Blog Ahead Wrap Up | Blog Ahead #30

Blog Ahead #30 (!!!)
Originally written on October 29, 2018

YOU GUYS! I DID IT!

Well, I mean, you guys knew that since by the time this post goes live every one of these 30 posts will be up on my blog, but I'm FINALLY WRITING MY LAST BLOG AHEAD POST AND I CAN'T BELIEVE I MANAGED TO WRITE AND SCHEDULE 30 POSTS WITHIN A MONTH!!! This is the last post that I'm writing for this challenge and I'm writing it on October 29th. Here's proof:

It's a post within a post! #postception

When I started this challenge on a whim earlier this month, I really wasn't sure whether or not I would finish it, but I'm so happy I took the challenge on and really forced myself to think creatively when it comes to my blog. I've produced 30 posts that I'm excited for you to read (and hopefully you have already by the time that this goes live!) and it's honestly become easier for me to just let my brain flow onto a blog post without making it ~perfect~, which I honestly think is what this challenge is all about. Just write write write! It's much easier to write when you aren't second guessing yourself at every turn.

I won't lie, there were some times where the absolute last thing I wanted to do was focus my energy on a blog post that I wasn't really in the mood to write, but once I sat down and started typing and searching for images and links to share, it was honestly so much fun! I hope this challenge will encourage me to post over here on this little blog of mine more regularly and consistently because blogging was honestly my first love on the internet and I would really love to make it more of a priority when it comes to producing content online.

If you haven't seen read seen my Blog Ahead posts, make sure you click on the Blog Ahead tag (here!) to see everything that went live over the last two months! Also, please don't hesitate to give me feedback on the posts that I did share (or any post for that matter) because I'd love to improve my blogging ~skillz~ and make this blog a more enjoyable place for readers.

Screenshots of my 30 beautifully scheduled blog posts :')

Did you participate in Blog Ahead? Have you participated in a blogging challenge in the past? 

Let me know in the comments!

2019 Reading Challenge | Blog Ahead #29

Blog Ahead #29
Originally written on October 18, 2018

As the year winds down, it's time to think about goals for the new year! It's been a while since I took on a year-long reading challenge so I thought I'd throw together one for 2019. Similarly to my 2017 reading challenge, I drew these challenge ideas from both the TBR books I currently have on my shelf and ideas that I found on already existing reading challenge lists. There's 52 challenges, so if I complete one challenge a week, I'll be able to complete the whole list! Here are the challenges I plan to take on - feel free to steal! :)

1. A book with a time of day in the title
2. A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift
3. A book by multiple authors
4. A book with alliteration in the title
5. A book by an author who uses a pseudonym
6. A book with pictures
7. A book you bought on a trip
8. A bestseller from 2018
9. A book with multiple POVs
10. A book that is a continuation of a book you've already read
11. A book published in 2019
12. A book set in a fictional location
13. A book with a form of punctuation in the title
14. A book with 5 or more words in the title
15. A book with a one word title
16. A book set in North America
17. A book set in South America
18. A book set in Europe
19. A book set in Asia
20. A book set in Australia
21. A book set in Africa
22. A book set in or featuring Antarctica
23. A book with a shiny cover
24. A retelling
25. A book with more than 600 pages
26. A graphic novel
27. A book with an animal on the cover
28. A book that was published in your birth month
29. A book with a location in the title
30. A book featuring a historical event that happened during your lifetime
31. A young adult novel
32. A middle grade novel
33. A book with an emotion in the title
34. A book that is the first book in a series
35. A book that has been adapted to a film or television series
36. A book by a favorite author
37. A love story
38. A book with magic in it
39. A book with a face on the cover
40. A book that has 100,000 or more ratings on GoodReads
41. A book that was picked out by a friend
42. A book with a black and white color scheme on the cover
43. A book you're nervous to pick up
44. A book with a main character you have something in common with
45. A book from an author that has written more than 10 books
46. A book you will read within 24 hours
47. A book with your initials on the cover
48. A book you heard about from BookTube
49. A book with 150 pages or less
50. A book written by an actor
51. A book that has won an award
52. A book with geometric features on the cover

Are you doing a reading challenge for 2019?
Let me know which one you're doing in the comments!

Hygge | Blog Ahead #28

Blog Ahead #28
Originally written on October 29, 2018

I feel like the holiday season is such a whirlwind and before we know it we're setting our goals for the new year and settling in for a long, cold winter. One of the things that has been getting me through the last couple of winters is a Danish concept that is known as hygge.

"Hygge (/ˈhjuːɡə/ HEW-gə or /ˈhuːɡə/ HOO-gə) is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment."

While there isn't a direct translation into English, hygge is the idea and feeling of being cozy and comfortable. I don't think anyone can say they dislike being cozy (if you dislike being cozy, I'd love to pick your brain :P), so I thought it would be fun to collect some of my favorite hygge things on today's Blog Ahead post to remind myself the the cold months don't have to be *all* bad. ;)

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~Warming up next to a heater or a fire after being outside in the cold for a while

~Being surrounded with fuzzy blankets

~Burning scented candles

~The smell of a delicious warm snack baking in the oven while watching a football game with friends

~Holding a nice hot mug of cocoa, coffee, or hot cider in my cold hands

~Turning off all the lamps and lighting a room with candles and fairy lights

~Baking all day and enjoying your creations with your friends

~Harry Potter... the books and the movies are the embodiment of hygge for me!

~Wearing fuzzy socks & slippers around the house

~Reading a good book while the snow is falling

~Puppy snuggles

What are the things that make you feel hygge?

Childhood Christmas Memories | Blog Ahead #27

Blog Ahead #27
Originally written on October 29, 2018

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! I hope that the folks that celebrate are enjoying their holiday and for those who don't that you're enjoying your Monday. :) As it's the day before Christmas, I wanted to share a list of some Christmas memories I have from my childhood with you all. It's always fun to reminisce on old times around this time of year and remember the moments and the people that make this holiday so special.

~When I was a kid, we would always bake cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. We would usually do gingerbread cookies and we had these cookie cutters we would always use - a gingerbread man, a gingerbread woman, a bell, and a boot! The best part was when we'd get to decorate the cookies using frosting bags. It was so fun to be creative that way!

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~Speaking of things we would leave out, we would also leave out carrots and celery for the reindeer, as well as notes for Santa! When we woke up in the morning, it was so magical to see the cookies and veggies eaten, and a reply from Santa himself! Sometimes he would even get one of the reindeer to leave a hoof print at the bottom of our note! I so wish I had an example to show you all because it really was so amazing to experience that as a kid!

~When the internet became a bigger part of our life, my dad found us the NORAD Santa Tracker which was just about the coolest thing ever to look at as a kid. It would track Santa's Christmas Eve flight so you could see when he was in different parts of the world and even how many gifts he had distributed thus far. This is such a fond memory of mine that I often still do this from year to year, just to check in. ;)

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~The Nightmare Before Christmas was my sister and I's go-to Christmas movie each year. I will argue to the death that this is much more a Christmas movie than a Halloween movie, mainly because that's the memories I have attached to it. I will always have a soft spot for Jack Skellington and his crew! Other favorite childhood Christmas movies include Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (both the animated and Jim Carrey versions.

~One of the most memorable Christmas gifts I ever received were these purple sleds that were given to both me and my sister. I don't know why those always stand out the most to me for Christmas gifts. I want to say it snowed the Christmas and we were able to go sledding on the hill behind our house that same day. Whatever it was that has stuck those sleds in my memory, I don't think I'll ever forget them!

~There's a funny Christmas tradition that we've developed over the years, but I'm fairly certain it started when I was a kid. We've always had a dog in our family, and on Christmas morning while we open gifts we would usually take the adhesive bows on the gifts and stick them on whichever dog is closest, to various degrees of success. Mostly they ignore them and sometimes they're shaken off, but it's always so cute and quite entertaining.

There are so many other memories I can think of, but I think I'll save those for future years. :) 

I hope you all enjoy your Christmas and make lots of new memories this holiday!

Christmas Traditions I Wish We Had in the States | Blog Ahead #26

Blog Ahead #26
Originally written on October 26, 2018

I really like to learn about unique Christmas traditions, whether those are traditions that happen in different households or from around the world! The US is unique in a way that there's many different holiday traditions based on different family heritage. Most of the people who live in this country have family members in the ancestry that were immigrants from different countries, so that definitely has had some influence in the way we celebrate here. For today's post, I wanted to do some research on some traditions that I would love to see come to the States, and maybe adopt into my own practice! ;)

Rollerblading (Venezuela)

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This is so much fun! In many parts of Venezuela, folks roller blade to Christmas mass. It's so popular in some communities that roads get closed down to make it easier and safer for roller bladers. What a fun and unique activity for folks to take part in on a special day of the year!

Jolabokaflod (Iceland)

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This, for obvious reasons, is my favorite of Christmas traditions around the world. In Iceland, folks will gift each other a book on Christmas Eve and the idea is that you will read the book all night until Christmas morning, getting cozy, reading, and eating chocolate!

Christmas crackers (United Kingdom)

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I've always been so intrigued by the idea of Christmas crackers - a little Christmas treat at your holiday dinner! I don't know why that isn't something that Americans have adopted from our UK pals, but I'm totally on board for stealing this idea from them! ;)

Advent Calendars (Switzerland)

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I love the idea of advent calendars! These aren't the most popular things in the US (some folks do calendars with really bad chocolate in them that you can buy at the grocery store), but in Switzerland and other parts of Europe, folks will buy or make advent calendars to be opened each day leading up to Christmas day. Brett and I got into this tradition last year and I absolutely love it. It's so fun to have a little festive activity to do each day leading up to Christmas!

Treats & sweets instead of gifts (India)

Coconut burfi - an Indian sweet that is traditionally made for Diwali & Christmas.
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In India, folks will give each other treats and candy in lieu of gifts. As I've gotten older I've realized that the pressure of gift giving an receiving is more stressful than fun, so something like this I can totally get behind!

Spread happiness and love (Japan)

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I also love the idea that in Japan, Christmas is more of a celebration to spread happiness and love than a religious holiday. Christmas Eve is even considered to be Japan's biggest date night, surpassing Valentine's Day! I am not particularly religious myself and celebrate Christmas more for the tradition than anything else, so incorporating the idea of spreading love and happiness is something I would love to be more of a focus here in the States.

What Christmas traditions do you wish you had in your part of the world?

Highly Anticipated 2019 Book Releases | Blog Ahead #25

Blog Ahead #25

Originally written on October 29, 2018

Now that we are nearing the end of 2018 (so crazy!!!), I'm getting super excited about the 2019 book releases that are on my radar! I'm not usually one who is necessarily on top of all of the new releases in the book world, but I couldn't help but take a peak at a few lists of what's coming out next year so I can identify the titles to keep an eye out for! I'm sure this list will grow as I learn more about what's coming out next year, but for now, these are the top titles I will be looking forward to!

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No One Here is Lonely by Sarah Everett
(January 22, 2019)

Synopsis: "Our entire lives are online, but what if the boy you love actually lives there? For fans of Adam Silvera comes a story about the future of relationships.

Eden has always had two loves: her best friend, Lacey, and her crush, Will. And then, almost simultaneously, she loses them both. Will to a car accident and Lacey to the inevitable growing up and growing apart.

Devastated by the holes they have left in her life, Eden finds solace in an unlikely place. Before he died, Will set up an account with In Good Company, a service that uploads voices and emails and creates a digital companion that can be called anytime, day or night. It couldn’t come at a better time because, after losing Lacey–the hardest thing Eden has had to deal with–who else can she confide all her secrets to? Who is Eden without Lacey?

As Eden falls deeper into her relationship with “Will,” she hardly notices as her real life blooms around her. There is a new job, new friends. Then there is Oliver. He’s Lacey’s twin, so has always been off-limits to her, until now. He may be real, but to have him, will Eden be able to say goodbye to Will?"

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On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
(February 5, 2019)

Synopsis: "Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of her neighborhood one day. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he hit big, Bri’s got big shoes to fill. But now that her mom has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are as much a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families."

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Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks
(February 12, 2019)

Synopsis: "Miriam's family should be rich. After all, her grandfather was the co-creator of smash-hit comics series The TomorrowMen. But he sold his rights to the series to his co-creator in the 1960s for practically nothing, and now that's what Miriam has: practically nothing. And practically nothing to look forward to either-how can she afford college when her family can barely keep a roof above their heads? As if she didn't have enough to worry about, Miriam's life gets much more complicated when a cute boy shows up in town . . . and turns out to be the grandson of the man who defrauded Miriam's grandfather, and heir to the TomorrowMen fortune.

In her endearing debut novel, cartoonist Faith Erin Hicks pens a sensitive and funny Romeo and Juliet tale about modern romance, geek royalty, and what it takes to heal the long-festering scars of the past (Spoiler Alert: love)."

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Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heart Break by Adi Alsaid

(April 30, 2019)

Synopsis: "Has heartbreak broken her for good?

Dumped by her boyfriend the summer after senior year, teen love and relationship columnist Lu Charles has hit a wall with her writing. The words just won’t come to her like they used to and if she doesn’t find a topic for her column, she’ll lose her gig at hip online magazine Misnomer, and the college scholarship that goes along with it.

Her best friend, Pete, thinks she should write through her own pain, but when Lu overhears another couple planning a precollege breakup just like hers, she becomes convinced that they’re the answer to cracking her writer’s block. And when she meets them—super-practical Iris and cute, sweet Cal—and discovers they’re postponing their breakup until the end of the summer, she has to know more.

Have Cal and Iris prolonged their own misery by staying together, knowing the end is in sight? Or does the secret to figuring out all this love business—and getting over it—lie with them? One thing is certain—if Lu can’t make a breakthrough before summer is over, she can kiss her future goodbye.

From the acclaimed author of Let’s Get Lost and North of Happy comes a touching exploration of love, relationships and the pain of breaking up."

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
(June 4, 2019)
***Cover not released as of writing this post***

Synopsis: "The new series centers on Alex Stern, a 20-year-old California high school dropout with a criminal past who is mysteriously offered a second chance as a Yale University freshman. Ninth House, the first book, follows Stern’s freshman year, where she is charged with monitoring Yale’s secret societies, who engage in sinister occult activities."

What 2019 book releases are you most excited about?

Things I (Begrudgingly) Like About Winter | Blog Ahead #24

Blog Ahead #24
Originally written on October 26, 2018

It's no secret - I am not a fan of winter. I hate the cold. I hate the dark. I'm not the biggest fan of the holidays or the snow. There's just not a lot of appeal to winter for me, so I dread it each and every year. The day this post goes live is the first official day of winter, and lucky for me, I'll be on a plane headed south to Florida for the Holidays. Thanks, Mom & Dad! ;) But, because I spend so much time complaining about the winter, I thought I'd kick off this terrible season on a more positive note. I thought it'd be great to share the things that I actually like about the winter time, as few and far between as they may be. :P

Hot beverages

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I love me a good hot beverage. Even though I'm a New Englander and will willingly drink an iced coffee when it's -12°, I love a toasty warm hot coffee in the morning. Hot vanilla lattes are probably my favorite coffee beverage, with hot apple cider being my favorite cold weather drink. I also can't say no to a good hot chocolate or hot toddy if I'm looking for an adult beverage! There's something so comforting about drinking something warm and feeling the warmth spread through your whole body.

Snow days

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As much as I'm not a fan of dealing with the snow (shoveling, wiping off my car, getting stuck in my own driveway, etc.) there's something that's pretty magical about having a day stuck at home while you're getting snowed in. I work in the education field, meaning I still get snow days if the college I work at gets closed... pretty awesome! I love having an excuse to stay in jammies all day, make pancakes, and watch movies! Snow days are the best and even I can't argue that!

Football & hockey

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Winter is the season that both of my favorite sports to watch are on all. the. time. I find football Sundays so cozy and watching hockey games so exciting that I definitely look forward to their seasons coming around each year. At least that's something that distracts from the face that it's winter time!

Sweaters & scarves

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Not gonna lie, my winter uniform basically consists of sweater + scarf + black pants. Every damn day in the office. It makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier and so much cozier. You really can't resist a good cozy sweater + scarf combo!

Trying new recipes

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I feel like winter is the time of year where I'm the most adventurous when it comes to cooking. I'm always on the hunt for new recipes for warm comfort foods to eat on cold, snowy afternoons. My slow cooker and I become best friends in the colder months, and I'm baking different things what seems like every weekend. It's actually so much fun, and so tasty!

What are your favorite things about winter?

2018 Christmassy Book Selection | Blog Ahead #23

Blog Ahead #23
Originally written on October 15, 2018

Every year for the last few years I've made it a point to read a Christmassy book in December. Curling up with something festive has always put me in a great mood through the holiday season so it's become a bit of a tradition for me to pick out a specific Christmassy book each year. This year is no different! I've been saving this particular title for the holiday season and I'm so excited to finally get to it. As we're approaching Christmas, I'll be reading Landline by Rainbow Rowell. While it's not blatantly about Christmas, it is set around the holiday season and is bound to have some Christmas themes throughout. Keep reading to find the synopsis!

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Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble; it has been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems beside the point now. Maybe that was always beside the point. 

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her. 

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything. That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts... Is that what she’s supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

Have you read Landline? What did you think? 

Let me know in the comments!

Favorite Foods of the Season | Blog Ahead #22

Blog Ahead #22
Originally written on October 29, 2018

One of the best things about this time of this year, both the holidays and the colder weeks of the late-fall, is the seasonal foods! I thought I should share some links out to my absolute favorite foods that I only seem to eat around this time of year. As I was gathering photos and links to these three foods that I'll be sharing with you, my mouth was watering and my stomach was growling SO MUCH! I'm definitely ready for these seasonal foods to be back in my life! Highly recommend you get your hands on these treats this year as well. ;)

Baked Brie in Puffed Pastry

Recipe from tbsp.

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Green Bean Casserole

Recipe from Campbell's

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe from Foodie Crush

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What seasonal foods are you excited to eat?

Our Songs | Blog Ahead #21

Blog Ahead #21
Originally written on October 25, 2018

The day this post goes live is the six year anniversary of my first date with Brett! We've been through so much together and I know we will move forward in life together for many years to come. As I'm writing this post in advance, I'm not quite sure how we're planning to celebrate this milestone, but I thought I would share a playlist of songs that remind me of us. I'm not going to give you all any context for these as each has special meaning to me for different reasons, but click play to hear the songs that I consider to be "ours". <3

Dear Santa... | Blog Ahead #20

Blog Ahead #20

Originally written on October 26, 2018

It's finally time for my favorite post of the year - my Dear Santa post! For those that may not be familiar, every year for the past few years I've taken a moment to think about the things that I would like to receive as Christmas gifts this year. Over the years this has changed a bit for me as I'm in a position where I can buy most things that I want for myself and it's getting harder for me to think of things that I'd like to receive as gifts - things that I wouldn't normally buy myself. I really do have most things I could ever possibly want/need! I still managed to think of a few items that I would love to see under my Christmas tree this year, and I thought I'd share them with you all today! :D

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1. To Kill a Mockingbird, the Graphic Novel! | I saw this advertised to me on GoodReads and I immediately had to drop everything I was doing to add this to my Amazon wish list. To Kill a Mockingbird has always been a favorite book of mine, and seeing it adapted into a graphic novel is something I never knew I needed until I heard it existed.

2. Black Hobonichi Cover with "Hide and Seek in the Forest" Cover-on-Cover | I'm getting back into the #plannergirl game recently and I've always wanted to have an official Hobonichi cover. I do have some knockoff planner covers that I use periodically (I have an ice blue one on my bujo at the moment), but I'm very interested to use a genuine Hobonichi product to see if it compares! I like a lot of their designs, but for some reason I would really love to have a black cover with this adorable "Hide and Seek in the Forest" cover-on-cover!

3. Tickets to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter | I've been DYING to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (or, Harry Potter World for those like me who are too lazy to say the entire name) since it opened years ago in Orlando. Now my parents live SO CLOSE which makes it so much easier to go. I'm hoping someday soon I can svae up enough money to take a little bit of a touristy vacation to check out the HP parks!

4. DJI OSMO | This is something that I've had my eye on this year as I've been wanting to vlog more of my running adventures. Vlogging while running is inherently difficult because you're moving and shaking, making it nearly impossible to get a steady shot of anything. This handheld tripod keeps your camera steady and makes vlogging while running so much easier! I would be so excited to receive one of these as a gift.

5. A nice cozy electric blanket | I freaking hate being cold, and unfortunately that's difficult to avoid when you live in New England during the winter. I had an electric blanket as a kid and have no idea what happened to it, but I do remember absolutely loving it. I would be so thrilled to have one in my life again. They just make winter so much more bearable!

6. Nintendo Switch | I've always been a Nintendo fan. I just find Nintendo games the most fun out of all of the other video games out there! I've tried a few of the games on the Switch and have had so much fun playing them. I know Brett really wants a Switch as well and I think it would be so much fun to have a console that we could play on together.

7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, illustrated edition | This was actually on my Dear Santa list from last year, but I actually haven't gotten around to picking this book up for myself yet! It's hovered right at $35 dollars on Amazon for the longest time and for whatever reason, I never prioritize buying it. If this so happened to make it's way under the tree with my name on it, I wouldn't be mad. ;)

8. Money toward flights and race registrations for my 50 Marathons in 50 States challenge! | I don't know what it is, but whenever I think of what I would want for a gift I usually think of *items*. But when I was thinking about it this year, I had an epiphany. I'm trying to be a little more aggressive in my 50 Marathons in 50 States challenge in this upcoming year, so what I would *really* love to get as a gift above anything else would be help with flights and registration for these races I'm attempting to run. Marathons and traveling are both expensive, so any financial help I could get to work toward this goal would honestly be the best thing ever.

What are you asking Santa for this year?

TV Shows I NEED To Get To | Blog Ahead #19

Blog Ahead #19

Originally written on October 23, 2018

I am the actual worst about staying on top of new releases when it comes to TV and movies. I definitely prefer TV to movies - there's just something about consuming small bits of a story over time! But I'm still terrible and making time to watch the shows that I'm interested in and they pile up so quickly! I thought I'd share 5 of the shows that I'm most interested in getting to sooner rather than later in the hopes that I'll actually make time to watch them!

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GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling): This is a show that I started watching during a round of ViewAThon, LOVED, and then never watched again. I don't know why I did that because I really enjoyed watching the pilot episode! I definitely want to get back into this, especially now since I've been getting more into watching the ridiculousness that is the WWE!

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Heathers: Over the summer I watched the '80s movie starring Winona Rider and I've since become obsessed with Heathers: the Musical, so now I NEED to watch this new adaptation! I have no idea how to access the Paramount network, but I am pumped to get my eyes on this modern Heathers adaptation ASAP!

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Riverdale: Similar to GLOW, I watched the first episode of the series, loved it, then never watched it again. I know a lot of folks really enjoy this show and there's a lot of twists and turns that are involved in it, so I know I'd probably really enjoy it. I just gotta get around to making time to binge it! I know once I start watching this I won't be able to stop!

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The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: As of writing this post, this show hasn't been released yet, but I'm assuming it's a huge hit! I absolutely loved the Sabrina the Teenage Witch sitcom from the '90s and y'all know I love me some spookiness, so I'm excited to get to this show as soon as possible! I also know the starring actress as Peggy from MadMen, so it will be fun to see her in a more mature role. Fingers crossed that I enjoy the series!

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Stranger Things: Probably the biggest bandwagon I haven't gotten on yet, but I feel like I would love this series as well! I don't know why, but I'm a fairly hype-averse person, so I'm always hesitant to check things out if they're really talked about and Stranger Things blew the fuck up. So, I clearly haven't watched it yet. But hopefully sometime soon I will finally watch it and understand all the references every makes to this show all the time.

What TV shows are you hoping to get to soon?

Books I Wish Would Get Adapted | Blog Ahead #18

Blog Ahead #18
Originally written on October 26, 2018

I'm not usually ~up on the times~ when it comes to TV and Movies. I'm not entirely sure what is out or what is coming out. But I do have a list of books that I would love to see come to life on the screen. I know that there has been rumors and rumblings of a couple of these getting adapted, and I'm not sure what has or hasn't been confirmed, but either way I would be so excited to see these on the screen!

1. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

2. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

3. The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

4. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

5. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

6. The Wolf by Wolf Duology by Ryan Graudin

7. The Humans by Matt Haig

8. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

9. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

10. The Lumberjanes Series by Noelle Stevenson

What books would you like to see adapted in to TV or Movies?

Holiday Self Care | Blog Ahead #17

Blog Ahead #17
Originally written on October 15, 2018

Like a lot of people, the holidays tend to be a challenging time for me. I deal with anxiety often and am a big introvert, and the stress of the holiday season is not easy for me. Between the commitment of spending time with friends and family almost every weekend and evening, the stress of spending money that I really shouldn't be spending on food and gifts, and the annoyance of feeling like I can't get a second to myself, I really do struggle through the holidays. I know I'm not alone, though, so I wanted to share some things that I do in order to take care of myself during this stressful time in the hopes that it may help a few of you out there.

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1. Take moments away

This one is a life saver for me. Like a lot of you, our weekends fill up with holiday parties almost every weekend and while I love seeing my friends and family, it is hard to be "on" all weekend when I've already been "on" all week for work and haven't had a moment to catch my breath and shut off. This is why I make it a point to scope out a place where I can step away where needed (be it a bedroom, a bathroom, outside, etc.) and take a quiet moment to myself. Sometimes I just need a quick 15 minute break to recharge my batteries before I can slap a smile back on my face and continue to ~mingle~. Sometimes I'm even able to grab a coffee at a nearby coffee shop which is an extra bonus! Either way, being able to steal these small moments keeps me charged and able to take on the remainder of the season. Highly recommend.

2. Keep your phone charger and headphones with you

I know it's not the most "polite" thing the world, but honestly my phone has been a life saver during the holiday season. When you're anxious or drained, sometimes it really helps to talk to someone who isn't there with you or connect on social media because EVERYONE is having a stressful time and we can all relate. :P Having a charger handy at all times ensures that you aren't left stranded (should you feel the need to connect outside of your physical environment), and having headphones is an added bonus if you have the opportunity to listen to music/a podcast/an audiobook or watch something on Netflix or YouTube! Again, it's not the most "polite" thing in the world and I try to avoid it as much as possible, but sometimes the need for self care becomes more important!

3. Be realistic and up front about what you can and can't contribute

This applies to a lot of things, but I especially mean financial contributions. The holidays are *not* cheap and, especially as you get older, there's an unspoken expectation that you're shelling out money for food and parties and booze and gifts and yankee swaps and decorations and EVERYTHING. A lot of the time, for me at least, it's not money I necessarily should be spending, so one thing that has helped me over the last few years is being up front about what I can/can't contribute and be okay with having to sit a few things out in order to feel financially stable through the craziness of December. In my experience, folks have been really understanding and it always gives me peace of mind when I'm up front about things related to this topic. Similarly, be realistic and up front about what you can and can't contribute in terms of your time, attention, and mental health. The more the people around you can understand where you're at, the more weight will be lifted off your shoulders.

4. Find time for you and be protective of it!

This definitely relates to points 1 and 3, but it's especially important for me to be protective of my down time during this season. If I can, I identify at least one day a week where I don't commit to anything and I keep it that way. The way my brain operates, I need at least one day where I don't go anywhere so I can catch up on chores, recharge my mental batteries, and maybe *gasp* do the things that I actually like to do in my down time. If I get offered to do something on that day, I do my best to respectfully decline. Why? Because I have a date with myself and it's important not to cancel hen you've made a commitment! It's hard to say no, but when it comes to self care it's necessary.

5. Have coping techniques on deck

Before we *really* get into the swing of the holidays, make sure you know what your coping mechanisms are when it comes to stress. Make a list on your phone and prepare what you need when you might not be in your comfortable place. The more you can prepare the better you'll feel as you go through the season! It'll also be an extra weight off your shoulders knowing you have go-to methods to make yourself feel a bit better when you're in a stressful environment.

Sending you all lots of love this holiday season. We will get through the stressful times together so we can enjoy making happy memories with our loved ones! <3

My Annual Holiday To-Do List | Blog Ahead #16

Blog Ahead #16
Originally written on October 25, 2018

Now that it's December, it's time to get Christmassy! I do impose a Christmas embargo until December finally rolls around, so now that it's finally here I'm excited to get festive! I thought I'd kick off my holiday posts with the list of things that I make an effort to do each and every year - my Annual Holiday To-Do List, if you will. It's always fun to try and squeeze all of my favorite holiday things into just 25 days before we pack them all away again for the next year! So, without further adieu, here's what I'm trying to pack in this season:

1. Decorate the apartment

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This almost goes without saying, but there's something so fun and festive about the ritual of decorating your space for Christmas! We have a tiny little apartment, but we love dressing it up with tinsel and ornaments, so of course that will be one of the very first things that gets done this season, as it is every year!

2. Watch my favorite Christmas movies

We all have a list of our faves! I try to fit in one a week if I can so I can hit a good portion of them. Here's what I'll be watching this season:

-Elf (duh)

-Home Alone 2: Lost in New York 

(Have always loved this sequel way more than the original!)

-How the Grinch Stole Christmas

-Just Friends

(Yes, this is 100% a Christmas movie!)

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3. EGG NOGGGGGG

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There's a lot of egg nog haters out there, but I honestly can't think of a better holiday beverage! I put egg nog in my coffee, I drink it plain, I drink it spiked, and I love me a good egg nog latte. McDonald's used to do an egg nog shake which I was also ALL ABOUT, but last year they didn't do them which I was v. heartbroken about. Either way, I'm pumped for egg nog season to be back and I DON'T CARE WHAT THE HATERS SAY! :P

4. Wear ugly Christmas sweaters & socks

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For some reason every year I get a slew of Christmas-themed socks as Christmas gifts, so when December rolls around I make an effort to wear ALL OF THEM! I also have a couple of ugly sweaters I enjoy wearing around to holiday functions and I'm always looking to add to the collection. Any excuse to be really tacky, I'm all about it. :P

5. Take the annual awkward Christmas card photo with Brett

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Brett and I have somehow made this tradition of taking an awkward Christmas Card photo together every year and it's become one of my favorite traditions of ours. It makes me giggle every year! Here's our annual photo from 2015. XD

6. Drive around/walk around to look at Christmas lights

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I can't resist a good Christmas light display. I'm a sucker for beautiful, twinkly lights, and if you can make me stop and linger to admire your display, I'm EXTRA giddy. It's one of those things that will put me in a festive mood without fail, so I love making sure I get to see lights of a neighborhood or two each year.

7. Read a Christmassy book

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This is another tradition that I've developed for myself every year. I love picking up a cozy read that is explicitly set during the Christmas holidays. There's something just so cozy about reading a story about Christmas and the different things characters will get up to throughout the holiday season. I will be sharing which book I will be reading this year in a later #BlogAhead post!

8. Bake something

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For me, Christmas and baking tend to go hand in hand. I don't know if it's the memories I have attached to baking Christmas cookies for Santa every year while I was growing up, but Christmas doesn't quite seem 100% complete until I make some sort of baked good. I really like to take time to really flex my Pinterest muscles as well during this time of the year and try out new recipes! If you have any favorites, leave suggestions in the comments!

9. Jam out to the best holiday playlist ever

A few years ago, Brett and I discovered this AMAZING playlist on Spotify called Hip Hop Christmas. Not gonna lie, it's my absolute favorite Christmas playlist because it is just so ridiculous. Check it out below!


10. Run a holiday-themed race

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I did not manage to fit one into my schedule last year, but for a few years before that I made an effort to run a holiday themed race because there is A BUNCH out there! This year I'm signed up for the Happy Holidays Half Merrython, which I did a few years ago and really enjoyed. I'm planning to be decked out in holiday gear as I tackle 13.1!

What's on your holiday to-do list this year?