Summer Recap

Summer 2023 has been good to me. At the beginning of the summer I didn't have a lot planned. I thought it would be a more lowkey summer. All of a sudden that changed, and it was a little more packed full of fun. The month of June was a bit cold and rainy so it didn't even really feel like summer. I was out of town 3 times in July. It was really fun and a little exhausting.

I found a great last minute plane ticket to Arizona for a few days during my summer break. It was crazy hot, but we pretty much spent the whole time in the pool. Walking outside felt a little bit like I might catch on fire. It was fun to get out of town for a few days, and it was a nice break.

I was back in town for a couple of weeks before going to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons with Stacha, Ale, Brooke, and Diana. After searching for an affordable hotel or Air BnB, we ended up deciding to stay in a covered wagon. It proved to be quite the adventure. It was for sure more rustic than I was expecting, but it was still a lot of fun. We saw so many beautiful things on our trip. We saw the Barbie movie on our way home, and we were all so ready to get home to our clean showers and our own beds.

The weekend after Wyoming was the annual bookclub Bear Lake trip. We went in July this year, and we had the best beach weather. We had a little smaller crowd this year so we missed those that couldn't come. We had a great time and another year of fun memories.

After being in town for a few weeks, I took one final summer trip to California. I met up with a group of OG girls for a southern California trip. Everyone went to Disneyland for one day while I stayed back at the pool. We spent another day at the beach and another day shopping. I haven't spend a lot of time in California (other than visiting Chelsea and her fam) so it was fun to play tourist for the weekend.

Summer is definitely winding down. I am a bit sad to say goodbye to summer but I am looking forward to fall and all that has to offer.

No exam life insurance

 Do you have life insurance? I feel like that is something you hear about when you are younger, and then all of a sudden you are old enough to get it for yourself. It is one of those things on the to do list that sometimes goes undone. It is one of the more important things we should be thinking about. If you are lucky, you might get life insurance through your employer or even your bank. I am lucky that my employer offers life insurance. Signing up for life insurance often includes a medical exam. There are some options that do not require a medical exam. Fabric by Gerber Life is one of those options.  Unfortunately loss has surrounded me the past several years. Some people have life insurance and some do not. It is not a fun thing to think about, but it is one of those things that can really make a big difference in the lives of those we leave behind. Do you have any advice on life insurance? 

‘Tis the Season…for cheap life insurance and other things

Fall is in the air and even winter in some places. Fall means a lot of things like sweaters and warm blankets, warm drinks, and cuddles. It also means the season of open enrollment for most of us. 

The older I get the more time I spend thinking about health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, and all of those other adult things. We had our open enrollment meeting at the beginning of the month and the cost of all of these things starts to get stressful. I do have a small life insurance plan through my job, but is it enough? There is so much to think about and plan especially for the future. I have seen enough to know the importance of life insurance, but it is also tricky to make it work within a budget. Cheap life insurance is one of those things we really all need, but we don’t always take the time to find it. Fabric by Gerber Life is taking away the guess work for us. While research is important, it is also nice to have reliable information to go to. Sometimes half the battle is even deciding what type of insurance is best for you. The bottom line is this is something we all need to think about. No matter how old or young we are, how healthy or not, how much we think think we may or may not need it, the reality is that we do. 

Besides figuring out life insurance I need to figure out my other options through my work-retirement, insurance options, health savings, and all of the things. Now is the time to get all of these things figured out. 

Love is Blind 2.8-end

I missed watching with the group last week. I didn’t get around to watching the episodes I missed until today right before we met to watch. I already knew that Nick and Danielle ended up getting married. I am ready to see what happens with the rest of the season. 

I am very interested in the editing this season. I knew before I started watching that Nick and Danielle got married and are still together. I have watched their social media and I have seen Danielle talking about the edit. They definitely gave her the crazy girl edit. It makes me sad that they edited the show to make things look different than they really are or how the people involved perceived them to be. 

I watched the episodes from last week when I was meal prepping and doing other things so I didn’t super focus on it. There are definitely some couples that I am worried about. 

The final episode starts with the cliffhanger from the previous episode. We left off with Nick and Danielle at the altar. It seemed like maybe they weren’t going to say yes and then they did. Why Nick chose a gray suit in that hot Chicago weather we will never know. 

Shake and Deepti have seemed doomed since they left the pods. Their wedding was beautiful. It was the perfect set up except for all the things Shake said about Deepti. Things were great in the pods, and once they were out of the pods, things were not so great. She said no and he could not believe it. I never really believed that he would say yes, but it seemed like he thought they would. She left and he made things so uncomfortable. 

Mallory and Sal are really cute. They both love each other and talk about how much they love each other. They say and do nice things for each other, but they don’t really seem to be in love. I really like think they could work, but it is not a surprise that Sal says he needs more time. I wish they had more time and weren’t forced to be at the altar. 

Natalie and Shayne are a mess. They seemed like a mess to me the whole time. Some of my friends here really liked them together and thought they would work out. I never thought they would. They said they love each other and they are each other’s best friends, but they also didn’t really seem like a great fit. 

Iyanna and Jarrett are the cutest. They have been pretty solid the whole time. They are both so happy and no one was surprised that they both said yes. 

The show ends and since we waited so long to watch the reunion is already here. From the start the reunion is just as or more dramatic than the whole season. The reunion is pretty uncomfortable. I want Nick and Vanessa to take more control. There are so many heated feelings and really Shake is at the heart of most of it. I love this show. It is really fun to watch. I am also kind of glad it’s over, and I am sure I will be excited when there is another season.  

Love is Blind 2.2-7

I started watching a while ago, and then took a big long pause. We finally got our schedule figured out, and now we are on our way with watching. We made a deal that we watch on schedule and if you miss, you watch on your own. I watched the last few episodes by myself, and now I back with the group for episodes 6 and 7.

After episode 1 I had no idea they would start meeting each other. I feel like we barely got to see their time in the pods. After we get to the end and find out who does and doesn’t stay together I think I am going to wish that we knew more.

The couple see each other and go to Mexico so quickly. Mexico is so crazy. There were so many times that I just wanted to hide because I was embarrassed for the things people said and did. Several of them are talking to the camera acting like there is no way that this can work. It will be interesting to see how it all works out. At this point it doesn’t really seem like any of the couples are going to be the success stories of last season. 

Now they are meeting the parents, families, and friends. So far most of the families are not really that supportive. It is very interesting that a few of them didn’t tell their families about this experiment. Most of the families were not even nice about it. Natalie and Jarrett’s dads were the nicest ones by far. They are willing to give give their kids a chance and seem supportive. The episode ended with a cliffhanger where Natalie’s parents are about to meet Shayne. We obviously had to watch at least that part. 

I can’t wait to see who stays together and who doesn’t and how it all works out. The editing is so interesting to me. I will have more thoughts once the season ends. 

Love is Blind..2.1

Season 1 of Love is Blind was everything we needed during quarantine (for those of us that waited to watch it until quarantine). I have been so excited for another season ever since. Season 2 came out in the middle of the bachelor season, and I can barely find the time to watch one show. Some of my friends decided to wait and watch when the bachelor was over. 

The bachelor is over so here we are. It is hard to figure out who is who the first little bit. We get to know several people and then they start to focus on a few different people. 

Danielle and Nick are the absolute cutest. They are both so open and honest with each other. Of all the people we have seen so far, they are the most believable. We see them fall in love, get engaged, and get ready to meet all in episode 1. 

Everything else we have seen so far seems pretty questionable-lots of red flags. I am scared to see what happens with the rest of everyone else. 

We made a deal that we would all watch episode 1 and then wait and watch the rest together. I watched with Sarah, Kelsey, and Ari, and we really had to stop ourselves from watching the next episode. It’s a good thing that it is Monday night and I need to get home. Otherwise, I would definitely keep watching. I want to know what happens. 

Blogging the Bach 18.4-end

Does anyone ever really like episode 4? It kind of tends to be a bit of a dud episode. Going into it I am already worried that is what it is going to be. She got rid of pot stirrers Jamie and Peter last week. I am always happy to see the drama go, but the drama does add to the storyline. 

I started posting about Michelle’s season and dropped off. After faithfully blogging about the show for years and years, I am not longer in the habit of doing it. I want to be, but I just am not. 

In summary, I really loved Michelle’s season a lot. She was a great lead, and she had really great guys. It was hard to watch on Tuesdays (or whatever day in the week I got around to watching it), and it was hard to coordinate watching with others (so I ended up watching the whole season on my own). I accidentally saw the winner way before the season even started. I thought maybe I would forget, but as soon as the season started it was hard not to remember Nayte. I don’t usually look for spoilers, but I often see them at some point in the season. I don’t know if I have ever known the full spoiler before it even starts. Although I still enjoy seeing how the story unfolds and what the edit is like, it made it hard to be as invested in the season. All that said, I really liked the season and I am excited for the next season where I can maybe remember how to consistently post. 

Bedroom sneak peek and a quick tip

I moved about 6 months ago, and I think it is about time to get my room decorated. I got settled pretty quickly, but I have not done much decorating at all. Part of me is scared to put holes in my brand new walls, and the other part of me hasn’t exactly figured out what I want. 

I was really excited when Emily from Photowall reached out and offered me a piece from their collection. The hardest part of the whole thing was choosing what I wanted. They have so many good choices, and many of the choices a can be customized beyond size. 

My room is very neutral. I wanted to add a little bit of color but still keep things pretty neutral. After going back and forth between several good options, I finally chose this print. It adds the perfect pop to my room while still blending in with what I already have. It also gives me a little color to build on as I continue to decorate my room.

     

 The package arrived quickly and I was excited to put it together. 

The instructions were so easy. It was as simple as lining up the frame, flipping the canvas up, and screwing in an L shaped bracket to keep it all in place. It took less than 10 minutes and was ready to go. 

It was easy to put together and easy to hang on my wall. Photowall provides a bracket and screw for easy hanging. I chose to add a wire rather than use the provided screw, but they do provide everything you need if you choose to use it. 

Photowall was so easy to work with and understanding of my delay in getting things done. If you want to get your own print or check out their wallpaper or other things they offer, Photowall is offering all of you 25% off your order with code aubreyzaruba25. The code is valid until June 19 so go check it out and do a little (or a little more) quarantine shopping. 

The walls in this house are brand new, and I love them. That was not the case in my last house. In fact I never actually decorated my room in my last house because the first thing I needed to do was change the walls. The thought of doing anything to the various colored walls (seen below) was so overwhelming that I never actually even looked into it. Even when I got a new bed and more neutral bedding, I still didn’t do anything about it. In hindsight I wish I wish I would have looked into skimming the walls. Now that I know more about it, I realize it is not that hard at all. It only takes a little time and effort to smooth out the uneven lines and cracks, and provides the perfect surface for a nice neutral wall. I could have had a fully decorated neutral room in the colors I like within a day or two. Do you ever avoid a task because it seems complicated only to realize years later that it would have been so worth it? Yeah me too. 

One of the other moving projects that happened was painting my yellow dresser. This dresser is solid wood, very durable, and not something I wanted to get rid of. However, I was tired of the yellow color. Initially I thought I might wait until the move to paint it to give myself a little time, but I decided a few days before I moved that it would be better to get it done in order to have help moving up my 3 flights of new stairs. 

After a few late late nights, the yellow was gone, and my dresser is now grey. I did a rush job, but overall I really love it. I wanted to paint the handles gold, but I found they are stuck. It seemed easiest to paint them the same grey. I finally did some touch ups last week (6 months later). Here is a bit of a sneak peek. Once my room is finally all the way done, I will come back with a full bedroom reveal. 

Decorating is always a work in progress for me. I want to get it done quickly, but I usually take some time to fully commit. Now that I have had some time to sit on it, I am ready to make some decisions and get things done. Getting this print from Photowall was the push I needed to get going on my room again. If you need a little push or just something fun, check out their site and use code aubreyzaruba25.

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

Blogging the Bach...Listen to Your Heart 1.5

This week’s episode can be summed up with one thing..Holy crap Rudi and Matt can sing! The end

I usually blog while I watch the episode, and this week I did not. I was busy doing other things at the beginning. I kept meaning to sit down and actually type, but it never happened. Rather than a recap of the episode, here are my thoughts.

-Rudi and Matt are my faves! Their voices sound so good together. I have rewatched their performance several times because it was that good. I really want it to be available on Apple Music, but I did find out it is on you tube. I am low key obsessed with it, and I really hope they make some post show music together. 

-Still on the topic of Rudi and Matt..I think he does really like her. Their relationship is the most real of all bachelor relationships in that he is not falling in love in 3 days. It is a slow burn, and I am crossing my fingers they can figure it out. I am nervous though. He was on a few interviews this week saying his biggest regret of the whole show was his response when Rudi told him she was falling for him. We can all agree it was pretty bad. 

-Bri and Chris are predictable. I have liked them all season. They are clearly very very into each other. Their performance was fine. It started out kind of boring and picked up towards the end. They sound good together. The wedding was a little bit of an eye roll. I don’t know. It seemed a little too cheesy, but they seemed to love that date so I guess it was fine. 

-Jamie is very young, and it shows. I can’t tell if Trevor really likes her or knows he is sort of stuck with her and might as well roll with it. Either way, I don’t really care much about them. They are fine. Their performance was their best one yet.

-Ryan and Natascha has a rough week. It was pretty obvious they were going home.  

It is crazy that there is only one week left of this show. I am excited to see how it ends and also a little sad that it is ending. 

Christmas Vacay 2019

I spent the Christmas holiday with Chelsea and her family. I found a great deal on a plane ticket, but the days and times weren’t necessarily ideal. With leaving town again at the first of the year I wanted a few days at home in between. That didn’t happen, but it all worked out. I got extra time with their family which is always fun. 

We went to see the lights at the Oakland temple which is something I have never done. It was so beautiful. 

After the lights we got ice cream for dessert. Parking was insane but we finally found a spot. We had a full table of adults and a full table of kids with 3 families of people. 

We made gingerbread houses. The kids all made their own and they did a pretty good job being creative and getting along with each other. 

We drive around and saw lights a few times. 

Christmas break was so nice. It was relaxing and fun. 

One Little Word-January 2020

Do you pick a word for the year? I started picking one little word as a theme or guide for the year several years ago. Usually around October a word pops in my head, and I know that will be my word for the upcoming year. I don't think too much about it or consider other words. I just know that will be my word.

This year is no different. 2019 seriously kicked my butt! I ran myself completely ragged, and my priorities were swallowed by my stress and stressors. When the word BREATHE came into my mind I knew it is exactly what I need to guide my goals and plans for 2020.

This year I am committing to myself to take a step back, set better boundaries, take better care of myself, and just BREATHE.

Bonny of helix design made this phone wall paper to help me remember my word

I received this morse code bracelet from oNecklace to really help me. I wear it all the time, and it's a good reminder of the goals I have for this year. They have a lot of options for customized jewelry. I love having that visual reminder to keep me in check.

Did you choose a word for the year? How do you go about choosing your word?

College/Anything Care Packages

Need a Study Break? Top Ideas for Your College Student’s Food Care Package

These ideas will be sure to help fuel any late night study sessions

*sponsored post

Even though it’s been a lot of years since I was in college, I am still away from home, family, and many friends. There is nothing better than a surprise care package. I love sending them just as much as I like receiving. It can be a little tricky to know exactly what to send.

Sometimes it’s tough being away from home. You’re in a new environment, making new friends, and studying all kinds of subjects. While all of this is exciting, it can sometimes be a little overwhelming! If you know a college student who is away from home, chances are they’d love to know that you’re thinking about them. A care package is a great way to send a little part of home their way, and is sure to put a smile on their face as well.

We’ve put together this list of some of the best food ideas for you to include in your next care package, and guaranteed to help fuel those long study sessions. So the next time your college student is gearing up to get some serious studying done, they won’t have to worry about where their snacks are going to come from!

Image courtesy of Money.com. Single serve meals are a great way to ensure your student is getting their meals, no matter what time of day!

Single Serving Portions of Their Favorite Foods

When putting together a care package for a college student, you may have to take a step back and remember what it’s like living in a dorm. You might not think single portion soups are all that incredible, but your college student sure does! Living in a dorm means they don’t have access to a stove top or an oven, and their primary means of heating up food and cooking is definitely going to be a microwave. 

So consider what kinds of foods your student enjoys, and see if it is available in a single portion size. There are all kinds of soups, noodle dishes, mac n’ cheese, and rice options-- all in a sealed container just waiting to be opened. Your student can then just heat up in their microwave and be on their way to enjoying a satisfying meal. When you’re hungry, it can be difficult to concentrate, so make sure to pack a couple of these in your care package.

These are great ideas for marathon study sessions, especially for those that go past the operating hours of the cafeteria. Your college student will appreciate the ease of use of these portions, and having access to it anytime they need it.

Image courtesy of Money.com. Sending baked goods to your college student will definitely put a smile on their face!

Homemade Baked Goods

When your student thinks of home, they might imagine all the good foods they enjoyed in your kitchen. Keep that memory alive and well for them, and consider adding some homemade baked goods into your food care package. If you love to bake, there are all kinds of options for cookies, brownies, and cupcakes. 

Opening up a package of some of these is like instantly being back at home, and sure to bring a smile. If cookies aren’t your thing, consider baking bread instead! You can customize the recipes to coincide with the seasons-- pumpkin bread in the fall, apple and walnut bread in the wintertime-- and their exam schedules. A fresh loaf of bread will help keep them focused during any study session, night or day!

Not a baker? That’s okay! See if there are any local bakeries around where your student is staying. Chances are they’ll be able to arrange a delivery, or if it is close enough, your student can pick it up instead. Fresh made baked goods are always a welcome addition to any dorm room or study session.

Snack Size Candy

Everyone likes a little something sweet once in a while, especially your college student! While they are hard at work, they might not have a lot of time to get to some much needed chocolate. Why not send them something for their sweet tooth in your next food care package? 

You don’t have to wait until Halloween to get your hands on some delicious candy either, and candy is greatly appreciated at any time of year. Pack a variety of candies, such as KitKats, Reese’s, Snickers, and Milky Ways-- which are sure to make your student’s room one of the most popular hang outs in the dorm.

Snack size candy is also extremely easy to pack into their bags as well. Just throwing a couple into their book bag will make for a nice study break treat no matter where they find themselves on campus!

Image courtesy of Food Network. Granola bars are packed with healthy ingredients for your college student, including fruit, grain, and nuts.

Something Healthy!

We’ve discussed a couple of snack food ideas sure to help out with study sessions, but this list should definitely include something healthy as well! Sometimes college students are too busy to stop at the cafeteria to get a hot breakfast, so make sure they have plenty of other options that they can easily store in their dorm room. Granola bars are a great option that will fill them up and keep them fueled for some serious studying. There are all kinds of options to choose from, so include a couple of flavors. That way, your student can mix it up a little, and not always find themselves eating the same thing. Consider including some herbal tea or healthy crackers to your package as well, as these are always appreciated especially at stressful times.

Although fresh fruit and vegetables don’t keep for that long, you can still send a healthy dried fruit and nut mix to your college student. Nuts are a great option to keep your college student focused on their work, and not worrying about where their next meal will come from.

Now that you’ve got a couple of ideas for food care packages to send to your favorite college student, it’s time to send some care packages! College students love to know that you’re thinking about them, and want them to succeed, no matter what they’re studying! What’s your favorite item to include in a food care package?