Stephany Writes

Categories: Holidays

A Thanksgiving Recap

Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in the US, and while it was a difficult day – the first one without Pops – it was also a good day. I thought it would be fun to recap my day the way Amber usually does for her Canadian Thanksgiving, recapping everything she did and listing out what she’s grateful for. Here we go!

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I woke up on my own a little before my alarm was set to go off and decided to spend that extra time reading before I needed to get up for the day.

I am so thankful for my love of reading. Reading sustains me, encourages me, comforts me, makes me think, and makes me laugh. I would not be the person I am today without reading.

After spending some time reading, I got up and got ready and then headed over to my mom’s. We went on a long, hour-long walk with Chip. It was 60 degrees, sunny, and so, so beautiful.

I am thankful for my relationship with my mom. We grow closer and closer as the years pass, and I wouldn’t trade our relationship for anything. She’s the best mom and the best friend I could ever ask for. I am thankful for Chip and how he has helped stitch my heart back together after it was shattered from losing Dutch. And I am so thankful for clean, healthy air. It never crossed my mind to be grateful for that until I watched news story after news story about these terrible California wildfires and schools and businesses closing because it’s just too dangerous to even walk outside. 

I left my mom’s apartment a little after 10 and zipped right over to Starbucks to order a peppermint mocha, my very favorite drink that I wait for all year long. I had great service, the kind that put a smile on my face.

I am so thankful that I am financially stable that I can order a drink from Starbucks whenever I want. There was a time in my life when even a $5 drink was out of my budget. I am also very thankful for peppermint mochas. 🙂

I came home, drank my peppermint mocha while posting to Instagram Stories and scrolling through social media, and then got ready for Thanksgiving dinner while listening to a podcast.

I am thankful for social media and podcasts – two things that help me feel less alone. Social media helps me connect with people and share my life, while podcasts keep my apartment from feeling too silent. Podcasts have also opened my worldview, encouraged me, and kept me laughing even on days when I thought laughter wasn’t possible. I am so, so thankful for the joy that podcasts bring me.

Our reservations for Thanksgiving dinner were at 1 p.m. at a restaurant downtown, and it was my first non-homecooked meal Thanksgiving. It was… weird. I don’t particularly enjoy all the work that goes into Thanksgiving dinner – the cleaning, the meal prep, the cooking – so I wasn’t sad to give all of that up for a restaurant meal, but it was still a weird experience. My brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews came to dinner (sadly, my stepdad had to work) and it was nice to have a very low-key meal. I have a big family, so Thanksgiving can typically be overwhelming and overstimulating for me, and this was the opposite of that. So, in that respect, it was nice. The food was pretty delicious, although I wish I could have gotten a to-go box for leftovers, haha. But still, nothing beats a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal. Maybe next year… or maybe not. We’ll see.

I am thankful to have family to celebrate the holiday with, family I love and who fills my heart up. Family can be difficult… probably the most difficult aspect of the holiday season, but I’m glad to have my family. The boys were cute and fun, and it was so nice seeing my brother (the last time I saw him was at Pops’ funeral, sigh) and chatting with him.

After dinner, we strolled through downtown for a little while to walk off our meal. There was a Christmas tree and lots of Christmassy decorations to look at. We took family photos in front of the tree and then watched the boys chase each other for a little while.

I am thankful for the gorgeous weather that allowed us to walk outside without a) shivering or b) sweating. It was the perfect temperature yesterday! I am also so thankful for my nephews who made me smile and laugh on a difficult day.

I arrived back home a little before 3 p.m. and I immediately took off my makeup, got in comfy clothes, and slid into my bed with a book. And then I napped for… oh, three or so hours. YES.

I am thankful for napping! Oh, man, do I love a good nap. I look forward to my naps and feel zero guilt about taking them. It’s one of the perks of singlehood – napping whenever I want. I take advantage of this any time I can.

After a wonderful, long nap, I took time to post to social media (including a very cute post on Chip’s account) and then had a low-key evening. I watched a few episodes of Friends, ate a snack, and colored.

I am thankful for TV shows that help me take my mind off my sadness whenever I need it to – and Friends has definitely helped me through this season of grief. I am thankful for coloring because it’s one of my favorite methods of self-care. And I am very thankful for chocolate chip cookies. 🙂 

The end of my Thanksgiving was spent working on this blog post and reading blogs. It was the perfect ending to a rather emotional day!

I am so thankful for this blog and the joy it brings me. I have recently realized how much blogging truly fills up my life, helps me to feel less alone and sort out my feelings. I’m not sure what my life would look like today without blogging!

Other things I’m thankful for this year: football, my cute apartment, the ability to move my body in the way I want to, medication that moderates my anxiety symptoms, proactive doctors, a job I love, sweet friends, online shopping, my comfy couch, kittens, travel, and homemade pumpkin bread.

What are you thankful for this year?

Categories: Holidays

A Christmas Wishlist – the 2017 Edition

Can you believe we’re less than a week away from Christmas? Time flies when you’re an adult and not waiting on Santa to bring you presents. 🙂 I can’t believe how fast this month has flown by and that it’s nearly time for me to begin my “Year in Review” posts (which kick off a week from today). But one of my favorite annual posts to write around this time of year is my Christmas wishlist. Even though my brother and I are in our thirties, we still send my mom a wishlist because what’s more fun than putting together a list of things you want? Obviously, I’m at the point in my life where I can typically get anything I want (even if that entails saving up for it for a month or two), so it can be harder and harder to put together a list, but I found a few things that I’d love to see under the tree this year!

1) A Miami Dolphins hoodie ($60). I am really craving a warm and cozy hoodie to wear at this time of the year. The one hoodie I have is more form-fitting and has those annoying thumb holes (I think I may be the only person who hates thumb holes!), so I never want to wear it. This one is much more my style and bonus: I’ll get to rep my favorite football team.

2) Clarisonic Mia 2 ($170). I have wanted a Clarisonic for years but they are so damn expensive! Nearly $200 just for a brush to wash my face? That seems fairly ridiculous, but I have heard so many rave reviews about the Clarisonic that I put it on my Christmas list because, let’s face it, that’s the only way I’m ever getting my hands on one of these. I definitely have my own issues with my face – lots of breakouts, redness, and an oily complexion – so I’m interested to see if a Clarisonic will solve some of my facial woes.

3) Harry Potter boxed set ($75). I used to own all seven Harry Potter books, but I gave them to a coworker’s daughter because I never thought I’d reread the series. Turns out I was wrong! I reread the series last year and now I know it’ll be a once-every-few-years thing, so I’d love to own a boxed set.

4) Trivial Pursuit, Classic Edition ($19). I love board games more than anything and I love Trivial Pursuit more than is probably healthy. It’s just such a fun game to play, even if I don’t know the answers to most of the questions, ha. I’ve had all different editions of Trivial Pursuit and I’d love to see this classic edition under the tree for me this year. (And then, of course, force my family to play it with me on Christmas.)

5) Sueded pointy black flats ($20). Black flats are my go-to for work because they go with everything and I hate wearing heels. I tend to need a new pair of flats at least once a year and the pair I have now are super worn out and… well… kinda stinky. This simple design from Old Navy would suit me just fine.

6) Secret Garden coloring book ($13). I’m obsessed with coloring right now, and I probably spend 30-60 minutes a day coloring while listening to a podcast. That’s not even an exaggeration. I’m currently working my way through one of the coloring books I own and I know I’ll need a new one soon, so why not get the classic coloring book that essentially kicked off the adult coloring obsession?

7) Books. Of course, what Christmas wishlist would be complete without books? I gave my family a list of 10 books that I’d love to see underneath the tree this year, including Nasty Women, Beartown, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and The Book of Unknown Americans.

8) Bookish tees. I put this one on my Christmas list because it speaks to my soul so much. I have three bookish tees already and I just want to grow my collection because not only do they allow me to proudly express my love for reading (a love I tried so hard to keep secret for such a long time), but the shirts are usually so comfortable and I’m all about comfort right now.

9) Vera Bradley lunch box ($19-$38). I am always on the market for a new lunch box because I bring my lunch to work on a near-daily basis, so my lunch boxes go through the gauntlet over the year. I love all things Vera Bradley and these lunch boxes are exactly what I’m looking for, especially in a fun pattern like the one above.

What’s on your Christmas wishlist this year?

Categories: Holidays

A Christmas Wishlist

We’re less than two weeks away from Christmas! I can’t believe how fast this month is flying by. Last week, I finally decorated my apartment, although I don’t really have room for a tree. (My sectional takes up the majority of my living room!) I have a tabletop one, but there’s something about a big, full tree surrounded by presents that makes my heart full. Ah, well. Maybe next year!

Every year, I like to write out my wishlist for Christmas. It’s slightly narcissistic, I know, but it’s so fun! Of course, Christmas isn’t about the gifts, and I am looking forward to the traditions this season brings, like making Christmas cookies, watching holiday movies, and celebrating Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve. Oh, and drinking as many peppermint mochas as my body will tolerate. 😉 But presents are fun! And I like imagining what will be waiting for me under the tree.

Here’s what I’m wishing for this Christmas season…

wishlist

1) A Fitbit

I’ve wanted a Fitbit for a while now, but I’m hesitant to invest in one because I worry I’ll only use it for a few months and then get tired of it. But maybe not? Well, I put it on my Christmas list this year, so I guess we’ll see what I do with it if it’s under the tree for me this year.

2) Kindle Paperwhite

I’ve been using my iPad Mini as my Kindle reader for the past few years now, and it works well, but it’s basically impossible to read when I’m outside in the sunshine due to the glare on the screen. I’m ready to go back to a lightweight Kindle again. I miss it!

3) A microwave

Haha, what an adult-y wish! My new apartment didn’t come with a microwave and I haven’t bought one myself, even though I desperately need one. It’s one of the reasons I’m not meal prepping right now – I don’t have a way to heat up food! Santa…?

4) Bookish throw pillows

I love the Instagram feed of Bookworm Boutique and would like to own all of the things she sells, but I’ll settle for some cute bookish throw pillows for my couch. It’s very on-brand for me. 😉

5) A subscription to Book of the Month Club

Is there any better gift for a book lover? I think not. I’ve wanted to join BOTM Club, but I continue to hesitate because it’s not a cheap subscription service and I’m not huge on buying books (all library, all the time!). Every month, though, when I see the selections for the month, I get the itch to join because the selections are excellent.

6) The entire Harry Potter series, in hardback

I once owned the entire Harry Potter series, but in paperback, and I gave the series away to a coworker’s daughter who wanted to read the series. I don’t regret that decision, because I never regret giving away books, but after rereading the series this year, I find that I want to own the series, especially in beautiful hardback books. Yes, please!

7) A small bookshelf

Okay, okay. I know I’ve said I don’t really buy books, but I’ve recently amassed a tiny collection of books and it’s giving me the itch to add more to my collection. And I could really use a bookshelf in my bedroom to liven up the space. I doubt I’ll get this for Christmas, so I’ll probably end up buying this myself after the holidays.

8) Candles!

I remember when I was younger and thought getting candles as a present was soooo boring. Well, Younger Steph, the older version of you would actually be very excited to receive candles for Christmas. Adulthood is so weird.

What are you wishing for this year?

Categories: Holidays

My Christmas Wishlist

christmaslist

 

Okay, so can I be bluntly honest for a minute? One of the things I love most about Christmas is giving and receiving presents. I know, I know – it’s not cool to be all “presents YAY!” anymore, but what the hell, I totally am. I love crafting my wishlist for the year, I love buying presents for my family, I love wrapping gifts and seeing the presents underneath the lit Christmas tree. I love anticipating what my family bought for me this year, and anticipating how my family will react to the gifts I bought them. It’s all so fun to me! I can’t deny I love it.

What I also love? Reading other people’s wishlists! I’ve done my own a few times, so I thought I’d spent time today reviewing what I want Santa to bring me this year!

1) Over-the-door shoe organizer. The shoe organizer I brought to my new apartment didn’t actually fit anywhere in my closet, so right now, my shoes reside in a basket, which serves its function but is a little annoying to sort through when I need a specific shoe. So, an organizer like this would be perfect!

2) Food scale. I love having a food scale around to weigh out specific portions like meat (3 ounces weighed looks completely different from 3 ounces eyeballed by Stephany) and pasta and fruit. My mom got the food scale in the move (considering it was her Christmas present from my brother, heh), so I’m in the market for a new one!

3) Essential oils diffuser. The main reason I put this on my list is because I heard that using a diffuser can help naturally aid in nasal congestion, and I’m in month four of experiencing nighttime congestion so I’m willing to try anything at this point. (Currently, I’m doing a saline nasal spray + allergy meds + Nasonex regime, which helps but not completely.) I already have an entire set of essential oils, I just need the diffuser to bring it all together!

4) Bedrest pillow. I work a lot from my bed and I don’t have the best support while doing so. I’m either hunched over or leaning way back. I think this pillow can solve my problems, yeah?

5) Laptop tray. This one goes hand-in-hand with the pillow and I love the one pictured above. It seems super sturdy, allows me to play around with the angle of the laptop, and even has a place for a drink. Please, Santa? I’ve been good this year!

6) Vera Bradley Petite Trifold Wallet. I always like to include a few Vera Bradley items on my Christmas lists, and I’m in dire need (not really) of a new wallet. I love this one as it’s smaller than the ones I have right now, but still super functional. And I love the pattern.

7) Adult coloring book. Because they’re all the rage and I’m desperate to be like the cool kids. I can just imagine how coloring while watching a TV show (rather than catching up on my snarky blog forums) could relax me and improve my mood.

8) Vera Bradley Lighten Up Lunch Cooler. I wouldn’t say I need a new Vera lunch bag, but I sure would love one! I use the one I have right now every day, and I’ve had it for maybe 2-3 years now, so I’d say I’m due for a new one.

9) Curling iron. I’ve actually never owned a curling iron (fun fact!), but I’d love to have one and start playing around with adding waves to my hair. My hair is usually just blown dry and straightened (or if I’m feeling lazy, pulled back in a ponytail, which happens all too often), so this can add a little variety to my hair game!

Okay – your turn! What’s on your wishlist this year?

Categories: Holidays

Obligatory Thankful Post

Yeah, yeah. I’m totally original.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States. Tomorrow, my family will gather at my aunt and uncle’s house and enjoy a meal with all the traditional fixings – turkey and stuffing being my favorite, of course. It will be our first Thanksgiving without Grandma and just typing that sentence makes my stomach flip-flop. Her loss is still so raw, but what I do know is that being around family – laughing and crying and reminiscing – is exactly what we all need.

Whew.

I didn’t intend for this post to begin on such a somber note, but it’s funny what comes out when you sit down to write.

Thanksgiving is a time when we take a step back from our busy lives and spend time with family, reflecting on the past year and everything we’re thankful for.

So, without further ado, here is what I am thankful for this year.

I am thankful for my mom. She supports every decision I make, calms me when I’m upset, and showers abundant love to me every day. She is my best friend and my safe place.

I am thankful for Dutch. He is the light of my life and my favorite friend. He is fiercely devoted to me and only me and that kind of devotion makes a girl feel good.

I am thankful for my brother. He’s the person I grew up with. We went through every up and down together, including ending the relationship with our father. He lets me be myself without question, and I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without him.

I am thankful for this blog. Through blogging, I have met people that I would have never known but who mean the world to me. The friends I have made, and still make, through blogging make this all worth it. I love identifying as a blogger and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

I am thankful for reading. It’s my favorite pastime and I love nerding out about books and reading and literature with other people. I don’t know where I would be without books.

I am thankful for my friends. Building your tribe takes patience, vulnerability, and effort. But when you find those people you just click with, the people you can be your total weird self with, it’s so worth it.

I am thankful for writing. It feeds my creative side and allows me to make sense of the jumble that happens inside my head. Without writing, I’m not sure I would be as self-aware as I am.

I am thankful for a beautiful apartment in a city that is slowly starting to feel more like home. I love where I live and I feel so grateful to be able to afford such a nice apartment in a more expensive part of the Tampa Bay Area. I’ve come a long way since childhood.

I am thankful for the experiences I have had while traveling. Traveling is such a gift, and I think many people forget that. Not everyone has the means to travel. I didn’t until I graduated college. I’m glad I make it a priority, but I’ll never forget that it is a blessing to even be able to travel.

I am thankful for my job. It is a wonderful job. I love what I do and I love the people I work with. You cannot get luckier than that.

I am thankful for football. Football has always been an escape to me, and it has been my escape over these past few months with all the changes my life has gone through. Football is a game I love, a game that connects me to my brother, and it brings me so much joy.

I am thankful for podcasts. I have no idea what songs are popular on the radio nowadays because I’m always listening to podcasts. They educate me, make me laugh, and help me feel less alone.

I am thankful for my grandma. She taught me so much and meant so much to me. She shaped my worldview and helped me see that I am a worthy, loved person. I miss her so much, but I can only hope to be the kind of person she was.