Happy Friday my fellow chickpeas! Can you believe it’s September 2? I feel like yesterday was the 4th of July and I was working just another average 8 hour shift at Whole Foods (which in case you didn’t know, I sadly quit because of school/blogging commitments). This week was the first week of my senior (and final) year of college and I can’t even fathom it’s coming to an end.

My freshman year of college “Chickpea in The City” wasn’t even a thing. I had absolutely no idea that THIS is what I’d be doing and would ya look at that… now this is my main priority and has led me to so many wonderful people, experiences and opportunities. Pretty freaking awwwwwe-some.

As I’m starting to blog more and stay on track this fall semester, I thought it’d be fun to go over stuff I’m loving every week or even just life updates as to what I’m up to in the city. Not only is it a good way to hold myself accountable for keeping this blog moving along and mixing up my content (because sometimes I can’t stand another smoothie bowl photo, to be honest), but it will help you get to know me a little bit better.

While I’m starting this theme off in September, I’m summing up bits of my June, July and August today. A looooot happened this summer. So many experiences and memories made, many Simple Mills muffins baked in my kitchen (thank you to my roommate Eleni for eating them), lattes purchased and devoured and countless spin classes spun (is that a word?). But a few of the important highlights?

I met one of my best blogger friends. 

I died my hair (sorta) blonde (my first hair dying moment ever).

My best friend, Lylah, finally visited me in Chicago and I took her to Cindy’s. 

I had an event and photo shoot with Nike Chicago where I met some of my followers and readers. One of my best friends and my roommate came. It was perfect and unimaginable.

I had the dream jobs: working at my dream gluten-free baking company (Simple Mills) and Whole Foods.

I discovered my new favorite coffee shop, C.C. Ferns, and my new favorite restaurant, Ema Chicago (all mediterranean and a hummus bar aka GOALS) and probably consumed more hummus and caffeine than normal. 

I learned how to poach an egg.

And failed. But it was worth the shot.

I wrote in a Gratitude journal weekly. I partnered with some of my favorite brands and discovered new ones (Vital Proteins, I love you guys). I became aware and present of the good things in my life, the bad things and the in between. 

I came to the conclusion that Real Good Juice Co. is my weakness and I want an almond butter, spinach, banana and cacao smoothie every day of my life. After Sayre’s 9a.m. Peloton Class at Studio Three, of course 😉 

Oh and I discovered the best açai bowl in Chicago thanks to Graze.

Aside from all of these wonderful things, or even nailing a headstand and crow pose in my yoga classes, was that I felt like I became a more positive person overall from May all the way up until today.

I received rough news in May regarding my mom’s health and was let down by people and situations countless times following. But at the end of July and towards August, something just clicked with me. I started to think back to all of the good things that happened this summer. The small, the big, the in-between (like I mentioned before) and started to feel just down right grateful. I started to feel positive, motivated and stronger than ever before.

My friend May and I always joke that our positivity comes from how much time we spend at our studio and doing yoga (sad truth), but whatever the case may be, I’ve definitely enjoyed these past few months and all of the new things I’ve discovered, people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had.

Here’s to seeing what’s to come!

(I have a feeling it involves many recipes… Keep your eyes peeled!) 

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