Going South: the Essentials

Spring is coming and whether you're going south for vacation or are just going to enjoy the northern sun, there are a few essentials for spring!

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1. The classic J. Crew chinos and VV shep shirt. The chinos are wonderful! They can be dressed up or down, and match almost anything. They're easily the best investment. The VV shirt is totally worth every cent! I love wearing these while taking night walks on the beach or while out at a windy pier. And these two together? The perfect spring outfit.

2. Caps! I used to never be a fan of wearing hats, but I've grown quite fond of them. I love big, flop hats for dressing up; ball caps I use to run in or while out at the beach to keep the sun off my face and the sand out of my hair. I love the cute colors of Ralph Lauren ones! 

3. For those at the beach, a cute beach bag is totally essential. This is actually the bag that I bought from Lilly Pulitzer and I'm in love (beach bag packing coming soon!) It's so big that it can hold almost anything and act as a second "carry on" type bag for traveling to and from the vacation destination. Next to it is a kindle. This picture actually kindof summarizes my beach time. Sunglasses, hat, and a good book. Can't get better than that! 

It's no secret that I'm so looking forward to spring break and warm weather! The closer I get, the more I want to just start packing right now! 

What are your spring essentials?

Around the World: Amsterdam

I think I've hinted at my love of traveling before... and possibly even the places that I've been. One of the most inspiring and amazing places I've been to was Amsterdam.

No, no, not for that reason.

It is one of the most unique places I can imagine. The people were ridiculously nice, the weather was perfect, the bikes... oh my gosh the bikes! It's just a place that you have to see to understand. And with that, I'm going to reminisce and post a few of my favorite pictures from Amsterdam.

The view I woke up to every day.

A typical street in the morning

The canal

Amsterdam is a place that I would move to in a heartbeat. While so different from the places I usually vacation, I would definitely go back. It was wonderful!

Where would you go if you could choose?

Beautiful Simplicity

There is something so beautiful about the simple things in life. 

The coming of spring has made me appreciate the little things in life.

Like a family dinner or a walk with my dog.

Hearing the birds chirping while I read and sip tea in the morning.

One way that I love bringing beauty to everyday is by small pops of color. I love colorful outfits, but I'm one to stay with a common theme. I'm not too out there. But, there is one way that I love bringing fun colors to my day: this is with nail polish! 

Nail polish is such a simple and fun way to wear a color that maybe intimidates you. Or, like me, maybe you have a favorite color but you don't like how that color looks when you wear it. Pretty nails make me feel girly and fun... bright nail colors remind me of the sunshine and summer.

My favorite color for this spring is Essie's Mint Candy Apple. I've actually had it since fall, when I found it in a makeup store in Paris! It's the prettiest Tiffany Blue, but it was just released in America this season. Of course, you can never go wrong with a red, or more fun, coral!! 

Put some fun in your life, with a simple change of nail color! 

The Early Bird Gets the Worm...

...or so the saying goes.

I've been an early riser my whole life. All through high school, while my friends sleep in until 12 or 1, I'm up early and getting stuff done. The thought of wasting my day away unconscious just makes me sick and stressed out. There is so much that can and has to be done... relaxation comes later! I take my relaxation time seriously, but it really does come at the end of my day. After about 10:00 pm, I shut down, log off, and relax. Before 10 am is a whole different story. 

For instance, today before 8 am, and the start of school, here's what I got done:

woke up/ got ready

packed my lunch

made eggs for breakfast

caught up on twitter, instagram, facebook from last night

went to the library and got a 30 min study session in

answered e-mails and spoke with teachers

went to class

While this pales in comparison to may favorite blogger, Carly, this is quite a list of accomplishments for pre-8 am! 

You've all heard the studies of the benefits of getting up early. Here's a completely unscientific reason for getting up: it makes me feel so much more prepared! Without my morning schedule and getting that start on my day, I would be an even more stressed out mess than I already am! While getting up early may seem horrific to some, it adds hours to my days and years to my life. I'd be a mess without my morning routine.

Are your mornings hectic and sporadic or calm and planned out?

5k is for wimps!!

So, I've been running for a few years just recreationally and I'm really getting tired of my training-for-nothing plan. I've run 5ks and distances up to 6 miles, but I'm wanting to push myself a little bit more. I've been trying out different 13.1 mile plans and none of them seem to work. They pile up all the distance on the weekends and don't include any cross training to give muscles time to repair. Over the weekend, I found a plan that looks like it might be just the one for me!

I've always loved Nike.. I mean, you can't go wrong with them! They sponsored a tweet about training for a half-marathon, so I decided to give the plan a look. I love it! As soon as it warms up, I'll be running my way to a 13.1!!!

For anyone wanting to try it out with me, I'll give you week 1:

I believe it goes along with workouts in the Nike Training Club App, which is free on the app store. 

Go ahead and try it out! I won't be starting until next week or the week after, but I'll post the plans for anyone wanting to follow the plan.

Train Hard! 

What I'm Busy Doing

You may (or may not) have noticed that I've been taking a few days between posts. As much as I hate doing so, I've realized that I can't stress about posting, because I need to stay excited new topics and posts. I figured with all this time away, I'd give a little update on what I'm spending my very sparse free time doing.

When I first bought Mumford & Sons' music, I wasn't a huge fan. 

But that is quickly changing.

Unfortunately, March did not bring with it any warmer weather. 

But the newest Starbucks drink makes the cold a little more bearable.

It's a Hazelnut Macchiato... basically hot, liquid Nutella. Yum.

Lusting over a new MacBook. 

My laptop is old, so I'e been using my dad's laptop for the past year or so. Graduation is so close at this point, and I'm debating the best choice for college and the future.

I'm hoping that the craziness dies down, the weather warms up, and these next few weeks fly by. I just want to be on the beach right now!! 

What's been keeping you busy?

Call Me Crazy...

So, it's finally March!!! To me, that means one thing: Spring Break! In 26 days I will be on my way to sunny Sanibel Island with my Lilly Pulitzer beach tote and flip slops in hand. Basking in the sun, reading a few books, running in the crisp Florida air... I want it all! With only a few paychecks left before break, I've got a few major items left to get. I know, I know... I'm crazy for thinking that I need any of this. But Spring Break shopping is essentially welcoming the warmth in. I'm just trying to be hospitable :)

This Lilly tote is a the absolute top of my list!! I'm debating on prints and I've had my eye on the Hold your Horses... but the Chin Chin is really growing on me. Either one will be fabulous and adorable for summer, too. 

Which one do you like best?

I'm also a lover of Sperrys... their new spring collection has me absolutely drooling! I think the bright colored ones are cute, but I just can't justify buying them because I just don't think I'll get enough wear out of them. These, though, I'd probably end up wearing every day. They're so incredibly perfect!

I'm well aware the it seems like I have a shopping problem... okay so maybe I do. I don't deny it. But I think that it's the only way to stay sane at this point. Spring break so close, yet so far away; I have tests and studying to endure before my feet touch that sand. But, it will be here soon enough & for that I'm thankful.