For the love of mint.

Business First!

1. Happy Monday!

2. Wednesday is the Find Some Love Fest! I can't believe it's already here! Are you ready?

findsomelove


And now for your regularly scheduled program ;)

The "it" color for spring is definitely anything MINT.

I'm in luck, as mint is one of the colors in my "season" (not that I really follow my chart or anything...but still!) For seasonal trend colors, I usually stick to an accessory or two so I don't have to fully commit and can make that piece go further. Plus most of the clothes in my closet are beige, white, grey, tan, or black. I'm so boring, I know ;)

Bottom line--I need that Essie nail polish. Right meow.

What do you think of mint?


Source: toms.com via Erin on Pinterest







Friday is For Following

What #FF is.
Follow Friday (#FF) on Twitter allows you to shout out your favorite twitter accounts in hopes that others will follow them.

What this is.
A way to find new blogs to follow AND gain some new followers. 

How to participate.
There are no minimum requirements to what you need to do to link up! However, I would appreciate it if you found atleast 3-5 new blogs you'd LIKE to follow and follow them via Google Friend Connect (GFC) Comment and let them know you found them thru Follow Friday! This way, the purpose of this project actually works!

 If you follow my blog I WILL follow you back. Leave me a comment saying you're following from #FF and I'll get on it!

Link your blog to the category that best fits your site. There are two categories: Lifestyle/Health and Fashion/Beauty. Pick whichever fits you best and link up once! So, pick ONE!

Fashion/Beauty Blogs Link Up Here!

Lifestyle Blogs Link Up Here!

Enjoy and Spread the word so new blogs can join! <3



iPad SchmiPad

Alright so I got an iPad for Christmas and I've been completely obsessed. Especially since I can bring it to school to study PDF's and download some books. However, I've been ridiculously fickle about getting a case. I went to school without a case tonight and I've never been so worried in my life. Okay exaggeration but still I need a case ASAP. I took my dilemma to twitter and everyone seemed to be parted on which one I should get....and then I found more. I'm not looking anymore! ;)

Majority rules! What's your favorite!?

A


B



C


D




PS--Follow Friday is back tomorrow!!



How to be happy

SO I really wanted to write a post today about having a positive outlook. Because honestly, I don't always. Sometimes I really have to remember to keep my head up. I'm sure we ALL struggle with this depending on the situation. Isn't it true though that one negative thought tangent can lead into a terrible day? It's interesting that the same event can happen to us and depending on what mood we're in it can roll off our back or ruin our day. Why is that?

My guess is it depends on our outlook. Are we letting negative thoughts control us that day?


While looking for positive quotes for this post on the internet, I came across this really productive article on ten steps to happiness. I hope you find it as helpful and inspiring as I did!

Read steps 1 and 2 below, then click the link for the rest.

Are you happy? How happy would you say you are, on a scale of 1-10?
Our society today is entrenched in low levels of consciousness of fear, desire and pride. Despite the increasing affluence of people in our world, it seems people are more and more unhappy today. From unhappiness with work, unhappiness with their life, unhappiness with the world, unhappiness with themselves. If you think that the people around you seem quite unhappy, let me tell you that this is a common issue everywhere in the world – be it countries/cities I’ve been to in Asia, in Europe, or in America.
In light of this epidemic, I’ve created a guide on how to be happy. The mark of a good life is one that is filled with happiness. If you’re not happy at all, then what’s the point of doing any of this to begin with?
I see this as a timeless guide, with 10 of my universal, timeless principles to achieve happiness. May you find these 10 principles useful in your quest for happiness. Know that at the end of the day, happiness comes from within, not from outside. This is why the guide focuses on intrinsic, permanent steps to achieve happiness, rather than extrinsic, surface-level tips which only have a temporal effect (such as listening to music, going shopping, etc).
Here goes. :)

#1. Attend to Negative Emotions / Thoughts; Don’t Repress them

Many of us in the modern society today do not know how to properly deal with our emotions. Just look at what most of us do when we are unhappy/angry/upset/stressed/fearful. We either (a) sleep it away (b) eat it away (emotional eating) (c) drink it away (alcoholism) (d) smoke it away (e) bury ourselves with other things, usually work and/or (f) ignore those emotions altogether.
So what happens when we do not deal with our negative emotions appropriately? Our emotions / thoughts are unaddressed and get repressed. It may look like the unhappy emotions / thoughts are gone the next day, but no, they are never gone – they are just buried beneath the surface.
It’s a matter of time before they re-emerge in the future – usually when we face a situation that triggers latent memories. During which we can either respond via avoidance again, hence repeating the cycle all over again, or by dealing it the right away this time. To do the former is to live an unconscious life, no different than a sleepwalker. To do the latter is to take the path of courage and start living consciously.
How should we deal with unhappy emotions / thoughts then?
  1. First, unload your mind, especially if the incident just occurred and you’re faced with a big influx of negative emotions. I find the brain dumping exercise very helpful for this purpose. Meditation also helps in calming your mind. It’s okay to use destressing methods like playing games, taking a break, taking a walk, venting, listening to music, etc – as long as you return to the issue at hand after you are done destressing.
  2. Identify your source of unhappiness via asking yourself: “What’s making me feel unhappy?“. The answers can be very revealing. If you’re someone who has never questioned your emotions/unhappiness before, this will point you in the right direction, because rather than take your emotions as they are, you’re now making an effort to understand them. If you are a conscious individual, with high awareness of your emotions, this will bring you a step further.
  3. Create a list of steps that will help you address the source of your unhappiness above. See next step.

#2. Take Action on What’s Making You Unhappy

I’d say I’m by and large quite a happy person. It’s not because I don’t feel unhappy emotions. Like everyone, there are times when I’m unhappy. There are times when I’m angry too. And there are times when I can be downright miserable.
What do I do during these times? Do I let myself sink in the negative emotion? No, I don’t. That’s pointless and a waste of my mental energy.
What I do is this – Whenever there is something making me unhappy, I fix the issue right away, in a 3-step approach. Firstly, I identify the issue at hand. Secondly, I locate the action steps that will resolve it. Then, I execute those steps immediately.
A simple example : I was recently in New York City (Nov-Dec ’11), as part of my US travel. While NYC is terrific and I love the city, its winter climate is too cold for me, since I grew up in a tropical country (Singapore). It got so cold that I would much rather stay in than go out. It was quite miserable.
Rather than let the situation perpetuate though, I checked the weather in west coast, and realized the southern west coast has a much conducive climate for me. So during Jan ’12, I traveled on to Los Angeles, California, where it is much warmer. Problem solved, and I became a much happier person. ;)
There have been many other situations where I wasn’t happy and took action to address them:
Likewise, if something is bothering you, fix it. Don’t let your unhappiness linger, because your happiness should be your #1 priority. Below are some tips:
  1. Fix the issue right away. No point waiting. The longer you wait, the more unhappy you are.
  2. Focus on what you can effect, not what you can’t effect. This includes (a) things in the present (b) your thoughts and actions. Not (a) things in the past or things that have yet to take place yet or (b) thoughts and actions of other people.
  3. Remember that every problem has a solution. You are only limited by the confines of your mind. It’s up to you to expand your frame of thought and find the best-fit solution.
  4. Once you have done everything within your control, let go and let things run their course. You have already done what you can. Now it’s up to the others and the universe to do what they must.

How do you stay positive?

The 20's.

Sunday I mentioned the boyfriend and I started the series Boardwalk Empire. I didn't know much about it, except it has been mentioned as one of the best television series in the past few years. To be brief, it's about prohibition in the 1920's. 

I'm secretly a history fanatic. I love to understand why society is the way it is and how we got to where we are now. I'm the kind of person that if I understand why I can accept or try to empathize most situations. I originally transferred as a history major to my college with hopes of working in the arts/entertainment industry doing costume design for historical production. With the economy the way it is and the fact that my passions lie in many places, I wanted more flexibility so I'm now a communications major! 

The 1920's are hands down the decade I adore the most. I LOVE everything about the style back then. Especially the accessories. We see a lot of inspiration from this time today, headbands, long strands, pearls, newsboy hats, vintage headpieces....must I go on? It's absolutely necessary for a 1920's style post! 


Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest








Source: google.com via Joy on Pinterest






Source: etsy.com via Elle on Pinterest



Weekend Scenes.

Linking with this lady today!

I worked a trade show on Saturday so my weekend obviously felt short. 
Luckily, I got a lot of lazy time  relaxation in on Saturday night and Sunday.

Anyone watch any football this weekend?
((Skip the next three sentences if you're a hater))
I mean...Ravens/Patriots game, really??
What a pitiful ending. Pretty sure the kicker is going to not come out of his house for the next few months.
I expected more from the Patriots. I hope they step it up for the SB!

We also started the first season of Boardwalk Empire and I am absolutely obsessed.
You'll find out more about why on Wednesday :)

This stuff does just what it says. It's perfectly non greasy for my hands.
I even put it on the ends of my hair. And I like it.

I decided I like my new bangs. They don't do so well on next day hair...
...but that's what bobby pins are for.

I always forget how comfy these are. They're perfect for a gloomy, lazy day.

Hollie's best loved candle too ;)

My boyfriend makes THE best burgers. I mean look at this?!

Saturday San Diego experienced what they thought was the apocalypse.
It was just a lot of rain.

Screw chicken noodle soup, chocolate chip cookies are good for the soul. 

How was your weekend, friends?!

Follow Friday Partayyyy



Yeah, kinda like #FF on Twitter but for blogs.

What #FF is.
Follow Friday (#FF) on Twitter allows you to shout out your favorite twitter accounts in hopes that others will follow them.

What this is.
A way to find new blogs to follow AND gain some new followers. 

How to participate.
There are no minimum requirements to what you need to do to link up! However, I would appreciate it if you found atleast 3-5 new blogs you'd LIKE to follow and follow them via Google Friend Connect (GFC) Comment and let them know you found them thru Follow Friday! This way, the purpose of this project actually works! Last week it seemed to have worked! :)
 If you follow my blog I WILL follow you back. Leave me a comment saying you're following from #FF and I'll get on it!

Link your blog to the category that best fits your site. There are two categories: Lifestyle/Health and Fashion/Beauty. Pick whichever fits you best and link up once!

Fashion/Beauty Blogs Link Up Here!



Lifestyle Blogs Link Up Here!


Enjoy and Spread the word so new blogs can join! <3

Letters to the Editor

I've seen this around the blog world but I'm stealing/giving credit to TJ  for this one.

Dear Self,
Remember your mini new years resolutions for each month? It's January 19th......and your life is about to get MUCH busier with school starting, your blog...and oh yeah your full time job. Get on January's resolution!

Dear Boyfriend,
You kind of kick my butt into shape without even knowing it. You're such a go getter and sometimes I'm not. You make those feelings of wanting to go out and do something fabulous a much higher priority for myself. I don't tell you that your own passions that are oh so different from mine inspire me to be the me I want to be. Thank you.

Dear Lauren,


Dear iPad,
I need to get you a case. I don't know why I'm being overly picky about this. I don't want to spend $50 but all the cheapies just aren't good enough for you ;) Suggestions!?

Dear Skin,
Constellations are for the stars not for my face. I'd appreciate it if you'd play nicer.

Dear Target,
I blame you for my desire to redecorate my room each season. Stop with the cute matching room stuff every two months!!!!

Dear Too Short New Bangs,
You're growing on me. (No pun intended)

Dear Bloggers,
Thank you SO much for linking up for Follow Friday last week!! I was so happy/surprised/shocked/excited/anxious okay mostly happy that so many of you participated! I got some great feedback and would LOVE for you all to join me again tomorrow. If you missed last week, read about what it is here.





Dear California Drivers,
You're sincerely the worst of the worst. I'm pretty sure everyone who was a poor driver moved here.

What would you say if you wrote a bunch of short letters today?

Blocking.

((linking up with www.thevintageapple.com ))

Color blocking: Wearing two or more drastically different solid color pieces.

Tip: Try red & purple or hot pink & red!






















Print Blocking: Wearing two pieces of drastically different prints.

Tip: Keep both of the patterns within the same color hue or family to keep it polished and less looking like it's the first time you ever dressed yourself.











Would you wear color or print blocking?