Monday, April 28, 2014

A Switzerland Moment


 photo 7033ea95ce915ee80dce8113c47fa81f_zps18443d39.jpgI've had those moments. Those moments where you look at the people who care for and love you, the nature that welcomes you into its world with open arms, the summer breeze that blows in off the ocean right as the sun sets. I've been lucky enough to travel and to feed my constant craving for the new. I am incessantly chasing after the next adventure or chapter of my life-- so much so that I often don't appreciate what I've seen or felt until after the moment has passed.

There's something to be said for traveling. Experiencing a new place with new people is one of the only things in this world that reminds us of just how lucky we are to be alive. 

That aspect of travel is something that we love, it's the reason we keep embarking on new adventures, and yet, you'd think by now we would have learned to make it a part of our daily lives. I live in a beautiful place, one of the greenest states in America. I am so blessed for having grown up here, and I always forget just how gorgeous it is until I've climbed up a mountain and can look down on just what an amazing place it is. It's something that goes beyond the scenery though, it's the people too. But get this, I spend the majority of my days wishing I could be somewhere else.

Isn't that sad? I don't blame myself too much for it. If there's one thing I've noticed in people it's the unwavering feeling that there's always something better out there. But I think we could all benefit from acting like where we are, even if it's where we don't want to be, is some place worth loving.

I remember waking up in Switzerland this past summer. We'd stayed in a little ski lodge outside of Lucerne, nestled right in the Swiss Alps. The windows didn't have screens, you could push them right open and the crisp mountain air would fill the room. And the view out my window is one that has been engraved in my mind since that first glance. It was one of those moments that pictures couldn't do justice. It wasn't the unbelievable beauty of the mountain towering over me that made it so special, it was how looking at that mountain made me feel. I remember thinking how awesome it was that some random little place in Switzerland could hold so much natural beauty, and I've been to a lot of tropical locations, but still I've never seen water as blue as that of Lake Lucerne.

When I consciously took a moment to acknowledge the beauty surrounding me, to acknowledge how lucky I was to be there, in that moment, I felt so extremely happy to be alive. A lot of us experience this when we travel, and I'm sure some of it is the excitement that comes with travel. But I suspect there's just as much beauty surrounding me now as there was when I was in Switzerland. Between work and school and everyday normal life, it must just be something I have to look a little harder for. But it must be there.

This week I promised myself that I would take a chance every day to recognize why I'm thankful to be where I am today. Every time I've truly felt that this life is too good to be true I've been in the presence of nature. Or with my family out to dinner. Or with my friends on a summer night, huddled around the campfire, laughing and reminiscing beneath a starry sky.

All the things that surround us are so easily overlooked, but they're the things that make us who we are. The things we appreciate define us as humans. What if we appreciated every single little moment that passed us by to its full effect? What if every moment were like that moment in Switzerland?

Granted, not every day will be great. But there's beauty in that. It's the bad moments that make even the smallest good moments seem great. Focus on the good moments, focus on what surrounds you. Make one good moment a day your own Switzerland moment, and I guarantee you'll be happier for it.

1/2/3

Have a great Monday!

xoxo

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Sundays in Bed

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope your day is filled with relaxing and preparation for the week ahead. I'm especially happy today because it is the last Sunday before classes are over. I am three days away from summer break. Three.

Okay, so I have one exam on the last day of finals (May 9), but I'm essentially free. And that is the best feeling ever. Another school year behind me, and one more to go before the graduation of all graduations... unless you're in med school or law school or something, then I suppose undergraduate graduation seems mediocre.

BUT I'm not a med student or a law student, and unless I find a job that pays for my grad school, I am one year away from being 100% done with school. For life! *Jumps for joy*

So, moving on...

What I've Been Loving this Week


1. I can't get enough of this little guy. He is the prince of all princes, and if I were 9 months old I would totally call dibs (and not just because I'd get to be a princess.)


2. In case you missed yesterday's post... I definitely got a little GIF happy (I'm kind of on a kick, can you tell?). But it was too good to resist.

3. I intern for one of the best underwear company's out there, and we're currently running an amazing giveaway! Enter away!

4. You know how you always have that one friend you always have a good time with? Who you're not afraid to be 100% completely yourself around? The one person you would tell anything? The person with whom you've done 98% of the stupidest things in your life with? That's right, I'm talking about your best friend. And right now you're smiling because you're thinking of them-- whoever they may be.

5. For those of you who don't already know, I recently launched a different blog that is in NO WAY associated with Class and Sass. I'd like to introduce you to my far more sassier self, and my thoughts on life as a millennial and dating. LL&V (Life, Lemons, & Vodka) is live! Let me know what you think :)

6. Special shout out to fellow HCBN blogger Elizabeth from October June. I loved her post yesterday, it totally inspired me to start appreciating the little things life has to offer all around me!

7. I can't wait to see The Other Woman-- it looks hysterical. And it definitely helps that the stars of the film are just as funny off screen. I mean, if your friend doesn't try to torture you while you're passed out cold, are you really friends at all?

8. I've recently discovered my love for quinoa. This recipe and this recipe were both amazing! Definitely give it a try, and they're perfect healthy dinners (everything in moderation of course...)

9. I love Cory and Topanga. That is all. Every girl deserves a man as good (and funny) as Cory. I mean, for the love of God, how perfect of a relationship can you get?? 


Enjoy your Sunday :)

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Life As of Late

In case you all haven't caught on by now, the past few months have been insanely hard to get through. Between my super busy schedule, and some personal ups and downs, I've just felt a little lost. And I get it, feeling lost sometimes is part of growing up, but I'm a little over it.

Now that school is winding down (come Wednesday I'm basically on summer break!!), I'm extremely grateful after having gotten through the past two months. School was busy, work was busy, my internships were busy, and life was just go, go, go. But that's how it's always going to be right? When life pushes you down, you can't just stop. You've gotta just keep... going.

Life as I know it... and all it's complications


Every week starts like this. Monday.


And then I'm forced to realize,


Thinking about attending my 8am (which inevitably never happens), and then realizing that lab starts at 9:30am.


So I walk into lab like


A process that is repeated every Wednesday. But Tuesdays aren't much better.


Public Speaking.


Wednesday. See above. Except for I have one more class.


Thursday morning- Internship day (the one part of the week I actually enjoy... getting paid to sit on my computer and work with people on social media)!!


#hashtags are everything.

And then I have public speaking again.


But when I kick butt on my ceremonial speech I'm like


How I plan on spending my three hour class Thursday night.


Realizing there's no wifi OR 3G in said classroom...


Thursday night. Binge-watching Scandal on Netflix and wine.


Lol just kidding I don't need help, just more wine.


Waking up the next morning....


WAIT it's Friday!!!


Then realizing that I have to look good tonight and I drank a bottle of wine last night...


... Back to bed.


Friday night when I remember why I don't go out.


Hearing about all the fun my friends had Friday night for the rest of the weekend...


Call me the loser of the bunch, I can handle it.


I still secretly think I'm as cool as Queen B.


Never said it was glamorous. The countdown to summer is on ladies!!

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Commando Underwear Giveaway!

I have an amazing opportunity for you all, and you're among some of the first to hear about it! commando is celebrating the upcoming college graduations in May with a month-long giveaway! The campaign will run through May 15, and I am so excited.

For those of you who don't know, I intern with the company and it's been one of the greatest experiences I could have asked for. While I'm not graduating until next May, I have quite a few friends who will be leaving the bubble of life that is college and move on up into the big, scary world. Time to put on your grown-up panties, ladies!

With their microfiber and cotton lines, I can honestly say that commando is the comfiest underwear I've ever worn. I'm not just saying that because I intern here either. I was actually telling my mom yesterday that I don't know if I'll ever be able to wear any other company's underwear again... Their thongs are that comfortable.

And if you're in need of new tights, don't hesitate to use your 30% off coupon code to purchase a pair. They're worth every penny. I hate tights, but I do have a pair from commando and the invisible-edge waistband holds me in and doesn't make me feel like I'm suffocating! It's a win-win, ladies.

My Faves




So, what are you waiting for, shop away! (Do it for me, I spent a lot of time working with my supervisor to put this together!)



Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Sponsored: BIC® 4-Color™


There are very few things that I get excited for, but back to school shopping (and any kind of school-supply shopping really...) have always been exciting to me. Now that I'm in college though, I've found school-supply hunting never really ends. This past semester I started obsessively color-coding my planner. My friends look at me like I have five heads, but hey, it keeps me organized!

 The new BIC® 4-Color™ Pen has 4 Inseparable Colors in 1 Pen, and it's downright amazing if you're one for a little bit of organizational color-coding. But even if you're not, with the 4 colors (blue, red, green, and black) come with 4 distinct personalities (the boss, the foodie, the perfectionist, and the competitor, respectively) to help you express whatever mood, thought, or feeling you may be having at any given moment. My favorite color though? It should come as no surprise that almost all of my rough drafts and assignments are marked up in red. Call me a perfectionist. Be sure to keep up with the colors' hilarious antics on their Facebook and Twitter pages!

And if that's not encouragement enough, check out these hysterical videos featuring the four charismatic colors themselves! 





I mean, did you see how messy my planner can get to look with all the highlighting that's required?! You can bet I'll be heading over to purchase my pen online at Amazon or Staples soon. (Hint: You should too!) Not gonna lie, $6 is a pretty great deal!

Visit Sponsor's Site
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of BIC 4-Color pen. All opinions are 100% mine.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

When It Rains, You Lose Your Starbucks

Today I woke up to birds chirping and my pup snuggled up against me. My window was slightly open and I had spent all night sleeping to the calm sound of the rain. I love the rain--when I'm inside and I can observe the kind of peace that comes along with it. Put me outside in it, and I absolutely hate it.

For example, today I woke up at 8 for a 9:30am work meeting. Ate some breakfast, got ready, went to my meeting. When I went into work for my meeting, it was relatively nice out. Come outside after my meeting, it's drizzling. Came back home to make a quick lunch and drag myself to class. 

While I was making my salad, I kept contemplating whether or not I wanted to take my last freebie for this class I have today. Yesterday was super busy, today's schedule was pretty busy, and I only have two weeks left of school. So I decided to suck it up and be productive.

Worst decision I made today.


I got my stuff together, grabbed my umbrella and a very poorly made raincoat (regretfully a decent raincoat is not an item that I own... dumb I know), and set out to Starbucks. When I left Starbucks with my tall skinny latte in hand, I started to think, "Good choice Em, great job. Proud of you for actually going to class." And then I got to school. The drizzling rain had turned to straight out rain and conveniently enough, my campus is on top of a hill-- prone to extreme wind which makes already bad weather seem downright terrible. Suck it up Em. You're going to thank yourself later on. Really, you are... I promise.


 Not. So I opened my umbrella, grabbed my bag and Starbucks, and started walking to class. I didn't even make it halfway to class before my umbrella was completely inside out thanks to the unbelievable wind. But I couldn't set my Starbucks down because it too would blow away. I put my latte between my knees, tried to tame my umbrella, and before I knew it my latte was on the ground and my umbrella had essentially lost the battle against the wind.

I gave up on today right there.



It wasn't even 11am and I was 110% done with today. So now, I'm at home, writing blog posts and drinking a homemade cup of coffee (ugh), listening to the patter of the rain against my windows. Some things are better left observed than experienced I suppose, rain being among them. I don't know how fun dancing in the rain is, but I have a pretty good feeling I'd strongly dislike it. And in other news, I'm starting to think some place sunny and warm is where I'm destined to be post-college. The struggle is real my friends, but hey, at least I made a valiant effort to drag my butt to school.

Long story short, rainy days are for staying indoors.



p.s. You can bet I'll be investing in a rain coat sooner rather than later.

1/2/3

xoxo


Monday, April 14, 2014

There's Strength in Friendships

Anyone else ever see this quote on Pinterest? If you haven't, I may or may not be mostly convinced you live under a rock. EVERY time I see this quote on Pinterest one part of me cringes, another part of me wants to punch something (mostly myself), and the other part of me is like "Yea! Let's do this!" The latter part is often overruled by the comfort of my bed or couch, and therefore I'm afraid I'll never be quite as good as Queen B. Maybe Taylor Swift though, she seems to like to relax just as much as the next girl. Hehe.

Anyway, if you haven't picked up on it yet, my motivation has seriously been lacking.


I may have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyonce...


But I also thoroughly enjoy sleeping in. And spending time making a yummy breakfast. Writing blog posts, reading my favorite blogs, Pinterest-ing, Tumblr-ing, stalking people catching up on Facebook, tweeting celebs in hopes that maybe (just maybe!) they'll tweet me back. Note: The closest thing to a celebrity that's ever tweeted at me/favorited a tweet/retweeted a tweet include The College Prepster and KJP/Sarah KJP. And yes, I do squeal and jump up and down every time it happens. Whatever.

I look at weekends (like I think most normal people do...) as a time to relax, sit on the couch, watch some Netflix, maybe read a bit. Sure,  to some it kinda comes off as slacking, laziness, and so on, but I enjoy my lazy slacker Saturdays and Sundays! Sue me. I've found this past year I've just been so busy that I need the weekends to decompress. It's the very reason I don't like to go out! Some people love to go crazy with their friends to unwind after a long week; I like to go to bed, sleep in, watch TV, and not have a pounding headache the entire time!

I've been taking the entire school year to kind of try and come to terms with the fact that I'm not the crazy child I was for my first two years of college. I'm really mellowing out, kinda turning into a grandma. Don't really care about it. To be honest, I'm really quite content by myself most of the time! My family and my friends don't really get it. Sometimes I don't even get it! Why am I so content to hang out by my lonesome when all everybody else wants to do is be with their friends every second of the day?

I guess it's time to stop asking that question.


You've gotta do what makes YOU happy. The way I'm starting to look at it is like this. If your friends are really your friends, they'll understand. I do make my friends a priority; I think the older you get, the busier you get, and you need friends to get by... So you have to make them a priority. Yes, you've gotta do what makes you happy, but you've got to make choices with the people you care about in mind. 

Like relationships, friendships are hard work. You have to invest in them in order for them to become any good. I often find myself getting so wrapped up in my life that I forget to check in with people I care about. It's something I really need to work on. I mean, what's the point of being happy if you can't share that happiness with the people you love?

"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate."


Don't focus so much on yourself that you forget the people who have helped to make you you in the first place. Self-love and acceptance are important, but the people who've stood by you through your triumphs and failures, the people who've taught you lesson after lesson, are the people who are going to continue to help you on your journey to discovering who you really are. Life can be lonely, but it doesn't have to be. And that's all up to you.

1/2/3

Happy Monday!
xoxo

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Good Karma

I'm not the biggest believer in karma. Although as of this past week I've been trying really hard to maintain more of a positive attitude (which is fairly difficult with only three weeks left of classes and multiple professors who are significant pains in my butt). It's hard to believe junior year is finishing up so quickly... I keep thinking this time next year I'll be about a month away from graduating.

Anyways, what I've been finding as of late is that for all the annoying little things I've been dealing with all semester, maintaining a positive attitude is key in making sure I don't get overwhelmed by it all. Maybe the universe really does throw back at you what you put out.

Think Good Thoughts









Challenge yourself.


If there's anyone who knows how difficult it is to be positive all the time, it's me. But just give it a try and see what you find! Do you believe in karma?

xoxo

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Sundays in Bed

Happy Sunday everyone! Last week completely caught me off guard, it was a little crazy busy. I made it through though, thank God. You know those weeks where you don't think you have a lot to do and then all of a sudden it's like everything school-wise/internship-wise/life-wise just sneaks up on you? They aren't necessarily my favorite, but hey, they happen, right?

And to think, only 23 more days of classes now (yes, including weekends)! I'm so pleased I could cry. But it's not like I'm counting down until summer or anything... it's just hard to believe it's so close! And with only one final, once April 30th hits I'm pretty much home free.

Sit Back with a Cup o' Joe


1. I read this at work the other night, and ask my co-worker, but I was laughing so hard I was crying. As someone who likes to run, I can relate to this post so much. It reminded me I need to start running again.... Whoops.

2. Buzzfeed was killing it this week. How Jennifer Lawrence are you? Because apparently we'd be best friends.


3. If you haven't seen this yet, it's hysterical. Props to these four year olds. 

4. One of my most popular posts ever. I'm so proud of this one, and thank you so much for the support. If you missed it, check it out here!

5. Currently craving, the most comfortable underwear out there. #gocommando

6. I'm a Disney head. How Disney are you? Again, Buzzfeed was killing it this week!


7. Have you seen this commercial from Evian? Perfection.

8. How men would react to sexist remarks. This woman is a genius. Not to mention you get quite a few laughs!

9. The students at the high school I graduated from made a lip sync to Pharrell's "Happy" for our principal. He was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and we all wish him the best with his treatment and recovery!

Enjoy your Sunday everybody!


I'll be writing my last paper of the semester...

xoxo

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Five Things


Want to know how awkward it is to stalk yourself on Facebook? Okay, I know we all do it... but I actually had a purpose this time. Looking for selfies. You'll know why in a bit. Anyways, I've been seeing people in my news feed posting to a page called Gratitude Journal. I'd join it but you have to post three things a day, and most people do it first thing in the morning, but I never go on Facebook in the morning. I tend to try and remind myself what I'm most grateful for each night before I go to bed. 

But anyways, lately I've been feeling kind of grateful for myself. But before you call me conceited, hear me out! 


It takes a lot to be a strong person, and while I have my weaknesses I think I am an inherently strong-willed girl. Mentally I'm in a completely different place than I've ever been, but I still have days where I just get so down on myself. And I find myself consciously reminding myself of how good a person I am-- something I think everybody needs to do. You can't be the best version of yourself at any given time without believing you're the best you you can be... for now, anyways.

So, I thought for today's post I'd write five things I like about myself. You should grab a journal and do it too! Sometimes the only person who can convince you of just how amazing you are is yourself.

#loveyourselfie


1. I'm Loyal.


I'm so fiercely loyal to my friends and my family (and my dog) and my beliefs that sometimes I think it's a bad thing. Actually, it has proven to be a bad thing a few times in the past... especially when someone turns out to be someone completely different than who you thought they were. Thankfully it doesn't happen often, but it takes a lot of patience for someone to be loyal. I mean, all the buttons people you love can push can get to be a lot, but at the end of the day I'd do anything for my friends and family. They're everything to me.


2. I'm Hard-working.


Since I was 15 I've held down a job (or two, or three...). And I've been a full-time student. And now I have an internship on top of all of that. I may be too busy for my own good, but I love it. It keeps me going and keeps me motivated when it comes to making sure I set myself up for success.

3. I'm a Dreamer.


Literally last night when I was going to bed, I told myself to dream of Paris. And guess what! I did. Then I woke up fully believing I was going to move there and learn French after working for a couple years following graduation. Wouldn't that be lovely? La Vie en Rose may or may not be on repeat all day today... But hey, dreams keep me going.

4. I'm a family gal.


Sometimes I think it's weird because one of my favorite people to hang out with is my mom. Sunday nights are my favorite because of our family dinners with our neighbors, and the holidays are the best in my book. And while my family does tend to drive me a little crazy at times (don't they all?!), there's nothing better than a family vacation.






5. I'm Confident. (#myrealselfie)


I think this comes with age, but I'm lucky because despite all my insecurities I've always considered myself to be an overall confident person. A lot of people tell me I'm intimidating which I find funny because 98% of the time I'm doing something completely illogical. But I've found that when you believe in yourself and who you are, good things come your way. Things that are meant for you, people you're meant to stumble upon, memories you're meant to make, and I find something unbelievably surreal in that.


Gotta say, I thought a "sweat pants, hair-tied (except for not in this one), chilling with no make up (and glasses) on" look would be far more intimidating to share with the world. Be proud of who you are, imperfections and all.

xoxo, 
Em