Be Bad*** || Don't Be Defined By The Check Boxes -- Own Who You Are

"It's not easy being green" said Kermit.

And it's not easy being our true selves, either. In this world it's about a three sentence description to sum up who you are, but how is that even possible when we are so much more?

I'm inviting us all to embrace the roundness that is our lives and to stop forcing them into these tiny boxes that are anything but our truth -- introvert vs extrovert, tall vs short, large vs petite, young vs old, shy vs exuberant, blond vs brunette, thin vs overweight -- what is this a yes or no game? The answer is never as simple as the world wants. So, I suggest picking up a pen and grabbing a piece of paper or turning on that recorder, and try expressing yourself in every possible way you can. I've written all about myself below ;-). Recognize that it's a never ending list, because you are always changing, evolving, growing, and becoming more and more you every day.

Come back to the list when someone calls you a mean name or when you're feeling defeated or even when you just want a reminder that you are more than your title, your job, your marital status, your race, your gender, your size -- you are so so so much more. Enjoy what you discover, loves xx

So who am I ....

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I'm a mystery. A believer in the unseen. A hopeless romantic. A stay-up-too-late-because-of-cute-boys kind of girl. I'm a flowy dress in the wind, torn denim under the moonlight, barefooted everywhere and anywhere kind of woman. I'm a dreamer of the future, of lost past, of ideas. I'm a person of gratitude, strength, courage, and of freedom. I like my potatoes to come with an extra helping of potatoes and a bottomless bowl of ice cream for no other reason than I can. I'm a stop-the-fear kind of activist and a crushingly empathetic ear to humans and animals alike. I get overwhelmed easily and often, because I put myself in situations that are daring albeit sometimes too much. I lay out best intentions, but sometimes the path changes mid stride and I'm on an empty coloring page.

I write weird words together and sometimes in all lowercase because it inspires me to be authentic and honest and real. I don't practice yoga everyday, despite the tags on all my pictures, but then again maybe I do, because conscientious breathing is yoga. Ha! #yogaeverydamnday -- yes. I want to have a pig, maybe some chickens, a goat, definitely huge dogs (yes, multiple), and I somehow want them all to fit in an awesome studio apartment -- I could have a rooftop barn, right? I like to watch Netflix like it's my job, which it should be, but I'm a sucker for a romance novel and a bowl of popcorn. I like weird pairings and things that shouldn't taste good, taste good to me, like chlorella tablets, raw cacao unsweetened, Trader Joe's tofu, and cheap champagne.

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I like imagining the good in people first and seeing the unexpected later. I like to have high expectations, but sometimes I convince myself they aren't there so I can enjoy life. I want to go to all the festivals in the world, but I'm a little scared of not showering or drinking enough water. Some days I feel like the oldest soul alive. On days that I can't think straight, I often give up, but those same days I usually have the greatest breakthroughs. Somehow life is working out for me, so I'm done questioning it and finally accepting the journey.

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Sometimes I think to myself, how is this my life -- in equal parts excitement and oh-dear-lord. I could watch puppy tails wag for hours and curl up with my not-a-lap-dog baby for days. I'm still looking for the best bread out there and am just now realizing life isn't about all or nothing. Ask me my favorite song and I'll have to get back to you never. Give me anything gluten-free and vegan and I'll love you for life. Make my heart beat faster just because you smile and I'll love you as long as time.

Life isn't the characterization of a person into one group or another, large or petite, hard worker or lazy, romantic or cold. It's messy and complicated and undefined and feeling good and enjoying the time. I'm pretty content to be this crazy, chaotic, dreamer of a girl who hopes for things that never happen but loves to imagine the infinite possibilities. I'm okay with being no one's idea of normal, because who's normal? You can't capture the essence of a person with a photo and a quick description -- it's how the energy changes when you're with them, how they make you feel -- about yourself and about others, how they inspire only the best change and encourage the transformation, and most of all how they are never constant, always changing, like the sun and the moon and the stars. So let the judgement go, the ideas that hold you back, stay open and wild, but most of all, just be yourself first, and the rest will follow.

+ what is it like to realize you are so much more than a three sentence summation? how will you embrace your authentic self? comment here, facebook, or twitter ;)

Want to feel like a million bucks with high energy, self-love, and freedom from fad-diets? Let’s work together.

Boo! It's Halloween || Friday Finds


WEEKEND || HALLOWEEN + BIRTHDAY

I cannot believe it's Halloween already -- my favorite time of the year!!! I'm being a pineapple tonight -- inspired by the picture above. Fun right? What are you being tonight? This week was pure dedication for me; there were exams, interesting posts, pictures to edit, fun things to share, and a need for love and exploration and adventure. Busy! But now tomorrow is my birthday -- as you can read on the countdown to the right, and it is such an interesting pace and mind that I leave my teens and head into my twenties. Wow. It still shocks me to say that. It isn't as if the number is scary, but the monumental jump to true adulthood is gratifying and humbling. The feeling is pretty darn cool. Next week I'll be throwing a little post out there about age and turning twenty, but I also wanted to touch on the blog's posts this week. The How To three part productivity series kicked off on Tuesday: Part I + Part II + Part III. And yesterday I compared quick and easy Caramel recipes for your tastebuds -- I hope you enjoy! Lastly, but for me, most importantly, I wrote on the peace that can be found in gratitude, and I think as we rush ourselves into the holiday season and begin to lose touch with what true graciousness means, we need to come back to center and refocus on what it means to be filled with humbling attitude and peace. I hope you found this week's posts to be encouraging, freeing, and yummy. If you have any ideas for content you'd like to see on the blog, let me here em! Love you all -- have an amazing weekend xx

How are you spending the weekend?


LINKS & FINDS ||

Right in line with this week's How To series ... here's how to write a productive to-do list.

Great party idea: have a floral bar.

Because I’ve always wondered what I would do in the event of an earthquake… no really, I’m not being sarcastic, ask my mom.

8 things recruiters look for and a few things they don’t care an ounce about.

Found this great blog: honestly yum + this one: style me pretty.

Embrace what is working… and give yourself a break -- beautiful.

Because bread is heavenly and I wanted to lick my screen.

The grace and beauty of dancers – can I be one please?


Happy Halloween and Happy All Saints Day tomorrow! Have a cozy and happy weekend. Explore, love, hope, and be yourself.

xxoo

 

 

Enough Links to Fill the Weekend || Friday Finds || 10.24.14


 WEEKEND ||

This week has been nonstop -- from morning to night I've been working away. This weekend I'll be writing and watching and attending more trainings. I injured myself this week, pinching a nerve doing something silly and haven't been able to exercise my frustration. Hopefully I'll find the silver lining, though right now it's more of a dark, black cloud. Most likely just exhaustion. A lot of fun projects this weekend, though. Next week you'll find a recipe for caramel, a how-to on being the most productive you, and a gentle piece on the importance of gratitude -- I hope you do enjoy.

I've got a lot of crazy things happening in my life right now, wondering whether I share that with you all or keep it tucked inside until a later date -- not sure. I'm trying to be authentic and true in this blogosphere. Please let me know what I can do to make that more accessible for all of you and truly create a loving space where we can all speak freely and lovingly and openly.

Until next week... enjoy the links, loves.

How are you spending the weekend?


LINKS & FINDS ||

How I feel when people don’t love what I love. Big mistake. Huge.

Great idea when you’re thinking of joining forces with somebody else – the 70 rule to delegate.

As the holiday season approaches us and parties start to dictate our calendar, here’s how to estimate when people will arrive at the party.

Words to banish from email – I’ve been using quite a few of these bad boys.

Midterm Elections are around the corner… educate yourselves by my favorite news hotspot, The Skimm.

End cyber bullying, led by the original, and probably most famous, survivor.

A beautiful article about a timeless fashion icon and the princess he created before his death this week.

Actually doable and accomplishable (made this word up) items to tack onto your morning routine… and as it says, only 10 minutes.

Sweater weather is upon us… do you know how to care for them?

The manly man site tells us how to get more Z’s.

Posted this on facebook yesterday… my favorite creator of the moment.

The simplicity in beautiful looks.


Have a cozy and happy weekend. Explore, love, hope, and be yourself.

xxoo