Curated / 20

This week has been insaaaaanely busy! Like busier than I've had in a long while. I've had a lot going on with my sorority--we're required to be at every single event during our pledge period which (including meetings) is usually like 6+ events a week. It's definitely been a lot for me to handle, so thanks for sticking with me while I figure stuff out!

But even with all the crazy (which I maybe could do without), I really have felt myself growing in a lot of ways over the last month or so. I've especially been comparing how I act and treat other people and myself to the way I did the same time last year. I know I've become much more self-aware and in tune with my emotions and how they affect the way I act. I've become much more confident and hard-working. Of course, there's always more to go, but these last few weeks have really embodied that quote on my sidebar: "We are happy when we are growing."

• Let's stop being embarrassed that we want to be better [Yes and Yes]
• 10 ways to forgive yourself and let go of the past [MindBodyGreen]
• Social networking in real life is absolutely ridiculous
• Choose a fitness regime based on your fave book [Alex Franzen]
• DIY happy tears handkerchief [Oh So Beautiful Paper]
• Writing prompts: lists [Hello Neverland]
• Watch this: love letters to strangers (more on this soon!)
• How to spark your creativity in college [Gina Alyse]

(SOOOOO much 80s....#sorrynotevenateenybitsorry)

• You Shook Me All Night Long / AC/DC
• Working For the Weekend / Loverboy
• Who's Crying Now / Journey
• Fallen Angel / Poison
• Never Say Goodbye / Bon Jovi
• Photograph / Def Leppard
• Satisfaction / Rolling Stones

I'm not a huge poetry person, but there are a few poems that I read throughout high school that have really stuck with me to the point that I know parts by heart. One such section has been playing on repeat through my head over the last few days as I've really been struggling to forgive myself for mistakes that I've made. Here it is, an excerpt from "Wild Geese" by Mary Oliver:

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.

Does that resonate with anyone else? I know that hits me right in the heart right now. The rest of the poem is really beautiful too--go read it!


How has your week been? Do you read poetry? Wanna share some 80s music with me? 

Curated / 19

I'm a day late publishing this post, but I have to say that I'm not even sorry because my sister got engaged last week! It was a big surprise and it's been lots of fun sharing the news with everyone. Other than that, this week I've just been starting to wrap up work, train my replacements and start saying goodbye to everyone before I head back to North Carolina (home) for a few days and then back to school in Florida! The next week and a half is going to be a crazy whirlwind between all of the travel and then sorority recruitment and starting a new school year. But I'm excited!

• This beautiful new design on Brooklyn's blog done by Breezy + Co Design Studio. How beautiful!
• 10 reasons to become an early riser [MindBodyGreen]
• Challenging yourself as a blogger [Gina Alyse]
• 5 favorite journaling supplies [Hello Neverland]--I think I need #3!
• Combining your passions into one thing you love [Kory Woodard]
• How to feel + look awesome when it's ridiculously hot outside [Yes and Yes]
• 15 quick + easy lunch ideas [poverty luxe.]--YES THANK YOU!

This week I've been revisiting some of my favorite past songs from Eurovision, a music competition in Europe that picks out the best song from Europe each year. Here are a few of my favorites! And you just have to watch the videos with them...some of them are quite entertaining ;)

• Fly on the Wings of Love / Olsen Brothers
• Hold Me Now / Johnny Logan
• La Det Swinge / Bobbysocks
• Making Your Mind Up / Bucks Fizz
• Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi / Celine Dion (skip to 1:30)
• Rock Me / Riva (an especially great video)

This cotton candy sky and the caption that goes with it: "You have to be vigilant about keeping your own fire alive." -Tift Merritt

Isn't that a great quote? How's your week been? Tell me one thing that made you smile this week!

Curated Weekly / 17

I have to admit, it feels really good to be getting back in the swing of blogging. I really have missed blogging and all of you. If you're a new reader or a lurker or even just an old friend, please leave a little comment or tweet at me and say hi! If you have a blog of your own, feel free to leave a link and I'll check it out!

This week has been really nice! I've just been relaxing and getting lots of exercise in. I gained like five or ten pounds over the course of the school year and while a lot of it was muscle, some of it was definitely from late-night Nutella snacking. I've been lifting a lot as usual, but also trying to get better about incorporating running and biking into my routine for some cardio.

I've got a really busy summer ahead of me! Lots of work (managing my ice cream shop!), studying (I'm getting certified as a group fitness instructor / taking an economics class online) and exercise (because the Freshman Fifteen is real).

What's going on in your life?

• Your future self wants you to slow down [Olivia Adams PR]
• 6 productive things to do when you have nothing to do [The Wonder Forest]
• This Humans of New York post has been stuck in my head.
• 3 simple steps to an even better you. [Career Girl Daily]
• Life lessons from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. [Positively Present]
• Resources for diving into the Bible. [Brave Love Blog]
• Favorite slow cooker recipes. [College Prepster]

I've been listening to a whoooole lot of Grateful Dead lately. They're the perfect mix of rock and folk and I just love it. My all-time favorite song is "Friend of the Devil" (links are Youtube)--it's the kind of song I can just listen to over and over and over. I also really love the Grace Potter cover of it. Seriously one of the most beautiful songs ever.

Also, just sort of a funny story: a few weeks ago, I ran a 5K and I had on an 8tracks playlist with really strong beats while I ran. You know, dubstep/rap and whatnot to get me going. Well, about a half mile before I got to the finish line, the playlist ended and flipped to the next playlist that I had favorited. Which was....hawaiian folk music. And I didn't want to stop running because I wanted to finish in a decent time, so I just listening to super calming John Cruz music while trying to pump out the last half mile. So that was fun.

Lately I've been studying to take my ACE exam to get certified as a Group Fitness Instructor (I passed!! Hooray!). And who knew, there is SO. much. information to learn before you can get certified. I have two textbooks full of information on anatomy and kinesiology and nutrition and teaching group fitness classes so I pretty much just have had my nose in them for awhile.

I did start one book last week that is super interesting, though I'm not too deep into it. It's called Stiff and it's basically about cadavers used for medical purposes and all that. Yeah, y'all knew I was weird, but it's official now. And there's another book I've been meaning to read called Beyond the Body Farm. You can read the whole description but it's basically all about the intersection of science and forensics and that's super interesting to me.

This gorgeous shot from The Jungalow. Isn't is dreamy? Find more inspiration on my Pinterest.

What's going on in your life these days?!

Moodboard / Edgy + Feminine

I'm unofficially making Mondays my day to collect and share inspiration. I've been doing that for a few weeks now, with the color palettes and affirmations and music and I think it's a great way to start off the week. It's also been a little while since I shared a moodboard just for fun, so I thought I'd make one for today! 

I first found this letter A and thought it was so gorgeous--how it looks like someone just splattered paint and it spontaneously formed a letter. That and the pink chiffon inspired me the most in this moodboard, but the more I worked on it, the more I absolutely love it! I tried to take the messiness of the letter A and the edge of the makeup and combine them with the softness of the pink colors. 

What do you think? What's been inspiring you lately? Don't forget to share Pinterest links with me!

Color Palette / Forest Explorer

This color palette comes from a photo by the lovely instagrammer @ladycascades. I first saw this photo a month or two ago and it immediately made me think of my trip last summer traveling through the National Parks and Forests of California. Doesn't a photo like this make you want to go hike or sit under a tree for awhile?!

I could see this color palette being great for (naturally) any sort of outdoor goods company or goods from natural materials. These greens and browns give it such an earthy vibe!

Have you seen any gorgeous color pairings lately? Where?!

Color Palette / Antarctica Blues

This photo is from one of my all-time favorite photography duos, Caroline and Jayde from Woodnote Photography. They do a lot of really interesting engagement and wedding shoots, but I really love following them on instagram for shots like this. Last year, they went to all seven continents. Can you believe that? I've just been aching to go to Antarctica ever since I saw these shots. 

Know of any other awesome photographers/instagrammers? Do share!

Curated Weekly / 15

Oops! I just realized I missed the curated post last week because I was too busy packing up to come home to NC for spring break. Well I'm here and my spring break is just about over (cue sad face). I've spent the week with my brother, but mostly by myself since he's been in school. I am definitely an introvert but it's been really weird to have this much time to myself! Right now, I'm visiting H at his school. Yay!

ALSO. I chopped off my hair. Check it.

• Bright and bold color combinations [Rekita Nicole]
• 18 ways to strengthen your intuition [MindBodyGreen]
• I love these icons from Creative Market
• 20 make ahead lunches for work [The Sunshine Blog]
• It's okay to be bad at your hobbies [The Dainty Squid]
• Sarah's favorite condensed fonts [A Fine Line]
• How to make your graphics work for you [Kory Woodard]
• 6 steps to a meal plan that will save you money [poverty luxe.]

In case you missed them...

• My favorite blogs and websites
• How to spend more time reading
• Handcrafted gift ideas for ladies you love

I love this super fancy 'ooh la la' print from The And So Collection.

Next week is H's and my anniversary and so I thought I'd get a little mushy and share some songs that make me think of our love. Listen here.

• First Day of My Life / Bright Eyes
• You Belong to Me / Carla Bruni
• World Spins Madly On / The Weepies
• You Remind Me Of Home / Ben Gibbard
• I Won't Give Up / Jason Mraz
• These Arms of Mine / Otis Redding
• Just You and Me / Zee Avi
• Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Wanted / Hunter Hayes
• You Are The Best Thing / Ray LaMontagne
• Anyone Else But You / The Moldy Peaches
• Do You Remember / Jack Johnson
• At Last / Leftover Cuties
• Nothing Was Stolen (Love Me Foolishly) / Phosphorescent

This week, I'm heading back to school, back to work, back to life (ewwwww). I have a big chemistry exam on Tuesday and my big goal is to study hard and ace it. Unfortunately, I'm gonna have to take a little break while I'm with H this weekend to study + then study again Sunday afternoon and pretty much all afternoon Monday. This is seriously my top priority because I'm not the best at chemistry. 

Other than that, in the next few weeks, I want to make a point to have lunch with someone I don't know well/haven't ever hung out with. 

What's going on in your world this weekend?

Instagram Inspiration 01.

For the longest time, I've always considered Pinterest my #1 place online to find visual inspiration. I use tumblr a little bit here and there but it's really mostly been Pinterest. Lately (seriously--I'm really late on this one), I've been using Instagram as another place to find visual inspiration from photographers, stylists, and other artsy people. 

Today, I just thought I'd share a few of my favorite accounts. If you'd like, you can follow me too (@callmessafras)!

(@ourheiday)

(@velvetspectrum)

(@californiadonuts--yes, donuts inspire me)

(@thesaguarops)

(@happymundane)

(@jessicasays__)


What are your favorite instagram accounts?! Leave your username too so I can check you out!

Color Palette / Cotton Candy

So this is an idea that I'm testing out as a new post idea--let me know what you think! I plan on this being an addition to current posts, not a replacement. I'll still have two (other) posts a week plus the curated on Friday, but I thought I could add this in once a week or so just to add a little variety. What do you think?

I use color palettes like this all the time, especially in my design work. When you find a picture that gives you the same feels you want out of a new website or piece of design, using the same colors gets you halfway there. Plus, aren't these colors just gorgeous to look at?

How do you like this new post idea? Yay/nay? How do you use color palettes?

Curated Weekly / 14

It's been a really nice (though holy cow, it has been busy) week in my world. I'm trying to think of what I did last weekend and the beginning of this week and I can't quite remember! It feels like forever ago. I was in the lab quite a bit this week and have officially started volunteering at the natural history museum. That's fun!

For Valentine's Day, H and I tried to FaceTime and watch Netflix at the same time and we finally figured it out but it took some creativity. Even though it was a lot of effort figuring out headphones and what's on the phone and the computer, it was nice to have a "date" together, or as close as we can get. I'll visit him in North Carolina in two weeks and that's going to be wonderful!

• Ocean conservation + why you should care. [Sea, Field and Tribe]
• 5 pro tips to organize your pantry. [life. by bri.]
• Daily blogging essentials. [The Alisha Nicole]
• 17 ways to make yourself happier right now. [Hannah Gale]
• My journey to a hassle-free fitness routine. [Frugal Beautiful]
• How to sleep better at night. [Kris Carr]
• 8 essentials for a rejuvenating weekend. [All Things E]
• Be more intentional with what you consume. [Jennypurr]
• You're doing better than you think you are. [Thought Catalog]
• 10 tips to stick to your grocery budget. [Little City Adventures]

And in case you missed them...

• Free font: caviar dreams
• Easy photoshop: make a pinterest-style collage
• Handcrafted gifts for ladies you love

Shut Up and Dance / Walk the Moon

Geronimo / Sheppard

Free / Rudimental ft. Emili Sande

Jubel / Klingande

Fire Meet Gasoline / Sia

Ghost / Ella Henderson

I'm ridiculously inspired by all the fun graphic prints on these socks from Woven Pear.

Aren't they just the cutest things in the world?

Last week, my goals were to get lots of sleep and get ahead on things in preparation for my church trip this weekend. I'd say I did pretty well! I went to bed maybe 30 minutes early every night, but even that makes a big difference! It feels so good to wake up before your alarm naturally. I'd didn't get quite as on top of things as I would have liked but I'm feeling pretty fine about things.

This coming week, my goals are really concrete--I need to get all caught up on my chemistry notes/work and review all my genetics notes for the year. I'm trying to be better about reviewing frequently so that I'm not just stuck with all the work right before exams. 

Otherwise, not much! I just need to get life in order before I head home for spring break next week! :)

What do you have on tap this week? Also! If any of you are bloggers/artists/creatives/bizwomen and interested in interviewing with me for an upcoming edition of How They Do It, just let me know!