Happy Monday! On the contrary to many people's feelings, I like Mondays. I like the promise of a new week and the step into the future. To me, Monday is to a week as morning is to a day (I hope that makes sense?) Its like an automatic weekly reset where you can tackle new goals and the possibilities of what you can achieve are endless. If you can't tell, I am very much a morning person as well as a Monday person. I was feeling a "currently" post vibe today and I would love to know what you are currently up to, so let me know!

Currently...

Wishing I could repeat brunch on Saturday with John

Listening to a lot of Reel Big Fish because John got me tickets to see them in February and I am so excited about it!

Eating food that will allow me to get into shape for vacation. The thought of being in a bikini right now is a little daunting but I think with a spray tan and some working out, I will be ready!

Drinking lots of water. Trying to stay hydrated to improve my skin and just feel better.

Wearing sweats because I refuse to study in regular clothes!

Feeling like I haven't studied enough for my licensing exam, but hopeful that I will feel more confident after some kick-butt study sessions that I am planning this week.

Weather is non-stop rain. It feels more like late March outside, instead of early January! John and I stopped by the beach on Saturday and while the surfers seemed to be taking advantage of the bad weather, I was sad that we couldn't take a walk!

Wanting this foundation after I used a sample packet of it this weekend. I felt like a supermodel on the cover of Vogue because my skin looked and felt flawless. This want will probably never be fulfilled however, because I don't think I can bring myself to pay that much for a foundation!

Needing to pass my exam so I can stop thinking about it and finally start working as a nurse!

Thinking about how I would like to get a library card because my library has an app where we can borrow books using our iPads...so cool!

Enjoying not having to go back to school. Today is the first day back for JMU students for spring semester and although it feels weird to not be there, its such a good feeling to know that I am in Maine for good!

I hope you have a great week!

*This post contains affiliate links.*

Thanksgiving Break To-Do List

This post is an exciting one, because I am writing it from the comfort of my own bed at HOME! I made it! I had a hectic past few days...Like I mentioned in my post Monday, I hustled over the weekend to get my online class work done for the week so that I wouldn't have to worry about it while I was home for Thanksgiving break. Then Monday, I had a clinical shift at the hospital for the day, and had a quick turn around to get up yesterday at 2:30 am to start my journey home. I had a super early flight at an airport about an hour from school so I made my way there and fortunately had good luck with both of my flights. On one flight, I watched Me, Earl and the Dying Girl...have any of you seen it?! It reminded me of an indie-ish version of The Fault in Our Stars, but part of me liked it better than TFIOS. But anyway, I made it back to Maine safe and sound and happy to be with my animals again, and my family too!

During this break, there is a lot I was hoping to get done, both fun and not so fun. I started a list on my notes app on my phone, but then decided to publish it on because I always find myself to be a little more accountable for my to-do lists when I put it out into the universe on here. Here's what I was thinking for this break!

1. Figure out what I am getting everyone on my Christmas list. I am so excited that there have been so many posts on gift guides already because I need some inspiration! 

2. Read at least one book for leisure on this break. I am hoping my mom has some good recommendations from her book club! If not, I have a huge to-read list of my own. 

3. Study the equivalent of at least 20 minutes everyday. I am home for 12 days, so thats 240 minutes at minimum, and I will probably break this up into larger hour-long sessions so that I have a few free days. I plan on taking my licensure exam in January so I need to start upping my studying! 

4. Help my mom with making a gallery wall. We started it over the summer and bought all of the frames, but never got around to picking the right photos for them. 

5. Play this trick on my cats. 

6. Go for a couple good, long walks with my dog. We have a great walking/running/biking trail near me that is beautiful to walk along and I would love to spend some quality time with Reilly out there!

7. Find a dress for graduation. I have already tried on a few, but haven't seemed to find the right one!

8. Clean up and organize my room. I know this sounds silly, but I have accumulated a lot of unnecessary junk in my room over the past few years from only being home for summer and holiday breaks. I want to get it all cleaned out and organized so that its easy to move back into in December!

How organizing/cleaning has gone in the past for me with my cats around...via

9. Try at least one new restaurant or bar. There are so many restaurants/bars in Portland and I feel like I have only really touched the surface of them!

10. Try to work on a content calendar for December. Do you guys do content calendars/find them helpful if you do? I have a notes section on my phone for writing down thoughts about new posts, but never plan out ahead of time when I am going to do them. I was thinking that with the last month of school coming up with graduation and the holidays, it might make things easier for myself if I really work hard to plan out my posts!

If you have a break or a few days off for Thanksgiving, is there anything special you plan on getting done? Besides demolishing the Thanksgiving leftovers...

Linking up with Jenn today! 

25 Get to Know Me Questions

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend. I spent mine getting work done for my online classes so that I wouldn't have to worry about them while I am home later this week. Because of that, I don't have much to report on anything else I did this weekend, expect for eating a good portion of the pan of brownies that my roommate generously made. Instead of a weekend wrap-up, I thought I would do a "get to know me" question tag because I love reading them and finding more about the bloggers I read, and I thought you might all feel the same. Feel free to take the questions from this post and answer them about yourself on your blog!

1. What is your middle name? 
My middle name is Elizabeth...pretty basic but I like it because all the women on my mom's side of the family have Elizabeth as their middle name too.

2. What was your favorite subject in high school?
My favorite class was anatomy and physiology, but over my four years of high school, I always enjoyed math. Even calculus, haha!

3. What is your favorite drink?
Coffee. I usually go to bed excited to wake up in the morning because I look forward to having my morning coffee so much. Anyone else?!

4. What is your favorite song at the moment?
Ugh, I usually don't like questions about music because I feel like my favorite song changes every day. But today I am really feeling Sunday Morning by No Doubt (love them!) My all time favorite song is I Don't Feel Like Dancing by the Scissor Sisters...listen to it and try to not dance, its impossible!

5. What is your favorite food?
Adult Meghan says tacos or burritos. Or just Mexican food in general. Child Meghan will tell you vanilla frosting, but Adult Meghan knows thats an unrealistic favorite food.

6. What is the last thing you bought?
A Blue Moon while I was out last night with some friends.

7. Favorite book of all time?
Harry Potter series because I feel as though it taught me so many important life lessons and they are all just so good!

8. Favorite Color?
Purple! Which is funny because I don't have a lot of purple clothing, but I have a ton of purple accessories.

9. Do you have any pets?
Two cats, Rocco and Watson, and a dog, Reilly!

10. Favorite perfume?
I don't usually wear perfume, so can I just say my old reliable deodorant?

11. Favorite holiday?
CHRISTMAS. I love the spirit of Christmas and the feeling of nostalgia that accompanies the holiday. I get so excited to give gifts and there are few things that I like better than cuddling up on the couch with Christmas cookies watching a Christmas movie!

12. Are you married?
No! Not for a while for me.

13. Have you ever been out of the country?
Yes, I went to Quebec City in Quebec in 8th grade on a French class field trip for a weekend! It was a blast, and I don't think I spoke any French during the weekend...

14. Do you speak any other languages?
Does sarcasm count? If not, I can say a few words in Spanish, but not sure if that counts either...

15. How many siblings do you have?
Two! Jack and Sam.

16. What is your favorite shop?
I love Express, J. Crew and Banana Republic for clothing, and then I think Target probably goes without saying.

17. Favorite restaurant?
There is a restaurant chain in New England called Margaritas and (you guessed it) they are known for their yummy Mexican food and margs. I have had so many of my birthday dinners there and I always try to find more reasons to go!

via

18. When was the last time you cried?
Last night, I cried from laughter while I was out with some friends!

19. Favorite blog?
 This is a mean question, I have too many favorites to list!

20. Favorite movie?
Once again, I have too many that I would want to list out..but when I get asked this question, The Wedding Singer always pops into my head because that was always my answer when I was in middle school. Maybe thats my subconscious saying that its really my favorite?!

21. Favorite TV show?
I think I would have to say Gilmore Girls would have to be my all time favorite. I love the witty banter and the New England small town setting!

22. PC or Mac?
Mac!

23. What phone do you have?
iPhone 6!

24. How tall are you?
5' 6", but my family would tell you that I am rounding up from 5' 5"...

25. Can you cook?
Yes I really like cooking most of the time. Its fun to play around with different spices and flavors. My favorite thing to make are tacos... I know they are technically easy to make, but I don't use a packet of seasoning so its fun to just throw spices in!

I hope you enjoyed this sort of post today! Have a great week!

Netflix Picks #2: Quentin Tarantino Films

Way back in March, I had the intention of starting a series of Netflix recommendations (click here to see the first set of picks!) and while it was one of my more popular posts on here, I never followed up with more picks. But that is all about to change today because I have three more picks for you and they are all movies by the famous director/screen play writer/ actor/ producer, Quentin Tarantino! If you are familiar with his movies, then you know that they can be dark, yet funny..and slightly gory. If you aren't familiar with his movies then you should read these recommendations, open up Netflix, and get watching.

Kill Bill, Vol 1 & 2

 via Netflix

Plot in one line: An assassin goes after her boss and his other employees after she is left for dead on her wedding day.

Thoughts: I would have to say that these two movies are my favorites of Quentin Tarantino's. Uma Thurman plays, "The Bride" a kick-ass assassin who stops at nothing to get revenge. She is a powerhouse in this movie and you are rooting for her every second to finish her revenge. As cheesy as it may sound, what I liked most about this movie is how much girl power there is. Other assassins are played by strong women like Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, and Daryl Hannah. 

Just a warning: There are a lot of fighting scenes in these movies with swords, and you can imagine the kind of gore that can come from that...

Mood to be in to watch: Ready to go to the gym afterwards because you'll want to start training to be in as good of shape as Uma Thurman is in this movie.

My Rating: 5/5

Django Unchained

via Netflix

A freed slave, Django, and his unconventional bounty-hunting companion, Dr. King Schultz, travel across the west seeking out Django's wife, all while cleverly capturing outlaws. 

Thoughts: You know how earlier, while writing about Kill Bill, I said that they were my favorite Quentin Tarantino movies? I decided, after writing the one line summary of this movie, that I can't actually pick a favorite because they are all so freakin' good. This movie is in the style of an old western and I remember being skeptical of that upon my first viewing when it came out in theaters. But by the end of the movie, I was completely hooked and since then, I have seen it numerous times over. Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz play a duo that will make you smile, all while acting out a plot that can be unsavory at times. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a large role as an evil plantation owner. Seeing these three powerful actors work together is incredible and if that doesn't sell you enough...Kerry Washington (Olivia Pope on Scandal), play's Jamie Foxx's wife. SOLD!

Just a warning: There are a few hand to hand fight scenes that are hard to watch and there is one scene that I always have to shut my eyes for. 

Mood to be in to watch: Be ready to hate Leo for the first time in your life. 

My rating: 5/5

Reservoir Dogs

via Netflix

After a heist goes awry, a group of robbers have to figure out which one is the police informant. 

Thoughts: This is Quentin Tarantino's first film which automatically makes it a classic in my book. It is interesting and funny, but also has a storyline that jumps around so it is not a movie that you can watch while doing your nails/scrolling through Instagram/cooking dinner all while having a phone conversation with your mom about how to make said dinner. I feel as though this is a movie where just as there is nothing happening, there is actually everything happening...I know that doesn't seem to make sense, but just watch it and then maybe you'll understand (or just think I am wrong!) 

Just a warning: You might never think the same again when you hear "Stuck in the Middle With You"

Mood to be in to watch: Ready to focus on the plot and the characters because there are a lot of them!

My rating: 4.5/5

While I know his film style and plot lines won't be appealing to everyone, I am hoping a few of you are able to enjoy these picks! If you've seen all of them already and are a fan of Quentin Tarantino, he has a new movie coming out on Christmas Day called The Hateful Eight. (Check out the trailer here!) John and I can't wait to see it, and it already has some Oscar buzz surrounding it!

Let me know if you've seen any of these movies before and your thoughts on them!

Can Someone Explain To Me...

...what Periscope is? I have seen lots of people tweeting about it but don't get it. 

...why I also seem to jinx myself? I swear the opposite of everything I say happens. 

...where I could find a cute bandeau bra that I could wear underneath a few sheer-ish shirts I have recently purchased? I told myself that they would be easy to find, but I have yet to track a single one down in stores. 

...why are all sheer shirts in style? I am always asking this question (even as I buy them).

...who is Amy Schumer? I have been hearing about her so much in the past few weeks and I know that she is an actress/comedian/activist, but what has she been in besides the new movie, Trainwreck? 

...what I did to receive such good shopping karma? I have gone shopping crazy the past two week (post coming soon because I want to share it all). 

...how people can be so rude to each other? I watched a young woman aggressively cut an old man in line today and Macy's. I feel guilty for not intervening and its been weighing on me all day. People should be nice to each other and we should stick up for others! 

...what is it about stores like Target and Ulta that force us to walk out with everything that we didn't know we needed but just had to have? I am almost afraid to walk into these stores...who knows what I will leave with?

...whats the best way to study medications? (Can you tell I have started studying for the nursing certification exam? I won't take it until after I graduate in December, but wanted to get a head start!)

If you have the answers to these questions (preferably the last one), please let me know in the comments!

Currently...(Finals Week Edition)

Ugh, I have been the worst blogger the past few weeks and I have finals to blame. However, I am forcing myself to take a break from my critical care nursing studies to catch up on my bloglovin' feed and read some weekend wrap up posts. Did you know those are one of my favorite kinds of posts? I am just so nosy and like to know what everyone else has done over the weekend! I spent most of my weekend studying, but it has paid off so far with a 96 on my pediatric nursing final. WOO! One down, two to go. My hardest is tomorrow, so I am only giving myself a half hour to write this post. Since I have been away from my beloved space here on the internet for a while, I thought I would do a little catch up piece! 

Working on: Aside from exams, I am mentally working on two things...1) What to get my mom for Mother's Day, and 2) What to get John for graduation. Both are on Sunday and I am completely clueless about what to do. 

Thankful for: JMU!

I can't complain about studying and finals because I am so fortunate to go to the best school in the world! 💜💛

A photo posted by Meghan Farrell (@mfarrelll14) on May 4, 2015 at 5:05pm PDT

Listening to: My spring playlist. I have been jamming to it every morning on my way to campus and I am sure everyone who drives past me likes my karaoke show. 

Watching: As a study break, I watch old episodes of Game of Thrones...It's better the second time around!

Anticipating: GOING HOME! Its starting to get a little humid here in Virginia so I look a bit like Monica in Barbados...

via

Eating: Honey-wheat pretzels. What was I thinking buying them? The bag is nearly gone. 

Wearing: Yoga pants and a sweatshirt has become my studying uniform...The library keeps the AC at what feels like 55 degrees so even when its 80 degrees out, I am inside shivering!

One week until I start posting from home! I am beyond ready to get summer started. I hope you all have an amazing week!

Also, a huge thank you to Brittany @ Life Like a Twenty Something  and Lauren @ The Arizona Prepster for nominating me for the Liebster Award!

3 Reasons Why This Weekend Was The Best.

1 // Formal

My favorite picture of the night!

Blurry bus pic!

Felt obligated to throw the "official" pic in...but I don't like it because we don't look centered!

 I loved seeing the Washington Monument! We had a gorgeous view of The Capitol building but of course, I didn't snap a pic! 

My sorority (Alpha Sigma Tau) had our spring formal this weekend! It was an "away" formal in Washington D.C. on the Spirit of Washington boat. It was a beautiful night to be outside so we spent most of our time on the deck enjoying the sights! I felt like a disco queen in my black jumpsuit with glittery gold pumps and gold jewelry. I wish I had taken more pictures, but I was swept up in the excitement of the night and only got a few shots. I was happy to have John by my side this weekend too..it had been a few weeks since we had seen each other and I had missed him terribly! Even when our bus from the hotel to the boat dock was lost and we thought we were going to miss the boat, he had me laughing which took my stress away! I am so thankful that he is in my life. Also, I am thankful that my sorority has provided me with so many cool experiences over the past four years and it was so bittersweet to have such a fantastic time for my last formal. 

2 // Lilly for Target

With the excitement of formal this weekend, guess who forgot that the Lilly for Target line came out online in the middle of the night Sunday? Yep, me. So when my mom called yesterday morning to tell me that she had been to Target and had been able to get a few things from the line, I was beyond excited! She's mailing it down to me this week and I cannot wait to try it all on. Mom, if you're reading this...YOU'RE THE BEST, THANK YOU! 

3 // Start of Good Times

This weekend kicked off a series of busy (good busy) weekends! The good company, good weather, and good memories made me so excited for everything that I have coming up. Next weekend, my best friend is coming to visit and we are headed to Foxfield, which is a horse race in Charlottesville! My mom is mailing my wide brimmed hat this week so I'll be all ready to go! In the weekends following the next one, I have fun sorority events, John's graduation and his graduation party. Its crazy that I have two more weeks of regular classes, a week of finals, and then I am home for the summer. BRING IT ON! 

I hope you all have the best week and that your Monday goes by quickly! If you aren't having a good Monday and need a laugh...Here's a candid of me sharing my whiny realization that the worst part of wearing a one piece jumpsuit is having to go the bathroom. I am sure you can imagine why they would be so much trouble!

Spring Break? More Like Winter Break Pt. 2

Or so it felt like. This break was a much needed one to re-engergize and re-focus myself for the rest of the semester. I am back at school now and already back in the swing of reading textbooks,  going to class and clinicals! Before spring break, I made myself a little to-do list that you can read here. I wanted something I could look at over break when I had free time or needed something to do. I didn't accomplish everything on my list, but I would still call it a successful break! 

Here's what I did (and did not!) accomplish!

1. Learn to braid my hair like Amber Fillerup Clark of Barefoot Blonde. 

Why did I think I could intricately braid my hair when I can barely put it into a ponytail? Attempted, but unsuccessful.

2. Take my dog for a walk on the beach.
I took Reilly for a few walks, but none of them were on the beach because I was nervous about getting sand/wet dog smell all up in my car. 

3. Hit up the outlets...ya girl would like some new going-out tops!
My mom and I had some awesome coupons to Bonton...we had never been there before but the coupons were too good to pass up! $50 off $50 for clothing, $35 off $35 for shoes, and $15 off $15 for beauty! I got a jumpsuit, a dress, a pair of shoes, and an eyeshadow for $30. SCORE!

4. Read 3 books.
Fail. I only read one!

5. Wash my makeup brushes...(its been awhile). 

The second I had free time at home, I was washing my makeup brushes and now they feel like new!

6. Publish 3 posts. 
DONE! Check them out!
A Very Special 5 on Friday
Winter Wonders and Woes
Netflix Picks #1: Independent Girly Comedies

7. Cook my family dinner. 

It wasn't very exciting, but I made tacos!

8. Go to at least 2 restaurants that are participating in Maine Restaurant Week (March 1st-14th).

I only ended up going to one for brunch, and it was delicious! I wasn't a good blogger and forgot to take a picture, but it was my first meal of the day so I was starving!

9. Have a really fantastic margarita (or two). 
I only had one margarita, thanks Texas Roadhouse! I also had some delicious prosecco with my mom during our GNI...it goes great with Thai food!

10. Go skiing. 
Check! Only fell once, on the last run down obviously!

11. Find a new home for the clothes I have sitting at home.
While I pushed this exact activity off until summer break, I was able to leave some clothes at home which means I have less winter clothing at school! 

12. Eat seafood...because I don't trust the seafood here that's three+ hours from the nearest ocean. 

I am bummed about this one...I never got the opportunity to have seafood while I was home!

13. Go to open lap swim at a local (indoor) pool.
Even though it would have been indoors, I decided it would have been too cold for me! To make up for it, I went on a lot of walks with Reilly and my mom! 

14. Work on my photography skills.
I played around with my camera a bit. Its a point and shoot, and I have been trying to learn how to use it so I can get the best quality pics from it! Also, I took a ton of pictures on my iPhone trying to turn my dog into a model...

I had a blast with my family over break, and thats the best thing I could have asked for!

Netflix Picks #1: Independent Girly Comedies

I've been thinking lately about a series I could incorporate into this blog that I could really get into. So I was thinking..."Meghan, what is something you feel like you could offer great advice about?!" And then it hit me. MOVIES. I have always been obsessed with watching movies and learning about the actors/actresses in them, the meanings of them and the production. I love discussing movies and recommending them (or not!) to my friends and family. I just think there is something so magical about losing yourself in another story for an hour and a half. 

I love all kinds of movies, and I am not one to shy away from any genre. So from now on (if you'd like!) I will be incorporating reviews of random Netflix movies that I have watched recently. Over this break, I have been in the mood to watch a lot of independent, girl lead movies. Let's take a peek!

Not Another Happy Ending

via Netflix

Plot in one line: In this British rom-com, the main character successfully writes a best-selling novel but runs into trouble with her second novel as she is suffering from a severe case of writer's block. 

Thoughts: I really really wanted to like this movie because I am obsessed with England (and all products from England) so I thought I would just love this movie. However the story line, while promising, just doesn't flow together seamlessly and I just found myself checking often to see if I was near the end. I feel like the actors/actresses had a lot more potential and I felt left hanging in some scenes. I would have to say that my favorite part was the end, not because I was happy to see it over, but because it was clever. Although this isn't the happiest review, I am glad I watched it because it was very pretty...the actors/actresses and the set up of the scenes especially!

Mood to be in to watch: Patient, as this is a slow movie. 

Food pairing: Any baked good and a cup of tea!

My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Save the Date

via Netflix

Two sisters struggle through the ups and downs of long and short term relationships.
Thoughts: I picked this movie because I like Lizzie Caplan (Mean Girls!) and Allison Brie (Mad Men, The 5 Year Engagement), and thought they would be an interesting contrast on screen. They definitely played opposite characters but did so while portraying a true sisterly bond...meaning they loved each other, but don't always see eye to eye! What I liked most about this movie was how easy it was to understand the characters. While I didn't find them necessarily relatable, I was able to get a feel for their mindsets and put myself in their shoes. I wouldn't call this a must-see, but one that is worth watching if you have the time!
Mood to be in to watch: Willing to explain to your non-rom-com-loving S.O. that this is not a rom-com that will make them want to pull their hair out.
Food pairing: Tacos
My Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Girl Most Likely

via Netflix

A New York woman fakes her suicide to gain attention from an ex-boyfriend, only to wind up back with her unconventional and quirky family in New Jersey. 
Thoughts: This plot line did not follow what I had predicted whatsoever! I initially chose it because its been recommended to me on Netflix for a while now, and then I thought "hey, it has Kristen Wiig, so its got to be okay, right?" Overall, I liked this movie because it made me laugh out loud and it felt like a late bloomer coming of age story...and who doesn't love a coming of age story?? Some parts I found to be comfortably uncomfortable, and was squirming in my seat with secondhand embarrassment. However, I believe that the best movies are the ones that give us great feeling...even if that feeling is embarrassment!
Mood to be in to watch: Definitely a good GNI (girls night in!) movie
Food pairing: Fried dough
My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Let me know if you've seen any of these and if you would like more Netflix reviews! Also, can we laugh about how similar the second and the third pictures are??

Do you ever feel...?

Unsure if your feelings about something are justified? You find yourself asking "Do I have a right to feel sad/mad/upset/hurt about this or am I just being crazy?" 

A flip in your stomach that moment when you hear the opening notes of your favorite song and you know that the next 2.5 minutes will be awesome no matter what?

So frustrated with the technical side of your blog (especially when there is a problem with it) and you don't even know where to begin to fix it so you just avoid your blog for a week?

That you should have been a cat so it would be acceptable for you to just eat/sleep/play all day and have people call you cute for it?

Mad at someone for a fight that you had with them in your own head just because you already know how they would react to you confronting them?

Overwhelmed with all the changes that can happen in your life in just one day? Or even one hour? 

That it is okay to eat a few extra pieces of chocolate in order to get rid of it and not have it sitting in your kitchen for the next few weeks?

Satisfied when your day doesn't go the way you planned, but actually goes better? 

Like writing a post inspired by Katy Perry?

As if 100 pounds are lifted off your chest the moment you get your feelings out of your head and onto paper (or in this case, a blog post?) 

 I apologize for this slightly emotional post, but I have been feeling overwhelmed with life lately (positive and negative things!) I have been having all the feels and I am thinking maybe this is what a senior in college is supposed to be feeling? Lately, when I open my planner, I have only been looking at what lies ahead for the next day because planning for the future (both near and far) has becoming daunting. So cheers to taking things one day at a time! 

I wish you all the best week and I am looking forward to catching up on all of your blog posts this week!

2015 Birthday Wishlist!

Its coming up on my second favorite time of the year...MY BIRTHDAY! (If you're curious, my first favorite time of the year is December, for obvious reasons.) I am turning the big 2-2 and I think I am excited about it? A lot of my friends who have turned 22 have groaned and griped about it because all the excitement of being 21 is gone. For some reason being 22 just sounds a heck of a lot older and a bit scarier because I will enter the "real world" as a 22 year old next January. However I have to say that the best thing about turning 22 is that I am eligible for a new driver's license so I no longer have to show my 16 year-old-excited-to-have-passed-her-drivers-test-but-sweaty-from-being-so-nervous-self around at bars anymore and have the servers/bartenders say "aww, you're just a baby!"

via

But turning 21 last year was great because 21, duh. I didn't want a wild 21st birthday like some people do so John just took me out for nice dinner as my birthday is actually on Valentines Day! This year I am still concocting a plan of what to do to celebrate because my birthday falls on a Saturday. I was thinking since this is my first year living in an apartment, that I might have a party on the night before, and then a small dinner on my actual birthday? I have always been one to extend the birthday celebration as long I could...

Since my birthday is two weeks away from tomorrow, I thought I would share a few gifts I had my eye on! 

1. Love Tanya by Tanya Burr & Girl Online by Zoe Sugg // I love watching YouTube and especially Tanya and Zoe's videos because of their awesome beauty tips and product reviews so I want to check out their books!

2. Old Navy Cozy Socks // I got a pair of these for Christmas (with cats on them!) and they are the most comfortable socks! They are so fuzzy and warm...I would love a pair for every day of the week!

3. Tanya Burr Lip Glosses // I would love these colors the most, from left to right they are Chic, Let's Travel the World, and Afternoon Tea! I have read so many good review on these lip glosses and would love to be able to try them!

4. Sephora and Express Giftcards // I love gift cards because its like being handed an hour and someone saying "go shop". Its the gift of an afternoon to just relax and pick out some awesome clothes or beauty products!

5. Plaid Blanket Scarf from Target // I have been dying to get my hands on one of these before it becomes Spring and too late to wear one!

6. Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham & Bossypants by Tina Fey // Both of these ladies are so successful and creative with what they do. They are definitely women I look up to, so I would love to read these books.

Haircuts make me nervous.

I am extremely particular about my hair. I never let it air dry (*everyone rolls eyes*) because I can't stand the way it looks as it gets so frizzy and uneven. I am picky about the way I straighten it or curl it and you bet I am more than picky about how it is cut! 

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After seeking some inspiration on Pinterest, I finally decided that I would have it cut near my collarbone that way I could still manage to easily curl it, but not feel pressure to straighten all the time. I explained to the stylist how I typically wear my hair and the look I was going for, to which she seemed fairly confident that it would look good. I honestly got a little nervous (more than I already was) in the beginning of the appointment during the shampoo/conditioner because a lot of water was going down my back and she was so aggressive when massaging my scalp that her fingers brushed against my eye. I thought she was going to poke an eye out! Once I sat down in the cutting chair, I just crossed my fingers and hoped that her cutting skills were a little more precise than the washing...Fortunately she was awesome and I am happy with my hair (and I still have both eyes)! 

After the cut and guiltily (is that a word?) refusing her product suggestions, I ran home to brush out the blowout she had done. I can't wait to wash it and style it on my own (am I the only person that doesn't love salon blowouts?) I much prefer to blow dry my own hair! It feels so much lighter and healthier though. All in all, I have to say that I am so relieved...I let myself get so worked up about these things, and my mom has to remind me that its just hair and it'll always grow back! I feel like I have an actual style now, and a few people have said it makes me look older... Little do they know its really the stress wrinkles nursing school is giving me and my obsession with my crockpot that is making me look older...

Do haircuts make you nervous or do you have fun with them?

Update: I washed and dried my hair since publishing this post and I don't love it anymore. There a lot of weirdly short layers that are making my hair stick out oddly and even when I straighten it, it doesn't lay right. The more I think about my experience at that salon, the more frustrated I am because the stylist definitely rushed the cut, nearly jabbed me in the eye, got my face so wet while washing that my waterproof eyebrow makeup was cleaned off, gossiped about other workers in the salon while shampooing, repeatedly let out these long exasperated sighs that made me feel like she didn't want to be there/me to be there, and got so distracted while talking to another stylist while spraying heat protectant that she only sprayed one section of my hair and then sprayed me square in the face because she wasn't looking. I think I left the salon trying to be positive and thinking that I would love the cut more once I washed out her blowout, but I think I had a bad experience. I am sorry for these run on sentences, but my frustration is typing for me. Fingers crossed I can learn to hide these awkward layers!

How much turkey can I eat before becoming one?

I first went to write this post while simultaneously trying to study for a test that I don't know how to study for, getting caught up on other blogs, figuring out what I am getting my friends/family for Christmas gifts, and cleaning off my desk. This horrible attempt at "multi-tasking" lasted about 20 minutes before I got so frustrated that I just decided that I should stop everything and just watch Love Actually on Netflix in bed. While this didn't solve the studying issue or the cleaning issue, it did help me get into the Christmas spirit and I think thats way more important (right??). 

ONTO THANKSGIVING!

The day before Thanksgiving, we were snowed in by the storm that hit most of the east coast and being in Maine, we got a lot of snow! While it was pretty, it made a mess of the roads so I didn't dare leave the house. 

I have posted this picture already, but I love it so much that I'm posting it again...

This was the view that I woke up to on Thanksgiving morning. I believe about 10 inches of snow fell and it was interesting to have a "white" Thanksgiving...I'm hoping this isn't in place of a white Christmas! Also, picture me standing out in this in my LLBean boots and pajamas at 8am to get a picture before the dog/my brothers ran around in the snow and messed it all up...this is what blogger dedication looks like right?

My mom and I started in on the cooking early, but not before watching a bit of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Watching the parade is one of my favorite Thanksgiving day activities because I love the Broadway show performances, the floats, and the balloons. Although I think I could do without the marching bands...

We made enough food to feed a small army, even though there were only going to be 7 of us (my parents, brothers, and grandparents!) at the table. Fortunately, leftovers never go unused in our house so we ate well for the next few days (and when I say we I mean me). I liked our small Thanksgiving because it was comfortable and not overwhelming. The idea of having lots of people over is nice, but from the amount of tweets I saw from my friends quoting their relatives on obnoxious questions, inappropriate comments and fighting over the last of the mashed potatoes, I was thankful to have my quiet dinner. 

After digging into dinner and dessert, we played a family favorite game, Scattergories. I wish I could say I won, but John and my parents kicked my butt. So I could brag about winning against my brothers, but they are 11 and 13 so its not much of an accomplishment. I had hoped that we would end the night with a Christmas movie to get us in the holiday spirit, but my family didn't agree (I must live with grinches). Instead, we watched 21 Jump Street and even though it wasn't very festive or Christmassy, I enjoyed it! 

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Friday night, my friends and I went to Portland for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The website said that it would start at 5:30, and foolishly we were out there in the 25 degree weather at 5:30 when the tree wasn't lit until a little after 6:30. 

We were obviously freezing and I am still confused as to why the organizers thought it would be a good idea to have people waiting outside for so long. Once it was all lit up, we hurried to take pictures (Instagram it or it didn't happen, right?) and got our frozen tushes out of there.

I left home Saturday and I am now back at school for two weeks for finals. I am anxious to get them over with and get back home as winter break is my favorite break of the year!