Instagram Ice Cream AF

I'm pretty sure people just go here for the gram... jk but not really lol. This ice cream place is called Milkcraft and is SO CUTE! Here's the thing, Utah's food places have great atmosphere. Like, they're so cute. In Connecticut, that doesn't happen a whole ton. Needless, to say, it was fun to go somewhere that had mega vibes.

From time to time I get really angsty and all "What am I doing with my life?!" I sometimes feel like everyone around me is having babies or buying houses or traveling. I don't feel like there are too many people on my social media who are still in the "poor college student phase" and sometimes I get really bothered by that. I know that it will end soon (1 year, woot!). I know that it will be worth it when we're both working, and that we'll be able to travel all we want. It's just that doesn't always make things better right now, do you know what I mean? 

Anyway. So I was complaining about all of this. I was also complaining about how we don't have any de-stressors (friends, a dog, cute food places) and how that just makes everything harder. A few hours after that, I was just like, "WE ARE GOING TO MILKCRAFT!!!!!" It was like 9:00pm on a Sunday, but when those moments hit you gotta do what you gotta do. And sure enough, after we got ice cream at a cute, new food place I felt so much better hahahaha. 

The cones were actually the texture of waffles and SO GOOD. I am going to go back when my mom comes to visit and get the fruity pebbles ice cream. I liked the caramel corn, but it was a little unique for my taste. Look how cute the inside is, though!!!

Anyway, the moral of the story is that cute food places can cure even the angsty-est of angst lololololol. Add this to your things to do in Connecticut list, too!

XOXO

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Burgs

So, I'm eating meat now, right? So far, I think it's been ok, but I still feel like I can get my fill from fake meats. Also, I feel like vegetarian food has more flavor? I don't know, it's weird. I have been wanting to keep trying meats, though. Just because there aren't a lot of places in this area that are veg friend. 

So last week we went to Prime 16 in Orange, Connecticut. (Lol that there is a town named Orange.) Their beef is certified humane which makes my animal loving hear v happy. Also, atmosphere AF at this place, you guys. I should have taken a photo of the bar, but it looked like a vampires lounge hahaha. It was amazing.

Also I got this camera for a sponsored post, but I am actually obsessed with it. It's film, but digital which is the *BeSt Of BoTh WoRlDs*. So basically you can take pictures and see what they look life BEFORE you print them. You can add filters and crop and add stickers too. I'm not sponsored to post it here haha, I just genuinely love the product. I pretty much love anything film related, lets be honest.

This is the first burger I have had from a restaurant! (Does Shake Shack count as a restaurant?) It had bacon on the inside and then bacon on the top. I lol at how much meat eaters love bacon. Also it was HUGE!! My hand is twisted so weird in this picture, but you get the idea. 

Living somewhere new that no one you know has lived before is kind of hard as far as knowing where to eat goes. We are like, exploring all on our own from stage 1. So, if you are ever in Connecticut for whatever reason (Gilmore Girls tour or going to Yale), definitely add this place to your list! 

XOXO

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A Happy List: 158

I love that the sun sets on my train ride home. <3 <3 <3

Guys, this was so funny. We were at Target and I looked over and saw this. It was later at night, so I thought they were unboxing new product and it just so happened that the plastic dog inside looked like this. I was like, "J! Look how cute that accident is!" But then upon closer examination of my photo realized it was intentionally set to look like that hahaha. 

These were my infamous fish tacos from the other night! I learned the other day that American's don't eat fish often, but it's like one of the better meats (health wise). So I want to start making it more!

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Updating my photography website. Check it out and let me know if I should change anything!

People singing Lean On Me on the subway... such a stereotypical New York moment lol.

I made the BEST fish tacos on Wednesday. Here's the recipe if you're interested.

Seeing a garbage truck with men, instead of an electronic arm.

The feeling of perfectly smooth legs rubbing together.

My friend's cute subscription box company

Seeing a school bus full of kids.

J's new obsession with R&B

A's discover weekly

Film cameras

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Funny things people said this week:

I found an empty, plastic storage box in our closet and decided to use it to store some Easter stuff we got. However, it was only a few plastic eggs, but I figured I would add more as the years went on. J came by a few hours later and said, so confused, "So did you just want to use this bucket to put eggs in?? Did you want to put some other stuff??"

I guess this isn't a funny things someone said, but I did feel like an idiot. So this week I was like, "I'll drive myself to the train station!" So, I arrive 10 minutes early, just in case. But, I couldn't find the daily parking lot, so I had to call J and he gave me directions. Once I got there I had to park way at the bottom, and walk up to the booth to pay the guy. However, he was cash only, so I had to run back to my car, dig up $4 of cash, and come back. He was super nice and took it. Then I walked up the platform with a few minutes to spare and called J. There weren't many people on the platform, but it didn't register to me at the time. So, I was just walking along, chatting to J, and then I looked across the tracks and saw all these people on the OTHER SIDE OF THE PLATFORM. (The side that goes to New York.) The train was scheduled to arrive in two minutes, so I booked it down the stairs, up the parking lot, across the street, and got to the other platform a minute before the train left hahaha. I felt so dumb.

J: "Em, I KNOW my burger had garlic... but I don't remember eating it!!!!"

XOXO
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New York I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down

Wow. Am I the worst blogger or what?? I literally have all these photos, but never post them. I need to just take like an hour on Sundays and plan out all my posts for the week. I always do this when I am in a busy stage of life, and then I try to look back on it and have 0 things to look back on. SO ONWARD!!

These pictures were taken the other week on my commute to New York. I honestly love the Metro North so, so much. It's so calming with the white noise and windows. New York was rainy too, and so beautiful. I will miss it when we move!

Isn't this street art neat? It's something to promote reading for kids, I think. Is there a walking tour of all the street art in New York City? Cause I could get on that real quick. 

That feeling when your class is canceled, but you still have class after that, so you have to kill 3 1/2 hours in New York City, but also it's raining so you can't sit outside. 

Pro-tip: At Grand Central there are so many yummy food places in the basement level! (Lower level, whatever it's called.) They have a magnolia bakery!! I got this bread pudding to eat on the way home, but there was a business man next to me and I was nervous lol. There are a lot of like, unspoken rules on the Metro North, and I have broken some of them at times and people are not happy. (Remember the guy who threw my jacket sleeve into my lap?? Or the guy who got up and waited by the door until I moved to a seat not directly next to him?? Yikes.) Anyway, so when I got home we ate it in bed while watching T.V. I always have high hopes for Fear The Walking Dead, but it's just not my favorite.... pretty much ever.

Ok also, I have to tell you guys what happened two weeks ago in New York because intuition 10/10.

So, this was our first week with our second car. J thought I was going to drive myself to the station, but I thought he was driving me. So I slept in later than I would have needed to, and after realizing our mistake, I was like, "Just let me stay home! I'll be late anyway!!" J was like, "Um. No." And listed very valid reasons why I should go. So I was like, "K fine." and off we went. I ended up getting there in time after all, and all was well. UNTIL!! My last class ends at 6:35 right?? Well, I miss the 6:53 train by MINUTES! And I end up having to take the 7:12, which gets in like 30-ish minutes later than the 6:53 (which is weird, but whatever). So, at the end of class we had time to meet with our groups, and I was like, "Oh, I'm going to leave 5 minutes early and be clever and make the 6:53 train."

So, I leave my five minutes early. However, my metro card is out of money, so I go to the little kiosk at the subway station and try to reload it. Doesn't reload. Try to reload it again. Doesn't reload. I realize I'm using my old zip code and feel like an idiot. Try to reload it with correct zip code. Doesn't reload. Try it again. Doesn't reload.

Luckily J always makes me carry at least $5, so I reload it with cash and get on my merry way, knowing that I have missed the 7:53, but knowing I can make my usual 7:12. So, I get on the train and it just sits there. For like, minutes. Then this guy comes on the speaker saying, "Due to an investigation, we are experiencing delays." I was like, "Ok?" So after sitting at the first station for a few minutes, we finally move on to the second station... but then we sit there for five minutes too before moving on to the next station. At this point I'm like, totally missing the 7:12, but there is still hope I can make the 7:34. This stop and go pattern goes on until we reach 33rd street, at which point the whole train goes out of service and we have to get off. I wait at the station thinking another 6 train will be coming shortly. Well, actually two 6 trains came... but also went. Without stopping. Or picking up anyone at all fro the 33rd street station.

At this point I have missed the 7:34 train. And the next to leave is at 8:07, which gets into my station at 9:44 PM. The one after that gets in at 10:20, and if you guys don't already know, I like start my bedtime routine at 10. So, I was like, "10:20 WILL NOT HAPPEN." I run out of the 33rd street station and walk 9 blocks to 42nd street and catch the train, AT LAST.

So let's recap. 

What normally happens: Leave class at 6:35, catch the 7:12 train, get home at 8:56.

What actually happened two weeks ago: Left class at 6:30, caught the 8:07 train, got home at 9:44.

LIKE NO THANK YOU.

Don't get me wrong, I love how close and accessible New York is, but sometimes that public transportation gets to you hahaha. 

And that's all for today, folks!!

XOXO

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E

A Happy List: 157

The name Felicia.

The slang in Awkward.

Getting back into running.

Coming home to a clean apartment.

Washington Square park in the spring.

The rosemary and currant scone from Oren's.

Finding cheesecake at Aldi (my least favorite place ever).

I spilled eucalyptus essential oil in my car and it smells so good now. 

Listening to the radio for the first time in literal years and "Lose Yourself" by Eminem came on. 

Complained about having to wake up early to fill my car up with gas and J went out that night and filled it up.

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J: "I technically ate paintballs all the time."

J ran up the stairs while making a whooshing sound. Then he said, "Em, sometimes I have to verbally express how fast I'm going."

I told J about this app where you set a timer so you can focus better. If you don't exit out of the app before the time runs out, it will grow a tree for you. Once you have so many trees you can exchange them for a real tree to be planted. It's really cool. It's called Forest. Anyway, he downloaded it while he was studying and then came down and said, "Em! Look!! My tree growed!"

XOXO

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Best Indie Films On Netflix 2017

Here are April's best indie films on Netflix, IMO. If you have any faves (even if they're not indie) let me know in the comments! I also may have talked about some of these in my last post, but since Netflix changes so often I'll talk about them again if they're still there.

Without further ado....

Adventureland: Ok I saw this a while ago but remember loving it. It's a comedy/love story about a college grad who works at a theme park. For me it brought back the feels of having a temporary job you have zero interest in but are forced to take kind of seriously. Worst.

Anyway, Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart are cute in this and it's fun and summery and has some witty little jokes. 10/10

Moonrise Kingdom: This is a CLASSIC! Wes Anderson is a genius, as I'm sure you've heard. If you don't watch any thing else, watch this. It's sure to be the cutest thing you've ever seen. (Also tbt to our Wes Anderson halloween costumes a few years based off this movie.) 10/10

Heathers: Oldie but a goodie! The outfits in this are 10/10 on their own. Also Winona Ryder is brilliant. If you like 80's movies and dark comedy, you'll love this. 10/10

The Babadook: So, this is actually a genius film. I feel like it's a really good movie to watch to understand mental illness (mainly depression). It's scary, too!! 10/10 for sure.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World: Ok, so Steve Carell and Keira Knightley are actually an amazing combo in this. It's about how life changes where everyone learns a huge asteroid is going to destroy earth. I love seeing how people react and imaging what it would be like to know of your impending doom! Needless to say, this movie was a 10/10 for me for sure.

Mr. Nobody: So, this is actually in my top ten favorite movies of all time. Yes, it's THAT good. I actually don't want to say much because it's better to just watch without reading that much about. Jared Leto is a bae, as always. Ah, yeah. Just... watch this. Please. It may change your life? 10/10

Melancholia: Well, what do ya know. Another movie about earth's impending doom. We get it, Hollywood. We suck.

In all seriousness this movie is so so sooooooo strange. And also amazing and beautiful and just like, an interesting watch. You'll definitely wonder what is going on at times. And you'll also see so many beautiful things and think a little bit more about life. 10/10

Nightcrawler: Ok, yes this is great because it has Jake Gyllenhaal (although he is an actual psycho).  It's also great because it's a really interesting look into paparazzi. Definitely creepy and kind of icky feeling, but a good watch for sure.

Also, if you watched The Night Of (which I would also HIGHLY recommend) it's interesting to see Riz Ahmed in a different role. I am like, weirdly obsessed with him after The Night Of hahaha. It was such a good show and one I think about from time to time. I'd rate Nightcrawler a 9/10 only because I thought the plot was going to be something a little bit different than it was, but it still creeped me out.

In the Land of Women: Ok, so I actually don't know why I love this movie as much as I do. It's about a writer who is taking a break from life and makes friends with the neighbors. It doesn't make a whole ton of sense. It just has a bunch of people I like to see in films (Meg Ryan, Adam Brody, Kristen Stewart, Dustin Milligan). Oh, also it's filmed in the most beautiful neighborhood. I just want to jump into it and live there. 10/10. (This is also in my top 10 favorite movies.)

Pulp Fiction: I can NOT believe I haven't seen this until recently. My boss at my old work used to call me "The Wolf" and I never got the reference. Anyway, this is basically about gangsters and it's amazing. John Travolta is AMAZING in this. He just cracked me up. If you haven't seen this, it's definitely a fun watch. (I don't know why they have that girl on the cover though? Because she really isn't in it for that long.)

Beginners: This movie is about a guy whose elderly dad comes out as gay after his wife passes away. I will admit that a huge reason I loved this film was because of the dog. No shame. His name is Arthur and Ewan McGregor insists on taking him everywhere. It's amazing. Also, Ewan McGregor, enough said. Also, the French actress character is too cute. Oh, and just the whole way the film is filmed and the creative direction behind it is so good. 10/10.

Short Term 12: This gave me alllll the feels. It's about some kids (I say that but they are in their 20's) who work at a rehab facility. It documents the struggles and insecurities, which I totally related to being in the mental health field. Rami Malek is the most well known actor in this film, but he doesn't have a very long appearance. It tends to be no name actors for the most part, which I always love.

Colonia: THIS WAS SO GOOD. I was honestly NOT expecting that much. I have been searching for more cult movies and T.V. shows, and this totally fit the bill. Emma Watson's character enters into a cult to save her boyfriend who was kidnapped by them. It's based on a true story which completely blew my mind, because it was crazy. I would 10/10 recommend this.

Philomena: Ok, so this took me by surprise as well. It's about a journalist who helps an elderly woman find the baby she gave up for adoption. It hits you in the feels, both angry and sad. 10/10 for sure.

Other People: So, this movie is about a kid who moves home because his mom is dying of cancer. If you watched Breaking Bad (which is 10/10 for sure) you get to see Jesse Plemons (aka Todd) in a VERY different role, which I loved. It had a lot of dark comedy and kind of reminded me of a film Tina Fey would have been proud of. 9/10

The Fundamentals of Caring: OK THIS WAS SO GOOD. It's about a middle aged man who takes care of a disabled boy. It has it all: teen humor, dark comedy, cameo appearance from Selena Gomez, and the most lovable Paul Rudd. I loved this so much and LOL-ed many times. The kid's face just cracks me up.

Tallulah: Ok, so this also was amazing. It's about a girl who steals a drunk, neglectful mom's baby. Ellen Page was perfect for the role. I am pretty sure I will be like her character when I am a mom, lol. Also, it takes place in New York City which I loved. It's a stressful, but feel good movie. 10/10 even though I wish it would have ended a little bit differently.

You can look up the parent's guide (explains the rating) for all of these on IMDB before deciding if you want to watch them or not. If you have any recommendations, let me know!

XOXO
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March Favorites

K I found a lot of good things this month and wanted to work on those #flatlayskillz (lolz jk).

1. Juicy Couture Sucre perfume: I got this for a collaboration I did on my Instagram, and I am actually in love with it. I have started spraying all my clothes like they do at Hollister hahaha. 

2. Corn patch: Ok so I desperately need to get a denim jacket and iron these patches on! They are seriously so cute!

3. Face lotion: THIS IS ACTUALLY THE BEST. It's like $6 on Amazon and SO HUGE. It's like twice the size of a regular face lotion, I swear to you. I will never go back.

4. Dog willow tree: My mother-in-law sent this to me after Trixie died. How cute is that!!

5. Water beads: These are what I was talking about in yesterday's post. I am going to make stress balls with them, but need more DIY ideas! Also, they shrink back down as they lose water. Weird huh?

6: Bummed shark patch: This reminds me of the dolphin girl on The Bachelor lol. Excited to add it to a jacket! Or maybe jeans too. Idk yet.

7. Zoya gold sparkle nail polish: Ok so this is my favorite because A.) Zoya is 5 free (google it). B. It's like kind of snaggy the first day or two, but then it seriously stays on FOREVER! Like a solid week or two and still looks A+.

8. Vegan dry shampoo: I am obsessed with this! It smells like those stress relief candles from Bath and Body works. And it works really well for dark hair. AND it's vegan! 

9. Dogs R Ppl Too pin: I LOVE THIS. For obvious reasons. They have a cat one too, for all you cat people.

XOXO

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E

A Happy List: 156

Corgis in sweaters.

Costco chicken bakes OMG.

Redoing my photography website.

This tweet and Riley's response LOL! 😂

Donald Trump's speeches turned into an emo song.

Hearing someone pronounce tartar like "tar tar" instead of "tarter" lol.

Cutting our heating bill down by $40 by keeping it at 68 and opening the blinds.

This cool app that plants real trees in the world if you don't use you phone for a set amount of time. 

Got my first bra since my reduction. It makes them look normal! (I have what looks like slight symmastia without it.)

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So I got these cool water balls that like grow when you add water. They don't really have a name or a purpose, they're just like a cool thing. They have led to lots of laughs lol.
J: "These balls are getting tiny!"
Me: "Did you see my balls are shrinking?"

Right now I'm working in eating disorders. I've learned a lot of really good things about body image, food, and the way society handles things. I was telling J the other day how people will be like, "Being naughty and having a cupcake!" and it's like, why is that naughty?? You can have a cupcake if you want? Anyway, then J was scrolling through Instagram and saw someone had posted a picture of food  they "shouldn't have eaten" and he was like, "Em, look! Food shaming! Food shaming!!!!" Lol I'm teaching him well! 😂

Overheard at school: "Do color blind people see skin color?"

Portland, Maine Travel Guide

You guyssssssss!! Maine was a-maz-ing. If you know me you know I am obsessed with Stephen King and Maine was like, actually so creepy because it's the actual setting for almost all his books!

We loved, lovedddddd Portland. It was amazing!

From Rhode Island to Maine it was maybe an hour or two drive? I honestly can't remember. But this oversized sweater is my new flave. 

Lol this sign for St. Patrick's day.

We drove around New Hampshire for a minute, because J spent the first 5 years of his life there. To be honest, we weren't too impressed. This was the Main Street in Portsmouth. Cute, but not very parking friendly lol.

We stopped at the Dinnerhorn and got clam chowder, because that's where his parents used to go when they lived there. I haven't ever had clam chowder before, and not gonna lie, it wasn't my favorite thing lol. It was fun to *ReMiNiSc* though. 

Um wow? I guess those were the only pictures I took that day? Ummmm ok!

The next morning we went to breakfast at a little cottage outside of Portland. It was so good!

This cinnamon roll is what dreams are made of, you guys.

My sandwich was good too! Anything with goat cheese, right?

The girl forgot to add my sandwich to our check so I had to go back up and order it again. She felt so bad haha. When she came back she brought us a whoopie cookie! It was legitimately like one pound, I swear to you. (Also I look like such a dweeb in this picture lol.) 

We went on a little lighthouse tour! There were supposed to be 6, but we could only find 3 lol. 

This one was so cute and baby! It was called Portland Breakwater Light.

Portland!

This was our second lighthouse: Spring Point Ledge Light. It looked like the walk out there was like 2 seconds, but it was actually way longer lol. It was scary too because there were gaps between the rocks. Ah!

So this one is the like, "famous" lighthouse in Maine everyone takes pictures of (Portland Head Light). It was p cool!

I kind of want to open an Etsy shop and sell landscape prints? Idk do you guys think anyone would buy the picture below??

When your self-timer takes 3 pictures in a row and you don't know what to do lol.

We had an early dinner at Duckfat! The line was long so we put our name in and walked around a neighboring health food store. There is maple candy and maple syrup there. And Beyond Meat, if you are veg.

The fries were SO. GOOD. We got the ones with truffle ketchup!

I wasn't the biggest fan of my panini? Idk one thing about switching back to meat is I sometimes feel like there is less flavor in meat dishes than in veggie dishes? Idk. J loved loved loved his though!

The next morning, we ate at the cutest coffee shop called Tandem Coffee Roasters. The hot chocolate wasn't the best, but it sure was pretty! The jalapeño scone was SO GOOD. And the oatmeal there looks really good too, I'd probably get that next time. It had a great atmosphere though and was decorated super cute.

We made one final stop at Two Lights State Park. This was my favorite place we went the whole time. It was so freaking pretty.

It was a v fun trip! I think we'll probably go back before we move. I want to do Acadia state park!

Places we wanted to go but didn't have time for: LB Kitchen, Bard Coffee, Ohno Cafe, East Ender, Aurora Provisions.

XOXO

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