SUNDAY MORNING READINGS 01

appy Sunday! I am really looking forward to this month as Spring is in full bloom, my college semester is more than half way done, and I couldn't be more excited to jump into summer. I love this time of year, and therefore all the content on the web is just so inspirational to me, so I thought I'd create a new series on the blog (we'll see if I keep it flowin' lol) all about my favorite reads on the different blogs I follow, podcasts I listen to, videos I watch, or the novel's I'm reading! 

Hope you enjoy, and show below some current read's you've been enjoying or saved to your feed! 

The YouTube Video: 

I just got done watching Estee Lalonde's video up on YouTube, that is apart of her spring trilogy series, and it's all about her spring wardrobe! I love Estee, I think her personality on camera, and cute sense of style is just too contagious. Can I cute my hair short and be a white blonde too? Haha. This video showed some great pieces, I loved all her coats and denim jackets she just picked up. So give it a watch if you're looking for some spring inspiration. 

The Blogger: 

Mara from M Loves M, is such a sweetheart + her blog is full of great content!! One recent post this week that I enjoyed reading, and challenging myself to pursue trying is her three tips to de-stress. It's a great reminder for myself, as this week in particular has been a little high for my normal stress levels, and this weekend you know I'm using these tips! 

The Podcast: 

One podcast that I listen to is 'The Lively Show' and she has some great content regarding motivation, travel, career, and even blogging. One podcast I listened to was episode #205 titled "How my travel approach & packing has changed." I thought this was such an interesting title, since I am going to be doing some traveling soon to see my bff. I loved hearing her packing tips and advice, so it's a great listen especially since summer is coming up and everyone has an itch to travel/road trips! 

The Novel: 

I'm finishing up Lauren Graham's latest novel (book club May pick, so stay tuned), but this weekend I'm hoping to also begin another novel that's been sitting on my shelf wayy too lonng. The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joana Gaines! My favorite HGTV couple + show...Fixer Upper. The book is suppose to be their story on how this whole thing began, and where they are now in the process of dealing with fame, and a huge successful business. So excited to dive in. Have you read the book? Thoughts? 

MY 4 ESSENTIAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS

love the special 'me time' moments during my weekends, so it's about time I shared some of my favorite ways I am able to relax and wind down, along with some products I love to use. Since I will be leaving away for college soon, I'm trying to enjoy my own space as much as possible! Sharing a dorm room is going to be a whole new adjustment, so I figured now would be the best time to perfect my routine, and little concepts to add in my everyday. My personal moments are best spent when I incorporate some beauty products, so let's get started!

1. Coconut Milk Mango Perfume: 
I love this perfume that I bought from Anthropologie! Believe it or not, they actually have a candle with this same scent, but the great part is how soft and sweet smelling it is. It's not overwhelming, and it's the one perfume I can wear without receiving a headache, or allergy attack! I love how girly this perfume makes me feel.

2. The Body Shop Coconut Butter: 
One essential product for smooth skin, in whatever season is my coconut shay butter cream from the Body Shop. The packaging is so cute, and it's something I always keep on display because I grab for it all the time. It's my favorite for my legs, and hands because it makes my skin feel so soft and moisturized.

3. Essie Nail Polish: 
My go to brand is definitely Essie when speaking of nail polish because their range of colors is so vibrant and true to the name on the bottle. For this spring, and summer coming up I've been navigating towards 'Naughty Nautical' and 'In The Cabana'. Treating myself to a mani/pedi at home is a special treat especially while listening to music, or watching some Netflix. This moment is very relaxing for me, and I love doing this routine on a Sunday to being my new week.

4. K-Pack Hair Mask Treatment: 
My hair is thin, and very sensitive, especially since I went and colored my hair brown, back to blonde within one year. So the color is something my hair dresser tries to go lightly on. We take the process very slowly, only a few treatments at a time before I'll be back to my full blonde self! So to strengthen my hair during this time, she had me purchase a K-Pack which is a conditioner/vitamin treatment specifically for thin, brittle, and dry hair. I've been using it for other three months, and my hair dresser and I can tell such a huge difference in the length my hair is growing, and how much stronger it is now! Love this stuff so much.

THE UNIVERSITY I ACCEPTED...

ANGUARD UNIVERSITY!!! I am so excited to finally announce this news that I've been holding inside me for a while now. It's a college I've never mentioned here on the blog, because it was the last one I applied to, therefore making it the last to get accepted to. Back when I had ruled out most of my choices (read about that here), I realized the only one on my top list was Biola, but it had been four years since my first visit, therefore needed a backup plan in case that didn't follow through. Biola proved to be the wrong fit for me, as I had changed so much and realized it wasn't what I wanted in my college environment. The Lord shut that door, and opened another...Vanguard.

Vanguard is full of such community feel on campus, and that one big family concept that I just feel in love with. The girls I've already meet are so sweet, and kind. So I know I'll make great friends, and feel apart of the University very easily, which is something that I love considering I'll be coming in as a transfer student. It's a smaller college with 2,000 students, and I think that's what makes it all feel so welcoming, and comforting. The campus is beautiful with over two hundred palm trees (my fav), and lots of outdoor seating areas. Our mascot is a lion, and named Sampson, which is just too cute! The dorm rooms are awesome because they offer private bathrooms in each room, and walk in closets (only for upperclassman), all a bonus for Juniors! Ahh, I am just so excited, and thankful I have the opportunity to live on campus and enjoy the environment it has to offer.

I have narrowed down my major, which is English to become an elementary school teacher. I couldn't be more thrilled to spend two whole years absorbing the literature, discussions, and writing an english major offers me. I already have my itinerary transcript for my time there, and one class I'll need is a Shakespeare class...how cool is that? Perhaps in the future, I'll have to create a post on the perks of being an english major!

Another really exciting announcement to share is that I got accepted into THE CHOIR!! It has always been a dream of mine to participate in a college choir, and have the opportunity to learn more about music. I'm so glad because I will be able to move in a week earlier than the rest of campus, because I will be attending the music camp, which is four full days of auditioning, music theory classes, group activities, and bonfire at the beach with everyone to get connected. It's the week that determines which choir I will make, either the co-ed or women's chorus. It honestly doesn't matter to me which one I make, just the reality of being apart of the choir all together makes me jump for joy!

So, as of right now I have five months left at home before moving to Vanguard. I can't wait to begin the process of collecting everything I need for my dorm, especially the decor aspect. I will be posting a lot of updates in the future about my process, and I'm already brainstorming about the type of posts I wish to have during my time there, like an official Vanguard University tour post! I am just so excited to call Vanguard my home come fall 2017!!!

7 WAYS TO DECLUTTER YOUR SPACE

here's just something about keeping everything organized, or finding a place for it! I love spring cleaning, it's my itch to have everything in order for summer.

Leaving for college in the fall also made this year's organizing a lot more helpful and different. Some of these tips below really helped me in the process of getting rid of junk I no longer need, or creating the space I do need for the time being. My room feels so fresh, and makes me feel so calm now.

1. DESIGNATE CATCH-ALL AREAS: Having places to toss my keys, coins, iPhone, or rings when I get home makes my room a whole less messer. You can use a ceramic bowl for small items, or designate a drawer in your space to hide away some extra clutter.

2. MAKE THE BED: This is the easiest and fastest thing you can accomplish when you wake up! I literally have to make my bed everyday, if I wish to walk around one side of my room, otherwise it's pilled high with pillows!

3. CLEAR OUT EMAIL: Nothing bugs me more than spam email. It's not a physical space to sort through, but it's the little things that make us feel like our lives are actually put together. Just take 10 minutes going through your inbox, and unsubscribe from those companies you're tired of hearing from.

4. GO THROUGH MAGAZINES: I just got done doing this, and it created a lot more empty and free space! As cute as it may be, I don't need to hold onto Anthropologie's magazine that's no longer in season!

5. ORGANIZE CLOSET: This is the hard one! I just went through my shoes, clothes, and school papers. And, I did some laundry which helped too, haha! Just using storage bins, baskets, and even storage dividers helps create more space, and makes the space I have more functional.

6. THROW AWAY OLD MAKEUP: I actually create a post specifically about the issue of having too much makeup, and spending time de-cluttering! Check it out to help your process of throwing away makeup.

7. MAKE YOUR PURSE FUNCTIONAL: A messy, and unorganized purse is a huge pet peeve of mine. I literally get so frustrated while running errands and I cannot find my keys, or even a pack of gum because of all the receipts, gum wrappers, tissues, and crumbled up notes that practically fall out of my bag. So, I changed this problem by throwing away my junk, and by adding some tiny clear see-through bags to organize things more. This way I can pick up a bag, and see exactly what I need.

15 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

ome of you may be new readers, and I thought this type of post would be the perfect way for you to get to know me a little bit better. I love playing 21 questions with my friends, or watching 73 questions from Vogue, so I drew some inspiration from that to create 15 things you probably don't know about me!

I've done something similar in the past, so an updated version + new facts about me was due. Hope you all learn or see a new side to the gal behind this blog, and let me know if you have any questions below...I'd love to answer them! Or better yet, share three things about yourself below, because meeting fellow bloggers is the best. Community means the world to me!

1. My major in college right now is english, to become either an elementary or high school teacher.
2. When I'm out to dinner at a nice restaurant, I like to order a Shirley Temple, because it makes me feel fancy, since I'm not 21 yet.
3. Most people would be surprised to know that I enjoy watching sad and depressing movies.
4. The most adventurous thing I've ever done was swim with dolphins.
5. I hate hiking. Ah, there I said it.
6. I wish I could ice skate, but honestly if I had the opportunity to try again, would I?
7. I never attended a prom, & I don't regret it at all.
8. Living on some land in a beautiful ranch home while in my early thirties seems very appealing.
9. My favorite style trend of all time is the 70's bell bottom jeans, like these! I really need a pair.
10. Dog walking was my first job in high school. It was the best.
11. Ain't No Mountain High Enough, by Marvin Gaye will forever be my favorite song.
12. My favorite word is love.
13. Just recently, I had an idea to take a pottery class. Making a ring dish would be so fun.
14. Other than a swimming pool, I'm not really a water person. I could go without and be perfectly fine.
15. I believe for my creative well being, traveling is life.

ONE WEEK DIGITAL DETOX

ocial media, television, emails, Netflix, and absolutely every single platform that needs internet, I am honestly addicted to...and it's bad! The amount of time I spend on my iPhone is pointless, and I've noticed it's utterly ridiculous. Most of the time I'm just scrolling through the feed I've already glanced at, however feeling the need to check it again! I have been journaling a lot differently this year, and while I was reflecting this past summer, I realized how much I miss reading, and really using my day wisely. How did I get there? By turning my phone off. Yes, it's that simple! I wasn't glued to my phone every minute of the day, therefore producing more creative actions throughout my whole summer.

This past summer, as you may recall I traveled to Hume Lake for a long over due family vacation. It was amazing, and much needed time away. Hume Lake is located by the Sequoia National Forest, which offers beautiful views, lush nature, and no cell service. Hence, the full 7 days of no technology, and no tv shows to binge on. So my digital detox began. And here's a few things I learned, and that were put into perspective for me! (I realize these feelings were based over seven months ago, but still something I'm learning, and wanted to share).

1. iPhone, what's the point? 
With no service or wi-fi I realized, what's the point an a phone anyway? Yes calling and texting is important when communicating with friends, but I never used my phone for anything unless games. Other than candy crush, solitaire, and backgammon, and music I didn't need an expensive iPhone.

2. Able to try new things! 
Without my iPhone in my hand all day, I had to occupy my time with something exciting & that kept my mind off my social media! Now, I was on vacation which separates a normal day at home with chores, and running errands. But, so much of my routine up at Hume, I can make reality everyday such as taking a walk, journal, listening to a podcast, reading, work out, baking, paint your nails, flip through a magazine, going for a dip in the pool, and visiting with a girlfriend. It's amazing how much you can get done without being glued to the tv, and iPhone!

3. Life doesn't wait for you. 
Once I drove down the mountain my phone went crazy with instagram & snapchat notifications, and text messages. The sounds of my alerts, made me so excited to check my phone, and see the new happenings of social media and the hot hashtags to learn about. Within one week my feed kept me scrolling forever. I felt like I missed out on knowing a lot with the news, and my friends life. I learned that social media doesn't wait for you. Life still goes on, even when you push the pause button in your technology life. Therefore, it has reminded me to live life, get out and explore, and not hide behind a computer screen, or instant messaging. While I may be obsessed with scrolling through my feed, other's are out and about making memories, and living life.

The Heart Of It | Sorry Not Sorry

IS IT TOO LATE TO SAY SORRY?

*Yes, I have this Justin Bieber song playing while writing this post, no shame & If you know the next verse...you rock! Okay, okay putting the Biebs aside, let's just jump right into today's coffee talk post because it's been a long learning lesson I'm finally ready to share. Saying sorry all the time has become the word I use for everything. I say sorry when I hear someone is sick, while I'm apologizing for being late, hearing about one's crazy life, or for having to cancel an appointment. 'Sorry' is my number one word, and I'm exhausted of the burden such a small word holds. Because even though I may say it fifty times a day, I don't always mean it. #sorrynotsorry. 

Using the word sorry to express emotion and true feelings while apologizing for something serious isn't the issue. The issue for me personally is that when I respond with the word sorry all the time, the blame immediately is placed on myself, as I am the one responsible. Of course I make mistakes and need to apologize, and that's on me. But, it's the simple situations like when my friend has a ton of homework, or dealing with roommate issue's...is sorry the word that's going to fix everything? No! And not to mention the way it makes me feel. Sorry sometimes is a cover up, or a word I use when I don't know what else to say. To me, sorry means whatever, who cares, let's move on. It doesn't fix problems, make people feel better, or provides much sympathy, at times.

So here's how I've been fixing this problem of mine. I've been replacing my sorry's with thank you's. When I'm running late I no longer spend five minutes explaining my crazy morning, instead I say thank you for waiting for me. I've already made the entrance about myself with being late, so I immediately acknowledge my friend and give some gratitude. Instead of saying sorry when I cancel an appointment, I say thank you for understanding. If I'm giving someone a ride and my car is a mess, I no longer apologize for it by saying sorry, I say thank you for not caring about my pile of trash in the back seat. Or when a friend surprises me with a gift and I don't have one for them, I don't say sorry I left your's at home, I simply say thank you for thinking of me, and spoiling me today. 

This coffee talk isn't as usually deep I sometime's make them, but I think this concept is such a great reminder for all of us. Not only is it something we can correct, but it also a response our friends are tired of hearing as well. It's all about making that shift of negativity, to complete gratitude with the conversations your having. It's refreshing to say thank you, and I personally see the benefits of this response rather than constantly apologizing for something, I really would care a less about. At times this word still slips, and sometimes it's necessary, but I feel a lot more free when I ditch it all together. What are some ways you can stop saying sorry when your not? Let me know in the comments.