One of my favorite things about blogging is having a space to purge all the random thoughts that swarm inside my brain. Doing this also allows me to connect with other like minded bloggers, forming lifelong connections and genuine friendships.
My number one friend.
Sharing my love for plant based food and cats allowed me to connect with Kayse, a creative girl with a green thumb and a hand for art. After lusting over her art work for months, she kindly sent me a customized dapper cat portrait of my dude.
Words cannot express my gratitude. Please do yourself a favor and check out her online shop, the art she creates is so unique and fabulous.
Ok, time to purge some thoughts.
When I’m not blogging, or having a stare off with my cat, I’m usually eating. I haven’t posted a recipe on the blog in MONTHS, simply because I’ve been enjoying exploring OTHER peoples food. I’ve found a few companies that cater to walking science projects like myself, and I happily support them. Local eats are my favorite.
Local pizza, I’m all about that pie life right now.
When I’m not eating I’m running. 100 mile May gave me my recent running mindset. I’m in a fantastic routine where I am excited about my daily runs, and on the off chance I’m not I skip it for something else. It’s a beautiful thing.
There’s also more room for cupcakes when I have a consistent running routine, that’s also a beautiful thing. Balance in bliss.
You’d never guess these cupcakes were dairy free, gluten free, soy free, rice free, nut free, egg free, dinosaur free, spinach free, & broken glass free.
They fall into the “if one doesn’t take up your entire hand you need two” category.
Just like these donuts.
I think I need to make these two hand treat photos a thing.
When I’m not eating or running I’m playing with coffee at work. I haven’t created any of my own coffee tastings lately, but I have been putting together mini ones at work for my coworkers with featured coffee’s and Starbucks food.
This blend has a beautifully complex flavor of red currant, with a bright and sparkling acidity typical of African grown coffee. I don’t prefer these tasting notes, but I try to explore other options once in a while.
When I’m not working I’m still spending time with my coworkers. We’re family.
My fellow coffee master ❤
We all love to drink coffee.
When I’m not with other people I’m exploring alone.
My happy place.
I love blogging, but lately I’ve been enjoying life away from it all more. Eating, running, working, and exploring have taken top spot which is typical of the summer months. I just can’t soak up enough adventure fast enough!
On that note, I’m off to explore. I mean…off to work.
Q: What things take up most of your time?
Blissfulbritt 
59 thoughts on “When I’m Not”
raibaker
it is a great therapy isn’t it!! peace to you x
Angela
Your happy place looks AMAZING!! I’m usually eating…and eating some more, maybe a little running 😉 XO
Aja
Stare offs with your cat are a must, and I love the dapper cat portrait. I definitely just joined the coffee lovers team. After finals last week it was something I had to add to my life. Right now TV takes up most of my time. Gotta catch up on everything I’ve missed during the academic year!
Jess @hellotofit
Love all the things you do during blogging and outside of it. You are a PRO at balancing two baked goods in your hand. Now I need a cupcake without broken glass, stat.
Jessica
You are cute as a button! I spend a lot of time playing and exploring when I am not blogging. I am all about that Peter Pan life. 🙂
B
If I’m not blogging, I’m hanging out with the nephews! Or reading comics, going to the movies, and recently I started playing softball again!
Amy
I always love reading your posts because they’re always so fresh and fun! And I’m so happy for you that you’re able to find balance amongst it all. Work, exercise, time with friends, exploring alone… And SO much good food! It’s hard to find time, let alone a balance, to do everything we’d like to in this fast-paced world, so it’s really inspiring to see how you’re doing that so well. 🙂
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Summer is a time for all of those things you mentioned! Keep at ’em. 🙂
Kelsey
You do you, and that’s all that matters. Starting my new blog has done wonders for my mindset. It has been quite some time since my last post — and that’s okay. Life happens, especially life that NEEDS to be enjoyed.
50statecanuck
I just love you!! :))
P
Eating, running, working in lab…haha pretty much the things I end up blogging about are what I do when I don’t blog :p
Laur
Elmo, coffee, baking, and reading take up most of my time. Also, I drive around A LOT. I love taking drives and listening to music!
pickyrunner
It’s too bad we don’t live closer to each other. We like all the same things. I eat a lot, I run a lot, I like hiking/outdoors a lot, and I blog when I can. It sounds like life is treating you well!
p.s. I’m 100% with you on the donut rule. Actually, that applies to just about any dessert.
liz
That view is just incredible! Whenever I’m not running (or geeking out over new running shoes online), I’m writing, reading, eating ice cream, or practicing yoga. Someday, when I’m finished the book I’m currently editing, I’d love to get back into painting, baking, and knitting, too!
di @ life of di.
Oh my gosh – I love that photo of your cat! Quite dapper, indeed. As for the things that take up my time: Charlotte, reading, walking, Marty, cooking (not necessarily in that order!) 😉
Leslie @ TriathleteTreats
Nice!!! That lake looks amazing!!!
I have been enjoying my adventures more than blogging lately as well! I spend most of my time working out and spending time with my husband!!!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
What if I happen to like broken glass in my cupcakes. Geesh, so picky. 🙂
I’m happy you’re out there enjoying life and getting your fill (of cats, coffee, cupcakes and running). Those are life’s simple and delicious pleasures right there. Some of my favorite kind. In fact, when I was in Vegas last week, I just wanted to get home and back to my happy places. There was a kiss with some minions though….Oscar would be so jealous.
Rach @ This Italian Family
But where are those cupcakes from?! No processed sugar?! I need one!
That cat portrait is incredible! She is so talented!
And that last photo. Oh my gracious, gorgeous!
Brittany
Despite having read the ingredient list multiple times…I misspoke. They do have some cane sugar. They are “free” of literally everything else that I got on a typing roll.
herbieontherun
Who has time for work with all that other fabulousness going on??? 🙂
Ellie
When I’m not blogging I am running or working. I just moved in with my best friend and her cats so I am loving having more companions at my disposal 🙂 I have not posted a recipe in forever either! That’s probably because I haven’t cooked or baked anything :-X Moving will do that to ya!
peanutbutterandellie
Ummmm where did you get those amazing cupcakes?!!?!??! I NEED.
Brittany
They’re a local Washington company called “Olivia Super Free.” I misspoke and they do have some sugar in them, but the key points for me were the soy, rice, dairy, and gluten free aspects!! They keep my tummy happy and humming. They’re tasty too! They sell their products in a handful of Whole Foods locations in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Alaska!
peanutbutterandellie
Cool! Wish I lived near there 😦 For now I’ll just have to make my own cupcakes (which I’m totally okay with!)! The not okay thing is that there is not a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s near me!
Jane
I love all the random fun shots and your gorgeous smile. 🙂
oatmealo
Oh my. Talk about random. A friend posted a link to 11 energy bite ball things. I was looking through to pick one to make and I ended up here where I already read blogs. It was fate.
Brittany
Oh my goodness!! I love it. 🙂
oatmealo
It was fate. And last night I actually made these famous Coffee and Chocolate Energy Balls. And they were yummo!
Kayse
Oooooh girl! What a big ol’ picture of that painting. Thank you for your lovely words! So glad we’ve (virtually) met!
Those cupcakes look amazing. And I so need to borrow some of your running motivation! Adore that picture of you laughing with your coworker. Almost every time my photo gets taken, I realize I was laughing with my mouth wide open. Pretty much every time.
Your happy place looks amazing. I NEED to come visit.
pangie223
AMEN to coffee!
Lovely post. You keep posting all these ridiculously good looking pizzas and I can’t do it anymore.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Phew. Glad to hear those cupcakes are dinosaur-free — that’s just one thing I won’t stand for 😉
And I’m glad to hear that you’re out there living and loving life. Most of my time lately has been going into work, but I don’t mind too much since it means I can help people get healthier and happier. I wouldn’t mind more coffee breaks, though. Just saying.
The Chaos Realm
Dropping everything and hitchhiking your way for “dairy free, gluten free, soy free, rice free, nut free, egg free, dinosaur free, spinach free, & broken glass free” cupcakes LOL 🙂 (*teasing*)
Brittany
It’s a good thing you’re teasing, because they’re long gone. I now need to go buy more….
An Unrefined Vegan
You have a full and wonderful life :-). Now if only my belly was full of those cupcakes (and doughnuts!)!
Shawna
you are so wonderful. little things you write that reveal your quirky cute personality just make me smile — “dinosaur free, spinach free, broken glass free” — reading your blog makes me a happier person. love running, love good food, love your hike views, love your coffee obsession… love YOU!
kathy at real talk
you are so adorable i can’t even handle it. and YES to coffee! my local coffee place just introduced me to coffee pods (not the awful k-cups that wreck the environment) but recyclable coffee pods that uses a reusable adapter thing and she gave me a wack load of coffee to try. i love trying new coffee and so far, the Kona blend she gave me was like a freaking party in my mouth.
Brittany
EFF K cups, and all things attached to them. Including the Keurig, sorry…but I can’t stand those devices. You’re pods sound great though. High five for reusing, one of the things I love about French pressing my coffee. Aside from the deliciousness of course.
Salt Life Runner
I love your blog 🙂 I’m not a coffee drinker, but you surely caught my attention with your pic. So I’ll the question…how would you recommend I start down that road? I love Starbucks, but only drink their Chai Tea Latte’s.
Brittany
Oh my, what a fantastic question. I will try to give you a few ideas that will allow you to embark on your own coffee journey. I often tell people that say that don’t like coffee that they simply haven’t found the right kind. Either the taste is too strong, too weak, too acidic, too bold, etc. A lot of it has to do with how it’s brewed too.
My personal preferences are dark, full bodied coffees with tasting notes of cocoa and nuts. Don’t let the word “dark” scare you, this is just a part of the roasting process. These coffees are usually very smooth and don’t leave a biting after taste. Blends of coffee from Latin America mixed with the Asia Pacific region have these characteristics. Coffees like this pair well with chocolates.
If you enjoy more earthy and herbal flavors, similar to that of a root vegetable (which I happen to love) then Asia Pacific coffees, specifically ones from the Sumatra (but not sundried!) region have some of these notes. Coffees like this pair well with spices like cinnamon.
If you enjoy the crisp and citrus like bite that you’d find from an orange or a lemon, then you will want to try coffee from Africa. These coffees are often described as “bright” or “tangy.” Personally these are my least favorite coffees, but they tend to be the most popular due to their unique flavor profiles. Notes of berries, citrus, nuts, and so on blend together to form very complex coffee profiles. These coffees pair well with lemon breads, and most berries.
I compare them to food, because food highlights and complements coffee in a way that can help you pick which roast you prefer. Your best bet is to start small and perhaps get a small amount of beans from different growing regions and see which blends and combinations you enjoy. Read the packaging, and when all else fails ask the baristas at whichever coffee shop you purchase your beans from what they like and why. I suggest a coffee shop over a grocery store when you’re first getting your feet wet in the coffee world. Also, if you don’t want to invest in beans at home you can always test the waters by sampling different drip coffees on tap at your favorite coffee shop. Most stores will even do a pour over (your own personal cup) of whichever blend or single origin roast you’d like to help you get an idea of what you’ll like!
I hope this helped, I tend to get carried away when talking about coffee. 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld
nawww you go and explore…and hopefully get sent to work in a NY starbucks.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
I think it’s good to have time away from the blog – I need to do more of that. When I am not blogging, I am mostly being obsessed with my cats.
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
I love getting to know you more! Although I’m pretty sure I knew most of that, which makes me happy 🙂 You’re happy place is beautiful! It’s probably even better in person! Blogging DEF doesn’t take much time for me… I’ve been neglecting it a bit… opps!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Local eats are my favorite too! Most of my time is spent writing (for my full-time job, blogging and freelance work!); exploring and enjoying San Diego; working out, including lots of hikes, kickboxing, and walks; food – eating food, making food, editing food pictures, looking at food pictures, shopping for food, dreaming of food – ha!; playing with my dog; and hanging out and laughing with my hubby. Oh and house stuff, I feel like since I bought my house I’m always planting, cleaning, buying, fixing, etc….
charissarunning
Haha dinosaur free 🙂 I love how you describe life. So much passion ❤
I haven't had too much down time lately but I'm hoping for some good time this summer to just relax and read and maybe take some walks in a park or run/hike a trail (but probably not alone!).
The Vegan 8
You are so gorgeous girl! I recently took a mini vacation away and it was so awesome and just what I needed to unplug for a bit. I’m of course, as usual, dying over the sweets you post! And that cat pic is so darn cute!! What takes up most of my time is my daughter and the computer, lol! I’m obsessed with both! Haha!
Lucie Elizabeth (@CollectingLight)
You are my kinda girl Brit, and you are one beautiful, beautiful soul (and damn, I say it all the time but I wished you livec closer!)
jejansonius
Love this post love your blog and love your hair, you’re adorable lady!
Brittany
Thank you my friend. 🙂
The Zen Kat
You’re amazing! I love that picture of you and your coworker- so adorbs! The ole’ blog purge is the best. When I’m not blogging, I’m doing all of those things too, especially those donuts hehe!
Brittany
I sometimes think of you when I think of donuts. I hardly eat donuts, yet lately have been craving them like WHOA! It reminds me of our lake walk, I want to do that again everyday for the rest of this week.
karla @ finding my fit
i don’t know what view is better–the donuts, cupcakes, or the mountains. how about i take all 3?!
i haven’t blogged in ages. spent a lot of quality time with a .. .friend before he left for a military school. i’ll be moved before he’s back so i gave all my attention that way. now i’m spending all my time with friends and family before I leave. so much craziness.
jennifer prod
ya know, i find myself talking about how i enjoy certain activities, and then someone will ask how often i do it, and i realize the answer is almost never. like baking? i enjoy it, but i bake maybe.. idk, every other month? it’s just that i love some things – sitting around laughing, yoga, playing with my babe, walking the dog, swimming in the lake – too much to do any of the others. um. okay. longest way ever to answer your question, but i did somehow manage to tell ya how i spend my time 🙂
Brittany
I love your answer!!
Hannah
That cat picture is eeeeverything!
adisource
Hi Britt, thanks for checking out my blog. I have been following your blog here for a while also and it is one of my favorites! I’ve been looking for the “like” button to like your posts, but I can’t seem to find it 🙂
Brittany
Hello, and thanks for reading! The like button should be right at the bottom of each post underneath my signature. I think. 🙂
BabetaRuns
Haha! I feel ya!!
I now haven’t written a blog post for over a month… life kinda gets in a way sometimes :))
P.S. By “life” I mean: too much running, too much exploring, too much food (I put on weight even though I run 5x a week- aaaa!!!) and too much of something I can’t really write what on a family blog… but basically I’m having heaps of fun :)))
Here’s to… REAL LIFE!!
And… SUMMER!
WHOPEEE!
Bradley on the Run
Your cat looks just like my cat, Osker. Beautiful! And those donuts look amazing!! I’m more a savoury (i.e. chips) guy than a sweetstuff guy, but yum!!
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