life, lemons, and vodka: blogger

Showing posts with label blogger. Show all posts

Monday, October 27, 2014

What's Your Story?

When I start writing, I usually try to think of a title first thing. I'm a very logical person, so logically it makes sense to me to think of a title and then write the post, you know? Anyway, I'm usually extremely successful at it. Or at least I was, until today.

Sometimes I'm curious if I'm the only one who goes through weeks at a time where I just feel totally and completely uninspired by anything and everything in my life. I turned 21, so I've been a bit busier than usual. I went to New York City last weekend, and I was in Boston this past weekend. I've had a great time and spent far too much money on ~~wine and clothes~~ things I really needed... but in spite of all that fun, I've just been in a funk.

I went to write this post knowing that I needed to write to get whatever it was I was feeling off my chest. I write every night before bed in a journal and I looked back on what I wrote over the past two weeks. A lot of it rotated around fear. Fear of letting go, and fear of moving on. It's not a new feeling to me as I'm sure you all know given how many times I've written about it. But there it was-- what I was going to write about-- fear, yet again. And then I came to write the title of the post and was utterly lost.

photo; modified by Emily Blauvelt

It sounds funny, but I realized then and there what was wrong with me. I've been trying so hard to envision a life for myself that seems ideal, and forgetting to actually focus on the here and now. I've been trying to figure out what the title of my life story will be called, before fully appreciating and taking part in the life experiences that make it a story worth telling.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about who I could be a year from now. It feels like I'm drowning in a sea of what if's. I hate constantly asking myself whether or not I can do something. Because the truth is, up until this point in my life, I have managed to prove myself time and time again. And, if the future is anything like the past, then I'll continue to do so. But it's scary-- this point in my life. It's different than graduating high school; there is no safety net, and I've never been without a net to catch me if I fall.

At this point in life, it's really easy to worry about how your actions now affect your future later. It's a good thing to worry about, but not in excess. I wouldn't be the woman I am today without having done the things I've done to get here. You can't forget to live because you're afraid of who you'll be a few years down the line. It's easy to miss things that are happening now because you're so focused on where you'll be in the future. But you got rid of the blinders, and get past the idea of there being any kind of prize in the future. You can't write the title of a story without actually having a story, because without a story, a title means nothing. In my rapidly expanding book of life lessons, when you're talking about people, a title is what people first judge you by, but a story consists of all the people and emotions and events that have made you you. So don't forget to write your story, but more importantly, don't forget to live it.

"Every story is based on a truth. Your truth."

p.s. YES I most absolutely purposefully used a picture of Taylor Swift for this post because 1989 drops today! WHO'S EXCITED?!

Monday, August 25, 2014

Goodbye Summer

Writing the title of this post took every ounce of energy I have left after what seems like a summer of working. I know we all spend our summers working, but oh my gosh. This is the first summer in the history of, well, ever, that I've thought, "Wait, summer can't end." I am a fall baby all the way. I love it. But, the thought of classes starting and having homework on top of all the other stuff I already have to do kind of makes me want to throw up. Really, you should see my to-do lists.

There are some things you just can't change though, and the fact that I have my first class at 3:00 today is one of them. Did I mention it's three hours long? Jokes on jokes. And fingers crossed it doesn't actually go that long. This summer has some major highs and major lows; it's been by far the most beneficial summer for me. I've learned a lot, worked a lot, and laughed a lot. A good combination if you do ask me!

Anyway, I've seen a lot of "Hey, it's ok!" posts out there this summer. Inspired by Glamour and my favorite blogger, The College Prepster, I've decided to do my own as a kind of testament to this summer and all it's taught me.

photo

To eat a completely oversized bowl of stove-popped popcorn a day.

To kiss the boy you'll never in your life see again.

To color code your planner compulsively.

To wake up to a room completely destroyed by getting ready the night before.

To eat pizza at 2a.m.
To legitimately dream about Chris Soules from The Bachelorette.

To spend a rainy day holed up with your best friend watching Dirty Dancing, eating cupcakes, and ordering in.

To drink a bottle of wine on a Wednesday night while watching Love Actually.

To spend every spare moment (though few and far between) binge-watching HIMYM.

To drop your phone in a toilet at a country concert.

To tell all your friends you dropped your phone in a toilet at a country concert.

To forget to check that all the members of the gym you work at are out of the building BEFORE you close it up (oops!).

To hang out with friends until 6am just talking about who knows what.

To go to Mexico and indulge in as many fruity drinks as possible (#judgeme).

To practically cry at a Disney fireworks show.

To force your family to watch every fireworks show that Disney World has to offer.

To bawl your eyes out at the movies, tissue box in hand.

To talk to your dog like they're an actual person, because really, aren't they basically?

To not want to go back to classes because holy crap, you're graduating in May.

To not want to grow up.
To, at the same time, want to grow up.

To secretly like (gasp!) Mondays.

Happy Monday!

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

3 Things to Know Before Getting an Internship

So a few weeks ago I landed a new internship! It's virtual so I can do it from here, but the woman I'm working for is based in NYC (!!!). I landed it on none other than Internships.com and it's been going really well so far. I've already learned so much in the few weeks I've been working with her, I'm actually amazed. Not only am I learning things that I will be using in my career, but a lot of the things I'm learning I can apply to my blog as well.

I waited a long time to get my first internship. I didn't land my first one until the start of last semester (er... junior year), and now I'm taking on my third internship! Come fall, I'm pretty sure I'll be doing three and taking a full schedule of classes. (*Insert panic attack here*) I may or may not have bit off more than I can chew, but what's new? The bottom line is, I feel like I've learned enough from my experience to give you a few pointers if you're starting on the hunt for an internship this coming semester.

Thank You! Liebster Award Nominations

Hey everyone! I hope your Saturday is treating you well! Mine started off with Body Pump (ow!) and errands with my mama. This past week has been so stressful and so amazing! I was nominated two times for the Liebster Award by Chelsea and Gina. Thank you so much ladies!!

Basically, the Liebster Award is an award given to new bloggers with a smaller following. The award is essentially a "Hey new blogger, we think you have great potential! Love, fellow bloggers" kind of thing. The goal is to help increase bloggers' followings and it's also just a fun thing to do for all us bloggers! None the less, I am flattered and excited to have received a nomination (let alone two!) at all.

There are a few rules for those nominated:

1. Mention the person who nominated you with a link to their blog.

2. Answer the 11 questions provided by the person who nominated you.

3. Nominate 11 other bloggers with less than 200 followers.

4. Create a new set of questions for your 11 nominees to answer.

So... I apologize for the lack of pictures in this post! It's going to be a lengthy one as I'll be answering both Chelsea and Gina's questions!

First, Chelsea:

1. How do you deal with stress?

I'm kind of an extremely stressed out person in general. I make a lot of lists, my planner is color coded... I have to triple check it every night before I go to bed to make sure I didn't miss any assignments. As of late I've found that in order to keep my anxiety levels down I have to do some kind of physical activity every day (or close to every day.) Even if it's just going for a walk with my pup!

2. What was one of your New Year's resolutions; if you didn't make any, why not?

I actually did a post about my resolutions! One of them was to learn to budget. I have an impeccably bad spending problem and my credit card bill has really been hating me for it lately.

3. Name your favorite piece of jewelry. Does it have any special meaning to you?

My favorite piece of jewelry... A hard one! I have two. Both with special meaning. The first is a gold ring I almost always wear. It was my grandmother's. She passed away just over two years ago and I treasure that ring dearly. The second was a birthday gift this past year from my grandpa. It's actually the Kate Spade "Find the Silver Lining" Idiom Necklace. After I saw Silver Linings Playbook (one of my favorites!), I fell in love with this quote:

"You have to do everything you can, you have to work your hardest, and if you do, you have a shot at a silver lining."

So obviously I needed that necklace. The quote hit me so hard.

4. Do you have a quote that resonates with you? Post it!

In addition to the one above, I love this one by Elizabeth Taylor...

"Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together."

I lived by it for quite a while, and still do from time to time.

5. What's your favorite genre of book to read?

I'm not a huge reader, but when I do read, I definitely tend to veer towards romance novels. #noshame

6. Your favorite type of pajamas?

I don't know that I have a favorite type of pajama. I like loose fitting tops and shorts (in the summer time my undies...), or a sleep shirt from Victoria's Secret is always nice too.

7. Lace or leather?

Oh my! Both. Depends on my mood. If I'm feeling ladylike, lace. Feisty? Leather.

8. Handmade present or something name brand?

Don't get me wrong, I love my brands. I'm a borderline snob sometimes (not something I like about myself...), but with that said, I appreciate handmade/homemade gifts all the same as name brands. If they're made with an inside joke in mind or from one of my dear friends, no price or label can replace that.

9. Must- have winter accessory?

Even though I just got them this Christmas, my Bean boots. I'm actually questioning how I ever lived without them.

10. Music you recently listened to that you consider a "guilty pleasure?"

One Direction (British accents and boy band looks? Sue me.)

11. If your life was made into a TV show, who would play you?

I like to think Jennifer Lawrence would because she's easily the coolest celebrity on the planet. But after her success, she's kind of too big for TV. If we're being completely honest though, the girl who plays Sue Heck on The Middle is the fourteen year old me. Do with that what you will.

And now, Gina!

1. At what point in your life did you realize you are more into style than the average person, and how did this transition into starting a life and style blog?

I've always loved shopping and clothes. For as long as I can remember, my Nana would always take me shopping for back to school clothes every summer and I'd be counting down the days until I could wear all my "cool" new outfits. Even when I was younger though, my love for clothes was nothing out of the ordinary. When I got to college though, and was forced into this whole new group of individuals who seemed to pay no mind to what anyone thought of them, something kind of clicked. And my shopping problem got way worse! This past summer I started reading blogs on the daily and falling in love with them. Since I also love writing, I thought I'd venture out and try to start my own! So far, it's working pretty well... thank goodness!

2. If you had to summarize your style using only three words, what would they be?

Girly. Classy. Simple.

3. Do you have any pets? If so, what type of animal?

I have a dog and a cat! I don't know what kind of cat my cat is, but we rescued her and she's a love. My dog is a cockapoo and although annoying at times, she's the most adorable thing on the planet and I don't know that I could live without her.

4. If you could make a living doing what you love most, what would that be?

Ah! This is a good question. If I could be talented and artistic enough to design clothes, I would definitely be doing that. But, unfortunately I wasn't blessed with the artistic gene.

5. What are the top three items on your wishlist right now? How would this list differ if money were less of a concern, or would it?

The top three items on my wishlist right now are:
1. The Clarisonic

2. Kate Spade Montreal Boots

3. The Melenia Top

I'd like to say this list would differ if money were less of a concern, but again the shopping problem... Money is a concern, and yet, I'd buy the $228 top. Because I have a problem.

6. Do you feel that you've become more weight conscious since skinny jeans took over?

I've always been weight conscious, but since clothes have started getting tighter in the past years (why crop tops ever had to make a comeback is beyond me...) I have become more aware of what I can and can't wear. I think skinny jeans are a great option for a lot of people though, regardless of size. If you wear them right, they can do wonders for every body type!

7. What has been your greatest blogging challenge so far?

My greatest blogging challenge so far has been conquering my fear of what people would think of me and my blog. Now it's started to become more of a "Hey I have a blog and I'm so excited about it and you should be excited about it too!" kind of thing. It's what I love and it has helped play a great role in my conquering my fear of others' judgement. Haters gonna hate. Whateva.

8. Is there an item or a certain style you can't stop buying, and now you have several?

My collection of jeans (in all styles) has grown quite a bit in the past year actually, now that I think of it. I used to hate them, but now I seriously can't get enough.

9. If you could only shop one store from now on, which one would it be?

J. Crew. Easily.

10. What is your number one goal for your blog in 2014? Beyond 2014?

I started this blog for me. I haven't really thought too much beyond it being a kind of creative outlet. I'm so flattered that people have taken so well to it, and I hope that I can connect with more readers as time goes on. I've heard so many great things about building friendships via the blogging community and that's something I would definitely like to dive into more as the years go on and my blog (hopefully!) continues to grow.

11. Have your close friends and family been supportive of your blog?

So immensely supportive. It's heartwarming and amazing and I love them even more for it (if that's even possible.) I have an amazing group of people behind me on this and it's really made all the difference. My best friend is the whole reason I pressed "Publish" on my first post ever...

p.s. I never thanked her for that, THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU.