Bestie takes a weekend trip to Huntsville

When you take your first job in the news industry, you know you’re accepting the fact you’ll likely live far away from friends, your significant other, and family.

I FOR SURE knew what I was getting myself into. I knew (and still know) that in the end, it’d be worth picking up and moving away to chase “the dream.”

As expected, there are good and not-so-good days. I often miss friends, family, my boyfriend, being close to the city, the shore, all of it! So when a best friend visits you, it feels like a little piece of home is with you.

Livi planned the trip from Connecticut to Huntsville just two weeks before coming. The spontaneity of it made it that much more exciting. The anticipation didn’t drag on for weeks. I knew her visit was right around the corner when she booked her flight.

When you’re away from someone for so long it kind of becomes a norm. I couldn’t even imagine Livi coming until I actually saw her at the airport. Reality hit and tears just filled my eyes.

When you live away from home it feels like you’re living in your own bubble. New friends, new job, new environment, new life. Then when you go home or see someone from home, reality comes rushing in and suddenly you feel at home again. Does that make sense?

It was so nice to have Livi back in Huntsville. She was able to see what I’m up to, connect with all my friends, and spend time together catching up. We took endless pictures, laughed a ton, and picked up on all our shenanigans.

I always try to remind myself now, that there’s life outside of work…

weekend trip to Huntsville

weekend trip to Huntsville

weekend trip to Huntsville

weekend trip to Huntsville

 

 

Thoughts on the Coronavirus

– Journal entry during quarantine –

COVID entry

Covid,

I followed by your rules for more than a year and the second I let my guard down, you chose to strike. I don’t blame myself but I am having a hard time with it all.

I did what I thought was right and what health leaders told me to do. I wore my mask when I felt appropriate, I got my vaccines, I did everything I could to prevent this. I did too many to count news stories on COVID and its impact and even in practicing what I preached, I fell victim to thinking this was somewhat over. Where do we even go from here? Nearly two years too long.

You took away time with my family, time in my hometown, and the holiday. As I try to wrap my head around it all and its unfairness, I get angry. I’m sick of this.

When is enough for you, covid? At a certain point, we can’t all just freeze our lives. We have to move on and move forward.

Even as I sit here trying to gather my thoughts and wrap my mind around this all, I feel like I have no place to talk (or write). Hundreds of thousands of lives lost, impacted, and then so many frontline workers, giving their lives – I can’t imagine.

Honestly, it’s not until having the virus that I feel like I can really see and feel the severity of it. The aching head pain, body aches that I’ve never experienced and a temperature that felt debilitating, all of this, and I’m considered a lucky one.

This is a message to say I’m with you all impacted. I’m confused, I’m angry and wondering when enough is enough.

I want to move on after my 10 days of quarantine, but I can’t help going into 2022 with fear, concern, and doubt.

If there’s anything we can all relate on, it’s that we’re all trying to navigate this. One day, we will be able to say we beat this.

I don’t have the answers, I don’t know what to do anymore, but I pray a better year is ahead.  Remember to be kind through this.

Gift guides: Shopping for the Holidays

Shop with me!

Here are all my gift guides for the holidays. I will keep updating this post as I create more.

gift guides

Gift guide best of makeup sets 

Hydration set: https://rstyle.me/+8I1WNhrzMJztEl17GcjLkQ 

First aid beauty skin superstar: https://rstyle.me/+tPRqmoS8tRWjBIdOEPDCbw 

Laneige overnight lip mask: https://rstyle.me/+Cx0Rz6JRRv3pPh6SMLy54A 

Salt lamp: https://rstyle.me/+XowDzZILBjzpk66hqOKGKw

Oil Difuser: https://rstyle.me/+PQCXvxhU9q1vGtLNfE0JFg 

Oils: https://rstyle.me/+eE9E02sliLyJLesU4jXVFw 

Barefoot dreams blanket: https://rstyle.me/+fe-B5P3wM9MjdaGJbmds1g 

Massager: https://rstyle.me/+EPwaAsOGDQC7KEbxHPsCwg

 

 

Gift guide under $50 

Waffle maker https://rstyle.me/+85n63r18EFscpL5rVjUaZw 

Disposable camera https://rstyle.me/+6-rou5Mw4jWQwwnk5uFG7A 

Bluetooth speaker https://rstyle.me/+WVUweIexH_oebQK23aPjjg 

Wine rack https://rstyle.me/+0rrTzvjr4uP72raXtFmnyQ 

Ring light for phone https://rstyle.me/+rUo3xGuhPMPX6BjNoKvYOQ 

Beer holder and bluetooth speaker https://rstyle.me/+VRx3UBcauIraYyKzjphh5g 

Casetify case https://rstyle.me/+pAt31Tubq-1pnUgAjRMzFQ 

Alexa dot https://rstyle.me/+VnUIpCcUleb_Qb3TZrBUng

Gift set for loungewear

Grey and white tie dye set: https://rstyle.me/+ZJhFisVLH0-PWw_s8qxjAA 

Pearl buttoned periwinkle set: https://rstyle.me/+CocJs3aWfWCc3ggK0Y95pA 

Beige shorts loungewear: https://rstyle.me/+gdwSIWb0gG5HP50eVZYFvg 

Beige loungewear set: https://rstyle.me/+7nUHwWfdvnkFkeDvyxqSzw 

Tank and shorts loungeset: https://rstyle.me/+5ukLevfLv7BOthyPSJYeWw 

Verlour lounge set – Skims: https://rstyle.me/+kRFBQgPyJEIp32h2CIqVHA 

Amazon lounge short and sweater set: https://rstyle.me/+5n5D-e2gtNaXi8HOoEPcBw

Playboy x missguided oversized sweatshirt: https://rstyle.me/+Rx6f7m5HhlSMuo8HaYZd2g 

Stone tie dyed shirt playboy x Missguided: https://rstyle.me/+UOOj9xDuDTfNJsg2Vj-_AA 

Lounge romper: https://rstyle.me/+VCn7YT-5xCAvQtcYp10mBw 

 

Self care gift set

Hydration set: https://rstyle.me/+8I1WNhrzMJztEl17GcjLkQ 

First aid beauty skin superstar: https://rstyle.me/+tPRqmoS8tRWjBIdOEPDCbw 

Laneige overnight lip mask: https://rstyle.me/+Cx0Rz6JRRv3pPh6SMLy54A 

Salt lamp: https://rstyle.me/+XowDzZILBjzpk66hqOKGKw

Oil Difuser: https://rstyle.me/+PQCXvxhU9q1vGtLNfE0JFg 

Oils: https://rstyle.me/+eE9E02sliLyJLesU4jXVFw 

Barefoot dreams blanket: https://rstyle.me/+fe-B5P3wM9MjdaGJbmds1g 

Massager: https://rstyle.me/+EPwaAsOGDQC7KEbxHPsCwg 

Gift guide for the men in your life

Cologne – https://rstyle.me/+-rXBlel3OLy_6a8ZXQE74Q 

Craft beer kit – https://rstyle.me/+b4ENPfDO7IpLqlC_s48aFw 

Lululemon shorts https://rstyle.me/+aapv7_DfYivNjA8Z8Mm1uw 

Mens watch https://rstyle.me/+ceYO_BXwotwWKte5fCK57w 

Ray ban https://rstyle.me/+psvamGQJkwaRa9-3u2z3uw 

Mens groom on the go https://rstyle.me/+I-aAxN5Gjc8bJyoCBiQoXw 

Sneakers https://rstyle.me/+lAHZYulnX4uTJb9aZMakFw 

Apple watch https://rstyle.me/+NvsI0iDv8aLHmajVhQQ7Ng 

Apple watch band https://rstyle.me/+W14cyHGV3aWIJ24flhypNA 

 

Holiday gift guide

Target finds under $100 gift guide:

Work/school backpack: https://rstyle.me/+PqhjYSKwthlHXC8Ty6FB_Q 

Airfryer: https://rstyle.me/+w8TBq4K7EgUEInhsbxKWYA 

Mini Keurig: https://rstyle.me/+K-bvuOBim0dgD9W9F-vC3w 

Knit chunky throw: https://rstyle.me/+XYKKH6Rar-rCnG59cdEHBQ 

Coffee mug: https://rstyle.me/+ULfKkT_ghLkl1hcKXSnUKQ 

Gold earrings: https://rstyle.me/+wRGp7eDU0fe-q50NDTALNw 

3 wick candle: https://rstyle.me/+zTKdDnACy0J3bIvcCP7Npg 

Cozy nights candle: https://rstyle.me/+zTKdDnACy0J3bIvcCP7Npg 

Christmas tree: https://rstyle.me/+IBQVGja14OehpRTXfANiKA 

Gold christmas tree decor: https://rstyle.me/+ESBJqRd5JVM7F2Y3zA6K-g

 

 

 

Trip to Maine – Visiting Kennebunkport and glamping

I know what you may be thinking, what the f*ck is glamping? Some of you may know, some of you may not, but glamping is “glamorous” camping. Trust me, I’m not a camping girl, but after this weekend…I can say I’m a glamping girl!

Chris and I were so happy another couple asked us to go on this trip with them. We TOTALLY didn’t think of this, it was all them. Prior to the pandemic, Chris and I were going to take a little trip to either Porstmouth, NH or Newport, RI to celebrate two years together and Christmas. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen because the pandemic shut down the entire WORLD. We were bummed and didn’t think there would be any options out there for awhile.

Luckily, glamping was the perfect answer. We could maintain social distancing with ease because we stayed in these little huts and they weren’t right next to eachother.

glamping in Maine

The day we got there we went into the downtown area of Kennebunkport. We first visited the Bush compound, which for not being a history girl, was pretty cool and beatiful to see. We headed back to our hut at Sandy Pines campground (where we were staying), had a fire and enjoyed the night.

glamping in Maine

Bush compound

glamping in Maine

Our friends came a day after us, so we took that time to go into Portland, Maine, which was 35 minutes away from where we were in Kennebunkport. Chris and I wanted to see some light houses so he found Portland Head Light. There was also a cliff walk there along the coast. It was seriously AMAZING and was such a good find (good job Chris). All the pictures from Portland are below!

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Memorial Day sales

Here is a full list of Memorial Day sales, from fashion to beauty.

Fashion

 Kate Spade – 40% off sale styles with code SUNNYDAYS

American Eagle – 25-60% off everything

Memorial Day sales

Aerie – Buy 1 get 1 free all bikini tops & bottoms 50% off all shorts & dresses

Madewell – 30% off all dresses and sandals with code HAPPYTOGETHER

Anthropologie – Extra 30% off sale clothing items and accessories 

Nordstrom – Save up to 40% off on select items

Puma – 30% off with code WEEKEND30

Pacson – But one get one free sitewide

J. Crew – 60% off select items with code HISUMMER

ASOS – 25% off everything with the code MEMORIAL2020

Lulus – 50% off sale items with code SWEET50

Nasty Gal – 60% off new arrivals 

Free People – select sandals are $50

Ray-Ban 20% off sitewide

Beauty

Utla Beauty – 50% off select hair care essentials and get a free 23-piece beauty bag with any $80 purchase

Sephora – 3 clean-skincare trial sizes FREE with $75 purchase

Philosophy – Spend $50 and get six-pack of cleanser, cream and shower gel

Technology

Amazon – Apple Airpods Pro from $249 to $234.95 & Airpods with Charging case $159 to $139

My Memorial Day picks –