams got their start in tennis, the journey is incredible. In the movie one of the coaches says, “You just might have two Michael Jordans on your hands.” Boy is that true! Crowd pleaser for the whole fam.

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Something to Read

CHRISTA : I’m not a huge reader, but if it’s a vacation by a beach then I can’t get enough to read! When I need a new book, I usually turn to Reese Witherspoon’s book club for a recommendation, and there hasn’t been a single title I haven’t loved. Some favorites (not necessarily recent picks) include Daisy Jones & The Six, The Scent Keeper and The Guest List. (Has anyone read the March pick, The Club? Looking for a book for our upcoming trip.)

MEGAN : I’ve been an avid reader since I was a little girl. My parents are both voracious readers and I definitely inherited that gene. This month my Book Club is reading The Bee Keeper of Aleppo. The book details the journey of a couple trying to evacuate Syria in 2016. It’s a long and arduous trip and the husband and wife are suffering from the tragedies they endured in Aleppo. The book is excellent – written by a woman that was a volunteer in the refugee camps, she created the characters based on real people’s lives and experiences. It’s a timely read as I follow the stories about people evacuating Ukraine right now. I can only imagine what these families are experiencing and this book brings those issues to light.

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Random Stuff We Purchased

CHRISTA : New throw pillows are another easy way to give a room a little refresh for Spring. Etsy is a great source for custom pillows. I love these pillows for our bedroom from PillowFlightPDX. Pillow Flight has a beautiful selection of fabrics, and they offer pillows in so many sizes at reasonable prices. I love how the two patterns I selected coordinate. For our king size bed, I ordered three 22×22 pillows and one 16×26 pillow. Tip: When I’m planning a new decor project, I grab screen shots of the items and put them all together in Photoshop, Canva, or even MS Word or Powerpoint. It helps me visualize it all together to get the final look before I purchase.

MEGAN : What’s the word on graphic tees? I see so many women (IRL and on the ‘gram) looking chic in Anine Bing and yet every time I go to pull the trigger I feel too old. Finally settled on this cutie by Emerson Fry, and the sales girl assured me that I can wear it with white, blue or black denim.

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What We’re Eating

CHRISTA : We’re having lots of tasty meals thanks to our Tovala oven.

• We order 10 meals/week (you can up to 16 meals in one order). Because they offer 14 new meals every week, we’re eating more variety than we would if I were cooking.
• You can plan meals up three weeks in advance (or skip a week). They send you reminders.
• My husband purchased a second oven, but paid full price for it; their super fantastic $49 deal only applies if you also sign up for a meal subscription and we didn’t need a second plan. Having two ovens allows us to each cook whatever we want. (If you cook two of the same two meal, you can fit them in one oven.)
• Our favorite recipes are the chicken and pasta dishes. We found the steak to be our least favorite. They also offer vegetarian dishes, pork, and fish, as well as gluten free, calorie smart and carb conscious options. Look at the mouth-watering dinners we’ve enjoyed! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments!
• I’d recommend this for empty nesters, anyone cooking for one or two, young adults living on their own.

Lasagna Bolognese with Italian Salsa Verde (we added the salad); Coconut-Crusted Salmon with White Rice, Mango Salsa & Cilantro Chimichurri; Panko-Crusted Chicken Breast with Cheesy Buffalo Pasta…all yummy!

MEGAN : Chocolate chip cookies are their own food group around here. I’ve spent years perfecting this recipe using tips from many friends. Enjoy!

Christa’s Two Cents : Megan’s cookie dough is PERFECT baked in these cute little cast iron skillets. Top it with a scoop of ice cream and some chocolate sauce, and it’s a perfect individual dessert – and a perfect portion size. Here’s a pic from Christmas.

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What We’re Shopping For

CHRISTA : The spring brings lots of birthdays and celebrations every year! To save time, I like to plan ahead and stock up on greeting cards so I am ready. Did you know Minted (where many of us find our beautiful holiday photo cards) also sells individual greeting cards? I love their card designs and love that my purchase supports independent artists around the world. Get ready for everything spring brings – St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, graduations, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day – and stock up today.

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Something You Need (Trust Us!)

MEGAN : Do you use an app to track your sleep? My friend Lynne recommended SleepWatch to me a year (maybe two?) ago and I’ve never looked back. The app is on your iPhone and uses the watch to track your sleep, it gives you stats on sleeping heart rate (and dip), percent of deep sleep, total sleep, interruption, HRV and more. I’m obsessed with checking it every morning. Anyone have the Oura ring? That’s been on my list as an “upgrade”.

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3 Under $30

CHRISTA’S 3 UNDER $30 :

1. I never have much luck at Target for clothing (and am super envious of those that do!), but I did find these utility ankle pants that I love – grabbed a pair in the olive green (thanks to Megan’s influence). They’re only $27.99 and have a nice fit, with a loose leg. It’s a nice change from always wearing jeans. I’m 5’4″ and the length is good for me (even though they aren’t exactly ankle pants on me – haha!). If I wear my favorite block heel sandal with them, they’re perfect.
2. I’m making a few home office changes, and ordered these cute little pencil holders. Two for $23.89. (One will hold a few of my favorite Amazon readers.)
3. It’s time for a refill of my favorite Smashbox primer. This stuff really makes a huge difference in how my makeup goes on. Try it without making a commitment to the big tube by ordering the mini size – only $14. Let me know what you think.

MEGAN’S 3 UNDER $30 :

1. Always on the hunt for the perfect (leak proof) reusable water bottle and I think I may have found it! 24 oz fits perfectly in my cup holder. Under $25.
2. Single use plastics are clogging our landfills! Try these glass water bottles (keep them filled in your fridge for a quick grab and go) instead of the yucky plastic ones you buy in a 24 pack at the grocery store. Plus, doesn’t water taste so much better out of glass? Or is it just me… Under $25
3. Tis the season to be outside, sit at your kid’s game, walk with a friend or just read your book on the deck. Don’t get caught without your sunscreen on. This one fits perfectly in my fanny pack, purse or glove box. Sephora $20

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What We’re Planning

MEGAN : Right now I’m getting ready for child #1 to graduate from college! He has an amazing friend group and the moms have rallied together to host a grad night dinner and party for the boys. One of the moms is super organized and spearheading the whole thing. Here is a list to get you started if you are planning something similar this spring.

List for College Grad Party

• location – where will the party be? reserve the space
• number of people – create a Google doc and share with the parents / both parents names, cell, email, # attending from that family
• food – get quotes from local restaurants (do they deliver? make sure they aren’t booked!)
• drinks – kegs or cans?
• decorations – order balloons in the school colors, two moms in charge of mason jar flower arrangements
• tables and chairs – order from local rental company
• tent – it could rain, so better safe than sorry!
• cake – a big sheet cake with all the kids names on it and the school logo/mascot in the middle
• BONUS: Book a photographer for a month before graduation to photograph each student individually on campus/ in cap and gown and then a few of the whole friend group. As Christa reminded me, this is probably the last professional photo of your child before their wedding pics!

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And, Here’s Where We Walked

A peek along our walk. We’re seeing signs of spring all along our paths…

…and signs of spring in the windows, too!

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Christa’s Walk and Talk Links

• Licorice Pizza (in theaters or purchase on Prime Video)
• Reese Witherspoon’s book club
• cast iron skillets
• Pillows from PillowFlightPDX (on Etsy)
• Tovala
• Minted greeting cards – stock up!
• Target utility ankle pants
• pencil holders
• Smashbox primer – try the mini size to see what you think!

Megan’s Walk and Talk Links

• Licorice Pizza
• King Richard
• The Bee Keeper of Aleppo
• this cutie – Emerson Fry graphic tee
• cast iron skillets for chocolate chip cookie fancy dessert
• Chocolate Chip cookie recipe (with the secret ingredient)
• SleepWatch
• Oura ring
• 24oz reusable water bottle
• glass water bottles
• mini size sunscreen

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Thanks for joining us on another walk and talk. Walking is always so much better when you go with a friend! We hope you’ll share our blog with your walking bestie. And let us know in the comments what you’re watching, wearing, eating, planning or enjoying on the blog.

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