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Here I am to report back good news on the goal front! Since July 1st I have been working slowly but surely on two simultaneous goals on my 40 by 20 list, one to lose twenty pounds (#11) and one to go one month without consuming a delicious carb laden fry (#8). Fries were one of the hardest things to give up for me. They could easily be considered one of my favorite foods of all time.

That's why I knew eliminating them would be a challenge, but a good/healthy challenge to take on. I am proud to say that it's been one month and I have been totally fry free. I may have smelled the fries and yes, there was that one time I licked one and then threw it away, but overall I feel pretty accomplished. Cutting out fries has greatly aided the healthier eating habits I've been attempting to incorporate in to my diet over this past month as well.

For now, I'm going to for-go fries until I reach my goal weight or lower (which could be months or maybe even a year) and then slowly incorporate small/manageable portions in every once and awhile as I attempt to maintain. I'm very dedicated so far. Somehow without fries I feel a little freer, but I will never say that it isn't a challenge to cut-out your favorite food item.

Check out my 40 by 20 list here!

Have you ever attempted to cut back on a certain food item or drink?

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You know Saturday when I posted about this peaceful, blissful and even busy morning I had in store for myself? Not only was I hoping to catch up on some 'me' time, but I was hoping to take pictures of this little date I had in my mind for myself...treating myself to all the things I love (for #20 on the list).

Well, about that....things certainly did not go as planned.


The morning started out relatively promising. I got up early, made myself presentable to the general public, and packed up everything I would need for a morning on the town with just good ole me (phone, keys, wallet, moolah, and book). I walked outside and it wasn't a million degrees, as per the usual. Instead it was cloudy and humid. My hair was starting to frizz and I could hear the low rumbles of thunder as a huge dark cloud beginning to move overhead.

JUST GREAT. It literally does not rain for a month and the one day I want to get out and do things, it wants to rain on me? Typical. 



I was hopeful though. I got in the car and started off to breakfast at a little diner in town. When I got there, it still had not rained. Whew. I went in to the diner only to be met by a huge pack of people. Every table seemed full, swarmed with food and loud children. There were families, couples, and waitresses moving every which way at rapid speed. What had I gotten myself in to? After politely scanning the room for a single or two person seat, the only option left available to me was a four person table smack dab in the front of the restaurant near the door.


I wasn't too keen on it, but I was going to have a lovely breakfast, start my book, and enjoy this whole experience damn it. This was ME time and I was going to enjoy it front and center apparently. I sat down and a waitress kindly got my order. I snapped a photo or two. Then as I began to wait, because goodness knows it was going to be awhile, I started my newest book The Night Circus. 


In the midst of reading more and more people kept showing up, at a loss for where to sit. Not only did I feel guilty for hoarding a table for four right in front of these people with nowhere to sit, but I could feel their eyes on me, their judgmental glares. I tried to keep my nose buried in my book, but still I felt their brief unsatisfactory stares. Let me tell you people, it feels so much more publicly unacceptable to eat breakfast alone now that I'm not at college (where every other person is by themselves and no one cares if you're eating alone) and am surrounded by families. I saw people stare at me as I sat down upon arriving and even the waitress implied with such her tone, "Oh,  just you?" that I was a little out-of-place.


Just as my plate of food arrived, the manager walked up to me in a frenzy, the place more than just overcrowded, "Young lady, do you mind if we have some people join you?" "Uhhh...sure. I don't mind," I returned. Really, I wasn't overly excited about having strangers sit with me, but it wasn't the end of the world. I was hogging an entire table. It ended up being two nice older ladies who were extremely pleasant. They were quick to ask me if I was from the area and all about my college/major. The only downside to their company was that I couldn't snap any pictures without seeming strange and I couldn't read any more of my book (I was trying so hard to be as polite and as non-awkward as possible). They were the chatty type, so I didn't want to have to explain about my blog or about how I was on a date by myself. Oh goodness no. 



By the time I left it had started to rain, putting a damper on my outdoorsy plans. The park was out and the Farmer's Market too. So, I called it quits and headed back home. I may not have accomplished what I set out to do, but I'm hoping to try again really soon! Here's to things never working out as planned. Hoorah. 

Oh...and by that afternoon the rain stopped and it was 100 degrees again with more intolerable humidity than you would believe (thanks rain). The End.


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Last Saturday I managed to mark off another one of my 40 before 20 goals! In my college town, the Farmer's Market is a big deal. It's bustling every Saturday in the town square and is a lot of fun. Since I'm home for the summer, I decided to check out our local Farmer's Market scene. Though it's much smaller/quieter, it was nonetheless charming! The people selling were so incredibly nice and the day was just perfect out.

One of my good guy friend's family owns a local farm/orchard. He works for his family during the week and sells at the market on Saturday. The experience was improved ten fold because we all got to spend a little time with him, joking around and sampling some delicious fruit. Growing up, it's a lot harder to see friends as frequently. It's one of the downsides of growing up. We all have jobs and other interests. Ah.

 Also, may I mention that the fruit buying experience is improved ten fold whenever the seller allows lots of sampling and back stories about every item on the table? I bought blueberries, blackberries, and some really juicy peaches for less than $15! I've been snacking on my goods all week and am so excited to make going to the Farmer's Market and supporting my local economy a habit. I enjoy getting some healthy snacks and the awesome atmosphere. Hooray to another item off my list!

So, do you/have you ever been to the Farmer's Market? I'd love to hear all about it!

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Boredom plagued me and I wanted to do an easy DIY that would take me under 15 minutes to complete. So I redecorated my plain black pencil holder. I jazzed it up with some glitter and paint. It looks a little rough (I know), but it was in the process of drying when I snapped this. It needs a few more coats of paint and a touch up here and there on the glitter, but overall it was a fast and simple way to make something old new again.The possibilities are really endless with this type of project!

What I used:
1. Masking tape
2. Silver glitter
3. Mod podge
4. Acrylic paint
5. Paint brush

Happy days! I definitely want to try this again, but with more of a game plan and a bit more precision next time! I know I can do better and with these holders being ultra cheap, my mind is whirring with fun ideas!

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1. Document my first year of college in a tangible way (Here)
2. Unplug from technology for a solid 24 hours (phone, computer, tv mainly)
3. Make 5 recipes from Pinterest (4/5) - Buffalo Ranch Pasta, Cinnamon Roll Cookies, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, Stuffed Chicken 
4. Save up for 5 things I want (3/5) - arrow bracelet, flask for Maggie, 'Hello' sweatshirt
5. Sell at least one piece of artwork (Here)
6. Type up my best poetry
7. Take a road trip
8. Go without French Fries for one month (Here)
9. Meal plan for 1 week 
10. Get a summer job
11. Lose twenty pounds (10/20)
12. Complete 5 DIY projects (2/5) (one) (two)
13. Leave a note for a stranger
14. Stay at a bed and breakfast
15. Maintain a 3.0 (Here)
16. Sign a lease for my first apartment (Here)
17. Work more with linocut/printmaking
18. Make my own charcoal
19. Drastically change my hairstyle (Here)
20. Go on a date by myself (almost)
21. Start an online shop
22. Get a professional manicure (Here)
23. Take photos sans make-up
24. Design a logo for myself or have a logo designed for me
25. Get business cards designed and printed
26. Watch an old movie I've never seen before (Here)
27. Make a mini book or mixed paper book
28. Play paint twister
29. Take photos with a beau
30. Break a habit
31. Do something selfless (Here)
32. Make more videos
33. Start a series of some sort (Here)
34. Send five letters to people I love
35. Interview some of my favorite bloggers for a series
36. Volunteer somewhere 
37. Go to the Farmer's Market (Here)
38. Incorporate Yoga + Meditation into weekly schedule
39. Fill up an entire sketchbook
40. Read ten new books (8/10) - The Unabridged Journal of Syvlia Plath, Gone Girl, The Bell Jar, The Night Circus, Where Things Come Back, Crooked Letter Crooked Letter, Girls in White Dresses, & Catcher in the Rye