Is it too late to share my Christmas list? I hope not!
Besides, there isn't a whole lot on my Christmas list this year. I'm so grateful for everything that life has thrown my way this year and I'm pretty sure no material thing could top it. I made a big move, started a job in the happiest place on earth, and have friends and family who are happy, healthy, and have been nothing but supportive. I mean, is there really anything to top this?
But because I know that people are still Christmas shopping for gifts, I wanted to share things that I wouldn't mind seeing under the tree this year. So whether it's for someone on your list or for yourself, I hope you get a little inspiration from this!
Remember how I said shopping for the women in your life was really easy? Well, you know what's the complete opposite and so difficult?
Shopping for guys.
I have always have a hard time, no matter the occasion. Especially at Christmastime. I usually start brainstorming ideas for gifts in September so that by the time Thanksgiving comes around, I know exactly what to look for on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
But if you're still looking around for gift ideas for your dad/brother/friend/boyfriend/husband, then this gift guide is for you!
Disney World is already decorated for the holidays {snow and all!} and it really has me in the Christmas spirit. I've been making my lists of Christmas presents over the last week and wanted to share some of my ideas with you. You've probably seen a ton of these gift guides already, which is why I'm only sharing my top picks in three categories - a gift guide for her, one for him, and stocking stuffers.
Today we're just talking about gifts for the ladies.
So the Sephora VIB Sale snuck up on me this year...
I wasn't expecting to get access to it as early as tomorrow, November 3rd, but I'm not complaining. And even though I've cut back on how much makeup I buy and how much makeup I own, there are still a few things on my wishlist. My cart currently has five items in it, but that could definitely change over night.
I'm so excited about the news that I'm about to share. I've told just a few people but felt that it was such a big change that it needed to be shared here. If you follow me on Instagram and Snapchat, then you've probably seen me leave a few hints about it. If not, well you should follow me! But you haven't been left in the dark because I've never fully shared the news.
Are you ready?
I'm leaving NJ. In fact, I left yesterday, October 30th. And I've moved to...
Earlier this month, my parents and I headed down to Orlando to visit Disney World. If you haven't seen earlier posts, then you've been missing out on my Disney vlogs. I mention in almost every video that we stayed at the Four Seasons Orlando, a first since we usually stay in a Disney resort whenever visiting the parks.
You guys.
I love Disney resorts because the theming is always out of this world. The Four Seasons, for the most part, knocks it out of the park in everything else.
We're nearing the end of my Disney vacation vlogs. But first, we're recapping the rainy day spent at Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs!
With so much construction going on at Hollywood Studios for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land, there's isn't a whole lot to do at this park. You really only need to spend a half day there, if that. We were just there to ride two rides, but got lucky because we got to see Storm Troopers march by and caught the end of the Star Wars show. And if it hadn't been for the rain, we probably wouldn't have been there for more than a few hours.
Make sure to watch my video to see what else we got up to that day, including a few goodies from the World of Disney store!
I've never been to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival so this was quite the treat! ;]
The morning was really spent in Future World, going on rides. This was the first time that I'd been on the new version of Soarin' {loved it} and my first time ever on Living with the Land. The latter has become one of my favorite rides/attractions across all the parks. I'm seriously considering doing the Behind the Seeds tour so that I can get a more in-depth look at everything that grows in Epcot. Amazing that they grow their own produce, right?!
But the real highlight of the day was going around World Showcase for all of the food!
I hope you all enjoyed the first Disney World vlog I posted! I'm back with day two - Animal Kingdom and Epcot.
I hadn't been to Animal Kingdom in quite some time, mainly because I never really liked it. Clearly I was in the wrong because this park is so fun! Maybe I just completely forgot about Dinosaur {love that ride}, Tusker House {great character dining!}, and the fact that you can see so many animals throughout the park and on a safari. All of those things combined, plus a bunch of other stuff that would just create too long of a list, make this such a great park.
We also visited Epcot for a bit in the afternoon too the Food & Wine Festival. Since I've never visited Disney during the fall or winter, I had no idea what to expect. But the little taste we got that afternoon {do you see what I did there? ;]} made me so excited for a full day at Epcot the next day!
If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably saw all of the Disney World pictures I was sharing. Those who know me know that I am a huge Disney fan and have been all of my life. So of course, I was super excited to be there and share it all with you guys!
I just had to bring my camera along so that I could vlog a bit of my trip for you and for my own memories. What can I say? It's hard to not want to capture all the happy moments when you're in the most magical place on earth!
There isn't a new video today {I'll be back with one next week!} so a fun little recipe will have to do!
I've always thought that making homemade chocolates, especially if they're filled, would be difficult. You need to temper the chocolate. You want them to be shiny. You hope they come out of the molds. You hope they come out of the molds without breaking!
With so many things to worry about, I put off making filled chocolates for a long time. A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to face my fears and just melt some chocolate and see how it goes. I had a silicone Disney ice cube tray laying around and decided that it would be the most perfect mold for my first attempt at homemade filled chocolate. If they didn't turn out, at least they were cute, right?
Jokes on me because homemade filled chocolate are the easiest thing in the world to make! So easy in fact that once you read through this recipe, you'll want to do it yourself.
When this post goes live, I'll be up in the air on my way to Disney World! I'm so excited for this trip and have been counting down the days. In case you didn't know, I have been a lover of all things Disney my entire life. There are pictures and videos of me at just three months old surrounded by everything Mickey Mouse.
I've been planning my outfits since we booked this trip so I wanted to share what I'm taking with me. It's a short trip so I'm just using my Away carry-on luggage, one of the best pieces of luggage I've purchased. I tried not to overpack and leave a little room for any souvenirs so there's quite a bit of extra room in there.
Is anyone else over summer temperatures? I've mentioned it before, but I'm not a fan of the spring and summer seasons. Give me autumn and winter days forever!
Mother Nature is struggling to realize that the first day of autumn was last week {a topic for another day...}, but Shopbop is having a great sale so that you can stock up on fall favorites now! The worst transition ever probably, but that's alright. You all get the point. There's a great sale at Shopbop! There's no time like the present to start stocking up on some everyday fall essentials like sweaters and scarves. I have a feeling that the weather is going to go from summer to fall without any sort of in between.
I perused the Shopbop website and picked a few of the things perfect for the season.
Are you someone who wears makeup while working out? To be completely honest, I do. Not a lot! Just mascara. But lately, I've noticed with the popular athleisure trend has come a new trend for makeup specifically made to last through your HIIT workout.
The first that I ever tried was from Tarte. Their Lifted mascara didn't work for me, but their dry shampoo did {it's amazing}. And now, Clinique has a new line called CliniqueFIT. I put their workout mascara, plus a few others, to the test and had to share the results.
I always hear so many people talk about the workout leggings from Lululemon and Zella. And don't get me wrong, they're really nice! But have you tried the activewear from Athleta?
Athleta has been my go-to for workout clothes for several years now. I love everything from their joggers to their workout leggings to their dresses to their sweatshirts. I think their selection is just the best out there and it seems like not enough people have tried it out.
And now is the best time to check out their selections because their new releases are killing it! I picked out my favorites, including their new jeans...
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to update your home decor for each season and the holidays, in my opinion, is to change up your couch pillows. You can find really great pillows in lots of sizes at places like T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, and Target.
Or, you can be like me, and discover the greatness of pillow covers! They're even less expensive than what you find in stores. I found the green velvet ones above at H&M for $7! They feel much more expensive than they really are so I was glad to find ones that are budget friendly.
I purchased a few others things to update my apartment and shared it all in this week's YouTube video!
First of all, I can't believe it's already September. The year is flying. Are any of you doing any fun or going anywhere for the long weekend? I've always felt that Labor Day Weekend is really the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. And I am so excited for summer to end because I love the fall and winter. Seriously, this time of year is just the best.
Have a great long weekend!
1. If you are still wondering how to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey and the great people of Houston, Texas, this is the list I referred to when making donations. Please be careful and do your research to make sure that your money and donations are going to the right place!
4. Have you seen Wind River? I saw the movie last weekend and it is AMAZING. Elizabeth Olsen and Jeremy Renner are fantastic in it. The statistic they share at the very end of the film is heartbreaking.
5. If you're a Game of Thrones fan like me, then you should be watching the new post-season series HBO just debuted, The Game Revealed. I can't believe we have to wait so long for the final season! #PrayforTormundandBeric
I'm torturing myself during this spending freeze by spending my time looking through catalogs. It's a blessing and a curse. This Sunday, September 3rd, is the first day of Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty event. I looked at the offerings earlier this week and, to be completely honest, it's not their best.
But!
That doesn't mean that there aren't some really good products scattered throughout the 21 days. And since you're all probably allowed to shop as you please, I put all of my favorites in this week's new video!
Here's to hoping that I actually keep up with this series every week!
Also, you can't tell me that everything in the above picture doesn't have you suddenly hungry for a good charcuterie board and a refreshing Aperol Spritz. Who's up for a party?! ;]
Since I'm on a spending freeze, I've spent a lot of time doing two things. I've been browsing a ton of new arrivals for the upcoming fall season at J. Crew and Anthropologie. I've also been watching anti-hauls on YouTube.
If you're not familiar with the anti-haul concept, it's exactly what it sounds like. People sit and tell you the things they won't be buying and why. I love it because it's actually a great reminder that we don't need to have everything. Just because it's the hot new item or the pair of shoes every blogger is wearing doesn't mean that it needs to make its way into our closet, too. Besides, who wants to look just like everyone else anyway?
I've been wanting to make this type of video for quite some time now and felt like my current zero shopping budget made it the best time to get my feet wet.
I know that I just posted about my spending freeze on Tuesday, and I just purchased a bunch of new things from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Haul... But like I said, I like to shop.
To be fair, I only picked up a few new things for the upcoming fall season. I'm super excited about all of them so I'm glad I made these purchases at J. Crew and H&M. I did a full try on haul on my YouTube channel and shared everything from the fit and how to style them!
It is no secret that I love shopping just as much as the next girl. I have a bunch of different haul videos on my YouTube channel, including two from this year's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Two! I had originally only planned on making one! Ugh.
So it's safe to say that I've done my fair share of shopping. Ever since my birthday in May, I haven't been as strict with myself on what I can and can't purchase. And I really need to be since I'm currently unemployed. Yup, I'm currently living that #funemployment life... Except it's not really all that fun. Just being honest.
Not receiving a paycheck plus trying to decide what to do with my life has made me realize that I should be saving rather than spending. Plus, I'd also like to build up a wardrobe of clothes that I love and will last me longer than a season. So I'm cutting off shopping for the next fifty days! I've done a bunch of spending freezes in the past and wanted to share my tips on how to get through it with you!
You might think that I'm a little late in the summer to be sharing this. But honestly, it's never too late to talk about sunscreen and protecting your skin.
I wear sunscreen all year round. That's right. I wear it every single day, which means that I have tried a lot and gone through many, many tubes and bottles and sprays. And even though it's August, it's really never too late to share the best sunscreen you should be using.
I couldn't help myself and made a second order during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. The deals are just too good to resist! To be fair, I didn't get that many things and I know that I'll get a lot of use out of everything.
And because my last one was so popular, I have another try on haul video for you! And I even mention something that I ended up returning...
As someone who wears a lot of basics, I always use accessories and shoes to up my outfits. I love leopard print, any and all suede shoes, and lots of rings.
But if I really had it my way, I would own lots of statement earrings that I could pair with everything.
If you follow me on social media, then you already know that I spent eight days in England with my parents. We were for The British Open, the third major of the year in golf. This is a tournament that I have never been to, but one that my parents typically go to every year. I was super excited about this since it's been years since I've been to England and since I've never experienced this tournament before.
And luckily for all of you {and for me, too} I vlogged it all!
But really guys, I had to post this because the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is finally open to everyone. And today, I'm sharing my favorite picks under $50 that you can find in the #Nsale!
If you follow me on Instagram {@sheriann_}, then you know that I'm currently in the UK. I left on Sunday night with my parents and we've been spending our days at Royal Birkdale, the host course for this years British Open.
But before I left, I filmed a quick video sharing my best packing tips.
I got a few things during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and decided that the best way to show you is in a video. I love try on haul videos because they're the most informative - you see how it fits and how the sizing works for that particular item.
I didn't get anything crazy; I tried to stick with things that I really loved and basics that I needed. To be honest, I was a little bit underwhelmed with the selection in store, and I wasn't thrilled with the shoes this year either. Am I the only one who thought that? Maybe we all just hyped it up so much this year and the excitement got to me. Oh well! It's not like I didn't buy anything...
Are you sick of this yet? I promise I'll be posting about other things but I do have three {including this one} 2017 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale posts for you... For now, I'm sharing just a few of my favorite finds of the sale.
Summer is always prime documentary watching time for me. The shows I watch are on summer break so I spend most nights browsing Netflix and HBO, in hopes that something will catch my eye. I have watched my fair share of documentaries and am always recommending them to people. And now I'm sharing them with you!
The 2017 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is just one week away, and I am super excited! This is, without a doubt, my favorite sale of the year.
I'll have a whole page dedicated just to the sale that you can find in the Menu bar. That page will be updated with picks throughout the sale so make sure to check there starting next Thursday for links directly to the products! But for now, you can find important information below and my catalog picks in my latest video!
If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably saw that I made cookies over the weekend with red, white, and blue M&Ms. And if you guessed that those cookies were going to end up on the blog - then you are correct!
These are super easy to whip up {you don't need a stand or hand mixer!} and you can use any kind of M&M variety really. Either way, I promise you'll love them!
Can you believe that it's the end of June and July 4th is next week? Where has the time gone?!
Anyway, I was going through my old blog posts over the weekend and found some of my outfit inspiration posts {like this and this} and decided I wanted to bring them back. I can't remember the last time I did any kind of outfit post and since I'm trying really hard to get back into blogging, I thought this would be one of the best ways. I always loved making and seeing posts like this because, to be real for a second, I don't need to see the same fashion blogger pose all the time. #notsorry
There are so many great sales this weekend! Even though I'm trying my hardest not to spend any money on new clothes, all of these deals are certainly a temptation. I've listed a few of my favorite stores and their discount codes, plus some things I'm coveting below!
Happy shopping! I'll be living vicariously through all of you!
And I hope that all of you have a wonderful weekend!
You guys, I haven't shopped for new clothes since December. Isn't that crazy? I've been trying to cut back on my spending and the amount of clothes that I have, and to be honest, it's really refreshing. But since my birthday is coming up {it's next Monday!}, I thought I would treat myself to a few things and wanted to share it with you!
I've never done a try on video before but love watching them. I think they're the most helpful since you can't really tell what an item will look like by just holding it up to the camera. Hopefully you guys like this just as much as I liked filming it! :]
One of my most favorite things in life are lemons. From drinks to desserts, tees to accessories, candles to notebooks - if there's a lemon on it, there's a strong chance that I'm going to want it. And luckily for me {unluckily for my bank account}, lemon-printed everything is out in full force. There are so many fun things with a lemon print out right now that my closet is in danger of overflowing with the color yellow!
I mentioned some of my favorites above, including one thing that I'll be including in a haul video coming next week. My lemon print wishlist is quite long so I've linked to more below! I'm especially loving these lemon slice earrings and this sweet dress!
So this blog is wayyyyyyy late. My parents and I went to the Philippines in February 2016, and while I was there, I took quite a bit of video footage to try and put into a little video. Then I had an incident with my memory card and old laptop not agreeing with each other and decided to put aside the project.
Well, about two weeks ago I decided to give it a go and try that memory card in my iMac. And it worked! I was so excited because I was sad over the thought of losing any of the footage that I took. I hope you guys enjoy the video! It's full of food and scenery, aka lots of traffic ;]
Mother's Day is just under two weeks away! If you haven't gotten a gift for your lovely momma, don't worry because it's not too late! I promise {slash hope!} that there's something for every mom out there in this post. I especially love these incredibly comfortable and stylish black flats, shoes I actually own multiple pairs of. And how great is this deluxe perfume sampler? She can test out multiple scents and then receive a full-size bottle of the one she loved the most for FREE! A total bonus if you ask me.
If you love makeup like I do, then you're probably already aware of the Sephora sale that starts tomorrow. Since makeup is rarely ever on a discount, it's a great time to stock up on favorites or buy those luxury items you've had on your wishlist. I already have my cart full and ready to check out, but I wanted to share my top recommendations with all of you first!
Here's all the sale information that you need to know for each member tier!:
VIB Rouge: April 18 - 24, 15% off with code ROUGESPRING
VIB: April 19 - 24, 15% off with code VIBSPRING
BI: April 19-24, 10% off with code BISPRING
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo// For the past month or so, I've been using brow powder instead of a pencil and it's the best thing. I think it looks much softer and more natural but still lets you build a bold brow. I've tried a few but Anastasia Beverly Hills always knocks it out of the park with their brow products.
Clarisonic Mia 2 // I've had this for years. I try to take really good care of my skin and the Clarisonic Mia 2 plays a huge part in that. I use it, at most, three times a week with this brush head.
Tarte Tartelette in Bloom Palette // This is my go-to and all-time favorite! I love the warm-toned mix of mattes and shimmers and that each row can create the perfect eye look. This is pretty much the perfect eyeshadow palette, and I promise you'll love it as much as I do!
Living Proof Dry Shampoo// This dry shampoo beats all others. There's a reason that so many people love this and it's rated so highly. If you're like me and have dark hair, you don't have to worry about a white cast or any powder residue being left in your hair, something I worry about all the time. Plus, it smells amazing!
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber DeTox Hydra-Gel Eye Patches// Since I have dry skin, I'm always looking for products to help hydrate it. I hadn't tested a ton of eye creams before finding these, but once I did, there was no turning back. There are 30 pairs in this tub so you definitely get your money's worth. I use them twice a week, and it's really made a difference!
Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover// Caroline Hirons recommends this all the time, and with her knowledge of skincare, I had to try it. It is honestly so great at removing all of my makeup, even waterproof mascara. It doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy and it's actually rather moisturizing.
Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Candle // Jo Malone has arrived at Sephora! Exciting news, right? The candles are pricey, but they smell amazing! I know everyone loves Peony and Blush Suede {to be honest, it is a very pretty scent} but Wood Sage and Sea Salt is my personal favorite. It's fresh with just the right hint of woodsy earthiness.
NARS Blush in Deep Throat// So everyone loves and raves about NARS Orgasm blush. Guess what? I'm not one of them. There are much better and more pigmented colors in their blush line, including this one. Deep Throat is more peachy than pink and has significantly less glitter in my opinion. If you're looking for something with less shimmer, this is your best bet. I think the color pay off is better here, too...
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light // When people first talked about this as a setting powder, I didn't really get it. While searching for a new one though, I finally decided to spend the money and try it and you know what? Everyone was right. This is a great all over face powder. It has a slight radiant sheen to it so you'll be looking glowy {in a good way!} all day.
Shiseido Facial Cotton Pads// OK, so you might think I'm crazy for spending $10 on cotton pads, but these are the best. They are so soft - like little pillows that you use to remove makeup or apply toner to your face. They are definitely worth the splurge!
belif True Cream Moisturizing Bomb// My dry and sensitive skin loves this stuff. It's lightweight but incredibly powerful. If you're skin is looking or feeling parched, this will work wonders overnight!
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Color Splash Lipstick// This is a recent release from Tarte and one of their best lipstick formulas. It's super hydrating but has a slight matte finish. Crazy, right? The color selection they put out is great, but I especially love Set Sail and Siesta, two nude shades that are perfect for every day.
I had so many other things I wanted to include in this list, but then we'd be here for days. I'm sharing more of my recommendations and favorites below!
If there is one thing that I've learned from being on no spend {mostly, I've had a few slip ups}, it's that you really don't need to be buying everything you have your eye on. Sure you feel like you need it right then and there, and it might be too pretty to pass up but it's really not.
That being said... I still browse the internet {specifically Nordstrom and Shopbop to be completely honest} for new things all the time. And then, I'll add them to my cart and just let them sit there. It's like shopping, but you never actually spend the money. Win-win.
But you guys, I broke it today. Because Shopbop is having a great sale and the two things I've had on my wish list were included! So I just threw all caution to the wind {just a tad dramatic} and bought them. I can never pass up a good deal, ya know?
Make sure to head over to Shopbop right now {things sell out fast!} and grab some pretty new things! Use the code EVENT17 to get 20% orders under $500 or 25% off orders $500 and up.
One of my best kept secrets is EyeBuyDirect. I get compliments on my glasses a lot, most likely because I never like to reach for the same pair two days in a row. And whenever someone asks where I got them, they always tell me that they've never heard of EyeBuyDirect before. Well folks, it's time that you have.
EyeBuyDirect gives you access to really affordable {frames start at just $6!} eyeglasses from the comfort of your own home. You can shop all of their frames, including sunglasses, while sitting on your couch and watching TV. In my newest YouTube video, I give an in-depth review and talk about costs, shipping, customer service, and all of the eyeglass pairs that I currently have. I'm tempted to add more, but I'm holding off for a few more months!
You're most likely already aware of the Shopbop sale that is happening right now. And you may or may not have already shopped a bit. But I still thought I would share some of the things that caught my eye because... why not? I currently can't purchase anything because I'm on a strict spending spree for the next two months so I'm just window shopping. Lots of things are being added to my wish list, but please share if you've made a purchase and are adding things to your closet!
As if I haven't talked about this enough on here, I have another reading list for you! Since deciding to make reading more often one of my 2017 goals, my book list has been getting longer and longer with each passing day. Literally. I have a window open that has eleven tabs of titles I want to read. I just finished a book yesterday {it took me forever to get through} and am ready to get started on the next!
If you saw my last reading list, then you know that I love a good psychological thriller. But a person can only read so many of those before starting to freak themselves out at night. Seriously. I was starting to have nightmares.
So while this reading list has a few thrillers, I've picked books that are a bit lighter and won't have you thinking scary thoughts at night.
Please let me know if you've read any of these or plan to add them to your own reading list. Is there anything that you think I should add to this? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear from you!
I had a bit of a dry skin issue at the end of January and beginning of February. While I've tried really hard to take better of my skin, sometimes these break outs just happen.
If you haven't seen me talk about it in the past, I have eczema and have been dealing with it my entire life. And that's not an exaggeration - a few days after I was born, I already had eczema rashes on my face. I've gone through periods where my skin looks amazing, but I've also had months where my skin is so dry, covered in rashes, and inflamed. My skin is so sensitive and reacts to so many different things so I have to stay away from scratchy fabrics {no one wants to deal with those anyway} and anything with a fragrance. I'm so careful about reading the labels to see what clothes are made of and the list of ingredients on makeup and skincare. Hey, you can never be too careful!
Since I've just recently figured out what was causing my latest outbreak and my skin is finally looking better, I thought I would share my favorite skincare products that I've been using over the past year. I honestly really love these products and can attest that they work. Sometimes I'll think that my skin is finally looking better so I can try something else, only to realize that I should just stick to what works. You can find the full list of products on my YouTube channel! And I would love it if you would subscribe while you're there!
If you have any products that you think I should try, please let me know!
I've mentioned it before, but my reading habit fell to the wayside in 2016. I tried really hard to get back into it last fall, something that didn't really happen until my vacation at the end of the year. I read 6 books in seven days! And that just put me on a roll.
One of my goals for the year is to keep this going and read more. I'm pushing for 25 books this year, which I really hope I exceed. I have quite a long list of titles that I'd like to get through {I'll be sharing next week}, and that gave me the idea to share some of the ones that I've loved recently!
All The Missing Girlsby Megan Miranda // This book was a standout for me on vacation. Nicolette Farrell returns home to North Carolina, a place she hasn't been since her best friend Corinne disappeared a decade ago, to take care of her father's personal business. While she's home, she runs into all of her old friends and ex-boyfriend, all of whom were suspects then, including Nicolette herself. And now they're in the center of a new investigation when another girl goes missing - a girl who not only has ties to this whole group but Corinne, too. It's told backwards, so you'll start two weeks after the second disappearance and end on the first day.
The Couple Next Doorby Shari Lapena // Ann and Marco Conti return home from a dinner party next door to discover that their baby is missing. The supposed "perfect couple" now find themselves rushing to find their baby girl while desperately trying to keep secrets under wraps - secrets that could destroy their reputation, secrets they were keeping from everyone, including each other. There was a twist towards the end that I wasn't expecting and completely through me for a loop!
The Twilight Wifeby A.J. Banner // This book was a page-turner and one that I couldn't put down. I stayed up so late reading this that getting up for work the next day was rough. Since her diving accident, Kyra Winthrop can only remember the tiniest bits and pieces of the last few years of her life. She and her husband, Jacob, live on an island where everyone seems to know their life, but she can't recall anything about them. Then, she starts having visions of a marriage that is less than ideal and another man who seems very familiar and needs to piece everything together before these memories are taken from her again.
Dreamologyby Lucy Keating // The best way to describe this book is sweet. So sweet and so cute! It's lighthearted and easy, something I desperately needed after all the mysteries and thrillers I've read. Alice has been dreaming of Max for as long as she can remember. That's all he is, the guy of her dreams because Max doesn't actually exist. But then Alice and her dad move to Boston and she learns that Max is real. He's real and sitting in her class and nothing like the guy she's dreamed of. When the line between dreams and reality starts to blur, Max and Alice have to figure out whether or not dreaming of one another is worth it.
I've got my next book lined up, but I would really love to know what you're reading. Have you read any books lately that you would recommend?
I know, I've been meaning to post more. But honestly, I just wasn't feeling that inspired. And then I started planning out a post for next Monday and realized I hadn't even talked about my yearly goals yet! Oops...
1. Organize, organize, organize. I definitely upped my organization game in 2016, but it's not at its peak. I've been loving using my planner to help keep my life organized, but my home organization isn't where I want it to be so this is one of my top priorities for the year. I just want everything to have a place so that my apartment always looks clean and in tip-top shape!
2. Journal all of my grateful and happy moments. Speaking of my planner, I've transitioned my Happy Planner into just that - a place where I write down something I'm grateful for or a happy moment that occurred that day. It could be something as small as "I went to Starbucks!", but I've found that it helps me be more appreciative each day.
3. Be more positive. This sort of goes along with #2, but I'm trying to be more positive in my daily life. I don't want to call myself a Negative Nancy or Pessimistic Peggy, but I'm not the peppiest or cheerful person out there. My tendency is to look at the negative first and I'm trying really, really hard to change that outlook. Writing down something that brought me a little bit of joy every day is certainly helping!
4. Read more. I shared my reading list this past fall as an incentive to get back into reading. I used to be someone who read every single day, but I really attribute that to having lived in the city and having to commute to work. Now that I live and work in NJ, I drive every where and it really cut down on that time I spent reading. I set up a goal to read 25 books this year and I'm currently on a roll! Look out for another reading list soon.
5. Lead a healthier life. I grouped exercise and eating healthier together because let's face it, they go hand in hand. Getting into shape and finding the right exercise routine is usually on everyone's list, but this year I'm really trying to commit to this. So far I've done pretty well. I've found an exercise that I LOVE, and it's actually made me want to eat better! Win-win.
6. Get enough sleep. Going to bed at 2 AM is my jam. Being a night owl is something I inherited from my mom, but I've realized that I cannot go to bed at 2 AM and wake up at 7 to go to work. I'm someone who needs 8 hours of sleep. I'm aiming for a bedtime of 10 or 11 PM each night. We'll see how this goes...
7. Wake up early - even on the weekends! If I go to bed in the early hours of the morning, I can end up sleeping til 10 or 11 or 12... It's awful. Really awful. Because then the day is half gone and I could have done so much in the morning. Ideally, I'd like to wake up at 5 or 6 AM on some weekdays so that I can get a good workout in {won't lie, has yet to happen} and 8 or 9 on the weekends {has happened}.
8. Spend less, save more money. This is another goal that I have every year. I'm trying really hard this year to save more money that I have in the past by doing the reverse 52-week money challenge in addition to my usual savings schedule. I also have plans on doing a few no-spend months throughout the year. Updates and tips to come!
9. Blog more! Holy crow, have I let my blog and YouTube fall to the wayside. A lot of times I feel so discouraged or uninspired, especially because I don't want to write and film all things fashion all the time. I've started keeping a notebook of ideas for blog posts and videos so I'm hoping to amp up the content in February!
10. Make time for friends. I am quite possibly one of the worst people at keeping in touch with people. I have a habit of never wanting to initiate the conversation {probably the only child/introvert tendencies in me} so now that I live in NJ and a lot of my friends live in the city or other states, I never make the first move to set up a time to visit. Also, I always hate feeling like I'm bothering someone. Is anyone else like this? Any tips on how to get over it?
To keep myself accountable this year, I'm planning on writing at least one blog post a month on how I'm getting on with my goals. I definitely threw myself into this at the start of the year so I'll let you know how it's going and whatever progress I make!
