New Blog! Head on Over

Hi guys! Longggg time no talk. I won’t be posting here any more (duh), but I have started a new blog, if you’d like to keep up with my shenanigans there!

http://www.greyfarmhouse.com/blog

Instagram: @greyfarmhouse 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/greyfarmhouse/

I’d love to see you over there! 🙂 xo Jamie

I’m Baaaaack

Hiiiiii!!! And if anyone at all is actually reading this after my year-long hiatus, I am impressed. Eeek, that is a longggg time. I have still been a blog-reading freak, but just hadn’t managed to get around to the blog writing part of things.

I guess you could say that A LOT has happened in the past year. Bullet points, and GO!

• I FINALLY turned 21! Since I was pretty much the last of my friends to do so, it was a biiiiig deal. My friend Shiv, my brother and sister, and my cousin all went up to Boston to celebrate…and it was one of the greatest nights evaaaa!

I also managed to have some slightly more classy family fun

• I traveled Europe with my friend Ashley for 2 weeks – we went to London, Barcelona, Vienna, Prague, and Berlin. Needless to say, I had the time of my life and every second was amazing. I actually had a travel blog that you can check out if you’re so inclined

• I studied abroad by myself in Helsinki, Finland. In the winter. Everyone thought I was crazy, and I’m pretty sure I agree. It was quite the character-building experience…and hey, I got to see reindeer and go to the Arctic Circle. So all in all, it was pretty darn awesome.

• I ran my first half marathon! My neighbor broke her toe and couldn’t run at the last minute so I took her bib…and ran…without training. Can’t say it was the fastest half marathon ever, but I was proud of myself nonetheless. Disney Princess Half is where it’s at! (I picked the two least-heinous pictures to share…because let’s be real, they were all horrific!)

• I graduated from the University of Florida (again…) with my master’s degree in International Business. I kicked my thesis’s butt, and am now the proud owner of an M.A. Woop! (No picture since I didn’t walk, but I’ll leave you with this glorious one from when I got my bachelor’s…)

• I got a new, big-girl job that I ❤  a lot. It’s a vast improvement over my last internship/job and I am really happy to be there, using my super sweet advertising skills.
• I became a certified Spinning instructor!

This has been on my list of things I want to do ever since I started spinning when I was a wee 16 year old. It was the best feeling ever to finally make that dream a reality, and take my spin-love to the next level. I’m in the process of looking for a part time job teaching – fingers crossed something will work out soon!

• I’m in the process of becoming a certified personal trainer through the NASM CPT program! This is another thing I’ve thought about doing for a while now, and finally bit the bullet. I’ve had my textbook for about 3 weeks now, and am crankin’ away on my studying!

Okay, I believe that is enough big life events for one post. Bless you if you have made it this far, and if you are somehow still even reading my blog after my 342549024 year absence. I hope to be popping in on a much more regular basis again.

 

Question for today: Any big life events/changes happening recently?! What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet? GO!

 

Much <3,

Jamie

Puppy Play Time

Ah, Fridays…sleeping in, no work, the start of the weekend – does it get any better? Of course when I say sleeping in, I mean until 8:30 since that is about as late as I can sleep these days. (Who am I?)

Anyway, the day started with some puppy play time! I took Molly on a run that was probably only about 2 miles long, but boy was it H-O-T. That’s Florida in July for ya! We were both panting and on the verge of death by the time we got home, so we had some pool play time!

She is the cutest swimmer ever, watching her in the pool never fails to crack me up. She LEAPS in, paddles around, and fetches her ball. So. Cute.

Ok, enough obsessive puppy talk! Today I have a phone meeting around 11:00, and then I’ll probably go to the gym to run a couple more miles and lift weights. I’m dog sitting at my neighbors again tonight, so I’ll most likely end up having a relaxing night of reading and/or movie watching!

Happy Weekend!!!

❤

The Age Gap

Hey hey! Happy Thursday! Today was my last day of work for the week (I never work Fridays) so I’m pretty darn happy…I love me some weekend!

Today I wanted to write about an issue that seems to keep popping up in my life lately…age differences! Enjoy

The Age Gap

From the time you can hold up your fingers, one of the first questions people ask is, “How old are you?” As you grow up, age is the determining factor of what you can and cannot do. Being able to drive, vote, get married, buy lottery tickets, drink, and rent a car are all hurdles you can only cross once you have turned a certain age.

Some say age is just a number, but while growing up it can seem like the end-all be-all. So just how important is age, and what does it indicate, really?

According to society, age is supposed to express how mature you are, how intelligent you are, what phase of life you are in, and how much life experience you have. I think this is an extreme over-generalization.

There are 12 year olds who have seen more and gone through more than any 72 year old out there. There are little boys who act like wise old men, and men that act like little boys. People are so much more complex and varied than a number, and assuming someone is a certain way because of the year that’s printed on their birth certificate is doing everyone a major disservice.

Age and Friendship

How big of an age gap is acceptable in a friendship? I think it depends on each particular case. While many people find they have more in common with people who are closer to them in age, you  might be surprised to learn how many similar interests you share with someone a decade or two your junior or senior.

I personally have always gotten along with “adults,” and have had and still do have many older people that I consider friends. My neighbors range from mid-30s to 50s, and I hang out with them often. Whether we’re having a bon fire in the yard, watching a movie, or going to spin class, I have a great time getting together with them, and we have plenty to talk about even though we are in very different places in our lives.

By not considering that someone much older or younger could be your friend, you could be missing out on getting to know a fantastic individual, and hearing a different perspective on life.

Age and Relationships

What do all of these couples have in common? I’ll give you a hint, it has to do with age…

 source

source

 source

 source

All of the couples above have more than a decade separating them! In Hollywood, there is a plethora of couples with a major age gap. It seems to be pretty accepted, but what about in the “real world?”

There is definitely a stigma attached to dating someone much older or younger than you. Words like “creep,” “cougar,” and “taking-advantage,” get thrown around a lot. Is that fair?

Like most things in life…it just depends. There are so many shades of gray with this topic, and each relationship is a different situation. However in my opinion, judging someone’s relationship based solely on their age difference is unfair.

People are attracted to all different kinds of things, and if you get along better with someone ten years older than you, why is that so terrible?

I think it’s more important to measure a relationship by the connection you have, how you are treated, and your happiness – not by age.

I’m REALLY interested in everyone’s opinion on this topic! So please speak up if you’re reading!

How do you feel about age gaps in friendships? Relationships?

Is there such thing as TOO big of an age gap?

 

21st Birthday…Coming Soon to a Jamie Near You

Hey guys!

Another manic Monday is done…woohoo! It seems like the rest of the week is easier to get through after the initial day is finished.

This morning I did my usual 5:45 spin class, followed by a 9 hour work day. Ugh. Spending so much time sitting at a desk gets really tedious. After I got home, I ate WAY too many chocolate chip congo bars, followed by a bagel topped with melted cheese and marinara. Yum.

I had a major food baby and was feeling pretty icky thanks to all the sugar, so I hit up the gym for workout number two. I completed 15ish minutes of arm weights, followed by a quick 1.6 miles on the treadmill, after which I felt much better!

(I have no pictures for today, so I’m cheating and throwing in a picture of the young Jamie – you’re welcome!)

So, what big things are on the horizon you may ask? Let me tell you! Since it’s officially July (11 days into it to be exact) it is also officially my birth month! But this year is not just any birthday…it’s the big 2-1!!! FINALLY. I honestly feel like I am the last person on Earth to turn 21. (Exaggeration much?) But really…having such a late birthday has been killing me, but in a mere 19 days, I’ll be a big girl!  

Another exciting thing? I got my first freelance job!!! I’ve been thinking about/semi looking into freelancing for a while now, but I have finally landed a position! It’s a steady one too, writing about International Education. Considering my master’s is in International Business and I am an ambassador for my grad program, this opportunity is right up my alley! I’m really excited about it, and I got my first assignment today! I can’t wait to get crackin’ on it – I’ll be sure to link to it whenever it gets posted!

On that note, I’m off to start writing! I also have a pretty good post in the works for the blog, so look out for that sometime this week! (Hopefully)

 

❤

I Like to Sit on Dogs

Hi strangers!

Well, I guess I’m really the stranger, since I still blog-stalk everyone else on the reg.  

I have some time on my hands today, so I figured what better way to spend it than giving the blog a little love!

I also took a spin class this afternoon, and sweated my butt off as usual. The remainder of the day I spent reading magazine after magazine, along with my new book, The Help.

I’ve read/heard rave reviews about this book from about a million people, so I just had to get it when I was at Barnes and Noble the other day. I’m about half way through, and so far it has not disappointed! I’m definitely hooked, and already sad that I’m going to be done reading it too soon.

For dinner tonight, I threw together a random concoction of roasted broccoli, garden rotini, a hard boiled egg, and marinara sauce. I also had some green grapes on the side to sneak in some fruit! I’m dog sitting for my old neighbors for a few days, so my meal was limited to the random things they had left in the fridge. It was delicious though!

Greatest Workout Pants EVER

A couple of weeks ago I found a new favorite pair of workout pants. They’re the Champion fitted capri from Target, and they are the bomb!

 

I love them because they’re fitted at the knee, which was something I was looking for in my workout pants, since my previous ones weren’t. They also don’t ride up OR fall down, and they don’t show my sweat! I’ve worn these running, spinning, and weight lifting, and just fall more in love with them everyday. Seriously, they’re the best! So of course today I had to run out and buy two more pairs. They’re $24.99 each, which my cheap self feels is a little pricey, but they are SO worth it! Ok, rant done.  

Work Outs

This summer, I’ve fallen into a pretty regular workout schedule, which I like a lot. When I have a routine I’m much more likely to actually make it to the gym – when it’s a habit, I don’t have to think about it, I just go! My regular routine has been looking a little like this:

Monday – 5:45 am spin class

Tuesday – 5:45 am total body weights class

Wednesday – 5:45 am spin class

Thursday – OFF

Friday – Running (3ish miles) and weights on my own

Saturday – OFF or same as Friday

Sunday – 1:15pm spin class

Usually on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, I will go to the gym after work also and run about 3 miles. I’ve been trying to improve my running speed – so far so good!

I took the tear out cards out of the Self magazine I read today, and want to try to incorporate them into my workout this week to change things up some.

These moves are meant to be done in intervals – you do each move for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, and then repeat 8 times. I’m a big fan of intervals, so this is right up my alley.

I’m off to watch Free Willy (what, it’s on TV!) and do some laundry/get ready for the work week ahead! I’ll leave you with some pictures from the past couple of weeks. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Me and Steph goofing around after a night out

Shiv, Me, and Natalie out to dinner for Natalie’s 21st.

Molls! (Who is such a big girl now!)

At Steph’s mom’s surprise birthday party yesterday…Derek and I were having a competition to see who could leave their hand in the freezing water the longest…I won – by a lot

Kyle, Steph, and Derek.

And that’s all folks!

Do you like theme parties? What’s the best one you’ve been to?

I loveeeeee a good theme party! My favorite would have to be a tie between toga and tacky sweater – so fun!

 

13.5 Hours and Counting

THAT, my friends, is how long I’ve been awake for today!!! You see, on Wednesday mornings for the past three weeks, I’ve been going to 5:45 spin class! Which of course requires a 5 a.m. wakeup call. Eeek. But actually, it’s not so bad…I figure the first three minutes of waking up are TORTURE no matter what time it is, so I just need to stop being a baby and deal with the 5 o’clock hour.  

I always feel sooooooo great getting my workout done that early. I go about the rest of my day high on endorphins and feelin’ fine. AND it is the absolute best feeling to know that I don’t have to truck to the gym after a 9 hour work day.

To top off my already soaring mood, work absolutely flew by today! I get into the office around 7:50 a.m., and today we had a big lunch meeting that lasted from 10a.m. to 1:40pm. That meant that I only had to sit at my desk for a little bit at a time, and I was extremely busy when I did! Woohoo.

Lunch was super delicious, the people that we met with sent us options to chose from ahead of time, so everyone got exactly what they wanted. I had ordered the veggie lasagna, and man-oh-man I was not disappointed. It was so. good. And PACKED with veggies. I feel like a lot of times restaurants reeeally skimp on the veggies, but not this one! My lasagna was overflowing with eggplant, peppers, squash, zucchini, and spinach! Yum yum yum.

SHOUT OUT

Let me stop rambling here to give a great big shout out of love to…MEG! Since I started reading her blog a few months ago, I have absolutely fallen in loveee with it (and her..in the least creepy way possible) She posts so many great things about embracing your body and letting go of your “flaws,” self-confidence, and a whole bunch of other awesome topics. She is also freakin’ gorgeous, and has the most killer arm muscles ever. (Um, that picture of you holding your niece? Holy shamoly!) She also wrote the nicest comment ever on my last post, so I wanted to take a second to say – HI MEG! YOU DA BOMB!

Moving on…

Tonight I have plans to go over to my old neighbor’s house for a little while so they can set up my wifi and show me how to operate their TV, since I will be watching their dogs sometime this summer.

That’s all I’ve got! But I will leave you with three of the songs I’m semi obsessed with at the moment!

GIVE ME EVERYTHING

ROLL UP

PRETTY GIRL ROCK

Sometimes You Just Need a Rest Day

…or a rest month from blogging. It has been FOR-EVER since I’ve posted anything on here, and I don’t really have a great explanation as to why that is. I don’t want to make excuses, but since I’ve been in Orlando for the summer, I have been busy. Like, really really busy, haven’t-had-time-to-even-read-my-book-or-catch-up-on-tv-shows kind of busy.

You see, I am working full time (or almost full time – 36 hours a week) at my internship. This opportunity sort of fell into my lap at the last minute, and since starting on May 18, I have been a busy girl. I am now even more in awe of all you awesome bloggers out there who work full time AND blog often. Seriously, you are amazingggg!

Thankfully, I have been great about working out, and my eating has been decent. I haven’t been neglecting healthy living, just the blog.

I’m now in the process of trying to figure out what I want my blog to be, if I even want to continue it, etc. I’m almost certain that I DO want to continue, because I have really missed blogging and the awesome community! I’ve barely even had time to read my favorite blogs lately, which is so not cool.

Balance is key, and is actually my “word for the year.” So right now I’m trying to find my balance again, since having a full time position has certainly thrown it off quite a bit.

On that note, I have to run to a doctor’s appointment…after which I have to go in to work for a half day. I’ll leave you with a photo of Steph and I in downtown Orlando the other week… 

I really miss you guys, and appreciate the whopping 3 people who have been still checking my blog daily. No worries, I am still alive and kickin’!

❤

Rain Rain Go Away…

“…that’s what all my haters say.” Anyone? Ok, moving onnnnn…

Today has been a dreary, stormy type of day. The pup and I swam in the pool earlier in the afternoon, but not even 20 minutes after we got in the pool, the storm clouds started rolling in. We were forced to move our little party inside, and have just been hanging out reading and watching TV.

For lunch I was in the mood for a smoothie, so I blended up the following:

• frozen mango chunks
• frozen strawberries
• coconut cream
• vanilla almond milk
• banana pudding powder
• a dash of banana extract

My smoothie was delish, and the coconut cream made it seem tropical and summery! Along with my smoothie I had tortilla chips with cheese melted on them, dipped in salsa.

It was a little random, but just what I wanted!

Now for some adorable pics of my hangout buddy for the day:

Gah, I really can’t get over how cute she is! But she has definitely reminded me that puppies are A LOT of work and a huge commitment! Something to keep in mind when I want to get one of my own…

I’m off to continue my lazy rainy day! Hope everyone is having a superb weekend!

Bad Blogger

I have been having major blogger guilt lately, due to the fact that I have SO been neglecting the blog! I’ve been all over the place with no routine, and actually pretty busy with not a lot of down time!

When I got to Orlando on Tuesday, Steph and I spent time catching up before eating dinner. It was “clear out the fridge” night, so I had a random mish mash of food thrown into a tortilla. In the mix was broccoli, edamame, matchstick carrots, cheese, and salsa. It was pretty darn random but also pretty darn delicious!

The rest of the night was spent getting fro yo and watching Ever After.  

Yesterday we slept in and then spent most of the day by the pool playing with the dogs! Steph is watching her boyfriend’s great dane for the week, and they just got a new puppy – in addition to the 12 year old dog they already have! So we have a doggie full house right now, which means I’m in heaven! They are so cute and fun! I put a picture of Molly (the puppy) on twitter…that face just makes ya melt!

My other big event of yesterday was signing up for my summer gym membership! My family has been a member of the YMCA pretty much my entire life, including when they lived in Orlando. Of course the membership was canceled when they moved in January, so I had to re-sign up for one! It’s $31 a month, since I’m under 23, and I can cancel any time. Not too shabby!

Last night we went out to Amigo’s for dinner with Steph, her two sisters and her mom. It was nice! Steph and I split a burrito with black beans, guac, queso, and lettuce. I also had my fair share of chips and salsa, so I was pretty darn full by the time we were done.

It was our friend Kyle’s 21st last night so we went out with a few friends to celebrate that occasion! It ended up being a lot of fun, and I got to get my groove on, which is always a good thing in my book! A few pics…

Shiv and Jourdan:

Kyle the birthday boy, Steph, and me:

Steph, me, and Shiv:

So overall, yesterday was fun and eventful!

Today I had an interview, which went really well I think. Fingers crossed! When I got home I changed and went to the gym, and boy oh boy did it feel great! I ran two miles in 19 minutes, did 20 minutes of weights, and finished up with 20 minutes on the elliptical. I’ve been a major gym slacker the last couple of weeks, so it felt really nice to get back to it!

Sorry this post is so wordy! I guess that’s what happens when you’re a bad blogger! Hope everyone is doing AWESOME!

What’s something that made you smile today?

Puppy. Enough said!