cost approach, 11.

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Finally being roommates with my best friend: took about 2 years.

Having a best friend who I can be silly and weird with but will also challenge me when I need it most: priceless.

Making the last minute decision to go to a Friday night comedy show: $24 cover.

Laughing my butt off for two hours straight: priceless.

Having an adventure day from 3pm – midnight on Saturday: way more than I’d like to admit.

Having an adventure day from 3pm – midnight on Saturday: priceless.

Deciding to stay in and cook Sunday brunch: stopping at 3 different stores for the needed ingredients.

Taking the opportunity to whip together a killer new concoction: priceless.

(That would be shrimp sautéed in bacon grease, topped with goat cheese, served with homemade guacamole. Unreal.)

Tickets to the Mansions on the Moon show: $10 each.

Spending a Sunday night seeing one of my favorite bands (and discovering a new one): priceless.

Not knowing what the future holds: confusing and kind of scary.

Knowing that the victory has already been won: priceless.

What experience have you found to be priceless lately?
What was the highlight of your weekend?

the last few days {captioned}.

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I’d consider going vegan for these.

…But I love sushi too much.

Cute!

Passenger seat selfie.

So we meet again.

Blessed coffee.

Easter white.

How do you expect me to choose just one?

I’m her mini me.

A lively hope.

Hope you all had a lovely Easter!
What was the highlight of your weekend?

makes me happy.

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The rest of the world may be starting season 6 of Mad Men, but this cable-less chick is just beginning season 5 now that it’s finally on Netflix. And that makes me happy.

My love for obnoxious jewelry is more acceptable than ever. That makes me happy too.

I’m going to Pennsylvania this weekend to celebrate Easter with my family. Yay!

While I’m there I’m going to take the opportunity to try a new recipe or two. Considering I haven’t done so in months, that makes me really, really happy.

(Healthy Cookie Dough Bites? Yes please!)

Summer is around the corner. And the swimsuits this season are extremely cute. Happy about that.

Last but not least, I cannot stop reading this quote! We have full freedom in Christ, and to say that that makes me happy is an understatement…

What’s making you happy today?
Best new recipe you’ve tried lately?

little pleasures.

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Sometimes my work weeks are filled with fun and exciting things.

Events, dinners with friends, late nights out, and the like.

This week, though, I’m trying to take it a bit easy. Every so often my 8-9 hour work days (with at least 1-2 meetings each day) catch up with me, so I need to make a conscience effort to not over-do it. So on those weeks…like this particular one…I rely on the little pleasures of life.

…like my morning devotionals, as usual.

…and spending some extra time getting my journal on.

…or receiving a belated birthday gift from my lovely sister.

(How cute is this necklace?! Thanks Katie :))

…enjoying my favorite quality daytime TV shows.

…spoiling myself with Seamless delivery (a la Blossom Du Jour).

…working on my fitness. Barely.

…and having a much needed catch-up evening with one of my best friends.

(Old pics, amazing chick.)

What little pleasures have you enjoyed so far this week?

my {be me} plan.

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Remember that time I posted about being yourself?

Well, I have a confession to make. Being myself – being fully and unapologetically Gracie – is not something that is entirely natural for me. It’s easy for me to get caught up in what I think my goals, likes, and role in life should look like (especially here in New York). It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s the truth.

With that being said, though, since writing that post I’ve gotten a lot better at learning how to be true to my (bow loving, television obsessed, sometimes a bit emo) self. But because it’s not something that comes easy to me…and especially because I can so easily get wrapped up in work and my tasks for the day…I have to make an active effort to implement things in my life that remind me to be ME.

So here’s a little list of things that help me to do just that. It’s definitely nothing crazy – just simple activities that help remind me to slow down, be present, and remember to enjoy life.

- Start every day spending prayer and devotional time with God

- Take a 5 minute break from working to stretch and/or just relax

- Cook/bake new recipes

- See my family at least every other month

- Plan dinners out with my girl friends

- Listen to podcasts *

- Treat myself to pedi or massage

- Journal at the start or end of the day

- Keep a running list/plan of vacations I want to take

- Have cozy movie nights at home

- Take at least one day a week (or a few hours a day) to unplug from technology

- Make plans to get together with friends I don’t get to see all the time

- Let myself get lost in Pinterest

* Some of my favorite podcasts are from Joyce Meyer, Tim Keller, Bethel Church, Liberty Church, and Joe Focht.

Last but not least, I think it’s important to be honest with yourself about the things you love, embrace those things, and do them as much as possible! It seems like as we get older it becomes easier to push those things to the side and define ourselves based on what we do or what we think our role in life “should be.” While those things definitely are important, I’m learning that being true to myself and the things I love will actually improve my career, relationships, and everything in between…

What simple things do you do on a daily/weekly basis to stay true to yourself?