Currently : August 2016

Hi everyone!  This week is absolutely flying by for me and has been super hectic at work.  I thought it would be a perfect time for an updated Currently post- one of my favorites to read and share!



Current Book

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

I'm just getting into this book, but so far I'm loving it!  It's a really quick and easy read that everyone's been talking about, so if you haven't picked it up yet I would recommend it.


Current Music

Honestly, I haven't been listening to a lot of music lately.  I got rid of my Spotify Premium account, and mostly listen to podcasts now.  When I'm at work, I'll search for "relaxing piano" or "music for concentration"!  Besides that, I guess I'm in a music rut.


As far as podcasts, a few of my current favorites are No Challenges Remaining (all about tennis), Invisibilia (psychological stuff that really makes you think) and The Lively Show (right now she's in Europe and I love following along her adventures!)


Current Drink


Anything in my Nespresso.  I'm seriously so obsessed with it (and my coffee bar) and use it pretty much daily!  My favorite thing to do is froth up some almond/coconut milk, top with espresso, then add in some kind of flavor or sweetener. For hot days I'll toss in some ice and it's like a homemade latte!  So delicious!


Current Food


Still going strong with eating vegan!  I have a post planned to talk more about the "why", as well as fun lunch ideas, vegan taste tests, and more!  Lately, I've been having biweekly vegan dinners with a few friends, and it's been great motivation to try new recipes.  Any local Pittsburghers are welcome to join us!


Current Favorite Show


Not really a show, but the Olympics are all I have been watching lately (DUH!)  I try to keep up with the results while I'm at work, then watch clips of my favorite events at home.  It's been SO exciting so far- from Djokovic's emotional loss to all the swimming records being broken and Team USA's big win yesterday- and we've only just begun!


Current Needs

Finding motivation to do work after I get home from work.  After I'm home, all I want to do is relax, cook dinner, and relax some more (while watching the Games).  How can I get myself to do yard work, clean the house, or do check things off my super long to-do list?  Anyone have advice?? Help!


Current Outfit


I've been pretty much only wearing dresses lately.  Dresses are easy to throw in my gym bag to change into after my morning run, they're professional enough in case I have important meetings, and they keep me nice and cool when it's hot and humid after work!  A few of my current favorites are from J Crew Factory, Madewell and Target.


Current Excitement

Seawheeze this weekend!  The race is supposed to be amazing, and I'm really excited to see Vancouver.  I hope to see some of you there as well!



How do you stay motivated after work?
Current favorite song?
Who else is going to be in Vancouver this weekend?
Book recommendations?

Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 10, 2016 at 5:16 AM

    I can't wait to hear about your Vancouver trip- maybe I'll go next year! I just finished Me Before You and I loved it. I just bought my husband an Nespresso so I'd love to hear any fun drink ideas you have... I'm excited to experiment with making a pumpkin filled PSL in a couple months.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 15, 2016 at 7:59 AM

      Ohh that sounds so good! I'll definitely share some of my favorite recipes soon :)

      Delete
  2. Fairytales and FitnessAugust 10, 2016 at 5:44 AM

    Cute dresses! I read "ME Before You" and then went to see the movie. I have to say I was please with both.

    I read "the friends we keep" this summer and that was a good read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 15, 2016 at 7:59 AM

      Good to know! And thanks for the recommendation!

      Delete
  3. CarlyAugust 10, 2016 at 5:48 AM

    I've been back and forth on wanting to get a nespresso, and you definitely have me leaning more towards yes now. Loving both of those dresses & I hope you have an amazing time w/ your race this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kristen @ See You In A PorridgeAugust 10, 2016 at 6:14 AM

    i love dresses for work as well, for all the same reasons. that meal looks delicious! i hope you like me before you :) i have no advice as i am a strict relaxer after work, i don't do anything at all. haha jk. i do try and clean the kitchen and maybe do like 5-10 minutes of cleaning elsewhere, but relaxing is important to me :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 15, 2016 at 8:01 AM

      I've been getting better about keeping the kitchen clean! Mostly because I love how it looks so I want it to always look good :)

      Delete
  5. Jessie MAugust 10, 2016 at 6:31 AM

    I'm actually in the process of reading Me Before You now too. While I know the basic concept, somehow no one has spoiled it for me, which is great.

    Definitely interested in a vegan dinner, not vegan & not planning to be, but just love trying new things.

    For me, motivation after work is HARD, I come home, I'm hungry, but once I sit down to eat that's pretty much all she wrote. I try to have a snack if I can before I leave work so I'm not ravenous, which seems to help because I can bust out a few tasks before I eat dinner. I also only put 3 things on my to do list, and occasionally a "bonus". 3 things is so much more do-able than a long to do list for me. I like knowing that after I get one thing done I'm already halfway through!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 15, 2016 at 8:01 AM

      Hope you can make it to one of our dinners! I'll definitely try having a snack at work..great idea!

      Delete
  6. Sarah @pickyrunnerAugust 10, 2016 at 7:12 AM

    I'm all about the dresses lately too which is funny because I am NOT girly whatsoever. I really like that polka dot one! Still so jealous you're going to seawheeze- you're going to have so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Heather @ Polyglot JotAugust 10, 2016 at 7:39 AM

    oh man i want to read Me Before You before i see the movie!! You should check out Caitlin Shoemaker on youtube. She posts yummy vegan recipes and does vlogs and stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownAugust 10, 2016 at 7:39 AM

    Super cute dresses!!!! I am seriously wanting a Nespresso. Does it come with a milk steamer or do you have to buy your own separately?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 15, 2016 at 8:02 AM

      The machine that I bought is a deluxe pack that comes with a steamer! You can buy just the machine or just the steamer as well but in my pack it was all together.

      Delete
  9. MeeshAugust 10, 2016 at 1:17 PM

    That black dress looks incredibly versatile!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Amanda @ Exploring Life & ThingsAugust 10, 2016 at 1:23 PM

    I also have been glued to the TV and computer following the Olympics too! I'm way more into it this year than in the past. I have been wanting to read Me Before You for forever so I'll need to finally get on that:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. SanAugust 10, 2016 at 1:56 PM

    I still want to read this book. It's on my to-read list :) Have so much fun in Vancouver. You'll do great.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownAugust 10, 2016 at 3:56 PM

    As much as I want to jump into the Me Before You hype, I know the ending and I really disagree with it. It’s controversial, and usually that intrigues me, but I just cannot support it. :) In other news, you have some skills with avocado art!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunAugust 15, 2016 at 8:04 AM

      Thank you Julia! I've been working on it :) To be honest, I didn't have any clue about what the book was about before reading it. All I know is people were going crazy about it. Now that I'm into it and can see where it's going, I'm not sure how I feel about it, and I don't think I'll watch the movie.

      Delete
  13. UnknownAugust 11, 2016 at 4:12 AM

    invisibilia is one of the best podcasts out there, in my opinion. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. CiaraAugust 11, 2016 at 4:38 AM

    I'm dying to read "Me Before You"! And I want to read it before I see the movie. I heard the book was great! Yay! PS: Good luck this weekend - can't wait to read all about your trip & race :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownAugust 11, 2016 at 5:55 AM

    I love those dresses! I am all about wearing dresses in the summer months too. And good luck this weekend! You are going to rock it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Heather [is probably running]August 11, 2016 at 6:10 AM

    Best of luck this weekend! I can not wait to hear all about SeaWheeze; I'm sure that you will crush it.

    Oh and I love those dresses. You look great!

    ReplyDelete

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