{Sunny Side Up}

Yesterday, I had an absolutely amazing day!! It was just one of those all around great days that at the end of the day, when you’re thinking about what happened, you just have to flash your pearly whites and smile!

I really do believe that positive thinking brings positive things into your life so it’s better to look at the Diet Coke can as half full. In today’s society, we tend to focus on the negative parts of life. C’mon, what fun is that?! The things that kept me grinning from ear to ear yesterday were:

1. Beautiful Weather 

You know how people say a lack of sunshine can cause people to be sad & grumpy? I am definitely one of those people. I know, I know that tanning is bad for you and I don’t do the tanning beds but I absolutely love laying out and just sitting in the sun on a beautiful day. Well, today was one of those days! The day when I’d rather walk to run my errands than wait for a bus. Sunshine just really put a serious bounce into my step today! I wore my favorite Vineyard Vines skirt and stuck it to the man…and didn’t wear tights!! I know, I’m a preppy girl on the edge. For the first time in awhile, I really feel as if spring & sunshine are just right around the corner. I’ve tweeted it before but I’ll say it again, “Any day when I get to wear my sunglasses is a great day.”

2. Today Show at the Gym

If I had a dream job, it would be to work as an anchor on the Today Show. I love that show & all its up beat, happy antics! Usually, I’m at work when the show airs so I can’t watch it live. However, I don’t work on Mondays so I’ve been going to the gym at that time & watching the Today Show while I work out on the elliptical. With the exercise and happiness/excitement of Hoda & KLG, it’s Endorphin City! It’s a great way to get my Monday really going in gear.

3. Simple Stir Fry 

This weekend, I did an inventory on the items in my pantry and refrigerator. You know what I discovered? I had enough staples and ways to jazz up my staple pieces (Israeli couscous, linguine, chicken, brown rice & veggies) that I didn’t need to go grocery shopping! So I decided to challenge myself & my wallet to not purchase any food items this week and just get creative with what’s already in my pantry. To start off my week, I made a super simple stir fry with broccoli, 2 bell peppers, asparagus, chunks of chicken with red pepper flakes & a couple dashes of soy sauce over brown rice. I made a TON so I know what I’ll be eating for today’s lunch, dinner and tomorrow’s lunch. Bon appetit!

4. New Bethenny Ever After 

I will be the first in line to admit it, Bethenny Ever After is my guilty pleasure of reality TV. Her one liners keep me in stitches and I really admire her from a business/marketing point of view. My dream (besides anchoring the Today Show) would be to have my own Bethenny-esque empire. Plus, I’m fascinated by personal branding and Bethenny certainly has mastered that. I visit her website for easy recipes and to get inspired to cook healthfully.

5. Books

Yesterday, I returned “The Hunger Games” to the D.C. Public Library and picked up a new book. One of the things I missed during my undergrad time was not being able to read for pleasure. In high school, I used to read every night before I fell asleep but once I started college & had piles of textbooks to pore through, that habit slipped to the wayside. Now that I’ve got one foot out the door of undergrad, I’ve reinstated my reading before bed rule. I picked up How To Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World by Jordan Christy. I’ve heard good things about it from around the blogosphere but I’m excited to discover it for myself!

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How do you live life sunny side up? What are the little things in your day that bring a smile to your face?