Categories
Currently

Currently #53

Hello All! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are all having a great week. Whether it has been a long week or its flying by, I hope this post is a nice midweek pick-me-up.Β We have been experiencing gorgeous weather over the past few days, it has been in the 80’s and I am here for it, especially in May.

My currently post is a bit earlier this month, due to a special post next week. 

Here’s a look into my life lately.

What I’ve Been Up To:

Since my last Currently post at the end of April, I hit a new running distance of six and a half miles.

Then I conquered my May goal of running 7 miles! I was especially proud of how much I have built up my stamina and I look forward to continuing to do so. 

I have also been enjoying the warm weather and we have been savoring lots of outside time, including eating meals outdoors. At the tail end of April, we ate dinner outside for three nights in a row and it was beautiful, less cleanup, more time outside and lots of fresh air and sunshine.Β 

Grilling outdoors makes me happy!

My boyfriend and I spent some time detailing cars this month which was hard work but definitely worth it.

I also got to enjoy my first baseball game of the season, the weather was absolutely perfect!

My mom and I celebrated Mother’s Day with a build your own bouquet which was so fun!

I have been enjoying lots of walks with friends outdoors too!

Lots of time outdoors

I made my way to the beach for grilling and to watch the sunset.

First sunset of the season

I made my way to Cleveland for a quick trip and had a delicious meal in Little Italy.

A night out in the city
Followed by a delicious meal!

What I’m Wearing:

In the cooler days of spring, this has been my spring uniform, leggings, slip on sneakers, and a neutral top.

I also got a fresh cut for summer

What I’m Reading:

Lessons in Chemistry– is all about a chemist who hosts a cooking show in the 1960’s. I loved the combination of science and cooking and how they were intertwined throughout the book. The romance between Calvin and Elizabeth made my heart soar, but my favorite part was the importance of women working in a male dominated field in the 1960’s.

Tom Lake- this was a harder one to get into but I’m glad I read it. It’s all about a woman who shares the story about a man she loved before her husband with her grown daughter. The book goes back and forth between the past and present. The theme of the book is all about the lives that parents have before their children. I found the book to be a bit slow at times, but after it was recommended to me by friends and I read about it online I am glad I read it.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston and it’s all about a young woman who falls in love with a man after they both end up in the same apartment, the catch? They are from different times, she’s seven years ahead of him. How does this relationship work and will they find each other in the future? You will have to read to find out. I loved the description, the setting, the characters and all the details about food which is a huge part of the book. Definitely a fun read!

The Women in Me by Britney Spears is a memoir by Britney herself. I’m glad I read it after it getting recommended to me and after hearing about it when it came out. I have never been a huge Britney Spears fan, but I did learn a lot about the pop singer. I thought she was very open and vulnerable in her writing and sharing of her story. I thought she shed a lot of light on different headlines, and it was interesting to get her perspective on things. However, I wish more things were explained and gaps were filled. Overall, I thought it was an interesting read and I did enjoy talking to my friends who had read it too. I would recommend this for a girl’s book club read if everyone is interested in the topic. 

Outlive– by Peter Attia was a book recommended by Shay Shull and it’s all about longevity from all different aspects of your life. The author focuses on fitness, nutrition, emotional health, mental health, sleep, and how they are all connected. There is a heavy science component to the book but it’s very easy to understand. I really appreciated how the author connects all these different aspects of your life and how you can make small changes for a longer and healthier life. It’s one of the best health and wellness books I have read in a long time.

What I’m Watching:

A lot of my weekly series wrapped up this month, from the Masked Singer to Grey’s Anatomy. 

I have watched a few series based on books I read like Dear Edward and Lessons in Chemistry which I enjoyed both.

I think both books and series could be consumed on their own, but it was nice to visually see the stories I enjoyed so much.

I also started watching the new season of Bridgerton and have been loving this season.

What I’m Cooking: It’s been a busy month in the kitchen filled with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.Β 

Air Fryer peanut Butter cookies-I started the month out by trying a recipe for air fryer peanut butter cookies. They turned out okay, but I think I will stick to my traditional peanut butter cookies in the oven.

Bacon Chopped Salad- This was super easy to assemble and was so healthy. I know I will be making this again in the summer. Make a salad with all your favorite vegetables, add in grilled chicken, corn, avocado, and chopped bacon and you are in for a flavorful and healthy meal. 

Homemade Chipotle Bowls- This was a super easy to prep and healthy meal. This was my own take on Chipotle’s bowls- just cook rice and your favorite protein and add your favorite veggies and toppings. I personally love corn, black beans, avocados, sour cream, and cheese.

Chicken Caesar Salad Pasta Bowls- Another easy bowl recipe. Cook your favorite pasta with grilled chicken and a caesar salad and combine for a hearty and tasty meal.

Shrimp Fried Rice

Shrimp Fried Rice came from Jessie James Decker’s cook book. I love how this dish was so easy and fast to make in one pan, plus it was filling. The best part was that there was no leftovers.

What Inspires Me:

The sunshine and spring weather!! Here’s a look at some of my favorite moments.

Plus who can resist ice cream?!
Fresh flowers and planting has made me smile!
Grilling by the water
A surf and turf for dinner

What I Accomplished: 

This was a busy month with end of school year fun, people moving home, graduations and celebrating birthdays and holidays.

My puppies enjoyed lots of sunshine!
And time indoors relaxing!

Goals from Last Month: In the midst of all the craziness I did my best to really be present and soak up the season I am in.

Perfect day for a walk this week…blue skies and not a cloud in sight
We got to view the Northern Lights this past month from our home which was such a cool experience.
It was beautiful at night!

Goals for this Month: Summer is officially here and that means it will soon be time for my summer bucket list. I’ll be sharing that soon with you all. 

So many signs of spring!
I also enjoyed some trips to the zoo!

That’s a look into life lately and what I’ve been up to this week. I hope you are having a fantastic week so far. See you back here on Friday!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #91

Hello All! Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great week. I can’t believe we are at the end of April. It has been a busy month full of work projects, spring fun, family time and dates with friends. This week’s Friday Favorites is a fun roundup of new things I have purchased or been given over the past week or so and I can’t wait to share them with you today as I link up with Β ErikaΒ andΒ AndreaΒ for another roundup of Friday Favorites.

Library Books in Calendar– This was a recent life hack that I wanted to share. I’m a library book girl through and through. I typically make a weekly stop to the library to either pick up or drop off a book. In the past, I would write in my planner or phone when a library book was due, but I was getting confused when I had multiple books checked out and it was hard to keep their due dates in order. Now, when I add a library book due date to my planner, I write the book title, so I know when each book is due. It may seem like a silly life hack, but it’s been super helpful especially with multiple books out and to make sure I avoid late fees.

Net Positive Podcast- I mentioned a few weeks ago that my brother and I went to see one of our favorite comedians, John Crist perform. We really loved the show and I have started to listen to his podcast now too. Net Positive can be found on most platforms and episodes last between an hour to an hour and a half. He mostly talks about life; current events and he adds his own humor to the show. Episodes drop once a week and although I haven’t been listening every week, whenever I am on a long drive or am looking for something funny or light-hearted to listen to, this is my go-to. Definitely worth the listen.

Car Cup Holders– I got these car cup holders for Easter and they have been the cutest pick-me-up. They fit right into the cup holders in your car in the front seat. They help protect your cup holders and keep things clean. I love cute monograms and these are the cutest accessories for the car. I got them off Etsy and they have been making me smile whenever I get in my car.Β 

New Hand Lotion– Speaking of new things, I was due for a new hand lotion and have been loving this new scent from Bath and Body Works. Chasing Fireflies is a vanilla scented lotion that’s not too strong. I also like how it’s not too thick when you apply it. I like the mini lotions to test out the scents before I commit to the full body lotion. Definitely a scent worth choosing for spring.

Dear Edward– I finished this book at the start of the month and couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s all about a young boy who is the only survivor of a plane crash. He loses his entire family and is forced to start over with his aunt and uncle. The book goes back and forth between the plane crash and the present day as Edward grows up. Once I finished the book, I watched the series on Apple TV. Although there were some differences between the two, I really enjoyed seeing how the show was adapted from the book. It was so cool to see the characters I thought about come to life.

That’s a glimpse into life as we say goodbye to April and Hello to May! Tell me, what are you looking forward to next month?

Categories
Currently

Currently #52

Hello all!

Happy Wednesday! I can’t believe we are at the end of April. It feels like the month just began and now we are already looking towards summer plans. May is always a hectic month between the end of the school year, gearing up for a new season and wrapping things up as we transition from one season to another.

Here’s a look into life lately and what I’m currently up to. New this month, since I have been doing so much cooking, I added a cooking section to the currently posts, you can find out more below!

What I’ve Been Up To: The month began or technically ended with Easter! My whole family was home for the weekend.

Easter mass

Over a few days, we attended Church services, watched dyed eggs, ate lots of Easter chocolate, and enjoyed family traditions and dinner. We packed a lot into a few days together.

Egg dyeing
Easter dinner
Easter treats
And movies

I spent the evening in Cleveland for dinner in Little Italy, nothing better than a spring night in the city with delicious food!

Spring nights in the city
Delicious dinner!
And tasty appetizers!

April also brought the once-in-a-lifetime event of viewing the Total Solar Eclipse! It was an incredible experience that I got to witness at work.

Such a cool moment

I also enjoyed lots of spring walks and time outside.

Signs of spring!

What I’m Wearing:

I showed you this pink jacket for dressing up for work, but here it is for a casual look with jeggings, a crisp, white t-shirt and ballet flats.

Bright and cheery for the Solar Eclipse!

What I’m Reading:

The Sweeney Sisters was such a cute and fun read. It’s about three sisters who come home after their father dies. As they prepare for his funeral and to sell their family home, they learn they have a fourth sister. The three sisters grow closer and start to bond with their new sister. Each of the sisters are going through their own problems and stressors but they sort them out together. I loved reading about how a loss brings a family together. I also loved how one of the characters was named Elspeth, too funny! I have read other books by Lian Dolan and was excited to pick up this one too.

Wellness was a heavier read. I heard about Wellness from a few other blogs and was interested in the book about a couple who after being married for 15 years starts to drift apart. The book goes back and forth between the past and present. There are a few side stories that take place that I found to be a bit confusing and hard to follow at times. I also read the book on my phone when I had time, so that may have made my reading experience not as enjoyable. It was also very heavy with psychological themes, which isn’t what I’m used to reading. Overall, the book was good, but not my favorite. If you have read it, I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Dear Edward was a book that I couldn’t put down once I started it. It’s all about a young boy who is the only survivor of a plane crash. He loses his entire family and is forced to start over with his aunt and uncle. The book goes back and forth between the plane crash and the present day as Edward grows up. I loved reading about his journey from a young boy to a young adult. This book was raw, emotional, beautiful and filled with so much hope. There’s a series on Apple TV based on it and I watched it once I finished it.

The Beginning of Everything- This was a charming book about a girl who is squatting in an old house that gets purchased. The owner lets the woman stay there as long as the woman promises to help renovate the home. The two become friends and toy with the idea of a relationship. I loved the relationship between the landlord and the tenant. I also loved all the references to the the United Kingdom culture. Definitely a cute book to curl up with.

The Good Part– This was a book that I finished on a rainy afternoon that I related to in so many ways. It’s all about a girl in her mid-20s who is feeling rundown and wants to skip to the good part of life when she has everything in order. She ends up waking up in her 40s with a life that isn’t her own. She must navigate her future life while she tries to get back to her old life. Such a cute book that takes place in the UK. I loved every minute of it.

We Run the Tides is by Vendela Vida. It’s all about a group of girls who after stop being friends after they disagree about an incident they witness. One of the girls ends up getting kidnapped and that changes everything. Themes of friendship, betrayal, coming of age, and seeking attention are all found in the book. It wasn’t my favorite book and I found certain aspects of the plot to be confusing and hard to follow, but overall, I’m glad I read it.

What I’m Watching:

Besides watching my weekly shows like Grey’s Anatomy and the Masked Singer, I have been making my way through books and watching the series or movies based on them. It’s been fun to do this as a comparison and to see which ones I enjoy over the other. I did this with Dear Edward (which I’ll get into more on Friday and I’m currently doing this with another book I’m in the middle of reading.

What I’m Cooking:

Taco Soup- I started out the month with a taco soup recipe I found on Pinterest. I have made variations of taco or tortilla soup, and this was a new one. You can cook it on the oven or in a slow cooker. I chose the slow cooker option and was happy with my decision.

Stir Fry- A shrimp stir fry was healthy and affordable and filling. Just mix rice and veggies you have on hand and a protein and you are good to go. I went with frozen shrimp and I was able to pull together this meal in 15 minutes.

Balsamic Chicken with salad and rice- Such a quick recipe when you marinate the chicken and then pop it in the air fryer for 20 minutes.I also added a salad with homemade croutons, and roasted chick peas and rice. Yum!

Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies

Homemade Lobster Bisque Soup with Crab Cakes and Salad- A delicious seafood night that had me dreaming of New England.

Air Fryer Bagel Bites-Such a super easy snack that’s healthy too!

Chicken Casserole, a meal that was filling and fast to make and was a crowd pleaser.

What Inspires Me- I have been inspired by all the spring vibes on Pinterest, from home decor to flowers.

Spring vibes!

I also have been inspired and working on gratitude instead of stressing. This past month has been a busy and stressful one and I have been TRYING to approach stress with a grateful mindset and focus on the good rather than the bad. I also have been working on finding pockets of joy every day (the sunshine, a walk with my dogs, a home cooked meal) to combat any outside stressors I can’t control.

A quote from Near in the Night by Emily Ley

What I Accomplished– I accomplished a lot this past month from family time at Easter, to meeting up with friends, a few fun date nights, and really being present in the moment. I also had a few big work projects get checked off my list which felt so good.

Even my dogs got in on the Easter fun!
Weekend date nights

Goals from Last Month-I really wanted to make more of an effort to get outdoors more in nice weather and I accomplished that. I also wanted to continue to check things off my Spring Bucket List and by and large, I’m doing a good job with that as well.

First ice cream of the season!
Spring walks

Goals for this Month– May is a busy month! Over the next 31 days, I have birthdays to celebrate (including my own), my brother’s graduation, siblings moving home for summer, the end of the school year and then Memorial Day and the unofficial start to summer. It will be a busy month but I’m looking forward to everything it brings.

That’s a look into life in April. I hope you have a wonderful month ahead!