Turning 24 Like a Little Monster

Since my birthday landed on a Monday (and let's be honest, who likes Mondays) we celebrated my birthday on Thursday, which happened to be St. Patrick's Day and the day of the Lady Gaga concert  :)

We had classes all day Thursday, and just a couple hours to get ourselves ready for the concert, so we decided desserts and champagne at the house would be an intimate and fun way to celebrate.  SL even made us enchiladas for dinner!! AW brought an adorable frosted Hello Kitty cookie cake for dessert, and BB filled our glasses with champagne!!

Of course, after dessert it's always time for presents!!

I swear, Spring Oreos taste way better than the usual ones!!  :)

You could say that I have a slight Hello Kitty obsession...  :)

Four little monsters... All ready to see GAGA!!!

Post-concert we went to a local club to dance the night away!!  My friend treated me to a table just feet away from the dance floor... And was topped with pink balloons!! 

It was my best St. Patrick's Day yet!!  A little cake and presents, singing and dancing to Lady Gaga with my best girlfriends, and ending the night with a little more dancing and pink drinks.  :) 

Turning 24 was fun...

Xoxo B.

Review Vlog: Makeup Forever's HD Foundation

Spring Break - AZ Recap!!

Spring Break came at just the right time... As soon as I had taken the MPRE, I packed up my bags, and was on my way to warmer weather.  I had been feeling down about the less-than-beautiful Midwest weather we were having, and was missing my mom terribly... A week of 75-85 degree temps and a lot of girl talk was just what I needed.  :)

Mom and I saw the movie Beastly... A modern take on Beauty and the Beast, one of my all-time faves.  Both of us absolutely loved it... It was romantic and sweet and fresh.  I highly recommend seeing this movie if you liked the original Disney movie, or if you like chick-flicks in general!!

We spent time out on the patio, soaking up the sun and chatting away.  We went to the gym at the development and worked out in the mornings.  We spent an entire day picking out my dress and shoes for Barrister's Ball (law prom), and treated ourselves to In-N-Out Burger on the way home.  We went shopping and to lunch with some of our close family friends.  I even found a couple afternoons to lay by the pool and get started on my tan.

Before I left, we celebrated my birthday early with an ice cream cake - and Twilight plates and napkins, helloooo!!  ;)   

Dr's family is from AZ... He came to visit and help me celebrate with Mom.  His birthday is 2 days before mine, so we let him open a present too  :)

24 candles were TOO much for this little cake... I'm getting too old!!! Hahaha 

As usual, I didn't want to leave, and I spent my last day scheming up ways I could leave law school and begin some sort of career in AZ... Cocktail waitress?  Mom's chauffeur?  Rock climber?  Instead, I packed up my bags and headed off to the airport...

Until next time, AZ!!

Xoxo B.

In 24 Years...

On Monday I turned 24... And during the past two days I've been thinking a lot about how far I've come and the things I've learned along the way.  So, I sat down... And decided to think of a few "life lessons" that stand out most in my mind...

1.  Any child who is lucky enough to spend time with their grandparents is very, very blessed... There is no better feeling than getting a hug from someone who prefers to devote their whole day to making you feel special. 


2.  A childhood spent without playing in the grass, climbing trees, and swimming in ponds is not much of a childhood at all.  If you missed out on these things as a kid, do them now!!! 


3.  Vanilla extract does NOT taste as good as it smells... I promise. 


4.  Taking naps while it's raining, with the windows slightly open, is my absolute favorite way to relax. 


5.  This might make me a weirdo, but I have always loved the smell of new books and new ballet shoes... I think they're both such soothing scents. 

6.  Keep in touch with at least one person from your childhood... A best friend, a neighbor, your sister/brother... I've had the same best friend for 24 years now, and I can't even express how wonderful it is to remember being little kids together.  


7.  Spring cleaning is not only good for your closets, it's good for your soul... Take time to rid your home of excess junk, papers, and odds-and-ends that are of no use to you anymore.  You'll feel more peaceful with a little less clutter.


8.  Disney movies never fail to brighten up a bad day.  (I highly recommend Beauty & the Beast or Hercules!!)

 9.  Is there anything cuter than a cupcake with sprinkles?!  I mean, really... 


10.  It's important to know when someone is simply negative energy in your life.  If you are constantly the one being hurt, disappointed, or feeling upset at being that someone's last priority, it's time to move on and let them out of your life.  At some point, it's only hurting you to have those negative people around. 


11.  At least once, you should dance in the rain.  Forget your clothes, your makeup, and your hair... And just enjoy feeling so alive. 

12.  I firmly believe watching reality TV or "brainless" TV shows is perfectly fine... What's wrong with zoning out after a long day at work or school, and just enjoying TV shows for the sake of pure entertainment?!

13.  Starbucks might be God's greatest idea. 

14.  Chipotle is a close second.  

15.  If you want to feel true unconditional love, own a dog  :) 

16.  Everyone should have at least one person they can confide in and be absolutely open with... Mine is my mother... I feel secure talking with her because I know every piece of advice will come with only my best interests in mind.

17.  The only way to learn to trust someone is to let go of all the times you've been betrayed, and put your faith in that person.  I'm going to be honest with you... You might get hurt, but you will have believed in the possibility that people can be good to you, and that is worth everything.   

 
18.  Don't be afraid to be single... I've learned the most about myself during the times I've been single.  Enjoy going out and having fun, spending your free time any way you like, and relaxing on all the peaceful, just-you nights. 

19.  2 words... RETAIL THERAPY.  Try it.

20.  No matter how bad the economy gets, women will refuse to give up their spa/salon time.  Whatever your favorite service may be - haircuts, manicure, pedicure, facial, massage - it would take a lot to give it up completely, wouldn't it?!  I would gladly eat Ramen every day of the week to keep my manicures and pedicures!! 

21.  Somewhat related to the last one... Don't ever give up something that makes you truly happy, relaxed, or de-stressed.  I find that too often we put ourselves last for everything and everyone else.  Take care of yourself, and you can take better care of everyone else.

22.  Find a hobby you enjoy... And make time each month to do it.

23.  The smallest compliment or kind words can make the biggest difference in someone's life.  Don't be afraid to pass along kindness.

24.  I've realized that not everyone who comes into my life will stay there... Not everyone will remain your friend.  But when you find friends that are true and loyal, cherish them.  They are few and far between, and you are so lucky if you have at least one great friend... You're even more blessed if you can be a great friend.  

Xoxo Always... B.

Photo Credits:
Birthday cake - weheartit.com
Ballet shoes & books - weheartit.com
Girl in rain - imgfave.com
Holding hands - weheartit.com
Girls being silly - weheartit.com

Forgiveness

Hurt.  Disappointment.  Anger.  They're all odd emotions, really... They feel and function so differently based on the person that causes them to arise inside us.  For example, if a stranger comes up to you on the street at night, stabs you in the side, and takes your purse, are you truly disappointed?  Maybe physically hurt and angry, yes... But you won't feel betrayed or shocked that they would do such a thing... They were a total stranger, you had no expectations of them and you definitely had no feelings for them. 

But if the person who caused your pain or disappointment is your lover, a family member, or a best friend??  Now that is different.  You trusted the person, you invested time and emotion into your relationship, and you probably allowed yourself to be open to them and show them little pieces of your soul.  That might sound a little dramatic, but when you look at our world today - all the crime, the lies, the cheating, the backstabbing that now has a million ways to occur on TV, on the internet, through Facebook and text - isn't it amazing that anyone would be able to trust?!  So when that person hurts you or lies to you, the actual act is much less punishable (by law at least) than being stabbed by the stranger, but the pain you experience is much, much worse. 

I protect myself like Fort Knox most of the time... I've been hurt by so-called "friends" in the past, and have had completely toxic relationships where the main goal is to "get back" at one another.  But if you are one of my closest friends, family, or a man I trust, I will be warm and loving and loyal to the end.  If someone hurts me at that point (when my guard is down and I feel like I can trust them) it's all over... My wall goes right back up, I shut down emotionally, and it takes me a long time to forgive or move on.  It's this "Fort Knox" behavior that I've been trying to change for the past two years.

I realize it's not healthy to guard myself like that... It's not Christian to be unforgiving and push someone who has hurt me away.  But it's a defense mechanism I've developed, a way to protect myself from being vulnerable and getting hurt again.  I have such a difficult time forgiving... It doesn't matter if a friend said something hurtful or if a boyfriend did something he knew would make me uncomfortable... I tend to push the person away to protect myself before I will attempt to forgive. 

This past week I was stressed, trying to study for the MPRE, and my feelings had been hurt.  I pulled away from blogging and YouTube and any other outlet where I'm usually very open.  Now that Spring Break has started, I've had some good chats with Mom, a little sunshine, I'm feeling a lot better... And more willing to forgive.  I saw the quote above and it really resonated with me... The only person I'm hurting by closing up emotionally and refusing to forgive is me.  No matter if I choose to forgive and make that person less a part of my life, or if I forgive and let that person back in, I need to forgive so that I'm not holding anger or resentment in my heart.  

Do any of you feel like you have this defense mechanism as well??  What's your best advice on how to forgive others??


Always open and honestly yours...
Xoxo B.

January/February Favorites!!

My favorite and most-used cosmetics and beauty products during January and February... What products have become your tried-and-true favorites lately??