10 Things

I think this post is going to be a little less style centered and a little more chat centered. I've really been thinking a lot about the things I've learned about life/happiness/randomness during these past 22 years I've lived and what I can take away from that. I think the most creative and simple way to do this is my creating a list of 10 things I've learned so far.

1. (Pay attention, because this is the most important one.) My parents were always right. Always. Scratch that. My parents are STILL always right. I think this is just one of those things that's tough for most people to learn until they've lived at least a minimum of 20 years and most times it even takes way longer than that. Any younger than that, though, and ya still just don't really get it. I was never really the type to disobey, in fact, I was like the Ella Enchanted of children, but I still had my moments were I thought my parent's advice was bogus. Boy was I a dumdum.
2. Natural is better. These past couple of weeks I've been just plain old letting my wild hair BE. For years I styled the crapola out of it, and it suffered because of it. I saw a photo of a fellow curly haired lioness on Instagram the other day, though, and it all just finally clicked for me. This girl looked GORGEOUS in her curls, and I found myself wanting curls just like that. That's when I realized, dur, I HAVE curls like that. My parents always used to tell me not to style my hair, not to use heat on it, that it would get thinner over the years, and it'd loose it's curl. I didn't believe them, like the lame 13 year old that I was, I thought that they were full of baloney. (See lesson #1;) They were right, of course, but fortunately I've come to my senses in time for my locks to have a fighting chance. :) 
3. Loving your appearance JUST the way it is is essential. This goes in line with #2. Again, for years I plucked and plucked my brows into delicate little caterpillars instead of just letting them be the chunky worms that they are. Again, a couple of months ago, something just clicked and I decided to just stop, stop the fight against my brows. I'm a hairy person, that's just the way I am, and there's nothing wrong with that. Now my brows are back to their thick hairy selves and I couldn't be happier. The rest of my body, though? I'd still very much appreciate it going bald. Buh bye leg, armpit, and nether hair! You are not welcome and will likely never be unless I decide to go French, which is highly unlikely. I'm a Brit at heart. ;)
4. Family is the most important thing in the world to me. Really, and truly, there is no group of people that make me happier. The joy of having an eternal family is a constant testament to me of the truth of what I believe. Family is happiness. 
5. A happy and kind attitude can move mountains. I see no use in being unkind. Everyone is fighting a battle which we know nothing about, so smile. If I can be kind to someone, regardless of their attitude toward me, than I've done something good in the world. Spreading joy and love will always reap bigger rewards than negativity. 

top: h&m
shorts: F21 similar
shoes: h&m
readers: F21 similar

1. Find people that appreciate the qualities that make you, you and kindly encourage you to improve those qualities that maybe aren't so nice. I've found that the relationships that mean the most to me are those relationships where I don't have to hide who I am, the good, bad, pretty, and ugly. The relationships where I'm loved despite my imperfections and yet feel inspired to be better.
2. I hate the smell of toothpaste. I know, this isn't a life changing lesson, and it's super weird, but it's still something I've learned about myself. I don't know what it is, but the smell of freshly brushed teeth just makes me want to puke.
3. Weight really isn't as big a deal as I used to make it out to be. Honestly, who cares? Letting go of that particular care has certainly been a battle, though. But I've honestly found that I feel happier when I eat a big nutritious meal when I feel like it instead of stressing about calories and trying to restrict myself, and honestly I've found that I tend to be heavier when I worry about it and lighter when I don't. I think being healthful and strong beats being a "skinny minny" any day of the week. In fact, I kind of hate that term. It's lame and puts too much emphasis on the desire to be "thin". Be yourself at your healthiest and be happy about it, whether that IS on the smaller side or whether it's on the curvier side. Be you. Be happy. All of our bodies are different and there's no point wishing we had some other person's body. Comparison is the thief of joy. For myself, though? I'm currently simply striving to be stronger and more muscular in a healthful and natural way. 
4. A song in the heart is a pocketful of joy. Music can influence the world. Surround yourself with music that inspires and brings happiness. 
5. I am me, and I'm not going to hide. I watch TONS of tv, I'm a graphic novel/comic junkie, Harry Potter is my best friend, I'd rather lie in bed reading a book or giggling over something funny on the internet with my sister than go out, Star Wars and Back to the Future are the defining movies of my childhood, I can't dive into swimming pools, I love super heroes, Jane Austen is my home girl, 90% of my conversations with my siblings involve at LEAST on Pride & Prejudice quote, I'm a lyricist of funny songs, I can come up with a lovely cock and bull story to woo the masses in ten second flat, I'm a geek at heart, and I am HAPPY.

Ram a Fist Down Their Throat

It saddens me greatly to post these photos because this outfit had originally been shot by my best gal, but due to some technical difficulties the photos were lost. Pooey. ;( So, here I am posting it with photos I had to just take myself, and yeah, they a'ight, but hers were cooler. Anyway, ya know when you get into "book mode" and all you want to do is read, read, read? Yeah, I'm totally in that mode right now with The Mediator series. I pretty much want to do nothing else but snuggle with a cozy blanket and read, read, READ, whilst eating a cookie...of course. :) As you can imagine, taking even the teensiest of breaks, to write out this blog post, is hindering my read mode greatly. Not that I don't love you all or anything, but I mean, I've got a kick butt ghost busting teenager who is falling in love with a totally babelicious Spanish ghost guy to get back to! Also, ya know when you come across snippets of sheer life changing quote gold in a book? I came across one of those today while reading, "I'm just not the kind of girl guys think about asking out. Well, maybe they think about it, but they always seem to manage to talk themselves out of it. I don't know if it's because they think I might ram a fist down their throat if they try anything, or if it's just because they're intimidated by my superior intelligence and good looks (haha)." Ha! Had ya fooled, that's probably not quotable gold to anyone besides me. ;) 

chambray top: Ross similar
t-shirt: h&m
shorts: F21 similar
scarf: Handmade by my sister (email me if you'd like one)
shoes: F21 similar

Anyway, we're continuing on with our chilly Spring day outfits. I think one of the most fun ways to stay a little toasty on a rainy spring day is by wearing a knit scarf. Especially in a bright fun color, that way it doesn't feel too winter-y. Also, a good way of making a more layered outfit feel more Springy is by adding touches of things that are inherent Spring staples, like florals. And oh, baby, are these floral shorts cozy. They feel like a breeze, no joke. Anyway, I gotta get back to my book. Even, though, I've already read the series a good few times I'm still completely enthralled. Must. Keep. Reading. No. Interruptions. ;)

Much love!

The Rooster, the Crow, and the Man with a Beard

Sometimes I like to dress the way seven year old me livin' in the 90s would have. Today was one of those days. Today is also one of those days in which I really, really wish I had something interesting, funny, or even mildly weird to say...but I don't. I'm finding myself with absolutely nothing to write about. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I'm probably already boring you all half to death just writing about not having anything to write about. I'm boring. Forgive me. Actually, now that I think about it. I do have something to share! The other day, during my afternoon run, I saw a rooster! He was just strollin' out of his neighborhood and then running like a goofy little maniac down the street. I imagine he was thinking something along the lines of, "freeeeeeeedom!!!!" It was actually pretty funny, but I'm kind of worried he might've gotten hit by a car. I sure do hope he found his home again. I wanted to catch him so I could help him find his home, but then I would've been stuck carrying a rooster wandering the streets aimlessly, looking for it's owners. Not to mention that I'm terrified of birds (chickens and roosters included) so I probably would've had a heart attack if I even attempted to touch it with a ten foot pole. All this I could have tried to overcome, though, just to help the little guy out, but the point was rendered moot by the little guy hobbling off like the wind. He was about a quarter of a mile away from me when I first spotted him and when he saw me running towards him he took off like a bullet and disappeared around a corner. Who knew roosters could hobble so dang quickly.

Speaking of birds, the other day when I was stopped at a stoplight, minding my own business, jamming out to "We are the Wild Ones" by Nina (I'm MAJORLY obsessing over this song right now), I started hearing the unmistakable ear curdling squawk of crow. Now, to fully appreciate just how terrifying this sound is to me, you'd have to know that I was once harassed by a crow when I was out on a run. Yep. Not even kidding. Let's not go into details, though. Anyway, I hear the demonic cry of one of those little spawns of Satan and I almost died right then and there because I momentarily lost my mind and thought that the crow somehow got into my car and was about to kill me. Anyway, after frantically looking around my car to make sure it wasn't hiding anywhere deciding how best to rip my head off, I decided maybe I was just going crazy and hearing things. Much to my chagrin, though, I heard another squawk. This time I knew it wasn't in my car so I started to look for it outside. As I was looking around, I noticed the guy in the car next to me. He looked like a ginger Hagrid and his expression looked like he had just witnessed the death of a puppy. He was terrified too. Anyway, we linked eyes for a second and exchanged a "oh, good, we're not crazy" glance. After that, I spotted the crow flying around over head, the light turned green, and I went on my way feeling comforted by the fact that giant men with red beards are also pee your pants scared of birds.

Denim Jacket: Osh Kosh similar
Bodysuit: h&m (gift from one of my best frennnns) similar
Floral Shorts: F21 similar
Sneakers: h&m 

Now for some riveting outfit chitchat. First, this "L'amour" bodysuit is just divine. It's got the little snaps at the bottom, for more convenient potty breaks, that I always wished bodysuits would have! Now I can proudly proclaim to you all that I'm basically just wearing an adult onesie! Yippee!! Anyway, this fab little bodysuit was a present from one of my best friends and boy does she know me well! Perfect birfday present! Also, what do you all think of my knock off Keds? Pretty fab right? I'm so stoked the Keds look is back in! I only wish I could actually afford real Keds. But I'm not supposed to be shopping anymore and even if I could shop I don't know how I'd feel about laying down $50 for a pair of shoes when there's tuition to be paid. Also, I was under the mild delusion that Keds used to be affordable once upon a time because when I was a kid I had a new pair of Keds every year, and there were definitely times in my childhood when we were anything but rolling in dough. When I asked my Mom about it, though, she told me they've always been that pricey, she just always made an effort to put enough money aside to buy us nice things. Melt my heart. My mom was truly the best mom possible for me. If I recall correctly, there was a time when she went at least a good ten years without ever really buying herself anything. That's motherhood for you. Sacrificing your own wants and needs for the wants and needs of your kids. Thanks Momma! Now, all of you send a smile to your mother! :) 

Much love!