Words of Wisdom:

It is really easy to get caught up in negativity.  But there is always something good that comes out of not so positive experiences.  THIS IS SO CLICHE, I know! But it is true!

And now your moment of Zen:

Beluga Whale dancing to a Mariachi Band. BEST THING EVER.

Words of Wisdom:

It's Monday. Sometimes it is hard to get back into the work groove after a wonderful weekend. Follow this advice:

Source: asset.soup.io via Sandy on Pinterest

Chocolate is always the answer.  You know in your heart that this is true.

Inspirational Words of Wisdom

Source: piccsy.com via Megan on Pinterest

Barking at the Moon

Still Life with Woodpecker is one of my favorite books.  I've read it maybe seven times in the last two years.  I find something new that I love about it each time I read it.  This is one of my favorite conversations between Leigh-Cheri and Bernard Mickey Wrangle:

"Barking at the moon?"
"What about it?"
"That's all our love was to you?"
"That's all love ever is.  Love is not a harpsichord concert in a genteel drawing room.  And it sure as hell isn't Social Security, Laetrile, the Irish Sweepstakes, or roller disco.  Love is private and primitive and a bit on the funky and frightening side.  I think of the Luna card in the Tarot deck: some strange, huge crustacean, its armor glistening and its pincers wiggling, clatters out of a pool while wild dogs howl at a bulging moon.  Underneath the hearts and flowers, love is loony like that.  Attempts to housebreak it, to refine it, to dress the crabs up like doves and make them sing soprano always result in thin blood.  You end up with a parody.  There's lots of pretty sounds that describe 'like,' but 'love' is more on the order of barking.  I'm sorry about the note, though.  I wrote you another, softer one, but by the time I'd lined up a postman, you'd already galloped out of Seattle on the sultan's main dromedary.  Maybe I couldn't blame you - but I could ache."

Art Monday

In order to continue my journey of being blissfully happy, I am going to post something every Monday that inspires me or makes me happy.  It may be a painting, a photograph, a song, a poem, etc.  For this first post, I am going to share a poem by E.E. Cummings.  Cummings is probably my favorite poet and this is one of my favorite poems:

i like my body when it is with your
body.  It is so quite new a thing.
Muscles better and nerves more.
i like your body.  i like what it does,
i like its hows.  i like to feel the spine
of your body and its bones, and the trembling
-firm-smooth ness and which i will
again and again and again
kiss,  i like kissing this and that off you,
i like, slowly stroking the, shocking fuzz
of your electric fur, and what-is-it comes
over parting flesh. . . . And eyes big love-crumbs, 

and i possibly i like the thrill 

of under me you so quite new

Happiness Manifesto

I want to be blissfully happy.  I deserve to be blissfully happy.  I deserve happiness in every aspect of my life.  I have been dealing with some unhappiness for a while now...and that needs to change!  I have always been capable of manifesting happiness for myself and achieving whatever I desired.  So, I am making some changes and remembering what makes me happy.  Its easy to get caught up on the not-so-great things that go on, but staying positive makes life a whole lot better to go through.

Source: sayingimages.com via April on Pinterest

I am happiest when I eat well.  I am happiest when I try new things and go on adventures.  I am happiest when I meet new people.  I am happiest when I am surrounded by good people who I care about and whom care about me.  I am happiest when I am organized and on top of things.  I am happiest when I create.  I am happiest when I do things that scare the shit out of me.

I do not need to deal with the negativity that surrounds me.  Therefore, I am cutting that negativity out of my life.

Source: one-happy-mama.com via Kristi on Pinterest

Reminder:

It's really easy to get caught up in the negative and want to throw an immense pity party for yourself (believe me, I KNOW).  STOP IT.  Follow this mantra:

Source: summer-salts.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Spring Lovin'

I am overjoyed that Spring is officially here!  Spring means: enjoying shorts/skirts weather, wearing sunglasses, going on walks, blooming flowers, and finding adventures!  I have compiled a short list of things that everyone should do this spring:

• Fly a kite!  I think more people should fly kites more often
• Take a walk with a friend and buy cupcakes together!
• Blow bubbles on your way to class/work/out your window
• Volunteer somewhere!  Help Japan by volunteering at the Red Cross.  The Humane Society is great too! Stand up for women's health with Planned Parenthood!
• Take a class and learn something new.  I am going to learn how to shoot a gun (!) sometime soon
• Read a book on a blanket outside
• Take a roadtrip somewhere and do as many touristy things as possible! OR be a tourist in your own town!  Maybe you will learn something new about your town!
• Kiss frequently and passionately
• Write a love letter to yourself about how wonderful you are
• Feed baby goats at a farm!  
• Go on an adventure.  Bring a disposable camera and develop the photos right away after the trip.
• Get a super glittery manicure (and a pedicure to match!)
• Take a weekly bubble bath
• Order customized Jones Soda for your friends!

What other activities would you suggest?

For your viewing enjoyment: Baby Elephants taking a bath:

Things I Love Saturday!

This week has been crazy busy for me.  I cannot even put into words the type of week that I had.  BUT, there is always time to reflect on things that I love, even if it comes late.

Hey, guess what?

In case you didn't know, I am beyond obsessed with Valentine's Day.  Its one of my favorite holidays for sure!  It has all of my favorite things: pink and red hearts, glitter, candy, pink pastries.  What isn't there to love?  I love it whether I am single or taken!

I sent this card to Matt.  FOR REAL.

This year, I celebrated with my boyfriend Matt, who is my first ever repeat Valentine!  We got celebrate on Tuesday (the day after Valentine's), and I had a master plan up my sleeve.  All month, Matt was trying to get out what I was going to get him for Valentine's, and I felt pretty proud of myself for keeping it a secret.  I decided that I was going to make Red Velvet Cupcakes and surprise him at his apartment with them.  In order to do this, I had to get help from Matt's roommate, Alex.  Alex happily obliged.  On that Tuesday, I knew when Matt would be in class, so I headed over there during that time period.  I decorated the cupcakes there and let Alex taste-test them for me (thumbs up, by the way!) and then I got the rest of Matt's present (Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Heart and a pack of Boddington's Beer).  The hardest part was to get Matt back to him apartment because he thought he was going to pick me up at my place.  He was grumpy from class and did not want to drive back there, but eventually he did after finally convincing him to do so.  BUT when he saw all of the cupcakes and me all dressed up for our date, he quickly forgave me for driving out of the way to pick me up ^_^  Matt got me a box of Godiva truffles, and they were amazing.  I just ate my last one for breakfast today.  After exchanging gifts, we went to eat.  Dinner was fantastic; we ate at Gallery Bistro, a ten table Modern American joint, and it was delicious.

What I wore:

 I couldn't get a good full body picture, so only webcam pics of my hair and makeup!

Other things that I Love:

Candy on sale everywhere * Girl Scout cookie season! * feeling financially stable and responsible * Apartment hunting and finding a place that we like! * Buying Birthday presents for myself with a gift card * Getting the poison out of my life * "How you doing Miss Venom?" * Sushi lunches * Impromptu BBQs * the lovely Spring-like weather * Constantly being excited about the future * Loving the present moment * Perfecting the fishtail braid * Ch-ch-ch-changes!!!





What's good in your life???

Things I Love Thursday

This week has been a very challenging week for me, but I think things are looking up and my worries will soon be far away. 

Via Etsy

The thing I love most this week are my Bestest Friends!  I do not know what to do without them.  I had a wonderful time with them this past weekend, and I can't wait to see them again!  I also love the friends I have here.  They keep me sane.  And, I have made some new friends over the past few days.  

Last week, I submitted a proposal for the Art Symposium that my school does.  Its highly competitive, and only three people get selected.  I did not get selected.  I was rather upset about it, but I think things do happen for a reason.  I really did not know how much time I would actually have to devote to it, especially with everything else that I have in my life.  Knowing that I have some free time makes me very happy.

Other small things:

*Trying new things * library nerdiness (playing with databases!) * upcoming fashion project *Valentine's Day decorations everywhere! * Feeling relieved and free * The Glee Valentine's Day episode * Brittany S. Pierce's new style on Glee.  I totally love it! * Silly texts from my boyfriend * My boyfriend for always being wonderful * My Mommy * Winning Twinkies for dressing up as twins with someone * THIS post by my friend Celia (you should follow her too!) *

Now, what do you love this week???

Vision Boards, Inspiration Boards, Mood Boards

I am beyond obsessed with creating boards (vision, inspiration, mood, or what have you).  I have been creating some form of a mood board for years.  I think its from my years of being an aspiring fashion designer before that fell to the way side.  But, I still think its a healthy, fun activity to do.  Why should you make a board?

• Visualize Goals
• Seek out style direction
• Create a positive space
• Plan a space (bedroom, office, etc.)
• Find inspiration

I created a mood/style/goal board at the beginning of the year that is hanging on my wall right now.  It has tear-outs of trends that I really like, quotes by inspiring people, fortune cookie fortunes, and a peacock (my animal totem, if you will).  

My Board

After creating this mood board, I came across a website that creates multiple boards online!  AND, you can share your boards with other friends!  This website is called Pinterest.  

Some of my Pins on Pinterest

Basically, whenever you find something online that you find inspiring/goal related/etc., you can "pin" it to a premade board or your own customized board.  You can also look at images that are trending in the Pinterest community, see recently added pins by other members, or recently pinned items your friends have added.  You can also look at other people's collections they've created.  If you really like something, you can "repin" it, or "like" it (a la Facebook).

This website is absolutely addicting.  I really had to restrain myself the first few days because I can easily spend hours making boards.  I have already wrangled some of my friends onto it, too.  The website is currently Invite Only, but I have some invites if anyone wants to start one!  Just let me know :) And we can be friends!

Blizzards and Birthdays!

Snowmageddon 2011

Well, I survived my first ever Blizzard, and it happened to be on my 23rd Birthday.

For those who know me, it comes to no surprise that I was extremely upset over the snow, even if it did give me a day off of school.  I dislike extremely cold weather and snow.  I do not enjoy being cold and wet.  Also, let me preface this by stating that each year I've spent in Springfield, Mo., its snowed on my birthday.  I've spent the last four years trekking out in the snow wearing a dress and heels because it was my birthday and I wanted to look pretty.  This year, unfortunately, the snow was so bad that I did not have the luxury of walking outside in a dress because the conditions outside were so bad.  Yes, I might have had a hissy fit.  After feeling sorry for myself, I decided that I needed to do things that were fun and made me happy.

My first order of business upon waking up was dressing nice.  The night before, my wonderful boyfriend took me shopping and bought me a beautiful necklace.  I wanted to wear it, and I knew that wearing a t-shirt and jeans would not do it justice.  And, it was my birthday!  I have the right to dress up for my birthday!  

The present from Matt

The necklace inside the box!

So, I got dressed and went to work at the front desk (our receptionist couldn't make it; I wouldn't have gone to work either!).  When I arrived, Les the Desk Assistant that worked before me, told me to look to my right...There was a cookie cake waiting for me with my name on it!  What a great surprise!

Yummmmm cookie cake!

After work, I hung out with other people in my building.  We watched movies and chatted and watched the snow pile up rather quickly.  I also received phone calls from my favorite people (Mom, Dad, Sister, Friends, Grandparents, etc.)  

At 4:00pm, one of my bosses requested that the staff needed to meet at the front desk for an impromptu meeting.  While waiting, I was talking on the phone looking out a window when I noticed out of the corner of my eye that my co-workers had surrounded me!  I hung up the phone quickly and turned around and noticed Whitney (the boss that arranged for us to meet) holding a cake with a candle in it!  Everyone started singing happy birthday!  I was super surprised and moved by the action.  

Chocolate chocolate cake! With rainbow sprinkles!

Later, Matt told me that he was on his way to the building and he was making dinner for me.  All day, we did not know if he was going to visit me at all.  Matt made me a five cheese pasta with toasted garlic bread.  

Overall, I had a great birthday.  Although none of the plans and expectations I made went through, I found that being with people that I love spending time with was just as great (maybe even better) as my plans.  Sometimes, plans are meant to be broken.