It is the first Friday of April and it certainly feels like spring. I have a packed few weeks coming up and it all kicks off today!
Tonight is the home opener of our local baseball team, which means we are gearing up for summer nights at the ballpark which is always a good date night or family activity. Our local high school is putting on West Side Story this weekend, so I will be spending some time at the theater, which is fun! Looking ahead, I have a weekend trip planned for next week, then Easter the following week. I love seeing my calendar fill up with all the fun things!
Before we get to the fun, I wanted to catch you up on some of my favorite things from this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
The Messy Lives of Book People– I mentioned this audiobook in my Currently last week, but wanted to share more about it today. I really have enjoyed Phaedra Patrickās books including The Little Italian Hotel and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. I couldnāt wait to read this book about authors and book lovers. The Messy Lives of Book People. is 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 were so many fun connections and secrets all through the book, I couldn’t stop listening. I listened in the car, at the gym, even getting ready in the morning. I really loved the narrator too, thatās always a make it or break it for me when it comes to audio books. My favorite part? The author’s name was Elspeth. Too funny! I loved this book, definitely a favorite!
Yogurt Covered Raisins– Iām not typically a fan of raisins. I prefer craisins as a snack or in a salad, but not raisins. I also enjoy chocolate covered raisins-to no oneās surprise. However, I gave yogurt covered raisins a try and got hooked. I loved the sweetness and the outer covering they provide and I donāt mind the raisin taste as much. They are the perfect afternoon pick me up or lunch snack to satisfy that sweet craving, although, they arenāt the healthiest, they are still tasty.
Simplified Cover Reveal– It was like Christmas morning for me on Wednesday as Simplified revealed their new covers for the upcoming year. They launch new products and their academic planners next Wednesday, but I wonāt be making any purchases until their fall launch when I get their yearly planner. I always love to see what new products they come up with and what items they bring back. Hereās what I have my eye on this year.
Meghan Markle New Podcast– From a new Netflix show to a new podcast, last month, Meghan Markle announced she was launching a podcast. Itās called, āConfessions of a Female Founderā, you can watch/listen to the trailer here. She has also shared some behind the scenes videos and pictures. I plan to listen to the episodes once they drop next Tuesday. I love listening to podcasts and learning new things and I think this will be a great podcast to add to my library. If you are a fan of Harry and Meghan, do you think you will be listening?
Pinterest Spring Boards and Foods– Whenever the seasons change, I find myself scroll through Pinterest more for ideas and inspiration. These can be anything from new spring-like recipes to try, house decor, date ideas, even spring quotes. Pinterest is an instant mood booster for me and I am always so inspired when I am looking through different pins. This is a look at some recipes I want to try in the kitchen.
There you have it. A look at some of my favorite things from this week. Lots of fun things are coming up and a taste of spring too. Iām off to a busy weekend, but will see you back here on Wednesday! Have a great weekend!
Hello everyone! Happy April, Happy Wednesday, Happy Day!
There are so many things to be happy about. I hope you are having a fantastic week and have something to look forward to!Ā I have a busy weekend ahead with lots of spring fun. Tis the season for all the outdoor fun (when the weather cooperates)
Last month, I traveled for a week for a big work project, it was a success and I grew a lot both personally and professionally. I learned a lot along the way when it comes to packing and planning. Here are some things that I learned while traveling for an extended amount of time for work. You can also apply a lot of these tricks for traveling for long vacations or to see family, but I have a feeling your needs may be a little different depending on your trip. Here’s some helpful planning and packing tips.
Make Two Separate Lists- One list for all personal items or things to bring and the other for work items and keep the lists separate. I love my notes app and use it multiple times a day to refer to different things. Whenever I am going on a trip, I will start a new note for that trip and keep all the to-do’s, lists, notes, and reminders there. This way they are all in one spot that accessible to me wherever I go.Ā Create a list of all the personal items you need or want to bring; think clothes, accessories, toiletries, items for your purse, odds and ends etc. Then create a second list for any special work items you need or want to bring from work or home; think chargers, work laptops, planners, equipment, things from your desk drawer or items you may need specifically for that trip. This helps keep you organized for extra items you may need and it also keeps everything in order. Also, be sure to keep track of any receipts or expenses you may need to write up at the end of the trip.
An example of one of my lists for personal items
Separate your Work and Personal Items by Bag or Pouch– If you are traveling with lots of extra work items, try to keep them separate in their own pouch or bag. This makes packing and unpacking easier and it makes it easier when you are doing a recon to make sure you have everything. When I traveled for work, I had all my equipment and work gear in bags separate from my purse and suitcase. It made it so much easier for packing and unpacking for what went home and to work. I also used my Simplified pouches to separate my chargers, headphones, notebooks and pens. I highly recommend using pouches or smaller bags to keep things organized.
I love my Simplified pouches
A look at all my work and personal bags
Bring your Favorite Snacks or Sweet Treats. If you are on the go or may have some downtime, bring the taste of home with you with your favorite snacks. I also like to pack something sweet or salty and snack packs that travel well (think protein bars, trail mix etc.). You may not be eating your regular meals so having something filling and something you enjoy is important, plus if you have a sweet tooth like me, ending your day with something sweet is never a bad idea.
I love to bring a taste of home with me
Bring Extra Items, but Pack Smart-You never know where the job may take you. Always pack an extra outfit, hair spray, hair ties, chargers etc. You never know when something could do wrong and the last thing you want is to not be prepared especially when it comes to work. I also found traveling with extra Ziploc baggies is so helpful for corralling items like chargers or snacks, and can be thrown away. I always like to triple check to make sure I have everything, but when it comes to work, there’s nothing wrong with packing more to make sure you don’t forget anything ahead of a big project or presentation. Also, be sure to pack smart, choose outfits that can be mixed and matches, colors that complement each other and when it comes to makeup, try to switch up your routine and minimize it by only bringing on pallet instead of multiple, or use travel brushes instead of your large ones. This saves on space and forgetting about things.
I used one pallet for my cheeks and eyes, so easy and a brush with two different sizes
Bring/Do Things that Make You Feel Like You– If you are going to be gone for an extended amount of time, bring things that make you feel your best especially if you have down time. Chances are you won’t be working 24/7 and you may have some downtime. If you are in the middle of a great book, bring it with you, if you love to workout, pack your gym clothes and see if your hotel has a gym to use. Do some research about the place you are going to and see if there’s any good restaurants to try or things to do if you have down time. When I traveled for work, getting in some movement every day and doing my morning and evening routine by reading and journaling helped me stay grounded when I was on the road.
I loved getting movement in every day
I’m by no means an expert traveler or work traveler, but these are some tips that I found to be extremely useful when I was traveling and I think they can be used whether you are out of town for work or play.
If you travel a lot for work, what’s your travel advice? Do you have any tips or tricks you would like to share. I would love to hear them! Have a great Wednesday and I’ll see you back here on Friday for another edition of Friday Favorites!
I hope you are having a great week and happy Hump Day! I am back from my work trip, which was quite an experience, now it’s back to reality and getting my life in order.
It’s the second Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for another Let’s Look as I link up with with Shay and Erika for Letās Look.
Each month, we share different areas of our lives. These are some of my favorite kinds of posts to read, because I love learning about how other women live their lives, plus you can pick up a few tips and tricks along the way.
This month, the topic is Sunday Reset. This post is perfect for this week since I’m currently getting my life back in order after being away. As much as I love to travel, there’s no place like home.
Whether you do your weekly prep on Sunday or another day of the week, I love a good reset before the work week begins.
Here’s a few things I always like to have done or do before my work week begins that I know will set me up for a successful week.
Plan and Layout My Outfits– I check the weather and plan out my outfits for the work week ahead. This way I can just grab my outfit in the morning and not have to do much thinking. Obviously, life happens and the weather could change, so I can easily pivot the morning of, but having outfits, jewelry and shoes ready to go each morning saves me time and thinking every morning. I also have my gym clothes laid out the night before so I can just grab them and go in the morning.
My outfit for the dayMy outfits for the week
Meal Prep– I love a good meal prep and I do this on my days off. My lunches typically consist of some sliced veggies, fruit, cheese, something sweet or salty (like a trail mix), and then a salad or leftovers or something protein based. It only takes a little bit of time to organize and baggie all my food for the week ahead for lunches. Every night when I get home from work, I will empty out my stuff from the day and then refill my lunch box for the next day, so in the morning, I can just grab it and head out the door.
Plan out my week- Do you see a trend here? I have a system for how I use my planner and I like to plan out my weeks before they begin. Here’s my current system that works best for me. Whenever I have something that needs to go on the calendar or be a reminder, I put it in my phone calendar. This is anything from doctor’s appointments to library books being due, to dates with friends. At the start of every week, I pull out my phone calendar, my Simplified planner and new this year, my Lazy Genius playbooks (I will do a more extensive post on them coming up). But I use my playbooks to write down all the extra things I need or want to do during the week (buying gifts, setting up things, running errands etc). Then I will go on my phone and fill out my planner for the week based on appointments or things to do. I will then fill in my tasks from my playbook in my planner. Each day, I will have a loose to-do list based on what I need and want to accomplish. My days off have a longer to do list compared to my working days. Life happens and things change, so there’s a lot of pivoting, but I love to look at my week in one spot and see everything laid out.Ā
My weekly layoutMy month at a glance
Have the House in Order– I love to start the week off with a clean house and laundry put away. Again, this doesn’t always happen, but having a clean space gives me a clear mind and fresh perspective for the work week ahead.
Fill My Cup– After all the work is done, I love to sit back and relax. This could be anything from reading a bit longer, watching a movie, doing some baking, spending time with family, or going for a walk. But after the work is done and I’m ready to go for the week. I like to be able to recharge before the week begins again.
There you have it!
Five ways I like to reset for the week ahead. If I accomplish all these each week, I feel ready to take on work with a fresh perspective and clear mind. I want to hear from you! What does your Sunday reset entail! I would love to know! I’m off to finish getting my life back in order. Haha! Have a fantastic rest of your week and I’ll see you back here for Friday Favorites!
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 doesnāt 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 Iām eager for the rain that Spring brings just because that means a break in snow? I hope not!Ā 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 todayās post goes nicely with that as Iām sharing the things I do every day that make me feel like me.Ā 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 itās 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 donāt take it for granted. I feel energized after I get some sort of activity whether it be easy or hard. Itās 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. Iāve 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 donāt 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– Iām 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 didnāt 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 itās 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.
Ā 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!
Happy Friday! I hope you had great week. As we make our way to the weekend, I wanted to share some of my favorite highlights from this past week. It is the last day of February and I for one am thrilled to be a bit closer to spring.
Fresh flowers at the store made me very happy!
Even though, I know the snow won’t magically disappear, I’m excited for some warmer weather. Thereās hopefully a little bit of something for everyone in this week’s edition of Friday Favorites! Letās dive in as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
New Sneakers– One thing I have DESPERATELY missed this winter has been running outdoors. This has been my biggest complaint about the winter months. The snow, ice, and freezing temperatures have kept me inside and on a treadmill or on a turf as opposed to out running on trails. Although, Iām grateful to run inside, I canāt wait to get back outdoors not only for the paths, but to test out my new running sneakers. My current sneakers have a lot of miles on them, so I decided to upgrade. This is my first time trying Hoka (Iām typically a New Balance gal) but decided to give Hoka a try. Iāll have a thorough report after I can log more miles outdoors in my sneakers.
From Here to the Great Unknown– Wow! I canāt tell you the last time I raced through a book as fast as I did with this one. From Here to the Great Unknown is the memoirs of both Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough. The books discusses their lives and the life of Elvis told through their eyes. I loved the Elvis movie when it came out a handful of years ago and really enjoyed watching Keough in Daisy Jones and the Six, so I couldnāt wait to read this book and it didnāt disappoint. 5 Stars for me.
Scamanda– I mentioned this podcast in 2023 when I listened to it in the summer. Itās all about a woman who faked cancer and scammed thousands of people. I found the podcast to be very fascinating and was excited to learn a documentary would be made about it. Scamanda is airing in four parts on ABC and I have been loving it. It just wrapped up last week and I am got all caught up over the weekend. Itās very similar to the podcast, but you get to meet the people involved. I looked forward to the episodes every week.
OJ Simpson Documentary– Another documentary I just finished was a new four-part series on Netflix about O.J. Simpson. Although I donāt remember the case, I have learned and read about it a lot through the years. Iāve watched different documentaries, specials, and adaptations on it too. I was curious to see how this one compared. I liked how it was broken into four parts and I liked the length of each episode too. I really appreciated how they brought back some of the key players, years later for updated interviews. Overall, very well done!
Fruit Bowls- We have had a long winter over here, so Iāve been trying to break up my days with things that bring me joy and that includes more fruit. I have been devouring these homemade fruit bowls. They are very simple to put together and you can alter them to your liking. I typically have Greek yogurt, fruit (bananas, berries, watermelon-whatever is on hand), some granola, and then mini chocolate chips for a sweet treat at the end of the day. I have been eating this as a snack, but it can be enjoyed for breakfast too. I have been loving the energy boost it gives me and the colors make me happy too.
Thatās a look into what I have been loving this week. What are some things that have been helping you get through this winter slump?
Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! We made it to the end of February! I donāt know about you, but this month moved a lot faster than January, which I was very happy about. I feel like we are getting closer to the end of a very long winter. Some months are more eventful than others, but Iām afraid this month is not as exciting as past months, but it was still good nonetheless and filled with some travel, lots of VERY good books, and catching up on shows. Hereās what the past 28 days looked like.
What Iām Up To: This month involved some time outside for walks when I could, but February was an icy month.
I got away for a long weekend which was so fun and much needed.
I got away for the long weekend and the change of scene was so nice!
I got to see the Atlantic Ocean again while I was away too!
And made it home safe and sound!
I also got to celebrate Valentineās Day leading up to and on the day.
Cut-out cookies for the holidayAnd more tasty treatsValentine’s Day goodies
I also got a haircut and switched up my hair style
What Iām Reading: I had such a good reading month! I canāt wait to share some of my favorite reads
The Secret Book of Flora Lea- The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patt Callahan is all about two sisters in World War II who get sent to live with another family during the war. One of the sisters goes missing and years later the other sister reads a book that contains all the made-up stories she told her sister growing up. After all these years, is her sister still alive and where has she been? This was a great historical mystery. Mix and Match Mama picked it for her January Book Club and I devoured it!
From Here to the Great Unknown– Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough wrote this memoir about their lives and Elvisā. I learned so much about the Presley family and life behind the camera. It was so fascinating and led me to listen to some Elvis music because of it. Such a good read!
Leading Women– Leading Women by Nancy O’ Reilly is a compilation of essays written by women for women. They highlight the struggles and victories women encounter in life, businesses, and in careers. I read it over the course of a few days, but I think it would be better read a little bit every day and not all at one time.
The Lazy Genius Kitchen– Kendra Adachiās second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen is all about the best way to use your kitchen. She goes through ways to organize and essentialize your kitchen that works for you. She also breaks down different kitchen terms and phrases. If you are a kitchen pro or you have never had your own space, I highly recommend this book.
Half Marathon: You Can Do It– Jeff Gallowayās Half Marathon: You Can Do It is a beginnerās guide to running and running a half marathon. I am planning to run a half marathon this summer and learned so much from this book especially when it comes to training and preparing. He talks about his run-walk method and proper ways to train and prepare for a race. I found myself taking notes and photos as I was reading.
The Art of Stillness- As someone who is always on the go, this book really forced me to slow down. I read it when I was traveling and I found it fascinating to learn the importance of slowing down. The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer
Young and Restless– Young and Restless by Mattie Kahn was a book I had on my shelves for ages and I just got around to it. It’s all about different girls who made their mark on history in different ways. I loved learning about these women’s stories and the impact they had on society. A great topic as we enter Women’s Empowerment month.
What Iām Watching: A lot of my favorite shows came back for new seasons, so I spent time catching up on several shows.
Night Agent- Season 2 of The Night Agent on Netflix brought new characters, a new mission, and lots of edge on your seat moments. The first half of the season was a bit confusing and slow with lots of new characters, but the end of the season tied all the storylines together. The finale opened the door for new questions and a new mission.
Sweet Magnolias– After an intense show like The Night Agent, I needed a pallet cleanser and Sweet Magnolias on Netflix provided that for me. This season had lots of sweet and unexpected moments and even some drama. I liked seeing how some of the relationships unfolded and how the characters grew from different situations. Overall, a good season.
Scamanda– I listened to the podcast about Scamanda in 2023 and was excited to learn a documentary would be made about it through ABC. I really enjoyed the four part series. It was interesting to put names with faces and I think the creators did a great job at covering everything the podcast did and more.
American Manhunt- O.J. Simpson– My boyfriend and I watched this four part series about O.J. Simpson. I have always known about the O.J. case and I liked the light this series shined on Simpson and his case. I really liked how they interviewed some of the key people for this series on Netflix.
Masked Singer– The Masked Singer is back for season 13. This hour-long show always provides a good laugh and keeps me guessing who’s under the mask. There have been some pretty good reveals so far this season and Iām excited to see who wins it all!
What Iām Cooking/Baking: This month has been filled with a mix of baking and cooking!
I almost got this mug but held off
Homemade Brownies– I made Ina Gartnerās outrageous brownies. They were good but not great. Iāve tried a few different homemade brownie recipes and have yet to land a winner. Until then, Iāll keep trying different recipes.
Grilled Cheese and Homemade Tomato soup- We have had a stretch of cold weather and soup and grilled cheese is a perfect go-to. I tried Emily Leyās homemade grilled cheese and tomato soup and it was so easy and hit. I canāt wait until her cookbook comes out!
Roasted Shrimp and Orzo– Another Ina Garten recipe for the win. I made her Roasted Shrimp and Orzo and really liked it. It was healthy and filling and very easy and can be made in any season.
Cheese and Spinach Bake– I made the bake as a side dish one night and it was so filling and healthy too. The recipe is from Brunch with Babs. Itās spinach, cheddar cheese, and cottage cheese with some egg. This would be great for a brunch or a dip!
Baked Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Salad-A filling Sunday night dinner with lots of nutrients.
French Silk Pie was a new recipe for me and it was a hit!
Margarita Chicken Soup is always a good call on a cold day!
Homemade Hummus and Chicken Gyros- It was Greek night with lots of tasty and savory bites!
Chicken GyrosHomemade Hummus and Pita
Chicken Caesar Club Sanwichs– This was such a hearty and tasty meal that was a hit!
What Iām Wearing:
Since February is the month of love. I tried my best to wear as much red, pink, purple, and white as possible.
Layers for cold days
All pink for Valentine’s Day
A more casual look
The neutrals for more winter weather
What Inspires Me:
After such a gloomy and gray winter, any day with sunshine is good day! I also have been inspired by putting more of an emphasis on my health by going on more walks and making healthier choices too!
Some reading inspiration
And some love inspiration for the month of love!
Some desk inspiration and motivation
What I Accomplished– I am still making my way through my Winter Bucket List, but I still have things that need crossed off over the next few weeks.
I got out for some outdoor running time!
Goals from Last Month– I was able to see all my friends for some one-on-one dates, virtual, and in-person. I also got to celebrate Valentineās Day and do some traveling too!
Some cute Valentine’s Day details
And some sweet treats!
Goals for Next Month– I am READY for warmer weather, getting ready for spring and to see my brothers who will be home for Spring Break!
Thatās a look into life as of late. A lot of time indoors, self care, and some socializing. Iām looking forward to brighter days ahead. What about you?! How was your February!? What were some highlights for you? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Wednesday!
Hello All! Happy Friday! I hope you have had a great week and month! Can you believe we are almost to the end of January?! This month has felt long mostly due to the cold temperatures, gray skies, snow and not too much opportunity to head outdoors. Iām hoping for warmer and brighter days ahead, but thatās up to Mother Nature. In good news, todayās batch of Friday Favorites is making me smile and I hope it will do the same for you!
Cold days calls for warm cookies
Hereās some things that I have been loving this week as I link up ErikaĀ andĀ AndreaĀ for Friday Favorites. I have spent a lot of time indoors, so just as a warning there are a lot of movies and tv show recommendations coming your way.
New Body Wash– My brother got me this body wash for Christmas and I couldnāt wait to try it in the new year. Itās lavender scented which is perfect for evening showers and tubs to relax and unwind. I love that itās not too fragrant and you only need a little to get enough of the scent and to feel squeaky clean. I also like that itās made from healthy ingredients.
Mufasa– I have been on a movie kick recently. There have been a lot of good movies out and worth seeing in the theater. At the beginning of the month, some of my family members and I went to see Mufasa, the origin story to the Lion King. I recently saw the traveling Broadway show of The Lion King and I was already in the Disney mindset so the timing of this movie was perfect. I really enjoyed the way they told the story of Simbaās dad and appreciated the Easter eggs in the other films. The music was so well done and I think they did a great job with the animation. If you donāt have a chance to check it out in the theater, definitely watch it on Disney Plus when it comes out.
Night Agent Back– One of the series that I watch made its return last week, The Night Agent. I was tied up with other commitments, so it took me a while to catch up, but now Iām locked in for the season. The first few episodes have kept me entertained and intrigued about what will happen next and what the season will bring. If you watch the show, what are your thoughts on it? If you are looking for something new to watch, I would recommend this! I am always looking for new suggestions of things to watch. If you have any good shows or movies, drop them below!Ā
Be Ready When the Luck Happens– I just finished this book this past week and talked about it in Wednesday’s post. Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When Luck Happens really touched me. I really really loved this book. I heard about it on the podcast, Books Beach and Beyond and after hearing Garten’s story, I knew I had to read it. I didnāt know much about Ina but learned so much about her life before she was well know for her culinary skills. I love how she talked about the lessons she learned along the way and how she was vulnerable at times too. I also loved how she talked a lot about her background and what she learned through different jobs and life experiences.
New Kylie Cosmetics Lipstick– I was out of my red lipstick and was in search of a new one and decided to try Kylie Jennerās matte red lipstick, An Apple A Day I use Kylieās lip kits for work, but this was the first time I tried a matte lip stick and was very impressed by the long-lasting quality and feel. It gave me great coverage and color for hours. I didnāt have to reapply once and it lasted a good three to four hours after I put it on and after I ate and drank. Major wins for me!
Thatās a look into what I have been loving this week as I deal with more wintry weather. What are some things that have brought you joy over the past few days?! I would love to hear! Have a toasty weekend!
Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week as we make our way to the weekend. We are in the negative temperatures this week, so needless to say it’s been a lot of indoor time filled with reading, baking, and movie watching.
Thankfully my pups have been keeping me company
I have a little bit of a different post for you today, as I wanted to share a recent life lesson; giving something a try and deciding to not pursue it anymore.
Iāll be speaking more in terms of hobbies and interests, but this can be applied to life, jobs, friends, and opportunities as well.
Every year, like many others, I like to set goals or resolutions for myself. These are things I want to try, work on, even eliminate in my life. You can read about this year’s resolutions here.
Since I graduated college five years ago, I have been working on finding what hobbies bring me joy and spending time on those. Finding hobbies comes with trial and error along the way. For example, I have always loved to read and I would consider reading one of my hobbies. I have set reading goals in years past, but as long as I read something every day, Iām content and reading is something that is so easy for me to incorporate in my day and makes me feel like myself.
One of my happy spots
In 2023, I set a goal to run a 5K. As someone who never enjoyed running, I was intimidated by the challenge, but I knew I wanted to achieve it. It turned out, I really grew to love running and found myself running more than a 5K. Since I set out to start running, I have run another 5K and two 10K’s and Iām currently training for a half marathon. I didnāt know I would love running so much if I never tried it.
My longest run to date
I have always enjoyed cooking and baking. Since I was a young girl, I loved helping my mom in the kitchen. After graduating college, I wanted to sharpen my skills in the kitchen by cooking more, trying new recipes and baking sweet treats. This is another hobby that has brought me (and my family) immense joy!
I love a good baking day
And entertaining with a big spread
But, not all hobbies work out. There have been different hobbies that I have tried and decided not to pursue and thatās okay.
For example, two years ago, I decided to grow a garden and I had pretty good success with it my first year. You can read all about it here. Last summer, I wanted to do it again but with more plants and it turned out to be not a prosperous as year one. You can see my recap here. I still got some fruits and veggies to harvest, but not to the extent that I got my first year. Iām still debating whether or not I want to try again for year three. Stay tuned!
A smaller harvest this year
There have also been some hobbies that I tried and it wasnāt for me, like piano. When I was in middle school I took piano lessons and did not enjoy it, nor was I good at it. But, I still tried it.
As an adult, I decided I wanted to give it another go. I downloaded an app and bought a year-long course and decided to teach myself how to play for a year, and it was a long year. I made time almost every day to practice on the piano. While some days were good and I could see myself making progress, others were painful to get through. I decided I would finish the year out with the course, but not renew it. I realized a hobby, which was supposed to be fun, was causing me more stress. Plus, it didnāt help that my dog was not a fan of my practicing (he would howl the entire time I would practice). Itās been a few weeks since I stopped playing and I honestly donāt miss it.
Iām glad I gave it a try and Iām proud I stuck it out for the whole year, but I donāt miss finding time in my day to practice or the howling dog. I already have new ideas for hobbies to fill my time in the new year, but for the time being, Iām at peace with a pause on piano. I donāt feel like I failed or gave up, rather, Iām glad I gave it the college try.
My end of the year stats
I’m still proud of my efforts
Thatās the lesson I learned this past year. It’s great to try new things whether it be a hobby, new job, or friendship, but if it doesnāt work out, thatās okay. What matters is that the effort was there. As someone who hates letting herself or others down, this was a harder lesson to learn, but Iām grateful I learned it.
Iām eager to learn some new skills and hobbies in the new year and see if they are for me, if they are, great, if not, at least I tried.
I hope this encourages you to try new things and pursue new hobbies, interests and opportunities, but give yourself grace if it doesn’t work out.
I hope you are having a lovely December so far! I have been doing my best to savor the Christmas season in between the daily to-do lists and the to-do lists that come with the holiday season.
My pups getting into the holiday spirit with all the snow.
This is truly one of my favorite times of the year, so Iām trying to soak it all up. I have some fun holiday fun planned for this weekend which Iām very excited about.Ā
As I wait for the holiday fun to begin, I wanted to share some things I have been loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
Special Forces Casting and New Season– Special Forces: Worldās Toughest Test announced the casting for their new season and launched the trailer. Iāve enjoyed watching this series over the last few years and Iām always excited to see who joins the cast. Some of the challenges seem pretty daunting and I know I could never tackle them, so itās always interesting to see who makes it out on top. You can watch the trailer here. It comes out next month!
Geek Girl– Have you seen Geek Girl?! Itās been on Netflix for a while, but I just got around to watching it. So far, there is only one season, but itās super cute. Episodes are only about 30 minutes so they are easy to watch. Itās all about an average looking girl who gets picked to be a model and her world turns upside down. It takes place in London and I love all the references and the setting. Definitely a cute show to watch if you are looking for something new to watch.
Pandora Broadway Tracks-Besides listening to Christmas music 24/7. I have been on a Broadway kick lately on Pandora. I am a big podcast listener, but have been changing it up with Pandora. Broadway hits has been my go-to after seeing the new Wicked movie last week. I love the variety of music and genres the station plays and it has even introduced me to some new shows and artists.
All The Colors of the Dark–All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker came out in August and I have been wanting to read it after hearing rave reviews about it. I finally got a chance to check it out at the library and finished it in two days. One because it was so good, and two because there was a wait list for it and I couldnāt renew it. It starts out with a murder and kidnapping in the 1970ās, but follows the characters through decades of their lives as they grapple with different things thrown their way. There were beautiful moments, heartbreaking scenes and times where you want to throw your book across the room. But overall, I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who asks. Itās in the running for my favorite book of the year.
New Holiday Scent- Are we surprised this is a Friday Favorite?! The holidays mean seasonal scents and it was perfect timing to break out my new holiday scents from Bath and Body Works. You may remember I got these scents as a gift last year and I saved them for this holiday season. Iām so glad I saved them and had them to look forward to for this Christmas season. I love the scent and the holiday cheer these holiday scents bring.
Thatās a look into what Iām loving this week as we are in full on Christmas mode. I hope you have a great weekend and are doing something fun and festive! See you back here on Wednesday as I share my Christmas Bucket List!
It is the week before Thanksgiving and boy, is this month moving fast, even with Thanksgiving being a week late, it has still been a busy month.Ā I just got back from a weekend away which was so nice to getaway. Plus, some holiday decor was already up which made me very happy and get into the Christmas spirit!
Airports all decked out for the holidays!
Today’s post is more reflective as I’m sharing what I’m thankful for. I do these posts every year and they are such a good time to share my gratitude for everything I have and the people and experiences I have in my life.
First and foremost, I’m thankful for my incredible family, supportive friends and compassionate boyfriend. I don’t have the words to describe how lucky I am to have such a strong and loving support system.
My family is always there for me during big milestones or everyday moments. I am so lucky to have such a close-knit family that eats dinner together every day, calls and checks in with each other regularly, and loves to laugh and support one another.By working in my hometown, I am able to spend even more time with my family and it’s something I don’t take for granted.
My boyfriend is one my best friends and favorite people in the world. I don’t share too much about my relationship on my blog to keep things private, but he is one of the best things that has happened to me. He is so supportive, selfless, understanding, hardworking, funny, and pushes me to be my best in all that I do. He encourages me in work and is so supportive of my hobbies and interests. He celebrates the big milestones in life, but also acknowledges the importance of mundane moments. He loves my dogs as if they were his own and goes out of his way to make sure I feel valued and heard. I thank God every day that he came into my life five years ago on Thanksgiving Day (another reason to be thankful).
Montreal- one of the many places my boyfriend and I traveled to this year!
I’m also so grateful for my understanding and kind friends. I have stayed close with different friends from different stages and areas of life. Whether we catch up weekly in-person or over Facetime each month, I’m so lucky to have people in my corner who cheer me on, understand my fluid schedule with work and who put in the effort for our friendship.
Getting outdoors and taking walks with friends is so good for my soul
I’m so grateful for my good health and the health of my family and friends. This past year has brought losing loved ones and some illnesses and every day, I’m so grateful that I am healthy and so are my loved ones. I’m also thankful for medicine, good doctors and research and technology to help fight these diseases.
When times get challenging, I’m thankful for my faith in God. I know that I can always depend on his unwavering love and that he will guide me through life’s most challenging and most joyful moments. I’m grateful for my parents for making sure a relationship in God was a priority in my life growing up.
In times of doubt, trusting in God is so important
This year has been a year of change for me and I’m grateful for the new people who have come into my life to show support and provide guidance.
I’m thankful for a job that I love waking up and going to every day. I love that I have co-workers that have become friends to me. I’m also grateful for a job that challenges me, but also teaches me things around the world. Every day brings something new to my life and I’m so lucky that I get to call it my job. I also hit the jackpot by being able to work in my hometown and work in a community that means so much to me.
My job has taken me to pretty cool places and experiences.
I am so grateful for all the adventures and hobbies that bring me so much joy every day. I have tried new things this year and continued to enjoy activities that give me a creative and freeing outlet. Things like running, reading, baking and cooking bring me so much joy and balance in my life. I have traveled a lot this year to new and familiar places and I’m so lucky for the opportunity to see so much of the world and create lasting memories with family and friends.
RunningCookingBakingReading
This past year has been filled with adventures, new beginnings, reconnecting, challenges and staying true to myself and I’m so grateful for it all.
I have much to be thankful for this year.
With Thanksgiving just over a week away, tell me, what are you thankful for this year?
