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Currently #42

June, where have you gone?! I can’t believe we are at the end of another month. There were certain times that this month felt slow and sweet and then I blinked, and I was planning things for July. These past 30 days have been filled with lots of walks, books, grilling, sunshine, and summer adventures. I have been making my way through my summer bucket list and doing more things that weren’t on the list. As we prepare to flip the calendar. Here’s a look at what’s Currently going on in my life.

What I’ve Been Up To: Through the entire month of June, I have been marking things off my summer bucket list. From day trips, to picnics, walks and time outdoors, I have done a lot. 

This month, I made a trip to Columbus, where I went to the zoo and state park for grilling and a beach day. 

Columbus Zoo!
More animals- I loved the polar bears!
And gorillas!
And finished the day at the beach!

I also enjoyed playing mini golf and trying a new to me pizza shop and park for a walk.

Pizza in the park!

Picking strawberries was on my summer bucket list and I accomplished that and made seven jars of jam in addition to lots of fresh berries to eat.

Strawberry picking day!
Our haul!
Some of the end results!
And strawberry shortcake too!

Another big highlight of the month was my birthday present from my boyfriend, more on that in the coming weeks!

Here’s a tease for where I went…

I rounded out the month with a trip to the beach to visit family and it was so good to see relatives and get some time by the water.

The shores of New Jersey!
The boardwalk!

What I’m Wearing: Besides your typical shorts and graphic t-shirts on days off, I did a big summer clothing haul at the start of summer and have been wearing new pieces to work. Lots of bright colors and patterns, plus quality clothing coming your way too.

One of my new dresses. I have been wearing lots of pink!

I also have been wearing lots of short sets too! Like this one!

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What I’m Reading: I got a lot of books for my birthday and have been slowly making my way through them.

I started this month with Best Served Hot. I saw this book on display at the library and was immediately drawn in by the plot and checked all the boxes for a good read! Rom-com, takes place in a big city, and talks about food! The story follows a food critique and a food influencer as they try out different restaurants in NYC, first as competitors and then on a collaborators. The best and dare I say, worst part of the book was the details of all the foods they were tasting. The description was so vivid, which just made me hungry while I was reading.

I also read Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. I really enjoyed her book, Little Fires Everywhere and I was excited to read this book. I will admit, it was a heavier novel, but I learned so much about the Asian American culture and customs. It’s all about the lengths a mother will go to protect her family while doing what she thinks is right. Themes of unconditional love, sacrifice and coming of age are found throughout the book.

I also read Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. This book takes a scientific approach to productivity and time management. I am all about maximizing my time and being as efficient as possible. This book was more research based and didn’t have as many tips or advice about management, but I still found it interesting. I appreciated how the book focused on time management through history and ways we can be make the most of our time on Earth.

What I’m Watching: I haven’t been watching too much tv as I have been doing my best to be outdoors as much as possible. I have watched some good family movies, like Air and A Man Called Otto.

Family movie night!

I also finished the series, Ted Lasso which was really good. I think the series wrapped up very nicely and I like how everyone’s storylines had closure. It was such a fun show to binge and watch week to too.

I also watched The Night Agent on Netflix. This was only ten episodes, with which episode lasting about 45 minutes. It was a mix mystery, intrigue, action, drama, and thriller, those are all good things I’m looking for in a series. I would recommend it if you were looking for a new show to binge watch.

The new season of Outlander is back! I have been making my way through season seven every week when their episodes air. 

Outlander is back!

And Just Like That Season 2. The girls are back with And Just Like That! I really enjoyed season one and have been enjoying what season has brought. It’s also been a fun show to watch weekly. 

What Inspires Me: I’ve been so inspired by summer fun! From outdoor meals, walks, trying new recipes and celebrating milestones.

Walks by the water

I also have been getting my runs in weekly and have enjoyed feeling stronger with each run I go on.

My longest run!
Delicious summer meals!
Picnics by the shore

What I Accomplished: This past month has been all about welcoming summer and really trying to be present in the moment.

Summer grilling and salad

I’m always trying to find time to sneak in time outdoors, whether it’s visiting a bit longer outside after a meal, reading outdoors instead of inside or finding time to go for a quick walk.ย 

Slow mornings reading outdoors.

Goals from Last Month: I kicked off my summer bucket and have been proud of the progress I’ve made so far which has been a win.

Enjoying all the fresh foods!

Goals for Next Month: Keep enjoying summer! I know it may not seem like much, but I really am trying hard to be present in the moment and soak up the sun, go swimming, grill, go on picnics, and make memories!

More grilling nights with lots of salads and fruits!
And more fresh salads (do you sense a trend here?)

The older I get the more I know how sacred family time is, so I’m doing my best to spend as much time with family as I can!

The beach all quiet in the morning.

I also have a concert planned and plans to visit friends! I’m looking forward to seeing those plans through. Plus, a lot of our local fairs and festivals gets underway in July so I’m looking forward to checking those out too!

Ending June with ice cream.

That’s a look into what’s Currently going on. A whole lot of summer lovin!  How have you been spending your summer? Let me know in the comments below!

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Currently #40

Hello Hello! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are enjoying your week. I can’t believe we are at the end of April. Is it just me or did April fly by? I feel like we were just celebrating Easter and now we are gearing up for May. 

This month has been filled with Easter fun, a week of summer weather and lots of good books and shows. Here’s a look at life this past month. I always love going through my camera role to see what I did over the past few weeks.

What I’ve Been Up To: I started the month by celebrating Easter with my family. We watched Here Comes Peter Cottontail- (a classic!)

An Easter classic!

We dyed eggs, enjoyed Easter dinner, ate too much candy and saw family. 

A fun, family tradition of egg dyeing!
One of the eggs I worked on!
Our favorite Easter dessert-our bunny cake!

I wore this Tommy Hilfiger which was perfect for a sunny, Easter morning.

I had fun covering Opening Day for our local baseball time and the weather was gorgeous!

I got to enjoy my first night grilling with warm weather!

Then we had a whole stretch of week that was in the 70s and full sun! I took advantage of summer-like weather by heading out for walks with my dogs or with friends.

A great walk with one of my friends!

I also enjoyed ice cream, fresh flowers and lunch outside! It was the best week and it has me craving summer now more than ever!

First ice cream of the season.
Lunch outside!
My pup enjoying the sweet sunshine!

What I’m Wearing: This was a new dress from Calvin Klein that I got from Ross’s. I really love the neutral colors and how it can work with spring and summer since it has short sleeves. I also really like the pattern.

I got this jacket from T.J.Maxx and immediately fell in love with it. From the colors to the fabric, it reminds me of a classy Chanel piece of clothing. I wore it in the spring and I’m looking forward to wearing it on chilly days too.

What I’m Reading: I have been reading so many good books lately from a lot of different genres, from mystery to chick flick and drama, I have covered them all. Here’s some of my favorites:

Love and Other Wordsโ€“  Love and Other Words goes back and forth between the past and present with two best friends who reunite after almost a decade apart. Themes of friendship, love, and books are woven through the book. As a book lover myself, I loved all the references to books and getting lost in a story. My friend Sydney gifted me this book and Iโ€™m so glad she did. Iโ€™ll defintely be reading more Christina Lauren books.

Greenwich Parkโ€“  Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner is the perfect mix of drama, thriller and mystery. The story is told from different perspectives of the characters. The book follows a story of a woman who meets a fellow first-time mom in a pre-natal class, the two women become friends until the new women has a hidden agenda and some secrets and connections to the protagonist and her friends and family. The book starts out fairly slow but picks up towards the middle and end, so if you re-thinking about quitting, stay with it.

Best Years of Your Life-This book started out slow, but once it picked up, I couldnโ€™t put it down. Itโ€™s told by the three main characters, a married couple and their college-aged daughter. Each character is going through different trials and tribulations and has their own secrets that they are dealing with. You can find themes of drama, relationships, family, honesty and integrity. Itโ€™s one of those books that will stick with you after you finish it. Another bonus is that the author is from my community-such a small world!

What I’m Watching: This past month has been filled with continuing to watch the Mindy Project, I started it back in January and have been slowly making my way through it on days off or at night. It’s the perfect show to put on in the background and it will guarantee you lots of laughs.

I also have been watching the fifth and final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I have been loving the flash forwards through the season, it’s been cool to see where characters end up in the future. I’m anxious to see where the rest of the season takes us, but I also don’t want it to end.

I’ve also been keeping up with the weekly episode drops of Ted Lasso, such a fun mid week pick me up!

What Inspires Me: I’ve been so inspired by the warm, spring-like weather that I just want to spend all my time outside on warm days! I try to make it a point to enjoy longer walks with my dogs while I listen to a podcast on days off or even after I finish work if it’s still light out.

A great walk by the water
Even my dogs are getting in on the outdoor fun!

I have also been doing more work outdoors on days off and I can’t wait to do more of that and read outdoors more when the weather stays consistently warm.

Enjoying another meal out in the sunshine!

There’s also been new buds on trees and flowers, which brings so much hope for the new season.

What I Accomplished: I checked a lot of things off my to-do list over the past month, from doctor’s appointments to gifts for friends and family, I have a few big events coming up next month and it felt so good to get things purchased! I’m looking forward to celebrating some fun things next month.

Goals from Last Month: I wanted to soak up all the family time around the Easter holiday and get the home ready for Spring and I accomplished both things. It was nice to have some bonus time with family and switch things from one season to another. 

Enjoying some Easter sweets with my family was a highlight.

Goals for this Month: May is a busy month, there’s birthday celebrations (including mine!), end of the year activities, Memorial Day, Mother’s Day and some fun, family events planned.

I’m looking forward to more summer snacks like these!

There’s a lot happening in May, but I’m looking forward to it and officially welcoming summer right after that.

My sweet pup enjoying the sunshine.

That’s just a look into life right now. Lots of outdoor time, sunshine, and spring fun! Tell me, what are you looking forward to next month? Let me know in the comments below! See you back here on Friday!