January Wish List!

Last day of January, oh my! I have an exciting new post for you all today, that I am planning on having make an appearance on the blog every month. At the end of each month I am going to be sharing all of the things that are currently catching my eye and on my wish list. I am always online shopping and finding great new finds, and I thought this would be a fun way to share them with you all!

Healthy Recipe: Avocado Toast with Fried Egg

Friday Finds No. 14

Hello Friday! Another week come and gone and the last weekend in January is here. Crazy. I hope January has served you in every way you needed it to, and that you kicked off twenty-seventeen on an amazing note. Keep the energy that January and a New Year provides and carry it with you for the rest of the year. There are eleven more months to make amazing!

As always, happy weekend! Enjoy whatever plans you have in store and enjoy my Friday finds below!

My Current Exercise Routine & Workout Playlist!

I feel like the overall theme on the blog lately has been inspired by the overarching themes January provides such as fresh starts, positive changes, and kicking off a new year on a healthy and strong foot. Since the start of the new year, I have really been trying to kickstart my workout routine and get back on track with my own health and fitness goals. If I do say so myself, so far so good!

I feel like I am getting back into a great routine, with a mixture of different workouts throughout the week. It is so important to add variety to your workout routine so that it doesn't get stagnant, you don't get bored, and so you are ultimately more likely to stick with it. More importantly, I have always believed that you have to find what works for you and what you like and enjoy. Key words right there. If you are doing something you really dislike there is just no way you are going to enjoy yourself or stick it out for long enough to get the benefits exercise provides. The beautiful thing is there is such a wide variety of different exercise classes, programs, and paths that can be taken to achieve your fitness goals. There really is something, or a variety of different things, for everyone - it's just a matter of discovering it!

New & Noteworthy Beauty Products

Ten Ways to Declutter

As January starts to come to a close, I am finishing up some of the projects and goals I set for myself back at the beginning of the month. One of those was a big decluttering project - you name it and I was going to try to declutter it. This means everything from my closet and room, to my inbox and computer. With January being the start of a new year, it felt like the perfect time to declutter and really kick off the year with a fresh start!

Although I wouldn't consider myself to be crazy type A or super anal about things, I still value organization and cleanliness. If I let stuff start to collect and sit around, it slowly but surely starts to stress me out. I feel very strongly that the more you declutter your physical spaces, the more your mental state starts to feel more open and decluttered. If cleaning up a bit leads to a little bit more peace, then I am all for it!

Healthy Recipe: Kale and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing

bareMinerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener

Black Leather Jackets

A good leather jacket is an absolute wardrobe staple. Regardless of how often you reach for it in your closet, it is an item that should be there for those time when you need it to be. I often forget how great of a piece a leather jacket is. It makes such a statement and can be styled so many different ways, which makes it so versatile. I love that it is an edgier look that most definitely brings out a little bit of the badass in all of us, but also can be paired with feminine styles and prints for a softer look. Like I said before, it is a piece that needs to be in your closest. It is just as important as a crisp white button down, classic blazer, and killer pair of jeans!

During these winter months, I find myself gravitating towards my own leather jacket more and more. It is just as perfect for a casual Saturday look as it is for a night out on the town. My jacket is from quite a few years back, but is Lucky Brand and very similar to this one. Real leather is of course much more expensive but if you look at it as an investment and something you will wear for years to come then I say go for it. I'm not going to lie, there are some pretty great faux leather jackets out there that come pretty darn close to the real thing. A good faux one will still cost a decent amount, but it is absolutely necessary to spend a little more. There is nothing worse than a cheap looking faux leather jacket! It is worth it to spend a little extra for a higher quality faux leather jacket - you'll be happy you did in the long run!

I have rounded up some of my favorite leather jackets out there right now - both real and faux leather. Although I already have my own go-to leather jacket, it was fun 'shopping' for some new ones, and I definitely added some of these to my own wish list! It is the small details like the hardware choices, collar cuts, and quilted panels that really make a leather jacket something. I mean this fringe detailing  is to die for! I also love that there is such a variety of different choices, which means that regardless of your own personal style, there is something for everyone! Check them out below and find the perfect one to add to your wardrobe. Enjoy!

Shop here....

Lucky Brand Major Moto Jacket

Topshop Faux Leather Biker Jacket

Topshop Boutique Leather Jacket
Blank Denim Leather Moto Jacket
Jessica Simpson Faux Leather Jacket
BlankNYC Faux Leather Jacket

xo. G 

J.Crew Tulle Cuffed Stripe T-Shirt

Love at first sight might be the most accurate way to describe my relationship with this shirt. The tulle cuffs are the type of attention to detail that J.Crew perfects oh so easily, and we all know that J.Crew knows it's horizontal stripes quite well. From the moment I saw it, I knew I had to get my hands on it!

If I'm being honest, I was a little bit unsure as to how the tulle cuffs would look when I actually put the shirt on, but one quick trip to the dressing room took care of all those worries. It was perfect. The shirt itself fits just as it should, and the tulle cuffs hits just at the right spot to be very flattering on. Leave it to J.Crew to knock the tulle and stripes combo right out of the park! I love love love tulle these days and stripes will never go out of style in my book, so this shirt feels like it was made for me. Thanks J.Crew!

To style it, I just threw on my go-to pair of jeans and an embellished collared shirt underneath. Unfortunatley the embellished shirt is old, but wearing the tulle cuffed shirt on it's own works out just as well and really lets it steal the spotlight! My flats, although not the warmest choice of shoes, completed the outfit perfectly and are quite comfy, which I can't complain about.

This shirt is just so fun and I look forward to all the different ways it can be styled. It's perfect for anything from black leather pants to white jeans or even a cute mini, and it can definitely be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. I know that this outfit will without a doubt be worn on repeat in the upcoming months!

Outfit Details

Special shoutout to my darling mother for shooting this look for me! 

xo. G 

New Books On My Radar

I have really been on a reading kick lately, which I guess is a good thing considering the fact that reading more was one of my new year's resolutions! More specifically, reading before bed was the actual resolution, however I've been both reading before bed and trying to with my cup of coffee in the morning. It has been the best and is really the perfect way to both start and end the day. Not only that, but it is allowing me to read multiple books at one time, which is not something I've tried before but is actually working out quite well. I love having two different books to read and look forward to at one time, plus I can enjoy them for longer since I'm not just flying through one book. It's a win-win!

In the mornings I have been enjoying 'The Little Paris Bookshop' by Nina George, which is the sweetest most magical story. It will sweep you right out of your own life and bring you to one of my most favorite places in the world, Paris. Ah, the things I would do to go back.. I'll just keep reading books set in Paris until I find my way back again. Before bed I've been loving 'The Happiness Project' by Gretchen Rubin, which I just pleasantly stumbled upon laying around in my house. It wasn't a book I set out for because of my own struggle with happiness, because I overall feel like I am in a really really good state as far as my own happiness is concerned. However, I think it is an extremely valuable piece to read regardless of how you are doing with your own personal happiness. It most definitely serves as a reminder to keep note of your own happiness, and it very much raises the question of whether you are living your life to it's full potential as far as happiness is concerned.

Yesterday I was at Barnes & Noble, not for myself but actually searching for a gift for someone else, but it is near impossible to go in that place and not roam around looking for new books. I could seriously spend an entire day roaming through the aisles of books! Naturally, I left Barnes & Noble with one new book and a handful of other books added to my 'To Read' list. I thought it would be fun to share some of them with you. I know I am always looking for book recommendations, and I figured this could serve as that for some of you! Enjoy and happy reading!

When Breath Becomes Air // I have heard so so many good things about this book, and although I know it might not be the most 'feel good' story or light read, I think the words on those pages will be not only enlightening but also serve as a reminder of just how precious life is.

The Passenger // This story has been compared to Gone Girl and Girl on the Train, which both I loved and couldn't put down! Love a good thriller, so it is not surprise that this one got added to the list!

The Case Against Sugar // I took a nutrition class my senior year of college, which opened my eyes to a lot of things but especially to the fact that sugar is singlehandedly the major cause of the obestity crisis in this country and is ultimately killing us. I still consume sugar, probably more than I should, and chances are I won't ever not consume sugar, however, I saw this book yesterday and it definitely sparked some curiousity. I think it would be a very interesting read.

The Sun Also Rises // Hemingway is known as one of the best writers of his time, and I am ashamed to say I have never read any of his works! This book was described as one of his masterpieces and it takes place in 1920's Paris, so I feel like it is something I could definitely get into. There are so so many choices out there for books these days, but I think it's important to not forget the classics!

A Certain Age // Beatriz Williams is one of my favorite authors. She delivers beautiful and engaging historical fictions, that capture your heart while transporting you back in time.  'A Hundred Summers' was the first book I read of hers and loved, and 'Along the Infinite Sea' is a story that I will forever carry in my heart. It is no surprise that all of her books are on my 'To Read' list, but since I can't read them all at once, I guess I'll start with this one.

The Vacationers // Last but not least, this is the book I walked out of Barnes & Noble with. It was on the New York Times Bestsellers list a little while back, and I have heard really good things about it so I figured why not give it a try. Better late than never!

What is on your list of books to read? I would love any and all recommendations! 

xo. G 

Healthy Recipe: Kale Smoothie & Almond Butter Toast

Happy Monday! Back again with another healthy recipe to try this January, and hopefully love all year round. I was originally just going to share one recipe in this post - the kale smoothie - but decided to throw in another quick and tasty almond butter toast as well! They are both great post workout snacks on their own, but are both perfect together as a light breakfast or lunch. If you are weary of drinking something so green or can't imagine kale tasting good in a smoothie, I urge you to just give it a try. I promise it tastes much better than it looks and kale has so many health benefits! Check out the recipes below and try them out for yourself! Enjoy!

KALE SMOOTHIE

Ingredients: 

1 cup of ice 

3/4 cup almond milk 

1 banana 

Good handful of kale 

Drizzle of honey 

Directions: 

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth

ALMOND BUTTER & BANANA TOAST

Ingredients: 

1 english muffin 

Almond butter

Banana slices 

Cinnamon

Honey 

Directions:

Spread almond butter on toasted english muffin 

Top with bananas, and finish with sprinkle of cinnamon and drizzle of honey

xo. G 

Friday Finds No. 13

Happy Friday my friends! I think this is the first weekend in about a month that I have no where to be and nothing to do, and I am thrilled. As fun as it is have weekend getaways and fun plans made, sometimes is it equally as nice to just have a relaxing weekend at home. I plan on doing a whole lot of nothing and taking advantage of some much needed down time! I hope that you enjoy whatever you have in store for the weekend, whether super fun plans or a low key weekend like me! Below I have linked some of my finds from this week. Enjoy and hello weekend!

Dear Victoria // I came across this very interesting British Vogue article in which Victoria Beckham pens a letter to her younger self. She shares advice and insight into things she wishes she had or maybe hadn't done with just the right amount of 'you will be alright' tone. I enjoyed hearing what she would tell her eighteen year old self, and it definitely got me thinking. What do you think your future self would tell your present self? Maybe whatever answer you come up with to that question should be taken to heart and actually applied to your current self. Who knows, maybe it will save you some regrets down the road. Interesting food for thought, right?

Beauty & the Beast // Who else is super excited for this!? I know I am. Beauty and the Beast is one of the classic Disney movies I grew up on and I was even lucky enough to see it on Broadway as a kid. You just can't beat the story and the music always gets me. I cannot wait to see it on the big screen once again, but this time many years older than last time and of course with Emma Watson as Belle. Hurry up March!

The One // Yes. Yes. Yes. This is everything right now and I urge all you ladies (and even guys) out there to read this. Ever since I knew what it meant, I have considered myself a hopeless romantic. I love to love this grand idea that there is one person out there meant for us - our soulmate, the one. It sounds crazy, I know, and yet I believe it...or so I did. Recently this belief has been challenged by my own curious mind. It's not so much that I don't believe in this idea of 'the one' because I do believe that maybe for some people it is possible, but how in a world filled with seven billion people could there be only one person in which we fall in love with, are compatible with, and ultimately happy with? I just have a hard time wrapping my head around it. Who knows, maybe there is a soulmate out there for everyone, maybe we just never meet them - or maybe we do, but the sad, heartbreaking reality is that they aren't always the person with whom we spend our lives.

xo. G 

Winter Coat Guide

For those of you living in the New England area like myself, you can attest to how cold it has been here recently! Although yesterday and today have been unseasonably warm, this unfortunately won't last and January as we know it in the Northeast will be right back. Living in Connecticut for the entirety of my life has taught me that the only way to survive the cold and often long winters is to bundle up. As nice as it would be to cuddle up inside and just skip winter, that is sadly not reality so a good winter coat is the only saving grace!

Of course no one wants to sacrifice style for the sake of staying warm - at least I know I don't want to. When it gets cold my mother always tells me it is not the time to worry about style, however,  I believe both can be achieved if you have the right items in your closet! A good winter coat (or a couple different ones) is a necessary staple, and although they can be pricey, a good quality coat is an investment worth making. Since we are just about in the heart of winter, I thought I would roundup some of my favorite warm and of course stylish winter coat picks. Hope this helps you stay warm out there! Enjoy!

Shop here...
Patagonia Down With It Parka

J.Crew Belted Puffer Coat
The North Face Miss Metro Parka

J.Crew Cocoon Coat

J.Crew Chataeu Parka
The North Face Tremaya Parka
The North Face Mauna Kea Parka

Canada Goose Kensington Parka

p.s. I own both the J.Crew belted puffer and the J.Crew cocoon coat and I love them both. They help keep me super warm and stylish all winter long!

xo. G 

Goal Setting

I have talked in the past about how I feel goal setting is an important part of future success in all aspects of life. Whether it be goals related to your career or personal life, consciously setting and writing down those goals is crucial to actually achieving them. I think when we think of goal setting, the big goals pop up into our head, but do we ever take a moment to think about how we are going to go about achieving those big goals? It is great to have those long-term big goals to keep us driven, but they are most certainly not goals that can often be accomplished overnight. As nice as it would be to reach our goals and dreams overnight it just doesn't happen like that. On the plus side we can set smaller goals that when accomplished bring us that much closer to our dreams. Those smaller goals can be achieved much easier and by doing so they serve as the stepping stones to reaching those grand goals. By consistently setting and accomplishing the little goals, we are actively working towards the big ones!

The best way to go about setting smaller goals for yourself, is to ask yourself how you are going to accomplish your big goals. What needs to be done on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis in order for that big goal to be reached eventually? The answers you come up with from that question then become the small goals that you actively work towards. Those small goals of course can and should consistently be evaluated and tweaked as necessary to ensure they are  effectively leading you towards accomplishing your big goals.

I have been thinking a lot about my own goals and even made it one of my resolutions to be better about setting goals. It is something I want to focus on more in twenty seventeen and it is my hopes that it will help bring me closer to achieving my own goals. Below I am sharing some of my twenty seventeen goals - big and small - as I truly believe that writing down your goals and sharing them with people holds you accountable for making things happen. Hope you enjoy hearing them and coming up with your own set of goals for this new year!

TWENTY SEVENTEEN GOALS

Become a Certified Spin Instructor // Ever since being introduced to spin classes in college I have been hooked. It is one of the very few exercises classes that I truly enjoy and also feel is a really good workout. Not only does it have so many physical benefits, but mentally I always feel inspired, renewed, just all around happier after a good spin class. I have always said that I want to teach spin classes at some point and I feel like twenty seventeen is going to be that year!

Run Two New Half Marathons // For the past three years I have completed at least one half marathon a year. It was a goal I made after completing that very first half, and a goal I intend to keep forever. Not only does it motivate me to train for and run a half marathon every year, but it is most certainly is a sense of accomplishment when I do. I feel proud of myself for keeping that promise I made to myself three years ago. This year I want to branch out and run some half marathons in new places! I think it will be a great way to try something new and swith up the scenery.

Do Yoga At Least Once a Week // As a gymnast growing up, it is no surprise that I had flexibility on my side for many years. Flexibility is one of the elements of fitness that not everyone has or values, but that because of my gymnastics background I was lucky enough to have. Since having stopped gymnastics about six years ago, my flexibility, although not gone, has definitely diminished. It is my hopes that consistently going to yoga (and stretching more) will help get it back. Not only that, but yoga has so many other benefits that I would love to take advantage of!

Grow Faith & Fancy // This is one of those lofty, broad, big goals that is most certainly not going to happen over night. However, it is my hopes that by making and accomplishing monthly and weekly smaller goals, I will keep on chugging along and getting closer to accomplishing this one!

Consistently Get Three Blog Posts Up a Week // They always say 'consistency is key'. This advice can be applied to many aspects of life, but it most certainly applies to the blog world. I've tried to be as consistent as possible with content and getting posts up on a regular basis, and since finishing up nursing school, I think I've done a decent job. However, sometimes posts go up Monday, Wednesday, Friday, sometimes it's Tuesday, Thursday, and sometimes it's some other combination, and I want to do better than that. My goal moving forward is to at least get three posts up a week - ideally Monday, Wednesday, Friday at six am. Ideally I will get Tuesday, Thursday posts up as well, but for now this is a good start!

More Outfit Posts // This is something I have been trying to do for a while now. The outfit posts I have done have been some of my favorite posts and I really want to bring more of that to Faith & Fancy. However, I have struggled because I unfortunately can't shoot my own outfits myself! If I could I would, but that is not the reality. My sister has been my go-to person for this, but when she's at school it's hard to make it happen. Regardless, it is my goal to do whatever it takes to make it work and get those outfit posts up on a more regular basis. Stay tuned!

Start Saving Money // Up until this point in my life I haven't been the best when it comes to saving money. Anyone that knows me knows that I love to shop, which definitely doesn't help in the money saving department, but I think the bigger issue has been I just really have never had much money to save in the first place. Having finally been done with school, I can now get a 'big girl' job, start making real money, and saving that money! Hallelujah.

What are some of your goals for twenty seventeen? I would love to hear! 

xo. G

Healthy Recipe: Chobani with Almond Butter and Poms

Over a week into January and I am still feeling the post holiday hangover - sluggish, tired, and blah. It most certainly is hard to get back on track after overindulging (maybe a little to much) throughout the holidays! One of my resolutions is step up my game in the health & wellness department, and since I know I am not the only one with that goal, I thought it would be fun to share one healthy recipe a week for the month of January! The recipes I will be sharing are all quick, easy, and of course healthy but ones that don't sacrifice taste. They are meals & snacks that I eat on a regular basis and that make me feel good about what I am putting in my body. What could be better that that? I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do and incorporate them into your healthy lifestyle!

I'm not going to lie, the combination of plain greek yogurt and almond butter did not appeal to me at first. I remember thinking there is no way those two things could taste all that great together, and honestly had no intention of giving it a go to find out. However, for whatever reason I decided to give it a try one day, and let me tell you... YUM. I was so pleasantly surprised at how wonderfully the two flavors blended together and have been eating it ever since. It has become one of my go-tos for breakfast, but it also makes the perfect post-workout snack or light lunch.

As you can see from the above photos I was planning on using a pomegranate, but when I went to cut into it, it had gone bad. I decided to substitute in strawberries instead because I had them on hand, and it was just as delicious! Apples are another one of my go-to fruits for this recipe especially in the fall, but any fruit will do. If you're not a huge fruit person, it is equally as tasty with just some granola sprinkled on top sans fruit. I've experimented with different toppings, but my favorite has definitely been pomegranate seeds and granola! The pomegranate adds just enough sweetness, and the granola is the perfect crunch. Drizzle on a little bit of honey and a hint cinnamon and you've got the perfect healthy treat!

CHOBANI WITH ALMOND BUTTER AND POMEGRANATE

Ingredients:

1 cup plain greek yogurt

Spoonful of almond butter 

Handful of pomegranate seeds

Sprinkle of granola 

Honey and cinnamon to taste

Directions: 

Combine all ingredients in bowl and enjoy! 

xo. G

One Year of Faith & Fancy!

Today, January 6th, officially marks one full year of blogging! I cannot believe it. What a year it has been!

I don't remember the exact moment in time that I decided to start back up after a two year hiatus, but I think the stress of nursing school, the heartbreak of a crumbling relationship, and more than anything a desire to express the more creative side of myself were all significant factors in that decision. I still very vividly remember writing that 'Hello Again' post, which is still one of my favorites to this day. Little did I know that that post would be the first of many, and was the start of something that has truly brought me so much happiness over the past year. Faith & Fancy has allowed me to explore and express the more creative side of myself that I don't think many people, including myself, knew was there. Although it is not my career, I feel like it has allowed me to discover my own little niche, and I am forever thankful for that. The decision to bring back Faith & Fancy was one of the best decisions I made in twenty sixteen.

It has been a year of happiness, but it has also most certainly been a year of growth and much learning. Every so often I will look back at those early posts and cringe just a tad at the questionable choice of filters on pictures shot on an iPhone. However, it shows me just how far I've come in what has really been a short amount of time. At the beginning of Faith & Fancy, I had no idea not only about the very technical side of blogging, but I also had no idea just how much time I would have to put into learning it all. Little did I know that I would have to teach myself all about the world of Photoshop, Lightroom, HTML code, and DSLR cameras. It took a lot of trial and error and practice, and I am by no means a pro in any of these things, but I am proud of how far I have come and excited for all that is yet to be learned!

On January Sixth of last year, I was completely naive to the amount of time, money, and effort I would have to put into this new found love of mine. Time and money were both something I didn't have much of while in nursing school, but the desire was there and thus the effort always followed. Despite the limited free time I was working with, I knew that if I tried and just trudged along, my efforts would be worth it. To me I was happy to just get a couple posts up a week, sometimes less, but I knew that eventually all three aspects would come together. Although time is something I definitely have more of these days, I'm still working on the money aspect! Eventually all three will come together and I look forward to seeing the growth that will occur when they do. For now, effort is most important in my book, and I promise there most definitely is no shortage of it here!

Most importantly thank you all. Thank you for your kind words and endless support over the past year. It really means the world to me and I am so grateful. It brings me so much happiness to be able to share the things that bring me joy, words of wisdom, highs and lows of life, pretty and tasty things, adventures, and everything in-between with you. I think I would continue to blog even if no one bothered to read it, however knowing you all enjoy following along makes it that much sweeter. Thank you!

In that very first post, I said that Faith & Fancy "Will serve not only as source of happiness for me, but it is my hopes that it will do the same thing for you". Here we are a year later, and it is still my hope that Faith & Fancy not only provides you with a source of happiness but also a dose of inspiration and shot of zest. I hope you continue to stop by and follow along in this adventure of mine, I love having you along for the ride. Thank you for the sweetest of years. I look forward to many, many more.

Much love, Gretchen.

Below I'm Sharing Some of My Favorite Highlights from the Past Year!

January // Said Hello Again and shared some of my Skincare Favorites

February // Talked about Love Notes and Valentine's Day and tried a New Restaurant

March // Daydreamed of a Tropical Paradise, shared my First Outfit Post, and got personal About the Future

April // Reviewed one of my Favorite Mascaras and shared my Running Essentials

May // Finally tried SoulCycle and talked about the inspiration behind the Name 'Faith & Fancy'

June // Completed and posted my 101 in 1001 list and told you all about my Go-To Eye Cream

July // Talked about Perspective, getting the perfect Summer Glow, and Seersucker Bikinis

August // Revealed my favorite Summer Getaway, shot the cutest Summer Clutch, and prepared for a Thirty Day Trip

September // Talked about What I Had Learned, went on that Trip to Europe which included London and Paris

October // Came home with So Much Gratitude, wrote about Italy, France, and Spain, and shared this Red Lip

November // Celebrated my Twenty-Third Birthday, revealed our Bathroom Renovation, and talked about Gratitude

December // Welcomed the Holiday Season, crafted a Holiday Cocktail and Gifts, thanked and said Goodbye to 2016

What a year it has been! I am blessed and look forward to all that is to come! 

xo. G

New Year's Resolutions

 

Ah, those good old New Year's Resolutions. I feel that there are two very different camps when January first roles around and the term 'resolutions' is making a much more frequent appearance. There are those who could care less about resolutions and have a 'why bother' attitude, and then there are those who are all gung-ho about making quite the list of resolutions. And then there is me -  I fall somewhere in the middle of that.

I feel there are definitely benefits to making resolutions come the new year, as long as what you choose are quality resolutions. By quality resolutions, I mean that they are personal to you and not just the cliché resolutions you hear every year. In order to determine what those resolutions are, it requires you to take a moment and really reflect on yourself. I think self reflection is important all throughout the year, but especially when getting ready to take on a New Year. What better way to enter into a New Year than by looking at ways to better yourself and put your best foot forward! That is my plan at least, and below I am sharing the resolutions that will allow me to do that. Enjoy!

1. Say Yes More // This is one of my favorite resolutions this year and has been something I had been thinking about a lot leading up to the New Year. My trip to Europe back in the fall most definitely is the inspiration for this resolution, as I feel I said yes to so much on that trip. Even the things I felt iffy about doing or had reservations about, and guess what happened? - I didn't regret a single one thing I said yes to and ended up so happy I did it. Yes of course I was travelling and that isn't the most accurate representation of real day to day life, but I figured that only good things could result if I you're brave enough to just say yes. So in 2017 that is exactly what I am going to do. I am going to say yes - to new opportunities, new people, and new adventures. What is there to lose?

2. Read Before Bed // I am really going to try and be better about reading before bed this year. There are always so many books I want to read, but I just don't seem to make the time to sit down and actually read. Not only will reading before bed give me the time to actually read some of the books I've been wanting to, but it is also a much better alternative to mindlessly scrolling through Instagram before bed. It's a win-win!

3. Drink More Water // This one pretty much goes without an explanation. There are so many benefits  from drinking water, and I want to strive to be better with my hydration through plain old water! With all the super cute water bottles these days, and tasty ways to stay hydrated there are no excuses!

4. Journal on a Regular Basis // Another New Year's Resolution inspired by my travels around Europe. As you know I journaled myself through my month long adventure, and was so happy that I did. I now have a book of memories that I can always look back upon for the rest of my life. I don't want to only be able to look back upon trips I've taken, but I want to be able to look back upon all different aspects of life. Not only will journaling allow me to do that, but writing in and of itself is good for the soul!

5. Strive for a Healthy Lifestyle // Not to make excuses but between the hustle of nursing school, a month in Europe, and the recent holidays, twenty sixteen was definitely the year I strayed a bit from the healthier lifestyle I usually strive for. It is nothing I feel bad about, and to be honest with all I had going on last year I am happy to have even kept up with working out as much as I did, but I definitely want to get back on track this year! I value living a healthy lifestyle and feel it is something that should be strived for year round. With the new year upon us I plan on doing just that!

6. Set Goals More Frequently // I am a firm believer in goal setting. Setting goals (and actually writing them down) is one of the best ways to actually accomplish them. I think the best way to do that is to take your 'big' goals and break it down into smaller goals. By accomplishing those smaller goals you are steadily getting closer to accomplishing the big goals! I definitely always have big goals floating around in my head, but I want to be better about making those smaller ones. Twenty seventeen you are going to be the year of smashing those goals!

7. Be More Punctual // I'll admit it, I am guilty of not being the most punctual person in the world. It's not so much that I am always late for things, but more that I get to wherever I am going just in the nick of time - aka I always feel like I'm rushing around to get to wherever I'm going on time. No good. The start of twenty seventeen felt like a good time to break this bad habit!

8. Make that Extra Effort with Friends // Anyone who is out of college knows that getting together with friends post-grad is hard! The days of walking down the hall to hang out with friends is (sadly) long gone, and with people all over the map, doing all sorts of exciting things, it is hard to coordinate schedules. Hard, but not impossible! With a little effort it can most definitely be done - it just takes that little extra. Even if it is difficult to get together in person, making the effort to shoot a friend a 'thinking of you' text or even picking up the phone and calling them can be such a meaningful gesture.

What are some of your New Year's Resolutions for 2017? I'd love to hear! 

xo. G

Hello January and Hello 2017!

Can you believe that we are officially in January of twenty seventeen! I need to keep pinching myself because I'm in disbelief that twenty sixteen has come and gone, and here we are ready to take on a new year! I am very excited to see you January, and think you are going to be the start of one really amazing year. Check out some of my January finds below! Enjoy and Happy New Year!


New Year's Quotes // I love words, I love quotes, and as I shared here, I love New Years! So of course, I was all over these New Year's quotes. It amazes me the power that words have to change our perspective, make us think, and inspire us. I hope that these ten quotes do just that for you - I know that they most certainly have inspired me to embrace the fresh start of a new year.

Writing is Good for Your Soul // Ah, now this is such a good one. Twenty sixteen most definitely taught me just how good writing can be for you. Not only did I not know my own capabilities when it came to writing, but I had no idea the power of getting your emotions on paper. Of course writing is good for your soul for many reasons, regardless of how strong of a writer you think you are. I definitely urge you check them out and get inspired to write a little bit more this new year!

January Horoscope // Raise your hand if you are as guilty as I am of reading (and maybe believing) your horoscope a little too much... no shame. Regardless of how believable or true they are, I still get a kick out of reading my horoscope and believe there is no harm in doing so!

Resolutions You'll Keep // With a new year comes those damn resolutions. Some people love making them, whereas others won't even bother. I think they are important and are a great way to keep yourself accountable for changing your lifestyle or habits. However, I feel like they need to be high quality resolutions that are personal to you, and that can be achievable (with effort) as opposed to just the cliché resolutions you hear people throw around every January. If you haven't made your resolutions list I think that reading through these is  a good place to start for a little inspiration! I'll be sharing my twenty seventeen resolutions with you later this week so stay tuned!

Detox Drink  // I don't know about you, but I am totally feeling the post-holiday hangover right about now. After a couple weeks of too much sugar, indulgent food, and not nearly enough water or work outs, it definitely catches up with you! I am feeling it, ugh. Time to get back to that much needed healthy lifestyle, and although one detox drink won't undo all the holiday damage done, it's a good place to start!

January Wishlist...

J.Crew OTS Top
Mark and Graham Travel Pouch
J.Crew Cashmere V-neck Sweater

Things I'm Loving...
Teavana Perfectea Maker
Rodan + Fields Unblemish Wash
'I Feel It Coming'

xo. G