Stephany Writes

Categories: About Me

Ask Stephany Anything | Part 1

Happy Friday, friends. I’m kicking off another round of Ask Stephany Anything today with questions that people have asked from my form. (If you have questions for me, fill it out! I’m an open book.) Since I’m dedicated to keeping my posts short and sweet this month (when possible), I’m just going to answer the questions San asked me, since I got a bit wordy! These were great questions, San, and I loved answering them.

First and foremost: How are you? Especially now that the election results have fully sunk it?

I am doing okay. I have decided that social media is not going to be where I get my news so I have unfollowed many news sources and muted people who seem to only share political posts these days. I want to be able to go on Instagram to be entertained and my algorithm is very much geared toward cat videos, dachshund videos, funny meme accounts, and comedians. That’s exactly what I want. (I don’t really believe that sharing political things on my Instagram is going to move the needle, considering those who agree with me are already watching my Stories and those that don’t have either unfollowed or muted me.) I will listen to Pod Save America and read their nightly newsletter to stay up on the news, but I may also take breaks from it from time to time. My friend also clued me in to this news source (unfortunately, she’s only on Facebook, ugh), who shares long detailed recaps of what happened the previous day and I plan to read through her recaps once a week.

The fight for democracy is going to be a long, hard one. There is not much we can do now, but I hope to find local organizations that I can give my time and money to.

Do you feel a noticeable difference in your energy levels now that you are using the CPAP?

Oh, for sure! I mentioned in the post I wrote a week after I’d been using CPAP therapy that I had already noticed a difference in my energy levels and that continues to be true. I don’t think I realized how exhausted I really was before starting CPAP. I truly could not get through the day without needing a nap and I felt so terrible about that. I felt like I was lazy and unmotivated and maybe even depressed? Some of those depression symptoms were likely just due to my lack of sleep, not a chemical imbalance. My blood oxygen percentage is also improving (usually staying steady around 95%, which is so close to normal! Before CPAP, I was regularly seeing blood oxygen levels around 90% and sometimes even below that.) Things are for sure on the upswing.

What’s your go-to breakfast right now?

I switch between a bowl of apple and cinnamon oatmeal (the instant kind, from Quaker) and two fried eggs on toast. Easy, simple, and delicious!

What do you like most about your new workout routine?

I like the feeling of pushing myself and working hard. It can be really easy to let myself off the hook when I’m doing a workout at home (for example, I was only using 5-lb weights anytime I did a strength video and now I don’t select anything under 10 lbs at the gym!). I like that I can come to class and the workout is ready for me, but that there’s also a community aspect. I see the same people week after week. I have a trainer who pushes me but also provides modifications if I’m struggling with back pain. I like feeling consistent and excited about working out. It doesn’t feel like a chore, but rather something I look forward to.

What’s your go-to breakfast?

Categories: About Me

36 Questions for Increasing Closeness | Part 1

I believe Elisabeth and Kyria clued me into this very interesting survey: 36 Questions for Increasing Closeness. Apparently, answering these questions tends to make people fall in love (technically, I’m supposed to choose one person in my life and take turns answering questions with them), so I’M VERY SORRY if you find out you’re totally in love with me once I finish answering all 36 questions.

I’m going to tackle just a few questions today (to keep to my word count goal of 500 per post!), so let’s dive in:

1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?

This is an incredibly difficult question to answer! I want to choose someone I could have an earnest conversation with but wouldn’t be intimidated by. So, with that in mind, at this point in time, I’d love to sit down with Ilona Maher (she plays for the U.S. women’s rugby team and won a bronze medal at the Olympics). She seems so down-to-earth and inspiring, and I’d love to just soak in her energy for a few hours. (And while I don’t think she’s queer, I have a massive crush on her so I’d have fun flirting with her throughout dinner, too!)

2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?

No, not at all. At one point, I hoped to become a published author and, of course, I wanted to be successful enough for that to be my sole job. But being famous has never been appealing to me. It comes with a whole set of problems that I wouldn’t want to deal with. For example, I would struggle so much with people not liking me. I already struggle with that! But it would be even worse if I was famous and dealing with criticism and hate in an entirely different way. No, thank you!

3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?

Always! I’m afraid I’m not going to explain myself well and then the person on the other end is going to get frustrated with me. I never want to be a burden – I want this phone call to be quick and easy for both of us. I also struggle with word retrieval in these types of situations, so sometimes it just helps to rehearse what I’m going to say to help with the awkward pauses I do when I’m trying to remember a word.

4. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?

Honestly, yesterday was one of those “perfect” days. I woke up early and went to the gym. Then, I took a shower, got ready, and spent two hours at Starbucks with Mikaela. After that, I came home, ate lunch, and took a nap. Later on, I went to my mom’s house to help with some organizing projects. We also did a bit of shopping at Target (and tried to go to Bath & Body Works but they are temporarily closed, wah!), watched some TV together, and went out to dinner. It was such a wonderful day!

5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?

The last time I sang to myself was in the car a few days ago! I was jamming out to my Taylor Swift playlist. And to someone else? Hmm… I sang along to a Taylor Swift song while my mom was in the car with me on Wednesday evening. Does that count?

Who would be your dinner guest? 

Categories: About Me

Mail Call!

A quick post today, which is much needed because those Week in the Life posts are no joke! Today, I want to ask a favor of you guys:

  1. If you want to receive snail mail from me, will you please fill out this Google form? I have been the kind recipient of wonderful postcards from other Cool Bloggers, and I want to pass it on. Maybe I’ll even get my life together next month to send Christmas cards (no promises). Even if you think I have your address, can you fill out my form? This way, I have everything in one space!
  2. I want to do an Ask Stephany Anything post (or two) during NaBloPoMo, so if you have any burning questions for me, please leave them in the comments! You can also leave questions in my Google form if you prefer.

That’s it from me today! Oh, Lisa asked for a picture of my brother’s new puppy. Here’s Cici!

Categories: About Me

Where Do You Keep That? | Part II

When I posted my original Where Do You Keep That? post (fully copied from a segment on the Girl Next Door podcast), it was great to see other bloggers join in the fun! (Although I have to admit that Michelle’s dollhouse version stole my heart!) Engie and Elisabeth kept things going with even more categories to talk about, so I’m going to work my way through that list this month. Since I’m trying to keep these posts short and sweet, I’m just going to pick a few categories each time to discuss.

Keys

I have a great set-up right next to my front door. I use this key hook to keep everything organized and right where I need them! From L-R there is: (1) a reusable bag to grab on my way out the door (2) lint roller because cats (3) a spare umbrella (4) keys (5) purse.

Jewelry

All of my jewelry is kept in this box. Smaller necklaces are hung from the hooks at the top and then all of my earrings are neatly organized in each little container. The top shelf is removable and I use the bottom shelf to store holiday-specific jewelry, longer necklaces, and jewelry extras (like extra backings, necklace extenders, etc). I keep this jewelry box on my dresser.

Extra Bathroom Supplies

I keep any bathroom backstock (like extra body wash, shampoo/conditioner, etc) in my supply closet. I used to never have backups like this until a year or so ago when I finally turned this closet into a little backstock wonderland. Now when I run out of an item, I just hit up my supply closet for the backup!

I keep some bathroom cleaners under the bathroom sink (tub cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner) and some are under the sink in my kitchen (all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner).

Period Supplies

Oh, this is my new favorite! I had a vision of separating my tampons into containers based on their size, so that’s what I did! I bought these clear containers at Target and now have an easy way to access the type of tampon I need when I’m on my period. (From top to bottom, there’s super, regular, and light. Oh, and the purple packages in my “light” container are some of those flex menstrual discs that a friend gave me to try. I’ve been too intimidated!) I keep these containers in my bathroom closet.

Blankets

I keep two blankets folded and thrown over a cushion on my couch for easy access. Another blanket is on my reading chair. (And fun fact: All of these blankets were gifted to me from Kim! She keeps me stocked with super cozy cat-themed blankets.)

I also keep a backup quilt in my walk-in closet.

Vacuum

I still have my old robot vacuum plugged in and it sits next to my table in my reading corner. (I’m thinking of selling it but I don’t know yet.) The vacuum I actually use sits in my bedroom between my bookshelf and my reading chair for now. Eventually, I’d like to move it into my supply closet where I keep other cleaning products, but I need to make room for that.

How many blankets do you own?

Categories: About Me

What I Wore (9/16-9/22)

Many months ago, Diane wrote a fun “what I wore in a week” post and I thought it might be fun to do the same. I work from home full-time and we’re a pretty casual organization when it comes to what we wear. (AKA, I can show up to a meeting in a t-shirt and it’s fine.) What does a girl who works from home wear during a typical week? Let’s find out! (A quick disclaimer that I am not a fashion blogger but I did my best when it comes to these photographs. Sometimes the mirror is dirty and sometimes I’m posing awkwardly. But that’s okay! You don’t have to be a model to take pictures of what you’re wearing.)

Monday

The typical work-from-home uniform. A T-shirt and linen shorts. The T-shirt is from Amazon and I love it! The linen shorts have been with me for probably a decade now. They’re from Victoria’s Secret and they are so damn comfy. I had a few meetings today so I let my hair air dry but I blew my bangs dry and straightened them so I’m looking somewhat presentable.

(Here, I’m also wearing eyebrow pencil + mascara.)

My mom and I had an impromptu dinner date so I threw on a pair of jean shorts (Old Navy – love their jeans!), my Birks, and my purse. (After my meetings were finished, I had put my hair up and pinned my bangs back, which is why my hairstyle is different here.)

Tuesday

Look! I’m wearing real clothes today. I have a handful of meetings today and a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon, so I throw on a Stitch Fix top and a pair of Old Navy jeans. I straighten my hair since it’s kind of a mess from sleep and then decide to braid and pin my bangs back. It’s a fine look for a Tuesday.

(I’m wearing eyebrow pencil + mascara.)

I had fun plans this evening (an early birthday celebration for Bri!) so I threw on a fun pair of leopard-print shorts and a very dusty pair of TOMs (I knew we might be walking a bit, so I wanted to be comfy—TOMs are my go-to when I need a good walking shoe but don’t want to wear running shoes). I also threw my hair up in a bun because I washed my hair yesterday morning and it’s already feeling greasy, yay, and shampooed/dried/straightened my bangs. Good to go!

(I’m wearing Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment to smooth away any redness, a few buffs of powder, eyebrow pencil, mascara, eyeshadow, and lipstick.)

Wednesday

Please ignore the dirty laundry in the background. I’m a mess. And today was another day with meetings so I did my whole presentable-on-top/comfy-on-bottom look (same shorts as Monday!) I didn’t wear the cardigan all day; only when I had my meetings. This tank shows a little more skin than I’m comfortable with when I’m on a Teams video call with work colleagues, so a cardigan it is! It was also shower day so the hair is down and looking good.

(I’m wearing eyebrow pencil + mascara.)

HIIT class attire. I don’t know what I’m doing with my leg here and please notice that the dirty laundry has not been moved to its proper location 8 hours later. I love this top because it’s long and if my pants end up rolling down, the top covers the belly still. And these biker shorts are life. I believe I got these at TJ Maxx recently. (Also, the headband is the one I talked about on my August recap post!)

Thursday

It’s a day without any meetings! Which means I get to be a work-from-home gremlin. I have my arm strategically placed on this photo because I’m not wearing a bra and I don’t want to get censored, but I’m wearing the same shorts from Monday (today will be the last day I wear these, ha), and a casual top. I always just throw my hair in a bun and pin my bangs back on these days.

Workout outfit for Thursday! The shirt is an Amazon find (I really love their clothes, I can’t lie) and the pants are the same from yesterday. Yes, I will rewear some of my workout clothes. Usually just my shorts because I don’t feel as if they get super sweaty and gross like my shirts do.

Friday

I went to a 6am HIIT class on Friday morning so here’s another workout outfit! The shirt is from my gym (it’s 100% cotton so not very breathable, but I still like to wear it from time to time) and those shorts are different from Thursday. There are just another pair of black biker shorts. I don’t even remember where I got these, but they have a high waist and are pretty flattering on me and my chicken legs.

Another day of comfort! I don’t have any meetings today so I’m in comfy clothes – a t-shirt from my favorite local indie bookstore and terry-cloth shorts (you can’t see it here, but there’s a Dolphins logo on these shorts!). I also took a shower and dried/straightened my bangs, but let the rest of my hair air-dry.

Saturday

I was so excited to wear my Cat Ladies for Kamala t-shirt out and about on Saturday! It’s so cute and I love it so very much. It will get a lot of wear over the next six weeks (omg). I paired it with the same Old Navy shorts I wore on Tuesday as well as my Birks. And I’m wearing my laptop backpack since I was leaving for my writing date when I took this photo!

(I’m wearing eyebrow pencil + mascara)

Sunday

I started Sunday with a workout as I normally do and I wore this top I got from Target many years ago (I love it because it’s extra long!) and a pair of exercise capris (also from Target). I always pin my bangs back when I work out because sweaty bangs are gross.

A special visitor for this photo! After my workout, I spent the rest of the day at my mom’s house watching football. I wore a Dolphins shirt and Dolphins shorts, and they still lost in embarrassing fashion. Ughhhhh. (Jenny, will we survive this season?!)

So, what did I learn from this experiment?

  • I really like wearing shorts. In Elisabeth’s post about her favorite and least favorite clothes to wear, there were so many commentors that said they hated wearing shorts because of the way they looked in them. This made me sad for myriad reasons, but then again, I feel the same way about dresses so who am I to talk? I’ll wear all the shorts, you guys can wear all the dresses, and we can coexist peacefully!
  • I do not follow the fashion trends of the day. My style really hasn’t changed much since I was in my twenties. I like stretchy shorts with casual tops! (And if it were cooler outside, I would definitely still be rocking the skinny jeans. Can’t stop, won’t stop.)
  • I’m definitely a work-from-home stereotype with my business up top, casual down below look. What can I say? I’m not going to wear pants with buttons if I don’t have to!
  • I’m pretty happy that I can enjoy a very low-makeup look these days! I have light brows and almost non-existent eyelashes so the eyebrow pencil + mascara combo is my go-to if I want to look a bit more put together. But since following my multi-step skincare routine, the texture of my skin has changed so much that I don’t feel as if I *have* to wear foundation to look presentable on work calls.

Where do you fall on the shorts debate – yay or nay? Do you wear makeup daily?