Puppy Update

Brody at three months old.

It's really crazy how fast time flies by! I cannot believe how long Brody has been in my life and the large impact he has had on me for being so small. 

We've had this little fluff ball for almost three months now, and we are finally in a routine.  He adjusted pretty quickly to my daily routine, but house training him took a little longer to catch on.  By early November, he was pretty much accident free! He now even makes it through the night without being in his kennel. However, there were some days when I thought he would never be able to go a day without having an accident inside. 

He loves to cuddle in bed. 

As far as training goes.. He now is able to sit, lay down, and give paw on command (most of the time). He is working on not jumping on people and sitting while waiting for food. He is partially bell trained to go outside, but this is still a bit of a work in progress. 

The day Brody came home with us!

Brody is a little over five months old, and his personality is definitely shining through. He is funny, smart, playful, and loves to cuddle. I actually think he thinks he is still the fifteen pound puppy he was when we brought him home. At thirty plus pounds, he still tries to sit on my lap and cuddle up like he is still small.  He now weighs over double what he did when we got him! This means that he eats more, goes to the bathroom more, and has even more energy than ever before. 

He has gotten so much better about walking on the leash. Early on, he would try to chew the leash or just run in circles around me while we were walking.  Now he walks to my left at a brisk pace and only stops to smell the yards where dogs live in our neighborhood.  He is just beginning to jog with me, which will make my runs around the neighborhood more fun. 

When Brody was four months old, my parents brought home their own Mini Goldendoodle puppy, Graham.  Initially, the two of them had a rough start. They struggled over who was more dominant.  One month later it's a whole different story. The two of them are inseparable. When one leaves to go for a car ride or a walk around the block, the other one whimpers and stares outside the whole time.  They love to wrestle around the house, play tug of war, and lay by the fire together.  Have two puppies at once has definitely been a challenge for my family, but it has also brought us lots of happiness as well as  love. 

Brody and Graham taking a puppy nap. 

I've always grown up having dogs. When I was ten years old my parents helped me buy a Yorkie for my birthday. I did almost all of the research on different breeds and breeders. I found an ad for puppies in a newspaper, which lead to us bringing home Riley.  I always called him "my dog", but in reality he was our family pet.  This time around things are different. Brody is actually MY (and Todd's) puppy.  Having him has already taught me how to be responsible for something other than myself.  Puppies are a lot of work, it's not always cuddles and smiles. My parents are very helpful and watch Brody when I am out.. they love having a grand puppy they can spoil. Sharing him with Todd also makes things much easier too.  

Twinning in their Christmas sweaters.

I'm excited to see what the next few months have in store as Brody grows even bigger.  He has the potential double the size he is now! Some of our next adventures will include going to the groomer, getting fixed, and going to my brother's college lacrosse games. 

Our second family photo together.

Remember to follow Brody's adventures on his Instagram!

XOXO

January '17 Playlist

Why not start off a new month and a new year with a new playlist? I figured we could all use a little musical inspiration to help us get through the work day, write a few blog posts, run some errands, or jam out on your way to the gym. I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I am! 

What's your anthem for 2017?

XOXO

Current Candle Scent

It's important to enjoy the little things in life because they can add up to make you happier in the long run.  Something that I like to treat myself to every once in awhile is a pretty candle.  I have a love for candles that smell good and have pretty packaging.  The aroma they give off is relaxing and provides a sense of calming. For several years now, I have been a fan of candles. 

Candles are a great addition to any home. They provide a pleasant sense as well as a bit of comfort. I find them relaxing too.  There are some many different places you can use them: the bathroom, on the tub as you take a bath, on your desk, on a side table next to your bed, on the kitchen table, etc.  

They also make for a great gift. You could give them as a birthday gift, thank you gift, just because present, or even a gift to you (#treatyourself). Pair them with a cute set of matches as well as some ribbon and you're set! 

My current candle scent for winter is Fir and Firewood. You might be able to find the last of them at Anthropologie. It was a signature scent special for this season. I have been burning it in my room for a couple months now, and every time I walk in my room I still get excited when I smell the lovely scent. 

In the spring and summer, my go to scent is Volcano Capri Blue.  This scent has a light citrus scent with small floral undertones.  Both of these scents come in adorable glass jars with gold tops. They make for great decorative pieces when they aren't being used. 

What's your go to candle scent?

XOXO

101 Things in 1001 Days Part Two

Today is the first Monday of the new year. It's a fresh start and the first day of many people's journey to conquer their New Year's Resolutions.  On Friday I shared how I prefer setting monthly goals rather than annual unattainable resolutions.  Today I'm sharing my 101 things to do in 1001 days list with you.  This is my second list. You can checkout my first list here. I ended up completing about half of the items on the list. With my new list, I'm hoping to get closer to completing 100% of it. This time around I split my list into categories, which made it easier to create and hopefully complete. 

What is a 101 in 1001 list?

So if you have no idea what a 101 things in 1001 days list is, then I'm sure you're a little confused and curious.  The idea is to make goal setting more realistic, but to also add some dreams to your list.  You create a list of 101 things you want to accomplish over the course of the next 1001 days.  it is pretty self explanatory, but I think the concept it pretty fun.  It's more challenging than you would think to come up with the complete list.  If you need help counting 1001 days from when you start, then feel free to use this calculator to help you out. 

If you end up creating a list, please tweet me your link. I'll add your name to the list on my 101 in 1001 tab. The whole point of this is to be inspired and inspire others, so I would love to hear from you! 

Starts: January 2, 2017

Ends: September 30, 2019 

(0 complete, 101 to go!) 

Blogging

1. Collaborate with a brand I enjoy

2. Host a blogging series

3. Host a giveaway

4. Make blogging business cards

5. Meet a blogger in person

6. Monetize the blog

7. Publish three “how to” posts

8. Update my “About me” page

Personal

9. Become an involved alumnae of my sorority (Alpha Delta Pi)

10. Buy a car

11. Complete 52 week saving challenge

12. Go a month without ordering takeout

13. Go a month without shopping

14. Inspire others to create their own goal list

15. Knit for charity

16. Learn calligraphy

17. Learn how to give myself a blowout

18. Move into my first grown up apartment/home

19. Obtain a passport

20. Participate in 100 happy days

21. Put $10 into my savings account for every goal accomplished

22. Read 5 books from the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge

23. Read a book a month

24. Take a class to learn how to use my DSLR camera

25. Take part in More Love Lettering

26. Unplug for 24 hours

27. Volunteer somewhere regularly

28. Write 10 Operation Beautiful notes

Career

29. Have my own classroom

30. Obtain a coaching certification

31. Obtain my masters degree

32. Pass the PA Middle Grades Science PRAXIS

33. Pass the Reading Specialist PRAXIS

34. Travel with one of the teams I coach

Just For Fun

35. Attend a concert

36. Complete an adult coloring book

37. Complete one knitting project

38. Do a wine tasting

39. Go for a hike somewhere new

40. Go snorkeling

41. Go to a beer garden

42. Go to a concert

43. Go to a MLB game

44. Go to a NFL game

45. Go to a NHL game

46. Go to a NBA game

47. Go white water rafting

48. Have a picnic

49. Learn how to golf

50. Learn how to make a martini

51. Leave a 100% tip for good service

52. Participate in an escape room

53. Pick a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch and carve it

54. Pick berries

55. Play mini golf

56. See a movie in the park

57. Spend a day at the aquarium

58. Spend a day at the zoo

59. Take dance lessons

60. Try a new brewery

61. Visit a museum

62. Watch a movie at a movie tavern

63. Watch a movie outdoors

Friends & Family

64. Eat at Talula’s Table

65. Give five “just because” gifts

66. Give five just because presents

67. Host a brunch

68. Host a cookie/beer exchange

69. Host a dinner party

70. Mail a care package

71. Make a list of birthdays and addresses

72. Plan a ladies’ weekend

73. Send birthday cards

Health & Fitness

74. Complete a fitness challenge

75. Complete A Year of Mindfully Living

76. Don’t let more than two days in a row pass without working out for a year

77. Make a routine of doing yoga/Pilates

78. Make homemade hummus

79. Participate in “Meatless Mondays” for one month

80. Participate in a color run

81. Plant a vegetable garden

82. Run a 15 K

83. Run a 5k

84. Run a half marathon

85. Try a barre class

Travel

86. Go camping

87. Go on a road trip

88. Go somewhere with fairly clear ocean water

89. Go to DC at Christmas time

90. Ride a train somewhere

91. Spend a day in Baltimore

92. Spend time in the Florida Keys

93. Take a trip with my mom

94. Travel outside the United States

95. Vacation on the coast of New England

96. Visit a three new states

97. Visit Boston, Massachusetts

98. Visit Charleston, South Carolina

99. Visit Chicago

100. Visit NYC

101. Visit Reading Terminal Market 

Today I'm starting the month off by setting my monthly goals based on my 101 in 1001 list. 

What are your goals this month?

XOXO

Walk In My Week (December 2016)

Happy Friday! Today I'm spending the day doing some odds and ends on my to do list, cuddling with my puppy, and preparing my blog for a whole new year of posts. I cannot believe that December is coming to an end as well as the year 2016.  It seems like just a few months ago we were ringing in the new year.  I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas celebrating the holiday with friends and family.  Speaking of the month of December. I pretty much neglected my blog for the whole month. So where have I been when I haven't been blogging?

Student teaching-This past month I finished my last semester of student teaching.  The last few weeks were crazy as I finished teaching and planning an entire novel study unit on my own, finished grading all assignments, completed the last of my seminar assignments, wrote many thank you cards, gathered thank you gifts, and began to search for an actual job.  Student teaching was by far the academic highlight of my time as an undergrad in college.  From this experience I was able to get a realistic glimpse into what my future will look like.  In a few weeks I'll share more details with everyone, but for now I am still working on my full reflection!

Graduating- One week before Christmas I graduate from college with honors.  December graduations don't have the same excitement and emotion that spring graduations do. I think it's probably because less people graduate during the fall semester, the weather isn't as great, and the timing of finishing something in the middle of the school year is a little awkward.  Despite the timing, I made the best of it that I could. The week of graduation was filled with emotion and celebrations. During the week, I got together with a few friends to decorate our caps.  This was a fun task, but a little stressful too because you only get one cap- if you mess up you're stuck with it.  I'll be sure to add a cap decorating tutorial to the blog as we get closer to the month of May.   The morning of graduation I went to brunch with my family, and then after graduation my parents hosted a small gathering with friends and family. Now the job hunt and the attempt at adulating begins. 

Prepping for Christmas-This holiday season seemed less spirited than usual for some reason.  I tried to squeeze in some holiday festivities, but my efforts just were not enough this year. Next year I'm hoping to make December a month filled with Christmas vibes! I think I pushed Christmas off until after graduation, which gave me exactly one week to get into the holiday spirit. Luckily, I did just about all of my shopping online.  The week leading up to Christmas I wrapped a few gifts, worked in retail to help others prepare for the holiday, and participated in our annual gingerbread house competition.  Christmas day my parents hosted an open house with bottomless mimosas. It was a fun day sharing laughter and love with some of our closest family and friends. 

Playing with Puppies- I've had lots of free time since graduation. I've been taking advantage of the time by cuddling with our puppies. They are filled with energy and so entertaining.  Training them is still a bit of a struggle, but we are making slow progress.  They three and five months old, so their personalities are beginning to shine through.  They enjoy eating my socks, so I spend a lot of time chasing them around the house before they have time to a chew a whole in them. 

Planning for the new year- 2017 is just days away now.  I'm not a fan of new year resolutions because I think you can make a new goal and achieve it at any point in time. However, I do love goal setting.  I think lots of people break this ambitious resolutions quicker than they make them. This is why I'm more of a fan of monthly goals.  As 2017 starts, I am beginning to adult. Many of my goals for the upcoming month are related to entering this new phase of life.  I'll be sharing my January goals and a new 101 in 1001 day list with everyone on Monday. In addition to planning new goals, I have also been planning blog content and strategies to be a consistent blogger in the new year. 

2016 was a great year for me, but I think there are always room for improvements to be made. I am looking forward to 2017 and all the great things that will happen! Wishing you a fun and safe new year! I'll be back in 2017!

XOXO

Oh Christmas Tree

The holidays usually involve family traditions for most people.  Today I'm sharing one of my family's holiday season traditions.  Each year within a few days of Thanksgiving, we head over to our local Christmas tree farm.  This year we headed out for a day of family fun with hopes of leaving with a tree and the picture for the family Christmas card. It's always a big debate over who can find the perfect tree for our home.  We all have different tastes when it comes to trees (short and fat, tall and skinny, medium, skinny and fat).  This year we were able to agree on a tree pretty quickly in comparison to other years.  There was something so festive about being at the tree farm. It was filled with lots of happy families. We had fun taking a mini family photo shoot while we were there.  

Did you get a real tree or fake one this year?

XOXO

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Can you believe that Christmas is only four days away? I don't know about you, but it definitely doesn't feel like the holiday season to me.  The Fall semester just ended several days ago, which is why I think I might be struggling to find the holiday spirit this season.  It seems like lots of people agree with me, so I thought it would be fun to brainstorm some ways to spread some Christmas cheer. 

Wrap Presents

There is something festive about wrapping gifts.  Make a fire, sip some hot chocolate, put on your favorite Christmas playlist, and spend a few hours wrapping. This combination will definitely bring you some holiday cheer!

Look at Christmas Lights

 Pick up your favorite seasonal beverage from your local coffee shop, turn your radio on to the network that plays Christmas songs, and grab a friend to go look at everyone's holiday decorations. Take a drive through local neighborhoods and towns to see the various light displays.  If you live in Southeastern Pennsylvania, check out the Herr's lights display or take a walk through Longwood Gardens. 

Bake Cookies

Baking cookies is always a fun holiday pastime. Turn on some holiday tunes, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get out your favorite christmas cookie recipes. If you can't eat all of the cookies, then put them in decorative bags and deliver them to friends and family to enjoy. 

Holiday Movie Marathon

Put on your favorite pajamas, start a fire in the fireplace, and pick out your favorite holiday movies to watch.  Spend an evening cuddled up watching some of the best Christmas movies. 

Movie suggestions: Christmas with the Kranks, The Santa Clause, Elf, The Holiday, Four Christmases, The Polar Express, Miracle on 34th Street, Charlie Brown Christmas, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, It's a Wonderful Life, and Home Alone. 

Make a Gingerbread House

Get some friends together to have a competition to see what duo can make the best gingerbread house. Give everyone the same supplies and time limit.  The winners get a holiday themed prize.  We do this each year at my house.  My brother and his girlfriend versus Todd and I. 

How are you getting into the holiday spirit this year?

XOXO

It's the Vest Season of All

November is gone and December has arrived! I cannot believe that we have entered the last month of 2016.  The year 2016 is one that has been on my radar for many years because I always knew it was the year I would graduate college.  It is crazy to believe that this month I finish my career as an undergraduate student.  I have a feeling this month will fly by with the end of college, graduation festivities, and the hoopla that comes with the holidays each year. 

December reminds me of cold weather.  As the colder weather gradually arrives, I have been noticing my wardrobe going through a gradual change too. 

 The colder the weather the more layers I seem to wear.  

One of my favorite pieces to layer are vests.  They can make a boring outfit fun and add a little warmth to my daily getup. I got my first vest for my 19th birthday, and ever since then my collection has continued to grow. My first vest was a navy monogrammed one from Land's End.  It's great to wear with more casual outfits or for a run on a chilly day.  J.Crew's Puffer Vests are definitely my favorite. I have the same vest in three different colors. They fit nicely (not too big and not too small), and they seem to match with just about every outfit I wear from athleisure to business casual. I also adore my Plush Fleece Excursion Vest.  This piece is fabulous for extremely cold days.  This is tan fur is great to mix and match with plaids. 

What's your go to winter weather item?

XOXO

5 Pasta recipes

For those of you who know me well, you know that I absolutely love pasta.  Yes it's filled with carbs and definitely isn't the healthiest choice, but for some reason I have a hard time resisting it.  Pasta recipes are probably my favorite thing to make in the kitchen and my go to when I don't know what to eat.  Pasta is 100% a comfort food for me. When I've had a bad day I love a bowl of plain noodles with butter and salt. 

Anyways, the colder seasons of the year are definitely a great time to incorporate some pasta recipes into your weekly meal plans.  Today I'm sharing some recipes that look like good options to try this winter! 

One: Butternut Squash Penne with Chicken

Image via

Butternut Squash has lots of health benefits. It's low in fat and incredibly high in fiber, which makes it a great addition to any meal. 

Two: Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp and pasta- such a great combination 

Three: Winter Vegetable Pasta with White Wine and Parmesan 

The perfect winter feel good meal!

Four: Pasta Carbonara

Giada's pasta carbonara is hands down my favorite. 

Five: Pasta with Roasted Butternut Squash, Sausage, and Kale

This recipe not only looks pretty, but sounds like it would taste amazing too! This seems like it would be an easy weeknight meal-perfect for November or December.  I've never roasted butternut squash, but it doesn't sound like too daunting of a task.  

Image via

Bon Apetit!

XOXO

Brody the Goldendoodle

A month ago Todd and I decided to celebrate our anniversary buy purchasing a puppy. It was a decision we had been talking about for quite some time.. more like me convincing him to agree to get a puppy. I had been doing research for almost a year and had narrowed the breed down to a goldendoodle. After my Yorkshire terrior passed away in early September, I was incredibly lonely and my want for another dog only increased. One weekend in early October we went to a breeder near us to "look" at ten week old puppies. Needless to say looking at puppies turned into purchasing one that day. We just couldn't say no after seeing how cute they were.  

Brody lives with me at my house, which my parents are absolutely loving.  The first few nights we were waking up several times a night to go out, but after that he started sleeping through the entire night.  

Rushing outside to make sure there are no accidents isn't too fun, and training him is a little tricky since I'm not an expert on training puppies.  However, I have been loving everything else about having him. He loves to cuddle, give kisses, and play with his toys. Having a puppy around has just made me so happy. It's great to come home and have someone so happy to see you. 

Be sure to follow along Brody's adventures here!

XOXO

The Shopping Cart

Lately I've been trying so hard to save my money rather than spending it on all the adorable clothes I find.  There is just something about the changing of seasons that makes me want to switch up my wardrobe. Yes, I have swapped out my Lilly Pulitzer shift dresses for blanket scarves and warm sweaters, but yet I still crave those new styles and prints.  

So.. if I can't actually buy anything the least I can do is some online "window" shopping.  It's literally window shopping because if you look at my browser right now I have a window open filed with at least a dozen tabs of trendy fall clothes, shoes, and accessories.  Shopping online is definitely a blessing and a curse all wrapped in one big bundle. It's so easy to just add items to your cart, but it's definitely hard to resist pressing that checkout button.  Anyways, I'm getting much better at adding tons to my cart and smiling as I exit out of the tab without damaging my bank account.  I'm sure many of you can relate to the temptation of online shopping. 

I thought it would fun to share with you some of the items I'd purchase if I had an unlimited shopping budget. 

This adorable long sleeve would pair flawlessly with a quilted vest like this one. 

I've been looking for the perfect pair of booties: which ones are your favorite?

Option one, option two, or option three

Maroon is definitely one of the top colors this season. This long sleeve top would be great to dress up for a business casual day or pair with some jeans and boots. 

Little Black Dress  for chillier weather. 

Peplum tops are so fun and timeless. 

Navy and ivory + quilted vest ... enough said.

Raspberry adds the perfect pop of color to a fall wardrobe, especially when it comes in the form of a wool sidewalk skirt from J.Crew Factory.

Pajama sets are my favorite. I would love to catch up on my sleep in this navy and peony cotton set.

If only a pink blazer was acceptable to wear to an interview. 

Last week I got the Bass catalog and fell in love with the many fun colors of these loafers.

What's in your shopping cart?

XOXO

Fall DIYs to Try

Fall festivities give off warm fuzzy vibes. The fall season has so many reasons to do a little DIY project between sporting events, back to school, halloween, thanksgiving, etc. Today I'm sharing some DIY projects that I've found on pinterest. I'm slowly but surely working on becoming more crafty.


Monogram pumpkin


Waverly Pumpkin


Succulent Pumpkin 


Mantel Decor


Wreath

What DIY projects have you been loving lately?
XOXO

Life Updates: Fall Transitions

It's definitely beginning to feel like Fall in southeastern Pennsylvania. The weather is getting chillier and pretty much everything that is edible has been turned into a variation of pumpkin spice. The change from one season to another brings lots of transitions. I can definitely say that my life has included many changes lately thanks to the new season. 

Transitions can be great, but sometimes they can be not so great too.  Change is something that does not come easy to many people. We all tolerate it, but our coping mechanisms are all unique. Sometimes transitions present us with new and exciting opportunities, which make them more fun.  Fall is a season filled with transitions that are both exciting and disappointing. Today I thought it would be fun to share some of my transitions this season. 

School

We tend to associate the change from Summer to Fall with back to school. The past few months have definitely been a transition for me. Going from an undergraduate student who attends classes daily on campus to an undergraduate student who teaches all day and attends class once a week. The school year also brought changes for my family as my younger brother headed off to his first year of college. 

Coffee

Coffee changes from iced lattes to hot ones. My Starbucks order has quickly gone from an iced cold brew with cream and sugar to a hot pumpkin spice latte.  The cold weather just makes it the iced coffee seem less appealing. However, I have been enjoying my afternoon iced coffee to keep me awake on my commute home, so I haven't given it up entirely (yet). 

Wardrobe

My summer clothes have officially been put away until the warmer days are back.  I traded in my Lilly Pulitzer dresses and Jacks for leggings, oversized sweaters, and riding boots.  I'm not going to lie, I was actually pretty excited for the change of wardrobe. I was beginning to get a little bored with my summer clothes. 

Instagram Feed

My Instagram feed has transitioned from pictures are on the beach to scenes from pumpkin patches and apple tree farms.  I love seeing everyone frolicking outdoors in the beautiful scenery. 

Home Decor

Fresh cut flowers from the market have turned into fresh cut pumpkins. We have mini pumpkins spread throughout our house. My mom has done a fabulous job of decorating our house. It feels incredibly welcoming and cozy.  Our summer blankets have been traded in for warmer ones. The slip covers have turned to shades of red, and our pillows now have fur trim rather than hues of blue. 

Candles

My summer scent has been retired for now, and has been replaced with a hot cider candle.  I love my volcano candle from Anthropologie, but this new scent just screams fall! You can purchase it online from Terrain here. 

Pets

A month ago my family lost our Yorkshire Terrier to kidney failure. It was honestly one of the worst things to happen to us in a long time. Our dog was a huge part of our family and losing him turned our world around.  It was the first time in my life that I did not have a dog. It was lonely, depressing, and hard to handle.  I started fall living in pet-less home, but I will be finishing it by owning a golden doodle puppy. You may have seen him this weekend on Instagram, but if not you'll just have to stay tuned for a future post introducing him. 

What changes have you experienced this Fall?

XOXO

Monday Motivation

Guess who's back, back again, M is back, tell a friend!

Life has been quite the whirlwind since school has started. I have done my best to stay on top of blogging, but my best has been minimal posting.  My original goal was to post about three times each week, but I'm starting to think one to two times sounds more realistic.  This weekend I was able to hit the reset button and enjoy a pedicure, drinks with my mom, a little coaching, shopping spree at the outlets, and a visit to a local orchard.  Today I had off from school thanks to the jewish holiday.  I was able to catch up on some school work, so I'm going into the week ahead of things. 

I think it's important that we all take a set back sometimes and press the reset button. This looks a little different for everyone, but regardless of how you do so it is important to your mental health.  This week I'm feeling motivated and ready to go again. I thought I would share with you some motivation to help get you through the week too!

Images via Pinterest

XOXO