{December} Currently

Happy Wednesday! I’m over here trying to wrap my head around the fact that Christmas Eve is Friday and 2020 is almost over. The past couple weeks have just flown by! I’ll be spending tonight and tomorrow morning prepping to have my family over for a little Christmas Eve dinner. I’m really looking forward to that and then a very relaxing Christmas Day. Before I log off for a week or so, I’m sharing my monthly ‘currently’ post! I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday season!!

I am currently...

Eating

Caramel popcorn! An Instagram friend of mine shared an amazing caramel popcorn recipe with me last week that I was so eager to try over the weekend. It turned out phenomenal and is the best Christmas gift for John and I's co-workers!

Wearing

Alllllll the fun Christmas earrings! I love working in elementary school because they're always a hit with the kids.

Reading

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I just started it but have heard so many good things about it. I’m eager to have more time to focus on it now that my holiday break has started!

Watching

Emily in Paris. This was suggested to me by so many people so I finally caved and started watching it on my snow day last week. I am almost done the season and so far I really like it! It's the perfect mindless show to watch after work.

Drinking

Hot chocolate. Something about this time of year has me craving hot chocolate almost every day!

Listening To
Taylor Swift’s new album, evermore. I’m seriously obsessed with it. I’ve had it playing in my car and on my phone while I run since it was released! I’d have to say my favorite song on it is champagne problems. If you’ve listened to the album yet, let me know which is your favorite!

Question of the Day: What is something you’re currently eating, wearing, listening to, etc.? Pick one :)

Just Another Manic Monday

We've made it halfway through this week! I'm back in the school teaching from my classroom so my schedule has been a bit off this week. I thought I'd pop in today and share my Monday in pictures! The title is a little misleading since, as you'll see, my day looks quite boring. The crazy school stuff isn't pictured haha. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!

I start every morning with my Start Today Journal where I write out 5 things I am grateful for and 10 dreams I'm going to make happen. I try and do this before I even get out of bed in the morning to guarantee I do it.

I wanted to start my week off on a good note, so I pushed myself to go on my daily run before work knowing I'd be exhausted after work. Running in the dark takes some getting used to.

After packing up my bag and lunch, I started working on my Priority Planner to kill time before leaving for work.

I picked up a Wawa coffee on the way to work since teachers get free coffee until September 30th. I had been working from home the past week or so which meant I had to get my little area all set back up in my classroom.

I took some time when I got home from work to fix up my nails with my dip powder.

John and I were both way too exhausted after work to cook so we went and grabbed dinner from our favorite diner up the street. I got my favorite turkey chipotle panini with sweet potato waffle fries.

When we got home, I had to package up a Poshmark sale I had made that morning.

I finished off the long day with a stress relieving bubble bath. I read a bit of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas while I soaked.

Question of the Day: What is your favorite way to relax at night?

Currently

Happy Hump Day! The past week or so has been a whirlwind for me so I thought I'd take a moment to check in with a "currently" post since I've been lacking in the blogging department! School is now in session and it's crazier than ever. Hopefully once I get into the swing of things I can get back into blogging a lot since I have a lot of ideas swimming around in this brain of mine! Anyway, enjoy today's post!

I am currently...

Eating

Salads. They've been the easiest thing for me to make for work and I love how versatile they can be. Lately I've just been getting lettuce and putting whatever sounds good on top.

Wearing

My nice work clothes, finally! We have the option to work from home, but since I co-teach, going into the classroom has been easier. I've been so happy to finally be able to wear some of my cuter clothes and not so much workout clothes (at least not all day).

Reading

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. I am only 1 chapter in so I don't have much to say about this book just yet. I have heard a lot of good things about it, plus it seems like a quick read, so I'm excited to zip through it!

Drinking

Pumpkin spice coffee, both hot and iced! I'm a huge Dunkin' fan so you can find me there most mornings haha.

Watching

Private Practice. It's been on our list to watch since it's Addison's spin-off of Grey's Anatomy and we've finally gotten around to it. It was hard to get into but now that we're a few seasons in, we're hooked!

Listening To
Taylor Swift's Folklore Album. I've had it on repeat in my car since it came out!

Question of the Day: What is something you’re currently eating, wearing, listening to, etc.? Pick one :)

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! While each day feels like a Friday to me, I still look forward to the real Friday at the end of the week. We don't have anything on the agenda for this weekend yet but I'm sure we'll figure something out. Depending on the weather, maybe we will relax at his parent's pool. I'm not a pool person at all but lately it has been a nice escape. Before I get into full-on Friday mode, I'm sharing some things I've been loving this week!

The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais

Dawn was a woman who never thought she  would ever want to run, let alone actually run a marathon. She shares her experience, from the moment she signed up until the actual day of the marathon, in the most fun and entertaining way possible. Along with tips about gear, fueling, and motivation, she shares her honest thoughts throughout the process, which can make the experience a lot more bearable and fun.

I've had this book on my shelf for years and finally picked it up to read between the non-fiction books I've been reading. It had me laughing from beginning to end because Dawn was just so freakin' relatable. Although I'm a 4x marathon runner, I still found some of her tips interesting and definitely enjoyed reading her point of view on certain topics. Something I found funny was that it had a handful of low ratings on Goodreads from people who were mad that this wasn't a legitimate marathon training guide when I was honestly shocked on how informative this was while also being hilarious. I'm not sure how one would mistake this for a hardcore training guide when it says "get off your butt and on with your training" right on the cover, but maybe that's just me haha.

Customized Sweatshirt

Back in the beginning of quarantine (can you believe that was almost 4 months ago?!), I decided I wanted to treat myself to a new sweatshirt since I was spending a majority of my time in my office, which can get chilly. After many days of searching and thinking way too into it, I finally stumbled across an Etsy shop called This One Life that made customized sweatshirts using my favorite sweatshirt brand, Bella + Canvas. I reached out to the owner on Instagram and she was an absolute angel with helping me design my custom sweatshirt that would have "marathoner" embroidered on it. It took awhile to come in since it was handmade and then shipped from Canada, but I was so thrilled once it arrived that I didn't even care. The quality of the sweatshirt along with the embroidering is amazing! I love that "marathoner" is stitched into the fabric and not a screen print since it will last much longer. I've been wearing it nonstop since receiving it! It's perfect for this slightly chilly summer nights because it isn't extremely heavy. I highly suggest checking out her shop if you're in the market for a new sweatshirt that is amazing quality for a reasonable price!

Palmolive Soft Touch Dish Soap

Total adult moment over, but I had to open a new bottle of dish soap the other day and it was the first time in years that I was using something other than Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay. I'm picky with any type of soap because my eczema can be irritated so easily. This was the perfect replacement for my Dawn because it is just as gentle on my skin while also thoroughly cleaning my dishes. My favorite thing about it is the scent, Aloe + Citrus. It is so light and pleasant that it almost makes washing dishes enjoyable... almost.

Question of the Day: What is something you've been loving lately?

Friday Favorites

Another Friday, another list of things I've been loving! This week went by super slowly for me for some reason so I'm pretty pumped that it is actually Friday now! We have yet another chill weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow we are planning to have a window date with our nephews since Joey turned 1 yesterday! We may also try and have some sort of indoor date night either tonight or tomorrow. Other than that, you can find me relaxing :) I hope you all have something nice planned for the weekend!

Brookside Crunchy Clusters

Some of my coworkers arranged a "booze fairy" thing where we took turns "boozing" one another. The person who boozed me last week really spoiled me! Along with the booze, she also gave me some snacks, one of which were these Brookside Crunchy Clusters. They are a mix of crispy pieces and chewy berries covered in dark chocolate. They are dangerously good! It's took everything in me not to finish the whole bag in one sitting.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Kya Clark is a quiet girl who has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home. She is referred to as the "Marsh Girl" by everyone in the nearby town and is pointed to as the suspect when Chase Andrews, a well-known man, is found dead. The book intertwines two separate timelines that follow along with Kya's life as well as the murder case of Chase. 

This book was really hyped up for me by many people so I was happy when I got my hands on it. It wasn't a book I'd normally pick up on my own but I am so glad I got around to reading it. I was hooked from the beginning and stayed up late one night because I couldn't stop reading until I knew what really happened!

Our Patio Project

Awhile back John found a pin on Pinterest for a really cool lighting project we could do for our patio that used the string lights I'm obsessed with. We live in a townhouse so we lack a backyard where we can do cool stuff so our patio has to do. John and his dad worked on it for a few days but it may have been able to be done all in one day if they chose the fast setting cement. First we bought pretty barrel planters which they put 8 foot posts in and then set them in with cement. Once that set, we put soil in the planters which later we planted some pretty flowers in. The final step was to drill in hooks near the top and hang the lights! It was a fairly simple project and looks amazing on our back patio both during the day and at night! We have already spent many nights sitting out there and relaxing.

Question of the Day: What is something your loving this week?

Friday Favorites

Hi and Happy Friday! This was another long week for me but we have a fun weekend ahead of us so all is well now. We leave after work to go visit my brother in Rhode Island and I am beyond excited! It’s been a few months since we saw him last. It’ll be nice to catch up and also see where he’s been living. Before I chug through this work day as quickly as possible, I’m sharing some things I’ve been loving lately!

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones

I'm not going to lie, compared to all the other thrillers I've read, this wasn't my all-time favorite but I felt it was good enough to share. Emily is in a new relationship with Adam who has a mother that a girl can only dread. Adam is constantly defending his mother, Pammie, which just makes Emily feel even more crazy. This book follows along the course of their relationship and the strain Pammie puts on it. I stayed up late one night to finish the last half of this book and man, did the ending throw me for a loop! Definitely a good read for anyone who loves a thriller.

ROADiD Nylon Loop Wrist ID

Since becoming an ambassador for ROADiD, I decided to order a wrist ID since all I had until now was my shoe ID. I opted for the nylon loop option because it is advertised as soft and breathable that attaches easily with a hook and loop. I'm glad I went with the nylon loop because it is lightweight and I forget I'm even wearing it! I got a few badges to accessorize it as well.

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Brooks Running Empower Her Collection

I fell in love with this collection as soon as I saw it because one, I love that it supports giving every girl the chance to run, and two, PURPLE! The collection offers purple versions of the Launch, Adrenaline, and Ghost. They also have some cute tops and socks! Brooks and Dick's together are donating money from every purchase to a charity that enables girls' running programs. I may or may not be close to purchasing the purple tie dye ghosts...

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?

My 2020 Goals

Originally I wasn't going to share my 2020 goals on here because I have no intention of doing monthly updates like I did last year. The more I thought about it, I figured why not? Maybe typing them up here and putting them out in the blog-iverse will make sure I keep up with them. Or maybe they will give you an idea for a 2020 goal for yourself if you're still racking your brain for one. Either way, here are the goals I've set for myself {aka typed up in a note on my phone and have been thinking about since the year has started}, enjoy!

Hot chocolate + frozen Cool Whip is a good form of self care on a cold night!

Take Care of Me

Whether this means saying "no" to something or a weekly self-care day, I really want to start making ME happy. So far I've been loving dedicating a part of my Sunday night to putting on a face mask and relaxing.

Just a small fraction of books I want to read {and some I’ve already read!}. 

Read Books I Have in the House

I have a habit of picking up new books from the thrift store whenever a title strikes my eye so my goal is to focus on reading them before buying any more. On Goodreads I set a goal for 12 books this year. I am sure I will surpass that number {I have already read 2 books since January 1st!} but I wanted to pick an attainable number just in case life gets wild, like it usually does.

Not pictured: all the post-it flags marking all the recipes I want to try. 

Try 24 New Recipes

This is actually a goal between John and I. We both are tired of eating the same old, same old, so we have decided to try 24 different recipes throughout the year. The idea is to pick 2 a month: 1 my choice and 1 his choice.

Make Running My #1 Priority

In case it wasn't obvious, I love running. Lately I've been letting the craziness of life keep me from putting my full effort into running as a whole. In 2020 I want to put running at the top of my priority list by following my training plans to the best of my ability and truly incorporating strength training, foam rolling, speed work, and all that other good stuff into my training.

Question of the Day: Did you set any goals for 2020? If so, what is one of them?

Friday Favorites

Is it me or was this first full week back at work the longest week EVER? I am so happy it's Friday because this teacher is beat! We have a couple plans on the agenda for this weekend. Tonight we are going to the gym together, tomorrow morning I am going with a friend while she tries on her wedding dress, and then Sunday we are spending time with my brother as his leave is ending very soon. Somewhere in there will also be a long run. It should be a good weekend! I hope everyone has a fun weekend :)

From the Ground Up Cauliflower Crackers

I'm a big fan of cauliflower based food so I was excited to see these on sale last week at Shoprite. After scanning the barcode with my WW app, I saw they were only 3 points for 41 crackers, so awesome! When I first opened them, I legit laughed out loud. No wonder you got so many for so little points, the crackers are like miniature Cheez-it sized! Regardless of the size, they are tasty! I bought the sea salt flavor but they almost have a hint of garlic flavor to them. Their website shows that they have nacho and cheddar cheese flavors as well so I might be picking them up on my next grocery trip!

Freeosk

Over the past couple of months I have been obsessed with this cool machine in my local Walmart called a "Freeosk." They name pretty much describes it because it is a kiosk that gives out free samples! The one I go to is about the size of a small vending machine and has a huge screen with an opening at the bottom where the sample is dispensed. The Walmart I go to frequently has one on an endcap and all you have to do is scan a QR code on the screen using the Walmart app, watch a short {usually between 10-15 seconds} commercial on the product, and then the sample is dispensed. I've gotten some pretty interesting samples ranging from mini bottles of Tabasco sauce to sample packs of Cottonelle wipes. I'm a huge sucker for free samples and anything small/travel sized so this is totally up my alley! If you go to their website, which I've linked above, you can search to see if there are any in your area. After looking in my area, it seems like they are primarily in Walmarts and Sam's Clubs and we only have a few within driving distance.

Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin

This was my first book of 2020 and what a perfect book to start a new year! Outer Order, Inner Calm is another wonderful book by Gretchen Rubin {one of my FAVORITE authors!} that is more of a guide than a novel. Gretchen shares all the tips and tricks for creating outer order in your life to help create an inner calm within yourself. I am all about that decluttering life, especially during this time of the year, so this was a great read for me. I like how it's broken up into small little tidbits within sections so I could read it in spurts without worrying where I left off. I also love how it focuses on all the different aspects of outer order, not just decluttering your house. I highly recommend this {and any other Gretchen Rubin book} to anyone who needs a little motivation to bring some order to their life. Each time I read a part of this it made me jump up and organize something in my house, just sayin' ;)

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?

Friday Favorites

There are so many reasons for a TGIF right now! John had a car accident on Monday and while he is okay {most important part!}, it just made for a really long and stressful week. On a more positive note, I have the Philly Marathon on Sunday and my best friend is coming down to visit and come spectate with John! We are going to go to the expo tomorrow and then come back to my house to make dinner and relax. I'm really looking forward to the whole weekend! Before I sign off and begin my busy weekend, I'm sharing a few things I've been loving this week.

Fig Pudding by Ralph Fletcher

This was one of my favorite books as a kid and I've been wanting to reread it lately! I have been searching for it at my parents house for the past few months but have had no luck at finding it. Finally I caved and used a Barnes and Noble gift card to buy a used version from their marketplace. It came in last week and naturally I stayed up one night to read the whole dang thing. Fig Pudding is a short chapter book that focuses on events that happen throughout one year for a boy named Cliff who has a big family. The events range from small to big but all have made an impact on his life in some way. I don't want to give too much away! Something about this book just draws me in every time. If you are looking for a quick and easy read, check out Fig Pudding.

I made John take a picture of me in it to show my mom and that’s the only picture I have with it, so here it is!

Columbia Ridgeway Jacket

While out in Lancaster with my parents a couple weeks ago, I found the absolute cutest Columbia jacket {the Chatfield Hill Jacket}. I made the decision not to buy it but of course have been thinking about it ever since. I found it on the Columbia website but of course my size and color is out of stock :( I decided to do some searching on Poshmark for either the same one or a similar one and I was able to find one! It's not the exact same coat but it's just as good, especially for only $20! It is made of 100% cotton, making the jacket super soft. There is a flannel interior and drawcord adjustable waist. I love how warm it is without being super bulky. After buying it, I did some research and found out it is called the Ridgeway Jacket if you're interested!

Beef Barley Soup

I was in a total soup mood this weekend so I looked up some soup recipes on my WW app and found a super simple beef barley one! All I had to do was mix cooked barley, cut up carrots and celery, and diced tomatoes in beef broth. The longest part was cooking the barley, but other than that, in the pot it all went to heat up for awhile. It was so easy to make! I think I might be making some more soups soon, especially to freeze for later!

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?

Bonus Question: What is your favorite meal the night before a race?

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! This was my first full week of school and I survived {though wish me luck today because it’s Friday the 13th AND a full moon...}! It was quite the week and this weekend is much needed! Tonight John and I are celebrating one month of marriage {this past Monday} and one year of buying our house which is today! Tomorrow we are going to a pig roast with John's friends and then Sunday is open for now. I hope you all have something exciting planned for the weekend! In typical Friday fashion, I'm sharing some things I've been loving lately.

Vans Old Skool

I bought these back before school started as my "back to school shoes." Yes, I wear dress shoes most days but, on Fridays we are able to dress more casual so those are my Friday shoes. They are very neutral so they match almost anything I would choose to wear. I also find them really comfortable!

Oregon Chai Sugar Free Chai Latte Concentrate

I have a feeling I posted about this before but oh well! This chai latte mix is the BOMB! I've been using it this past week two different ways. The first way is the typical chai latte way where I mix 1 part chai mix with 1 part milk and pour it over ice, YUM! Another way is I've been adding it to my vanilla protein shakes to give it a little boost of chai flavor. DOUBLE YUM! I typically buy this in the sugar free version because it's zero calories but they do offer it in a regular version as well!

Pretend She's Here by Luanne Rice

Wow it's REALLY been a long time since I posted a Friday Favorites list because I read this book while I was away on my honeymoon! Pretend She's Here is a teen novel I picked up at my school's book fair last year when I was still assuming I would be teaching middle school. This book is the perfect thriller for middle school-high school aged girls along with adults like me who love YA books. It's about a girl named Emily who loses her best friend, Lizzie. Close to a year later, a run-in with Lizzie's family goes from heartening to dark within a matter of minutes. The story is full of suspense and secrets that will keep you from putting the book down!

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?

Friday Five

It feels so nice that it's Friday after only a 4 day day week! It was a pretty easy week for me as we had our class field trip on Wednesday. This weekend should be just as relaxing. I have nothing but grocery shopping on the agenda for tonight, wedding cake tasting tomorrow 😋 , and plans with my mother-in-law on Sunday. I hope everyone has a great weekend planned. Before I head into my work day, I'm sharing my Friday Five with you!

1. Batiste Dry Shampoo

One of my co-workers keeps this in a closet in my office for us to use and I absolutely love it! Out of all the dry shampoos I've tried, this one is by far the greatest. It doesn't leave a powdery residue like other brands do. It's the perfect way to freshen up your hair on a day when your hair is feeling not so clean.

2. Quote Sign

While out in Lancaster last weekend, I stumbled upon a small wooden sign with John and I's potential first day song on it. I decided to buy it since we desperately need some cute decor in our home. It will also make for a nice decoration at our wedding.

3. Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard

 This was a book recommendation from a student and what a good one it is! Finding Gobi follows the story of a runner, Dion, and a small dog, who he later names Gobi, who meet during an ultra marathon in the Gobi Desert. After the race, Dion decides he wants to bring Gobi home with him to Scotland but this is easier said than done. We follow along during the whole process of getting Gobi from China to Scotland and all the craziness in the middle of that! It's a book for young readers {read: super quick and easy read} but I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a cute and inspiring book to read.

All my photos of the stage from the concert suck so here is one of John and I from that night :)

4. Billy Joel

As I mentioned tons of times before this, I went and saw Billy Joel in concert on Friday night in Philly. He put on such a phenomenal show and made me fall in love with some of his more not as popular songs all over again! 

5. "Persevere" Endorphin Warrior Band

Years ago I won a leather band from the brand Endorphin Warrior that has the word "persevere" engraved on a metal plate. Unfortunately, about a year ago they closed their shop. All I have to remember them by is my "persevere" band and "26.2" band, which I wore all throughout my first marathon training cycle and for motivation since then. Last week I decided to start wearing my "persevere" band every day as a way of motivating myself through the 8-week challenge I am competing in at my gym. I'm wearing it as a way of reminding me to keep working hard no matter what life throws at me.

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?

2019 Goals: May Update

May felt like it was flying by but also was dragging at the same time. I'm not sure how that is possible but I am just grateful that June will be here in a matter of days because good things are coming! Less than 3 weeks until I am done work for the summer and can go into full-time wedding mode! I will be working a summer job but it is not as intense as my usual job. In typical last-Wednesday-of-the-month fashion, let's talk about how my 2019 goals are going!

Goal 1: Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Overall I think this may have been my best month of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I have started to follow a half marathon training plan as a way of keeping my running on track for the next few months of craziness. John and I have been consistently going to the gym and eating healthy meals. We are both signed up for a eight week weight-loss challenge at our gym! I am not too worried about weight loss. I am more doing it for all the strength training opportunities!

Goal 2: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

I know I've been doing great with the recycling part of this goal because by time recycling day comes around, our can is FILLED! As for reusing, I've been doing a lot of brainstorming for ways to reuse items. I recently started using an old Nuun tube for my headphones. It keeps them from getting tangled in my gym bag! I also currently have a few empty medicine bottles that I am brainstorming ideas on what to use them for. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!

Goal 3: Reduce Phone Usage

I have been finding myself on my phone more and more lately for some reason. To overcome this I have been trying to keep myself busy after work to prevent myself from just laying down and playing on my phone. Now that school is winding down, I’ve been trying to read more. The books I’ve been reading are ones I bought for my classroom library. I try to read them all before I suggest them to kids. 

Goal 4: Try New Recipes

Earlier in the month I made a delicious dinner of shredded chicken with spinach sauteed with a garlic oil. It turned out much better than I had expected since I was just throwing stuff together in a pan. I acquired an abundance of bananas after Camporee in the beginning of the month so I made some healthy banana bread. John definitely enjoyed that! Recently we tried our hand at grilled swordfish. I personally loved it while John was "eh" about it. 

Goal 5: Give Back

This is a goal that didn't get as much attention this past month. I am currently brainstorming things I can do in June!

Goal 6: Save Money

Knowing we have a lot of wedding related purchases approaching, we have been pretty good with saving money this past month. We did a lot of cooking at home using ingredients we already had on hand. I noticed we had a lot of food in our pantry and freezer that was not being eaten so we are trying to use most of that up before buying more food.

Question of the Day: How are your 2019 goals coming along? Have you completed anything on your 19 in 2019 list, if you made one?

Friday Five: 5 Things I'm Loving This Week

For once I am not too thrilled it's Friday because that means my spring break is over in a few days. Luckily I still have a few days left to rest up and possibly get some things done. I had my wisdom teeth out Tuesday which went really well, so I've spent most of this week being lazy. No complaints here, though! Before I get started on this lazy Friday, I'm sharing my Friday Five with you!

1. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
This book was recommended to me by Maureen, who reads a ton of good books, so I was pumped when I found out my co-worker had it for me to borrow. From the first page I was hooked! The Tattooist of Auschwitz follows the story of Lale, a prisoner at Auschwitz-Birkenau, who is given the job of tattooing his fellow prisoners as they arrive at Auschwitz. Lale soon meets the love of his live, Gita, who he vows to marry once they make it out of this camp alive. This book follows Lale through his two and a half years of being a prisoner and how he used his privileged position, risking his own life, to help save others. It's truly a remarkable story I recommend to anyone!

2. Nuun Plogging Challenge
On Monday, Nuun shared with us a Plogging Challenge as a way of celebrating Earth Day throughout the whole week. Plogging is "a Swedish word meaning picking up litter while jogging." I had heard of this term before, but haven't actually done it before. Since Nuun was challenging me, and I needed a reason to get out and walk, I decided to complete it! On Thursday I went on a 45 minute walk around my development and collected over half a plastic grocery bag full of litter. It was such a nice way to help the earth while also getting some movement in!

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3. Hydro Flask National Park Foundation Collection
I received an email from Hydro Flask this week that shared their newest collection, the National Park Foundation Collection! This is a limited edition collection that showcases 5 of our National Parks including Yellowstone and the Great Smoky Mountains. Each bottle features artwork that pays tribute to these beautiful places! You can purchase these in the 21 oz or 32 oz sizes.

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4. Momentum Jewelry's #sharetheSPARK Motivate Wraps
I received my ambassador package with the 2 newest Motivate Wraps for the #sharetheSPARK campaign and I have been dying to share them with everyone! The new mantras for 2019 are "keep reaching higher" and "find your courage." From now until May 6th, the whole Share the Spark collection is on SALE (this includes last year's mantras: "you got this!", "you're so worth it," "keep moving forward," and "never give up"). You can choose from any of these six mantras for just $14 each! Want to pay it forward and pass one on? You can buy 2 and you'll get 50% off the 2nd #sharetheSPARK Motivate Wrap! How cool is that?! This is a great sale that will be ending May 6th so hurry on over and pick one (or more!) out!

5. Mashed Potatoes
This is a silly addition to my Friday Five. I've been on an all soft food diet this week because of my surgery so I've had no choice but to eat tons of mashed potatoes. To be honest, I've never been a fan of anything containing potatoes, but I think I am coming around to them. I've actually been enjoying eating mashed potatoes all week because it's the one thing that has helped keep me full!

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?

Friday Five: 5 Things I’m Loving This Week

Hi everyone! I'm so happy it's finally Friday but even more happier that I am off today until NEXT Monday! I am really looking forward to this long break even though I am getting my wisdom teeth out on Tuesday. I guess that means I'll get some guaranteed rest! I hope everyone has a nice weekend planned for the holiday. Before I get this break going, I'm sharing the 5 things I've been loving this week with you.

Don’t mind Dexter just creeping in the window...

1. My New Plant

Last week John needed to get soil for his new raspberry plant. Since the soil came in huge bags, he suggested I pick out another plant to put on our back patio so we could use more of the soil. I chose a pretty purple hydrangea that adds a beautiful pop of color to our patio!

2. Sandal Weather

Being a runner, I don't have the nicest toenails. Wearing sandals isn't usually something I enjoy but something about this nice weather lately has me loving wearing them to work. I painted my toenails so my toenails don't look too gnarly haha.

3. Fancy Cat Napkins

While out shopping for my sister's baby shower, my mom found the cutest cat napkins. She bought them for me so I could put them in my bathroom during the party just like fancy restaurants do. I just think they are the cutest thing and they really helped "fancy up" my guest bathroom.

4. Girl, Wash Your Face! by Rachel Hollis

I'm embarrassed to admit that I starting reading this book in January but literally just finished it last week. It's hard for me to keep up with personal reading books during the school year since I'm constantly reading books for class. I really enjoyed reading this book because I could stop and then pick up where I left off later and never felt "lost" since it doesn't follow a strict story line. I loved the life lessons Rachel shared with us. Each chapter made me feel like I had the ability to change myself and different parts of my life with the stories and advice she shared. I am now looking forward to reading her newest book, Girl, Stop Apologizing!, as soon as I can get my hands on it.

5. SPRING BREAK 

If you can't tell, I am so so SO happy it is finally my spring break! My school hasn't had any real break besides a few random days off since our Christmas break, and let me tell you, it is much needed! For the past few weeks, you could feel the morale and energy of both the staff and students slowly depleting. I am really hoping that this 10 day respite allows everyone to get the much deserved rest that need and come back on April 29th energized and ready to finish out the school year!

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?