• Faith,  Life

    Friday Favorites | Vol. 2

    February 24, 2017

    I know it’s kind of excessive to do a What’s Up Wednesday post and a Friday Favorites in the same week but that’s just how it worked out this week and I am not complaining because it makes it a very easy writing week for me, haha! But I promised in my last (and first) Friday Favorites two weeks ago that I was going to do a Friday Favorites post every other week so I need to keep my promise to do that 😉 Don’t worry I’ll try my best to keep things interesting! 🙂

    Our first married Valentine’s Day was really nice! Tommy bought me these beautiful flowers and we spent the night just relaxing together. We wanted to order a heart-shaped pizza but I wasn’t sure how to find a place that sold them haha and I didn’t want to call around and ask. Soo we just ordered a regular-shaped margarita pizza and salad and it was the bomb.com!

    I don’t have a picture of this because I honestly never really take pictures in regular life. I really need to start! But Tommy and I hung out with my cousin and her boyfriend on Sunday. We went hiking, then came back to our apartment and just hung out for the rest of the night and it was so fun! Can’t wait to continue doing this with them as the weather keeps warming up.

    I mentioned this in my What’s Up Wednesday post too but didn’t have the pictures to include so I think that means it’s okay to talk about it in this post as well. 😉 When Tommy and I went up to Lake George this past weekend we went to our favorite cafe for breakfast and got lattes and I got a breakfast sandwich and Tommy got french toast. I wish the place was closer because it’s just so yummy.

    A little off topic but talking about how much fun going out on dates with Tommy reminds me that we’re joining this marriage class that our new church is doing for couples who are in their first 5 years of marriage. I’m really excited about it, but also a little nervous. It’s once a month for the next 6 months or so I believe, and I will definitely be blogging about that in the future. 😉

    The past month or so Tommy and I have been eating such yummy food. I’m actually planning on doing a Recipe Roundup post early next week and sharing all of the recipes that we are really enjoying. This dinner was extra special because I wasn’t feeling very well a few days ago and Tommy made this for us so that I could relax. The. Best.

    I’ve been having a rough week or so and I opened my Bible app the other day and found this verse as the verse of the day and I was so encouraged. I feel so lost sometimes because of not having a “normal” job, and I kept praying and asking God for some encouragement and I felt like this was him answering my prayer.

    I also realized (yet again) that I need to make some changes to my daily routine because my anxiety seems to be coming back some and I think it’s because I’m not leaving the house most days. I am going to commit to getting dressed and trying to leave the house at least 3 times per week because it helps so much. I have been putting off running errands lately and I’m not really sure why but it’s making my anxiety much worse.

    I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies today! Come join us! 🙂

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  • Life

    What’s Up Wednesday: February 2017 Edition

    February 22, 2017

    Hi friends, I’m back again this month for What’s Up Wednesday! I really cannot believe it’s already the end of February. It went soo fast. Let’s recap the month! 🙂

    This post contains affiliate links.

    WUW Questions

    What We’re Eating This Week

    Lots and lots of soup. It’s kind of weird timing because the weather is finally getting warmer but it’s still not too warm for some yummy soup! I had the meat ingredients in my freezer for Italian Sausage, Spinach, and Tomato Soup, so when I went food shopping yesterday I picked up the rest of the ingredients because the last time I made it, it was delish. I also have plans to make Beef Bourguignon, the recipe that’s in For the Love because Jen Hatmaker made it sound so, so good.

    What I’m Reminiscing About

    That time when Tommy and I attempted Paleo eating for a couple of weeks back when we were dating. I’m honestly not really sure why I have been thinking about it but I really want to do it again. Maybe sometime in the near future?

    What I’m Loving

    That the weather is starting to warm up! It’s usually very cold in New Jersey in February but this week it has even hit the 60’s! Tommy and I and my cousin and her boyfriend even went hiking this past Sunday and it was awesome to just get out of the house. I’m really hoping it stays this warm!

    What We’ve Been Up To

    what’s a road trip without Starbucks?

    This past weekend Tommy and I went up to Lake George with his parents and it was really fun despite it being much colder up there. We went out for Hibachi, which was great and Tommy and I had a nice date at our favorite coffee shop. (The pictures I took are on his phone though, which I’m kicking myself now because I really want to add them to this post!)

    What I’m Dreading

    Honestly nothing 🙂

    What I’m Working On

    Oh boy. This question. I have been working so hard the past month or so that I kind of ran myself into the ground. I have been spending so much of my time researching as much as I can about blogging. I’m learning so much too!

    I also am working on setting up an Etsy shop but don’t think I’m ready to divulge the details yet! I will as soon as I think it’s a good time to though, and I’m super excited about it!! I’ve been spending even more of my time working on making the products for the shop.

    What I’m Excited About

    Tommy and I have been married for 9 months today!! I can’t believe it’s almost been a year!

    What I’m Watching/Reading

    Well like I mentioned before, I’m reading For the Love by Jen Hatmaker. My favorite place and honestly only place I’ve been reading this is in a nice warm bath, which is why I have barely read at all this month. #oops.

    SOURCE

    We just finished watching Parenthood last night and I’m so sad it’s over. It was so great. I need all the Netflix suggestions because I’m lost on what to watch next!

    What I’m Listening To

    I’ve just been starting to get into Podcasts. I listen to one by one of my favorite bloggers, Blair called Simplify Everything. I need some suggestions for that too though!!

    What I’m Wearing

    Oh gosh this is embarrassing but 9 times out of 10 I’m in sweats now that I’m working from home. But honestly it’s because I only really have corporate attire and I am not about to wear clothes like that at home. I really need to go shopping for more casual clothes that are comfy but not sweats.

    What I’m Doing This Weekend

    It looks like it’s going to rain this weekend despite it being in the 60’s! (insert crying face). Oh but Tommy and I have a nice date planned for Saturday morning! He wants to take me to this really yummy bakery so that should be exciting. Then on Sunday morning we will be back at church after 3 weeks off! I don’t remember the last time I’ve missed that many weeks in a row of church, but I am very excited to be going on Sunday.

    What I’m Looking Forward To Next Month

    The weather getting consistently warmer and also to continue blogging and working on my Etsy shop!

    What Else Is New

    Just that I’ve been talking more openly about my choice to be a full time blogger with my family and they have taken it way better than I thought they would. I even shared my blog on my regular Facebook page, which I was really nervous about doing.

    I also started using essential oils this month and I just love them already! Do you use essential oils? Or are you tired of hearing about them yet?

    Bonus Question: What Is Your Go To Beauty Product

    I honestly don’t use makeup very much normally and now that I’m home most of the time I really don’t use it. But I really want to start putting it on every day again and learning how to really do my makeup, not just mascara and coverup. If you have any tips for me they would be very much welcomed because I honestly do not know where to start!

    Bonus: Visit last years What’s Up Wednesday for February to see how much my life has changed since then!

    I am linking up with Shay, Shaeffer, and Mel! 

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  • Faith,  Life

    It’s Okay To Chase Your Dreams

    February 15, 2017

    I had scheduled to write this post today since the beginning of the month. It turns out that today is actually the perfect day to write it. I’m actually so excited too! Let me explain.

    This month has been rough so far. I’ve been doubting my plan to try to make a living from working at home like a lot. I have been so worried that we weren’t going to have enough money to pay the bills and thought that I had chosen the wrong path, and that I should just go back to work. I have been so worried about how other people were going to see me that I haven’t had the motivation to really put too much effort into this plan.

    But something shifted in me the past two days and I honestly really believe that this is possible again. I actually believe it now more than I did when I first made the plan. A lot of that definitely has to do to my husband’s hard work and support of my dreams. He has been working so, so hard (like working the past 3 Saturdays) and has been able to pay all of our monthly bills plus some medical bills that we’ve been putting off for quite some time now. I am so in awe of both God’s provision and my husband’s will to walk in it. Every time I get down about this plan that we made, about me staying home, my husband has shown me that he 100% believes that I can do this and that makes all the difference for me to persevere through the times that I don’t believe that I can do this. I have without a doubt borrowed his faith some days.

    I also have been doing a ton of research about blogging and starting an Etsy shop (because that’s my next step!) and am learning so much. I’m learning different ways of how other people have become successful and adopting them as my own. The most exciting part about all of this is that I’m really passionate about these things. I love showing up and interacting with whoever may be reading this. I’m also so excited to start my own Etsy shop and be able to bless others in that way. I wanted to share with you guys an entry that I wrote in my journal from the beginning of the year where I had just decided to quit my job a week or so before and really had no idea where God was leading me. I believe that this is where it all started, God really showed me that he was about to take me down a path that I never could have dreamed of, and that this is only just the beginning.

    January 9, 2017

    In Isaiah 28, if I am understanding correctly, God is talking to a land or people (Ephraim and Judah) and is saying how that land was supposed to be “the resting place” but they would not listen. God gets angry because of this and punishes them. It shows me that there really is a time and place for rest. This season, although it can be challenging, is teaching me that. Sometimes I feel like I am just being lazy or am too broken right now and that’s why God has me home. But then I remember he has me home because he is teaching me here and is showing me it is okay to chase my dreams… wow!

    I remember writing that last sentence and almost not believing it or why I was writing it, which is one of the reasons why I added wow to the end, haha! God was only just introducing this idea to me and I was a little afraid to believe him honestly, but the more I walk in this path, the more I really believe that he really is showing me it’s okay to chase my dreams. I don’t want this to sound too preachy and weird, but I’m writing this to encourage anyone else who might feel like God is nudging them to do something that just seems crazy. There’s so much more to my story that shows that God had his hand all over this and that I couldn’t have made it up myself. I’ll have to try my best to try to share the rest of the story if you’re interested. If you can relate to this at all, leave a comment or send me an email and let me know how I can be praying for you. I know how tough taking that first step but I want you to be encouraged that if God is with me through this, he will be with you too! It’s okay to chase your dreams!

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  • Coffee Dates,  Life

    Let’s Have Coffee | Vol. 6

    February 13, 2017

    If we were having coffee, I would probably invite you over to my little apartment and brew some pour over coffee for you. It is my new favorite and I want to share all of the deliciousness with you, that is if you like coffee of course. (If not I would offer you some tea because I have lots of that too!)

    If we were having coffee, I would share with you that since our coffee date a few months ago where I shared how I thought this winter was going to be a tough one, I would say that it has been, but in ways that I hadn’t expected it to be. Isn’t that always how life is though?

    If we were having coffee, I would also say that I think spring is right around the corner and I just can’t wait to get outside and enjoy the warmth again. Ever since quitting my job to work from home, it has been tough to not really leave the house regularly. I’m thinking that once it gets warmer and I can go for walks or hikes that will help a bunch.

    If we were having coffee, I would ask you what’s going on in your life. How has the winter been? What’s new in your life?

    If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I just got my order of essential oils on Friday and am already in love with them. I’m still definitely in the process of learning all the different ways to use them but I find them so fascinating. Have you heard of essential oils? Do you use them? I’d love to hear how if you do.

    If we were having coffee, I would tell you that my husband and I just tried yoga for the first time yesterday. We did a 35 minute video off of YouTube and it was so much fun and so therapeutic. I feel like it’s the perfect way to workout for me. It isn’t too hard and it really makes you feel good afterwards, especially for me since I’m home not moving around most of the day so it really loosens up my muscles and feels great. If you have a desk job I would highly suggest you try it. My husband and I are doing a 30 day challenge. You can check it out here if you’re interested.

    If we were having coffee, I would ask you how you build real intentional community, whether that be online or offline. I am really struggling with getting really connected with other Christians and am also really shy so I am really struggling to put myself out there. My husband and I just switched churches to attend a smaller one in hopes that it will be easier to get really connected. I would love to hear how you build connections though because I need all the tips.

    If we were having coffee, I would just say thank you for spending time with me. I really needed a friend to just listen and be there for me. I can’t wait for next time!

    Today I am linking up with Erin Salmon, where we have coffee every second Monday of every month. Come join in with us, we’d love to have you!

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  • Life

    Friday Favorites | Vol. 1

    February 10, 2017

    I wanted to start a new little series here called Friday Favorites, which is a link up that I follow that I want to start to join in on. (I will include more information about it at the end of the post in case you want to join us as well!) The general idea is just to share your favorite things or moments over the past week. I’m only going to do this every other week so I will share my favorite moments over the last two weeks. I want to do this so that my blog is a little more personal too because that’s my favorite thing about reading other blogs. I love getting to know the writer so this is my way of letting you in on my day-to-day. 🙂 Hope you enjoy.

    On the right would be an example of just how excited I am about getting these oils & on the left is the kit I received minus the diffuser.

    I just received my essential oils that I ordered at the beginning of the month and I’m already in love. I already have tried the Stress Away blend and it really works!! I feel so calm and at ease. I can’t wait to keep experimenting and sharing about my essential oil journey. Has anyone else tried essential oils? I’d love to hear about your experience too! Leave a comment or email me. 🙂

     

    We had a snow day yesterday and I got to spend the whole day with Tommy and it felt like a weekend. We had a nice time just relaxing together, catching up on sleep, and getting our Netflix binges in. I just love days where you have an excuse to skip out on responsibilities and do nothing. I’m really soaking up this time because I know that once we have kids everything will be much, much different.

     

    My favorite part about being a stay-at-home wife is that I have so much more time and energy to really meal plan and cook fun dinners. I’ve been trying my best to keep the dinners pretty healthy but sometimes we like to splurge too and this dinner above was so, so yummy. I made homemade potato wedge fries with cheese, and cheeseburgers with sautéed onions.

     

    This is such a boring one but I feel too good about it not to share, haha! I cleaned out our pantry last week (which was on my February goals!) and just looking at it makes me so happy. I really should have taken a before picture because it’s hard to appreciate the organization that it is without knowing what it looked like before, but just take my word for it, it was a MESS. I love being able to just open the pantry and see everything without having to move things around.

     

    Tommy and I bought a pour over coffee maker probably about six months ago and I just tried a new kind of coffee in it and it was to die for. (We have this coffee maker and I used GEVALIA Colombian Coffee.) It was really strong but without being bitter at all. So good.
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Today I am linking up with wonderful ladies! Come join us! 🙂

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  • Life

    5 Of My Favorite Teas

    February 7, 2017

    If you’ve been reading along with my blog for any time at all you might know that I absolutely love, love, love coffee. That’s an obvious one I think, but did you know that I also love tea? I think tea is great because it’s so healthy and it really helps me stay hydrated throughout the day since it’s so yummy. I really love learning more about the bloggers that I follow so I thought I would share with you guys some of my favorite teas that I drink. (And in case you didn’t believe me that I love both tea and coffee, let me share with you what my cabinet looks like. 😉 As you can see, our coffee and tea collections keep growing and overtaking the rest of the shelves, pretty soon this whole cabinet will be filled with only coffee and tea, haha!) This post contains affiliate links.

    5 of My Favorite Teas

    1 | Yogi Tea Green Tea Kombucha

    This tea is mine and my husbands absolute favorite tea. We drink it almost every day. There’s also a Decaf version too, which I buy most of the time. It tastes great with just a little bit of honey. It has a nice light flavor on its own, that’s really refreshing along with spearmint, which I think is what makes it amazing.

    2 | Yogi Refreshing Mint Vital Energy Tea

    This is another one of my absolute favorite teas. It has such a great taste if you love mint. I think it’s absolutely delicious and it has almost as much caffeine as coffee, but gives you energy without making you feel all jittery. If I drink coffee in the afternoon I usually get very jittery, but if I need a little boost, I’ll reach for a cup of this instead. I’ve given it to a few people at work and they loved it as well.

    3 | Yogi Tea Calming

    I think it’s obvious what my favorite brand of tea is. 😉 (And no Yogi Tea is not sponsoring this, haha!) As it says on this box, it really, really does help with anxiety. To be honest with you, it’s not my favorite flavor, though it’s not that bad either, but I mostly drink this tea just for help with anxiety. I am a total skeptic when it comes to whether or not things like this work with anxiety, but this tea totally does. It kind of puts you in a zen mood. I love it.

    4 | Yogi Tea Stomach Ease

    I only just started drinking this when I get an upset stomach, but it really helps me feel better. It has a combination of different types of herbs, such as ginger, that really help settle my stomach when it’s upset. Again it doesn’t really have the greatest flavor, but it really works! I have a sensitive stomach, so when it’s acting up I brew a cup of this tea and sip it slowly, and usually by the end of the cup my stomach is feeling better.

    5 | Bigelow Sweet Dreams Herbal Tea

    Last but not least, the tea I drink before I go to sleep. Because of the chamomile, this tea really helps me to get sleepy right before bed. I usually drink it about an hour before bed, because otherwise you’ll wake up having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Also I get very hot at night and drinking hot tea doesn’t help that either, so if I drink it about an hour before I bed I can cool off too. It has a really yummy flavor because it is mixed with peppermint and I just love peppermint.

    So those are my favorite teas that I drink regularly. Which one sounds like it would be the most fitting for you? Do you have certain teas that you just love? I’d love to hear suggestions, I’m always looking for more yummy teas! 🙂

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