It's officially Winter, and though this is one of my least favorite seasons. I'm really learning how to embrace the winter months. You would think since I'm a winter baby and I've lived in New England all of my life that I would pretty much have mastered embracing the cold. No, I'm still learning. I love what the snow does for the environment though. What I am learning is the best part about winter is spring comes shortly thereafter, and I love everything about spring. My last bucket list/ to-do list post. I mentioned that I'm going to work on creating due dates for each item on my list.
8 Things on My Winter To-Do List
Winter Photoshoot
I would really love a cute snow photo. I always see so many gorgeous snow photos on Instagram, and I honestly don't think that I personally own one. My goal would be to take a photo that looks magical and dreamy.
Vacation
This is always on my list. I love vacations, and I love exploring new places. I don't have any places on my agenda. However, I'm open to taking any last-minute trips.
Bake
I can't wait to make cinnamon rolls. For some reason, I've been craving them lately. Of course, I plan on making a healthier alternative. However, I would love for them to look and taste like the ones I'm mentally envisioning. You know, fluffy, gooey with the frosting just dripping off.
Craft
I haven't used my silhouette machine in over a year. I typically use it around the holidays. I'm noticing that I'm struggling with really creating time for myself. I have to do better.
Read
You know the saying “out of sight, out of mind” as a child I didn't enjoy reading. However, after completing my bachelors and masters degree. Reading was something that I really grew to love. I remember the days where I would finish a good book in an afternoon. I have to get back in the habit of reading often.
Enjoy
This may sound so simple. However, I would love to enjoy a winter-inspired drink at a coffee shop or my local Starbucks. It would be so nice to really just be "in the moment".
Organize
I think I have enough fun stuff on my list, I have to get better at organizing my space. Though I love Christmas. It was so nice to have my space back from all of our Christmas decor. Our home is under 1000sq and it requires a lot of creativity when it comes to organizing. I've read a few books in the past that were really helpful. I just have to organize my space to its full potential. Plus, life is so much better when you know where everything is at.
Winter Brunch
I'm a huge fan of brunches. I would love to attend a brunch and really just be in the moment. Try something that I typically wouldn't have, and just enjoy my own company.Do you have a winter “To-Do List”?
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It's officially 2019, what better way to really bring in the New Year, and birth month to recap of some of my favorite moments of 2018. I'm really thankful for 2018 if I had to select two words for it. They would be EMBRACE & CONSISTENCY. I learned how to embrace change and the importance of how important it is to be consistent in all areas of my life. Below I'm sharing a glimpse of my 2018.
I attended my first cooking class with Ling Ling. This was such a fun event, and I met so many other amazing bloggers.
My son Michael celebrated his 15th Birthday
In March I went on a solo vacation to Fort Lauderdale
Michael and I attended our annual Mommy Son Trip. So Thankful we were able to visit Cartagena, Colombia.
2018 Year In Review
January
February
March
In March I went on a solo vacation to Fort Lauderdale
April
Michael and I attended our annual Mommy Son Trip. So Thankful we were able to visit Cartagena, Colombia.
May
In May, I had the opportunity to attend the Moms Meet WOW Bloggers NYC. I loved everything about this event and would love to attend again.
June
I indulged at Godiva
July
I attended Babypoolza and SweetSuite and had the time of my life.
August
I attended BlogHer'18 Creators Summit. Super thankful that I was able to attend another BlogHer event.
September
Football season officially started
October
We took a day trip to Hampshire County Massachusets. Everything about this trip was simply AMAZING.
November
We had a pretty epic weekend as a family. Bonus, Michael played my high school football team.
December
We celebrated Christmas with family and friends.
What are you looking forward to in 2019?
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Happy Monday!
I hope you had an amazing weekend. My weekend was pretty low-key. I didn't do much at all. I was hoping to go out for dinner or brunch, and honestly just stayed home all weekend. Saturday I woke up around 5 am on Saturday, and worked on my Saturday to-do list for my family, and cooked dinner. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better weekend. I had time to journal and some self-care time. Anywho...
How was your weekend?
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I've learned that just because a recipe is vegan. Does not mean that the recipe is healthy. In 2018, I continued my healthy eating lifestyle and took you guys along with me. Of course, I had days and weeks where I indulge. But I mostly eat a plant-based diet. One of my favorite recipes I've created in 2018 was my Sweet Potato Brownies. This recipe was so yummy, and guys loved this recipe as well. This recipe was super easy to make and I pretty much had all of the ingredients on hand. I'm really looking forward to trying new vegan recipes in the future and turning old favorites to healthy vegan treats. Thank you for following my journey in 2018, and looking forward to creating amazing recipes for you in 2019.
My Top 10+ Vegan Recipes of 2018
Vegan Pumpkin Wontons
Easy Roasted Basil Tomato Soup
Vegan Sweet Potato Brownies
Chewy Vegan Blondie
3 Ingredient Vegan Pancakes
Chocolate Vegan Spiced Donuts
Vegan Pumpkin Spiced Donuts
Chewy Vegan Blondie
Vegan Chocolate Vinegar Cake
Flourless Vegan Pumpkin Waffles
Flourless Vegan Apple Pie Waffles
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Personal finance is a topic that is near and dear to my heart and is a topic I've taught professionally for many years. I'm always interested in learning ways on how to improve my spending and saving habits and learning about various to improve my techniques. With one child in college and another headed to college in the coming years, personal finance is so important to me. Especially if I'm trying to lead by example for my children. I've learned over the years about so many simple techniques that you can include in the daily routines that can save you thousands a year. I've also learned that it's so important to start off small. It's so easy to get overwhelmed with this process that a lot of times people just give up because they bite off more than they can chew. Start small, maybe each month you add a new app to your routines. Instead of starting with a budget binder. Perhaps you use a budget sheet instead. Trust me, when learning something new it takes time. However, if you incorporate these items, in your daily, weekly and monthly routines they will naturally become a habit. Though I've taught personal finance, my finances have not always been perfect and there has been a lot of trial and error for me. It honestly took me to the point of being sick and tired of my financial situation to start making improvements, and it honestly started with me just saying NO. Once I learned to say no, my finances changed drastically. I was adding others financial stress to my own. I love the analogy of putting your own oxygen mask on when on the plane (if needed). How can I help others if I'm drowning myself in debt?! The light bulb went off, and from that point on. I learned that I have to take care of myself first...Though, everyone's financial state is different. I hope you're able to find helpful tips from these blog posts. Whether you're a Suze Orman or Dave Ramsey fan.
PS: To kickstart the new year. I'm hosting my first giveaway. Information below.






































