Cozy Winter Essentials ♥

As I've ranted about a thousand times before, my life is incredibly stressful lately. Not that others don't have stressful lives! I've just been crazy overwhelmed and have barely had time to myself. It's work, study, sleep, repeat. That's just the way it goes when you're in this crazy (but rewarding!) profession. 

So one of the things that keeps me going is indulging in some cozy, comforting rituals. Here are some of the things I find most comforting this time of the year. 

Bath & Body Works Candles -- Marshmallow Fireside is uber scrumptious! 

Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Butter

Nivea A Kiss of Milk & Honey Lip Balm

Bath & Body Works Cashmere Glow scent

Philosphy Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath

Hot Chocolate! 

Hot herbal or green tea

Starbucks holiday drinks -- especially Gingerbread Lattes!

Snuggly oversized wool sweaters

Fuzzy cozy woolen scarves

Holiday songs! -- thank you for the Pandora Christmas station!

Christmas decorations -- and Pinterest surfing for ideas

Holiday cooking and baking -- especially adorable gingerbread men cookies!

Wearing snuggly socks while relaxing and binge watching Netflix and football games with the family :)

Hello, November!

It's finally November, meaning that Halloween is past us and it's time to look forward to Thanksgiving and my favorite holiday, Christmas! :) The weather outside was super chilly this afternoon and it's the first time I've felt like it was officially fall-winter weather. Hot chocolate weather, my favorite! <3 I was also mildly surprised, yet happy, to see the return of red Starbucks cups...this early! Once the Starbucks red cups come out, it's officially holiday season in my book. I, of course, went in to treat myself to one last Pumpkin Spice Latte before winter/holiday time officially kicks in and saw that they've brought back holiday drinks. Mmmm Gingerbread Lattes! I don't believe I saw their newest drink, Chestnut Praline Latte, but I'm super mega excited to try it when it finally hits stores!
So I worked in the morning from about 6am-2pm, and was let out early by my resident (love her!). I was planning on studying, but instead I decided to take the day off, visit my family, and just relax. It's been a rough week! I love inpatient medicine and surprisingly don't tire after 16 hours days, but it is mentally taxing and time-consuming, and I don't really get a lot of "me time" during the week most days. So it was really nice having an afternoon off to just relax my brain. I decided to paint my nails in a holiday red shade to celebrate the turning of the seasons. Okay I know it's officially still fall, but it feels like winter since every store I go into screams Christmas! I'm not complaining though. I absolutely love this time of year. It's a time full of cheer, comfort, warm drinks, and cozy sweaters :) I do hope I have enough free time these next two months to enjoy the season! It's going to be damn hard with medicine, but I'll try to make some time for holiday cheer at least.
Well anyway, time for bed. Lonnnng study day ahead tomorrow :(

End of the Year Wishes

As the year comes to a close, here are some things I hope to achieve before 2014 officially comes to a close.

Get back to original weight (~160 lbs)

Complete sewing project

Finish photo album

Update blog once a week

Finish resume