Favorite Podcasts

About 7 months ago, my commute to work changed from 25 minutes to between 45 minutes and 90 minutes (thank you, DC traffic!). To keep my mind sane on those long drives every day and help feel that I wasn't "wasting" it while sitting on the Beltway, I started listening to podcasts and audio books. I'd always enjoyed the occasional podcast, but I hadn't started listening with any regularity or devotion until I was sitting in my car for a potential of 3 hours per day. Don't get me wrong, sometimes a Spotify sing-along does happen on a particularly grueling day, but these fabulous podcasts have certainly become a bright spot in my week. 

The Sarah R. Bagley Podcast - I'm lucky enough to have Sarah as a blog-friend-turned-real-life-friend, and I'm so happy that she started this podcast venture this year. The premise behind her podcast (and lovely blog) is "a recovering perfectionist's guide to a B+ life", and I find it incredibly inspiring. Plus, she's been interviewing other favorite bloggers of mine, and it's been so fun to hear the actual voices of those blogs I have been reading for years. 

Ask Me Another - I'm late to the party on this one, but it is just such fun! It's a quiz style game show with hilarious banter and Jonathan Coulton as the house musician. I literally laugh out loud, smile, and occasionally applaud when I listen to this one. And, when I occasionally know the answers, I feel like such a smarty pants. 

Joy the Baker - Joy and her best friend Tracy are just delightful. They talk about "totally important unimportant things", as well as answering listener questions. Listening to these two is like spending time with your best girlfriends, and I laugh and feel inspired in equal parts. 

After the Jump - This podcast by Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge is such a treat to listen to each week. Grace is very well spoken and inspiring, and she spends the half hour show either interviewing a designer, chef, or artists, or talking by herself about the tools that help her life and business. Recently, she's been doing a series on things that make things easier, from apps to social media to lessons she wished she'd known when she started her business. 

Pop Culture Happy Hour - This hour-long show features a spirited group of people discussing movies, TV, music, books, and nostalgia. It's always entertaining and informative, whether they are discussing my current favorite TV show or something I'm not familiar with. 

I'm always in the market for new podcasts, so please share your favorites with me! 

Disconnect & Connect

On Saturday, the weather in DC was decidedly spring like -- sunny & 60s. After the coldest and snowiest winter in recent history, it was an instant mood boost to have a day like that. My beau and I decided to celebrate the weather by taking a long walk around our neighborhood in Arlington, and it was the best decision I've made in recent memory. 

Our neighborhood was filled with people enjoying the day -- people walking their dogs, dads shooting hoops with their kids, a little boy playing around with a hose in his driveway, and girls arriving for a birthday party with brightly colored balloons. As we walked and walked, we connected with these people with a friendly nod or smile. Everyone was happy, everyone was enjoying life. 

It felt wonderful to be connected to those around us. In the busy metropolitan area that we live in, it's easy to feel a distinct lack of connection to strangers. We are constantly surrounded by people -- sometimes, it feels, too many people -- as we commute to work and wait in line at the grocery store. But as I stopped to pet a dog and chat with the owner about how nice the day was, I realized that everyone is looking for that bond with others. 

Also, it was so nice to stroll hand in hand with my beau and be able to connect with him. We talked about anything and everything that came up, and it was so refreshing to have that time with him where the only distractions were the bright sunshine and cool breeze. Of course, we talk all the time (probably a little too much if you ask him), but our world was free from to-do lists, iPhone screens, and dirty dishes, if only for a moment, and we could focus on each other. 

My mind was also blissfully clear, remembering walks I'd taken with my grandparents as a child on days exactly like that, and allowing a little room to daydream instead of just slogging through the next thing to accomplish. What an easy thing to do, yet often put to the back burner because of "more important" tasks. 

As we move fully into the spring season over the coming weeks, I am going to challenge myself to find more of these moments - moments to equally disconnect (with those things that tend to take up too much of our attention) and connect (with those things that truly matter). 

{Image via Pinterest}

Weekly Favorites

I feel like the internet has been chock-full of inspiration lately, and I wanted to share some of my favorite things that have been posted this week. I love reading blogs, because they have connected me with so many like-minded people around the country that I otherwise would never have met. Reading their posts is like a breath of fresh air. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

+ Ashlee of Where My Heart Resides wrote a beautiful post about not keeping score in our friendships. What if instead of keeping score we simply poured into each other as best we could and helped each other with whole, generous hearts?

+ Analiese of The Necessary Wild shares her winter care essentials. Sometimes the most utterly simple shifts in a self-care routine can make all the difference in one's state of mind.

+ Nina of Wee Mountains tells her secret for a happy marriage. ...it’s about growing, and changing, and compromising, and saying “I’m sorry.” and “You’re right.” and “Thank you for loving me at my most unlovable moments.”

+ Emma of A Beautiful Mess wrote an extremely heartfelt post about achieving your dreams, and how they might change along the way. Life is absolutely full of opportunities. Don't let them pass you by simply because they aren't the opportunities you thought you wanted. We don't always know what direction our life will go.

+ Ashley of That Is All shares her favorite radiant orchid makeup products, which is just the boost I needed during this endless winter. Purple is known to be a universally flattering color, and I think Radiant Orchid with it's pink undertone is especially pretty.

{Image via Pinterest}

Ducks in a Row

I am by no means an expert at organization, but my Type-A personality means that I've tried many different ways of tracking my to-do lists, appointments, and tasks. To me, keeping things like this well-organized means that my brain is free to actually do these things, instead of wondering what comes next. And, because I'm a person who can become overwhelmed easily, having all of my ducks in a row keeps that feeling at bay. I may be a tad Monica Gellar, but it works really well for me. 

My Organizational Tools 

Erin Condren Life Planner
I've long been a paper planner gal. While I do incorporate digital elements, nothing works better or is more satisfying for me than writing things down in a paper planner. I love to see the week at a glance, as well as schedule tasks & to-dos for particular days. I also use this planner as a journal of sorts, as I jot down random activities, meals, etc. I've used other planners in the past, but so far, this one is my favorite. It's a bit of an investment, but for something that I use daily for 12 months, it's worth it. It has a monthly spread and a weekly spread with each day broken down into morning, day, and evening, as well as a goals/notes section and room for other to-do lists or notes at the bottom. I may switch it up next year and try Emily Ley's Simplified Life Planner (swoon!), but for now, this is working really well. 

Evernote
Finally, a place for ALL of my notes and lists to coexist together! I'm a recent adopter of Evernote, but have been using it on my work & personal computers, iPhone, and iPad consistently for a few months. Admittedly I don't use these to the fullest, but it's a great place to keep track of important lists & documents that you'd like to access from anywhere. I keep my grocery list/meal ideas there, my 2014 goals, a master to-do list for work (including major deadlines), Christmas gift list, bucket list, blog post ideas, etc. It has a great virtual "check box" feature, and I love that it syncs up and is available everywhere. 

iCal or Google Calendar 
I use this to keep track of appointments and firm deadlines. Like many other users, I have several different calendars (work, personal, etc) so they can be color coded. I also have a shared calendar with my beau, as well as access to his personal calendar, so it's easy to see at a glance what events are upcoming. It's also great how this is available from various devices and you can set alerts & reminders. 

Schedule Time to Plan & Prioritize 

Every Sunday night (or another time during the weekend if needed), I open up all of the things mentioned above and chart out my week in my planner. I make sure all of the appointments and deadlines are there, as well as making my personal & work to-do lists for the week and assigning them to days of the week if possible. The nature of my job is that often tasks will spring up at the last minute, but this really helps me to have an idea of what a week is shaping up to be. 

Because I'm an introvert and require a certain about of downtime to function at my best, planning my week in advance allows me to make sure that unscheduled time is, well, scheduled. If I know I have long days or social plans Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, you can bet that Tuesday night is going to be blocked off for DVR catch-up and an easy dinner. Also, I can see what weekend days are free and be sure I can make plans with friends early in the week. 

Another thing that I try to do regularly is for the final 15 minutes of every workday, I prioritize my tasks for the next day. Some things may not have gotten done, and there may also be new tasks that have been added to my list. Making sure I know where to start assures me that I'll begin my day focused and not scrambling to figure out what should have my attention. I also try to spend the last 30 minutes of Friday's workday making my to-do list for next week (again, moving over any unfinished tasks as well as adding those I know about), which makes Sunday night's planning session a breeze. 

Leave Room for Spontaneity

And, above all, don't plan every single moment of your life -- make sure to leave a little room to wing it & be spontaneous. Clearly, it's good to make sure the things you need are a part of your week, but sometimes you've got to abandon your original plan and be a little flexible. What if you were planning to stay late at the office to get ahead on a project, but got invited to get a pedicure with a coworker? What if you have a well-stocked fridge and your dinners all planned out, but you feel like celebrating a regular old Tuesday with dinner out? Plan, of course, but leave room for fun that you don't even know exists yet. 

The Little Things

Around this time of year, it's easy to start thinking about all of the things that we're waiting for -- spring, warmer temperatures, short sleeves, vacations, etc. In DC, we've been having what seems like an endless winter, filled with wind chills and snow days. Shockingly, even this winter lover is ready for the season to change, but as I always find, the key to making it through any situation is focusing on those little things that bring you happiness in the every day. 

I challenged myself to make a list of everything in my life right now that is bringing me happiness, and I encourage you to do the same. 

+ A chai latte on a rainy Wednesday morning
+ Losing myself in a good book 
+ Taking an afternoon nap, and not setting an alarm 
+ Binge-watching a guilty pleasure TV show (this is slightly embarrassing for me to admit, but I'm currently loving Pretty Little Liars)
+ Reacquainting myself with items in your closet & makeup bag that you've all but forgotten about 
+ Listening to podcasts on my way to work (current favorites are Ask Me Another and After The Jump) 
+ Clementines (aren't they one of the best things about late winter?)
+ Going to see Frozen with a good friend, getting frozen yogurt afterward and singing the songs in the car on the way home 
+ Watching Downton Abbey every Sunday (man, Mary is just super popular these days!)
+ Listening to the Girls: Marnie Songza station during the workday 
+ FaceTime calls with my parents, and my mom using emojis in texts 
+ Lighting a candle in the evenings when I get home from work 
+ Tulips from Trader Joe's, to brighten up our kitchen table (and remind me that spring is coming) 
+ A normal weekday night at home with my beau, after a week of super busy days 
+ My 82-year-old grandpa's Facebook posts 
+ Our annual Valentine's Day tradition: Chipotle for dinner 

Here's to making the most of these final winter days, and appreciating all the good that surrounds us. 

{Image via Pinterest} 

Favorite Books of 2013

I have always been a bookworm. My parents used to have to pry the latest Baby-Sitters Club book out of my hand so I could actually eat my dinner, and reading has always been one of my favorite things to do. 

For the past few years, I've been keeping track of books that I've read (or want to read) on Goodreads, and setting a yearly challenge for myself. For 2013, I challenged myself to read 30 books, and actually ended up reading 37. As I was looking back over the list of those that I read, I thought I'd share my favorites with you. 

Humans of New York, by Brandon Stanton
I happened upon Brandon's blog several months ago, and I look forward to seeing his daily portraits. This book is a collection of those portraits, which means that it's a quick "read" (I spent about an hour from cover to cover), but it's so beautiful and insightful. Brandon manages to capture the essence of these people, from newborn to 99. I laughed out loud and was extremely moved, and numerous photos required a lengthy second look. I borrowed it from the library, but it would make an excellent coffee table book and conversation starter.

Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell
Rainbow Rowell certainly became one of my favorite authors this year, and Fangirl just might be my very favorite book that I read this year.  It was such a relatable, moving portrait of the first year of college and everything that comes along with it. Cath is an introvert with a love of writing fan fiction, a dad she feels guilty leaving at home, and a twin sister that is ready to shed her family baggage and have a new identity. Her quiet strength and growth over the course of her freshman year is lovely to watch, and I ended the book very hopeful for her future.

Unbroken, by Lauren Hillenbrand
I read this for my book club, and while it is definitely not my typical genre, I absolutely adored it. It follows Air Force bomber Louis Zamperini as he survives the unbelievable during and after World War II. While difficult to get through at several points, this book is incredible. I absolutely love Louie, and his story is inspiring and unforgettable.

The Husband's Secret, by Liane Moriarty
While clearly a lighter type of read, for me, this book had it all - fully drawn primary & secondary characters that are vulnerable & likeable, a well-timed plot that made it difficult to put down, and a well written and satisfying conclusion. Moriarty knows how to write a good story and give the characters an ending that they deserve. It isn't a deep, life-changing story, but I was left feeling like I'd watched a full series of a beloved TV show.

Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell
My first Rainbow Rowell book, and such a fantastic read! I listened to this as an audio book, so Eleanor & Park were my constant companions for a week and a half. More than once, I found myself lingering in the car just to hear a little more. This book is a beautiful, spot on portrait of falling in love for the first time and feeling not so alone as an awkward teenager. Eleanor and Park were extremely well drawn, as were the secondary characters (I loved Park's parents). Highly recommend, especially as an audio book - it's read by two different people, and I think the male & female voices made it more special.

The Silver Linings Playbook, by Matthew Quick
I saw the movie first, but I think it helped me enjoy the book even more. Pat was so optimistic despite everything he had been through, and I really found myself rooting for him. The takeaway is that it's never too late for a new beginning, and (not surprisingly) there really always is a silver lining. 

What books have you enjoyed recently? Though my to-read list is a mile long, I'm always looking for recommendations. 

Small Steps Toward Big Goals

Toward the end of 2013, I found Lara Casey's blog. I can't even remember how I stumbled upon it (maybe via Pinterest?), but once I got there, I settled in for a long visit. Lara is essentially overflowing with joy and happiness. Though she clearly has bad days, she has become a master at goal setting and achieving, as well as making what matters happen. I had been looking for a way to jumpstart 2014 and keep some good momentum going, so I decided to purchase her PowerSheets and dig in. 

Essentially, the PowerSheets aid you in determining what your goals are and then breaking them down into small, achievable steps. I found the process really gratifying and enjoyed reflecting upon what worked & didn't work last year. It gave me a perspective that simply wouldn't have been there if I had just jumped in to setting goals. There are worksheets to fill out on the way to figuring out your goals, detailed worksheets on each of 5 goals that you set, and then (my favorite part) monthly "tending" sheets where you break down your monthly, weekly, and daily goals. Check boxes and lists abound, which my type-A personality just loves.

But in all seriousness, breaking down goals into small, achievable steps over a 6-month or year process is such a great way to tackle things. Making monthly goals as the year progresses is all well and good, but actually looking ahead to see what small steps can be taken over the next 6 months is even better. 

For example, we can all have "get in shape" or "exercise more" as a yearly goal, but now I can say I'd like to complete the 30-day yoga challenge at home in February, go on a 30 minute walk at least 3 times a week in March, and sign up for a yoga workshop or class in April. Then, in my daily tending lists, I can put little check marks (so gratifying!) next to every day that I complete my daily goal. 

Lara's approach to goal setting (which you can read a series of blog posts about here) has absolutely inspired me to change the way I think about conquering my goals. It offers just the right amount of self reflection coupled with action items. I absolutely recommend it if you are searching for inspiration as the new year begins. 

This isn't a sponsored post, I just really love Lara and the PowerSheets. :)

Image via LaraCasey.com

Winter Favorites

I love the start of a fresh, new month, and the flipping of the calendar from January to February was just in the nick of time. I typically love winter (cable knit sweaters! cozy blankets! staying inside!), but these past few weeks even gave me a run for my money. 

The extreme cold, the dark nights, and lack of twinkling lights just made things seem a little bleak. Most nights I'd wearily trudge into my apartment after work, light a few candles, and curl up with a blanket or comforter on the couch -- not exactly what New Year's resolutions are made of.  

But yet, "to everything there is a season", as they say, and so I've decided to fully embrace the remaining winter days by indulging in those things that make it more bearable. 

// Josie Maran Argan Oil - my lovely friend Ashley gifted me with a little set of argan oil products for Christmas, and this 100% argan oil has been a lifesaver this winter. I've been using 3 or 4 drops on my face to moisturize it day and night, and have also been adding a few drops in with my body lotion on really cold days. 

// CeraVe Moisturizing Cream - I've had a lifelong issue with dry skin and eczema, and this thick, luxurious cream (available at the drugstore!) has completely transformed my typical itchy winter skin. I think I've tried every body lotion out there, and this is the one for me.

// Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer - I remember my mom giving me a tube of under eye concealer when I was about 11 years old, and I've used one every day since. Though the price tag on this is a little hefty, it's the best I've ever used, and the creamy consistency doesn't try out my under eye area. 

// David's Tea Cream of Earl Grey - I love many teas, but this earl grey with the addition of vanilla is the bee's knees. I have a cup almost every morning during these chilly months. With a little agave nectar and splash of coconut milk, it is divine. 

// Slipper Boots - I must admit that I laughed a little when I opened this Christmas present from my mom, but gosh darn it if I haven't worn them almost every day since! I chronically have cold feet, and changing into these when I get home from work keeps my feet toasty warm (and typically goes with the skinny jeans + striped shirt combo I've worn to work). 

// Fresh Sugar Balm in Rose - This has been a favorite for almost a year now, but the it's super moisturizing and give a sheer wash of a rosy color, and I've reached for it day and night to keep my lips from becoming dry & chapped. 

What products have been keeping you comfortable this winter?