I have a confession. I am not a girl who is big into jewelry. I know, I know... In fact I only have one statement necklace, and I don't know if it can even be considered a true statement necklace. The only jewelry I wear everyday are stud earrings that are usually pearls or my gold bow earrings. Bracelets and watches that actually fit my super tiny wrists are hard to find, so I usually just have a hair tie on my wrist :( If I was brave enough to accessorize with lots of jewelry, this is what I would wear!
In fact, I am going to a wedding next weekend, and I will be wearing this exact dress! (It was supposed to be my New Years Dress, but with a snow storm on the way, it did not arrive in time) I think adding more jewelry into my wardrobe seriously should be one of my New Years Resolutions!
First off, I don't want you to get the impression I am a Negative Nancy...because I'd like to think that I'm not! I greatly enjoy discovering new things I have a love for, and I also love reading about others' latest obsessions! That being said, I value the good (and bad) opinions others have regarding beauty items, books, fashion, food, etc.
Maybe it's just me, but I've always taken negative opinions to heart. I think it is a great way to avoid wasting precious time and money!!
1. TV Shows - The Taste
I was very excited about this show (hello, I love food so I love cooking shows)! I am a sucker for cooking competition shows - Master Chef and Top Chef are my favorites. The set up of this show is strange with the fact that the judges only taste a spoonful of food. (I feel like presentation can't be judged as much, and that is one of my favorite parts of these kinds
of shows!!) Also, I only knew who one of the judges were. Maybe I do not watch Food Network as much as I thought?
2. Illnesses/Flu Season
I usually don't get sick, except for one or two colds a year (*knocking on wood)! However, with this flu season being as bad as it is, and throw in working with kids in the mix, equals high chances of getting sick. For the past week, I have had major congestion every morning. super. annoying. I can hardly breathe when I am trying to sleep and for the first three hours in the morning. This past weekend, Tim was sick with a halfway flu...if that exists haha. He had a fever and a cold, but nothing else. I bought us both medicine Thursday night, and now he is all better, but I am still stuck with my congestion. I guess I will have to run the air humidifier tonight :(
3. Winter!!!!
I am soooooo ready for winter to be over. Dry skin - I loathe it. Congestion - can't stand it. Having to scrape my car off nearly every morning - annoying. Thank goodness it's February, which means we are well on our way to SPRING!
In the meantime I have been dreaming about going to places like these...
Yes, even the neighborhood pool sounds good right about now!
Because of my full time job, I've been getting into (somewhat) of a normal 9 to 5 schedule on weekdays. (Actually my work week consists of only Monday through Thursday until the summer...which I am loving). Because I am finally able to live out a normal work day and week (unlike the schedule of classes, exams, etc), I have developed a liking towards some new discoveries I've made so far in 2013!
Without further ado, let's get started!
1. TV Shows
Tim and I have been watching a lot of different shows on Netflix lately that are amazingly good! We are obsessed with the show, Monk. I remembered Monk was on USA Network when I was younger, but I never got into it...I even had no clue on what the show was about! It's a lot like Psych, but I have to say, I like Monk much better! I love how each episode is something different, yet there is still a central plot that the show revolves around!
Another show: Freaky Eaters
This show is on TLC, but I have yet to see it on the actual channel! (I've only seen it on Netflix) The show is focusing on the obesity epidemic, which is something I have always been interested in. {I also love the Biggest Loser haha} The people the show focuses on only eat one food every single day...and yes, they eat the SAME thing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! There are two episodes of people who only eat french fries! Over all, it is such an interesting show!
On to show #3: Total Blackout
Even though this show is on the SyFy channel, it's one of the most hilarious game shows ever! The host is Urkel (just one reason why it's so funny)! The contestants have to do different types of challenges in complete darkness. Check out this video to see why I love this show so much! Hilarious.
2. Vitamins
I don't think I have ever mentioned this before, but my skin is not the greatest. I have struggled with mild acne for quite some time. Nothing bad, usually just one breakout constantly (which is still super annoying!!) Does anyone else feel my pain?? I am always looking for the latest skincare and makeup products that will not be too harsh on my sensitive and breakout-prone skin! Talk about a struggle. I recently decided to take Vitamin E, and I think it is working so far! My skin seems to be more hydrated this winter, and I have noticed some dark spots fading quicker than usual!
And let's not forget about Vitamin C this flu season!! I do not want to get the flu!!
3. Amazon Purchases (including my very first knitting supplies)!
Recently I traded in some old textbooks to Amazon's Trade In program, and while they do not accept every book out there, I was able to get good deals on about half of my old books! And that half added up to about $160! I can't believe I would've just had those lying around my house, not being used! Other than some necessities (guinea pig food, Crest white strips, and a gift for Tim), I decided to buy some things for myself!
These boots will be at my doorstep soon enough! I have been looking for a pair of combat boots that aren't so...well...combat ish. I know that seems hard to find, but I think I've found the perfect pair, with the perfect color! I wanted to find a pair that looks more vintage (Something like the girls on A Little Princess would wear...judge me, that's still my favorite movie)
I think they will look cute with jeans and a cute shirt, maybe even cute enough for going out in (I am such a wimp when it comes to going out footwear in the winter...I wear boots most of the time - if I'm feeling brave I'll wear flats)
I also want to get hooked on knitting! At camp I learned patterns for tons of embroidery thread bracelets, and I loved how I could always work on a bracelet and pay attention to something at the same time. I think it's nice to keep my hands busy sometimes. My grandma taught me how to knit in 7th grade, but I lost all of the supplies so I have been dying to pick it back up! My first project is going to be a basic scarf. I think they will come in handy when I move to Chicago this fall!
I have been up to a ton of various things since Thanksgiving! Needless to say, my to-do list is always growing. During the month of December, I worked very hard finishing up my semester with finals, as well as applying to graduate school for next fall...scary!!
Literally when I got home the day winter break started, I opened my mail from the previous weekend when I was in my college town. And, I got in! I couldn't believe it. It was 3 am when I opened my acceptance letter, and I had to rub my eyes about 40 times to make sure it was for real! I am so happy that starting next year, I will be well on my way to becoming a teacher! Also, Tim and I will finally be in the same city permanently and we couldn't be more excited!
First things first...Tim and I got a pet: a guinea pig! We named her Rumple, and she is so adorable! Tim has been wanting one recently, and since I had two when I was little, we thought it would be the perfect pet.
We even bough a holiday leash for her! (It's too bad she doesn't like to walk in it)
I also made quinoa for the first time ever! The taste took a little getting used to, but now I love it! I found a recipe for cheesy quinoa, and I'm in love!
Because the classes I would have taken this spring semester would not transfer to my new program starting this fall, I decided to drop my classes and get a job to save money before grad school! I decided on being a full-time nanny. That way I would not get money taken out of taxes, and I would still get paid a decent amount! I found a wonderful family only five minutes away, and I adore spending time with their two kids! I am really looking forward to spending the summer with them since we will be able to go outside to parks and the pool :)
I get to see this pup four or five times a week now! Her name is Murphy and I think she's one of those dogs that's ugly-cute, haha
One of the perks of this job is my lunch is free! I am free to eat whatever in their house, and I decided to make lettuce wraps today because I have been craving lettuce in any form (salad, wrap...weird I know)
I also celebrated my 23rd birthday! It has definitely been my best birthday yet, because most of my closest friends were able to celebrate with me! I swear for the last 8 years, I have been bombarded by exams (in high school), or sorority recruitment. This is the first birthday in a loooong time that I have been able to do what I want to do and relax!
I cannot believe Thanksgiving Day is finally here!! The time has flown by and I can't believe it is holiday season! School has definitely been keeping me busy...(two and a half weeks left!) eep! I don't think there is anything more fitting than to write an "I'm thankful for..." post on Thanksgiving Day, so that is exactly what I'm going to do!
1) First off, I am thankful for this guy!
This picture was taken in Spain, can I please go back?!
Today is also very special because it is Tim's birthday! Happy 23rd Birthday to my best friend!
2) I am thankful for my family
They are always there when I need them, and I wouldn't be where I am today without their love and support :)
3) I am thankful for my education
I think now that I'm paying for my grad school, I have realized now more than ever the value that your education can have. No one can ever take that away from you, and that's something I sometimes forget! I cannot wait for the day when I will actually be making money though!
Now onto the less serious things I'm thankful for...
4) I am thankful for yummy food!
Lately, Tim and I have discovered some new favorite foods of ours, and boy are they good! (Although this is not helping my case because I have not been working out as much...I miss the free gym at school!)
I never usually liked spicy foods, but Tim got me hooked on spicy chicken sandwiches!
I have always loved green beans, I think they might be my favorite vegetable. Tim's sister told me to put Italian dressing on them one day. I didn't think it would be good, but I was so wrong!
You may remember bosco sticks from high school cafeteria days. Because of my allergy, I never bought lunch at school, so I had no clue why they were such a hit! We found a grocery store that carries them in the frozen section, and I am in love!
We're so silly/goofy we decided to get bosco stick shirts, haha!
My latest obsession: 30 Rock
I am on season 6 on Netflix, which means I am closer to getting to season 7 (the last season of the show...so sad)
I realize I can go on and on about the things I am grateful for. That's why I have more to be thankful for this Thanksgiving than ever before!
I have to get back to writing my 20 page paper so I can get sleep for Black Friday adventures!
Over the course of this month, I am proud to say I have added a few things to my favorites list! I have somehow been able to get caught up (with me being sick some days) and even get ahead on school work! This past Saturday, I came down with a slight fever....but let me tell you, I felt awful. I hardly ever get sick (I get one or two colds a year), and my body has forgotten what a fever felt like! The aches were almost unbearable. I did not want to move or do hardly anything. I did manage to get two assignments done before the aches set in though! That being said, I was very lazy on Saturday. Because I laid in bed all day, I had time to search for new music, watch two movies, and read a book for fun! Here are some of my new finds :)
I watched all four episodes on Hulu when I laid in bed...it is hilarious!
Almonds mixed with Craisins has been my go-to snack this week. Since I am allergic to peanuts, the only nuts I will eat are Blue Diamond's Natural Almonds. I used to only bring those to class, but I love the combo of the two as well! It definitely fills me up until I need to eat lunch.
Here are some songs I have been loving lately! As always, my music taste fits into nearly every genre, so I am constantly listening to different types of music. If I may say so, the new(ish) Fray album is SO good. It has been great study music for me lately!
I am someone who is generally quiet about my faith. I have always known that my faith is there for me when I need it, but I have realized that faith can be more than just when you need it (that is, if you let it). I have felt a little disconnected from my faith lately, but I know that school and work are no excuse. Not being able to see my friends or Tim everyday has made me realize I want to have a better connection with my faith. So I have come to the conclusion that I will spend 5 minutes everyday (whether it be prayer, meditation, reading, etc) doing something that involves taking time for myself involving my faith.
Sometimes, stepping back from the business of life is just what I need to restore my faith in myself. And sometimes, stepping back for me is watching a funny show, working out, or doing yoga. I am a firm believer in taking time to love yourself so you can love others better!
