The Cure for Anything

source a, source b, source c

 

Since I moved to the city, one of the things I have missed most is the ocean.

This weekend I was able to spend a little time by the sea in New Jersey and it reminded me of why I love the ocean so much and why I believe it is one of the most nourishing things there is in nature...

-the salt air is so reviving. I firmly believe every breath of ocean air counts as ten regular ones
-the ocean always makes me feel at peace. I can be having a complete mental breakdown & the ocean makes me feel like a brand new person
-watching the waves always gives me a sense of how amazing being alive is & what a true blessing it is

I seriously wish I could pocket a bit of the sea & have it around whenever I was feeling stressed, sad or craving fresh air.

So to celebrate the sea, I made my perfect beach outfit (seriously-how cute is that suit! I want it!)

Summer Swim

 

 

Do you love the sea?

 

Linking up to Just Because & The Wonderland Hop

Now You're In New York

Hi loves!

Sorry I have been a tad MIA, I spent the weekend in NYC visiting my bestest friend (since kindergarten-I feel old), Chelsea for her birthday & am now just getting back to reality.

I headed down on Thursday with Michael who had to be in the city on buisness. So while he was off doing his work thang I got to run around the city on my own and then found Chelsea and kicked off a glorious weekend.

I was at first nervous about walking around NYC on my own. Mike made fun of me because it is in a grid & Boston is a total mess of streets. But, for some reason Boston makes more sense to me-I think it's that whole it being home thing. (Driving was terrifying, though-check out the top left photo).

Anyhows, I managed not to get lost and had a lovely time galavanting. I spent a good chunk of time in Bryant park enjoying the sunshine.

The rest of the weekend was spent at Chelsea's and exploring NYC via night time. I thought 2 am was late for bars to close here in Boston-nope. Totally wrong. NYC stays awake all. night long. and the lovely ladies I was with were night owls- so guess what?

This grandma stayed out until 4:30 in the morning and managed to stay awake to tell the tale.

Craziness. (This is probably the one time I'll be able to tell my children I stayed up past 2am...)

Anyways, we had a lot of fun including rooftop shenangigans, making Mike take five girls out on the town, and the meeting of my godson Big. (See the pretty boy in orange fur? That's him)!

Happy birthday, Chels. I love you lots.

Hope were all of your weekends? Enjoy the sunshine?

XOXO

Linking up with #YOLO Mondays & Monday Mingling & I Love Bloglovin'

Wonderland's First Ever "What I Wore Post"

Hi Loves!
 

I am excited to be doing my first ever "What I Wore Post" today! I am usually lucky if I make it out the door in jeans and a sweater sans make-up, which makes these pictures even more exciting. 
(Big thanks to my amazing mom for snapping these!)

 
Blazer: Forever 21
Jeans: Target
Shirt: Gifted
Bracelets: Alex and Ani

I am OBSESSED with this blazer. It is so comfy & I am amazed how "fancy" it makes my outfits. I can have a plain t-shirt and jeans on, throw on the blazer and BAM! I instantly feel put together. (I may have been wearing it for the last three days because of this...)

Are you a blazer fan? If so, how do you wear yours?

Have a great Wednesday!

 

PS. Just to show you how incapable I am of getting through a photo sesh without making at least one horribly awkward face!

Cute, right?

 

I'm Sorry

Hi Friends!

I just had a great class in which we talked about the power of voice and the importance of being authentic to your voice. One thing that I realized I constantly do is...

Apologize.

I heartily believe in apologizing when I have wronged someone, but I apologize for EVERYTHING. It drives Mike crazyyyy.

The more I think about it, the more I realize I apologize for a lot of things that I didn't do and need to stop apologizing for simply being who I am. Especially if what I am apologizing for is me being firm in my own voice.

After all, what's the point of  trying to show others my true self, if I am constantly apologizing for it?

Sorry this was so rambly! (AH! I did it again! This is going to take some practice.)

PS. I just opened up an ad shop through passionfruit. Interested in swapping buttons or sponsoring LB in Wonderland? I would love to have you!!! Check it out here. XOXOXO

Linking up to Just Because & The Wonderland Hop & Wild Card Wednesday

The Secrets of My Walls

Hi friends!

I hope you are all having a good start to the week.

In one of my classes we were talking about the importance of art and the messages we surround ourselves with.

It got me thinking...

My walls are plastered with various art work and most of the time I pay little attention to it. But, it's always there-so what subconsciously is it reminding me of? Enlightening me about? Telling me about myself and my outlook on life?

To get me thinking about it, I decided to share with you what's on my walls and what it means to me:

Exhibit A:

Have you heard of PAPAYA!? I love their art work and that's where this piece comes from. I love this panel because it always is enforcing a positive message with serene colors. Even if I don't take the time to read it every time I walk by it or glance at my TV, it is always reminding me to listen to myself and be firm in my voice.

Exhibit B:

I am beyond in love with this quote. It is my favorite and hangs right above my light switch to make sure I glance at it at least twice a day. It helps remind me of things sometimes I desperately need to hear. For example, I just got a paper back and I didn't do as well as I wanted- number 2 served as great guidance.

Exhibit C:

The top picture is a canvas of the harbor I lived by last summer. It reminds me of happy times by the water with Mike.

The bottom picture shows you what a small child I am. I saw this as homegoods last summer and instantly loved it. I know it belongs in a nursery, but I couldn't help it-look at the hippo! He is too adorable. This picture reminds me to nurture my child-like side.

I'm happy I've surrounded myself with positive images. I'm a visual person and they make my room feel like a home. They remind me of the people, places and inspirations I love.

Hope you enjoyed taking a sneak peak at my walls! :)

What is some of the art you surround yourself with?

What does it tell you about yourself?

 

Linking up with #YOLO Mondays & Monday Mingling & I Love Bloglovin'

Upcoming Attractions

Hello lovelies!

I hope you all have been having a good weekend.

After being on lock down Friday and watching the news obsessively, I decided to take a much needed technology fast. Mike and I headed to my parents, turned off our phones and spent a lot of time outside in the sun. It felt so restoring. 

It feels good to be back in Boston, though. I am so proud of my city and the amazing work of all its people (especially the police force). It is now time to start the healing process and although I know it will take time, and all of the victims will always be in our hearts, I know Boston will learn to run again.

Here's a sneak peak at what's coming on the blog this week (I am so excited!)

-My first ever "What I Wore Post" featuring my new mint green blazer which I'm obsessed with. I may have just worn it three days in a row (it counts as a jacket, right?!) 

-DIY's I am itching to try, including these awesome sharpie door knobs

-What "home" means to me

-I'll also be taking part in two giveaways this week and will post about them when they are live!

I hope you tune in! :)

Follow Along

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Life Lately & The Winner Is...

Hi loves!

Today I'm linking up with Lately.

Here's a little bit of my life lately according to the instagram...

a) I love me some Barefoot pinot grigio-especially in my favorite fishy glass.
b) Just bought a new blazer and am completely obsessed with it-outfit post featuring it to come!
c) I attended my friend Colleen's baby shower last weekend & they had this baby watermellon-seriously, how cute is that?!
d) Aren't I a lucky gal to be dating this guy? haha
e) Blogging in bed equals happiness
f) The cute center pieces at the baby shower! (made with diapers and a bottle!)
g) My beautiful friend, Channy, who just got engaged!
h) CIA-esque shades are required when making a target trip
i) Colleen (middle) & my lovely friend Sam at the baby shower- I can't wait to meet baby boy!


Tonight, I am so excited to announce my first ever give away winner. I had so much fun doing this and am so thankful to all of you who entered! :)

& the winner is...

Haley from A Beautiful Exchange! Congrats, Haley!!

Hope you all have a great Friday!

xoxo

This infographic is provided to you by Shutterfly, a leader provider of photo books, custom iPhone cases & more!

Be the Light

I've desperately wanted to put my thoughts into words this week but every time I have tried, the words just won't come. It feels like the world has been shaken upside down since the bombings.

I moved here eight months ago. Last week as I was getting off the T, I thought to myself, "when did I become a city girl?" It seemed the shift had occured without me noticing. When I first got here, I was terrified. Scared I was going to get off the wrong train stop, scared every person I passed at night was going to mug me, scared of all the unfamiliar noises.

Until, suddenly, I stopped being scared. Now, I can give directions to visitors on the T, I still walk carefully at night, but don't jump every time someone passes me and the unfamiliar noises have blended seamlessly into my city life. I officially recognize myself as a Bostonian.

So, this week, I had no words. I couldn't understand why someone would attack my beloved city, at an event which is the epitome of Boston. The day had started out so beautiful and sunny. I watched the runners pass with friends and was so excited to take part in their inspiring journey of 26.2 miles. And then the day turned, and everything that was once excitement morphed into pure terror.

I am so blessed that my friends who were watching near the finish line were unharmed physically. I am so blessed that I chose to watch the marathon five miles away. But, my heart cries for all of the people harmed and the three people who died.

I've been struggling with all the dark that seems to be in our world. I feel like horrible things keep happening and this week I was deeply discouraged. However, I was talking to Mike last night about what I was feeling and he asked me two important questions:

Can you name three beautiful things that you saw today? 
Can you name twenty people that you know are doing good in the world?

And I answered with three beautiful things and twenty people I know who have dedicated their lives to doing good.

Mike reminded me that there is so much light in the world. He reminded me why I chose to come to graduate school in this city and why I am working towards a degree in which I can help others:

I believe in the light. I believe people have an inherent ability to be peaceful and love one another completely. And although, darkness shrouded Boston on Monday, so much light still shone through. People lovingly helped one another, people checked in with one another, people fought for peace.

So, I will keep working for the light, even with a heavy heart. Because 

I believe in the light.
I love you, Boston.

*Later tonight, I will announce the iTunes Giftcard Give Away*

Thank You & Bloglovin Link-Up

Hi Loves!

Before I hand today's post over to the Bloglovin' Link Up, I wanted to thank everyone who checked in on me yesterday. I was watching the marathon, but was about five miles away from where the explosions occurred. I am still at such a loss for words, but am so thankful to be part of such a strong community as Boston.

I think Ellen DeGeneres said it well on a clip I saw last night of her show yesterday:

Be kind to one another.

If you hadn't had a chance to enter my first give away- you can so: here. It closes in one day.
And a big thanks to Heater for letting me sponsor her link-up today!

Today I'm joining up with Heather from Cupcakes to Polka Dots to co-host her Bloglovin' Link Up!

She hosts it the first and third TUESDAY of every month!

Have you heard the news that Google is getting rid of it's Reader feature?

Thankfully bloglovin is here to fill in that gap!

Here's the rules:

 Follow Cupcakes to Polka Dots and the co-hosts (that's me!!) on Bloglovin & then add your own link & then share it on Twitter! The more who join the more new exposure you get!

Hi!!!

Make sure you follow Cupcakes to Polka Dots on Bloglovin'
&

Say hello to the lovely sponsors!!

Lauren from LB in Wonderland

Diane from DD Kimball Road

Brittany Jean of Where My Soul Belongs

Rebecca from Caravan Sonnet

Make sure you tweet out:

 I joined the 2nd @Bloglovin Bloghop hosted by @heathgiff! Come join us! http://hgifford.blogspot.com/2013/04/bloglovin-link-up-2.html

Ps. If you're interested in co-hosting next month (it's free!) e-mail Heather at cupcakestopolkadots@gmail.com!

Newbie & Wonderland's First Ever Give Away!

Hello loves!

I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend! (I'm stuck in bed with a cold, but that just means I have more time to catch up on blogging!)

I am still very much a newbie to this whole blogging thing. Every day I learn something new & meet another awesome blogger. It's what makes this so much fun.

At first (okay, maybe super recently) I was afraid my blog's "niche" wouldn't be cool enough. I mean, do I even have a "niche"? If I had to define it, I'd say it would be:

blogging about adventures, living life with my man friend, being a grad student, figuring out how to live in a city & not a town whose people population just surpassed their cow population, living with anxiety (& how hard it can sometimes be), occasionally posting total fattening recipes (vegetables & I have a very love/hate relationship), posting fashion photos in which I look like the most awkward human being ever) & generally just being a crazy, enthusiastic human being.

^That might be too many things to be considered a "niche" but it's me being me. So, I think that's what counts, right?

Anyhows, since I've started blogging I have met so many encouraging people (including all of you who read & follow). Through your encouragement and reading your blogs, I have realized that my "niche" is plenty cool enough- because it is me, just being LB (sang to the tune of Miley just being Miley)

I love reading blogs because everyone is doing there own thing and being their own selves. So, thank you, thank you, thank you. Your encouragement & blogs means so much to me.

So, as a thank you & to make sure you know how beautiful & awesome you all are...

I'M HOLDING MY FIRST EVER GIVE AWAY! (I feel like this is when I go from being a baby blogger to toddler! :))

Music is something that is super important to me. It always is lifting me up & keeping me inspired. Therefore, I have decided to give away a $25.00 iTunes gift card! (I seriously wish I could give all of you one, but my grad school budget barely allows for enough annies mac & cheese to keep me fed)

The give away will go live tomorrow at 12am! & since it is a gift card with a snazzy code-it is open to everywhere!

A big thank you again. All of your encouragement makes blogging totally worth it.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let's Get Sexy

Today I'm guest posting over at Limited Space Organizing. Thanks, Sarah!! :)


Hello lovelies!

It's finally Friday and I am so excited. Has the week felt super long to anyone else? It has seemed to drag on & on & on for me. Therefore, I decided that this little blog of mine needed some spice and fun for its Friday post. So, let's talk about sexiness.

You can give me your scarf anytime, Ryan.

There are a lot of things I find sexy in a man & here are my favorite five (all of which I see in Ryan, I mean Michael (Sorry babe)).

1. Being able to fix things. If he can fix my broken necklace or bracelet I will make him homemade brownies-from scratch! Mike once bought a solder so he could reattach the two metals of my bracelet. I thought it was the sexiest thing ever.
2. If he treats a complete stranger with kindness. I find that so incredibly sexy.
3. Sweaters. Sweaters. Sweaters. A man who can rock a sweater & better yet, a scarf?! That's h-a-w-t.
4. The ability to make me laugh so hard I snort (which, let me tell you, is not sexy when I do it).
5. Arms. I am a total arms girl. Weird, right?! Most people go for the obvious butt or eyes or lips. Not me.

Alright friends. It's FRIDAY (friday fridayyyyy-any Rebecca Black fans out there?) So, let's act like total 13 year old girls and discuss what we find sexy-ahhem-I mean cute (I was way too shy to say the word "sexy" when I was 13) about our significant others, crushes, celebrity loves, etc.

Let's have some fun & get sexy!

PS. Check back tomorrow for my first GIVE AWAY! If you love music-you'll want to enter this one :) 

 

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Thankful & Why Joan Rivers Would Rip Me to Shreds

Hi all of you lovely people!

In case my title caught your interest and you would like to know why Joan Rivers wouldn't like me, head on over to Michael's blog where I'm being exposed today! Michael is an awesome blogger & I'm sure you all will love her and Crazy Tragic Almost Magic just as much as I do! :)




I recently discovered Carina's blog and am loving the idea behind this link-up. Listing what I'm thankful for always reminds me how truly blessed I am. I need this especially this week when things have been so busy & I have been WAY more stressed than usual. Remembering all that I'm thankful for really helps to put my problems into perspective & makes me feel all smiley.

This week I am thankful for...
~Mike who brought me flowers to make me feel better (even thought he, too, was sick)
~The bit of sunshine & warm weather Boston was blessed with this week
~Awesome hand-me-down clothes from my sister's friend
~My friends here at school who give great hugs & constant encouragement
~all of YOU. I am so thankful for all of you wonderful readers who listen to my voice & comment on what I have to say-it is truly the coolest thing ever. I am loving growing my blogging community each and every day.
~The little things. My favorite as been all the birdy's I've stopped to listen to. Their music always brightens up my day.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!

PS. Speaking of birds-any tweet tweet tweeters out there? I'm new to Twitter and would love to have you follow & follow you back!

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Linking up to Thankful, Linkin with My Ladies Thursday & B. You

A Red X

I have done a complete 180 from yesterday evening's post because it is SUNNY outside! It is supposed to reach 70 degrees here today and that means I am doing somersaults over the moon! Although, it hasn't been a horrible winter it has been longggggg. I have felt cramped in my winter cocoon for too long and finally am feeling free (only to be cocooned again by the cold weather heading my way this weekend (but, hey! let's not dwell on that)).

Here's a couple pics from my day so far:
1) Me awkwardly posing in my new handy-me down dress from my sister's wonderful friend.
2) The library at school rents out lawn chairs-I mean, seriously, how posh is that?!
3) My big smiles at the weather being so nice.

I would also like to share a cause today that I am very passionate about.

Today I am wearing a bright red X on my hand in hopes that slavery will be ended. In our world over 27 million people are currently enslaved. I first learned about human trafficking when I was in high school. My initial reaction was pure shock. I couldn't believe how many people are still being brutally bonded, forced and trafficked into slavery.

Since then, I have tried to learn all that I can about this issue in hopes of becoming an advocate for change.

The whole idea and facts of human slavery can be so overwhelming, but there are such amazing people and groups working for change. Today, the End it Movement is holding Shine a Light on Slavery Day. They are encouraging people to wear a red X in hopes of awakening people to this reality.

Another great organization that I follow is Love146- which works to abolish child trafficking and exploitation.

I encourage everyone to check out these groups, learn more & spread the word.

In It to End It.

 

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Linking up to The Owl's Skull which I am so happy to be featured in today-Thanks, Alice!

Extreme Extroverting

  

Hi Friends!

I hope you all had wonderful weekends. Mine went by way too fast, which has prompted today's post.

WARNING: I am feeling contemplative! (Hence the slightly artistic photo of me by the water).

The next couple of weeks are going to be crazyyyyy and I am already feeling all sorts of befuddled. With large papers due, finals on the horizon and feeling like there is not enough time to get it all done, I'm starting to feel trapped. You know the feeling of wanting to leave everything behind to do something, anything, that will sustain you? Like laying on a beach or being by the water or stargazing?

That's what I'm feeling. All sorts of trapped.

I am an extreme extrovert-a term I just read about in Concerning the Inner Life by Evelyn Underhill. I like to be busy, constantly. I multitask like a champ. And I'm starting to think this is why I'm feeling so burnt out. I haven't taken many introverted moments lately to just think, pray and live in moment without planning what I'm going to do next.

There needs to be a healthy balance- and I am deeply lacking that balance. So, tonight, I thought I'd write about the the things that do sustain me in hopes that I'll begin doing them more. And I also want to ask for your advice-what are some activties and/or books, poems, etc. that help you relax and become more grounded?

1) This quote hangs on my wall and always serves to inspire me:

Do the things you used to talk about doing but never did. Know when to let go and when to hold on tight. Stop rushing. Don't be intimidated to say it like it is. Stop apologizing all the time. Learn to say no, so your yes has some oomph. Spend time with the friends who lift you up, and cut loose the ones who bring you down. Stop giving your power away. Be more concerned with being interested than being interesting. Be old enough to appreciate your freedom,and young enough to enjoy it. Finally know who you are.
                                                                                                                          (Kristin Armstrong)

2) Music-music always helps to slow me down and give my brain some much needed endorphins. This week the Ingrid Michaelson Pandora station has been serving me well.

3) H2O. Every time I go by any type of major water source, I feel rejuvenated. Running by the reservoir (where the above picture was taken) always makes me feel 100% more alive and happier.

This week I hope to restore some much needed balance.

Thanks for listening and any potential advice you give! :)