5 Ways to Have Fun Without $$$

There are lots of ways to have a good time with plenty of money, but there are also great ways without the cash, too.   Keep an eye out for an Atlanta-specific post coming soon, but I wanted to share some of my ideas you can use no matter where you are.  Don't see your own favorite?  Add it below in the comments and share the brilliance!

photo by K.H.Reichart via Flickr

Recommended with Marian Hill

About two months ago, Caleb came across some YouTube videos of West Coast swing dance, and he started digging.  We now have West Coast scheduled for at least once a night where we spend an hour or two going over the moves we're learning in our living room.  (West Coast is actually my annual response to #36 on my 101 Goals list!)

I don't know if you're familiar with East Coast or West Coast swing, but I started learning East Coast in college and am pretty comfortable on the floor with a big band.  West Coast dances to different music, very different music, in fact.  There's a lot more freedom in the songs you can choose, and I've seen a lot of hip hop being used online.  As we've branched out looking for new music to dance to, we've come across Marian Hill.  Her music actually isn't a great tempo for us, but we've found that we like her anyway.

Marian Hill sings with a dj/keyboard fellow who does a great job with the music.  He gets really into it, which you can see on some of their videos.  The music is very sexy and fun in a grown up way.  I haven't come across anything ribald, I mean that listening to her makes me feel like an adult having a good time, even if I have her music playing while I'm just vacuuming or making dinner.

You can check out more of Marian Hill's music on her Soundcloud profile.  Some of our favorites are. "Wasted" and "Lips," and you can hear "Got it" in the video below.  Check out how the musicians move with the music.  I love the dj!  What do you think?

And now some things from around the internet that I recommend with Marian Hill...

Some very important advice: How to Set Boundaries at the Office

I was stopped in my tracks when I saw this picture.  This is the little girl that lives inside my soul.

Look at this amazing and crafty product!  I watched the video explaining what sugru is and does, and I'm pretty sure I already have 5 things I'd like to use it for.  How cool!

This shirt is like a kangaroo pouch for human mommies!

A guy takes his dog traveling with him all over the country.  Pretty sure that dog's one of the happiest on the planet!  

What happens when you give cameras to London's homeless

My new favorite Twitter account, WeRateDogs

Our First Family Camping Trip!

The last weekend of September, Caleb and I made our way north to Fort Mountain State Park, claimed a site among the campgrounds, and set up our first Lindsay + Caleb camping trip!  We brought food for meals, eno hammocks for sleeping, and tarps and tent poles for shelter.  We also brought the dog, who was hyper-alert the entire weekend and was exhausted by the end of the vacation.

Being an adult

image by Curious Bino via Unsplash

Growing up, I didn't have many friends my age.  I tended to hang out with the adults around me at school or at church, and when I thought about what it was like to be a grown up, I thought of freedom.  They could do what they wanted, they had interesting jobs, and they were far away from the awkward puberty years.  Now that I'm 27 and well beyond those rose colored glasses, I see that there are a lot of great, fun, and cool things that come with being an adult, but there is a lot more to being a grown up than just doing what you want.

 During one of our quiet but busy afternoons, my colleague was doing a bit of thinking out loud and gave the most concise definition of being an adult I've ever heard.

Being your own parent and monitoring yourself.  That's what being an adult is.

There have been days where I eat way more ice cream than the recommended portion size, and you know what?  It's not the end of the world.  I haven't gained a noticeable amount of weight from it (yet).  Really, taking the liberty to splurge occasionally isn't going to harm anything, just like spoiling a child every once in a while won't ruin their character.  But moderation, truly, is key.  And balance.  And knowing when you've had enough.  Stepping up to yourself when you have to.  Saying no when you really want to do something that's not good for you or others.  Dealing with the consequences of your decisions, sometimes alone.

It's kind of a funny concept, being the kid and the parent wrapped into one person, and I know that inner dynamic doesn't go away just because an adult has their own kid, either.  From what I've seen, all adults get to keep that tension for as long as they live.  I do think those who live longer may realize that it's worth it to allow yourself to be the kid more often than not.  Maybe that means I'm trying to get a head start on aged wisdom, then, when I have that second helping of ice cream.

What does it mean to you to be an adult?  What are some expectations you've had to readjust?  I'd love to hear in the comments!

A Little Window into my Marriage

Last night, while Caleb worked on a project, I got bored and decided to put together a little comic showing the story of my married life.  It's entirely silly (though also entirely true), and I was much more pleased with it than I expected to be.  Therefore!  I'm sharing it with you here!

I was able to edit all photos with the Studio app on my iPhone, by the way.  It's completely free and has a ton of tools for adding personality to your pics.  Enjoy!

Trying out PRO Beauty Tools' Iridescent Curling Iron

After mentioning my PRO Beauty Tools hair dryer in a post this past summer, the company got in touch with me and asked if I'd like to review their iridescent curling iron, as well.  Of course I said sure!  I've actually been wanting to see that I could do with a curling iron for a while, so PRO Beauty Tools was most welcome!  The representative I spoke with assured me that, even though I'm a complete curling novice, this tool would be the one for me.  I finally got to try things out this week, and here I am to share my findings!

Recommended with "Happiness"

One fun thing before I start with recommendations, one of my blog posts was featured on Pro Flowers' blog this week!   I'm always honored when someone notices my work and shares it with others.  I'm so glad the folks at Pro Flowers enjoyed reading about my Japanese dinner party!

This time, for your listening pleasure, I want to share "Happiness" by Jónsi and Alex.  This is one of those painfully beautiful songs, to me.  The kind that wraps and grips something deep within you so tightly, and you don't even really know where it's coming from, but it brings you to tears.  Ugh, this music.

And for the rest of our links...

One Fundamental Rule for a Minimalist Wardrobe

Back when I was teaching my Korean students about how to take care of the planet and about The Three R's, we often went of the best way to stop the trash cycle: REDUCE.  Basically, if you use less to begin with, then you're wasting less, throwing away less, spending less, and worrying about less.  All of this translates perfectly to what I understand of the minimal lifestyle and minimal wardrobe, as well.

Photo by Chelsea Francis, via Unsplash

Responding to the Refugee Crisis

On my way to work a couple weeks ago, I heard the breaking news of the truck found on the side of the road in Austria with  bodies of refugees inside.  I had caught bits and pieces of the refugee crisis before, but with this new wave of realization, hearing of these people who had been seeking safety left dead and disgraced, it brought on the compassion human suffering should arise in all of us.  The next week, the photos of the drowned refugee boy went viral.  A week after that, I talked with my husband about the crisis and how there's hardly anything we can do to help.  

A Syrian refugee girl in a temporary Hungarian camp
Photo by Michael Cassel via Vice News

Happy September!

Another new month and another new start!  What do you have planned for the next 30 days?  Here's what I'm most excited for.

My two favorites when we went hiking in Chattanooga this summer

#1 September 19th is when Doctor Who comes back in season 9!!  Woohoo!

#2 Okay, okay, I'm actually more excited to be going camping this weekend with my husband and our dog.  This will be our first time camping as a couple, and while I'm a little nervous about how Mako will handle everything, I've been trying to find advice on the best way to travel with him.  Let me know is you have any tips!
#3 My sister is getting her (very late) birthday present this month!  I'm taking to a tattoo shop for her first tattoo, a fern shadow on her foot.  Stay tuned for pics and stories!
#4 My dear friend Monika is getting married!  I love weddings, I love this girl, and I love that this great guy and girl are getting together!
#5 Also, our own anniversary will come up on the 14th.  We don't have any big plans, but we'll probably head to a nice restaurant for some delicious food (one of our favorite pastimes).

Recommended with Smitten Kitchen's One-Pan Farro

 I've found another go-to recipe, y'all!

via Smitten Kitchen

 A college friend posted the link on Facebook last week along with high praise, so I tried it after my next grocery trip.  I sliced some andouille sausage and cooked that separately then combined everything once all was cooked.  This stuff was delicious!  Hearty, healthy, and best with lots of basil, in my opinion.  Check out Smitten Kitchen's one-pan farro recipe here!

Now for the other recommendations...

5 Songs I Sing Along With No Matter What

Last fall I shared 5 songs that make me happy no matter what, and I wanted to
keep going with a few more lists.  Also, though, this is a selfish request for you to tell me what songs you like to sing along to, because I'm always in the market for new tunes to add to my list.  What do you crank up on the radio and pull your hairbrush out for?

5 Songs I sing along with no matter what:

"Defying Gravity" - Idina Menzel, Wicked
I mean, how can you not belt out with Idina when this suspiciously comes up in your not-show-tunes Spotify playlist?
 

"Somebody that I Used to Know" - Gotye, Kimbra
I loved this song the first time I heard it.  I love the angst.  I love the passion.  I love that it's all in my range and that I can switch to harmonies in the final chorus.

"Livin' on a Prayer" - Bon Jovi
I feel like this one needs no explanation, it's just a guarantee that the whole car will sing along to this song.  Whenever I'd go to norebang (Korean karaoke) with my work friends, this song always made an appearance and everyone always sang as loudly as they could.

"Cosmic Love" - Florence + The Machine
This is the song I sing to when I want to work on my vocal focus and breathing technique.  I took three years of voice lessons during college, I'm now way out of practice, and trying to match Florence's powerful voice is like a challenge to do better myself.

"Distraction #74" - The Avett Brothers
This one's a throwback to college when I'd ride with my friend Millie who always had The Avett Brothers playing in her stick shift car.  This song means loud and crazy fun during some of the best times of my life.

How to NOT Spend Hours Drying Your Long Hair

A few weeks ago, my hair was very, very long.  No, it wasn't to my butt, I don't think it was even to my shoulders, but it was really long, and it took a very long time to dry.  In fact, by the time I'd got my hair 98% dry and reached the point where I wanted to give up, my body was all sweaty again after spending so much time around my hair dryer's heat!

Out of necessity, I had to find a different option, and I've actually been able to collect a few ways to make thing better!  All of these are anecdotal solutions, and I know everyone's hair is different, but maybe these will work for you like they worked for me.

photo by Morgan Sessions via Unsplash

Happy August!

How has your summer been?  After a crazy July, I'm welcoming this new month with open arms.  There are a few things I'm particularly excited about, though.

#1 My birthday is the 17th!

#2 I'm going to go to the Georgia Aquarium!  (They let you in for free on your birthday)

#3 Ton Ton (a new ramen place!) is set to open this August in Ponce City Market!
#4  My bff Millie and I are planning on getting together again this month, and I'll get to meet her brand new baby girl!

#5 Work has a steadier schedule this month, so I think me personal time will be more regular, too, which means more dancing and reading!
#6 I'm getting a haircut on the 15th, and it's been a loooong time coming.  I'm going to be going from very long hair back to just regular long hair with bangs again, and I can't wait!

#7 We're one month closer to camping plans, Coastal Carolina Fair plans, and all around general future plans!  Woohoo, onward and upward!

Thanks for following along, y'all!  I hope your August is looking great, too!

Yellowstone Vacation Recap (with pictures!!!)

We're back!

If you haven't seen on my Instagram, I took a trip to Yellowstone National Park two weeks ago.  After a killer week back at work and our awesome Demo Day (congratulations to my awesome students on graduating!!), I've finally got some time to upload some photos and share a bit!

My Inner Anthem

Imagine if, every time you walked into a room, one particular song would play for everyone to hear.  What would your song be?

I'd like to think that "End Credits" from the Serenity soundtrack would be my song.  It's adventure, excitement, confidence, and rugged beauty--a lot of what I imagine my life to be (even when it isn't).  My real inner jam, though, is "Speaking Japanese" by Shiny Toy Guns.

First of all, I love how all the vocals are female and they're all in my range, so I can sing my heart out on every line.  I love how the sounds of the girls' voices along with the music is unapologetic bad assery paired with the strong femininity; this is all woman going on here, but it's not a caricature of any kind.  I love the subtle Japanese in the background, and finally I love the line "I will arrive on a dragon."  Pure awesome.

What would your outer song or your inner song be?  What's been playing on your speakers these days?

P.s.  5 Songs that make me happy no matter what

Recommended with Summer

Instead of finally writing out my thoughts on the controversy on the Confederate Flag or what I think the Church's response to the SCOTUS decision should be (I'm still working on articulating those things in my head), I want to drop a few jewels from this summer.

Snaps from our hiking trip in Lookout Mountain this weekend

Something Fun to do in Atlanta

My mother-in-law likes to give her children experiences as gifts more than just things.  Last Christmas, she got Caleb and I an annual membership to Callaway Gardens, and this summer, she got all us kids a tree top experience at Panola State Park, and most recently she got us slots on a game at Mission Escape.

This was all of our first times doing anything like Mission Escape, but we were pretty sure we were going to have a good time.  Each game is an hour spent in a locked room looking for clues that will allow you to solve the mystery and escape the room.  Of course, if there's an emergency or anything goes wrong, there's a staff member available to free the players.  The staff member also is allowed to give out 3 hints, which ended up being invaluable to our team the evening we went.

Fewer than 30% of teams who play actually win and figure out the puzzle.  Once we heard the odds, our collective competitive spirit rose to the occasion.  We really wanted to beat the game!

Each game at Mission Escape allows for ten people to play at a time.  We kids made up eight, and then two others we didn't know, a super cool couple, were also in our game.  Turns out we needed every mind in the room, because there were multiple puzzles that needed to be figured out all at the same time if we were going to make it out in an hour.  There were secrets, surprises, misleads, and super awesome I won't share because I don't want to spoil anything.  Even with the pressure mounting with every passing minute, we had a total blast.  Everything came to a head right before the end of our 60 minutes, when we were sure we were on the last puzzle.  We ended up breaking all the codes we needed and made it out with just under 3 minutes to spare!  Oh the elation!  The adrenaline!  The glory!

I'd highly recommend visiting Mission Escape Atlanta, bringing all your good-natured friends, and checking this out.  Winning the game sure gave us a good time, but I think that even without making it to the end before the hour was up would still be a blast.

Mission Escape plans to release another game soon this summer.  We're planning on making another trip there as soon as it's available.  It's located right near Atlantic Station, which is super convenient as it's right off the connector of I-75 and I-85.  Tickets are $28 each, but especially if you're going to a team building event or just an off the wall, fun experience, it's worth it.  Enjoy!

Our Lovely Visit to the Duluth Food Truck

Our summer is well underway in our corner of Downtown Atlanta.  I've been busy at work (hence the inconsistency here on the blog), the weather's been hot and humid (except for our current lovely and breezy 80 degrees), and we've been eating a lot of BBQ (Caleb recently picked up my dad's old grill).  Even though the blog hasn't been seeing much new content lately, I do still post on Instagram and Twitter often, and I wanted to share one of my favorite evenings of the summer so far.

Your Repsonse to Tragedy

Last night, in a historic Charleston church, nine people were murdered in cold blood.  A small group praying in church.  A stranger joins them then opens fire.  The murderer is white.  The victims were black.

image from Emmanuel AME Church

Last November, I attended Renovation Church's panel discussion on racial tensions in America.  I took copious notes on what the panelists had to say, but there was one topic that is particularly relevant today.  When asked what she wants most from her white sisters, panelist Pamela Stringfield said this.

LeCrae said our society has lost the art of lamenting. We read the stories and hear the news and move on to argue about it. At the end of he say, I don't care how right you are. I want people to care about what's going on, to share thoughts and questions, to say this isn't how it's supposed to be, and to actually cry. I grieve that we are pitted against each other because this is not how it was supposed to be.

When the Only One Holding You Back is You

You know those stories of folks who've made it through difficult adversity?  The stories that make people famous, or at least greatly respected?  The story usually mentions or even centers on the person's undying resolve to prove themselves or to prove others wrong.  Maybe there's no other way out or they've invested so much, they're at the point of do or die.

I've never been in a situation like that before.

I've traveled all over the world.  I was highly involved in both high school and college.  At times I pushed my work loads and extra curriculars until everything else became a haze, but I've never felt that extreme pressure, that heat from the crucible, until now.

photo by Black Richard Verdoorn, via Unsplash

Rushing Forward, Head Over Heels

I just want to take a moment to #1 confirm that I do, in fact, still exist/write/live and #2 shout out that even though my days have been crazy busy/packed/exhausting, I am moving forward with a tired smile on my face.  I'm so thankful to be a part of what I'm a part of:

my marriage

The Iron Yard

my family

the part of humanity that loves to eat and create good food

...and I'm so thankful that when some parts of life overwhelm the others that my passions for these things keep me moving forward.  Bonus: even when I'm extra overwhelmed, there's this incessant need to check things off my list and get things done and, so far, that little personality quirk has helped my body keep on even when my mind has checked out.

When things get hectic, it's helpful to me to remember some of the other deeper parts of living among all the humans beside me.  To remember what's important.

via banksy's Twitter account, since removed

It's going to be okay, friends!  It's going to be okay.

Recommended with the Best Scrambled Eggs

Caleb recently discovered Gordon Ramsey's recipe for scrambled eggs.  He tried it out for the first time last Saturday and brought me the most delicious breakfast in bed, and then we've made these eggs two more times in the last 7 days.  If you follow the recipe, they turn out so light and fluffy and creamy.  In a word, perfect.

Now for the links I recommend with scrambled eggs...

(It's hard to believe it's been such a long time since I've done one of these collections!)

A fascinating collection of postcards from Google Earth

Even more fascinating: these stills from Google Street View

These doggy fetch fails remind me of my own pup.

An open-ended write up of some positive strategies for coping with stress

Have you seen everyone making a big deal of Becca the Badass?  I'm a fan.

Skateboard cat!

If I didn't share a bedroom with a boy, I'm pretty sure my room would look like this.

Seriously, What Would Happen?

 No matter your creed, we all understand forgiveness to be a powerful thing.  We see stories about a woman forgiving and even building a relationship with her son's murder, and we are in awe.  Forgiveness like this takes great courage and an extraordinary selflessness love.  I believe we can all accept that this kind of forgiveness as straight up unnatural.

photo by Jason Ortega via Unsplash

A couple months ago, my church went over 6 different things we wish Jesus had never said.  It was an attention grabbing series, and it spawned a lot of discussion in my small group.  One of the questions brought up was how might forgiveness and love for one's enemies change the culture around us?

Waste Not, Want Not: Wardrobe Edition

While browsing through Pinterest last night, I came across this Waste Less in April challenge.  Check out the task for this weekend: "Donate what you don't want | Reduce waste!"

image by Jeff Sheldon via Unsplash

It hit me like a bucket of water.

Holding onto clothes I don't wear anymore or don't need, it doesn't just keep clutter in my house (which I care about).  It keeps others from having something they might need (which I should care about).

If we were to keep only what we really use, then even pare those possessions down to what we really need, donating the rest offers others a chance to have what they really need.

On Aging Gracefully and the New Trend

I just saw that #grayhair and #grannyhair is trending (as in, girls are dying their hair awesome shades of gray), which reminds me: I have many gray hairs, and they're slowly multiplying.

When I found my first gray hairs in high school, they were easy enough to pluck out.  Thankfully, no one, not even the girl behind me who would point them out, made a big deal of them.  I would hold the yanked hair between my fingers, laugh, and casually mention that my mom's hair was mostly gray by the time she was 18.  When my thought process gets to that part, though, the part where my mom started dying her hair its original dark brown color before reaching her 20's, my mouth stops the family story.

via Google 3.29.15

I don't want to dye my hair.  At least right now, I don't think I do.  For one, I'm cheap, and I don't want to invest tons of money on maintaining an artificial outward appearance that naturally comes with age.  Another thing, though, I would love to be happy with my hair, how it naturally is, and dying it could lead me into worrying more about it than I would like.

Lately Loves and Recommendations

I just realized that this month is the first since starting my 1,001 Challenge Reboot where I risk not submitting 4 posts a month as I challenged myself to do.  I did, however, recently learn my blood type, which crossed of item #43 on my list.

When you want to see beautiful things, look through my best friend's pins or read through her blog.

I've been slowing making my way through Dear Reader: The Unauthorized Autobiography of Kim Jong Il, which I am enjoying so far.  I believe I read rather slowly, which is a factor in why I haven't gone to the book club I've been invited to yet.  I'm afraid to get the book and fail to read it all in time.

I got myself a new coloring book!  I'm so excited to start coloring in it.  It's so beautiful!

As I've mentioned, my new job is taking up more of my time than I'd given before.  I'm looking forward to the month of April bringing a bit of a break, but I have been thoroughly enjoying my role and my team at The Iron Yard.

In my solo downtime, I've been watching The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.  Have you seen it yet?  I wish I wasn't almost at the end of the series!

Also, I'm a new fan of quinoa.

What about you?!

We're an Almost-Paleo Household (what the heck??)

In this second year of marriage, Caleb and I haven't fought very often, not really.  One of the nights we did, though, was about our diet.  Caleb comes from a rather active and health-conscious family.  His mom used to be a registered nurse and now sells Juice Plus vitamins, his sister is diabetic, and Caleb himself has researched the heck out of many nutritional topics.  When he came to me requesting that we cut out carbs and sugar from our diet, I knew he was coming from a position of knowledge and care, but something jolted in me (i.e. my love for ice cream), and we had an all in fight.

For the record, I firmly agree that refined sugars and refined carbohydrates are bad for your body.  The things they do to our our systems immediately and over time can have devastating consequences, and there are many other significantly better ways to reach your daily caloric intake.  Plus, so much of processed foods that are high in sugar and bad carbs have other things I try to avoid, too, like dyes and preservatives.  Really, Caleb was/is right in this conversation, but for the sake of all things delicious, I had to duke it out.

Picture by Webvilla via Unsplash

Lemon + Peppermint Essential Oils Review

With the new changes and subsequent new schedule, I haven't had much time for blogging lately, but I've had the opportunity to review some products, and I wanted to share!

InstaNatural sent me a bottle of lemon essential oil and >peppermint essential oil.  (They were going to send some lavender EO, too, but I think they ran out.)  I've wanted to explore what EOs could do for me and my household for a while now, so I was excited for this chance to try them out. 

Pressing Into Racial Tensions

I've blogged about race in America before when I saw Dear White People, and I briefly mentioned this new outlook change at the beginning of the year.  I openly admit to being a human capable of and hoping for change, and now that I've said that, here we go.

In November, my church hosted an panel and discussion on Ferguson, racism, and what the Church's response should be to the racial turmoil in America.  On the panel was a black woman from our church named Pamela Stringfield, one of our white pastors Ethan Seifried, 35-year old black Christian rapper LeCrae, and our black pastor Leonce Crump.  All four have children, and all four care deeply about the topics they discussed.  These four were asked for their thoughts and heart on questions posed by the community, and then there was a time at the end for audience members to ask questions of the panel, as well.

I went into this event not considering myself racist.  I had this stuff in the bag.  Besides preferring Korean kids over nearly all others (my students are my forever favorite), I try to treat people equally, regardless of their skin tone.  I know there are plenty of racists in the South, but having traveled abroad, I know how uncomfortable it can be to look different from everyone else, and there wasn't any way I would want to behave differently around someone because they were a different race.  Besides, I like and love people in general, so it's not like this really applied to me anyway.

I got schooled.

photo by Todd Quackenbush via Unsplash

Skincare Rescue Plan: Sunscreen

Sorry for running a little slow this week.  I was getting up to speed at my new job yesterday!!

Now, as scheduled, the next installment to our skin rescue plan!

 What's So Bad About Sunlight?
Get this straight: sunlight isn't the enemy, the dangerous UV light that comes with the sunlight is the enemy.  The sun actually emits 3 different kinds of bad UV waves.  Twenty minutes of un-screened sunlight a day gives you plenty of Vitamin D (another thing emitted by the sun), but further exposure allows more UV light onto your skin than you want.  As you can see in this light graph, Ultraviolet light is not visible to the human eye.  Because we can't see it, we aren't always aware of its presencs.  We also assumme that because it's cloudy outside, then there must not be much risk for sun damage.  This is a myth.  Keep in mind that you can't see the UV light that damages your skin, and its presence is not indicated by how sunny it is outside.  This is why you need to wear sunscreen every day., even in the snow.  In fact, snow reflects UV light up to your face!  Take precautions no matter the weather.

Big Changes!

Guys, this is my last week at my current job.  I start working as a campus operations manager at an awesome code school for adults next Monday!  I hardly know what to write about, because I really want to tell you everything!  I'm so excited!

picture by André Freitas via Unsplash

The company I'm finishing up at has been a wonderful learning and growing experience.  Some of the girls and I have become especially fond of each other, and I truly hope the relationships I formed there don't end on Friday.  When an opportunity came for even more growth, though, and for a new environment and a new role where I could be more involved in helping people of the community, I dove head first.

I felt like I couldn't revise my resume fast enough!  I edited in my new position, jazzed it up to look a bit more modern, then sent it off to the generic "I want a job" company email address accompanied by an exorbitantly overconfident email.  Apparently, my confidence worked, because on the following Monday, I got an email back from the founder!  He asked me to come into the office that day!  When I read that, my heart went into all kinds of flutters and my pits started sweating more than I think they ever have.  I was nervous, but excited, and I plowed ahead.

If you couldn't guess, this company moves fast.  Providence would have it that I loved them, and they loved me, and by Wednesday, I'd accepted an offer.  I was so dang stoked!

So, in the next few weeks, I'll be learning the ropes of a new job at a company that moves super fast.  Woohoo!  I'm known as a quick study where I've worked for the last year and a half, but I'm thinking this new place will take some getting used to.  I'll be working with some excellent people, though, and they've all told me they're more than willing to help me when I need it.  With a work environment like that, how can you not succeed?

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers February 23rd!  It's going to be an interesting ride!

Skincare Rescue Plan: Moisturizing

Moisturizing!  I think this one is the easiest figure-it-out step of a skincare rescue plan.  Everyone needs a moisturizer, even those with oily skin.  Read on for some tips!

Recommended with Amélie

Perfect for Valentine's, Galentine's, or a stay at home night with the dog, here is Amélie, a quirky and charming film from France.  An ordinary but winsome girl decides to make things start happening in her life, and therein lies the stories of the movie.  This is one of my very favorites.  Amélie always makes me happy, and it's on Netlfix, which is extra happy!  It's definitely a better choice than lots of others available this week.

Recommended with Amélie...

Skincare Rescue Plan: Serums and Spot Treatments

Today we'll be learning about the special creams and serums that help your face get rid of acne or scarring,  reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and just help your skin look its best.

Recommended with Steak Salad

Caleb and I read an article this week that pushed us to cut out even more refined sugars and refined carbohydrates than before, and we were already doing pretty well, by regular standards.  Well I'm glad for the new challenge, because it brought about this new delicious meal!  Steak salad!

I don't have a recipe for you, but it's pretty simple to figure out.  Wash, dry, and chop your veggies and plate.  I used tomatoes, mushrooms, and avocados over romaine lettuce.  Caleb had cucumbers, tomatoes, and grated cheddar cheese.  Caleb seared a New York strip steak in butter on a cast iron skillet until it was rare/medium rare, then sliced it thin to top our salads.  I used salt to top mine off, and Caleb used ranch.  Delicious perfection, folks.  We're already looking forward to the next time we have this dish!

Three Totally Legitimate Struggles in Creating a Minimalist Wardrobe

I've mentioned it once before, but now I can say that I've actually started taking action toward creating a minimalist wardrobe.  Toward building a closet of certain clothing that fits me well and flatters me.  Toward collecting specific pieces that suit my style and that mix and match well.  And toward purging what doesn't belong.

Guys.

Getting rid of clothes.

Is hard.

Let me start off by saying I tend to be a very well organized, planned out person.  I hate clutter, and I throw away and give away and sell more than the average clothes wearer.  There's just something about this, though, about paring down my wearable possessions, that's difficult, and there are actually real reasons why.

Photo by Chelsea Francis via Unsplash

#1 Less is More Doesn't Always Make Sense.

If we're honest, it's a counterintuitive idea that getting rid of clothes gives you more freedom in what you wear.  It's true that I would 100% rather have a small closet of pieces that I love than a walk in closet of things I don't love.  However, getting rid of this one wishy washy blouse I might want to wear one day but very much dislike now makes me feel like I'm removing options rather than gaining them.  And in a way, it's true.  More pieces does mean more options, but especially when using a purge to define your style, you gotta separate yourself from what doesn't better yourself.

#2 Sentimental Value is Real.

The blue suede heels I wore at my wedding.  My first college t-shirt.  The blouse my BFF traded with me years ago.  My krump shoes!  If I get rid of these things, I will never get them back again.  Finding something that fits better doesn't really matter when the value of these special pieces doesn't come from their fit, shape, color, or condition.  This struggle is an especially hard one, because we know deep down that memories are special.  What harm does it do to keep these ratty shoes, anyway?  I still haven't gotten rid of them, and I really don't think I will for a very, very long time.

#3 Does This Mean I Wasted My Money?

I spent my modest paycheck on these things, and now I'm supposed to get rid of them?  My answer to this struggle is connected to my answer to #1, but more so to the idea that money is our most valuable resource.  It's not.  Possessions aren't, either.  And while I do believe we all need to be spending our money wisely for a multitude of reasons, the end all be all of something's value is not how much money was spent on it.  The value of something comes down to how far someone is willing to go for it, not how much money it costs.  So for some, a minimalist wardrobe is more valuable than the money spent on x, y, and z.  For me, seeing that shining beacon of a clean closet holding only clothes I feel comfortable and happy in is worth getting rid of the dead weight.

For more on these real struggles and others, I recommend checking out this post from The Wardrobe Architect, especially the section on overcoming these hurdles.

P.s.  Korean couple clothing (which I would totally wear but Caleb wouldn't be caught dead in)

Skincare Rescue Plan: Exfoliating

This is another fun one that totally changed my perspective on skincare.  I think it has the most wow factor, too.  Chemicals?  Good for my skin?  Yes!

Recommended Links for the Human Rights Lovers

I'm keeping my link list short this week, because I want what I share to have the emphasis it deserves.  I know a lot of you care about people like I do, so I've collected some great stories and projects that work to make things better for the world.  By the way, I'm thinking about taking this idea and running with it in some direction or another, so let me know what you think!

photo by Josefa Holland-Merten, via Unsplash

Recommenced Resources for Atlanta Dog Owners

Even though I've lived inside the perimeter since September 2013, I feel like I'm just now shedding my Atlanta green-ness.  And that's only in some areas.  Thankfully, I've run into loads of people in the dog area who've been willing to offer help and resources, and I wanted to pass them along to anyone else in the same boat.  Of course there's much, much more to be discovered, so if you have your own recommendations to add, please leave a comment below!

First, I'll say that there are a lot more independently owned pet stores than I would have expected.  In my hometown, we had a PetsMart and a PetCo in the city next door then the feed and seed store where we'd get our chicken feed.  Here in Atlanta, there are more pet stores that I've been able to visit.  So far I've visited two locations of Red Bandana (I like their rewards program), Intown Healthy Hound, and The Clean Dog.  Everyone I've met in each of these stores has been very kind and helpful and completely willing and able to tell me everything I could possibly want to know about their products and what would be best for Mako.

Second, a true godsend for a young couple looking to save money, Atlanta has a pop-up low cost vaccine clinic that travels to different locations throughout the month.  Mako just got his rabies shot Saturday from the vet conducting the clinic, and again I was overwhelmed by how helpful and kindhearted the vet was.  He could tell Mako was our first dog as a couple, so he showered us with important beginner info, just in case.

I've scanned the 2015 shot clinic information.  Here it is below!

Skincare Rescue Plan: Cleansing and Determining your Skin type

Part three!

If I'd been writing this post for my teenage self, I think it would have mostly been filled with information on what not to do.  There are so many ways I messed up this step, and I didn't even know I was making mistakes!  Also, figuring out my skin type always seemed really complicated, for some reason.  Well here we are again to knock out some research!

Recommended!

Here are this week's recommended links!  And I think I should be trying out more new things, because I don't have a real-life recommendation for this week.  Time to test out more recipes, I guess!

#1 Recommendation: This story on Instagram

This is THE cutest puppy on the planet!  (besides mine)  I love this whole Instagram account!

Haha!  These 15th century peasant romantic comic strips!

Put this on my nail art bucket list.  Beautiful.

An encouraging post on blogging when it's not your full-time job  |  I really, really appreciated this post.

Look at these amazing foods from Japan!

I am besotted with this lovely little house.

Woah, these cars up for auction!  Caleb and I watch Top Gear at least once a week, and usually more than one episode at a time, so I've slowly been cultivating a respect and desire for beautiful cars like these.  Mm.

And for anyone job seeking, here's an uplifting story of one man going above and beyond to market himself and getting a job!  Never give up.

More Killer Tips for Job Seekers

I was scanning over some articles in the Job Search section of themuse, and I've collected some of the best to share with you guys.

 

First, check out how to clean up your social media during your job search.  43% of employers (and all the recruiters I work with) check social media to get a better look at candidates.  Even I have looked up a few profiles of candidates, and let me tell you, social media matters.  Putting your best foot forward extends to whatever you make public online, so please do be mindful of this.

This article on how to tailor your resume for the job you're applying for is also excellent.  This is another crucial step to resume writing.  Hiring managers spend so little time glancing over resumes, you need to make sure that every piece of resume real estate displays information that's pertinent to your audience.

Finally, here are some great tips on using LinkedIn while job hunting.  Number 14, including a current job title even if you're not currently employed, is something I learned in my Job Seekers classes.  We were taught to always introduce ourselves with our title and say "in transition" or to say something like "I'm an administrative assistant seeking a desk."  Saying "I'm unemployed," is a conversational turn off, so take the time to think about a way you can draw people to you and even interest them in what you do or what you want to do.

What do you think?  Have you used any of these strategies before, or are there any other hurdles you're struggling with?

P.s. Click here to see my Job Hunt Series from last year.

Skincare Rescue Plan: Removing Your Makeup + Oil Cleansing

Ladies, if you're wearing makeup, you need to be removing it each night before you go to sleep.  I know, I know, it can be a time consuming pain, especially when bedtime is so inviting during these cold and sleepy nights.  That's why we're going to talk about the consequences of leaving your makeup on at night, because I want to scare you into taking better care of your skin.  Stick with me, though, because I promise it can be easier than you think.  Here we go!