January Favorites

Just some random things I loved in the month of January.

She and Him Classics album. Joe gave me this vinyl for Christmas, and I've been playing it nonstop! She and Him is one of my favorite bands, so I'm always so excited to hear their new stuff. I really love this album in particular because it's all covers of classics songs, with a very She and Him sound. If you're a fan of this band or classic music, definitely give this record a try!

Viva Glam Miley Cyrus Lipstick. When I first heard last year that Miley would be coming out with her own Viva Glam lipstick, I knew I'd have to get my hands on one. I'm a big Miley fan, and I really love the whole concept of Viva Glam. If you don't know what that is, it's a line of makeup, usually a lipstick or lipgloss, that MAC Cosmetics and a celebrity spokesperson come out with annually. 100% of the proceeds go toward those affected by AIDS! I already have the Lady Gaga and Rihanna lipstick, so I'm excited to be adding Miley to my collection. Plus, it happens to be a gorgeous hot pink that I just love.

Chapstick Duel-Ended Hydration Lock. This product was super used by me this month. Being in the middle of winter in a dry state, my lips get so chapped. I was excited to try this product when I saw it in the store because it seemed like such a cool concept; a daytime formula on one end and a nighttime formula on the other. The daytime side is a little lighter and contains SPF, while the night side is thicker with natural butters to replenish lips over night. For me, this thing worked so well, I love it! And the two in one stick is super convenient. I'm sure I'll continue to use this even after winter is over.

Dr. Marten 1460 Boots. I think it's safe to say that these have been my most worn shoes this month, I'm obsessed! They are so warm, are great in the snow, and looks so cute with everything. My go-to outfit this whole month has been a loose dress with a cardigan, leggings, and these boots. Super cute and comfy! I know the grungy/90's look isn't everybody's cup of tea, but I think these boots add that perfect touch to an otherwise simple look.

Shades: A Simple Puzzle Game. I downloaded this app when it was the free app of the week in the app store, and quickly became addicted. I usually don't really like playing games on my phone that much, but for some reason I got really into this one. It's one of those games you start playing and just can't really stop/look away/talk to anyone. Haha! It's fun though to try to beat your own high scores and to have something to pass time when your bored. It really kept me busy on a 5 hour flight to Ohio! (more about that later.)

Kate Spade 2015 Agenda. This was another gift that Joe gave me for Christmas, and I completely love it. I usually don't write things in a physical agenda, since the calendar on my phone is so handy, but for some reason this year I really wanted an actual book to write my 2015 plans in. I loved going through and writing in everyone's birthdays, and events we already have planned for the year. Plus the black and white stripes look beautiful displayed on my desk. This book makes me want to make tons of plans just so I can fill out the pages!

What have been some of your favorite things in January! I hope you had an amazing first month of the year!

♥

Our Wedding Video (finally!)

A couple of days ago, we received something in the mail we've been waiting for for over seven months; our wedding video! I literally jumped up and down in the street when I saw it in our mailbox. Joe and I got cozy on the couch and finally watched our hour and fifteen minute long wedding video, and both cried a little. It was so cool to be able to watch that day happen from a different perspective and recall little details we had forgotten about. I love our wedding video so much and am so happy we had one made!

The videographers also included a short little trailer to the video that I decided to share here. I could probably watch it 100 times in a row!

Sisterly

On Saturday, I got my first tattoo that really has meaning behind it other than just being something I love. I always knew I wanted to get a tattoo for my sisters. There are five of us and we were all very close growing up. Despite stealing each other's clothes and makeup, and the inevitable drama, we were able to stay best friends into adulthood and it's so awesome to have five amazing women in my life (including my mom.) 

I had a hard time at first deciding what I could get tattooed that would represent my sisters. I wanted each thing to be unique, but was unsure on how to have multiple different pieces together in one. I finally came up with the idea of a bouquet. I asked each of my sisters what their favorite flower was, and luckily they were all very different. I also decided to have a flower for my mom in there even though I have another tattoo planned just for her in the future. 

I really love how the piece turned out, and I think a bouquet is the perfect way to represent five very different things that are beautiful on their own, and also beautiful all together (cheesy-alert!)

♥

Fitness Goals

It's that time of year when everyone is making fitness goals, most of which will fizzle out in a month or so, and I'm doing my best to keep these goals. The difference is, my goals don't include a certain weight or measurements. I'm doing this simply for my health.

I'm not the athletic type at all, never have been. I hated PE in school, never was too interested in sports, and see working out as more of a chore. And on top of all of that, I've never had much motivation since I actually like having curves and don't really care to be stick thin or really built. So working out has always taken the back seat. But as I get a little older, I'm starting to realize I can't just eat or drink whatever I want and not have it effect me at all like when I was younger. More and more, the food I eat is starting to become a bigger priority; too much dairy upsets my stomach, I can't have more than one serving of caffeine a day, eating fruits and veggies really do make me feel better, etc. This is all somewhat new to me since I remember in high school and into college living off of Dr. Pepper and microwave meals and maintaining a low weight and always feeling great. Now I'm starting to learn that the nutrition I get from food is really important, and my body is making that very clear.

So as I'm starting to develop healthier eating habits, I'm realizing that I could have potential to be so much healthier if I just work out more. Joe and I always take our dogs on hour-long walks, and I go to the gym and take spin classes once in a while, but I want to make exercise a bigger priority. Lucky for me, my older sister is really into fitness and has agreed to help me out. She had me look into Kayla Itsines and we're using her methods as a guide for me. I'm using her advise loosely since like I said I'm not trying to lose weight or look a certain way, but so far I'm really loving her workouts and feel really great after a good session.

So that's where I'm currently at, working out with my sister four times a week using Kayla Itsines workouts and cooking a lot of healthy dinners at home. For me, it's a really great feeling lifestyle and because I'm taking it slowly and not being too hard on myself, it doesn't feel like hard work, just maintaining a healthy life. Just as long as you don't tell me to count calories or cut out sweets, that's not gonna happen ;)

A few tips that work for me for getting into shape are:

-Don't completely cut out things you love. I love soda and pasta a lot, but instead of telling myself I can't ever have them again, I'm limiting myself to one soda a day (I'm addicted) and pasta dinners once in a while that include lots of veggies.

-Invest in things that will make working out more fun. When I buy myself a cute new workout outfit or shoes, I can't wait to put it on and try it out! Looking good makes you feel good!

-Always have your favorite music ready to go. Working out with music you love makes the time go so much faster. I even like to make my own workout playlists on Spotify,  always adding new songs and excited to "try them out."

-Don't be too hard on yourself and know your limits. If you're a beginner like me, don't try to be as good as an expert, that will come in time.

-Try to think of your goal as getting healthy with looking better as a bonus, and not the other way around.

Do you have any tricks you like to use for being healthier?

How to be Happy

A brand new year just started, and all over the internet I'm seeing tons of peoples' lists of resolutions including workout goals, travel goals, school goals, things like that. And although I also have a few goals along those lines, my number one main goal for this year (and forever) is to make happiness a priority. I'm generally a very happy person, I have an amazing husband who I love so much, a big family that I'm very close with, two wonderful little puppy children, the list goes on. I consider myself a very lucky, or blessed, person. But like so many people, I have tenancies of letting things like stress and (pretty bad) anxiety get in the way. So, for my main New Year Resolution, I made a list of little things I want to remind myself, and anyone else who might need it, to do to live the happiest, most fulfilled life possible.

Own, and love, your imperfections.

Always allow time to be silly and loud.

Give a lot of genuine compliments.

Be kind to everyone.

Be happy for other peoples' success.

Always forgive, don't always forget.

Surround yourself with people that make you feel good about yourself.

Don't take yourself too seriously; be able to laugh at yourself.

Know when something/someone isn't good for you and be strong enough to walk away from it.

Believe in what you believe in and don't allow other's to try to change your mind or tell you you're wrong.

Don't compare yourself to others, everybody is so different.

Remember the things in your life that you should be thankful for; food, a place to sleep at night, friends, etc.

I'm sure there a tons and tons more that I haven't thought of, so if you have anything to add, please comment below, I'd really love to hear them!

Here's to a healthy, happy 2015!

♥

Ringing in the New Year

The way Joe and I prefer to celebrate New Years, and how we do every year, is a bit on the quiet side; no loud, crowded places, but rather a couple friends over for games and pizza. And it was a really great night full of laughs and champagne (hence the kind of blurry photos;) ) and I'm really glad we're able to make a low-key night at home with a couple good friends so much fun!

I hope you all celebrated the new year in your favorite way and had a ton of fun!