Kayla Itsines / Kayla's Bikini Body Guide (BBG for short) has been blowing up lately and I have to admit to you all that I have jumped on the bandwagon! I officially started her guides today after doing her free week of workouts and I now understand what the phrase "death by Kayla" actually means. Leg day's got me feeling like jello, so let's all hope I can walk tomorrow! 

WOWOTD / Work-out wear of the day, duh! Pictured above is what I wore to workout while doing Kayla's first day of guides. I personally have to match my outfits and look cute while working out, so this is always a fun way for me to get motivated before a workout. Let me know if you'd be interested in my pictures / posts such as this one! Maybe compiled into a week to go along with the 12 weeks of BBG? 

Fam / I missed my sorority family too much and I am so happy I got to see my Big and GrandBig today. I don't know what it is, but they make me feel calm in a chaotic world. I'm going to miss them when I have to disassociate soon... 

Birthday / My birthday is this Thursday, so you know what that means- it's my birth-week. That's right, I'm super lame and like to celebrate me for a whole week. I don't make others do it, but it's something I personally enjoy doing each year. For the whole week leading up to my birthday, I pamper myself in small ways and just appreciate where I am in life and how far I've come, as well as my goals for another great year. My pampering can be anything as small as a splurge drink at starbucks or a manicure, just something to say "wow you're doing great, way to be you."

Journaling / You should try this. It's super therapeutic and calms me down tremendously. I had a super stressful weekend and I'm telling you I must've taken up ten pages in my journal just writing down every thing floating around my mind. It's a great way to clear up some head space and to grasp the gravity of your situation and see that things maybe aren't that bad. 

America / America's favorite holiday is coming up this weekend! What better way to don your American pride than by going all out on the Fourth? I personally love this holiday because of Tumblr and how patriotic it gets for one day. Sure we love America and the freedom but it's all full throttle July 4th. What's your favorite part of the holiday weekend? 

Hope you had as amazing of a Monday as I did! 

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LMJ

Protein Smoothie Bowl

I recently mentioned in my last Monday Musings post that I had made a delicious smoothie bowl. The more I thought about how decadent it was, the more I thought "wow Lauren, put this on your blog." And here we are! I'm putting it on the blog!

What you will need:
13g of vanilla protein powder of your choice (I use this kind!)
1 cup of raspberries
1 ripe banana
8oz of plain vanilla yogurt (greek or low-fat)
3-4 ice cubes
handful of granola (I substituted with Special K cereal this time)
8 almonds (for decoration)

Directions:
In your blender, first combine your protein powder and yogurt - this will avoid clumping. Then, add in 3/4 of your banana and your cup of raspberries. I like to add my ice in last, but you could totally add your ice in with your fruit- it's a totally personal choice. Remember that this is going into a bowl & you won't be drinking it so it's okay if your smoothie comes out on the thicker side.

To finish:
Pour your drink into a bowl (revolutionary, I know). Then, with the last 1/4 of your banana, garnish your bowl. I cut my pieces and then placed them down the center. To the left of my bananas, I added my Special K (granola tastes good too!) and some almonds. My almonds were salted, so it was a nice balance of savory and sweet.

What do you like to put on top of your smoothie bowls? 

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LMJ

Poolside

Cover Up // Sandals // Sunglasses // Kroakies 

One of my favorite things about summer is the fact that it's acceptable to lounge around in a bathing suite and cover up all day and it is completely apart of the norm. Lounging poolside in a great cover up is a must, so of course I had to share this look with all of you! One of my favorite summer must-haves has been my kroakies- particularly this one! It's from Marley Lilly and has a fun saying on the inside strap (Get Nauti). I love shopping for cover ups, and since this one is no longer available (it's nearly 3 summers old now!) I figured I would give you guys some other great options!

Which cover up is your fav?

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LMJ

Monday Musings

Meet Margo, the newest member of the laurenstateofmind cam-ily!

Active / Today was such an active day for me. I got in an amazing workout and took the most amazing bike ride. I'm also thinking about starting Kayla Itsines bikini body guide. Has anyone used her guides before? I'd love to hear about your experience!

Smoothie bowl / I made a glorious smoothie bowl today and it was delicious. It was the best balance of protein & sweets! Would you like me to share the recipe in a future post?

Rain / Today the rain has broken and it's pouring outside. I'm not complaining though- this is perfect reading or blogging weather!

Posts / Now that I'm back from vacation, I am all about the blogging. I got a new camera on vacation as an early birthday gift from my parents and I have been cranking out the outfit posts (y'all just haven't seen them yet!). I cannot wait to share them with all of you very soon!

Wizarding World / The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was beyond cool guys. Like, mind blowing. I am so grateful to have gotten the chance to experience it all over again. I've got so many pictures to share, I've just got to get them all rounded up!

Time / Sometimes I like to slip in little reminders to myself in these blog posts. So here's another little reminder to you, Lauren: you cannot control time. You cannot control other's time. You can only control how you spend your time. Don't let things out of your control consume you (too much).

That's a wrap on my Monday! How was yours?

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LMJ

Why You Need Coconut Oil

There are tons of claims constantly going around about how great coconut oil is for you. Being curious by nature, I picked myself up a jar of the stuff and decided to put it to my own little test. I've learned and you will all be benefiting from my mistakes, lucky ducks! Here's my 5 favorite uses for coconut oil:

Makeup remover | My favorite way to put coconut oil to work is to remove my makeup. I wear waterproof everything, so getting my makeup off can be a bit of a challenge sometimes. With coconut oil, it's not. Like, at all. Seriously, rubbing this into your eyelashes for a few seconds gets waterproof eyeliner / mascara off like it's nothing. 

Lip balm | I like to swipe a thin layer of this across my lips every few nights to ensure they stay moisturized (every night if it's the winter). Your lips will never be softer, I promise. 

Shaving | This was a little bit weird to do while living in a college dorm room, but lathering up your legs with coconut oil not only gives you a close shave, but it will also keep your legs smooth for days after shaving. 

Feet | I'm prone to getting rough heels (I got it from my momma?) and it can be extremely frustrating at times, especially now that it's sandal season. At night, rubbing a dime sized amount of coconut oil into each heel softens up my feet better than anything else I've tried (just be careful, your heels will be a smidge greasy). 

Hair | If your hair is in serious need of some TLC, rub a small (and I mean small) amount of coconut oil into the ends of your hair. If your hair is fine like mine, only put it in the ends and then rinse it out thoroughly. If your hair is a little more on the course side and you're feeling ballsy, go for your full head of hair. Again, rinse it out thoroughly. Your hair will be feeling soft and oh-so touchable for days on end. 

Do you use coconut oil in any other ways? 

---

LMJ

Mid-Week Motivation

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Truthfully, it can be any day (not just hump day) where I need a swift kick in the rear to get motivated. I'm figuring that just about everyone can relate to this, so I've compiled a three of my favorite videos that always encourage me to get moving and have a productive day. 

for a productive morning

for a healthy life

for a happy life

Are there any videos you watch that automatically get you amped to be productive?

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LMJ

Monday Musings

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By the time y'all read this, I will already have consumed about 3 barrels of butter beer, have ridden the Hogwarts Express, and will most likely be dying of happiness because Harry Potter World is actually the bomb.com. With all of that in mind, I simply could not not make this post happen though. 

Florida / It's hot, it's humid, and even my waterproof makeup doesn't stand a chance. We all know Florida... I'll be here all week though. Say hi if you see me! 

Universal Studios / On our voyage to see my grandma, we are making a mini 2 day pit-stop to the parks. My dad and I are utterly obsessed with Harry Potter and because we couldn't see the newest additions last year due to the high traffic (7 hour wait times for a ride? pass...), we are hitting it up this time around. I'll blog about it. 

Packing / Normally I am really good about it but this time... not so much. At least I remembered my PJs this time! Snaps for small victories, am I right? 

Konfetti / Eeep! The best mail day ever happened right before I left for my vacation. I finally got my Konfetti short that I won from Isabella. They're actually the most perfect pair of short ever. Like. ever. I can't wait to style them on vacation and take cute pics for all you! (I also see a couple of future purchases in my near future. Happy birthday to me, perhaps? I think yes!)

Removing / My favorite branded makeup remover is no longer in stores, so now I'm on the hunt for a new one. I am in desperate need of a new one to try, so leave your suggestions pretty please? (Seriously Maybeline, why'd you have to end such a good thing??)

Erin Condren / Y'all! The new Erin Condren planners were launched this week and I'm obsessed. Use my coupon code from this post to save yourself $10! When I get mine in the mail (it's already shipped!) we're going to go through the planner together! 

Sorry this was a rushed post, but good times await! Happy Monday to all! 

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LMJ

the summer playlist

Geronimo by Sheppard 

Budapest by George Ezra 

21 by Hunter Hayes 

Honey, I'm Good. by Andy Grammer

Cheerleader by OMI

Sangria by Blake Shelton

Kiss You In The Morning by Michael Ray

Stay A Little Longer by Brothers Osborne 

Lose My Mind by Brett Eldredge 

(I Can't) Forget About You by R5

Summer Nights by Rascal Flatts 

Put You In A Song by Keith Urban 

Long Hot Summer by Keith Urban 

Hummingbird Heartbeat by Katy Perry

I Like It by We The Kings

What songs have you been loving so far this summer?

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LMJ

Summer Reading

"In a good book room, you feel in some mysterious way that you are absorbing the wisdom contained in all the books through your skin without even opening them"- Mark Twain

At both request and my delight, I have compiled a few categories of books I have loved, read, and am dying to read over the expanse of this summer. Whether you like fiction, romance, or autobiographies, I've got you covered. Happy reading! 

Fiction

Paper Towns by John Green

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray 

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

Z by Therese Ann Fowler 

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson 

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

A Parting Gift by Ben Erickson

Summer Love 

Amy and Rogers Epic Detour by Morgan Matson 

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Rules of Summer by Joanna Philbin 

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle

Autobiographies / Memoirs

Bossypants by Tina Fey 

Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres 

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kahling 

Yes Please by Amy Poehler 

Going Off Script by Giuliana Rancic 

I Don't Know What You Know From Me: Confessions of a Co-Star by Judy Greer

Diary of a Mad Diva by Joan Rivers

What's your favorite genre to read?

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LMJ

saving YOU money!

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Today I've whipped up a quick little post to save YOU money! For as long as I can remember, I have always been fond of stationary, journals, and planners. That fondness has transferred into my now adoration for planners. I'm not lying when I say that I see them as an accessory in academia, the workplace, or in daily life. This year I am making the leap from a Lilly Pulitzer planner and am jumping into what I call a "big girl" planner. 

This year, I've purchased an Erin Condren planner and I am so excited to fill it with my life (literally though - my planner is my life...). It's a tad pricer than Lilly (okay really kind of pricey) but I have beat up my Lilly and it's kind of in shambles. As in the cover is pealing, the pocket is ripping, and the binding is chipping. Yes. Chipping. With all of that being said, I needed something durable and withstanding for all the hell I put my planners through.  

If you're still reading this, you're probably thinking "Oh my gosh Lauren, get to the saving me money part already, I don't care about your planner woes." Believe me, I feel ya. There's nothing worse than a way too long intro. I digress. 

*Coupon codes ahead!*

CLICK HERE for your coupon code to get $10 off your life planner! Think of it as a little gift from me to you for being such a great reader! It will be sent straight to your e-mail after you follow the necessary steps, so start checking your inboxes!

Bonus fun: this year there is a choice between a vertical or a horizontal layout for Erin Condren's Life Planner. Which layout will you pick?

---

LMJ

Monday Musings

Is Greece seriously not the dream?

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My last week was a rough one, so I'm just hoping to start this one like a nice and clean state. Help me out, will you? Let's just get this post rolling already (nobody likes small talk anyways). 

Slacking / Last week my posting was dismal. I am actually disappointed in myself. I have all of this inspiration some moments and can't draft posts quick enough and at other times I am just struggling to come up with the content for these measly Monday Musings. 

Wanderlust / I have been feeling extremely wanderlust as of late. I don't know why, but I believe I was born with this instinct that traveling the world is a necessity for me to lead a fulfilling life. I so want to see past the borders I am currently living in and I know there is so much this world has to offer me in experiences and sights from around the world. 

Social Excellence / Not quite sure if this mention is allowed, but learning about social excellence at my Rho Gamma training has me feeling very empowered. Simple things that cultural norms have now determined as "strange" are keeping us from creating lives that we envy. Learn more about social excellence here; seriously, it will change your perception. 

Commitment / This is a friendly reminder to everyone out there that we have a commitment to sometimes put ourselves first, to take care of ourselves first, to love ourselves first. It's a hard lesson to learn and even harder to perform, but commit to yourself. Make yourself happy, bring yourself joy. Love yourself. 

Packing / LOL @ the fact that I'm leaving for Florida again this Friday. LOL even harder @ the fact that I have no time to get all of my errands done, pack my stuff, or even read this week. #busybee? #yes. 

Country / This weekend I was at my city's Downtown Hoedown and I have to say it has sparked my undying love for country music once again. I love music festivals because it's usually a cheaper way to see tons of acts, hear tons of new music, and people watch (let's face it- that's the best part).

That's my Monday for you. Wishing you a sunny week! 

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LMJ

{PS: love to Auj and my other Rho Gamma girls for giving me inspiration, empowerment, and encouragement every time we meet to train. Much love, fam.}

Monday Musings

(New side bar photo ayyyye)

Okay so I'm not going to lie- I almost forgot all about this post. But it's Monday still (two hours left!) and we are doing this post. In order to not waste time, I'm just diving in.

Training / I had my first Rho Gamma training Saturday and it has me so pumped for recruitment you would not believe it. Our next one on Saturday is sure to be a blast and I absolutely cannot wait to learn more about recruitment as the trainings go on.

Ankle / For some odd reason, my ankle has been killing me the last coupe of days or so. It doesn't always hurt, but when it does, man does it hurt. It's currently lathered up with Tiger Balm (this stuff is seriously the best) and I'm hoping that it feels better tomorrow. Pretty please send good vibes/prayers my way!

Harry Potter / HP has consumed my life the past weekend and I am not ashamed. I made it a goal to finish all of the books before I go back to school in the fall (we'll see if this happens...) and so far I am on book two. Not to mention that the past weekend was ABC's Harry Potter Weekend. Even though this is basically every other weekend for the network, it is still my favorite weekend. Plus I'll be heading to Universal soon to check out the new Harry Potter section and I am stoked.

Pitch Perfect 2 / After a soggy weekend of being called off of work, my mom and I finally got to see Pitch Perfect 2. I loved it, almost as much as the first one, but I have to say- Fat Amy really stole the punchlines. And I mean all of them. I felt like Becca was absent for most of the movie! Still a must see / buy, I have to say.

Gilmore Girls / Gilmore Girls is my life. This show will always be relevant and it will always be iconic. I seriously watch at least 4 episodes a day on Netflix. I practically grew up with this show, so I am so glad that I am able to binge watch it all in succession at my leisure.

Hair / I've been experimenting with hairstyles lately and I am impressing even myself. Perhaps I will have to share them with you all soon? What do we think about that?

Here's to next Monday being a little less forgetful! 

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LMJ