15. Holiday Morning Routine + Updated Workout! | Blogmas

Now that school is out and I'm finished with work, I've got four more days completely to myself until I fly home. I've been really enjoying having mornings to myself to relax and take my time starting the day as mornings really are my favourite time of day! If every day could be Sunday morning I'd be in heaven. 

In the spirit of the holidays and blogmas, I thought I'd share with you my chilled out, holiday, no rush, no fuss, morning routine! 

I've been waking up naturally- no alarm- around 7:30am. Instead of getting up straight away, I've been spending some time in the morning reading The Fault In Our Stars (for about the eighth time) in my bed until around 8:15am or so. By this time getting out of bed is a MUST as my bladder will be screaming haha. Once I void my bladder, I fill up my water bottle and do a little 15-20 minute workout. 

For my workout as of late I've been doing:

100 high knees

25 jumping jacks

20 leg kicks

20 standing knee to elbow crunches

15 squats

50 mountain climbers

10/side fire hydrant donkey kicks

10 pushups

10/side one leg raise with crunch

5 pilates roll ups

Repeat entire circuit x3

Sun salutation

Big stretch

Once my workout is complete, I will wash my face, brush my teeth, and put my water on the stove to boil for a cup of cinnamon tea. My makeup takes no time at all, so once that's done my water will be boiling to make my cinnamon tea. I then take my tea into my bedroom and sip it whilst I do my hair and get dressed. Hair wise, I've been doing one of two things: curls with my straightener (which you can see how I do in my holiday hair post) or dutch braids!

By the time I'm all ready for the day it's about 9:45am-10:00am; time to prepare some breakfast! Like always, I make a bowl of oatmeal with raw cacao and cinnamon, topped with a dollop of greek yogurt. Whilst I eat my oatmeal I will write in my journal and spend some time with my Bible. This morning I read through Thessalonians 1 and 2. 

After breakfast I have been enjoying going for a little stroll around my neighbourhood (still bitter about not having snow in December!) as well as writing blog posts and catching up on social media until lunch time!

I hope you all enjoyed my very relaxed, holiday morning routine! What is your favourite thing to do on a morning when you're not rushed? Please do let me know in a comment!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

12. Forcing That Festive Feeling | Blogmas

Yesterday marked the last day of school and the first day of full swing festivities! Up to this point I have definitely been looking forward to Christmas, but I haven't been Christmas crazy, like I usually am, by any means. I decided I would create a cozy, festive night in last night to help get me into the holiday spirit. I wanted to share what I did to force myself into feeling festive!

I started the evening by lighting some festive candles- I lit a peppermint candle and a cinnamon candle. Guys my place smelled amazing! Like a Christmas sweet shop. I threw on some festive PJ's, cooked my dinner and ate it whilst listening to my Spotify Christmas Playlist. 

Sugar cookies are my all time favourite Christmas dessert so I baked some oatmeal chocolate chip sugar cookies, made a cup of hot chocolate and snuggled myself into my cozy flannel blanket to binge watch some Christmas films! Some of the ones I watched are Holiday Inn, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas (the original short of course), Charlie Brown's Christmas, Love Actually, and Elf!

I ended the evening with my Bible, reading a bit of Matthew from the New Testament. 

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my festive night in! I really do feel quite a bit more Christmas spirit- I'm super excited to head home and celebrate the holidays with my family! What sorts of things do you do that put you in the festive spirit? Do let me know in a comment!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn 

10. Christmas Wish List | Blogmas

Putting together a Christmas wish list has proven to be a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I don't actually really want anything other than to be home for the holidays with everyone I love, and that's happening! In ten days time I'll be on the plane travelling home.

I was able, however, to put together a few little bits and bobs that I would like to receive this Christmas- nothing crazy or over the top. Enjoy my Christmas wish list!

1. Coasters

As a morning tea drinker, coasters are a must have to protect tables and such from the heat of the mug. Buying coasters is not something you think of straight away when you're moving out, but they're something I'm in serious need of!

2. Pyjamas

I always love getting pyjamas for Christmas- its the one thing that I always ask for without fail. I don't like wide legged pyjamas or sleeping in long sleeves so this set would be something I'd love to receive. Legging style bottoms with a t-shirt is definitely my favourite pyjama style!

3. Book

As a self-proclaimed book worm, I'm always excited to receive a novel at Christmas time (or any time for that matter). Nicholas Sparks has written some of my favourite books of all time so his newest work had to make my wish list!

4. Journal

I'm always writing so a new journal is something I'm looking for. I love these inspiring quote journals at Chapters so much! This had to make my wish list.

5. 2016 Calendar

Everybody needs a new calendar at Christmas time so it's something that's always on my wish list. When I came across this particular calendar I was immediately smitten! I actually almost ordered it for myself but decided to send the link to my Grandma who had asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I've been obsessed with New York for as long as I can remember and seeing the photographs displayed in this calendar- gosh they're beautiful!

I hope you all enjoyed this little wish list that I put together. I know it's a lot different than the extravagant wish lists that other bloggers throw out there, but I seriously don't want anything this Christmas- just to be with my family. What's on your Christmas wish list?

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

33. Something You Look Forward To | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

In the spirit of Blogmas as well as true, genuine gratitude, I have to say the something I'm most looking forward to is heading home for the holidays. I'm so excited to see my family and to spend the holidays with all the people I love back home. 

Family means so much to me and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing everyone again! I can't think of a better reason to travel home than to enjoy the worship and kinship of Christmas will the people I love the most.

What is something you're looking forward to? Please do let me know!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn