Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Looking Back and 2016 Resolutions!


January is the month when everyone makes a list of goals they want to achieve by the end of the year, many of which tend to be the same. Many people don't make resolutions, because they don't see themselves following those resolutions past week one. However, I tend to like to set goals, since I often (or sometimes) find motivation to at least try to achieve some of those goals. I also tend to write these posts more for myself as an easy way to look back to see how I did throughout the year. If you are for any reason curious to see what I hope to achieve this year, read ahead!


∙ LOOKING BACK ON 2014 ∙ 
Name 4 things you did in this past year that you're proud of.
         ∙ Saying "Yes" more. During the second half of the year, I learned that often times you can only benefit from saying yes to opportunities and miss out on the chances that you don't take. Saying yes and pushing myself helped me step out of my comfort zone and progress.
         ∙ Getting into shape. One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to be more healthy, and over the summer I pushed myself to eat better and workout more. In the end, I noticed change and felt better about myself as a whole.
         ∙ Learning to accept but not settle. Well, it's more like learning to learn how to accept parts of myself, whether it's physical or related to my personality. With that, I have also learned the importance of not settling and improving myself. Learning, acceptance, and growing is an ongoing process that I still have yet a lot to work on.
         ∙ Traveling by myself. I have never really traveled for a longer period of time by myself. Most of the trips I took while abroad were with other people, however, during my last week in France, I traveled by myself to two different cities, which was thrilling and something I have wanted to accomplish before going abroad.

Name 1 thing you wish you'd have done differently. To be honest, many of things that I wished that I had done differently in the beginning of the year I was able to change in the fall. However, I do wish that I would have had my future figured out more by the end of the year.

What was your biggest highlight this past year? Study abroad. I met some great and different people that I would have never met apart from that experience. I also had experiences that I would have never thought I would be able to do and fell in love with a language and city along the way.

Who do you want to thank for being amazing this year? The friends that I have made this year. I have learned that friendships don't necessarily last forever, but I have also learned that it's about the quality of the time, rather than the quantity. Although they may not know that they have made an impact, they are some of the people I have to thank for this being a good year.


∙ 2016 RESOLUTIONS ∙
What are your personal resolutions for next year?
          ∙ Have a permanent plan for the remaining years of college and after. I always had a future plan, but it is a matter of committing to a plan that I need to accomplish.
          ∙ Get healthy again and find a routine. After getting into a routine over the summer, but then four months of bread and cheese got the best of me. I'm not very happy with my body now, but after seeing where a healthy routine can take me, I am motived to get back into working out.
          ∙ Worry a little less about others and start putting myself first. I have a habit of putting others and their happiness before myself. Although this isn't necessarily a bad trait, I realized that it is also important to be a little selfish from time to time and sometimes put myself before others.
          ∙ Be Happy. This was my resolution last year, which I think I achieved, but being happy is an ongoing process that I hope I can continue throughout 2016.
          ∙ Make the most of the year, because your only 20/21 once.

Name 1 thing you want to check off your bucket list next year. Road trip. Doesn't matter when, where, or how long. I think that going on a road trip would be a great way to see different places and bond with friends or family. I would particularly want to road trip down the Pacific coast or through several states. Also applying to grad school as a more serious goal.


What's a resolution of yours?

I would love to read your responses below!


Friday, January 15, 2016

Friday Favorites!

Wow, it's been a while since I have done a Friday Favorites posts. A lot has happened since my last Friday Favorites post (in October!), which I explained in a few recent posts and will post about more soon. The past two weeks have been a change transitioning to University life again back in the states. The beginning of the second quarter of junior year has thrown a somewhat overwhelming amount of work so far and it won't change anytime soon. Anyways, here are some of my favorites that I have found throughout the week.

Favorite Fashion Inspiration: Shearling Vest


Favorite Hair Inspiration

(Source)

Favorite Food Inspiration: Oatmeal Lovin'


Favorite Quote

(Although I am only 20, this quote reflects some of the realizations I had last year. I may write a post with some reflections on the thought.)

What was a favorite of yours this week?


Thank you for reading!

Monday, January 4, 2016

Best of 2015!


I can't believe that I'm already doing a Best of 2015 post and that it's the start of 2016. I tried some new products and trends throughout the year, but a few of my favorites are repeats from past "Best of" posts (here and here). If you have been using the same products for a couple years straight, I guess that's when you know it's a good product. Here is a somewhat short compilation of products, trends, and random favorites from 2015.

Beauty 

Kiko Automatic Precision Eyeliner in "712" and "713"
I bought these eyeliners in France mainly because they were cheap and advertised as long lasting. The eyeliners quickly became one of my favorite eyeliners, since they are creamy, last all day, and easy to use. The color 712 is the perfect dark brown and 713 is a sparkly bronze-brown perfect for night outs. I just regret not buying more before I came back home.
The first time I used this mascara I wasn't a big fan. I found it clumpy and the formula too wet. However, after a little bit of getting used to, the mascara quickly became one of my favorites. It adds volume and length without clumping easily.

NYC Smooth Skin Sunny Bronzing Powder
This bronzer has been a cult favorite for years and still doesn't let down. I dropped using blush and instead just used a bronzer to warm up my complexion and add a slight bit of contouring. Check out my review here for more details about the product.

Revlon Lip Butter in "Juicy Papaya"
I'm not one to wear anything on my lips other than chapstick, but when I did want a little bit of color, I would usually reach for this Revlon lip butter (review here). It's gives a natural wash of color and it's moisturizing, so it doesn't feel like you are wearing anything on your lips.
I'm not one to wear a base since I don't usually wear face makeup, but I've been using this product nearly every day. It's a base with a similar consistency as a serum and gives a natural glow, which is perfect for those who don't like wearing a lot of makeup.

Fashion 

White Jeans
One of my favorite new pieces of clothing other the summer was a white pair of skinny jeans. It was a great alternative to leggings and dark wash jeans that paired well with most tops and shoes.

Blanket Scarves
Throughout the fall and winter, blanket scarves became one of my new fashion obsessions. Not only are they very comfortable, but they are stylish and were the perfect addition to any plain outfit.

Brown Riding Boots
My pair of Ralph Lauren brown riding boots were in my "Best of 2014" post and have made it again to another yearly favorite posts. The boots are comfortable and go with everything, from a casual pair of leggings to a dressy skirt and tights.

Other 

Favorite Blogs
I read a lot of blogs via Bloglovin this year, so it's hard to narrow it down to just a few. For fashion/style blogs, my favorites include Hello FashionThe Style BungalowSouthern Curls & Pearls, and Twenties Girl Style. Some of my favorite beauty blogs include Kate La Vie and From Roses. Last but definitely not least, some of my favorite food blogs have been Half Baked HarvestDamn Delicious, and Skinnytaste.

Favorite TV Shows
I'm someone who watches maybe a little bit too much television, but I find TV the perfect way to escape and relax. One of my favorite shows this year was How To Get Away With Murder, which is a drama mystery show and I recommend everyone who likes a good show with many twists and surprises. Some of my other favorite TV shows included Parks and Recreation, Drunk History, Workaholics, Vampire Diaries, and rewatching Chuck and Modern Family.

Favorite Song(s)
Listening to music is one of my favorite ways to pass time, so compiling a list that didn't go on forever was a little hard to achieve. Below is a list of songs that were some of my favorites or most played this year.



What were some of your favorites last year?
I would love to read your responses below!


Friday, January 1, 2016

Reflecting On 2015 Resolutions


For the past few years I have posted resolutions for myself, and now it's time to review my 2015 resolutions (post here). I had honestly forgotten that I had even written down my resolutions by the middle of the year, but looking back I have realized that I have accomplished many (but not all) of my goals. Here's a look back on the resolutions.


∙ 2015 RESOLUTIONS∙
What are your personal resolutions for next year?
     ∙ Find out my passion. This was on of my resolutions last year, but I unfortunately didn't accomplish it. I know that finding a passion isn't something that can be forced, but I am hoping to be closer to finding it this year.
     ∙ Finally declare a major. This falls along the lines of my previous resolution, but since I am a sophomore in college, I need to pick a major I'm passionate about and stick with it.
     ∙ Take risks. Whether it's with school, travel, or life in general. I need to push myself more than I have already have and hope that it will lead to great learning experiences. Even if it's something like study abroad.
     ∙ Eat healthier and work out more. I know, this is on everyone's resolution list. Even though I kind of accomplished this last year, I definitely still need to try to eat healthier and work out more.
     ∙ Be happy by December 2015. I hope that by the end of the year, I have moved forward from a restricting past, have taken risks, and lastly, find a way to be in a place where I'm happy.


∙ END OF 2014 REFLECTIONS∙
Find my passion: Although I didn't accomplish this resolution, I did learn that for some people, finding your passion is a process rather than a distinct moment. I am in the process of finding my passion and confident that I will reach that point.

Finally declare a major: This I have done. Kind of. I have declared one major, but in the process of possibility adding another major, which is a little nerve-racking.

Take Risks: This I can proudly say I have accomplished! I definitely took a lot of risks this year, particularly with travel and life in general. I have learned that there is a lot to benefit from saying yes more and taking more chances. Now I think it's time to take more chances with school.

Eat healthier and work out more: I have accomplished this as well (kind of)! Over the summer, I pushed myself to eat healthier and work out almost everyday, and I felt better and was in the best shape in my life (which isn't really saying much). However, this all went to waste over study abroad where I stopped working out and the bread and cheese got the best of me. But I'm excited to get back into a routine in 2016.

Be happy by December 2015: I honestly didn't think I would say this, but I think that I have achieved this! By December, I was definitely the happiest I had been in a very long time. A lot of this though was from being abroad and I'm a little worried that I'm going to go back to my old self, so I'm going to try my best to be happy this next year.

Happy New Year!


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