Little Bits of Happiness

A close friend of mine started posting on his band’s Facebook page “100 Days of Happiness” in which he posts a picture of something that makes him happy.  So far posts have included a picture of himself with his band when he was 15 years old, a stuffed animal, the names of his alarms on his phone, and a pair of headphones.  I wouldn’t list 100 things that make me happy in one blog post because that’d be a lot to read.  But, I’ve got a nice even list of ten because my Spring Break will be here in one week, and I’m excited, and sometimes you just need a reminder of the little things in life that make it great.

1.  Breakfast.  I look forward to this meal every morning: bacon, eggs, hash browns, waffles, fruit, muffins, oh my.

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2.  A blank page.  There’s nothing like turning a page in your notebook and starting fresh.  The pristine white is inviting and writing is how I express myself, so how could I not enjoy a notebook?

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3.  Flip flops.  When it’s sunny and I can finally pair a cute outfit with flip flops, it means summer is in the air, and I can’t get enough of summer.  Plus, flip flops mean I can paint my toe nails, layer anklets upon anklets and throw on my toe rings.

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4.  A jog.  On a nice day, when I don’t have too much to do, a jog is so refreshing and helps me destress and I feel invincible.

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5.  On a whim movie moments (or at least they feel like movie moments to me).  When I’m in the car with a friend and we decide to just drive around and talk and blare our favorite songs.  When it’s almost midnight and me and a friend decide that we need to go grab a burger.  And those quiet instances when you sneak a kiss despite the chaos that is happening around you.  Moments like those when it’s almost too surreal to be real.

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6.  Listening to my iPod.  Sometimes life gets so hectic and the simple act of putting on my headphones and zoning out or getting in the zone with the help of music makes all the difference.  I wish my life had a soundtrack, and this is the closest I can get.

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7.  Buying groceries.  Food shopping is a liberating experience of free will.  I get to decide how many cartons of strawberries I buy, whether I really need that organic chocolate, and which jar of syrup I should get.  I just love making those little decisions.

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8.  Hugs.  They LITERALLY make my day.  A hug from a friend makes me so happy, and I try to hug all my friends upon seeing them and when we part ways.  I can’t get enough hugs.

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9.  Strawberries.  My favorite fruit.  I can eat pounds of these in one sitting.  And when I have them in my fridge, I cannot wait to eat them.  And when the dining hall serves them, I guarantee, I eat them all.

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10.  The posters plastered to the wall of my dorm.  I’ve made my space my own despite that my residence here is temporary, but because of the decorations I feel at home.  Bring Me the Horizon sits above my desk, Pierce the Veil above my bed and a slew of other screamo bands cover the walls from floor to ceiling, making me like walking into my dorm.  

Summer Wardrobe Essentials

So I know not everyone everywhere has been experiencing the glorious weather I have been.  80 degrees and sunshine, could life get any better?  But when I can wear flip flops outside, it reminds me of summer, and knowing summer is close (and yet so far) excites me.  I loathe winter, partially because I can’t handle the cold but also because of the clothes I am forced to wear.  A giant overcoat that practically swallows me, no thanks!  Layers upon layers of shirts that I eventually have to shed because of the heat indoors, ugh!  Clunky Ugg boots that make my feet sweat, ew!  Summer is calling me, and I’m ready with my wardrobe.  Hope you are too, and if not, I’ve got you covered:

 

1.  Dress Up Your Feet!  I wear anklets year round just because they remind me of summer.  But summer is the only time your feet can be fashionable with anklets and toe rings and painted nails.  So let your feet know flip flop season is almost here.

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2.  Black short shorts.  These bad boys go with anything and everything.  Plus, you can either pair them with a T-shirt for a casual look, wear a blouse to dress ’em up, and you can even wear stockings under them in case it’s not warm enough to expose your bare skin.  

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3.  White is in.  And because white goes with anything…why not own a pair of white pants?!  White’s a blank canvas, so your own unique style can shine through.

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4.  Strapless dresses!  There’s nothing like exposing them shoulders, and you certainly cannot do that in winter without getting frostbite.  Summer’s about showing skin, so go get a cute dress!

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5.  Sun’s out guns out, baby!  The classic tank top is an essential summer staple.  You can throw a cardigan over it, layer them, or just rock one by itself.  And they come in a plethora of colors.  I’m pretty sure I own the color spectrum.

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6.  Toms, Toms and more Toms.  But, go for crazy patterns and bold colors because white is in and white goes with anything, and your black shorts, will as well.  Make your Toms loud and proud.

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7.  Graphic Tees never go out of style.  And especially band tees because we all know summer is the time for concerts galore.  Warped Tour is only 118 days away.

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Cheers to sun, sand, and summer!

 

 

 

 

Closet Must Haves

Do you ever have those days where you’re standing in front of your closet, and you have too many clothes and you cannot decide what to wear?  That’s like everyday of my life, but I’ve come to realize that there are certain clothes I reach for more than others because they are staple items.  And because every woman deserves to look good, here are some must have clothes.

 

1.  A kick ass pair of jeans.  The pair must flatter your figure, go with every shirt you own, and allow you to wear any kind of shoe with it; your jeans should be versatile.  Shop for your figure, though.  I prefer skinny jeans because they show off my legs which is one of my better assets.  And also make sure that the color compliments your skin tone, I go dark wash, but check out the jeans spectrum to find the color that suits you.

pacsun.com

pacsun.com

 

 

2.  A solid white V-neck or a white scoop neck shirt.  White goes with anything, so you can pair this with your kick ass jeans and other pants.  A white top can also easily go with a crazy colored skirt, and you can also wear your white tee with lounge clothes or to bed.  Again, this white top is versatile and indispensable.  Hell, I own three white V-necks and I have to wash them each week because I am always wearing them.

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3.  Of course a little black dress for when you are going out.  This is a classic and every woman must own one, so ’nuff said!

 

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whitehouseblackmarket.com

 

4.  A cardigan, in any color you want.  Cardigans can be worn with jeans or leggings and can be for day or night.  They’re perfect for winter for a little extra layering and also wearable during a spring or summer night or if it’s cool outside.  I’m attached to my hot pink one.

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5.  A solid pair of black leggings because they allow for a quick outfit.  I sometimes just throw an oversized T-shirt on paired with my leggings, or I can pair it with my white V-neck and cardigan.  And sometimes if you’re sick of the restriction in jeans, it’s nice to be able to move in leggings.  I prefer capris leggings, but whatever works.

 

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6.  A cute dress for when you are going to a BBQ, maybe someone’s soccer game, or just a night out with friends.  Preferably in a bright color or a wild pattern.  Sometimes you want to get a little dressed up, but not go all out in your ball gown.

 

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7.  A pair of TOMS because I swear these are the next generation of ballet flats and they go with anything.  You can pair your TOMS with shorts, or a skirt or your jeans or your leggings.  I am in love with my black classic canvas pair, but if you’re a little more bold try a fun color or print.  And, not only do TOMS go with anything, they are so incredibly comfortable.  I wear them instead of flip flops because they allow your feet to breath, but I can also substitute them for sneakers because they offer full coverage (unless I’m going for a jog, then I need my sneakers…).

 

TOMS.com

TOMS.com

 

8.  A gorgeous heel, preferably in black, but whatever you think you will wear will do.  You can dress your jeans up, your cute summer dress, or wear them with that little black dress.  But, be warned there are numerous options so know what you like: strappy, or the classic look, a thick heel, or a thin heel, a 5 inch heel, or a 2 inch heel, straps, or no straps, shiny, or not.  Decision, decisions, decisions.

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9.  The best pair of flip flops, trust me on this one.  Flip flops are for the beach, a quick drive to your friend’s house, relaxing at a sporting event. etc.  Plus flip flops can be paired with your dress, a skirt, jeans, or your bikini.  Make sure they are comfortable.  You don’t want one of those cheap pairs you can get for five bucks pretty much anywhere.  You want a pair that you actually love and will be excited to slip on your feet.  My suggestion is do not go with a plastic pair, they can cause blisters, and be uncomfortable if you do too much walking.  Be on the lookout, I found a great pair in a random store in Disney and another key pair at a hat store.

 

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10.  Lastly, but no least, I’m going to give you an option (or just go for both!): a necklace you can wear all the time or a scarf to accessorize.  I’m not big into jewelry but I always wear a necklace and I have a select few necklaces that I wear all the time and if I can’t find a necklace to go with my outfit, I go with old faithful.  Also, if you’re not into necklaces, or you want to mix it up every now and again, a nice scarf will do your outfit wonders by adding another texture, maybe that pop of color you want, or the finishing touch.

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So now with all the key pieces, rock your outfit every day!

It’s Finally Summer

I was not made for winter.  Anything under 80 degrees is cold to me.  I have never purchased a long sleeve shirt because I prefer tank tops and short sleeved T’s.  I’d much rather wear flip flops than boots.  And though I think snow is beautiful and I don’t mind shoveling it because it is a good workout; I’d much rather be at the beach or swim in a pool.  And unfortunately, despite my strong dislike for winter, the season stubbornly stayed and persisted to wreak it’s coldness for days and days.

It wasn’t until today that I truly felt like summer has officially arrived, and I could not be happier.  I feel like it isn’t summer until very early in the morning it’s hot.  I do not count the days in which it begins at 50 degrees and then slowly reaches 75 degrees by the heat of the day; that is not summer.  Summer is when you are up at 6 in the morning, and you already feel the humidity and the sun is beating down on you and the heat is obvious; that is a true summer day.  And this morning when I awoke, the weather was definitely hot.

Today is a quintessential summer day not simply because of the heat, though.  I could smell clean cut grass, and everywhere I looked people were decked out in shorts.  Plus, I am going to the beach today with some friends.  My ankle is decorated in my typical summer jewelry, an anklet, and if I had my toe rings with me at college, I’d be sporting one of them.  And I have to break out the sunscreen for today.  To celebrate the arrival of summer, I played a favorite, bouncy, pop song by All Time Low: ‘The Beach.’  And, sunglasses are indispensable today (and sunglasses are my favorite accessory).

Summer is special to me for numerous reasons.  I am a summer baby and in 48 days I’ll be nineteen.  Both my parents’ birthdays are also in summer, so even more birthday celebrations.  My dad usually takes off work in the summer, and since I’ve been away at college, it’ll be nice to spend time with him.  With summer comes the opening of our family’s pool, which means I am constantly inviting friends over to come swimming with me.  My best friend has a beach house, and she and I and a few other friends swear we are going to take advantage of it.  During summer I get to write as much as I want because I have more time, and I get to read books I’ve been dying to read all school year.  With all my friends home from college, I’ll get to reconnect with beloved pals.  Also, with the warm weather, I can spend so much more time outside.  And, I like to draw with chalk during the summer time.  Also, during the summer I see my close family, uncles and grandparents, more often because we’ll hang out on a random weekend and my dad will grill burgers and dogs.  My mom makes her famous potato salad, and my family visits Rita’s Water Ice to indulge in a special summery treat.  And, with summer, I open my car’s sun roof and blare poppy upbeat music because during summer, I am always in a great mood.  20 more days of college, and then I’ll be home free to soak up the summer sun.

So, blare some Beach Boys, treat yourself to a popsicle and wear a pair of flip flops today because, yes, it is finally summer.