Forever Young

 I've been feeling so good lately. Spending so much time on campus and taking moments to myself. I feel like a newly defined person. I guess even other people have been noticing that too... Words I NEVER would have used to describe myself before this new year are being used.. Like outgoing. or Chill. Fun. My good friend from my old school even told me I seemed different. Lighter. I have an air about me. I don't know if that had to do with my new outlook on life or perhaps my new clothing from Forever 21. I spent way too much money, but everything was on sale and I don't even care at this point (I do however need a job).  It is so great to have found a group of people who you aren't constantly trying to impress all the time. I know that this may seem cliche.. but I seriously am finding so much about this "new" me. And I don't just mean new in the sense that it is a new year... I really think that becoming single has let me release that image of what my ex "expected" me to be. I am now dressing how I want, not worrying about what I spend my money on, as long as it is something I know I will wear and enjoy. Cleaning out my life one little part at a time and finally becoming the person I truly want to be. I was inspired by one of my personal favorite blogs The College Prepster, to take a look at my life and really define who I am. This adds to the fact that I am finding new things everyday that I absolutely love. I keep going onto pinterest or lockerz, and instagram and discovering I am so drawn to certain things. I explored that side this weekend as I splurged at Forever 21. I felt totally fashionable and beautiful all weekend. Such an amazing feeling, going from totally sucked into this image and functionality that was required as "so and so's" girlfriend, to totally fashionable and loving every minute of it. I can't say that I was totally defining myself into one "style" per say, because I totally mixed and matched. I bought some great stuff this weekend...  So, as I sit by the fireplace this evening and begin my online school work for the week, I am still feeling the left over glow from an amazing weekend. Have a great week everyone!

Inspirational Quotes

So, here are some of the inspirational quotes I found on pinterest, I hope they do the same for you that they did for me!

Source: pin4fun6359.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: pinklemonadedesign.blogspot.ca via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: 28.media.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: fallinlove-withdisney.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

I hope these make you're day or give you something to ponder!

So much yet to learn

         Tonight, as I lay in my own bed and ponder whatever seems to pop into my brain, I begin to think of how exciting the future is. I have been enjoying (or wasting...) time on pinterest, repinning different inspirational quotes that seem to be very similar to my own life right now. I realized a few days ago that I need to love myself. Not necessarily change myself, but to just feel love. I started by changing my pinterest board for workout routines (that I never do...) from Need to be Skinny to something quirky and cute like the lyrics " Let's get physical, physical". Changing the objects around me to be more positive toward my own image is my first step towards loving myself. I also have found that when I begin to feel bad about something, I am stopping myself and saying "no, not today. today, I am happy and beautiful".  Another step towards self love. I realize that multiple times a day with friends or even by myself I put my own body or quirks down. . Such as last night I said " Oh my god, I'm so weird, you'll have to introduce me as that weird girl who is obnoxious". That needs to change. The more I say it, not only will I, myself, be more likely to believe it, but those around me will as well. I've always been the type of girl who is insecure in her surroundings. When in a large group, who I feel is "better" than myself, I always worry about how I come across. Am I obnoxious? Annoying? Do I smell? Is my face okay today or am I a total red, pimple-ly mess? I find myself going to say... snap chat someone or tweet at someone and then I stop myself, so I don't become annoying. This too, must change. I understand that this is such a hard time in life, but it is also the best and most exciting, wild part of life as well. I long to be carefree, but by longing for these things and not making them happen myself, I keep my mind from achieving the ultimate peace with my body and my personality. I tell myself all the time that "today will be the day that I will be awesome" and then the same insecure thoughts pop into my head. 2013, you have brought me so many realizations and it is only the third day.  I looked in the mirror this morning and thought of ways to make myself "prettier", then stopped myself. Who will think I am beautiful and amazing and wonderful, if I don't myself? I found the face in the mirror answering back, " you need to fix this and this and this and this". In reality, however, I don't need to fix these little things, such as my face breaking out, or my nail polish being chipped.  Life is way too short to be spent worrying over the little things. Tonight, as I devoured the repins on my dashboard for Pinterest, I saw many quotes that were so inspiring and put them onto my board called "Inspiration".  I think that I may create a new board and label it "loving myself" and begin a new path in my life.

      I have decided (just now actually) that I want to change my way of thinking. I have been thinking of all the things that make me feel good inside and good memories. For example.. a group of friends and I got together to watch the "scary" movie Jack Frost. (it is a very lame movie, in case you were wondering). I had spent the day making sugar cookies and decided to take some with me, and everyone loved them, making me feel really good about myself. On NYE, girls that went to my high school and that I have never had much contact with told me I looked beautiful in the dress I specifically bought the day before. My best friend has been taking the time to send me long, wonderful quotes to help me feel better about myself (if you're reading this, I love you!). There are so many things to be thankful for in life, it just takes a little reminder sometimes to put you on the right track.
   So, as I continue to type this long (my apologies!) post to all of you, I sit back and wonder.. what do I really love about myself? It is about time I find that out.
         I have always said "Everything happens for a reason", and I have ALWAYS believed that. Lately that statement has changed to " God has a reason". In finding myself this year, I have also found God. In a way that I never have found him before. As mushy gushy as that sounds, it is so true. I feel in my heart, that someone is watching over me. Even though sometimes, it may be easier to not believe that life has a way of working itself out.. it really does. For the better. It's like that song in Wicked that Glinda and Elphaba sing towards the end of the show called "For Good"... " Because I knew you, I have been changed for good". The people that come in and out of life are there for reasons unknown to us. There is some ultimate plan that the universe has deemed necessary. I suppose the point to this entire post is I am ready to love myself. I've learned so much already these last few weeks about life and love, happiness. Yet, I have so much more to learn.

With the falling of the first snow....

        It has finally snowed here in my hometown! I am so excited to be able to watch my three beautiful puppy dogs play in it and to feel that Christmas cheer. Has it felt like Christmas to you? It hasn't to me. Watching my mother wrap gifts with the falling snow out the window this morning was a total wake up call. CHRISTMAS IS IN FOUR DAYS?! I mean yeah, the advent calendar with the little chocolate candies in it has been utilized in my home this year and I got all of my shopping done and spent way too much money like always (I've always been a giver...) and yet for some reason it has not felt like the holiday season. Maybe the turn of events in my life has to do with this. Maybe the fact that my lovely home was without snow for months. Maybe, just maybe, my mind has been too preoccupied with other things. I've been reading by the tree for days now with the fireplace on... and drinking hot chocolate, been to an ugly Christmas sweater party, bought gifts, decorated gingerbread men and still has not felt like the holiday season. Perhaps the thought of the world ending was too prevalent in my mind to be able to truly enjoy this season. Before we know it, Christmas will be over and it will be New Years Eve, with sparkly outfits and sparkling juice. I don't care about drinking on NYE, as long as there is sparkling juice, I will forever be content.


         As I mentioned above, my time has been spent eating, shopping, watching youtube videos, pinning on Pinterest and of course: reading by the fireplace and Christmas Tree. I just finished this cute book called " Three Girls and A Baby" by Rachel Schurig (you can buy it here on Amazon). This link is the free kindle edition. (everything is better free, right?) I have found so many free books on amazon lately, that it is absolutely ridiculous. I think that I probably purchased 17 books for free yesterday for free.... But anyway, back to the book. This story begins with the life of Ginny, a young woman who is heart broken and soon finds out she is pregnant! It is a classic baby daddy drama, finding love kind of story. It is charming and probably one of my new favorite books. I wish I was better at book reviews.. which is silly because I'm doing a list of my favorite books for you guys. I'm excited to start working again to get money so I can purchase the next two books in the series. I found this out when I was looking up book information to post in this post... Hopefully I can review it and give you guys some news about that.
         Besides reading, My latest obsession has been pinning on Pinterest. (If you have never been to Pinterest, Click here...)  It is like a blog, but with pictures and is fantastic. I went crazy on food recipies last night. You can tell how badly I want to plan events and weddings considering my wedding board is overflowing with pins of gorgeous dresses and set ups and other tips for weddings. You can find me on Pinterest here! You can just say I am obsessed. Because let's face it. I am. Happy Friday Everyone! :)

New Found Freedoms: the perks of being single

I guess this whole being single thing is actually going to be a wonderful experience. As a newbie to the college life... ( One semester in... WOOHOO!), It is important to learn how to deal with life and who you truly are. It has almost been a month since I've become single and I know it takes time to heal, but I think I actually might be enjoying this... I have learned more about myself and grown up so quickly this past semester than I think I ever have. Okay, So. The things I have learned...

•  I want to be sophisticated and looked upon as one who knows what she is doing... even in times when I have no clue as to what I am doing. 
•  I enjoy reading on my kindle with a warm blanket, the fireplace and a cup of tea. My current favorite is Celestial's Wild Berry. It's sweet but not too sweet. Totally delicious, especially if you aren't a citrus fan.. like me!
• It is totally okay to splurge every once and a while. Especially if it is something you have been looking at for forever!
• The people who don't make an effort to stay in touch and treat you well are not worth having in your life. At all. 
• I am a total and complete nerd, and I am okay with that. 
• Add a complete oddball to the above statement :)
• God brings people in and out of your life for a reason and he does NOT have to explain the reasons why
• DON'T BUY YOUR COLLEGE BOOKS FROM THE SCHOOL BOOKSTORE
• the little things are not worth stressing out about, because these are just miniscule things in the scheme of life
• It is okay to want to be a fashionista. (New Year's Resolution?)
• my obsession with Vera Bradley, Lord of the Rings, Vampire Diaries and Twitter are all okay. 

I am so excited to be done with my first semester of college. It is such a milestone in life, and even though I am transferring, That is what life is about at this age, right? Finding your nitch and learning where you belong. I hope that next semester, even though I am living at home, I can continue to learn and grow. It is time I find out who I am, without my high school sweetheart by my side. If I meet someone along the way, then that is fantastic. For now, however, I will just have to trust myself and God.