Without going into anything too much, I'm currently going through a break up. I'm okay, but I've been spending a lot of time alone. However, I truly believe that it doesn't have to be a bad thing. I think loving oneself is so important, so I'm finding ways to treat myself and take care of myself now that I have the time to do so.

Here are a few of my no-fail methods to shake the blahs and enjoy time spent alone:

1. Indulge in a guilty pleasure. (or two. or three. mine are currently Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and hazelnut lattes.)
2. Spend time outside. Walk around a local park or your neighborhood. Get some sun on your face.
3. Curl up with a blanket and a good book.
4. Better yet, take a bubble bath.
5. Spend quiet time alone drinking tea or coffee. Do nothing else. Enjoy the silence. Embrace it.
6. Take a yoga or spin class. Go for a run. Try something new. Sweat a little.
7. Eat fruit. You'll feel better afterward, trust me.
8. Journal. Paint. Make something. Blog. Get what's inside of you out.
9. Call an old friend or a relative. You will always feel better afterward. (also, did you know that talking to your mom on the phone is proven to actually reduce stress? It's true.)
10. Purge your closet. Figure out what your wardrobe is lacking and start saving and shopping.
11. Watch your favorite movie, or an old movie you've never seen but have always been meaning to. A Sunday night spent in bed watching Some Like It Hot is a Sunday night well spent.
12. Gather inspiration. Peruse Pinterest or buy prints to create a gallery wall. Cut up magazines and throw up some pictures and quotes on a bulletin board.
13. Make a new playlist with songs that inspire you.
14. Sleep in on a Saturday morning. Eat breakfast in bed. Take your time getting ready. Put on a face mask. Paint your nails. Do not rush.
15. Wear that lipstick. Wear those shoes. Wear it and own it. Life is short.

shrimp and grits and surprises.

So a while back, my dad, brother, and brother's girlfriend drove up to visit me. The plan was to get breakfast and then look at potential cars for me, because my family and I have been talking about getting me a car some time this year.

After a delicious breakfast at Early Girl Eatery, my dad parks next to this car in the student parking lot. He proceeds to look at it, asking me if I was interested in something like this. I obviously liked it, but I thought it was a student's because it had a UNCA plate already on it. He opens it to look at the interior and I freak out thinking he's breaking into someone else's unlocked car. After literally walking away and begging him to stop, he tells me the car is mine. Commence immediate tears of joy and laughter at my own stupidity. I seriously can't believe I fell for it, and I still can't believe the car is mine. 

It is so perfect, and I am so amazed and grateful that it's mine.
2010 Hyundai Accent Hatchback. Excuse the really quick picture of it, I think I was still in shock. Also, I am posting this about a month later because I wanted to have some better pictures taken of it, but we've had so much snow lately that I haven't really been that mobile, so this will have to do.
So far 2014 has really been my year. I am loving absolutely every minute of it, and I am so grateful for what has come my way and equally excited for what's ahead.

keeping cozy.

There's supposed to be a huge snow storm tomorrow. We're expecting anything between 2-6 inches of snow. For North Carolina, anything above an inch is a big deal. I've been staying warm, drinking lots of hot chocolate and tea. (The hot chocolate pictured is actually ganache-based drinking chocolate from French Broad, and it is so divine.)

I've also been fighting a cold for the past couple of weeks, so I've been trying really hard lately to balance taking things easy and getting plenty of stuff done. This semester so far has been all about that similar sort of balance between work and play. I'm hopeful I can flex this balancing muscle and learn how to cultivate balance every day of my life from here on out.

pinterest favorites: sugar and sparkles.

disco ball helmet | donuts | heels | chanel no. 5 | marilyn | gold burger | glitter pills | unicorn | emma's pink lipstick

I have noticed that lately, I've been "girl-ing" things up. My dorm room, my wardrobe, my Tumblr, and my Pinterest are all feeling a little more pink and sparkly lately. I've become obsessed with blogs like The Glitter Guide, Cupcakes and Cashmere, and Stephanie Sterjovski.

I've always been a "girl's girl." Pink has never really been my favorite color, but anyone who knows me knows how important things like glitter, sweets, and makeup are to me. I think one of the main things I'm learning in my twenties is to embrace myself and my taste, no matter how crazy and gaudy it may be. ;) I'm learning to just have fun with my style, design, decor, and life.

Since I've been feeling so inspired by this new-found freedom, I decided to make a new whacked-out, fabulous, fun, and chic Pinterest board. So far, I'm really enjoying having a space to dump out inspiration and to Pin things that just make me smile. I think sometimes I take Pinterest a little too seriously by only pinning useful material, but Pinterest can really just be a great tool for inspiration and curating galleries of art and inspiration.

And I mean, come on, The Glitter Guide has a whole board dedicated to glitter(which I of course used for my own inspiration!). How fun is that?

my new Pinterest board.