Inspiration Monday & Hump Day Funnies: All rolled into one.

I've been off the radar lately (and feeling quite guilty about that.) But sometimes even bloggers need to take a break. This holiday weekend was pretty hectic for me because of a room change that involved lots of stressful furniture building. Even though you're supposed to feel well rested after a weekend, especially a long weekend, I woke up Tuesday morning totally burnt out. Could also be due to the fact that it was super humid (there I go, blaming the weather once again) and my allergies kicked up about 5 notches. Despite all this "crumminess" I'm trying to get back into the swing of things.

I promise good posts are coming, but for this morning I want to share some of my usual "Inspiration Monday" goodies combined with "Hump Day funnies" (which I've decide is okay to do because this week is all over the place, so there.)

 "Don't sit and wait. Get out there, feel life. 

Touch the sun, and immerse in the sea."

-Rumi

 

 

Guest Post: Be a Warrior Queen.

Hello! My name is Raewyn and I blog over at Be a Warrior Queen!

 Bloglovin' // Twitter // Facebook // Etsy // Pinterest // Instagram

 I'm one of those people that can be loud and in your face, but in the most loveable way ever. I try my best to always be happy and find the positive. My blog is one part being positive and another part starting a movement. I want to start a magazine to empower young women and girls to be themselves unashamedly.  I have a pick up truck named Chuck the Truck; my favorite clothes are 1950s inspired and I drink tea like it's going out of business. I just married my best friend of ten years and couldn't be happier! I would love if you'd stop by my blog and we could become the best of friends!

Today, I want to introduce you to the purpose behind my blog: changing the world. I know I have lofty goals. 

I've always been the outspoken, strong girl. I try my best to stay in touch with my feelings and I speak up if I don't like something. I've been described as assertive (somehow never crossing the line into aggressive) and intimidating because of my passion.

At any rate, I appeared to be the minority in high school. Everyone seemed to look up to me for being myself, though. It made me realize - why can't we all be ourselves?

Which, we can. It is totally possible. We just have to be warrior queens. But..

What does it mean to be a warrior queen?

warrior queen, noun;

be the best of you, in all situations. Be strong and don't let people walk all over you, but be strong enough to let your guard down to those that matter. Embrace heartbreak, it will teach you something about yourself. Don't restrict yourself from doing something that YOU want to do. Listen to what others have to say, but make your own decisions. Never regret anything, because you are doing what you want to do. Don't be ashamed to show your emotions or deal with your problems. don't be afraid to fall in love, even multiple times. Do what's best for you, but do it gracefully and never ever intentionally hurt someone. If they don't belong in your life, gracefully show them the door. Change is necessary, don't drag your feet - greet the day. Do everything with poise and grace and never ever let anyone make you feel inferior or bad at something. You are the best of you, if they don't like it tough luck.

This belief and idea quickly blossomed with my love of journalism. Could we, in fact, change the world by starting a magazine? These beliefs and ideas could run alongside those of Seventeen and give girls and women substance. I don't want to take over or change Seventeen (though, if you're a teen girl today, you might want to...they give out negative body images almost constantly). I just want girls and women to see that there are other ways of living.

Embrace your fashion sense (I'm still finding mine) and your love of makeup, but also embrace your love of something "different."

Songs I'm Loving Lately #2

Happy Friday! It's a long weekend for the majority of us so hopefully that means everyone is in a cheery mood! I'm hoping to catch up with lots of great blog posts this weekend, but there's a chance I may just lounge around and do absolutely nothing (and love it.)

Without further ado, here is the second installation of Songs I'm Loving Lately! My music taste varies a lot and I listen to basically every genre, so this is probably the most random music list you will ever encounter. However, since every song is pretty much a different genre, I'm hoping you can walk away with at least one new song to add to your playlist for the holiday weekend :)

"On My Way"

Lea Michele

I love Lea. I've been a fan for years now and when she came out with her own album I was ecstatic. Unfortunately, I didn't like the majority of her songs. I don't think the songs showcase her true talent, and there seems to be too much auto tune in the mix. However, this song is one I do like! Plus, the video is hot (as is she.) 

"Am I Wrong"

Nico & Vinz

This song totally gives me summer vibes. It's catchy and fun which is exactly what you want for your boozy fun-filled Memorial Day barbecue!

"Let's Get Lost"

Beck & Bat For Lashes

Not gonna lie, I discovered this song through one of the Twilight soundtracks (and that's why the video is all Twilight screen caps.) But, regardless of that fact, it's a good song that has nothing to do with Twilight so I highly recommend it. Plus, it has Beck in it so it can't be too bad, right? ;)

"Bailando"

Descemer Bueno 

ft. Gente de Zona

So you might have heard this song already, but the Enrique Iglesias version. This is the original song, played by a music group that originated in Cuba. The Enrique version is already getting pretty popular (I'm starting to hear it on the radio, with some version featuring Sean Paul—where the hell has he been?!) but I still like this version better. Yes, it is all in spanish. Maybe you're not into that kind of music, but this song is definitely one that makes me wanna dance (and I don't dance...)

"I Don't Dance"

Lee Brice

Speaking of how I don't dance, I really like this song! I just heard it recently on my favorite country radio station and immediately Shazamed it so I could download it when I got home. I'm a sucker for love songs and this one is so cute and lovely. 

Enjoy your weekend—do something fun and crazy!

Guest Post: Guilt-Free Cookie Dough Bites!

Hello there! My name is Nikki Vergakes, a lifestyle blogger. I've been getting into recipes more often since I have time to cook, and I found this gem floating around. They're clean cookie dough bites. Perfect for snacking, or cheating clean! It's all of the cookie dough you want, minus the guilt. Also, minus the salmonella. 

I saw this on instagram, and I HAD to try it. Also, with my recent purchase of a food processor, I thought it would be easier than ever.

Ingredients:

1 cup raw cashews

1/2 cup oats

3 tablespoons honey or agave nectar

However many carob or dark chocolate chips you want! 

Directions:

1. Blend the cashews and oats until they become a very fine powder in either a food processor or blender.

2. In a bowl, add the honey/agave nectar, and the maple syrup.

3. Lastly, add the chocolate chips.

4. Place in a refrigerator until hardened, and enjoy!

These little bites look and taste like cookie dough, you won't want to stop popping them in your mouth. But pop all you want, they're completely guilt free! 

Teva Original Sandal: An Awesome Summer Shoe!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Teva. All opinions are 100% mine.

Summer is fast approaching (hooray!) and with summer comes lots of fun outdoor activities. Some of my favorite summer activities are music festivals. I love discovering new music and gathering outside with crowds of people just having a good time. As tempting as it is to want to dress “super cute” for these events, you also have to make sure you’re comfortable because these festivals tend to drag on for the entire day—and you’ll be on your feet the majority of it. So, naturally, you need some comfortable wear for your feet. Of course, you also want to stay stylish! That’s where Teva Original Sandals come in.

Although these sandals have actually been around for quite some time (1984!) I’m only recently learning about them, which is exciting because they are the type of shoe I'm looking for this summer. Their original sandals come in a variety of colors so you’re getting the “cuteness” factor in there, but also comfort, which is the most important part when choosing your summer shoes. They are not only great for music festivals, but other summer activities—some being amusement park trips, sight seeing in your favorite city, taking the kids to the pool and park all day (shout out to my fellow nannies and moms!) and the list goes on. 

Looking through the different color options they offer for their Original Sandal, I had a hard time choosing what my favorite was. Finally, I went with the Peaks Teal because I love the pattern and feel they can easily match a lot of my wardrobe (but the white ones were a close second!)

You can tell just by looking at their design on Teva’s website—these shoes are made to last. Which is so important when choosing your favorite summer shoes. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve broken a cheap flip flop and had to walk around sliding my foot around for hours! Teva Original Sandals can be purchased from their website but are also available at Zappos.

Teva is the official footwear for the Bonnaroo Music Festival, which is great because for a festival with such a great line-up, people will definitely be needing good footwear to make it through that weekend! If you’re planning on attending Bonnaroo, or any music festival this summer, here are some of my tips for making the most of your time and having the best experience:

1. Dress comfortably. Obviously, this includes comfortable shoes (and may just be the most important factor!) but it also includes dressing appropriately for the weather that day, so make sure you check the weather beforehand. 

2. Plan ahead for the day. It’s always good to have a plan when attending such events. You want to make sure you’re prepared and ready to go, so make sure to check what times your favorite performers are playing!

3. Have your phone fully charged before heading out. You want this for several reasons. First of all, if you’re going to be with a group—you don’t want your phone to die and suddenly you’re in the middle of a huge festival by yourself with no clue about your friends’ whereabouts. Secondly, your phone is the perfect tool for picture taking! Of course, you should experience the festival without being on your phone the whole time, but taking a few pictures to remember the day won’t hurt anyone.

You can find even more tips by checking out #Ready2Roo on Twitter or visiting The Fountain!

What are some of your tips or tricks for music festivals?

My Favorite Breakfast Smoothie

When I say this is my favorite breakfast smoothie, I mean that it's been my favorite breakfast smoothie for a couple weeks now. When it comes to smoothies and juices, I definitely go through phases. But that's the fun part! I love discovering new combinations and recipes. Sometimes it's a hit or miss. You have to make sure you have the right amount of each thing, or else it can throw the flavors and consistency off balance. Smoothie/juice making is an art. And I suck at art.

But anyway, here is one of my favorite smoothies.

Ingredients:

• One banana (the sweeter you want it, the riper the banana should be)
• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk (more or less, up to you)
• 1 cup of frozen blueberries (more or less, up to you)
• Ginger (about a teaspoon, don't go overboard—this is a very strong flavor)

There really aren't any steps to this smoothie recipe (which is one of the reasons I love it.) The only ingredient you have to prep is the ginger. I used a regular potato peeler to shave off a few slices of ginger root. My banana was super, SUPER ripe, so it kind of messed up the usual taste of this smoothie and made it sweeter than I would have liked. Basically, just play around with the ingredients until you get the perfect mix according to your taste buds ;)

Some benefits of the ingredients:

• Blueberries are great antioxidants! If you can use fresh ones even better, but frozen berries help give your smoothie that ice cold factor.
• Ginger is great for energizing, so this makes an awesome addition to any breakfast smoothie or juice.
• Almond milk, especially the unsweetened kind, is definitely better to use than regular milk. 

What are some of your favorite smoothie combinations?

Inspiration Monday: Good Vibes

Today's message is simple. Good vibes. Feel them, send them, be them. Get rid of the negative forces in your life, surround yourself with all the positive. BE the positive. Good vibes. Plain and simple. 

♥︎

♥︎

♥︎

♥︎

*from Lea Michele's new video, On My Way. Check it out ;)

Sending you good vibes for the week ahead ♥︎

(P.S. Don't forget to enter my $100 Target giveaway, one week left!)

What the hell do you do when you can't get out of your "blah" mood?

If I had to choose a word to describe this week it would most certainly be "blah." It's just been so blah. So, so, so blah. And I don't know why. I can't figure out why I've felt so "blah" this week, because I have so much to be grateful for and happy about—and lots to look forward to. And yet, I'm blah. I am so blah. I want to just shake this blah right the hell off me, right now.

Now, as usual, I can keep on blaming the weather. The weather around here has been dreadfully dreary. I'm one of those people whose mood relies on the weather about 75% of the time. It sucks, but what can ya do. I could also blame this blah mood on my weird sleep schedule lately (or more so lack of a sleep schedule.) How well-rested you are obviously affects how the rest of your day plays out. So of course I'm going to be Bitchy McWhiney if I'm running on four hours of sleep. But that's still not excuse enough.

Part of being in a blah mood usually also indicates that you will have Z E R O motivation to do anything, especially things that can help you get out of that blah mood. Such as exercise. I thought about going for a run yesterday after work, because I knew it would help me, but the second I got home and saw my bed that idea went out the window. I've also given up on yoga for the time being. It has taken me days to do the whole laundry process. One day to actually haul my giant load down to the basement. Another day to actually put the clothes in and out of the washer and dryer. One more day to bring it back upstairs in the hamper. And I'm still waiting for that moment I will finally fold and put all the clothes away. I am seriously sucking at life right now.

I tried taking a step back from the internet, blogging and just social media in general. I made some progress on the book I'm reading, because usually when I immerse myself in a book it's like I'm in a whole new world and once I'm finished I'm a whole new woman. But even that has been a struggle. For heaven's sake, I can't even read a book for more than 5 minutes without looking up at the wall and sighing.

So WHAT is this beef I have lately with life?! I don't know. I couldn't tell you. I've tried figuring it out so I can fix it, because I want to be Positive Polly at all times. I do have my moments of sudden energy, excitement or perkiness, but soon enough the blah clouds come in and start raining on my parade. I really just want to blame it on the weather.

My point of this whole rant (besides it being another attempt to get out of this rut I'm in) is that sometimes we just have those blah moments in life. They can carry on for an entire week. Or maybe even a month (oh my god please no.) But, that's just how it goes. Sometimes you can pin point why you're feeling that way, and sometimes you just can't. Sometimes it's one specific thing, and sometimes it's literally everything. You can try your very hardest to get yourself out of that stinky awful mood, but sometimes all you can really do is just ride it out. The one thing you absolutely must do, however, is keep telling yourself that it is only temporary. These blah moments don't last forever. As long as you keep working on making things better and looking on the bright side as often as possible, you will find yourself in a better place.

If you're currently facing the blah monsters such as myself, let's just ride them out together while simultaneously punching them in the face.

Hope everyone has a FABULOUS blah-less weekend!

10 Places to Check Out This Summer in NYC

1. Coney Island

Coney Island has been around for a loooong time and as a history major I know quite a bit about its history, but I rather not bore you with those details. If you're going to be staying in NYC this summer, you definitely need to check out Coney Island. It's a fun place to check out both day and night (or both!) and the closest you'll get to a grand scale amusement park in the concrete jungle. I have to admit though, I've never been here. Shocking, I know. But, it's on my "absolutely must-happen this summer" list. Check out more pictures of Coney Island here.

2. The Cloisters

The Cloisters museum and gardens is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and showcases the art and architecture of Medieval Europe. You are sure to find tons of beautiful works of art and architecture here. Just the gardens alone are worth the trip. If you're a fan of art or art history, this is a must see. Check out more information here. 

3. Central Park

This one is pretty much a given. It's probably one of the most famous spots in NYC. You can simply take a stroll through the park and people watch. Go for a run around its many paths. Take a picnic on one of its huge lawns. Lay out and read a book. Boating on the lake. There's also a zoo somewhere in there (although I do not encourage going to the zoo because I'm anti-zoos, but that's besides the point.) Central Park is a huge staple of NYC (and its huge itself) so if you don't check it out while visiting/staying in NYC then I guess you're just cray. Check out the official Central Park website for more info.

4. Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park, which is located right near the NYU campus, is a pretty great spot for people watching. There's usually always something interesting going on there. Also, there's a small dog park if you want to check out cute puppies running around. There's frequent concerts that take place here, so check out it's official site for info on upcoming events. 

5. Williamsburg Flea

This flea market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has around 150 vendors, so you're sure to find something that sparks your interest. Vendors vary from vintage items to more high-end items and there's also food (who doesn't love food.) As an avid thrift shopper, I am also a big fan of flea markets. You just never know what you'll find. So this flea market is definitely worth a visit. For more info check out this site, which also provides information on other Brooklyn flea markets.

6. Smorgasburg

Another Brooklyn flea event, the Smorgasbord is allllll about food. 100 vendors showcase their fabulous food every weekend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in two different locations (depending on the day.) You can literally find every type of food here. How can you NOT check out a food festival?! For more info and a list of all its vendors, check out the Smorgasburg site here. 

7. Bryant Park's free Monday movie night

As you can see, it gets pretty packed, so the earlier you arrive the better. These free movie nights in the park happen every Monday night from 5 to 11 p.m. starting on June 16th. Check out the movie line-up here. Some notable movies worth checking out are National Lampoon's Vacation (July 21st) and The Shining (August 18th.) 

8. Beer Garden

Okay, so there are tons and tons of beer gardens worth checking out in the city. I don't necessarily have any recommendations, but if you're a craft beer fan, try checking out a few throughout the summer and find your favorite one. Just search for beer gardens on Yelp and you can check out the reviews and what people have to say about each of them. 

9. Bryant Park free yoga classes

Another cool event worth checking out this summer at Bryant Park are their free yoga classes! They happen every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. and Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. This year they have awards for the frequent yogis who attend up to 12 classes. Check out the scoop here. 

10. Summer streets in August

In August, the city closes off a few streets to cars which allows people to stroll through the streets or bike ride. There's "rest stops" along the way with activities and art performances. The dates for this summer are August 3rd, 10th and 17th from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (so you might need to be an early bird to fully enjoy this experience!) Check out this site for upcoming information on the activities, etc.

These are only a handful of fun things you can do in the city this spring/summer! Search the net for more fun events because in the city that never sleeps, you're sure to find plenty to do ;)

Songs I'm Lovely Lately #1

Naturally, with summer inching it's way closer to us and finally being able to drive with my windows rolled down, I've been more inclined to listen to all those upbeat, happy songs. Anything to get my mood up and excited for warmer weather and better times, right?! We've had a rough winter and the weather always affects my mood, so every time summer approaches I'm a happier girl. These are a few of the songs I've had on repeat for the past couple of weeks and if you see me driving, don't be surprised if one of these songs is on blast and I'm singing along like a fool. 

"A Sky Full of Stars"

Coldplay

I love Coldplay and I'm super pumped that their new album is coming out this Monday. They have released three singles, all which I love (especially Magic), but this one in particular is one of those songs. You know, those songs that kind of just make you want to dance around with your arms wide open and jumping up and down (or is that just me that happens to?) What I love about Coldplay is that they've pretty much nailed the sad love songs that tear your soul apart, but lately they've been coming out with nice upbeat songs that are sure to put you in a better mood, such as this one! So give it a listen and see for yourself ;)

"Not a Bad Thing"

Justin Timberlake

JT, I love you. I was always a hardcore Backstreet Boys fan and avoided N'Sync like the plaque, but once Justin went out on his own I gave him a chance, and he rarely ever disappoints. Last year my favorite song of his (that came out around the same time) was "Mirrors" and now it's this one. Another one of those songs that I unabashedly know all the lyrics to and yes, I will blurt them out at the top of my lungs despite my awful singing voice.

"Summer"

Calvin Harris

So, duh, a song titled "Summer" would obviously remind me of summer. Usually any Calvin Harris song gets me in that summery mood, and this one is no exception. I'm not your typical "house" music fan (is that even what they're calling it these days? See, I'm a newb) but I do enjoy the occasional song. If the weather is gorgeous out and this song comes on the radio, you can expect me to turn up the sound and start bouncing up and down in my seat, bobbing my head along to the beat. 

"Don’t Find Another Love"

Tegan & Sara 

I first started listening to this song back in February when that cheesy romantic movie came out (Endless Love) because it's on the soundtrack (which is actually pretty good!) It was on repeat for awhile back then and now I'm back to listening to it because it's just a catchy and fun love song. 

"Never Let Me Go"

Lana Del Rey

For whatever reason, any Lana Del Rey song just reminds me of summer. Maybe because I first started listening to her a couple summers ago. There's just something about her sultry voice and the beats to her songs that ooze summer to me. This is one of her recent singles (another worth listening to is "West Coast") If you aren't normally a Lana fan, I'd still give this a listen because it's not like most of her songs. 

What songs have you been playing on repeat lately?

To get you through the hump day blues...

Wednesday. Hump day. Blah day. Is it the weekend yet?! Nope. Only half way there. But rather than looking at the glass as half empty, look at it as half full, right? Well, if you're having trouble looking on the bright side, here are some of my favorite internet finds that are sure to make your hump day blues fade away (many courtesy of Imgur, which I highly recommend you check out if you're ever in need of some laughs.)

Summer Essentials & a GIVEAWAY!!!

As I write this post, it is very humid and hot out—aka finally starting to feel like summer! Of course here in the northeast we won't be getting steady "summer" weather for at least a few more weeks, but days like today get me excited for summertime. Which leads me to what this post is ultimately about... summer essentials! While I don't typically write posts about fashion/beauty products, this is a special post because it is also my first GIVEAWAY! 

I have compiled a short list of what I believe should be every girl's summer essentials and items you should feel free to purchase every summer, even if you already have them, because why not treat yourself?! Everything listed can be found at Target because that store has just about everything you could ever need and you never leave with just one item (or even what you originally intended on getting.) I also like that most of their stuff isn't outrageously priced and you're still getting good quality items. So without further ado, here are my...

SUMMER ESSENTIALS!

1. Bikini - every girl should have a bikini they feel their best in.

2. Light weight tee - who wants to wear a tight t-shirt when you're sweating bullets?

3. Night gown - for those hot sticky summer nights, a thin cotton night gown is perfect.

4. Body butter - to keep your skin well hydrated, props if it's a tropical smell (such as mango) 

5. Flip flops - not just any old flip flops, you need sturdy and comfortable ones!

6. Tote bag - to carry all your beach/pool supplies, duh.

7. Dry shampoo - because sometimes it's just not possible to wash your hair 50 times in one day.

8. Shorts - a pair of good comfy shorts that match with almost everything (like these black ones)

 9. Maxi dress - may not be your thing, but they're in style and can be a cute addition to your wardrobe

Now comes the fun part. Thanks to 14 other wonderful bloggers, I am hosting this giveaway that includes a $100 Target gift card and a $15 Starbucks gift card (because who doesn't want an iced coffee after they have shopped till they dropped?!) I am so grateful that I was able to work with these amazing ladies and they helped contribute to this grand prize, so please make sure you check out each of their blogs!

Buttons and Birdcages . Nikki Vergakes . Olive & Ivy . Endless Bliss . ExtraExtravagant . Mermade Moments . Ali in Bloom . Hodge Podge Moments . Sydney Luella . Jess Loves This Life . Wedding Rings to Teething Rings . A Breezy Life . Designs by Emily F . Farmgirl Writes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The contest ends on Memorial Day, which I consider to be the start of summer! 

Thanks for reading and supporting my blog, good luck! :)

Some friendly reminders ;)

and if all else fails...

Happy Monday :)

You only need one person to support your decisions: Yourself.

Sometimes people aren't going to support the decisions you make. They will disagree with you, they will criticize you. Especially if it's something outlandish. Sometimes these people are your own friends or family. Believe me, I know how much that can hurt. We look to these people for support and the last thing we need is them disagreeing, wholeheartedly, with the choices you are making. Especially if it's something so important and life-altering for you.

But you know what? If you find yourself in a situation such as this, such as the one I am in right now—to put it nicely, f*** them. As great as it'd be to have people backing you up, happy for your own happiness, no matter how you may find it, in the real world that doesn't always happen. As you grow older you will notice many people disagree with you. When I was younger I tried my best to please others, please the crowd, go with the status-quo, simply because it was easier. Not because it made me any happier. Now that I'm growing up and becoming more comfortable with who I am and who I want to be, it's getting easier to not let it get to me when someone doesn't agree with my life choices. Because at the end of the day—it's my life. It's your life. Do what makes you happy. No matter what that may be.

That's the message I want to send out today. While they are lyrics from a song (Pumpin Blood by NONONO) those words hold so much truth. You can create your own happiness and you have the ability to control your own happiness, too.

Since graduating college, I am beginning to find myself more and more each day. I look back to where I was a year ago and I can't even believe how far I've come, in so many aspects of my life. You always hear about people "finding themselves" in college, but sometimes that all begins to truly happen once you're done with school, once you've finally started the rest of your life.

So do yourself a favor and be your own support system. Of course there will be friends and family who are there to support you, but sometimes in life you will find yourself standing alone. That is when you need to learn that you are enough. Be brave, and fight for your own happiness.

5 Inspirational Quotes from Historical Figures

I have a small journal in which I write a bunch of quotes that I find inspirational or just plain ole' interesting. I like looking through the pages every once in awhile and re-reading the quotes I have (this journal has been around for years.) I don't have as much as I'd like (I'm on page 25, but I have big handwriting...) so I'm going to try to keep up with it more. I discovered these five quotes that are pretty relevant to the message I am constantly trying to send out through this blog. It just so happens that the people who said these quotes are also pretty significant historical figures (obviously, some more than others, but that's a matter of opinion.) And yes, I believe George Harrison and Bob Dylan are historical figures. I majored in history and I love inspirational stuff, so I'm pretty excited to share these with you today.

"To be nobody but yourself in a world that's doing it's best to make you somebody else, is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting."

—E. E. Cummings

"All we ever have is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can't relive it, and we can hope for the future, but we don't know if there is one."

—George Harrison

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right—for you'll be criticized anyway."

—Eleanor Roosevelt

"We can complain because rosh bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."

—Abraham Lincoln

"When you feel in your gut what you are and then dynamically pursue it—don't back down and don't give up—then you're going to mystify a lot of folks."

—Bob Dylan 

Do you have a favorite quote by an important historical figure?

Have a happy and inspirational weekend! :)

(and if you live anywhere in the NYC area, don't let this dreary weather get you down.)

Blogging Tools: Free Check List!

One of my tips for building your blog is going "social media crazy." This requires that you share each post you publish on as many social media platforms as possible. Sometimes it's hard work! It's especially hard to keep track of what accounts you have shared your post on. That's why I came up with this really simple "Social Media Check List" that helps you get a bit more organized and on track with your blog sharing. Of course, you don't have to share on every single one of these. I recommend that you share your post on a minimum of three social media accounts. You'll find that depending on what the topic is, some platforms are better than others. Using keywords will also be tremendous help, because this leads people who are interested in your topic to your blog.

Click here to view the check list and download it!

For ultimate use, print out just one copy and have it laminated somewhere like Staples. That way you can keep using the same one over and over again, just use dry erase marker!

Happy Blogging!

Inspiring TED talks for all you twenty-somethings

I love TED talks. They have TED talks for just about everything and anything. The majority of TED talks I have actually spent watching have always left me with an important message to ponder over. I stumbled upon these three TED talks recently and felt that the messages these presenters have can really be of some inspiration to all you new grads, post-grads, twenty-somethings—anyone, really. The first one comes from one of the survivors of the plane that crashed on the Hudson River a few years ago, and what he learned from that life and death experience. The second presenter talks about how to put time in perspective and how essential it is for us to learn to balance the different "types" of time perspectives in order to lead happier lives. The last guy is kind of all over the place (he owns a wine company, maybe he indulged a bit before his talk?) but I think his overall message of passion, patience and ultimately doing what you love is something I firmly believe in. All the videos are under 15 minutes long (I usually can't watch anything for longer than that...) so give them a listen!

Summed up: You don't have forever. Do what you want before it's too late.

Summed up: Put your time on Earth into perspective. Learn to balance your time and don't focus so much on just the past, present or future. Balance is key.

Summed up: Do what you love, no excuses!!! Hustle in order to get your dreams come true. We live in an age where the internet can easily make those dreams come true (example A: me starting a blog to pursue my dream as a writer!)
*At the end he says to "stop watching Lost" so you actually have time to put into what you're passionate about, and let me tell you—since starting this blog, I have stopped watching all my favorite shows. I rarely watch t.v. anymore. I just don't have time for it. And I'm okay with that. Because the free time I do have, I spend it working on my blog/networking. Sometimes we have to sacrifice certain things in order to put in the time that's necessary to pursue your dreams and goals.

And to leave you with an inspiring quote from one of my favorite comedians:

"You’ll be fine. You’re 25. Feeling unsure and lost is part of your path. Don’t avoid it. See what those feelings are showing you and use it. Take a breath. You’ll be okay. Even if you don’t feel okay all the time."

― Louis C.K.

Love Songs: Part 1

So ever since I got my new computer and transferred all my music over to it, I've actually been able to use iTunes again because my computer doesn't act like an ancient turtle (no offense to turtles, much love.) I've been compiling playlists as I shuffle through the 2,000+ songs I currently have and you have no idea how excited I am about this. I love music and I love making playlists, especially to fit certain moods. Although I am no where near going through all my songs (and probably never will...) I decided it was time to share with you Part 1 of my "Love Songs" playlist. These are all different genres of music and include both "happy" love songs and "sad" love songs.

Enjoy ;)

Top 5 Best Dressed: Met Gala 2014

Okay so, I don't typically write "fashion" related posts, but throughout the years I've become fascinated by what celebrities choose to wear at special events, such as the Met Gala. Last year it was "punk" theme and I honestly hated about 90% of the dresses—ha. This year, however, there were a lot of great dresses! I noticed a lot of light gold and shimmery tones and absolutely loved it. Of course, there were lots of celebs who broke the mold (and some kind of flopped at that one.) I refuse to do "worst dressed" because I think that's just mean, but here are my top 5 picks for best dressed at the 2014 Met Gala!

1. Blake Lively

By far my favorite. I loved the flow of her gown and her hair and make up created the ultimate "old hollywood" style, which I'm a big fan of. Also loved the shimmer accents. Blake is a gorgeous woman and I'm a big fan of her style because she knows how to accentuate what she's got, so good for her.

 2. Leighton Meester

It was really hard for me to put Leighton in second place (she's one of my celeb crushes) especially because I adored her dress. The shimmer, the flow of it, the low cut (and how she managed to keep it classy.) I also loved the leg peek through aspect. And her hair matched perfectly. So, actually, maybe it's a tie between her and Blake, I don't know!

 3. Emma Stone

Emma is such a funny gal and seems very laid back despite her quick rise to fame. I loved her choice this year for the Met Gala. The pink hues were lovely and were different from what everyone else was wearing. Once again, I'm a fan of the peek through leg. Also think her hair color is gorgeous and matched well with the pinks of her dress ensemble (is it a dress or skirt/shirt combination? I'm not a fashion expert...)

4. Jessica Alba

Another dress that reminded me of the old Hollywood style, I loved the lace and flowy-ness. What I liked most about this dress is that it's tight on the top and then gently starts to loosen up, so you avoid that weird looking pregnant vibe (not that I'm not a fan of that style.) I just liked the design of this dress. So there.

5. Selena Gomez

Usually, I'm not a fan of Selena. I don't know why, I'm just not. But, I really liked her style choice this year. Her dress was the perfect color for her and her earrings, hairstyle and make-up were the perfect compliments for it. I like the simplicity of it, but also that it has a bit of flare at the bottom and that one sided scrunchy thing that's going on at the top (can you tell I'm not a fashion-guru, yet?)

What were your favorite dresses from this year's Met Gala?