Hello everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you had a successful week and are ready for the weekend.
These past few weeks have been quiet after the holidays, it can be nice to not be busy and booked all the time, but a part of me does miss the hustle and bustle. I’ve been trying to do an activity or something different every week just to change things up. As we wrap up another week of January, I wanted to share some favorites of mine from the past week as I link up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites.
Lazy Genius Playbooks– I mentioned a few weeks ago that I started using my new planner from Simplified, but I also started using these playbooks from The Lazy Genius. They are to be used as a companion to a planner and they are organized by season, so you have one book for every season. The books are broken down by a looking back and looking forward section, a brain dump spot, have to and hope to list, and then week by week. This has been a great tool for me to use with my planner every day.
Desk Calendar– Speaking of every day, I got this calendar for my desk or motivational quotes for work and it brings a smile to my face whenever I look at it. It’s a fun little countdown and have positive and uplifting quotes that I like to read through the day. A small but, personalized touch at my work station.
New Scent– I shared a few months ago that Bath and Body Works released an Emily in Paris line and I got some of the scents for Christmas! I got some body lotion, body spray, candles, and car refreshers, so I will be set for a while. I am currently wearing this combo for body lotion and spray. The spray is a bit stronger but found that it lasts longer, which I appreciate since I don’t have to keep reapplying it through the day. The lotion is more subtle which I enjoy. I’m eager to try the other scents soon.
With Love, Meghan– Meghan Markle announced at the beginning of the year that she will be launching a show on Netflix. You can catch the trailer here. This week, the show was supposed to premiere but got pushed back to the wildfires in California. I really liked the trailer and can’t wait to get started with the series. Do you plan to watch it? If you have, what are your thoughts?
Juror #2– This was a movie my family and I watched over the holidays and we all enjoyed it. It’s all about a juror on a trial about a homicide. Through the course of the trial, he’s faced with moral dilemmas that could affect the entire case. It was dramatic, intense, and very thought provoking. Definitely a heavier movie, but worth the watch. You can find it on Max. Clint Eastwood did the movie and did a fantastic job on it!
That’s a look into what I have been loving this week, some organizational tools, some entertainment and some beauty products, something for everyone!
As we gear up for the weekend, tell me, what are you looking forward to? I would love to know! Have a great Friday!
Hello everyone and happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far. We have had lots of snow over the past several weeks and it has been chilly. There have been more days in the teens and twenties than in the thirties and forties. I am hoping for a warm up soon, but until then, I have been hunkering down at home and indoors.
As a new year is underway, I’m once again linking up with Shay and Erika for Let’s Look! Every month they pick a fun topic and share their thoughts on it. I love these kinds of posts because they are fun, creative and it gives you insight into what people are thinking.
Here’s a look at the prompts for the new year.
Today’s topic is all about low level goals for 2025. If you recall, I shared my goals for 2025 on the first day of the year, you can read about them here.
Today, we are talking about my low level goals, things that have low pressure or can be done daily (at least that’s how I’m interrupting it).
I decided to pick four things that I want to include in my days moving forward for the new year.
More time outdoors and more movement- I love being outdoors and try to get outdoors as much as I can. Even when the weather isn’t always as favorable, I try to make it a point to get outside. I want to do more of that in the new year. I have two dogs that love being outside, but they love it even more when there are people to play with. I want to do a better job of getting outside more every day and get more movement in. This can be as easy as taking a walk while on the phone instead of sitting down or getting outside to read instead of being indoors. These two goals go hand and hand and I think can be easily achieved.
A day outside makes everything better
Meditation– I started to meditate last year and I want to continue to build on my meditation practices in the new year. I have been meditating at the beginning and end of the day to clear my mind, but want to do it more throughout the day, especially when I get overwhelmed or stressed. It may seem silly, but I have found stepping away from whatever is stressful and taking some deep breaths and collecting myself makes a world of difference. I want to do this more as a way to prevent stress and as way to clear my mind.
I have been using Insight Timer since the fall and have been loving it.
Use what I have-I want to adopt the mindset or act of shopping my closet to elevate my daily style. I have so many pieces of clothing and I really want to be intentional about wearing what I have, using the good stuff and elevating my daily style. I plan to do this by wearing the fancy jewelry or a cute handbag in my every day life. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment to use something, I want to be intentional and use it in the moment.
It can be fun to shop your closet and mix and match outfits
Approach my days calmer– I mentioned this in my New Year’s Resolution post, but I want to approach my days calmer and not be as rushed or on the go. Yes, there will always be things that need done, but I want to build more space in my days and weeks to allow more room for things that matter. I also hope that by building more space in my schedule when I can it will allow for more calmness and clarity.
Slower mornings have made a huge difference.
I’m hopeful and confident that I can incorporate these in my days moving forward. As we make our way through the new year what are some low level or low stakes goals you have for yourself? I would love to hear them! Have a great week and I will see you back here for Friday Favorites!
Hello All! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great first full week of January!
Last week was a little wonky between the holidays thrown in the middle of the week, but I hope you are settled back into your normal routine or maybe trying a new one for the new year. As always, I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for a weekly round up of Friday Favorites. I am continuing with my trend of sharing things I am using to get me ready for the new year.
Here’s some highlights and favorite things from the past week!
Simplicity Challenge- The new year brought the Simplified Simplicity Challenge back! I always love taking time in the new year to clean and organize my room and home and do a refresher and this challenge allows me to do that by performing little tasks that I can accomplish every day. We are only a few days in, but I have been loving it so far.
Some of my organizing so far
Black High Boots– These are definitely a favorite of mine. I purchased these high black boots from DSW before the holidays and have already gotten a lot of use out of them. Whenever I shop for shoes, I am always looking for something that can be worn with multiple outfits. These boots are great to wear with jeans, dress pants, leggings or even a skirt or dress. I love the versatility of these boots and know they were a great purchase to replace an older pair of boots that ripped.
Special Forces Back– A tv favorite for me is back! Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test returned for season 3 this week. I am always intrigued to see who joins the cast and some of the obstacles they have to face. I know I couldn’t do half the things they do. Plus, it’s always interesting to see who makes it all the way to the end. This season looks good!
Upcoming seasons of shows– Another thing I am looking forward to in the new year is new seasons of other series I follow. Netflix released information about several series including Sweet Magnolias which is back in February and YOU which is back in 2025. I’m sad that the holidays are over and things are back to normal, so this has me something to look forward to.
Winter Runs– Speaking of the outdoors, I have been back to running outdoors. We went through a stretch of bitterly cold weather and lots of snow and no outdoor runs were happening for me. I did run on the treadmill, but I was not a fan of it. It felt so good to get back outdoors and lots of fresh air. Even with the snow and cold, it was SO much better than running on a treadmill.
That’s a look into life this past week! Some fashion, some outdoor fun, some entertainment and new tools for the new year! As we begin a new month and year, what have been some of your favorite things? I would love to hear from you! I hope you have a cozy, January weekend! See you back here on Wednesday!
Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are all having a great week! I don’t know about you, but a few weeks after the holidays pass, I am looking for something new to do. That’s one of the reasons why I love New Year’s resolutions and hobbies, it gives me something to work on and look forward to. I shared my New Year’s Resolutions a few weeks ago and I have already made some headway with them.
Winter has returned
Today, I’m sharing my Winter Bucket List for 2025. These posts are some of my favorite to put together. I love coming up with new ideas of things I hope to do and this list is a great fallback if I am looking for something to do with friends or family. There are some things I try to do every year and some new things on the bucket list. I am always open to suggestions for winter fun-especially in the snow, which we get a lot of.
Without further ado, here’s my 2025 Winter Bucket List:
Start Working on My New Year’s Resolutions
Go Skiing or Sled Riding
Ice Skating
Library Winter Reading Challenge
Read The Lazy Genius Cookbook
Read by the Fire with a Warm Drink
Finish Breaking Bad and start a new show
Simplicity Challenge
Try a New Winter Activity
Donate Blood
Have a Movie Day
Fondue Night
Try New Recipes
Winter Walks and Runs
Try A New Coffee Shop
Do Something Creative
Celebrate Valentine’s Day
This is just a start of what I want to accomplish over the next few months. I know it will be chilly and I won’t be able to spend as much time as I want outdoors, but I plan on making the most of the winter season.
I also want to use these next few months to slow down, reset, and refocus as we enter a new year. Tell me, whether you have snow or not, what’s on your Winter Bucket List and what do you hope to accomplish over the next few months? I would love to hear from you!
Have a great rest of your week and I will see you back here on Friday for another roundup of Friday Favorites!
Hello everyone and Happy Friday! Have things finally settled and back to normal for you after the holidays or are you still in the season of craziness? Things are back to normal for me which always makes me a little sad since I enjoy the holiday season so much, I’m planning finding the joy in every day to fight the post-holiday blues.
It may be a new year, but I’m still here linking up with Erika and Andrea for Friday Favorites.
Here’s what’s on my radar this week of things I’ve been loving as we come down from the holiday high. Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some gifts I got for Christmas and some new items and tools I will be using in the new year when it comes to organization in addition to my favorite things from the week. Let’s jump right in!
2025 Journal-Journaling is something I enjoy doing every morning. I like to take the time before the day gets busy to reflect on the day before, the highs and lows, what I’m grateful for, and what’s on my mind. This is my journal for 2025 and I have been loving it already. There’s space to share your thoughts at the start and end of your day and there’s a mix of open and close-ended prompts too. 2025 has just started and this has already become a favorite of mine!
Daily Reflections– I mentioned last year that one of my favorite things was a podcast called “The Simple Sophisticated Podcast with Shannon Ables. In addition to her podcast and blog, she has also written a few books including this one, The Road to Le Papillon, it was released in 2022 and it’s a book of daily reflections. I have really enjoyed starting my day with my journal and a daily reflection in addition to my quiet time. Starting my day in a calm way has made such a difference and I can’t wait to continue it through the year.
2025 Planner– I have teased this favorite a few times over the course of the year, but with a new year comes a new planner. I purchased my 2025 Simplified planner in September and I’m finally able to use it!!! I love the pattern and the message behind it and details. I am still getting used to the spirals and the larger format, but so far it has been working out great. One of my favorite days of the year is getting my planner all ready to go to use. These pages will soon be filled with lists, to-do, plans, and memories.
Dress from Ann Taylor- This is another recent fashion favorite of mine. I purchased this dress from Ann Taylor just before Christmas and have already worn it a handful of times to work and out and about. There are so many things that stand out about this dress. I love the colors, the style and the material. It gives off a very elegant look, but it’s so comfortable. It doesn’t hurt that I got this dress on sale too! Although it has short sleeves, I have worn it in the winter and it can be layered with a blazer too. I love a dress that can be worn in different scenarios.
Virgin River New Season– The new season of Virgin River came out just before the holidays, but I was wayyyyy too deep into holiday movies and shows to watch. Now that things have calmed down and are back to normal, I’m excited to get back into the series and catch up with all things Mel and Jack and Virgin River. This will be a good show to watch in the cold, winter months. I’m looking forward to what this season brings. If you have already seen it, here’s a great article to follow up with the season.
I love the holiday season and are always sad when they come to an end, but these list of favorites has me something to look forward it.
Although, the holidays are over, what are you looking forward to in the next few months? I would love to hear from you.
I hope you have had an enjoyable holiday season. For many people, it’s back to work and reality, but others have a few more days to relax and unwind. I hope these past few days or weeks brought you rest, family and friend time, a good recharge, joy, love and memories. I know my heart is full after this holiday season.
I like to use the time between Christmas and New Year to reflect on the past year and look forward to what’s to come.
I did my annual planner prep this week!
I accomplished a lot in 2024, you can read all about it here.
Before I get to my New Year’s Goals and Resolutions for 2025, I wanted to give you an update on my resolutions from last year. You can read about them here.
My motto of the year was to “Be Open and Aware of Change” while it was a challenge, I certainly embraced the change that was thrown my way. I grew a lot this year, I became more independent and confident in myself and my decisions.
This year, while I leaned into my routines, I worked on being more flexible when it comes to schedules. Flexibility is something I have always struggled with and I’m constantly working on and it’s something I want to continue to improve on in the new year.
My 2024 Resolutions for 2024 was to donate blood, do an 8K or 10K, Relearn Piano, Learn how to Braid Hair and Cook One Meal a Week.
I accomplished all of these goals minus learning to braid hair, that was mostly because I have short hair and it’s not conducive to braiding right now. Once I grow it out, I plan to learn how to braid it.
I donated blood for the first time this summer and I have continued to donate every time I am eligible.
Donating Blood
I ran two 10K’s this year and broke my personal record during my second one.
First of Two 10 K
I attempted to teach myself piano and practiced almost every day, but I don’t know if I will continue with this hobby in the new year.
Learning Piano
I have continued to make one meal a week and tried lots of new recipes and even mastered some too!
Cooking a new meal each week
I was pleased with how much I accomplished this past year whether it was trying new hobbies or continuing with old ones.
My mindset going into 2025 is to approach my days and schedules in a calmer manner. I found myself overbooking last year and want to leave more room for flexibility every day and focusing on doing one thing at a time and not always multitasking. Flexibility is something I want to be better at in the new year. It’s something I say every year and each year I am getting better and better at it.
I want to continue with some of my habits that I started from last year including daily meditation, donating blood, making one meal a week , and paying attention to my budgets.
When it comes to new goals or resolutions for 2025, I want to:
-Run a half marathon (something I have been working towards over the past few years)
-Read 70 Books (I read 68 this past year, so I think this is doable.)
-Learn How to Bake Bread (I know this was very popular during the pandemic, but now I am jumping on the bandwagon and want to learn as well.)
-Learn how to iron (I know how to iron, but I want to get better at it this year.)
-Get more involved in my community (whether this is through joining a fitness class or club, I want to meet new people in my hometown.)
In addition to these new goals for the new year, I want to work on spending more time outdoors, especially when it comes to being with my dogs. I want to continue to spend time with friends, go on a family trip and visit a new state.
I have a few other personal goals that I want to work towards in the new year. I love the feeling of a fresh start and new beginnings that each year brings and I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for me. Happy New Year! Welcome 2025!
Happy holidays! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!
Here’s how I celebrated the day!
A quiet nightLots of cookies-my contribution this yearAnd so many snacks!
Although, I am working around the holidays, it is still nice to take things a bit slower and enjoy the time with family, friends and loved ones. The time between Christmas and New Year’s is always funky, so I hope wherever you are, you are enjoying what you need most, whether it is rest, family, activities, cleaning, or Christmas cheer!
It’s Friday which means it’s time for Friday Favorites, my final one of the year! This year flew by and I appreciate you reading my posts, whether you have been a long time reader or this is your first time here!
Here’s been some things I have been loving this Christmas week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
Blue Light Glasses– I have always had pretty bad vision, I started wearing glasses since I was nine, then began wearing contacts in college and still wear them today. I will wear glasses on my days off, so I still get the best of both worlds. I spend a lot of time looking at screens between work and home, so I decided to try a pair of blue light glasses to reduce eye strain and give my eyes an extra layer of protection. I picked up a pair of stylish readers with blue light in them and have been wearing them at work. I have noticed a decrease in headaches I was getting from staring at screens all day long and they have been a cute accessory too. I’ll keep you updated on my thoughts on them in the new year.
Shoe Bag– This is not a new item, but something I have been getting a lot of use out of lately. A few years ago, I got a shoe bag to transport my shoes to and from work every day in. I use it on days when we are getting lots of snow or rain and I’m wearing boots to work but want to change into my nice, dress shoes when I get into work. This bag has been extremely useful over the past few weeks with all the snow we got. This bag would work great for both guys and girls and it’s very practical too.
New Shoe Boots– After talking all about a bag to place your shoes in, I figured we had to talk about some shoes too. I was on the hunt to replace an old pair of shoe boots and found these leather ones on sale at Marshall’s. My previous shoe boots were suede, so these have held up a lot better. I love the look at the thicker heel. I have worn these with jeans, leggings, skirts, and dresses. These shoes have been so versatile.
Meet Me Next Christmas– If you are still watching Christmas movies I like am, might I suggest, Meet Me Next Christmas. It came out on Netflix this year and it’s all about a guy and a girl who meet and hit it off, they make plans to meet in one year at a Pentatonix Christmas show if they are meant to be. Plans get derailed when the show is sold out and the girl can’t get a ticket. The movie follows the lengths she will go to get the ticket. The movie is filled with Pentatonix Christmas songs and the group makes an appearance themselves too. This movie is very cheesy, but cute too.
Peppermint Chocolate Loaf– I have been doing so much baking over the past few weeks and have been trying my hand at some new recipes too. I baked this Peppermint Chocolate loaf and it was divine. I love anything chocolate and peppermint, so this checked all the boxes for me. I gave it as a gift to someone and baked one for myself too. I will be making this next year for sure!
That’s a look into life lately and some favorite things of mine. I promise I will have a lot more favorite items in the new year. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, New Year’s Eve and I’ll see you back here on New Year’s Day for my 2025 Goals and Resolutions. See you then!
Hello Everyone and a very Merry Christmas! I don’t anticipate many of you to be reading on Christmas Day, but if you are then welcome!
Here’s a look at how my last few weeks and days looked:
A night in the cityAll decked outSkating timeFamily DinnersTime OutsideTasty foods
I hope your day is filled with peace, love, joy, family, friends and wonderful memories. If today is challenging for you, know that I am thinking of you.
If you are reading this over the Christmas week, thank you for being here. I appreciate your support and you taking the time to read my posts.
Holiday moviesA Decorated TreeLots of tasty treatsGiftsHoliday traditionsAnd Cookies!
Today, I am looking back on 2024, what a year it was. This year was filled with leaning into routines, new adventures, attempting new hobbies, going through some growing pains and travel.
A lot of things changed, but a lot of things stayed status quo. I’m eager to see what 2025 will bring for me. There’s something special about going into a new year with a fresh slate, some uncertainty, but knowing it will all work out. Before we jump too far ahead to 2025 (more on that next week), I want to reflect on 2024 and look back at these past 365 days and share some of my favorite things too! Let’s get to it.
A Look Back on 2024
The year began with me keeping up with my running consistently. You will be able to see my progress as the year progresses.
One of my first runs of the year.
I also spent a lot of time in the kitchen trying new recipes.
Stuffed Pepper SoupWarm soup on a cold dayHawaiian Chicken and Veggie Bowls for the win!Chicken and potatoesClam Chowder
I tried to get as much fresh air as possible when the weather cooperated.
Walks in the wintertime
I tried a new hobby with piano and kept up with it all year.
A recent accomplishment
In February, I enjoyed the Super Bowl with a big spread.
I also celebrated Valentine’s Day with homemade cookies and chocolate.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with some fondueSome sweet treats from Valentine’s day!Fresh flowersValentine’s Day cookies are always a must!
I ended the month with a trip to Cleveland to watch the Cavaliers.
Game ready
The spring brought St. Patrick’s Day, seeing the total solar eclipse and the start of warmer weather.
St. Patrick’s DaySigns of springThe Eclipse
The warmer weather also led to longer runs and walks, Easter and baseball games!
More running!
Easter treatsBeautiful night for baseballPerfect day for a walk this week…blue skies and not a cloud in sight
I turned 26 in May!
A surprise at workA fun day!A sweet night!26 candles!
The summer was spent with all the time outdoors, between swimming, reading, walking, and running.
Nights on the waterOutdoor walks by the water have been a favorite of mine recentlyGrilling days
I went on adventures near and far.
Another look at my running progress
I donated blood for the first time this summer and have continued to do so through the year.
I also enjoyed blueberry and cherry picking and got some tasty treats out of those.
Cherry PickingPickingOur haulThe results
I celebrated the Fourth of July by running a 10K and enjoying time with family and friends.
I started the day by doing my first 10K and setting a new PR!All in my red, white and blueSnacksThe spreadFireworks!
I kept up with the garden but didn’t get as many vegetables as I had hoped.
The beforeThe DuringThe AfterSome of the tomatoes I grewMy cucumber!
I traveled to Cleveland in the summer as well as Montreal for a day, but the big trip was with my family to Italy.
The HistoryThe FoodThe Trevi FountainThe GelatoVeniceThe ChurchesAn overview of the cityLemon sorbetMore gelatoCapriThe StreeysThe pasta
The end of summer led me to running more places around my hometown.
My distance grewI ventured to new placesNew viewsGoing even furtherThe seasons chnaged
I took some weekend trips to Boston and got to explore the area there more.
Rainy days in the cityLots of walksHello Boston!
I enjoyed the changing of the leaves and all things fall, from baking, to festivals, and decorations.
Fall cookingBakingApple pickingChanging leavesTime with my pupsI made a festive taco soupLots of sweets
November brought another trip to Boston, Thanksgiving and so much snow!
Boston decked out for ChristmasSome historic sitesThe paradeThanksgiving spreadLots of snowEven more snow
I also hit a new PR with my 10K Turkey Trot!
December was all about Christmas prep and cheer and now here we are looking back at it all.
My pups getting into the holiday spirit with all the snow.Warm drinks, fireplace going, and festive lights!Getting festive in the kitchen!Gifts wrapped and ready to be deliveredAnd indulging in tasty treats!Lots of holiday gatherings
This was quite a year filled with lots of time spent with family, my boyfriend, friends, and with myself. I learned a lot about myself this year and have seen personal growth as well. I’m eager to see what the new year will bring and I hope you will come along on the journey with me.
A beautiful year worth remembering
Now onto the favorites of 2024!
Oprah may have had her favorite things each year, but these are mine. I tried to narrow it down to one item per category, but that didn’t always happen. Here’s a look at my favorite things with their reviews too!
Favorite Books: I couldn’t narrow it down to one, so here are my top three with reviews. I read 68 books this year. You can see a full list of them on my Instagram stories or by looking at each month’s Currently.
Lessons in Chemistry–Lessons in Chemistry is all about a chemist who hosts a cooking show in the 1960’s. I loved the combination of science and cooking and how they were intertwined throughout the book. The romance between Calvin and Elizabeth made my heart soar, but my favorite part was the importance of women working in a male dominated field in the 1960’s. It was made into a series on Apple TV that I watched as well and really enjoyed the comparison of the two.
The Plan–The Plan by Kendra Adachi. This is Adachi’s third book and it’s all about planning, organization, and compassionate time management. She lays out ideas and principles for how to plan and organize your life, but the best part is that you can tailor it to your own wants and needs. I found myself taking notes while reading it and have applied so many principles to my own life. If you have read or listened to Adachi’s podcast or books, you can almost hear her voice across the pages. 5 Stars from me!
The 5 AM Club– I’m not kidding when I say this book changed my life. The 5 AM Club is all about ways to make the most of your mornings to elevate your life. It’s told in a unique way, but has so many incredible lessons and skills to apply to your life. I read it through the library, but I found it so informative that I’m considering buying it. Definitely a book to make notes and highlight as you go along.
My year in review according to Good Reads
Favorite TV Show- While I watched a lot of recurring shows like the Masked Singer or Grey’s Anatomy, these two mini series really stuck with me.
Lessons in Chemistry– This was a mini-series on Apple TV based on the book and I really enjoyed watching it after I read the novel. It was very close to the book too which I appreciated.
The Girls on the Bus-The Girls on the Bus on HBO Max. It’s all about four different female journalists as they hit the campaign trail for election season. I love all the different personalities and perspectives the characters bring. I have found myself identifying with different characters at different times. I was sad to learn it got cancelled after one season, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching it in its entirety.
Favorite Movie– Although, this just came out, how could it not be a favorite of mine.
Wicked was so good this year. I think they did a great job with the casting. I loved the costumes and the cinematography as well as the setting. I definitely think it lived up to its expectations. It was a longer movie, but the music, singing, dancing, and plot moved it along.
Favorite Fashion Items– I had to choose two for this category (an article of clothing and shoe that I wore time and time again.) I loved these purchases this year and got a lot of use out of them.
Red Rain Coat-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.
Summer Wedges-I got these wedges form Marshall’s. Wedges provide more support for me and I can pair them with multiple outfits. You can wear these with a pair of white jeans or capris and fun blouse, a short sundress, or a longer, flowy dress depending on the occasion.
The Simple Sophisticate by Shannon Ables is my new favoirte podcast. She started the podcast after her blog back in 2014 and still continues with episodes to this day. The theme of the podcast is all about living a simpler, calmer, and French way of life. Ables has such a soothing voice and attitude that you will find yourself relaxing and feeling peaceful no matter what she is talking about. Episodes vary from 30-60 mins.
Favorite App– I tried to Mediate more this year and practice mindfulness and this app has made it so much easier. I have found it to be very beneficial, especially when I am overwhelmed and stressed out. I typically take time at the start and end of my day for breathing, but have found myself doing exercises through the day too. I have been using the app, Insight Timer daily and it’s been doing a great job at holding me accountable and providing resources for guided meditations and breathing exercises. I am just using the free trial, but have been really loving it.
Favorite Hobby-I never thought I would love running as much as I do, but here I am. It has become such a stress reliever for me and I genuinely enjoy the journey. I started this year only being able to run five miles at one time and through the year have worked my way to… I have found so much joy through running and can’t wait to continue it in the new year with some new goals in mind.
Here’s some of my favorite runs from this year!
One of my first runs of the year.Mid way through the yearRunning through RomeFinding new spotsMy PR for my 10KTurkey Trotting
My longest run to date
Favorite Trip and Day Trip– I have two favorite trips this year, a day trip to Montrel and my family’s incredible trip to Italy. You can read both of the reviews above!
Montreal!Italy!
Favorite Recipe– I spent so much time in the kitchen this year and accomplished my goal of making one new meal a week. That’s trying at least 52 meals, if not more.
Sunday spread done right
My top meals were:
Wedding Soup
Turkey Pot Pie
Homemade Gumbo
That’s a look at my favorite things from this past year. It was so hard to narrow it down, but it was very reflective to see how much I accomplished. Here’s a look at my resolutions and how I did.
Here’s my Resolution post from January. My motto for the year was to be open and aware of change and I think I did a good job of that. I went through some life changes and grew from them while also staying true to myself along the way. I will share more about how well I did with accomplishing my goals next week in my 2025 Resolutions post, but for now, I’m really proud of myself for how I have grown and changed this year. I’m still a work in progress, but I’m happy who I see when I look in the mirror.
I see this girl and she’s pretty happy.
Thank you so much for being along on this journey through 2024 with me, whether you have been here since day one or you are reading this for the first time, I appreciate you and you taking the time to be with me. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas week and New Year’s Eve too. I’ll be back here on Friday for some Friday favorites! See you then!
Hello All! Happy Friday! Christmas is nearly here! I LOVE this time of year and look forward to it all year long.
Christmas in the city!
These past few weeks have been filled with so much Christmas cheer and the good news is there is still more Christmas cheer to be had.
Warm drinks, fireplace going, and festive lights!
To no surprise, this post is filled with lots of holiday goodness. Here’s what I have been loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
Christmas Candle– My brother picked up this candle for me and I have been burning it all month long. It’s a sweet scent, but not overpowering. I tend to go with peppermint or balsam scents around the holidays, but I love the warm, sweet scent this candle brings. I’ll miss it when the season is over.
Christmas Classic Movies- My boyfriend and I have been watching Christmas classic movies all month long, from the claymation to comedies, and even some rom-coms. I have been doing my best to watch as many Christmas movies as possible and I’m doing pretty well with my list. I even watched movies while I was wrapping gifts and it put me in the holiday spirit.
Even my pup got in on the watch party.
Twinkle Lights- I wanted to add some new holiday decorations to my room and decided to string some twinkle lights with red bows above my bed. It was the perfect touch to my holiday decor. I have been using them when I read in bed at night and it makes the room so much more cozy and inviting. I love how they make me feel whenever I use them.
Jingle Jangle– Any Trader Joe’s fans out there?! I don’t have a store near me, but one of my other brothers do and they picked me up some Jingle Jangle. It was such a sweet surprise and I couldn’t wait to try it. I love a good sweet and salty mix and this satisfies my cravings. I LOVE it, perfect for the holiday season.
Hunter Boots– I have a pair of Hunter rain boots that I love and work great in rain and snow. I decided to get a pair of their winter boots (which were necessary after our recent snowfall) and I love them. They are well insulted, warm, and look cute too. Plus they were on sale! What could be better? These will definitely be getting a lot of us this winter season.
That’s a look into life lately, SO much Christmas joy! Truly the most magical and wonderful time of the year. How are you enjoying this season? Have a wonderful weekend!
Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday! Christmas is one week away. How are we feeling? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Ready? I have been enjoying this season all month long. I’ve been truly trying to make the most of it whenever I can. Due to how the holidays fall this year, this month’s Currently is a week earlier.
Next week will be my year in review. Then the following week will be my new year’s resolutions post. Lots of fun things coming your way in the next few weeks. Before we get ahead of ourselves, here’s a look at my life currently.
What I’m Up To: So much Christmas cheer and spirit! Since we last caught up, I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family and ran in our local Turkey Trot.
Turkey Trotting Before the Big Meal
Our delicious meal!
After that it was full steam ahead for Christmas spirit plus snow!
My pups enjoyed the snow
We got hit with a major snowstorm with feet of snow. It certainly got us in the Christmas spirit and lots of time indoors in between shoveling.
More snowy scenes
As far as Christmas fun goes; I have been shopping, watching Christmas movies, wrapping, and lots of baking!
A very festive home
Plus, lots of cozy nights in.
Warm drinks, fireplace going, and festive lights!
Getting festive in the kitchen!
What I’m Reading: This has been such a good reading month for me, both with Christmas themed books and some other great reads too!
Lots of warm drinks and reading
All the Colors of the Dark– This book, All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker came out this summer and I heard great things about it, the only downside was the length (I heard it was a long one). A quick story before the review, I put it on hold at the library and it finally was able to check it out. I had a few books I wanted to read first and had planned on renewing All the Colors of the Dark. I went to renew it two days before it was due and couldn’t because there was a wait for it after I finished it. That being said, I made it my job to read the book, I finished it in two days and it was phenomenal. It lived up to the great reviews and its hype. It’s all about a missing child and subsequent murders of teenage girls. It follows the main characters through their lives of children through adulthood. It has hints of mystery and thriller, relationships and drama. It’s in the running for a top book of the year.
Straight Shooter-I went to see Steven A Smith speak in the fall and was interested in learning more about him. I read his memoir, Straight Shooter and learned a lot about the sports journalist. I really loved how he detailed his upbringing and the decisions he made to get to where he is today. An interesting and informative read for sure.
A Winter in New York– I started my Christmas reads with A Winter in New York by Josie Silver. It checked all my boxes for a holiday read; big city, romance, great description of food and a bit family mixed in too. It’s all about a young woman who goes to New York City in hopes of starting over. She stumbles into a gelato store and learns she has a connection to the shop owner. She learns the importance of family, tradition and good food. A fun read for the winter months.
Bright Lights Big Christmas– I really enjoyed Bright Lights Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews. This Christmas book is about a brother and sister who make the trek to NYC to sell their Christmas trees from the family farm. They rough it by sleeping in a trailer while in the city, but they make it a home while they are in town. Their neighbors become their family and they make the most of their little Christmas tree stand. Such a cute book to read before the holidays.
The Mistletoe Mystery- This novella, The Mistletoe Mystery is part of the Maid series by Nita Prose. It’s all about the holiday season at the hotel where Molly the head maid works. She’s suspicious this time of year because her boyfriend has been acting weird and keeping secrets. But will things get resolved before Christmas? You will have to read to find out. This was a quick and cheesy holiday read, but so fun too!
What I’m Watching:
This month has been all about watching Christmas movies and tv shows.
Watching the tree lighting in NYC
I’ve watched the cartoons, claymation specials, the rom coms, and comedies.
Even my pup enjoyed the shows
I’ve been watching some solo, some with family, and others with my boyfriend.
I also finished watching the most recent season on The Masked Singer and I have been making my way through the new and final season of Outlander too.
What I’m Wearing:
I have been wearing all things festive apparel this time of year.
My Thanksgiving Outfit from Draper James
From graphic shirts, to velvet blazers, red and green items, you name, I’m wearing it. I’m trying to make the most of my festive outfits this time of year.
What I’m Cooking:
I have been doing all kinds of holiday baking. My goal has been to make one kind of cookie a week. So far, I have made chocolate chip, Halloween candy cookies, Chocolate Crinkles, Snickerdoodles, M&M cookies, and Gingerbread.
Chocolate CrinklesM&M and SnickerdoodlesGgingerbread, YUM!Chocolate ChipeHalloween Candy Cookies
I also made Spritz, Red Velvet, Peanut butter and Peanut butter with Kisses.
Peanut butter and peanut butter with kissesSpritz!Red Velvet
I still have more to go, but I have been pleased with my progress so far.
As far as meals go, I have cooked
Chocolate chip Cookie Dough Pie
Rosemary Cashews
Baked Potato Bar
Tortilla Soup
Peppermint Chocolate Bread
What Inspires Me:
I have been loving all things Christmas and festive. Here’s some recent quotes that resonated with me as well and maybe they will be some inspiration for you!
I also have been inspired by all the cozy vibes with the fire going, enjoying warm drinks and having Christmas lights on.
My pups getting into the holiday spirit with all the snow.
What I Accomplished:
I have been making my way through my Christmas Bucket List and I have been pleased with my progress so far and we still have time to cross things off my list!
A Christmas Concert got me in the Christmas spirit
Dessert out on the townA Chocolate Raspberry Roll
Gifts wrapped and ready to be delivered
Lots of holiday light displays.
Goals from Last Month:
My Christmas Bucket List has been keeping me busy as has spending bonus time with family, making time to visit friends and enjoying the holiday season.
Plus lots of Christmas wrapping and movies
And indulging in tasty treats!
Plus seeing Christmas lights
Goals for Next Month :
New Month, New Year, New Goals! I’m looking forward to the fresh start of the new year and sharing my New Year’s Resolutions with you too.
That’s a look into what I’m Currently up to. SO much holiday cheer! I love this time of year and have been experiencing so much Christmas joy and incorporating it in my every day life. I hope you are enjoying this holiday season too!
I’ll see you back here for Friday Favorites in just two days!
