Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week, we made it halfway to the weekend!
I am celebrating my blog anniversary this month.
I started to create this little corner on the internet seven years ago as I was finishing up my first year of college. I had just gone through one of the biggest years of growth and change. I moved out of my home, met all new people and went through all the growing pains of being a freshman in college. I started this blog as a creative hobby and outlet and it has grown so much since I wrote my first post.
I’ve shared a lot about myself through my blog, from homesickness, to landing my dream job, and staying true to myself.
So many fashion posts
I’ve also been able to share my favorite things; from beauty products, to fashion trends, travel, books and entertainment.
A few books from my collection at home.
Every year, I like to look back and see what posts stood out to me the most. This year, the biggest moments come in the form of 24 hour day trips, starting new hobbies in the form of running, playing piano and growing a garden, and being more sure of myself.
The fruits of my labor
Your 20s can be a challenging time of figuring out your career, being an adult, staying in touch with friends, being involved with family, navigating a relationship and discovering yourself. I really feel like I have found who I am and how I want to live my life over the past year.
I always say I will blog until it doesn’t bring me joy, but every day I still get excited about writing what I’m feeling and sharing my life with you all. I keep a running list of topics to write about, or favorite things to share, or even stories that I hope can help others who may feel how I feel.
I always learn so much from other bloggers and women and they inspire me every day and make my day a bit brighter.
I hope I can do that for at least one person. Whether this is the first post of mine you are reading or you have read over 500 of them, thank you for being here and reading what’s on my mind and heart. I so appreciate every read, follow, and comment.
Thank you for being on this journey with me and I can’t wait to see what the next year holds. Cheers to seven years!!!!
Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week! Remember how I felt like July went by in a blink of an eye? Well August went by even faster. This month has been a whirlwind between traveling, big work projects, back to school, and wrapping up summer fun!
As one month end and another one begins, I’m recapping this past month and all the memories and adventures that came with it.
Here’s a look at this month’s Currently.
What I’m Up To: This past month has been all about soaking up the final days of summer, from hiking in new places, completing bucket list items, and traveling to new places, I have been busy but in the best way possible.
It’s local festival season!
And local farm show season!
Plus, no summer event isn’t complete without a funnel cake!
I’ve attended community fairs and festivals, been spending lots of time outside and have been reading lots of fun, summer books.
My trip to Toronto was a highlight for sure!
What I’m Wearing: I have been continuing the trend of shorts and graphic tees.When my family and I went on vacation to San Diego, California, I wore a lot of neutrals to mix and match and keep it simple for travel. Here’s some of my favorite summer outfits. My shorts are from Old Navy and so are some of my shirts too.
A few of my looks from vacation.
Lots of color coordinated outfits.
And some bright colors too!
I have also been doing my best to wear all the bright colors for my dresses for work. I only have a small window to wear in the warm months, so I’m doing my best to wear them all.
Bright blue for work!
What I’m Reading: This past month has been such a good month for reading for me
Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch follows the story of a young girl who loses her mom and her mom’s dying wish is for her daughter to go to Florence and reconnect with people from her mother’s time when she lived there. This book checks all the boxes for a cute rom com book. Dreamy city, beautiful description, incredible Italian food and desserts, and a little romance too. I blitzed through this book and was so sad when it came to an end.
The sweetest summer book!
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune tells the story a young woman who takes over her mother’s resort on the lake. She plans on making some changes when she gets some unexpected help from someone from her past that she always wanted to forgot. I really enjoyed the story and finished it within a week. I’m also excited that it’s going to be making its way to the screen as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be working with Netflix to turn it into a movie.
Better than Fiction by Alexa Martin and it combined two of my favorite hobbies, reading and hiking! This book follows the story of a young woman who inherits her grandmother’s book store. As she tries to manage this new project, enter a fan-favorite author. He’s visiting her small town for inspiration for his new book and they make a deal. She shows him around the area and he teaches her how to love books.
Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler follows the story of a young woman who makes it her mission to deliver her neighbor turned best friend’s ashes to her long lost lover. However, the journey to get the ashes delivered does not go smooth. She ends up traveling with someone from her past and they endure all sorts of detours. The book goes back and forth between the past and present and there’s so many twists and turns, you will question if they will ever make it to their final destination.
What I’m Watching: As summer winds down, I’m finishing up my summer shows. I finished season two of the Summer I Turned Pretty. Overall, I thought the season was pretty good. I definitely enjoyed the first season more but I thought the second season had some great storylines and the finale left a lot of questions for season 3! If you watched, what did you think of the finale and Belly’s choice?
I also finished the first part of Outlander. This was another show that had a lot of ups and downs this season. There were some major plot twists with characters that I did not see coming. I’m anxious to see where it picks up and how things get wrapped up when it returns.
I also finished season two of “And Just Like That”, it was such a good season. I loved the callbacks to earlier seasons of the show, the fashion and the friendships. The finale was really good, especially with the surprise appearance by Samantha! I was also excited to see that the show was renewed for season 3! I already can’t wait for next season!
And last but not least, I finished the new season of Sweet Magnolias. Although, there was some drama this season including some fights, fallouts and relationship shakeups between characters, I really enjoyed seeing the characters come together in the end.
What Inspires Me: I have been enjoying all the summer salads with fresh fruits and vegetables. I hate wasting food, so I have been enjoying salads and bowls with lots of food that I already have in the fridge. Here’s been some of my favorite salads.
A spinach and strawberry and pecan salad. This is the perfect blend of fruits, veggies and some crunch too.
Strawberry and spinach salad
A steak salad on top a bed of veggies keeps you full and gives you lots of flavor.
A steak salad
A peach and chicken salad
Speaking of fresh vegetables, I have been so inspired and proud of my garden. Although, I have lost some plants, I’m so happy with the ones that have grown and flourished. I’ll be doing a bigger blog post on this later in the season, but seeing seeds turn into bright, red tomatoes is certainly inspiring.
My baby tomatoes
The fruits of my labor
Four fresh tomatoes
What I Accomplished: August was a busy month. I kicked it off by attending our local National Night Out.
My boyfriend and I did a day trip to Toronto, you can read about our adventure here.
The iconic Toronto sign
My boyfriend and I also went blueberry picking for the first time which was so much fun and I made some tasty muffins too!
Our haul
The best way to use blueberries!
Soaking up the end of summer with nighttime concerts.
Summer S’mores!
My family and I took our family vacation to San Diego which was so fun! We packed a lot in and made a ton of memories. It was the best way to spend time together before we all went our separate ways from school to work.
From the palm trees
The hikes and ocean
Enjoying some iconic West Coast food.
The San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park
Goals from Last Month: I accomplished my goal of running my first 5K, you can read about my journey here.
Finishing my first 5K!
I accomplished almost everything from my summer bucket list. There were a few things that I didn’t get done, but I plan to do them in the fall.
The best part of this past month was all the family time. The older I get, the more, I realize how important family time is and how much I try to treasure every moment I have with my family and siblings. This summer has been so special that we have all been home under one roof.
End of summer Lobster rolls!
Goals for Next Month: Even though it’s September, I still plan on enjoying the warm weather and soaking up the sunshine. I’m not ready to think about fall yet, but I know I will have to eventually, right now, I’m all about savoring every last bit of summer. I will also be sharing my fall bucket next week!
Enjoying evening walks after work can continue in the fall.
There you have it, another Currently in the books. Tell me, what were some of your favorite parts of August?
Let me know in the comments below! Have a great rest of your week and end of August! See you back here on Friday!
Happy Wednesday! I hope you had a great week so far! We are halfway to the weekend and I couldn’t be more ready for it.
I love to travel and visit new places, whether they are cities, state parks or the suburbs! This summer I have done a lot more traveling than in year’s past, mostly due to Covid. It’s been fun to return to old places or go someplace new. My boyfriend and I love taking day trips together, since our work schedules don’t line up whenever we take a day off for one another we try to really capitalize on it. So far this summer we have gone to Columbus, New York City and Toronto and the Canadian Falls to name a few spots.
Our trip to Canada was our most recent trip at the beginning of August. We had such a good time and packed a lot in. Here’s what we did and how we did Canada in a day!
We left around 4:30 and made our way up north. We drove to Burlington, Canada and from there took a train into the city of Toronto.
Making our way across the border
We arrived around 8:30 to Union Station with all the commuters for the day.
Union Station
Our first stop was Tim Hortons for some fuel, even through we have them at home, we knew we had to take advantage of the Canadian staple.
Fuel for the day!
The city in the morning!
We walked around downtown for a bit and checked out some of the tourist spots, like the CN Tower and the big Toronto sign and then City Hall. We also saw the Rogers Arena where the Maple Leafs play!
The CN Tower
The iconic Toronto sign
City Hall behind the sign
Home of the Maple Leafs
After taking in the downtown we took a ferry to Centre Island which was so fun! From the boat, you got a whole new perspective of the city and it was beautiful to be out on the water.
The city from the ferry
On the ferry!
On the island, there are trails to walk and bike, a beach, lots of food stands, a little amusement park and lots of green space along with boating clubs.
There were so many green spaces
A look at the amusement park
We walked around by the piers and rented bikes as we took in the island, we could have stayed there all day!
It was beautiful on the island
In the future we want to go back with picnic and spend more time there. It was beautiful!
The ferry coming back to the island (my boyfriend snapped this photo)
We took the ferry back and then made our way to St. Lawrence Market for lunch.
A look inside St. Lawrence’s Market
There were dozens of different vendors , from fresh produce, to breads, meats, fish, vegetables, bakery items, and speciality goods. We both settled on sandwiches for lunch.
Lunch time!
After our meals, we decided to take the train back to our car in Burlington and then head to Niagara Falls. We have both been to the American falls, but this was our first time heading to the Canadian falls together.
The falls!
If you have never been before, the Canadian falls is very touristy, lots of gift shops, fast food places, amusement park rides and very Americanized. We found it to be a little overwhelming, so we quickly made our way past the chaos and just enjoyed the falls.
America or Canada? It was hard to tell with all the American chains.
We decided not to purchase tickets to any boats or activities since we arrived late in the day and just decided to take in the falls.
Up close of the rushing waters
The falls-both of them!
It was beautiful to see both the American and Canadian falls next to each other. After seeing them from many different spots and taking lots of photos, we decided to call it a day and make our way back home.
A rainbow to end the day!
It was a packed full day and we were tired.
We had such a great time that we have already begun to talk about what we want to do the next time we go.
Goodbye falls!
Tell me, have you enjoyed any trips this summer and have you been to Toronto or Canada, if so, what are your must do’s?
Let me know in the comments below!
See you back here on Friday for another edition of Friday Favorites!
I hope you had a Fourth of July yesterday. Although, I was working, I still enjoyed time with family and some good grilling and fireworks too! It was a great way to round off America’s birthday!
These past few weeks have been so busy with trips, time with family and work, so I’m a little behind with sharing about some recent trips, so today I’m catching you all up about them.
My boyfriend surprised me with a day trip to New York City for my birthday, but there was a slight catch. We did NYC in 13.5 hours and were up for about 24 hours to make it happen. If you are planning to do the Big Apple in a day, it is possible and affordable and here’s how we did it.
Central Park in the morning
We both have been to New York City before (I’ve only been in the city in the winter at Christmastime so this was my first time in the in the summer), so we have seen the big sights, but we wanted still to hit all the big stops together.
We left at 1:30 in the morning to drive to a bus station about four hours away, from there we took a bus into the city (where we caught a few hours of sleep) where they dropped us off in Midtown at 9:30 and then we hit the ground running (literally).
All I had with me was my Lululemon Cross body which was a huge lifesaver and truly all I needed. I packed a lot in there, from glasses, chargers, sanitizer, chapstick, a little body spray and then cash and credit card and I used it all through the day.
All I had for a day in the city!
I also can’t recommend enough wearing comfortable shoes and clothes as we walked a lot (I’ll show you my final stats at the end of the post).
The weather was perfect for our day in the city with temperatures in the 70’s and partly cloudy, not too sunny or hot, we truly couldn’t have asked for a better day.
First sights of the city.
We made a list of all the top things we wanted to see and added to it throughout the day.
Here’s a look at our completed list.
We started the day with a walk-through Central Park, we took our first subway of the day to get there and then grabbed a classic New York Style bagel as we made our way to 30 Rock and NBC News.
Bagels for breakfast!
So many cream cheese options!
30 Rock!
Hello NBC!
Then we headed to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Time Square.
St. Patrick’s showing off!
The inside.
Times Square!
After taking in the sights, we hit the New York Public Library (where I had to reminisce about Carrie and Big from Sex and the City).
Then it was off to the iconic Macy’s where we checked out every floor (but didn’t buy anything).
Macy’s!
We made a stop to Penn Station and Madison Square Garden.
Penn Station
Madison Square Garden!
By this point we were hungry, so we got some classic New York Style pizza and ate in Herald Square and people watched for a piece.
Classic pizza for lunch!
I had my Serena Van Der Woods moment in Grand Central Station and then we decided to take a subway to catch the Staten Island Ferry.
I was having a moment in my Gossip Girl era.
Another view from inside!
This was one of our favorite parts of the day since we both have never done it before and you got to see the city from a different perspective and spend some time on the water. We passed the Statue of Liberty on our way back.
Another view of the city
Statue of Liberty
After we were back in the city, we stopped by Battery Park and saw the 9/11 Memorial.
As we made our wayback to Midtown we walked along the Hudson River which was a scenic way to make our way back to the city.
A late afternoon stroll.
We also stopped by the Highline, which is a park above the city which offered the most beautiful views, we popped into Chelsea Market to see all the vendors, shops and restaurants.
The highline
Chelsea Market
One of my favorite things about walking through the city is seeing all the different restaurants and stores and shops and how unique they all are tucked throughout the city. There were so many cute neighborhood spots I would have loved to check our if time permitted.
So many cute spots.
By this time it was around 5:00 and we knew our time in the city was coming to a close so we grabbed ice cream and plotted the next few hours which included stops to both Chinatown and Little Italy (which we took the subway to get there too).
Afternoon pick me up!
Chinatown
Little Italy
We then took a subway to get back to Midtown, however, we ended up in Brooklyn, so after a little bit of a longer subway ride (which felt great to sit after lots of walking), we caught the sunset as we made our way back to the city for dinner at a 24 hour diner.
Sunset back in the city
Our dinner spot.
And dinner!
After dinner, which was breakfast for dinner, we made a final stop in Times Square to see it in its glory at night, before it was back to the bus station to catch our bus back home.
Times Square at night
Our bus was delayed which made it not so fun after being up for hours with dying phones. Thankfully, it arrived, and we made it on and caught some sleep as we bussed back.
Here’s a look at my final stats according to my Apple Watch…over 18 miles and close to 50,000 steps. My legs definitely were tired by the end of the day.
Final stats of the day!
This was such a packed full day, but the absolute best gift and surprise from my boyfriend! Truly one of the best gifts he has ever given me. We have been doing more experiences rather than gifts for holidays and birthdays which we both enjoy.
So many outdoor dining spots.
The biggest things we learned from this trip is that you CAN do NYC in a day and hit all the top spots, almost everything we did was free! The only things we paid for were food, a few subway rides and then our bus and a few souvenirs (those were for me). Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes especially if you plan on doing lots of walking which we did.
The City bustling.
I loved our time in the city from sunup to sundown. If you are on the fence about doing a day trip to a city, I highly recommend it. Just make sure you have a plan in place, you know your city (my boyfriend knows the city very well) and be open to going with the flow.
The streets in the evening.
I’m already counting down to the next time I am in the city!
Tell me: what questions do you have about my trip? Let me know in the comments below! See you back here on Friday for a new edition of Friday Favorites!
Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far! It’s the second Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for another Let’s Look as I link up with Erika and Shay.
As we make our way through summer, one thing you may be doing is heading on a trip, so this month, we are talking about travel tips. I did a post about summer travel tips that you can read here. But here’s a bit of a refresher and some new advice!
I broke down my travel tips for a day trip, weekend away and week long trip. I have been going on lots of day trips recently, so I have it down to a science. All these tips are for road trips in a car, but can be altered for flying.
Day Trip
Make a list of everything you plan to bring (I always like to keep it on my phone, so I can reference it- write everything down-from wallet to snacks, even chargers)
An example of a packing list (mine are more detailed but this just an example)
Totes and smaller pouches are the best tools. I love to bring a big tote (some of my favorite brands are my new Barrington tote, my Longchamp tote and my Thirty One bags) and then store smaller items like chargers, ear buds, gadgets in the pouches.
Always bring the necessities in addition to the fun things. (I always bring extra medicine, a first aid kit, a book, my glasses, some backup makeup, a hoodie or sweater, sunscreen or sunglasses- in the summer, just in case I may need them.)
A good road trip isn’t complete without some good snacks and don’t forget bottle water and drinks in case you get stranded in a car.
I always pack a backup outfit or blanket in case something happens and a day trip turns into an overnight trip.
I always have a go-bag with extra clothes, toiletries, a blanket and pillow in my trunk.
Weekend Away
A lot of the same advice applies to a weekend away as they would to a day trip, but here’s a few extra tips.
I always like to use sample products from toiletries and beauty products when I go away. It’s a way to try different products, see what works, but you don’t have to worry about long-term uses.
An example of some free samples that I can’t wait to try when I go away.
If you are low on items, use them on the trip and then toss them so you don’t have to bring them back.
Don’t overpack, try to keep in mind what events you need to pack for and try and stick with a color scheme too, it makes planning outfits easier
Week Long Trip
Always keep a packing list with all the details of every item and every place, event, or activity you need an outfit for.
Pack back up items in neutral colors to mix and match for outfits ( I always pack a white shirt, a t-shirt dress, and an extra pair of shoes that can be worn with other outfits.)
Leave room for souvenirs or any items you may buy or bring back.
I enjoy traveling for long and short trips and while packing can be stressful or overwhelming, breaking it down by making lists, keeping things simple and not overthinking always helps. Always remember, if you forget something, you can always pick it up at the store!
That’s just some travel and packing tips that work for me. Tell me, what travel tips do you live by? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Traveling!
Happy Hump Day! We made it halfway through the week. I hope your week has been smooth sailing, but if not, I hope the wind moves you in the right direction as we wrap up the week.
These past few weeks have been busy, but in the best way, so I haven’t had a chance to chat about a recent trip I went on for work. I got to cross off something from my bucket list which was huge win and very exciting!
Charles the III was crowned King on May 6 and leading up to the Coronation, a close co-worker and I were tasked with getting the pulse of how Canadians felt about the new monarch and any festivities they had planned for the big day for a series of stories for Coronation Day.
After coming up with a game plan and setting up interviews, we made our way to Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, which was just over a two-hour drive. It was my first-time visiting Niagara on the Lake, so I was excited to visit a new place and do a series of stories on a topic I have a lot of interest in.
Passport ready to go!
We had no problem getting through the border and once we were in, we hit the ground running. Between the two of us, we had five interviews to conduct. My co-worker focused more on taking the pulse of Canadians and I focused on the event and activities surrounding the Coronation in Niagara on the Lake.
The town itself was so charming. I loved seeing all the shops and popping into a few of them myself.
We went into one store that had lots of Coronation merchandise, I ended up picking a gold King Charles III spoon for myself as a souvenir.
Some of the Coronation gear you could buy!
And some British candy!
There were different restaurants, cafes and bakeries on every corner. You felt like you were in a Hallmark movie and while we were there, I learned some Hallmark movies have been filmed there.
The tulips were just starting to bloom and I’m sure in a few weeks, the streets will be covered in them.
Niagara on the Lake is also known for their wineries and Bed and Breakfasts, which we passed as we were making our way from stop to stop.
Another thing I loved about the town was how close in distance everything was to each other. Driving from one edge of town to the other took a few minutes and there was lots of sidewalks if you were looking to just walk from your hotel or BnB to a restaurant or shop.
Parks were all around and we were steps away from the lake.
My story took us to the Prince of Wales Hotel where Queen Elizabeth II stayed when she visited Niagara on the Lake in the 1970’s. It was a beautiful hotel with lots of history.
We grabbed lunch at Treadwell, which was a farm to table restaurant. I got a salad that was the perfect mix of fresh and tangy.
This salad was so good!
We popped into a few shops on our way out of town, like this linen store. I wish I had time to check out all the different storefronts.
One of the shops we popped into.
And just like that we were back on our way to the U.S.A. and we passed the falls on our way out.
The American and Canadian Falls!
Although, it was short trip, 12 hours total, we got a lot in and it was quite a success. I can’t wait to return and explore the town more, maybe even see a show or two. I’m so glad I got to go to a new place and experience a new culture. It was so fun to step out of my comfort zone and it definitely gave me the travel bug.
Have you been to Niagara on the Lake? If so, what were your favorite things to do and see? Let me know in the comments below!
See you back here on Friday for another Friday Favorites link-up!
Happy Wednesday! I hope this past week has been filled with sunshine, nights grilling, lemonade and maybe even some fruit salad. There’s nothing quite that says summer like eating outside with some fresh food and good conversations-summer nights are a favorite for me!
Nothing says summer like grilling lunch or dinner.
Another thing that completes my summer is getting away, whether it’s for a family vacation, a girl’s trip or even just an overnight. Taking some time off always gives you the chance to recharge and return to your everyday life feeling refreshed, relaxed and maybe even a little tanner.
Before you jet off, you may need to complete that to-do list before it’s vacay time- which includes packing. Some people may dread packing, but I enjoy it. I do dread the unpacking when I return home, haha. Whenever I get home from a trip, I immediately start unpacking, putting things away and starting laundry. To me, there’s nothing better than everything back in its place when you get home.
There’s something fun about planning and being intentional with what you need and what you want to bring on a trip. You can also have some fun picking out things you may not wear every day, like different dresses, bolder jewelry or brighter shoes. It can also get stressful especially if you are packing for more than one person. Whether you are packing overnight for one, or a week-long trip for a family of five, here’s some tips for efficient packing that will have you feeling relaxed before you even leave home.
Make a List-It may sound cliche, but make a list of everything you need, from clothes, makeup, medicines, even things you bring in your purse or carry-on. I typically create a list on my phone so I can reference it throughout the trip and make sure I have everything before heading back home. I write everything down I take, even to the amount of things I’m taking, so I can just do a visual check of things before I leave. This also comes in handy if you are staying at more than one place over the course of your trip. Make a list and check it twice before you bounce from place to place. Plus, if you have children, keeping a list of things you are packing for them in addition to yourself makes things even easier for travel.
An example of a packing list(mine are more detailed but this just an example)
Don’t overpack-It can be easy to overpack especially when it comes to clothes and shoes. You may think to bring outfits for different meals, events or activities and think you will wear them, only to wear one outfit for a day and not change for dinner or other activities. I always try to be intentional with what I am packing, but I always bring a neutral outfit as a backup. This can be an easy t-shirt dress that can be worn for a dinner or outing, or an extra pair of short if you will be doing lots of outdoor activities or walking. I always, always, always bring an extra white t-shirt, it can go with pretty much anything (jeans, shorts, even skirts and it never hurts to have a backup in case an accident happens0hello stains!).
Having an easy tee shirt dress always comes in handy when away and it travels well too!
Use it or Lose it-This is one of my favorite rules, whenever I travel, I always try to use products that are almost out, so I can toss it when I’m away and come back to fresh products. So, what does this mean exactly? If I’m really low on full size products (i.e. face wash, toothpaste, lotion, I will take them with them and use the remainder of them and toss them when I’m away so I can come home to fresh and full products. Now, this doesn’t always work out with products, but when it does, it’s always a win!
A few examples of things that I’ll try to use up on a trip.
Use Free Samples-Now, let’s say you don’t have any products that are close to being done to bring on vacation and you prefer to use travel size things, here’s a fun suggestion, when traveling take the time to use free sample products. Whether it’s through Ulta Beauty or wherever you get your beauty products, I’m sure you have accumulated your fair share of sample products, use any free samples you have on vacation to see if it’s something worth investing in, whether it be serums, body lotions, face washes, or different color pallets for makeup. While you are away you can try out new products and if you love them, great, if not, you can toss them before you come home. By using your free samples while you are away, it forces you to use your products you have besides having them sit there and it gives you a chance to try new products too
An example of some free samples that I can’t wait to try when I go away.
Be present and have fun! I know this may sound like no brainer, but after planning and organizing there’s nothing better than really unwinding while on vacation. Take the time to unplug, put the phone down and be present where you are at and enjoy it.
Sweet summertime!
Those are just a few tips and tricks that help me for when I travel, not just in the summer but all year around. For those frequent flyers and road trippers, what are your top tips for travel? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy June! I can’t believe we are already into the sixth month of the year and making our way through 2022.
As we embark on a new month and in a few weeks, a new season, I figured it was time for a summer bucket list.
I love goals and I love to do lists, in order to maximize my time in the summer and have fun, I enjoy creating bucket lists. This bucket list is a mix of free and inexpensive things around my hometown and region of things I want to do this summer. Some can be done multiple times, others are a one and done kind of deal. If you are on the hunt for fun things to do this summer, feel free to steal an idea or two from the list.
I love to support local spots and community events, so I’m hoping to do that more this summer. I also like to use the summer season as a way to slow down a bit, less appointments and to-dos and more time to rest and go with the flow (one of my goals for my 24th year!)
Sumer Bucket List for 2022
This summer I hope to accomplish as many of these things as possible and do more activities that goes beyond this list.
Here’s a look at my summer bucket list:
Heritage Festivals/ Fairs
Day trips
Zoos
Beach Day
Pool Day
Celebrate Fourth of July
Time with family
White Turkey
Sara’s
See college friends
Go Someplace New
Meal by the Water
Food tour
Picnicing
Winery/Wine Tasting
Happy Hour/ Ice Cream Hour
State/National Parks
John Russell Brewing
Mini Golf
Kayaking
Amusement Park
Outdoor Concert
That’s a look at some things I hope to accomplish this summer. What are some things you are looking forward to this summer?
I hope your weeks are off to a great start and you are staying healthy and warm, especially if you are living in a chilly place like myself.
After all the Christmas and New Years celebrations are over, I always love to reset for the month of January. I think its a great time to get organized, do some deep cleaning, maybe even get rid of things you may not need, and start on some new goals for the year.
I’ve been doing pretty well with my resolutions which is always a good feeling.
For many people, a goal for the new year may be to keep spaces clean or get things organized, whether it’s a specific room in your home, your workspace in the office, or your car.
While I wish I could offer advice for cleaning and organizing all these areas, you would be reading this post for the next day, but I can offer you some tips for cleaning specific areas.
Today, we are talking about to keep your car clean and organized.
Must-Haves
Here’s my must haves for your car (these can be kept in your trunk or in the back of your car):
-Emergency kit for cars or first aid
-Blanket
-Water
-Non-perishable snacks (nuts or crackers-filling and something that lasts long)
-Change of seasonal clothes (in case of emergency or you get stuck and are in need of a quick change)
-Jumper Cables
*all of these can be put in the trunk or back of the car*
Here’s a look at what I keep in the trunk of my car.
-Cell phone charger
-Important Car Documents
-Hand Sanitizer or Wipes
-Extra masks (in today’s day and age, it’s a must)
*these can go in your glove compartment or center console*
Here’s what I keep in my center console.
Other things that I keep in my car that aren’t musts but are useful to have:
-Body spray/perfume/cologne (depending on girls or guys, I always have travel bottle of body spray in my car whenever you need a quick refresher)
– Towel (for rain storms, messes or a quick clean-up)
– Go-to toiletry bag (this is just any must-haves you may need in a pinch (for girls- hair tie, chapstick, contact solution, tissues, gum, anything you may think you could need in an emergency)
-Recyclable bags (these are helpful for trash or any wet towels or clothes)
I always have go bag and boots if I ever need it for work in my trunk too. (I have storage below where I keep emergency things)
Keeping it Clean
Once a week I do a quick car clean. I use a Clorox wipe to clean off the high touch point areas like the handles, the wheel, and the controls. I use a leather wipe to clean the seats and headsets.
I got a mini car vacuum for Christmas (yes, you know you are old when you get excited about getting a vacuum for a gift) and I like to use that for quick cleaning.
This mini vacuum is definitely a new favorite for me!
Now, for a more extensive cleaning, I turned to an expert in car cleaning, someone who taught me everything I know about cleaning, my boyfriend, Ethan. He helped me write the second half of this post!
“Routine car detailing doesn’t have to be hard, time consuming or expensive. With the right mix of affordable products and a little bit of know-how, keeping a car in top-notch condition is a relatively simple task.
Exterior Cleaning
The first step is to clean your car. Start with the outside, and rinsed the vehicle. Then, using a dedicated car wash soap that you can buy at any auto store, fill one bucket with soapy water according to the instructions on your soap. Fill a second bucket with clean water. Then, using a microfiber washing mitt or cloth, liberally cover the car in soapy water. As you wash, make sure to rinse the mitt periodically in the clear bucket.
After thoroughly washing the car from top to bottom, rinse it off with a hose and dry it with a microfiber drying product like a towel or cloth.
Interior Cleaning
Then, move to the inside, and when it comes to car detailing, if you can only do one thing, vacuum. Vacuuming will make the biggest difference in the appearance of your car, and it’s fairly quick to do. Make sure to thoroughly vacuum every interior surface including seats floors and floor mats. Make sure to remove the mats and vacuum beneath them.
After a very thorough vacuuming, it’s time to zero in. If your mats have not been cleaned in a long time, use a cleaning product like Tuff Stuff. It’s an aerosol spray, and it works wonders lifting out dirt. It’s also super versatile and can be used on most surfaces in your car. Best of all, it’s affordable. Handle the mats with tuff stuff and a stiff-bristled brush, mixed with some elbow grease. Wipe them dry with a microfiber towel, and then vacuum again. On your car’s interior, I like a two-in-one clean and shine. Unless your car is especially grimy, this will clean and polish in one step. If your car is beyond belief, use tuff stuff to blast away dirt, and then apply the polish with a microfiber towel. Cloth seats can be cleaned with tuff stuff, and leather ones need a dedicated leather cleaner.
Finally, clean the windows, but DO NOT USE WINDEX. It can ruin the tint. Use a dedicated car window product, and make sure to roll the windows down to get the tops.
When you’re done, stand back and admire your work.
For emergencies, I always keep a few microfiber towels in my trunk. That way, I can touch-up my interior in a moment, and if I spill something, I have a super absorbent towel ready to limit the damage.”
So there you have it, some tips on how to keep your car clean and organized and some must-haves. I’m by no means an expert but I hope this helped you with some ideas on how to get started when cleaning your car can seem like a daunting task.
Well, here we are in September. This weekend is Labor Day and therefore the end of summer. Although, I plan on still soaking up as much sunshine and warm weather when days permit it. Now, that summer is almost over, it was time for a summer bucket list check in. Did I accomplish all my goals, did I add somethings to the list?! Let’s take a look.
Summer Bucket List Recap
Seawolves Baseball Game
Didn’t happen but there’s still a few more weeks left of home games, so I’m hoping to make it to one before the season is up.
Start a new show
I finished Offspring this summer, I also watched the second season of Outer Banks, watched the second season of Modern Love and I watched the Pursuit of Love. I watched a lot over the summer. The Pursuit of Love was good, it followed the lives of two women through their lives in the 1930s and 1940s. It’s only three seasons, so it’s not too long of a commitment.
One of the series I watched
Summer reading
I read lots of books this summer, from fiction to non-fiction, beach reads and autobiographies. To see everything I read you can check out my past Currentlys or my Instagram stories. I’ve really enjoyed getting lost in books this summer.
Travel someplace new
I didn’t travel any place new but I did have new experiences, such as travelling alone and seeing new things with family and friends.
Best friend’s wedding shower and Best friend’s wedding
One of the highlights of my summer was celebrating one of my best friend’s bridal shower, girl’s weekend and wedding. It was incredible to see college friends and celebrate love this summer.
A look at my dress
See college friends
I was able to see college friends through visits to Pittsburgh, wedding festivities, shopping trips, and lunches.
See high school friends
I saw my close high school friends this summer. I kept up with my book club this summer, I also went to my 5 Year Class Reunion, and dinners and holidays! I’m so glad I stayed close with my friends.
Time with high school friends
Ice cream nights
My answer to everything this summer was ice cream. Good or bad day, ice cream was the answer. I went to many of my favorite ice creams spots all through the summer.
Lots of ice cream this summer
Dinner by water
I didn’t get dinner by the water but I got lunch which was perfect! Especially in Pittsburgh and seafood too, It was perfect!
Summer by the water
Play putt putt
I played putt putt both here in Erie and on vacation, so fun!
Beach day
I was able to head to the beach one morning before work and on a day off too. Plus lots of walks at the peninsula.
Zoo
I went to many zoos this summer. I went to our local zoo a few times. I also went to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Keystone Safari too which was so much fun! Ya girl loves the zoo and animals.
Keystone Safari for the day
Family trip
My family and I went away for a few days at the start of the summer and thank goodness we did, because the summer got busy once we got back.
Family time in Hershey!
Pittsburgh Trip
I went to Pittsburgh with friends and family this summer. I also went to different places surrounding Pittsburgh to visit friends.
A view of the city from above.
See family
I got to see lots of family this summer between picnics and celebrations and just relaxing. It was great to see so many people especially after a year without seeing people.
The Fourth spent with family
– White Turkey and Sara’s
Both classic summer spots. I’m so glad I was able to enjoy them with family and friends.
Hot dog and ice cream on the beach after a walk.
Niagara Falls
I didn’t make this happen this summer but there’s still time in the fall to make it happen.
Grill nights
I enjoyed lots of grilling. From barbecues with friends, family nights at home, and just enjoying time outside.
Entertain friends
I didn’t get to do a lot of entertaining this summer, but I did get a lot of visits in.
Winery or Brewery
I didn’t make this happen this fall, but I’m hoping to make it happen this fall!
Celebrate 23
I celebrated 23 with lunch at work, followed by cake and presents on my birthday and the day after. I also went out to dinner after work the day after too. It was great to celebrate a new year full of new adevntures.
My birthday dress.
Summer festivals
I enjoyed some local festivals as a part of my job and after work. It’s always great to support community events and change things up on weekends or after work.
Pool days
I spent lots of days out by the pool, between reading outside, floating in the water or playing in the water. I had time to soak up the water on hot summer days!
Even my dog Reese got in on the pool action.
That’s just a look at what I did this past summer. What did you accomplish this summer?!
