mindfulness Archives - Whitney Victoria

Another Beginning, 2023

Yes, another resolution post, like we haven’t all seen enough of them in the last week or so. I know, how cliché, but I love any opportunity to take a look at where I am, where I want to go, and develop a plan on how to get there. I want to share a few of my 2023 goals just for some inspiration because I know I love to hear what everyone is excited by lately even if I don’t want to achieve their same goals.

I like to pick at least one goal for several areas in my life instead of just getting stuck on one type that can seem overwhelming.

Fitness: Work up to running 6 miles/5 days a week. It’s been forever since I’ve had a true running plan and I miss the consistency and love how my mental toughness increases when I do a workout no matter my mood. Plus I am working on building muscle through strength training. It’s never been my favorite so I’m making it my mission to commit to it this year and find what I like most. I like pushing myself physically and it’s been awhile.
Health: Focus on small habits to up my wellness game. Specifically I want to have protein at each meal, pay more attention to eating intuitively, especially with portions/stopping when full, and delving into personal habits (why I do what I do). Researching wellness/health trends is one of my favorite things so I know what to do.
Finances: Create a new income stream. Ideally something I enjoy as a hobby that can be monetized.
Adventure: Travel at least once a month. I haven’t been on a plane since December 2019 and I’m going stir crazy, but road trips to little towns not too far away count as well. I want to explore more.
Food: Cook more actual recipes. I love to bake and watch cooking shows. I am the master at roasting vegetables and protein and making easy soups but when I follow recipes I’m amazed at how much better my food tastes. I also want to experiment with new techniques, ingredients, and trying classic recipes I’ve never made.
Bonus Challenge: Only buy clothes that are thrifted (thrift stores, Poshmark, etc.) as much as possible. This one is part eco, one part finances. It will obviously help me save money if I’m not buying new items but also make me get more creative in “shopping my closet” to create outfits. I’ve felt guilty for quite awhile with being such a consumer of new clothes when most of my favorites are from thrift stores anyway. Obviously I’ll allow myself to buy new undergarments (hah!) and if something is needed out of pure necessity.

Even though I love the goals I’ve chosen to work on I still give myself grace and not make them too absolute. If I slip up a day or even a week, it is my choice to get up again and restart. If I had said on January 1st “I will work out every day” for example, odds are I will screw it up and feel like a failure. However, I made my goal more about the overall process. I used to think the 80/20 rule with wellness was stupid because, what am I supposed to do? Be tracking my meals and calculating if I ate correctly exactly 80% of the time and splurged the other 20? That just never felt doable or sustainable. Lately though I’ve realized that the 80/20 concept is more like a figure of speech to not take literal. It is about sticking to your goals most of the time and allowing yourself that wiggle room for the more fun moments, the treats, and the mistakes. I think many people don’t set “resolutions” because they don’t want to be disappointed when they “fail.” In my opinion, if you are committed to a goal you truly desire you will be motivated to keep going. Make your goals personal. Don’t start January with a typical resolution that you hear everyone and your neighbor making. That will not excite you. And never forget that even the biggest goal you wish for the most will not always sound exciting and you will not always have the motivation. A little bit each day, one step at a time is how we grow and change.

I love this quote when I feel like my daily habits aren’t adding up: “Your days create your weeks. Your weeks create your years and your years create your life.”

~Whitney

P.S. I have other goals that I’m keeping more private. Plus, I realized I was rambling far too long on each of my bulleted goals above when I really wanted to stick to a simple post. I think I’ll go into each one more in depth later on.

January 5, 2023January 5, 2023

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Procrastination

You know those things you really want to do but you end up procrastinating or worse, never start? I have a few tips for when this hits me and I need some extra motivation. Trust me, this is for me today just as much as it is for you guys.

Check in with myself. Is this even a goal I still want to achieve? I think a lot of times we get thrown off by what we think we “should” do and then wonder why we aren’t excited about it. A goal set by someone else will rarely excite or inspire me. If I get quiet and decide, yep, this is something I really want, then I proceed to the next step(s).
Start small. Say I am procrastinating doing a workout. I can’t go in telling myself I have to do an hour on the treadmill. If I am not feeling it, I’ll tell myself just do 15 minutes. If it’s miserable, well then I’m done quickly but I almost always go longer. Once I start with just a little the initial hurdle of overwhelm is gone.
Remember why I started. What made me excited do this in the first place? If I’m training for a race it’s impossible to love every single workout so I need to visualize my end goal. I like to see myself showing up as my most authentic self who is vibrant, confident, and works out because she loves the feeling afterward. It’s normal to not always feel motivated!
Focus on gratitude. I GET to do this. I get to put one foot in front of the other and run or lift weights. I get to cook a delicious dinner because, gratefully, I can afford healthy food. I get get into bed early and read because I have an open schedule, etc.
Finally, let it go. I only truly fail when I quit so I stop dwelling and don’t call myself lazy. Start over this afternoon, tomorrow, or this weekend. We always have a choice to change and redo things. I used to get so stuck if I ruined my exercise streak. I thought I had to wait until the next day or the next first of the month or whatever to start again. Nope. No one gets to set the rules but me.

I usually end up using exercise/running as a metaphor because it is one of the easiest to comprehend but these steps can help with any of your goals you keep putting off.

Bonus tip: If all else fails reward yourself! See pic of me with an oat milk cappuccino. Haha, but seriously, as long as the reward is in proportion to the task, I say go for it.

December 8, 2022

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Why I Eat Gluten Free

Why do I eat gluten free? Should you?

Of course it seems super trendy, and I’ll be the first to admit I jumped on that bandwagon a few years ago. It promised less inflammation, probably weight loss (less carbs!), and an overall high vibe wellness-y life! Seemingly so at least. To be clear, when I “went gluten free” back then, it was with little purpose other than testing it out, hoping it would be the golden ticket to perfect health and my perfect body. I never actually was very strict about it. I would pretty much get a packaged product and think, “ooo, it’s gluten free! It must be healthy!” And, if there was something amazing like say, fried pickles or a delectable cookie, I’d eat it, guiltily. Needless to say, I never noticed a difference.

I was feeling pretty lackluster and very low on important vitamin levels for a few months despite eating very cleanly and (what I thought was) super healthy. I finally got a food sensitivity test done when all my other tests came back negative (thankful) for other major issues. To the best of my knowledge, I do not have Celiac Disease or an allergy to wheat or gluten. However, I have a severe sensitivity to gluten, wheat, rye, and soy. This is actually a lesser-known issue they call Non-Celian Gluten Sensitivity. I truly can tell when I’ve been “glutened.” This is a personal choice of mine to stay away from it as much as possible. I am far from perfect and thankfully a little bit here and there or cross-contamination will not cause lasting physical effects that I feel. But I do know, when I knowingly have something with those ingredients in it, I feel tired, sometimes get stomach pains, my throat will hurt, and my eyes feel dry.

It’s really important to keep in mind just how different we all are. This might not do anything for you! Or maybe you have it worse than me and have a true allergy or Celiac’ s and need to avoid it completed.

There might not be any reason to avoid gluten/wheat, and you don’t have to!, but if you do want to give it a try it might help if you have an autoimmune disease to lower inflammation, lift brain fog, and help with digestion issues, among other things. Remember, just because something is gluten free does not mean it’s better! Still focus on whole foods when you can.

Right now I do not worry too much about cross-contamination if I would really like to try something. That might change or it might not. Plus, I will have something like a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery if I’m in NYC. I just will try my best the rest of the day to be completely G-free so I don’t end up feeling totally wiped. Another thing I do is pay close attention to how I feel after eating something new. Sometimes I might eat something with oats (usually have cross-contamination), and will feel some negative effects. If that happens I probably won’t buy that brand/item again.

*Hot tip: This is controversial but I can tell a big difference taking an activated charcoal pill after I’ve been glutened. Just don’t rely on it!

This is just one tiny piece of the puzzle when it comes to health and wellness so take it with a grain of salt. I’ve been testing things out for YEARS and finally feel like I’m more in tune with what makes me feel best.

Something different works for all of us. Wellness is not one size fits all. I don’t eat like this for any other reason other than I feel my best without these ingredients.

Leave a comment and tell me why or why not you eat gluten free! Or if you have any questions, I’d love to see if I can answer them.

~Whitney

September 18, 2019

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Tuesday Turmoil

I hinted at this on my latest IG post…(go follow me to read heh).

When there is something I don’t want to do or something I don’t like but I need to do anymore, I try to make it better, more special somehow. I’m not perfect and there are times when I get stuck in the negative thinking, but my go-to response is to try to make it fun!

A lot of time it’s just for myself, and that’s pretty much all that matters. No one might know that I just went to get a latte at Starbucks because it’s a little treat. Or I took the long way home for a change of scenery. I think it’s so easy to get caught up in our daily lives, doing what we’re “supposed to do.” We forget that we have the power to change anything at anytime. Yes, it might not be easy but after awhile of this kind of bigger thinking, you get the hang of it.

The idea for this came from me hating Tuesdays. I shouldn’t say I hate them, but they sure are my least favorite day of the week. I can think of redeeming qualities for every other day but Tuesday. It’s not a fresh start like Monday. Wednesday is the peak from which you can see the other side, and it’s obviously not a weekend day. I don’t know, it’s just boring. Sorry Tuesday.

Something hit me this morning that I don’t need to just get through all the rest Tuesdays I get to experience in my life, I can actually enjoy them!

Seriously, Whitney. Duh.

How did I not realize this before? I know I always get to decide how I feel so why did I forget I could change my narrative around Tuesdays too?

I started with trying to think of all the good points of Tuesdays. Well, I didn’t come up with more than like two.

It’s a blank slate.
A lot of new podcast episodes are released on Tuesdays.

That’s it, you guys. All I could think of.

Sooo…my next plan of attack is that I create new experiences for myself. Plan a little treat or something unique on a Tuesday every week. Could be little or big. Now this was a fun list to create.

Try a new fitness class
Schedule a wellness practice (ie. salt lounge, meditation)
Cook a special dinner
Go to the library and find a new book
Buy a fancy cappuccino (I basically always get black coffee or Americanos)
Get a facial, manicure, spa treatment (or to save money, have an Epsom salt bath/face mask situation at home!)
Go window shopping
Make lunch plans with a friend
Plan a TV free night
Bake cookies

Of course you can tailor it to your hobbies and things you love. I believe if I make just this little bit of effort to plan a small, fun thing, I’ll break out of my routine bubble and, who knows?, maybe even begin to look forward to Tuesdays!

~Whitney

P.S. What day of the week do you dread? What do you do to make something more fun?

August 20, 2019August 20, 2019

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meditation motivation

Oh hey, yeah, it’s super trendy and that usually annoys me a little, but meditation is pretty magical.

In this day and age, I think it’s an even more important tool now to help with improving our mental health. Every moment we’re surrounding by media. Technology is always waiting at our fingertips to give our brains new ideas and concepts. We can barely think our own thoughts anymore without some kind of outside influence.

I am not going to lie and say I meditate every day or really even on a set schedule, however, when I set aside time to sit quietly and do nothing, shifts happen in my life.

There are so many resources out there today to help you but you honestly don’t need a single thing to get started.

This summer I started meditating outside and it’s been nice but you can do it anywhere that feels right. If I’m feeling extra fancy I’ll light a candle and maybe hold a crystal or two. It’s not necessary though! It’s too easy for me to skip it because it’s not the “perfect” time or setup. (What is that trait? Perfectionism or just an excuse to procrastinate? That’s a mystery for another time.) Literally, you can meditate anywhere without a single prop.

Anyway, it depends on my mood what type of meditation I feel like doing.

Ways to meditate:

Solo – In your car, bedroom, on a park bench…Use headphones with music if you want but it’s not necessary unless you’re trying to tune out some outside noise. I suggest just instrumental music; lyrics usually make me think too much. I’m a dork and love movie soundtracks (Legends of the Fall…swoon) and Jim Brickman.

During exercise – Any cardio is great for this, I think because of the repetitive motion, like running, walking, biking, ellipticalling…that’s a word, right? I rarely wear headphones when running (unless I’m going for speed on a gym treadmill. I like the music for a motivation boost!) and it’s such great thinking time. It’s not classic meditation but it’s mind-clearing time where I come up with a lot of solutions to things I’ve been mulling over.

Group meditation – look around for events on Facebook. A couple places in my area that have meditations now and then are The Salt Lounge, Bldg 7 Yoga, and Integrative Healing Arts. At first I thought this might be strange, sitting silently in a room with a bunch of people, but it’s usually been great. There’s a different energy when you’re all together.

Apps – If you can’t tear yourself away from your phone, you might like an app to help you get started with meditation. I’ve heard great things about the Headspace app!

YouTube – I’ve been known to search randomly on YouTube for meditations. There are thousands out there but it can also be a little overwhelming. I recommend listening to the first few seconds of one before committing. I def. can’t stand certain people’s voices or overall vibes and have to switch to a new one asap!

Journaling – I wasn’t sure if I should include this as a type since it’s a little more active but I think it’s an excellent practice and can definitely be meditative. If you’re not used to writing, start with a prompt. Soon you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to write from your heart, not your mind. Cliché but true.

It’s seriously about just quieting your thoughts for a few minutes. I get clarity, and weirdly, feel more energized after I meditate. Sometimes I’ll do it in bed and then realize I’m a little more awake! Not really what I was going for then, but it’s amazing at what just sitting still does for me.

If you’re not sure where to start, do this: Set a timer for 5 minutes. Close your eyes and just notice your thoughts. Don’t try to get rid of them or change them, just notice how they come up and how they flow away and onto the next one. There’s no forcing your brain to be quiet, it’s more the action of letting go of the thought, not trying to understand it. Once your timer goes off, just go about your day. See if sitting quietly gets a little easier after each time you do it.

There will oddly be times where I crave it now. Sometimes I just want to grab a notebook and write some random thoughts. Anyway I do it is time well spent.

I’d love to hear your experiences meditating or why you haven’t gotten in to it before!

~Whitney

August 13, 2019August 13, 2019

Whitney Victoria5 Comments

Inspired

Basically as soon as I knew how to screenshot something on my iPhone I was hooked. I began saving pics of pretty scenery, quotes I loved, outfits I wanted to emulate. The word “muse” comes to mind but this is not the extent I want to relay. To me, “muse” is long-term. It’s someone who serves as constant inspiration for whatever your project maybe. These moments I compile are tiny hits of inspiration that are ever-changing and always being replaced or forgotten. It’s the things in life that come across my path that cause me to make a certain “small” decision. It’s like this: I see a bright bunch of flowers at the farmer’s market and then choose my outfit based on that combination of vibrant orange and hot pink that I saw in those flowers. Get it?

Boom.

Inspired.

I am a collector of beautiful things and by “beautiful” I mean something that provokes emotion in me, just as much as something that I see as physically and aesthetically pleasing. Pinterest and Instagram has made this possible

As we speak, I’m sitting at a Panera drinking iced coffee and I can hear one of the male cashiers tell every customer to “have a beautiful day” at the end of their order. This is something that inspires me. The same man let me know he loved my dress while I was getting my coffee. Some people barely squeeze out a “thank you” or a “bye.” I always know that I am in that specific place and time because I was meant to witness that kindness and beauty. (Huge believer in timing right here.)

Anyway, I feel like starting a regular recap of my own inspiring moments I collected with all of you. Thursday night seemed like a good time to do this. Right before we head into the weekend, the last night that isn’t particularly joyful for most since we have one more day of work. Some times I might have lots of quotes, one time I may seem to be drawn toward landscapes, and I just know that my collection will include a lot of style, fashion, and even some gorgeous people.

I’m hoping that by sharing my inspirations, you notice those moments in your own lives and let them inspire you to do something wonderful.

Beauty is all around.

I’ve started here with my Instagram picks from the last few days.

Umm, hello, I’m going here. Something for me to reach for.

This one is all about the caption!

Every struggle is a chance to grow.

Seriously. My astrology sign cat is Indiana. It’s fate.

Listen to yourself. You will hear what you want.

We can heal ourselves from within. Oh yes.

I’m betting on myself. How about you?

Yessssss. No one is telling you what to do, say, think, or believe. That’s all you.

Yours,

Whitney Victoria

July 6, 2018July 5, 2018

Whitney Victoria1 Comment

Underestimating Ourselves

Why do we underestimate ourselves so much? Is it out of fear? So we don’t disappoint ourselves?

I was born with a huge imagination and with that came a knowing. A knowing of just how much I could accomplish. Lots of things pile on and make it seem impossible but deep down I still have my voice telling me to just do it because I’ll succeed. So I’m not exactly sure what the answers to my aforementioned questions are. What do I let stop me from following my dreams? Maybe that’s just fine. Maybe it’s in the asking that I’ll make a difference in my life or yours.

When I write something here, I like to help. I like to give some sort of advice or tricks or inspiration. Me asking a question and not giving an answer used to seem wrong. Unfinished and unsatisfying.

A wise friend said this the other day and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

“Maybe you’re not supposed to be the one with all the answers, just the questions.”

My favorite uncle, Tony Robbins, says you have to ask quality questions. I agree.

(source)

I don’t need to help everyone all the time, including myself. Just because I don’t know exactly what needs to be done next doesn’t mean I’m stuck and creating nothing.

I don’t need all the answers.

I don’t need to be perfect to help people.

That’s all.

~Whitney Victoria

January 10, 2018January 10, 2018

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Changes Afoot

With the new year comes new moments, new goals, new lives. Changes can happen any time of the year but something is different when the calendar starts over.

I can feel it this year way more than others. I remember last year trying so hard to make 2017 begin with some kind of magic that just wasn’t there. I guess you just can’t force the magical moments. You gotta just let it flow.

I’ve been on a tiny health kick since January 1 and it feels good. It was not a big plan I set out to do but it’s been nice eating my vegetables again and not being so quick to add in junk. (I say this after eating 4 pieces of chocolate but still, that’s better than last week! Eeeesh!) Basically the whole month of December I had dessert every night, dairy in my coffee, sugar at evvvvery meal in some shape or form. There was less sleep, more drinks. Less meditating, more late nights.

Pic from my (free) Shady Maple birthday breakfast. It was heaven. Let’s not talk about how many plates I packed away…

It was fun in small doses but I’ve never been one for that lifestyle. I’ve been going to bed by 9pm for as long as I can remember. Seriously, my friends made fun of me in high school. I never cared because sleep makes me feel amazing.

Finally, I feel the tides turning back to my norm.

Along with the healthier meals, I’ve always been reading before bed. (Real live books!) I’ve missed that and even in just a few days I notice the calmness I feel when falling asleep.

I am completed excited and ready to manifest my goals but I’m only sharing a few here. No shame whatsoever but I’m still working through the specific on some steps and I’d like to keep ’em close to the chest for now.

A smattering of 2018 #goalsss:

Read at least 25 books – self-development, fiction, whatever!
- So satisfying and I learn massive amounts of great things from reading, no matter the genre.
Build my blog – I know it seems simple but I love it.
- It’s good challenging and I have hundreds of ideas of what I’d like it to become.
Meditate and/or journal daily – no matter how little it is.
- I love a good ritual.
- I’m allowing even just one sentence jotted down or like 8 minutes of mediation if that’s all that happens one day!
Kick-box (and train hard again)
- I’ve been talking about kickboxing for YEARS and never tried it. No idea why but it’s time. I see myself loving it and it fits in with my slightly obsessed Rocky, triumphant underdog fantasies.
- I also need to get my semi-abs back and stronger than ever.
Speak up. Put my true self out there. Stand up and be confident.
- It’s so easy when I stop “trying.” Trying to be perfect, trying to make someone else happy, trying to take care of things.
Be debt-free
- One of those things I took for granted until I realized it was an issue. I’m ready for financial freedom. I 100% believe it’s possible because I’ve seen it.
Follow a mostly clean diet with indulgences I truly enjoy.
- How I feel the best. No time for eating junk that doesn’t thrill me anymore. You know you’ve eaten a cupcake purely because it was there? It was dry, the icing was too sweet, and all of a sudden you feel gross. Yeah, not happening.
- One, amazing slice of peanut butter pie? Baby, it’s worth it.

A super flattering picture of me cradling my new matcha set! I’m really excited to get into and even, dare I say it, drink a little, tiny bit less coffee this year.

Do a monthly check-in with myself
- I’m using my beautiful Desire Map Planner that I highly recommend. Check it out right here! (I’m gong to do a detailed post about tit. It’s not too late to get one for the year!
  - My planner actually has a check-in prompt at the beginning of every month so it makes it super easy for me. I’ve done the overall 2018 pages and obviously the January one.

And a snap of my planner and breakfast (real muffin pieces in this bar, people)! Weird color, trust me, the actually shades are much prettier and ocean-esque.

Those are the “big goals.” I have a few random to-dos like go to another Broadway show and learn to roller blade (I know, I’m 29. I should already know how or I shouldn’t bother. hah! A girl can dream…and boy, do I. Always have, always will. )

Think big or stay small.

Please share any goal you want to achieve this year with me! I’m so curious how everyone is feeling about their clean slates, excited, anxious or anywhere in between.

Much love! You deserve it.

~Whitney Victoria

January 5, 2018

Whitney Victoria4 Comments

December Daze

Apologies for the semi-cliche alliteration title. Every December I feel kind of weird like I’m not myself and like I’m just confused about my entire life. Oh yeah, this is normal for me to not feel normal. I know it’s because I have an internal clock that tells me it’s almost my birthday. It’s almost Capricorn season. It’s almost the New Year. It’s almost my chance for a new start.

I feel weird that I haven’t watched a single Hallmark Christmas movie. Christmas music hasn’t been played much at all. I have had a lot of junk food and not the fun holiday-themed kind. Totally trying to fill a void. I’m very honest about that. It’s been a strange ride the last few months because I’ve been so aware of the subtle changes in my daily habits and my desires for my life. Then I would get annoyed that I wasn’t where I thought I should be. It takes times to achieve great things.

I’m the girl who needs to figure things out and know “why.” But, that’s not my job. I’ve made it my job for 28 years. That was the actual problem.

I decided to rally and make my list of movies to watch before the holidays are over. I’m the crazy blend of control and fun traditions so I actually would get a little mad at myself if I didn’t do all the traditional Christmas activities I thought I had to do. Isn’t that nuts? I’d get a bit worked up internally thinking I didn’t fulfill my duties as the good little girl I thought I needed to be in order to make the perfect Christmas season. What if I didn’t watch Christmas Vacation?!?! That means my holiday will be ruined! That’s a tad dramatic but that’s where my brain went. Now I actually think, “It would be nice if I get to watch all the movies on my list, but I know I’ll get to the ones I’m meant to get to!” That’s how the universe works for us. If it’s not meant to cross our paths, then we missed nothing of importance.

Who would have ever thought I’d feel less anxious by dropping the reins and giving up control? Seriously, major.

Here is my movie list that I’ve yet to watch! Some might not be classics to most, but to me, they’re perfect.

Lightening the mood a little! We go on a “Christmas light tour” every year. This just us driving around the area to see everyone’s lights, including a drive-by of the Christmas Village. We wear are pjs, clearly!

I suggested we stop for peppermint sundaes for the ride! This was so amazing. It was candy cane soft serve, brownies, hot fudge, whipped cream, and candy cane pieces!

I’m officially the last person to discover some of the hats, filters, whatever you call them. And…then I sent this pic to my mom.

I’m wishing everyone a relaxed, joyful few days leading up to Christmas. Enjoy all the little things that come with the rush of the season.

~Whitney Victoria

December 21, 2017December 21, 2017

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cold weather, cozy weather

Hats, scarves,gloves! Tights, boots, real coats. I wore it all this week. I think even if you hate the cold, there is plenty to look forward to once the nip gets in the air.

I actually went to the mall the other day, mostly to see the Christmas decorations, under the guise of searching for black riding boots. People might seem more bustling during the holidays but I think it’s a time to slow down. When the weather turns cold, it’s a sign we should cozy up under blankets, wear thick sweaters, don your long-johns! It’s my favorite thing in the morning to blast my car heater on the way to work.

I think it’s in my DNA as a winter baby to love it but this is when I feel the most hopeful, like magic can happen. Christmas miracles and all that.

There’s so much to look forward to! The best gifts are out starting now-December 24th. I get sooo excited seeing it all out in stores. (Online shopping is not fun to me!) Shopping this time of year has a philanthropic feel to me. I’m getting presents and decorations to share with everyone I love! Like this insanely cute Corgi sweater leggings.

And I’m convinced I need to buy the two bags of Starbucks coffee just to get this tiny tote bag for myself for free! I’m obsessed with that quote. It’s me. I saw the bags while getting my first Cranberry Bliss Bar. I NEED to find a healthy homemade recipe this season. They’re so good but not really worth the sugar too often for me. Once in a while is just perfect!

This weekend was our big push for the Best Kept Secrets Tour. I’ll expand on that later. It’s so fun!

Christmas candy abound at Reppert’s. I had so many free samples at 10am Saturday that I will legit admit my breakfast was pure chocolate.

The best way to describe me and free samples is this:

My mom picked up raspberry jellies, vanilla caramels, and peanut butter chocolates for Thanksgiving and we’re both anxious to eat them! If anyone wants holiday candy, check it out! They even had Nittany Lion and cornucopia shaped chocolates. Surprisingly, I walked away with just a bag of root beer barrels! They’re delicious and remind me of picking hard candy out of a basket at my grandparents’.I’m an old cat lady, except even sadder because I don’t have a cat at the moment. Hah! I loved this sign so much. I’ll just skip the nap bit.

This is a selfish bonus screenshot for you! Ina Garten posting about Taylor. <3 Made my day being reminded how much these two love each other.

I’m making these! No Bake Peppermint Bark Cookies. How have I missed this recipe previous years?? They’re like 5 minutes.f

You guys can have your pumpkin stuff! “Peppermint Everything” is my motto this time of year. Anyone have favorite seasonal things they love seeing?

Feel the holiday cheer. It’s out there if you take notice.

~Whitney Victoria

November 13, 2017November 13, 2017

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