One Year Short Of 30

Aren't birthdays such a funny thing? Every year I become less excited about getting older, and more excited about figuring out how to look younger, feel my best, and be at my healthiest. Every year comes with a set of challenges and learning experiences that never cease to amaze me. This year was an interesting one for sure. I got engaged, switched careers, made the cover of a magazine, and maintained this blog like I always do. I am so lucky to have this online journal of sorts to keep for years to come.

One thing that I thought about yesterday that made me sad was the fact that I don't really write anymore. Besides the occasional outfit post, I feel like my blog has become less about my personal life, and more of a "business" if you will. Sitting down to write this post seemed a bit odd, because it's been a long time since I really shared some personal feelings on here. It's not on purpose either, life just gets busy, and sometimes I honestly don't feel like I have time to think, let alone write. As I sit here and write this while I sniffle and sneeze, I can't complain at all, because at this moment, I am finally feeling relaxed!

So this year, my post will be a little bit different. Every year I do a post about what I have learned (Last year's post), or what I know thus far. This year will be less outlined, and more of me just thinking through typing. 

Every year I find myself learning so many different things that are important to me, and I think the most important thing I have learned is that it's SO incredibly necessary to surround yourself with the greatest of people. I have lost people that I thought would always be here, and although it saddens me, it also makes me realize that maybe they just weren't meant to be there in the first place. Finding yourself, and letting go of things that don't benefit you anymore, is simply part of the process. I think one of the most important things I have come to realize this year is that my friends and family mean so much to me, they are the true guiding light of everything that I am, and I can't wait to grow older with all of them in my life.

I have also learned, that most of the little bullshit that bothers us in life simply, does not matter. What matters is waking up and feeling like you're being the best you can be. Whatever that means to you, just be it. You're waking up knowing you're doing what you want to do, and making yourself proud-that's what matters. We all have different roads to travel, and at the end of the day it doesn't matter which way you go, as long as you're happy and as long as you're a good person, good things will come. I truly believe that we all get what we put out, and positive always attracts positive.

I tend to be really hard on myself by nature, and this year has been nothing different. I am a perfectionist who strives to succeed in everything that I do, and this can be both a blessing a curse. I have also learned that it's important to embrace who YOU are. The good, the bad, the ugly, the pretty, the crazy, it's all apart of you, and it all needs lovin- so love yourself, because no one is going to do it for you.

So this year, I am focusing on the things I am grateful for, and trying to let go of the things that don't help me grow. I find my happiness in the little things nowadays. Going on dates with Ryan, photography, snuggling with Ollie, spending time with my family, watching movies over and over, cooking dinner, and most importantly, making time for this little blog that has brought me so much love. Although I am struggling with the thought of getting older, I do love my birthday, and I love my life at this present moment. 

The possibilities in life are endless and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me. Thank you to everyone who reads this blog, and to all of those who have supported me through every endeavor- big or small. This blog is a huge part of who I am , and the past five years wouldn't have been the same without this creative outlet in my life.

Here's to 29! Let's kick some serious ass!

Behind The Scenes: On My Schwinn

As most of you know I made the cover of Momentum magazine for their spring issue and I couldn't be more excited. Since the cover is now out, I wanted to share some of the photos that weren't included in the magazine, that I love. Ryan and I spent a lot of time driving around and shooting all over NJ, and it was really fun to shoot on location. Here are some of my favorites from behind the scenes. The most hilarious part of this is that we had to shovel snow out of some of these shots, but if you didn't know any better- you'd think it was Spring!

For those of you who asked my bike is a Schwinn Legacy and unfortunately none of the clothing items are still stocked, but here are some similar choices linked below!

Thank you to everyone who purchased a copy of Momentum! For those wondering if you're still looking my issue it's Issue #70.

Thoughts On Thursdays: Finding Your Champions & Ignoring The Trolls

For a while I have questioned why I blog. Not in a negative sense, but in the way where I wonder what keeps me moving, what keeps me motivated and why I continue to do it daily. As a blogging community social media has become such a huge part of our every day lives. Oftentimes at conferences one of the biggest things that bloggers want to discuss is how to deal with negativity on a daily basis. Naturally when you are putting yourself out there, it's hard not to get some negative feedback.

Whether or not you feel like you're doing everything right, someone will always be there thinking differently or disagreeing with what you do. Unfortunately, there are people like this in our every day lives too, the only difference is that with social media, comes the ability to hide behind a computer screen.

I've gotten a few negative comments throughout my four years of blogging, and I'll admit- it killed me. It still hurts my feelings to this day when someone writes something mean or leaves a nasty comment. Why? Because I am human. The only difference between me and the average person is that part of my life is public. This is a side that I choose to put out there, with trepidation. It's a side that I curate and allow to be seen as part of my blogging business. At the end of the day, it's who I am, but it also is *my business.* I am, in a way-selling myself, selling my thoughts, ideas and "whole look."

Part of the reason why I chose to write this is because I think it's easy to assume that someone has a perfect life because of what you see on social media. Social media is a portion of who we are as people. It's not everything. It's a mere glimpse into someone's life. We all have feelings, and we all need to start being nicer to each other in general.

At Texas Style Council Shalyn talked a lot about focusing on the negative rather than the positive. This is one of the things that truly stuck with me. Like many other girls I focus on those negative comments instead of focusing on the good things people say. Why don't we focus on the good stuff instead of the bad? Focusing your attention on the people who do follow everyday, the people who comment, and the people who really believe in your dreams. These are our champions.

The negative is easy to talk about. It's easy to focus on, and it's easy to let that information seep into your brain. As hard as it is, you need to put that behind you and realize that you could be the most amazing human being that ever walked this earth- people may still have an opinion, and that is their right. We all have choices, and choosing to take the high road is always the right choice.

Who are your champions? They're your people. The people who get excited when you have a new project coming up, the people who always support your choices whether or not they succeed or fail. These are the people who think you're the bees knees. THOSE are the people who matter. Not the ones who write something anonymously and run to hide behind their computers. Those people are just a blip in your internet world. They're not the ones you need to worry about.

I urge you, as someone who has always been focused on the negative- to let it all go. Keep your head up, and always remember that you have tons of people behind you that believe in what you do and who you are.

Thoughts On Thursdays : Relationships & Failed Attempts

Intro: One thing I took away from Texas Style Council was that it's okay to be vulnerable. A lot of times in the past I felt like I was shielding myself from writing personal posts on my blog because I was too nervous about what others would think or that if I shared too much of myself it wouldn't feel right. In the past I have written some life thoughts, but over time my posts got less personal, and more factual. For example I talk about things happening day to day, the weather, family events, etc. I usually don't go into detail about my personal life, for obvious reasons. I think deep down we're all afraid of being judged, but since I have a public blog, I know that judging is bound to happen. In the past I have reached more people through the posts that were more honest and made me vulnerable than the ones that were just plain and vague.

I dug pretty deep into my brain while in Texas and wrote down a lot of things I wanted to talk about on my blog. I spoke with some of my friends (especially Renee & Roxy) about how I struggle with wanting to be more personal, but how I end up just choosing not to share because it's easier to hide that side of myself. Where am I going with this? That's where this idea was born. Thoughts on Thursdays is a series I am starting today that I will be writing hopefully once a week on thoughts regarding a certain subject or personal experience. I plan on being a lot more honest with sharing personal stories, and opinions on various topics. I hope you'll follow along and enjoy this new journey with me!

Today I am going to talk about something most women dread talking about. LOVE and relationships. I started writing about this topic and realized there are so many dimensions to be covered. I decided to split up what I want to say into a few categories. These are things that have happened in my past that taught me a lot about myself, and about relationships in general. I get a lot of questions about personal issues and since I feel like I have been through a good amount of experiences, I want to be able to connect with others who have gone through similar things. 

Putting all of your eggs in one basket. I like to call this the "all or nothing" category. Let me start off by saying that unfortunately, not everyone is as honest as you think they are. I don't even think it's because people want to lie sometimes, but more because they just don't know how to be honest with themselves. I know a lot of girls (myself in the past) who put their lives on hold for their significant others. They spent their time hanging on their boyfriends every last move, and lost their identity. After everything was said and done and their boyfriend left them, they had no one to turn to. Just because you get a boyfriend doesn't mean that the rest of your life is over. Keep your hobbies, keep your friends, and more importantly maintain an identity outside of your relationship. It's a beautiful thing to fall in love and be with someone but you always need to remember who you are too.

When you start making excuses for people. This topic is an interesting one. What do you do when everyone in your life is telling you that someone isn't right for you. Chances are you're going to get defensive right? You will make every excuse in the book as to why someone is treating you how they do. What you really need to do is think about what your loved ones are saying to you. Remember that they know you very well, and care about your well-being and happiness more than anything. Sometimes the people in our lives can see things that we don't see when we are wrapped up in the situation. I trust the people in my life to give me honest opinions about the people I have dated, and usually they're always on point with their predictions. Be open to hearing people out, and start to think about what's good for you.

Make time to love yourself. So often we get into relationships and expect another human being to make us happy. This is probably the worst thing you can do. I'm not saying the person you're with shouldn't make you happy, but they shouldn't be the only thing in your life keeping your happiness afloat. The sooner you feel comfortable and love yourself, the sooner you will realize what you deserve and don't deserve. Sometimes people stay in relationships because they don't think they can do any better. News flash. YOU CAN DO BETTER. Anyone who tries to bring you down and tell you that you can't, is simply lying. I have learned from experience that anyone who deliberately tells you that you're not good enough, is just trying to keep you from achieving your true potential. I heard someone say once "you complete yourself" and it couldn't be more true. You need to cultivate self love and happiness before you can expect that to be reciprocated in a relationship.

Some relationships are here to teach us how to let go.
Not every relationship is going to work out, but you need to trust that the universe has other plans for you. Every mistake, every broken heart, every tear has brought me to my present moment. I never thought I would find someone who would treat me well, and love me for who I am. Thinking back to my past relationships, I am truly happy that they happened because I wouldn't be the person I am today. I wouldn't have learned what I deserve, nor would I have known how important it is to find someone that you truly connect with. And it's completely okay that things don't work out sometimes. I don't hold grudges against anyone because it's a huge waste of time, and is only harming my growing process. People are who they are, and different people connect on different levels. I promise you that there is someone out there who is a great match for you, and will love you, flaws and all.  I know how frustrating it can be sometimes, and I know the most annoying saying is "It'll be there when you're not looking for it" but trust me, from experience I can say that it couldn't be more true.

Being in a relationship means that you find someone who makes your life better. Never settle for anything less. If you're questioning staying with someone for any reason at all, make sure you reach out to those closest to you. Always remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and you'll find your perfect match when you least expect it!

And since I am deciding to be more personal on my blog, here's a picture of the love of my life, Ryan. I hope you guys found this post meaningful, and if you have any ideas on topics please email me, I would love to hear them.
(Intro photo courtesy of pinterest)

Momentum Magazine Cover Spring 2015!!!

I'm sure if you follow me on social media you've seen that I am on the cover of this months Momentum Magazine. I am so honored to be on the cover and had such a fun time shooting the photos with Ryan. We took most of the photos below in Weehawken on Blvd. East which overlooks the NYC skyline, and the cover was shot in a small town near my house called Highland Park. I had a really fun time picking outfits, and styling everything, and couldn't wait to see the finished product. 

It's definitely awesome to be featured editorially and have a 5 page spread inside. To all of my friends who purchased it in store, and for everyone who has congratulated me, I truly appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. I am lucky to have such supportive people in my life who always believe in my endeavors, and my dream. Also a huge thank you to Momentum for making this possible, I am so grateful to have had this opportunity! 

If you haven't picked up your copy yet, head over to your nearest Barnes & Noble and check it out! It's also available online for your NOOK. 

My Top 5 Ways To Relieve Stress

I think the misconception we all have about each other most of the time is not knowing what anyone else is going through, but just assuming we all lead perfect lives. I've made the mistake before too. Making comments like "That person is so lucky- they have the perfect blog, and perfect life." In reality, yes they may live amazing lives, but no ones life is perfect and no one has a stress free life. (Myself included) 

We all struggle with things in different ways, and we all have stressors in our lives that affect us differently. Maybe it's the mortgage bill that isn't paid on time, or making time to fit things into your day, or maybe it's a heavy workload. Everyday people deal with everyday problems and no one is exempt from this. For me it's mostly dealing with managing my own schedule, making time to do the things I want to do, and meeting deadlines. I hate to admit it, but I am a pretty high-stress personality by nature. It's not a constant thing, but it definitely plays its role in my life.

I know that stress is always going to be a part of my life- in good and bad ways. Change brings stress, and change is constant so there's no real way around it. It's all about how you deal with it, and that's what will bring you out of your stress, and into a peaceful place. 

Here are my top 5 ways for relieving stress: 

1. Exercising: I have touched upon my workouts and my routines in the past and I still stand by everything I have said. Exercising is great for a mood boost, but also helps you relieve stress by keeping busy and working towards a goal. I don't usually run but this year I promised myself that I will run outside more and make sure I am getting some fresh air. I think exercise in any form is great for everyone and really provides a chance to relax and breathe. 

2. Reading: My sister was an English teacher of 10+ years so reading has always been ingrained in my brain as very important. (Shout out to my sis!) She and I spoke recently about how important "disconnecting" is and how sometimes you need to just put your phone down so you can really process your day. I've been trying to read a little bit before bed to slowly calm my brain, and honestly it helps a lot. For me, reading positive and uplifting books is very important too. I love reading books about self reflection, positive thinking, and sometimes even teen fiction[don't judge me! twilight fan for life!]

3. Listen To Music: I am a huge music lover. I love everything from EDM to Classical music. Sometimes putting on your favorite tunes is a sure fire way to escape your stress. I also find that playing music in the morning as I get ready for work helps make my day go by a lot smoother. It also helps to have a mini concert in your car singing at the top of your lungs. You should try it. 

4. Try Bach Rescue Pearls: These natural dissolvable capsules are non habit forming and perfect for those of us who are all about the homeopathic way of life. These products come in a variety of forms, including liquid melts and pastille candies. RESCUE stress relief products are available now in the US at CVS, Walgreens, Whole Foods, Sprouts and wherever you find natural products. I keep these bad boys in my purse and whenever I am feeling stressed, I feel better just knowing I have them. [Visit the Rescue site for a downloadable coupon and sweepstakes you can enter.]

5. Have a Cup Of Your Favorite Tea: For me, it's chamomile. It's comforting, relaxing and perfect before bed, or before anything really. Although most of the tea that I drink is iced, chamomile with a little bit of honey before bed does the job. Chamomile also has been proven to help relax, and de-stress. 

I would love to hear what you guys do to manage stress. I hope my tips helped you get an idea of what I do in my every day life. Happy Wednesday!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Thank you for supporting companies that help Little Tree thrive!

DIY Ugly Christmas Sweater!

Who doesn’t love a tacky ugly Christmas sweater? It’s so easy to put together at home , you’ll wonder why you never tried it before! I went to a craft store nearby and purchased some fun things from the Christmas aisle. I had such a fun time making this sweater and I can’t wait to wear it at one of my upcoming holiday parties. I originally wrote this post for Glam in their Season To Sparkle section. Check out this DIY and other awesome holiday inspired posts for the season.

Items needed: Red sweater (I purchased mine at the thrift store for $3), Snowflakes, Sparkles (different colors), Snowflake confetti, Pom-Poms, Fabric Glue, Christmas tree stencil (I used this one) Sharpie Marker, Scissors, Sequins, Jingle bells, Needle & Red Thread , Dark Green Felt, Random Christmas decor of your choice.

-First, use your stencil to create a drawing on your felt
-Use the sharpie marker to outline the tree,also using a ruler or measuring tape for straight lines
-Cut out the felt in the shape of the tree
-Put fabric glue on the back of the felt tree cutout and paste it on your sweater
-Start decorating your tree accordingly, I decorated the tree with pom-poms, snowflakes, sequins
-Once you let your items dry for a few hours, finish by sewing on your jingle bells. Since they’re a little heavier you’ll need to pass some thread through and make a simple loop to keep the bells in place.

Tips & Tricks:
-Pick up your sweater from a thrift store or second hand store. You’ll find a sweater that’s much more unique, possibly vintage, and best of all, it’ll be a lot cheaper than buying the sweater brand new!

-Buy a variety of crafts and decorations to add to your sweater. Sometimes the most random pieces end up looking awesome!

-Plan out your sweater prior to putting it together. This will help guide the sweater decorating process once you start. A plan is always a good idea so you have ideas in your head before diving in. This will save you time, and will also help from making mistakes. I googled DIY Christmas Sweaters prior to starting mine. I decided to go with a Christmas Tree themed sweater, but there are many other options and ideas out there. Be creative, and plan ahead! 

What I Know At 28 : A Birthday Note

Every year I write a meaningful post about things I have learned that have taught me different lessons in life. Every year I plan for this post, as it is my favorite post to write. This year, I found myself stressing out and deleting everything I had previously written. It's the morning of my birthday, and here I am, thinking and stressing about what to write. 

Instead of thinking, I am just going to wing it, and hope it all makes sense. So here it is, what I have learned in my 28 years on this earth. The good, the bad, the pretty & ugly. If you want to view my posts from previous years, here they are. December 2013, December 2012.

Here goes nothing....

When matters of the heart are concerned, never settle. If you have questions or concerns that aren't addressed then you need to find those answers for yourself.

There will be times in life when everything seems to crumble around you. When getting out of bed is questionable and you just want to give up on everything & everyone. My advice? Keep going, keep pushing through. You have to show up. No one is going to do it for you.

Everyone that comes into your life has a lesson to teach you. I view everyone as a teacher. People come in and out for reasons, and sometimes those reasons are unknown, trust that the universe has a plan. 

As hard as you try, and as nice as you are sometimes people just don't like you. And it just is what it is. You can be the best/nicest person in the whole world, and it still wouldn't matter. Don't blame yourself and always continue to be kind. Some people are just never pleased and that has more to do with them, and less  to do with you.

If your friends or family ever need you. Just be there. Even if you have to sit together in silence, just be there. It means more to them than you will ever know. 

If a guy is into you, he will chase you. Period end of story. He will put in effort if he wants to be in your life. Same goes for any other type of relationship. 

Loneliness builds character. It sucks and hurts, but it molds you to be confident.

Love shouldn't be hard. Of course relationships are "work" but the fundamentals should be there. You should never feel like you can't express yourself or be who you are. You should feel like the best version of yourself when you are with that person. Relationships don't define us, but they should bring out the best in us. When you find the right person you feel it in your bones. You can show them the ugliest parts of you and know that they'll love you regardless. Sometimes love isn't rainbows and butterflies, and that's okay. There are no rules.

You never know what anyone is going through, so treat everyone with kindness and respect. Don't judge anybody.

Appreciate your parents. They are so important , and you'll never realize it until you get older. Those people have been through it all with you. They know who you are inside and out and care about you more than they could ever explain. These two people will ultimately be the people who guide you through your troubles, hug you during your successes and will forever have your back no matter what you do. I am so thankful to have two amazing human beings in my life who continue to be my role models.

Forgiveness doesn't make you weak, in fact I think it makes you stronger.

Life has no blueprint. People get married early, some late and some don't get married at all. Some people have 10 kids, and some have 1. Some people travel the world while others don't leave the state. Don't tell anyone how to live their lives, simply live yours.We all have different paths and no one thinks the same. Always keep an open mind.

A relationship without chemistry is not a relationship at all. If you have to ask yourself whether or not you have chemistry, then you probably don't.

What you put into this world is what you will get in return. Do your best, try your hardest and always show the people in your life how much you care about them. Life is so short, and everything is a blessing. The sooner you realize this the sooner you will wake up feeling like the world is at your fingertips.

Do what you love and the rest will follow. If you put your heart into something, it will pay off.

PINK IS PERFECT FOR OCTOBER

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month I wanted to do this fun little lookbook of some of my favorite pink items around the interwebs! Scroll through, and click on your favorites! If you want to learn more about Breast Cancer and how to help through donating and volunteering, click here. If we all do little things together, we can make a huge difference. Let's support those suffering and help in any way that we can. Any little bit helps!

Cyprus in photos part 4

One of my favorite things about vacation was not doing my hair or makeup. I know that sounds funny to some, but for me it was a huge change from the norm. Being able to wake up, crazy hair and sun kissed skin, roll out of bed and right on to the beach was one of my favorite parts of my trip. There's something about the saltwater that just seems to be healing in every single way.

Researchers have discovered that living near a beach can be beneficial to health and well-being. It can also provide stress relief and help you reset. Spiritually & mentally we all need a vacation sometimes, and there's nothing like recharging your batteries.

Cyprus Updates 2

Hey everyone! It seems like forever that I have posted, but on vacation, I try to actually focus on being where I am instead of staying current. Mix that with my lack of good wifi, and you will find a formula for my disappearing act. I find myself finding so many things to photograph here that my camera can't seem to capture all the beauty I am seeing with my eyes. I guess that's the importance of memories, you capture life in your mind in different moments and carry it with you as you go.

Most of these photos were taken when I was visiting my Grandmother's village (the first week I came). It's one of those places that I just can't get enough of and the pictures are near and dear to my heart. We are currently staying in a hotel which is right on the beach, and finally I truly feel relaxed. Our trip has been so busy up until this point so I am really excited to finally rest and lay by the beach for the remainder of our time here. Palm trees as far as the eyes can see, sand in my toes and a sun kissed glow on my skin is the perfect remedy for any kind of funk I was feeling back in NJ. I truly feel blessed and happy to be able to enjoy this peace and relaxation.

 Happy Wednesday everyone! xo