Introducing 30 On Tap

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Happy Valentine’s Day! Hope y’all are staying warm 🙂 I’m currently nestled under a blanket and robe doing my best to get cozy in this -31(!) degree windchill morning. 

But, enough about the weather. My main reason for checking in today is to share the new lifestyle blog my sister-in-law, De, and I recently launched!    

Our intention with Thirty On Tap is to create a space for the mid-twenties & thirties crew to connect, share, and chat about a little bit of anything – entertainment, style, nourishment – and everything in between.

We’d love to feature your voice and your story, so feel free to send a submission our way and let us know what’s on tap in your world!

Little Things To Love

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Yesterday felt like the beginning of Spring with the remainder of the snow from the storm a couple of weeks ago melting, and today, Winter has officially returned in full force.      But enough about the weather, it’s Friday and I’ve got some current February favorites to share. Here are the little things I’m loving lately…

Sriracha & Lime Pretzel Crisps.

Of all the flavors of pretzel crisps that I’ve tried (and it’s a long list), these are by far my new favorite. I’ll be honest, I was a bit skeptical of the sriracha/lime combination at first, but the folks at Snack Factory know what they’re doing.   
What Alice Forgot (& a side of Spark).

This is the third of Liane Moriarty’s novels that I’ve read and I’m yet to be disappointed. It’s the kind of book that I’ll stay up late and get up early to read and even after I’ve set it down, the characters are still on my mind. Rumor has it that Jennifer Aniston has been in talks to star as Alice in the movie adaptation. This might’ve the most excited I’ve been about a book turned movie since Gone Girl. Pita Wraps.

Aka our dinner 3 times this week. It’s a great option at our house as I can make mine meatless with sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, and tzatziki sauce before adding chicken to Dan’s.  Eyebrow Magic.

On my latest trip to Ulta, they were having a buy 2 get 1 free sale (come to think of it, I’m pretty sure they’re always offering that special) and I chose this brow crayon as my add on. Love. It’s quick & easy to draw on and my sister even asked over FaceTime if I’d just gotten my eyebrows done.  PB CC Granola Bars. 

And because I’m such a food blogger extraordinaire, I only share the best pictures 😉 Seeing as I will most likely be snowed in today, I have a feeling we’ll have a fresh batch of these whipped up in time for an afternoon snack. The liquor store is walkable, so I may have to see how they pair with wine.Linking up with Katie to share these recent favorites! 

Reader Question – What little things have you been loving lately?

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

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I’m convinced that good food tastes even better when it’s homemade. So, considering how much I already enjoy snacking on store bought granola bars, it’s no surprise that I love the ones made in the comfort of our kitchen even more. 

I whipped up a batch of these bars last week and since we (read I) polished off the last of them yesterday evening, I’ll be getting out my mixing bowl and measuring cups after hitting publish on this post to make another pan-full.  Before I deal out the recipe I use, I should mention that I go more by look and feel vs. precise measurements. A little of this, a smidge more of that…it just seems more Food Network style…well, that or it means less dishes to do.  

Enough of my commentary, I give to you quick & easy (we’re talking 5-10 minutes of prep time) Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars!  Directions

  • Line 8×8 pan will foil
  • Combine and melt 1/4 cup brown sugar & 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • Mix in 1/2 cup honey
  • Add 1 1/2 cup Rice Krispies & 1 3/4 old fashioned oats
  • Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips
  • Refrigerate bars for an hour, cut once cooled

Enjoy! 🙂 


These Moments Are Life

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Do you ever have days (weeks, months, or years for that matter) where you feel like God or the Universe is trying mightily to tell you something? Presenting ‘here’s your sign‘ moments, but you keep zooming past them until they become so obvious and often that finally you willingly or perhaps, stubbornly, acknowledge them? 

In my case, it usually takes a handful of signs before I begin to take notice. A quote or song here, a conversation or experience there, and one by one, my mind starts tallying up the collection of pieces and connecting the larger aha puzzle.

Because of my tendency to overlook the first couple, few, handful of signs, I can’t honestly say how long this last moment of clarity has been nudging me to look in its direction. Yet over the weekend, the repetitive message became clear.

It started on Friday morning when I mindlessly missed my right hand turn while driving. I was so caught up in my mental checklist of the day that even the autopilot gps of my mind was distracted and I overshot the side street. 

Then, on Saturday, we flipped to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in time to catch my favorite line, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” 

Yesterday’s daily meditation was entitled ‘Stay in the Present Moment’. 
  
And as I skimmed through my current novel before drifting to sleep last night, I found myself pausing to re-read the same section twice. 

“Here I am, building a life – not just waiting for my life to happen. I am breathing in and out, living day to day.” 

Life is now. 

It’s in the moments of grocery store runs, spending an hour on the phone with my sister, and watching the sun rise as I unload the dishwasher. It’s Friday afternoon Happy Hour and it’s my Monday morning alarm. It’s Winter. It’s Summer. It’s not on its way. It’s here.

  

Go-To Mood Boosting Activities

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Netflix.

End post.

Kidding! Although, winter weekends do seem like the ideal time to start and finish a new series and I’d be lying if I said our Wii isn’t warmed up with all the Netflix action it sees January to March. 

In an effort to avoid total hibernation mode for a quarter of the year, I’m always looking for ways to dial up the fun indoors. These are 5 of my favorite go-to activities –

Build/Paint/Redecorate/Reorganize. I cannot begin to tell you how many times my college roommate and I rearranged our cubicle of a dorm room. There are only so many ways you can bunk your beds and I’m confident we exercised as much creativity as architects moving our furniture to make the most of our space. A fresh coat of paint can provide the perfect new look and feel without requiring a complete overhaul.

Yoga. I discovered Yoga With Adriene when we first moved into our house last year and I had yet to join a studio. I absolutely love her quick videos and laid back and fun teaching style. On mornings that I’m lacking energy and creativity in putting together my own sequence, I happily choose one of hers and feel like I’m practicing alongside a friend (who doesn’t actually know we’re friends, but that’s beside the point).

Get Creative in the Kitchen. Aside from writing, baking and cooking are my creative outlets. I enjoy few things more than putting on a feel good playlist and getting all Pioneer Woman. Last week, I tried overnight oats for the first time (I like to be about 2 years behind in trends) and I’ve gotta say, opening the fridge to find breakfast already made in the AM is quite the treat. Read. Devotionals, blogs, books. Aside from actually going to the beach, diving into an Elin Hildebrand novel is the best way I know to get away. It may be snowing outside, but in my mind, it’s 75 on Nantucket. That is, until the dogs bark to go outside. Still, a little escape is better than no escape at all 😉Games. Whether it’s Heads Up on the iPad, darts in the hallway, or (ultra competitive) Spades against Dan, I love playing games. If we’re free on a Saturday, there’s a good chance we’re setting up some makeshift Olympics. Basically, I alternate between acting like a 5 year old creating an at home obstacle course and constantly asking if we can build a fort/75 year old shuffling my tattered deck of cards (Not a girl, not yet a woman). 

Reader Question(s) – 

What are your favorite indoor winter activities/games/workouts/home projects? 

Do you now have a Britney Spears song stuck in your head? 

Songs That Bring The Happy

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Things I love: Sunshine, palm trees, margaritas, and warm weather.  Things that didn’t make the ‘love‘ list: Winter. That being said, I’m determined to make the most of the season (cold weather and all), focusing on little joys each day. 

I’m rolling out a week long theme of things that bring the happy to everyday life. And in borrowing a page out of Glennon Doyle Melton’s book,

“I’m going to quit chasing happiness long enough to notice it smiling right at me.” – Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed

One of the simplest and quickest ways I know to bust out of a mediocre mood is listening to upbeat music. My girlfriend sent me this image last week and it accurately sums up my belief that hearing my favorite song isn’t a passive experience, it’s an opportunity to transform the car, house, and Costco, aisle 6, into a karaoke stage.  Here are 5 songs I’m currently loving listening to…

Die A Happy Man. If Dan and I were still in the market for a first dance, this song would be a serious contender. It’s basically a Nicholas Sparks’ novel in music form. 

Lights Down Low. Tbh, I’ve had a girl crush on Jessie James Decker since Season 1 of ‘Eric & Jessie: Game On’. I’ll be playing this song on repeat (and baking cookies) the first time we’re snowed in this winter.

Confident. Current favorite workout song found. Between it and ‘Cool for the Summer’ I’m definitely in Demi’s camp. 

Loving You Easy. Zac Brown Band is like the music equivalent of my favorite flannel shirt and a messy bun on a Sunday afternoon with dinner cooking in the crockpot. #allthefeels

Downtown. This one starts as a modest toe tap and ends in a full show choir performance. Dowwwwntownnnn.

Reader Question – Favorite all-time/current/90s/workout song? 

January Goals

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Seeing as it’s almost the middle of January, I figured I’d better get around to posting my monthly goals before they lose all relevancy. I considered establishing year long commitments, but to be honest, some nights brushing my teeth and washing my face feel like a stretch. So for the time being, I’m going to keep with those (the tooth brushing and face washing) and continue to set new goals each month.  Health
Work out 2x/week. While Power Yoga is my favorite way to get my sweat on (hot imagery, I know) I still love the benefits of HIIT and weight lifting workouts as well. I recently added a couple more classes to my teaching lineup, and I’m hoping that prepping for those by training my mom and sister through FaceTime sessions will allow me to broaden my fitness horizons and push beyond my go-to routines.  

Personal
Finish ‘Rising Strong‘. I’ve mentioned how much I loved Brené Brown’s ‘The Gifts of Imperfection’ more than a few times on the blog and I’m equally enjoying the honest and relatable stories throughout ‘Rising Strong’.  

Marriage
Make dinner together 1x/week. This goal is one I’d really like to maintain and meet throughout the year as it combines two of my favorite things – quality time and delicious food. We prepared our favorite Pad Thai this past weekend and I’m hoping to actually try some of the Pinterest recipes I’ve saved so that my food & drink board isn’t a complete sham 😉 

Relationships
Keep up with the ladies in my life. Dan and I can happily spend hours talking football (ranging from fantasy to the real thing) but when I want to chat about who wore it best, my latest Target finds, in depth analysis of ‘The Bachelor’, and my current hair color, I look to my girlfriends. Luckily, modern technology helps to bridge the gap between long distances as my best friends are scattered from coast to coast. 

Reader Question(s) – 

What’s your current favorite book, meal, and/or workout?

Current goals?

Attention To The Details

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Last night, I was subbing a new-to-me class at a studio I recently joined. More or less, I was auditioning to eventually teach. The word auditioning in and of itself has the tendency to give me dry mouth, as does standing in front of a room full of strangers. I tried to get a little Sasha Fierce alter ego thing going on and…I’m thinking I still need some more practice on that front. 

Luckily, early into the class, I made eye contact with one of the ladies in the second row and she offered a smile. Nerves calmed. With that simple encouraging interaction, I could feel such a shift in my comfort level and confidence. 

In true George Bailey a la ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ fashion, I was reminded once again, as I often am, how much simple, meaningful connections throughout the day matter. 

“While it is true that most people never see or understand the difference they make, or sometimes only imagine their actions having a tiny effect, every single action a person takes has far-reaching consequences.” ― Andy Andrews, The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs Is a Little Perspective

It seems only natural to give thought and attention to what I do – my TDL, cleaning, errands, cooking, the list goes on. And yet daily interactions, like the one I had yesterday evening highlighted the importance not only of what I do, but how I do things…How I interact with others, how I approach work, how I treat my family, friends, and self, how I show up in life.

The most seemingly insignificant acts can have a profound impact. 

Reader Question – What little detail, act of kindness, or interaction made your day today? 

Little Things To Love

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After almost 4 years of blogging, I’m still deciding what I’d like for this space to become. I doubt it will encompass anything beauty based or fashion forward, because Lord knows I walk around Sephora the same wide eyed way that a kid enters a candy store. In fact, I snapchat my girlfriends pictures of my makeup and outfit before any big event to ensure I look ‘adult’ enough to paint the town. 

One topic that I’m confident won’t be going anywhere anytime soon (especially during these cooler and darker winter months where a boost of inspiration is always welcome) is ‘little things to love‘. I enjoy taking the time to write about what’s bringing a smile to my face each week and gratitude is one of my ongoing intentions. 

So, without further adieu, here are some things I’ve been loving lately –

Home Projects. We spent Friday night at Lowe’s (#ThisIs28) selecting a new paint color for our main level hallway and desk space. It’s amazing the amount of time you can spend scrutinizing similar shades of the same color. Ultimately, we decided on Bunglehouse Blue. Similar to selecting nail polish, my favorite part about choosing paint may be reading all the creative names. The HGTV fan in me (again, #ThisIs28) had so much fun giving the space a fresh new look. 

Before   

 After

  

   Looks like we need to stock up on our wine supply…

The ‘Father of the Bride’ House. Before heading out to California for the Rose Bowl over New Year’s, I did a quick search of things to do in the Pasadena area (we didn’t want a Honeymoon 2.0 happening). I saw that the house from ‘Father of the Bride’ was within 10 minutes of our hotel and (cue the nostalgia) I had to visit in person. “Bye, George! See you next Thursday!“Fargo (Season 2). We’re big fans of ‘The Blacklist’ and during it’s long winter break, we needed a show to fill the void. My dad convinced us to give ‘Fargo’ a go and I can confidently say it’s worth the watch. Disclaimer, you’ll be using their popular expression “Okay, then” before you know it. Okay, then…

Dark Chocolate {filled with} Speculoos Cookie Spread. Hello, impulse buy. The checkout space at Trader Joe’s gets me every time. In an effort to apply my ‘all things in moderation’ mindset to dessert, I’ve been enjoying a cup of hot cocoa and a couple squares of this bar nightly. It’s the perfect sweet note to end the day.   Reader Questions – 

What topics do you want to see more of on the blog?

What things/shows/impulse buys/etc. have you been loving lately?

New Year, Best Me

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Because Amy Schumer is one of the loves of my life and her words speak truth to my soul, I’m opening and closing today’s post with a quote of hers.

To begin, “I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say.”

 
This morning, those thoughts, questions, and shit to say pertain to the pressure to be a certain way and the inevitable judgement if one doesn’t meet those expectations – In what that individual eats, wears, says, does, shares, essentially, lives. This may be due in part to the conversation surrounding those who make resolutions and are attempting to keep them, and those who are cynical of the idea and find it improbable that others would choose to make that attempt.

It occurs to me, that no matter what your resolution is (or is not) you will in many ways succeed, and in some ways you will fail. Because you’re human.

In the process of completing my personal training and yoga teacher training programs, I remember the daunting feeling I had that my future clients and students wouldn’t benefit from my teaching style, wouldn’t enjoy my classes, and beyond all other fears, that they wouldn’t like me.

So, in addition to giving myself pep talks while driving to teach (and I’m sure getting weird looks from strangers as I passionately pumped myself up) I also made it a point to memorize and absorb John Wooden’s words of wisdom, “You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”

Wouldn’t you know it, not everyone likes my teaching style, not everyone enjoys my classes, and I’m not 100% sure, but they probably don’t all like me. And while I’d be lying if I said that doesn’t ever affect me, I also know that I didn’t sign up for the impossible job of receiving the undivided approval of others.

I still don’t have a 5 year plan. In fact, I’m not even sure what I’m going to eat for lunch today. I semi-regularly pose the question ‘What am I doing with my life?’ both internally as I scroll through my Instagram feed and aloud as I’m watching ‘Teen Mom‘.

With all that being said, I’ve committed to letting 2016 be the year that I commit to being me. Authentically, imperfectly, unapologetically (unless I’m being a jerk) me. Getting down with my best and most bad ass self.

I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story — I will. – Amy Schumer