::jammin'::

Finding music to jam to while working out is always something that I find so difficult. Perhaps because ideally, you work out every day ( I said ideally, didn't I!) the music becomes repetitive and boring which means two things: you either take the time to find new music or you just quit working out until you find the music to motivate you. Well, here's your motivation. There is a real mix between fast/slow and old/new so watch out! 

Someday:: Black Eyed Peas

Brokenhearted:: Karmin

Whistle: Flo Rida 

this

Heart Skips a Beat:: Olly Murs

Circles:: Christina Aguilera

Runaway Baby:: Bruno Mars

Feel This Moment:: Pitbull, Christina Aguilera 

Nothing To Worry About:: Peter Bijorn and John

Who's That Chick?:: David Guetta, Rihanna 

Que Veux Tu- Madeon Remix:: Yelle

Princess of China- Invisible Men Remix:: Coldplay, Rihanna

Please Don't Go:: Mike Posner

Hit The Lights & Come and Get It- DJ M3 Mixshow Extended Remix:: Selena Gomez

Bad Girls- Power Remix:: J Rae

Blurred Lines:: Robin Thicke

Tip: Spotify and Pandora are your best friends! They can help you find music similar to your taste via recommendations. 

Tip: Remixes make for awesome workout music, so once you find a song you like, search for remixes. Make sure to search, search, search though because some of them are terrible while others are awesome!

Here is my spotify profile if you're interested in more music!

I would love to hear your music favorites for working out, leave a comment below!

::stop&ponder::

Rarely do I come across something that makes me stop, reread and ponder, but this little gem that I found on pinterest did just that. It was my oldest brother’s college graduation last weekend, and with that being said, you bet I heard a bunch of commencement speeches about the future and how capable the youth of America is (debatable at times, no?). But I always seem to be disappointed with commencement speeches because they lack a sense of the poetic nature of language that the words need to really hit you hard and make you remember it. This did exactly that: acknowledged where you’ve been, where you are, where you’re going and how even though you have accomplished so much, you still have so much more in you to do and give. 

If you’re ever looking for some encouragement, visit here, and i’m sure you’ll find it. 

::dear younger self: one hundred things::

1. your life is about you and no one else. do things because you want to, not because it’s what everyone else is doing

2. don’t ever be ashamed of yourself

3. it’s okay not to be okay

4. dance like no one is watching... it’s much more fun that way

5. the sooner you love yourself, the sooner you’re happier all around

6. love where you live

7. if you’re unhappy, know that you have the power to change it

8. change is scary but necessary

9. it’s okay not to be sporty

10. in the wise words of Carrie Bradshaw, “you must fall in love with yourself first”

11. in the end, we are all the same. everyone has the same fears of being left out and not accepted. know that you are not alone

12. trust your gut... it leads you to what you need

13. never ever let anyone else tell you what to do. if someone does that, do the opposite

14. when in doubt, communicate

15. don’t attribute your success to something else or someone else. it was you, all you.

16. be the friend that you want to have

17. understand when you are giving too much and not receiving in return

18. put down the technology... life was better before it (ironic, no?)

19. watch everything and learn from others. that way you don’t make the mistakes that you’ve watched others make

20. you choose your attitude

21. people are essentially good

22. work on your penmanship, people always like nice handwriting

23. find a workout that works for you- it feeds your mind, body and soul

24. fake it ‘till you make it

25. be nice. but also a little sassy

26. buy whatever you want, but only if you have the money in your hands. don’t spend money you don’t physically have

27. find at least one little thing that makes you happy no matter what. aka cats

28. wear sunscreen. lots of it.

29. push through your fear of rejection

30. come up with a list of conversation starters & questions... that way you can talk to anyone. even a wall

31. don’t be that sloppy drunk girl. it’s never attractive. ever

32. celebrate the everyday

33. understand that instagram, facebook, pinterest, even blogging are

all just an allusion. we post about the good things and leave out the bad. things are not always as they seem

34. master the art of the “on the go” look. it will come in handy

35. don’t be afraid to do things that scare you

36. explore the area that you live in- there’s always new hidden gems to be found

37. eat the cake. and the chips.

38. just do it in moderation. unless its a special occasion. then do whatever you want

39. ask a lot of questions

40. no one expects you to be perfect

41. you put way more pressure on yourself than anyone else

42. be the girl that guys want to be friends with, not just the one they want to bang

43. this too shall pass

44. take more leisurely walks. don't always be in such a rush

45. wear things that make you feel pretty

46. everything really does happen for a reason

47. give people second chances

48. your mom is your best friend

49. sometimes you don’t know what’s best for yourself

50. stop looking forward, because eventually you will be looking back thinking, where did all of that time go?

51. someone out there thinks you are literally the coolest person in the world. embrace that, because you are pretty darn cool

52. take time to figure yourself out

53. don’t expect anything... then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by a lot

54. realize things don’t last forever. sometimes this is good and other time it sucks. a lot

55. if you feel trapped, have the courage to find a way out. it’s so much better on the other side

56. i would say something about studying, but i haven’t mastered that yet. check back with me after college. maybe then i will have figured it out, but probably not

57. have an opinion. being the girl that says “i don’t care” means you will be doing what other people want to do your whole life

58. do weird things with random people

59. get spray tans instead of real tans

60. create memories and don’t forget about them. write them down. journal. anything

61. watch reality tv, you will learn a lot from those crazy ass people

62. travel

63. don’t try too hard. people can tell and it’s embarrassing

64. dress appropriately for the occasion

65. with the iphone, there’s no excuse to not have pictures of your life

66. think of things from different points of views, it might expand yours

67. sing those sassy songs

68. your parents were right

69. question why people are considered cool. you might realize that there are a lot “cooler” people out there. they’re also a lot more interesting

70. free your mind of judgement

71. money is better spent on activities and making memories than other items

72. reinvent yourself. don’t box yourself into something you used to be but are not anymore

73. all those things that you had all planned out never work out. but it’s okay because the plan that you didn’t see coming is much better

74. live simply

75. send mail. people love to get handwritten letters

76. accept the fact that you’re not always right.

77. if you feel better in makeup, just wear it! don’t believe that guys like you better without it. what they really like is a simple makeup look. we all know we look better when our face is evened out instead of blotchy

78. sometimes you have to give a little to get a lot

79. new is scary

80. mom was right when she said to show it instead of say it

81. become a good gift giver- it makes giving gifts a lot of fun

82. know that things are not always as they seem

83. never assume

84. you can have more than one best friend

85. don’t live in a mess. clean up after yourself

86. breathe

87. know that you are judged by the people you associate with: choose wisely

88. get the tattoo. be rebellious

89. be your own advocate. no one else will be.

90. make an effort

91. leave some things for the imagination

92. stop complaining. other people don’t like it. you don’t like it. if you have to do it, do it in your head

93. treat yourself to nice things. you deserve them

94. live with intention

95. so many things can change in a year

96. a lot of times, you can feel like an oval peg for a round hole. not completely wrong, but just different enough so that you don’t fit. eventually you will find that oval hole. don’t worry, you will.

97. glitter may be the herpes of crafting, but it’s also the best thing ever

98. if you have a problem with someone, be upfront and honest about it.

99. learn which battles are the ones worth fighting for

100. be unapologetically you

::a guide to thank you notes::

thank you notes. some dread them, others love them. I tend to be someone who loves them. on Christmas each year, I have a stack of thank you notes next to me and write them as I open gifts (what else am I supposed to do while I wait for my family to open theirs?!) but something was different this past time when I was gearing up to write them. usually I get a giddy feeling because I can’t wait to find the perfect card for the occasion. but this time, i searched a while to find the perfect cards, even trying to get some made, but it just wasn’t right. and then it clicked. I should hand make each and every one of them. i got that fun feeling again when I walked into paper source- oh how I love that store! I could literally spend my life’s savings there. no problem. sadly, I had to control myself and put back about half of the things I picked up. sad day. but it was also a happy day because I got excited to put in the time and effort to create a token for my appreciation for the people who took time out of their day to do something nice for me.

so long story short, here are my tips for writing and making thank you notes.

1.think about the person you are sending (or giving) the note to
I usually come up with a few different prototypes and adjust accordingly to the person. I adjust a few ways. first, I think about if it’s a boy, girl, or family and adjust colors. next, I think about if the person appreciates little details and paper (my aunt loovveess paper goods like I do, so I always make hers a little more special). lastly, I think about if they are more traditional or a little more funky, and adjust accordingly.

2. use language that isn’t generic 
this one can be hard, but it does make a difference. just think about it, would you rather get a card of someone saying the same thing you’ve heard a million times or a card that says thank you in a creative way? you can see the pictures below as ideas of how to make fun and different cards

3. remember that even if you don’t know the person you are sending a thank you note to as well and therefore don’t have as much to say, the time and effort that you put into making the note expresses a lot of gratitude

here are a few peaks for some inspiration:

{thickers are actually my favorite thing ever... just trust me on this one}

{a cute way to make people smile when they open your note}

{make sure and know your audience. this is much better suited for a man, hence the change in ribbon… it’s a must!}

{adding a liner to your envelope is a cute&quick way to add character}

{don’t forget to add some detail to the envelope…it’s one of the easiest ways to show that you really are appreciative and took extra effort to thank them}

I hope you enjoyed this little post, and remember, have fun with these! get creative, be thoughtful, and be prompt!

with love. lots of it.