Friday Favorites!

This past week, I have written about eight really good blog posts in my head... 

But none of them actually got written down. 

It's not like I haven't had time to blog. In fact, I have been journaling pretty much every night. But I'm just really enjoying resting - and everything that comes with it. Which includes being spontaneous with my days and sometimes forgetting to blog. 

Anyway, I really feel like blogging today. 

And I thought I would join the bandwagon and do a Friday Favorites post! 

My favorites this week??

1. Baking sugar cookies with my best friend. 

2. My yellow blazer. And scarves!

3. Eggnog lattes. I seriously love eggnog. Like, can't get enough of the stuff. My sister in law told me that once she took a sip of eggnog and there was a whole egg yoke in it. 

Didn't change my sentiments in the least. 

Also, Starbucks should probably start sponsoring bloggers. The blog world is obsessed with it and there is no better advertisement than a picture of a steaming hot extra foamy latte on a blog post. Just saying.

4. This book. I've read it before, but it's life-changing every time. This is what I'm passionate about. 

5. Fitness classes at the gym. After I finished my really hard cross training bike workout Tues (yes, still dealing with my achilles issues), I got inspired to try out a Piyo class. I was exhausted, but I have always wanted to take a fitness class, and it was just starting. Result? So much fun. I love working out with a whole bunch of older ladies and doing strength/ballet/yoga/cardio stuff. 

Honestly, I don't know what it was. But how fun!!!

6. This picture of my nephew. I miss him, and my sister and bro in law, terribly.

7. And lastly, this:

Have a lovely Friday!!!

xoxo

Christmas Survey!

The last few days, I have been really in the Christmas mood. 

Not like I haven't been in the Christmas mood since August, but the thing is, when you start listening to Christmas music in the summer it's hard to keep the momentum going. Christmas cheer is back in my heart, though, thanks to Delilah on 107.9 light fm and some Elf watching/peppermint bark making. 

And so I thought I would do a fun Christmas survey that I have seen floating around out in the blog world. Here goes!!

1.  Favorite Christmas Album/CD/Song?

I really love the classics. Like "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" and songs like that. 

But I used to be a ballerina, for like nine years....

And now that I think about it though- the Nutcracker music is better than all of it!!!

2.  Run on Christmas morning or take the day off?

I'll be taking the day off for sure! I think my training schedule has me doing a long run on Christmas Eve, anyway. I'm not doing anything on Christmas!

3.  What do you usually eat on Christmas morning?

We always have a big breakfast. Usually there are eggs, coffee cake, and other brunch items. 

This year I really want cinnamon rolls!!!

4.  Favorite holiday or Christmas tradition?

When Liberty and I were little girls, we would always set our alarms for 3 a.m. on Christmas morning and wake up and open our stockings. Then we would hang around for awhile until we eventually crashed. One year, we tried to make breakfast in bed for our family and delivered toast with orange juice to all of their rooms promptly at 4 a.m. They were thrilled.

We are so cute thought, they couldn't say no!!

5.  Real tree, fake tree or no tree?

We always have a fake tree. Less mess. And you can keep it up for longer! 

I have absolutely no problem with that!

6.  Christmas pajamas… yay or nay?

Sure! Anything festive is right up my alley. Although I don't have any.

7.  Where do you spend the holidays?  Your own house, your parents’ house, extended family, in-laws, friends?

I spend it at my house with my parents and siblings and grandma. 

I would always prefer to be with family on Christmas.

We are missing a few members in this picture... last Christmas.

8.  Food that you always have during the holiday season?  Favorite Christmas food/treat?

We always make these AMAZING cookie bars called nanaimo bars (I always make up the spelling). They are unreal good and have so many ingredients they cannot help but be bad for you! But my favorite Christmas treat is always peppermint ice cream which they only ever sell around Christmas time. This is silly to me because during Christmas it's freezing and pepperminty creamy goodness should be available year round. 

9. Open presents all at once or take turns?  Stockings… yes or no?

Take turns. It extends it that way... and I want to watch people's expressions when they open their presents! Much more special. 

10.  Favorite Christmas(ish) movie?

I'd have to say White Christmas because it is a classic, and I know all the songs and watch it every year. 

But I love The Holiday SOOOO much, and it sort of has to do with Christmas :) 

(Almost) - Home for the Holidays

It's been a pretty fantastic weekend. 

First, let me say that I am thrilled about Thanksgiving break coming up. 

I have to go to school/practice tomorrow and Tuesday, but after that I'll have a lovely five days off. Then dead week, then finals, then Christmas!!! 

I have been listening to Christmas music nonstop, overdosing on all things pumpkin, and loving the seasonal peppermint ice cream I discovered in our fridge at my parent's house (it's my favorite kind!).

 I have also been busy planning what presents I'm going to get everyone. I'm thinking that about 90% of them will come from World Market. I mean, have you been there? So cool. 

I came home this weekend - even though I'm going to be home all next week- because I had a couple appointments I had to go to. And plus, let's be honest, I love it here. 

Right now, I have coconut flour pumpkin cookies in the oven. 

I'm sipping coffee. 

My mom's watching tv and grading papers, and my dad is busy doing something in his office. 

I think my little sister is taking a nap. 

It's just- so peaceful here!

This weekend was full of fun.

This weekend I got to go to GCD (my college youth group), meet up with a friend I haven't seen in years, skype a dear friend who lives quite far from me, and have a girl's night with another dear friend. I went out Friday night with my mom, and I caught up with my little sister.

It also had a little drama. 

I accidentally (and BARELY) hit a car on Saturday. There was the tiniest little scratch, and I was devastated. I made it clear to the owner how sorry I was, and obviously I was going to provide my insurance info (even though insurance would never cover something that little)- but he wouldn't have any of it. He and his wife yelled at me and made me cry in front of their little daughter, and they would not hear my apology. -That got me thinking about how everyone is not really sunshine and roses like I always think they are. It's shocking to me, every time. 

This weekend DID NOT include:

Any running. Or homework. Or stressing. 

But it had plenty of: 

 Bonding time and discussions about God. This lovely lady treated me to dinner, and we spent the whole time talking about how amazing God is and our futures and the wonderful things about life. We finished off the evening watching movies with another friend. 

Two days until I'm truly home for the holidays. Can't wait!!

Friday Faves

Happy Friday everyone! My weekend begins on Thursdays, after a long and exhausting week. But the three day weekend is a total blessing :)

My favorites right now:

Favorite thing to do: Going to GCD (Generation Church Downtown) on Thursday nights, getting rocked by God, and then eating frozen yogurt with these lovely ladies.

Favorite thing to eat: Dark chocolate. And I mean, really dark chocolate. Meet 90%. This stuff tasted disgusting at first, but now I'm seriously addicted to it. 

Favorite thing ever: This Iphone case. I don't have an iphone. I don't even have a smart phone. The bill is not something I can deal with right now. But I love this case. 

Favorite Fashion: Bring on the scarfs, layers, tights, and boots. I don't want summer to end, but fall has the cutest clothing items by far. I went shopping the other day and couldn't control myself. Here are some of my lookbook inspirations:

Favorite new thing I own!: I had been wanting one of these mugs from Anthropologie for forever, and my sister surprised me with an "S" one the other day!!!

Just my favorite:

This picture makes me want to pack up everything I have in a backpack and go on an adventure.

Favorite revelation this week: 

That's about it for now :) Have a wonderful weekend guys!