Tag: positivity

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Currently

Currently #63

Hello hello! Happy Wednesday! We are at the end of the month, the spring season is flying by. Over the past 31 days, we said goodbye to winter and hello to spring! It has been a busy month and whether this is your first time here or you are a long-term reader, I am happy to have you with me as I recap my month with you all today!

Here’s what I have been up to in this month’s Currently.

What I’m Up To:

I began this month by trying a new coffee shop and spending time with friends. I got a blueberry and earl gray pastry which was delicious, but the company with friends is even better.

Pastries and coffee with friends is always a good mood booster in the middle of the week.

I began the month by heading down south to Alabama for work. I spent over a week driving down, working in Montgomery and Selma and then driving back. It was a long trip, but very fulfilling. Here’s a look at some of my snapshots. From the food, to a little bit of sightseeing, and covering historic events.

Working in Selma
Catfish and salad
Pulled chicken and salad
The Selma sign
Shrimp and Grits
A trip to Bucc-ee’s
A spot for dinner
Downtown Montgomery
The Edmund Pettus Bridge
Shrimp and soup
Hank Williams
Fish Tacos

I got to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with our annual parade.

The sun finally came out and I was able to get back outside for some beautiful walks!

I ended the month with my first trip to the zoo this season.

And a local fish fry!

What I’m Reading:

I had some ups and downs when it came to reading this month, but here’s what I read:

Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old- Brooke Shields’ third book, Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old is all about growing up in Hollywood, wellness, aging, life lessons and being comfortable in your own skin. I learned a lot about Shields in her book, but some parts were harder to relate to, just because of where I am in life compared to her. I did like the stories she shared and her message about women advocating for themselves. 

An Unwanted Guest– This was a book I started in February and finished in March. An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena is all about a series of guests who come to stay at a bed and breakfast on a winter weekend and one by one they end up dead. Is there one killer or multiple killers, or is it an unwanted guest? It took a little bit for me to get into it, but once I got to the climax, I couldn’t put it down. It was a great winter read.

People Pleaser- People Pleaser by Jinger Duggar Vuolo is the second book I have read by her and it really resonated with me. She discusses being a “yes girl”, people pleaser, and perfectionist and letting go of some of those tendencies. She incorporates biblical verses with questions and stories to help readers see if they are people pleasers. I think she had a great message and it gave me lots of things to reflect on.

Playing with Matches– Playing with Matches by Hannah Orenstein is all about a matchmaker in NYC. The book was good, but very light hearted and surface level. There was some storylines that didn’t flesh out, but overall, it was a good palette cleanser.

Drowning- Drowning by T.J. Newman was such a intense book about a flight that crashes and a group of people try to survive underwater before they run out of oxygen. This was a story that had me on the edge of my seat. Would not reccommend reading right before you travel, but I stayed up late to finish it.

The Good Sister– I have read a few of Sally Hepworth’s other books, and I couldn’t wait to read this book, The Good Sister. I listened to it as an audiobook as opposed to reading it and got immersed in the book. It’s all about two sisters, one is very manipulative of the other one. The story involves lies, secrets, and challenging of one another. It started slow, but picked up and I couldn’t stop when I started. Such a good read.

The Night We Lost Him– Lauren Dave’s book, The Night We Lost Him is all about a man who dies unexpectedly and it’s up to his two estranged children must work together to see if they can uncover what really happened the night their father died. This book went back and forth between the past and present. I flew through this book and will be keeping my eye out for other books by this author.

You Are Here– You Are Here by Karin Lin Greenberg tells the story of several people and business owners who work at a local mall. Through the book, you see how they are all connected to one another and how their lives evolve when they learn their mall could be closing. The themes of connection, community, and interpersonal communication are found through the book. This was beautifully written and I loved the power of relationships.

Bookish People- Bookish People by Susan Coll was a good book, but not my favorite. It’s all about a bookstore and the shopkeeper as they prepare to host a controversial poet. The book is all about how they prepare for the event and all the different personalities of the store. I thought the concept was cute, but thought a lot of the storylines were hard to follow.

The Messy Lives of Book People- This was the second Phaedra Patrick book I have read. I loved The Messy Lives of Book People. It’s all about a woman who gets hired by her favorite author to clean. When the author dies, she leaves the job of finishing her book to her cleaner. The question is why. There was so many fun connections and secrets all through the book, I couldn’t stop listening. My favorite part? The author’s name was Elspeth. Too funny! I loved this book, definitely a favorite!

What I’m Watching:

The Pitt– This was such a good series that I have been watching this month. It’s a drama about working in the Emergency Department. The Pitt takes place in Pittsburgh and the series follows a medical team from interns, to nurses, and attendings about what a standard shift looks like. This hour-long drama brings lots of interesting cases and patients and from what I have heard, it’s one of the most realistic medical dramas on tv.

The Recruit– The new season of The Recruit  picks up right after where the last one ended. I like how this series on Netflix mixes drama and humor every episode. Plus, the casting is well done and the storylines have you wanting more.

What I’m Cooking and Baking:

Overnight Oats– I have been incorporating Chia seeds in my meals more and one way I have been using them is in overnight oats. I like to add some fruit, granola, and some chocolate chips for extra flavor too!

Chia Pudding– Another new recipe for me, chia pudding. My first batch turned out well, but I think I’m going to try to use more flavoring the next time to make it sweeter. But I have really been enjoying the flavor of chia seeds and the health benefits of them too!

Molten Lava Cake– I got this recipe from Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia cookbook and it was an instant hit!

Easy Skillet Enchiladas- I got this recipe from Shay Shull and it was such a fun twist on mexican night!

Chicken, sausage, potatoes, onions, and peppers– Yes, it’s as easy as it sounds, combine everything with salt, pepper, and Italian season and cook for an hour and you have yourself a delicious meal.

What I’m Wearing: It’s the month of the luck of the Irish, so I have been doing my part to wear as much green as possible, even if it means adding some layers.

I also broke out some bold pants for brighter days.

The whole suit
Just the top

What Inspires Me:

My desk calendar at work always brightens my day with some motivation.

This was such a good reminder when life gets crazy!

A spring mantra

What I Accomplished:

I made it through a long work trip!

A long, but worthwhile trip.

Goals from Last Month:

I wrapped up my winter bucket list and will soon start my spring bucket list! Stay tuned for that in the coming weeks!

I also got to dive into my new cook book from Emily Ley! I can’t wait to try new recipes!

Goals for Next Month:

Signs of spring at the store

I have so much to look forward to in April including starting my spring bucket list, Easter, family time and maybe even a trip or two! Plus, catching up with friends and more time outdoors. I have missed the sunshine, clear roads, and blue skies! I can’t wait to soak up more rays and spring weather in the coming weeks and months!

A taste of Spring!

Tell me: what were some highlights of your month? Goodbye March and Hello April!

Categories
Currently

Currently #61

Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you have been having a great week. We are at the end of the month which means it’s time for another Currently post. I don’t 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! It’s been a while since my last post, so I have a lot to catch you up on. Here’s what the past month has looked like.

What I’m 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 hasn’t 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 golfing
Such a cool set up
Fun 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 I’m Reading: I have read a lot since my last Currently, here’s 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! It’s 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.

The First 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 sister’s 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 I’m 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. It’s 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 didn’t 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 I’m 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 can’t wait for the final season to come out soon.

I’m currently watching Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test every week on Fox.

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 I’m 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. Here’s 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 I’m 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: I’m proud of all the organizing and tidying I have gotten done by being cooped up indoors over the past month. 

Another space I organized

I’ve also made some progress with my New Year’s 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 Year’s Resolutions and have been adapting my new year’s motto in my everyday life by not rushing around and being calmer about my days. I’m 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 Valentine’s Day. I’m also looking forward to a weekend away and time with friends too. 

But, most of all, I’m looking forward to longer and warmer days and hopefully more sunshine!

That’s a look into what I’m 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 I’ll see you back here for Friday Favorites!

Categories
Fabulous living

Me Dates

Happy March! 

Although we are getting closer and closer to spring it still feels very much like winter with cold temperatures and snow and rain and sleet. But fingers crossed we see more sunshine and temperatures above 50 in our near future.

At least the snow is pretty.

One of my resolutions for 2022 was to have monthly “Me Dates”. My friend Sydney gave me the idea of carving out special time for yourself every month to do something fun or pamper yourself, outside of our daily routines. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to enjoy some time for yourself, but there’s nothing wrong with a little splurge every once in a while.  No matter if you are college student, working professional or stressed out mom or dad, we all could you use some extra time for ourselves outside of work and household responsibilities.

The year is still early so I haven’t had too many “Me Dates” yet, but my goal is to have them once a month. In February, I had a spa night at home with a facial and watching my favorite show and doing my nails. It was only 45 minutes but so worth it and something different in my daily routine.

If you want to try this for yourself, here’s a few ideas of “Me Dates”, some are inexpensive, others are a special treat.

  • A Book Date 
    • Grab a book, whether it’s one you’ve had on your shelf for months, one from the library or browse your favorite local book shop for a new read. Then head to a coffee shop and enjoy your read with a warm drink. It doesn’t have to be a pricey date, but it’s a good way to get out of the house and change up your scenery and get lost in a different world.
  • A Pampering Day 
    • This one can be completely free or something you spend some extra money on. You can have a quiet night in with a bath, face mask, and doing your nails for a stay-at-home self-care night. This is a nice way to relax and unwind at home without spending money. If you are looking to splurge or have a big event coming up, getting your nails done at a nail salon would be a fun way to pamper yourself and while getting ready for something fun.
  • Movie date 
    • This is a very easy me-date that gets you out of the house and allows you to escape the stressors of the world and dive into a new one, even if it’s only for a few hours. Plus, if you are nervous about being out and about by yourself, it’s a lot less nerve racking when you head to a movie and it doesn’t matter if you are with a group of ten or by yourself. 
  • Spending time on a hobby
    • During the pandemic, a lot of people picked up on new hobbies and activities while being quarantined, once things got back to normal, our lives got busy, and we may have let them fall to the wayside. By giving yourself permission to enjoy that hobby, even if its for 30 minutes every week or month, it lets you get in touch with your creative side.
  • Getting Outside for a Walk
    • Even with the cold weather, getting some exercise and fresh air are huge game changers. Whether it’s for a walk while you listen to some music or a podcast or you head out for a long run, getting out allows you to clear your mind and gets your endorphins flowing too.
  • Table for One
    • If you really want to be bold and step out of your comfort zone, head out to get a meal by yourself. You can head to your go-to restaurant or try a new place in town. Ask for a table for one and bring a book to read or just enjoy some quite time savoring a tasty meal.

These are just a few ideas of ways to put yourself first and enjoy a date with yourself. It can be intimidating to go out and have solo dates, but what’s important is that you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and some taking advantage of some extra time for yourself. While it’s always fun to plan things with family or do things with friends, there’s nothing like taking some time for yourself. It may sound cliché, but you truly can’t pour from an empty cup. We all need to take time for ourselves so we do our best for our families and in our jobs. What are some ways you like to put yourself first?

Categories
Fabulous living

Getting Through the Winter Slump

Hey guys! Happy Wednesday! I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day! Now that we have made it through the holiday’s of the month, my mind is on the next season…hello Spring! Just kidding…well kind of.

I love that I can live In a place with all four seasons, but sometimes, the cold and snow can seem never ending, especially when it’s May and you still have a chance of snow on Mother’s Day. As much as I love the winter months and winter activities, I have found myself in a bit of a winter slump. 

Here’s just a little look at all the snow

At the start of the year, I found myself really tired with winter and it just got started. We kept getting hit with snow and cold weather, Covid-19 cases were high around my area and it seemed like we would never see warmer weather. 

If you felt like this at all then you know what I’m talking about. I’m used to the cold and snow and gray clouds, but sometimes, the lack of sunshine really gets to you.

We got hit with two big snow storms in a month. Here’s a look at the snow.

I decided that wishing it was spring wouldn’t be productive so I did my best to change my mindset and find little things that brought joy and warmth to my days and make them a little less gray.

Here’s what worked for me and if you are feeling this way, then maybe they will work for you.

I found the simple joys in the days and really leaned into them, like savoring my cup of tea in the morning with my candle lit. Instead of rushing through my morning routine of making a cup of tea, reading and doing a word search, I did my best to savor it and enjoy it and take pleasure in those simple joys. 

Starting my days slower and savoring them definitely helped.
I also enjoyed cozy days off enjoying my favorite hobbies. Here’s what I’m currently reading.

I also found that moving and exercise helped my mood. I go to the gym during weekday mornings, but I carved more time to get some exercise, whether it’s a 15 minute yoga session at the end of the day or even a walk to get the mail, moving my body and getting fresh air made a big difference.

Enjoying the outdoors helped too…I enjoyed skating.
And cross country skiing…just make sure you are all bundled up!

I also decided to brighten my wardrobe and have some fun with it. Even though it is winter, I have been wearing brighter colors and fun jewelry to brighten up my outfits. Even if it’s swapping in a pair of hoops for a pair of studs, it’s little things like that that can just make you smile. 

I also gave myself things to look forward to, whether it was a dinner date with a friend, making plans to see a new movie, or a mini day trip. Making plans for the future gives you something to look forward to and it shows you the importance of looking for the positives.

Making a winter bucket list gives you ideas for fun things to do while making the most of the weather! Here’s mine!

While the cold and winter may seem to last forever, we know that it will end but the snow mounds do make it hard to look past. 

By always looking for the positives or simple moments of joy certainly makes a big difference. Also, by reminding ourselves to take it one day at time helps too. 

What things do you do to make it through the winter slump?

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Fabulous living

Things I’m Looking Forward To…

Hi everyone!

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are making it through the midweek slump, we are halfway to the weekend, which is much needed, in other good news…it’s March!! Anyone else had a tough time making it through the end of February?!

Last week, we got a day of sunshine and temperatures above 50! I had no idea how much I needed to feel sunshine and warmer temps, it was a definitely a burst of sunshine…no pun intended. Hehe….I am counting down to warmer weather and spring time even though we have a long way to go. 

One of my favorite blogs that I read every day is Carly’s. She has been blogging since college and writes about everything from fashion, food, lifestyle, home living and more. I love to start my days with her blog.  She did a post about things she is looking forward to after the pandemic and I loved the positivity, I wanted to try it for myself. To read her post, click here. The whole point is to think about what fun things you are looking forward to once things back to a semi-normal.

Here’s some things I’m looking forward to…

-Seeing people: I’ve kept my bubble of people fairly small this past year, mostly only seeing immediate family, a few close friends in the summer and co-workers. I’ve been able to talk to friends thanks to Facetime and Zoom way more frequently which has been such a blessing. I can’t wait for the day to see friends in person and give them a hug. Isn’t it weird how much we miss physical touch when we can’t have it?!

One of my last visits with my friend, Danielle, before Covid hit.

-Spontaneous Trips and Travel too: Right before the pandemic hit, I was visiting friends in Pittsburgh and then a week later we all got shutdown…I can’t wait to plan spontaneous trips and visits with friends on my days off. I want to enjoy myself and not be worried about being too close to people, going to another place and being concerned about getting others or myself sick. I also am looking forward to seeing more family. I was able to see some on the summer when cases were down, but once fall and winter hit, I’ve been hunkered down at home. Plus, I have a whole list of places that I want to explore and see, I’m hoping to do more of that once things settle down.

Looking forward to more travels in the future.

-Concerts: Although, I haven’t been to too many of them, there is nothing like live music. Although, it will take a while to get there, I’m looking forward to live music again and the whole concert like experience. 

One of the last concerts I went to was in 2018 and it was Ed Sheeran, I can’t wait to be get back to concerts in the future.

-Community Events: It may seem silly, but I miss the community atmosphere of my hometown, spontaneous meet-ups and nights spent out. In the summer there are always weekend activities and festivals and it’s always a fun time to see friends and neighbors out and about. 

 The most important is to get as many people vaccinated and to keep doing what experts are telling us, all to put an end to Covid-19. In a time full of loss and suffering and pain, it’s so nice to look on the bright side of things and dream about getting back to a semi-normal. If I have learned anything from this pandemic is how much I appreciate and love the little and simple things in life. It’s crazy what things we take for granted. 

What things are you looking forward to in the future?

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Fun Ways to Organize

Back to School Preps

Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! Can you believe we are already gearing up for back to school?! Whether you are learning in the classroom, at home, or a mix of both, this year will be an interesting one for sure! 

Today, I’m sharing some school must haves! Whether you are in the classroom or at home, these are all things you can benefit from.

  • Planner 

My must have is a planner, someplace to keep everything in one spot, especially if you are going back and forth between home and school. It also works great for parents if they are balancing different schedules or routines. My go-to planner is by Simplified. You can see how I organize my planner here.

My planner layout
  • Space to Work

My next must have is a place to work. Whether it is children doing homework, or learning full time, having a designated space is key. I know I work best at my desk in my room, I always have a candle burning and my planner next to my laptop and my to do list out too. There is nothing better than crossing something off a to-do list. I also like to have all my things in one space where I can quickly access them. 

My work space at home
  • The Right Mindset

No matter what the school year brings it all comes down to having the right mindset whether it’s about learning from home, school, or both. This year will be an adjustment for everyone but knowing that you aren’t alone, that we will get through it and making the best out of the situation is the driving force for having a great year!

That’s a quick round up of my top things to focus on when it comes to the upcoming school year, yes, it will be different but as long as you are prepared and have an open mind then that’s the best thing to do!

What ways are you getting ready for the 2020-2021 school year?

Categories
Fabulous living

Skipping into Spring

Hi guys!

Happy Wednesday.

I hope you have been staying safe and staying at home. I feel like we are all taking it one day at a time and that’s the best we can do. We will get through this. One good thing to look forward to is that spring is here. The next few weeks will bring warmer weather, flowers blooming and warm sunshine. I love the time between spring and summer, in between work and staying at home, I have been getting into the spring season. Here are some ways that I have been gearing up for spring, who knows maybe they will give you some suggestions and you can share your suggestions for how you have been getting ready for spring too!

  • Get outside and take a walk. I have been trying to get outside every day, whether it’s for a walk, some fresh air, or just to sit. It’s so good to get a change of scenery too.
  • Open the windows, not only does it air out your house but it also brings some fresh air and it brings some new light in your home or room.
  • Change out your wardrobe, say goodbye to the blacks and browns and say hello to the pinks, yellows, greens and blues. Although we can’t hit the stores for a while, it will be nice to bring some brighter colors into our wardrobe. I love pastels to welcome the new season.
  • Change out your scents, I love my essential oil diffuser, in the winter I love to use peppermint or pine, but in the spring, I love lemon and orange to bring breath of fresh air into my room. 
  • Give yourself something to look forward to…whether it’s a summer to do, or things you want to do with friends, there’s nothing better than making some plans of things you want to do in the late spring or early summer.
The first sign of spring…new flowers blooming.

We may still be in a weird or limbo time, but think of all the small things in life that you can look forward to or make the most out of every day. There may be a lot of unknowns but focus on the few good things that can come out of every day. Positivity over negativity. 

Have a wonderful week. Keep smiling, the world needs your smile now more than ever!

Categories
Fabulous living

When the World Stood Still

Hi everyone, it has been a week…or weeks…and we still have a while to go. This is not a post about coronavirus, I have been talking about for the last few weeks at work and I still will be talking about in the upcoming weeks. 

I’m a positive person, that’s just who I am. So, rather focus on the chaos, the unknown, or the frustration, let’s focus on the good. 

So, you are stuck at home for a few weeks, you are safe, you are putting your health first and you are with your family. 

Let’s focus on some things you can do while you are at home, work and taking care of family is the top priority. But, what about the extra time you have?

Here are some suggestions for things to do when you are stuck at home:

  • Catch up on your favorite series (either on tv or binge worthy)
  • Read, we always say we never have enough time to read, well here is some guaranteed time. (I’m still working through the series, The Walk, book review coming soon)
  • Spring Cleaning and Organizing (Why not get a start on your spring cleaning and organizing? You can do some heavy duty cleaning or germs, bring our spring decorations, maybe even start some cleaning out of closets and donate items, you will feel productive and you will see an end result)
  • Catch up with friends (Yes, you may be stuck at home but you can still check in our your friends via phone call, text, or facetime. Check in on those you may need some extra love and support)
  • Finally attempt that hobby you have been putting off, whether it’s cooking, baking, sewing, working on a passion project, this is your time to try it. 
  • Lastly, don’t let this time of unrest put you on hold from your life. Keep your routines in place, get a home work out in, get some fresh air, keep up with your chores or to do list, keep life as normal as possible.

We are going through a different time, it’s challenging and uneasy, but don’t let that stop you from living a full and successful life. I challenge you in the coming weeks to find good one thing that going on in your life every day, no matter how big or small. Find the good in every day. 

Stay safe and healthy!

Categories
Fabulous living

Finding the Good in Everyday

Hey hey! Happy Wednesday! New week, new goals, and new opportunities await for me. 

I always look to find the positive in every situation, whether it’s in work or at home, in good times and bad, I always look for the light in the darkness. 

I personally feel that in life we can get so caught up in the negativity that we forget how much good there is in the world. 

Here are a few ways that I always try to find the good in every day:

  1. Don’t let the little things bring you down. At the end of the day focus on the big picture and don’t worry about the little things. 
  2. When in doubt, be grateful, we can always focus on the things we don’t have or the things that don’t go our ways, but why not change that mentality and focus on the good. 
  3. Do things that bring joy in your day, whether it’s wearing your favorite outfit, getting Starbucks on your way to work, or taking time for yourself. 

It’s amazing how much one small thing can change your outlook on life, even if it’s a simple smile or asking someone how their day is going, you never know how one small act of kindness can make a difference on someone else. When it doubt, choose kindness, choose positivity, and choose joy. Sorry, for the shorter post, life is busy, but I wanted to check in and spread some joy! Have a wonderful week ahead!

Categories
Fabulous living

Senior Year…ALL IN!

Hi everyone! Happy Tuesday…it’s my LAST, first week of school. These past few weeks have been so busy since I have been back to school, between training, learning, seeing friends, moving into my last college dorm and starting classes, it has been a whirlwind of activities.  Am soaking it all up because I know these will be my lasts…last move in weekend, last training, last first day of school. This past Sunday, I took some time to reflect on starting my last semester of college…here’s my thoughts on it…

Senior year…here we GO!

“It’s Sunday, tomorrow is my last first day of school…EVER. It’s weird to think that after tomorrow, I will never have another first day of school. I remember my first day of Kindergarten, high school and college. All big days, and tomorrow is no less a big day.
 
I have always loved school and going to school. I loved laying out my clothes the night before, buying fresh supplies for the new year, taking the picture outside of our home, and coming home to a special treat from my mom while we shared about our first day. There is just something about the first day that brings me so much JOY and excitement!
 
I only have one more semester of college. It’s weird to think that by Christmas I will be done with school and being saying goodbye to a place that has been a HUGE part of my life story, a place where I grew, gained confidence, made lifelong friends, and created incredible memories. Thankfully, I still have a few months before I say goodbye and start a new chapter in my life. 


So, what does these next few months hold? Lots of classes, homework, reading, studying, working, applying for jobs, spending time with friends, crossing off college bucket lists, doing all the senior things, and celebrating milestones. 
 
This past week, I was at Mass and the priest shared about going all in and immersing yourself in your life and that really resonated with me. These next few months, I am going ALL IN, doing as much as I can, working my hardest, getting involved with my favorite organizations, meeting new friends, stepping out of my comfort zone, and living up my last time as a college student. I have no idea what comes after college, yes, I will be getting a job and working, but it’s exciting to not know where I could end up or what I will be doing. When my friends come back to classes after Christmas, I will be working.
 
Many people have told me that your years in college will be the best time of your life, and I have to agree, I love the person I have become thanks to the people I met and the opportunities I have done while in college. I have met so many people who have shaped me into the person I am today, and this school will always hold a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to see what these next few months brings…senior year…I’m ALL IN!”