Monthy Media Favs February 2020

TV Shows/Series

• I haven’t been watching any shows this month. Unless you call rewatching Kim Possible a worthy mention? I am such a kid.

Movies

• Light of Life- This movie was recommended to me by a friend and it was not bad. The father/daughter relationship makes the film and Casey Affleck(who is one of my favorite actors) is really good. The only complaint is that the ending is a little weak. I mean it’s good, but it leaves you wanting more. On the whole I’d give it a 7 out of 10. Maybe even a six.
• Marrowbone- Speaking of favorite actors this movie was again recommended to me by a friend mainly because it has my new favorite actor in it George MacKay. Add to that it is a thriller, has Anya Taylor-Joy and so many amazing twists- I absolutely love this movie!! I need to watch it again though. It’s one of those movies you need to watch at least twice to get everything. So good.
• Carrie Pilby- So this film almost didn’t make the list. It could have been really cute, but the language was a bit much and unneeded. And the way it was shot(the cinematography) was a bit- eh! Boring. That being said the ending scene(like the last minute) was so stinking cute that it kinda made up for the film’s faults. So yeah it wasn’t awful.
• Elizabeth&Elizabeth: The Golden Age- I am a nut for period piece, especially historic depictions. These films are amazing(I mean obviously, though I do like the first one better than the second) I find this time of history particularly so cool. When you think how close England came to collapse it makes you remember how in the Bible it says God is in charge of appointing rulers and kings. How He sets up the right ruler at the right time for a specific reason. Elizabeth was one of those rulers.
• To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You- So this movie to be totally honest was a bit of a disappointment. The first one was unique and had some cute unexpected moments. This one was a bit underwhelming. The plot seemed forced and the ending was very confusing. Like I am still confused and just feel bad for John Ambrose. So yeah.

This was the month for music, so be warned my list is rather long… Sorry in advance.

Music

• Ghosts– So you know how last month I told you was going to look into Sandi Thom… well I did and in addition to the afore mentioned song I love World War One, Earthquake, and Look Up.
• Kids– OneRepublic is quickly becoming a new fav for me. I will however save all the songs I am listening to of theirs for next month and just mention this one that started it all. I blast this song! I am sure everyone around me greatly appreciates that.
• You Don’t Even Know Me– Okay so my artist of the month and the woman who’s voice I dream of having is Faouzia. Her voice is absolutely beautiful and I can’t get enough. She is a relatively new artist and only has about a dozen songs. I have listened to them all but I will just list my favs below…
• Tears of Gold
• Born Without a Heart
• The Road
• This Mountain
• Battle– As you can tell I am completely obsessed!
• I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger- For those of you who have seen the amazing movie 1917 you know this song. It is so haunting and beautiful and I just love it. I love that it is acapella, which just adds to the gorgeous performance.
• Uptown Girl– I mean it’s Billy Joel and it’s ridiculously catchy. This is another song I have been blasting from my car.

Books

• A Year of Less by Cait Flanders- This was a recommendation to me by a friend. I have just started it and it is has been pretty good so far. It is all about Cait’s journey in which in one year she challenged herself not to shop… Like at all! I think what I like most about the book is that while she is telling you about her year of less you get a lot of background on her. She tells personal stories and lets you get a glimpse into her decision process that lead to her break of the spending habit. In next month’s media favs I’ll give you guys my final thoughts on the book.
• Lift like a Girl by Nia Shanks- If you caught my gym post(here) than you’ll know I’ve decided to be more active. But I have no idea how to go about that in a healthy, not crazy way. I found this book on Amazon and it instantly peeked my interest. First because it is written by a woman and a fellow blogger, plus it isn’t a strict diet insane work out manual. Nia’s approach to working out is to make it become something you actually like doing as opposed to something you dread everyday. I just literally cracked this open yesterday and debated putting it one here, since it will make an appearance on March’s media favs, but the opening has me so excited to dive into this one I couldn’t resist putting it on here as well.
• Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy- This was another recommendation from a friend. She knew my love for the classics and turned me in Hardy’s direction. I had never read anything by him and I didn’t quite realize how witty and sarcastic he was. I am about half way through and loving it.

Podcast

• I feel like I should stop including this category since I have really fallen off the podcast train. Oh well.

So let’s it peeps! What media favs have you been enjoying? Is there anything I should check out? Let me know in the comments below or on any of my social media accounts.

Lots of love,

Tally

Getting a Gym Membership for the 1st Time

Am I crazy?

So I have never ever had a gym membership before. Growing up my physical activity consisted of swimming and walking a lot. Like everyday for hours. I lived at the public pool and though I have never been a speedy swimmer, my talent laid in sheer endurance. When my siblings got out of the pool I would still be there swimming back and forth and back and forth again.

As far as sports went I was never interested. I played wiffle ball with my sibs and my Dad. Our team was proudly called either the Weenie Whackers or the Ragamuffins. And my sole contributions to the team was being somewhat good at stealing bases. If we played flag football(which in our family quickly turned to tackle and maim and destroy football) I was usually a linebacker or defensive end. My older brother was usually the QB, so all I had to do was rush him before he could pass and hit him as hard and as fast as I could. Or if it was a run and he tossed it to Tay I just had to run her over before she could get out and around me. I was very deadly over short distances but if Tay or Jake, both speedy, got the edge I was done for.

Anyway needless to say I have never been very physically fit or anything. And I wanted to change that…

What’s the goal?

Here’s just a very simple break down of what my game plan is:

• Loose 10 to 15 pounds- Just a general weight loss of the extra pounds I am carrying around.
• Endurance- I want to build up my endurance and since I hate- HATE running with a passion, swimming laps is it. My own personal goal is to swim 1700 yd. or 64 lengths(equivalent to swimming a mile) under an hour. At first and then we’ll work on wielding my time down even further.
• Build up my muscle by weight lifting. I’m still working on a workout plan with my older brother as to what would be the best way to approach this one. So I’ll keep you updated.

Here we go!

If it’s not painfully obvious by this point I have no idea what I am doing… Yet. But I will and that’s the point! I’m super excited to start this new adventure even though I know pain will follow. But as Jake is proud of quoting…

“Pain is just weakness leaving the body.“

Do you athletic types(wink,wink) have any advice? I’m thinking of meeting with a trainer. Or there any things I should do first? Really I have no clue so I would really appreciate any help.

Lots of love,

Tally

My Sister Moving In

My younger sister and I are asked all the time whether or not we’re twins. And though there is a year and half between us, we are told we look so similar. We find this hilarious since we think we look nothing a like. I have blonde hair and blue eyes, her hair is a dark brunette and her grey,green and brown eyes are totally opposite from me. In addition our personalities are on the total opposite ends of the spectrum. She’s a total nerd(she takes that as a compliment by the way) for comic books, superheroes and every bit of random movie trivia possibly imaginable.

Valentine’s Night wasn’t as lonely with a beloved sister around.

Going to the movies with her is like visiting an art museum with an art critic. She can tell you what camera angle they used, who the composer is for the score and how they achieved such and such stunt. Her ability to take a part a scene and explain just what the director hoped to achieve is staggering.

Sparkling apple cider made us feel very grown up 😉

Tay is a night owl, I’m definitely a morning person(asleep but 9pm please and thank you) She can be a procrastinator and I like checking things off my many, many to-do lists. She’s got a quick whit and dry sense of sarcasm, and I laugh at my own jokes. She’s a tomboy who loves to wear black and I love pretending to be a fashion model.

With all our many differences we have always-always been the best of friends. Growing up we shared a bed, or at least a bedroom, until well into our teenage years. Our Mom constantly reminded us how lucky we are to have each other. Most people hope for kindred spirits (to quote Anne of Green Gables- who Tay is a lot alike by the way. That dreaminess) while we have one built in.

Laughter is good for the heart.

I am remembering this since Taylor has moved in for a few months. It’s been two years since we shared a space and it’s funny how quickly things go back to the way they were before. And yet not really. We bicker about who’s doing the dishes and who is cleaning the bathroom. And laugh for an hour because one of us said or did something apparently very funny. I guess what I am trying to say is I love my sister!!

Lots of love,

Tally

Yes I’m Still Single

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! It seems like only yesterday I wrote my Valentine’s Day post about being single and yet a year has past and I’m in the same boat. Though my thoughts on my single-ness haven’t really changed since then.

I mean I guess I am like everyone who is single(well maybe not everyone) I have some days where I’m lonely and just wished I had someone who really knew me and I felt comfortable enough to be myself with. Other times I am so glad I don’t have all the drama and work of relationship. Because let’s face it guys and feelings take navigating and intentional thought. I mean it’s kinda exhausting just thinking about it.

Still it could be a fun adventure… I don’t know. For now I am where God wants me to be and when He is ready to bring Prince Charming into my life, or bring me into his, this is where I’ll be. Who knows next year I might be writing about being not single and taking pictures of a guy instead of a donut. Or I might not… donuts are delicious after all. Until next time…

I love you lots,

Tally

My Thoughts on Nannying for 2 yrs.

It’s crazy to think about, but it’s been two years since I started this incredible journey. Two years since my childhood dreams started coming true and doors started opening. Even now when I think back to how everything started and came about, I think, “This is totally a God thing.” All the things that could have gone wrong, or at least have been uncomfortable, how they all just fell perfectly into place… Only God can do things like that. Which is totally humbling and comforting. Because is what I do for a living really effecting the whole world, or is it so important? No it’s not. But God loves to answer prayer, He loves for us to know that He cares about the details and not just the big picture. He wants to bless us(when we’re obedient) In fact He loves too. (Now this does not mean your life is going to be easy- not at all- No where in the Bible does it say you are going to get everything you want. The Bible actually tells us that the world is going to be hard and that they are going to hate believers “but take courage I have overcome the world”) You read these promises in the Bible but when you see them… It’s AMAZING!!

Anyway I thought I would take this opportunity of reflection to go over a few things I would say to myself two years ago…

Start small, you’ll get there…

When I first started I think the only things I could handle was making breakfast and making sure the children didn’t die. After two years my responsibilities have grown to handle buying all the kids clothes, handling all they’re after school activities and a bunch, a bunch of other stuff. But these extra responsibilities were things that had to grow naturally. So my advice to young beginner me would be, “start small. Get good at the things you are in charge of now and then the rest will come… because it will come.” You’ll wonder what you did your first days.

Don’t take things so personally…

Not every cirque is a personal jab at you as a person. I have come to realize I internalize most everything. So if my boss finds fault in something I worked the whole day on, or doesn’t like an idea for the kids I thought was awesome. Or if I misheard an instruction, or something I helped plan didn’t work, I take that failure personally. I use it as mark of my skill and intelligence and when it’s negative I let that churn inside me. Either where I become angry and silently fume(which is not a good response as it breeds animosity) or I feel like a totally failure. None of this is a healthy way to approach work stress. Which leads me to my next point…

Speak up for yourself…

Sometimes I am held responsible for the outcome of events that aren’t my fault, whether because of poor communication or pure innocence of any involvement. My bosses are human and since I am standing in front of them, they can throw a lot of their stress and frustration on me. This isn’t fair and it isn’t right, but nine times out ten it really has nothing to do with me. (Thankfully this does not happen all the time, but like I said my bosses are human and have bad days) When I first started here I wouldn’t respond. I would just internalize it and then go find some hidden corner and cry like a baby. My Mom kept pushing me to stand up for myself and confront them, when I was blamed for things that weren’t my fault. The first time I did was terrifying and I cried like a baby(so embarrassing) And do you know what? My boss hadn’t even realized what she’d done and she was so sorry. She told me how her day had been awful and she hadn’t realized she was taking it out on me. She asked me to forgive her and I did and the situation was resolved and not left to fester a wedge between us.

*Now this didn’t make the next time I had to speak up necessarily easier, but I did do it sooner. Wanting the situation dealt with quickly as opposed to stewing in it. Also there are sometimes when you just need to let things slide. If you’re really not to blame for a situation it will come out eventually. And if not the Lord knows and you should be working for Him anyway.

It’s not all on you…

I came face to face with this point last week and even while it was happening I realized that this is the same exact situation I was writing about in my post. I had work five 12-hour days in a row and was to the point of mental exhaustion, when my boss told me I was needed to cover two or three hours on my day off. I realized there was no way to refuse, however I did want my boss to know that I was tired and I didn’t want to cover it, but I would since there didn’t seem to be an other option. I almost cried over the thought of working those two small hours and if she had asked me at any other time I wouldn’t have balked. Being a live-in is being flexible. That being said you do need to realize that you’re a human and sometimes you just get tired and need to rest. This is when you stand up for yourself and you be honest and be honest with yourself that it’s not all on you. You don’t have to fix every situation, or cover every hour. Refuse if you can, if you can’t go with it but tell them how you are feeling. Don’t just be a doormat. Thankfully my bosses were able to cover the two hours themselves(taking pity on me) and I now feel more human after two days completely off.

Enjoy every second, life goes by fast…

The last bit of wisdom I would pass on to myself; would be to enjoy every minute, because life goes by so fast. Babies become toddlers, toddlers become little boys, little boys become teenagers, colleagues become friends, bosses become mentors and a five year plan becomes a two year plan(more on my long term goals later) Seconds tick by, minutes fly and hours zoom past. Days become weeks and years and lifetime. It’s crazy but it’s true.

What’s some advice you would give to your younger self? Or some things you have learned through the years? Please leave any comments below and don’t forget to subscribe and follow the social media links.

Lots of love,

Tally

Stitch Fix:Unboxing February

Be Picky with your clothes, friends and time…

Yay! I’m back. It has been a bit crazy here. My younger sister moved in with me and is working temporarily for the family I work for in order to help out with the crazy that goes on here. However a week in she caught the stomach bug and has just now shaken in it off. I went from having extra help to working five 12-hour days in a row(save me) I won’t lie it wasn’t fun and I about broke down from exhaustion(we all did to be honest) But hopefully we’re now on an up swing and life will get somewhat back to normal. Ha! We’ll see. (Tay is feeling much, much better by the way)

Anyway before the crap hit the fan I got my much anticipated Stitch Fix Box! I had let my stylist know that I was taking a girl’s only trip to New Orleans in a month(more on this later) and was wanting some new stuff for the trip. Boy did she deliver!

So I moved my still very dirty mirror into the bathroom. Thus my overflowing trash can… It’s real life people!

At the very top of the box was an item I knew I was going to keep without even a second thought and without even opening their adorable canvas bag. These Toms Carmel Suede Lace-up Sneakers in Blush($69.95) fit perfectly and are totally going to hit the streets of New Orleans.

Next up were these adorable Cosmic Blue Love Adrianne Distressed Boyfriend Jeans, which I also kept($88) and this cute Alice Blue Ambriz Pleat Front Detail Blouse($42) I didn’t keep the top because it wasn’t my style and I couldn’t see myself wearing it. However I could kick myself, since it was the only item I returned and if you buy the whole box you get an additional 25% off. I missed this detail, even though it’s clearly marked on the price sheet they sent me. Blonde moment. Oh well I wouldn’t have worn it anyway.

Next…

Is this totally adorable and surprisingly cool(as it lightweight and airy) RD Style Tracey Chenille Cable Cardigan in Olive($78) On trend and on my packing list I adore this cardigan, which can and will go over everything.

The final item in the box was a Market&Spruce Breton Cotton Blend Faux Suede Elbow Patch Striped Pullover($68)… If you guys have been following me for a while than you know I love stripes! Stripes and polka dots that’s my signature style.

When all was said and done the total of the box is $345.95 Pricer than last month’s but so jammed packed with goodies. I officially can’t wait for next month’s box.

What was your favorite piece this month? Leave it down in the comments below. Have you given Stitch Fix a try? Interested? Here’s my first impressions post that’s packed full of info on how to get started. Until next time…

Lots of love,

Tally