Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #24

Hello all! 

Happy Friday! I hope your week was a perfect blend of relaxing and productive as we make our way through January. I love a good routine and this week gave me just that. I have a jam-packed edition of Friday Favorites. This past week, I have read a lot, watched a lot, and tried some new things. Here’s a look at some things I am loving this week as I link up with  Erika and Andrea.

The Mindy Project– New to me show, The Mindy Project just came on Netflix this month and I have been loving it. I remember seeing episodes here or there when it was on Fox, but never got into it. Now that it is on Netflix, I have been binge-watching it whenever I have some downtime. I love the casting, the storylines and how the episodes are only 25 minutes. It’s the perfect show to put on while you are folding laundry or checking emails and want to put something on in the background. I can’t wait to continue to watch the series as winter goes on.

I Didn’t Do that Thing Today– I finished my first book of 2023! I read “I Didn’t Do that Thing Today” and found it so interesting. Definitely a good book to kick off the new year with. It has more of a psychological feel as opposed to a narrative feel. The author talks about all the research and interviews she has conducted when it comes to productivity. As someone who thrives on being a productive person and getting everything done, I learned a lot about not having to be busy all the time and giving ourselves breathing room and not letting a lack of accomplishment affect our days. I’m working to be more flexible this year, so I took a lot of notes from this book and plan to apply them to my life and daily routines.

Spare-I have been talking/previewing this book, Spare, a lot and after it came out last week, I have begun to read it. I made it through part one and am halfway through part two. So far, I have really enjoyed reading about Prince Harry’s life from his perspective. Without giving too much away, the book begins after the death of Princess Diana and follows Harry’s life to the present day. I have watched a lot of Harry’s interviews before/after the book came out and it’s been interesting to see what things have been discussed and what things were highlighted. So far, I have found Prince Harry to be very real and vulnerable, but he also gives historical context and perspective to different things in his life. I’m looking forward to finishing the book and giving it a proper book review once I finish it. 

Apple Fitness +– I had to get a new phone and with that came a few free trials including Apple Fitness +, I use my phone and Apple Watch every day. You can read my Apple Watch review here. I have really been enjoying testing out Apple Fitness +. There are dozens of different workouts you can try and trainers you can follow for whatever mood you are feeling and how intense you want to go. A few features I really enjoy including showing your rings during the workout so you can see how close you are to closing them, the length of workouts you can choose from (you can do a 15 minute cool down or a 60-minute full body workout), and the walk and meditation features. I really enjoy taking some time to clear my mind and Apple Fitness + gives you so many options. I also like trying different workouts and being able to workout at home. I’m not sure if I will continue to use it after the free trial runs out, but I am loving it so far. 

Your Place or Mine Trailer– Reese Witherspoon’s new movie “Your Place or Mine” alongside Ashton Kutcher premieres on Netflix next month, but the trailer was just released, and it looks so cute. It follows two long-time friends and their attempt for a relationship. I love any movie that Witherspoon is in and it’s so fun to see her alongside Kutcher. This movie comes out just before Valentine’s Day, so it will be a great thing to watch for a Galentine’s Date! 

That’s just a look into some things I am loving this week. 

Tell me, what’s been a favorite of yours this past week? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Friday, friends!

Categories
Fabulous living

Inexpensive Date Ideas


Hello all! Happy Wednesday! I hope you are all staying warm and cozy as we make our way through January. Many people may make New Year’s Resolutions and goals and for some it may be to save money. I know after the holiday and shopping season, I’m looking to stay in and save more. 


Today, I’m sharing some fun and inexpensive date ideas. I still enjoy having fun and doing things with my boyfriend or best friends without breaking the bank. It can also be hard to find things to do in the dead of winter, so I hope these give you some inspiration for fun. So, without further ado, here’s some fun and inexpensive date ideas.

Walks: Head out to your favorite park or try a new destination for a walk. This FREE activity gets you outside and moving, it also shows you the beauty in your own backyard, and it lets you focus on conversations when you are getting to know someone or when you are catching up with friends. I love finding new parks and trails to try out with friends. It may seem daunting to do a winter walk if you aren’t a fan of the cold, but as long as you dress appropriately, you will be set.

No matter the season, walks are always a good idea

Movie and Board Game Day: This can be done at any point of the day, a Sunday morning, Saturday afternoon, or even a Wednesday night. Pick out some of your favorite board games or buy a new one to test out with your friends. If games aren’t up your alley, pick out a new movie that’s been on your list of things to watch, pop some popcorn and buy some candy and enjoy a movie night at home. This is a fun way to unwind and relax at home without breaking the bank.

Snacks and a movie are always a good idea.

Use the Gift Cards: Did you get gift cards for Christmas that are still sitting in your wallet? Use them! Whether it’s for a dinner out, a coffee, or even an activity, like a movie. Plan an event using that gift from someone else. Although, it’s fun to go to a favorite spot, if you got a gift card to someplace new, give it a try, who knows it may become a new favorite spot.

One of the times when we used a gift card to a favorite restaurant.

Take a Drive: This is a great idea for mild, winter days. Cue up a playlist, grab some fun snacks and hit the road, you can have a place in mind or just choose a direction and drive. In times like these, it’s more about the journey as opposed to the destination. Sometimes, there’s nothing better than the open road and having some good conversations. 

A beautiful day for a drive.

Spend Some Time in the Kitchen: Whether you love to cook or bake or it intimidates you, try out a new recipe, you may discover that you have found a new hobby. I have been testing out some new recipes and I have been loving the results. Here’s a pro-tip, besides looking up recipes online or on Pinterest, head to your local library and check out some cookbooks and try out some recipes from there. It can be scary to test out some recipes in the kitchen, but you may find that the results are better than you thought.

I spent a morning looking through some cookbooks to pick out new recipes and I can’t wait to try them.

That’s just a look into some inexpensive date ideas that can keep you busy and entertained without worrying about blowing your budget. Tell me: what are some of your favorite inexpensive date ideas.

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #23


Happy Friday friends! I hope you all had a wonderful week. This was a busy, but good week, so I was very happy when the weekend arrived. 

As the colder temperatures settle in, I have been spending more time indoors. I still have been trying to get outdoors for fresh air and exercise, but it can get tricky. This week’s Friday Favorites is a mix of indoor and outdoor fun. Here’s a few things I’m loving this week as I link up with  Erika and Andrea.

Winter Walks– I took advantage of the mild weather last week and got in a two mile walk on a day off. Thankfully, the wind wasn’t too horrible and I bundled up, but it was so good to get in a nice long walk, have good conversations and get an extra workout in. I’m hoping to make it a habit on days with mild winter weather. 

Just Feed Me– I really enjoyed taking up cooking and trying new recipes last year, but have been slipping due to busy schedules. I got Just Feed Me by Jessie James Decker for Christmas and have been loving looking for new recipes to try. I made Jessie’s Chicken Noodle Soup last week and it was so good. I made a big batch with plenty of leftovers for lunches. I’m looking forward to trying more recipes this winter and in the spring and summer too. 

Warm soup for a cold day.

Knives Out: Glass Onion-After seeing lots of previews for Knives Out Glass Onion, I couldn’t wait to watch it. I enjoyed the first movie and really enjoyed the second. I liked the ensemble cast, the surprise cameos and most of all, the mystery of “Who Done It”. There was lots of twists and turns and right when you thought you figured it all out, there was another curveball. 10/10 recommend watching it for your next movie night on Netflix.

The People We Hate at the Wedding– Another movie, but a different genre I enjoyed watching was “The People We Hate at the Wedding”, you can find this on Amazon Prime and it’s the perfect rom-com. This movie follows two siblings and their mother who travel to England for their half-sister’s wedding. There’s a few bumps to get to the big day, but it’s filled with lots of family drama, laughs, love, and the movie wraps with a happy ending. 

Apple Devices Charging Station-I got a new charging station for Christmas and it’s been one of my new favorite things. First, I love that you can charge your phone, watch and airpods (if you have them) all in one spot. My cords would constantly be getting tangled and it’s much more convenient to have everything charging in the area. I also love the white color (it matches my room and is very sleek). Lastly, I appreciate how it doubles as a stand for my phone too. This has been a practical and fun Christmas gift.

That’s just a look into a few things I’m loving this week. I Hope you have a wonderful, winter weekend. See you on Wednesday!

Categories
Fabulous living

Winter 2023 Bucket List

Hi everyone!

Happy Wednesday! I hope your week’s are going well as we settle into January. As we make our way through winter months and spend more times indoors, I’m always on the look for different activities that are fun and inexpensive.

This makes the cold, winter months a little more bearable. If you are looking for some fun, winter date ideas, look no further since I have you covered.

Here’s my Winter Bucket List for 2023

-Go Skiing

-Bookstore Date and Coffee Shop Date

-Go Ice Skating

-Read by the Fire

-Winter Walks

-Go to a Museum

-Go to the Movies

-Try a New Recipe

-Board Game Day

-Go Sledding

-Go to a Hockey Game

-Declutter my Spaces

-Enjoy Hot Cocoa

-Try a New Outdoor Activity

-Tackle a Project

-Bake Something New

-Entertain Friends

These are just some suggestions of things to do on those gray, gloomy days. I am always looking for things to do for fun that don’t break the bank and that don’t take up a ton of time. If you are in need of some winter fun, I hope these ideas help. What’s on your winter bucket list?

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #22

Hey everyone! 

Happy Friday! We made it through the first full week of 2023! How did your first week go? Was it hard to get back into the daily routines or were you ready for that sense of normalcy?

As much as I LOVE the holidays, I was happy to get back into a new routine. Now, that we have week one almost in the book, let’s get to some Friday Favorites, shall we? Here’s some things I’m loving as I link up with  Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites:

New Planner

I kicked off the new year with a new planner by Simplified. I went with the pattern Charlotte Street this year and have been loving it so far. The bright pinks and greens bring me so much joy! I spent some time getting it all set up last week and it feels so good to have a fresh planner to keep track of my life with. I am always on the go, so having my planner with me makes me feel in control of my schedule all the time, plus how can you resist this fun pattern?!

Hello 2023 planner!

New Journal and Devotional

With a new year comes a new journal and devotional. I picked up this journal from Barnes and Noble and have been loving the daily, guided prompts. I do my journaling in the morning and it allows me to reflect on the day before and look forward to what each new day will bring. To go alongside my journal, I picked up Emily Ley’s new devotional “Sure as the Sunrise”. I ordered it a while back, but waited until the new year to begin. For 100 days, there’s different reflections, Bible verses and a prompt for you to think about.  This has been so handy for me to read and then journal my thoughts. I’m excited to see where this year takes me.

My new journal and devotional for this year.

Emily in Paris

Emily in Paris has been out for a few weeks, but I finally got around to watching the new season between Christmas and New Year’s and I loved it. From the fashion to the friendship, the beautiful French scenery, it makes me want to travel to Paris even more. If you have watched it, what did you think of the cliffhanger in the finale? Were you shocked or did you see it coming? I can’t wait for the new season!

Such a fun series!

40 Books Read in 2022

A new year brings new books to read, I am so proud that last year I read 40 books! This is the most books I’ve read in a year. The year started out slow, but quickly picked up. I read lots of different genres from fiction to non-fiction, some mystery, thriller and memoirs. I discovered new authors and re-read some classics and enjoyed getting lost in different worlds. I already have quite a few books on my shelf that I can’t wait to dig into. I am always looking for new suggestions, if you have them, let me know in the comments!

Just one of the many great books I read.

Healthy Meals

After indulging too much over the holidays, I am getting back on track with healthy eating. All this week, I have been enjoying more fruits, veggies, snack plates and salads for lunch and dinner. As much as I love my sweets, it feels so good to be eating better and having more energy. One of my goals for the new year was to eat healthier and I am on the right track this year. 

That’s just a look into some things I have been loving this week. A new year means fresh starts and new beginnings and that’s what this week has felt like to me! 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Categories
Fabulous living

2023 New Year’s Resolutions

Happy New Year and Happy 2023!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday week and weekend with family, friends and loved ones. It was so nice to spend some extra time with family, slow down just a bit and get reset for the new year. I am someone who loves a fresh start and the promised hope of a new year.

I already have my new journal and devotional ready for the new year. I purchased Emily Ley’s “Sure as the Sunrise” last year and couldn’t wait to begin it on the first of the year. I love her books and I couldn’t wait to dig into her devotional. The days can get busy and overwhelming at times which is why I like to start my days with some journaling, reflection and reading. 

As we begin a new year, I like to set some resolutions for the next twelve months and reflect on my resolutions from last year.

Before we jump into the new year, here’s a look at my resolutions from last year. You may remember, I broke them up into four categories: Physical, Spiritual, Professional and Lifestyle. You can read the full post here, but just as a recap.

For physical, I wanted to continue with daily workouts and incorporate more vegetables in my diet. I did very well with keeping up with working out daily and even tried to get in some form of movement on days I couldn’t get in a full workout and I am SO proud to say that I ate more vegetables Every. Single. Day. and often times twice a day. From, salads, to sides with meals, I could definitely feel a change in energy levels when I added more vegetables in my diet.

For spiritual, I wanted to carve out more time for my faith life and I did a good job with that for the most part, but I know there’s always room for improvement.

For professional, I wanted to get more creative with my storytelling and I started out strong but waivered a bit as they year went on. I am looking to get back on track for the new year.

For lifestyle, I wanted to use more sustainable products and I did a very good job at that. It also didn’t hurt that a lot of stores went to a no plastic bag policy which helped me use my reusable bags more. 

My motto for last year was “Build the Best version of myself” and I think I really found my routine and rhythm last year and I loved having more structure in my life and a normal year after the past few years of craziness. Now that we are all caught up on last year, let’s get to this year.

My motto of the year is “Embrace the Change” I don’t know what these next 52 weeks will bring, I’m certain, there will be some change, new beginnings and new routines and I’m ready to embrace it fully. I am someone who loves the status quo and who doesn’t do well with change, so I’m going to try to be more flexible and adaptable and not get so hung up on my schedules or routines. This is easier said than done, so we will see how this goes.

Here’s a few resolutions I have for 2023:

Eat Healthier and Run a 5K

I have been doing better by making healthier food choices, but I want to do a better job with it this year. I find myself mindless eating and indulging and I want to do a better job at being more mindful with my eating habits. I also want to try and run a 5K. It may not seem like a huge deal or accomplishment, but I hate running and I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and try to see if I can run a 5K. (We will see how it goes).

Take Advantage of Local Parks and Spots

I love traveling to new places to walk and hike, but there are so many hidden treasures in my own backyard, and I want to take advantage of them more this year in all seasons. I try to get outside as much as possible and I hope that I can take enjoy the beauty that’s in my own community this year.

Plan to Do More Things on Days off

I am a planner through and through and this year I want to do better with planning more things to do on days off or weekends with friends and family. I have been doing such a great job with staying in touch with friends consistently both at home and those who live further away and I want to continue to plan events or activities to do with loved ones on the weekends. Plus, this also gives me something to look forward to in the dark winter months when life tends to be a bit quieter.


Continue to Grow in My Profession

Every year, I am looking to continue to get better at my job and in my career. I plan to do this by pushing myself to tackle challenging stories and topics. I also want to try to step out of the box and get more creative when it comes to storytelling too and take every opportunity that can help me grow.


I know more resolutions will come to me as they year goes on, but I like to use this a good starting block for the new year. I really enjoy looking back to see how far I have come and what changes I have made. It’s also fascinating to see how I continue to evolve and grow as I get older.

Here’s to a year of change, flexibility, family, growth, and love.

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #21

Hey everyone! Happy Friday! It’s the LAST Friday of 2022 and what a year it has been. This past week has been fast and slow in the best ways. I got quality time with family, time lounging and relaxing and getting reset for the new year. Ready or not, 2023 is coming. Here’s five things I’m loving this week as I link up with  Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites:

Christmas Treats-This week has been full of so many Christmas treats! From cookies, to popcorn, trail mix and more. I’ve been trying to maintain balance, but it’s easier said than done. I’m looking forward to restarting and getting back to healthier habits next year.

A look at some of my favorite treats.

Sauce Holder– I love sauces and condiments with my meals, especially when it comes to fast foods, like fries or nuggets. I got this super handy gadget for Christmas and can’t wait to use it in the car. A sauce holder for the road, such a fun, creative and useful concept. Love it! I’ll report back after I use it.

Such a fun and practical gift.

Exploding Kittens– My siblings and I got this as a gift for Christmas and had so much fun playing this card game. Up to five people can play and it’s a fun game that doesn’t take too long to get through, plus it’s easy to learn so all ages can participate. I’m looking forward to more board games nights in the winter months. 

Something From Tiffany’s– I have been wanting to watch this movie for a few weeks and finally watched it this past week. It’s a cute rom-com that follows two couples when their packages from Tiffany’s get switched and they end up meeting with hopes to exchange gifts, until they start to fall for each other. There’s a happy ending that will have you grinning from ear to ear.

Such a fun rom-com.

Christmas Decor– I know some people like to take their Christmas decorations the day after Christmas, while others keep it up until after New Year’s, I am the latter. I love to keep up all the decorations for as long as possible. After all the hustle and bustle over the past six weeks, it’s so nice to be able to enjoy the decorations and sit by the tree all lit up, simply beautiful and magical.

Beautiful night by the tree.

That’s a look into life this past week. I hope you have a safe and relaxing New Year’s weekend. 

See you in 2023 for a look at my New Year’s Resolutions. Happy New Year!

Categories
Fabulous living

2022 Year in Review

Here we are at the end of another year. At the beginning of this year, my motto or phrase of the year was “Building the Best Version of Me”. I really wanted to lean into my routines and rhythms that I established at the beginning of the year and stick to them and I was happy I did that.

It’s been said before that the older you get, the faster the years go by and that is certainly the truth.

This year has been busy with growing in my job, time with family both at home and away, building friends, enjoying hobbies.  

I’m using today’s entry as a both a recap of the past year and a favorite things of 2022 post.

So, let’s begin with a recap:

The beginning winter months of 2022 brought me out in snow and soaking up with outdoors with ice skating, winter walks and trying cross country skiing, something I haven’t tried in years.

Starting the year off with time outside, like skiing.
Time spent ice skating.
And cross country skiing…
Seeing the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit.
I also took in some local theater.

It also brought day trips to Pittsburgh for a trip to museums and time with family. As the weather got warmer, it meant more time outdoors with walks, picnics and trips to the local zoo and different parks. 

Time in Pittsburgh in the spring
I love taking in all the architecture.
First zoo trip of the year.
Celebrating Easter traditions.

Both of my brothers graduated in the Spring, one from college and one from high school, so it was fun to celebrate their milestones as a family. I also celebrated my 24th year around the sun. 

First signs of spring.
Cheers to 24!

I tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible in the summer months, from walks, to reading outdoors, picnics, and countless meals outside, our winters are long, so I tred to take advantage of the summer as much as I can.

I went to the National Comedy Center this year.
Summer picnics outdoors.
Drive-in dates.

I met up with friends through the summer months for dinners, or coffee or walks. I also did some traveling with day trips with family and my boyfriend and then some meet ups with friends too. My family and I got away for a few days with and went to the ocean which was such a fun escape.

Beach days in the summer
One of the many places I went for hikes for in the summer.
It felt so good to relax for a few days at the beach!
More zoo trips!
Fair fun!
I spent so much time reading outdoors.
I enjoyed sunrises and sunsets.

The summer was also filled with baseball games, strawberry picking, zoos, bonfires, beach days, and grilling. I tried to head outside as much as I could when the seasons changed from summer to fall.

Day trips to Pittsburgh
Lots of burgers on the grill.
Beautiful night for baseball
Strawberry picking summer fun!
Bonfire nights.
In my happy place!
I went to my first MLB game this summer.
And ice cream nights!
I fell in love with avocado toast this summer too.
I enjoyed farmer’s markets this summer too.

But as the winds changed, I had to layer up for fall walks, leaf peeping and apple picking. I tried to do as much baking as possible when I was cooped up indoors.

Fall drives.
Lots of fall baking
Enjoying Beautiful Fall Walks
Apple picking fun!
First time seeing this majestic waterfall.
Making Halloween treats too.

The last chunk of the year was filled with all things holidays. From Halloween movies to family at Thanksgiving and all the Christmas and holiday cheer. The last few months are always my favorite time of the year.

Family movie night for Halloween.
More fall baking.
Hello holiday cheer!
All the Christmas spirit, from movies to decor, to hot cocoa.
Holiday fun!

That was a bit of a recap, now here’s some of my favorite things from the past 12 months:

Favorite Show: This is Us: the Final Season

Favorite Binge Watch: Downton Abbey (both the series and the movies)

Favorite New Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid (new to me!!)

Favorite New Movie: Elvis

Favorite Artist or Song: Taylor Swift’s Midnights

Favorite Adventure: First MLB Game in Cleveland to see the Guardians

This is a snapshot of this past year, it can be easy to forgot or not recall all the little moments that make up the past 365 days. This year has been so fulfilling and fun. I don’t know what the new year will bring, but I’m ready to embrace the change, take opportunities (even the scary ones), and make every moment count.

Thank you 2022…let’s ring in the new year!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #20

Hey hey! Happy Friday and happy day before Christmas Eve! I hope you are able to slow down and enjoy the next few days with family and loved ones. I absolutely love this time of year, after all the anticipation and build up, we can all (hopefully) enjoy some time to slow down and reset with family and friends. 

Here’s a few things I’ve been loving this past week for this week’s Friday Favorites with Erika and Andrea for another edition of Friday Favorites:

Cleveland Trip: My boyfriend and I took a day trip to Cleveland last week and had the best time. From ice skating to walks around the park and dinner and a show. It was the best way to celebrate the Christmas season in a different city. A truly spectacular Christmas gift!

Christmas in the city!
The best Christmas gift from my boyfriend.

Christmas Snack Mix: I have been in the Christmas spirit since the day after Thanksgiving and it hasn’t slowed down at all. The holiday displays at the front of stores always suck me in to try new things. I picked up this holiday snack mix from Giant Eagle and have been loving it. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and salty and holiday cheer. If you are looking for a sweet snack for a holiday party, this is it!

The best Christmas mix

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies: Speaking of Christmas cheer, I tried this peppermint flavor mix in a batch of chocolate chip cookies and loved how they turned out. I have been doing lots of holiday baking over the past few days, from new recipes to classics, it’s been so fun to do some holiday baking. This cookie mix has the perfect blend of peppermint and chocolate. There was also mini marshmallows and chocolate chips in the mix too. Yum!

The start of baking season.

Long Sleeve Blouses: I am always on the hunt for new pieces to add to my wardrobe and found this long sleeve blouse by Ralph Lauren at Marshall’s for a great deal a few weeks back and couldn’t wait to try it.  There’s so many things that I love about this top, first the colors, I adore the classic blue and red. Second, I love the cut and style with the sleeves and the bow at the top. Lastly, I love that it’s long-sleeved. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for more tops like these.

I love a good long-sleeve blouse

Christmas in Paris: Just in the nick of time, I finished another Christmas book. I loved this story about a young woman who calls off her wedding and retreats to Paris. The description of Paris in the winter is beautiful. I loved the character development and it was so interesting to see this young woman find herself and love again. Christmas in Paris gets 5 stars from me.

That’s a look into my Christmas-filled week. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day and I will see you back here next Wednesday for my 2022 Recap!

Merry Christmas!

Categories
Currently

Currently #36

Hi everyone! I can’t believe we are nearing the end of December. I decided to move up Currently a week earlier and do my end of the year recap next week. I am in full holiday spirit over here. From baking, to Christmas music and movies and starting gift exchanges. It has been a festive time. Here’s a look into life the past month.

What I’ve Been Up To: I’ve been doing all things Christmas the past few weeks. from watching Christmas movies, like the classics (White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone), to new movies and shows, like The Santa Clause Series on Disney Plus and Spirited. I’ve also been doing lots of Christmas activities, like decorating a gingerbread house, ice skating, and Christmas activities like seeing holiday lights.

Scrooged-a classic Christmas movie.
Spirited- such a cute new movie, great for families.
A new holiday favorite series.

What I’m Wearing: Since the holiday season only lasts so long, I try to wear my Christmas gear as much as I can, from graphic t-shirts to pajamas, and socks, the choices are endless. I also have been wearing lots of layers to bundle up for the colder weather. This time of year, I always believe warmth is more important than style. 

All the layers for Christmas shopping.
I’ve also been layering up for winter walks.
The best coat for the Christmas season.

What I’m Reading: I’ve been reading lots of books over the past few weeks. I’ve been reading lots of Christmas books. Here’s a few books I’ve been loving and maybe you will to:

Some of my Christmas reads so far!

Christmas Shopaholic– This story follows a young mother in England who is charge of organizing Christmas for her family. It’s very relatable to anyone who has had to host a holiday. There’s friendship, love, family drama, lots of shopping and Christmas cheer.

A Nantucket Christmas and An Island Christmas. Both stories take place in Nantucket over Christmas time and have themes of family drama, cozy Christmas vibes and happy endings. I really appreciated the attention to detail about the island of Nantucket.

What I’m Watching: Besides lots of Christmas movies and shows. I watched the new season of Firefly Lane which I really enjoyed. I can’t wait to watch the new season of Emily in Paris. Lastly, like many others, I watched the Harry and Megahn documentary-series. I have been sharing my thoughts on it on my past few Friday Favorite posts. I was really pleased with, learned a lot and enjoyed seeing another side of Harry and Meghan!

It was so good to get caught up on this series.
Such a good documentary series.

What I’m Loving: I may sound like a broken record, but I have been enjoying all things festive for the holidays. This time of year brings me so much joy. From shopping, to present wrapping, exchanging gifts, baking, and seeing family and friends. I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR. 

Trees all dressed up for the season.
Tis the season for holiday fun!

What Inspires Me: I’ve been inspired by all the acts of kindness this time of year in addition to all the Christmas tradition. It’s been so wonderful to see so much generosity for others in need. I’ve also been inspired by unique gift ideas too. It’s always wonderful to see how creative people get with their gifts this time of year. 

Presents all wrapped and ready to be given out.

What I Accomplished: I’ve been really enjoying crossing things off my Christmas bucket list. From solo activities to things with loved ones, family and friends.

Skating has been a favorite of mine this past month.
A trip to the city to enjoy the Christmas season.

Goals from Last Month: I got all of my shopping done fairly early this month which made life a lot calmer towards the end of the month. It also helped with various gift exchanges happening throughout the month. All the prep work certainly paid off. 

Some of my gifts under the tree for others.
Enjoying hot cocoa leading up to Christmas.

Goals for this Month: I’m looking forward to coming up with my New Year’s Resolutions. I have a few ideas so far, but I’m looking forward to firming them up and working towards them in 2023.

That’s a look into life recently. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I’ll be back next week for my 2022 Recap! See you then!