I know that it is an awful habit that I should really try to kick one day, but I can not fall asleep unless the TV is on. But I have a few rules for my late night tv viewing. It can not be something that I am invested in, it can not be action packed, and contrary to what I used to do when I was younger it can not be a murder documentary.

I take relaxing very seriously, so I am always on the hunt for the perfect show. Here is a list of some of my favorite late night watches and where to stream them.

Home – Apple TV. This is my newest discovery and may just be my favorite. The cinematography is gorgeous as they take you to the most imaginative homes in the world. Watch the first episode about the Naturehouse and you will be in a state of deep relaxation.

The Great British Bake-off – Netflix. This is my favorite late night watch. It is a competition baking show without all the stress of competition. It is soothing to watch regular people bake in a beautiful outdoor setting. And Mary Berry is goals.

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee – Netflix. I love Jerry Seinfeld, and each episode features a different celebrity. Jerry picks them up in a car that he thinks fits their personality, and they go to a coffee shop or restaurant and chat over coffee. The chat is casual, and you feel like you are out with old friends.

Somebody Feed Phil – Netflix. Phil Rosenthal the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond takes you on a food tour around the world. Much like Jerrys show, you feel like you are listening to an old friend.

Travels with My Father – Netflix. Travel shows in general are always a good late night watch, but this one in particular I love. Comedian Jack Whitehall and his father go on a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and they have many adventures along the way. I love their dynamic in the show. It is very lighthearted and a perfect late night watch.

Ugly Delicious – Netflix. Another food show by Chef David Chang. Along with a ton of different Chefs, writers, and artists he visits culinary hot spots around the world. You never know where he will end up in each episode. I recommend starting with the pizza episode.

The Toys that Made Us/Movies That Made Us – Netflix. I love both of these series and could watch 100 more episodes. Creators of nostalgic toys and movies walk you through their creation and popularity throughout the years.

Rilakkuma and Kaoru – Netflix. I do not know how to describe this show and couldn’t really even tell you what it is about about. The only way that I could describe it is the TV Show version of Hygga.

The Office/Parks and Rec/Friends/How I Met Your Mother – Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max. These are my go to shows when I want to relax. I just started watching Parks and Rec this week so it is all new to me, but the others I have watched multiple times so they are the perfect shows to pop on and fall asleep to. Also, I can not wait for HBO Max at the end of the month so I can finally watch Friends again!

Universe (or any space related Show, Our Planet, Blue Planet (and any other nature doc) – Netflix. These are the perfect shows to watch when you don’t want to think about anything. My favorite are the deep sea episodes.

Bob Ross – Netflix. I mean, can I really create a list of shows without including Bob Ross? The king of soothing television.

I highly recommend scrolling through the Netflix original shows because there are a ton of food and travel shows that are not on this list that are worth checking out as well. If you have any favorites that are not on this list please share! I have watched most of these shows all the way through (some more than once) and am always looking for new ones to add.

I know we have all been doing a ton of cooking ever since quarantine began. We do order take out once or twice a week to support some of our favorite local businesses, but for the most part I am preparing three meals a day every day. One thing I have become a pro at? Poached eggs. To say I am obsessed is an understatement. So since most days I am making avocado toast with a poached egg on top for breakfast, I don’t really want a full lunch. So I snack.

Ask me what my favorite food is and I will immediately say artichokes. That has been my answer ever since I was a kid eating my Great Aunt Ettas stuffed artichokes (Or Anetta as I called her, and I have never had better stuffed artichokes since as hard as my family tries). Naturally artichoke dip is one of my favorite apps. So one day for lunch I decided to make an artichoke dip for one with ingredients I had in my fridge.

I mixed about a cup of cream cheese, three tablespoons of mayo, about half a cup of mozzarella cheese, chopped artichoke hearts, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small Pyrex bowl. Put it in a 350 degree oven and baked for about 15 minutes. I topped it with more mozzarella and baked for 5 more minutes until the cheese melted.

I paired the dip with some pretzel thins. This easy recipe totally hit the spot, and was easy to make with ingredients I already had on hand. I will definitely be making this again soon.

This past year after decades of stubbornness I finally caved and watched the first episode of Friends. Then, I quickly finished the entire series. The whole time I watched I couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort that only a nostalgia for the 90s could provide.

Every time I hear the words “your still in bed at ten and work began at eight” I smile. Why? Not just because I can relate to that sentiment on a personal level, but because I am about to settle in to another 30 minutes of comfort. The show really does a good job of connecting you to the six friends. Everyone can relate to at least one of the characters in some way. As for me, I am 100% a Monica. She can be a little controlling, neurotic, and has a bit of ocd. But she is also loving, caring, and the mom of the group. The one that holds the whole thing together. Her home is the centerpiece of the show. A home, that we are welcomed into with each episode.

Picture it: Its a Sunday afternoon and the weather is slightly overcast. You are on the couch in sweatpants and an oversized crew neck sweatshirt. You sip your coffee and turn on the television. It’s The One with the Football and the friends are gearing up to play for the Geller cup. You are immediately taken back in time and are enveloped in a sense of calmness.

From the colors that only a show filmed in the 90s could provide (like the show was filmed with the perfect fall filter) to the iconic fashion choices of Rachel, Monica, and Chandler the show perfectly encapsulates the feeling of the 90s. And as a kid of the 90s, that’s the kind of aesthetic that feels like home.

In a world where you can’t do much of anything but sit inside, everyone is searching for entertainment. Whether it’s tv shows, movies, podcasts, or audio books, everyone’s looking for recommendations. Here is a list of some of the things that have been getting me through quarantine.

TV SHOWS

FRIENDS – I could and will do a whole post dedicated to how much I love this show. I finally started it last year and I can not believe it look me so long. It was recently taken off Netflix but will be premiering on HBO Max at the end of May. You can also catch episodes everyday on TBS.

Gilmore Girls – Another show I never watched until this past week. And now that I’ve started it gives me all of the cozy fall vibes I’m looking for. Disclaimer: it makes me long for mornings in a cozy coffee shop, but for now homemade will have to do.

Will & Grace – Yet another show I never watched (are you sensing a theme?) but gives me all the 90s cozy vibes.

Currently on TV – Survivor, The Challenge, 90 Day Fiancé Before the 90 Days, Masked Singer, and The Voice are some of the shows that we are catching each week.

Honorable Mentions – Tiger King and Waco which are two series on Netflix that I highly recommend if you are looking for something you just can’t look away from. Also, Love Island UK which is all on Hulu. With almost 50 episodes a season you have plenty to binge.

MOVIES

A few of the movies that we have watched in Quarantine so far that I recommend are Peanut Butter Falcon ( the perfect feel good movie), Yesterday, Jumanji 2, and Blinded by The Light.

PODCASTS & AUDIO BOOKS

One of the podcasts that I have recently discovered and absolutely LOVE is the Be There in Five Podcast. They are long, nostalgic, and relatable. Perfect when you need a break from the tv. I also continue to love and listen to the Sunday Scaries Podcast which also has an aesthetic that I love.

As for audio books I am currently listening to Carrie Underwoods book Find Your Path, Cameron Diaz’s book The Body Book, and Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban.

Hope this gave you a little inspiration on what to watch in quarantine. The common themes are either coziness or pure entertainment and I think a balance of the two is exactly what you need during this time.

When people say that 2020 has been a lot so far, that’s an understatement. In my last post I spoke about what has been going on and my thoughts on it. The biggest takeaway from my ramblings is that I am using this time to really dissect what is most important to me in my life and focus my energies on that. For me that is my family, friends, boyfriend, and cat. It is about looking at the things that make you the happiest, make up who you are, and embracing that. People always say do what makes you happy, and you can bet I am not going to come out of this thing doing way more of that.

Some of you may know I started blogging in 2010, and the blog has phased through a lot of lives. I started off talking about my time as a Disney Cast Member, then transitioned into a food blog where I would review local restaurants. Then I moved into the lifestyle realm where I would spend my time writing about my life, but also about the topics I thought the people wanted to hear (what was popular on other lifestyle blogs at the time). To be honest, there was a lot of filler content. I felt like my blog needed to be full of curated content, when in reality the content that I enjoy most is the simple and relatable kind. The kind that when you read or listen, you nod your head along.

In a world of curation, I find that the happiest people embrace all parts of themselves. For me, that is the most “basic” of things – and I am proud of it! Why? Simply because it makes me happy. And happiness is all we should really be striving for.

So what are those things for me?

I have a passion for making any space feel like home. I have Spotify playlists dedicated to different moods and times of day. I am obsessed with the coziness that fall brings. I live for those sweet four months of pure happiness that September through December bring. Pumpkin spice lattes, cozy scarves, and apple picking might sound basic to you, but that feeling it brings gives me so much joy

I am never happier than when I am wrapped up in a cozy blanket on the couch watching a Harry Potter marathon with a cup of tea and my cat George and boyfriend Jeff beside me. I am obsessed with Friends, cheese boards, and seltzer. I could watch trashy reality TV all day long. I love planning get togethers and gatherings, whether it’s a holiday or a typical Sunday.

I love writing and transporting my readers to a peaceful and cozy place where for just a moment you can turn off your mind to the stresses of the world and relax.

I believe that the little things might not be the little things at all. Through creating a home and sharing it with family and friends, embracing the seasons, and putting a little extra effort into the “little things”, you live with intention. And I plan on doing just that.

Hello Friends, I am writing to you from Day 40 of Quarantine. What a crazy sentence to write. Does all of this even feel real yet? Who could have ever known we would see something like this in our lifetime? Most days just blur into the next, and I am doing my best to stay as positive as possible.

This is a very hard time for everyone no matter what the circumstances. And as tough as it is, this can also be a time for reflection. Without the distractions of the outside world (as long as you shut off the news for a while – do it, trust me) you can really evaluate what the important things are in your life and where you are headed. Take time to appreciate the things that you take for granted in your daily life.

I know it is hard to stay motivated during this time, and you know what? That is okay. Did I spend a week straight binge watching a full season of Love Island? Yes. And that is okay. I know that scrolling through social media you can feel like you are doing something wrong if you are not making banana bread or making tie dye sweat suits, but this is not a competition on who can be the most productive during quarantine. Most people are taking it day by day and THAT. IS. OKAY.

If you are beginning to get a little stir crazy being home all day long and feeling like this will never end, navigating your child through online learning, working from home, or laid off, just keep in mind – you are not stuck at home, you are safe at home.

And a huge thank you to our essential workers out there. My amazing boyfriend is one of them, and is out there everyday making sure you get your mail, packages, and medications during this very difficult time. So thank your mail carriers, because they are out there in this too and deserve your thoughts and prayers.

This will eventually pass. But in the meantime, it is important to stay as safe and healthy as possible. Follow all guidelines and keep your family safe. Do your part so that we come out of this stronger than before.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest times, when one only remembers to turn on the light” – Albus Dumbledore.

Stay safe & stay well.

 

Currently Drinking: Hot Coffee with Italian Sweet Cream

I thought it would be fun if every month I did a little catch up on anything exciting happening, updates, and favorites that I have come across the past couple of weeks. A little coffee date if you will.

As everyone knows January is the month of resolutions, goals, intentions, manifestations.. whatever you want to call it. I did a whole post on my overall 2020 goals, but my focuses for January consisted of: Get up 30 minutes earlier each day, some fort of movement daily, drink 64 ounces of water per day, no phone before or after 8AM/PM, and give my hair a break from hot tools. The biggest struggle was waking up 30 minutes earlier. The most successful was taking a break from hot tools. I did not pick up my straightener or curling iron once all month, and my hair is thanking me for it. This is something I will 100% continue in the month of February.

As for my main goal of overall healthy eating and living, I have been doing very well so far! We have been cooking meals at home much more often (other than the two pizza Friday’s we had because.. pizza.) I have been following the weight watchers program, and have lost a total of 12lbs so far. I am really happy with my progress.

Now let’s chat about some of my favorites this month shall we?

1- Comedians in Cars Having Coffee. This is the most relaxing show to watch before bed or on a Sunday afternoon.

2- Sleepytime Tea. This is nothing new, but I have been ending my day with a cup and I instantly feel relaxed.

3- Burts Bees Hand Salve. Like many people in the winter I get the driest skin on my hands. I put this on at night before bed, and it has really helped.

4- Billie Eilish. I have been listening to all of her music on repeat this month, and I am officially a big fan. So happy for her and her brother on all her awards this season.

5- Air Fryer. What did I do without this appliance in my life? I have used it every day since I got it and it has been instrumental in my healthy eating journey.

And there you have it, that is what’s been brewing this month.

Man, I love a good pun. 

xx Casey

 

Happy 2020 everyone! This new year feels a little different. Maybe it is because we have officially entered a new decade, or maybe it is because I am entering my 29th year, but this year I have a little extra motivation to set some really meaningful and realistic goals… and stick with them.

As most of you know I love any excuse to plan or make lists, so when New Year’s comes around and it is time to make goals for the new year I thrive. However, I know when I can admit to myself that when it comes to executing these personal goals I begin to fall off around the week two mark. Which is why I love the idea of us sharing our personal goals with each other to help hold each other accountable and succeed.

So I thought I would share with you my top goals for 2020. Now I am not going to get into huge detail about each goal, but here are my overall focuses for the new year:

1. Committing to a Healthy Lifestyle
2. Focus on Mental Health
3. Make a Conscious Effort to only use Organic and Cruelty Free Products (and be more educated about what is going in and on your body)
4. Set Financial Goals and stick to them
5. Start a Hobby

I also thought it would be fun to choose a word for 2020. One that when you think about it brings you back to what is important to you and your goals that you set for the year. This year my word is: Mindful.

It is so easy to get lost in the day to day motions that sometimes it is hard to enjoy the quiet moments of life. so this year I want to focus on mindfulness and awareness in all aspects of life. From mindful eating to mindful meditation, in 2020 I want to focus on doing things with intention.

It is day 12 into the new year and I have already made a conscious effort to work on these goals, one at a time. I will share with you my progress, as well as some tips and tricks that I learn along the way.

Here’s to a healthy and happy new year!

xx Casey