Coffee Talk // Volume 9

Good morning, friends! Welcome to the new, and very much improved, Girl Wonder Life! It’s been a labor of love, especially by my amazing developer and web designer, Kory, but we’ve finally made it to the finish line! I hope you love the new look of ABA as much as I do, and find navigating around easy. Even though the look may’ve been updated a tad, we’re still chugging along with regularly scheduled content. Coffee anyone?

I’m sorry for the hiatus in posting the last two days. You know how it goes, you think you allot enough time for something and then multiple other things pop up all at once. We’re still working through some kinks, so if you see anything that looks a little wonky, or not right, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email!

One thing that was important to me, and was also mentioned in the reader survey, was ease of navigation on ABA. We’ve worked to try and make applicable categories for each post. For example, travel posts categories are now broken down (and searchable) not only by their location but also by relevant categories such as travel tips and travel style. I can’t wait to rollout some more future travel content with y’all soon.

Who out there is an NBA fan? Y’all, heartbreak city over here, the Rockets blew it in overtime last night’s game 5. I’ve said this before, but if you’re new here (welcome!), I graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in broadcast journalism – sports broadcast track. So even though my blog is a whole different realm, that’s extremely important to me, sports will always hold a special place in my heart.

I’ve always been a Rockets fan, really by default, but that’s not a complaint. My mom’s family moved to Houston when she was little and she has been a Rockets fan ever since. She was in the thick of the playoffs as a fan when they went back-to-back in their championships and I remember most of the songs on the Rockets Playoff compact disc she played in the car for me, by heart!

When I was in high school, my mom got season tickets to the Phoenix Suns and we had some of the best times ever going to the games throughout the regular season. The playoffs were amazing (y’all the hype is real about playoff games, the environment is out of this world fun!). We always would collaborate on witty signs that I could hold up during TV breaks (yep, I was that girl – but I was put in the newspaper a few times and seen on TV!), and we would always lose our voices cheering for Steve Nash, Amare and Raja Bell. But even though it was so fun, we ended each season in heartbreak never making it past either the Los Angeles Lakers or the San Antonio Spurs.

You could say I have a little chip on my shoulder because of it, and because the Rockets now have Mike Dantoni (former Phoenix Suns head coach) and their own play caller, I’ve taken this series against the Spurs extra personally! Case in point, I’m the fan that screams at the TV, jumps up and down and when I’ve gotten to go to a few previous Rockets’ playoff games, gladly wears the XXL shirt they hand out to the crowd.

If you’re not a sports fan, thanks for making it along this far! But if you are, well then you get me. Sports is so much more – it gives you a reason to feel compelled and excited. And when you’re team is winning, it’s just so exciting. A buzz grows around the city, excitement abounds! So it’s back to Houston for game 6. I know I’ll be watching. This series has been absolutely nuts! If we can make it past the Spurs, I know this Suns and Rockets fan (me!) would be so obnoxiously thrilled.

Now for things I’m loving: 

– Did y’all catch my post on Friday featuring my top 3 favorite mascaras? If you didn’t, find it here. I feel I have to share a few honorable mentions that didn’t make it in the top three, but were extremely close. They are: The and . I love the L’Oreal drugstore find, under $10 and is a go-to for everyday use. The Louboutin mascara is much more of a splurge, at $70, but y’all the hype is real! This mascara is gooooood! The brush head is unique because it features both vertical and horizontal bristles for expert lift, shape and volume to the lashes.

– I’m a sufferer of not-so-fun time of the months. So when I read this article titled, Real Things that go Through Your Mind on Your Period on Instyle.com, I felt well… relief, relief that I’m not the only one who deals with crazy thoughts and questionable actions, such as craving sweets every single time. Number 5 and number 8 are literally my thoughts, exactly.

– I’ve worked hard to try and keep myself accountable when it comes to working out, maybe because I blogged about it… but I’ve been sticking with the workout routine and even got back to my beloved Define Body classes yesterday. I’ve been doing the pre-BBG workouts whenever I go to the gym with Rick and then on my own I’m starting back up with Define. I don’t know about you, but when I workout out, I want to look and feel cute doing it. So here are a few workout clothes I’m loving right now: this pair of , this and another pair of my – in an adorable baby blue color.

– Mother’s Day is right around the corner! Are you ready for your mama? Checkout the gift guide I put together last week with gift ideas for mom, here. Otherwise here are a few last minute gift ideas such as a (they make my favorite bra!) this set of or , both available for quick delivery via .

Laslty, there’s a giveaway for y’all to enter, below!

Now…it’s time for a fabulous giveaway!
I’ve teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers
to give YOU a chance to win:
a $500 Nordstrom Gift Card, just in time for some spring shopping!

Simply enter below by completing the rafflecopter.
You’ll receive one entry per completion.
This giveaway is open internationally and runs until 5/22.
Winner will be announced here. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway