FRIDAY FAVORITES

TGIF! This week went rather fast but no complaints here! ;) I also blogged two other times- who am I?!! It has been so much fun to be back in this space. 

ONE | HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR HER This week I shared the first gift guide of the season! If you're looking for ideas check it out HERE!

TWO | STARBUCKS ON A TUESDAY  My sweet friend Maggie was home for work this week so we were able to grab a little bit of girl time sitting at Starbucks enjoying the fireplace and peppermint mochas. Heaven! I always love catching up with her. Side note: did I ever mention how much I love the portrait lens on my iphone 7 plus?! Sometimes it's almost enough to make me not carry my camera. Which is super impressive :) 

THREE | THANKSGIVING OUTFITS I am the only one that can't believe Thanksgiving is less than a week away!? It caught up to us so quickly. Of course I turned to pinterest for my style guide! The best holiday to be comfy and cute.  

one / two / three / four / five

FOUR | WATERCOLOR LOVE
Over the last few years I've wanted to try doing calligraphy/ lettering. A fun creative outlet paired with my love of handwriting and paper goods seems like a good fit. Well life has happened and I haven't been able to practice as much as I'd like. But I just ordered a watercolor lettering kit from Taylor Jones Calligraphy and I AM SO EXCITED! I think it's going to great to learn using the media of watercolor! If you're interested maybe I'll do a post about my progress? Let me know!

And that's a wrap on my faves this week! Happy Weekend!!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2017 | FOR HER

I saw the other day that there are only 6 more Friday's until Christmas....what the what!!? I better start making my list and checking it twice! I always love putting together gift guides and I think this was one of my favorites to create! I love shopping for my family and friends to find unique gifts for them, but I also love sitting in the comfort of my own home and ordering online without the lines and crowds! It's the best of both worlds. Here you will find some of my tried and trues for the wonderful ladies in your life! *This post contains affiliate links.

for the...PHOTO LOVER  wifi camera card// These two products have been game changers for me! The wifi camera card is so simple to use. Insert it into your camera, snap your photos and then connect the wifi to your phone and bam! The photos are now on your phone :) Love using this feature (especially) on vacation!  canon 50 mm lens// If you're wondering what my favorite lens is, I'll let you in on the secret....it's my 50 mm f/1.4! This lens takes gorgeous pictures and you will always find this lens on my camera! If you're not ready to splurge, there is a less expensive version. 

for the....BEAUTY GURU drybar curling iron // This curling iron has changed my life and made curling my hair so much easier because the barrel moves with YOU! My blowouts also last a second day, sometimes even a third!  it cosmetics moisturizer // Hands down my favorite moisturizer. Ever. My skin is the driest on earth and since using this moisturizer consistently 2x/day I haven't had any problems!! Even in the cold, fall weather we've been having! featherweight t2i luxe // Is it possible to love a hair dryer so much?! Because until I purchased the t2i luxe I didn't think it was. My hair is super fine and this dryer has kept the moisture in my hair leaving it full and soooo soft! Also takes about 10 minutes to get the perfect blow out without burning my hair!  fresh lip treatments// These lip treatments always leave my lips feeling so soft and hydrated! Love that this set comes with a variety of colors too! Great for every occasion.

for the....HOMEBODY  slippers // blanket // pajamas // apple tv + netflix subscription Who doesn't love to be cozy while at home?! 

for the....GAL PAL scarf // Our friend group (myself included) love a good scarf. When I came across this one I knew I had to have it and all of my girls too! The colors are perfect for every season.  roller ball // Another group favorite! Perfect to throw in your purse and go.  book // Every friend deserves this book. I laughed, smiled, and cried throughout this book and read it  in two days. Chances are, you will too!  coffee mug// Is it possible to ever have too many coffee mugs? The answer is always no! Paired with a starbucks or dunkin donuts or your favorite coffee shop gift card and you are good to go! (Perfect for teachers too!)  photobook// Making a photo book is definitely a labor of love and one of my favorites to create because they are always so unique. I also enjoy watching them opening it- there's always a lot of crying and laughing!

for the....CULTIVATOR  2018 powersheets // You can read all about my love for powersheets here + here. Powersheets have helped me to really focus on what mattered in 2017.  day designer planner // 2018 will be my first year using the Day Designer. This past year I used the Simplified Planner and loved it. Powersheets + planner = the best of friends ;) stickers // I mean life is better with stickers, right?! Best part is, you don't even have to use them with just your powersheets or planner. The options are endless!  write the word journals // There are many products I love from the CWM shop, but these write the word journals miiight be my favorite. They have helped me get into the word + not feel overwhlmed with reading the bible. Their latest collection includes a different season of life. Perfect gift for any and every lady in your life!! 

for the....FITNESS GAL  leggings // Best.Leggings.EVER. I snagged a pair during the Anniversary Sale and now that it's getting colder out, I've been wearing them on repeat.  water bottle // Having a water bottle that will keep my drinks cold all day is a winner in my book! Especially being in and out of classrooms, I think I tend to stay more hydrated when my water is cold.  apple watch// I love being able to answer calls and texts on my watch. I can track my water + steps too! I've been looking at my phone a lot less which has been awesome too!  for the...TEACHER As an educator and (slightly) recent college grad I love a good tote! I've had my Longchamp for years. Stuffed it with textbooks, my computer, notebooks, etc. and it has held up so so well! Now that I'm in the workforce, having a nice leather tote is great for job interviews and carrying anything you might need into work! 

Linking up with Owen today! 

WEEKENDING | PENN STATE REUNION

Monday sure came quick friends, didn't it!? My heart is so full after spending a weekend at Penn State with my college besties! We arrived in State College late Friday night so we all decided to head out to dinner and skip out on the downtown festivities. It was nice being able to catch up with everyone.

Saturday we woke up bright and early! It was a whopping 13*!!! A chilly morning in Happy Valley for sure! We loaded up the cars and headed over to the tailgating lots to start our day. Grateful for UGGs and our friend Sam for bringing hand warmers- lifesavers! 

I had major plans to bake cute desserts but after a crazy week, I decided to forgo that idea. Luckily my friend Alyssa brought the most adorable homemade cookies! 

Sunday morning we packed up the cars, grabbed breakfast at one of our old favorite spots and headed home. It was sad to say goodbye since the visits are far and few between. Missing y'all already!! After I got home, my friend Maggie and I headed to our first Lipsense party! We had so much fun trying all of the colors. I'm still debating which one I loved the most!! I think the debate is between Pink Champagne, Praline Rose and Goddess. I also lovvved Lexie-Berry but it isn't an everyday color for me. 

THURSDAY RANDOMNESS

Thursday I am soooo happy to see you! Tomorrow we have a half day and then off for a girls weekend!!! So excited to be reunited with my college besties!

the perfect fall nail color I feel like I've shared this before, but I can't get enough of this nail polish color. Taupeless Beach by OPI. I've had it on multiple times in gel, but this most recent time I tried it in the dip. I LOVE IT! My nails are so much more durable. That's a win-win in my book!

hair help 
Tonight my hair is finalllly getting the love that it needs....fresh highlights + cut! YAY. Good thing the "rooty" look is in ;) I'm not one to usually love balyage but this time I wasn't minding it. So I need to decide by 6pm if I want to go back to bright blonde or keep it more balyage. HELP! (links via pinterest)

outfit on repeat:
Last weekend I had a family party and combined a few tried a true closet staples with a new boots and a scarf. I already know this outfit will be on repeat in the weeks to come! It's so comfy + easy to throw on! 

powersheets: You can read about my love for powersheets HERE! My goal from here on out is to show my monthly powersheet tending list and progress and to encourage others that it's not about doing "all the things" it's about doing the things that matter to YOU! If you're using powersheets too, I'd love to chat!

link love: + I have been swooning over Mackenzie's wedding invitations. All the heart eyes! + Shannon's apartment = goals

2018 POWERSHEETS ARE HERE

I've been waiting SO LONG for this day!! The Cultivate What Matters Shop released their 2018 Powersheets this morning! I have been using Powersheets for about four years. Although intentionally using them for the last two.  One of the greatest takeaways is that Powersheets only happen when I take the time to do them.  For the first two years, I was excited, but overwhelmed by Powersheets. Fear won and they sat in my desk drawer. Each year, more refining happened. Little by little progress added up! I became more comfortable realizing that it's okay to grow slow. If I want to cultivate a good thing, it's not going to happen overnight. This past year (2017), I filled out most of my tending lists - some months there were only two or three things written down and I realized THAT'S OKAY!! There is grace in goal setting. It's so freeing!

I have to be totally honest. I'm the type of person who begins January on a super productive note (usually after a long Starbucks sesh with a girlfriend!), writing out goals, prepping and dreaming about the year ahead. However, by the time March rolls around I tend to lose motivation and those goals seem to fall by the wayside. If you're shaking your head "yes" too- we've all been there, friends! Then Powersheets are for you! 

Powersheets are the ultimate goal planner. They help to uncover purpose-filled goals and plan action steps to make what matters happen. Powersheets are perfect for anyone- moms, students, creatives, and entrepreneurs. At the beginning of the Powersheets, the first section is your "prep work." Here is you're encouraged to evaluate what has worked for you in the past year- and what hasn't, meet your fears, get inspired by what fires you up, then visualize your big picture to set goals. What makes Powersheets so unique is the prep work up front. Throughout the year it's easy to lose focus of your goals and "what fires you up". You can look back at your prep work to regain focus and clarity. This was so helpful for me this year because I was able to look back quickly and gain ideas from my well-thought out prep work to put me more inline with my goals!

There are two options to choose from:  -ONE YEAR DATED GOAL PLANNER $55: 188 pages, 12-month dated workbook- starting with January 2018, features additional seasonal worksheets, sturdy spiral binding and full-color tabs, water-resistant flexible cover, measures 9x10 inches (overall), and two pages of stickers!  -SIX-MONTH UNDATED GOAL PLANNER $40: 128 pages; available in white, pink and teal, perfect for starting after January, sturdy spiral binding, water-resistant flexible cover 

sneak peek inside!

Besides the Powersheets, the Cultivate team has released TWO new products!! Tending tape + sticker books! Both are perfect for the stationary addicts!! After the stickers released, they have been such a game changer and love adding them to everything! I'm so giddy for these items and cannot wait to see them in person! STICKERS $12: 20 pages, over 900 stickers (!!!), vibrant color and gold foil, NEW this year- color coding system helps to categorize yearly goals into monthly tending lists. If you need a few ideas how to incorporate your stickers elsewhere- read here! TENDING TAPE $12: set of three, 10 mm long, great for adding to your tending list, taping your tending list to the fridge, sealing envelopes- the possibilities are endless!

If you have any questions about Powersheets or how I personally use them, please leave a comment below! I'm always happy to answer any questions you might have! Also check out the awesome FAQ page from the Cultivate team! Can't wait to see y'all cultivating what matters most! 

*this post contains affiliate links

Happy Fall, Y'all!

I can't believe it's already the first day of fall! It sure doesn't feel like it here in PA. High of 80's all weekend and even into next week. I'm definitely ready to ditch this heat + humidity and be able to enjoy cooler temperatures! Also feels good to pop in after months of being MIA! Life has been busy but I was also in a slight blogging rut. Every time I sat down to type it almost felt like a "chore" and I definitely didn't want this space to turn into that. There was also a part of me that felt I didn't have anything "exciting enough" to share. So, if that ever happens again- I'll be stepping away! Glad I got that off my chest. Now onto the FUN STUFF!!! 

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ONE -- Let's just start off by saying, my days have been so off this week! We have an extra long weekend off from school this week and yesterday I totally thought it was Saturday. But I'm super happy there are still three days to enjoy before going back to work!! TWO-- I've been on a slight reading kick lately. Reviews are coming soon! What have you been reading?!

THREE -- I've had the latest Iceland collection by OPI on my nails the past two weeks and I am LOVING the color! I was hesitant because the blue seemed so bold to me, but it's not and it also went with most of my outfits #winwin. These colors have me dreaming of going to Iceland something fierce- until I get there one day, it'll just be on my nails haha!  Overall, the new collection has a lot of great colors, so I'm thinking that they will be my go to's for the next few weeks! Current color: Check Out the Old Geysirs!

FOUR -- Yesterday I had some free time so I stopped into Old Navy to browse and walked out with a full bag of clothes. Oops ;) All of the tops/dresses I found were UNDER $25!! They are sooo cozy! Can't wait to pair them with leggings and these cute booties! Also can't help but swoon over my fall outfit inspo on pinterest. I have a feeling I'll be referring to it quite often this year!

         FIVE -- Cozying up with fall TV! Fuller House season 3 is back tonight! Cheesy but it brings back the childhood memories. This Is Us is back on Tuesday and I'm counting down! This show always pulls at my heartstrings. Also, Shay shared about the new Hallmark movie premieres every Saturday night throughout the season. Who doesn't love happy, cheesy movies?! Our DVR is going to be on overload!! 

Linking up with April + Erika today!