Book of the Month: The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls

I love to read. SO much. I mean, television is great, too. It's visually stimulating and so easy. Reading requires a little more dedication, and I have to say, it's quite satisfying to finish a book, close the pages you've studied so carefully, and lend it to a friend so you can have someone to talk about it with. This month, I read The Yonahlosee Riding Camp for Girls. I am still not entirely sure how to pronounce that Native American word, but this book was very good. It's a fiction piece from the point of view of a 15-year-old girl living in the great depression. She is wealthy, though, and leaves her family after being part of a scandal, and goes to study and ride at the Yonahlossee Riding Camp in North Carolina. This book is beautifully written. I can picture the scenes Anton Disclafani (the author) describes so vividly, and you root for the main character even though she makes some very poor decisions. I don't want to give anything away, but y'all should definitely pick this one up. It even has that Southern decorum feel to it, with the socialites of North Carolina, Kentucky, Texas all in one place. 

Read it. Now.

One of Those Days

Yesterday, I had a day that everyone experiences every once in a while- you know, when you eat five cookies and lay in bed all day and feel gross and it's just awful. I think there are few feelings I hate more than feeling groggy and slow. When my mom asked me if I wanted to go on a walk with our dogs, at first I did not want to. My bed was so cozy, and the book I was reading was pretty good, and my tummy hurt from all those damn Whole Foods chocolate chip baked goods, but I finally agreed to get up, put my big girl panties on, and walk. 

After just 15 minutes of chatting with my mom and moving, I felt 100 times better. It was amazing how the fresh air and tad bit of exercise brought my mood out of the depths of despair. I constantly need to remind myself that lying in bed reading gossip blogs and watching new series on Netflix need to be limited to an hour or so a day. If I want to feel good, I need to fuel my body and mind with exciting things. I'm twenty- I should know this by now. 

Today, I started off with a good swim practice, went to breakfast with awesome friends, and came home and did a blogilates ab video. I feel great. I'm setting a new goal for myself to start my days off with exercise and social interactions, healthy food and a couple sets of ab exercises, and maybe I will be all-around happier. We'll see how it goes.

Bad Mood Therapy

Some days, I am just not in the mood for anything. Whether this is brought on by my alarm going off at 5:30 for swim practice or a rainy day, I hate to get in a funk where I am resentful and irritant. Because this sort of mood strikes me more often than I'd like to admit, I have found some remedies that help me feel a bit better.

1. Make a cup of tea

2. Watch Miranda Sings videos

3. Eat something healthy

4. Take a power nap

5. Text someone I love

6. Rewatch episodes of The Office

7. Get a coffee at Barnes and Noble and browse the YA section

8. Take my dogs on a walk

9. Listen to The Xx

10. Force someone to hug me. I love hugs.

Obviously, none of these activities are cures, but they definitely lift my spirits.

Celebrating Late

One of my dearest friends and I share June 24th as our birthday, so naturally we celebrate as much as we can. Though we already had a "party" of sorts (we went to the lake with some friends and ate cake), we like to exchange gifts and eat a yummy treat later to extend the birthday joy. 

This year we went to our favorite fro-yo venue (Pinkberry- like, duh) and put candles in the yogurt... I guess you could say we're a little spirited about turning 20. 

While getting a gift and dining out are fun, the best part is having a cute tradition with a friend. Do y'all do anything like this?

Patriotism

I hope all of you had an absolutely lovely Fourth of July! I was lucky enough to celebrate with some friends from my childhood- some who I hadn't even seen since 7th grade creative writing class... talk about a blast from the past. 

The 4th is such a fun day to dress for. I mean, you have your set colors, but that's the only rule. I love seeing how people express themselves. My friend Allie made her shorts, and I have to say... I'm obsessed. 

We spent most of the night lighting things on fire and sipping on tasty drinks tucked in koozies, and the freedom of being able to shoot fireworks in the sky and talk about whatever we want into the late hours of the night doesn't escape me. Of course I take it for granted, but I try to recognize how lucky I am.

Happy day after, folks. What did y'all do on your holiday?

Kate Spade Bag of Delight

I recieved this bag from Kate Spade for my birthday and let me tell you... I'm in love.

Not only do I just love totes, this one just has so much character. The colors and the design meld into this artsy yet chic bag of perfection. I've only been carrying it for a week and the compliments I've been getting have been off the charts. Can't complain there. 

The other side is striped, so you can adjust which side faces outward depending on your mood. It's like two bags in one. 

What is your favorite summer bag?

The Perfect Bikini

Guys. I found it. The perfect bikini... at least for my body. I've always struggled finding a bathing suit that makes me feel confident and ready to prance about the beach. Having grown up a year-round swimmer, my shoulders are quite broad and I have muscular thighs. This makes bikini season a pain, especially since bandeaus are so in (this style makes me look like a quarterback... cool). This summer, I decided to check out the oh so seductive Victoria's Secret for my summer essential, and I ran into the "Fabulous" bikini top. 

Exhibit A:

Okay... I don't quite look this good/oiled down when I wear it, but I gotta say- I feel good in this suit. 

It has enough push-up to give you the cleavage you've always dreamed of, but it's definitely not over the top, AND it's still quite supportive. The ruffle along the top of the cups is also such a wonderful, girly detail. 

As for bottoms, I just used the trusty ole black VS ones I've had for years:

Ruched-side bikini bottoms

These are very basic, and I love that they are not tied with a string- those make me nervous.

I wore it to the lake this weekend, and although I got a pretty nasty burn, I'm glad I invested in this bikini.

I'm on the far left! 

What is your go-to-confident-hot-mama bathing suit?

Chill Summer Playlist

I live in North Carolina, which means summer is all about country music and cowboy boots. Don't get me wrong- I love a good Josh Tucker song, but I definitely like relaxing, acoustic music much more for those lazy July afternoons. Since I work outside, the sun wears we out, and when I come home, I just want to light a candle, cuddle into my bed, and unwind to some calming music. 

Here are some of the songs that I have been loving!

Note: I found a lot of these through The Xx Pandora Station. 

HBD America!

Happy fourth, everyone! I hope your days are filled with fireworks, fresh-off-the-grill burgers, and lots of red, white, and blue. 

(I wish I was spending my holiday at the lake).

Keep in mind all that we've fought for in the past and the issues we continue to fight for today. 

I am proud to be an American.

Anthropologie is my Vice

I went to the mall with my sister the other day to help her find dresses for rush, and of course, we ended up at Anthropologie... one thing led to another, and I walked out with one of their bigger shopping bags, loaded with goodies. I will say that the quality of many of the brands Anthro carries is quite good, and I feel a little less guilty for spending as much as I do. (I'm definitely one of those people who buys few quality items rather than one who fills her closet with tons of cheap items).

That said, here were some of my favorite buys:

1. Gem Drop Necklace

I actually got this is a blue/violet/gray combination. I plan to pair it with high necklines and pretty v-necks.

2. Santiago Huckleberry Candle

Gah.. I wish I could describe this candle's scent and do it justice, but I'm afraid I have to recommend that you go smell for yourself. Warning: you will want to purchase.

3. Tocca: Cleopatra

I actually talked about this perfume in my last blog post. I had to repurchase this baby because I ran out (it's that good). 

4. Torrey Eyelet Top

So this is basically a short sleeved sweatshirt. Heaven's real, guys, and it is this shirt. 

5. Keyhole V-Neck

Yet another purchase based solely on comfort. This is the perfect "airport" shirt because you look put together, but it's beyond soft and loose. Perfect for those security lines and tiny plane seats. 

I probably could've purchased 3x this amount of stuff, but I've gotta have some self control. 

What store keeps your wallet empty?

Yum: Cookie Butter

Have y'all tried Trader Joes' cookie butter? If not, this is officially a must have for any sane diet. 

The bottom reads: "A deliciously unusual spread reminiscent of gingerbread and made with crushed biscuits." Of course, if I was writing the description, it would be along the lines of, "OH MY GOD BUY THIS NOW OR YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO LIVE." ...this is why I wouldn't make it in marketing. 

The description on the back recommends that consumers try this with ice cream or crackers... not me. I take a spoon, get a nice glob, and eat it plain. It's my new favorite snack, and a serving size is under 100 calories. Yes. This is a great snack.

What's your scent?

I've had a girly adoration for perfumes ever since Christmas 2005, when my mother gifted an American Eagle perfume to me. As a twelve-year-old, this felt like a very mature gift. I would drench myself in seven or eight spritzes, ignoring my mom's advice to stick to one spray on the wrist and neck. Fortunately, I've graduated from that technique, but I still have a soft spot for fragrances. Over the years, I have tried many different scents, and have accumulated a few favorites:

1. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue 

This is the perfect summer perfume. It's light yet sweet, and it guarantees compliments. 

2. Tocca Cleopatra

My go-to night scent. It's musky in a very (dare I say) sexy way.

3. Gucci Envy Me

I went through an obsession with this in high school. It's youthful and on the lighter side, but it smells... warm. What I particularly like about it is that it's subtle enough that people around you don't realize you're wearing perfume, but they definitely question what smells so good!

Writing this blog post made me realize how hard it is/how horrible I am at describing scents. I guess my advice is to go check these babies out. What perfume do you swear by?

Chipotle, Chipotle, My One True Love

When asked what my favorite fast food restaurant is, I always swoon while lustfully whispering "Chipotle" as my answer. I know, I know: it doesn't have a drive-thru. I don't care. It's food, and it's served fast. Hence, I determine it to be fast food. (Also, it's not too healthy, and isn't that an immediate qualification of fast food?) I even wrote a love haiku for this magical mexican haven:

black beans and brown rice:

the base of my burrito

I'll have extra cheese.

I mean, I'll probably publish a collection of poems about mexican food. I could write a sonnet for guacamole, but I won't go there... today, at least. Typically, my order at Chipotle consists of black beans, brown rice, mild salsa, corn salsa, cheese, sour cream, and guac all mingling together in a burrito bowl. Yes, I get a burrito bowl in sad attempts of being a tad bit healthier. I'm that girl. Of course, when I'm famished, I will get a burrito with the same ingredients... and possibly some chicken as well. What fast food restaurant makes your heart melt?