Hiking F. Gilbert Hills State Forest | Foxoboro, MA

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To celebrate 60 degree weather in February, Nate and I took a trip to F. Gilbert Hills State Forest in Foxoboro, MA to do a little hiking/exploring. It was seriously such a nice day out and we couldn’t let it go to waste. We parked on Mill Street near the main entrance, but not inside it because the gates closed at 4 (on a Sunday) and we wanted to be out longer. We planned on taking the Wolf Meadow trail, but the names on the map and the names on the actual trails didn’t seem to be lining up… so we just explored wherever!

There were so many people enjoying the weather, whether it was walking, running or even mountain biking. Very versatile trails all around the park. The trail we followed was, for the most part, wide and flat with a few nice hills here and there. I’m pretty sure there were more less-traveled, strenuous trails that we’ll have to go back and do in the spring. We came across lots of huge rocks to climb on and a small pond that looked pretty against the almost-sunset sky.

Overall we had a super fun time and can’t wait to go back! And let me just say that our new Merrell hiking boots are the bomb dot com. What are you favorite MA state parks? Please share!

Weekly Obsessions

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CROCUSES
Guys, it’s only February and there are already a TON of crocuses growing in our backyard! When I was a kid, searching for ‘signs of spring’ was one of my favorite things to do. Crocuses seem to always be the first sign that spring was on it’s way. So now whenever I see them, I get a little bit excited.

GREEN RIVER ORDINANCE
I found Green River Ordinance through Twitter.. maybe Steve Moakler tweeted about them? I am a fan of Twitter for that reason; when my fave artists recommend a new band/singer, I always give it a listen because I know I can trust their music taste! Anyways, so I’ve been listening to GRO’s new album this week and I am totally loving it! They have a country vibe with great lyrics and harmonies. Perfect spring tunes!

A COLOR STORY
This is a new photo editing app that I am completely obsessed with. I used to have to use both VSCO and Afterlight when editing my Instagram photos (both which I liked), but when A Color Story debuted, I realized I could edit how I wanted with just one app! I’m an app minimalist, so this was great news. The filters are versatile and vibrant and I like them a lot. Definitely try it if you currently have to use more than one photo editing app or looking for a new app! (Not sponsored, just love it!)

HIKING BOOTS
Last summer, in an attempt to watch less TV and become “outdoor people”, Nate and I got ourselves two kayaks and used them as often as we could. This year we’re adding to our outdoorsy repertoire with more hiking! We recently went to REI and each picked out a pair of hiking boots. We then went on a trail walk to break them in and needless to say, I’m pretty stoked for summer to get here!

Happy Weekend!!

Real Talk | Be Anything

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Can I tell you about what I’ve been learning lately, maybe over the past 6 months? Cool. Let’s get into some real talk.

I am slowly-but-surely learning that you don’t have to like and/or be good at only one thing. You don’t have to pigeon hole yourself into ‘being’ only one type of person. This is the biggest thing I am figuring out for myself in both my professional life and healthy-lifestyle life. Do everything. Try everything. Be anything. Do more than one thing. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a steady job to pursue a scarier-but-more-fulfilling dream. Don’t be afraid to be a lot of things at once. A photographer and a swim coach? Do it. (my life) A freelance web designer and a cake baker? That is amazing. You can work in retail and own a small business at the same time. One year you can be a dental hygienist and the next year you can be blogging your way through Europe. You can be a runner and a swimmer, you don’t have to pick just one. One day you can love biking, but another day you can love yoga, and that is totally ok.

It’s all up to you. You do what makes you happy. There is no right answer. You do what makes you smile. You do what makes you want to keep doing whatever you’re doing. This is what I’m learning.

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Weekly Obsessions

- Stephanie Leave a comment

LEMON WATER
I’ve been hearing from friends, podcasts and blogs alike that drinking warm lemon water every morning is a great way to boost your energy and immune system. Don’t take my word for it, take theirs and theirs. I’ve been enjoying a warm cup of ~~sour~~ lemon water every morning for a week now, and though my world hasn’t changed, I do feel more awake by the time I need to start working. Maybe it’s the sour thing. Or maybe it really does have health benefits.

SPRING TEMPS
Um, helloooooo, this week’s weather has been AMAZING!! High 50s all week? I’ll take it! I went running outside in a t-shirt twice and have had my office windows open almost every day! I know spring is just teasing us, but I’m not going to let that stop myself from enjoying this springy weather.

GIRL COUNTRY
Women in country music are making a big comeback (thank the Lord) and I love that Cam and Maren Morris are headlining the revival! I am loving Cam‘s new full-length album Untamed and Maren Morris‘ self-titled EP has been my legit obsession since November!! I can’t stop listening to them both!

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL
I’m a super newbie on the essential oil front, but I’ve been slowly purchasing and using a few different kinds. Lavender has been my absolute favorite so far! It’s so fresh and springy (in keeping with this week’s fake spring haha) and is very relaxing to me.

GOOGLE HANGOUT
I’m so wicked late to the Google hangout party, like probably 4 years late, right? Don’t laugh. Lately Nate has been traveling and instead of a measly phone call before we go to sleep, we hang out! Via Google! It’s cray. Why didn’t we do this 4 years ago. (P.S. We WOULD Facetime, but Nate isn’t an Apple person.)

Happy weekend!!

Featured: Atlas Coffee Club

- Stephanie Leave a comment

If you know me, you know I love coffee – the dark, black, aromatic kind. When I go out for coffee, my first pick is always a small local place (George Howell, Thinking Cup, ect), and my second choice is Peet’s. But I don’t get coffee too often, I actually prefer brewing it myself. It’s kind of a ritual for me. I buy my coffee whole bean style, and then go through the actions of measuring, grinding and French Pressing it fresh every morning. It takes longer, but it also makes me enjoy it more. I mean, I did the work, why not enjoy! Ha!

Enter Atlas Coffee Club: a mail-order coffee service that delivers a freshly roasted bag of coffee (beans or ground) to your door every month. The coolest part is that they source their beans from all around the globe. Believe me, when you live in Massachusetts and buy the same few brands of coffee each month, this is WICKED EXCITING. Variety, yo!

Atlas was so kind to send me a bag of their whole beans from Peru and I enjoyed my first cup of it approximately 8.5 minutes after I opened the package. I ground the beans to a coarse texture to use in my French Press (that’a a tip my college roomie Katie taught me!) and let it sit in my French Press for 5-6 minutes so it brewed strong and dark. What I first noticed about the Peru blend was how smooth it was. Even though it was a dark cup of coffee, it was still really easy to drink and had no bitterness at all! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

What I think is so interesting about Atlas is that they curate their coffee from as many countries as possible. Colombia, Peru, Ethiopia, Brazil, Indonesia… It’s like a new adventure in every bag of beans. I love that! To start your monthly coffee subscription, head to Atlas’s website – and for more info on different ways to make AMAZING coffee at home, take a look at this guide that the staff put together for you!

Like I mentioned above, I was generously gifted a bag of beans by Atlas Coffee in exchange for blogging and sharing about it. All opinions are my own. AKA: This coffee is legit. (mug: NS Pottery)

Stephanie Rita

creative life in New England

Hiking F. Gilbert Hills State Forest | Foxoboro, MA

Weekly Obsessions

Real Talk | Be Anything

Weekly Obsessions

Featured: Atlas Coffee Club