Tag: summer reading

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Fabulous living

Summer Goals

Hey guys!

I hope your week is off to a great start. It has been so nice to settle into a new routine for the summer months.  Every summer I try to set realistic goals for the summer months. They can be anything from activities, projects, trips, and small tasks. I start out with a basic list as summer begins and will add things if necessary as the months go on. At the end of the summer, I love to look back and see everything I accomplished and all the memories I created.

Summer 2019…you are just beginning…let’s take a look and see what my summer goals are:

Get license renewed

                  -A small but necessary task and I got it done right when I got home! 

Work/Internship

  • Although summer is for relaxing, I plan to work through the summer. I like to stay busy and working through the summer will definitely keep me busy.

Make College photo album 

  • Through my college years, I have been saving photos and organizing them into years. This summer, I want to get them all printed and organized since my time in college is coming to a close.

Celebrate 21

  • I’m really looking forward to celebrating my 21stbirthday this summer. I’m so lucky I get to be home to be with my family, but I’m looking forward to celebrating this milestone with my friends in Pittsburgh!

See friends from college and high school

  • Speaking of friends, I am making seeing my friends both from college and high school this summer, whether it’s coffee dates or day trips, friends are so important and I want to make them a priority this summer.
We didn’t even say goodbye at graduation because we knew we would be seeing each other through the summer

Portfolio (BLS)

  • Another requirement for school that I need to get done before school is back in session for 2019!

Work Study

  • This summer I will be working remotely for a job I hold back at school. There are a few projects that I will be working on that I am excited to get started on.

Read 12-15 books

  • I am an avid reader and I am really looking forward to reading a lot over the summer. I already made a stop to my local library to check out a few books to get a start on summer reading.
First book of the summer…

Download pictures to laptop

  • Again, another task, it won’t take long but I want to make sure I have all my photos from this past year saved to my laptop.

Spend time with family 

  • Since this is my last summer home I want to make sure I soak up as much family time as I can, whether it is family dinners, soccer days, or pool days. I can’t wait to get some quality family time in.
Looking forward to a full summer with the fam!

Day Trips

  • I love taking day trips, whether it is to the city, in the country, or to see family and friends. I’m hoping to spend a few days going to new places this summer. 

Start Healthier habits

  • I have gotten into good routines while I am at school and I want to continue those routines at home, whether it hitting the gym several days a week, eating healthier foods and meals, or just setting time aside to relax. Getting into a good routine is something I’m looking forward to this summer.

Go to a concert

  • I have a concert planned for September with one of my best friends, but I want to try and hit up another summer concert. Anyone with suggestions, please let me know.

Beach days

  • I may live close to the beach, but that doesn’t mean I spend all summer there. Last summer, I went to the beach on the last day I was home. I want to make more of an effort to go to the beach, whether it’s for the sunset, sunrise, or a day in the water.

Family Vacation

  • I have been reflective in the past few months with everything that has been changing and I’m looking forward to getting away with my family for a summer trip. Where and when that will be is still up in there air, but none the less, I’m looking forward to making some memories.

Find a new show to Binge watch

  • Every summer, I always am on the look for new shows to binge watch. I’m currently finishing up Dawson’s Creek-an oldie but a goodie! I’m now on the hunt to find a new show to watch this summer. Any good suggestions?

Take more walks outside

  • In an effort to spend more time outside, I want to take more walks, whether it is at sporting events, at the end of the day after work, or around lunch. I’m looking forward to enjoying the outdoors more.

Weekly facetime calls with friends

  • Back to the friends…can you tell I miss my college friends?!  A few of my friends from school and I have suggested doing weekly facetime calls to keep each other in the loop with what’s going on. It’s a weird feeling going from seeing your BFF’s all the time to going weeks without seeing each other.
You mean I won’t be seeing my friends every day….thank gosh for FaceTime!

Try something new

  • Leaving this one up in the year. I want to try something new and pushed from my comfort zone. We will see what happens and what I try.

Try new recipes 

  • I love to cook and bake. This summer I want to try some new recipes and even come up with a signature dish. I am into salads right now, so I have a feeling I will be making lots of different salad combinations this summer.

Entertain Friends/family

  • I love to host people at my home and I learned it all from my mom. In the summer, we love to have friends and family over and I’m looking forward to doing some entertaining this summer.

Do something spontaneous

  • This goes along with trying something new, even though I love my schedules and routines. I want to be spontaneous and more flexible. I’m hoping to accomplish that this summer.

Be Present

  • After a stressful and busy semester, I want to be present and just live this summer. There will always be things to do and tasks to accomplish, however, I want to make an effort to just be happy where I am at.
Made this my background for my phone to only focus on the positive things in life

That concludes my summer goals. It may seem like a lot, but overall, I think it is a good mix of realistic and mental goals. Overall, I want this summer to be one filled with happiness, love, laughter, friendship, purpose, and maybe even a dance. 

Have a beautiful week! xoxo

Categories
Fabulous living

Summer Book Review

Hello Everyone and Happy First Week of School!

I started classes yesterday and it was so nice to get back into a routine!

In honor of the first week of school, I’m sharing the  books I read this summer. My goal was to read 6 books and I exceeded my goal by reading 11 books! I feel very accomplished. Today, I’m going to share a small review for each book, now I am not an expert  on book reviews but this is just a little something reflecting on what books I read and if I enjoyed them. Let’s get to it!

Perfectly Yourself- Matthew Kelly

This was such an inspirational book, it allowed me to reevaluate areas of my life that needed work. I would recommend getting your own copy and highlighting it or making notes. The biggest thing I took away from this was “Thriving Not Surviving”

Grade: A-

Who Do You Love-Jennifer Weiner

This was such a good book, it was about a boy and a girl who meet at different times all through their lives. There were some twists and turns but I loved the ending. It was a fast book to read and I was hooked throughout the whole reading. This was a favorite of mine this summer.

Grade: A

This is Me-Chrissy Metz

Any other This is Us fans out there?! I loved getting to learn more about my favorite actors and actresses. I love to learn about where they come from and how they go to where they are now. This was a very moving book and I love Chrissy even more now if that’s possible! I cant wait till season 3 of This Is Us is out!!

Grade: A-

Talking as Fast as I Can-Lauren Graham

This was such a fun and light read.  I finished it in two sittings and laughed a lot.  I love when writers get candid with their readers! Once again, I loved getting to learn more about Lauren Graham. Also, after finishing her book, I want to watch Gilmore Girls, I have never seen it before and I am very eager to watch it.

Grade: B+

The Nanny Diaries- Emma McLauglin and Nicola Kraus

I had high hopes for this book, it was a good book but it did have an unexpected ending. My heartstrings were pulled a lot while I was reading it. It told the story of a college student nannying for a young boy and all the responsibilities that come with it. It was a good story but wasn’t what I thought it would be.

Grade: B-

Happily Ali After- Ali Wentworth

This was a funny book, I really enjoyed it. I have seen Ali do comedy so it was great to read about her from her point of view. Although it was funny, she talked a lot about parenting and her children which was great but it was hard for me to relate too. I know mothers would really enjoy it, overall it was a light read.

Grade: B-

Paris: A Love Story- Kati Marton

This was such a good read. It was a true story about how a women has to move on after her husband’s death and find herself again. She tells her story starting from her childhood to present day. It was inspirational to see how she continues on after life without her husband. It was a heavy read but it was worth it.

Grade: A-

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?- Mindy Kailing

I love Mindy Kailing and I have read her other books. This book was so funny, raw, and honest! I felt like she was reading it too me. This is a perfect book for the young adult. It was super treatable and had a great message. It was a fun summer read.

Grade: B+

Love Letters of Great Men-John C. Kirkland

Any Sex and the City fans out there?! This is the book Carrie is reading in the first movie. I loved reading these beautifully written letters. It was a perfect read to break up a stressful day.

Plus you may recognize this page

Grade: B+

The Star Attraction- Alison Sweeney

I read this while on vacation and it was  a fast. It’s all about a publicist in LA and how she balances work, her relationship, and herself. It was a chick flick read and although it was predictable, it was fun to read a different genre. I could see this being made into a movie if it isn’t already.

Grade: B+

Ed Sheeran: A Visual Journey-Ed Sheeran and Phil Butah

I have always been a fan of Ed’s music so it was great to read about his journey. This pictures that accompained his words were beautiful. This was a quick read perfect for a day by the pool. Once again, I always like to learn more about people that I look up to or I am a fan of.

Grade: B+

Whew, that was a long one. Thanks to those who stuck through till the end! I read a lot in the summer, which I was so pleased about. Not sure how much reading I will get done in the school year but if I do get some reading in, I’ll be sure to review it. Do you like the reviews and would you want more of them? What books did you read this summer.