PostGrad

May Recap

May flew by! My birthday is next week and I’m sure there will be more great things to come, but here is a recap of all of the things I’ve enjoyed the past month!

Favorite show: The Handmaid’s Tale.

Favorite memory: I’ve gotten to see my friends so much more this month so every day with them has been a great memory! The best is when I was asked to be a bridesmaid at my best friend’s wedding 🙂

Favorite place: Philadelphia, PA

Favorite meal: I’ve gotten sushi and a bubble tea from this sushi place near my work like twice a week this month lol.

Favorite Instagram: I love this photo of me and my boyfriend.

Favorite Tweet: I dug this selfie I posted.

Favorite book: The only book I read this month was 10 Things To Do Before I Die which I’ve read before and is okay.

Favorite blog post: This response to my 22 year old self.

Favorite collaboration: I love baths so this Queen V Bubble Bath was a huge winner for me!

What’s one of your favorite things from May?

 

PostGrad

A Response To My 22 Year Old Self

Dear 22 year old self,

I was looking at my blog stats and saw someone searched “letter to myself at 25” and found my blog post. I didn’t even remember that I had written a post to myself two years ago (I was on the verge of 23) and I can’t believe that I have been blogging that long. What a blast from the past to see a long lost version of myself give me advice now as I turn 25 next week.

When I turned 23, I went to Toronto with my friends and had just started a new job. A new job that I have now been at for two years. I was coming off a high of moving out of my parents house. I was single. And everything felt really uncertain, the strongest bond I had at the time was with my friends and even then it was hard to be the only single girl in the group.

Thank you, 22 year old self, for having faith in me. It turns out you were right and had the strength in you all along. A lot less things are uncertain. I have a steady job, I’ve moved in with my boyfriend, and we have a pet dog and gecko. There are less question marks surrounding my life.

But there are still challenges and you were right that I have disappointed people. Myself included. I think that all just comes with growing up. Sometimes you have to make yourself a priority, sometimes you won’t see your friends as much as you’d like to, and sometimes you just can’t live up to the expectations you’ve set for yourself.

Thank you so much for your kind words, 22 year old self. I will write a letter to my future self again and will remember that there’s no need to put pressure on myself and to be kind. What happens, happens.

Love,
Me

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Photo by energepic.com on Pexels.com
PostGrad

My Updated Spring Bucket List

Wow April flew by and May is doing the same! I’m really trying to plug along as best as possible this spring. I’ve actually been really productive, but I’ve changed some of the list items up to make them a little more attainable since we’re almost halfway through spring.

  1. Read 3 books
    Two down, one to go.
  2. Complete one crafting project.
  3. Have friends over to my new place
  4. Go on a weekend trip
    Only went as far as NYC, but it counts!
  5. Plan a summer vacation
  6. Visit Longwood Gardens
  7. Reach 2,700 WordPress followers
  8. Reach 6,600 Instagram followers
  9. Reach 900 Twitter followers
  10. Reach 600 Facebook page likes
  11. Go hiking in 2 places
    One down, one to go!
  12. Leave the state 3 times
    One down, two to go!
  13. Hold a sloth
  14. Save $$$ for a dog!
  15. Start a garden
  16. Have a picnic
  17. Take a walk outside once a week
  18. Maintain happiness and presence
  19. Create a photo album

Now I just need it to stop raining every day so I can get ahead on the rest of this list!

The Hookup On...

The Hookup On: VII Code Eye Masks

It was about two months ago when I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and realized I looked like I hadn’t slept in two months. Maybe I haven’t, but I didn’t know the toll it was taking on the bags under my eyes! I look sleepy, I have purple pockets under my eyes, and I just look worn down!

I think you reach a certain point where the fear of aging really starts to strike. I’m still young, but I’ve definitely noticed that I don’t look like my 21 year old springy self anymore.

I’ve started battling the effects of aging and one thing I tried was VIIcode O2M eye masks! I wear them for 8 hours while I sleep every 2-3 days, which is so different from other sheet masks. They are an oxygenating mask that are meant to revive the bags under your eyes over night! I find this so convenient because I now wake up in the morning looking fresh and ready for the day. It really takes some time off of getting ready because I don’t have to conceal my under-eye bags anymore.

The gel-like material is the real feature of the mask, they are like little patches with a cool gel that conforms to the shape of your eye. They are so comfortable to sleep in and the cooling membrane is such a nice feeling after a long day of staring at the computer for work. It is even recommended to keep them in the refrigerator, they are so cool and soothing to put on before bed!

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If you’re a tosser and turner, you can even wear them during the day when you’re watching tv or lounging about. I did this a few times because I roll around a lot when I sleep!

I’m sharing my results below because I’m so impressed! I started with deep purple under eye bags and ended with my 21 year old springy eyes again!

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travel

Solo Adventuring in NYC

I have started tagging along on my boyfriend’s business trips. Which means while he’s working, it’s up to me to entertain myself. Two weekends ago, I had a little solo adventure in New York City – a place I’ve been many times.

There’s always SO much to do in NYC that it was a little overwhelming for me to choose an itinerary. Even though I’ve been to the city more times than I can count, I don’t know how to navigate the subways AT ALL. So I stuck to walking and doing what I know I’ll love!

On Saturday, we got dinner and drinks on the Terrace of the Yotel where we were staying. Yotel NYC is a smart hotel and very centrally located. The rooms are like little pods and are so fun and affordable. The food on the Terrace was so good and it was a lovely evening!

On Sunday I stopped and got coffee and a muffin at Old Country Coffee and people watched while I ate. I then walked the High Line and stopped a few times for photos and reading. I walked the High Line down to the Chelsea Market and stopped at Creamline for lunch. I tried the Impossible Burger here because I’ve heard SO much about it!

I haven’t eaten meat in about 10 years and have tried tonssss of different burger alternatives, but none that actually taste like a burger. I really enjoyed the Impossible Burger and I would urge non-meat eaters and meat eaters to try it!

I shopped a bit then walked the Highline back to the hotel. We went out and split a sushi burrito at PokeTown. Say what you want about quirky spins on classic foods, sushi burritos are delish.

Then I ended my weekend in NYC, but I will be back soon! 🙂 What’s your favorite thing to do in NYC? (Clearly my favorite thing to do is eat!)

PostGrad

An Appearance Slump

I don’t know if I should chalk it up to weather or laziness, but I’ve been in a slump with my appearance.

I rarely do my hair, just throw it up in a pony or let it be its frizzy, wavy self. I put eyeliner on maybe once a week, my make up is always bare minimum. Unless I’m going out on the weekend, my appearance is always a little half assed.

Even when we go out to dinner after work or out to take a walk, I opt for sweatpants and minimal make up. Which is fine sometimes, but eventually your self esteem takes a hit because you’re not really taking care of yourself.

I can’t really blame myself for falling into this slump. I see the same people almost every day of the week. I have the same routine. What’s the point in jazzing it up and spending time getting ready when I could be sleeping?

The weather warmed up this week and I really realized the neglect I’ve been imposing on myself and the impact your appearance and inner confidence has on other people. The weather put me in a better mood so I threw on a dress and had a great day. Then I put on a skirt the next day with some lipstick and I got so many “good mornings” and another great day!

I took selfies this weekend, felt good about myself, and felt motivated enough to want to start my healthier habits of eating better and working out more. That has been a goal for me for so long, but I just couldn’t get out of the slump.

Just a little extra effort has gone a long way for me. Have you ever had an appearance slump?

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