Becoming my biggest fan

I have always had really bad self-esteem, ever since I was a little girl.  I always wanted to be thinner, to look like the other girls, to fit in the clothes that they were wearing.  It never happened for me and it caused me to really lack self-esteem.  I didn't like a single part of me for a really long time and until recently I accepted that as my situation.

When I met Tim I was overwhelmed with how wonderful he was to me.  There's not a day that goes by that he doesn't tell me how beautiful I am.  I fight him on it all the time and let me tell you, he fights back.  He is determined to show me how beautiful I am.

It got me thinking..."I wan't to see what he sees."  Lately, I have been feeling like I need to find a way to become my own biggest fan.  I need to wake up in the morning with good thoughts about myself otherwise I am going to be my own worst enemy.  How am I ever going to get healthy if I wake up with negative thoughts every morning?!

A couple weeks ago I professed on the blog that I am going to lose weight again and then I didn't, I didn't even try!  I began to self-wallow and as always I ate because of that (I am an emotional eater if you couldn't tell).  When it came time to think about my summer goals and what I wanted to see from myself, I decided there was no better time to start getting healthy than right now.

I want to become my biggest fan.

Losing weight isn't so much about fitting into the clothes that other girls wear like it was when I was younger. Now, it's about feeling good about myself and having a healthy outlook on life.  Right now, it's my number one goal.

Since being home, I have been following my Weight Watchers plan and working out daily.  Sometimes I wake up and fight myself all day about working out, but I eventually do it and it makes me proud.  It's time to feel good about myself and I hope that I will inspire some of you to do the same.

How do you all stay healthy and build good self-esteem?

Life lately!

I feel like I've been hibernating this past week and I've got to be honest....I needed this.  Summer vacation has always been so easy to embrace in years past but this time it feels like I am waiting for more work to show up!  I think it's because junior year was so hard and overall exhausting, but I survived (and now I'm a senior! whhaaat?!) 

Since I have been home, I took some major needed time to spend with my best friend Maggie which was amazing, but mostly I have been cleaning out my room.  On my summer goals list I noted that I wanted to clean out my room and donate a lot.  Well that goal is completed!  Everything is in boxes ready to be donated and my room is so clean and organized I can't even handle it.  I have to give a huge shout out to my mom who I actually could not have done this without.  It was too overwhelming to do on my own.  I also built a bookcase all by myself...which, um, go me?!

On Tuesday, Tim and I were up with the sun and headed into the city to see the Chew again!  Tim that morning called and convinced me to bring my copy of Relish, Daphne Oz's new book, and boy I am glad that I did!  We got there really early and were the first couple in the door which landed us on the TASTING TABLE.  Holy crap I was so excited guys!  It ended up being so amazing because I got to meet and talk to all of the hosts and Daphne even signed my book!

We spent the rest of the day bumming around some of the stores and stopping at Bouchon Bakery for some coffee and macaroons.

love the new app from BeautifulMess!!! Everyone get it! So cute and fun.

Just stopping by!

Just wanted to pop in and share this picture today!  In April I converted and received full communion in the Catholic Church and I owe it all to the curly-haired guy in the picture.  Watching  him and seeing how important his faith is to him throughout the course of our relationship was so inspirational.  It taught me a lot about myself and I never realized how beautiful it was to have God as a part of a relationship until he came along.  I'm so grateful to have him in my life and I love him like crazy.  

Happy Monday everyone!  

Happy Mother's Day!

This is my favorite picture of us, mainly because I look so much like her and I can't even handle my face.  What a brat!

I wanted to take the time to wish all the momma's out there a very happy and relaxed Mother's Day this weekend!  I, of course, have to give an extra special shout out to my very beautiful mom!  She has been a source of guidance and support my whole life and I am a lucky girl to have had her by my side as my partner in crime.  Her and I are so different but so similar at the same time and while that can cause our personalities to clash, most of the time it is a riot.  I couldn't ask for a better woman to laugh through life with even when the moments aren't so funny.  She'd probably kill me for saying this but the woman has total self esteem issues which never made sense to me.  She is so beautiful, inside and out!  My mom can literally put a smile on anyone's face and leave it to her to chat up every single person she can.  She's the friendliest person out there and as a teenager (because teenagers don't appreciate their parents) I think that used to embarrassed me. It doesn't though, at least not now.  It's her best quality.

As a kid, I used to, tragically, attempt breakfast in bed for her special day but have since learned to stick to some flowers and a nice card.  She never wants much (I think all mom's say this) but we always like to do a little something for her regardless of what she says.

I hope everyone has a beautiful day tomorrow! A very happy Mother's Day to Tim's wonderful momma as well as my grandmother's and aunts!

<3

Summer goals for 2013

Lately I've been talking a lot without really doing a lot.  It fees like my "to do list" in my head is about 10 pages long and I already feel defeated! To avoid further feelings of defeat, I have decided to refer to this daunting "to do list" as my goals for the summer because then we can all throw a party when I accomplish one :)

Anyways, I figured it was time to write it all down so that I can be held accountable for these so-called goals of mine!  Hereeee goes nothing!

1.  Lose 40 pounds by the start of my senior year of college.  Guys, the big year is coming up and I sorta just wanna look fabulous for it.  Most importantly, I wan't to feel good during it.  There's nothing worse than looking back on pictures and thinking "wow, I really don't like how I look here."  You'll never want to look at those pictures and that's a shame.

2.  Room re-do!  I gave my room at home a major overhaul the summer before I left for college and although it seems silly, there isn't much in that room that represents my current style.  A lot changes in 3ish year and I figured now is a great time for a mini-haul.  The plan thus far is to paint a chalkboard wall, build a bookshelf out of crates, give my desk area a total makeover including a new paint job and spruce things up as we go.  I want this to be done cheaply, because I am after all a broke college kid.

3.  Speaking of that room of mine...I need to clean bad.  Never in my life have I felt the need to just throw everything (well mostly everything) away and start over.  There's so much in my room that I don't need anymore and the clutter is becoming unbearable.  Ideally I'd like to donate basically everything and anything I can.  Stay tuned because I imagine this is going to be a hot mess.

4.  Enhance this blogging experience.  As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I have a lot of goals for this here blog.  I just haven't done them yet and Tim keeps lovingly reminding me of that.  I'd like to take this summer and really make this something.

5.  Find an internship for the fall that I will enjoy.  I want to really fall in love with my major again and that means I refuse to settle in the fall.  I want to find something that makes me happy even if it means being picky.

6.  I'd like to work on myself a bit.  I feel like everyone says this, but it's true.  I'd like to take some time to explore myself and figure out how to make myself a better woman.  Being in a relationship has shown me a lot of what I like and don't like about myself and I really want to improve the things that need improving!

7.  I would like to cut down my use of social media.  Lately I have been so aware of how the stupid iPhone (I love you iPhone, don't be mad) interjects into our daily lives.  Sometimes I ban them for the day when Tim and I are together because there is nothing I hate worse than sitting somewhere with him and both of us are constantly checking Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and trying to beat 1,000 levels of Candy Crush Saga.  Give it a rest!  The plan is once I leave school for summer (because how the hell am I going to get through finals without distractions?!) I am going to delete the apps from my iPhone and only check in when I am near a computer or my iPad (which is like never).

That's all I can think of for now, but I feel like this is going to be updated quite frequently!

What are you guys planning to accomplish this summer?!

New Hampshire, I love you

This weekend Tim and I headed to New Hampshire with some friends for a magnificent, relaxing vacation at  our friends beautiful log cabin.  Unfortunately, it's back to reality for all of us college kids tomorrow as we are literally beginning finals week, but it's fine...we all did so much studying this weekend ;)

I'm kidding.  This weekend I did not a single lick of school work and let me tell you it felt great.  I can't tell you the last time I was this sun burnt or this relaxed.  Aside from sightseeing and eating our hearts out from Connecticut to Vermont to New Hampshire, we napped.  Sometimes you forget how good it feels to get away for a while.

I took some pictures, mostly of scenery (actually only of scenery, I don't have a single group shot! ugh!)  If any of you ever feel like getting away to a place you will be able to totally relax, head to New Hampshire.

 This was the sunset on our first night there...it was enough to make me want to stay forever.

 Our friend has three adorable dogs and a cat named Jake...he was fun to hang out with.

 This isn't like a courtesy wave either guys, it's a full on, smile included, wave

 Welcome to the longest candy counter folks, Littleton, NH.  

 So many fudge options...all ridiculously good.

 It makes me sad because these pictures don't do it justice!

 Jake

 Homemade vanilla and caramel swirl ice cream.  Excuse my nails...the last thing on my mind was painting them!

New Hampshire does this thing where when you ask for hot chocolate with whipped cream you get sprinkles on top.  Can I just tell you how obsessed I am with this concept?!

Overall, it was a great little vacation and I could have stayed forever.  I was only a little sad that I didn't get to see a moose.  Okay, maybe a lot sad.

Link Love!

It's hell week over here as we are quickly approaching finals week!  Final papers are due and I am swamped with work, so please excuse my absence on the blog this week.  I wanted to stop by before tomorrow because I am heading to New Hampshire with Tim and some friends for a much needed mini vacation.  I love New Hampshire and am so excited to be heading back.  I'll be sure to take tons of pictures!

For now, here are all the things I am loving on the internet!

1.  Rifle Paper Co. in general.  They have the most adorable stationary and I am dying to buy their recipe tins.  Check them out!
2.  This super cute bracelet from Kate Spade.  Gimmie now, please!

3.  This stunnnnnning necklace from Jeweliq because I am really into statement jewelry these days

4.  Philadelphia's travel website because it is so detailed and so much cooler than the one for New York City...New York, step your game up!  *Planning a trip to Philly!  Anyone have some good ideas?

5.  The website for Monster's University because it's the cutest thing ever and it's also set up like a real university website and it just makes me giggle.  

That's it for now!  See you all soon :)