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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #126

Hi everyone! 

Happy holidays! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! 

Here’s how I celebrated the day!

Although, I am working around the holidays, it is still nice to take things a bit slower and enjoy the time with family, friends and loved ones. The time between Christmas and New Year’s is always funky, so I hope wherever you are, you are enjoying what you need most, whether it is rest, family, activities, cleaning, or Christmas cheer!

It’s Friday which means it’s time for Friday Favorites, my final one of the year! This year flew by and I appreciate you reading my posts, whether you have been a long time reader or this is your first time here! 

Here’s been some things I have been loving this Christmas week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.

Blue Light Glasses– I have always had pretty bad vision, I started wearing glasses since I was nine, then began wearing contacts in college and still wear them today. I will wear glasses on my days off, so I still get the best of both worlds. I spend a lot of time looking at screens between work and home, so I decided to try a pair of blue light glasses to reduce eye strain and give my eyes an extra layer of protection. I picked up a pair of stylish readers with blue light in them and have been wearing them at work. I have noticed a decrease in headaches I was getting from staring at screens all day long and they have been a cute accessory too. I’ll keep you updated on my thoughts on them in the new year.

Shoe Bag– This is not a new item, but something I have been getting a lot of use out of lately.  A few years ago, I got a shoe bag to transport my shoes to and from work every day in. I use it on days when we are getting lots of snow or rain and I’m wearing boots to work but want to change into my nice, dress shoes when I get into work. This bag has been extremely useful over the past few weeks with all the snow we got. This bag would work great for both guys and girls and it’s very practical too.

New Shoe Boots– After talking all about a bag to place your shoes in, I figured we had to talk about some shoes too. I was on the hunt to replace an old pair of shoe boots and found these leather ones on sale at Marshall’s. My previous shoe boots were suede, so these have held up a lot better. I love the look at the thicker heel. I have worn these with jeans, leggings, skirts, and dresses. These shoes have been so versatile. 

Meet Me Next Christmas– If you are still watching Christmas movies I like am, might I suggest, Meet Me Next Christmas. It came out on Netflix this year and it’s all about a guy and a girl who meet and hit it off, they make plans to meet in one year at a Pentatonix Christmas show if they are meant to be. Plans get derailed when the show is sold out and the girl can’t get a ticket. The movie follows the lengths she will go to get the ticket. The movie is filled with Pentatonix Christmas songs and the group makes an appearance themselves too. This movie is very cheesy, but cute too. 

Peppermint Chocolate Loaf– I have been doing so much baking over the past few weeks and have been trying my hand at some new recipes too. I baked this Peppermint Chocolate loaf and it was divine. I love anything chocolate and peppermint, so this checked all the boxes for me. I gave it as a gift to someone and baked one for myself too. I will be making this next year for sure!

That’s a look into life lately and some favorite things of mine. I promise I will have a lot more favorite items in the new year. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, New Year’s Eve and I’ll see you back here on New Year’s Day for my 2025 Goals and Resolutions. See you then!

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Currently

Currently #60

Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! Christmas is one week away. How are we feeling? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Ready? I have been enjoying this season all month long. I’ve been truly trying to make the most of it whenever I can. Due to how the holidays fall this year, this month’s Currently is a week earlier.

Next week will be my year in review. Then the following week will be my new year’s resolutions post. Lots of fun things coming your way in the next few weeks. Before we get ahead of ourselves, here’s a look at my life currently. 

What I’m Up To:  So much Christmas cheer and spirit! Since we last caught up, I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family and ran in our local Turkey Trot. 

Turkey Trotting Before the Big Meal
Our delicious meal!

After that it was full steam ahead for Christmas spirit plus snow!

My pups enjoyed the snow

We got hit with a major snowstorm with feet of snow. It certainly got us in the Christmas spirit and lots of time indoors in between shoveling.

More snowy scenes

As far as Christmas fun goes; I have been shopping, watching Christmas movies, wrapping, and lots of baking!

A very festive home

Plus, lots of cozy nights in.

Warm drinks, fireplace going, and festive lights!
Getting festive in the kitchen!

What I’m Reading: This has been such a good reading month for me, both with Christmas themed books and some other great reads too!

Lots of warm drinks and reading

All the Colors of the Dark– This book, All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker came out this summer and I heard great things about it, the only downside was the length (I heard it was a long one). A quick story before the review, I put it on hold at the library and it finally was able to check it out. I had a few books I wanted to read first and had planned on renewing All the Colors of the Dark. I went to renew it two days before it was due and couldn’t because there was a wait for it after I finished it. That being said, I made it my job to read the book, I finished it in two days and it was phenomenal. It lived up to the great reviews and its hype. It’s all about a missing child and subsequent murders of teenage girls. It follows the main characters through their lives of children through adulthood. It has hints of mystery and thriller, relationships and drama. It’s in the running for a top book of the year.

Straight Shooter-I went to see Steven A Smith speak in the fall and was interested in learning more about him. I read his memoir, Straight Shooter and learned a lot about the sports journalist. I really loved how he detailed his upbringing and the decisions he made to get to where he is today. An interesting and informative read for sure.

 A Winter in New York– I started my Christmas reads with A Winter in New York by Josie Silver. It checked all my boxes for a holiday read; big city, romance, great description of food and a bit family mixed in too. It’s all about a young woman who goes to New York City in hopes of starting over. She stumbles into a gelato store and learns she has a connection to the shop owner. She learns the importance of family, tradition and good food. A fun read for the winter months.

Bright Lights Big Christmas– I really enjoyed Bright Lights Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. This Christmas book is about a brother and sister who make the trek to NYC to sell their Christmas trees from the family farm. They rough it by sleeping in a trailer while in the city, but they make it a home while they are in town. Their neighbors become their family and they make the most of their little Christmas tree stand. Such a cute book to read before the holidays.

The Mistletoe Mystery- This novella, The Mistletoe Mystery is part of the Maid series by Nita Prose. It’s all about the holiday season at the hotel where Molly the head maid works. She’s suspicious this time of year because her boyfriend has been acting weird and keeping secrets. But will things get resolved before Christmas? You will have to read to find out. This was a quick and cheesy holiday read, but so fun too!

What I’m Watching:

This month has been all about watching Christmas movies and tv shows. 

Watching the tree lighting in NYC

I’ve watched the cartoons, claymation specials, the rom coms, and comedies.

Even my pup enjoyed the shows

I’ve been watching some solo, some with family, and others with my boyfriend.

I also finished watching the most recent season on The Masked Singer and I have been making my way through the new and final season of Outlander too.

What I’m Wearing: 

I have been wearing all things festive apparel this time of year.

My Thanksgiving Outfit from Draper James

From graphic shirts, to velvet blazers, red and green items, you name, I’m wearing it. I’m trying to make the most of my festive outfits this time of year.

What I’m Cooking:

I have been doing all kinds of holiday baking. My goal has been to make one kind of cookie a week. So far, I have made chocolate chip, Halloween candy cookies, Chocolate Crinkles, Snickerdoodles, M&M cookies, and Gingerbread.

I also made Spritz, Red Velvet, Peanut butter and Peanut butter with Kisses.

I still have more to go, but I have been pleased with my progress so far. 

As far as meals go, I have cooked

Chocolate chip Cookie Dough Pie

Rosemary Cashews

Baked Potato Bar

Tortilla Soup

Peppermint Chocolate Bread

What Inspires Me:

 I have been loving all things Christmas and festive. Here’s some recent quotes that resonated with me as well and maybe they will be some inspiration for you!

I also have been inspired by all the cozy vibes with the fire going, enjoying warm drinks and having Christmas lights on.

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

What I Accomplished:

I have been making my way through my Christmas Bucket List and I have been pleased with my progress so far and we still have time to cross things off my list!

A Christmas Concert got me in the Christmas spirit
Gifts wrapped and ready to be delivered

Lots of holiday light displays.

Goals from Last Month: 

My Christmas Bucket List has been keeping me busy as has spending bonus time with family, making time to visit friends and enjoying the holiday season.

Plus lots of Christmas wrapping and movies
And indulging in tasty treats!
Plus seeing Christmas lights

Goals for Next Month :

New Month, New Year, New Goals! I’m looking forward to the fresh start of the new year and sharing my New Year’s Resolutions with you too.

That’s a look into what I’m Currently up to. SO much holiday cheer! I love this time of year and have been experiencing so much Christmas joy and incorporating it in my every day life. I hope you are enjoying this holiday season too! 

I’ll see you back here for Friday Favorites in just two days!

Have a wonderful week!