Midweek Thoughts: On Words

Words hurt.
Everyone knows that.

When you assume something of someone without knowing the truth, you are set to start rumors.

You have no idea what is going on in someone's life- they could have just gotten life changing news, they are battling an inner demon,  they could have just gotten over an illness or currently battling one that you have no idea about.

Today I encountered for the first time in a long time, hearing something hurtful something said about me.

I will not repeat what that person said but I will say that if YOU have so much time in your life to analyze something so miniscule, something is wrong with YOU. Even if you see something that you do not like about someone, keep it to yourself. Not every thought that passes through your brain has to be said out loud.

I will say that I will pray for people who think that it is okay to say mean things about others. I pray that you find what is bothering you, works itself out and that you find peace, always.

-Gabrielle

Today I am...

I love this photo and text. I feel many people think they have to remain the same always because that is what is expected. Change is okay and yes it is scary but I feel that is the only time when you actually grow. Being authentic in a world where everyone is showing their highlight reels is hard but I think the ones that truly succeed are the ones who stay true to their own goofy selves. Are you being authentic today?

Besides trying to live authentically, here are some other things I am...

Thinking about//How the days are getting just a little longer each and every day; how the heck is it almost the middle of February; what's on the docket for tomorrow.

Feeling// Content with my current season in life.

Thankful for//The knowledge I have accrued over the years...if I knew then what I know now- wonder how things would have ended up.

Watching//Facebook videos? I have been boycotting TV since The Good Place ended.

Reading// Commonwealth  by Ann Patchett.

Eating//Some sweet treats. Check back on Wednesday for the recipe.

Listening to//O.A.R.'s Merriweather Album.

Loving// The random warm days we have been getting.

Reminiscing// about Valentine's Day in elementary school.

Been up to// Crafting and reading.

Dreading// the eventual blizzard we are due for.

Working on// hand sewn hearts and my budget.

Excited about// Michael Bublé next month in Atlantic City.

Wearing// all the pinks, reds and purples I can find.

Looking forward to// spending the day wandering around my favorite stores (Barnes & Noble, Home Goods, Michaels)

How are YOU?
What are you up to?

Let me know in the comments below!!

<<Be gentle with yourself, You are doing the best you can.>>

-Gabrielle

Fabulous Friday Favorites

Happy friYAY!

This week has been kind of weird. I wasn't feeling my greatest all week and this weather didn't help the cause. I'm ready to sleep in this weekend and accomplish some things on my to do list. I foresee a fun recipe on the horizon that I will share with you next week.

I'm linking up with Andrea, Narci and Erica today!

O.A.R.//Jerry DePizzo's Response

I am a big O.A.R. fan and last year I got to see the at two of their three concerts in my area.  Both concerts were so good! They have been around since the late 90s and their fan base is so diverse- I love that! It shows how their music can reach so many people.
Any who back to the point of this! When O.A.R. announced their Spring Fling Tour, I was a little disappointed that they weren't heading back to New Jersey.
Flashforward to this week where they posted a video on Instagram about their tour dates. I decided to leave a comment asking them if they are coming back to Jersey this year.  I didn't think anyone would really response but being how awesome they are, the Saxophone player, Jerry DePizzo, responded they are coming back this SUMMER! I was thrilled not only they were coming back but someone from the band, on their personal Instagram actually responded. They really do love their fans.

Dunkaroos Comeback

This was a great week for 90s kids. The long awaited announcement was made---that most definitely DUNKAROOS were in fact coming back to the US! Yay!  The new packaging reminds me of the Save By the Bell and the Maxx. Crossing my Fingers they are just as good as I remember them.

Starbucks Medicine Ball

I think what really saved me this week was the Honey Citrus Mint Tea aka Starbucks Medicine Ball . This might totally be folklore but this magical drink is supposed to help you feel better. I'll try anything and friends, it's so good! I've used this drink in the past when I started not to feel great and it works! Now I will warn you  it's an acquired taste- think honey, peppermint, lemonade and citrus. Christina over on Carolina Charm has preached about this drink over the years and she has graciously provided us with a homemade recipe of this magical drink (if spending $5 on hocus pocus isn't your thing), check out her recipe HERE.

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

OMG! I was going to wait to put this in February book reviews but I can't wait.(I will still do a full review on this!) It totally deserves a spot this week. This book was amazing- slow to start but when it picked up, boy, it did not disappoint. I loved it. There were so many twists and turns and I couldn't put this book down in the end.. Run, don't walk, to the nearest bookstore (or to Amazon ) and get this book.

Unbeknownst to me, there was a prequel to this book that was featured in Reese Witherspoon's Book club. Not reading the first book and just jumping into the second but now makes me want to read the first book, Next Year in Havana. I believe both books feature the same characters but each book focuses on a different character and a different storyline.

Galentine's Day

I found these adorable Valentine cards at Target last year. I decided to use them this year to send Galentine's to my best friends. Writing cute little notes and sending them out in the snail mail made for a perfect surprise for them. Little things like that make me smile so I figured I would share the joy with my best friends. I truly miss Valentine's Day in elementary school where you would pick out a valentine box set and then spend hours picking which little Valentine you wanted to give to the cute boy in your class so I made my own grownup version.

I also love the idea about Galentine's day to celebrate our girl friends. They are the ones we vent to about our significant others; they are always there to help you, support you or just to listen to you. They will always be there for you, no matter the distance or time.  Girl friends are here to stay. Who runs the world? GIRLS!

Don't forget to check out my January Book reviews and my #ootd inspiration for February.

What are you doing this weekend?
I am relaxing, diving into my next book and having lunch with a girlfriend!

<<You can tell when people are truly happy. Their energy is genuine.>>

-gabrielle

#ootd Ideas for February

I love to get dressed in the morning. There I said it- I love getting dressed and I love mornings. 

I love getting dressed so much that I plan my outfits for the upcoming week. I pick out an outfit for each day, I iron the picked pieces and arrange them in a way that when I am getting dressed in the morning,  its dummy proof. I usually have an idea of what accessories I will be wearing and what purse I will be using. 

When I was planning my outfits for this week (and  this month actually) I wanted to focus on Valentine's Day. I am thinking- Reds, Pinks, Purples and Leopard Print. 

When I was planning my outfits, I pulled every item I owned that fit into the color scheme in my head. I got so excited with creating outfits that I accidently created enough outfits for the whole month! (oops!) 20 fun Valentine themed outfits for the month. I know what you are thinking, February has 29 days, your short 9 outfits; I only plan my work outfits. Usually I am in comfortable clothes on the weekends. 

I decided to look back on some #ootd from years ago and I came up with these favorite outfits.

I sure do miss some of these pieces- I wish I had an infinite closet....Maybe ThredUp can help me find these beloved missing pieces.

Everything my romantic heart has dreamed are these outfits.
I wore the pink and black outfit yesterday! I am planning on wearing red sweater and blue top next week! (is anyone else hearing in their head "LIZZIE MCGUIRE YOU ARE AN OUTFIT REPEATER!" anyone? no? okay!)

Moving on.... I found these cute outfit ideas on Pinterest. You can find all of these and more here

Looking forward to sharing love and happiness all month long with my cheerful clothes. I purchased an adorable red heart hairband for Valentines week to wear along with some other love themed jewelry.

Do you plan your outfits? Do you wear specific colors in specific months?

Let all you do be done with love- 1 Corinthians 16:14

-Gabrielle

January Reads

Hello! Happy February!

Are you recovered from the Super Bowl last night? My favorite parts- the patriotic commercials (#merica) and the half time show. J.Lo is so talented!

I'm on here today to share what I read in January. 

I really enjoyed three of the four books I read.

The Night Before by Wendy Walker
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This whole book took place over a few days.  I really liked how it bounced back and forth between sisters. This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I liked how the whole story was set in such a short time period. There was a twist in the end as well. I am looking forward to reading more from Wendy Walker.

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received this book for my birthday and I had read bit and pieces of this years ago and it was so good to read in whole. I liked how this book was split up into four sections- each dealing with a different theme. This book will make you think about your own experiences in life. I wouldn't consider it poetry as much as I would think of  it as thoughts assembled in a pleasing way.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by: Mark Manson
⭐⭐ 
This book was a struggle for me. I started reading this book in November and I honestly just did understand it.  I struggled through most of the chapters and I didn't get anything out of it. Maybe its my personality or what but this was not for me.

The Paris Diversion by Chris Pavone
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
The was the sequel to The Expats which I read back in 2017. Even though it had been a minute since I read the Expats, this book seamlessly jogged my memory and I jumped right back into this adventure. It was so good! Twists, turns and so many different characters that made this book unstoppable.

Whew! I jumped back into reading with both feet after taking a break from reading in the latter part of last year.

I am currently reading When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton and It's Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst.

I also have Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus , Common Wealth by Ann Patchett and The Seven Longest Yards by Chris and Emily Norton with Mark Tabb on my nightstand. I told myself when I went to the library, I would only get two books.....yeah, self control has not been my strong suit. HA!

A library is a place of vibrating with ideas- Nancy Kunhardt Lodge

What are you reading?


-Gabrielle

Fabulous Five Favorites

Happy Friday!
Can you believe it, we made it to the end of January?!?!
I saw this post the other day and it was so appropriate:

I am linking up with Andrea, Narci and Erica again for Five on Friday.

1. Kobe & Gianna Bryant among the 7 others passing away suddenly

As with any death especially an unexpected one, you think about how precious life is and how we really don't know what HIS plan is for us. You think to yourself, what am I doing right now and is there something I need to change? Mrs. Kelly Stamps wrote a great post about this on instagram …"I think this made us want to love more, be kinder, say what we feel and cherish the moments and our family."

My wish for the families involved in this is for peace and love, always.

I saw this post on Instagram earlier this week and it took me a while to understand but after I realized what I meant, it gave me so many feelings. You never truly know when your end is coming. Always say I love you, never take a moment for granted, always say how you really feel and never stop living.

2. Chase Rice

He released his new album earlier this week and this is his first album in 2 years. I was so excited to listen to it and he did not disappoint. Forever to go has been on repeat all week. Chase you need to make a wedding version of that song!! Go listen to it right now. Also he was on the Bachelor this week too and that turned out to be a mess, in true bachelor fashion. Those producers love to create drama always.

3. THE GOOD PLACE FINAL

The Series Forking Finale

It was perfect. absolutely perfect. it was everything that I could have ever hoped for. I laughed, I cried (hard) and I felt at peace with it all. This was hands down the best decision that I made to start watching this show. It made you think about life and how we perceive the afterlife without bringing religion into the picture. Thank you Michael Schur for creating something so perfect.
I have so many words I want to say but I also somehow are at a loss of words. I'm just going to leave this screenshot of the cast here, because this is exactly how I want to remember this show with the goofiest cast ever. ((Cue all the heart eyes and tears))

As always the AV Club knocks it out of the park with their review of the episode, read it here.

4. Thread up

Does anyone use thread up? I always seem to fall into a black hole of finding cute things adding them to my basket and thrn having to walk away because if i dont i am going to buy a whole lot of clothes that i don't need but look really really cute. Ha. I have to edit my basket multiple times before I feel ready to purchase.

I love Merona brand from target. Since they don't sell it anymore there are a ton of pieces on Thread up that I found. I am so excited to get my polka dot boxes !! One has already arrived and now I must wait for the other three to get here.

Source

5. Cute kid alert: 
The Shirley Temple Critic

This kid cracks me up. He is so passionate about Shirley Temples. I couldn't stop giggling when I was watching his videos. He has amassed a HUGE Instagram following too!

@theshirleytempleking

It's  Super Bowl weekend, I will be watching the commercials, what celebrity is in attendance and the half time show. I saw Jennifer Lopez in Vegas in 2018. She was amazing. I cannot wait to see what she is going to do for the Super Bowl.
Will you be watching the big game?


Life is not about the big plays, the public acts, the recognition; it's all about the small mediocre moments that bring you true joy and peace to your life.

-Gabrielle

the good place live blogged. VERY SAD

chidi teaching

jeff

update with judge chidi  on council2242 jermery berarys later the final chapter

Jason meets dad again. Jason makes spagetthi

Jason needs to talk to everyone- hes leaving. going through the door. its time. he hada perfect score on madden, everything is perfect that he has achieved everything he wanted. big party. janet it sad

how did you know- chidi asked Jason- he had a calm feeling, feeling peaceful. worried about being forgotten by janet. 

doug is back-

Tahani, furniture designer with nick offerman her tacher.  shes in overalls. janet tells her when Jason is gone. she is sad. 

has a list, was worried to eat lunch with her parents, parents are sorry for everything

Tahani is ready, finished her whole list- spent a meaningful day with her parents, last on her list. she feels at peace. just wants to spend time with Michael, Eleanor, chidi and janet. elanore is tahinis role model- she inspired her. she doesn't want to leave now/don't wan to go there yet. tahini wants to become an architect like Michael.

661.7 Jermery bearmys later

Eleanor & Chidi- chidi reads garbage books

Chidi and Eleanor dinner with their friends. 

Shakespeare went through the door

they both realize they are done but they wont say.  

chidi is getting close.

janet says once hes ready he is ready.

Chidi and Eleanor go to Athens-surprise trip

chidi catches on- he knows what Eleanor is trying to do.

Chidi has to go. Eleanor has a solid speech about being alone and not wanting to be alone. She was to tears. He decided he will stay because of her. He still wants to go. Eleanor knows she is selfish. They sit on a couch looking at the beautiful sunset being sad. concept of death from buddiahist. Eleanors last request- say good bye now and leave before I wake up. He leaves her a calendar of him. Janet brings him to the woods. he walks through. 

Janet walks away but she hears Jason say oh dip. he wanted to see her again. He acted like a monk waiting so many bearimys for her to return, Jason runs after chidi.

3.22 jermery bearimes 

council is dissolved.Michael is seconding guessing himself.

Eleanor goes to see mindy st. clair. wanderingaround looking for meaning.

Eleanor is mindy in worse case scencario.  

tahini is going to design mindys test

janet talks Eleanor to theportal- she thinks she is ready but she is not

Michael is going through the door.

a calm washed over him.

Michael cannot go through the portal the same way.it doesn't work on him.

Michael is pissed- he cannot move on.

doug went through the door

Eleanor has a plan and goes to the judge. 

Eleanor realized Michael will niever be a happy until he is a real human. janet can make him a human and send him back to earth. he wont know exacrly know what happens. 

a real frog to the guard. he is so excited. 

janet walks Michael to the door. she gives him drivers license and social seruicyt card and set up a bank account for him. janet is worried for him and she is sad. Michael walks through the door and he is back on earth and he is estiatic.

Eleanor and janet go back to the portal.  they sit on the bench together, drinking margs,

michaels time on earth is perfect. everyone needs a teacher.

janet asks what happens when you walk through, true joy is in the mystery. 

Eleanor hugs janet and walks through. she became particles? 

Michael realman

take it sleazy

live aftershow

the wave concept of death.

table read. lots of feelings.

perfect ending to story.

perfect good, sad but uplifting kind and gentle and sweet

too short.

actors didn't know eachother before hand so it was learned in character and In real life

filmed in august, watched together last night.

kristens speech- spontantiy and ocnsistentiy to will

wills speech to manny-greatet pleasure, beautiful soul, smartest and wise in a way you don't understand,

mannys speech  to jamil-sexiest skyscraper, grounded insticnts, your incredible, 

jamils speech to dan- sharing snacks. greatest leader and teacher

dans speech to darcy-happy to be around, kind sweet generous heart, increibliy funny, emotional heart of the show, always there and non judgment and loving to all of us; adore you; amazing characters on tv in a brilliant way;

darcy to Kristen- I love you so much, grateful to be in your life, feels really special to be friends and family. 

to mike schur.

January's Playlist

I listen to music constantly- when I am getting dressed, on my way to work, at work, at the gym, on my way home and before I go to bed. Its always on in the background and I find it fills the space while I am working and its helpful to focus. I have a lot (!!) of different playlists for different things- working out, concentrating and for driving. Music always has a way to remind you of a certain time, place and people you were with when you first heard that particular song.

I have complied a playlist of songs that I have been loving in January:

WGJ Volume 1

Forever to Go- Chase Rice

20 in a Chevy- Cole Swindell

Hold Her-Joe Nestor

pictures feat. Kacey Musgraves- Judah & the Lion

Just the Way- Parmalee & Blanco Brown

Take It All Back- Judah & the Lion

Kinfolks- Sam Hunt

10,000 Hours with Justin Bieber) - Dan+Shay

State Lines- Dustin Lynch

Some Girls- Jameson Rodgers

Done- Chris Janson

Chasin' You- Morgan Wallen

Turn It Up Slow- O.A.R.

Miss You All The Time-O.A.R.

Prayed For You-Acoustic- Matt Stell

Living- Dierks Bentley

Peace- O.A.R.

Singles You Up- Jordan Davis

Love Ain't- Eli Young Band

Whiskey Glasses- Morgan Wallen

I Don't Know About You- Chris Lane
Name On It- Chris Janson

Listen Along on Spotify

What have you been listening to this month?


Life is a lot like jazz, it's best when you improvise- George Gershwin

-Gabrielle

Word of the Year

Hello! Can you believe its the end of January already?

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a post on Instagram that talked about their word of the year. I have seen this idea floating around for a while and I was intrigued. Going into last year, I didn't pick a word of the year until about August. I focused on the word JOY for the latter part of the year and I felt that JOY truly embodied what I wanted my life to be life in last few months of 2019. I liked that word so much, that I decided to keep that word again for this year (since technically I didn't get a full year out of it.).

I found a quiz from Dayspring that asked you a few questions to decide your word of the year. I took it answering the questions honestly and I was a little bit shocked to find out what they dubbed the word of the year for me.

After the year of growth I had, this seemed like the perfect word for me. The dictionary definition of bloom is technically the flower of a plant but to be blooming is to glow, to be radiant and to mature or flourish with youth and vigor. As we are in the first month of the year, i feel like things are starting to come together for me and I am more comfortable making decisions and being confident in what I am doing with my life. I feel like the old Gabrielle is back and to be honest I really missed her. 

Change is hard and starting over is even harder; but I think in despite of all that has happened, I came out of it stronger and braver and smarter. It gave me a chance to re-evaluate my life and do things that make me happy.

What will I do with Joy from last year?  Joy will always be a part of my life, living a life full of Joy is all what I am about right now but bloom seems more appropriate right now. Joy is a secondary word, another way I like to life my life- Joyful.

This made me smile when Dayspring showed me this. I was so moved by this, that I changed my background on my work computer to the graphic above to remind me. I am blooming, flourishing and glowing. Take the quiz to find out your word of the year here.

What is your word(s) of the year?

Everything BLOOMS in its own time.- Ken Petti

-Gabrielle

Fabulous Five Favorites

Hello! Happy Friday!

This week flew by in a blink of an eye. I love these short weeks but they sure do make you work for them.

I am linking up with Andrea, Narci and Erica this week to bring you my Friday Favorites.

Here are my Fabulous Five Favorites of the week:

1.  The Sunset I caught on Tuesday was unreal. So many colors and it looked like it was a painting. I rarely get to catch these beautiful sunsets and seeing this was such a treat for me.

2. How yoga can improve your memory, decision making and emotional intelligence.  (Article)
I am a huge fan of yoga and I have been practicing for four years and it truly has helped me with my life. In my practice, I have become calmer and I feel more focused. Such a good and intriguing read and I want to know more when they continue the study.

3. Brittany Runs a Marathon. I'm late to the game on this one but WOAH! Everyone needs to watch this movie. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered for her. Such an inspiring movie. It being a true story AND from Philadelphia made me love it even more!!

Watch the Trailer

4.The Good Place's last episode EVER is on next week. I was (again) late to the game with this but I am so happy that I jumped right in and I am all up to date with it all. This show gives me all the feels. I love how Michael Schur is the smartest man in Hollywood basically and he was also Cousin Mose on The Office. HAHAHA! I cannot wait to see how everything is wrapped up next week. Last nights episode was soo good and I honestly have no idea how they are going to wrap this up next week. The AV Club has the best reviews of the episode. Check out last nights episode recap here.

Source

5. #OOTD I am thinking about challenging myself to recreate some outfits I  wore back in 2014. I was all about posting #OOTD and #POTD's back in 2014. It was a fun personal project and it gave me the creativity I love.

This weekend, I hope to work on some craft projects and some things around the house. Also newsflash! It's the LAST weekend in January....How in the world did this happen, honestly? Can someone explain this to me- I swear it was just New Years Eve last week!?

Live your life- Eat the cake, Buy the shoes and Love deeply.

-Gabrielle