Next Stop: Procrastination Station

You might remember me lamenting about the struggle bus back in the beginning of the semester, and let me tell you, I’m still on board! Unfortunately, en route to my final destination (winter break!) I’ve made far too many stops at Procrastination Station! Full disclosure: I find it really hard to think more than a day or two in advance and its really really difficult for me to work on a project or paper more than 48 hours before it’s due! Maybe that’s why I have no interest in getting a doctorate or completing a dissertation… I always think I work best under an intense time crunch, and that my stress produces a better product by the deadline than if I had taken a lot of time to think about it, but that might just be me making excuses :-P

So I wanted to show you all what MY procrastination looks, sounds, and feels like – maybe yours is similar (you’re in good company) or maybe you procrastinate a lot less than I do, in which case, congratulations – try to keep that momentum fueling you through grad school! You’ll be glad you have that kind of work ethic! I wish I had a better drive and motivation to complete my assignments...

So let’s assume I get home from my GA around 3:15pm one afternoon, and my paper is due “tomorrow”, let’s say in class at 9:00am. Here’s what a typical schedule for my night will look like on that day…

3:15pm: Walk in the door of my apartment with the full intention of starting my paper (almost) right away

3:20pm: Change out of my work clothes, open up my computer, and open the documents and readings I plan to use for the assignment

3:23pm: Open Gmail. Delete 47 emails containing news articles I don’t care about, sales at some of my favorite (and not so favorite) retailers, and general unwanted messages.

3:25pm: Open Facebook (READ: BAD IDEA!) Scroll through my homepage to see what I’ve missed since this morning (too much!) Open 18 different links from people.com, Buzzfeed, YouTube, Pinterest, etc.

3:45pm: Finish looking through those posts and others that I linked to. Go back to staring at the blank document in front of me. Reread the assignment description and attempt to start the paper, or maybe just identify the thesis…

3:55pm: Paper looks like this.

This episode of Spongebob is so accurate!

4:00pm: Seems like enough work. At this point I decide to take a shower so I can save that time later in the evening…

4:30pm: Sit back down at my computer and try again to start the paper. Get the idea to write an outline first! Start outlining the paper (progress!)

4:45pm: Get bored with the outline. Decide to make tomorrow’s to do list instead. Also, since we’re in the process of making lists, write a grocery list, a list of things to buy at Target next time I’m home, and a list of things to do over the next 4 days (why am I suddenly thinking so far ahead?!?!)

5:00pm: Go back to the outline and keep working. The paper keeps growing and changing as I keep writing. Try to refocus it.

5:45pm: Detailed outline is complete. I suddenly notice that I’m hungry. Go downstairs to my kitchen and search for something to eat. Finally settle on whatever I have leftover in the fridge…or pasta. Pasta is always a good choice. While I eat I catch up on what I’ve missed online during the past two hours. I see this as a good decision – it’s efficiency and multitasking, right? Here are some things I pinned on Pinterest during this efficient break!

Minion Cupcakes!!!

6:15pm: Return to attempted outline writing. Try to fit in the information and research in the appropriate spaces to organize my thoughts and information – the outline grows from 1.5 pages to 4 pages long! (single-spaced) Uh oh… It’s going to be a long night.

7:00pm: Attempt to start the actual paper itself. Rewrite the opening sentences over and over until I finally settle on one. Write for a while and get through the opening paragraphs.

8:00pm: Brain realizes I’ve been writing for a whole hour! Decides that’s enough for now and I need a break. See ya later, productivity! Tummy realizes I’m hungry – snack time! Grab a few cookies and decide to take a short break. Oh! Big Bang Theory is on? Looks like my break is going to be 30 minutes!

8:30pm: Turn off the tv and try to re-motivate myself to finish the paper. It doesn’t work. To Facebook! Catch up on “news”. Check out Things You Learn in your 20's, Nerdy Jokes and Awkward Happenings of 2013 on Buzzfeed. Wait! See that my friend’s ex-boyfriends’s new girlfriend just had a baby? 25 public pictures of the baby on Facebook – look at them all. Long-lost acquaintance just got back from a trip to Spain – check out all 352 pictures she posted. (Try not to feel like a stalker by “liking” the pictures 3 minutes after they were posted.)

9:30pm: Realize it’s already 9:30 – PANIC! Frantically try to start writing again. The stress is helpful! Productivity happens!!

11:00pm: Realize I’m hungry again. Time for snack number two!

11:05pm: Watch a few Jenna Marbles videos on YouTube to mindlessly relax for a few minutes. Haven’t seen the last 4 weeks of videos so I watch those, followed by my favorites - Landshark, How Girls Pack a Suitcase, and What Are This!

11:45pm: Now I’m falling asleep. Time to set my alarm for a 20 minute power nap. Maybe I’ll work better when I wake up. Zzzzzzzz…

12:05am: Alarm goes off. Time to do some work – but first, coffee!

12:10am: Return to my desk with coffee in hand! Let’s start working!!!

4:29am: SUCCESS!! THE PAPER IS DONE!! Print it out and reward myself with three and a half hours of sleep before I have to get up for class…

8:00am: BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Good morning world! It all starts again…Time for a large iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts and another long day as a grad student!

Tis the Season

Disclaimer: I'm sorry for the delay in writing this post, or any post for that matter! It's been a crazy busy week between the final assignments I'm trying to procrastinate and put off completing and the huge influx of work in the admissions office - THANK YOU to those of you who submitted your apps and for those who haven't, winter break is a great time to finish them up!

This post has taken me FOUR days now to get through, and although I'm really excited to share it with you, it's had to take a backseat to the rest of the work, but here it is!!!

Here we are in the last 2 weeks of the semester at Penn, and finals are in full swing! It's so hard to keep motivated through all of the late-night paper-writing, cram-studying for exams, and still attending classes! Unlike undergrad, grad students have class all the way up until the very last day of the semester (only eleven ten nine EIGHT more days!!). There's no "finals week" or "reading days" where we get a break from class to focus on our final assignments. We are warriors who push through to the very end! But this structure has left many GSE students feeling overwhelmed, stressed-out, and at times hopeless here at the end of the semester. All-nighters, endless hours in the library, computer lab, or study spaces, and lots and lots of coffee have become the norm for many of us! Winter break and some time to mentally recharge is so close but still so far away!

I know it's kind of a dated joke, but still funny and relevant!!

This weekend I had so much work to do (2 final papers and a presentation are only one more paper is standing in my way) but it was nearly impossible to focus with our FIRST SNOWFALL OF THE YEAR happening right outside my window!! The gorgeous flakes falling down outside while I was in my cozy apartment was a HUGE distraction, and eventually I gave in to the temptation and took a mental break to watch football all day on Sunday. The games in Philadelphia and Baltimore were absolutely insane because it was snowing so hard! I'm a huge football fan, but this weekend was more of a comedy show than a competitive game - they were even using shovels and snowblowers to clean off parts of the field between plays!

This is what Sunday's games looked like in the Northeast!

Since it's now "officially" the holiday season (Thanksgiving is over, it's December, and we've had not one but TWO snowfalls in Philly!) I figured I would share some links to my favorite holiday attractions and events in the Philadelphia area.


Ice Skating
There's several places to go ice skating during the winter in Philly and every once in a while a new one pops up! My favorite by far is the River Rink at Penn's Landing. It's outdoors so you can skate around on a cold but sunny day and look out over the river; it's a lot of fun and a great winter weekend activity! They even host special events like themed evening skates and a New Year's Eve party! This year there's a new rink in town (also outdoors!) at the Piazza in Northern Liberties. I haven't been there yet, but I'm hoping to check it out over break! Finally, there's the Penn Ice Rink at the Class of 1923 Arena RIGHT ON CAMPUS! And the best part is, it's an indoor arena (used for Penn Ice Hockey, etc.) so it's open ALL YEAR ROUND! Public skate happens several times a week so check it out once you're on campus!

Christmas Village
Every year, a little "town" pops up outside City Hall with tiny wooded houses filled with local vendors selling everything from homemade treats, knit hats, scarves, gloves. etc., fun toys, delicious food and drinks, ornaments, decorations, and lots more! It's a great place to visit and maybe buy some holiday gifts while enjoying the Christmas spirit with your neighbors in the City of Brotherly Love. In the past, the village has been located right in front of City Hall, but due to construction on the new plaza, it has been relocated to Love Park - how appropriate!

Holiday Shows
I love shows and performances! My favorite in Philadelphia is the Christmas Light Show that takes place in the Macy's in Center City (it was formerly Wanamaker's and it's a gorgeous old building with the world's largest operating pipe organ inside!) The show started in 1956 and has changed very little since then! During the holiday season, at the top of every other hour (10am, 12pm, 2m, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm), the whole store stops and turns its attention to the spectacle of lights as Julie Andrews narrates a ten-minute condensed rendition of the Nutcracker, complete with some of our favorite characters (Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!). The whole show ends with a performance of "Oh, Christmas Tree" on the historic organ. It's one of my favorite Philly Christmas traditions!

The Comcast Building also puts on a great Holiday Spectacular every year, but it's very different from the vintage feel of the Macy's show. The Comcast show is very high tech, involving dynamic video of real people on their giant LED video wall!

I have to admit, as someone who has been taking dance classes since age 3, I absolutely adore the story and ballet performance of The Nutcracker! If you're a fan of the ballet like I am, or if you're just looking for a fun cultural activity, definitely check out the Pennsylvania Ballet's show running through December 29th!

As an added holiday bonus, the Philadelphia Parking Authority is giving the city FREE PARKING in Center City on Saturdays after 11:00 AM through December 28th! YAY!

So there's a little snapshot of some things I like to do on the weekends in December in Philly! Feel free to share any other things you do for the holidays - I'd love to hear them! I'll still be posting over winter break (hopefully I'll have time to post more frequently!) so stay tuned for more of my reflections from the semester, fun things to do if you're spending New Year's Eve in Philadelphia, and my goals and plans for next semester!

Happy Holidays!!!

Meet the Dean!

Attention New York City and Chicago - we're coming to you!

Penn GSE is hosting Holiday Reception/Meet the Dean events in both Chicago and NYC.  It will be a great opportunity to meet leaders from GSE, find out more about our degrees and programs, network, and enjoy some delicious food! You can RSVP here. 

Here are the details for each event: 

Chicago
Tuesday, December 10th, 6-8PM
Gleacher Center at the University of Chicago
450 North Cityfront Plaza Drive
Room 420 (South Lounge)

New York City
Thursday, December 12th, 6-8PM
Grand Hyatt New York
Park Avenue at Grand Central
Uris Room

Hope we see many of you there!!

If you can't join us in either Chicago or New York, check out our web chat with current students and alumni coming up on Tuesday, December 10 from 12:00-1:00pm ET. Register for the online chat here!

Post-Holiday Excitement!

Hi All!

I’m back from a relaxing long weekend at home with my family and I've entered an incredibly busy week at the admissions office! Evenings and weekends in the office are becoming the norm (along with several large coffees a day!), BUT that means we’re getting lots of applications from all of you, which is fantastic!

Admissions plug: If you haven’t completed your application yet try to submit it as soon as possible!

First, a few updates on the events going on at GSE during the next few weeks:

This Saturday , December 7^th is our Teacher Education Program Information Session! If you’re interested in becoming a certified teacher (Pre-K through high school) join us on campus from 10:00am-12:00pm to learn more! RSVP here.

Next Tuesday, December 10^th is our final Web Chat of 2013. Join current students, alumni, and admissions and financial aid representatives to learn more about all of the programs and being a student at GSE! The web chat is taking place online from 12:00-1:00pm ET. RSVP here.

Want to get a first-hand experience at Penn GSE? Join us for a campus visit where you can meet with program managers, admissions and financial aid reps, current students, and take a tour of campus! Visits take place between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday. We kindly ask for two-weeks’ notice to plan any visit. Sign up for a visit here.

NOTE: We are NOT hosting campus visits between December 7^th and January 12^th as the staff is very busy processing applications. We will begin visits again on January 13, 2014.

After a long weekend it’s tough to be back at school and work. Only 2 ½ more weeks until the semester is over but I still have 2 big projects/papers to complete. Wish me luck!

I wanted to share some pictures from how I celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday, but somehow in the chaos of hosting 18 people at my house for dinner, we didn't manage to take any pictures of us, but I’ll leave you with a few pictures of my dog – I think she enjoyed the day more than we did!

Hope your Thanksgiving was as delicious as this one!

A small powdered-sugar mishap while baking cookies...

As always, questions and messages are welcome - I love hearing from you!!

Counting my Blessings

Thanksgiving might just be my favorite day of the year! I like it more than my birthday, or Christmas, or Labor Day, or Arbor Day, and definitely more than Halloween! Not only does Thanksgiving mean there is an avalanche of some of my favorite foods [read: potatoes and pie] but my family and friends gather at our house and celebrate the day together! BIG shout out to my amazing Mom who cooks a DELICIOUS dinner every year for all of us!!!

In the spirit of giving thanks, I wanted to share a list of all of the things I'm grateful for this year, and there's A LOT of them, so here's a small segment of my list...

1. I am beyond blessed to have an incredible and supportive family. My parents always go out of their way to provide things for my sister and I as well as helping us through all of our many many challenges - I don't know what I would do without them! My sister is also one of my best friends in the world  I'm so proud of her and thankful that I have her in my life!

2. I also have an amazing boyfriend who I'm thankful for every day! Even when I'm upset, or angry, or stressed out, or overwhelmed, or doubting myself, he can always make me feel better and push through whatever I'm struggling with. He never fails to make me laugh and he gives the world's best hugs!

3. I'm thankful for the blessings of education that I have been able to obtain during the past 17 years. My parent's sacrifices and hard work have allowed me to attend great schools where I've grown as an individual and opened my eyes and brain to countless new ways of thought and life.

This year I have some new blessings to be thankful for.

4. I am ridiculously grateful to be here at Penn GSE getting my master's degree. It is a phenomenal school and I'm meeting so many incredible people and learning so much from being here! I'm thankful that this program is helping me to figure out and follow my "dream" career (whatever that may be) and giving me a strong foundation to do so. Even though I've been frequently doubting myself and what I'm doing here, I know I made the right decision to come to Penn, and I would do it over and over again...maybe just a little differently (but that will be a future reflection).

5. I'm also thankful for my Graduate Assistantship at Penn where I get to interact with current and prospective students each day and share something I love (GSE!) with them! I love that I get to share one of my blessings with many other people every day!

6.  The final blessing I'm going to share today is my cohort here at GSE. Coming into the program I was really worried that I wouldn't make myself available to people and that I wouldn't make friends because I already have a lot of people I know and hang out with in Philadelphia. I struggled with that balance for many weeks and I've only recently put forth a really conscious effort to do things with my fellow higher ed students, and I'm so glad I made that change! My fellow higher ed students are phenomenal and I wish I had gotten to know more of them sooner! I fear that I'll leave this program without building a relationship with everyone, but at least I've made a small start. I'm so thankful for these people and the time I've been able to spend with them so far on this journey!

So that's just a snippet of what's on my list this year, not to mention the infinite other things I'm grateful for every day! I hope you all can share your blessings and thanks with others, not just on Thanksgiving, but throughout the year. 

Also, I'm not neglecting all of my friends celebrating Hanukkah - Happy Hanukkah! I'm sad that I'll be missing a small gathering of my cohort members tonight who will be lighting the candles and eating delicious latkes - yum!

Teacher Education Information Session!

Interested in becoming a teacher? Join us for an on-campus information session!

Whether you want to teach pre-kindergarteners or 12th graders, our Teacher Education Program (TEP) can get you on track to certification. 

Through a commitment to social justice and urban education, TEP prepares prospective teachers to transform students and schools. You can read more about the program on their extensive website: http://www2.gse.upenn.edu/tep/.

Read through the website and want to learn more in-person?

Join the Urban Teacher Education program for an on-campus information session on Saturday, December 7 from 10am-noon ET. RSVP here. (Please note only the Teacher Education program will be represented and discussed at this event.)

Hope to see you there!

Winter Is Coming

Wow. It's been a BUSY week between work, school, and various GSE events, but the good news is the week is over, a fun-filled weekend lies ahead of me, and best of all, as of 4:00am today (when I finally finished my paper) TWO of my four classes this semester are completely finished!

Now, I’m not going to pretend I’m the world’s most fashionable person and tell you that this winter you should be wearing tartan plaid and studded accessories or the season’s hottest color – bubblegum pink – but I will show you what kinds of clothes and accessories you’ll need to survive the winter in Philadelphia! (Bonus points to you if you find fashionable versions of these items!)

The weather in Philadelphia during the past month or so hasn’t been able to make up it’s mind and earlier this week we had a bit of a cold snap, which got me thinking about my winter wardrobe. I wanted to share with you a few of the things that I use to get me through the winters here. I highly recommend investing in these pieces if you end up in Philly next year!

Winter Is Coming 

1. A warm jacket - the puffier the better! Try to find one with a hood that you can pull up on cold, windy days or during an unexpected rain/snow/sleet shower.

2. Scarves - both fashionable and functional! I wear scarves year-round as an accessory for lots of outfits, but in the winter I love thick, knit scarves that I can use to cover my neck and face when it's cold or windy.

3. An umbrella - This isn't Winter specific. A good umbrella will come in handy all year. I always recommend a bubble umbrella to everyone - the shape can cover you in even the windiest of storms without those unpleasant moments when your umbrella blows inside out! It's also clear so you can hold it down in front of your face, but still see where you're going!

4. Cozy sweaters -You can never have too many sweaters! They're the perfect winter attire!

5. Snow boots - Walking to class is a lot more pleasant when your shoes aren't getting wet and covered in salt. Snow boots are warm, waterproof, and provide great traction when walking on the icy sidewalks. I have a great pair of snow boots, but I also recommend getting fleece boot liners and putting them into rain boots if you already have those!

6. Thick socks - These are a must for walking around in the cold weather. Smartwool is a great brand to look into to keep your feet nice and toasty!

7. Gloves - Gloves are kind of an obvious winter accessory. Your hands can get painfully chilly from the cold air and wind. Look for a pair of "smart gloves" or "tech gloves" that allow you to still text and use your smartphone or other devices without taking off your gloves!

8. Head coverings -Lots of your body heat is lost through your head, so you'll want to have something to cover it. Ski hats or beanies are a great choice, but earmuffs or fleece/knit headbands are also good for keeping your ears warm if you don't like to wear hats or if your hair is in an updo.

9. Thermal shirts -Often overlooked, long-sleeve thermal shirts can be a huge help for keeping you warm, especially if you're going to be outside for a long period of time. Plus, you can get them in lots of different colors and they look cute under sweaters or short-sleeve t-shirts!

10. Travel Mug - Having a hot coffee makes leaving my house a little more bearable on cold mornings! I love my Penn GSE travel mug, but this mug from the bookstore shows your school spirit while keeping your beverage of choice nice and hot during your commute!

A Star-Studded Week

One of the great things about going to Penn is that prominent speakers and celebrities are always coming to campus! Last week I set aside some time to forget about all of my reading and writing and had the opportunity to see not one, but TWO of my favorite TV stars - Matthew Perry and Bill Cosby!

Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry is best known for playing the sarcastic Chandler Bing on the show "Friends", which just so happens to be my favorite television show of all time! I own all ten seasons on DVD and have seen every episode AT LEAST ten times! (My sister and I are champions of obscure "Friends" trivia!) If you haven't seen the show before, you're really missing out! If you need thirty minutes or three hours of entertainment look it up on YouTube or Netflix, or just turn on any one of the five channels that plays re-runs of the show. Matthew Perry is also the star of the more recently cancelled show "Go On" (or "goon" as my dad likes to call it) about a man who is attending a grief counseling group after his wife passes away. The show was really good, but evidently the network didn't agree...

Matthew was here at Penn to talk about his prior struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. Nearly a decade later, he is able to spin his natural sarcastic humor into the situation, but the primary message of his speech was clear - Addiction is not something that you should be ashamed of or try to hide. He encourages people to speak up and get help for themselves rather than trying to hide their problems. He was really inspirational and his impact as an activist is evident through his work with various organizations and the federal government.

Dr. Bill Cosby

I had the chance to see Bill Cosby - a Philadelphia-native and Temple University alum - speak at the Palestra (the arena on campus where the basketball team plays) after the men's basketball tip-off last Saurday which was also amazing! I grew up watching re-runs of the Cosby show and have always thought Bill Cosby was hilarious! (I especially like his old sweaters!) He's doing a tour for his new book so he talked a lot about being a parent, dealing with your children, and specifically recounted stories from his daughter's time in college. It was incredible to see a legend like Bill Cosby in person!
*Bonus fact for all of us education folks: Bill Cosby has an Ed.D. (doctorate of education) from UMass-Amherst!

My advice for all you future Quakers out there - take advantage of all the events and speakers that Penn offers! I don't know when I'll ever have the opportunity to see Chandler Bing or Cliff Huxtable again so I'm glad I did it now! I can't wait to see who will show up later in the school year!!

Doc Student Deadlines!

REMINDER!

The deadline to apply for all Ph.D. programs for Fall 2014 enrollment is SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013!

• This means ALL materials must be received by the admissions office by that date.
• All applications received by that date are guaranteed a faculty review of all materials.
• If you have not yet taken the GRE, you must do so no later than NOVEMBER 22, 2013 or your test scores will not make it to us in time.
• We always recommend that you submit your application and materials earlier rather than waiting until the absolute last day!

Any questions? Please email admissions@gse.upenn.edu or give us a call at (215)898-6415.

Where to Eat in Philadelphia: Part II

As promised, here is the second half of my list of favorite restaurants in Philadelphia!

Enjoy a Night (or Morning) Out

Philly is full of great chain restaurants and unique little cafes or eateries, but when I’m looking to go out for an evening, I love to try one of the Garces Group or Starr restaurants.

Garces Group, operated by Iron Chef Jose Garces, includes eight different nice restaurants in Philadelphia all with delicious food! I’m a big fan of Amada, but Distrito is located right on Penn’s campus and easily accessible. I can’t wait to try Village Whiskey - it’s next on my list!

Renowned chef Stephen Starr also owns and operates a whopping twenty-two restaurants in Philadelphia! Andrea has already given a great review of Alma de Cuba, but my favorite Starr restaurants are El Vez and Pod (also located on Penn’s campus).

One of my family’s favorite restaurants in Philly (also a Stephen Starr restaurant) is Jones. The restaurant itself looks like a home right out of the 1970’s (think Brady Bunch!) with a sunken living room, swivel chairs, and a cozy fireplace. Jones serves amazing comfort food like mac & cheese, fried chicken, and meatloaf, but we’ve been there for several brunches and dinners and have never been disappointed!

One thing you should know about me is I LOVE BRUNCH! I love breakfast foods anyway, but there’s something so satisfying about integrating them into a “late-breakfast-early-lunch” meal that really becomes its own event! Sabrina’s Cafe (located a few blocks from Penn on Drexel’s campus) has an amazing brunch, it’s affordable, and you get a lot of delicious food - they even theme the constantly changing weekend menu based on tv shows or other pop culture themes. I should note, Sabrina’s is open for all meals of the day, but brunch there is my favorite!

Another recommendation that I always make (with a few disclaimers) is the Philadelphia Water Works. This GORGEOUS restaurant right on the Schuylkill River hosts a phenomenal brunch every weekend with lots and lots of delicious food, beautiful views, and excellent service. However, brunch here is a little pricey so it’s probably not an “every weekend” kind of place - I see it more for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. But the food, service, and atmosphere are fantastic! Like Sabrina’s, Water Works is open for all meals, but I’m always looking for brunch locations, so that’s what I like about it! Final tip: you need to have reservations for the Water Works, so book early, especially if it’s a holiday. 


So there you have it. My guide to dining in Philly. Of course, if you have any other suggestions or recommendations of great food or cool locales, definitely share them here! I'd love to hear them!


Quick reminder for our several events coming up in the next few weeks - 

Tuesday, November 12th
Virtual Information Session
Online, 4:00-6:00 pm ET
RSVP here.

Wednesday, November 20th
Web Chat with Current Students & Alumni
Online, 8:00-9:00 pm ET
RSVP here.

Saturday, December 7th
Urban Teacher Education Program Info Session
On Campus, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
RSVP here.

Tuesday, December 10th
Web Chat with Current Students & Alumni
Online, 12:00-1:00 pm ET
RSVP here.

Guess What Day It Is?!?

 

No, not Wednesday, Hump Day, Friday, or November 1st...it's the first day of red cups at Starbucks!!!

This means it's officially holiday season!

Call me crazy, but this is one of my favorite days of the year! So I'm superficial - whatever.

A peppermint mocha latte just tastes 100 times better in a red holiday cup.

 

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend and enjoy the start of the holiday season!

Some Dog-gone Great Halloween Costumes!

Happy Halloween from the City of Brotherly Love!

While we've established I'm not a Halloween fan, I certainly do love the candy and the costumes! One of my favorite parts of each Halloween is seeing the clever costumes that people dress their pets in, so enjoy my picks from this year!

A minion from Despicable Me 

The Headless Horseman...actually, his horse

A Kissing Booth - how sweet!

A Pumpkin Spice Latte - yumm!

Happy Halloween everyone! Hope you enjoy these pictures and if you have or find any cute Halloween costume pictures (humans or animals) please share them!