I Finally Graduated!

It’s finally official, y’all! A little over a week ago, I *virtually* graduated from college!

That’s right. Eleven semesters later, I’m officially a college graduate! It’s so crazy to think five years ago I was just starting out and had little idea of what I was getting myself into, nor knew where life was gonna take me. After all the assignments, projects, quizzes and exams which felt endless (I’m thankful for coffee and Quizlet to help me get through all that), I now have a Bachelor’s degree! Now I have something new to put on my resume and LinkedIn profile! Even though it’s been a little over a week, it still hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’m sure once mid-January comes around it will feel weird not going back for classes, especially since I have a lot of friends who still have a few semesters left. On the bright side, I don’t have to worry about looking at another syllabus ever again! Nothing stressed me out in college the way syllabus deadlines did 🤣

In all seriousness though, I’m SO thankful I got to attend Kent State and be a part of one of the best fashion programs in the world, and I will forever be honored and grateful to be a Flash! I never would have imagined or hoped for my graduation to take place during a global pandemic, but I couldn’t of asked for a better college experience. I have so many memories and moments from these last few years that will always make me smile, and now I look forward to taking everything I learned, both in my studies and about myself, as I continue to pursue the dreams and visions God has blessed me with.

On a side note, even though I didn’t get to walk the stage for commencement, I had a really cool opportunity to meet Todd Diacon, the president of Kent State University! It was SO random, y’all. I was taking my grad pictures back in November in front of the School of Fashion with my roommate Katie, my photographer. Todd was inside the building filming his speech for graduation when he noticed me outside. He asked his assistant to see if I’d be interested in getting a picture with him, and of course I said yes! Don’t worry, we both wore our masks 😷 He was so cool, and we even got to toss our caps together! It was such a cool moment from my last semester in college that I will never forget! I just hope I wasn’t too awkward around him considering that he basically is a celebrity here at Kent 😂

Katie, who’s a creative GENIUS, took all of my graduation photos and they turned out to be so amazing! I could barely decide which ones to post since there were so many that I liked, so I put them in a little slideshow for y’all to check out!

Any Kent State alumni or college graduates reading this? Got any advice for life post-college? I could definitely use some 😊 Comment below anything you want to share!

My white chenille sweater dress is from Red Dress, an Athens, GA-based boutique. The dress also comes in mauve pink! And the off-the-shoulder grey dress I also wore is from BCBGMAXAZRIA. This dress I’ve had a little longer, so it’s unfortunately no longer available. I did link a few similar dresses below!

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Last Minute Ideas for Christmas Gifts

Hey, y’all! It’s officially the holiday season and I couldn’t be any happier! I’ve been so eager to get into the Christmas spirit ever since the pandemic started 😂 Though this time of year can be super joyful and enchanting, it can also be a bit of a hassle, specifically when it comes to gift shopping. While I love gift-giving, I definitely struggle with trying to find the most unique and sweetest ideas that will light up the faces of my loved ones. Often I worry that someone is going to get me an amazing and thoughtful gift I didn’t ask for while I give them something that turns out to be not as special compared to what they got me. I also tend fall into the habit of waiting till it’s only weeks away from Christmas, thanks to something called finals week … Praise Jesus that I’m almost done with college for good! 🙌🏻

Thankfully, I have gotten a lot better at planning ahead, setting budgets and keeping track of what I want to get for everyone on my shopping list, and that’s what inspired me to make some gift guides to share on my blog. So if you’re like me when it comes to last minute shopping, this post is here to help ya out! I hope these ideas give you inspiration and reduce any stress you may be feeling at the moment. After all, it’s Christmas! It’s all about being joyful and not stressed out! So grab a mug full of hot chocolate, review this list, and shop away!

For Her

Top Row: Animal Print Sweatpants // Fuzzy Open-Toe Slippers

Middle Row: Olive & June’s Winter Collection // Personalized Starbucks Cup

Bottom Row: Blissy Silk Pillowcase

A few gift ideas for the ladies … Olive & June was kind enough to send me their latest 2020 Winter Collection featuring eight nail polishes (as well as a top coat polish!), and I’m absolutely in love with all the colors! The Blissy pillowcases are also a big hit right now. Not only do they help give you better sleep, but also protect hair and skin. What could be better than that, ladies?! Along with that, personalized Starbucks cups are a big gift trend at the moment as well. Who doesn’t want their name in a cute font while drinking their coffee or water? You’ll never lose them either! And of course thanks to quarantine, comfy loungewear is back in style. These leopard print joggers are so comfy and chic, I wear them all the time! You can also get these comfy and chic animal print fuzzy open-toe slippers to match as well 😉

For Him

Top Row: Sudio TOLV Wireless Earbuds // Electric Back Massager

Middle Row: YETI Rambler 30 Oz // Sherpa-lined Flannel Hoodie

Bottom Row: Thor Hammer Bottle Opener

For the men … this one took me a lot longer to come up with ideas because men are honestly hard to shop for 🤣 I will say this Thor hammer bottle opener is perfect for the guy who loves both beer and Marvel movies. I’m not a beer drinker, but I love Marvel and I would totally use this! This electric back massager is also a game-changer that makes the perfect holiday gift. I don’t actually own one of these, but I know they’re super useful and I envy those who have them! A few other items for the men include the Sudio TOLV wireless earbuds (who I recently collaborated with on Insta!), a sherpa-lined flannel hoodie from Land’s End, and a YETI Rambler 30 Oz. I have no doubt that any guy would love to receive these gifts under their tree on Christmas Day!

For Anybody

Top Row: What Do You Meme? Adult Party Game // BURST Sonic Toothbrush // Furbo Dog Camera

Bottom Row: Keurig Coffee Maker // DASH Mini Waffle Maker

For anybody … let me start off by saying the What Do You Meme? game is a HIT! As a lover of funny memes, it’s one of my favorite games and it’s absolutely fun and hilarious to play with friends and relatives! Another gift idea that’s very nice and beneficial is the BURST sonic toothbrush, which is proven to whiten and clean teeth thanks to the charcoal bristles. It’s also electric, which helps clean them pearly whites ten times more! The Furbo dog camera is also super popular these days and is the perfect gift for any dog lover. It helps them see and interact with their furry pals even while not home, and it shoots out treats! It’s so much for both the humans and the doggos! And of course, a Keurig coffee maker and DASH mini waffle maker because who doesn’t love coffee and waffles?!

Who else is super excited that Christmas is almost here?! Remember, don’t put so much pressure on yourself. There’s so much more to the holiday than the presents under the tree. It’s about surrounding yourself with beloved friends and relatives and cherishing the special love and joy that comes this time of year ❤️ Enjoy every minute of it!

Merry Christmas, y’all!

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Fun Ways To Enjoy Autumn During a Pandemic

Happy Sunday, y’all! I’m so happy that it’s officially autumn, my favorite season! Who else is with me?! Just don’t remind me of the freezing winter weather coming up 🥶

Though this year things may look a little different since we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, I think it’s still good to cherish this beautiful season and take part in the festivities. I wrote out a list of some of my personal favorite things to do in the fall that are still good to do right now, and I want to share them with y’all if anyone needs some inspiration. Do feel free to comment your favorites and if you have any ideas to share as well!

1.) Go on a hike

Personally, I think fall is the best time of year to go hiking. It’s not too hot or too cold out, and it’s so beautiful to see all the colors of the leaves on the trees and ground! Me, my mom, my roommate Abby, and her mom recently went on a hike on the Towpath Trail (which is close to Peninsula) and we couldn’t get over how beautiful it looked outside, also not to mention it was perfectly mild temperature-wise! Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Summit Metro Parks are great places in NE Ohio to find hiking trails. Not only do you get a glimpse of the Midwest in autumn, but also a lot of exercise!

2.) Visit a pumpkin patch or apple orchard

Farms and markets are still open to the public and harvesting everything that’s in season right now. If you live in the NE Ohio area, Szalay’s Farm & Market and Beckwith Orchards (where I took the pics for this post) are a few of the many best ones to go in the fall. They certainly are my favorites, and I can’t wait to continue that tradition with my husband and children someday!

3.) Host a socially distanced bonfire gathering

The smell of bonfires have always been one of my favorite scents. They always remind me of chilly autumn nights and bring back good memories with family and friends! Even though we’re being restricted from having large gatherings, bonfire gatherings outdoors can still occur as long as everyone is in safe distance from one another. I certainly don’t want to miss out on getting cozied up next to the fire while making s’mores and sipping hot apple cider! I just hope you don’t mind your hair and body smelling like bonfire smoke afterwards 😂

4.) Buy some cute fall decor

I definitely have a greater appreciation for fall decorations now than I did when I was a kid. Every time I visit a retailer and see all the decor for Halloween (not the super gorey and scary ones 😖) and Thanksgiving, I light up with joy and excitement! I got these super cute ceramic pumpkins in navy blue and orange from Target for $10.00 each. Definitely going to be keeping them and using them for many more years to come!

5.) Dress up for Halloween (even if you don’t go out!)

Although Halloween has never been my absolute favorite holiday, I still always have fun dressing up in a costume. What other time of year can you get creative like that? Not very many! This year there’s a lot of restrictions for going out for Halloween due to COVID-19, but I still think it’s a fun idea to wear a costume even if you’re just going to be with close friends or relatives. Y’all can still have one heck of a good time together for the spooky holiday! My roommates and I are thinking about doing a fun group costume together, possibly The Wizard of Oz (one of my all-time favorite movies!). Any of you got other suggestions for us? Let me know in the comments!

And as for my outfit, my sweater is from Francesca’s and my jeans are from American Eagle! You can shop the look in the link shown at the bottom of the post!

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Fitness Ideas For Summer (Quarantine Edition)

Summer has finally arrived, y’all! The sun’s out shining a lot more and the temperature has increased, which is good for us people here in the Midwest because we don’t have wear so many layers of clothing till next winter! We literally are all wearing shorts, tank tops and sandals when it’s finally 60 degrees outside 😂 One thing that a lot of people, including myself, look forward to is going to the pool and beach (or lake if you live in Ohio like me!). I especially get excited when I have some cute new swimsuits to show off. If there’s any time of the year to get in shape, it’s summertime. After a long season of being stuck inside bundled up in sweaters and blankets, it’s time to shed the winter weight and bring out the swimsuits!

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has made planning workouts a bit trickier as we’re all being restricted to going out. Though gyms have started to open back up, both public and personal, it can still be risky at times to go out in social environments. Gyms are especially hard to practice social distancing with everybody sweating and breathing heavily. And nobody can wear masks while working out, that’s just absurd! Despite the circumstances; however, practicing healthy habits to get ready for summertime can still happen even while being stuck at home. So instead of putting off your fitness plan and trying to make excuses, just work with what you have!

Here’s a few ways to get in shape and prep for a healthy summer while in quarantine:

Go outside and get your steps in

Summertime means more time spent outside! Hallelujah! I swear being out in nature does something to the soul. And though we’re all doing our best not to go out too much for the sake of our health and for others, we can still enjoy the great outdoors as long as we’re still practicing social distancing. Going outside is also a great opportunity to get in shape for this summer. Whether that be a long jog or walking a hiking trail with your dog (or with a relative or friend while staying six feet apart), getting in your daily steps is a wonderful way to stay fit!

Try out at-home workout tutorials

The majority of gyms may be currently closed or still not safe to go to at the moment, but fitness as a whole sure ain’t quarantined! In the meantime, why not stay motivated and exercise at home? Plus, you save some money! I know Pinterest and YouTube have a lot of good workout tutorials that you can try inside your house, or outside in your backyard or front yard if it’s nice out! You can choose anything to focus on: cardio, abs, arms, lower body, legs, total body, whatever your fitness goal is for this summer! And when it comes to using equipment to exercise with, no problemo. Use whatever you have a home that’s easy to lift and exercise with whether that be water jugs, a backpack full of books, your dog to hold while doing squats, you name it!

Drink LOTS of water

Y’all, I can't stress enough how important it is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. It’s one of the best compound sources you can fill your body with! It’s also the only form of a beverage that that purely satisfy you. Not coffee, not soda, not wine, not margaritas, etc. etc. As much as enjoy drinking all those types of beverages, only water can fully quench my thirst! I recommend drinking at least 72 ounces of water a day to make sure your getting enough. There’s a water bottle on Amazon that actually measures the exact amount of water you need to be drinking in one day, including keeping track of the times you should drinking at!

Eat clean and healthy

Eating healthy to get in shape is obviously just as valuable as working out. Making sure you’re keeping track of what nutrients your filling your body with is very essential for your summer fitness plan. Eating a good portion of fruits, veggies, protein and so on goes a long way, and your body will thank you for it. Of course while it is important to watch what you eat and make sure it’s a clean diet, don’t punish yourself! Every now and then it’s important to make sure you’re treating yourself. While I like eating things that make my body feel good, I also like ice cream … and I’m certainly not giving that up this summer! You shouldn’t have to feel guilty about what you eat when you’re eating everything in moderation!

How have you been getting in shape and practicing healthy habits while in quarantine? Comment below and share!

Also I just have to point out that I’m OBSESSED with this red two-piece workout outfit from Fabletics! It’s absolutely my favorite fitness outfit in my wardrobe at the moment! Red has always been my favorite color. Something about it when I wear it makes me feel more bold and fierce! That’s also my attitude when working out; to be bold and fierce ❤️

Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored by Fabletics.

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Ambition 2-Piece Outfit: Fabletics

Shoes: Adidas - similar shoes

Earrings: Altar’d State

How to Stay Occupied While in Quarantine

Hey, y’all! I hope all of you and every single person that you know is staying as healthy and safe out in this world as possible!

It certainly is a crazy and weird time in the world right now. I’m sure you’re still feeling just as confused and anxious as when this whole Coronavirus chaos since it all broke out two weeks ago. Trust me, I’m just as a confused and anxious as you are, too! I’m honestly still trying to process the whole situation. It just doesn’t even seem real to me, yet it is. I mean, all schools, universities, gyms, bars and restaurants, movie theaters, churches and some retailers have been shut down due to this one virus. To sum up, basically every public place is forbidden to go to as of right now (with the exception of hospitals, grocery stores, farms, warehouses, and drive-thru/carryout restaurants). And every single one of us individuals, especially the elderly community and individuals with serious underlying medical conditions, have been restricted from going out and are highly enforcing self-quarantine and social distancing from one another (six or more feet apart to be more specific). I’m sure we will all remember this chaotic season of life, whether it lasts for weeks, months, or who knows how long. I can already imagine myself someday in the future telling my children and grandchildren (and hopefully great grandchildren) about my experience during the historical world event of the Coronavirus outbreak and lockdown!

Despite how frustrating and scary this whole thing is, it WILL pass. I can’t guarantee how much longer we’ll be stuck in quarantine, but I believe things like this are only temporary. It’s important that during times like this we have strong faith and stay positive. I saw a Tweet from Chip Gaines a few days ago that said, “We will look back on all this and either feel a sense of pride in how we all handled this time of uncertainty, or we will be sad at how little faith and courage we had. Please, keep the faith, and find the courage to hope. Better days are right around the corner I promise.” I couldn’t agree more with every single word in that Tweet. Better days ARE coming, and we need to stay hopeful, faithful and courageous till they do! And when they finally arrive, we will feel extremely grateful to be able to go back out in public and not have to worry about social distancing! But in the meantime, I have a few ideas on how to stay occupied while in quarantine that I hope can help you all who may be struggling with trying not to be anxious or bored, especially you extroverts out there! 😂 Read below to get some inspiration!

• Get organized 

  • Have you been telling yourself that you’re going to get your household re-organized but have been neglecting it? Well, now’s the time since you’re literally stuck inside! And guess what? It’s finally springtime, which means it’s time for some spring cleaning! If your bedroom, living room, office, kitchen or garage need some tidying up, now is the time to do so. You can also get more organized by deleting photos, apps, videos or old messages on your phone to save storage. I just deleted a buttload of old pics from my laptop and phone that I no longer need or want, and both electronics somehow feel so much lighter than before 😂 It can be a bit overwhelming trying to balance it all out, so make a to-do list of all the things that you want to organize and get done with. I’m an absolute sucker for to-do lists and organization, so feel free to reach out to me if you need help or more tips on how to get organized!

• Take good care of yourself 

  • Getting organized and keeping busy while in quarantine is important, but also taking this time to find rest is just as important. With all the chaos and stress that’s erupting with the virus outspread, it’s a good idea to try not worry too much about it (for the sake of your anxiety!) and instead put your focus towards something that helps you relax, as well as brings you happiness. There are a lot of different ways to find relaxation and joy, some of my favorites include taking a hot bath, doing a face mask, listening to your favorite music genres, giving yourself a manicure or pedicure, workout (there’s so many different workout ideas on Pinterest and YouTube!), journal, paint or draw, meditate … the list goes on. There’s plenty of options, but it’s all about whatever you find most relaxing and what brings you the most joy!

• Try something new 

  • When you’re stuck inside and don’t have a lot of work or classes taking over your life is the perfect opportunity to try something that you’ve always wanted to. Step out of your comfort zone, now is the time! You could make a new recipe you’ve been wanting to try on Pinterest, learn a new language (or re-learn a language you took in high school or college!), try a cool artsy DIY project, learn a makeup or hair tutorial on YouTube … once again, the list goes on! I just downloaded Tik Tok (which I’m already addicted to after constantly telling myself I wouldn’t be 😅), and I want to learn some of the fun dances that have been trending on there! They probably won’t look that cool and turn out more awkward instead, but I’m gonna finally step out of my comfort zone and do it either way!

• Keep yourself entertained  

  • Movie theaters, concerts and amusement parks may be shut down, but that doesn’t mean entertainment as a whole doesn’t exists! There are multiple streaming platforms available for you to watch any movie or TV show on at any time. I’m so thankful for Disney+ and especially more than ever because whenever I’m going through a rough time, all I want to do is watch Disney movies 😂You can also start binge-watching a new show that you haven’t seen yet. With quarantine currently in session, you may be able to finish a whole series or at least a few seasons by the time this is all over! My parents and I are currently hooked on The Marvelous Ms. Maisel, and I’m eager to watch more episodes (definitely highly recommend it if you’re looking for something new to watch!). And if you’re not into streaming services or watching things on the screen, there’s still other ways to be entertained. Find a book in your house that you haven’t read yet or order a book online. Entertainment comes in many different forms, so find what entertains you the most!

• Catch up with a friend or relative (virtually)

  • You may not be able to meet up in person for a coffee date or a night out like you used to, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying to stay connected with your loved ones. In fact, there’s many great ways to stay in touch with them! FaceTiming with friends is just as meaningful as hanging out with them in person. In fact, you can even set up a time in the morning to FaceTime and drink coffee together, that way you can have your own virtual coffee date. How cute is that?! Something that my family and I started doing is talking to each other through Google Hangout, that way we all can be together but not get each other sick (especially the grandparents). Damn, technology is amazing! Funny how some people say it ruins relationships, but in times like this, it’s what helps strengthen our relationships. Hallelujah!

• Trust God ALWAYS!!! 

  • Everything may seem very confusing, chaotic and frustrating, but the one important thing to remember above all … God is good ALL the time! God is FAR bigger and more powerful than this virus, and He will conquer it. There’s a lot of different news stories out there, but I believe the Word of God is what will guide me through this! I keep thinking about Matthew 8:26 when Jesus walks on water and His disciples are freaking out about drowning, and He simply replies, “Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt Me?” I constantly feel that He is reminding us of our little faith now more than ever. Just like Chip Gaines said on Twitter, we have to have more faith and courage! His strength already lies within us, so we can make it out of this chaotic storm like the disciples! Diving into Scripture and even just chatting with Him or praying to Him has been helping me a lot during my time in quarantine, so I encourage You to do the same. It really rejuvenates the mind, heart, and soul. Even just saying “God, I trust You” helps as well. No matter what, He’s always listening. Don’t doubt Him, have so much faith and trust in Him!

I’m praying and sending all my love to each and every one of you. Don’t let the negativity overtake your mind. Instead, ask the Lord to fill it with positivity, faith, confidence, inner peace, tranquility, strength, and His love! I know right now everything sees uncertain and we don’t know when it will all finally be over, but one thing for sure is God has a plan for all this and everything will work out in the end. In fact, I believe that He’s allowing this to happen so that we can come together to work through this, as well as to put aside our busy schedules and stay connected with our loved ones and Him. That’s all we wants, is for us to love Him, love one another and to serve His kingdom together. And when this is all over, I believe we’ll all be more than ever connected with one another through Him. I’m so grateful for every single medical professional, farmer, grocery clerk, warehouse worker, governor, politician, business owner, restaurant employee and all the generous neighbors who are working their butts off day and night to fight this virus, and I’m praying for all of them as well. Have BIG faith and have courage, better days are indeed around the corner!

So while you’re stuck in quarantine, take some time to keep yourself busy and occupied but also find time to rest and connect with those you love. And if you ever need to come back on this blog post for some inspiration, you know you’re always welcome! 💛

Comment below how you’re staying occupied while in quarantine and/or if you have a prayer request!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~ Philippians 4:13

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Sweater: Altar’d State (if you can’t find it or order it on their website, there’s also a medium size available on Poshmark!)

Mug: Sugarboo & Co

Top 4 Newer Christmas Movies to Watch This Year

Only 9 days left till Christmas!!! I can’t believe how much closer it’s getting, yet somehow it seems as though it can’t get here sooner enough!

Like any Christmas lover, one of the things I look forward to the most every year is watching some of my favorite Christmas movies cuddled up on the couch with some hot chocolate, dogs and fam! Nothing warms my heart more than turning on some of the classics from my childhood including Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and the Rankin/Bass Christmas specials such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, etc. No matter how many times I watch them all and memorize all the lines from each movie, they seriously never get old and never fail to make me smile. They’re the kinds of classics that I’ll definitely share with my kids someday and pass on the same tradition!

However, although I enjoy watching re-watching the favorite classics, I’m also intrigued to see what the newer Christmas movies each year are. Even though they won’t have as much impact on me compared the movies I watched as a kid, it’s fun to step outside the nostalgic bubble and try something different each year. It’s also cool to see the newer ones that I know the children these days and of the future, my own included, will love and consider as their childhood classic favorites! So I’ve rounded up a few newer movies I watched this season and last year that I want to recommend to y’all if any of you are eager to watch some newer films. And the best part is that they’re fun and appropriate for the whole fam, so you can watch them with your loved ones!

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The Christmas Chronicles

I watched this movie last Christmas with my sister, brother-in-law, and parents on Netflix. Y’all, it’s honestly now one of my top favorite Christmas movies. I wasn’t really expecting to love prior to watching it, but it went beyond my expectations! It’s so funny and sweet, and it’s great for the whole family to watch. I never would’ve in my mind imagined Kurt Russell playing Santa Claus compared to Tim Allen or Ed Asner, but after the movie it actually fits him perfectly! Personally, I think the best thing about the whole movie is the elves … they’re so funny and cute, my sister and I couldn’t stop laughing every time they were in a scene!

Watch the trailer here!

The Princess Switch

I also watched this for the last year on Netflix. If you’re a Hallmark movie addict like me (and my dad 😂), you would definitely enjoy this movie. It’s your basic identical lookalike love story where a baker and a princess who look EXACTLY identical (for no reason whatsoever) discover each other and decide to switch places, and they end up falling in love with their male counterparts. It’s pretty much a modern day version of The Prince and the Pauper and slightly cheesy, but it’s so sweet! And Vanessa Hudgens is adorable, so that’s a bonus for sure!

Watch the trailer here!

Noelle

I recently subscribed to Disney+ and this came up as one of the original movies (it’s not in theaters or on Netflix), so I decided to watch it and see if I would like it. I wouldn’t say it’s one of the best Christmas movies I’ve ever watched, but I still thought it was super cute and sweet! It’s great if you are a fan of Elf and Hallmark movies like I am, because it’s somewhat of a combination of that I feel like. It’s also great if you are a fan of Anna Kendrick, Bill Hader, Billy Eicher, and Shirley MacLaine like I am, they all fit their parts so well and make it fun to watch!

Watch the trailer here!

The Grinch

Not the original or the Jim Carrey one, the NEWER one. The one that came out last year, created by the same people who made the Despicable Me movies! I just watched it for the first time over Thanksgiving break with my sister and parents while we decorated the Christmas tree. As a avid fan of the 1966 original version, I wouldn’t say this one beats it. But it’s still very cute, and I think I like it better than the Jim Carrey version (no offense, Jim Carrey!). It’s still available on Netflix, so it’s definitely perfect to watch during a cold night indoors snuggled up with your family, cozy blankets and hot chocolate with marshmallows!

Watch the trailer here!

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What’s your favorite Christmas movie of all time? Have any movies you’ve watched recently and recommend to me? Comment below and let me know! Merry Christmas, y’all! 🌲

Have an Attitude Full of Gratitude: The Importance of Pursuing Gratitude

“Give thanks with a grateful heart.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy Thanksgiving Eve y’all! It’s actually a little weird saying that considering it’s so late this year, and next week is the first full week of December. I literally only have two weeks of the semester left, and one of them is finals week. Thanksgiving hasn’t been this late in the longest time! But I could care less about how late or early it is. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and I’m just so grateful it’s finally here!

Speaking of being grateful, this is a topic that I will be focusing on in this post: the importance of pursuing gratitude. As Thanksgiving is approaching and is the time of year to be grateful and give thanks, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on gratitude and thankfulness. I know there are many people who dread Thanksgiving and the holiday season as a whole when it comes to dealing with annoying relatives, shopping for gifts, eating a disgusting English trifle with meat and peas (S/O to Rachel Green), watching your favorite sports team lose a big game and so on. I think so many of us tend to forget about the actual meaning behind the holiday and why we all gather together for it. It’s a special time for us to thank God for the abundant blessings He provides and to reflect on what matters most to us. There’s a reason why it’s called Thanksgiving … to GIVE Him THANKS! As it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks with a grateful heart.” So follow what Scripture says and pursue an attitude full of gratitude (hence the title of the post) ❤️

However, I will say that Thanksgiving shouldn’t be the only time of year that we practice and celebrate gratitude. It should be practiced and celebrated on all the other 364 days and throughout life! As cliche as it may sound, I genuinely believe that gratitude is the secret to finding positivity and happiness in every day. I think so many people in this world, myself included, struggle with comparing ourselves to one another and wanting what we don’t have. Do you ever walk by a store in the mall and wish you had the beautiful expensive shoes in the window? Or a partner who checks off everything on your list that you look for in a relationship? Or to be like that famous influencer that you follow with over a million followers on social media and the ability to travel wherever in the world? I could go on with a variety of different examples revolved around comparison and unsatisfaction. I think there’s this idea that most people have when they say, “Once I accomplish this goal and fulfill this dream, then I will fully be content and happy with my life.” However, while accomplishing goals and fulfilling dreams is a wonderful feeling, it won’t make you fully content and happy forever. In fact, only focusing on getting to those goals and dreams rather than focusing on the present can push you either further away from contentment and happiness. Putting too much focus onto what isn’t existing in your life at the moment will only make you miss out on the blessings in the present moment. You don’t want to look back at your life thirty years from now and wish you hadn’t wasted those moments, do you?

I also think it’s easy to take a lot of things for granted. In a way, most of our lives are healthier and easier compared to others. Just for a second, think about how you would feel if the things you already had didn’t exist in your life. No money, no clothes, no food, no family or friends, no education, access to medicine, etc. etc. How does the thought of all that being non-existent make you feel? A bit sad, right? Also makes you want to stop complaining about not having what you don’t want, huh? That idea just reminds me to be grateful so what I’ve already been blessed with, things that should NOT be taken for granted!

One of the inspirations I had for writing this post was a celebrity who I think truly portrays gratitude, and that is Henry Winkler. Most of you probably know him best as “the Fonz” from Happy Days … I know him best as Jean-Ralphio’s dad, Dr. Saperstein, from Parks and Recreation 😂 But recently, I’ve been watching his interviews and I absolutely love the way he expresses gratitude towards his life. I had to bring this up because I feel as if though we imagine the majority of celebrities being greedy, snobby, and despise what they do. But after watching a few of Henry’s interviews, it was so cool to see someone who is very famous talk about the joys they find in life, even the simplest little things. Listening to him makes me want to be as positive and grateful as him when I’m his age, and I want to start living like that long before then! To be a major Hollywood star who’s always on the go yet still give thanks and pursues gratitude on a daily basis just goes to show how powerful thankfulness and gratitude are!

Practicing gratitude daily is so important. If you’re eager to start pursuing an attitude full of gratitude but don’t know where to start, there are a variety of ways. Some people have different preferences based on how they practice giving thanks, but I do believe everyone is capable of finding a way or multiple ways that works best for them. Here down below are my five favorite ways to practice that have helped me develop an attitude full of gratitude!

5 Ways to Practice and Develop an Attitude Full of Gratitude:

1. Write a list of things you’re most grateful for

   This is definitely one of the best ways (in my opinion at least) to find gratitude. Writing down what I’m grateful for gives me the opportunity to focus only on positive things and helps me to reflect on it once I’ve finished. I’ve been doing this strategy for a while now and it’s definitely the number one technique that helps me practice gratitude and thankfulness. I definitely encourage you to try it yourself, it’s extremely beneficial whether you enjoy writing or not. It’s super simple and easy, too. You can even make categorized lists such as favorite food, places you’ve traveled to, people in your life that mean a lot to you, etc. It’s all about what makes you most happy and most grateful!

2. Find the little joys in every day

   My great grandmother is 103-years old (and still thriving!), and I truly believe one of the secrets to her longevity (minus growing up in Italy, eating natural foods and climbing the mountains every day) is gratitude. Every time someone she loves calls her on the phone or when she receives a special gift, she always says, “This is the happiest day of my life!” So basically what she’s saying is that every day she’s lived has been the happiest day of her life. And I think that’s amazing how she sees such great joy in the littlest things! So my goal each day is to find the smallest details that can enlighten my mood, such as a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, texting my sister or even writing a blog post such as this one! The little things in life can even make such a big impact.

3. Meditation

   Meditation has been another way for me that’s helped me practice gratitude. Before and/or after a long, busy day, finding a comfortable and peaceful place to become centered and focus on all the positive things in life is a great way to start off. And I’m left feeling more at ease and relaxed afterwards, which is a bonus! I know meditation isn’t for everyone, but it’s worth trying out at least once if you want to focus specifically on finding gratitude. This Gratitude Meditation video by Relax For A While has helped me out a few times (and it’s only 10 minutes long), so I definitely recommend trying it out!

4. Reflect on old, cherished memories

   After my Nana passed away earlier this year, I wished I had taken my time that I had with her for granted. But even though I can’t see her till I reunite in heaven with her one day, I’m just so blessed that I had such an amazing grandmother who was so kindhearted, sassy (definitely where my sass came from 😂), and supported me and my dreams till the day she passed. And I love reflecting on all the memories I have of her, and they always put a smile on my face no matter what. It’s so amazing how even the smallest of memories can really enlighten your mood. Nostalgia basically reminds us of how meaningful our lives are, too meaningful to waste or compare with others’ lives. So cherish the good memories you have for as long as you can remember!

5. Give thanks, damnit!

   There is so much power and love in the phrase “thank you”. Giving thanks has also been proven to decrease anxiety, depression and stress, and instead boosts joy and - can you guess? - GRATITUDE! So next time you catch yourself feeling down, just start giving thanks. Give thanks to God, your parents, your siblings, your other relatives, your close friends, teachers and professors who’ve taught you, the barista who always makes your favorite latte at the local coffeeshop, just start giving thanks towards everyone and everything! Life is too short to dwell in negativity or focus on what you don’t have, so just start saying thank you for all that you’ve already been blessed with and towards those who make your life better just by being in their presence! There’s so much to be grateful for, so just give thanks, damnit!

I hope this post was helpful to anyone who’s approaching Thanksgiving and feeling not so grateful or thankful at the moment. I want to encourage you today to find the things that make you smile, pursue what you love, count your blessings, and most of all, remember how much God loves you. The more you remember His love and blessings and give Him thanks with a grateful heart (just like it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18!), the more blessings He will grant you later on. Once you start practicing gratitude on a daily basis, I promise that your perspective on life with positively change big time! I pray that all of you have blessed Thanksgiving full of so much gratitude and joy ❤️

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I also want to take this opportunity to let you all know that Giving Tuesday is coming up! It is an international day of charitable giving on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It’s a wonderful way to give back to others and spread kindness at the beginning of Christmas, the season of giving! As most of you know, I’m one of the leaders for a campus ministry chapter at Kent run by the national organization Delight Ministries, a Christ-centered community dedicated to fostering vulnerability and transforming stories for college women who have a heart for Jesus. Delight wants to raise enough money to create more chapters all across the nation, so they reached out to me and asked me to spread the word! It’s extremely simple, all you have to do is send them money via Venmo (@delightministries). You only have to pay $5 which isn’t much (basically the same amount you pay for a drink at Starbucks), but of course you’re more than welcome to pay more if you’re feeling extra generous! Delight and I would be incredibly GRATEFUL (no pun intended) if you donated and helped the organization grow more chapters and bring more women closer to Jesus.

Start of the season of giving on a bright and merry note just by donating and giving today, or wait till next week on Giving Tuesday as well! Happy Holidays, y’all!

How I Fulfilled My Duty as MOH (Tips for Maids of Honor)

Time flies by so fast. It’s literally been exactly one month since my sister and her now husband got married! As some of you may already know, I had the great honor to serve as the maid of of honor (no pun intended) for her wedding. I’ve always figured that she would ask me to be hers whenever she would get married, but I was still amazed and highly grateful when she did ask me after her engagement. It will be something I always look back on and forever cherish her beautiful day that I got to be a part of ❤️

Even though I had a big role, I actually wasn’t involved in every aspect of wedding planning, especially budgeting which the parents, bride and groom mostly took care of 😂 But I still helped out a lot and shared my opinions. I was there with my sister during wedding dress shopping to help her find her dress, sending out invitations, looking at venues and of course, helping out with the bridal showers, bachelorette weekend and the wedding day (obviously). I figured it would be great to share the tips that were helpful for me as maid of honor with upcoming maids of honor! Here’s what I learned and did:

Dress Fittings (For Bride, MOH, and Bridesmaids)

This occasion really depends on a person’s schedule, but I definitely think it’s important for the maid of honor to attend dress fittings for the bride for moral support. Thankfully, my sister started dress shopping the summer, so my schedule was more available. Dress shopping can be an overwhelming experience for the bride, especially when the stylists at the boutiques encourage you to buy every single dress you try on. The key thing to remember is to make sure the bride wears the dress, not let the dress wear the bride! So as the MOH, it was helpful for her with me there to help her tell her what I liked and didn’t like, along with our mom. And eventually, we found THE most beautiful and perfect dress for her that made her look and feel like Cinderella (literally, she did!), and I was grateful enough to be there and see her try it on for the first time. So if you can, definitely try to be there for her when she picks out a dress. It’s a special part of the whole wedding planning process!

As for MOH and bridesmaid dress shopping, it’s pretty basic. It’s mostly up to the bride to decide what looks good and what doesn’t, and making sure the girls look and feel good, as well as picking out the right colors. I don’t need to go into too much more detail. To sum it up, me and all the other girls found dresses that made us all happy and especially Lauren happy!

Bridal Shower

The bridal showers are mostly taken care of by the mother, mother-in-law and aunts, but the MOH can still play a big role in helping out. I met with my aunts out for coffee to discuss decor and the setup for Lauren’s bridal shower, including food, drinks, games, a location, etc. I was put in charge of games, which maids of honor usually are in charge of at the bridal showers! I decided to do three games total, two of which I found and ordered from Etsy.com: Would She Rather and Wedding A-Z (and I had my mom print it in brown paper to go along with the rustic theme of the shower!). The other game was “Find The Guest” where a present had to be passed to a guest with a certain characteristic, such as “has been married for more than 10 years” or “who came the farthest”. And the gift was wrapped 12 times, so it was passed to different guests 12 times and each time that guest had to unwrap it, and whoever unwrapped the actual hidden was the winner. How fun is that? And it’s a great icebreaker! I was also in charge of writing down names of guests who brought gifts and what they got for Lauren and Jordan. What I did to make it a little easier was write down the gift on the card from that specific guest, that way I saved some time from writing everything!

Believe it or not, we actually had two separate bridal showers for my sisters! Our family and Jordan’s family are both so big (just one of those perks that run in Italian blood), so we had them split up for both our family and his family. I wasn’t in charge of most of that bridal shower since Jordan’s mom and sister did a lot of the planning and hosting, but I still helped out with gifts and making sure all the names for gifts were written down! My sister and I also made sure to have a few glasses of mimosas because that’s definitely an essential for every bridal shower 🥂

Bachelorette Party

The big event that the bride and whole bride tribe get most excited for! Not counting the wedding day of course 😂 Lauren’s bachelorette weekend was an unforgettable one, and in the absolute best way. Unlike your typical trip spent in Nashville or Chicago, we chose to go to Toronto, Ontario. I know it’s a random place to go for a bachelorette weekend, but it made sense because it was the weekend of the 4th of July and the Canadians don’t celebrate it. It wasn’t as crazy or chaotic, so it was perfect!

Bachelorette parties/weekends are traditionally planned by the maid of honor and the bridesmaids. However, I didn’t get to help out much with planning due to the fact that I was in Italy for the whole month of June. I actually felt really guilty about not helping out much and I felt like I was doing a really bad job at fulfilling my duties as MOH. However, my sister, who always gives me the best advice when I’m having low self-esteem, consulted with me and said that the reason she picked me as MOH wasn’t because of my decorating skills, but because I’m her best friend and that my only job was to make sure she’s happy. And thankfully, I fulfilled that duty because she had the most amazing time over the weekend, and that’s what matters most!

The bridesmaids were a huge help with planning the weekend by renting a cheap yet super nice Airbnb right around Chinatown, as well as getting a table reserved at the Cabana Pool Bar and two other awesome restaurants. They also did a very fabulous job with decorations, including a Prosecco Pong setup, a “She Said Okkkuurr” banner (nothing like a good ol’ Cardi B reference), a flower garland backdrop for pictures, bride squad fanny packs, and of course, hangover kits 😂 We even created a bachelorette-themed scavenger hunt where, during the whole weekend, we were challenged to ask random strangers questions like if they were engaged or married, love advice, if they were also having a bachelorette weekend, if they were from Cleveland, etc. etc. We got way more responses than we expected, even meeting a few people actually from Cleveland! Safe to say the weekend overall was a fulfilled success!

The Big Day (aka the Wedding)

This obviously is THE most important day of the entire wedding segment. It’s the reason for all the planning and budgeting. It’s the big turnout! My role as MOH was absolutely important. I was at it when it came to fluffing Lauren’s wedding dress, holding her bouquet and making sure she wasn’t too overwhelmed. Another fun thing me and the bridesmaids did was an Instagram takeover on Lauren’s phone while getting ready since she obviously couldn't do the takeover herself as the bride. That was Lauren’s idea for us, and it’s perfect because Instagram takeovers are so insanely fun!

The whole day overall was a blur, but it was absolutely beautiful and amazing. There was so much love in the air after the wedding bells rang, both from the newly wedded couple and all our families and friends who came out to celebrate them. And of course, I gave a speech/toast at the reception. Like most people are, I was a bit nervous about speaking in front of over two hundred guests, despite knowing who most of them are. However, with a good confidence booster beforehand and encouragement from the bridal party (as well as a few drinks in my system 😂), the speech went EXTREMELY well! Instead of the traditional MOH speech where you tell a funny story about how you know the bride, I decided to make it a Friends theme, Lauren and I’s favorite show, and compared her personality to all the six characters. I was a little unsure of how that was going to work, but the reaction I received from people afterwards made me feel so good. Lauren loved it, Jordan loved it, the bridal party and groomsmen loved it, and all the guests who I saw told me I did a good job! And then of course, I danced the night away with everybody on the dance floor after. I wish it hadn't flown by so fast, but I’m grateful for everything that happened that day. And I’ll forever be grateful for how happy Lauren was and how her and Jordan will be happy together for the rest of eternity ❤️

Post-Wedding Day

It’s funny because the day after the wedding is somewhat weird. It’s a little sad because the wedding festivities are finally over, but also the planning and spending loads of money is finally over as well 😂 There’s not much for the maid of honor to do the day after. However, there’s a good chance the bride and groom will open their wedding gifts the next morning, so it’s helpful to be there to write down names of people who bought them gifts (pretty much the same thing as the bridal showers). And plus, it’s a great opportunity to relax and talk about the amazing day with everybody!

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The point of this whole post is not to tell you what to do based on my own experience, but to help you feel confident and ready to fulfill your duty on the big day for your sister, best friend or whoever. I also want to remind you that you don’t have to be the most perfect maid of honor in the world because that doesn’t even exist (just watch Bridesmaids and you’ll definitely understand). There were both highs and lows while I was MOH, moments when I felt so good at it but then moments when I felt like I wasn’t good enough. But based on the aftermath of the whole series of wedding planning for Lauren, I honestly wouldn’t change anything that happened, even the littlest things. I want to encourage y’all to be your genuine, unique self as you get ready to help out with the big day. And no matter what happens, just enjoy every minute and detail you can experience. It really does fly by, but the happy memories are worthwhile!

If you’ve ever served as MOH, what are some of your tips for your experience? And if you are going to be MOH for an upcoming wedding, what questions to you have? Comment below!

My 5 Top Books for Summer 2019

TGIF!

In my personal opinion, one of the best ways to spend a summer weekend is to layout in the sun with a good book. Whether you’re at the beach, sitting by the poolside or laying in the hammock in your backyard, there’s nothing like relaxing in the warm sunshine with a frozen margarita by your side while getting lost in a world of your own imagination. Some people; however, don’t find it as easy to find books to read in a bookstore compared to bookworms who can easily find a few that look intriguing to them. Some people usually find books to get lost into after getting recommendations from another person, and that person needing recommendations may be you!

I’ve rounded up a list of a few books I’ve cracked open this summer and that I now want to encourage you to crack open as well! Keep scrolling to see my picks ☺️

“Own Your Everyday: Overcome the Pressure to Prove and Show Up for What You Were Made to Do” by Jordan Lee Dooley

“Distractions make me a consumer of the world rather than a contributor of the world. But the contributors are the ones who change the world.”

I just finished reading this and I swear I’ve never finished a book faster than this one. It’s SO good! Jordan Lee Dooley is so amazing and I can see God speaking to me through her encouraging stories and words. I’ve known who she was and had been following her on Instagram for a while now, but after finishing this book I now become more estaic whenever she posts something. She is absolutely inspiring and I would love to be best friends with her! Maybe someday 🤞🏻 Definitely check this book out for some encouragement and words of truth!

Buy Book Here

“Girl, Stop Apologizing” by Rachel Hollis

“All you can do at any stage and season of life is try your best, and someone else’s opinion of how you’re doing or what you’re doing is… none of your business.”

This book was recommend to me both by mom and my therapist. If both your mom and your therapist recommend something to you, you know it’s gonna be good stuff! I like to say that Rachel Hollis is officially now a big role model of mine. I feel like I have so much in common with her, and I dream of doing what she is thriving in someday. This is an amazing book for women of all ages. It’s so important to ignore the negative opinions of other people and the never apologize for what you want to create and achieve!

Buy Book Here

“Everybody Always” by Bob Goff

“We’re all rough drafts of the people we’re still becoming.”

This book became super popular and recommended by a lot of my friends early this year, so I put it on my wish-list for my birthday. I’ve only read the first few chapters so far, but I already love it. Bob Goff, who wittingly refers to himself as a “recovering lawyer”, spent 25 years in his law firm before pursuing a career in the speaking the word of God. You can see his cheerful personality and radiant heart shining throughout this book. He constantly writes about learning to love people no matter what circumstance, easy or difficult. It’s such a good lesson for everybody to learn, whether Christian or not Christian. Love is the answer to everything!

Buy Book Here

“I’ve Been Thinking” by Maria Shriver

“Forgiveness is letting go of the need to feel like a victim. Work on it. You’ll lighten your load—the load of negativity you carry around.”

To some, she’s known as Arnold Schwarzengger’s ex-wife, former First Lady of California, member of the Kennedy family, and journalist. To me, she’s known as a wise and spiritually thoughtful woman. In the book, her main focus is turning to prayer and meditation when dealing with any given situation, such as raising children, coping with anxiety, dealing with grief, learning to love, etc. I’m all about prayer and meditation, so this book speaks to me. And if you’re like me, it should speak to you as well!

Buy Book Here

”The Light Within Me” by Ainsley Earhardt

“God put me here for a reason.”

I actually read this book last summer, but I’ve never had the chance to write about it on my blog. My grandma bought it for me because she knows Ainsley Earhardt from Fox News (she and my mom are big fans of the channel), and she knew that she was a Christian which led her to buying the memoir for me. I wasn’t familiar with her that much since I don’t keep up with Fox News - or politics in general -, but I loved how much I realized I had in common. She is a true radiant individual that represents God’s love, and she had a dream given by Him that she was determined to (and eventually did) accomplish. Whether you agree with her political beliefs or not, this book is a must-read for deepening faith in the Lord!

Buy Here

What are your favorite books this summer? Are you currently reading anything that you wanna recommend to me and all my subscribers? Comment below and share with us!