I felt like this week flew by but I think that was mainly because I went back to my office on Tuesday to work on a project digitizing files. Our company has not returned back so I have seen at most four people in a day but it has been nice to slowly ease myself back to an office routine. That has meant that I come home and have had to do all the chores and things I have squeezed into a break like a load of dishes or laundry but it has been nice to see my office. Here are a few things I have loved this week.

one. The inauguration. 

two. New Morning Mercies.

three. Peloton Wicked Week.

This week, Peloton is back to their broadway series with Wicked. Wicked is my all-time favorite musical so I am so excited to take the run, yoga, and strength classes. I took the 30 min cycling class last night with a friend. I did belt out the songs while riding so I got a bit breathless during the middle of class. You can try the Peloton app out for free for 2 months right now. I use the app and then have a Sunny bike for the cycling classes. I streamed class last night on my FireTv.

four. Aldi flowers. 

On Sunday after I got the all-clear that I just had a cold and not COVID I swung by Aldi for a few groceries and picked myself two of the $3.99 bouquets. I put them together in a mason jar and they have been a bright spot every morning while I packed my lunch. 

five. The That Sounds Fun Podcast with Annie F Downs and guest Kendra Adachi. 

I would say the last half is very powerful about bodies but it was a great podcast to remember what is important to you. If getting a homecooked dinner is important to you then you should work on becoming a genius at that but it does mean you should be lazy about something else, maybe you outsource the actual grocery shopping. 

on the blog this week.

My plans for the weekend.

As usual, I am linking up with Andrea of Momfessionals and Erika of A Little Bit of Everything today.

What are your plans for this weekend?

Breakfast options

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

We have made it through the first two weeks of 2021! I felt like 2020 was both the fastest and slowest year. I am really trying to focus on my habits this month and thinking through my routines. This could be my daily quiet time, my cleaning routine, as well as my health. 

This week has been interesting as I am fighting what appears to be a cold but I am waiting on my PCR test to confirm I am negative for COVID. Because of that, this week has been spent in my apartment as I don't even want to walk in my apartment complex and get too close to anyone. 

So while I have been drinking all the orange juice here are five things I have loved this week. 

one. puzzles.

two. routines.

three. Laura Cox Collection.

four. Matchless.

five. Castle.

I received seasons 4-8 of Castle on DVD for Christmas. I loved the show when it was on air but I don't remember finishing it. I started season one last week and I am almost done with season two. It has been a great show to watch in the evenings when doing the dishes or other house chores.

Plans this weekend.

Well, I am waiting back on a COVID test to see if I have just a mild cold. Before that, I had plans to meet a friend to watch Disney's On Pointe. It's a docuseries about the School of American Ballet in New York.

Since that is on hold, I will be finishing my book club book, watching church online, working out with Barre3 Chapel Hill via Zoom, painting my nails, attending our book club Zoom on Sunday, meal planning, and blogging.

On the blog this week

I did a re-introduction post as well as some of what I am currently reading, watching, and wondering.

As usual, I am linking up with Andrea of Momfessionals and Erika of A Little Bit of Everything today.

It has been a hot minute since I last blogged, August to be exact so I thought a little re-introduction might be nice especially since I did a little spring cleaning to my blog design. 

I planned to relaunch my blog last week but with all that was going on with the world, it did not feel appropriate. Let's hope this year is filled with more joy and connection than in 2020.

Hi! I'm Jessica but a lot of my friends also call me Jess. I live in the Triangle area of North Carolina. I am still working at home #globalpandemic with a day-job in HR/Admin for a third-party tech testing and marketing company. I have blogged off and on since my junior year in college at UNC and it is a great creative outlet.

I plan to share my wellness journey including my meal plans, my work OOTDs although right now I mostly wear various sweatshitys+leggings+statement earrings, my recent reads (English major problems), and other fun adventures. 

Here are some things to know about me:

• I am a Christian and my faith is very important to me. I typically volunteer at my church helping to teach and disciple our Pre-K classes but it has been almost a year without singing and dancing to kids worship songs.
• I am single.
• I live with my very sweet 8-year-old cat who is mad at me this week since after the vet he got put on a diet and can no longer "unauthorized snack" from his automatic feeder. 

• I am lactose and (recently discovered) gluten intolerant so I am journeying through cooking and baking without all of that.
• I don't drink coffee. Tea and Diet Coke are the only way I consume caffeine and even then, if I drink caffeine after lunch I am guaranteed to be up until 2 am. 
• I am a big reader and I am already ahead of my GoodReads goal to read 70 books this year. The library is my favorite place to grab a great book (or audiobook).
• The 90s/early 2000s RomComs are my favorite movies.

And even though I am a week behind, I always love Ann's prompts so here is what I'm currently up to in January.

beginning.
I just started Evie Dunmore's Bringing Down the Duke since it is this month's book club pick. We are meeting Sunday afternoon so I need to get on it so I finish in time. 

I also started the Matchless bible study this week with my church small group. Tonight we are meeting to discuss the first week. You can grab the digital study book here (on sale today for $5) and Lifeway is offering the teaching videos for free right now if you are looking for a study. 

feeling.
okay. I have been fighting off what I think is a cold however, to be safe, I went and got tested for COVID-19 yesterday since my mild sore throat is not going away. 

organizing.
birthday plans. My birthday is the 31st and I am thinking of having a Zoom happy hour to celebrate with everyone.

 
resolving.
To drink more water, get ready in the morning, and be intentional about movement. After the holidays I am ready to get back into my WFH routine. I would like to drink at least 80 oz of water a day, actually put in some effort in the morning even on days when I know no one will see me, and get in at least 15 mins of intentional movement - a walk, yoga, pilates, barre3, etc.

wondering.

My biggest worry and wondering are my COVID test results. I haven't been to many places and only saw two friends since I came back to the Triangle after the holidays but you never know with this disease.