On this Thanksgiving, I’m so thankful for the life that the boyfriend and I have created together — and those three cute kitties that keep our feet warm at night.
While we’re not with family this holiday (see you at Christmas!), we’re spending it with dear friends who are just as close to both of us (and their newborn *squee*). They’ve graciously opened their home to us and a few “orphans” stuck in Charleston for an epic feast.
I am in this picture… doing my typical Photobomb Face. Or, that was some crazy-good Mac n’ Cheese.
Not gonna lie, but I’m also very thankful for this lovely vacation to a beautiful city. And banana Moon Pies (#keepingitreal).
I’m so happy that I decided to start this new project. I’ve already met a handful of wonderful bloggers through this venture who share in my 30-something passions. And thank YOU for stopping by and reading (are you lurking?) — I hope that you leave a comment to tell me about yourself and your own personal projects.
Identity. I talked about that in Monday’s post. Cook or chef or baker (even though I like to bake!) — none of these are in my list of personal identifiers. I manage OK when I’m on my own. I mean, I didn’t STARVE TO DEATH when I was single and lonely in my one-bedroom condo. But I’m happily benefiting from a boyfriend who LOVES to cook — it’s his creative release from a long day at work. Cooking for me? ADDS stress.
Ironic… it’s totally A.D.D. stress too.
Completely changing topics (but we’ll pull this all together, I promise)… you know how sometimes you feel as though you were just MEANT to meet somebody — be it a friend, networking contact or romantic partner? This is how I feel about the person that I’m introducing in my guest post below. We met online, as many in this digital age are ought to do; and I just knew we had to work together. She’s breaking the traditional mold of old-school therapy by applying the guiding practices in a creative way. Who she is, is the exact type of therapist that I intend to be: an adventurer.
Although… maybe without all that cooking.
Introducing Allison of A Taste of Therapy
Who am I?
Hi! My name is Allison Carver, I’m in my 30s and I am Licensed Professional Counselor from Richmond, Virginia. I own a business called A Taste of Therapy that takes a creative and unique spin on plain, old, boring therapy. I use cooking therapy! This is my true passion in life and I love it! I combine cooking classes with therapy to help others grow! When I opened in 2010 there was an unfilled demand for a creative and new alternative to traditional outpatient therapy in Richmond. Therefore I created a new type of therapy! I am professionally trained in both mental health therapy and culinary arts.
What is Cooking Therapy?
I believe that the process of cooking is therapeutic. Just as an Art Therapist uses the process of painting as therapy, I use cooking as a way to manage life’s stresses.
How did I come up with this idea?
I’ve always loved to cook and used it as my own personal outlet for years! Time and time again, I would find myself taking my own problems to the kitchen and working it out through cooking. One day it occurred to me that others would benefit from this. I began to incorporate these cooking techniques into my therapy practice! I soon discovered that cooking helped my clients more than I ever expected. Right then and there I knew this was a good idea.
Why it works?
Cooking is a relaxing process that you helps you unwind when you are feeling troubled. I find that when client’s keep their hands busy cooking, they are more likely to open up and discover what’s really troubling them. When you begin to use cooking as therapy you will relax, have fun, and learn how to manage life’s challenges through cooking! My classes teach specific skills about how to deal with stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. My classes will teach you how chopping, slicing, and kneading dough will help you feel better.
How do my workshops work?
When you sign up for a workshop you will get three separate sessions (an appetizer, entrée, and dessert session) of therapy and cooking. Each week you will discuss the appropriate therapy topics and then cook food. Workshops topics include: anger management, parenting issues, poor communication, anxiety, grief and loss, depression, poor self esteem, and relationship issues. They are designed for groups or individuals. I travel to your kitchen, making it really convenient!
Help! I don’t live in Richmond, but I want some cooking therapy!
I’ve just launched a new product that will help you out! It’s called: ATOT Takeout. It’s a personalized cooking therapy recipe designed just for you! It offers a solution for any minor life challenge. Just email me (info@atasteoftherapy.com) let me know that you would like to participate in ATOT Takeout. I’ll email you a form asking you what you are dealing with. Email it back to me with your $25 payment and within 24 hours I will email you back a personalized recipe and therapeutic tips to help you deal! IT will provided step by step instructions on how to use cooking to help you cope with your issue. *Bonus! If you mention you saw this on 30-something Therapy, I’ll give you $5 off!
Looking for more information?
Be sure to check me out on the web! I have a complete YouTube Channel that offers videos, recipes, and cooking therapy tips! Like me on Facebook, and follow along with Twitter! I’m excited to get to know you more!
Stay tuned for a special Taste of Therapy recipe that might be JUST what you need to wind down from the Thanksgiving holiday.
And I am a mess. That “mess” is one part anxiety and all other parts stress.
I’m certainly worse when there’s an airliner involved, but this holiday road trip has me totally on edge. I worked full time at my part-time job so coworkers could take their PTO. This, in addition to all the work I have to plan and schedule to take place while I’m Away From Computer — and I am beyond exhausted, even given an almost-perfect sleep schedule for the last 5 or so days. I’m salty; I’m edgy. I have a short fuse. I’m being “negative” and “mean” (says this tall, hairy person who shares a house with me). I want to sit down and maybe have a glass of wine to relax, but there’s still so much to do. At least in my head.
*sigh*
I need to make a list.
I have NO idea why I’m stressed, and nothing works to alleviate it (short of temporary meditation benefits; but, I mean, if I were in a muscle relaxer mood, then maybe we could talk). We’ve taken this trip before (our newfound pilgrimage — heh — to see our friends in the south over the Thanksgiving holiday). If I forget anything, there are Targets and grocery stores in South Carolina. My Dramamine is packed (aforementioned hairy man-as-driver is not my preferred method of travel). The cat sitters are scheduled. My suitcase is kinda-sorta packed (overly… packed). Directions, easy (thanks, Siri!). I have clean underwear.
I should be enjoying this “I’m Going on Vacation” moment, right?
Do you experience travel anxiety before leaving on a trip? Tell me how you cope in the comments!
A man/woman is many things, they say. Identity, or psychological identity, is a set of distinctive characteristics that one acquires through self-reflection and awareness. Identity can be lost or evolve with life experience, daily tasks or habits, and age. Just as we are these many things, makes us all unique in our total identity.
Who am I?
30-something
Girlfriend
Friend
Cat Owner LOVER!
Roller Derby Athlete
Teammate
Writer
Sometimes I’m witty, but most times I think I come across like an asshole.
Sister/Daughter/Granddaughter/Aunt
Volunteer
Frequent Vacationer
Adventurer
Wannabe Therapist INFP
Failure. (yes, I see even this through the eyes of an optimist)
Procrastinator (this, however, is bad)
OCD
Brunette
German/Irish/Hungarian/Czech
Late-bloomer
Resilient
^^ also me (why so many pictures of me + yard drink?)
I totally failed my November shopping ban. Totally. Completely. Utterly. Failed. This is what happens when there are sales, coupons and discount offers all up in my email this time of year.
But… I’m not mad. I’m EXCITED.
1. Rice Dot Tee {LOFT} / 2. Sims Pants {Trina Turk} / 3. Cozy Cable Cardigan {LOFT} / 4. Chunky Cable Open Front Cardigan {LOFT} (I love cardigans!) / 5. White Wool-blend Belted Coat {Banana Republic}
I also picked up a standard gray crew-neck tee shirt and gray-and-cream striped sweater from BP
Retail Therapy
See, when I turned 35, I made it a year-long mission to reinvent my closet. I now seek out classic, versatile and well-structured pieces. Clothing that is an investment (for, hopefully, the next 5 or so years of my age bracket) takes over where throw-away trends are concerned. On that same note, I needed long-sleeve shirts, which is where the $30 tops and sweaters sale at LOFT comes in. I have, like, one long-sleeve shirt in my closet. And it’s misshapen and almost five years old itself. Why the former obsession with 3/4-length, Mel?
Plain-and-simple, I need to dress more like I am 35 and less like I am 25. There’s a difference between being young and youthful, and being chic and playful with your wardrobe. And by “your” of course I mean myself.
About a Coat
I’ve had my (current) tan-colored wool coat from Banana Republic for nearly a decade. But… I’ve grown out of it (and by “grown” I mean it’s easily four sizes too large for me; someone at the consignment store will surely give it some more love). I bought it at an end-of-season sale for almost 50% off. It was a good deal then, and considerably so now, for how long it’s lasted in my closet.
Alas, it’s ill-fitting now… boxy — even with layers of sweaters underneath, it just looks like I’m wearing my grandpa’s coat — so I wanted a new warm winter coat that was fitted to my proportions and more chic.
I FOUND THE PERFECT COAT (see above)! On top of that, the coupon for friends & family deal (50% off!) from my neighbor was just too kind. This was also an excuse to head into the cute local neighborhood, Shadyside, of Pittsburgh. I only hope this one lasts me another decade. I can’t lie, I’m terrified about the winter white. But the style and fit was too pretty to resist.
Retail as Therapy. Makes me happy inside and out. And probably just as expensive.
Do you take advantage of great sales this time of year for personal shopping? Tell us about your Biggest Score in the comments!
Cleansing and moisturizing, twice per day, is IMPERATIVE for women our age. But this is only part of what’s required as part of a healthy skin care routine for 30-somethings. As my esthetician likes to repeat: plan NOW for the face you want in 10 years. Her skin looks fantastic, by the way; I’m envious. I wasn’t too good to my skin (or my body) in my 20s and pay for those mistakes in my 30s: smoking, heavy drinking, tanning. Ugh.
The Trifecta of Early Aging.
But I was also guilty of not getting a lot of sleep — and sleeping in my makeup when I finally did find my bed — and not using any sort of anti-aging product, especially eye cream (whomp!).
moisturizer — day lotions are different than night lotions!
eye cream — this is different than your lotion.
water — and by water, I mean, you should be drinking it. A lot.
sunscreen — no exceptions; my dermatologist says that SPF in lotions and makeup is NOT enough. Sunscreen should its own separate layer before moisturizing.
Sounds much more intense than “basic,” right? But trust me, once you get into a regular habit of doing these steps, it won’t seem so taxing.
Side note: Some women also like to tone, but I only typically do this step for a little “mid-afternoon skin pick-me-up” on those days when I don’t wear make-up.
Additional regular treatments for your face should also include:
professional facials — I opt for seasonal.
exfoliation — gently! At least once a week; more, if you have hormonal congestion on your chin and cheeks.
I’ve managed to make it to that part of the year where a daily hot chocolate is a necessity. So bad.
Oooh, wait. Is it eggnog season now?
I’m in big trouble.
the week:
I had a great game on Sunday (even if we lost by 11 points); I was jamming for most of the bout. This reminds me that I still have to tell you all about roller derby.
I picked up extra shifts at work — and my one day off, my cleaners wake me up at 9am o_O… I am still holding back some furious rage toward the USPS (synonymous with anger) for not delivering two different packages from two different dates (one, a personalized care package from a friend). This, after three rescheduled redeliveries; to which, they never redelivered… I know because I was waiting around ALL DAY. And now, apparently a missing package says my local branch. Grrr.
But, one week until thanksgiving = one week until vacation!
weekend:
Locally, it’s Light Up Night to celebrate the “beginnings” of holiday season in downtown Pittsburgh. Aka: let’s have some mexican and get drunk off margaritas then walk around and freeze our butts off… night. Or, at least that’s how last year looked.
I anticipate feeling just about as wonderful in the morning as last year. And then go spinning. And then go to Friendsgiving.
seven things, seven days:
1. Had an Emotional Health Check-up? This is just as important as your regular medical care.
2. I won a totally random giveaway this week from 3M: a safety kit. Pictures with goggles soon to come! (this also means that maybe there’s a dresser refinishing project in my future)
3. Reservations for Poogan’s Porch when in Charleston. Yes, I’m squeeing. Vacation. You are so close.
4. I’m also this much closer to Moon Pies.
5. Not gonna lie, I about lost my mind when seeing this recipe for TWO INGREDIENT Eggnog Muffins. TWO. Big love for this brand of easy cooking.
6. Penny Pincher Fashion has her Winter Survival Kit posted. It’s time.
7. Through a friend, found a Facebook group for women “recycling” their Lilly clothing. I scored a pair of pink capris – NWT! Kinda excited to finally fulfill this missing item from my “wants” list.
The Thanksgiving Box (aka: Fall Favorites) from Love with Food was curated by Amy Roloff of TLC’s “Little People, Big World.” As always, it’s such an exciting box of goodies to receive on a monthly basis.
Each box received, a meal is donated to a hungry child via food banks across America. For November and December, Love with Food is doubling its donations to help support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in the hardest hit areas of New Jersey and New York.
This month’s box included:
Truffle Piglet from Hagensborg Chocolates
Inka Corn from Inka Crops
Chocolate Chunk Cookies from Skeeter Snacks
Mango Pear Pineapple from Fruit.o
Mini Crunch from Mrs. May’s (LOVE!!!)
Turkey Bak Kiva Jerky from Little Red Dot Kitchen (um, boyfriend ate this immediately)
Original Mulling Spices Blend from Aspen Mulling Co.
Pumpkin Spice Tea from Stash Tea Company
Disclaimer: this post includes referral links, to which I earn “cash back” for all new subscriptions. I donate these funds back to Love with Food to help the organization feed more hungry children.
I set out to replace my Clarisonic brush head… and ended up WITH ALL THIS.
{The Lasting Impression It Kit (sephora gift) / samples from Clinique, Kate Somerville & Bliss / Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head Twin-Pack (Deep Pore) / Fresh Sugar Soiree Mini Lip Collection / NARS Essentials Set (beauty insider perk)}
Isn’t that how it always goes? I JUST NEED THIS ONE THING. But Sephora wants to give you 20 Things. Samples rule; I’m not mad. And I’m not the only one, I’m sure, who LOVES the extra goodies — being a Beauty Insider has definite rewards. That Lasting Impression Kit has, like, 15 different deluxe-sized products. Although, I’m probably all set on primers now. I’ve never tried a NARS product, but friends rave about the lip pencils. I saved up my Beauty Points to finally snag a decent 500 points gift. Time to build that account back up again! *smirk*
Sephora and Target are the same type of bank account killer: you go in for necessities, yet can never leave without dropping at least $100. True story.
ob·ses·sion/əbˈseSHən/
Noun: 1. The state of being obsessed with someone or something.
2. An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.
Yes, it’s exactly like that. I’m pretty sure there’s no cure. Naturally, I only wanted one color (Berry), but since I love the product so much, I splurged on the collection. These lip treatments have replaced my chapstick habit, for serious.
I’ve been out of the local blogging scene for some time (save for PodCamp). With the “release” of this new blog, I need to start working on my marketing and networking.
I was excited to see the MANIAC magazine invite online for its Blogger Event in Pittsburgh. In an old shoe store — just my style! My coming out party (ha!). I was also happy to have a friend tag along with me to curb any needless social anxiety.
I just adore magazines like MANIAC — and particularly, special issues like this one: beautiful pictorials that include NYFW coverage and street style, and I literally swooned at the “bicycle from behind” photos. On the cover is the fabulous Nikki Reed; inside: local Pittsburgh scene captures… and the one-and-only Mr. Mark Wahlberg (mrwar!). There’s also a few helpful shopping guides and articles updating readers about technology, health and travel news (clever article pun: Turkey! A pleasant surprise, it’s not about Thanksgiving.).
But tonight, I’m sipping on cocktails, checking out the newest holiday issue & connecting with my fellow fashion and beauty bloggers. And crushing on this gifted schwag bag: copy of the new issue, a tarte lipgloss, an adult treat from Wigle Whiskey (yum!) and some generous coupons and samples from local businesses.
I even got a quickie manicure, courtesy of Spa Jema. Totally buying this Zoya color she used too.
Cheers to Bloggers (Tuesday!) Nights out… and one extra clink for the added food and drinks at the Wine Loft afterward.
