Terrific Tuesday // 3 Things You Should Stop Thinking

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And three things you should start thinking.

And how this is mostly written for me and slightly exaggerated.

1 // "Oh man, she has so many followers and she writes so well and she has the coolest clothes and prettiest instagram pictures. She has so many likes, so much more than I do. She must be better than me in every single way. I'm pretty much worthless and my social media life is crap."

What you should start thinking...

"Hey I'm glad I have such beautiful friends and I'm really glad that there is more to life than social media and likes and followers. Not that she's living her life behind a screen, but I'm glad that I'm not doing that. I'm glad I can take pictures and buy clothes and share my life with others, but I'm also glad that I have worth beyond that. One day those pictures will fade and the clothes won't fit and the likes won't matter like you thought they would.

2 // "If I eat this I will bloat like a balloon and turn into a fat lard."

What you should start thinking...

"You know what? Maybe there is a different alternative to this snack, a healthier option. If there isn't make sure not to gorge yourself and to go on a walk because you know how those things make your body feel. Just be good to yourself and don't deprive because you deserve good food and a full belly."

3 // "I wish I was in a different place in my life. I wish I was done with school. I wish I didn't have these hard things to deal with. I wish money grew on trees. I wish I didn't have to do anything. I wish I could stay in bed all day. I wish things were different. I wish more than anything." (I wish to go to the festival.)

What you should start thinking...

"I am grateful for the phase in life I'm in. Tina Fey said in her book that every girl goes through phases. Fat phases, skinny phases, happy phases, sad phases, mad phases, sappy phases, crazy phases, lazy phases, red fish, blue fish, one fish, two fish. This phase is leading me to something bigger and better and different so I better live it now. I am grateful for school. I get to learn! I get to expand my mind. I'm grateful for the hard things. They are the worst, but God is not punishing me. This is just mortal life. I am grateful for my job and the money that I do have in my bank account, may I be a good steward. I am grateful for the things I get to do and that I get to be productive and stay busy. I am grateful for the hours of sleep I do get, because there are some people that can't even get out of bed and all they want to do is step outside and feel the sunshine and fresh air. Different is good but routine is a part of life so I'll get with the routine and welcome change when it comes at its own will."

Anything you need to stop saying to yourself? Any words of motivation that get you through the day? Share, please! Let's motivate each other!

+ s t a y // g o l d 

Monday Musing // The Things of 2014 Past

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Oh I didn't really feel like writing this blog post, but sometimes when I'm at the end of a very productive and tiring day, I feel the deepest need to express the words swirling in my mind trying to connect into much too lengthy and grammatically incorrect sentences.

2014 was an interesting year.

Quite the most interesting of my life, perhaps. So far.

Good things happened in 2014 and bad things happened too.

And so did things that helped me grow an inch or two. Literally, figuratively, whatevertively.

I celebrated a year of marriage to the coolest cat in 2014.

I took care of him at his weakest and I celebrated with him at his strongest.

I built a professional portfolio of written works.

I made new friends.

I let go of lost love.

I accepted my body more.

I accepted health and fitness more.

I met people who taught me light and goodness.

I excelled in things I wanted to excel in.

I found my voice.

I discovered my personal style. I refined it.

I found more and more of myself.

And I changed the parts that needed to change.

I let go of things that hurt me.

I fought with some that wouldn't budge.

And I discovered the most perfect little things that I like about my soul.

Some things I didn't like...

I gained pounds that eat away at me every day.

I cried a lot about silly things.

I looked at myself in the mirror a little too long and wept over scars, marks, and folds.

I contemplated calories and eating a little too much.

I ignored comments and words of affirmation.

I wept justified tears and I lashed out in anger at things not so justified and things of the past.

But despite those bad things, those demons that are still creeping up on me, I'm learning to be resilient.

I'm learning to fight back.

I'm learning to be a voice of courage and love and progress. Moving forward.

I learned about me this past year, and I plan to learn about myself even more.

+ s t a y // g o l d 

Wishlist Wednesday // Wishes for 2015

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I've been thinking about goals and resolutions and I don't think I'm going to share them on here. I'm not sure how I feel about goals and resolutions, but I have some, but I think I'll keep the really personal ones in my heart. In my journal. Things like that, you know?  I'm going to share some style goals today, because it's wishlist wednesday!

Style goals are awesome and I've been setting them since high school. Kind of superficial? Yes. Kind of substance-less? To some, but I love my style goals. What I wear doesn't define me, but it is a part of me. Here they are.

1 // I want to attempt to capsule my wardrobe. For those of you who don't know what a capsule is...here you go. I just really love the idea of minimalizing my wardrobe. You don't have to minimize the colors or style of pieces, but you minimize the amount. It's absolutely refreshing, the idea of it. Honestly, I want a uniform and I think I making the steps to having one. It sounds crazy, but I'm going to try it!

2 // Speaking of uniforms, I'm going to add color to mine. I love neutrals, but it's time for more  pops of red and jewel tones.

3 // I also want to add fitted more structured pieces to my uniform. I love flowy, boxy, oversized pieces, but I need to "professionalize and tailor" my wardrobe. It's time. I'm growing up and it's time. You don't get internships for magazines by wearing ripped jeans and baggy t-shirts.

4 // I am going to strictly stay within the bounds of my budget! I really will. It's important to do that. I need to save money and that means I need to sacrifice buying all the clothes I want when I want them.

5 // Next I'm going to shop for clothes that only make me the most comfortable and the most me. I am going to feel comfortable in the clothes that drape over me and I'm going to be confident. I'm going to rock it, and I encourage all of you to do the same! (p.s. I'm going to do daily uniform posts. I want you to take a picture of yourself in an outfit that makes you feel the most YOU. Describe why you love it and I'll share it on the blog....in fact, I think I will come up with questions for it. Wish me luck and I hope to hear about your inspiration and daily uniform.)

What are some of your style goals? Any trends you want to try? Any risks you want to take? Tell me, tell me!

+ h a p p y // w i s h i n g 

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+ s t a y // g o l d

Wishlist Wednesday: 5 Things I Wish For

There will be no clothing items or accessories on this wishlist today. Here are 5 things I'm wishing for this year. 

1. I wish to cook more. I cooked so much last school year and now I never do. I need to cook. It's a lot healthier and happier that way. I feel that way anyway. Cooking de-stresses...thus, a happier Dani.

2. I wish to manage my money better. I want to save and I want to get a job. If you know of any place hiring, I would love to hear about it. Let me know kiddos.

3. I wish to be kinder and more lovely with people. I want to be sweeter and more genuine. I want to let people know that I care about them. I want to stop being so critical towards others.

4. I wish to stop peeling my cuticles and biting my nails. I hate these habits of mine. The woes of anxiety.

5. I wish to organize my life better and be fully dedicated to school.

What are you wishing for? What wishes do you want to accomplish? We all can do this! I know it. Stay gold.