Welcome to my life, Spotify!

This morning I unassumingly clicked on someone's playlist link in Twitter, under the program Spotify. It was not a virus (thank you Jesus), but the newest advancement in music sharing!

Because sometimes my Mariah and other 90s Fascinations playlist just doesn't hit the spot and this variety of recommendations is priceless.

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I'm a big music-discovery person, spending countless hours cherishing those 30-second and then 90-second clips in i-tunes before solidifying any purchases. While I'm still on my first shared playlist, the love is apparent. You can see other music recommendations from your Facebook friends, and you can click on the play button within Facebook to listen to the recommended songs of your friends in their entirety. Love at first sight.

As soon as I solidify the most perfect playlist, I will share via Twitter. Stay-tuned! 

Dance.

george's lesson of the day

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Dogs often growl at George when they meet. He's a ball of energy and sometimes he is a little too intense for other dogs. But George does not give up. Give him five minutes and George will win over even the most grumpy pup. It's a gift. But it's also interesting to watch how easily they get along after the initial hurdle is overcome. Once the differences are past them and George shows his relentless interest in the other, they become inseparable. To watch this roller coaster is entertaining (although sometimes stressful).

And then, how many more people would I know if I simply greeted them as they passed or didn't let a first impression derail me? I'm not the most open person and I like the friends I already have as oppose to meeting new ones. It's comfortable and safe. But everyday George runs up to a new stranger and licks there face. Now, I'm going to draw the line with personal space, but it will be a personal goal to start saying a simple "Hello!" to people I encounter throughout the day.

the happiness of our parents

What a perfect fall day! George and I went to the dog park where he simply ran laps, enjoying the weather, in between little play sessions with the other dogs. It was a beautiful morning. And I'm wearing this next time (as oppose to sweatpants!):

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One of my favorite blogs had the brilliant idea of an article club. From many angles it's a genius concept, the commonly short attention spans, the varied interests, the short time commitment, but what solidified the idea in my mind was her first article selection, a Modern Love column from the Style section of The New York Times. I have read this column religiously for 5 years and am still trying to muster the courage and organize my thoughts enough to submit my own. 

But when I read the selected column, it was this quote that stood out in my mind:

“It’s not age-appropriate to expect children to be concerned with their parents’ happiness. Not unless you want to create co-dependents who’ll spend their lives in bad relationships and therapy."

What are your thoughts on this? Everyone has sad moments, but at what point is the line drawn for inappropriate sharing on the part of the parents? I've recently been thinking a lot about the happiness of my own parents and at what level I need to be invested in their well-being. They raised me and sacrificed a great deal to give me this life, but it's hard to constantly be stressed about their happiness, which, frankly, I'm unable to control.

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While I would want an open and honest relationship with my parents, I am increasingly leaning towards the ignorance is bliss camp when it comes to children. Even as adults, they are still their parents' children and this relationship is the foundation for so much more. 

Nows...

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This morning I'm up early with a plan for it all.  It's easy to remain ambitious before the day begins. There are so many papers piled high on my desk and books that I still need to enjoy before the free time dwindles to responsibility. 

"Forever is composed of nows." -Emily Dickinson

pumpkin season

The first pumpkin pie of the season was a hit! Thank you, Paula Dean. This recipe is perfect, not too heavy, just the right amount of pumpkin flavor and simple as pie (oh, snap). One of my friends even pretended to like pumpkin pie and ate a slice. I have the best friends. The pie was a necessary celebration for the cold-front Dallas is experiencing and the season finale of Dallas Most Eligible. 

Does anyone outside of Dallas watch this show? I'm not sure, although my claim to fame this past weekend was running into Courtney at the neighborhood gas station. 

Love her (minus the whole Neil-hazing phase).

And I will leave you with George in his Halloween costume. He's a pumpkin and he loves it.

complex perfume for a complex life

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Perfume constantly reminds me of places I've been and things that were. It magically transports me completely through the senses, in a way that is personal, romantic and an extension of the self. Needless to say, I'm a bit obsessive about perfume.  I admire anyone who can settle on one scent and never waiver, they know who they are, but I'm still evolving, learning and embracing change. The perfect scent means everything, from first impressions to how you will remember each moment. 

Enter, a new find in the perfume department: Tom Ford Black Orchid. 

There was a sample at the bottom of my latest Sephora purchase and I finally got around to trying it out. It's magical. Conveying a musky scent that I'm always partial too, but then adding a bit of sweetness. It's a more complex perfume. 

As my life is a little complicated right now, it makes sense that I would fall in love with this.

50/50 Movie Review

Life happens without asking for permission. There's no briefing where you are able to discuss the next step or bluntly state that you are not quite ready for that challenge. It would be nice to guide life and have the authority to confirm or deny any change, but then there would be no real challenges or surprises. And while some challenges are small or surprises great, life is never fair with its allocation of tragedy. 

Last night, I finally went to see 50/50. It's tragic to think of anyone getting cancer and suffering through life with such a debilitating illness, but somehow Will Reiser leads the audience into the reality without loosing them. 

It was fabulous. Seth Rogen impressed with his approachability and unwavering loyalty to his best friend, Adam, who developed spine cancer in the movie. Rogen is friends with the screenwriter, Will Reiser, who developed spine cancer in his 20s and based the screenplay off of his own experiences. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Adam in his usual quirky, nerdy persona and Anna Kendrick plays the psychologist in an endearing, naive fashion. Overall, it was a comedy, but a very real comedy, where the depth of any struggles were not dismissed or overlooked. Sometimes, all you can do is laugh.

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9 to 5- Dolly Parton

love everything about this song.

The Show Goes On- Lupe Fiasco

Theme song for my life movie.

Just Dance- Lady Gaga

This will always be my favorite Gaga.

Up on the Roof- The Drifters

Doo-wop.

Better Than Revenge- Taylor Swift

"No amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity."

Boyz- M.I.A.

Because it makes me feel gangsta.

Takin' Pills- Pistol Annies

Pistol Annies are the best thing to happen to country music.

Sometimes- Michael Franti

Dance it out.

dinner time

While the weather may still feel like it's summer in Dallas, we are well into the fall season and I intend to pretend until the weather follows suit. Enter tonight's dinner- Shepherd's Pie.. After researching a few recipes, I settled on this one from Alton Brown of Food Network fame. This meat and potatoes variation is a delicious reward after an hour of cooking. The preparation is simple, but requires some patience. 

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It's perfection. But maybe add some tomatoes.

Tribute to Thai Food

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When the day feels like it will never end, or I've had a week filled with stressful late nights, there's always one thing I crave at the end of it all-Thai food. Finding the best Thai option is a game to me, I love the success and then the hope of topping my current favorite. It's always a to-go order and it must be spicy (when in doubt, add Siracha!). In Austin my favorite was the Thai Noodle House on campus. Not the best atmosphere, but absolutely the best take-out option.

With Dallas, the search began all over again and after many pad thai attempts, I've discovered a hidden, unassuming gem-Thai Thai. 

The pad thai and crab rangoons complete me. While the spice level is adjustable upon request, the peanut to noodle ratio is a perfect balance and this all deserves a top rating in my book. The restaurant is BYOB, which I appreciate (especially considering my uncertain paycheck), because pinot noir goes phenomenally well with a plate of pad thai.

sidewalk adventures

Life is a whirlwind. The past month moved at such an unbelievable pace, void of any consistency, and I'm just now catching my breath. It's beautiful to have a life filled to the brim, but then overwhelming when it all boils down to me still searching. delicious ambiguity.

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George taught me that sometimes you just need to take a walk outside and bounce around on the sidewalk. Which is a ridiculously fulfilling moment every time. It also brings little gifts. So while rent in Uptown is expensive, it continues to dispense designer sunglasses on said sidewalk. Today it was a pair of Coach sunglasses. A few weeks ago it was Marc Jacobs. So I break even.

looking for answers

Does anyone listen to music waiting for the lyric you need to hear?

Have you ever been to a bookstore looking for the answers?

Sometimes I spend days looking for answers, but I know full well the only answers are found through living. 

There's no one to tell you when or why or how, or much less who will bring it all together, if it is to be brought together through you.

Issues of a Blogger

Does anyone know why all of my photos disappeared? Even my personal photos that I uploaded are now a depressing black box with an exclamation point.


The only thing I can think of is that I deleted all photos that were tagged on Google+, but hopefully that didn't translate to my blogging portfolio. 


The whole phenomenon of linking everything together annoys me. This is also why I hate my iphone. Can I please have a phone that efficiently makes calls without alerting me of work emails and the latest facebook location of my friends? Don't get me started on the 5 steps to actually get to a basic keypad, 5 steps to look like a phone. This is possible too much to ask, but I like to keep things separate, I enjoy a good compartmentalization outlook. Is that so wrong? Let's enjoy things, simply and one at a time. 


This is all very annoying. 

Tomato Pie and the life of a Modern Day Grandma

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Last weekend I made a tomato pie and celebrated my 80th birthday. Jeff and I were about to go out of town, but had 4 tomatoes threatening to go bad while we were away. So, while flipping through Southern Living (and watching Golden Girls) I found this recipe and altered it to ingredients we already had. The result is below.

4 medium tomatoes, sliced

1 onion, sliced

1/2 cup light mayonnaise

1/2 cup light ranch

1/4 cup cilantro 

1 cup Gruyere

1/4 cup parmesan

Preheat oven to 350. (I omitted the pastry portion of the pie, but you can use homemade or store-bought, whatever your preference.)

Salt sliced tomatoes and place in bottom of dish (or pastry shell). Place sliced onions over tomatoes.

Stir together mayonnaise, ranch, cilantro and gruyere. 

Spread mayonnaise mixture over tomatoes and onions. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes and let cool 5 minutes before serving.

It resembles a healthy pizza and is perfect for summer days. There are many variations that are worth sampling. 

I promise my next post will be wildly irresponsible in hopes of maintaining an audience under 75. Wild.

life is a balancing act, thankfully.

Women need their financial independence. It gives a person confidence and security within themselves. Dependence is dangerous.  Thank you Cosmo radio. 

Traveling for work has many perks. I get to explore the East coast, meet new people and listen to XM radio in my rent car. This is my first work trip as I’m usually bound to my desk with endless emails and phone calls. This is a welcome change of scenery.

Back to Cosmo. I think this is a valuable point for the radioshow hosts to make, but, after championing the cause of women pursuing their careers over anything else, my opinion evolves.  Everyone needs a purpose.  Something beyond relationships, but not something that may merely pay for your lifestyle, it’s whatever it is inside that builds a sense of unique self.

(maybe it's camping in your personal library?) 

And while love is important and a career is important, balance is crucial. Balance helps give way to an overall purpose, a feeling of being needed. In my humble opinion, the most important thing for me is to have balance among many areas, not to “put all my eggs in one basket” so to say.

Sometimes (every-single-day), Jeff leaves hangers on the door handles in the bathroom. This bothers me. But, then I go meet my friends for happy hour and the hanger fiasco no longer matters. (And I’m less outraged when I bring it to his attention.)

With this balance, it’s easier to live and let go, while not getting caught up on little things, but allowing myself to enjoy the bigger picture. I’m a worrier and it’s been a challenge to not stress over small things, but this is the best solution I have found in my 25 years.

(or sailing?)

Of course, there are bigger items that I apply this to. But right now they’ve slipped my mind because I’m feeding my “writing” purpose.

The Playlist of Summer 2011

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Summer always goes hand in hand with music. Pool parties, road trips, late nights, they all require the perfect soundtrack. 

Here's my take for Summer 2011:

Hello- Martin Solveig & Dragonette

Every playlist needs a dance.

Knee Deep- Zac Brown Band (feat. Jimmy Buffett)

The perfect summer anthem/attitude.

Everlasting Light- The Black Keys

Rock that means well.

Heaven- O.A.R.

"No direction" is a good summary of summer.

Silly Love Songs- Wings

From Moulin Rouge to Glee, I always love this song.

I Don't Feel Like Dancin'- Scissor Sisters

A song for saturday: morning, noon and night.

I Wanna Go- Britney Spears

I love Britney. I love Bravo. (and summer camp)

That Was Just A Dream- Cut Copy

A soundtrack to my daydream.

The Cave- Mumford & Sons

Best lyrics of the bunch.

Back to Bonnaroo

25 is shaping up. My new job is great (and time-consuming, hence my neglected blog), while Dallas is slowly growing on me. Last weekend I went to a music festival, Bonnaroo, in Manchester, TN. The music begins Thursday night and goes on until Sunday night. Exhausting. Jeff and I drove 12 hours through Texas, Arkansas and finally Tennessee to get there, and camp. Yes, you camp at the music festival. And you have to pay for private showers, an investment worth making. 

The heat was horrendous and I went home with a face so sunburn that it was swollen. And I wore sunscreen. The music plays all day, but the big shows start near midnight and last until 4 a.m., yes, 4 in the morning. However, I was so exhausted that I never had a problem sleeping in our tent. Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons, The Black Keys and Walk the Moon were my highlights. Arcade Fire put on an amazing show and were just interesting to watch. Mumford and Sons sounded better live, which is a hard feat to pull off. The Black Keys were perfection, but didn't play the whole set, so I'm upset with them. And no one had heard of Walk the Moon, so we were able to stand right next to the stage! 

All in all, it was a great experience, but we are both on the fence as to whether we would ever do it again. I doubt it. From now on I will stick to Austin City Limits and enjoy going home every night, sleeping in a bed and taking a shower every morning. 

There was also Yoga every morning with coconut water and I will be forever grateful to Bonnaroo for getting my boyfriend on a yoga mat! Mission accomplished. (He wouldn't let me take a picture.)

live the questions

And the point is, to live everything. 

Live the questions now. 

Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.

-Ranier Maria Rilke, "Letters to a Young Poet"

Happy 25!

 While this is a rather scary birthday for me (quarter-life crisis), there are so many wonderful things going on.  I lack the words to describe the bittersweet feeling that kept me up all night, so I will countdown the thankful moments I'm sure of.

1. George, and every moment he is in.
2. My Family and their support.
3. My friends, they keep me smiling.
4. Birthday flowers sent to work, complete with a cheesy balloon.
5. Champagne toast last night at midnight.
6. Planning a surprise party for a dear friend.
7. Homemade macaroni and cheese, with truffle oil and chipotle tabasco (I'll post the recipe tomorrow)
8. Discussing wedding dresses for a friend's wedding, and sending endless e-mails with new ideas.
9. Bridal Shower Invites, love a good party.
10. Planning a friend book for someone's birthday, so they can be constantly reminded how many lives they've touched.
11. Passive aggressive behavior via facebook. It's hilarious.
12. Co-workers taking me to lunch.
13. My last day writing about politics!
14. The opportunity in starting my new job next week.
15. Surprise birthday dinner tonight!
16. Legally Blonde. It never gets old, although it was a little cheesier than I remembered.
17. Shellac manicure, my birthday present to myself.
18. Spa week facial tomorrow morning!
19. Taking the rest of the week off to do whatever I like.
20. Wine and cheese night with the girls tomorrow.
21. Mailing letters via snail mail.
22. My books arrived from Amazon! Just in time for vacation days.
23. Starting a new list of goals for this year.
24. Snickerdoodle cookies I made for the office. I get to eat a few and am not tempted to eat all two dozen.
25. Mad Men watch party.

Tomorrow dreams!

This is my dream for tomorrow, and it will get me through today! There will be cappuccino on a little table outside. I'll wear a dress, as always, and enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of a patio. If only I had an umbrella that delicately gorgeous.

Tomorrow, I'm taking a personal day. I have to use up my vacation before I start my new job, so I will be relaxing by the pool, strolling over to Starbucks and then hopefully cleaning up the apartment a bit.

Tonight I'm making cinnamon rolls to cook in the morning, and jump-start my mini-birthday vacation!

But, in the event that I actually live in the present moment for once, today includes drinks with friends, dollar days at Jimmy Johns and RHONY!

opportunity, please meet preparation

(weheartit)

It's official. The exciting news I briefly mentioned yesterday... I accepted a new job in Public Relations! I'm giddy with excitement. While my current job is great and the people are great, I'm growing a little tired of the politics world. So now I will be moving forward to handle the public relations for a restaurant! Food is much more my speed. Yum. 

The past couple months, preparationas I searched for jobs, were discouraging to say the least. It was one of those times where everything seems to be happening to everyone else. But I persevered with a bad attitude and finally found a new opportunity for me. 

Life needs a good does of healthy change every once in a while.

Happy Monday!

That is the first, and very probable last, time you will ever find me using "happy" to describe a Monday. But, with birthday month in full swing and the most fantastic news this morning, this is a very happy Monday.

The past three months were not the greatest and maybe it's this spring weather that has put this "spring" in my step. I promise never to do that again either, some puns are never punny. Ok, I'll put the coffee away.

Here are two fantastic products for this happy spring day:

Skin Renew Anti-Puff Roller
Garnier

While I was skeptical to try any of the Garnier skincare products, this was a pleasant surprise. The little rollerball is amazing, glides on smoothly and gives immediate results. It definitely reduces puffiness and refreshes the eye area. It's handy to carry in my purse and apply throughout the day, but the real magic happens when you leave it in the refrigerator.  As the temperature is steadily climbing down here in Texas, there's nothing quite as refreshing as a cooling little eye massage. Sounds weird, but it's awesome. Don't knock it till you try it.


Let There Be Light- Radiant Skin Lotion
Elizabeth Arden

Elizabeth Arden is a classic. The best facial I ever had was at the Red Door Spa and I easily recall my first purchase of the 8-hour cream. In line with the reputation, the radiant skin lotion is fantastic. The iridescent lotion creates a subtle glow. I mix it with my foundation, or wear it alone on top of moisturizer during the weekend. This is also a great summer product because it provides SPF coverage without the smell. The light consistency also allows for easy layering over moisturizer when skin is dry.

Birthday Month, Day 1: Buy every magazine of interest

It's birthday month! 

One day just isn't enough. There is too much pressure on a 24-hour period to be spectacular, so I celebrate the entire month. It's what I do and I think you should too. 

For the kickoff of birthday month I'm heading to the nearest Barnes & Noble to collect every April magazine on the shelves (within reasonable interest). I've always had a thing for magazines. They're like a vacation from reality, a power nap for the soul. Not to mention the undeniable wisdom in the horoscopes, and this month, the Aries paragraph will be twice as long! It's a treat, and much less fattening than cupcakes. 

win win movie review

I ventured out to see this movie last night (on a weeknight, crazy cats). It was a great movie. The characters were endearing, the situations were realistic and the off-beat comedy was perfectly balanced.

Paul Giamatti plays a lawyer struggling to keep his own practice afloat. When he claims to become the guardian of an elderly man solely to collect the pension, everything spins out of control, subtly. "Quiet comedy" describes the film accurately, and it is best for a relaxing weeknight out. There are no surprises in the plot and it's free of feel-good gimmicks. But, the writing is fantastic and keeps the audience listening for a bit of advice. Amy Ryan, of The Office fame, and Jeffrey Tambor, of Arrested Development, were pleasant surprises in their supporting roles.

Tuesday SXSW Tunes

Don't let me fool you. I did not attend SXSW this year. However, with the beauty of technology, I can pretend. After scouring reviews, watching videos and listening endlessly to various acts from the impressive lineup, I've correlated a list of my potential favorites. Just because I wasn't there, doesn't mean I can't pick a favorite or two. Poser? yes.

Walk the Moon- Anna Sun

It's love. The video made my day.

King Charles- Love Lust
"lust only grows like anger and revenge or beauty comes and goes but love stays until the end."

NewVillager- New Doors

Haunting, good beats, best for late night driving.

The Walkmen- I Lost You

Classic rock...eventually.
Gemini Club- Future Tidings

a dance/techno jam
Meiko- Boys With Girlfriends

I've been listening to Meiko for a while, good for rainy days and cooking adventures.

The Chain Gang of 1974- We at the Disco

A song for your goofy dance, or maybe that's just me.

Calvin Harris- I'm Not Alone

Interesting.

David Donero- South of the South
Amazing Songwriter, sounds similar to Bright Eyes.

Ellie Goulding- The Writer

A song for dreams and sparkels! First heard here.

bangles of inspiration

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 These bracelets just stole my heart. They're like inside out Kate Spade bracelets. "Live your dreams" and "Miracles Happen" would be great daily reminders to wear around my wrist without the permanence of a tattoo.  

I love them and with all of the occasions (graduations, birthdays, weddings) coming up they would make such a special gift.

Twelve Commandments

Say what? There are ten commandments. True story, but this is in reference to The Happiness Project. In the book, she lists a personal twelve commandments by which she directs her life. The idea is interesting, and I think it's important to have little reminders of who you are, who you want to be and who you want to become. I think the personal twelve commandments idea helps harbor this motive. So, without further adieu, my twelve commandments, which are sure to be altered with time.

Enjoy the process.

Gracefully accept change.

Dream big.

Do not dwell in the past, but learn the lessons and move forward.

Stay active, whether through physical or mental exercise, keep moving.

Talk to strangers as I would a friend.

Hold off on complaints and listen.

Wear sunscreen.

Smile through adversity.

Focus on the ones I love or want to love.

Enjoy moments and be thankful for them.

Do good.

health news

I've tried a fair share of green juice/superfoods in my day, but this is by far the best tasting. I mix it with almond milk, add agave and cinnamon, and shake or stir till it's (mostly) dissolved. With low expectations for the chocolate flavor, I thought it tasted like a chocolate milkshake. If you are looking for a nutritious supplement, this is a great option. Not sure if it's giving me more energy, but it does curb my appetite and is very filling (hello, swimsuit season). 

Here's the product description:

One serving gives you the antioxidant equivalent of 7 servings of fruits and vegetables and helps you hit your daily quota. A full spectrum of alkalizing green super foods, antioxidant rich fruits, and support herbs unite with Acai and Maca to provide a powerful dose of whole food nutrition. Complete with pre and probiotics and digestive enzymes to ensure rapid nutrient absorption and healthy digestion. 



In other news, went to bodypump class for the first time a few days ago and was a little disappointed with the results. I wasn't sore. Now call me crazy, but this is a big deal to me because 
a) it means I got a great workout 
b)exercised new muscles and 
c) I don't have to work out the next day.  (rule of thumb)

So, I might go again and add cardio, but after an hour class that's a tall order for my attention span. Or I will just stick to hot yoga, which is love.

Tracy Anderson has videos on youtube that I might start doing in the comfort of my own living room. I did a few of the exercises at work (don't judge me, it was during my lunch break and I was tired of sitting) and was sore the next day. Results. I like that.

Making Monday Beautiful

Beauty Flash Balm

Clarins

This is a miracle worker. I wasn't sure what to expect at first. It sounded like an upcoming disappointment with the advertised claim: "An exceptional beauty booster which immediately eliminates all signs of fatigue: facial features appear rested and smooth." But, fear not, it's truly fantastic. The primer goes on smooth without clogging pores, preps skin flawlessly and lasts well into the night. And after a dull Monday, the mask leaves my skin glowing.

Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup
Dior

This is my favorite foundation. It's hydrating, provides full coverage and doesn't feel caked-on. I'm not a foundation everyday type person, so when I wear foundation I want it to cover up all my little freckles and spots. This feels like a tinted moisturizer, but with full-coverage. It leaves a glow and is the closest to an air-brush finish that I've come across.

Complex 15 Therapeutic Moisturizing Face Cream

Now this is fantastic. With spring/summer upon us, and me nursing my first sunburn (thank you six flags), moisturizer is on the brain...face? My skin is not nearly as dry in the summer, and so I'm always searching for a basic, light moisturizer. Complex 15 is perfect for this. It's moisturizing, but goes on light, allowing me to layer on sunscreen or foundation. It easily compares to Dermalogica's Active Moist, but is under $10. Steal. I've only ordered it online, so not sure where else you would purchase it, but at this price it's worth a try.

Why is it hard to write a personal statement?

After a whirlwind weekend, I've come across a revelation. There are a lot of negative moments surrounding my life and I constantly feel them pulling me down. I try to dispel them with positive thoughts or distract myself with reality television (RHOC is on tonight!), but these are obviously not enduring.  What then? For the past two years my life feels like failure after failure. I've applied to a graduate school program and hundreds of jobs in hopes that either option would create more fulfillment in my life, but nothing has worked out just yet. And then, this quote:

 "Research shows that the more elements make up your identity, the less threatening it is when any one element is threatened." - The Happiness Project (Rubin 78)

Elements will be threatened. That's life. But my entire identity for the past 20 years has always been based in school, work or internships. That was a constant. And these elements are threatened. I'm no longer in school, so that's out for now and I'm not happy with my job, which is 70 percent of every weekday. So, no wonder I feel defeated on a daily basis. There's nothing helping my identity along during these challenging times, or encouraging me through each failure. I have wonderful friends, a perfect dog and a beyond understanding boyfriend, but my own identity is lacking. 

All this to say, I need more elements, something to build an identity around, get me through failures as I take chances. My life needs challenge and accomplishment. 

forgot to wear green. not too worried about it.

Today is St. Paddy's Day!
Tomorrow is Friday!
The next day is Six Flags!

Pretty good line-up ahead of me. In recent news, I've decided to try BodyPump classes. Anyone? I'm a little nervous about my survival rate during this hour-long intense exercise, but it will help me with my new goal: a six-pack. Want one. Swimsuit season is scaring me, so here's to hoping this calms the fears a bit.

In other news, merely two months after I died my hair brown, blonde is calling my name. This is sure to only become more pressing as summer approaches. Why do I do this? My indecisiveness is being obnoxious on purpose.

Cloudy Weather Music

Till the World Ends- Britney Spears

Love when Britney gets it right!

I want to dance till the world ends.

The Call- Regina Spektor
Great lyrics, perfect voice.
Mushaboom-  Feist
"Watching the fire as we grow.."

Each Coming Night- Iron and Wine
As close to a grownup lullaby as they come. goodnight.

Don't you Want to Share the Guilt- Kate Nash

The breakdown near the end is rewind-worthy.
Trouble- Coldplay

Perfect Rainy Day/Driving song.

I Know I Know I Know- Tegan and Sara

"This love isn't good unless it's me and you."
Roll Away Your Stone- Mumford And Sons

The whole CD is beautiful: lyrics, music, voice.
Wild World- Cat Stevens

It's a wild world.

Pocketful of Sunshine- Natasha Bedingfield

Easy A nailed my feelings for this song exactly.

And I'm doing this later. Join me.

blogger book club

The Happiness Project. This book is everywhere. 

The concept of creating your own happiness intrigues me and the author flushes out the idea of acting how you want to feel. There is a lot to be said for finding joy in the little things and keeping a negative attitude in check. Anyway, I think the book presents an interesting idea and I will share my thoughts here as I read.

A few of my friends are going to read it with me, and I'd love for anyone else to join the discussion!

Self Portrait

It doesn't interest me if there is one God
Or many gods.
I want to know if you belong -- or feel abandoned;
If you know despair
Or can see it in others.
I want to know
If you are prepared to live in the world
With its harsh need to change you;
If you can look back with firm eyes
Saying "this is where I stand."
I want to know if you know how to melt
Into that fierce heat of living
Falling toward the center of your longing.
I want to know if you are willing
To live day by day
With the consequence of love
And the bitter unwanted passion
Of your sure defeat.
I have been told
In that fierce embrace
Even the gods
Speak of God.
 
~ David Whyte ~

If you risk nothing, then you risk everything. 

-Geena Davis

power of thought

Hoping for wonderful things today. And hoping those thoughts produce positive outcomes. I have many opportunities and it's easy to forget when the daily stresses are weighing at you in every direction. Things always turn out well and the rain always brings a rainbow. 

Cheesy? yes. Lovely at the same time? yes.

never settle for anything less than butterflies

(via)

There are two responses to listening: advice and agreement. That’s my personal diagnosis and I would like to use the disclaimer that I have no idea what I’m talking about. In my personal experience, people will either agree with you or give you advice. There is a time and place for both, but more often I’ve found it’s a matter of personal preference. Listening is one of the most crucial activities in any relationship with friends, family, co-workers, etc. It either opens the door for more discussion or slams it shut. 


A close friend of mine has said that she likes when people just allow her to vent without giving advice. This directly stems (she says) from her parents consistently giving advice every time she approaches them with a problem. 


I am the exact opposite. I want an action plan. I want someone to tell me exactly what to do with specifics on how to remedy my dilemma. This could be a result of my parents hesitating a bit with advice. I’ve always had elaborate plans for everything, down to which order I need to run my errands (ridiculous) and I would imagine there was rarely room for advice. But when things crumble and I fall, I need someone to tell me where the stairs are to get back up. I guess I could just "PLAN BETTER," but let's separate ourselves from #teamsheen for a moment.


One summer when I was in New York for an internship, a fellow intern humored me by listening to some drawn out dilemma. I asked what I should do and the reply was: “You already know what you want to do.” This has stuck with me through every obstacle I’ve faced since. No one knows you more than yourself, and the options have been selectively weighed in your mind. That statement does both, it agrees with advice, and I think that’s the best thing to say.


How do you listen?

sometimes your words just hypnotize me

What day has the best happy hour specials? Tuesday. Welcome Tuesday! Here's a lovely little playlist for the rest of your workday/school-day or the drive home (to freedom). 

Heads Will Roll- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

22- Lily Allen

Laughing With- Regina Spektor

Marchin On- OneRepublic

Ain't No Sunshine- Bill Withers

Such Great Heights- The Postal Service

Don't Panic- Coldplay

Mr. Pitiful- Matt Costa

Ready for the Floor- Lissy Trullie

Colorblind- Counting Crows

Naive- The Kooks

Foundations- Kate Nash

And I was a terrible picture take, as per usual, so here's a little glimpse of the Garden District in New Orleans while we wait for a parade.