Unspeakably Awesome // What I Wore

{shirt//my moms :: jeans//Target :: jacket//Top Shop :: scarf//Franchesca's :: ballet flats//Me Too :: purse//Franchescas :: necklace//vintage}

In the words of Lizzie Bennet: 

"You know, some days are bad. Like when you trip in the hall after science class and your skirt flips over your head just as the senior you have a crush on is rounding the corner. Then there are days that are just 'ok.' Maybe you find a twenty on the sidewalk, but you also get a parking ticket. Then there are days are just so unspeakably awesome and everything is perfect and wonderful."

That was this past weekend for me. After working eleven days in a row I got a three day weekend - which was ah-mazing! Friday I got to hang out with three of my favorite people in the world, Saturday I had a good ol' lazy day, and Sunday I actually got to go to church!

Friends make the world go 'round. Sometimes you just need a weekend of shopping, laughing, deep talks, chocolate and smiles to make the world seem brighter, and the load lighter.

I can be insecure sometimes. I hide it well, but it's there. I'm loud - very loud - klutzy, a dork and I definitely don't weight what I'd like to. Sometimes I have trouble remembering that other people see more than just that. I like myself the way I am, but sometimes I think I just annoy other people or that all they see is the loud, crazy side of me. I don't know why, but it definitely helps to hear that someone thinks I'm cute, enjoys spending time with me, etc - even if I do kind of think "me!? I'm just the dork with three inch long un-dyed roots!"

And speaking of crazy-long roots: one of my coworkers honestly told me today that she loves how my hair is going out and how it's like a reverse ombre. Glad to know I don't look like a total looser - even if I didn't plan this at all and it is just from total laziness. Who knows, maybe I'll keep it a while. Maybe...

All Good Things; All Good Things // What I Wore

 {shorts//Francesca's :: top//Francesca's :: cardigan//my mom's :: shoes//Ked's :: lipstick//Kat Von D's Painted Love in "Underage Red"}

I was talking to Laura today about how life is finally starting to look up and she responded with "All good things. All good things." in her best Olaf impersonation. So she's pretty much my favorite person ever now.

The latter half of 2013 was pretty depressing and awful. My kitty died and I was stuck in a dead end job that I hated every minute of. I gained 18lb in 5 months, and felt alone and just blech! But I have a new job now - that I love; I've lost 13lbs and am happy with how I look; run my first 5k; and I'm moving out in the autumn. Things are definitely looking up!

So now that things are starting to get better I'm trying to focus on getting back to the things that I used to do and that made me happy - like blogging and putting more effort into my appearance (which is a heck of a lot easier when you actually like the way you look!) I'm also trying to get more into the Word, and am starting a new devotional this week, which I'm really excited about! It feels good to getting back to my old self. ❤

My Weight Loss Goal Rewards

1. 5lbs - Women's Old Navy Active GoDRY Graphic Tanks in black

2. 10lbs - North Face Torpedo Jacket in dark eggplant purple

3. 15lbs - New Balance 813V2 in black

4. 20lbs - Table for Twofer Dress 

5. 25lbs - Black and White Spot Bikini

6. 30lbs - A tattoo!!

I stepped on the scale the other day to find that I've lost an even five pounds so far. Yay! In honor of this great achievement, I thought it'd be a good time to share my list of rewards for each 5lbs lost. I'm super exciting to work my way through this list!

My last, and biggest reward is to get a set of two tattoos. One word on either side of my ribcage. They'll be my first (probably of many) tattoo ever. I'm hoping to get it in July or August of this year, so I've got a lot of work ahead of me! 

Happy (Belated) Valentines Day

{dress//Pitaya :: scarf//gift :: cardigan// Lace Affair :: belt//thrifted :: shoes//Dansko :: hair bow//Hot Topic}

These are some very late Valentine's Day pictures, but none-the-less, I hope you all had a great Valentines Day! Mine was fantastic. My friend Rachel and I hung out for most of the day, and had a great singles-celebration day! We went out for tea + lunch, and then went back to her house for ghost shows, Asian food and chick flicks with her roommate, Tessa. It was the best Valentines Day I've ever had.

I'm a total sucker for friend-love. I love hanging out with people I love, giving hugs, gifts, ect. My best birthday was my 15th, and it was completely due to my friends and family's thoughtfulness. So having my two best friends plan and spend the whole day with me was amazing. I've been so blessed with a bunch of really great friends in the past few months.

Hope your 2014 Valentines Day was amazing too!

My Running Playlist

A few weeks ago I started working out regularly, and I've really started to enjoy running. In my experience, music really makes all the difference between a great workout, and a so-so workout. Here are some of my favorite songs to help really dig deep and make it a great workout. (Can you tell I love dub-step music? Lol!)

Simple DIY Exercise Headband

I've been regularly working out for the past two weeks, and even though I've found some decent work out clothes, and bought a decent pair of running shoes, the one thing I was still seriously in need of was some good headbands! I mean, if I have to work out with my bangs in my face one more time - and bobby pins just aren't as stylish/comfortable. I tried googling "diy work out headband," and found some really pretty ones made of fabric and elastic, but I wasn't up for the challange right now. All I needed was something simple to keep my bangs back. Then I remembered this DIY bandeau top from old leggings that Kate of Skunkboy Creatures posted last spring, and I decided to try something similar.

It's definitely not the most adorable thing, but it's simple and easy and cheap - all you need is an old pair of tights, a pair of scissors and ten minutes and you can make a dozen of them! So far it works great, and I'm really pleased with the result.

Here's what I did:

1. Gather up an old pair of tights (colored ones work great!) and a pair of scissors.

2. Cut off the bottom toe part of your tights.

3. Cut a strip 2 1/2 - 3 inches wide.

4. Repeat until both legs are gone.

5. Stretch out the strips.

6. They'll be wider, and the edges will curl in.

You're finished! You can let the edges curl up, if you want, but I like the look of them nice and wide.

I wore this for my workout yesterday and didn't have to fiddle with my bangs at all. It held everything back perfectly without slipping or letting anything escape. I'm completely in love with it! ♥

Top Three Renaissance Inspired Movies

Like I said a few posts ago, I'm already looking forward to the renaissance season. This weather is giving me serious cabin fever, and all I want is to don my skirts, chemise and bodice and parade around outside in the warm sunlight.

Since that is still several months away, however, I'll have to content myself with some good, renaissance/fantasy inspired films. Obviously the Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia are good go-tos, but here are three, lesser-known fixes for your fantasy/renaissance inspired film craving.

1. Ever After (1998)

This movie - staring Drew Barrymore - is set in the the time of the French Renaissance, and centers around Daniel and the Henry, the prince of France, in a more realist Cinderella story. Obviously it's not 100% historically accurate, because a prince in the renaissance would never fall in love with - much less marry - a commoner, but it's a cute story with good character development and great acting. And the costumes are very well done - which is a huge plus for me!

2. The Court Jester (1956)

This movie is a quirky comedy rife with stereotypes and cliches (and more color than was ever seen outside of a rainbow in the time of the middle ages), but that's what makes it so lovable. Danny Kay is perfect (as usual), Basil Rathbone's fencing is flawless, and the songs are so catchy you'll find ourself singing them all day. Definitely worth a watch!

3. Stardust (2007)

This movie is more of a fantasy than renaissance inspired, but isn't that part of the fun of a renaissance faire, anyway?? It stars Charlie Cox (who you may recogize from the first episode of Downton Abbey) as Tristan Thorn, who ends up on the adventure of his life when he ventures into an unknown, fantasy world in search of his birth mother. Full of adventure, humor, and romance, you're sure to like this film! Be advised, however, that there are one or two brief sex scenes that may need to be skipped for younger viewers. Other than that it's completely clean as far as I remember (but I haven't seen it in the past few months). For a full parental guide please see PluggedIn.com