Tag: 2021

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Recap 2021; Best Of

by Hazel VeeLeave a Comment on Recap 2021; Best Of

The Best Of 2021. There’s a ton of things I stumbled on this year that I loved and there’s a few things I know I’m missing. I typically make one of these every year but I don’t really blog about them, I just post them on IG or something. But this year I wanted to recap a few things and a few favorites I had. 2021 was such a weird year I’m sure for a lot of us. We finally got to taste a bit of freedom again. And man did that feel so good!

Entertainment

I admit, I didn’t get to read as many books or see as many movies as I had hoped to. I did manage to finally see Hamilton and even though I knew most of the songs already before watching it, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The soundtrack has been playing nonstop in my head and in my life daily since like October. I did catch a bit of the movie my friend Nicolas Dromard (he was the SF Fiyero a few years back) is in! It’s on the Hallmark Channel. I had hoped to watch more Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel and just in general but that didn’t really work out. I get pretty much just one day a week to myself where no one bothers me and I’m always aware of how fast that day goes.

As for tv shows there were a few I had wanted to get to. I did binge Schitt’s Creek. I’m currently on the last 2 episodes and I don’t want it to end honestly. That show was everything I didn’t know I needed in my life. Seriously. I am *IN LOVE* with that show. Other than that, Tums was on an all Bluey kick for a good few months. And for a “kids” show there’s some really valuable advice for parents in those episodes. But I truly believe everyone needs a dad like Bandit. He’s parenting goals, foreal.

I’m going to make a totally different post about all the favorite music I had, I put down You Got It by Vedo since it was one I was listening to pretty much all year. But there are a few others that were also on constant repeat all year.

I didn’t hit my goal of 25 books in 2021 but I did manage to finish The Cassidy Blake series and for a middle grade it’s so good. If you’re into historical fiction and quirky characters, I’d def recommend! My favorite of the series has to be Tunnels of Bones because it takes place in France and the history behind things I didn’t know about Paris was so fascinating! I had messaged my friend who was born and raised in France (who I worked with at Disney) if things were true. I would also live message him while watching Emily in Paris which I never finished. I should though, at some point.

While I bought a ton of new games, I didn’t really play much of them. I started playing Stardew Valley and it is a lot more demanding than Animal Crossing, and the opening tutorial for SDV can get a little confusing. Plus the graphics are really something I need to get use to. I have been religiously playing a game called Solitaire Farm on my Galaxy Tab. It’s such a cute game where you can unlock new items to upgrade your farm with and the challenges are actually really fun to complete! I should write about it some day. I really miss playing games and new games, I really want to make more time to do that in 2022.

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Recap 2021; #OneLittleWord

by Hazel VeeLeave a Comment on Recap 2021; #OneLittleWord

I’ve been doing #OneLittleWord for a few years now. I think since 2015. I legit don’t know what to make 2022’s word cause I feel like I’ve done all the ones I really wanted to do lol.

The word for 2021 was Courage.

I love how every year I say “it’s my year“.

This year wasn’t so bad as far as accomplishments go, and honestly I think I did super well with keeping my #OneLittleWord in mind. Wish I could change those blog links though lol.

I had hoped that 2021 would be vastly different from 2020, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt this way either. I just wanted to pack my 2021 with as much adventure and healing as I could… and though I’m still on this journey, I’m so thankful for the steps I did take to get here this year!

I got to travel to Florida (home) twice this year. I am so so thankful for that! Got to see my BFF after not seeing her for 15 years and we took our first Disney trip together; one of the best memories we have together and we’re counting down until our next Disney trip! I got to hang out with a friend here in Texas and I’ve been enjoying our trips to Target! I also got to meet up with a Florida friend I haven’t seen in years and I had SO MUCH FUN with her at Universal! Speaking of my BFF, she took took a leap and changed careers. I’m so so proud of her!

I started my own business, something that happened as a whim of an idea and turned into something so much more. I’ve had so much fun exploring this other side of creativity and self expression. I’ve reached out to vendors and learned how to outsource my products as well as make them in house as well.

Started my journey to financial freedom, which I know is going to be a struggle no matter how “set” it may look. Now it’s on to mindfully buying things and not splurging on shit I don’t need. I’m thankful for the guidance I got for this journey. So thankful. You will never know how thankful.

I’ve been spending more time with my friends, either on the phone or threatening them to meet me in Florida. And it’s reminding me of who I am, where I came from and what I’m capable of. I’m extremely thankful for all the time I get to spend with my really close friend and someone I’ve considered an older brother my whole life.

Reliving our memories from 14 to now at 36 has been wild. It’s crazy to realize how much time has passed and how different we are now. But it’s been fun going back there. I was SUCH a weird kid, seriously. I have some of the best memories with him through out our teen-hood. We made so many promises that would encourage us to be better people even as kids. And it’s wild to see we still do that to each other now as adults. He’s only ever wanted what was best for me, always. I’m glad we’ve been able to stay friends for this long.

I started taking steps to enroll back into school to finish my BA (a little under 2 years left) and changed my major to fit my new goals. I’m really excited about this change and finally finishing my degree.

I’m happy with the things I did manage to do with courage this year. I can’t wait to see what 2022 brings!

What was your word for 2021? Do you think you did well with it through out the year?

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Hello November

by Hazel VeeLeave a Comment on Hello November

Welp, just like that 2021 is almost over. It’s actually cold af here in Texas today. It’s raining and 48*. Crazy. I’ll be mad if we get snow soon. Like, can you not. This month is sort of busy, but I always feel like November usually is. If I don’t brick my time right I won’t get anything done this month so I have to be very careful. But I’m sure it’ll get away from me as always lol.

November is when my seasonal depression really kicks in. And this year feels like it’s gonna be intense. I’m already curled up blogging and listening to my old AOL jams, that’s where the feels come from.

I don’t have much on my goals list for this month since I have a few things happening this month.

| Get in the Christmas spirit

I have this love/hate history with Christmas. I love getting ready for Christmas but I’m not a fan of Christmas itself too much. I did skip Halloween this year, I just wasn’t feeling it. I managed to get the little tree’s up in the office and my room before Halloween even came around, just not the bigger tree. But I really want to try and do more Christmasy things this year. Esp since T is a lot more aware of her surroundings.

| Get started on Christmas shopping

I don’t really struggle with this one but I like to stay on top of it and mail my gifts out before December. Thankfully I don’t have many people to buy gifts for, perks of being part of a smaller family. My focus is usually on my kid and my childhood friends. Sometimes my mom cause she doesn’t like much and I’m finding my brother is probably my fav to shop for cause he likes cooking so I spend loads of time at Williams Sonoma… for you know… research…. lol

| Design holiday products for the shop

I’ve been struggling with this since October. You’d think Winter/Christmas themed stuff would be super easy to come up with. But they’re really not. And a lot of my product ideas are Tagalog ones lol. Fml.

| Purge/sell books

I skipped both Owlcrate subscriptions this month and it’s the first year I’ll be missing out on the reading planner — but I really can’t justify a box every single month. Most of the time the book is one I wouldn’t be interested in. I know the whole idea is that it’s a surprise, but sometimes it would be nice to know.

That said; I’ve decided to let go of the books I literally don’t intend to pick up/read. I’m trying to minimize my stuff and this is a really good place to start.

| Do/see as much as I can at Disney

I’m excited to be able to see Disney this holiday season. I didn’t spend too much time at the parks at night during the holidays when I was there.

I’m also going to be staying at Universal, which a few of my good friends work there now — but it also is already giving me flashbacks of what was the most fun date I’ve ever had in my life with a guy who turned out to be a huge jerk. But the memory was still really good. We’d spend late nights at City Walk and running around all the resorts doing the dumbest shit.

I’m also hoping this trip will bring back my inspo cause TX ain’t the place for it. Super excited to be home for awhile ❤️.

What are some things you’re hoping to achieve this month?

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Well, hello June

by Hazel Vee3 Comments on Well, hello June
Well, hello June

How are we 6 months into 2021 already? How the heck is time just flying so dang fast?? Kinda sus if you ask me. So here I am again, in June. The literal worst freakin month of the year for me. It’s the anniversary of a once was very special date, the anniversary of my Lolo’s (grandpa) death, the anniversary of my first pregnancy that ended pretty tragically and the anniversary of my divorce. Awesome, right? But it’s also the anniversary of Penny and Axelyn’s first date. Man I miss those (literal) cat’s. But not enough to spend $22/month to see her face. At least, not right now (she also lost her beach house sooo, I’m a little afraid to see her right now).

I spent a lot of June spacing out. Staying in bed and like… binge watching shows. Which I would LOVE to continue my annual pity party tradition but it’s a bit hard with a overly bubbly toddler pulling you around. All day. So, instead, I decided to literally pack my calendar with millions of things to do. Including getting my first massage. I went in for an adjustment last weekend after WEEKS of not getting one; and she said most of what was tense was from muscle tension. Say less; I’ve been telling myself to start doing spa days back in Jan anyway.

Here are a few things I hope to get done in June;

| Work on designing shirts & launching Etsy store
This is one I’m really really hoping I get done this month. I’m telling myself to come up with 2 designs for each fandom to launch with. It’s mostly finding the right combo of elements that’s really setting me back. I might be overthinking this. But I mean, overthinking something isn’t always a bad thing!

| Work on wax melts
This is another I hope to get to; I’ve been wanting to work with making wax melts since 2015 and just never had the GO to do it. I got a candle kit for review and I figured that was a sign from the universe to get on it.

| Work on selling and unhauling books
I have a ton of books from Owlcrate that I didn’t really care for when they came out or I didn’t even unwrap out of the plastic. From like, 2 years ago. If I haven’t read them yet, I probably won’t. So. They’re gonna go. I typically sell the ones I can at Half Priced Books and the ones I can’t or that get a low return I donate them.

| Refresh kitchen pantry & snack box
This is one B gets on me about literally all the time and I’m tired of hearing it lol. I’m a sucker for all snacks new and seasonal. And I need to start putting those snacks up on review on my food blog that really really needs to be built up already. SoPleaseReadMyFoodBlog. I’m doing better with clearing out the panty but I haven’t touched the snack box in the office yet. And I need to, because I think some of the stuff in the way bottom are expired.

| Work on typography
I’ve been working on this for the last week. I’ve always been in love with typography, quotes and fonts. So I decided to make some of my own. But for some reason now that I’m putting this in front of me, I can’t come up with any good quotes. Most of my “good” quotes came from word vomit blog posts in the past which brings me to…

| Keep up with journaling
I’m obsessed with the Noteshelf app on my Galaxy Tab. I literally write everything in there and it has so many pages to keep you SUPER organized. What I like the most is that the planner I have has a page under the daily stuff where you can write down notes and stuff. I use it to journal my day. And it’s become a habit that I’ve really been enjoying. I get to reunite with working on my hand writing and actually writing.

| Play 2 new games
Since getting my Galaxy Tab I’ve been downloading a bunch of really cute games and since I don’t have to worry about it deciding to not charge like my iPad sometimes does (more on that later) I feel a bit more comfortable playing games on it more. There are a few iOS games that I do want to play on my iPad and try out, so I’m hoping I can try a few more of these games I’ve downloaded this month. Also a few demo’s on the Nintendo Switch and start Stories of Seasons!

Normally I’d have “read x amount of books” but reading has taken a bit of a back seat lately and that’s fine. I don’t typically like reading unless I know I’ll have uninterrupted time to do so. I’m currently reading Jessica Simpson’s new e/audiobook and I’m still working on Dante Basco’s Rufio to Zuko. They’re both fairly short reads and I’m still struggling to get them read. Let’s not even begin on my NetGalley TBR, I’ve stopped logging on so I can finish the books I already have.

What are some things you hope to get to this month?

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Book Review | City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

by Hazel Vee1 Comment on Book Review | City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

*This post contains affiliate links

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schawb
Cassidy Blake #1
Release Date: August 28th 2018 by Scholastic
Genre: Middle Grade > Historical Fiction > Ghosts
Source: Bought
Format: Ebook
Summary:

Cassidy Blake’s parents are The Inspecters, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.

When The Inspecters head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn’t sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn’t belong in her world. Cassidy’s powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.

Amazon* | Goodreads

I’ve had Victoria’s titles on my TBR for wayyyyy too long and I JUST now read her work. And I get what the hype is. This book sucked me in big time. I ended up doing the audio book and I don’t regret it at all. I may just do the rest of the series in audio!

The concept of this book was so interesting. I had stopped reading it when I first picked it up cause I’m a wimp and it sounded like it was getting scary. But it’s really not. It’s so freakin interesting. Cass can see ghosts, something about almost dying and being saved BY a ghost saved her life. And because of that save her best friend who never leaves her side is well, a ghost. Named Jacob. How that works is beyond me.

Cass’s parents do things that have to do with the paranormal world. I couldn’t figure out if they really COULD see ghosts or if they really did believe in them? Either way their jobs take them to Scotland and I had no idea Scotland was so… haunted. A lot of weird stuff happens there, but a lot of interesting things as well.

It was a peak into historical fiction, going from what was now to what was then and it was so cool to see the author bind the two together. The concept of what Cass is was also fascinating, the theory is ghosts have a ton of reasons of why they stay behind, and the idea of sending them to the other world is also pretty sad.

I absolutely loved the idea that each ghost who was left behind lived in a constant loop of their last moments or why they’re kept here. As a kid I had a ton of questions about ghosts and the afterlife that I would ask my grandfather. I always wondered if they lived in an eternal loop of their lives or a certain part of their lives. To see that on paper in a book was… I don’t know, refreshing? As a kid people tell you your idea’s or theories are silly or don’t make sense. But honestly some of them have stayed with me my whole life.

I wish we got to know a bit more about Jacob as well. Where is he from? How did he get there? How old is he? I’m really hoping we get to know him more in the next book.

I love a book that makes me question my mortality!

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Rebrand for 2021

by Hazel Vee4 Comments on Rebrand for 2021

If you haven’t noticed I changed the blog name; I’ve been wanting to for about a year now ever since my husband’s sisters stalked my Twitter. I’ve changed the name a few times but I honestly couldn’t think of something to settle into.

I know I wanted to convert this space to the two things that mean the world to me: Disney and words.

I somehow fell back into book blogging and I forgot how much I truly missed it. It always feels like being part of something bigger than yourself. Having all these worlds to fall into and live in for 300 pages at your fingertips. And ironically I’m finding that a subject I’ve always wanted to get into but never did is now something I look for: Historical Fiction. Time travel and paraell universe reads have always been a weakness but I’ve never read an entirely just Historically Fiction book until this year. And I feel like I’ve been missing out!

I know Disneyland still has no plans to re-open any time soon and that my love and my home Disney World IS open. I’m hoping to be able to get there some time this year so I can start posting Disney content; until then I guess it’s just other types of Disney content!

I hope this new name gives me a new start that I’m hoping for and encourages me to stop censoring myself.

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Monday Mindful Manifestation

by Hazel Vee2 Comments on Monday Mindful Manifestation

Welcome to 2021’s first Monday Mindful Manifestation!

I’m actually writing this on Sunday morning and it’s snowing and still really sleepy, but I’ll get to that later this week.

I decided to switch it up a bit. Sometimes I’ll do things I want to manifest for that week and other times I want to try out affirmations. I know they can sort of be the same thing, but just a little more different. More direct, I feel like. It’s only the 11th day of 2021 and although a lot has happened in the world, I feel like I’m failing myself. Weird flex, I know.

This week I want to remind myself that I do have time to do the things I love.

I’m so bad with managing my time and with doing chores before anything and everything else. Which you know, isn’t that bad esp when you have a toddler and a husband. I feel like this place never stays clean somehow. I’m also convinced that straight men don’t care too much about having clean environments. And as someone with OCD, this drives me bat shit crazy.

I’ve been trying to block out time during my day to read and to do other things I want to do; and some days I’m able to and other days I’m not. I really need to be better at that.

So here’s my reminder to myself this week!

How’s your 2021 going so far?

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It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

by Hazel VeeLeave a Comment on It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

I don’t know how I feel about this graphic lol. I feel like it’s too… empty?

First Monday of 2021 and I’m not doing a Manifestation post; probably because I have a million “Hello 2021” posts to post lol. If that isn’t throwing things into the universe then I don’t know what is! Besides it’s only the 4th day of 2021 and I’ve already read 3 books (at the time of writing this post), I’d say that’s a pretty awesome start right?!

Books I Read;

I’m so sad I ever put down City of Ghosts, it’s such an interesting read/concept! And it probably just kick started my historical fiction needs. I didn’t find this book creepy at all, just super interesting the whole way through! Jacob was the best part of this book. Wish I knew what the cat was about on the cover.

Maybe it’s my fault I waited seven years to finally finish The Lynburn series and read Unmade. I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters. However, I am glad I finished it and I can honestly say this was my least fav book of the entire series. The whole time I was wondering wtf was even happening and can Rob just like, idk. Disappear? The whole thing was just WEIRD to me. Like how can a whole city just let this happen? It sort of gave me Bella-in-Breaking-Dawn vibes. If you know what I mean.

I don’t even want to talk about The Prince and the Troll. This series has such captivating covers but this book was just… bad. I was literally confused the whole time waiting for some big huge reveal only to get… even more confused?? I don’t even know honestly.

Books I Plan on Reading;

These are books I’ve already started.

The Archive has been on my TBR FOREVER. I keep passing it up because I love the idea so much and I’m scared I’ll hate it. But after reading City of Ghosts I now see why everyone loves this author’s work. Her writing is hypnotic. No joke.

I’m doing the audio for Among The Beasts & Briars and while it sounds super interesting the narrator isn’t doing it for me. I may just stick with it cause currently it’s convenient but I do eventually want to start reading it myself. Too bad there isn’t a book copy on Scribd.

And one NetGalley book for review. I mean I have 2 so I might read them both but I haven’t started the other one yet. I’ve been staying away from NetGalley until I can get my ratio back up. And since I really have a lot of books to read as it is… I don’t need to go and request a bunch of others I probably won’t get to in time. I’m trying to be more realistic this time around.

What books have you finished or are planning to read next?

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#onelittleword2021

by Hazel VeeLeave a Comment on #onelittleword2021

Every year for the last 6 years I’ve done #OneLittleWord; unfortunately the graphic program I used to make my previous ones has decided to just… disappear. I knew the day would come lol. So this year I created my own graphic.

I don’t know how I feel about it. But here it is.

My #OneLittleWord for 2021 is Courage.

Courage; to do the things I’ve recently been aware I’m re-afraid to do. Courage; to convince myself the lies my mind, my anxiety and my OCD tell me are false. Courage; to heal properly, even if getting there will hurt like hell. Courage; to see my friends and family again. Courage; to BE better cause Tums deserves the very best side of me.

The courage to finish writing a book. The courage to really go in on blogging and content creating. The courage to go back to school and finish my final year and get my BA in Communications, how much of a game changer that will be. The courage to stand up for myself, knowing I’m standing alone. The courage to remind myself of who I am because how can my oldest friends know and I sit here and act like I don’t?

I spent 2019 in the dark and I spent 2020 in a hazy fog. I’m finally feeling myself reach the less foggy area’s of the things that have recently happened. But even when I’m in the clear, the fight isn’t over. The fight is never over, it just changes. And that’s fine. My life would be boring if I never had to fight something.

My boundaries and my roots are incredibly important to me, and I will make that loud and clear in 2021. And this time no one is going to stand in my damn way.