I hope you are having a great week and happy Hump Day! I am back from my work trip, which was quite an experience, now it’s back to reality and getting my life in order.
It’s the second Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for another Let’s Look as I link up with with Shay and Erika for Letās Look.
Each month, we share different areas of our lives. These are some of my favorite kinds of posts to read, because I love learning about how other women live their lives, plus you can pick up a few tips and tricks along the way.
This month, the topic is Sunday Reset. This post is perfect for this week since I’m currently getting my life back in order after being away. As much as I love to travel, there’s no place like home.
Whether you do your weekly prep on Sunday or another day of the week, I love a good reset before the work week begins.
Here’s a few things I always like to have done or do before my work week begins that I know will set me up for a successful week.
Plan and Layout My Outfits– I check the weather and plan out my outfits for the work week ahead. This way I can just grab my outfit in the morning and not have to do much thinking. Obviously, life happens and the weather could change, so I can easily pivot the morning of, but having outfits, jewelry and shoes ready to go each morning saves me time and thinking every morning. I also have my gym clothes laid out the night before so I can just grab them and go in the morning.
My outfit for the dayMy outfits for the week
Meal Prep– I love a good meal prep and I do this on my days off. My lunches typically consist of some sliced veggies, fruit, cheese, something sweet or salty (like a trail mix), and then a salad or leftovers or something protein based. It only takes a little bit of time to organize and baggie all my food for the week ahead for lunches. Every night when I get home from work, I will empty out my stuff from the day and then refill my lunch box for the next day, so in the morning, I can just grab it and head out the door.
Plan out my week- Do you see a trend here? I have a system for how I use my planner and I like to plan out my weeks before they begin. Here’s my current system that works best for me. Whenever I have something that needs to go on the calendar or be a reminder, I put it in my phone calendar. This is anything from doctor’s appointments to library books being due, to dates with friends. At the start of every week, I pull out my phone calendar, my Simplified planner and new this year, my Lazy Genius playbooks (I will do a more extensive post on them coming up). But I use my playbooks to write down all the extra things I need or want to do during the week (buying gifts, setting up things, running errands etc). Then I will go on my phone and fill out my planner for the week based on appointments or things to do. I will then fill in my tasks from my playbook in my planner. Each day, I will have a loose to-do list based on what I need and want to accomplish. My days off have a longer to do list compared to my working days. Life happens and things change, so there’s a lot of pivoting, but I love to look at my week in one spot and see everything laid out.Ā
My weekly layoutMy month at a glance
Have the House in Order– I love to start the week off with a clean house and laundry put away. Again, this doesn’t always happen, but having a clean space gives me a clear mind and fresh perspective for the work week ahead.
Fill My Cup– After all the work is done, I love to sit back and relax. This could be anything from reading a bit longer, watching a movie, doing some baking, spending time with family, or going for a walk. But after the work is done and I’m ready to go for the week. I like to be able to recharge before the week begins again.
There you have it!
Five ways I like to reset for the week ahead. If I accomplish all these each week, I feel ready to take on work with a fresh perspective and clear mind. I want to hear from you! What does your Sunday reset entail! I would love to know! I’m off to finish getting my life back in order. Haha! Have a fantastic rest of your week and I’ll see you back here for Friday Favorites!
Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! We made it to the end of February! I donāt know about you, but this month moved a lot faster than January, which I was very happy about. I feel like we are getting closer to the end of a very long winter. Some months are more eventful than others, but Iām afraid this month is not as exciting as past months, but it was still good nonetheless and filled with some travel, lots of VERY good books, and catching up on shows. Hereās what the past 28 days looked like.
What Iām Up To: This month involved some time outside for walks when I could, but February was an icy month.
I got away for a long weekend which was so fun and much needed.
I got away for the long weekend and the change of scene was so nice!
I got to see the Atlantic Ocean again while I was away too!
And made it home safe and sound!
I also got to celebrate Valentineās Day leading up to and on the day.
Cut-out cookies for the holidayAnd more tasty treatsValentine’s Day goodies
I also got a haircut and switched up my hair style
What Iām Reading: I had such a good reading month! I canāt wait to share some of my favorite reads
The Secret Book of Flora Lea- The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patt Callahan is all about two sisters in World War II who get sent to live with another family during the war. One of the sisters goes missing and years later the other sister reads a book that contains all the made-up stories she told her sister growing up. After all these years, is her sister still alive and where has she been? This was a great historical mystery. Mix and Match Mama picked it for her January Book Club and I devoured it!
From Here to the Great Unknown– Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough wrote this memoir about their lives and Elvisā. I learned so much about the Presley family and life behind the camera. It was so fascinating and led me to listen to some Elvis music because of it. Such a good read!
Leading Women– Leading Women by Nancy O’ Reilly is a compilation of essays written by women for women. They highlight the struggles and victories women encounter in life, businesses, and in careers. I read it over the course of a few days, but I think it would be better read a little bit every day and not all at one time.
The Lazy Genius Kitchen– Kendra Adachiās second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen is all about the best way to use your kitchen. She goes through ways to organize and essentialize your kitchen that works for you. She also breaks down different kitchen terms and phrases. If you are a kitchen pro or you have never had your own space, I highly recommend this book.
Half Marathon: You Can Do It– Jeff Gallowayās Half Marathon: You Can Do It is a beginnerās guide to running and running a half marathon. I am planning to run a half marathon this summer and learned so much from this book especially when it comes to training and preparing. He talks about his run-walk method and proper ways to train and prepare for a race. I found myself taking notes and photos as I was reading.
The Art of Stillness- As someone who is always on the go, this book really forced me to slow down. I read it when I was traveling and I found it fascinating to learn the importance of slowing down. The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer
Young and Restless– Young and Restless by Mattie Kahn was a book I had on my shelves for ages and I just got around to it. It’s all about different girls who made their mark on history in different ways. I loved learning about these women’s stories and the impact they had on society. A great topic as we enter Women’s Empowerment month.
What Iām Watching: A lot of my favorite shows came back for new seasons, so I spent time catching up on several shows.
Night Agent- Season 2 of The Night Agent on Netflix brought new characters, a new mission, and lots of edge on your seat moments. The first half of the season was a bit confusing and slow with lots of new characters, but the end of the season tied all the storylines together. The finale opened the door for new questions and a new mission.
Sweet Magnolias– After an intense show like The Night Agent, I needed a pallet cleanser and Sweet Magnolias on Netflix provided that for me. This season had lots of sweet and unexpected moments and even some drama. I liked seeing how some of the relationships unfolded and how the characters grew from different situations. Overall, a good season.
Scamanda– I listened to the podcast about Scamanda in 2023 and was excited to learn a documentary would be made about it through ABC. I really enjoyed the four part series. It was interesting to put names with faces and I think the creators did a great job at covering everything the podcast did and more.
American Manhunt- O.J. Simpson– My boyfriend and I watched this four part series about O.J. Simpson. I have always known about the O.J. case and I liked the light this series shined on Simpson and his case. I really liked how they interviewed some of the key people for this series on Netflix.
Masked Singer– The Masked Singer is back for season 13. This hour-long show always provides a good laugh and keeps me guessing who’s under the mask. There have been some pretty good reveals so far this season and Iām excited to see who wins it all!
What Iām Cooking/Baking: This month has been filled with a mix of baking and cooking!
I almost got this mug but held off
Homemade Brownies– I made Ina Gartnerās outrageous brownies. They were good but not great. Iāve tried a few different homemade brownie recipes and have yet to land a winner. Until then, Iāll keep trying different recipes.
Grilled Cheese and Homemade Tomato soup- We have had a stretch of cold weather and soup and grilled cheese is a perfect go-to. I tried Emily Leyās homemade grilled cheese and tomato soup and it was so easy and hit. I canāt wait until her cookbook comes out!
Roasted Shrimp and Orzo– Another Ina Garten recipe for the win. I made her Roasted Shrimp and Orzo and really liked it. It was healthy and filling and very easy and can be made in any season.
Cheese and Spinach Bake– I made the bake as a side dish one night and it was so filling and healthy too. The recipe is from Brunch with Babs. Itās spinach, cheddar cheese, and cottage cheese with some egg. This would be great for a brunch or a dip!
Baked Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Salad-A filling Sunday night dinner with lots of nutrients.
French Silk Pie was a new recipe for me and it was a hit!
Margarita Chicken Soup is always a good call on a cold day!
Homemade Hummus and Chicken Gyros- It was Greek night with lots of tasty and savory bites!
Chicken GyrosHomemade Hummus and Pita
Chicken Caesar Club Sanwichs– This was such a hearty and tasty meal that was a hit!
What Iām Wearing:
Since February is the month of love. I tried my best to wear as much red, pink, purple, and white as possible.
Layers for cold days
All pink for Valentine’s Day
A more casual look
The neutrals for more winter weather
What Inspires Me:
After such a gloomy and gray winter, any day with sunshine is good day! I also have been inspired by putting more of an emphasis on my health by going on more walks and making healthier choices too!
Some reading inspiration
And some love inspiration for the month of love!
Some desk inspiration and motivation
What I Accomplished– I am still making my way through my Winter Bucket List, but I still have things that need crossed off over the next few weeks.
I got out for some outdoor running time!
Goals from Last Month– I was able to see all my friends for some one-on-one dates, virtual, and in-person. I also got to celebrate Valentineās Day and do some traveling too!
Some cute Valentine’s Day details
And some sweet treats!
Goals for Next Month– I am READY for warmer weather, getting ready for spring and to see my brothers who will be home for Spring Break!
Thatās a look into life as of late. A lot of time indoors, self care, and some socializing. Iām looking forward to brighter days ahead. What about you?! How was your February!? What were some highlights for you? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Wednesday!
Hello all! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far! This has been a busy, but fun week for me! We had the Super Bowl on Sunday, tomorrow is Galentineās Day, but I have been celebrating all month long with friends but setting up one on one dates with friends and then this weekend is Valentineās Day. Iāll be out of town for a weekend getaway which Iām excited about too!
Hereās how I have been celebrating the month of love!
Enjoying lots of sweet treats!And baked goods too!
Love is the topic for todayās Letās Look as I link up with Shay and Erika!
Today the topic is How We Work on Our Marriage. Since I’m not married, I switched the topic to how I work on my relationships, with friends, family, and my boyfriend.
Letās start with friendships! I cherish my friendships with my gals, whether they are near or far away. One of the biggest ways that I maintain my friendships is by being consistent with my friends with routine dates or check-ins. Besides sending random texts or check-ins with my friends, I try to set up weekly or monthly dates depending on our schedules. Life can get busy, but having something on the calendar is important for holding each other accountable. For example, my one friend and I have monthly facetime dates. We talk at the end of the month for about an hour and catch each other up on all our life happenings. We will still occasionally text through the month, but we save all the girl talk for our facetime dates since we live far away from each other. When it comes to friends who live in town, my friends and I try to see each other once or twice a month for a walk, coffee date, or meal. For me and my friends, having something on the calendar keeps us in a good rhythm of visiting one another.
When it comes to my family, I live at home with my parents and one brother (the other two are grown and out of the house or in college). Family dinners are super important to us, we always make time for each other and love to hear about each otherās days. I love the connection that sitting down for a meal offers. When it comes to my brothers who aren’t home, besides texting, I try to call and check in about once a week. We talk about our weeks, whatās new and life in general. I love the connection that a phone call or facetime offers as opposed to a text.
Lastly, my boyfriend. I keep my relationship pretty private. But we have been together for almost five years and every day is better than the last. We have grown and learned a lot through our relationship. We met through work and worked together for a few years, before he decided to make a career change and now we are going long distance. We have learned a lot by going the distance and grown in our relationship too. The biggest thing I have learned is the importance of communication, whether itās something thatās good or bad, being upfront and honest with one another has been so helpful when we are hours apart. We talk and text through the day and try to visit each other once a month and when we are together we try to have a balance or doing things and just doing mundane things. Having good communication skills, putting each other first and giving our best effort are top priorities for us.
Relationships are so vital to our lives, whether itās friendships, family, or significant others. I try to maintain relationships the best that I can and in ways that works best for me. With Valentineās Day just days away, how do you maintain your relationships? Let me know in the comments below! Have a wonderful ramp up to Galentineās Day and Valentineās Day! Sending you lots of love!
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!
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 everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you are having a great week and are doing something festive this December weekend.
Last weekend, I went to see a Christmas show and a dinner out and it was so much fun and got me in the Christmas spirit.
This got me in the Christmas spirit!
I have been making my way through Christmas shopping and wrapping and baking. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
I baked lots of gingerbread, YUM!
This weekās post is full of holiday favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
Letās dive right in!
Christmas in Notting Hill– I have been on a Christmas movie kick. I started on Thanksgiving afternoon/night with the Netflix movie, Christmas in Notting Hill. Itās about a young woman who goes to visit her sister in England. She falls for a cute guy, only to realize heās a pretty big deal and has a connection to her sister. This is your classic, cheesy, Hallmark-esque movie. But I loved it and it got me in the Christmas spirit.
Festive Accessories– Speaking of the holiday season, I have been picking up some festive, but subtle accessories to add to my wardrobe. I got this cute red barrette, which can dress up any outfit. I love the festive pop it can bring to a look. I wore it with blue and white, but it can be worn with black, white, green and of course, red!
Wall Flower Scent– As I was decorating for Christmas, I had to break out a new wall flower scent from Bath and Body Works. This is fresh balsam from Bath and Body Works and it smells like Christmas in a cup, the perfect mix or peppermint, a fresh cut Christmas tree and snow. Itās the perfect scent to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Rosemary Cashews– I found this recipe from Ashley Brookeās blog. I love a good salty mix and this is the perfect snack for an appetizer spread. You can eat it on its own or add it to a fruit, cheese, and meat tray. I love the salty and flavorful taste the rosemary brings. We enjoyed it with other snacks after decorating and it was so tasty!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pie– Another recipe that I made over the holiday weekend. I found this one on Mix and Match Mamaās blog. I love anything with chocolate and this was such an easy pie to make and can be enjoyed in the fall and winter. It tastes like a warm chocolate chip cookie. I would recommend it with some vanilla ice cream or a glass of milk. You can find the recipe here. Yum!
Thatās a look into what Iām loving this week. Lots of holiday cheer and goodness. How are you enjoying the holiday season? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!
Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great holiday season as we make our way through the second week of December. Iāve been having a great start to December and I hope you are too. We are recovering from a massive snow storm, so needless to say, it definitely feels like Christmas.
So much snow
Even more snow
It wouldn’t stop
Hereās a look at what I have done so far to celebrate the Christmas season.
Watching the tree lighting in NYC
Holiday Baking
And Wrapping
All year long, I have been linking up with Shay and Erika for Letās Look as we share different parts of our lives. Hereās a look at the topics we have covered in 2024.
For our final Letās Look of the year, we are sharing how we unwind during the holidays. The holiday season can be a magical, but busy time of the year. You have all your regular things to get done, plus make some holiday magic, and additional holiday to-doās to get done. Needless to say, it may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be an overwhelming time.
Here are some ways I try to unwind during the season.
Make a Gift Giving Plan– I always feel better with a game plan and that takes the stress away. I like to set deadlines for making my list of who I have to buy for, when I want to have my wrapping done and when I want to give gifts out to people.
Schedule Christmas Activities– Life can certainly get busy during the month of December, I make sure to put things on the calendar for must-do activities. For example, there are certain things that are spur of the moments activities, like see Christmas lights or watch a Christmas movie. But other things like see a Christmas show or bake Christmas cookies or gift exchanges should be put on the calendar.
Donāt Add Unnecessary Things to the Calendar- With so much already going on, December isnāt the month to add more to the calendar, save the doctorās appointments or or unnecessary appointments until after the new year to save you stress and to free up your calendar.
Do Things that Bring You Joy- There can be a lot of pressure around the holidays, especially when it comes to making Christmas magic. Donāt feel like you have to do it all. Only do what brings you joy. If you donāt have the time or desire to bake dozens of cookies, donāt do it. Save yourself the time and pressure and only do what you have time for and what you want to do.
A hot chocolate bar and movie night brings me joy!
Delayed Gratification– A lot of work comes with the holiday season, put in the time and effort now, so you can relax and enjoy the holiday season and relax and be present later. The last thing you want is for everyone to be relaxing and you still be working. Get all the to-dos done early on, so you can be present and remember the reason for the season.
Work hard to relax later!
I also try to carve out little moments every day to enjoy the season, whether itās with festive mugs in the morning, Christmas scents, or holiday music at all times. These are little ways I like to sprinkle in Christmas cheer all season long. How do you unwind during the holiday season? Let me know in the comments below! I hope you take the time to unwind and relax during the holiday season and take some time for yourself.
Family time is the best time!
Enjoy the Christmas season and remember the reason for the season.
Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week. These next few weeks will be busy as we get ready for Thanksgiving and then eventually, Christmas, but I am ready for it. Bring on the challenge and the fun too! It’s still fairly decent weather for November, so I have been doing my best to enjoy the outdoors as much as I can, even enjoying my drinks outside when I can.
Itās the second Wednesday of the month which means itās time for another Letās Look as I link up with Shay and Erika.
Hereās a recap of the things we have talked about so far this year:
I canāt believe we only have a few more to go this year. Todayās topic is Gift Ideas for Men, now guys are hard to buy for, no matter the age, so hopefully, this gives you some ideas or suggestions. I asked my boyfriend for some help on this and I came up with my own ideas too. I created five categories or groups to get ideas from.
First, when it comes to men, always think practically. It may not be as fun, but most guys prefer a practical gift that they will use time and time again over something that is nice, but not as functional. Letās dive right in!
Experience– Rather than getting a guy something they may not use or like, think about getting them an experience. This can be anything from tickets to seeing their favorite sporting team, going to a concert, maybe doing an activity, like beer tasting or trying a new hobby, and taking lessons or a course in it. You can still wrap up the tickets and make it something fun to open with the information inside.
Game Day Gear– Whether they are into sports or music or another hobby, you can never go wrong with getting them some gear. This can be more traditional items like jerseys or t-shirts, or you can go the more unique route and find something vintage online. Etsy always has such unique gifts and I love supporting local businesses too!
A Nice Watch– Guys might not be into jewelry as much as girls, but, you can never go wrong with a nice watch. You can take the more route with a traditional watch that they can dress up or down, or if they are more sporty, you can go the fitness watch route. I personally love my Apple Watch and use it every day. This is definitely a practical and useful gift for the guy.
Favorites Gift- For the guy who has everything, get him all his favorites. This can be his favorite foods, drinks, snacks, and gift cards to his favorite restaurants. You can even use this gift as a way to restock on his go to items, maybe he has a favorite type of pen that he only uses or a brand of shirts that he always wears, buy all his must have items and wrap them all up together or separate.
Upgrade Essentials– Purchase some higher quality versions of his favorite items. This can be anything from buying some nicer dress shirts or socks if he works in an office, to getting him a new pair of running shoes. Guys donāt always want to spend money on themselves, so this is a great way to get them things they need and splurge a bit.Ā
I know these arenāt specific gifts for guys, but hopefully these suggestions lead to more ideas for the special guy in your life. Tell me: what are some things you plan on buying for the men in your lives? Iām always open to ideas! Happy Christmas Shopping!
Hello All! Happy Friday! I hope you had a wonderful week! I have a packed full weekend around the corner with family time, activities, and some fall fun thrown in there too! It will be a busy, but fun weekend.Ā
Pumpkin patches and farmer’s market stands bring me so much JOY!
Before I hit the ground running today, I wanted to share some things that I have been loving (hint-most of them are fall and entertainment favorites) as I link up with withĀ ErikaĀ andĀ Andrea.
Light a candle, curl up with a blanket and letās dive in!
The Simple Sophisticate– Shay Shull of Mix and Match Mama recommended this podcast on her blog and I finally got around to listening to it. Shannon Ables started the podcast after her blog back in 2014 and still continues with episodes to this day. The theme of the podcast is all about living a simpler, calmer, and French way of life. Ables has such a soothing voice and attitude that you will find yourself relaxing and feeling peaceful no matter what she is talking about. I started at the beginning of the podcast and I have been loving all the different themes and topics. Episodes vary from 30-60 mins. Definitely worth giving it a listen to over the next few weeks.
The Home Edit– I love following The Home Edit on Instagram and love their show on Netflix too. I decided to check out Clea and Joannaās book during my latest library haul and learned a lot from it. They give practical advice and ways to organize your spaces. Not only do they write about ways to organize areas, but they have great photos to demonstrate it too. After reading their book, I wanted to do a massive purge and organization.
Fall Harvest Mix-If you have been following along for a while, you know I love a good festival or seasonal food. My local grocery store had this seasonal harvest mix and I had to give it a try. Itās a delicious combo of sweet and salty. Thereās peanuts, M&M, cereal, and peanut butter cups. Itās by no means a healthy trail mix, but it certainly satisfies the sweet and salty tooth.Ā
Gilmore Girls- Watching Gilmore Girls was on my fall bucket list and Iām slowing making my way through it. I started the show last year, but then life happened and I never finished it. Well, now I am back on the Gilmore Girls bandwagon and I have been loving it. Itās the perfect fall show to cozy up and enjoy. I know this will also help me get through the cold winter months as well too.
Nobody Wants This- This new Netflix mini-series is what everyone is talking about. Nobody Wants This stars Kristen Bell and Adam Brody and itās all about a couple who starts dating later in life after not having luck in the dating department. There are so many funny one-liners and relationship connections besides the romance between the two main characters. I really loved the message how you can have a relationship after you have worked hard in your career. There are only ten episodes and they last between 20-30 mins, perfect to binge watch in a weekend.Ā
If the weather is getting cooler by you, I hope these favorites gave you something new to try or enjoy this weekend. What have been some things you have been loving this week? Let me know in the comments below!
Hello all! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week as we made it to hump day!Ā I don’t know about you, but it is full on fall here, we have had rainy days, leaves falling and some sunshine peaking through, but the changing weather is getting me excited for the next few months.
Cool crisp fall mornings
This year has been flying by, I canāt believe we are already at the second week of October. Itās time for another Letās Look, where we share different parts of our lives. Each month, I link up with Shay and Erika to share my thoughts on different topics.
This month, the topic is how we prep for the holidays. I love all the seasons, summer is by far my favorite, but I do enjoy the āBerā monthsā¦September, October, November and December. There is so much to look forward to, from the holidays, traditions, extra family time, and festivities.
Fall, one of my favorite times of the year
As we get closer to the holiday months, Iām sharing how I prep for all the fun and I hope you will share some of your holiday prep hacks too! I donāt have my own home or family yet, so how I prepare may look a little different.
I always like to prep for the holiday seasons, by creating bucket lists, by writing a bucket or goal list, this ensures that things that I want or hope to get done, get accomplished. Some are big activities and others are little outings or things I want to cook or bake. For example, my fall bucket list includes celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving, watching festive movies, enjoying holiday treats and Halloween activities.
I donāt know how I will celebrate Halloween on the actual holiday, but I do plan on making some festive treats, decorating and enjoying some Halloween movies.
Some fall treats from last year
As far as Thanksgiving goes, we typically enjoy the holiday with family and then we have our own Thanksgiving dinner the weekend after. Preparations for Thanksgiving looks like figuring out what traditional dishes will be made, baking pies, and doing some decorating around the house. These are subtle ways to celebrate the holiday. Thereās so much cooking and baking that goes into Thanksgiving that it is nice to just enjoy the time with family.
A delicious, Thanksgiving spread!
Christmas always comes with the most prep. Once again, I make a Christmas bucket list of things I want to do around the Christmas season, from ice skating, baking cookies, shopping, looking at lights, and decorating. I like to make the most out of the Christmas season.
Prep for Christmas starts with decorating the day after Thanksgiving, itās a tradition we have been doing for years and itās always one of my favorite things.
I will also make a master list of people I want to buy for and set a budget. I keep a running list in my phone of who I need to buy for, what the gift is, the status of it, and how much I spent. Once all the gifts have arrived, I take time to wrap them all and watch a holiday movie. This method always keeps me organized.
I love to bake cookies around the holidays and one of the ways that I prep is by making one or two types of cookies a week leading up to Christmas. I will share some with family after I bake them and then store the rest for the holidays. This method ensures that I get all my baking done, but Iām not stressed getting it done.
After all the prep is done, itās time to enjoy the holidays and relax. Thereās only so much prep you can do, what matters is the end result and spending time with family and loved one around the holidays. They will be here before we know it, so I want to know what hacks you have to make the holidays smoother? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Holiday Prepping!
