Recently

Eating:
Thanks to the birthday piñata, I have been on a huge sugar kick lately. Dangerous. I usually pride myself on not having a bit sweet tooth (not that I don't love dessert!), but that's kind of gone away. I've been picking at the bag of candy for the last few weeks. So many Airheads, Sour Patch Kids, and Lindt truffles.
Drinking:
Boring...I pretty much alternate between coffee and water. I haven't been drinking alcohol lately, although a recent glass of Cupcake Chardonnay had me relaxed and giggly after a long Saturday evening shift. There aren't any particular cocktails, beers, or fancy smoothie/coffee drinks stealing my heart lately.
|Reading:
As you know, I normally post my Recent Reads on the blog. Book 13 of the challenge was a super short story, the ending of a couple of other books I read in the past year or so. I posted it on Instagram, so you can check out a quick bit about it there. I've moved onto Jellicoe Road for book 14.
Watching:
Considering I've been watching Tuesdays on FOX for years now, I'm kinda bummed that I only just got into Raising Hope now. It was just cancelled this year, so that stinks, but at least I'll have 4 seasons to treasure. I don't know what it is, I just find this show cute and silly and enjoyable. It's on Netflix, if you're interested!
Listening:
Songs I love right now are: Sia's Chandelier, Tune-Yards' Water Fountain (check out the performance on Jimmy Fallon!), and Lana Del Rey's West Coast (her new album will be out in less than two weeks!!).
Lusting:
I am dying over everything Ashley Goldberg creates, but I especially love the stamps.
You can put a piece of her work on everything, from cards to Project Life cards!

Recently…

An update on some things I love at the moment…

Eating:
I’ve had a large amount of Panera in the last couple of months, thanks to my hour lunches at work. It’s so close to Old Navy and the atmosphere is perfect to enjoy some soup, some coffee, and my current book. I love the Broccoli Cheddar soup and Iced Green Tea. Turkey sandwiches are also a usual pick.
Drinking:
Coffee, coffee and more coffee. I wish I could add something original here, but it’s freezing out and it wakes me up and keeps me warm. Dunkin’ has a new flavor, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, that is quite delightful.
Reading:
Though I’ve read plenty of articles along the way, I’ve started checking Buzzfeed on a regular basis. It’s just too fun.
I can (do) get lost on the site taking personality quizzes and reading fun lists. It’s the perfect waste of time.
Watching:
Aside from completely rewatching How I Met Your Mother (in the final stretch of season 6), the holiday season (with movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and The Shop Around the Corner) helped get me curious about watching old movies. For a long time, I’ve had an irrational fear of old movies. I have some theories as to why. Though I’ve exposed myself to some classics, I find myself ready to bring some real classics in. James Stewart in anything, the Katherine Hepburn movie collection my sister got, the romcoms on Netflix…I’m ready to open my mind!
Listening:
I finally got Lorde’s Pure Heroine and it’s the best thing my ears have heard in a while. I play that and The Love Club EP on shuffle and blast it as loud as possible. I haven’t been this excited about music since Lana!
Lusting:
Brad got me Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago on vinyl for Christmas. It sounds amazing. I’m looking forward to adding more contemporary music to his huge collection (though I love listening to Grateful Dead, Talking Heads, and Bossa Nova). Lana Del Rey’s Paradise is on it’s way to my house today and I have a long list of favorites, like
Florence + the Machine, Grizzly Bear, and Vampire Weekend, that I’d love to add.

Recently…

Eating:
I recently picked up a penchant for Luna bars. I’ve been waking up early for shifts at my part-time gig, and they are the perfect snack for 15 minute break. I have the Peanut Honey Pretzel and it’s delicious.
Drinking:
I’ve enjoyed hard ciders for a couple of years now, but after while I ended up getting sick of them. In the last month, I was introduced to Stella Artois Cidre and it is so tasty, crisp, and light. It’s a bit pricy for a 4 pack, but the flavor is definitely worth it. A nice end-of-the-week treat, for sure.
Reading:
With Catching Fire so dang close (I already have my movie ticket for Saturday night…IMAX baby!), I’m trying to reread the book. I forgot just how excellent the book is, how great of a writer Suzanne Collins is. I know I’m not going to finish it in time because my next few days are busy, but it’s still awesome to read. With so many books to choose from at home, I settled for the easy out.
Watching:
The final series of one of my favorite shows, Misfits, is on Hulu. The latest episodes are on the site the day after they air in the UK. I’ve raved about this show in the past and can’t stress enough how much I recommend it. It’s funny and intense and sad and cheeky, so pretty much perfect! Last series was not a strong point, but they seem to want to go out with a bang. I’ve enjoyed every episode so far. It should also be noted that I’ve decided to re-watch all of How I Met Your Mother from the beginning. I’m on disc three of season 1. Obviously, I have a lot of time on my hands. But it’s fun. I like the idea of going from the beginning and hopefully ending in enough time for the series finale.
Listening:
I cannot stop singing “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood. It’s a sexy song, but it’s also really fun to sing. Repeat.
Lusting:
I am dying for a pair of ankle boots, something with buckles or straps. Examples here, here, here, and here.

Recently…

Eating:
Pretty much every morning, I make an egg and cheese sandwich on an English muffin. It’s the perfect breakfast…quick and filling.
If I don’t have the muffins, toasted bread is just fine.
Drinking:
I actually look forward to mornings simply because coffeeeeeeeee! I make a cup as soon as I get out of bed (though that isn’t always right after I wake up…whoops), while I’m making my breakfast. Like everyone else in the USA, I am enjoying pumpkin coffee, but I recently tried
Coffee-Mate’s Dark Chocolate Fudge creamer, and LAWD is that good. It’s like hot chocolate and coffee all in one mug. Yeah. Yum.
Reading:
I haven’t included a couple of books in my Recent Reads post because I decided to put them altogether, but I’ve been lost in the Divergent trilogy. The final book comes out TUESDAY and I can’t wait to see how everything wraps up. Look forward to a post on that once I’ve finished (which might be a bit, because I’m starting a new book today and I don’t know if I’ll finish it in time for Allegiant’s arrival…I’d wait, but I need to read every day). If you haven’t heard of Divergent, I’m a little surprised. A movie will be released in March 2014 and it has a pretty strong fan base. However, I often don’t find out about a lot of YA trilogies or series until a movie or show is created from it so…yeah.
Watching:
The first two seasons of New Girl are on Netflix, and Brad decided to start watching it randomly, as a quick show to play while eating. He ended up getting into it, so I’ve had fun watching it again with him. I am up-to-date with the show, as I’ve watched it every week since it started. But watching them in mini-marathons has reminded me why I watch it in the first place and how much I love the characters.
Listening:
I’ve been wanting to get my grubby paws on a copy of Lorde’s Pure Heroine but I haven’t done it yet. Which is stupid, because I’ve heard the songs and they are excellent and catchy and slightly dark yet poppy and she’s 16 and amazing. In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying everything Warpaint, which is moody and melodic and beautiful and perfect for gloomy fall days (a.k.a. the best days).
Lusting:
In general, I have been in the mood to shop for clothes. I’m currently trying to figure out my style all over again…we change, our styles change…and right now I’m in a weird transitional period in which I have no idea what I want to wear or what size I fit in and I hate everything I own. I’ve been looking at clothes on Cotton On, Forever 21, and, of course, ASOS.

Recently…

It feels like forever since I’ve done one of these, but it turns out it’s only about a month and a half. I like to try and do one every month, but sometimes things don’t really change. Who wants to read a list of the same old things?

Eating:
Chips dipped into sour cream. I’m a healthy girl, right? Back when I was on vacation, Brad’s cousin and his wife told me about this…and I’m surprised I didn’t think of it sooner. I didn’t like sour cream for a long portion of my life, but now I could eat copious amounts of it on anything…and I’m not afraid to lick the spoon after a scoop. Obviously, it isn’t a healthy snack. But gosh, is it tasty.
Drinking:
Coffee and water. Usually, there’s an cocktail/beer/wine that I’m feeling, but I haven’t been much in the drinking mood.
Water is something I drink constantly throughout the day everyday, and coffee is a necessity in the morning.
I’ve recently started a new routine on weekday mornings in an effort to get to work earlier, and it starts with popping a K-Cup in before I do anything else. I find I don’t need coffee as much later in the day since I’ve started this, as well!
Reading:
Haha, funny you should say that…I believe as of right now, I’m 4 books behind schedule on my challenge. I had another failed attempt at reading a book I just couldn’t get into (which only happened one other time this year), but I have also just completely lost my reading mojo. A large portion of my reading time has been cut into (work, silly enough, was my main reading place during downtime), and I just can’t get myself to focus. It’s bumming me out. Hopefully the right book will kick me out of it soon enough!
Watching:
Like everyone else in the world, I’m watching Orange is the New Black. If you have Netflix and haven’t tried it yet, I suggest you do.
I’m trying to take my time, so that I don’t go through serious withdrawal. As I type this, my next episode is 7, and there are 13 in the season. Since it’s on Netflix, binge-watching is extremely easy to do. What a strange, different, funny, sad, frustrating show.
Listening:
The days have gotten cooler around here. I love Fall, but I don’t want summer to cut so quickly. However, on the gloomy days, I really love Grizzly Bear’s latest album, Shields. It’s so beautiful and quiet and haunting.
Lusting:
In almost a month, I’ll be attending a wedding at the beautiful Skytop Lodge. Brad is the best man. I am desperate for a beautiful dress that will suit me and my price range, and go well with the beginning of fall. Not sure how I’m going to find one, but keep your fingers crossed!

Recently…

For these posts, I like to try and find a picture of myself…but I realize I haven’t taken many “selfies” lately.
I didn’t get to talk about my new short ‘do on the blog, but there it is. It’s getting super shaggy, I’m hoping to get it shaped up soon!

Eating:
Sandwiches! As a post-work vacation celebration, Brad surprised me by ordering one of my favorite sandwiches that is no longer on the menu at a local deli. I also enjoyed a small hoagie yesterday. I love the ability to go simple or complex with sandwiches…and no matter what, they are always tasty!
Drinking:
Gin and Tonic is my cocktail of choice at the moment. Gin has been my favorite liquor for a while now, but I was lucky enough to receive a bottle of Hendrick’s for my birthday and holy moly, is that some great gin! I love a nice pour of the good stuff on ice with some fresh, crisp tonic and a couple of lime wedges squeezed in for taste and décor. Easy and refreshing for hot summer days and nights!
Reading:
The Dainty Squid is one of the blogs I’ve most recently added to my reading list. I have been following her on Instagram for a while, so it took me long enough. To be honest, though, I’ve mostly been checking the posts on her Nail tag. Her nail art inspires me so much!
Watching:
A little while ago, Brad and I started watching Doctor Who and I got hooked. Never thought it would happen, but it’s such an engaging, funny, compelling and entertaining show. We haven’t had a chance to lose ourselves in some episodes in a bit, but I can’t wait to pick it back up.
Listening:
Lana Del Rey is my go-to music anyway, but it’s especially fitting in the summer.
Lusting:
I’m just getting into indie polishes…I’ve been checking them out for a while, but I made my first purchase from Happy Hands a while back and I can’t wait to add more to my collection, and from a bunch of different makers as well.

Recently…

Eating:
Strawberry Jell-O! Come on, I was sick! I haven’t had much of an appetite, but this gelatin dessert hit the spot without upsetting my tummy.
Drinking:
Gatorade. Again. Replenishment. I like it diluted with water and some ice.
Reading:
I am currently 2 books behind schedule, according to Goodreads. I am almost finished with my 12th book.
Watching:
Awkward. which you can stream until the 3rd season begins on 4/16 on MTV. I know, you’re probably rolling your eyes and scoffing, I did at first. But when the second season began last year, I got hooked. It’s super funny and smart and, at a short 20 minutes, easy to watch.
Listening:
Step, Vampire Weekend’s latest song. SO good.
Lusting:
Dunkin’ Donuts has new flavors of iced coffee…Mint Chocolate Chip and Butter Pecan…MUST HAVE SOON!

Recently…

Eating:
Girl Scout Cookies! My favorites are the Peanut Butter Tagalongs. Yum.
Drinking:
Shamrock Shakes, of course! Okay, so I usually just mooch Brad’s. But I will get my own someday soon. So yum.
Reading:
I’m in love with nail blogs.  The Nailsaurus and Chalkboard Nails are two of my favorites right now.
Watching:
Spaced for the second time on Netflix. I love Simon Pegg. And Nick Frost. And Edgar Wright (director). And everyone in the cast. SO FUNNY. Netflix it.
Listening:
Toro Y Moi’s new album Anything in Return is the perfect chill-out album.
Lusting:
A Bodum 8-Cup French Press in a funky color, preferably lime or orange. But really, preferably lime.

Recently…

I thought I would share some of the things I’ve been enjoying in the last week or so, in every possible category I could think of.
This might become a regular thing.

Eating:
Bagels with a whole lot of cream cheese.
Drinking:
The Naked Grape’s Pinot Grigio…especially if I want to get nappy.
Reading:
Entertainment Weekly’s article on Lena Dunham. I would’ve been completely content if the whole issue had been about her.
Watching:
The latest episode of Girls, “It’s a Shame About Ray”, was the best episode of the season so far.
Listening:
Local Natives’ new album, Hummingbird. Dreamy and lovely and perfect.
Lusting:
Deborah Lippmann’s nail polish collection designed for Girls (I swear I didn’t plan on this being Girls-centric. It just happened).