Hello, Happy December!

I have been meaning to sit down and write out more of a personal post. Seriously every day it seems like that is my goal and it slips through the cracks. This time of year feels like a BLUR; thought I had all this time after Thanksgiving and then, bam, we’re one week into December.

(We only have three and a half weeks left of the year…. HOW!)

Mug + Gingerbread House Topper + Snowman Marshmallows + Hot Chocolate on a Stick

ONE // Reading, reading!

So I was pretty unhappy with the amount of reading I was doing for the year. I was barely getting through a book a month, which is on the very low side of me. At my “peek” I was reading at least one a week, but that was when I was in college and had a ton of free time between classes (and no social life). I challenged myself to read every day for 30 days and I did it. I told myself it wasn’t about how long I was reading, but just that I was incorporating reading into my routine, even if it was only a paragraph. I know it sounds lame but reading every day gives me a better outlook on life– maybe because I can escape from reality for a few minutes.

TWO // PACKING PEANUTS

I was texting a good friend of mine who happens to be a blogger and we were both expressing some feelings of burnout. The fourth quarter is always the “biggest” for bloggers since we tend to follow retail schedules. I’ve been pretty good about keeping this whole quarter in perspective. I haven’t taken on more projects that I can handle. I’ve dropped the ball on a few gift guides, but I was enjoying living instead and I’m fine with that. Generally speaking, I’ve just decided to do as much as I can and to try not to get too overwhelmed. I figure you guys would prefer to see a positive blog than a complaining-stretched-too-thin blog anyway, right?

There is ONE exception to this and that is PACKING PEANUTS. Who invented packing peanuts and how can we ban them from existence?! This is definitely a privileged struggle, but I am extremely overwhelmed by the number of PR packages being delivered right now. I think my doormen think I’m a hoarder or compulsive shopper. I can’t get through the boxes quickly enough and I’m doing my best to keep things going out of my apartment too. Again, it’s not that I’m not grateful for things, but when a six-pound box of makeup that I don’t and would never use shows up on my doorstep, I don’t even know what to do.

It’s the packing peanuts that are really putting me over the edge this week. I spend at least 40 minutes a day receiving, opening, categorizing, and breaking down packages but these peanuts are getting everywhere and my dogs think they’re toys. (I’m a psycho about picking them up because I know they would eat them and could hurt themselves.) I filled an entire garbage bag with packing peanuts from one box and I was just horrified.

THREE // Hot chocolate

Every December, I try hot chocolate. I always hate it, but it hasn’t stopped me from trying… year after year after year. Fun fact: The first thing I ever got from Starbucks was a white hot chocolate in Lake Placid, NY. I think I was 12. I was so excited to have my little Starbucks cup and felt incredibly grown up. But… I ended up with a stomachache and I’ve never enjoyed hot chocolate since, haha.

Instead, I’m all for Christmas and holiday teas. I’m not particularly picky. Any will do and it’s something I look forward to every night. The bonus is not getting stomachaches too!

FOUR // New Year’s Resolutions

Remember a few weeks ago (or was it a month?) when I talked about trying to think of my resolution for 2018? I decided on what I want to focus on and I’ve already started! I swear, the key to sticking to resolutions is to start them early. I already feel successful and it’s not even the new year yet! I’m going to a longer post about why I chose it and how I’m planning on sticking with it, but here’s a sneak peek: WRITING. I want to write a lot more and I’m starting with journaling. I’ve been journaling at least five days a week; definitely the longest I’ve ever stuck with it. So far, so good.

FIVE // Fitness

I’m getting ready to do a recap of my past year of working out. I feel like a broken record, but it’s been the best change in my life and I can’t believe I am where I am. I never pictured myself as someone enjoying working out and now I hate when I have to miss a class. (Vague spoiler, but I may be moving next year and the thought of leaving my gym is really killing me.)

SIX // My family is visiting!

My parents and sister are coming into town tonight. We have some plans and they might change so we’re kind of playing everything by ear. Should be a nice weekend though here in Connecticut with the dogs! They haven’t visited in a while and I definitely see some shopping, eating, and trips to the beach with the pups in our future. We may even go into the city for a night. I wanted to surprise them with tickets to a Broadway show and now I’m just waiting for schedule confirmation about a few things before committing. Other than Hamilton, have you seen a good show lately?!

SEVEN // Gifts

I’m pretty behind on buying gifts this year. My list of recipients seemed to have doubled and I felt like I had more time. Now I’m starting to feel the scramble (a little bit). I got a huge task checked off my gift list by purchasing my corporate gifts for everyone that I’ve worked with over the year. Nordstrom was amazing and expedited my shipping for me and everything! I’m doing chocolate bars and candy bento boxes this year. (Did them last year and it was a huge hit!!) Now I’m just waiting for my custom blog holiday cards to come in so I can wrap and get everything shipped out.

What else do you guys want to know about?!? These are just some of the things that have been top of mind for me.