Top Ten Books To Gift This Holiday Season

Tuesday, November 29, 2016


The Broke and the Bookish host a weekly Top Ten meme dedicated to mostly bookish pursuits.

This week's meme is a Holiday Gift Guide!  I've chosen books for some of the hardest to shop for people in life and made a few suggestions.  Hope you enjoy! :)

Strangers in Bars: Settling or Reaching Too High?

Wednesday, November 16, 2016


It was a brutally cold fall evening--the first of it's kind in 2016.  I wanted to attend this monthly festival in the worst way.  Live bands in the street, food and drinks lining the sidewalk.  I'd missed the previous monthly events since moving into the city and I thought I would be able to wrangle this event because it was so close to my birthday and I could guilt people into tagging along.

What I didn't take into account was the possibility that the ridiculously unusual beautiful fall weather that ruined my gorgeous maxi pink skirt birthday outfit (far too warm for pairing that with a black sweater!) just days before would suddenly up and disappear.

Top Ten All Time Favorite Movies

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The Broke and the Bookish's Weekly Top Ten Tuesday is based on my favorite ten movies of all time!  Have you seen any of these?  Or maybe have a suggestion on ones I should watch if I liked these?

National Vanilla Cupcake Day

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Sure, November is most widely known in the States for Thanksgiving and *sighs* Black Friday.  But there's an incredibly important holiday that I've been missing out on for the past 28 years...National Vanilla Cupcake Day.

Screw you chocolate cupcakes!  Step aside!  Today is dedicated to delicious, mouthwatering, fluffy VANILLA CUPCAKES!!

I've always, always loved vanilla cupcakes.  I was never a huge chocolate eater as a child.  I remember standing in my backyard as a child and my mother's best friend telling me I couldn't be American if I didn't like chocolate (she quickly recovered when she saw my whimpering face and told me that liking Cheese Doodles would save me).  It's always been vanilla cake for me!

As I've grown older, I've been able to incorporate chocolate more often and can stomach a slice of chocolate cake, but there is still nothing in the world like a vanilla cupcake.  It's so wonderful that there is a whole day devoted to it's beauty.

You can celebrate by baking (here's a yummy basic recipe and a yummier vegan one) or be realistic like me and chomp into someone else's creation (like the local bakery's).

Happy National Vanilla Cupcake Day!  May your cupcake never grow stale.

What Moving On Feels Like As Told By Clueless

Wednesday, November 9, 2016


30 Day Relationship Challenge...With Myself: Day 10

Monday, November 7, 2016

So, News Flash--I'm cheap.  Like super cheap.  I don't really think you get the picture, but imagine the cheapest person you know...I'm lower than that.  I'm probably one step above Extreme Cheapskates.

30 Day Relationship Challenge...With Myself: Day 9

Friday, November 4, 2016

Hi my name is Jen and I like to eat.  I just wish I was good at making that food to eat.

50 States Challenge: Pennsylvania

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Presque Isle State Park, Erie
September 11, 2016

30 Day Relationship Challenge...With Myself: Day 8

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Aaannndd after a ridiculously extended delay...I'm back!  Bring back the challenge my friends!

I've been really good at being busy lately (example: watching 8 episodes of Gilmore Girls in 2 days during a working week).  My priorities have been focused in other areas, you could say. *cough* Netflix *cough*

November Goals

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Another month has come and gone!  October felt like quite a whirlwind.  Family came into visit.  I turned 28.  My mom, Dad, and I visited my grandpa in New York and climbed the Fire Island Lighthouse for the very first time.

National Cat Day

Saturday, October 29, 2016

I was never really a fan of cats.  When I was around ten, my brother found a litter of kittens outside of our home hiding in a hose container.  Our neighbor grew up on a farm and offered to feed and raise the kittens until they could be adopted.  I begged and pleaded with my parents and finally they gave in.  We chose Janie.  And she was a monster.  By monster I mean she only gave love to my mom and in her old age she extended that kindness to my father.

What A High School Reunion Is Actually Like As Told By The Craft

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Ahh, high school--the fodder for Hollywood movies filled with unfounded expectations and unrealistic scenarios.

In August, I attended my 10 Year High School Reunion.  It was...a pretty poor showing.  Graduating with a class of over 500, maybe (this is a far stretch) 100 people showed.  As a happily self-named Nobody, I admit I was excited by the prospect of reconnecting with some of my former high school's Nobodies.  The kids who had their nose shoved to far in books and now were successful writers.  The kids who listened to The Used (and understood good music) and wore heavy eyeliner before I joined their numbers in college.

This was definitely not the case, so I wrote a list of things you can expect at your high school reunion so you won't be disappointed like I was.

Fall Gifts

Monday, October 24, 2016

It's that time of year folks: Gifting Season.  With it comes a scramble for last minute ideas (because we're lazy) that are within budget (cause we are poor/cheap) yet have some sentimental meaning to it (because we're not without feelings).

Here are a few gifts to give during the fall season, whether it's a co-workers birthday or thank you to someone hosting a Thanksgiving that won't break the bank but still show your appreciation.

GOMO: Going Out More Often

Friday, October 21, 2016

So, Eventbrite, an event and ticketing website that allows you to manage, create, and find awesome things to do, has launched the idea of GOMO: Going Out More Often to battle FOMO (and thank God, because even the acronym gives me the  heebie-jeebies), so I've decided to join in on the movement and list some fall activities I plan to partake in to get myself out of the house.

Poshmark Finds: Red Skirt & Striped Shirt

Thursday, October 20, 2016

I'm obsessed with Poshmark.  I really love the app!  I'm always on it, surfing for deals and steals.  I am not a fashionista of any sort.  And that's what makes this app so wonderful.  I created a board on Pinterest called "Recreate" and I look up items I already have to get an idea of what to match with it.  Then, I search on Poshmark for additional pieces and bam! I have a new adorable outfit for a fraction of the cost!  And, I didn't have to spend hours at the mall searching for the perfect pink skirt and walk away empty-handed.  And I'm cheap (have I not mentioned this before?!) so Poshmark is pretty guilt-free.

Today's Inspired Outfit and great deals comes from the following red skirt and striped shirt idea.  I think this is perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

28

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Twenty-eight.  I'm twenty-eight years old today.

Damn.

I feel old and so young at the same time.  After today, I only have one birthday left in my twenties.  I was curling my hair this morning and thinking about the different ways I've brought in each birthday and while some were a little more wild, most were subdued but they always fit the person I was at the time.

I brought in my twenties with quite the bang at a nightclub in Manhattan with a bunch of my friends.  We managed to take over an entire room. The downside was that I pulled my license out at one point and lost it.  I was one of the only people not drinking that evening.
My 21st was slightly disastrous as we weren't let into the original club we intended, but luckily knew the bouncer at another club who let us in.  I managed to smash my camera that evening and briefly lose my phone.  Again, wasn't drinking.
 
I have no idea what I did for my 22nd.  Even if you paid me a million dollars, I could not tell you what I did because I don't remember.  Yikes.  I know I was living in New York...

I celebrated my 23rd with Carly who took me out in Southside for a little dancing at Jimmy D's.  Gotta love that place.
At 24, I went to the the Andy Warhol museum with Ashley and we wandered around Pittsburgh for the day before heading to Jergel's later in the evening and meeting up with my family and Katie.
I was quite surprised to see my brother and sister-in-law walk around a corner on my 25th.  They drove in to New York to surprise me and we went to the beach and got JT to walk around Times Square.  That'll never happen again.
For my 26th, Alisha and my dad came in to Long Island and we spent the day driving around Long Island, checking out Captree, and grabbed dinner together.
My parents surprised me on my 27th and threw together a quick surprise party because I was being moody and didn't really want to celebrate.  They're good peeps, my parents.
For my 28th, I will be going out to a lovely dinner with my boyfriend and then celebrating the next evening with my family.

Another year down and that much closer to my thirties...and to be honest, I'm kind of ready to hit the big 3-0.  Being in your twenties is exhausting!

100th Post: 10 Things That Have Happened Since I Started Blogging

Friday, October 14, 2016

This is my 100th post!!  I can't believe I've subjected the Blogosphere to 100 of my inadequate and mundane thoughts. #SorryNotSorry

In celebration, I decided to write up a list of ten things that have happened since I started this blog.  It's sort of crazy, looking back.  You don't realize it all while it's happening, but life moves so fast and everything changes so quickly and suddenly--there you are!

Losing My Best Friend

Thursday, October 13, 2016

I stumbled my way up the stairs and dropped all of the crap I was holding into the hallway.  I listened for a moment before bee-lining to the fridge and rummaging through it until I settled on carrots and ranch dressing.  I plopped onto the couch and stuffed my face, waiting for my parents to come home from church.

The house was silent as I flipped through the On Demand screen, knowing this was my chance to catch up on all of my favorite Bravo TV shows (because I'm too cheap to add it to my cable lineup) before Dad came home and usurped the remote control from me.  I wanted to shout into the house, but I knew no one would respond.

50 States Challenge: Connecticut

Monday, October 10, 2016

April 6 - 7, 2013
Mystic

My First Kiss

Friday, October 7, 2016


Top Ten Villains in Literature

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

The Broke and the Bookish's Weekly Top Ten Tuesday's theme this week is Top TeVillains!

This was actually a really fun one.  I dove into my Goodreads Read Shelf and revisited some of my favorite villains I've ever encountered in literature.  Some of them are pure evil, some are comical, and some have redeeming qualities but a good villain pushes the plot along and keeps the reader's eyes glued to the page.  These guys?  Yeah, they definitely achieved that.

Halloween Horrors

Monday, October 3, 2016

It's October, kiddos.  That means one thing and one thing only: Hallow-freakin-ween.  I like Halloween, but for so long it seemed like this ridiculous holiday dedicated to how "cute" I could be.  This was the chance to wear that skirt that was wwwwaaaayyyy to short and get away with it.  Yeah, I really thought like that.

October Goals

Friday, September 30, 2016

I am super good at making Task Lists.  I have a planner, a notebook, and I tear up scrap pieces of paper at work and write down every little thing I want to do and complete.  Which would be awesome if I followed through 90% of the time, but I'm super great at writing it down, walking away and playing with something else that attracts my attention.

To change this, I've decided to write down some goals for October and (fingers crossed) the pressure of posting it on my blog will force me to actually get them done instead of procrastinating last minute and freaking out.

Happy National Women's Health & Fitness Day!

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Start flexin' ladies.  It's National Women's Health & Fitness Day!  So, this day is targeted to older women, but it doesn't mean that us younger ones can't join in and support.

30 Day Relationship Challenge...With Myself: Day 7

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

When I lived with my grandpa, I used to destroy Newsday's Crossword section.  And by destroy I mean get destroyed by.

Every night, Grandpa would sit in his recliner and flip between The Big Bang Theory or Blue Bloods.  I would sprawl out on the floor with the newspaper and struggle through the crossword.  Every once in awhile, I'd shout to Grandpa for help and he would chuckle and tell me to check my cheating machine (my phone).  It was the best.

Feelings I'm Having About Fall As Told By Stranger Things

Thursday, September 22, 2016

It's the first day of fall.  Some people are loving it, but those of us who worship summer (like me) are in deep intense mourning and the fear in my stomach equates to the fear I felt when Steve Harrington showed up to Jonathan Byer's house with a bloodied face in the middle of a Demogorgon trap. 

These are the feelings inside of me I need to express on the death of my favorite season.

When the leaves start to fall

Ten Reasons I Moved Back To New York

Tuesday, September 20, 2016


Ahh, New York. You kicked my ass, my friend.  You stole my purse, my license, and a whole ton of cash.  Yet...

There's something about New York that's always got me gravitating towards her.  Lately, I've been reminiscing about what drew me back to New York after I left in 2011, returned in 2013, and departed once again in 2015.

Does It Work?: DIY Mousepad

Monday, September 12, 2016

30 Day Relationship Challenge...With Myself: Day 6

Friday, September 9, 2016

Okay, so there has been some significant slacking.  I blame this on the final week before I took the GRE because I basically abandoned the world and stuffed my face into my GRE workbooks (which I am totally planning on tossing into the flames at a bonfire very, very soon.)

And oh, my MFA classes started.  The same freakin' week.  Woof.

50 States Challenge: Hawai`i

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

February 11 - 19, 2013
O'ahu

10 TV Shows I Watched Obsessively

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

This week's Top Ten Tuesday held by The Broke and The Bookish is TV Themed!  I decided to dedicate mine to some shows I obsessed over.

As a disclaimer, by obsessed I mean I've seen every episode.  Repeatedly.  On TV, on Netflix, I even YouTube my favorite moments and giggle silently (or try to) at my work desk.  I'm such a millennial because I'm most happy when I binge these ten beautifully wonderful shows:


The Office
Michael Scott could do no wrong. Nor Jim, nor Pam, nor anybody at Dunder Mifflin.  The writing on this show was magical.  I watched it when it was on and then binged the entire series.  Twice.

How I Met Your Mother
This show broke my heart.  I was a HIMYM fanatic since day one and then they went ahead and wrote that awful finale.  I haven't watched an episode since, but while it was on, I watched reruns nightly and planned my evening around a chance to witness Slapsgiving.

Vanderpump Rules
This show is garbage.  I know that, I accept that, but it doesn't keep me from watching. My dad watches it too.  I'm totally throwing him under the bus.

Girl Meets World
This show is so beautifully written and their ability to tie back to previous episodes is flawless.  It's relatable at any age.  Don't get in my way on Friday night or you'll the wrath of a girl who missed Girl Meets World.

Parks and Recreation
I was such a hater for such a long time. I refused to watch this show when it was on (fearing another repeated HIMYM upset) and waited to binge it on Netflix.  I am so sorry I didn't have some more faith Pawnee.

The Inbetweeners
I watch The Inbetweeners at least once a year.  I'm talking about the original British version, ignore MTV's copycat.  
Melissa & Joey
I binged this show while painting the studio apartment in my grandpa's house.  I'll forever remember almost dropping my soaked in brown paint on the newly installed wood floors.

Psych
There will never be a buddy show like Psych for me.  Or anyone who could deliver lines like James Roday.

Portlandia
I legit watch Portlandia every night to fall asleep.  I've probably watched it thousands of times at this point.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

And Benson and Stabler have been my go-to's since...probably 1999.  If you don't like SVU, then we clearly have nothing in common.

Do you watch any of these?  If so, which ones?!?  Or am I alone in my obsession...?

Latest Instagrams

© Decorate The Soul. Design by FCD.