Sweet Mint News: Sometimes, It Happens

Having a blog has always been a dream of mine after drooling over amazing blogs such as Carly's from College Prepster and Mackenzie from Design Darling. These past few months working on Sweet Mint have been fantastic. My break I took a few weeks ago was amazing and it really got me thinking about why I made the blog and my thoughts behind it. I have been so overwhelmed with everything going on, and trying to make this blog the best it can be does not make it easier. When I started this blog, I had all the right intentions (so I thought) about what it was going to be. I expected it to just shoot up immediately {false - it never will work like that!} With the new year just around the corner, I want 2014 to be amazing in every way possible. And with that said, it is with deep regret that I'm announcing the cancellation of Sweet Mint. While the blog won't be deleted, it will not be posted on. I'm not leaving because this blog didn't 'shoot up'. I'm leaving because I just don't feel my heart in it like I did originally. My mind is in a million other places and I cannot keep stringing people along when I'm not giving 100% to my posts/blog. I have loved getting to know some amazing followers. I hope that I can pick up Sweet Mint again soon, once I'm able to give more time to what I really love: writing. Thank you for all this support. Team Sweet Mint wishes you and your families Happy Holidays and a wonderful 2014.

xo, 

Team Sweet Mint

Reality Check: Deadlines

I have a hard time accepting when I'm wrong. Especially during the holidays, it seems that everyone's workload triples. One of my past deadlines was so soon and with everything going on with my holiday plans, I dropped the ball. Luckily, I had worked on the project a little before hand, but the last minute scrambling was not productive nor healthy. If this crazy experience has taught me anything, it is to plan and be ready. It was no one else's fault except my own. Isn't that the beauty is failure? (Cliche moment: whoopsie!) We learn from these mistakes which make us better people.

What experiences have you learned from?

Why I Love Winter and the Holidays

Ever since I was little, the holidays have played a big role in my life. I love the holidays, for so many reasons. Maybe its the smell of douglas fur trees that captivates my entire house once we set up our Christmas Tree. Maybe it is the sense of family and love that pumps through everyone's veins. Maybe its all the lights and decorations that decorate the town. I love it. I've already set up my tree and it is such a reminder of all the amazing traditions and elements that go into the holidays!

How do the holidays affect you?

#Whistlewhileyouwork

I've been having a little bit of a hard time bouncing back from my break. I know its been a few weeks, but I still can't help but feel this "ping" of something in the back of head everyday. This "ping" is pushing me down and telling my mind I can't. Every since these thoughts have been happening, I've been thinking about myself as a person. I've accomplished so much so far in my young life! I've done so many things to better myself, which proves that I can! Why do we do that so often in our lives? Why don't we trust ourselves when we know she can or we should? Why don't we rely on ourselves more often. I'm promising myself now that I can and will trust myself more. I, in the end, know what is best for me and no one else can change that. Sure things aren't always going to be 100% all the time - it's life and it isn't supposed to be. Trusting myself is the best way to grow from my mistakes. I am the captain and driver of my life and I choose the outcomes and direction I go. I can! I will. For those of you who know Mackenzie Horan, the blogger, she has a great online boutique called Design Darling that I am just in love with. One of my favorite things on her blog are her adorable little pencils. One of the sets is called '#Whistlewhileyouwork" and the little sayings on the pencils are so inspiring that I made it my lock screen background. Whenever I'm just checking the time or my messages, these motivational phrases remind me to keep going and take control of the wheel. I just love them so much. #toolegittoquit #hustle

How do you take control? What motivates you?

Sweet Mint Book Club

I am so excited to announce the start of Sweet Mint Book Club. I have always seen lots of great book club books on blogs and they always get a great crowd. I know we all have busy schedules - so we are hoping to have our "updates" every few months so we all can have time to read them. I heard great things about this book. I've never read anything in this genre set, so I'm excited to see how it goes. This "meeting" we will be reading... (drum-roll please).............

STIFF by Mary Roach

Keep me updated with how far you guys all get! 

Are you joining our Sweet Mint Book Club?

Late Night Sweet Treats

I love a little post-dinner treat, but I don't like to be overwhelmed with too much food. I hate the feeling of being full before bed. Plus, the calories sit in your stomach and will create fat. I love dessert, but unless it is a special occasion, I prefer something lighter for dessert.

#1: A Bowl of Cereal: I love some sugary cereal. Nothin' like Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Cocoa Pebbles.

#2: Dove Freezer Bars: Dove has these amazing small chocolate bars for your freezer. They are so delicious and I am so addicted. They are amazing.

#3: Weight Watchers Raspberry-Chocolate Bars: Another delicious freezer option. Raspberry and chocolate are a great combo. So great.

What are your favorite small 'dessert'?

Input NEEDED

Most of my bi-daily blog post ideas stem from ideas that I come up with or ideas that I see on other blogs that I really like. I want to make the blog a fun site that you "WANT" to visit and that you like what you see. Although I wish I was Raven Symone circa 2002 That's So Raven, I'm no psychic. What posts do you want to see from Sweet Mint and what do you like about the blog itself? I would love to hear your comments. I love hearing from you guys.

Help a girl out! What do you like/dislike about Sweet Mint? Be honest.

Lovin' Lately: November

While my scheduled Lovin' Lately post was skipped during my 'break', I have so many amazing things on my list for November. With winter coming here and the cool air among us, I have so much to share with you all. Let's get us started!

# 1: Munchkins: For all of those who don't know, I was the world's biggest donut fan. One of my favorite things that my friends and I do when we have a very stressful day, we all meet at Dunkin' Donuts and share a box of 25 munchkins. Munchkins not only are so good, but you don't feel as bad because they are so tiny. They also started making a red velvet flavor which is to die for!

# 2: Pinterest:  Even though I have loved the website forever, it feel like I love it even more in the transition period between seasons because there are always a lot more 'pins' on woman's fashion and also the food section. 

# 3: Bean Boots: I will never forget the gross, clunky snow boots my parents bought my brother and I when I was in elementary school. Bean boots from L.L Bean are the "perfect" solution to this problem. They are fashionable, light-weight, and look good with any outfit. I love wearing them! 

#4: Lilly Agendas: I have been dying for a Lilly Agenda. They are so so cute and I just want one so badly. The patterns are so cute and I'm just hoping on the Lilly God's will drop one off at my house {pretty please!} The one issue I have is that the agenda is 17-month. (aka August 2013-December 2014) so if you use one, what are you supposed to do from January 2015-August until the new planner comes out? A little confusing, but still super cute. 

#5: BIC Velocity Pencils: As y'all know, I have a strange fetish with pens and pencils. I have fallen in love with these pencils. They are stylish, but they also make your handwriting look so pretty, but also comes with extra erasers/lead. So great -

What are you Lovin' Lately?

Lovin' Lately: Ugly Betty

Hi lovelies! As many of us, we all have a favorite television show that we can't get enough off. For me as a child, I always wanted to watch the shows my mom and my grandma were watching. They loved watching this amazing series called Ugly Betty. I'm not sure if you have heard it about it, but it was truly an amazing show. Unfortunately, the show ended after four seasons, but it is amazing. I have seen every episode about two three times. It is perfect background sound for working and is so great. I recommend you check it out. It is on Netflix Streaming as well along with Youtube. Check it out!

What TV shows do you like to 'tune' into?

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has always been a very special holiday for me. I have been blessed with so much in my life and Thanksgiving always reminds me of that. One tradition I started a few years back in my family is that everyone at the table has to go around and say what they are thankful for. Whenever we share, it really opens your eyes to how much you have. On any day, many people are quick to say all the things that are wrong with their life. Thanksgiving opens all these positives and makes you feel so happy and thankful for the amazing life that you have. Forget about that work project that was cancelled. Who cares? Aren't you thankful for the nice man that told you you dropped your money earlier today at the coffee shop. Forget that you really need a mani/pedi! Be thankful that you have your health, happiness, and a great life. Make sure to take this day to enjoy all the positives in your life and also the negatives {yes - you heard right, m'dear} Life isn't always going to be a straight path and most definitely won't be easy all the time. Those mountains in the road are healthy in helping you get around them and becoming a better person for them. I hope all my amazing followers have an safe, happy, and healthy Turkey Day! Enjoy yourself - you deserve it.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Sweet Mint Playlist # 2

As many of you know, I was on a little bit of a personal break earlier in November as I was starting to sort-out a few personal issues I was going through. Some things that helped carry me through would most definitely be music. It was a mix of blasting the radio and 'splurge' purchasing everything on the iTunes top 100. I have always been a huge fan of oneRepublic and Katy Perry, so there was definitely a lot of that. I am very interested to hear what types of music you guys are all interested in. I mainly a Pop/Country kind of girl.

AS I WAS SAYING by Jack Johnson

BEST SONG EVER by One Direction

CARRIED AWAY by Passion Pit

COUNTING STARS by OneRepublic

DANCE APOCALYPTIC by Janelle Monae

DARK HORSE by Katy Perry

DUST TO DUST by the Civil Wars

END OF THE WORLD by Hunter Hunted

FEEL AGAIN by OneRepublic

LET HER GO by Passenger

ROAR by Katy Perry

SOUTHERN GIRL by Tim McGraw

SWEATER WEATHER by The Neighbourhood

THAT'S MY KIND OF NIGHT by Luke Bryan

TIMBER by Pitbull (feat. Ke$ha)

UNCONDITIONALLY by Katy Perry

WORK BI*CH by Britney Spears

What is your playlist looking like lately?

From Drab to Fab: Bedrooms

Scrolling through pages of Pinterest pages of home decor, I can't be the only one who yearns for the perfect 'PB Teen' bedroom. {gulp} Pinterest also has some GREAT tips for making your room look a little bit more 'upscale'. A lot of them can be made from little to nothing and will add great value to your  room.

C A N D L E S: It is pretty simple to have a vanilla candle lying around, or any candle. While the nice candles that come in glass containers, the ones that aren't are easier to work with. One of my favorite ideas is filling a glass/plastic clear container with your favorite coffee beans. Fill the beans 1/4-1/2 of the way full, depending on how you want it to look. Place a candle in the middle of the beans (vanilla candles smell the best!) When you like the candles the mixture of the bean scent and vanilla will make the entire room smell good, and it looks amazing.

D U C T  T A P E: Growing up calling this crazy tape Duck Tape, I love using this for crafts. My suggestion would get a 'canvas' board to the size that works for you. Using duct-tape, make a chevron pattern, leaving a space in between each line of chevron. Then, take paint in your favorite color and paint over the tape. Let dry completely and then pull tape off of canvas. You have created a create 'art' piece to hang.

C L U T T E R: No one likes clutter, seriously. Keep organized by making sure all your clutter is tucked away. I love using organizing boxes and drawers. They sell great plastic ones at Target/Walmart that work wonders. Plus you get a little extra counter space for more picture frames.

What ideas do you have to turn a room from drab to fab?

App-Solutely Great

Little cheesy, but what the hay! I love finding new apps for my phone. While this app isn't new, I love finding new Vine users who make great Vines. They make some great videos and I love tuning into their new videos when they pop up in my 'Vinefeed'. I love the variety of silly and happy and then also funny and giggly. I'll share my favorite viners along with their 'genre' of Vines.

TOBIE STEVENS: Silly and Happy

SARA HOPKINS: Silly and Happy

TASIA ALEXA: Funny and Giggly

NICK ALBANO: Funny and Giggly

JACK GERMAIN: Cool and amazing

LIANA V: Silly and Happy

CHRIS DELIA: Funny and Giggly

LOHANTHONY: Funny and Giggly

DEM_WHITE_BOYZ: Funny and Giggly

KC JAMES: Funny and Giggly

EVANCREDIBLE: Cuteness Overload

JOSH PECK: Funny and Giggly

Who are some of your favorite 'Viners'?

Reality Check: Maturity

Ever since I was in middle school, I have been craving independence. Every middle school kid wants to be the ideal adult; with the life all planned out, amazing clothes, successful job, and a solid relationship with a significant other. I, selfishly, assumed that I was almost there {minus the job and relationship} but I felt I was budding as a new adult seed. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I was faced with a situation I had never been faced with before - something I wasn't ready to handle and caused me a lot of stress.

It all started when I signed up to dog sit for my neighbors when they went away for a long weekend. Their dog is super adorable and they are really the nicest couple. I have dog sat for the couple a few times before, so it was a routine event - nothing out of the ordinary, so I thought. Everything was great up until one morning, the house felt really different. The dog was there and all and the furniture was intact, but something felt odd {and more importantly, smelt odd!} I walked upstairs to found that the dog has pooped all over the carpet in the hallway and in the couple's bedroom. A mix of fear, shock, and anxiety washed over my body. I had no idea what to do. Do I call them? Do I leave it? Who do I call? All these thoughts zipped through my brain. I immediately called my mom, explained the situation, and she came over with a huge bottle of 'club soda' and Shout. We cleaned everything, flood cleaner and all, and it all looked good; except for a light stain that still was on the carpet. I was scared, but I knew I had to tell the couple what happened. Luckily, this had happened before with the dog, which made me less nervous.

This whole event, as stupid as it sounds, was a big teaching moment. I thought I was ready to be an 'adult'. I thought I had reached a level of maturity that naturally came with age and I wouldn't have to "add on" to it, in a sense. Boy was I wrong! It is okay as an adult to ask for help and learn from mistakes. Maturity isn't something that fully comes with age. You continuously add onto it with experience from your life's journeys. You are shaped by your experiences. There are different stages of maturity and they are shaped by the way you react and treat certain situations.

xoxo

5 Ways to Get Ready For Bed

Sleep has been a major theme that has been on the noggin lately. I have been really bad about falling into a nightly routine. I'm really trying to work hard on relaxing before bed. The hour before bed is extremely vital to the way you will sleep that night. For instance, if you chug a XL coffee along with a pint of chocolate ice cream an hour before you hit the sack, chances are you aren't going to be sleeping to well. I've come up with my Five Ways to Get Ready for Bed.


#1 Good Night iPad: Not the new kids book! Seriously. Studies have shown that too much screen time before bed is very bad for your health. All screens should be off for at least 30 minutes before you sleep. I plug in all my electronics about 45 minutes and do my last minute checking of social media (I'm an addict!) Then let those electronics go to sleep too. Make sure your alarm is set for the next day and your ringer is off! 

#2 In a Mood for Food: Say goodbye to that cheesecake that has your name on it. Stop eating at least two hours before you go to bed. This way, all that food can digest inside of you and won't be the cause of extra weight that you won't want later. If you are drawn back to food, brush your teeth so you won't be tempted to snack a little. 

#3: All of the Lights Ambiance is key. When it gets dark, I turn all the lights on in my room. It keeps me awake when I'm doing work. Then, about an hour before bed, I turn off my overhead so it is just my desk and table lamps. It gives the room a cozy glow and gets me sleepy and tired. I naturally fall into the state of wanting to go to bed and it feels so good to sink into bed when you are tired. 

#4:  Sound of Music Music that is soft and calming can really help you before you sleep. Play the nice ocean breeze or a tropical rainforest to make you tired before you snooze. 

#5: Avoid Late Night "Crazies": Avoid getting angry with your roommate, family members, or friends. Late night time before bed should be relaxing! Enjoy yourself before bed. A good attitude before bed = good nights sleep + dreams! 

What is your bedtime routine? 

Sneak Peek: Children's Book

I have always had a love for writing, as you can see from this blog. I'm had a dream of writing children's books and I want to share the beginning of a story that I've been working on for while. I hope you enjoy everything I'm working on.

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Amy McDamie. She just moved to a small town named Amberville. She was nervous for her first day of school. 
      "What if I don't fit in?" she exclaimed, nervously to her mother as she lay in bed.
       "Why would my Amy McDamie want to fit in when she could stand out?" her Mother giggled. "Everyone will love my sweet Amy". Amy giggled along with her mom, but she wasn't quite sure. 

Across the town, in another bedroom, was a boy named Adam McFradam. Just like Amy, he was nervous about starting school again. 
     "What if nobody wants to play with me, Dad?" he exclaimed nervously as he lay in bed. 
        "Who wouldn't want to play with my Adam McFradam" he laughed. Adam laughed along with his Dad, but he wasn't quite sure. 


To be continued...

Do you like the story so far? Do you want to hear the next few pages?

Eep! Technical Difficulties.

As many of you noticed on Thursday, the Sweet Mint post didn't show up {bummer!} I have no idea what happened, but I promise (pinky promise!) that new posts will resume on Saturday. Sorry for this little hiccup in this process. Can't wait to be back. Thanks for all your guidance, love, and wisdom. 

xo, 

Sweet Mint Team

{Almost} Back

I am so sorry for all of this craziness and I appreciate the love and support from everybody. I am very excited to announce that Side of Sweet Mint will finally be returning this Thursday November 14th, 2013. The "SHOP SM" will open on SUNDAY 12:01am EST, along with a few other changes to the website. Thank you for supporting Sweet Mint throughout this break. It is much appreciated. Have a blessed rest of the weekend. 

xo, 

Sweet Mint Team

Thank You!

To all my Sweet followers. Thank you so much for your support during my 'break'. It really was so helpful to be able to clear my head and just breathe for a little bit. I contemplated about taking time off. It was really either between me writing posts that had little to no parts of who I was as a writer in it or none at all. At the end of the day, I knew I had to take some time off - it was best for me. I appreciate all the amazing comments and emails I got checking up on me; y'all are the best. I can't wait to start a new 'refreshed' Sweet Mint. With that said, I need some help from you. Sweet Mint has a lot ahead. I can't wait to see how it grows, but I need your help to get it there. Please share this blog around to friends and family who you think might benefit from a little Sweet Mint in their life. Keep updated through our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages too. Sweet Mint loves their fans. Support our Shop.

And on that note, I am offering a discount on my letterheads as a thank-you to all my great fans. All Sweet Mint followers and fans will receive 50% off any order of their custom letterheads with the coupon code: ILOVESWEETMINT until Sunday the 17th at 11:59pm. I hope y'all take advantage of this offer and I can't wait to do business with you. Thank you again for all your help. 

xo, 

Lauren

Apologies!

Hi everyone! I am so sorry for the delay in postings. These past few weeks have been super stressful and I have had a lot on my plate. I have been so swamped with work and I feel so bad for letting y'all down. I never thought it would have to come to this, but I need a little time off. It sounds so silly since this blog is so new, but I need a little time to myself. I love blogging and sharing all about me with all of you, but I need to take some time to work through some personal issues I have going on. As of today, the Sweet Mint store will be on a 'break' as well. I hope you all understand and I hope that Sweet Mint can be back up soon as possible. Thank you for understanding.

xo,

Lauren
Side of Sweet Mint

November Update

Hi y'all. I'm sure you've noticed a few tiny changes around Sweet Mint with the addition of our new "Sweet Mint Shop" and some other changes. I'm super proud of everything that has been accomplished in the little time we've been here, but I'm hoping to expand Sweet Mint. Of course, fan base means everything in the blogging world. I would love to start doing giveaways and contests to get my amazing fan base involved. For that to happen, we need to get more views and loyal followers. Please please please help Sweet Mint out by sending this blog URL to all your friends and people who love a good blog. Sweet Mint means a lot to me and I would love to include y'all more. Please share this link and encourage your followers (if you have a blog) to follow me as well. That way, there more potential for more amazing things on the blog. Thank you so much for everything you've done thus far.

xx,

Side of Sweet Mint

Evernote

After College Prepster's tweet about "reorganizing her life" via Evernote, I thought I would check it out myself. I'm hooked. Evernote is the best thing that has happened to me. You can sign-up for free on their website. They have different premium packages you can upgrade to that aren't super expensive if you are interested. The free works better for me since my Evernote is more personal than it is business. You get to make notebooks for different subjects (i.e. - personal, work, exercise, kids...) and then can make different "post-it"-esque postings. It looks like a mini-version of Microsoft Word/Blogger Toolbar. Another cool thing is the ability is the app. You can update something on your computer and within seconds, those changes are seen on your phone app. It is really a great product. Also, you can take a picture with your camera and it can turn it into a doc to view on your computer. Overall, the really great thing about it is you can put all your to-do lists on the computer. I'm the kind of girl who makes a million lists on Post-its and now I don't have to! I have them everywhere!

Do you use Evernote?

Up and Running

It's official! Shop Sweet Mint is officially open for business. Be sure to check us out!

Halloween for Adults

We all secretly wish we were kids at heart on Halloween, right? The excitement as the sun starts to fade  and you go down the block with friends singing Trick or Treat at the friendly neighbor who opens the door. Halloween was always a big deal in my neighborhood. My street connects with two others and the houses are pretty close together, so it is a magnet for kids of all ages on Halloween night. It makes me sad that it isn't socially acceptable for adults to go out anymore. Who doesn't love free candy? That doesn't mean you can't throw a killer party. The years of kid costumes from Party City are past {sadly}. I've found Party City and other Halloween have very limited costumes that look good on me and look appropriate {no short-short dresses!}I've found a few costumes that look great for adults that are worth looking into. If none of these costumes suit your eye, check out Pinterest or ASOS Fashion Finder under event Halloween. They give you some solid suggestions.

JACK O LANTERN: Who doesn't love a cute pumpkin. ASOS makes this super cute sweater that you can wear over some slimming leggings or skinny jeans. It's a classic style that everyone will get and you'll look super cute. Although it is a men's sweater, it will make it them much more comfier. 

Photo: ASOS Online

PAGEANT PRINCESS: We all have the gorgeous dress collecting dust in our closet. You know, the one that we are going to wear to some fancy event and it never happens. Time to pull a Pageant Princess. Pair that fancy gown with some glamorous pumps and a glitzy tiara and you'll be the "Ultimate Grand Supreme" of the party! If you don't have pumps, grab a cheap pair at Payless. Their Comfort Plus brands over a low enough pump that you can actually walk, but high enough it gives you a boost of height. Party stores sell their plastic tiaras for a dollar or two. 

RUNNER: Haven't you always wanted to say you've ran a marathon? Now is your chance. Grab your   running shorts and lace up those tennis shoes. You can fake the athletic look so simply. Make sure you find a "race bib".  You can print out one for free on: 

http://anywhere5k.com/2012/10/how-to-print-your-anywhere5k-race-bib/ 

What are your Halloween plans?

How To: Limit Your Procrastinating

I am the first to say and admit that I am the United States planet's biggest procrastinator. I push off assignments until the night off until I swamped with work and cram studying {which isn't smart!} I get sucked into Facebook and Youtube {curse your endless videos/suggested video tab!} and I don't really seem to have a care until when I'm stressed out. I've really been working hard on how to limit my procrastination. I hope you find these tips helpful!

#1: NO DISTRACTIONS: We are only human and I've done it too. Oh I'm only going to 'quickly' check [insert social media site here]" An hour later and a million photos guiltily stalked {we have all been there!} you feel frustrated. To avoid these situations, don't look at them. When you get home, put your phone across the room from where you have to work and don't go on the computer unless you really need to. I use "Do Not Disturb" on my iPhone (iOs7 - Slide Up for Control Center and press the moon. I also use "Self Control" on computer!

#2: REWARDS: Studying for that annoying AP Gov test is going to be dull. Reward yourself. Studies have shown that a solid twenty-minutes of studying is the most helpful, so study for TWENTY WHOLE MINUTES and then reward yourself with a "serving size of Swedish Fish" for example. Keep the rewards easy and short. Don't reward yourself by making a cake. Do that on the weekend.

#3: PRIORITIZE: Make to-do lists and follow them. Rank the highest priority and work down. Don't due a whole project that is due in three weeks when you have a huge test the next day. Split things up into manageable chunks so it is easier.

#4: TALK TO A FRIEND: Get a friend in on the action. Tell them to remind you to keep at it. Typically having a partner will encourage you to keep going .

How do you limit your procrastination?

Blog Week 2013: Sweet Surprise

I'm sure all you loyal followers have been itching wanting to know what today's sweet surprise would be. Sweet Mint has already become more than I ever thought it would be and more. I'm excited to see where it takes off and I am excited to continually add more things to the blog. I hope y'all are as excited as I am about a new edition. I am very excited to announce that Sweet Mint will be adding a "Shop" to its homepage. In addition to Sweet Mint blog, Sweet Mint is also offering customizable stationary.The stationary will start off as sample templates tailored to your needs and will hopefully grow into offering much much more. The official opening of the "Sweet Mint Store" will not be available until November. so keep your eyes peeled for the newest addition. Again, thank you all for such a wonderful Blog Week. I'm so blessed to have such an amazing fan base and I'm excited to see where Sweet Mint continues to go! 

enjoy the sweet side of life

xo

Blog Week 2013: Fashion Dreams

We all do it. The mouth drooling over the keyboard, "I want need everything", why is my credit card bouncing, kind of thing. I'm unfortunately one of those girls. I love to look and along with that, love to buy. We all have those sites that are checked daily; maybe not to purchase anything, but to look at in a sad pain, wishing we could have it. Here is my list of fashion dreams and a wonderful link to their websites so you can indulge in their beauty!

LILLY PULITZER

VINEYARD VINES

VERA BRADLEY

KATE SPADE

GROOPDEALZ.COM

While these are just a few of many, all of these lovely sites can kindly make their way to my closet as a late birthday present/sign of appreciation. Ok wishful thinking, but I love scrolling through the endless possibilities of clothes I want. You do it too, I know. My fashion dreams are a long list, but these are ones that I would love to have and own and sites you would know too. 

What are your fashion dream sites?

Blog Week 2013: Sweet Fruit

Y'all might think it is super cheesy, but I love fruit. It tastes so sweet and it works well that it is really healthy for you. On a past family vaca, at the breakfast buffet, they had a juicer and I went ham. People started giving me dirty looks as I went up to make my third fourth cup of heaven. The great thing about fruit is that is tastes amazing by itself. The best thing about fruit is that when you combine it, you get this amazing flavor. It is really all relative to peoples tastes and if they prefer super sweet or mild when it comes to fruit. I have to say I'm a big sweet fruit girl. Here are some of my favorite combos for you try out. You also don't need a juicer to make these. You can cut up some small pieces of fruit and eat them at the same time. Same product, no need to buy an expensive juicer.

Strawberry & Banana

Strawberry & Pineapple

Stawberry & Watermelon & Pineapple

Strawberry & Apple

Apple & Watermelon

Pear & Pineapple

Strawberry & Pear

Now these are only some of my favorites, but feel free to mix around. I want to know your favorite fruit combos. What do you like in a drink? I love sweet drinks because it makes me feel like I'm on an island. Please take me to an island! 

What is your favorite fruity combo?

Blog Week 2013: Sweet Treats

Sweet treats are amazing! They are always super yummy and make your entire mood. I'm always in a bright and chipper mood after. My go-tos are always so amazing and always tastes that much better on my birthday.

BIRTHDAY CAKE POPS: Oh my my! Starbucks truly outdoes themselves with these little babies. There are no words to describe how fluffy and delectable these are. Please do yourself a favor and go and get some. I promise this blog will be here when you come back.

PUMPKIN DONUTS: Obvi I love fall, who doesn't? Dunkin' Donuts comes out with their signature fall drinks and donuts and the pumpkin donut is too die for. It is a pumpkin "cake" covered in a light glaze and I am head over heels every time I bite into one. I find myself getting into my car and driving without even thinking about it.

KEY LIME PIE: Ladies and Gents - I can't control myself around key lime. It is so good and I've been known to have more than the recommended amount. It tastes so good and even better with a little vanilla ice cream on the side. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

DAVIDS COOKIE PIES: After reading this paragraph, please open a new tab and get one of these pies shipped to your front door. {please}. David Cookie's is a company that makes a laundry-list full of scrumptious desserts. They were giving out samples at my local Costco and I naturally chose the "Toll House Cookie Dough {I've been known to eat cookie dough raw - who hasn't?} and I was hooked. It was so good and tastes even better if you warm it up a little bit. My family bought one for Easter and it was so good. The good thing about it is that you can freeze them until you need them. Deee-lish.

ITALIAN RAINBOW COOKIES: Come on guys. Being a part Italian, I crave these delicious cookies, especially when they are fresh. I can't control myself. They are amazing and I can't stop.

FROZEN-YOGURT WITH SPRINKLES: Sprinkles are mandatory and a lot of toppings too. I can't even begin to talk about how amazing they are.

What are you favorite sweet treats?

Blog Week 2013: Favorite Quotes

Quotes are great! They are motivational and can pump you up when you are feeling down. Here are some of my favorite quotes. While these aren't all of them [seriously too many to write down] so here goes all my favorites!

Good things come to those who hustle

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you'll land among the stars  -Wes Brown

Be so good they can't ignore you  -Steve Martin

She turned her can'ts into cans and her dreams into plans  -Kobi Yamada

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow'  -Mary Anne Radmacher

Rise up and attack the day with enthusiasm

Every good and perfect gift comes from above   -James 1:17

Let your past make you better, not bitter

I can do everything through God who strengthens me -Phillipians 4:13

I can't help but fall in love with all of these quotes they are great and always motivate me! 

What quotes do you like?

Blog Week 2013: Birthday Traditions

We all have our traditions we have on our birthday; same breakfast...I'm going to share some of my favorite traditions I've done forever. I love my traditions because they really only come out on my birthday!! So excited to share all my traditions with you.

CARVEL CAKE: We always celebrate my birthday the night before with Carvel cake. Carvel is probably one of the only brands that has those little chocolate crunchies in between the ice cream/cake and the icing on it is so delicious. Love

PHOTO FROM GOOGLE

DELI LUNCH: I know it sounds basic, but there is a deli near me that gives free birthday sandwiches, which is a nice way for a little birthday treat. Their sandwiches are great. 

BIRTHDAY DINNER WITH LOVED ONES: My birthday night is always used to celebrate with my family and friends. We always have a fun night and make sure to have a memorable evening. I love birthday dinners and the occasional staff singers. 

POST DINNER: My friends and I usually do something fun after dinner. We always do something different and it is a lot of fun. 

VM CHECK: I have a huuge family. So big that I get phone calls from different timezones and all. My birth-night, I always replay all my sweet messages. They make me feel so good. I also love checking FB posts too. They are great. 

While these are only some of many, these are some of my favorites. I love spending time with loved ones on my special day!! It's a great way!

What are some of your traditions on your birthday?

Birthday Celebration

Yes, yes, yes - tomorrow is my birthday! I am super duper excited and to celebrate my birthday so for this "birth week" is going to be the start of my official "Blog Week!" It's a week of celebration of this blog and all the good times, plus my birthday. Each day is going to have a theme, so I hope you are excited to see what is coming up. Blog Week will run from Sunday (my official birthday!) to Friday and Sweet Mint will be showcasing a variety of posts. Make sure to check back.

SUNDAY: Birthday Traditions

MONDAY: Favorite Quote

TUESDAY: Sweet Treats

WEDNESDAY: Favorite Fruit

THURSDAY: Fashion Dreams

FRIDAY: Sweet Surprise (y'all just have to wait and see!)

How to Make a Website App

We all have our guilty pleasures we love to look at online. (Side of Sweet Mint, College Prepster, Elle Horoscopes). There are so many websites we love and it is always a draaag to have to google in what you want. Wouldn't it be great to have an "app" on your home screen for that specific website? Well now you can. One of Apple's hidden secret that not every one knows about, but Sweet Mint has got your tech fix right here. How to make a website app. Just keep in mind this is on iOS7. For any programs iOS6 and earlier, the set up


STEP # 1: Open Safari app and type in the desired website. I'm going to use Sweet Mint as an example. Type the website into Google and open it up. 

 STEP # 2: Now that you are on the mobile site, you are going to press the square with an upwards arrows. (Look @ purple arrow) A little pop-up blurb is going to come up. Don't worry about this mobile site template. Just for our mobile site. 

  STEP # 3: On the pop-up, click the "Add to Home Screen Button" which will lead you to another pop up! 

 STEP # 4: You can name the app whatever you want. The default name is going to be whatever the website title is, but you can change it to something you want if you don't like that. 

 STEP # 5: Congrats! The app is made and perfect for use. It works just like a normal app and hyperlinks straight to the website. 

Hope you found this very informational! As you can see, two of those other links are other Website apps!

Have you ever made a website app?

Slip Up

That's right ladies and gents. Sweet Mint had its first not-so-sweet blog leak. One of our top-secret posts made its way on to the interweb a little earlier than planned. For all of y'all who caught our slip-up, lucky you! You got a sneak peek into what is coming up later on Sweet Mint. For all those who missed it, don't fret. Tune in this Saturday for a Sweet week full of fun. 

Fall Polish

Although we are having a pretty mild fall so far {fingers crossed} I see lots of people trading in their pale pinks and pastels into storage and grabbing their dark greens and reds into the mix. I am the biggest fan of Essie polish. They have the best colors in all different shades. Thinking of a color in particular? They have it.

 Aagh! Don't you just want to buy every single one? My absolute favorites are Aruba Blue, Mint Candy Apple, and Pink Lemonade, to name a few. I love checking the Essie website every few months to see their new colors and collections. Of course, the Fall Collection out and I want every single color. They are super cute and work well with a variety of outfits.

From Left to Right: Twin Sweater Set, The Lace is On, For the Twill of It, After-School School Blazer, Vested Interest, Cashmere Bathrobe

I really love "For the Twill of It", it has a little bit of metallic in it, which gives it another look to it. It is the best hybrid between a gray and a brown. The "Twin Sweater Set" and "Lace is On". They look awesome and I can't wait to pick up these at the store soon. I get all my nail polish/cosmetics at CVS or Walgreens. They just always have everything I want and it is easy to rack up savings with their rewards programs.

*all photos from essie.com*

What are your favorite fall polishes?

Sweet Mint Updates

I cannot believe how exciting it has been to be the voice of "Sweet Mint." I love hearing from all y'all and reading your comments makes me so happy knowing how similar we are. I have some news to share about Sweet Mint - a few new "sections" that this blog with be showcasing. These sections of the blog with be posted periodically and I'm super excited to share them all with y'all! 

CONTACT: Sweet Mint is happily available on many popular social media sites. We would love for you to check us out. Sweet Mint is currently on Facebook (www.facebook.com/sideofsweetmint) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/sideofsweetmint) We hope to be adding more in the meantime. Keep updated with our page and show some friends. Nothing like passin' on the Sweet Mint love. 

ORGANIZATION STATION: Inspired by College Prepster's "Organize Please", I'll be doing my own variation of organization posts with the title: Organization Station. As you may have learned, I love to organizing, so I hope you will enjoy the posts are much as I do. 

LOVIN' LATELY: These posts have been around since the first few posts, but I was never sure if people knew exactly what they were. Lovin' Lately is a monthly wrap-up talking about my FIVE Favorites of the past month. Look for those lovely ladies on the first of the new month. We might even have a few in common. 

HOW TO: It is exactly what it sounds like. This section will revolve around how to do certain things that I use in my daily life. 

LEMON-AID: Although I would love this section to be all about that tangy sweet drink, Lemon-Aid is my advice column. We all have those pickles that we just can't get out of. Sometimes, you can't turn to a parent or friend or you just need a third opinion. Sweet Mint is the place for that. Send in your submissions for a question/topic you want me to discuss. This will be completely anonymous and you never know - most times people are going through the same thing and are too nervous to ask. Don't be afraid to ask. 

Enter all submission via sideofsweetmint{at}gmail{dot}com

Subject Line: Lemon-Aid Submission 

*Sweet Mint reserves the right not to post certain Lemon-Aid question on the blog*

I know all these new changes can be a little overwhelming, but I am more than excited to keep adding to Sweet Mint and watching it grow. 

What do you think of our new additions?

Mindset

My friends swear by this method and I find is so true. Your mindset is everything. It may sound really fake and superstitious, but it seems to work out everytime. If you go into a test/interview and say, "I didn't study enough. I'm going to fail"/"I didn't prepare enough. I won't get it", you are setting yourself up for failure. However, you approach the situation as, "I'm going to ace it" you set yourself up for a better score. Positivity can really truly change your life. If you don't believe me {i see all you non-believers out there. a select few of you!} watch this amazing TED talk. Amy Cuddy talks about the importance of "power poses" and how they can really help you. She talks about body language which also has a correlation to your overall attitude. I know this video is a little on the lengthier side, but it I promise it is so so worth it.

How does your mindset affect your difficult tasks?

Radiance

I love love love the word radiant. Automatically, when we hear radiant, I'm sure a good portion of us would automatically think of the sun and how it radiates heat and light to the wonderful planet of Earth below, as well as space. I love using it as an adjective. Doesn't Morgan look so radiant today? When someone is radiant, they are just like the sun {slightly}Radiance is about "radiating" confidence (light) and positivity (heat) I'm sure we can all name a few people who are constantly radiant {i.e. - my mother, a good friend, a neighbor, the crossing guard, a colleague, store owner, barista at Starbucks} Radiance is a mindset - so radiate your radiance.

How do you spread "radiance"/radiate?

Organization Station: iPhone Apps.

I am very excited to start a new section of my blog: Organization Station. As many of you faithful readers know, I l-o-v-e to organize. It is my passion and I just can't stop. I've seen a lot of bloggers share what apps they have on their tablets or cell phones, so why not do the same.

*Disclaimer: All these opinions on the following apps are all my own. These opinions are not influenced by companies whatsoever. 100% my thoughts!*

Alrighty - lets get started. My lock screen is from one of College Prepster's "Memorable Quotes." I loved it so much that I made it my lock screen. Motivates me every time I look at my phone. My home screen is a little hard to see, but it is my initials. It is a really cool app called "Monogram" where you can make all these cool backgrounds for your phone.

My home screen has all the basic apps + a College Prepster one. You can "create your own app" for webpages on Safari. I love reading her posts every morning. {seriously...every morning!}

This page is a continuation of some blog apps and translator. I have "Design Darling", "Elle Magazines Horoscope {so accurate! worth checking out} and Google Translate.

My last page is probably the page I check the most. It is home to all my "social" apps, "photo editing" apps, Starbucks, {upload all your Starbucks gift cards and you can pay for your drink on your phone! You earn stars everytime you spend and get sweet rewards!} and Temple Run {for the occasionally babysitting job}

In my "Social" app group, I have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Vine. These are all my personal accounts though. Twitter might be the only account that is linked to "Sweet Mint" as well. I love love love Instagram. Looks like we might be having a Sweet Mint IG very soon! ;)

In my "photo editing" group, I have PicLab, PicJointer, PicStitch, Studio, and PhotoGrid. These apps are perfect if I need to edit a photo before it is instagrammed. A lot of times I save photos of my friends and make a huge collage for their birthday. These apps make it so easy. I found Picstich has the best templates for collages, but these apps are perfect in their own way. PicLab is a lifesaver. You can brighten photos so that awesome candid shot that is a little too dark can be just the way you want it!


That is pretty much it for all my apps! I do have to say I can't live without iTunes Radio. When I'm cleaning up, playing some iTunes top 100 really saves my day, without having to pay for every song I love!

How do you organize your apps?

Passion Pumps

Love that the holiday season is just a few months away (woo!) which means a lot of special occasions, holiday dresses (!!) and of course, some amazing parties. You can't go to a special holiday party without some great looking pumps. I am all about the high heel. They are so feminine and so fantastic for any outfit. However, these dreamy darlings can break the bank and around the holiday time, cash isn't always that easy to come by. (i.e. - gifts for everyone, thank you gifts for a gift, gifting yourself [obvi]) I have really lucked out finding some great pumps for less than you would think so. I love Payless Shoe Stores, first off. We all see their commercials for BOGO (Buy one, get one 50%) and most people just assume that since the shoes are cheap, so is the material. FALSE. Last year, I bought an adorable pair for nude pumps last year for only $18 dollars and I wear them ALL the time. They are so comfortable and easy to walk in. At the end of the night, my feel don't ache like they do in some heels and I get compliments all the time. People think they are designer! (fashion points, anyone?) Another great place to scope out are the lower end retail stores such as Kohls, Marshalls, TJ Maxx. They always have great shoes marked down for great prices too. The one downside is that it is hit or miss. They often put everything they have out on the floor, so if the shoe is just too tight, it just isn't right - try a new style. I always find a shoe that I was wasn't expecting to end up coming home with me. Lastly, check out some online retailers like Amazon and eBay. They often partner up with companies to pass on some sweet savings right on to you. I've found some great deals on great shoes and the occasional free shipping deal is great! A great website to check out is retailmenot.com for any online purchases. You type in the website name and it gives you a list of all the current coupons that are valid for the website along with the last time it work successfully. It saves you a bunch on money on the crazy shipping fees along with your sweet purchase! Check it out the next time you purchase something online!!

Where do you "score" your favorite pumps?

Record Views!

IT's OFFICIAL! Sweet Mint has official hit 200 views. Super excited for all that is to come in the future. Thank you followers and supporters for helping Sweet Mint get its feet off the ground. 

WE LOVE OUR FANS! Thank you!

Down Days

I know no one likes to have {or even talk} about down days, but I really think it is healthy to get the word off your chest. A few weeks ago, I was feeling down in the dumps, pretty deep down there. I was in this crazy funk and I couldn't get out of it. I felt so lost, but I couldn't turn to anybody. I didn't want to rope people into my problems and wanted to feel really independent. I sat on my bed for three hours just sitting there feeling bad and negative. This anger had been building up inside of me for weeks before this huge "breakdown." Just a combination of different events seemed to trigger this "mega-meltdown" and I couldn't help myself but just feel crappy.  It wasn't until I was scrolling through some blogs, I found an old post from my favorite fitness blogger, Taralynn McNitt about a promise she made to herself sixteen months ago. This just seemed to pick me up because Taralynn was feeling quite similar to me. I've attached the article below and is definitely worth a peek.

Taralynn McNitt Article - Sixteen Months Ago

I was so inspired by Taralynn's post that I wrote down my own rules for me to open in 10 months {I couldn't wait sixteen!} to see how I personally have grown, changed, and become a better person. It put me in a better mood and I have already seen the wonderful changes I have felt because of it. My positivity energy has been so great and I'm so happy where I am.

Have you ever felt in a funk before?

Morning Routine

I love watching Youtube videos, especially the vlogs. I love when people share their routines because you get a little inside look into what they do to be themselves. I thought why not share my morning routine, so here we go! Just a little note: I used my iHome as an alarm - I wake up to 106.1 in the morning. Love waking up to music.

5:55am - First Alarm goes off! 

5:55am-6:15am - Catch up on all the social media news I missed while I was snoozing, along with read a few blogs and check my Elle Horoscope. {obvi} I also check the weather to see how the temperature is going to be.

6:15am - Second alarm goes off.

6:20am: Roll out of bed

6:20-6:25am: Make Bed

6:25am: Search for the perfect outfit

6:35am: Finally have the outfit {or something close to perfect ;)} and now I do my makeup and hair plus a little spritz of body mist/perfume.

6:43am: Find some perfect accessories to add to my perfect outfit. I always put on earrings, necklace and rings with an occasional bracelet or two. 

6:46am: Go downstairs for breakfast and try to catch a little Channel 4 News! I love current events. 

6:57am: Brush teeth, put on a little lip gloss, once-over in the mirror. Turn the lights out in my room, grab my phone and bag. Make sure all my dirty laundry is in the hamper and my room looks nice and tidy!

7:00am: Downstairs again to grab my lunch and waterbottle for the day and pack it all away! 

7:03am: Find some perfect shoes, grab my keys and I'm out the door! 

It works best for me to shower at night. I lose so much time showering and it takes me forever to blow-dry my hair. I hate rushing in the morning, so getting all the showering and all done in the morning works best for me!! 

What is your morning routine?

Sweet Mint News

It's official ladies and gents. Sweet Mint is officially on Instagram. We are delighted to be adding another social media platform to our list, so follow us for all Sweet Mint photos. We are super excited about it and we hope you are too. Check out our IG page via our IG website. Never knew until recently you could see all someones IG photos. Check it out!

www.instagram.com/sideofsweetmint

For those who want to know how to see your "IG site", you just use the following "formula" to the needs of your website or others. *Note - if your account is private, it will not show your photos. Only private accounts! 

What types of photos do you want to see on IG?

Lovin' Lately: September

I am so happy it is October everybody. Aside from being my birthday month, October just "screams" autumn. The weather has been getting a little chillier and I am very excited to start breaking out my boots and sweaters. I am super excited for everything that is going to come from this special month. Halloween is comin' up ladies and gents. {no, you are not too old to dress up!} Here is my September-In-Review: My five favorites from the month!

#1: APPLE-PICKING: Who doesn't think apples when you hear September? Back to school season, nights get a little chillier, why not warm it up with some delicious apple pie or a few fresh apples to be made into cider. Instagram and Facebook have been decorated with some apple picking photos. Hoping I can squeeze a visit sometime soon.

#2: iOS7: I may be the only person on Team iOS7. I absolutely love the new look for the iPhone and Apple products. It is so clean and modern looking and perfect for a new "year" and new "outlook" on life. I love the Control Center with a built in flashlight {genius!} and the new design of the apps. Change isn't always bad.

# 3: WARM DRINKS: Along with a little cold that is being passed around right now {everybody is sniffling and sneezing}, warm drinks are the cure..or at least some medicine. I've been downing some hot cocoa every night to help aid my sore throats, but let's be real, warm drinks are a big part of the autumn weather. Whether it be a pumpkin spice latte or a warm lemon tea, warm drinks just put you in a good mood.

#4: ROAR BY KATY PERRY: I cannot stop listening to this song. Katy Perry knows exactly how to pump me up when I've been feeling down {sadly, i've been feeling down a little too often} This song is on replay when I'm working. The lyrics are amazing and it is just such a catchy-song. It is the perfect song to play around 3:30-4pm when we all get a little tired and exhausted from life work and it gets you in the groove. Keep it up Katy!

#5: PAPERMATE PROFILE PENS: I know, I know. It is weird to love pens so much, but I cannot help it. I am addicted to pens, especially the ones that make your handwriting look super pretty. These Profile pens come in all different colors. I have red, black, blue, and purple one and they make my notes look like artwork.

What are your September favorites?

Iconic Sunnies

As summer settles down, a lot of summer style sunglasses start to go on sale. There are some iconic sunnies that never go out of style. So I'm going to try to spill out some of the most iconic sunnies that will be perfect for you to try out. 

AVIATORS: For guys and girls, this timeless classic will never go out of style. The mirror-finish on the lens is so classic and will look good on anybody

SPORTS STYLE: Ladies, this one is for the guys. Sports style sunnies are perfect for guys who love a good exercise with a sleek, sport look to them. Sports style are popularly seen on runners and cyclists, but are sure to look sweet on any guy. However ladies, don't fall for the ladies sports style. Not only will they not fit your face, but they just aren't the right sunnie for you. 

WAYFARERS: The classic style is perfect for lazy afternoons running some errands and look amazing with any type of outfit. Wayfarers are known to come in many fun and bright colors, sometimes even patterned, so you are bound to find some sunnies to fit your attitude. 

While there are more types of sunglasses, there are the "iconic" that will never go out of style. My personal favorite place to get sunglasses would be Sunglasses Hut. They have all the latest styles and have a really great warranty program. These glasses get a little pricey, but are definitely worth it because they will last for a while.

Sweet Mint Playlist #1

With the addition of the new iTunes Radio, I have been listening to music all the time. I've been on a mix of iTunes Radio/Spotify/Youtube, here of some of Sweet Mint's favorite songs of the month.

ROAR by KATY PERRY

WRECKING BALL by MILEY CYRUS

COUNTING STARS by ONE REPUBLIC

ROYLES by LORDE

CLOUDS by ZACH SOBIECH 

P.S. Watch his amazing life story -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NjKgV65fpo

APPLAUSE by LADY GAGA

WAKE ME UP by AVICCI

CRASH MY PARTY by LUKE BRYAN

BEST SONG EVER by ONE DIRECTION

SUMMERTIME SADNESS by LANA DEL RAY

GONE GONE GONE by PHILLIP PHILLIPS

What are some of your favorite songs right now?

Pleasing Others

I've always struggled with this topic a lot. I used to obsess over people being upset with me and/or not liking me. What did I do wrong? Why do they hate me? If I got in a fight with a friend over AIM {so middle school - I know!}, I would call their house and reconcile without even thinking because I hated the feeling of knowing someone else was mad at me. This mindset has carried with me until honestly this year. I've had people this year be upset with me and this was the first time that I actually just took the high road. People are always find a reason to be mad for one reason or another. Naturally, you have to let them cool down. Nothing good came from rushing into a conversation when everyone is heated up and angry. Give people a cool-down time {overnight is best = sleep is key!) and once they have their head on straight they can talk. Not everyone is going to agree with your opinions and the hard truth is they might not like you. It happens to everyone {yes, everyone!} You just have to know in your heart of hearts that you have a million other friends who care enough about you to give you love and support. That one friend isn't going to matter because who cares about what they think? Let them be mad. Be successful and happy with your friends. If a friend drops you, they aren't a true friend. True friends stick by you, no matter what. I learned this the hard way, but it is true. 

Have you ever been anxious about pleasing others?

Color

Color has been on the brain lately. Everyone {legitimately everyone} has been buzzing about the new iPhones {and the new iOS 7, which I love - new clean look is awesome} and color is a major part of it. iPhone 5C is the new color iPhone. When people talk about color, it naturally sounds childish. We all learn about colors when we are young and what happens when certain colors mix {never understand, but you get the idea} Color has really been taking over my life. I've noticed I've been taking things that were once bland, and making them colorful and exciting. This may sound like a lame example, but for a project I'm working on, the poster board was dull. It was a white background with nothing happening. Adding a little colored boarder changed the entire look and feel of the poster. Isn't that what color does in our world today? We use color to change the message we are trying to get across. Imagine all the different types of color we see on a day-to-day basis. I find is so interesting that we let these colors go unnoticed. Take a minute to look around the room. How many vibrant colors do you see - what would it be like if it all turned to white. The entire look and feel of the room would change.

How does color affect you?

Real Talk: Never Understood.

I never understood certain people. The ones who need to be in charge 100% of the time and never let anyone have their fifteen minutes of fame. It has been on my mind for sometime now. We all have stress up to our eyeballs {some, even more} Somehow, it translates to being able to be the "leader" and put others down because you think it is right. I find that so unbelievably wrong, especially so because others feel the hurt and pain that comes with it. We so often take people down, when we should be celebrating their ideas and opinions. You may not agree with someone's thoughts, but you should listen and make an effort to understand, as if you agreed 110%. This is a theme I have seen lately throughout my life. People who think their opinion should weigh more than others. They don't care what they have to say and let it slip through the cracks. I wonder if they ever think to understand the other person's perspective. Maybe if they listened, they might change their mind. Maybe, even if they didn't agree, that moment of listening and care would make the person feel good. It would give them the courage to have their own opinions and not be a cookie-cutter believer. We are all entitled to our own opinions and those who trump others just need the attention because...well they need that attention. So don't be a cookie-cutter: be brave, be expressive, be proud about what you believe. No other person should influence that. {not in the slightest}You are you, so be you. 

Have you not shared an opinion because someone influenced you not to?

l o v e

why don't you have a boyfriend {interchangeble with husband}  yet? 

Ladies and Gentlemen, a constantly recurring conversation with my mother and grandma. I'm sure we have all {don't deny it:: all} been asked this question. Every time I hear this question, I turn into a fifth-grade, nervous wreck, sweaty palms, blushing adolescent girl who is frozen with fear. The truth is I do love. I l o v e like a little kid loves a puppy. I have so many things in my life that I love and that I honestly put before my love life. So for all y'all in the same boat as me {I know you are out there}, we all love things more. What do I love?

My blog (obvi)

Family

Mac 'N Cheese

Friends 

F.R.I.E.N.D.S Reruns

Ugly Betty Reruns

Long walks on the beach

Ben and Jerry's 

My blog (obvi)

Donuts

Starbucks

A good book

Beach

Candles 

Organizing

Snail Mail

Monograms

Laughs {lots and lots of them}

Puppies

City

Sweatshirts

Good Songs

Pinterest 

Movies that make you cry

Movies that make you laugh

Movies that make you cry & laugh

Photobooths

Memories

well this isn't my full list, but this is what i l o v e. you can't just love one thing and you can't just live your life without having a little love in it. Love with come to us in different forms: in a love-r, an unexpected letter, a treat from the local bakery. we will all find our l o v e. 

what do you l o v e?

Cleanse

I love cleaning. I know it sounds crazy, but organizing things makes me so happy and makes me feel so good. This past week, I have been doing a crazy "fall cleanse" and getting rid of all my old clothes that don't fit. Not going to lie, I'm a hoarder when it comes to clothes that I love. I just remember all the fun memories I had in them {cheesy, I know} I finally had to get rid of some of those clothes that were taking up space and make room for some new ones {shoppin' spree!!} I know it is a hard "task" to grasp, but getting rid of all the old clothes made me feel so so so good. I was able to donate 1 garbage bag full to Goodwill/Salvation Army and another as hand-me-downs to my sweet cousins. Cleaning my room/old clothes was great motivation for me. I try to honor the "take one out, one goes in" motto so my closet doesn't get too packed. When I started, I didn't have one extra hanger for clothes, but know after getting rid, I have a few more and weight has been lifted. 

Have you ever done a big "clean/donate"?

5 Simple...but Relaxing Breaks

This has been the strangest of weeks. I've been pushed to my limits this week. I have been so busy with all this work and it keeps on piling up on my desk. It doesn't seem to end. Papers needing to be filed, work to be done before deadlines, catching up with my daily social media fix, having a social life: these things just don't seem to end. We all need a break here and there to catch our breath and save ourselves. Here are some of the 5 Simple...but relaxing breaks to take to make you feel better...and fast!

#1: Go for a walk: Seriously? A walk with all this on my plate? you think. It will help. Sitting behind a desk for too long without moving will just tire you out. Taking a few laps around the block with get your brain moving again and the endorphins will boost your attitude. Bring a coworker or friend for a little mid-day conversation and catch-up while your at it. 

#2: Grab a Treat: We all need a pick-me up. Once that 3:30 feeling hits, I'm a goner. My personal fav is a quick donut from Dunkin' Donuts. It makes me feel so happy and energized. Don't have more than one: too much sugar and you will definitely crash! 

#3: Pinterest: Can I live in Pinterest? Scrolling a few pins will give you a little boost of happiness. Pinterest is a great place for inspiration and browsing through them always makes me feel so good. Hint: My favorite is Humor/Kids. They always give me a good laugh when I need it. 

#4: Exercise: Exercising gives you endorphins! Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't kill their husbands. Legally Blonde moment: it was needed. Hopping on the treadmill for a quick workout will get the blood flowing and the endorphins moving through your body. It is a guaranteed way to relieve stress and make you happy. If you can't get to a gym, do a few laps around your local park or track. 

#5: Netflix: We all have a guilty pleasure we love to watch. (Kardashians anybody? Ugly Betty - I'm down!) Most of these shows are on Netflix streaming. When I'm down in the dumps, an episode can bring me right back up. Don't watch more than one or you'll be having yourself a movie marathon which is really hard to get out of. If you don't have Netflix or a service like it, find a show you like on Youtube or on cable. 

What are your favorite simple...but relaxing breaks?