The Greta Elise

New Site Launch!

2016-05-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

I am very happy and proud to announce that The Greta Elise got a makeover! I've been working very hard on this site for about a week now, importing all my posts over, redesigning the fonts, colors and coding everything to make sure it all works, but it's finally ready and published! Please click this link and update your bookmark so you can get all new post updates and more.

http://gretaheun.wix.com/thegretaelise

Finals Week Fuel

2016-04-25T12:17:00.002-07:00

I can't believe it's the last week of this school year. I feel like I was just leaving on a plane to start my Sophomore year, and now I'm trying to purge my closet, redesign websites, perfect a print ad and write a final paper. As I write this I'm sitting in class listening to some last minute presentations, hiding under a hat because my hair is staticky from the rain and I didn't put makeup on this morning. Also, I may or may not be wearing the same hoodie that I've been wearing the past three days (but I promise it's still clean!) Ah, finals week.

As a Communications major, I only have one exam this semester, the rest are just presentations/projects. And even those aren't very stressful. Once it's over, it's over. I won't have to stay up all night, drink a copious amount of coffee out of necessity (pleasure however, is more likely) and I definitely won't cry myself to sleep because I'm destined to fail my classes. I can proudly say that this semester has been the best GPA I've ever gotten (it's also been the most difficult semester on a personal level, so it's funny how life works out like that!) If I can get an 80% or higher on that one test, I'll be a straight A student. It feels so great.

With the lack of school stress comes the I'm moving back home for Summer and we're driving 22 hours to get there stress. I'm very excited about our little road trip, don't get me wrong, but packing stresses me out, making sure my address is changed back to California stresses me out, and trying to maintain at least $200 since I put in my leave of absence at work really stresses me out. However, last week, we finally payed off what we needed to get taken care of before we left for home, so I guess emptying my bank account is slightly relieving, for once.

Enough about my not-so-entertaining life, for those of you who are stressing about finals, worrying about going home or trying to get that 3.7 to a 4.0, you can do it! Be calm, be positive, be sure of yourself. Don't put yourself down, don't overwork yourself and please don't swim in your tears...it's only a few more days until it's all over.

Drink coffee but also tea, because too much coffee will dehydrate you. Protein shakes and fruit are my go-tos, but sometimes you need a comfort meal too, and that's okay. Do your best and be proud, and if you aren't, then work until you are the very best version of yourself.

Happy finals week everyone, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

No Mo' FOMO

2016-04-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

FOMO (fear of missing out) is something that I think almost everyone can relate to, no matter their age. Personally, I find nothing wrong with alone time, and I am by no means socially inept, but I do appreciate time to just be by myself, to do the things that make me happy and content and to take time for me. However, staying active and doing new things is something that has always been attractive to me and something that I really want to be better about. Being in college, having a job and being in a serious relationship means that a lot of my time is taken up, but my summer break starts in one week and I'm determined to make it one for the books.

GOMO is the new mantra for 2016, and it means Go Out More Often. Having this mentality is all well and good but it's a little difficult to constantly be inventive and think of things to do and places to go without knowing how to go about it. That's where Eventbrite comes in. Eventbrite is an event platform that lets you search for events happening in your hometown. You are also able to plan and manage your own events and promote them on the website.

I make pretty good money and yes, I have bills to pay, necessities to buy and saving to do, but it's my goal this summer to use the extra cash I have and GOMO. There are tons of summer events happening in Napa, some of which I would really like to go to. Netflix and napping will always be there, but memories are things that can be easily taken for granted and not taken advantage of.

Whether it's going to a concert, trying 10 new restaurants or bars, going camping or hiking, or even just getting into a regular gym routine, GOMO is my goal to obtain a healthier, more memorable and exciting lifestyle.

Check out Eventbrite to see what's going on in your area, and also click here to see how you can help support local event creation and GOMO!

What are your plans for ending FOMO and creating a more active and fun-filled summer?

Iced Coffee is Good For the Soul

2016-04-21T16:55:00.004-07:00

It's almost Friday! After work today, I headed over to a local coffee shop owned and run by an adorable Italian man who calls everyone "honey" and makes the most delicious coffee right in front of you.

Free WiFi is offered for getting research papers (or Facebooking) done

A multitude of all the flavored syrups you could ever imagine

Iced Election Booster- coconut, almond & chocolate

If you're from or live in the Bismarck area, I'd highly recommend this little place. It's a relaxing and slightly vintage atmosphere and the whole shop is bathed in the afternoon sunlight. The prices are reasonable and the options are endless. I do love a good coffee break.

My First Birchbox

2016-04-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

I recently decided to jump on the bandwagon and subscribe to Birchbox. For those who don't know, Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that sends you a box of 3-6 samples especially curated for you. When first opening an account, you describe your skin tone, type, hair color and the certain types of brands and products you most reach for. They then do their best to send samples that match your preferences and unique style. I love the idea and it's only $10 a month. It was totally justifiable, so I went for it. They also have a great referral and rewards program. For every product you review in your Birchbox, you can earn 10 points on the site. 100 points = $10 in the shop, so it adds up quite quickly. For every friend referred who joins, you get $5 in the shop...they've got their rewards down pat. Enough about the details, let's see what is in my first box!

First off, can we take a moment to appreciate this lovely packaging. This month, Birchbox teamed up with Rifle Paper Co. to bring an especially spring-themed box and I think they did a wonderful job. I will definitely be keeping this box to store makeup products, lippies or just random odds and ends because it's so cute!

Included in my box is a 20% off coupon for RiflePaperCo. along with a little card explaining what all of the products are. My gifts this month are:

Beauty Protector's Protect & Detangle Spray

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Sweet Violet

rms beauty's Ultimate Makeup Remover Wipes

Vasanti's BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator

W3LL PEOPLE's Expressionist Mascara

The only brand I'm familiar with is Burt's Bees, so I'm very excited to try all these new products! I'm especially eager to try the Face Rejuvenator which is a cleanser and mask all in one, and the the mascara which is all natural.

I will plan on doing a follow-up post after I've gotten a chance to try out the products and use them for a bit. Check out Birchbox and see if it's worth that spare $10 you have. Also let me know in the comments if you've heard of/use Birchbox and what you think.

Disclaimer: Birchbox did not sponsor this post. I pay for this service out of my own pocket and all opinions/reviews are written by me and are my own.

Weekend Adventuring

2016-04-17T21:44:00.001-07:00

This Sunday's good things include everything from this past weekend. This weekend was a really good one. It's been raining since Friday, but I have no complaints because it feels so fresh and clean and Spring is officially here, which means that there are only 13 days until we go home to California and I can't wait. It's been a long year. There have been many tears, many sleepless nights, many worries and contemplations and reminiscing. There have also been many joys, many hugs and many laughs. One of the biggest blessings has been the man who has stayed by my side through it all and who inspires me to live life to the fullest and supports me and loves me, even when times get tough.

Artsy fartsy

We decided to take advantage of the dreary weather and go exploring this weekend. On Friday after classes, we took a walk along the beach, which is about 10 minutes from our campus. We walked, talked, took pictures and enjoyed some quiet time together, taking advantage of not having cell service. Breaks like that are so necessary.

Super cheesy

Exploring

My love

This is Seymour

Fishing freehanded...actually we found him dead. RIP Seymour

My adventure buddy

Saturday, we celebrated 6 months of officially dating. We've been friends for four years but these past few months have felt like a lifetime and I am so excited for what our future holds for us. I have been blessed with the most loving, hardworking and dedicated man and I am so grateful for him, each and every day. (Currently making myself sick over how lovey-dovey this sounds but my blog, my rules, my rambles.) Curtis surprised me with a dozen roses before I went to work and we grabbed a bite to eat and decided to go fishing in the rain that evening. We put blankets and pillows in the trunk of our car, and stuck the fishing pole in the sand while listening to country music and watching the waves. It was the most peaceful time and I couldn't have asked for a better day.

I woke up to a dozen roses

Fishing out of the back of our car, being outdoorsy and such

Sundays mean brunching and that is exactly what we did this morning. I do love weekends.

Brunching is what we do best

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and didn't get too annoyed with my cheesy rants. And with that, we enter a new week.

Five (Good) Things

2016-04-10T22:04:00.001-07:00

Image via Pinterest

I hope everyone's Sunday was pleasant and full of laughter. I really want to make an effort to make a list of five things I'm thankful for, aka five good things on Sundays. While cliché, I think it's good to take a moment to consider the good things, appreciate them and revel in them, especially week by week. It's sometimes hard to recognize the good things, as small as they may be, but in the moment they can bring immense joy and peace and it's these things that I tend to fall back on when things get tough.

The older I get, the more I try and focus on the little things, the things that maybe others don't recognize or don't need to know about, or maybe the things that don't get posted on Snapchat or maybe even the things that completely change our lives but are just kept quiet.

[I was scrolling through blogs tonight, after washing my face and getting in bed, and happened across this idea, which I loved so much that I decided to borrow it. So here we go.]

1. This morning I showed up to work right on time, but without a cup of coffee. My manager came up to me and said he was running to Starbucks and what did I want. I handed him my debit card but he put it back in my purse. It was honestly the nicest thing and it made my day. Work is work and it is stressful and sometimes a challenge, but I am truly blessed to work in a place that for the most part keeps me happy, allows me to pay the bills and supplies me with some pretty amazing co-workers.

2. Belly laughs and tickle fights that leave you out of breath. Just because we're adults doesn't mean we can't act like four-year-olds sometimes.

3. Cold pizza is my absolute favorite. Yes, I'll eat it fresh out of the oven (or pick-up window or whatever) but I really like to wait until it's cold. It's the little things.

4. I ordered a silk/satin pillowcase from Amazon and it got here a few days ago, and I'm loving it! I've heard that they are really good for curly and wavy hair because it helps diminish frizz and bed-head and it's also good for preventing wrinkles and just being more sanitary because it doesn't soak up oils or excess dirt from your face. So I finally caved and it's like sleeping on a little cloud. I just have to get a new pillow because mine is extremely flat...not really sure how that happened but I need to fix that ASAP.

5. My favorite beauty product of the week is the L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Cushion Buildable Luminous Foundation (jeez that's a mouthful). If I want something a little more full coverage than a CC or BB cream, I'll grab this. To be honest I actually only got it yesterday, but I wore it last night and today and it stayed all day, covered up all my scarring and blended flawlessly. I didn't even need concealer. It looks really natural, with a slightly dewey and fresh finish, but it feels incredibly light on my skin and it's a great addition to my makeup stash!

What are your five (good) things?

"No Makeup" Makeup Look

2016-04-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

Who survived Tuesday? ✋🏼 To be honest, it was a fairly easy and relaxed day. I don't have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I slept in until 10:30...made myself a cup of coffee and then proceeded to work on some design projects for an hour or so, before warming up some Olive Garden leftovers and binge-watching Netflix with my honey. I get a lot of flak for being a Communications major and never having homework; OK, true, I rarely have regular "busy work" homework, but I have many projects throughout the semester, most of which require numerous hours, days, weeks of work. So don't hate on the Comm majors! It's not as easy as it seems.

I literally spent a whole 5 minutes on my face this morning, and was too lazy to shower, so I threw a hat on too. Ah, the trials of having thin hair. Yes, I do wash my hair with margarine...what about you?

I started out with a new primer I recently picked up. I've been really into the Pixi line at Target, and think that they have some really great products. They are more high-end for the drugstore, but definitely worth the steeper price. I didn't have the time nor the care to put on foundation, and as we go into the warmer months, I'm veering more towards the BB and CC cream products. This one is super light and sheer, (more of a tinted moisturizer, really) but nonetheless, it's nice for a no-makeup look because it adds just a little something to at least smooth the skin and even it out a little. bareMineral's Bareskin Serum Concealer is my ride or die. I wear it every single day, under my eyes and on my spots. It flawlessly erases my discoloration and scarring and adds a dewey glow to the skin without being cakey. A dupe for the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder is actually $6 at Target and is the NYC Loose Setting Powder in Translucent. It's great for baking concealer with a dry beauty blender or for a light dusting to set the whole face with a fluffy brush. Highly recommend. I actually picked up a new drugstore blush last night, after hearing some rave reviews from the beauty gurus I follow. I was looking for something more on the nude side, something that could technically double as a bronzer-y product as well, and this was the one with the best recommendations. I love L'Oreal in general, there's just something about their products that never fail to impress, and this is no exception. It's very affordable to boot, so score. The only thing I was worried about is that it is advertised as a warm toned blush, whereas I have cooler toned features. However, it is a gorgeous color, nude, as promised, and did indeed do the job of both a blusher and bronzer on my cheeks. It adds a very unique depth and a subtle, very natural color that I really, really like. I just ran over my brows, filling them in pretty naturally with Gimme Brow and applied two coats of Lights Camera Lashes. Lastly, I added some glow on my temples, brow bone and nose with my current favorite highlighter.

So there's a "no makeup" makeup look, emphasizing on dewy and glowy skin. What are your no-makeup product picks?

Current Spring Skincare

2016-04-01T18:13:00.001-07:00

Wait, I'm alive? Yes, yes I am. I've been trying to think of a really spectacular way of coming back to blogging, but I couldn't come up with much except a bunch of beauty/skincare-themed updates, so we're just going to get into it. Excuses for not posting since December? Tons. Any of them worth delving into? Not really.

My skin is *knock on wood* finally starting to be in the best condition it's ever been in, and hopefully by summer, I'll be even more confident with it. I'm struggling less with breakouts and more with hyper pigmentation and dryness, both the effects of the scars I'm working on healing; I've been focusing on the overall brightness and dewey-ness of my skin. A little more vitamin D exposure will help, but in the meantime, I've corralled a few products that I've worked into my skincare regimen that I'm really liking.

It takes a lot of courage for me to post something unedited and barefaced and not feel self-conscious about it, so this is kind of a big deal 👏🏼

Exfoliator- The Body Shop's Shea Butter Body Scrub

Body Moisturizer- The Body Shop's Shea Butter Body Butter

Self Tanner- Tarte's Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanner

Face Mask- Proactiv + Skin Purifying Mask

Cleanser- Burt's Bees Brightening Daily Facial Cleanser

Makeup Remover- Boot's Botanics Soothing All Bright Eye Makeup Remover

Moisturizer- Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer

Eye Cream- Arganicare Advanced Eye Cream

Serum- Boot's Botanics Radiance Concentrate All Bright Serum

Primer/Hydration Boost- Pixi's Glow Mist with Propolis & Argan Oil

Have you tried any of these products?

These are available at Sephora, Target and online

On Fear

2015-12-03T10:26:00.001-08:00

Disclaimer: This isn't a happy post.

I woke up this morning at the proper time that I would need to get up in order to get ready and make myself presentable for my 8 a.m. Because that is at least something I can still be in control of and which I choose to put effort into. If you look ready to take on the day, the idea is that your mindset and attitude towards said day will be more confident & positive.

But I wasn't feeling it. So I snoozed my alarm 10 times.

I woke up 15 minutes before class. But I still went.

Then I came back & fell asleep again. I woke up shaking from a nightmare. Wait, it was ten'o'clock. Day-mare? Is that a thing?

Fear does that to you. It plays with you in unexplained ways. Maybe I should pick up a psychology minor. It's both incredible and terrifying how your mind twists and affects you based on what is physically happening. The human body is pretty cool like that.

I would ideally like to say that I am a strong person. I'm doing just fine growing up and starting a new phase of my life. I'm getting used to being an adult and accepting the rewards and consequences of that. I'm learning that certain things don't really matter anymore, like what people think of what you look like (spoiler: the majority don't notice nor care) and comparison is petty. Weight and height and personality are all beautiful parts of what makes a person. And if others fail to realize it, screw 'em. I'm more in control of my feelings and my emotions and more in touch with who I am as a person than I ever have been. I'm adulting. And I'm doing just fine.

However, there are things that no matter how mature or old or secure we are, we just can't seem to control.

Fear is one of them.

Whether it be irrational fears, PTSD, extreme intuitiveness or phobias, everyone suffers from some type of fear.

Fear of losing others, fear of death, fear of being inadequate, fear of being barren, fear of spiders, paranoia, fear of heights, germs, traveling. An overwhelming sense of insecurity. Change. Losing control. Not being loved. Being alone. Darkness. Emptiness.

Fear doesn't make us weak. It unites us. It is something that the whole human race can recognize in itself, whether they choose to advertise it or not. And more often than not, the more serious fears that we suffer from are not things that we wish to disclose to everyone. It is likely that only a handful (or a few fingers) of people are aware of and fully understand what scares us. That's a good thing. If we throw around our inner most secrets like dirty laundry, people will take advantage of that. And it'll cause more pain and end up becoming yet another thing that we fear.

Perhaps one of the most terrifying feelings is being afraid of something that is supposed to be a rock. Supposed to be there for you in your worse times to support and help you. But then the tables are turned and the worse times seem to be when this something is in your presence. It's heartbreaking. It makes us question our trust & our faith in people because it screws us up. It plays with us. It gets inside where we can't escape it. It changes us. And it sucks.

Fear is an enemy, yes, but it can also be a blessing in disguise. Fear enables us to test ourselves in ways that seem impossible and horrible, but for some reason, we always rise. We rise stronger, whether we think we are or not. We rise braver and more sure of ourselves. The painful part is that we rise so raw and broken that it's difficult to see how we have healed. But it's only through fear that we are able to reach this point.

And that's the beautiful horror of it all.

On Body-Image

2015-11-24T12:49:00.001-08:00

I was recently out spending money on a pile of neutral toned clothes (neutrals just make sense, okay?) and Rachel said something that stuck with me. I've stopped paying attention to sizes, it really doesn't matter.

Stop. Wait a minute.

Disclaimer: I am currently writing this post while consuming the last slice of cold pizza we had leftover from dinner the other night. And I have no shame.

Everyone (and you know you've witnessed it too) is obsessed with this "skinny girl" fad. Hell, there's even a cocktail brand named after it. With the rare exception of those who have overcome society and their own self-consciousness, there is a constant disconnect between the "skinny girls" and the "nots".

Growing up, body shaming and a lack of positive self-image wasn't a thing. My mom was always very fit, even after giving birth to five children, and it just wasn't something that was regularly talked about. It wasn't an issue and that was beautiful.

Of course, when puberty hits and all these crazy things start happening and you get into high school and socialize with girls who aren't your sisters, this whole new world opens up. Weight and size and image becomes everything. And it just goes on from there.

I watched Eat, Pray, Love with Julia Roberts last night. It's one of those grab a pint of Ben & Jerry's and cuddle up in your blanket (which also happens to be gray, thank you very much) while crying and laughing at the same time kind of movies. And I proceeded to do all three of those things. But anyways, there's this scene where Roberts and a friend she meets in Italy are enjoying pizza in a little bistro because duh, they're in Rome. The friend, who hasn't touched her plate is staring at Roberts who is indulging quite beautifully in her meal. "I've gained three pounds just looking at that...I have this pooch on my jeans." "A muffin top? I have one too," responds Roberts. She then has a line that rings so true. "Out of all the men you've been with, have any of them ever asked you to leave? No of course not, because they don't care."

THANK YOU. Obviously our significant others don't care about our weight, the size of our jeans or how many calories we consume in a day. It's not their job to be our lifestyle coach, it's their job to love us. There are some sick individuals who do shame their partners about their size and that saddens me tremendously. Because it doesn't matter. Those who bring it up strictly out of concern and love for the other will make the effort to improve with them. Hence the couples who work out and cook their meals together. But at the end of the day, the men in our lives don't care. They love us for us.

It's the woman who are the problem. It's like the saying goes, women don't dress up to improve men, they dress up to impress other women. It's just another flaw in our society. Women judge themselves because they don't look like the women they see on Instagram. They diet and often starve themselves. Every chance they get, they look in the mirror and ask their friends if they look skinnier. And before too long the friends get sick of it. Because it doesn't matter. Beauty starts on the inside. As long as we are happy and moderately healthy on the outside, that is what matters most.

Now I hate buying pants. It's difficult to find ones that really fit because I'm very short, I have hips and small legs but a little butt. However, I needed jeans and I was determined to get at least two pairs that fit me well. So I grabbed two sizes in the color and styles I liked and made way to the fitting room. The 2 was too small. Normally I would feel bad about myself for not fitting in the 2, but I had just had a body-image epiphany and subsequently I had a paradigm shift. I pulled another size on with a smile on my face. They fit well and I looked great. I bought three pairs.

I've stopped telling myself I'm fat or overweight or unhealthy. If I do have something to tell myself, I tell myself that when I'm ready I can go and find a workout routine that will get me more toned. That's really all it is. Do I have days where I don't feel attractive or as fit as I could be? Of course. I'm a woman and it's how we are. But I keep myself healthy, eat mostly good foods and I've never been much of an exerciser but I'll commit to it when I feel like it. No, I don't look like a Victoria's Secret model. No, I'm not a 00, but I'm me and I've stopped paying attention to sizes.

Review: Best of Sephora Skincare

2015-11-16T17:24:00.000-08:00

There comes a point in every woman's life when she can regularly afford Sephora. It's almost like a rite of passage. You find a good job, you start making a decent income and once you pay your monthly bills, you still have a few dollars left for a nice product every few weeks or so. I personally tend to pay more money for skincare products as well as higher-end foundation, eyeshadows and palettes. 1) I owe it to myself and my very sensitive skin to find not only the best products, but also the highest quality ingredients, best color matches, etc. 2) I go through mascara and eyebrow pencils way too often to drop $30 every time.

With the holiday season in full effect, Sephora has a fantastic range of gift sets and samplers, so I took advantage of this opportunity to try out a variety of products, hoping to find some that I could incorporate into my skincare routine. For me, this was a great investment because I get to try out many different things to see which ones I would like to buy full-size in a month or so. Thus far, I've been pleasantly surprised and enjoying my habitual face-washing even more.

Detoxifying Black Cleanser by Boscia. This stuff looks so cool and does a wonderful job at cleansing my skin after I've removed my eye makeup. I will definitely consider buying this full-size
ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliator by Kate Somerville. Because I have such sensitive skin, I look for exfoliators that will indeed remove dead and dull skin but also which won't rip my face to shreds. This one is a hit, and leaves my skin feeling soft and supple without stripping it of its natural oils.
Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Apricot Vanilla by Josie Maran. I'm in love. My skin is already showing signs of being more dry than usual with the winter months setting in and this cream not only smells amazing, but it's thick and soaks into my skin beautifully. I even put it on my face as an intensive moisturizer and it worked like a charm without breaking me out.
Ultra Repair Cream by First Aid Beauty. I've been wanting to try out some of First Aid Beauty's products for a long time, and seeing as this is one of their bestsellers, it worked out well. It's an excellent moisturizer that I have been applying every night, but if I were to purchase the full-size, I would most likely use it as my daytime moisturizer as well. It is light and not at all greasy but it is very hydrating at the same time and is the perfect base under my primer and foundation.
Truth Serum Collagen Booster by Ole Henriksen. To be honest, I'm really not sure what this serum's primary purpose is, but it feels great on my skin and leaves a dewey, fresh look so I've been applying it at night after my moisturizer and before my eye cream.
ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate by Shiseido. Again, when I first took off the packaging, I was pleased by the visual appeal but a little confused as to what this product was supposed to do. Upon further research, I've found that it is meant to restore the skin to it's youthful appearance and bring back a a glow and lively look to the skin's surface. It seems to be doing just that, so all seems good.
Foaming Cleansing Oil by Marula. I'm a fan of cleansing oils because I have very dry skin and they seem to melt off all my makeup at the end of the day, which is a very satisfying experience.
YOUTHMUD Tinglexfoliate Treatment by GlamGlow. Ah, GlamGlow, why must you be so painfully expensive. I love everything about this brand, from the packaging to the names of the products to the actual products themselves. Though I should refrain from using the plural, as I've only tried this one product so far, I will consider splurging on this brand in the near future. Oh, and this mask is awesome.
Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask by Peter Thomas Roth. Hello, you sexy thing. I didn't know I could find a product so visually appealing. Truthfully, I haven't tried this mask yet, but if the reviews are to be believed, I'm expecting it to do wondrous things for my skin.
Complete Eye Renewal Balm by Algenist. It's never too early to start using an eye cream. Not only do they help prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging, but they help with dark circles (which is a hereditary quality of mine) and general hydration around the eyes, where the skin is extremely thin and delicate. I really like this one as it is thick and I can feel it soaking into my skin, which I don't mind at all as I generally apply it right before bed.
Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF by Fresh. Maybe I'm cheap but I don't see the need to buy high-end lip balms as I again go through them so quickly and because drugstore ones do just as good a job. However, I've wanted to try the Fresh balms, and I am pleased with this one. It's the basic, untinted one that I would use on a pretty frequent basis, so if I were to purchase another one, it would be a tinted one to use more as lip-stain/lipstick.

So that's the roundup of products. I have noticed that my complexion is evening out and my blemishes are not as prominent. All in all, I think this is a delightful batch of items that complement each other well and is definitely the way to go if you're looking to try out some skincare without paying full price for each.

Hey Wassup Hello: A Life Update

2015-11-12T12:37:00.000-08:00

I’ve been staring at this screen for a good twenty minutes now trying to figure out what kind of post I want to write.

I browsed through roughly ten to fifteen post ideas for Fall, took a few selfies and ate a KIND bar and still nothing.

So now I’m just going to ramble about pointless things that you could probably care less about but which will make me feel at least a little productive and inspirational.

I could start by giving a life update but what’s really so interesting about that?

It’s November, so it’s basically Christmas, the red cup scandal is taking over the internet and the wind nearly whisked my Ray Bans off my face when I was walking to my 8 a.m. this morning. Now these glasses were necessary because one, I can’t see worth a crap and two because I looked a little bit blah. Granted, I snoozed my alarm clock until 7:45 so what do I expect, but I still made it to class before Karl did. Oh, Karl’s my Marketing teacher. He’s pretty cool about not yelling for when I was horribly ill and missed his class…multiple times…

Speaking of class, I’m just going to come out and say it. My schedule sucks this year. I know I should be an adult and suck it up but I’m a complainer so let me complain. When I planned it out last Spring, I wasn’t taking into consideration that I’d be working up to 35 hours a week, nor that all of those seemingly easy classes would add up to 19 credits. Stupid Greta.

Turns out, the Sophomore Slump, while believed by some to be a frame of mind, is proving to be unavoidable. Socializing, partying and running on little to no sleep just doesn’t appeal to me anymore. My coffee mug collection is growing and I swear I’ve spent more money on groceries than ~~booze~~ useless items that do not benefit me in any way.

Ah, yes, financials.

So as I mentioned, I’m working pretty darn close to full-time as a waitress. How stereotypical of me, right? Laugh all you want. I’m making roughly $100 a night (this is awkward now because I am in no way trying to brag but I don't know how else to explain my stable financial status.) I bought my plane ticket home not because I had to but because I could. And it’s a beautiful feeling.

It’s more than the money. It’s the independence, the accomplishment, the maturity, knowing that I can purchase high quality items that I’ve wanted and really deserve because I work my butt off.

It’s being an adult. It’s affording Sephora and 7 for $27 and groceries and winter jackets. It’s being able to reward myself with a meal out and leaving a $10 tip. Yes, no matter where I am I always leave between $5-$10. Why? Because I know what it’s like! Being a server is hard and stressful and annoying and everything else, so that nice tip can make all the difference.

And really, I just love working. My parents both have great work ethics and I can proudly say I inherited that quality. It makes me proud of myself when I’m so exhausted I'm sore, getting home sometimes not until 1:30 a.m., but with my pocketbook full. It makes me proud that I can live comfortably and indulge in good, high quality items when I ~~need~~ want them. It makes me proud that I am making my family proud.

So there’s that.

There’s a not-even-remotely entertaining life update and an epic fail at attempting to be witty.

Sophomore Dorm Room Tour

2015-08-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

Long time, no see! Yes, it has been a while. I took the summer off and decided to dedicate my time to making memories with old friends, working two jobs and preparing for my sophomore year of college.

I'm now moved back, settled in nicely, and working two jobs on campus with a possible third in town. Classes begin on Tuesday and I'm enjoying a fairly chill weekend before the hustle and bustle of the school year starts. I moved in last Tuesday night and my lovely roommate moved in the following night. We are completely in love with our room this year, which is twice the size of our room last year and complete with our own bathroom and shower.

I'm planning on getting back into a regular blogging routine, per request of Rachel and others, so bear with me and I will do my best to bring this little blog of mine back to life.

Dear First Year of College

2015-05-18T23:56:00.000-07:00

Dear advisor who put up with me for six months: Thank you for being understanding & not losing patience despite the various issues that caused my college acceptance to be delayed until a week before my flight. I could never have done it without you. Thank you for the endless emails, phone calls & even texts that helped me figure out classes, FAFSA, meal plans & everything else in between. Looking back, I realize now how chaotic the whole process was, but with your help, I was able to transition smoothly.

Dear orientation leader: Thank you for being over-the-top welcoming & for answering the few questions I was brave enough to ask in our small groups that first day of college. Your enthusiasm, while seemingly fake & terribly annoying at the time, really did help me ease into the whole "be chill" vibe that is crucial to practice.

Dear boys I kissed: It's college. It happened. We're adults, it's not awkward. Okay, let's move on. I promise I don't hate you. And yeah, of course I remember. No, we don't have to get married.

Dear favorite teacher: Thank you for believing in me & my work even when I cut myself short. Thank you for tolerating my sometimes inappropriately casual & unfiltered attitude in class & for always having your office door open. Thank you for listening to me rant about my final paper & the annoying characters I was dealing with- both in literature & real life. Finally, thank you for encouraging me to pursue something I've always wanted to pursue but didn't have the guts or the encouragement to do so.

Dear friends: It's not easy being my friend, is it? Thank you for accepting my crazy, my annoying, my good, bad & ugly. Thank you for being a shoulder to cry on, providing a bed to sleep on, a buddy to eat with & a partner to study with. Thank you for the whole days we wasted watching Netflix & the nights I swore I wouldn't survive. Thank you for the lessons you taught me & the love you gave me. Whether or not we remain friends throughout the coming years, I will never forget you, even if you forget me.

Dear Louayne: You are one tough lunch lady. Thank you for always greeting me with a smile & being patient when my I.D. didn't work & had to be swiped 6+ times. Thank you for never judging me when I came in to get a cup of coffee every 45 minutes five times in a row. Thank you for cleaning up the cafeteria messes, wearing holiday-themed accessories with pride & striking up conversations with the football players (which was just plain adorable).

Dear roommate: You are my best friend. I don't know what I did the first few weeks we weren't friends. I still don't know how we got from that first Barnes & Noble date & talking about our exes, high school & families to where we are today. Thank you for truly never giving up on me, even when I'm sure you felt like you wanted or needed to. Thank you for believing in me, trusting me, listening to me & yelling at me, each when needed. Thank you for supporting me in the things that deserved support & helping me mend things that needed mending. Thank you for doubling my closet & being my most favorite hello & hardest goodbye. You made my first year in college all that it was & I cannot imagine how I got on before you. I love you so much & can't wait for the years to come.

Dear North Dakota: Thank you for showing me that heaven exists in a bowl of knoefla, that San Francisco's "windy" is literally nothing compared to yours & that trees should be appreciated when seen (which is pretty much never). Thank you for being my second home. P.S. I love you.

Spring Photoshoot

2015-05-12T16:37:00.000-07:00

Now that spring is in full force and it's feeling more and more like summer every day, I wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and put together some outfits that I've been styling. They range from super casual to something nicer for Church, a graduation party, etc. Dressing up is my absolute favorite and I believe that even the simplest of outfits can be pulled together with some pearls and a pop of lipstick.

Hooked On...

2015-05-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

This app: I'm a little late to the Audible bandwagon, but after recently dedicating this summer to reading more books (among other things like working, driving, surviving, etc.) I figured I'd give it a try. I signed up for the free trial which includes one free audiobook of your choice (which is awesome, thanks Amazon) & so far, so good! I haven't yet decided if I'm going to cave in and pay for the monthly membership. It will depend on whether or not I get this job that I applied for...more on that later. It's also kind of a bother, being that Audible is twice the price of Netflix, and I've been considering getting my own Netflix account for when I go back to school in August. I guess binge-listening is healthier than binge-watching, but we'll see. Anyway. The book I decided to listen to is What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. I put it on my list of books I want to read this summer, so I thought it was an excellent choice. I like how you download the book to your phone or tablet, so it doesn't require WiFi or use data & the app has a sleep timer along with a variety of other settings, so I'm really enjoying it. My guess is that I'm going to get so addicted that I'll have to join...that's their whole plot, isn't it?

This cleanser: I discovered this after going through my YouTube subscriptions & hearing it mentioned more than once. When I got back from school for the summer, I needed to buy all new skin & hair care products as I couldn't bring my full sized ones on the plane. But that's all besides the point...I picked up this cleansing water because I wanted to try a new skincare routine & thought that this would be implemented nicely. I love it. It's light & refreshing & doesn't require a rinse because it's an actual water itself. I pour a little on a cotton pad & cleanse my face in the morning before moisturizing & I've already noticed a difference in my skin. It's not as dry or tight & it just feels all around a lot cleaner.

This hair: I've been debating getting my hair done for a while now. It's well overdue, but I've always been really hesitant to cut it or do anything with it because it takes forever to grow & I have somewhat difficult hair to deal with. It's naturally curly, but lately, it's less curls & more awkward waves that like to do whatever the hell they please. I guess you could say there's no real order to my hair. I end up straightening it a lot of the time, just so it's easier to manage, but even with proper protection, I hate how heat slows down the growing process. With that in mind, I'm considering taking the plunge & getting my hair done & I mean done, like consulting a professional & seeing what the deal is & how I can learn to love my natural hair more. I really like the whole long-bob style, especially the look of this one, minus the color as I'm a lot darker than that & would like to keep it that way. I'll keep you updated on that whole process.

This coffee: Y'all know how I am about my coffee. Absolutely addicted. Really it's starting to get a little worrisome. At school, I was getting up to 6-8 cups a day. Yeah. One of my best friends recently started working at Dutch Bros. Coffee which is new in Napa, & let me tell you, it's a whole experience in & of itself. There's a walk-up window or a drive-thru & the whole atmosphere is super chill with a sort of hippy vibe, very different from a Starbucks or Peets. The coffee is really good. I ordered the Annihilator the other day, but I'm willing to try the whole menu. If you have a Dutch Bros. near you, I definitely recommend.

This quote: This quote has just been speaking to me lately. No other explanation.

These shorts: Clean, classic, comfortable. That's what I'm looking for in an everyday/working out/hanging around short. I like these because they're super lightweight & have a softer material, so it doesn't feel like you're wearing those annoying nylon workout shorts that ride up in the back and show underwear lines and all that dumb stuff. These are also reasonably priced for Under Armour & I love the range of colors, but the grey is especially unique.

This photography: I want to get back into using my camera more this summer & this kind of photography is something I've always wanted to master. It's so different & pleasant to look at & not that complicated once you get the hang of it. The American Flag is so cool, but I'm really not sure how it was captured so that would be really fun to play around with.

These nails: Yes, those are mine. I missed my manicures so much. I like to keep it simple & classic & my mentality is that I can do a lot of color on my own at home & they generally don't look half bad, so when I go to get my nails done, I like to do something I can't do myself, aka a French manicure.

This comic relief: Oh Ellen, I don't agree with the majority of your beliefs but boy, are you funny. I started listening to comedy radio on Spotify during the day or before bed, if I'm not reading/listening to a book & Ellen is just plain hilarious. She's a little coarse sometimes but very straightforward & sarcastic & she's pretty harmless for the most part. I really enjoy listening to her.

Anything new you're hooked on?

Summer Makeup Wishlist

2015-05-09T11:29:00.004-07:00

Dior Lip Glow in Coral Coral // find it here

Stila CC Color Correcting Cream // find it here

bareMinerals Perfecting Face Brush // find it here

Benefit Puff Off! // find it here

Tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy // find it here

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue in Vanilla // find it here

Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette // find it here

Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette // find it here

Which beauty or skincare items are on your summer wishlist?

Summer Reading List

2015-05-06T15:46:00.001-07:00

I used to be an avid reader, sometimes reading up to three books a week. I started forgetting my love for reading when I started high school, and didn't find much time for it in college, but a few weeks before finals, I was at Barnes & Noble with my roommate, and I grabbed a random book...I was hooked. I admit, I picked it up off the shelf because I liked its cover and definitely didn't plan on actually reading the whole thing. I was tired of social media and Netflix (gasp!) and I just wanted to take my mind off of life. So I started reading. And I've had a hard time putting it down since. I had to take a break to focus on finals, but I only have a few chapters left and now that it's summer, I really want to keep reading and get through as many books as I can, while still enjoying them.

Here is a list of the books on my summer reading list. (The book I'm currently reading is A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams.)

1. The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams

2. Paper Towns by John Green

3. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

4. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

5. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

Hopefully, if I can succeed in reading all of these within the next few months, I will plan on doing a review on each one to let you know how they were.

What books are on your summer reading list?

Musings of a Foodie: Afternoon in the Valley

2015-05-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

View from Hall Winery

Pulled pork sandwich on sourdough roll with creamy potato salad, Homestead Restaurant

View from the Artesa balcony

Virgin Mary statue, Artesa Winery

Dean & Deluca, Purveyors of Fine Food

Farmstead Restaurant

Iced vanilla latte & sea salted caramel, Dean & Deluca

Artesa Vineyards & Winery

Hall Winery

Farmstead Restaurant

Dean & Deluca

Six Quotes To Fuel My Thursday

2015-04-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been scrolling through your Twitter or Pinterest feeds and repeatedly seen quotes or tweets that fit your life perfectly? O.K. who subtweeted me...I don't even know this person, you're thinking. God has quite the sense of humor and I like to think this is one of His ways of reaching out to us. Maybe that's crazy. Well, I've been told I am.

Here are six quotes that pretty much sum up my life at the moment.

Images via Pinterest

Which quotes are fueling your Thursday?

Benefits Of Being Alone

2015-04-08T15:30:00.001-07:00

After spending my first official holiday by myself, I can attest to the fact that spending time alone can be both healthy and enjoyable. Being in college, I am constantly around people, from my friend group to my teachers and classmates to the 20-something handing me my fries on a midnight McDonalds run (yeah that happens). Human beings are designed to be social but it's easy to get so caught up in attending every school event, going to every meal with a buddy and "doing homework" with a "study companion" (let's be real, not a whole lot of homework actually gets done).

Here are four reasons why I think flying solo every once in a while can be beneficial.

1. You can do whatever you want. There are no demands from others or appointments to make or plans to keep. If what you want is to watch 8+ hours of Netflix, then you're free to do just that & no one will judge you or interrupt unless you let them.

2. You learn to be more independent. When no one is there to do things for you or influence decisions you need to make, you learn to trust your instinct & do what is best for you. The bowl that is now dirty from the cereal you ate before bed? Yep, you will need to clean that because no one else is going to do it for you. Laundry, vacuuming & keeping a strict eating & sleeping schedule are the same way. The more you practice this, the less lazy you will be & you will also learn to trust yourself more which is what we all want, right?

3. You appreciate family & friends more. FaceTiming my whole family on Easter Sunday & finally seeing my roommate again after five days apart made me realize how much I tend to take them for granted. Always having someone around & not giving it much thought is comforting, but if we get so used to them being there, it diminishes their worth & leads us to rely on them way too much. "Distance makes the heart grow fonder" is cliché but true.

4. You learn to be content with yourself. The constant opinions and comments from others on every little aspect of our lives can be helpful but harmful. Again, it makes us rely on them and what they think is best. It's important to have a solid group of friends who truly want what is best for you & who will do whatever it takes to make you better, but it is easy to start trusting the wrong people and believe everything that everyone tells you. Taking some time to isolate yourself from constant socialization forces you to reflect on yourself & your own actions. It is a great time to journal & even go to the chapel & spend some quiet time in prayer or meditation.

Being alone and learning to be O.K. with it is a necessary & natural part of growing up. One cannot face their demons if they never give themselves the opportunity. Focusing on doing what is best for you will make you feel more in touch with yourself & if you're struggling with knowing who you are or staying true to yourself, taking this time is pertinent. It can also help your relationships with others, as contradicting as that seems. Knowing who you are & being happy with it is attractive to others & adds an element of maturity & stability to friendships and relationships.

Being a fairly outgoing and talkative person, I often get comments from my friends or family asking if I'm okay when I'm quiet or "anti-social". I don't blame them at all, seeing as it is my primary personality to be social, but sometimes I recognize that I need to remove myself, either physically, verbally or both in order to get back in touch with myself & calm myself down. I'm learning to be O.K. with being alone, but it is still a slim line to balance on between being alone & being lonely.

What are your tips for spending time alone? Do you find it to be beneficial to you?

What I Ate

2015-04-04T16:26:00.000-07:00

For some, Easter Break means going on holiday with family or taking a road trip with roommates. This year I'm spending my Easter weekend doing things for me. And while I do miss my family & friends, time to myself, to do exactly what I want is healthy & a necessary part of growing up.

The cafeteria isn't open 24/7 like usual during these breaks, so while I have the option of walking over anytime from 11 A.M. and 6 P.M. I've been content making some meager meals for myself right in my own room. I'm a relatively simple person when it comes down to it.

Every day starts with coffee, & I kept it simple this morning with just a little creamer.

Around 2:30 P.M. I was hungry, so I whipped up a super easy tuna salad sandwich, which has been my go-to lately. A little scoop of mayo, a spoonful of relish, some salt & pepper & I'm good to go. I piled the salad onto some whole wheat bread. Simple & filling, not to mention healthy.

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I've been craving my fresh greens again. While I initially didn't like the taste of this juice, it's grown on me & it's not only chock full of vitamins, but it's refreshing & has no sugar or artificial anything.

I finally caved & trekked to the caf (which was actually a lovely walk since it's 60° outside) to get some vegetables and iced tea. I opted for spinach, hard boiled eggs, a little bacon, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, carrots & some cottage cheese.

I finished off with some vanilla yogurt (which may have been a bad idea...after sitting out all day it was room temperature. Gross.) I topped it off with some granola, dried cranberries & almonds.

What did you eat today?

Hooked On...

2015-04-03T20:40:00.001-07:00

This quote: The school year is drawing to a close & I am finding it harder & harder to stay concentrated & motivated. The laziness & lack of drive surrounding me doesn't make it any less difficult. It's important now, more than ever, that I stay focused and do whatever it takes to keep my goals in mind.
This product: OGX is my favorite brand for hair products, & this is my favorite "scent family." I have extremely dry & damaged hair so the blend of kelp & algae help bring it back to life. I can't even begin to explain the scent...it just makes me feel some kind of way. I spray this product all over my damp hair when I get out of the shower and let it air dry before styling or throwing it into a braid.
This ring: So, I've wanted one of these rings for as long as I can remember. My oldest sister always had one & I remember wishing I was cool enough to wear one too. I didn't know the entire meaning behind the ring until recently when I noticed that a lot of my friends wear them. So I did my research. The Claddagh Ring is a traditional Irish wedding ring that contains a heart held by two hands & topped with a crown. The way in which the ring is worn conveys the wearer's relationship status. Worn on the right hand & with the heart facing outward means that the wearer is single & that their heart is "open". Worn on the right & with the heart facing inward signifies that the wearer is in a committed relationship & that their heart belongs to someone. Worn on the left hand signifies that the wearer is engaged or married. I found a ring box with a little note on my desk yesterday with this ring inside. One of my friends had bought it for me as an early birthday gift. I am in love.
This smoothie: As someone hailing from California, it's never been a problem finding a smoothie & juice shop on nearly every corner (that's actually not entirely inaccurate). In North Dakota, especially in Bismarck, these shops are few & far between. With summer getting closer, I've been craving fresh fruits & vegetables like no other, and smoothies are pretty much my favorite way to consume them. This isn't the best smoothie I've ever had, but in a pinch, it did the job and it was very insta-worthy, so that's all that matters, right?
These frockets: While I love The Fraternity Collection, they do seem to be a bit pricey, especially for broke college students like myself where anything over $10 is basically your whole bank account. Luckily, I've found a less expensive way to satisfy my frocket obsession...United Tees. They don't have quite as many patterns, but they're about half the price of The Frat Collection, and last week they had a 40% off sale on all their pockets, sooooooooo...yeah.
This no-makeup look: While it may take some sun and moisturizing magic to get my face looking a little more alive, I've been working on being more confident in my natural skin and embracing my flaws, so go me.
This show: I honestly have no words. That sounded so white girl but I'm sorry. I've binge-watched 6+ hours of this darn show for the past three days & I am so embarrassingly addicted. Olivia Pope is basically everything I aspire to be, minus the Monica Lewinsky-ish tendencies. Political drama, dark thriller & dry humor...yes.
This polish: I've been pretty obsessed with nude & white polishes lately. There's just something about them that make nails look so clean & fresh. This color has been one that I've been reapplying about every other week. It lasts about a week without chipping, as long as there's a top coat & isn't streaky or goopy. I usually apply two coats & then a top coat for the best color.
This pick-me-up: If I count correctly, I had the equivalent of roughly seven cups of iced coffee the other day. SEVEN FREAKING CUPS. Is this why I'm basically a midget? because it's totally worth it. I've always loved my coffee piping hot, but lately iced coffee has been appealing to me as well. I don't really care where it's from or even if I make it myself as long as there's no limit and a bathroom near by. (I'm still working on that whole training-the-body-to-tolerate-caffeine-thing.)
Anything new you're hooked on?

Here's What He Should Know

2015-03-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

I was scrolling through Facebook this morning while having my morning coffee & I clicked on a Thought Catalog article. The title intrigued me enough so I started reading, & then I started furiously typing.

Yes, I've been dreaming of my Prince since I was three years old. Walt Disney and Rogers & Hammerstein movies kinda set me up for a false reality of romance. I've always been friends with boys & growing up in a family full of male cousins & with two brothers of my own, I learned from an early age how to be comfortable around them. (Talking here as if we're dealing with an endangered species or something). I've only had one "boyfriend" and we all know how that ended, so I'm hesitant to even call it a legit relationship. Maybe it was at first, but it's not exactly one that I want recorded in my love-life-file.

I'm in college now, I'm going to be 20 years old in three months & I'm going to admit it.

I've never been in love.

The revelation hit me the other day while stopped at an intersection after Rachel and I had picked up Starbucks. This is what my wise best friend told me: "that's good." Now that I think about it, I realize she's right. I thought I was in love and that screwed me over. I've liked multiple guys, even kissed multiple guys, but I can now say that I have never loved any of them. Does that make me sound trashy? Sorry. I am after all, a college student & trust me, we do a lot of stupid things.

Why haven't I loved any of them? Because I'm actually smarter than I give myself credit, and I know that I haven't found him. I haven't found the one that God has created to be my person. I haven't found my future husband. He's out there somewhere, and it's really mind-boggling, but I may have already met him. He may be at this very school right now, who knows! Regardless, I haven't found him yet. And that's okay.

Being single pretty much all of my teenage (& so far my adult) life, I've had a lot of time to discern what exactly it is that I am looking for. And all those boys along the way have either helped me realize what I don't want, or given me a sample of what I do want. So s/o to them. Basically what I'm getting to, is after reading that article & thinking about this a bit, I came up with a few things.

I’d rather find someone who’s highly ambitious about his career. I’d rather find someone who’d like to wait a few years before starting a family but who would be open to one whenever God blessed us. I’d rather be in a relationship where we both work, but I’d like to eventually work from home. I’d rather be with someone who loves to travel but is also content with being a homebody. I’d rather be with someone who is confrontational & approaches a problem as it occurs.

I’d rather be with someone who enjoys parties & social events but knows when to stay in & enjoys watching Netflix. I’d rather be with an early bird so we can have our morning coffee together & watch the news or get ready together. I want to be with someone who watches dramas & comedies instead of thrillers. I want someone who is affectionate & open about his feelings but not dramatic. It’s important that I find someone who can make me laugh but who I can also have an intellectual conversation with. I want someone who has many of the same interests & tastes that I do & I want us to be able to discover new things together.

I need someone who is Roman Catholic or who will become Catholic before marrying me. I’d be content with settling down & establishing a life in one place rather than moving all the time if we still had the opportunity to travel. I’m interested in someone who decides on dates spur of the moment, but plans out when it comes to the important times (anniversaries, holidays, birthdays). I need someone who is able to be independent, as I am independent, but who enjoys spending a lot of time together as this is obviously what makes a relationship work.

It’s important that I find someone who’s a wine-and-beer drinker but who enjoys a good Jack & coke or martini every now & then. I’d rather be with someone who isn’t extremely involved in sports but I won’t complain if he is. I want someone who is more of a city person but who is open to spending time in the outdoors. If we go on vacation, I’d rather be someone who lays on the beach with me, drinking margaritas & reading books rather than someone who wants to go skydiving & parasailing. I’m more interested in the person who sits calmly & who strikes up a conversation with me rather than being the life of the party.

I want to be with someone who is more of an upbeat go-getter. I’m looking for a strong & romantic relationship in which we can still be quirky and boring together. If we’re watching a movie, I want someone who will make homemade popcorn and watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Bridesmaids with me on the couch. He can be a dog person but not a cat person. He doesn’t have to be a neat freak, but he shouldn’t be lax in his messes. I’m interested in someone who will cook meals with me the majority of nights per week. I want a movie-watcher who appreciates a good book & hasn’t passed reading off as “old-fashioned”. I need someone who’s opinions are in the same ballpark when it comes to politics, religion & style (that means Republican, Catholic and pretty please... preppy).

I’d rather be with someone who is open to having a big family but who will be happy with as many children as God blesses us with (I’m thinking three, maybe four?)

And last but not least, I need a cuddler.

Maybe I'm picky/needy, or maybe I just know exactly who I want. Oh, & honey, if you're reading this, I hope you know that I'm praying for you and I can't wait to find you.