10+ Things On My Mind This Week

Two of my favorite bloggers, Carly Riordan and Kelly in the City, recently published blog posts entitled “10+ Things.” These posts are basically lists of the random things that came to mind when they sat down to write blog posts.

Sometimes I sit down to write a blog post for the week and I draw a blank. Writer’s block doesn’t happen too often, but when it does, it’s very frustrating and discouraging. Perhaps I’ll incorporate more “10+ Things” blog posts in the future. For now, though, here are the first 10+ things that came to mind when I sat down to write this blog post:

I need to pick up my bridesmaid dress. My cousin’s vow renewal is in a few weeks. Since her original wedding plans were canceled due to COVID, she had a micro wedding instead. This ceremony will be when the bridal party will finally wear their suits and dresses. Thankfully the seamstress who altered my wedding dress helped me alter this dress, too, but I need to pick it up soon and I keep putting it off!

I feel like God is really trying to teach me to trust in His timing. To be honest, I’ve been really struggling to accept and process certain things in my life lately. I’m a planner. I like to know what’s coming and prepare for it, but God has been lovingly (and repeatedly) reminding me that His will is far greater than mine, even when I don’t understand it. I am learning that asking “Why?” is okay. It is helping me lean closer to Him and dive deeper into Scripture. Asking “Why?” helps us draw nearer to Jesus. I read a quote today from Jackie Hill Perry that eloquently explains what I’ve been learning:

“While reading the Psalms, I’m struck by how often God is questioned. Why He’s allowing this. Why He’s forsaken that. Suffering makes you curious and to me, it seems, being inquisitive is in fact a healthy part of prayer. Even Jesus, in His dying hour, asked God a question.”

I really want to try Warby Parker. I went to the eye doctor a few weeks ago for the first time in a while. I’ve had the same frames forever but I didn’t find any that I loved when I searched the eye doctor’s options. I’ve heard great things about Warby Parker (an at-home glasses try-on service) and have been thinking of checking it out.

Ben & Jerry’s dairy-free ice cream is the best. I went dairy-free in January and loved it so much that I’ve been following a dairy-free diet as much as I can. I low-key love ice cream and wanted to find a dairy-free option that I could have if I craved it. Ben & Jerry came through and I’m obsessed with their peanut butter and chocolate dairy-free ice cream. SO good.

I’m on the hunt for good skincare. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older or maybe it’s because I’ve been extra health-conscious lately (right after I just wrote about dairy-free ice cream, LOL #balance), but I’m on the search for some good skincare that doesn’t break the bank. I currently use Clean & Clear Morning Burst and Cleanser and it’s okay, but I want to up my skincare game. If you have any products you love, let me know!

I have a love-hate relationship with Bookstagram (the book/reading community on Instagram). Love: book recommendations and community with fellow book-lovers. Hate: Constant comparison between someone’s book goal vs. mine. Friendly reminder to myself and you: We’re all doing our best. Focus on YOUR progress because it’s good too 👏

I made my own cold brew. And it was honestly okay! I received a cold brew pitcher for Christmas last year and just now used it for the first time. I’m definitely in the “trial & error” mode of using it, but cannot wait to perfect the recipe just in time for spring weather and iced coffee season.

Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld is one of my favorite audiobooks already. I started listening to Jerry Seinfeld’s book, Is This Anything? this week and it’s hilarious. It’s basically a giant compilation of random jokes and stories and it is such a lighthearted and easy book to listen to. I haven’t finished it yet but it’s already one of my favorite author-narrated audiobooks I’ve listened to.

My birthday is next week. I took the day off of work but I have zero idea what I want to do that day. Get a pedicure? Stroll the aisles of a bookstore? Visit a new coffee shop? All three?! It’ll be the last year of my 20s (I’m not ready to process this yet) so I feel like it’s kind of a big deal. Decisions, decisions.

I want to order a digital art print for my office. We are slowly transitioning to working in an actual office setting again. Right now I head to the office 1-2 days a week, which I’m completely fine with since it’s a great balance of working from home and office life. I recently moved offices and my new space has a lot of blank wall space to work with now. I have an unused 18x24 frame that I’ve been waiting to fill so I’m on the hunt to find the perfect print to add some personality to the blank canvas. These are the digital prints I love (they’re all from Etsy!) so I’m torn. Which one is your favorite?

I’ve been trying to further educate myself on the Russia/Ukraine war. I don’t typically follow the news very closely because I tend to “doom scroll.” However, avoidance is not the answer either, and it’s important to be aware and know what’s going on. My heart breaks for what’s happening in Ukraine right now and it’s easy to feel helpless here in the US. The least I can do is stay informed about what’s going on and pray for the situation. I recently discovered Morning Brew and it’s been helping me stay up-to-date. Here is a recent article that I found really helpful: Ukraine War: Everything you need to know.