Translating 2016 Emotions into a Happier 2017.

I'm finally waking up to chilly weather for the first time in 2017 (yes, a whopping five days in). I'm sitting on our little 3rd floor balcony at my rickety Target table with my two sweet pooches at my feet, quietly watching the courtyard for "intruders." I've gotten up earlier than I have this entire week, mostly because I'm re-training myself for my 6 a.m. wake-up call when the beginning of the semester brings my winter break to a screeching halt on Monday morning. To be honest, I'm hardly even upset about it. You could almost say I'm happy (...almost).

You see, in 2016, I experienced my fair share of negative emotions.

Frustration: I was frustrated when I was rejected from graduate school programs after having to put my life on hold for this new dream. I felt like I deserved a medal of recognition for all my hard work and dedication, and here I was getting rejected. In reality, I didn't actually deserve anything. Those schools didn't owe me anything; the world doesn't owe us anything (and that's probably the best lesson I could have learned).

Sadness: My heart was so heavy the afternoon my mom told me that our family horse of 16 years, Tess, had unexpectedly passed away. While I was sad, my heart truly ached for my mom, because I knew a small part of her soul had died with her. The weight grew even heavier the next morning when we woke up to our lovebird, Jacob, passing as well. It was in these moments that I realized sometimes there's quite literally nothing you can do to help someone grieve; all you need to do is be there.

Anger: At the mass shootings, the death toll in Syria, the presidential election. I was angry at the proudly uninformed, ignorant, hateful humans that I felt were taking over the world one gruesome, snide remark at a time. I was angry at myself because I felt like there wasn't a whole lot I could do, a whole lot that I actually doing at all. But it inspired me to a little better informed - to read more, explore more, understand more.

But despite all my moments of frustration, sadness, and anger, I found so much happiness in 2016. I was finally accepted into my number one choice school, my mom is healing a tiny bit more with every passing day, and I like to think that my generation took this past year as a sign to become more well informed and more active in their chosen political causes as well.

Despite all these negative moments, I still feel warm at my core. I am loved and appreciated by the people closest to me. I live in a cozy, lived-in little apartment with my favorite human and two pups. I might be falling deeper and deeper into student debt (with a severe lack of fun funds), but it's pursuing something I'm still super excited about. I consider myself to be pretty lucky.

My suggestion for you, even when it feels like your day/week/month/year is going to hell in a handbasket: find your own silver lining. You don't have to find it right away; by all means, don't. I'm a big believer in relishing in your worst moments, and truly feeling them, even if it's just for a few minutes.

But one day, come back to them, and figure out what you can take from them. Because once you can do that, you can truly appreciate the small moments of happiness (like drinking hot tea at a rickety patio table). You know what I mean?

8 Things Every Happy Woman Should Have.

Okay, so I was creeping on Cupcakes and Cashmere's personal posts the other day, trying to get a little inspiration when it comes to my own blog, and I came across a post called 8 Things Every Happy Woman Should have (check out the original post here). I loved this idea so I decided to fill in the blanks for myself!

1. A go-to drink: ooooh, I have several. Vodka or tequila tonic with lime, a glass of pinot grigio, a glass of sangria (I'm particular where I order one of these), or a classic marg. Can't go wrong.
2. A go-to karaoke song: anything Taylor Swift. I'm boring. And I don't do karaoke too often...unless it's my 22nd birthday.
3. A uniform: a solid sundress with a cardigan, sandals and my long gold necklace.
4. A hair stylist they love: Marissa Moran for dayyys.
5. An exercise routine: Zumba on Mondays, Yoga on Tuesdays.
6. A hobby: I feel like I need to make more time for hobbies! But I love baking, Pinterest (I hate that this is a hobby but lately, I've been addicted), and when I'm inspired, painting.
7. A best friend: I'm lucky enough to have roughly seven or eight girlfriends I could go to for anything...and of course my boyfriend.
8. A healthy sense of self: I think this one is developing more rapidly than I realize. I used to be so quick to get angry or snarky, and now I'm learning to relax and be more understanding, more compassionate. It's a work in progress obviously, but I've got some pretty incredible people in my life to help me along the way.

Happy Monday, guys! Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend. XO

When life gives you lemons...well, you know.

If you asked me in April 2013 where I thought I would be one year later, I probably would've told you "I have no idea." Which would've been entirely accurate. I was two weeks away from graduating college, three months away from traveling to Europe, four months away from saying goodbye to my at-the-time boyfriend of almost two years as he embarked on his journey to law school. I was lost, but I wasn't unhappy. I was just accepting the fact that everything was about to change, because what choice did I have?

At the time, I didn't know that in six months, I'd accept a full-time job opportunity at the company I was interning with. I didn't know I'd come back from Europe to have my boyfriend tell me he had no interest in having a long distance relationship. I didn't know that two months after saying goodbye to him in Tennessee that I would meet the man who has ultimately changed my life for the better; someone that I truly believe I was meant to meet; someone that I would fall hopelessly in love with.

I guess I'm just trying to state the obvious: life throws you curve balls. More than half the time, you won't be expecting them, and you won't be ready for them. I think the most bold and beautiful thing you can do is not only roll with the punches, but embrace them. If, in your heart, something feels right, it probably is, and vice versa.

If you asked me in April 2013 where I thought I would be one year later, I wouldn't have had any idea that I could be this happy, this sure, this confident. I'm thrilled to be where I am, and I hope this feeling never goes away.

New Years Resolutions!

I may seem late on this via blog but I swear I came up with these resolutions on December 31st! It was a slow day at work so I had time to really reflect on 2013 and think about what I wanted out of myself for 2014. I made two separate lists: one for resolutions and one for goals. Even though we're only 6 days into January, I think I've been pretty on-point so far! 

New Years Resolutions

1. Bring lunch to work at least three times per week (event depending).
2. Instead of impulsively buying lots of small things, spend your money on quality things that you’ve wanted for a long time, or on things that will last for a long time.
3. Go to zumba and yoga at least three weeks out of the month.
4. Take everyone’s opinions into account and consideration, but make your own decisions based on what you feel will be best for you.
5. Eat well 80% of the time and eat whatever the hell you want 20% of the time. Remember: one “bad” meal won’t make you fat, just like one “good” meal won’t make you skinny.
6. Read one book for pleasure per month.
7. Even when you don’t have plans, get dressed and ready for the day. Lazy bum days are totally allowed, but most days you should get up and make yourself pretty.
8. Don’t waste time, but enjoy the time you waste.
9. Learn to laugh at quirks and accept flaws. No one is perfect.

New Years Goals

1. Go one entire month without consuming any chocolate or coffee and see what it does for your skin (I'm allergic to cocoa beans...lucky me!)
2. Sell three portals by the end of the year (it's a work thaaang).
3. Do 20 minutes of ab work four times per week and have a flatter stomach by cruise time in April!
4. Complete at least 30 minutes of cardio three times per week or more.
5. Make one Pinterest meal and one Pinterest dessert per month.
6. Travel to five places you’ve never been before.

I know a couple of my resolutions aren't S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time Bound). For example, I don't plan on marking every time I get up and get dressed and ready on a Sunday when I have absolutely nothing to do. However, I'm pretty happy with my goals and resolutions and I hope to hold myself accountable for them! Here's to 2014 being a happy and healthy year for everyone!

XOXO, Samantha