Weekend Update: back in the swing of things

Do you ever have off days? Off weekends? Off weeks?
I've been trying to get out of this slump I'm in and it's proving difficult. I don't feel like writing, socializing, or doing much thinking. It sucks, but I don't know how to get myself out of this slump. I feel so out of touch with myself, it's terrible.

I was thinking a lot this weekend, between sips of beer and the music of Casey Donahew, about a ton of different stuff. I just want to tell every single one of you how thankful I am for you. For your constant presence and support through comments and otherwise. You are all wonderful people!

This is why I love blogging, because I am able to meet people who will make an impact on me. Where would I be if I've never met some of you awesome people? I'd be in an even sadder slump, that's for sure!

What I'm trying to say is thank you to everyone for being yourself. You are beautiful, inside and out. I am so happy to be living my life and sharing it with great people.

:)

How was your weekend?

Social Sunday!

1. What is currently on your wish list?
The ultimate thing on my wish list is Xbox 360 with Kinect. You know, for working out and watching Netflix. :) I'm also really pining for a new pair of Sperry's.

2. Share a new iphone app you have recently discovered that we all need.
This isn't a recent discovery, but I love using Mint.com to keep track of all my bank accounts. I can even set spending limits for myself and it'll warn me if I'm closing to breaking the bank or if I have room to breathe. It's awesome!

3. Share your social media links for us to follow.
Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads

4. What is your favorite social media outlet and why?
I love Pinterest because it gives me a ton of good ideas and some motivation to craft (when I have time)!

Source: wedding-planning-101.com via Megan on Pinterest

5. What is a TV show, movie, or song you could listen to or watch over and over and never get tired of?

Once Upon A Time

The most wonderful addition to the cast!!

A Walk To Remember

Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars

What's on your wish list?

Sunday Social: Halloween edition!

It's the week of Halloween, one of my favorite times out of the whole year! This Sunday Social will have a lack of pictures, so I apologize for that, but I couldn't pass up a chance to talk about Halloween. :)

1. What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?
I wish I was home right now to share pictures, but I had a few great ones... dinosaur, penguin, bag of jellybeans, hobo, Thing 1, and a bright pink cheerleading costume my mom made by hand. I had some great costumes as a kid!

2. If you could go back and dress up as something what would it be?
Probably a Sesame Street character. Preferably Cookie Monster!!

3. Favorite costume as an adult?
Hands down, it's my unicorn costume! I handmade it out of a hoodie and it's been a hit with everyone anytime I wear it! I'm hoping to have a small tutorial up here on how to make the easiest costume ever. ;)

4. What is your favorite Halloween candy?
Besides chocolate, I absolutely loved the caramel green apple lollipops! They seem to only come out around this time, so it's a special treat when I find one in my pumpkin pail. :)

5. What is your favorite Halloween memory?
Man, I have so many... my favorite has to be when I was younger and living in Houston Texas, all the neighborhood kids would get together with our parents and go trick or treating together. We had wagons for the smaller kids and we all just had a ball!

6. What's your favorite scary movie?
I LOVE watching Carrie this time of year! It's not as much scary as it is amazing, but it seems better around Halloween time to watch. :D

What do you love about Halloween?

I've missed you guys!!

Hey y'all!

It's been a long two weeks, hasn't it? I'm excited to get back to blogging and interacting with everyone again. I've missed being around!

I'll be catching up with everyone as the weeks go on. I'm currently training for work out of town, so things will be a little fuzzy until January. Still, besides all the busy stuff going on, I'm excited as the holidays approach!

Have a great weekend!

:(

Hey everyone.

I have some terribly sad news -- my grandpa passed away last night.

I'm still trying to take it all in. It's not something easy to handle, and I was hoping I wouldn't have to hear this kind of news for a long time. This was a man that taught me so much and got me interested in agriculture. We always had a fun time talking; I loved listening to his stories. He was a man who showed me a deep love for family and friends. He will always be one of my heroes.

This week is going to be hard for me, so I'm not going to be around much. I hope you all have wonderful weeks. Hug your family a little bit tighter when you see them, too. ♡

"There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart." -- Gandhi

fashion friday: vampira

Continuing the DIY Halloween fashion! Today, it's vampire style.

I think a simple black dress with classy tights bring the "sophistication" a vampire normally seems to portray (think Interview with the Vampire).

sequin dress / Coat / Sheer tight / shoes / spike jewelry / ASOS / drop earrings / Gold necklace / teeth

Remember to just have fun with accessories!

Will you dress up cute or scary for Halloween?

Happy Birthday, Mommy!!

Momma and me at a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey game!

Dear Mom,

Today is a special day; it's 10/11/12!! Just kidding, the best thing about today is that it's your birthday!

You are such an inspiration to me, as a mother and as a woman. You were the one to show me how hard work can get you what you want in life and that when life hands you lemons, you curve ball it right back. You have never taken "no" for an answer, fighting for almost everything you got. Acceptance, a college education (and masters, you smart lady!), a successful business job, a healthy marriage, and all of life's luxuries. I've never met a person who has worked harder than you.

Life was never easy for you, and I appreciate that you confide things about yourself and your feelings with me. You treat me like a person and not a child, which is something you always knew held value to me. You have fought for me and my little brother; your courage and determination has shown me the depth of a mother's love. I can never repay you for the things you have given me, but I know that you would never ask for anything in return.

In short, I love you Mom!! You're the best mom a girl could ask for and you have better advice than me, which is something truly rare! You know I kid, you're just awesome and that's why I love you so much. ;)

Have a great day and I hope you love your gifts!

self-love

(source)

Sometimes, we all have our down days. Coworkers won't stop talking, friends keep comparing, everyone on Facebook seems to be having it better than we do.

Being completely confident and self-assured is easier said than done. I know this, trust me. More people than you know feel the same way you do. It sucks. You feel dejected, ashamed, sad; all of the negativity just seems to weigh you down.

Here are some ways to boost yourself up before or after a long day!

1. Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you're drop dead gorgeous!
I'm serious, you need to tell yourself this every single day. Why? Well, obviously because it's true! You are an amazing person inside and out. Some days we don't feel as beautiful on the outside or inside, but you always are! Remember that you always look fabulous!

2. Don't feel guilty for what you eat.
We are surrounded by negative body image. From billboards of computer-edited bodies to snide comments in the lunch room, we are surrounded by body negativity. DO NOT feel guilty of what you eat. If you want to be healthier in eating, then do it. If you feel like eating something savory, do it. If you feel like eating something sweet, do it. DO NOT let anyone make you feel bad for what you enjoy eating. It's not worth the stress.

3. Surround yourself with positive people.
Forced to work with negative Nancies all day? Call up your best friend after a long day and talk about everything under the sun! Talk about what's bothering you, or push it aside altogether, whatever makes you happy. Just fill the rest of your day with happiness instead of negativity. :)

4. Find an activity that makes you happy no matter what.
For me, I love practicing my violin and working on sketches. These activities push my mind into a different place and make me focus on something other than the stressors in my life. Once you work on something, you'll feel a thousand times better!

5. Go play with puppies or kittens!
There are tons of studies that support the idea that furry critters make us feel better. So when you feel down about yourself or a situation, stop by your humane society to take a dog for a walk, pet the kittens, and enjoy the boundless love of another creature. :)

Hope this helps you make a stinky day not so stinky!

What do you like to do to boost your confidence?