All that Glitters

Sorry it's been such a long time since I have been able to post. My schedule has been crazy lately (T-minus 13 days until Graduation)! I spent Thanksgiving in Massachusetts with my family- and it was wonderful! I love spending time with them, and miss them all so much when I am away! Ever since Thanksgiving weekend I have had some super intense Christmas spirit. In fact the same day that I drove 7 hours home from MA I decorated my entire apartment for Christmas! (Like I said kind of intense).

Along with winter and Christmas comes a lot of adorable things in the stores. I mean everything from festive holiday clothing to party decorations, or even adorable looking food! One of my favorite trends every year around Christmas is Gold. There is this beautiful sparkle on everything around the holidays and finally once a year you are allowed to wear an entirely sequin dress and no one will care. Speaking of sequins, I have been looking for a dress that I can wear to graduation, Danielle's rehearsal dinner, and for any possible New Years celebration. Honestly- I'd like it to have some sparkle. (Now I am not thinking of a full sequin dress, something a little less flashy and more classy). All this being said- a lot of my mind has been consumed in gold glittery things. And you know what? I don't even mind it. Here are some beautiful pictures of pretty gold things. I hope you have a lovely day!

 Most adorable ever. I love this wallpaper and would even consider using it in my room!

I would love a dress like this for graduation! 

Not the case I am getting, but maybe it'll be the next case I get. 

 I saw this blog post last year about this neat way to make a photo backdrop! 

 I actually already own this nail polish- it's so great! 

I need to incorporate some of this beautiful wrapping into my Christmas gifts this year! 

I'd love to add this to my collection. :)

 I need to try this Gold-Leaf DIY

 Beautiful wallpaper!

Also I am in love with these journals. Just bought them the other day :)

Eat. Pray. Love.

Today I watched a movie that I hadn't seen in awhile. Ever since I saw it in theaters I felt like I had to own in, and two years later I finally picked up a discounted copy at the mall. (It's been a long time coming). I am so happy that I watched it today- at this stage in my life. I feel like I know a lot of how the protagonist is feeling- not that I am in my 30's or going through a divorce, but that I am searching. I feel the need to go experience the world and somehow find myself in all of it. If you've never seen it- or just need a refresher here's the trailer to give you a taste. Also important to know is that it's a true story!



I'd like to share a few scenes I really enjoyed from each stage of the journey. Each has one of my favorite quotes from the movie!

Eat: Italy


Pray: India


Love: Bali


The quote she says in the video above really inspired me today- I spent a lot of time reflecting and thinking about my future. I know I need to explore, and take some type of journey to really discover those truths about myself.

If you haven't seen the movie it's definitely worth watching- and I am planning on picking up the book ASAP.

ALL CAPS!!!

Most of you probably don't know this but I don't really like it when people type in all caps. It makes me feel like I am either being yelled at or I am talking to a 13 year old girl who just got kissed by a super star (aka over-the-top-melodramatic-excitement). The other day I found out that my friend Derek and I got an apartment down in state college for student teaching- I was so excited that I found myself typing in all caps- (gasp)- I could hardly believe it myself, but it proved how excited I was to get this apartment and start planning and moving in! I AM SO EXCITED!

I am very excited as well to post pictures and updates on my blog as I accomplish some home projects. Since I haven't seen it in person all I have is Derek's description and a few photos he took when walking through. Since the pictures aren't great quality and aren't of the house when we are living in it I am only going to show you 3 to give you a taste of what we have to work with. Also I wanted to share some images and ideas I have for 3 of the spaces in the house; the kitchen, living area, and my bedroom! Enjoy!

Summer Inspiration

My 17 Reasons

It seems like every spring I start to feel this incredible desire to diet and lose weight. I think mostly it comes from gaining weight throughout the school year and especially putting on some holiday pounds. Before I start a diet or exercise program I like to question my reasoning and come up with a plan. Anyone who has ever dieted knows that if you don't have inspiration and great motivation it's so easy to fizzle out after a few weeks or even a few days. The urge to cheat at your plan becomes irresistible and one cheat leads to another and eventually it leads to quitting the entire thing. One important thing to realize about diets is they are a life style and if anything I am living proof of that. Last summer I successfully dieted and lost a lot of weight. During the school year I stopped dieting and even thinking about my health choices and I have gained back all the weight I lost- plus a few bonus pounds. I won't lie getting on the scale today was amazingly scary and it has been really rough lately coming to terms with the weight I have gained and finding the motivation to not eat a donut to console my depression. But I have been thinking a lot about starting to diet and whether or not I can be in it for the long haul (for the lifestyle). The answer is yes: I want to feel good about myself and confident with my body. I want to feel healthy and in shape. I am a 21 year old woman: I should be healthy-no excuse!! So here are my reasons and inspiration that I can look back at during my diet to keep me going!

 Reason 1: Because I deserve to have more self confidence,

 and feel great about myself and the way I look.

 Reason 2: Because wedding season is rapidly approaching

 and I have a bridesmaid dress to fit into!

 Reason 3: So I feel better about being on stage and performing!

 Reason 4: So I can have fun at the beach

 and not feel strange in a swimsuit!

 Reason 5: To fit into skinny jeans- and feel skinny in them!

 Reason 6: To be able to wear a short skirt or shorts

 and not feel like I am scaring small children!

 Reason 7: To send the message I want to send with my image

 Reason 8: To fit into some of my old clothes!

Reason 9: To get in better physical shape

 

Reason 10: To shape my curves into smaller proportions-

 but love them more than ever!

 Reason 11: To lose weight in my face- so my eyes and smile look bigger!

 Reason 12: To have more overall energy!

 Reason 13: Because I did it once and can do it again!

 Reason 14: To fit back into the red shorts!

 Reason 15: To reach a healthy BMI

 

Reason 16: To feel like I have control over my body image

Reason 17: To feel more similar in size to my friends

I am dieting and exercising- and attempting to lose weight to regain control over my body image, feel more secure in my own skin, and to be more healthy. I want to live from this point on always making an honest effort to be healthy and stay at a reasonable weight! 

Stay tuned to follow along for this fabulous diet journey...

Things to come: 

Weight and Measurement updates, Dieting Goals, Diet and Exercise Plan, Recipes and so much more! Hopefully even some progress pictures along the way! 

Last summer I had so much success with losing weight- I am determined to achieve that same success and more! 

Are you pinterested in me??

I haven't had much time to blog lately, especially because of finals and packing, and the whole computer being broken thing hasn't helped. Well I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! I have tons of great things to post about but need about a week to get my life in order first. Wait just a little bit longer, and I promise lots of new posts will be coming your way! Until then, why not get to know me a little better- by taking a look at my Pinterest Boards. You'll learn all about the different things I like: fashion, food, quotes, places I want to travel; you will see good craft and organizational ideas; you'll get beauty inspiration, and even learn about some great places and things I have already seen or done! Check it out: My Pinterest Page!

Previews of what beauties await you:

*I do not claim to own any of these photos*

Blog Love

I have to apologize I haven't been posting as much lately. I have found myself really wrapped up in school lately. I will try to fix that the next free time I get.... I have some good posts ideas: talking about relay for life, and amazing recipe I tried, and so much more!

In the mean time why don't you check out a few blogs near and dear to my heart...

....after all Sharing is Caring!

A Beautiful Mess

A very creative young lady, small business owner who puts up so many creative posts. I am constantly inspired by her and her blog to keep developing mine, being creative, and following my dreams! Food, Fashion, Crafts, Photos, a little bit of everything lovely.

Dear Lizzy

 A young mother of 3 I believe who has her own scrapbooking line. She posts personal things, scrapbook tutorials, crafts, photo projects, and sometimes fashion posts. I hope I can be as cute as she is when I have kids!

Fotografia 

 My Sister's friend Amelia- whom is an amazing photographer. I love looking at her work- it's beautiful! 

Friends & Family: 

The Song Bird Has Landed

 Sarah's trip to AZ and eventually back...

Kaminskiteacher

Ryan's teaching experiences!

Scribble Scrabble

 Heather's blog about her life including my adorable nephew Ben!

Coffee, Cats, Ken and Me

My mom's new blog, about life in MA. 

Happiness isn't Skin Deep

My sister's blog, she originally inspired me to start one. I am glad we share this passion!

All the World's a Stage

Peter's blog about everything theater! So much knowledge that he is happy to share!

Spring Fever

Spring on the mind...

good ideas for a good day!

Happy First Day Back To School-Mansfield!

I have always loved first days. Of school, of a new year, of a new job, of anything. They offer this feeling of excitement and hope. I believe that I usually make a bigger deal of my first day of school in the fall, but I felt bad leaving my winter first day- out in the cold (pun intended). Here is a post of wonderful winter ideas to celebrate a new beginning for us all. 

Idea 1:

restyle that scarf!

Check out this video posted at Ruche for 3 easy but new ways to style your scarf!

Or watch the video below! 

Idea 2:

 don't be friends with Jack Frost!

 Ice Proofing the Car Windows 

What you need:

Spray Bottle

2/3 Vinegar

1/3 water

Just spray on windows and ice will melt away!

Idea 3:

recycle the sweaters that you won't wear!

Learn how to turn a cozy sweater into even cozier mittens!

 Idea 4:

Keep your feet nice and dry!

Learn How and Why 

you should waterproof those shoes this winter!

 Idea 5:

Reorganize your space! 

  Take another tip from Ruche 

and reorganize, and clean your closet! 

Did mine yesterday- (pictures to come)

That is all of the good ideas I could muster up this morning, but there are so many more out there. Take today to think of a few ways to improve your lifestyle for this new beginning!

 

Leading Lady

I am not exactly sure why, but all of the sudden this line from The Holiday got stuck in my head. I think it's because lately I have been feeling so out of control, like an on-looker in the story of my life. I know it happens to the best of us, but I really want to pull things together and regain some leading lady gumption before the semester begins! Here's the clip- good movie, cute and girly, but worth watching.

The Magic Flute- On and Off Stage

This year at school our Opera is The Magic Flute. I am playing the part of the First Lady, and really loving it! The show is this weekend Friday and Saturday at 7:30, and Sunday at 2:30- and FREE!

I was really excited for dress rehearsals to start and couldn't wait to find out about hair and makeup for my part! Our director's instructions came out something like "Dark intense makeup, and really crazy hair- the bigger the better." These abstract directions were enough for me to figure something out, but the other girls playing the Ladies and Queen didn't really have an idea of how to execute it- so I decided to take charge of makeup and hair for those parts. Slowly throughout the week more and more people kept asking me about hair and makeup advice and voila- I am now acting as the hair and makeup designer for the show. It's pretty exciting and I really love it. Some of the cast was just fine figuring stuff out on their own and I just used some guided instructions for those without as clear of a vision. However, the Ladies and Queen makeup, along with some ideas for the spirits and Papagena have basically been my baby this past week. I have spent so much time looking for hair and makeup inspiration it has gotten a bit crazy! 

Either way- anytime I do anything I give it my absolute all- so I wanted to share with you all the hard work I am putting into this show's makeup/hair design! 

Here are my inspiration collages for the Queen and her Ladies-

Each board represents a different character- the hair styles, makeup, and colors act as inspiration for the design itself! 

The Queen:

Black and Silver eye makeup

Strong Dark Brows

Crazy "mohawk" of teased hair

First Lady:

Long teased out hair with tons of curls with some volume on top

Greens on the eyes to contrast a red dress

Second Lady:

Short dark teased out hair, bump in the center

Blue eye color  to contrast gold dress

Third Lady:

Enormous Beehive, but more teasing

Purple and Pink on the eyes for her blue dress 

This is only one aspect of the planning I have put into this, check out my Opera Inspiration Pinboard on Pinterest to see MANY inspiring photos for these parts and more!

After the show is over I will be posting the results of the designs- 

I would post some now but don't want to spoil it for those planning on attending!

Hope to see you there!