Hello All! Happy Friday! I hope you have had a great week and month! Can you believe we are almost to the end of January?! This month has felt long mostly due to the cold temperatures, gray skies, snow and not too much opportunity to head outdoors. Iām hoping for warmer and brighter days ahead, but thatās up to Mother Nature. In good news, todayās batch of Friday Favorites is making me smile and I hope it will do the same for you!
Cold days calls for warm cookies
Hereās some things that I have been loving this week as I link up ErikaĀ andĀ AndreaĀ for Friday Favorites. I have spent a lot of time indoors, so just as a warning there are a lot of movies and tv show recommendations coming your way.
New Body Wash– My brother got me this body wash for Christmas and I couldnāt wait to try it in the new year. Itās lavender scented which is perfect for evening showers and tubs to relax and unwind. I love that itās not too fragrant and you only need a little to get enough of the scent and to feel squeaky clean. I also like that itās made from healthy ingredients.
Mufasa– I have been on a movie kick recently. There have been a lot of good movies out and worth seeing in the theater. At the beginning of the month, some of my family members and I went to see Mufasa, the origin story to the Lion King. I recently saw the traveling Broadway show of The Lion King and I was already in the Disney mindset so the timing of this movie was perfect. I really enjoyed the way they told the story of Simbaās dad and appreciated the Easter eggs in the other films. The music was so well done and I think they did a great job with the animation. If you donāt have a chance to check it out in the theater, definitely watch it on Disney Plus when it comes out.
Night Agent Back– One of the series that I watch made its return last week, The Night Agent. I was tied up with other commitments, so it took me a while to catch up, but now Iām locked in for the season. The first few episodes have kept me entertained and intrigued about what will happen next and what the season will bring. If you watch the show, what are your thoughts on it? If you are looking for something new to watch, I would recommend this! I am always looking for new suggestions of things to watch. If you have any good shows or movies, drop them below!Ā
Be Ready When the Luck Happens– I just finished this book this past week and talked about it in Wednesday’s post. Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When Luck Happens really touched me. I really really loved this book. I heard about it on the podcast, Books Beach and Beyond and after hearing Garten’s story, I knew I had to read it. I didnāt know much about Ina but learned so much about her life before she was well know for her culinary skills. I love how she talked about the lessons she learned along the way and how she was vulnerable at times too. I also loved how she talked a lot about her background and what she learned through different jobs and life experiences.
New Kylie Cosmetics Lipstick– I was out of my red lipstick and was in search of a new one and decided to try Kylie Jennerās matte red lipstick, An Apple A Day I use Kylieās lip kits for work, but this was the first time I tried a matte lip stick and was very impressed by the long-lasting quality and feel. It gave me great coverage and color for hours. I didnāt have to reapply once and it lasted a good three to four hours after I put it on and after I ate and drank. Major wins for me!
Thatās a look into what I have been loving this week as I deal with more wintry weather. What are some things that have brought you joy over the past few days?! I would love to hear! Have a toasty weekend!
Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you have been having a great week. We are at the end of the month which means itās time for another Currently post. I donāt know about you, but this has been a long month.
Most of January has looked like this, lots of snow!
I am ready to see the calendar switch from January to February. Although, it was a long month, I got a lot done and enjoyed the winter season the best I could even with chilly temperatures and lots of snow! Itās been a while since my last post, so I have a lot to catch you up on. Hereās what the past month has looked like.
What Iām up to: I started year with lots of cleaning and organizing. I have been following the Simplicity Challenge through Simplified to tackle little tasks each day, rather than trying to organize your whole house in one go.
Some of the spots I organized, a full recap will be coming next month!
When it hasnāt been too frigid out, I have gotten outside a few times for winter walks with my dogs. The blue skies are such a breath of fresh air.
A day outside makes everything better
We got a new indoor mini golf spot in town and my family and I tried it out. It was a lot of fun for a chilly afternoon.We wrapped the afternoon up with some tasty treats.
A fun day mini golfingSuch a cool set upFun outings to local bakeries makes the winters better
I made the most of the winter weather by getting in some pond skating. We haven’t had weather cold enough for the lakes and bays to freeze over, so this was a huge perk to our rough winter.
Our man-made rink
What Iām Reading: I have read a lot since my last Currently, hereās a look at my bookshelf.
The 5 AM Club– The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma, is one of the best books I have read. It was uniquely written, but so informative about the best way to elevate your mornings and change your life by getting up early and how you can work on yourself! Such a life changing book! Itās a fictional book about people who meet at a conference and go on a retreat together about how to live their best lives. I learned so many life lessons that I will be holding onto for a long time.
Every Time I Go on Vacation Somebody Dies– Catherine Mack’s Everytime I Go on Vacation Somebody Dies is about a mystery novelist who goes on vacation and people on the trip start dying or think they are going to die. It’s a bit of a “who done it” with drama. I listened to it as an audiobook, but got a little confused with the footnotes, so it may be a better book to read.
TheFirst Ladies– The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray was a fascinating book about the friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary Bethune. A little slow at points but overall very interesting and informative. I loved how it followed their friendship through the years. I also recently the Six Triple Eight which touches on their friendship too which was so fun to watch!
A December to Remember– Jenny Bayliss’ A December to Remember was a good winter/Christmas story, but hard to get into at certain time with lots of different plots happening. I really loved the message of sisterhood and family and a small town coming together when three sisterās fathers unexpectedly died. They must come together and face their past for a greater cause.
Seven Days of Us – Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak was a good book about a family trapped together in quarantine around the holidays. I loved learning about family dynamics. There were also secrets spilled through the book. A holiday read with some substance.It almost reminded me of the movie, The Family Stone with all the different dynamics.
Educated– Tara Westover’s memoir, Educated was a heavy book to start the year. It was definitely interesting to learn about the Mormon customs and traditions and I loved the first hand account, but it was definitely a heavy book and serious topics too. I had heard so much about it that Iām glad I had the chance to read it.
Here One Moment– Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty follows the story of a woman who tells everyone on a plane how and when they will die. Itās up to the passengers about what they want to do with the information, change their lives or keep living them as they were. The beginning was a bit slow and hard to get into but the middle and end went really fast. The ends no tied everything up in a meaningful way and it really gives you a lot to think about with living your best life to the fullest
Be Ready When the Luck Happens– Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When Luck Happens really touched me. I really really loved this book. I heard about it on the podcast, Books Beach, and Beyond and after hearing Garten’s story, I knew I had to read it. I didnāt know much about Ina but learned so much about her life before she was well know for her culinary skills. I love how she talked about the lessons she learned along the way and how she was vulnerable at times too. I also loved how she talked a lot about her background and what she learned through different jobs and life experiences.
What Iām Watching: With lots of time indoors, I have had time to catch up on many shows and movies. I watched the latest season of Virgin River, which is always a fun show to enjoy.
I also finished Outlander, I canāt wait for the final season to come out soon.
My boyfriend and I are also finishing up Breaking Bad and are on the last season. We are open to suggestions for a lighter show to start next if you have any suggestions!
These shows are keeping me busy especially on days inside.
What Iām Cooking/Baking: More time indoors means more time in the kitchen! After lots of holiday baking, I have been focused on warm and hearty meals for the new year. Hereās what I have been cooking.
Cold days calls for warm cookies
Pulled Pork Tacos– I love a good pulled pork sandwich and this was a unique spin on it. I enjoyed eating the pulled pork with a taco shell as opposed to a bun, plus the ratio of wrapping to meat was a lot more manageable. I got the recipe from Shay Shull of Mix and Match Mama.
Clam Chowder– Another Mix and Match Mama recipe. I love a seafood and this clam chowder was super easy to whip together and very filling too!
Stuffed Chicken Parmesan– This was a fast Sunday night dinner thanks to Jessie James Decker. You can serve it with pasta or salad or Both!
Goulash– This was a perfect meal for a cold day! Yum!
Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs with Salad and Homemade Croutons- my mom and I spent a Sunday in the kitchen and she taught me some of her favorite recipes. Such a wonderful moment shared!
Homemade Brownies– After reading Ina Garten’s book, I wanted to try some of her recipes, including her outrageous brownies! They were a hit!
What Iām Wearing– Due to cold temperatures, I have been wearing all the layers. From turtlenecks, to blazers, and sweaters. Here are some of my recent outfits for both work and play!
A black and white combo!
A sparkly combo for the new year
A gray combo for warmer days
Lots of layers
And turtlenecks too
What Inspires Me: Emily Ley shared this quote for the new year and I saved it as my phone background and I have it on my desk at work. Such a good reminder!
What I Accomplished: Iām proud of all the organizing and tidying I have gotten done by being cooped up indoors over the past month.
Another space I organized
Iāve also made some progress with my New Yearās Resolutions this year which is always a good feeling and I have made headway on my Winter Bucket List!
Goals from Last Month: I certainly have started some of my New Yearās Resolutions and have been adapting my new yearās motto in my everyday life by not rushing around and being calmer about my days. Iām eager to continue this practice in the next month and through the year.
Winter has returned
Making the most of winter mornings
Goals for this Month: I love the month of February to celebrate Valentineās Day. Iām also looking forward to a weekend away and time with friends too.
But, most of all, Iām looking forward to longer and warmer days and hopefully more sunshine!
Thatās a look into what Iām currently up to! What has the past month looked like for you!? I would love to know, until then, have a great rest of your week and Iāll see you back here for Friday Favorites!
Happy Friday! I hope you are having a great week and are ready for the weekend. I know I am ready for the weekend. This has been a cold and long January, but we are making our way through it.
Fun outings to local bakeries makes the winters better
Before we get to relaxing or fun activities over the next few days, I wanted to share some things that I have been loving this week as I link up with..
New Apple Watch– I upgraded my Apple Watch over Christmas to the Series 10 and I have really been impressed with it. It is similar to my older Apple watch, but there are a few features that I have enjoyed. The battery lasts longer which was a huge selling point for me since I wear my watch all day, even at night. I also like how you can log how much effort you put into your workouts. The series 10 has a bigger watch face which is also a win for me! I’m still exploring other features but would love to hear what you like about your apple watches.
Treadmill Walks– It has been bitterly cold here over the past few weeks, so I have been adding walking on the treadmill as part of my cool down at the gym. Typically, I would finish my workout and then head home and get outside for some fresh air with my dogs. I can’t do that in 20-degree weather, so I have been cooling down by walking on the treadmill for 5-10 minutes after my workout to get my heat rate down before heading home. This has been a good transition between a hard workout and starting my work day.
Earring case– Another small tool that has made a big difference has been an earring organizer case. I got this organizer for Christmas, and it has been a big help. I previously had all my earrings just in a box and I would constantly be searching for pairs, which would leave me frazzled. This case keeps everything in its place, and it fits perfectly in my jewelry box. Plus, I love that you can see all your earrings through the clear lid.
New Candle Scent- I mentioned that I got a lot of Emily in Paris scents and fragrances from Bath and Body Works for Christmas, and I have slowly been starting to use them/ I began lighting a new candle called “Paris Amour” after the holidays and I am really loving it. It is on the stronger side of candles, and it has more feminine notes, but it’s been a great addition to my room. I love switching scents between seasons and this strong smell breathes new beginnings. I also got a chic candle holder to place it in (Paris themed of course) and it makes me smile whenever I light it. A small change, but one that certainly brings joy!
The Last Rifleman– If you are looking for a good movie for the family, I have just the recommendation for you! The Last Rifleman stars Pierce Brosnan and it’s all about a older man who is on a mission to return to the beaches of Normandy for the anniversary of D-Day. But he has to overcome several obstacles to get there. There are some flashbacks to the war, but a majority of the movie takes places in the present day. Although, some lighter moments, this was a heavier movie. I really enjoyed seeing all the people that Brosnan had to meet to help get him to his final destination. Overall, a well done movie which can be found on Amazon Prime.
That’s a look into what I’m loving this week, some new scents, helpful tools, and hacks, and some entertainment too.
What are you loving this week as we get ready for the weekend? I would love to hear from you.
Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week as we make our way to the weekend. We are in the negative temperatures this week, so needless to say it’s been a lot of indoor time filled with reading, baking, and movie watching.
Thankfully my pups have been keeping me company
I have a little bit of a different post for you today, as I wanted to share a recent life lesson; giving something a try and deciding to not pursue it anymore.
Iāll be speaking more in terms of hobbies and interests, but this can be applied to life, jobs, friends, and opportunities as well.
Every year, like many others, I like to set goals or resolutions for myself. These are things I want to try, work on, even eliminate in my life. You can read about this year’s resolutions here.
Since I graduated college five years ago, I have been working on finding what hobbies bring me joy and spending time on those. Finding hobbies comes with trial and error along the way. For example, I have always loved to read and I would consider reading one of my hobbies. I have set reading goals in years past, but as long as I read something every day, Iām content and reading is something that is so easy for me to incorporate in my day and makes me feel like myself.
One of my happy spots
In 2023, I set a goal to run a 5K. As someone who never enjoyed running, I was intimidated by the challenge, but I knew I wanted to achieve it. It turned out, I really grew to love running and found myself running more than a 5K. Since I set out to start running, I have run another 5K and two 10K’s and Iām currently training for a half marathon. I didnāt know I would love running so much if I never tried it.
My longest run to date
I have always enjoyed cooking and baking. Since I was a young girl, I loved helping my mom in the kitchen. After graduating college, I wanted to sharpen my skills in the kitchen by cooking more, trying new recipes and baking sweet treats. This is another hobby that has brought me (and my family) immense joy!
I love a good baking day
And entertaining with a big spread
But, not all hobbies work out. There have been different hobbies that I have tried and decided not to pursue and thatās okay.
For example, two years ago, I decided to grow a garden and I had pretty good success with it my first year. You can read all about it here. Last summer, I wanted to do it again but with more plants and it turned out to be not a prosperous as year one. You can see my recap here. I still got some fruits and veggies to harvest, but not to the extent that I got my first year. Iām still debating whether or not I want to try again for year three. Stay tuned!
A smaller harvest this year
There have also been some hobbies that I tried and it wasnāt for me, like piano. When I was in middle school I took piano lessons and did not enjoy it, nor was I good at it. But, I still tried it.
As an adult, I decided I wanted to give it another go. I downloaded an app and bought a year-long course and decided to teach myself how to play for a year, and it was a long year. I made time almost every day to practice on the piano. While some days were good and I could see myself making progress, others were painful to get through. I decided I would finish the year out with the course, but not renew it. I realized a hobby, which was supposed to be fun, was causing me more stress. Plus, it didnāt help that my dog was not a fan of my practicing (he would howl the entire time I would practice). Itās been a few weeks since I stopped playing and I honestly donāt miss it.
Iām glad I gave it a try and Iām proud I stuck it out for the whole year, but I donāt miss finding time in my day to practice or the howling dog. I already have new ideas for hobbies to fill my time in the new year, but for the time being, Iām at peace with a pause on piano. I donāt feel like I failed or gave up, rather, Iām glad I gave it the college try.
My end of the year stats
I’m still proud of my efforts
Thatās the lesson I learned this past year. It’s great to try new things whether it be a hobby, new job, or friendship, but if it doesnāt work out, thatās okay. What matters is that the effort was there. As someone who hates letting herself or others down, this was a harder lesson to learn, but Iām grateful I learned it.
Iām eager to learn some new skills and hobbies in the new year and see if they are for me, if they are, great, if not, at least I tried.
I hope this encourages you to try new things and pursue new hobbies, interests and opportunities, but give yourself grace if it doesn’t work out.
Hello everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you had a successful week and are ready for the weekend.
These past few weeks have been quiet after the holidays, it can be nice to not be busy and booked all the time, but a part of me does miss the hustle and bustle. Iāve been trying to do an activity or something different every week just to change things up. As we wrap up another week of January, I wanted to share some favorites of mine from the past week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites.
Lazy Genius Playbooks– I mentioned a few weeks ago that I started using my new planner from Simplified, but I also started using these playbooks from The Lazy Genius. They are to be used as a companion to a planner and they are organized by season, so you have one book for every season. The books are broken down by a looking back and looking forward section, a brain dump spot, have to and hope to list, and then week by week. This has been a great tool for me to use with my planner every day.
Desk Calendar– Speaking of every day, I got this calendar for my desk or motivational quotes for work and it brings a smile to my face whenever I look at it. Itās a fun little countdown and have positive and uplifting quotes that I like to read through the day. A small but, personalized touch at my work station.
New Scent– I shared a few months ago that Bath and Body Works released an Emily in Paris line and I got some of the scents for Christmas! I got some body lotion, body spray, candles, and car refreshers, so I will be set for a while. I am currently wearing this combo for body lotion and spray. The spray is a bit stronger but found that it lasts longer, which I appreciate since I donāt have to keep reapplying it through the day. The lotion is more subtle which I enjoy. Iām eager to try the other scents soon.
With Love, Meghan– Meghan Markle announced at the beginning of the year that she will be launching a show on Netflix. You can catch the trailer here. This week, the show was supposed to premiere but got pushed back to the wildfires in California. I really liked the trailer and canāt wait to get started with the series. Do you plan to watch it? If you have, what are your thoughts?
Juror #2– This was a movie my family and I watched over the holidays and we all enjoyed it. Itās all about a juror on a trial about a homicide. Through the course of the trial, heās faced with moral dilemmas that could affect the entire case. It was dramatic, intense, and very thought provoking. Definitely a heavier movie, but worth the watch. You can find it on Max. Clint Eastwood did the movie and did a fantastic job on it!
Thatās a look into what I have been loving this week, some organizational tools, some entertainment and some beauty products, something for everyone!
As we gear up for the weekend, tell me, what are you looking forward to? I would love to know! Have a great Friday!
Hello everyone and happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far. We have had lots of snow over the past several weeks and it has been chilly. There have been more days in the teens and twenties than in the thirties and forties. I am hoping for a warm up soon, but until then, I have been hunkering down at home and indoors.
As a new year is underway, Iām once again linking up with Shay and Erika for Letās Look! Every month they pick a fun topic and share their thoughts on it. I love these kinds of posts because they are fun, creative and it gives you insight into what people are thinking.
Hereās a look at the prompts for the new year.
Todayās topic is all about low level goals for 2025. If you recall, I shared my goals for 2025 on the first day of the year, you can read about them here.
Today, we are talking about my low level goals, things that have low pressure or can be done daily (at least thatās how Iām interrupting it).
I decided to pick four things that I want to include in my days moving forward for the new year.
More time outdoors and more movement- I love being outdoors and try to get outdoors as much as I can. Even when the weather isnāt always as favorable, I try to make it a point to get outside. I want to do more of that in the new year. I have two dogs that love being outside, but they love it even more when there are people to play with. I want to do a better job of getting outside more every day and get more movement in. This can be as easy as taking a walk while on the phone instead of sitting down or getting outside to read instead of being indoors. These two goals go hand and hand and I think can be easily achieved.
A day outside makes everything better
Meditation– I started to meditate last year and I want to continue to build on my meditation practices in the new year. I have been meditating at the beginning and end of the day to clear my mind, but want to do it more throughout the day, especially when I get overwhelmed or stressed. It may seem silly, but I have found stepping away from whatever is stressful and taking some deep breaths and collecting myself makes a world of difference. I want to do this more as a way to prevent stress and as way to clear my mind.
I have been using Insight Timer since the fall and have been loving it.
Use what I have-I want to adopt the mindset or act of shopping my closet to elevate my daily style. I have so many pieces of clothing and I really want to be intentional about wearing what I have, using the good stuff and elevating my daily style. I plan to do this by wearing the fancy jewelry or a cute handbag in my every day life. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment to use something, I want to be intentional and use it in the moment.
It can be fun to shop your closet and mix and match outfits
Approach my days calmer– I mentioned this in my New Yearās Resolution post, but I want to approach my days calmer and not be as rushed or on the go. Yes, there will always be things that need done, but I want to build more space in my days and weeks to allow more room for things that matter. I also hope that by building more space in my schedule when I can it will allow for more calmness and clarity.
Slower mornings have made a huge difference.
Iām hopeful and confident that I can incorporate these in my days moving forward. As we make our way through the new year what are some low level or low stakes goals you have for yourself? I would love to hear them! Have a great week and I will see you back here for Friday Favorites!
Hello All! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great first full week of January!
Last week was a little wonky between the holidays thrown in the middle of the week, but I hope you are settled back into your normal routine or maybe trying a new one for the new year. As always, I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for a weekly round up of Friday Favorites. I am continuing with my trend of sharing things I am using to get me ready for the new year.
Hereās some highlights and favorite things from the past week!
Simplicity Challenge- The new year brought the Simplified Simplicity Challenge back! I always love taking time in the new year to clean and organize my room and home and do a refresher and this challenge allows me to do that by performing little tasks that I can accomplish every day. We are only a few days in, but I have been loving it so far.
Some of my organizing so far
Black High Boots– These are definitely a favorite of mine. I purchased these high black boots from DSW before the holidays and have already gotten a lot of use out of them. Whenever I shop for shoes, I am always looking for something that can be worn with multiple outfits. These boots are great to wear with jeans, dress pants, leggings or even a skirt or dress. I love the versatility of these boots and know they were a great purchase to replace an older pair of boots that ripped.
Special Forces Back– A tv favorite for me is back! Special Forces: Worldās Toughest Test returned for season 3 this week. I am always intrigued to see who joins the cast and some of the obstacles they have to face. I know I couldnāt do half the things they do. Plus, itās always interesting to see who makes it all the way to the end. This season looks good!
Upcoming seasons of shows– Another thing I am looking forward to in the new year is new seasons of other series I follow. Netflix released information about several series including Sweet Magnolias which is back in February and YOU which is back in 2025. Iām sad that the holidays are over and things are back to normal, so this has me something to look forward to.
Winter Runs– Speaking of the outdoors, I have been back to running outdoors. We went through a stretch of bitterly cold weather and lots of snow and no outdoor runs were happening for me. I did run on the treadmill, but I was not a fan of it. It felt so good to get back outdoors and lots of fresh air. Even with the snow and cold, it was SO much better than running on a treadmill.
Thatās a look into life this past week! Some fashion, some outdoor fun, some entertainment and new tools for the new year! As we begin a new month and year, what have been some of your favorite things? I would love to hear from you! I hope you have a cozy, January weekend! See you back here on Wednesday!
Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are all having a great week! I donāt know about you, but a few weeks after the holidays pass, I am looking for something new to do. That’s one of the reasons why I love New Yearās resolutions and hobbies, it gives me something to work on and look forward to. I shared my New Yearās Resolutions a few weeks ago and I have already made some headway with them.
Winter has returned
Today, Iām sharing my Winter Bucket List for 2025. These posts are some of my favorite to put together. I love coming up with new ideas of things I hope to do and this list is a great fallback if I am looking for something to do with friends or family. There are some things I try to do every year and some new things on the bucket list. I am always open to suggestions for winter fun-especially in the snow, which we get a lot of.
Without further ado, hereās my 2025 Winter Bucket List:
Start Working on My New Yearās Resolutions
Go Skiing or Sled Riding
Ice Skating
Library Winter Reading Challenge
Read The Lazy Genius Cookbook
Read by the Fire with a Warm Drink
Finish Breaking Bad and start a new show
Simplicity Challenge
Try a New Winter Activity
Donate Blood
Have a Movie Day
Fondue Night
Try New Recipes
Winter Walks and Runs
Try A New Coffee Shop
Do Something Creative
Celebrate Valentineās Day
This is just a start of what I want to accomplish over the next few months. I know it will be chilly and I wonāt be able to spend as much time as I want outdoors, but I plan on making the most of the winter season.
I also want to use these next few months to slow down, reset, and refocus as we enter a new year. Tell me, whether you have snow or not, whatās on your Winter Bucket List and what do you hope to accomplish over the next few months? I would love to hear from you!
Have a great rest of your week and I will see you back here on Friday for another roundup of Friday Favorites!
Hello everyone and Happy Friday! Have things finally settled and back to normal for you after the holidays or are you still in the season of craziness? Things are back to normal for me which always makes me a little sad since I enjoy the holiday season so much, I’m planning finding the joy in every day to fight the post-holiday blues.
It may be a new year, but Iām still here linking up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites.
Hereās whatās on my radar this week of things Iāve been loving as we come down from the holiday high. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some gifts I got for Christmas and some new items and tools I will be using in the new year when it comes to organization in addition to my favorite things from the week. Let’s jump right in!
2025 Journal-Journaling is something I enjoy doing every morning. I like to take the time before the day gets busy to reflect on the day before, the highs and lows, what Iām grateful for, and whatās on my mind. This is my journal for 2025 and I have been loving it already. Thereās space to share your thoughts at the start and end of your day and thereās a mix of open and close-ended prompts too. 2025 has just started and this has already become a favorite of mine!
Daily Reflections– I mentioned last year that one of my favorite things was a podcast called āThe Simple Sophisticated Podcast with Shannon Ables. In addition to her podcast and blog, she has also written a few books including this one, The Road to Le Papillon, it was released in 2022 and itās a book of daily reflections. I have really enjoyed starting my day with my journal and a daily reflection in addition to my quiet time. Starting my day in a calm way has made such a difference and I canāt wait to continue it through the year.
2025 Planner– I have teased this favorite a few times over the course of the year, but with a new year comes a new planner. I purchased my 2025 Simplified planner in September and Iām finally able to use it!!! I love the pattern and the message behind it and details. I am still getting used to the spirals and the larger format, but so far it has been working out great. One of my favorite days of the year is getting my planner all ready to go to use. These pages will soon be filled with lists, to-do, plans, and memories.Ā
Dress from Ann Taylor- This is another recent fashion favorite of mine. I purchased this dress from Ann Taylor just before Christmas and have already worn it a handful of times to work and out and about. There are so many things that stand out about this dress. I love the colors, the style and the material. It gives off a very elegant look, but itās so comfortable. It doesnāt hurt that I got this dress on sale too! Although it has short sleeves, I have worn it in the winter and it can be layered with a blazer too. I love a dress that can be worn in different scenarios.
Virgin River New Season– The new season of Virgin River came out just before the holidays, but I was wayyyyy too deep into holiday movies and shows to watch. Now that things have calmed down and are back to normal, Iām excited to get back into the series and catch up with all things Mel and Jack and Virgin River. This will be a good show to watch in the cold, winter months. Iām looking forward to what this season brings. If you have already seen it, here’s a great article to follow up with the season.
I love the holiday season and are always sad when they come to an end, but these list of favorites has me something to look forward it.
Although, the holidays are over, what are you looking forward to in the next few months? I would love to hear from you.
I hope you have had an enjoyable holiday season. For many people, itās back to work and reality, but others have a few more days to relax and unwind. I hope these past few days or weeks brought you rest, family and friend time, a good recharge, joy, love and memories. I know my heart is full after this holiday season.
I like to use the time between Christmas and New Year to reflect on the past year and look forward to whatās to come.
I did my annual planner prep this week!
I accomplished a lot in 2024, you can read all about it here.
Before I get to my New Yearās Goals and Resolutions for 2025, I wanted to give you an update on my resolutions from last year. You can read about them here.
My motto of the year was to āBe Open and Aware of Changeā while it was a challenge, I certainly embraced the change that was thrown my way. I grew a lot this year, I became more independent and confident in myself and my decisions.
This year, while I leaned into my routines, I worked on being more flexible when it comes to schedules. Flexibility is something I have always struggled with and Iām constantly working on and itās something I want to continue to improve on in the new year.
My 2024 Resolutions for 2024 was to donate blood, do an 8K or 10K, Relearn Piano, Learn how to Braid Hair and Cook One Meal a Week.
I accomplished all of these goals minus learning to braid hair, that was mostly because I have short hair and itās not conducive to braiding right now. Once I grow it out, I plan to learn how to braid it.
I donated blood for the first time this summer and I have continued to donate every time I am eligible.
Donating Blood
I ran two 10Kās this year and broke my personal record during my second one.
First of Two 10 K
I attempted to teach myself piano and practiced almost every day, but I donāt know if I will continue with this hobby in the new year.
Learning Piano
I have continued to make one meal a week and tried lots of new recipes and even mastered some too!
Cooking a new meal each week
I was pleased with how much I accomplished this past year whether it was trying new hobbies or continuing with old ones.
My mindset going into 2025 is to approach my days and schedules in a calmer manner. I found myself overbooking last year and want to leave more room for flexibility every day and focusing on doing one thing at a time and not always multitasking. Flexibility is something I want to be better at in the new year. Itās something I say every year and each year I am getting better and better at it.
I want to continue with some of my habits that I started from last year including daily meditation, donating blood, making one meal a week , and paying attention to my budgets.
When it comes to new goals or resolutions for 2025, I want to:
-Run a half marathon (something I have been working towards over the past few years)
-Read 70 Books (I read 68 this past year, so I think this is doable.)
-Learn How to Bake Bread (I know this was very popular during the pandemic, but now I am jumping on the bandwagon and want to learn as well.)
-Learn how to iron (I know how to iron, but I want to get better at it this year.)
-Get more involved in my community (whether this is through joining a fitness class or club, I want to meet new people in my hometown.)
In addition to these new goals for the new year, I want to work on spending more time outdoors, especially when it comes to being with my dogs. I want to continue to spend time with friends, go on a family trip and visit a new state.
I have a few other personal goals that I want to work towards in the new year. I love the feeling of a fresh start and new beginnings that each year brings and I canāt wait to see what 2025 has in store for me. Happy New Year! Welcome 2025!
