how to: snap out of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day

This past weekend was wonderful. It truly felt like summer and I feel like I did so much to enjoy every minute of it. Matthew and I went to the dog beach with Ginger, soaked in some sun, roasted marshmallows on the grill, watched some of our favorite shows and just relaxed. Yet, sometimes these weekends that can seem so perfect can leave you feeling down in the dumps. I don't know how to explain it, and I'm not sure if any of you understand, but last night going to bed I was so sad. I was sad thinking that the weekend was over, that Matthew was going to work and that I was back on my job search, sad that it's already the end of June and the wedding and Italy seem so far away now. A disappointment with the weekend being over turned into so much more and before I knew it I was just a mess. I was in this dejected funk and thankfully Matthew insisted we stay up, watch some of the BBC version of Emma {I love it!} and drink some sleepy time tea. It made me feel a little better and before I knew it I fell asleep. Yet, today I felt like this dark cloud was still over me. I couldn't shake it all morning and afternoon, and I still haven't. This happens every once in a while where I can't help but focus on all these negative things. In case any of you have ever felt this way and know what I mean, I thought I'd share some of my best tips to snap out of terrible, horrible, no good, very bad mood:

1. Take a walk and get some fresh air. Sometimes seeing the sun shining can kick that cloud out of there.
2. Look at your schedule and make lunch/dinner dates with friends. Friends help!
3. Make a list of all the things you are thankful for. Sometimes in this state of mind I can forget. 
3. Do something for you whether it's getting a massage, a manicure or a hair cut. Do something that will give you some extra confidence and make you smile. (I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow..it's been 6 months, can you believe it?)
4. Make a list of things you want to get accomplished each day. I've been so overwhelmed with apartment searching and job hunting that spending more than a couple hours on one or the other can make me lose all energy for other things I need and want to do.  This is kind of silly but I'm trying to put my days in a class format-- Apartment Period, Cleaning Period, Blogging Period, and Job Period. I try to break up the tedious things with something fun, like blogging or emailing a friend. 
5. Listen to upbeat music and hopefully it will make you want to dance :)
6. If it doesn't make you dance, do something active. It's so hot now that working out doesn't sound very appealing but yoga in a cooled studio sounds a little better. Or go on an early morning walk or hike!
7. Do something good. I donated a bag of clothes to the Goodwill for my last week's little resolution. It helped me get outside of myself and remember that there are other people in need. It helped give me some much needed perspective. 
7. Play with an animal. When I was sad last night I picked up Ginger and almost immediately started to smile! Why are dogs so amazing?

If any of your have some suggestions for getting out of a bad/sad mood, I'd love to hear! 

Regular scheduled programming tomorrow, I promise :)

xox

photo

look book: coral and floral

You've probably noticed but I've become obsessed with coral lipstick. It actually looks slightly more orange in person and I just think it's such a fun color for summer especially when I'm trying to work on my tan! It's crazy it's already August. The days in the sun are sadly counting down.

When I went to Vegas I realized my friend Pauline has this exact same dress! The funny thing though is that hers is Exhilaration {Target brand} and mine is Fire Los Angeles. They both have two different tags but the exact same pattern, cut, and detail on the back. I don't know who ripped who off, or if they both ripped off some other designer, but it's so sad when creativity can be exploited so easily and without care or consideration for the original creator. I know other stores and companies are guilty of this too but usually there is some slight difference. With this dress we didn't find one! It's disheartening that with so many creative and unique designers and artists out there this continues to happen. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this subject? Or know information about the rules of design and production?

dress Fire Los Angeles via TJ Maxx, belt Gap, sandals Marshalls, clutch thrifted, ring Forever 21, cuff Christmas '09 gift from Matthew

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!! I hope it's sunny and beautiful!
xox

a lovely detour

When Matthew and I drove back from Santa Cruz we decided to take a little detour to get back to the I-5. Little did we know that we were going to be on a windy road for over 100 miles. So it wasn't really a shortcut at all because you can't go fast on windy roads.. or you can but our lives are too important for that. Also we were in my car, and Snow White doesn't like being foolish! But we did stop to appreciate the beautiful California landscape and say hi to some cute horses and cows!

Happy California Cows!

Lately I've been thinking about how I graduated from college almost a year ago {seriously where has the time gone!}. I really thought that by now I'd be settled into a career that I loved and feel happy, stable and relieved. While, I'm clearly not there I'm so grateful for this journey I've gone on over the past 9 months. I've learned so much about myself and what I want out of a job. I listened to myself and accepted the fact that I really don't want to be a lawyer. I went after my dream to work for a magazine and got articles published in a monthly glossy. Now I'm rethinking becoming a teacher and I'm volunteering at my old elementary school. I'm even in two of my old teacher's classrooms! It's been confusing at times but stepping back I'm grateful for this lovely detour I'm on. And I know I'll eventually get where I want to be!

Happy Friday everyone!

In My Bag

I love big purses, because while they are super cute, they also hold some of the most random stuff. I've been meaning to do this post for awhile now and when Chloé did it the other week I knew I had to also! So, for all those other nosy people out there, take a look in my bag:

• Coach purse {from the outlets},
• my iPhone graduation gift, Michael Kors wallet {also from the outlets!}
• Organic Hojicha Green Tea for an extra boost at work
• mint/chocolate candy from a restaurant
• bandaids because I always get blisters 
• Southwest peanuts from one of my many trips to visit Matthew this summer
• silver bracelet 
• bobby pins for my unruly hair
• my yellow MJ keychain with a little tag Matthew made me when he gave me a set of keys to his apt. that says M+M= <3
• Nivea Cherry Tinted Lib Baum {it's the best because it makes your lips a pretty color while moisturizing them}

Again, sorry, until I replace my camera the iPhone pictures will have to do.

What's in your purse??

those stupid butterflies

I hate how sometimes my nerves get the best of me. I had a job interview today for an internship that I really really want (I don't want to jinx it with the details). I'm just hoping that I came across the right way. Sometimes when I get nervous I talk too much..or too fast. It's hard though and I just hope it will get easier with time and more interviewing experiences. I was seriously sitting in the office, literally feeling my heart beat like crazy, and telling myself to take deep breaths and count to three. I just need to not overthink it, and be confident in myself. So, we'll see. Matthew was trying to calm me down and give me an extra confidence boost beforehand. It was a sweet effort and I'll admit it did help a little bit (which says a lot). It reminded me of how nervous I was on my first date with Matthew. And now I don't get nervous at all (just excited). But I was so nervous on our coffee date. I couldn't sit still, I kept re-evaluating my outfit. It was hectic but worth it. And it all worked out. So hopefully this interview will also!

Random Food Writings

Well, I think I'm finally kicking this cold. I still have a stuffy nose which is pretty embarrassing to blow in public but whatever. I saw Julie and Julia yesterday with my family. It was a cute movie and my dad loved it- being the amazing cook that he is. So tonight I helped him with dinner. We made poached sole with parissiene sauce (butter, wine, fish stock, milk..I can't remember what else). It was a complicated endeavour but it was really good. And we made potato and leek soup which is amazing. I think it's probably my favorite soup. It's so comforting and creamy (it's all blended together). Sooo good! I want to make it for Matthew one day.

That's a fun thing about Matthew is that he hasn't tried a lot of the foods that I have. So it's always really cute when he tries something for the first time. Like he never had mussels until 8 months ago! But at least he's open to trying new things. I don't think I would be too happy if he was a picky eater.

One last random fact: I doodle Matthew's name in LSAT class. I feel like a 13 year old girl, even though I never used to do that! Kinda cute, kind silly. Anyways, happy Friday!
xox