Kitchen Adventures: Cupcakes from Scratch

Last week The Shore Life According to M turned three! To celebrate, I decided to have another kitchen adventure by making homemade cupcakes.  I've made cupcakes in the past, but I have never made homemade ones. I usually make them from a box of cake mix. Last week I was still on break so I had a little free time to whip these up.  I searched for a Georgetown Cupcake recipe because they are the best cupcakes I have ever had. 

I modified this recipe to create the cupcakes.

Ingredients for cupcake batter:

2 1/2 cups Flour

1/2 tsp. Baking powder

1/4 tsp. Salt

8 tbsp. Unsalted butter

1 3/4 cups Sugar

2 Eggs

3 tsp. Vanilla

1 1/4 cups Whole Milk

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a cupcake tin with liners. 

Combine flour, baking power, and salt.

Put the butter and sugar into an electric mixer. Mix the two ingredients until they are well combined. 

Add the eggs to the mixture. 

In a small bowl combine the milk and vanilla. 

Add a third of the flour to the butter mixture as well as a third of the milk mixture. Continue to do so until all ingredients are combined.

Scoop the batter into the cupcake tin, so that each cup is filled two thirds of the way full. 

Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown. 

Once all of the cupcakes have cooled, you can create the icing for them. 

Ingredients:

8 tbsp. Butter

2 cups Confectioners sugar

2 tsp Whole milk

1 tsp. Vanilla

1/8 tsp. Salt

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients and mix them in an electric mixer. You might have to add more milk if the icing is too thick.  

Ice the cupcakes and then they are read to eat! 

Enjoy

XOXO

What's in my Bag- First Week of Classes Edition

Hello! 

For me, today is the second day of Spring Semester and my last day of classes for the week. One of the many perks of no Thursday or Friday classes is only having two day weeks when a holiday falls on a Monday.  Yesterday was filled with lots of friends saying, "It's my last first day of undergrad!" Unfortunately or fortunately (depends how you view it), I didn't join them in saying these words since I will be graduating next December.  

#Transferprobs 

Anyways,  I always love reading posts where bloggers share what's in their bag. For some reason I just find it interesting to see what people won't leave the house without.  I also enjoy reading about the many different organizational systems people have. Which is why I thought it would be fun to share with y'all my own rendition of this featuring the first week of classes. 

The bag I like to carry with me to classes is my gray Longhchamp or my monogrammed north face backpack.  I use my Longchamp when I don't have to carry much with me, and I use my backpack when I am planning to spend a long day on campus that requires lots of books. This week is a light week, so I have been using my tote.  

Tote Bag

I got this bag for Christmas two years ago and it has certainly gotten a ton of use, which is good because of how much they cost!  This bag is large enough for a school day, a night at a friend's, a shopping spree (great for putting your purchases in it), or a day trip somewhere. I love how versatile it is and the fact that it can pass in a professional setting like when I go to field/student teaching. 

So enough of the bag, what's inside...

Notebook

This is pretty self explanatory, but you need something to write on for note taking.  The first week usually requires minimal note taking, however it is good to be prepared.

Agenda

I can't leave the house without this. I love technology, but I have yet to convert my entire calendar to a digital version.  There is something about being able to write with colored pens and actually cross things off that I think I will always love.

Folder

Perfect for holding the syllabus and handouts that professors give you.

Glasses and Sunglasses

Although it is really cold this week, the sun is still shining bright, which

Emergency Kit

I bring this in all of my bags. You never know what you're going to need. I usually keep lotion, hair ties, a hair clip, bobby pins, lipstick, chapstick, feminine products, hand sanitizer, gum,cough drops, and tissues.

Other things I keep in my bag: hairbrush, house keys, headphones, pepper spray, my wallet, portable phone charger, 

Pencil Case
I also carry this pretty much everywhere I go.  Inside of it you will find paperclips, sticky notes, colored pens, highlighters, pencils, washi tape, and an eraser. 

Ipad 

I like to use my iPad to read the syllabus and other handouts that professors don't have printed for us. I usually opt for this over my laptop when possible, except when I have to type an excessive amount of notes.

Snacks

This girl gets hangry, so I always have a snack with me.  This week my choice of snacks have been chocolate covered almonds and Boom Chicka Pop popcorn.

Camelback Water Bottle  

I always carry water around with me. It's important to stay hydrated! If I have my water bottle, then I'm more  likely to drink water.

What's in your bag this week?

XOXO

My Life as Sister President

Many of you probably know that I spent the past year serving as my sorority's Chapter President.  My term ended a little over a month ago, and it was an experience that I will forever cherish.  I decided it would be fun to share with y'all an overview from my term, some things I learned, and some tips for those of you who are currently serving your chapter or have dreams to. So where do I begin?  It is difficult to put the past year and what I learned into a few short paragraphs, but I'll do my best.  The year was filled with a roller coaster of emotions and events that are unforgettable.

If you told me two years ago that I would eventually serve my newly founded chapter as President, I would have laughed. When I transferred schools sophomore year, I had a negative first impression of what Greek life was like here, but with a little convincing from my mom I decided to give it a chance. Upon joining my chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, I immediately got involved by serving as one of the Vice Presidents on our first ever Executive Board.  This task was a daunting one as there was nobody, in the chapter that had previously served in this role. This meant that there was nobody I could base my decisions off of.  After the first semester,  I realized how passionate I became about my sorority.  In the summer of 2014 I attended Alpha Delta Pi's leadership conference for emerging leaders where I realized how dedicated I actually was to helping my chapter continue to succeed. It was during this summer that I knew I wanted to run for President in the upcoming elections.

Initially after being elected I was equally nervous and excited to see what the next year would have in store for me. I spent all of winter break educating myself on the policies and procedures, so that I would know what to do in all situations.  Well, it turns out the Chapter Operations Book and Officer manuals don't prepare you for every situation you will encounter...

It gets a little lonely at the top. You go from being part of a large group to being the one that everyone looks to in all situations (both the good and the bad ones). You are the one that has to enforce the rules and live with the consequences when something goes wrong. It's kind of like going from the student who sits towards the back of the classroom to being the teacher.  While your Executive Board becomes your support system, they aren't viewed by the rest of the chapter the same way that you are.  

I like to say being Chapter President is a blessing and curse all wrapped up into one bundle. You get to be the one that everyone loves when things are going well and the one they hate when something goes wrong.  You are under the firing squad 24/7.  You can pretty much count on someone always having something to say about your every action.  However, it's how you react to these situations that makes you an okay President or a great one.  It's up to you to decide how you let these people make you feel. If you allow others to make you feel inferior, then your term is going to be a long one.  From my personal experiences, I  think it is best to compromise while staying true to who you are and what you think is best. Despite the challenges, I still love my sisters and am grateful that they helped make me a better person than I was prior to my term.

Serving in this position gave me the best leadership experience I have ever had.  I was able to grow as an individual and as a leader through the challenging/rewarding experiences. I also enjoyed all of the positives that came with the role too. Like when the chapter survived our first night of formal recruitment, nailed our Preference round ceremony, won awards,  when younger members stepped up into larger roles, or being able to have watched sisters grow as passionate as I am about our organization.  My favorite part of the position was having the ability to empower women to become more involved and develop more leaders.

 I gained some awesome mentors who helped coach me through every step of my term.  I definitely owe my advisors and close friends for keeping me sane at times. If it weren't for them, I honestly don't know if I would have been able to have such a successful Presidency.  

Overall, serving in the role as Chapter President was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life thus far.  I had more meetings, met so many accomplished people, received more emails on a daily basis, and dealt with more difficult situations than ever before in my life. However, I enjoyed the roller coaster ride and enjoy sharing the knowledge I gained along the way.

XOXO

Spring Semester Goals {Senior Year}

Goal Digger

I love this phrase, "Goal digger".  I think it definitely is a great way to describe me. I am 90% goal oriented. I enjoy creating challenges for myself, working to achieve them, and celebrating my successes (small or large).  Within the first week of every semester, I like to set goals for myself. These help keep me motivated and push me to become better than I was the semester before.  I like to set a combination of goals that are easy and difficult to achieve.  

So what are my goals for this semester?

One: Get 8 hours of sleep every night

During the fall semester I wasn't great about this and eventually it caught up with me.  I am a person who needs their sleep.  Last semester I didn't do this and then during my breaks I would sleep for long amounts of time (15+ hours) trying to catch up on the rest I deprived myself of while at school. 

Two: Eat breakfast every day. 

Everyone knows breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Although I know this, it tends to be the meal of the day that I skip.  I found some great mason jar breakfast recipes, so I am looking forward to trying some of them out this semester.

Three: Workout 3-5 times a week. 

My university has a beautiful gym, and last semester I did not take advantage of it as much as I should have. I am working on developing healthy habits and being healthy is part of that.  Working out helps me stay focused and sane. 

Four: Get a 4.0 or at least make Dean's List. 

I have yet to get a 4.0, so yet again it's included in my list of semester goals. I have made Dean's List twice, so I would love to add a third semester to the list. 

Five: Pass the Praxis II

As an education major, the Praxis is the exam that helps certify me to be a teacher.  Since I am a Middle Grades Education Major I have to pass six parts in total. Last semester, I passed one section so I have five to go. 

Six: Blog five times a week. 

Time and time again I have talked about not being a good blogger. I blog inconsistently, but this semester I am taking a vow to be a reliable blogger. Blogging five times a week sounds like a lofty goal, but I have faith that I can achieve it. 

Seven: Create a morning routine. 

I am not quite a morning person, but I am definitely not a night owl either. This semester I would like to develop a morning routine that helps me become more of a morning person. This semester I only have classes three out of the five days, but I would still like to wake up early and be productive on my days off. I think establishing a routine this semester will help me transition into my final semester of college where I will be student teaching (#adulting).

Eight: Meal prep on Sundays. 

I love food and I enjoy cooking it too.  Just like every college student I am busy during the week.  By meal prepping on Sundays it will ensure that I am eating three healthy meals a day. 

Nine: Make time for me. 

I am slowly but surely getting better at this, but there is always room for improvement.  This is my last semester living on campus, so I am looking forward to making the most of it by having as much fun as possible. 

Ten: Create a budget and stick to it. 

Living in a town with many bars, great food, cute coffee shops, and numerous places to shop can make it easy to spend a lot of money.  This semester I am going to be more disciplined when it comes to spending money.

Good luck to those of you beginning a new semester! 

XOXO

A Walk in My Week

Hey y'all! Congratulations you made it through your second full week of 2016.  This week was filled with back to school preparations and soaking up the last little bit of time at home for me. This is my first edition of A Walk in my Week. It is a time for y'all to get a glimpse into my life and see what my week is like.

So let's start with the weekend. Last weekend was a pretty good one for me.  On Saturday I went with my family to visit my cousins. We had dinner and drinks to start off.  I have loved my Aunt's mac and cheese since I was little and thankfully she remembered to make it since it's my favorite! Afterwards, all ten of us gathered around the kitchen table to play some games. Sadly, the female team lost when we played Battle of the Sexes.  

On Sunday, my mom and I woke up early to head to Lancaster for the day.  We began the day's adventure by going to our favorite creperie around. I mentioned this place in one of my first posts back in 2013.  Since then, the restaurant has moved to a bigger location due to it's popularity.  We have yet to go and not have to wait at all.  Last weekend we had a fifteen minute wait, which was enough time to narrow down our possible crepe options to about three each.  We both got tea since it was a dreary rainy day.

Coincidentally, we ended up both getting the lox and cream cheese crepe infused with tarragon.  This was the perfect amount of food to prep us for a day filled with shopping.  After brunch, we walked around downtown Lancaster and shopped at some of the consignment shops.  

We then left downtown and headed to the outlets where we found some great sales.  I went with two objectives: one- not to buy anything striped and two- to find a good pair of jeans. If you haven't noticed I am #obsessed with anything and everything striped, especially navy stripes.  If you didn't see my tweet, I managed to resist the few striped tops I saw.  The other objective was to get jeans because I haven't bought new jeans in at least three years. My favorite jeans are the ones I still wear from high school, but they are getting worn out with their old age.  I managed to find two cute pairs at GAP.  I even branched out of my comfort zone and purchased a pair of boyfriend jeans! 

A view of the beautiful Lancaster County sunset on our way home. 

Tuesday I helped my mom out by making dinner. My younger brother had a basketball game and everyone had a busy schedule, so I made dinner early in the afternoon to accommodate everyone's schedules.  I made meat to create wraps, salads, or sandwiches to everyone's liking. I turned mine into a wrap with lettuce, pickles, thousand island dressing, and a pinch of cheddar cheese. You can find the recipe here.

I also went on a little adventure with my brother and dog earlier in the day.  Fun fact: Riley is obsessed with car rides. I swear he's more human than dog sometimes.  You can find him on instagram (@RileytheyorkieQ).

Wednesday I discovered my new favorite breakfast to make.  Kale and mozzarella omelet, lemon water, half a grape fruit, and chocolate mousse greek yogurt made with whole milk

 

Thursday was filled with lots of exciting things: The Shore Life According to M turned 3, I passed one of my praxis exams, and I found out that I was accepted into a year long student teaching program.


I'd love to hear your feedback on this new Friday post.
I'm off to enjoy my last weekend before spring semester starts. I hope y'all have a fabulous weekend!

Keep up with me throughout the week on social media:

Email: shorelifeofm@gmail.com
Facebook: The shore Life According to M 
Twitter: @mich_quigley
Instagram: Mich_quigley
Pinterest: Shore Life of M 
XOXO

Cheers to Three Years

Happy Birthday to The Shore Life According to M!  Today this little blog of mine turns three.  It was three years ago that I sat in my kitchen during winter break of my freshman year chatting with my mom about how college doesn't allow for my creative juices to flow.  This conversation and some other things were what sparked me to create my own blog.  To say that blogging has been flawlessly easy over the past few years would be telling y'all a lie. Initially, I had no idea what I was doing, what I should or shouldn't post, or what my brand would be.  However, here I am three years later still not sure of things most of the time, but yet I continue to write and become more passionate about it with everyday that passes.  My posting consistency has been quite the roller coaster, but somehow I still manage to have people who enjoy reading.  

I wanted to share a quick thank you to anyone and everyone who reads or has read my blog.  Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing my posts.  Thank you to my blogging friends who inspire me continuously to be a better blogger.  Thank you all for reading my ramblings and joining me on the crazy adventures of life. 

Over the course of the past three years, I have learned a lot about blogging. I am definitely not the expert blogger and still have lot to learn. I do know one thing. It has been a great experience for me. Blogging has consistently provided me with an outlet to relieve stress since spring semester of freshman year of college.  Though college has brought a lot of changes, blogging has stayed consistent for me.  I'm looking forward to where 2016 will bring me in the world of blogging. I"m hoping to post more consistently, participate in more link ups, host a link up, and be more engaging on social media. 

To celebrate I made double vanilla cupcakes with a recipe brought to you by Geogetown Cupcake.  The recipe I used definitely wasn't perfect, but I'll be sharing it with y'all in the near future!  The cupcakes are dense and very sweet. The perfect treat for a cold winter afternoon!


Thanks for all of your support over the years!

Keep up with my social media:

Email: shorelifeofm@gmail.com
Facebook: The shore Life According to M 
Twitter: @mich_quigley
Instagram: Mich_quigley
Pinterest: Shore Life of M 

XOXO

Preparing for "Back to school"

 I cannot believe that there is less than a week until I begin my spring semester classes.  It seems like just a week ago the picture below was taken, but in reality it was taken over a month ago during one of my study breaks in the midst of finals week.  This will be my last spring semester as an undergraduate.  It is crazy how quickly the time goes. It seems like just a few weeks ago I was beginning spring semester of my freshman year. My preparation for spring semester is a little different than that of fall semester. I think after experiencing seven semesters of college plus two summer semesters, I am an expert when it comes to having a successful start to the semester.  The more prepared you are the easier the beginning of the semester will be. Here are some things to do to prepare for a great start to spring semester. 

Print your syllabus. 

It is helpful to print your syllabus for each of your classes. Although you can access it online at any time, I prefer to have a hard copy.  Having a hard copy allows me to write on it and make changes as they are announced.  In addition to printing the syllabus actually take time to read it.  You don't want to be surprised by any of your courses. Reading it ahead of time will also allow you to bring any questions you may have to your first class of the semester. 

Price out textbooks

Don't wait to buy your textbooks on the first day of classes from the school bookstore.  It will be too crowded and you will spend so much more money than necessary.  Write down what books you will need and then head over to slug books to see where you can purchase or rent it for the cheapest rate possible.  You'll want to purchase your books ahead of time to ensure that you have them in time for your first assignment.  There's nothing worse than starting the semester behind because you didn't get your textbook three weeks into the semester. 

Purchase school supplies. 

This is probably my favorite thing about the start of a new semester. As you probably know by now, I'm a sucker for school supplies.  Since you most likely have things left over from the Fall semester you won't have to buy as much. Personally, I have to purchase a notebook, some pens, and a new binder.  My favorite places to purchase school supplies are Target, TJ Maxx/Mashalls, and Staples.  You can even find some great deals on Amazon sometimes too.

Get back to a routine
If your winter break was anything like mine, then you had absolutely no schedule to adhere to.  This means late nights and sleeping in until I please, which might make a rough start to the semester.  It's a good idea to get back into a normal routine prior to classes starting to have a smooth transition from winter break to the first week of classes. Going to bed at a decent hour and waking up early(ish) are great steps to put you back in a somewhat normal routine.

Create a schedule for yourself
With the extra time you  have this week start creating a schedule for the semester. A schedule for success that includes how you will spend time in between classes, study, workout, make dinner, socialize, be involved, etc.  This will get you mentally prepared for the semester.

Plan out your meals
New semester new habits.  Many people are working to save money or eat healthier.  Planning out your meals for the next few weeks saves you time, money, and will allow you to eat healthier.  Chances are if you have food made, then it will save you from eating out.

Treat yourself
Do something to treat yourself one last time before the stress begins again.  This is probably the most relaxed you will be fore the next three months or so. Take advantage of the last little bit of free time you have by getting your nails done, going shopping, dining out with a friend, or get a massage.

If your spring semester has already started, then check out this post- Organize Me, Start of Spring Semester.

I hope you enjoy your last bit of time before Spring semester starts or your first week of classes!
XOXO

Styling Bean Boots

It seems like the colder winter weather has arrived in Pennsylvania.  Last year I received Bean Boots as a gift and have loved styling them since then.  They are great to wear around campus, especially when there is rain or snow, or on the weekend when you're running errands.  They are perfect for keeping your feet warm and dry. Additionally, they are cute and incredibly comfortable to. 

There are so many different pieces you can mix and match them with, which is what qualifies them to be an essential shoe in my winter wardrobe.   They are perfect for a day out in the woods, a morning filled with running errands, or even for a full day spent on campus. I usually pair these with leggings and thicker socks and vary the top depending on the occasion.  To dress these boots up you can even pair them with jeans.  

 I have the 8 inch ones and would recommend them to anyone even remotely considering getting a pair.  If you live further up north you might consider getting the thinsulate ones to keep your feet warmer, but for where I live the ones that aren't lined do the job just fine. The boots run large, so it is best to order a size smaller than what you would normally wear.  I always wear a size 8, but in bean boots I am a size 7. Even with a pair that are a size smaller, I am still able to wear thick socks without the boots being too snug. 

These are some of the outfits I have created in the past when wearing my bean boots.  The first option is a flannel shirt from L.L. Bean, a J.Crew vest, and a faux fur scarf.  This outfit was my go to for running errands during winter break.  The second outfit include an oversized sweater from j.Crew, a KJP bow bracelets, and pearls.  This outfit was perfect for a day spent on campus last winter. 

Bean boots are also cute when worn with plaid shirts, blanket scarves, a crew neck sweatshirt, or even your warm winter coat. 

XOXO

Motivational Monday January 2016

Welcome to the second full week of 2016! I hope your first week was filled with healthy habits, steps to conquer your 2016 resolutions, and prosperity.  My first week wasn't quite that, but here's to hoping week two can be filled with all those great things.  I'm back to writing a Motivational Monday post once a month.  Today I'm here to share with you January's motivation. 

This month is typically filled with people making their resolutions for the new year. It's a time that many people view as a "fresh start".  A time when they can take the first steps to achieving the one thing they have always dreamed about.  So why don't we always achieve these goals?  According to this video the answer is fear.  Fear comes in many different shapes and sizes, and this fear looks a little different to each individual.  Today I want to challenge you to remove the fear from your life and really inspire you to not just achieve your goals but surpass them.  Now is the time for you to decide you can and that it's time to  ignore that little voice in your head giving you a million reasons why you shouldn't or can't conquer your resolutions. 

XOXO

Friday's Thoughts 1/8

Happy Fri(YAY)day! Today is the fifth installment of Friday's Thoughts. You can check out the other ones here, here, here, or here. This week has been pretty laid back for me.  My parents went back to work and my brother went back to school this week, so I have been enjoying the quiet house with my dog by my side.  I was sick for a few days this week, but I am feeling much better now. It's been nice relaxing and enjoying the free time I have.  I spent a lot of time sleeping and watching Gossip Girl this week.  I ended up watching 20 episodes since Monday. Today I'm sharing with you some of my thoughts. I hope you enjoy them! 

Sharing: Why I didn't buy any clothes at the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale this week.  I posted on instagram and twitter that I chose not to buy any clothes during this week's coveted sale.  As many of you know Lilly Pulitzer rarely has sales and when they do it is a big freaking deal.  Well Monday morning I woke up, worked out, made my tea, and sat down to get in the virtual line to shop.  After waiting nearly fifty minutes I was given access to enter the sale. I searched around first for the items my mom and I knew we wanted, but after having no luck finding them in the correct sizes I pursued the rest of the sale. I was not thrilled with the options and didn't love the prints that were for sale. After about thirty minutes of browsing I put my debit card back in my wallet and closed the tab that had the sale open.  I decided it would be better to save my money rather than settle for something I didn't really love, especially when it's not even the right temperature of season to be wearing anything Lilly. When I told my boyfriend, Todd, that I didn't buy anything he was shocked! It's not like me to pass up a Lilly sale...Later in the day I did log back on and purchase the jumbo agenda, which I intend to use for lesson planning during student teacher in the Fall.  

Reading: This article about an inspiring teacher. He has created his own school in Atlanta where he redefines the education system. His innovative school is top tier and educates children in non traditional ways.  The Ron Clark school has been getting a ton of publicity lately for Ron taking the bet you can't do it like me challenge with his students and for having his students go through a series of tasks to be crowned the handshake MVP.  Stories like these are what inspire me to be an educator and motivate me to be the best I can possibly be. 

Drinking: Lots and lots of water. I have been working on staying hydrated. Earlier this week I got sick with a fever, aches, congestion, and all that fun stuff, so I am working to become healthier again.  I drink a ton of water during the summer, but I seem to have trouble drinking enough water during the colder winter months.  

Listening: Adele's album 25. I've had it for several months now and I'm still not tired of it. She had the #1 selling album in 2015 and it didn't come out until mid November..pretty crazy.  Her voice is beautiful and her lyrics are pretty powerful. 

Loving: The Yankee Candle Balsam and Cedar candle my brother got me for Christmas. The scent is amazing and unlike any cedar candle I have ever smelled before.  Even when this candle is not lit my room is somehow still filled with the scent. 

Looking forward to:Enjoying my last week of Winter Break. I go back to school next weekend and classes start on the 19th, so this is my last full week to enjoy sleeping in, not waking up to an alarm, and not stressing about any school work. 

Laughing at: How everyone in southeastern PA is complaining about the cold weather.  We've been spoiled with warm weather this year and suddenly the temperatures fall to what they normally are in winter and we think it's too cold.  I think if everyone dressed a little warmer then they wouldn't complain as much. 

Watching: The Bachelor featuring Ben Higgins! This week was the season premiere of The Bachelor.  The two hour premiere had lots of drama, humor, and some of the most interesting first impressions I have ever seen.  I am excited to see what happens this season and if the Bachelor will or will not find his wife to be. Apparently this is the 20th season of The Bachelor! Right not Caila has my vote to go all the way to the end of the season.  

Wanting: To go to the movies. There are so many great movies out right now.  The top movie I want to see is Joy. I've heard it's really good. 

Have a fabulous weekend!

XOXO

Best Friend Dates

Because what blogger doesn't love a bestie who secretly snaps pictures of her being a foodie?

Winter break is a span of several weeks when college students are able to catch up with their hometown friends.  Once you graduate high school the chances are great that you part ways with your friends. Parting ways can mean two things.  

The first option is that you grow to be different people and realize that your friendship was based on proximity.  College is a time when you tend to discover who you really are and what you want to do.  These discoveries sometimes highlight how different you are from those you were close to prior to leaving, and sometimes it is better to drift apart.  In my experiences the past few years, these are the types of people who you get together with and spend time reminiscing on times you spent together  and then the conversation will quickly come to a halt or turn into gossiping about peers.  When these types of conversations occur every time you see this person, it is a clear sign that this friendship might have only existed due to proximity.  

The second option is that you physically part ways.  Going to college hours apart from the people you spent elementary, middle, and high school with can be challenging.  The distance can be a true test of friendship.  The phrase "out of sight out of mind" comes into play here.  When people go away to school they usually make new friends and sometimes forget about those who they were once close to.  However, the distance does not have to mean a failed friendship. In fact, it can be quite the opposite.  Just because you don't see each other everyday and no longer share the exact same friends nor school doesn't mean that your friendship must end.  With today's technology and a little effort it is quite easy to stay in touch with the friends who mean something to you.  I have a few friends who we are arguably closer now that we don't go to school together, we seem to make more of an effort to check in. 

I have experienced both of the above options in the past few years.  The older I get the more I realize how drifting apart from those who I was close to in high school isn't necessarily a bad thing.  It actually makes me value the friendships I still have with hometown friends even more.  I love coming home to the friends who I can spend hours in a local coffee shop with chatting about times we had together,  learning about the ups and downs they experienced throughout the semester,  listening to the stories they accumulated, gossiping about where everyone from high school is and what they're doing with their lives, imagining what our future will look like X amount of years from now, getting to meet their new friends, and sharing my experiences too.  

This winter break I have been fortunate to do a lot of this. I've gone to several different coffee shops to catch up with friends I haven't seen in awhile. I may or may not have even gone to some of these places multiple times.  

My favorite spot at home is a locally owned place that is known on the Mainline for their handcrafted coffee.They were voted Best Coffee on the Mainline for 2013, 2014, and 2015!  Philter is a small coffee shop located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.  They have delicious sandwiches, baked goods, coffee, and tea.  The interior has decor similar to the window of an Anthropologie store. The staff are some of the most friendly people and are definitely coffee connoisseurs, which helps people like me who are indecisive.  

During the second week of break I was able to catch up with my best friend, Maddie, at Philter.  Maddie has been my best friend since we were in fourth grade.  We met during softball tryouts and coincidentally hated each other immediately because we had the same number, played the same position, and both had dogs named Riley.  Looking back it's pretty crazy how our two worlds collided.  After getting over the drama of a ten year, we quickly became friends and after a few play dates we became inseparable.  The two of us have been through a ton of life experiences, both bad and good, together.  Throughout college we have stayed close thanks to FaceTime, texting, Snap Chat, Twitter, Facebook, iMessage on our laptops, etc.  Some semesters we have been better at staying in touch than others, but regardless of the frequency of our contact our friendship never really changes.  When we hangout we spend hours catching up.  

In December, when we decided that we would meet over coffee, it was a no brainer where we would be going. We ended up spending hours the morning of Christmas Eve chatting over coffee and breakfast.  This semester we were both incredibly busy so we didn't get to talk as much as we would've liked, but I was able to make it up to Penn State for a weekend of fun in September. 

So what did we get to eat and drink?

Since it was rather warm on Christmas eve, we each got iced Coffee with a little cream and sugar added.  The ice cubes they use for their iced drinks are small and perfect for cold beverages.  This iced coffee is my absolute better. It is hands down better than any chain's version of ice coffee that I've ever had. 

Maddie had her usual everything bagel with cream cheese and I had a sandwich.  It was egg with roasted red pepper, spinach, and a little cheese served on a baguette. The combination is my favorite! 

I hope you enjoyed the time you spent with friends this Winter Break!

XOXO

Puzzled

Every winter break my dad and I complete a puzzle together. We usually do it at the kitchen table once Christmas is over.  It is something we have been doing for at least four years now.  It's a fun thing to do in the lull between Christmas and New Years.  We always begin by putting the outside edges together first, and then we conquer the middle one section at a time.  

I have always loved puzzles, even as a young girl.  I like the mental challenge it brings.  It's also convenient to be able to just walk away and take a break when the puzzle is getting too challenging. 

What kind of games do you and your families like to play?

XOXO

New Year, New Bloggers

Tis the season to start a new blog..or so I'm told.  The new year is what most people consider to be a fresh start. Everyone is seeking to do something they have always dreamed of, become a better version of themselves, start that project they've always talked about doing, and others are looking to embark on a new adventure of blogging.  Let me preface this post by saying I am by no means a blogging expert. In fact, I'm still learning about new tips and tricks for becoming a better blogger than I was the day before.  However, over the course of the past few years there are some things I have learned that I wish I would have known when I began blogging in 2013.  In the past year I have had several friends ask me how to start a blog. Each time I answer their big question, I seem to have more advice and even more resources to provide them with. Today I'm here to provide my viewpoints for starting a new blog from scratch.

Do your research. 
Starting a blog is not as easy as it seems. It can be a big undertaking, which is why it is crucial to do your research. I spent six months leading up to the launch of my blog reading other blogs.  The more you read the more you realize the dos and do nots of blogging.  You also get a feel for some things you'd like to incorporate into your own personal page. 

Determine your audience and content. 
 These two things will play a large role into how your blog looks, what you will post about, and the direction you need to take to get to the launch of your page. Go back to step one and do more research by checking out blogs that are similar to what you want yours to be.  Look at trends to see what people enjoy reading about and what topics are overdone. 

Don't debut your blog to friends and family immediately.  
Wait a month to really share your blog. The more content you have the bigger success it will be once you share it with the public.  In  the early stages of blogging you are trying to figure everything out and might make mistakes and not post on a regular basis.  Until you are able to post with some regularity and feel comfortable, I would hold off on the big reveal of your new project. 

Be original and believe in yourself. 
Sure it is great to have blogs you love to read, but post your own original content and don't try to be someone else. It is also important to remember that these other blogs you are reading have been around for awhile, so don't compare yourself to them.  Trust me, it will make you go crazy.

Content over Style.

It is easy to get caught up in the look of your blog.  Start with a basic layout, then as you get more experience you can make it more complex and exciting.  The more simple it is the better off you will be.  Worry about content first, then the knitty gritty details of the design later on. 

Create a plan and stick to it. 
Create a plan of how often you want to blog then figure out how you are going to write often enough to meet your goals.  I recommend posting three times a week to start off, then once you are able to do this with ease bump it up to five days a week.  Posting on a regular schedule creates good blogging habits and makes your blog reliable to its readers.  Use a calendar to map out what you're going to blog about each week. Write these posts ahead of time and use the scheduler so that they are ready to go in advance. 

Here are some links that might help you launch your new blog:
The Blogging Guidebook
Tips for a successful blog launch
How to start a lifestyle blog
The Newbie Guide to starting a new blog 


 XOXO

Daily Skin Care Routine

Everyone has their own routines, especially when it comes to skincare.  Since a young age, my mom continuously stressed to my brother and I the importance of taking care of your skin. It's taken me quite some time to find the products that work best for my skin type.  Over the course of the past year I have finally found a routine that seems to work for me. By no means do I have perfect skin, but it's pretty good if I say so myself. Naturally, I get the occasional stress zit but my breakouts have decreased significantly. In my perfect world I would wash my face twice a day... If I'm being honest this doesn't always happen.  Realistically, I wash my face at least once a day each morning.  If I have any makeup on I remove it with Burt's Bees peach or cucumber makeup remover wipes.

I begin by wetting a washcloth with luke-warm water. Next, I use clinique's face wash. It doesn't have a scent and is perfect for sensitive skin.  I scrub my face with my clean hands, and then use the washcloth to remove the soap.  I usually rinse the washcloth and wipe my face off a second time to ensure that all of the soap has been removed.  Next, I pat my face dry with a towel.  The next major step is to apply toner with a small cotton ball. This toner removes any dirt that may not have been washed off.  Finally, I apply Clinique's facial moisturizer.  This third product also has a minimal scent.  It has a light texture, so it can be used during every season.  It is especially helpful in the winter when my skin tends to be a bit more dry. 

If you are thinking about trying a new skin care product, I recommend purchasing it in a travel size first because if you end up not liking it then you won't be wasting money on a bigger amounts. 

XOXO

2016 Goals

Good morning! Welcome to 2016. I hope y'all had a wonderful and safe New Years Eve filled with fun.  Today I'm linking up with Ashley over at Lilly & Lemons to chat about some of my goals for the year. Tis the season for people to make goals and quickly forget about them.  I am personally huge fan of goal setting. Setting goals provides me with guidance and focus in life.  Goals can come in all shapes and sizes. I think people frequently get their "New Year Resolutions" confused with long term dreams goals. While a year is a long time, people often think it is enough time to accomplish goals that realistically can't be set in a year's worth of time.  In order for goals to be achieved they need to be SMART- specific, measurable, achievable, and time-bound. Well, surprisingly I don't set new year resolutions! 

Two years ago, in 2014, I decided to stop setting new year resolutions and change my long term goal setting into more of a bucket list type ordeal.  I chose to create a 101 things in 1001 days goal list.  I haven't been too diligent at checking things off the list.  My 1001 days expires on September 30th of 2016.  Needless to say I don't have a ton of time left to accomplish the remaining 60 things on my list.  I am hoping to conquer at least 30 of the remaining items before the time expires, so stay tuned to read about these adventures! 

So how am I going to get all of this done? I plan to choose 5 things to do each month for the next eight months.  Breaking the list down into smaller chunks makes it seem more doable.  Although I don't set big new year resolutions I do set monthly goals and during the semester I event set weekly goals.  

January's Goals:

one.

Schedule my next set of PRAXIS exams. Continue to study for these tests. 

two.

Complete my 30 day fitness challenge! 

three.

Complete five tasks on my 101 in 1001 list. 

four.

Stick to the blogging calendar I've created. 

five. 

Finish creating my resume. 

XOXO