{via}

Over the course of the next week, I will be taking a short hiatus from Lauren State of Mind. I've had an exhausting last week, and I really want to spend some time on me. With that being said, there will be no new posts this week. I know for some who read my blog, this is a bit of a bummer, but I think it will be very beneficial for me. I want to create new and meaningful content for you all, and I'm currently not doing that. I hope to take this next week to make my way back to my original passion and vision for this blog. 

I appreciate everyone's understanding and support. See you in a week!

Monday Musings

not gonna lie, all i've thought of today is ice cream...

{image via}

Ever After // Over this last weekend, I re-discovered one of my favorite albums from high school. I remember listening to Mariana's Trench with my friend Ashley as we drove around looking for the perfect prom dress, on the way to every concert we ever went to (regardless if it wasn't the band we were even seeing), and on our way to practices in the summer. Listening to Ever After again brought back so many good memories, and I 10/10 recommend giving it a listen.

Panhel // The more I get involved with my campus' Panhellenic Council, the more I appreciate my Panhellenic sisters. Being apart of such a strong organization has given me more friendships than I could have ever imagined prior to entering Greek life, and it's also given me a passion. This week, I'm feeling extremely grateful to be a member. 

Month's time // It dawned on me today while driving around with my friend that a month ago I was in Florida, soakin' up some sun at Walt Disney World. I feel like I just went on that trip, so it's surreal to think that it's already been a month since I was there. 

Lost // Still feeling hella lost in life, but I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that it's normal. I'm not used to having no clue what I want, and this feeling has definitely thrown me off kilter. Instead of wallowing though, I've been trying to be proactive and use this uncertainty as motivation to start putting some pieces together. 

Time // I got to spend some quality time with my mom this weekend, and it was truly needed. There's very little that can't be fixed from a few hours hanging out with my mom, and I feel extremely lucky to have such a cool, strong, determined women to call my mom. 

Spring // I am so happy that spring is finally here. Even though it's not quite warm yet, it's on the horizon. Also, the fact that it's generally just been sunnier out has totally changed the mood across campus. Spring also brings the end of the semester, and who can really be upset about that? 

Links to Love

1 | These pictures of the royal family are to die for.

2 | Now that the weather has warmed up, I've been wanting one of these hammocks.

3 | I saw this link last week and died a little bit at the thought of this, then remembered I can't dance...

4 | These ice cream tacos completely could redefine 'Taco Tuesday.'

5 | A TON of Konfetti shorts have been on sale this last weekend (I'm dying over this pair)!

6 | I don't tend to get into politics, but I really loved this video of Mac Miller that's been floating around lately.

7 | This pair of chacos would be p sweet to own + they just added new webbings to their website so you could say I've been a bit obsessed looking at all the new combos.

8 | My new favorite instagram account. #JudgeMePls

Being Real.

There's a difference in how I am in real life versus how I am able to portray myself on social media. While the difference isn't drastic and I feel that I'm pretty transparent with most of what's happening in my life, there's sometimes a disconnect. 

Coming up with Wednesday posts has become somewhat of a challenge for me. I love posting content three days a week. Monday's are always fun because it serves as a nice way to reflect on my week and set some intentions for the week ahead. Fridays are typically a day where I post something I'm currently loving, whether it be music, fashion, or articles I feel are worth sharing. But Wednesdays... Wednesdays are hard. 

I like to share a more real side of my life on Wednesdays. Whether it be current thoughts I have or a simple emotion, I always like to make those posts more personal. What do you do, though, when you want to be real yet still uphold an image of being put together and certain? 

It's taken me a very long time to acknowledge that my blog, my social media platforms- those are my highlights real. And that's the same for everyone who shares their lives on the internet. Nobody wants to be showcasing their worst moments for all to see. I know that I certainly don't. 

It's been especially difficult for me to come up with "real" content over the course of the last week. Between being stressed about classes, losing track of time, and in general just not being in the best of moods, I've become clueless as to what I want to share for all the world to see. 

What I'm asking for is patience and support as I try to find a middle ground between maintaining a level of transparency about my life and also keeping my blog from being too dark as I try to figure out my life. Also, thank you to those that read my blog no matter how inconsistent, unplanned, and sporadic my posts can become. 

Here's to figuring it all out. 

Monday Musings

want days like this so badly right now 

{image via}

Calendar // The closer we get to the end of the year, the more my planner seems to be filling up. There are so many dates and times being thrown my way that I can barely keep up. It's pretty sad that I'm already looking forward to summer at this point because I really just need a day where I don't have to answer an email, type a draft, or pencil in times to see people. 

Philanthropy // This past weekend I got to see one of my best friends in action as she worked alongside her sorority and raised over 14 thousand dollars for her chapter's philanthropies. I am completely blown away by all of her hard work, and she has inspired me to act towards something greater than myself. Thank you for being ceaselessly amazing, Han. 

Bad days // It's just a bad day, not a bad life. 

Kayak // Now that the weather has been consistently warm out, I really want to take my kayak out on the water. I'm really excited to use my park pass after classes a few times a month and just escape from campus and get away for a couple of hours with just a paddle. 

Broken // After buying $23 worth of smoothie materials, my beloved blender broke. I got barely three smoothies out of all my mix and my magic bullet just died. I'm currently blenderless and heart broken over a kitchen appliance, and I don't know what could be more sad than that. 

Dress shopping // I'm once again on the market for a formal dress. Unfortunately, nothing has quite caught my eye yet, and time keeps dwindling. Almost a month to find something, and ironically enough I'm not even stressed (yet)- although I'm sure we might get to that point at sometime. 

Shoe Envy: Running Shoes

{via}

I love running. There's something so freeing about just relying on your own to legs to take you off somewhere. The feeling of power pumping through my muscles gives me a natural high, and running has become an activity I turn to when I'm stressed or anxious. 

If there's something I love just as much as running, it would be running shoes. Whether I'm behind someone on a trail or next to them on the treadmill, I always wander off to their feet. There are literally hundreds of stellar running shoes out, and I get mesmerized by all the unique shoes I'll see at the gym some days. Because I can't get enough of running shoes (and also because I'm training for a race right now), I've saved and collected some of my favorite pairs to share with all of you!

Monday Musings

a little motivation for you all this monday! 

{via}

Composites // My chapter's composite was yesterday, and for the first time I finally have a good picture to show off in the house. There's no lazy eye, my hair isn't red, and I don't look sick. Praise bby Auj and Glam Squad Ams for getting me composite ready.

200 // I'm getting very, very close to my 200th post on LSoM, and it's truly unbelievable to me. This little blog of mine has come a far way since I started it back in 2014. It's given me a voice and an outlet, and I'm trying to think of something special to do for my 200th post. I want to make it spectacular, but also a look back at all my old content and a reflection of my personal growth.

Over the hump // The last week has been such an odd one for me. There were several days where I literally had not a clue what I was doing next, regardless of how often I looked at my agenda. I'm hoping that this week is so much better. I miss the sense of productivity and accomplishment that usually follows me weeks.

Mom // I've been thinking about my mom a lot lately, and I'm personally a little bit homesick. Her and I are really tight (shoutout to you momma j), and I've gotten to an odd part of the semester where I really just miss her. She's been such an influencing woman in my life, and I need her guidance a little more now than I did in the past months.

Waiting // I feel like I'm in one big waiting game right now and being so wound tightly is making me anxious. I know that I just need to let go of my anxieties a little bit and trust that everything that's meant to happen will happen, but I'm having a hard time seeing the bigger picture right now.

Six // Ever noticed that I always have six things to muse over every Monday? Ever wonder why? Well, here's the scoop: When starting this series, I wanted some consistency. I thought four topics was way too short, and I hated that five was an uneven number, so six became my goal. The more ya know, huh?

That's all for this Monday! Hoping for some clarity in the week ahead...

Spring Break Recap

{image via}

 my new favorite part of magic kingdom is rapunzel's tower!

 russell is just too cute- one of my favorite parts of the trip

 loved exploring the parks with abby

 cbc got to eat at be our guest and it was simply a magical experience

 i felt most nights after opening and closing all of the parks each day...

 popped over to france to meet my favorite princess!

 remember when russell and i ditched the meet & greet and ran through animal kingdom?

 epcot was one of the coolest experiences! 

 telling rapunzel how much i loved the lanterns

 psa: cinderella thinks chacos are the bomb.com

my favorite treat (next to dole whips)! 

 life was the bubbles when we got to meet ariel!

dreams come true when you get to meet cindy

What's your favorite Disney memory?

Note to self...

Deadlines will pass and mistakes are okay.
Try new things and move from your comfort zone.
Don't fear reaching out to other people- we all need help sometimes.
You don't have to be the best at everything, but you have to try your best.
Not everyone has it all figured out either.
Make fewer excuses; recognize what is a priority and what is not.
Take a leap of faith and stop worrying about if there is a safety net below you.

"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well have not lived at all- in which case, you fail by default." - J.K. Rowling