OUTFIT No. 40

 Target Hat // Old Navy Blazer // Sincerely Jules 'Sorry We're Cool' tee // Chucks

Today I had a serious case of the Mondays. Its like an every other Monday thing for me- the goal is consistency on being at the 'awesome' side of the Monday scale buuuutttt 50/50 is still an improvement.  There is always that day that just seems to be our thorn. The day that tests your positive spirits. The day where those positive thoughts don't come so simply and it almost seems like the neg chatter is trying its hardest to drown any of that turn your frown upside down business.

Maybe it was because I was coming back after a 3 day weekend of bliss, maybe it was because every muscle in my body hurts from a killer workout yesterday. And maybe it was because it was sleeting, gray, and dismal all day. But in the end- I am super grateful to have a job to come back to after a long weekend, I am stronger today than I was yesterday, and today was the only dismal day on the forecast for the week and we are now through it!

How do you tip the scale towards positive when your negative thoughts are swarming? Flip them? Accept them and move on? Vent in a journal?

Tonight I will be racking my brain for any extra ounces of gratitude to fill my journal page and focus on affirmative thoughts for a fabulous Tuesday- I have faith the universe will pull through for me ♥

DRESS LIKE A VALENTINE

 'Sweet' Ensemble curated through ModCloth

'Vixen' Ensemble curated through ASOS, exception of Necklace found on Ebay (similar)

I am still working out the details of my own Valentine dinner outfit so I had a lot of fun perusing the www  for inspiration. Whether you go super saccharine or want your dates temp to rise, feel good about yourself and have an amazing time ♥ ♥ ♥

OUTFIT No. 39

This was the scene outside our apartment when we woke up Sunday morning. Not that different from the scene on Saturday but a good 1-2" more of the white stuff. If it hadn't been sunny and in the double digits I probably would not have been as ok with the situation as I was. Nate snapped these as we were leaving to pick up some soup- our parking lot has been the place of most recent outfit posts. All of our regular spots are buried under unplowed drifts!

So anyway- besides the snow lots of fun things have been happening around here! I booked our V-Day getaway, yay! A simple one night adventure to Cleveland (I know, farther north, oh well) to visit the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and eat. I plan on eating a lot. Also it will be our first trendy hotel experience- aka a hotel that is not a chain, so huzzah!

Saturday night N and I had our first casino experience. I won $40 so I walked away with a head held high and feeling pretty good.

This morning I tried the smile exercise, this simple practice is smiling for the first 5-10 minutes after you wake up in the morning. In my favor, I woke up with a good energy level and pleasant disposition so I was in the mood to try it. It feels ridiculous but I swear it elevated my mood.

I downloaded E-Squared: Nine Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove your Thoughts Create your Reality by Pam Grout and am super excited for this read.

And in the spirit of Love ... love for yourself, your nearest and dearest, your community, humankind- I challenge you to somehow show love this week to someone else. If they aren't expecting it- even better! Pay for a strangers morning coffee, surprise a friend with a small gift, make a donation to a favorite charity, donate old coats or blankets to a homeless shelter, smile or say something positive to someone who is obviously having a bad day- show some love in any way. It doesn't have to cost money, it just has to be heart felt. 

If you act on love this week let me know what you do and how it was received! I personally love paying for someone behind me in the drive-thru- I never know what their reaction is so I can imagine it any way I want! Sharing our abundance of love only generates more love. Now that would be a happy Valentines Day ♥

OUTFIT No. 38

 Lauren Conrad for Khols Blazer // Target blouse // Old Navy Rockstar Denim // Forever 21 Ring and shoes //

 Betsey Johnson Bag

I love Valentines day. I look forward to the break in the winter bleakness for the opportunity to revel in all that is pink, red, and glittery. I realize that I am one of a small group who loves this holiday so dearly- most people scoff and proclaim their dislike, and dare I say, hate of the holiday. Yes, jaded love can make this holiday seem like one for those in committed happy relationships. So cupid may not have struck you yet but I say forget cupid, and simply love yourself! 

Having a loving relationship with yourself seems as delightful a topic to approach as loving your enemy. When you reflect on how you treat yourself, is it with the kindness and compassion you would bestow on a friend- or do you harshly criticize and tear yourself down like a mean girl?

I know my own shortcoming is harsh criticism. I am my worst critic- I make ridiculous standards to hold myself to and am quick to chastise myself when those standards aren't being met. To what point?! It makes for a lot of negative energy flowing through me to bring myself down and lessen my worth.  People compliment me in some way and my immediate response is to brush it off- I can do better! This is my downfall, and an area I am trying to work on everyday.

As progressive people we like to be better and do better. And that is healthy. But what isn't is when you fail to accept where you are today and reward yourself for getting to the present. 

In my daily affirmations one of my favorite things to write out is that I love who I am today. If you don't love yourself today, how can you love what you are tomorrow? A major attitude adjustment has to occur from the negative to that of acceptance and gratitude for what you have today- otherwise the abundance of the universe only sees dissatisfaction and that is all you will receive, more dissatisfaction!

Love yourself today. Write out a list of things you love about yourself- physical, emotional, mental. When you are looking in the mirror while getting ready for the day, look yourself in the eyes and tell yourself you love who are. If others can love you the way you are, then why do we find it so hard to love ourselves as well? By loving ourselves we soften and open our hearts to loving others even more. Anger will soften, judgments will lessen, and on a whole we become more at peace with the love that is in all of us. 

I believe it is our nature to love- that good honest love is built into our DNA as humans. So this month, in the spirit of pink, red, glitter, and hearts- affirm to yourself everyday that you love you.

I promise it will be amazing ♥

OUTFIT No.37

 Old Navy Sweater // Forever 21 Skirt and Necklaces // Target Boots

Oh January- it's been an interesting one. We haven't had this much snow in a long time, and I certainly have not had to drive in so much snow. And I am terrified of driving in said snow. This past weekend I attempted to make it to work- an hour in and I was only half way there. Granted, it was blizzard like conditions and I was going 25 mph, but I ended up turning around and heading back home. Sick to my stomach and sore from tense muscles I ended up back home safe and sound 2 hours after I had originally set out. It was ... intense. But I considered it good practice!

And it got me thinking- I used to simply say 'no way!' to snow driving. I would get rides if I had to. At what point did I realize that I had to start manning up, being a little more fearless and doing what I needed to do out of sheer responsibility? Nate and I have been talking a lot about 'coming into adulthood' over the past few weeks, which is the epitome of responsibility in my eyes. We even made an 'Our Grown-Up List' of things that until now (our 27th year of life, mind you) we had shirked.

I don't know when people start feeling like adults. When they get married? I sort of did- but apparently not so much. Parenthood? Nate and I are content with our family dynamic so we won't experience that. First big job? I don't even know what that would be. I came to the conclusion it is something you simply have to decide. I spent years being intimidated by 'adult things' but I want to be more put together by the time I am 30! So I decided this would be the year.

We'll get our acts together.

We'll get our life insurance figured out, open retirement funds, get passports, make a budget and stick to it, and file important documents, etc.  All relatively simple things that we've overlooked because there is always tomorrow. And I know myself. I know I'll say this is the year! and then come next December I'll be scrambling to get it done or forgetting it all together. So I split deadlines between the end of March and the end of August depending on how much time and money are involved in them. Done and Done.

I have let my fear of the unknown get the best of me. I know little to nothing about retirement plans and life insurance so I let it intimidate me and seem unreachable at my young age. I used the age card and in turn made myself feel young and naive. I want to say 'I know what I am doing, I am a responsible adult who knows my rates and benefits'! Manning up and being more fearless in all areas of our life is important. From making adult decisions, connecting to someone new, asking for help- it all matters. Sometimes it takes a harrowing drive in the snow to realize that we become more fearless everyday in small ways. And it is those small steps that make the larger steps easier ♥

OUTFIT No. 36 (AKA IF I DIDN'T LAUGH AT MYSELF I WOULD CRY)

 

 

 I love layering sparkles under flannels and knits. Add a pop of leather detailing and you done!

These photos were taken on a day that was waaayy too cold to be standing outside. Let alone at a park. Half of them were blurry because I couldn't stop moving and the other half were me over-reacting to the cold. And then there was one decent one somewhere in the middle of it all ;) So for your enjoyment I share these ... you are welcome.

Today is one of those days where if I were to take myself too seriously it could be detrimental to my psyche. A busy day at work, pull-your-hair-out traffic, errands, getting reports on my grandma who has been in the hospital all weekend, and a salad to-go that had tomato put on it (the taste just lingers on everything ... boo) has left me all a little frazzled. I need some zen and I need it now.

Our weekend was amazing which probably adds to my feeling of being in a frenzied panic today. We were lazy but productive- plenty of down time but still making time to cook brunch and finish our visual boards (only 3 weeks late!) and I actually read while laying in bed ... in the afternoon. That is like, unheard of. Slowing down is a hard thing these days- even if we slow down the rest of the world is not. We don't want to miss out. But we get bored if we slow down for too long. Its a very strange balancing act. I know for a fact that I am going to try and have more Sunday afternoons like the one we just had. It was a moment of pure bliss in the midst of everything else.

How are you taking care of yourself this week?  I am getting excited about February and coming up with some fun Valentine posts (and no, you don't have to have a sig. other to enjoy them!). I am also having fun using my new Kindle to download more books (I said I would read more fiction ... I have not haha) and I plan on cooking some this week. All of these things I find refreshing and fun and I like looking forward to them.  Its nice to balance to-do lists with things I like to do and things I have to do. Slowing down and making time for both is extremely important!

So happy Monday, take a breath and do something you love today! ♥

OUTFIT No. 35

 Target Top and Skirt // H&M Hat // Forever 21 boots // Ralph Lauren Tile Shopper

Mondays are a funny thing for me. On one hand I want to cry and protest when the alarm goes off at 5:30 am and curl back under the covers and pretend that the weekend never ends ... and on the other hand I want to jump out of bed full of energy (preferably real energy but I also believe in faking it till you make it!) and welcome the new week with open arms because that is what starts a week on the right foot.

So I typically fall somewhere in the middle. I start off bummed for like the first two minutes of climbing out of my warm bed into the cold apartment and accosting my eyes to the bright light of the bathroom and then as I am washing my face and getting used to the idea that its another work day I can start to muster more positive thoughts of what I am looking forward to that day.

And just like that my positive thoughts snowball and they continue as the morning goes on.

Moral of the story? It is so so easy to be a Monday morning grouch. Once you start being grumpy its easy to keep going- and a lot of times you find other grouches to commiserate with. But it can also be easy to be a little Miss Sunshine and radiate the love and gratitude you actually have for waking up alive and healthy and happy for another day. Because you know those feelings are there, even if it takes a few cups of coffee to catch your bodies actions up to your minds thoughts ;)

Something I have been practicing that you might find handy too is before you fall asleep at night think a positive thought about the next day- think 'I will wake up full of energy ready to face the new day' or 'I am really looking forward to tomorrow because _______' and let that positive thought manifest while you sleep. I think you'll find that once you rise in the morning it will be one of the first thoughts to spring forward in your mind and start you off on a positive note! 

So that's my nugget of positive inspiration for you today! We are getting close to being halfway through January and this week I will be sharing some updates on resolutions and what I have been recently reading. I wore this outfit above on Christmas Eve (I may be a little behind on these). It was simple but just dressy enough. And my love of black turtlenecks was best described by Sydney- I couldn't top her description of what a black turtleneck does for a girl!

Well happy Monday all- I hope it is wonderful ♥

OUTFIT No. 34

 Old Navy Sweater // Target Pants // Forever 21 Boots

I have been known to be somewhat fearless when it comes to fashion choices. I'll try anything once. Not like meat dresses or anything but I've been known to be rather chameleon like when it comes to style. Over the last few months my attitude toward dressing so trendy has been changing- in partial to leaving retail and in part to growing up some. I no longer want to try every trend and am quite content in finding a style that defines me. I'm learning I like simpler things but with a fun detail, maybe an interesting hem or a pleat, or perhaps a little leather trim. Gone are the days of flashy leggings, spikes, and over-the-top accessories (at least for the most part, never say never!) Here are some of the trends of 2013 I am not sorry to say goodbye too ... are you ready? ;)

Obnoxiously Large Flower Crowns- Nate is so happy I purged these bad boys. They were cute for a moment but in the end, not something I am comfortable sporting on a daily basis.
Jeffrey Campbell-ish Platform Shoes- I never owned a legit pair but I owned two similar ones, and looking back .... why?
Peter Pan Collars- I am not that saccharine of a dresser, I dabbled in the super sweet/vintage side for awhile and felt rather costume-y most days. I envy the girls who rock knee socks and collars, but its just not me.
Spikes- on the flip side of not being saccharine I am also not a bad @$$.
Crazy Leggings- I tried a lot of them! Floral, Galactic, metallic. The only ones I still have in my closet are liquid, black cotton, and a few fun ones for yoga. I just cant do the flashy leg wear and take myself seriously.
Conversation Print on everything- Re: Peter Pan Collar. Too sweet. I appreciate some, but minimally. I don't need ponies and kittens on e'rythang. My closet could have been mistaken for a mini zoo at one point.
Letterman Styles- I had two jackets and a sweater and they were worn maybe once or twice. I felt like I had jumped off the stage of Grease the Musical.
Skater Skirts- just bad.
Strange Typography- I had some shirts with some weird sayings on them, I don't know why. I liked something about them at the time but for now I'll stick with little to no typography and it actually needs to mean something.
Muscle Tanks- Some girls look amazing in a muscle tank. I, personally, do not. They had to go.

Are there any items you are happy to ditch from the past year? Trends come and go so quickly it can be hard to keep up and stay true to your style. I think I will always like to experiment but I am hoping to save my wallet the hardship of trying too many. For now I am having fun playing with more neutrals and textures, nothing fussy. What are you enjoying right now in your style? ♥

DREAM IT. BELIEVE IT. ACHIEVE IT. MAKING GOALS FOR 2014

On Friday I shared the idea of making a list of all the goals, accomplishments, blessings that happened to you in 2013. This was a practice I did to help me appreciate the past year and not worry myself over the loose ends and give myself a jumping off point for 2014. Hopefully this inspired you to take note of what an amazing year you had too!

So today is the fun part (or at least, I think it is) and its to start building a goal list for the coming year. I know, I know, resolutions are for suckers and only last on average 2 months blah blah blah. But what kinds of resolutions are you setting for yourself? Are they fun, are you passionate about them? What is the end result going to do for you/change for you? Are you choosing to lose weight because that is what our culture tells us to do on January first and its something you should do but you don't really want to do? If your health is a concern what is something you might want to do to improve your situation? Go on a hike once a week? Eat more greens everyday? Try being vegetarian for a month? All of those and more could contribute to weight loss but it makes you explore more of your passion than just get you to the gym to sign up for a year of walking in place on a treadmill. Lets live life in 2014!

This tee by Sincerely Jules was most perfect for my state of mind these days!

Sincerely Jules tee // Forever 21 Sweater and Leggings // Aldo wedge sneakers

My goal list keeps growing because I am super pumped for 2014! I had to put a cap on it but I keep writing ideas down in my journal to inspire me later in the year too. I split my list into Mind, Body, and Soul because ... well that's how I roll ;) I will give you examples for a few of each to help you start dreaming up ideas for yourself ...

Mind
Make time to read
Accept more opportunities/challenges and defy inhibitions

Body
Practice yoga daily
purchase more local/handmade clothing
Eat more raw
Create a vitamin regimen

Soul
Meditate on positive thinking daily
have more faith

The next step is action plans. Since some of these goals take less time than others while others require daily practice these action steps will vary. For example, I already purchased and have my vitamins ready to start my new regimen but to meditate on positive thinking I have a few tools I want to put together to help me with this (I will be sharing tomorrow!) and this is something I will be doing 365 days. My methods may have to change throughout the year as I grow and change on the long term goals.

So take some time today and tomorrow- clear your mind and listen to yourself and what you want 2014 to hold for you. Anything is possible- we are our only obstacle. So dare to dream for what you want most and go for it!

Happy goal making ♥

OUTFIT No. 33

she wore: Old Navy Sweater // Forever 21 Leggings and Boots // Target Snood

he wore: Threadless Airstream Tee // H&M pants // 21Mens Hoodie

Well its 1 o'clock and this girl is still sitting on the couch in jammies watching reruns of Hart of Dixie (new addiction, thank you netflix) and debating on what I want to do with myself for the few hours between now and N's holiday work partayyy. 

I am leaning strongly towards keeping my spot on the couch. In case you were wondering.

It's hard to believe Christmas is in 5 days- I know everyone is thinking the same thing. I think my staying in the couch is a passive act of avoiding the bustle. I have yet to complete gift shopping. I haven't baked any cookies. We still have multiple Christmas movies to watch and I haven't planned our Christmas morning spectacular breakfast. Yikes.

Nate and I opted out of gifts for each other this, which has been an interesting mentality to adopt. We have everything and then some so we didn't want to simply purchase frivolous things we didn't need right now. Instead of spending our few hours together Christmas morning opening gifts and rushing out the door to see family we are going to take it easy and eat some delicious food and relax a little before a day of celebrating. I am really looking forward to it!

I do believe that the anticipation of being lazy and relaxed on Christmas has made me lazy and relaxed about the whole holiday so I am just going to go with it this year. Maybe purchase some cookies, finish gift shopping tomorrow, and wing it at the grocery on Monday ;)

Hows your holiday planning going? ♥

OUTFIT No. 32

 Forever 21 Necklace, Top, Sweater (similar)  // Target Trousers // Ralph Lauren Tile Shopper

Hello from snowy, cold (and I mean freezing!), dark Ohio. I accidentally took a 4 day hiatus, unfortunately there was a migraine waiting for me Monday morning and it took two days to bounce back. Anymore when ailments strike I try and reflect on what my body telling me. So let me just say, even after my confession a week ago about not taking care of myself very well I am still doing the same mediocre dance with wellness. I think my stop-me-in-my-tracks headache this week was my body saying WHOA! slow down and eat some greens.

With it being so cold and snowy I realize the importance of keeping up on warm nutrient rich foods, I made an immunity broth from Lexi's Kitchen on Sunday and enjoyed it with steamed seasonal veggies and it was great! But then it was back to grabbing a processed granola bar or dining out too many times for comfort. I keep doing this little dance back and forth and I am finding it hard to hold myself accountable this week to eating balanced. Tonight as I did my corpse pose after my yoga practice I thought inwardly of why I am putting my barrier up to accepting good food. I did not happen upon an answer, I have faith it will pop up soon if I continue to ask myself, but my heart realizes the importance of getting it together, I just can't seem to get my mind follow.

I know I am still learning, and I know I have made a lot of strides in eating and living better, but tomorrow is also a new day to get back on the bandwagon and do better. Tonight's affirmation is ... Tomorrow I have the power and knowledge to be stronger, healthier, and happier than I was today. My happiness is important and my health and mind are strong and capable of reaching this happiness. Enjoying and being open to the process of change is as important as the end result. I will be healthy and I will be happy.

Sometimes the good things for us are the hardest. It tests our dedication and perseverance and in the end we are stronger. So whatever it may be in your life that is difficult for you- keep going, keep pushing, and have faith that in the end you will be a better you! ♥

OUTFIT No. 31 (HELLO DECEMBER)

 Forever 21 Sweater and shorts // Lauren Conrad Polka Dot button down // Target wedges

Happy December!

Its hard to wrap my brain around the fact that we are now in the full holiday swing. I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving full of gratitude and good food- our dinner turned out lovely. Despite the stressing and procrastinating leading up to the day of it went off without a hitch. And for that I am definitely grateful!

 The table before everyone arrived

It was nice to take a break from here and (mostly) unplug over the weekend. We did not partake in Black Friday madness- I enlisted my sister who was hitting the sales to pick up what I wanted most, a Kindle Fire! Still figuring out how to use it but I am so excited to start going paperless for my favorite magazines- that was a huge motivator for me to invest. Instead of shopping we put up the Christmas tree, watched Jingle All the Way, and spent a lot of time in pajamas eating takeout. It was the most stress free and relaxing holiday weekend I have had in a long time!

So today my heart is full, I am excited to start this first week of December. Feeling full of inspiration and motivation, looking forward to the posts I have planned for this week, and feeling re-dedicated to eating right and committed to my yoga practice (I even shared my first yoga photo on instagram >insert surprised emoticon face here!<)

So happy Monday and Happy December, here's to a great week ♥

OUTFIT No. 30

 Old Navy Denim // Target Turtleneck and Hat // Forever 21 booties

 That last one is purely for all of you guys to enjoy. Sometimes the same old poses feel boring so you let loose and your husband catches it on film and its just so ridiculous you just have to embrace it!

Plus it was 19 degrees out when we took these so constantly moving was a necessity for survival.

19 degrees.

I think we just plowed through Autumn and went straight for winter. It actually snowed over the weekend! Nate and I decided to have a little date night on Saturday which took us on a mini hike- while we were out on the trails it started flurrying. And how is it that anytime snow is falling from the sky the world gets a little more quiet and peaceful? I know we were out in nature already, where it was pretty empty and peaceful on its own- but I swear snow makes a special quiet fall over everything. I love it!  Later we found ourselves rushing to get some Thai take-out and get home to the pup where the space heater was immediately turned on and we finished season two of Once Upon a Time (ahhh that show is a nail-biter!)

If you haven't figured it out yet, we are pretty low maintenance people. Take-out for date night is like, my favorite thing.

Sunday was spent cleaning and shopping for Thanksgiving- I finally finished my menu and put together my plan for getting it all done! All that is left is some decorating and last minute chores. I think it will all come together in the end after all ;)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and that if you are in the States- I hope you are getting excited for a wonderful holiday week ♥

TWENTY-SEVEN

 H&M dress // Forever 21 Sweater, boots, and hat // American Apparel bag

 Twenty-Seven. 27. Two decades and 7 years.

How can that be??

As I am sitting here writing this I am officially entering my late 20's. My totally zen-take-control-feel-at-peace post of last week is not quite how I am feeling today but I am trying- oh how I am trying!- to accept this with grace ;)

These photos were taken yesterday between storms that rolled through. Since I work long days on Mondays Nate and I celebrated my last day of being 26 by running around a little and lazing around the house a lot. Christmas crafting, movie watching, cake baking, chili cooking, pug snuggling were our main events. Oh, and hanging in the hallway for awhile as the tornado sirens were going off! It added an element of excitement for sure.

Tonight I have been promised breakfast for dinner and my favorite wine (ummm yes, wine with 'Brinner' is completely acceptable on ones birthday) and some yummy vegan cake. Super healthy. No judging, thank you.

So happy Monday all- this week I will be sharing some fun celebratory DIYs, a vegan cake recipe, talk about goals and why I love 'em, and Christmas craft ideas! Its going  to be a great week ♥