10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. The afternoons have been so gorgeous! I love that we're getting warmer, spring-like weather. 

2. 99 Questions To Ask Your Partner To Know Them Better (The Good Trade)

3. A song on repeat: Pain by Boy Harsher (I recently discovered this band and this song from this post by r.h. Sin.)

4. Massachusetts just made birth control and emergency contraception free for eligible people

5. I watched the first two episodes of With Love, Meghan, and have really enjoyed this series. Now, I want to make a frittata and a balloon arch.

6. I love seeing the yellow Jonquils and other flowers around the city. I'm definitely still in my floral era.

7. Unfortunately, I didn't see the blood moon due to the weather. However, I really loved seeing photos people took of the blood moon in different cities and countries of the moon. 

8. I've been getting a lot of stuff done well in advance, and I've never been more grateful for my planner than I am now.

9. Reading. I've read good books, articles, and newsletters in the past two weeks. 

10. It's finally Friday! I'm looking forward to getting some rest, spending time with my family, and working on some creative projects.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at one of our go-to coffee shops. Instead of ordering our usual, we'll opt to try something new. Maybe a seasonal drink or pastry. Since it'll be close to lunchtime, I'll order a Chipotle chicken sandwich. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that Daylight Saving Time is kicking my butt. I hate when the time changes because it takes me a while to get used to it. However, I love that it's not getting dark so early, and the time change is a sign that spring is almost here. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I went to the grand opening of the cutest little bookstore in my city. It's called Sincerely Yours Bookstore. The store is super pink and heavy on romance, but it also carries some other genres. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that this month feels weird. I'm experiencing waves of grief, yet I am having more days of feeling settled, grounded, and relieved. It's odd how I feel opposite emotions at the same time. I could ramble on about this, but I think I'll just sit with these emotions for a bit and try to reflect on them. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you I'm in this weird creative rut. It's not that I don't have time to create or ideas on what to make. It's simply that I can't decide where to begin. I have a couple of sketchbooks and notebooks that I want to use, but I can't decide on which one to try first. It's really frustrating because I'm dying to play with paper and make something, but what's holding me back is which sketchbook to use. 

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm glad we were able to catch up. Our little coffee chats are a highlight of my month and something I really appreciate. I hope you enjoy the rest of the month. Here's to better days ahead, giving ourselves grace and being kinder to ourselves and each other. See you next month.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. I went to the grand opening of a new bookstore in my city, Sincerely Yours Bookstore, on Saturday. It's such a cute little bookstore. It's definitely heavy on the romance genre, but they also carry a few other genres. 

2. Sunday is the woman I want to be

3. I found a new-to-me artist on Instagram, @kindahkhalidy, and absolutely love her work.

4. I am giving up Pepsi and Coca-Cola for Lent, and it's been going well so far. I still drink Olipop and Poppi, but I don't feel guilty because they are healthier than Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

5. Speaking of drinks, I discovered a new-to-me drink, Caliwater, and I am obsessed! I tried Caliwater's Watermelon Cactus Water, and it is delicious! Raphael even loves it. I'm pretty sure this will probably be my go-to drink for the foreseeable future. 

6. Old Navy had some great sales, and I used my Super Cash to buy a few things for the boys and myself. I purchased four swing dresses in different colors (white, black, green, and lilac/pinkish color). I love how it fits. I am short, so the dresses hit just a bit past my knee. However, I love the length, and it feels so soft. It's a bit loose-fitting, but I like my dresses to fit this way. If you like your dresses to fit a little tighter, you may want to size down.

7. I was so excited to finally watch With Love, Meghan. I enjoyed watching the first episode and can't wait to watch the rest of the series.

8. Celebrating International Women's Day. Love these reminders. 

9. A song I'm loving: For Island Fires and Family by Dermot Kennedy

10. Even though I am not a fan of Daylight Saving Time (when it starts and ends), I am excited about it starting because we're so much closer to the official start of spring. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

March 2025 Goals

Happy Tuesday! It's finally March. February was a whirlwind, and the last week made me feel mentally exhausted. My emotions were definitely all over the place. 

February was an eventful month. In February, John and I went on a date to a new-to-us restaurant. We enjoyed the food and drinks. After dinner, we went for a walk around the square. We're not really into Valentine's Day, but we always get each other a gift. I tried to think more outside the box when deciding what gifts to give them, but I also kept it simple. I was really excited to give John and the boys their gifts this year. I actually had time to watch two films! I watched Fallen and La Ciguapa Siempre. I also took time to vote, participated in Exhale's monthly blog hop, and enjoyed new things. 

In March, I'm hoping for some peace. March is usually an emotional month for me because it's my baby brother's death anniversary month. This month, I'm hoping to give myself some grace. 

I set new goals for the month, but it'll be okay if I don't complete them. Since I mentioned goals, let's recap my February goals and check out the goals I set for March.

Recap of February Goals

• Read 5 books: February was a good reading month. I read 16 books, including short stories, children's books, and romance novels. My favorite read of the month was Alice Hoffman's The Bookstore Sisters. I highly recommend this series. 

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I did read two books I received from NetGalley: When You're A Boy by Blake Nuto and Sketchbook Joy by Katie Moody. I really enjoyed Nuto's book and thought the message was great. Sketchbook Joy passed the time. This was definitely a book for beginners. I wish there were more prompts in the book. However, it is still a pretty good resource.

• Participate in Exhale's February blog hop: I did participate in the blog hop. You can check out my piece here.

• Work on my One Little Word project: I did not work on it, but I did think about the prompt and plan to complete it. So, maybe I can get half credit for that. 

• Try 2 new recipes: I can't remember if I made anything new, so I'm going to assume I didn't. 

• Make time to play with my scrapbook and memory-keeping supplies: Sadly, I didn't do this. The main problem was simply beginning. Every time I went to work on a creative project, I just couldn't decide where to start, became frustrated, and just did something else.

• Complete the latest round of Five Things: Oof, I did not do this. I may incorporate some of the prompts into my art journal this month.

March Goals

• Read 5 books
• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library
• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley
• Participate in Exhale's March blog hop
• Try 1 new recipe
• Make time to play with my scrapbook/memory-keeping supplies
• Complete this month's One Little Word prompt

What are your goals for March? How did you do in February?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Zoe Richardson on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. I read Abby Jimenez's short story "The Fall Risk" and absolutely loved it. Set during Valentine's Day weekend, Charlotte and Seth are neighbors who are not looking for love. They finally speak to each other after a construction error traps them on the second floor of their building with no way down. I'll have to add some of her novels to my TBR list.

2. A song on repeat: Closer by Nuages

3. Kelcey Ervick's Letter to My First Love.

4. On Saturday, we went to the Marietta Square Artisan Market and stopped by the Marietta Square Farmers Market. Unfortunately, I didn't really find much, and a few things I wanted to buy were already sold out (I should have gotten there earlier). However, I did buy some delicious scones from Seven Sisters Scones. It was also a gorgeous day to walk around the square.

5. I bought some Instax mini monochrome film and am so excited to take pictures of everything this month. I think I am finally out of this creative rut.

6. Even more r.h. Sin mood boards. Here's Mood Board #16, Mood Board #17, Mood Board #18, Mood Board #19, and Mood Board #20.

7. I participated in the economic blackout on Friday, February 28. It was nice not having to run any errands, and it made me mindful about what I buy and where I buy from. Honestly, I didn't even really need anything as I had already purchased my essentials, and I was determined to use what I already had at home. I also took the time to research alternatives to stores I usually shop at and looked into more small businesses, especially ones that are local to me. I was surprised at how many small businesses have things (or alternatives) I usually buy. 

8. I bought this mini swing dress from Old Navy and already know that it will be a staple for me this spring and summer. Now I want to buy a few more in different colors. It's so soft, fits well, and is currently on sale!

9. I found such a relatable Instagram account, Thriving In Her Thirties, and it seems like such an amazing community.

10. It's finally March! Spring is almost here, and I'm so excited!

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

February 2025 // A List

1. Oh February. The shortest month of the year but a good one overall. A month full of love, adventure, good books, good days (and a couple bad), and learning new things.

2. John and I went on a date in early February and tried a new-to-us restaurant, Taqueria Tsunami. The food was excellent. I highly recommend the garden shrimp quesadilla. I tried their mango sangrita, which was good, but a bit strong. After dinner, we went for a walk around the Marietta Square.

3. I made sure to early vote in my local election. Please make sure to make your voice heard and vote during elections.

4. I am still in my floral era and hope it never ends. John bought me some beautiful flowers on Valentine's Day, and they're still alive. 

5. Speaking of Valentine's Day, you may know that John and I always tell each other that we won't buy gifts, but then we do. I was so excited to give John and the boys their gifts. They all loved their gifts. 

6. The weather gave me whiplash this month. We randomly had spring-like weather for about a week, and then the cold weather returned. Thankfully, it's been getting warmer again. I can't wait for spring to officially arrive. 

7. I watched two films on Netflix: Fallen and La Ciguapa Siempre. The first is a movie based on Kate Lauren's book, and the second is a 12-minute horror short. 

8. In February, I tried a few new things: Sugarfina's champagne gummies, YumEarth Sour Littles, Pretty Tasty Tea, and Copper Cow Pour Over Coffee (I highly recommend the churro coffee).

9. February was a good reading month. I read 17 books. Raphael and I have been on a Jonathan Stutzman kick. We love his Tiny T. Rex series. I'm still enjoying short stories and short story collections. I look forward to reading even more novellas and short story collections this year.

10. I shared my piece for Exhale's blog hop. I look forward to participating in future blog hops. 

11. The state of this country is both worrying and angering me. 

12. As the month comes to an end, I hope that March is easy on me. I'm dreading the month already, especially since it's my baby brother's death anniversary. I'm currently going through waves of grief. It still seems odd (and almost wrong?) to be happy about things in March while also dealing with grief. I find myself still going through waves of grief throughout the year, but it really hits me during March. 

13. Goodbye February. You were a month full of love and excitement. Hello March. Please, please, please be easy on me. 

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. I read and absolutely loved Alice Hoffman's short story "The Bookstore Sisters." This is the first short story in the Once Upon a Time Bookshop series. I actually read the second short story first (don't ask me why; I honestly don't know). I highly recommend reading the stories in order. I can't wait to read the third short story, which was published last Tuesday.

2. More r.h. Sin mood boards. Here's Mood Board #11, Mood Board #12, Mood Board #13, Mood Board #14, and Mood Board #15. 

3. When Your Only Job is to Cuddle. Thank you to Joanna from Cup of Jo for sharing this article on her blog.

4. A song on repeat: Love Me by Adrian Daniel

5. "She's ferocious, you know? I hope she takes that with her, too."

6. A current favorite: YumEarth Sour Littles. These little sour candies are so good. They're allergy-friendly, organic, vegan, non-GMO, have no artificial dyes, and no high fructose corn syrup. This was an impulse buy that was worth it.

7. Words by Amy Turn Sharp

8. Victoria's Secret has a fantastic new perfume collection called Bare. I bought the Bare Rose Eau de Parfum and the lotion. I absolutely love it. 

9. Being on winter break was the best ever. We all got some much-needed rest. I read some good books, listened to good music, decluttered a few areas around our home, and was able to put together some bags to donate. I may have mentioned it before, but I am absolutely terrified of going to the dentist. I had a dentist appointment this week, and thankfully, it went well. 

10. Early afternoon naps, especially on Sundays.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Love Is...

Love is...

Complex, but also simple. Beautiful and messy. Exciting and scary. Breathtaking. Showing up and caring. Knowing your person. Setting up the Keurig the night before so it's ready first thing in the morning. Switching the load of laundry. Listening to their needs. Giving them your undivided attention. Surprise flowers (even grocery store flowers). Spending time together. When you say, "You're my person." Remembering the little things. Exploring new places. Visiting favorite places together. Running errands together. Going to Costco on a Saturday morning (yes, on Saturday morning). Filling up their gas when you notice they forgot. Making new traditions and sticking with old ones, too. Being reliable and keeping your word. Admitting your mistakes. Apologizing and accepting their apologies. Not going to bed angry at each other. Setting boundaries and respecting boundaries. Practicing trust. Sharing the last slice of cheesecake. Laughing so hard at jokes that you feel like you can't breathe. Silent communication (i.e., you don't need to say anything at the moment; just being near each other is enough). Sharing the blanket. Reminding your love that you're proud of them (no matter how big or small the win is). Knowing when to give space. Having a go-to restaurant. Sharing your favorite things. Asking how their day went. Holding hands. Big hugs and kisses. When you (still) get "butterflies" in your stomach. When you still blush no matter how long you've been together. Learning how to compromise. Knowing when to let go. Knowing when to stay. Being honest with each other...always. One of the greatest, most incredible gifts. 

This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale —an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "Love."

Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash

Just Five Things

1. It's winter break, so the boys do not have school, and I'm off work for the week. It has been glorious. My main goal for this week is to declutter my closet and donate a bunch of clothes that no longer fit or I no longer wear. I also plan to make a couple of layouts in my Project Life album and work on my One Little Word album. 

2. I'm not a fan of tea, but I recently tried Pretty Tasty Raspberry Collagen Tea, which was surprisingly good! It's a black tea blend that has collagen protein peptides. The taste was refreshing. I could tell it was definitely tea, but the taste was not really strong. I'm actually surprised I enjoyed the raspberry flavor because I'm also not a fan of raspberry. I plan on trying the rest of the flavors (peach, lemon, and original black tea). I'm hesitant about the original black tea flavor, but I have high hopes since I enjoyed the raspberry tea.

3. Raphael and I have been enjoying Jonathan Stutzman's Tiny T-Rex series. It's such a cute series. I found out about this book a few weeks before Valentine's Day and put several of Stutzman's books on hold at our library. I'm happy that Raphael loves going to the library and is starting to show more interest in reading. 

4. I'm reading 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. This is an epistolary memoir of letters between Hanff and Frank Doel, the chief buyer for Marks & Co Booksellers. I love that you can tell their personalities by the letters. The book had me laughing within the first few pages of the book. You could probably finish this book in a couple of hours. So far, the book is so good. I'll have to share a full review when I'm done.  

5. A reminder:

1. Whatever the work is, do it well—not for the boss but for yourself.

2. You make the job; it doesn't make you.

3. Your real life is with us, your family.

4. You are not the work you do; you are the person you are.

From Toni Morrison's "The Work You Do, the Person You Are"

What have you been up to lately?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. I started reading Murder Ballads by Katy Moran. It's a book about different murder ballads and the history of them. So far, I'm enjoying this book and have even looked up some of the names and places mentioned in the ballads. 

*I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I'll share a full review soon.

2. r.h. Sin has been on a roll with his mood boards. Here's Mood Board #6, Mood Board #7, Mood Board #8, Mood Board #9: Part 1, Mood Board #9: Part 2, and Mood Board #10.

3. Wise words by Brianna Wiest

4. A new favorite: Sugarfina's Champagne Gummy Bears

5. How To Love Better

6. I absolutely love running errands on weekend mornings. Fewer people are in the stores, and I can get stuff done much faster. I was even able to browse a little and get in some me-time before heading back home.

7. Super Bowl memes. Although I'm not a football fan, the memes and random video clips of the games and celebrations have been entertaining. Also, I seem to learn something new every year about football during (or shortly after) the Super Bowl.

8. The New York Times readers sharing their "The One Who Got Away" stories.

9. I was so excited to give John and the boys their Valentine's Day gifts. 

10. Valentine's Day, winter break has begun, and it's finally the weekend!

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet up at the new little coffee shop that's about ten minutes away from the downtown area. We'd order something close to our usual drinks but try some seasonal treats. We'd stay indoors because the weather has not been great.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I finished watching La Ciguapa Siempre, a 12-minute thriller/horror. I loved the premise of the story, especially since it is based on folklore from the Dominican Republic. I vaguely remember hearing stories about ciguapas as a child. This was an odd film and an interesting take on the myth. However, the film did not do justice to the myth of ciguapas.  

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm really excited for Valentine's Day, and I can't wait to give John and the boys their gifts. All week long, I plan to wear something pink or red to help celebrate Valentine's Day. I'm usually not really into this holiday, but I am this year for some reason.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm looking forward to so many things in the upcoming days and weeks. I'm looking forward to winter break. No school and no work sounds great. I'm looking forward to some much-needed rest. I'm looking forward to catching up on a few shows. I'm looking forward to some pre-spring cleaning (I guess winter cleaning). I'm hoping to get started on that, maybe over the weekend. I'm looking forward to reading some good books.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I've been having a hard time creating. I have so much to say and so many things I want to make that I just don't know where to begin. I keep grabbing a new sketchbook and worrying about messing up the pages. It's incredibly frustrating, and I hope to get out of this creative rut soon.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to meet. January was a crazy month, and so far, this month has been a bit quieter. And for that, I'm grateful. I hope you have a great day, and may the rest of this month be a good one for you. I hope to see you next month.

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Aliaksandra Abramovich on Unsplash

Atlanta Mom

Happy Monday! I'm over at Atlanta Mom with a new post. I'm sharing a list of 10 winter drink recipes. Feel free to check out my post and tell me what you think. You can check out my previous posts here.

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. My coworker and friend surprised me with Starbucks' Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher. It was the perfect start to the morning. The blackberry sage lemonade refresher is absolutely amazing. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. The sage is not overpowering.

2. r.h. Sin's mood boards (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5)

3. Spring-like weather. I'm pretty sure this is "false spring," but I am here for the warmer weather. 

4. John took me on a date to Taqueria Tsunami. We had a great time and enjoyed some delicious food and drinks. I highly recommend the Shrimp Tempura Taco, the Baja Taco, and the Garden Shrimp Quesadilla. I also had a mango sangrita, which was tasty but a little strong. After dinner, we went for a walk on the Marietta Square.

5. I found out the movie Fallen was finally available on Netflix. It is based on Lauren Kate's novel, which I absolutely loved, as well as the other books in the series. 

6. Nothing Bundt Cakes' latest pop-up flavor is Chocolate-Covered Strawberry with Ghirardelli Chocolate. Oh my goodness, this cake is absolutely delicious. When I first tried it, I thought the cake was supposed to be vanilla with strawberry, but it's actually strawberry cake. It was a pleasant surprise and is now one of my favorite pop-up flavors.

7. Little Treats.

8. I wore my new sweater on my date with John and absolutely loved it. I bought it for Valentine's Day, but it's perfect for any day. It's so soft, and I love that it's oversized.

9. I ensured my voice was heard and took advantage of early voting. There's a special election going on in my area. I think it's so important for everyone to know that they should vote in every election, including this one for the Board of Commissioners.

10. I have been drawn to really colorful pieces of jewelry, clothing, and decor. I absolutely love it, and it's been inspiring me to create. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Target Finds

Happy Wednesday! It's time for another Target Finds! As usual, I found a lot of great things at Target over the past few weeks. A few were impulse buys, some were needed, and a few were gifts. This month's Target Finds is an interesting mix of those three things.

Lay's Potato Chips - All Dressed

This is my new favorite snack. It has three flavors, all on one chip. It's a good combination of sweet, savory, and tangy. The three classic Lay's flavors are Barbeque, Salt & Vinegar, and Sour Cream & Onion. For some weird reason, the flavors work well. I'm not a big fan of salt and vinegar, but the taste wasn't overpowering and still worked well with the other two flavors. I honestly wonder who came up with this idea because whoever it was deserves a raise.

MAGNA-TILES microMAGS Travel Set

I bought Raphael this travel set for Valentine's Day. We have been interested in STEM toys, and one of Raphael's current favorites is Magna-Tiles. This little travel set will be perfect for when we're on the go.

Tony's Chocolate Sampler Pack

I first learned about these chocolates from Brooke Barker's interview over at Cup of Jo's Big Salad substack newsletter. I completely forgot about these chocolates until I went to the candy aisle at Target. I decided to get the sampler pack to try a bunch of the flavors. My favorites are hazelnut and milk chocolate nougat.

Allerease Waterproof Mattress Protector

We had to replace a mattress protector after it got destroyed after being washed. I'm not even sure how it got damaged, but it did. So far, it seems ok. It doesn't make any noise when you lie on the bed, and it fits the bed.

What are some of your favorite Target Finds?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

February 2025 Goals

Happy Monday! It's finally February! January felt like the longest month ever! I absolutely love my birthday month, but January arrived fast and furious. There were so many joyful moments in January. I celebrated my 34th birthday all month long. I did my usual birthday rituals and traditions. John and I went on a date and watched The Damned. I tried a new-to-me Red Velvet ice cream cake for my birthday. School and work got shut down because we got snow (we actually got snow!). We also had a delayed start due to the weather. I indulged in seasonal treats and birthday rewards. I read a lot of good books and newsletters. I found new-to-me artists and listened to good music.

Despite all the good things this month, my heart repeatedly broke for so many people. January was a heavy month. I hope everyone made sure to take care of themselves. I hope this month is much softer, gentler, and kinder. The world needs it. 

One of my goals this month is ensuring I care for myself. I think self-care will be the theme for this month. Since I've mentioned goals, let's quickly recap my goals for January and then check out my new goals for February.

Recap of January Goals

• Read 5 books: I read 12 books in January. My favorite read of the month was So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan. I plan on buying a copy of the book (or adding it to my wishlist). 

• Read 1 book that I received from NetGalley: I finished reading Mama Needs a Minute by Mary Catherine Starr. This took me a bit longer to read, but it was due to me starting this book during November (the holiday season).

• Participate in Exhale's January blog hop: I did participate in the blog hop. You can check out my piece here.

• Work on my One Little Word: I didn't work on the actual project but kept reflecting on my word for the year. Unfortunately, my One Little Word supplies didn't get delivered until closer to the end of the month. Then, a bunch of stuff kept me from working on several projects, including One Little Word.

• Try 1 new recipe: I tried a lemon pepper shrimp recipe, which came out great. With some white rice on the side, it was the perfect meal. I'm definitely keeping this recipe in my arsenal.

• Make time to play with my scrapbook/memory-keeping supplies: I didn't make time to use my supplies because the supplies I wanted to use didn't arrive on time.

February Goals

• Read 5 books
• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley
• Participate in Exhale's February blog hop
• Work on my One Little Word project
• Try 2 new recipes
• Make time to play with my scrapbook/memory-keeping supplies
• Complete the latest round of Five Things

What are your goals for February? How did you do in January?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Ella Jardim on Unsplash

January 2025 // A List

1. January, January, January—what a month! You started off fast and furious, and I was happy to see you arrive. 

2. I spent the month celebrating my birthday and realized that I liked how my birthday was in the first few days of January. It was nice to do all the traditional things I do on my birthday. I loved celebrating with John and the boys. Every week, I did a little something to celebrate my birthday. I redeemed many rewards and used the rewards at the end of the workweek as a treat for myself. I even went to see a movie with John for my birthday. I definitely indulged a lot this month.

3. Some good things this month: My birthday (as stated above), Banana Pudding Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake from Cold Stone Creamery. Snow days (We actually got snow! My heart was full of joy.). Days off (and delayed start times) from work and school due to weather. Books by Claire Keegan (I highly recommend So Late in the Day). Receiving happy mail. Treats from Crumbl Cookies. Preparing for Valentine's Day. Reading my favorite newsletters. Reflecting on my word for the year.

4. Despite all the good things this month, my heart repeatedly broke for so many people. It seems like every time the news pops up on my phone, something catastrophic has happened. Too many tragedies have taken place this month: the attack in Louisiana at the start of the new year, the wildfires in California, the Potomac River mid-air collision, the Philadelphia plane crash, and all things politics. This month has been an absolute dumpster fire for so many people.

5. To comfort myself this month, I did my usual self-care routines while seeking different things to try. I tried a new recipe (a lemon pepper shrimp recipe that was delicious), went for a walk, watched Ali Wong's latest comedy special, and admired my gorgeous, colorful roses gifted to me by John.

6. As this month ends, my hope is that February will be a lot gentler. May February be a month of healing. A month of enjoying the little things. A month of reflecting. A month of exploring, playing, and learning. A month of coming back to ourselves.

7. Goodbye January. Thank you for all the lessons. Hello February. I welcome you with an open heart and open arms. Here's to being cautiously optimistic.

Photo by Angelina Jollivet on Unsplash

Target Finds

Happy Wednesday! It's time for another Target Finds! As usual, I've found some great things at Target over the past few weeks, many of which are seasonal. One item reminds me of spring (and I can't wait for its arrival). Several are definitely Valentine's Day-themed, which I'm unusually excited about. 

Women's Valentine's Crewneck Pullover Sweater (Taupe Hearts)

Valentine's Day is coming up soon, and I wanted to buy something to wear during February or maybe on Valentine's Day. When I saw this sweater, I knew I had to buy it. I love the simple look and think this sweater will be perfect even when it's not February.  It is so cute and feels so soft. I love the oversized fit, and it's perfect with leggings. 

Blogilates Starter Fit Kit

I've wanted to start a new exercise routine and try yoga or pilates, so I bought this starter kit. It came with everything I needed, and it's honestly a great starter kit. The yoga mat is really cute. I also bought the Blogilates Booty Resistance Bands, and they work really well. 

Reese's Mini Red Velvet Peanut Butter Cups

This was an impulse buy. As soon as I saw Red Velvet on the package, I immediately put a bag in my cart.  And yes, these taste amazing. 10/10 highly recommend.

Lavender Lemonade Whipped Dairy Topping

You may or may not know that I have to try every Favorite Day whipped cream flavor, and I was surprised when I saw this lavender lemonade flavor. I'll admit I was a little hesitant about this flavor. When I think of whipped cream, I immediately think of hot chocolate. I thought this flavor would not go well with hot chocolate, so I decided to try it with some strawberries. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. It was actually pretty good and paired well with the strawberries. The lavender and lemonade flavors were subtle, but I could taste more of the lemonade than the lavender (if that makes sense). 

What are some of your favorite Target Finds?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. It was a wild week. Due to the weather, we got an extra day off school and work on Tuesday. Then, due to the cold temperature, we had a delayed start on Wednesday. I was super grateful for the extra day off and delayed start, but this week oddly felt like the longest, shortest week ever.

2. My One Little Word kit and supplies finally arrived. I can't wait to start using everything and get started on the prompts.

3. I have already started Valentine's Day shopping. I bought gifts for Raphael's teachers. I also bought gifts for John and the boys. 

4. A song on repeat: Desert Rose by Lolo Zouaï

5. I tried this lemon pepper shrimp recipe, which turned out great. I love that it was simple and quick to make. 

6. Amber McBride announced she has a new book, The Leaving Room, that will be published this year. I'm so excited! And how gorgeous is that cover! 

7. I found a new-to-me artist, Raj Kaur, and have enjoyed reading her newsletter, Art as Work on Substack.

8. A much-needed reminder.

9. New books. I received a couple of arcs and am excited to read them. I hope to share more reviews on the blog this year.

10. A low-key Sunday. I barely had anything to do today, and it was glorious. No errands, my laundry baskets are empty, and I caught up on some shows. I also read a book and played some New York Times games. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

The Awakening

The world feels quiet in winter, but this burst of creativity is bringing me life. For years now, I've noticed my creativity seems blocked during November and December. Perhaps this is because winter is my least favorite season; it gets dark early and is too cold. However, just as I noticed that my creativity is blocked during late fall and the early days of winter, I have noticed that my creativity comes back with a vengeance in January. Perhaps it's a little birthday present from the universe sent just for me. 

I used to hate that my birthday was in January. Yes, I am a winter baby, and I often thought how strange it was that this was the season I was born. It was the season I disliked. However, as I've gotten older, I've come to look forward to January. 

I love that my birthday happens to be in the first month of the year. It's the beginning of a new chapter, which may be why my creativity reawakens. I look at January as a celebration, a promise, a fresh start, a blessing, and a gift. I now honor the month of January. I saw a video about two months ago that has stuck with me. The man said, "It's a privilege to be alive. It's a privilege to make things." Truer words were never spoken.

Most people may be excited about a new year or a fresh start. Some also believe you shouldn't wait for January to begin anew, and I agree. Don't hold back whenever inspiration hits. Don't feel you must wait until a new year to start something new. This year, I just want to create and play without fear or expectation of perfection. It seems like it's a new era. 

This burst of creativity is a mixed bag of art. From cooking to painting to writing, I find comfort in creating using these art forms or mediums I gravitate to. I also crave trying new things. I've tried a few new recipes, tried some new techniques, and signed up for some classes. I find inspiration from the creative communities I've joined. 

This burst of creativity is bringing me life. It's gotten me out of winter's slumber, and I have finally awakened. For that, I am grateful. I cannot wait to see what I create in this new year. I can't wait to see how far I go.

This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale — an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "Alive."

Photo by Natasha on Unsplash

Just Five Things

1. Sparkle everything. Lately, I've been gravitating towards all things sparkly and glittery. I mentioned before that I'm currently loving Runamok Sparkle Maple Syrup. I also bought a Sparkle/glitter giant scarf and a colorful hairpin from one of my favorite local boutiques, The Gifting Tree and Blue Bird Lane Boutique. I've been wearing my giant scarf with almost every outfit, and it looks amazing with everything I've worn so far. On my wishlist: Glitter Converse High Tops (preferably black glitter).

2. I recently learned about penguin highways after I saw a random video on social media of a penguin patiently waiting for two scientists to step aside for him or her. I thought the video was cute, and of course, I went straight to the comments and saw several people mention penguin highways. Then, I went to do some research and went down a rabbit hole. As they say, "The more you know...".

3. I am in my floral era. I have been enjoying flowers and putting a bouquet at my favorite window in my dining room. John bought me two bouquets of colorful roses and put them in a gorgeous vase my mami gave me. 

4. I recently finished reading Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan and have mixed feelings about it. The story follows Bill Furlong, a coal merchant, who becomes suspicious of the training school for girls run by the Roman Catholic Church. He also discovers a secret regarding his past. I usually don't read historical fiction, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out towards the end that this was indeed historical fiction. I was saddened to learn about the history of the Magdalene Laundries and researched after reading the book. I enjoyed reading it, but there were moments when I had to stop reading it due to the main protagonist's POV. Overall, this was a quick read that packs a punch. I have some questions after reading the book, which made me think Small Things Like These would have been a great novel.

5. We're well into winter, but the hints and signs of spring are here. So many of my favorite stores already have spring and other seasonal-related items on display. Target has a bunch of spring decor in its home decor aisles. My favorite bakeries have seasonal treats available, and I'm seeing so many spring designs popping up for other products I usually use. I've got my eye on this adorable travel mug by Swig Life. It's perfect for spring. Nothing Bundt Cakes has a new pop-up flavor, Banana Pudding Cake, that is so good and reminds me of spring. 

What have you been into lately?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. Banana Pudding Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes. I'm not a big banana pudding fan, but oh my goodness! This was surprisingly good. The cake has Nilla Wafers on the bottom of the cake, and it's topped with a single wafer. 

2. Colorful roses. John bought me some really pretty, colorful roses, and I smile every time I look at them. They remind me so much of spring, and it's a nice reminder that spring will be here in just two months.

3. Brittany's intentional guidance for 2025

4. These words are incredibly relatable. 

5. Red Velvet Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. This was an impulse buy, and I do not regret it at all. 

6. A song on repeat: Overcome by Skott

7. Empty laundry baskets. The never-ending laundry is done for now. It brings such joy to see the laundry baskets empty.

8. Shipping notifications and happy mail. Let's be honest...I think everyone is happy to get packages instead of bills. 

9. Ali Wong's new comedy special, Single Lady. This was absolutely hilarious.

10. It's finally the weekend, and it's a long weekend. I'm so glad it's a three-day weekend. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some more snow next week. I'd love to make another snowman and watch the snow fall.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

January 2025 Goals

Happy Monday! Happy New Year! I can't believe we're almost halfway through January! This month has been a whirlwind; as you can see, I am late sharing my monthly goals. 

December was such a busy and hectic month. We went to our city's annual Christmas tree lighting and some Christmas markets. We celebrated Gabriel's birthday. It was so much fun going to Urban Air to celebrate a little early, and of course, on the day of his birthday, we gave him an ice cream cake and gifts, and he got to choose what he wanted to do for dinner. I still can't believe I now have two teenagers! It's such an honor to see my boys grow. We went to see Santa and got some pictures taken. I finished Christmas shopping a little early, which was one of my goals. We celebrated Christmas at Mami's. It was nice to spend time with my family. I read so many good books in December. Overall, we had a good December. 

There was only really one low point in December. We spent the last few days of December and the first few days of January recovering from being sick. I had to see the doctor on New Year's Eve because I was sick. However, we still watched the ball drop on New Year's Eve. Thankfully, we all started to feel better that same week and just in time for my birthday. 

So now, we are in January, a new month. With that comes new goals, a new word of the year (I'm still working on sharing that), and settling back into a routine. Now that I've mentioned goals, let's quickly recap my December goals and check out my new goals for January. 

Recap of December Goals

• Read 6 books: I read 23 books in December. I was on an Oliver Jeffers kick and read many of his books with Raphael. I also read a few e-arcs I received from NetGalley. My three favorite reads of December: Second Down Scrooge by Lisa Suzanne, Dear Love by Grant Gosch, and Washing my Mother's Body: A Ceremony for Grief by Joy Harjo.

• Try 1 new recipe: I can't even remember if I tried a new recipe, so I will assume I didn't. 

• Work in my sketchbook/art journal: Yikes! This did not happen. Honestly, I just didn't make time for it, and I was feeling stuck. I bought several new art supplies, but when it came time to use them, I didn't know where to begin. 

• Participate in Exhale's December blog hop: I did participate in the blog hop. You can check out my piece here.

• Work on the latest Here e-course series sessions, December Pause: I did work on December Pause, and I actually completed every prompt. I just have to add some ephemera or just leave it as is. It was so much fun working on the prompts. I can't wait for the next class.

January Goals

• Read 5 books

• Read 1 book that I received from NetGalley

• Participate in Exhale's January blog hop

• Work on my One Little Word

• Try 1 new recipe

• Make time to play with my scrapbook/memory-keeping supplies

What are your goals for January? How did you do in December?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Anastasiia Rozumna on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up. It's been a couple of weeks since my last Happy List, but I finally had some time to share one. I'll be sharing some things that have made me happy and/or grateful over the past few weeks.

1. It's finally January, and it's a new year! 2024 had its good days and bad days. I learned a lot last year and am curious to see how this year goes.

2. After being sick for over a week, we finally feel much better. Thankfully, I started feeling better just in time for my birthday. I'm so grateful for modern medicine.

3. I celebrated my 34th birthday! I had a low-key birthday, and it was glorious. John and I went on a day date to the movies and saw The Damned. I really enjoyed the movie, but I thought the ending was a little abrupt. John and the boys bought me a Cake Batter Confetti Ice Cream Cake from Cold Stone Creamery and some gifts. 

4. A song that's been on repeat: Lost Time by Tiwa Savage. *Random note: I absolutely love finding new-to-me songs at stores. I heard Lost Time at H&M and had to look up the song. Another favorite store that plays great music is Target.

5. I'm currently on a Claire Keegan kick. I recently finished reading So Late in the Day: Stories of Women and Men. This was such a great short story collection. There were three short stories, and each one was fantastic. However, the short story Antarctica was my absolute favorite. Now, I'm reading Keegan's novella, Foster. I'll have to share my reviews on these books soon.

6. One of the perks of having a birthday in January is to use my birthday rewards from my favorite stores and restaurants. I combine them with gift cards I received over the holidays and my birthday, so I save a lot. I use at least one reward at the end of each week in January for a little pick-me-up. 

7. I bought a pair of cargo pants in khaki green from H&M and absolutely love them. They are just a tiny bit long, but they are so comfy. 

8. I'm behind on sharing a few posts (I haven't shared my monthly goals or my word of the year), but I don't feel as stressed as I usually would. I'm giving myself grace since this new year started a little differently than expected. I'm just now feeling 100% better after being sick, and then I had to readjust to getting back into my regular routine after having time off from work for two weeks.

9. School and work were canceled due to inclement weather. And I'm so happy to say that it has indeed snowed! The absolute joy I felt when I looked out the window this morning and saw all the snow was unreal. I'm so excited to have a long weekend. I plan to read and catch up on some blog posts.

10. I woke up today. "It is a privilege to be alive." 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

December 2024 // A List

1. Oh, December. What a month you were. As usual, you were full of events. Some planned, some unplanned. December, you were a gift. I was glad to see you come, but I am also happy to see you go. 

2. I spent the month of December going through bouts of reflection on the past year. Sometimes, we can get stuck thinking of only the bad days, and for me, reflecting on both the good and the bad was such a good thing. After much reflection, I realized that 2024 was a good year overall. A decent year. Sure, politics is insane and scary right now, but at least there are so many positive things happening outside of that. Yes, I'm still figuring out things in my professional life, but I'm much closer to what I want and have clearer goals. 

3. December was the month of lights. There's just something about holiday lights and decor that makes my heart so happy. We went to our city's Christmas tree lighting, and as usual, I was in awe of the massive tree with its thousands of lights. Speaking of lights, I absolutely loved my new dining room centerpiece. It brought me so much joy when I would turn on the tiny lights in my tiny home decorations. 

4. Gabriel turned 13! I have another teenager now! We had a blast celebrating his birthday. We went to Urban Air for a pre-birthday celebration and then celebrated the day of his birthday with cakes, balloons, and Gabriel's choice for dinner. 

5. Holiday shopping was so much fun this year. My favorite gift I gave was some pictures I printed for Mami. I ordered the prints from Persnickety Prints and got some nice picture frames from Michaels. She loved the photos.

6. We spent Christmas Eve at Mami's house. It was nice catching up with my siblings. I also got to cuddle and spoil my baby niece. I absolutely love the newborn stage. My heart was so full. 

7. Christmas Day was a low-key day. The boys woke John and me up so we could open gifts. I made breakfast, and we all wore our pajamas all day long. Side note: Unfortunately, John and I got sick. Michael had been sick a few weeks before, and Raphael got sick right before our holiday break started. Thankfully, we are all recovering, and it looks like we just had a nasty cold.

8. 2024 was a big year of change. My sons are getting older and becoming more independent. I'm in a new stage of motherhood, and I'm adjusting to it. 

9. We explored new places, and I fell in love with Savannah, Georgia, and Tybee Island. Oh, Savannah is an artist and historian's dream. 

10. I read so many good books in December and realized that I accomplished my yearly reading goal for 2024. I aimed to read 200 books in 2024, and I read 211 books. To be fair, I read many short stories and novellas.

11. I tried many more new recipes than in previous years. I'm also happy I prioritized self-care and healthy lifestyle habits/choices this year. I'm satisfied with my progress in limiting my soda intake. I can already feel the difference, and it's a great feeling.

12. I've taken a few steps in my professional life, and although it's a little scary, I'm proud. I can't wait to see what happens next in 2025. I'm hopeful.

13. I'm looking forward to celebrating my birthday in a couple of days, and I'm also looking forward to 2025. 

14. So long, December. You were a great month. So long, 2024. You were a year full of adventure, lessons, and gifts—a year of good and bad days. 

15. Hello, 2025. I welcome you with open arms. May this new year be even better, even kinder, and full of unexpected but welcomed surprises.