Rain, Rain, Go Away! {6 activities to make rainy days better}

TGIF, friends! Weather this week in Boston sucked. It rained for pretty much 3 days straight!  Like, really rainy- not just sprinkling or misting. It was those types of days where the last thing you want to do is leave the house, or even get out of your PJ’s, for that matter. You know what type of days I’m talking about, right? Dark sky, pattering of rain on the roof or against the windows, chill in the air… Unfortunately, because I’m a grown up (sometimes) and have a big-girl job that requires me to go into the office 4 out of the 5 days in a work week, I don’t have the luxuries of spending the day in my PJ’s, cuddled up watching tv and eating snacks when it’s a rainy day. Wouldn’t that be great if we got “rain days” at work instead of snow days? I may be onto something….

Anyway! Over the summer I posted this quickie upper body workout on one of those rainy days like this past week, which was perfect timing if you ask me! Who wants to get bundled up to go to the gym in the rain? Not me (although my class this past rainy Wednesday was full!).

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The weather this week got me thinking of things I would have liked to have been doing if I was able to hunker down in the comforts of my apartment all day. I’ve decided to share them with you, because what type of blogger would I be if I kept this type of stuff all to myself?!

Rainy Day Activities

1. Take advantage of being “forced” to stay inside and stay in bed and read for a bit. A book, magazine, article, etc. I don’t know about you, but I rarely have days where I can lounge in bed in the morning!

2. “Spring Clean”- even if it’s not spring time, tackle the messy closet or overflowing draws and do some big time cleaning and organizing. Make a few piles: keep, give away/donate, throw away. You’ll feel so much better after you get rid of some of the unnecessary clutter in your room. And, if you’re feeling extra motivated (as I do after I finish a project like that), tackle the other closets or under the sink areas in your home… there’s nothing like organization to make you feel like you accomplished something.

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3. Bake or cook- These tend to be more predominant activities in my life during the cooler/winter months. When it’s weather that enables you to be outside (hello, beach!), there’s no way I’m skipping that to be stuck inside. But, there’s something so nice about starting the stove when the air is a little damp and you can’t do anything outside.

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4. Catch up on TV shows- I can’t seem to follow any shows these days as my schedule is all over the place. I look forward to times where I can veg out in front of the TV and catch up on everything I’ve missed. On Demand is a wonderful thing!

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5. Workout- You didn’t think I’d forget to add this in, right?! Just because you’re stuck inside doesn’t mean you have to skip your workout. I love at-home workouts that don’t require any equipment. If you’re in need of some, check out these workouts, or On Demand has some good ones, too!

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6. Call an old friend or family member- Unless I’m in the car, I don’t usually make the time for phone calls. In this day and age, texting or emailing is far too easy than taking deliberate time out of your day to actually pick up the phone and call someone. I like to put my headphones on and put my phone in my pocket while chatting so I can multi-task (I usually call my mom while cutting veggies or meal prepping).

So, there you go! I guess these don’t only apply to rainy days- now that the weather is getting cooler, I feel like I’ll be spending more time around my apartment, so these are things I can do during those days, too! I don’t always bake a lot in the summer because it’s hot, but when fall comes around, all I want to do is be in the kitchen trying out new recipes.

Questions for you: What’s your favorite part about rainy days? If you were stuck inside all day, what’s something you would do?

#OOTD {I do wear real clothes}

I love when other bloggers post pictures of what they’re wearing for a “regular” day of work. Since I am by no means a “fashionista”, I can always get tips and ideas from what I see in these posts. One of my favorite fashion blogs to read (and Instagram/Facebook accounts to follow) is J’s Every Day Fashion because she is not only fashionable, but fashionable on a budget. I don’t think I’m daring enough to pull off some of the looks she posts, but I love seeing them for ideas on what’s appropriate colors/patterns/trends to combine.

Even though I’m not as creative with my outfits (I tend to err on the side of classic, rather than trendy), I thought it would be fun if I shared a week’s worth of work outfits to show you that I do wear something besides workout clothes- although if you follow me on Instagram, you may think differently 😉

Tuesday (I work from home on Mondays, so my outfit is generally jeans and a t-shirt)

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  • Shirt- Banana Republic Outlet (last year)- I think it was on sale for $30 or $40
  • Skirt- Banana Republic Outlet (so long ago)- Definitely on sale, but can’t remember how much
  • Necklace- Banana Republic Outlet (last year)- on sale for $13
  • Shoes- Nine West, from TJ Maxx- $25

Wednesday

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  • Top: Banana Republic- this year, on sale for $32
  • Pants: Loft- last fall, on sale for $20
  • Shoes- Adrienne Vendetti on sale at Marshall’s for $15
  • Watch- Movado (a number of years ago)

Thursday

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  • Dress: Banana Republic Outlet- $12 (super steal last spring)
  • Watch: Michael Kors
  • Shoes: Loft ($40)

Friday

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Our office is casual dress all the time now, but I still stick to jeans usually just once a week.

  • Jeans- Forever 21 $11
  • Top- Express- a friend gave it to me
  • Necklace- PJ’s Unique Peek Boutique– $15
  • Shoes- Adrienne Vendetti from a few years ago

So, there you go! A peek inside a week’s worth of work outfits.

Questions for you: Where do you get most of your “work” clothes? Are you into fashion and following trends or do you stick to the classics? Any deals I need to check out?

 

 

 

How’d I do on my Summer 2014 Bucket List?

Hi there! Happy Friday:) This week flew by for me… anyone else?? Before I get to my bucket list recap, I wanted to share the winner of the #BosFIT ticket. I used random.org to randomly select a winner based off of the comments. Congratulations to Julie!! You get a free ticket to the event. Julie said:

Hey Monique! I’ve been hearing great things around town about this event! Sounds like a fun time and a chance to see what other gyms are like in the Boston area (besides good ol’ BSC)!

Please email me at burpeestobubbly <at>  gmail <.>  com so I can give you the free code. And remember, if you didn’t win, you can still buy a ticket for a crazy good price of $27 here. I can’t wait for the event!

And now… on to the regular post 😉

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Remember how I made a Summer of 2014 “Bucket List”? It seems like it was literally just yesterday that I was making it… the fact that it was about 3 months ago is actually kind of upsetting. Where the heck did the summer go?!

I knew I was likely a little overzealous with the list as I knew I had a jam-packed summer filled with trips, bachelorette parties, birthdays and all that other random stuff you-know-you-have-to-do-but-can’t- remember-what-they-are, but what can I say? I get excited when I think of all the fun things a new season brings. Luckily enough, there’s still plenty of time to continue crossing things off the list before the colder weather creeps in on us.

2014 Summer Bucket List

  1. Go to the beach- I did this lots of times! I went on the Cape over the 4th of July with RM and his sister, I went 3 times during Sheila’s bachelorette weekend, I went a few times at Constitution Beach in East Boston, I went to the beach in Southie with my sister twice, I went to the beach in Maine… I love that!

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2. Have a picnic- RM and I had a picnic at Piers Park one Friday night and it was awesome! It was so fun to get fancy treats to splurge on and bring a blanket and just hang out. We also had a wine picnic with some friends in Chicago!

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3. Go for evening walks- I did this a lot throughout the summer! RM and I went on them about once a week (sometimes not so often) and my sister and I went on a few as well. It’s such a nice way to unwind from the day and catch up with each other.

4. Take a sailing lesson or go on a chartered sailing tour from Piers Park- Did not do this- too lofty of an idea with a summer as busy as mine ended up being!

5. Have outside drinks at KO Pies- Haven’t done this yet, but RM and I are planning to go for our 1 year anniversary next weekend. We did have outdoor drinks at the Intercontinental a lot, so that counts for outdoor drinks.

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6. Do an outdoor bootcamp- Yup! Lots of these. I did one for Sheila’s bachelorette party, I did one at home in Maine, I went to a Barry’s Bootcamp roof deck workout and I started teaching an outdoor bootcamp!

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7. Play mini golf- Didn’t do this, but I did go to the driving range 3 times… that counts for something, right?

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8. Go to an outdoor yoga class (they have them at Piers Park)- Didn’t do this, but did do some yoga over this summer, it just wasn’t outside.

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9. Watch fireworks- Does watching them on TV count? 😉 I did see a few in the distance one night as well.

10. Go to a parade- No parades for me this summer… which I should’ve known since I wasn’t going to Maine for the 4th of July.

11. Visit the SOWA open market for lunch at a lunch truck and to buy locally made/grown food from the vendors- Ugh. I totally forgot this was on my bucket list! Not that I was really around on a Sunday morning with nothing to do, but still. Anyone know when they end? I’d love to get there before the end of the season.

12. See a shooting star- I saw lots of stars in Maine while I was there- may have even been a few shooting ones in there!

13. Have a bondfire- Yup! 2 of these, actually, both times I was in Maine.

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14. Eat S’mores- My mom forgot to buy stuff so no s’mores for me 😦

15. Walk around the North End/Quincy Market- Did this a few times. RM and I went shopping after work once, we got massages at Exhale and puttered around and I got my hair done and walked around.

16. Skip a workout in favor of living spontaneously and grabbing drinks or going to dinner or something like that- I did this on August 5th, according to my notes (so Type A), but I can’t for the life of me remember what I did instead of workout. I did skip a workout after coming home from Chicago, but I grocery shopped and made dinner instead- not nearly as fun!

17. Play a round of golf- Nope. My skills and patience levels aren’t quite there.

18. Go kayaking on the Charles River- No- Didn’t have the time for this.

19. Bring RM to Maine and do a tour of Kennebunkport, Wells and Ogunquit (making sure to stop in a Barnacle Billy’s for Rum Punches!)- Yes! RM and I spent the afternoon at Barnacle Billy’s and it was perfect.

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20. Eat organic and/or locally grown fruit and produce (hopefully mostly from my garden!)- Yes- I bought locally grown fruit and veggies and also had tons from my dad’s garden, as well as some stuff from mine.

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21. Get a grill and have BBQ’s- I did not get a grill… I wanted to, but never seemed to be around to even have time to grill. RM should’ve gotten one! I did go to a lot of BBQs, though.

22. Put away at least $10/week for “fun” savings- I was bad and didn’t do this, although I’ve started saving all of my gym money in a separate place from my other money. I’ve already put away more than the $10/week so that counts.

23. Go on a hike- Didn’t do this- we walked the Marginal Way, but that’s definitely not a hike.

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24. Spend less time on social media and more time being present in whatever I’m doing- I was much better with this! While I was still on social media, I tried to stop being on it past 9pm.

25. Spend lots of time with friends, family and RM… hopefully crossing off things in #’s 1-24 😉 You tell me- I think I did alright!

Although I definitely didn’t get to everything, considering the fact I had so many other things going on, I think I did pretty darn well. It was fun, too, because everything we did stuff RM would be like “we’re crossing things off left and right!” haha. Next summer I am really hoping to slow down a bit, and have some weekends where I’m around or on the Cape more or in Maine more, as that’s where I want to be in the summer!

Questions for you: Did you have a bucket list this summer? Were you able to do a lot of things you had wanted to do? What was something you didn’t get a chance to do?

Tomato, Cucumber, Corn & Spinach Quinoa “Salad”

Well that’s a mouthful, huh? In an attempt to amp up my boring lunches, a few weeks ago I whipped up a batch of this quinoa dish. I based it off of this Caprese Orzo Salad recipe, but changed quite a few things. What I loved about this dish was that it was filling, super flavorful and chock full of good stuff!

quinoa salad

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup of quinoa
  • 1 cup chopped seedless cucumber
  • 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
  • Corn from 1 ear of corn
  • 1 big handful of spinach
  • Goat Cheese (I just used maybe a tablespoon?)
  • ½ cup EVOO
  • ¼ cup White wine vinegar (or red wine)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Few big shakes of crushed red pepper
  • Juice from ½ a lemon

Directions

  1. Cook quinoa according to the back of the package. While that’s cooking, chop up your veggies.

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2. Sautee or wilt the spinach as the quinoa is cooling.

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3. Combine the EVOO, vinegar, S&P, crushed red pepper and lemon juice in a separate bowl.

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4. Once the quinoa has cooled, add the spinach, corn, cucumber, tomato and cheese and mix together. Add in the ‘dressing’ and refrigerate for an hour before serving.

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This dish lasted me throughout the week and I loved eating it alone, on top of my salad and even with some chicken mixed in.

Questions for you: What’s your favorite non-traditional salad? How do you “spice up” your salads?

Fresh White Summer Sangria

A few weeks ago, I went up to my friend Lisa’s apartment to have drinks on her deck. We originally talked about doing margarita’s, but decided to skip those in favor of something a little healthier. Enter: sangria! Although some sangrias can be filled with too much sugar, this one doesn’t have any added sugar and is naturally sweetened by the fruit, brandy and white wine.

It’s also a very simple, minimal ingredient sangria because, well, I just wanted to throw something together quickly and easily. Feel free to sub out the wine for something you prefer more and pick fruit according to what you have or what’s on sale. The beauty of sangria is that there are endless possibilities for what you can put in it!
Fresh White Summer Sangria

Ingredients

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  • 1 bottle of white wine- I suggest a sweeter wine like a Riesling or Pinot Grigio
  • 1 or 2 nips of Brandy- I only used one, but using 2 might make it sweeter if that’s what you’re looking for
  • 1/2 large orange, sliced
  • 1/2 lemon, sliced
  • 1/2 lime, sliced
  • 1/2-1 cup strawberry seltzer water- feel free to use whatever flavor you want, but I had this and thought it was a great addition

Directions

Pour the wine and brandy in a container, add in the sliced fruit and half of the seltzer you plan to use. Stir and refrigerate for a few hours so the fruit juices can settle in. Before serving, add in the rest of the seltzer to give it a bit of fizz. Serve over ice and enjoy!

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We all loved this sangria and I think what made me love it was that it wasn’t TOO sweet. Sometimes I feel like sangria’s are all juice and, as a wine lover, i’m always a little disappointed when that’s the case. I want to taste the wine and this sangria accomplished that.

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I realize it’s September, but the weather is still great for outdoor cocktail hours so there’s still plenty of time to hang onto summer drinks with this recipe!

Questions for you: Do you like white or red sangria? Have you ever made sangria?