Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! I hope you have had a great week and are enjoying the spring season. It’s time for another Let’s Look as I link up with Shay and Erika
This month we are talking all about what’s in our grocery carts.
This topic was a little tricky for me since I still live at home. When I go to the grocery store, I’m not just buying for myself but for other family members too. I typically go shopping with my parents for their weekly grocery shopping trip.
Before I head out to the store, I always plan meals with my family and make a list of meals we plan to make in the week. Typically, we aim to cook five to six meals at home each week and we make a list of what nights we plan to eat them (this may change through the week, but having a list saves stress from figuring out meals the night of and it saves money from eating out.
One of my New Year’s resolutions was to cook a meal for my family each week by trying and testing new recipes, so I will take one night, my mom cooks the other four and then we may go out or order in for the remaining nights. Our meals range from a mix of chicken, pasta, salads, sometimes seafood, and then an easier night of leftovers or soup/sandwich/salad for late or busy nights.
One of my latest meals, baked chicken tacos!
When we are making a list of what to buy, we take an inventory of things we already have and can use for dinners or lunches. Making a list saves money and it encourages you to use what you have rather than buying new.
Besides things for meals, we tend to stock up on fresh produce and veggies and any staples we may be low on in the pantry, like bread, milk, lunch snacks etc.
At the store, I also to keep my eyes open for new products to try. For example, I enjoy eating hummus with veggies or fruit, I saw this hummus trio at the store and gave it a try and loved it. You never know when a new item could be a win. I also get inspired by different things I see at the store that I may want to try on my own.
As far as my lunches go for work, I did a post about meal prepping here. I like to have a variety of easy food options for lunch. I typically have some sort of fruit, veggie, something sweet, and then either a salad (veggies, chicken, tuna, egg etc.) or I will eat leftovers from the night before. I like to use what I have in my home before going out and shopping.
We love a good meal prep!
That’s a look into my grocery cart. Not too exciting or thrilling, but fun to share what things I enjoy buying and making.
Happy Friday! I hope you have been having a great March and spring season. I am loving the extra sunshine, warm weather and time outdoors.
As always, I’m linking up with with Erika and Andrea for another weekly edition of Friday Favorites as I share some of the things that I have been loving this week and are on my radar. Here’s been some of my favorite things:
This is Me Now– Have you seen Jennifer Lopez’s movies/biography on Amazon Prime? It’s called This is Me…Now. It’s based off her latest album about her life and love over the past 20 years. I have always enjoyed JLo, but was never a huge die-hard fan. I truly enjoyed her creative way of bringing her music to life and it’s evident in this film. The movie is only an hour long, but it’s packed with incredible choreography and music. It also can lead you going down the rabbit hole reading all about her past and current loves. Definitely worth the watch!
Avocado Crackers– If you have read any of my past posts, you know I am a sucker for trying new snacks. I spotted these avocado crackers at Wegmans and had to try. I love all things avocado and these didn’t disappoint. I love the crisp. crunch and flavor they provide. There is a little bit of kick to them which I appreciate too. You can enjoy these on their own, but they would also taste great with some cheese, hummus or dip. Perfect for a spring snack!
American Royals Series- I talked about the first book a few posts back, but the past few weeks have been filled with my binge-reading my way through the American Royals series. Wow, once I started, I couldn’t stop. It typically takes me about a week to finish a book, but I was finishing them in less than a week because I couldn’t wait to find out what happens. Each book ends with a cliffhanger that will lead you to picking up the next month. I loved the plot of a royal family in America, I loved the characters and how they grew up and evolved through the four books and I loved all the little Easter eggs sprinkled throughout. If you are looking for a good series that’s PG-13, this is a winner-especially in the spring!
Spring Weather-Speaking of spring, I have been LOVING this spring weather. We may have had a mild winter, but I am here for the consistent warmth and sunshine. Last week, I packed clothes to go on walks after work three days in a row and I couldn’t have been happier. I also made it to the Zoo for a trip this year. The sunshine is giving me life right now and I couldn’t be happier.
Grey’s Anatomy is Back– After a long overdue wait due to the writer’s strike and the actor’s strike. Grey’s Anatomy finally returned yesterday. This season will be much shorter, but I’m still grateful we are getting a season to begin with. Depending on when you are reading this, I may or may not have watched the episode yet. I am looking forward to seeing what’s going on with my favorite characters at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. I have been a fan of the series for years and have loved seeing how the show has evolved and how characters have changed and come and gone. I’m eager to see how this season unfolds.
That’s a look into some of my favorite things from this week. Some clothes, some entertainment and some snacks! Tell me, as we are fully in spring, what are some things you are loving?! Let me know in the comments below!
We are just one week away from the start of Spring! I have experienced a MILD winter, but I am still giddy for more sunshine, warmer air, and outdoors. We had 70 degree weather last week, followed by fresh snow this weekend. Needless to say, Mother Nature needs to make up her mind.
With that being said, a new season brings a new bucket list of things to do.
I didn’t accomplish as many things as I wanted to on my Winter Bucket List due to the fact we had very little snow. However, I am still pleased with everything I did get done during the slower months of winter. I spent a lot of time reading, watching movies and tv shows, and trying new recipes for dinners and baked goods. Because the weather was so mild, I managed to still get outside a good chunk of time for either walks or runs. I’m a firm believer in getting outdoors as much as possible, you just have to dress for the weather. I have done walks in 25-degree weather and 90-degree weather. You may get hot or cold while outside, but as long as you are dressed appropriately, there’s always an opportunity to move your body and get some fresh air.
Here’s a look at my Winter Bucket List and everything I accomplished.
As we get ready for Spring, here’s a look at some ideas for fun things to do over the next few months.
Outdoor Walks
Trips to the Zoo
Ice Cream Dates
Decorate for Spring
Switch over Spring Wardrobe
Increase my Running Mileage to Six Miles
Spring Planting/Gardening
Try New Spring Salads
Use More Citrus in Recipes
Celebrate Easter
Read Outside
Baseball Games
Spend More Time Outdoors
Celebrate my Birthday
Celebrate Memorial Day
These are just some ideas/goals for the next few months. The list will change as more things get added to the calendar, but I always like a good list to refer back to when I’m in a rut and looking for things to do. Tell me: what are some things you hope to accomplish over the spring months?
Happy Friday! I hope you had a successful and fulfilling first full week of March. My brothers are home for Spring Break and some of their time off overlapped. We have a full house over the next few weeks with siblings and significant others home, needless to say, I am one happy camper. It’s been fun to catch up and have some bonus family time together.
These next few weeks are looking busy with some activities, events, and travel plans, so I am taking the slower and calmer weeks as a win. As we get ready for the weekend, here’s been a look at what I’m loving this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea.
One Day– Have you seen the mini-series One Day on Netflix? It’s based on a book and a movie that came out a handful of years ago starring Anne Hathaway. The story follows a guy and girl who meet in college in 1988 and the viewer gets to see where life takes them by checking in with them every year. Each year you see how their lives and their relationship changes and evolves. Some years they meet up on the day, other years, it’s just a check in. You get to see these characters grow into adults, in their careers and with the different people in their lives. It was a very sweet series and I loved seeing the character development throughout. I do have to warn you, there are so emotional storylines told through the series.
Non-Meat Recipes– Asking the internet for some help! We are in the season of Lent and I’m on the hunt for some non-meat recipes to enjoy on Fridays. I am always looking to try new things and Pinterest is always a huge help, but I have found myself in a bit of a rut looking for new recipes. I am looking for any seafood or high protein recipes that don’t involve meat. If you have a favorite recipe or suggestion, share it below!
Big Note Pad- This big notepad has been saving my life recently. I got it from Simplified and I use it to write out my to-do lists for the weekend. I mentioned earlier this year that I use a mini notebook from Simplified to write any weekly to-do’s or goals. However, on days-off, I like to create a massive daily to do. Everything goes on there, from getting in a workout, to meal prepping, even scheduling appointments. I love having a big notepad to jot everything down in one spot. It’s so big that I can use it for multiple days. It’s been a huge lifesaver and it saves me from having a million post-it notes with things to do.
Apple Watch Charger– Another favorite from this week has been a new lifehack I have been using to make my life a little easier. It’s super silly, but also practical. I have a two-in-one charger at home for my iPhone and Apple Watch that I use daily. I have a car charger for my phone in my car, but nothing for my Apple Watch to charge when it’s low on battery and I’m not home to charge it. I took an Apple Watch charger that I wasn’t using and threw it in my purse, so I always have it in case my watch is low, and I need some juice when I am out and about. I know it may seem so silly and a “duh, that’s such an easy solution”, but it was one of those problems that I kept having and was causing my stress about my watch dying and not having a charger on me. A simple solution took away a lot of unnecessary stress. Just an example at how one small change can make all the difference.
Jerry and Marge Go Large-Wrapping up this week with a fun movie for the family! My boyfriend and I watched Jerry and Marge Go Large and loved it. The movie follows a recently retired man who is looking for a new hobby. His interest is piqued when he starts to play the lottery and finds a workaround to consistently win it. This leads to him and his wife getting closer and finding a new hobby together by playing the lottery. Many people in the town find out and want in on it too. It really brings the whole town together. Overall, the movie was funny, wholesome and great for the whole family.
That’s a look into some of my favorite things from this week. Some things to watch, some life hacks and some questions too. As we make our way through March, tell me, what’s been some things that have been saving your life? Let me know in the comments below!
Hello everyone! Happy First full week of March! We hit 70 degrees on Monday, the sun has been out longer and I’ve gotten more walks in to embrace the warm weather. It has been a great start to a new month. Today’s post is a bit personal, but I hope you will stick around until the end.
Remember those shoes you always wanted as a child and when you got them, you were afraid to wear them and risk getting them dirty or ruined? Or maybe you kept holding off on using your good dishes because you were afraid you would break them? We have all been there. We sometimes long for items and never end up using them or don’t use them as much as we should. Today’s post is a little different and more personal, as I’m sharing about the importance of not waiting and using the good things in life.
This topic came to me around the holidays, we were getting the table set for Christmas dinner using the good China and linen napkins. I always enjoy a good party prep and entertaining, I thought it was such a shame that fine China and fancy items only get used so often or for special occasions. While I know it’s important to honor and celebrate the big moments in our lives with fun items to mark the occasion, why can’t we use the linens more often? Or who says we can only use good plates for holidays? No one. I realized we can permit ourselves to use the nice dishes or wear the dress we have had in the back of our closet, or even add some expensive jewelry to our everyday outfits. What’s the point of having these items if we aren’t going to enjoy them to their fullest?
When I came to this realization last year, I allowed myself to use the good things, take the opportunities and experiences and not wait or put them off and I hope after reading this maybe you will too. Over the past few months, I have been trying to use what I have or the things I don’t use as frequently and incorporate them more in my everyday life.
Here’s how I’m doing that:
Clothing: I have a lot of clothes, but I find myself reaching for the same items on days off or to wear to work. I decided to make more of an effort to change up clothes for work or outfits that I was wearing on days off or out to appreciate what I had. Instead of just wearing leggings and a hoodie on a day off (which still happens), I decided on jeans and a nice top to wear out for errands. I felt better about my appearance and better that I was wearing something I hadn’t worn in a while.
Appliances/Gadgets: I got a Kitchen Aid mixer for Christmas last year and used it a handful of times but took a hiatus due to a busy schedule and the fact it was stored in a place that isn’t always convenient to get it when I wanted to use it. I decided that I enjoyed using it and it made cooking and baking easier, so I would walk the extra few steps to get it out when I wanted to cook with it.
Experiences: My friends and sometimes family often talk about things we want to do or try or adventure, but they don’t end up happening due to life or commitments or forgetting about it. I’ve tried to make more of a point to actually plan the trips or outings when I am with family of friends. For example, one of my friends and I are both book-worms and enjoy supporting local businesses and reading new books. I heard about a local book sale happening and made plans with my friend to check it out. We easily could have talked about it and not acted on it, but we made it a point to find a time that worked well for both of us and go to make it happen. Rather than going around in circles talking about if we want to go someplace or do something, you are making a decision to make it happen.
That’s the lesson, make the decision and don’t be afraid to use the good things in life. What’s holding you back? Give yourself permission to take the risk or make the jump and use the good things in life instead of having them sit.
Let me know your thoughts on this. How do you feel about making the big jumps and using the finer things in life?
Happy Friday! Also, happy first day of March! Is it just me or did February fly by? January was slow and steady, but February happened in the blink of an eye, but it was filled with all good things, from family time, to soaking up the outdoors, and celebrating Valentine’s Day!
Now that we are in a new month, I’m feeling extra excited about the possibilities of spring, warmer weather and more sunshine!
As always, I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s edition of Friday Favorites. Here’s some things that I have been loving.
Brown Sweater– I popped into T.J. Maxx last week for some browsing. I wasn’t planning on making any purchases, but I saw a few things that caught my attention and ending up purchasing. A new, long, brown sweater to wear at work was one of them. One of my most common phrases that you can hear me saying at work is “I’m cold or it’s cold.” I am always chilly no matter the weather. It could be 75 degrees outside, and I would still have a sweater on inside. Needless to say, I always have a sweater or light jacket at work, so they tend to get some wear and tear. I have gone through two work sweaters and this brown sweater is my third. I previously had white and tan sweaters. I like that this sweater and the ones I have worn in the past are comfortable, come in neutral colors, and professional looking enough that I can wear it around the office. I was in need of a new sweater and T.J. Maxx had the answer.
Pink Jacket– Speaking of T.J. Maxx, I also found this pink cropped jacket that can be dressed up or down. You can wear it with dress pants (think black, blue, or white), a skirt, or a solid dress in the office. You can also dress it down with leggings or jeans and boots to elevate your look. I love the color and the style and the versatility that it provides. You never know what you will find when you stop in T.J. Maxx.
American Royals– After hearing about this series over the past couple years, I am finally making my way through the American Royals series. The four-book series follows the tale if America had a monarchy. Think a mix of the Royal family in Great Britan meets America. I love all things about the Royal family, so this has been such a treat to read. Book one really sets up all the characters and the plots and leaves the reader with a cliffhanger that will make them want to start reading book two right away. I’m currently making my way through book two and can’t get enough of the relationship drama, family dynamics and “history”.
Buffalo Chicken Dip– I love all things appetizers, dips, and snacks. I would choose those over a big meal any day. One of my favorite dips/snacks is Buffalo Chicken Dip. You can enjoy it with chips, bread, crackers, but my favorite way to enjoy it is with some fresh veggies. We made it a few weeks back with this recipe and it was a hit. I enjoyed it with my family and ate some leftovers for lunch in the coming days with veggies.
American Nightmare-Have you seen the new Netflix documentary, American Nightmare? It’s all about a couple who gets attacked in their home and the girlfriend gets kidnapped. I finished it in three sessions, there’s only three episodes and they are only 45 minutes long. I could have finished it sooner if I had the time. There’s definitely some twists and unexpected turns that I wasn’t anticipating, but would definitely recommend it if you are a fan of true crime.
That wraps up this week’s Friday Favorites, short and sweet, some entertainment, some recipes and some clothes.
As we embark on a new month, what are some things you are looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below!
I hope you have had a great week so far. It’s crazy to think we are at the end of February, with one more day to go as it’s a Leap Year!
This month went by much faster than January, there were more things on the calendar, more time with friends, and much better weather-all good things in my book. Although I know we are not out of the woods yet with winter, knowing we are closer to the end than the beginning is a huge win! There’s more daylight, the days are getting longer, and the temperatures are slowly but surely rising. Spring, I can hear you knocking on my door.
As we get ready for a new month and season, I’m sharing some of the highlights from the past month for this month’s edition of Currently.
What I’ve Been Up To: The month started with some really warm days. Temperatures hit the 50’s and we had lots of sunshine. I didn’t realize how much I missed the sun until we got it back for a few days. I made it a point to get outside for lots of fresh air. I always like to take advantage of the warm weather and stay active. One of my favorite ways to enjoy both is by taking long walks with my dogs and making phone calls. I love getting my steps in and catching up with friends or family on the phone.
We love a good coffee shop date!
I also have enjoyed time with family and cozing up on the winter days by watching movies or reading. Give me a blanket, light me a candle, and some form of entertainment and I am one happy gal!
Cozy afternoons on the couch
What I’m Wearing: This hasn’t been too much of an exciting month when it comes to clothes. I tried my best to wear my reds and pinks in honor of Valentine’s Day. I also got a lot of wear out of one of my favorite red coats from Old Navy. I love that you can dress up or down in an outfit with this coat. I have worn it out to dinners and work and with leggings and boots.
A look at an outfit for a night out.
What I’m Reading: This was such a good reading month for me. I read a variety of books and genres.
Lost and Found in Paris– Lost and Found in Paris is about a young woman who travels to Paris for work after a major shift in her relationship. She’s hoping to find herself and deliver a piece of artwork to a client. When the artwork goes missing, she’s forced to go on a bit of a treasure hunt around Paris with someone she meets in the city of lights. Through the course of the book, she learns more about herself than she was ever anticipating. I loved this book and it’s in the running for a top book of the year.
Love and Olives– This is the third book in the “Love” trilogy. Jenna Evans Welch wrote two other books, one that takes place in Italy and another in Greece. This book, Love and Olives follows a girl in high school who travels to Greece to work on her relationship with her dad and help him with a big project. While she’s visiting, she learns more about her father and why he left her for Greece. I loved the setting and the characters. After reading it, I want to book a trip to Greece.
The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary– This book was more psychologically heavy. The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary is all about finding the joy in everyday happenings. I was interested in the concept but sometimes got lost in the science behind it. I liked how the author brought in her own experiences to make it relatable but found some of her examples and stories to be a bit sad and dark. I learned a handful of things from the book, but it wasn’t my favorite.
The Little Italian Hotel-“The Little Italian Hotel” follows a talk show host who ends up taking her anniversary trip alone. Rather than go with her husband, she invites four strangers to accompany her. The five people bond over heartbreak and become friends as they create memories during their three-week trip abroad. I listened to the book as an audiobook in the car, while I was jogging, and while I was cleaning and doing things around the house. I like the narrator’s voice and she had me hooked the entire time.
Thicker than Water– “Thicker than Water” is by actress, Kerry Washington. She talked about her upbringing, getting into acting, and secrets about her childhood that she learned as an adult. Washington focused more on how she got to where she is today than her career in TV and film. I appreciated her candor in tackling different challenges as she grew up.
What I’m Watching: I did my best to watch some of the movies and series up for awards this season. I also made some headway in my watchlist on Netflix and Amazon Prime including some older rom-coms. I have been enjoying watching or rewatching them the past few weeks. I did however start a new mini-series which has brought me great joy!
Sanditon– PBS mini-series follows a young woman who goes to live with a family who has plans to build up a town by the water. There’s romance, drama, dealing with the class system, and of course, a beautiful backdrop where it all takes place. If you enjoy old British shows or movies, give it a try! There are three seasons, and each season has six to eight episodes. This has been holding me over until Bridgerton is back in the spring.
What Inspires Me: I have been keeping up with my cooking in the kitchen which has brought me lots of joy. I love researching to find a recipe for a meal and then I love taking the time to prepare it, but my favorite part is seeing people’s reactions to trying it. Some of my recipes have been wins, others have flopped, but that’s all a part of the process. I aim to try one new recipe a week if my schedule allows. I also have been using my air fryer more and have tried different recipes, thanks to Pinterest. Here are some of the recipes I have made.
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad
Air Fryer Chicken Caprese
Stir Fry
Brownie Truffles
Baked Chicken Fajitas
Air Fryer Potatoes
A Veggies and Rice Stir fry
Baked Chicken Nachos
What I Accomplished: This month started with the Super Bowl and a fun spread I put together for my family. We are Steelers fans, so we didn’t have a team in the game, but it was fun to watch, especially the ending in overtime! I enjoyed the commercials and half-time show and of course, all the snacks!
Just a few days later, we celebrated Valentine’s Day. I put together little treat bags for my gals who live by me and sent some cards to my friends who live out of town. I love doing little things to shower my people with love. I also made my some heart-shaped cookies for my family, which were a hit too.
Valentine’s Day cookies are always a must!
Valentine’s Day also fell on Ash Wednesday, so I started Lent with a new devotional that I got from my church that I will work my way through for the next several weeks.
Sweet Valentine’s gifts
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with some fondue
Goals from Last Month: I was happy that I got to celebrate my gals for Galentine’s Day by catching up with them in person for coffee, a meal, or a shopping trip, or via Facetime or call. The older I get, the more I want to make sure I continue to make time for my friends no matter the distance. I also enjoyed celebrating Valentine’s Day and making the most out of the winter months.
Sweet treats with friends
Goals from this Month: I am hoping this next month brings an increase in temperatures, more time outside, and more time doing what I love. I’m in a season of gratitude and being present in the moment and I’m working on not stressing about things out of my control. I hope I can continue with that mission in the coming weeks. I am also looking forward to some bonus family time with my brothers being home from school for Spring Break. I am also looking forward to a show at the end of the month. Spring is coming, I can feel it.
Fresh cookies to round out the month
That’s a look into life lately.
Tell me: as we gear up for a new season, what are you looking forward to the most? Let me know in the comments below! Enjoy your bonus day of February! See you back here on Friday!
Happy Friday! I hope it has been a great week for you as we get ready for another weekend. I hope you are able to fill your cup with what matters most, whether it’s family time, some extra sleep, or a fun excursion. As we make our way through February I am getting set for another round of fun favorites from this past week. These are little things that have brought me joy and I hope you are finding things that have made you smile this past week too.
Let’s jump into this week’s Friday Favorites with Erika and Andrea.
Office Ladies and the Lazy Genius Collaboration– I love the Office and I love the podcast, The Lazy Genius. When I heard they were a part of the same network, I couldn’t wait to see what it would bring. Kendra joined the Office Ladies podcast for an episode and in return, the Office Ladies made an appearance on The Lazy Genius. I loved hearing about their collaboration and how Kendra helped both Angela and Jenna lazy genius different parts of their lives. If you are fans or both or either of these, give both of them a listen. You can find The Lazy Genius episode here and The Office Ladies episode here.
Coloring Books– I always loved to color as a child and got back into it in college. Once again, coloring has found its way in my life and I’m not complaining. I enjoy the calming activity if I’m watching a show in the background or if I’m sitting and just relaxing. I also enjoy coloring or doodling if sports are on and I’m only semi paying attention. Haha! I know studies have been done about the relaxing technique between coloring and I have found that it calms me down and is a soothing activity. It has definitely brought me joy on chilly winter days.
Thicker than Water– I finished Kerry Washington’s memoir “Thicker than Water” last week. I was captivated from start to finish as she talked about her upbringing, getting into acting and secrets about her childhood that she learned as an adult. It was a fast read as I finished it cover to cover in four days. Washington focused more on how she got to where she is today more than her career in tv and film. I really appreciated her candor about tackling different challenges as she grew up. Washington covered a lot of topics in an earlier interview she did this year with ABC back in September. I would recommend watching that as a companion to reading her book.
Sanditon- I heard about this PBS mini series from The Lazy Genius. In Kendra’s newsletter she talked about how she has been into all this Jane Austen, including this mini-series about one of Austen’s unfinished books. I am currently watching this series on Amazon Prime and have been loving it. The series follows a young woman who goes to live with a family who has plans to build up a town by the water. There’s romance, drama, dealing with the class system and of course a beautiful backdrop where it all takes place. If you enjoy old British shows or movies, give it a try!
Brownie Truffles– As we close out this edition of Friday Favorites, I wanted to share this sweet treat I made last week. I have always been intimidated by making truffles, but I found this recipe from Hershey’s (one of my favorite companies) and had to try it! The recipe was so easy to follow and they came out delicious! Super easy for any party or gathering and they were a hit with my family.
That wraps up today’s Friday Favorites! Some entertainment, recipes, and family fun!
Tell me: how are you filling your cup this weekend? I hope you make it a memorable one!
I hope you are having a great week so far. Although Valentine’s Day is behind us, I hope you continue spreading love all month long, whether it’s with your partner, spouse, girlfriends or even yourself.
No matter how long you have followed me, you probably know I am a Simplified girl through and through. I love their mission, the products and their community.
Last month, I participated in their Simplicity Challenge, which was little tasks to complete every day to simplify your life. The tasks took less than 10 minutes to complete, and they were a great way to reset for the new year. I have done the 31 Day Challenge in the past and I was excited to try it again this year.
Team Simplified changed things up this year for the month-long cleaning and organizing. They still had a daily task, but they changed what the tasks were.
The new challenges ranged from organizing specific drawers (bathroom, kitchen, bedroom), to holiday decor, accessories, specific clothing items (dresses, socks, jeans), and reworking your systems in your life to simplify.
I did many of the challenges, but not all of them since I just did a big cleaning and organizing back in the fall. You can read about it here. Therefore, I didn’t have to go through my dresses, jeans, socks and medicine cabinets etc., since I already knew what I had and what I needed to get rid of.
However, there were many that I still took part in.
Here’s some of the areas that I tackled through the 2024 Simplicity Challenge:
Followers– One of the tasks was to go through and edit down who you follow on social media. This one was super helpful to me. I try to limit my time on social media, and I hope by editing down who I follow helps that. I went through and unfollowed accounts that didn’t bring me joy, I wasn’t interested in anymore or didn’t serve a purpose. I’m hoping this makes me more intentional with my time online.
Hair accessories– This was a huge help to me. In the past, I had all my hair ties, scrunchies, ribbons etc. in one pouch and I was always digging through it looking for one thing. I decided to divide accessories up in smaller pouches for easier access. It took me 10 minutes to complete and I’m already noticing a difference in getting ready every day.
Pantry and Fridge– I try to do my best to stay on top of clearing out the pantry and fridge, especially on garbage day when I get rid of old or expired foods. We had a lot of extra people home over the holidays and that meant extra cooking and ingredients. As I was cleaning, it was good to toss expired foods and see what things I needed to restock . Plus, it felt good to reset and organize things in their proper homes.
Cups– Anyone else always have too many cups or mugs?! Yep, that’s me! They are easy gifts to give or receive but we always end up with so many cups and mugs. I did some getting rid of and organizing our cups, mugs, and water bottles. Just straightening them up made a huge difference. I’m sad to report, it didn’t stay that organized for long and I’ve had to reorganize it many times since the initial challenge.
Tupperware– Another area that gets lots of use and doesn’t always stay tidy is our storage container cabinet. We have a lot of Tupperware and use it frequently for food storage and leftovers, so we are constantly in and out of this space. I did my best to organize the bases and lids and I got rid of broken or mix matched ones too. Pro-tip, save any heavy duty plastic containers you get when you order take out soup, they make great storage containers and are easy to give away if you are sending food home with someone and don’t need the storage containers back.
That’s just a taste of how I participated in the Simplicity Challenge 2024. I thought all the daily prompts were super helpful, but I didn’t need to do all of them due to my recent clean out.
If you are interested in the challenge more, you can head to Simplified’s Instagram page for a look at all the prompts. I know I feel better by having some of my most cluttered spaces organized especially in the new year.
Happy Friday! I hope you have had a smooth and successful week and were able to celebrate Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day. We made it to Friday which means the weekend is just hours away! I don’t know about you, but I am ready for the weekend.
Some sweet treats from Valentine’s day!
As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for some of my favorite things this week for this week’s edition of Friday Favorites. This is a mix of some books, music, food and some recent refreshes.
Let’s dive right in!
New Chair Cover- I’ve had the same desk and chair in my room since the second grade (yes, I still live at home and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made). The desk and chair are in great condition, however, they have endured wear and tear over the years, so I’ve had to get the chair re-upholstered a few times. This chair covering has gone from pink, to checkered, and now patterned. After more rips and tears, I decided to get it cleaned up again, rather than buy new. I found some of this patterned Paris fabric from a local remanent store and brought it to an upholstery store to get it fixed up. I’ve had it on my to-do list to get fixed for months and I finally got accomplished it. I’m so happy I was able to keep what I had and spruce it up rather than buy new. If you are looking to update something in your home, here’s your sign to do it.
New Lock Screen- Speaking of refreshes, this may sound silly, but I updated my lock screen for my cell phone and it was such a good reminder that the little things truly make the biggest difference when it comes to bringing joy in my life. I found this picture on Pinterest and swapped out the colors for my clock. I had a winter/Christmas background and now this one of Paris reminds me of the month of love. It’s a small change, but it makes me smile especially as we make our way through a new month.
Little Italian Hotel– I finished “The Little Italian Hotel” on Libby this past week. I listened to it as an audiobook and loved my experience with it. I don’t often listen to audiobooks, but I decided to give it a try and was so happy I did. The story follows a talk show host who ends up taking her anniversary trip alone. Rather than go with her husband, she invites four strangers to accompany her. The five people bond over heartbreak and become friends as they create memories during their three-week trip abroad. I listened to the book in the car, while I was jogging, and while I was cleaning and doing things around the house. I like the narrator’s voice and she had me hooked the entire time.
Stir Fry- I have been enjoying easy meals this winter. I love easy soup and sandwich nights, a soup and salad for lunch or a stir fry. A hearty stir fry has been a go-to for lunches and dinners. I love this meal because it’s a great way to use what you have in your fridge and not waste food, it combines a lot of food groups, and it’s fast. This past week, I used leftover ground beef, rice and some frozen veggies to put together this meal in under 20 minutes. Major win! I also have made chicken stir frys, veggie frys and shrimp stir frys too….the possibilities are truly endless.
Billy Joel’s New Song– I know this is a few weeks old, but I have been listening to Billy Joel’s new song “Turn the Lights Back On”, non-stop. This is the first song he has released in 30 years and it’s so good. I love the message and the melody. I really appreciated his performance during the Grammy’s too. If you haven’t listened to it, give it a listen.
That’s a look at some of the things I have been loving this week.
Tell me, what are some of your favorite things from this past week?
