I titled this post LL meaning life lessons. I couldn't really think of a better title, but I also have a feeling there will be several more of these posts in the future, so bare with me!

I have a lot of feelings so this is going to be all over the place and more of a I need to get all this off of my mind so that I can sleep well rather than a what can you take away from this blog post/how can I directly help you better your tomorrow through my mistakes/life. Does that make sense? I hope so.

People say you are the five people you associate the most with. I am both okay and not okay with that. Sometimes you can't choose. I also hang out with my cat and I'm assuming he doesn't count. Regardless, energy is a thing and if you don't believe in that so be it but I do so that's kind of where this first part is headed. Last night my close friend from Texas and I had dinner with two other friends from high school. She is literally the happiest, nicest, bubbliest person I know and I wouldn't have it any other way. This morning, I went into work overly positive and bubbly. Like people normally call me sunshine and positive Pauly but today they said my bubbliness (I don't think that is a word) and positivity was sky rocketing. Bad thing? I didn't think so. Some people just don't like positivity though, and you can't change that. But you can change your attitude, and that all goes back to who you hang out with. Right? Did I just make a full circle? Wow that was less ranty than I thought, but regardless, you can't make everyone happy. You can make yourself happy for now, and that is what you need to work with. Your happiness today may be
different than tomorrow or next month, but you just need to be willing and open to that change.

Like today, I got a text from a family member who I've had previous family drama with and on a normal day I would've seen it and been like okay NOW what... But instead I decided to be open and we ended up having a great talk over text and the phone. Making two people happy. What. A. Concept!

But then, I came home and made someone else not so happy. Circle of life ladies and gentleman. Simba knew what he was doing while Timon and Pumba were out eating bugs and wondering about his future, Simba understood.

Lessons learned:

• everything happens for a reason
• if it is meant to be, it will be, in some way, shape, form or something
• believe in timing
• keep smiling, beautiful, it is going to work itself out
• no problem is worth the amount of stress you are putting on your body

Closing Time

Closing time
Open all the doors and let you out into the world...

It's crazy how much can change in a day. And if that much can change in a day, it's even crazier to process and truly realize how much changes in a week, in a month, and in a year.

I can full heartedly say that I am a completely different person than I was a year ago, a month ago, a week ago, and yes, a day ago.

Closing time
You don't have to go home but you can't stay here...

This last week was a bumpy one; the best way I could accurately describe it is a weather backlash from the most beautiful bright sunshiny day to a rainstorm.

I have never experienced a bad Wednesday and I usually see hump day as just a little bump in the week followed by a push to Friday. Last week, not so much.


Closing time
Time for you to go out to the places you will be from.

Proof of how much you can change in a day:
Yesterday, I wrote what you just read above. Today, I am in a much better place. I went hiking yesterday and took the longest shower after, feeling so amazing and incredible.... after. In the moment, I wasn't truly enjoying nature, but going back through the photos after I showered, as I was on my couch, watching "House of Cards," I was happy that I had gone on a 3 mile hike to see a waterfall (pictured above.)

But for now, I am still growing. I feel like life is a carnival, and some times it is a slow boat ride and other times it is a crazy roller coaster with harsh turns and flips. But hey, that's just life!

Journaling v. Blogging

They say journaling is good for the soul. I, personally, feel more comfortable typing. It gets difficult, though, when you feel like you have so much to say, and you had these great ideas and bullet points in your head when you were sitting in traffic going to work this morning, yet when you finally have a chance to breathe, take a sip of wine, and unwind at the keyboard, you have nothing.

Mental constipation. 



So, with that being said, and another Monday under the rug, I want to talk about moving forward. It is hard to really "forget" the past. The past is a lesson and everything that happened in your past happened for a specific reason, and the same goes for your future. If it is meant to be, it will be. In 8th grade my quote was "everything happens for a reason." And while everyone else had Michelle Branch quotes or lyrics from their current favorite band at the time, little 8th grade me kind of sort of knew what she was talking about. Go, self! Now if only I could have stuck with that ideology through high school.

High school was kind of a wobbly phase for me, I didn't know where I fit in, I didn't know who I was, I was confused, wanted to be liked, and thankfully found some of my best friends I still have today. Surround yourself with likeminded people. They are worth it. My senior year of high school, I realized I needed to get away, and that meant Northern California, where it was far but not too far.

I ultimately didn't find myself until senior year of college. After a breakup. Or so I thought...
I became comfortable with who I was in college around sophomore year because I didn't have to try. What a concept. Actually be yourself, and you will attract good quality people. See, looking back I realize how many signs were presented to me, but I probably thought I was too cool or mature to do that. So here I am, trying to find myself all over again. I process I don't really want to end, because I feel like I am constantly evolving.

Just like this blog post, life starts from nothing. You sit down, think you have a five year plan, and then three years into it you change your mind, find your true passion at that moment, and the train leaves the tracks of your five year plan to ultimately follow your heart in what is right for you at that moment. Don't live for the future, live in the moment. What is right for you know, most likely won't be what is right for you in five years. So you want that cupcake? Eat it. You want to apply to grad school? Send in those applications. You want to continue working at the job you love but al your coworkers hate? Get that job experience, and prove yourself to no one other than yourself by sticking it out.

The world is a crazy place, and we just kind of have to run with it.
And with all of that being said, those are my Monday thoughts for the day. And see? If I would have been writing in a journal my hand probably would've gotten tired, I would have smudged something, and I would've ended up doodling. Which might have been cool, but here I am. Thanks for reading all the way through this ramble!

When Is Cheating Okay?

You're probably reading the title of this post and are like uhm, hi cheating is never okay. Here are a few case scenarios where cheating is not most definitely not okay:

• in a relationship
• on a test
• when it comes to money/taxes

You get the idea. So where can you cheat? Well, that is what this post is all about!

Last week I went to the gym every morning before work. Five out of seven days, way more than my average, and I hadn't felt better in weeks. So, why stop? This past Monday morning I woke up, and went to the gym. Same thing, starting a fantastic new habit, and I was all about it. Monday night rolled around though, and I was tired, didn't feel my best, and decided you know what? As great as I feel when I go to the gym in the morning, I am going to allow myself to sleep in. So, I did! Did I feel as great as I did when I go to the gym? No. Did I regret sleeping in? Definitely not. Everyone is allowed a cheat day. And when I say this, I don't mean go binge on ice cream and not eat anything remotely healthy, but it is okay to splurge every once in awhile, and get out of the routine, because it will make you realize one of two things.

1. You're doing the right thing with your routine. Stick with it because it makes you feel amazing.
2. Maybe there is something missing or off in your current routine, so try changing it up a bit!

Both create a learning experience. Both result in positive outlooks. Both will ultimately make you happier. Win, win, win!

Waking up an hour early to go to the gym is so crazy rewarding, it is insane. Of course, working out is great for you and great for your body, but I love the endorphins it gives, the motivation it gives me to really live my day out to the fullest, and there is something about watching the sunrise after leaving the gym in the morning. I am just starting to realize that all aspects of my life are somehow interconnected, and as I was finding happiness in some aspects of my life, I began developing happiness and healthiness in others; i.e. going to the gym more! 

Goals aren't goals until you start them. A goal that hasn't been started is just a dream.

You don't want to go to the gym tomorrow because you'd rather stay home and paint your nails? Girl, you do it. And while you're at it, catch up on some Netflix. You deserve it. It isn't cheating, it is treating. You are human and you deserve a change and a gift every once in awhile, so give it to your body!

I read an article on fitness trackers the other day from Refinery 29 and I realized so many things I had only thought about subconsciously about my fitness tracker. I have a FitBit Charge and it tracks my steps, flights, calories, and distance. It probably tracks other things, (like my sleep) but I primarily use it for my steps. I try to hit my step goal every day, but again, I am human. I don't do much walking at work, at max I get around 3,000 steps, which is like nothing. Yesterday, when I cheated, I only got like 4,000 steps. If that. This morning, I went to the gym, I had almost 6,000 by noon. So how did that make me feel? Like shit. I felt terrible that I could have done all of these steps the day before, and it was a day wasted, and just started beating myself up over this one day I took off, when it dawned on me that I went to the gym five times the previous week. The last time I went tot he gym five times in one week was when I was a sophomore in college. I was doing great. In fact, taking that day off was such a relief, because later that day I felt I was getting sick, so I was able to properly rest.

Why am I rambling on about my FitBit and numbers? Because that is it. They are just numbers. Yes, I love my FitBit, and I accept all of the challenges, and I try to it my step goal daily, but that's just it, it is just a number. It is a goal, but I will wake up the next morning and be able to do it again. It is not a one time shot. It is just like that scenario if you had x amount of dollars and had to spend it in one day what would you do with it, and it turns out to be seconds in the day. Your day is what you make it. Make it a day that makes you happy. Get those endorphins, grab a $5 cup of coffee, eat ice cream, see a friend, run 5 miles, smile uncontrollably. 

There is a saying that is on like every poster and wall decor sign in HomeGoods that says "Do One Thing Every Day That Makes You Happy." Why not 2? or 3? or 10?

The sky is the limit, so put your head in the clouds! 

Multiply and Blowout

A boy told me to listen to Ed Sheeran today and literally all I've been listening to all day is Ed Sheeran and I forgot how good he is. Hence the name of this blog post. Also, happy National Kiss A Ginger Day. Relatable. Good job, boy. Just kidding he had no idea it was National Kiss A Ginger Day, but told me yesterday was National Step In A Puddle Day...

So that is what I did at work today. Well, only part. I actually worked too. And broke a nail. And almost fell on my face. Lots of fun things.

We're going to talk about boys today. And by we I mean me, and by talk about I mean I'm going to vent and then we will get back to life and more important things that matter. So I guess my first question would be how do you feel about work relationships? I have seen them work and I have seen them fail. Both either extraordinary or awful. But never in between. Please share your stories, because I am actually very interested.
Disclosure - no I am not dating someone from my work. But I am crushing on one form what was a far and now not so far. He sang to me today and I kind of lost it but I am put back together now. Then he told me his favorite days were when he had meetings because he got to see me and walk past my desk. Done. And then I said oh yeah when I'm lucky and get to see you, and he counteracted saying he was the lucky one. Done. Again.

So they talk the talk, but can they walk the walk, while keeping up with me? My thing with guys, just from what I have learned from my past relationships is this:

• It shouldn't be work. Yes relationships take effort, but it shouldn't have to feel like work or like you are forcing it. Because once it is forced it is essentially over.
• It should be organic. This stems back to the work thing, but more importantly that is mutual on both sides, and just feels right. This one is difficult because I have been one in the past to not go with the flow, but really, that is the main way to develop a good relationship. Or that's what I think, at least.
• It needs to be mutual. Feelings, effort, everything.
• Communication is everything. Self explanatory.

This all being said, and the reason this is a topic on the blog today, is that someone asked me if I was dating anyone. And I would be lying if I said no, but I would also be lying if I said yes. Does that make sense? I should add a bullet point that "it shouldn't be complicated" but it most likely will be and we don't live in a perfect world. I hate saying I have a few guys in my back pocket, but that's kind of what it is. I don't like it. I like them each for their own special reasons. But I also love being single. Struggle city in the love department here. But it's okay. We're moving forward.

Work today was a catch up day. I caught up on things I needed to do, things I needed to organize, etc. Necessary, tedious, useful, long. But no complaints, as I ended my day with a complimentary DryBar blowout.

Cheerio, Life Choices

Imagine you are at the super market. You are craving Honey Nut Cheerios, the brand we all know and love because their commercials claim to lower our cholesterol. But, all of a sudden when you are reaching for this box, you realize, there are other brands that make basically the same cereal. What makes them different? Should you go for the cheaper box? The more colorful box? The classic box? How do you solidify which cereal you really want, when you know you can't open each box to try them all? There is a point to this cereal story, I promise, but you need to read on to understand...

I recently was catching up on one of the most inspirational bloggers I follow, Allison, at Because I Said So. Not only does she have an incredible sense of fashion, but I can relate to basically all of her blog posts in one way or another. Plus her motivation and continuation to keep her blog up is just incredible. 

Job hunting is not easy, and is definitely a full time job in and of itself. Having two part-time jobs, by the time I come home, I am already so tired, I just want to watch Netflix and sleep. But alas, my internship ends December 31, and I told my other part time job that I would not be returning come January.
Here and there I receive an email from a company saying they found my resume on so and so website, and they give me the job description. Other days I am online for countless hours into night time and am constantly applying to jobs, any jobs that sounds remotely interesting. Allison was job hunting and interviewing for a completely different job, when her dream job position seemed to sort of just fall in her lap. This isn't luck, or chance. That is fate. It is knowing what you really want, working extremely hard, and everything falling into place.

Now-a-days, it isn't what you know, but rather it is all timing and who you know. It is a crazy world where there are jobs and there are job openings, but if you don't have the experience, they don't want you. Yet, in college, I was constantly told that if I keep getting all of these internships and work opportunities, I will be over qualified.
So what is the happy medium? Honestly, I wish I could tell you. I, myself, am torn. I have all of these expectations and standards I have set for myself, which most have changed from when I was younger, but the principles remain the same. I have high expectations for myself, and I will not settle for just any job. I want to love my career, and I want to wake up in the morning with a smile on my face, wanting to go to work, because when I find my right career path, I will be making a difference in one way or another. That is my goal. I want to be able to look back on my life and say "hey look, I did that" or " I was a part of the conversation that sparked this movement" or "I was involved in this."

Happiness doesn't have a price-tag, but today it does have a label. For years now I have wanted to be a campaign manager. Today, campaign managers not head only political campaigns,but can manage social media campaigns, marketing, advertising, email marketing, the list goes on.
So, in a super market full of honey nut cheerios, all a different brand name, but all the same basic cereal, which do you pick?

Hopefully I didn't just make you crave cereal, but rather consider all of the options we have in life. I'm currently at a point where I can decide which career path, or cereal box to choose, and I can't lie... it is terrifying. I know everything happens for a reason, and everything works out the way it is supposed to, but that doesn't make options seem less daunting.

How did you get to where you are now? What made you choose your current career path? Are you truly happy?
Any advice or comments would help me and this post-grad-funk!

Happy FriYAY, and I hope you have an incredible weekend!

Hip, Hip, HOORAY

Welcome to my welcome back party! Hosted by yours truly (me) with special guest, YOU! I feel like I should make a little introduction, but I honestly don't even know where I would start. 

My world has changed into this crazy thing where one minute I am wishing that I was five years older and could just fast forward through this weird awkward transition from post grad into real world, the next minute I am missing college and all my friends and the memories I had in those four years, and then I stop and remember I just need to be and live in the moment. So that is currently where I am. This crazy gray area between post grad and real world with a full time career. Both which are miles apart - college and career - and yet, I'm still here, doing me. 

People change, relationships end, others are brought back, time continues, life moves on. So put a smile on, be the best you that you can be, and go out there and live the life that YOU want to live, because only you can live your life.

Inter-Vibes

Yes, the title of this blog post is me trying to be creative. It is also me trying to combine interview with vibes so it makes sense. In my mind... Right?

Now I am starting to question myself. Cool.

Lets talk about interviews.

There are multiple types of interviews. 

There are formal interviews, normally one on one, with a person in a suit, asking you typical questions, such as what is the last book you read? Why did you major in _____? Why would you be a good fit for this position?

Then there are the middle of the road type. Either you meet in their relaxed office, a joint conference room, a coffee shop if they are super trendy. It starts with awkward conversation, you get some Q&A time about you, and then you leave feeling sort of "eh."

THEN, my dear sweet reader person, there are the inter-vibes. These are the picture perfect interviews. These are the interviews that happen in movies or 17 magazine with the article title "how to nail your interview 101" or some cute clever thing that has been over done. These are the interviews that don't feel like interviews.

Now, none of these are bad, and none are good, and there are so many more, these are just the top 3 I could categorize in my brain. Everyone has their preference, and there is a time, place, and job for each. I personally like 1 and 3. I find lunch meetings in general awkward, so I feel that a lunch interview or even coffee interview would be uncomfortable. Or extremely judgmental, like more so than a normal interview.

But now, currently.... post interview:

When work gives you AC...

Because sometimes, you just experience really random things at work, and get extremely bored, and decide to take your phone out and write about them in the moment. These are the days of my life. 

Currently, in a cooling center at work. And I don't like it. 

I would like to start this blog post by saying how grateful I am to have a job and air conditioning. That being said, my current task for the day is not one I enjoy. When the city of LA hits over 100 degrees Fahrenheit they open up public cooling centers. What is that you might ask? A center, that is cool, from air conditioning. Yep. That's it. And that's what I'm working. You know, gotta make sure they don't break anything or touch anything. But I mean, realistically I'm just getting paid to sit here.

Now you're probably thinking "why is this girl complaining? She's literally sitting inside in AC and getting paid." WELL, person, that is a great question. Reason I am complaining, which I wouldn't even say is complaining but rather, observing, is that these people are talking about me in front of me. I have the guy in the tye dye shirt complaining about being 70 years old, another elderly man complaining about not being cool in his youth so his career started too late, and a couple asleep on a couch. Yep. So I'll be here. 

Hour and a half in update: dad brought me Starbucks and I had a visit from a coworker. Also I'm writing thank you notes from my birthday to try and be productive.


Long story short, I survived, and ended my day with Dunkin Donuts, so I mean my day was pretty fantastic. 

Bippity Boppity Blog

Not going to lie, typing "blogger" into my Chrome browser was a very weird sensation and I'm still trying to figure out if it was more of a "what are you going to do there?" feeling or a "yeah! Let's have a fresh beginning!" feeling. If there was a gray area in between, that is where I currently am.

So hello, hi, shalom, happy Tuesday. Hope you had a fantastic Labor Day weekend! It's weird, my birthday usually falls on Labor Day weekend, and this year it didn't but I didn't notice until.... about five seconds ago. Actually, that is a lie. I realize when I was in Vegas last weekend, and I was extremely grateful because I would not have wanted to be in Vegas on Labor Day weekend. Too many people. Way too many people.

So here I am. Welcome. I was supposed to write this blog post earlier when I went to the gym, but that didn't happen for a multitude of different reasons. First being that I was on the elliptical and I would've probably fallen off, and second, I totally forgot until I was doing leg presses, but at that point I was really into my playlist and work out and people watching that I just kind of wrote it off. Oops. It's all good. I am here now, and that is all that matters. Right? Right.

So last night, I went to dinner with Rachel, who is basically my big sister. Side note, this post is going to be all over the place so maybe get some snacks, or water, or wine... definitely wine. So at dinner last night, Rachel and I were talking about life and it just made me put my life into perspective. I am twenty-two. I am employed (not doing anything remotely near what I thought I would be doing post grad life but hey, that's life). I have a house. I eat great food. I have great people in my life. Long story short, and after what would be a very long list of gratitudes, I have a great life, and I don't have much to complain about. Do I know what I want to do with my life? I mean, kind of? Sort of? Not really. Yeah I have a vague idea, but it is just an idea. I have my whole life in front of me! What more can I do right now? I'm sure there is a whole lot of things I could do, but I am going to be working for the rest of my life, so why not volunteer, and intern and do things that actually interest me before I dread going to work every morning, and hate my career. Because that, I don't want that.

I have never really stuck to one profession when asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?" I have stuck in the same range, besides when I was younger and said I wanted to be a princess (still true) or a doctor (science and I don't get along).  So yes, I have a focus, and the idea of law school is constantly poking the back of my head asking when I am going to actually consider it, but still. I have a paycheck, I have free rent (which is incredible, like as much as I want an apartment, free rent is so nice) and I have amazing people in my life who encourage me to be the best me, and don't rush me, and are proud of me for just being me. So I'd say twenty-two is going to be a good year. Hopefully. Fingers crossed. And hopefully I can remember that I have this little thing called the Internet where I can write everything that happens and log it into cyber space and hope that maybe one person can read it and smile, or give advice, or take advice. That's all I can really hope for right now, and I am totally and perfectly content with that.

Preppy Black Friday | Lilly for Target Collection

If you thought Black Friday was bad, you didn't go to the Lilly for Target launch on Sunday.
We got to Target at 7:40 and there was already a line. Not too many people, but approximately, I don't know, 20 people? It wasn't awful. Doors opened at 8 and it was like a whirl wind after that.

We went straight to the clothes department, some people started walking, my friend Christine started running, so I decided to take a brisk pace and start jogging...
People started yelling "OMG, people are insane"
If I could go back in time, I would have yelled, just wait, insanity is just barely breaking out right now.

Time Stamp: 8:00 am.

Clothing racks were mostly full, but my attention shot straight for the scarves and phone cases. I grabbed this one.

Lilly Pulitzer for Target Phone Case for iPhone 5/5s - Fan Dance

I proceeded to move towards the mob of people only 15 feet away from me and dive into the two large clothing racks full of beautiful Lilly for Target print. I had no tactic, but in the moment, I just looked at sizes, and grabbed mine. I had no idea what I was grabbing, but if it was my size and on the rack, it was in my hand. The rest of the next 3 two 4 minutes is a blur. I am convinced I blacked out, or "pinked" out, as it was being referred to as Pink Sunday. People were coming up on the back sides of the clothing racks and grabbing every single item, other women were fighting, other people were screaming, and then I saw a friendly face who kindly asked me if I knew where the home goods for the collection was, got distracted, and went with her on an adventure through Target to find them.
I regret this move, as there was only one small end shelf dedicated to the Lilly for Target home collection, and it was all gone. I should have kept my focus on why I was there in the first place: The green long sleeve dress. (boom boom print, for those of you who want to search its beauty)

I decided I had enough things in my hands, went out to the aisle, and looked for my friends. We reconvened and headed to the fitting rooms. Behind me  I saw a girl with the green dress, and had an out of body experience. I was thinking "OMG you got the dress" but instead said the words "OMG you got the dress." Now, this isn't rare of my personality as I will literally talk to a wall if it is there. I can start a conversation with any one or anything and I will just talk. Seriously... ask any of my friends. Some of them are embarrassed of me. I started talking to this woman, who then introduced me to her friend who she had met in line, and who had two of the magical and beautiful green dress. She told me she just needed to try them on and I could have whichever didn't fit her. OKAY COOL. This, ladies and gents, is why you talk to strangers. Because sometimes, you get lucky, and meet a nice person who will let you have the green dress that you had a dream about the night before. I know I have issues, don't point that out.

So, I took the very large portion of clothing that I had grabbed (I believe there were 15 things, including a phone case and necklace) and went on my merry way. Now, if you thought any of the above was crazy, you've got another one coming...

At this point I'd approximate the time stamp at around 8:30-ish

We were in line waiting for the fitting room, and there are some people who clearly have never been shopping before because they felt the need to grab every single size in one particular item and try them on. I am talking about one specific moth daughter duo who clearly had a game plan. And it was very selfish. So at this point in time, there are people who are trickling into the store, hoping to find one thing. But, to their surprise, the shelves and racks were cleared at 8:05. I kid you not. 5 minutes for insanity to ensue. FIVE. MINUTES. Like that Madonna song plus a really long intro. Yeah. So, these people, who decided to come to Target at 8 instead of be a crazy person like myself and come before 8, began to form their own line on the other side of the fitting room, to go through the clothes that people weren't getting because it wasn't their size, etc. LIKE, EXCUSE ME WHAT?! Target eventually realized this was a dangerous solution to get a dress and at some point when I was in the fitting room, decided to have the security guard take the clothes from the fitting room back to the racks. Oh, and yes, there was a security guard specifically for this launch. Preppy girls... you know us and our record...

So I tried on a few things, put the romper back, put the necklace back, and had two dresses, a top, and pants. I was happy, and then I had the brilliant idea to look at the price tag.... Yeah. That thought hadn't occurred to me yet. Here are the lucky items that made the cut:

Lilly Pulitzer for Target Women's Shift Dress - Upstream

Lilly Pulitzer for Target Women's Crochet Tank Top - White

Lilly Pulitzer for Target Women's Linen Shift Dress - Giraffeeey

I put back a pair of the pants in the "My Fans" print, which were beautiful, but way too pajama-y so they did not make the cut. But they did. make the out of the fitting room cut, so I had to go back and yell "SIZE LARGE, ANYONE WANT THESE?" to the hoarding group of women to which a nice woman approached me, thanked me, and went on her way to the fitting room. NICE PEOPLE DO EXIST!

Time Stamp: 8:45am-ish (I hadn't had coffee yet, give me a break)

We proceeded to the cash register because I decided I needed to pay before I did even more damage, and even at the cash register, the chaos continued. Some women had decided against purchasing specific things come time to pay (clearly they didn't look at the prices until last minute either) and there were people going through the return bucket. I almost bought a shirt in the Boom Boom print because I didn't have the dress, but it has a weird cinch thing and I decided against it.

Time Stamp: 9:00am
I got coffee (thank goodness for Starbucks in Target), got home and went online to see if there was any hope to me getting the dress, and alas it was sold out everywhere... BUT I am extremely happy with my purchases and am even happier that I survived Lilly for Target. I know that this is currently a very controversial collection, and a lot of people are upset with how it turned out. Unfortunately, there are people who bought the entire rack of clothes and are now selling them for over $100, and as unfair as it is, that is life. Personally, I would not buy from these people, because to me, it takes away the entire purpose of Target Collections. Famous designers collaborate with Target to make more affordable, still great quality, pieces, so that people can say that they own a Lilly Pulitzer dress, and not have to pay over $100 for it... That is just my opinion, and people will be people and no one can stop that.

Hopefully you all had a successful Pink Sunday and got at least a few good steals!

Did you have any horror stories?
Did you enjoy the collection?

April Showers

An ex-blogger, an ex-girlfriend, and I walk into a room...
I promise you, that joke was going somewhere, but where? I couldn't tell you now. It's this new Starbucks drink I order, it has me bouncing off walls, or in this case all over the keyboard.



Surprise!!! I'm back!
I forgot why I abandoned this great little thing I had going and I remembered that my outlet changed. I went from writing my feelings and my moods and honestly whatever had popped into my mind, and went to sharing those all with another person, rather than just getting it out there and posting it onto the interwebs. Granted, both are great. Human to human interaction is awesome, unless its Netflix night, then no other people are allowed, and there is just something so calming about sitting down in front of a computer and writing whatever you are feeling in that very moment.

So, back to the "joke"... those three people are me. Supposedly I thought it was funny, but I mean if you can't look back on your past year and at least smile, then you're doing something wrong. So here's your catch-up. I started a blog, I started dating a boy, stopped blogging, dated said boy for a little over a year, cut my hair, things happened, people move, I'm getting ready to graduate, things ended mutually, and now I am sitting back at a computer, telling you, whoever "you" may be, how I feel. Breakups change people, people change people, coffee changes people, and at this point in my life, change only happens so that

I have no idea what this blog will turn into, and I also don't want to limit myself to a specific genre. If I feel like posting about what I do at the gym, I might do that, or maybe I will go on a rant about how the girl at Starbucks was wearing cowboy boots, or I might even word vomit about all my feelings about the fact that I am graduating in two months (I would count on that one...)

So here I am, trying out this whole blogging thing again. They say April showers bring May flowers, but I'm going to say April showers bring new beginnings, in whatever outlets that may be.
Wish me luck, grab a cup of coffee or maybe a margarita (I approve of both) and join me on this journey of a little thing I like to call life.

Senioritis: A Little Elle Woods Motivation

The time has come. I am a senior in college. And I have senioritis.
I love my school, I really do. I love all my classes, my professors are all really cool, for being professors, and the work isn't too crazy. Loljk I almost had a panic attack earlier this week because I was so overwhelmed. But as a whole, I don't have very many complaints.
With all of that being said, it is crazy to think that in less than a year I will be a college graduate. It is crazy that with every event for my sorority, or my job, or anything on campus, I have to say "well, this is my last one so I really have to go and I really have to make an effort."

I see senioritis as two things:
1.) The "I'm graduating in May and am going to have a real people, grown up girl job hopefully, or will be looking for one, and I need to put my best foot forward and prove to everyone how much I can do, oh and on top of that I need to finalize my resume but I also need to build upon it, and I need to go to work to make money and I need to spend time with my friends, oh yeah and I need to go to class and get good grades because what would any of this be with a bad GPA" approach.

2.) The "I'm a senior in college and I'm 21 and this is the last time Ihave to have fun before real life" approach.

The 2nd approach hasn't hit me, might not until the last month of next semester, who knows. For the mean time, I'll be freaking out about everything I have to do and haven't yet done all while keeping calm and keeping up my hair care to make Elle Woods proud.

What to do in summer...

It is officially my last final week of summer, which I would normally say is so super crazy and summer has flown by but it hasn't. This has been the longest summer ever and I can't wait to go back to school. Crazy, I know. But I miss order and having a set schedule that doesn't change every week because of work schedulings, or whatever the case may be. I don't like not having a set schedule, and I don't like waiting until like 3 days before to plan my next week. I am at the point in my summer where I have a day off and I'm bored... 

Like it's even gotten to the point where other people are bored too. I have proof. YouTube never lies.

But it's all like clean your closet - done- redecorate your room - done - start a new series - done and finished and caught up on like 3 - watch movies - done - paint nails - 100 times done. So many more things, I've done pretty much all of it. And now I feel like Olaf, but instead of turning into a happy snowman, I'm turning into a puddle...

Any ideas to help me survive the next few days I have left of sumer break?

Countdown:

1 day til the last camp field trip - Disneyland!

3 days til the last day of camp

7 days til Justin Timberlake

8 days til my flight back to SF

14 days til the first day of school

26 days until my 21st birthday!

Ch-ch-changing

Change is defined as making or becoming different. Change can be positive or negative, but it is change. Over the past few weeks, a few things have happened in which I have noticed a change, whether it is with me, friends, lifestyle, anything...

With all that being said,

7 years difference.

CHANGE. In it's finest form. Welcome, 8th grade Kathryn. I was valedictorian of my class, and off to my dream high school. Now I am getting ready to enter my senior year of college. Uhm, WHAT?! Its crazy to think how much has really changed, not just by appearance, but personality, wants, desires, personality, feelings, motivations, interests, honestly everything!

But in all honesty, change is nothing without the right time. When it's the right time, change will come, whether it is for the best, or if it is the bad before it gets better.

Welcome to the Let's Be Friends Blog Hop!

A blog hop is a set time frame for current or aspiring bloggers to find new blogs and quality content. It is a great way to make new friends and find inspiration! It is also a fabulous way to promote your own blog and posts.

Dear Friends,

What a day to celebrate! This is the 76th week of the Let's Be Friends blog hop! Thanks for joining us on this special day. Chelsee and Tiffany are extremely delighted to see the way this hop has grown and love to see your faces each week! 

Join us every Tuesday at 7am (MST). This blog hop focuses on content. LINK UP YOUR FAVORITE POST from last week in this fun content-sharing blog hop! I love the idea of blog hopping, but I love the idea of reading posts and quality content on new blogs I've never been to even more. Instead of simply linking up your blog button, you are now able to link up your favorite post you recently wrote. Have a delicious recipe to share, DIY tutorial, or heartfelt post? Share it with us! All hosts and co-hosts put up some unique and fun content from the past week. Make sure to check them out. P.S.- you may still link up your blog button and blog name, but it is encouraged to link up your favorite post instead. You will get more page views and interest if you do so! Some of the most successful blog hops I have participate in focus on content rather than just exchanging follows. You never know who will become a loyal follower or pin that delicious new recipe you posted!

The BEST part of this blog hop? Each week there will be a WINNER! That's right, each week we will choose one lucky blog to feature from the previous week's hop. This hop receives thousands of page views every week, so your blog will have the chance to be center stage for free. You must follow all the hosts and co-hosts in order to win. Only those who link up a specific post are eligible to be featured! *You must follow all the hosts and co-hosts in order to win.

The last exciting change is that the co-host spots will now be available to all sponsors of  The Dwelling Tree or Southern Beauty Guide. If you are interested in co-hosting the blog hop, email Tiffany or Chelsee about sponsorship opportunities and how to co-host the weekly hop!

There are a couple of great giveaways going on right now at Southern Beauty Guide and The Dwelling Tree. Go check them out! :)

Let's Be Friend's Blog Hop Guidelines

1. Link up your favorite post from your week.

2. Follow your hosts and co-hosts.

3. Grab the button and post it on your blog so we can share the love.

4. Visit 3 other blogs and follow them along!

5. Tweet about this blog hop, using #letsbefriends

6. Pin the button on pinterest so we can spread the news! 

<a href="http://www.thedwellingtree.com/" target="_blank" title="The Dwelling Tree"><img alt="The Dwelling Tree" src="http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg553/tiffanycutcliff/BlogHopButtonFinal_southern_zps3ce2c2e1.png"/>

***Once a week, one blog will be chosen to be the featured blogger from the previous blog hop. 

Meet your hosts: 

The Dwelling Tree: Blog, Bloglovin'

Southern Beauty Guide: Blog, Bloglovin'

&

The co-hosts:

Elizabeth @ Nom Elizabeth

Jessica @ Living on Sweet Tea

Kathryn @ As Told By Kathryn

Taylor @Tattered to Taylored

 Becca @ Two Places at Once

***This weeks featured post from last week's hop:

Source

Satisfaction Through Christ 

Why Become a Foster Parent 

Hi everyone! This is Tiffany this week. Thank you all once again for continually linking up at our blog hop. It is such a fun time and I am so impressed each week with all the amazing posts. Please continue to link up an actual post instead of your blog. We want to keep reading your content and it makes it more fun to pick a winner! 

... onto the winner! 

As I scrolled through all the delicious posts my eyes caught this one. Perhaps it is because I have always been interested in fostering a child, but I wanted to read the post. What I would soon discover is that this little post would leave me almost in tears. Jennifer, the writer of this post, did a magnificent job of uncovering many of the stereotypes and assumptions of the kinds of homes foster kids come from, and gave me a new perspective and grace for all those involved in the foster system. This was a deep, heartfelt, and loving post. If you are considering fostering, adopting, or know a family going through the process, read this post. This is a very interesting and lovely perspective of the power of love. 

The blog is filled with inspirational and real posts about life. Bookmark it for posts that will lift up your day. I am so excited to have a new daily read! 

Follow Satisfaction Through Christ 

Keep posting awesome content! You make it so fun for us to read all your posts! If you can, please link up a specific post. It makes it easier for us to come and visit! 

*Remember YOU can be next weeks winner! :)

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