Give Me The Simple Life

“I got no money in my pockets. I got a hole in my jeans”

Let’s be real, as a mid-20s something, cash isn’t always quite expendable. That being said, I’m not complaining. Over the last couple years, I’ve realized how content I am to live a modest and happy lifestyle. My friends and I rarely go ‘all out’ and find that some of our favorite times end up being while we are sitting on our couches, playing ‘Loaded Questions,’ eating homemade pizza, and discussing life’s most important topics, like who will win ‘The Bachelor,’ and what we want for dessert.

I’ve also found that there happen to be a fair share of affordable options for days and nights out on the town. As the weather warms, my friends and I love to make trips to the beach. We spend the morning making sandwiches and snacks and filling our coolers with drinks and ice. By the time the afternoon rolls around, you can usually find an intense game of sand volleyball or football taking place.

We also have some really cute and quaint shopping areas around us. I love to spend the day window shopping and gathering gift ideas. I am usually able to find a cute bookstore or café in these shopping strands as well, which completes the entire trip. I’m now craving specialty coffee and an afternoon spent reading my new novel.

Some of our best friends just brought home a new dog, meaning that Nola has a lot of puppy play dates in her future. We have our fair share of bars and restaurants around us that allow dogs. Meaning, I can sip a mojito and play fetch at the same time. Score!

Last but not least, I love arcades and bowling. So, I have the same hobbies as a 15 year old boy. Whatever. Dan and I end up spending way too much money for him to win me a new stuffed animal in the claw machine, but otherwise have found this to be a fun and inexpensive way to spend an evening.

Reader Question: What is your favorite inexpensive way to spend the day?

Five Blessings for Friday

#5 of my goals for 2013 was to appreciate the blessings of each day. Being that it is Friday, aka, my favorite day of the week, it only seemed appropriate to blog about those blessings.

College Football Bowl Games-Last year, Dan and I went with my parents to the Texas Bowl to cheer on the Texas A&M Aggies. We tailgated before and after the game-why compete with traffic when you can pop some champagne and have mimosas instead?! Texas A&M plays Oklahoma tonight, and while we won’t be in Dallas to see the game, I am looking forward to throwing on sweats and a t-shirt and watching from the couch. I love bowl season.

Quality Time with Friends-Over winter break we hosted friends at our place for game nights, movie nights, food, and drinks. We laughed until we cried on more than one occasion, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

The Babe-We are taking Nola to the veterinarian tomorrow for her 1 year check-up and I honestly cannot believe it. Although I could do without her peeing on the bed, chewing anything and everything, barking insistently at her bowl, and deciding it is time to go outside at 2:00 a.m., I would not trade her for the world. She truly makes me laugh every single day.

Wedding Planning-The contract for our wedding and reception venue came yesterday. Dan and I are so excited to finalize this piece of the planning. Not to mention that seeing his name with groom written next to it makes me smile. So blessed.

Seeing my Sister and Nephews-My brother-in-law is driving my sister and my nephews from Chicago to Houston today! I keep trying to find the words to convey how thrilled I am, but it just isn’t possible. Bring on the animated movies and trips to the Zoo.

 

What are you most grateful for this week?