Sharing is Caring

Whether it’s been given to me as a gift or I’ve bought it myself, these are a random lil bunch of things that have rocked my WORLD and I’m hoping they’ll rock yours as well.  

1. Eyeliner: Up until a few months ago, I was never a eyeliner wearer. I could never get a straight line and it ended up smearing halfway through the day and making me look like a raccoon and who wants to even be around someone like that?? Then my friends Meg and Carey introduced me to Artistry Liquid Eyeliner and I was told it doesn’t smear, stays on all day, one stroke and DONE. They were 100% correct and I don’t think I’ll ever buy any other eyeliner again. So, if you are like me and feel like a failure of a girl because you don’t know how to use liquid eyeliner properly, there’s still hope.

2. Bethel Music - We Will Not Be Shaken: Okay, I’ll never get over this album. Bethel is just my favorite all around. Seriously, if you get nothing else from this stupid list, get this.  IT WILL ROCK YOU.

3. Drink Tote Bag: Walking out the door in the morning I typically have a water bottle, mug of coffee, thermos of coffee, and a smoothie with me. Apparently, watching me try to juggle these drinks without spilling one of them every morning just tore my father apart because a couple months ago, he surprised me with the best and most useful gift I have ever received... A Drink Tote Bag. Now I’m sure you’re thinking, “I bet you look really cool carrying that” and you’re exactly right. Highly recommend it if you carry 2+ drinks with you. 

4. Ebates: If we’re friends it’s a given that I have shared this website with you because let’s be honest, it changed shopping for me so of course I’m going to share monumental moments with *~my friendzzzz~*. I guess some people think it’s a scam and when I was first told about it, it seemed 2 good 2 be true. But best news of all: It works. You’re paid to shop online. Sign up for an Ebates account, search the store you want to buy from and Ebates directs you to their website and you will get whatever percentage of cash back that store offers. Every website is different and it doesn’t seem like much but if you’re an online shopper (or want to become one), this is 4 YOU. Your life will be changed and so will your bank account. I have already cashed in ($27!!!!) and it’s free to sign up so you’re losing nothing and gaining EVERYTHING. I am so excited for you. 

5. Ginger Lemon Honey Tea: The perfect winter drink. Fresh, chopped ginger (1/4 cup), sliced lemons(3-4), and 5lbs raw honey. Mix it all together in a glass container and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Fill your mug with hot water + 2 Tablespoons of honey mixture (approx). They also sell it at Pure Blend Tea in Central Market if you want to try it without making a huge portion because raw honey can be expensive. I buy the raw honey from Maplehofe, also at market!

6. Portable Phone Charger: Once again, if you’re friends with me at all, you have probably heard me talk about or seen this nifty little thing. I got it last year and will never be without one again. You know when you’re out somewhere and you look down at your phone and it says 7% and all of a sudden your heart sinks and you slowly feel as if you're dying along with your phone? Well this genius little device is here to save you when you are unable to save yourself (aka not near an outlet.) I got mine for $30 at Target! 

7. Nike Tech Pants: I saved the best for last. These are my absolute favorite and greatest purchase this winter. I bought them in black after they came highly recommended by my friend Austin and after 2 days of wearing them I went online and bought another pair in grey. They are THE comfiest and softest and they’re perfect because you can wear them out and not feel like a bum. I really do count down the hours until I'm home just so I can put them on. I could rave about these pants for hours so if you wanna get together, LMK. 

Christmas With The Shenk's

First of all, HAPPY 2015! I could not be more excited/ready for a new year and all that is in store for the coming months. It's hard to believe all the Christmas busyness is coming to an end but I'm kinda sorta a little bit excited to get back into a normal routine of work and going to bed at 10PM. This time of year is one of my favorites because I get to spend excessive amounts of time with my family until it gets to the point that we pick fights over stupid things like "You bought this for me because YOU want to use it, didn't you?" Merry Christmas! Christmas Eve the 6 of us worked at market all day and went to the Christmas Eve Service at church that night (one of my favorite traditions) followed by opening new pajamas, watching the Christmas episode of Full House, and sleeping by the tree. I love that we've held onto these traditions through the years and I hope they never change and I'm still sleeping under the tree with my brothers when I'm 80. 
We spent Christmas Day with my extended family and I ate an embarassing amount of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie then tried to work it all off by playing football but it was freezing and I'm a girl so that was short lived. I hope all my readers (shout out to all 4 of you) had a wonderful Christmas and New Year (which BTW New Years Eve? Supes lame holiday) 2015 is gonna be siiick. 

Christmas Day from Vanessa Shenk on Vimeo.

HBD to my BFF

I'll make it short because I'm sure you're here for the embarrassing pictures (some must be kept sacred)

If you know me, it's more than likely you know or know of Katie. People are usually surprised when we tell them we met while attending the same homeschool group (shouts 2 CV Homeschoolerz.) We became friends in 4th or 5th grade and have been bffz ever since. I'm not really sure what bonded us when we first met... maybe it was our love for Xanga and Michael Phelps... maybe it was our mutual dislike for horses. Whatever it was, we hit it off and it's hard to remember a time when she wasn't a part of my life. Katie ended up leaving me to fend for myself when she went to Living Word in 8th grade but it all worked out because she taught me everything I needed to know about fashion and what those "school kids" are doing (thanks girl, I owe you.) After she graduated, we were pretty much together everyday and sometimes I would go to her house, sit in her bedroom and wait for her to get home (oh to be unemployed.) Through every season of life and every change, she has remained such a constant and wonderful friend. Everyone deserves to have a friend like Katie because she genuinely cares about every person she meets. She will laugh at practically any of your jokes and she always has something encouraging and uplifting to say. She's a little fashionista and is always the best at snaggin' the deals. All that to say, HBD to my BFF. You're the best and I love ya! 

Palm Trees, Ocean Breeze

I'm back from what was probably one of the best weeks of my life but I'm totally fine. Really. For those of you who don't know (or don't follow me on instagram... sorry 4 all the in-your-face beach pics) I was in West Palm Beach, Florida last week visiting one of my greatest and sweetest friends, Elly. I won't bore you with alllllll the details because who wants to hear about how great your vacay was? What I will tell you is that it's taking everything in me not to pack up all my belongings and make myself at home on Elly's couch. The week was filled with all my favorite things: beach, salad, smoothies, running, Chipotle (because we're girls), bike rides, cooking, and lotz of lolz. Elly is great because she skipped class so we could go to the beach together, took me on the most beautiful bike ride along the island, and made me feel right at home. She's truly the best and I miss her + the Sunshine State already. Enjoy a few pics and a little video (sooo predictable) from my trip!

West Palm Beach, Florida from Vanessa Shenk on Vimeo.

To Market, To Market

With this Central Market video going around, I'm taking it as the perfect excuse to rant and rave about the most wonderful place in Lancaster and how I’ve grown to love it!

My family bought a market stand, Shenk’s Poultry, about 12 years ago and it has been a huge part of my life growing up. I started working there when I was 11 and thought it was the greatest thing. Getting up at 4AM with my dad, driving the big “chicken truck” in together... I remember he would always buy me a donut at the bakery stand as soon as they opened and it was a pretty cool gig when you’re a middle schooler getting paid 10 cents for every dozen eggs you sell (#STACKS) 

When I was 14 I started working every Saturday (against my will) and did a ridiculous and embarrassing amount of complaining because ew, you have to touch the chicken AND get up at 7AM on the weekend like, why do my parents hate me? “You’ll be happy we’re making you work when you want to buy a car in a couple years” is what I was always told and I will publicly admit that they were 100% right and I’m so thankful my parents were the slave drivers that forced me to work those long and strenuous 6 hour days. I think I was 16 or 17 before I started to really appreciate and love working there. All it took was trying out a few other jobs before realizing how special and different market really was and I was soon working there again. I think my favorite part about Central Market is the people I meet and the ones I work with. I love seeing the regular customers, knowing them by name and knowing what they want each week. Not to mention I get to work with my dad, brother and aunt. What a party. Of course, the food is also wonderful and something that’s hard to find anywhere else because it’s fresh EVERYTHING. My fav foods (besides the chicken, duh) is the salads, fruits and veggies and the best fresh squeezed orange juice. Oh, and the Ginger, Lemon, Honey Tea in the wintertime. Yumyumyum. So if you’ve never been to market, now you know what you’re missing. I'm telling you...Tuesday, Friday and Saturday it is the place to be.  

Weekend in Utah

Ever since Alyanna left for college a few years ago, it was no question that at some point I would need to fly out to visit her. Last Thursday, we finally made it happen and I took a trip to Provo, Utah for the weekend. After the longest flight of my life (cause I was SO EXCITED) Alyanna and her roommate Desiree picked me up from the airport and our fun-filled weekend started with some super delicious pizza at Pizzeria Limone followed by donuts at Art City Donut Food Truck. Later that night, I experienced my first IDP (iPod Dance Party) which I’m convinced is a trend that needs to start in Lancaster because who doesn’t love a good dance party?

Friday I got a chance to see my childhood friend Rachel (who I haven't seen in years!) and meet her sweet little boy! It was the happiest and it worked out perfectly since she only lives 5 minutes from Alyanna's house. I also took a little run around Provo while Alyanna was in class. Trying to blend in with the college kidz is hard if you’re stopping to take pics of all the mountains cause they’re so cool and they’re EVERYWHERE. Friday night we ate dinner at a cute little place called Cubby’s where I got the most delicious Apple Chicken Pecan Salad with even better sweet potato fries. Really though, I still think about those fries. 

sweet little Bennett, so squeezy.

Saturday may have been my favorite day. We went to brunch at the greatest resturaunt in Provo (from what I’ve experienced) called Communal. You order a bunch of plates then share everything and it was the best brunch of my life. Alyanna raved about this place and it lived up to all my hopes and dreams. Have you ever had Stuffed French Toast? I'll never be the same. Not to mention the atmosphere and decor was so cute. I loved it all. 

After Communal, Drew, Alyanna and I went to Mona Lake where we hung out for the afternoon. Swimming in a lake with the most breathtaking mountains in the background... I could not get over it and I’m still mad my phone could not capture just how beautiful it really was. I LOVE UTAH. Dinner @ Cafe Rio which I had been told was similar to Chipotle so there’s no way it could disappoint. And later that night we went to the Utah State Fair! How touristy. 

On my last day, we took a hike to Stewart Falls which is beautiful in every way and just so much NATURE all around. Ended our hike with a trip to In-N-Out which I learned you cannot visit the West Coast without experiencing. I’m not a huge burger person but these were YUM. And cheap too so... win win. My favorite part of the trip was hanging out with my sweetest friend and the BEST tour guide, meeting lots of new friendz and of course all the food, food, food (how do you pick a favorite?) It was such a fun weekend and I’m so thankful that I had the chance to see such a beautiful state and finally be reunited with one of my best friends! Pics and vids don't do this state justice. UTAH IS SO BEAUTIFUL and I definitely plan to visit again! 

Utah from Vanessa Shenk on Vimeo.