I am NOT an outdoorsy person. It’s one of those things I feel particularly guilty about. Not guilty enough to like change it, but guilty enough to be like, man, I sure wish I liked being outside more because it’s kinda

  Ten years ago when we decided to house hunt in Frederick County, the area was a much different place. Realtor: Well, technically, Frederick is a "rural" county. Me: “Rural?” What do you mean by “rural” exactly? Like, they have a Target right?! *insert

People who know me say I'm relaxed and laid-back. I'd agree

  There's nothing more fun than throwing a dinner party with individually-sized desserts for everyone to enjoy. These little raspberry ricotta cakes with a lime glaze are the perfect treat for a summer soiree with a few of your best girlfriends! Movie

At this very moment, which row are YOU living your life in? Let me clarify as you ponder. You may recognize the photo below. It's been circling around Facebook for eons. The caption reads: “How Do you live  your life? Are you in

  Personally, I am not an amusement parker. I visit them, under duress, to please my thrill seeking family. I don't like crowds, I don't do heat, I hate being overcharged for random trinkets, and standing in line makes my back sore. Despite all

  Brussels sprouts are one of those "old school" vegetables that garnered a bad rap a few decades ago when housewives (okay, maybe househusbands, too) served them up to their families BOILED. TO. DEATH. Boiling Brussels sprouts does them absolutely no justice. Those

  I started going to Zumba about two years ago. It was back when Zumba was the next big thing and women everywhere were rallying their work friends and mommy group mates to check out the newest way to dance themselves skinny. I

  Once a month on Tuesdays I leave work and head to JoJo's Restaurant & Tap House on Patrick Street for our AAF-Greater Frederick board meeting. It's the perfect location to meld happy hour and creative productivity, because nestled discreetly in the

Mother’s Day is one of those holidays that gets a lot of hype for not a lot of reason. I'm a mom so I get why celebrating mom is important. After all, we love you when you’re at your worst and

  One of the fabulous things about living smack dab in the middle of the East Coast is that we have several major cities within a few hours' drive: Philly, Baltimore, Charlottesville, and Washington D.C.,  to name a few. Whether it's signing up for a

  Welcome to Girl Crush, our way of spotlighting some of the most amazing women in and around the community. These ladies have something special. They enlighten us, inspire us and (we admit) give us cause for envy.   The first gal we're

If you're looking for a fresh cocktail to serve at your next garden party, a London Mojito is a fun twist on a classic drink that screams summertime (or anytime, as far as I'm concerned)! A classic mojito is a simple blend

In today’s market there are a number of stylish, well made fashion brands that are also earth conscious. Personally, I think this concept is the best ever! I can look good and not feel guilty about it. And, when my husband

  There are certain life events that constitute coordinating a girls' weekend. Celebrating that a best friend's getting married is most certainly at the top of that list. "Just because" also qualifies for a spot towards the top, in case you're wondering. My sister

  Lemme ask you a question: Do you do date nights with your spouse or significant other? My husband and I have recently begun making a concerted effort to really set aside time to invest in unique experiences with each other. Because honestly,

  I'm a fan of lots of things that folks might label geeky, but it's okay - I totally embrace my inner geek! Even if I get occasional eye rolls from the rest of the humans in my household. "Mom. You're watching Lord

  We aren’t what you’d call experts, we’re what you’d call connoisseurs. We collect and enjoy awesomeness, and then we dress it up pretty, surround it with words, and share it with all of you. Check out this month's What We

  It’s BBQ season! And, if you’re like me, the desire to wow your friends with your kitchen awesome is probably raging. Or, you just really want a go-to dish to ensure that you will get invited to all of the BBQs this

  Who could use a little spoiling? Oh please. We see you over there. We know you're over-worked, under-appreciated and could use a new pair of shoes, a night out on the town, and a decent margarita for Pete's sake. We're here for

  Strawberries and mint are two things that grow plentifully in our gardens, and the end of May is prime picking time for both. Mint will keep growing strong until the first (or second) hard frost, but strawberries have their heyday

  The pool is officially open! Which means, summer has officially started. It's an event that, as a kid, you probably looked forward to more than many others. As an adult, eh, maybe not so much. I can count on one hand the number of

  Cooking dinner shouldn't be a drag. I'll say this though, it can be hard to embrace a chef's knife and a skillet after a 10-hour work day, followed by being a kid shuttle service, and knowing there's a looming pile of laundry in a

Did you know that Downtown Frederick is the setting for a steamy 50 Shades-ish type of novel? Surprised? So was I. The book in question is called The Scarlet Letter Society and it centers around three women who live in Keytown (ahem) and gather together

  It's week two of the Pursuit of it All month long spoil-our-readers-into-submission spree. Last week we gave away a Downtown Frederick Gift Card and this week we're setting the stage for major relaxation thanks to a little something we received from

  The strawberries in our garden are producing a couple pints of ripe berries a day right now. And if the dozens of photos in my News Feed are any indication, local "pick your own" farms are yielding a similar robust

  As impossible as it is to make happy hours happen as a full-grown "married with children" adult, having date nights - with friends! - seems to be even more difficult. We resort to copious amounts of texting back and forth, comparing

  Summer's here, and our minds have shifted to all the fun activities and Frederick summer experiences that we've been looking forward to since the first hint of spring. We've pulled together 11 of our favorites, but rest assured - Frederick

  Personally, I think the doughnut shop has become the "it" bakery over the past year or two. They're taking the place of "cupcakeries" that were, a while back, popping up on virtually every corner. But they're not new, those doughnuts. Doughnuts (unlike the

  This time last year I had just wrapped up a trip to ADMERICA! 2014 as one of the conference bloggers. Once a year, the American Advertising Federation's national conference brings together a slew of creative minds to learn, network, and

  Welcome to our second installment of "Girl Crush," our take on some of the most amazing women in and around the community. This week we're crushing on Elizabeth Cromwell, the President and CEO of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. Elizabeth

  There was a time in my adult life when my beauty routine meant I’d wash my face if I worked out, and sunscreen. That. Is. All. Age, maturity, and a really annoying stint with adult acne made me change my foolish, dirty-faced ways. I

  It's the fourth week in our Pursuit of it All month long spoil-our-readers-into-submission spree, and for the final giveaway we're going all out! We've literally got something for everyone in this lavish giveaway from The Temple, A Paul Mitchell Partner School. (Even your pet!) Up for grabs

  For most of the world, the term "summer break" brings to mind pleasant thoughts filled with relaxation, happiness and fun. For the working mom, however, summer break can have a much different meaning. You. Need. A. Plan. If you're considering "winging it," don't. That approach

  I frequently get asked about where I get my hair done. It’s something curly girls just know to do when they see a curly comrade with a decent cut and style: run at her quickly, stranger though she may be, and

  There's something about a dessert that acts like breakfast. Or maybe it's a breakfast posing as a dessert. Either way, it's awesome. Blueberry crumble bars are meant to be dessert, a delicious shareable snack for things like book club, a picnic with

  Summer is pretty busy in a trying-really-hard-to-do-all-of-the-relaxing-while-also-having-all-of-the-fun kind of way. We make time to travel, visit relatives, catch up on our reading lists, and fit in an afternoon post-ice-cream-coma nap as needed. Also, we LOVE going to festivals! 8 Must See Summer Festivals

  I’ve always been envious of ladies who have the opportunity to embark on a luxurious spa and wellness trip. These outings seem to be out of reach and reserved for only the extremely affluent or the childless. (I realize that may not be the

  We can hardly believe June is over. OVER. Fini. Hello, July! Summer's in full swing now, and we're loving the warmer weather except when it's 100°F and desperately muggy, trips to the pool, evening cookouts with friends, dining al fresco, and family vacations. In

  Is the holiday weekend sneaking up on you? Wondering where you might take in a spectacular display of patriotic pyrotechnic genius near you? No worries. We've got your back. With just days away from the 4th of July, it's time to get it together and

  There are few made-up holidays worth getting crazy pants excited over, and Chocolate Day is one of them! We recommend that you find the nearest chocolate shop—try Zoe's in Frederick, Sibu Sura in Myersville, or SPAGnVOLA in Gaithersburg (where you can celebrate with

  Each time I see a Cirque du Soleil show, I'm transported. Cirque shows are truly magical experiences that can't help but leave the viewer feeling a little bit transformed. So, I'm sure you can imagine how excited I was to be offered two free press tickets to the

  We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post may contain affiliate links. I've always enjoyed reading.

  A few years ago I was working with a brand that had me shipped out to California to go camping. When I first read the itinerary, I recall breaking immediately into a mad sweat, because HOLY CRAP ON A CRACKER I

  Late night diner runs in college, after an evening of debauchery, meant plates of pancakes, eggs, cheeseburgers, and fries. And coffee. Oh—and maybe more beer. As grown-ups, brunch spots are where this mash up happens. It's one of the few times you

  Our latest “Girl Crush” is something special. If you've met her, then you know exactly why we wanted her as our third feature. This week we’re crushing on Mary Barry, Vice President, Business Development Officer at Frederick County Bank (FCB). Mary is truly a gem! (Not

  July has been filled with more chaos than expected, but we're all ending the month on a high note, thankfully! We enjoyed simple strolls in downtown Frederick, followed by a great brunch, to spending time in NYC for #BlogHer15 and

If you’d have told me five years ago that I’d be a dance mom, I’d have given you side-eyes with a firm, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” It’s funny how unexpected things end up happening in life. Fifteen competitions, dozens

  YOU GUYS. I'm so excited to be able to share news about a project that is near and dear to my heart! The Frederick Speaker Series is a project that I'm proud to have been a part of over past year. I originally got

  Year round I work from home. I am a professional blogger and a photographer so my home base is also my actual home base. Most of the time that is awesome. I work in my jammies and I watch Fantasy Island while

  I grew up spending lots of vacation time in sleepy little beach towns over summer break. We'd stay a week in Litchfield, SC, just south of Myrtle Beach, with my dad's side of the family every June. "The Timmons" cottage slept

  A few years ago, I had an important meeting at work that started promptly at 8 a.m. As any mom knows, when you have an event to attend, and it’s mandatory that you arrive at a specific time, your children

What are your thoughts on asking for help? Not emergency call-911-kind-of-help, mind you. I’m talking about asking for help in a workplace or professional situation. Confession – I totally suck at it. Ask anyone. I wasn’t always this way. I believe it started in

  I know I can’t be the only one that gets confused by how to tell apples apart. What kinds are good for pies, what other varieties are best for salads? The last thing you want is an apple the breaks down

  I think my love of period dramas started when I was in elementary school and stumbled upon Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, and all the other books in that Laura Ingalls Wilder series. Oh, to wear

  I love to shop. Like LOVE to. Clothing, shoes, furniture, cute little knickknacks and accouterments people don't need, but like. I could spend most of every day going from store to store shopping, buying things I might return later—because SO CUTE—with

  With fall right around the corner, it's a good idea to start curating those cold weather comfort foods that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Slow cooker black bean chicken chili is one way I like to change up

  I love fall running season. The weather is perfect and the race opportunities are (almost) limitless. Problem is, there are almost TOO many choices. Why enter the same ol' 5K when you can run from zombies, chow down on cupcakes, or sip chardonnay? Whether

  Heather Walsh and I both began our blog endeavors a little over five years ago, and somehow stumbled across one another on Twitter, where we then became fast friends. Watching her blog baby (cool) progeny grow leaps and bounds has

  Everyone needs a dinner recipe in their arsenal that can be whipped up quickly, is able to feed a crowd, and makes terrific leftovers. You guys? This baked ziti is it. Making baked ziti at home something you'll start doing a a

  Mornings are my thing. I love getting up early. (No really, I do.) I geek out knowing that I've accomplished more before 7 a.m. than the average person does in an entire day. I know, I know. MOST people in the world

  Do you remember Jon & Kate Plus 8? When they started and they were both chunky* and exhausted and living in that too small house in that basically regular neighborhood? And everyone loved watching them because they were inspiring and relatable and

  Preparing and cooking an entire roast chicken seems daunting. I know. The reality is this: IT'S SUPER EASY. A good sized roast chicken can feed a dinner party crowd (or a large family). It can also work as dinner for two or four,

  Even though we're still reasonably ensconced in summer, there's a glimmer of fall out there. Leaves are kissed with yellows, and at night it's cool enough to sleep with the windows open. Well, at least most of the nights—it's Maryland, which means it

  It's always nice when you're able to find a side dish that goes beyond the usual potato or pasta salads, chips and dip, or baked beans. Not that any of those are bad, of course. I love a good old fashioned

I discovered Stacey Ferguson back in 2010 because she's a fellow foodie who also happens to be a blogger. And, you know, I'm a foodie blogger, too. But anyone who knows Stacey will tell you, that's only scratching the surface. She's

  One of the worst decisions I've ever made, I made in high school. I was in 10th grade and on the JV field hockey team. The last game of the season, my coach called me over to the bench prior to the game

  Technically, it's still summer. We're so close to fall, though, I can taste it—especially on rainy days when it's barely hanging on to 60°F outside. The mere mention of autumn makes me want to feed my slow cooker addiction, gobble up savory

  This summer I had the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary girls’ night in with a few of my local blogging buds (and some really cool new peeps too). Thanks to the lovely Loews Annapolis, I got to experience their wonderful location,

  I don't diet. Never have; never will. Dictionary.com has several definitions for the word "diet," and this one happens to really get under my foodie skin:   Such a selection or a limitation on the amount a person eats for reducing weight: No pie

  A few years ago I was in Hershey, Pa., for a business trip. I’d been to Hershey Park before; we’re lucky to live pretty close, and how can you not visit "The Sweetest Place On Earth" when it's less than two hours away?!

  It's football season, which means tailgating, "home" gating, parties, and lots of good food. It can also mean running around like crazy, trying to get kids to various sports activities (like more football and soccer), and little time to chill, let

  We have been going to the Renaissance Festival in Maryland for ages. I guess it’s the whole knights in shining armor thing that attracts my boys to it. And for me, if I’m honest, I go for the food. They offer stacks on stacks

  You may not know this yet but Liza and I are podcast enthusiasts. Okay, junkies. Multitaskers by nature, we find podcasts are a great way to learn and be entertained as well as a super-easy way to make even mundane tasks (like those piles

  I've partnered with Violet® supplements to talk about breasts and how to keep them feeling their best! Breast health. Ideally it's something you're thinking about early on, after you finally fill out your grown-up-woman body, and start to realize that how you

  Although California will always be home that holds a special place in my heart, fall is the best on the East Coast – the colors are popping out all over and the weather is perfect for outdoor activities. As long

  The weather's turning colder, and this weekend happens to be extra gloomy, thanks in part to Hurricane Joaquin, which got close enough to bring loads of rain, but stayed far enough away to keep us central Marylanders out of harm's way.

  I have never really been good with makeup. A little mascara, some blush, lip gloss, maybe some powder if it's a particularly blocked pore kind of month. I'm fortunate to have pretty decent skin and the inability to care long enough

  Food + being outdoors. That's pretty much what sums up the beginning of the fall season for us, as told by September's round-up of what we love. And, in Maryland, fall weather and food only gets better as the days tick on

  The last time I had a massage was a full 19 years ago. NINETEEN. YEARS. AGO. I really wish I were kidding. I remember the date vividly because it was a gift from a friend prior to my wedding. It was awkward and uncomfortable and

  Even though I'm a fan of homemade, from scratch sauces — pasta sauces, BBQ sauces, or even dressings — there are times when I totally embrace the jarred varieties. Without guilt or regret. Because sometimes when there are 15 activities to complete after work

A couple years ago, my husband and I joined my sister, my brother-in-law, and a couple other friends for a backpacking trip in the Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest. I'm not usually the backpacker type, though I've done my

  If my family would put up with it, we'd have pasta every night for dinner. I love it so much. Especially when paired with a warmed crusty bread and plenty of room temp butter. (For ease of spreading, of course.) There are a

  I've always loved music. Could be because I grew up in a family with lots of musicians (rock and jazz). Or, maybe it's because music has played such a large part in our lives — both playing and listening. Perhaps

  My first movie crush was an adorable high school time traveler named Marty McFly. I loved everything about him. He was handsome, funny, super charming and could bust out a mean guitar riff. I even loved his name

  I can't quite remember the first time I met the whirlwind that is Terri Perry. What I can tell  you, however, is that my life has never been the same. Terri and I got to know each other well as part

  In the early days of my blogging, I was jealously happily watching the live tweets from Alice Currah, who was attending the 2010 International Food Blogging Conference (IFBC) in Seattle. One of her tweets said something to the effect of, “Will Write

  I bake cookies just about every weekend. Before you get all, "Hey, Martha Stewart! Look at you!" on me, realize that baking cookies from scratch is just about one of the EASIEST home bakery things on the planet. I don't consider

  November is National Adoption Month, and in its honor I want to share a story with you. This is a special story, because it is MINE. You see, I'm an adopted child. It’s not something I talk about much. I’m a very private person

  Ruth Reichl’s debut novel takes us on a delightful foodie journey with Billie, a young woman with an unmatched palate, a drool-worthy new job and a heart that needs mending. I fell head over heels in love with Ruth Reichl’s 2005

  October flew by, didn't it? With nary a blink we found ourselves in a post-Halloween sugar coma wondering where all of our time went. October was a huge month for the Pursuit team ushering in new opportunities and lots of chances to discover new

  Of all the things we ate for dinner growing up, meatloaf wasn't one of them. I'm not sure how that happened, really, because we ate burgers, meatballs, and other "ground meat" dinners on a regular basis. Maybe I had it a

  Meet Hallie Burrier, our newest Girl Crush! Hallie is a powerful force who made her mark in the New York fashion world, met her wonderful husband Mark, and then quickly set about transforming downtown Frederick with her own brand of

  Lately, I've found myself wanting to try my hand at some of the forgotten homemade staples of decades past. Not to replace anything store bought (who has time for that—not me!), but rather as a treat, or a fun cooking

  If you were to see my family in a restaurant or out watching our kids play sports, it would be obvious to you that we are an adoptive family. And for some reason, because we are obviously a bit unique, people

Ahh

One of the things I love about cooking is the ability to try a recipe, and then change it up to make it my own. Though, sometimes a recipe is so perfect just the way it started, altering it would

If you need me on any given day of the week, you can find me doing one of two things: shuttling kids all over mid-Maryland soccer fields, or cleaning up and preparing to shuttle kids all over mid-Maryland soccer fields. If you’d

  Casseroles are one of the best comfort foods for crisp fall evenings. The chill in the air means warm, steamy, creamy, delicious things like homemade turkey tetrazzini are perfect for Sunday night dinner! (Or any night of the week, really.) Especially when I

I'm not afraid of change or of trying new things. That said, sometimes it takes me a while to catch on to pop culture trends—to pause a beloved TV series that I've watched a bazillion times, or to put down a dogeared favorite

Lime snowball cookies are the perfect festive addition to your holiday dessert table! Growing up, the women on my dad’s side always got together to make Christmas cookies. It was a day full of sugar cookies + powdered sugar icing, pinwheels, mini

  Giving is what makes the holiday season so special and exciting to me. I enjoy the time I spend finding gifts for the people I care about, and I like giving them something special and thoughtful that makes them feel

  We all have a lady in our lives whose work ethic we admire. She's smart. She's savvy. She has style. This go-getter in your life definitely deserves something special for all the hours she puts in at the office, serving on nonprofit boards,

  I have no problem admitting ignorance and coming clean when I realize I’ve been living under a rock. This happened last year when I learned that you can make easy microwave popcorn out of kernels and a paper bag and

  The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve is arguably one of the busiest ever. Days (and nights) are spent shopping for the special people in your life, while also balancing holiday parties, kids' choral performances, cookie baking, decorating, and that

Let me introduce you to my newest happy hour love. It's called Hootch & Banter and it's exactly as cool as the name implies. Owners Sherif Salem and his wife Cherie Nearman opened the "upscale casual" cafe this November to rave reviews. Which meant

  "Balance" is one of those funny words you hear people throwing around, especially at this time of year. We all want it. We all spend a lot of time and effort trying to achieve it. And yet, so few of us

  Even though I love using my slow cooker, sometimes there's a recipe that requires more than just letting food simmer at a snail's pace for hours on end. Like, when I need to sear and meld flavors, deglaze the pan and

Smart people begin taking care of their skin when they're young. Like, before it shows signs of aging poorly. Kind of like those investment-savvy college friends who were contributing to retirement accounts while the rest of us were busy drinking beer and playing hacky-sack.

Thick cut, juicy skillet pork chops are a favorite in our house—perfect for a busy weeknight, and fall-off-the-bone tender! I was flipping by Food Network the other day and managed to catch an episode of Good Eats where Alton Brown was busy searing

  Every new year is another opportunity to do something differently. I’m not a hugely devoted resolution maker, but I do believe in goal setting. The start of a new year just reminds me that it's a really perfect time to take

  A lacrosse widow. That's what I was called from March through the end of May every year for the first 13 years of my marriage—which, coincidentally, is the same number of years we've been married. You can't take being a coach's

  Even though I don't consider myself much of a baker, I make a lot—A LOT—of homemade cookies. A couple years ago I stopped buying packaged cookies from the grocery store. Homemade cookies are SO simple and quick to make (like, done in

  My favorite things to do when I'm not working (and I don't have any other obligations) are reading, watching movies, or getting sucked into a television series. In fact, our living room TV is mounted above the fire place, surrounded by

  As a D.C. Metro resident, I’ve become one of those people who avoids the city as much as possible. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it, it’s just that I, um, kinda don’t enjoy it. The traffic, and the tourists, and the

  It’s chicken noodle soup season!! And, not only because I'm looking out at the three feet of snow we got from Jonas this weekend (also affectionately known as "Snowzilla2016" and "Snomageddon2016"). The last time we saw anything like this in Maryland,

  Living in the great state of Maryland I've been lucky enough to experience some of the most glorious seasons. Personally I'm a huge fan of fall and spring, and sweatshirts—coincidentally—just happen to be my favorite clothing of all time. But I dislike

  I travel a good bit throughout the year, mostly for business, but sometimes for pleasure. Like everything else in my life, I appreciate a practical, simple and manageable travel experience. None of this "two suitcases for a three day trip" nonsense. And,

  Digging in the freezer the other day, I realized I managed to forget about three bags of frozen shredded zucchini from last summer. Whoops. The good new is, frozen zucchini lasts forever. The bad news is, I wonder how long it would've stayed

  I’m all for comfort food, and when I saw The Pioneer Woman’s recipe for Chicken Spaghetti a few years ago, I thought, “Is there a way to make that better?” The answer is no. It’s just about perfect the way it

  My travel bucket list is currently pages long. Top of the list destinations include Greece, Fiji, London, and Ireland. Sadly, the majority of my travel does not take me to such lavish and exciting destinations. In fact, currently, the next trip on

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: being a strong, successful woman in the workplace is no walk in the park. You show up, do your job, and somehow—despite being incredibly competent and effective—you’re labeled. People just don’t

  My husband and I have been movie lovers for always. In our dating days we used to sometimes catch two in one day just so we could enjoy as many new flicks as possible. Fast forward a bunch of years and throw

  Growing up, I was never into all the girly-girl stuff that most of my tween/teen female friends went bananas over. Well, except for blue eye shadow and liner, Sun In, glitter stickers, and my faithful crimper. It was the '80s, after all. In

  Some Sundays I love taking the time to prepare a long, intricate dinner spread—something that sears and then braises and then roasts, ultimately developing layer up on layer of savory, mouthwatering flavors. Let's be real. Not all Sundays are this way. Many

  A word of warning: I'm about to wax poetic about life choices. I don't know exactly when I transitioned from normal working woman to stupid-busy-over-achieving-can't-say-no working woman but somehow, somewhere it happened. My mind was always on. My to-do list was always full and

  Or at least in March. For those of you who read my recent write up on The Revenant, you’re probably thinking, "This title explains so much." Of course the girl who doesn’t appreciate the Oscar nominated, cinematic-ally inspiring, basically true story of survival is

I'm going to start this post off by saying that I'm a huge Sally Hansen nail polish fan. That's important to get out up front since, obviously, the title of this post might imply otherwise. And, I'll point out that

  There's nothing my outgoing tween daughter loves more than to be surrounded by friends. She loves people, and being around them energizes her—as is the case with most traditional extroverts. I happen to be an introvert. This doesn't mean I'm shy, mind you.

  So, I’m cruising along my Pinterest feed the other day and I stumbled upon a recipe for orecchiette pasta. A pasta recipe with this main ingredient: pistachio nuts. Now lemme tell you. I can barrel through a bag of salted pistachio nuts

  Every year during New York Fashion Week I sit at home and flip through magazines and websites scowling at the photos. Rarely is there ever anything appropriate for people with a normal lives consisting of working at a desk, shopping at a

  Okay, friends! The weather has officially broken and it's time to emerge from our self-imposed winter hibernation. The sun is warm during the day, birds are chirping, mornings and evenings still have a chill

  This weekend we enjoyed some lovely spring weather, the Easter holiday, and Batman v Superman! You guys know how I feel about superhero movies — So. My. Jam. But, before we talk all of the things here, let me back it up

  Chicken breasts: easy to cook, easy to freeze. I know I’ve said that before, but I can’t help but repeat it! A while ago I was looking for something to cook for dinner. We were just getting back from vacation, I was getting

  Over the years I've been to my fair share of marketing and advertising conferences. They're a great way to freshen up your knowledge, network despite my introverted tendencies, hear expert speakers, and catch up with friends and colleagues in the industry. This year

  I still pine for the old days of Food Network when there were more tutorial-style cooking shows than reality TV and competitions, even in their prime-time lineup. Cooking Channel has filled that void to a degree, but even it has turned

  When it comes to being traditionally organized, I have to admit, I am an epic failure. But, it’s not for lack of effort. I try. Like real talk. I have a lot on my plate, I crave streamlining in my life. I download

  There's something about the darker side of life that really fascinates me. Be it a creepy historical tale, a discussion about serial killers, cold case investigations or unsolved mysteries, I'm hooked — I find the stories riveting. It's true. I'm a closet true crime

I can tell you the exact day I received and activated my first Fitbit® — Sunday, December 25, 2011 — because it basically changed my life. Up until that point I had no clue what my level of activity was throughout the

  Back in 2010, I was perusing the Twitterverse (in between real conversations with fellow Tweeps — remember those days?) and stumbled across a link to an article touting the next variety of mammal milk that's being grossly underused, yet would be amazingly beneficial health-wise. Human

  I was born bald. Like my own baby bottom. I didn't grow hair enough for bows until around age three. Until then, my mom would tape little bows on my hair for photos. And constantly tell people I was a GIRL. Not

Happiness is one of those things you have to work at. I make choosing joy, looking on the bright side, and appreciating the tiny moments that are often overlooked, a mission. It’s something I focus on in my daily life. It’s something

  364 days a year I enjoy (and am quite good at) being a mom. I cook. I tidy up. I launder soccer uniforms. I pack healthy lunches, research school projects, remind people to brush their teeth, schedule doctor's appointments and

  In 2010 I attended a workshop offered by my employer about organization and time management. I know what you're thinking. "Really, Liza? Slacking off on the job?" No. Thankyouverymuch. I'm lucky to have a day job with a large company that's big on proactive

  When Ryan Gosling makes a movie, you better know I am going to make considerable effort to see it. Drop the kids with their grandma, pay a teenager to sort of pay attention to them while they play video games and

  Tim Burton makes odd movies. Odd, interesting. Odd, artsy. Odd, weird. Whatever you think "odd" means is basically what it means when it comes to Tim and his flicks. The recently released Alice Through the Looking Glass is no exception. It is odd. And, if

  I'm not supposed to like Snapchat. I'm absolutely the wrong demographic. Snapchat's supposed to be something that only Millennials "get." I'm GenX. (I remember a time when the internet wasn't invented, for crying out loud.) And yet here I am. Obsessed. I'm all in,

  Homemade double chocolate chip cookies are so incredibly delectable, especially warm right out of the oven! Almost every weekend I make cookies. It takes less than 30 minutes to whip up the ingredients and then bake them off. Let’s face it, we’re

  Tragedy is an unfortunate and scary part of life. And, as a parent, I feel like it's even more frightening when something horrendous happens. You have the natural fear of wanting to protect your children, and then the unfortunate task of

  It's summer and you know what that means: beaches, pool parties and vacations! And while that's all well and good, it also means you'll need a radically different approach to your beauty routine. (Because layers of heavy makeup melting off your face is never

Sometimes I find myself in the midst of crazy, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities because of blogging, and other times it's simply because I'm in the right place at the right time. Getting a hair makeover by celebrity stylist Johnny Wright is one

  This old fashioned creamy potato salad is a huge favorite of ours. It's the perfect side dish to burgers and dogs on the grill! Don’t like potato salad? I hear that a lot. Until people try this creamy potato salad. No, seriously. My husband won’t

  I have never been a huge Roald Dahl literary fan. I like all of his books-turned-movies; but, I never really enjoyed the book version of his stories. I know, weird. The books are always better than the movies! Always! But, I guess Roald is

  A morning routine (or lack thereof) can make or break you, especially as a working parent trying to get everyone out the door by a certain time. I’m not one of those “skip a meal” types who can barrel on through

Truth be told, I was secretly dreading this upcoming 10 day cruise to Alaska, even though I knew once we embarked I'd enjoy it. I don't take long vacations, I was worried about being away for so long from work, I didn't do any research

To say that I'm a Harry Potter fan is an understatement. I’ve read all of the books (multiple times), own all of the movies, and have dug into online fan fiction more times than I care to admit as an adult. I wouldn’t

It's been about a month since I finished watching the Netflix original series Stranger Things. To be more precise, July 17 was the date I crossed the finish line with episode eight, a mere two days after Netflix released all the episodes. That's eight nearly-hour-long, commercial-free

  Honestly, I’ve struggled to make sense of why they exist. Like, why on earth would grown up ladies want to hunch themselves up into all kinds of impossible positions to snap the coochie-clasp of a bodysuit on themselves? Like onsies aren’t hard enough

  My father owned a flower shop for over 20 years, and working in that flower shop was one of my very first jobs. I’d take orders, water plants, sweep up, inflate balloons, and other menial — but necessary — jobs

Okay, you guys. Okay. I have a confession. A secret that, up until now, I’ve been a tad ashamed of

  These blueberry muffins — chock-full of tart and juicy blueberries! — are simple to make and wonderful to enjoy as a quick breakfast or an after-school snack. Yum! Let’s face it. Whether you’re working from home, working outside the home, or

  A few years ago I stumbled across a strategy that forever changed how I operated my life. This strategy came from Kate White, the author of my two favorite career books: Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead But Gutsy Girls Do and

For the past few years there's been a name floating around my social and professional circles. People talk about this person often, and yet, we'd never met. When I'd mention that we had never been introduced, I was usually met with disbelief: "How is that

I grew up spending three weeks at my grandparents' shore house in Groton Long Point (GLP), Conn., with my mother’s side of the family. GLP was exactly what people picture out of a New England beach town: lots of cedar shake,

  Did you know that there's such a thing as pumpkin spice guacamole?! I'm not sure why I'm surprised by its existence, because based on what I know about people and their obsession with all things pumpkin spice, there will literally be

In the United States we’re becoming increasingly aware of how important our food sources are, beyond just choosing organic options from the produce isle at the grocery store. In fact, what I’ve learned over the past few years is that while

  There are a lot of myths surrounding advocacy, politics, and the political process in general. To get started, I'm going to focus this post on five. Before we get to the magical five, though, I need to ‘splain something. I thought

It turns out July 2013 was a very busy month for me, filled with all sorts of good stuff including my birthday and a trip to visit my sister in Brooklyn, where we gorged on all things food and I

  It'’s 3:30 PM. You'’re sitting at your desk. You'’ve not moved for two full hours and yet suddenly realize you're exhausted. Recognize the scenario? Of course you do, it's called real life, also known as the afternoon slump at work. I've always had this problem.

  It’s been ages since a movie I’ve wanted to pay 13 American dollars to see has hit the theaters. I feel like there's a dead zone in the movie industry between, like, Labor Day and October. Alas, fall is here and that

  Last week I had to travel to Illinois for a two-day business trip. I don't travel frequently, but every other month or so I find myself in an airport headed somewhere west of here, to meetings, conferences, or something else

  Farmers Fishers Bakers has a beautiful, rustic-yet-modern ambiance with a lively, fun vibe and a scrumptious brunch. It's worth the trek to Georgetown! Confession time

Travel is my passion. In my mind there is nothing better than hopping on a plane or a train and embarking on an adventure. Hotel life is the life for me. I love everything about it! As a working mom though,

  This easy pumpkin pie is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast! For more than a few years I’ve been selected “pie maker” for both families’ Thanksgiving dinners. Thankfully (pun intended) we don't try and squeeze our meals in on one day

This post on my experience in Paris has taken me forever to write. I've revised and written it 1,000 times but no matter how hard I try I just can't seem to do it justice. For three euphoric days Michael and I

  If there's something you need to know, want to know, or probably have absolutely no business knowing, chances are you can find out about it on Facebook. You can swap stories, clothing, furniture, and secrets on the platform. Among friends, among relatives,

  When I was a little girl I used to dream of traveling abroad. An avid reader, I quickly discovered literature that would let me vicariously experience lands that I hoped to one day visit. Summer after summer I would lay

  Here we are, mid way through December, and less than ten days until Christmas. Weekends are being spent scurrying around finding those last (or first) Christmas presents, baking homemade treats, and figuring out holiday meal menus

  I spent most Tuesdays a few years ago watching the show MasterChef, where home chefs compete to become a Gordon Ramsey-dubbed “culinary master” for a large chunk of change, and a cookbook deal. The show's okay — interesting enough to hold my

  A slow cooker beef roast dinner that's ready to devour when you get home from work? Yes! I use my slow cooker and Instant Pot® throughout the year for a variety of things: chicken stock, tomato sauce, and other kitchen and cooking

  Because I did it. I shaved my whole entire face. Well, most of it. And I know you have questions. Like, "Why would you shave your face, Amanda?" And, "How did you shave your face, Amanda?" AND, "JUST WHAT EXACTLY WERE YOU THINKING, AMANDA?!" But, hear me

  You ever look at yourself in a picture or in the mirror and think: Whoa? Is that really what I look like? Or found yourself sluggishly weaving your way through each day without energy? Yeah, me too. I've been struggling for

Social media giveth and taketh away in so many glorious ways. For every clever joke or genuinely interesting insight into someone’s life, there are many more posts that clutter, annoy and even infuriate our brains. So why can’t we make

So, recently my friend (and Pursuit co-founder) Sue and I went a bit rogue and decided to take a leadership leap and hustle ourselves up to New York City for a few days to attend the Inc. Women's Summit. I didn't know

It seems like whenever we host a friends for the Big Game (or another popular televised sporting event), it's a last minute decision. Inevitably the weeks leading up to the day are really busy, and it's not until Friday or Saturday

  This was a hosted trip covered by Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. I don’t know about you, but when I think of the Poconos, I think heart-shaped beds and champagne flute bathtubs. It is like the quintessential couples weekend getaway destination, with all

  When the joyous and festive season fills the air, the holiday spirit becomescontagious. Between the holiday parties, office snacks, grandma’s famous desserts and cocktails with friends, there are many opportunities for indulging and gaining some unwanted pounds. Winter, as it

So it's been awhile. Life's been chugging along in our little corner of the internet event though we've (gasp!) not been consistently recording it. Shocking when you consider our little group is about as document-y and overshare-y as they come. Since the

So I've gotten myself into a bit of a pickle, friends. I've signed up to run a half-marathon on May 5th. It has been a long time since I've run an actual race (we're talking YEARS) and I'm both anxious

Obsessed. That's what I am. I'm not ashamed to admit it. If you know me in real life you know that I've always got a good podcast or audio book recommendation. I listen to them all the time and have for years.

By the time summer rolls around each year, I get restless. I find myself itching for an adventure or at the very least, a break from the routine. More often then not I wind up white knuckling it until vacation

As I write this my youngest son is in the midst of a double shift at work, my oldest is on vacation in Maine with some family friends and my husband is downstairs playing piano. Everyone is occupied. Except me. I’m

Have you ever had an itch to do something different with your weekend? Something just a little out of the ordinary and a little bit of a stretch? I’ve been feeling that a lot lately. I’m finding myself kind of bored in

I’m a born and bred Maryland girl. I’ve lived here most of my life and loved every minute of it. If I’m being honest though, I don’t think I really appreciated my state until I moved to Nashville in my

The other day a couple of friends of mine started a discussion surrounding an image that was circulating online. It’s basically one of those “the more you’ve tried, the younger you are” type of deals.  So I’m a Gen Xer. I

My friend Lori and I tend to do a lot of fitness oriented things together. We’ve run marathons and half marathons together, we take long walks and frequently share workout ideas.  We’ve been wanting to hike together for awhile now. To

You guys, I did a thing. I got eyelash extensions. I know, I know. It’s pretty extra. Here’s the thing, I’ve been hearing mumblings about extensions for a good year now. My friends are talking about them and none of us, save

Cooler temperatures are here - finally!  I don’t know about you but there’s something about cooler temperatures that get me craving drinks that warm me up on the inside.  With hints of apple, cinnamon, butterscotch, chocolate and more, these simple crafty

Hold on to yourself because I'm going to deliver a shocking piece of reality

  “Self-care is a not self-indulgence. Self-care is self-respect.” Over the past year, I've been my own worst enemy. I lost my footing. I floundered. I lacked inspiration. It was a seven-month long backslide during which I struggled to find a shadow of my

  All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking. -Friedrich Neitzsche Being the kind of gal who liked to run marathons for fun, I used to think that walkers were slackers or people who clearly had too much time on their hands. Unlike my

True story, until I worked in the beauty industry I never had an in-depth conversation with anyone about waxing. I mean, I read an article or two about it but I didn't actually ask around to get the dish. (Because

I truly love all things New Orleans. I'm drawn to its history, its architecture and its culture.  And as much as I’m in love with the Crescent City as a whole, my favorite neighborhood is the Garden District. There’s something about the

Fall patterns shouldn’t simply exist on your cozy sweaters

I'm one of those people who is always searching for new ways to hack life. I want to do more, see more and accomplish more. It's in my DNA. I recently stumbled across a few articles touting the sanctity of a

There's no time of year that fills my heart with joy quite like this time of year.  When you think about it, we hurry and scurry around for a good month or two (or three depending on how organized/obsessed you are),

There's a little recipe of mine that has made its way around the interwebs thousands of times. People love it. They pin it like crazy (to the tune of 100,000 times and counting), especially around the holidays, and definitely as

Meet our latest Girl Crush! To know Melanie Spring is to love her. Melanie is a passionate, driven and enthusiastic professional with a heart of gold. I can't tell you the where or when she first came across my radar screen

It's no secret that I love being in the kitchen (well, except for doing dishes—hate that). And, in case you didn't know, I love eating just as much as I love cooking—at a restaurant, at a friend's house, from a

One of my fondest childhood holiday memories is getting together with the ladies on my dad's side of the family, and spending hours baking cookies from our stash of favorite Christmas cookie recipes. We'd ice sugar cookie cutouts, bake mini chocolate chip cookies, slice vanilla

It’s no secret that I'm career-driven and a huge seeker of work-life balance (a feat I'm still trying to conquer). And because I surround myself with like-minded women, I'm always on the lookout for gift ideas for the over achievers

Did I ever mention to you that I used to work in the country music industry? Yep, it's true! In fact, I was the Nashville bureau chief for Sony Worldwide Networks. I'm telling you all this because Pursuit of It

  When the joyous and festive season fills the air, the holiday spirit becomes contagious. Between the holiday parties, office snacks, grandma’s famous desserts and cocktails with friends, there are many opportunities for indulging and gaining some unwanted pounds. Winter, as

  As the resident self-improvement geek of the Pursuit of it All gang, I like to wax poetically about all things inspirational. If there's a new book out there, I’ll read it. New podcast? I’m on it. Crazy new technique? I’ll

  I love a fresh slate. For me, when the ball drops and the fireworks begin, it's a symbol of hope. The opportunity for each of us to create a new existence. The feeling that we can do ANYTHING, and that for the next

I’m a memory collector. Under my bed in a plastic storage container you will find a gathering of some of my life’s most treasured memories. Show programs, event lanyards, baby sweaters, tickets overseas, photos, newspaper clippings, cards and more all gathered

Let’s talk about fear for a moment, shall we? Fear and I are very well acquainted. VERY well acquainted. I credit fear with some of my most epic decisions – leaving field hockey in high school, not auditioning for the community

Do you know that until quite recently, I’d never had my own room? Hand to God, I’m speaking the truth here. I’ve literally shared every space in my life for the entirety of my life with someone else. I never

As we transition from a season of holiday foods and festivities into New Year’s goals and resolutions, we may be feeling a little more stressed, lacking of energy and have aspirations to feel lighter and leaner. Leaving the past year’s

It's been three weeks since Covid-19 caused my workplace to go remote and for my family to stay in place. From the beginning, we've complied and have refrained from all unnecessary activity as we've watched the pandemic unfold across the

Hi. My name is Jen and I am an extrovert. I thrive on interacting with people and detest monotony. This pandemic is hitting me hard. In this age of coronavirus, social distancing and staying inside, I've found myself struggling. As much as

So it is the end of week five in quarantine. It's accurate to say that many of us have settled into our new normal. Whatever that might be.  I've been doing as well as can be expected, keeping myself positive and

Has anyone else noticed a change in their canine's behavior over the last few weeks? From our first week in quarantine, our dog's personality flipped. Suddenly our happy, lazy Macie (a lab/collie mix) became incredibly anxious, needy and unpredictable. The cycle went

Beach days, pool parties, lounging with friends — summer is finally here! This year, more than ever, I'm committed to relishing all sunshine and happiness I can get! That being said, I'm not getting any younger (sigh) and I can't afford

Well, it only took a pandemic for me to finally get to experience Woodberry Kitchen. I know, I know. I should have been living my best life sooner, but here we are. After weeks and weeks of quarantine and socially-distanced life,

Whatever you are not changing you are choosing. -Laurie Buchanan The first time I remember hating my body was when I was 12. I developed earlier than most and was one of the first girls in my grade to not only

Welcome to my first official 'Thursday Things' post. I've been wanting to do this for a while because I love reading other blogger's take on them. My version of Thursday Things is intended to be a skimmable weekly post of

2020 has been a year of incredible ups and downs. It's a year where time has felt weirdly suspended. The days and weeks have melded together and concern for safety and restrictions have made it nearly impossible to unwind and

As I sit down to write this blog post I can hear the wind howling outside of my window. It's an icy cold morning and my anxiety is high. Winter has never been my best season. For starters, I'm not a

I’m going to make a controversial declaration: 2020 was NOT a wasted year. One could argue that it was a lot of things - a dumpster fire, traumatic, monotonous or even total bullshit. But not a waste. Hear me out. The circumstances

I have a slight obsession with TikTok. Let me pause here so you can roll your eyes. My husband and kids do it all the time. TikTok provides hours of entertainment for me and is responsible for half of my

I don't know about you but lately I've been sick and tired of being sick and tired. Pandemic life has me burnt out. (Masks. Vaccines. Delta. Pivoting. Enough, already!)  It's been a minute since life has settled down enough to

A few weeks ago I got a tattoo. I know, I know, people get them all the time. It's not exactly life shattering news. I’ve been wanting one since college, actually. I just never quite found my forever design. Until one day in

Friday, January 21, 2022 Welcome to my first official Friday Favs post. I've been wanting to do this for a while because I love this kind of stuff. Head back here every Friday for a skimmable weekly post of random thoughts,

Real talk. I usually LOVE New Year’s resolutions. I love everything about the fresh start, the deep dive and the joyful hope of it all.   But this year I just couldn’t muster the energy for it. As someone still on her

I have a slight obsession with France. I attribute the start of this to a childhood surrounded by historical fiction, a mother who encouraged exploration and a fanciful imagination. Although I didn't visit the country until a few years ago, I've

So let me just cut to the chase and say that a subscription to Beauty Pie is the wisest thing I have done for my skin (and wallet) in my life.  I discovered Beauty Pie after a rather frustrating visit to

My hometown of Frederick, Md., is a special community. Not only is it a vibrant mix of culture and history, it's also filled with some of the most generous and kind souls I've ever encountered. It's a community that thrives

Welcome to Friday Favs, a skimmable weekly post of random thoughts, tips, inspiration and fun finds. It’s a little bit random, a little be haphazard and a whole lot like me.   DROWNING, BUT IN A GOOD WAY Every year about this time

The number of hours we have in a day may be fixed, but the quality of energy available to us isn’t. To be a consistently high performer, you have to be able to manage your energy, not just your time. And

Somehow I have made it onto the cover of a magazine.  Me. The most unlikeliest of the unlikely.  Before we go any further, here’s the thing you need to know about me. As I’ve aged I’ve become incredibly insecure about the way that

I should start this post by stating that my husband can be a little bit EXTRA. When it comes to me, he is a very thoughtful and strategic gift-giver. He also LOVES surprises. I hit the romance lottery with him

For a significant portion of the last year, I was living a double life. To the outward world I worked hard to carry off the image of a passionate professional pushing through boundaries and milestones with enthusiasm.  Inside, however, I was

When I'm looking for a truly pleasurable food experience, everything matters to me. I expect the food to be worth the money, the staff has to care about the customers and the establishment to make me feel comfortable. I don't

I love a good mini -vacay, don't you? When you are in a lull or don't have the time or budget to spend on a prolonged getaway, a long weekend can really serve as a source of fun and excitement.

When I was in elementary school, my family was relocated to Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. It was an odd place for a young family to live, quite frankly. Most of the housing in the area was shuttered and the

Nestled between the lively cities of Sarasota and Venice lies the hidden gem of Manasota Key, an 11-mile barrier island graced by the beauty of Florida's Gulf Coast. Positioned between the breathtaking Gulf of Mexico and the lush mangrove forests

Meet Amanda Haddaway, our newest Girl Crush! Amanda Haddaway is an award-winning HR consultant, corporate trainer and certified executive coach. In her role as the managing director of HR Answerbox, she specializes in solving complex workplace problems for business owners and

When life gets busy and deadlines stack up, it’s easy to let personal pleasures like reading fall by the wayside. But making time for a good book is one of the best things you can do for yourself—and joining a

I’ve lived in Maryland nearly all my life. I adore nature and when I travel I want nothing more than to seek out beautiful spaces. Ask me how it is that I’ve never stepped foot inside Longwood Gardens before this

As the leaves go from their basic green to extra glam shades of gold, amber, and crimson, there’s only one thing to do: slow down, grab that chunky knit blanket, and embrace fall like it’s your job. You know the

Alright, listen up. I’ve been holding onto a little nugget of wisdom that could seriously revolutionize your life. Yes, you read that right. I’m talking full-on life makeover, and the best part? It’s ridiculously simple. It’s called the "One Minute Rule,"

“Perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order.” —Anne Wilson Schaef Raise your hand if you’ve ever mentally edited yourself before stepping out the door, posting on Instagram, or—heaven forbid—showing up to an event bare-faced and vulnerable. (Spoiler alert: my hand is

Picture this: you walk into your home, and the air greets you with the warm embrace of cinnamon, cloves, and oranges. It smells like the holidays—the kind of vibe that makes you want to curl up with a fuzzy blanket,

Let’s face it—sometimes the holiday spirit doesn’t just "show up." You don’t magically wake up in a Hallmark movie surrounded by twinkling lights, a perfect dusting of snow, and a golden retriever named Jingles. Nope. For most of us, the

How to Wow the Reader in Your Life with a Year of Literary Delights Gift-giving is an art form. Sure, you can grab the latest trending gadget or pick up a gift card at checkout, but there’s something magical about a

The end of the year is magical—a perfect mix of nostalgia and new beginnings. But instead of just checking off resolutions or scrolling through your photo highlights, how about doing something that genuinely connects you to the people who shaped

Ever feel like your days are on a rinse-and-repeat cycle? Wake up, work, eat, scroll, sleep—then do it all over again. It’s like life’s on autopilot, and you’re just along for the ride. If I'm being honest, I've lost weeks

Here’s the thing about career growth: it’s not about throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. It’s about deliberate moves, smart strategies, and yes, a bit of courage to shake things up. Whether you’re gunning for a promotion,

Picture this: It’s the end of the year, and instead of a pile of abandoned resolutions and half-finished journals, you have a fridge full of empty champagne bottles and a Bingo card that’s been crushed with the giddy satisfaction of

Let’s state the obvious: we’re all tired. Not the “I need another coffee” kind of tired, but the “deep-in-your-bones, I-don’t-know-who-I-am-anymore” kind of tired. Whether it’s work deadlines, family demands, or the incessant buzz of notifications, modern life has a way

You’re Never Getting Caught Up—And That’s Okay Let me hit you with a cold, hard fact I had to learn the hard way: you are never, ever, ever getting caught up. (Cue Taylor Swift nod.) There will never be enough hours in