The "Work"

Recently when Toni Morrison, the novelist, passed the image above went viral on my Instagram and let. me. tell you. I needed to see it. I feel like I've always struggled with loving my "life" and loving my "work" equally. And, yes some will say it's because I haven't found what I'm truly meant to be doing to earn money. But, then I argue... are we only here to do things to earn money? Aren't we more than that? I always say I really just want to go to work so I can go back home and be with my family, be a mother, be a friend, a wife, a sister, a daughter. Maybe I need a change in mentality, but it's hard when you're already a part of the hamster wheel to jump off of that. Now, yes, I did jump off the wheel in 2016 for 2 years and it wasn't easy. Now that I'm 2 years older (ha, ha) and charged with the knowledge and experience of that jump I'm a little more hesitant to do so. Ya know... adult things... insurance, 401k, employee stock, blah, blah, blah. All the things that matter and make the world turn. BUT, what are we here on this planet to really do? Should we punch the clock and find amazing extracurriculars? Or strive to turn those extras into a full time line of work? What are YOU doing everyday to make life enjoyable outside of the 9-5?

Working from Home (and a GIVEAWAY)

Now that I've been working from home, as I mentioned here and here, I've come to several realizations...

one | Kathie Lee and Hoda really are as funny as you think! They make my morning routine much more entertaining. 

two | Workout clothes actually become less attractive by Friday. I'm still trying to work out my routine, and getting dressed has fallen to the wayside.

three | A coffee run in the morning to my favorite spot makes a huge difference! Sometimes it's nice to build in some "commute" time even if that's just for coffee.

four | For the first time in my life I've actually started paying attention to how many lights I use... and leave on! Now that I'm home more I've become more aware of our power bill, so I'm trying to grow up and turn off lights as I leave the room. It's a work in progress...

five | I have high hopes that not wearing makeup everyday will do wonders for my skin! Here's to hoping!

AND... since we're talking about "work" I wanted to extend an awesome GIVEAWAY to my readers! Jump on over to our Instagram and Twitter to like, follow and comment on the picture below to win this super cute tote and cooler in one! Winner can decide to keep this tote blank or imprint it with their favorite logo! Winner chosen April 6th, so hurry up!

Five on Friday!

I'm back with my favorite things with this week's edition of Five on Friday. I'm keeping it short and sweet, and linking up with Oh Hey Friday and Five on Friday!

one | Sushi Time

I made Skinnytaste's Spicy California Shrimp Stack's awesomeness for dinner earlier this week, and it was a total hit! I mean really, really good! We love our local sushi joint, but this may be our new go-to for a quick sushi fix! Next time I think I'll try it with tuna... yum, yum!

Skinnytaste Spicy California Shrimp Stack

two | What's on my DVR

I've been in a TV rut lately and have recently stumbled on the following shows... Girls, Broad City and Vinyl. If you're looking for something new to watch that's easy, breezy and funny check out one of these! On the TV note, who else is excited for Southern Charm, Shahs of Sunset and RHONY to come back?? I live for Bravo!

three | Currently Eyeing

Summer is around the corner and I've been eyeing a few new essentials... this cover up and these wedges need to make it into my wardrobe sometime very soon! We're headed to the beach in May, and it can't come soon enough!!

four | Podcasts

If you've read my blog before you know I'm a sucker for a good podcast. It really makes the time fly by while I'm working. My two new favorites are Straight Up with Stassi and Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald. Both seriously entertaining!

five | Office Edition

Now that I'm working from home full time and have set up the basics of my office I really need to start adding some flare. Considering the broken treadmill that occupies my office taunts me everyday, I've been dreaming about this... One day. One. Day.

The Small Things Blog Office Love

Until next time... Happy Friday, ya'll!

Office Space

Like most people who work in an office we can all agree that Office Space was way more hilariously accurate than we can even give it credit for. As I'm writing this now I'm sitting with a very unfashionable headset on in a cube listening to "work arounds" and "regroups" and acronyms that mean nothing outside of these four walls. I'm thankful to be inside from this summer heat wave we're experiencing in NC, but the self tanner that I was forced to apply this morning from lack of sun is permeating. It's only a matter of time until one of my cube mates tells me the smell has set off their allergies (true story). 

As the 30 year mark continues to close in (only 4 months away), I have a nagging feeling that there is nothing natural, sexy or intentional about spending your days locked up at a cube...670F to be specific. If I had to tell my younger self one thing it would be to pay attention to your Myers Briggs! Follow what makes you tick and what really feeds your soul. If I had paid closer attention to what really feeds my personality way back when I probably wouldn't be faced with this meltdown at almost 30. "Meltdown" is clearly intense and dramatic, but I'm trying to refocus my efforts back to being intentional and thoughtful and aligned with why this blog was originally created. This year has been a year of growth and change, and I'm stretching and reaching to finish it out with even more of both.

My conference call has ended, and we've concluded we'll need another regroup... but I'll leave you with this little token.