Maine Girl

Do you ever get bored with the same old routine? I know I do. That's why I have decided to change things up a bit. Subconsciously I might be thinking about starting something fresh and new for the new year, but ultimately I have decided that I no longer believe in new years resolutions. Don't get me wrong. I totally believe in improving ones life such as breaking an addiction, gaining a good habit, etc., however I feel like sometimes when we make a new years resolution, we might do well with it for a little while and then we go right back to our old habit and give up. For some reason the term "new years resolution" frightens me. It leaves no room for error. I feel as though if I can make one small positive change every day, and allow myself to slip up once in a while, but then go right back to  improving and not giving up on myself, makes more sense. Human beings mess up once in a while. It's what we do as a species. We are not robots. We are here for each ot...

Actually written on December 25, 2016 As I sit here writing this blog post, my nose is a little chapped, my voice is a little hoarse and my body a little exhausted from all the coughing going on this past week.............. Yesterday, I managed to pull myself together to go to the doctor to see if there was anything they could do for my symptoms which consisted of coughing, sneezing, bronchitis/laryngitis, fever, chills, shaking, eyes leaking mucus (yes I know, gross!) weakness, tired, but can't sleep because can't stop coughing. I mean, it's been rough. And to make it all even worse, it's Christmas time. A time that people need me the most. I was only able to make it to work two times last week and if you know me, you know that is so unlike me. This girl never gets sick. I see everyone crumble around me, but I seem to stay strong and hold down the fort. This year was a game changer. My first year as assistant manager at  L.L. Bean  in Bangor, Maine and I w...

I really wanted to get a real tree this year, but we were too busy working to take the time to get one and I really wanted it up by December 18 at the latest. I suppose we could have made the time and planned better, but it just didn't happen. My husband came down with a terrible cold and then I came down with it. Any downtime we had we just wanted to rest so that we would actually feel good on Christmas Day. Plus we are a one car family, so you can imagine that the winters can be a bit difficult. In the other three seasons my husband rides his road bike to work and all is well, except for the days that we get pouring rain all day. So, getting back to the tree situation........we didn't get a real tree this year after all and I was a little sad about that at first, but I figure everything is meant to be. I have been known to have terrible asthma when I am around pine trees, but I thought I'd like to see if I had outgrown it. Well, you know what they say. Everythi...

As I write this I am on day three of this terrible flu thing that's been going around. I probably should stay home from work again today, but now that my chills and fever are gone, I have gained back some strength. Now I am contending with this awful cough that kept me and my husband up all night. ("I'm so sorry babe!") He forgives me because he had the same thing last week which was awful for him too.  My question to you is; Do you think that if I had the flu shot I would not have come down with this terrible thing? You hear so much controversy around the flu shot, but when I had the shakes so bad with my fever and I couldn't even put tooth paste on my tooth brush without my hands trembling like an old person, that scared me. Maybe I will consider getting the flu shot every year. What's your opinion?

I have always been attracted to anything that is monogrammed. I think that it might be because it just feels special and more personal. I also think it's the art of the monogram itself that attracts me. I love embroidery. Of course now we have lovely machines that create the monogram, but it amazes me that there was a time that all monograms were done by hand! It really is a work of art. Below are some of my favorite monogrammed items this season: 1. A handkerchief for him or her from The Maine Square . This is actually my own brand that I started in April 2016. They make great gifts for the guy or girl you have no idea what to buy!  2. I love this bag from Mark and Graham . It's not only affordable but it's such a classic. It's deep enough for all of my magazines and my iPad which is always a plus. And I am always a sucker for anything in blackwatch plaid.  3. These monogrammed mugs from Williams-Sonoma are so beautiful yet simple in design. I ...