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 hope everyone is having a great weekend and that you had a very merry Christmas if you celebrate!
I had an absolutely amazing Christmas. It was so, so nice to be home with my parents and all three of my older brothers. We haven’t all been home together in quite some time, so there was nothing more I wanted this holiday season than lots of quality fam time.
I feel so happy and blessed that we could all be together because my family is truly the greatest gift. As much as I love the Christmas cheer, music, baking, treats, shopping for presents, coziness, and excitement of the holiday season, my favorite thing about Christmas time is being with my loved ones. There’s seriously nothing better.
Clearly not the most recent picture, but it was too cute not to share – haha!
To kick off the holiday weekend, we went to Christmas Eve mass and then had our usual Christmas Eve lasagna dinner (and fun yankee swap) at my aunt’s house, which is a tradition we’ve had for years.
Continue reading “A Little Christmas Recap + Some Links I Love”
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! Mine was amazing, and I hope yours was also full of relaxation, family time, fun with friends, fabulous food, and some fitness thrown in there, too!
I’m still on break for the next two weeks, but I’m definitely feeling the after Christmas (and New Years Eve) blues. I took a decent amount of photos, so I thought what better way to beat those blues than a kinda sorta not really “wordless Wednesday” recap!
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Modern Family marathon.
Chex in a Christmas mug. (Does anyone else think the vanilla flavor tastes like sugar cookies? SO GOOD.)
Oreo brownie.
Pre-church peppermint mocha.
Christmassy nails.
Lacy shirt and new boots for Christmas Eve Mass.
Christmas Eve lasagna, garlic bread, and salad.
Santa came!
Enough dessert for 19 people?
Lemon poppyseed cake with orange glaze, rounds 1 & 2.
Round 3.
Chocolate on chocolate on chocolate.
Five mile run in the snow. Perfection.
I’m dreaming of a white (day after) Christmas.
Cosi date with friends.
More.
And more.
First trip to Moe’s.
I guess I liked it?
Hot cocoa by the tree.
Feeling snacky.
Christmas celebration #2.
(Early) birthday cake!
Out with the fam.
Dear peppermint stick, why do you have to be seasonal?
Clean and simple.
Microwaved.
Tired from last night = lazy easy eats.
Imma miss this
so, so much.
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PS – Want to kick-start the new year? Check out this workout!
PPS – This year, instead of making resolutions you won’t keep, make the commitment to become the BEST you.
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Questions of the day:
WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I’m finally home for Christmas! Finals are done! I survived!
Can you tell I’m happy?
Well, with finals behind me and Christmas and a three week break ahead of me, I am so so happy.
I mean, how could I not be when I get to stare at my tree every night, instead of at the pages of a text book or endless notes and essays?
I’m just relaxing at the moment (I’ve been waiting for this for so long), so I figured it’s the perfect time to check in on here.
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The past few weeks were pretty crazy with studying and essay writing galore, so my days pretty much consisted of: wake up around 8:30, workout (I ran almost every day since it was the perfect stress release/ energizing activity for me, but I did a few intense room workouts here and there to mix it up). Then I would eat breakfast, shower, and get to work.
We decked out our common room, which actually made it feel slightly more like Christmas time, as opposed to just endless hours spent in a timeless studying bubble.
My friends and I went stir crazy by the second study day. There were a few too many weird photos and videos taken that I probably should not share.
Besides allowing our inner maniacs out in the common room, we attempted to stay sane by stuffing our faces with some Christmasy treats.
They may not have made us act normal, but they definitely satisfied our sweet tooths!
We also got totally distracted by this app…
Should I dye my hair blonde?
HA. Just kidding!
My last school meal for the year. Salmon, sweet potato, salad. See ya in 2014, dining hall!
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Now that I’m home, I get to eat homemade meals, go out to dinner, hang with the fam and my high school friends, and RELAX. Oh, and celebrate CHRISTMAS!
Insert random fun video here for no reason:
Homemade version of the same dining hall meal… Mango salsa covered salmon, sweet potato with cinnamon, whole wheat roll, roasted veggies. I helped myself to seconds, of course.
Pasta with kielbasa and salad.
Can I just say that we have so many desserts at my house…My mom made a few batches of oatmeal cookies, and she went to a cookie swap, and both my parents got tons of candies and baked goods from coworkers and friends.
PLUS there will be even more after Christmas since we’ll be baking and some of our guests will bring some, too. Hey, I’m not complaining!
On my first night home, I was faced with a tough decision about which dessert to choose. I went with caramel ice cream and a chocolate covered gingerbread cookie.
Good choice.
At my friends house, we had delicious cake batter and cookie monster ice cream from a local ice cream shop that one of my friends works at. I didn’t snap a photo of it unfortunately, but let me tell ya, it was amazing.
Last night, the fam and I went to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, and I got my usual – a veggie hummus and avocado wrap with sweet potato fries. Demolished that plate. Ate every single bite.
After digesting that for a while, I spent the night in front of my beautiful Christmas tree, talking to my parents while enjoying half a hot cocoa packet mixed into plain greek yogurt (so good and creamy – try it!) and then sipping the rest stirred into hot water.
It’s times like these that I look forward to every year. The moments spent all cozy and warm, surrounded by family and friends, enjoying delicious food, and not wanting to be anywhere else.
This is absolutely my favorite time of year, and looking forward to being home and getting to do all of my favorite things is what gets me through the stress and craziness of finals.
Now that I’m home, enjoying every minute spent exactly where I want to be, I could not be happier.
I hope you are feeling the exact same way.
Happy holidays!
It’s been so long, I hope you haven’t forgotten about little old me!
I’ve missed you guys! I’ve been crazy busy the past few weeks. Luckily this week I get to go home on Tuesday for THANKSGIVING!!
I’m SO excited. I get to 1) Go HOME. 2) See my family. 3) See some high school friends I haven’t seen since August. 4) Eat amazing food. 5) Get a little break from school before finals (ahhh). 6) CHRISTMAS IS COMING.
Fun fact: Nothing makes me happier than anything related to Christmas. The music. The baking. The snow. The cozy nights. The comfy clothes. The hot chocolate. The tree. The spirit. The memories. The list goes on and on and on. December is probably my favorite time of year. (Minus the finals).
Since last week I had a ton of papers and presentations, this little 2 day week is just a regular week, aka no big things due! THAT means I could get on here today and catch up with you 🙂
So except for the insane amount of work, November has been a blast! Lots of sporting events (football, hockey, basketball – yay!), and lots of fun with my friends!
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Recent Eats
The world’s largest apple.
Delicious dinner at Union Street.
I got the Gorgonzola Pear Turkey burger. Let’s just say fig jam = heaven.
Froyo at Yogurtland. I’ve never been to this place before but oh my gosh it was amazing. I got Banana Bread, Pumpkin Pie, Oatmeal Cookie, and Apple Cider. Fall in a cup.
Typical school dinner- chicken with pesto, quinoa salad, beet salad, veggies.
Another typical dining hall meal- salmon and roasted veggies (with a side of Pop Chips that were not photographed).
Yes college kids – delivery froyo does exist. Angora Cafe.
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Workouts
Lately I’ve been varying it up a lot which I love.
Running when it’s nice out (~50 degrees is my favorite running temp ever). Some days are longer runs, other days are shorter runs followed by arms or abs or a little total body workout.
I’ve been going to the gym on days I don’t feel like running or it’s too cold out (but I’ve been trying to take advantage of the not yet frigid or snowy weather by going for runs outside as much as I can since I know once the snow comes, I’ll be forced to hit the gym all the time). I usually bike or elliptical or a combo of both while I’m there. When I bike I like to do a variation of this workout.
Recently I’ve also been into ending a cardio workout with some planks. I like to do 1 minute each of some (or all) of these (in no particular order) –
One day I’ll have to create a little illustration of my plank circuit workout. For now, here’s a good little plank reference link.
Greatist – HOW TO DO THE PERFECT PLANK.
I’ve also been doing lots of awesome indoor room workouts, which I know I’ll be doing even more of once the snow and freezing weather begin.
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Outfits
I’ve been sporting cloth headbands a lot lately. My hair gets super dry and limp in the winter, but I like to wear it down because it can’t as easily in the more humid months. The cloth headbands give it some pizzaz and a little volume (or so I like to think anyway).
I’ve also worn my navy polka dotted Keds quite a bit and have received a ton of compliments. I love these shoes because they can really be worn in any season, they’re comfy, they go with a ton of different outfits, and they’re freaking adorable.
I’ve also broken out my Sperry boots (I got mine from J.Crew a few years ago). I love these things and wear them all the time in the winter.
As you can probably tell from these few pictures, I’m kind of obsessed with scarves. I have a ton, and am always collecting more. They keep me warm plus they complete any outfit!
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I know that was a loaded post, but I felt like I needed to get on here to update you while I had the time! We all know once finals begin (aka in about 2 weeks…gulp) I won’t have much time to spare.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the update and that you have a fabulous Thanksgiving and start to the holiday season!!!
Hopefully you get to be with family & friends, eat delicious food, make a little time for fitness, and most importantly – have some FUN!!
Catch ya later 🙂
Instead of a recap of my day, I decided that I would do some fun facts. I know that’s normally a ‘Friday’ thing (like Courtney and Chelsey do), and this is really my Thursday post, but ehhhh whatever. I’ll think of something to write about tomorrow.
Without further ado, here are some fun, random facts about me, in no particular order and with really no reason behind why I am revealing them now.
1. When I have any fruit with a stem, I need the stem out before I even think about eating it. I usually clean it off under cold water, dry it, and twist off the stem with a paper towel.
2. If I can, I slice my fruit (apples, pears, nectarines, etc.), as opposed to biting in. I hate the sticky feeling of juice running down my chin.
3. I always stretch after I run, and 99% of the time after I bike or do any sort of vigorous exercise. But after I run, I go through about a 10 minute stretching routine that I pieced together from stretches I’ve learned along the way. Once I started this little routine (probably my sophomore year of high school), I have never not done it after a run. Even if I have to do each stretch super fast, it will always get done.
4. There are really no vegetables I dislike besides olives. I have tried multiple times to give them another shot, but every single time I spit them out. Growing up I also hated pickles, until I tried them at college. Now I like them with certain things. I thought this same thing might happen with olives. Yeah no.
5. I am obsessed with coffee. I also hated it all my life, but the summer before I went to college, I drank a mug full of coconut flavored coffee from my cousin’s Keurig and it was love at first sip. My favorite right now is literally anything vanilla & cinnamon.
6. I love long car rides (when I am not the driver). There’s just something about watching the scenery change so quickly before your eyes, listening to music, and being on a journey that I just find so exhilarating yet peaceful at the same time.
7. My hair is extremely temperamental. It’s super fine and frizzy, so as soon as there’s even a trace of moisture in the air, it’s out of control. I can do the exact same thing to it every day (comb and put anti-frizz cream in it and let it air dry) and it will never look the same as it did the day before. Some days it’s got a cute little wave/curl to it, and others its just a frustrating frizz ball. Good hair was not something I was blessed with.
8. I hate math. AP Calculus was the death of me and I almost cried when I found out it wasn’t enough to get me out of taking math at my college. First semester freshman year of college when I stepped out the door after taking my math final, I literally smiled and giddily (is that a word?) giggled out loud. Never have to take a math class again. Never been so happy.
Not even The School of Rock ‘Math Song‘ can make me like it.
9. I am a night owl. If you haven’t already noticed that my posts go up s u p e r late, they do. It’s a bad sign when I’m still saying ‘today’ when technically I’m referring to yesterday. I just can’t fall asleep before 12 (or 1, really) even if I try.
10. I am obsessed with magazines. I love love love People Style Watch, Instyle, Glamour, Self, Allure, Marie Claire, the list goes on. When that glossy book comes in the mail, I get so excited. Celeb gossip, fashion, fitness – all my favorite things in one shiny little package. Looking at a pile of unread issues gives me that same feeling as when you see all the unopened presents on Christmas morning. I’m easily pleased, clearly.
Well that’s enough randomness for one Thursday night.
Wait look, it’s Friiiday.