Honesty: A Lesson I Needed to Learn

Hi Loves!

Happy Saturday! I hope you all are having fabulous weekends (& having a glass a bottle of wine for me-I'm stuck inside working on finals! First year of grad school almost done! )

Since finals are around the corner, I've been a bit of a stress ball this week. Mike has also been stressed at his job. Two stress balls equals one important lesson to be learned:

Expect nothing and appreciate everything. 

You see, I've realized this week that I haven't been the most supportive girlfriend. I've been wrapped up in getting my finals done and failed to see how stressed out Mike was. I came to realize that I was simply expecting him to pick me up from school, to make dinner, etc. Instead, I should have been appreciating it-especially because I knew how stressed he was as well.

It's easy to fall into a routine in relationships. It's easy to begin to expect things rather than not expecting anything and appreciating everything. It's easy to fall into this vicious cycle.

So, today, I'm reminding myself to simply appreciate. Then I'll be more apt to give Mike the support he needs. As I grow older, I realize more and more that relationships take work. But, the work is what makes them worth having.

I want to be a giver of my full heart in all of my relationships. So, if I stop expecting that things will be done or said, I'll appreciate them so much more when they do happen.

I think that's a lesson worth remembering.

My Ode to the Nice Girls

Happy Wednesday, All!

This past weekend my friend pulled out a book entitled, "Why Men Love B*thches." She had pulled it off her roomates shelf thinking it was going to be a comical romance novel. Nope, turns out it was exactly what the title said.

We read a couple pages and the ideas became challenging for me.

Why do women have to be considered b*tches to get the guy?

I am a self-proclaimed nice girl. I always have been. It's been a blessing and a curse. I love that I don't have a mean bone in my body, but I also have been walked all over because of it.

However, I believe nice girls get a bad rap (which is ronic, don't ya think?)

We are called pushovers. We are told we aren't acting like strong women. We are told we don't have a backbone. We are made fun of for NOT making fun of others.

You know what I say?

Nice girls are awesome and we do have backbones- tough ones. We are strong women. I have learned to get my point accross without being mean. It's taken me time to find that voice, but I finally have it. And I've learned I don't have to sacrifice being nice to express my point.

And I didn't have to stop being a nice girl to get the guy.

So, this is my ode to the nice girls:

Keep being nice-you'll find a guy that loves you for it.

Keep using your backbone without being mean.

Keep loving yourself for who you are.

And all the people who say you have to be a b*tch?

Smile and wave at them like the nice girl you are.

You rock on, Nice Girl.

xo Follow Along xo

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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'