26 before 26

 

 

Right around the start of 2014 I decided to make a list of 26 things I want to do or accomplish before I turn 26. Ever since I made the list I have been really motivated to make each day and opportunity count- it's amazing the power of setting goals! The hardest part of the process so far has been making the list. Thankfully, there are many similar lists or 101 in 1001 challenges out there to use as inspiration.

26 before 26

1-take a class at church 

(just started one!)

2-workout everyday for a week (completed on 2/11)

3-lose 10 pounds

 (about half way there :) )

4-read 26 books

(I need to get going on this...)

5-give up meat for a week

6-volunteer

7-write letters to graduating seniors

(a tradition at my school)

8-get makeup done from a high end counter

9-plan a vacation

(Charleston SC??)

10- randomly bake cookies for school

11- do a paint and wine class

12- eat on "The Hill"

(yum!)

13- go to the zoo

14- get more art for bedroom

15-plant a garden

16-get a massage

(just bought a Groupon for one)

17-buy a lottery ticket

18-get a pedicure

19-go ice skating

20-try a body pump class at the gym

21-get dessert at Cheesecake Factory

22-make a Pinterest craft

23-donate blood

24-go to a blow dry bar

25-bring hubby lunch at work

26-give up soda for Lent

 

I made this list a little late in the game- a little over 5 months until my 26th birthday. My 27 before 27 list will definitely have bigger, long term goals... but until then I'm excited to keep crossing things off!

Iced Green Tea

Drinking enough water is so important, but when I just don't feel like plain ol' H2O I like to mix it up with flavored water or iced tea. This summer I purchased a pitcher from Bed Bath and Beyond that has a column to infuse water/tea with fruit and herbs.

There are endless ways to use this pitcher, but lately I've been loving iced green tea infused with orange and mint!

 

Yum!

Protein Rich Breakfast Burritos

One of my goals for 2014 is to eat a higher protein breakfast. This can be hard to do when I am usually running out the door to get to work on time. The solution? Making these bad boys ahead of time, freezing them and then popping one in the microwave as the Keurig is booting up. And the bonus (besides being delicious!) is that they are high in protein so they keep me feeling full until lunch time.

Ingredients (makes 10 burritos):

-10 tortillas (I opted for the low calorie low carb variety)
-10 eggs
-1/4 cup skim milk
-1 15 oz can black beans
-1 10 oz can rotel (I like the hot kind... salsa works too)
-1 cup shredded cheese
-1/2 tsp cumin
-1/2 tsp black pepper
-1/2 tsp chili powder
-Cilantro to taste (optional)

1. Scramble the eggs (I did this in two stages.. 10 eggs is a lot!)

 

2. Combine eggs, rotel, black beans and cheese in mixing bowl. Add spices and cilantro as desired.

 

3. Lay out tortillas and spoon egg mixture evenly into each.

4. Fold/roll tortilla into burrito, roll in foil and fold in sides.

5. Store in freezer.

Heating them up is easy too- just unroll from foil, wrap a wet paper towel around it and microwave for 45 secs to 1 min. I then use the tin foil to hold it since I eat it in the car :)

Couple this burrito with a piece of fruit and I'd call it a perfect breakfast!

Bedtime Skin Care Routine

I believe that if you take care of your skin, your skin will take care of you. It may sound cliché but in my experience it's absolutely true! I can remember going to bed in high school with my makeup still on and without washing my face... sick.

Well times have certainly changed... I spend at least 10 mins on my face before bed now. Nothing crazy... I follow a simple 4 step procedure.

Step 1: Remove eye makeup

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My Mom got me a bottle of Sephora brand remover for Christmas... I really like it. I'm not too picky when it comes to this step, though. As long as it gets my mascara off, I'm happy.


Step 2: Wash face

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Love this Neutrogena face wash. Something I've learned along the way is to always use a clean wash cloth and warm water. Pretty common sense when you think about it.


Step 3: Apply toner

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Ok... here is where I am a total convert. I used to think "Toner? What a waste of time and money." WRONG-O! Toner gets everything that the face wash didn't. My breakouts are days shorter since using toner.

Step 4: Moisturize

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Most important step! Origins makes an awesome cream. It smells great and it chock full of good stuff. It's a little heavy for all day use, but perfect for before bed.


That's it!  Pretty simple and easy to do. You can spend an arm and a leg on face washes and creams but I don't think its necessary to have good skin.

What products do you love?

Hello from Snowy St. Louis!

Christmas break was scheduled to end tomorrow... but 14 inches of snow and low temps means SNOW DAY!!!

 

Since I had all of my school stuff done, and couldn't exactly go ANYWHERE... I did quite a few 'crafty' things around the house.

 

I am loving this gift of time! Tomorrow I'm planning to do a little cooking, a little reading and mayyyybe some school work :) Hope you are staying warm wherever you are!

 



Christmas Recap & Burlap Wreath Crafting

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.... I most certainly did! My 3 favorite things from the holiday would have to be...

                                           1.  Wearing matching PJs with my husband

2. My needle point Lilly stocking

3. Monogrammed car mats! One of my favorite gifts

 Something that I absolutely LOVE about time off from work is the time it gives me to do lots of craft projects :) Tonight, I tackled a project that has been on my list for a while- the burlap loop wreath!

This project requires just a few materials and is pretty simple to complete. There are many tutorials out there that explain how to do this better than I probably could.. so I wont even go into detail.

As I made it I watched my new favorite show, Courtney Loves Dallas! I love pretty much every show on Bravo... but especially this one. Courtney is super fun and fashionable... and a blogger!

                                 
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Till next time dolls!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I've been a bad blogger the past two months! But now that school is (finally) out for Christmas I have a little time to blog. Life has been pretty low key lately.. Just preparing for Christmas and enjoying the season all the while! 

                              Obligatory tree photo

                      One of my favorite ornaments!

Besides finals, the past couple weeks I have been swamped filling orders from my etsy shop! Not that I'm complaining though- the extra money has allowed me to gift a little bigger this year :). 

I am hoping to post a couple of times a week throughout break, as well as read some books and enjoy time with family and friends!

Blessings to all!