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Hi friends! 

The holiday weekend totally threw me off kilter, so I apologize for a week of no content, but this Monday Musings is going to changing that! 

1 // 100% convinced that your average suburban family should not be allowed to light explosives after literally running for shelter as my neighbors lost control of their fireworks last night. Sure they're pretty and all, but you know what else is pretty? Not causing bodily harm. 

2 // Activity trackers really make you aware of how lazy you are. I thought I was at least a moderately active person (as I haughtily cranked the level up on my watch in the apple store) but let me tell you- I'm basically a sloth. I don't think I've hit my activity goal once since getting my watch. This partially makes me want to work harder, and also partially makes me feel like a potato. 

3 // Currently, I'm desperately in need of some new reading material. It feels like I've read through everything my library has to offer me, and authors just cannot crank cheesy summer teen romances out at the rate that I read them. Maybe one day I'll prefer "adult" books, but for now, I just crave sappy summer love stories. Any recommendations for A+ books are definitely welcome, my friends! 

4 // One of my goals for this month is to run a mile for each day of July. So far, I'm at 11.67 out of the 31 miles, and I'm personally impressed that I've done so well with this goal thus far. I tried to do something similar in June, but made too many excuses to skip runs, but I'm feeling more determined this month than ever. 

5 // Tacking onto the previous topic, I'm curious to know if anyone has Brooks running shoes and what their thoughts of them are. My mom is starting to think I need something that can handle impact a little bit better when I'm running trails, and has suggested Brooks to me. I've looked into them, but before spending the money I need some advice! (Also battling the whole comfort v style thing, but I know your feet are your foundation...). 

6 // I am dying to try arial yoga. Someone I know recently went, and it literally looks like the coolest thing ever. It looks like a challenge, but swinging around in some silks for an hour seems like it would be so much fun! Plus, what a unique way to sweat, am I right? 

Hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead! 

*when your images won't stay centered but you're soooOoooo not in the mood to mess around*

Monday Musings

Hi friends! 

Real quick, just wanted to brag about my own chaco / kayak pic- I feel like I've finally made it in the adventure season... anyways, here are the musings: 

Mountains // I am 110% convinced that everyone needs to get some mountain air in there lungs at least once in their life. I feel refreshed and itching to get back onto some trails after my week in the smokies. Stay tuned for some pics coming this week! 

Dreamin' // After watching an episode of House Hunters & hearing about a family who visited all 50 states before their children graduated, I decided that is something I definitely want to do. There's so much to explore in the US alone, and I think it would be awesome to say I've been to all 50 states (especially wanting to head to the southwest!). 

Bastille // Good Grief by Bastille is my new jam. I'm obsessed. This song makes me feel all types of feels, I can't even explain it. Check it out (and the rest of my summer playlist) here! 

Crispy // After spending Saturday on the water & exploring a park nearby with Auj, I can confirm that I am a little overdone. My skin has undergone shades ranging from lululemon bag red to flaming hot cheetos red. Don't even ask how much aloe I've gone through... 

Listen // I've been making more efforts to become more in tune with my body, and I've really taken to listening to my body. Between lifting weights, working more than I maybe ever have, and just attempting to be more active, it's been really important for me to keep a balance on pushing myself and pushing myself too far. Take rests when you need them, eat when you're hungry, and learn the difference of not wanting to as opposed to not being able to- it has made the world's difference for me already. 

Countdown // My best friend + soulmate Abby comes home from her European travels at the end of this week and I cannot wait. We're a package deal in most people's eyes, so the fact that I have only had the ability to facebook message her a handful of times over the month that she's been gone is extremely weird to me. I cannot wait for her to come back home! 

Fun fact // For those of you who didn't know, it's my birth week! (Yes, I'm totally one of those girls who attempts to celebrate all week long...) Since my birthday falls insanely close to the 4th of July, I try to spend a whole week on myself, whether that mean meeting up with friends, or ordering a fancy drink at Starbucks that I normally would never get. It's nice to treat myself for a week, especially considering nobody is ever around for my actual birthday anyways. Any other July babies feel my pain?

Monday Musings

fun fact: i am utterly obsessed with constellations right now!

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Formal // I know it may be a bit premature to be thinking about sorority formals, but my excitement has increased upon the arrival of my dress. I'm so excited to wear it, and I'm super impressed with the quality. Perhaps I'l do a post on it in the future, but for now I'll keep it a secret since the event is still quite a ways away. 

Chai // Now that the season of peppermint mochas is done, I've turned to my next favorite cold-weather drink: the chai tea latte. These honestly remind me of my childhood since my mom would constantly make them, so sipping on one during class really takes me back.

Frigid // Temperatures are dropping in the mitten, and it was a whopping 18* earlier today when I was on my way to the gym. I am longing for the 50's we were experiencing less than a month ago, especially since tomorrow will be a cold night for me...

Skating // Saturday my lovely coworkers and I will be headed downtown for some ice skating fun! I haven't been to the rink since around this time last year, and I'm really hoping that since the holidays are over, it won't be too packed- I tend not to be the most graceful one on the ice. All in all though, it should be a fun time!

Bees // With it being so cold out, my lips have been in a perpetual state of chapped-ness (cute, right?). I've been turning to my Burt's Bees lip balm that my big gave me for Christmas, and it has been a lifesaver in keeping my lips moisturized all day! (This kind is my current favorite!)

MLK // I hope that this MLK day has been quite relaxing for all who have had the day off. I used my day off to re-charge and re-organize before the week ahead of me. I also focused on some important things in my life, but more of that to come!

Happy Monday! 

Monday Musings

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Antiquing // This past weekend, my mom and I got to go antiquing together. It was such a nice afternoon of just strolling through the fair with my mom finding hidden gems. We got a few pieces we want to refurbish and craft together, so expect pictures in the future! 

Planner // I just got my new planner covers in and they are perfect! My Erin Condren has literally been the best planner I've ever purchased, and I am obsessed with how customizable they are! 

Snapware // My mom has packed me up for the week with so much snapware, you would not believe how much food I brought back. I'm so excited to have a bunch of fresh fruits and veggies in my room now! 

Cold // I swear out of nowhere it got cold in the Mitten. One day it was seventies and sunny, and now it's in the fifties, cold, and just dreary. I swear I have been in a perpetual state of cold from the last week. 

Sleep // Another thing I'm in a perpetual state of? Sleep deprived-ness. I'm pretty positive that I'm still recovering from recruitment, and that ended like, a week a go. Will I ever catch up on sleep? The blog my never know... 

Crafting // Big and little season is upon us and that means one thing... crafting. All the crafts, honestly. I've got canvases and letters and frames galore to paint and decorate and I cannot wait to get started on them! 

May your coffee be short and your Monday be long! 

Monday Musings

Guess who's back // So, your home girl LJ went back home to her chapter yesterday. Recruitment was quite the roller coaster ride, but I absolutely loved my time as rho gamma. My reveal was straight fire, per my expectations. I'm just so happy to be home, you have no clue. 

The Quan // In case you were wondering what my fire reveal was, it was a mashup of My House and Hit the Quan. I know... you really wish you could've seen it. 

Covers // My personalized Erin Condren covers finally came in, so expect some planner posts coming up in the near future. They're so cute I could actually cry a little bit. 

Sisters // I really do have the best sisters ever. They're such amazing women and I cannot be more happy and excited to be home. They've given me so much over the last year, and I'm forever grateful to them for opening up their hearts to me. 

Rho gams // If any of you are reading this- I miss you and I love you. Also, I'm not ready to part with you guys, so I hope you know that I will constantly be bugging you all in the groupme to hang out. And find out who's in the OC even though we can sit with anyone now. I still want to sit with you guys, you all gave me one of the craziest months of my life, but I loved the ride.

Tuesday // WHEN YOU GET SO BUSY THAT YOU ACTUALLY END UP POSTING THIS ON TUESDAY AT 12:47 AM <<< 

Happy Monday (or maybe Tuesday??), everybody!