My 15 Favorite Photos From 2015

I love taking photos. I love the ability a picture has to take you back in time to a place or moment. I love the different ways you can capture light and color. I love the amount of emotion photos can encapsulate. I love the stories they tell. And I could keep going on and on about my love for photography.

So, rather than write a traditional list of memories from 2015 (or perhaps in addition to - I haven't quite decided...) I wanted to share some of them via photo. And though a picture is worth a thousand words, below I included brief explanations for each image if you were curious to know more.

Row 1:

Last January I traveled to South Korea to visit an old roommate who was teaching there for the year. She welcomed me into her home and we spent just over a week exploring the beautiful (and HUGE) city of Seoul. The first photo is from Gyeongbokgung Palace which was gorgeous. The grounds were breathtaking and the colors were magnificent.
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While I was in South Korea, a good friend and mentor from undergrad graciously traveled up to meet me in Seoul. We met up at Myeongdong Cathedral, had dinner and wandered around the city. It was such a blessing to see him.
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In March, one of my best friends from high school flew into San Francisco for a long weekend visit. It was so much fun to show her where I'm living now and have some good quality time together. The selfie was taken after a long walk/hike up to Indian Rock in Berkeley. It's a beautiful spot in the hills with a gorgeous view of the Bay.

Row 2:

One of my housemates ran her first half marathon in April and convinced me to run with her. It was too late in the game to train for a half, so I agreed to run the 10k. The race was in Santa Cruz right along the coast line on a perfect, clear day.
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The sunsets from my apartment are unreal. This one is from either May or June and other than cropping, it isn't edited. Crazy, right?!
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At the end of June a group of classmates and I set off to hike the Ignatian Camino in Spain. This is our group visiting the home of St. Ignatius in Loyola a few days before we officially began our journey. I couldn't have asked for a better group of fellow pilgrims.

Row 3:

Our Camino Ignaciano crossed paths with the more famous Camino de Santiago. This tile helps to show pilgrims the way. Naturally, St. Ignatius chose to walk in the exact opposite direction of the other pilgrims of his time.
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My professor with a walking stick and her grandmother's rosary - possibly my favorite photo of the trip.
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After the Camino, I worked as an au pair in Italy for the rest of the summer. This photo is of my Italian Family and me after a beautiful hike in the mountains of Santa Stefano. My au pair experience was amazing because of their love and hospitality. I miss them so much!

Row 4:

I had weekends off in Italy, so I was able to do a bit of traveling, including a visit to the five villages of Cinque Terre. This photo is of Monarola which was even more beautiful in person.
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Taking care of a toddler with a language barrier was a real challenge, but I wouldn't trade one minute of the time I got to spend with this peanut.
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Il Duomo di Firenze was absolutely amazing. To be honest, Florence was never on my list of places to visit, but boy am I glad that I did. I was only there for a weekend, but it may have become my favorite city in Italy.

Row 5:

For my last week of travel this summer I headed to Poland. My grandfather past away two years ago this New Years and I really wanted to travel to the country his parents were from. While I was there I took a day trip to Wadowice, the city where Saint John Paul II grew up. If you're in Krakow and interested at all in JPII, I would highly suggest taking the trip. The town is adorable and the museum they recently opened to commemorate him is really well done.
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I finally visited Yosemite National Park in October for a hike with friends. Lucky for us it had rained a ton the weekend before so we were able to see Yosemite Falls. I am definitely planning to visit again before graduating.
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The last image, though the size makes it difficult to see, is from my house's retreat in early December. We traveled up to Fort Bragg to see Glass Beach and spent the day exploring and climbing. This particular picture involved setting up my tripod and seeing how fast my housemate could make it up the rocks to join the group photo. We took some nicer ones too, but the funny one is by far my favorite.



And that's it. 15 wonderful memories forever saved in 15 beautiful photos. It was a lot of fun sorting through the thousands of photos from the year (...I wish I was joking). I would definitely suggest going through yours and doing the same!

Side Note: This is my 100th post on Simply Sarah! It's been so much fun sharing pieces of my life with you all and I can't wait to see how we grow in the new year! Thanks so much for reading, it means the world!

Peace,
Sarah

** Linking up with New Wife-Style for #15by15in15

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5 Weekly Graces Vol. 10

Joy to the world friends!

Christmas this year has been extra merry and filled with love. In fact, last week was so joyful that I had a tough time choosing only 5 moments of grace - what a great problem to have! As the Christmas celebration continues, I am very excited for more time with loved ones and relaxation.

1) Christmas

Our Christmas traditions pretty basic, but I always look forward to the time with family. On Christmas Eve we gather at my grandma's house for a light dinner and share gifts with the extended family. Then on Christmas day I go to mass with my grandma and then we head to dinner at my aunt and uncle's house (basically a second Thanksgiving). Nothing fancy, but now that I live so far from home, Christmas is the only time of year I get to see everyone so I really treasure this time spent together.

For those who celebrate, I hope your Christmas has been just as full of life and joy.

2) Time Spent with Friends

On the eve of Christmas Eve (aka Wednesday) I was blessed with a day full of friendship. It started with some laser tag followed by a delicious lunch at Cornerstone Brewing Co. in Berea. Then after picking up the last of my Christmas gifts (#procrastinationwins) I went and watched the Cavs beat the Knicks in a great game at the Q. And to top it off, we walked through PlayHouse Square on our way back to the car to see all of the Christmas lights and decorations. Such a great day, but gosh did it make me miss Cleveland!

3) Always, Always, Always a Bridesmaid

(Name that movie!)

My cousin and her high school sweetheart got engaged this summer and on Christmas she presented me with an adorable gift box filled with chocolate and wine (she knows me well) asking me to be one of her bridesmaids. I am so honored to be a part of her special day. This will be my 6th time as a bridesmaid (7th if you count being a flower girl) and every time I am asked I am just so humbled and grateful that these beautiful women want to spend their day with me by their side. Such an honor.

4) Star Wars

I'm a huge Star Wars nerd (#noshame) so obviously I had to see The Force Awakens while I was home. Lucky for me, my sister also loves the movies so we made it a sister date. I was very skeptical when I heard they would be making more movies, but have to admit that I was more than pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this new one. If you haven't seen it, I would definitely recommend it.

There's a point in the movie where a character dramatically says, "May the force be with you," to which I immediately leaned over to my sister and said, "And with your spirit." Gotta love Catholic jokes :P

5) Run.

This past semester was one of the most academically challenging I have had. Between the astronomical amounts of reading on top of work, I had very little time for anything else which meant I didn't run and I really missed it. For me, running is not only a great source of exercise, but also a huge stress reliever. I am by no means good at it, but I always enjoy the sense of accomplishment I feel after a run. So last week I hopped on the treadmill (thanks for the rain Ohio...) and have slowly been getting back into my rhythm and boy does it feel good.

Where did you find joy in life last week?

Peace,
Sarah

**Linking Up with Ember Grey

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December Budget

I'm a few days late, but for those who celebrate Christmas, I hope you had a very merry one!

I intentionally took a few days off from blogging to be more present to family and friends and boy was it lovely. Being home has been so much fun and other than the lack of snow (get it together Ohio!) this Christmas break has been top-notch -- more on that and a few other new projects I'm working on later this week.

Today I am linking up with Fran over at Franish in December's Monthly Budget Review.

1. Old Navy Black Sueded Dressy Ankle Booties - $42.94 (40% off + 10% off) $23.19...

...but, I had $25 in rewards, so I added a pair of fuzzy fox socks and paid $0.97 for the two!

They're sold out in black and have very few in burgundy, but you can find similar ones here and here.

2. Old Navy Black Jersey Leggings - $24.94 on sale for $10

3. Old Navy Metallic Scrunch Ballet Flats - $24.94 on sale for $10 

 And an Ohio State Winter Hat from Marshalls (similar) - $9.95

Total - $30.92

All-in-all, not bad. Like many of you, my budget this time of year is dedicated to Christmas gifts for loved ones. I  had hoped not to spend anything on myself, but I am very happy with what I did buy. 

The booties were exactly the style I have been searching for and I was in need of another pair of nice, thick leggings since I wear my other pair all the time. The flats were definitely more of a want than a need, but with the amount off times I have already worn them (for example), they were well worth the $10. 

The OSU hat speaks for itself ;) Let's go Bucks!

I was also very blessed with some wonderful Christmas gifts that I am sure will make an appearance here in some way or another. 

Were you able to stay on track with your budget this month? What was your favorite deal?

Thanks for reading!

Peace,

Sarah

** Linking up with Fran.

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How To Make A Latte - At Home!

Y'all I spend way to much on coffee at Starbucks, Peet's, and just about every other coffee shop out there #caffeinaddict. And apart from the seasonal fancy-drink (I'm looking at you PSL), I typically just order a plain latte which is really just espresso and milk. Cheaper than many options, yes, but still overpriced and those cups add up!

I was talking about this to a friend of mine and she told me a secret that has since blown my mind and saved me money. You can make a latte at home - without a fancy machine! And it is incredibly easy!

Begin by brewing your espresso - or really strong coffee if you're like me and don't have an espresso maker (though then it's technically a cafe au lait with a lot of foam...)

To make the hot milk and foam, you will need a tall, microwaveable container with a lid. This could be a mason jar (you'll remove the cap) or even a plastic Tupperware.

Pour the desired amount of milk into the container, but be sure to leave a good amount of room for the foam to expand. Put on the lid and shake until you notice it's becoming foamy - roughly a minute. Then remove the lid and microwave the milk for about 45 seconds. Once it's done you will have a good amount of foam and some nice hot milk.

Next, fill your mug with the desired amount of espresso/coffee. Hold back the foam with a spoon as you add the amount of hot milk you would like. Then use the spoon to add your desired amount of foam and voila!

(If you want to get fancy, you can also sprinkle on a topping like cinnamon or cocoa. Yum.)

And there you have it. A quick, simple way to drink your coffee at home and save some extra cash.

Are there any other caffein addicts out there who've tried this method or know of any others?

Peace,
Sarah

**Linking up with #RecipeoftheWeek, Two Cup Tuesday, Whimsy Wednesdays and Create-Link-Inspire

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5 Weekly Graces Vol. 9

Hello friends! I hope you all had incredible weekends and that this week is already looking amazing.

(Before I forget, today is the last day to enter the Rooney and Renee Disney T-Shirt Giveaway, so if you're interested in winning a great, Disney inspired T-shirt, be sure to enter!)

Last week was a whirlwind of preparations for the end of the semester and the holidays. It was fairly stressful, but everything fell into place and now I am peacefully writing this post at my grandma's house, enjoying tiny bits of snow and lots of Christmas lights and decorations.

And now that I've had a moment to sit down, relax, and reflect on the week, I am so incredibly grateful for all of the wonderful things that happened and the amazing people I have in my life!

So, here they are, 5 wonderful moments in my life last week.

1. I'm home!

I arrived in Ohio on Wednesday evening and am thrilled to be back in town. I haven't been home since August, so it's been a while! I would definitely prefer more snow, but even just the crisp, winter air feels great. Plans for my visit seem to be a nice balance of fun and relaxation with some great friends and family, which has proven to be the case even in the 4 full days that I've been here.

 2. Finals are finished!

I wasn't officially done with everything when I flew home which means my first few days were devoted to writing. My carryon bag was literally filled with books which was a real treat to carry... But I am done! That's right, I am one semester closer to graduating and boy am I excited. Only one more semester and comprehensive exams. Bring. It. On.

3. Sister Time

My little sister was in NYC the first few days I was in town so I didn't see her until Saturday. As a souvenir, she thoughtfully went to St Patrick's Cathedral and to bring me some holy water - super sweet and kind. However, she did not realize that the bottle did not already have water inside and that she needed to fill it. So, when she handed me the empty bottle and I explained it to her that it was in fact empty, we spent a solid 20 minutes laughing. I'm still laughing a little as I type this. It's the thought that counts, right?

4. Google Hangouts 

My friends from college and I have a monthly Google Hangout where about 10 of us video chat for an hour or so about life and how we are doing. Modern technology is AMAZING! I've missed the past couple of months due to prior commitments, so it was a treat to get to join in on this month's. It will be even more of a treat on New Year's Eve when I get to see a lot of them face-to-face!

5. Joyous Reunions

Last, but certainly not least, on Saturday one of my best friends and mentors from undergrad hosted a party for his 35th birthday. The evening began with mass in the school chapel (my absolute favorite) and continued into one of the conference rooms for dinner and out for after-dinner drinks at our usual spot.

My heart was so full the entire night. Not only was I able to visit my alma mater (which was decorated for Christmas and covered in snow!!), but I also got to spend the evening surrounded by so many good friends and mentors who were all joined together to celebrate the life of one of the best people I know. I'm beaming with joy just thinking about it!

Such a beautiful start to Christmas vacation. I cannot wait to see what else the next two weeks have in store!

Where did you find grace last week?

Peace,
Sarah

**Linking up with Ember Grey for Grateful Heart Monday

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A Meaningful Holiday Gift Guide

Can you believe there are only 6 days until Christmas?! That's right, 6. Less than a week! And if you're anything like me, you probably still have a lot that needs to get done.

A few of my friends from college organized a challenge through The Living Person inviting everyone to have all of their shopping and wrapping done 10 days before Christmas in order to be present during the holiday. But between traveling home to Ohio and finals week, there was no way I was going to have it done. Plus, the majority of my gifts are cards with IOU's (the classiest of course) until I get back from my trip to the Holy Land - only just over 2 weeks until we leave!!! - and that just seemed like cheating.

So now it's my second day home and I am searching the web for those last few presents as I attempt to recover from almost pulling an all-nighter to finish a research paper (#youwinagainprocrastination #imtoooldforthis). There are so many beautifully put-together posts out there: what to get for him, what to get for the book-lover, what to get your in-laws, etc. and they all have really great options that I would never have thought of (and some that are pretty obvious). But I haven't really seen a meaningful gift guide.

We get so wrapped up (pun intended) in the glitz and glam of the season that we can forget that it's not about the biggest or best present, but about those we spend time with.

Giving gifts to those we love can be very meaningful and a ton of fun. I absolutely love carefully selecting presents that I know someone will enjoy. So rather than be unrealistic by scrapping the whole gift-giving thing entirely, why not try to make your gifts more meaningful this year with gifts that give back?

Here are just a few suggestions.

1. FEED - Voyager Tote - With the purchase of this stylish tote, you provide 35 school meals for children around the world. Each item purchased through FEED is a fight against world hunger and every item includes just how many people you are helping to feed.

2. Ornaments for Orphans - Stuffed Elephant - There are over 150 million orphans worldwide and the purchase of these handcrafted, Fair Trade ornaments helps to employ local artisans and provide them with fair wages.

3. Mata Traders - Afternoon Allure Dress - This is one of my favorite Fair Trade clothing lines. I almost bought this exact dress on Small Business Saturday, but they did not have my size. Mata Traders and their beautiful goods ared geared toward empowering women, and "merge uncommonly vibrant style with fair trade practices to make an impact on global poverty - bringing living wages to artisans in India and Nepal."

4. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Black Plaid Scarf - St. Jude's is an organization near and dear to my family's heart so every year we try to give back by direct donation, purchasing from their gift shop, or both. They have beautiful gifts - especially around Christmas time where you can find ornaments and other items decorated with the artwork of some of their patients. 

5. Ten Thousand Villages - Peace Lotus Candleholder - Ten Thousand Villages is a Fair Trade store that can be found across the country and their products can also be found in other stores as well. They always have beautiful, unique items for any time of year and shopping fair trade is an easy way to ensure your gifts are providing fair wages to those who make them.

6. Unlock Hope - Human Kind Be Both Long Sleeve Tee- Unlock Hope is an organization dedicated to giving girls in Uganda the same opportunities as boys. Partnered with Think Humanity, they provide health care, good food, and a safe place to live as they earn better education. When you purchase one of their products, you are directly providing funds for housing, food, educators, etc.

There are SO many organizations trying to make a difference in the world and many receive a lot of the funding they need from products like these. If you want an even more direct option of giving, Catholic Relief Services offers the Gift of Hope through your purchase of on-the-ground needs, like a sewing machine for young entrepreneurs, or uniforms and tuition for students to receive an education.

Another great option would be for you and your loved one to spend an evening working at a local shelter or perhaps visiting those in a nursing home without family to spend the holidays with.

The options are limitless. What are your favorite ways to give back this season?

Peace,
Sarah

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Don't Just Fly, Soar! - And a Give Away!!

Like many of you, I am a Disney fanatic. I have used precious memory space on way to many quotes and songs from countless Disney films and always find joy and laughter while watching them. I've also found an appreciation for some of the references to pop culture or other jokes that were completely over my head as a child. There's always something new to catch and I love it!

So, when I was presented with the chance to try out one of Rooney and Renee's new Disney themed tees, I was thrilled to say yes!

Rooney and Renee's store has lots of cute tops for both him and her! I selected the "Don't Just Fly" tee in light grey mainly because I absolutely love Dumbo, but also because the script on the shirt was so pretty.

It's a classier, simple take on a graphic tee that allows you to still embrace your inner child while dressing like an adult.

The shirt was a bit larger than I anticipated - the woman's cut is closer to the typical men's in sizing fyi - but I was able to work with it. And the material is so incredibly soft that I didn't want to change out of the top at the end of the day!

Tee: c/o Rooney & Renee (exact)

Jean Jacket: Hand-Me-Down (similar)

Skirt: Gap (similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (exact)

Purse: Thrifted (similar)

Spoon Ring: Gifted (another option)

Necklace: Old Navy (similar)

Rooney and Renee has graciously offered to gift one of my readers with their very own t-shirt! Be sure to enter below!

Peace,

Sarah

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 **This post was sponsored by Rooney and Renee. All opinions are entirely my own.

** Linking up with Sydney Fashion Hunter, Pumps and Pushups, The Pleated Poppy, Curly Crafty Mom, Mix&Match Fashion and Style Elixir

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