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Fabulous living

2022 Year in Review

Here we are at the end of another year. At the beginning of this year, my motto or phrase of the year was “Building the Best Version of Me”. I really wanted to lean into my routines and rhythms that I established at the beginning of the year and stick to them and I was happy I did that.

It’s been said before that the older you get, the faster the years go by and that is certainly the truth.

This year has been busy with growing in my job, time with family both at home and away, building friends, enjoying hobbies.  

I’m using today’s entry as a both a recap of the past year and a favorite things of 2022 post.

So, let’s begin with a recap:

The beginning winter months of 2022 brought me out in snow and soaking up with outdoors with ice skating, winter walks and trying cross country skiing, something I haven’t tried in years.

Starting the year off with time outside, like skiing.
Time spent ice skating.
And cross country skiing…
Seeing the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit.
I also took in some local theater.

It also brought day trips to Pittsburgh for a trip to museums and time with family. As the weather got warmer, it meant more time outdoors with walks, picnics and trips to the local zoo and different parks. 

Time in Pittsburgh in the spring
I love taking in all the architecture.
First zoo trip of the year.
Celebrating Easter traditions.

Both of my brothers graduated in the Spring, one from college and one from high school, so it was fun to celebrate their milestones as a family. I also celebrated my 24th year around the sun. 

First signs of spring.
Cheers to 24!

I tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible in the summer months, from walks, to reading outdoors, picnics, and countless meals outside, our winters are long, so I tred to take advantage of the summer as much as I can.

I went to the National Comedy Center this year.
Summer picnics outdoors.
Drive-in dates.

I met up with friends through the summer months for dinners, or coffee or walks. I also did some traveling with day trips with family and my boyfriend and then some meet ups with friends too. My family and I got away for a few days with and went to the ocean which was such a fun escape.

Beach days in the summer
One of the many places I went for hikes for in the summer.
It felt so good to relax for a few days at the beach!
More zoo trips!
Fair fun!
I spent so much time reading outdoors.
I enjoyed sunrises and sunsets.

The summer was also filled with baseball games, strawberry picking, zoos, bonfires, beach days, and grilling. I tried to head outside as much as I could when the seasons changed from summer to fall.

Day trips to Pittsburgh
Lots of burgers on the grill.
Beautiful night for baseball
Strawberry picking summer fun!
Bonfire nights.
In my happy place!
I went to my first MLB game this summer.
And ice cream nights!
I fell in love with avocado toast this summer too.
I enjoyed farmer’s markets this summer too.

But as the winds changed, I had to layer up for fall walks, leaf peeping and apple picking. I tried to do as much baking as possible when I was cooped up indoors.

Fall drives.
Lots of fall baking
Enjoying Beautiful Fall Walks
Apple picking fun!
First time seeing this majestic waterfall.
Making Halloween treats too.

The last chunk of the year was filled with all things holidays. From Halloween movies to family at Thanksgiving and all the Christmas and holiday cheer. The last few months are always my favorite time of the year.

Family movie night for Halloween.
More fall baking.
Hello holiday cheer!
All the Christmas spirit, from movies to decor, to hot cocoa.
Holiday fun!

That was a bit of a recap, now here’s some of my favorite things from the past 12 months:

Favorite Show: This is Us: the Final Season

Favorite Binge Watch: Downton Abbey (both the series and the movies)

Favorite New Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid (new to me!!)

Favorite New Movie: Elvis

Favorite Artist or Song: Taylor Swift’s Midnights

Favorite Adventure: First MLB Game in Cleveland to see the Guardians

This is a snapshot of this past year, it can be easy to forgot or not recall all the little moments that make up the past 365 days. This year has been so fulfilling and fun. I don’t know what the new year will bring, but I’m ready to embrace the change, take opportunities (even the scary ones), and make every moment count.

Thank you 2022…let’s ring in the new year!

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Currently # 31

Hi all! Happy Wednesday! It makes me sad to think that we are already at the end of July. This summer is flying by. With summer more than half way through, I’m doing my best to make the most out of August and September with the nice, warm weather before the seasons change!

As always, it’s time for Currently, a look at my life over the past month. These past four weeks have been filled with walks, picnics, pool days, grilling and indulging in all the summer foods and friends!

What I’ve Been Up To: I’ve been doing everything in my power to be outside, from walks on weekends, to eating meals outside, going for ice cream dates and just reading outside. Our summer season feels so short, so I try my best to take advantage of the sunshine, blue skies and warm weather. I’ve also enjoyed a lot of time at home with events slowing down, it’s been nice to have a more open schedule.

I’ve enjoyed lots of summer walks in the morning, afternoon and night.
I’ve also enjoyed grilling at the parks after a long walk

What I’m Wearing: I’ve been teasing it for a while but NEXT WEEK will be my summer dress round up. It’s been so fun to try new dresses and styles all summer long. In other clothing choices, I’ve been wearing lots of short sets for walks, some t-shirt dresses for evenings out and then I’ve been rotating some graphic tees as well. I like to keep it simple in the summer with easy things to throw on so no matter what I’m doing I’m comfortable, especially on days off.

An example of an outfit that I would wear on a day off!

What I’m Reading: I finished The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and I didn’t know what to expect about this girl who never ages. I really enjoyed following the story as it begins in the 1700’s and continues to present day. There’s mystery, romance, suspense, and some magic too. When Adeline makes a deal in the 1700’s it has lasting effecst that she was never expecting. I love how the book jumps through time periods and you get to see her in different places and times. Even if you don’t read this book, I encourage you to read a book from a genre you typically don’t read, you may surprised about what you enjoy.

I also finished The Paris Library this past month. This historical fiction book goes back and forth between the 1940’s in Paris and the 1980’s in Montana. It follows the story of a woman who works in a library during World War II and then flashes forward to her life in the 1980’s living in the United States. Again, there’s some mystery and intrigue and some romance. I love how the book goes back and forth between time periods too!

What I’m Watching: I jumped on the band wagon and binged “The Summer I Turned Pretty” on Amazon Prime. It was a great coming of age series that had a lot more depth than I was anticipating, there was lots of lightheartedness but also drama and suspense. Definitely worth the watch this summer.

I’ve also been watching another drama, “Maid” on Netflix. It tells the story of a young woman who hits rock bottom and looks to start over by working as a maid. It’s definitely a heavier show, but really good.

Besides tv shows, I went to see the new Elvis movie and I was blown away. I really enjoyed the storyline, the iconic music and learning about Elvis. It was worth seeing it on the big screen.

 

What I’m Loving: LOTS OF WALKS! I’ve been doing my best on my days off to take longers walks. I’ve ventured to Pittsburgh for a day trip to the zoo and a park.

One of my favorite exhibits at the zoo.
And a walk by the water.

I’v traveled to Bemus Point, New York for a morning at a State Park there and then enjoying the beauty.

Sweet summertime in New York.

I’ve also enjoyed fairs, festivals, live music and food trucks this summer. All things on my bucket list too!

Local fairs
And festivals
Concerts by the water
Food truck treats!

I also went strawberry picking last month and made a lot of different tasty treats with my haul.

Such a fun activity!

I made strawberry jam, strawberry and lemon bread and then strawberry shortcake too! Yum!

The haul!
Strawberry jam!
Strawberry and lemon bread
Strawberry shortcake

What Inspires Me: Summertime means fresh flowers. I’ve been enjoying talking long walks to cut flowers to put in vases around the house. I always enjoy having the smell of fresh flowers in my room and I’ve enjoyed adding them to other rooms in the house too.

Fresh flowers from the garden

What I Accomplished: After a busy first month of summer, I’ve been happy that I got to slow down more this month. There’s been more afternoons by the pool, more mornings spent reading and late nights visiting with friends. 

A summer stroll closer to home!

Goals from Last Month: I had a wonderful time celebrating the Fourth of July with family. I also got to see some relatives from out of town which was lots of fun. In addition to family, I have been enjoying time with friends. From dinners to walks and ice cream runs, it’s been great to get outside and spend time with friends. I’ve also been lucky to see friends I haven’t seen in a long time. It was so great to catch up in person and the visit was long overdue!  I am looking forward to more time with friends next month.

Fireworks on the Fourth!

Goals for this Month: I really want to cross off the final things on my summer bucket list. I’ve been doing well so far, but there’s a few things I’m looking forward to checking off-some of them are new things to me too! I’m also really just looking forward to relaxing and enjoying summer days and nights too. Soaking up summer is what it’s all about. 

Sweet summertime!

How are you planning on spending the last full month of summer? I know you can catch me outside! Let me know how you will be spending summer in the comments below!