Okay, I now know the Sunday scaries feeling that sets in before getting back into the work week. Even if it's only been a couple of weeks but now with work, I'm learning to appreciate the time off. There has been no time to do anything during the week; I find I'm half-heartedly doing most things. My attempts at multitasking mean my brain is even more all over the place than usual. I never felt a TGIF moment feel any better than I did last Friday.

Before I begin to count down to the next weekend already, I'm recapping a pretty productive few days c/o the lovely Meghan at Clean Eats Fast Feets.



Finally posted on the blog after weeks away. Just in time for Friday linkup!

Got a head start for most but a later start than usual for me in crossing some items off my Christmas gift shopping list. Friendly PSA that there are only 79 days left!

Grocery shopped at Target, Trader Joe's and Sam's Club. Not entirely sure if this is the most time or fuel efficient way to do it but I'm particular about getting select items from different places and will usually go to a handful of places to get it done.

Cleaned my apartment -- bathroom, kitchen and living areas. And yet somehow there's still clutter... I hate not having a place for everything yet.

Whilst in the cleaning mood, did a couple of loads of laundry including my sheets and towels.

Treated my friends to breakfast Saturday morning. Breakfast sandwiches are everything.


Went into downtown, which yay! is less than 30 minute drive away now, and visited one of the art museums because of their free first Saturdays admission. Beforehand, got tacos and ice cream sandwiches for lunch. Ice cream sandwiches are also everything.

Attended glow-ga (aka glow in the dark yoga)! This needs to be more of a thing. Loads of fun for sure. You should've seen our post-workout glow!


Stopped by a local art festival that brings in artists from around the nation to get my culture fix.

Made a plum and apple baked oatmeal for a late Sunday breakfast and stocked my freezer with the leftovers, among other meal prepping activities throughout the day.

Continued through this latest season of the Great British Bake Off!! Why is this show so addicting? Now I just want to bake pies, puddings and biscuits.

Questions:
Have you started gift shopping yet? 
Do you prefer going to multiple places for groceries or getting it all done at just one store?

TGIF!!! Second week of work down. I had meant to post this last Friday before heading out of town for my birthday weekend....which isn't as exciting as it sounds as it was mainly for training. But a trip is a trip! It was my second time to Chicago. I actually posted the first one on the blog oh so long ago, my second post ever.

Anywho, all that to say so far it's been a struggle to find balance in this new routine of life; when I get home from work, I find that there's no time to do anything. I haven't been reading, my apartment needs to be cleaned, phone calls to friends have been postponed, the blog has been neglected. Taking the time today to finally get to posting as well as do laundry...and clean my bathroom...and mop the floors... Time to savor the weekend.



Alongside Cora and Nicole, I'll be sharing some of the things that have been inspiring me as of late for Fab Finds Friday:

How to read more books -- For the past handful of years, I've made it a goal of mine to read 52 books. However, one thing I'm terrible at is stopping books if I'm not really into it. Appreciate that tip to read what you enjoy. Another one that resonated with me was that first tip on stop thinking there are things I'm 'supposed to be' reading. Sometimes I get trapped into thinking I have to read popular/classic books as books I'm choosing to read aren't "challenging" enough. But like all things in life, I have to focus on me and what brings me joy vs. what others are doing.

Beautifully written piece on our relationships with our bodies. Too many quotable things! Here's one that stood out:

"Part of me is convinced that to be a woman is to live in fear of being reduced to the smallest, meanest thought I’ve ever had about myself, and that’s why I tried to make my body smaller instead. I tried to beat the world to the punch, but I played right into its trap. My body found its way back. My mind is still catching up."

For a while there, I hated Dallas (and still sometimes do); but simultaneously, I felt I wasn't giving it a true chance of inspiring me. The city has grown on me only because I allowed myself to be all there. So even if it's temporary, even if it's painful, even if it's not where you thought you'd be, wherever you are, be all there.

As mentioned earlier a few weeks back, I went to a movie theater by myself for the first time. Then coincidentally came across this Buzzfeed things to do alone list, things like watching a concert or traveling.

A good read on keeping it real, comparison on Instagram and being transparent on social media from an influencers' perspective c/o Cupcakes and Cashmere

This post from The Real Life RD resonated with me -- feeling the need to eat how an non ED person would eat; almost like sometimes I'm afraid of eating 'so called healthy foods' again. Especially when I'm around friends that know about my struggles or my family. I feel almost judged for getting a salad.

"I was eating out of fear of what others might think .

And in turn, I wasn’t caring for myself"

Along similar lines of what Robyn had to say, another of Naomi's posts on eating and people pleasing.

Questions:
Do you make any reading goals?
Do you ever struggle with people pleasing when eating with others? Or even people pleasing in general?
What are you up to this weekend? 

I know I sound like a broken record here but sorry for that unexpected break again in the blogging. Really wanted to post more last week but a) my internet didn't get set up until 5 days after I moved in and b) my laptop unfortunately still continued to fail on me. Living without internet even for a few days was harder than it should have been as sad as it is to admit that. The good news is these issues were solved over the past couple of weeks along with some other adult-y things.


Went to the dentist.

Moved into my new apartment after just one little speed bump (a time scheduling misunderstanding with the movers I hired) with several trips up the staircase.

Unpacked, perhaps the worst part of moving. Or at least when you can't quite find a place for everything.

Put my KitchenAid to good use and tried out the spiralizer attachment for the first time to throw together a sweet potato and zucchini 'noodle' dish. Pictured alongside my video watching setup.

During those days sans internet, I was able to finish an entire book in a day--All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Something I hadn't in ages. Don't know if it was how quickly I read it or was feeling overly emotional but I even cried when reading, another thing I hadn't done while reading recently.

Having said that, got the internet hooked up. Yay for adulting!!!


Had my first overnight guest at my new place. My sister came over and we had a pizza night. I've been raving about our creation: TJ's whole wheat crust + chopped garlic + fresh figs + black pepper + goat cheese + a drizzle of honey. So freaking good.

Assembled my first Ikea furniture by myself after a trip to the store including a free birthday meal, which let's be real was the main reason I went there in the first place.

Did some yoga. Volunteered a bit.

Watched a movie (Ocean's Eight) by myself at the dollar theater because movies are waaaay too expensive for my life. Had never seen the an Ocean's film before and thoroughly enjoyed this one with an awesome cast!

Finally, finally, finally got a new laptop! Got it set up and all that jazz.


Tried to meal prep including:

• A vegan peach pie (pictured above!)
• Zucchini goat cheese loaf cake
• Lentil turned split pea meatballs
• Split pea soup
• No bake chocolate filled cookies
• Cashew yogurt

Went to not one, not two, but three friend's apartment parties. The first two in the same Saturday night --my introverted self was so exhausted that evening--and the last just this past weekend.

Questions:
What is your least favorite part of moving?
What books make you emotional? 
Do you have any go-to make ahead meals? Meal prepping tips?
Have you ever gone to the movies on your own?