Big Move!!!

Hello Lovely Readers!

I know I have been absent for a while  I have been swamped with school, work and big blogging decisions.  While blogger.com has been good for me  I feel it has been time to move on for some while now.  I am moving on to my own site at insearchoflovely.com!!

You can find me at insearchoflovely.com with a brand new look and a fun new post!

Life and Health

  Today I was inspired by a post I read over on Penny Pincher Fashion.  The post discussed the author's struggle with Lupus and the delicate balance of stress, life and health that comes with auto-immune conditions.  I've struggled for years with endometriosis and IBS, which I have no doubt mentioned in passing here.   What I haven't mentioned is that I have been seeing a rheumatologist since last summer and she is attempting to diagnose a definite auto-immune issue.  She has narrowed it down to a connective tissue disorder of some kind, which could be Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis or fibromayalgia (doctor speak for we don't know).  The tests are inconclusive, bouncing back and forth between positive and negative.  My personal doc just ran off a lymes disease test today to cover our bases.

  What I do know:  I know stress makes these conditions worse, I know I can have a full night's sleep and still wake up dead tired and I know to listen to my body.  I do yoga almost every single day and I can't sing its praises enough.  It makes me feel so much better and often is enough to make the difference between a good and bad day.  Starting this new job has thrown a whole new set of challenges into the ring.  I am now the main earner in the family, I am sitting on my bum roughly eight hours a day and meal times are all over the place.   No stress there!!

  So I can't quit my job right now, hey, I like to eat!  But I can minimize the impact.  My doc is looking for an integrative medicine practice nearby.  I get up and move on my lunch hour, I am pushing to get more fruits and veggies into my diet and try to decrease the amount of stress I cause myself on a daily basis.

  If you are struggling with auto-immune conditions of any kind, please share your journey.  If you are in remission, share anyway, you might be on to something that can help someone else.  I am a big believer in community.  The more we share, the more answers are found.

Things I Learned This Week

So I survived my first week on the new job!  Hurray!

I learned quite a bit this week.  Perhaps the most important thing being that I need to have more faith in myself and my abilities, that I am better and more capable than I sometimes think I am.  The proof will be in the "pudding", of course, but so far training is going very well.

I like my coworkers, both the group I am training with and the older hires.  They are a bright, positive and fun group of people.  You can't ask for more than that in coworkers!

I am still figuring out how to balance the job, school, blogging and still having some semblance  of a life, but I am starting to get the hang of it.  Hopefully I will be able to snap some pictures and get some new posts in the works this week!

Back to Work!

Hello Lovelies!

Today was my first day on my new job!  This is the first full-time job I have had in a while,  I've worked two jobs from time to time, however, since being married I haven't had a full-time job.  So exciting!!  So far I like my coworkers and my boss seems to be a decent sort.  All good things.

It is an adjustment, without a doubt.  My goal is to keep up with the blog and my school work while working this job.  Am I crazy?  Probably.  I guess the only way to see if I can make it work is to try, right?  I foresee a lot of scheduling in my future.

Do any of you have advice for keeping all the *hypothetical* balls in the air?  I would love to hear from you if you do!

Five Things About Me

Life has been busy around here lately.  I've been catching up on appointments and the like before I start my new job next week.  Anywho, I've been trying to come up with a post idea and this was something I haven't done yet.  So here are five things you may not know about me:

1. I am an avid Lord of the Rings/ The Hobbit fan.  I love the movies.  I occasionally have LOTR marathons and can't wait to watch them all in order starting with The Hobbit.  I am not ashamed of this little quirk!

2.  I didn't get my ears pierced until my late twenties.  It took me months to work up the courage to actually get it done and I still took my bestie with me for moral support.

3.  I love to paint, and I am not talking about landscapes.  I love painting rooms, I find it relaxing, almost meditative.  My family thinks I'm a little weird!

4.  I love to bake and I do not do it often enough.  I prefer to bake from scratch and the ensuing mess is a bit daunting to clean up when a dishwasher is lacking.  The results are usually well worth it though.

5.  I lived in England for years as a child and still get desperately homesick for the place.  I would love to return one day, maybe even to live.

So, there you are!  Five random facts about me that I'm pretty sure I haven't mentioned here before.

Rolls we had at Christmas.  I am extremely proud of this photo!

Walking In The Snow

  There is nothing quite so magical as walking through a snowstorm at night.  The street lights create a soft glow, causing the night to be light enough to see, but still dark enough to be mysterious.  The streets are deserted with only the occasional car driving slowly by.  You crunch through several inches of snow, stopping to let your dog sniff some rabbit tracks or even jogging a little as he bounds through the drifts like a puppy.  The city is quiet.  Quiet in a way that only happens during a snow storm.  There are no sirens, no noisy trucks and everyone is snugged up inside.  Even your footsteps are muffled.  The meaning of the Robert Frost poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" suddenly make sense.

    A thought crossed my mind this past Saturday evening as I walked my dog through our latest snow storm.  It occurred to me that there are two types of people in this world; people who look for peaceful moments and allow themselves to be healed by them and people who do not. There isn't much that a solitary evening walk in the snow can't soothe, if you let it. The trick is, you have to let it. You have to choose to let go of stress, anger, worry and whatever is making you miserable and just enjoy the peaceful beauty of the falling snow.

A particularly brilliant sunset reflecting off a recent snowfall.

Of course this concept isn't limited to winter walks in the snow.  The same experience can be found on a beach, in a warm bath after a long day at work, listening to music or simply sitting on your porch sipping tea in the morning (or evening).  As this past year has been one of the most stressful years I have experienced to date I have learned to cherish these little moments of peace and to live them fully.  It is my secret.  When people have asked me how I have done it, what makes me so strong I tell them that I just don't give up, because that is the simplest explanation.  The truth is that I allow myself to fully live those quiet, healing moments.  For a few minutes or even a few hours, I allow my troubles and worries to drift away and I enjoy the peace and healing that has come my way.  For a few moments I can forget everything and just be.  Knowing that these moments exist even in the midst of chaos and trouble allows me to go on.

And so, weary as I am of the cold and the aching joints that come with it, when it snows I bundle up and take the dog for a walk.  And I forget about those joints and just walk in the snow.  Magically, when I walk back through the door, out of breath and looking like someone powdered me with sugar, there is a smile on my face and I sleep just a little better that night.  And everything is lovely again.

Big News!

I have big news to share today.  After three or so months of being unemployed I was offered a job last week!!!   I accepted and have been making sure that all the pre-start date items have been checked off the list, making this a very busy week.

I am hoping that this will not effect my blogging in any way.  I am working out a schedule that will allow for the new situation, while still keeping up with the blog.  I have let this go before and I really do not want to do so again.  In fact I am hoping that this new chapter I am embarking on will help to inspire new posts and ideas!

Now I just have to break the news to my dog that his Mummy won't be around all the time anymore.  Somehow I don't think he is going to be so understanding about it!  He's quite enjoyed all the one-on-one time he has gotten lately.  He is nothing if not spoiled rotten!

Loving Yourself on Valentine's Day

   I've been thinking about this post a lot this week.  You see, I am spending Valentine's Day alone for the first time in a very long time.....and yet I am not sad or lonely.  I decided I was going to be my own valentine this year.  I gave myself some small gifts, and I am going on a date with myself this afternoon.  I think it is important to remember that we love ourselves every so often.  We can get so wrapped up in life and in our relationships that we can often neglect the most important relationship, the one with yourself.

   Last weekend I stopped at one of my favorite shopping streets in Lititz, Lancaster County for a new tea mug and a perfume I have been eyeing for ages.

Some of the charming shops in downtown Lititz.

My new tea mug is seeing use this morning and I will be taking myself to the movies this afternoon!

Hope you are all enjoying your Valentine's Day as much as I am!

The Creeping Crud

Well, my lovelies, the creeping crud has caught up with me again this winter.  Being laid up with a rather nasty respiratory infection is certainly no fun.  Not to mention frustrating!  I am currently treating with rest, chicken broth, cold medicine and feeling sorry for myself.  Yes, I am a total baby when I am sick.  I have some posts in the works for when my brain is functioning at a little higher level.  Right now I am keeping up with my course work and adulting, barely!

Any remedies for the creeping crud are more than welcome and accepted gratefully!

Farmer's Market Finds

  There is a local farmer's market here that happens every Tuesday.  In the middle of winter it can be a bit bare, most of the produce stalls are closed but the meat and antique vendors are still going strong inside the heated buildings.  The food vendors are also open making the air smell like roasted nuts, freshly baked bread, popcorn and gyros.  I stopped by to grab some local chicken for the week and to have a good browse through the stalls to see what caught my eye.

First things first; it was cold and I felt the need for a nice warm snack, which came in the shape of hot soft pretzel.

This baby hit the spot AND kept my hands warm!

I found a charming little pewter bowl that will make an excellent ring bowl for my vanity.

Hindsight being what it is, I probably should have photographed the bowl with something to demonstrate scale; it looks rather large here.  

My favorite part of the day was the flowers.  I came home with a pretty bunch of tulips to bring some color and life into the house.

I love having flowers around, but we don't get many around here in winter and most bunches cost an arm and a leg.  Finding tulips at a reasonable price means that spring isn't too far away!

Relaxing Read

I've been trying something new before bed the last couple of days.  Instead of simply doing my skin/dental care routine and collapsing into bed I am setting aside some time to curl up with a soft light on and read.  No iPhone, no computer, no telly just me and a book.  The dog is in his bed, sleeping, and I can unplug for a half hour.

I'm finding it really relaxing and, sure enough, I'm sleeping a little better.  Nothing spectacular, but my guess is that as time passes it may begin to add up a little bit!

Do you have any bedtime rituals that you swear by to help you get the best night's sleep ever?

Bumble Bees and Pretty Pieces

  I went shopping the other day, it was the first time I had been out and about since my husband's health scare.  I had a little left over spending money from Christmas and a Forever 21 store credit that needed using.

My first stop was Forever 21, where I scored several lovely little necklaces and a quite lovely tote.

I am one of those ladies who tends to have one purse and use it until it begins to noticeably wear out. Threads begin to come loose, linings get torn and stained with makeup.....it isn't pretty.  Or lovely.   It's one of those habits I am working on.....one purse at a time! (Did I mention it was under $30??!!)

My next stop was AVANNi's and a adorable little Alex and Ani Bumble Bee charm bracelet.  I have been eyeing Alex and Ani bracelets for a while and finally gave in to temptation.  This little bumble bee caught my eye and just had to come home with me.  The bracelets are made from recycled copper here in the USA and a portion of the proceeds from select products go to charity.

Not a bad day out!

Women Helping Women

There is nothing that makes me happier than to see women giving each other a boost.  One organization that epitomizes this idea is a group known as the Levo League.  Founded by Caroline Ghosn and Amanda Pouchot, Levo League is an organization that helps professional women meet other professional women, find jobs, network and find mentors, just for starters.  There are local chapters all over the US and even some in Europe!  There are no membership fees, although some local events may be ticketed, albeit very rarely.

My experience with Levo has been transformative for me.  I spent a few months as an online member, watching "Office Hours" (video interviews with industry leaders from multiple disciplines) and reading the articles.  Then my life took a turn and I realized that if I wanted to move forward I was going to have to take control of my life and my career.  I joined the closest Levo chapter and started going to their events.  It has been the most transformative experience.  So far I have attended a workshop on setting goals (and following through with them) for the new year and another workshop on cultivating happiness.

The workshops were amazing and interesting, however the most enjoyable aspect was meeting the inspiring young women who are members of the chapter.  Connections were made and friendships begun.  We shared our stories, marveled over how much we have in common and laughs were had.  I left those workshops feeling lifted up and ready to take on the world.

Do you belong to any organizations that revolve around women helping women?  Tell us about them!





Just a side note here, while I am a member of Levo they did not compensate me or solicit this post in any way.  I am passionate about what they do and want to share the love!

A Health Emergency and School Begins

I've been quiet this week, and not on purpose, just busy.  My husband was admitted to the hospital last Sunday with an on-going health problem he struggles with.  He's been there all this week, so most of my days have been spent at the hospital.  He is doing much better now, so I felt comfortable writing about it.  I did manage to snap a picture of Wednesday's snow from the window of his room while he was sleeping.

I also started school this week for the spring semester!  I'm majoring in web development/design (just declared) so it has been a really, really busy week.  I always get excited for the first week of school, I love learning and am looking forward to digging into my new major.  This is the first step on the path toward a viable career for me, a goal I have been working toward for a while now.  It feels good to finally be making it happen!

The Farm Show: Hay bales and Cuteness

I haven't post much over the last week or so.  Life has been very crazy around here!  Yours truly is officially back in school again, doctors appointments were attended and medical testing done (more news on that later) and the biggest story this week was the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

It is the oldest continuous Farm Show in the United States and a long standing tradition in our family.    Old friends are often there to bump into, rodeos need to be seen and there is always great food to be eaten.  I took lots of pictures as I walked through the show and I hope I was able to capture the spirit of the Farm Show!  Enjoy!

Lots and lots of rabbits and this gorgeous Belgian Hare:

And these little cuties:

Cowboys and a rodeo:

This elegant looking young lady:

One sleepy, yet affectionate cow:

And finally this handsome guy!

Favorite Things

So I haven't done much of this in the past, but the new year is all about trying new things and it is in that spirit I am starting a new feature that I am calling Favorite Things.  Things, old or new, in my life that I love, have enjoyed and just simply want to share.

This week my first Favorite Thing is my watch.  It wasn't expensive, I got it at the LOFT Outlet Store (on sale too!), but I have gotten so many compliments on it that I wanted to share it with you!

This little guy is a great outfit "finisher" and goes with just about everything.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I love a piece like this, it functions as a watch and a bracelet.  Lets hear it for making the morning just that much easier!

Next up are a pair of boots I purchased today.  Yep, just today.  And I am already in LOVE!!  

They aren't a big name brand, I got them here and I love them!  Not only are they cute, but really comfy too!  A biiig plus in any footwear choice.  It just so happens that these boots are also really great in the snow which is great since we got a few inches today:

And that's a wrap!  Do you have something you are in love with this week?  Let me know in the comments!  

*Disclaimer:  Neither LOFT, BosCov's or the Wanted brands compensated me in any way for this post and I shelled out good hard cash for the above items.  Should I write a review of any product provided to me by a company to sample or review I will always provide you with full disclosure.

Lazy Sunday Musings

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I have been laid up with a nasty head cold since New Year's Day.  Bummer.

Since I was not able to get out and fully enjoy the post holiday sales around here, I have been recuperating by spending inordinate amounts of time on the Internet, formulating my 2015 goals and going ever-so-slightly stir crazy.  It hasn't really helped that the weather has so perfectly matched my mood over the last few days.

Yesterday we had snow, sleet AND buckets of rain.

Today we have fog worthy of London, which has left my little hill top neighborhood floating in a sea of quiet mystery.

This very British weather is so very appropriate as we anticipate the state-side airing of Downton Abbey's new season.  I am playing it cool, but secretly I can't wait to find out what all the characters get up to this season.  Curling up with a steaming mug of Chai Roibos tea, a blanket and the dog may just make up for having this cold.

I may, or may not, have been doing a spot of online shopping while I have been laid up, but that is another post for another time!

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

It is 2015 and the world is your oyster!  There are new goals to set, resolutions to keep (or not keep) and a whole host of new opportunities and adventures waiting to be discovered.

All that being said New Year's Day is a very lazy affair in our household.  Due to a busy week everyone was very tired and nobody made it to midnight this year, despite our best efforts.  One thing that is non-negotiable:  lunch.  It must be "lucky".  In our family that means pork-n-sauerkraut.

Or Corned beef and cabbage....whichever ancestry we are honoring that year!

This year it was my take on pork-n-sauerkraut.

To make this you will need:

4 thin cut pork chops
thyme
parsley
olive oil

A store bought package of sauerkraut

1 apple
brown sugar
cinnamon
nutmeg
ground ginger
1/4 to 1/2 cup of water


To make the apples; slice your apple into bite-sized chunks, place in pot with water, brown sugar and spices and bring to a boil.  Reduce to medium heat, stirring occasionally and cook until the apples become soft and brown.

Place the sauerkraut in pan and heat on medium until warm.  I have no problem using store bought, ready to eat kraut here, it is just as good and healthy as homemade and much simpler!

For the pork chops pour olive oil into pan and heat, adding chops when pan is warm.  Add spices before the chops brown.  I like adding the spices to both sides of the chop while it cooking, I think it adds more flavor.  Cook until the meat is white when cut into.  I suggest starting the pork chops last as they cook very quickly on a medium heat.

Plate and enjoy!!

For dessert we put the leftover apples on top of ice cream, which is absolutely heavenly(and I wasn't quick enough to grab snaps of it!).

What are your favorite "lucky" meals or traditions for New Years?