How was your Halloween? Did you pass out candy, take your kiddos trick or treating or stay in for a cozy meal and spooky or not so spooky movie?
Here’s how I celebrated the holiday.
I started the morning with an early run
I made a festive taco soup
We had lots of tasty treats!
I even dressed up my dog!
I am in a busy season of life right now with work, but the light is at the end of the tunnel, which is a relief. I’m doing my best to pace myself in the midst of the craziness. Here’s a few things that have kept me grounded and brought me joy as I link up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s edition of Friday Favorites.
Zen with Jen– I have been listening to this new podcast for a few weeks and wanted to share it with you. Zen with Jen is a weekly podcast that drops on Mondays, where Jenni shares bite-size, yoga, mindfulness and mediation techniques. Each episode lasts about five minutes but it’s centered around taking time for yourself through the day. Jenni has been teaching yoga on zoom for the past few years and it’s been so nice to connect with her in a new way with her podcast. This is a great way to start my day and week.
New Raincoat- I have been on the hunt for a raincoat ever since I got caught in a rain storm in September. I was looking for a durable, waterproof coat that would keep me dry and wasn’t too boxy. I hoped to find something that was sporty but still could be worn out and about. I also wanted it to be red. I found all those qualities with this raincoat from Land’s End and as a bonus it was on sale too! I have worn it a few times and can’t wait to get more use out of it in the coming weeks.
Emily Henry New book and Cover Reveal– I am a huge Emily Henry fan and she revealed the cover and plot of her latest book that will be launching next year. You can read about it here, but it sounds soooo good. Very Emily Henry-like, but with some new flavors too. When I saw the news, I immediately texted my fellow book worms to get their thoughts on the details. If you are a fan of Emily Henry, what are your thoughts on the book?
Unfrosted- I know this movie has been out for several months, but I just got around to watching it with my boyfriend and we both enjoyed it. Unfrosted tells the story of how the pop tart was created. The concept was cute, but the all star cast of comedians was even better. There were so many cameos and I loved seeing some of my favorite cereal box characters come to life. Definitely worth the watch if you are looking to laugh.
Fall Weather– My favorite thing about this past week has been the fall weather. The leaves, the sunlight, and the warm temperatures have made me love this time of year. Pictures don’t do it justice. I have been trying to sneak out at any time I can to enjoy the leaves and crisp fall weather. My dogs have also enjoyed the warmer weather and rolling in the leaves. There is truly nothing better than getting outdoors for some fresh air after a long day.
Just look at this beauty
Pictures don’t do it justice
I can’t believe October has come to an end, I always say November is the calm before the storm, so I am going to take these next few weeks to prep. How do you like to spend your November? I would love to hear from you, let me know in the comments below!
I hope you had a wonderful and fulfilling Labor Day weekend. Whether you said goodbye to summer, had one last cookout, or it was just a normal weekend, I hope it filled you with what you needed. I typically round out every month with my Currently post, where I recap the past month, but due to TWO posts about my trip to Italy, we are starting the month of by recapping last August.
Here’s what the eighth month of the year looked like for me.
What I’ve Been Up To:
August began with our family’s trip of a lifetime to Italy. We saw Rome, Florence, Venice, and Capri. You can read about our time away in two parts. If you missed it, part one can be read here and part two can be found here.
The beautiful RomeAn overview of the city
Once we returned it was a bit of a whirlwind with people starting new jobs, moving, or heading back to school, plus throw in getting back to work and you have a busy few weeks. However, we still managed to squeeze in some end of summer fun!
I enjoyed a final Guardians night game of the season. This was the second one I went to this year and third overall, and they won the night game!
Guards win!
I also enjoyed lots of walks to some of my favorite spots around my home.
.Some of my favorite spots to walk
Our city had their annual festival that I both worked at and got to attend. Their chalk walk is one the highlights of the event and some of the artwork was incredible.
I enjoyed some summer staples with burger, fries and ice cream by the water.
Plus, we made a stop to our County Fair where we saw the livestock, vendors, and enjoyed some fair food too!
I also found some new spots to run and hit a new record for distance.
Overall, it was a packed full month in the best way possible.
What I’m Wearing:
I wore a lot of shorts and lightweight tops while I was on vacation that I could mix and match. This helped me save space while packing and it was convenient for the hot days we experienced.
Lemon sorbet
I did have a few fun outfits, like this white set which was a skirt and top and this long, flowy dress from Old Navy. This dress felt great in the cool evening.
We had a few days of cooler weather, so I did break out the long sleeve shirt and shorts combo for days off. I know I will be wearing this combo often as we go through the transitional weather coming up.
I even got to wear my go-to white blazer before Labor Day for work.
What I’m Reading: I read so many books this past month due to my travels, so I have lots of recommendations for you. Let’s get into them:
Hotel Nantucket- I read the Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand to start off the month. It’s all about a woman who is tasked with hiring a staff and running a hotel for the season in Nantucket. If you have read any of Hilderbrand’s other works, you will find some Easter eggs and references to her other works. This book featured an ensemble cast with so many different personalities and a supernatural element too. This was a fast read for me and definitely worth picking up to read on your next vacation.
The Second Chance Hotel– Sierra Godfrey’s The Second Chance Hotel was the perfect book to have on my phone while we were on vacation. I was able to read it while we were traveling from place to place on trains, boats or planes. I always like to have a book on my phone so I have something to read if I’m waiting for something as opposed to scrolling mindlessly through social media. Back to the book, it follows the story about a young woman escaping her life and traveling across Europe, she’s about to end her trip in a small town in Greece, that is until the hotel she is staying at falls into her and another guest’s lap. They decide to run it for the season, but when her old life is calling her back, she must decide if she wants to stay in Greece or return to America. It was such a fun, travel read and so good to enjoy in the summer!
Flying Solo– I listened to Flying Solo by Linda Holmes while I went on a lot of runs or walks over the past month and it was good, but not a great read. It’s about a woman who goes to clean out her great-aunt’s house once she dies and comes across an item that has a bit of a mystery to it. While she is cleaning out the house, she reconnects with an old boyfriend, spends time with her childhood friend and has a few moments of self discovery along the way. The book went in a few different directions which made it hard to follow as I was listening to it, so that may have changed my feelings about the book if I read it. But there were also some parts that were hard to relate to as the woman was in her forties and still looking for love and I’m not at that point in my life. It was a good book to listen to, but it wasn’t my favorite.
First Lie Wins– First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is a mystery and thriller that keeps you guessing. It’s all about a woman in a new relationship, but there’s a twist, she didn’t meet her new man unexpectedly. She was meant to meet him. Without giving too much away, this is a spy/undercover thriller with lots of different characters that bounces back and forth between the past and present, so you have to pay attention while reading, however, it’s a great change of pace if you are looking for a palette cleanser between books.
Sandwich– I had heard about Sandwich by Catherine Newman from several different bloggers and decided to give it a try and ultimately it wasn’t the best book for me. It’s all about a woman who goes on her traditional family vacation to Cape Cod with her husband, growing children and ailing parents. The book runs the course of the week and is told from the mother’s perspective about where she is at in life and her feelings about what she has accomplished. The writing was very well done and I loved hearing about the traditions and settings, but it was just hard to relate to as a young woman.
What I’m Watching– I haven’t had too much time to watch tv but I have been enjoying a few movies and tv shows including:
Emily in Paris-. Season Four began with five episodes, each about 30 minutes each. You can binge them all at once or spread them out like I did to make them last longer. The fashion, storylines and drama was upped this season and it didn’t disappoint. Emily had some incredible outfits this season.
This season was so good!
It Ends with Us– My best friend and I both read the book and we decided to make it a girls date and see the movie, It Ends with Us. There were definitely some changes between the book and movie, but I’m glad I read and saw them both. I think the casting was well done and it was cool to see the characters come to life on the big screen.
What I’m Cooking– I didn’t do too much cooking since I spent a lot of the month traveling, but I have enjoyed some tasty stir frys.
I also have been grilling out toward the end of summer. I do have a few new cookbooks that I have yet to go through and plan on making some recipes from them soon!
I also made the delicious grilled chicken salad. The salad had cucumbers, radishes, oranges and grapes. It was so filling and healthy too!
What Inspires Me– A friend sent me this reminder and I think it’s so important to keep in mind as we head into a new season of life and to remember to slow down.
Also, for anyone heading back to school or to the classroom, another reminder too!
What I Accomplished– I crossed off almost everything off my summer bucket list. Here’s a look at it currently.
I also hit my goal of running 9 miles this month which I was very proud of.
Goals from Last Month– This month was so busy between our family trip and soaking up the last bit of summer and going through some transitions, I was so happy to have made it through the month.
My garden has been coming along well and although, I didn’t get as nearly as many veggies as I hoped, I still got some!
Goals for this Month– After a busy summer, I am looking to getting back to some of my old routines and establish new ones. I am also looking forward to spending more time with friends and maybe coming up with some new hobbies or things to do.
Post work runs brought me down to the water.
Whew, August was a packed full month and this is just a look into it. I hope this next month brings new routines, rhythms, and adventures, but most importantly, growth. What are your goals for the month ahead? I would love to hear them.
Have a wonderful week, see you back here on Friday!
Hello all! Happy Friday! I hope you all have had a great week and are excited to do something fun as we start to say goodbye to summer! This has been such a fulfilling summer filled with checking off bucket list items, continuing summer traditions, and new adventures. I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer, but all good things must come to an end.
I’ve been capitalizing on lots of walks over the past few weeks.
As we get ready for the weekend, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for another round of Friday Favorites! Here’s a list of things I’ve been loving!
Yoga– I’ve tried yoga a few times over the past month. I am used to more high intensity workouts with strength training, lifting and cardio, so this was a change in pace for me, but I’ve enjoyed it the past few times. I did a yoga on the beach which was a slow and gentle flow yoga for beginners. Then a week later, I did a sunrise yoga which was gentle, but more intense yoga. Both lasted an hour and I felt relaxed, refreshed, and stretched out. I don’t know if I’ll be incorporating yoga into my weekly workout sessions, but it was fun to change it up for a few weeks.
Yoga to start the day
It Ends with Us– The movie, It Ends with Us starting Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is now out. I haven’t seen it yet, but I am anxious to see it. I read the book and the sequel by Colleen Hoover and I really loved it. I’m anxious to see how the movie compares to the book. I have read some reviews, but no spoilers. I did hear that Hoover makes an appearance. I’m hoping to see it in the theaters soon! I’ll report back with a review once I see it.
New Bridgerton Scent– As we say goodbye to one season of life and say hello to another, my body lotion and sprays are changing. I got some of the new scents from the Bridgerton collection from Bath and Body Works for my birthday and I’m finally getting around to using them. I really love this scent and the design on the bottle. The scent is called Diamond of the Season and it’s a subtle, vanilla scent with some hints of floral. The perfect smell to use when at the end of summer and start of fall!
Packing Cubes-I’m officially on the packing cube train. I have read about packing cubes for years from Mix and Match Mama and before my family trip, I purchased a set for my mom and I to share and they were a huge help. I used two cubes and they fit nine days worth of clothes tight and compact. On the way home, I used one for clean and one for dirty clothes. They gave me so much more space in my carry-on. I would definitely recommend getting them if you are a big traveler. I would even consider using them if you are using a tote bag if you don’t plan on using a suitcase to keep everything organized and neat. I know I will be using them for future travels. I got mine off Amazon!
Satin Lips Scrub and Balm– I’ve mentioned this numerous times, but whenever I go on vacation or go away, I always like to try new beauty samples to see if I want to invest in them. When I went on my trip, I tried Mary Kay’s Satin Lips Scrub and Balm. I used the scrub every night after I washed my face and used them balm through the day. The scrub felt good after a day of lip balm and glass. I found myself having to reapply the balm a lot through the day, but that also could have been due to the heat and drinking lots of water. I will definitely be using the samples on my next trip, but I think I will be sticking to my Sara Happ Lip scrub and balm at home every night.
That’s a look into some of my favorite things from this past week! What are some things that have caught your eye this past week? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Friday!
Hello all and (I can’t believe I’m saying this…) Happy November!
This year has flown by, I feel like I was just making my New Year’s Resolutions and now I am starting to my list of people to buy for Christmas. I hope you had a fun and festive Halloween yesterday and if you are like me, chances are, you may be recovering from a bit of a sugar high with all the sweet treats and candy. Even though I am an adult, it was still fun to celebrate!
A look at some of the candy from yesterday!
Here’s how I enjoyed the holiday leading up to the day and the actual day.
I carved a pumpkin!
Roasted pumpkin seeds
Watched The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
And enjoyed Halloween treats!
The colder weather has set in and it’s not going away anytime soon. Because our warm weather is so limited here, I try to spend as much time as I can outdoors in the warmer months. But even on the chillier days, I try to bundle up on chillier days to get in some fresh air and movement outdoors even in the wind, cold and snow.
Trying to make the most even on the cold days!
I have made fitness a priority over the past several years. Although it has evolved and changed in different seasons of life, I always try to incorporate movement every day.
If you are an Apple watch user, like me, I always try to close my rings and my streak has been going on for over two years! Some days I go above and beyond by closing my rings and other days, I just hit my 30 minutes of exercise and just barely close them.
A typical day of stats for me!
Ever since college, I have made an effort to work out and get movement in daily and that’s done in a variety of ways. I definitely get more movement and exercise in warmer months since I can be outdoors more. There are some days in the summer that I will hit the gym, go for a run and even take an evening walk or hike. I love those days when I can get in lots of movement. There are also days in the fall and winter when I just get in a walk or just do yoga and stretching for 30 minutes and that’s okay too. The bottom line is that I’m still moving my body and getting some form of exercise in.
My fitness journey began in college, I would head to the gym five days a week. This typically looked like three weekdays and then the weekend. I would do some cardio and weights throughout the week to get my heart rate going and to stay in shape. You can read about my college fitness journey here.
Some of my early days in the gym
After graduation, I moved home and started working full time and I knew I still wanted to make fitness a priority. I found a gym and continued to go to workout Monday through Friday every morning at 6:45 a.m. which is what I do to this day. My workouts typically last between 45 minutes and an hour. These workouts are a mix of stretching, cardio, free weights and strength and conditioning. I love how I feel when I leave the gym and have the whole day ahead of me.
A look at a daily workout
This past year I made it a New Year’s Resolution to take up running and run a 5K. You can read about my training here. Starting in the spring, I would run two days a week after a workout. I started small by running a mile and then worked my way to where I am today which is four and a half miles. I have been loving this new hobby and new form of exercise.
A very good run!
Through the spring and summer on my days off, I typically get in two workouts (I head to the gym and then go for a run). I feel accomplished and productive and there’s no better release of endorphins than to get in two workouts before 9:00 a.m.
Some days my workouts look like this.
Not all days, whether they be days off or working days, look like this. On busier days when I know I won’t be able to get in a workout or run in, I try to at least get in a short walk outside or do some yoga and stretching at night when I am watching a show when I’m winding down to get some movement in.
In the late fall and winter when I know an outdoor run isn’t always possible, I spend more time indoors doing yoga and stretching.
Some days I just get in a walk.
For me personally, it’s not always about burning hundreds of calories or how much I sweat, it’s about getting in some form of movement and exercise daily and that’s what is important.
As the weather gets colder and you spend more time indoors, I hope this encourages you to still get some movement every day for a healthy lifestyle, whether it’s a full workout, a short walk or even yoga.
Tell me: what are some of your favorite ways to get your movement in every day?
Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far!
I always try to keep things fun and relevant here and mix topics up so there’s something for everyone.
Today, I’m talking about fitness and working out. Everyone’s fitness journey is different and I’m by no means an expert on fitness or working out or health and nutrition. This is just my views on working out and my fitness journey, so if these tips work for you, great, if they don’t, then maybe you have tips you can share with me.
A bit of background, I started working out consistently in college, I would go five days a week and it would be a mix of weekends and weekdays before classes. I typically did cardio and then free weights or some weight machines.
A look at my workouts in college.
After graduating college, I got into a new gym routine by going five days a week (weekdays) and then trying to move and do something active on the weekends.
During the weekdays, I typically do strength training and a full body workout at the gym for 45 minutes to an hour. I do a mix of free weights, core workout and some cardio too.
An example of my workouts now.
My apple watch is a huge help by holding me accountable for moving every day. I’ve talked about my Apple watch in this post here. There’s no better feeling than closing your rings, especially when you are on a streak. Every day, I aim to stand for 12 hours (I typically exceed that), workout for 30 minutes a day (again, I typically hit between 45-60 minutes) and then burn 590 calories a day (I typically hit 600 daily).
A look at some of my Apple Watch stats. This is from a day I filled in on a morning shift (hence being up for 22 hours)
Another example of my Apple Watch stats. I got a lot of walks in this day.
Besides going to the gym five days a week, I try to get in a long walk or two during the week, these often happen on my weekend (Thursday and Friday) or during the weekend. It’s easy to get in a long walk in the summer and fall, but tricker in the winter. Even when it’s cold, I remind myself, I will feel better after getting some movement in.
Taking walks is always a great stress reliever.
No matter the season, walks are always a good idea
On weekends, I don’t always have time for a long workout or walk, so any movement is good movement for me. I will sometimes do stretching or yoga, or a quick walk, just to get my body moving. On busier days, my goals shift from getting a long or intense workout to just moving and being active or even just closing my rings on my apple watch, haha!
Your fitness journey doesn’t have to be spending two hours in a gym every day or running five miles. I am not a runner; I wish I was but I’m not. But if you want to go on a three-mile walk, I’m game!
Nothing better than getting in some movement.
Working out doesn’t have to be a competition or a race, what matters is doing what works best for you and feeling good about moving. When I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed, taking walk to clear my mind or lifting at the gym to start the day, always makes me feel better and it helps me reset.
Another great day with a long walk and good workout.
It can be hard to get motivated to workout especially when the weather is changing, but even if you carve out a few minutes to do something to move and for you, you may be surprised how good you feel.
Like I said at the beginning, I’m not a health or fitness expert, so I’m just sharing what works for me. I hope this post encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and move a bit today too!
