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?