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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #137

Hello hello! Popping by to say hi this Friday!

I hope it has been a splendid week for you and you are getting ready for spring or at least trying too! It has been a very long winter so the fact we are closer to the start of spring than the start of winter makes me very happy! Life is back to normal for me, which I am happy about. Plus, spring is almost here.

A sneak peak from my work trip. More to come in a few weeks.

This weekend, we have our St. Patrick’s Day parade which is always a fun time!

Today I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites with a bunch of fun and new things as we round out this week! I have a mix bag of movies, books, some things I’ve been up to, and a recent favorite snack! Let’s get to it!

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy- Bridget Jones is one of my favorite rom coms! I love the quirkiness of the character with Bridget, I love the relationship between Mark, Bridget, and Daniel and I adore all the British references. It’s one of those movies that I can watch time and time again and it doesn’t get old. I have seen all the movies and when the most recent one came out, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy on Peacock. I was anxious to see it, especially once I learned what the plot was about. Although apprehensive at first, I went into the movie with a clear mind and I really enjoyed the film. It’s all about how Bridget moves on after a major life event. A lot of the original cast returns for this movie which made it extra special and although older, Bridget hasn’t changed a bit. If you have seen the other movies, this is definitely worth the watch!

New Scent from Bath and Body Works– Every few months it’s time for a scent refresh and this refresh timed out perfectly with a new month and soon to be season. I still have some of my Emily in Paris collection from Christmas to use from Bath and Body Works. I really have been enjoying this lavender scent. It has some springy feels to it which is desperately needed after our long winter. I am still burning a lavender candle in my room so I am channeling all the lavender and soothing vibes, if only it could bring spring faster.

Simplified Pouches- I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago that I was loving my Simplified tote, well I have also been loving my Simplified pouches to keep things organized when I am on the road or in the air. These have come in handy so many times over the last month. I have a large and small pouch and you can see I used the small one to hold writing utensils and chargers and cords. I love how it keeps all my stuff tidy and in one spot. I also love the quilted material!

Reconnecting with Friends– Over the past month, in addition to seeing my current friends, I have spent a lot of time reconnecting with old friends. It has truly brought me so much joy to catch up with people about their careers, families, and love lives. Whether in-person or on facetime or through a phone call, I have enjoyed seeing and hearing what people are up to and where they are at in life.

Protein Mix– I mentioned a few posts back that I have been loving fruit bowls as a snack or with my meal. I discovered a new topping to add to my rotation. I will combine greek yogurt, fruit and now some protein mix to my bowls. I love the sweet and salty flavor this granola provides and the extra vitamins and proteins to gives too. I am always looking for different way to get more protein in my diet and this does the trick.

That’s a look into what I have been loving this week, some food, some entertainment and some self care. As we make our way through March, what are you loving this week? Are you ready for spring and hoping for more snow! I’m Team Spring! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

See you back here on Wednesday!

Categories
Fabulous living

Things That Make Me Feel Like Me

Hi everyone! A VERY happy March to you! The countdown to spring is on, as we are only weeks away from the start of the new season, even if it doesn’t quite feel like it quite yet. We had a stretch of temperatures in the 40’s which was an instant mood booster, but then snow returned. There is hope and promise in the air. Is it bad that I’m eager for the rain that Spring brings just because that means a break in snow? I hope not! I have been soaking up time with friends over the past few weeks which has been so fun and much needed for the soul too.

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

The new season means a fresh start and today’s post goes nicely with that as I’m sharing the things I do every day that make me feel like me. I am currently on the road for a work trip and even though it is exciting to be traveling, it can also come with stress. Whenever, I am gone, whether it’s for work or pleasure, there’s a few things I try to incorporate every day in my life that makes me feel like me.

If I go without one of these for a day, will the world keep turning? Absolutely! But these are little rituals I like to incorporate every day to make me feel like the best version of myself.

  • Quiet Time– I like to begin every day with some quiet time and that includes journaling, prayer time, working on a word search to keep my brain sharp, reading a few pages of a book, and Wordle to keep my streak alive. I like to take my time and ease into my day with this quiet time, sometimes, I take ten minutes for my quiet time, other days, I take forty-five minutes. It all depends on how much time I have. I love starting my day with some me-time.
No matter where I am, I always try to get my quiet time in
  • Movement- Whether it’s a lift at the gym, some yoga after work, a good run, or even just a walk. Getting some sort of movement is critical for me. Bonus points if I can get outdoors for one of these activities. I love being able to move my body and I don’t take it for granted. I feel energized after I get some sort of activity whether it be easy or hard. It’s a mood booster and stress reliever for me. 
Fresh air and some sort of movement brings me so much JOY!
  • Balanced Diet and Lots of Water– If I could only drink water for the rest of my life, I would be okay with that. I go through lots of tumblers every day with water. I drink it at the gym, I drink it hot with lemon in the morning and at night and all through the day at work. I love how refreshed and full water makes me feel. I also try really hard to eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and proteins, plus something sweet too. I’ve never been much of a breakfast person, so lunch and dinner are my meals of the day. I love to see a colorful plate filled with fruits and veggies. I feel better physically and mentally after eating a filling meal, but don’t get me wrong, I do love to enjoy my sweet snacks throughout the day. 
We love a colorful plate!
  • Deep Breathing and Meditation– Life can get hectic which is why taking a few moments for mediation at the start and end of my day helps me stay focused and balanced. I have been using the app Insight Timer at the end of the day to help me unwind which has been a huge help too!
Insight Timer keeps me focused to mediate every day
  • Socializing– I’m your typical Introverted/Extrovert. As much as I love my quiet time in the morning and at night. I also love to spend time with my people. I call and text with my boyfriend every day and get to see my family every day, which is such a blessing. I love gathering around the table at the end of the day to talk about our days. Family is so important to me and I cherish my time with them. Plus, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my incredible friends. Although I may not see or talk to them every day, catching up with friends nourishes my soul. I have recently been reconnecting with old friends and it’s so nice to catch up on what everyone is up to in life. 
Happiest with my people!

These five things make me feel like me in the best possible way. I can obviously go without these for a day or two, but I feel like the best version of myself if I incorporate these into my daily life.

 As we look towards a new season, what are some non-negotiables for you? I would love to hear from you. Although, I’m on the road, I will be back for another Friday Favorites in just two days! See you then!

Thanks as always for stopping by and Happy March!