Mantra Moodboard

I’m curious about… what words are motivating me today

Having just graduated from college and beginning to think seriously about, plan and prepare for my future (a.k.a. a year off and hopefully law school next fall), I could use a little extra inspiration, namely in the realm of female empowerment.

Trendspiration: Bright Blossoms

I’m curious about… what inspires me to embrace {bold floral prints}

Maybe it’s the Lilly girl in me, but I’m pretty sure I would wear a sun dress year round if I could… which is why right now I’m more than ready to try on all of the colorful flowery patterns that make up this spring’s brightest designs.

Sweet Nothing

I’m curious about… my guide for a guilt-free day off

While it’s often encouraged to make the most out of today, it’s just as wise to recognize when it isn’t your lucky day. Admitting this sort of defeat can come as somewhat of a relief; you’ll feel it the moment you throw on leggings and Uggs, writing off any and all expectations for the next 24 hours. These are the rare occasions when I allow myself to skip up out on my workout, order in food and lounge in bed watching a movie instead of writing a paper (it’s also perfectly acceptable to remedy woes with wine). Rather than wallowing in my own self-pity at the first sign of an off-day, I choose to embrace these as recovery days; a daycation from my busy schedule that my mental health will thank me for later on. If you’re like me though, taking the time out to do nothing is hard to rationalize. Here is what I tell myself to help me get the most out of my day off:

* Those Victoria’s Secret Pink sweats are just as cozy and forgiving as they look. Why waste a perfectly good outfit on a day that doesn’t match your mood?

* Your brain will be able to think better tomorrow if you nourish it today with fashion mags, Mean Girls and a bag of Twizzlers.

* Lying in bed sick or lying in bed watching movies – nobody has to know the difference.

* Although your usual caffeine dose is not required for you to get through the day, you’ll eventually need to feed your addiction with a vanilla latte (because obviously you don’t know how to NOT brew a cup more potent than a venti).

* You slept through breakfast today so make up for it by ordering a pizza for dinner.

* Why not milk the whole mental health day thing with a bubble bath, masque and manicure?

* You’ll have plenty of energy for a killer workout tomorrow if you spend today lounging in your PJs – and plenty of motivation if you keep downing that kettle corn.

* By ordering in food, you’ll end up saving your groceries for another day.

* You’ll need fresh air eventually so you’ll have to run out and get a bottle of wine.

* You’ve been meaning to find the time to cross all those little nagging things off your to-do list, like “paint your nails,” “look through fashion week collections” and “catch-up on sleep.”

Mantra Moodboard

I’m curious about… what words are motivating me today

Maybe all this yoga has gone to my head, but I’ve found on days when I’m in need of some extra inspiration for carrying on, it helps to choose a mantra worth repeating. Though I can’t pinpoint precisely what today’s was – pursue, perhaps – this practice has encouraged what is sure to be the first in a new series of posts. (Besides, how can I let all those cute quotes I’ve pinned on Pinterest go unnoticed?)

Trendspiration: Sweet Shades

I’m curious about… what inspires me to embrace {pastels}

My motto has always been pastels know no season; so I’ve literally been drooling over the mint greens, mellow yellows and cotton candy pinks that this spring have finally graduated from the East Coast and moved onto the catwalk.

Less is More

I’m curious about… things I could live without

Whether you’re Catholic or not, I think we all can benefit from the concept of Lent. It’s hard to argue with the fact that our lives have become all too cluttered with social media, specialty drinks, shoe collections (guilty as charged) and dozens of other little luxuries we mistakingly call necessities. While I finally feel I have achieved a balance in my life – and have already done the whole giving up of cookies, Facebook and gossiping behind people’s backs successfully for Lent – I know there remains room for further cleansing. Though I cannot pinpoint one main vice to sacrifice, I have decided to focus on all-over elimination of excess “stuff.” During these next 40 days, as I reduce, eliminate and resist, I will continue to keep in mind the others who are living without and still are able to find peace and happiness in their lives. While it’s nice to have nice things, sometimes it’s these material objects that are distracting us from what’s really important. Here is how I plan to once again get in touch with that:

- Give up favorite little day-to-day luxury purchases {nail polish, magazines, lattes, candles, bottled water}

- Eliminate use of the snooze button

- Resist the urge to check email, texts or notifications when holding a conversation with someone

- Toss out one item taking up space in my room for every forty days

- Limit myself to only the essentials when grocery shopping

- Consume less sweetener, preservatives, packaged food and artificial flavoring

- Refrain from making up excuses or telling white lies

- Resist impulse purchases and tempting sales on unnecessary items

- Wean myself off of gum-chewing

- Cut back on use of household products {paper towels, plastic baggies, aluminum foil, tissues, water}

- Quit using phone for purpose of a distraction, killing time or avoiding something

- Have one drink less than I intend to

- Only take what I need {shampoo, body wash, lotion, moisturizer, hair product}

- Give up computer use right before bedtime

Daily Dose

I’m curious about… things that make everyday sweeter

My lovely friend Andi recently added a new post to her inspirational blog Polish My Crown called “Dose of Joy” to share reminders of little things that make life sweeter and more enjoyable. As part of the new addition, she’s been featuring the joy lists of friends she is happy to have in her life (see my friend Catherine‘s here)…and yesterday she shared mine! Ever-inspired by her positivity, I decided to elaborate on my top joys – there’s too much to appreciate in one day to narrow it down to just 10.

1. Waking up snuggled between pink and green flamingo-patterned sheets
2. A home-brewed cup of coffee
3. My daily douse of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
4. Receiving letters in the mail
5. Going for a run outside {no matter the weather}
6. Wearing bright pink lipstick and pearls
7. Striking up a conversation with a stranger
8. The perfect bowl of oatmeal
9. Practicing yoga
10. Friends who continue to inspire on a daily basis

* Waking up without an alarm

* Daily emails from Trendland, the Glitter Guide and Refinery 29

* A hot shower after a workout

* Good hair days

* Wearing pastels in dreary weather

* Cashmere socks

* An apple a day

* The look (and feel) of freshly painted nails

* Going out for lunch

* Orbit Sweet Mint gum

* Cancelled class

* Iced green tea

* Pinterest

* Free samples

* Anything that glitters

* Magazines in the mail

* Cooking dinner

* Lighting vanilla-sandlewood scented candles

* Chocolate-covered espresso beans

* Framed pictures

* Christmas lights –  no matter the season

* Movie nights

* Looking at pictures of Europe

* Crossing things off my to-do list

* Unexpected free time

 

What sweetens up your day?