I had the sad realization yesterday that its actually winter now.  You think I might have thought that when we had our first snowfall a few weeks ago? Nope. Maybe when it was really the first day of winter back in December? No again. Yesterday, when I woke up, the temperature was in the teens. Thirteen to be exact. And throughout the day, it only warmed up a bit. What really made me say "holy crap, winter is here" was looking at the forecast and seeing that it wasn't going to get much warmer for the rest of the week. With the season of cold officially here (in my eyes), we inevitably have certain things happen to us that we can only thank winter for!

// When you leave your warm bed in the morning and you regret it instantly

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// When you think about your bikini body 

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// Looking at the weather forecast

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// When you've stepped outside for longer than ten seconds

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// When you've left the house and underestimated the wind chill 

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// Trying to hide your dry winter skin from everyone like...

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// When you've gotten obsessed with looking at pictures of tropical locales

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// Patiently waiting for warmer weather like...

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I hope you stay warm where ever you are! 

Linking up with Jenn and Jessi today! 

January Currently...

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!

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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!

Winter Wonders and Woes

As winter is slowly rolling to a close, I have been thinking about how I have such a love/hate relationship with these cold and snowy months. I'm looking forward to the weather turning warmer, outfits getting brighter and the beach becoming my free time, however there are a few things I will definitely miss about the winter (and a few things I most definitely won't miss!) 

Wonder: Sweaters and scarves!

I am obsessed with sweaters, to say the least. I love how you can put a sweater and a pair of jeans on and BAM, you have a put together and cute outfit. In the winter months, it's hard to get out of bed and change out of those warm pajamas, but the thought of putting on a warm sweater makes it bearable. Along similar lines, adding a scarf to an outfit immediately gives it a chic quality, while more importantly keeping me warm. I'm a sucker for a knit infinity scarf! 

Woe: Negative temperatures. 

Comment below if you need an explanation of why negative temperatures are a winter woe. I will respond by telling you to take an ice bath and then you'll know how I have felt walking anywhere these past few weeks. 

Wonder: Winter sports!

When talking about winter sports, I mostly mean skiing. I used to go all the time when I was much younger, but when swim meets and hanging out with friends took up my weekends in high school, I stopped skiing. However this year I have picked my poles up again, and I forgot how much I loved it! There is just something so serene about gliding down a snow covered mountain and being able to trust your body to maneuver the skis! I love the time spent with my family on the lift and the laughs on the way home about who had a silly fall that day. I love the rush of being a little cold but walking into a warm lodge that holds yummy food and hot drinks. There is just *snow* much more to skiing than just the sport of it! 

Woe: Shoveling.

Without a doubt, I always overdress myself* so I end up sweating buckets while shoveling. Its just a miserable activity that I feel the effects of for days (my lower back). 

*See previous woe to explain why

Wonder: Holidays!

With my two favorite holidays being in the winter (Christmas and my birthday), I can't help but look forward to the cold months! There is something so magical about these two holidays. Christmas, being a time to celebrate with family, and my birthday, a time to reflect back on the past year of my life and plan ahead for the next one. I feel like these holidays just wouldn't have the same meaning for me if they were celebrated in the summer months! 

Wonder/Woe: Snow...

I couldn't decide whether I love or hate snow. I love it when its snowing and I don't have anywhere to go. I hate it when its covered in dirt and taking up 3/4 of a parking lot. I love it when I wake up on December 25th to see a white Christmas. I hate it when I walk outside in the morning to drive to school only to see its snowing and I had no idea it was supposed to. I love looking at pretty pictures of it. I hate getting it in my shoes and soaking my socks. Since I haven't figured out a way to make the snow go away (besides moving...I'm working on it), I guess I will just continue this love/hate relationship with it! 

What are some of your winter wonders and woes?