March Goals

Alright, as I mentioned last week my life is a bit all over the place. I'm hoping that bringing back my monthly goals keeps me focused, more productive and less stressed.

Work out 3x week

Like I mentioned, in the midst of everything else the gym has been falling to the bottom of my list for the past few months. I'm really starting to feel it mentally and physically. I'd absolutely LOVE to get it incorporated to my everyday routine, but I'm going to start with baby steps. Following Bethanny Frankel's "do what you can" model.

Finish a book

I started  Sloan Crosley's The Clasp over the Christmas break. I got through almost all of it, but the last 50 pages have been hanging over my head for 2 months now. Time to wrap. it. up. and move on.

Find healthier snacks

I'm starting to accept that I will never by a 3 meal a day person. I've tried the the small meals 5 times a day thing, but it just requires too much cooking and time. I usually eat breakfast around 9 or 10 and then lunch around 12/1....not matter what I'm always hungry around 3pm. Because it's somewhat the middle of the day, I have to grab something small and quick. Between something laying around the office or running quickly to The Corner Bakery downstairs, I always go with carb heavy (usually sugar heavy) snacks. I'm going to start bringing more healthy items to work to be prepared for the afternoon crash. Fruit, jerky, hummus and veggies maybe? What are your go-to healthy snacks?

Start a better savings plan

For the 2nd year in a row, I did my taxes all by myself and finished them up last week. I will NOT be writing a 'how-to' or 'tips' post, because I'm pretty sure I took the longest way possible and I did not enjoy it. You should definitely try it though (especially if your single, not a homeowner, didn't make any BIG financial changes this year), it's very empowering.  Anyway, my tax refunds always go directly to savings, which I'm trying to build back up after my move and brief stint as a #ladyofleisure. The Everygirl blog (currently obsessed with) did a 30 day challenge last month and I'm going to take it on in March. I want to build up the emergency fund, start long term 'want' savings plan and figure out what the heck to do with my 401k's,

Keep track of my life more

Things have been going SO FAST lately. I really need to step back every so often, look at the big picture and reflect. I'm aiming to do this here which will also encourage me to blog more (woo!).

Oscar Dresses 2016

How is it Monday already? This weekend went unbelievably fast. Game night was quite a success. After pizza, wine, girl talk, 2 rounds of Balderdash and some Cards Against Humanity it we suddenly realize it was 2am and time for bed.  Saturday was filled with errands and Fuller House mini marathon that rolled into a Michael Pollan's Cooked marathon. Both series were definitely entertaining. Fuller House was fun, but it was painful getting through the cheesiness of the first 5 or so episodes. After becoming an adult and realizing what Bob Sagat's real-life persona was, I just cannot take him seriously as Danny Tanner any more.  Sunday was church ->cooking ->gym -> OSCARS! I made a killer quinoa stir fry to eat this week and delicious truffle popcorn to bring to the Oscar party I was going to.

Now  on to the important things. THE DRESSES! I realize lots of people were irritated by this comment, but I would like to shout out to Chris Rock for reinforcing my point from Friday.

Overall there was no one who did horribly in my opinion, but I did like the Golden Globes comparatively better this year.

Rachel McAdams (Oscars AND Vanity Fair party)

Daisy Ridley

Naomi Watts

Sara Silverman

Saoirse Ronan (I don't think the photos did it any justice)

Reese Witherspoon

It's Oscar Weekend!

We made it to Friday!! I'm pretty excited for this weekend for several reasons: 1) Not traveling!! 2) It's the weekend 3) It's supposed to be 60 and 4) Its the OSCARS!! Truth be told I've only seen a couple of the films (loved The Big Short),but I'm more excited to see the dresses. If the Golden Globes were any sign of what the Oscars are going to be in terms of fashion it will be amazing.
How stunning are these 'vintage' Oscar dress illustrations by Meredith Wing?

You can see the full gallery here

It's actually starting to bug me that people have their pants in a bunch about women being asked what they're wearing. I actually want to know. I do think that we should put some focus on the work they've done, but I also feel like the whole issue was created out of a good place. Not some weird sexist agenda. The gowns are so gorgeous and pieces of work (some even work BY women), they're interesting and exciting and people want to know what they're about. A tuxedo just doesn't do the same thing for me. Considering the red carpet interviews are less than a minute usually, there are 2 problems. There is nothing to talk to the men about other than the reason they're there (see above comment about tuxes) and when you are talking to an amazingly dressed woman a minute barely even begins to cover the work that went into making her so beautiful. They simply run out of time to talk about their work. Some people need to chill out. Okay. vent over.

I also cannot wait to sleep in tomorrow, and tonight I'm having some girlfriends over for wine, Cards Against Humanity and Fuller House! #yogapants Hope you have a relaxing weekend ahead of you!

All. the. things.

I've been more than a little all over the place lately (mentally and physically)! I continued my jet setting adventures Presidents' Day weekend and headed back to LA. We actually took a mini-roadtrip up to Santa Barbara for a few days and it was absolutely divine. 80 and sunny was much needed after 20 and grey for so long! It's looking like that will be my last trip for a month or so (thankfully?). Travel is just so stressful in general and when your in a LDR your time is so valuable it adds an extra pressure to it. After being apart for the usual 2 weeks again I was so excited to see him again. I lost it at the mere thought of missing my connection in Minneapolis and having to spend 6 hours in the middle of no where. That's precious time I could have spent with the BF.....or even doing work or catching up on the rest of my life. That is all in addition to the stress of being stuck in an airport, rearranging flights to get either to him or home and dealing with the monster that is humanity in an airport. Stakes are high. He's agreed to travel these next few times and has Spring Break coming up so that should be helpful and less stressful for both of us.

Meanwhile, work has been in.sane. You may have even seen some of our handy work in the Superbowl! I really love what I do and it's hard to believe I've only been here 3 months. There is so much chaos that needs to be ordered, its hard to figure out where to start. Like I said, I'm super excited about it, time (see paragraph above) is just becoming a huge factor and that's extra stressful. 

When I have had time for me it's usually spent on catching up on the Bachelor, I should really figure out how to combine this with the gym (something else that continues to fall to the bottom of the list after all of the above). I actually started a watching group for this season. It seemed like a great way to meet new, like minded friends in the city. It's been so great, but I've been missing a lot due to travel and work....I'm starting to feel like the worst hostess. There are only 3 episodes left though and I will for sure make 2 of them!! I've been find Ben a bit boring this season. He seems like a nice guy, but maybe too nice. Also, I started watching Unreal last year and now I question everything that happens on that show/feel horrible for the girls. I'm so pumped to see who wins. I was originally Team Becca, but {I'm sorry girl} I can never tell what kind of emotion she actually expressing. As much as I try I can't quite connect with her emotionally....I think Ben hit that road block too. 

The BF was here this weekend and the trip definitely hit the inevitable roadbumps (aka flight cancellations), but the weather was absolutely gorgeous and he made it here just before the temperature dropped again. We went to go see Deadpool {ladies, it's hilarious...and also Ryan Reynolds full frontal. I promise you'll enjoy!} on Sunday and then last night I took him to see one of my favorite singers, Stephen Kellogg. I hadn't seen him in forever, but it was just as I remembered. It was so great to be able to share that with BF too. Definitely a great way to start of the week, despite having to say goodbye this morning. Hoping those positive vibes carry me through the next 10 days. 

Thanks for listening, xoxo.

Love Day Gift Guide {For Her}

Happy Monday! It was a crazy weekend filled with lots of catching up with friends. I was in and out of my apartment a lot and when I set the pre-vday flowers I received on the coffee table it completely blew past me that the magazine and books were similarly themed. I guess the universe is just trying to shove Valentine's Day in my face. Normally a neutral girl, the extra pop of pink does add a little fun to my apartment.

I really love how Valentine's day has morphed into this giant love fest. I don't really think it's dreaded that much anymore. To be honest, the past few years I've been sad I had BF plans and couldn't spend it drinking champagne, eating chocolate and watching RHWOXYZ with my girlfriends.  Whether your celebrating with your galentines or valentines, here are some of my picks for little love day luxuries.

Champagne Glass Pajama Set

Diptyque Rosaviola Scented Candle

Le Pilage St Valentine Cosmetics Case

David Yurman Venetian Quatrefoil Ruby Ring

Charbonnel et Walker Champagne Celebration Hamper

Saint Laurent Small Monogram Wallet on a Chain

Fleur Du Mal Rose Lace Demi-Bra

Weekend Jet Set Adventures

The past few weekends I've been lucky enough to escape Chicago winter to the sunshine in California. The BF lives out there, he spent fall coming out here and now it's my turn. I usually take a 6am flight there and the red eye back {then head to work} so it's been exhausting. I'm slowly getting into a routine about it though. Bed early the night before. Massage the day after I get back {sleeping on planes is no joke}. We try to get lots of sleep when I'm there, but the purpose is spend time together sometimes it's hard to justify.  Here are some snaps from a few of our adventures and activity recommendations for the next time you're in SoCal!

The sun catching up to my 6am flight heading west out of Chicago.
The colors were so pretty. This pic doesn't do it justice.

His & Hers happy hour and sunset courtesy of Suite 700 at Hotel Shagri-la

We did a hike in Temascal Canyon that promise a waterfall AND beautiful vistas. Unfortunately...the drought is still happening and it was insanely foggy. I tried to capture some of the magic. 

But first, Alfred's coffee. I was sooo happy to finally find this place. We had gone to the Brentwood Farmer's Market the prior weekend and after I desperately needed a coffee. All I find was a Peet's and settled. Then  last week Alfred's started popping up on my insta feed so it was a must stop this weekend. Totally worth it.  Sidebar: I had been inspired to go to the Farmer's Market after an instagram post from GOOP. It was the best FM I've ever been too honestly. I wish I took pictures there!

Last weekend we took another/better hike up the Los Liones trail. I was sunny and a much prettier trail and pay off than Temascal. When we got to the top I HAD to get one of those crazy yoga in nature shots. Can you tell? :)

We were STARVING after our hike so we drove up PCH to Malibu Fish & Seafood. It's right off the highway and has a gorgeous view of the ocean and sunset. It was a little pricey but the fish was so fresh and delicious.

Friday Five: Links I'm Loving

via we heart it

I've been in my head the past couple weeks. Planning, analyzing, problem solving and dodging anxiety fun. It could be because I'm more aware or open to advice or thoughts right now, but I've found SO many internet things this week I really connected with. I love a good, mindless internet surf session, but I was snapped out of the mindlessness so many times and it suprised me so I thought I'd share my internet findings.

As I've ramped up in my new job, I've found myself feeling a lot more drained. I used to feel this way a lot and not know why, now I realize my little introvert is rearing her head. It was relieving to hear I'm not the only one when I read these 7 tips for the Introverted Career Woman.  I'm going to start putting them more to use in my everyday life.

Um. Snow + Panda = biggest smiles ever

When I mix my type-A ness with my 'realist'-ness, I find myself struggling to understand what "just knowing" means. Santa. Jesus. Love. Friendship. All those things based on rumors or 'feelings' make me really uncomfortable.  Well....I mean we all know what happened with the whole Santa thing. I read this article on the Elite Daily and the questions really sunk in for me. I think whether you're choosing a friend or mate these are all good questions to help gauge the whole feeling thing. 

Honestly, I just heart the whole The Everygirl site right now

I have been  obsessed with getting to Paris in the very near future. I was even thinking about making it the destination for my birthday last year. There is a part of me that thinks its a bit silly though since I've been there and it is so accessible. There are plenty of more exotic places in the world to discover right now, why settle for Paris? I saw these article about 5 Places to Find Paris in Chicago while I was looking at the 7 introvert tips.  It could not be more perfect to my life right now.