THIRTY FOUR

Ever since 2015, I've made it a point to take a self-portrait every year on my birthday. Here's 2018's.

I'm typing this as I lounge on the sofa in our living room with the Bob Newhart Show playing in the background. It's raining outside and Alex is still taking his nap - poor thing had to go into work at 6AM today, after a long night of not sleeping well. I'm feeling our little bébé kicking like crazy. Our christmas tree is up and the light from the tree is filling the room as the sun starts to go down outside.

If you already know me, you know that I absolutely love the holiday season. I love all of the festive to-do's, spending time with family and just the all around coziness that comes along with it. And lately, I've been thinking a lot about how come next Christmas, we'll have a little 8-month old to celebrate the holidays with. I cannot wait to see our little boy's eyes light up with all the new experiences that the holidays bring. It's wild and I seriously cannot wait.

Time Passes, Years End [2017 Edition]

I love "end of the year" recaps, unfortunately, I've been preoccupied with life that I forgot to share my recap for 2017. So, with two whole days into 2018, I figured I would share some of my favourite moments from 2017. We spent our new years eve at my sister's fiance's family's h

This year was a crazy, good year for a variety of reasons... Alex and I were married in February and we honeymooned in New Orleans. And our wedding was featured on Rock 'N Roll Bride! We went to MegaCon, which was our second time going to a comic convention. In July we celebrated our two-year dating anniversary in St. Augustine. By the time September rolled around we experienced our first hurricane together and traveled to Indiana and fell in love with the cornfields. For Halloween, we dressed up as our dream characters. We had our first-ever joint birthday celebration and it was a success. And I turned thirty-three and actually am a little stoked about it.

I'm still blown away by the relationship that Alex & I have. It feels so good to go through life with him by my side. To know that I have married my best friend and that we will always be there for each other has made me feel safe and centered. Not a day goes by where I am not smiling and it's all because of Alex. He really is the everything I have ever wanted and needed in my life. Since we make such a great team, we want to add to it. And as some of you might already know, we've decided to start planning for a little one this year. We're completely over the moon about this new venture too!

As for Olive, she's still the sweetest bunny around and the relationship that she has with Alex has really blossomed this year. It's just so sweet to see those two together. Olive is also really good at spending the night at my mom's house now. Which is such a relief, because now we're able to go on long trips without worrying about how she's doing without us. Also, if you'd like to see more photos of Olive, she has her own Instagram account. ;)

For 2018, my goal is to focus on living a more intentional life. I want to be consistently present and conscious of the energy that I put into the world. I really want to use my phone less and focus more on what's going on around me. I want to stop endless scrolling and read or write instead. I want to spend more time making memories and maybe less time documenting just for the sake of documenting. I am such a blogger at heart, so I know that I will still post on here, but I just want to focus more on quality, instead of quantity. I want to take the same approach to our daily lives. At some point this year I plan on going through the majority of our belongings and purging a lot of unnecessary items. I also want to buy less and save more. It seems simple, but I know it will take dedication.

I cannot wait to see what this new year has in store for us!

What happened in your life during 2017 that was your favourite? Do you have any goals for 2018? Let me know in the comments below so we can discuss!

THIRTY THREE

I turned thirty-three a few days ago. Ever since 2015, I've made it a point to take a self-portrait every year on my birthday. Here's 2017's...

30 Days of Slow Living Challenge

The older I get the more I realize that a minimalist lifestyle is one that I enjoy the most. In fact, one that I truly crave. I know that might sound silly, but the idea of slow living really speaks to me. I also enjoy the theory of lagom and hygge. However, unlike hygge and lagom, slow living is something I need to work on. Therefore I've decided to challenge myself with thirty days of slow living... I meant to start this at the beginning of November but it's never too late to start right?

30 DAYS OF SLOW LIVING CHALLENGE

1. Start and stick to a morning ritual.
2. Meditate for ten minutes, or more.
3. De-clutter your digital life.
4. Don't complain for a day, say something positive instead.
5. Identify your top priorities.
6. Maximize time spent alone.
7. Clean out your closets - donate what you can.
8. Examine your daily habits - find what brings you happiness.
9. Learn a new skill.
10. Stay offline for a whole day.
11. No social media until after lunch.
12. Don't buy anything for three days.
13. Practice single-tasking.
14. Define your goals for the following year.
15. Go for a walk and practice mindfulness.
16. Don't watch TV all day, read or write instead.
17. Journal for ten minutes about what you're grateful for.
18. Create a relaxing bedtime routine.
19. Make some homemade bread or seasonal recipe.
20. Practice gratitude - write a hand-written note and give it to someone you're grateful for.
21. Identify stress triggers and avoid them.
22. Let go of an unattainable goal and journal about it.
23. Leave a whole day unplanned.
24. Have a picnic with someone you love.
25. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with no distractions.
26. Evaluate the last five purchases made.
27. Tell someone how you feel about them.
28. One night, don't use any lights, use candles instead.
29. Enjoy today's moments and don't take any photos to document it.
30. Make a new recipe from scratch.

If you think you might join along in this challenge, let me know in the comments below. I think it will be fun!

My Carry-On Essentials

Next week Alex & I are headed to Indiana to visit family. It's only for three days, which means we won't pack too much. However, there are always a few things that I always take with me - no matter how long I'm staying somewhere. Every time I fly I tend to bring the same carry-on items with me and they have since become my essentials. After years of perfecting the ultimate list, I've whittled it down to the bare bones.

I hate bringing too much stuff just as much as I hate digging through luggage for things that I need in a hurry. Therefore having a list of essential carry-ons is a must for me. As for the carry-on bag, I tend to bring my small mint backpack. It's perfect and compact and the colour makes it really easy in case I get lost in a crowd and Alex has to find me. I usually just pack a small purse in my luggage to use during the duration of my trip. Though honestly, there's been a lot of times where I just use my backpack!

MY CARRY-ON ESSENTIALS

• Wallet - for easy access to IDs, cash, etc.
• iPhone & Charger - with flight app for tickets
• Digital Camera - sometimes I'll bring my compact tripod
• Small Pack of Tissues - because if I don't, I'll need them
• Kindle e-reader - or one of the current books I'm reading
• Snacks - like sunflower seeds, dried fruit or cheddar bunnies
• Sunglasses - because I always need them once I land
• NYX all-over balm - great for rescuing dry skin
• Chewing Gum - for take-offs and landings
• Face Wipes - to wipe of airplane goo ;)

Is there anything else that you tend to bring for your carry-on? Is there anything that you think I'm missing? Let me know in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

Don't worry, I haven't cut my hair. I just came across this photo, which was taken at the end of 2015, and I'm kind of digging it. It really sums up my goofball nature that Alex loves so much. Haha! Anyways, I thought it would be fun to do a little Q&A. So I've compiled a list of some of the questions I've been asked on Instagram, in comments or via email. It's always nice to have the answers in one place too. You can also learn more stuff about me here and here. Alright, let's get to the damn Q&A!

How long have you known Alex?
Wow, okay. I've known Alex for a long time. We actually dated when we were teenagers! We've known each other for almost twenty years. But after we broke up when we were younger, we lost touch for awhile. Okay, so maybe we technically haven't really known each other that long. But still.

How did you and Alex meet? How long have you been together?
Alex & I initially met through his sister. She and I were friends in middle school and she introduced me to her older brother. I was pretty smitten and Alex & I ended up dating. Neither one of us can remember why we eventually broke up, or for how long we dated that first time. However, when we re-met downtown in 2015 our lives changed forever. We picked up right where we left off (over seventeen years earlier) and we've been inseparable since. I should probably do I post about this, huh?

Didn't you have another blog before this one?
I did. It's name was Porcelain Heart, Ivory Tooth. A long, winded name of a blog filled with memories that are better suited in the past. It's now a private blog. 

Why did you create this blog and close down your other one?
When I created this blog I was in a transitional phase in my life, the relationship I was in was disintegrating. I felt like I needed to start new, realign myself and move forward. I wanted to make a space where I could grow and not be tethered to the past.

How did you come up with the blog name Unspoken Spells?
The name of my blog actually comes from a line in a poem I wrote a few years ago. It's a simple combination of words that have always stuck with me. Besides, I think it sounds cool.

Is owning a rabbit hard?
I mean, it's not as easy as everyone thinks. You can't just put a rabbit in a cage, or in your backyard, and leave them there. If you're thinking about getting a little bunny you can head over here for some tips. Keep in mind that owning a rabbit means you might just have a cute little bun for up to 14 years. It's a long-term, but adorable commitment.

What breed is your rabbit?
Olive is definitely a mix. The owner at the rescue shelter thinks she might be a mix of an English Spot and a Netherland Dwarf. Olive's weight and size is a pretty perfect match between the two breeds. She weighs around 4 1/2 pounds.

You post a lot of photos, do you have any formal training?
I wouldn't use the term "formal", because I didn't go to college for photography. However, I had photography classes for four years, while in high school. I even know how to develop my own film - man, I miss the darkroom! Since I was taught photography on a manual camera, I really feel as though it helped me hone my artistic eye. Seriously, it's a lot harder to take photos on a manual camera, compared to a digital one. There's a lot more finesse and patience that goes into. Also, if you like my photos be sure to check out my series Through the Lens - it's where I share my photography.

Who designed your blog? 
I actually created it - thanks to the simple theme in Blogger! Now for a little backstory - the summer before high school I taught myself HTML and have been creating websites of my own ever since. I just use the Blogger platform, because it's a lot easier and I don't have all the time in the world to mess around with full HTML.

Do you two own a house yet?
Not yet. We're actually still renting and saving for a down payment on a house. Both of us know what we want in terms of a house and neither one of us want to settle on something we don't love. Even if that means waiting five more years to find the perfect house. Mainly because that house will be our "forever home". We aren't lacking in space now though - our apartment is a two bed, two bath. We just can't stand our upstairs neighbors. They're so loud!

Do you have any tattoos? And how many? Do you want more?
Yes I do. I don't have too many. Alex has more - he has a full sleeve. I have four tattoos. And yes, I do want more. In fact I have so many ideas of what I want, but I can't decide on a location for any of them. At some point, Alex & I want to get a joint tattoo.

You used to not want kids, do you want any now?
Alex & I both didn't want kids. In fact we started the relationship with that flat out on the table. No kids, ever. But it's funny how time changes things and how the right person can make all the difference. You can read what I had to say about it here.

Will you ever share your poetry and short stories here? You used to on your old blog.
I share a lot of my creative writing on this blog (which you can see here - but it's really all dedicated to Alex). I've shared like one poem on this blog. As for my old poetry, it's pretty depressing stuff. But I really would like to share more. However, I need to look into the copyright laws. I'm terrified that someone will steal my stuff - not that is spectacular or anything - but it's mine nonetheless. If you like writing too, be sure to checkout out My Writing Bag Essentials post.

Do you and Alex want kids? From what I remember you used to not want children.
If you’ve been following my journey since my first blog, you know that in the beginning, I was childless by choice. The funny thing about life is that sometimes the journey can change your mind. Since Alex & I started dating we couldn't imagine NOT adding a little one to the mix. And low and behold, Alex & I will be welcoming our first human child at the end of March 2019.


If there's anything you'd like to ask me, let me know in the comments below! Just make sure to check the "notify me" box so you can get alerted when I reply back. I hope you all have a lovely weekend! I'll be back to the blogging game come Monday.

My Journey Into Essentials Oils

Essential oils have always appealed to me. In fact, anything that isn't laden with chemicals or unnatural has always been my go to. Most of the time I'll forgo medicine unless I am dying. So, when I found out about essential oils, I knew it was something that I should at least look into. The first essential oil I ever got was tea tree oil and I was pretty impressed with it. I know a lot of people have jumped on the essential oil train in the last few years, but I've come to find that there's a legitimate reason for it.

The first set of oils I purchased was a set of five by the company Nature Love. These essential oils have a carrier oil added to it. Which, even though I still use them, I kind of regret spending the money on them. I wish I would have done more research and just headed to my local health food store and purchased the ones there. The essential oils with the carrier oils aren't as strong as the ones without, but I've found that they work pretty well whenever I apply them externally. As for diffusing them, they leave the diffuser oily and the scents aren't as strong.

However about a week ago I bought some essential oils from the health food store and they are 100% essential oils. With no carrier oils added at all. And they work wonderfully in our diffuser. I was able to get Tangerine by Aura Cacia and Goodnite Calming blend by Nature's Truth. I also got a spray for bites, cuts and burns. I've only bought three so far. Because I'm still researching which ones to get next. The ones that will be a perfect fit for our needs.

So what do I use essential oils for? I actually use them for a lot of things. Cleaning, headaches, sleeping problems, a little pick me up, etc. But this might be a topic for another blog post. Besides, I do have a lot more to learn about essential oils, all their uses and specifics in general. For now, I just wanted to say that I'm loving this journey so far.

Have you ever used essential oils? Which ones do you swear by? Let me know in the comments below, so we can discuss!

Through the Lens: Solar Eclipse 2017

I can't help it, I love all things astronomy. Perhaps it's because it so incredible and inspiring. Maybe it's because even though I have a pretty good understanding of science, things like eclipses, blood moons and the moon in general are still magical to me. You can see my failed attempt at capturing the super blood moon of 2015: here. Regardless the reason, anytime something like this comes around - I feel a strong urge to experience the beauty of it. As we all know, Monday was the first solar eclipse in about 99 years and even though the state of Florida experienced a partial one - it was still awesome to see.

Yesterday afternoon my Mom, Alex & I met up with Megan & Justin at a downtown park to see the solar eclipse. Luckily, Megan & Justin had the special glasses, so we spent our time sharing two glasses between the five of us. It was quite humbling to see the moon eclipse the sun, and of course, awe-inspiring. Even though I wasn't able to get any really awesome photos, the ones I did get will always be special to me: a memory spent with those who mean so much to me and a simple reminder of how incredible this universe truly is.

Slow Living

For awhile now I have been intrigued by the concept of slow living. A life of slow living is one that is intentional, minimalist in theory and relaxing. A time where you don't make plans or are constantly busy. It means that you actually have time to enjoy yourself and your loved ones. It can be as simple as cooking your meals instead of ordering out, or enjoying a cup of tea or coffee at home, instead of on the go.

For me, slow living is actually a lot of things. It's listening to records on a Sunday morning with Alex. Reading a good book or having a picnic. The way our homemade meals taste and how good simple food should be enjoyable and relaxing to make. Having a cup of coffee in the morning, sitting at my table alone, and enjoying the stillness of it all. It's also about buying less and making more.

Slow living is different things to different people.
It's about finding time for what truly makes you happy.

Here are a few links in regards to slow living - ones that have really inspired me:

• Slow Living: A Beginner's Guide
• How To Find Time for Slow Living
• Simple Living
• Live With Less: A Guide To Decluttering
• What If All I Want Is A Mediocre Life
• 13 Reminders for Single Tasking

What do you think about slow living? What ways do you practice it? Let me know in the comments below, so we can discuss.

5 Things I'm Loving

1. Spin class. Last week I tried spin for the first time and I loved it. Which is great because I was really needing a cardio workout, outside of running. I used to run 3 miles 3 times a week and I could tell the damage it was doing. I mean don't get me wrong, I don't foresee not running at all. I still run a mile two times a week. But having a different type of cardio in my arsenal is great. Last night, Megan came with me to spin and we finished it off with a yoga sculpt class. Which really made any soreness I felt last week non-existent this morning.

2. E-Books via the library. I've had a library card for years now. Sometimes I'll borrow books, but for the most part I don't. Which is crazy because I work right across from the library. Either way, I just found out that I can borrow e-books. I mean a part of me knew this, but I guess I forgot. I've downloaded a few books this month and I'm really excited about reading good books for free. Don't get me wrong, sometimes there are gems within the free Kindle books, but for the most part they're crap.

3. Proper weekends with Alex + Olive. Alex used to have Sunday & Monday off, but now he has Saturday & Sunday off and honestly, I'm digging it. Olive is too! This weekend we have a lot of plans too. Tonight his parents are coming over for dinner and we are celebrating their anniversary with homemade Cubans, truffle popcorn and a movie. I still have to get some flowers and balloons, but I'm pretty excited. Then tomorrow night we are going to my parents to spend some time with them. As for Sunday, it's pretty wide open - except for a Twin Peaks viewing party with Alex, my sister & Jeremy. I'm also going to make some homemade pizza in my cast iron skillet. Yum! I'm really looking forward to next weekend - we're going to St. Pete to explore Mazarro's Italian Market. Thanks for the recommendation Terri!

4. Thrift stores. Alex & I are saving $$ like crazy both; for a house and pregnancy fund (Wait, what?!) - don't worry guys, I'm not pregnant -yet! So with the majority of our normal "fun money" going towards savings, I've been hitting up thrift stores whenever I get the urge to buy something. Which is pretty good because most of the time I don't find anything and when I do it's something amazing and cheap! Whether it be a perfect wicker basket or the sweetest dusty rose colored skirt - which I still need to decide if I should shorten the length or not. I used to go to thrift stores a lot when I was younger, so it feels as if things are coming full circle over here.

5. Spinach Salads. Weird thing to put on here, but I seriously cannot get enough of them. They've been my go-to work lunch for the past few weeks now. I'll add in leftover chicken (I can't stand reheated chicken, so it works), garbanzo beans, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, fruit and chia seeds. As for dressing, I love splashing on some olive oil, red wine vinegar with salt and pepper.

Now for one thing I'm not loving:
Olive waking us at at 5am every morning. ;)


What are the 5 things that YOU are currently loving? Let me know in the comments below. Or if you make a post of your own, be sure to leave me the link!

Pin Curls & Memories

My sister and I spent a lot of time at my maternal Grandparent's house growing up. With our parents being divorced, and my Mom working full time, we spent the majority of our summers and afternoons at their house. Thankfully, I have a lot of wonderful memories with my Grandpa and Grandma.

I loved spending the night with them the most though; eating delicious home-cooked Italian dinners, talking and laughing while my Grandpa called me his little gypsy and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in the living room while Grandma would answer all the questions and solve all of the word puzzles out loud.


And I'll never forget how she would pin curl her hair. I remember her sitting in her recliner with a black, velvet pouch covered in pink & red flowers with dark green leaves resting in her lap. As she watched over us, she would gingerly section off her wet hair and slowly coil them into neat, little spirals on top of her head. Securing them into place with the metal bobby pins from inside that black velvet pouch. It was something I admired, even as a little girl. And something I can still so clearly remember as an adult.

Sometimes I wish, that after Grandma had passed, I would have asked to keep that pouch of her, those metal bobby pins still kept safely inside. Perhaps maybe having that memory is worth so much more. And it's weird to me, that something so innocent as recalling her doing that simple act will sometimes make me cry.

My Weekly Workout Routine

​I've been working out for a long time now. Which is a big deal for me because I used to not exercise at all in my early twenties. Even though I've been in my workout routine for awhile now, I'm still learning a lot. And it goes without saying that I am by no means a professional. I just do what's right for me and what makes me feel good about myself.​ I'll be honest, some weeks I only get two sessions of cardio in. Other weeks I get at least 4. It really depends on how I'm feeling and what life is like. But the one thing I always get in is yoga and weight training. Because it helps me focus on my personal wellness. Yoga really helps me manage stress and make me feel more centered.

Here's what my weekly workout routine looks like:

Tuesday - Cardio at home: I've scoured Pinterest for some at home cardio routines and these are the best ones I've found... one and two. I actually work up quite a sweat and the best part is that they only take 20 minutes. I also throw in some weight training with a 5lb dumbbell. Here's a really great one too.

Wednesday - Cardio & Bend and Flow Yoga: Once I get to the gym I run for 20-30 minutes. I'll run for a mile and depending on how I feel, I'll run another half mile and then I'll interval between a 30 second sprint and a 30 second rest. Raising the speed from 6 mph to 8 mph. I also use this Interval Workout on days where I don't feel like running at the same speed. Afterwards, I'll head to a 45 minute yoga class. Flow yoga focuses on holding poses and flowing between lots of poses - we also focus on balance.

Thursday - Cardio & Yoga Sculpt: If I don't feel like running again I'll either use the stair stepper or elliptical for 20-30 minutes. Although this might change. Yesterday I tried a 45 minute spin class for the first time - and I loved it. I don't do any weight training on this day because the yoga class uses weights.Yoga Sculpt is a 60 minute class that focuses on poses with weights thrown into the mix - this is the yoga class where I burn the most calories.

Friday - Cardio at home: This is still an up in the air workout day. I had intentions of starting this today, but after last night's spin class and Olive waking me up at 5AM, I'm a little worn out. But next Friday... I'm coming for 'ya!

Saturday - Yoga Fit: Sometimes I'll run before hand, sometimes I don't. But I've found that even if I run for 10 minutes prior to yoga class I get a lot more out of it. Yoga Fit is an active 60 minute class dedicated to holding poses and doing deep stretches. Which is great after I've worked out all week long. I always leave this class feeling like a new person and completely relaxed.

As for counting calories, I don't really do it. I am just conscious of what I consume. I try not to eat too much sugar - it makes me sick to my stomach. I try to eat a lot of veggies and lean meats. I eat very little processed foods and bread (trust me, it happens sometimes) and I try my hardest to stay away from cheese. Even though I don't count calories, I do love using my Apple watch to figure out how many calories I've burned during any given workout. Mainly because I am always amazed by how much I do indeed burn. I used to have a Polar watch and it was okay, but the Apple watch is a lot better.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what my weekly workout routine looks like. I had a lot of fun sharing it!
I'll check back in with you all on Monday. I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Do you work out? What does your weekly workout routine look like? Let me know in the comments below.

My Week So Far

I can't believe that it's already Thursday! Seriously, how did this happen? I didn't really have a specific post in mind for today, so I figured I'd catch you all up on what my week has been like so far. Who doesn't love a rambling post? This week started off perfect because it rained all day Monday. I absolutely love rainy days and it was made even better by the fact that Alex & I spent all day in bed. We also finally finished watching Bored To Death. Tuesday was pretty much uneventful aside from making a cherry clafoutis and working out at home. My glutes are still sore from all of the squats and lunges! Which I secretly don't mind because sometimes I don't feel like I've truly worked out unless I'm sore the next day.

On Wednesday evening I went to yoga. Afterwards Alex made us burritos for dinner and then I booked it to the writing group at the library. My friend Megan and I have been attending this group for awhile now and it's really great. We had a write in, which I loved. I mainly worked on transcribing some old poems into digital format. Even though my intention earlier that day was to work on my piece of flash fiction that I started a few months ago.

As for the flash fiction piece, I've been tweaking it for awhile now and have toyed with the idea of turning into a short fiction piece. It's really unlike anything I've ever written before, especially in subject matter. So there is a part of me that would like to see where it can go. As of right now, I really need to focus on character development and see where it takes me.

Tonight I have another yoga class and this weekend is the first weekend of Alex's new schedule. He's switching back to a normal Monday-Friday and I'm really excited to have a proper weekend with him. Aside from another yoga class Saturday morning, our weekend is pretty much wide open. There's been talk of a coffee date sometime on Saturday. So we'll see what happens!

I hope all of you have had a lovely week so far! What are your plans for this weekend?
Let me know in the comments below!

I think tomorrow I will do a post about my workout routine. Be sure to check back for that!

25 Things You Didn't Know About Me

I'm kicking off the August Blogging Challenge with a classic things you didn't know about me blog post. Why? Mainly because I love reading these types of posts. Besides, I thought it would be fun to share some random-ish facts about myself. Hopefully you enjoy finding out some new facts about yours truly! Let’s get started, shall we?

The one show that I can watch again and again is Seinfeld. It's also one of the shows that I the most in daily life.

I was on the yearbook committee in high school. Yes, I was that nerd. I took photos and wrote.

I don't care what people say; a good vanilla bean ice cream is the ultimate flavour.

If I could live anywhere in the world it would be either Whitby, England or New Orleans.

My engagement ring and wedding band are the best gifts I have ever received because Alex came along with it.

My mom grew up in Bronx and I still can't understand why she ever moved to Florida. I feel more at home in NY than in Florida.

My favourite cocktail used to be a Ramos Gin Fizz. But now it's margarita on the rocks with a salted rim.

I love the smell of lavender, but cannot stand the way it tastes in baked goods or drinks.

I've never had braces, but always wanted them when I was younger, but I didn't need them.

I always wanted glasses too... and well, you can see what came of that.

I first met Alex when I was 14. We were just babies and neither one of us can remember why we broke up.

Before Olive, I had a cat named Keeks. As a child, I had both cats and dogs.

I drove to Texas by myself when I was eighteen. That was also the first time I went to New Orleans and feel in love with that city. As for Texas, I don't ever want to go back. Sorry if you're just finding this out, Mom. Womp womp.

The first time I was on a plane was when I was a year old - my mom & I were headed to New York to see my newborn cousin.

With that being said, I love flying, but loathe the idea of being on a large boat.

I initially went to college for interior design, but then transferred to another school and got a degree in liberal arts.

The first movie Alex & I saw together was Dark City - all the way back in 1998.

When I was younger my parents asked me if I wanted a little brother or sister. I got what I wanted. (I'm talking about you, Caitlin!)

In the past, Alex & I both didn't want children, but now we're set on having just one.

I like to think of awkward/random band names, for example, Crunchy Mustard. It's something that me, Alex and my sister have bonded over. "Hey everyone, we're Crunchy Mustard. We're gonna to play a couple songs for you tonight...". It's ridiculous, but fun.

I have seasonal summer depression. The heat makes me incredibly lethargic and quite sad. Megan & Alex like to joke that I'm a cat and just might fall asleep under a car in order to get some relief from the summer heat. Hahaha.

I like gloomy, rainy days and cooler weather - they are my jam. Yes, I know I live in the wrong state, but Florida does have some really amazing thunderstorms. It's the only redeeming quality.

I've been writing poetry and short stories since I was in middle school. I've been asked before if I'll ever want to publish them, but I'm unsure. When I was younger I was extremely against the idea, but now I don't think I'd be too opposed to it.

I'd rather spend money on good coffee than on mediocre food. Latte, French Press, chicory, pour overs - whatever it is, I'm down.

I don't enjoy shopping as much as I used to and I'm fine with that. However, I am not opposed to wasting a few hours in an antique shop or IKEA.

Alright, so know that you know more about me, I want to get to know you! I'd love it if you would share a few facts about yourself in the comments below...


Don't forget to stay tuned for tomorrow's blog post!

Wedding Dress Shopping for My Sister

This past Saturday I went with my sister, Caitlin and two of her good friends, Mallory and Nicole, to go wedding dress shopping. A few months ago Caitlin got engaged to Jeremy and I'm still a little emotional about it. I mean, my little sister will be getting married!! Anyways, we all headed to Tampa on Saturday so Caitlin could figure out the style she wanted. It was pretty crazy to see her in all those dresses. This was really just a trial run, but she's decided that she wants a skirt and a top, instead of one dress. The next time she goes to a bridal store, she's taking mom with us. So, I'm pretty excited about that. Afterwards we went to Oxford Exchange for lunch.

Later that night Caitlin & Jeremy, Nicole, Mallory & her husband, Alex & I all went out for drinks. We started out at an awesome restaurant in town, Posto 9. They had a DJ on the roof lounge and somehow we managed to get the majority of everyone up there to sing along to the songs. It was crazy! After which, Jeremy decided that we should all do karaoke at some hotel bar in town. It was weird, but we all managed to have a lot of fun. Caitlin, Jeremy, Alex and I stayed out past midnight. Needless to say, Alex and I ended up taking a two hour nap on Sunday.

Here's a screenshot of a boomerang that Nicole took that night. It's pretty hilarious.

Currently.

Wow. I haven't done a currently post in forever and behold a photo of me! It's really just there to document my current hair colour, which I'll be changing real soon. Read on for more info on that...

Reading. I have a huge pile of books that I really need to get started with. And actually finish some that I've started a year ago. However, I did just finish Bringing Up Bebe. Which I loved. I'm also amazed that, after talking to my mom, she used the same parenting tactics that the French! Way to go, mom! But yes, I go through cycles of reading non-stop to just not reading at all. I'm somewhat in a lull at the moment. However I just downloaded the audiobook of The X-Files Cold Cases to tide me over until the new season starts this fall.

Doing. Getting the random things that we need for the apartment. It's weird, really. Alex & I have been in the same place for a year and a half now, but it's only been the two of us for about 6 months, when my sister moved out. We've turned our spare bedroom into an office where I can work on my content writing for my other job and we've had to rearrange things in there. I finally got a proper desk chair that moves up and down so I'm no longer hunched over.

Watching. Twin Peaks and Game of Thrones. Outside of those two shows, since it's summer, we're re-watching old shows until the new ones start up in Fall. We just finished re-watching 30 Rock for the second time and just started on Parks & Rec for like the fourth time. As always, we watch a lot of Bob's Burgers.

Making. Megan and I just recently found an awesome pattern online to make our own baby aprons. Or as they're affectionately called, "baprons". So I've been using my sewing machine a lot lately - which I'm pretty sure is the most I've used it since I got it. I mean, it's never too early to start making things for an eventual baby, right? At first Alex thought I was going a little crazy, but then I reminded him that making aprons for a baby whenever we do get pregnant sounds downright awful to me.

Looking Forward To. Changing my hair colour this Tuesday. For the wedding I lightened my hair to a medium brown so it wouldn't blend in with my wedding dress and a few weeks ago I got the most random urge to dye my hair red. I'm really looking forward to changing my hair to red again. In fact it's been over 4 years since it was red and this time around I'm going for a different tone. You can head over to my pinterest to see the colour that I'm contemplating.

Listening To. Three bands on vinyl and in heavy rotation. Ever since Alex found Talking Head's Speaking In Tongues on vinyl, I can't seem to stop listening to it. It's such a fun album and whenever I listen to it I just want to dance. So yes, I've been listening to Talking Heads, Tears for Fears and The Fixx. As for outside our vinyl collection, I just listened to the newest Nine Inch Nails' album and I'm liking it a lot.

So, how about you? What are you up to lately? Let me know in the comments below!

How To Air Dry Your Hair Like A "French" Girl

The French-culture is one that I've adored since high school (way back when Amelie came out and I fell in love with all things French). All these years later, the French still hold a special place in my heart. But I'm not French, hence the quotation marks in the title, I'm actually Italian. Although I like to consider myself an honorary French girl. I can do that, right? Sure, why not!

Either way, I've started to immerse myself in French beauty routines and have found out that somehow I've always relied on French techniques without even knowing it. Some of the French-esq things that I've been doing forever: the majority of my wardrobe consists of monochrome colors, I hardly wear any makeup and I always air dry my hair. In fact, I didn't even own a hairdryer until Alex decided he needed one a few months back.


But air drying your hair takes a little know-how. Especially if you have hair like I do: naturally wavy. If that wasn't difficult enough, the strands of my hair are thin, but I have A LOT of it. This means disaster for someone who lives in a humidity-ridden state, like I do. Seriously, on most days in June the air is so thick with humidity it feels as if you're wading through water.

This is why properly air drying your hair is crucial. And yeah, it takes practice, as well as a little trial and error. But that's why I'm sharing some tips I've learned from all the years that I've air dried my hair. This way you can air dry your hair like a "French" girl and achieve an effortless look. Which is très chic!

HOW TO AIR DRY YOUR HAIR LIKE A "FRENCH" GIRL

1. Wash your hair at night. 
This is definitely rule number one. And for some people it might take some getting used to, especially if going to bed with damp hair irks you. If it really bothers you, you can do a loose braid or give yourself that Wednesday Addams look - just make sure the stretchies aren't too tight. Those braids will add some awesome waves once your hair is dry.

2. Use cold water at the end.
Once you've shampooed your hair and put conditioner in it, be sure to rinse it out with either lukewarm or cold water. I leave the conditioner on for at least five minutes. The colder the water the better. When you use cold water to rinse out the conditioner it closes the hair follicles so you get less frizz.

3. Gently towel dry your hair.
Remove as much moisture from your hair by gently squeezing out the excess water with your hands (in the shower) and a towel. The last thing you want to do is rough up your hair by rubbing your hair with a towel because it roughs up the cuticle and creates frizz. Just get as much water out as your can, it doesn't have to be completely dry.

4. A little product is your best friend.
After you've washed your hair and removed as much water as you can it's time to add some product. For a smooth finish, use a anti-frizz serum. I use moroccan argan oil, which controls my frizz and adds a little shine without making it look greasy. Adding a serum keeps your hair soft and (for the majority) frizz free. If you want a more textured look, add a sea salt spray. Make sure to comb your hair in order to distribute the product.

5. Don't brush your hair when it's dry.
I know this seems counter-productive. And I don't mean you can't ever brush your dry hair. Just make sure that you use a comb or a boar bristle brush. Something that won't create frizz. And honestly, brushing your hair is the quickest way to lose that natural look.

One final tip: Once your hair is dry, if you want you can add dry shampoo to your roots to add some volume and some more anti-freeze serum to weigh it down a little more.

Do you air dry your hair? What is your hair type? What tricks do you use when you air dry your hair, did I leave any out? Let me know in the comments below so we can discuss!

Orlando + Winter Park Day Trip: Just the Girls

Last Saturday Megan & I had a much needed girls day. But our girls day is always a lot different than most girls. Ours was made up of finding plants for our back porches and exploring more of Winter Park. Especially the Mill District. Which means, I essentially took her to places that I knew she'd love and a pie place that I couldn't seem to convince Alex to go to with me. The boy detests sweets more than I do - but when there's pie involved - I'm game. Anyways, back to Megan & I Winter Park expedition.

Our first stop was Krungthep we're we indulged in tea (Thai tea for me - always) and killer chicken pesto sandwiches. Then we made our way to Apenberry's where we nearly took all of the plants home. There were seriously so many stunning plants and I fell in love with almost twenty. Luckily for Alex (and our bank account) the size of our porch is only so big. The only downside was that it was super hot and sunny out. I even managed to get a sunburn on my shoulders. Go figure!

Afterwards Megan & I went to another garden, left empty-handed, and then made our way to the Mills 50 District. I introduced her to Park Ave Compact Discs, The Lovely, Dear Prudence and P Is for Pie. Which she loved. If you haven't been to any of these places yet, I suggest you make it part of your next trip to Winter Park. Park Ave has a lot more than just CDs too. And The Lovely specializes in incredible mid-century finds. Which is a dream come true for me. Needless to say I left with an incredible mid-century red metal tray with a peacock on it. You can see it over on my Instagram...

All in all our little Saturday expedition added up to a perfect day. I even ended up with a list of places that we need to checkout next time. Especially because we're determined to explore more of Winter Park's districts.

If you have any suggestions of place that we should go, let me know in the comments below - I'd love to hear about them!

Free Comic Book Day 2017

This past Saturday was Free Comic Book Day and it was actually the first time I had ever participated. Mainly because Alex was at work and I wanted to make sure he got the free comics that we wanted. But also because I wanted to support our favourite comic book shop, Uncanny Heroes. I really love that shop... Mike, Clark and Art are super knowledgeable and really friendly. They even put up some artwork in the shop that Alex made. Which is always really cool. Anyways, back to Free Comic Book Day. I had a great time and also ran into George Lowe aka Space Ghost.

I got a pretty great haul of free comic books too. Including a Tingey print signed by George and some Space Ghost buttons. Now running into George isn't anything new. We actually already know each other (I met him at the museum I work at over seven years ago) and we've ran into each other quite a bit in this small town. And since it was Free Comic Book Day we figured an obligatory photo together was in order. George is also the reason that I stayed pretty much all of Free Comic Book Day at Uncanny Heroes. All because I was helping him take payments. We spent most of the time cracking jokes and talking about art. And honestly the day would have been a thousand times better if Alex had been there with me. At least there's always next year... 

Also, I'd like to give a huge thanks to Uncanny Heroes for taking some of those photos you see up above (you know - the ones with the logo on the bottom left). They are just great!

Did you take part in Free Comic Book day this year? Have you in the past? Let me know in the comments below so we can discuss!