Welcome Home Taylor

Dissecting My Time

Do you ever wonder how you spend all your time? Well, I definitely do and because I love making infographics so much, I decided to make one of how my week breaks down time-wise.

I'm a little stunned to see that in the long run, I don't spend that much time doing any one thing. I work two jobs (an internship and I work as a kitchen assistant in one of Sur la Table's kitchens) and although at times it may feel a little hectic, breaking it down in this way makes it seem so...simple. I couldn't believe how much of my week is eaten up by sleep (8 hours a night)! All of my extra hours are dispersed by what I have going on that week; this week it's mostly packing up and cleaning our apartment before our big move on Saturday.

How does your week break down?

The Ultimate Jean Tip

 

Last Friday my sister and I went shopping to purchase our first pair of Madewell jeans. I was on the hunt for a quality pair of black skinny pants that wouldn't fade or get ruined so quickly as many of my cheaper black jeans have. I tried on the most comfortable pair of jeans ever and before I left asked the worker if she had any tips for washing jeans so that they don't fade or shrink. And this is what she said:

Put them in an air-tight zip top bag and place them in the freezer over night.

Then the Heavens sang and my world made sense. The freezer disinfects them and brings them back to original size after being stretched out from wearing them. She also said that she originally read this on the Madewell blog, which should be mentioned for being so awesome. Now I'm going to go read their blog more often.

 

Have a great weekend!

Two Week Boost

Today I'm starting a two-week boost! What is a two-week boost you ask? Well, I want to get my butt in gear for eating a little healthier and working out a little bit more. The goal of this is not to lose weight or to be more physically attractive; I only want to feel better. I don't eat outrageously unhealthy (no fast food, no red meat, I don't overindulge), however, I do know that I don't eat enough fruits and veggies. So my main goal is to begin to incorporate those into my diet more. I've talked about my hip problems a while ago on here, but for those of you that don't know, I have a sore hip. There's nothing terribly wrong with it, but if I don't make a point to exercise it often, then I'm left in pain. A lot of pain. I fell off workout wagon a while back, but the past month I've been making a point to practice more pilates, which helps it a lot and I so I obviously want to continue with that.

My two-week plan will look like this:

• Alternate days for strength training and cardio (ex: Monday strength training 15-20 minutes; Tuesday run/jog 20-30 minutes; Wednesday strength training 15-20, so on and so forth). Sunday will be resting days.
• Incorporate more fruits and veggies into my diet. Make a point to have at least 2 of each a day.
• Start my day off with a healthy breakfast. I am already a breakfast fanatic, but I tend to lean more toward cereals, which are usually high in sugar. I'm making a point to eat whole grains and protein.
• Enjoy it! Which is the most important goal.
  

See? Nothing too crazy or absurd. If one day I become a health nut and an exercise junkie (nothing wrong with either of those things, in my opinion) then I will do it slowly. Right now, I enjoy my life and want to continue to live it the same way while making a point to be slightly healthier. I'm hoping that this two-week boost will encourage me and help to motivate me to do these things continuously.

Does this sound like fun to you? If you'd like to join in, comment below and follow me along on Instagram (@welcome_home)

 

photo by Glen Carrie via Unsplash.

Organize Your Life // Pt. 1

Lots of people make New Year's Resolutions of being more organized. I am quite an organized person myself, so I thought I'd give a few tips! To begin, you can't be organized without a planner. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites below. The planner that I use is the A Beautiful Mess Planner, which is unfortunately sold out. It has been my most favorite planner I've ever used though with it's bright colors and clean look. There are still a lot out there that are wonderful though so take a peek!

Do you have any favorite planners and organizers?

Planners:

1. Colorful // 2. Portable // 3. Floral // 4. Modern // 5. Nerdy

 

Here are a few others that I really love to keep your blogging plans and numbers organized and to even keep track of your health and fitness.

Blogger Planners: Favorite // Clean

Health & Fitness Planners: Editable // Modern

 

Focus in 2015

This year is going to be good. Real good. I can feel it in my core that this is going to be a year of big changes and even bigger challenges for me. I am so excited and so terrified.

My main focus this year is going to be my career. I switched majors recently (that's a another story) so that now I'm a Graphic Design major in school. I chose this path not because I'm the best at it -- I'm not even that good yet -- but because it's so challenging. I crave to be excellent in this field so badly that I've given myself no choice but to push forward. It's a career that's ever-changing and seemingly unlimited in who you work with/for. I want that. I don't want to be stuck doing the same thing every day of my life; I want challenge and I want to be constantly questioning myself.

In 2015, I hope to learn more about myself, to learn more about graphic design, and to learn more patience all by focusing on this main goal of mine. I'm buzzing with excitement.

What will be your focus in 2015?

 

photo by Dominik Martin via Unsplash.

Books in Review // 2

 

Wow. Have I read a lot during this blogging break of mine. Here are some recent books I've read (there are still more, but I'll hold off for another time). I hope this inspires any of you that made a New Year's Resolution to read more!

The Help.I saw this movie when it came out and then several times afterward because I loved it so much. I was at the bookstore with my mom and saw the book, picked it up, and brought it to the cafe table to look at it. My mom then snuck it out from under me, bought it for me, and I finished it in three days. This may not seem that impressive to most people who can finish books really fast, but I take my time reading books for reasons. First, because I like to really let the information and words sink into my brain. Secondly, and probably more importantly, because I am a very busy person just like everyone else. I made time for this book though. I spent an entire Sunday reading it while taking breaks to make food and go for walks. It was a beautiful thing. Needless to say, I adored this book. The movie did a wonderful job at adapting it, but the book was still much better. The women in the novel were strong and made me think about the things that I really believe in. I found myself laughing and crying on the same page in such a wonderful and beautiful way.

Yes Please. I have been patiently awaiting Amy Poehler's book for months now and am so glad that I was finally able to read it. Again, I zoomed through the book within a few days. I adored Amy beforehand for her work SNL and Parks and Recreation and from the countless inspiring things I've heard her say in interviews. Her book solidified my love for her. She is such a honest and hilarious writer. I didn't feel like she held anything back and that she was putting her true self forward without giving away too much of her personal life. The words she wrote encouraged me to not let myself rot doing something that I don't love. To take chances and to fail and get up and do it again no matter what the cost. Amy Poehler is amazing.

I Feel Bad About my Neck. Nora Ephron is hilarious. Even though I'm pretty sure this book is aimed more toward women over 50, I still loved it. She has a wonderful voice. This was my first Ephron book that I've read, but I'm looking forward to reading a few more.

Silver Linings Playbook. This is actually a re-read. I read this only about a year and a half ago. It was wonderful then and it was just as fantastic now. If you watched the movie and didn't read the book, I highly suggest you pick this up. But first forget everything you remember of the movie because the book is nothing like it, which is to say that it was actually good. Yep, I said it. I may have been biased when I watched the movie, but that film was terrible if you ask me. The book is infinitely better in character development, storyline, and all-around feeling. 

The Giver. Also another re-read, but this one I haven't read since 7th grade. Still awesome and thought-provoking. I finished it in one day, which is to say that it is a very quick read for adults with a few hours on their hands. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I hear it was actually pretty good. We'll see...

Gone Girl. I don't care how many people love this book and/or this movie. I can honestly say that this was the worst book I've possibly ever tried reading. Which is saying a lot because I read all of the Twilight series when I was young and curious as to what the buzz was about. I couldn't stand any of the characters, the writing was atrocious, and the story line was utterly predictable. All around a disappointment. Sorry, not sorry, to anyone that I am offending.

A Happy New Year!

photo by Caroline Gutman via Unsplash.

Happy New Year everyone! I'm finally coming back for good to this space. Before getting back to my regular posts, I thought I'd share a little bit with you about what's been going on in my life because I know that most of you have probably experienced similar feelings and trials.

First things first, I struggle a lot with anxiety. I've suffered from it at times and other times it is like a fleeting friend. I think that's what started the roller coaster ride of sorts. I wrote a little bit about it back in October when I was struggling with flying and I had to wrestle with my feelings month before that and during that time. After coming home from California, I felt empty. I didn't realize how much time and energy had been feeding into my anxiety and when it was over I was lost. Which is a strange feeling to have when you are expecting relief.

I'm not really sure what exactly triggered everything after that except that I know I found myself confused and not knowing where I was heading with my life. I know most people my age or younger or even older struggle with these feelings at least once in their lives, but it was such an odd feeling for me to have because I've always known what I wanted. I've always been so sure of myself and have had my feet planted on the ground. But I felt as though I was still flying through the air, but this time I had no idea when or where I would be landing.

Those feelings of confusion really rattled me and I found myself becoming depressed for a couple months. Previously being a person that rarely cries, I started crying over silly emotions on a daily basis. Luckily for me, I have a wonderful group of people surrounding me that love me to no end. David blossomed into an even better man and stuck by my side and was constantly trying to cheer me up. He's fantastic and without him or my mother, I'm not sure I would have come back to myself so quickly.

I made a decision to pursue things in my career life that I wanted to pursue for the sake of benefiting myself instead of gaining money. I chose to leave my current, cushioned job and follow a different path that made me happy. I wanted to be excited about going to work and to learn something from my job instead of sitting at a desk day after day getting paid to be sad. This is my last week at my current job and I am a little nervous going forward, but mostly excited at the challenges and work that I have ahead of me.

I'm still unsure of what this blog will become. I want to do good with my voice and to exeed my own expectations of myself. I'm very grateful for the readers I've gained, the kind and wonderful words that you've given me, and for where this blog has led me in the past. I look forward to this challenge and I cannot wait to see where I go with it.

It is a very happy new year indeed.

Welcome Home, Taylor

*photo by Samuel Zeller via Unsplash

It's been a while since I've posted, which may seem odd to you if you're a regular reader and know that I typically post 3-4 times a week. The past month has been days of constant struggle. No, not with any outside force, but with myself. I never realized how hard it would be for me to become an adult, but it is. I've been asking myself so many questions regarding what do I want to do with my life, and where will I be in a year? In five years? This blog comes into play because I need to ask myself what it's doing for me. Is it helping me to succeed in the life I want to live? Has it been bringing me joy or taking it away?

To answer those questions, I needed to take a step back. My main question was, if this is for pleasure, am I pleased with it? That's been such a hard question for me to answer because although, yes, I do love the act of scheduling and creating posts, right now I'm craving something with more meaning. Right now, the internet is filled with recipe after recipe and diy after diy and I feel like a tiny minnow in a huge ocean of resources and my voice doesn't matter because everyone else is saying the same thing. But I know that I have something special to offer and I want to share that with others. I'm still working on figuring out what that is and I'm unsure of what that will mean for this blog. I do want to keep this as my space and to share with my readers some wonderful things.

I want to say a special thank you to all my wonderful readers that contacted me during to quiet time to make sure that I am okay. The short answer is: yes, I'm doing great. Thank you so very much for your love and concern, it means the world to me.

In the meantime, here are a few questions for you to answer in the comments below:

what are some things that you love about this blog? Is it the content, the voice, or something else?

what are some things that you find to be most important to you in life?

what are some things that you would love to see in this space?

Netflix Favorites (Movies: Dramas)

Pulp Fiction: I have yet to see a Tarantino film that I don't adore. It seems a little weird to be saying the word adore when in reference to such blood-filled films. Pulp Fiction is great for it's multiple story lines that intertwine. I'm very happy that it's on Netflix.

King's Speech: I'm a sucker for a good movie that is based off a true story. The actors are phenominal and the story line is fantastic. I even teared up a bit, which is saying a lot because I'm not much of a crier (not that there is anything wrong with it if you are). I'm looking forward to watching it again sometime soon since it's been a while since I've seen it.

Rain Man: Who doesn't love the movie Rain Man? You'd have to be crazy not to. Dustin Hoffman...I love the man and this role of his makes me love him even more. He is such a fantastic actor and that's all I need to say about that.

Blue Valentine: Ryan Gosling did such a fantastic job in this character. I will warn you: this movie is pretty sad, but still wonderful in the truth of relationships and how resentment and guilt can keep you from love at times. Again, a beautiful story and I'm glad it's on Netflix.

Romeo + Juliet: I haven't seen this film in a couple years, but I remember that it is wonderful. I love the modern interpretation of the Shakespear play. And Leo? That adorable baby face of his, it's great.

White Cheddar Mac n' Cheese

Mmmm. Mac n' cheese is such a good comfort food, espcially in the winter. I just want to curl up with a warm bowl of this stuff and snuggle in a blankie. I can't stand that blue box of mac n' cheese cause it tastes like plastic. I do however, completely love this stuff! The sharp white cheddar is so delicious and grown-up tasting. I put a teeny bit of sugar in it for a touch of sweetness and to offset the sharp taste of the cheddar a little. I just can't wait to have a big ol' bowl of this again soon!

to make mac n' cheese:
adapted from Shugary Sweets

1 pound short pasta (any short pasta such as elbows, shells, rotini, etc.)
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar

Cook the pasta according to the package's directions. Drain and set aside.

In a large pot on medium-high heat, melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk until combined. Let cook for a minute or two. Turn the heat down to medium and add the milk, cream, salt, pepper, mustard, and sugar. Keep whisking until it starts bubbling, about 5 or so minutes. Bring the heat down to low and stir in the cheese until it's melted.

Add the pasta and toss until completely coated. Enjoy it while it's hot!