Hey everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great first week of August. These past few days have been fun with activities and adventures and the fun continues tomorrow as I am running my first 5K.
Getting in all the runs before tomorrow!
Iāll be sure to share all about it in the next few weeks. Iām excited, but a little nervous too. Every week for Friday Favorites, I love sharing some of my favorite things from the week with you and this week is a heavy food week of favorites! Grab your pen and paper as we dig into this weekās Friday Favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea!
Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies– I havenāt done baking in a long time simply because I have been spending so much time outdoors and because on warm days, the last place you want to be is in a hot kitchen. However last week, I was inspired to bake and wanted to try a new recipe. I found this recipe from Baked Abundance for Cinnamon Chocolate Chip cookies and I thought they were the perfect warm treat. Although they are not a traditional summer treat, I couldnāt resist trying them. Now, they didnāt turn out like the photos, they were still delicious. I love the mix of cinnamon and chocolate chip. These would be a perfect fall treat, but they would be great anytime of year. You can find the recipe here if you are looking to try them for yourself.
Fresh baked cookies are good for the soul and stomach!
Fox’ ‘Special Forces” Season 2 Cast– The season two cast for Fox’s “Special Forces” came out this week. If you remember, I watched this show last season and really liked seeing celebrities, athletes, and actors all compete in various obstacles to see if they have what it takes to be a special forces operator. I know I could not do all the different challenges that the recruits could do each day. The cast for this season looks really good. I’m excited to see if Tom Sandoval, Savannah Chrisley, Brian Austin Green and even Blac Chyna have what it takes to be a special forces operator. The new season comes out on Monday, September 25. I can’t wait!
Love and Gelato– This book was recommended to me by a friend and it was one of the cutest books I read in a long time. Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch follows the story of a young girl who loses her mom and her momās dying wish is for her daughter to go to Florence and reconnect with people from her motherās time when she lived there. This book checks all the boxes for a cute rom com book. Dreamy city, beautiful description, incredible Italian food and desserts, and a little romance too. I blitzed through this book and was so sad when it came to an end. After reading this book, you will want to book a trip to Florence.
The sweetest summer book!
Charcuterie Boards– I have been into Charcuterie Boards all summer long. They are so easy to put together for entertaining for friends and family or they are great for a one person meal. I love seeing whatās in my fridge and using what I have to put together a meal for lunch or dinner. You can add whatever you want to your board, I typically like to include some kind of fruit, some veggies, cheeses, some meats and then nuts or crackers. These boards are also great if you have had a long day and are looking to clean out your fridge too. Hereās an example of a recent board that my boyfriend and I enjoyed. So many delicious and healthy options on one plate.
A healthy and filling meal!
Wordle– I know I am way late to the party on this one, but this summer I started playing Wordle and Iām addicted. I never got hooked on it months ago when it first came out, but this summer, I got on the Wordle train. I try to do it in the morning before the day gets away from me, but sometimes it doesnāt always happen. I like the challenge of trying to figure out each dayās word. Itās been such a fun brain game to enjoy this summer.
My recent stats!
And thatās a wrap on todayās Friday Favorites. Lots of food, a new read and some games. This weekend will be fun between my race and then time with family. Tell me: how are you spending your weekend? Let me know in the comments below! Have a great weekend!
Happy Wednesday! It makes me sad to that we are at the end of July. I feel like June was so well paced and a great introduction to summer and then July came and went in a blink of an eye. There’s always so much anticipation to summer and then it goes by too fast. I know August will be a busy month with end of summer activities and people heading back to school.
Summer is in full bloom!
In good news, I did my best to make the most out of July! From a low key Fourth of July to a concert, seeing friends and some pool days, it was packed full of summer fun in between work. Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to.
What I’m Up To– July started off with the Fourth of July, this year was a bit more lowkey as it fell in the middle of the week and I was working, but my family and I still grilled and enjoyed some Fourth fun and sunshine after work. It’s more about the people and moments than all the extra hustle and bustle.
Our Fourth of July spread
This month, I also made two trips to the Pittsburg area. The first was to catch up with friends for lunch and dinner. Living long distance and being on different work schedules has made it challenging to see some friends so it was great to catch up in person and enjoy some time outside too.
Catching up with friends is always good for the soul
My second trip was to see Ed Sheeran in concert which was so fun. I saw him back during his Divide tour and I was excited to see him perform songs from all his albums.
Ed Sheeran’s tour
I also got to enjoy some live music this summer, our city always does a great job at hosting live music events, and I have gone to a few of them. There’s nothing better than live music by the water.
Live music in the summer, a must for summer!
I also enjoyed lots of time outside, having pool and reading days on my days off. We had a stretch of beautiful weather and I tried to soak up as much time outside as possible.
Reading by the pool days
Summer walks by the water.
What I’m Wearing– Last week, I shared some summer outfits that I have been wearing to work, you can read more about it here.
I also have been into skorts and casual skirts recently too. Here’s been some of my favorite looks.
I have also been wearing shorts and all the graphic t-shirts. They are so easy to throw on for off days especially when I’m outside and just relaxing on days off.
Also, t-shirt dresses are a major win for me in the summer, they are lightweight and easy to throw on after work or heading out and about to run errands, you look put together with minimal effort. A win across the board.
Perfect for a day in the city
What I’m Reading– I had such a good month for reading. This month has been a mixed bag of genres and they have been so fun!
Happy Place- I couldn’t wait to dive into this book. Happy Place tells the story of six friends reuniting in their favorite spot for one last summer trip together and one of the couples pretending they are still together when they have broken up. The personalities of the friends, the description of the setting and the nostalgia had me craving a week at the lake. I read this book on vacation and it was the perfect beach read. If you havenāt read this book yet or any of Emily Henry’s books, you are missing out.
Such a fun, summer read!
My Hygee Home- I got this book for my birthday and it’s all about making a house a home and ways to incorporate Hygee which is a Danish practice into your home. I learned a lot of practical lessons about ways to make your home cozy and useful and purposeful too. It would be a great coffee table book and a great read too. You can easily finish it in one sitting.
28 Summers- 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand was such a fun summer read. Itās about a man and woman who meet as young college students and agree to meet up every summer in Nantucket no matter what. Now, let me start out by saying, I donāt believe in cheating or having affairs, but I did enjoy reading about how no matter what was going on in these characterās lives, they always met up every year. I loved seeing how their relationship changed and stayed the same through the years. I also loved reading all about Nantucket and it makes me want to visit even more.
A favorite summer read.
What I’m Watching– Summer is typically a slower time for me for tv shows, but now with streaming services, I feel like there are more options to watch different shows. I’ve done some binge watching, but a lot of these shows have episodes that come out weekly. This summer, I have been watching Outlander, which I have really been enjoying this season, especially the twist with Roger and Brianna. I won’t say more than that to avoid spoilers, but these episodes have been really good.
I also have been watching And Just Like That, every week, again, another light and fun show. In my opinion, season two has had really good episodes and some have fallen flat for me. Overall, I still love the friendships, the fashion and the nostalgia and that’s what draws me in week after week.
As far as binge-watching goes, I have been watching The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon Prime. I never read the books, but I watched the first season last summer and thought it was cute and I wanted to see what was in store for season 2. This season has been definitely more dramatic and intense, but it’s still fun to watch. There are moments that are a bit unrealistic, but overall, it’s a fun show to watch at the end of the day.
Lastly, Sweet Magnolias has been my other go-to binge watch. If watching this show doesn’t make you want to move to a small Southern town, I don’t know what does. I love the aspects of southern hospitality, the one-liners and life lessons and most of all the friendships. Such a fun summer show.
What Inspires Me– I have been inspired by my garden that I started at the beginning of this summer. I am finally seeing some progress and some buds. It’s been exciting to see it grow as I tend to it every day.
My garden so far!
My first set of veggies! Peas!
I’ve also been inspired by finding new places to walk and hike. I have my places that I love to go to, but it’s been fun to find new spots and explore new places and get some exercise too.
Plus no summer would be complete without a trip to the zoo!
What I Accomplished– I’ve been doing my best to soak up summer and I think I’ve been doing a good job with it by trying to build in slower days in a busy schedule. I have also been trying to go to as many events that are traditions and free and fun! Plus, I’ve been doing everything I can do to spend time outside, from reading to grilling outside, I have been soaking up all the sun!
I’ve also been enjoying lots of meals outside.
Plus lots of grilling too!
Goals from Last Month– I made the most of summer and actitvites by crossing things off my summer bucket list. From friends, to new adventures and places and visiting old spots, it’s been a packed month. Plus, throw in some family time and you have a great July!
Summer beach days in July!
I’ve also been enjoying trying new recipes! Last week, I made homemade chicken sandwiches! So good!
A mix between a McChicken and Chick Fil A sandwich! Yum!
Goals for Next Month-The time is almost here. I’m crossing something off my 2023 New Year’s Resolutions and Summer Bucket List by running my first 5K. I have been training for it since the spring and all of this summer and I think I’m almost ready. A 5K may not seem like a huge accomplishment, but for someone who has always hated running, the fact I am excited to do this and have enjoyed the hobby is a big deal to me. I’m looking forward to finishing and accomplishing it next month. I’ve been running longer distances and I’m proud of myself for what my body can do.
Next month, I’m also looking to some family time as we take a little getaway and then some final summer adventures.
July flew by, but looking back, I accomplished so much. I know August will be busy with trying to get everything done, but I’m excited to see what the next month brings.
June, where have you gone?! I can’t believe we are at the end of another month. There were certain times that this month felt slow and sweet and then I blinked, and I was planning things for July. These past 30 days have been filled with lots of walks, books, grilling, sunshine, and summer adventures. I have been making my way through my summer bucket list and doing more things that weren’t on the list. As we prepare to flip the calendar. Here’s a look at what’s Currently going on in my life.
What I’ve Been Up To: Through the entire month of June, I have been marking things off my summer bucket list. From day trips, to picnics, walks and time outdoors, I have done a lot.
This month, I made a trip to Columbus, where I went to the zoo and state park for grilling and a beach day.
Columbus Zoo!
More animals- I loved the polar bears!
And gorillas!
And finished the day at the beach!
I also enjoyed playing mini golf and trying a new to me pizza shop and park for a walk.
Pizza in the park!
Picking strawberries was on my summer bucket list and I accomplished that and made seven jars of jam in addition to lots of fresh berries to eat.
Strawberry picking day!
Our haul!
Some of the end results!
And strawberry shortcake too!
Another big highlight of the month was my birthday present from my boyfriend, more on that in the coming weeks!
Here’s a tease for where I went…
I rounded out the month with a trip to the beach to visit family and it was so good to see relatives and get some time by the water.
The shores of New Jersey!
The boardwalk!
What I’m Wearing: Besides your typical shorts and graphic t-shirts on days off, I did a big summer clothing haul at the start of summer and have been wearing new pieces to work. Lots of bright colors and patterns, plus quality clothing coming your way too.
One of my new dresses. I have been wearing lots of pink!
I also have been wearing lots of short sets too! Like this one!
Ā
What I’m Reading: I got a lot of books for my birthday and have been slowly making my way through them.
I started this month with Best Served Hot. I saw this book on display at the library and was immediately drawn in by the plot and checked all the boxes for a good read! Rom-com, takes place in a big city, and talks about food! The story follows a food critique and a food influencer as they try out different restaurants in NYC, first as competitors and then on a collaborators. The best and dare I say, worst part of the book was the details of all the foods they were tasting. The description was so vivid, which just made me hungry while I was reading.
I also read Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. I really enjoyed her book, Little Fires Everywhere and I was excited to read this book. I will admit, it was a heavier novel, but I learned so much about the Asian American culture and customs. It’s all about the lengths a mother will go to protect her family while doing what she thinks is right. Themes of unconditional love, sacrifice and coming of age are found throughout the book.
I also read Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. This book takes a scientific approach to productivity and time management. I am all about maximizing my time and being as efficient as possible. This book was more research based and didn’t have as many tips or advice about management, but I still found it interesting. I appreciated how the book focused on time management through history and ways we can be make the most of our time on Earth.
What I’m Watching: I haven’t been watching too much tv as I have been doing my best to be outdoors as much as possible. I have watched some good family movies, like Air and A Man Called Otto.
Family movie night!
I also finished the series, Ted Lasso which was really good. I think the series wrapped up very nicely and I like how everyone’s storylines had closure. It was such a fun show to binge and watch week to too.
I also watched The Night Agent on Netflix. This was only ten episodes, with which episode lasting about 45 minutes. It was a mix mystery, intrigue, action, drama, and thriller, those are all good things I’m looking for in a series. I would recommend it if you were looking for a new show to binge watch.
The new season of Outlander is back! I have been making my way through season seven every week when their episodes air.
Outlander is back!
And Just Like That Season 2. The girls are back with And Just Like That! I really enjoyed season one and have been enjoying what season has brought. It’s also been a fun show to watch weekly.
What Inspires Me: I’ve been so inspired by summer fun! From outdoor meals, walks, trying new recipes and celebrating milestones.
Walks by the water
I also have been getting my runs in weekly and have enjoyed feeling stronger with each run I go on.
My longest run!
Delicious summer meals!
Picnics by the shore
What I Accomplished: This past month has been all about welcoming summer and really trying to be present in the moment.
Summer grilling and salad
I’m always trying to find time to sneak in time outdoors, whether it’s visiting a bit longer outside after a meal, reading outdoors instead of inside or finding time to go for a quick walk.Ā
Slow mornings reading outdoors.
Goals from Last Month: I kicked off my summer bucket and have been proud of the progress I’ve made so far which has been a win.
Enjoying all the fresh foods!
Goals for Next Month: Keep enjoying summer! I know it may not seem like much, but I really am trying hard to be present in the moment and soak up the sun, go swimming, grill, go on picnics, and make memories!
More grilling nights with lots of salads and fruits!
And more fresh salads (do you sense a trend here?)
The older I get the more I know how sacred family time is, so I’m doing my best to spend as much time with family as I can!
The beach all quiet in the morning.
I also have a concert planned and plans to visit friends! I’m looking forward to seeing those plans through. Plus, a lot of our local fairs and festivals gets underway in July so I’m looking forward to checking those out too!
Ending June with ice cream.
That’s a look into what’s Currently going on. A whole lot of summer lovin! How have you been spending your summer? Let me know in the comments below!
Hi friends! Happy Friday! I hope you are in the midst of soaking up the days of summer. Although summer as an adult isnāt nearly as fun as summer as a child, I am still enjoying the sunshine, warm weather and family time! This past week, I got the chance to catch up with two friends, spent lots of time outdoors and went on some fun day trips!
My pup enjoying the sunshine!
This weekās Friday Favorites has all things summer as we make our way through June! Letās get started as I link up with Erika and Andrea!
Summer Garden– I teased this last week in my post and talked about it in my summer bucket list, but one of my goals for this summer was to plant a garden. Iāve been looking for a creative outlet where I could have an end result and I found it by planting a garden. Since I am just a beginner, I decided to keep it simple and do some seeds and some plants. I decided to buy cucumbers, tomatoes, and pepper plants and then carrot and pea seeds. I wanted to have a variety of options in case they didnāt all work out. Fingers crossed, I get to see the finished product in a few months, but I did enjoy picking the seeds, tending the garden and making signs too. Iāll keep you updated on my progress this summer!
My garden!
and signs!
Sure as the Sunrise– I mentioned this daily devotional by Emily Ley back in January and I have been reading it every morning and just finished it. Itās 100 daily devotionals and reflections with space for thoughts too. I took a brief break during Lent to do another devotional and just finished Leyās book in time for summer. I really loved how the book was set-up with daily scripture, reflection and questions. Then at the end of every week, there were a few questions you could answer. You don’t have to start on January 1, so if you are looking for a new devotional or morning reading companion, I highly recommend this one.
My favorite way to start the day
Birkenstocks– This may be one of my favorite birthday gifts. After seeing the trends for years, I finally decided to hop on the Birkenstock bandwagon and Iām so glad I did! I was on the hunt for a pair of sandals I could throw on if I had to run out to get the mail, hit the store, wear by the pool or just go for a walk and these were just what I was looking for. I love the rubber material (perfect for the pool) and white color. They are so comfortable too. I know these will be a favorite all summer long!
New favorite summer shoe!
Chicken Kabobs– Another birthday related favorite! I decided on grilled Chicken Kabobs and veggies for my birthday dinner with pasta and fruit salad and it was delicious. I love grilled chicken with lots of seasoning and flavor and these were the perfect way to welcome 25! I am looking forward to trying new recipes with chicken kabobs and grilling this summer. I canāt wait to try new summer recipes. If you have any you love, drop them in the comments below!
Best birthday dinner!
Queen Charlotte– I finished a lot of series in May, so as June rolled around I was looking for a new show to start and I found that with Queen Charlotte! I love Bridgerton, so I was anxious to watch the prequel to the series. It definitely has the same feel of Bridgerton with the characters, clothes, one-liners and scenery, but has a heavier feel (if that makes sense?) I really have enjoyed learning about the Queenās backstory and it has been such a fun way to escape our world and head back in time. The episodes are a bit longer, but there are fewer in the season. This would be a great summer binge!
Such a fun show to start!
Thatās just a peak into life lately. Some fun new gifts, new shows, tasty food and hobbies! How have you been enjoying your summer so far? Let me know in the comments below!
Hello all! Happy First full week of June! I feel like summer-mode was activated over Memorial Day weekend and itās only gotten better from there. From summer walks, ice cream, grilling and family time, I have a great feeling about this summer!
Every season, I always like to share a bucket list with goals and ideas I like to accomplish. They range from date ideas, to activities with friends and family and some personal goals too.
I got a lot of things accomplished from my Spring Bucket List, but carried a few things over to my Summer Bucket List.
Hereās a look at my Spring Bucket List and what I accomplished.
Spring Bucket List
Now, that we are leaving the Spring season and entering the summer season, itās tie for an updated season bucket list.
Hereās a look at my Summer Bucket List:
-Beach and Pool Day
-Farmerās Market
-Seawolves Game
-Heritage Festivals
-Gardens
-Tend to my own Garden
-Use Kitchen Aid to Try New Recipes
-Grilling
-Picnics
-Night Picnic
-Columbus Zoo
-Family Trip
-Go Someplace New
-Time with Friends Outside
-Summer Sleepover
-Kayak
-Sibling Dates
-Drive-in
-New Place to Hike
-Visit New State
-Run a 5K
-Try New Recipes-Lavender Lemonade
-Ice Cream Dates
-Entertain and Visit Friends
-Meal and read by the Water
-Fruit Picking
-Bonfire
-Amusement Park
Thatās a look at my Summer Bucket List. A lot of local, fun, activities that I can do with friends, family and even by myself. I love crossing things off a list and having ideas to do on summer days. My goal for this summer is to soak up as much time as home with my family, siblings, friends and boyfriend.Ā
Hello Hello! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are enjoying your week. I can’t believe we are at the end of April. Is it just me or did April fly by? I feel like we were just celebrating Easter and now we are gearing up for May.
This month has been filled with Easter fun, a week of summer weather and lots of good books and shows. Here’s a look at life this past month. I always love going through my camera role to see what I did over the past few weeks.
What I’ve Been Up To: I started the month by celebrating Easter with my family. We watched Here Comes Peter Cottontail- (a classic!)
An Easter classic!
We dyed eggs, enjoyed Easter dinner, ate too much candy and saw family.
A fun, family tradition of egg dyeing!
One of the eggs I worked on!
Our favorite Easter dessert-our bunny cake!
I wore this Tommy Hilfiger which was perfect for a sunny, Easter morning.
I had fun covering Opening Day for our local baseball time and the weather was gorgeous!
I got to enjoy my first night grilling with warm weather!
Then we had a whole stretch of week that was in the 70s and full sun! I took advantage of summer-like weather by heading out for walks with my dogs or with friends.
A great walk with one of my friends!
I also enjoyed ice cream, fresh flowers and lunch outside! It was the best week and it has me craving summer now more than ever!
First ice cream of the season.
Lunch outside!
My pup enjoying the sweet sunshine!
What I’m Wearing: This was a new dress from Calvin Klein that I got from Ross’s. I really love the neutral colors and how it can work with spring and summer since it has short sleeves. I also really like the pattern.
I got this jacket from T.J.Maxx and immediately fell in love with it. From the colors to the fabric, it reminds me of a classy Chanel piece of clothing. I wore it in the spring and I’m looking forward to wearing it on chilly days too.
What I’m Reading: I have been reading so many good books lately from a lot of different genres, from mystery to chick flick and drama, I have covered them all. Here’s some of my favorites:
Love and Other Wordsā Love and Other Words goes back and forth between the past and present with two best friends who reunite after almost a decade apart. Themes of friendship, love, and books are woven through the book. As a book lover myself, I loved all the references to books and getting lost in a story. My friend Sydney gifted me this book and Iām so glad she did. Iāll defintely be reading more Christina Lauren books.
Greenwich Parkā Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner is the perfect mix of drama, thriller and mystery. The story is told from different perspectives of the characters. The book follows a story of a woman who meets a fellow first-time mom in a pre-natal class, the two women become friends until the new women has a hidden agenda and some secrets and connections to the protagonist and her friends and family. The book starts out fairly slow but picks up towards the middle and end, so if you re-thinking about quitting, stay with it.
Best Years of Your Life-This book started out slow, but once it picked up, I couldnāt put it down. Itās told by the three main characters, a married couple and their college-aged daughter. Each character is going through different trials and tribulations and has their own secrets that they are dealing with. You can find themes of drama, relationships, family, honesty and integrity. Itās one of those books that will stick with you after you finish it. Another bonus is that the author is from my community-such a small world!
What I’m Watching: This past month has been filled with continuing to watch the Mindy Project, I started it back in January and have been slowly making my way through it on days off or at night. It’s the perfect show to put on in the background and it will guarantee you lots of laughs.
I also have been watching the fifth and final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I have been loving the flash forwards through the season, it’s been cool to see where characters end up in the future. I’m anxious to see where the rest of the season takes us, but I also don’t want it to end.
I’ve also been keeping up with the weekly episode drops of Ted Lasso, such a fun mid week pick me up!
What Inspires Me: I’ve been so inspired by the warm, spring-like weather that I just want to spend all my time outside on warm days! I try to make it a point to enjoy longer walks with my dogs while I listen to a podcast on days off or even after I finish work if it’s still light out.
A great walk by the water
Even my dogs are getting in on the outdoor fun!
I have also been doing more work outdoors on days off and I can’t wait to do more of that and read outdoors more when the weather stays consistently warm.
Enjoying another meal out in the sunshine!
There’s also been new buds on trees and flowers, which brings so much hope for the new season.
What I Accomplished: I checked a lot of things off my to-do list over the past month, from doctor’s appointments to gifts for friends and family, I have a few big events coming up next month and it felt so good to get things purchased! I’m looking forward to celebrating some fun things next month.
Goals from Last Month: I wanted to soak up all the family time around the Easter holiday and get the home ready for Spring and I accomplished both things. It was nice to have some bonus time with family and switch things from one season to another.
Enjoying some Easter sweets with my family was a highlight.
Goals for this Month: May is a busy month, there’s birthday celebrations (including mine!), end of the year activities, Memorial Day, Mother’s Day and some fun, family events planned.
I’m looking forward to more summer snacks like these!
There’s a lot happening in May, but I’m looking forward to it and officially welcoming summer right after that.
My sweet pup enjoying the sunshine.
That’s just a look into life right now. Lots of outdoor time, sunshine, and spring fun! Tell me, what are you looking forward to next month? Let me know in the comments below! See you back here on Friday!
Hey hey! Happy Friday and happy Easter weekend. I always look forward to Easter as a time to reflect and really embrace the spring season. I hope you have something fun planned this weekend with family if you celebrate.
Todayās Friday Favorites is truly a mixed bag, from things to read, listen to and watch and use! I guarantee you, thereās something you will find that you like. Hereās some things Iām loving as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
Colette-Have you seen Colette yet? It came up as a recommendation for me on Netflix and my interest was piqued. Although, it’s a few years old, it’s definitely worth the watch. The movie follows the story of a young woman who falls in love and marries a man in the 1940ās. She ends up being his ghost writer, but it doesnāt exactly go as planned. My favorite part of the movie was that it was based on a true story. So fascinating!
The Bestie Breakdown– One of my favorite podcasts, The Bestie Breakdown is back for season 4! Erika and Shay breakdown so many fun and relatable topics, I love listening to their fun conversations about life, pop culture and family. Theyāve released a few episodes so far and I have loved listening to them. I took a road trip last week and listening to this podcast made the time go by so fast. Looking forward to see what other topics they breakdown this season.
Hello Spring!-Sticking with the spring vibes, this Hello Spring lotion from Bath and Body Works has been a favorite for me. I keep it in my car and apply it daily. I love the soft scent thatās not too overpowering. This and lotion is just a subtle nod to spring thatās been a bright spot in my days!
Emily Ley on Substack– Emily Ley, founder and creator of Simplified has started writing on a new platform called Substack. Iāve used substack before to follow Elizabeth Holmes who writes and follows the Royal Family. Substack allows people to read/write and listen to longer form thoughts and musings. So far Emily has written about her sabbatical, books sheās read and things sheās learned. I canāt wait to read more from her this year.
Biggest Changes from Book to Screen for Daisy Jones– I promise this is one of the last times I will talk about Daisy Jones, but for those who read the book and watched the series, this article is great at comparing the two and spotting the differences. As Iām working on this post, I am listening to the show’s soundtrack. SO GOOD!
Well there you have it, just a look into life lately and what Iām loving! I hope you have a fantastic Easter weekend! He will soon be risen!
Hello everyone! Itās the last day of November. I donāt know about you, but Iām already in the Christmas spirit. Iāve already started to decorate and I have my holiday bucket list ready to go, Iāll be sharing that next week.
Iāve really enjoyed November. Itās been a mix of a flurry of activities and slow days at home. With that being said, Iām looking forward to the next month of holiday fun! Let me give you a recap in this month’s currently.
What I’ve Been Up To: The month started with lots of time outdoors, from walks, to collecting leaves and time indoors with lots of baking. I enjoyed baking brie, peanut butter cookies, banana bread and soup. I canāt wait to start baking Christmas cookies. The month ended with celebrating Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas.
Hello fall walks!
This month was filled with lots of baking.
Thanksgiving with my Family.
What I’m Wearing: Nothing too exciting on the clothing front, itās been colder and we have seen snow, so I have been wearing more long sleeves and layers. I scored a great deal on some jeans at Old Navy. I have been hunting for a pair of straight jeans and found them at Old Navy. If you are looking for a variety of styles and cuts, consider looking at Old Navy.
Layers have been my go-to. Also a look at my new jeans from Old Navy.
What I’m Reading: Iāve been on a roll with good books. Iāve read some mysteries, some thrillers and a handful of love stories. Here are a few of my favorites.
The Last Mrs. Parrish– The Last Mrs. Parrish is a suspenseful book with a touch of mystery and intrigue. It follows the story of a young woman who wants to befriend a wealthy woman to get close to her husband. The first half of the book is told from one point of view until it switches to another character’s perspective, and you see the story through an entirely different lens. This book will make you angry at some of the characters, but you won’t want to put it down at the same time.
The Younger Wife– The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth follows the story of a heart surgeon who decides to remarry even though his wife is still alive and has dementia. His grown daughters aren’t on board at first, but come around to the idea, that is, until they uncover some secrets about their parents. From the father and mother, to the young bride to be, and the grown daughters, it turns out, everyone is keeping secrets.
One True Loves– This is another Taylor Jenkins Reid book. It follows the story of a young woman who loves her husband when his flight goes missing, it takes her a while, but she moves on and meets someone else, she’s happy and engaged until her husband is found and returns home. It’s up to her to figure out who her one true love is. This story is about love, loss, growth and finding yourself. I breezed through this book in four days. In fact, I finished the last hundred pages in one sitting. A cute, love story with a twist.
My goal is to just read Christmas books for the next month, Iāll let you know how it goes.
What I’m Watching: I finished watching season 5 of the Crown and LOVED It. I already canāt wait for the final season, but I don’t want it to end. I also have been watching Gilmore Girls in my free time, but I know Iāll be watching lots of Christmas movies soon.
What I’m Loving: Iāve been loving everything that gets me in the Christmas spirit. Stores are already decked out with holiday displays, Christmas music is playing, snow is falling, these are just a few things that have me excited for next month.
Fresh snow doesn’t hurt either.
Getting into the holiday spirit.
What Inspires Me: Iāve really been enjoying the quiet time before the busy season. Iāve read a lot of good books, Iāve enjoyed time with friends and lots of cooking and baking. Leaning into some of my hobbies has centered me when things get busy or hectic.
The beautiful sunset as I was running errands last week.
I’ve also been enjoying lots of baking…here’s some pre Pumpkin pie mixture.
What I Accomplished: Despite the cold weather, I still managed to get in some outdoors walks when I could. I know I will have to rely on my indoor activities like yoga or more time at the gym, since I wonāt be able to get out as much in colder temperatures.
My sweet pup after a morning walk.
Goals from Last Month: I really enjoyed slowing down and celebrating Thanksgiving with my family and some traditions. I also made my list of who I need to buy for Christmas, which makes me feel ahead of the game.
Enjoying some snacks with family.
Goals for this Month: I canāt wait to enjoy all things holiday and Christmas. My brothers will be home from college and I canāt wait to spend some family time with everyone. I also want to get a lot of my buying done early, so Iām not rushing around at the end when Christmas is here.
Hello holiday cheer!
Thatās a look into life recently. A mixture of work, hobbies, family time, traditions, and holiday cheer! I canāt wait to see what December brings.
Happy June! I can’t believe we are already into the sixth month of the year and making our way through 2022.
As we embark on a new month and in a few weeks, a new season, I figured it was time for a summer bucket list.Ā
I love goals and I love to do lists, in order to maximize my time in the summer and have fun, I enjoy creating bucket lists. This bucket list is a mix of free and inexpensive things around my hometown and region of things I want to do this summer. Some can be done multiple times, others are a one and done kind of deal.Ā If you are on the hunt for fun things to do this summer, feel free to steal an idea or two from the list.
I love to support local spots and community events, so I’m hoping to do that more this summer. I also like to use the summer season as a way to slow down a bit, less appointments and to-dos and more time to rest and go with the flow (one of my goals for my 24th year!)
Sumer Bucket List for 2022
This summer I hope to accomplish as many of these things as possible and do more activities that goes beyond this list.
Here’s a look at my summer bucket list:
Heritage Festivals/ Fairs
Day trips
Zoos
Beach Day
Pool Day
Celebrate Fourth of July
Time with family
White Turkey
Sara’sĀ
See college friends
Go Someplace New
Meal by the Water
Food tour
Picnicing
Winery/Wine Tasting
Happy Hour/ Ice Cream Hour
State/National Parks
John Russell Brewing
Mini Golf
Kayaking
Amusement Park
Outdoor Concert
That’s a look at some things I hope to accomplish this summer. What are some things you are looking forward to this summer?
Well, here we are in September. This weekend is Labor Day and therefore the end of summer. Although, I plan on still soaking up as much sunshine and warm weather when days permit it. Now, that summer is almost over, it was time for a summer bucket list check in. Did I accomplish all my goals, did I add somethings to the list?! Letās take a look.
Summer Bucket List Recap
Seawolves Baseball Game
Didnāt happen but thereās still a few more weeks left of home games, so Iām hoping to make it to one before the season is up.
Start a new show
I finished Offspring this summer, I also watched the second season of Outer Banks, watched the second season of Modern Love and I watched the Pursuit of Love. I watched a lot over the summer. The Pursuit of Love was good, it followed the lives of two women through their lives in the 1930s and 1940s. Itās only three seasons, so itās not too long of a commitment.
One of the series I watched
Summer reading
I read lots of books this summer, from fiction to non-fiction, beach reads and autobiographies. To see everything I read you can check out my past Currentlys or my Instagram stories. Iāve really enjoyed getting lost in books this summer.
Travel someplace new
I didnāt travel any place new but I did have new experiences, such as travelling alone and seeing new things with family and friends.
Best friendās wedding shower and Best friendās wedding
One of the highlights of my summer was celebrating one of my best friendās bridal shower, girlās weekend and wedding. It was incredible to see college friends and celebrate love this summer.
A look at my dress
See college friends
I was able to see college friends through visits to Pittsburgh, wedding festivities, shopping trips, and lunches.
See high school friends
I saw my close high school friends this summer. I kept up with my book club this summer, I also went to my 5 Year Class Reunion, and dinners and holidays! Iām so glad I stayed close with my friends.
Time with high school friends
Ice cream nights
My answer to everything this summer was ice cream. Good or bad day, ice cream was the answer. I went to many of my favorite ice creams spots all through the summer.
Lots of ice cream this summer
Dinner by water
I didnāt get dinner by the water but I got lunch which was perfect! Especially in Pittsburgh and seafood too, It was perfect!
Summer by the water
Play putt putt
I played putt putt both here in Erie and on vacation, so fun!
Beach day
I was able to head to the beach one morning before work and on a day off too. Plus lots of walks at the peninsula.
Zoo
I went to many zoos this summer. I went to our local zoo a few times. I also went to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Keystone Safari too which was so much fun! Ya girl loves the zoo and animals.Ā
Keystone Safari for the day
Family trip
My family and I went away for a few days at the start of the summer and thank goodness we did, because the summer got busy once we got back.
Family time in Hershey!
Pittsburgh Trip
I went to Pittsburgh with friends and family this summer. I also went to different places surrounding Pittsburgh to visit friends.
A view of the city from above.
See family
I got to see lots of family this summer between picnics and celebrations and just relaxing. It was great to see so many people especially after a year without seeing people.
The Fourth spent with family
– White Turkey and Saraās
Both classic summer spots. Iām so glad I was able to enjoy them with family and friends.
Hot dog and ice cream on the beach after a walk.
Niagara Falls
I didnāt make this happen this summer but thereās still time in the fall to make it happen.
Grill nights
I enjoyed lots of grilling. From barbecues with friends, family nights at home, and just enjoying time outside.
Entertain friends
I didnāt get to do a lot of entertaining this summer, but I did get a lot of visits in.
Winery or Brewery
I didnāt make this happen this fall, but Iām hoping to make it happen this fall!
Celebrate 23
I celebrated 23 with lunch at work, followed by cake and presents on my birthday and the day after. I also went out to dinner after work the day after too. It was great to celebrate a new year full of new adevntures.
My birthday dress.
Summer festivals
I enjoyed some local festivals as a part of my job and after work. Itās always great to support community events and change things up on weekends or after work.
Pool days
I spent lots of days out by the pool, between reading outside, floating in the water or playing in the water. I had time to soak up the water on hot summer days!
Even my dog Reese got in on the pool action.
Thatās just a look at what I did this past summer. What did you accomplish this summer?!
