Category Archives: Every day life

February favorites.

Books, Brainpower, Every day life, Home, Media, Style and Design, , , , , , , , , , ,

february favorites

With the turning of the calendar page from February to March, it’s time to bundle together the best products, places, media and everything in between from the last month. Here are 9 things I found myself loving in February…

1. Tom Bihn backpack

I was floored when I opened this early Valentine’s Day present from Chet. I just couldn’t get over the adorable pattern and perfect pocket placement. I’ve been wearing it around the whole month and it does NOT disappoint. You can read my full review of the bag and see some pictures of me sporting it in the wild HERE. I can not thank my thoughtful dude enough for this spectacular present. We have many day-trips and ultra-light adventures ahead of us. And we shall be so wonderfully well-equipped!

2. Downton Abbey

While I had previously seen most of the first three seasons of this show, I convinced Chet to watch it from the beginning with me. We just started the 5th season and I never want it to end! In case you’ve been living under a rock, the British drama follows the lives of the Crawley family and all its servants as they go about their business, upstairs and down, in the large country manor estate known as Downton Abbey. The show begins with the 1912 sinking of the Titanic but now in season 5 we’re all the way up to 1923. It’s quite fun to track the actual historic events that play out alongside the fictional lives of the Crawleys. Bonus to our nightly viewing? Chet does a bang-up impersonation of Mr. Carson, the Crawleys’ beloved butler, and will often chime in with his own commentary.

3. WKU forensics alums

In February, I traveled to Bowling Green, KY to spend some time with the current WKU Forensics Team and a small group of alums. We had a great weekend coaching speech and catching up. This team was such a big part of my life for 7 years that I love any excuse to step back into that world for a few hours. I saw some amazingly passionate, intelligent, and inspiring speeches and even played a few rounds of flip cup. (When with your college pals in a college town…..amirite?)

4. He Named Me Malala

I was selected this month by 21st Century Fox to receive an advanced screening copy of the documentary, He Named Me Malala. I pretty much cried through the whole film and really hope lots of people tuned in to watch the TV premiere. It was a profoundly impactful film made by filmmaker Davis Guggenheim exploring the life of Malala Yousafzai before and after her attack at the hands of Taliban. You can read more about the film HERE.

5. Save-the-Date cards

Initially, I wasn’t too on board with the whole idea of sending Save-the-Date cards. Wouldn’t it just be easier to hop on the internet to spread the word about our selected date and send out invitations later? But then again…I LOVE sending and receiving mail and I just couldn’t let the opportunity to send some mailbox cheer pass me by. I ended up designing them myself with the free photo editing site PicMonkey. I’m REALLY happy with how they turned out and think using PicMonkey and printing them on cardstock was a wonderful budget-friendly option. I’d be happy to post a tutorial about how I whipped them up if you’re interested!

6. My notebook

I snagged this notebook from Target when Chet and I were in Lafayette for Christmas. While I’m a huge fan of Moleskines and the Baron Fig Confidante, I’d sort of come to the conclusion that I wanted a hard-back spiral-bound for my day-to-day, planner-ish notebook. I like to have my To-Do list out all day and while other notebooks claim to “lay flat” they don’t always do so, or they do but they take up too much desk space. I also like to dedicate a whole page per day which can seem a bit wasteful when using a higher end notebook. I started this notebook, along with a new notebook system, on January 1st and it’s been really helpful and easy to stick to. I use a modified version of the Bullet Journal system. I prioritize daily spreads over anything else and I don’t index but I implement a lot of the other strategies. When this one is all used up I think I’ll continue to stick to this type of notebook!

7. Shakespeare’s First Folio

The book that made the bard made it’s way to Florida International University this month! Chet and I got dressed up and attended the opening of the first folio exhibit at The Frost Art Museum. It was amazing to see so much Shakespeare programming and hype occur at the university and in Miami while the book was on display. We loved taking a peek inside but only wished we could hold it in our hands and flip through the pages. Think of all that history!

8. New living room couch

Arriving into our humble abode just in the nick of time to make this favorite’s list is our new couch! We headed out early last Saturday morning to beat the crowds at Ikea and came home with all sorts of goodies. I’ve had my eye on a grey couch for some time now and I think we chose a great one! We poked around online to find a few contenders before heading into the thick of things but then ended up going with this one instead! It is super comfy and a great place to lounge with the sliding glass doors pushed open for a cool breeze. (Don’t mind the wrinkles in the photo above. It was only just born when I snapped that pic!)

9. Rooibos Chai Tea

My mom is always hooking me up with fair trade goodies and in February I was loving this chai tea she sent. I love brewing up a mug when the weather is a bit dreary or for an evening treat when there’s no dessert in the house. It’s just the right level of spicy and sweet with delicious notes of vanilla. YUM!

 

On Saying You’re Welcome

Every day life, Personal, , , ,

vintage bentley

I’m a big believer in saying “You’re welcome.” I know that sounds a bit obvious. Of course anyone with a shred of decency and an ounce of home training knows to respond to thanks. I just mean I’m a fan of this specific response over others.

Mindlessly answering “No problem,” “No worries,” and, embarrassingly, “Yeah” when people tell me “Thank you” is a habit I’ve worked long and hard to break. These more flippant responses, whether purposefully flippant or not, were the result of feeling over thanked. An almost shy dismissal of the ways I was helping people out. Which is kind of weird, right? Helping people made me feel good. Doing a good job on something made me feel great. So why, when others acknowledged these things, was I brushing it off with “Oh don’t worry about it.”? Basically the equivalent of WHATEVER.

A couple years ago, in serious self-betterment mode, I made a New Year’s Resolution — Say You’re Welcome more! I flipped the tables and considered all the times I give thanks to and for others. How honest and humbled I feel in that split second of grateful recognition. How often it doesn’t feel like enough but I say it anyways because I hope small words will do the work of thousands. I figured if anyone was going out of their way to utter “Thank you,” I owed it to them to sincerely reply “You’re welcome!”

At the end of the day, we can never know the full story behind the words others choose to speak. Perhaps a “thank you” means…

Today was more than I could bear but you made it just a little bit easier.

Someone noticed.

I love you.

You’ve blown my mind/opened my eyes/made my life easier/made my hard work worth it.

And so “you’re welcome” can carry many meanings too.

I’m squeezing you tight.

You’re worth every good action and effort.

I’m the lucky one.

Thank YOU.

While I do slip up from time to time, I still try to hold by this practice of saying  “You’re welcome.” I would never want to imply, through a “no problem,” that a thanks was unnecessary or irrelevant. And I would ask that you consider your own response to expressions of thankfulness.

You may have unknowingly lifted the weight of a thousand elephants off of someone’s heart or handed them the whole world on a shiny silver tray. No problem? I don’t think so.

I’d rather not diminish feelings I could never even pretend to understand.

Even in return for the smallest of gestures.

(Photo above of a chauffeur helping a woman into a Bentley in 1926. I hope she thanked him for this small gesture and that he took her thanks in stride.)

Styling Photos – I need practice!

Every day life, Style and Design, , , , ,

Today’s post is something a little bit different. For me, having a blog is a great incentivizer. If I want to whip up a certain meal, check out a local park, or crack out my craft box for a DIY, I just schedule a post pertaining to that subject matter and get to it. I know to write and design the post I’ll have to complete the activity first. I can’t show you guys how to make broccoli soup before I’ve actually made broccoli soup (and enjoyed it!). I can’t walk you through the Sunken Gardens in St. Pete without first walking through it myself (and snapping lots of pictures!).

So, I gave myself an assignment and decided I would share the results with all of you! You see, I need practice when it comes to photography and styling photos. Ultimately, I’d like to up my game with the sorts of images I create for this blog. The hope is that posting about practicing something I want to become better at will both incentivize the process AND keep me accountable for continuing to learn. Here goes…

The assignment: 

Style 8 photos inspired by the following categories — Pen Pals, Gettin’ Down to Business, Cook With Me, It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Get Ready With Me, Brand I Love, Glitter + Gold, and Currently Reading.

The results: 

Pen Pals

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Gettin’ Down to Business

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Cook With Me

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It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere

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Get Ready With Me

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Brand I Love

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Glitter + Gold

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Currently Reading

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And there you have it! I had a blast laying out these images…styling and taking photos is definitely something I enjoy but is also something that, unfortunately, sometimes becomes an afterthought when I’m creating a post. Hopefully with some more assignments like this one, the process will become quicker and a little bit more second-nature. For now, I’m happy for the practice and to slowly build up a repertoire of images I can use alongside future content.

Note: I used a Canon EOS M camera with EF-M 22mm STM lens to shoot these images.

How do you incentivize or hold yourself accountable for skills you want to master? Have any photography or photo styling tips or resources you’d like to share? Thoughts on the images above? Leave a comment! 

January favorites.

Books, Brainpower, Every day life, Fashion, Food, Media, Physical, Style and Design, , , , , , , ,

January Favorites

With the turning of the calendar page from January to February, it’s time to bundle together the best products, places, media and everything in between from the last month. Here are 9 things I found myself loving in January…

1. Punjammies

Pajamas ranked pretty high on my Christmas list this year because I take my comfies seriously. Lucky for me my mom delivered! She gifted me with a gorgeous pair of pajama pants from the company Sudara. I’ve mentioned Sudara’s punjammies in a blog post before but basically they’re pajamas created by women in India who wish to remain free from sex-slavery. The idea was sparked by International Princess Project as a way to offer an alternative occupation to the women physically, emotionally and economically enslaved in the brothels in India’s red light districts. They are exceptionally comfy and I would be happy to wear them 24-7.

2. Food processor

This one is another Christmas gift from my mom. While I still believe that with an immersion blender and a half gallon mason jar I’ll never need a blender, I was sick of passing up recipes which definitely called for a food processor. I find that a lot of really simple healthy recipes especially call for a few pulses in one of these kitchen gadgets. Since receiving my own I’ve made smoothie bowls, sauces, hummus, and soup. Best part? Chucking all the parts in the dishwasher for easy clean up. Oh, and the delicious food!

3. Herkimer diamond necklace

And keeping with the Christmas theme, my sister gave me this gorgeous herkimer diamond necklace. A friend of hers makes lovely and unique jewelry pieces and I’m so thrilled to give this particular piece a loving home. It’s a great every day necklace and looks cute with t-shirts and dresses alike.

4. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

Sometimes I forget how much I love historical fiction but I love when I read something that makes me remember! This book is about a young Irish girl whose parents pass away on her journey across the Atlantic to America. A plantation owner takes her on as an indentured servant as payment for her crossing. Thus begins her life in the American South where she works side by side with the slaves who are also working in the “big home.” Set in the decades before the Civil War, the story tackles themes of class and race, but ultimately leaves you with a sense that feelings of family can transcend both. I would highly recommend this book.

5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Leading up to seeing this film, Chet and I re-watched the original Star Wars movies so I was really looking forward to keeping the story going. While I wouldn’t say I’m a huge Star Wars fan, I really liked this movie. Rey and Finn were super likable, BB8 was adorable, and Kylo Ren was perfectly troubled and scary. Not to mention all those original cast-members! Overall, a super fun trip to the movie theater. I’m sure you’ve already seen it but just in case–go check it out while it’s still on the big screen.

6. Alba Botanica Hawaiian – Pineapple Enzyme Facial Scrub

Alba Botanica is one of my favorite brands of skincare. This scrub, which I use once a week, is a fantastic exfoliator. The gentle buffing granules leave my skin feeling smooth and glow-y. It is also free from parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Always a good thing when slathering something onto your skin!

7. PicMonkey 

I’ve been having a blast playing around with this free photo editing website this past month. While they have a premium option, which costs $4.99/mo, there’s still tons of opportunity to create neat images totally for free! I had way too much fun creating (way too many) Save the Date options. (I think I’ll write a blog post later in February to show you how I did these, if you’d like.) Adobe can get pricey so it’s nice to find an affordable alternative.

8. 30 Day Yoga Camp

Hi, I’m a Yoga with Adriene fangirl, nice to meet ya! In all seriousness, this 30 day series of yoga videos is perfection. Each class is between 20-40 minutes. Not only do they provide a fantastic, sometimes butt-kicking flow but the focus on breath and mind was a refreshing change for an “exercise challenge.” The sessions centered around a daily mantra which I found really helpful to focus on, not just for the length of the practice, but throughout the rest of the day. I will definitely return to this yoga camp in the future! And I will carry the daily mantra practice with me through the rest of 2016.

9. Reading My Tea Leaves

Do you ever find a new-to-you blogger and then start binge reading all their backlog of posts? This was totally me this month with Erin Boyle’s blog, Reading My Tea Leaves. With a focus on simple, sustainable living, this blog is beautifully written and accompanied by pitch perfect photography. She recently published a book which, if it’s anything like the blog, I’d love to get my hands on soon.

Review: Jingle VoxBox

Every day life, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jingle VoxBox

Every once in a while the mail-box gods shine upon me and I find myself tearing into a new treat from Influenster. When we returned from Louisiana after Christmas the Jingle VoxBox was waiting for me. Look at all the goodies!

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream – While my skin isn’t as dry as past winters (Thanks Miami humidity!), this little jar has been perfect to pack along on trips. I’d never used Cetaphil before but I’m a total convert. The Beauty Uniforms series on A Cup of Jo has totally convinced me of the power of a good drug-store moisturizer and this one doesn’t disappoint.

http://www.facebook.com/Cetaphil

Biscoff Cookies – This little treat is totally my jam and I was so stoked to see THREE packages in my VoxBox. Yum! If you’ve ever heard (or eaten spoonfuls of) Trader Joe’s cookie butter than you know Speculoos biscuits are a taste sensation. I love these as an afternoon pick-me-up with a hot cup of tea or coffee. But if I’m being honest, I also ate a package crumbled up on top of a smoothie bowl for my lunch today. So…really there’s no right way to eat a Biscoff. Isn’t there an airline that gives these little packages out during in-flight drink service? *does research and resolves to only fly whoever it is from here on out*

http://www.facebook.com/biscoff

http://www.instagram.com/biscoffcookies

http://www.twitter.com/biscoffcookies

Ore-Ida Tater Tots – I have a bit of a soft spot for tots. Especially ones from Sonic. WHOOPS! The cat is out of the bag! I was excited to give this alternative a try and headed to the frozen section of my grocery, coupon in hand, right after my VoxBox showed up. Crispy on the outside and floofy on the inside. That’s pretty much all I need in a tot and Ore-Ida’s ticked both those boxes. These are great alongside home-made burgers (or veggie burgers) for when you’re craving Sonic but are resolved to eat at home instead. Or am I the only one out there who craves Sonic? That seems possible. Either way…these were good.

http://www.facebook.com/oreidapotatoes

http://www.instagram.com/oreida

http://www.pinterest.com/oreidapotatoes

Hallmark itty bittys – How cute is that little baby Spiderman? Pretty dang cute, IMHO. Not sure what I will actually DO with him but he looked cute amongst some Christmas decorations on my side table. I can see how these guys would make cute stocking stuffers or gift toppers. I packed Spidey up with the tree ornaments so I can try turning him into a bauble of some sort next year. Any other ideas? (I don’t have a child. Or a dog. And my cat is wildly uninterested in such things.)

http://www.facebook.com/hallmark

http://www.instagram.com/hallmark

http://www.pinterest.com/hallmark

NYC City Proof 24HR Waterproof Eyeliner – I’ve never been one for eyeliner. My makeup must-haves rotate but right now my go-to’s are tinted moisturizer, blush, and 2 coats of mascara. Done and done. However, if I’m in need of a fancier look, this liner’s got me covered. It is super fierce and glides on smoothly and easily. You could even blend it out for a smoky eye.

http://www.facebook.com/newyorkcolorcosmetics

http://www.twitter.com/nycnewyorkcolor

KISS True Volume Lashes and Strip Lash Adhesive – I’m saving these for a rainy day and/or when I need my eyes to be like, “YAAAS! We are open!” They look pretty fierce. Oh, and a cool feature? The adhesive is black so it will blend in with my lashes instead of leaving white globs that never totally dry and just make you look like you’re rocking a bunch of eye boogers in your peepers. Not a good look.

http://www.facebook.com/KissNails

http://www.instagram.com/kissproducts

http://www.twitter.com/KissProducts

Pure Ice Nail Polish – I received the shade Silver Star. It’s a really fun and festive sparkly color so it was perfect for a little New Year’s Eve finger bling. The color was really easy to apply and lasted on my nails for about a week without touch ups. I think this shade would look really neat as an accent nail paired with navy blue (my favorite nail color). You can snag Pure Ice Nail Polish at Wal-Mart for under two bucks which is a really good value for the quality. Go grab some if you’re a home-manicure junkie!

http://www.facebook.com/OfficialPureIce

http://www.instagram.com/officialpureice

http://www.twitter.com/OfficialPureIce

Overall this was a very fun box and I truly enjoyed all the contents! If you love trying new products and posting reviews, check out Influenster. It’s totally FREE to sign up! And who knows…the mail-box gods may choose to shine down on YOU next!

NOTE: I received all of these products complimentary for testing purposes. All opinions are my own.

6 Clever Ways to Use Glass Jars in the Kitchen

Every day life, How to's, , , ,

glass jars

Do you use glass jars in your kitchen? I can’t help but to save every glass jar that comes through ours. There always seems to be a way to re-use every one! And I love stocking up on mason jars of all sizes. We use them to meal prep, store leftovers, make pretty decorations, and as drinking glasses. In case you need some inspiration, here are 6 more clever ways to use glass jars in your kitchen…

Create a soap dispenser and buy your liquid soap in bulk. It looks more adorable anyways and you can cut down on plastic packaging.

Store your spices. This is a great way to re-use baby food jars if you’ve got a little one.

Grow a counter-top herb garden. You’ll get to top your dishes with kitchen-grown parsley and basil. What could taste better?

Store your dry goods — like sugar, flour, beans, pastas, and coffee. If you shop the bulk bins you can bring your jars along to the store and take everything home in the same containers they’ll be stored in. (Just don’t forget to weigh them empty first so your cashier can subtract the tare!) Pretty enough to display proudly on open shelving and you’ll always know how much you have left!

Use larger jars to store your cooking utensils (whisks, spatulas, wooden spoons, etc). If you’re in a tiny apartment where kitchen drawer space is at a premium, you could even keep your eating utensils in jars right on your table. Setting the table will be a breeze!

Finally, my all time favorite way to use a jar in the kitchen… 1/2 gallon mason jar + immersion blender = a super inexpensive blender alternative that works just as well, is easier to clean, and takes up hardly any storage space.

What’s your favorite way to use glass jars? Do you have uses for them beyond the kitchen? Any other items you love to save and re-purpose? Share your ideas and tips below! 

Making a beach kit!

Every day life, How to's, Physical, , , , ,

homestead beach palm tree

One of the biggest perks to living in Miami is enjoying beautiful weather pretty much year round. Of course there’s all sorts of thunderstorms to contend with. But when it’s nice, it is niiiiice. Like throw on a pair of shorts and lounge by some water nice. Like never have to wear real shoes unless you really want to nice. Like pinch me is this vacation or is this real life….nice.

To take full and complete advantage, we’ve resolved to hit up our favorite beach on as many clear-sky Saturdays as possible. It’s an amazing way to re-charge the batteries and soak up some Vitamin D before heading back into the week.

We wake up on Saturday mornings, drink coffee, throw on clothes, load the car, pick up supplies along the way, and sit our butts in the sand as soon as humanly possible. BUT! Last week we decided we could expedite this process by creating a beach kit. We would simply keep a stock of needed items in the trunk of the car. Genius! This way, we can get out the door even faster and even make impromptu trips on non-planned beach days when the stars align and we find we have some time on our hands. Or when a beach pops out of nowhere just begging to be enjoyed (Hey, we’re in Florida. It happens!).

Our beach kit consists of…

Now, I know this post may seem a little out of the realm of your own possibility. Most of the country is experiencing a little thing called WINTER, you might be saying! I understand. But I still think a little preparation goes a long way in making sure you actually get outside as much as possible.

When I was further north I can remember, especially in Winter, wanting to capitalize on those rare and beautiful sunny days whenever they reared their lovely heads. I would sit at work in my nice clothes wanting nothing more than to be strolling in a park or hitting a hiking trail. But by the time my work day was through and I ran home to put sneakers and “play clothes” on…the sun would be setting, the temperature dropping. If only I had kept a spare pair of shoes and pants in my car!

Consider what outdoor activity you may like to do a little more of this winter and make doing it as easy as possible. Throw your hiking boots in the trunk! Keep a soccer ball in your office! Put your roller-blades by the front door!

Let’s all play outside more in 2016.

Photo Diary: Biscayne National Park

Every day life, Travel, , , , , ,

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Chet and I live in the most South-West edge of Miami which is super convenient for taking day-trips out of the city and reaching the beach in record time. Our favorite beach is actually in Homestead, FL which, for us, is faster to get to than any of the beaches in Miami (and with tolls and parking fees–way cheaper too!). Nestled next door to our favorite weekend relaxation haunt is Biscayne National Park. While we’ve only scratched the surface of what this park has to offer, I’m already impressed! The views across the bay, all the way out to the Miami skyline, are breathtaking. There’s also a convenient trail which takes you along the waterline, past a marina, over a bridge, and down a peninsula. But 95% of this park’s 172,000 acres are covered by water so there’s still so much to explore.  Here are a few photos of what we’ve seen so far…

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“However orderly your excursions or aimless, again and again amid the calmest, stillest scenery you will be brought to a standstill, hushed and awe-stricken, before phenomena wholly new to you.” – John Muir, Our National Parks

October favorites.

Every day life, Food, Media, Style and Design, Travel, Uncategorized, , , ,

October favorites

With the turning of the calendar page from October to November, it’s time to bundle together the best products, places, media and everything in between from the last month. Here are 9 things I found myself loving in October…

1. Logitech speakers

My home workspace got even MORE swag this month with the addition of a set of white speakers to flank my monitor. I saw them featured in someone else’s computer set-up online and knew they would be perfect sitting atop my desk! Luckily, Chet was able to do a little Internet digging to track them down and gave them to me as a birthday present. I totally forgot to include them in my gift haul! Probably because they were plugged in and I’ve already grown so accustomed to having them as part of my computer. Their sound quality is fantastic and they match the rest of my desk so well!

2. Sharpie pens

I’ve loved the glory of the Sharpie pen for quite some time but I grew to love them even stronger this past month. Working from home means I’ve got to keep a running “To Do” list with all my tasks for the day. I wouldn’t get anything done otherwise. It’s all about the list! And it’s way more fun in colorful Sharpie pens. Some days I can even go full cray-cray and color code! I’ve also been working my way through a self-paced class on blogging for business and these pens are perfect for taking notes and brainstorming sessions.

3. Bamboo toothbrushes

In an effort to look for little replacements I could make to cut down on my use of plastic, I ordered this set of bamboo toothbrushes. Since you’re supposed to switch out your toothbrush every three months, I’ll be good to go for a whole year! And each toothbrush in the set is cleverly stamped with three months to make sure you don’t forget! So far I’m a fan and actually like them more than many plastic counterparts I’ve tried.

4. Homestead Bayfront Park

So, I keep bringing this park/beach up on the blog but I can’t help it! It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite places in the world! We visited twice this month (for my birthday and just this past weekend on Halloween, as well) and both times were so rejuvenating and fun. You can lay by the beach, swim in the atoll pool, watch the boats leave the marina, fish, enjoy a picnic, have dinner and drinks at La Playa Grill, or just wander about the park taking in the gorgeous views. If you drop down to Miami for a visit we promise to take you here! On our Halloween excursion to Homestead we also checked out Biscayne National Park (which is right next door to the Bayfront Park) and took a beautiful walk with views of downtown Miami in the distance across the water.

5. The Martian

This movie is definitely a must-see! In the midst of a Mars mission, a bad storm causes an astronaut crew to pack it in early and head home to Earth. However, one crew member is presumed dead and left behind. But he actually survived (!) and now he must get by with meager supplies, his own scientific-smarts and the help of a team of scientists at NASA millions of miles away. In the leading role Matt Damon is ridiculous and lovable and all the other characters are pitch perfect as well. The plot is, of course, gripping as is the case with most space exploration movies. It’s based on a bestselling hard sci-fi novel but the movie adaptation was definitely created with the masses in mind. I’m sure you’ll love it even if you aren’t a die hard science fiction fan.

6. Ring dish

I just can’t get over how cute this little dish is! This was a birthday present from Chet’s mom and it’s the sweetest little place to keep my jewelry and bobby pins at the end of the day. Polka dots? White and gold? French phrasing? I think I’m in love! This has taken up permanent residence on my dresser.

7. SubZero ice cream

Can we TALK about this ice cream for a second? OH MY WORD is it good! I thought I was spoiled in Lexington living so close to the fro-yo shop Orange Leaf but having SubZero up the street has it beat. The concept for this ice cream shop was pitched on the show Shark Tank and I’m so glad someone was like “Um, yeah. Of COURSE I’ll back this!” Basically your ice cream starts out in liquid form. You get to select your milk (you can even choose lactose free or almond–which is awesome for those of us whose tummies aren’t as accepting of dairy), flavors and mix-ins and then everything is mixed and frozen right in front of you with the help of dry ice. The result? The creamiest, richest ice cream you’ll ever taste! I recommend Nutella flavor. Yum!

8. Fargo

I recently put out a call on Facebook for binge-worthy TV recommendations. While we got a lot of great suggestions we decided to give Fargo a go. Well, just a few weeks later and now I’m jonesing for that second season. This show is SO. GOOD. The plot of the show is different from the movie while still capturing that Coen Brothers vibe of dark-funny-weird. It’s the first show in quite some time that really made me want to watch more than two episodes a night. Keep hittin’ that next button, please!

9. Moscow Mule cup

After months and months of wistfully picking up every Moscow Mule mug found in every store EVER, Chet said “enough is enough with all those copper-induced googly eyes!” and bought me one of my very own! Is he not the best at picking out presents?! *swoon* My cocktail of choice is gin and ginger ale which isn’t exactly a Moscow Mule but still feels very right served in a copper cup. Bonus, drinks stay super cold in this cup which is kind of a necessity when you live at the veeeeery Southern tip of the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Why I love the library.

Books, Every day life, , ,

library with ladder

On Monday, I finally got around to signing up for a library card at the Kendall Branch of the Miami-Dade Public Library. I have a long-standing love affair with libraries. While this means I racked up some pretty hefty fines back in the day (before I learned how to be an adult and do adult things, you know how that goes), I’ve always been a voracious reader so the attraction to libraries was sort of a no-brainer. Walking out of a library with a good haul is like Christmas morning! Bonus: All your presents are FREE!

When I was living and working in Bowling Green, poor as heck, one of my favorite weekly rituals was going to the library. It was located just down the block and I would go by myself, meandering the rows, loading my arms down with enough books and DVD’s to last me the week. Any enticing cover art or gripping back-cover synopsis would be indulged and added to my stack. And why not? When you’re literally planning a meal of spaghetti for the sixth time in a month and can’t afford to put gas in your car…you gotta find joy in life’s little pleasures.  I’ll always associate libraries with self-care.  Oh, and of course life-long learning, too! You can borrow a book, but you get to keep the ideas. 

When a book shows up on my door-step from Amazon, I’m excited, sure; but the feeling of taking a book home from the library is for me–unparalleled.

Here’s a look at what I picked up on this inaugural visit to the library in Miami…

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Bossypants by Tina Fey – STILL haven’t read this book. (I know!) I LOVED Amy Poehler’s book so I thought it was high time to check this one off the reading list, too.

Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine – I read about this graphic novel a few years ago (the author illustrates for the New Yorker) so when I spotted it from across the aisle I knew it needed to come home with me.

Mmmmiami: Tempting Tropical Tastes for Home Cooks Everywhere – When in Rome!

Are you a huge library fan like me? What are you reading these days? I wish we could tack an extra hour onto each day to make time for reading!