Coffee Catch-Up Session

Sure, it's almost 10pm, but in my house any time is a good time for a cup of coffee.

So, maybe you're asking yourself, "Where has Sydney been over the last month?" or "Didn't she say she was going to start blogging again?" or "I wonder if she's still writing." 

{I mean, you probably aren't really asking any of those questions. Why would you really care that I've been holed up in my bed catching up on recorded episodes of Dance Moms and the new season of Orange is the New Black for the last three days?}

But just in case you are, pull up a chair, pour yourself your own cup of coffee, and read on, friends. 

June marked the first trip of the summer! 

Please ignore my ghostly legs. I promise it was the filter. I'm mostly Italian with olive skin, I swear. 

Niagara Falls is officially off the bucket list! This trip desperately deserves its own post because it was full of exploring, wine tastings, and lots and lots of walking ("Finishing a half marathon" coincidentally also jumped off the bucket list on this trip). 

#ThrowWhatYouKnow!

My toes matched the flowers! 

I totally plan on writing about the whole trip, but just incase life gets in the way, make sure you visit the little town of Niagara-on-the-Lake when you visit the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Too quaint. So many flowers, bakeries, and ice cream shops. My favorite kind of town. 

The next adventure was Blessings on the Bayou, which has been one of my summer highlights for the last five years. It's so funny how even though we only see each other a few times a year, everyone picks up right where we left off. 

These are the amazing mentors of 2015. They are all such beautiful people. 

And that leads me to the latest trip: Washington, DC!

DC is seriously one of my favorite places. This was my fourth trip there, but my first time in the summer. It was quite a change seeing the city with sweat dripping down my neck instead of through frozen eyelashes.

My aunt spent the trip meeting with legislators at the capitol, so I got to "babysit" my little cousin and explore the great museums. 

My favorite day was spent in Georgetown (shopping, eating, etc.). More on that adventure along with my tour of Georgetown Law, aka the new dream school, when I do a more thorough DC post. 

Gotta love that #navyornothing action happening in Vineyard Vines. 

Because every day should feel this good. 

Now I know I always say I'm going to write and update y'all, but this time I really mean it (mostly because the next few posts describing the trips in greater detail are already written). Since I've been back, I've caught up with friends, read a new book, and actually caught up a little for my summer class #winning! 

If you haven't read Paper Towns yet, run to your local library!


I hope you all enjoyed our coffee date as much as I did! Keep checking up on the blog, new posts are coming soon, pinky swear! 

2015

I'm pretty sure it's an unwritten rule if you have a blog, you're required to make a post about your new year's resolutions/goals for the year. 

For the past few years, I've avoided making resolutions. I know, sort of a cop-out. I'm terrible at sticking to anything and failed resolutions only add to the melancholy feelings at the end of the year (that whole New Year's kiss might also be a factor, but that's another topic for another time).

But this year, I've decided to finally jump on the bandwagon, make some goals, and share them with y'all. I might be starting this year off as the queen of unfinished bucket lists, but hey, I'll keep trying and maybe one day I'll check off every single item!

So in no particular order, here's how I'll be attempting to spend my year:

Not too many items, but a nice outline (in my humble opinion). 

Hopefully 2015 will be the year that I learn how to do assignments before their due dates, the year I learn to be adventurous, and the year I stop being so mean to my body. This will be the year I learn to take bigger risks, and hopefully find greater opportunities because of it. I want to travel more, and to be at least a teensy bit closer to choosing a career path by the time 2016 rolls around (goodness, that feels like forever away!).

I know there's nothing about a changing date that can make me a bolder person, but I'm choosing now to stop being so worried and to start making things happen.

Let me know what some of your New Year's Resolutions are! 

P.S. This "resolution-making" change of heart sprouted from this Buzzfeed article. Definitely worth reading. 

Summer Bucket List

In case you missed it, it's officially summer vacation!

I was so worried about being bored, that I lined up two jobs (one babysitting, one at the school newspaper). I'm all about making the most of this summer!

I put together this list of fun things I'd like to before school starts up again in the fall. Maybe you'll get some ideas for your summer adventures, too!

1. Dip my toes in the ocean. 

2. Ride around in the Jeep with the top down. 

3. Go for a bike ride. 

4. Build a sandcastle. 

5. Bake a cake.

6. Paint a picture.  

7. Read a book (or twenty). 

8. Eat an ice cream cone. 

9. Fishing. 

10. Swimming. 

11. Start a garden.
12. Do a puzzle.
13. Light fireworks with friends.
14. S'mores.
15. Barbecue.
16. Binge watch a TV show
17. Wear sunscreen every day.
18. Mini golf.
19. Bowling.
20. Make homemade ice cream.
21. Play in a rainstorm.
22. Golfing.
23. Watch a sunrise.
24. Visit friends.
25. Wash the Jeep.
26. Macarons (baking and eating!)
27. Library trips.
28. Shopping trips.
29. Journaling.
30. Try something new.

What's on your Summer Bucket List?

P.S. If you love bucket lists, check out my 20 Before 20!