New Year's Resolutions

It's the last day of 2015 with only hours left until the New Year!
Who is excited and ready?! :)

I decided to post my New Year's resolutions in the hopes that putting them out there for the whole world to see will keep me accountable and make me (hopefully) achieve my goals.
6 resolutions for the year 2016: here we go..

1. Post more on Instagram and make a cohesive feed.
My personal Instagram has been seriously lacking in creativity and photos, so with the dawning of a new year, I thought I'd try to fix that. New photos. New inspiration. New lenses also help ;)

2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This year, I'm going to eat better, and exercise more.
In years past, I have kept a food diary, so I'm hoping to continue that as well as find an exercise routine I enjoy. Last summer, I fell in love with yoga, but still haven't quite found out how I'm going to fit it into my crazy college schedule. In 2016, I'm going to make more of an effort to do so. Even if I resort to YouTube videos, it's better than nothing :)

3. Less screen time
This sounds so weird to say in this day and age, but I would really like to limit my time on my laptop and not feel like I have to constantly check my phone. When I'm bored, I randomly browse the Internet, watch Netflix, or take quizzes on BuzzFeed. There's so much more to do in this world, why spend so much of life behind a screen?

4. Improve academically.
The semester that just ended is my highest GPA to date. I'm super proud of myself, and can honestly say that I've put more of an effort into my classes ever since I switched majors. I'm hoping to continue this next semester. I am forever grateful that I found a field of study I enjoy at the time I did.

5. Do more of what I love.
Blogging/painting/reading/crafting/adventuring
:)

6. Love.
I'm a representative for a company called So Worth Loving. They have had such a big impact on my life. Their words of affirmation and love have made me want to improve myself in so many ways. I'd love to come up with bigger events for my campus next semester and continue to share love with anyone and everyone :)

I hope that by reading these resolutions it has inspired you to come up with a few of your own.

A huge thank you to those who read this tiny blog. I'd love for it to grow and improve over time, but college still comes first. I do know I want to keep this blog updated in the future. Thank you for taking time to read the ramblings of whatever's going on in my life :)

Have a safe and happy New Year!
Here's to 2016 :)

Baking Blitz

Merry Christmas Adam (aka day before Christmas Eve) ;)

Good luck in last minute shopping, baking, cleaning the house, etc. :)

I'm baking a number of other sweet treats this year, but I really wanted to post this. I wrote this post last year (I know, I know), but I completely forgot to click publish! Haha. Anyway, I thought why not? This post includes a few recipes that you might find interesting, and hopefully helpful if you're a procrastinator like myself :)

The holiday season is the time to bake!

Christmas cookies are always a welcome gift, and it is just another reminder of how sweet this season truly is..

I love baking! Whether it's gingerbread, sugar, or the classic chocolate chip cookie, they're all wonderful! The house smells great afterwards, and the process of baking is {ironically} a stress reliever for me!

I made chocolate chip cookies for my sister to take to school for friends and teacher gifts!
I used this recipe and I think they turned out quite nicely!

Popcorn Balls are always a treat I've wanted to make, but never had the time or ingredients on hand to do so! I bought all the necessary items at the grocery store, so here's my first attempt at this particular salty/sweet dessert..

Recipe here!

Sugar cookies are a staple at my house..so of course I had to include them in this list.

I used this recipe. I also LOVE Pillsbury sugar cookies (especially the holiday themed ones)!

I was literally skipping down the aisle after I spotted the Pillsbury Dough Boy on one of the cookies' packages. I know I'm weird.. 

Also, if you need a quick gift idea, a jar of Cookie Butter from Trader Joe's would be absolutely perfect! I've bought Original before, but I decided to try the Cookie & Cocoa flavor, and it is my new favorite!

Try one of the recipes I included above or choose one from this list (sweets you can make with 4 ingredients or less!) or this one (various takes on the classic Christmas cookie!).

Happy baking! :)

Christmas Cookie Linkup

Mondays are 100x better when there are cookies involved! :)

Today, I'm participating in the Christmas Cookie Linkup that Katie and Juliana Grace are hosting.

Thank you both for inviting me to participate! :)

I stumbled across this (new to me) recipe and I think the cookies turned out really well for my first time baking them.

Marble Sugar Cookies (recipe here!)

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Best Sugar Cookie dough (recipe below)

Cookie Cutters

Food Coloring

INSTRUCTIONS

Make a batch of The Best Sugar Cookie dough.

Divide the dough into 3 equal parts.

Add a few drops of red food coloring to one portion of dough.

Add green food coloring to another section.

Roll the dough together.

Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.

Bake as normal.

*****

The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (recipe here!)

INGREDIENTS

2 cups (or 4 sticks) Sweet Cream Salted Butter (softened)*

2 cups Sugar

2 Eggs

2 tbsp. Vanilla

4 tsp. Baking Powder

6 cups Flour

*I used Earth Balance, because I'm lactose intolerant. This made the cookies very buttery :)

INSTRUCTIONS

Cream butter and sugar in a mixer until well mixed.

Add vanilla and eggs, mix well.

Add baking powder, mix well.

Incorporate flour two cups at a time until well blended.

Do not chill cookie dough, roll out with rolling pin and use cookie cutters to create desired shape.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 6-8 minutes depending on cookie size. Bake only until the bottoms of the cookies get a golden brown.

Search the hashtag #bloggersbakechristmascookies to see what everyone else in the linkup made! :)

These containers are from Wal-Mart, and are only $1 each!

We wrapped 4-5 cookies for each tin, and gave them to our friends as Christmas presents.

There's nothing better to give (or receive) than baked treats :)

Merry Monday :)

Friday Favorites

Hi! I'm back after a crazy, exhausting, tiring, and super long week. I'm back to blogging, and I'm super excited about it! Christmas (!!!) is my favorite time of year, so I'm going to talk about (and celebrate) it as much as I can! :)

Acoustic Version of 'Wildest Dreams'
Bei Bei's Media Debut

Christmas Traditions
CMA Christmas -- Lindsey Stirling
Dad Turns Son Into Elf On Shelf
#Elfed
Fuller House
Gifting Gift Cards
Gingerbread Cake
Harry Potter Locations Illustrations
Jordan Smith Won 'The Voice'
'Mary, Did You Know?' Acapella Cover
Photographer's Unique Way Of Taking Photos
'Star Wars' Tribute
Study Pizza At Uni
'The Great Holiday Baking Show'
19 Christmas Treats
16 Best Places To Go In 2016

Merry (early) Christmas! <3

P.S. I'm participating in a Linkup on Monday!
Each blogger will bake and share their favorite holiday cookie recipe :)

Winter Break Bucket List

YAY, I'm (finally!) on Christmas break, and have been for the past three days, but I've been too tired to post or do anything except sleep and watch movies all day..#oops.

Anyway, I can't believe that sophomore year is already halfway over! It's crazy to believe how far I've come in a year..recently, I've been thinking back on memories from last year, and am happy to say I love the place I'm in now. I switched to a major that will eventually lead to a career field and job that I'm excited for. I have real and genuine friendships that mean the world to me, and I can truly say that a family's love is the best there is. I'm so very grateful for the laughter, grace and peace that fills my life.
*

I wrote down a few goals for my Christmas break, since I want to make it as productive as possible (including Netflix, yes I said it!). This list includes movies/tv shows, but it's not limited to only watching a screen :) When I go back to school, I want to be proud of what I've accomplished while I was "on vacation" :)

Donate hair to Locks of Love.

Exercise/yoga at least 5 times a week.

Make 5 foods (desserts/main dishes)

Paint 5 pieces.

Publish 5+ blog posts.

Read 5 books.

Try 5 new places (eat, see, do)

Watch 5 movies/TV shows

Have an awesome Thursday + check back tomorrow for Friday Favorites :)

Friday Favorites

Hi, everyone!
Can you believe it's December?!
So crazy! This semester has flown by!
I love/hate it :)
I almost forgot to write this week's Friday Favorites..I thought of it last night! So sorry, but at least I posted one this week :)
I apologize for being so MIA lately..I was sick the day after my last Friday Favorites went up, and then over the Thanksgiving holidays, I got a little bit better, but didn't feel like putting together a FF (which is a first!) because I felt like I didn't find any good links :(
Again, I hope this week's post is okay..I haven't spent too much time on the Internet, scratch that, I haven't spent much time on the Internet doing COOL stuff like BuzzFeed and/or finding cool articles for you guys! Instead, I've been researching mass extinction, writing about ethical and moral principles, and working accounting problems..so fun, right? NOT haha :)
Finals start NEXT week, and on top of those, I also have papers and presentations due!
So, as always (or as I should have done in the past) school comes first :)
But..that doesn't mean I'm not enjoying every single day of the holiday season! I brought back my mini Christmas tree and it's (literally) brightening up my dorm room. While I write this, I'm currently eating a peppermint stick, Spotify is nonstop Christmas music, and when I'm done with school and (finally!) start winter break, I will write some holiday-themed posts for ya :)
I'm still celebrating, even if it's in small ways :)

Amy Poehler Now Has A Star On Hollywood's Walk Of Fame: YOU GO GIRL
Bess Talks About How Much She's Changed In 1 Year: Proud of her!
Daniel Radcliffe's Audition Tape For Harry Potter: Precious.
December Style Guide -- Ireland: GORGEOUS
Disney Proposal: Awh!
DIY Christmas Treats: Making some or all this year :)
Downton Abbey -- First Look At Christmas Special: -CRYING-
Gracie's Holiday Spirit: When I grow up, I want to be just like you! Your enthusiasm for life is like no other.
JIM, GUYS! I Just Want A Jim: <3
Julia's Navy Lace Dress: So pretty!
Mall Santa Goes Extra Mile: Awesome :)
Mark + Priscilla Zuckerberg's Letter To Their New Daughter, Max: Must-read.
Rockefeller Christmas Tree Through The Years: I actually watched it this year :)
Royals Go Rock Climbing: #goals
Tina Fey + Amy Poehler Compliment Each Other: Long lost sisters. Get it?
THE Holiday Ad: Just watch it.
THIS dress: I need it.
Unique Wrapping Paper Ideas: I'll definitely be using some of these!
Why 'Elf' Is The Best Christmas Movie: I quote this movie way too much..

*Random: I'm not really sure why Jewish/Hannukkah parodies are so popular right now..I've seen about 5 in the past week! Anyway, I like them! They're really catchy :) It also made me really interested in their traditions! I'm going to research them later :)

Hope you have an awesome first weekend of December!
Go ice-skate or drink hot cocoa with all the marshmallows your cup can hold :) Buy a Christmas tree and decorate it! Be grateful and enjoy every single moment you are able to spend with your loved ones.
Sending love <3