Happy Friday! I hope you had a full and successful week! February is flying by which is good for me. January felt wayyyyy longer than I wanted, but February is flying by. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact I have more things on my calendar to look forward to. I got back from a weekend away last weekend and it gave me the energy I needed to make it through the second half of winter. As much as I love to travel, it’s always good to come home and get settled after time off.
My go-to look, all bundled up for winter. Hat, scarf, and puffy jacket!
As we look towards brighter days, here are some things I have been loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea
New Candle Scent– I finished my Emily in Paris candle which I loved and it was time for a new one. I decided to switch it up with a lavender scent to relax and unwind to the start and end of the day. I got this candle from a local candle company. I love to support local businesses whenever I can and this was a great opportunity to do so. The candles come in different size Mason jars which I find so cute. I also love how the scent lingers after you blow it out. This has been a favorite of mine these past few weeks.
Hair Shine Mist- I use a lot of different products in my hair every day and I always like experimenting with new products. I have been trying this shine mist after I’m done doing my hair, before I head out the door. It gives my hair a nice clean look and it smells great too. But I do notice that it adds some shine and volume too. Definitely a win for me when it comes to hair products!
New Apple Watch Band– As i mentioned in my post a few weeks ago, I LOVE my apple watch and wear all day, every day. I typically keep the generic, athletic band on it at all times, but sometimes for work, I want a more professional look. I decided to purchase a gold/leather watch band from Amazon and I have been loving it. It definitely elevates my look and I feel more sophisticated when I wear it. An inexpensive purchase that makes me feel more put together and fashionable.
Back in Action- Have you seen the new movie on Netflix, Back in Action?! It stars Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. My boyfriend and I recently watched it during a virtual watch party and both really enjoyed it. Was it the greatest movie of all time? No, but was it a good thriller with some good one-liners on Netflix to enjoy for a date night?! Absolutely! The movie follows two spies who get out of the business to start a family only to get pulled right back in years later. Definitely a fun movie to watch for your next night in.
Virtual watch party for the win!
Pomodoro Timer- My friend recommended I try the Pomodoro Timer for work and house projects and it has been super helpful when staying on task. Sometimes, I, like many can get distracted when I’m trying to a task or work and the timer is a great motivator to stay focused and catch your breath every few minutes. This is a great tool if you spend hours at a desk and need a reminder to get moving too.
That’s a look into life this past week and what I’m loving! Some shows, movies, accessories, and beauty items, truly a little bit of everything. I hope you have found something that brought you JOY this past week. Have a fabulous weekend! See you back here on Wednesday!
Happy, happy Wednesday! I don’t know about you, but it feels like February is blitzing right by us. I know I wasn’t alone by feeling that January took forever, but February is certainly moving by quickly, which I’m not complaining about.
I got away for the long weekend and the change of scene was so nice!
I am ready for spring, to get outdoors, and for blue skies and sunshine! But we still have a little bit more time until we are in the clear of the cold and snow. The light is near and end of winter is hopefully near.
Last month, I participated in the Simplified “Simplicity Challenge”. I have been doing this for the past several years and done posts every year on it. For 2024, click here, for 2023, click here, for 2019 click here.
If you are new to me blog, here’s a bit of the rundown of the 31 Day challenge.
Simplified’s Simplicity Challenge is 31 days of little tasks to complete every day in January to simplify and organize your life. Team Simplified posts the daily challenge that typically takes less than 15 minutes to complete. These are ways to organize your life without getting overwhelmed and stressed by completing daunting projects.
An example of a task is cleaning out your fridge
I successfully completed every task and shared them on my Instagram stories, some on the day of and some in the days following if I didn’t have time or was out of town.
Here’s a look at some of the tasks that I completed.
Declutter Junk Drawers– These were my desk drawers and an easy task to get done.
Sheets– I successfully got rid of sheets that were old and stained and only kept the best ones.
Organize Dresses– I didn’t get rid of any dresses, but I did get them sorted.
Edit Jeans and T-Shirts– I had so many jeans and tried them all on and only kept the ones that fit best. As far as t-shirts go, I refolded them and kept my favorite and most worn ones.
Only the best jeansFavorite t-shirts
Simplify Jewelry- I got an earring organizer for Christmas and this has been a huge help when it comes to keeping my jewelry all together and organized.
Sort Bottles and Cups– I didn’t get rid of any mugs or cups, but I did sort them but type. I have SO many mugs that when I move out, my family will have a lot more space back.
Clean Out Tupperware– This was clean and organized and it has by and large stayed that way, but I don’t know how long it will last.
Pantry Clean Out– This wasn’t too hard of a task since I keep it pretty organized and sorted especially after I unload and sort things after I go grocery shopping every week.
Clean Out Car– I love a clean car, but the winter months means lots of snow and ice, so a car clean out and car refresher was necessary.
Towels Purged-We have so many towels, especially beach towels. They are folded now, but it won’t last for long, especially once summer hits and we go through towels left and right.
Med Cabinet Cleaned– A clean out and restock was necessary especially right before flu and cold season hit.
Books Sorted– As a reader, I have lots of books, but I do make weekly library trips. I did get rid of some books that I didn’t like or wasn’t a favorite.
It felt so good to get my life in order after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. I also liked how it gave me something to do each day. I appreciated how the tasks don’t take too long to complete; you don’t get overwhelmed by the daunting things like attacking your whole house in one day and it really has you stay focused on one area at a time. Plus, they all take only a short amount of time to get done.
Cleaning out cook and bakeware
If you didn’t participate in the January challenge, you can still start it whenever you like.
Tell me, if you did complete the Simplicity Challenge, what did you think of it?
If you haven’t tried it yet, are you willing to take the plunge? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy Wednesday! See you back here on Friday for another edition of Friday Favorites!
Hi everyone! Happy Friday and more importantly, Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you are showing and getting some love today. I know I have been making some time for my girlfriends over the past few weeks. Whether it is with your significant other, spouse, girlfriends, or even yourself, today is such a good reminder to give yourself some extra love and maybe even treat yourself too!
I am out of town this weekend, for a little getaway, so I am looking forward to a break in the routine for some fun. However you are spending the day, I hope it’s enjoyable. Before we get to the weekend, I wanted to share some current favorites with you as I link up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites
Simplified Bags and Pouches-We kick things off with travel accessories which ties in perfectly with me being on the road today. I got the Simplified tote and pouches for Christmas and have used them here and there, but was waiting for a trip to use and take advantage of them. I love the soft blue color and the quilted pattern. The size is great for running errands if you need to hold lots of things or for a weekend away. The pouches make organizing small items much easier too.
New Car Scent– My interior of my car has gotten very dirty this winter with lots of snow, ice, and salt. I try to keep up with cleaning it, but it just keeps getting messy. I can’t wait for spring and summer when I can really detail it. One thing I have kept up with is keeping my car smelling good. I swapped out car scents and am going for a fresh scent for a new month. I want to be better with the maintenance of my car this year by including monthly car washes and scent swaps. Here’s what I’m currently using from Bath and Body Works. I love the freshness that it provides to my car.
Valentine’s Day Playlist– It’s Valentine’s Day and I have been enjoying the month of love as much as I can. From doing some decorating, wearing my reds, pinks, and purples, and listening to lots of love music. I found this great playlist on Apple Music which has a little bit of everything, some classic songs, new hits, and all genres of love songs. This has been a go-to playlist for me as I drive or get things done. Give it a try if you are looking for some background music this weekend.
The Six Triple Eight- This has been on my watch list for a while on Netflix and I finally got around to viewing it. The Six Triple Eight is based on the all-black, female battalion in World War II who worked to help organize and distribute mail. I was first intrigued by it because it starred Kerry Washington was a Tyler Perry film, but the more I watched and read about it, the more invested I got. I really loved the historical storyline, and I think they did an incredible job showing just how challenging it was to be a woman of color in the army in World War II. They had a stellar cast who brought so much emotion and passion to the film. I wouldn’t be surprised if it got nominated and won awards for it. This would also be a great film to watch as we make our way into Black History Month.
Ice Scraper-This winter season has been oh-so cold. We have dealt with record-breaking snow falls, blizzard warnings, freezing temperatures and everything else in between. Needless to say, winter tools have been my best friend this year. I got a heated ice scraper for Christmas, and it has been a game changer. You just plug it in your car, and it heats up and you can start scraping ice off your windshield or other parts of your car. It’s proven to be a big help especially when you don’t want to spend too much time outdoors.
That’s a roundup of things that have grabbed my attention this week! As we make our way to Valentine’s Day weekend, what are your plans and how will you be celebrating? Whether it’s by yourself or with loved ones, I hope it’s a wonderful day and weekend. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hello all! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far! This has been a busy, but fun week for me! We had the Super Bowl on Sunday, tomorrow is Galentine’s Day, but I have been celebrating all month long with friends but setting up one on one dates with friends and then this weekend is Valentine’s Day. I’ll be out of town for a weekend getaway which I’m excited about too!
Here’s how I have been celebrating the month of love!
Enjoying lots of sweet treats!And baked goods too!
Love is the topic for today’s Let’s Look as I link up with Shay and Erika!
Today the topic is How We Work on Our Marriage. Since I’m not married, I switched the topic to how I work on my relationships, with friends, family, and my boyfriend.
Let’s start with friendships! I cherish my friendships with my gals, whether they are near or far away. One of the biggest ways that I maintain my friendships is by being consistent with my friends with routine dates or check-ins. Besides sending random texts or check-ins with my friends, I try to set up weekly or monthly dates depending on our schedules. Life can get busy, but having something on the calendar is important for holding each other accountable. For example, my one friend and I have monthly facetime dates. We talk at the end of the month for about an hour and catch each other up on all our life happenings. We will still occasionally text through the month, but we save all the girl talk for our facetime dates since we live far away from each other. When it comes to friends who live in town, my friends and I try to see each other once or twice a month for a walk, coffee date, or meal. For me and my friends, having something on the calendar keeps us in a good rhythm of visiting one another.
When it comes to my family, I live at home with my parents and one brother (the other two are grown and out of the house or in college). Family dinners are super important to us, we always make time for each other and love to hear about each other’s days. I love the connection that sitting down for a meal offers. When it comes to my brothers who aren’t home, besides texting, I try to call and check in about once a week. We talk about our weeks, what’s new and life in general. I love the connection that a phone call or facetime offers as opposed to a text.
Lastly, my boyfriend. I keep my relationship pretty private. But we have been together for almost five years and every day is better than the last. We have grown and learned a lot through our relationship. We met through work and worked together for a few years, before he decided to make a career change and now we are going long distance. We have learned a lot by going the distance and grown in our relationship too. The biggest thing I have learned is the importance of communication, whether it’s something that’s good or bad, being upfront and honest with one another has been so helpful when we are hours apart. We talk and text through the day and try to visit each other once a month and when we are together we try to have a balance or doing things and just doing mundane things. Having good communication skills, putting each other first and giving our best effort are top priorities for us.
Relationships are so vital to our lives, whether it’s friendships, family, or significant others. I try to maintain relationships the best that I can and in ways that works best for me. With Valentine’s Day just days away, how do you maintain your relationships? Let me know in the comments below! Have a wonderful ramp up to Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day! Sending you lots of love!
Hello everyone! Happy Friday, it’s the first Friday of February! I know I am happy to see a new month. I love all the things that come with February, more winter fun, Galentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day, plus we are one step closer to Spring!
My pup has been enjoying chilly nights and the warm fire!
Today, I’m linking up with with Erika and Andrea for another round of Friday Favorites! Here’s some things I have been loving this week! This is a fun mix of things I have watched, used, and some life hacks that has made my life a whole lot easier. Warning, we have had a lot of days inside due to cold weather, so this post is heavy with shows and movies to check out. Let’s dive right in!
Martha– A documentary that’s been on my watchlist was Martha. I have always known of and followed Martha Stewart and was excited to see that a documentary about her would be coming out. I got around to watching it after the holidays and really enjoyed it and learned a lot about her. I appreciated how they showed a lot of her early life and how she got her start and shared some of the not so pleasant parts of her life . My favorite part was that it was in her own words. After watching this film, I will definitely be reading her entertaining books.
Man on the Inside- I know this series has been out for a while but my mom and I got around to watching “A Man on the Inside” starring Ted Danson. It’s all about a man who goes undercover in a retirement home. There were so many older actors and actresses in this series on Netflix and the one-liners and references were incredible. Although, some serious parts, the show had me laughing out loud. An easy watch for winter months. It’s only one season, but a second season is coming soon!
Sweet Magnolias-Another Netflix favorite! Sweet Magnolias is back for a new season. It returned yesterday for season four on Netflix and depending on when you are reading this, I may or may not have started it yet. I’m excited to see where this season takes the women and the drama, love, and stories that come along with it. So many of my shows have new seasons coming out which makes the long winter months go by fast. I’m excited to pass the time by catching up on some of my favorite shows.
Sweat suit– I have been spending so much time indoors due to cold weather and you can tell based on my other favorites. Haha! I have been looking and wearing warmer and cozier apparel. This cream sweat suit from Aerie has been a big favorite of mine. First, I love the color, I don’t have too many creams or whites in my wardrobe, so it’s been a nice change of pace. The material is so soft and it’s presentable enough that you can wear it out and about if you want. All wins in my book for a good outfit!
Extra Work Tote- This has been an unexpected favorite of mine. Besides my purse that I bring into work every day, in the winter I have a more things that I take with me. I have my lunch, shoes to switch into from my boots, a jacket or sweater for layers, a scarf, hat, gloves, and any other odds or ends I may need depending on the day. I found myself lugging in lots of little bags and items every day and it became a hassle. I decided to get a larger recyclable tote that I can put all the small things in every day. This was a small change that has made a huge difference and life a whole lot less stressful. It’s incredible what small changes can do to make life easier.
That’s a look into what I’m loving this week. Lots of warm items and forms of entertainment to keep me busy on chilly days. I’ve also been breaking out some Valentine’s Day decor!
How has the weather been by you? Are you staying warm and cozy? Have a great weekend!
Hello All! Happy Wednesday and Happy February! We are making our way through the first week of the February and I don’t know about you, but I love the sense of freshness that comes with a new month, plus I really enjoy the second month of the year with more winter fun, the Super Bowl, Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day, so many fun events that make the cold days a little bit brighter!
Winter walks and sunshine for the win!
As I go through my life, there are things I find myself reaching for every single day, sometimes, multiple times a day. They may not seem like a lot to others, but to me, I can’t live without them. Here’s a list of five things I use every day that I can’t live without (minus the obvious-phone, car, food, clothes etc.).
Apple Watch- I always have my Apple Watch on and it never leaves my wrist except when I am showering or sitting for long periods of time and I know it needs a charge. Since I upgraded to the series 10 last month, I have noticed my battery life is much longer. I use my watch for the time, to track my workouts, steps, sleep, text messages, emails, and even calls. It’s so helpful to set reminders or check a notification when my phone isn’t around. I know smart watches aren’t for everyone, but this is a tool that I use all the time and am constantly looking to try new features.
Wireless Earbuds– I was never a big headphone or earbud gal, but I got these JBL wireless earbuds as a gift a few years ago and use them almost every day. I wear them when I go running to listen to podcasts, I use them for travel to watch or listen to things on my phone, and I even use them for work. Their charge lasts for several uses and I’ve been pleased with the quality. I almost always have them with me wherever I go.
Planner– If there is one thing I refer to multiple times a day, it’s my Simplified Planner. I plan my weeks out using the planner and I use it every single day, even multiple times. I open it up when I am getting ready for the day. I will use it at work for putting in important dates and work functions. I use it at night for to-do lists and looking towards the next day. The new planner for the weekly is a bit larger, but I love the extra space it provides. I couldn’t survive without my planner and when I don’t use it, I find myself feeling scattered.
Water Bottle– No matter the day, time or place, I always have a bottle with me. I take a Yeti to work with me, I have water bottles for the gym, I always have one by my bedside and whenever I leave the house, I make sure to have a bottle or cup of water with me. I never like the feeling of being dehydrated and I always want to make sure I have something to drink, plus whenever I feel down or sick or not my best, water always helps!
Chapstick and Hand Lotion– Two things that I have multiple of in many different spots. I keep a chapstick and lotion by my bedside, in my car, in my purse, and in my desk at work. I love to keep my hands soft and not dry (especially in the winter) and I hate the feeling of dry or cracker lips. I wear a lot of makeup at work, so having smooth lips is a must for me. Two small items that may not seem like much, but I would have a hard time surviving without them.
Now obviously, I always have my phone, wallet, and keys with me wherever I go, but these are some extra items that I use every single day and help make my days smoother. What are some of your favorite things you can’t live without?! I would love to know! It’s always so fun to see what other people are using and loving!
I hope you all are having a great week and I’ll see you back here on Friday for another edition of Friday Favorites!
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. I’m hoping for warmer and brighter days ahead, but that’s up to Mother Nature. In good news, today’s batch of Friday Favorites is making me smile and I hope it will do the same for you!
Cold days calls for warm cookies
Here’s some things that I have been loving this week as I link up Erika and Andrea 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 couldn’t wait to try it in the new year. It’s lavender scented which is perfect for evening showers and tubs to relax and unwind. I love that it’s not too fragrant and you only need a little to get enough of the scent and to feel squeaky clean. I also like that it’s 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 Simba’s 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 don’t 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 I’m 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!
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 didn’t 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 Jenner’s matte red lipstick, An Apple A Day I use Kylie’s 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 didn’t 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!
That’s 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!
Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you have been having a great week. We are at the end of the month which means it’s time for another Currently post. I don’t know about you, but this has been a long month.
Most of January has looked like this, lots of snow!
I am ready to see the calendar switch from January to February. Although, it was a long month, I got a lot done and enjoyed the winter season the best I could even with chilly temperatures and lots of snow! It’s been a while since my last post, so I have a lot to catch you up on. Here’s what the past month has looked like.
What I’m up to: I started year with lots of cleaning and organizing. I have been following the Simplicity Challenge through Simplified to tackle little tasks each day, rather than trying to organize your whole house in one go.
Some of the spots I organized, a full recap will be coming next month!
When it hasn’t been too frigid out, I have gotten outside a few times for winter walks with my dogs. The blue skies are such a breath of fresh air.
A day outside makes everything better
We got a new indoor mini golf spot in town and my family and I tried it out. It was a lot of fun for a chilly afternoon.We wrapped the afternoon up with some tasty treats.
A fun day mini golfingSuch a cool set upFun outings to local bakeries makes the winters better
I made the most of the winter weather by getting in some pond skating. We haven’t had weather cold enough for the lakes and bays to freeze over, so this was a huge perk to our rough winter.
Our man-made rink
What I’m Reading: I have read a lot since my last Currently, here’s a look at my bookshelf.
The 5 AM Club– The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma, is one of the best books I have read. It was uniquely written, but so informative about the best way to elevate your mornings and change your life by getting up early and how you can work on yourself! Such a life changing book! It’s a fictional book about people who meet at a conference and go on a retreat together about how to live their best lives. I learned so many life lessons that I will be holding onto for a long time.
Every Time I Go on Vacation Somebody Dies– Catherine Mack’s Everytime I Go on Vacation Somebody Dies is about a mystery novelist who goes on vacation and people on the trip start dying or think they are going to die. It’s a bit of a “who done it” with drama. I listened to it as an audiobook, but got a little confused with the footnotes, so it may be a better book to read.
TheFirst Ladies– The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray was a fascinating book about the friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary Bethune. A little slow at points but overall very interesting and informative. I loved how it followed their friendship through the years. I also recently the Six Triple Eight which touches on their friendship too which was so fun to watch!
A December to Remember– Jenny Bayliss’ A December to Remember was a good winter/Christmas story, but hard to get into at certain time with lots of different plots happening. I really loved the message of sisterhood and family and a small town coming together when three sister’s fathers unexpectedly died. They must come together and face their past for a greater cause.
Seven Days of Us – Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak was a good book about a family trapped together in quarantine around the holidays. I loved learning about family dynamics. There were also secrets spilled through the book. A holiday read with some substance.It almost reminded me of the movie, The Family Stone with all the different dynamics.
Educated– Tara Westover’s memoir, Educated was a heavy book to start the year. It was definitely interesting to learn about the Mormon customs and traditions and I loved the first hand account, but it was definitely a heavy book and serious topics too. I had heard so much about it that I’m glad I had the chance to read it.
Here One Moment– Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty follows the story of a woman who tells everyone on a plane how and when they will die. It’s up to the passengers about what they want to do with the information, change their lives or keep living them as they were. The beginning was a bit slow and hard to get into but the middle and end went really fast. The ends no tied everything up in a meaningful way and it really gives you a lot to think about with living your best life to the fullest
Be Ready When the Luck Happens– 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 didn’t 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.
What I’m Watching: With lots of time indoors, I have had time to catch up on many shows and movies. I watched the latest season of Virgin River, which is always a fun show to enjoy.
I also finished Outlander, I can’t wait for the final season to come out soon.
My boyfriend and I are also finishing up Breaking Bad and are on the last season. We are open to suggestions for a lighter show to start next if you have any suggestions!
These shows are keeping me busy especially on days inside.
What I’m Cooking/Baking: More time indoors means more time in the kitchen! After lots of holiday baking, I have been focused on warm and hearty meals for the new year. Here’s what I have been cooking.
Cold days calls for warm cookies
Pulled Pork Tacos– I love a good pulled pork sandwich and this was a unique spin on it. I enjoyed eating the pulled pork with a taco shell as opposed to a bun, plus the ratio of wrapping to meat was a lot more manageable. I got the recipe from Shay Shull of Mix and Match Mama.
Clam Chowder– Another Mix and Match Mama recipe. I love a seafood and this clam chowder was super easy to whip together and very filling too!
Stuffed Chicken Parmesan– This was a fast Sunday night dinner thanks to Jessie James Decker. You can serve it with pasta or salad or Both!
Goulash– This was a perfect meal for a cold day! Yum!
Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs with Salad and Homemade Croutons- my mom and I spent a Sunday in the kitchen and she taught me some of her favorite recipes. Such a wonderful moment shared!
Homemade Brownies– After reading Ina Garten’s book, I wanted to try some of her recipes, including her outrageous brownies! They were a hit!
What I’m Wearing– Due to cold temperatures, I have been wearing all the layers. From turtlenecks, to blazers, and sweaters. Here are some of my recent outfits for both work and play!
A black and white combo!
A sparkly combo for the new year
A gray combo for warmer days
Lots of layers
And turtlenecks too
What Inspires Me: Emily Ley shared this quote for the new year and I saved it as my phone background and I have it on my desk at work. Such a good reminder!
What I Accomplished: I’m proud of all the organizing and tidying I have gotten done by being cooped up indoors over the past month.
Another space I organized
I’ve also made some progress with my New Year’s Resolutions this year which is always a good feeling and I have made headway on my Winter Bucket List!
Goals from Last Month: I certainly have started some of my New Year’s Resolutions and have been adapting my new year’s motto in my everyday life by not rushing around and being calmer about my days. I’m eager to continue this practice in the next month and through the year.
Winter has returned
Making the most of winter mornings
Goals for this Month: I love the month of February to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I’m also looking forward to a weekend away and time with friends too.
But, most of all, I’m looking forward to longer and warmer days and hopefully more sunshine!
That’s a look into what I’m currently up to! What has the past month looked like for you!? I would love to know, until then, have a great rest of your week and I’ll see you back here for Friday Favorites!
Happy Friday! I hope you are having a great week and are ready for the weekend. I know I am ready for the weekend. This has been a cold and long January, but we are making our way through it.
Fun outings to local bakeries makes the winters better
Before we get to relaxing or fun activities over the next few days, I wanted to share some things that I have been loving this week as I link up with..
New Apple Watch– I upgraded my Apple Watch over Christmas to the Series 10 and I have really been impressed with it. It is similar to my older Apple watch, but there are a few features that I have enjoyed. The battery lasts longer which was a huge selling point for me since I wear my watch all day, even at night. I also like how you can log how much effort you put into your workouts. The series 10 has a bigger watch face which is also a win for me! I’m still exploring other features but would love to hear what you like about your apple watches.
Treadmill Walks– It has been bitterly cold here over the past few weeks, so I have been adding walking on the treadmill as part of my cool down at the gym. Typically, I would finish my workout and then head home and get outside for some fresh air with my dogs. I can’t do that in 20-degree weather, so I have been cooling down by walking on the treadmill for 5-10 minutes after my workout to get my heat rate down before heading home. This has been a good transition between a hard workout and starting my work day.
Earring case– Another small tool that has made a big difference has been an earring organizer case. I got this organizer for Christmas, and it has been a big help. I previously had all my earrings just in a box and I would constantly be searching for pairs, which would leave me frazzled. This case keeps everything in its place, and it fits perfectly in my jewelry box. Plus, I love that you can see all your earrings through the clear lid.
New Candle Scent- I mentioned that I got a lot of Emily in Paris scents and fragrances from Bath and Body Works for Christmas, and I have slowly been starting to use them/ I began lighting a new candle called “Paris Amour” after the holidays and I am really loving it. It is on the stronger side of candles, and it has more feminine notes, but it’s been a great addition to my room. I love switching scents between seasons and this strong smell breathes new beginnings. I also got a chic candle holder to place it in (Paris themed of course) and it makes me smile whenever I light it. A small change, but one that certainly brings joy!
The Last Rifleman– If you are looking for a good movie for the family, I have just the recommendation for you! The Last Rifleman stars Pierce Brosnan and it’s all about a older man who is on a mission to return to the beaches of Normandy for the anniversary of D-Day. But he has to overcome several obstacles to get there. There are some flashbacks to the war, but a majority of the movie takes places in the present day. Although, some lighter moments, this was a heavier movie. I really enjoyed seeing all the people that Brosnan had to meet to help get him to his final destination. Overall, a well done movie which can be found on Amazon Prime.
That’s a look into what I’m loving this week, some new scents, helpful tools, and hacks, and some entertainment too.
What are you loving this week as we get ready for the weekend? I would love to hear from you.
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.
I’ll 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, I’m 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 I’m currently training for a half marathon. I didn’t 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 that’s 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. I’m 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 wasn’t 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 didn’t help that my dog was not a fan of my practicing (he would howl the entire time I would practice). It’s been a few weeks since I stopped playing and I honestly don’t miss it.
I’m glad I gave it a try and I’m proud I stuck it out for the whole year, but I don’t 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, I’m at peace with a pause on piano. I don’t feel like I failed or gave up, rather, I’m glad I gave it the college try.
My end of the year stats
I’m still proud of my efforts
That’s 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 doesn’t work out, that’s 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 I’m grateful I learned it.
I’m 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.
