Recommit in February!

How are we already three days into February? I thought 2017 flew by, but it seems like 2018 is going to move just as quickly! As we enter into this second month of the year, I'm sure I'm not the only one reflecting on my New Year's Resolutions, and where I stand in my progress. Obviously, we all know there is nothing magical about January 1st. We don't just enter into the New Year and miraculously have our lives all figured out. For some people, though, the Beginning is a great motivator to make some changes! After that beginning, though, we have to make the conscious decision to stick to our guns and achieve our goals. This February, I encourage you to take another look at the resolutions you set for yourself, and recommit to them!

One of my goals was to get this blog back up and running. While I obviously have done that, I'm going to recommit to my content, and give it some more of my attention. This blog is both an outlet and an inspiration for my creativity! I have found that since I decided to make 2018 my Personal Renaissance, I have done quite a bit more writing, which has brought some clarity to my life. A lot of it is very close personal stuff that maybe one day I will share. For now, though, this is my platform for public writing, inspiring, and connecting. I hope that in the coming weeks, you find something that speaks to you!

Over this weekend, I challenge you to take a good hard look at what you want to accomplish this year. Maybe your intentions or circumstances have changed. Maybe you need something else out of your life right now than you'd anticipated. There's nothing wrong with adjusting your goals as your life changes. Be real with yourself, and push yourself towards those goals! I know I will. If you need an accountability partner, go out and get one! And remember, I'm always here for you, whatever you need. What are your current goals? How was January for you? How are you going to make even bigger strides from here on out? Let's inspire each other!

Online Shopping vs. In-Store Shopping

The more I get into blogging and following other women's blogs, I am realizing that the majority of bloggers enjoy online shopping. I can definitely understand this, since online shopping is convenient and there are a ton of independent designers online who make quality clothing. Of course we would rather support one of them than a large manufacturer.

Still, I haven't quite jumped on that bandwagon yet. I think part of it is because I enjoy shopping *way* too much. I love the feel of fabric in my hands and looking at pieces in person. I like to see the true colors in different light and look at the details of the piece, such as the stitching or buttons (did I miss my calling to be a designer??). Especially when it comes to vintage shopping, I absolutely do not trust a computer screen. I need to see that piece myself, hold it, see how it is constructed, and feel the fabric in my own hands. It's actually kind of funny to watch me walk around a store because I just reach out and touch things, even if I don't even bother to take it off the rack.

There are a couple of online stores that I frequent, however. Modcloth is one of them (duh). But then again, who doesn't love Modcloth? Even that, though, I only visit maybe twice a month. The mall, on the other hand, sees my face at least once a week. I also enjoy perusing through the Ruche website every now and then. They have some really cute styles. When I'm looking for something specific that I can't seem to find in a store, I turn to Etsy. I have never ordered from Etsy, but I do enjoy looking through and the seeing the amazing things that people can make. Being on that site inspires me to sew and design more. For those of you who don't know, yes I sew, and I enjoy making clothes. I even designed my prom dress in high school. One of my biggest concerns with online shopping is the fit of the garment. I'm sure everyone has gone through this, but I would hate to buy something and then get it and not have it fit because I couldn't try it on. That's another thing. I love trying on clothes. It's like one big session of dress-up!



Lately I have found myself really striving to get away from stores like Forever 21 and H&M with the mass produced clothing and poor construction. I don't even go into Forever 21 stores anymore. I would rather save my money and buy a more expensive, better quality piece where I know someone worked on it personally. Living in a decently big city like Cleveland, there are an abundance of vintage shops and independently owned boutiques. Unlucky for me, I live on the other side of town, so I only get over to those shops every now and then, but it's a great treat when I do. Otherwise, when I'm at the mall, I try to stick to the smaller stores with less inventory, like Francesca's. Or I will go where I know the quality is better, like Anthropologie (though I never buy anything there; one piece and I'd be broke). I still shop at department stores like Macy's and Dillard's because I have a choice of brands and can look at each piece individually to see what is worth my money.

I do think that the time will come when I do more shopping online, but I don't think I will ever stop shopping in stores. I just love it too much. What are your favorite online shops? Any advice for someone wary about quality and size control?

Blogtember, Day 3: Advice

Since I accidentally skipped Thursday's prompt for Blogtember, I'm going to make it up by doing it right now! I really like this one, too, so I think it's important that I actually answer it.

Day 3 Prompt: Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered.

I have a couple of pieces of wisdom that people have told me or that I have learned through my own experiences, but they all come down to this: Positivity is the key to a healthy and happy life.

Keeping a positive attitude has been one of my goals for this summer and school year and so far, it's really paying off! I am so full of energy and ambition. I feel like this is really my year. Everything is different when you look at it in a positive light. You really can control your happiness. It's pretty amazing, actually. I actually just watched a video about the science behind our happiness and it's proven that we are in control over 40% of it! Our attitude and way of looking at life is crucial to our overall happiness. Positivity creates even more positivity.

On the other end of the spectrum, negativity just feeds itself. Getting bogged down in bad moods and demeanors only hurts you more. Sometimes it's not easy, but you have to just buck up and make yourself smile. Before you know it, you won't be forcing it anymore!



I know how cliché this all sounds and everyone has heard it before, but I wouldn't be passing it along to you all unless I really truly believed it. I come from a background of anxiety and even depression. This works. Sometimes, yes, it seems unnatural, but it's completely worth it.

Here are a couple other pieces of advice I can give you all that kind of fall under this same mantra:

*There is no such thing as a crisis: Unless your life is in jeopardy, there is always a way to fix whatever it is. You can always get on the next bus, replace your stolen phone, or fix your broken toilet. Yes, someone may be upset, but it's not a crisis. Keep a cool head and stay positive!

*Everything happens for a reason. You may not see it right now, but eventually you will look back and understand why your boyfriend broke up with you, why your flight was canceled, or why you broke down on the highway. Sometimes you never find out why things happen the way they do, but you just need to trust that it's all a part of the grand plan of the world.

These are the things by which I try to live my life. What are yours?