I’m currently en route to New York City to meet up with my mentor (who works at a huge magazine!) and an editorial assistant for another magazine. I’m beyond excited!

Anyway, how was your weekend? Mine was fabulous. It just so happened to be my 22nd birthday yesterday, so that made it all the more exciting.

I’m back today with another weekend recap, or in this case, Wednesday through Sunday (since I’m still on Christmas break). But, before we get to the birthday fun, let’s rewind to the middle of last week.

We took down all the decorations last weekend (my least favorite day), so when I put my feet up in the living room to do some blog work on Tuesday night, instead of the gorgeous tree, this was my boring view. 🙁 Raise your hand if you feel the post-holiday blues!

Wednesday

My mom and I love to go to the outlets whenever I’m home for a break, so Wednesday morning we took the hour and a half drive for a day of shopping and girl time. It was the best!

There were still a lot of great deals, so we made some awesome purchases.

At J.Crew, I got the two tanks you see in the following picture, as well as a cute ceramic tumbler (in the picture with the purses and shoes). Love!

After J.Crew, I got this pair of black Vans sneakers and these Nike Free Flyknits, both of which I’m obsessed with!

I had trouble deciding between the Flyknits and these black Frees, but I went with the purple ones just because they’re wicked comfortable. Black Nikes are next on my list. 😉

 

Because it was such an amazing price, I also got this Coach purse. I may end up returning it if I decide to splurge on a Tory Burch bag that is similar, but one I’ve been eyeing for years. We shall see.

I tried these cute slip-on sneaks at Gap (that were only $15!), but they were a little big and they didn’t have any in a smaller size. Oh well, at least I got the black Vans I’ve wanted for months!

Here are some more purchases/ late Christmas gifts! I love the Tory Burch flats my parents gave me, as well as the Kate Spade bag.

I feel very fortunate to have received (and also to have been able to buy with my own money) many amazing things. However, in the world of fashion blogging, and all of social media in general, it can be easy to get caught up in material items. But, it’s important to take time each day to think about the things that matter most and thank God for all we have. Our family, friends, health, and happiness are truly our greatest blessings. I never want to lose sight of that.

For lunch, I had one of my fave things at the outlet food court – a whole wheat wrap with chicken, lettuce, walnuts, granny smith apples, and balsamic vinaigrette. Yum!

We finished shopping around 5, and when we arrived home around 6:30, I had a very exciting package waiting for me! My mom had ordered this coat for me after Christmas because she wanted to get me a nice jacket for next year when I’m in the working world ((AHH!)), but she wanted me to choose it. Luckily it fits perfectly and is exactly what I wanted. In fact, I’m breaking it in today!

After I tried on the coat and did a little dance because it fit and I can now stop shopping/searching online for a coat I like, my mom asked if I wanted to go out to dinner. My dad was out to eat with some college friends, so it was just the two of us, and she didn’t feel like starting to cook so late. So, we went to an awesome organic, locally grown ingredient pizza restaurant since my mom had never been. My mom is also 5-foot-2 and tiny, but we both can eat, so we split this pizza and ate every last bite.

It was such a fun mother-daughter bonding day and night. I’m so lucky!

Thursday

I did my usual workout, eat, apply to jobs, eat, hang out, repeat, and finally got around to touching up my nails, before heading to a friend’s house that night.

Friday

On Friday morning I woke up early for a run, and then I had a physical (woohoo), which went well. After my appointment, I went to the Vitamin Shoppe for more Quest bars because I’m obsessed. This time, I got another box of Cinnamon Roll (my fave), and then a few Vanilla Almond, and S’mores to try. I love them allllll.

Then, I did some camera shopping. I’ve been wanting a nice camera (simpler and cheaper than a DSLR, but a bit fancier than a small point and shoot), and I’ve been doing tons of research and comparing different cameras. I’ve narrowed it down to two, so we’ll see if I pull the trigger and buy it this week!

 

That night, we got takeout from Panera. I haven’t eaten there since the summer, which is not okay with me. I’m glad I changed that ;).

I got the “You Pick Two” BBQ Chicken Salad (without frizzled onions), and the vegetable soup, plus bread on the side for soaking up every last morsel. So good!

Saturday

After a good workout, I spent the early afternoon baking with my mom and visiting with some family who stopped by. I made (super easy) pumpkin spice cupcakes – recipe to come!

After we went to mass, two of my brothers and one of their girlfriends met us to go to my grandma’s house for dinner and a little birthday celebration.

It was a great night! For the past three years of college, I’ve gone back to school right around (or on) my birthday, so it’s nice to have a full week to relax and enjoy down time, family, and high school friends before my final semester of college begins. Plus, three of my five roommates (in addition to me!) also had birthdays over break, so we’ll be having a quadruple bday bash in a couple weeks, which is something fun to look forward to!

Sunday

I woke up to many texts, emails, and Facebook posts from friends and family, which is definitely the best thing to wake up to ;). It was a rainy day, so I stayed in bed for a while responding to people and relaxing. It was the perfect lazy Sunday morning!

I ended up getting out of bed around 10:30, and was greeted by my parents with hugs, the kindest words, and a little present. Seriously, they (along with my brothers, relatives, and friends) are the best gift I’ve ever gotten and ever will get. I’ve said it so much in this post, but I’m such a lucky girl!

After lounging around, sipping coffee, and talking, I laced up my running shoes and went down to the treadmill for another 8 mile run.

Once I was stretched, showered, changed, and refueled, my mom and I ran some errands. We got back around 5 and I ate a snack and packed my bag, laid out an outfit, and planned today’s NYC trip.

The next thing I knew, it was time for dinner with the fam! We went to a local Italian restaurant (the same place we went last year on January 9th since I went back to school on my actual birthday). I got the seared sea scallops, which had bacon-braised kale, celery root puree, and granny smith apple mostarda. It was incredible, and I used two pieces of their fresh, warm flatbread to “lick” my plate clean in a socially acceptable way ;). We all loved our meals and had a great time reminiscing and laughing.

It was an amazing weekend and a great twenty-second birthday. I hope your weekend was a great one, and that your week is off to an awesome start.

“I don’t now about you, but I’m feelin’ 22!” 😉

Thanks for reading! And thanks to Amanda, Katie, and Erin for hosting their link ups, as always!