Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week, we made it halfway to the weekend!
I am celebrating my blog anniversary this month.
I started to create this little corner on the internet seven years ago as I was finishing up my first year of college. I had just gone through one of the biggest years of growth and change. I moved out of my home, met all new people and went through all the growing pains of being a freshman in college. I started this blog as a creative hobby and outlet and it has grown so much since I wrote my first post.
I’ve shared a lot about myself through my blog, from homesickness, to landing my dream job, and staying true to myself.
So many fashion posts
I’ve also been able to share my favorite things; from beauty products, to fashion trends, travel, books and entertainment.
A few books from my collection at home.
Every year, I like to look back and see what posts stood out to me the most. This year, the biggest moments come in the form of 24 hour day trips, starting new hobbies in the form of running, playing piano and growing a garden, and being more sure of myself.
The fruits of my labor
Your 20s can be a challenging time of figuring out your career, being an adult, staying in touch with friends, being involved with family, navigating a relationship and discovering yourself. I really feel like I have found who I am and how I want to live my life over the past year.
I always say I will blog until it doesn’t bring me joy, but every day I still get excited about writing what I’m feeling and sharing my life with you all. I keep a running list of topics to write about, or favorite things to share, or even stories that I hope can help others who may feel how I feel.
I always learn so much from other bloggers and women and they inspire me every day and make my day a bit brighter.
I hope I can do that for at least one person. Whether this is the first post of mine you are reading or you have read over 500 of them, thank you for being here and reading what’s on my mind and heart. I so appreciate every read, follow, and comment.
Thank you for being on this journey with me and I can’t wait to see what the next year holds. Cheers to seven years!!!!
I hope you had a peaceful and joyful Easter if you celebrate. It was wonderful to have my family together, even if it was for a short weekend.
Easter always gets me excited for the start of spring, even if it was slightly earlier this year. From the pastel colors to the blooming flowers and the sunshine, there are so many things to love about this time of year.
A joyous Easter weekend filled with lots of traditions.
Even though we had a mild winter, I’m ready for spring and summer. The new season also means the return of some of my favorite hobbies, which brings us to today’s post…the importance of hobbies. I firmly believe that having hobbies or interests outside of work and family and friends are vital for a life of balance and joy. I’ve tried out different hobbies through the years and as an adult found things that truly interest me and bring me joy.
Growing up, I was involved with different activities and interests. I did theater all through middle school and high school. I was involved in National Honor Society, Student Government and other clubs. In college, I had jobs on campus and was a part of different clubs and organizations too, which kept me busy between classes. I was always on the go; I didn’t have a ton of hobbies. I didn’t play a lot of sports growing up and although I was involved with groups and organizations, I didn’t have a ton of extra interests. I always enjoyed reading, journaling and watching movies or catching up on tv shows, and helping my mom in the kitchen, but It wasn’t until end of college that I wanted to develop consistent hobbies that could be a balance outside of work.
Once I started working full time, I realized I didn’t have homework, or other responsibilities to keep me busy like I was used to my whole life, so it was time to find some interests outside of work and family.
Here’s some of the hobbies I’ve picked up and stuck to in the recent years:
Reading
I have always loved reading. English was my favorite class in school, I loved going to the library as a child and to this day, I make weekly trips to my local branch. I love getting lost in the stories, being transported to other worlds and learning about different people or places. I didn’t read as much in college, due to other books I was reading for classes, but once I graduated, my time for reading opened up. I tend to go through a book a week, depending on the length and I make weekly stops to my library to pick up or return books. I love browsing the shelves for new books, but I always have a long “To Be Read” list of recommended books from blogs, friends, and family. I have even started to download a book on my phone, so I always have a book with me, but I tend to stick with a book I can hold as opposed to a digital book. I spend so much time on screens every day, it’s nice to put it down and focus on something else. Last year, I read over 50 books and I hope to exceed that goal this year. I tend to read first thing in the morning and right before bed at night as a way to ease in and out of the day, but that doesn’t always happen. I always tell myself, as long as you read something, even if it’s just a page, that counts. Reading has been such a relaxing and soothing outlet for me to unwind and forget about the everyday stressors.
One of my latest favorite reads….American Royals by Katharine McGee
Cooking/Baking
Growing up, I loved helping my mom in the kitchen baking and cooking. I enjoyed baking in high school and college, but it wasn’t until I graduated college that I wanted to take my cooking skills to the next level. I started to cook one meal a week to work on my skills in the kitchen and to learn new recipes. Although, I took a hiatus with trying new meals in the kitchen due to a busy schedule, I’m back on track for trying new meals. I have enjoyed learning family recipes and researching new things to try. I’m getting more comfortable in the kitchen using different tools and ingredients and it’s been fun to have my family benefit from my new meals. The best part is that I’m building up my own cookbook for when I am on my own. Here’s how I plan out my recipes. I also have tried different baked goods recipes along the way too. From cookies, to cakes, and all things in between, it’s been fun to replicate some of my favorite desserts.
I’ve truly loved learning new recipes and getting comfortable in the kitchen.
Working Out/Running
In college, I started working out as a way to keep me busy and to stay active and fit. I wanted to continue that healthy lifestyle while I was working, so I found a gym and started going five days a week. I learned different skills and techniques in the gym, and I love the stress reliever it provides and that it helps me maintain a healthy lifestyle. I consider working out a hobby, it brings me joy and it’s something I’m passionate about. Last year, I wanted to challenge myself and start to run, I’ve talked about my running journey here and have truly found a love for running. I consider running one of my newest hobbies. I love the sense of accomplishment after a run, I love how I can clear my mind, and I love to see how far I can go. I do need to improve my speed, but that’s something that takes time and I’m okay with.
One of my latest runs and recent records
Gardening
This was a new hobby I picked up last summer and hopefully can continue it this year. I always wanted to grow a garden and finally gave it a try last year. It took lots of patience and tending, and plenty of trial and error, but I was thrilled with the end result, even if it wasn’t as plentiful as I hope. I learned a great deal about growing and harvesting and I can confirm that homegrown veggies taste way better than store bought. I loved seeing my hard work pay off and I loved that I could use my veggies in recipes. Plus, it was great to spend more time outdoors by tending and checking on my garden.
The fruits of my labor
Piano
This is my latest hobby, which has been one of the more challenging hobbies. I took piano lessons when I was younger but didn’t keep up with them. We have a piano in our home that was sitting idle, and I decided I wanted to try to pick up the hobby again. I have been slowly teaching myself through an app, Simply Piano, and it’s been an interesting learning experience. I have found that like anything, you have to be disciplined with it. For me, that means practicing every day, even if it’s only for ten minutes a day or on the go in the app. I spend more time practicing on my days off but try to get it in every day. Some days, I am on a roll and loving the lessons, other days, I hit a plateau and get stuck on the lesson. But I am slowly learning the instrument once again. Another personal challenge I’ve faced is that my dog hates it when I play and will cry or howl the entire time, which can cause stress and be a distraction. I will try and practice when he is outside, but it doesn’t always shake out that way. This has been one of the more challenging hobbies I have tried, but I am slowly learning it. My favorite part has been learning to play my favorite songs.
A recent accomplishment
Those are some of the hobbies I’m currently trying to incorporate into my day-to-day life. I don’t know if I will keep up with them for the rest of my life, but for now, they bring me joy and purpose and balance outside of work, family and friends. They are little ways I can take care of myself and don’t take up too much of my time. I think that’s the important thing about hobbies, they don’t have to be super expensive or any everyday thing. They can be simple way to take care of yourself and do something for me. Another thing that I have learned about hobbies is that it’s all about making time for them. You may think “I don’t have time for a hobby or to try something new”, but I promise you that if you really care about it and want to do it, you will find the time. I always seem to find a minute here or there to read a few pages of a book instead of scrolling through Instagram mindlessly, it’s all about how you structure and use your time.
I hope this gives you some inspiration about finding a new hobby or re-learning an old one. Don’t be afraid to try something new or put yourself first, it may surprise you, how a little change could make a big effect.
Tell me: what are some hobbies you have picked up or are enjoying? Let me know in the comments below!
Hello all! Happy Wednesday and Happy Valentine’s Day! ! I hope you are having a great day celebrating all things love, whether its with your significant other, best friends, or even celebrating love for yourself. Spreading some love island kindness is so important not just today, but every day.
Valentine’s Day cookies are always a must!
It’s also the second Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for another Let’s Look. Last month we talked about cleaning our closets.
This month’s prompt is Things We Do Every Day. Obviously there’s things every person does every day (brush their teeth, shower, eat, sleep). I decided to go through my day and take note of the unique things I do (or try to do) every day.
Here’s what I try to do every day:
Journal- I always start the day with some prayer time and journaling. Sometimes I follow prompts, other times, I write what’s on my mind or how I’m feeling.
My journal for 2024
Movement- Whether it’s through a workout, a run, biking, a walk or yoga. I always try to get 30 minutes of movement in. I aim to get it first thing in the morning, so I don’t have to worry about it as the day goes on, but sometimes I don’t get movement in until after the work day.
One of my workouts
Reading– I love to read, so I always try to get in some reading every day, whether it’s a few chapters or pages of whatever book I’m currently reading. Reading is a hobby that I love and try to incorporate every day. I typically read in the morning and at night as a way to start and end my day by relaxing.
My current read
Wordle– This is a silly one, but I always start my day with the Wordle. It keeps me sharp and it’s always fun to play at the start of my day, plus my friends and I will try to see who can get the word in the least amount of tries.
Word Search– Another way I like to keep my mind sharp is by doing a word search. Most of the time I choose fairly easy ones that I can accomplish in 15 minutes, but it’s a fun hobby that entertains me.
No day is complete without a few minutes doing word searches
News Briefings and Blogs– I have a few blogs that I follow and a few trusted new sources that I always read before the day begins. I always check the top stories of USA Today and I love Katie Couric Media sent to my inbox in the mornings. I always like to be briefed about what’s going on before the day begins.
My most used apps in the morning
Family Time– My family and relationships are so important to me, so I always aim to have a family meal together or catch up after a long day. I also aim to check in with friends once a week to see how my people are doing.
That’s just a little recap of things unique to me that I try to do every day. Most of them I do in the morning before work because I know the days can get busy and crazy, but I always feel better when I have my hobbies or interests out of the way at the start of the day.
There’s other things I try to do every day (laundry, cleaning, cooking)-but the above list are ones that I make a point to do every day. If I don’t get to something it’s not the end of the world, but I try to incorporate these little things to help set me up for success for the day ahead.
Tell Me: what things do you try to do every day? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Valentine’s Day! Sending you love on this Wednesday!
I can’t believe we are at the end of January. This was a slow month, but in all the best ways. I spent more time indoors, reading, taking it slow, starting new hobbies and getting back into routines. I still tried my best to get outdoors as much as possible, but Mother Nature made that difficult at times. Winter is often a time with hibernation, and I’ve done that in my own way over the past few weeks.
Walks in the wintertime
As we wrap up the first month of the new year, it’s time for a new Currently. Since this has been a quieter month, I don’t have too much to share, but I still want to show you what has brought me joy and happiness over the past few weeks.
Let’s dive right in:
What I’ve Been Up To: I have been slowly chipping away at my winter bucket list. I have been doing lots of reading, enjoying time cozied up by the fire, I started a new show and I have been enjoying lots of soup. Trying new recipes was one of my New Year’s Resolutions and I am proud of the recipes I have tried thus far.
When the weather has cooperated, I have been still running and have been really enjoying it. A few weeks back, I ran over five and a half miles, which is the furthest I have gone. I was surprised to learn that I enjoy running in the cooler weather as opposed to the warmer temperatures.
My longest run to date.
This month has also been nice in terms of getting back into a routine. As much as I love the holidays and extra activities and fun, it is nice to get back into a good rhythm with less distractions and extra things added to the calendar.
What I’m wearing: This month hasn’t been too exciting in terms of outfits. I’ve been spending a lot of time at home which has led me to wear comfortable clothes like leggings and hoodies. My purple sherpa from Old Navy has been getting a lot of extra use lately. I wore this sparkly number for New Year’s Day at work. These were all three separate pieces that I tied together in outfit, and I loved the end result.
What I’m Reading: My “To Be Read” stack keeps growing, but I have been making headway with those books and other title that look fascinating to me.
Mrs. Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn tells the fictional story of what would happen if Queen Elizabeth II left the palace and spent the day traveling through England. The story follows the Queen’s decision to leave and follows her along her journey to a place that has a special place in her heart. Throughout the book, the reader will also meet all the people who try to track her down and bring her back to the palace. Plus, the queen makes some friends along the way. I read this book as I was finishing The Crown and it was such a fun companion.
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley- This book follows the story of five college friends who, after their sixth friend dies, make a pact to hold their own funerals to show much they are loved in the world. The concept of the story was fascinating to me, and I loved how every friend had their own funeral when things weren’t going well for them in life. The book follows them through the years and in between the ups and downs of life. The last funeral they all attend turns out to be one of the most important. Overall, the message of the book stuck with me and I would definitely recommend it.
The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine is a drama/thriller that involves a senator and his new wife and some of the challenges and drama they go through, especially when she starts to get very sick. The story is through four different perspectives as the events unfold. The middle and ending were so good that I kept looking for pockets of time to read more, that’s when you know it’s a good book.
What I’m Watching: After six seasons, seven years and 60 episodes, I finished the Crown. It was such a wonderful series to follow filled with rich history, beautiful fashion, and stellar acting. I learned so much about the Royal Family and Queen Elizabeth. Although I was sad to see it end, I really loved how Peter Morgan wrapped it all up. If you watched The Crown, what did you think of the ending?
Six Feet Under– I started watching Six Feet Under this month and have been really enjoying it. It’s an older show that was on HBO and is now on Netflix. It follows the story of a family whose father dies and the wife and children and left to navigate life without the head of the household and the owner of a funeral home. I have heard about this show for years, so it’s been nice to finally watch it.
Meet the Parents– I mentioned this in a Friday Favorite’s post but wanted to bring it back here. My boyfriend and I watched all three Meet the Parents this month and it was such a fun way to spend the month. If you are looking for a sign to watch old comedies, this is it.
What Inspires Me: I have been inspired by all the cooking and new recipes I have been trying. A few years back, I made it my goal to cook one meal a week. Recently I have been slipping, I have been baking once a week, but the cooking has taken a backseat. This year I wanted to get back to trying new recipes and I have been pleased with the results and been inspired to look for more recipes.
So far this month I have made homemade wedding soup, stuffed pepper soup, and Mediterranean Chicken Teriyaki Bowls.
Wedding Soup
Stuffed Pepper Soup
Hawaiian Chicken and Veggie Bowls for the win!
Corn and Clam Chowder soup
I also did some entertaining and put together this spread of snacks.
We love a good spread
On days off, I sometimes like to enjoy a brunch and omelets are always my go-to.
A good breakfast spread
My day at work had me making pizza for the first time..this was the end result…
Fresh cookies on cold, winter days
Besides cookbooks, Pinterest is my favorite place to find new recipes and try new meal ideas.
What I Accomplished: Over the past month, I have started my New Year’s Resolutions. That includes making my meals and teaching myself the piano. It has been a slow start but I’m grateful for every opportunity I get to sit down and learn and practice.
Warm soup on a cold day
I also have met up with several friends after the holidays which is always a good feeling to catch up with one another.
Goals From Last Month: Some of my goals that I wanted to accomplish this month were getting back into my routines, start establishing my new goals for the year and take advantage of the slower days. I also have been working every day on the Simplicity Challenge through Simplified.
One of the spaces I organized through the Simplicity challenge
I’ll be sharing a full report on it soon once the month is up. This month has also taught me to find movement in different ways indoors. When I can’t always get an outdoor run in, I have been running on the treadmill, hitting the bike or even slowing my body down with yoga. I have been enjoying exploring different ways to move my body.
We love finding different ways to move
Goals for This Month: As we look towards next month, I am looking forward to celebrating both Galentine’s Day and Valentines Day. I love everything red, hearts and love, so I can’t wait to find little ways to show the people in my life how much I care for them. I also want to continue to make time for my hobbies in my life whether it’s with reading, piano, or running.
Lastly, I want to continue to embrace the cold and enjoy all the cozy vibes by lighting candles, using the fireplace and really slowing down and being intentional with my time.
That’s a look into life lately. Tell me: how have you been enjoying this past month and how are your New Year’s Resolutions going? Let me know in the comments below!
Hello all! Happy Christmas week! I hope you had a wonderful day with loved ones and lasting memories.
A look at my tree on Christmas Day.
It’s the end of the 2023, this year flew by. I feel like just yesterday I was setting goals and resolutions for the next 12 months and here we are almost 365 days later with most of them accomplished.
Going into 2023, I anticipated it to be a year of change and new beginnings and while there was change and I tried new hobbies and went to different places, this year was filled with lots of routine and structure which I love and crave.
Over the past twelve months, I have kept in touch with friends from out of town and made it a point to touch base with them either in-person or via facetime. I traveled a lot this year by taking day trips or longer vacations with my family. I continued to grow in my profession by working on different long-form projects and challenging myself each day. The biggest things that stand out to me from this past year would be my newfound love of trying different hobbies.
What a year for 2023!
Let’s take it back to January for a recap of this year before we get into my favorites of 2023:
The year began with lots of cozy days indoors and lots of cooking, I tried lots of new recipes this year from soups, to pizzas, and baked goods.
A new recipe, Shrimp Avocado Medicine Soup
Fresh cookies too
Even though it was cold outside, I bunded up and took winter walks to some of my favorite spots, as much as I love the hygge vibes of being inside, there’s nothing quite like getting fresh air and exercise.
Winter walks in the snow
February brought a day trip to Cleveland for a day at the Art Museum and dinner and a show.
A show in the city at night!
The second month of the year brought Valentine’s Day and the first of many uses of my Kitchen Aid.
First time using my kitchen aid
The Kitchen Aid made baking them so much easier!
March was a continuation of testing out new recipes and getting outdoors more as the temperatures began to rise.
First Zoo trip of the year
Spring finally made an appearance in April with Easter, family time and the start of sunshine.
First of spring walks
Our favorite Easter dessert-our bunny cake!
April also brought the start of my running journey.
Picnic season was back in May and I celebrated my 25th birthday.
Picnic season
Celebrating 25!
I tried to spend as much time outside in the summer. This summer I began to grow my first garden which saw success for its first season. I also began running consistently in preparation for my first 5K.
Runs at the beach!
June was a month of travel with day trips to Columbus and NYC for a day, which you can read about here.
The sights and sounds of NYC
I also got a chance to visit family in New Jersey which was well overdue.
The beauty of the beach!
July began with the Fourth of July included lots of running, checking on my garden, walks, and reading poolside.
Our Fourth of July spread
My first set of veggies! Peas!
Reading by the pool days
More running
August began fast and furious with my first 5K, then it was off to a day trip to Toronto.
Finishing my first 5K!
The iconic Toronto sign
My family and I got away for a few days to San Diego which was great to have quality time together and go to new places.
Hello San Diego!
Summer wrapped up with bonfires, ice cream and more success of my garden.
Summer S’mores!
Soaking up summer with every last ice cream!
The fruits of my labor
The fall was a time of savoring the outdoors as much as I could and seeing the seasons change.
Hello fall walks!
As it got colder and I stayed indoors more, that meant more time in the kitchen by trying new recipes for baked goods and dinners.
Back in the kitchen
November and December brought me my first Turkey Trot followed by Thanksgiving and getting into the Christmas spirit and celebrating all month long.
Turkey trotting!
Our Thanksgiving Dinner at home
All is calm, all is bright.
A very Christmas spread
This past year brought lots of favorites too.
Here’s some of my all-time favorite things from 2023:
Favorite Book:Spare-I know it was a controversial book, but I found it fascinating to read all about Prince Harry and his life from his perspective. I also have been a fan of the Royal family for years, so his autobiography was very eye-opening. Plus the timing between the death of the Queen in 2022, Charles’ Coronation in May and final season of the Crown makes his story even more prevalent.
Favorite T.V. Show– The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ended this year, I really loved following this show from the beginning and thought the ending was so fitting and fulfilling. A close runner-up would be Ted Lasso, another favorite from this year
Favorite Movie– Barbie– This should be no surprise but I really enjoyed the Barbie movie this year. Although, I’m not a Barbie super fan, I thought it was very well done and had a great message.
Favorite Fashion Item– Tennis dress from Amazon– I wore this so many times this summer. It was so easy to throw on during a hot day or after work. It was fashionable and affordable and I loved the color, perfect for summer!
Favorite New Podcast– The Lazy Genius– I was introduced to this podcast and find it so helpful when it comes to life hacks and ways to streamline things in your life. Although, my all-time favorite podcast is the Simplified podcast.
Favorite New Hobby– My favorite new hobby from this year has been running. I never thought I would be a runner and love it as much as I do, but here we are. You can read about my running journey here.
Favorite Trip- Doing New York City in a day was exhausting but so worth it and I made so many memories with my family when we went to San Diego.
Memories from family trips!
This year was so full with new adventures, building relationships, growing in my profession, spending time with loved ones and trying new hobbies. The best way I can describe this year is by feeling fulfilled.
Here’s a look at the resolutions I set out to accomplish this year. My top goals were to Eat healthier and run a 5K (which I accomplished big time), I wanted to take advantage of local spots and park (which I did a great job especially in the spring and summertime), Plan to do more things on days off (I accomplished this by doing day trips and making the most of my vacation days), and lastly, I wanted to continue to grow more in my profession (I achieved this goal by tackling different work projects and tasks).
I’m proud of myself of how I have grown and evolved this past year and I’m excited to see where 2024 takes me.
Cheers to closing the chapter of 2023 and starting fresh for 2024.
Hey everyone! Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week! June was super busy and I feel like July has slowed down a lot and I’m very grateful for that. I’ve spent more time over the last few weeks by the pool, reading, going for walks and not having as many things on the calendar. Don’t get me wrong, summer has been plenty busy, but it has been nice to have a few slower weeks mixed in.
Live music in the summer, a must for summer!
Now, that I have got you all caught up on life this week, here’s some of my favorite things from this week as I link up with Erika and Andrea!
Cotton Skort– I have been on the skort/ skirt kick this summer. On hot days, or days after work, they are so easy to throw on with a cute t-shirt. I got a cotton skort for Christmas and I couldn’t wait to wear it this summer. It looks like a skirt in the front but there are built in shorts in the back. It’s lightweight and can be dressed up or down. Definitely a summer fashion favorite for me.
Bridgerton Soundtrack- I enjoy listening to music especially when I work as background noise. I will often put on a playlist or soundtrack to have on in the background. Right now, I have been hooked on the Bridgerton soundtrack. It’s all instrumental music of modern songs. I really enjoy the series and listening the the soundtrack transports me back to the show. I also really like how it’s all instrumental, so I don’t get as distracted. If you are looking for some good background music and like Bridgerton, give it a try!
The Summer I Turned Pretty– The new season of The Summer I Turned Pretty is out on Amazon Prime. I thought this was a fun series to watch last summer, it’s all about two families who spend their summers together every year. As the children get older, romances begin to form and secrets come out. The second season has brought changes and adjustments to both families but they still come back to their summer home. Is this my favorite show? No. But is it a fun show to watch and enjoy at night? Yes!
Audible– I didn’t do any Amazon Prime shopping this year, but I did sign up for a trial offer for Audible, audiobooks through Amazon. I tried their free trial a few years back and enjoyed it, so when I saw there was another free trial offer I decided to take advantage. There’s a few books/ memoirs that I have on my to-do list and figured this would be the perfect time to listen to them. I’m currently listening to Jinger Duggar Vuolo’s book, Becoming Free Indeed. I watched the Duggar family growing up and recently watched the documentary, Shiny Happy People on Amazon Prime which was eye opening. I’ve enjoyed hearing her story read by her. I’ll give it a proper review once I finish it. Stay tuned for my Audible review as well.
My current listen
28 Summers– Speaking of books, I have read some of Elin Hilderbrand’s books and have always enjoyed them. I was recommended 28 Summers by a friend and wow, I loved this book. It’s about a man and woman who meet as young college students and agree to meet up every summer in Nantucket no matter what. Now, let me start out by saying, I don’t believe in cheating or having affairs, but I did enjoy reading about how no matter what was going on in these character’s lives, they always met up every year. I loved seeing how their relationship changed and stayed the same through the years. I also loved reading all about Nantucket. I have never been, but after reading all about it and hearing how Hilderbrand describes it, makes me want to visit even more. It sounds dreamy. Definitely a summer read.
A favorite summer read.
And that wraps up this week’s Friday Favorites! Lots of things to read and watch and some fun fashion too. I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend and are enjoying your July! I’ll see you back here on Wednesday! Have a great weekend!
I’m kicking off a new series today called Recommendation Roundup where I gather and share a variety of things I’m reading and watching. You may see me talk about a series I watched or a book I read in a Friday Favorites post or a Currently post, but this series will be one spot where I share my recent top recommendations for the series. Don’t worry, I’ll still be sharing what things I’m loving week by week, but this series that will come out every few months will be a one stop shop for recent favorite things.
Here’s the first recommendation roundup.
For the book lover:
Taylor Jenkins Reid books. Like so many other readers, I have fallen in love with Taylor Jenkins Reid and her writing. I love that several of her books are in the same universe, meaning you could be reading one book and then there’s a reference to a character from another book. Such a creative way to tell a story and to find little Easter eggs in the books.
(I can’t choose a favorite since they were all so good and have their unique storylines. But, I do have to say, I have loved seeing Daisy Jones and the Six come alive on the big screen. I can’t wait for One True Loves to come out soon.)
Rebecca Serle books. I’ve read a few of Serle books and I love how she ties family, love friendship and finding oneself all in one. I also love how she usually has a twist in her books too. She has a way of writing that once you start, you can’t put it down.
Colleen Hoover books. I just started reading some of Hoover’s books but I have found myself hooked with her thriller themes and intriguing way of writing. There have been so many times when I’ve wanted to stop reading since a storyline was getting intense, but couldn’t put it down. Even after reading the books, I still think of the endings.
Downton Abbey (PBS) – A classic period piece with two movies that follows. This series follows a family who’s male heir dies and it’s up to the family to find a husband for one of the three daughters within the family. The series follows the wealthy family in England through ups and downs, war, love, marriage, loss, friendship and new decades. I was hooked on this series and equally loved the movies.
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – A series that I have watched for years. It starts with five interns on the first day working in the hospital and follows them through residency and eventually becoming attendings. There’s love, loss, death, drama, lots of crazy, unexpected plot twists, natural disasters, characters coming and going, but after over 20 seasons, it’s still going strong.
This season is off to a great start!
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime)– This follows a woman who takes a chance on becoming a stand up comedian in the 1950’s. The costumes are fantastic, the one-liners are too funny and the scripting keeps you on your toes. After watching this series, you will wish you were back in New York City in the 1950’s.
Emily in Paris (Netflix)– This tells the story of a young girl who moves to Paris for a job and ends up falling in love with the city. I drool over the fashion, Emily pulls off outfits that I couldn’t pull off. There’s some love triangles, cute one liners, gorgeous Paris scenes and of course lots of finding oneself.
Outer Banks (Netflix)- It may seem like a teen drama and it is, but once you start, it’s hard to stop until you see if a group of high school friends discover buried treasure. Just when you think, things can’t get crazier, there’s another twist. Definitely a fun show to have on in the background.
For the podcaster
The Simplified podcast -Emily Ley and her team put out episodes once a week where they offer ways to simplify and automate your life. They cover topics like friendship, family, cleaning, organizing, schooling, relationships, holiday prep, summer fun and more. It’s such a fun way to find ways to make my life simpler.
That’s my recent roundup of recommendations. Some of my all time favorite things. The next time you are searching for something new to read or watch, I hope this provides some suggestions. Happy hobbying!
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.
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.
Although we are getting closer and closer to spring it still feels very much like winter with cold temperatures and snow and rain and sleet. But fingers crossed we see more sunshine and temperatures above 50 in our near future.
At least the snow is pretty.
One of my resolutions for 2022 was to have monthly “Me Dates”. My friend Sydney gave me the idea of carving out special time for yourself every month to do something fun or pamper yourself, outside of our daily routines. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to enjoy some time for yourself, but there’s nothing wrong with a little splurge every once in a while. No matter if you are college student, working professional or stressed out mom or dad, we all could you use some extra time for ourselves outside of work and household responsibilities.
The year is still early so I haven’t had too many “Me Dates” yet, but my goal is to have them once a month. In February, I had a spa night at home with a facial and watching my favorite show and doing my nails. It was only 45 minutes but so worth it and something different in my daily routine.
If you want to try this for yourself, here’s a few ideas of “Me Dates”, some are inexpensive, others are a special treat.
A Book Date
Grab a book, whether it’s one you’ve had on your shelf for months, one from the library or browse your favorite local book shop for a new read. Then head to a coffee shop and enjoy your read with a warm drink. It doesn’t have to be a pricey date, but it’s a good way to get out of the house and change up your scenery and get lost in a different world.
A Pampering Day
This one can be completely free or something you spend some extra money on. You can have a quiet night in with a bath, face mask, and doing your nails for a stay-at-home self-care night. This is a nice way to relax and unwind at home without spending money. If you are looking to splurge or have a big event coming up, getting your nails done at a nail salon would be a fun way to pamper yourself and while getting ready for something fun.
Movie date
This is a very easy me-date that gets you out of the house and allows you to escape the stressors of the world and dive into a new one, even if it’s only for a few hours. Plus, if you are nervous about being out and about by yourself, it’s a lot less nerve racking when you head to a movie and it doesn’t matter if you are with a group of ten or by yourself.
Spending time on a hobby
During the pandemic, a lot of people picked up on new hobbies and activities while being quarantined, once things got back to normal, our lives got busy, and we may have let them fall to the wayside. By giving yourself permission to enjoy that hobby, even if its for 30 minutes every week or month, it lets you get in touch with your creative side.
Getting Outside for a Walk
Even with the cold weather, getting some exercise and fresh air are huge game changers. Whether it’s for a walk while you listen to some music or a podcast or you head out for a long run, getting out allows you to clear your mind and gets your endorphins flowing too.
Table for One
If you really want to be bold and step out of your comfort zone, head out to get a meal by yourself. You can head to your go-to restaurant or try a new place in town. Ask for a table for one and bring a book to read or just enjoy some quite time savoring a tasty meal.
These are just a few ideas of ways to put yourself first and enjoy a date with yourself. It can be intimidating to go out and have solo dates, but what’s important is that you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and some taking advantage of some extra time for yourself. While it’s always fun to plan things with family or do things with friends, there’s nothing like taking some time for yourself. It may sound cliché, but you truly can’t pour from an empty cup. We all need to take time for ourselves so we do our best for our families and in our jobs. What are some ways you like to put yourself first?
