She's Got a Ticket to Ride

This morning I forced myself awake four minutes before my alarm went off. I had to fight to wake up because I was stuck in a nightmare. I called Boyfriend while I was still wrapped up in my blankets but even he couldn't shake me free. All through my shower, breakfast, and walk to work I was haunted by my dream. My stomach was in knots and even though the sun was warm on my face and arms, I felt like I was in a damp fog. Luckily, my office is filled with wonderful, cheerful people and by lunch I was feeling better and more myself. On top of all the goodness of simply being with happy people, one of my coworkers Jefferey had a surprise for me. He had spent the weekend in New York for his birthday and had returned with a gift for me: the Marc Jacobs cooler! I am so touched that he thought of me on a weekend dedicated to celebrating himself. I look forward to putting it to use.



Finally, a close up of the watch Boyfriend gifted me for my birthday. It's a Fossil and it's so beautiful and classic. It's the perfect everyday watch. It's subtle in it's elegance and it will go with everything. I wore this last week (June 30th) when it was 65 degrees. Today it was 102 degrees! What a swift change. Oh D.C. summers, how you mess with our heads! I was excited for the cooler weather because I felt comfortable breaking out my favorite boots:

I actually changed my outfit midday because a) it was colder than I'd anticipated, and b) I wasn't happy with the outfit I'd thrown on in the morning. I was a little happier with this outfit and since I spent part of my lunch break taking this photos I thought I might as well post them. I enjoy self-takes. There is something very satisfying about them.

Other good things about today: I spent my evening with a girl friend eating chocolate ice cream and watching Beauty & the Beast. I painted my nails pink! I finally have my schedule for this semester in London. I have a week-long break halfway through the semester that will be just perfect for Boyfriend to visit.

EDIT: I remembered more good things: listening to a playlist I made in high school and singing along. Being excited about blogging again.

Keep on smiling my loves!

gray and rainy tuesday, yet again

The weather has been getting to me. Or, today the weather got to me.
I'm tired of cold and gray. I'm trying to think positive though!

Happy List:
- Chipotle date with Boyfriend in about 20 min.
- Bones all night :) (addicted to this show)
- Richmond this weekend!
- My cough is finally fading (2 weeks of hacking away)
- Tomorrow is my day off.

Bracelets: belonged to my mom
Belt: old navy
dress: h&m

reasons to be happy

despite the lack of sleep//stress.

1. almost 50* today; shorts and tights!
2. a piece of prose I wrote is going to be published
in my university's literary journal
3. slowly but surely I'm getting everything done
4. only two more days in this super hectic week
5. this Saturday, Boyfriend and I are running away to a cabin

Only five things right now... that's how tired I am.

procrastination with a good purpose

Currently I am finishing my second week of the spring semester of my junior year at college. Soon the shine of new classes will fade and the tedium of a set schedule will hit me. Already the homework has proved to be extensive and I'm getting a little stressed. Yesterday I was inspired by Plain Jayne's post to think happy. I have written numerous happy lists in my life and have posted some here. Yesterday, instead of doing my usual list I decided to look around my room and find things I could focus on to make me happy. My dorm may be tiny, too tiny for two people, but it's filled with treasures that make me smile!

I love teacups and I like to rescue abandoned ones (cups without a set) from thrift stores. I recently decided to use them to store jewelery instead of keeping them hidden in my drawer.

My bulletin board has nothing school related, except my schedule, but is full of glee. My first tutu! A fan I just bought from a thrift school. Polaroids, photos of Boyfriend, a picture of my puppy, postcards, and all my necklaces!

I also hang photos from twine. I love the aesthetic and it's great to have pictures around. There are my parents; this is one of my favorite photos of them!

More of my obsession with polaroids. I also love my closet. I have it organized by type of clothing and general color and it's so fun to look at. Haha. I'm a clothing junkie!

My belts and scarves add another level of decoration to the jail-cell of a dorm room. My cousin gave me this little piggy loofah for Christmas. It's so cute that I can't bring myself to use it; instead it hangs by the door to wish me luck before class!

Last but not least my wee cactus, Senor El Segundo. My mom gave me him last year and I love him! He sits by the window soaking up the sun.

I feel happier already :).

"happiness is a choice"

I have some fairly wise friends in my life right now. Yesterday, during a car ride, one of them mentioned that people should choose to be content more. Yes we should, we should be content; but more than that we should be HAPPY! Big smile, laughs that make your abs hurt, hugging your friends, happy!! (and if we're not happy we should make the changes needed to be happy.)
Here's why I'm happy:

1. My polaroid camera takes lovely colored photos.
2. Disney playlist on Pandora, every song elicits and "omg. squee!"
3. This article from Kingdom of Style. I would gladly steal every tutu dress!
4. Leftovers. yummy.
5. Blowing kisses to cute boys cross the library ;) (don't worry, I'm talking about you Boyfriend).
6. No finals on Monday!
7. Getting comments on my posts & new followers :D (nothing makes me smile more!)
8. Oh, only one more week in the semester!!!!
9. Facebook chats with friends in other states (hey there Maryland & Rhode Island)
10. did i mention disney? i just finished (quietly) singing along to Gaston from Beauty and The Beast!!)

Why are you happy?

just one more dayyy

This morning I woke up and I could not handle today. So I went back to sleep. When I woke up, I was better. To keep me better I'm writing down a list of things to make me happy. So, when I'm studying for my exam tonight I can come back to this list and be reminded of happy things!
I highly recommend doing this!

Happy list:
1. The google banner
2. Going on a drive to look at the fall leaves with Boyfriend tomorrow.
3. Calls from my Mom that are happy and comforting.
4. Getting chic points on Chictopia (it's the little things).
5. Harry Potter is showing on campus tonight!
6. Tomorrow is Friday!!
7. Punkin Chunkin with my friends on Saturday.
8. Good friends to rant with :)

sick but happy :)

I am stuck at home sick with what looks to be the flu. Since I slept all day I find myself unable to sleep right now. But there are many things to be happy about:

1. Instead of going to class tomorrow I can lie on my hammock and look at the clouds.
2. There are a million episodes of Law & Order SVU online.
3. I have many awesome blogs to read!
4. My amazing Boyfriend is going to visit tomorrow and bring me books to read :)
5. Tea is delicious and soothes my throat.
6. I am no longer suffering body aches (and hopefully they are gone for good).
7. We are going to the beach this weekend!
8. && I get to go to a Renaissance festival Saturday (assuming I'm all better)
9. I'm lucky to go to university so near home so I can come here and have my parents bring me soup all day.
10. I feel better now than I did this morning!

a cup of coffee for you

Today I have to write two papers & study. Yikes, I know. But there are many things to be happy about!

1. It's international coffee day & I have a cup of mocha.
2. The weather is beautiful, crisp, & fall-like!
3. I had to read the Communist Manifesto (I'm a history nerd/major).
4. I have exciting plans for the next few weekends.
5. My bangs are cooperating today (it's the little things)
6. I have my favorite class tonight.
7. I have a job and a paycheck and a place to sleep.
8. My roommate lets me use her polaroid camera :)
9. All my clothing is clean!!!!
10. I have readers from 30 different countries (my mind is blown!!) && this cup of coffee to the left, and the kiss, are for you wonderful people who make me very happy.

What's making you happy today?!?

how to solve the knots-in-your-stomach problem:

Happy List:

1. Love bugs on trees
2. Lovebugs waiting at home
3. Belovery Valentines
4. Funny websites
5. Amy Winehouse on the radio
6. Hope for the future
7. Sweet Pea scented hand sanitizer
8. New skirts
9. Time flying at work
10. Delicate new bracelets from your love.

silver lining

Some days it is hard to by happy. Take today for example: I only slept a measly three hours last night, I have to be at work at 9, and I have class until 10:20 tonight. This exhaustion and non-stop movement can really get to me. So on my walk from the metro to my office I made a mental list of things I'm happy about right now.

1. I have new headphones so ABBA is not staticy

2. The weather is perfect for my dress and jean jacket

3. I was early to work

4. There is a giant hole in my lobby that looks like a sand pit

5. I was locked out of the office because no one showed up to cover the front desk (I think this is funny, or I do now that I'm inside the office.)

6. I put together a good outfit this morning

7. I get to be receptionist one more day

8. Pay day this Friday

9. I walked a new way to work today and saw new things

10. Despite being very clumsy I have never needed a cast (*knock on wood*)

11. Promotion photos for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland have been released and Johnny Depp looks perfect as the Mad Hatter

I feel better :).
It should be a good day, assuming I survive.

(images via filmjunk)

new shoes

My new toys.

Why I'm Happy:
1. RENT tomorrow night :D
2. Exciting clothes for the weekend.
3. Thrifting with Boyfriend.
4. Birthdayyyyy!
5. Dinner with great friends & good food.

life is beautiful

I have a tendancy to complain and see only the bad in life. This summer I'm working on changing that. It's too stressful when all you think about are the negatives. It's especially ridiculous for me to focus on them because, in all honesty, my life is great! I'm going to try different techniques for reminding myself how fortunate I am; how happy I should be.
Today's technique is a happy-list:
1. DIY birdhouse project (pictures to come)
2. Being productive.
3. Lovely evenings at home with just myself.
4. Having great friends come to town to celebrate my birthday.
5. One week till my 20th birthday!
6. Sweet texts from Boyfriend even though he's partying with his boys.
7. Beautiful weather.
8. Going to visit my grandmother.
9. Fresh fruit I can eat on my deck.
10. No work tomorrow, instead I'm going to my town's parade!


(image via tumblr)