Tis the season to be thankful and to appreciate all of the things (big and small) that get you through life! This year, my boyfriend’s birthday is on Thanksgiving, so I will be spending this holiday with his family! I am so excited to stuff myself full of all the delicious Thanksgiving foods (especially the desserts!) and spend some quality time with people who mean a lot to me. Lately, I’ve been trying really hard to take a step back on super busy days, and appreciate the th

It’s finally fall, which means it’s finally time to start breaking out some of my favorite fall apparel! Cozy sweaters, insulated booties, fuzzy socks, warm knits - I love it all! But there is one fall essential that I can probably say I love more than others (and I say that because I have a bajillion of them!) Just like how some women have an obsession with shoes - I have a slight obsession with cardigans! I’ve always loved styling outfits with different colored/shaped/sized

If you live anywhere in the midwest, you know that you get to experience four very distinct seasons every year. I can honestly say that there are pros to all of them (some more than others...yes, I’m talking to you, winter), but one of the seasons I look forward to the most is fall. I love fall clothes, the colors of leaves changing, cooler weather, and all of the fun activities the season brings! So here is a list of my favorite things to do during fall in Southern Wisconsin

If you read my recent Late Summer Date "Picks" blog post, then you would know that booking a hotel for a night and going out in a big city was one of my remaining plans for this summer. My boyfriend, John, is originally from Chicago, and our multiple trips there together over the course of our relationship have led me to fall in love with the city. We tend to find ourselves there every few months, but not every visit is as special as the last one we went on. As I’ve stated be

I cannot believe that it’s already the middle of July and summer is practically halfway over! While I’m sad about how fast this summer is going, I’m determined to make the rest of it amazing! I’ve been mentioning my boyfriend, John, a lot more frequently in my posts lately, and that’s because he has become my #1 “partner in crime” and adventure buddy. We have been together for a year and a half now, and in that time we’ve explored new restaurants, cities, states, and even cou

If you read my Summer 2018 Bucket List, then you know that one thing on it was to attend a farmers market at least once this year. So despite the weather being hot, dreary, and overall not ideal for doing anything outside Saturday morning, I took the plunge and decided to make this the weekend that I ventured out to do some locally-sourced shopping. I’m so pleased with what I found at the Beloit Farmers Market, and I decided to share with everyone why I love attending farmers

Are you ready for a super awful cliche? Because here it is: I absolutely live for summer! Yes, I know a lot of people say that, but it’s so true for me! I thrive on the long, hot summer days that can be filled with outdoor adventures, relaxation, and unforgettable moments. Luckily, I have a job that allows me to take full advantage of summertime weather and events. If you’re looking for some suggestions, scroll down to see a list of all the things I’m planning to do this year

My favorite part about getting summers off of work is having time to do things that I normally don’t get to, like reading for leisure! I love getting lost in a good book, and I have been gradually adding new titles to my summer reading list all school-year long! I’d say my favorite genre changes from time to time, but lately I’ve been mostly interested in dark thrillers, dramas, mysteries, or crime novels (usually ones that also include a twisted love story). Because of that,

It’s my birthday weekend! On Sunday (yes, Mother’s Day) I am turning another year older, and I’d like to think I’ll be getting a little wiser as well. Because while I don’t love the idea of inching a little bit closer to 30, I am so incredibly thankful for all of the experiences and lessons that life has thrown my way. So on the account of me turning 26 in two days, here are 26 things I’ve learned throughout my life so far: Don’t sweat the things that are out of your control.

Call me a hippy or a tree-hugger, but I think there are two reasons why this past week has been great: Last Sunday was Earth Day, and today is Arbor Day! Practicing conservation and taking care of the earth is something I’d say I’m fairly passionate about, and I’d consider myself an advocate for the environment. Tonight, I will be participating in the Arbor Day Dash 5K Fun Run at Klehm Arboretum in Rockford, IL. It’s a combination of two of my favorite things: running and tre

So after about two years of debating whether to start a personal lifestyle blog or not, I’ve decided to take a nose-dive into it and give it a shot. And I’m using the start of “spring” as an excuse to finally do it. I put “spring” in quotation marks because it hasn’t felt much like spring in the Midwest. It’s the middle of April, but Wisconsin still has snow on the ground, and the temperature definitely still makes it feel like winter outside. Regardless, I’m trying to stay p