Many times do I find myself in silence, either right before bed or as soon as I wake-up. Times I think to myself what needs to be accomplished the next day and making lists or to-dos in my head. I have this obsession with creating lists and "next steps" for what needs to get done and to be quite frank, it's exhausting. Counting down the days, scratching out the lists, ripping off the weeks, it's just a matter of time before I'm onto the next thing and the next and the next. I need to breathe really.
There are times when I find myself wondering how I got here. There are also times when I find myself wondering when I will leave. Never would I have imagined where I would be now ten years ago—and I don't know what lies ahead of me either. I think that's just the process of time at work.
I could never have guessed that I would be halfway through my junior year, continuing this blog for more than five years, being a writing tutor at my college, being promoted to the Executive Vice President of PRSSA, visited five countries in Europe, or even have three tattoos by the time I'm twenty-years-old. I feel good and proud.
There are times when I digress into my humble little puffer jacket shell and question my abilities, my passions, and what the hell I'm doing. I mean, I think it's valid and common to feel that way, but let's be real, winter doesn't help and I will blame the weather as much as I want. February is one of the worst "second chance" months, you know after you tried so hard to get back at it in January, but then February just sneaks up on you with a pile of deadlines, emails, and applications to be sent out.
This month has really sneaked up on me, but what I've come to realize is that it can be very easy to set ourselves in neutral during these seasons. It can be easy to lose sight of the purpose that drives me to do the things I'm passionate about. I'm stuck in the past or the future, not taking full advantage of the present moment for what it is. It's easy to place myself on a scale of productivity and obsess over what must be done—not what is being done.
Thinking about what gives me purpose motivates me to take everything I do at full force and focus, knowing at the end of the day, that I tried my best. Remembering where I stand now and not wasting my life trying to figure out what my end-all-be-all "purpose" truly is because this is it. What I've learned, though, is that our life's purpose is not a "one-stop arrival," and as cliché, as it is true, it's about the journey, not the destination and trusting the process along the way. Nothing is permanent—we're all just figuring it out as we go. How can you find purpose in today?
On days when I just can't bear to wake up at 7am, or any normal day really, I try to minimize the number of steps I have to take in my morning routine. Wearing makeup has become less and less of an event in the morning. I remember in middle and high school I would dedicate a half hour to hair and makeup—fifteen minutes for curling and fifteen minutes for covering every zit on my face with powder that didn't even match my skin.
I would like to think that I've perfected my makeup routine with only three fundamental products: concealer, bronzer, and an eyebrow pencil. All of which have been my tried and true staples to get me ready to take on the day ahead.
Recently I have been drawn to reading Vogue articles about the one makeup item that people MUST have with them before they run out the door, I agreed with these three specific ones because they all serve a purpose in making me look alive and, for the most part, put together.
Concealer is just a given always. I have no time to slap on a face of foundation, nor the patience to let it settle, and I think concealer does just the job even better. It really depends on the type of concealer, though. I've had concealers that crease and fall off my face, so I would highly recommend the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. This is a full-coverage concealer that hides all of your imperfections, dark circles, red eyes, fine lines, and all of the above! The great thing is that it's multi-use and can be used for an eyeshadow primer, too. A couple dabs of this bad boy and I'm glowing.
When I want to glow, even more, I skip the blush and redness altogether. Bronzer is my saving grace on days when I wake up a little extra pale than normal, especially during the winter. The Nars Laguna Bronzer adds just the right amount of warmth I need.
I feel like a lot of people think that mascara is the one eye product you need before leaving the house, but for me, having structured and groomed eyebrows are essential. Most mornings, I wake up with mangey looking eyebrows and make it seem like I've been asleep for hours and hours. I never forget to do my eyebrows, or at least comb through them. The IT Cosmetics Brow Pencil is a two in one spoolie and pencil that I throw into my bag—having eyebrows on fleek frames my face and filling them in defines it even more.
I find this simple routine of three easy steps great for traveling. No mess, no worries, and I still feel put together and ready to get on with my busy day. What are the three products you can't leave without?
The month of February always culminates with Valentine's gift guides and an abundance of jewelry ads and I always wonder if people actually use them or not for inspiration. Despite the season of hearts, chocolate, engagement rings, and shiny things, I love to treat myself to jewelry that I know I'll enjoy even if it isn't for a special someone and just a special me.
I love finding those timeless (and practical) pieces that I know I'll love and want to wear for a long time. I am a fan of mixing metals, with simple designs and hardware, and a bit of sparkle is always a plus. Since I get asked a lot about what jewelry I'm wearing, I thought I'd share the staple pieces that I'm currently grabbing from my jewelry box...
One piece of jewelry that I get asked the most about is my Cosmic Balance Necklace from Alex and Ani. The one I previously wore all of the time was silver, but I just think gold compliments my skin tone and really brings out the detail in the medallion.
The best thing about this necklace, like other pieces I've mentioned, is that it's expandable so you can wear it at any length you want. I love the look of layering minimal gold necklaces that have various designs and cuts, too.
I am a huge ring-wearer, I don't think I can leave the house without putting on at least two rings. I feel empty without them and like I've forgotten something. I have been in love with blue fire opal jewelry and to be honest, this stone has been really hard to find in stores, but Etsy has proved to be the place to find it. When it catches the light, you can see all the pretty, opulent shades of ocean blue and purple. It's a very subtle statement.
Most of my rings either come from Etsy, craft fairs, or boutiques that I've visited, so, unfortunately, I do not have exact links, but I also love the Alex and Ani Moon and Star Wrap, which is another one of the classic rings that I wear. I love that it's expandable, so it's really comfortable to wear and form around any of my fingers.
I am always trying to grow my earring collection with more variety, but I love the simple elegance of gold hoops. Madewell earrings, and their jewelry in general, are my favorite pieces to wear at the moment. The great thing about them is that they're sterling silver, but they also have gold plated earrings, too. No more sensitive ears!
If you haven't noticed, I'm really into moons and all of the celestial-themed stuff. This Spaced Out Friendship bracelet comes with a matching star bracelet to give to a friend. It's not your junior-high kind of friendship bracelet, it's gold plated and expandable!
Madewell, Alex and Ani, and artisan boutiques are probably the main places I purchase my pretty gems. I am all about the minimal statements and ones that will outlast the trends. Remember when feathered earrings were a thing? What's your go-to jewelry piece?
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