23 Things About Me

Are you ready for Monday? If not, you better hurry because it's right around the corner. Since I am new to the blogging world I thought it was time I introduce myself. I am 23 years old, so why not start with 23 fun facts about myself.

1. I crave chocolate on a daily basis

2. Im addicted to Starbucks and anything coffee

3. Painting is how I destress
4. I'm the exact definition of a crazy cat lady

5. Ice cream is my favorite

6.  I love Jesus
7. I was born and raised in Evansville Indiana. 

8. I've had scoliosis since I was 15

9. I could live on ice cream and frozen grape.....but not combined together

10. I melt over flowers

11. I'm a thinker

12. My dream job would be to own/run my own humane society

13. I love to shop

14. I have horrible anxiety but I learn to manage it

15. I'm slowly beginning to hoard coffee mugs

16. I'm a smoothie addict 

17. Gardening is my favorite pastime 

18. I can't stand doing laundry

19. I wish to own a chicken coop in my backyard one day

20. I'm really shy

21. Quotes make me happy 

22. I love vintage things

23. Romantic movie junkie

Thanks for stopping by! Take a look around and let me know what you think!
I have a ton of fun things lined up for this week!

WORDS FOR THE SOUL

Happy Friday ya'll! 

I am in love with this watercolor painting i did, mainly because of how simple and straightforward it is. No matter what I'm going through, even if I'm flying high I still need to pray and thank God for all the goodness he brings to my life. I am guilty of catching myself only praying when I am in need, so this was a great reminder for me this week. 

I hope you have a fabulous weekend! 

INFUSED WATER

I bought a gallon water pitcher so I can make larger batches instead of a ton of mini ones for the day. This recipe is super simple and honestly took under 5 minutes to make... I like to precut all my fruits at the beginning of the week after grocery shopping, just so I do not have to hassle with cutting them every time I want some fruit. 

What you'll need

1 lemon

1 medium cucumber 

8 strawberries

1 gallon of water

For best results let water sit over night and it's good to go in the morning. I try to drink 8 glasses o water a day. This helps me from over eating and eating because I'm bored... yes, that happens more often than it should. 

Thanks so stopping by, for more infused water recipes check them out here. 

HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE MYSELF

In order to fully love your life and the people in it, you must learn to completely love yourself. 

Taking pictures of myself and posting them isn't easy for me.. Like any girl, I have insecurities and flaws that I don't like sharing, especially on the internet. BUT,  I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, because after all is that where you learn the most.

Having flaws is something that I am proud of. I don't want to be perfect and I don't strive to be either. I want and will always be working on how to be the best version on myself by creating positive life habits and continually trying to be the best version of myself. 

Don't be afraid to look silly. 

Quirkiness is something to be proud of and should be celebrated with awkward dancing. 

 

Don't put down your appearance. I was once told I have awkward hands and it was something that deeply bothered me. I would delete any picture that showed my hands in any way. It's crazy how comments can stick with us and completely change the way we see ourselves, even if they are not true. It's so silly, they are JUST HANDS! 

Don't take life too seriously. I take comments and criticism harshly and I over analyze every situation instead on living in the moment and taking deep breathes when times get tough. Because of this, I have panic attacks and often breakout in stress hives when things get hard.

Laughter is the best medicine. Laughing is my all time favorite thing to do. My laugh has changed so much throughout my 23 years on this earth and I like to think it's because I laugh so much I wear them out and have to get new ones. Sometimes I laugh so hard no noise comes out, sometimes I snort, and sometimes I sound like a dying hyena. Be careful, if you can make me laugh, you might become my new bestie. 

Don't be afraid to feel. The saying, "I wear my heart on my sleeve" is an understatement for me. I have never been good at hiding my emotions whether I'm extremely happy or extremely sad... either one I'm cry and mascara is everywhere. Romantic comedies are my best and worst nightmare. I might as well carry a tissue box whenever I go. 
It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to. 

 

 Being serious is no fun.

At the end of the day, no one can be a better you.   

SMOOTHIE FOR TWO

This weekend was extremely exhausting, but in a good way. Since being home owners our weekends usually consist of home projects and endless amounts of cleaning. This weekend we finally got to catch up with our friends and even spent time with family. It was much needed and even squeezed in a double date.... that never happens! 

Lately I have been struggling with finding time to workout, mostly because it's first of the year and the gym is always packed and I have to wait 20 minutes just to run on the treadmill. So I have no motivation to leave the house when I know I'll have to wait in line. BUT, I am still eating healthy and making NEW smoothie recipes.

This concoction has now become my favorite and hopefully yours too! 

I am not a huge lunch person, I usually have to schedule myself to eat lunch or at least grab a protein bar. I know, I know, shame on me. But (for me) it's a great quick lunch replacement especially on days I'm running around like a mad woman. 

CHIA SEED & POM SMOOTHIE

2 lime slices

1 handful of pomegranate seed

5 slices on a peach. (frozen if you have the option... I don't like to add ice)

2 pieces of Swiss Red Chard

1 scoop of Chia Seeds

1 scoop of ground flax seed

Splash of V8 fruit/veg juice of your choice

                           

I love all the V8 fruit/veg juices, but this one is my new found love! 

I would add Pom seeds to everything if I could! They are perfect frozen and add the perfect sweetness to any dessert or smoothie.

 

Don't you just love the colors in the Swiss Red Chard? I don't blame you if the name turns you off, but its SO yummy and good for you! Click here to learn more about Swiss chard. 

If you still aren't sold, you can sub this for Kale or Spinach. 

You can use the whole slices of lime of just squeeze the juice in the cup. I prefer to throw in entire slices in to get more vitamins from the skin. Flax seed and chia seeds are great and something I put in ALL my smoothies!! 

Add more chia and pom seeds to the top to add a splash of color and makes the presentation a little easier on the eye.... and who doesn't like to drink out a cute paper straw?!?! 

Thanks of hanging out!
For more smoothie recipes I have done in the past check them out here. 

MY MORNING MUSTS

My mornings wouldn't be the same without my coffee and my favorite Carmel Macchiato creamer. Morning time is really the only time I get to myself to gather my thoughts and prepare for the day ahead. Here are 5 essential things I need for a perfect morning. 

Find this mug here! 

Lana goes everywhere I go. She's my little stage 5 clinger. 

Psalm 143:8 

"Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you."

I put an endless amount of creamer in my coffees. It's an addiction. ;)

1. Coffee. Need I say more?

Coffee is clearly the main ingredient to kick start my mornings. Without it, my "me time" does not feel complete. If I didn't have coffee I think I would stay in bed all day. I love to experiment with new creamers but my go-to creamer has to be Carmel Macchiato! 

2. Quite Workplace. A calm work environment is great to gather my thoughts and plans for the day. I love to read my women devotional while the coffee is brewing open my planner and start making out my lists for the day. I cant seem to have a successful day without my lists. 

3. Comfortable clothes.....aka pjs. During this time in the morning I simply stay in my pajamas. I love to wait until the last minute possible to change. Something about the winter and comfy sweats just makes my heart sing. 

4. Stable Schedule. My planner goes everywhere with me! I love try to stay organized and on schedule with my daily tasks and goals. This is the planner I found at Target and I absolutely love it! 

5. Music. I love to wake up listening to some old school Francesca Battistelli on Pandora. 

I enjoy starting my mornings with a little worship session. This is a perfect way to start my day in a

positive mood. Get the Pandora app here. 

What are you favorite flavored coffee creamers to dress up your coffee?