Hello everyone! I hope your week is off to a great start as your summers get underway. Although the summer months are filled with fun, adventures, and lots of time outside but it also means a change of routine which can cause lots of stress. Whether you have a high stress job or pockets of stress in your life, there’s always things to do to manage or lower your stress.
Here are some of my top tips for managing stress.
When life gets to be a lot, write it down.
I always feel better when I write my to do list or what’s on my mind down, I always feel a lot better, plus when I see it all written down, it makes everything a lot more manageable. I also journal every day and that helps me reflect on the good every day and puts things in perspective too. I always start my day off with journaling and my daily prayers. When I start my day off with my routine
Get outside
Whenever a situation gets overwhelming or stressful, I find it helpful to take a walk or get outside and just get some fresh air. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes, it makes a big difference. The sunshine makes it even better to get outside and just process things.
Going on walks is a favorite of mine
Talk it Out
I always feel better after I talk about my stressors or pain points with someone, whether it’s my mom or best friend. It always makes me feel better just to talk out what’s going on instead of bottling it up inside.
Create a relaxing atmosphere
Especially at the end of a stressful day, I like to create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere. Whether it’s burning some candles or using some essential oils, I like to cultivate a space that I can truly unwind and relax.
I saw this on Instagram and I couldn’t agree more. We all need time to just rest.
Breathing exercises
I started to use the Mindfulness feature on my fitbit, it allows me to practice deep breathing whenever I need time to just pause and reset.
My mindfulness app
These are a few tricks that have worked for me. What things do you do to relax or manage your stress?
Hey guys! Happy Wednesday! We are officially in June! I had the best time celebrating my birthday last weekend. In between work, I was able to go out for dinner, see family, open presents and celebrate with friends too! It was the best way to celebrate 23!
I always view Memorial Day as the official start to summer, now that we are passed that I can share my official summer bucket list! I have shared them every summer since I started my blog and I love to use my list as a way to hold me accountable and be intentional with my summer plans. Here’s my summer bucket list for 2021. I’ve already started to do somethings this summer which I was super excited about.
My summer bucket list that hangs on my wall
-Seawolves Baseball Game
-Start a new show
-Summer reading
-Travel someplace new
-Best friend’s wedding shower
-Best friend’s wedding
-See college friends
I already saw my bestie Danielle!
-See high school friends
-Ice cream nights
-Dinner by water
-Play putt putt
-Beach day
Grilling on the beach was a favorite of mine!
-Zoo
-Family trip
-Pittsburgh Trip
-See family
-White Turkey
A summer must-have
-Sara’s
After a walk at Presque Isle, ice cream was a must!
-Niagara Falls
-Grill nights
-Entertain friends
-Winery or Brewery
-Celebrate 23
-Summer festivals
-Pool days
-Summer Hikes
Hiking at the PeninsulaHikes at Geneva State Park
I know more things will come up this summer but here are my top things that I want to accomplish this summer. What are some things that are on your summer bucket list?!
I’m starting today with a throwback…how many of you have heard or remember the song, “What’s My Age Again?” by Blink 182? There’s a line that goes “No one likes you when you are 23”, I’ve heard the song and the line many times, it’s even been used as captions on Instagram and Facebook posts for people when they turn 23. The whole concept is that people don’t like you when you get older.
I turn 23 this weekend and it’s definitely a weird feeling, it’s not the special birthday like 18 or 21, but I’m also not turning 25 or 30 that I feel old. I definitely think this past year I have gotten more mature and wiser and I feel more like an adult, if that makes sense? I think a lot of that has to do with the fact I am working full-time in a career I love. I’m not a college kid or a young adult doing different jobs while I’m in grad school. I’m on the right path meant for me.
I’m excited to be turning 23 and for my birthday this weekend. Although, I will be working, I plan to celebrate with family and friends before and after work. I’m most excited for another trip around the sun.
This past year, I was thrown many challenges with the pandemic, but I discovered a lot about myself. From learning a lot at work and growing immensely, the importance of family, to prioritizing friends and staying connected with people in my life. I grew a lot, but I still have a long way to go, especially when it comes to the work/life balance…I still need some work on that. Some days I am killing I, other days, I have no balance at all. I’ve learned this past year that the simple things and the people in your life are more important than anything.
I am excited for what the year ahead holds. I’m hoping for new adventures and opportunities, doors getting opened and taking on new challenges. I can’t wait to see more friends and family in person. I already have things planned for the summer and I can hardly wait. I’m also eager to learn more about myself as I grow more in my career and with my family and friends. I hope I embrace everything that comes my way.
Happy Wednesday! I’m doing my Currently a week early since my birthday is next week and my post next week will be about turning 23…now that all that is out of the way, it’s time for this month’s currently.
What I’m up to: I had many plans to be outside, but this past month was wet, cold and rainy. The dreary weather led me to stay inside more. But that meant more time for reading, watching movies and baking, I do hope that June brings warmer weather and more sunshine too. We got lots of sun in April so it was a tease not to have it in May. I also don’t mention it a lot but I go to the gym regularly so that helps get my blood pumping in the morning when I can’t get outside for a walk.
Wearing all the bright colors to channel some warmer weather.
What I’m wearing: I wish I could say I was wearing sleeveless dresses, and shorter, summery dresses but unfortunately, it’s a lot of layers still. ¾ sleeve dresses have been my go-to. It’s a perfect mix of summer with the coverage for spring. Jean jackets and leggings have been my comfy go-to on days off. I have a few new brighter dresses that I can’t wait for warmer weather to wear.
A look at some longer sleeve dresses
What I’m reading: My book club has been a godsend through the pandemic and this past year. Not only do I get my daily reading thanks to my book club, but I also get weekly chats with my high school friends in. This past month I read a lot of books. We started out with Eat Pray Love. I have seen the movie starring Julia Roberts but was excited to read the book too. The book goes deeper than the movie. But they tell the story of a woman who isn’t happy in her marriage or her job. She decides to end her marriage and go on a year long trip to Italy, India and Indonesia. On this trip she finds herself, finds her faith maybe even finds love. After reading it, it makes me want to go on a trip to some of these gorgeous places.
A+ book for me!
I also read Bobbi Brown’s book, Beauty Rules, I’ve had it for years but finally got around to reading it. There was lots of good information and tips of beauty too.
Another informative read
I’m currently reading Spilled Milk, it’s been a tougher book to get through. It’s about a girl growing up and the hardship she endures as she lives in an abusive household. It’s definitely been a tougher book to get through due to the subject material but it’s been good so far.
My current read
What I’m Watching: I’m still loving Offspring on Netflix. It’s about a family and their grown children and all the ups and downs of life. It’s a fun and quirky show and definitely a lighter watch especially at the end of a long day. A lot of my weekly shows are wrapping up. It’s been interesting to see how different shows handle Covid, some have taken the pandemic into their storylines, others haven’t incorporated them in their shows. It’s been fascinating to see them all handle the challenged this year has thrown at them.
What I’m Loving: Life has been good. I’ve gotten a chance to work on some fun stories at work and fill in on our weekend morning show which was fun. I’ve enjoyed the extra family time I’ve gotten with my parents and siblings now that school is wrapping up for the year.
I got to celebrate my brother’s Confirmation last week.
What Inspires Me: I’ve been inspired by more and more people getting vaccinated and the world slowly getting back to normal. I got my second dose a few weeks back. Although, I had some typical side effects I was very glad to have gotten vaccinated. A lot of our restrictions are getting lifted at the end of the month which makes me feel more comfortable going out and doing things and seeing people.
Proof of getting vaccinated
What I accomplished: In the past month I got my second dose, got some big work projects done and continued to see my close family and friends on my days off.
Goals Accomplished from Last Month I got to celebrate Mother’s Day at home with my family which was so nice. I also got to celebrate some birthdays which was fun. I also got to try a few new restaurants which was fun and super tasty. It gives me things to look forward to in the summer months.
Trying out some local spots
Goals for the New Month: summer, bucket list, trips, seeing friends, For June, I’m looking forward to planning my summer bucket list from things to do, places to see and people to visit. I am looking forward to summer getting underway and spending more time outside and doing outdoor activities too.
That’s a recap of my life. Nothing too exciting, but some of the best things in life happen during the simple days. What are you loving nowadays?
Happy Wednesday…I can’t believe I am typing this, but it’s my blog-anniversary.
I’ve been sharing bits and pieces of my life for the past four years, from college musings, to first time jobs, outfits, ways to organize, travel diaries, fitness routines, friends, family moments and more.
When I first started my blog, I used it as a way to keep busy and have a creative outlet and it has given me that and so much more! It’s been fun to look and back and read some of my earlier posts to my posts today. In some ways I haven’t changed at all, in other ways I have grown a lot.
In honor of my four years of blogging, I’m sharing some of my favorite posts of the past year.
Throughout the past year, my life has revolved around work, family time, trying new hobbies like reading and cooking, continuing to build friendships and relationships and of course the pandemic.
Here are some of my favorite posts from the past year.
Since work was a huge part of my life, it only makes sense that one of my favorite posts was about a day in my work life. To get a sneak peek into my work life, you can read about it here.
Working the anchor desk this weekend.
Sticking with news, December marked one year since I started working in news, so I did a post about what it’s been like along with some of my favorite stories. You can learn more about that post here.
New year, new head shots
Something that goes along with work is fashion. Since I have to dress up every day, I’ve enjoyed shopping for cute and affordable outfits and dresses. During the pandemic, Amazon was a huge help for finding dresses, here are some of my favorite looks. You can see them here.
One of my latest Amazon finds.
One of my favorite hobbies this past year has been learning to cook and bake. You can check out my Instagram stories to see my latest recipes. In the fall, I went apple picking and made a ton of apple recipes. Here are three of my favorites.
Lots of apples equals lots of recipes.
Organization is another big part of my life. Establishing routines and habits are a game changer for a smooth day. I shared some of my favorite routines that you can read about here.
Staying organized keeps my life in order
The biggest thing that dominated my life both personally and professionally was the pandemic. I shared what the past year was like for me here.
The new normal while working, masks and all
And last but certainly not least, I was so happy to finally give my blog upgrade thanks to my friend Marley! You can read all about the upgrade here.
New logo and branding
This year has been very different than I planned but I was so happy with everything I did this past year. In the next year, I’m hoping to have more travel diaries, more recipes, more adventures and more time with family, friends and loved ones.
Thank you to everyone who has read, followed along and supported me. Whether this was your first time or you have been reading since Day 1, I’m so happy to have you along with me. Here’s to a new year!
I hope your week is off to a great start! It’s finally May (woo hoo)! Depending on when you read this, I’m going to or have already gotten my second dose of my Covid vaccine (yay)!
As we transition to a new month and we inch closer and closer to warmer weather, I wanted to share some fun beauty finds that are affordable and that are perfect for warmer weather.
I have my top 3 Beauty Finds. Two are super affordable and can be found at the drug store, the third is a bit more expensive.
Here’s what I’m loving in a wrap up of beauty finds:
Tula Glow and Get It- Cooling and Brightening Eye Balm
I saw this show up on my feed on social media and after some friends recommended it to me, after hearing such great reviews, I had to try it. Tula is a skincare and beauty line, they carry it at some stores like Ulta Beauty and online. I already have a beauty and skincare routine down pat, but after hearing about some of their other products, I wanted to give them a try. I tried their Glow and Get it- Cooling and Brightening Eye Balm. I have been using it for a few weeks and I have LOVED it. I use it every morning around my eyes and it instantly wakes me up and gets rid of dark circles.It also has minty flavor so that helps wake me up too! Since I work weird hours and shifts, I get tired and sometimes it’s evident. I love that this allows to perk up my skin and face and I feel instantly refreshed! This has been a new spring season favorite for me.
Pantene Volumizer Shampoo and Conditioner
For all the hair lovers out there, I found a product that is a game changer for getting some much needed volume! I have pretty straight hair, so in the past I have struggled with finding a product that gave my hair some volume. After trial and error, I have found that Pantene’s Volumizer Shampoo and Conditioner has worked the best for me. I love that it goes on super smooth and leaves my hair feeling soft, but it gives me fullness too. After using it for a few months, I have noticed that my hair has looked fuller when I curl it, straighten it, or even leave it natural. It’s super affordable and accessible. I typically get mine at Target or Giant Eagle or wherever hair products are sold. This gets a 5 star rating for me.
I know this isn’t typically the season for dry skin, but this will be something you will want to buy. I always have lotion with me, in my car, in my purse, by my bed, even in my desk at work. I love soft and smooth skin and especially with all the hand washing and sanitizing we have been doing with Covid-19, I love to use lotion as an extra layer of protection. I was looking for some heavy duty lotion for my skin and found this at Giant Eagle, no joke! Cocoa Butter Daily Skin Therapy I have been so happy with it so far. You can use it all over; hands, feet, legs, etc. I love the thick formula and the smell too! Because its thick, you only need a little bit. It goes on silky smooth too. This has worked perfectly for dry skin in the spring, I can’t wait to try it in the fall and winter. This was a favorite for me these past few months.
All these things are affordable and accessible. I got two from with Giant Eagle or Target, (but they can be found on Amazon too!) and the other one online. These are some beauty favorites that I have been loving. What have been some favorites of yours?
Hey guys! Another month is coming to an end, I can’t believe May will be here next week…I am very excited for next month because it means we are getting closer and closer to summer. I’m looking forward to spending more time out in the sun.
This month I have been spending as much time as I can outside both in and out of work.
Here’s a look into my life over the past month.
What I’m up to: This month was all about welcoming spring! The month started out with Easter preps! We dyed eggs and went to Easter mass and saw family. It was a much more normal celebration compared to last year when we were all in a stay at home order. I’ve also wrapped up a few work projects which was a great sigh of relief and the I’ve been spending a lot of time outside! Going on walks before or after work has been a favorite of mine!
Easter morning…one of my favorite traditionsAnd you can’t celebrate Easter without an Easter basket.
What I’m wearing: The weather has been funky, some days it’s been in the 70s, other days its been in the 40s, so that makes dressing for work tricky. Luckily, I know the power of layers! But my latest favorite is this trench coat from J. Crew! I got it for Christmas, and I couldn’t wait for spring weather to start wearing it. It is the perfect spring jacket that can be dressed up or down. I have worn it over my work dresses but also with leggings and jeans. Here’s a few of the looks.
One of my favorite trench coats from J.Crew! Here it is all dressed up! And my little pup jumped in the photo!Here it is dressed down a bit with leggings.
What I’m reading: Reading has been my go-to to start or end the day. In the past month, I finished The Tenth of December, I listened to it on audible and you can read about my experience with audiobooks here. It’s a collection of short stories with different moral lessons. It was a good read, but it wasn’t my favorite.
I also read Growing Boldly by Emily Ley. You can read my full review in last week’s post.
One of my favorites of the month!
And then I read And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. This was my favorite book I have read recently. I loved the concept, the mystery, the intrigue and the characters. It was soooo good and definitely one of my favorites of the year so far.
I couldn’t put this one down!My weekly book club dates are a highlight of my week!
What I’m Watching: My weekly shows are starting to wind down. This is Us wraps up in May, this season has been so good and I have enjoyed seeing how the show and cast has adapted to Covid. Grey’s Anatomy has been my favorite this year, from seeing how first responders and hospital staff and doctors deal with Covid, to lots of stand alone episodes and Meredith on the beach with TONS of INCREDIBLE guest stars, wow, this season has been fantastic! A Million Little Things has been good and fun to keep up with. Those have been keeping me busy. Besides those shows, I just started watching Offspring, its about a family and their dynamics as adults. It’s very funny and light hearted on Netflix.
What I’m Loving: Even though we had some chilly weather last week, I am loving the warmer weather and taking advantage of the sunshine. Last weekend I picked flowers when I was out for my walk. It was beautiful! On another note, I have been obsessed with Taylor Swift’s (new?) album. It’s bringing me back to my middle school days.
What Inspires Me: I am inspired by spring colors and the changing seasons. I have so much hope for a much more normal summer and I can’t wait to start making my summer bucket list. I am also inspired by Pinterest lately, from quotes, to seasonal things, cooking, and home décor. It’s been so fun to browse a bit every night.
Going for walks has me craving spring.
What I accomplished: I’ve been really happy with my new hobbies, from reading and cooking. It’s been such a fun and creative outlet. Plus, I’m really happy with some of my recent pieces at work and some fun opportunities. Also, by far my favorite accomplishment was getting my Covid-19 vaccine, I’ve been following the story and covering dozens of vaccine clinics for months and I was thrilled to finally get my vaccine (or the first dose at least).
A behind the scenes look on the job.
Goals Accomplished from Last Month Last month, I definitely accomplished my goals of being outside more. I have been trying for walks several times a week. I don’t make it a to-do, but enjoy them as they come. The past few months have been super hectic, so I was happy I got the chance to slow down more. I also got some bonus time in there with my extended family which was such a surprise and much needed since we haven’t seen each other much due to the pandemic.
I was out in Pittsburgh for a family commitment and went to Pizza place, best pizza I’ve had in a long time! Yum!
Goals for the New Month: May is my birthday month! I’m so excited to celebrate 23!!! I also can’t wait for the official kickoff for summer with Memorial Day weekend. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to getting my second covid shot next month. One more step to normalcy!!!
That’s a recap of my life. Nothing too exciting, but some of the best things in life happen during the simple days. What are you loving nowadays?
Hey guys! Happy Wednesday! I hope your weeks are off to a great start! Every few weeks I like to do a roundup of favorite things of mine to share with you, sometimes it’s food, other times, it’s places, but this time it’s hobbies or things I want to share with all of you!
If you have been following for a while you know that I am a huge fan of Emily Ley. She has her own planner company, but she does so much more than that. I love her planners, I love her books and she recently started a podcast that I am loving.
I have never been a huge fan of podcasts, most of the time it’s because I can easily get distracted while listening to them. I have the same issue with audiobooks, you can read about that in last week’s post. But with Emily’s podcast, the Simplified Podcast, I don’t have that issue at all. She launched it just over a month ago and every week she has episodes that are between 15 and 20 minutes long, the perfect length of a podcast, sometimes she has guests, other times it’s tactical tips or life hacks or just sharing what’s on her mind. I often listen to them when I’m driving or picking up or doing laundry, I love that she shares her story and her life while also presenting ways to simplify our lives at home.
The Simplified Podcast
These past few weeks, she has been doing a series alongside her book, Growing Boldly. I finished the book in a week but you could finish it in a day. It was such a game changer. She wrote the book before Covid hit but so many of things can be easily applied to life now. It’s all about building a life you want to live and growing in the stage of life that you are at. Think about it for a second, you may think, I’m good where I’m at, I don’t need to grow anymore but Emily shares how you can keep growing and changing in any season of life. I love that!!!
Her latest book, Growing Boldly
She also shares her close friends’ stories too and how they grew in difficult situations. These stories reminded me that you can constantly grow and you shouldn’t be afraid of growing. I have enjoyed all of Emily’s books and I feel they all served a purpose and helped me in different areas of times of my life. As I read the words, I almost feel like Emily is having a conversation with me. I highly recommend Growing Boldly to anyone.
While I’m on a roll, Simplified just launched their new planners and products for the upcoming year and I’m obsessed. You can check them all out here. What are your favorites?
This is just a look into what I’m loving. What are some things you are loving this week?
Hey guys! Happy Wednesday! Halfway through the work week…there’s no better feeling than hump day.
One of my favorite hobbies since I was a young child is reading. I loved going to the library all through school and picking out different books to read. From picture books, to chapter books and then eventually novels. It’s no secret that I love the classics, Jane Austen is my favorite.I do enjoy autobiographies and biographies. There is something special about learning about someone or just getting lost in a book.
Since I started my book club with my friends Maddie and Ryan, I have been reading a lot more which has been so fun and fulfilling. I have also gotten creative with the different ways I am reading. I’ve read your traditional, physical paper/ hardcover books, digital books thanks to Libby and then audio books. Three different ways to read.
Our weekly book club meetings…all remote but still so fun!
I love how many options there are out there to read. My personal favorite is the traditional, physical, paperback or hard cover (and preferable library books). I love being able to hold a book in my hands and go through it, page by page. There is something special about the simplicity of curling up with a good book and being transformed to a new place. Even though I have a large stack of favorite books that I own, library books are my go-to for one time reads. I like supporting a community staple and I like that I can return it if I don’t like it, plus, library books are free which is a very good thing.
A few books from my collection at home.
If I can’t get my hands on a physical book, checking them out from the library, digitally is the next best thing. I found out about Libby, which is an app you can download on your phone, iPad, or Kindle and check out books from your local library. This was a huge life saver when libraries were closed due to the pandemic. I do like how easy it is to read wherever you are (and it beats carrying books around) and Libby makes reading at night easier too. But, there is something that still draws me to the physical book. If you are always on the go and can read wherever, this could be the best option for you.
Lastly, audiobooks, as a child, we would sometimes listen to audiobooks on road trips. As I’ve gotten older I’ve stuck with reading books as opposed to listening to them. I decided to give audio books a try last month. I downloaded Audible and started a one month long free trial. It was nice to be able to listen to books as I was driving or getting ready or doing laundry. However, I would often get distracted and wouldn’t be as focused on my book. It was convenient for long drives but ultimately, I would rather sit down and relax to read as opposed to multitasking.
Reading is a favorite hobby of mine and I love that I have been able to carve out time every day to savor it, whether it’s reading a book physically, a digital book or an audiobook. At the end of the day, I will always be happy to curl up with a book and get lost in a new world or learn something new.
Now it’s your turn!!!
What are your favorite ways to read and what books are you reading now?
Hey guys, a little bit of a different post for today.
I use my blog as a fun creative, outlet outside of my work and family life.
But, my work is a big part of my life. I sometimes spend more time at work than I do at home, which I love, but it shows that it’s a big part of who I am.
Today, I’m sharing a little bit about why I chose the field I am in now. If you know me, you know I am a very organized, structure and routine loving girl, so why would someone like that dive into a job and career that is the complete opposite?!
Getting behind the desk has become a new adventure that I’m loving
One of my favorite things about my job is that every day is different. No two days are ever the same. Some days, I am talking to local businesses, other days it’s about Covid-19 vaccines, on a Monday I could be in another town 45 minutes away and on Wednesday, all my interviews could be on Zoom. You never know what you are going to get.
Speaking of Zoom, one of my latest stories was about how much Zoom has changed our lives this past year.
I love that I’m constantly learning every day. If I wasn’t in news, I would probably be a teacher. I have always loved school, from the schedule to learning new things and advancing in what I’m learning. I also tend to ask a lot of questions in my life. Clarifying questions were always my favorite in school. If you gave me a group project with all the directions in front of me, I would still ask a few follow-up questions, just to be safe. Those traits are just part of the reason why I am a journalist.
I love that very day takes me someplace different for a story.
I also love stories. I love to read and write. Getting lost in a different world through a story is one of my favorite things. As much as I love reading stories, I love telling them just as much. Telling people’s stories, every day, no matter big or small brings me so much joy! You never know how much of an impact a story can have on someone until you tell it.
I enjoy working and learning from my co-workers every day.
I get asked a lot why I chose this field and profession. I am a fairly quiet girl, I like structure and routine and I’m a homebody, so why would I ever want to be in a field that encourages me to use my voice, have a constant changing schedule with lots of uncertainity? Because, I care about others and their stories and I like answers. But most importantly, I want to make sure people’s voices and stories are heard. That’s why I love what I do every day.
What brings you joy in your career? What makes you smile every day?
