I've never really gotten the fuss over valentines day but at the same time that could be because i've never had a real valentines day date. At the same time though I don't really mind not having a boyfriend or someone special to take me out on a romantic date. Yes, that would be wonderful if I did but at the same time it's just as fun to spend the night in watching movies and sipping wine with the girlfriends.
I sit in my kitchen now with a huge glass of wine and some coconut chicken feeling completely content with my plans for the night. A few more glasses of wine and a few laughs throughout the night is how I anticipate the rest of my evening to go.
In my eyes, I say raise your glass and make a toast to yourself and all the other single girls who are happily unarmed. You have no commitment to anyone, you can do whatever you want with whoever you want (although I don't suggest turning into this type of girl every weekend), and the best part of all is that at this point in your life, where ever that may be, it is okay to be single. Even though there are times that I wish I was in a relationship I also realize that I really only want someone to cuddle with on lazy sundays. I have no desire to be emotionally attached to someone right now in my life and I'm completely okay with that. I know that there will be time when the right guy comes into my life and right now just isn't that time.
So, to all my single ladies I would like to raise a toast to you because if it weren't for you I wouldn't be having a fun gf filled valentines night.
xo,
Hannah
I'm trying this new thing where I try and get my point across in fewer words. So a few weeks ago I went out to lunch with my dad at this amazing Turkish cafe right in town called Cafe Mangal. It's just this little shop with maybe 10 tables squished together. I used to go here all the time with my mom and order a croissant every time when I was younger. I occasionally go with my dad but not nearly as frequently as it is fairly expensive.
Anyway when I went with my dad this time the salads just looked so delicious that I had to take a picture and share them with you all.
Oh and here's another new thing, a takeaway...sometimes a delicious meal with good company is all that's needed to round out a good day.
xo,
Hannah
With all these long weekends and start of second semester in school, I've decided to get a lil crafty. I always get excited to do a little DIY but somehow never actually follow through. This time I managed to create something rather than gather a bunch of materials that end up just sitting in my room.
Now, this may look like a simple task but the cutting of cd's and gluing is very very tedious. Who knew cd's were so hard and messy to cut. Below are a few directions for how to do this great DIY.
Materials:
•3-4 CD's
•wood/plastic adhesive
•base for the CD's
•wire cutters
Directions:
•cut CD's in various shapes and sizes
•separate the clear part of the CD from the colored part (some CD's •will be easier than others)
•place a small amount of the adhesive on the cd
•adjust CD pieces to equally fit among the base
•TADA!! you're done!!
xo,
Hannah
Even though winter is my least favorite season of all time, I eventually gave in and went out on the pond. I sucked up the painful numbing feeling of skates and the cold air. After skating around a bit, I began to remember why I'm sometimes able to tolerate the winter weather.
Here are just a few pictures of some pond time over the last few days. Not to mention that if you get out just in time when the sun begins to set, you can capture some of the most breathtakingly awesome pictures.
xo,
Hannah
Today I feel that I can confidently say that I am happy with the way I look. I've struggled with being confident and happy with the way I look for many years now. I've never been overweight, just unhappy with my weight and my appearance. I feel like girls have so many issues with their appearance especially in the stomach area. For me, I've always been insecure with how I looked in anything formfitting that would bring attention to that area. I love the summer but always felt so uncomfortable in a bikini while all my fit friends rocked it.
Now fast forward almost a year later and a full summer of being the best me possible, I can proudly say that I am happy with how I look. I knew that the only way to actually change was to get off my lazy ass and do something about it. Now I know that looks aren't everything, but looking good makes you feel better and when you feel better about yourself you become a generally happy person. The wise words of Elle Woods that "endorphins make people happy" is completely true. Oddly, I sometimes get excited about going to the gym, as crazy as that sounds. I enjoy finishing a workout knowing that that hour I just spent at the gym rather than sitting on my couch just completely changed my mood.
I spent my summer living in gluten free/lactose free house which surprisingly wasn't that difficult. I learned to make delicious and easy food and could easily get my quick fix of "normal" food on my lunch break during work. To keep myself busy I decided to go to the gym practically everyday. That summer was when I decided that when I go home I need to keep up all the hard work that I've done.
With all of this being said, I am proud to know that all my hard work and grueling early morning work outs have paid off. I sit here on my computer writing this post eight pounds less than I did almost a year ago.
To all the girls out there who are uncomfortable with the way they look: rather than beating yourself up about it, take that anger and do something about it. Whether it be changing your diet or spending a few less hours on the couch, make a choice and stick with it because the results will be mind blowing. I spent years secretly feeling insecure. My hard work has silently paid off and it feels amazing when that silent hard work turns into success that makes everyone talk.
I end this with an ode to all the badass hard working girls who know how to work what they got and be happy with who they are. From them I've learned that with hard work and determination, the results that you want will soon follow.
xo,
Hannah
This Thanksgiving was one to remember and the start of a new tradition. As usual I went to the annual Thanksgiving football game against Needham which is the longest rivalry in the area... or something like that. I'm not a big football person especially since we're not known for our football team. I'm clearly not big into our team considering I still don't know if we won or not (guilty as charged). For the time that I was at the game, it was weird to see all the kids back from college all meeting up. It was also bittersweet to think that this would be my last thanksgiving before I would begin to travel home for the break.
After the game my parents and I scooted to the Cape for a small Thanksgiving feast. It's usually with the whole family but this year we all had different things going on so it was just 12 of us. It was nothing big as everyone was in bed and asleep by 9:30 (I think it was due to the fact that we all felt stuffed to death by the excess amount of 2 turkeys and my pumpkin whoopie pies). Luckily there were plenty of leftovers to bring back home for the start of a new tradition. Friends-giving.
It was such a great time filled with friends and food and a little champagne to kick it off right. Sadly, we were missing a few important people but it was still a successful way for all of us to get together and just have a laugh.
Now here comes the cheesy part. I am so thankful for all my amazing friends who I love so much. Though annoying at times they are all truly amazing people who I will miss so much when we soon all go off on a new journey.
I hope everyone and anyone who reads any of my posts had a great Thanksgiving with family and true friends.
xo,
Hannah
The cold is not my happy place at all but I've discovered some pretty amazing skin and hair essentials to make the winter a little more bearable.
These are my most cherished cold weather saviors. They range from homemade essentials to high end lifesavers. Each one leaves my hair and skin feeling and smelling amazing which is always a plus in my beauty essential book.
Origins Clear Improvements - This charcoal mask is the perfect skin pick-me-up. All you have to do is splash your face with warm water to open pores and apply a thin layer on to your face. Once it's washed off your skin will feel amazingly hydrated and your pores will look even better.
Soap & Glory Sugar Scrub - Again another Soap & Glory product that I swear by. Through all the weather changes that make your skin super dry, this is the best solution. It scrubs off all the dead skin while leaving it smell like vanilla and feeling super soft.
Sugar and Honey lip scrub - Scrubs are one of the most essential winter weather products. I think that it's pointless to spend money on a product that you can easily make in minutes with everyday kitchen ingredients. I made mine with 3 parts brown sugar and 1 part organic honey. The brown sugar scrubs the dead skin off your lips while the organic honey moisturizes and softens your lips. The best part is that it tastes amazing!
Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet - I bought this perfume in a beautiful Paris shopping mall and it is one of my most treasured products. I wasn't keen on the scent when I first bought it, but the more i've worn it the more i've begun to love the peony and rose smell.
Kate Walsh Boyfriend - This is my all time favorite perfume and unfortunately I can only find it on Kate Walsh's website. I has a beautifully musky scent that embodies "your boyfriends clothes" while still being a feminine scent.
Kiehl's Recovery Serum - This small bottle is filled with a serum that will magically soften your skin by morning. I put a small amount of this on twice a week before bed and by the time I wake up, my skin looks refreshed and awake.
Organix Argan Oil of Morocco - I've heard that some brands of moroccan oil are not the best for your hair but I beg to differ. This oil is amazing for adding the perfect amount of shine and softness to your hair. I heavily spray this on the ends of my hair after I take a shower and then let my hair air dry. I don't find this stripping of my hair but find it to nourish and leave my hair soft and smelling delicious.
xo,
Hannah
When Halloween came around this year it was kinda a big deal. A big enough deal where it was throughly argued over what my friends and I were going to be. It wasn't so much as for actual Halloween night but for the senior Halloween parade. It's just like how it sounds. Every year the senior class dresses up and parades around the school for about 20 mins and then goes to class. These 20 minutes are a big deal. Obviously I was going to come to school looking my best. The winner of the costume choice was tourists. The classic American kind that make you wanna raid your grandmothers closet looking for the ugliest pair of cropped khakis. If only I could've put in a request for some old grandma clothes. Instead I was left to open every drawer and dusty in my house looking for the tackiest articles of clothing I could find.
And as Halloween has now passed I will end this post with a nod of approval that it was a good Halloween weekend...even if nothing extraordinary happened. As you can see below we were definitely the best and in-character group 2015.
xo,
Hannah
xo,
Hannah
