Some things that make me happy.

Rings! I own too many, and I wear lots of them at a time. I especially like flowery ones.






My dog, Shadow. <3

Braids!



My super cool sunglasses I bought for $2.50.



The country side and the South. I want to live somewhere near Charleston and drink sweet tea on my porch swing while my dogs run in the yard underneath all that Spanish Moss. My sister's boyfriend took these photos.







The 2012 VW Beetle. 'Cause holy shit. Look at that beauty.



Wine. Both red and white. It's the only alcohol I really drink.



And while I'm at it, Hookah. Because its super relaxing. Haven't done it in a while though.



It's good to think on things that make me smile, because I've been cranky lately! No more being cranky. Weekend time! Hope you guys have a good one. ;)
<3

Blog Awards

So Confetti_hearts nominated me for two blog awards! It was a week ago or so and I'm very grateful for them! You can check out her blog @ http://lollipopsandstethoscopes.blogspot.com/

The first one is the Liebster Blog Award, which is given to bloggers with less than 200 followers in order to help them connect with more people. You can nominate 5 people for this award.



And the second one:


The Rules
Thank and link the person who awarded you
Write 7 random things about yourself
Spread the love to 15 other bloggers

Onto some random facts.

1. I love all types of music and I play the piano.
2. I love to travel. I've been to England, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and I'm crossing my fingers for the chance to live in Japan for a few years with my Navy man. :)
3. I recently lost 32 pounds, thanks to running daily with my black lab, Shadow.
4. I love to bake and dream about owning a bakery.
5. The Legend of Zelda is my favorite video game series.
6. I have a Bachelor's degree in English Lit - suffice it to say I read a lot.
7. I have a huge sticker collection. No joke, I love stickers. Weird, I know lol

And here are my nominations for these two awards. I just picked a handful randomly, I love everyone who I follow! Hehe :)

http://cityofshamia.blogspot.com/
http://angiesbeautytalk.blogspot.com/
http://loycehoodphoto.blogspot.com/
http://thefabuloussfive.blogspot.com/
http://japanvisitor.blogspot.com/
http://beautygonewild.blogspot.com/
http://obsessedwithbaking.blogspot.com/
http://justmoredogs.blogspot.com/
http://almybnenr.tumblr.com/

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog! :)

311 Day!

It's been a few days. Internet's been going whack, and we're probably going to switch our internet over the next few days. The company we use is some local one and it really sucks balls. Sigh. Anyways...on to better things.

Come next March, my bf James and I are officially going to Vegas for 311 day!! I'm cascading with excitementttt. I haven't mentioned it before, but 311 is one of my favorite bands, and is also the inspiration for the title of my blog! ;) (The lyrics "waking, believing, running" is from their song Running off their Transistor album.) If you haven't listened to them, I highly recommend you do. Their music is fun and full of energy, but also extremely relaxing and calming. And sometimes, when I listen closely to their lyrics, I feel like they've dug a feeling out of my own mind and put it into words. Like they know me. Ahh! So good. James and I actually saw them in the beginning of August at their Pow-wow in northern Florida. It was a huge three day festival for everyone to unwind. There were tons of other bands too; we also saw Streetlight Manifesto there, one of my other favorite bands. So much fun.

I can't wait! I've never been to Vegas, and we'll have already moved out to San Diego. I'm super stoked. We're staying at one of the Hilton's there, right on the strip. I will definitely be documenting this. :)

Solids

If I were to try and describe my fashion style, I wouldn't be able to choose just one word, or maybe even two. It really depends on my mood. Some days I feel like dressing like a punk rock girl, and other days hippie/boho chic is more my thing. Either way, most of the time when I go shopping I tend to buy prints and patterns. I must admit I don't have enough neutral pieces because I get sucked in to all the pretty, eccentric ones. But lately, I'm finding myself more and more drawn to neutral and plain, solid colors. I think they often make bolder statements. Here are a few pieces I'm digging.




Red off-the-shoulder sweater, Free People.



Pleated white dress, Thread Sence.



Peach Wisp Me Away Dress, Mod Cloth.



Trade Secret Pants, Mod Cloth.



Blue drapey top, Anthropologie.



Emerald green top, Lulus. Kind of obsessed with button shirts at the moment too.

Also, as weird as it sounds I'm in love with faeries and everything faerie like. So the naturey, romantic faerie looks are high on my list as well. Some pieces that have that faerie, whimsical feel. :D



Zina Stone Headpiece, Free People.



Budding Branches earrings, Ruche.



Ethereal Evening dress, Mod Cloth.

New hair cut!

I got a new hair cut...FINALLY! It's been over a year since it has been cut and colored. Today is a happy daayyyy. It used to be past my chest, and a mousy-brown color, with ends that were severly damaged thanks to overwashing. But now, NOW its silky and colored and bouncy. I'm happy. :D

New top.

So I just ordered this top from Shopruche.com for my birthday.
I'm very excited to get it in the mail.



:)

Beauty Products

I was perusing online when I started thinking about what my favorite beauty/skin/hair products were. Most of the products I use hair and skin wise I have to change up every two weeks or so. For some reason my skin and hair get very used to the products and their effectiveness wears off. That being said...

Hair and Skin:

1. My current shampoo is Dove's Damage Therapy Volume Boost; my current conditioner Dove's Damage Therapy Intensive Repair. These are not my favorites, but I'm trying to be cheap. In consequence, they really don't do anything for my hair. Speaking of hair, I'm in dire need of a good hair cut. My hair has gotten so long and its been at least a year since I've had a professional hair cut. My ends are split and dry and no amount of conditioner can fix it. Now all I need is some money...

I really love Biolage by Matrix because of how natural and soft it makes my hair feel, but I honestly can't afford that shampoo and conditioner considering how much I use. My hair is really long, almost past my chest. Even when I try to get as many washes out of my products as possible, I still end up going through them way too fast. I also love all the Organix products, again, because it leaves my hair feeling as perfect as it can be thanks to being sulfate-free. I especially love the coconut milk scent. Yum.





2. My current body wash is, again, Dove. It's the Go Fresh Nectarine and White Ginger scent. Unlike the shampoo and conditioner, I really like Dove's bodywash. It doesn't leave any residues on my skin, and I love all the different scents they have. And of course, its inexpensive. This one is a go-to for me.

I'm also very partial to plain old Dial. It may not have wonderful, pampering scents but it gets the job done.


3. My current razor is actually what seems like a generic Venus razor. Its from Winn-Dixie, and it actually works much better than Venus, in my opinion, and it seems to be lasting much longer as well. I don't really care much for the Venus razors. Actually, I think men's razor's work the best. You know, Gilette. Haha. And just so you know, I don't use shaving cream. In my experience it always ends up giving me razor burn...somehow. I have no idea. It got really annoying so I stopped using it. I use my hair conditioner instead. It leaves my legs feeling silky smooth.

4. My current face wash is Aveeno's Smart Essentials Daily Detoxifying Scrub. My face wash is another product that I have to switch up constantly though. I prefer exfoliating scrubs to regular facial cleansers. I really love St. Ives's Apricot Scrub. It's thick and exfoliates wonderfully.


Makeup Products:

1. Foundation?

I'll admit I've been using the same foundation for a very long time. L'oreal's True Match. It's worked for me for a long time, but I'm sure I need to venture out and try new ones.


2. Eyeliner?

I use Maybelline's Eye Studio Gel liner. It's super easy to apply, it stays in place. Really. This sucker lasts. And it's very smooth and easy to blend. I love this stuff.



I also use Prestige. I really don't like pencil eyeliner's, but this one is really nice. It's easy to put on and it doesn't tug at your eyelids when you apply it. Plus, its around 4 bucks.


3. Mascara?

Hands down, Maybelline Great Lash.
　

4. Blush?

Right now I use the blush that is included in the Victoria's Secret Hello Bombshell makeup kit. I also sometimes use a cream stick blush I got from CVS, by NYC.

5. Lipstick?
I don't wear lipstick! I want to...I really do. But I just feel like it doesn't look right on me. I sometimes wear gloss.


I have lots of other products I love, but I've been rambling a bit. More to come later!

Navy Ball

So the Navy Ball this year is October 22nd, and I wasn't planning on getting my dress just yet. Howeverrr, I went shopping today and happened to try on a dress. And I fell in love. The great thing is that it was only 74 bucks. I'm so excited! It's a little bit long though, I'll have to find decent heels for it. I'm only 5'2. Eeee, so short.

Ugh.

Multiple posts in one day is so easy for me, thanks to all my free time and the fact that I keep finding things I adore. I just had to post this dress because I'm in love with it. It's from
Shabby Apple

My Six Pick-Me-Ups

A little sadness strikes everyone once in a while. Being unemployed, I find it follows me around everywhere. Recently, its affected me a lot because I'm moving to San Diego so I've had to stop the job search, not to mention my car situation is a mess. Anyways. Here are some easy things that curb depression for me, in no particular order. These little pick-me-ups could work for you too. :)

1. Coffee. There is nothing like waking up in the early morning and making a fantastic cup o' joe. The smell of it sets my heart aflutter. No really, I love coffee. Not just for the taste, but it wakes me up and starts my day off right. I CAN go without a cup if I have too, and my day isn't guaranteed to be shitty, but there's something about it that makes me feel happy. I'm sure its part taste, part ambiance. I love the sensation of pretending I'm the first person up in the whole city. It's so quiet and peaceful out still, people haven't gone to work yet. I can sit out on the porch or cuddle on the couch and drink my coffee to the few sounds of nature I can actually get here in Miami. Sometimes I pretend I'm back in Pennsylvania sitting on my parents back deck, facing the woods, where there's never any city noise and its pure, blissful nature.

2. Exercise. I used to hate this word. One day I decided enough was enough. I wanted to lose weight, I wanted to feel healthy, and I wanted to NOT sit on the couch and be depressed all the time. I started by walking my dog. And then doing Zumba at home. And then running. I switch it up every now and again. I've lost 29 pounds. I don't exercise 7 days a week, but when I do go out for a walk or a run, I feel better for the rest of the day. It's not like I discovered this, its proven. It makes you feel good! And the benefits are longterm. Go for a walk with your dog, or just get out of the house and take a stroll through the park. It's bound to make you feel better. Again, not rocket science.

3. Singing in the shower. This is one that I know most people do already, but I had to list it. It is, by far, one of the most pleasurable acts to keep my blues at bay. It's even better when the house is empty and I can turn the volume up on my Zune to its highest. And then I sing my heart out. Lately I've been singing Fleetwood Mac, but it changes from day to day. I don't pretend that the shower head is a microphone, but I sometimes dance while I'm in there too. It's so much fun. I usually look forward to showers in the morning.

4. Read a good book. I spend most of my time these days reading. Right now I'm reading George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice series. It keeps me happy because I become immersed in an entirely fictional world where I can worry about the characters problems instead of my own. Simple.

5. Be around people who make you laugh. Once again, as easy as this sounds, often times I can slip into a funk and avoid people. I've done it plenty of times, but all I end up accomplishing is a deeper state of melancholy. I've learned that when people invite me out, and I really don't feel like it, that means I should! So even if I force myself, I end up so much happier.

6. Don't take yourself too seriously. This one was taught to me by my boyfriend, James. His sense of humor is infectious, but when I'm in a bad mood for no reason, he'll tell me to lighten up. At first it used to annoy the hell out of me, but over time I came to learn that he is right. Life is short, and if I can take myself a little less seriously, I can start eliminating my stress.

Even though these seem really easy, when it comes to putting some of them into action I sometimes fall short. I remind myself everyday that exercising, being around others, and not taking myself so seriously are choices I have to make. I can't always expect things to come easy. Happiness is a choice, and its in the choices we make for ourselves.

San Diego

I'm so excited! In five months, I will be moving to San Diego, CA. My darling James is in the Navy and we will be moving out there for his next rotation. Five months. Five MONTHS and I will be living in the most gorgeous weather ever. I never thought I'd ever get out to visit California, let alone live there. Now some images that make me super happy.



Torrey Pines Golf Course, one of the reasons my father will be coming to visit. Lol




Ocean, city, mountains...all in one place. <3


Some San Diego street fashion. Love it.


Especially love the belt.

Images courtesy Wild Nature Images and Her Catwalk

Yummy!

Oh, one more thing I wanted to post today. I was watching the food network a few weeks ago with James and found him drooling over this recipe by Giada De Laurentiis. I figured I'd post it, since I'm going to make it for him. I'll let you all know how it turns out. :)

Whole Wheat Pita Chips with Mascarpone-Chive Dip

Ingredients
4 whole-wheat pita breads, halved
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
4 strips bacon, cooked until crisp, finely chopped
1 cup (8 ounces) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives


Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.

Cut each pita half into 4 wedges. Arrange the pita wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush with the oil, then sprinkle with the oregano, salt and pepper. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes until crisp and golden.

In a medium bowl, combine the bacon, mascarpone cheese, sour cream, and chives. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl.

Arrange the pita chips and dip on a platter and serve.

Polkaaa

There will never be a day I'm not loving polka dots. I know they can often be overdone, but I just can't help it. Bags, dresses, shirts, skirts, shoes, hair clips, you name it. Most of the time I like to wear them as is, for a simplistic look. They are so cute and I like them to speak for themselves. I really adore them in pin up girl style, maybe that's why. Sometimes I get adventurous and mix them with other prints, but my style is more, again, simplistic, then it is bold.


By Mink Pink


From Forever 21


I like this one for its aberrant polka dot colors. From Ruche.


Not sure where these are from. My sister gave them to me, but they are my fav!

September 10th and September 11th

So I had an excellent birthday yesterday! My super cool boyfriend bought me beautiful flowers.
Then we went down to Coral Gables and had sushi for lunch, and then Carrabbas for dinner. Like many, I'm currently trying to lose weight. 28 pounds so far. I gained a ton of weight at the end of high school and in college, and last winter I decided I needed to change. It's been a slow process, and its feels amazing to see results, but within the past two weeks I've hit a plateau...not my first either lol. I went on vacation last week, managed to maintain my weight, but now that I'm back I haven't been able to nudge a pound. Guess that means I gotta step up my game. My goal is to lose 10 more pounds by the end of October, but because my weight loss has been so slow moving I doubt that will happen. Still. Anything more will make me happy.

On an entirely different subject, for the past ten years, September 11th has overshadowed and will continue to overshadow my birthday. Ten years ago I was 13 years old and in 8th grade. I don't remember my birthday, but I do remember watching the news when I got home from school. My father was driving into Staten Island that morning. He saw the first plane crash into the World Trade Center. I never saw my Dad cry in my entire life until he told his children what he saw that day. And I don't know anyone who wasn't affected by what happened on September 11th.
I'll never forget that day, in New York City, in Washington D.C., and in Shanksville, PA, and never will our nation.


Never forget those who have fallen, those who fought bravely to defend our freedoms, and those who continue to fight.

Evil shoes

Living in Miami is killing my feet. Well, more like my own stupidity. Brace yourselves: as a woman very in to fashion and style, I'm not very in to shoes. I'm from Pennsylvania, and whenever the slightest hint of Spring would arrive, I'd break out my flip-flops. You know, the cheap Old Navy kind. They would have their 1 dollar flip-flop sales and I'd stock up. It could be only 50 degrees out, and I'd wear them. Well, since moving to Miami, I've been living in them for the past year and a half. It's not that I don't think shoes are cute, its just I never cared. Brown and black flip flops are so easy, and I'm just so lazy when it comes to my feet. However, this is going to have to change. I've been having knee problems, and I know its partly because I wear flip flops. In fact, last night I was limping from the pain. This morning I managed to run it off, and I think wearing NORMAL shoes helped the pain dissolve. I also have a very mild case of scoliosis - my one leg is just slightly shorter than the other, which caused it. So wearing supportive shoes is key for me. I really need to break this flip flop habit.

HOWEVER, this shift will be slow. Heels are almost a no-no for me. I can wear them for about an hour before the pain starts and I quit. I would love to wear heels, I really would. I'm just so lazy. I need to get a move on.

Something simple and effortless.

Plus I'm really digging pink these days. Totally unlike me. From Urban Outfitters.

And something fancy.

From Anthropologie.

Cravings

I'm sure lots of us would love to have an endless budget for those pretty little pieces we find in stores and online. I know I would.  But, alas, I don't. Oh well. I can still dream big. Yes, I have a slight addiction to shopping. And unfortunately I'm still unemployed. Times are tough, but I've learned to get through it by rewarding my eyes with candy and treasures. Here are some things I've been craving recently.


Purty eye color. From Modcloth



I'm obsessed with long skirts right now, and I'm ashamed to say I actually don't own any. I used to wear them all the time back in high school. From shopruche.com



Also from Modcloth.



Living in Miami, I don't get the chance to wear long sleeves or sweaters often, but I love the colors on this one. From Urban Outfitters.

Here...again

So I've decided to start a blog again, but this time I'm determined to actually write.
Fashion, beauty, entertainment, food; things that interest me, you'll see them all here.