Things I'm Loving Friday LV

Happy Friday! Whew, this is my first full week at work in two weeks thanks to my brother's Aggie Ring Day and Good Friday, and I am wiped out! Add in the fact that I graded 48 character transformation essays in a 24-hour period, as well as did quite a bit of work for our Romeo and Juliet unit, I am more than ready to wind down and relax in order to get ready for yet another full week. It's like I think the spring semester is going to be a lot more chill than the fall because I'm without the busyness (word?) of volleyball season and STAAR is officially in my rearview mirror, but that's never actually the case. When will I learn? Anyway, I've officially began reading Romeo and Juliet in two of my classes, and while I'm always super nervous to start, I quickly remember why I love teaching Shakespeare. Besides, my students get a kick out of all the sex and drug references that are made throughout the play.

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But for now, enjoy another round of Things I'm Loving Friday!

Eating Disorders and Running
I listened to this podcast on one of my early morning walks with Mack, and it held my attention the entire time. And I think I've mentioned before that I'm not much of a podcast person. But this one focused on a topic that is near and dear to me: running, and it also focused on another topic that maybe isn't so easy to talk about: eating disorders and disordered eating. While I've never had an official eating disorder, I've definitely had my fair share of food and exercise struggles. Who hasn't, right? In this podcast, a couple of Runner's World employees, as well as a former NCAA All-American runner at Michigan State sit down and open up about their own personal experiences with disordered eating, as well as its prevalence within the sport. It's something I struggle with every single day -- I am such an active person, running and walking many miles every single day. And I know enough to know that if I want to be the best runner that I can be, I have to fuel my body. The fear of weight gain is always there, but ultimately my desire to reach my highest potential is greater. This is a fantastic listen for ANY athlete who may struggle with this same sort of issue.

Hilly 10K followed by Blue Bell ice cream

Find the Good -- Heather Lende
A poster for this book caught my eye while leaving the University of Washington bookstore over spring break, so I made a mental note to check it out once I got back to where I was staying and could put a little bit of juice back into my phone. This book is small, but it's full of meaningful messages. The author is an obituary writer in a small town in Alaska, which, after reading this book, I find to be a super interesting job. We know how easy it is to harp on the negatives -- the news is full of it, and sometimes life just doesn't quite go our way. I know I'm one to complain a little bit too often at times, but this book stopped me in my tracks. We are all writing our obituaries every single day, and we have the chance to change our story and find the good in anything that may be thrown our way. A quick, uplifting, wisdom-filled read that leaves you feeling as bright as the book's cover.

Thirteen Reasons Why -- Jay Asher
Because I'm around high schoolers every single day of my life, this show has been all I've heard about for the past week or so. I mean, my students are obsessed with this Netflix original series. And while I can't vouch for the television series, I will talk about the book. I actually read it for the first time when I was in high school, and I can honestly remember not really loving it as much as I did the second time around. I think I didn't get as much out of it when I was a high school student because, as ashamed as I am to admit the fact that I was stuck inside my own little bubble of happiness, I didn't actually think that was something that could happen where I lived. Which is silly and naive, but you better believe I found it to be incredibly powerful as a high school teacher. While I have no doubt that the show is a little bit cheesy, I think it's the storyline that really packs the punch. What may seem harmless and funny to you may actually have a huge - negative - impact on another person. And those things can pile up. Unfortunately these feelings and emotions that Hannah Baker, the main character in the book and show, are all too real to so many teenagers, and it's so important to step back and think about the impact -- either positive or negative -- your words or actions may have.

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Jordan Hasay
This girl is my new hero. She is a 25-year-old first time marathon runner who was the third (first American) female finisher at the 2017 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:23. I mean, WHAT! That is absolutely unreal to me, and after doing a little bit of stalking (okay, a solid hour after school on Wednesday -- I have no shame here), she seems like the most humble, hard-working, down-to-earth, speed demon of a young lady who was made to run the marathon. Not even three weeks before Boston, she raced her way to a 1:07 half marathon finish in Prague, and she did all of this just five months after losing her mother unexpectedly. She gave a very emotional post-race interview, and I am excited to watch her running career continue to take off.

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Uh Oh -- Junior Doctor
If you are not familiar with the Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify, go make yourself familiar with it. Spotify is one of the best investments I have made (okay, maybe that my parents make but that's because I signed up for it when I was still on their paycheck, shhh), and while the weekly playlist can either be hit or miss, occasionally I find a song that I just jam to on repeat. It doesn't matter if I'm on the way to school, doing my weekly meal prep, cleaning, or running, I can listen to it over and over without getting sick of it. This is one of those songs. It's just so incredibly catchy, and I find myself cranking the volume every time this one comes up on shuffle. Or every time I put it on repeat. But I digress. It's upbeat, energetic, and has that cheesy "happy first love vibe" to it. It's definitely not a new song, but I find some of my favorite music discoveries are actually rediscoveries.

Momentum Motivate Wraps
If you haven't noticed by now, I am such a sucker for cheesy quotes. I know many will roll their eyes, but I take many of them to heart. So, when I saw on my Instagram explore page (it's getting semi-creepy how much social media knows us) an avid runner showing off one of these bracelets featuring one of my favorite quotes, I thought it was fate when I saw it at my local Fleet Feet just a few weeks later. It feels just like a ponytail holder, but it gives me that little bit of added motivation when I look down and see it during a run. This is one of my go-to in-my-head quotes these days, as I have set my sights on the 2019 Boston Marathon. And half the battle is believing that I can do it. These wraps are made for active people (therefore, they can handle sweat), and they come in many colors and sayings. Guarantee you'll find one that fits your personality and mindset.

And with that, I'm off to school for what will hopefully be a fantastic Friday. Have a great one!

Things I'm Loving XXXIV

And it's already time for another round of Things I'm Loving. But before I get started, I have to take a moment to be a little bit sentimental. One year ago this very weekend, I graduated from the best university in the world. And I grew a little more nostalgic with each "last day of school" post I saw on Instagram, because it's surreal to me that that was me just one year ago. I was getting ready to cross the stage - sad about turning the page on such a sweet chapter, but so excited for (and okay, a little unsure of) the chapter ahead of me. Here's to my real world freshman year, because it has certainly been a great one.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get back to our regularly scheduled events.

Dear Graduates
Going with our sentimental theme, here's A Message from Kid President. I love this kid. In fact, I showed one of my classes a video of his just the other day. And while I am still partial to the message delivered by Admiral McRaven, I think this one is a close second. Graduation is both exciting and bittersweet, and Kid President reminds us that life is like a really good sandwich. It's all how you make it. So fill your life with the good stuff, people. And go be awesome.

Our Spare Change
Talk about a cool business. Our Spare Change was started by two sisters, as they turned their excess coins into handmade jewelry. Of course, these pieces crafted from coins, they say the joy in their business comes through in storytelling. Every coin has a story, because when you think about it, coins have been all over the world and back again. And it's cool to think about the journey it has been on, and how it arrived at each place. The same way every person has a story, and it's cool to think about how we arrived at each place in our lives, so to speak. I ordered a custom long necklace, engraved with my very favorite bible verse - 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - "Be joyful always," - because I want it to serve as a constant reminder to me. While I don't think it's telling me that I have to always be happy, because quite frankly, that just isn't possible. But I think it's a sweet reminder that there is joy to be found in every circumstance, no matter how bad things may seem.

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19 Secrets Teachers Won't Tell You
With the exception of number ten, this list is absolutely one hundred percent true. I do have favorites (and least favorites). My heart still pounds a little bit when I get called to my principal's office. Naturally, I snap pictures of some of the funniest responses I get on written assignments. I hear far more than my students realize, but I simply choose to remain oblivious. Sometimes, I take great pleasure in calling on the kid who I know isn't paying attention (though they don't seem to be too phased by it). And this semester especially, I've made it a priority to separate my school life from my personal life.

PRO Compression Socks
My shin splints are no secret, and while KT tape has been working like a dream in terms of my pain level, it's no match for the Houston humidity. But not much is. So when I received an email from Active Advantage, with the subject line 40% Off Marathon Socks, I didn't delete it right away. If you're at all into running, you have probably seen people wearing bright-colored socks up to their knees. It brings me back to my middle school volleyball days, really, but that's a story for a different post. Anyway, I did a quick Google search, and while there's no real proven evidence, many people reported having success with Compression Socks. And with 40% off, why the heck not? So, I ordered myself a pair, went for a run the day they came in the mail, and I have nothing but good things to say about them. I had absolutely no shin pain, and while I don't know if I can attribute that fully to the socks, or to the fact that I'm taking a little bit better care of my body, but I'm officially a fan.

NOTE: Take 40% off your total order with the code RACE

Audio Device Connector
I have the curse of a 2005 car. And while I love my car - dented roof and all - it's missing two important elements. It is just past the cassette tape days, but not quite to the auxiliary cord era. Meaning, there is no easy way for me to hook my iPhone up to my car, so that I can play the tunes that I want, when I want. First World Problem if I've ever heard one. But when you're flipping between seven stations and all you hear are commercials and talk shows, an audio connector is much appreciated. So, I was at Walgreens just the other day when I came across this audio connector. And I've tried many of these devices, and all of them have failed me in some way. This time, though, I've found one that seems to work. And when I left school the other day feeling like I wanted to cry - or at the very least, find a new job - I was more than happy to plug in my favorite songs and rock out the whole way home.

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Blue Bell Strong
I am sure you are all aware by now that Blue Bell has recently hit a Rocky Road. And I'm not turning my back on them. Because I will always remain loyal to Blue Bell. In fact, I think they are handling this situation with grace, class, and humility. Blue Bell does a lot for its community, and it's something people miss when they leave the country. In fact, one of the dorm moms at SRD said she packed an entire suitcase full of Blue Bell when she went to live in Romania. So, I can't help but smile when I'm running, biking, or walking through my neighborhood and I see signs in people's yards that on one side read, "God Bless Blue Bell," and "Come and Take It" on the other. You don't mess with these ice cream lovers. 

Post Blue Bell Fun Run

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Have a fabulous Friday. My penultimate Friday (with students). Wahoo!

*Sorry this post didn't come as early as it usually does - blogger wasn't working for me at school this morning!

Things I'm Loving Friday XXXII

And here we are, on the very first day of May. How we got here, I will never know. After today, there are F O U R school weeks left until I can officially say I have completed my first year of teaching. And it won't be four normal weeks, either. Next week we have a couple of days of STAAR testing, AP testing will be going on for the next three weeks, and the last week of school is, of course, dedicated to finals. So I guess I'll hang on for the ride, because it's sure to go by quick!

Live Lokai Bracelet
I can't take credit for this one. All the credit goes to my friend Amira. And while I'm here, let me take a moment to say that she gets all the credit for the "swimming in wine" portion of my Instagram caption a couple of weeks ago. So, now that I've gotten that out of my system, let me talk about just how cool this bracelet is. The white bead holds water from Mt. Everest, the highest point on Earth. The black bead contains mud from The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. We all experience the good times, when we feel on top of world. The white bead reminds us to stay humble. And on the opposite end, there are always going to be difficult moments. But the black bead reminds us to remain hopeful in our lowest moments. I absolutely love that, and have worn my bracelet every day since receiving it in the mail.

Women's Go Dry Racerback Tank
I don't think Old Navy gets nearly enough credit. Sure, sometimes you walk out of there completely empty-handed, but most of the time I walk out of there excited about a great deal I just found. And this past Saturday did not disappoint. I was in a shopping mood, because I headed down the road to Memorial City Mall - a rarity for me, especially on a Saturday. And before going into the actual mall, I stopped in at Old Navy, because I've been extremely successful here in the colored pants department. And though I didn't find any colored pants, I did walk into a huge sale on workout apparel. Because I need more of that. But these flowy racerback tops will be perfect for my hot summer runs, and besides, I got them for only $8 apiece.

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Cyprus Sandals
I had spotted these sandals while shopping at City Centre a month or so ago. But because I already had a nice pair of brown sandals, I passed on them. Even though I really liked them. I found myself at City Centre once again this past weekend, and popped into J. Crew when I saw a sign advertising 30% off the entire store. For whatever reason, their clothes are rarely a hit with me, but maybe they had a flowy skirt or dress that would be fun for summer. I didn't find either of those things, but I did find these same sandals. And this time in white! Which was perfect because I've been in the market for a pair of white sandals, but I've had a hard time purchasing any because white gets so dirty so quickly. But 30% off was calling my name, and though I had to size up one size, I foresee these sandals getting plenty of wear.

Zoe's Kitchen Quinoa Salad
This is one of those restaurants that I absolutely love, but often end up neglecting. Located within Town and Country, it often finds itself in City Centre's shadow. But just last weekend I was catching some rays after a swim at the MAC, and I found myself hungry for something healthy, but my usual weekend meal of Salata just didn't appeal to me. And though Hungry's is right down the street, that wasn't what I wanted, either. Instead, I headed in the opposite direction toward Zoe's Kitchen, and settled in with their new quinoa salad - sans feta, plus salmon. I don't know what their salmon kebabs are seasoned with, but it left me vowing to make Zoe's Kitchen one of my go-to restaurants.

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23 Misconceptions About Teachers
This article. I realized a couple of weeks back that I spend a lot of time talking about my job. About my students. About my co-workers. And I think I talk about it so much because there are so many misconceptions out there about teachers. Granted, there are misconceptions about every job, but some of these ring entirely too true. I do have many hats to put on, I do have to be 'on' at (almost) all hours of the day, I do get frustrated when people say my job is easy, or that I'm only doing it for the time off. Though it's certainly an added perk. Teaching wasn't a backup plan, and I think it's the best profession out there for me. Each day is filled with new challenges, laughs, and facepalm moments, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

One of those facepalm moments

Make it a great start to May - one of the busiest and craziest, but also happiest, months of the year!

Random Survey

I’ve been a bad blogger. I didn’t post a Things I’m Loving Friday Post, and though I had all the time in the world yesterday, I didn’t post yesterday, either. I can’t say that I did much yesterday, and I also can’t say that was a bad thing. This entire week I’ve felt extra tired, so it was nice to just lounge around for the majority of the day. But I didn’t lounge around all day. I did go for a 7.1 mile run around my neighborhood, and I also picked up my car from the shop, that thankfully didn’t have any major issues.

It was a real welcome into the year of 23 when my check engine oil light lit up on my way to school Friday morning, but that false alarm ended up being a blessing in disguise, as my front brakes were absolutely shot. Nothing major, thankfully, because I’m not quite ready to start making car payments!

Anyway, I know I missed Things I’m Loving Friday, but I will stick with our regularly scheduled Survey Sunday. So, let’s get it going! This one is kind of random, but fun nonetheless. Enjoy!

Household chore I actually enjoy doing: This might be really weird, but I actually love cleaning the bathroom. Sarah and I used to almost fight over who would get to clean the bathroom. Though I don’t love cleaning the bathtub, whoops! I also don't mind hand washing dishes, but I would rather do a bunch at one time, so the dishes might pile up a bit before I manage to get going.

Biggest house disaster: I feel bad answering this, because it's not technically my house. It belongs to my parents. I just have a room here. But I also can't answer it because our house isn't one bit a disaster, it's just lived in. And that's not my way of saying it's messy, because it really isn't. But I will say that I have sort of taken over dining room table with all of my books and papers and pencils and pens and jewelry and race bibs and to-do lists and lots of other things that probably shouldn't be there. But if we only eat in there on Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's okay if I claim it as mine the rest of the year, right?

Before company arrives, I hide: I'll answer this one in regards to my actual room. I'm thinking of one specific day when my friends Sam, Alex, and Corey came over, and it was a bit of a surprise to me. Before they walked into my room I made sure to stash any neglected clothes under my bed, because sometimes I maybe don't always hang my clothes back up after I've tried them on and neglected them? Whoops!

Most recent music download: I'm loving this old school download - Crazy For This Girl. Was anyone else a Dawson's Creek fan? I didn't watch it regularly, but if I saw it was on while flipping through channels, I would keep it there.

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The last thing I bought online: I may or may not have taken advantage of the Kendra Scott additional 15% off all sale items. But the color was so unique that I just couldn't live without them! I'm just kidding, of course I could live without them. But the earrings I purchased were a good deal. And I wish I could find a picture of them for you, but I guess you'll just have to wait in anticipation until I get them in the mail.

I hate to shop for: Hardware. I'm not sure if that's a thing, but honestly my least favorite places in the entire world might be places like ACE Hardware and Home Depot. I used to dread going those places with my dad when I was younger, and though I actually grew to kind of like Home Depot a little bit, I always just felt so overwhelmed in there. I'm sure it was very obvious that I didn't know what I was doing, and DIY projects are absolutely not my strong suit. 

Favorite family ritual: Honestly, I'm going to have to go with the nightly game of Wheel of Fortune that my parents carve out time for each evening. If I'm home when it's on, you better believe I'm playing along with them. I have yet to win, but I am usually doing other things at the same time, if that counts for anything.

I sleep in: a big t-shirt and either pajama pants or shorts. Or maybe leggings. It just depends on the night.

I have style crush on: I'm not so sure I can answer this question. I have a very classic style that I don't really model after anyone. I will say that I follow Anthropologie on Instagram (surprised?), and I do find myself gasping and saying, "Oh, that's a really cute outfit" on the daily, but my sense of style is very limited. 

 

One of my go-to sweaters (and my students can attest to that)

Warning: This picture is from almost three years ago

I’m currently reading: I've just barely started reading Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point. I also just purchased a copy of American Sniper from Target, and I cannot wait to start reading it. Because let's be real, the chances of me actually going to see the movie are slim to none. And I have a whole list of books I hope to read ... maybe over the summer when I have some more free time?

What’s up with the ________ trend? Starter Pack. I'm not sure if that's even a thing anymore, but for a while I saw captions on a group of four photos that would be something like, "The Procrastination Starter Pack," or "The Monday Morning Starter Pack," or "The White Girls Starter Pack" (#basic), and I guess I just never understood where it even came from! A lot of trends I can get behind, but that one seemed to come out of the blue.

How did I ever live without… A foam roller. No really. This little runner has been experiencing different aches and pains throughout this year of more running than ever before. Nothing serious, but I'm certainly feeling the extra use. Which I'm taking as a good thing, because it's alerting me to the importance of stretching and rolling - two things I never used to take the time to do.

And I hope your Sunday is a great one. I'm hoping to post this and then be productive, productive, productive, as I didn't get quite as much done yesterday as I had hoped, and I want to have all of my loose ends tied before spending what I hope will be a beautiful weekend in Austin this upcoming weekend. Talk to you guys soon!

Things I'm Loving Friday XIX

Whew, another Friday is here! I love four-day work weeks, and I not-so-secretly wish we had them every week. Four days of work, three days of play. That sounds about fair, doesn’t it? Anyway, this Things I’m Loving Friday post is a little bit all over the place, but that’s sort of how this week feels, so let’s just go with it, shall we?

Athleta Balance Capri 

I mentioned in last week’s Things I’m Loving Friday post that I have sort of strayed away from the popular Lululemon apparel in favor of clothes, especially leggings and yoga pants, from Athleta. Athleta opened a store near me a couple of summers ago, but I hadn’t checked it out until recently. I tried on a pair of leggings just to see how they fit, with no intention of making a purchase, but I absolutely loved the way they fit my body. They were tight in all the right places, but they were loose enough around the middle that I didn’t feel as though I were being squeezed into them. I’ve worn them recreationally while lounging around the house or running errands, and also while exercising, and I can attest that they are a very versatile pair of leggings. So much so that when they were having a 20% off sale last week, I had to take advantage of it and purchase another pair. Wouldn't you do the same?

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Kendra Scott Jana Bracelet

When Kendra Scott has a sale, it’s almost like it’s a crime to NOT take advantage of it, right? Just kidding, but just days after my mom and I were talking about how beautiful the Jana bracelet is, she got an email saying that everything in the store was 15% off from 4pm until midnight. So how could we not jump on that sale? I used to not be a watch or bracelet person at all, but now my wrists feel naked without them. This is a very delicate piece, and it comes in just about every color you can imagine. My mom and I opted for the Bright Red, but we also love Slate, Emerald, Chalcedony, and Orange (Hook ‘em!).

Longchamp Le Pliage

I have a longtime love for the Longchamp brand. It started in high school, with my very first purse in the medium sized taupe color, and it has not yet stopped, as I currently have about five bags in this brand. I know, I know. But they’re such handsome, reliable bags. And it probably doesn’t help that when I went to Paris a few years ago, I had the chance to visit the actual Longchamp Le Pliage store on Champs-Elysees, and the prices over there were far cheaper than they are here in America. I have a medium size bag, a large size bag, and a backpack, and I carry them with me all the time. They’re great for traveling because they fold up into almost nothing, and when they’re expanded out into purse form, it’s as if they have an expanding charm on them. Their one downfall is that it sometimes takes me a while to find what it is that I am looking for, but I can fit almost my entire life inside of one. I carry them with me to school, when shopping, and at just about any other time you can imagine.

Rockin' our Longhchamps in Madrid - Summer 2012

24 Must-SeeDiagrams That Will Make Eating Healthy Super Easy

I saw this just before I went to sleep the other night, and I made sure to screenshot it so that I could read it at a later time. That later time came the next morning, and I especially loved numbers 2, 4, 5, 11, 13, 19, 20, and 21. I am a very visual learner, meaning I am a student who needs to see to be able to understand. Most of the time. So, these aesthetically-pleasing diagrams are simply brilliant for someone like me.

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Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens

Yes, there pens are a little bit on the expensive side, but they are my absolute favorite pens, tied with my beloved Sharpie pens. They are the perfect “teacher pen,” and they also make me feel a tiny bit artistic, and trust me, I am the least artistic person in the history of the world. They write smoothly, they don’t bleed through the page, and they come in a whole package of pretty colors. Last weekend I was feeling inspired, and I took them up to my elementary school playground and wrote out the things that make me feel the most alive, as per our first small group activity my freshman year of college. And you know felt tip pens made the list.

Dash Cam Cop

I sincerely hope that all of you have seen this by now, but if you haven’t, let this video brighten your day. I was watching the news last weekend with my parents, and they showed this cop from Delaware jamming out to Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off.’ That song is catchy, and evidently this cop felt the exact same way. This video was the first in a series of “DashCam Confessionals,” and you can’t help but smile when watching this video. They filmed it mainly as a thank-you to their local followers on social media, because the more people they have following them on social media, the faster they can get the word out regarding serious or important events in the area, but this video has gone absolutely viral. It’s worth a watch, and it’s something to bookmark on a not-so-good day.

 

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The Republic of Tea Strawberry Chocolate Red Tea

I am not typically a tea person. It takes a very particular flavor of tea in order for me to drink it. And that flavor is of the fruit variety. I found an absolutely delicious fruit-flavored at the Nutcracker Market, a la Cheers to You, but I have not yet ordered any more of it. So, a couple of weeks ago when I was shopping at Paper Source, I spotted a very cute container with Strawberry Chocolate flavored tea, courtesy of The Republic of Tea. We started off the week with very pleasant, almost perfect, weather, but another cold front hit us yesterday, making it the perfect warm tea weather. The combination of fruit and chocolate (which you guys know I love), is delicious and delectable, and it makes for the perfect healthy dessert flavor. Among many other benefits, red tea contains powerful antioxidants, can relieve skin conditions, and can encourage restful sleep. Three thumbs up in my book!

And that concludes another rendition of Things I'm Loving Friday. Enjoy your day, and have a fabulous (hopefully sunny!) weekend! And before I go, I have to thank you for all of the sweet support and words of encouragement you provided me with after reading my last post. I am someone who would much rather listen than share, so that was a major leap of faith for me. It's funny that Dylan was one of the people who taught me how to be more vulnerable. Life sure has a way of coming full circle, doesn't it? Anyway, you guys are the best, and I've said it before, but you make writing this blog fun!

What I'm Into Now

I’ll admit that I have not been keeping up very well with some of my most favorite blogs. I just haven’t had the time to sit down and read them! Or I have used my time in other ways, I suppose! Actually, I think it’s the fact that I felt so bad about neglecting my blog that I wanted to pretend others were doing the same. But I did run across this little survey on both Peanut Butter Finger’s blog and Carrots ‘n’ Cake’s blog, so I decided I had better do it too!. You know I love a good survey!

What I'm Into Now

Celebrity on Instagram

I am probably the least celebrity-invested person that I know. I’m interested in celebrity gossip when it’s told to me, but I won’t ever seek it out. After all of that, I’m sure it surprises you to learn that I don’t actually follow any celebrities on Instagram. But one of my favorite pseudo-celebs to follow on Instagram is the 365ThingsAustin account. I may not live in Austin anymore, but I love staying up on what big events are taking place, new restaurants that are hitting the scene, and you already know I'm a sucker for a Town Lake sunset or sunrise. 

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Friend on Instagram

I have some very talented friends on Instagram. Whether it's with an artsy picture or a clever caption, checking my Instagram feed is always entertaining. So, this one is a toughie! But I really love people who post fun and colorful pictures of food, so I'm going to give this award to Claire Hogan. Though she is a Houston native, and a graduate of Memorial High School, I did not meet her until my sophomore year at SRD. She never fails to impress me with her photography skills, and I've learned of more than a few hidden gems via her Instagram page.

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Cocktail

I will typically pass on the wine when offered, but I absolutely L O V E champagne, which is always dangerous because that stuff will get ya. And if you gave me straight orange juice, I would turn up my nose. So maybe my love of champagne cancels out my dislike for orange juice. Whoops. So when Dylan and I went to brunch a couple of weeks ago when I was in Austin, I just couldn’t pass on the $2 mimosa option.

Food Indulgence

Frozen yogurt. Always. Except lately I’ve probably had too much dark chocolate per day (is there even such a thing?). I’m a huge fan of these Bark Thins – they have made a Things I’m Loving Friday appearance – and one of their current flavors is Pumpkin Flax Seed and I just cannot get enough.

Beauty Product

I don’t typically wear a lot of make-up, but I have found the one brand of mascara that I will forever purchase and wear - Benefit They're Real! Mascara. It might sound too good to be true, but this mascara lengthens, thickens, and volumizes my eyelashes. You don’t have to apply a million coats, and I never have to deal with clumps. It’s a little bit more expensive than my old pink and green tube from Walgreens, but it’s worth every penny.

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Way to Wind Down

Ever since redoing my room (which I haven’t even updated you guys on!), I love being in there. So I, and embarrassing as this is to admit, love lounging on my bed, listening to music, and either perusing Pinterest or catching up on all of the BuzzFeed quizzes I miss throughout the week. A really beneficial use of my time, I know. But at least I get some good recipes out of it! I would normally read a book, but I haven’t found a book that has really piqued my interest. Any suggestions are very welcome!

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Piece of Jewelry

I used to wear her old, one-dollar turquoise triangle ring, but I unfortunately lost that one during a trip to the gym. My mom was doing some organizing one day, and came across an old, old ring that Granny used to wear. She thought it was a retired piece from James Avery, and she was right! She let me have it, and the only time I take it off is when I swim.

And on that note, I'm off to complete a PiYo certification class at the MAC all day from 9am to 5pm. I didn't read about this on her blog, but I saw it via PBFinger's Instagram account (I'm all about Insta on this post!), and just out of curiosity, I looked up certifications coming up near me. As luck would have it, the only one taking place within 100 miles of me happened to be at my home gym. It was meant to be. I have taken a few PiYo - a combination of pilates and yoga - classes before, and I absolutely loved them. They challenge my body in a way that I absolutely don't do enough on my own, but I still feel like I get a good workout. So why not learn how to teach it? I'll be sure to come back with a full report on how the certification class goes. It's sure be a long, but successful, day!