Chopped

I received a bunch of sweet responses and advice for my last post regarding what I should do with my hair, so I thought I should share the final product! I decided to simply go with a trim to clean up the ends. She only took about an inch off, so it doesn't look much different. But, oh, how it feels...divine. I also asked my hairstylist to add more layers so my absurdly thick hair could be manageable once again. As I've never put any color in my hair (out of sheer fear that I wouldn't be able to keep up with getting my roots redone regularly), I stuck with that route and decided to continue letting the seasons and the sun take care of the color for me. I kind of like the natural, ombre-like thing my hair decides to do in the winter...although my hairstylist seemed to think I'm "just letting old highlights grow out." Hello, it's called keeping things au naturale!

{Please excuse the t-shirt and tired eyes; first day back at school with new classes and a new job seriously did some damage on my exhaustion levels.}

 How was your Monday that was really a Tuesday?

Long or Short?

That is the question.
I cut my hair about shoulder length a year and a half ago and absolutely love-love-loved it. But, per usual, I did miss my longer locks and have since been trying to grow it back out. I rarely go to a hairstylist to get trims; in fact, I've trimmed my own ends the past three times. I know, I know, this is like hair sin numero uno, but what's a broke college student to do? It's worked out just fine, but I'm home on winter break and my mom wants to send me to a "real" hairstylist. The anticipation of such a luxury is sending me into an anxiety haywire!
So of course I want outside opinion. In all truthfulness, I would love and appreciate any and all advice on a cut, especially from all you wise bloggers out there! Do I go with just a trim, a few more layers, side bangs, or back to my shorter, layered 'do? What do you think?
Thanks for your help, dolls!

{before ever cutting le locks}

{after the short-chop}

 {as it grew back out}

{most recent picture of my hair}

Bun in the Sun

{top & belt: F21; jeans: H&M; boots: Madden Girl; necklace: Stella & Dot; sunglasses: Betsey Johnson}

Okay okay, I know I wore these jeans yesterday, but I'm home for winter break and could only take so many jeans with me...these happen to be the favorite of the bunch. I hate playing favorites with my clothes, but for some reason I always tend to do it. Anyone else?
Anyway, I feel like I'm channeling my inner Audrey Hepburn/Carrie Bradshaw/Kourtney Kardashian/fellow fashion bloggers with this topknot bun. I've always been timid to try it out, but my fears were washed away after realizing how simple it is to throw together and how nice it is to have all my hair up and out of my face! And I couldn't love it more.

Be Happy

{graphic tee: Sans Souci Clothing; jeans: H&M; belt: J Crew; boots: Minnetonka; incredibly warm circle scarf (pictured below): Charlotte Russe; bangle and bicycle necklace: F21}

Have you ever heard that saying: "Do more of what makes you happy,"? That's what this shirt reminds me of, but in a Sparknotes version. Be Happy. What an incredible reminder to wear around all day, not only for myself, but for anyone I see, meet, come into contact with.

So often I find it so easy to slip into mundane daily routines of tasks and obligations- school, work, exercise, whatever it may be. I know if I took the two seconds to remind myself a few times a day that happiness is a choice, and I want to choose it, those routines that I sometimes drag myself through would turn into a contagious and genuinely joyous beam of light. Okay maybe that's a tad froo-la-la, but you get the picture, right? Not to say I won't have a few bad days here and there--I think that's only natural--but I'm talking about those days when I catch myself in a grumpy mood for no good reason? Be happy. That's all it takes. Happiness is a choice and an action and I choose it today.
Do you?

Strawberry & Cream Cheese Bread

I got the idea for these appetizers from a recipe I found on Pinterest, except I did a slight remix. For mine I used French bread (rather than whole grain) and cream cheese (rather than Laughing Cow cheese).  The sweet and savory combo is delectable, and its taste is light and fresh. The best part is the simplicity of it.  I'm so not a chef, and these require no ovens, pots, pans, broilers...you get it.

All you need it a sharp cutting knife and some fresh strawberries, cream cheese, French bread, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Voila!

Lists, Inspiration, & A New Year

I've been doing a lot of thinking and brainstorming through lists lately.  I don't know why, but my brain has just been able to think clearer in this simplistic, to-the-point method of listing.  And seeing as I've been MIA from my blog for over a whole stinkin' month (um, yikes), I figured I'd try to get back into it via this new and trusty list shenanigans.

Concerning, oh, I'd say about the past month, here are things I have done and am currently doing:

• I finished my third semester at TCU.  It was not my strongest ending academically, but sometimes it's more about actually getting past the finish line. That's all it takes to inspire me to keep going, on certain occasions. At least for me. Can you tell I'm not a big school person? I'm more of a runner.
• I got a camera for Christmas, and let me tell you, this camera is perfection. It's a Canon Rebel T3i and I'm in love. To say the least.
• I got promoted from Lifeguard in the pool of our school rec center to 1 of 11 Team Leaders of the entire facility. Big step up for little old me! I'm ecstatic that I'll be able to interact and help more people on a more frequent basis. Ecstatic.
• I also got another internship in NYC for the coming summer, this time at Eventbrite.com. I'll be organizing, attending, maintaining, helping with, and social networking for all the events for clubs, charities, etc. that the company deals with in the city. I'm. Stoked.
• I've been training for a half marathon in February with my sister. Not only have we been bonding through the physical pain and perseverance, but we both also look a heck of a lot better in a pair of jeans...just saying.
• I got a New Years kiss from a complete stranger. And I did NOT like it. No further comments on that one...
• I keep getting faced with big life decisions. Not only my own, but friend's and family's, too, that I naturally want to help them with. What is this?! Am I growing up or something? I guess it had to happen eventually.

Even though all these outstanding things have been happening to me, I've been uninspired a lot creatively. Especially in my writing, in case you haven't noticed. But then I find myself getting inspired by the silliest things. Making it to a beautiful overlook while hiking with my family. Going for 3-, 4-, 5-mile runs with my sister and our Border Collie, Charlie. Watching my brothers and interact and laugh with the rest of my family, like actually, genuinely enjoying our company, for the first time in at least two years. These things all make me happy to my core, and even if they're temporary joys, I hope to remember them and embrace them when they do occur.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is my main resolution for 2012. What's yours?