valentine’s day

Sunday Lately for this 30-Something: Week 59

- Mel

Blogger Tribe_Sunday LatelySunday Lately is a weekly linkup hosted by the Blogger Tribe (lead by Angelica, Meghan, Nicole, and Katy). Every Sunday morning, the Tribe shares a small glimpse into the last week — and I’m sharing along, too, as part of my “group therapy.” All are welcome, so if you’re a blogger looking for his or her Tribe, click through and join us in the Blogger Tribe Facebook group, and every week we share our thoughts on a rotating theme of prompts. I hope everyone is savoring the feeling of love this weekend with your besties or that someone special in your life (and especially those four-legged furry friends keeping us warm on this chilly weekend).

Blogger Tribe, SUNDAY LATELY Week 59, 30-something therapy

This week’s theme, on this Valentine’s Day, is: Updating, Remembering, Needing, Wearing, Being.

Updating: A couple months ago, I worked with a resume writer to tweak my professional documents to turn myriad roles into a comprehensive skill set (and help me get my resume down to a single page, which… she was a miracle worker!). Well, I’ve officially put in my notice at work, so I’ll be updating all my statuses to reflect my job-searching status.

Remembering: that my race is this weekend and trying not to freak out. Granted, I’m doing this solely for fun — but it’s a LOT of miles to run just for shits and giggles. I need to remember to be smart (and not preemptively freak out), and figure out mentally how I will sustain my energy levels for hours of running and socializing). #introvertproblems

Needing: I need a plan of action for my race this weekend, so I’ll be working that into my weekly planner. And I’ll share it in a separate post this week! Thankfully, we have this long weekend to help fine-tune my to-do list and race day(s) schedule.

Wearing: I thought that this heart-inspired Aphrodite set from Fabletics [referral link] would be super-cute to lounge around in on Valentine’s Day — and I ended up getting it as a $19.95 deal.

30-something Valentines Day set Fabletics

But I didn’t anticipate that I would rather want to be wrapped in sweats and wearing a Snuggie all day.

Being: in LOVE. Woke up to coffee and Eggs Benedict, and a gifted bottle of Rose champagne and chocolate… and a cat card, natch. It’s sounds so simple, but it’s perfect.

Weekly Therapy: DONUT YOU LOVE ME?!

- Mel

Donuts, man. #gimme
GF DONUTS_valentine, 30-something

the week:
I’m seriously breaking out ALL over my face and scalp this week. WHAT IN THE WORLD. A couple weeks ago made sense when I was PMS’ing, but this is simply ridiculous. I haven’t changed my cleansing routine nor am I using any new products. Hormones? Maybe stress-induced? Frustrating!

weekend:
THREE DAY WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

Our evenings and routine this week have been shaken up a bit due to house showings (and the boyfriend has come down with a nasty cold), so we’re canceling on the ballet tonight. However, I’ll be celebrating Galentine’s with my ladies on Saturday. And then, the boyfriend and I will be celebrating the day of love with him making me brunch in bed on Sunday. 😉

Since we have a long weekend and Monday off from work, my sister and niece are coming out for a night, too.

seven things, seven days:
1. Because it’s Valentine’s Day this weekend – and I love the ballet – I thought this PBT Love Story was a cute post.
2. DO NOT LIKE the astronaut cheese. *puke*
3. RTYI: Updated gluten-free Valentine’s Day candy list.
4. I’m… not a Super Bowl Baby. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
5. Do any of you have a Helix Sleep mattress? I’m very interested in this type of product.
6. I feel as though I could have written this article – and I’m still searching for a job that fits all my needs: 4 Crucial Questions I Wish I Asked Myself Before Changing Careers {via The Financial Diet}
7. Sports sharpen the presidential image {via NY Times}

Have a wonderful Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day weekend, my lovelies! <3

National Food Truck Date Day: your Valentine’s Day replacement

- Mel

So, with the trip to California and all, this post is a little bit late to spread awareness of a date that happened a week ago, but it’s still something I wanted to share.

My blogger-friend Jeanna of 50 Food Truck Dates {you should add her blog to your reader!} wants to change the negative perception of Valentine’s Day being all about going broke and being bored (or bummed for those who feel left out because they don’t have a “love” worthy of celebrating the holiday).

From Jeanna: There’s a lot of bemoaning about needing to “prove” your love one contrite day a year, and a lot of sulking and sad feelings if you don’t have someone to line your stairway with rose petals, stand outside your window with a boombox, or cook you dinner, naked, in an Italian David statue apron… So I thought to myself – why not motivate everyone to change this negative Valentine’s Day sentiment around?

I was definitely on board! The boyfriend and I didn’t have any big plans this year because of our big vacation the week prior (not that we really celebrate it any other year either, plus it was a practice night for me). While we were out west we found a food truck to celebrate our love of corn dogs, tater tots… well, and each other. Together forever in mustard and viking ketchup dipping sauces. I am, however, bummed that I didn’t get a picture of us TOGETHER. Just me and my corn dog in the passenger seat.

30-something hungry belly approved!

We selected the Viking Truck, which was parked outside of The Bruery in Southern California. The brewery tasting room was PACKED — we just stopped by for a mini-tasting and maybe to purchase a few bottles before continuing our road trip to Phoenix. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay long enough to endure the crowds, but having a food truck in the lot made up for that disappointment with all kinds of food-sized AWESOME. Also, did I mention corn dogs and TATER TOTS?!

I kept my corn dog traditional (the Viking Dog), but loaded up the tots — the Vikings called them Dragon Eggs. Yep, that’s some seriously delicious bean chili spread all over (which I had to eat IN THE CAR. Good thing it was a rental. Heh.) Boyfriend had the naked tots (easier to eat while driving) and one of their bratwursts (I think it was the Odin).

I love the idea of National Food Truck Date Day as a replacement to Valentine’s Day because, let’s face it, I’m a cheap date — a cheap, HUNGRY beast of a date. Just the same, the boyfriend & I love to try new restaurants, especially while traveling. Pittsburgh doesn’t have a large food truck scene — it’s just now starting to gain momentum, but unfortunately, vendors still face apprehension from government and restaurant owners — so being able to take advantage while on vacation just adds to the experience.

Do you have a favorite food truck in your city? Would you celebrate National Food Truck Date Day (next year) in lieu of Valentine’s Day?