Tag: November

A Look Back on 2024

Hello Everyone and a very Merry Christmas! I don’t anticipate many of you to be reading on Christmas Day, but if you are then welcome!

Here’s a look at how my last few weeks and days looked:

I hope your day is filled with peace, love, joy, family, friends and wonderful memories. If today is challenging for you, know that I am thinking of you.

If you are reading this over the Christmas week, thank you for being here. I appreciate your support and you taking the time to read my posts.

Today, I am looking back on 2024, what a year it was. This year was filled with leaning into routines, new adventures, attempting new hobbies, going through some growing pains and travel.

A lot of things changed, but a lot of things stayed status quo. I’m eager to see what 2025 will bring for me. There’s something special about going into a new year with a fresh slate, some uncertainty, but knowing it will all work out. Before we jump too far ahead to 2025 (more on that next week), I want to reflect on 2024 and look back at these past 365 days and share some of my favorite things too! Let’s get to it.

A Look Back on 2024

The year began with me keeping up with my running consistently. You will be able to see my progress as the year progresses.

I also spent a lot of time in the kitchen trying new recipes.

I tried to get as much fresh air as possible when the weather cooperated.

I tried a new hobby with piano and kept up with it all year.

In February, I enjoyed the Super Bowl with a big spread.

I also celebrated Valentine’s Day with homemade cookies and chocolate.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day with some fondue

I ended the month with a trip to Cleveland to watch the Cavaliers.

The spring brought St. Patrick’s Day, seeing the total solar eclipse and the start of warmer weather.

The warmer weather also led to longer runs and walks, Easter and baseball games!

I turned 26 in May!

The summer was spent with all the time outdoors, between swimming, reading, walking, and running.

I went on adventures near and far.

I donated blood for the first time this summer and have continued to do so through the year.

I also enjoyed blueberry and cherry picking and got some tasty treats out of those.

I celebrated the Fourth of July by running a 10K and enjoying time with family and friends.

I started the day by doing my first 10K and setting a new PR!

I kept up with the garden but didn’t get as many vegetables as I had hoped.

I traveled to Cleveland in the summer as well as Montreal for a day, but the big trip was with my family to Italy.

You can read about Montreal here.

You can read about Italy in two parts, part one here and part two here.

The end of summer led me to running more places around my hometown.

I took some weekend trips to Boston and got to explore the area there more.

I enjoyed the changing of the leaves and all things fall, from baking, to festivals, and decorations.

November brought another trip to Boston, Thanksgiving and so much snow!

I also hit a new PR with my 10K Turkey Trot!

December was all about Christmas prep and cheer and now here we are looking back at it all.

My pups getting into the holiday spirit with all the snow.

Lots of holiday gatherings

This was quite a year filled with lots of time spent with family, my boyfriend, friends, and with myself. I learned a lot about myself this year and have seen personal growth as well. I’m eager to see what the new year will bring and I hope you will come along on the journey with me.

Now onto the favorites of 2024!

Oprah may have had her favorite things each year, but these are mine. I tried to narrow it down to one item per category, but that didn’t always happen. Here’s a look at my favorite things with their reviews too!

Favorite Books: I couldn’t narrow it down to one, so here are my top three with reviews. I read 68 books this year. You can see a full list of them on my Instagram stories or by looking at each month’s Currently.

Lessons in Chemistry–Lessons in Chemistry is all about a chemist who hosts a cooking show in the 1960’s. I loved the combination of science and cooking and how they were intertwined throughout the book. The romance between Calvin and Elizabeth made my heart soar, but my favorite part was the importance of women working in a male dominated field in the 1960’s. It was made into a series on Apple TV that I watched as well and really enjoyed the comparison of the two.

The Plan–The Plan by Kendra Adachi. This is Adachi’s third book and it’s all about planning, organization, and compassionate time management. She lays out ideas and principles for how to plan and organize your life, but the best part is that you can tailor it to your own wants and needs. I found myself taking notes while reading it and have applied so many principles to my own life. If you have read or listened to Adachi’s podcast or books, you can almost hear her voice across the pages. 5 Stars from me!

The 5 AM Club– I’m not kidding when I say this book changed my life. The 5 AM Club is all about ways to make the most of your mornings to elevate your life. It’s told in a unique way, but has so many incredible lessons and skills to apply to your life. I read it through the library, but I found it so informative that I’m considering buying it. Definitely a book to make notes and highlight as you go along.

My year in review according to Good Reads

Favorite TV Show- While I watched a lot of recurring shows like the Masked Singer or Grey’s Anatomy, these two mini series really stuck with me.

Lessons in Chemistry– This was a mini-series on Apple TV based on the book and I really enjoyed watching it after I read the novel. It was very close to the book too which I appreciated.

The Girls on the Bus-The Girls on the Bus on HBO Max. It’s all about four different female journalists as they hit the campaign trail for election season. I love all the different personalities and perspectives the characters bring. I have found myself identifying with different characters at different times. I was sad to learn it got cancelled after one season, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching it in its entirety.

Favorite Movie– Although, this just came out, how could it not be a favorite of mine.

Wicked was so good this year. I think they did a great job with the casting. I loved the costumes and the cinematography as well as the setting. I definitely think it lived up to its expectations. It was a longer movie, but the music, singing, dancing, and plot moved it along.

Favorite Fashion Items– I had to choose two for this category (an article of clothing and shoe that I wore time and time again.) I loved these purchases this year and got a lot of use out of them.

Red Rain Coat-I have been on the hunt for a raincoat ever since I got caught in a rain storm in September. I was looking for a durable, waterproof coat that would keep me dry and wasn’t too boxy. I hoped to find something that was sporty but still could be worn out and about. I also wanted it to be red. I found all those qualities with this raincoat from Land’s End.

Summer Wedges-I got these wedges form Marshall’s. Wedges provide more support for me and I can pair them with multiple outfits. You can wear these with a pair of white jeans or capris and fun blouse, a short sundress, or a longer, flowy dress depending on the occasion.

Favorite Podcast– I listen to podcasts weekly, some of my favorite are The Lazy Genius Podcast and Books, Beach, and Beyond Podcast but

The Simple Sophisticate by Shannon Ables is my new favoirte podcast. She 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. Episodes vary from 30-60 mins.

Favorite App– I tried to Mediate more this year and practice mindfulness and this app has made it so much easier. I have found it to be very beneficial, especially when I am overwhelmed and stressed out. I typically take time at the start and end of my day for breathing, but have found myself doing exercises through the day too. I have been using the app, Insight Timer daily and it’s been doing a great job at holding me accountable and providing resources for guided meditations and breathing exercises. I am just using the free trial, but have been really loving it.

Favorite Hobby-I never thought I would love running as much as I do, but here I am. It has become such a stress reliever for me and I genuinely enjoy the journey. I started this year only being able to run five miles at one time and through the year have worked my way to… I have found so much joy through running and can’t wait to continue it in the new year with some new goals in mind.

Here’s some of my favorite runs from this year!

Favorite Trip and Day Trip– I have two favorite trips this year, a day trip to Montrel and my family’s incredible trip to Italy. You can read both of the reviews above!

Favorite Recipe– I spent so much time in the kitchen this year and accomplished my goal of making one new meal a week. That’s trying at least 52 meals, if not more.

My top meals were:

Wedding Soup

Turkey Pot Pie

Homemade Gumbo

That’s a look at my favorite things from this past year. It was so hard to narrow it down, but it was very reflective to see how much I accomplished. Here’s a look at my resolutions and how I did.

Here’s my Resolution post from January. My motto for the year was to be open and aware of change and I think I did a good job of that. I went through some life changes and grew from them while also staying true to myself along the way. I will share more about how well I did with accomplishing my goals next week in my 2025 Resolutions post, but for now, I’m really proud of myself for how I have grown and changed this year. I’m still a work in progress, but I’m happy who I see when I look in the mirror.

Thank you so much for being along on this journey through 2024 with me, whether you have been here since day one or you are reading this for the first time, I appreciate you and you taking the time to be with me. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas week and New Year’s Eve too. I’ll be back here on Friday for some Friday favorites! See you then!

Merry Christmas!

Tags 11 miles, 2024, 2024 resolutions, adult, apple tv, april, august, baking, baseball games, blueberry picking, books beach and beyond, boston, cherry picking, christmas season, christmas spirit, cleveland, cooking, day, day trip, December, donated blood, Easter, family time, family trip, favorite app, favorite apps, favorite books, favorite day trip, favorite fashion items, favorite hobby, favorite movie, favorite podcast, favorite recipe, favorite trip, favorite tv show, february, festive lights, gardening, gelato, grilling, gumbo, hbo max, history, ice cream, insight timer, italian food, italy, january, july, june, kendra adachi, lands end, lessons in chemistry, looking, looking back, march, marshalls, may, meditation, montreal, new adventures, new hobbies, new memories, new recipes, New Years resolution, November, October, piano, rainy weather, recipes, red rain coat, running, running progress, september, signs of spring, snacks, snow, solar eclipse, soups, st patricks day, summer wedges, thanksgiving, the 5 am club, the girls on the bus, the plan, the simple sophisticate, the super bowl, top meals, trip of a lifetime, turkey pot pie, turkey trot, valentines day, walks, wedding soup, wedges, weekend trip, wicked, winter walks

Currently

Currently #59

Post author By elspeththeblogger
Post date November 27, 2024

Hello All!

It’s the final week of November and Thanksgiving is tomorrow! Are you all ready for the holiday? Are you hosting or attending? We will be doing a bit of both this year. I love Thanksgiving and the slower day that it brings. I plan on starting the day by running our local Turkey Trot, enjoying a family dinner, and then relaxing. On Friday, we tend to decorate for Christmas and get into the holiday spirit.

This month went by so fast! It began with a busy stretch of days for work, followed by a weekend away and then all the holiday prep! It’s been a fun month that went by too fast. Here’s a look at life currently.

What I’m Up To:

Since my last currently post, I celebrated Halloween with a festive dinner and dressed my dog up. I think he enjoyed it more than me. Haha!

I started the month off by accomplishing my longest run by running over 11 miles. It felt good to get it done when the weather was still comfortable.

I also enjoyed more runs at different spots including new neighborhoods and parks. Some morning were so chilly that layers were required.

Over the past month, I spent time with family in Columbus for the day which included some celebratory dessert.

I also spent a weekend in New England which was decked out for Christmas and had really warm weather.

Here’s a look at some of the things I did.

What I’m Reading:

I had a pretty good reading month, a lot of books I had on hold at the library came in which always makes me excited. I also did some travelling which led to even more reading. Next month will be all about holiday reads, I can’t wait!

Here’s what I read this month:

Husbands and Lovers– Beatriz Williams’ book, “Husbands and Lovers” follows two parallel storylines of two women, one in the present day and one in the 1950’s. The theme is all about how far a mother will go to take care of her family. I really liked the compelling storylines and the connections between the two. There was also a bit of mystery and romance in both stories. I personally liked the 1950’s storyline more, but both were interesting to follow.

Julie and Julia– I have always heard of the book and movie, “Julie and Julia”, but have never seen or read it. It’s based on a true story and it follows the story of a young woman nearing her 30’s and decides to take on a challenge of cooking all of Julia Child’s recipes. I loved hearing about all the different recipes that Julie tries and what she learns about herself along the way. I am looking forward to watching the movie, but was sad to hear that the author, Julie Powell died a few years ago.

The Mystery Guest– I really enjoyed Nita Prose’s “The Mystery Guest”. It’s all about a mystery writer that comes to stay at a hotel and right before he’s about to make a career announcement, he drops dead. Everyone in the hotel is a suspect and some have a connection to him. I love a classic “Who Done It?” I finished it fairly quickly and it was perfect for this time of year.

Summer Romance– This was a perfect palette cleanser. Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan is about a woman who is recently divorced and is moving on from the death of her mom. She is trying to juggle a new life, three kids and a career when she meets a man at the dog park. She’s not planning on jumping back into the dating world, but life has other plans, especially when she’s least expecting it. It was a cute, summer beach read that was really a good chance of pace after some heavier reads.

Blue Sisters– I heard about Blue Sisters from several blogs from the summer and I couldn’t wait to read it. It follows the story of three sisters who come together a year after their fourth sister dies. The book tackles relations, addictions, healing, and the importance of sisterhood and family. It was interesting to hear the story told from each sister’s perspective. It was definitely a heavier read, but so beautifully done too. I can see why so many people raved about it. I finished it in one weekend.

A Most Agreeable Murder-I finished A Most Agreeable Murder by Julie Seales. It’s a “Who Done It” back in the 1700s-1800s. A ball and dinner party gets derailed when a guest ends up dead. Many people have a reason for killing him, but who did the killing? You won’t find out until the very end. A very good mystery!

The Friend Zone– I listened to The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez and really loved it. It’s all about a girl and guy who meet in unexpected circumstances. They end up being the maid of honor and best man in their best friend’s wedding. What starts out as disdain turns into friendship and sparks of love. But secrets and shock keep them a part. I thought the story was going in one direction, but it took some unexpected twists. I really, really enjoyed listening to this book and finished it in just over a week.

What I’m Watching:

This month I finished the second half of Outer Banks season 4, which the finale left me reeling. If you watched, what did you think?!

A little Outer Banks with a festive drink

I also have been keeping up with Grey’s Anatomy’s latest season as well as the Masked Singer’s recent season.

I also watched The Diplomat’s second season which was good too!

Plus, I have been slowly watching some holiday classics too, I can’t help myself by getting a jumpstart on them!

What I’m Wearing:

The weather has changed so I had to break out the winter coats. My red jacket from Old Navy is one of my favorites to wear in the winter especially around the holidays.

I also have gotten use out of my new blazer from Old Navy for both work and play.

I also got a lot of use out of my new red, rain jacket too! Do you sense a theme with red?!

I’ve also been loving turtlenecks this season too!

What I’m Cooking:

One of my friends started to make sourdough bread and dropped off a loaf, it was a delicious for a nice soup night.

With the colder weather, I have been enjoying lots of heartier meals including:

Tortilla Soup– I love a good tortilla soup, we had this on Halloween.

Lobster Risotto– This didn’t turnout like the photo, but it was still good.

Crockpot Lasagna Soup– This didn’t turn out the way it was supposed to, but it was still warm and hearty.

Grilled Chicken Bruschetta– I got this recipe from Joann Gaines’s Magnolia cookbook. It was a hit and healthy with lots of flavor!

I also started some holiday baking which included making Halloween Candy Cookies. I have already been crowd sourcing new recipes to try this holiday season.

I also baked chocolate chip cookies. Yum!

What Inspires Me:

Here’s some quotes that have inspired me as of late.

I also have been inspired by all the holiday and start of Christmas cheer.

I picked up my Starbucks red cup for the season!

What I Accomplished: Between work, seeing friends, spending time with family, and some travel, it’s been a busy month in the best way.

Goals from Last Month:

I did my best to pace myself before the craziness of the holidays. I also got a jumpstart on my holiday prepping too!

Goals for Next Month:

Enjoy the Christmas season! I LOVE this time of year, from shopping, music, movies, decorations, and baking. I can’t wait to savor it all! I will be coming out with my Christmas Bucket List next week, stay tuned!

That’s a look into what I’m currently up to. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I will see you back here on Friday!

Tags 11.6 miles, a most agreeable murder, abby jimenez, annabel monaghan, audiobook, beatriz williams, blue sisters, brown blazer, celebrations, changing seasons, chocolate chip cookies, christmas, christmas bucket list, coco mellors, columbus, crockpost lasagna soup, Currently, fall, family time, festivities, goals for next month, goals from last month, greys anatomy, grilled bruschetta chicken, halloween candy cookies, halloween celebrations, holiday prep, holidays, husbands and lovers, james clear, julie and julia, julie powell, leaves, libby, lobster riosotto, magnolia, netflix, new distance, new england, new places to run, nita prose, November, old navy, outdoor time, outer banks, quotes, red cup, red jacket, red rain jacket, running, seasonal clothing, seasonal dressing, summer romance, thanksgiving, the diplomat, the friend zone, the masked singer, the mystery guest, tortilla soup, tortilla soupe, traditions, travel, weekend away, what I accomplished, what i'm cookimg, what I've been up to, what im reading, what inspires me

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #119

Hello All! HAPPY FRIDAY! We made it through the week! This has been a hectic week at both home and work, but we made it to Friday and I’m very grateful for that. I’m hoping things slow down just a bit, but we shall see.

I hope you have had a great week and are ready for the weekend and maybe have something fun planned. As we move away from all the Halloween fun, I am back into fall mode, before Christmas in just a few weeks. I really like to take this time for my prep or calm before the storm. I LOVE the holidays, but I’m hoping for a few quiet weeks before the hustle and bustle.

Here’s a few things on my radar that I’m loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

Insight Timer– I recently started to try mediating, mindfulness, and deep breathing exercises. I have always taken time at the start and end of my day for prayer, but have also incorporated some guided breathing exercises too. I have found it to be very beneficial, especially when I am overwhelmed and stressed out. I typically take time at the start and end of my day for breathing, but have found myself doing exercises through the day too. I have been using the app, Insight Timer daily and it’s been doing a great job at holding me accountable and providing resources for guided meditations and breathing exercises. I am just using the free trial, but have been really loving it.

Atoms– Speaking of apps, I also have been using the app called Atoms to hold me accountable. The app was created by James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, a book I read this past year. I have really been loving his app which helps you track new habits or break bad habits. It sends you daily reminders about completing your tasks and gives you positive affirmations through the day as well. I have used the app to help with putting my phone down and now with meditation and both have been very helpful. I’m using the free version through this as well.

The Diplomat– Season two of The Diplomat starring Keri Russell came out last week and I have slowly been making my way through the season. It picks up right where it left off from season one. This show has me hooked with new characters, storylines and of course some crazy plot twists. The finale had me shocked and I can’t stop thinking about it. I binged a lot last weekend. You can watch the trailer here and stream season two on Netflix.

Outer Banks Part Two Out– Another season of a favorite show of mine is out. I mentioned this a few weeks ago, when the first part of Outer Banks season four was released, but now the second half was released and I can’t wait to watch. I may or may not have started depending on when you are reading this, but I can’t wait to see how season four wraps up. The premiere was really good and I’m looking forward to the rest of the episodes. The first half started out a bit slow, so I’m anxious to see what storylines get solved and what cliffhangers remain. Here’s a look at what you can expect.

Atmosphere– Taylor Jenkins Reid announced her new book coming out next summer last week. It’s called Atmosphere and I can’t wait to read it. Here’s a look at the synopsis and the cover art. I personally love the UK version more, but I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I doesn’t seem like it will be in the same universe as some of her other books, regardless, I can’t wait to read it.

That’s a look into life lately and what I’m loving.

Tell me what are some highlights from your week? I would love to hear them! Have a fantastic weekend!

Let's Look

Let’s Look: How We Prep for the Holidays

Post author By elspeththeblogger
Post date October 9, 2024
2 Comments on Let’s Look: How We Prep for the Holidays

Hello all! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week as we made it to hump day! 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.

This year has been flying by, I can’t believe we are already at the second week of October. It’s time for another Let’s 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.

Here’s what we have covered so far this year:

In January, we talked about How We Clean Our Closets.

In February, the topic was Things We Do Every Day

In March, it was all about what’s in our Grocery Carts

In April, we chatted about our Quiet and Prayer Time.

In May, we talked about Summer Staples.

In June, we shared our Summer Schedules.

In July, we chatted about our favorite TV Shows and Podcasts.

In August, we learned about our Pantry Staples

In September, we shared Easy Weeknight Meals

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 “Ber” months…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, I’m sharing how I prep for all the fun and I hope you will share some of your holiday prep hacks too! I don’t 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 don’t 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.

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. There’s so much cooking and baking that goes into Thanksgiving that it is nice to just enjoy the time with family.

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, it’s a tradition we have been doing for years and it’s 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 I’m not stressed getting it done.

After all the prep is done, it’s time to enjoy the holidays and relax. There’s 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!

Fabulous living

Fall Bucket List 2024

Post author By elspeththeblogger
Post date September 18, 2024

Hello everyone and happy Wednesday! The first day of fall is Sunday! As much as I hate to say goodbye to the summer season, I do love fresh starts. Every year and every season, I like to share a bucket list of activities of things I want to do to celebrate the time period and this year is no different.

Today, I’m sharing my 2024 Fall Bucket List. These activities are a mix of traditional and new things I want to accomplish this year. Most of them are fairly inexpensive or free and can be done by yourself, with a significant other, with friends or family.

These bucket lists always give me inspiration for things to do when I am bored or have some spare time and want to take advantage of the season. I have some classic fall fun with a mix of new things I want to try over the next few months. I can’t wait to start crossing things off my bucket list.

Without further ado, here it is!

FALL BUCKET LIST

Apple Picking
S’mores and Bonfire
Fall Walks and Runs
Collect Leaves
New Apple Recipe and Make Apple Crisp
Fall Festival
Decorate for Fall
Fall Trail Mix
Pumpkin Patch and Decorate Pumpkins
Halloween movies
Candy Corn Recipe
Enjoy Hot Apple Cider
Try a Pumpkin Recipe
Try New Soups
Make Chili and homemade cornbread
Read Fall Books and Movies (Charlie Brown, You’ve Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle)
Start Gilmore Girls
Celebrate Halloween
Celebrate Thanksgiving
Warm Drink and Bookstore Date
Watch a Sporting Event- Football or Hockey
Enjoy Apple Cider Donuts

There you have it, a look at what I want to accomplish this next season. A lot of these goals can be done at home and all cozied up, which was my plan. However, I do plan to spend as much time as I can outdoors too!

As we get ready to say hello to fall in a few days, what are some things you want to accomplish over the next few months? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Fall!

Fitness

Incorporating Movement Every Day

Post author By elspeththeblogger
Post date November 1, 2023

Hello all and (I can’t believe I’m saying this…) Happy November!

This year has flown by, I feel like I was just making my New Year’s Resolutions and now I am starting to my list of people to buy for Christmas. I hope you had a fun and festive Halloween yesterday and if you are like me, chances are, you may be recovering from a bit of a sugar high with all the sweet treats and candy. Even though I am an adult, it was still fun to celebrate!

A look at some of the candy from yesterday!

Here’s how I enjoyed the holiday leading up to the day and the actual day.

The colder weather has set in and it’s not going away anytime soon. Because our warm weather is so limited here, I try to spend as much time as I can outdoors in the warmer months. But even on the chillier days, I try to bundle up on chillier days to get in some fresh air and movement outdoors even in the wind, cold and snow.

Trying to make the most even on the cold days!

I have made fitness a priority over the past several years. Although it has evolved and changed in different seasons of life, I always try to incorporate movement every day.

If you are an Apple watch user, like me, I always try to close my rings and my streak has been going on for over two years! Some days I go above and beyond by closing my rings and other days, I just hit my 30 minutes of exercise and just barely close them.

Ever since college, I have made an effort to work out and get movement in daily and that’s done in a variety of ways. I definitely get more movement and exercise in warmer months since I can be outdoors more. There are some days in the summer that I will hit the gym, go for a run and even take an evening walk or hike. I love those days when I can get in lots of movement. There are also days in the fall and winter when I just get in a walk or just do yoga and stretching for 30 minutes and that’s okay too. The bottom line is that I’m still moving my body and getting some form of exercise in.

My fitness journey began in college, I would head to the gym five days a week. This typically looked like three weekdays and then the weekend. I would do some cardio and weights throughout the week to get my heart rate going and to stay in shape. You can read about my college fitness journey here.

After graduation, I moved home and started working full time and I knew I still wanted to make fitness a priority. I found a gym and continued to go to workout Monday through Friday every morning at 6:45 a.m. which is what I do to this day. My workouts typically last between 45 minutes and an hour. These workouts are a mix of stretching, cardio, free weights and strength and conditioning. I love how I feel when I leave the gym and have the whole day ahead of me.

This past year I made it a New Year’s Resolution to take up running and run a 5K. You can read about my training here. Starting in the spring, I would run two days a week after a workout. I started small by running a mile and then worked my way to where I am today which is four and a half miles. I have been loving this new hobby and new form of exercise.

Through the spring and summer on my days off, I typically get in two workouts (I head to the gym and then go for a run). I feel accomplished and productive and there’s no better release of endorphins than to get in two workouts before 9:00 a.m.

Not all days, whether they be days off or working days, look like this. On busier days when I know I won’t be able to get in a workout or run in, I try to at least get in a short walk outside or do some yoga and stretching at night when I am watching a show when I’m winding down to get some movement in.

In the late fall and winter when I know an outdoor run isn’t always possible, I spend more time indoors doing yoga and stretching.

For me personally, it’s not always about burning hundreds of calories or how much I sweat, it’s about getting in some form of movement and exercise daily and that’s what is important.

As the weather gets colder and you spend more time indoors, I hope this encourages you to still get some movement every day for a healthy lifestyle, whether it’s a full workout, a short walk or even yoga.

Tell me: what are some of your favorite ways to get your movement in every day?

Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great start to November!

Fabulous living

Fall Bucket List

Hello All!

Happy first full week of September. I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend and soaked up the last big weekend of summer. I still plan on keeping the shorts on and enjoying the sunshine for as long as I can this month.

September is always a month of transition, from getting back into a new routine being back to school, to the changing weather, this month can be a busy one. Over the next few weeks, I have some day trips planned, lots of appointments that I scheduled for when things calmed down from the busy summer and then some friend dates. I’m looking forward to crossing things off my to-do list and starting my fall bucket list!

Speaking of bucket lists, here’s a look at my summer bucket list all completed:

I got so much accomplished this summer, both on my list and doing things that came up through the summer, needless to say it was a fun and packed full summer. From trips to New York City, Toronto and San Diego, to lots of walks and picnics, grilling and pool days, it was a memorable summer!

Now that we are slowly saying goodbye to summer, it’s time to start thinking about FALL!

I started a fall bucket list at the beginning of the month and will add to it over the next few weeks, but here’s what I hope to accomplish over the next few months.

Apple Picking

Fall Walks

Collect Leaves

Make Apple Recipe

Try A New Recipe Once a Week

Bonfire

Football Game

Pumpkin Patch and Carve Pumpkins

Celebrate Halloween

Make Chili

Use Kitchen Aid

Read Fall Books

Go to a Fall Fest

Celebrate Thanksgiving

Enjoy Apple Cider

Hockey Game

Soup Recipe

Kinzua Hike

Elk Watching

That’s just a start into what I hope to accomplish over the next few months. I love to make to-do lists and bucket lists because they give me ideas of things to do for fun and it encourages me to take advantage of my hometown and the season. I hope this gives you some ideas of fun things to do in the fall season.

Tell me, do you have a fall bucket list? What do you hope to accomplish?

Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Fall Y’all!

Currently

Currently #35

Post author By elspeththeblogger
Post date November 30, 2022

Hello everyone! It’s the last day of November. I don’t know about you, but I’m already in the Christmas spirit. I’ve already started to decorate and I have my holiday bucket list ready to go, I’ll be sharing that next week.

I’ve really enjoyed November. It’s been a mix of a flurry of activities and slow days at home. With that being said, I’m 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 can’t wait to start baking Christmas cookies. The month ended with celebrating Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas.

This month was filled with lots of baking.

What I’m Wearing: Nothing too exciting on the clothing front, it’s 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: I’ve been on a roll with good books. I’ve 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, I’ll let you know how it goes.

What I’m Watching: I finished watching season 5 of the Crown and LOVED It. I already can’t 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 I’ll be watching lots of Christmas movies soon.

What I’m Loving: I’ve 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.

What Inspires Me: I’ve really been enjoying the quiet time before the busy season. I’ve read a lot of good books, I’ve 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 won’t be able to get out as much in colder temperatures.

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.

Goals for this Month: I can’t wait to enjoy all things holiday and Christmas. My brothers will be home from college and I can’t wait to spend some family time with everyone. I also want to get a lot of my buying done early, so I’m not rushing around at the end when Christmas is here.

That’s a look into life recently. A mixture of work, hobbies, family time, traditions, and holiday cheer! I can’t wait to see what December brings.

Fabulous living

What I’m Thankful For

Post author By elspeththeblogger
Post date November 23, 2022

Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! If you are able to enjoy some time off around the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope the next few days are filled with delicious food, time with family or loved ones, making core memories and a time to rejuvenate.

After Thanksgiving, I know Christmas will be on the minds of many, if it isn’t already. Before Thanksgiving, I always like to take some extra time to reflect on my blessings and what I’m thankful for.

I have so many things to be grateful for this year. I am so lucky to have a loving and supportive family with me. I love that I am able to work in my hometown and I’m able to see my family every day. There’s no greater joy than coming home and enjoying a home cooked meal and talking about our day’s. This year we have traveled to new places and visited old ones. One of the best things about this year was our time together from family dinners, to day trips and just conversations and laughs together. There’s nothing more special than time spent with family. I’m also grateful to my furbabies too!

A snapshot from our time spent at the beach this summer.

I’m grateful for my boyfriend brings out the best in me every day. He who pushes me to work my hardest and supports me in everything I do. From my job to my blog, he’s an incredible supporter. We have created so many wonderful memories from walks to adventures, trying new recipes and long drives. Our time together is one of the things I treasure most of all.

One of the many places we have got walking.

I’m so lucky to have wonderful friends in my life. From friends from preschool, to high school friends and one from college. I’m grateful that I have stayed in touch and continued to create memories with. From meeting halfway for dinners, to monthly facetime dates, walks and coffee hangs. As an adult, life can get busy so I try to make a point to put friendships first by checking in on friends when they have busy weeks, or making a suggestion for a favorite book or movie. I always love when I have friends who check in on me and support me and lift me up when I need an extra hand.

I’m grateful for a job that I love. I enjoy learning new things every day and being challenged and growing every day. I love being able to work and live in my hometown and make an impact every day.

A glimpse into some of the places my job takes me.

After illness being a topic of conversation for the past few years, I am so grateful for my good health, my family’s health and my friend’s health. Waking up every day and being healthy is something I don’t take for granted. Life can get busy and our priorities can shift but reminding ourselves what’s important is something we need to remind ourselves more.

Savoring the little moments in life, like fall drives.

I’m thankful for all the challenging moments in life, for the long or stressful moments because it makes me stronger and makes me a better person. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the growing pains or the rollercoaster moments. All those little things got me to where I am today.

I am grateful for all the things that bring me joy! From curling up with a good book, to baking food for ones that I love, and enjoying heartfelt conversations with family and friends. I’m grateful for how I feel when I finish a hard workout or a long walk. I’m grateful for the satisfaction I feel when I prepare a meal or dessert for my family. I’m grateful for the experience of getting lost in a book or a movie. I’m grateful for resting after a productive day. I’m thankful for seeing the sunrise every morning and watching it set.

Finding hobbies like cooking and baking bring me so much joy!

Life is so precious and it’s made up so many little moments. At the end of the day, that’s what I’m most grateful for, all the moments, big and small.

Over the next few days, I hope you take the time to reflect on what you are most grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tags 2022, boyfriend, family, friends, grateful, happiness, jobs, joy, life, little moments, love, nature, November, thankful, thanksgiving, things I'm thankful for, things im grateful for, working, yoy

Fabulous living

Making Your Space Cozy

Post author By elspeththeblogger
Post date November 9, 2022

Hello all!

As we make our way through November, December will slowly creep up on us and the cold will be here to stay. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of the cold, which is why I try hard to make my space extra COZY! This past week we have seen temperatures in the 40’s…brrrr.

In honor of the chilly weather, I’m sharing five ways to make your space cozy and comfortable.

Candles– Lighting candles can really change a space, based on previous posts, you know I am a fan of candles. In the cold months, there’s nothing better than lighting a candle. In the winter months, I love changing my scents like pine or spearmint or frasier fur, those warm and rich scents can easily elevate a space no matter how big or small.

This is one we have going in our family room. I love lighting at night and having it burn while we watch tv or visit.

Throw Blankets– I LOVE THROW BLANKETS. I have gotten them as gifts and I have gifted them to friends. A blanket, a coffee mug and some chocolate are a perfect gift for someone if you aren’t sure what to get especially as the holidays get closer. I like blankets for different seasons and I love having different patterns and textures of blankets. I drape thinner ones over the chairs in the summer for cooler nights and have warm fleece ones in the winter, I even have ones for the holidays. Bringing out warmer blankets and having them over a couch or in a basket makes the space more inviting and cozy and it allows family members or friends to take a throw if they get cold and need some extra warmth.
Mood Lighting– In the spring and summer I spend a lot of time outdoors with all the natural light. In the fall and winter when it gets dark so early, instead of turning on bright overhead lights, consider turning on lamps instead. It makes the room more inviting and softer.

Putting a fire place on adds warmth to a room too.

Flannel Sheets-Adding flannel sheets to your bed is just another small way to make your bedroom warm especially on cold nights. I typically put my winter flannel sheets right around Thanksgiving and I leave them on until after the new year. Adding warm sheets is just another small way to feel extra cozy all hours of the day.
Warm drinks– Nothing completes a space than a warm drink, whether it’s a hot cup of coffee, a warm tea or some hot coco or cider. Fill your favorite mug and enjoy your warm and cozy space.

Those are just a few ways to make your space no matter how big or small more cozy and warm for winter.

Now, turn on the lamps, light the candle and maybe even the fireplace too, pull a throw blanket out and pour a warm drink and cozy up.

Tags candles, cold months, cozy, December, fall candles, flannel sheets, fuzzy socks, hot cider, hot cooc, inviting, making spaces cozy, mood lighting, November, staying warm, throw blankets, warm, warm drinks, warm sheets, winter candles

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