Curing the Winter Blues

Friday I posted about my case of the Winter Blues.  And since then, I have recovered! Which is good news.  But it was hard, considering right when I fell into my slump, the weather got extra depressing. Read: windy and dark and gross and rainy.

But there are a couple of ways I dragged myself out of bed my funk:

A good night's sleep: As I said in that post, I put myself to bed and slept and slept.  Sometimes, I just hit a wall and I need to sleep it off to recover.  I also heard once (don't quote me on this, I'm no doctor) that sleeping helps you process the hormones produced by stress.  So if this is true, I digested a ton of stress chemicals that night, and woke up feeling refreshed.  I didn't even have to rush around in the morning.

A good sweat: That day after I got home from class, I went to the gym and did sprints.  It felt amazing to burn off some steam and really tire myself out.  By the time I got home, my body was ready to collapse.  I took a hot shower and crawled into bed, where my muscles could relax.

Get lost in a book: Since I got my library card and placed all of my to-reads on hold, some of them have finally become available and I've been feverishly trying to read them all before the NYPL snatches them back up again.  I just finished Hourglass by Myra McEntire, which took a little while for me to get int, but once I got into it I couldn't stop. I've moved on to Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close, a book (recommended by Pinterest) for girls in their twenties.  I've been reading every night before bed to help me relax my mind and unwind.

Watch some Netflix: Along the same lines as getting lost in a book, watching a few shows or a movie on Netflix is good to help put your mind somewhere else.  My mom even suggested watching a sad movie, so I would even have a legitimate excuse to be so sad.  If you're already crying, what's a few more tears?

Pour yourself a glass of wine: Or in my case, drain it from a bag inside a box.  I'm on a budget. But sometimes a nice glass of pinot noir (my mom taught me well) is exactly what you need to unwind and relax.

Obsession: Cap Toes

I don't know what it is about a cute cap-toe ballet flat but I am disgustingly obsessed.

I think it started a few seasons ago when I set my sights (unrealistically) on the cutest pair of Kate Spade flats with a hot pink cap toe. They were beautiful. I am dying for her to bring them back (preferably after I get my own job so I can afford them) because I can't pass them up again.

There is something about the playfulness of a pop of color that makes it seem like you're trying to be cute and fun, without wearing a bright color shoe that practically screams "I'M TRYING TO BE FUN."

I love them. And they pop up everywhere, making it more and more difficult for me to resist. Even Andrew can tell I love this trend--for Christmas he got me a pair of Toms that just happen to have a maroon cap on each toe.

And now, J. Crew factory has the most beautiful pair of pink flats with a pink toe that I can't stop thinking about. I'm not ready to splurge yet, but as soon as they're on sale I'm making moves.

Or at least, begging my mom to.

1 || 2 || 3 || 4

5 || 6 || 7

8 || 9 || 10

Obviously, there's a fixation theme here. The pink.  I'm clearly over winter and I'm ready to start wearing Springtime brights.

On a side note, how perfect are those Kate Spade for Keds? If I were more of a sneaker wearer (and had $80 to blow) I'd be all about those.

For now, I'm going to keep looking at these J. Crew Factory flats, placed safely in my shopping cart, until I go home to the outlets and kill myself (and my bank account) buying them.

Obsession: Jewelry

Obsession Monday!

I was never a huge jewelry wearer until this year. Bangles always weirded me out and I wasn't adventurous enough to wear cool necklaces. But then I started buying a few things here and there and working them into my outfits once and a while and then over Christmas break the obsession exploded.

I guess my mom took note of my interest in accessories and just went bananas in the jewelry department of every department store she shopped in. I seriously got so many bracelets they wouldn't fit in my jewelry box and we had to search for something else that would accommodate my collection.

Now I have so much I can find something to accompany almost all outfits. And I get a huge pleasure out of deciding what would go best with what and I feel so much more put together with a little bit of jewelry on.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Etsy || 2. Kate Spade || 3. Etsy

4. Design Darling || 5. Target

6. Bauble Bar || 7. Esty || 8. Design Darling

9. Bauble Bar

Simple Pleasures

I'm all for favorite things and obsessions and what not, but there are so many little parts of my life that make me happy, too.

[caption id="attachment_163" align="aligncenter" width="294"] How could this not make you happy?[/caption]

Dogs: Most notably, my dogs. When my mom or dad sends me pictures of them it honestly makes my day. There's something about their little faces that just puts me in a good mood.

Honey Wheat Pretzel Twists: I'm not even joking when I say that this was my treat whenever I had a bad day at my internship last semester. They're just so....good. It could be funny, or it could be sad.

New Socks: I'm sorry, but if you don't love putting on a new pair of fluffy, clean socks, there's something wrong with you. They make my feet just so...happy. Bonus points for really cute patterned new socks.

Clean Sheets and Pillowcases: My favorite day is laundry day, not because I love doing laundry because I hate it but because I think I sleep a million times better when my sheets and pillowcases are fresh and clean.

Freshly Made Bed: I try to avoid my bed during the day, especially after making this resolution for myself, but, if there's one thing I do love it's making my bed perfectly and refluffing my pillows and curling up with my iPad under my napping blanket. And yes, I have a napping blanket.

Green Tea Lemonade: I used to be strongly opposed to Starbucks after a near allergic reaction over 7 years ago. However, necessity and convenience forced me to conquer this aversion and I haven't looked back. My favorite drink on rough mornings (even in the cold) is a nice green tea lemonade. It's so good and gives me the perfect pick me up. I always order a grande and I always wish I had a venti. It's that good.

Thoughtful Texts: Whether they're from Andrew or my mom or a close friend, a sweet or funny little message when I'm having a rough day will always boost my mood, at least a little. It's always just nice to know someone's thinking about you, especially on the days when I hate the world it feels like everyone hates me.

Obsession: Quotes

 

I've mentioned before I'm really big on reading blogs.  And I really love writing this one.  I've grown to love coming up with ideas and writing my posts and making my graphics.  I hope to continue this blog long after this class ends.  Which brings me to some articles I was reading on a really helpful website for bloggers: Altitude Summit. My ideal situation would involve this blog growing to be so large I can start making money off of it or start gaining freelance opportunities or even a real job from it.  In doing research on how to grow my blog, one of the most important things mentioned was the importance of utilizing an editorial calendar.  Long story short, they suggested doing some things on a regular basis.  I noticed I have a lot of "obsessions," and therefore, my Obsession Mondays were born.

If there's one odd thing I find myself looking up for hours on end, it's quotes. Most specifically, those of the inspirational variety. I don't even know how it started or why. All I know is that I can spend forever on the "Quotes" board of Pinterest, pinning to my own personal board of quotes.

I think what I've come to like most about them is how something another person said can speak to me so personally. Some quotes make me realize that I'm not the only person in the world who's encountered a difficult situation. I'm not the only one who has been sad or frustrated or confused.

Knowing that other people can say something that speaks so well to me and that seems so wise encourages me. I like knowing other people had a rough time and made it out alive, even succeeded.

So, in keeping with this theme of quotes, here are a few of my favorites:

"Worrying will not change the outcome"

"The best way out is always through"- Robert Frost

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple"- Dr. Seuss

"No great thing is suddenly created"

"Not everything will be okay but some things will"

"Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still"

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses"- Abraham Lincoln

I have a million more and you can see them (if you'd like) on my Pinterest board. :)

Currently...

Just cuz...here are a few things I'm currently ______(fill in the blank-ing).

Watching: The September Issue on Netflix. I am literally in love with this documentary.  It was absolutely enthralling to get a real view into Vogue, and see the people who are so passionate about what they do.

Eating: Luna Bar, Chocolate Covered Bananas from Trader Joe's. I've loved Luna Bars for a while now, may favorites being Peppermint Stick, S'Mores and Lemon Zest.  I recently discovered frozen banana bites when I was home and I am ob.sessed.  They're so good and they're not even that bad for you.  They are bananas, after all.

Wanting: (P)Leather leggings.  I'm not usually super edgy or hip, my style errs more on the side of safe and preppy, but after a lot of contemplation, I think a pair of faux leather pants could really work in a lot of ways.  The search begins.

Obsessing Over: Finding a navy blue skirt, as similar as possible to the J. Crew City Mini, and updating my makeup collection from drugstore brands to something a little more...grown up.

Dreading: Grocery shopping.  Waiting in a line at Trader Joe's after class and then lugging my food back to the Bronx is not my idea of a fun time.

Looking at: The cutest dogs in the world .  I think I've mentioned this blog before, but I don't care. Corgis are perfect.

Wishing I could afford: This bracelet, this shirt, these earrings, this necklace, this duffle bag, these flats, and these glasses.  I guess I went a little C. Wonder crazy...

Listening to: Mumford & Sons.  Its the perfect rainy day music.  Its always perfect, no matter what kind of mood I'm in.

A Few of My Favorite Things

This year, in honor of their 20th Birthday, Kate Spade is doing a series of posts on things they love. Consequentially, this trend has inspired me to note a few of my favorite things.  I got the list idea from a blog I read, actually.

Essie Geranium: I usually err on the side of neutral (read: plain and safe) nail colors. Essie's Sand Tropez was my go-to.  But. Recently I had an adventurous streak and bought a bright red color: Geranium.  I'm obsessed.  I love how bright and fun it is, especially in cold and dreary January.  Its like a little pop of color every single day.

Reading: I got an iPad Mini for Christmas and I use it constantly.  The first app I downloaded Christmas morning was Kindle, and since then I have read 4 books.  I forgot how relaxing it was and how it helped me clear my mind.  Now I have a whole list of books I want to read.  Its addicting. And definitely one of my favorite indulgences.  Recently, my favorites have been Looking for Alaska by John Green and Rules of Civility by Amor Towles.

Law & Order Special Victims Unit : When I got to school this year, I was very against shows like Law and Order.  And then my roommates started playing it. All. The. Time.  And very slowly, I became addicted.  I hate ending without the crime being resolved, and I always watch when there's a marathon.

Herbal Tea: Every single night after dinner, I have a cup (or two) of herbal tea.  It started as Tazo Passion Tea, and then one (very very long) day at Trader Joe's, I came out with even more flavors to try.  Currently, I have a box of Candy Cane Green Tea and Pomegranate White Tea in my pantry that I am constantly making. Its the perfect and most relaxing way to end a day.

Reading Blogs: I have a really long list of blogs that I subscribe to via Google Reader.  A few of my favorites are The College Prep, Atlantic-Pacific, Classy Girls Wear Pearls, and Sweet Lemon Mag.  Among many others.

Saturday Night Live: I've watched SNL since 9th grade, and I have been a huge fan ever since.  I have been known to stay home Saturday nights to watch new episodes, or spend precious Sunday homework time watching episodes I missed.  I am obsessed and can quote so many different skits.

Sticky Notes: I love writing lists.  Things to do, things I need to remember, songs I like...everything.  Consequentially, I love sticky notes and cute stationary.  I have a whole drawer filled of them, wayy more than I need.

Puppies: I posted earlier  about how much I love dogs.  And its true.  As much as I love my dogs at home, I can't wait until I can adopt my first dog after college.  And if you haven't already, you should look at this  tumblr, you should immediately.  It will change your life.

How I Met Your Mother: How I Met Your Mother is my all time favorite show.  Its my go-to when I'm choosing what to watch.  Its the show where I can see five seconds of an episode and know which one it is, and can quote all of it.  When I'm sick, I watch How I Met Your Mother. I own all the seasons on DVD.  It has a special place in my heart.

Cuddling: Its pretty self-explanatory, really.  Who doesn't love being warm and close with the person they love?

Coffee: I. am. addicted.  I drink at least one cup every single morning.  If I don't, I get terrible headaches.  But its soo good. And its so perfect in the mornings.

Help Me Thaw

To say it has been cold is a wild understatement.  It has been frigid.  Freezing.  Subzero.  Maybe not, but still.  Not only is it freezing outside, but its cold in my apartment too.  With the windows shut and the shades down, there is still--somehow--a breeze.

In a feeble attempt to stay warm, I made a list of a few things that I have (and wish I had) in this cold, cold weather.

Socks || Hat || Eucerin

Sweater || Boots

Gloves || Vest || Scarf

One thing thats terrible about the cold is that it dries me out, but this Eucerin lotion is so thick it helps keep me moisturized.

These gloves are really great, too, because not only do they have the cutest bows on the wrists, but they're tech gloves, so you can text with them on, too.