LIFE CHANGES | #IMDOINGTHISAGAIN

As you may have read, I’m at it again. Yes folks, I’m on the healthy eating train again. Ironically enough, I’m also physically on a train at the current moment while I type this. Why was that important to include? I don’t know, I just felt it to be. Also, peep the motivational "skinny pics" above.

Anyway! I thought it important to talk about a couple of things OTHER THAN MY WEIGHT that I hope improve over the course of this journey. It’s been three days of under 1200 calorie intake and I know that some may say it’s not healthy to eat under 1500/day, but this has worked for me in the past and I know it to be a method that just works with my body. (So boo hoo to all the nay sayers - did I spell that right?)

IM DOING THIS AGAIN... | #IMDOINGTHISAGAIN

Welp, I’m doing it again. I approach it this way because I’ve done it so many times before. One of these times being extremely successful, more than the others. The other times? Not successful at all. I began once with a friend as a challenge and that’s where I got the most inspiration. I looked at it as a do or die situation because I held myself accountable against someone else.

I ended up being so happy with the results and looked at the process I created for myself as a scalable one. I of course am talking about losing weight. The weight began what seemed to “melt off” and I couldn’t believe it. I was shocked with the results and couldn’t believe I had created this beautiful process that I must admit, never became EASIER, for myself.

I went through so many phases during this weight loss process about five years ago (wow). I was scared, in denial, emotional, excited, hungry, thrilled, I could go on and on. For a while I honestly didn’t know if I was going to be able to make it through but for some reason, it clicked that time. I bought into the mantra of “When the pain of staying the same hurts more than the change” because it really spoke to me so much.

For now, on leg one of this journey again, let’s talk about some things that I know I’m good at. Because lets be honest, maybe what we need is a little more encouragement from ourselves to start. Maybe that’s what we’re all missing. Imagine if it were that easy? >>

SUN OF A GUN | TRUE CRIME PICKS

Al Capone's Beer Wars, John J. Binder

If you don't already know, I am 100% obsessed with true crime. If you follow me on Goodreads, you would probably be able to pick that up between some of the books I've read, and lots of the ones on my TBR pile. Getting specific, I have this deeper obsession with The Mob and all of the stories associated with it. I read about New York and New Jersey the most, but I've recently picked up some books about Vegas, Chicago and more and I cannot wait to hear stories about different locations as well.

For now, I wanted to share with you some of the upcoming True Crime books I am most looking forward to reading. Being the book obsessed person that I am, you can tell that some of the books pictured have specials deals. Because, you know, if you buy as many books as I do, you have to buy some of them on sale/on sites that give you them for discounts. Let's be honest with ourselves, more books inherently= more happiness. So however we can make that happen, we make that happen.

EATALY & ME | CHARCUTERIE, WINE

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that one of my most frequented places in the city is Flatiron. Mostly because that's where my office is, but also because I do love it! Most of our lunch outings are here, a lot of the cute little shops we love are here and just generally, I love this area.

There are some decent spots to eat around here, but the most touristy spot in what seems like ALL of NYC (food wise) is Eataly and it is located right here in Flatiron. I couldn't be happier about this because to be honest, I love it so much and for so many reasons.

BOOGIE BOOTS ON | COUNTRY I LOVE

So if you know me at all (when am I going to stop beginning my blog posts like this?), you’ll know that I have an undying obsession with country music. To be honest, compared to most country fans, it is a fairly new obsession. I haven’t always been as into the genre as I am now, but I can’t imagine not having country music in my life.

As sick and as corny as this all sounds, it’s incredibly true for so many reasons. Something to know about me is that I am really not an emotional person. For some reason, country music has been one of those things that has gotten me to be a little more emotional. If you listen to the words of these songs, you will quickly realize that they are so incredibly filled with meaning and not just sung for shits and gigs. Yes, some of the music can be pretty sappy, corny and over the top, but what genre/song isn’t sometimes, right?

There’s just something about the hometown, chilled out feel of pretty melodies that make you feel at ease. Driving around town with windows down and country albums blasting is a feeling you can’t quite explain. I feel like I’m in somewhat of a minority of loving country music when I’m in the city, as there aren’t really man fans, but for some reason it makes me feel that much better about it.

That being said! I wanted to share some of my recent favorite songs/albums/artists with you. As explained, I’ve become a huge, extremely dedicated fan of country only about five years or so ago, but that doesn’t really mean anything when it comes to country. I still love it the same.